JULIEN AND SCHENKEL 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 playoff games ending Sunday, April 21st, 2024.



Knights’ Jacob Julien Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

Winnipeg Jets prospect Jacob Julien of the London Knights is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording six goals in a pair of victories to send the Knights to the Western Conference Championship Series.

Julien recorded back-to-back hat-tricks, first powering the Knights to a 6-4 win over the Kitchener Rangers in Game 3 of their second round series. Julien completed his hat-trick with the deciding goal that came midway through Tuesday night’s third period. The 6-foot-3, 170Ib. centreman returned to his goal-scoring ways on Thursday, lighting the lamp once in the first period and twice in the second as London eliminated Kitchener in Game 4 by a score of 4-3.

A 19-year-old from London, Julien has 12 points (7-5–12) in eight games in these playoffs following a regular season that yielded 29 goals, 49 assists and 78 points over 67 games. Julien was selected by the Winnipeg Jets in the fifth round (146th overall) of last summer’s NHL Draft. Formerly London’s third round (41st overall) pick in the 2021 Under-18 Priority Selection, Julien has accumulated 94 points (38-56–94) over 107 career regular season games.

Also considered for the award this week, Florida Panthers prospect Sandis Vilmanis of the North Bay Battalion recorded seven points (3-4–7) in a pair of victories while New York Rangers draft pick Bryce McConnell-Barker of the Soo Greyhounds registered seven points (3-4–7) in four outings.

2023-24 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Playoffs:
Apr. 15 – Apr. 21: Jacob Julien (London Knights)
Apr. 8 – Apr. 14: Dylan Roobroeck (Oshawa Generals)
Apr. 1 – Apr. 7: Samuel Mayer (Ottawa 67’s)
Mar. 28 – Mar. 31: Owen Beck (Saginaw Spirit)

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)
 



Greyhounds’ Charlie Schenkel Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Charlie Schenkel of the Soo Greyhounds is the OHL Goaltender of the Week, backstopping his team to Game 7 of their second round series with a 2-2 record, 2.19 goals-against average, .922 save percentage and two shutouts.

Schenkel rebounded from a tough Game 3 outing, with a 27-save effort for his first career OHL playoff shutout in Wednesday’s Greyhounds 4-0 home win. He was back in the crease on Friday in Saginaw, stopping 37 of the 40 shots sent his way as the Hounds fell to the Spirit by a score of 3-2 in overtime. Schenkel rounded-out his week with another shutout, this time stopping 24 shots as the Greyhounds forced a Game 7 on Tuesday night with a 5-0 victory at GFL Memorial Gardens.

A 19-year-old from Ottawa, Schenkel owns a 6-3 mark along with a 2.39 goals-against average and .909 save percentage through 10 playoff contests. His regular season featured a 28-12-3-0 record alongside a 3.10 goals-against average, .883 save percentage and two shutouts over 47 games. The 6-foot-5, 206Ib. Schenkel owns a career mark of 39-29-7-3 with a 3.27 G.A.A. and .886 SV% since being Sault Ste. Marie’s fifth round (91st overall) pick in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection. He attended rookie camp with the Ottawa Senators last fall.

Also considered for the award this week, Oshawa Generals netminder Jacob Oster helped his team sweep away the Ottawa 67’s with a 2-0 record, 1.75 goals-against average and .946 save percentage. Mike McIvor of the North Bay Battalion also went 2-0 with a 2.29 goals-against average and .939 save percentage as the Troops eliminated the Sudbury Wolves in second round play.

2023-24 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Playoffs:
Apr. 15 – Apr. 21: Charlie Schenkel (Soo Greyhounds)
Apr. 8 – Apr. 14: Mike McIvor (North Bay Battalion)
Apr. 1 – Apr. 7: Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)
Mar. 28 – Mar. 31: Jakub Vondras (Sudbury Wolves)

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)

Five CHL players added to Team Canada’s roster for the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

TORONTO, ON — Hockey Canada has announced that forward Ollie Josephson (Red Deer Rebels / WHL), forward Maxim Massé (Chicoutimi Saguenéens / QMJHL), defenceman Frankie Marrelli (Ottawa 67’s / OHL), defenceman Henry Mews (Ottawa 67’s / OHL), and goaltender Jack Ivankovic (Mississauga Steelheads / OHL) have been added to Team Canada’s roster at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship (see the updated roster below), which is scheduled to run from April 25 – May 5 in Espoo and Vantaa, Finland.

