Lidstrom Junior

He is a legend in their minds. 

Olli Maatta is missed by the London Knights

19 year-old Olli Maatta is still a presence in the London Knights dressing room. 

  Bo Horvat recalls Maatta getting a speeding ticket the first day that he drove his new car.  He shrugged it off and rolled with the good-natured ribbing. 

 Chris Tierney remembers ordering the same sub sandwich at the same location at the same time before each playoff game. He says Olli loved his routines.  

 Trainer Doug Stacey remembers Maatta as one of the hardest working players he's ever seen.  He suggested Maatta  avoid taking punishing hits but Olli refused.  "He wanted to show everybody he wouldn't back down," remembers Stacey.   "He acted like a professional from the day he walked in here."  

Maatta (L) Jarred Tinordi and Scott Harrington (R) formed a big three under Rob Ramage

  Josh Anderson remembers Maatta scoring a huge shorthanded goal in Kitchener that led the Knights to a comeback from a two goal deficit against the Rangers in a playoff game.  

Maatta (2) scores SH playoff goal vs. Kitchener 

  "He was a warrior for our hockey club," Knights GM Mark Hunter told Mike Stubbs of Newstalk 1290 CJBK.  "Look at what he did.  He played his way past 7 one-way contracts." (to make the Pittsburgh Penguins).

Flying first class to Memorial Cup in Shawinigan

In two years, with Olli Maatta often leading the team in minutes played, the London Knights were 8-0 in playoff series.  During those 32 playoff wins, Maatta often made a big play near the end of the game that turned the result in favour of the Knights.  He was plus 25 in his first season with London. He followed that with 23 points in 19 playoff games.  

The 2nd trip to the Memorial Cup was highlighted by Maatta's performance against the Plymouth Whalers.  The huge Whaler forwards pounded him at every turn.  Maatta would not be intimidated.  He kept moving the puck out of harms way and battling the likes of Tom Wilson in front of the net.  

Mark Hunter eyes a future without Maatta 

His last seconds as a Knight were spent in front of the Portland Winterhawks net frantically trying to get the tying goal in a 2-1 loss.  He was named the Knights player of the game.  He seemed destined to captain the team to another Memorial Cup.  The fact that he is not in the London lineup has required a psychological adjustment for his former teammates.  An adjustment that's not yet complete.  On the ice he was Lidstrom-dependable.   He also had an easy smile.  No one ever took Olli Maatta for granted.  Universally liked by coaches, teammates and fans, Maatta's loss will take some time to overcome.

Justin Sefton and Doug Stacey help Maatta off the ice vs. Plyoouth

Maatta and Nikita Zadorov celebrate OHL championship 

   

That's Hockey

Knights Anthony Stolarz (43) and Mike McCarron (24) wish Remi Elie the best 

 The London Knights didn't want to trade Remi Elie.  The Belleville Bulls didn't want to trade Brady Austin.  They were traded for each other.  That's hockey.
"The quick answer was no if 18 other teams were knocking on the door at this time (about Brady Austin)," said Belleville GM/Coach George Burnett before the Knights game against the Bulls.
  "You think he's been a pro for ten years," added Burnett. (Listen to entire interview here)
   Elie helped the Knights get to the Memorial Cup last season.  His work alongside Paxton Leroux and Kyle Platzer on an energy line was especially strong early in the playoffs.  He was so impressive, the Dallas Stars invested a 2nd round draft choice in him last June at the NHL draft.  
   Elie scored a goal against the Knights in the first period to give the Bulls a 1-0 lead.  The Knights showed their depth at forward in the 2nd and 3rd periods - which is why they could afford to trade Remi Elie.   Need and opportunity met. The Knights get what they needed in a veteran defenseman with size. The Bulls get a forward who will score and return next year. 
   THE GAME - Matt and Ryan Rupert combined for seven scoring points in the 2nd period vs. the Bulls.  Ryan set up Matt for the first two Knights goals while Matt set up Ryan for a third.   Matt has taken over the Knights team scoring lead with 11 points. 
    Jake Patterson gave the Knights strong goaltending.  He made 43 saves against a Bulls team that didn't give up. 

Matt Rupert shot beats Belleville goalie Charlie Graham in 2nd period of 6-1 win

Knights Win Third Straight

Christian Dvorak scored two goals on the weekend for the Knights

 The London Knights responded to last weeks loss in Guelph with a 7-2 win over the Storm at Budweiser Gardens.  It was the first loss of the year for the Storm.   London unleashed another offensive weapon this weekend.  Christian Dvorak came alive in the third period against Windsor on Friday night.  He scored his first OHL goal and even got some penalty killing duties.  The 17 year-old from Chicago will start a serious climb on NHL scouting lists.  One scouting website had him as a late second round pick.  NHL Central Scouting did not have him ranked in the top players to watch for 2013-14.  Dvoraks first OHL goal was batted out of the air against the Spitfires.  His second showed his speed and skill as he carried the puck into the Guelph zone and swooped around the net and beat goalie Justin Nichols to the post. 
   Dvorak was 5 foot 6 and 146 pounds when he was drafted by the Knights in the spring of 2012.  He is now 6 foot 1 and hasn't lost his speed and skill.  

