In the first six games of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) season, the Soo Greyhounds had just two wins.
“I’m happy with our record, oddly enough,” head coach John Dean told CTV News on Friday.
Dean smiled as he said that the teams 2-3-1 record isn't ideal, but is not a reason to panic.
“I want to win every hockey game, but we've had a very difficult schedule. We’ve played teams that are expected to win the conference,” Dean added.
“We’ve played 6 games in 11 nights. We had 4 games in 6 nights on a very tough road trip.”
In those six games, the Hounds have scored more than a pair of goals just twice.
“We need to be more offensive; we need to create more offensive chances. We want to play in the other teams end more; we’ve played entirely too much time in our own end,” said Dean.
He added that a part of the offensive woes is the team's inexperience.
The Greyhounds have an average age of 17.88, and less than half of the current team has returned from last year's squad that made the second round of the league’s playoffs.
Among those helping the young guys get up to speed is newly named captain Bryce McConnell-Barker.
The 18-year-old is one of just a handful of OHL veterans on the team.
“It’s really important for our older guys to be mentors for our younger guys, and have them be open to be able to talk to us whenever ... older guys leading the way with the systems and everything, so the younger guys can catch on as quick as they can,” said McConnell-Barker.
Dean said that sitting below the 50 per cent mark is not the fault of his goaltenders, extending praise to both Charlie Schenkel and Sam Ivanov.
He told CTV News he is confident that the Soo just need some time to get better and expects improvement after each game and practice. He was not willing to put any specifics on goals for the season.
“This league is an interesting league and what happens over the course of the year. Who shows up, who doesn’t show up, who gets injured, who doesn’t get injured, so our goal by no means is to just make the playoffs.”
With a smile and a laugh, the fourth year head coach promised that hockey fans in the Sault will be in for some competitive hockey this year.
Dean explained he is not happy with the way the team is playing so far, however he is glad they're earning the label of a ‘scrappy' squad.
"I want us to be tough, and physical, and tenacious," Dean added.
Following this interview the Soo Greyhounds fell 3-2 in overtime to the Peterborough Petes.
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