Newest Front gets 'fresh start'

Posted By DOUG GRAHAM

Posted 4 hours ago

Zach Harnden is happy to be coming to Kingston to play for the Frontenacs.

He's not the only one smiling. The Thunder Bay native already has a big fan on his new Ontario Hockey League team.

Darren Keily, an assistant coach with Kingston, was with the Peterborough Petes when Harnden broke into the OHL as a first-round draft pick in 2005.

"He's a player who is full of character. That's what you've got in Zach," Keily said.

"He's just a stellar, top kid." Harnden welcomed the

chance to play elsewhere in the OHL in his overage season. His talks with Peterborough general manager Jeff Twohey led to the trade to the Frontenacs Tuesday.

Undrafted by National Hockey League teams, Harnden said he contemplated concentrating on school before deciding he would play his overage year in the OHL. He just didn't want to go back to Peterborough.

"I'd been there four years and nothing had really worked out the way I wanted. I needed a fresh start. I'm happy to come to Kingston," said Harnden, laughing when it was pointed out he was losing one of his favourite teams to score on.

Harnden scored 10 of his 51 career OHL goals against Kingston.

"I've always liked playing in Kingston," Harnden said.

"I'm really excited. I'm looking forward to learning from (coach) Doug Gilmour. He's one of the great players of all time."

Harnden, who is employed by the city of Thunder Bay and is cutting lawns for the summer, will be a terrific addition to the Frontenacs, said Keily.

"I'm excited for him and I'm excited for us," said Keily, who came to the Frontenacs last season.

"I think it is a good opportunity for Zach. He gives us some size, he's got some experience. He will be a leader in the room and in the community."

When general manager Larry Mavety talked about Harnden's availability, Keily spoke up.

"Knowing Zach as well as we do, I said he was a kid we should jump on," Keily said.

"He brings a lot of characteristics to the team, the same as Brian Lashoff (the defenceman who came to the Frontenacs last season in a trade from the Barrie Colts and took over as team captain). Brian brought the leadership we needed and that's what Zach will do, too."

Harnden isn't the type of player who takes note of the first time he will go against his old team -- it will occur Sept. 26 in Peterborough. He said he enjoyed his time in the Liftlock City.

"When I talked with Jeff (Twohey) we both said a fresh start was best for me."

"I played there four years (covering 259 regular-season and playoff games). There was nothing bad about that," Harnden said.

"I was considering going to school. Once I decided on one more last year (in the OHL) I thought it would be better to play somewhere else. I'm happy coming to Kingston. I'm going to work hard in the summer and I'm going to be excited coming to training camp."

Keily sees Harnden shedding some of the "unrealistic" expectations that were placed on the six-foot-two, 200-pound rightwinger, who was drafted in the first round by the Petes in 2005.

Harnden joined a Petes team that went to the Memorial Cup that season. He didn't play a lot as a 16-year-old and was behind in his development in his 17- year-old season.

"He's coming to an organization where he's not a first-rounder to them and he's not a captain. That was a role he wasn't comfortable in. He's a quiet leader," Keily said.

"I do think he has some untapped potential. His offence fell off last year on a young Peterborough team. He scored 23 goals (in the 2007-08 season) playing with John Armstrong.

"He's versatile at either wing. Put him up with Nathan Moon or Ethan Werek and I think his goal-scoring potential will be its highest."

Harnden turns 20 on Sept. 23. "His contributions are probably what fans aren't going to see," Keily said. "He will help out our young guys, (Alan) Quine, (Steven) Broek and (Brett) Morgan. They're going to know he's out there for them.

"Zach is going to add a lot of confidence to our lineup. It's a whole new game with him on our team."