Toronto, Ont. – The Flint Firebirds are red hot on a 13-game winning streak and we’ve got lots to cover in and outside of the rinks this week. Get primed for another weekend with the latest edition of OHL This Week.
OSHAWA GENERALS AND SOO GREYHOUNDS BID TO HOST 2021 MEMORIAL CUP PRESENTED BY KIA:
The Oshawa Generals and Soo Greyhounds will each have the opportunity to make formal bid presentations to host the 2021 Memorial Cup presented by Kia.
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GENERALS AND BULLDOGS CLASH SATURDAY ON SPORTSNET:
East Division opponents the Oshawa Generals and host Hamilton Bulldogs hit the ice Saturday afternoon at 4:00pm on Sportsnet. The Generals currently sit third in the East Division with a 28-18-4-4 record while Hamilton hovers in the fourth place spot, carrying a season record of 23-25-6-1.
WOLVES GRADUATE SHANDOR ALPHONSO SHARES JOURNEY INTO NHL’S OFFICIATING RANKS:
Sudbury Wolves graduate Shandor Alphonso takes tremendous pride in being an official of colour in the National Hockey League. The 35-year-old shares his journey into the NHL’s officiating ranks.
WATCH
67’s, KNIGHTS AND FIREBIRDS IN KIA CHL TOP 10:
The Ottawa 67’s remain the top-ranked team in the CHL while the London Knights rise to eighth and the Flint Firebirds return for the second time this season.
FULL RANKINGS
SPIRIT’S PERFETTI NAMED OHL ‘ON THE RUN’ PLAYER OF THE WEEK:
Draft eligible Saginaw Spirit forward Cole Perfetti is the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week with 10 points in three games including four goals and six assists along with a plus/minus rating of plus-6.
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OHL WEEKEND NOTEBOOK: FEBRUARY 19, 2020:
The OHL Weekend Notebook recaps the weekend that was with news, information and interesting facts from both on and off the ice. Here are 10 of the leading stories from this past weekend.
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WAWANESA OHL PLAYS OF THE WEEK – FEB. 19, 2020:
Wawanesa OHL Plays of the Week is back with another mashup of magnificent moves! North Bay’s Simon Rose comes up big in overtime, Sault Ste. Marie’s Nick Malik keeps things going with a massive save off the left skate, Hamilton’s Jan Mysak skates through his opponents for another highlight reel marker, Kingston’s Christian Propp makes a desperation dive for the books and Oshawa’s Phil Tomasino creates opportunity with a nifty spin.
WATCH
VAUGHN SAVES OF THE WEEK – FEB. 18, 2020:
Double toe saves and a whole whack of highlight reel stops are featured in another exciting Vaughn Saves segment. Check out the moves from North Bay’s Joe Vrbetic, Hamilton’s Zachary Roy, Oshawa’s Zachary Paputsakis, Windsor’s Kari Piiroinen, Peterborough’s Tye Austin, Oshawa’s Jordan Kooy, Kingston’s Ryan Dugas, Barrie’s Arturs Silovs, Kingston’s Christian Propp, and Sault Ste. Marie’s Nick Malik.
WATCH
GOALTENDERS CAMPBELL, VRBETIC FEATURED IN OHL MILESTONE MOMENTS:
Rookie netminders Aidan Campbell of the Erie Otters and Joe Vrbetic of the North Bay Battalion each posted their first career OHL shutout last week. See all of those saves in OHL Milestone Moments.
WATCH
GENERALS’ TOMASINO REPRESENTS OHL IN CHL SHOWDOWN:
Oshawa Generals forward Philip Tomasino is the OHL’s representative in this week’s CHL Showdown featuring one great play from all three leagues.
WATCH & VOTE AT CHLSHOWDOWN.CA
OHL CUP POWERED BY UNDER ARMOUR WEEK 12 TOP-10 RANKINGS:
The Toronto Jr. Canadiens are the new number one team in the OHL Cup Powered by Under Armour Minor Midget Top-10, returning to where they began back in late November.
FULL RANKINGS
PETES ARE PLAYOFF BOUND:
A Niagara IceDogs loss on Sunday vaulted the Peterborough Petes into the 2020 OHL Playoffs. They’d solidify their standing with a 5-2 win over the Sudbury Wolves on Family Day.
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SPITFIRES HONOUR THE MEMORY OF MICKEY RENAUD:
The Windsor Spitfires honoured late captain Mickey Renaud prior to puck drop on Tuesday. Parents Mark and Jane Renaud joined Spitfires billet families in a special Family Day Weekend celebration of the former Calgary Flames draft pick who tragically passed away on February 18, 2008.
