Knights’ Mitchell Marner named Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Mitchell Marner of the London Knights is the Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week for the week ending December 6 after leading the league with 11 points in three games scoring seven goals and four assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-6.

Marner recorded three multi-point performances last week extending his league-high point-streak to 19 games and earned first star honours in all three Knights’ victories.  He scored back-to-back hat-tricks with game-winning goals in both contests Friday night in a 6-1 win over Western Conference rivals the Windsor Spitfires, and Saturday in a 7-2 win over the Ottawa 67’s.  In Saturday’s contest Marner matched a season-high with five points tallying two assists to go along with his three goals, the highlight of which was a first period shorthanded breakaway marker that sent 9,678 stuffed animals to the ice as part of the club’s 15th annual Teddy Bear Toss festivities.  His week wrapped up Sunday afternoon with a goal and two assists as part of a 5-2 win over the Guelph Storm.  The Knights have now won seven-straight games but remain third in the Midwest Division standings with a 21-4-1-1 record for 44 points.

An 18-year-old from Thornhill, ON, Marner is playing in his third career season with the Knights after being a first round pick of the club in the 2013 OHL Priority Selection.  The fourth overall pick of the Maple Leafs in the 2015 NHL Draft has 58 points in 25 games and is now tied for the lead in OHL scoring with teammate Christian Dvorak who earned last week’s honour.  Marner is one of 13 OHL players who will compete for a spot on Canada’s National Junior Team with Selection Camp opening this week in Toronto.

Watch video highlights of Marner and the Knights against the Spitfires, 67’s, and Storm.

Also considered for the award this week were a pair of 2015 NHL Draft first round picks including Zachary Senyshyn of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and Pavel Zacha of the Sarnia Sting who both recorded nine points and led their clubs to three-straight wins.  Senyshyn, a Boston Bruins prospect, scored seven goals and two assists while Zacha, a New Jersey Devils prospect, scored four goals and five assists.  In goal, Devin Williams of the Erie Otters made 44 saves while posting a 2-0-0-0 record including a shutout victory with a goals-against-average of 0.96 and save percentage of .957.

2015-16 Pioneer Energy OHL Players of the Week:

Nov. 30 – Dec. 6: Mitchell Marner (London Knights)
Nov. 23 – Nov. 29: Christian Dvorak (London Knights)
Nov. 16 – Nov. 22: Pavel Zacha (Sarnia Sting)
Nov. 9 – Nov. 15: Devin Williams (Erie Otters)
Nov. 2 – Nov. 8: Dylan Strome (Erie Otters)
Oct. 26 – Nov. 1: Tyler Parsons (London Knights)
Oct. 19 – Oct. 25: Kevin Labanc (Barrie Colts)
Oct. 12 – Oct. 18: Zach Bratina (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 5 – Oct. 11: Hunter Garlent (Peterborough Petes)
Sept. 28 – Oct. 4: Alex DeBrincat (Erie Otters)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 27: Zack Bowman (Flint Firebirds)

2016 U.S. National Junior Team Preliminary Roster Set

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Hockey unveiled today the 29 players selected to the preliminary roster for the 2016 U.S. National Junior Team. The players will attend training camp Dec. 14-18 at Boston University in Boston followed by an additional camp in Vierumaki, Finland, from Dec. 19-24. The final 23-man roster is expected to be named by Dec. 24. Team USA will compete in the 2016 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship, Dec.26-Jan.5, in Helsinki, Finland.

Camp roster here

Jonathan Ang – Player Profile – Peterborough Petes

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height: 5’11”

Weight: 160 pounds

Date of birth: January 31, 1998. Markham, Ontario

Position: Center

Catches: Right

OHL Draft: Round 1, 9th overall, 2014 Priority Selection

Jonathan Ang of the Peterborough Petes. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Jonathan Ang of the Peterborough Petes. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Ang played for, and captained the Markham Waxers Minor Midget squad in 2013/2014. In 33 games he scored 28 goals and added 14 assists en route to being selected in the first round of the OHL Priority Selection. He won the OHL Gold Cup and contributed with 3 goals and 2 assists in 5 games.

Last season was his rookie year in the OHL and he appeared in 59 games for the Petes scoring 10 goals and adding 10 assists. He also added a single assist in 5 playoff games. He also played for Team Canada White at the World Hockey Challenge U-17 and in 5 games scored 3 goals and one assist.

Ang is a self proclaimed playmaker who moves with an effortless stride and explosive speed. He possesses excellent puck handling abilities and vision and an ability to make plays at top speed. He has the ability to finish in close. It’ll be his skating, vision and playmaking abilities that can make Ang a capable offensive threat on a third line at the next level.

