Dominic Tiano

Sea Dogs’ Callum Booth named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Posted on May 9, 2017October 11, 2017 by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Carolina Hurricanes prospect Callum Booth of the Saint John Sea Dogs is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the playoff week ending May 7 after recording a 2-0 victory including one shutout with a goals-against-average of 1.50 and save percentage of .944.

Booth made 51 saves in the opening two games of the QMJHL Championship Series backstopping the top ranked Sea Dogs to a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven final against the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. In Friday’s Game 1 he turned aside 24 shots as part of the Sea Dogs’ 6-3 triumph on home ice, then earned second star honours before a national Sportsnet and TVA Sports broadcast audience in Game 2 on Saturday in Saint John with 27 saves in the 3-0 win setting a team record with his third shutout of the post-season. The series for the President Cup shifts to Blainville-Boisbriand for Game 3 on Tuesday followed by Game 4 on Wednesday in another contest available from coast-to-coast on Sportsnet 360 and TVA Sports 2.

A 19-year-old from Montreal, Que., Booth is playing in his fourth QMJHL season and first with the Sea Dogs after being acquired from the Quebec Remparts in December. So far in the 2017 QMJHL Playoffs the fourth round pick of the Hurricanes in the 2015 NHL Draft carries a 14-2 record with the league’s best goals-against-average with a mark of 1.81 along with the second best save percentage at .917.

Also considered for the award this week was Tyler Brown of the Regina Pats who posted a 1-1 record after a pair of overtime decisions to open the WHL Championship Series against the Seattle Thunderbirds making 51 saves and carrying a goals-against-average of 2.39 and save percentage of .911. Back-to-back award recipient Matthew Mancina of the Mississauga Steelheads continued his stellar play between-the-pipes in the OHL Championship Series making 57 saves despite a pair of losses to the Erie Otters while posting a goals-against-average of 2.04 and save percentage of .934.

2016-17 Vaughn CHL Playoff Goaltenders of the Week:

May 1 – May 7: Callum Booth (Saint John Sea Dogs)
Apr. 24 – Apr. 30: Matthew Mancina (Mississauga Steelheads)
Apr. 17 – Apr. 23: Matthew Mancina (Mississauga Steelheads)
Apr. 10 – Apr. 16: Dylan Wells (Peterborough Petes)
Apr. 3 – Apr. 9: Joseph Raaymakers (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Mar. 27 – Apr. 2: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Mar. 20 – Mar. 26: Kyle Jessiman (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)

2016-17 Vaughn CHL Regular Season Goaltenders of the Week:
Mar. 13 – Mar. 19: Cole Kehler (Portland Winterhawks)
Mar. 6 – Mar. 12: Callum Booth (Saint John Sea Dogs)
Feb. 27 – Mar. 5: Matthew Villalta (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Feb. 20 – Feb. 26: Zach Sawchenko (Moose Jaw Warriors)
Feb. 13 – Feb. 19: Zach Sawchenko (Moose Jaw Warriors)

Feb. 6 – Feb. 12: Brodan Salmond (Kelowna Rockets)
Jan. 30 – Feb. 5: Stuart Skinner (Lethbridge Hurricanes)
Jan. 23 – Jan. 29: Jeremy Helvig (Kingston Frontenacs)
Jan. 16 – Jan. 22: Matthew Welsh (Charlottetown Islanders)
Jan. 9 – Jan. 15: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)
Jan. 2 – Jan. 8: Francis Leclerc (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)
Dec. 26 – Jan. 1: Griffen Outhouse (Victoria Royals)
Dec. 12 – Dec. 18: Dylan Wells (Peterborough Petes)
Dec. 5 – Dec. 11: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)
Nov. 28 – Dec. 4: Connor Ingram (Kamloops Blazers)
Nov. 21 – Nov. 27: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 14 – Nov. 20: Matthew Villalta (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Nov. 7 – Nov. 13: Patrick Dea (Edmonton Oil Kings)
Oct. 31 – Nov. 6: Zach Sawchenko (Moose Jaw Warriors)
Oct. 24 – Oct. 30: Troy Timpano (Erie Otters)
Oct. 17 – Oct. 23: Reilly Pickard (Acadie-Bathurst Titan)
Oct. 10 – Oct. 16: Ryan Kubic (Vancouver Giants)
Oct. 3 – Oct. 9: Logan Flodell (Saskatoon Blades)
Sept. 26 – Oct. 2: Samuel Harvey (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 25: Liam Herbst (Guelph Storm)

