OHL’s Draft Eligible Statistical Leaders for October

The Ontario Hockey League took last night off as fans and players alike braved the weather (depending on where you are) to attend costume parties, head to work dressed up and yes, even go trick or treating. Thus, the OHL completed its first full month of the season a day early and we here at OHL Writers can update you on the statistical leaders among players eligible for the 2020 National Hockey League Draft.

If you look at the point leaders, you’ll see projected top 5 pick Quinton Byfield of the Sudbury Wolves leading the way with 31 points in 16 games. And for the better part of the season, Byfield has led the entire league in the scoring race.

But, focus your attention three spots lower to Marco Rossi of the Ottawa 67’s. Rossi has 19 points in just 8 games played. He missed five games due to suspension but is averaging 2.38 points per game while Byfield is averaging 1.94 points per game. That’s almost half a point per game better then Byfield.

It doesn’t end there. Cole Perfetti leads the list in assists with 22 in 16 games, or 1.38 assists per game. Rossi is just two spots below with Byfield sandwiched in between with 15 helpers in 8 games or 1.88 assists per game, exactly .50 assists per game better then the leader.

But with 4 goals in eight games, Rossi doesn’t make our top ten, yet. He is averaging .50 goals per game and based on that, would be seventh on the list. Barrie Colts’ Tyson Foerster tops the list with 13 goals in 14 games, or .93 goals per game.

Wait. We’re not finished just yet. Despite playing in only eight games, Rossi has taken more faceoffs then anyone in the top 10 in faceoff percentage and has won a whopping 62.6 per cent of his draws. Not only is that good enough to top draft eligible players, but tops in the entire league among players with 60 or more faceoff attempts.

Had enough Marco Rossi talk?

Among goaltenders, no OHL goaltender has faced as much rubber as Niagara IceDogs’ puck stopper Tucker Tynan. And we’re not talking just draft eligible goaltenders. Tynan has faced 70 more shots then the next closest goaltender, Jacob Ingham of the Mississauga Steelheads who has faced 419. To put that into context, Tynan has played in just one more game then Ingham.

Yet Tynan is fourth among draft eligible goaltenders with a 3.60 goals-against-average and tops in save percentage at .920. Let’s put that into perspective as well: That’s second among all goalies who have played in 3 or more games, tied with Hunter Jones of the Peterborough Petes, the top OHL goaltender drafted in 2019.

Here’s a look at the leader board. While we take great care in compiling stats, always refer to the OHL website for official stats.