The additions mean that there are now 24 CHL players set to lace up their skates for Team Canada at the tournament, including a total of 13 players from the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), eight players from the Western Hockey League (WHL), and three from the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). In all, 15 of the 24 players named to Team Canada’s roster were listed in NHL Central Scouting’s Final Rankings ahead of the 2024 NHL Draft.

Ollie Josephson, Maxim Massé, Frankie Marrelli, and Henry Mews are no strangers to wearing the Maple Leaf, having been a part of Canada’s gold-medal winning squad at the 2023 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup last summer. All four players were also recently listed among the Top-50 ranked North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting led by Massé (30th), who was then followed by Mews (37th), Josephson (40th), and Marrelli (46th). Massé, who led the QMJHL’s Chicoutimi Saguenéens with 75 points this season, was recently awarded the 2023-24 Michael-Bossy Trophy as the QMJHL’s Top Professional Prospect.

16-year-old netminder Jack Ivankovic has also previously won gold representing Canada on the world stage, having been a part of Canada White’s first-place finish at the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in November. Ivankovic registered a 14-5-4-0 record playing for the OHL’s Mississauga Steelheads this season, finishing with a 2.72 goals-against average (GAA) and a .915 save percentage. His 2.72 GAA was the lowest by an OHL rookie during the 2023-24 campaign, earning him the F.W. “Dinty” Moore Trophy.

Canada will play its final pre-tournament game against Norway on Tuesday. Canada’s quest for a gold medal at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship begins April 25 at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT against Sweden. Canada will play Czechia on April 26, Switzerland on April 28, and Kazakhstan on April 30 to close out preliminary-round action. The semifinals are set for May 4 before the tournament concludes with the medal games on May 5.

TSN and RDS, Hockey Canada’s official broadcast partners will broadcast select tournament games, including all Team Canada games and all playoff-round games. Check your local listings for details. Since 2002, Canada has won four gold medals at the IIHF U18 World Championship (2003, 2008, 2013, 2021), in addition to one silver (2005) and four bronze (2012, 2014, 2015, 2023).

​​For more information on Hockey Canada and the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

24 CHL PLAYERS NAMED TO CANADA’S 2024 IIHF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ROSTER

Goaltenders (3)
Jack Ivankovic (Mississauga Steelheads / OHL)
Ryerson Leenders (Mississauga Steelheads / OHL)
Carter George (Owen Sound Attack / OHL)

Defencemen (8)
Frankie Marrelli (Ottawa 67’s / OHL)
Henry Mews (Ottawa 67’s / OHL),
Kashawn Aitcheson (Barrie Colts / OHL)
Matthew Schaefer (Erie Otters / OHL)
Harrison Brunicke (Kamloops Blazers / WHL)
Reese Hamilton (Calgary Hitmen / WHL)
Spencer Gill (Rimouski Océanic / QMJHL)
Charlie Elick (Brandon Wheat Kings / WHL)

Forwards (13)
Ollie Josephson (Red Deer Rebels / WHL)
Maxim Massé (Chicoutimi Saguenéens / QMJHL)
Gavin McKenna (Medicine Hat Tigers / WHL)
Marek Vanacker (Brantford Bulldogs / OHL)
Malcolm Spence (Erie Otters / OHL)
Roger McQueen (Brandon Wheat Kings / WHL)
Jett Luchanko (Guelph Storm / OHL)
Ryder Ritchie (Prince Albert Raiders / WHL)
Porter Martone (Mississauga Steelheads / OHL)
Carson Wetsch (Calgary Hitmen / WHL)
Caleb Desnoyers (Moncton Wildcats / QMJHL)
Liam Greentree (Windsor Spitfires / OHL)
Cole Beaudoin (Barrie Colts / OHL)

Berkly Catton (Spokane Chiefs / WHL) and Cayden Lindstrom (Medicine Hat Tigers / WHL) were invited, but unable to participate 

Staff
Head Coach – Gardiner MacDougall (former Saint John Sea Dogs head coach)
Assistant Coach – Travis Crickard (Saint John Sea Dogs / QMJHL)
Assistant Coach – Ryan Smith (Spokane Chiefs / WHL)
Goaltending Coach – Dan De Palma (Kamloops Blazers / WHL)
Program of Excellence management group representative – Dave Brown (Erie Otters / OHL)
Athletic Therapist – Jimmy McKnight (Edmonton Oil Kings / WHL)
Team Physician – Dr. Michael Conrad (Victoria Royals / WHL)