Bo Horvat wins faceoff against the Windsor Spitfires

Bo Horvat has returned to junior hockey to dominate.  He scored two goals in the first 7 minutes of the Knights biggest early season game against the Guelph Storm.  Horvat's return will most certainly result in some big offensive numbers.  He already has a keen sense of his defensive duties.  The 9th overall pick by the Vancouver Canucks will grow confidence in his offensive game that will certainly carry over into the pros.   

Knights celebrate Chris Tierney's 3rd period goal vs. Windsor 

Knights Fall to Storm, 6-3

Hunter Garlent scores on Jake Patterson 

The London Knights are certainly the consensus favourite in the OHL Western Conference in 2013-14.  Being ranked number one in Canada in the CHL ratings and Memorial Cup hosts has made them targets.  They wouldn't want it any other way.
 The Guelph Storm proved they are willing to stand in with the Knights.  The Storm defeated London 6-3 in Guelph to drop the Knights to 2-1.  The Storm got great goaltending from Justin Nichols, recently acquired from the Sault St. Marie Greyhounds.
The Storm have a talented group of forwards who have grown up together under coach Scott Walker.  They will score plenty of goals this year and show a chemistry that comes with a team that has grown up together.  

Knights Improve To 2-0

Mitch Marner has moxie

Stories and pictures from the London Knights 6-3 win over the Saginaw Spirit.

Mitch Marner will find you.

Somehow the young first round draft pick gets the puck on the stick of teammates in good shooting position.  Marner helped create Santino Centorame's first OHL goal in the first period with a quick pass that sprung Kyle Platzer loose for a scoring chance.  Centorame followed up and banged home the rebound.
Marner also set up Platzer for his third goal of the season in the second period. Again, skating at high speed he somehow slid a puck underneath a sprawling defender to wide-open Platzer who made a backhand forehand deke on Jake Paterson.

Marner has three points in his first two OHL games.

Anthony Stolarz 

Goalie Anthony Stolarz has yet to give up an even strength goal in two games.  The 19 year-old 2nd round pick of the Philadelphia Flyers has more economy in his game this season.
"He's more in control," says London Knights goalie coach Bill Dark.   "He's staying a bit deeper in his net to use his size and athletic ability.  He's still challenging but more at the right time."

Stolarz has a .957 save percentage and a 1.5 GAA through two games.

Josh Anderson played one of his best games as a Knight against the Spirit.  Anderson scored two goals. He was physical along the boards and a constant presence in front of the net.  Anderson and Chris Tierney teamed with Mike McCarron on a line that had a great game in a 6-3 London win.

John Anderson watches Alex Basso play 'pop up the water bottle' vs. Saginaw Spirit

Raonic Is Not Young

Milos Raonic is leading a tennis revival in Canada.

He gets praise from around the sport as a potential top-five talent.

He has a chance to win a major tennis title.

All true.

But he is not young - in the cruel world of mens singles tennis.  Raonic seems like a raw, developing talent.  But the results show he is behind most top-20 players.

Raonic has a 12-8 record in the four major tennis tournaments.  He has yet to reach the quarterfinals of any of the big four events.  Before the next major (Australian Open) he will be 23 years old and his 20 matches of major experience are well behind many other players of his era. 

Here are the major records of some similar players past and present at age 22:

 - Tomas Berdych - 30-17 including one quarter final.

 -  Juan Martin del Potro - 31-6 including one win, one semi final and two quarter finals.

 -   Richard Gasquet - 28-20 including one quarter final appearance

 -   Jo Wilfrid Tsonga - reached Australian Open final at age 22. 

 Top players like Novak Djokovic are in another universe when it comes to early results.  Djokovic had a 66-19 record in majors by age 23 with one major win.  Roger Federer had one major title and two quarter final appearances by age 22.  He had a 39-13 record.  Rafa Nadal had five majors before age 23. 
    In past years, Pete Sampras had won 58 matches in majors before age 23.  He had won three titles and been to two semi finals.   The player that might compare most to Raonic is Goran Ivanisevic, who had a 45-20 record in majors at age 22.   

   This is not to be critical of Raonic.  He is progressing.  He showed a lot of game in the first set against  Djokovic in the Davis Cup.   His return of serve and net presence are improving.  

   But he is not young.  In high level tennis the career trajectory is different than most other sports.  Good players reach their peak earlier and also decline earlier.  

    Milos should expect QF and SF in majors in 2014.   

More Marner

Mitch Marner 

This kid is special. 

London Knights first round draft choice, Mitch Marner displayed a rare skill in the Knights 6-3 loss to the Plymouth Whalers. 

Although just 16, he has mastered the art of the backhand pass.   

Marner found Mark Gazdic with a clever backhanded pass through traffic to set up the Knights' first goal of the game.  Marner laid a nice pass to Remi Elie for the Knights third goal as Elie unleashed a slap shot from just inside the blueline. 
  
 If you are playing with Mitch Marner you need to be ready to get the puck on your stick.  He will find you - even on the backhand.   So many players don't practice the art of the backhand pass.  Too often the time it takes to move the puck to the forehand allows a checker to break-up the play.  Not so with Marner.