The Cornwall River Kings unveiled their 27 man roster recently and there’s been a lot of smoke being blown on social media. I figured why not take a bit of look at who Cornwall has signed for this year’s campaign. As usual, this is going to be an unbiased approach.
First statements that we’re being thrown around on social media was that the Kings didn’t sign enough tough guys. Well, hate to break it to you but enforcers in general are a slowly dying breed; even for the LNAH. With a lack of players to pick from, you’re kind of limited with your choices because most guys have already signed on either in the league or elsewhere. Unless you can promise them better money in a trade, you’re stuck with what you got.
That being said, Lessard and Cloutier are obviously the main ones that are going to drop the gloves but that doesn’t mean nobody else will. You haven’t seen some of these new guys play yet; they could handle their own and then some for all you know. I’m sure quite a few will be willing to drop the gloves if it came down to it. Simoes has dropped them; Joly has dropped them; Lepine has dropped them in Germany; relax a little people.
Fighting is not my concern when it comes to this team. There’s enough firecrackers on the bench to go around. To me, my concern is size. Jonquiere, Sorel and Laval have signed some big boys and they’re going to flex their muscle and push the smaller guys around. That’s hockey though and it’s expected. If you want to get an understanding of what I mean by size just watch any Montreal Canadiens playoff game. There’s a reason why they never make it in today’s NHL, they’re too small.
On the other hand, size can be used to the Kings advantage. Smaller guys move quicker; create openings, stickhandle through the mesh and put pucks to the net. That’s a big problem that was very adequately addressed this time around. Few young guns with speed can equal wins down the stretch.
Goaltending? We have the best goaltender in the league. End of story.
There’s concerns that GM Rick Lalonde is treating this team like a junior squad. Personally, I don’t really see that. He’s doing the best with what he’s got and with what players are made available. Most of you don’t realize how much work is involved in landing players. There’s a lot of phone tag and sleepless nights. Give the man a break.
All in all you can’t criticize this team right now. You’re lucky they’re still in this city. The players know the job they have to do and how badly the fans want them to see winning ways. They’re not stupid; they read what you write on social media. It’s time to give them the benefit of the doubt and wait until you see the product on the ice before giving a fair judgement.
Here’s your 2014-2015 Cornwall River Kings
FORWARDS: J.P. Caron, Chris Cloutier, Nicolas Corbeil, Julien Corriveau, Antony Courcelles, Pierre-Luc Faubert, Julien Houle, Patrick Langlois, Francis Lessard, Dominic McSween, Anthony Mezzagno, Nick Pitsikoulis, Anthony Pittarelli, Steve Simoes
DEFENCE: Doug Andress, Dominic D’Amour, Jonathan Jasper, Mario Joly, Mathieu Leduc, Jason Lepine, Nik Pokulok, Sasha Pokulok, Michael Pregent, Ryan Sullivan, Brennan Barker
GOALTENDERS: Julien Giroux, Pete Karvouniaris, Loic Lacasse
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