CHL Leagues

Otters’ Warren Foegele named Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week

Posted on May 8, 2017 by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Carolina Hurricanes prospect Warren Foegele of the Erie Otters is the Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week for the playoff week ending May 7 after scoring two goals in two games with a plus-minus rating of plus-1.

Foegele scored a timely goal in each of the first two games of the Rogers OHL Championship Series helping the Western Conference champion Otters take a 2-0 lead against the Eastern Conference champion Mississauga Steelheads. In Thursday’s Game 1, Foegele earned first star honours by scoring the game’s first goal early in the second period propelling the club to a 2-1 victory. He then earned second star honours in Sunday’s Game 2 by breaking a 1-1 tie late in the third period with a breakaway goal as the Otters prevailed by a 3-2 score. The Rogers OHL Championship Series for the J. Ross Robertson Cup continues Monday night with Game 3 and Wednesday night with Game 4 both in Mississauga.

A 21-year-old from Markham, Ont., Foegele is playing in his second OHL season and first with the Otters after being acquired midseason from the Kingston Frontenacs. The third round pick of the Hurricanes in the 2014 NHL Draft finished the 2016-17 campaign with 63 points in 61 games including 16 goals and 16 assists in 33 games with the Otters. So far this post-season he ranks ninth in league scoring with 10 goals and 10 assists for 20 points in 19 games. Foegele signed his entry-level contract with the Canes in late March.

Watch video highlights of Foegele and the Otters against the Steelheads in Game 1 and Game 2 of the Rogers OHL Championship Series.

Also considered for the award was last week’s recipient Anthony Cirelli, a Tampa Bay Lightning prospect with the Otters who contributed three assists in two games, and Chicago Blackhawks prospect Alex DeBrincat who picked up two goals in Sunday’s Game 2 win. In goal, the Steelheads’ Matthew Mancina has been outstanding despite two losses making 57 saves for a goals-against-average of 2.04 and save percentage of .934.

2016-17 Pioneer Energy OHL Playoff Players of the Week:

May 1 – May 7: Warren Foegele (Erie Otters)
Apr. 24 – Apr. 30: Anthony Cirelli (Erie Otters)
Apr. 17 – Apr. 23: Matthew Mancina (Mississauga Steelheads)
Apr. 10 – Apr. 16: Dylan Wells (Peterborough Petes)
Apr. 3 – Apr. 9: Joseph Raaymakers (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Mar. 27 – Apr. 2: Michael McLeod (Mississauga Steelheads)
Mar. 20 – Mar. 26: Anthony Cirelli (Erie Otters)

2016-17 Pioneer Energy OHL Regular Season Players of the Week:

