OHL ANNOUNCES TOP PERFORMERS OF THE MONTH FOR MARCH

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Month for regular season games played in March 2024.

Player of the Month – Quentin Musty (Sudbury Wolves)

San Jose Sharks prospect Quentin Musty of the Sudbury Wolves is the OHL Player of the Month, tallying an impressive 30 points including 15 goals and 15 assists over 11 games played in March. Registering multi-point showings in seven outings, Musty opened the month with a five-point performance on Mar. 1, recording a hat trick and a pair of helpers in a 10-3 win over Sarnia. Musty continued his scoring ways, registering a pair of season-high six-point performances on Mar. 8, (4-2-6) and Mar. 22 (2-4-6). Helping the Wolves play to a 38-23-4-3 record, he’s the second Wolves player to earn OHL Player of the Month honours this season.

An 18-year-old from Hamburg, NY., Musty ranked fourth among all OHL point-getters with 102 points (43-59-102) through 53 games played this season. Musty finished fifth in goal-scoring, registering a plus/minus rating of plus-19. A 6-foot-2, 202Ib. left-winger, Musty is in his third season with the Wolves, having recorded 81 goals, 130 assists and 211 points over just 156 career regular season games since being selected by Sudbury with the first overall pick of the 2021 OHL Priority Selection. Musty was drafted by the San Jose Sharks with their first round (26th overall) pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, signing a three-year entry-level contract with the club on Oct. 4, 2023.

Defenceman of the Month – Zayne Parekh (Saginaw Spirit)

2024 NHL Draft eligible defenceman Zayne Parekh of the Saginaw Spirit is the OHL Defenceman of the Month for the second time this season, registering five goals, 10 assists, and 15 points over 11 March outings, including 11 points in his last seven games. Helping Saginaw win nine of a possible 11 games in March, Parekh closed out the regular season atop all defensive point-getters, recording a Spirit franchise record 96 points (33-63-96) by a blueliner over 66 games played. Tallying four multi-point showings last month, he opened the month with a three-point performance on Mar. 1., registering two goals and an assist, including the overtime winner. He registered three assists on Mar. 23, helping the Spirit best the Windsor Spitfires 8-5. Parekh closed out the month with a goal and an assist on Mar. 24, as the Spirit concluded regular season action with a 50-16-1-1 record, good for second in the Western Conference standings.

An 18-year-old from Nobleton, Ont., Parekh is in his second OHL season after registering 37 points (21-16–37) over 50 games last season, setting a new OHL record for goals by a 16-year-old blueliner with 21. Parekh’s 33 goals this season are the most by a first-time NHL Draft eligible defender in the OHL since Cornwall’s John Slaney scored 38 during the 1989-90 campaign. The 6-foot, 180Ib. right-shot defender earned a gold medal for Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup this past summer, and was recently awarded an A-rating on NHL Central Scouting’s ‘Players to Watch’ List for the 2024 NHL Draft. Parekh was Saginaw’s first round (19th overall) pick in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection from the Markham Majors U16 program.

Goaltender of the Month – Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)

Jacob Oster of the Oshawa Generals is the OHL Goaltender of the Month for March, playing to a 9-0 record with a 2.33 goals-against average and .914 save percentage. Helping the Generals clinch first place in the Eastern Conference, Oster registered a 28-save performance on Mar. 12, defeating the Mississauga Steelheads 2-1 in overtime. He continued his consistency in the crease, recording a second 28-save performance on Mar. 17 in a 7-2 win over the Sarnia Sting. Oster closed out the regular season turning aside 26 of the 27 shots that came his way against Sudbury on Mar. 24, extending the Generals winnings to 12 consecutive games.

A 20-year-old from Ottawa, Ont., Oster ranked first among all netminders in wins this year, playing to a regular season mark of 35-16-7-1 including three shutouts, along with a 2.82 goals-against average and .905 save percentage. Selected in the fifth round (92nd overall) by the Guelph Storm in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection, the 6-foot-3, 190lb. netminder has appeared in 143 career regular season contests between Oshawa and Guelph, recording a 68-47-12-4 record, 3.29 goals-against average and .891 save percentage over three seasons.

Rookie of the Month – Jack Ivankovic (Mississauga Steelheads)

Mississauga Steelheads goaltender Jack Ivankovic is the OHL Rookie of the Month, playing to a 5-1 record, along with a 2.14 goals-against average and .927 save percentage. Making 166 saves in March, Ivankovic opened the month with a 30-save performance in a 6-1 win over the Windsor Spitfires on Mar. 3. Ivankovic recorded his second 30+ save performance of the month on Mar. 10., turning aside 33 of the 35 shots he faced. Ivankovic registered another standout performance on Mar. 17, blocking 28 of the 30 shots that came his way to lead the Steelheads to victory.

