In 2009, the Premier continues the next phase with significantly increased public exposure, with a long-term strategic plan to achieve greater success. Ten clubs (Brampton Express, Danforth Demons, Metro Orangemen, Mississauga Hawks, Oshawa Bruins, Peel Greenbirds, St. Mikes, Toronto Thunder, York Eagles, and the Vaughan Jets will compete for the most coveted league championship in the sport.

Brampton Express – Poised For Another Title Run

With most teams, you’re looking for attributes or ways to rationalize how they could win the Premier Championship. With the Express, it’s just the opposite. It’s like you start with the premise you expect them to win the championship and try to find reasons they won’t.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the Express were set up to win last year – their tenth title in 15 seasons and to win again in the future. That future is now.

The first hurdle will be the inevitable Championship hangover. And it’s not so much a team or bunch of individuals failing to generate the same motivation needed to grind out a long season, it’s more the consequence of having so little time off from the end of one championship run before the start of another season.

And, of course, more than half the players on the Express roster have won multiple championships. They have learned something about pacing themselves and listening to their bodies as well.

Ultimately though, it comes down to the players on the floor, and Express have good players that fit a great system. Matthew Tremblett is the best two-way forward in the league, and they have one of the most dangerous scoring lines with Paul Duarte, centering Tony Monteiro and Chris Morrison and all are just coming into the prime of their careers.

The Express have been labeled as a ball possession team, but not just anyone can set out and execute that style. The reason the team has the ball more than their opponent’s is because they’re faster and more skilled, up and down the lineup. The scary thing is they might be even more so this season than last. 

Three keys to the season: David Di Gironimo is the goalie and has kept his standard for the past six years. Secondly, and you really have to nitpick to find something wrong with Express last season, but they are getting old on the back end so look for an influx of youth throughout the season. Lastly, their best players have to continue to be the best, James Mentis will be 42 when the season starts and it all starts on defense with this club. Freddy Pereira will have to step up to be that offensive defenseman ‘rover’ everyone think he can become. 

On the hot seat: Dan Conte and Matt Rudnicki will have to hold off a number of young prospects, Spencer Irving and Joey Parks will try to crack the line up on a more regular basis.

Poised to blossom: Frankie Giustini will have no pressure in terms of development. He has earned his minutes graduating from the Junior Team Canada program being penciled in on the second line with Tremblett. He will turn some heads by fulfilling more offensive potential than he has displayed in the past.

Analysis and prediction: Teams don’t repeat unless you’re the Express, and well, what a coincidence, we are talking about the Express. The organization will go into this season as favorites

Vaughan Jets – Too Many Question Marks

The Jets have emerged as front runners over the past few years winning back-to-back championships in 2006 & 2007, but those accomplishments haven’t gone very far in helping the offseason recruiting effort.

What did and didn’t get done in the offseason is greeted with mixed reviews. The team has kept the best netminding tandem of Gary Doma and John Di Nardo together and they will need to be at their best as the team has lost its core and begins to rebuild for the 2009 season. 

The silver lining, however, might be what the team management has down to re-build in such a short time. They have acquired free agents, Jeff Nunes, Danny & Rob Araujo all of which have national and international championship experience.

The Jets return a nucleus of their veteran defense with Rob Ciccolini, Mike Verrelli and Frank Ferlisi, but this will be a team defense that may be required given the changes to the roster.

Up front, the Jets will look to be a more physical group than at the start of last season and will rely heavily on their team work ethic.

So maybe the team is rebuilding, but the Jets will put their trust in the coaching staff to bring this group together and get the most out of them.

Three keys to the season: First, the goaltenders must be the best players every night. Doma must return to his MVP playoff performance of 2007 as the Jets will feed off his play.

Second, the Jets are going to need their young veterans to step up. Specifically, that means up front captain, Vito Tomasicchio, Nunes, and the Araujo brothers will be counted on to make more offensive contributions. Lastly, and more so than other teams this team will have to stay healthy to have any chance of competing this summer as they will have to outwork their opposition on a nightly basis.