Ang is a project and will have to continue to work on the things he worked on during the offseason to continue on his development curve.

First and foremost he’ll need to add some mass and strength to his slight 160 pound frame so that he can battle along the boards, down low and in front of the opposition goal. Secondly, he’ll need to work on his consistency from game to game and shift to shift. He’s made strides on that since last season and it needs to continue to improve.

Finally, Ang will need to improve his faceoffs. He is currently 130 for 280 or 46.4% on the dot.

Ang was on NHL Central Scouting lists of players to watch as a C prospect on both their preliminary list and their November list. A C prospect is considered a third to sixth round prospect.

Dylan Wells – Player Profile – Peterborough Petes

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 182 pounds

Date of birth: January 3, 1998. Oakville, Ontario

Position: Goaltender

Catches: Left

OHL Draft: Round 2, 21st overall, 2014 Priority Selection

Wells is currently in his second Ontario Hockey League season. Last season, he appeared in 27 games finishing with a 7-15-1 record and a .893 save percentage. His record and stats however, should not speak to his abilities. The Petes were a team rebuilding and provided very little goal support for Wells.

Dylan Wells of the Peterborough Petes. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Dylan Wells of the Peterborough Petes. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Wells was highly touted and showed his abilities early on earning the call from Hockey Canada and being named to Team Ontario at the World Hockey Challenge U-17. He would get three starts for Ontario and posted 3.78 goals against average with a .838 save percentage.

Wells got the call again from Hockey Canada to represent his country once again, this time at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial. He sparkled in the tournament with a 0.48 goals against average and .971 save percentage. He was in goal for Canada in the final and helped them win their 8th consecutive gold medal.

Wells plays a calm and relaxed game and rarely seems to get rattled. He has good size with excellent athleticism to go along with it. He possesses excellent reflexes with above average rebound control. His ability to move side to side is also excellent but at times has shown to over commit. He reads plays very well and remains square to shooters. He challenges those shooter without hesitation. Wells also handles the puck very well.

When you talk to Wells, you find out just how mature he is. He also knows what he has to do to be successful, is focused and works hard to achieve success.

Wells doesn’t come from a sports or hockey family. His father Rob is a drummer for Canadian country music band Tim Hicks.

Wells was on both NHL Central Scouting’s Preliminary List and updated November list of players to watch as a B prospect (second or third round pick). He is currently the top ranked OHL goaltender for the draft and could push to be the top ranked North American goaltender come June 2016.

Czech Republic announces invites for WJC camp

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

CZECH REPUBLIC WJC CAMP ROSTER

GOALTENDERS: Ales Stezka, Sioux Falls, USHL (Minnesota Wild); Vitek Vanecek, South Carolina, ECHL (Washington Capitals); Karel Vejmelka, Brno, CZREP (Nashville Predators); Daniel Vladar, Chicago, USHL (Boston Bruins)

DEFENSEMEN: Lubos Adam, Slavia, CZREP-2 (2016 draft eligible); Tomas Havlin, Liberec Jr., CZREP-JR (2016 draft eligible); Filip Hronek, Hradek Kralove, CZREP (2016 draft eligible); Dominik Masin, Peterborough, OHL (Tampa Bay Lightning); Ondrej Miklis, Lotomerice, CZREP-2 (2016 draft eligible); Pavel Pycha, Ceske Budejovice, CZREP-2 (2016 draft eligible); Filip Pyrochta, Victoriaville, QMJHL (2016 draft eligible); Alex Rasner, Olomouc, CZREP (2016 draft eligible); Dominik Rudl, Prostejov, CZREP-2 (2016 draft eligible); Jan Scotka, Pardubice, CZREP (2016 draft eligible); David Sklenicka, Plzen, CZREP (2016 draft eligible); Jakub Zboril, Saint John, QMJHL (Boston Bruins)