A 16-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., Ivankovic played to a regular season mark of 14-5-4-0, along with a 2.72 goals-against average, .915 save percentage and a shutout. His 2.72 G.A.A. was the lowest by an OHL rookie, earning him the F.W. “Dinty” Moore Trophy for his efforts. The 5-foot-11, 170lb. rookie was the Steelheads’ first round (seventh overall) pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection from the Mississauga Senators U16 program. Ivankovic excelled for Team Canada White at the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in November, returning from Prince Edward Island with a gold medal.

2023-24 OHL Performers of the Month:

Player of the Month:
March – Quentin Musty (Sudbury Wolves)
February – David Goyette (Sudbury Wolves)
January – Calum Ritchie (Oshawa Generals)
December – Ruslan Gazizov (London Knights)
November – Filip Mesar (Kitchener Rangers)
October – Carson Rehkopf (Kitchener Rangers)

Defenceman of the Month:
March – Zayne Parekh (Saginaw Spirit)
February – Sam Dickinson (London Knights)
January – Oliver Bonk (London Knights)
December – Nick DeAngelis (Sudbury Wolves)
November – Zayne Parekh (Saginaw Spirit)
October – Hunter Brzustewicz (Kitchener Rangers)

Goaltender of the Month:
March – Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)
February – Dom DiVincentiis (North Bay Battalion)
January – Michael Simpson (London Knights)
December – Marcus Vandenberg (Sudbury Wolves)
November – Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers)
October – Brayden Gillespie (Guelph Storm)

Rookie of the Month:
March – Jack Ivankovic (Mississauga Steelheads)
February – Riley Patterson (Barrie Colts)
January – Riley Patterson (Barrie Colts)
December – Jake O’Brien (Brantford Bulldogs)
November – Cole Davis (Windsor Spitfires)
October – Carter George (Owen Sound Attack)


About the Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the world’s largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American states. In addition to the OHL, the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League and U SPORTS than any other league.

OHL ANNOUNCES 2023-24 REGULAR SEASON AWARD WINNERS

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced three individual recipients of the League’s annual regular season awards.
Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy (Top Scorer) & Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy (Top Scoring Right Winger) – David Goyette, Sudbury Wolves

Finishing his season with an impressive 15 points over his final five games, Sudbury Wolves captain David Goyette is the OHL’s top scorer in 2023-24, earning the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy after an outstanding season. Goyette’s 117 points that included 40 goals and 77 assists across 68 games also earn him the Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy as the League’s top scoring right winger.

A 19-year-old from Hawkesbury, Ont., Goyette recorded at least three points in a game 18 different times during the regular season, a big reason why Sudbury led the OHL with a total of 328 goals scored, the most by the franchise since 1991-92. His 117 points are the most by a Wolves player since Norm Milley registered 120 in 1998-99.

Goyette, who was selected by the Seattle Kraken in the second round (61st overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft, becomes the third player in Wolves franchise history to claim the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy, following Michael Sgarbossa (2011-12) and Mike Foligno (1978-79).

The Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy was donated by the Toronto Marlboro Athletic Club in memory of Eddie Powers and was first awarded in 1945-46 to Tod Sloan of St. Michael’s who scored 79 points in 25 games. In addition to Goyette, other recent recipients have included Matthew Maggio of the Windsor Spitfires, Wyatt Johnston of the Windsor Spitfires in 2021-22 and Marco Rossi of the Ottawa 67’s in 2019-20.

Selected by the Wolves with the 11th overall pick of the 2020 OHL Priority Selection, Goyette joins Milley (1998-99) and Foligno (1978-79) as the third member of the Wolves to win the Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy. He wraps-up his third OHL season with career totals that include 114 goals, 168 assists and 282 points, good for sixth-most in Wolves franchise history.

The Jim Mahon Trophy was first presented following the 1971-72 season by the players and management of the Peterborough Petes in memory of their right winger Jim Mahon who was accidentally killed that summer. Recent recipients have included Matthew Maggio of the Windsor Spitfires, Lucas Edmonds of the Kingston Frontenacs in 2021-22 and Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs in 2019-20.

Dave Pinkney Trophy (Lowest Team Goals-Against) – Michael Simpson and Owen Willmore, London Knights

The London Knights surrendered a league-low 197 goals over their 68-game schedule, a season that resulted in the franchise’s seventh Hamilton Spectator Trophy as OHL regular season champions. Backstopping the Knights to success was the goaltending tandem of Michael Simpson and Owen Willmore, who earn this year’s Dave Pinkney Trophy for their efforts.

Awarded annually since 1949, the Dave Pinkney Trophy is presented to the goaltenders of the team with the lowest goals-against average during the regular season.

A hometown product, Simpson finished the season with a league-low 2.61 goals-against average and placed second in the OHL with 34 wins. The former OHL champion and Playoff MVP also finished tied for the league-lead in shutouts with four, giving him a career total of 10. A former 10th round (193rd overall) pick by Peterborough in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection, Simpson played to a career regular season mark of 78-50-6-4 with a 2.94 goals-against average and .904 save percentage over 144 games.