On the hot seat: The coaching staff will be tested on a nightly basis to get the most out of their players. 

Poised to blossom: Danny Araujo isn’t the biggest guy on the team – listed as 5-foot-10 and a slight 170 pounds – but this young veteran embarking on his fifth Premier season, could be poised to emerge from the shadow of the players that have departed. He could be poised to be the offensive answer the Jets are looking for.

Analysis and prediction: We know goal scoring is going to be a challenge and will the goaltending hold up? There may be too many question marks. It’s a reshuffling for the Jets, and maybe they may be left out of the playoffs.

Toronto Thunder – Still Looking For that Summer Championship

This is the trendy pick to win the Championship, but will all the new elements mesh or will they fall into an all too familiar trap as in previous years. The Thunder will not struggle to find their offense, but becoming a team may ultimately be the biggest test.

They are seemingly poised to make a breakthrough just like so many prognosticators have suggested throughout the years, the Thunder have added to this already formidable team.

The additions of the top three scorers from 2008, the Mignosa brothers, Mauro, Claudio and Sandro come over from the Jets to form what may be the best offensive unit the league has seen in years. They join Bradbury, A. Pacheco, Rick Da Ponte, Danny Felice, and Massimo Principe to form an incredible offensive punch of skill. The emergence of Mike Da Silva, Matt Hebbes and Victor Azevedo give this club a good combination of youth and veterans.

The overall mix is good, but will their defense and goaltending hold up? The collection of forwards is the modern day version of the Top Guns, but that great team had goaltending. At the end of the day, defense and goaltending will win the championship and Nelson Mederios has come out from the shadow as the clear number tender for this club, but can he step up to lead this team to the championship?

Three keys to the season: This really is a make-or-break season for the Thunder. All the forwards are in the absolute prime of their careers and should help to make the Thunder the team to beat during the regular season and beyond. Secondly, although the offense is grabbing all the headlines, the real key to the Thunders success is their defense led by Danny Pacheco, but will Mike Maciel, Ricky Luis, and Sergio Gomes. Lastly, and most importantly is the emergence of Nelson Mederios who has plenty of motivation to show he has arrived as one of the game’s elite netminders.

On the hot seat: The Mignosa’s are being brought over to take this team over the hump after falling short the last few years. However, their leadership has been questioned in the past partly because they display little emotion on the floor and generally they are regarded as quiet players. 

Poised to blossom: Da Ponte is returning to the Premier in an ideal situation. The team will not be looking for him to be the offensive leader – that still falls on Principe, Felice and the Mignosa brothers. The kid has all the skills and playing along side two of the better defensive forwards, Andy Pacheco and Glenn Bradbury his offensive flare for brilliance will show. 

Analysis and prediction: It maybe is a lot to ask of this rebuilt group to produce a Championship in their first season, but at some point the players have to be held accountable, and this is a very deep and talented roster. Yes, they will have targets as the team to beat and there are pitfalls awaiting around every corner, but the Thunder are primed to make something happen or this may not be the same roster again next season.

Mississauga Hawks – Goaltending and Team Defense will be the Key

It seems like Hawks have been trying to assemble all the puzzle pieces the last couple of years, and it hasn’t always been a perfect fit. It seemed at every turn they were trying to keep their young core not only together, but healthy.

At the start of this season they may have more questions than answers deciding and locating the complementary pieces that fit into this puzzle.

The new administration has been busy this offseason trying out different players from Tier II organizations. Last year the Hawks had to battle in the quarter finals before advancing to a hard fought loss to the eventual champions. The team then had a wonderful National Championships losing out in the bronze medal game, so which mix of players will show up this year is anyone’s guess, but to complete the puzzle the parts must fit together.

And in the mold of the new administration, Gurgeet Gill and Ralph Pellicori, each newcomer will have a non-timid streak in his play, whether he’s thought of a skill or role player. That’s important for the Hawks because they lost a bit of their tenacity since their championship run just a few years ago.

