The North Bay Battalion received some overage reinforcements just in time for the club's home opener which goes Thursday night at 7 p.m. against the visiting Peterborough Petes.
Both Kyle McDonald and overage defenceman Avery Winslow are back and will dress for Thursday's contest.
McDonald was just recently let go from the Belleville Senators of the American Hockey League. He was re-assigned to the Belleville camp after attending the Ottawa Senators main camp.
"It was obviously super fun, and for me, it was always plan A1, A2, knowing either I stay there or I come back to junior and I am happy with either so I went to kind of prove a point to show what I can do and I did that so that is why I stayed around for so long," said McDonald.
"I had a good camp I felt, and it just came down to a decision to make and I think I am better off this year and have year with these guys - all my best buddies - and try to win and have one last good year."
The 6'4", 204-pound forward netted 35 goals and 20 assists for 55 points in 53 games split between Windsor and North Bay last season.
Ryan Oulahen, Battalion head coach knows the return of McDonald is a big boost to his already impressive lineup up front.
"Kyle McDonald is a big piece," admitted Oulahen prior to Wednesday's practice.
"He is a guy who can play in all situations for us. He is a veteran player we got from Windsor. It's not only what he brings on the ice but the character, the leadership. He was relentless every single day with his work habits and effort and he is a phenomenal human being, so you insert that and it really elevates the level of your whole entire team.
"We are going to put him in situations where he can succeed and Kyle can really shoot the puck. I know he will have a lot of attempts every game. He's not shy to do so and I think he is poised. He has worked very hard on his body to get ready for a big year here and we are hoping for the best for him."
McDonald says due to injury and COVID-19, he has only played 140 OHL games. He is eager for this new season to start.
"The Sens said another full year here will be good for me and they just want me to keep playing my game," noted McDonald.
"They say they want me to keep dominating and be that big guy and keep being a force out there and score goals. I hope that builds me, even more, to be ready to play at that level next year."
For Avery Winslow, off-season surgery has healed up and now he's ready to bolster the Battalion blue line which is still without Tnias Mathurin who is day-to-day recovering from an injury sustained at the Detroit Red Wings camp.
"I am healthy and got some really good physical therapy back home," said Winslow, who had 4 goals and 13 assists for 17 points last season.
"I came back here ready to go and ready to go Thursday night I am really excited to get back after it, I think we have a really good team and I am excited for this year."
The Troops (3-2) will face a Peterborough team that is 3-1 - a team that's only loss came at the hands of the Battalion last Thursday in Peterborough.
"They are a good hockey team and they are very impressive," said Oulahen.
"They are healthy, they have everybody back. They are deep, they are older and mature as well."