Kevin He – Niagara IceDogs – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano
Kevin He of the Niagara IceDogs. Photo by OHL Images.
HTWTDOBPOSSHOHL DRAFTNHLCSNAT
6’182Apr 30, 2006LWL25th, 202278th N.A.CAN
SEASONLEAGUETEAMGPGAPTS
2021-2022GTHL U16North York U1616131225
2022-2023OHLNiagara IceDogs66211334
2023-2024OHLNiagara IceDogs64312253

Kevin He is the lone Niagara IceDogs player on NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings, but that doesn’t imply a talent deficiency on the team. The IceDogs have several promising young players, yet the constant roster turnover and turmoil in Niagara likely make it challenging for budding talent to gain stability and develop.

Primarily a goal scorer, he boasts an excellent shot that allows him to beat goaltenders with precision and skill. However, questions remain about his decision-making in the offensive zone – does he lack hockey IQ, or is the dearth of talented teammates limiting his ability to find them with passes? At times he either skates into defensive coverage or struggles to distribute the puck effectively.

Despite his average frame that needs more filling out, his relentless energy, physical play, and ability to frustrate opponents will impress. He excels on the forecheck, accelerating to deliver hits. Willing to absorb contact, he sacrifices his body to make plays.

Ranking He is so challenging because it is hard to determine how much of his performance depends on his own abilities versus the conditions under which he competes.

Luca Marrelli – Oshawa Generals – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano
Luca Marrelli of the Oshawa Generals. Photo by OHL Images
HTWTDOBPOSSHOHL DRAFTNHLCSNAT
6’2”183Oct 4, 2005DR81st 202146th N.A.CAN
SEASONLEAGUETEAMGPGAPTS
2020-2021 DID NOT PLAY    
2021-2022OHLOshawa Generals6201212
2022-2023OHLOshawa Generals5852328
2023-2023OHLOshawa Generals6765157

Marrelli’s game relies on making smart, decisive, and proper plays at both ends of the ice, largely due to his high hockey IQ. Combined with his size, mobility, vision, creativity, and right-handed shot, he is sure to attract ample interest.

The OHL has a few highly-touted defensemen expected to be selected early in the NHL draft, but Marrelli may stand out as the top defender at maintaining offensive zone possession. When holding the blue line, he stays composed, rapidly reads the unfolding play with superb vision, and executes skilled passes.

His high hockey IQ benefits him in the defensive zone too. He reads plays well, anticipates movements adeptly, and blocks passing lanes to disrupt opponents. Quick to retrieve the puck, he’s even quicker at initiating the transition game with crisp outlet passes.

Marrelli, a late birth-date, has already played three full seasons in the OHL, giving him significantly more experience than others in his draft class. As a result, he is further along in his development. In my view, he is a third-round pick in the upcoming draft, as his third OHL season demonstrates his versatility but lack of elite skills in any single area.

Jacob Battaglia – Kingston Frontenacs – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano
Jacob Battaglia of the Kingston Frontenacs. Photo by Tim Cornett, OHL Images.
HTWTDOBPOSSHOHL DRAFTNHLCSNAT
6’203Mar 17, 2006RWL27th, 202242nd, N.A.CAN
SEASONLEAGUETEAMGPGAPTS
2021-2022GTHL U16Toronto Jr Canadiens57375592
2022-2023OHLKingston6672027
2023-2023OHLKingston67313465

The eventual draft position of Jacob Battaglia in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft remains a mystery, with many unanswered questions but plenty of intrigue surrounding this prospect.

Battaglia is a versatile winger with both playmaking and scoring abilities. His hockey intelligence allows him to survey the ice and create smart plays. Equally skilled at finishing or setting up goals, Battaglia leverages his size and strength to maintain possession. While driving the net, he also finds open ice to get into scoring position. He is equally adept at ding the same to find teammates.

Battaglia’s skating, specifically his speed in both first steps and top-end acceleration, is an area of concern that could cause him to drop in the draft. However, he demonstrates strength and balance on his skates, making it hard to knock him off the puck.

While Battaglia shows flashes of physicality and toughness along the boards, he does not consistently play the body and engage in physical battles, an area we’d like to see more consistency.

Battaglia has the talent to be one of the top 10-12 players drafted from the OHL, but questions remain about how his skating ability may impact his draft position.

BULLDOGS’ O’BRIEN CLAIMS EMMS FAMILY AWARD AS OHL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Brantford Bulldogs forward Jake O’Brien is the 2023-24 recipient of the Emms Family Award, presented annually to the OHL Rookie of the Year as voted by the league’s General Managers.

