The Niagara IceDogs and the London Knights will battle for the Ontario Hockey League Championship J. Ross Robertson Cup and the chance to represent the OHL at the Memorial Cup.

These same two teams battled for the Championship back in 2012, and after losing game one in double overtime, the Knights went on to win the next four. They would lose in the Memorial Cup Final against the host Shawinigan Cataractes by a score of 2-1 in overtime.

To date, I’ve picked eleven of fourteen series winners correctly. However, picking the correct number of games a series will go has proven to be a futile attempt for anyone. Niagara sweeping the Barrie Colts and Kingston Frontenacs was almost as much of a shock as London sweeping the Erie Otters. But as they say “This is why we play the games.”

Before I break down the Championship series, here’s how we got here:

Round One Results

Western Conference

(1) Erie vs (8) Saginaw: Erie wins four games to zero (my prediction: Erie in four)

(2) Sarnia vs (7) Sault Ste Marie: Sault Ste Marie wins four games to three (my prediction: Sarnia in six)

(3) London vs (6) Owen Sound: London wins four games to two (my prediction: London in five)

(4) Kitchener vs (5) Windsor: Kitchener wins four games to one (my prediction: Windsor in seven)

Eastern Conference

(1) Kingston vs (8) Oshawa: Kingston wins four games to one (my prediction: Kingston in four)

(2) Barrie vs (7) Mississauga: Barrie wins four games to three (my prediction: Barrie in six)

(3) North Bay vs (6) Peterborough: North Bay wins four games to three (my prediction: North Bay in six)

(4) Niagara vs (5) Ottawa: Niagara wins four games to one (my prediction: Niagara in six)

Round Two Results

Western Conference

(1) Erie vs (7) Sault Ste Marie: Erie wins four games to one (my prediction: Erie in six)

(3) London vs (4) Kitchener: London wins 4 games to zero (my prediction: London in 6)

Eastern Conference

(1) Kingston vs (5) Niagara: Niagara wins four games to zero (my prediction: Niagara in seven)

(2) Barrie vs (3) North Bay: Barrie wins four games to zero (my prediction: North Bay in six)

Conference Finals Results

Western Conference

(1) Erie vs (3) London:  London wins four games to zero (my prediction: London in seven)

Eastern Conference

(2) Barrie vs Niagara (5): Niagara wins four games to zero (my prediction: Niagara in seven)

The breakdown:

	London	Niagara
Head to head	1-1-0-0	1-1-0-0
Regular season record	51-14-2-1	35-26-4-3
Playoff record	12-2-0-0	12-1-0-0
Regular season home record	29-3-1-1	17-13-3-1
Playoff home record	5-2-0-0	7-0-0-0
Regular season away record	22-11-1-0	18-13-1-2
Playoff away record	7-0-0-0	5-1-0-0
Goals for regular season	319	213
Goals for playoffs	67	50
Goals against regular season	182	198
Goals against playoffs	33	31
Powerplay regular season	29.2%	19.1%
Powerplay playoffs	29.6%	26.0%
Penalty kill regular season	82.3%	84.2%
Penalty kill playoffs	73.6%	79.6%
Leading after first regular season	38-2-1-1	19-2-1-2
Leading after first playoffs	5-0-0-0	5-0-0-0
Leading after second regular season	44-0-1-1	27-3-1-1
Leading after second playoffs	9-0-0-0	9-0-0-0
Trailing after first regular season	6-8-1-0	4-15-1-1
Trailing after first playoffs	4-0-0-0	3-1-0-0
Trailing after second regular season	5-11-1-0	3-20-2-0
Trailing after second playoffs	2-1-1-0	2-1-0-0
One goal games regular season	9-4-2-1	10-6-4-3
One goal games playoffs	1-0-1-0	6-0-0-0

The IceDogs hold two huge advantages heading into the series, the first being goaltending. Alex Nedeljkovic has been nothing short of spectacular in these playoffs and he has shown time and again that not only is he capable of stealing a game, but a series. His Team USA counterpart Tyler Parsons has been no slouch for the Knights. My top ranked OHL goaltender for the NHL Draft for some time now has answered the bell when called upon. But in a winner take all scenarios, there isn’t a goaltender in the OHL I’d rather have than Nedeljkovic.

