2017 CHL Import Draft Results

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced the final results of the 2017 CHL Import Draft.

The 26th annual CHL Import Draft included a total of 72 players consisting of 50 forwards and 22 defencemen selected from 11 different countries featuring a draft-high 19 players from Russia.

The two-round draft took place online with the order of selection rotating through each of the CHL’s three leagues using an inverse order of final regular season standings within each league from the 2016-17 season.

The Barrie Colts used the first overall pick to acquire Russian forward Andrei Svechnikov, a 2018 NHL Draft prospect who recently earned bronze at the 2017 IIHF World Under-18 Championship.  His international hockey success this season also included a MVP performance at the World Junior A Challenge, and a bronze medal at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge where he led the tournament in points.  The Moncton Wildcats used the second overall pick to select fellow Russian forward and 2018 NHL Draft prospect Alexander Khovanov who was an Under-17 teammate of Svechnikov capturing bronze in Sault Ste. Marie last November.  At third overall the Kootenay ICE selected Switzerland’s Gilian Kohler, a forward also eligible for the 2018 NHL Draft.

CLICK HERE TO SEE 2017 CHL IMPORT DRAFT ORDER AND RESULTS

The 2017 CHL Import Draft featured 11 players previously selected by NHL teams in 2016 and 2017 drafts.  Of that group, five players were selected in the first two rounds this past weekend in Chicago including first round picks Martin Necas (12th, Carolina) chosen 10th overall by the Saginaw Spirit, Timothy Liljegren (17th, Toronto) chosen 13th overall by the Niagara IceDogs, and Filip Chytil (21st, New York Rangers) chosen seventh overall by the North Bay Battalion.  Second round NHL Draft picks selected in the Import Draft include Alexandre Texier (45th, Columbus) taken 17th overall by the Baie-Comeau Drakkar, and Joni Ikonen (58th, Montreal) chosen 28th overall by the Hamilton Bulldogs.

A total of 37 players selected in the 2017 CHL Import Draft are first-year eligible for the 2018 NHL Draft, while four players selected are not eligible for the NHL Draft until 2019.

Each team in the CHL is permitted to dress and play a maximum of two import players each season who are selected annually through the CHL Import Draft.

2017 CHL Import Draft Summary:

Draft Picks by Position:
Forward – 50
Defence – 22

Draft Picks by Country:
Russia – 19
Czech Republic – 15
Sweden – 8
Slovakia – 7
Belarus – 6
Germany – 6
Finland – 4
Switzerland – 4
Denmark – 1
France – 1
Slovenia – 1

Draft picks by Birthdate and NHL Status:
2000-born late and 2019 NHL Draft eligible – 4
2000-born and 2018 NHL Draft eligible – 29
1999-born late and 2018 NHL Draft eligible – 8
1999-born and 2017 NHL Drafted – 8
1999-born early and NHL Undrafted – 15
1998-born and NHL Drafted – 3
1998-born and NHL Undrafted – 5

NHL Draft picks in CHL Import Draft:
4. Alexei Toropchenko (Guelph – 4th round to St. Louis in 2017)
7. Filip Chytil (North Bay – 1st round to NY Rangers in 2017)
10. Martin Necas (Saginaw – 1st round to Carolina in 2017)
13. Timothy Liljegren (Niagara – 1st round to Toronto in 2017)
17. Alexandre Texier (Baie-Comeau – 4th round to Columbus in 2017)
28. Joni Ikonen (Hamilton – 2nd round to Montreal in 2017)
41. Jan Drozg (Shawinigan – 5th round to Pittsburgh in 2017)
45. Oleg Sosunov (Moose Jaw – 6th round to Tampa Bay in 2016)
49. Jesper Bratt (London – 6th round to New Jersey in 2016)
53. Ostap Safin (Saint John – 4th round to Edmonton in 2017)
119. Linus Nassen (Medicine Hat – 3rd round to Florida in 2016)

A total of 15 players acquired through the CHL Import Draft were recently selected in the 2017 NHL Draft including New Jersey Devils first overall pick Nico Hischier of the Halifax Mooseheads. Other first round picks included Finnish defencemen Juuso Valimaki of the Tri-City Americans selected 16th overall by the Calgary Flames and Henri Jokiharju of the Portland Winterhawks selected 29th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks.

