Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced the week 16 edition of the CHL Top-10 Rankings for the 2017-18 season. The weekly rankings of the CHL’s Top-10 teams are selected by a panel of National Hockey League scouts.
Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League in association with Sherwin-Williams today announced the coaching staffs for the Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game set for Thursday January 25, 2018, hosted by the Ontario Hockey League’s Guelph Storm.
CHL alumni including Canadian hockey icon Don Cherry and 2016 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Eric Lindros will serve as head coaches for the 23rd annual showcase that features 40 of the top CHL prospects eligible for the 2018 NHL Draft. Team Cherry will also include the legendary Ottawa 67’s coaching pair of Brian Kilrea and Bert O’Brien along with Mississauga Steelheads head coach and general manager James Richmond. Lindros, who will lead Team Orr, is joined behind the bench by members of the Storm coaching staff that include head coach and general manager George Burnett, associate coach Jake Grimes, and assistant coach Luca Caputi.
“The CHL is honoured to have Don Cherry and Eric Lindros part of the 2018 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game,” said CHL President David Branch. “Don is one of the key architects of this event from the inaugural game in 1996 to building the showcase it is today, and Eric is one of our league’s all-time greatest players whose contributions to the game are evidenced by his Hockey Hall of Fame induction last season. Their participation in Guelph will certainly make this a very special experience for the players and for the fans.”
Before establishing his legacy as the star of Hockey Night in Canada, Cherry was a Memorial Cup champion as a member of the 1953 Barrie Flyers. Earlier this season the Kingston, Ont., native was named Honourary Chairman of the CHL’s 100th Mastercard Memorial Cup Celebration large in part for his longstanding and unwavering support of Canadians in uniform which has earned him Honourary Lifetime Membership into the Royal Canadian Legion and the appointment as an Honourary Patricia by the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. Recognized with Bobby Orr as a builder of the Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, Cherry will be participating in this event for the 17th time since 1996. The 1976 Jack Adams Trophy winner holds an all-time record of 5-11 which includes four head-to-head wins against Orr (1996, 1998, 2003, 2010) in 13 games between 1996 and 2016, a win over John Davidson in 2005, plus losses opposite Doug Gilmour and Wendel Clark in 2011, and Mike McPhee in 2013. Since 2006, the winning team has been presented with the Don Cherry and Bobby Orr CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Trophy engraved with the names of every player to ever participate in this prestigious event.
Lindros earned his prestigious Hockey Hall of Fame induction for achieving success at all levels of the game. The London, Ont., native hoisted the Memorial Cup as a member of the 1990 Oshawa Generals, received CHL Player of the Year honours in 1991 with 149 points including 71 goals and 78 assists in 57 games, and was chosen first overall in the 1991 NHL Draft. Over the course of his distinguished NHL career, Lindros accumulated career totals of 372 goals and 493 assists for 865 points. The 6-time NHL All-star was the recipient of both the Lester B. Pearson award and the Hart Trophy. He represented Canada on multiple occasions including the World Junior tournaments winning gold in both 1990 and 1991. He was also a member of the championship team in the 1991 Canada Cup, played in the World Cup in 1996, and represented Canada in three separate Olympic games winning both silver and gold medals. As the Honorary Chair for the annual See the Line symposium, Lindros continues to make a difference with his support as an advocate of world-class sport concussion research, care and awareness. In 2016, he was appointed to the Rowan’s Law Advisory committee tasked with implementing Canada’s first concussion related legislation, and in 2017 received the Meritorious Service Medal, one of the highest civil decorations within the Canadian system of honours. His number 88 jersey was retired by the Generals in 2008 and will soon hang from the rafters in Philadelphia following a ceremony scheduled by the Flyers for January 18 when they face the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Team Cherry will feature members of the host Storm including forward Cam Hillis and defenceman Ryan Merkley, while Lindros’ Team Orr fittingly includes Generals Allan McShane and Serron Noel. Captains and alternates for both teams will be announced at a later date.