The second advantage belonging to the IceDogs is experience. And they have plenty of it. Their roster consists of thirteen players with a 1995 or 1996 birthdate compared to nine for the Knights. The IceDogs have four players in the lineup eligible for the 2016 NHL draft. Barring a complete meltdown or injury though, don’t expect Stephen Dhillon to get a start. The Knights on the other hand will have seven, led by Parsons.

The Knights hold a big advantage in the fact that they can throw the line of Matthew Tkachuk, Christian Dvorak and Mitchell Marner on the ice for 24 minutes per game and they’ve been scoring almost at will through these playoffs with Marner poised to set a franchise record for points in playoff year. As good as Nedeljkovic has been, he’s going to have to be even better to keep the trio from dominating the scoresheet.

Here are the teams’ leading scorers:

Player	Team	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-
Mitch Marner	London	14	15	22	37	+24
Matthew Tkachuk	London	14	16	17	33	+20
Christian Dvorak	London	14	10	16	26	+22
Josh Ho-Sang	Niagara	13	5	16	21	+7
Pavel Jenys	Niagara	13	7	6	13	+8
Stephen Harper	Niagara	13	4	8	12	+8

As in any playoff at any level, special teams will play a huge role. The Knights’ powerplay dominated in the regular season and with the exception of a hiccup have continued to do so in the playoffs with no drop off, in fact they have shown an ever so slight improvement.

The IceDogs on the other hand had a major improvement from the regular season to the playoffs of almost seven percent with the man advantage largely due to in season acquisitions Stephen Harper and Pavel Jenys and gelling at just the right time. Josh Ho-Sang has been nothing short of brilliant setting up his mates and leads all players with 10 powerplay helpers.

This is a tough series to predict. The IceDogs underachieved in the regular season and have peaked at just the right time. Despite picking them to win up until now, no one could have expected them to sweep through the Kingston Frontenacs and the Barrie Colts without losing a game. I also don’t think anyone would have predicted the Knights sweeping the Kitchener Rangers or the Erie Otters. If anyone bet on any of those scenarios happening, I’d like to shake their hand.

I find it difficult to bet against Nedeljkovic. To date, he is my M.V.P. of the playoffs. But I find it equally as difficult to bet against the trio of Tkachuk, Dvorak and Marner.

That said, here is my prediction:

London Knights in six games.

Steelheads’ Nicolas Hague, Damian Bourne, and Firebirds’ Kyle Keyser earn Academic Honours

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the recipients of the league’s three Academic Player of the Year awards for the 2015-16 season.

Nicolas Hague of the Mississauga Steelheads is the recipient of the Bobby Smith Trophy as Scholastic Player of the Year, with Kyle Keyser of the Flint Firebirds named the Ivan Tennant Memorial Award recipient as Top High School Student, and the Steelheads’ Damian Bourne the Roger Neilson Memorial Award recipient as Top Post-Secondary School Student.

All three players will be formally presented with their awards at the annual OHL Awards Ceremony on Tuesday June 7.  Hague will be the OHL’s nominee for CHL Scholastic Player of the Year which will be announced on Saturday May 28 as part of the events at the 2016 MasterCard Memorial Cup in Red Deer.

Bobby Smith Trophy (OHL Scholastic Player of the Year) – Nicolas Hague, Mississauga Steelheads

Nicolas Hague earns OHL Scholastic Player of the Year honours achieving an 82% Grade 12 average at Philip Pocock Catholic Secondary School in Mississauga.  The Steelheads’ defenceman carried a full course load this season studying pre University level Accounting, Canadian Law, Chemistry, Data Management, English, and Philosophy.

“I think it is important to balance hockey and school, and I pride myself on making sure I always keep both a priority,” said Hague. “I know that there will always be a life after hockey and I want to make sure I am ready for it. It is a huge honour to be recognized for my work away from the rink.”

On the ice, the 17-year-old from Kitchener, ON, scored 14 goals and 10 assists for 24 points in 66 games played.  Eligible for the 2017 NHL Draft, Hague was named to the OHL’s Second All-Rookie Team and recently represented Canada at the IIHF World Under-18 Championship.

“Nic Hague was an excellent student when he joined our club and has remained an excellent student through his transition into the OHL with the Steelheads,” said James Boyd, Steelheads General Manager and Head Coach. “The Bobby Smith Award is a credit to Nic’s diligent approach to both his studies ‎and hockey.”

