In early January, the 2021-2022 Komoka Kings sat in 2nd place in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Western Conference – among a tight division separated by very few points. While the Kings have always iced a competitive team, this one is different.
When Kings President and GM Roop Chanderdat moved the team from Forest, Ontario to Komoka, having a top-tier team that can be among the best in the Western Conference was always the goal. Past Komoka teams have been exciting – including one that pushed the powerhouse Leamington Flyers to seven games in the 2018-2019 Western Conference Semifinals, but that team, like the one before it and the one directly after, finished in the lower half of the Western Conference.
This year, the Kings have come soaring into the first half of the season, where, at the time of Christmas break, they found themselves within the top five teams in the conference. As usual, a few London Knights prospects have stood out for the Kings, with Easton Cowan, Nick Yearwood and Kaeden Johnston all playing big roles. But there have been quite a few other players leaving a mark as well.
One is forward Carter McLlwain. The 20-year-old is the captain of this year’s Kings team, in his final year of GOJHL eligibility. He played the 2019-2020 season with the Listowel Cyclones, in the Midwestern Conference (and, of course, didn’t play a game in 2020-2021 due to the pandemic). McLlwain, whose younger brother, Jackson, is also on the team, has led the Kings not only off the ice, but on it as well, posting 20 goals and 15 assists for 35 points in his first 25 games. And he’s become a guy that head coach Adam Casey can rely on in big moments, as he’s scored five game-winning goals (plus two shootout winners).
On defence, Chris Crocker has been a rock ever since joining the Kings. Crocker was a member of the Toronto Nationals during his minor hockey days and was a U18 pick of the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit. Now attending Western University, Crocker has been steady and reliable defensively and has contributed offensively, as well, while playing a major role on the power play.
In goal, Omar Hage has been putting up stellar numbers all season long. Hage was a 2020 pick in the U18 OHL Draft by the Hamilton Bulldogs (early in the second round). After being an affiliated player with the Kings in 2019-2020, he signed for the pandemic-lost season, but rejoined the Kings this year. He put up a .919 save percentage in his first 16 games this year, posting multiple 45-plus save performances.
The Kings are usually in action Saturday nights at the Komoka Wellness Centre, with puck drop at 7:15pm. Come down to the Wellness Centre to catch some great Junior B action! And stay up to date on the Kings by following on social media at @komokakings.
Submitted by Komoka Kings and photos by KPH Photography