2018 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Staff:
TEAM CHERRY :
Head Coach – Don Cherry
Assistant Coach – Brian Kilrea
Assistant Coach – Bert O’Brien
Assistant Coach – James Richmond (Mississauga Steelheads)
Athletic Therapist – Amy Mausser (Sarnia Sting)
Equipment Manager – Russ Hammond (Guelph Storm)
TEAM ORR :
Head Coach – Eric Lindros
Assistant Coach – George Burnett (Guelph Storm)
Assistant Coach – Jake Grimes (Guelph Storm)
Assistant Coach – Luca Caputi (Guelph Storm)
Athletic Therapist – Andy Brown (Owen Sound Attack)
Equipment Manager – J.R. Grant (Windsor Spitfires)
All 14 CHL players chosen in the first round of the 2017 NHL Draft competed in last year’s game played in Quebec including first overall pick Nico Hischier of the Halifax Mooseheads who captained Team Orr opposite Team Cherry who was led by captain Nolan Patrick of the Brandon Wheat Kings selected second overall in June. In 22 years, a total of 307 CHL players from this event have been chosen by NHL clubs in the first round of the NHL Draft representing close to 47% of all players selected. Since the event was first introduced in 1996 the game has featured 14 players selected with the first overall pick in the NHL Draft including Hischier, Connor McDavid, Aaron Ekblad, Nathan MacKinnon, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Taylor Hall, John Tavares, Steven Stamkos, Patrick Kane, Marc-Andre Fleury, Rick Nash, Vincent Lecavalier, Joe Thornton, and Chris Phillips.
The 2018 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is proudly supported by title partner Sherwin-Williams, and CHL associate sponsors CIBC and Cooper Tires. The game will be broadcast live on Sportsnet and TVA Sports. Tickets are still available through the box office at 1-519-837-9690 or visit Ticketmaster to purchase online. For more information please visit http://sherwin-williamstopprospects.ca. Ask Sherwin-Williams™ For 150 years, Sherwin-Williams has been an industry leader in the development of technologically advanced paint and coatings. As North America’s largest specialty retailer of paint and painting supplies, Sherwin-Williams is dedicated to supporting both do-it-yourselfers and painting professionals with exceptional and exclusive products, resources to make confident colour selections and expert, personalized service at its more than 4,000 neighbourhood stores. For more information, visit sherwin-williams.ca. Join Sherwin-Williams on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, LinkedIn and Tumblr.
Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the eighth edition of the weekly minor midget rankings for the 2018 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament powered by Under Armour and hosted by the Greater Toronto Hockey League.
The 2018 OHL Cup powered by Under Armour and hosted by the GTHL is scheduled for March 13-19 and will feature 20 teams from across Ontario and the United States showcasing many of the top players eligible for the 2018 OHL Priority Selection. All games will be played at Scotiabank Pond in Toronto until the Championship Final moves to the Mattamy Athletic Centre on Monday March 19 where it will be broadcasted nationally on Sportsnet.
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.
Minor Midget Rankings for the 2018 OHL Cup powered by Under Armour – Week 8
RANK
TEAM
LEAGUE
LAST WEEK
WEEKS RANKED
1
Toronto Marlboros
GTHL
1
8
2
Vaughan Kings
GTHL
2
8
3
Oakville Rangers
OMHA
4
8
4
Mississauga Reps
GTHL
5
8
5
Don Mills Flyers
GTHL
3
8
6
Toronto Jr. Canadiens
GTHL
6
2
7
Detroit Little Caesars U15
USA
8
8
8
Niagara North Stars
OMHA
7
7
9
York-Simcoe Express
OMHA
9
6
10
Peterborough Petes
OMHA
–
3
Honourable Mention:
Cambridge Hawks
ALLIANCE
–
6
Clarington Toros
OMHA
–
–
Barrie Colts
OMHA
10
7
The Toronto Marlboros remain atop the rankings for the eighth straight week while the Oakville Rangers and Mississauga Reps climb one spot to number three and four respectively. The Detroit Little Caesars U15 jump one spot to number seven while the Peterborough Petes make their return to the list at tenth.
Tournament Structure:
16 of the 20 spots in the 2018 OHL Cup powered by Under Armour are guaranteed through league competition. The 16 guaranteed spots continue to include all four GTHL Semi-Finalists, and the top four teams that place at the OMHA Championship. Three teams from the ALLIANCE will still be guaranteed a spot in the tournament including the Champion and Finalist, along with the winner of a best-of-three Semi-Final Wild Card Series to be played between the losers of the two league Semi-Finals. Also as in past years, two tournament entries are reserved for United States competition, while both an HNO and NOHA representative will also compete. For the second straight season the final guaranteed spot will be awarded to HEO but represented by their previous year Bantam Championship team who will be reassembled for tournament competition. This season, HEO’s entry will be members of the 2017 Bantam Champion Ottawa Jr. 67’s.
