Mississauga Steelheads: Behind The Scenes
By: Giuliano Trombatore
The Mississauga Steelheads finished the regular season in 4th place of the Eastern Conference with 36 wins and 22 losses and a total of 84 points. They matched up against the Sudbury Wolves and after a hard fought series fell short 6-2 in the final game, ending their season.
Luke Misa (C) led the team in total points with 26 goals and 55 assists. The 5 ’10 center also made his way to 4th place in the Steelheads’ all-time points in a single season list with 81, only 4 short of record holder Justin Shugg. This season was a breakout season for Misa, almost doubling his 46 points last year.
Now that the season is over, Misa is looking to be selected in the upcoming NHL draft, with most projections having him taken early in the second round. While Misa will likely return to the team next year after being drafted, the Steelheads, like every other OHL team, will be losing around 5-10 players due to them aging past the league’s eligible.
Spotlight: Oshawa Generals Goaltender Jacob Oster
By: Michael Galvez
On June 28th 2024, the annual NHL entry draft will begin, with many young athletes hoping to hear their name called. One of those names is Oshawa Generals Goaltender Jacob Oster. He shared with us that he was first drawn to the goaltender position because it had the most options in terms of customization. But while choosing the colours of his pads was what started him on his journey, his dedication to the position is what has got him to this point.
Oster is in his 4th season in the OHL and entering his 3rd year of NHL draft eligibility. Halfway through his second season with the Guelph Storm, Oster was traded to the Oshawa Generals. Oster took this new chance and ran with it, as this year has been by far his best statistically. Oster played 60 games this regular season, where had a save percentage of .905 and a goals against average of 2.82. These numbers are far better than any other season he’s had so far. This is the first season where Oster has played 60 games, easily surpassing his former season high of 34 with his former team the Guelph Storm. This season brought many new achievements for Oster, including winning his first OHL goaltender of the month award. Since being given the role of the lone starting goalie for the generals, his stats and game have shown that he might have what it takes to play in the NHL.
A lot of Misa’s success has to be attributed to the Steelheads’ coaching staff. Assistant coach Stephon Thorne talks about how preparing these players mentally will help them in the long run. “Our guidance is that we are trying to be good young people, and the more you are good young people, good things will happen to you. It might not be in this game… but the opportunities and the people you meet will help you get to the next level.” Teams must keep a delicate balance between pushing players to do their best and continuing to maintain good grades. Coach Thorne says that the Steelheads believe academic success is just as important as success on the ice, “For us school is very very important in the sense where… we need you to pass and get good grades, but if you need help or have problems come to us.”
History of Steelheads NHL draft picks:
1st Round
- Thomas Harley drafted 18th overall by the Dallas Stars ( 2019 )
- Owen Tippett drafted 10th overall by the Florida Panthers ( 2017 )
- Alexander Nylander drafted 8th overall by the Buffalo Sabers ( 2016 )
- Michael Mcleod drafted 12th overall by the New Jersey Devils ( 2016 )
- Stuart Percy , drafted 25th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs ( 2011 )
2nd Round
- Owen Beck drafted #33 by the Montreal Canadiens ( 2022 )
- Luca Del Bel Belluz drafted #44 by the Columbus Blue Jackets ( 2022 )
- Ryan McLeod drafted #40 by the Edmonton Oilers ( 2018 )
- Nicolas Hague drafted #34 by the Las Vegas Golden Knights ( 2017 )
- Nathan Bastian drafted #41 by the New Jersey Devils ( 2016 )
3rd Round
- Cole Schwindt drafted # 81 by the Florida Panthers ( 2019 )
- Sean Day drafted #81 by the New York Rangers ( 2016 )
- Vili Saarijarvi drafted #73 by the Detroit Red Wings ( 2015 )
- Spencer Martin drafted #63 by the Colorado Avalanches ( 2013 )
- Jimmy Lodge drafted #84 by the Winnipeg Jets ( 2013 )
4th Round
- Ethan Del Mastro drafted #105 by the Chicago Blackhawks ( 2021 )
- Jacob Moverare drafted #112 by the Los Angeles Kings ( 2016 )
- Trevor Carrick drafted #116 by the Carolina Hurricanes ( 2012 )
5th Round
- Ole Bjorgvik-Holm drafted #145 by the Columbus Blue Jackets ( 2020 )
- Keean Washkurak drafted #155 by the St. Louis Blues ( 2019 )
6th Round
- Jacob Ingham drafted #175 by the Los Angeles Kings ( 2018 )
- Dylan Demelo drafted #179 by the San Jose Sharks ( 2011 )
7th Round
- Austin Osmanski drafted #189 by the Buffalo Sabers ( 2016 )
- Spencer Watson drafted #209 by the Los Angeles Kings ( 2014 )
We asked Jacob about his experience with both the Storm and the Generals, and what has played a part in his new found success. He mentioned that both organizations were incredibly supportive to him, but the move to the Generals was mainly to give him an opportunity to play more often. He’s obviously grateful that he has got the chance to show NHL scouts that he has what it takes.
Oster not only been playing at a consistent level in the regular season but he also performed well against the Barrie Colts in their first playoff series this year. Most recently, Oster had his first-ever playoff shutout game where his team went on to win 3-0 helping them advance to the second round against the Ottawa 67s. Oster and the Generals currently have a 2-0 series lead over the 67s in the second round of the OHL playoffs.
Things continue to trend upwards for this goalie with many NHL scouts saying that there is a probability that he can get drafted or signed by an NHL team in this upcoming offseason. But many older goalies are overlooked when it comes to getting drafted. About 68.35% of goalies who are 18 get drafted, guys 19 are drafted around 17% of the time and at the age of 20 it is only about 10%. Many goalies Oster’s age give up on that dream and resort to their backup plans like going to college and getting a job elsewhere.
Oster is trying to beat those odds and make his dream come true. He is having such an amazing year and this 20-year-old can only think about one thing and that is playing in the big leagues. He said his only goal is to go to the NHL and that right now there is no backup plan, and he sure is playing like it.
(courtesy of Terry Wilson / OHL Images)
Steelheads moving to Brampton
(courtesy: Paramount Fine Foods Centre on Facebook)
By: Giuliano Trombatore
The Mississauga Steelheads are relocating to Brampton as that will be their new home arena. The Steelheads have been playing at Paramount fine food center since 2012 and before it was called the Hershey Centre. The reasoning behind moving to Brampton is due to the lack of attendance and by the attendance being so low they are losing money and staff. Ever since the pandemic there was a significant change in attendance and expenses of the arena. The Steelheads are excited to make this change in hopes of starting fresh in a new town, with a new demographic of fans.
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