FORWARDS: Tomas Andres, Slavia, CZREP-2 (2016 draft eligible); Jiri Cernoch, Sparta, CZREP (2016 draft eligible); Filip Chlapik, Charlottetown, QMJHL (Ottawa Senators); Lukas Jasek, Trinec, CZREP (Vancouver Canucks); Vaclav Karabacek, Baie-Comeau, QMJHL (Buffalo Sabres); David Kase, Chomutov, CZREP (Philadelphia Flyers); Filip Kutak, Vitkovice, CZREP (2016 draft eligible); Dominik Lakatos, Liberec Jr., CZREP-JR. (2016 draft eligible); Jan Ordos, HC Benatky nad Jizerou, CZREP-2 (2016 draft eligible); Jiri Smejkal, Moose Jaw, WHL (2016 draft eligible); Tomas Soustal, Kelowna, WHL (2016 draft eligible);Michael Spacek, Red Deer, WHL (Winnipeg Jets); Simon Stransky, Prince Albert, WHL (2016 draft eligible); David Tomasek, Pardubice, CZREP (2016 draft eligible); Radek Vesely, Chomutov, CZREP (2016 draft eligible); Lukas Vopelka, Orebro, SWE (2016 draft eligible); Daniel Vozenilek, Pardubice, CZREP (2016 draft eligible); Pavel Zacha, Sarnia, OHL (New Jersey Devils)

OHL This Week for December 3-6, 2015

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – Ontario Hockey League action heads into the eleventh week of the regular season schedule with 23 games beginning tonight through Sunday.

OHLThisWeek

 Here’s a look at what’s going on around the league:

AT THE RINKS:

Teddy Bear Toss Weekend: Teddy Bears take flight this weekend with a total of five Teddy Bear Toss games on the schedule. The Flint Firebirds hold their inaugural Teddy Bear Toss on Friday night before London and Saginaw hold theirs on Saturday. Mississauga and Sarnia will round out the weekend with Teddy Bear Toss games on Sunday.

Toys for Tots on Friday in Mississauga: In partnership with Peel Regional Police, The Salvation Army and Canadian Tire, the Steelheads are collecting new, unwrapped toys to be distributed to underprivileged children throughout the Region of Peel this month. Additionally, fans will receive a free ticket to a Steelheads January home game when they bring a canned food donation to the Hershey Centre during any home game this month.

Storm host Books for Kids Night on Friday: Friday night marks the annual Guelph Mercury Books for Kids Night at the Sleeman Centre. The Guelph Mercury and the Guelph Storm are asking fans to bring happiness into the home of an underprivileged child in the community by donating new, unwrapped books that are suitable for children ages newborn to 18 years at all arena entrances. At last year’s Guelph Mercury Books For Kids Night, Guelph Storm fans generously donated over 750 books.

Hockey jersey night in Sudbury on Friday: Get your hockey jersey out! All youngsters aged 17-and-under who wear a hockey jerseyon Friday can see the Wolves battle the visiting Barrie Colts for the discounted price of $10!

Alex DeBrincat Bobblehead Night in Erie: The Erie Otters are holding Alex DeBrincat Bobblehead Night on Friday when they host the Owen Sound Attack. The first 500 kids age 12 and under to enter Erie Insurance Arena will receive a DeBrincat bobblehead courtesy of APeC Integration Services.

Star Wars Night in Flint: The first 2,000 fans into the Dort Federal Event Center for Star Wars Night on Saturday will receive a free light saber! The Firebirds will wear special Star Wars warm-up jerseys for charity. Fans will have the opportunity to bid on these jerseys in a silent auction on the concourse throughout the game. Saturday will also feature an exclusive Star Wars movie trailer, Lucas Film approved characters in attendance, Star Wars themed music and movie clips played throughout the game.

Win free pizza with the Bulldogs on Sunday: Fans will have a chance to win pizza for a year courtesy of Pizza Pizza when the Bulldogs host the Kingston Frontenacs on Sunday. There will also be a Pizza Pizza inflatable game for fans to participate in for a chance to win prizing. 500 vouchers will also be handed out for a free slice of Pizza courtesy of Pizza Pizza.

COMMUNITY CORNER:

Frontenacs begin Pink in the Rink jersey auction: Starting Thursday, fans can bid on a game worn Kingston Frontenacs Pink in the Rink jersey worn on October 30th against Peterborough. All proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Canadian Cancer Society. Bid Today!

Attack raise $34,500 in support of men’s health with Bears in Blue event: The Owen Sound Attack raised a grand total of $34,500 in their third annual Bears in Blue event last Saturday night at home to the London Knights. The post-game jersey auction brought in almost $16,000 while the sale of special toques and mittens, Celebrity Serve at Boston Pizza, silent auction and other donations accounted for the remaining funds. Full Story

Rangers visit Grand River Hospital: Kitchener Rangers forwards Jake Henderson, Nick Magyar and Mason Kohn paid a visit to Grand River Hospital in Kitchener on Monday, joining Santa Claus as they spread holiday cheer to children dealing with various health ailments.