Willmore ended his season on a 12-game run of undefeated hockey in regulation, a streak that dates back to Dec. 15th. The 19-year-old from London played to a mark of 16-4-0-2 with a 2.96 goals-against average and .899 save percentage, recording one shutout over 23 games. Formerly London’s 14th round (279th overall) pick in 2020, Willmore is a career 20-4-0-2, making six appearances with the Knights during the 2021-22 season and an additional three games in the 2023 OHL Championship Series.

This marks the fifth time London goaltenders have earned the award and the first since Tyler Parsons and Brendan Burke of the 2016 Memorial Cup championship team last did so. Other past London recipients have included Gerald Coleman (2004, 2005), Adam Dennis (2005), Ryan MacDonald (2004) and Pat Riggin (1977).

F.W. “Dinty” Moore Trophy (Best Rookie Goals-Against Average) – Jack Ivankovic, Mississauga Steelheads

Jack Ivankovic of the Mississauga Steelheads is the recipient of the F.W. “Dinty” Moore Trophy, leading all qualified rookie netminders with a 2.72 goals-against average.

A 16-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., Ivankovic had an excellent rookie season, going 14-5-4-0 with a .915 save percentage and one shutout over 25 games. His first career shutout came on Nov. 25th as he stopped all 48 shots he faced in a 5-0 road win over the Erie Otters.

Ivankovic, who was selected by Mississauga with the seventh overall pick of the 2023 OHL Priority Selection, becomes the first Steelheads goaltender to ever win the award. He’s the OHL’s first 16-year-old goaltender to claim the honour since Michael DiPietro of the 2015-16 Windsor Spitfires.

The trophy is named after F.W. “Dinty” Moore of Port Colborne, Ont., who served as OHA President from 1942-45. In order to qualify for this rookie award, a goaltender must play a minimum of 900 minutes. Last year’s winner was Zach Bowen of the London Knights who now plays for the Peterborough Petes.


About the Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the world’s largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American states. In addition to the OHL, the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League and U SPORTS than any other league.

2024 OHL CUP PRESENTED BY FPS PAYMENT – DAY 1 SUMMARY

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The 2024 OHL Cup presented by FPS Payment hosted by the Greater Toronto Hockey League got underway on Monday with three Wild Card Play-In entries, along with 14 additional games on the Round Robin schedule.
 

2024 OHL Cup Wild Card Play-In Results:

WC 1 – York-Simcoe Express 8 vs. Cambridge Hawks 1
Express MVP – Jaxon Cover (2G)
Hawks MVP – Kyle Welmers (1G)
Recap – Stats

WC 2 – Niagara North Stars 1 vs. Halton Hurricanes 0
North Stars MVP – Liam Edgcumbe (27 SV, SO)
Hurricanes MVP – Seth Ronan (24 SV)
Recap – Stats

WC 3 – Upper Canada Cyclones 1 vs. Toronto Jr. Canadiens 0
Cyclones MVP – Jackson Howell (31 SV, SO)
Jr. Canadiens MVP – Dima Zhilkin
Recap – Stats

2024 OHL Cup Day 1 Results:

Game 1 – Vaughan Kings 4 vs. Oakville Rangers 3 – OT
Vaughan MVP – Zach Nyman (1G, 1A)
Oakville MVP – Callum Croskery (1G)
Recap – Stats

Game 2 – North York Rangers 3 vs. Oshawa Generals 2 – OT
North York MVP – Kohyn Eshkawkogan
Barrie MVP – Ethan Macleish (1A)
Recap – Stats

Game 3 – Peterborough Petes 3 vs. Toronto Marlboros 1
Peterborough MVP – Rylan Cunningham (1G)
Toronto MVP – Adam Valentini (1G)
Recap – Stats

Game 4 – Barrie Jr. Colts 3 vs. Mississauga Rebels 2 – OT
Barrie MVP – Nathan Amidovski (1G)
Mississauga MVP – Gavin Betts (39 SV)
Recap – Stats

Game 5 – Huron-Perth Lakers 3 vs. Thunder Bay Kings 2
Huron-Perth MVP – Quinn Kipfer (1G)
Thunder Bay MVP – Mitch Smith (1G)
Recap – Stats

Game 6 – London Jr. Knights 2 vs. Ottawa Myers Automotive 2
London MVP – Carter Hicks (1A)
Ottawa MVP – Matthias D’Souza (30 SV)
Recap – Stats

Game 7 – TPH Hockey 7 vs. Sun County Panthers 0
TPH MVP – Kam Hodgson (3G)
Sun County MVP – Eddie Hickson
Recap – Stats

Game 8 – NOHA 4 vs. Elgin-Middlesex Canucks 2
NOHA MVP – Lex Lamontagne (2G)
Elgin-Middlesex MVP – Cole Edmundson (1G)
Recap – Stats