Mar. 13 – Mar. 19: Jacob Ingham (Mississauga Steelheads)
Mar. 6 – Mar. 12: Petrus Palmu (Owen Sound Attack)
Feb. 27 – Mar. 5: Gabriel Vilardi (Windsor Spitfires)
Feb. 20 – Feb. 26: Michael McLeod (Mississauga Steelheads)
Feb. 13 – Feb. 19: Joseph Murdaca (Erie Otters)
Feb. 6 – Feb. 12: Spencer Watson (Mississauga Steelheads)
Jan. 30 – Feb. 5: Alex DeBrincat (Erie Otters)
Jan. 23 – Jan. 29: Jeremy Helvig (Kingston Frontenacs)
Jan. 16 – Jan. 22: Hayden Hodgson (Saginaw Spirit)
Jan. 9 – Jan. 15: Kole Sherwood (Flint Firebirds)
Jan. 2 – Jan. 8: Santino Centorame (Owen Sound Attack)
Dec. 26 – Jan. 1: Michael McNiven (Owen Sound Attack)
Dec. 12 – Dec. 18: Dylan Wells (Peterborough Petes)
Dec. 5 – Dec. 11: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)
Nov. 28 – Dec. 4: Alex DeBrincat (Erie Otters)
Nov. 21 – Nov. 27: Boris Katchouk (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Nov. 14 – Nov. 20: Jeremy Bracco (Kitchener Rangers)
Nov. 7 – Nov. 13: Jonathan Ang (Peterborough Petes)
Oct. 31 – Nov. 6: Alex DeBrincat (Erie Otters)
Oct. 24 – Oct. 30: Troy Timpano (Erie Otters)
Oct. 17 – Oct. 23: Max Jones (London Knights)
Oct. 10 – Oct. 16: Jeremy Bracco (Kitchener Rangers)
Oct. 3 – Oct. 9: Logan Brown (Windsor Spitfires)
Sept. 26 – Oct. 2: Joseph Raaymakers (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 25: Matt Luff (Hamilton Bulldogs)

Shaw Boomhower – Mississauga Steelheads – Player Profile

Posted on May 7, 2017 by Dominic Tiano

Height: 6’0”

Weight: 185 pounds

Date of birth: October 31, 1998

Hometown: Belleville, Ontario

Position: Center

Shoots: Left

OHL Draft: Free agent signing, 2016

During the 2015-2016 season, Mississauga Steelheads center Shaw Boomhower played for the Wellington Dukes of the Ontario Junior Hockey League where he scored 9 goals to go along with 14 assists in 51 games in the Ontario Junior A circuit.

The Steelheads were impressed enough to invite Boomhower to camp as a free agent in the fall of 2016 and he did his part, making the Steelheads roster. He would finish the regular season with 7 goals and 10 assists in 60 games, and to date, has 1 assist in 13 playoff games.

Shaw Boomhower of the Mississauga Steelheads. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Boomhower was also recognized by the National Hockey League’s Central Scouting. The scouting group ranked Boomhower at 123 among North American Skaters on their mid-term ranking and rising 11 spots to 112 on the final list.

Despite not having huge size at 6’ and 185 pounds, Boomhower knows how to throw his body around, and was recognized by coaches around the Ontario Hockey League as they voted him the third best body checker in the Eastern Conference.

Boomhower brings that sheer determination, work ethic and will to the rest of his game as he does in the hitting department. It is what Steelheads General Manager James Boyd saw when he signed Boomhower.

“Shaw Boomhower is a player who impressed us with his determination and effort level. He is a player who has really improved since his draft year.”

With the Steelheads’ depth, it’s hard to judge Boomhower’s offensive upside. That said, we project him as a player who can be solid defensively, provide energy, and chip in with a little offense as a bottom 6 forward.

Shaw Boomhower

This is the stat page of Shaw Boomhower at Elite Prospects

Otters’ Alex DeBrincat Wins Red Tilson Trophy as OHL’s Most Outstanding Player of the Year

Posted on May 5, 2017 by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Chicago Blackhawks prospect Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters is the 2016-17 recipient of the Red Tilson Trophy awarded to the OHL’s Most Outstanding Player of the Year as voted by the writers and broadcasters that cover the league.

DeBrincat led the OHL with 127 points in 63 games scoring a league-high 65 goals along with 62 assists and a plus-minus rating of plus-60. His offensive production helped the Otters capture a second straight Hamilton Spectator Trophy as first overall in the regular season, a third straight Midwest Division crown, and a Canadian Hockey League record fourth straight 50-win season.

Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

A 19-year-old from Farmington Hills, Michigan, DeBrincat committed to the Otters prior to the 2014-15 season quickly establishing himself as a prolific goal scorer achieving OHL and CHL Rookie of the Year honours and accumulating a resume of scoring records over the course of his most outstanding 2016-17 campaign. His 65 goals represent a new Otters single season record and mark the third straight year he has eclipsed the 50-goal plateau becoming just the second player in OHL history to accomplish the feat of consistency following Dale McCourt (1974-77). DeBrincat also became just the third Otter to reach the prestigious 300 career-point milestone and the eighth player in the league’s modern era to record three-straight 100-point seasons. In three seasons and 191 games in an Otters uniform, DeBrincat scored 167 goals and 165 assists for 332 points cementing his status as the Otters all-time leading goal scorer and the leading American goal scorer in OHL history.

“We are absolutely elated for Alex,” said Otters General Manager Dave Brown. “His continued perseverance and determination is what continues to allow him to excel in all areas. Alex’s continued dedication to his teammates, organization, and his professional development is something that our entire organization admires and hope will be passed along to others. The Otters are thrilled for Alex and his family to be recognized with such a prestigious award.”

Following his second round, 39th overall selection by the Blackhawks in the 2016 NHL Draft, DeBrincat’s 2016-17 highlights also included 36 multi-point performances featuring a trio of five-point contests, three-time recognition as the Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week, and OHL Player of the Month nods for November and February. DeBrincat matched Mike Ricci’s 1988 mark with goals in 19 consecutive games from January 24 to March 10, and finished the season riding a 27-game point-streak that began on January 14 and tied Connor McDavid’s 2014-15 team record. He was recognized in the Western Conference Coaches Poll finishing first in the Best Shot category and was voted Most Dangerous in the Goal Area for a third straight season. The Otters’ representative on the OHL’s Scholastic Team was also honoured across OHL rinks this season with a league-high 26 three-star selections including 13 times as first star and 12 times as second star of the game.

“Alex is very deserving of this award as his performance was remarkable this season,” said Blackhawks Vice President and General Manager Stan Bowman. “His ability to score goals has been consistent over the last three seasons with Erie and he has done a lot to contribute to the success of his team. We wish him and his team the best during their playoff run and look forward to Alex joining the Blackhawks organization in the future.”

The Red Tilson Trophy is the most prestigious individual award presented by the Ontario Hockey League. First presented in 1945, the trophy is named in honour of Albert “Red” Tilson, who was killed in action in Europe during World War II. Tilson was the OHA scoring champion for the 1942-43 season after scoring 19 goals and 38 assists for 57 points in 22 games with the Oshawa Generals.

Accredited media were asked to select their top three choices from the 20 nominees submitted by all 20 member clubs. Players received five points for a first place selection, three points for second place and one point for a third place selection. DeBrincat received 314 points in the voting process including first place votes on 85% of all ballots while receiving a top-three selection from 97% of the media polled. Montreal Canadiens prospect and OHL Goaltender of the Year Michael McNiven of the Owen Sound Attack finished in second with 157 voting points, followed by Florida Panthers prospect Adam Mascherin of the Kitchener Rangers in third place with 34 voting points.

DeBrincat is the fourth member of the Otters to win the award and third in four years following Connor McDavid (2015), Connor Brown (2014), along with back-to-back winner Brad Boyes (2001, 2002). The list of former Red Tilson Trophy recipients includes nine former Chicago Blackhawks including Brian Campbell (Ottawa 67’s 1999), Doug Gilmour (Cornwall Royals 1983), Andre Lacroix (Peterborough Petes 1965, 1966), Pit Martin (Hamilton Red Wings 1962), Stan Mikita (St. Catharines Teepees 1959), Hank Ciesla (St. Catharines Teepees 1955), Glenn Hall (Windsor Spitfires 1951), Ed Sandford (St. Michael’s College Majors 1947), and Tod Sloan (St. Michael’s College Majors 1946). More recently, the list of winners includes current NHL stars like Corey Perry (London Knights 2005), John Tavares (Oshawa Generals 2007), Tyler Seguin (Plymouth Whalers 2010), Ryan Ellis (Windsor Spitfires 2011), Vincent Trocheck (Plymouth Whalers 2013), and Mitch Marner (London Knights 2016).

