Christian Propp – Barrie Colts – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 182 pounds

Date of birth: March 27, 1999

Hometown: Milton, Ontario

Position: Goaltender

Catches: Left

OHL Draft: Round 5, 98th overall, 2015 Priority Selection

Barrie Colts netminder Christian Propp played his minor midget AAA hockey for the Halton Hurricanes during the 2014-2015 season in which he posted a very respectable 2.55 goals against average in 36 games. He also represented Team OMHA White at the OHL Gold Cup. The Colts would select Propp in the fifth round of the 2015 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection, 98th overall.

Christian Propp of the Barrie Colts. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Christian Propp of the Barrie Colts. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Last season, Propp would play Junior B hockey for the Guelph Hurricanes of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League and again posted respectable numbers with a 3.22 goals against average and an .897 save percentage. He would appear in two games for the Colts last season.

Propp, for the most part, split duties this season with David Ovsjannikov, but Ruan Badenhorst (also draft eligible) made a dozen appearances. He would finish the season with a 3.89 goals against average and a .884 save percentage on the League’s last place team.

Coming into the season, the starter’s job belonged to Ovsjannikov, with Propp and Badenhorst fighting for the backup role. But a strong camp and preseason, along with a slow start to the season by Ovsjannikov and an impressive start for Propp, and well, they split the duties.

At 6’2” Propp has decent size – he’s not one of those 6’6” netminders scouts are drooling over these days however. We say this about almost all goaltenders at this level: he’s a raw talent who could work on his technique. He’s an athletic goaltender who moves in his crease very well. His post to post movement is very good and he gets out to the top of the paint quickly, while remaining square to the shooter.

There are times he tracks the puck extremely well and on occasion he loses it, but I put some of that on a young and inexperienced defence in front of him. Learning how to anticipate, read and react, or improve on it should alleviate some of that. His rebound control is good, but when he does lose it, he gets back into position quickly to make the second save.

Two things that have impressed me most when I’ve seen Propp are, 1) his ability to make a huge save at least once a game and 2) he rarely seems to get rattled in goal.

Propp was ranked 25th among North American goaltenders on NHL Central Scouting’s mid-term rankings in January, 7th among the nine OHL netminders on the list.

Christian Propp

This is the profile page of Christian Propp at Elite Prospects

 

Matthew Strome – Hamilton Bulldogs – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 203 pounds

Date of birth: January 6, 1999

Hometown: Mississauga, Ontario

Position: Left Wing

Shoots: Left

OHL Draft: Round 1, 8th overall, 2015 Priority Selection

Hamilton Bulldogs power forward Matthew Strome is a graduate of the Toronto Marlboros Minor Midget AAA squad that he captained during the 2014-2015 season in which he scored 23 goals and added 37 assists in 64 games. The Bulldogs selected Strome with the eighth overall pick at the 2015 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.

Strome made the Bulldogs’ roster a season ago and as the season progressed, he received top line minutes and top unit powerplay duties. As a rookie, he scored 16 goals and 22 assists in 61 games. He would also represent Canada at the World Hockey Challenge Under-17.

This season began in August for Strome as he once again represented Canada at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial scoring once in four games.

Matthew Strome of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Matthew Strome of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Strome is the younger brother of Ryan Strome of the New York Islanders (fifth overall in 2011 NHL Draft) and Dylan Strome of the Erie Otters (third overall by the Arizona Coyotes in 2015). And while the youngest of the three will get selected at the 2017 NHL Draft, he won’t be drafted as high. The lack of similarities doesn’t end there, but they do have some similar traits.

All three siblings arrived in the OHL with the same concern and issue: skating. Ryan and Dylan have made major strides, although for Matthew, it is still a work in progress. That’s not to say he hasn’t improved, he has, but he will need to continue to put in the work and the effort to get where he needs to be. Balance, speed and directionality are the things he can improve on and we are sure he will continue to put in the effort.

The most fitting one-word description for Strome is consistent. There are few players who are more consistent than Strome, not just from game-to-game but from shift-to-shift. He shows that consistency and effort on display not just in the offensive zone, but in all three zones.

Matthew plays a heavier game than his two older brothers. He moves into the hard areas with no hesitation and is always willing to take the hit to make the play. He moves to the front of the net to pounce on loose pucks, drives into corners on the forecheck with physicality and battles along the walls.

Matthew is also a highly intelligent player. He thinks the game at a high level and sees the ice extremely well and is an excellent playmaker. He will play with a shoot first mentality, but if he doesn’t see the shot, he almost always makes the right play for a better opportunity. When his teammates have possession, he’s very adept at putting himself in position and getting into lanes to receive a pass while eluding defenders.

While defending, Matthew reads and anticipates extremely well. He can react quickly to what is developing in front of him and can create turnovers, especially in the neutral zone. Occasionally, he misses on the back check but the effort is there. Once he improves his skating and speed, and if he maintains the effort, he will become more successful at it.

Once he fully develops, Matthew projects to have all the tools to become a solid two-way player at the next level.

Strome was ranked 19th among North American skaters on NHL central Scouting’s mid term rankings in January. On Bob McKenzie’s mid-term rankings, Strome was ranked 29th overall.

Matthew Strome

This is the profile page of Matthew Strome at Elite Prospects

 

OHL’s Draft Eligible Regular Season Statistical Leaders

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

The Ontario Hockey League regular season has come to an end. So, who leads the way statistically?

Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds’ defenceman Conor Timmins has been on the rise all season long in draft rankings, as he should be. Whether he can continue to climb during the OHL playoffs will be determined in the next couple of weeks but there is no disputing his regular season.

Conor Timmins of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Conor Timmins of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Timmins led all draft eligible defencemen in the point race rather comfortably. His 61 points were 15 points ahead of Mississauga Steelheads’ rearguard Nicolas Hague and his 46 points. Markus Phillips of the Owen Sound Attack finished third with 43 points. Timmins finished fourth among all OHL defencemen in points.

Timmins also finished in the top 10 in scoring among all draft eligible players-the only defenceman in the top-10. Nick Suzuki of the Attack led the way with 96 points, followed by Jason Robertson of the Kingston Frontenacs with 81 and Owen Tippett of the Steelheads with 75. Suzuki finished fifth among all OHL skaters.

Timmins also led all draft eligible players in plus/minus with a plus-53. Suzuki comes in second with a plus-51 while Phillips comes in third at a plus-41. There are many who don’t put much stock into the plus/minus stats, but there is a telling tale there.

Finally, Timmins led all draft eligible players in assists with 54. Suzuki once again comes in second behind Timmins with 51 followed by Robert Thomas of the London Knights with 50. There is a bit of a drop off to fourth with the Greyhounds Morgan Frost and his 42 assists.

Another player climbing draft charts is Timmins’ teammate, goaltender Matthew Villalta. Yours truly has made no bones about it: Villalta should be the Hounds starter for the playoffs and should be allowed to roll with it.

The walk-on free agent finished second to Windsor Spitfires’ Michael DiPietro in wins – 5 fewer in 18 less games played and goals against average, 2.35 to 2.41 respectively. Villalta topped in save percentage with .918 to DiPietro’s .917.

We take great care in updating stats, but please refer to the OHL website for official stats.