Last season a total of 79 players were selected from 11 different countries led by 24 players from Russia and consisting of 53 forwards and 26 defencemen.

OHL Announces 2017 Exhibition Game Schedule

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Press Release

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the exhibition game schedule for the 2017-18 season.

The schedule includes 45 games from Friday September 1 through Sunday September 17 and also features a six-team Pre-Season Showcase in partnership with Buffalo’s HarborCenter.

The HarborCenter OHL Showcase features the host Erie Otters along with the Flint Firebirds, Kitchener Rangers, North Bay Battalion, Peterborough Petes, and Windsor Spitfires each playing three games from September 1-3 to help open the exhibition season.  The HarborCenter has been the three-year host of the NHL Scouting Combine and will also host the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship.

The showcase schedule at HarborCenter will also coincide with an elite eight-team U15 AAA Invitational Tournament featuring the Buffalo Jr. Sabres and some of the best competition from across North America giving hockey fans the opportunity to see the next wave of OHL Priority Selection talent.

All OHL clubs will play between two and six exhibition games with at least one game on home ice with the exception of five teams who will host off-site contests in community rinks including the Erie Otters (Komoka), Flint Firebirds (Iceland), Hamilton Bulldogs (Ancaster and Stoney Creek), Mississauga Steelheads (Hershey Centre 2 and Westwood), and Oshawa Generals (Pickering and Bowmanville).

The 681-game OHL regular season opens on Thursday September 21, 2017.

The complete exhibition schedule is listed below and attached and is also available at www.ontariohockeyleague.com.

2017 OHL Exhibition Game Schedule:

Fri. Sept 1 Flint vs Windsor 12:30 (OHL Showcase at Buffalo’s HarborCenter)

Fri. Sept 1 Kitchener vs North Bay 4:00 (OHL Showcase at Buffalo’s HarborCenter)

Fri. Sept 1 Erie vs Peterborough (OHL Showcase at Buffalo’s HarborCenter)

Fri. Sept 1 Guelph at Hamilton 7:00 (Ancaster’s Firestone Arena)

Fri. Sept 1 Oshawa at Kingston 7:00

Fri. Sept 1 Barrie at Niagara 7:00

Fri. Sept 1 Sarnia at London 7:30

Sat. Sept 2 North Bay vs Windsor 12:30 (OHL Showcase at Buffalo’s HarborCenter)

Sat. Sept 2 Peterborough vs Kitchener 4:00 (OHL Showcase at Buffalo’s HarborCenter)

Sat. Sept 2 Erie vs Flint 7:30 (OHL Showcase at Buffalo’s HarborCenter)

Set. Sept 2 Guelph at Mississauga 7:00 (Hershey Centre 2)

Sat. Sept 2 Sault Ste. Marie at Saginaw 7:00

Sat. Sept 2 London at Sarnia 7:05

Sun. Sept 3 Flint vs North Bay 12:30 (OHL Showcase at Buffalo’s HarborCenter)

Sun. Sept 3 Windsor vs Peterborough 4:00 (OHL Showcase at Buffalo’s HarborCenter)

Sun. Sept 3 Kitchener vs Erie 7:30 (OHL Showcase at Buffalo’s HarborCenter)

Sun. Sept 3 Ottawa at Kingston 2:00

Sun. Sept 3 Barrie at Owen Sound 2:00

Sun. Sept 3 Saginaw at Sault Ste. Marie 4:07

Mon. Sept 4 Mississauga at Guelph 2:00

Mon. Sept 4 Owen Sound at Barrie 6:00

Tues. Sept 5 Mississauga at Sudbury 7:05

Wed. Sept 13 Kitchener at Mississauga 7:00 (Westwood Arena)

Wed. Sept 13 Owen Sound at Oshawa 7:05 (Pickering Rec Complex)

Wed. Sept 13 North Bay at Sudbury 7:05

Thurs. Sept 14 Hamilton at Guelph 7:00

Thurs. Sept 14 Oshawa at Peterborough 7:05

Thurs. Sept 14 Niagara at Barrie 7:30

Fri. Sept 15 Kitchener at Niagara 7:00

Fri. Sept 15 Kingston at Ottawa 7:00

Fri. Sept 15 Flint at Saginaw 7:00

Fri. Sept 15 Sault Ste. Marie at Sudbury 7:05

Fri. Sept 15 Sarnia at Windsor 7:05

Fri. Sept 15 Erie at London 7:30

Sat. Sept 16 Niagara at Kitchener 2:00

Sat. Sept 16 North Bay at Owen Sound 2:00

Sat. Sept 16 Peterborough at Guelph 7:00

Sat. Sept 16 Saginaw at Flint 7:00 (Iceland Arena)

