Burlington Barracudas return with veteran forwards, all-new defence

There is often a price to be paid for success in junior hockey. Most contending teams are loaded with graduating players, leaving many holes to fill the next season.

You'd think the Burlington Barracudas would fall into that category after a 35-4-4 season that saw them finish just one point behind Durham West for the best record in the OWHA Under-22 Elite league.

While Burlington emerged relatively unscathed with their forward group, they’ll have an entirely new team from the blueline back.

“Last year we surprised a lot people, and ourselves, with the season we had,” said Barracudas coach Colin Murdoch, who saw the ‘Cudas improve from 14 wins to a team record 35. “It won’t be easy to improve upon, but expectations are a lot higher.”

The Barracudas return with three players – Claire Murdoch, Bryn Prier and Tiyana Flores – who finished among the top 10 in league scoring. Burlington also picked up Charlotte Pieckenhagen from Mississauga. She is the only other player from last year’s top 10 who has not moved on to college or university hockey.

Burlington signed prized recruit Sara Manness, who racked up 14 points in six games at the Labor Day Girls Fest tournament in Pittsburgh to finish one point behind for Murdoch for the tournament lead.

Both Barracudas represented Canada in its summer U18 series against the U.S. Ellie Markakis, who averaged nearly a point a game with Oakville last season, has also joined the Barracudas.

Add in returning forwards, Deija Houston, Avery Peters, Avery Holmes and Katelyn Charlton, who will look to build on solid rookie seasons, and there is not much concern up front.

While the Barracudas had to rebuild their defence, it won’t necessarily be an inexperienced group. Mackenzie Allen and Kalysta Song both played in the league for Brampton last season.

Kate Manness, Sara’s twin sister, tied for the tournament lead among blueliners in Pittsburgh and scored back-to-back overtime winners in the quarter and semifinals. Though Burlington lost in the final, it was still the team’s best-ever finish at the tournament.

“With an all new D, there’s a little more work to get everyone on the same page, get them used to our systems and concepts,” the Barracudas’ coach said. “In Pittsburgh we were down to four D because of injuries, and they held up pretty well; maybe got a little tired toward the end with six games (over three days).”

In net, Burlington revamped its crease with a pair of U18 netminders, Lauren Mooney and Sadie Davidson, who played in Brampton and Clarington respectively last season. The duo split the games in Pittsburgh and allowed only nine goals (1.50 per game), against high-level competition.

“There’s always concern (with new goalies), but we felt pretty comfortable with our goalies because we’ve seen them play,” Murdoch said.

If there is room for the Barracudas to improve, it might be in the post-season. Burlington was knocked out in the quarter-finals in the league playoffs, and the semifinals in the provincial championships, though they did rebound to claim the bronze medal.

The Barracudas will have one final tournament, the 64-team University Showcase in Stoney Creek this weekend, before opening the OWHA U22 Elite season with three games in three days, all at home.

Burlington plays the Brampton Canadettes Friday, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m., the Bluewater Hawks Saturday, Sept. 23 at 3 p.m. and the Whitby Wolves Sunday, Sept. 24 at noon. All games are at Mainway Recreation Centre.