IceDogs visit Wainfleet for community skate: The Niagara IceDogs travelled to Wainfleet Tuesday night for their second RBC Community Skate of the season. The open practice took place at Wainfleet Arena before players returned to the ice to meet fans and sign autographs afterward. Visit the IceDogs on Facebook to see photos from the event.

67’s hold Kids Club Holiday Party on Saturday: Join Big Joe and his friends, Sparky and Riley the Raccoon, at Midway Family Fun Parkon Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. for the 2nd Annual Kids Club Holiday Party. FREE for all Kids Club members. Santa Claus promised to pop by, along with players from the 67’s to meet the kids, sign autographs, and give away prizes! For more information please visitottawa67s.com.

Skate with the Wolves on Saturday: The Sudbury Wolves will host their annual Skate with the Wolves on Saturday from noon until1:00pm at the Sudbury Arena. The Wolves ask that the general public make a donation to the Telethon to attend the free skate. Kids 17 and under who attend the skate and make a donation will receive a free ticket to Sunday’s game against the Oshawa Generals.

KNIGHTS’ CHRISTIAN DVORAK RECEIVES WEEKLY HONOURS:

Arizona Coyotes prospect Christian Dvorak of the London Knights is the Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week for the week ending November 29 after scoring six goals and three assists for nine points in three games with a plus-minus rating of plus-3.  Dvorak had a pair of four-point performances helping the Knights win all three of their games extending the club’s winning-streak to four games and improving their third-place record to 18-4-1-1.

13 OHL PLAYERS INVITED TO CANADA’S NATIONAL JUNIOR TEAM SELECTION CAMP:

Returning Canadian World Junior gold medalist Lawson Crouse of the Kingston Frontenacs headlines a group of 13 OHL players that have been invited to Canada’s National Junior Team Selection Camp that begins on December 10th in Toronto.  Other forwards invited include Michael Dal Colle (Oshawa Generals), Brendan Perlini (Niagara IceDogs), Mitchell Stephens (Saginaw Spirit), Travis Konecny (Ottawa 67’s), Mitch Marner (London Knights), Dylan Strome (Erie Otters) and Spencer Watson (Kingston Frontenacs).  Defencemen invited include Vince Dunn (Niagara IceDogs), Roland McKeown (Kingston Frontenacs) and Jakob Chychrun (Sarnia Sting) while goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood (Barrie Colts) was one of two netminders invited to the camp. Full Story

SPITFIRES AND KNIGHTS SQUARE OFF ON SPORTSNET FRIDAY NIGHT HOCKEY:

Two Western Conference rivals clash this week on Sportsnet Friday Night Hockey as the Windsor Spitfires visit the London Knights at7:30pm ET live on Sportsnet East, Ontario and Pacific.

SPORTSNET #WHATTOWIN RETURNS:

Mitch Marner toe drags to win. What do you do to win?  Sportsnet #WhatToWin is back! See what the OHL’s best and brightest young stars do to fuel success!

WOLVES’ LEVIN FEATURED ON SPORTSNET’S ‘THE NEXT ONES’:

Sudbury Wolves rookie sensation David Levin’s eventful journey from Israel to Sudbury is documented in the first episode of Sportsnet’s brand new magazine show “The Next Ones” with host Jeff Marek. See this episode and top plays from around the CHL onSportsnet’s The Next Ones.

TIP TOP TAILORS OHL PLAYS OF THE WEEK – WEEK 11:

Oshawa Generals rookie Domenic Commisso comes out of the penalty box to steal the show in the 11th edition of the Tip Top Tailors OHL Plays of the Week!

GETTING ON THE BOARD: FIRST OHL GOALS IN 2015-16:

Check out the players who have scored their first OHL goal in the past week! 104 different players have accomplished the milestone this season! Click on a player’s name below to watch his first OHL goal!

Sam Miletic, Markus Niemelainen, Kyle Potts, Connor Walters

ALUMNI NOTES:

Sparks earns shutout in NHL debut: Guelph Storm graduate Garret Sparks became the first goaltender in Toronto Maple Leafs franchise history to record a shutout in his NHL debut on Monday. The Elmhurst, Illinois native made 24 saves to lead the Leafs past the Edmonton Oilers 3-0 on home ice. Sparks, who is the AHL’s Goaltender of the Month for November, has had a great start to his season with the Toronto Marlies, recording an 8-2-1 record with a 1.90 goals-against average and a .938 save percentage in 11 games. Sparks played for the Storm from 2010-13, going 71-48-1-8 with a 2.97 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage in 138 career OHL games. His 36 wins and seven shutouts as a 19 year-old in 2012-13 remain a Storm franchise record.  Sparks became the 16th OHL grad to debut in the NHL this season. FULL STORY.