Wild Card Games:
The final four entries at the 2018 OHL Cup powered by Under Armour will be Wild Cards determined among eight teams that will play a one game ‘win and in’ scenario. The eight competing teams aiming for the final four tournament spots will continue to include the fifth place team at the OMHA Championship, and the loser of the ALLIANCE Semi-Final Wild Card Series. As introduced in 2016, two spots in Wild Card games will be reserved for GTHL teams. The two competing GTHL teams will be determined through a pair of Wild Card Play-In Series matchups involving the four GTHL teams who qualified for the playoffs but lost in the first round. As introduced in 2017, one spot in a Wild Card will also be reserved for the winner of an OMHA SCTA Consolation Game that features both teams who lost in the SCTA Tournament Semi-Final. The OMHA teams eligible for this matchup will be determined annually based on the league not hosting the OMHA Championship. Finally, the three remaining teams who will compete in the Wild Card matchups will be named by the Tournament Selection Committee. The Committee will evaluate and review a team’s post-season success as the first criteria for selection, with additional criteria to include regular season play and tournament play. All four Wild Card games will take place on Tuesday March 13 with specific matchups and times of play to be determined by random draw among the eight competing teams on Tuesday March 6.
History:
Last season the Mississauga Reps captured their first OHL Cup title, defeating the Toronto Nationals 3-2 on Dennis Golovatchev’s late game winner with nine seconds remaining in the third period. Current Kitchener Rangers forward Mike Petizian led the showcase with 13 points (5-8—13) in seven games to earn the Tim Adams Memorial Trophy as tournament MVP.
The 2017 OHL Priority Selection featured 15 players chosen in the first round who competed for the OHL Cup including Ryan Suzuki (London Jr. Knights – 1st overall Barrie Colts), Tag Bertuzzi (TPH Hockey – 2nd overall Guelph Storm), Brandon Coe (Toronto Nationals – 3rd overall North Bay Battalion), Nicholas Porco (Vaughan Kings – 4th overall Saginaw Spirit), Philip Tomasino (Mississauga Rebels – 5th overall Niagara IceDogs), Graeme Clarke (Toronto Marlboros – 6th overall Ottawa 67’s), Blake Murray (Whitby Wildcats – 7th overall Sudbury Wolves), Jack Hughes (Toronto Marlboros – 8th overall Mississauga Steelheads), Jamieson Rees (Mississauga Reps – 9th overall Sarnia Sting), Ethan Keppen (Toronto Nationals – 10th overall Flint Firebirds), Connor McMichael (Ajax-Pickering Raiders – 11th overall Hamilton Bulldogs), Cody Morgan (Toronto Jr. Canadiens – 12th overall Kingston Frontenacs), Thomas Harley (Vaughan Kings – 14th overall Mississauga Steelheads), Nathan Staios (Vaughan Kings – 17th overall Windsor Spitfires) and Lucas Rowe (Mississauga Reps – 18th overall London Knights).
Notable OHL Cup graduates currently playing in the NHL include Travis Konecny (Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs/Philadelphia Flyers), Mitch Marner (Vaughan Kings/Toronto Maple Leafs), Connor McDavid (Toronto Marlboros/Edmonton Oilers), Max Domi (Don Mills Flyers/Arizona Coyotes), Sean Monahan (Mississauga Rebels/Calgary Flames), Taylor Hall (Greater Kingston Frontenacs/New Jersey Devils), Tyler Seguin (Toronto Nationals/Dallas Stars), John Tavares (Toronto Marlboros/New York Islanders), P.K Subban (Markham Islanders/Nashville Predators), and Steven Stamkos (Markham Waxers/Tampa Bay Lightning).
2018 marks the second season of a three-year partnership between the OHL and GTHL with Under Armour that includes title sponsorship of the OHL Cup Showcase Tournament. The OHL and GTHL are also in the second season of a five-year partnership extension announced in 2017 that ensures the event will continue to be hosted by the GTHL through 2021.
Tippett and Harvey start 2018 with national honours
Steelheads’ Owen Tippett named CHL Player of the Week
Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Florida Panthers prospect Owen Tippett of the Mississauga Steelheads is the CHL Player of the Week for the week ending January 7 recording 10 points in three games including seven goals with three assists and a plus-minus rating of plus-3.
Tippett’s three multi-point performances last week earned him a trio of first star honours and led the Steelheads to three straight wins to open 2018. On Wednesday night he scored twice with one assist in a 5-3 road win over the Erie Otters, then recorded a first period natural hat-trick on Thursday against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds before scoring the shootout winner in the 4-3 triumph stopping the CHL’s top ranked team from earning their 24th straight win. Tippett finished the week with a season-high four points including two goals and two assists as part of a 6-2 win over the nation’s seventh ranked Kitchener Rangers. Tippett has now delivered seven straight multi-point efforts totalling 20 points since December 17 as the Trout continue to climb the OHL’s Eastern Conference standings with a 17-22-0-1 record.
