Junior Greyhounds roster selected

The Bantam Soo Greyhounds have selected their roster and there are a few changes from last year's team.

Making the jump from Minor to Major Bantam, the Greyhounds will have a slightly new look when they open the Northern Ontario Bantam Hockey League season.

The team makeup remains similar to last season's club with three changes.

The changes include the addition of goaltender Remo Febbraro, who will now suit up along side returning netminder Dustin Christie. Michael Colizza will be the new face among the defencemen while Jeff Lloyd joins the group of returning forwards.

"Numbers were a little bit down for the tryout and it usually is for the major bantam year," said coach Domenic DeLuca. "I'm really proud of the kids, and even a lot of the kids that didn't make the team, that they came back and gave it an honest effort. They worked hard and continue to work hard.

"One year makes a difference at this age," he said. "This age is critical. There were some kids that I'm disappointed they didn't show up. It shows me that maybe some of these kids, either they didn't care or they've got other interests. There's a lot of kids that do have other interests and that's great.

"I want it to be known that I'm proud of all the guys that come out and worked hard. We have three brand new kids and they showed me that they worked hard over the past year." DeLuca noted that players at the tryout knew making this years' team would be tough, but they cam out anyway.

"There were a lot of guys out there that probably knew it would be tough to make our team," said DeLuca. "They still tried and there were some kids were out there just to play against the top kids there are at this age. I give them so much credit. It's awesome to see guys like that. Hockey is a tough thing now. You've got to dedicate yourself at a young age."

The roster breaks down as follows:

FORWARDS

David Quesnele Tyler Pearse Brian Nanne Brandon Warmington Nick Romano Greg Sartoretto Michael Schug Jarret Krancevich Brett Findlay Jeff Lloyd

DEFENCEMEN

Matt Eddy Chris Buonomo Corey Jackson Dylan Connolly Colin Miller Michael Colizza

GOALTENDERS

Dustin Christie Remo Febbraro

"I've seen some definite improvements (from our returning players)," said DeLuca. "Some of our top scorers, like Romano, Sartoretto, those two guys up front. Matt Eddyon our backend and Dustin Christie, our returning goaltender. Those guys in particular have shown me that they're ready to play at the next level. Other guys were good, but those are the guys that really showed to me that they're ready to go again. We're going to be strong. I think we're going to have a good hockey team."

The Northern Ontario Bantam Hockey League season kicks off on Sept. 22 when the entire league gathers in West Ferris for their kickoff tournament. The Greyhounds open the weekend against Sudbury.