Mount Forest’s novice and atom local leaguers welcomed a special guest home last Tuesday, as OHL veteran and Mount Forest native Mike Schwindt stopped by to help out with an on-ice practice.
A valued defenceman this season with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League, Schwindt took some time to speak with the Confederate about life and hockey up north in the Soo.
“I like it a lot up there,”?he said of his fourth and final year in the OHL. “I like the guys on the team and coaching staff.”
He said the team got off to a good start this season, but a nine-game slump really set them back. A lot of time has been spent getting to know new players, roles and assignments, as a dozen new faces joined the Greyhounds lineup this season following a strong season last year.
The Greyhounds are currently third in the west division of the OHL’s western conference. With a 17-15-4 record and 38 points, the ‘Hounds trail the Plymouth Whalers at 47 points, and the Sarnia Sting, with 43 points.
A stay-at-home defender called upon to break up opposing rushes, Schwindt has contributed five assists this year over his first 35 games; essentially on par with his output last year as a Niagara Ice Dog.
He said the biggest difference this season, compared to last year in St. Catharines, is the copious travel. On average, Soo players face 10-hour bus trips and road swings that can last for days at a time. He said “you do get used to it” and the team has a great collection of guys that make the travel more enjoyable.
Schwindt said the Sault Ste. Marie fans are diehards for their hockey, and home ice at the Essar Centre regularly attracts 4,800 screaming fans per game. He is looking forward to back-to-back games this February, when the Greyhounds meet up with his former team in Niagara.
He said he has noticed a lot of fans and friends in the stands when his team plays locally in Owen Sound and Guelph, and he always appreciates the support he receives. Schwindt said his main goal this season is to get invited to another NHL?camp or tryout, and keep playing the game he loves.
In addition to running through some drills with the novice and atom players last week, Schwindt wrapped up his visit with a question-and-answer session with players and parents at following the fun pre-Chritmas practice.