Sat. Sept 16 London at Erie 7:00 (Komoka Arena)

Sat. Sept 16 Windsor at Sarnia 7:05

Sat. Sept 16 Hamilton at Barrie 7:30

Sun. Sept 17 Owen Sound at North Bay 2:00

Sun. Sept 17 Sudbury at Sault Ste. Marie 2:07

Sun. Sept 17 Barrie at Hamilton 5:00 (Stoney Creek’s Valley Park Arena)

Sun. Sept 17 Peterborough at Oshawa 6:05 (Bowmanville’s Garnet Rickard Rec Complex)

The 2017 OHL Exhibition Game Schedule is subject to change including the potential for additional games to be added at a later date.  All games will once again be scored online and will appear in the digital schedule closer to the commencement of the pre-season.

OHL Announces 2017-18 Regular Season Schedule

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the regular season schedule of games for 2017-18.

OHL Opening Week17-18

#OHLOpeningWeek begins on Thursday September 21 with three games on the schedule including the defending Mastercard Memorial Cup champion Windsor Spitfires at home to the Saginaw Spirit, the OHL champion Erie Otters on the road against the Peterborough Petes, along with the Barrie Colts hosting the Ottawa 67’s.  In total, #OHLOpeningWeek features 20 games through Sunday September 24 and includes 16 home openers.

The 2017-18 schedule includes 681 games this season due to a special inter-league series between the Ottawa 67’s and the QMJHL’s Gatineau Olympiques.  As part of their 50th anniversary celebrations, the 67’s will play their cross-river neighbours twice including in Ottawa on Sunday December 17 and in Gatineau on Friday January 12 with both games counting towards league standing.

Other highlights of the 2017-18 regular season schedule include the raising of OHL Championship banners on Saturday September 30 in Erie as the Otters play host to the Kitchener Rangers for their home opener.  The schedule also includes eight School Day games with morning puck drops.  On Wednesday November 1 the Otters host the Rangers and the 67’s host the Kingston Frontenacs for 10:30 am contests, followed by a trio of morning matchups on Wednesday November 15 including the Flint Firebirds hosting the Sarnia Sting, the Hamilton Bulldogs hosting the Petes, and the Mississauga Steelheads hosting the Otters.  On Wednesday November 29 the Frontenacs host the 67’s at 10:30 am, on Thursday February 8 the Bulldogs host the Colts at 10:30 am, and on Wednesday February 14 the Steelheads host the Rangers at 11:00 am.  Cogeco TV’s Hockey Day in the OHL returns for a fifth straight year taking place on Sunday January 28 with a broadcast triple-header that features Niagara at North Bay at 1:00 pm, Peterborough at Kingston at 4:00 pm, then Sarnia at Hamilton beginning at 7:00 pm.  The two busiest days of the calendar include Thursday December 28 and Friday January 26 that both feature all 20 teams in action, while six different dates feature nine games including Sunday October 29, Friday November 10, Sunday November 19, Friday November 24, Friday February 2, and Family Day on Monday February 19 with every game beginning at 2:00 pm.

The regular season wraps up on Sunday March 18 with five games scheduled before the top eight teams in each conference will compete for the J. Ross Robertson Cup in the 2018 OHL Playoffs.

CHL Special Events this season include the CIBC Canada Russia Series in OHL markets on Thursday November 9 in Owen Sound, and Monday November 13 in Sudbury.  The 2018 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is also hosted by the OHL this season and will be played on Thursday January 25 in Guelph.  The 2018 Mastercard Memorial Cup is set for May 17-27 in Regina, Saskatchewan, and will feature the OHL champion along with the host Pats, the Western Hockey League champion, and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League champion competing in the 100th edition of the CHL’s prestigious national championship.

The 2017-18 campaign features milestones for several clubs including the Battalion’s 20th OHL season and 5th in North Bay, the 45th season for the Frontenacs, and the 55th season for the Rangers.