Ritchie records first NHL point: Nick Ritchie’s first career NHL point helped the Anaheim Ducks defeat Vancouver 4-0 on Monday. Ritchie registered an assist on a third period marker by Jakob Silfverberg. The 6’2″, 232Ib. Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds graduate was playing in his eighth career NHL game. Ritchie played four OHL seasons from 2011-15, appearing in 212 games between Peterborough and Sault Ste. Marie, scoring 102 goals while adding 108 assists for 210 regular season points. Ritchie had an additional 18 goals, 18 assists and 36 points in 25 career playoff games.

Kane, Duchene named NHL Stars for November: OHL graduates Patrick Kane and Matt Duchene have been named NHL Stars of the Month for November. A London Knights graduate, Patrick Kane is the NHL’s first star of the month and is currently in the midst of a 20-game pointstreak, recently setting the benchmark for the longest point streak by an American-born player in NHL history. Now Kane has his sights set on Bobby Hull’s Blackhawks franchise record of 21. The Buffalo, NY, native currently leads the NHL in scoring with 15 goals, 23 assists and 38 points in 25 games. A graduate of the Brampton Battalion, Duchene, the NHL’s third star of the month, had a tremendous month of November, recording 11 goals, nine assists and 20 points in 14 contests. Duchene is currently second in Avalanche team scoring with 13 goals 10 assists and 23 points on the season.

D’Agostini named CIS Male Athlete of the Week: Peterborough Petes graduate Andrew D’Agostini of the University of Guelph Gryphons has been named the CIS Male Athlete of the Week. D’Agostini was unbeatable this past weekend, turning aside all 76 shots he faced to help the Gryphons (9-6) defeat nationally eighth-ranked Carleton 2-0 and RMC 3-0. The Scarborough, ON, native opened the two-game set with a 33-save performance against the Ravens last Friday night in Ottawa, and followed up with a 43-save effort versus RMC Saturday in Kingston. D’Agostini currently ranks second in the country in save percentage (.936) and third in goals against average (2.07). A former five-year veteran of the Peterborough Petes, D’Agostini recorded a career OHL record of 71-85-2-9 with a 3.75 goals-against average and an .895 save percentage in 190 regular season games.

Altshuller named ECHL Goaltender of the Month: Oshawa Generals graduate Daniel Altshuller has been named the ECHL’s Goaltender of the Month for November. The 21 year-old went 5-0-0 with three shutouts, a 0.80 goals-against average and a .968 save percentage with the Florida Everblades, the ECHL affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes. Altshuller allowed two goals or less in all five of his November starts and is coming off shutouts in each of his last two games. The Nepean, ON, native spent three seasons with Oshawa from 2011-14, going 78-47-3-5 with a 2.80 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage and five shutouts in 140 regular season games.

6 OHL graduates to represent CIS against National Junior Team: Six OHL grads will represent the CIS against Canadian National Junior Team hopefuls in Toronto on December 12th and 13th. Kevin Bailie (Queen’s/London Knights), Spencer Abraham (Queen’s/Erie Otters), Tim Campbell (Lethbridge/Guelph Storm), Colin Behenna (Waterloo/Barrie Colts), Liam Heelis (McGill/Owen Sound Attack) and Eric Locke (StFX/Saginaw Spirit) will all represent the CIS squad coached by former Guelph Storm and Sarnia Sting head coach Shawn Camp. Full CIS Roster

KEY WEEKEND MATCHUPS:

Kingston Frontenacs (16-8-1-1) vs. Peterborough Petes (14-9-2-2)
Thursday December 3 at Peterborough, Friday December 4 at Kingston

The Kingston Frontenacs and Peterborough Petes have emerged as a pair of competitive East Division clubs, ones who will clash for the fourth time this season on Thursday in Peterborough.  The Petes enter action on a six game winning streak, trailing first place Kingston by just two points in the standings. They’ll try and narrow the gap, looking to goaltenders Matt Mancina and Dylan Wells for continued strong play in the crease while Eric Cornel, Greg Betzold and Hunter Garlent lead the attack.  The Frontenacs have won their last two contests and feature Canadian World Junior Selection Camp invitees Lawson Crouse, Spencer Watson and Roland McKeown all contributing of late.

