CHL Announces Weekly Award Winners

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Michnac’s goals and Kehler’s saves produce CHL honours 

 

Steelheads’ Albert Michnac named CHL Player of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that forward Albert Michnac of the Mississauga Steelheads is the CHL Player of the Week for the week ending November 5 scoring eight goals in three games with a plus-minus rating of plus-3.

Michnac’s eight tallies were spread across three multi-goal performances that helped the Steelheads earn five of a possible six points last week.  He received first star honours in all three games beginning Friday night with his first career hat-trick despite a 5-4 shootout loss to the Owen Sound Attack, then scored twice including the game-winner in Saturday’s 4-3 road win over the Sudbury Wolves.  Michnac finished the week with another hat-trick as part of a 9-2 victory over the first place Eastern Conference Peterborough Petes.

Albert Michnac of the Mississauga Steelheads. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Albert Michnac of the Mississauga Steelheads. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

A 20-year-old from Prague, Czech Republic, Michnac is now tied for tenth overall in OHL scoring with 23 points in 17 games including 12 goals and 11 assists.  He joined the Steelheads as the club’s first round pick (37th overall) in the 2017 CHL Import Draft after competing last season as a member of the Guelph Storm where he tallied 15 goals and 24 assists for 39 points in 65 games.

Also considered for the award this week was Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Vitalii Abramov of the Gatineau Olympiques who scored five goals and three assists for eight points in four games, and forward Jermaine Loewen of the Kamloops Blazers with four goals and one assist for five points in two games.

2017-18 CHL Players of the Week:

Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Albert Michnac (Mississauga Steelheads)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Aaron Luchuk (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Drake Batherson (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Tyler Soy (Victoria Royals)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Kale Clague (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Tyler Steenbergen (Swift Current Broncos)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 24: Kole Lind (Kelowna Rockets)

Winterhawks’ Cole Kehler named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Cole Kehler of the Portland Winterhawks is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending November 5 after posting a 3-0-0-0 record with a goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .976.

Kehler receives the honour for the second time this season after turning aside 120 shots across a trio of victories for the Winterhawks who move into a first place tie in the WHL’s U.S Division with a 12-4-0-0 record.  Kehler earned first star honours in all three of his games last week beginning Wednesday night against the Prince George Cougars with 30 saves in the 2-1 victory.  On Friday night he stopped a season-high 47 shots in a 4-1 road win against the Spokane Chiefs, then stopped 43 shots on Saturday in Everett as part of a 3-1 triumph over the Silvertips playing in his 100th career game.

A 19-year-old from Altona, MB, Kehler is playing in his first season in Portland after being acquired from the Kamloops Blazers in the off-season.  The third year netminder currently holds a 10-2-0-0 record including one shutout with a league-best goals-against-average of 2.09 and save percentage of .935.

Also considered for the award this week was Etienne Montpetit of the Val-d’Or Foreurs who posted a 2-1-0-0 record including a shutout victory making 118 saves for a goals-against-average of 1.97 and save percentage of .952.  In the OHL, Carolina Hurricanes prospect Jeremy Helvig backstopped the Kingston Frontenacs to a 3-0-0-0 record making 76 saves for a goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .962.

2017-18 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week:

Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Cole Kehler (Portland Winterhawks)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Samuel Harvey (Rouyn-Noranada Huskies)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Logan Flodell (Swift Current Broncos)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Cole Kehler (Portland Winterhawks)
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Dereck Baribeau (Quebec Remparts)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 24: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)

Steelheads’ Albert Michnac named OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that forward Albert Michnac of the Mississauga Steelheads is the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week for the week ending November 5 after scoring eight goals in three games with a plus-minus rating of plus-3.

Albert Michnac of the Mississauga Steelheads. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Albert Michnac of the Mississauga Steelheads. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Michnac recorded a trio of multi-goal performances for the surging Steelheads contributing to nearly half of the team’s total offensive output and earning first star honours in three straight contests.  On Friday night he scored his first career hat-trick despite a 5-4 shootout loss to the Owen Sound Attack, then scored twice including the game-winner in Saturday’s 4-3 road win over the Sudbury Wolves.  His week wrapped up Sunday with another hat-trick, this time against the Eastern Conference leading Peterborough Petes, helping the Steelheads to a 9-2 victory.  The Trout have now earned 11 of a possible 12 points over the past two weeks and are currently tied for eighth place in the East with an overall record of 7-9-0-1. 

Michnac, a 20-year-old from Prague, Czech Republic, is now tied for tenth overall in league scoring with 23 points in 17 games including 12 goals and 11 assists.  He joined the Steelheads as the club’s first round pick (37th overall) in the 2017 CHL Import Draft after competing last season as a member of the Guelph Storm where he tallied 15 goals and 24 assists for 39 points in 65 games.

Watch video highlights of Michnac and the Steelheads against the Petes. 

Also considered for the award this week was St. Louis Blues prospect and OHL top scorer Jordan Kyrou of the Sarnia Sting who led the league with nine points in three games including three goals and six assists, while 2017 NHL Draft prospect Blade Jenkins helped the Saginaw Spirit win three straight games collecting five goals and one assist.  In goal, Carolina Hurricanes prospect Jeremy Helvig backstopped the Kingston Frontenacs to a 3-0-0-0 record making 76 stops for a goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .962

2017-18 OHL ‘On the Run’ Players of the Week:

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)

Team Russia Roster Announced for 2017 CIBC Canada Russia Series

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced the roster for Team Russia that will compete in the 2017 CIBC Canada Russia Series which begins on Monday November 6 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.