Each year the Bobby Smith Trophy is presented to the OHL Scholastic Player of the year who best combines high standards of play and academic excellence.  The trophy is in honour of Bobby Smith, a former Ottawa 67’s star who exhibited a standard of excellence in both of these areas.  First presented in 1980, Hague is the first member of the Steelheads to win the award.  Past winners also include three-time winner Dustin Brown (Guelph 2001-03), Steven Stamkos (Sarnia 2007), Matt Duchene (Brampton 2009), Dougie Hamilton (Niagara 2011), and back-to-back recipient Connor McDavid (Erie 2014-15).

Finalists for the award include 2016 NHL Draft prospects Jordan Kyrou of the Sarnia Sting, and Adam Mascherin of the Kitchener Rangers.

Ivan Tennant Memorial Award (Top Academic High School Student) – Kyle Keyser, Flint Firebirds

Kyle Keyser, a 17-year-old rookie from Coral Springs, Florida, achieved a 95% average during the 2015-16 academic year with a full six-course workload at Grand Blanc High School where he studied American Government, American Literature, Business, Chemistry, Economics, and Life Skills.

“It feels great to earn the Ivan Tennant Memorial Award in my first season in the OHL,” said Keyser. “It took a lot of hard work but I received a ton of help from my academic advisors, teachers and teammates. It takes a group effort to accomplish this and I am really thankful.”

Selected by the Firebirds in the fourth round of the 2015 OHL Priority Selection, Keyser picked up his first OHL win in his first career start on October 4 with 28 saves in a 2-1 triumph over the Mississauga Steelheads and was later recognized as October’s West Division Academic Player of the Month.

“This is a well deserved award for Kyle,” said Joe Stefan, Firebirds Interim Head Coach and Assistant General Manager. “He is a very mature young man for his age and did a great job of keeping up with his studies being a first year player in this league with a demanding schedule. He understands that keeping up with your studies goes a long way for his future both on and off the ice.”

The Ivan Tennant Memorial Award is given to the Top Academic High School Player and is named in honour of Ivan Tennant, who spent a lifetime combining hockey and education.  He was the Kitchener Rangers’ Education Consultant for 20 years and a key figure on the OHL’s Education Consultant’s Committee.  First presented in 2005, past recipients include brothers Matt and Adam Pelech (Sarnia 2005 and Erie 2012), Freddie and Dougie Hamilton (Niagara 2009 and 2010), and last year’s winner Stephen Dhillon of the IceDogs.

Finalists for the award include Sasha Chmelevski of the Sarnia Sting, and Kaden Fulcher of the Hamilton Bulldogs.

Roger Neilson Memorial Award (Top Post-Secondary Student) – Damian Bourne, Mississauga Steelheads

Damian Bourne, a 20-year-old from Oakville, ON, is attending Ryerson University where he has excelled in courses that include Human Resources Management, Introduction to Astronomy, Introduction to Psychology, and Principles of Marketing.

“I am very honoured to win this award,” said Bourne. “I believe it is important to have a balance of school and hockey. I would not have been able to achieve such marks without the help of our Academic Advisor Lauren Wilson, Jan Egert, and the rest of the Hockey Operations Staff within the Mississauga Steelheads. They have helped me balance the pressures of University and the strenuous OHL season.”

 Playing in his fourth OHL season, the Steelheads alternate captain was the club’s first round pick in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection and scored nine goals and 17 assists for 26 points in 57 games during the 2015-16 campaign.

“Damian is a hard working, determined player, and those same qualities are reflected in his approach to his post-secondary studies,” said James Boyd, Steelheads General Manager and Head Coach. Damian is deserving of this important award.”

The Roger Neilson Memorial Award is named in honour of the Hall of Fame Coach who served behind the Peterborough Petes bench in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s.  Neilson, a former high school teacher, was a pioneer in stressing the importance of education to all of his players.  First presented in 2005, Bourne is the first member of the Steelheads to win the award.  Past recipients include two-time winners Dan Battochio (Ottawa 2005-06) and Derek Lanoue (Windsor 2010-11), while Justin Nichols (Guelph 2015) was last year’s winner.

Finalists for the award include Nathan Billitier of the Kingston Frontenacs, and Austin Hall of the Guelph Storm.

