Sjoerd Witteveen
Graduating captain Randy Johnston (centre) gets a workout between Myles Gomes (left) and Darren Archibald at Stouffville Spirit training camp at the Stouffville Arena Tuesday. Johnston has signed a pro contract with a Michigan team, while Gomes has returned to the team.
Sports
August 21, 2008 12:32 AM
Mike Hayakawa
Once a Stouffville Spirit, always a Stouffville Spirit.
In
the case of Myles Gomes, who launched his tier two junior A hockey
career as a defenceman with the Stouffville Spirit three seasons ago
before going to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League last season, he’s
come back full circle with the Provincial Jr. A Hockey League team
where he started with.
In making his second tour of duty on the
Spirit’s blueline, the 20-year-old Whitchurch-Stouffville resident
couldn’t be any happier.
“It feels pretty good,” he said. “I’ve skated with some of the guys on the team already and it should be a fun year.”
The
Spirit, which opened training camp Monday at the Stouffville Arena,
plays the Markham Waxers in a pair of weekend exhibition games. The
teams meet Friday at Angus Glen arena in Markham and Saturday in
Stouffville. Both are 7:30 p.m. starts.
Gomes played for three
clubs in the QMJHL beginning with the Moncton Wildcats before he was
dealt at Christmas time to Baie-Comeau Drakkar and two weeks later
shipped to Prince Edward Island Rocket.
“I was all over the map,” he said with a laugh.
Teams
are only allowed to carry three 20-year-old players. The Rocket had
their minds made up as to which three they wanted to retain. Gomes was
the odd man out of their plans.
That turned out to be good news for the Spirit, who retained his tier two Junior A playing rights.
Despite leaving the Rocket, Gomes said his time in the QMJHL was a great learning experience.
“I
wanted to make a jump (to the major junior A ranks). It was a good
opportunity at that time. I don’t regret the decision at all. I had a
great time (in the QMJHL),” he said.
In comparing the QMJHL with
the Provincial Jr. A Hockey League, Gomes noted there were adjustments
he had to make. The biggest difference, he cited, was in the pace of
the game along with the personal preparation required.
“The
speed of the game in Quebec is a lot quicker and you’ve got to be in
top physical shape to play because you’re playing almost every day,” he
said.
Being three years older since his first tour of duty with
the Spirit, Gomes is now considered one of the veteran players. He
intends to pass on his wisdom to the younger players. In no way does he
feel any added pressure exerted on him to carry the team on his
shoulders.
“I look at it as a challenge. I like to help the younger guys out. Whatever needs to be done I’ll do it,” he said.
Mark
Joslin, Spirit general manager, more than welcomed Gomes return to the
club’s roster. Especially in guiding the younger players.
“We’re
definitely looking for big things from him,” he said. “We’ll be looking
for leadership from him and his on-ice play. He will definitely bring
experience to the younger guys.”
With one more season of junior
A playing eligibility, Gomes hopes to make the most of it and continue
his progression up the hockey ladder.
“I would like to go pro after this season. If not I’ll go to school in Canada,” he said.
The Spirit opens the 2008-09 regular season Sept. 11 at Stouffville Arena against the Newmarket Hurricanes.
Go to stouffvillespirit.com for more information including the pre-season schedule.