Last year, on the night before the regular season, I decided to launch this blog. I was able to interview 10 players, one devoted fan, the Attack Pak, write several columns and post several photo reports. I travelled to New Brunswick to photograph Carter George in the Top Prospects game and this summer I made the trek to Windsor to shoot both Carter and Colby Barlow in the Hockey Canada Summer Showcase. My next move, 30 plus Attack home games and the dream of covering this winter’s IIHF World Juniors in Ottawa—as close as it’s going to get to the Bayshore for me.

It’s been quite the year. I’ve grown to love the players and their families and I have appreciated all the love given back to me. I appreciate the fans who chat with me while I’m shooting, the players families who are always grateful for the photos and the boys on the ice for allowing me to be in their space, and my co-shooter Sam Buschbeck for constantly making me a better photographer by being so dang good himself.

A lot has changed since Regular Season-eve last year. We’ve said goodbye to a fleet of over-agers who were homegrown at the Bayshore in Deni Goure, Sam Sedley and Ethan Burroughs. We’ve welcomed a lineup of fast and feisty rookies who seem to be playing with an energy and fun-factor that hasn’t been seen at the Bayshore in a while. We have three new faces behind the bench in Scott Wray, Reagan O’ Grady and Brandon Shaw. These three have been quick to welcome me into the fold and share smiles. At the recent Attack town hall, there were many remarks on the coaching that’s taking place after each shift. There’s more sunshine in this arena then I’ve seen in a long time. Coach Wray was quick to point out at the town hall, that those tides may turn after a few losses in a row. But the Bayshore faithful have different expectations this year. We’re not starting with sky high expectations for a team that has every single piece they need to win on paper. We’re beginning this season with optimism, an eye on development and a feeling that we just might surprise a few folks along the way.  

We’ve been promised a return to true Owen Sound hockey. Gritty, hard-working and determined. In two exhibition outings at the Bayshore, that’s what we’ve gotten. There’s a sense that’s what the coaching staff is demanding and that’s what the kids intend to deliver. It’s honestly an exciting time to be along for the ride.

Sure there are still some question marks. As I write this Carter George is likely on a flight back from LA where he showed everyone the trademark confidence and poise he’s shown us since day 1. Your ticket lets you watch this kid progress, impress and continue to develop as he eyes up a roster spot on the LA Kings one day. Will we get our captain back? That remains to be seen. This league is meant to grow champions and every single player who passes through has their own vision on how to reach their ultimate goal of playing in the NHL. I, for one, refuse to pass judgement on a player who is laser focused on chasing their dream. Would I love to see #39 back at the Bayshore? That goes without saying, but I’ll continue to back a kid who proudly wore the C here as long as he’s on the ice. Konnor Smith is playing a pre-season game with Anaheim tonight. Where he heads next is up for debate too. Again, it’s eyes on the prize for Konnor.

There will always be questions. The only thing we can control is how we act when we walk through the doors of the Bayshore. We can spend some time getting to know this new crop of Bears, enjoy watching our new leaders like Taos Jordan and Landen Hookey grow into their roles. We can celebrate a goal-tending tandem that’s looking awfully strong. We can cheer when our first-rounder Pierce Mbuyi crushes someone in the corner even though we signed him for his offense. We can appreciate the tenacity Bruce McDonald is willing to deliver for this team despite being a new guy. We can continue to wonder just what Harry Nansi can achieve.

Truth be told, I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel behind the lens this season … until that first exhibition game at home when Ethan Kindree, Taos Jordan and Landen Hookey scored and the boys surrounded them, crushing them with bear hugs and pure joy. I realized then that while the names and numbers have changed, this is still OUR team. They are here to work hard, to grow, to entertain and pick up some wins along the way. There will be highs and lows and surprises and heartbreaks and I will be here for all of it; because that’s how we roll in Owen Sound.   

See you all on Saturday night. Good luck in Guelph fellas.