Month: October 2016

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Ottawa Senators prospect Logan Brown of the Windsor Spitfires is the Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week for the week ending October 9 after recording two goals and six assists for eight points in three games with a plus-minus rating of plus-2.

Brown extended his season-long point-streak to six games with three multi-point performances last week helping the 2017 Mastercard Memorial Cup hosts earn a trio of victories.  On Thursday night he scored a goal and an assist as third star of a 4-2 win over the Mississauga Steelheads, then repeated the offensive output Friday in a 5-4 road win over the Guelph Storm.  Brown’s week wrapped upSunday where he matched a career-high with four assists including the setup of Jalen Chatfield’s overtime winner to earn second star honours in a 5-4 triumph over the London Knights.

An 18-year-old from Chesterfield, Missouri, Brown is playing in his third career OHL season with the Spitfires who currently lead the Western Conference standings with a 6-2-0-0 record.  The 11th overall pick of the Senators in the 2016 NHL Draft ranks fourth in league scoring with 14 points in six games including three goals and 11 assists after recording 21 goals and 53 assists for 74 points in 59 games played in the 2015-16 season.

Watch video highlights of Brown and the Spitfires against the Steelheads, Storm, and Knights.

Also considered for the award this week was Chicago Blackhawks prospect Alex DeBrincat who returned to the Erie Otters lineup and scored four goals and four assists for eight points in his first three games of the season, and Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Nikita Korostelev who scored four goals and one assist for five points plus a pair of shootout markers in two victories for the Sarnia Sting.  In goal, the Otters’ Troy Timpano posted a 2-0-0-0 record including a shutout victory with a goals-against-average of 1.50 and save percentage of .943.

2016-17 Pioneer Energy OHL Players of the Week:

Oct. 3 – Oct. 9: Logan Brown (Windsor Spitfires)
Sept. 26 – Oct. 2: Joseph Raaymakers (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 25: Matt Luff (Hamilton Bulldogs)

Toronto, ON – It’s the third week of the 2016-17 Ontario Hockey League season with a long weekend ahead that features 26 games tonight through Monday.

 Here’s a look at what’s been happening around the league.

NHL TRAINING CAMP TRACKER:

A total of 16 OHL players eligible for the 2016-17 season remain on NHL preseason rosters as of Thursday, putting their best foot forward with their respective clubs. 164 OHL players were initially invited to NHL Training Camps. Take a look at who remains: FULL LIST

76 OHL PLAYERS AMONG NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING ‘PLAYERS TO WATCH’:

76 players from the Ontario Hockey League were listed among NHL Central Scouting’s October ‘Players to Watch’ list for the 2017 NHL Draft which takes place June 23-24 in Chicago, Illinois. FULL LIST

198 OHL GRADS ON CIS ROSTERS TO OPEN 2016-17 SEASON:

A total of 198 OHL graduates are beginning the 2016-17 season on Canadian Interuniversity Sport Men’s Hockey rosters, pursuing their goals on the ice and in the classroom through their OHL Scholarship Package.  Of the 198 grads, 148 are competing among 17 different OUA schools representing approximately 25% of the 20-team conference.  47 grads are also competing in the AUS conference, with three former players in CWUAA.  34 of the 198 players competed in the OHL last season.  FULL LIST

 GREYHOUNDS’ JOSEPH RAAYMAKERS NAMED OHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

Goaltender Joseph Raaymakers of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds is the Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week for the week ending October 2 after posting a 3-0-0-0 record with a goals-against-average of 1.94 and save percentage of .930. Raaymakers returned from New York Rangers Training Camp and into the Greyhounds crease stopping 80 shots and helping the club to three straight road victories over tough Western Conference opposition last week. FULL STORY

 Raaymakers was also a featured guest in this week’s segment of OHL News – Radio Edition with host Terry Doyle, presented by Warrior: LISTEN.

