OHL Playoff Preview: Conference Semi-Finals

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

2019 Playoff Bracket

Dare I say it?

I don’t think the first round of the Ontario Hockey League was that difficult to predict when it came down to picking the teams that would advance to the Conference Finals. But could anyone have predicted just how dominant a round it was by the favorites?

Five of the eight series went the minimum four games. The minimum number of games for the first round was thirty-two. And it took just thirty-five to complete the round. It was the most dominating first round the league has seen in decades.

That said, the Conference Semi-Finals should have more competition as the field is down to the eight best teams from the regular season.

Below is a series by series breakdown of how the teams fared against each other through the 2018-2019 regular season followed by my predictions. Before we get to that, here’s a look at how my predictions went in the first round:

Series Result Prediction
1 London vs Windsor London wins 4-0 London in 5
2 Saginaw vs Sarnia Saginaw wins 4-0 Saginaw in 6
3 Sault Ste Marie vs Owen Sound Sault wins 4-1 Sault St Marie in 5
4 Guelph vs Kitchener Guelph wins 4-0 Guelph in 6
Series Result Prediction
1 Ottawa vs Hamilton Ottawa wins 4-0 Ottawa in 5
2 Niagara vs North Bay Niagara wins 4-1 Niagara in 5
3 Oshawa vs Peterborough Oshawa leads 3-1 Oshawa in 5
4 Sudbury vs Mississauga Sudbury wins 4-0 Sudbury in 6
WESTERN CONFERENCE
London Knights vs Guelph Storm: Head To Head Stats
Summary
Description Result
Head to Head London 2-3-1-0 Guelph 4-1-0-1
2017-2018 London 4-2-0-0 Guelph 2-3-1-0
Last 5 Years London 21-8-1-0 Guelph 9-18-2-1
Last 5 Years record @ London London 12-3-0-0 Guelph 3-11-1-0
Last 5 Years record @ Guelph London 9-5-1-0 Guelph 6-7-1-1
Previous Meetings This Season London 1 @ Guelph 5
Guelph 7 @ London 3
Guelph 1 @ London 6
Guelph 7 @ London 5
London 2 @ Guelph 1 SO
London 2 @ Guelph 3 OT
How the 2 teams match up
Guelph London
Team Record 40-18-6-4 — 90 PTS 46-15-6-1 — 99 PTS
Division Ranking 2nd Midwest 1st Midwest
Conference Ranking 4th Western 1st Western
League Ranking 8th 2nd
Past 10 Games 8-2-0-0 6-4-0-0
Home Record 23-9-1-1 27-5-2-0
Away Record 17-9-5-3 19-10-4-1
GF 308 299
GA 230 211
PP (Overall) (69/267) 25.8% (59/256) 23.0%
PP (Home) (37/146) 25.3% (33/133) 24.8%
PP (Away) (32/121) 26.4% (26/123) 21.1%
PK (Overall) (53/253) 79.1% (41/289) 85.8%
PK (Home) (28/126) 77.8% (19/142) 86.6%
PK (Away) (25/127) 80.3% (22/147) 85.0%
PP vs. Opp. (7/28) 25% (3/26) 11.5%
PK vs. Opp. (3/26) 88.5% (7/28) 75%
Leading Rookie Collins (6-10-16) Stranges (13-21-34)
Most PIM Ratcliffe – 105 Keane – 103
Team PIM/GM 9.9/Game 12.8/Game
Leading Scorers Schnarr (34-68-102) Hancock (52-55-107)
Suzuki (34-60-94) McMichael (36-36-72)
Ratcliffe (50-32-82) Foudy (36-32-68)
Hawel (37-41-78) Boqvist (20-40-60)
Entwistle (30-27-57) Dunkley (23-30-53)
Leading After 1st 24-3-3-0 28-2-0-0
Leading After 2nd 32-1-3-1 35-1-1-0
Tied After 1st 9-4-3-4 12-3-3-1
Tied After 2nd 4-0-1-2 8-1-1-1
Trailing After 1st 7-11-0-0 6-10-3-0
Trailing After 2nd 4-17-2-1 3-13-4-0
Out Shooting Opponents 28-8-2-2 33-11-4-0
Out Shot by Opponents 11-9-4-2 12-4-2-1
1-Goal Games 10-5-6-4 9-2-6-1
2-Goal Games 4-2-0-0 12-5-0-0
3-Goal Games 8-7-0-0 13-4-0-0
Saginaw Spirit vs Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds: Head To Head Stats
Summary
Description Result
Head to Head Record Saginaw 4-3-1-0 Sault Ste. Marie 4-4-0-0
2017-2018 Saginaw 1-6-1-0 Sault Ste. Marie 7-0-0-1
Last 5 Years Saginaw 16-22-2-0 Sault Ste. Marie 24-13-1-2
Last 5 Years @ Saginaw Saginaw 8-11-1-0 Sault Ste. Marie 12-6-1-1
Last 5 Years @ Sault Saginaw 8-11-1-0 Sault Ste. Marie 12-7-0-1
Previous Meetings This Season Saginaw 2 @ Sault Ste. Marie 5
Sault Ste. Marie 2 @ Saginaw 1 OT
Saginaw 5 @ Sault Ste. Marie 3
Saginaw 4 @ Sault Ste. Marie 2
Sault Ste. Marie 7 @ Saginaw 4
Sault Ste. Marie 3 @ Saginaw 5
Saginaw 3 @ Sault Ste. Marie 6
Sault Ste. Marie 2 @ Saginaw 5
How the 2 teams match up
Sault Ste. Marie Saginaw
Team Record 44-16-7-1 — 96 PTS 45-17-3-3 — 96 PTS
Division Ranking 2nd West 1st West
Conference Ranking 3rd Western 2nd Western
League Ranking 5th 3rd
Past 10 Games 6-3-1-0 7-2-1-0
Home Record 24-6-3-1 24-7-2-1
Away Record 20-10-4-0 21-10-1-2
GF 292 294
GA 224 218
PP (Overall) (59/265) 22.3% (51/227) 22.5%
PP (Home) (33/144) 22.9% (24/107) 22.4%
PP (Away) (26/121) 21.5% (27/120) 22.5%
