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NEWS ITEM
Thursday, October 15th, 2009
Renegades add former Paris Mounties player to lineup
The Woodstock Renegades continue to tinker with their roster, picking up former Paris Mounties forward Tyler MacLaughlin last week with more moves to come.
The addition was necessary after the departures of defenceman Josh Suhanji and forward Luigi Martone.
The Paris native spent two seasons with the Mounties, compiling nine goals and 11 assists in 67 games.
MacLaughlin, 18, played his first game Friday in Norwich and picked up four penalty minutes in Woodstock's 2-1 win. He's expected to replace the speed that was lost with Martone's departure.
"He's fast, he'll hit and he'll bring emotion," Renegades' general manager Bill McLeod said. "He's a good player. He's bigger than Luigi, probably faster than Luigi but not the same hands.
He's a different style of player. He's a good role player. He keeps the speed and we need that on our ice."
McLeod expects the Renegades will welcome back forward Taylor Jones after Oct. 28. The 18-year-old is currently playing with the Markham Waxers Provincial Junior A but spent 26 games in Woodstock last season, posting 10 points in the regular season and playoffs.
The final move will likely see the Renegades add a junior B defenceman in the near future, McLeod said. It will add depth to a young blue-line and allow Justin Pottruff to return to his natural position on the wing.
Second-year defencemen Andy Fallowfield and Devon Young currently have the most experience in front of another second-year standout, goaltender Alex Gegeny.
"You look at our goals against and it's one of lowest in the league," McLeod said. "The last game without Luigi and Suhanji we held (Norwich) to around 25 shots and won 2-1. I think we might have an unnamed surprise defence. I think at the end of the year a lot of these kids might make a name for themselves."
Suhanji, 20, was in his second year with the Renegades. Work commitments in London forced him to leave after four games this year.
"He was a solid veteran," McLeod said. "He had a couple years of junior B experience. He's got size and a hard shot. He was one of the few guys on defence with good experience."
Martone came to Woodstock this year after spending last season with the Dixie Beehives and Vaughan Vipers junior A teams.
He scored one goal and added two assists in four games with the Renegades. More importantly, he brought creativity to the offence and seemed to click with Cole Maher on the top line.
"He needed to go back with his family," McLeod said. "It was his first time away from home."
As for future additions, McLeod isn't interested in fooling around with the surprising Renegades, off to a 4-1 start.
"I don't think we need to do too much, except coach a new forward," he said. "This is the best start we've had in ages."
(Source Sentinel-Review)
