Billy Constantinou – Kingston Frontenacs – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height: 6’

Weight: 185 pounds

Date of birth: March 25th, 2001

Hometown: Scarborough, Ontario

Position: Defence

Shoots: Right

OHL Draft: Round 2, 36th overall, 2017 Priority Selection (Niagara IceDogs)

NHL Central Scouting Rankings: Pre-season, November: B Prospect. Mid-term, 54th North America

Billy Constantinou played his Minor Midget AAA hockey during the 2016-2017 season for the Toronto Marlboros before he got a look with the Aurora Tigers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. The blue-liner appeared in 33 games for the Marlboros, scoring 3 goals and 16 assists. His brief stint with the Tigers had him score 2 goals in the OJHL.

The Niagara IceDogs would use their second-round pick, 36th overall to select Constantinou at the 2017 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.

The 2017-2018 season was Constantinou’s first in the OHL and the IceDogs’ rookie defencemen had a good year notching 3 goals and 9 assists in 45 contests.

Billy Constantinou of the Niagara IceDogs. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Billy Constantinou was traded to the Kingston Frontenacs on November 20, 2018. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

This season was turning out to be a breakout year for Constantinou. In 22 games to start the year, the rearguard was off to a great start with 4 goals and 11 assists and an impressive plus-12. In fact, by the end of November, the defenceman scoring race among draft eligible players was a two-horse race between Constantinou and Mississauga Steelheads, Thomas Harley. He was a model of consistency, going pointless back-to-back just twice in his time with the IceDogs.

On November 20, 2018 everything changed. The IceDogs were preparing to make a Memorial Cup run and Constantinou was traded along with Ian Martin and 11 draft picks for Jason Robertson and Jacob Paquette. Transitioning from a championship favorite to a rebuilding Kingston Frontenacs has definitely put a damper on his offensive production.

Through 27 games with the Fronts, Constantinou has managed 2 goals and 8 assists and a minus-34. The obvious question now becomes: Is the real Bill Constantinou the one we saw in Niagara or the one currently in Kingston? Or is he somewhere in between?

Everything about Constantinou’s skating is excellent, except that maybe he could add a step in his first couple strides. If his edgework, lateral movement, backwards skating and overall agility isn’t the best in the draft class, it’s definitely top-2. When carrying the puck, it allows him to slice through opponents almost at will.

Offensively, Constantinou has shown in his time with Niagara that he can play with a talented roster around him. His skating and high hockey IQ allows him to join in the rush. His excellent vision allows him to be a set up guy from the point. He can see and find even the smallest of lanes. His ability to move laterally and control the offensive blue line makes him an excellent powerplay quarterback.

Defensively, I don’t want to say the move to Kingston has exposed a flaw in his game. The horses aren’t there in Kingston and what it has done is forced him to play more on the defensive side of the puck. His gap control is very good. He recognizes the need and has the ability to keep players to the outside. Once he adds more muscle, he will become more adept at winning battles along the wall and in front of the paint. His strength has been and always will be the transition game with an excellent ability to clear his zone with an excellent first pass or to take care of business himself and skate out of danger.

Ask anyone who watches him play and the word that is most often spoken about Consantinou is “confidence”. That goes a long way to becoming successful.  

Stat page at Elite Prospects

Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced the week twenty edition of the Kia CHL Top-10 Rankings for the 2018-19 season.  The weekly rankings of the CHL’s Top-10 teams are selected by a panel of National Hockey League scouts.

Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings – Week 20:

Rank: Team: Last Week Rank: Number of Weeks Ranked:
1 Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (44-7-0-1) 2 17
2 Prince Albert Raiders (43-7-0-2) 1 18
3 London Knights (36-7-5-1) 3 16
4 Ottawa 67’s (38-9-3-1) 4 17
5 Drummondville Voltigeurs (37-10-2-0) 6 15
6 Baie-Comeau Drakkar (37-10-2-1) 5 18
7 Everett Silvertips (37-12-1-1) 7 11
8 Halifax Mooseheads (36-11-2-1) 8 20
9 Rimouski Oceanic (34-14-3-0) – 4
10 Niagara IceDogs (32-11-7-0) 10 10
Honourable Mention:
Vancouver Giants (34-13-2-1) – 13
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (33-11-5-1) 9 6
Saskatoon Blades (31-13-8-0) – 1

Kia CHL Top 10

OHL Cup Powered by Under Armour Minor Midget Top-10 Rankings

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto Marlboros become third team to officially qualify

OHL Cup
Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the twelfth edition of the weekly minor midget rankings for the 2019 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament powered by Under Armour and hosted by the Greater Toronto Hockey League.

The 2019 OHL Cup powered by Under Armour and hosted by the GTHL is scheduled for March 12-18 and will feature 20 teams from across Ontario and the United States showcasing many of the top players eligible for the 2019 OHL Priority Selection.  All games will be played at Scotiabank Pond in Toronto until the Championship Final moves to the Mattamy Athletic Centre on Monday March 18 where it will be broadcasted nationally on Sportsnet.

The weekly rankings are determined by a panel of OHL Central Scouting staff and represent the top teams that are competing to play in the annual year-end championship tournament.

