Hockey notes

Daniel Erlich opens the scoring on the Knights OHL season. It was a winning opener, 4-2 over the Spitfires. Poor Josh Unice. He looked yuck. Anyway, of all the recent Hunter player moves the signing of Dany is my favourite. It's so great to see a guy of his stature and heart live a dream. Making the OHL is a big deal. Being a star in this league is a bigger one. Before he passes on his Knights jersey I believe Daniel Erlich will have accomplished both.

Congrats to Michael Houser. He's a back-up keeper who should keep Friday's experience at JLC close to his heart for the rest of his life. Houser got the call to start against the Spits, and won. He stopped 42 shots for his first OHL victory in his first OHL game. We did a piece on him on the TV side of things. He's a class kid and says he doesn't mind playing the support role. Hope he's serious about that. The Hunter's are going to play the crap out of Michael Hutchinson who's just returned from Bruins camp. And that's not entirely a bad thing. Hey, they paid a steep price to get him and don't like not getting a return on their investment. Just ask those associated with the Eurocan Cup.

Yikes! Two 1st's and a 2nd for a guy with a bum shoulder? Well, it's not exactly that. Phil Kessel is a super talent with youth and even more upside. Yeah, he's recovering from surgery, but I doubt for a second Brian Burke makes that deal if he feels he's getting a lemon. At 21, Kessel's essentially a 'didn't miss' first rounder dealt for picks that may or may not turn out. The gamble is part of the fun for BB, especially with those high valued blue and white chips. So much for that rebuild idea pushed along by the media. It's no rebuild, but the retooling is in high gear with the aim of getting the Leafs into the playoffs next Spring, then deep into them a year later. Wonder if there'll be any money left in the kitty for that sniper out of Atlanta? If BB really wants to impress, he should be shaping a roster for the eventual topping off with the cherry that could be Ilya Kovalchuk. The defence appears built. Kessel this year. Kovalchuk next. The offence could be next. To this point though I do like what Burke has done. I especially pleased with the signing Tyler Bozak. I think he's ready, to play in the NHL, to have an impact.

James Reimer, looking solid between the pipes this camp. He'll share time with Joey MacDonald in the "A". Well, when MacDonald isn't backing up whichever of the Fin/Swede combo isn't injured that week.

And I'm quietly rooting for Jason Allison to make the Leafs. I know it's a long shot, but I'm intrigued by his. He's been out of the game over 1,200 days, yet there he is, back on the ice with a bunch of guys who are more talented and much faster than those he last played with 3 seasons ago. Hey, 2 points for "Alli" on Friday night. Say what you will about the portable refrigerator he skates around with on his back, the ex-Knight still has a set of soft hands.