After coming within a game of winning the 2008 Golden Horseshoe Jr. B championship against the Thorold Blackhawks, the Falcons will look to Riley Sheahan -- a likely 2010 NHL draft pick -- to power this always-competitive squad to the top in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.

Head coach Trevor Lariviere and president Jim Goldwin were recently interviewed at the Jack Gatecliff Arena in St. Catharines.

What are the keys to success for season?

Lariviere: "We feel we're pretty solid down the middle and are expecting a big year out of Riley Sheahan and we have Andrew Kilcar back (played in Mid-West League last year) he supplies a lot of leadership. We feel between the nets we brought in Jeff Sinclair (played Junior C last year) and he can step right in."

Goldwin: "The kids have to be in shape and the coaching staff will have them ready for a long season. The veterans have to bring along the younger kids, and make sure everyone is on the same page."

Thoughts on last season?

Lariviere: "Last season was a little different for everyone, we thought the kids worked hard for us at the end, we came up a little short against Thorold (Blackhawks). We hope to build off that and have a good year this year."

Goldwin: "It was a good end to the season and we came up just short. The championship was one of the best final series in a long time."

Impact from Daulton Leveille being drafted in first found of 2008 NHL entry draft?

Lariviere: "I think it will be huge for the league, put some credibility back in to league. What Daulton did for the St. Catharines Falcons and all of Junior B (GOJHL) was huge. For the entire league, it gives us credibility and shows we are important to cycle of developing hockey players. Daulton is now at Michigan State (he received a full scholarship)."

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IMPACT PLAYERS

Riley Sheahan - 22 G, 39 A

Andrew Kilcar - 7 G, 8 A

Miles Torch - 16 G, 21 A

KEY PLAYERS LOST

Daulton Leveille (F)

Steele De Fazio (G)

J.T. MacDonald (F)

Kevin Floris (D)