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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2013-12-18, Page 2930 News Record • Wednesday, December 18, 2013 Greyhounds will take time evaluating Goetz Peter Ruicci Sault Star He came to the Soo with one goal in mind: Make an impression. "I want to do whatever I can to make them see that they need to keep me here," said Clinton native Keigan Goetz. And so far, the newest member of Soo Grey- hounds has taken strides towards achieving that goal. The 17 -year-old right- winger, in the Soo as an affiliated player, has given the Hounds a physical element. He's strong on his skates and has also shown himself to be effective on the forecheck. Heading into Saturday's home game against Oshawa, Goetz, who made his Hounds debut on Nov. 29, has played in five of the Soo's last seven games. The team has 10 games to use Goetz, who has yet to register a point, before deciding whether to keep him or return the player to the Oakville Blades of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. "We'll take as long as we need," said Hounds general PARC THEME " �‘_� 1•"°'GODEReCH 524-n11 ai.vo Lela Alit f its r. n • r £ilr! Otlilne51.43 Fri&Sen7E:41&9:la • Sun, Miran & Thur 7:10: sal L1;2° - OF -u- w Dec 20 - 26 CIrwe I Qin it ZS C1n1IR 81 r`ww .'Sr Ar$.abI L• ul. !lie•RirJirhe ur I.4ruund liIu Ilse tur•,e 1 4-4- %111 anfJJ tiew reran Pail Mid hold Earthner lRlrlr ippaukte rLl] UI1st C'111Eiir.1 liBBfl Lir cm41..,r:oh: {r LH frJ - Mon & fhur 7.30 www. mo'i c l i rok3.m: mg*mimeo 1-600.2 65-3438 manager Kyle Dubas. "The Oakville Blades have been great with us. So far, he's played really well and that's made it easier for us." But while Dubas likes what he's seen from Goetz in the defensive zone -- "He's made a couple of nice plays along the wall that have allowed us to get out of our zone," the GM said - he still believes the six -foot -one, 190 -pounder is still finding his way with the pace of the game in the neu- tral and offensive zones. "He's shown he can move the puck well and he's strong on his skates," Dubas added. "When he has the puck and guys hit him, they bounce off of him." When asked for his assessment of Goetz's physical play, head coach Sheldon Keefe took it a step farther. "When he makes contact with someone, it's as hard and impactful as any young player I've seen," said the Greyhounds second -year bench boss. "He's knocked some people off of their feet." Asked about the physical part of his game, Goetz said quickly: "I love to hit." But he also believes he can also provide energy as a solid, well- rounded player. "I want to stay here more than any- thing," said Goetz, who's never been drafted by an Ontario Hockey League team. "I'11 do whatever I have to do to help my team win." The 1996 -born Goetz believed the Kitchener Rangers were prepared to draft him in the 2012 Priority Selec- tions. He spoke of how he interviewed -m Robert Korey & Devon CLINTON BODY SHOP 73 Mary St., Clinton 519-482-9531 Royal Canadian Legion Branch 140 Clinton Elimination Draw $3900 in Prize Money Tuesday January 1, 2014 $50 for the 50", 150", 250'h, 250th ticket drawn $100 for the 1", 100th, 200'h, 300th, 395'h ticket drawn $200 for the 396th ticket drawn 5300 for the 397th ticket drawn $400 for the 398th ticket drawn 5500 for the 399" ticket drawn GRAND PRIZE of $1500 for the 400" ticket drawn Tickets $20 Tickets are still available and the Branch Thank you for your support HELP PHONE FREE EMERGENCY CALL 1- IY'I 6 TOLL FRU E 14 HOURS ADM' kWNAWAY, 5104., ON DANGER.. IN T#LOUDLE Keigan Goetz. with the Rangers and was expecting to be taken somewhere in the vicinity of the eighth round. Being bypassed by all 20 teams, Goetz said: "Made me mad. That motivated me." Hounds director of player develop- ment Wes Clark saw Goetz play early in the season in the OJHL's Gover- nor's Showcase tourney. Clark saw Goetz play again, before he and Dubas scouted the young player together. "What stood out for us is we wanted to add someone with ability, but who is also heavy on the puck," the GM continued. "Keigan is so strong on his skates and he brings that physical