Minor Midget Rankings for the 2018 OHL Cup powered by Under Armour – Week 12

RANK TEAM LEAGUE LAST WEEK WEEKS RANKED
1 Don Mills Flyers* GTHL 1 12
2 Toronto Young Nationals* GTHL 3 12
3 Toronto Marlboros* GTHL 2 12
4 Whitby Wildcats OMHA 4 12
5 Sudbury Minor Midget Wolves NOHA 6 12
6 Toronto Red Wings GTHL 5 12
7 Kitchener Jr. Rangers ALLIANCE 8 9
8 Mississauga Rebels GTHL 9 10
9 York-Simcoe Express OMHA 10 8
10 North Central Predators OMHA 7 12
Honourable Mention
Guelph Gryphons OMHA – –
London Jr. Knights ALLIANCE – –
Brantford 99ers ALLIANCE – 7
Halton Hurricanes OMHA – –

*officially qualified for 2019 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament powered by Under Armour

The Don Mills Flyers continue to lead the OHL Cup Powered by Under Armour Top 10 in Week 12 while the Toronto Young Nationals rise one spot to number two on the list. The third-ranked Toronto Marlboros are the latest team to clinch an OHL Cup berth, reaching the GTHL Semi-Finals with a 9-1 series triumph over the Mississauga Senators. The Sudbury Minor Midget Wolves, Kitchener Jr. Rangers, Mississauga Rebels and York-Simcoe Express are also on the rise while the Guelph Gryphons make their season debut in the honourable mention category.

Tournament Structure:
15 of the 20 spots in the 2019 OHL Cup powered by Under Armour are guaranteed through league competition.  The 15 guaranteed spots continue to include all four GTHL Semi-Finalists, and the top four teams that place at the OMHA Championship.  Three teams from the ALLIANCE will still be guaranteed a spot in the tournament including the Champion and Finalist, along with the winner of a best-of-three Semi-Final Wild Card Series to be played between the losers of the two league Semi-Finals.  Also as in past years, two tournament entries are reserved for United States competition, while both an HNO and NOHA representative will also compete.  This season there will not be a representative from HEO.

Wild Card Games:

The final five entries at the 2019 OHL Cup powered by Under Armour will be Wild Cards determined among 10 teams that will play a one game ‘win and in’ scenario.  The 10 competing teams aiming for the final five tournament spots will continue to include the fifth place team at the OMHA Championship, and the loser of the ALLIANCE Semi-Final Wild Card Series.  As introduced in 2016, two spots in Wild Card games will be reserved for GTHL teams.  The two competing GTHL teams will be determined through a pair of Wild Card Play-In Series matchups involving the four GTHL teams who qualified for the playoffs but lost in the first round.  As introduced in 2017, one spot in a Wild Card will also be reserved for the winner of an OMHA SCTA Consolation Game that features both teams who lost in the SCTA Tournament Semi-Final.  The OMHA teams eligible for this matchup will be determined annually based on the league not hosting the OMHA Championship.  Finally, the five remaining teams who will compete in the Wild Card matchups will be named by the Tournament Selection Committee.  The Committee will evaluate and review a team’s post-season success as the first criteria for selection, with additional criteria to include regular season play and tournament play.  All five Wild Card games will take place on Tuesday March 12 with specific matchups and times of play to be determined by random draw among the eight competing teams in advance of the event.

History:

Last season the Toronto Jr. Canadiens were crowned OHL Cup Champions, capturing the annual Minor Midget showcase for the first time since 2008 with a 5-1 victory over the Vaughan Kings. Current Oshawa Generals forward Dylan Robinson finished second in event scoring with 11 points (6-5–11) over seven games, earning the Tim Adams Memorial Trophy as tournament MVP.

The 2018 OHL Priority Selection featured 17 players chosen in the first round who competed for the OHL Cup including Quinton Byfield (York-Simcoe Express – 1st overall Sudbury Wolves), Evan Vierling (York-Simcoe Express – 2nd overall Flint Firebirds), Will Cuylle (Toronto Marlboros – 3rd overall Peterborough Petes), Jamie Drysdale (Toronto Marlboros – 4th overall Erie Otters), Cole Perfetti (Vaughan Kings – 5th overall Saginaw Spirit), Cameron Tolnai (Oakville Rangers – 6th overall Ottawa 67’s), Daniil Chayka (Toronto Jr. Canadiens – 7th overall Guelph Storm), James Hardie (Barrie Colts – 8th overall Mississauga Steelheads), Pacey Schlueting (Team NOHA – 9th overall North Bay Battalion), Ty Tullio (Vaughan Kings – 11th overall Oshawa Generals), Lleyton Moore (Toronto Marlboros – 12th overall Niagara IceDogs), Jake Murray (Oakville Rangers – 13th overall Kingston Frontenacs), Luke Evangelista (Oakville Rangers – 14th overall London Knights), Riley Piercey (Toronto Marlboros – 16th overall Barrie Colts), Reid Valade (Toronto Marlboros – 17th overall Kitchener Rangers), Logan Morrison (Guelph Gryphons – 18th overall Hamilton Bulldogs), Ryan O’Rourke (Vaughan Kings – 20th overall Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds).