O’Brien led OHL rookies with 51 assists and 64 points over 61 games, surpassing Matthew Strome and Arthur Kaliyev to set a pair of new Bulldogs all-time rookie marks. His 51 assists are the most by an OHL rookie in his first year of eligibility since Sarnia’s Alex Galchenyuk registered 52 in 2010-11.

“It’s an honour to be voted OHL Rookie of the Year. This award symbolizes an incredible amount of work put in and support to make the transition from AAA to the OHL,” said O’Brien. “I want to say thank you to my coaches for their guidance and belief in me and to my teammates for pushing me to be a better player every day.

“I also want to thank my family for their constant support and encouragement. This accomplishment wouldn’t have been possible without them.”

O’Brien’s impressive season also saw him lead OHL rookies in power play goals (8), power play assists (19) and game-winning goals (4). Additionally, O’Brien was the East Division Academic Player of the Month in January after being the league’s Rookie of the Month in December.

“Jake has more than exceeded expectations as a 16-year-old rookie,” said Bulldogs Head Coach Jay McKee. “While his amazing point production stands out, his strengths go well beyond the goals and assists he earned this season.  Jake’s commitment to a two-way game, his compete level and the leadership qualities he has shown are well beyond his years.”

A 6-foot-1, 165Ib. centreman from Toronto, Ont., O’Brien was chosen by the Bulldogs with their first round (8th overall) pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection after he guided the Toronto Jr. Canadiens to an OHL Cup championship, being named tournament MVP following a 17-point (7-10—17) output over seven games. He competed in the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in November, representing Canada Red. O’Brien will be eligible for the 2025 NHL Draft.

O’Brien is the first player in Bulldogs history to win the award. He follows other recent winners in Saginaw Spirit forward Michael Misa (2022-23), Guelph Storm defenceman Cam Allen (2021-22) and Kingston Frontenacs forward Shane Wright (2019-20).

The Emms Family Award was donated by Leighton “Hap” Emms, former owner of the Barrie, Niagara Falls and St. Catharines OHL franchises. The award is selected by all 20 member team General Managers. Teams were asked to submit only one nominee from their own club for consideration on the ballot and were not permitted to vote for the player from their own hockey club.

O’Brien finished as the front-runner in the award voting process followed by goaltender Carter George of the Owen Sound Attack who placed second.

O’Brien is the OHL’s nominee for the Canadian Hockey League Rookie of the Year Award, presented at the CHL Awards Ceremony happening at the 2024 Memorial Cup presented by Dow that takes place from May 24th through June 2nd in Saginaw, Michigan. O’Brien will be formally presented with the Emms Family Award at the OHL’s Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, June 12th at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

For a complete list of OHL award winners, click here.

OSHAWA, NORTH BAY TO FACE-OFF IN EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the schedule of games for the 2024 OHL Eastern Conference Championship Series for the Bobby Orr Trophy between the Oshawa Generals and the North Bay Battalion.
 
The Eastern Conference’s first place Generals advanced to the third round of the playoffs following a four-game sweep of the Ottawa 67’s that wrapped-up on Thursday in the nation’s capital. The Generals eliminated the Barrie Colts in the opening round of the OHL Playoffs following a 40-19-7-2 regular season.
 
The North Bay Battalion are into the Eastern Conference Championship Series for a third straight year, defeating the Sudbury Wolves 5-0 in Game 4 of their second-round affair on Thursday. The Battalion bested the Kingston Frontenacs in five games to open the postseason following a third straight Central Division title with a 39-20-7-2 record during the regular season.
 
The Battalion and the Generals meet in the playoffs for the third time since the Troops arrived in North Bay following prior encounters in 2014 and 2015. North Bay last won the Bobby Orr Trophy in 2014, eliminating Oshawa in four Eastern Conference Championship Series games before falling to the Guelph Storm in the OHL Final. Oshawa’s last Bobby Orr Trophy came in 2015 after they eliminated North Bay in a six-game East Final before moving on to capture the OHL title over the Erie Otters.
 
Eastern Conference Championship Series Schedule:
Game 1 – Friday, April 26 at Oshawa, 7:35pm
Game 2 – Sunday, April 28 at Oshawa, 6:05pm
Game 3 – Monday, April 29 at North Bay, 7:00pm
Game 4 – Wednesday, May 1 at North Bay, 7:00pm
Game 5 – Friday, May 3 at Oshawa, 7:35pm*
Game 6 – Sunday, May 5 at North Bay, 2:00pm*
Game 7 – Monday, May 6 at Oshawa, 7:05pm*
*- if necessary

Watch the entire series, wherever you are on OHL Live! Streaming packages are now on sale at ohllive.com.