Canada Russia

A team of 24 Russian players including three goaltenders, nine defencemen, and 12 forwards will travel across Canada as part of the 15th annual series playing six games against CHL competition from November 6-16 in preparation for the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship taking place this season in Buffalo, New York.

This year’s Team Russia is a mature group with all 24 players born in 1998.  Five players have NHL affiliations including goaltender Mikhail Berdin who was selected in the sixth round of the 2016 NHL Draft by the Winnipeg Jets and defenceman Egor Zaitsev who was a seventh round pick of the New Jersey Devils in 2017.  On forward Mikhail Maltsev was a fourth round pick of the Devils in 2016, Andrey Altybarmakyan was a 2017 third round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks, and Vladislav Kara was a 2017 fourth round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

Of the 24 players, only Zaitsev and goaltender Vladislav Sukhachev return from last year’s event.  The netminder made four appearances and posted a 1-1-0 record with a goals-against-average of 3.55 and save percentage of .885 and later represented Russia at the 2017 World Junior earning a bronze medal.

Team Russia is led once again by head coach Valery Bragin making his sixth appearance and fourth straight year behind the bench at this event.  In his tenure as head coach of the Russian National Junior Team the program has earned World Junior gold (2011 in Buffalo), three silver medals (2016 in Finland, 2015 in Toronto, 2012 in Calgary), and one bronze (2017 in Montreal).

An additional eight Russian-born CHL players will compete in various games of the series including three from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, three from the Ontario Hockey League, and two from the Western Hockey League.

The WHL players competing in Moose Jaw on November 6 and in Swift Current November 7 include forward Alexander Alexeyev of the Red Deer Rebels and Broncos defenceman Artyom Minulin who will compete before his home crowd in Game 2.  For OHL games in Owen Sound on November 9 and in Sudbury November 13, Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Alexey Lipanov of the Barrie Colts will compete alongside Edmonton Oilers prospect Dmitri Samorukov of the Guelph Storm and Minnesota Wild prospect Dmitry Sokolov of the Game 4 host Wolves.  In the QMJHL games taking place November 14 in Charlottetown and November 16 in Moncton, Columbus Blue Jackets prospect and reigning QMJHL Player of the Year Vitalii Abramov of the Gatineau Olympiques will compete for Russia with Nashville Predators prospect Pavel Koltygin of the Drummondville Voltigeurs and Philadelphia Flyers prospect German Rubtsov of the Chicoutimi Sagueneens.

Rubtsov competed in the duration of the series last year scoring two goals in five games and was also a member of the bronze medal team in Montreal.  Minulin, Sokolov, and Abramov also return for a second straight year having competed against their regional leagues in 2016.

Team Russia has captured three series victories in 2014, 2012, and 2010.

2017 CIBC Canada Russia Series – Team Russia:

Most recent club team listed in brackets


Goaltenders:
Mikhail Berdin (Sioux Falls Stampede – USHL)
Alexey Melnichuk (SKA-Neva St. Petersburg – VHL)
Vladislav Sukhachev (Chelmet Chelyabinsk – VHL)

Defencemen:
Dmitry Alexeyev (Chelmet Chelyabinsk – VHL)
Anatoly Elizarov (Toros Neftekamsk – VHL)
Alexander Kalinin (Amurskie Tigry Khabarovsk – MHL)
Nikolay Knyzhov (SKA-Neva St. Petersburg – VHL)
Daniil Kurashov (Admiral Vladivostok – KHL)
Nikita Makeyev (CSKA Moscow – KHL)
Artyom Maltsev (Dizel Penza – KHL)
Alexander Shepelev (Chelmet Chelyabinsk – VHL)
Egor Zaitsev (Dynamo Moscow – KHL)

Forwards:
Andrey Altybarmakyan (SKA-Neva St. Petersburg – VHL)
Georgy Ivanov (Loko Yaroslavl – MHL)
Vladislav Kara (Bars Kazan – VHL)
Mikhail Maltsev (SKA St. Petersburg – KHL)
Artyom Manukyan (Avangard Omsk – KHL)
Danila Moiseyev (Vityaz Podolsk – KHL)
Alexey Polodyan (SKA-Neva St. Petersburg – VHL)
Damir Rakhimullin (Lada Togliatti – KHL)
Maxim Rasseykin (Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg – KHL)
Ivan Romanov (Loko Yaroslavl – MHL)
Maxim Tsyplakov (Spartak Moscow – KHL)
Daniil Veryaev (Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod – KHL)

WHL players on Team Russia:
Alexander Alexeyev (Red Deer Rebels)
Artyom Minulin (Swift Current Broncos)

OHL Players on Team Russia:
Alexey Lipanov (Barrie Colts)
Dmitri Samorukov (Guelph Storm)
Dmitry Sokolov (Sudbury Wolves)

QMJHL Players on Team Russia:
Vitalii Abramov (Gatineau Olympiques)
Pavel Koltygin (Drummondville Voltigeurs)
German Rubtsov (Chicoutimi Sagueneens)

Staff:
Head Coach – Valery Bragin
Assistant Coach – Oleg Bratash
Assistant Coach – Yury Babenko
Goalie Coach – Vladimir Kulikov
Video Coach – Vladislav Krutskikh
Analyst – Alexander Kadykov
Administration – Sergey Zatsarenko
General Manager – Alexei Kochetkov
Doctor – Valery Egorov
Physiotherapist – Artem Timofeev
Equipment Manager – Alexander Rezepov
Media Manager – Petr Tereshchenkov

The 2017 CIBC Canada Russia Series is supported by title sponsor CIBC, the Official Bank of the CHL, along with associate sponsors Cooper Tires and Sherwin-Williams.  All games will be broadcast nationally on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.


