While the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) schedule has yet to be announced, Dukes Head Coach and General Manager Jacob Panetta reports Wellington will host 19 Friday night regular season contests this year. 

That’s up from nine last season.

Things are starting to look normal again at the old Dukedome. Quinte area businessman Andrew Gunning is taking over ownerhsip from Ken Clement. Both the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA)and the OJHL have approved the deal, announced late last month. 

“It’s great to have Andrew on board. He’s a community-oriented guy who knows how important the Wellington Dukes are to the community and how ingrained they are in the fabric of Prince Edward County,” the skipper said.

Mr. Panetta said he and assistant Darcy Murphy did much of the planning, scheduling and recruitment while the sale of the team was being hammered out this spring.

“This year we can hit the ground running full speed at training camp,” he noted, adding that negotiating with the other OJHL teams on scheduling wasn’t always seamless.

“Everyone wants weekend home games, but at a certain point, we needed to reemphasize how important Friday night dates have been to the Wellington Dukes.” 

The OJHL and junior hockey landscape has changed drastically since Panetta and Murphy were playing. New rules allow Major Junior players to suit up for U.S. college programs. No longer is the OJHL level the only game in town for players with NCAA dreams.

While there will still be players moving on from the OJHL and directly to Division 1 college programs, the real opportunity is attracting players not-quite-ready for Major Junior and promoting them to the OHL.

Wellington has long been a clearing house for development. NHLers like Liam Reddox, Dan LaCosta, Eddie Pasquale, and, most recently, Declan Carlile, all came up through the Dukes.

“We recognize there are new paths and new opportunities to move forward and we can provide players in the Quinte area a home where you can grow and develop as a player and a person. The Dukes prides itself on developing players for the next role,” the coach added.

Last season, Wellington linked up with the Kingston Frontenacs. 16-year-old goaltender Roydon Smith cut his junior teeth in the Dukes crease and was recalled a number of times to the OHL. Meanwhile, Landon Marleau made such an impact with Wellington when he was acquired mid-season that the Fronts added him to their lineup for four games at the end of last season on a call-up basis.

The Dukes are now announcing some of their key signings and acquisitions for the upcoming season.

The first is Tweed native Maclean Chisholm. In 39 games for the Quinte Red Devils last season, the 17-year-old winger popped 13 goals and added 34 helpers for 47 points.

Since then, they’ve added former Picton Pirate blueliner and Tod Division Rookie of the Year Cole Mulder. The son of former Belleville Bull Brent Mulder stands 6’5” and tips the Toledos at 235 lbs.

Other fresh faces include forwards Reid Crossman, Michael Albert and defencemen Brandon Mann and Presley Kelly. 

Set to return to Wellington this season are Zach Mascard, Blake Berthiaume, Evan Erwin, Cooper Woron, and Sammy Longo.