No one ever suggested Hatcher is responsible for the past ownership. Please copy and paste where someone has said that???? The Sarnia sting are still the Sarnia sting. Hatcher is new but the team is not. I may be mistaken but Sarnia was rated #1 Canada under the Cicarellis. If not 1 then top 3. Cicarelli's deserve a ton of credit, they brought the team to Sarnia and were competitive right off the bat selling out for 4? straight years with a new arena. I would be willing to bet Sarnia's first 4 years are equal to Hatchers first 4 years. We will see where the organization is in 2 years when his son is too old. Making the playoffs in the OHL is literally the easiest thing to do lets set the bar higher. Under Hatcher Sarnia has had arguably 2 of the top 5 teams Sarnia has ever had and those 2 teams combined for 1 playoff series win.
What I’ve seen in the three Hatcher/Legwand year’s is an organization committed to win. What I saw from the Ciccarelli era looked more like a commitment to middle of the pack.
Hatcher committed to excellence when he acquired Konecny - who knew that TK would get injured for the playoff run. Also that year, they tried something very risky with 2 high draft picks from US - if they report, they’re heroes; they didn’t and we pay the price - oh well. When the high risk stuff pays off, that’s when you excel - fortune favors the bold!
Who’d have guessed that neither TK or Chychrun would be back the next year - did well to make middle of the pack - had same issue London had last year (London sold off and appears good for the next couple years)
Last year speaks for itself. Great team, ran into a couple of hot goaltenders and in the end got distracted by Givani Smith and lost to a pretty good Kitchener team. Still I believe the Admin and coaching staff have made the absolute best of what they have.
They have an entirely different situation this year with a team that I believe is not as good as last year’s, with more flaws and a lower ceiling, which I believe ought to be dismantled at some point in an effort to be great in 2 years. We sit with a gap in 2nd round picks, but an excellent scouting staff and the experience from the Weiss/Samuelsson draft to pick the “right” kids. I am nothing but optimistic for the 2020-21 season and am mor then willing to be patient with a mid-talent hustling team in the interim.
Whatever the case I believe this owner is different, in a better way and will support them 100%. (but reserve the right to call a spade a spade in terms of daily performance)
Cheers!