Points Leaders
Player Team GP G A Pts
Nick Suzuki Owen Sound Attack 65 45 51 96
Jason Robertson Kingston Frontenacs 68 42 39 81
Owen Tippett Mississauga Steelheads 60 44 31 75
Jonah Gadjovich Owen Sound Attack 60 46 28 74
Robert Thomas London Knights 66 16 50 66
Austen Keating Ottawa 67’s 67 22 41 63
Matthew Strome Hamilton Bulldogs 66 34 28 62
Morgan Frost Soo Greyhounds 67 20 42 62
Gabriel Vilardi Windsor Spitfires 49 29 32 61
Conor Timmins Soo Greyhounds 67 7 54 61
Goal Scoring Leaders
Player Team GP G GPG
Jonah Gadjovich Owen Sound Attack 60 46 0.77
Nick Suzuki Owen Sound Attack 65 45 0.69
Owen Tippett Mississauga Steelheads 60 44 0.73
Jason Robertson Kingston Frontenacs 68 42 0.62
Matthew Strome Hamilton Bulldogs 66 34 0.52
Macauley Carson Sudbury Wolves 68 30 0.44
Gabriel Vilardi Windsor Spitfires 49 29 0.59
Isaac Ratcliffe Guelph Storm 67 28 0.42
Linus Nyman Kingston Frontenacs 68 26 0.38
Joseph Garreffa Kitchener Rangers 68 25 0.37
Assist Leaders
Player Team GP A APG
Conor Timmins Soo Greyhounds 67 54 0.81
Nick Suzuki Owen Sound Attack 65 51 0.78
Robert Thomas London Knights 66 50 0.76
Morgan Frost Soo Greyhounds 67 42 0.63
Austen Keating Ottawa 67’s 67 41 0.61
Jason Robertson Kingston Frontenacs 68 39 0.57
Ben Jones Niagara Ice Dogs 63 37 0.59
Sean Durzi Owen Sound Attack 60 36 0.60
Joseph Garreffa Kitchener Rangers 68 35 0.51
Jack Studnicka Oshawa Generals 64 34 0.53
Defencemen Point Leaders
Player Team GP G A Pts
Conor Timmins Soo Greyhounds 67 7 54 61
Nicolas Hague Mississauga Steelheads 65 18 28 46
Markus Phillips Owen Sound Attack 66 13 30 43
Noel Hoefenmayer Ottawa 67’s 62 14 26 40
Eemeli Rasanen Kingston Frontenacs 66 6 33 39
Sean Durzi Owen Sound Attack 60 2 36 38
Adam Thilander North Bay Battalion 64 6 29 35
Brady Lyle North Bay Battalion 58 4 21 25
Plus/Minus Leaders
Player Team GP +/-
Conor Timmins Soo Greyhounds 67 +53
Nick Suzuki Owen Sound Attack 65 +51
Markus Phillips Owen Sound Attack 66 +41
Robert Thomas London Knights 66 +39
Jonah Gadjovich Owen Sound Attack 60 +35
Mac Hollowell Soo Greyhounds 63 +28
Sean Durzi Owen Sound Attack 60 +26
Owen Tippett Mississauga Steelheads 60 +24
Nicolas Hague Mississauga Steelheads 65 +22
Alex Formenton London Knights 65 +21
Penalty Minutes Leaders
Player Team GP PIM M/G
Nicolas Hague Mississauga Steelheads 65 107 1.65
Shaw Boomhower Mississauga Steelheads 60 102 1.70
Darian Pilon Sudbury Wolves 67 97 1.45
Drake Pilon Sudbury Wolves 58 87 1.50
Cole Fraser Peterborough Petes 61 82 1.34
Zach Gallant Peterborough Petes 60 74 1.23
Hayden Davis Saginaw Spirit 67 74 1.10
Faceoff Leaders  
Player Team GP FOA FOW %
Zach Gallant Peterborough Petes 60 1087 651 59.9
Robert Thomas London Knights 66 1114 632 56.7
Sasha Chmelevski Ottawa 67’s 58 739 409 55.3
Morgan Frost Soo Greyhounds 67 880 467 53.1
Jack Studnicka Oshawa Generals 64 950 503 52.9
Jason Willms Barrie Colts 68 1025 534 52.1
Dylan Seitz Kitchener Rangers 60 74 38 51.4
Gabriel Vilardi Windsor Spitfires 49 266 136 51.1
Matthew Philip Niagara Ice Dogs 45 563 287 51.0
Nick Suzuki Owen Sound Attack 65 774 394 50.9
Nate Schnarr Guelph Storm 54 1049 528 50.3
Longest Goal Scoring Streak
Player Team From To Gms Goals
Owen Tippett Mississauga Steelheads 10/12 10/23 6 11
Nick Suzuki Owen Sound Attack 11/18 11/26 5 6
Isaac Ratcliffe Guelph Storm 11/27 12/9 5 6
Nick Suzuki Owen Sound Attack 3/2 3/11 4 8
Jonah Gadjovich Owen Sound Attack 2/23 3/9 4 6
Longest Assist Streak
Player Team From To Gms Assts
Austen Keating Ottawa 67’s 2/12 2/26 7 8
Owen Tippett Mississauga Steelheads 1/17 1/29 6 8
Zach Gallant Peterborough Petes 12/3 12/16 5 5
Austen Keating Ottawa 67’s 10/23 11/5 5 5
Austen Keating Ottawa 67’s 9/25 10/6 5 9
Longest Point Streak
Player Team From To Gms Pts
Owen Tippett Mississauga Steelheads 12/16 1/19 12 21
Gabriel Vilardi Windsor Spitfires 2/2 2/23 8 14
Nicolas Hague Mississauga Steelheads 12/4 12/28 8 12
Lucas Chiodo Barrie Colts 1/1 1/19 8 10
Nick Suzuki Owen Sound Attack 2/23 3/11 7 18
Shots On Goal Leaders
Player Team GP SOG
Jason Robertson Kingston Frontenacs 68 301
Owen Tippett Mississauga Steelheads 60 284
Jonah Gadjovich Owen Sound Attack 60 275
Nick Suzuki Owen Sound Attack 65 262
Nicolas Hague Mississauga Steelheads 65 204
Goaltenders Leaders – Goals Against Average
Player Team GP Min GA Avg
Michael DiPietro Windsor Spitfires 51 2935 115 2.35
Matthew Villalta Soo Greyhounds 33 1795 72 2.41
Kaden Fulcher Hamilton Bulldogs 43 2393 128 3.21
Jake McGrath Sudbury Wolves 45 2435 153 3.77
Christian Propp Barrie Colts 32 1741 113 3.89
Goaltending Leaders – Save Percentage
Player Team GP SH SVS SV%
Matthew Villalta Soo Greyhounds 33 873 801 0.918
Michael DiPietro Windsor Spitfires 51 1387 1272 0.917
Luke Richardson Kitchener Rangers 16 516 463 0.897
Jake McGrath Sudbury Wolves 45 1466 1313 0.896
Kaden Fulcher Hamilton Bulldogs 43 1179 1051 0.891
Goaltending Leaders – Wins
Player Team GP W L OL
Michael DiPietro Windsor Spitfires 51 30 12 6
Matthew Villalta Soo Greyhounds 33 25 3 0
Kaden Fulcher Hamilton Bulldogs 43 19 17 6
Jake McGrath Sudbury Wolves 45 17 18 6
Luke Richardson Kitchener Rangers 16 9 6 0
Goaltending Leaders – Shutouts
Player Team GP SO
Michael DiPietro Windsor Spitfires 51 6
Kaden Fulcher Hamilton Bulldogs 43 2
Matthew Villalta Soo Greyhounds 33 1
Christian Propp Barrie Colts 32 1
Jake McGrath Sudbury Wolves 45 1

OHL This Week for March 23-26, 2017

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The puck drops tonight with the start of the 2017 Ontario Hockey League Playoffs featuring three games, followed by the remaining five first round matchups commencing Friday.

