Photo Credit - Amy Deroche/OJHL Images

Changes have happened and we may not be done yet. That was the overall message for Coach/General Manager Jerome Dupont following some major changes to the team in November. He sat down to discuss what has happened over the month.

Here is a breakdown of the moves this month.

November 10th - William Dyke (G) acquired from the Drumheller Dragons in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL)

November 15th - Jake Laville (F) sent to the Brockville Braves in the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL)

November 17th - Luka Dobrich (G) sent to the Chatham Maroons of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL)

November 25th - Zev Podolski (F) acquired from the Portage Terriers of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL)

November 26th - Jake Andersen (D) traded to the Brantford 99ers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL)

November 26th - Ben Bonisteel (G) acquired from the Brantford 99ers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL)

November 29th - William Dyke (G) sent to the Burlington Cougars of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL)

November 29th - Stephen McDonald (F) sent to the Collingwood Blues of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL)

November 29th - Eric Bonsteel (D) acquired from the Toronto Patriots of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL)

November 30th - Luke Tchor (F) acquired from the Brockville Braves in the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL)

November 30th - Luke Tchor (F) sent to the Collingwood Blues of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL)

November 30th - Nate Burelle (F) sent to the Brockville Braves in the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL)

QUESTION: Fans who may have been away from The Hangar for a week or two may see an entirely different team on the ice heading into Christmas. What is the process to make these changes, in order to create the kind of club you envision can win this league?

JD: The league is incredibly competitive with a number of top teams. If we want to be mentioned in the same breath, we had to make some changes.

QUESTION: Can you break down some of the new players?

JD: It started in net. I feel strongly about Ben Bonisteel. I think he is not just a premier netminder in the OJ, but across the CJHL. Another advantage is that he is not a 20-year-old.

We turn to defence. Eric Bonsteel out of the Toronto Patriots program, is a player we have been after for a while. We finally had the ability to cut a deal. He is a right shot defenceman that will play in our top four. He will log big minutes and can bring some grit. He also has a lot of junior playing experience.

QUESTION: Tell us about Zev Podolski

JD: Previously with the Toronto Jr Canadiens, we grabbed him from Portage in the Manitoba league. He is someone who can play all three forward positions. He has been through the wars. Last year he had 10 points in the playoffs with TJC in 14 games, going 7 games in the Buckland Cup final. A guy that will play better when everything is on the line.

QUESTION: What is Adam O'Marra all about?

JD: During his time this year in Collingwood he had more than a point a game. He is a playmaker, but I believe his goal production will increase. Adam has a great shot and is a very high end forward that will upgrade a top end forward crew that is all coming together.

QUESTION: In trading to better a team, you will never get anything for free. Other teams want future considerations, cash, or players.  Often top end players or multiple prospects. How difficult is it on the business side to make a trade that betters your club, while saying goodbye to a player you have built a bond with?

JD: It is difficult. I believe the key to recruit good players is to recruit good people. If you need to make a change, you make sure you find them a good home. You cannot just leave them out to dry.

A good example of this is Stephen McDonald, who I really love. He is going to Collingwood, which will be a really good fit for them and for "Donny". It will help him achieve his goal of getting a scholarship. That is just one example of the great young men that left our program, but one that is near and dear to my heart.  I originally brought “Donny” to Trenton.

QUESTION: Is it tough to make all of these moves? Do you have to give the new players an opportunity to see how they mesh with the roster before you make more changes? Are there more things you think need to be addressed?

JD: I think we will let things settle for a bit. The new players are guys that are going to garner big minutes. We will see how they interact on and off the ice. We will see if any moves are required.

QUESTION: Trenton’s schedule has been gruelling to say the least. One stretch had 11 games in 23 days in 6 different cities. Do you feel after Christmas, when things drastically slow down, you will get a chance to get healthy and more consistent?

JD: Our schedule has been incredibly tough. With that comes fatigue and injuries. We have had a lot of lost games to injury. Getting Ryan Holmes and Nathan Oickle back is huge. They are both high end players and fantastic leaders. Getting guys back from injury, integrating our new players, and getting some rest over the remainder of the season will be an advantage we hopefully take advantage of.