Windsor Spitfires (16-8-3-0) vs. London Knights (18-4-1-1)
Friday December 4 at London (Sportsnet Friday Night Hockey)

The Spitfires and Knights will battle on a big stage Friday night, taking their feud to Sportsnet’s Friday Night Hockey for a fifth meeting this season.  The Knights come off a 5-3 win over Windsor on Sunday as reigning Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week Christian Dvorak had two goals and two assists. The Knights enter the weekend as the sixth ranked team in the BMO CHL Top 10 Rankings having won their past four games. Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Mitch Marner enters play on a 16-game point streak.  The Spitfires lead the West Division with a 16-8-3-0 record. Leading scorer Christian Fischer comes off a solid month of November that included 12 points (8-4–12) in 11 games while 18 year-old Aaron Luchuk registered points in 10 of his 11 contests.  Both the Knights and Spitfires have acquired former overaged WHL goaltenders in past weeks, with the London bringing in Brendan Burke from the Calgary Hitmen while the Spitfires obtained Garret Hughson, formerly of the Spokane Chiefs.

WEEKEND SCHEDULE: 

Thursday, December 3
Mississauga at Niagara – 7:00pm
Kingston at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Flint at Windsor – 7:05pm

Friday, December 4
Owen Sound at Erie – 7:00pm
Peterborough at Kingston – 7:00pm
Barrie at Sudbury – 7:00pm
North Bay at Sarnia – 7:05pm
Saginaw at Flint – 7:30pm
Hamilton at Guelph – 7:30pm
Ottawa at Kitchener – 7:30pm
Windsor at London – 7:30pm (Sportsnet Friday Night Hockey)
Niagara at Mississauga – 7:30pm

Saturday, December 5
Owen Sound at Erie – 7:00pm
Ottawa at London – 7:00pm
North Bay at Saginaw – 7:05pm
Oshawa at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07pm
Sarnia at Flint – 7:30pm

Sunday, December 6
London at Guelph – 2:00pm
Barrie at Mississauga – 2:00pm
Oshawa at Sudbury – 2:00pm
Ottawa at Sarnia – 2:05pm
North Bay at Sault Ste. Marie – 2:07pm
Kingston at Hamilton – 3:00pm

CATCH ALL OF THE ACTION ON OHL LIVE

OHL Announces November Academic Players of the Month

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the OHL Academic Players of the Month for November 2015, including forward Sam Field of the Kingston Frontenacs, defenceman Jacob Ramalho of the North Bay Battalion, forward Brady Gilmour of the Saginaw Spirit and blueliner Brock Philips of the Guelph Storm.

East Division: Kingston Frontenacs sophomore winger Sam Field is the East Division Academic Player of the Month. A grade 12 student at Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School, Field has maintained a 75% average in Data Management, Accounting and Business Leadership courses. The Tenafly, New Jersey native is described as an active member of the school community that strives to balance his busy hockey and demanding school schedules. Formerly Kingston’s sixth round pick in the 2014 OHL Priority Selection, Field has one assist in 18 games this season.

Central Division: North Bay Battalion defenceman Jacob Ramalho is the Central Division Academic Player of the Month for November. A grade 12 student at Chippewa Secondary School, Ramalho holds an impressive 89% average and is described by his teachers as tenacious, conscientious, confident and a great critical thinker who contributes to classroom discussions. The 6’2″, 210Ib. native of Ottawa, ON, has appeared in 15 games with the Battalion in his rookie season, recording one assist. The 17 year-old notched his first OHL point with an assist in a win over Sudbury on November 13th.

West Division: The OHL West Division Academic Player of the Month for November is Saginaw Spirit rookie Brady Gilmour. The 16 year-old centreman is described as “an outstanding young man academically who works diligently and serves as a role model for both older and younger students” by his teachers. The Grafton, ON, native persevered through missing time in the classroom while away at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and has maintained an 85% average as a grade 11 student at Heritage High School. “Brady is an excellent student athlete and represents the Saginaw Spirit and the OHL very well,” his report continued. Gilmour was the sixth overall pick of the 2015 OHL Priority Selection and has three goals, three assists and six points in 20 games this season.

Midwest Division: Guelph Storm defenceman Brock Philips is the OHL’s Midwest Academic Player of the Month for November. The 6’5″, 205Ib. native of Fergus, ON, currently holds an 87% average as a grade 12 student at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic High School, excelling in Functions, Transportation Technology and Religion courses. “Brock holds himself to a very high standard in the classroom and continues to meet and exceed the academic goals he has set for himself,” explained Storm Academic Advisor  Colleen Driscoll. “He is a conscientious and dedicated student who demonstrates both practical and technical proficiency. His teachers have described him as an ‘outstanding student’, ‘great guy’, ‘very respectful’ and ‘very bright and talented.’ A graduate of the Waterloo Wolves Minor Midget program, Philips has appeared in 13 games with the Storm this season.