Notable OHL Cup graduates currently playing in the NHL include Robby Fabbri (Mississauga Rebels/St. Louis Blues), Travis Konecny (Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs/Philadelphia Flyers), Mitch Marner (Vaughan Kings/Toronto Maple Leafs), Connor McDavid (Toronto Marlboros/Edmonton Oilers), Max Domi (Don Mills Flyers/Montreal Canadiens), Sean Monahan (Mississauga Rebels/Calgary Flames), Taylor Hall (Greater Kingston Frontenacs/New Jersey Devils), Tyler Seguin (Toronto Nationals/Dallas Stars), John Tavares (Toronto Marlboros/Toronto Maple Leafs), P.K Subban (Markham Islanders/Nashville Predators), and Steven Stamkos (Markham Waxers/Tampa Bay Lightning).

2019 marks the third season of a three-year partnership between the OHL and GTHL with Under Armour that includes title sponsorship of the OHL Cup Showcase Tournament.  The OHL and GTHL are also in the third season of a five-year partnership extension announced in 2017 that ensures the event will continue to be hosted by the GTHL through 2021.

For more information, please visit ohlcup.ca.

CHL Announces Weekly Award Winners

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Mooseheads’ Samuel Asselin named CHL Player of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that forward Samuel Asselin of the Halifax Mooseheads is the CHL Player of the Week for the regular season week ending February 3 with 11 points in three games including six goals and five assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-12.

Asselin recorded two multi-goal efforts in a pair of games last week to help push the Mooseheads’ win streak to three games and improve to a 36-11-2-1 record atop the QMJHL’s Maritimes Division. His week began Thursday with a four-point showing, including two goals and two assists, and second star honours in a 7-5 win over the Victoriaville Tigres. The 2018 Memorial Cup champion then followed up that performance Saturday with a five-point night, including his second career hat-trick and two assists, in an 8-2 victory against the Sherbrooke Phoenix en route to first star recognition. He then closed out the week Sunday adding one goal and one assist in a 4-2 win over the Moncton Wildcats and was named the game’s third star. Asselin is the first member of the Mooseheads to be recognized as the CHL Player of the Week this season.

A 20-year-old from L’Assomption, Que., Asselin is playing in his fourth career season. The Mooseheads acquired Asselin from the Acadie-Bathurst Titan in a September trade. He’s tallied a league-leading 40 goals and 29 assists with Halifax this season. During last year’s playoff championship run, Asselin scored three goals and eight assists for 11 points in 20 games.

Also considered for the award this week was Dallas Stars prospect Riley Damiani of the Kitchener Rangers with nine points in three games, including four goals and five assists, and Minnesota Wild prospect Conor Dewar of the Everett Silvertips after scoring four goals and four assists for eight points in two games.

2018-19 CHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:

Jan. 28 – Feb. 3: Samuel Asselin (Halifax Mooseheads)

Jan. 21 – Jan. 27: Ethan Crossman (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Jan. 14 – Jan. 20: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

Jan. 7 – Jan. 13: Bowen Byram (Vancouver Giants)

Dec. 31 – Jan. 6: Arthur Kaliyev (Hamilton Bulldogs)

Dec. 24 – Dec. 30: Kyle Maksimovich (Erie Otters)

Dec. 10 – Dec. 16: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)

Dec. 3 – Dec. 9: Ivan Chekhovich (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Nov. 26 – Dec. 2: Gregor MacLeod (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

Nov. 19 – Nov. 25: Brett Leason (Prince Albert Raiders)

Nov. 12 – Nov. 18: Peter Abbandonato (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)

Nov. 5 – Nov. 11: Jason Robertson (Kingston Frontenacs)

Oct. 29 – Nov. 4: Joachim Blichfeld (Portland Winterhawks)

Oct. 22 – Oct. 28: Ivan Chekhovich (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

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)

Colts’ Jet Greaves named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that rookie Jet Greaves of the Barrie Colts is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the regular season week ending February 3 with a 1-0-0-1 record and a goals-against average of 1.45 and save percentage of .971.

Greaves claims the honour for the first time this season after stopping 100 shots in two games last week in back-to-back 50-save efforts to help the Colts improve to 21-25-2-1 on the season. Against the London Knights on Friday, Greaves turned aside 50 shots, including 21 saves in the opening frame, before being named second star of the eventual 3-2 shootout loss. The following night, Greaves received first star honours for his 50 saves in a 3-1 win over the Mississauga Steelheads.

A 17-year-old from Cambridge, Ont., Greaves was chosen by the Colts in the third round of the 2017 OHL Priority Selection. In his OHL rookie season, Greaves has notched a 5-6-1 record alongside a 2.81 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage in 16 games.

Also considered for the award this week was Tristan Cote-Cazenave of the Victoriaville Tigres who posted a 1-1-0-0 record, stopping a total of 71 shots for a goals-against average of 2.40 and save percentage of .934. In the WHL, Reece Klassen of the Spokane Chiefs went 1-0-0-1 with a shutout victory, stopping 34 shots in total for a goals-against average of 0.71 and save percentage of .971.

