OHL: Killing Bulls

Without a single NHL draft pick on the opening day roster, the Belleville Bulls were projected by many pundits to finish this season exactly where they ended the 2003-04 campaign - in the cellar.

However, under new coach and GM George Burnett, the Bulls are surprising opponents early on with their solid defensive play and ability to win close games, demonstrating a playoff-style discipline that has propelled them atop the OHL’s Eastern Conference.

Surprising draft-eligible skaters such as Geoff Killing and Ryan Berard, as well as stellar rookie forward Matt Beleskey (`06), have given the Bulls newfound depth and optimism for this season.

The evidence was on display when Belleville skated into Toronto and came away with a dramatic 1-0 road victory against an important conference rival. OHL correspondent Doug Evinou was at the game, and files this report on a number of the more bullish Belleville skaters.

Geoff Killing (2005), D

The 6-foot-1, 210-pound rearguard pairs with veteran Pat Sutton on the Bulls top defensive unit, and logs impressive minutes in all situations .. a sturdy defender with the necessary balance and strength on his skates to effectively battle for position along the boards and in front of his own net .. moves the puck smoothly and confidently to his teammates .. a no-nonsense type .. particularly effective as a penalty killer as he possesses decent reach, as well an ability to clear the front of the net .. took a tripping penalty on a big inside-out move by Tyler Haskins off the rush in the second period .. can still upgrade his footwork and agility, however, he displayed a remarkably mature all-around game for his age .. a strong NHL draft prospect next summer.

Ryan Berard (2005), RW

Niagara Falls native was selected in the second round of the 2003 OHL draft .. a powerful skater with a quick stride .. displays the makings of an effective physical, scoring winger .. gets involved physically along the boards, and hustles in all zones to take out his man .. provided Belleville with secondary scoring early in the season, with two goals and an assist in the first three games, though he has been held pointless ever since .. earns steady ice time in addition to plum defensive assignments due to his reliable and determined efforts .. add in a 6-foot-2 and 190-pound frame, and he appears to have all the tools to develop into an effective pro player a few years down the road.

Matt Beleskey (2006), LW

Rookie winger out of Midhurst, Ontario made an immediate offensive contribution to begin the season .. came into this contest with two assists in his first four games .. scored the game’s lone marker on a power play in the first period, jamming the puck past Justin Peters on a goalmouth scramble, pocketing the evidence as a souvenir of his first OHL goal .. possesses decent size and speed, and is an intelligent player who knows how to get open on the ice .. not afraid to enter high-traffic areas to make a play .. named the game’s third star and is one to keep an eye on for the 2006 draft.

Kevin Lalande (2005), G

Lalande made his first start of the year for Belleville in this one, as he normally backs up for reliable incumbent Eric Tobia .. possessing decent size and agility, he was afforded ample opportunity to get a good look at the puck and to manage his rebounds thanks to a stalwart defensive effort by the Bulls .. demonstrated a quick glove hand throughout, especially on a Cal Clutterbuck effort from in close on the power play .. named first star after earning his first OHL career shut-out .. still won’t see that much action playing behind Tobia this season, however, Bulls are secure in knowing they have a capable back-up just in case.

Andrew Maksym (2005), RW

The former Owen Sound forward has finally put it all together in Belleville after two uninspiring seasons with the Attack .. exerts constant offensive pressure with his speed and hustle .. generated numerous scoring chances in this one, attacking the net with purpose and never quitting on plays .. though relatively undersized at 5-foot-11, he is, however, ruggedly built at 200 pounds, and boasts the strength to power his way around the ice .. the `86-born Mississauga native appears poised for a breakout OHL campaign.

Marc Rancourt (OA), LW

Over-age forward was the closest thing to an established OHL star that the Bulls had on their roster coming into this season .. named as one of the three assistant captains on a young squad which boasted an average age of 18.3 years to start the season .. led the team in scoring early with six points in the Bulls first four games .. a power forward with some quickness, he moves the puck well in the offensive zone .. a tough skater who plays with an edge and will stand up for his younger teammates on the ice.

Hughes News

Things will only get better for the Bulls with talented young forward John Hughes (`06) returning to active duty. Hughes, the prize for finishing last overall in `03-4, took a hard hit in a game against Kingston, suffering a concussion which sidelined him for the contest against St. Mike’s. The `88-born Whitby, Ontario native is a slight but skilled forward with dazzling offensive moves. After missing a week and a half of action, Hughes returned to the line-up against Ottawa on October 13th. He had recorded two assists in his first three OHL contests before the injury.