Cougars working to improve on last season

August 13, 2013 · 0 Comments

By Jeff Doner

It may be August, but the Schomberg Cougars Junior C hockey club has been working hard to improve their team and get ready for the upcoming hockey season.
Jim Egerton, the Cougars’ new head coach, recently announced the team would be bringing back a couple familiar faces, as well as a few new ones after some research and assessment.
John Gage, who also tried out for the Newmarket Junior A team, has signed with the Cougars and will most likely be back. Egerton said he has noticed Gage has bulked up over the summer.
“It looks like he has put on some strength,” he said. “It looks like he’s in better shape than last year, according to team management, and with being in better shape he seems quicker out there. We’re pleased to have him with us.”
Last year Gage scored two goals and six points, with nine penalty minutes in 20 games played.
Also slated to come back after a successful first season with the Cougars is centreman Blake Culley.
“He’s also still with Aurora’s main camp,” Egerton said, explaining that Culley is hoping to make the Junior A team there. “We have signed him to our team, but he still has the intention of trying out with them and making their team.”
Last season Culley finished fifth in scoring for the Cougars, showing plenty of promise in his first season of junior hockey.
In the 2012-13 season, Culley managed 11 goals and 28 points in 38 games, including seven power play assists, which could come in handy for the upcoming season.
Egerton also confirmed the signing of newcomers Brandon Yorke, Brandon Falsarella and Chris Wilson.
Yorke spent part of last season in Trenton’s system and will join the Cougars on defence. Egerton said he covets the Junior A experience Yorke had in Trenton last year.
Falsarella is coming over from the Bradford Bulls of the GMHL to help add some punch to the offence.
“He’s a big strong winger that goes to the net,” Egerton explained. “He can also put the puck in the net, but he’s just a big strong kid out there. We noticed him in Alliston’s camp, so we didn’t hesitate to sign him. We think he’s got a lot of potential.”
Last year Falsarella scored 15 points in 37 games for the Bulls.
Rounding out the signings for now is defenseman Chris Wilson from Newmarket. Last season Wilson played with the Markham Majors Triple A squad.
“He’s a big, strong puck moving defenceman, a nice skater and a hard shot from the point,” Egerton said. “I think he’s going to be a good player down the road and I think he’ll fit well with our team.”
Also worth noting is the fact that the Junior C Cougars have become affiliates with both the Newmarket Hurricanes and Aurora Tigers Junior A clubs.
Egerton said he was looking forward to opportunities this might open up for both the players and the clubs.
“Not only does it get us in touch with players that don’t make it in Newmarket or Aurora, but depending on where they live, they have to be within our zone, if they’re looking to still play some junior hockey we’re hoping they would consider us because we’re in proximity with those teams and it would be easier for those teams to keep an eye on those players and see their progression goes,” he said.
“It’s also good for our players, because if they’re thinking of progressing up the junior ladder, having Aurora and Newmarket as affiliates is going to be good for them, because they can work hard to maybe being an AP (affiliated player) for them or maybe getting an eye on them for this year and maybe next year.”
More moves are expected to come after tryouts, which will be taking place on Aug. 20 at the Trisan Centre in Schomberg.
Egerton said the team has a list of specific goals for the upcoming season and is looking for the right players that will fit in to his plan.
“We’re looking for some big strong wingers up front and some nice puck moving defenceman for the back end,” he said.
“We’re looking to improve our record and move along farther in the playoffs than we have in the past. Right now, we’re just trying to put some pieces of the puzzle together.”
For more information or team contacts, visit the Cougars website at www.schombergcougars.com.