The Red Tilson Trophy winner is the OHL’s nominee for Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year presented at the CHL Awards Ceremony on Saturday May 27 during the 2017 Mastercard Memorial Cup in Windsor. DeBrincat will also be formally presented with the Red Tilson Trophy at the OHL’s Awards Ceremony on Thursday June 8 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

OHL Playoff Preview: The Finals

Posted on May 3, 2017 by Dominic Tiano

Everyone tries to be perfect, and yours truly is no different. As you can see by my three previous rounds of predictions and outcomes, I’m far from it. But here I am to face my “embarrassment” and look at the Ontario Hockey League battle for the J. Ross Robertson Cup between the Erie Otters and the Mississauga Steelheads and the opportunity to join the Windsor Spitfires at the Memorial Cup.

But first, here’s a look back at the previous three rounds predictions and results:

OHL Playoffs

The Otters swept the season series 4 games to none and have a decided edge head-to-head over the past 5 seasons with a 15-3 record. As most are aware by now, the Steelheads didn’t get off to the start that everyone (including themselves) expected this season and that two lopsided Otters victories came before the Steelheads righted the ship.

On November 4, the Otters skated to a 7-4 victory in Mississauga. On November 29, they totally dominated the Steelheads in the rematch in Erie 9-2. On back-to-back nights beginning February 17, the results were the same, but not as dominating. The Otters would go into the Hershey Center and take the first game of the double-header 4-1. Back at the Erie Insurance Arena, the Steelheads were blanked 3-0.

Many believe that the Steelheads, being in the Eastern Conference, had the easier path to the finals. To some extent, there is some truth to that. Even with their 12-3 record heading into the finals, the Steelheads made things easier for themselves then they should have been.

A first-round victory over the Ottawa 67’s went pretty much as expected. But series victories over the Oshawa Generals and Peterborough Petes were completed in quick fashion. I don’t think many expected a sweep of the Petes in the Eastern Conference Finals. Many, including myself, were predicting a Petes win.

The Otters enter the finals with a 12-5 record. After dismantling the Sarnia Sting in 4 games, as they should have, things got tough for Erie. It took 7 games to dispose of the London Knights in a hard fought and entertaining series.

In an equally entertaining series, Erie had a 3-2 series lead over the Owen Sound Attack and then dominated in game 6 in Owen Sound to close out the series.

The winner will take home the J. Ross Robertson Cup and join the host Windsor Spitfires at the Memorial Cup.

Here’s how the two teams stack up (regular season – playoff stats):

	Erie	Mississauga
Overall Record	50-15-2-1	34-21-6-7
Head-to-Head	4-0-0-0	0-4-0-0
Home Record	30-2-1-1	16-11-4-3
Away Record	20-13-1-0	18-10-2-4
Goals For	319 – 78	240 – 62
Goals Against	182 – 47	219 – 35
Powerplay	27.2% – 26.3%	19.7% – 22.9%
Penalty Kill	83.4% – 80.4%	80.6% – 79.0%
Draft Eligible Players to Watch	Ivan Lodnia (C)	Nicolas Hague (D)
		Owen Tippett (RW)
		Shaw Boomhower (C)

Prediction: Erie in 6 games

Attack’s Michael McNiven Named OHL Goaltender of the Year

Posted on May 3, 2017 by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Montreal Canadiens prospect Michael McNiven of the Owen Sound Attack is the 2016-17 recipient of the OHL’s Goaltender of the Year award.