67’s’ TYANULIN HEADLINES 2ND EDITION OF OHL PLAYS OF THE WEEK:

Ottawa 67’s forward Artur Tyanulin captured top honours in the second edition of the OHL Plays of the Week. Other standout plays came from Ethan Szypula (Owen Sound), Niki Petti (Hamilton Bulldogs), Nick McHugh (Kitchener) and Tyler Johnson (London). WATCH

 GREYHOUNDS’ RAAYMAKERS LEADS JANES SAVES OF THE WEEK:

The second edition of #JanesSaves includes big stops from David Ovsjannikov (Barrie), Dylan Wells (Peterborough), Emanuel Vella (London), Olivier Lafreniere (Ottawa), Riley Daniels (Owen Sound), Stephen Dhillon (Niagara), Tyler Johnson (London) and Joseph Raaymakers (Sault Ste. Marie)! #JanesSaves features the top saves from around the OHL this week! WATCH

FIRST GOALS AND A NEW RECORD IN SECOND EDITION OF MILESTONE MOMENTS:

24 players recorded their first OHL goal this past week while Owen Sound’s Petrus Palmu set a new Attack franchise record (tying an OHL record) for the fastest goal to start a period four seconds into action. First goals featured Nick Pryce (Owen Sound), Matyas Svoboda,  Zach Gallant and Nick Isaacson (Peterborough), Barrett Hayton and Otto Makinen (Sault Ste. Marie), Ben Evans (Ottawa), Linus Nyman (Kingston), Marian Studenic and Isaac Nurse (Hamilton), Eric Guest, Riley Damiani and Giovanni Vallati (Kitchener), Shaw Boomhower (Mississauga), Filip Helt and Adam Ruzicka (Sarnia), Drake Pilon and Owen Lane (Sudbury), Tyler Tucker (Barrie), Liam Ham and Hayden Davis (Niagara), Alex Formenton and Janne Kuokkanen (London) and Albert Michnac (Guelph). WATCH

ICEDOGS CELEBRATE 10 YEARS, SALUTE HOCKEY HISTORY IN ST. CATHARINES:

An eventful weekend in St. Catharines saw the IceDogs unveil their 2016 Eastern Conference Championship banner as they celebrate 10 years in the Niagara Region. The IceDogs also honoured the 1954 and 1960 Mastercard Memorial Cup champion St. Catharines Teepees prior to Saturday’s home game. FULL STORY

ICEDOGS’ KNOTT SIGNS WITH BLACKHAWKS, FIREBIRDS SMERECK SIGNS WITH COYOTES:

Niagara IceDogs forward Graham Knott has signed a three-year, entry level NHL contract with the Chicago Blackhawks. Knott, was Chicago’s second round (54th overall) selection in the 2015 NHL Draft, recently returned from Blackhawks training camp. He recorded 42 points (12-30–42) over 68 games with the IceDogs last season. FULL STORY

 Flint Firebirds defenceman Jalen Smereck has also signed a three-year, entry level NHL contract with the Arizona Coyotes after attending camp as a free agent invite.  The 19-year-old becomes the first Firebird to be signed to an NHL contract and was acquired by Flint in the off-season after playing one season with the Oshawa Generals.  FULL STORY

 COMMUNITY CORNER:
Spitfires host ‘Cans for a Cause’ on Sunday: The Windsor Spitfires have teamed up with AM800 to host their annual ‘Cans For a Cause’ game. Fans are encouraged to bring a canned good to the game in support of local food banks.

Rangers host Thanksgiving food drive on Monday: Fans are asked to bring non-perishable food donations to Monday’s Kitchener Rangers clash with the visiting Guelph Storm. The Rangers have partnered with the Food Bank of Waterloo Region in an effort to feed the community. Fans may also make financial donations to the Onkel Hans Food Drive, with $20 feeding a family for four days.

Spirit build accessibility ramp for United Way: The Saginaw Spirit were out getting their hands dirty last week, doing good work in the community as 10 players and the entire coaching staff partnered with The United Way of Saginaw County for the Annual Project Independence Ramp Build. Project Independence will install 12 mobility ramps in the Saginaw area this year, bringing their total to 121 installed, free of charge, to all their recipients.

