Spitfires rookies shine in OHL debuts
By Cody Wall
Three Windsor Spitfires rookies have helped lead their team to a win in their debut game.
The Spitfires started their 2019-20 season on the right foot after a 4-3 overtime win against the Guelph Storm on Sept. 20, making this the third straight season where the Spits won their opening game.
This season the Spitfires opening night roster included three rookies playing in their first ever Ontario Hockey League game. One of the three players making their debut was Will Cuylle, 16, who scored the game-tying goal late in the third period to send the game to overtime.
“It feels great, it was a great pass by Morgs [Cody Morgan] and I just get it off as quick as I could, and I saw it go in. It was a great feeling,” said Cuylle.
Goal scoring is one thing Cuylle has shown he is able to do at any level—scoring 33 goals in 43 games for the Toronto Marlboros Minor Midget AAA hockey team last season. This is why the Spits gave up six draft picks in acquiring him after being drafted third overall by the Peterborough Petes in the 2018 OHL entry draft, and something Spits head coach Trevor Letowski praised him for.
“He’s dangerous, the goal he scored that’s what he can do,” said Letowski. “Not a lot of our players can shoot the puck like that.”
Two Spitfires draft picks also made their debuts against the Storm. Kari Piiroinen, 17, the Spits 30th overall selection in the 2018 Canadian Hockey League import draft, started in net for the Spitfires and was named the first star of the game. Jean-Luc Foudy, 16, the Spitfires 10th overall selection in the 2018 draft assisted on 20-year-old Luke Kutkevicius’ game-winning goal.
“Foudy has some speed so I have to try and keep up with him,” said Kutkevicius. “He made a great saucer pass right across to me, so I had to aim for the net and put it in.”
The young players on the Spitfires’ roster will now need to learn about the daily grind of the OHL as they have a quick turnaround, playing the London Knights Sept. 21. However, Letowski said he is happy with where the rookies are at and will continue to play them in big moments if they continue to show him they have more to give.
“I think with both of them [Cuylle and Foudy] they have a little bit of swag to them. They want to be out there, they’re not intimidated or anything and I love that,” said Letowski.
Get Social!