OHL Logo

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

A LOOK AT THE OHL PLAYOFFS: EASTERN AND WESTERN CONFERENCE PREVIEWS:

With the 2017 OHL Playoffs upon us, we take a series-by-series look across the league, examining the numbers and latest trends in advance of the most exciting time of the year for OHL hockey fans. Western Conference Playoff Preview / Eastern Conference Playoff Preview

2017 OHL PLAYOFFS – FIRST ROUND SCHEDULE SET WITH FOUR GAMES FEATURED ON SPORTSNET:

After 680 games it’s time to drop the puck on the 2017 Ontario Hockey League playoffs with first round action beginning on Thursday March 23. All 16 playoff positions have been claimed, setting the stage for eight first round post-season matchups across the league. Four first round games will be broadcast across the country on Sportsnet 360 including Game’s 1 and 2 from London featuring the Knights and Mastercard Memorial Cup host Spitfires on Friday March 24 and Sunday March 26, Game 3 between the Petes and IceDogs from St. Catharines on Tuesday March 28, and Game 4 between the Frontenacs and host Bulldogs on Thursday March 30. Read more

CHL PREDICTOR LAUNCHES AHEAD OF 2017 OHL PLAYOFFS:

Canadian Hockey League fans can get engaged in the postseason and win great prizes doing so! With #CHLPredictor, fans sign up for a CHL Fan Base account at CHLFANBASE.ca and make their picks before the start of each playoff round. Pick right to earn points and win great prizes including the grand prize trip to the Mastercard Memorial Cup. Register today at CHLFANBASE.ca.

WATCH EVERY PLAYOFF GAME WITH NEW OHL LIVE PLAYOFF PACKAGES:

Don’t miss a game! Follow your team throughout the #OHLPlayoffs with new OHL LIVE Playoff Packages including the flexibility of single game, team pass and all access options. Visit OHLLIVE.com for full details.

MISSISSAUGA REPS ARE 2017 OHL CUP POWERED BY UNDER ARMOUR CHAMPIONS:

Dennis Golovatchev scored with nine seconds remaining in the third period to give the Mississauga Reps their first ever OHL Cup Powered by Under Armour Championship with a 3-2 win over the Toronto Nationals at the Mattamy Athletic Centre. Golovatchev wristed a quick release past Nationals goaltender Zach Roy off an offensive zone faceoff win by linemate Lucas Rowe, making the Reps the second Wild Card entry following the 2010 Mississauga Rebels to ever hoist the OHL Cup. Read more / Watch highlights

OTTERS, ATTACK, GREYHOUNDS, KNIGHTS IN FINAL CHL TOP-10 RANKINGS:

The Erie Otters (2), Owen Sound Attack (4), Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (5) and London Knights (6) are all included in the 26th and final edition of the weekly CHL Top-10 Rankings. The WHL’s Regina Pats close out the season at number one followed by the Hamilton Spectator Trophy recipient Otters and the QMJHL’s Saint John Sea Dogs at number three. The 2017 Mastercard Memorial Cup host Windsor Spitfires received an honourable mention in the rankings. Read more

OTTERS MAKE CHL HISTORY, CLAIM SECOND STRAIGHT HAMILTON SPECTATOR TROPHY:

The Erie Otters are Hamilton Spectator Trophy recipients as OHL regular season champions for a second straight year following a 5-2 Saturday night win over the visiting Guelph Storm. This marks the third time in franchise history that they’ve been earned the honour, following efforts in 2001 and 2016. The win puts the Otters in the Canadian Hockey League record books as they become the first team in CHL history to string together four consecutive 50-win seasons, surpassing the 2012-15 Kelowna Rockets, 2011-14 Edmonton Oil Kings, 2009-12 Saint John Sea Dogs and 1989-92 Kamloops Blazers who all accomplished the feat in three straight campaigns. Read more

OTTERS’ DeBRINCAT SETS SINGLE-SEASON FRANCHISE GOAL-SCORING MARK,  CAPTURES 2016-17 OHL SCORING TITLE:

Chicago Blackhawks prospect Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters is the 2016-17 Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy and Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy recipient. DeBrincat recorded 65 goals and 62 assists for 127 points in 63 games to lead all OHL players in regular season scoring finishing 18 points ahead of teammate Taylor Raddysh who finished second with 109 points in 58 games. The 19-year-old from Farmington Hills, Michigan, delivered a multitude of scoring records over the course of the 2016-17 campaign helping the Otters capture their second straight Hamilton Spectator Trophy, third straight Midwest Division crown, and record fourth straight 50 win season. Read more

ATTACK’S McNIVEN AND VELLA WIN DAVE PINKNEY TROPHY:

The Owen Sound Attack allowed the fewest goals in the OHL this season with just 177 against, backstopped by the tandem of Michael McNiven and Emanuel Vella. The Dave Pinkney Trophy is awarded annually to the goaltending tandem from the team that allows the fewest goals against during the regular season.  Last season, the London Knights allowed 182 goals against with the award presented to Tyler Parsons and Brendan Burke. Read more

GREYHOUNDS’ VILLALTA EARNS F.W “DINTY” MOORE TROPHY:

Matthew Villalta of the Soo Greyhounds is the 2016-17 recipient of the F.W. “Dinty” Moore Trophy after posting the lowest goals-against-average among OHL rookies. Vilallta’s 2.41 goals-against average not only led all rookies, it was the fifth lowest across the entire league, and set a new Greyhounds record besting Kyle Gajewski’s 2.44 mark in 2007-08. Read more

OHL ANNOUNCES PERFORMERS OF THE MONTH FOR MARCH:

Owen Sound Attack teammates Petrus Palmu and Santino Centorame along with Soo Greyhounds goaltender Matthew Villalta have been named OHL Performers of the Month for March. Palmu led all players with 20 points to be named Player of the Month while Centorame is Defenceman of the Month for the second time this season. Vilallta takes both Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month and OHL Rookie of the Month honours. Read more

STEELHEADS’ INGHAM NAMED PIONEER ENERGY OHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

Rookie goaltender Jacob Ingham of the Mississauga Steelheads is the Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week for the week ending March 19 after posting a 3-0-0-0 record with a goals-against-average of 1.50 and save percentage of .958. Ingham stopped 91 shots last week winning all three of his games for the Central Division champion Steelheads. Read more

ATTACK’S CENTORAME BECOMES TOP-SCORING DEFENCEMAN IN FRANCHISE HISTORY:

Overage veteran Santino Centorame is the Owen Sound Attack’s new franchise leader in career points by a defenceman. Centorame pitched in with two assists on Saturday setting the 156-point record while helping the Attack post their first-ever 100-point season in a 7-2 win over the visiting Kitchener Rangers.  The captain added to his total on Sunday with a goal in an 8-5 road win over the Guelph Storm to close out the 2016-17 season. His career point total in an Attack uniform stands at 157 including 27 goals and 130 assists over 229 regular season games. Read more

STEELHEADS’ WATSON RECORDS 300th OHL POINT:

Overage Los Angeles Kings prospect Spencer Watson of the Mississauga Steelheads reached a significant career milestone on Sunday, recording his 300th OHL regular season point in a 6-1 win over the visiting Niagara IceDogs. Watson registered a goal and an assist along with a team-leading nine shots on goal to bring his season point total to 52 including 28 goals and 24 assists in 40 games. The London, Ont. native has enjoyed considerable success in an injury-shortened campaign that was delayed due to offseason wrist surgery. Read more

RANGERS’ MASCHERIN JOINS OHL’s CENTURY CLUB:

Florida Panthers prospect Adam Mascherin of the Kitchener Rangers became the third player to join the OHL’s century club for the 2016-17 regular season. Third in OHL scoring, Mascherin finished the campaign recording his 65th assist in a 7-2 loss to the Owen Sound Attack on Saturday to go along with his 35 goals in 65 games. Read more

67’s’ BROWN EARNS 100th OHL WIN:

Ottawa 67’s head coach and general manager Jeff Brown earned his 100th OHL coaching win behind the bench on Saturday afternoon as the 67’s defeated the visiting Oshawa Generals 5-2. Brown, whose 67’s officially clinched a spot in the 2017 OHL Playoffs on Friday, is wrapping up his third full season behind the bench in the nation’s capital. He holds an overall record of 100-87-16 over 203 regular season games. Read more

SPITFIRES’ BRACCO SIGNS WITH MAPLE LEAFS:

The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed Windsor Spitfires winger Jeremy Bracco to an entry-level NHL contact. Toronto’s second round (61st overall) pick in 2015, Bracco finished his second OHL season as Windsor’s leading scorer with 83 points including 25 goals and 58 assists between the Spitfires and Kitchener Rangers. The 20-year-old native of Freeport, NY helped guide the United States National Junior Team to a gold medal finish at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Montreal and Toronto, recording five points (3-2–5) over seven contests. Read more

KNIGHTS’ PARSONS SIGNS WITH FLAMES:

The Calgary Flames have signed London Knights goaltender Tyler Parsons to an entry-level NHL contract. Calgary’s second round (54th overall) pick last summer, Parsons recently completed his third OHL season with London, leading all goaltenders with a .925 save percentage along with a 2.37 goals-against average, four shutouts and a record of 23-6-2-3 in 34 games. The native of Chesterfield, Michigan helped backstop the United States to gold at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship this past January. Read more


HRONEK, HODGSON, SMITH, RADKE, McKENZIE JOIN AHL CLUBS:

With their teams missing out on the 2017 OHL Playoffs, Saginaw Spirit teammates Filip Hronek and Hayden Hodgson as well as Guelph Storm winger Givani Smith, Barrie Colts forward Roy Radke and North Bay Battalion centreman Brett McKenzie have joined American Hockey League clubs. Property of the Detroit Red Wings, Hronek and Smith have joined the Grand Rapids Griffins. A draft pick of the Chicago Blackhawks, Radke was assigned to the Rockford IceHogs. A Vancouver Canucks prospect, McKenzie was assigned to the Utica Comets. An undrafted free agent coming off a 38-goal season, Hodgson signed an Amateur Tryout Offer with the Cleveland Monsters, the AHL affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

KNIGHTS’ MAX JONES HEADLINES OHL PLAYS OF THE WEEK:

The 25th and final edition of the OHL Plays of the Week for the 2016-17 regular season feature another exciting countdown of the league’s Top-5 goals scored during the week ending March 21. This week’s highlights open with a pair of creative passes including Isaac Ratcliffe with a one handed dish from his back to Guelph Storm teammate Liam Hawel, and Nick Suzuki with a behind-the-back look to Owen Sound Attack teammate Jonah Gadjovich.  The countdown continues with top scorer Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters scoring an overtime winner off the cycle, Riley Stillman of the Oshawa Generals completes his hat-trick in fantastic fashion, and Max Jones of the London Knights caps it all off with a between-the-legs beauty. Watch

Jones is also the OHL representative featured in this week’s #CIBCShowdown which showcases one great play from all three leagues allowing fans the opportunity to choose their favourite play. See all the plays and vote at chlshowdown.ca.

25TH AND FINAL EDITION OF JANES SAVES OF THE WEEK:

The 2016-17 OHL regular season came to an exciting conclusion as goaltenders saved their best stuff for last. The 25th and final edition of #JanesSaves features 10 netminders including Scott Smith of the Peterborough Petes, Justin Fazio of the Sarnia Sting, Matthew Villalta of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, Jacob Ingham of the Mississauga Steelheads, Liam Herbst and Anthony Popovich of the Guelph Storm, Kaden Fulcher of the Hamilton Bulldogs, Stephen Dhillon of the Niagara IceDogs, MacKenzie Savard of the Sudbury Wolves, and Tyler Parsons of the London Knights. Watch

TWO FIRST GOALS AND TWO PETES SHUTOUTS IN OHL MILESTONE MOMENTS:

The 25th and final week of the 2016-17 Ontario Hockey League season ending March 21 featured a quartet of milestone moment celebrations including two first career OHL goals and two first career shutouts. First goals came from Liam Peyton (Kitchener Rangers) and Jakob Brahaney (Kingston Frontenacs) while the Peterborough Petes goaltending tandem of Scott Smith and Dylan Wells each collected their first OHL shutout. Watch

OTTERS’ DeBRINCAT FEATURED ON JUNIOR HOCKEY MAGAZINE WITH GINO REDA:

Fresh off his OHL record-tying 19-game goal-scoring streak, Chicago Blackhawks prospect Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters chats with Gino Reda about his remarkable season. Listen

2017 MASTERCARD MEMORIAL CUP TICKET PACKAGES NOW ON SALE:

The Canadian Hockey League has released tickets to the 2017 Mastercard Memorial Cup Host Organizing Committee. As a result, fans now have the chance to purchase full tournament ticket packages online while quantities last. To purchase, visit WFCU-Centre.com, click ‘Buy Tickets’, then click ‘Mastercard Memorial Cup Packages’ for full information.

 COMMUNITY CORNER:

Spirit Charitable Foundation raises $62,688 on Hockey for the Homeless Night: The Saginaw Spirit Charitable Foundation in partnership with Rescue Ministries of Mid-Michigan has raised $62,688.00 during their sixth annual “Hockey for the Homeless” night on March 4, 2017 at The Dow Event Center. In the six years of the “Hockey or the Homeless” Event, the Saginaw Spirit and Rescue Ministries of Mid-Michigan have partnered to raise $188,581.00. Money raised during the annual “Hockey for the Homeless” helps provide emergency shelter services including safe shelter, nutritious meals, case management and life skills training. Read more

ALUMNI NOTES:

Staal plays 1000th NHL game: Peterborough Petes graduate Eric Staal reached a significant career milestone on Sunday, suiting up in his 1000th career regular season NHL game. The 32-year-old Minnesota Wild centreman skated 17:36 in a 5-4 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. In his 1,000 contests, Staal has 349 goals, 486 assists and 835 points and is now in his 13th NHL season. One of four brothers from Thunder Bay, Ont. to play in the OHL, the eldest Staal brother was Carolina’s first round (2nd overall) pick in the 2003 NHL Draft after recording 81 goals, 128 assists and 209 points over 185 OHL contests with the Petes from 2000-03. Staal won a Stanley Cup with Carolina in 2006.

