2021-22 TEAM PREVIEW: MENTOR CARDINALS
Cards off to strong start as McKito hits milestones
Mentor Cardinals head coach Paul McKito has already gotten some big milestone out of the way in the first few weeks of the 2021-22 high school hockey season.
Mentor’s Season Opener against Avon on November 19 was the 400th game McKito coached in the Greater Cleveland High School Hockey League.
Then, on December 4, a 6-1 win against Anthony Wayne gave McKito 200 wins in his career. That mark includes what is now a 174-146-11 record in 14 seasons at Mentor. He won an additional 27 games over three seasons at Midview.
Mentor, which was a district runner-up in 2021, has strong numbers again with 16 veterans on a 25-man roster.
Junior Brad Backston will captain the Cardinals along with alternates Eric Toth and Anthony Jeffery.
The Cardinals lost 10 seniors from last year’s squad, which advanced to the championship games of both the Baron Cup and the Brooklyn East (Kent) District tournaments, but McKito feels he has enough talent remaining to push for the GCHSHL Red Division title again.
“I think our strengths are speed and experienced players that have played in several important games throughout their careers, such as Baron Cup Finals and OHSAA Kent District Championship Finals,” said McKito. “We should be a stingy team as far as goals against this year just as we have in years past.”
Andrew McBride was one of the 10 seniors lost to graduation. He set the school’s all-time scoring record with 215 career points (85-130-215).
“If we have a weakness, it’s that we don’t have a notably dynamic superstar this year,” McKito said. “But we still have many talented players that will contribute to the team’s success.”
The Cardinals have already won two in-season tournaments. They started by winning the Tim Alexander Memorial Tournament at Rocky River and then, last weekend, captured first place at the Adam Hamilton Memorial Tournament hosted by Kent Roosevelt.
“That tourney is just as special for us as it is for the Kent Roosevelt team,” said McKito.
He admits to keeping an eye on Rocky River and Hudson when it comes to evaluating the Red Division competition this season.
“River always has a great squad with talented players and Hudson as well,” he said. “Both teams are always well coached and prepared to compete.”
McKito says the goals he set for this year’s team is to win the GCHSHL’s Red Division Title, earn a berth in the Baron Cup Final and return to the OHSAA Kent District Final.
--- Scott Harrington for Ohio Hockey Digest
CARDINALS PLAYERS TO WATCH
Scouting reports provided by Paul McKito
John Rampe
Tall, agile, challenging goaltender who will be the Cards’ #1 goaltender for his senior season.
Eric Toth
Crafty senior forward with a quick release and accurate wrist shot who possess deft playmaking ability. A versatile player who can play all three forward positions, quarterback the power play and kill penalties.
Tyler Wilkinson
Remarkable speed makes opposing D respect him when he carries the puck. A workhorse who competes at full tilt on both sides of the puck.
Anthony Jeffery
A skilled forward with crafty hands and shifty agility. Junior forward has a knack for finding ways to put the puck in the net and plays both special teams.
Brad Backston
Junior blue liner is an imposing physical presence with a long reach that make it tough for opposing attackers to elude him. Plays against opponents’ top lines. His puck-moving skills, accurate shot and skating ability make him one of the top D men in the area, if not the state. He is able to jump into the rush and create offensively every time he is on the ice.