2017 CIBC Canada Russia Series Schedule:
Game 1 – Monday November 6 at Moose Jaw, SK
Game 2 – Tuesday November 7 at Swift Current, SK
Game 3 – Thursday November 9 at Owen Sound, ON
Game 4 – Monday November 13 at Sudbury, ON
Game 5 – Tuesday November 14 at Charlottetown, PE
Game 6 – Thursday November 16 at Moncton, NB

For event information including how to purchase tickets please visit http://chlcanadarussia.ca.

Where Greatness Begins: CHL 2017-18 Broadcast Schedule on Sportsnet

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Where Greatness Begins: CHL 2017-18 Broadcast Schedule on Sportsnet

– Coverage features weekly Saturday games, plus marquee CHL events including the 100th annual Mastercard Memorial Cup in Regina –

– Action gets underway Monday with Game 1 of the 2017 CIBC Canada Russia Series 

Join the conversation: #WhereGreatnessBegins

CHL Sportsnet

TORONTO (November 2, 2017) Shining the spotlight on hockey’s future stars, Sportsnet is set to deliver exclusive national coverage of the 2017-18 Canadian Hockey League season, beginning Monday, Nov. 6. In addition to weekly CHL Saturday Showcase broadcasts from across the league, CHL coverage on Sportsnet features three marquee events – the 2017 CIBC Canada Russia Series, the 2018 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, and the 2018 Mastercard Memorial Cup.

Exclusive English-language Canadian coverage of the CHL kicks off on Sportsnet this coming Monday when the Canadian World Junior hopefuls of the Western Hockey League host Team Russia in the first game of the 2017 CIBC Canada Russia Series. Coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on Sportsnet East, Sportsnet West, Sportsnet ONE and Sportsnet NOW.

Following the six-game series, Sportsnet’s weekly CHL Saturday Showcase afternoon broadcasts deliver coverage of must-see action from across the Ontario Hockey League, the Western Hockey League and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League throughout the regular season. (Full broadcast details below)

TV – Sportsnet and Sportsnet NOW

Bringing CHL action to fans across the country, Sportsnet’s coverage of the 2017-18 season includes:

  • Veteran broadcast team of play-by-play announcer R.J. Broadhead, game analyst Sam Cosentino and host Rob Faulds
  • Regular editions of The Next Ones, Sportsnet’s new show that takes an in-depth look at the CHL’s top prospects. Hosted by Jeff Marek and Cosentino, The Next Ones is also available as a podcast and on Sportsnet 590 The FAN

In addition to regular season coverage, the CHL on Sportsnet season includes:

  • 2017 CIBC Canada Russia Series (Nov. 6-16, 2017) – The 15th annual best-on-best showdown sees the CHL’s regional teams of Canadian World Junior candidates face off against the Russian National Junior Team
  • 2018 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospect Game (Jan. 25, 2018) – The CHL’s top-40 NHL draft eligible players compete in front of scouts at the 23rd annual showcase live from Guelph, ON
  • 100th Mastercard Memorial Cup (May 18-27, 2018) – Marking a league and national milestone, the 100th edition of the celebrated championship will be hosted by the Regina Pats and feature champion teams from the OHL, WHL, QMJHL

 

Digital – Sportsnet.ca

The ultimate destination for Canadian fans, the Junior Hockey page on sportsnet.ca is home to exclusive CHL articles, videos and content throughout the season, including:

  • 2018 NHL Draft Prospect Rankings – monthly articles by Cosentino and Marek that rank the NHL Draft eligible players from across the CHL and the globe
  • 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship coverage – Wall-to-wall coverage from Buffalo, covering the players and teams that matter most to Canadian fans
  • Ongoing news, videos, features and profiles from Sportsnet’s roster of hockey experts, including monthly prospect reports and live coverage from marquee events

 

As Canada’s Home of Hockey, Sportsnet is now in its fourth season of a 12-year partnership with the Canadian Hockey League. Featuring a comprehensive suite of multimedia rights including television, online and mobile, Sportsnet is the exclusive English-language broadcaster of the CHL and Mastercard Memorial Cup in Canada. The deal also includes a 12-year sub-licensing agreement with TVA Sports for exclusive French-language multiplatform rights for CHL games

2017 CIBC Canada Russia Series Broadcast Schedule on Sportsnet

*All games available on Sportsnet NOW

  • Monday, Nov. 6, Russia @ WHL, 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (Sportsnet East, West & Sportsnet ONE)
  • Tuesday, Nov. 7, Russia @ WHL, 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (Sportsnet East, Ontario & Sportsnet ONE)
  • Thursday, Nov. 9, Russia @ OHL, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT (Sportsnet East, Ontario, Pacific & Sportsnet 360)
  • Monday, Nov. 13, Russia @ OHL, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT (Sportsnet East, Ontario & Pacific)
  • Tuesday, Nov. 14, Russia @ QMJHL, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT (Sportsnet East, Ontario & Pacific)
  • Thursday, Nov. 16, Russia @ QMJHL, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT (Sportsnet East, Ontario & Pacific)