2018-19 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:

Jan. 28 – Feb. 3: Jet Greaves (Barrie Colts)

Jan. 21 – Jan. 27: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)

Jan. 14 – Jan. 20: Olivier Rodrigue (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

Jan. 7 – Jan. 13: Kevin Mandolese (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)

Dec. 31 – Jan. 6: Ivan Prosvetov (Saginaw Spirit)

Dec. 24 – Dec. 30: Cedrick Andree (Ottawa 67’s)

Dec. 10 – Dec. 16: Mads Sogaard (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Dec. 3 – Dec. 9: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)

Nov. 26 – Dec. 2: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Sudbury Wolves)

Nov. 19 – Nov. 25: Kyle Jessiman (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Nov. 12 – Nov. 18: Ian Scott (Prince Albert Raiders)

Nov. 5 – Nov. 11: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)

Oct. 29 – Nov. 4: Joseph Raaymakers (London Knights)

Oct. 22 – Oct. 28: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)

Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Emile 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 Announces Academic Players of the Month for January

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the OHL Academic Players of the Month for January 2019, including forwards Logan Morrison of the Hamilton Bulldogs, Peter Fleming of the Barrie Colts, Alex Gritz of the Erie Otters and Ethan Keppen of the Flint Firebirds.

East Division: Hamilton Bulldogs rookie Logan Morrison is the OHL East Division Academic Player of the Month for January, recording an average in the 80’s across the board in his Grade 11 studies at Ancaster High School. Morrison is currently studying university level International Business, Recreation & Healthy Active Living Leadership and Challenge and Change programs as a 16-year-old in his first OHL season. “Logan puts the ‘student’ in student-athlete,” said Bulldogs academic advisor Sean Nicholson. “He is always on time with his assignments and never falls behind in his studies, even with a busy schedule in the OHL.” A native of Guelph, Ont., Morrison has 18 points (6-12–18) through 30 games this season after being Hamilton’s first round pick last spring from the Guelph Gryphons Minor Midgets.

Central Division: Barrie Colts rookie Peter Fleming is the OHL Central Division Academic Player of the Month for January, maintaining an 84% average in his Grade 12 studies. “Peter’s plan is to attend university and complete an engineering degree,” said Colts academic advisor Chris Cudmore. “He’s currently excelling in university level biology, physics and co-op programs and is looking forward to second semester challenges in chemistry and math.” On the ice, Fleming has four points (2-2–4) through 39 games this season. The 6-foot-2, 167Ib winger was Barrie’s sixth round pick in 2017. He spent last season with the St. Thomas Stars Jr. B club.

Midwest Division: Erie Otters winger Alex Gritz is the OHL Midwest Division Academic Player of the Month for January, carrying a 93% average through studies at Seneca Valley High School. He’s currently studying Pre-Calculus/Trigonometry, Modern Humanities, Consumer Decisions, Physical Education, French, Health and Personal Finance. “Alex is an extremely motivated young man working diligently every day to balance his academics with his hockey commitments,” said Otters academic advisor Jaime Cieszynski. Now in his third OHL season, Gritz has recorded 18 points (7-11–18) through 42 games in 2018-19. The native of Cranberry Township, Penn. was originally a third round pick of the Soo Greyhounds in 2016 from the Waterloo Wolves Minor Midgets.

West Division: Flint Firebirds winger Ethan Keppen is the OHL West Division Academic Player of the Month for January, achieving high grades in Grade 12 Advanced Sports Skills, Accounting/Finance, Life Management and Foundations of College Mathematics programs at Grand Blanc High School. “Ethan is a leader inside and outside of the classroom,” said Firebirds academic advisor Nathan Riek. “He is a mature young man and is well-liked and respected by his classmates and teachers.” The 17-year-old from Whitby, Ont. has 40 points (20-20–40) over 52 games this season. Keppen had a productive month of January, one that included a 10-game point streak and 12 points (7-5–12) in as many games. Flint’s first round pick in 2017, Keppen is eligible for the 2019 NHL Draft.

2018-19 OHL Academic Players of the Month:

East Division:
January – Logan Morrison (Hamilton Bulldogs)
December – Tye Austin (Peterborough Petes)
November – Will Cranley (Ottawa 67’s)
October – Nick Wong (Oshawa Generals)

Central Division:
January – Peter Fleming (Barrie Colts)
December – Thomas Harley (Mississauga Steelheads)
November – Peter Stratis (Sudbury Wolves)
October – Jonah De Simone (Niagara IceDogs)

Midwest Division:
January – Alex Gritz (Erie Otters)
December – Mack Guzda (Owen Sound Attack)
November – Gerard Keane (London Knights)
October – Isaac Langdon (Kitchener Rangers)

West Division:
January – Ethan Keppen (Flint Firebirds)
December – Jordan Frasca (Windsor Spitfires)
November – Cole MacKay (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
October – Colton Kammerer (Sarnia Sting)

Last season, the OHL Centrally Administered Scholarship Program facilitated scholarships for 321 OHL Alumni at 66 different academic institutions across North America with a total scholarship payment in excess of $3.2 million. Since the 2007-08 season, OHL Scholarship payments have totaled more than $22 million.

Click here for more information about ‘OHL Players First’ programs.

Rangers’ Riley Damiani named OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Dallas Stars prospect Riley Damiani of the Kitchener Rangers is the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week for the regular season week ending February 3 with nine points in three games scoring four goals and five assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-8.

