'I'm going to battle for them': Erie Otters forward Sam Alfano making his mark after trade
Sam Alfano was about two weeks away from reporting to Peterborough Petes training camp when he learned he had a new team to play for in the Ontario Hockey League.
Alfano, 18, was added to the Erie Otters' roster in exchange for Connor Lockhart, who played two seasons in Erie. The Otters also gained a pair of draft picks, Hamilton's third-rounder in 2025 and the Petes' second-rounder in 2026.
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Alfano, a 6-foot 3-inch, 205-pound right winger, said he was surprised by the move, but once he processed it he said he couldn't wait to put his Otters sweater on for the first time.
"When I got the phone call, I was a bit shocked at first," he said. "You never know what's going to happen in the offseason."
Once Alfano gave himself some time to sink it in, he realized his excitement for the new opportunity in Erie. He did already have a friend on the team, Cameron Lowe, whom Alfano has known since he was 9.
"I realized I'm headed to an organization that I've heard nothing but great things about," Alfano said. "I couldn't wait to meet all the guys."
Alfano wasted little time getting his name on the scoresheet. In the Otters' preseason opener Sept. 2, he recorded a goal and an assist against Hamilton. The Otters lost a 6-5 shootout decision at Erie Insurance Arena.
Alfano, the No. 23 pick in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection, was happy to put on a solid showing for his new teammates and fans.
"It's definitely easier getting that in the first game," he said. "I'm not gripping the stick too much. I'm still making a first impression on my teammates and coaches. I want to get off to a good start and show them they made a good choice bringing me here. I want to show my teammates I'm going to battle for them every night."
Alfano was also thrilled to have a nice first game in front of the Erie crowd.
"It was a great atmosphere," he said. "I want to get a good first impression for the fans, too, and that was a good night."
Alfano finished with 13 goals and 12 assists in his rookie OHL campaign. He said he really picked up his game after the Christmas break. Before the break, he had nine points in 26 games. After that, he had nine goals and seven assists in Peterborough's final 36 regular-season games.
"Christmas was a turning point for me," he said. "I got to reflect on the first half and figured out what I've got to do to better, be in front of the net, be strong in the corners and do more of the things that make me successful."
One thing didn't change for Alfano when he was traded to the Otters: the location of his season opener. The only difference is that he will be wearing Erie colors as the Otters visit Peterborough for the Petes' regular-season opener Sept. 29.
"I got that one marked on my calendar for sure," he said. "That was the first thing I noticed when I got traded to Erie. I have a lot of friends on that team. It'll be nice to see them, but at the same time, nothing is more important than getting the win for Erie."
Lockhart, a Vancouver Canucks prospect, had 23 goals and 25 assists last season for Erie. In two seasons, he totaled 75 points in 121 games.
"I played with him a lot the last two years," Erie forward Noah Sedore said. "It will be different to see him in a Petes jersey. I know he's going to battle and we're going to battle as well."
Sedore embraces leadership role
Sedore was among five potential overage players on the Otters roster coming into 2022-23. Only able to dress three OA players, Erie had to part ways with two potential OAs.
Goaltender Aidan Campbell signed a contract to play with the Nanaimo Clippers of the British Columbia Hockey League and defenseman Ryan Thompson was traded to Sault Ste. Marie.
That left Sedore, Elias Cohen and Cameron Morton as Erie's overage players to start the upcoming season.
"It was definitely something that was on my mind over the summer," he said. "I didn't worry about it too much. When things were finalized, I was honored to be one of the guys they wanted to help lead the team this year. I want to make sure the team and the organization made the right decision."
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Sedore leads the Otters with six points this preseason. He has played in three of four games and has two goals and four assists. Sedore tallied the game-winner with 12 seconds left as the Otters defeated Niagara 4-3 Saturday.
Erie had lost to Niagara 7-2 a night earlier.
"I was playing with (Colby) Saganiuk and Alfano most of the game," Sedore said. "We had a bunch of chances offensively and we played steady defense that night. We thought we could have had one here and had one there. On the bench before our last shift, I told the guys, 'Let's play defense first and, if we can score, let's do it.' "
Sure enough, Sedore made a play in the defensive end and the Otters found themselves moving into the offensive zone before converting the go-ahead play. Alfano and Christian Kyrou assisted.
"We came into that game with a little to prove and a little anger," Alfano said. "I took a penalty with about 10 minutes to go. I knew when I came out I had to be a difference-maker."
Otters still looking for elusive postseason berth
Sedore said the mantra in the locker room has been the same as it has been in previous years. He and the Otters want to get back to the OHL playoffs.
"All the veteran guys are looking for something bigger," he said. "Obviously, we've had a few tough years. We've all talked around the room. The city, the team, everybody is ready for Erie to get back to the playoffs."
Erie has not played a postseason game since its 2016-17 OHL championship season. The Otters qualified for the 2019-20 postseason when the OHL canceled the end of its season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The OHL postseason was called off.
"I've never played a playoff game in my career," Sedore said. "Erie wants to Otters back in the playoffs and there's nothing I want more. That's one thing I want to do, whatever I can to help this team get back to the playoffs."
Alfano has played in the OHL playoffs with Peterborough. He scored one goal during the Petes' four-game sweep by eventual league champ Hamilton.
"It was just a little taste for me," he said. "It makes me hungry for more and this team in Erie is ready to make the playoffs."
More: Erie Otters pick forward Malcolm Spence at No. 2 spot
London up next in preseason
The Otters played their first two preseason games at Erie Insurance Arena, opening with a 6-5 shootout loss before bouncing back for a 4-1 win over Saginaw. This past weekend, Erie split with Niagara. The Otters will play their final preseason games Sept. 23-24 against London. Both games are in Ontario.
Sedore's six points lead the team. Three others, including Alfano, have two goals and two assists each. The others are two 2022 OHL priority selections: first-round round pick Malcolm Spence and third-rounder Bruce McDonald.
Contact Josh Reilly at jreilly@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNreilly.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Sam Alfano makes presence known with Erie Otters after summer trade
