KINBURN – It’s been a busy start to May for the West Carleton Rivermen as management participated in two drafts in one week.

The Eastern Ontario Super A Hockey League (EOSHL) held its first ever expansion draft Tuesday, May 5 as the league jumps from four teams to seven for its second season. Four days later, on Saturday, May 9, the EOSHL held its regular 2020 draft.

At the beginning of May, the Rivermen had no draft picks in the 2020 draft, but a busy week meant lots of movement and the Rivermen have been in the thick of EOSHL off-season action so far this month. Second-year Rivermen general manager and coach Mike Byrne spoke to West Carleton Online yesterday (May 13) about a busy month as the EOSHL off-season kicked off for reals.

For the expansion draft, the Rivermen could protect 25 of the 30 players on their off-season roster.

“We had to leave five players unprotected and available to other teams,” Byrne said. “Obviously, this led to some very tough decisions. I think it speaks to our depth from last year that four of the first five picks were from our roster.”

The Rivermen won the regular season finishing on top of the standings with a 14-2-1-1 regular season. The team went to five games against the Cornwall Prowlers in the championship series coming just short of winning the championship. Of course, their roster was going to be very intriguing to the three expansion teams including the Glengarry Pipers, Frontenac Phantoms and Smith Falls Rideaus.

“Regarding the players we lost, they were some very good players,” Byrne said. “I left goaltenders Erik Miksik and Brandon Billie exposed to expansion to allow them to get the number one role if it became available. Of course, it seems Glengarry was very interested in Billie, and we wish him all the best. Up front, we left Ty Power, Matt Wilson and Greg Harding unprotected, all three of whom were selected. Ty is without a doubt one of the more skilled players in the league and truthfully, I had hoped he would slip through the draft and come back to us. Matt Wilson is another skilled player who had a season ending injury. We had him playing on the fourth line last year which he wasn’t used to, and he’ll thrive getting more ice time in Frontenac. Harding seemed like someone who would go undrafted, as his statistics leave much to be desired, but behind closed doors, he’s the ultimate team guy. When we submitted the list, Smiths Falls had not yet joined the league. Unfortunately, part of the Smiths Falls management team knew Harding, and they were quick to scoop him up.”

There were four rounds in the expansion draft with Frontenac taking Wilson with the first overall pick. Harding, who the Rivermen gave the Versatility Award to during their end of season awards announcement, would not be in Smith Falls for long, as the Rivermen made a draft day trade to bring him back in to the fold. Before the EOSHL 2020 draft, the Rivermen sent Ben Beasley to Smith Falls for Harding and a fourth-round pick.

“Less than 30 seconds after Harding was selected, I was on the phone with Smiths Falls trying to reacquire him,” Byrne said. “As previously mentioned, the statistics leave much to be desired. But off the ice, I’m not sure there is a better room guy in hockey. When the team became aware he was selected, I received several private messages from players saying we had to reacquire him. It may not sound like a compliment, but he’s a very low risk, low reward player. We know we’re getting someone who is just glad to be in the lineup, and who has no problem playing on the fourth line. If we need him to step up to another line, he can do that too. He played on (our first line) in a game against Deseronto last year, with (team top forward Ryley) Egan and (team MVP Alex) Hulford in which Egan scored five goals. He made room for those guys and was the first one in to the scrum afterwards to make sure Egan and Hulford went untouched. He’s been putting in the work this offseason, and although his career offensive numbers are very much lacking, my prediction is that he finds the back of the net for his first career senior A goal this upcoming season.”

Leading up to the 2020 draft, the Rivermen had no picks. But that deal and one other small deal, a 2021 third round pick to the league champion Prowlers for a 2020 fourth round pick, got them in to the dance.

“We are thrilled about our two draft picks from last weekend,” Byrne said. “Our team has never had a problem scoring, so I put an emphasis on building from the goal crease out.”

The Rivermen used their two fourth round picks on goalie Alex Beaudry and defenceman Brandon Cole.

“Adding Alex Beaudry, a former Providence College goaltender, was a great start,” Byrne said. “Alex is an elite goaltender and we look forward to having him join the team. Cole previously played five years in the CCHL (for the Kemptville 73’s). From everyone I have spoken to, we acquired a very high character player and someone that will bolster our blue line. I am absolutely thrilled to have Brandon join our team, where he’ll once again join former teammate Riley Hennigar.”

Now that the two EOSHL drafts are behind the Rivermen, the team can tinker with their roster through league free agency. Mother’s Day (May 10) marked the start of the free agency period for the 2020-2021 season.