Damiani led the league in scoring last week while helping the Rangers earn four of a possible six points as they jostle for position in the Western Conference standings.  The highlight of his week was back-to-back four point performances in a home-and-home set with the Owen Sound Attack.  He recorded two goals and two assists as first star of Wednesday’s 7-4 road win, followed by a goal with a trio of assists to drive Rickard Hugg’s hat-trick earning second star in Friday’s 6-1 victory at home.  On Saturday Damiani scored his 20th goal of the season, a new career-high, despite a 4-2 loss to the London Knights.  The Rangers currently occupy the seventh seed in the Western Conference playoff race with a 23-23-3-0 record just two points behind the Sarnia Sting for sixth, and three points ahead of the Windsor Spitfires who are in eighth.

An 18-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., Damiani is playing in his third season with the Rangers who chose him in the second round of the 2016 OHL Priority Selection.  He’s currently second on the team in scoring with 57 points in 39 games which exceeds his point total from a year ago by 20.  Damiani finished an impressive month with points in 10 of his 12 games to start 2019 including a career-high five assists on January 18.  He was selected by the Stars in the fifth round of the 2018 NHL Draft.

Watch video highlights of Damiani and the Rangers against the Attack on the road, at home, and against the Knights.

Also considered for the award this week was Colorado Avalanche prospect Brandon Saigeon of the Oshawa Generals with four goals and four assists for eight points in three games, and rookie Marco Rossi of the Ottawa 67’s with three goals and five assists for eight points in three games.  In goal, rookie Jet Greaves of the Barrie Colts stopped 100 shots in two games posting a 1-0-0-1 record for an overall goals-against-average of 1.45 and save percentage of .971.

2018-19 OHL ‘On the Run’ Players of the Week – Regular Season:

Jan. 28 – Feb. 3: Riley Damiani (Kitchener Rangers)
Jan. 21 – Jan. 27: Liam Foudy (London Knights)
Jan. 14 – Jan. 20: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Jan. 7 – Jan. 13: Isaac Ratcliffe (Guelph Storm)
Dec. 31 – Jan. 6: Arthur Kaliyev (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Dec. 24 – Dec. 30: Kyle Maksimovich (Erie Otters)
Dec. 10 – Dec. 16: Andrew MacLean (Owen Sound Attack)
Dec. 3 – Dec. 9: Brett Neumann (Kingston Frontenacs)
Nov. 26 – Dec. 2: Jason Robertson (Niagara IceDogs)
Nov. 19 – Nov. 25: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Nov. 12 – Nov. 18: Owen Tippett (Mississauga Steelheads)
Nov. 5 – Nov. 11: Jason Robertson (Kingston Frontenacs)
Oct. 29 – Nov. 4: Kevin Hancock (Owen Sound Attack)
Oct. 22 – Oct. 28: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)
Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Damien Giroux (Saginaw Spirit)
Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Sudbury Wolves)
Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Lucas Chiodo (Barrie Colts)
Sept. 19 – Sept. 23: Akil Thomas (Niagara IceDogs)

OHL Writers’ Draft Eligible Player of the Month for January

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

For the first time this season, Hamilton Bulldogs’ forward and to prospect for the 2019 National Hockey League Draft Arthur Kaliyev is our draft eligible player of the month after having come close in previous months.

Kaliyev, who is ranked 11th on NHL Central Scouting’s mid term rankings among North American Skaters, appeared in 12 games for the Bulldogs in January scoring 10 goals while assisting on 8 others. He also notched a pair of goals at the Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.

Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Kaliyev leads all draft eligible players in goals, assists, points, shots and possesses the top three goal scoring streaks of the season as well as the longest assist streak of the season. He was named the OHL Player of the Week for the week ending January 7, 2019. In January, he was named the games’ first star twice and third star once.

Also considered were Mississauga Steelheads defenceman Thomas Harley and Niagara IceDogs forward Philip Tomasino. Harley recorded 4 goals and 11 helpers in 12 contests while Tomasino notched 9 goals and 7 helpers.

Harley was ranked by NHL Central Scouting 9th overall among North Americans and the top prospect from the OHL while Tomasino was ranked 24th.

Among goaltenders, Jet Greaves of the Barrie Colts gets our vote. Despite his record of 2-3-2 in January, Greaves posted a 2.42 goals-against-average and .926 save-percentage. Greaves is not ranked on Central Scouting’s mid term rankings.

Players of the month

Connor McMichael – London Knights – December

Philip Tomasino – Niagara Ice Dogs – November

Hunter Jones – Peterborough Petes – October

OHL’s Draft Eligible Statistical Leaders – January

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Well, it is February and it is miserably cold outside, so what better time to look at the Ontario Hockey League’s statistical leaders among players eligible for the 2019 National Hockey League Draft for the first time?

This has quickly become the Hamilton Bulldogs’ Arthur Kaliyev show. He leads in almost all offensive categories, including goals, assists and points along with the three longest goal scoring streaks of the season and the longest assist steak of the season. Barring a complete collapse with about 20 games remaining, he should end the season at the top of those lists.

Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

If you look hard enough, Mississauga Defenceman Thomas Harley is in the same situation as Kaliyev among defencemen. Peterborough Petes’ netminder Hunter Jones has led goaltenders from start to finish in every goaltending statistic. Like Harley and Kaliyev, it will take a total collapse to drop.