WATCH
FORMER TEAMMATES PERFETTI AND O’ROURKE ENJOY COMPETITIVE FRIENDSHIP:
Saginaw Spirit forward Cole Perfetti and Soo Greyhounds defenceman Ryan O’Rourke were two-time OHL Cup teammates but now square off several times a year. They share all about their competitive friendship.
WATCH
DRESSING ROOM DJ’S OF THE OHL: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE ONES YOU DIDN’T EXPECT:
Who runs the tunes in the room? Rap or country? Who’s got it figured out, and who needs some work? Find out here!
WATCH
PETES’ THOMAS RECORDS 300TH CAREER POINT:
Los Angeles Kings prospect Akil Thomas of the Peterborough Petes recorded his 300th career point and 200th career assist on Saturday.
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FIREBIRDS’ OTHMANN ENTERS CLUB RECORD BOOK FOR ROOKIE GOALS, POINTS:
One of several records set in Monday’s 12-7 win over the Sarnia Sting, Flint Firebirds forward Brennan Othmann set a new marks for both points and goals by a rookie in a single season. The second overall pick of the 2019 OHL Priority Selection had a goal and two assists on Monday to reach the 30-point mark, surpassing teammate Vladislav Kolyachonok‘s 29 points in a Firebirds uniform last season. His 14th goal put him ahead of Ty Dellandrea‘s mark set during the 2016-17 campaign.
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FIVE QUESTIONS WITH SHANE WRIGHT:
Shane Wright of the Kingston Frontenacs leads all CHL rookies in scoring and is showing exactly why he was granted exceptional player status.
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MITCHELL MARTIN COMMITS TO RANGERS:
The Kitchener Rangers have announced that left-winger Mitchell Martin has committed to an Ontario Hockey League standard player agreement with the club. The 17-year-old from Sudbury, Ont. was a fourth round pick in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection and is currently playing with the NOJHL’s Rayside-Balfour Canadians.
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2020 OHL GOLD CUP HIGH PERFORMANCE OFFICIATING CAMP APPLICATIONS BEING ACCEPTED:
Applications are now being accepted for the 2020 OHL Gold Cup High Performance Officiating Camp that runs May 6-10 at the Activa Sportsplex in Kitchener, ON.
DETAILS
BEYOND THE BOARDS:
CMHA Talk Today 50-50 Raffle: A reminder that the Talk Today 50-50 Raffle in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and Teachers Life will run until Feb. 29. A winner will be drawn on Mar. 2, and all proceeds will go toward support mental health awareness and the Talk Today program in partnership with CMHA and Teachers Life. The Talk Today games continue with North Bay hosting theirs tonight.
Kingston’s Salute to Military Families: Friday will see another classic division rivalry matchup between the Oshawa Generals and Kingston Frontenacs, with the Fronts decked out in their CAPDAT jerseys as a salute to Military Families.
Frontenacs raising money for Prostate Cancer Research: The Kingston Frontenacs players are seeking donations toward prostate cancer research. You can donate to the individual players’ campaigns HERE.
Crossover Week in Sudbury: The Sudbury Wolves and local basketball team Sudbury FIVE of the National Basketball League of Canada are switching jerseys for a cause. The FIVE sported jerseys with the Wolves’ logo during their Wednesday matchup, and this Friday when the Saginaw Spirit come to play, the Wolves will be doing the same: wearing Sudbury FIVE-themed jerseys. Jerseys from both of those games are up for auction and will benefit Jumpstart, where proceeds will go towards youth participation in minor sports.
FULL DETAILS AT SUDBURYWOLVES.COM
Mississauga Helps Fight the Cold: The Mississauga Steelheads are teaming up with A1 Air Conditioning and Heating for their first annual “Fight the Cold Coat Drive” on Friday as they take on the flint Firebirds. The Fight the Cold Coat Drive ensures that everyone in Mississauga has a coat to keep them warm throughout the winter and also aims to ensure that coats stay out of landfills. Fans are encouraged to bring a gently used or new coat for donation, and will receive a voucher for a complimentary ticket to the Steelheads game on Friday, Feb. 28.
LEARN MORE AT MISSISSAUGASTEELHEADS.COM
Making Local Issues #UNIGNORABLE: United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin have teamed up with the Storm for their #UNIGNORABLE game on Feb. 21. The purpose of the #UNIGNORABLE campaign is to make local issues like poverty, hunger and mental health just that: unignorable. Information about these local issues, as well as the work United Way and other community partners to in striving for solutions, will be highlighted during the game. Fans are encouraged to bring or purchase a pair of mittens that can then be donated to community members in need.
