By Peter James
Newly acquired Ottawa 67’s winger Lou Dickenson is thrilled to finally have the chance to play in front of his friends and family, and have some good home cooking, too.
“It’s good to be home for once,” says the 6-foot-3-inch, 209-pound Orleans native. “I’ve been away for five years, so it’s good to get out and spend some time with my parents and my friends.”
Dickenson, 20, is in his final year of eligibility in the OHL. He was acquired from the Guelph Storm on New Year’s Eve in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick. As an over-age player he fills the spot vacated by Jonah Leroux, who was traded to the Sudbury Wolves.
Other than being able to sleep in his own bed and see his family more often, Dickenson says there are plenty of fringe benefits to living at home.
“My dad feeds me. I’m used to his home cooking,” he says. “It’s good to be having such good meals. Usually, when I’m away at other places I lose weight.”
Dickenson, who moved from centre to wing when he came to Ottawa, is not the only recent addition.
Brody Todd, another winger, was acquired by the 67’s last month from the Wolves in eschange for defenceman Cam Black. He says he was also eager to come to Ottawa.
“I was so excited to get traded here,” he says. “When I got here I found out how good it really is and how good the players have it here.”
18-year-old Todd, says he relishes the chance to play for legendary 67’s coach Brian Kilrea.
“It’s unbelievable. The guy is ten games away from a thousand (wins) and that’s unbelievable. He knows so much about hockey.”
Dickenson says coaching was one of the biggest changes he noticed between Ottawa and Guelph.
“My coach in Guelph didn’t say much to us, but you make a mistake here and you hear about it.”
Kilrea says both additions filled important holes in his team.
“Dickenson’s got that tremendous speed; he always plays well in this rink.”
Todd was someone the 67’s have had an eye on for a long time.
“He’s one of those guys we’d liked in his draft year,” Kilrea says. “We had him really high on our list.”
Kilrea says Todd adds depth to the team on the wing, thanks in large part to his physical play and 6-foot-2-inch, 225-pound frame.
Todd says sometimes it’s easier to adjust to life on the ice rather than off.
He has to adjust to living with a new billet family, something he says can take some time to get used to.
He’s sharing a billet with teammate Matt Foy, who helped him feel right at home when he first came to Ottawa.
“Matt showed me around town and really sort of took me in,” he says.
Todd says he’s fit right in with his teammates, especially on long road trips.
“It’s not as intense on the bus; it’s more relaxed,” he says. “Here the coaching staff sits at the front of the bus whereas in Sudbury they sat at the back. So it leads to some good card games.”
Teammate Matthew Albiani says Todd and Dickenson have been perfect for the 67’s laid-back dressing room.
“They’re both jokers and they’re always making guys laugh,” Albiani says. “That’s what you need, they keep people happy.”