element." Earlier this season, a team from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League was interested in taking a look at Goetz. But because of his age, the player had to clear OHL waivers before making his way to the QMJHL. "We claimed him in early Novem- ber," Dubas said. The Hounds then placed Goetz on their 50 -man protected list. "He wants to get better," Keefe added. "He shows all the signs of a kid who's going to progress." Which is one reason why the Hounds, even if they send Goetz back to Oakville, will remain interested in him. "He's very much in our plans long term," Dubas said. Lille/4v Christmastime friends and customers do business. We and a prosperous ® ® • ilmat k dil! is the perfect time to thank all our who have made it a pleasure to wish you all the best of the season New Year. Brian & Melaine & Ian BRIAN BUFFINGA 400 Pkettieid & Cotaoli; r,/,--4, Office: (519) 233-3340 • .fit,_ or.,I iiii A. 411 I) • manager Kyle Dubas. "The Oakville Blades have been great with us. So far, he's played really well and that's made it easier for us." But while Dubas likes what he's seen from Goetz in the defensive zone -- "He's made a couple of nice plays along the wall that have allowed us to get out of our zone," the GM said - he still believes the six -foot -one, 190 -pounder is still finding his way with the pace of the game in the neu- tral and offensive zones. "He's shown he can move the puck well and he's strong on his skates," Dubas added. "When he has the puck and guys hit him, they bounce off of him." When asked for his assessment of Goetz's physical play, head coach Sheldon Keefe took it a step farther. "When he makes contact with someone, it's as hard and impactful as any young player I've seen," said the Greyhounds second -year bench boss. "He's knocked some people off of their feet." Asked about the physical part of his game, Goetz said quickly: "I love to hit." But he also believes he can also provide energy as a solid, well- rounded player. "I want to stay here more than any- thing," said Goetz, who's never been drafted by an Ontario Hockey League team. "I'11 do whatever I have to do to help my team win." The 1996 -born Goetz believed the Kitchener Rangers were prepared to draft him in the 2012 Priority Selec- tions. He spoke of how he interviewed -m Robert Korey & Devon CLINTON BODY SHOP 73 Mary St., Clinton 519-482-9531 Royal Canadian Legion Branch 140 Clinton Elimination Draw $3900 in Prize Money Tuesday January 1, 2014 $50 for the 50", 150", 250'h, 250th ticket drawn $100 for the 1", 100th, 200'h, 300th, 395'h ticket drawn $200 for the 396th ticket drawn 5300 for the 397th ticket drawn $400 for the 398th ticket drawn 5500 for the 399" ticket drawn GRAND PRIZE of $1500 for the 400" ticket drawn Tickets $20 Tickets are still available and the Branch Thank you for your support HELP PHONE FREE EMERGENCY CALL 1- IY'I 6 TOLL FRU E 14 HOURS ADM' kWNAWAY, 5104., ON DANGER.. IN T#LOUDLE Keigan Goetz. with the Rangers and was expecting to be taken somewhere in the vicinity of the eighth round. Being bypassed by all 20 teams, Goetz said: "Made me mad. That motivated me." Hounds director of player develop- ment Wes Clark saw Goetz play early in the season in the OJHL's Gover- nor's Showcase tourney. Clark saw Goetz play again, before he and Dubas scouted the young player together. "What stood out for us is we wanted to add someone with ability, but who is also heavy on the puck," the GM continued. "Keigan is so strong on his skates and he brings that physical element." Earlier this season, a team from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League was interested in taking a look at Goetz. But because of his age, the player had to clear OHL waivers before making his way to the QMJHL. "We claimed him in early Novem- ber," Dubas said. The Hounds then placed Goetz on their 50 -man protected list. "He wants to get better," Keefe added. "He shows all the signs of a kid who's going to progress." Which is one reason why the Hounds, even if they send Goetz back to Oakville, will remain interested in him. "He's very much in our plans long term," Dubas said.