Spits newcomers adjust

by Kenton Wolfe

Though the pair has nearly nothing in common, the two newest Windsor Spitfires appear to be adjusting quickly.

One is a hot-shot rookie looking to solidify himself as one of the top young offensive players in the league. The other is an overage veteran playing his final Ontario Hockey League season in a defensive role. Despite their differences, they share one thing in common – they impress their coaching staff.

Sixteen-year-old Joshua Ho-Sang was drafted fifth overall in the OHL Priority Selection this past April. With a high selection comes with high expectations. Spits coach Bob Boughner expects him to be a top-six forward with the club and admires his enthusiasm for the game.

“He’s great, I love the excitement,” said Boughner. “He’s definitely learning this league and working hard. He’s going to be a great forward for us.”

Ho-Sang’s counterpart is 20-year-old Emerson Clark, acquired just prior to the start of the OHL season. Clark was obtained in a trade sending former-Spitfire Hunter Smith to the Oshawa Generals. His style of play has quickly garnered him the status of fan favourite according to professional scout Scott Campbell.

“Clark is a role player who competes hard and should quickly become a fan favourite in Windsor,” said Campbell. “He’s a diminutive forward who won’t back down from anyone on the ice and generally makes his presence felt in-game with some high impact hits.”

Accolades from scouts and coaches alike have rained down on the duo, however the praise hasn’t come without a price. Both Ho-Sang and Clark are having trouble adjusting to Windsor.

“It’s different, it’s taking time adjust,” said Ho-Sang. “Obviously I haven’t adjusted as quickly as I would’ve liked. I’m moving along and I’m making big jumps every game. It’s something that I’ve noticed and I think the coaches have noticed. They’re providing me with a lot of opportunities and I’m thankful for that.”

During his ninth game of the season on Oct. 11, Ho-Sang scored his first OHL goal against the Soo Greyhounds, adding to the four assists he’d compiled earlier in the season. Finishing off a passing play with a deke around the goalie, Ho-Sang’s goal is receiving praise from media around the country. The Sports Network program SportsCentre named the goal the “highlight of the night.” Ho-Sang played the accomplishment off.

“It was all Cheesy (Chris Marchese) and Kerbs (Kerby Rychel),” said Ho-Sang. “They put it right on my tape through some guy’s legs. I’m really grateful to my linemates for helping me get the monkey off my back.”

Boughner echoed that sentiment.

“It was a great play for us and it definitely gets the monkey off his back,” said Boughner. “Now that he’s got that one we’ll see him get a few more.”
Though his on-ice play is progressing well, the toughest part may be adjusting to a new life. For a 16-year-old, moving away from home is hard. Fast tracking to the OHL may be the best choice for a player’s career but can be damaging to their social life.

“It’s tough. People only know you if they hate you or you’re obnoxious,” said Ho-Sang. “I’m neither, I’m neutral.”

Growing up in a split Jamaican and Chilean home, hockey wasn’t always his parents’ first choice for him. Encouraging him to try tennis and soccer, Ho-Sang decided to stick with hockey. His cool, soft-spoken demeanor is something he attributes to hockey.

“Hockey has always been a passion of mine,” said Ho-Sang. “I’ve loved it from the first time I stepped on the ice. It’s just one of those things that make me happy and it’s when I’m at my most comfortable. I’ve never really had issues on the ice, it’s kind of like my therapy.”

That sort of passion is shared by Clark, who considers himself a “heart and soul” type of player. Having a younger team, the Spitfires lacked a player of Clark’s experience and style of play.

“Last year he chipped in a bit offensively but I wouldn’t expect him to do that on a regular basis,” said Campbell. “He projects to be a player that can provide the Spits with some grit in their bottom-six and a veteran player that brings an element of play that the Spits probably feel they were lacking in.”
Like Ho-Sang, Clark’s biggest struggle has been the transition off the ice. Previously playing in his hometown of Oshawa, Ont., Clark lived with his family. In Windsor he lives with a billet family.

“It was a tough transition at first,” said Clark. “I was a home guy, I lived at home. Being away from my family is hard. But I like Windsor, I love the fans and I love the coaches.”

The transition of a young player is a long process. Getting traded from one team to another requires the involvement from many.

“At the OHL level, trades are generally facilitated between teams,” said Campbell. “Obviously you have a lot of standard ongoing discussion between (general managers) which will occasionally culminate in a deal coming to fruition. Depending on the circumstances, an agent may also be privy to discussions and can be used as a third party to help identify potential teams that may be a fit for their client, especially if the player is only willing to report to certain teams or has a no-trade clause in effect.”

Though both players still have adjustments to make, one thing is for certain – both Ho-Sang and Clark will be impact players this season.