PK (Overall) (51/287) 82.2% (40/234) 82.9%
PK (Home) (22/137) 83.9% (20/118) 83.1%
PK (Away) (29/150) 80.7% (20/116) 82.8%
PP vs. Opp. (4/28) 14.3% (7/26) 26.9%
PK vs. Opp. (7/26) 73.1% (4/28) 85.7%
Leading Rookie Kartye (4-20-24) Perfetti (37-37-74)
Most PIM Sambrook – 83 Murray – 115
Team PIM/GM 11.2/Game 8.7/Game
Leading Scorers Frost (37-72-109) Perfetti (37-37-74)
Howdeshell (46-31-77) Tippett (33-41-74)
Hollowell (24-53-77) Wilde (19-51-70)
Hayton (26-40-66) Coskey (31-32-63)
MacKay (27-34-61) McLeod (19-43-62)
Leading After 1st 25-0-2-0 31-3-1-0
Leading After 2nd 36-0-3-0 40-1-0-0
Tied After 1st 10-4-2-0 11-4-1-2
Tied After 2nd 6-7-2-1 4-3-2-2
Trailing After 1st 9-12-3-1 3-10-1-1
Trailing After 2nd 2-9-2-0 1-13-1-1
Out Shooting Opponents 26-8-3-1 27-8-3-2
Out Shot by Opponents 16-8-4-0 17-9-0-1
1-Goal Games 15-3-7-1 8-1-3-3
2-Goal Games 5-8-0-0 12-3-0-0
3-Goal Games 15-2-0-0 10-6-0-0
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Ottawa 67’s vs Sudbury Wolves: Head To Head Stats
Summary
Description Result
Head to Head Record Ottawa 1-0-1-0 Sudbury 1-0-1-0
2017-2018 Ottawa 0-1-0-1 Sudbury 2-0-0-0
Last 5 Years Ottawa 6-2-1-1 Sudbury 4-5-1-0
Last 5 Years record @ Ottawa Ottawa 3-1-0-1 Sudbury 2-2-1-0
Last 5 Years record @ Sudbury Ottawa 3-1-1-0 Sudbury 2-3-0-0
Previous Meetings This Season Ottawa 2 @ Sudbury 3 OT
Sudbury 3 @ Ottawa 4 OT
How the 2 teams match up
Sudbury Ottawa
Team Record 43-20-3-2 — 91 PTS 50-12-4-2 — 106 PTS
Division Ranking 2nd Central 1st East
Conference Ranking 4th Eastern 1st Eastern
League Ranking 7th 1st
Past 10 Games 7-3-0-0 6-3-1-0
Streak 0-1-0-0 3-0-1-0
Home Record 27-6-1-0 29-3-1-1
Away Record 16-14-2-2 21-9-3-1
GF 254 296
GA 206 183
PP (Overall) (38/280) 13.6% (60/259) 23.2%
PP (Home) (16/147) 10.9% (30/131) 22.9%
PP (Away) (22/133) 16.5% (30/128) 23.4%
PK (Overall) (51/305) 83.3% (62/276) 77.5%
PK (Home) (23/162) 85.8% (22/127) 82.7%
PK (Away) (28/143) 80.4% (40/149) 73.2%
PP vs. Opp. (0/3) 0% (2/10) 20%
PK vs. Opp. (2/10) 80% (0/3) 100%
Leading Rookie Byfield (29-32-61) Rossi (29-36-65)
Most PIM Pilon – 121 Clark – 98
Team PIM/GM 13.7/Game 13.1/Game
Leading Scorers Ruzicka (35-43-78) Felhaber (59-50-109)
Byfield (29-32-61) Keating (22-67-89)
Bulitka (19-35-54) Maksimovich (35-46-81)
Murray (30-20-50) Chiodo (29-50-79)
Carson (17-29-46) Chmelevski (35-40-75)
Leading After 1st 21-3-1-0 31-0-0-2
Leading After 2nd 31-0-1-0 40-0-2-2
Tied After 1st 14-6-2-0 17-3-2-0
Tied After 2nd 7-1-1-0 7-3-1-0
Trailing After 1st 8-11-0-2 2-9-2-0
Trailing After 2nd 5-19-1-2 3-9-1-0
Out Shooting Opponents 27-8-2-0 32-9-3-1
Out Shot by Opponents 16-12-1-2 13-2-1-1
1-Goal Games 16-0-3-2 12-5-4-2
2-Goal Games 7-6-0-0 10-1-0-0
3-Goal Games 8-9-0-0 13-3-0-0
Niagara IceDogs vs Oshawa Generals: Head To Head Stats
Summary
Description Result
Head to Head Record Niagara 1-0-1-0 Oshawa 1-1-0-0
2017-2018 Niagara 1-0-0-1 Oshawa 1-0-1-0
Last 5 Years Niagara 5-3-1-1 Oshawa 5-4-1-0
Last 5 Years @ Niagara Niagara 3-1-0-1 Oshawa 2-3-0-0
Last 5 Years @ Oshawa Niagara 2-2-1-0 Oshawa 3-1-1-0
Previous Meetings This Season Oshawa 2 @ Niagara 6
Niagara 3 @ Oshawa 4 OT
How the 2 teams match up
Oshawa Niagara
Team Record 44-20-4-0 — 92 PTS 44-17-7-0 — 95 PTS
Division Ranking 2nd East 1st Central
Conference Ranking 3rd Eastern 2nd Eastern
League Ranking 6th 4th
Past 10 Games 7-2-1-0 8-2-0-0
Streak 3-0-0-0 6-0-0-0
Home Record 21-10-3-0 25-6-3-0
Away Record 23-10-1-0 19-11-4-0
GF 288 326
GA 216 209
PP (Overall) (71/290) 24.5% (85/303) 28.1%
PP (Home) (42/152) 27.6% (50/151) 33.1%
PP (Away) (29/138) 21.0% (35/152) 23.0%
PK (Overall) (49/270) 81.9% (63/276) 77.2%
PK (Home) (23/127) 81.9% (28/131) 78.6%
PK (Away) (26/143) 81.8% (35/145) 75.9%
PP vs. Opp. (4/14) 28.6% (4/12) 33.3%
PK vs. Opp. (4/12) 66.7% (4/14) 71.4%
Leading Rookie Tullio (15-27-42) Uberti (2-7-9)
Most PIM Gross – 81 Maksimov – 118
Team PIM/GM 11.4/Game 11.3/Game
Leading Scorers Saigeon (37-55-92) Robertson (48-69-117)
Salinitri (48-40-88) Jones (41-61-102)
Noel (34-47-81) Thomas (38-64-102)
Neumann (45-34-79) Studnicka (36-47-83)
McShane (34-35-69) Maksimov (40-39-79)
Leading After 1st 26-3-2-0 32-2-0-0
Leading After 2nd 32-1-0-0 39-0-1-0
Tied After 1st 12-3-0-0 8-7-1-0
Tied After 2nd 6-2-2-0 4-4-2-0
Trailing After 1st 6-14-2-0 4-8-6-0
Trailing After 2nd 6-17-2-0 1-13-4-0
Out Shooting Opponents 26-9-2-0 35-7-4-0
Out Shot by Opponents 17-9-2-0 8-9-2-0
1-Goal Games 14-4-4-0 10-9-7-0
2-Goal Games 5-5-0-0 5-2-0-0
3-Goal Games 11-7-0-0 10-4-0-0

