OHL: New Spirit in the West

Despite finishing with their best regular season record in franchise history last season, the Saginaw Spirit Management group decided to go in a different direction this year, replacing the entire coaching staff and general manager. Enter Don Edwards who takes over the GM role after a successful career in the OPJHL, where he led the Oakville Blades to respectability and coach Watson, who served as an assistant for the OHL Champion Plymouth Whalers. The team lost a large contingent of their team to graduation and will be a team that scores by committee. The work ethic that this team exhibits will be a direct reflection of "Watson coaching philosophy", which should surprise many teams this season. McKeen's reviews several players from the Spirit looking to make an impact this season including Colorado Avalanche prospect Nigel Williams.

Nick Crawford (2008), D, Saginaw

Crawford has soaked in his experience from playing in all situations last year and plays at a level that stymies the opposition .. he is not flashy but he is very effective .. he uses his quick feet and athleticism to stay with forwards .. his defensive-minded approach to the game helps his partner explode into the offensive zone .. he is a good support player that does not play outside his limits .. his style is very relaxed as he does not panic .. he could do a better job pushing up on forwards and forcing them to beat him or make a play .. at times, he gets behind players and needs to haul them down, drawing penalties as a result .. his stride is elegant but he needs to gain more speed with it so he is not caught or beaten in the neutral zone .. occasionally has lapses in judgment and makes careless plays with the puck .. his offensive game is ok .. he does not have a hard shot rather, he uses finesse to throw pucks toward the goal .. he plays the bulk of the PP, as he can work the line well due to his lateral mobility and ability to distribute the puck quickly .. his attention to detail in staying true to defensive assignments should bode well for his chances to be selected on draft day.

T.J. Brodie (2008), D, Saginaw

Western Jr.B Rookie-of-the-Year for the Leamington Fliers joins the Spirit on a full-time basis after playing in 20 games last season .. the experience playing Jr.B last season helped his play tremendously especially away from the puck .. his poise in the defensive zone is unreal, as he is an incredibly smart player in terms of positioning .. he is a fluid skater who has an extra gear and can explode with the puck on his stick .. has a good offensive skill set .. he is more prone to rush the puck out of the zone than he is to make a first pass .. he will need to be more assertive with the puck in terms of shooting .. great frame to build on, as he is 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds .. his play is eerily similar to that of Brendan Smith and he could make quite the jump on NHL draft lists if he develops an offensive dimension to his game.

Adam Comrie (2008), D, Saginaw

After playing a season in the USHL (Omaha Lancers), Comrie joins the Spirit due to the increased playing schedule that the OHL offers .. a lanky defender who has slowly filled into his massive 6-foot-4 frame .. good skater whose mobility aids his game .. his mobility is outstanding for his size .. ... his long stride and quick first step allows him to get to loose pucks .. he skates well with the puck but needs to jump into the play with more regularity, as he does not always pounce toward open ice .. he is apprehensive when playing the puck, however, this was his first OHL contest .. has the promise to be an effective catalyst in the Spirit's attack, as his large frame shields the puck and commands space .. he can be caught watching the play unfold in the defensive zone and in turn, gets drawn out of position too easily .. has a physical edge and applies himself .. he needs to continue to make players pay the price, as his increased aggression coupled with his maturing game should make him a hot commodity come NHL draft day.

Kain Allicock (2008), RW, Saginaw

Last year's Pickering Panther star (OPJHL) made quite an impression on the Spirit coaching staff in the preseason to warrant a roster spot .. a tall player who provides presence with his towering frame .. an agitator, he is quick to take shots at players after the whistle and poke at goalies to irritate the opposition into taking a penalty .. swift skater, he plays more of a dump-and-chase style, as he attempts to use his size down low to separate players from the puck .. he can make plays in tight spaces as he bullies his way to the net .. he is slow to anticipate the play especially in the neutral and defensive zone .. learning the ropes but will need considerable time to be an impact player.

