LEWISTON – The wheeling and dealing has already started for the Lewiston Maineiacs.
According to assistant coach and assistant general manager Ed Harding, the Lewiston Maineiacs have acquired 18-year-old forward Chris Tutalo, who will join the team for its road trip in the days following Christmas.
“He was playing in the Ontario Provincial League for Oswego,” said Harding. “He was a kid I recognized three years ago as a pretty talented, pretty gifted player offensively. He has some good hands.”
When Harding first saw Tutalo, he figured the skater would either attend an American university or become property of a team in the Ontario Hockey League, which has draft rights to New York-born players.
“No one in the Ontario League jumped on him, he does not want to go to school,” said Harding. “He’s got this opportunity now. He went to the Ontario Provincial League, but he wants to come here. We made a deal with his coach.”
According to Harding, Tutalo will likely jump in on the team’s No. 2 power play unit.
“He’s going to help us on the PP and strengthen our second PP unit,” said Harding. “He competes pretty hard and is a gifted player. Again, we’re adding without subtracting, which again creates more competition up front and makes some of these guys more accountable.”
Bittersweet homecoming
When Travis Mealy was traded to the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies last year, one of the first things he looked at was his new team’s schedule.
“When I saw that we didn’t play here I was really happy because it would have been very emotional for me,” said Mealy following Sunday’s game. “This being a year after, nothing but excitement. When I saw the Fireside Inn after we got off the highway, it was like, Whoa, I’m back,’ you know. It’s a good feeling to see my billets and visit with them. (Maineiacs captain Brandon) Roach came over, I got to spend some time with him before Christmas.”
With the first half of the season over, though, Mealy is again getting nervous as the trade period opens.
“There’s been lots of rumors involving myself, Brent Aubin, the list goes on. But it’s out of our hands. said Mealy. Whatever happens happens. I don’t want to get traded, but it happened last year, and I’m used to it.”
Mealy has been solid for the Huskies this season, though, wearing an A’ on his jersey and scoring more points than ever before.
“I think it’s what I needed,” said Mealy. “When I was here, I was just happy to be here and everyone knows that, but now I have some leadership responsibility, and I think I’m doing my part.”
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