PREDICTIONS:

London in 7 games

Sault Ste Marie in 7 games

Ottawa in 6 games

Oshawa in 7 games

Arthur Kaliyev – Hamilton Bulldogs – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 185 pounds

Date of birth: June 26, 2001

Hometown: Staten Island, NY

Position: Left Wing

Shoots: Left

OHL Draft: Round 2, 26th overall, 2017 Priority Selection

NHL Central Scouting Rankings: Pre-season, November: A Prospect. Mid-term: 11 North America

Coming into this season, it was widely expected that it would be a two-way race between Hamilton’s Arthur Kaliyev and Barrie’s Ryan Suzuki as the first player selected from the Ontario Hockey League for the 2019 National Hockey League Draft in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Then in January, much to the surprise of many onlookers, NHL Central Scouting released its mid-term rankings and by scouring the list you would find Mississauga’s Thomas Harley at number 9, followed Suzuki at 10 and Kaliyev at 11 among North American skaters.

My belief coming into this season was the same in January and remains the same today: If you’re looking for a playmaker that borders on elite, Suzuki is the name you call on the draft floor. If it’s the pure sniper your dreaming of then you call on the kid born in Tashkent, Usbekistan.

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

The Kaliyev family moved to the United States when Arthur was just 11 months old. He came up playing through the Little Caesars hockey program, eventually playing for the Compuware Under-16 squad in his OHL Draft year. He appeared in 19 games that season scoring 13 goals while adding 5 assists and won an Under-16 Championship. The Bulldogs would use the 26th overall pick at the 2017 Priority Selection to nab Kaliyev.

OHL Central Scouting had this to say:

Arthur is a big, skilled power forward that isn’t afraid to get involved physically. He is a powerful player that has a good stride and is deceptively faster than most defencemen think. He shoots the puck like a junior already as his shot is very hard and he gets it off extremely quick. Arthur finds open ice very well and has the ability to hit the open holes just as the puck is getting there. He has great offensive instincts which are very hard to teach.

Kaliyev broke into the OHL a season ago on a star-studded Bulldogs’ roster that went on to win an OHL Championship and a birth in the Memorial Cup and playing mostly 4th line minutes. Yet he still managed to pot 31 goals and 17 assists while playing in all 68 games. He would add 3 more goals and 8 helpers in 21 playoff games. He was the first underage rookie to hit 30 goals since Alex Galchenyuk had 31 during the 2010-2011 season.

