Another Chapter Closed........

Well the 2015-16 season has come to an end, unfortunately it did not end as anticipated or hoped.  During the last month of the regular season the team faltered, allowing the London Knights to catch up to them in wins.  Back to back games against London came down to the wire, with Erie winning the last game; thereby, coming in first in the league.   Erie won the first and second round of the playoffs; however, had to play London for the Western Conf. title.  London came to play, Erie did not and were swept in four games, a sad ending to a stellar season.  This is Devin's last year as an Otter and it has been five years filled with wonderful memories.  That he was with the same team for his entire OHL career says a lot, that he broke almost every record in the Erie goaltending record books speaks volumes as well.  But now on to the next phase of his career, he is excited for wherever that may take him.   Milestones for his Erie Otter career:  Most saves with a win by a goalie - 61 of 62, Most wins 104, most minutes played by a goalie, only the 5th goalie in OHL history to have 100+ wins (he ended up fourth), the first American goalie with 100 wins and only the third goalie to accomplish it with the same team.  He was the OHL goalie of the month twice, CHL player of the week and OHL goalie of the week, four times. The Otters are also the only OHL team in history with three 50 consecutive winning seasons .    It was a wonderful ride and we thank the Otter's organization for believing in him.

2015-16 Season

Well Devin's last season with the Otters is well underway and we are only twelve games away from playoffs.  It has been a great season for "Willy" and the Otters.  At this time they have been number one in the CHL rankings for the past three + months.  They are in first in the OHL league and Devin has been number one in the goalie rankings for several months as well.  He has broken several records this year, winningest goalie in Otters history, which he won back in October and in his last game against Kitchner, he became only the fifth goalie in the history of the OHL to capture his 100th win.  He is also the first American goalie to accomplish this feat and only the third goalie to do it with the same team.  He is one win away from the tying Ramis Sadikoff for most wins in a season with Erie.  He has the most wins of any of the other goalies, the best goals against average and is second in save percentage.  Why this kid has not been picked up by an NHL team is beyond belief; however, he is hoping this becomes a reality after this season.  There is still a lot of hockey to play before the playoffs; however, we are so very proud of all of his accomplishments up to this point.  Go Otters and Go Devin!

Season Finale

Well the Otters season is over.  They lost to the Oshawa Generals in five games in the OHL final.  The team did not play well overall, McDavid was manacled by the Oshawa defense and Devin was the villain according to many fans. The bottom line is you win as a team and lose as a team and the team did not play their best.  Having put it all on the line against the Soo Greyhounds, I think they took their next opponent too lightly.  But a great season non the less.  Western Conf. Champs for the first time in thirteen years and back to back western conference finals is not too shabby.  They will lose McDavid next season; however, it will be a new start for the Otters.  New owners, new GM and the problems with the management behind them, they will hopefully have a good year.  This is Devin's last year as an otter.  He has an overager spot on the roster for now.  He is the longest tenured goalie in Otters history, has the most experience and the most playoff wins in Otters history and has broken many records with the Otters, so he can be proud of the five years he will have spent in the league.  Here's looking to one more exciting year............GO OTTERS!

Western Conference Champions!!!

Well the playoffs began and the Otters played the Sarnia Sting in the first round.  Sting won the first game; however, Erie won the next four and we were next to play the London Knights.  That series was swept in four games and we then had to play Sault Ste Marie for the Western Conference finals.  The Soo was built to win it all, several top trades  made by the deadline and Erie was the underdog going into this series.  Many did not think Devin could take them this far and wanted to trade him before the trade deadline as well.  Well it was a tough series and extremely intense; however, between Devin and McDavid they pulled it off.  In three of the games, Devin carried the team on his back and in three of the games McDavid carried them on his back, with help from the rest of the team in both cases.  In game six of the final the Otters came to play and the team wanted to put this series to bed, which they did in good form, winning 7-3.  Now the Otters are on their way to the OHL finals against Oshawa Generals, who have home ice advantage.  Good luck boys, you can do it!

Mid Season Update...

Well the regular season is almost over and the Otters are doing well.  They are in 2nd place in the western conference, higher than was originally expected.  Even with Devin struggling in the beginning of the season, the team kept winning and as we head toward the playoffs they are in a good position.  Devins game has improved since the Otters acquired a new goalie coach.  Martin Biron, retired NHL goalie, has taken over the helm and has done wonders already.  Though he has only been with Erie for a little over a month, the changes are already starting to show.  As the starting goalie this season, the onus is on Devin to take the team deep into the playoffs.  With the acquisition of three new players and having Connor McDavid at the helm, the team looks good and coach Knobloch has been a godsend for the team. 

Summer 2014

Well the Nashville Predators development camp was a huge success for Devin.  He was asked to return to Nashville to attend the Rookie camp and the main NHL camp in September.  He heads to Erie in about a week for their training camp, then on September 9th he heads to Nashville again for at least nine days.  The rookie camp will be like a tournament, where the team will play other NHL prospects in games.  His summer was busy, he has been working out both on and off the ice.  He helped with two hockey camps this summer, as well as getting an invite to the USA  goalie camp for WJ's in June and of course the invite to the Predators prospect camp.  The summer has flown by and this year he should be the starting goalie for the Otters, so he will be playing a lot more games than he did last year.  Should be an interesting year, given we have likely lost our two best goal scorers and our best defenceman.  It will be a young team this year, so he will have his work cut out for him.  Go Otters!

When One Door Closes...........

Well the 2014 draft ended in great disappointment as Devin did not get drafted.  We waited for his name to be called, and though 22 goalies were drafted, Devin was not one of them.  Once again, though he had a breakout season this year, the guy got overlooked, which seems to be the course for his career up to this point.  But when one door closes, another one opens and two days after the draft, several phone calls came in from nhl teams.  The Nashville Predators invited Devin to their prospect camp, telling him he was the first one on their list.  The Red Wings were also apparently interested; however, Devin committed to the Predators, who called him first and he is so very excited to be going.  He leaves tomorrow from Detroit and will be in Nashville for a week.  He has been working hard on and off the ice, getting ready for the new season, which will see him as the starting goaltender.