Nobody is in a better position to assess this year’s Sylvania Northview team than the man who has spent 25 years coaching the Wildcats – the last six as the head coach.

Steve Elliott says the Wildcats have strong returning defense and goaltending that should help keep goals-against down and keep the team in games.

Defensively, junior Landon Elliott is shifting from forward to join returning defenseman Riley Ames, Tucker Ludwig and Mikey Burton and forming a nucleus that will help the Wildcats if they find themselves in a lot of 3-2 and 2-1 games.

Junior goaltender Austin Nowak will get a heavy workload as the undisputed #1 goalie coming off Northwest Hockey Conference Red Division Rookie of the Year honors as a sophomore.

Elliott knows goals could be hard to come by for this year’s team, which was shut out twice at the Cold Turkey Shootout and has scored just 11 times in their first six games.

“Scoring could be at a premium especially early as the team looks to gel,” he said.

On a positive note, the veteran coach says he has a good mix of strong returning forwards at his disposal and newer players that should provide some grit and allow him to assemble three strong scoring lines.

Junior forwards C. J. Lehman, Tryston Harrell and Benny Seals, in particular, will be looked upon for goal-scoring and offense.

Elliott kept things simple when asked to assess the NHC Red Division race this season.

“Until someone knocks off St. Francis they have to be looked at as the favorite,” he said. “However, St. Francis and our team at Northview probably lost the most to graduation and there could be a real dogfight for a division title with BG and Findlay in particular looking strong.”

Elliott is keeping the bar high for his team as usual.

“We always set lofty goals for both regular season and a state final four berth,” said Elliott. “We have enough pieces in place to do that but will need some growth and some players to find their roles and do them well for it to happen.”

--- Scott Harrington for Ohio Hockey Digest