Sam O’Reilly – London Knights – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano
Sam O’Reilly of the London Knights. Photo by Luke Durda/OHL Images
HTWTDOBPOSSHOHL DRAFTNHLCSNAT
6’1”180Mar 30, 2006C/RWR37th, 202224th, N.A.CAN
SEASONLEAGUETEAMGPGAPTS
2021-2022GTHL U16Vaughan Kings32171734
2022-2023GOJHLLondon Nationals35263763
2022-2023OHLLondon Knights5000
2023-2024OHLLondon Knights68203656

Sam O’Reilly has shown significant progress over the course of the season, defying expectations with his notable development. Though his statistical output barely changed from the first half to the second half, his play markedly improved.

Though O’Reilly’s skating mechanics lack refinement, he can still gain sufficient speed to take on opponents one-on-one. Developing more agility and lateral mobility on his skates would further enhance his game.

O’Reilly has an exceptional work ethic and tireless drive. He strives relentlessly on offense to reach the net, forecheck tenaciously, and engage physically when needed. Moreover, he applies the same diligent effort in the neutral and defensive zones.

With his keen hockey sense, excellent anticipation, and ability to visualize plays in advance, he leverages his vision and playmaking talents to create prime scoring chances for his teammates.

O’Reilly lacks a powerful shot to beat NHL goalies, so he scores by going to the high-traffic areas of the ice. Though he can drive his line at lower levels, he’ll struggle to do so in the NHL. Instead, he profiles as a complementary piece who complements scorers, rather than leading the attack himself. This secondary scoring role still provides value, as depth scoring is crucial.

London drew significant attention this season, with scouts closely evaluating his teammate Sam Dickinson, projected as a top-10 pick in June. Numerous scouts came away impressed not just with Dickinson, but also with O’Reilly’s performance.

OHL COMPLETES 2024 UNDER-18 PRIORITY SELECTION

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today conducted the eighth annual OHL Under-18 Priority Selection for U18 AAA hockey players in Ontario.

Eligibility for the 2024 OHL Under-18 Priority Selection included all U18 players (2006 and 2007 birth years) not currently on an OHL Member Team Protected List who were carded with an Ontario based U18 AAA Hockey Club or an accredited Hockey Canada sport school within the Ontario Hockey Federation, Hockey Eastern Ontario or Hockey Northwestern Ontario in the current season.

A total of 55 players were selected from 31 different teams and included 27 forwards, 13 defencemen and 15 goaltenders. 53 of the 55 players selected were born in 2007.

“Congratulations to all 55 players selected tonight,” said OHL Director of Player Recruitment and Player Services Brodie Barrick. “The Under-18 Priority Selection has provided the OHL with a number of quality players since its inception in 2017, and it presents another opportunity for prospects to further their development and showcase themselves in an effort to become the best player they can be. Enjoy celebrating with your families and the people who have helped you achieve this great accomplishment.”

Winners of the OHL Priority Selection Draft Lottery back on March 27, the Windsor Spitfires used the first overall selection to take 6-foot-1 Halton Hurricanes goaltender Michael Newlove. He becomes the first goaltender to be chosen with the first overall pick since the Kingston Frontenacs selected Aidan Spooner in 2019.

The Sarnia Sting selected Don Mills Flyers defenceman Jonathan Kapageridis with the second overall choice. The Peterborough Petes followed at third, selecting Ottawa Jr. 67’s left-winger Dylan Turcotte.

All OHL member teams were required to draft a minimum of two players, however to enhance opportunities specifically for goaltenders, clubs selecting a goaltender with one of their selections had the option to select another player (skater only) in a third round.

The Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) led the way with 16 players selected followed by the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) with 13 and Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO) with 12. The Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario developed nine selections, independent school hockey programs developed three and the Northern Ontario Hockey Association (NOHA) saw two players chosen.

The HEO’s Ottawa Myers Automotive program developed the most players selected with seven being taken off their roster. The OMHA’s Halton Hurricanes and ALLIANCE’s Waterloo Wolves trailed with four each respectively.

The OHL Under-18 Priority Selection was conducted in partnership with RinkNet as picks were submitted online by OHL member clubs and displayed in real time at ontariohockeyleague.com. The selections were also streamed live on OHL Live.

