BY MIKE BURSE – FAN FUEL BLOGGER
The Brampton Hockey Club took another step forward towards becoming Clarkson Cup champions last season. They finished with a record of 18-7-2 for 40 points in the regular season. They scored 102 goals (third in the league) and allowed 80 goals against (third place).
Brampton secured a birth in the Clarkson Cup Final against the defending champion Montreal Stars. Montreal went up 3-0 in the second period but Brampton showed their character and mounted a comeback. A goal at 7:55 of the third by Courtney Birchard closed the gap to 3-1, but Montreal scored at 12:54 to take a 4-1 lead. Brampton did not give up and scored a goal to bring them within two (4-2) at 17:27 of the third period courtesy of Cherie Piper. Montreal held on for the final two and half minutes to repeat as Clarkson Cup champions.
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In goal Brampton has Liz Knox as their starter and she posted 13 wins and six losses in 20 games last season. Along with that she had 2.94 goals against average and a 0.828 save percentage. Knox was ranked third in the league behind Jenny Lavigne and Molly Schaus. Handling the backup duties were Sonja Van Der Bliek with three wins, Kendra Fisher with two wins and an overtime loss, as well as Laura Hosier with one loss.
Brampton is set in their starting position with Liz Knox; she will post better numbers this season and does have the potential to backstop her team to a championship. After training camp, Brampton now appears ready to move forward in goal with Liz Knox handling the bulk of the workload this season. Knox will be backed up by the former Burlington Barracuda (acquired in the dispersal draft) Allison Cubberley this season.
Goaltender Brianne McLaughlin was acquired in the Burlington dispersal draft. She was drafted 24th overall by the Barracudas in the 2010 CWHL Draft, however she has not yet played in the CWHL. As Brianne has recently been hired as an assistant coach by the Robert Morris University Colonials it is doubtful that she will make an appearance in the CWHL this season.
On defence Brampton was led by Molly Engstrom (27 points), Courtney Birchard (16 points) and Tara Gray (7 points). The blue line was rounded out last season by Kerri Palmer (5 points), Allyson Fox (6 points) and Ashley Pendleton (0 points).
In the 2012 CWHL Draft Jody Katz selected three defenders (Charissa Stadnyk, Suzzane Fenerty and Kimberly Riley). Expect Stadnyk and/or Fenerty to make a push for top four ice time on the back end this year. They will help to strengthen the blue line and provide greater support to goaltender Liz Knox.
Brampton also acquired Mallory Johnston from the Burlington Barracudas dispersal draft this offseason. She will be a valuable defensive defender for Brampton this coming season.
Brampton’s final roster on the blue line includes Courtney Birchard, Tara Gray, Allyson Fox, Mallory Johnston, Tara French, Charissa Stadnyk and Suzzane Fenerty. Brampton has a big hole to fill with the loss of Molly Engstrom (USA National Women’s Team member) to the Boston Blades. Engstrom has moved to Boston in order to better prepare for the upcoming 2014 Sochi Olympics.
Last season’s rookie of the year Courtney Birchard will be expected to lead Brampton from the back end. While more pressure will now be on 2012 CWHL Draft picks Charissa Stadnyk and Suzzane Fenerty to produce in their rookie seasons.
On offence, Brampton was led by Gillian Apps (39 points), Jayna Hefford (34 points), Cherie Piper (33 points) and Vicki Bendus (29 points). All of Brampton’s top seven scoring forwards topped 10 points this past season.
From the dispersal draft Brampton acquired Lindsay Vine, Sarah Dagg and Jana Harrigan from Burlington. All three should provide an upgrade in depth for Brampton at forward and see time mostly on the third and fourth lines. In particular Harrigan’s experience will help a club pushing for a Clarkson Cup title.
In the 2012 CWHL Draft Brampton selected seven forwards. The first five rounds saw them acquire Haley Irwin (1st round, 3rd overall), Bailey Bram (2nd round, 8th overall) and Laura McIntosh (3rd round, 13th overall). All three of them are likely to be features in Brampton’s top six forwards this coming season. As well all three have the chance to become solid top line players in the CWHL for years to come.
The final roster for Brampton up front will include Gillian Apps, Jayna Hefford, Cherie Piper, Vicki Bendus, Lori Dupuis, Jennifer Kirk, Bailey Bram, Laura McIntosh and Sarah Moe.
Brampton had drafted Haley Irwin in this year’s 2012 CWHL Draft but she moved to Montreal and will therefore be a member of the Montreal Stars this season. Even with the loss of Irwin to Montreal, Brampton looks very solid on offence. Rookies Bailey Bram and Laura McIntosh will be counted on to provide offense during their rookie years.
Gillian Apps, Jayna Hefford and Cherie Piper will again be counted upon to lead Brampton on offence. Apps is a towering forward and creates space for Hefford and Piper to make plays.
Another acquisition for Brampton this year is new Head Coach Rick Traugott. With over 27 years of hockey experience, including working for Hockey Canada in the National Women’s Program as a camp coach, Brampton will be in good hands with him.
As is the theme in the CWHL this year I expect Brampton to be a better club this year. The injection of talent from the 2012 CWHL Draft is tremendous and has greatly benefitted the Brampton Hockey Club. The Clarkson Cup will likely come down to a battle between Montreal, Boston and Brampton this year.
Does Brampton have enough depth to take down Montreal? Like Boston I believe they do this year, although the rookies in Brampton (McIntosh, Stadnyk, Fenerty and Bram) will need to perform up to expectations in order for Brampton to come home with the Cup.
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