McNiven played in 54 games this season carrying a record of 41-9-2-2 including six shutout victories that tied for a league-high, while also posting a league-low goals-against-average of 2.30 and a save percentage of .915 that ranked sixth overall. His 41 wins not only led the OHL this season but established a new Attack single season record surpassing Jordan Binnington’s previous mark of 32 set during his award winning 2012-13 season.

Michael McNiven of the Owen Sound Attack. Photo by Terry Wilson/OHL Images.

“This is a huge honour,” McNiven said. “At the beginning of the year I made it my goal to be the best goalie I could be on a night in, night out basis, and to be named Goaltender of the Year in a league with so many fantastic goalies means a lot to me. That said, this should be viewed as a team award. I wouldn’t have been able to make the saves I did if it wasn’t for my teammates who blocked shots, cleared players from the front of the net, and made my job easier.”

During the 2016-17 campaign, McNiven was part of an Attack squad that set franchise records for wins (49) and points (102) while surrendering a league-low 177 goals-against earning the league’s Dave Pinkney Trophy with partner Emanuel Vella. He won 11 straight games from December 9 through January 21 contributing to the club’s record 15-game winning-streak and was recognized with Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week honours on January 2. McNiven also earned Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month honours for February and was acknowledged in the Western Conference Coaches Poll finishing second in the Best Puckhandling Goalie vote, and first in the Best Shootout Goalie vote.

“Michael is extremely deserving of this award,” said Attack General Manager Dale DeGray. “His work ethic and dedication to getting better every day is unmatched and his performance this year showed just how hard he worked. Michael was a large part of our success this year and the entire organization is extremely proud of him.”

A 19-year-old from Georgetown, Ont., McNiven was chosen by the Attack in the fourth round of the 2013 OHL Priority Selection. He has now played three full seasons in Owen Sound accumulating 77 career wins which ranks second in franchise history behind Binnington’s 86 recorded over four seasons from 2009-13. McNiven did surpass Binnington this season for first on the club’s all-time shutout list with 11. He becomes the third Attack goaltender to earn this award following Binnington (2012-13) and Jamie Storr (1993-94). In September, 2015, McNiven signed a free agent entry-level contract with the Canadiens.

The OHL Goaltender of the Year is awarded to the league’s most outstanding goaltender as selected by OHL General Managers. Teams were not permitted to vote for a goaltender from their own hockey club. Goaltenders received five points for a first place vote, three points for a second place vote, and one point for a third place vote.

McNiven received 89 of a possible 95 points in the voting process, followed by Calgary Flames prospect Tyler Parsons of the London Knights who finished in second place with 27 voting points, and 2017 NHL Draft prospect Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires who finished in third place with 26 voting points.

The award was first presented in 1987-88 to Rick Tabaracci (Cornwall) with other notable winners including Manny Legace (Niagara Falls 1992-93), Craig Anderson (Guelph 2000-01), Steve Mason (London 2006-07), the league’s only back-to-back winner Mike Murphy (Belleville 2007-08 and 2008-09), Mark Visentin (Niagara 2010-11), Michael Houser (London 2011-12), Alex Nedeljkovic (Plymouth 2013-14), Lucas Peressini (Kingston 2014-15), and Mackenzie Blackwood (Barrie 2015-16).

McNiven will be formally presented with the OHL’s Goaltender of the Year Award on Thursday June 8 at the OHL Awards Ceremony held at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. He is also the OHL’s nominee for CHL Goaltender of the Year to be announced on Saturday May 27 at the 2017 Mastercard Memorial Cup in Windsor.

Otters’ Darren Raddysh Named OHL Defenceman of the Year

Posted on May 2, 2017 by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Darren Raddysh of the Erie Otters is the 2016-17 recipient of the Max Kaminsky Trophy awarded annually to the OHL’s Most Outstanding Defenceman of the Year.