2017-18 CHL Regular Season Broadcast Schedule on Sportsnet

*All games available on Sportsnet NOW

November 2017

  • Saturday, Nov. 18, CHL Saturday Showcase: Kitchener @ Barrie, 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT (Sportsnet)
  • Saturday, Nov. 25, CHL Saturday Showcase: Red Deer @ Calgary, 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT (Sportsnet)

December 2017

  • Saturday, Dec. 2, CHL Saturday Showcase: Barrie @ Ottawa, 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT (Sportsnet & Sportsnet ONE)
  • Saturday, Dec. 9, CHL Saturday Showcase: Oshawa @ Barrie, 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT (Sportsnet)
  • Saturday, Dec. 16, CHL Saturday Showcase: Acadie-Bathurst @ Moncton, 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT (Sportsnet)
  • Saturday, Dec. 30, CHL Saturday Showcase: Moose Jaw @ Brandon, 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT (Sportsnet)

January 2018

  • Saturday, Jan. 6, CHL Saturday Showcase: Kitchener @ Owen Sound, 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT (Sportsnet East, Ontario, Pacific & Sportsnet ONE)
  • Saturday, Jan. 13, CHL Saturday Showcase: Oshawa @ Kingston, 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT (Sportsnet & Sportsnet ONE)
  • Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospect: Team Cherry vs. Team Orr, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT (Sportsnet East, Ontario, Pacific & Sportsnet 360)
  • Saturday, Jan. 27, CHL Saturday Showcase: Regina @ Swift Current, 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT (Sportsnet)

 

February 2018

  • Saturday, Feb. 3, CHL Saturday Showcase: London @ Sarnia, 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT (Sportsnet)
  • Saturday, Feb. 10, CHL Saturday Showcase: Red Deer @ Edmonton, 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT (Sportsnet)
  • Sunday, Feb. 18, Moose Jaw @ Regina, 3 p.m. ET / Noon PT (Sportsnet East, Ontario, Pacific & Sportsnet 360)
  • Saturday, Feb. 24, CHL Saturday Showcase: Gatineau @ Halifax, 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT (Sportsnet East, Ontario, Pacific & Sportsnet ONE)

March 2018

  • Saturday, March 3, CHL Saturday Showcase: Guelph @ Owen Sound, 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT (Sportsnet)
  • Saturday, March 10, CHL Saturday Showcase: Halifax @ Acadie-Bathurst, 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT (Sportsnet)
  • Saturday, March 17, CHL Saturday Showcase: Mississauga @ Niagara, 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT (Sportsnet)

*schedule subject to change

Broadcast details for the CHL Playoffs and the 2018 Mastercard Memorial Cup will be announced at a later date

Social Media Links:

Official website, Sportsnet www.sportsnet.ca

Sportsnet NOW website, www.sportsnet.ca/now/

Join the conversation: #UnitedBySport

Like Sportsnet www.Facebook.com/Sportsnet

Like R.J. Broadhead @SNRJBroadhead

Like Rob Faulds @SNFaulds

Like Jeff Marek @JeffMarek

Follow Sportsnet on Twitter @Sportsnet

Follow Sportsnet on Instagram @Sportsnet

Follow Sportsnet PR @SportsnetPR

About Sportsnet Sportsnet is Canada’s #1 sports media brand, uniting Canadians through sport with the content they love, accessible from anywhere.  Delivering world-class storytelling on a local, regional, national and global level, the multiplatform brand consists of Sportsnet, sportsnet.ca, Sportsnet 590 The FAN, Sportsnet 960 The FAN, Sportsnet 650, Sportsnet NOW, and the Sportsnet app.  Sportsnet consists of four regional channels (Sportsnet East, Ontario, West and Pacific), and the nationally-distributed Sportsnet ONE, Sportsnet 360, and Sportsnet World. Sportsnet is the official Canadian NHL national multimedia rights holder, and is also the official regional television broadcast rights holder for the Calgary Flames (including radio rights on Sportsnet 960 The FAN), Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs (including radio rights on Sportsnet 590 The FAN) and Vancouver Canucks (including radio rights on Sportsnet 650). Sportsnet also has exclusive TV & radio coverage of all 162 Blue Jays games, as well as other MLB games, Toronto Raptors, NBA, Grand Slam of Curling, Rogers Cup, CHL, IndyCar, and extensive soccer programming including Premier League, Bundesliga, FA Cup and 2018 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers.

OHL Academic Players of the Month for October

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the OHL Academic Players of the Month for October 2017, including Kevin Bahl of the Ottawa 67’s, Blake McConville of the Sudbury Wolves, Billy Moskal of the London Knights, and Brett Jacklin of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

OHL Logo


 East Division: Sophomore defenceman Kevin Bahl of the Ottawa 67’s is the OHL East Division Academic Player of the Month for October. The 17-year-old from Mississauga, Ont. carries an 86% average in his grade 12 University level coursework in English, World History, and Elite Athletics. “Kevin has had to work hard to balance his course load, on-ice commitments and physical training this season,” said 67’s Academic Advisor Eileen Duffin. A 6-foot-6, 231Ib. defenceman eligible for the 2018 NHL Draft, Bahl has recorded eight assists through his first 17 games of the season and was recently named to Team OHL’s roster for the upcoming 2017 CIBC Canada Russia Series. Bahl helped Canada win gold at the 2017 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament this past summer. He was Ottawa’s second round pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection.