This season began with Kaliyev representing the United States at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup where he scored 3 goals and 3 assists in 5 games. He finished the season appearing in all but 1 games and scoring 51 goals and 51 assists and leading all draft eligible players in most offensive stats. At OHL Writers, we voted Kaliyev our Draft Eligible Player of the Year.

So, what do we have in Kaliyev?

Well, I had the chance to talk to Troy Izlakar, the analyst for Bulldogs’ games on Cable 14 in Hamilton. The first thing that caught my attention in talking to Troy was when he said, “Let’s face it, Arthur Kaliyev is a great hockey player. There, I said it! My broadcast partner Reed Duthie would be proud of me, despite the fact we still disagree on where he may get selected this June.  In fact, we even have a fun side bet as to where he’ll be selected in the upcoming NHL draft.”

And that in a nutshell is the consensus. Or lack of it. Ask two people their opinions and they will likely differ. Here’s the thing: Kaliyev’s offensive abilities are no secret to anyone. They are as pure and lethal as anyone in the draft class. The question one must ask is “has there been an improvement from year to year, and has there been ongoing improvement throughout his draft year?” If you answered no, then you haven’t been paying attention.

Kaliyev possesses an elite level shot, an NHL caliber shot. OHL coaches voted him as having the best shot in the Eastern Conference. Troy said “On the power play from his sweet spot on the right side, there is likely nobody better at the one timer in the OHL than the left shot Kaliyev.” His numbers suggest that he can beat a goaltender from anywhere on the ice. Kaliyev shot 31.6% from high danger zone shots, 11.9% from mid danger zone areas and 14.2% from low danger zone areas.

Kaliyev has very good size at 6’2” and moves well. What is lacking is his willingness to take the puck hard to the net. Troy agreed, saying “Kaliyev is a better then average skater and really impressed scouts at the recent CHL Prospects game. However, he will often prefer to glide into the offensive zone looking for or giving a pass rather than attempting a straight power move to the net. He possesses that ability, I’ve see it, would just like to see it more.” I don’t think Troy is being overly critical here, but I also believe with maturity and confidence, it will come to him.

While Kaliyev is known and will probably forever be known as a sniper first, one cannot ignore the strides made in his puck distribution skills. He has excellent vision, puck protection skills and a knack for finding seams. 28 of his 51 assists were primary assists, and that is a sign of ability regardless if it’s 5 on 5 or on the powerplay.

Troy added, “Kaliyev is a better play maker than he likely gets credit for, but again the benefit of the first team power play gives him more time and space to create. During the second half of the season, we witnessed Kaliyev turn a corner on being a consummate play maker, he’s really starting to make everyone around him better.”

Kaliyev isn’t overly physical for his size, but he is willing to battle when necessary. Troy took it a step further: “I’d like to see him win more one on one battles in the corners and in high dangers areas, but maturity and strength will improve that. Kaliyev doesn’t shy away from puck battles but I sometimes feel it’s not his favourite thing to do.”

The knock on Kaliyev has always been his defensive game. But I go back to the question: Has he shown improvement year over year and throughout his draft season? I let Troy answer (agree with me): “There are nights you expect a 17yr old hockey player to disappear from the radar at times and Arthur Kaliyev still has those nights, particularly in the defensive zone. He has made a noticeable improvement during the latter half of this season, chasing down offenders inside his own blue line and shoring up his half board responsibilities in the D zone. Things are improving.”

Troy closed out our chat by saying “There’s no doubt Kaliyev will play professional hockey, but at the moment there is still work to be done on his 200ft game for a team to make a generational top 10 pick. I have Kaliyev slotted around 15-20 for the upcoming draft, which would mean he would be drafted by a team that is in a position to give him time to continue to craft his game and become a more well-rounded prospect.”

As they say, time will tell.

Stat page from Elite Prospects

 

Eric Uba – Flint Firebirds – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height: 6’0”

Weight: 196 pounds

Date of birth: December 17, 2000

Hometown: Kitchener, Ontario

Position: Right Wing

Shoots: Right

OHL Draft: Round 9, 164th overall, 2016 Priority Selection

NHL Central Scouting Rankings: Pre-season, November: Not ranked. Mid-term: 150th North America

Kitchener Ontario native and Flint Firebirds right winger Eric Uba played his Minor Midget AAA hockey with the Kitchener junior Rangers during the 2015-2016 season. In 33 games, Uba scored 17 goals and added 28 helpers. He would add 6 goals and 6 assists in 13 playoff games. The Firebirds would use their 9th round pick to select him at the 2016 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.

During the 2016-2017 season, Uba would ply his trade with the Ayr Centennials of the Provincial Junior Hockey League. There, he would appear in 40 games and notch 28 goals and 42 assists. He would add 7 goals and 5 assists in 16 playoff matches, helping the Centennials win the Schmalz Cup.

Uba began last season in the Ontario Junior Hockey League, lacing his skates up with the Wellington Dukes. He appeared in 39 games and scored 9 goals and 13 assists. In late December 2017, Uba committed to the Firebirds and signed an agreement. While the Dukes were on the Holiday break, Uba appeared in 4 games for the Firebirds recording an assist.

Eric Uba of the Flint Firebirds. Photo by Terry Wilson - OHL Images.
Eric Uba of the Flint Firebirds. Photo by Terry Wilson – OHL Images.

