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.

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!