5 OHL grads win U SPORTS University Cup Championship with UNB: Five OHL graduates are U SPORTS University Cup Champions with the UNB Varsity Reds following a 5-3 win over the Saskatchewan Huskies on home ice. Marcus McIvor (North Bay Battalion), Matt Petgrave (Oshawa Generals), Colin Suellentrop (Oshawa Generals), Cameron Brace (Belleville Bulls) and Rob Mignardi (Owen Sound Attack) are all U SPORTS Champions. Read more

Curtis earns Frank H. Sobey Award for Excellence in Business Studies: Erie Otters graduate Michael Curtis has been recognized for his outstanding academic achievements. The 24-year-old student at Saint Mary’s University was awarded the $25,000 Frank H. Sobey Award, one of eight given annually to business students in the Atlantic region. Curtis maintained a stunning 4.26 GPA while using his time to support others in the community. Among the activities recognized in his application to the awards committee are a peer mentoring role to support better mental health among his fellow student athletes; helping acclimatize new students from BNUZ in China who come to Saint Mary’s to study; running hockey camps in August of each year to develop youth in the sport; and tutoring other students. The Mississauga native played five OHL seasons between Belleville and Erie from 2009-14, recording 155 points (79-76–155) over 311 career regular season games. Get more on the story at SMU.ca.

Austin makes NHL debut: London Knights graduate Brady Austin made his NHL debut with the Buffalo Sabres on Monday, skating 15:37 in a 2-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings. A 23-year-old native of Bobcaygeon, Ont., Austin is currently in his third pro season after graduating from the London Knights after their Mastercard Memorial Cup hosting in 2014. He has spent much of the season with the AHL’s Rochester Americans, recording nine points (2-7–9) in 61 games. The 6-foot-4, 230 Ib. rearguard played five OHL seasons between Erie, Belleville and London from 2009-14, recording 110 points (29-81–110) over 322 career regular season games. He was Buffalo’s seventh round (193rd overall) pick in 2012.

Anderson named ECHL Goaltender of the Week: Sarnia Sting graduate J.P. Anderson of the Adirondack Thunder has been named the ECHL Goaltender of the Week after posting a 2.20 goals-against average and .936 save performance along with a 2-0-0-0 record in three appearances. The 24-year-old stopped 11 of 12 shots he faced in a relief effort on Friday in a 5-2 loss to Wheeling, made 44 saves in a 5-4 win against the Nailers on Saturday and turned aside 33 shots in a 6-1 victory over Atlanta on Sunday. The 44 saves set a professional career high, surpassing his previous high of 42 from 2013 with the San Francisco Bulls. The Toronto native has appeared in 22 games with Wheeling and Adirondack this season, going 12-4-3 with a 2.71 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage. The OHL’s all-time goaltending wins leader, Anderson went 126-76-13 over 223 career regular season games between Mississauga and Sarnia from 2008-13, posting a 2.87 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage in the process.

 SCHEDULE:

Thursday March 23:
Sarnia at Erie (Game 1) – 7:00pm
Niagara at Peterborough (Game 1) – 7:05pm
Flint at Sault Ste. Marie (Game 1) – 7:07pm

Friday March 24:
Hamilton at Kingston (Game 1) – 7:00pm
Ottawa at Mississauga (Game 1) – 7:00pm
Kitchener at Owen Sound (Game 1) – 7:30pm
Windsor at London (Game 1) – 7:30pm – CHL on Sportsnet
Sudbury at Oshawa (Game 1) – 7:35 pm

Saturday March 25:
Erie at Sarnia (Game 2) – 7:05pm
Niagara at Peterborough (Game 2) – 7:05pm
Flint at Sault Ste. Marie (Game 2) – 7:07pm
Kitchener at Owen Sound (Game 2) – 7:30pm

Sunday March 26:
Hamilton at Kingston (Game 2) – 2:00pm
Windsor at London (Game 2) – 2:00pm – CHL on Sportsnet
Ottawa at Mississauga (Game 2) – 2:00pm
Sudbury at Oshawa (Game 2) – 6:05 pm

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

DARREN RUMBLE TO LEAD CANADA’S NATIONAL MEN’S UNDER-18 TEAM AT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Press Release

CHL’s Rumble selected as head coach, assisted by Steve Hamilton and Stéphane Julien 

Hockey Canada

CALGARY, Alta. – Darren Rumble (Barrie, Ont./Moncton, QMJHL) returns to the Hockey Canada Program of Excellence men’s under-18 program, this time as Team Canada’s head coach at the 2017 IIHF U18 World Championship.

Rumble, an assistant coach with Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup in 2015 and 2016, winning gold in his first appearance, will be assisted by Steve Hamilton (Edmonton/Edmonton, WHL) and Stéphane Julien (Shawinigan, Que./Sherbrooke, QMJHL).

Rounding out this year’s coaching staff are Jory Stuparyk (Vermilion, Alta./Edmonton, WHL) as video coach, and Fred Brathwaite (Ottawa/Hockey Canada) as goaltending consultant.

“The experience this coaching staff has with short tournaments like a world championship is important because the approach and preparation is completely different,” said Scott Salmond, vice-president of hockey operations and national teams. “We’ve had Darren working with our National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team for the past two years, and Steve has been part of the Under-17 program as a coach for Team Pacific. We’re confident that together with Stéphane, Jory, and Fred they will ensure that our players are ready to compete for gold next month in Slovakia.”

Rumble’s head-coaching experience spans two seasons with the AHL’s Norfolk Admirals, and he just finished his fourth season with the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL. In addition to his experience with Team Canada at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup, Rumble was an assistant coach at the 2013 IIHF World Championship, Division II with Iceland, winning bronze. His playing career included 193 NHL games with Ottawa, Philadelphia, St. Louis, and Tampa Bay, as well as stints in the AHL and IHL. Rumble also played three seasons with the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers.

Hamilton coached at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, as both assistant coach then head coach for Team Pacific, and was tapped as assistant coach for the WHL All-Stars during Canada/Russia Series last fall. He joined the Edmonton Oil Kings as an assistant coach for the 2010-11 season following five seasons as general manager and head coach in the Alberta Junior Hockey League – with the Fort Saskatchewan Traders (2005-06) and Spruce Grove Saints (2006-10). Hamilton was promoted to head coach of the Oil Kings before the start of the 2014-15 season.

Julien joined the QMJHL’s Sherbrooke Phoenix as assistant coach for the 2012-13 season following his final season as a player in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) in Germany. He was promoted to head coach midway through the 2015-16 season. Julien’s playing career included five seasons in the QMJHL (1990-95) with Trois-Rivières and Sherbrooke, and 18 seasons of professional hockey in France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland Austria. He won the Emile Bouchard Trophy as QMJHL defenceman of the year in 1994-95.

Hockey Canada’s director of player personnel, Ryan Jankowski, and the coaching staff will select Canada’s roster for the upcoming 2017 IIHF U18 World Championship. The roster will include players whose CHL teams either missed the playoffs or are no longer competing in the postseason.

Canada opens the 2017 IIHF U18 World Championship on April 13 against Latvia; it will also play Finland, Slovakia and Switzerland in preliminary-round action. TSN, the official broadcast partner of Hockey Canada, is broadcasting 12 games, including all of Team Canada’s match-ups at the IIHF U18 World Championship.

 Canada has won seven medals at the IIHF U18 World Championship, including three gold medals (2003, 2008, 2013).

For more information on Hockey Canada and the Program of Excellence, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow along via social media on Facebook, Twitter, and Twitter.com/HC_Men.

