Written: Bill Potrecz
The Fort Erie Meteors caught the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League off guard last season, finishing in the top four for the first time in recent memory before coming within one victory of qualifying for the Golden Horseshoe finals.
Fort Erie head coach/general manager Nik Passero is well aware the Meteors won’t surprise the league this time around.
“The big thing is last year we had no pressure, no expectations. Even for ourselves, it was a feel-out process,” Passero said. “That’s all gone now. We have expectations, we have pressure but pressure is a privilege. That’s something we’ve talked about early on.”
The Meteors open the GOJHL regular season Friday in Niagara Falls before hosting Hamilton Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Leisureplex.
The Meteors have been practising for about a month with their current roster, which Passero said was by design.
“Not many decisions had to be made during camp, maybe one or two, and that was a goal of ours to have things set it stone when we got here so we could get right to work,” Passero said. “I think you can do a lot of damage in September with other teams not being prepared. We got off to a hot start last year which was important, and we want to do the same thing this year.”
Passero feels he has put together a squad which can contend for a title.
“We’re not satisfied,” he said. “I think we would be lying if we said we didn’t want to chase the big dogs. I think the St. Catharines and Caledonias of the world are there for the chasing. Hamilton as well. They had a great year last year and we’re trying to hunt them down and to prove we belong there.”
The Meteors feature two components Passero feel is essential to challenge for a title —speed and experience.
“Playoffs showed us last year that speed kills at both ends of the ice and that’s how we built our team this year,” he said. “We got a little bigger on the back end. I think that was necessity and our depth forwards are exponentially better than they were last year.”
The Meteors, who for decades were known as an organization that would provide young players with a chance to play, feature seven 20-year-olds.
“That’s unheard of. We’ve never had that,” Passero said.
The Meteors feature a solid group of forwards led by Marcus Regina, who led the team in scoring last season, Jayden Baldinelli and the dynamic Joe Macchione, who impressed at camp with the Kitchener Rangers.
Fort Erie also picked up former Thorold Blackhawk winger Brad Ditillio, who played last season in the Ontario Junior Hockey League.
“I think he’ll be a big get for us. He’ll play in the top six,” Passero said.
Passero is also high on forward Yianni Koukoves, a 17-year-old Markham native who was the Rangers second-round selection in the 2022 draft.
“I think he’ll be a guy who really surprises people,” Passero said. “I’m really excited for his power.”
Thomas and Luke Gualtieri are back to anchor the blueline. Undrafted Rylan Masterson’s status is unknown after he was invited to camp with the Windsor Spitfires.
Newcomer Matthew Herb, an 18-year-old native of North Carolina, has impressed with the his size and shot.
“I think he’ll be a good addition to the D corps,” Passero said.
Josh Smith is back in goal after posting a 3.31 goals-against average in 26 games least season.
“He won his last seven starts at the end of the year,” Passero said. “It’s his net.”
Nolan Lane, who played junior C in Picton last season, will act as backup.
Passero is eager to drop to drop the puck for real.
“We just want to get off on the right foot. We’re so excited. I love the group we have,” he said.
Metscellaneous: Josh DiFrancesco has been named captain for the season while Thomas Gualtieri, Marcus Regina, Kevin Guld and Jayden Baldinelli will act as assistants.
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