Divisional alignment remains the same for 2017-18 with all teams playing inter divisional rivals a minimum of six times including three games at home and three on the road, while teams will continue to play a minimum of one home and one road matchup against all 19 other clubs.

 The Ontario Hockey League continues the tradition of being primarily a weekend league in order to accommodate the student athlete with over 89% (607) games scheduled between Thursday and Sunday.  Friday continues to be the busiest night during the season with 187 games scheduled, followed by 163 on Saturdays, and 157 on Sundays.

Day – No. of Games (Percentage)

DAY PCT
MON 15 2.2%
TUES 8 1.2%
WED 51 7.5%
THURS 100 14.7%
FRI 187 27.5%
SAT 163 23.9%
SUN 157 23.1%
681 100.0%

The entire 2017-18 OHL Regular Season Schedule is attached but can also be found online at www.ontariohockeyleague.com.

Help promote the launch of the 2017-18 OHL Regular Season on social media by using #OHLOpeningWeek.

 

 

Hockey Canada Announces Program of Excellence Goaltending Camp

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Hockey Canada has releases the list of goaltenders invited to their Program of Excellence Goaltending Camp that will take place in Calgary Alberta June 9-11, 2017. It is the first evaluation camp for goaltenders who could take part at the Under-17, Under-18 and Under-20 competitions.

Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Michael DiPietro (Windsor – OHL) is the youngest goaltender participating at the Under-20 camp. He is joined by Evan Fitzpatrick (Sherbrooke – QMJHL), Carter Hart (Everett – WHL), Jacob McGrath (Sudbury – OHL), Ian Scott (Prince Albert – WHL), Stuart Skinner (Lethbridge – WHL) and Dylan Wells (Peterborough – OHL).

Participating at the Under-18 camp are: Alexis Gravel (Halifax – QMJHL), Jacob Ingham (Mississauga – OHL), Hunter Jones (Stouffville – OJHL), Jordan Kooy (London – OHL), Kevin Mandolese (Cape Breton – QMJHL), Olivier Rodrigue (Drummondville – QMJHL) and Carl Stankowski (Seattle – WHL).

Invited to the Under-17 camp are: Roman Basran (Yale Hockey Academy – CSSHL), Boston Bilous (Fraser Valley – BCMML), Cole Brady (Ajax/Pickering – ONMMAAA), Luke Cavallin (Kemptville – HEOMAAA), Tommy Da Silva (Collège Charles-Lemoyne LHMAAAQ), Ryan Dugas (Mississauga Reps – ONMAAAA), Byron Fancy (Lethbridge AMHL), Taylor Gauthier (Calgary Buffaloes – AMHL), Mack Guzda (Detroit Honeybaked USU16), Fabio Iacobo (Laval-Montreal – LHMAAAQ), Ethan Langevin (Whitby – ONMMAAA),  Jonathan Lemieux (Collège Antoine-Girouard – LHMAAAQ), Nolan Maier (Yorkton – SMAAAHL), Trent Miner (Brandon – MMAAAHL), Zach Roy (Toronto Young Nationals (ONMMAAA) and Christian Sbaraglia (Vaughan – ONMMAAA).

OHL Writer’s Final Draft Ranking

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

It’s not your typical National Hockey League Draft. At least not compared to the last few seasons where fans and teams were spoiled.

After Nolan Patrick (Brandon Wheat Kings – WHL) and Nico Hischier (Halifax Mooseheads – QMJHL) who are the consensus top two picks – although there are those including yours truly that would have Hischier at the top, you could break the draft class down into segments of five or ten, shuffle the deck, and it would still be a reasonable ranking.

It’s not as strong or as deep as we’ve seen lately at forward and defence, but it is a strong goaltending class where two goaltenders could go in the first round. If they make it to the second round, there could be as many as five go on the second day.

As we’ve always done in the past, we look only at the players eligible for the first time. Players re-entering the draft or passed over in previous drafts are not included. So, you won’t see the likes of Kevin Hancock, Drake Rymsha, Trenton Bourque or Stephen Dhillon on the rankings.

With our list, you will also see where the player ranked on NHL Central Scouting’s mid-term rankings in January and their final ranking sits overall among North American skaters and goaltenders.