Announced in January 2017, the concept of the OHL Under-18 Priority Selection was developed with full support from Hockey Canada’s three Ontario Branches including the Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF), Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO), and Hockey Northwestern Ontario (HNO).

GENERALS’ LAXDAL AWARDED MATT LEYDEN TROPHY AS OHL COACH OF THE YEAR

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Derek Laxdal of the Oshawa Generals is the recipient of the Matt Leyden Trophy awarded annually to the OHL’s Coach of the Year.

Completing his second season as Head Coach in Oshawa, Laxdal guided the Generals to an exciting finish to the regular season as they rode a 12-game winning streak to the top of the Eastern Conference standings, securing the first seed on the final weekend of the schedule. The Generals played to an Eastern Conference-leading 25-6-4-1 record following the turn of the calendar on January 1st, finishing the 68-game campaign with an overall record of 40-19-7-2.

“To be recognized by your peers is very rewarding not only for me but for the entire organization,” said Laxdal of the honour. “This is truly a reflection of the work of the coaching staff, Steve O’Rourke, Mike Farrugia, Austin Washkurak and the players.

“I would like to thank our Owner Rocco Tullio for the opportunity to coach a team with such a rich tradition, and I would also like to acknowledge General Manager Roger Hunt and the scouting staff for the countless hours spent assembling this talented group of players. The players have grown from day one last year, buying into the culture and playing for each other, day in and day out. It has been very rewarding watching these young men continue to develop on and off the ice daily.

“I’d also like to extend thanks to my wife Hali and daughters Jessica and Jaime for their incredible support.”

Oshawa surrendered an Eastern Conference-low 204 goals-against, backstopped by the goaltending tandem of Jacob Oster and Noah Bender along with reliable names on the blue line such as Dallas Stars prospect Connor Punnett, veteran Luca D’Amato and draft eligibles Luca Marrelli and Ben Danford.

The Generals have seen the rapid development of 6-foot-7 New York Rangers prospect Dylan Roobroeck under Laxdal’s guidance as he joins other prominent forwards in Colorado Avalanche first round pick Calum Ritchie, overage captain Stuart Rolofs and former OHL champion Connor Lockhart in leading the Oshawa attack.

“We are extremely happy for Derek and the entire coaching staff,” said Generals’ President and Governor Rocco Tullio. “They work extremely hard and put in long days so our players can have success both on and off the ice. The development of our players and the success of our team is a direct result of the passion Derek and our coaching staff have for the game of hockey. There is no one more deserving of this award and we could not be more proud and happy for Derek and our team for this prestigious award.”

Originally from Stonewall, Manitoba, Laxdal boasts a lengthy coaching resume that includes a pair of WHL championships as head coach of the Edmonton Oil Kings from 2010-14, capping his tenure there by hoisting the Memorial Cup. He’s also served as an assistant coach of the NHL’s Dallas Stars from 2019-22 along with head coaching assignments with the AHL’s Texas Stars (2014-20), ECHL’s Idaho Steelheads (2005-10) where he won a Kelly Cup title in 2007, as well as with the CHL’s Wichita Thunder (2002-05). On the ice, Laxdal played 67 career NHL contests between the Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Islanders between 1984-91 as part of a lengthy professional career. A right-winger, his junior career was spent between the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks, Brandon Wheat Kings and New Westminster Bruins as he was an eighth round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1984. Laxdal represented Canada’s National Junior Team in 1986.

Laxdal finished as the front-runner for this year’s award while colleague Jay McKee of the Brantford Bulldogs finished second in the voting process.

The Matt Leyden Trophy has been awarded annually to the OHL’s Coach of the Year as selected by his peers since 1972. The award is in recognition of the contributions of Matt Leyden, past president of the Ontario Hockey Association from 1965-67, and former manager of the Oshawa Generals who spent more than 50 years with the team.

Laxdal joins other past Generals coaches in DJ Smith (2013-14), Paul Theriault (1986-87), Bill White (1977-78) and inaugural winner Gus Bodnar (1971-72) as the fifth coach in franchise history to win the Matt Leyden Trophy.

Laxdal will be the OHL’s nominee for the Brian Kilrea Canadian Hockey League Coach of the Year Award which will be presented at the 2024 Memorial Cup presented by Kia, set to take place in Saginaw, Michigan from May 24th through June 2nd. Laxdal will be formally presented with the Matt Leyden Trophy at the OHL’s Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, June 12th at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

For a complete OHL Awards history, click here.