It was a certainty that Uba (pronounced you-bah) would make the Firebirds roster full time this season, so a trade deadline deal on January 10,2018 saw the Dukes trade him to the Oakville Blades on his return to the OJHL. He appeared in 12 games for the Blades, scoring 6 goals and 6 assists. He would add 2 and 2 in 13 playoff games.

Uba would appear in all but one game for the Firebirds this season and score 19 goals while assisting on 23 others. While he finished the season a minus-13 it must be noted that the team as a whole was a minus-138 on the year. And Uba had the best plus/minus of any player on the squad to appear in at least half the Firebirds games. It is a testament to the work he puts in on the defensive side of the puck.

When breaking down his stats further, Uba scored his 19 goals on 162 shots, or 11.7%. He was at 6.7% from high danger zone areas, 22.2% from mid danger zone areas and 10.9% from low danger zone areas with the large majority (129) of his shots coming from the low danger zone areas. It shows he has confidence in his shot and that he can beat netminders from anywhere. His primary assists to secondary assists were 14-9.

At 6’ tall, his size is okay. But at 196 pounds, Uba is filled in and like most players at this level, won’t be needing to add the bulk most of them require. He is a straight line north-south player who likes to use the middle of the ice and I am sometimes left wondering how his game would translate to the middle.

Uba is a player who can be trusted to play in any situation, be it the powerplay, the penalty kill, or going up against the best the opposition has to offer. He’s smart and understands defensive responsibilities. He plays high tempo, high energy at both ends of the ice. His anticipation skills are very good and he can create turnovers, close up passing lanes and transition to the attack. He led all draft eligible players in short handed goals.

Offensively, Uba sees the ice very well and can make a very good pass. As mentioned, he can shoot the puck from anywhere. His shot isn’t exactly over powering, but it is accurate and has a deceptive release. If there is one area offensively that I’d like to see him work on it is taking the puck to the net more often and getting himself into position in those high danger zone areas to put the puck on net. Of his 162 shots on the target, just 15 came from those high danger zone areas. Maybe it’s a confidence issue or an experience issue.

Uba wasn’t on NHL Central Scouting’s pre-season or November’s Players to Watch list. But he did make their mid-term rankings at 150th among North American skaters. Based on his season since they published the list in January, he should be a bit higher. But he did get their attention. Unfortunately, the Firebirds did not make the playoffs so his opportunity to see his stock rise further may have come to an end.

Stat page from Elite Prospects

More stats form Prospect-Stats

Cole Schwindt – Mississauga Steelheads – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 175 pounds

Date of birth: April 25, 2001

Hometown: Kitchener, Ontario

Position: Right wing

Shoots: Right

OHL Draft: Round 4, 69th overall, 2017 Priority Selection

NHL Central Scouting Rankings: Pre-season, November: C prospect. Mid-term 131st North America

Mississauga Steelheads pivot Cole Schwindt is a graduate of the Kitchener Junior Rangers Minor Midget AAA squad where he appeared in 31 games during the 2016-2017 season. He scored 12 goals and added 15 assists and the Steelheads would select him in the 4th round, 69th overall at the 2017 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.

Schwindt made his OHL debut on September 22, 2017. He scored his first goal 3 games later and followed that by adding his first assist and multi-point game (1 goal, 2 assists) in his next contest. He finished his rookie campaign with 8 goals and 10 assists while appearing in 66 games.

Cole Schwindt of the Mississauga Steelheads Photo by Luke Durda/OHL Images
Cole Schwindt of the Mississauga Steelheads Photo by Luke Durda/OHL Images.

This season Schwindt appeared in all 68 regular season games with the Rangers. He notched 19 goals while assisting on 30 others. He hit the goal 150 times this season, which puts him at 12.6% shooting percentage. In the faceoff circle, he was 551 for 1041 for a 52.9% success rate.

Breaking down his numbers, you’ll find Schwindt was 5 for 27 (18.5%) from high danger zone areas, 6 for 22 (27.3%) from mid-danger zone areas and 8 for 101 (7.9%) from low danger zone areas. His primary and secondary assists were split evenly at 15.

At 6’3” Schwindt has some very good size but really needs to add some bulk. He’s got good mobility on his skates and his top speed is sufficient. I think he could add a little jump in his first few steps.

Schwindt is a strong puck possession pivot and very smart. He sees the ice extremely well and has an ability to slow the game down using his patience to wait for opportunities to sort themselves out. And this bodes well for him as I see him as a playmaking pivot.

Physicality is an area Schwindt does not shy away from. Whether it’s initiating contact, or taking a hit to make a play, you can count on him being involved. In the O-zone, he gets in on the forecheck and will take advantage physically against opposition defenders. In the D-zone, he’ll battle for pucks along the walls – something he rarely loses at. One can only imagine how much more effective he will be once he adds some needed muscle.

Defensively, Schwindt is above the development curve that you’d expect to be at this level – as he was in minor midget as well. He can be trusted against the top players on the other side and to kill penalties. He uses his hockey smarts to defend, knowing how to take away lanes, use an active stick and to use that long reach he possesses effectively. He has excellent anticipation skills and can create turnovers from it.

There is still room for Schwindt to develop offensively. And we can see a similar path taken by Guelph Storms’ Nate Schnarr. However, he has the skillset to be a defensive forward who can kill penalties and provide a touch of offense at the next level.

And that is not a bad thing to carve out a professional career.