 Central Division: Rookie forward Blake McConville of the Sudbury Wolves is the OHL Central Division Academic Player of the Month for October after he maintained an 87% average over grade 12 University level Chemistry, Advanced Functions, Data Management and Online Sports Management courses. The 6-foot-2, 205Ib. right-winger has played in 11 games this season. “As a 17-year-old rookie, Blake is a respected player and student,” said Wolves Academic Advisor Gord Ewin. “He is a very positive and polite young man.” The LaSalle, Ont. native was a fifth round pick of the Wolves in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection.


 Midwest Division: Seventeen year-old London Knights forward Billy Moskal has been named the OHL Midwest Division Academic Player of the Month for October, maintaining a 97% average in his University level courses at Blyth Academy London. “Billy exemplifies the OHL policy of providing ‘the best of both worlds’ with regards to academics and hockey,” said Knights Academic Advisor Trish Hurley. “He has participated in a number of school activities in the past year, including a fundraiser for Youth Mental Health.” Moskal has a goal and an assist through 13 games this season and recently scored his first career OHL goal on Oct. 27 against Flint. The 6-foot, 185Ib. centreman from Sudbury, Ont. was London’s second round pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection.


 West Division: Rookie forward Brett Jacklin of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds is the OHL West Division Academic Player of the Month for October after he maintained an 88% average over University level Math Advanced Functions, Accounting and Chemistry courses at Superior Heights Secondary School. The Sudbury, Ont. native has two assists through his first 10 games of the season. “Brett is extremely well liked by his teachers and fellow students,” said Greyhounds Academic Advisor Jerry Bumbacco. “He is a mature young man who recognizes the importance of an education and works diligently on achieving success in the classroom as well as on the ice.” The 6-foot-1, 171Ib. right-winger was Sault Ste. Marie’s 10th round pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection.


 2017-18 OHL Academic Players of the Month:


 East Division:
October – Kevin Bahl (Ottawa 67’s)


 Central Division:
October – Blake McConville (Sudbury Wolves)


 Midwest Division:
October – Billy Moskal (London Knights)


 West Division:
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.

OHL Writer’s Draft Eligible Player of the Month for October: Brady Hinz

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Sarnia Sting forward Brady Hinz has been selected our draft eligible player of the month for October. The 5’8” native of Stratford Ontario notched 10 goals while adding 6 assists in 12 games and helping the Sting to the top of the Canadian Hockey League rankings at the end of October.  

Brady Hinz of the Sarnia Sting. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Brady Hinz of the Sarnia Sting. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Hinz recorded 3 multi-goal games and 5 multi-point games. Among players eligible for the 2018 National Hockey League Draft, Hinz is tied for top spot in goals, second in points, leads in the plus/minus department, owns the longest goal scoring streak of the season, the second longest assist an point streak of the season, and leads all OHL players in shooting percentage.

Hinz was named the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the week for October 9 to October 15 and runner up for CHL Player of the Week for the same period.

Also considered were: Mississauga Steelheads forward Ryan McLeod who had 4 goals and 9 assists in 10 games. Akil Thomas of the Niagara IceDogs notched 3 goals while adding 10 assists in 11 games.

Previous Winners

Matthew Struthers – Owen Sound Attack (September)

CHL Announces Top 10 Rankings

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Top 10

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced the week seven 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.

CHL Top 10 Rankings – Week 7

Rank: Team: Last Week Rank: Number of Weeks Ranked:
1 Sarnia Sting (14-1-0-0) 1 4
2 Swift Current Broncos (10-2-1-0) 2 4
3 Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (10-3-1-0) 10 7
4 Moose Jaw Warriors (11-4-0-0) 4 5
5 Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (10-2-2-2) 3 2
6 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (10-3-2-0) 6 7
7 Victoria Royals (12-4-1-0) 9 5
8 Quebec Remparts (11-4-1-0) 8 5
9 Portland Winterhawks (9-4-0-0) 5 7
10 Halifax Mooseheads (10-4-2-0) – 3
Honourable Mention:
Barrie Colts (9-4-0-1) – 0
Moncton Wildcats (11-4-2-0) – 0
Tri-City Americans (9-4-2-0) – 2

OHL’s Draft Eligible Statistical Leaders

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

If you hadn’t heard the name Brady Hinz, well, you certainly are hearing it now. As we look at the Ontario Hockey League statistics among players eligible for the 2018 National Hockey League Draft, You will find the Stratford Ontario native and Sarnia Sting forward’s name at or near the top of many of those statistics.

Brady Hinz of the Sarnia Sting. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Brady Hinz of the Sarnia Sting. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Hinz is second in points, tied for top spot in goals, the leader in plus/minus, has the longest goal scoring streak of the season and second longest assist and point streak, and the best shooting percentage in the entire league.

Not too bad for a player who didn’t make NHL Central Scouting’s players to watch list.

Below, you will find a list of leaders in a variety of statistical categories. While we take great care in compiling stats, always refer to the Ontario Hockey League’s site for official stats.

Note that only players eligible for the NHL draft for the first time are included.