Three keys to the season: Pellicori has to return to the dominant goalie he was when the team won the league championship in 2005. The Italian international isn’t getting any younger causing many observers to question his skills. Second, team chemistry and finding line combinations that work will be an early challenge. And third, special teams have to be special. The power play must perform better and penalty killing ranked among the league worst. Pellicori ultimately will decide if the PK improves or remains less than average. Expect the power play to feature new personnel, especially up front, but the Hawks are going to need contributions from more people to shore up this part of their game.

On the hot seat: It’s all on Pellicori’s shoulders. He has the support of staff and teammates. He can be a difference maker. Don’t be fooled by his aloof demeanor, he cares and he’s a competitor. He’s going to have to be outstanding if the Hawks want to jump back atop a competitive and balanced division.

Poised to blossom: Gary Jacob has many years of experience and still has much more to give the opposition. He’s 5-foot-11, 165 pounds and isn’t afraid to play a physical game. Last year his point a game pace on a team which struggled to score must have felt like a 30 point season. The Hawks need him to continue to flourish and given the chance he will continue to show the team and league what he can do.

Analysis and prediction: The Hawks will always be one of the toughest teams to play and escape with two points, but they have so many question marks up front they look like a team that will have to rely on goaltending and team defense to keep them in the hunt. That goes a long way, but usually not all the way. The Hawks should be part of the playoff mix, but one slip up and you can be on the outside looking in real quick.

Oshawa Bruins – Poised for the Positive

The Bruins have reason to feel good about themselves for the 2009 season. A hot streak late last year helped ease the pain of a season otherwise filled with injuries and frustration, and their busy offseason has set them up to start off on a positive note.

If there was a silver lining to Bruins season, it was the progress made by a number of young players who now know what it’s like to fight for two points on a nightly basis in the Premiership, and who the team feels it can count on going forward.

On top of that, management decided to bring in a new coach in Lorne Graham who has roots back to the early eighties and the Oshawa Ball Hockey League. The acquisitions of players from the Tier II champions, Team Pickering will help the offence and supply some much needed depth to the roster.

Basically, the team is hoping to complement what they have identified as the team’s homegrown core with the right support at the right time. Time will soon tell whether all of the Bruins offseason giddiness is justified.

Three keys to the season: First, the Bruins need solid goaltending which Andrew ‘Chevy’ Platt has been able to provide over the years. Second, the defense or should we say team defense is going to have to come together. The five man units are some of the hardest to play against, but the mix was a little off, too. Third, they have had a good group of forwards on paper and although some of the names are different heading into this season, that same thing can be said. Coach Lorne Graham will have options in terms of being able to move people around on nights they are or aren’t going. This group will out work and wear down many teams during the season.

On the hot seat: Andrew Platt. What, you say? Hey, he is the last line of defense and continues to be one of the top goalies in the league. The pressure to perform and keep his team in every game is essential for this team to stay in the mix and he knows it. It won’t be easy this year, but it never is.

Poised to blossom: Paul Loughrey, Greg Drohan and Jason Toth have to continue to flourish for this team to make an impact in the playoffs. Their impact with the Bruins can’t only be felt during the season, but contributions during the postseason are required. That, along with the pick-ups from Team Pickering may play a large role with this club.

Analysis and prediction: We applaud the enthusiasm of the coaching change and the optimism that a number of moves have created, but we also warn the Bruins that they are successful when they play hard and in the oppositions face and must play a balanced style in the Premier. A team can be in first place one week, then be battling just to get into the playoffs the following week. Traditionally, at least lately, the Bruins has hovered either just above or just below that magical last playoff spot in the standings.

Metro Orangemen - Exciting young talent

Never has a new team shown so much promise then this group of players. They are coming off a magical season in 2008 which saw them win a league championship and tournament champions at the Pre Season and Provincial Qualifier and capping their season off with the Eastern B Regional Championship. 

They have arrived…so what’s next. This young group who electrified their fan base in 2008 will not catch many team by surprise in 2009 so they will have to raise their level of play and commitment to the sport.