An 18-year-old from Peterborough, Ont., Tippett is playing in his third season with the Steelheads who chose him fourth overall in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection. The tenth overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft has 17 goals and 19 assists for 36 points in 23 OHL games since November 10 after starting the season in Florida where he played his first seven career NHL games.
Also considered for the award this week was overage forward Matteo Gennaro of the Swift Current Broncos with seven goals and three assists for 10 points in five games, and 2019 NHL Draft prospect Raphael Lavoie of the Halifax Mooseheads with four goals and four assists for eight points in three games.
Huskies’ Samuel Harveynamed Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week
Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Samuel Harvey of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending January 7 after posting a 2-0-0-1 record including one shutout with a goals-against-average of 0.65 and save percentage of .979.
Harvey stopped 92 of 94 shots faced last week helping the Huskies ring in the new year with five of a possible six points to keep pace in the QMJHL standings carrying an overall record of 24-10-4-3 and just two points shy of first place. On Thursday he recorded his third shutout of the season and tenth of his career with 26 saves as first star of a 3-0 road win against the Victoriaville Tigres. Harvey and the Huskies finished the week at home with a 3-1 victory over the Gatineau Olympiques on Saturday and a 2-1 shootout loss to the Drummondville Voltigeurs on Sunday with the netminder producing 24 and 42 save performances respectively and earning second star honours in both games.
A 19-year-old from Alma, Quebec, Harvey is now a two-time recipient of the CHL’s weekly award this season. The fourth year goaltender has been a member of the Huskies since being chosen by the club in the second round of the 2014 QMJHL Entry Draft and has appeared in 141 games in that time. This season he leads the QMJHL with a goals-against-average of 2.13 and save percentage of .930 and holds a 21-5-3-2 personal record.
Also considered for the award this week was Los Angeles Kings prospect Matthew Villalta of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds who posted a 2-0-0-1 record making 73 saves for a goals-against-average of 1.80 and save percentage of .936, and Nolan Maier of the Saskatoon Blades who posted a 3-0-0-0 record with 69 saves for a goals-against-average of 2.00 and save percentage of .920.
Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Florida Panthers prospect Owen Tippett of the Mississauga Steelheads is the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week for the week ending January 7 with seven goals and three assists for 10 points in three games with a plus-minus rating of plus-3.
Tippett welcomed 2018 with three multi-point performances leading the Steelheads to three straight victories to start the new year improving their Central Division record to 17-22-0-1. He earned first star honours in all three games last week beginning Wednesday night with two goals and one assist in a 5-3 road win over the Erie Otters. Back at home Thursday facing top ranked Sault Ste. Marie, Tippett scored a natural hat-trick in the first period, the first of his career, then tallied a shootout marker to secure a 4-3 win snapping the Greyhounds 23-game win-streak. His week wrapped up Friday in Kitchener scoring two goals and two assists for his first four-point effort of the season to extend his personal point-streak to seven games in a 6-2 triumph over the Rangers.
Owen Tippett of the Mississauga Steelheads. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
An 18-year-old from Peterborough, Ont., Tippett is playing in his third season with the Steelheads who chose him fourth overall in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection. After beginning the season in the NHL with one goal in seven games, Tippett has scored 17 goals with 19 assists for 36 points in 23 OHL games since November 10. Last season Tippett set a Steelheads record with 44 goals as part of a 75-point campaign and would become the top OHL player chosen in the 2017 NHL Draft going tenth overall to the Panthers.
Watch video highlights of Tippett and the Steelheads against the Otters and Rangers.
Also considered for the award this week was Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Sam Miletic of the London Knights producing 10 points in four games including four goals and six assists, and Dallas Stars prospect Jason Robertson of the Kingston Frontenacs with nine points in three games including three goals and six assists. In goal, Los Angeles Kings prospect Matthew Villalta of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds posted a 2-0-0-1 record making 73 saves for a goals-against-average of 1.80 and save percentage of .936.
2017-18 OHL ‘On the Run’ Players of the Week:
Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Owen Tippett (Mississauga Steelheads)
Dec. 25 – Dec. 31: Ben Jones (Niagara IceDogs)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 17: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Joseph Garreffa (Kitchener Rangers)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Serron Noel (Oshawa Generals)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Cliff Pu (London Knights)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Ryan Merkley (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Albert Michnac (Mississauga Steelheads)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Aaron Luchuk (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia Sting)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Brady Hinz (Sarnia Sting)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Nick Suzuki (Owen Sound Attack)
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Jonathan Ang (Peterborough Petes)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 24: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)
Much of the 2018 National Hockey League Draft chatter, when talking about Ontario Hockey League defencemen, has been centered around the Guelph Storm’s Ryan Merkley and the London Knights’ Evan Bouchard.