Three OHL players made Central Scouting list that didn’t make my top 44 skaters, Fedor Gordeev, Liam Hawel and Jacob Golden. Taking their place on my list are Matthew Philip, Ben Jones and Macauley Carson, the latter not making Central Scouting’s final list at all.

Here is our final list. You can click on most player’s names for a profile on them written throughout the OHL season. Again, as always, it’s open to criticism.

Gabriel Vilardi of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Gabriel Vilardi of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Rk Player Pos Team CS-Mid CS-FINAL
1 Gabriel Vilardi C/W Windsor 3 4
2 Owen Tippett RW Mississauga 4 7
3 Nick Suzuki C Owen Sound 16 10
4 Jason Robertson LW Kingston 34 14
5 Conor Timmins D Sault Ste Marie 26 18
6 Isaac Ratcliffe LW Guelph 20 15
7 Robert Thomas  C London 28 22
8 Morgan Frost C Sault Ste Marie 29 31
9 Nicolas Hague D Mississauga 11 20
10 Matthew Strome LW Hamilton 19 33
11 Eemeli Rasanen D Kingston 57 32
12 Jonah Gadjovich LW Owen Sound 60 39
13 Adam Ruzicka C Sarnia 27 37
14 Alex Formenton LW London 24 29
15 Mackenzie Entwistle RW Hamilton 35 44
16 Jack Studnicka C Oshawa 80 120
17 Ivan Lodnia RW Erie 37 36
18 Dmitri Samorukov D Guelph 122 69
19 Zach Gallant C Peterborough 71 64
20 Nate Schnarr C Guelph 32 47
21 Kirill Maksimov RW Niagara 185 66
22 Markus Phillips D Owen Sound 62 50
23 Brady Lyle D North Bay 53 48
24 Maksim Sushko RW Owen Sound 73 72
25 Greg Meireles C Kitchener 39 93
26 Linus Nyman RW Kingston 102 100
27 Marian Studenic RW Hamilton 86 101
28 Noel Hoefenmayer D Ottawa 41 75
29 Jacob Paquette D Kingston 90 105
30 Adam Thilander D North Bay 59 96
31 Austen Keating LW Ottawa 92 115
32 Sean Durzi D Owen Sound 139 124
33 Macauley Carson LW Sudbury 183 NR
34 Sasha Chmelevski C Ottawa 38 43
35 Shaw Boomhower C Mississauga 123 112
36 Zachary Roberts LW Owen Sound 180 113
37 Nicholas McHugh LW Kitchener 176 145
38 German Poddubnyi C Erie NR 130
39 Nick Isaacson LW Peterborough 168 148
40 Matthew Philip C Niagara 173 152
41 Ryan McGregor C Sarnia 79 107
42 Dylan Seitz C Kitchener 100 123
43 Cole Coskey RW Saginaw 96 150
44 Ben Jones C Niagara 99 170
Goaltenders
1 Michael DiPietro G Windsor 7 4
2 Matthew Villalta G Sault Ste Marie 14 16
3 Kyle Keyser G Oshawa 10 11
4 Jake McGrath G Sudbury 23 19
5 Kaden Fulcher G Hamilton 12 18
Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

OHL This Week for May 28 to June 5, 2017

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – It’s the final edition of ‘OHL This Week’ for the 2016-17 season!  All of the champions have been crowned, the action on-ice is complete, but  another season is just around the corner.

Here’s a look at what’s been happening around the league:
WINDSOR SPITFIRES ARE 2017 MASTERCARD MEMORIAL CUP CHAMPIONS:
For the third time in franchise history the Windsor Spitfires are Mastercard Memorial Cup champions. Fourth-year veteran Aaron Luchuk scored the game winner 5:07 into the third period as the host Spitfires defeated the OHL champion Erie Otters 4-3 before a capacity crowd of 6,519 at the WFCU Centre. Read more / Highlights / Photo Gallery

SPITFIRES CELEBRATE MASTERCARD MEMORIAL CUP TITLE:

Less than 72 hours after hoisting the Memorial Cup on home ice, the Windsor Spitfires took the streets to celebrate the franchise’s third championship with fans, parading the prestigious trophy down Ouellette Avenue. They couldn’t have asked for better weather either as the sun shone down on the lengthy caravan that greeted supporters down a stretch headed toward the banks of the Detroit River. Watch

LOTS OF #MCMEMORIALCUP LOVE FOR @SPITSHOCKEY:

Social media provides a platform to share moments and emotions with the world. The Windsor Spitfires 2017 Mastercard Memorial Cup title flooded digital devices with content celebrating the team’s historic win on home ice. Read more

DiPIETRO DELIVERED FOR SPITFIRES:

2017 NHL Draft prospect Michael DiPietro led the Windsor Spitfires to the ultimate prize with a sensational Mastercard Memorial Cup performance. The native of nearby Amherstburg hoisted the Memorial Cup on home ice while also becoming one of the few 17-year-olds to earn the Hap Emms Memorial Trophy as the tournament’s most outstanding goaltender. Read more

SADNESS SHADOWS SUCCESS AS OTTERS REFLECT ON SEASON:

While the home team celebrated on the ice, the OHL champion Erie Otters reflected on a disappointing end to an otherwise successful season. The legacy this group of Otters players leaves behind is considerable. The much talked-about four 50-win campaigns, two OHL final appearances and one Robertson Cup speak for themselves. When the dust settles, as many as a half-dozen Otters are expected to one day suit up in the NHL. Read more

OHL TAKES CLEAN SWEEP OF MASTERCARD MEMORIAL CUP AWARDS & ALL-STARS:

Erie Otters teammates Dylan Strome and Anthony Cirelli along with Windsor Spitfires goaltender Michael DiPietro all received Mastercard Memorial Cup awards while DiPietro and five other OHL players were named to the tournament all-star team. Read more

DeBRINCAT, McNIVEN, SUZUKI, McGILL AND CHMELEVSKI EARN CHL AWARDS:

Erie Otters forward Alex DeBrincat, the Owen Sound Attack trio of Michael McNiven, Nick Suzuki and coach Ryan McGill as well as Ottawa 67’s forward Sasha Chmelevski all earned CHL Awards handed out at the 2017 Mastercard Memorial Cup in Windsor. Read more / Photo Gallery

22 OHL PLAYERS INVITED TO 2017 NHL SCOUTING COMBINE:

22 OHL players have been invited to the 2017 NHL Scouting Combine that is being held from Monday May 29th to Saturday June 3rd at First Niagara Center and the nearby Harbor Center in Buffalo, NY. The list of OHL invitees includes 16 forwards, five defencemen and one goaltender. OHL talent represents 21% of the 104 players invited to attend the event. Read more

ETHAN KEPPEN COMMITS TO FIREBIRDS:

The Flint Firebirds have received a commitment from 2017 first round (10th overall) selection Ethan Keppen. A native of Whitby, Ont., Keppen earned 35 points (14G, 21A) in 33 games played last season with the Toronto Nationals Minor Midget AAA Hockey Club. Read more

TOP PICKS ROWE AND PERROTT COMMIT TO KNIGHTS:

The London Knights have received commitments from 2017 first round (18th overall) selection Lucas Rowe and second round (34th overall) pick Andrew Perrott. Rowe helped lead the Mississauga Reps to an OHL Cup Championship when they defeated the Toronto Nationals by a 3-2 score.  Rowe will wear number 21 for the Knights this season. Perrott spent last season playing for his hometown Detroit HoneyBaked 16U, where the 6’0” 195-pound defenceman recorded 25 points in 46 games.  Perrott will wear number 24 for the Knights this season. Read more

CLARKE AND ANDREE COMMIT TO 67’s:

The Ottawa 67’s have received commitments from 2017 first round (6th overall) selection Graeme Clarke and 2016 12th round selection Cedrick Andree. An Ottawa native, Clarke was touted as the best pure goal scorer in the draft and prior to his first development camp with the hockey club, Clarke was on the gold medal-winning team at the OHL Gold Cup. Andree was a twelfth round selection in 2016 and spent the past year playing in the United States at The Gunnery Prep School and also practiced with the 67’s at various points throughout the year. Read more

ARTHUR KALIYEV COMMITS TO BULLDOGS:

The Hamilton Bulldogs have received a commitment from 2017 second round (26th overall) selection Arthur Kaliyev. The Russian-born Kaliyev played last season for the Detroit Compuware U16 where he scored 13 goals and 5 assists, for 18 points in 19 games. He then went on to lead the team to the USA Hockey Youth Tier 1 U16 National championship where he led the tournament in scoring. Read more

IAN MARTIN COMMITS TO ICEDOGS:

The Niagara IceDogs have received a commitment from 2017 third round (51st overall) selection Ian Martin. The 5-foot-10 forward shined in Minor Midget this past season, posting 15 goals in just 22 games as a member of the Ajax-Pickering Raiders. Read more

OTTERS PROSPECT DEVELOPMENT CAMP JUNE 3-4:

The OHL champions welcome prospects to the city this weekend for the club’s annual Development Camp which includes fitness testing, on-ice sessions, and scrimmages at Mercyhurst Ice Center.  All on-ice activities are open to the public.  For more information visit ottershockey.com.


