East Enders Under 21 Hockey: News

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From the Northumberland Today

From Jeff Gard

COBOURG -- Today is the start of the Ontario Junior A Hockey League regular season.

While the Cobourg Cougars don't play until their home opener on Monday night (7 p.m. against the Whitby Fury), the players are raring to go. No longer is the Cougars squad just a collection of returning players, former Streetsville Derbys (which merged with Cobourg during the offseason) and prospects.

"I think most guys have taken the philosophy that it's a new team, it's a new year and everyone has their own role on the team," said forward Nick Marinac, a former Derby. "I don't think it matters where you came from, who you played for. We're all one team now."

Most of the roster has been finalized, though especially at this time of year, it is always subject to change.

Returning forwards include Connor Armour, Justin Danforth, Tyler Davey, Derek Foote, Brett Gilmour, Dylan Goddard, Evan Jasper and Dylon McMahon while new up front are Wyatt Coghill, Connor Hogg, Mark MacAulay, Nick Marinac and Franco Loparco.

On defence, Jake Flegel and Jared Martin are back as is Anton Zupancic who played for the Cougars three seasons ago before spending the last two in the Ontario Hockey League with the Sarnia Sting and Oshawa Generals. New on the back-end are Nathan Judd-Warren, Dylan Howarko, Loren Ulett and Anton's younger brother Andrew Zupancic.

The status of two eligible defencemen from last season is uncertain as prospects Cody Mintz (Sudbury) and Chris Albertini (Plymouth) are still with their OHL clubs.

As of Wednesday night, the goaltending situation had yet to be finalized.

Still, regardless of any player additions or subtractions which could still happen, the Cougars are ready.

"The organization has done a fantastic job of setting everything up for us," Marinac said. "We're basically set for success right now. It's in the players' hands at this point. We have to do our jobs on the ice and all should go well."

Danforth expects the Cougars to be a contender this season and agreed with Marinac that the organization has created a positive environment.

"We're treated like gold and treated like we're in the OHL," Danforth said.

"It's a great feeling to have. We have a big dressing room, a huge ice surface, Jumbotron... nothing more we could ask for, really."

Another key to success for the Cougars, Danforth said, is the great fan support they receive which grow as last season progressed.

"By playoffs we had a huge amount of fans and even going to Kingston (for Game 7 in the playoffs) we had a bus full. Just crazy how many people were supporting us, and it felt great," Danforth said. "When you see your fans at away games, and cheering you on at home, it just gives you that extra level you need to play the game."

Danforth is currently in the mix as one of 60 finalists vying for a spot on Team Canada East, which will play in the 2011 World Junior 'A' Challenge from Nov. 7 to 13 in Langley B.C. The team is coached Curtis Hodgins of the Whitby Fury. He recently participated in the club's evaluation camp and is moving on to the next camp.

Danforth, who was also an affiliated player two years ago, is entering just his second full season with the Cougars. He quickly became a fan favourite last year with his speed and relentless style of play. He's looking to continue evolving as a player.

"I was a rookie last year and now I have a little more of a role this year to put the puck in the net more and put up more points, be a leader on-and-off the ice," Danforth said.

Judd-Warren, meanwhile, is new to the Cougars. The 19-year-old comes from the Toronto East Enders under-21 hockey program out of Scarborough.

"Me being from a big city, coming to a small town, it's nothing like I've ever had before," Judd-Warren said. "The people here are a lot nicer and I'm living with great family (the Trotters)."

Judd-Warren said he enjoyed two great years with the East Enders program and felt prepared to make the jump to junior A. Even he was surprised, however, after he got here how much the Cougars had to offer.

"What surprised me the most was the involvement that the office guys have with it. We had a meeting today about all the extra stuff like physio, dentists, team doctors, I've never heard of a junior A hockey team having stuff like that," Judd-Warren said. "I was blown away by the dressing room and the facilities. I never even dreamed of playing in an arena like this."

Cobourg won both of its exhibition games against the Peterborough Stars. Unfortunately, though, the Cougars lost two players to suspension after the Sept. 2 game in Peterborough.

Marinac will sit out two games after receiving a head checking penalty while Gilmour earned a one-game suspension for a fight in the final 10 minutes of the contest.

Cougars head coach Justin Teakle likes his squad, especially when he will have a full line-up.

"I think that we're going to have a lot of great team speed. Our forwards are very fast," he said. "We should have three strong scoring lines as well as a great energy line that can also put the puck in the net. On defence, I think we've signed seven very good 'D'.

"I think we have a very well-balanced hockey club," Teakle added.

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