Game 9 – Oakville Rangers 6 vs. York-Simcoe Express 0
Oakville MVP – Jacob Saldana (17 SV, SO)
York-Simcoe MVP – Luca Diplacido
Recap – Stats

Game 10 – Peterborough Petes 5 vs. Niagara North Stars 2
Peterborough MVP – Nolan Buttar (1G, 1A)
Niagara MVP – Dillon Atkinson
Recap – Stats

Game 11 – Upper Canada Cyclones 5 vs. Thunder Bay Kings 1
Thunder Bay MVP – Evan Simeone
Upper Canada MVP – Jack Yates (2G, 2A)
Recap – Stats

Game 12 – Oshawa Generals 2 vs. Huron-Perth Lakers 1
Oshawa MVP – Ty Harnum (1G)
Huron Perth MVP – Ethan Fischer
Recap – Stats

Game 13 – Mississauga Rebels 4 vs. Ottawa Valley Titans 3
Mississauga MVP – Alexander Bilecki (1G)
Ottawa MVP – Kale Osipenko (30 SV)
Recap – Stats

Game 14 – Toronto Marlboros 4 vs. London Jr. Knights 1
Marlboros MVP – Kayden Brand (1G, 1A)
Knights MVP – Manuel Amado (1G)
Recap – Stats

The Upper Canada Cyclones, York-Simcoe Express and Niagara North Stars all entered through early morning Wild Card action to open the tournament.

Peterborough Petes forward Colin Fitzgerald is the OHL Cup scoring leader following Day 1, leading the event with five points (2G, 3A) in two games as the Petes are the lone team to start with a 2-0 record. Toronto Marlboros forward Pierce Mbuyi (2G, 2A) and Upper Canada Cyclones forward Jack Yates (2G, 2A) each trail close behind with four points. OHL Cup Scoring Leaders

All tournament games feature live scoring complete with the OHL’s Game Centre module.

The 2024 OHL CUP presented by FPS Payment Round Robin action continues on Tuesday and Wednesday before Quarter-Final and Semi-Final action on Thursday, concluding with Saturday’s Championship Final at the Mattamy Athletic Centre. Tickets to the Championship Final can be purchased for $13.00 on TicketMaster.

All games are available live and on demand through LiveBarn.

The showcase provides fans and scouts one last opportunity to see many of the top U16 AAA players from across Ontario and parts of the United States compete for the OHL Cup performing against the best competition prior to the 2024 OHL Priority Selection presented by Real Canadian Superstore on April 12th and 13th.

Follow along with the 2024 OHL Cup Presented by FPS Payment at ohlcup.ca.

GOYETTE AND SURZYCIA NAMED OHL TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the final week of regular season games ending Sunday, March 24, 2024.



Wolves’ David Goyette Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

Seattle Kraken prospect David Goyette of the Sudbury Wolves is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week for the second time this season, contributing three goals, eight assists and 11 points while registering a plus-6 rating in three games played.

Goyette tallied a season-high six-point night on Friday, registering a pair of goals and four assists to earn third star honours in a lopsided 13-4 win over the Barrie Colts. He found the scoresheet again on Saturday, earning second star honours with a goal and four helpers in a 9-2 win over the Niagara IceDogs.

Earning the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy as the season’s top scorer, Goyette registered 40 goals, 77 assists, and 117 points in 68 regular season appearances, the most scored by a Wolves player since 1999. Selected in the second-round (61st overall) by the Seattle Kraken in the 2022 NHL Draft, the former first-round (11th overall) pick by the Wolves in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection has put up 114 goals, 168 assists and 282 points in 197 OHL regular season contests. Goyette signed an entry-level NHL contract with Seattle on Apr. 10, 2023.

Also considered for the award this week, San Jose Sharks prospect and Wolves teammate Quentin Musty recorded 10 points (4-6–10) in three games. Vancouver Canucks prospect Josh Bloom of the Saginaw Spirit also had a standout week, registering eight points (2-6–8) in three showings.

2023-24 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Mar. 11 – Mar. 17: David Goyette (Sudbury Wolves)
Mar. 11 – Mar. 17: Ruslan Gazizov (London Knights)
Mar. 4 – Mar. 10: Dylan Roobroeck (Oshawa Generals)
Feb. 26 – Mar. 3: Jacob Maillet (Ottawa 67’s)
Feb. 19 – Feb. 25: Carson Rehkopf (Kitchener Rangers)
Feb. 12 – Feb. 18: Rodwin Dionicio (Saginaw Spirit)
Feb. 5 – Feb. 11: David Goyette (Sudbury Wolves)
Jan. 29 – Feb. 4: Gavin Bryant (Niagara IceDogs)
Jan. 22 – Jan. 28: Liam Greentree (Windsor Spitfires)
Jan. 15 – Jan. 21: Quentin Musty (Sudbury Wolves)
Jan. 8 – Jan. 14: Oliver Bonk (London Knights)
Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Anthony Romani (North Bay Battalion)
Dec. 28 – Dec. 31: Sam Dickinson (London Knights)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 18: Ruslan Gazizov (London Knights)
Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Nick Lardis (Brantford Bulldogs)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Pano Fimis (Erie Otters)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Matyas Sapovaliv (Saginaw Spirit)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Donovan McCoy (Peterborough Petes)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Denver Barkey (London Knights)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Braeden Kressler (Flint Firebirds)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Kirill Kudryavtsev (Soo Greyhounds)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Anthony Romani (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Carson Rehkopf (Kitchener Rangers)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Jordan D’Intino (Soo Greyhounds)
Sep. 28 – Oct. 1: Jax Dubois (Peterborough Petes)



