The 12 CCHL teams were active last year, but they were content to play exhibition games, mostly against the same two teams. The circuit will kick off Thursday night with the presentation of a game between the Carleton Place Canadians and the Colts in Cornwall.

Very clever one who can predict who will be the forces involved. After more than 18 months of inactivity, the 12 teams in the league in the Ottawa region are unrecognizable. There have also been major changes at the helm of the last two championship teams. The Canadians were notably sold by Jason Clarke to Brett Sullivan. Clarke became assistant coach of Gatineau resident Daniel Renaud with the Shawinigan Cataractes. Sullivan was an assistant to Patrick Grandmaître with the University of Ottawa Gee Gees.

A new team is entering. The Kanata team has moved to Renfrew.

Failing to properly identify the forces present, all eyes should be on the organization of the Grads of Navan. The team has been in full recovery since the arrival of Marty Abrams in May 2018. Last season, six of its players were drafted into the Ontario League (OHL). Four of them managed to carve out a position in the league at 16: Christopher Barlas (Ottawa), Matthew Buckley (Oshawa), Alexis Daviault (Sarnia) and Mathieu Paris (London).

Owain Johnston (Erie), Owen Hollingsworth (Flint) and Cedricson Okitundu (Owen Sound) have also managed to carve out positions in the OHL after playing for the Grads for the past two years.

“We had 17 players from our organization at OHL camps this year! Several stayed. Of the six defenders we've been expecting this season, only one will be back. They will be difficult to replace, but we want to become a benchmark destination to take it to the next level, ”said Abrams.

Succession assured

The Grads have not finished running the crowds with their young hopes. Nathan Villeneuve and Benoît Cormier, two Orleans forwards, are already making the LHO recruiters salivate. They are only 15 years old, but they are already six feet tall.

“Villeneuve is one of the top two or three prospects. He and Cormier grew up playing together. They are so good they could play for my Junior A team if the rules allowed. For now, they will be playing with our U18 AAA team, but we will be calling them back on occasion this season. They have the right to play a limited number of matches. They are two strong players. They are explosive. The other players drink their energy. When they played with us during the exhibition games, there was electricity in the air at the arena."

Known names in the QMJHL and the LHO

In order to compensate for the promotions of several players, Marty Abrams will rely on his veterans, including two who have experience in the QMJHL or the LHO.

A native of Embrun, Alexandre Hogue (Sarnia, Gatineau) will be the defense quarterback at 20. Danyk Drouin (Oshawa) is also 20 years old. Casselman's forward is a versatile two-way player on the ice.

“The OHL teams have retained five of our defensemen, but we have a good core on offense. Devyn Orpana, Alec Lovisek and Gabriel Crête (engagement with Colgate NCAA) will pull the boat. Blake Hall and Ryan Burke are good 18 year old veterans. In front of the net, we are in the car with Ben West who will be going to play in the NCAA too. ”

While waiting to know the clubs that will stand out from the crowd, we already know that the Grads will hold the attention of recruiters.