Kingston Frontenacs said to be the team to beat at OHL – Kingston | The Canadian News

The Ontario Hockey League is back in business and the Kingston Frontenacs can’t wait for the puck to drop.

Ranked as preseason OHL favorites, the Frontenacs host the Ottawa 67 on Friday night at Leon’s Center. Game time is 7pm

“It’s a privilege to play again,” Frontenacs head coach Luca Caputi said.

Caputi was promoted to the head coach position when Paul McFarland left the team this summer to join the NHL’s Seattle Kraken.

“The guys understand the privilege of getting back on the ice,” said Caputi, who scored 51 OHL goals with the Niagara IceDogs in 2007-08.

“There will be a lot of energy and a lot of excitement tomorrow night. The guys are really excited to be playing in front of the Kingston fans again. “

With COVID-19 protocols in place, Frontenacs are limited to 2,800 fans in the building. That’s 50 percent capacity.

As mentioned, the team is ranked No. 1 in the OHL heading into the season and there’s a good reason for it.

Kingston is led by 17-year-old Shane Wright, who is projected as the top pick in the 2022 NHL draft.

Coach Caputi says Wright may be the face of the Frontenacs, but general manager Kory Cooper has surrounded him with a wealth of talent.

“Up front we have Jordan Frasca, Lucas Edmonds, Francesco Arcuri and Martin Chromiak to join rookies Paul Ludwinski and Matthew Soto,” Caputi said.

“On defense, we are led by players like Jake Murray, Lucas Peric and Braden Hache, a Florida Panthers draft. I really like the composition of this team and our aim is strong also with Ryan Dugas and newcomer Leevi Merilainen from Finland. “

Caputi says the preseason rankings are flattering, but it’s something the team pays little attention to.

“It doesn’t mean anything to us,” says Toronto’s first-year head coach.

“What matters is what we do on a daily basis and that is pushing each other to be better. Our goal is to win every game we play and put a product on the ice that makes Kingston proud. “