MORE INFORMATION AT GUELPHSTORM.COM
United Auto Workers/United Way Night in Flint: The Flint Firebirds are proud to be hosting their fifth annual United Auto Workers/United Way Night. Fans can use promo code UAW on ticketmaster.com to have $5 from their tickets donated to a local United Way branch, and, ahead of the game’s 7pm puck drop, Team United Auto Workers will face off against Team United Way in a pre-game matchup that fans who’ve purchased can also attend. There will also be a silent auction for both teams’ special jerseys, along with some other items.
READ MORE AT FLINTFIREBIRDS.COM
Pride Night in Oshawa: On Sunday, Feb. 23, the Oshawa Generals will be hosting their first ever Pride Night in partnership with You Can Play, PFLAG Canada Durham Region, and Pride Durham. There will be LGBTQ organizations will be onsite, rainbow Gens T-shirts will be for sold, and there will be a Pride Flag flown outside the Tribute Communities Centre.
LEARN MORE AT OSHAWAGENERALS.COM
Battalion host School Bus Safety Day on Sunday, play three home games in seven days:
The Troops host the Saginaw Spirit for I Stop, You Stop School Bus Safety Day. This season’s school bus safety day is in recognition of the 20th anniversary of the accident that killed 5 year old Adam Ranger when a transport truck failed to stop for his school bus’ flashing lights.
READ MORE AT BATTALIONHOCKEY.COM
ALUMNI NOTES:
Vilardi recalled by Kings: Kingston Frontenacs graduate and former Windsor Spitfires Memorial Cup champion Gabriel Vilardi has been summoned by the Los Angeles Kings. The 20-year-old forward, who has overcame injury obstacles dating back to his final OHL season in 2017-18, put up 25 points (9-16–25) over 32 games with the AHL’s Ontario Reign prior to the call-up. Vilardi was Los Angeles’ first round (11th overall) pick in the 2017 NHL Draft. The former second overall OHL Priority Selection choice recorded 157 points (68-89–157) over 143 career regular season contests between Kingston and Windsor from 2015-18. He’s expected to make his NHL debut on Thursday.
Toffoli named NHL’s third star of the week, dealt to Canucks: Ottawa 67’s graduate and back-to-back 50-goal OHL scorer Tyler Toffoli had an eventful week, becoming the first player in NHL history to notch a hat-trick in an outdoor game before being named the league’s third star of the week. Toffoli was then dealt from the Los Angeles Kings to the Vancouver Canucks, making his debut with his new team on Wednesday. Originally a second round pick by LA in the 2010 NHL Draft, Toffoli spent parts of eight seasons with the Kings, registering 34 points (18-16–34) over 58 games prior to the trade this season. A 27-year-old product of Scarborough, Ont., Toffoli was a career 333-point scorer over four seasons in Ottawa from 2008-12, recording 163 goals and 170 assists over 252 career regular season contests.
DeMelo joins Jets: Mississauga Steelheads graduate Dylan DeMelo joined the Winnipeg Jets in a trade from the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday. The 26-year-old from London, Ont. had posted 10 assists over 49 games with the Sens this season and joins his third NHL club after breaking in with the San Jose Sharks who selected him in the sixth round of the 2011 NHL Draft. The 6-foot defenceman played four OHL seasons in Mississauga, recording 125 points (25-100–125) over 218 career regular season outings.
OHL grads Archibald, Bourque swap AHL clubs: A pair of OHL graduates in Niagara IceDogs alumnus Darren Archibald and Owen Sound Attack blue line grad Trent Bourque were involved in a one-for-one swap on Wednesday. Archibald was dealt from the Toronto Marlies to the Belleville Senators in exchange for Bourque. A 30-year-old native of Newmarket, Ont., Archibald played four OHL seasons between Barrie and Niagara from 2008-11. He recorded 12 points (5-7–12) in 34 games with the Marlies this season. Bourque, 21, played five OHL seasons between Sudbury and Owen Sound from 2014-19 and was a sixth round pick of the St. Louis Blues in 2017. Bourque has spent most of the season with the ECHL’s Brampton Beast, recording 20 points (3-17–20) over 42 games while appearing in five games with the Belleville Senators.
Marchment dealt to Panthers: Mississauga Steelheads graduate Mason Marchment was dealt to the Florida Panthers on Wednesday. The Toronto Maple Leafs received forward Denis Malgin in exchange. Marchment, 24, is in his fourth pro season in 2019-20 and has 13 goals and five assists for 18 points in 24 games with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies this year. The winger won a Calder Cup title with the Marlies in 2018. He played two OHL seasons between Erie, Hamilton and Mississauga, recording 77 points (28-49–77) over 115 career regular season contests.