Stat page from Elite Prospects

Stats from Prospect-Stats

CHL Announces Weekly Award Winners

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Bouchard racks up the points, Keyser shuts the door

Knights’ Evan Bouchard named CHL Player of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that defenceman Evan Bouchard of the London Knights is the CHL Player of the Week for the first week of playoff action ending March 24 with seven points in two games including two goals and five assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-3.

The Knights captain helped his squad climb to a 2-0 series advantage over the eighth-seed Windsor Spitfires beginning with a four-point effort as first star of Game 1 on Friday that saw him notch two goals and two assists, including a helper on teammate Alec Regula’s game-winning goal in the 4-3 decision. The Edmonton Oilers first round draft pick then added another three assists and earned third star honours in a 5-0 victory in Game 2 and sits first in OHL playoff scoring. Game 3 against the Spitfires goes Tuesday in Windsor.

Bouchard, 19, is in his fourth season with the Knights and is coming off a campaign in which he recorded 16 goals and 37 assists for 53 points in just 45 games. The Oakville, Ont., native also appeared in seven games with the Oilers earlier this season and was part of Team Canada at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship. In all, Bouchard has registered 201 points in 223 career OHL regular-season contests.

Also considered for the award this week was Everett Silvertips blue-liner Jake Christiansen, who tallied one goal and four assists for five points in two playoff games against the Tri-City Americans, as well as Charlottetown Islanders left-wing Daniel Hardie, who registered three goals and one assist for four points in two contests versus the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.

 

2018-19 CHL Players of the Week – Playoffs:

Mar. 18 – Mar. 24: Evan Bouchard (London Knights)

 

2018-19 CHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Mar. 11 – Mar. 17: Jason Robertson (Niagara IceDogs)

Mar. 4 – Mar. 10: Greg Meireles (Kitchener Rangers)

Feb. 25 – Mar. 3: Nate Schnarr (Guelph Storm)

Feb. 18 – Feb. 24: Brayden Tracey (Moose Jaw Warriors)

Feb. 11 – Feb. 17: Maxime Comtois (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

Feb. 4 – Feb. 10: Alexis Lafreniere (Rimouski Oceanic)

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)

 

 

Generals’ Kyle Keyser named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Kyle Keyser of the Oshawa Generals is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the first week of playoff action ending March 24 with a 2-0 record, a goals-against average of 1.00, and save percentage of .967.

Keyser claims the honour for the first time this year after turning aside 58 shots over two playoff games versus the Peterborough Petes to help his team find the win column in both contests. In Friday’s series opener, Keyser stopped all 33 shots to record his first career OHL playoff shutout and received first star honours in a 7-0 final. The Boston Bruins prospect then followed up that performance in Game 2 on Sunday when he surrendered just two goals on 27 shots en route to an 8-2 victory and a 2-0 series lead. The series resumes Tuesday in Peterborough.

The 20-year-old Keyser has completed four seasons in the OHL. Through 47 games this year, the Floridian posted a 32-8-3-0 record with a 2.75 goals-against average and .915 save percentage.

Also considered for the award this week was Colten Ellis of the Rimouski Oceanic, who won both of his appearances versus the Chicoutimi Sagueneens, including a four-overtime marathon in Game 2 on Saturday in which he turned aside 53 shots in an eventual 3-2 win. Ellis holds a .944 save rate across the two games. In the WHL, Carl Tetachuk of the Lethbridge Hurricanes helped carry his squad to a 2-0 series edge over the Calgary Hitmen, coming away with a goals-against average of 1.43 and a save percentage of .955 in the pair of victories.

2018-19 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week – Playoffs:

Mar. 18 – Mar. 24: Kyle Keyser (Oshawa Generals)

 

2018-19 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Mar. 11 – Mar. 17: Matthew Villalta (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

Mar. 4 – Mar. 10: Ian Scott (Prince Albert Raiders)

Feb. 25 – Mar. 3: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)

Feb. 18 – Feb. 24: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)

Feb. 11 – Feb. 17: Joel Hofer (Portland Winterhawks)

Feb. 4 – Feb. 10: Mads Sogaard (Medicine Hat Tigers)

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)

Knights’ Evan Bouchard named OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Edmonton Oilers prospect Evan Bouchard of the London Knights is the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week for the first week of playoff action ending March 24 with seven points in two games including two goals and five assists along with a plus-minus rating of plus-3.

Bouchard led the league in scoring over the first weekend of post-season action for the Western Conference’s first place Knights powered by a pair of multi-point performances to start their quest for an OHL title with home ice wins over the Windsor Spitfires.  In Game 1 on Friday night Bouchard matched a season high with four points by scoring twice at even strength and adding two assists on the power play as first star of the 4-3 victory.  He then contributed three assists in Game 2 on Sunday earning third star honours in the 5-0 shutout win.  The first round series shifts to Windsor for Game’s 3 and 4 on Tuesday and Thursday night.

A 19-year-old from Oakville, Ont., Bouchard becomes the first defenceman to earn the league’s weekly award in 2018-19.  The Knights captain is playing in his fourth season with the club after being chosen in the first round of the 2015 OHL Priority Selection.  Despite playing in just 45 regular season games this year he produced 53 points including 16 goals and 37 assists finishing with the league’s second best points-per-game average among defencemen at 1.18.  The first round pick by the Oilers in the 2018 NHL Draft eclipsed the 200 point plateau for his OHL career during his final regular season outing also capping a March where he was named OHL Defenceman of the Month.  He finishes his four-year tenure in London with 54 goals and 147 assists for 201 points in 223 games.