Points Leaders
Player Team GP G A Pts
Allan McShane Oshawa Generals 15 2 16 18
Brady Hinz Sarnia Sting 15 10 6 16
Ryan McLeod Mississauga Steelheads 14 6 10 16
Akil Thomas Niagara IceDogs 14 5 11 16
Ryan Merkley Guelph Storm 15 4 11 15
Andrei Svechnikov Barrie Colts 10 10 4 14
Serron Noel Oshawa Generals 11 10 4 14
Barrett Hayton Soo Greyhounds 14 6 8 14
Aidan Dudas Owen Sound Attack 14 9 4 13
Kody Clark Ottawa 67’s 16 8 5 13
Goal Scoring Leaders
Player Team GP G GPG
Andrei Svechnikov Barrie Colts 10 10 1.00
Serron Noel Oshawa Generals 11 10 0.91
Brady Hinz Sarnia Sting 15 10 0.67
Aidan Dudas Owen Sound Attack 14 9 0.64
Kody Clark Ottawa 67’s 16 8 0.50
Damien Giroux Saginaw Spirit 13 6 0.46
Barrett Hayton Soo Greyhounds 14 6 0.43
Ryan McLeod Mississauga Steelheads 14 6 0.43
Ty Dellandrea Flint Firebirds 14 6 0.43
Akil Thomas Niagara IceDogs 14 5 0.36
Assist Leaders
Player Team GP A APG
Allan McShane Oshawa Generals 15 16 1.07
Akil Thomas Niagara IceDogs 14 11 0.79
Ryan Merkley Guelph Storm 15 11 0.73
Ryan McLeod Mississauga Steelheads 14 10 0.71
Evan Bouchard London Knights 15 9 0.60
Maxim Golod Erie Otters 12 8 0.67
Barrett Hayton Soo Greyhounds 14 8 0.57
Adam McMaster North Bay Battalion 15 8 0.53
Kevin Bahl Ottawa 67’s 16 8 0.50
Declan Chisholm Peterborough Petes 16 8 0.50
Defencemen Point Leaders
Player Team GP G A Pts
Ryan Merkley Guelph Storm 15 4 11 15
Evan Bouchard London Knights 15 3 9 12
Declan Chisholm Peterborough Petes 16 1 8 9
Kevin Bahl Ottawa 67’s 16 0 8 8
Peter Stratis Ottawa 67’s 16 2 5 7
Tyler Tucker Barrie Colts 7 0 6 6
Giovanni Vallati Kitchener Rangers 13 1 4 5
Zack Malik Sudbury Wolves 13 0 5 5
Plus/Minus Leaders
Player Team GP +/-
Brady Hinz Sarnia Sting 15 +11
Riley Damiani Kitchener Rangers 15 +7
Andrew Bruder Niagara IceDogs 10 +6
Andrei Svechnikov Barrie Colts 10 +6
Curtis Douglas Barrie Colts 14 +6
Tyler Tucker Barrie Colts 7 +5
Joseph Mack Erie Otters 11 +5
Matthew Struthers Owen Sound Attack 11 +5
Jack Duff Erie Otters 13 +5
Alex Gritz Erie Otters 14 +5
Penalty Minutes Leaders
Player Team GP PIM M/G
Daylon Groulx Owen Sound Attack 11 26 2.36
Dawson Baker Sudbury Wolves 15 24 1.60
Kevin Bahl Ottawa 67’s 16 24 1.50
Max Grondin Saginaw Spirit 11 19 1.73
Curtis Douglas Barrie Colts 14 16 1.14
Merrick Rippon Mississauga Steelheads 14 16 1.14
Ryan Merkley Guelph Storm 15 14 0.93
Faceoff Leaders  (Minimum 1 faceoff per game)
Player Team GP FOA FOW %
Andrei Svechnikov Barrie Colts 10 11 7 63.6
Nathan Dunkley Kingston Frontenacs 9 53 33 62.3
Aidan Dudas Owen Sound Attack 14 180 106 58.9
David Levin Sudbury Wolves 15 151 88 58.3
Billy Moskal London Knights 13 71 41 57.7
Allan McShane Oshawa Generals 15 240 133 55.4
Ty Dellandrea Flint Firebirds 14 252 137 54.4
Mitchell Hoelscher Ottawa 67’s 15 71 37 52.1
Cam Hillis Guelph Storm 15 216 111 51.4
Eric Guest Kitchener Rangers 9 43 22 51.2
Liam Foudy London Knights 13 94 48 51.1
Longest Goal Scoring Streak
Player Team From To Gms Goals
Brady Hinz Sarnia Sting 10/9 10/19 5 7
Kody Clark Ottawa 67’s 10/12 10/21 5 6
Akil Thomas Niagara IceDogs 9/29 10/1 3 4
Aidan Dudas Owen Sound Attack 10/11 10/15 3 4
Matthew Struthers Owen Sound Attack 9/30 10/7 3 4
Longest Assist Streak
Player Team From To Gms Assts
Akil Thomas Niagara IceDogs 9/30 10/19 8 10
Brady Hinz Sarnia Sting 10/15 10/21 4 4
Ryan Merkley Guelph Storm 10/22 10/29 4 4
Serron Noel Oshawa Generals 9/29 10/13 4 4
Curtis Douglas Barrie Colts 10/14 10/26 4 4
Longest Point Streak
Player Team From To Gms Pts
Akil Thomas Niagara IceDogs 9/29 10/19 9 15
Brady Hinz Sarnia Sting 10/9 10/21 7 13
Barrett Hayton Soo Greyhounds 10/11 10/28 7 9
Curtis Douglas Barrie Colts 10/7 10/26 6 8
Damien Giroux Saginaw Spirit 10/15 10/29 6 6
Shooting Percentage
Player Team GP G S %
Brady Hinz Sarnia Sting 15 10 25 40.0
Serron Noel Oshawa Generals 11 10 25 40.0
Alex Gritz Erie Otters 14 5 15 33.3
Andrew Bruder Niagara IceDogs 10 2 7 28.6
Semyon Der-Arguchintsev Peterborough Petes 16 5 18 27.8
Shots On Goal Leaders
Player Team GP SOG
Evan Bouchard London Knights 15 59
Ty Dellandrea Flint Firebirds 14 55
Akil Thomas Niagara IceDogs 14 49
Andrei Svechnikov Barrie Colts 10 46
Aidan Dudas Owen Sound Attack 14 43
Goaltenders Leaders – Goals Against Average
Player Team GP Min GA Avg
Nick Donofrio Hamilton Bulldogs 2 125 5 2.40
Mario Peccia Kingston Frontenacs 4 210 12 3.43
Jacob Ingham Mississauga Steelheads 9 530 33 3.74
Jordan Kooy London Knights 6 306 20 3.92
Christian Purboo North Bay Battalion 3 179 12 4.02
Goaltending Leaders – Save Percentage
Player Team GP SH  SVS SV%
Nick Donofrio Hamilton Bulldogs 2 50 45 0.900
Mario Peccia Kingston Frontenacs 4 116 104 0.897
Marshall Frappier Sudbury Wolves 6 187 166 0.888
Christian Purboo North Bay Battalion 3 98 86 0.878
Jacob Ingham Mississauga Steelheads 9 268 235 0.877
Goaltending Leaders – Wins
Player Team GP W L OL
Jacob Ingham Mississauga Steelheads 9 3 6 0
Marshall Frappier Sudbury Wolves 6 2 2 1
Nick Donofrio Hamilton Bulldogs 2 1 0 1
Christian Purboo North Bay Battalion 3 1 2 0
Jordan Kooy London Knights 6 1 4 0
Goaltending Leaders – Shutouts
Player Team GP SO
Mario Peccia Kingston Frontenacs 4 1