Sting’s Nick Surzycia Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Nick Surzycia of the Sarnia Sting is the OHL Goaltender of the Week, playing to a 1-2 record including a shutout, along with a 2.33 goals-against average and .941 save percentage.

Stopping a total of 111 shots last week, Surzycia turned aside 38 of the 41 shots that came his way in a 3-1 road loss to the Soo Greyhounds on Wednesday. Surzycia returned between the pipes on Friday, stopping 32 of the 36 shots he faced as the Sting fell 4-2 to the Saginaw Spirit. He closed out the week with a 41-save shutout performance on Saturday to earn first star honours as the Sting blanked the Flint Firebirds 3-0.

A 19-year-old from Toronto, Ont., Surzycia played to a regular season mark of 16-28-2-1, posting a 3.98 goals-against average and .875 save percentage. Selected in the second round (32nd overall) by the Sting in the 2021 OHL Under-18 Priority Selection from the Toronto Titans, the 6-foot, 170lb. netminder has appeared in 82 games over two seasons, registering a 3.74 goals-against average and .877 save percentage.

Also in the running for the award this week, Jacob Oster of the Oshawa Generals played to a 2-0 record with a 1.00 goals-against average, and .961 save percentage. Michael Simpson of the London Knights was also solid in the crease, playing to a 2-0 mark including a shutout, with a 1.50 goals-against average and .927 save percentage.

2023-24 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Mar. 18 – Mar. 24: Nick Surzycia (Sarnia Sting)
Mar. 11 – Mar. 17: Charlie Robertson (Niagara IceDogs)
Mar. 4 – Mar. 10: Jack Ivankovic (Mississauga Steelheads)
Feb. 26 – Mar. 3: Liam Sztuska (Peterborough Petes)
Feb. 19 – Feb. 25: Michael Simpson (London Knights)
Feb. 12 – Feb. 18: Matteo Drobac (Brantford Bulldogs)
Feb. 5 – Feb. 11: Ben West (Barrie Colts)
Jan. 29 – Feb. 4: Owen Willmore (London Knights)
Jan. 22 – Jan. 28: Sam Hillebrandt (Barrie Colts)
Jan. 15 – Jan. 21: Matteo Drobac (Brantford Bulldogs)
Jan. 8 – Jan. 14: Michael Simpson (London Knights)
Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)
Dec. 28 – Dec. 31: Brayden Gillespie (Guelph Storm)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 18: Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)
Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Max Donoso (Ottawa 67’s)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Marcus Vandenberg (Niagara IceDogs)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Jack Ivankovic (Mississauga Steelheads)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Carter George (Owen Sound Attack)
Nov. 8 – Nov. 12: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 7: Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Sam Hillebrandt (Barrie Colts)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Brayden Gillespie (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Collin MacKenzie (Ottawa 67’s)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Ryerson Leenders (Mississauga Steelheads)
Sep. 28 – Oct. 1: Ryerson Leenders (Mississauga Steelheads)

OHL Writers Draft Eligible Players of the Month: March

Posted on by Dominic Tiano
Zayne Parekh of the Saginaw Spirit. Photo by Natalie Shaver/OHL Images

The 2023-2024 Ontario Hockey League season will be remembered as one of the most competitive and unpredictable in recent memory. The fact that not a single playoff series was set until the last day of the season truly speaks volumes about the level of competition and passion in the league.

Today, we take a look at players eligible for the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and who had the most impact in March with our forward, defenceman, and goaltender of the month.

Forward of the Month – Beckett Sennecke – Oshawa Generals

March was Sennecke’s best all-around month of the season and offensively he produced 6 goals and 12 assists in 10 games. He was a plus player in each game and he was kept off the scoresheet just twice. He also had 5 multi-point games.

Also considered were: Dalyn Wakely of the North Bay Battalion with 7 goals and 12 assists in 9 games; his teammate Anthony Romani with 11 goals and 6 assists in 10 games; Ruslan Gazizov of the London Knights with 8 goals and 7 assists in 9 games; Sam Alfano of the Erie Otters with 8 goals and 8 assists in 10 games.

Defenceman of the Month – Zayne Parekh – Saginaw Spirit

For the third time in the season, Parekh is our choice here. In 11 games in March, Parekh had 5 goals and 11 assists and established himself as the top offensive blueliner in the draft. He was held pointless in just two of the games and was a minus player just twice.