They are lead by the coaching staff of Marcel Vieira and Manny Correia and they get credit not only for their leadership, but more importantly the patience they show with this team. It helps, of course, to have a fine collection of young defencemen and veteran tender, Paul Zarnett so it does appear that last year may not have been just a magical season, but something to build on.

Three keys to the season: Without a doubt, they will need to get production out of their top two lines as Premier teams will gear up for the Darocha, Lima, Pires line. The return of Nelson Pacheco from injury will help as he is not only a shut down centre, but shows signs of offensive flair. Second, goaltending is a question. Even though Zarnett is the starter can he be counted on to make 30 saves a night? The veteran has been up and down in previous stints in the Premier, but he would not want to be anywhere else with all the focus on his play and he is ready for it. Third, while Darocha, Lima and Pires grab most of the headlines, the real strength of this team is the young defense that is growing and maturing. Remember, defense wins, and the FAB FIVE are as good a young group as anyone’s.

On the hot seat: Although the 2008 season was magical, this is 2009 and this group has been together since Peewee, so we have to ask is the message still is getting across. It’s hard to imagine that this group won’t perform well, but they will not catch anyone by surprise and skill alone will not win them games in the Premier. An even more real scenario is the possibility of an early-to-midseason slump and if they can’t deal with adversity who knows what will become of this young group.

Poised to blossom: The 6-foot, 220-pound Darocha, must play a more ‘team role’ and be that player they talk about as a power forward with unlimited potential. He hasn’t missed many games over the years, but can he continue to play his style game in and game out versus some of these defencemen.

Analysis and prediction: The Orangemen have an opportunity here, but it won’t be easy. They might be running a step or two behind the Express and Thunder, but here’s to the team slipping into the top four and showing off some of that great young talent on the playoff stage.

York Eagles – Can They Strike Again

Two years ago this kind of talk wouldn’t even be heard. But considering how far this team has come – winning its first Provincial Championship in 2007 and in 2008 following it up with the Men’s B Provincial Championship. So what is in the future, no less than a playoff birth and maybe a Premier Championship? No one will rule that out and not such an outlandish goal.

Some teams have made the adjustment to the new ball hockey rules putting a premium on speed and skill and being faster than others, and the Eagles have literally grasped the concept. The Eagles emerged as one of the fastest teams last season, and it translated to a potent attack that bodes well for the future.

Players such as Nato Caranzo, Angelo Fantauzzi, Matt Sisca, and Stefan Carnegie will quickly grab attention from the opposition. The biggest reason for success or failure will be how good will this team protect that 24-square-foot piece of real estate at each end of the floor. Chris Zambito has won at the league and provincial level, but there are always questions about goalies. The scrutiny never ends, and there’s no room or leeway for failure.

Three keys to the season: The Eagles like the Orangemen can’t assume they’ll sneak up on anyone this year. The team will not only have to be mentally prepared for each game, but ready to get challenged physically, too. My guess is teams will try to push the Eagles around a bit, test its makeup to see if it can be thrown off of its game and the coach Gerry Panza will remain proactive in that vein. He acquired two veterans In Mike Monaco and Mike Gaggi that bring two league championships with them from the Vaughan Jets. Second, Zambito has proven he can be the ‘guy’, but he’s going to have to prove from the outset he’s ready to take the reins as No. 1 goalie in the Premier, and be able to handle everything that goes along with it. Third, the new additions could really complement the core group with solid seasons. Everyone has to basically just play as well as they did last season, and really no one had unbelievable numbers so what’s being asked is very realistic.

On the hot seat: Daniel Sisca is the key to the team, both on and off of the floor. He is a veteran and feisty leader of the flock. Will his heart be in a full season in the Premier? Or will succumb to the every game pressures. It seems like how Sisca goes, so go the Eagles.

Poised to blossom: Matt Sisca has had big expectations to deal with and since moving to men’s ball hockey and has handled it well. This 19 year old who is still eligible for U-19 Nationals may be ready to break out with an even bigger year, especially considering there is plenty of offense surrounding him and he’s not being asked to take a big jump. That’s how players are put in a position to succeed instead of one to fail.

