Muskie boys itching for all-Ontario return

Barring unforeseen circumstances, the Muskie boys’ hockey team shouldn’t have to go through any mid-season transitions behind the bench.
The topic of focus now becomes making a post-season transition on the ice so as to avoid last year’s disappearing act.
The black-and-gold lost for the second-straight year via a 2-0 sweep in the NorWOSSA semi-finals to the Dryden Eagles, which left the Muskies without an all-Ontario appearance since 2001.
Head coach Shane Bliss, who stepped up from his assistant’s role after Glen Edwards abruptly resigned five games into the season last year, has been able to shape the team he wants after being in charge of his first training camp.
He plans to end the Muskies’ string of absences at OFSAA.
“I’m pretty happy with what we have here,” said Bliss, who has 12 players returning as part of this year’s 21-man squad, which begins play next Tuesday (Nov. 11) at 6:45 p.m. at the Ice for Kids Arena against the Kenora Broncos.
“The new players are very talented. We hope to be able to hold on to them for two or three years,” he added.
That seems like a reasonably easy idea to follow through on—until one considers the exodus of still-eligible Muskie players to the Kenora Stars Midget ‘AAA’ team the past few years.
And with Kenora hosting the Air Canada Cup national Midget ‘AAA’ championship this coming spring, that made it even more difficult for Bliss to retain his charges.
“I was hoping there wouldn’t be any more of our guys heading [up] there,” said a frustrated Bliss, who saw the Stars cost him veterans Taylor Kaemingh, Scott Bridgeman, and Cody Dittaro for this season.
“I don’t blame them for wanting to play in the Air Canada Cup, and I wish them all the best,” he remarked. “But I firmly believe there’s no better stepping stone than the one right here in town.
“Just look at the numbers of players that have stepped up from the Muskies to play junior, college, and pro.
“Somewhere along the line, people got the impression that they have to leave town to improve their chances of getting farther in the game,” Bliss remarked. “But if you’re a good enough player, you’re going to go on, whether it’s from here or somewhere else.”
Offensively, Bliss anticipates even more punch out of his players than last season, led by the top line of Steven Sus, Mike Niskala, and Justin Larson, who were stellar in their rookie seasons.
“I expect them to be a big part of our offence,” said Bliss, who is confident Niskala’s temporary stay with the Borderland Thunder this season will carry forward to the NorWOSSA campaign.
“Mike’s experience at the Junior ‘A’ level will help a lot. I’m sure he’s learned a few more things playing at a different level that he can use to not only help himself, but the rest of the team, too.”
Of the newcomers up front, Bliss is keen on Brock Benjamin, who impressed him during training camp, as well as Brian White and Tyler Miller.
“Tyler’s only in Grade 9, but he’s going to be one to watch in the years to come,” predicted Bliss, who saw a lack of size as the only detriment to his team’s forward group.
On the blueline, Bliss may have to go at least the first part of the season without veteran Kyle McTavish, who still is recovering from a broken wrist suffered during action with the Muskie ‘A’ football team earlier this fall.
Returnee Terry Kellar, who started last season on defence before being shuffled to forward, will rejoin the defensive corps for now to offset McTavish’s loss.
“We’re going to have some growing pains back there,” admitted Bliss, who hoped McTavish might be back for the Muskies’ opener.
The goaltending duties will be up for grabs between veterans Matt Gamsby and Jason Green, along with Grade 9 newcomer Cody Wood from Atikokan, who Bliss thinks can give the other two a run for their money.
“I want to see them all challenge for the No. 1 spot,” said Bliss, who decided to keep three goalies after Gamsby and Green both failed to cement the starter’s job last season despite numerous opportunities for both.
“The coaches see a lot of good things in Cody, and I can see him stepping up and challenging the other boys.”
The initial test comes this weekend when the black-and-gold head to Dryden for a six-team pre-season tournament involving the host Eagles, Sioux Lookout, Pelican Falls, Red Lake, and a Dryden Midget ‘AA’ team.
“I assume Dryden will be the toughest competition for us this season,” said Bliss. “I heard that a lot of Kenora players joined the Midget ‘AA’ team there because they’re affiliated with the Stars and might have a chance to play in the Air Canada Cup.
“Red Lake is a smaller team than last year, but smaller doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be less difficult to play,” Bliss noted. “It’ll be interesting to see how we stack up this weekend.”