Don’t look now, but here comes Rasmus Sandin of the Soo Greyhounds.
While Sandin isn’t considered in some circles to be in the same class as Merkley or Bouchard, there is a compelling case to be made that he could very well be the second defenceman taking from the OHL. Yours truly is firmly on that bandwagon.
Rasmus Sandin. Photo courtesy of the Ontario Hockey League.
If one wasn’t convinced earlier in the season, then the admirable job Sandin has done in the absence of the Greyhounds’ top defenceman Conor Timmins, who is representing Canada at the World Junior Championships in Buffalo, New York should be drawing your attention. In recognition of his performance, he was named OHL Rookie of the Month for December.
Sandin wasn’t an unknown. Coming into this season, he was ranked as a B Prospect by NHL Central Scouting on their Players to Watch List. On their updated list in November, Sandin was among 139 Canadian Hockey League players listed, this time as an A Prospect. (B prospects are considered a second or third round pick while an A prospect is considered a first-round pick.)
Sandin was the 52nd overall pick at the CHL Import Draft in 2017. But Sandin was under a contractual obligation with Rogle BK of the Swedish Hockey League for this season. He appeared in five games in Sweden’s top league (one assist) before Greyhounds General Manage Kyle Raftis could secure his services. Raftis worked diligently for some time to make it come to fruition.
What exactly have the Greyhounds done since his arrival? Well, he helped solidify their blue line for one thing. And the Greyhounds have gone on to win 23 of the 24 games he’s been in the lineup – 23 straight and 2 shy of the OHL record held by the Kitchener Rangers.
I’m not about to suggest that is all due to Rasmus Sandin. However, for a team to go on such an amazing run, you need 20 players all pulling in the same direction and playing almost flawlessly on any given night. And Sandin gives you that.
Last season, Sandin played in Sweden’s top junior league, Super Elite League, with Brynas and in 36 games scored 3 goals and added 18 assists. He also captained Sweden’s entry at the World Hockey Challenge Under-17 where he had 2 assists in 6 games and captured Gold with Sweden.
Sandin’s excellent leadership qualities were at the forefront again in August as he was named Sweden’s captain for their squad at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial. The Swede’s would capture a Bronze at the tournament that begins the year for draft eligible players. He would register 3 assists in 5 games.
Internationally, Sandin has also represented Sweden at Under-16, Under-17 and Under-18 tournaments.
As with most sub-six-foot defencemen, questions arise about size. But at 190 pounds, he has the bulk most of his peers are still trying to add on. He has the upper body strength to engage physically while battling along the wall or in front of his goal. While he isn’t a “physical defenceman” he can separate players from the puck and uses his strength to protect the puck. He shows no signs of playing timid and will absorb the hit to make a play.
While there are also questions about a lack of high end speed or an explosive first step, it’s not something that gets him into trouble. He’s not a slow skater by any means and it is something he can continue to work on to improve.
But he’s also a very smart skater, skating smartly to conserve his energy which allows him to eat up valuable minutes. He controls his edges very well, has very good lateral movement, pivots and turns very well and skates backwards with relative ease.
Smart is an adjective you will hear a lot about Sandin. Any disadvantage he has, he overcomes because of it. In the defensive zone he possesses excellent gap control with near flawless positioning with his body or very active stick. He is very adept at angling players out and keeping them to the outside, although he can sometimes be beaten on the outside by a speedy forward.
Sandin is excellent at retrieving pucks. He plays a calm, unrushed game. He can clear the zone with an excellent, crisp, tape-to-tape first pass enabling him to elude the forecheck effectively. He stretches the ice extremely well and can “lead” teammates with a perfect pass. But he can also skate out of danger with an uncanny knack to slow the pace down, and then reads and reacts patiently. He is also an effective penalty killer and gets quality PK time with the Greyhounds.
Offensively, Sandin isn’t as flashy as Merkley or Bouchard. But at the time of writing this, he leads all OHL rookies in scoring and is third only to Bouchard and Merkley in offense from the blue line among draft eligible players, just shy of a point-per-game pace. He’s tenth among all draft eligible players in assists, while playing fewer games.