CHL Announces Weekly Award Winners

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Overage Luchuk and rookie Wolf claim CHL honours 

Spitfires’ Aaron Luchuk named CHL Player of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that forward Aaron Luchuk of the Windsor Spitfires is the CHL Player of the Week for the week ending October 29 after recording nine points in three games including four goals and five assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-2.

Aaron Luchuk of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Aaron Luchuk of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Luchuk delivered two multi-point performances last week for the Spitfires who picked up a pair of victories on the road.  His week was highlighted by a career-high five points in a 7-2 bounce back effort Friday night against the Sudbury Wolves following a 4-0 loss on Thursday to the North Bay Battalion.  The five-point production included his first career hat-trick and earned him one of two straight first star honours.  He also received first star recognition on Sunday with a goal and three assists in a 5-4 win against the Owen Sound Attack finishing the week tied for the lead in overall OHL scoring with 28 points and alone atop the goals race with 15. 

A 20-year-old from Kingston, Ont., Luchuk is playing in his fourth full season with the Spitfires who chose him in the fourth round of the 2013 OHL Priority Selection.  The overage forward was named team captain to start the 2017-18 campaign after helping the club capture their third Mastercard Memorial Cup title scoring the game-winning goal on home ice last May.  His 28 points in 15 games so far this season bring his offensive totals to 163 points in 221 career games.

Also considered for the award this week was Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Brett Howden of the Moose Jaw Warriors who scored five goals and two assists for seven points in three games, and Julien Tessier of the Moncton Wildcats with six points in three games including two goals and four assists.

2017-18 CHL Players of the Week:

Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Aaron Luchuk (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Drake Batherson (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Tyler Soy (Victoria Royals)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Kale Clague (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Tyler Steenbergen (Swift Current Broncos)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 24: Kole Lind (Kelowna Rockets) 

Silvertips’ Dustin Wolf named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that rookie Dustin Wolf of the Everett Silvertips is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending October 29 after posting a 2-0-0-0 record with a goals-against-average of 1.50 and save percentage of .965.

Wolf made his WHL debut last week for the Silvertips where he turned aside 82 shots and recorded two victories in his first two career games.  On Friday night in Kamloops he made 38 saves as part of a 3-1 win over the Blazers, then made 44 saves on Sunday in Portland to preserve a 3-2 victory over the Winterhawks who boast one of the league’s strongest offenses.

A 16-year-old from Tustin, California, Wolf was a fifth round pick of the Silvertips in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft and will be eligible for the NHL Draft in 2019.  He is one of six different goaltenders to suit up for the Silvertips this season who have played to a 6-9-1-0 record to start 2017-18. 

Also considered for the award this week was 2018 NHL Draft prospect Jacob Ingham of the Mississauga Steelheads who went 3-0-0-0 stopping 78 shots and posting a goals-against-average of 1.32 and save percentage of .951.  In the QMJHL, Reilly Pickard of the Acadie-Bathurst Titan went 2-0-1-0 making 74 saves while posting a goals-against-average of 1.65 and save percentage of .937. 

2017-18 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week:

Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Samuel Harvey (Rouyn-Noranada Huskies)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Logan Flodell (Swift Current Broncos)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Cole Kehler (Portland Winterhawks)
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Dereck Baribeau (Quebec Remparts)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 24: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)

OHL Top Performers of the Month for October

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the Top OHL Performers of the Month for regular season games played in October 2017, including Sarnia Sting forward Jordan Kyrou, Owen Sound Attack defenceman Sean Durzi, Barrie Colts rookie Andrei Svechnikov and Sarnia Sting netminder Justin Fazio.

