Well it is November 1st and every month of the Ontario Hockey League season is the time I select my player of the month eligible for the National Hockey League Draft. For October there was no easy choice as there were several worthy candidates. In the end, I settles on Gabriel Vilardi of the Windsor Spitfires.
The OHL season began with Vilardi injured but he made his anticipated return showing no rust and on fire. In just 9 games through October, Vilardi scored 6 goals and 8 assists and finishing with a plus 5. His six goals came on twenty five shots, good for a 24 per cent shooting percentage.
In his nine games, Vilardi was named the game’s first star three times. He’s climbed up the Spitfires’ scoring chart and sits tied for second with his fourteen points which is tied for fifth among draft eligible players.
Also garnering attention is Mississauga Steelheads’ star Owen Tippet who leads the Steelheads (and tied for tops among draft eligible players) in scoring. In eleven October games Tippett registered twelve goals and four assists.
Two defencemen drew plenty of attention as well. Tippett’s teammate Nicolas Hague had 7 goals and 4 assists in 10 games while Noel Hoefenmayer of the Ottawa 67’s had 4 goals and 8 assists in 12 games.
In goal, Michael DiPietro posted a 5-2-0-0 record with a 2.25 goals against average and .924 save percentage with one shutout.
Previous Player of the month
October – Gabriel Vilardi (Windsor Spitfires)
September – Greg Meireles (Kitchener Rangers)
OHL Writers 