Again, he uses his hockey smarts and knows when to jump into the play to create offense. He knows when to pinch in and go down low and rarely gets beaten. He can quarterback the powerplay and makes excellent passes. He doesn’t possess an overpowering or heavy shot, but he can get it off with a purpose, whether looking for a deflection or to create a rebound.
You can certainly make an argument that he is the best two-way defender available from the OHL and you wouldn’t get much of an argument.
I had the opportunity to have a lengthy chat with Rasmus’ father Patric Sandin about Rasmus the hockey player and Rasmus the person.
The elder Sandin told us that Rasmus is self taught in a lot of ways.
“When he was three years old he used to borrow his moms inline size 8 skates and skate all over the house with absolute full control. He learned to ride a bicycle when he was turning 5 without any help.” He added, “first time I saw him on a bicycle he was riding his moms bicycle downhill in full speed and he was only 5!! Crazy kid.”
Rasmus is also very family oriented and close with his family. His older brother Linus, who is four years older and plays for Rogle of the Swedish Hockey League has had a major influence on him. Patric told us “Linus has always let Rasmus to be with him and play with the older guys.”
It speaks volumes to Rasmus’ competitiveness and willingness to be the best he can be:
“When Linus was going to a training camp at 11 years old, Rasmus also wanted to go even though he was only 7. We told him ‘if he could tie his own skates properly he could go and if the camp was willing to have a boy who was several years younger to sleep over and compete with the older guys’. Rasmus directly started to practice tying his own skates and after two days hard work he managed to do that. He went to the camp with the much older boys and after that he has always been independent and competed with older kids.”
That independence would come in handy and in very short order for Rasmus.
“‘He is the most mature boy I ever met’ is something I hear from people who meet Rasmus. He has been living by himself since he was 14 years old when he played for Modo and after that he moved to Brynas when he was 15. At 17 he got a contract and moved to Rogle with his brother. After five games with Rogle in SHL he decided to move to SSM because he was absolutely confident that it would make him a better hockey player.”
But how does a “child” survive without mom’s home cooking? “He is an excellent cook, loves to make a nice steak with belongings and crossed asparagus and a good sauce. He always takes a picture of it and sends me that picture. There is nothing he can’t do if you ask Rasmus himself.” Said Patric.
“He really loves his family and is very close with his brother. Rasmus is the whole package – not just hockey – I think. He always stands up for those who need help whatever it is. He is a good friend I think. We are really proud of our two boys. Not just of the hockey… especially that they are really nice and good to other people.”
Denmark edged Belarus 3-2 in a shootout to sweep their best-of-three relegation series on Thursday at KeyBank Center.
Denmark will return to the elite division for the fifth consecutive year at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship in Canada (Vancouver and Victoria). Half the team is eligible to play there. “I’m happy about it and I’m also proud,” said Denmark’s Daniel Nielsen. “It’s good for my country. It’s so nice to see our country, when we are so little, that we can stay in the [elite division] and keep fighting with the other teams in the top 10. It’s awesome.” Battling through a spate of injuries and illness, the Danes blew a 2-0 third-period lead in Game Two, but Jacob Schmidt-Svejstrup got the shootout winner, and Andreas Grundtvig and Jonas Rondbjerg, with the final shootout tally, also converted. “I tried that move a few times in practice and it worked out,” said Rondbjerg of his high backhand tally, which prompted a wild celebration. “So I just thought I’d do the same. Lucky it went in.” In regulation, team points leader Rondbjerg had a goal and an assist, and Nielsen also scored. Joachim Blichfeld, who left midway after being injured, added two assists. Shots favored Belarus 30-28. Captain Maxim Sushko led the way with a goal and an assist for Belarus, and Ilya Litvinov had the other goal. “It’s so hard right now,” said Sushko. “In my head there are only bad Russian words right now. It’s life and it’s really tough for us.”
The Danes heartstoppingly won Game One 5-4 on two third-period goals at 19:26 and 19:45.
Sweden scored shorthanded twice in 38 seconds in a 4-2 semi-final win over the defending champion U.S. to advance to Friday’s World Junior gold medal game.
Sweden will face the winner of the Canada-Czech Republic semi-final in the final at 20:00 Buffalo time. The unbeaten Swedes, who finished fourth at the last three World Juniors, now have the opportunity to win gold for the first time since 2012 in Calgary. Their last medal was silver in Malmo in 2014. “We have a big chance, but we’re not going to forget how we got here,” said Elias Petersson. “It’s hard work and believing in ourselves.”
