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Page 12 Media types make their picks Once again The Intelligencer's TOM GAVEY and PAUL SVOBODA and Quinte Broadcasting's JACK MILLER have gone out on a limb in attempting to forecast this OHL season. Feel free to get a saw. Here goes: East Division- Svoboda 1. Ottawa Comments: A healthy Alyn McCauley gives the 67's a chance to repeat as East pennant winners. Hard to believe this team won't have something to prove after quick playoff exit last season. 2. Kingston Comments: Should be a hardworking bunch, tough in their own rink. Justin Davis, who shone with a 30-goal rookie season, should blossom. 3. Peterborough Comments: Assistant coach Brian Drumm moves up to become head man so there should be no bumpy transfer of power. Plenty of toughness and first round pick Pat Kavanagh (RW) could be a good one. 4. Oshawa Comments: Underachievers the last two years, Generals should contend this season in always-competitive East despite loss of several key veterans. S.Belleville Comments: Yes, they'll be young. Yes, they'll be inexperienced. But team has size and aggressiveness and perhaps the division's best goalkeeping with Kory Cooper. Daniel Cleary will put up big numbers again and Belleville will need every one of them. 6. North Bay Comments: Big rebuilding job continues in the Bay. East Division- Miller 1. Ottawa Comments: They have the best goaltending in the OHL. A veteran defence, and lots of people who can score. 2. Oshawa Comments: The only real question facing this team is, who will play goal? A knee injury to netminder Tyrone Garner could hold the Generals back. Otherwise, they have an excellent .returning group, led by offensive powerhouse Marc Savard. S.Peterborough Comments: Scott Barney will emerge as a dominant OHL power forward. Solid cast of returning defencemen. However, knock them down a peg if goaltender Zac Bierk doesn't return as an overage. 4. Kingston Comments: Will ice a veteran team, with good offensive capability. Better than average in goal. Commentsj This team will be young. Perhaps too young. The addition of a veteran right winger would help. Kory Cooper and Dan Cleary will win a few games. If other veterans step up their game the Bulls should make the playoffs. 6. North Bay Comments: Will have a veteran defensive corps, but offence could be a problem. Jim Midgley leads returning players with 19 goals. East Division-Gavey 1. Ottawa Comments: GM Brian Kilrea and the 67's are still smarting from last year's four game playoff sweep at the hands of the Bulls. With monster production from the likes of Alyn McAuley, Troy Stonier and Joel Trottier the 67's will win another division crown. 5. Belleville 2. Peterborough Comments: There's a good chance goaltender Zac Bierk will return as an overage and this Cadillac of OHL organizations has plenty left from last year's OHL champions. Plus, they again have a superb crop of rookies coming in, an embarassment of riches. 3. Oshawa Comments: Barring injury Marc Savard will again lead the Gens offensively. Last year's disappointing season cost Stan Butler his coaching job and the change may help considering the controversy around him early in the year. Still lots of potential here. 4. Kingston Comments: John Hultberg is a first rank netminder and this is a veteran team that will be giving coach Gary Agnew what may be his last season in the Limestone City if the Fronts don't go somewhere in the playoffs. S.Belleville Years of bad drafting will finally catch up with Belleville, but they'll keep their playoff streak alive thanks to goaltender Kory Cooper (and Dan Cleary ). There's every reason to be patient with the likes of Justin Papineau, Mark Chaplin, Chris Stanley and Nick Tselios. 6. North Bay The "Men at Work" sign is still out in the Bay. Central Division- Svoboda 1. Kitchener Comments: Plenty of talented youngsters return including Boyd Devereaux and Ryan Pepperall. Rangers should be ready for a serious run at playoff success. 2. Guelph Comments: No reason to believe Storm will be anything but contenders again this season. GM Mike Kelly continues to uncover solid talent. 3. Owen Sound Comments: Addition of former Belleville blueliner Jamie Sokolsky should add punch to power play. 4. Barrie . Comments: I like them if they get Volchkov (Alexandre, Washington draft pick) back. If not, they'll slip behind Erie. S.Erie Comments: Not crazy about the nickname (Otters) but team should receive firm fan support in Pennsylvania town. First round pick Brett Gibson (C) has loads of potential. 6. Sudbury Comments: Wolves not yet ready to howl again. Central Division- Miller 1. Kitchener Comments: Rob DeCiantis will challenge for the OHL scoring title. Boyd Deveraux and Ryan Pepperall provide outstanding leadership. David Belitski is one of the best oung goaltenders in the league. Comments: The only question mark is in goal. However, outstanding defence makes it easier on whoever gets the job. Offence will be Spread out. 3. Erie Comments: A veteran team that was one of the best defensively a year ago in Niagara Falls. Will enjoy more offence from sophomores Jason Ward, Shane Nash and Colin Pepperall. 4. Sudbury Comments: Strong in goal. Offensively suspect. 5. Owen Sound Comments: Will need quality overage players to grab a playoff spot. (continued on page 13. See, Bulls destined...) 2. Guelph thruway mufflercentre *& Wayne Richmond Bob Deline Wayne Kimball Steve Smith MUFFLERS · SHOCKS · ALIGNMENTS · BRAKES A PROVD SPONSOR OF MINOR SPORTS IN THE QUINTE REGION 222 N. Front St. Belleville 962-5317