Also considered were: Jakub Fibigr of the Mississauga Steelheads who had 1 goal and 12 assists in 11 games; Luca Marrelli of the Oshawa Generals who had 3 goals and 8 assists in 10 games; Henry Mews of the Ottawa 67’s had 4 goals and 6 assists in 12 games.

Goaltender of the Month – Jacob Oster – Oshawa Generals

Oster is a two-time goaltender of the month for us after we selected him in January as well. He appeared in 9 games in March and was a perfect 9-0-0-0. He stopped 223 of 244 shots he faced for a save percentage of .914. This will be Oster’s third and final year of draft eligibility.

Also considered were: Liam Sztuska of the Peterborough Petes who went 2-3-0 and had a save percentage of .915; Charlie Robertson of the Niagara IceDogs who went 1-3-0-1 with a save percentage of .913; Ryerson Leenders of the Mississauga Steelheads who went 3-0-2-0 with a save percentage of .917.

Our monthly choices:

Forward of the Month

Beckett Sennecke – Oshawa Generals – March

Ryan Abraham – Windsor Spitfires – February

Marek Vanacker – Brantford Bulldogs – January

Ruslan Gazizov – London Knights – December

Liam Greentree – Windsor Spitfires – November

Adrian Misaljevic – Kitchener Rangers – October

Defenceman of the Month

Zayne Parekh – Saginaw Spirit – March

Sam Dickinson – London Knights – February

Zayne Parekh – Saginaw Spirit – January

Sam Dickinson – London Knights – December

Zayne Parekh – Saginaw Spirit – November

Jacob LeBlanc – Sarnia Sting – October

Goaltender of the Month

Jacob Oster – Oshawa Generals – March

Carter George – Owen Sound Attack – February

Jacob Oster – Oshawa Generals – January

Carter George – Owen Sound Attack – December

Jack Parsons – Kitchener Rangers – November

Brayden Gillespie – Guelph Storm – October

CHL Top-10 Rankings: Prince George remains No. 1, while Oshawa makes its Top-10 debut as the regular season nears its conclusion

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

TORONTO, ON — The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) announced today the Week 24 edition of its CHL Top-10 Rankings for the 2023-24 season.

Riding a 17-game point streak (15-0-1-1), the third longest streak of its kind in the CHL this season, the Prince George Cougars of the Western Hockey League (WHL) are in first place for a second straight week. With 47 wins and counting, the Cougars have set a new franchise record for victories in a single season, besting their previous mark of 45 established during the 2016-17 season. Right behind them in second is the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), who became the first OHL team to reach 100 points this season, which also marked the first time they achieved the feat in eight years. Meanwhile, the Baie-Comeau Drakkar of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) round out the top three. The Drakkar are the only CHL club with 50-plus wins this season, and they clinched their third Jean-Rougeau Trophy in team history last week by becoming this year’s regular season champions in the QMJHL.

Among some of the other notable changes to this week’s rankings, the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL are up to fourth having earned a point in eight straight contests (7-0-1-0), while the Oshawa Generals of the OHL are making their Top-10 debut this season having won 10 games in a row, which currently stands as the longest active winning streak in the CHL.

With the regular season set to close across all three member leagues of the CHL this weekend, next week’s rankings will be the 25th and final ones of the 2023-24 regular season.

CHL Top-10 Rankings – Week 24
1. Prince George Cougars (WHL)
2. London Knights (OHL)
3. Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL)
4. Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
5. Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
6. Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
7. Everett Silvertips (WHL)
8. Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
9. Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)
10. Oshawa Generals (OHL)

For information and details about each club ranked in the CHL’s latest Top-10 Rankings, please visit chl.ca/video/2023-24-chl-top-10-rankings-week-24.

OHL CUP PRESENTED BY FPS PAYMENT U16 AAA TOP 10 RANKINGS – WEEK 17

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the Week 17 edition of the weekly U16 AAA rankings for the 2024 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament presented by FPS Payment and hosted by the Greater Toronto Hockey League.

The 2024 OHL Cup will feature 20 teams consisting of talent eligible for the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. Starting with three Wild Card Play-In matchups on Monday, March 25, all games will be played at the Scotiabank Pond in Toronto until the Championship Final moves to the Mattamy Athletic Centre on Saturday, March 30.

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.

