As the Wings head into the start of camp this weekend the memory of losing six in a row (including playoff games) still lingers in the minds of players and fans. So you ask yourself; What can be done so this doesn’t happen again? Enter Jimmy Butler. Butler is the mastermind who helped build the Titans. In 2009, the Titans went to the East Conference finals to only fall 15-10 to the Rock. In 2010, they returned to advance to the Champions Cup, and just fell short in a loss to Calgary 12-10. In 2010, Butler helped put a team together that went 11-5 and allowed a league low 154 goals against.
This year the Wings come to camp with 42 players on the camp roster. Including 6 goaltenders.
First task is to find a lefty to take Mundorf’s spot as he will be out until mid-March. Insert Kevin Ross & Kevin Buchanan, both true lefties and can put up 25+ goals. As far as the rookies/free agents, Will Harrington, Eric Lusby and Joe Vitale are the 3 true lefties competing here. This will shape up to be a fantastic battle between the three and will be something to watch. On the right side, you have Ethan Farrell and Greg Rogowski, with their athleticism and skill; either one of these two can add more strength to the right side. Both Farrell & Rogowski can play the left as well. This will definitely be something to watch.
The defensive side brings in four new faces and two familiar faces to camp. On the right side we have Brian Teuber, Chad Weidmaier, Brett Moyer and Jim Forsythe. Teuber stands at 6’3” 210 and is a big and strong defender that will make opponents earn every step on the floor. Weidmaier reminds me of a young Shawn Nadelen. He has a nose for the ball, knows exactly where he is supposed to be and what his job is when on the floor. At 6’0 200 lbs, this kid has the size, strength and speed to go far in the league.
Jim Forsythe was in camp last year and just missed the cut so Jimmy knows what is needed and what the coaches are looking for now. At 6’3 220 lbs, he has the framework to be a defender in the N.L.L. Can he take that final step through the door that eluded him last season? Moyer, who is the smallest of the defenders in camp at 6’0 185 lbs, also knows what it takes to wear the colors of the Wings. After playing in the PLL with Jacksonville and sharpening his game, this could be the year that Moyer earns his spot on the defensive end of this team.
On the left side, we have Dana Wilber and Erik Holt. Wilber is a speedy defender, one who can get under your skin if you’re the opposition. Fans who attend the camp will be impressed with his play. Holt stands at a massive 6’3” 245 lbs. This is a guy you do not want to have barreling down on you if your head is down. Holt will definitely make it tough for the opponents to get near the goal.
For our Transition position, the big name here is C.J. Costabile. People have said that Costabile is a player who can pick this indoor game up very easily. He played for the Long Island Lizards of the MLL and was named Defensive Player of the Week. Costablie is as tough as they come at 6’1” 200 lbs. He packs a punch as well as a blistering shot.
We have a total of 6 goalies in camp; the most in a long time. Joining veterans Brandon Miller and Steve Fryer will be Scott Komer, Chris Collins, Brett Perras and Alex Fortier.
I have only seen Komer play for about 2 minutes with the Reading Rockets before he got his bell rung on a net crashing check, so I don’t have a lot to report on Scotty. Perras 6’6” 215 lbs and Fortier 6’3” 250 lbs have impressed me completely in the rookie/free agent camp. I won’t say they take a starting job right now, but from what I have seen so far, I wouldn’t take it easy if I was a goalie. Both of these guys are very quick with their feet and have great stick skills when handling the rock. This weekend will tell how they do when the full team is there and they face shots from Dangerous Dan Dawson, Kevin Crowley, Drew Westervelt, etc.
Camp sessions will be held at the Bucksmont Indoor Sports Center in Hatfield Pa. They are free and open to the public on Saturday and Sunday Dec 1st & 2nd 7-9 a.m.
In Camp Roster:
Forwards
(L) Brendan Mundorf, Ned Crotty, Kevin Buchanan, Kevin Ross, Will Harrington, Eric Lusby, Joe Vitale
(R) Dan Dawson, Kevin Crowley, Drew Westervelt, Matt Danowski, Ethan Farrell, Greg Rogowski
Defense:
(L) Jordan Sealock, Steve Holmes, Dan Hardy, Dana Wilber, Erik Holt
(R) Brett Manney, Jeff Reynolds, Pat Heim, Eric Hoffman, John McFadyen, Taylor Wray, Paul Dawson, Josh Funk
Transition:
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Brodie Merrill, Max Seibald, Kyle Hartzell, Andrew Collins, C.J. Costabile, Tom Guadagnolo, Kevin Kaminski
Goalies:
Brandon Miller, Steve Fryer, Scott Komer, Chris Collins, Brett Perras, Alex Fortier
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