Owen Guy’s reaction was one of shock upon hearing that he had been traded from the Kemptville 73’s to the Ottawa Junior Senators last summer. He quickly recovered and the deal has been a good one for both the 5-9 center and his new team.
After getting the news that he was the player to be named later in the Brandon Bastasin deal, Guy reached out to new teammate Nick Lalonde, who had joined Ottawa just a week or so before from the Cornwall Colts. The initial shock wore off and he became excited about joining one of the top teams in the CCHL.
“I spoke to a couple of guys I knew on the team and I called Nick and they were all very positive,” Guy said. “Plus I knew [GM/Coach] Martin Dagenais from when I played for Canada East and I started thinking it was really a great opportunity especially with the Junior Senators hosting the Fred Page Cup.”
Things have certainly worked out well for Guy and the Junior Senators. In his first 29 games Guy has scored 16 goals and contributed 22 assists as Ottawa challenges arch-rival Carleton Place for the top spot in the league. He often plays on a line with Lalonde and the two have shown good chemistry on the ice.
“When I was in Kemptville, I thought our rivalry with Carleton Place was intense,” he said. “The rivalry is more intense here. The games are faster, the fans are into it and both teams don’t want to give up anything.”
The 19-year-old, who has committed to play Division I hockey at Lake Superior State University, considers himself as someone who can play a well-rounded, 200-foot game.
“I really think my hockey sense is my best asset,” Guy said. “I’m able to read the play well, particularly in our zone—and that’s important because the coaches emphasize defensive play. Also, playing with Nick [Lalonde] has worked out because we kind of know where each other will be.”
In addition to adapting to new teammates and billeting for the first time, Guy has had to adapt to a head coach who stresses defense but isn’t afraid to roll the dice. When behind in games Dagenais has been known to add an extra attacker on power plays as early as the second period.
“I hadn’t really seen that before,” Guy said with a laugh. “But Marty plays to win. The first time it happened this year I was on the bench and the goalie skated over. I thought we called time out. It’s been great to play for him. He trusts me in a lot of different situations and that helps your confidence.”
For his part, Dagenais could not be happier.
“Owen has been playing good hockey for us,” the Ottawa GM/Coach said. “For the first time in four years, we can actually count on a real first line center, and it’s no disrespect to the players that have been here in the past. I think Owen’s objective is to prove doubters he can produce when it counts. We got him because we thought he could lead us to a Bogart Cup Championship. He knows a lot will be expected of him come playoff time, and we’re confident he’ll rise up to the occasion.”
In his three seasons in Kemptville, the Mountain, ON, resident posted 52 goals and 57 assists in 153 matches, despite often drawing extra attention from opposition defenses. He was limited to just 23 games a year ago when he suffered a shoulder injury that required surgery.
Guy comes from a hockey family. His dad, Mark, and his two brothers all played. It was tough around the television though, as Owen is a Senators fan while his father and brothers all rooted for different NHL teams.
Guy’s main focus this winter, however, is to help the Junior Senators win the Bogart Cup.
“This team has the talent to win the Bogart,” he said. “I’m happy to be part of it.”