All 20 of the OHL’s member clubs provide nominees for each award with the Bobby Smith Trophy nominees representing the 2015-16 OHL Scholastic Team:

2015-16 OHL Scholastic Team:

Barrie Colts – Ruan Badenhorst

Erie Otters – Jordan Sambrook

Flint Firebirds – Kyle Keyser

Guelph Storm – Austin Hall

Hamilton Bulldogs – Matthew Strome

Kingston Frontenacs – Nathan Billitier

Kitchener Rangers – Adam Mascherin*

London Knights – Cliff Pu

Mississauga Steelheads – Nicolas Hague

Niagara IceDogs – Stephen Dhillon

North Bay Battalion – Jacob Ramalho

Oshawa Generals – Riley Stillman

Ottawa 67’s – Austen Keating

Owen Sound Attack – Markus Phillips

Peterborough Petes – Zach Gallant

Saginaw Spirit – Brady Gilmour

Sarnia Sting – Jordan Kyrou

Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds – Conor Timmins

Sudbury Wolves – Michael Pezzetta*

Windsor Spitfires – Michael DiPietro

*member of 2014-15 OHL Scholastic Team

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey league today announced that forward Scott Eansor of the Seattle Thunderbirds is the CHL Player of the Week for the playoff week ending April 24 after scoring three goals in two games with a plus-minus rating of plus-3.

Eansor scored three of his club’s five goals on the road last week including both game-winners helping the Thunderbirds take a 2-0 series lead in the WHL’s Western Conference Championship against the Kelowna Rockets.  Eansor picked up a second period tally in Game 1 on Friday night as the Thunderbirds held on for a 2-1 win, then scored twice in Saturday’s Game 2 including a late third period marker that broke a 2-2 tie earning first star honours in the 3-2 triumph.  The Thunderbirds and Rockets resume their best-of-seven battle Tuesday and Wednesday night in Seattle.

A 20-year-old from Engelwood, Colorado, Eansor is playing in his third WHL campaign with the Thunderbirds.  The 2016 U.S. National Junior Team member has seven goals and two assists for nine points in 11 games so far this post-season after producing 42 points in 55 regular season contests.

Also considered for the award this week was 2016 NHL Draft prospect Matthew Tkachuk of the London Knights who scored four goals and two assists for six points in two games of the OHL’s Western Conference Championship Series against the Erie Otters.  In the QMJHL, Boston Bruins prospect Jakub Zboril of the Saint John Sea Dogs scored once with four assists for five points in three games including a Game 7 triumph over the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles and two games against the Shawinigan Cataractes in the QMJHL Semi-Finals.

2015-16 CHL Post-Season Players of the Week:

Apr. 18 – Apr. 24: Scott Eansor (Seattle Thunderbirds)
Apr. 11 – Apr. 17: Thomas Chabot (Saint John Sea Dogs)
Apr. 4 – Apr. 10: Mitch Marner (London Knights)
Mar. 28 – Apr. 3: Matthew Tkachuk (London Knights)
Mar. 21 – Mar. 27: Timo Meier (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)

2015-16 CHL Regular Season Players of the Week:

Mar. 14 – Mar. 20: Tyler Soy (Victoria Royals)
Mar. 7 – Mar. 13: Andrew Mangiapane (Barrie Colts)
Feb. 29 – Mar. 6: Jayce Hawryluk (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Feb. 22 – Feb. 28: Tyler Wong (Lethbridge Hurricanes)
Feb. 15 – Feb. 21: Adam Brooks (Regina Pats)
Feb. 8 – Feb. 14: Kevin Labanc (Barrie Colts)
Feb. 1 – Feb. 7: Ivan Provorov (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Jan. 25 – Jan. 31: Frédéric Allard (Chicoutimi Sagueneens)
Jan. 18 – Jan. 24: Giorgio Estephan (Lethbridge Hurricanes)
Jan. 11 – Jan. 17: Reid Gardiner (Prince Albert Raiders)
Jan. 4 – Jan. 10: Maxime Comtois (Victoriaville Tigres)
Dec. 28 – Jan. 3: Kevin Labanc (Barrie Colts)
Dec. 14 – Dec. 20: Brendan Lemieux (Windsor Spitfires)
Dec. 7 – Dec. 13: Christian Dvorak (London Knights)
Nov. 30 – Dec. 6: Mitchell Marner (London Knights)
Nov. 23 – Nov. 29: Conor Garland (Moncton Wildcats)
Nov. 16 – Nov. 22: Pierre-Luc Dubois (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)
Nov. 9 – Nov. 15: Dylan Strome (Erie Otters)
Nov. 2 – Nov. 8: Nikolas Brouillard (Quebec Remparts)
Oct. 26 – Nov. 1: Mathew Barzal (Seattle Thunderbirds)
Oct. 19 – Oct. 25: Kevin Labanc (Barrie Colts)
Oct. 12 – Oct. 18: Zach Bratina (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 5 – Oct. 11: Dennis Yan (Shawinigan Cataractes)
Sept. 28 – Oct. 4: Conor Garland (Moncton Wildcats)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 27: Alex Forsberg (Victoria Royals)

