Barrie Colts 2019-20 Depth Chart (pre-training camp)

(Photo credit: Jeff Bothwright)

Another season of Barrie Colts hockey is on the horizon, with training camp starting on Tuesday, August 27th. Practices take place on Tuesday from 2:30 pm to 7:00 pm. On Wednesday, August 28th the scrimmages get underway from 9:30 am to 6:15 pm. The annual Blue/White game is Thursday, August 29th at 7:00 pm, with cuts to follow at 9:00 pm. Click HERE for the full schedule.

Plenty of action will take place at this year's camp and competition will be fierce, especially at forward. There are not many spots available and prospects will push roster players for their current position on the team's depth chart. Vladislav Dvurechenskii and Eric Russell are two unsigned prospect that should make the team. 

Vlad D was a beast at Barrie Colts rookie camp and can't play junior A in Ontario due to restrictions, since he is Russian. The Colts will likely bring the hulking forward on this season, but he needs a strong camp. Eric Russell is the other unsigned forward prospect expected to make the team. He was a high pick from the 2018 draft (third round) that scores stunning goals. His ability to bury pucks in the back of the net should earn him a spot on the roster.

In my estimation, this leaves some current players in a battle with Russell and Dvurechenskii to keep their spot. Unless the two youngsters falter, expect them to make the team. It will be interesting to see if Nate Hanley shows up for camp. He lit it up last year and could make things interesting. Import pick JJ Peterka is a highly skilled forward that's not expected to show up at camp. If he does, he's guaranteed a spot.

FORWARDS (turn sideways on mobile for right wing)
Matej Pekar (2000)**	Ryan Suzuki (2001)	Jacob Tortora (1999)*
Tyson Foerster (2002)	Jason Willms (1999)*	Riley Piercey (2002)
Dalton Duhart (2001)	Ryan Del Monte (2003)***	Aidan Brown (1999+)*
Trey Zagrzebski (2003)***	Luke Bignell (2000+)	Jacob Frasca (2003)***
Vlad Dvurechenskii (2003)****		Eric Russell (2002)****

Top forward prospects:          Forwards to be traded:

1. JJ Peterka (2002)**              1. Peter Fleming (2001)

2. Eric Russell (2002)               2. Sam Rhodes (2000)

3. Vlad Dvurechenskii (2003) 3. Jake Partridge (2001)

4. Nate Hanley (2002)

T5. Aidan Hughes (2002)

T5. Rocco Testa-Basi (2002)

T5. Ryan Beck (2002)

T5. Matthew Coronato (2002)

9. Mark MacPhee (2003)

There's room on defence, but more tough decisions will likely be made. Expect puck moving rear guard Austin D'Orazio to push for a spot in the defensive depth. D'Orazio plays a physical game and has loads of skill. Also, Very Barrie Colts is hoping to see 2018 camp favorite Noah Marino. Marino is an American stay at home defender that would be an excellent add to the defensive depth.

Other players listed below will push for spots in the defensive depth, but the top six is very strong and it's very doubtful any outsiders will crack that group. Chris Cameron is in for a battle with Aidan Brown for the final OA spot. Right now, I see more upside in keeping Aidan Brown on the team.

DEFENCEMEN
Tyler Tucker (2000)	Brandt Clarke (2003)***
Mathew Hill (2001)	Jack York (2000+)
Nathan Allensen (2001)	Matthew Sredl (2002)
Austin D'Orazio (2002)****	Noah Marino (2002)****

UPDATE Sept. 1: Vinny Prospal (2000) is a strong free agent surprise. No Noah Marino at camp.

Top defence prospects:	Defence to be traded:
1. Austin D'Orazio (2002)	1. Chris Cameron (1999)*
T2. Noah Marino (2002)	2. Victor Hadfield (2000+)
T2. Reid Oliver (2002)
T4. Kai Greaves (2003)
T4. Ian Devlin (2002)
T4. Colby Cummings (2002+)

Goalie Arturs Silovs (11th overall pick in the CHL Import Draft) appears to be joining the team per the article below. Silovs is a Vancouver Canucks prospect (6th round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft).

“Silovs has yet to sign with the Colts, but his agent, Ryan Minkoff, has confirmed that he will be playing in Barrie. The Colts' training camp begins next week,” quote from the article below on Arturs Silovs (11th overall pick in the CHL Import Draft)https://t.co/WLnsmv3AKS

— Ryan McArthur (@ryanpmcarthur) August 24, 2019

Jet Greaves is the top returning netminder for Barrie and it appears him and Silovs will battle for starts. If the Colts sign a third goaltender, Ansel Holt (chosen in the fifth round of the 2019 OHL Draft) would likely get that spot.

Holt is an American and the Colts might want to secure his rights by offering him a contract this year. Holt gets the edge here but goalie depth is strong. If a third spot is available, it will be hotly contested. 

GOALTENDERS

Jet Greaves (2001)
Arturs Silovs (2001)**

Ansel Holt (2003)****

Top goalie prospects:

1. Arturs Silovs (2001)**

2. Ansel Holt (2003)

T3. Jakob Robillard (2002)

T3. Sami Molu (2002)

T3. Matteo Lalama (2002)

6. Christian Filippetti (2001+)

Get out to camp Colts fans! This should be one for the ages. Unfortunately, there were several current players left out of the depth chart above. The team will make different decisions, but as of right now this is my best guess for the 2019-20 roster. The main hope every year is that a free agent invite shows up and dominates (Andrew Mangiapane, anyone?). Hopefully that happens again this year!

*denotes overage player (three spots)

**denotes import player (two spots)

***denotes rookie

****denotes unsigned prospect