Kingston Frontenacs GameDay October 7, 2016

y Josh Sweetland
Ontario Hockey League
Lawson Crouse, Spencer Watson, Warren
Foegele and Stephen Desrocher are all
impact names within the grasp of the
Kingston Frontenacs for this season, but the
timetable upon which they’ll dawn the black and
gold again remains shrouded in mystery.
After one of the most memorable and exciting
seasons in franchise history, the Frontenacs,
fresh off their first East Division title since 1995,
have the potential to be very competitive again.
“Coming into it we see the East as being pretty
wide open,” said Frontenacs general manager
Doug Gilmour. “Who do we have? What direction
do we go? We don’t know yet, and that’ll be a
decision we’ll have to make after we take some
time to see what we have here.”
he’s a leader.”
As they await Crouse’s possible return, the
Frontenacs have an intriguing overage situation
featuring three players all drafted by NHL clubs.
Spencer Watson, who signed with the Los
Angeles Kings last April, underwent offseason
wrist surgery and won’t return until approximately
mid-December. His 43 goals last season were
the most by a Frontenacs player since Matt
Elich’s 44 in 1999.
“After discussions with Los Angeles we’re led
to believe that there’s a good chance Spencer will
be back with us,” said Gilmour of the situation.
“It’s still kind of up in the air, but his missing
half the season may delay his graduation by one
year.”
Carolina Hurricanes prospect Warren
Foegele, a third round pick by the club prior to
his OHL career in 2014, remains unsigned and
WITH SOME FAMILIAR NAMES AND A FEW NEW FACES, THE 2016-17 EDITION OF THE KINGSTON
FRONTENACS ARE OUT TO CREATE THEIR OWN IDENTITY IN THE OHL’S EASTERN CONFERENCE.
Power winger Lawson Crouse will attend camp
with the Arizona Coyotes after being dealt to the
desert by the Florida Panthers this past summer.
The 6-foot-4, 210Ib. flank who has represented
Canada at the World Juniors in each of the past
two years is a special talent for the Frontenacs
and could get an extended look with the Coyotes.
“Lawson is a big man who plays the game as
hard as anyone,” said Gilmour. “Obviously with
the shakeup that happened in Florida this past
year there were some changes made and Arizona
got themselves a guy who, once he makes it to
the NHL, is going to have a 15-17 year career
and possibly be the captain of that team. I think
there’s some incentive there for Lawson to show
his new team what he can do. He demands
respect in the dressing room for everybody and
could return as a 20-year-old.
“The addition of Foegele gave us another
layer of depth last season and, should he be
back with us, he’d be our number one centre,”
said Gilmour. “His work ethic is over the top and
he has that extra gear, that breakaway speed that
few players possess.”
With Crouse, Watson and Foegele all in the
plans, the Frontenacs also feature the OHL Pre-
Season’s leading scorer in 17-year-old Finnish
winger Linus Nyman while 2016 first round pick
Nathan Dunkley lead the league in goals with six.
Sophomore winger Jason Robertson, whose
18 goals last season were the most by a Fronts
16-year-old since Anthony Stewart in 2002,
has worked hard on his skating and is quickly
developing into a reliable offensive option in
14 KINGSTON FRONTENACS GAMEDAY MAGAZINE