We strive to be as accurate as possible compiling statistics but urge you to check the OHL Website for official stats.

Points Leaders
Player Team GP G A Pts
Arthur Kaliyev Hamilton Bulldogs 49 36 36 72
Connor McMichael London Knights 46 30 26 56
Philip Tomasino Niagara IceDogs 47 25 27 52
Ryan Suzuki Barrie Colts 44 16 31 47
Thomas Harley Mississauga Steelheads 48 10 34 44
Daniel D’Amico Windsor Spitfires 49 21 22 43
Cole McKay Soo Greyhounds 45 17 25 42
Danil Antropov Oshawa Generals 46 11 27 38
Ethan Keppen Flint Firebirds 50 17 20 37
Eric Uba Flint Firebirds 49 16 20 36
Goal Scoring Leaders
Player Team GP G GPG
Arthur Kaliyev Hamilton Bulldogs 49 36 0.73
Connor McMichael London Knights 46 30 0.65
Philip Tomasino Niagara IceDogs 47 25 0.53
Daniel D’Amico Windsor Spitfires 49 21 0.43
Blake Murray Sudbury Wolves 46 20 0.43
Nicholas Porco Saginaw Spirit 47 18 0.38
Cole MacKay Soo Greyhounds 45 17 0.38
Ethan Keppen Flint Firebirds 50 17 0.34
Nick Robertson Peterborough Petes 34 17 0.50
Ryan Suzuki Barrie Colts 44 16 0.36
Assist Leaders
Player Team GP A APG
Arthur Kaliyev Hamilton Bulldogs 49 36 0.73
Thomas Harley Mississauga Steelheads 48 34 0.71
Ryan Suzuki Barrie Colts 44 31 0.70
Danil Antropov Oshawa Generals 46 27 0.59
Philip Tomasino Niagara IceDogs 47 27 0.57
Connor McMichael London Knights 46 26 0.57
Cole MacKay Soo Greyhounds 45 25 0.56
Vladislav Kolyachonok Flint Firebirds 36 22 0.61
Daniel D’Amico Windsor Spitfires 49 22 0.45
Keean Washkurak Mississauga Steelheads 46 20 0.43
Defencemen Point Leaders
Player Team GP G A Pts
Thomas Harley Mississauga Steelheads 48 10 34 44
Billy Constantinou Kingston Frontenacs 47 6 19 25
Vladislav Kolyachonok Flint Firebirds 36 3 22 25
Jack York Barrie Colts 45 4 15 19
Nathan Staios Windsor Spitfires 46 3 16 19
Mason Millman Saginaw Spirit 46 2 16 18
Grayson Ladd Windsor Spitfires 48 2 16 18
Simon Rose North Bay Battalion 38 2 15 17
Plus/Minus Leaders
Player Team GP +/-
Philip Tomasino Niagara IceDogs 47 +25
Jacob LeGuerrier Soo Greyhounds 47 +21
Liam Ross Sudbury Wolves 47 +20
Nikita Okhotyuk Ottawa  67’s 37 +19
Lucas Peric Ottawa  67’s 44 +19
Connor McMichael London Knights 46 +18
Grayson Ladd Saginaw Spirit 47 +15
Matvey Guskov London Knights 38 +13
Cole MacKay Soo Greyhounds 45 +13
Ashton Reesor Sarnia Sting 47 +13
Penalty Minutes Leaders
Player Team GP PIM M/G
Navrin Mutter Hamilton Bulldogs 49 75 1.53
Joe Carroll Soo Greyhounds 45 53 1.18
Ethan Keppen Flint Firebirds 50 52 1.04
Keean Washkurak Mississauga Steelheads 46 50 1.09
Mason Primeau North Bay Battalion 50 44 0.88
Michael Vukojevic Kitchener Rangers 47 43 0.91
Eric Uba Flint Firebirds 49 43 0.88
Faceoff Leaders  (wins)
Player Team GP FOA FOW %
Tye Kartye Soo Greyhounds 44 345 191 55.4
Blake Murray Sudbury Wolves 46 504 272 54.0
Connor McMichael London Knights 46 464 250 53.9
Jamieson Rees Sarnia Sting 27 218 114 52.3
Camaryn Baber Saginaw Spirit 28 199 104 52.3
Tyler Angle Windsor Spitfires 40 581 302 52.0
Cole Schwindt Mississauga Steelheads 48 684 352 51.5
Dalton Duhart Barrie Colts 43 286 147 51.4
Philip Tomasino Niagara IceDogs 47 286 146 51.0
Erik Cermak Peterborough Petes 48 337 168 49.9
Longest Goal Scoring Streak
Player Team From To Gms Goals
Arthur Kaliyev Hamilton Bulldogs 12/31 1/6 4 7
Arthur Kaliyev Hamilton Bulldogs 10/13 10/19 4 7
Arthur Kaliyev Hamilton Bulldogs 9/21 9/30 4 6
Thomas Harley Mississauga Steelheads 1/19 1/26 4 4
Jamieson Rees Sarnia Sting 12/8 12/15 4 4
Longest Assist Streak
Player Team From To Gms Assts
Arthur Kaliyev Hamilton Bulldogs 12/8 12/15 5 8
Jamieson Rees Sarnia Sting 12/12 12/30 5 5
Daniel D’Amico Windsor Spitfires 1/10 1/18 5 5
Philip Tomasino Niagara IceDogs 11/9 11/17 4 4
Ryan Suzuki Barrie Colts 9/20 9/27 3 7
Longest Point Streak
Player Team From To Gms Pts
Daniel D’Amico Windsor Spitfires 12/21 1/20 10 14
Ethan Keppen Flint Firebirds 1/2 1/25 10 12
Philip Tomasino Niagara IceDogs 12/15 1/11 9 17
Ryan Suzuki Barrie Colts 9/20 10/7 7 15
Philip Tomasino Niagara IceDogs 11/2 11/23 7 11
Shots On Goal Leaders
Player Team GP SOG
Arthur Kaliyev Hamilton Bulldogs 49 229
Connor McMichael London Knights 46 161
Ethan Keppen Flint Firebirds 50 144
Philip Tomasino Niagara IceDogs 47 137
Eric Uba Flint Firebirds 49 121
Goaltenders Leaders – Goals Against Average (min 20 games)
Player Team GP Min GA Avg
Hunter Jones Peterborough Petes 42 2330 130 3.35
Zachary Roy Hamilton Bulldogs 29 1686 94 3.35
Mack Guzda Owen Sound Attack 35 1881 110 3.51
Ethan Langevin Sarnia Sting 31 1666 104 3.75
Kari Piiroinen Windsor Spitfires 21 1111 80 4.32
Goaltending Leaders – Save Percentage (min 20 games)
Player Team GP SH  SVS SV%
Hunter Jones Peterborough Petes 42 1373 1243 0.905
Zachary Roy Hamilton Bulldogs 29 898 804 0.895
Mack Guzda Owen Sound Attack 35 918 808 0.880
Ethan Langevin Sarnia Sting 31 842 738 0.876
Kari Piiroinen Windsor Spitfires 21 614 534 0.870
Goaltending Leaders – Wins
Player Team GP W L OL
Hunter Jones Peterborough Petes 42 22 18 2
Zachary Roy Hamilton Bulldogs 29 15 12 2
Mack Guzda Owen Sound Attack 35 14 13 3
Ethan Langevin Sarnia Sting 31 12 12 3
Andrew MacLean Owen Sound Attack 23 9 8 1
Goaltending Leaders – Shutouts
Player Team GP SO
Hunter Jones Peterborough Petes 42 2
Mack Guzda Owen Sound Attack 35 2
Ryan Dugas Kingston Frontenacs 15 1
Kari Piiroinen Windsor Spitfires 21 1
Zachary Roy Hamilton Bulldogs 29 1
Andrew MacLean Owen Sound Attack 23 1