2015-16 OHL Academic Players of the Month:

West Division:
November – Brady Gilmour (Saginaw Spirit)
October – Kyle Keyser (Flint Firebirds)

Midwest Division:
November – Brock Philips (Guelph Storm)
October – Jake Lawr (Erie Otters)

Central Division:
November – Jacob Ramalho (North Bay Battalion)
October – Ruan Badenhorst (Barrie Colts)

East Division:
November – Sam Field (Kingston Frontenacs)
October – Jack Hanley (Hamilton Bulldogs)

CHL Announces BMO CHL Top 10 Rankings

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced the eleventh edition of the BMO CHL Top-10 Rankings for the 2015-16 season.  The weekly rankings of the CHL’s Top-10 teams are selected by a panel of National Hockey League scouts.

BMO

BMO CHL Top 10 Rankings – Week 11

 

Rank: Team: Last Week Rank: Number of Weeks Ranked:
1 Erie Otters (23-3-1-0) 1 11
2 Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (21-3-3-1) 3 10
3 Kitchener Rangers (20-3-3-0) 2 7
4 Kelowna Rockets (19-6-1-0) 4 5
5 Shawinigan Cataractes (20-7-1-0) 5 11
6 London Knights (18-4-1-1) 7 11
7 Red Deer Rebels (19-8-0-0) 8 8
8 Val-d’Or Foreurs (19-7-2-1) 9 2
9 Seattle Thunderbirds (16-7-2-0) 6 7
10 Gatineau Olympiques (19-8-1-1) – 2
Honourable Mention:
Victoria Royals (18-8-1-1) – 2
Kingston Frontenacs (16-8-1-1) – 1
Moncton Wildcats (18-8-3-0) 1

OHL Announces Top Performers of the Month for November

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the Top OHL Performers of the Month for regular season games played in November 2015, including forward Dylan Strome and defenceman Travis Dermott of the Erie Otters, Mississauga Steelheads rookie Alexander Nylander and Barrie Colts goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood.

OHL Player of the Month – Dylan Strome (Erie Otters):

Dylan Strome of the Erie Otters. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Dylan Strome of the Erie Otters. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Arizona Coyotes prospect Dylan Strome is the OHL Player of the Month for November after he tallied 10 goals, 21 assists and 31 points in 12 games. Strome had points in 11 of his 12 contests, with nine multi-point performances including a pair of five point games in wins on November 6th against the Peterborough Petes and November 28th against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Strome was named one of the three stars of the game six times, earning first star recognition twice while being named the Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week for the week ending November 8th and the CHL Player of the Week for the week ending November 15th. In addition, Strome was an impressive 67% in the faceoff circle throughout the month of November helping the top ranked Otters win 11 of their 12 games.

Strome, an 18 year-old from Mississauga, ON, was selected by the Coyotes with the third overall pick of the 2015 NHL Draft. The 6’3″, 194Ib. centreman is currently second in OHL scoring after finishing tied for the CHL scoring lead with 45 goals, 84 assists and 129 points in 68 games last year. Strome currently has 16 goals, 35 assists and 51 points in 23 games this season, just two points behind Otters teammate Alex DeBrincat. Strome was one of eight OHL forwards recently invited to Hockey Canada’s National Junior Team Selection Camp that gets underway on December 10th in Toronto.

OHL Defenceman of the Month – Travis Dermott (Erie Otters): 
Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Travis Dermott is another Erie Otters

Travis Dermott of the Erie Otters. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Travis Dermott of the Erie Otters.Photo by Terry Wilson/OHL Images

standout who receives recognition this month, being named the OHL’s Defenceman of the Month for November. Helping his club to a league-best 11 wins last month, Dermott led OHL blueliners with one goal, 14 assists and 15 points in 12 games including three multi-point efforts. The 5’11”, 207Ib. rearguard recorded three assistsin a 7-2 win over Peterborough on November 6th, four helpers in a 6-4 win over Oshawa on November 13th and a goal and two assists in a 6-5 loss to Flint on November 22nd. Dermott currently leads all OHL defencemen in scoring this season with two goals, 23 assists and 25 points in 27 contests.

A native of Newmarket, ON, Dermott was Toronto’s second round (34th overall) selection in the 2015 NHL Draft. The mobile defender is in his third OHL season and comes off a sophomore campaign in 2014-15 that included eight goals, 37 assists and 45 points in 61 games. Dermott was one of four OHL defencemen recently invited to Hockey Canada’s National Junior Team Selection Camp that gets underway on December 10th in Toronto.

