A Hockey Family Steps onto Erie Ice

Colin Kennedy is stepping into a new chapter with the Erie Otters, but he’s not walking in alone. At just 16, the forward arrives with a pile of goals and assists from his time with Detroit’s Little Caesars U15 AAA team. His numbers—24 goals and 12 helpers in 20 games plus five more goals and two assists at last year’s OHL Cup—spoke loudly enough for the Otters to draft him second overall. Coach Kris Mallette didn’t hesitate to call him a “no-brainer pick, ” praising Kennedy’s work ethic even when the puck isn’t going his way. It’s a quality that separates good players from great ones, especially in a league where habits decide games before the final buzzer. Family ties run deep in hockey, and Kennedy’s case is no different. His uncle, Chris Hartsburg, has coached the Otters before and now helps develop skills under Mallette. The hockey bloodline doesn’t end there—Hartsburg’s father once coached three NHL teams. Yet Mallette insists the family connection played no role in the draft decision. Kennedy, though, openly credits his relatives for daily improvements. Support systems matter, especially for young athletes balancing development and expectations.Behind the bench, changes are also shaping Erie’s future. Kyle Makaric joins as an assistant after a season scouting in the OHL. His experience includes playing for the University of Windsor and coaching in Saginaw last year. Makaric’s focus now is helping the team navigate the grind of an OHL season. His hiring replaces Keenan Reynolds, who’s off to coach a rival team and will set a league record for being the youngest head coach in decades. Not every new Otter showed up at the weekend camp. Anton Gesink, a 17-year-old forward from Illinois, signed his contract from overseas. He spent last season at Ridley College in Melbourne, Australia—a rare trip for an OHL prospect. Before that, he played in Chicago’s youth ranks alongside fellow Erie newcomer Tyler Cooper. Distance didn’t stop Gesink from landing a spot, proving that talent can come from unexpected places. The Otters open their season September 18 in Guelph. For Kennedy, this isn’t just another tryout—it’s a family affair with coaches who’ve walked this ice before and teammates who’ve already shared locker rooms. The question now: Can rookie firepower blend with seasoned wisdom to turn promise into performance?