OHL Announces Top Performers of the Month for January

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Top Performers January 2019

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the Top OHL Performers of the Month for regular season games played in January 2019, including Niagara IceDogs teammates Ben Jones and Akil Thomas, Guelph Storm defenceman Sean Durzi and Ottawa 67’s teammates Marco Rossi and Cedrick Andree.


OHL Player of the Month – Ben Jones/Akil Thomas (Niagara IceDogs):

Riding a stretch of seven straight wins to wrap up the month, Niagara IceDogs teammates Ben Jones and Akil Thomas are the OHL’s C0-Players of the Month. Both players registered 25 points over 13 games, with Jones scoring 12 times, adding 13 assists and recording a plus/minus rating of plus-10 while Thomas finished with 13 goals, 12 assists and a plus/minus rating of plus-6.

The captain of the Central Division-leading IceDogs, Jones had points in 11 of his 13 January contests including a run of nine straight multi-point outings that spanned from Dec. 29th to Jan. 17th. The Vegas Golden Knights prospect had a trio of multi-goal performances including Jan. 3rd against London with two, Jan. 10th against Guelph with two goals and an assist and Jan. 17th against Hamilton when he netted his third hat-trick of the season. An accomplished centreman, Jones also won 58% of his faceoffs in January and finished the month with a goal in Thursday’s 6-1 win over the Soo Greyhounds. Jones earned first star honours twice throughout the month along with receiving second and third star recognition.

A 19-year-old native from Waterloo, Ont., Jones is second in IceDogs team scoring and sits seventh in the OHL with 72 points (29-43–72) over 48 games. Originally Niagara’s first round (7th overall) pick of the 2015 OHL Priority Selection from the OHL Cup champion Toronto Marlboros Minor Midgets, Jones was selected by the Vegas Golden Knights in the seventh round of the 2017 NHL Draft and signed a three-year entry level contract with the club in June 2018.

For his part, Thomas was equally impressive, stringing together six straight multi-point performances headlined by four (3-1–4) and five (2-3–5) point outings on Jan. 11th against Kingston and Jan. 19th against Flint. The 6-3 triumph over Kingston included Thomas’ first OHL hat-trick before he put together his fifth five-point contest of the season in a 7-2 win over the Firebirds. The Los Angeles Kings prospect followed-up that effort with two goals and an assist in a 4-3 road win over the Guelph Storm on Jan. 20th. Thomas rounded out the month of January with two goals and an assist in Thursday’s 6-1 win over the Soo Greyhounds. In total, Thomas was named first star of the game twice and second star of the game twice throughout the month of January, capping things off by recording his 200th career OHL point on Thursday.

