Fergus, Whiffen, Sibley, Croft NOT returning, Yetman ???

[PurpleandGold]

From Cats website.......

The Grand Falls-Windsor Cataracts Executive has been working hard over the past few months preparing to put a roster together for the coming season and a run at another Herder Memorial Championship. As with every year there will be a number of returning players while some for various reasons have decided not to play this season. Cataracts President Stan Coffin says he's very pleased to let fans know that the core of last year's team will be returning for the 2016-2017 campaign. The team will once again be very deep on defence with the return of import defenceman Luke Gallant, Captain Michael Brent, Rodi Short, Sam Hounsell and Nicklas Lindstrom. Veterans Brad Lewis and Gregg Hoffe are also expected to suit up for the Cats again this year. New to the team this year will be defenceman Stephen Simms, picked up in the Corner Brook Royals dispersal draft. This gives us exceptional depth and experience at the back end which will make us a contender again this year. The only defenceman not returning is Nick Croft who indicated to the team at the end of last year that a combination of work and family commitments would mean he would not be available this season.
Cataracts fans will also see a lot of familiar faces up front. Returning forwards include Danny Wicks who had a breakout sophomore year last season will be back along with local sniper Andre Gill, speedy veteran Andrew Brennan, Alex Daley, Brandon Bussey, Michael Cole and Kyle McGuirk. According to Assistant Coach Paul, Glavine Steve Yetman is not likely to be in the lineup at the start of the season but is expected to be part of the team at some point again this season. There are two new forwards joining the team for the coming year. Veteran Michael Hynes was acquired in the dispersal daft and territorial pick Travis Randell of Twillingate will join the Cats after having spent the last four seasons with the Acadia University. Prior to attending Acadia Randell spent four seasons with the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL. We're very excited to finally have Travis in a Cataracts uniform says Glavine. There are a couple of forwards who will not be returning from last year's team. Long time senior hockey veteran Michael Sibley has announced that he is retiring after a very illustrious career that included five Herder Championships, four of them with the Cataracts. Also not returning will be league MVP Cam Fergus. Fergus recently informed the team that changes in both his work and personal situation mean he is unable to commit to travelling to Newfoundland every weekend. Cam Fergus has been a major part of the Cataracts success since coming to the team three years ago and we are certainly sorry to see him go but we understand his situation and wish him nothing but the best. Coffin says the departure of Fergus has opened up an import spot on the team and an announcement will be made very shortly on who will fill that spot adding that I think fans will be every excited at the announcement.
Another player who has chosen not to return this year is goaltender A.J. Whiffen who announced this week that he has decided to accept an offer from a team in the AESHL. The team was in talks with Whiffen right up to early this week in hopes of reaching an agreement for his return and is disappointed at not being able to make a deal. The Cataracts would like to thank A.J. for his contribution to the team over the years and wish him nothing but the best in his new situation. Meanwhile, the team is expected to announce a new goaltender signing by the end of this week.
Behind the bench Assistant Coaches Paul Glavine and Brian Tremblett will return for another season with an announcement on a Head Coach coming shortly.
Last nights CWSHL draft saw only one player selected by the Cataracts. Goaltender Jason Stone was recently deemed a non-import by the league and therefore had to enter the draft was selected 3rd overall by the team.
Coffin says he's very encouraged by the level of commitment from so many returning players and says fans will once again be treated to a high level of competitive hockey from the team. Things are really shaping up for the Cataracts to compete for another Herder this year and we are excited to have a chance at another Allan Cup run in the spring. This should be another great year for our fans.

[evanpenton]

Wow Fergus being gone is a huge loss. Im not too upset with Sibley and croft. But thier new import has some big shoes to fill

[PurpleandGold]

Yetman missing start of season very big loss. So by the sounds of it might be new head coach too?

[GenoSniper]

Wow Fergus being gone is a huge loss. Im not too upset with Sibley and croft. But thier new import has some big shoes to fill

I'll guess it's Colin circelli!

[wtf100]

Wow Fergus being gone is a huge loss. Im not too upset with Sibley and croft. But thier new import has some big shoes to fill

I'll guess it's Colin circelli!

Isn't he playing in that 3 on 3 league in Ontario?

[catsfan200]

Wow Fergus being gone is a huge loss. Im not too upset with Sibley and croft. But thier new import has some big shoes to fill

I'll guess it's Colin circelli!

Isn't he playing in that 3 on 3 league in Ontario?

Yep

[Newbie123]

To try and put a positive spin on this.
Croft replaced with Simms....improvement ?
Sibley replaced with Randell....improvement ?
Whiffen replaced with ???? Hopefully the rumors of Gillis are true.
Yetmen missing the beginning of the year is no big deal. Regular season means nothing. Id rather the Cats finish 2nd overall anyway and get those extra home games in.
Fergus....ouch.

[wtf100]

Given the Cats' track record with imports, I would expect them to come up with a quality player.

[Newbie123]

I agree. Quinn, Whitehead, Theriault, Lapointe, Gallant, Circelli, Fergus, Hennigar

not bad

[timbits]

Wow, Fergus news is sad, this is definitely going to be very different looking team this year. Interested to see who the import will be, I have a feeling it will be a famaliar name.