Watch video highlights of Bouchard and the Knights against the Spitfires in Game 1 and Game 2.

Also considered for the award this week was Florida Panthers prospect Owen Tippett of the Saginaw Spirit who scored three goals and three assists for six points in two wins against the Sarnia Sting, and NHL Draft prospect Graeme Clarke of the Ottawa 67’s who scored five goals across a pair of wins against the Hamilton Bulldogs.  In goal, Boston Bruins prospect Kyle Keyser of the Oshawa Generals posted a 2-0 record in first round action against the Peterborough Petes which included one shutout while making a total of 58 saves for a goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .967.

2018-19 OHL ‘On the Run’ Players of the Week – Playoffs:
Mar. 18 – Mar. 24: Evan Bouchard (London Knights)

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

Mar. 11 – Mar. 17: Jason Robertson (Niagara IceDogs)
Mar. 4 – Mar. 10: Greg Meireles (Kitchener Rangers)
Feb. 25 – Mar. 3: Nate Schnarr (Guelph Storm)
Feb. 18 – Feb. 24: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)
Feb. 11 – Feb. 17: Nando Eggenberger (Oshawa Generals)
Feb. 4 – Feb. 10: Jacob Ingham (Mississauga Steelheads)
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 Announces Disciplinary Action

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Press Release

Game of Sunday, March 24, 2019, – Hamilton at Ottawa

The Ontario Hockey League today announced the results of two separate reviews of incidents which took place in a playoff game played in Ottawa on the 24th of March, 2019, involving the 67’s and the visiting Hamilton Bulldogs Hockey Club.

The first incident reviewed was a game misconduct for charging assessed to player Kyle Maksimovich of the Ottawa 67’s Hockey Club.

Based on a review of the incident, it is the position of the League that player Kyle Maksimovich shall be suspended for two (2) games effective immediately.

The second incident reviewed was a match penalty for cross checking assessed to player Navrin Mutter of the Hamilton Bulldogs Hockey Club.

Based on a review of the incident, it is the position of the League that player Navrin Mutter shall be suspended for three (3) games effective immediately.

Keean Washkurak – Mississauga Steelheads – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height: 5’10”

Weight: 184 pounds

Date of birth: August 16, 2001

Hometown: Waterloo, Ontario

Position: Center

Shoots: Left

OHL Draft: Round 2, 30th overall, 2017 Priority Selection

NHL Central Scouting Rankings: Pre-season: C Prospect, November: B Prospect, Mid-term: 134th NA

Mississauga Steelheads pivot Keean Washkurak played his Minor Midget AAA hockey for his hometown Waterloo Wolves during the 2016-2017 season where he compiled 17 goals, 21 assists and 34 minutes in penalties in 32 games. He would add 7 goals and 7 assists and 16 penalty minutes in 15 playoff games.

Washkurak would make his Ontario Hockey League debut on September 22, 2017 and score his first goal 4 games into the season on September 30th, 2017 in Owen Sound. He would complete his rookie season scoring 6 goals and 9 assists with 32 minutes in penalties in 61 games. He also competed at the World Hockey Challenge Under-17 with Team Red and had a goal and a helper in 6 games.

Washkurak, Keean
Keean Washkurak of the Mississauga Steelheads. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images

Washkurak finished his regular season draft year (now in the playoffs) appearing in 66 games for the Steelheads. He scored 16 goals and assisted on 31 others while racking up 58 minutes in penalties. His 31 helpers were eighth among draft eligible players from the OHL. Perhaps more importantly, 17 of them were primary helpers.

Washkurak’s 16 goals came from 143 shots he fired on goal, good for an 11.2% shooting percentage. When broken down by difficulty, he shot 22.6% from high danger zone areas, 15.4% for mid-danger zone areas and 5.8% from low danger zone areas.  

Like the vast majority of players in this group, as a pivot, faceoffs are an area that Washkurak needs to work on. On the season he won 502 of 1019 draws for a winning percentage of 49.3%.

Where Washkurak stands ahead of most of his peers is his compete level, work ethic and willingness to do whatever it takes shift in and shift out. When it comes to these three areas, consistency is never an issue. However, producing at a consistently has proven to be an issue after starting the year at an excellent pace. Yet, if he is not producing he does so many other things well that he has an effect on the game and NHL scouts will certainly pay attention to those attributes.

Washkurak is an excellent skater with some explosiveness in his stride. Combined with his compete level, he hounds the opposition for the puck making him an excellent forechecker. Despite his 5’10 frame, he’s more then willing, and capable, of banging against much bigger players. And he won’t shy away when those players are coming at him. And yes, he’s been known to drop the mitts against bigger players as well.

Washkurak won’t dangle through players with finesse but rather uses good hockey smarts to make plays quickly. He’d rather drive through players and take the disc right to the net with surprisingly good results. But he can lure defenders in and then make a very good pass finding teammates. His pick possession skills are okay, but it’s not like he is prone to turnovers. Again, it’s quick thinking and quick movement of the puck that makes him most effective.

It’s difficult to predict what kind of career Washkurak will have at the next level. He has the tools to carve himself out a pro career. Sure, it would be nice to have produced more offense. But you’ve got to like the rest of the tools in the tool box.