An 18-year-0ld product of Brandon, Fla., Thomas is third in IceDogs team scoring and eighth in the OHL with 71 points (26-45–71) over 43 games this season. He also leads the IceDogs with a plus/minus rating of plus-31. Thomas is currently in his third season with Niagara after being the club’s first round (12th overall) pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection from the Toronto Marlboros Minor Midgets. He was a second round pick of the Los Angeles Kings last summer.


OHL Defenceman of the Month – Sean Durzi (Guelph Storm):

Los Angeles Kings prospect Sean Durzi of the Guelph Storm is the OHL Defenceman of the Month for January. Durzi, who split the month between the Storm and the Owen Sound Attack, finished tied for the league lead in scoring among defencemen, recording 16 points including five goals and 11 assists over 12 games. The overage rearguard had points in 11 of those outings, ending the month on a nine-game point streak on a Storm club that has won seven of the past 10. Durzi’s lone multi-goal outing came on Jan. 13th as the Storm defeated the Ottawa 67’s by a score of 8-4. He twice recorded three assists, doing so on Jan. 10th in a 6-5 win over the Niagara IceDogs and again this past Wednesday as Guelph defeated visiting Saginaw 8-2. Fourteen of Durzi’s 16 January points came over the course of his nine games in a Storm uniform.

A 20-year-old native of Mississauga, Ont., Durzi joined the Storm alongside former Owen Sound Attack teammates Nick Suzuki, Markus Phillips and Zachary Roberts at January’s OHL Trade Deadline. The right-shot rearguard has 31 points (8-23–31) over an injury-shortened 27 game season to this point, with 15 of his 31 points coming on the man advantage. After being selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round of the 2018 NHL Draft, Durzi was recently dealt to the Los Angeles Kings in a trade that saw OHL graduate Jake Muzzin join the Leafs. Durzi has amassed 134 career points (35-99–134) from the blue line over 172 regular season OHL contests. He was Owen Sound’s 12th round pick in the 2014 OHL Priority Selection from the Mississauga Rebels Minor Midgets.


OHL Rookie of the Month – Marco Rossi (Ottawa 67’s):

For the third time this season, Ottawa 67’s centreman Marco Rossi is the OHL Rookie of the Month. Rossi finished tied for the January lead in points by a rookie, registering 10 goals, eight assists, 18 points and a plus/minus rating of plus-14 over 11 games. The 17-year-old centre returned from a December injury to record points in nine of his 11 outings including a pair of three-point showings coming on Jan. 6th against Oshawa (0-3–3) and Jan. 11th at Sarnia (1-2–3). Rossi also had two multi-goal contests that came on Jan. 19th against Hamilton and this past Wednesday in a 7-1 win over the Kingston Frontenacs. Rossi ends the month of January with goals in seven consecutive games as the 67’s have wins in each of their past six.

A 17-year-old native of Feldkirch, Austria, Rossi leads OHL rookies with 45 points (23-22–45) over 34 games this season in addition to a plus/minus rating of plus-37. Rossi, who isn’t eligible for the NHL Draft until 2020, has recorded the most points by a 67’s rookie since Travis Konecny (26-44–70) in 2013-14. He was the 18th overall pick of the 2018 CHL Import Draft.

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Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month – Cedrick Andree (Ottawa 67’s):

For the second time this season, Ottawa 67’s netminder Cedrick Andree is the OHL Goaltender of the Month. Andree played to a 5-0-0-0 record, registering a league-leading 2.17 goals-against average and .925 save percentage along with two shutouts over six January contests. The 18-year-old started the month with a 17-save shutout performance over the Barrie Colts on Jan. 5th. He put together another perfect outing on the latest edition of the Sportsnet CHL Saturday Showcase, making 38 saves in a 4-0 blanking of the Oshawa Generals. Andree also won his latest start, turning aside 33 shots as the 67’s defeated the Saginaw Spirit 5-3 on Sunday.

An 18-year-old native of Orleans, Ont., Andree is currently on a seven-game winning streak with a league-leading 28 victories on the campaign. Overall, he’s played to a 28-4-1-1 record to go with a 2.50 goals-against average, .912 save percentage and three shutouts. Andree is a former 12th round pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection from the Ottawa Jr. Senators Midget AAA team.


2018-19 OHL Performers of the Month:


Player of the Month:
January – Ben Jones/Akil Thomas (Niagara IceDogs)
December – Tye Felhaber (Ottawa 67’s)
November – Jason Robertson (Niagara IceDogs)
October – Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)

Defenceman of the Month:
January – Sean Durzi (Guelph Storm)
December – Bode Wilde (Saginaw Spirit)
November – Noel Hoefenmayer (Ottawa 67’s)
October – Mac Hollowell (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

Rookie of the Month:
January – Marco Rossi (Ottawa 67’s)
December – Jacob Perreault (Sarnia Sting)
November – Marco Rossi (Ottawa 67’s)
October – Marco Rossi (Ottawa 67’s)

Vaughn Goaltender of the Month:
January – Cedrick Andree (Ottawa 67’s)
December – Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Sudbury Wolves)
November – Joseph Raaymakers (London Knights)
October – Cedrick Andree (Ottawa 67’s)