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.

Season Ending

Well the Western Conference final series did not favor the Erie Otters.  Guelph beat us in five games, which ended the season.  Devin started the series; however, had a muscle pull in the right groin and tried to compensate for the pain, but we lost the game.  The second game the other goalie played and we lost again.  The third game was on home ice and by this time Devin was being treated for the muscle pull.  Though we lost this game as well, the entire team was not playing up to their level, as was the case in the first two games.  The third game we won on home ice, Devin in net and the series went back to Guelph.  Though Devin played very well and kept the team in the game, penalty upon penalty, including two five on three's put the Otters behind and Gueph won.  It was a disappointing ending to an otherwise franchise record breaking season.  Devin ended the playoffs with a 2.63 gaa and a .912 save percentage.  A break out year for him in both the regular season and his first playoffs, he did well.  Now we will wait for the draft in June and hope he is picked up by an NHL team.  Due to his height, (6 ft.) and considering the NHL is looking for behemoths, there is a chance he wont be drafted; however, we will keep our fingers crossed.  No matter the outcome, we are very proud of him and he will be the starter next year, so its all good.

Round 2 In The Books....

Well round 2 of the playoffs is over and what games they were.  Devin was in net for all four and the Otters swept the Soo Greyhounds.  He got two shutouts and only allowed three goals in four games.  He is second on the goalie leader board with a 1.88 g.a.a. and a .934 save percentage for the first two series.  He has won all eight of his games in regulation; however, did get one overtime loss when the coach played the starting goalie, who allowed 5 goals on 20 shots, before putting Devin in.  The fourth game of the Soo series was a nail biter when the Greyhounds scored two goals on Devin and the Otters were down 2-0.  The team rallied and tied the game, going into overtime.  Erie scored and ended the series.  The third round will be against the Guelph Storm, who came in number 1 in the western conference by two points.  It will be interesting to see who plays in this round, given how well Devin has played.  Given the records broken this season with this team, it would be a shame if they didn't make it to the Memorial cup.......................Go Otters, you can do it, now it counts!

Round 1 Is Over......

Well the Otters finished the regular season in fine shape, with Devin getting the final two wins.   He also, in conjunction with the starting goalie, won the Dave Pickney trophy for least amount of goals scored in a season, a franchise record.  Round one of the playoffs found us playing against Saginaw, which we wanted, that way we would be able to attend more games.  Lo and behold, coach started Devin in the playoffs, we were surprised and elated.  The first two games were in Erie and we took them both 4-3, the second game going into overtime.  The third game was in Saginaw and, though Devin was told he would be in net, the night before the game they informed him they were playing the starter.  After allowing 5 goals on 20 shots, with the game tied at 5, they put Devin in.  This game too went into OT; however, we lost and the series was 2-1.  Wednesday found Devin back in net and we won that game 7-3.  Thursday was the game to end it and what a game it was.  Tied 2-2 with Devin keeping the team in the game with three incredible saves, we again go to overtime.  We end up winning and the series was over.  Now the team will face off against SSM and the Soo will have home ice advantage.  Excited for the 2nd round.

End of regular season...

Only three more regular season games to go and the Erie Otters remain in third place at this time one point behind first and one point ahead of fourth.  Devin has had a very good year, posting 21-5-1 with a 2.63 gaa and a 903 save percentage.  Though he has not played a lot of games, he has done well when it counted.  Erie will either play Saginaw or Windsor in the playoffs, either of which are close to home.  Not sure how much he will play in the playoffs; however, the starting goalie has been pulled in two of his last seven games, so Devin may very well get a start or two, we can only hope.  The Otters have broken just about every franchise record this season.  Most home wins, most wins in a season, most shutouts, most goals for, two 100 point scorers and the list goes on.  They were in a slump for a month or more; however, seem to be coming back on track here in the end.  It would be a shame to not make it past the first round with the season they are having, just hope they can play smart hockey and stay out of the penalty box.  The draft is in June and he is hoping to be drafted, we will keep our fingers crossed that he ends the season strong.  Go Otters!

Past the midpoint.....

Well we are past the midpoint of the season and the Otters continue to roll, though they had a slight setback after the Christmas break.  With our top players at WJ's, the team struggled, including Devin.  They went 3-2-1 during that time and could not seem to get on a roll.  They remained in the top of the OHL however, and with the return of their main players got back into the groove.  Another franchise record was broken, most shutouts in a season by the goalies with nine.  Oscar has five and Devin has four so far.  The Otters did finally lose on home ice after 19 straight wins; however, not yet in regulation, it was an overtime loss.  Current record is 42 games played 33 wins, 7 losses 1 OT loss and 1 SO loss.  The Otters are first in the league in goals against, second in the league in goals scored and #2 in the CHL.  They were at #1 for several weeks until the Christmas break.  Three teams are close on the Otters heals though, Guelph, London and SSM.  The trade deadline was yesterday and the Otters acquired a new defencemen, so the team is set for the playoff run.