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Landon Bow of the Seattle Thunderbirds is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the playoff week ending April 24 after posting a 2-0-0-0 record with a goals-against-average of 1.50 and save percentage of .944.

Bow made 51 saves backstopping the Thunderbirds to a pair of road victories against the Kelowna Rockets for a 2-0 series lead in the WHL’s Western Conference Championship.  On Friday night he earned first star honours in Game 1 with 23 saves as part of the 2-1 victory, then stopped 28 shots on Saturday night in Game 2 preserving the 3-2 win.  The series now shifts to Seattle for Game’s 3 and 4 on Tuesday and Wednesday night respectively.

A 20-year-old from St. Albert, AB, Bow is playing in his fourth WHL season and first with the Thunderbirds after being acquired from the Swift Current Broncos earlier this season.  So far in the 2016 WHL Playoffs Bow has produced a 10-1-0-0 record with two shutout victories along with a goals-against-average of 1.43 and save percentage of .938.

Also considered for the award this week was Carolina Hurricanes prospect Alex Nedeljkovic of the Niagara IceDogs who went 2-0-0-0 in the OHL’s Eastern Conference Championship Series against the Barrie Colts with a 1.50 goals-against-average and a .947 save percentage.  In the QMJHL, two-time playoff award recipient Chase Marchand of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies went 1-1-0-0 with a goals-against-average of 2.51 and save percentage of .912 in their Semi-Final series against the Moncton Wildcats.

2015-16 Vaughn CHL Post-Season Goaltenders of the Week:

Apr. 18 – Apr. 24: Landon Bow (Seattle Thunderbirds)
Apr. 11 – Apr. 17: Chase Marchand (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)
Apr. 4 – Apr. 10: Alex Nedeljkovic (Niagara IceDogs)
Mar. 28 – Apr. 3: Samuel Montembeault (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)
Mar. 21 – Mar. 27: Chase Marchand (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)

2015-16 Vaughn CHL Regular Season Goaltenders of the Week:

Mar. 14 – Mar. 20: Reilly Pickard (Acadie-Bathurst Titan)
Mar. 7 – Mar. 13: Landon Bow (Seattle Thunderbirds)
Feb. 29 – Mar. 6: Connor Ingram (Kamloops Blazers)
Feb. 22 – Feb. 28: Devin Williams (Erie Otters)
Feb. 15 – Feb. 21: Zach Sawchenko (Moose Jaw Warriors)
Feb. 8 – Feb. 14: Leo Lazarev (Ottawa 67’s)
Feb. 1 – Feb. 7: Taz Burman (Swift Current Broncos)
Jan. 25 – Jan. 31: Luke Opilka (Kitchener Rangers)
Jan. 18 – Jan. 24: Jordan Papirny (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Jan. 11 – Jan. 17: Zach Sawchenko (Moose Jaw Warriors)
Jan. 4 – Jan. 10: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)
Dec. 28 – Jan. 3: Étienne Montpetit (Val-d’Or Foreurs)
Dec. 14 – Dec. 20: Callum Booth (Quebec Remparts)
Dec. 7 – Dec. 13: Jack Flinn (Mississauga Steelheads)
Nov. 30 – Dec. 6: Ty Edmonds (Prince George Cougars)
Nov. 23 – Nov. 29: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 16 – Nov. 22: Keven Bouchard (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)
Nov. 9 – Nov. 15: Devin Williams (Erie Otters)
Nov. 2 – Nov. 8: Etienne Montpetit (Val-d’Or Foreurs)
Oct. 26 – Nov. 1: Tyler Parsons (London Knights)
Oct. 19 – Oct. 25: Adin Hill (Portland Winterhawks)
Oct. 12 – Oct. 18: Julio Billia (Chicoutimi Sagueneens)
Oct. 5 – Oct. 11: Coleman Vollrath (Victoria Royals)
Sept. 28 – Oct. 4: Louis-Philip Guindon (Rimouski Oceanic)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 27: Zack Bowman (Flint Firebirds)

The Red Tilson Trophy is handed out to the Ontario Hockey League’s most outstanding player. Since it is the only award voted on by OHL Sportswriters and Broadcasters (yours truly has submitted his vote), I am going to focus strictly on that award.