OHL Player of the Month – Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia Sting): St. Louis Blues prospect Jordan Kyrou of the Sarnia Sting is the OHL Player of the Month for October after leading the league with 12 goals 13 assists and 25 points in 12 games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-9. Kyrou had points in 11 of 12 contests, helping the Sting string together a franchise record 13-straight victories headed into the month of November. His current five game trend includes three consecutive three-point outings including the latest in Sunday’s 6-2 win over the Flint Firebirds. Kyrou collected at least three points on five separate occasions including a pair of four-point showings on Oct. 13th vs. Mississauga (1-3–4) and Oct. 19th in North Bay (3-1–4) when he scored his first career hat-trick. He scored a second hat-trick this past Friday in a 6-3 win over the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Kyrou received star of the game recognition four times this past month including a pair of first star appointments on Oct. 13th and Oct. 19th. A 6-foot, 185Ib. right-winger from Toronto, Ont., Kyrou is tied for the OHL scoring lead with Windsor’s Aaron Luchuk, putting up 28 points (12-16–28) over 13 contests. The second round pick of the St. Louis Blues in the 2016 NHL Draft is currently in his fourth OHL season, producing a career regular season stat line of 72 goals, 137 assists and 209 points over 207 games. Last season, Kyrou recorded the OHL’s longest point streak since 2008 when he recorded points in 30 straight contests from Jan. 1st to Mar. 12th, four games shy of a Sting club record. He attended Hockey Canada’s Summer Showcase this past summer in Plymouth, Mich. and will represent the OHL in the 2017 CIBC Canada Russia Series on Nov. 9th in Owen Sound.

OHL Defenceman of the Month – Sean Durzi (Owen Sound Attack): Owen Sound Attack defenceman Sean Durzi is the OHL Defenceman of the Month for October after he led all rearguards with 20 points including seven goals and 13 assists over 11 contests along with a plus/minus rating of plus-7. Durzi had points in 10 of 11 games, helping the Attack take sole possession of first place in the Midwest Division. He strung together points in nine straight games from Sept. 29th to Oct. 21st. The month was highlighted by a four point (1-3–4) showing on Oct. 14th against the Oshawa Generals as the Attack claimed a 12-6 victory. Durzi also scored twice in a 5-2 win over the Kitchener Rangers on Oct. 27th. A 5-foot-11, 185Ib. defenceman from Mississauga, Ont., Durzi leads the OHL in assists with 17 and is third in the league in points with 25 (8-17–25) over 14 games. A veteran of 119 OHL regular season games, Durzi is currently in his third season with the Attack, having recorded 20 goals, 59 assists and 79 points on his career. He was a 12th round pick by the club in the 2014 OHL Priority Selection from the Mississauga Rebels Minor Midgets.

Sean Durzi of the Owen Sound Attack. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Sean Durzi of the Owen Sound Attack. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

OHL Rookie of the Month – Andrei Svechnikov (Barrie Colts): Barrie Colts forward Andrei Svechnikov has been named the OHL Rookie of the Month for October after leading all newcomers with nine points including seven goals and two assists over just five games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-6. Svechnikov recorded three different multi-point performances, starting the month with his first career OHL hat-trick on Oct. 5th vs. North Bay. He continued to produce, scoring twice in Barrie’s 6-2 win at Saginaw on Oct. 7th and headlined his October performance with four points (2-2–4) in a 7-5 win over the Erie Otters on Oct. 12th. Svechnikov’s month was cut short when he suffered a broken hand on Oct. 14th against North Bay. He will be sidelined for 6-8 weeks. A 6-foot-3, 184Ib. left-handed shooting right-winger from Barnaul, Russia, Svechnikov leads the Colts with 10 goals in as many games while also recording four assists and posting a plus/minus rating of plus-6 on the season. His 14 points currently lead OHL rookies. The younger brother of former Cape Breton Screaming Eagles star Evgeny Svechnikov, Andrei was the first overall pick of the 2017 CHL Import Draft after spending last season with the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks. He was one of six OHL players to receive an ‘A’ rating on NHL Central Scouting’s October Players to Watch List for next summer’s 2018 NHL Draft.

Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month – Justin Fazio (Sarnia Sting): Sarnia Sting overage netminder Justin Fazio has been named the Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month for October after playing to a perfect 8-0-0-0 record with a 2.48 goals-against average and a .939 save percentage. Fazio enters the month of November on a nine game winning streak and has been instrumental in backstopping the Sting on their current 13-game run. Six of Fazio’s eight October victories saw him stop 35 shots or more, headlined by a 41-save effort on Oct. 20th in Sudbury along with a 46-save performance this past Friday against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. He received first star of the game recognition on three separate occasions and also made Sting franchise history, becoming the club’s career leader in wins by a goaltender with his 64th on Oct. 21st at Barrie. A 6-foot-1, 189Ib. hometown product of Sarnia, Ont., Fazio leads OHL goaltenders with 10 victories on the season while also posting a 2.42 goals-against average and a .933 save percentage over 11 games this season. Now in his fourth full season with the Sting, Fazio has appeared in 136 career regular season games, going 65-52-7-3 with a 3.35 goals-against average and an .896 save percentage. He was Sarnia’s fourth round pick in the 2013 OHL Priority Selection from the Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs Minor Midgets.

2017-18 OHL Performers of the Month:

Player of the Month: October – Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia Sting)

Defenceman of the Month: October – Sean Durzi (Owen Sound Attack)

Rookie of the Month: October – Andrei Svechnikov (Barrie Colts)

Vaughn Goaltender of the Month: October – Justin Fazio (Sarnia Sting)