Battalion’s Justin Brazeau named CHL Player of the Week
Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Justin Brazeau of the North Bay Battalion is the CHL Player of the Week for the regular season week ending October 21 after recording nine points in two games including four goals and five assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-3.
Brazeau produced a pair of multi-point performances highlighted by a Battalion record-tying output to take over the lead in the OHL’s scoring race. He scored a goal and an assist on Thursday earning second star honours despite a 4-3 loss to the Mississauga Steelheads, then scored a hat-trick with four assists on Sunday as first star of an 8-3 win over the Kingston Frontenacs. The hat-trick was his second of the season, scored entirely in the first period, while the seven points match the club’s all-time best set by Wojtek Wolski back in 2006.
A 20-year-old from New Liskeard, Ont., Brazeau is playing in his fourth season with the Battalion who chose him in the 13th round of the 2014 OHL Priority Selection. His league-best 25 points in 12 games includes 12 goals and 13 assists bringing him a third of the way towards his career-high 75 points recorded in 68 games last season. The overage forward was named team captain prior to the 2018-19 season after attending San Jose Sharks Training Camp as a Free Agent invite.
Also considered for the award this week was Mark Kastelic of the Calgary Hitmen who scored five goals and three assists for eight points in four games, and Daniel Hardie of the Charlottetown Islanders with three goals and three assists for six points in two games.
2018-19 CHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Damien Giroux (Saginaw Spirit)
Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Dawson Davidson (Saskatoon Blades)
Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Luka Burzan (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Sept. 19 – Sept. 23: Kirby Dach (Saskatoon Blades)
Armada’s Émile Samson named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week
Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Émile Samson of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the regular season week ending October 21 after posting a 2-0-0-0 record with one shutout for a goals-against-average of 0.50 and save percentage of .984.
Samson turned aside 61 shots last week for the Armada who climbed into seventh place in the QMJHL’s overall standings holding a 7-4-1-0 record. He recorded his first shutout of the season on Friday night with a 32-save performance to blank the Val-d’Or Foreurs by a 4-0 score while earning third star honours. On Saturday night he delivered a first star effort against the Quebec Remparts featuring 29 saves in a 4-1 triumph.
A 19-year-old from Lévis, Quebec, Samson is playing in his second QMJHL season with the Armada after joining the club as a Free Agent one year ago. So far this season he carries a 6-2-1-0 record with the league’s second best goals-against-average and save percentage with marks of 1.86 and .939 respectively. Last season as a rookie he won 17 of his 27 regular season appearances followed by another 13 playoff victories helping the Armada reach the President Cup Final.
Also considered for the award this week was Boston Bruins prospect Kyle Keyser of the Oshawa Generals who posted a 3-0-0-0 record making 88 saves for a goals-against-average of 1.33 and save percentage of .957, and rookie Trent Miner of the Vancouver Giants who went 1-0-1-0 stopping 59 shots for a goals-against-average of 1.48 and save percentage of .952.
2018-19 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Émile Samson (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)
Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Alexis Gravel (Halifax Mooseheads)
Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Trent Miner (Vancouver Giants)
Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Luke Richardson (Kitchener Rangers)
Sept. 19 – Sept. 23: Hunter Jones (Peterborough Petes)
OHL Writers 