Sting Signings
August 5, 2009
By DAVE BORODY
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"We are doing this quite a
bit lately. That's a good
thing."
Those were the words of Dave
MacQueen, head coach and
general manager of the
Sarnia Sting after
announcing Wednesday two
more draft picks have signed
with the Ontario Hockey
League team.
Forwards Craig Hottot of
Sombra and J.C. Campagna of
Dublin, Ohio signed standard
OHL contracts and education
packages during a media
conference at the Sarnia
Sports and Entertainment
Centre.
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Hottot was
Sarnia's a third round pick, (50 overall)
while Campagna was a fifth round choice
(92nd overall) in May's OHL priority draft.
Earlier the
Sting announced that first round pick Brett
Ritchie and another third round pick Brandon
Francisco had inked contracts with the team
meaning all four of the top picks in this
year's draft will be at training camp in
three weeks time.
"I feel real
good about these four guys," said MacQueen.
"I like the pieces we are putting together.
We are basically building from square one.
It's been a long summer as far as talking to
players, agents and parents, but I think
it's going to be worth it."
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Hottot played for the Sarnia
Legionnaires last season
helping them win a league
championship. He scored 24
goals and 25 assists in 52
regular season games and
also had nine goals and 10
assists in 22 playoff games.
"With us being a young team
next season, we feel Craig,
a year older than are other
picks, can step in right
away and contribute. We saw
what he could do with the
Legionnaires last season and
I don't think it's going to
be a major adjustment for
him taking the next step to
the OHL. His exposure to the
Sutherland Cup playoffs was
a big advantage.In talking
to his parents, Craig always
wanted to play for the
Sting." Hottot agreed with
his new coach.
"Growing up in the area I
always had a chance to watch
the Sting. At the time I
didn't know how the draft
worked, but I told my
friends that someday I saw
myself playing here in
Sarnia. It's funny how
things work out. I'm very
happy to be here, I had some
options, but playing for the
Sting was my first choice."
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Bill
Abercrombie, vice-president of hockey
operations for the Sting was Hottot's coach
last season with the Legionnaires."He's very
competitive. He's not a real big kid, but he
competes hard. When the game was on the line
he wanted to be out there. I think he will
not only contribute offensively, but will
also stand up for himself." Hottot,
who stands five feet, 11 inches and 170
pounds, had 112 penalty minutes in 52 games
last season. Hottot knows the jump to the
OHL from junior B is a big one.
"There's a big
difference between the two. Size for sure
and the speed of the game. Every player is
more dedicated I have been working out all
summer with Dave Anderson (the Sting's
strength and conditioning coach). It's
harder than anything I've ever done before
in the off-season."
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Campagna played for the Ohio
Blue Jackets Under-16 team a
year ago and had 22 goals
and 34 assists in 56 games,
along with 78 penalty
minutes. He stands six foot,
one and 170 pounds.
"J.C. was a guy who also had
lots of options," said
MacQueen. "Being from the
United States, there is the
NCAA route while he was also
a first round pick of
Chicago in the United States
Hockey League, We convinced
him to come to mini-camp and
he was arguably one of the
best players at mini-camp.
He's a big, strong kid who
skates well and we feel he
can step into our lineup and
help move this team
forward."
Campagna admits until he was
drafted by the Sting, he
didn't even know where
Sarnia was while he has
never seen an OHL games.
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"There's not of
exposure to OHL hockey in Dublin, (about
four and a half hours from Sarnia). I didn't
know what to expect when I got drafted. I
camp to mini-camp and I loved the facility
and love the atmosphere. I'm very happy to
be here and looking forward to playing for
the Sting," said Campagna.
He added, "I like the style of play in the
OHL. It certainly prepares you more for the
NHL and it's the better route to go. I know
there's a lot of skilled players in the OHL."
MacQueen paid
credit to the team's U.S. based scout Chris
Pyzik for drafting Campagna. "He went to bat
for J.C. Chris told us we wouldn't be
disappointed if we drafted him."
MacQueen said the OHL is doing a much better
job in getting the word out, especially to
American players on what the OHL has to
offer, both hockey-wise and from an
education point of view. 
"We sat down
with the parents and told them exactly what
is going on. We were able to educate them in
order that they can make a decision based on
facts. We put our best foot forward and this
is the result."
MacQueen admits
he is happy with the way the summer has gone
as far as getting players signed.
"It's great and
I'm excited. We had a plan in place going
into the draft and so far the pieces are
falling into place. We feel we have four
young players who each bring something
different to the table. We are confident all
four are going to contribute to this team
next season. It's up to them now how much
they want to contribute."
The Sting begin
training camp August 26th when players
report for physicals while actual on-ice
workouts begin the next day at the SSEC.
- Ex-Sting
forward Jared Gomes will be playing
hockey for the University of Prince
Edward Island next season. He finished
his OHL career with St. Michael's last
season playing there as an over-ager.
Prior to that he played three seasons
with the Sting.
- Sarnia's
Jamie Fraser, who played two seasons
with the Sting, has signed with the
Minnesota Wild. He previously played pro
in the New York islanders system.
- The
Sting are holding another media
conference Thursday where they will
announce plans to honour Sarnia native,
Kerry Fraser. Fraser a long-time
National Hockey League referee, was
recently named to the all-time Ontario
Minor Hockey Association team as an
official.
Player Profiles
Craig Hottot February 15,
1992 Right Wing
Home: Sombra, ON
Ht: 5.11 Wt: 170
OHL: Sting’s 3rd round
choice (50th overall) 2009 OHL
Priority Selection
NHL: Eligible in 2010
Season
Club GP
G A PTS PIM
2008-2009 Sarnia
Legionnaires 52 24
25 49 112
2009 Playoffs Sarnia
Legionnaires 22 9
10 19 49
JC Campagna June 11,
1993 Centre
Home: Dublin, OH
Ht: 6.03 Wt: 175
OHL: Sting’s 5th round
choice (92nd overall) 2009 OHL
Priority Selection
NHL: Eligible in 2011
Season
Club GP
G A PTS PIM
2008-2009 Ohio Blue Jackets
U16 56 22 34
56 78
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