Williams named ECHL Goaltender of the Week: Erie Otters graduate Devin Williams of the Tulsa Oilers has been named the ECHL Goaltender of the Week. The 24-year-old went 3-0-0 with a 2.01 goals-against average and a save percentage of .935 in three appearances last week. A native of Saginaw, Michigan, Williams is 15-11-1 in 28 appearances with the Oilers this season with a 2.63 goals-against average and a save percentage of .909. Williams played parts of five seasons in Erie from 2011-16, winning a franchise record 106 career contests while posting a career goals-against average of 3.03 and a save percentage of .900.
Rangers grad Maaskant earns AUS Community Service Award: Kitchener Rangers graduate Liam Maaskant has earned The AUS’ Godfrey Award and been nominated for the prestigious Dr. Randy Gregg Award. The Acadia Axemen defenceman claims the award given annually to the player who best represents the spirit of intercollegiate hockey by his leadership both on and off the ice by his conduct throughout the season. A fifth-year engineering student from Clinton, Ont., Maaskant has served as team captain for two consecutive seasons. He played in 28 games this season, anchoring the Acadia defence and scoring 15 points (4-11–15). The 25-year-old played four OHL seasons between Erie, Barrie and Kitchener from 2011-15.
KEY MATCHUPS:
Windsor Spitfires at Barrie Colts
Saturday, February 22nd
Both the Windsor Spitfires (33-16-5-0) and Barrie Colts (25-23-3-2) have put on respectable performances as of late, and since they only face off twice a year, we’re anticipating a big game on Saturday.
The Spits skated away from last weekend’s three-game roadie with all six points in the bank before falling at home to the Sarnia Sting. It’s worth mentioning they were able to edge the top seeded Ottawa 67’s in a 3-2 decision thanks to Will Cuylle’s shootout winner, handing the Barber Poles their first loss at home since early November as well as their season’s only loss past regulation.
The Colts’ recent accolades include surpassing the Mississauga Steelheads for second in the Central Division. They’re now seated just four points behind the leading Sudbury Wolves. The squad took home six out of a possible eight points over last week’s four-game stint, and have a 7-2-1-0 tally to their names over their last 10 matchups. NHL Draft prospect Tyson Foerster continues to lead the charge, landing his 70th point with a respectable 30 goals and 40 assists on the season. Evan Vierling, a deadline addition from the Flint Firebirds, will suit up fresh off his first career hat-trick that has helped vault him to 10 goals and 22 points in the 18 games he’s played with the Colts.
Looking toward Windsor, Nashville Predators pick Egor Afanasyev and Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Tyler Angle have both put up 12 points each in their last six games.
Saturday’s visit will be the Spits’ one and only trip to Barrie. It comes at the forefront of back-to-back road games that will see them land in Oshawa the following evening. Windsor claimed their first tangle with the Colts in a 3-2 shootout.
Owen Sound Attack at Erie Otters
Saturday, February 22nd / Sunday, February 23rd
We’re no stranger to seeing the Owen Sound Attack (26-21-4-3) and Erie Otters (23-20-4-7) square off in a classic Midwest matchup, but as the Western Conference playoff cushion continues to tighten with both squads vying for that coveted eighth place spot, we’re sure to keep our eyes on these back-to-back contests.
The Attack are currently holding on to eighth place, but the Otters currently sit only two points behind. Both have played an even 54 games up to this point, keeping the race as tight as can be.
The Attack are led by top scorers Sergey Popov (16-46—62) and league veteran Brady Lyle (18-39—57). Netminder Mack Guzda posts a 21-17-4-2 with a 3.05 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage.
Maxim Golod leads the charge in Erie, boasting 67 points (21-46—67), followed by teammate Chad Yetman’s 33 goals and 58 points.
Owen Sound will skate in with the 3-1-0-0 season series advantage over the host Erie Otters. Following Saturday’s tilt, both clubs will be right back at it the following afternoon.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
Thursday February 20th:
Flint at Niagara – 7:00pm
Ottawa at North Bay – 7:00pm
Hamilton at Peterborough – 7:05pm
London at Windsor – 7:05pm
Saginaw at Barrie – 7:30pm
Friday February 21st:
Oshawa at Kingston – 7:00pm
Flint at Mississauga – 7:00pm
Saginaw at Sudbury – 7:05pm
Ottawa at Soo – 7:07pm
London at Guelph – 7:30pm
Erie at Kitchener – 7:30pm
Saturday February 22nd:
Oshawa at Hamilton – 4:00pm (Live on Sportsnet)
Kitchener at Flint – 7:00pm
Windsor at Barrie – 7:30pm
Erie at Owen Sound – 7:30pm
Sunday February 23rd:
Niagara at Guelph – 2:00pm
Barrie at Mississauga – 2:00pm
Saginaw at North Bay – 2:00pm
Erie at Owen Sound – 2:00pm
Ottawa at Sudbury – 2:05pm
Sarnia at Soo – 2:07pm
Windsor at Oshawa – 6:05pm
OHL Writers 