Amazingly, this was the first Swedish playoff win over the U.S. since a 3-0 quarter-final decision in 1996 — the same year the IIHF instituted the playoff system at the World Juniors.
It was a disappointing and anti-climatic ending for an American team that hoped to make history with its first World Junior gold ever on home ice. In the words of American poet T.S. Eliot: “This is how the world ends. Not with a bang but a whimper.”
For head coach Bob Motzko and the seven returning players from 2017, the dream of winning two straight titles for the first time since Canada’s last five-peat (2005-09) is over. The four previous U.S. golds came in Finland (2004), Canada (2010, 2017), and Russia (2013). “We were all playing for each other, but we didn’t execute,” said U.S. defenceman Ryan Poehling. “Sweden did a better job at that than we did.”
Captain Lias Andersson led the way with a goal and an assist, and Pettersson scored the opening goal for Sweden. Oskar Steen and Axel Jonsson Fjallby had the shorthanded markers.
In the end, it was close for only a brief time. And then it wasn’t. Canada used its high-powered offense and fantastic power play to blast through the Czech defence and win decisively, 7-2.
Drake Batherson had three goals for the winners while Filip Zadina had both goals for the Czechs. Those two players are now tied for the goalscoring lead in the tournament, each with seven.
Canada has never lost to the Czechs in the playoff round since the format was introduced in 1996. The win puts Canada in the gold-medal game with Sweden tomorrow night. It’s the third time in four years the Canadians are in the finals.
“It’s good to celebrate now, but tomorrow we’ve got to get up and do it again,” said winning goalie Carter Hart. “This win is over with now. It’s time to prepare for the real deal. The thing that makes this win sweeter is if we win tomorrow. That’s the only thing that matters.”
“I think we need to be having our best game tomorrow,” said Canada’s coach, Dominique Ducharme. “It’s going to be quite a game.”
The Czechs will play the United States for bronze in the early game tomorrow.
“It was a tough loss,” said Zadina. “We tried to play how we wanted, and in the first period we did it. In the second and last period, it was so hard to play on the PK. We will do anything for the win tomorrow. We will die on the ice. We want to win a medal for the Czech Republic.”
Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced the week 15 edition of the CHL Top-10 Rankings for the 2017-18 season. The weekly rankings of the CHL’s Top-10 teams are selected by a panel of National Hockey League scouts.
Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the OHL Academic Players of the Month for December 2017, including Jake Murray of the Hamilton Bulldogs, Kai Edmonds of the Barrie Colts, Alex Gritz of the Erie Otters and Ty Dellandrea of the Flint Firebirds.
East Division: Hamilton Bulldogs rookie forward Jake Murray is the OHL East Division Academic Player of the Month for December. The 17-year-old native of Komoka, Ont. has produced excellent grades in Grade 12 university level kinesiology and challenge and change in Society courses, serving as a good example to his classmates and other student athletes. “Jake prepares carefully in advance for missed classes due to road trips and he quickly gets caught up when he returns,” said Bulldogs academic advisor Sean Nicholson. “He sets high expectations for himself and is well liked by both teachers and peers at Ancaster High School.” A former fourth round pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection from the Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs Minor Midgets, Murray has a goal and an assist in 22 games with Hamilton this season.
Central Division: Barrie Colts rookie netminder Kai Edmonds is the OHL Central Division Academic Player of the Month for December. The 17-year-old native of Carlsbad Springs, Ont. has achieved an overall average of 87% in Grade 12 university level studies at Innisdale Secondary School. “Kai is currently taking four university level courses and has maintained high grades including a 92% average in advanced functions,” said Colts academic advisor Chris Cudmore. A 6-foot-2, 162Ib. goaltender, Edmonds was an 11th round pick by the Colts in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection from the Cumberland Grads Midgets. He’s posted a 5-1-0-0 record with a 3.24 goals-against average and an .892 save percentage in eight games with the Colts this season.
Midwest Division: Sophomore Erie Otters forward Alex Gritz is the OHL Midwest Division Academic Player of the Month for December. The 17-year-old native of Cranberry Twp., Penn. holds a 91% average over six different Grade 12 courses at Seneca Valley High School including a 98% in psychology and a 96% in physical education. “Alex is an extremely focused and motivated student,” said Otters academic advisor Jaime Cieszynski. “He is a leader in the classroom and sets a great example for his teammates.” A former third round pick by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection, the Waterloo Wolves Minor Midget graduate has 10 goals, eight assists and 18 points in 36 games with the Otters this season.