U16 AAA Rankings for the 2024 OHL Cup – Week 17

RANK:TEAM:LAST WEEK   WEEKS RANKED
1Vaughan Kings (GTHL)*117
2Barrie Colts (OMHA)*217
3North York Rangers (GTHL)*317
4Oakville Rangers (OMHA)*417
5Mississauga Rebels (GTHL)*517
6Toronto Marlboros (GTHL)*617
7Ottawa Myers Automotive (HEO)*816
8Toronto Jr. Canadiens (GTHL)1017
9York-Simcoe Express (OMHA)712
10Peterborough Petes (OMHA)*–1
    
HMLondon Jr. Knights (ALLIANCE)*––
HMOshawa Generals (OMHA)*––
HMHalton Hurricanes (OMHA)83

*- clinched spot in 2024 OHL Cup

The Barrie Colts were crowned OMHA U16 AAA champions over the weekend, defeating the Peterborough Petes 5-2 in Sunday’s Championship Final. Those two teams will be joined at the OHL Cup Showcase by third and fourth place teams the Oakville Rangers and Oshawa Generals while the fifth place Niagara North Stars have secured a Wild Card play-in berth.

For more information, visit OHLCup.ca.


About the Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the world’s largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American states. In addition to the OHL, the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League and U SPORTS than any other league.

GAZIZOV AND ROBERTSON NAMED OHL TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, March 17, 2024.



Knights’ Ruslan Gazizov Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

Ruslan Gazizov of the London Knights is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week for the second time this season, recording six goals, three assists, and nine points over three contests as the Knights earned six points last week.

Extending London’s winnings to five consecutive games, Gazizov registered a pair of helpers on Wednesday in a 5-1 road win over the Erie Otters. He found the scoresheet again on Friday, earning first star honours with a career-high four-goal performance to defeat the Soo Greyhounds 6-3. Gazizov earned first star recognition again on Sunday, closing out the week with two goals and an assist in a 7-4 victory over the Windsor Spitfires.

Selected by the Knights in the first round (12th overall) of the 2021 CHL Import Draft, the 20-year-old Gazizov has recorded a career-high 79 points (36-43–79) through 62 outings this season, helping the Knights play to a League-leading record of 48-14-1-3. Gazizov has tallied 69 goals, 86 assists, and 155 points over 172 regular season games played in three seasons with London. He competed in the 2022 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Kitchener.

Also considered for the award, Owen Van Steensel of the North Bay Battalion registered five goals and two assists to help the Troops earn five points last week. Blueliner Chas Sharpe of the Mississauga Steelheads also found success, tallying eight points (3-5-8) in four games.

2023-24 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Mar. 11 – Mar. 17: Ruslan Gazizov (London Knights)
Mar. 4 – Mar. 10: Dylan Roobroeck (Oshawa Generals)
Feb. 26 – Mar. 3: Jacob Maillet (Ottawa 67’s)
Feb. 19 – Feb. 25: Carson Rehkopf (Kitchener Rangers)
Feb. 12 – Feb. 18: Rodwin Dionicio (Saginaw Spirit)
Feb. 5 – Feb. 11: David Goyette (Sudbury Wolves)
Jan. 29 – Feb. 4: Gavin Bryant (Niagara IceDogs)
Jan. 22 – Jan. 28: Liam Greentree (Windsor Spitfires)
Jan. 15 – Jan. 21: Quentin Musty (Sudbury Wolves)
Jan. 8 – Jan. 14: Oliver Bonk (London Knights)
Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Anthony Romani (North Bay Battalion)
Dec. 28 – Dec. 31: Sam Dickinson (London Knights)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 18: Ruslan Gazizov (London Knights)
Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Nick Lardis (Brantford Bulldogs)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Pano Fimis (Erie Otters)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Matyas Sapovaliv (Saginaw Spirit)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Donovan McCoy (Peterborough Petes)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Denver Barkey (London Knights)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Braeden Kressler (Flint Firebirds)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Kirill Kudryavtsev (Soo Greyhounds)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Anthony Romani (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Carson Rehkopf (Kitchener Rangers)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Jordan D’Intino (Soo Greyhounds)
Sep. 28 – Oct. 1: Jax Dubois (Peterborough Petes)
 



IceDogs’ Charlie Robertson Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Charlie Robertson of the Niagara IceDogs is the OHL Goaltender of the Week, playing to a 1-1 record including a shutout, along with a 1.51 goals-against average and .959 save percentage.

Making a total of 70 saves last week, Robertson stopped 40 of the 43 shots that came his way on Friday, falling short in a 3-2 road loss to the Mississauga Steelheads. The 6-foot-4, 175lb. netminder closed out the weekend with a 30-save shutout performance on Sunday at home, earning first star honours in a 3-0 win over the Barrie Colts. The shutout is Robertson’s first of the season and the fourth of his OHL career.

Acquired by the IceDogs in a trade with the North Bay Battalion on Jan. 7, Robertson has appeared in 30 games between Niagara and North Bay, going 8-11-4-1 with a 4.71 goals-against average and .875 save percentage. Guarding the crease in his second OHL season, Robertson has played to a career mark of 20-17-4-2 between the IceDogs and Battalion, along with a 4.06 goals-against average and .881 save percentage. The 18-year-old London, Ont. native was the Battalion’s seventh round (130th overall) pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection from the London Jr. Knights U16 program. Robertson competed in the 2023 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, and attended rookie camp with the Florida Panthers last September.

