Golden Hawks back on the ice

Written By JAKE COURTEPATTE

The Caledon Golden Hawks drop the puck on the franchise's ninth season this weekend.

The junior C club opens the Provincial Junior Hockey league regular season on Friday in a showdown with the reigning division champion Alliston Hornets, before heading to their home barn of Caledon East Arena to host the Midland Flyers on Sunday.

Fans will recognize a number of familiar faces wearing the gold and blue, including the sweater with the ‘C', Matt Magliozzi.

The captain returns for his fourth and final season as a member of the Golden Hawks, one of four over-agers brought back by Caledon staff.

The Hawks get a big body back in over-ager Mathiau Young as well, who exploded in scoring last year in his first season as a Golden Hawks, notching thirty goals in 34 games.

Andrew Woods also returns as a 21-year old who saw his offensive production increase in 2017-18, playing at over a point-per-game pace.

Marc Simonetta rounds out the over-age returners, after tying Magliozzi for the team lead in points last season.

Only one defenseman will be returning to the Hawks' blue line this season, namely Everett Flewelling, who posted 17 points last year in his only junior season to date.

Some family flavour dots the dozen or so new names from all walks of Midget hockey, including captain Magliozzi's younger brother Adam, who will man the blue line after a successful minor career in the Brampton AAA system.

Shades of the NHL's Sedin brothers will be looking to cause double trouble for opposing defenders as well, with twins left-shooting Logan Hoover and right-shooting Kegan Hoover added to the roster.

Head coach Stan Kondrotas will also get some quality family time this season, with Darius Kondrotas joining the squad after playing defense in junior A for two seasons with the Lindsay Muskies and Stouffville Spirit.

Opting to play just one preseason outing before naming an opening night roster, the Hawks tied the cross-divisional Ayr Centennials 2 – 2 in a scrimmage. Cam Henderson and Kory Lund each found the back of the net for Caledon.

This year's 42-game schedule will see the Golden Hawks face off against the Hornets, Flyers, Penetang Kings, Orillia Terriers, Caledon Golden Hawks, Stayner Siskins, and Huntsville Otters a total of six times each, all as members of the North Conference's Carruthers division.

An extended interdivisional schedule has also been implemented into this year's plan, with four games against Pollock division opponents.

The schedule wraps up in late January.

Sunday's puck drop is set for 7p.m.

For stats, schedules, and more information, visit www.jrcgoldenhawks.pointstreaksites.com.