The process as it stands now has each of the twenty OHL Teams submit their nominee for the most outstanding player and the sportswriters and broadcasters vote on their first, second and third place choices from that list of twenty. Write in ballots are not allowed.

Is that a fair process? I’m not sure that it is. Two specific examples I cite that will suggest a change is needed:

First, the Erie Otters nominated goaltender Devin Williams as their most outstanding player. I’m not suggesting that Williams is not worthy of recognition, he is, but I would argue that so are Dylan Strome and Alex DeBrincat. Will allowing the three Otters to be eligible “split” the vote? Maybe, but it also has the effect of having writers and broadcasters that don’t see Williams as their most outstanding players vote for an alternative, at least in some circumstances.

Second, Mitch Marner is the London Knights’ nominee and I can’t find anyone who doesn’t think that his teammate Christian Dvorak should receive consideration. Knights Assistant General Manager Rob Simpson told the London Free Press “We actually flipped a coin to decide because the league came back and told us we couldn’t put two on the ballot and we couldn’t come to a decision because they should both be on there.”

Is there something wrong with having two Otters or two Knights finishing first and second?

With all due respect to the players in the OHL, but are the players I’ve mentioned not more deserving than nominees from the Sudbury Wolves, Guelph Storm, Hamilton Bulldogs or Flint Firebirds whose teams didn’t qualify for the playoffs?

I have confidence in the knowledge of the OHL writers and broadcasters to make the right choice in an open ballet. I think we’d see a different result if an open ballet were allowed over the “controlled” vote we have today. I can only speak for myself, but I know my votes would have been different if everyone were to be eligible.

It’s time for a change.

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Los Angeles Kings prospect Mike Amadio of the North Bay Battalion is the 2015-16 recipient of the William Hanley Trophy awarded to the OHL’s Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year.

Amadio finished ninth in league scoring with 98 points including 50 goals and 48 assists in 68 games played with a plus-minus rating of plus-30.  He recorded 40 penalty minutes in 2015-16 including just 12 in his final 32 games since January 7.  The 19-year-old from Sault Ste. Marie, ON, is the third member of the Battalion to win the award following Cody Hodgson in 2009, and Wojtek Wolski in 2006.

“I’m very happy to be named the Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year,” said Amadio. “It’s an honour and a great feeling.”

Amadio played four seasons with the Troops after being chosen by the club in the second round of the 2012 OHL Priority Selection.  His 50 goals this season are a new franchise record surpassing Wolski’s mark of 47 set during his award winning campaign in 2005-06, while his eight shorthanded goals tied for the league-lead and are also a new team record surpassing Barclay Goodrow’s seven scored in 2013-14.  The captain had 24 multi-point performances this season including a career-high six-point effort on November 15 against the Barrie Colts, followed by a Battalion record five goals on February 13 against the Kingston Frontenacs.  His 226 career points rank fourth all-time for the Battalion behind Wolski (328), Hodgson (243), and Goodrow (229).

“I’m happy for Mike, he’s a player that plays by the rules and also plays hard,” said Battalion Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Stan Butler. “He shows that you can be a good offensive player and compete and still play in a way that you can win an award like that.”

Selected by the Kings in the third round of the 2014 NHL Draft, Amadio signed his entry-level contract with the club in March.  The forward dominated voting in the Eastern Conference Coaches Poll by appearing in the Top-3 in seven different categories finishing first in four including Smartest Player, Hardest Worker, Best Shot, and Best Defensive Forward.  He was also recognized with second place votes in categories that include Most Dangerous in the Goal Area, Best on Face-Offs, and Best Penalty Killer.

The William Hanley Trophy is awarded each year based on a selection by the 20 General Managers of the Ontario Hockey League.  All 20 teams submit a nominee but are not permitted to vote for their own candidate with players receiving five points for a first place vote, three points for a second place vote, and one point for a third place vote.  The trophy is presented by the OHL to commemorate William Hanley, former Secretary-Manager of the Ontario Hockey Association for over 25 years.