Also in the running for the award this week, rookie Landon Miller of the Soo Greyhounds played to a 1-0-0-1 record with a 1.21 goals-against average, and .958 save percentage. Jacob Oster of the Oshawa Generals was also solid in the crease, playing to a 3-0 mark with a 2.66 goals-against average and .909 save percentage.

2023-24 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Mar. 11 – Mar. 17: Charlie Robertson (Niagara IceDogs)
Mar. 4 – Mar. 10: Jack Ivankovic (Mississauga Steelheads)
Feb. 26 – Mar. 3: Liam Sztuska (Peterborough Petes)
Feb. 19 – Feb. 25: Michael Simpson (London Knights)
Feb. 12 – Feb. 18: Matteo Drobac (Brantford Bulldogs)
Feb. 5 – Feb. 11: Ben West (Barrie Colts)
Jan. 29 – Feb. 4: Owen Willmore (London Knights)
Jan. 22 – Jan. 28: Sam Hillebrandt (Barrie Colts)
Jan. 15 – Jan. 21: Matteo Drobac (Brantford Bulldogs)
Jan. 8 – Jan. 14: Michael Simpson (London Knights)
Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)
Dec. 28 – Dec. 31: Brayden Gillespie (Guelph Storm)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 18: Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)
Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Max Donoso (Ottawa 67’s)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Marcus Vandenberg (Niagara IceDogs)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Jack Ivankovic (Mississauga Steelheads)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Carter George (Owen Sound Attack)
Nov. 8 – Nov. 12: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 7: Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Sam Hillebrandt (Barrie Colts)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Brayden Gillespie (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Collin MacKenzie (Ottawa 67’s)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Ryerson Leenders (Mississauga Steelheads)
Sep. 28 – Oct. 1: Ryerson Leenders (Mississauga Steelheads)


About the Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the world’s largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American states. In addition to the OHL, the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League and U SPORTS than any other league.

OHL CUP PRESENTED BY FPS PAYMENT U16 AAA TOP 10 RANKINGS – WEEK 16

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the Week 16 edition of the weekly U16 AAA rankings for the 2024 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament presented by FPS Payment and hosted by the Greater Toronto Hockey League.

The 2024 OHL Cup will feature 20 teams consisting of talent eligible for the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. Starting with three Wild Card Play-In matchups on Monday, March 25, all games will be played at the Scotiabank Pond in Toronto until the Championship Final moves to the Mattamy Athletic Centre on Saturday, March 30.

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.

U16 AAA Rankings for the 2024 OHL Cup – Week 16

RANK:TEAM:LAST WEEK  WEEKS RANKED
1Vaughan Kings (GTHL)*116
2Barrie Colts (OMHA)216
3North York Rangers (GTHL)*416
4Oakville Rangers (OMHA)316
5Mississauga Rebels (GTHL)*616
6Toronto Marlboros (GTHL)*516
7York-Simcoe Express (OMHA)711
8Halton Hurricanes (OMHA)103
9Ottawa Myers Automotive (HEO)*  815
10Toronto Jr. Canadiens (GTHL)916
    
HMLondon Jr. Knights (ALLIANCE)*––
HMPeterborough Petes (OMHA)––
HMOshawa Generals (OMHA)––

*- clinched spot in 2024 OHL Cup

Ten teams have secured spots in the 2024 OHL Cup, with the OMHA Championship landscape also being determined ahead of next weekend. From the OMHA U16 AAA East ranks, the second-ranked Barrie Colts, seventh-ranked York-Simcoe Express along with the honourable mention Oshawa Generals and Peterborough Petes will compete in Brampton. From the OMHA U16 AAA West circuit, the fourth-ranked Oakville Rangers, eighth-ranked Halton Hurricanes, Guelph Jr. Gryphons and Niagara North Stars will vie for a spot in the OHL Cup Showcase. The top four teams from the OMHA Championship tournament will secure a spot in the Showcase, with the fifth-place team earning a Wild Card berth.


For more information, visit OHLCup.ca.

CHL Top 10 Rankings – Week 23

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

TORONTO, ON — The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) announced today the Week 23 edition of its CHL Top 10 Rankings for the 2023-24 season.

For the first time since week nine, and only the second time all season, the WHL’s Prince George Cougars occupy the no. 1 spot. A pair of OHL clubs rank second and third in the Saginaw Spirit and London Knights respectively while last week’s top-ranked team, the QMJHL’s Baie-Comeau Drakkar, drop to no. 4.

The next rankings will be released the week of March 19 following the 24th week of regular season action in all three member leagues of the CHL.

CHL Top-10 Rankings – Week 23
1. Prince George Cougars (WHL)
2. Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
3. London Knights (OHL)
4. Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL)
5. Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
6. Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
7. Everett Silvertips (WHL)
8. Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
9. Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)
10. Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)

For information and details about each club ranked in the CHL’s latest Top-10 Rankings, please visit chl.ca/video/2023-24-chl-top-10-rankings-week-23/.