OHL COACHES CONFERENCE SET FOR JUNE 3RD:

The 2017 OHL Coaches Conference is under a month away, taking place on Saturday June 3rd on the campus of UOIT in Oshawa. Many of the guest speakers for the 4th annual installment of the day-long conference have been confirmed and will provide minor hockey coaches the opportunity to learn from OHL, AHL, and NHL personnel in an interactive professional development day. Read more

OHL ALUMNI GOLF TOURNAMENT FAST APPROACHING:

The 2017 OHL Alumni Association Golf Tournament is fast approaching! The 2nd annual event is set to take place on Monday June 5th at the Devil’s Pulpit, one of Canada’s most acclaimed private golf clubs located in Caledon, Ont. This event is one of several networking events focused on bringing together former players from all generations.  Proceeds from the tournament will be donated to the Gudbranson Stem Cell Research Grant, which helps fund research for Stem Cell Treatments. Space is limited! Read more

BIG FATHER’S DAY SAVINGS AT OHLSHOP.COM

Don’t miss out on Father’s Day deals at OHLShop.com! Until Father’s Day use the promo code ‘DAD25’ to get a 25% discount off the full men’s collection. Visit OHLShop.com to get in on the savings.

2017-18 OHL REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE:

The 2017-18 Ontario Hockey League regular season schedule will be announced the week of June 5 beginning with home opener details published on Monday afternoon, followed by a full schedule release on Tuesday morning.  Keep track of the action online using #OHLOpeningWeek.

ALUMNI NOTES:

14 OHL graduates competing in Stanley Cup Final: A total of 14 OHL graduates, eight from the Pittsburgh Penguins and six from the Nashville Predators, will battle in the 2017 Stanley Cup Final of the NHL Playoffs. The Western Conference champion Predators advanced to their ever first Stanley Cup Final following a series win over the Anaheim Ducks. Nashville has had strong OHL alumni contributions from defencemen Ryan Ellis (Windsor Spitfires) and P.K. Subban (Belleville Bulls) while forwards James Neal (Plymouth Whalers) and Austin Watson (London Knights) have also factored into the team’s success. Predators captain Mike Fisher (Sudbury Wolves) has been limited by injuries of late while defenceman Yannick Weber (Kitchener Rangers) has skated in all 16 of the club’s playoff contests. Read more

22 OHL graduates competing in Calder Cup Final: A total of 22 OHL graduates, 12 from the Grand Rapids Griffins and 10 from the Syracuse Crunch, will battle in the 2017 Calder Cup Final of the AHL Playoffs. The Western Conference champion Griffins advanced to their first Calder Cup Final since 2013 with a 4-1 series victory over the San Jose Barracuda. Graduate Eric Tangradi (Belleville Bulls) is tied for the Grand Rapids team lead in playoff scoring with 15 points (2-13–15) while Tyler Bertuzzi (Guelph Storm) has also been impressive with 13 points (6-7–13). The Eastern Conference crunch advanced to their first Final since 2013 with a 4-1 series victory over the Providence Bruins. Graduates Slater Koekkoek (Windsor Spitfires), Jake Dotchin (Barrie Colts) and Dominik Masin (Peterborough Petes) have been regulars on the Syracuse blue line. Read more

4 Former OHL officials working 2017 Stanley Cup Final: Four former OHL officials have been assigned to work the Stanley Cup Final of the 2017 NHL Playoffs. Referees Dan O’Halloran and Kevin Pollock are joined by OHL playing and officiating graduate Scott Cherrey and Brad Kovachik on the lines.

2017 MASTERCARD MEMORIAL CUP FINAL:

Sunday May 28th:
Windsor Spitfires 4 vs. Erie Otters 3 – Highlights