IceDogs on hand for grand opening of Smilezone at Niagara Children’s Centre: The Niagara IceDogs paid a visit to Niagara Children’s Centre this past week, assisting with the grand opening of the brand new Smilezone at the facility. Mascot ‘Bones’ was also on hand to greet the children. Check out the photo gallery at niagaraicedogs.net.

ALUMNI NOTES:

Generals retire Marc Savard’s #27: With a decorated hockey career behind him, longtime point producer Marc Savard enjoyed a special night with the Oshawa Generals on Sunday. The Ottawa native who produced a franchise-leading 413 points (132-281–413) over four seasons in Oshawa saw his number 27 raised to the heights of the General Motors Centre where it joined the likes of Eric Lindros (#88), John Tavares (#91), Red Tilson (#9) and Bobby Orr (#2). WATCH

Oilers name Connor McDavid captain: At 19 years, 266 days old, Connor McDavid has become the youngest captain in NHL history. The Erie Otters graduate was named the 15th captain in Edmonton Oilers franchise history on Wednesday after a remarkable rookie season last year. McDavid, whose career resume includes being named CHL Player of the Year in 2015, receiving the Red Tilson Trophy that same year while also winning the Wayne Gretzky ’99’ Award as OHL playoff MVP, was a three-time NHL Rookie of the Month last season. He led Canada to gold at the World Championships in Russia this past May.

Troy Smith inducted into StFX Sports Hall of Fame: Hamilton Bulldogs associate coach and assistant general manager Troy Smith was inducted into the St. Francis Xavier University Sports Hall of Fame last week as part of the 2004 X-Men CIS Championship Men’s Hockey Team. The club played to a 19-6-3-0 record under head coach Danny Flynn (Saint John Sea Dogs). They are the only team in StFX Men’s Hockey History to win the national title, doing so in double overtime against the rival UNB Varsity Reds.  A Hamilton native, Smith played four OHL seasons with the Plymouth Whalers from 1995-99.  The defenceman played five years at StFX (1999-04) before a brief stint in minor pro.

Cody Hodgson announces retirement: Former Brampton Battalion standout Cody Hodgson has announced his retirement at 26-years-old. The 2009 CHL Player of the Year, Red Tilson Trophy and William Hanley Trophy recipient recorded 142 career points (64-78–142) over 328 career contests with Vancouver, Buffalo and Nashville from 2010-16. Hodgson split last season between the Nashville Predators and their AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals. He has joined the Predators’ youth hockey and fan development program for the 2016-17 season.

Former Battalion athletic trainer Jamie LeBlanc works 1000th CHL game: Former Brampton Battalion Assistant Athletic Trainer Jamie LeBlanc worked his 1000th career CHL contest with the Swift Current Broncos on Sunday. LeBlanc, who has been with the Broncos since the beginning of the 2001-02 season, spent three years with the Battalion from 1998-01. Visit whl.ca for more on his story.

 SCHEDULE:
Thursday October 6:
Erie at Niagara – 7:00pm
Owen Sound at North Bay – 7:00pm
Kingston at Ottawa – 7:00pm
Saginaw at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Mississauga at Windsor – 7:05pm
Sudbury at Barrie – 7:30pm

Friday October 7:
Oshawa at Erie – 7:00pm
Saginaw at Kingston – 7:00pm
Flint at Mississauga – 7:00pm
Owen Sound at Sudbury – 7:00pm
Windsor at Guelph – 7:30pm
Sarnia at Kitchener – 7:30pm
Peterborough at London – 7:30pm

Saturday October 8:
Saginaw at Ottawa – 2:00pm
Flint at Erie – 7:00pm
Guelph at Hamilton – 7:00pm
Peterborough at Sarnia – 7:05pm
North Bay at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07pm
Kitchener at Barrie – 7:30pm

Sunday October 9:
Barrie at Oshawa – 1:05pm
Ottawa at Kingston – 2:00pm
Niagara at Sudbury – 2:00pm
London at Windsor – 2:05pm
Owen Sound at Sault Ste. Marie – 2:07pm

 Monday October 10:
Guelph at Kitchener – 2:00pm
Niagara at North Bay – 2:00pm

 Be sure to catch all of this weekend’s action at ohllive.com!