Amadio led the voting process by receiving 65 voting points.  Arizona Coyotes prospect Christian Dvorak of the London Knights is the runner-up for the second straight season receiving 45 voting points, while fellow Kings prospect Spencer Watson of the Kingston Frontenacs finished in third place receiving 41 voting points.

Former winners of the William Hanley Trophy first presented in 1961 include Wayne Gretzky (Sault Ste. Marie 1977-78), Kirk Muller (Guelph 1982-83), Brian Campbell (Ottawa 1998-99), Jeff Carter (Sault Ste. Marie 2004-05), Brandon Saad (Saginaw 2011-12), Connor McDavid (2013-14), and Dylan Strome (2014-15).  The award was twice won by members of the North Bay Centennials including John Spoltore (1991-92) and Vitali Yachmenev (1994-95).

Amadio will be formally presented with the William Hanley Trophy at the 2015-16 OHL Awards Ceremony set for Tuesday June 7 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.  He will also be the OHL’s nominee for Sportsman of the Year at the Annual CHL Awards held as part of the MasterCard Memorial Cup festivities on Saturday May 28 in Red Deer, AB.

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that San Jose Sharks prospect Kevin Labanc of the Barrie Colts is the 2015-16 recipient of the Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy awarded annually to the OHL’s Overage Player of the Year.

Labanc led the OHL in scoring and set a new team record with 127 points in 65 games including 39 goals and 88 assists and was a league-high plus-60.  He is the second straight member of the Colts to win the award and third all-time following Joseph Blandisi (2015) and Bryan Cameron (2010).

“I’m honoured to have won this award,” said Labanc. “It’s been a privilege to play for the Colts throughout my time in the league and this is an unbelievable way to cap off my junior career with this organization. We still have plenty of hockey to play here, but it’s exciting to be recognized with this.”

A 20-year-old from Staten Island, New York, Labanc was originally chosen by the Colts in the sixth round of the 2011 OHL Priority Selection before joining the club in 2013.  In three seasons the veteran played in 198 career games accumulating 269 points which ranks fourth among Barrie’s all-time greats.  During the 2015-16 campaign he recorded 42 multi-point games and surpassed his own Colts record for assists in a season.  His name is also etched in team record books tying a single game mark with seven points including three goals and four assists on January 2 against North Bay, while his eight shorthanded goals this season were tied for a league-high and helped the Colts set a new OHL record with 28.  Labanc is also one of just four players in franchise history to record back-to-back 100 point seasons helping the Colts capture their second straight Central Division title.

“Our organization as a whole is extremely proud of Kevin,” said Colts Head Coach Dale Hawerchuk. “He has put in a lot of hard work as a Barrie Colt and we have seen improvement every single year. Being recognized at a league level speaks volumes about his on ice dedication as well as the work he has put in off the ice over his time here. It’s been exciting to watch him play and grow as a young man and a hockey player. We wish him all the best in his professional career with the Sharks.”

A sixth round pick of the Sharks in the 2014 NHL Draft, Labanc was signed to an entry-level contract in March.  Additional accolades for Labanc this season include Player of the Month honours in January, and a league-high four different Player of the Week awards.  In the Eastern Conference Coaches Poll he was voted Best Playmaker, Best Penalty Killer, second Smartest Player, second Most Dangerous in the Goal Area, and third Best Stickhandler.

The Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the Top Overage Player of the Year as selected by OHL General Managers.  Teams were asked to submit a nominee for the award and were not permitted to vote for players from their own hockey club. Players received five points for a first place vote, three points for a second place vote and one point for a third place vote.

Labanc received 89 of a possible 95 points in the voting process ahead of goaltender Devin Williams of the Erie Otters who received 35 voting points, and London Knights forward Aaron Berisha who finished in third place with 24 voting points.

First presented in 1984, former winners of the trophy include Bill Bowler (Windsor, 1994-95), Dan Tessier (Ottawa 99-00), Chad LaRose (Plymouth 2002-03), Andre Benoit (Kitchener 2004-05), Ryan Callahan (Guelph, 2005-06), Jason Akeson (Kitchener 2010-11), Andrew Agozzino (Niagara 2011-12), and Dane Fox (Erie 2013-14).

The Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy was donated by the trainers of the Ontario Hockey League, in memory of the late Leo Lalonde, former Chief Scout of OHL Central Scouting.  Leo Lalonde was also formerly the Chief Scout for the Belleville Bulls as well as a scout for the Peterborough Petes.

Labanc will be formally presented with the Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy at the 2015-16 OHL Awards Ceremony scheduled for June 7at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Ottawa Senators prospect Thomas Chabot of the Saint John Sea Dogs is the CHL Player of the Week for the playoff week ending April 17 after recording 10 assists in four games with a plus-minus rating of plus-2.

Chabot produced three multi-point performances helping the Sea Dogs win two games last week in a tight QMJHL Quarter-Final series against the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.  He opened the week by tying a club record for assists by a defenceman with four as part of a 5-2 Game 3 victory on Monday earning second star honours.  On Tuesday night he was held without a point in a 4-1 loss in Game 4, then picked up two assists on Friday despite a 4-3 loss in Game 5.  Facing elimination, the Sea Dogs delivered a 5-4 victory on the road in Game 6 on Sunday with Chabot once again collecting four assists and second star honours.  Game 7 of the series takes place on Tuesday night in Saint John.

A 19-year-old from Ste-Marie-de-Beauce, Quebec, Chabot is playing in his third career QMJHL season.  Originally a second round pick of the Sea Dogs in the 2013 QMJHL Entry Draft, Chabot was taken in the first round by the Senators in the 2015 NHL Draft.  He is currently fourth in QMJHL playoff scoring with 16 points in 11 games after finishing tied for 10th in scoring among defencemen with 45 points in 47 games.

Also considered for the award this week was San Jose Sharks prospect Kevin Labanc of the Barrie Colts who scored twice with five assists for seven points in three games against the North Bay Battalion, and Jayden Halbgewachs of the Moose Jaw Warriors who scored five goals and three assists for eight points in three games against the Brandon Wheat Kings.

2015-16 CHL Post-Season Players of the Week:

Apr. 11 – Apr. 17: Thomas Chabot (Saint John Sea Dogs)
Apr. 4 – Apr. 10: Mitch Marner (London Knights)
Mar. 28 – Apr. 3: Matthew Tkachuk (London Knights)
Mar. 21 – Mar. 27: Timo Meier (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)

2015-16 CHL Regular Season Players of the Week:

Mar. 14 – Mar. 20: Tyler Soy (Victoria Royals)
Mar. 7 – Mar. 13: Andrew Mangiapane (Barrie Colts)
Feb. 29 – Mar. 6: Jayce Hawryluk (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Feb. 22 – Feb. 28: Tyler Wong (Lethbridge Hurricanes)
Feb. 15 – Feb. 21: Adam Brooks (Regina Pats)
Feb. 8 – Feb. 14: Kevin Labanc (Barrie Colts)
Feb. 1 – Feb. 7: Ivan Provorov (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Jan. 25 – Jan. 31: Frédéric Allard (Chicoutimi Sagueneens)
Jan. 18 – Jan. 24: Giorgio Estephan (Lethbridge Hurricanes)
Jan. 11 – Jan. 17: Reid Gardiner (Prince Albert Raiders)
Jan. 4 – Jan. 10: Maxime Comtois (Victoriaville Tigres)
Dec. 28 – Jan. 3: Kevin Labanc (Barrie Colts)
Dec. 14 – Dec. 20: Brendan Lemieux (Windsor Spitfires)
Dec. 7 – Dec. 13: Christian Dvorak (London Knights)
Nov. 30 – Dec. 6: Mitchell Marner (London Knights)
Nov. 23 – Nov. 29: Conor Garland (Moncton Wildcats)
Nov. 16 – Nov. 22: Pierre-Luc Dubois (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)
Nov. 9 – Nov. 15: Dylan Strome (Erie Otters)
Nov. 2 – Nov. 8: Nikolas Brouillard (Quebec Remparts)
Oct. 26 – Nov. 1: Mathew Barzal (Seattle Thunderbirds)
Oct. 19 – Oct. 25: Kevin Labanc (Barrie Colts)
Oct. 12 – Oct. 18: Zach Bratina (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 5 – Oct. 11: Dennis Yan (Shawinigan Cataractes)
Sept. 28 – Oct. 4: Conor Garland (Moncton Wildcats)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 27: Alex Forsberg (Victoria Royals)