Analysis and prediction: The real key will be how well the Eagles play on defense. Unless things have dramatically changed in the offseason, and they haven’t, this team will get by with a little less on the blue line, but that is expected of an expansion team and learn the hard lessons of the Premier, so here’s to the Eagles fighting for a playoff spot until the end of the season.

Danforth Demons – New Faces..Big Surprises

It seems like the Demons General Manager and Head Coach Miguel Plania has been trying to assemble all the puzzle pieces since his team captured the 2008 Fall Tier II Championship.

Coming off a successful Tier 2 championship in the Winter 2009 season, the team had a successful Spring Tier 1 session but fell short in the playoffs as injuries plagued the team late in the season. 

The Demons are an organization who have battled through each season with determination, grit and relentness perserverance. Always looking to improve the club, the Demons combine veteran leadership with young skills and exuberance. They depend on a balanced lineup, where role players are as important as the players bulging the twine. 

Coming into its first year in the Summer Premiership, the Demons look to bring a renewed committment to its gameplan, which includes using its size, skill, and forecheck to succeed. Guided by the coach, veteran leadership and the skills of the youth, the Demons expect to be a team who will be difficult to play against and compete in every game.

Three keys to the season: Dave Marchione has to return to the dominant goalie he was when he lead the team to the league championship in Tier II. If he gets off to a slow start it may cause some friction with the team as he is the clear number one without any doubt. Second, team chemistry and finding line combinations that work will be an early challenge. The Demons are fairly deep up front with John Giummarra, Ryan Atkinson, Jim Boileau, Tommy Kotsopovlos and Ryan Ogg, but may be suspect on the back end. And third, special teams have to be special. The power play ranked near the bottom in their first session in the winter Tier I. Marchione ultimately will decide if the PK improves or remains less than average. Expect the power play to feature new personnel, especially up high or on the sides.

On the hot seat: Looking to have a breakout season from scorers like Tommy Kotsopoulos, Johnny Giummarra and Damien Boryca. Jim Papastergiou & Alex Bovoletis. The veteran players have to be a strong defensive presence for the club heading into thier first tier one summer session. A key component of the teams sucess, they'll be required to raise their level of performance on the floor, on the bench & in the dressing room.

Poised to blossom: Young stars in the system Dave McCarron, Peter Niedzinski, and Patrick McMorrow. The development of Derek Warriner will be closely monitored.

Analysis and prediction: The Demons will be a difficult team to play against as their size and skill will challenge opposing teams. The Demons will be tested this season as the challenge of Tier 1 play will differ from its previous years in Tier 2. Consistent committment to team play, staying out of the penalty box, and the teams ability to put the ball in the net are the keys to its success. With sound goaltending, 5 on 5 play, and defensive prowness, the team is looking to develop its players one game at a time in order to compete and battle as the season progresses and develop a successful Tier 1 franchise.

Peel Greenbirds – Only Time Will Tell

This is the biggest question the Greenbirds will face: Are they on the right track?

Everyone knew what was coming when general manager Peter Anthony jumped aboard with marching orders to get the ship righted, much like he did with Red Army. That means building and rebuilding and stripping away what’s not working and bringing in key young players and work together as they climb the ladder and hope they’re ready when they get their crack.

So the Greenbirds would appear to have their cornerstone players set, but it doesn’t end there. They have the Buttar Brothers who have both competed at Nationals and World Championships who will bring experience with a high skill set. Forwards Sajjid Ayubi and Nick Anthony will be counted on heavily to contribute offensively. The backbone of any team is the goaltending and although they have not publically named their starter our nod will go to Turab Bokhari. He has a reputation for keeping his team in games and moves will in his net and possessing great reflexes.

Three keys to the season: First key is the coaching of Peter Anthony, who was brought aboard for one reason: his reputation as a teacher. He has not had prior coaching experience in the Premier, but his job will be to roll with the punches and guide the youngsters down the right path. Second, the defense is going to have to play better than it looks on paper. Nothing stalls development more than giving up too many goals and being out of games early. Third, the Greenbirds are going to need an entire leadership group to emerge. It’s won’t be a stretch to hand a ‘C’ and ‘A’ to the Buttar Brothers who will lead by example and the rest will have to sort itself out during the season.