Marian Studenic – Hamilton Bulldogs – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height: 6’0”

Weight: 165 pounds

Date of birth: October 28, 1998

Hometown: Holic, Slovakia

Position: Right Wing

Shoots: Left

OHL Draft: Round 1, 11th overall, CHL Import Draft

The Hamilton Bulldogs selected Marian Studenic with the eleventh overall pick at the 2016 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft. One season ago, Studenic was playing in Slovakia’s top league with HK 36 Skalica. He appeared in 35 games recording 8 goals and 8 assists.

Internationally, Studenic has represented Slovakia at the World Hockey Challenge Under-17, World Junior Championship Under-18, the Ivan Hlinka Memorial, and this year, the World Junior Championship Under-20. In total, he has 19 international games under his belt and registered 1 goal and 4 assists in those contests.

At the time of the Import Draft, Hamilton General manager Steve Staios had this to say about Studenic:

His ability to score against players nearly twice his age showed us that he was on a very good development curve. We feel like with our environment and the style of play we’re looking to implement he’ll fit in just fine.”

And with the 2016-2017 Ontario Hockey League season coming to a close, Studenic has transitioned fine to North America and fit right in with the Bulldogs. He’s scored 18 goals to go along with 12 assists in 57 games. He’s provided some offense on the powerplay – 3 goals, 2 assists – and is third on the Bulldogs with 3 game winning goals. He’s firing at 14.5% shooting percentage, but with just 124 shots on goal, it is an indication he should put more pucks on goal, and more production should follow.

At 6’0”, Studenic is not exactly small, but adding some serious bulk to his 165-pound frame is a must for him to have any type of success at the next level. If he can do that without affecting his skating – which is plenty good for the NHL, it will only help improve the assets he already possesses.

Marian Studenic of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Marian Studenic of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

One area that Studenic could improve on is to utilize his teammates more. His skating is smooth and he has near elite speed and is extremely effective at protecting the puck. But to often he looks to create offense for himself when there are better options out there. Of course, that may lead you to believe he lacks vision or hockey IQ, but that is just not the case. He has all the abilities to be a playmaker from the wing.

Finding consistency from game to game is another area Studenic needs to work on. After starting the season on fire with 3 goals and 5 assists in his first 7 games, he’s gone 4 or more games without registering a point on 5 occasions on the season. But he has such a strong work ethic that if he can use his teammates more often, it shouldn’t be an issue going forward.

Studenic will never wow you with defensive abilities, nor will he ever receive Selke considerations in the NHL, but he’s no slouch either. He can anticipate well in his own zone, he can break up plays, and he can skate the puck up ice effectively. But most importantly, he will not shy away from his defensive responsibilities and puts in the effort to protect his zone.

Play-by-play voice of the Bulldogs and good friend Reed Duthie (@rcduthie) had this to say about Studenic:

Marian Studenic is a highly talented winger with a tremendous motor. Since coming to the Hamilton Bulldogs from HK 36 Skalica in Slovakia, Studenic has made a solid transition from playing on international ice to the smaller North American rinks. Studenic had to learn to operate in much tighter traffic with less time but has made his skill translate with eye-popping skill moves and elite speed. Hockey IQ & Defensive game need refining and more practice but Marian Studenic has shown the willingness to work at his craft which bode well for his future in the game.

Studenic was ranked 86 among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s mid-term rankings in January.

OHL Announces Top Performers of the Month for March

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 March 2017, including Owen Sound Attack teammates Petrus Palmu and Santino Centorame along with Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds goaltender Matthew Villalta.

OHL Player of the Month – Petrus Palmu (Owen Sound Attack):
Owen Sound Attack winger Petrus Palmu is the OHL Player of the Month for March after leading all players with 20 points including seven goals and 13 assists in nine games to go with a plus/minus rating of plus-13. The Finnish forward had points in all nine contests, including seven multi-point efforts headlined by a four-point performance, netting four assists in a 6-4 road win over the Niagara IceDogs on March 9th. Palmu finished the 2016-17 season with goals in six straight outings, including a two-goal, one assist showing as the Attack defeated the Sarnia Sting 9-3 on March 12th. The 19-year-old rounded out the month with a goal and two assists in Owen Sound’s 8-5 win in Guelph on Sunday as the Attack secured third place in the Western Conference.

A native of Joensuu, Finland, Palmu closed out his third OHL season with 98 points, the most by an Attack player since Bobby Ryan’s 102 in 2006-07. Palmu’s 98 points including 40 goals and 58 assists place him fourth in league scoring as the Attack finished second in the Midwest Division with a franchise-best record of 49-15-2-2. Owen Sound’s first round (22nd overall) CHL Import Draft selection in 2014, Palmu has not been drafted to the NHL but attended Training Camp with the Montreal Canadiens last fall. He represented Finland at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship.

OHL Defenceman of the Month – Santino Centorame (Owen Sound Attack):
For the second time this season, Owen Sound Attack captain Santino Centorame is the OHL’s Defenceman of the Month, leading all rearguards with 15 points including two goals and 13 assists in nine contests. Centorame surpassed Chris Bigras as Owen Sound’s all-time franchise scoring leader among defencemen during the productive month of March, recording points in eight of his nine outings. The 20-year-old recorded three assists in a 6-4 win over the Niagara IceDogs on March 9th. He earned first star honours twice, first on March 16th with a goal and two assists in Owen Sound’s 6-1 victory in Windsor to set a new franchise mark for wins in a season. He posted two assists a game later to earn first star recognition and help the Attack defeat the Kitchener Rangers 7-2 on March 18th.

A native of Mississauga, Ont., Centorame finishes his fourth and final OHL season second in league scoring among defencemen with 73 points including seven goals and a 66 assists to go with a plus/minus rating of plus-37. He ends his OHL regular season career with 29 goals, 133 assists and 162 points in 265 games between Owen Sound and London to go with a plus/minus rating of plus-55. Originally London’s fourth round (88th overall) pick in 2012, Centorame attended Training Camp with the St. Louis Blues last fall.

Matthew Villalta of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Matthew Villalta of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month & OHL Rookie of the Month – Matthew Villalta (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds):
After an outstanding month of March, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds rookie Matthew Villalta is the first dual-award winner of the 2016-17 season. The 17-year-old is the Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month and the OHL Rookie of the Month after leading all netminders with a 1.34 goals-against average and .957 save percentage along with a 5-1-0-0 record with one shutout over six games. Villalta’s month started with a bang as he turned in a 37-save performance to record his first OHL shutout in a 6-0 win over the Guelph Storm on March 3rd. He made 27 saves two nights later in a 2-1 road win over the Kitchener Rangers. Villalta made a season-high 40 saves as the Hounds defeated the Rangers 6-1 at home on March 10th. He closed out the month with a 27-save effort in a 3-1 win over the Saginaw Spirit on March 17th. He received star of the game recognition four times, including a pair of first star designations.

A native of Godfrey, Ont., Villalta finished his rookie season with an impressive 25-3-0-0 record to go with a 2.41 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage. He becomes the OHL’s first 17-year-old rookie to win 25 games in a season since 2006-07 and sets a new Greyhounds single-season record for lowest goals-against average as his 2.41 mark surpasses the prior benchmark of 2.44 set by Kyle Gajewski in 2007-08. Villalta enjoyed a 16-game winning streak from Sept. 24th to Feb. 10th, marking the longest winning streak by an OHL goaltender since Niagara’s Mark Visentin won 17 straight during the 2011-12 season. Signed as a free agent by the Greyhounds out of Training Camp last fall, Villalta is eligible for the 2017 NHL Draft.