Stat page from Elite Prospects

OHL Writers’ Draft Eligible Player of the Year

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Well, another Ontario Hockey League season has come to a close and the 2019 National Hockey League Draft begins to have more focus, it’s time for our Draft Eligible Player of the Year at OHL Writers. We tend to focus our attention on players eligible for the NHL draft and we’ve compiled notes on all of them. But this time of year, we pick one who has stood out the most.

And this year it’s Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Each month we select a Draft Eligible Player of the Month and we gave the nod to Kaliyev in January and February. 

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

Statistically speaking, you will find Kaliyev’s name all over the page. He led draft eligible players with 51 goals (4th best in the OHL), assists with 51 (17th in the OHL), points with 102 (6th in the OHL), shots on goal by a wide margin with 320 (2nd in the OHL), powerplay goals with 20 (2nd in the OHL), and 2nd in powerplay assists (20th in the OHL).

In the 2018-2019 Coaches Poll, Kaliyev was voted the second most dangerous in the goal area from the Eastern conference, the best shot in the Eastern Conference, and the hardest shot in the Eastern Conference.

Kaliyev is ranked 11th among North American Skaters (3rd from the OHL) by NHL Central Scouting, and 13th overall by TSN’s Bob McKenzie on their respective mid-term rankings.

Ryan Suzuki – Barrie Colts – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height: 6’

Weight: 170 pounds

Date of birth: May 28, 2001

Hometown: London, Ontario

Position: Center

Shoots: Left

OHL Draft: 1st overall pick, 2017 Priority Selection

NHL Central Scouting Rankings: Pre-season, November: A prospect. Mid-term: 10th overall, NA

Barrie Colts’ pivot Ryan Suzuki is the younger brother of the Guelph Storm’s Nick Suzuki, who was the 13th overall pick at the 2017 National Hockey League Draft by the Vegas Golden Knights (since traded to the Montreal Canadiens). Many in the scouting community coming into this season believed Ryan would be picked higher then his elder brother come this June in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Ryan played his Minor Midget AAA hockey with the London Jr Knights during the 2016-2017 season amassing 19 goals and 40 assists in 32 games. He would add 9 goals and 13 assists in 11 playoff games, leading the Knights to the Championship. He led the league in assists and points and was named the Alliance Hockey Player of the Year.

Following his Minor Midget season, he would appear in 1 game with the London Nationals of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League scoring 2 goals. And in 6 playoff games he recorded a goal and 3 assists.

Ontario Hockey League Central Scouting had this to say about Ryan:

Ryan is one of the most skilled players in this year’s Priority Selection. He is the type of player that makes

everyone around him better. Ryan is an unselfish player that sees the ice better than most at this age group. He makes plays that a lot of people don’t see developing from the stands and his passes are usually tape to tape. He is a good skater with the ability to beat players off the rush. He is dangerous every time he is on the ice. Ryan will be an offensive force in the OHL.

Ryan Suzuki of the Barrie Colts. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Ryan Suzuki of the Barrie Colts. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images

Ryan appeared in 64 games for the Colts last season compiling 14 goals and 30 assists. He would be named to the OHL Second All-Rookie Team. Ryan would also represent Canada at the World Hockey Challenge Under-17. In 6 games he scored 3 goals and 4 assists, helping Team Red capture a silver medal.

This season began with Ryan representing Canada once again, this time with Team Canada at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup. He scored once and added 7 helpers and helping Canada win a Gold Medal.

The Colts did not make the playoffs this season, and sadly, Ryan’s OHL season has come to an end. He appeared in 65 games and scored 25 goals and 50 assists.

One area of Ryan’s game that he needs to work on is faceoffs. His game is best suited down the middle so improve on winning 453 of 989 draws (45.8%) is vital.

The second area is learning to be a more selfish player. Possessing the threat that you might shoot to go along with what borders on elite playmaking abilities opens up more possibilities. And Ryan has a very good shot. His shot percentage is at 16.5%, but when you consider he is at 18.2% from the low danger zone areas of the ice (19 of his goals come from that area), then you can see he can beat goaltenders from any area.

As mentioned, Ryan’s playmaking abilities border on elite. He sees the ice extremely well, and sees things developing before they actually do. And he can deliver a tape-to-tape pass or lead a teammate with a pass. The fact that 29 of his assists are primary assists speaks to the fact that he can deliver the disc for a scoring threat.

As much as Ryan is an offensive threat on the powerplay (8 goals and 20 assists) he has shown that he can be a threat when down a man as well, although the numbers don’t reflect that (2 goals, 1 assist). He thinks the game so well and has excellent anticipation that he can steal the puck defending and go on the attack in a flash. Defensively he understands the game and works hard at it. You won’t find many coming back on the backcheck harder then he does.

He transitions quickly. While he has good speed, I wouldn’t consider him a speedster. He is excellent at puck possession and gaining the zone with possession.

If you follow the independent scouting services available to you, then you will see there is a mixed bag of where Suzuki is ranked. The rankings are anywhere from 12th overall (including TSN’s Bob McKenzie’s ranking) to 23rd. NHL Central Scouting has him 10th among North American skaters and 2nd among OHL skaters, behind defenceman Thomas Harley of the Mississauga Steelheads.

Personally, I think it comes down to Suzuki and Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Take your pick: The playmaker or the goal scorer.

Stat page from Elite Prospects