By Aaron Bell

Phil Varone feels like heÂ's got a new lease on his hockey life and the Erie Otters have been a major benefactor of it.

When the Otters picked up the overage forward from the London Knights in October, they were in a 4-11-1-0 start to the season but since then, they have won 10 of 14 games and are suddenly looking like a team ready to compete for wins every night.

"It's been great,"” Varone said. “"I didn't know much about Erie before going there but itÂ's been awesome. Coach (Robbie) Ftorek has been great for me and theyÂ're a great bunch of guys. Hopefully I can end off my career on a good note and get into the pros next year."

Varone scored seven goals and 14 points in 12 games last month but his contributions to the Otters are more accurately measured in their record since his arrival.

"(I'm) just being a leader,"” Varone said. “"Putting up points and making sure that we keep the puck out of the net. I think I'm an all-around player."”

Varone started his OHL career with the Kitchener Rangers and was moved to London in the Steve Mason deal the Rangers made to bolster their lineup for their run to the Memorial Cup in 2008. Playing for a pair of franchises that win regularly helped Varone learn how to be successful in the OHL.

He's trying to pass along that information to his new teammates in Erie.

"I kind of know what it takes to win, seeing the older guys when I was coming up,"” Varone said. “"It's been a pretty easy transition to try and teach the younger guys."”

The Otters won five straight games before a 3-2 shootout loss to the Sarnia Sting on Saturday despite missing key players Andrew Yogan, Mike Cazzola and Tyler Hostetter, who are all out of the lineup with injuries.

Varone scored both goals including the winner in overtime to give the Otters a 2-1 win over the Kitchener Rangers in Kitchener on Friday. It was their second win over the Rangers in less than a week after going winless against Kitchener since March of 2008

"Erie has one of the loudest buildings,"” Varone said. “"When we beat Kitchener last Saturday, that rink was bumping. We've been winning some games lately so weÂ've seen that rink get really loud."

The Vaughan, ON native hopes that helping the Otters to a successful season will help his hopes of turning pro next year.

He was a fifth round pick of the San Jose Sharks in 2009 but a pair of shoulder surgeries has delayed his progress up the hockey ladder.

"I like being down there (in the U.S.),"” Varone said. “"It's good to be in the States because hopefully I'll be in the States next year."