Tyler Murovich (2008), C, Saginaw

Another defector from the USHL, declining his offer to Western Michigan to play for the Spirit .. an energy player who employs his fast, quick steps to navigate the ice .. he is an aggressive PK player, as he is always the first forward to pressure the defense into coughing up the puck .. he works well in open ice, as his small frame gets pushed off the puck along the boards .. he can create offensively but has been put more in a defensive role facing off against the opposition's best players .. he has decent vision and distributes the puck quickly .. his faceoff skills are one of the better on the team, as he won many key draws to retain possession of the puck .. an energy/role player who should be able to improve his overall game in the OHL.

Jack Combs (2008), C, Saginaw

The fourth-year centre has established himself as a key offensive contributor for the Spirit this season .. finally escaping the shadows of players before him, Combs is able to demonstrate his offensive prowess as a second-line centre .. he manages to boll his way into the offensive zone out of sheer will and determination .. he moves his feet constantly in the offensive zone, even though his first-step quickness prohibits him from being a game breaker .. he can be caught standing still in the neutral zone and is easily beaten as a result .. he has a great shot in the slot and can capitalize on his chances when he is within 20 feet of the net .. strong upper body and plays with a slight chip on his shoulder .. he is a quiet leader on and off the ice who prefers to let his stick do the talking.

Jan Mursak (Det), RW, Saginaw

Signed to a pro contract with Grand Rapids only to be returned to junior, as the Red Wings felt his development would be better served at the OHL level .. a crafty playmaker with offensive creativity .. he has good finishing skills in close however, his best asset is his ability to make soft passes into open ice .. coupled with Jason McDonough, the duo has formed good chemistry as McDonough plays the role of the finisher .. needs to show a willingness to get his nose dirty to score .. consistency is an issue for him defensively .. at times, he is quick to identify his man and other shifts he stands still and does not support the backcheck .. he has ok speed but not a breakaway gear .. he handles the puck well at all speeds and as a result, the opposition gives him extra time for fear that he will make a quick move and burn them .. needs to subscribe to a more dedicated effort in all areas of his game .. he has all the tools but now needs to become more mature in his approach to the game.

Nigel Williams (Col), D, Saginaw

After a successful campaign offensively, Williams returns for his second season in the OHL to learn the nuances of defensive play and become a more rounded player .. decision-making is still suspect but he is handling the puck less, most likely upon the instruction of coach Watson .. uses his size to lean on guys defensively and understanding that his size is an asset .. he can be caught standing still and needs to constantly move his feet when defending .. he uses his reach when he loses a step .. he needs to harness his temptation to jump into the offensive fold .. he is a fixture on the PP where his heavy, hard shot is exercised often .. he has a soft touch with the puck .. his finesse skills are impressive for a player of his size .. still an intriguing prospect but needs to put it together mentally .. if he is able to put bad shifts behind him and focus, he could be a very complete player.

Jordan Szwarz (2009), RW, Saginaw

The second overall pick has elevated his game to unbelievable heights .. coming into camp with less than four percent body fat and 12 pounds of increased muscle, Szwarz came into the season prepared and ready to work .. plays a responsible two-way game .. has keen anticipation skills in the neutral zone however, he is still physically underdeveloped to make an impact .. he shows signs of competing and paying the price to make a play, as he is not afraid to play in a physically-engaging-style-of game .. he tends to pass the puck rather than make a play with it .. coping with the pace of the league, he plays with tenacity and is buying into team concepts .. he has already drawn comparisons to a young Tom Pyatt.

Daniel Pachis (2009), LW, Saginaw

The first round selection is a natural finisher with a lethal shot in close .. looked to apply himself physically and finish his checks .. he administers hits but needs to be more assertive and fight for his ice .. he has a good frame and is thick and sturdy on his skates .. guilty of not moving his feet defensively .. he is smart enough to read the play but his reverse movement hinders him from being a factor .. still needs to work on his conditioning .. should come along slowly, as he has the skill and offensive fortitude to produce in the OHL however, he needs to tinker his game away from the puck to create chances for himself .. could be a late bloomer much like Evan Brophey.