2016-17 OHL Performers of the Month:
Player of the Month:
March – Petrus Palmu (Owen Sound Attack)
February – Alex DeBrincat (Erie Otters)
January – Adam Mascherin (Kitchener Rangers)
December – Zach Gallant (Peterborough Petes)
November – Alex DeBrincat/Taylor Raddysh (Erie Otters)
October – Taylor Raddysh (Erie Otters)

Defenceman of the Month:
March – Santino Centorame (Owen Sound Attack)
February – Darren Raddysh (Erie Otters)
January – Santino Centorame (Owen Sound Attack)
December – Stephen Desrocher (Kingston Frontenacs)
November – Darren Raddysh (Erie Otters)
October – Mathieu Henderson (Flint Firebirds)

Rookie of the Month:
March – Matthew Villalta (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
February – Adam Ruzicka (Sarnia Sting)
January – Allan McShane (Oshawa Generals)
December – Ryan Merkley (Guelph Storm)
November – Linus Nyman (Kingston Frontenacs)
October – Ryan Merkley (Guelph Storm)

Vaughn Goaltender of the Month:
March – Matthew Villalta (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
February – Michael McNiven (Owen Sound Attack)
January – Jacob Ingham (Mississauga Steelheads)
December – Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires
November – Tyler Parsons (London Knights)
October – Troy Timpano (Erie Otters)

CHL Announces Top 10 Rankings

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

CHL Large

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced the week twenty-six and final edition of the CHL Top-10 Rankings for the 2016-17 season.  The weekly rankings of the CHL’s Top-10 teams are selected by a panel of National Hockey League scouts.

CHL Top 10 Rankings – Week 26

Rank: Team: Last Week Rank: Number of Weeks Ranked:
1 Regina Pats (52-12-7-1) 2 25
2 Erie Otters (50-15-2-1) 3 21
3 Saint John Sea Dogs (48-14-5-1) 1 21
4 Owen Sound Attack (49-15-2-2) 6 10
5 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (48-16-3-1) 5 16
6 London Knights (46-15-3-4) 4 25
7 Medicine Hat Tigers (51-20-1-0) 9 12
8 Charlottetown Islanders (46-18-4-0) 7 6
9 Everett Silvertips (44-16-9-3) – 20
10 Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (43-18-2-5) 8 23
Honourable Mention:
Seattle Thunderbirds (46-20-4-2) 10 3
Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (43-19-4-2) – 6
Windsor Spitfires (41-19-5-3) – 17

CHL Leagues

2017 OHL Playoffs – First Round Schedule

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

OHL Playoffs 2017

Toronto, ON – After 680 games the 2016-17 Ontario Hockey League regular season has come to an end.

All 16 playoff positions have been claimed, setting the stage for eight first round post-season matchups across the league.

In the Eastern Conference, the first place Peterborough Petes will play the eighth place Niagara IceDogs, the second place Mississauga Steelheads will host the seventh place Ottawa 67’s, the third place Oshawa Generals will take on the sixth place Sudbury Wolves, and the fourth place Kingston Frontenacs will take on the fifth place Hamilton Bulldogs.

In the Western Conference, the first place Erie Otters will face the eighth place Sarnia Sting, the second place Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds host the seventh place Flint Firebirds, the third place Owen Sound Attack will play the sixth place Kitchener Rangers, and the fourth place London Knights take on the fifth place Windsor Spitfires.

Four first round games will be broadcast across the country on Sportsnet 360 including Game’s 1 and 2 from London featuring the Knights and Mastercard Memorial Cup host Spitfires on Friday March 24 and Sunday March 26, Game 3 between the Petes and IceDogs from St. Catharines on Tuesday March 28, and Game 4 between the Frontenacs and host Bulldogs on Thursday March 30.

The puck drops on first round action beginning Thursday night, March 23.

2017 #OHLPLAYOFFS BRACKETS

2017 OHL EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF SCHEDULE:

Series “A” – Peterborough Petes (1) vs. Niagara IceDogs (8)
Game 1, Thurs, Mar 23 at Peterborough – 7:05 p.m.
Game 2, Sat, Mar 25 at Peterborough – 7:05 p.m.
Game 3, Tues, Mar 28 at Niagara – 7:00 p.m. (Sportsnet 360)
Game 4, Thurs, Mar 30 at Niagara – 7:00 p.m.
Game 5, Sat, Apr 1 at Peterborough – 7:05 p.m.*
Game 6, Mon, Apr 3 at Niagara – 7:00 p.m.*
Game 7, Tues, Apr 4 at Peterborough – 7:05 p.m.*
#PBOvsNIAG

Series “B” – Mississauga Steelheads (2) vs. Ottawa 67’s (7)
Game 1, Fri, Mar 24 at Mississauga – 7:00 p.m.
Game 2, Sun, Mar 26 at Mississauga – 2:00 p.m.
Game 3, Tues, Mar 28 at Ottawa – 7:00 p.m.
Game 4, Thurs, Mar 30 at Ottawa – 7:00 p.m.
Game 5, Fri, Mar 31 at Mississauga – 7:00 p.m.*
Game 6, Sun, Apr 2 at Ottawa – 2:00 p.m.*
Game 7, Tues, Apr 4 at Mississauga – 7:00 p.m.*
#MISSvsOTT

Series “C” – Oshawa Generals (3) vs. Sudbury Wolves (6)
Game 1, Fri, Mar 24 at Oshawa – 7:35 p.m.
Game 2, Sun, Mar 26 at Oshawa – 6:05 p.m.
Game 3, Tues, Mar 28 at Sudbury – 7:00 p.m.
Game 4, Thurs, Mar 30 at Sudbury – 7:00 p.m.
Game 5, Fri, Mar 31 at Oshawa – 7:35 p.m.*
Game 6, Sun, Apr 2 at Sudbury – 7:00 p.m.*
Game 7, Tues, Apr 4 at Oshawa – 7:05 p.m.*
#OSHvsSBY

Series “D” – Kingston Frontenacs (4) vs. Hamilton Bulldogs (5)
Game 1, Fri, Mar 24 at Kingston – 7:00 p.m.
Game 2, Sun, Mar 26 at Kingston – 2:00 p.m.
Game 3, Tues, Mar 28 at Hamilton – 7:00 p.m.
Game 4, Thurs, Mar 30 at Hamilton – 7:00 p.m. (Sportsnet 360)
Game 5, Fri, Mar 31 at Kingston – 7:00 p.m.*
Game 6, Sun, Apr 2 at Hamilton – 2:00 p.m.*
Game 7, Tues, Apr 4 at Kingston – 7:00 p.m.*
#KGNvsHAM

*if necessary

2017 OHL WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF SCHEDULE:

Series “A” – Erie Otters (1) vs. Sarnia Sting (8)
Game 1, Thurs, Mar 23 at Erie – 7:00 p.m.
Game 2, Sat, Mar 25 at Sarnia – 7:05 p.m.
Game 3, Mon, Mar 27 at Sarnia – 7:05 p.m.
Game 4, Wed, Mar 29 at Erie – 7:00 p.m.
Game 5, Fri, Mar 31 at Erie – 7:00 p.m.*
Game 6, Sun, Apr 2 at Sarnia – 2:00 p.m.*
Game 7, Tues, Apr 4 at Erie -7:00 p.m.*
#ERvsSAR