OHL Rookie of the Month – Alexander Nylander (Mississauga Steelheads):

Nylander, Alexander
Alexander Nylander of the Mississauga Steelheads. Photo by Arron Bell/OHL Images 

For the second straight month, Mississauga Steelheads winger Alexander Nylander is the OHL Rookie of the Month. The Swedish forward matched his October output of 18 points with seven goals and 11 assists in November to go with a plus/minus rating of plus-7. Nylander had points in 10 of his 13 outings, recording two four point efforts with two goals and two assists on November 15th against Sudbury and three goals and a helper on November 20th against North Bay. Nylander currently leads all OHL rookies in scoring by a margin of 19 points with 17 goals, 22 assists and 39 points in 28 games this season.

A native of Södertälje, Sweden, Nylander was Mississauga’s first round, 12th overall pick in the 2015 CHL Import Draft. He helped Sweden claim silver at the 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament this past summer, scoring two goals, four assists and six points in five contests. He is eligible for the 2016 NHL Draft and was one of 11 OHL players listed as first round candidates by NHL Central Scouting in their November ‘Players to Watch’ list.

Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month – Mackenzie Blackwood (Barrie Colts): 
New Jersey Devils prospect Mackenzie Blackwood of the Barrie Colts is the

Mackenzie Blackwood of the Barrie Colts. Photo by Terry Wilson/OHL Images.
Mackenzie Blackwood of the Barrie Colts. Photo by Terry Wilson/OHL Images.

OHL Goaltender of the Month for November. Blackwood played to an 8-2-0-0 record supported by a 2.00 goals-against average and a .942 save percentage with one shutout. The 6’4″, 215Ib. netminder made 27 saves, recording his second shutout of the season to open the month on November 1st before proceeding to make at least 33 saves in three straight victories from Nov. 6 – 14. Blackwood made a season-high 39 saves in a 5-3 win over Saginaw on November 22nd. The Thunder Bay, ON, native limited opponents to one goal or less in six of his 10 November appearances helping the Colts take over first place in the Central Division standings.

New Jersey’s second round (42nd overall) selection in the 2015 NHL Draft, Blackwood has appeared in 23 of Barrie’s 25 games this season, playing to a 16-7-0-0 record while leading the league with a .930 save percentage. He is currently second in both goals-against average (2.39) and minutes played (1,513). Blackwood was one of two goaltenders recently invited to Hockey Canada’s National Junior Team Selection Camp that gets underway on December 10th in Toronto.

2015-16 OHL Top Performers of the Month:

Player of the Month:
November – Dylan Strome (Erie Otters)
October – Alex DeBrincat (Erie Otters)

Defenceman of the Month:
November – Travis Dermott (Erie Otters)
October – Vili Saarijarvi (Flint Firebirds)

Rookie of the Month:
November – Alexander Nylander (Mississauga Steelheads)
October – Alexander Nylander (Mississauga Steelheads)

Vaughn Goaltender of the Month:
November – Mackenzie Blackwood (Barrie Colts)
October – Lucas Peressini (Kingston Frontenacs)

OHL’s Draft Eligible Statistical Leaders: November

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

The calendar has flipped to December and it’s time to look at various statistical leaders among the Ontario Hockey League players eligible for the 2016 National Hockey League Draft.

As always, we only look at players eligible for the first time – those previously passed over are not included – except for goaltenders where we included those passed over a year ago.

Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters leads not only the draft eligible players in points, but the entire OHL. He’s averaged a hair over 2 points per game with 52 in 25 games. He’s followed closely by the London Knights’ Matthew Tkachuk at 48 points in 24 games. DeBrincat’s teammate Taylor Raddysh is at the head of the next tier with 40 points in 26 games while Alexander Nylander closes out the top 5 with 39 points in 28 games.

DeBrincat also leads the entire OHL in goals with 31, a pace that would equal the OHL record for goals in a season of 87. Nylander sits way back in second with 17 goals followed by the Flint Firebirds’ Will Bitten with 14. Tkachuk and the Kitchener Rangers’ Adam Mascherin follow with 12 a piece.

On defence, the Knights’ Olli Juolevi leads the blue liners with 20 points

Olli Juolevi of the London Knights. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Olli Juolevi of the London Knights. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

in24 games. Markus Niemelainen of the Saginaw Spirit is close behind with 18 points in 26 games followed by Cam Dineen of the North Bay Battalion with 17 and Mikhail Sergachev of the Windsor Spitfires with 16 in 27 games. It’s interesting to note that the top four are all rookies.

Here are the remaining statistical leaders.

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