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Anaheim Ducks prospect Sam Steel of the Regina Pats is the CHL Player of the Week for the week ending October 2 after scoring four goals and three assists for seven points in two games with a plus-minus rating of plus-3.

Steel returned from his first NHL Camp experience with the Ducks and made an immediate impact with the Pats who picked up a pair of victories last week.  On Friday night he scored twice in his season debut and earned second star honours in a 6-3 victory over the Edmonton Oil Kings, then recorded a career-high five points on Sunday with two goals and three assists as first star of a 7-2 win over the Red Deer Rebels.

An 18-year-old from Sherwood Park, AB, Steel is playing in his third career WHL season with the Pats who selected him with the second overall pick in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft.  The Ducks first round, 30th overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft tallied 70 points in 72 games last season with 23 goals and 47 assists.

Also considered for the award this week was Ottawa Senators prospect Filip Chlapik of the Charlottetown Islanders who scored five goals and three assists for eight points in three games, and Dallas Stars prospect Nicholas Caamano of the Flint Firebirds who scored three goals and four assists for seven points in two games.

 2016-17 CHL Players of the Week:

Sept. 26 – Oct. 2: Sam Steel (Regina Pats)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 25: Kameron Kielly (Charlottetown Islanders)

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Samuel Harvey of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending October 2 after posting a 3-0-0-0 record with a goals-against-average of 1.33 and save percentage of .951.

Harvey made 77 saves last week backstopping the first place Huskies to three straight road victories.  On Wednesday night he made 26 saves in a 4-1 win over the Val-d’Or Foreurs, then made 33 saves on Friday as part of a 5-2 win over the Sherbrooke Phoenix.  His week wrapped up with an 18-save performance on Saturday in a 5-1 win over the Gatineau Olympiques.

An 18-year-old from Alma, QC, Harvey is playing in his third QMJHL season with the defending league champion Huskies after being selected by the club in the second round of the 2014 QMJHL Entry Draft.  In five games this season he carries a 4-0-0-1 record with a goals-against-average of 1.77 and save percentage of .937 after posting marks of 2.74 and .889 in 35 games last season.

Also considered for the award this week was Joseph Raaymakers of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds who went 3-0-0-0 with a goals-against-average of 1.94 and save percentage of .930, and Nick Schneider of the Medicine Hat Tigers who went 2-0-0-0 with a goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .962.

2016-17 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week:

Sept. 26 – Oct. 2: Samuel Harvey (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 25: Liam Herbst (Guelph Storm)

The 2016 National Hockey League Draft saw two Ontario Hockey League forwards go undrafted.

Domenic Commisso of the Oshawa Generals was ranked 37th from the OHL in my final rankings while Drake Rymsha of the Ottawa 67’s didn’t make the final cut mainly because of time missed due to injury.

The NHL’s Boston Bruins came calling and the two were invited to the Bruins summer development camp. Early into this OHL season, the invites seem to have lit a fire under them.

Commisso has appeared in four games for the Generals and has three goals,  three assists and is in the top ten in OHL scoring early into the season. The 5’11”, 192 pound center and native of Oakville Ontario has a 23% shooting percentage and is 52.3% in the faceoff circle. His three assists to date are all primary assists.

Rymsha has also appeared in four games for the 67’s and has four goals and one assist through those contests. His four goals come on 14 shots giving him a 38.6% shooting percentage. He’s 39 for 71 in the faceoff circle, or 59.4%. The Huntington Woods Michigan native stands 6′ and 182 pounds.

Both Commisso and Rymsha will re-enter the draft and be eligible for 2017, but history is not on their side when it comes to being drafted the second time around. The Bruins have a recent history in doing just that with Seth Griffith.

The Bruins may just have wanted a closer look at the two invites at camp. But if they keep on playing as well as they are this early into the season, they could draw interest from other suitors.