On the hot seat: Peter Anthony must be patient and work towards his long range goal of being a competitor for many years in the Premier. He must not be lured by the notion of building with heart-and-soul veterans, but rather build with youthfulness. The team that finishes the year must not be the same that begins the year to show this team is making progress.

Poised to blossom: Osman Buttar has just seemed to get better and better every year. With the confidence he has gained from National and International experience, and figuring he will get plenty of time on the top line, Buttar figures to continue his upward trend.

Analysis and prediction: It’s just hard to imagine the Greenbirds being able to compete in the tough Premier with so much youth and inexperience. It really is just a season to develop and take baby steps. The Greenbirds will have to keep their goals modest, but staying out of the division basement would be a good place to start.

St Mikes – History is on Their Side

A new era has begun in ball hockey with the inclusion of the St. Michael’s Ball Hockey Club to the Premier Division of the O.B.H.A. With over 100 years of hockey tradition, St. Michael’s has a long history of championship success in junior hockey and now this first year team looks to carry on that tradition of excellence in ball hockey venues throughout the province.

It is never easy to start a new franchise in the highest level of this sport, but President Daniel Medeiros has brought in a management team with plenty of experience at this level and the organization looks to translate off floor structure and discipline with accomplishments on it.

Bringing tradition back to ball hockey, St. Michael’s has looked to the long and storied history of two of the greatest franchises in Canadian ball hockey history (Dan Ranalli’s Fernview Rangers and Tony Miniaci’s York Canadians) for inspiration in organizing their team. Through their first training camp, player enthusiasm, commitment and effort levels have been very high right from the tryouts through three tune-up games and practices in preparation for the upcoming season.

Three keys to the season: First, goaltending and defense will have to be the strength for this team to have any chance. The ability to be consistent on the defensive side of the game will be paramount if St. Michael’s expects to have any success in their inaugural season.

Second, the team has to play a disciplined hockey game and be able to survive the momentum shifts that so often hurt first year teams. It is imperative that they get offensive production from their top two lines to keep the opposition honest. Third, as with any other first year team, St. Michael’s will have to bring their “A” game every night. An experienced, championship caliber team may have an off night and come away with a win, but St. Michael’s will have no such luxury in 2009. The coaching staff will have to have all 20 players focused every shift, every period, every game to have a chance at gaining valuable wins throughout the year.

On the hot seat: John Divizio. After an injury plagued 2008, Divizio must stay healthy and bring the same intensity that brought him provincial and international success in 2005. On this first year team, Divizio will be asked many nights to shut down the opposition’s top centre as well as chip in with timely offense along the way. Plenty of pressure for one player, yes, but he is not alone on a team that will feel the pressure every game.

Poised to blossom: Chris Montador gets a crack at a Tier I line up and this 6’1” 210 lb. defenseman has the tools to make an impact at this level. He has a high hockey IQ and is very active without the ball putting him in positions to make a play; which is very beneficial for an expansion team whose achievements will be dependent on solid play without the ball. Although not experienced in Tier I, Montador has waited for a long time for this opportunity; and he plans on taking advantage of it. Shane Hart comes over from the Waterloo Titans franchise and his intensity and work ethic will be emblematic of the St. Michael’s team all season. His ability to create offense will be critical in a lineup that will depend on him for scoring at opportune times throughout the year. 

Analysis and prediction: First year teams are usually saddled with the following analysis and prediction: “Hard working team who lacks the firepower to compete with the elite teams in the division and should find it difficult to avoid the basement in year 1.” However, the management team is driven at St. Michael’s to diligently prepare the squad to compete at this high level. With a strict defensive system and the ability to capitalize on opposition errors, St. Michael’s could very well surprise some teams in 2009. One thing we know for sure, this team will be well prepared and be an asset to the Premier Division.