Series “B” – Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (2) vs. Flint Firebirds (7)
Game 1, Thurs, Mar 23 at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07 p.m.
Game 2, Sat, Mar 25 at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07 p.m.
Game 3, Mon, Mar 27 at Flint – 7:00 p.m.
Game 4, Wed, Mar 29 at Flint – 7:00 p.m.
Game 5, Fri, Mar 31 at  Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07 p.m.*
Game 6, Sun, Apr 2 at Flint – 4:00 p.m.*
Game 7, Tues, Apr 4 at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07 p. m.*
#SSMvsFLNT

Series “C” – Owen Sound Attack (3) vs. Kitchener Rangers (6)
Game 1, Fri, Mar 24 at Owen Sound – 7:30 p.m.
Game 2, Sat, Mar 25 at Owen Sound – 7:30 p.m.
Game 3, Mon, Mar 27 at Kitchener – 7:00 p.m.
Game 4, Wed, Mar 29 at Kitchener – 7:00 p.m.
Game 5, Fri, Mar 31 at Owen Sound – 7:30 p.m.*
Game 6, Sun, Apr 2 at Kitchener – 7:00 p.m.*
Game 7, Tues, Apr 4 at Owen Sound – 7:00 p.m.*
#OSvsKIT

Series “D” – London Knights (4) vs. Windsor Spitfires (5)
Game 1, Fri, Mar 24 at London – 7:30 p.m. (Sportsnet 360)
Game 2, Sun, Mar 26 at London – 2:00 p.m. (Sportsnet 360)
Game 3, Tues, Mar 28 at Windsor – 7:05 p.m.
Game 4, Thurs, Mar 30 at Windsor -7:05 p.m.
Game 5, Fri, Mar 31 at London – 7:30 p.m.*
Game 6, Sun, Apr 2 at Windsor – 2:00 p.m.*
Game 7, Tues, Apr 4 at London – 7:00 p.m.*
#LDNvsWSR

*if necessary

Play #CHLPredictor and choose playoff winners from across the Canadian Hockey League! Register through the new #CHLFanbase module, earn points for correct picks, and have the chance to win great prizes including a trip to the Mastercard Memorial Cup.

OHL Announces 2016-17 Regular Season Award Winners

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the recipients of four of the league’s annual awards following the conclusion of the 2016-17 regular season.

Offensively, Chicago Blackhawks prospect Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters captured the league’s scoring title earning the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy along with the Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy presented to the Top Scoring Right Winger.  The other two awards recognize defensive efforts including the Dave Pinkney Trophy for the goaltending tandem of the team with the fewest goals against won by Owen Sound Attack netminder Michael McNiven and Emanuel Vella, and the F.W “Dinty” Moore Trophy awarded to Matthew Villalta of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds as the rookie with the best goals-against-average.

OHL Logo

Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy (Scoring Champion) and Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy (Top Scoring Right Winger): Alex DeBrincat, Erie Otters:

Alex DeBrincat recorded 65 goals and 62 assists for 127 points in 63 games to lead all OHL players in regular season scoring.

The 19-year-old from Farmington Hills, Michigan, delivered a multitude of scoring records over the course of the 2016-17 campaign helping the Otters capture their second straight Hamilton Spectator Trophy, third straight Midwest Division crown, and record fourth straight 50 win season.

His 65 goals represent a new Erie Otters single season record after cementing his position as the first player since Dale McCourt (1974-77) to record three-straight 50-goal seasons and matching Mike Ricci’s 1988 mark with goals in 19 consecutive games.  DeBrincat also became just the eighth player in the league’s modern era to record three-straight 100-point seasons, and the third Otter to reach the prestigious 300 career-point milestone.  In 191 career games over three seasons, the undrafted free agent signee has scored 167 goals and 165 assists for 332 points.  He is the Otters all-time leading goal scorer and the leading American goal scorer in OHL history.

The second round pick of the Blackhawks in the 2016 NHL Draft is the third Otter to earn the league’s scoring title doing so in a span of four years following Dylan Strome (2014-15) and Connor Brown (2013-14).  In addition to the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy, Brown was also the club’s first Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy recipient.

The Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy was donated by the Toronto Marlboro Athletic Club in memory of Eddie Powers and was first awarded in 1945-46 to Tod Sloan of St. Michael’s who scored 79 points in 25 games.  Kevin Labanc of the Barrie Colts was last year’s recipient with 127 points in 65 games including 39 goals and 88 assists.  Other notable winners include Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin who tied for the league’s scoring title before being chosen first and second overall respectively in 2010, while fellow first overall NHL picks John Tavares (2009), and Patrick Kane (2007) are also recent winners.

The Jim Mahon Trophy was first presented following the 1971-72 season by the players and management of the Peterborough Petes in memory of their right winger Jim Mahon who was accidentally killed that summer.  Labanc was also the 2015-16 recipient.

Dave Pinkney Trophy (Lowest Team Goals Against): Michael McNiven and Emanuel Vella, Owen Sound Attack

The Owen Sound Attack allowed the fewest goals in the OHL this season with just 177 against, backstopped by the tandem of Michael McNiven and Emanuel Vella.

McNiven, a 19-year-old from Georgetown, ON, led the league with a 2.30 goals-against-average and finished the 2016-17 campaign with a .915 save percentage in 54 games.  The Montreal Canadiens prospect carried a record of 41-9-2-2 which led the league in wins and also set an Attack single season record.  His six shutouts were tied for a league-high and brought his career total to 11 which is also a new franchise mark.  Vella, an 18-year-old from Toronto, ON, played eight games for the Attack posting a 5-2-0-0 record with a goals-against-average 3.21 and save percentage of .863 after being acquired from the London Knights in November.

2016-17 marks the best season in franchise history for the Attack with a 49-15-2-2 record for 102 points surpassing their previous best of 46 wins and 97 points set in their 2011 OHL Championship season.

The Dave Pinkney Trophy is awarded annually to the goaltending tandem from the team that allows the fewest goals against during the regular season.  Last season, the London Knights allowed 182 goals against with the award presented to Tyler Parsons and Brendan Burke.

The 2012-13 Attack tandem of Jordan Binnington and Brandon Hope allowed just 165 goals against to claim the club’s only other Dave Pinkney Trophy in Owen Sound history.

F.W. “Dinty” Moore Trophy (Best Rookie GAA): Matthew Villalta, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

Matthew Villalta had the best goals-against-average among OHL rookie goaltenders in 2016-17 with a mark of 2.41 for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds who captured their third West Division title in four years.

Not only did his 2.41 GAA lead all rookies, it was the fifth lowest across the entire league, and set a new Greyhounds record besting Kyle Gajewski’s 2.44 mark in 2007-08.

A 17-year-old from Godfrey, ON, Villalta committed to the Greyhounds prior to the 2016-17 campaign after competing last season as a member of the Greater Kingston AAA Midget Hockey Club.  The rookie played in 33 games this season carrying a record of 25-3-0-0 including one shutout with a save percentage of .918 while posting 16-straight victories from September 24 to February 10.  His 25 wins are the most by a 17-year-old OHL rookie in 10 years following Mississauga’s Andrew Loverock (31) and Guelph’s Thomas McCollum (26) in 2006-07.

The trophy is named after F.W. “Dinty” Moore of Port Colborne, ON, who served as OHA President from 1942-45.  In order to qualify for this rookie award, a goaltender must play a minimum of 900 minutes.  Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires won the award last season with a 2.45 goals-against-average.

Villalta is the fifth Greyhound to win the award following Gajewski (2004-05), Kevin Hodson (1990-91), Gerry Iuliano (1983-84), and John Vanbiesbrouck (1980-81).