Ty Dellandrea of the Flint Firebirds. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
West Division: Sophomore Flint Firebirds centreman Ty Dellandrea has been named the OHL West Division Academic Player of the Month for December. The 17-year-old native of Port Perry, Ont. has achieved high grades in Grade 12 digital media arts, physical education, English and speech courses at Grand Blanc High School. “Ty is a hard-working and responsible student,” said Firebirds academic advisor Nathan Riek. “He is well respected by his teachers and classmates.” Flint’s first round pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection, Dellandrea has 13 goals, 14 assists and 27 points in 34 games for the Firebirds this season. He was a ‘B’ rated skater on NHL Central Scouting’s November ‘Players to Watch’ List for the 2018 NHL Draft.
2017-18 OHL Academic Players of the Month: East Division:
December – Jake Murray (Hamilton Bulldogs)
November – Chad Denault (Peterborough Petes)
October – Kevin Bahl (Ottawa 67’s) Central Division: December – Kai Edmonds (Barrie Colts)
November – Isaac Walker (Mississauga Steelheads)
October – Blake McConville (Sudbury Wolves)
Midwest Division: December – Alex Gritz (Erie Otters)
November – Aidan Dudas (Owen Sound Attack)
October – Billy Moskal (London Knights)
West Division: December – Ty Dellandrea (Flint Firebirds)
November – Chris Playfair (Windsor Spitfires)
October – Brett Jacklin (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Last season, the OHL Centrally Administered Scholarship Program facilitated scholarships for 301 OHL Alumni with a total scholarship payment in excess of $3.17 million. Since the 2007-08 season, OHL Scholarship payments have totaled more than $18.8 million.
Click here for more information about ‘OHL Players First’ programs.
Tigres’ Ivan Kosorenkov named CHL Player of the Week
Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that forward Ivan Kosorenkov of the Victoriaville Tigres is the CHL Player of the Week for the week ending December 31 after scoring five goals and four assists for nine points in three games with a plus-minus rating of plus-5.
Kosorenkov delivered three multi-point performances after the holiday break helping the Tigres end 2017 with a three-game win-streak improving their record to 18-14-3-2. On Thursday he scored a goal and an assist in a 6-2 win over the Quebec Remparts, then tallied a season-high four points on Friday with two goals and two assists as first star of a 6-1 road win over the Rimouski Oceanic. His week wrapped up on New Year’s Eve scoring a pair of goals including the game-winner and insurance marker just 47 seconds apart while adding an assist as second star of a 5-2 win over the Chicoutimi Sagueneens. Kosorenkov’s effort on Sunday extended his personal point-streak to nine games covering the entire month of December.
The 19-year-old Russian is playing in his second QMJHL season after being selected by the Tigres in the first round of the 2016 CHL Import Draft. He is currently tied for 17th in league scoring with 19 goals and 19 assists for 38 points in 33 games and has averaged exactly a point-per-game over his QMJHL tenure with 101 points in 101 games.
Also considered for the award this week was Braylon Shmyr of the Saskatoon Blades who scored three goals and seven assists for 10 points in three games, and Vegas Golden Knights prospect Ben Jones of the Niagara IceDogs who scored twice with five assists for seven points in three games.
Rockets’ James Porternamed Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week
Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that rookie James Porter of the Kelowna Rockets is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending December 31 after posting a 2-0-0-0 record including one shutout with a goals-against-average of 0.48 and save percentage of .987.
Porter made 74 saves in a home-and-home series win against the Kamloops Blazers helping the Rockets extend their winning-streak to five and improving their first place B.C Division record to 23-11-2-1. Last Wednesday he stopped a career-high 46 shots and added four more saves in the shootout earning first star honours in the 2-1 victory at home. In Kamloops on Friday, Porter was named second star with his second shutout of the season making 28 saves in the 3-0 victory over the Blazers.
A 17-year-old from Bonners Ferry, Idaho, Porter was chosen by the Rockets in the seventh round of the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft. In 26 appearances this season he carries a 15-5-2-0 record with a goals-against-average of 3.22 and save percentage of .904. His two shutout victories have been recorded in a span of three games with the first coming December 16 before the holiday break with a 40-save performance in a 5-0 win over the Saskatoon Blades.
Also considered for the award this week was Mathieu Bellemare of the Shawinigan Cataractes who posted a 1-1-0-0 record including a shutout victory making 71 saves for a goals-against-average of 0.51 and save percentage of .986. In the OHL, Leo Lazarev of the Barrie Colts made 82 saves while posting a 2-0-0-0 record along with a goals-against-average of 1.50 and save percentage of .965.
OHL Writers 