Raddysh becomes the first Otter to ever win the award after leading all OHL defencemen in scoring this season with 81 points including 16 goals and 65 assists in 62 games while establishing new team single season records for assists and points from the blue line surpassing Chris Campoli’s marks of 46 and 66 set in 2003-04.

Darren Raddysh of the Erie Otters. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

“It’s a huge honour,” Raddysh said. “There were a lot of great defencemen this year and to be recognized as the top defenceman…I’m speechless. I can’t find the words to express how truly honoured I am to accept this award.”

The 21-year-old from Caledon, Ont., was also recently announced as the Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy recipient as this season’s Overage Player of the Year. He becomes the first player in OHL history to earn both awards, and just the second overage defenceman to earn the Max Kaminsky Trophy following current Los Angeles Kings star Jake Muzzin who received the honour as a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in 2009-10.

“I learned to be patient and not rush things on and off the ice,” Raddysh added. “It takes time to develop as a person. As a 16-year-old you come in and try to be a sponge and I learned from all of the guys that were here before me. We had a lot of great coaches and I had a lot of great mentors that were on the back end. I tried to learn as much as I could from them and apply it to my game.”

Raddysh finished the 2016-17 campaign with a plus-62 rating behind only his brother Taylor who recorded a league-high plus-67. Since the OHL has recorded plus/minus beginning in 1996-97, Raddysh’s plus-62 is the fourth highest among defencemen following Nick Boynton’s plus-81 (Ottawa 1996-97), Sean Blanchard’s plus-74 (Ottawa 1996-97), and Danny Syvret’s plus-70 (London 2004-05). Raddysh produced 26 multi-point performances this season and earned OHL Defenceman of the Month honours for November and February. He was also recognized in the OHL’s Western Conference Coaches Poll as having the third Hardest Shot and was voted Best Offensive Defenceman.

“Darren is very deserving of this award,” said Otters head coach Kris Knoblauch. “He has sacrificed a lot for the team’s success and after all these years he’s finally being recognized for his talents. As an organization, we’re very proud of him for what he has brought to the Erie Otters organization on and off the ice.”

Originally chosen by the Otters in the fifth round of the 2012 OHL Priority Selection, Raddysh played in 274 regular season games over five years accumulating 41 goals and 143 assists for 184 points. He graduates from the Otters as the franchise’s all-time assists and points leader among defencemen surpassing Campoli’s marks of 119 and 150 from 2000-04. Raddysh has also been instrumental in the Otters regular season success achieving a Canadian Hockey League record four-straight 50 win campaigns capped by a 2016-17 Midwest Division title and Hamilton Spectator Trophy.

The Max Kaminsky Trophy is awarded each year to the Most Outstanding Defenceman as selected by OHL General Managers. All 20 clubs submitted a nominee but were not permitted to vote for their own player. Players received five points for a first place vote, three points for a second place vote and one point for a third place vote.

Raddysh received 70 points in the voting process, followed by fellow overage player Santino Centorame of the Owen Sound Attack who finished in second place with 44 voting points, and last year’s recipient Mikhail Sergachev of the Windsor Spitfires who finished in third place with 26 voting points.

Past winners of the award since 1970 include Craig Hartsburg (Sault Ste. Marie 1976-77), Larry Murphy (Peterborough 1979-80), Al MacInnis (Kitchener 1982-83), Chris Pronger (Peterborough 1992-93), Brian Campbell (Ottawa 1998-99), Marc Staal (Sudbury 2006-07), Drew Doughty (Guelph 2007-08), Ryan Ellis (Windsor 2008-09 and 2010-11), Dougie Hamilton (Niagara 2011-12), Ryan Sproul (Sault Ste. Marie 2012-13), Aaron Ekblad (Barrie 2013-14), and Anthony DeAngelo (Sault Ste. Marie 2014-15).

The award is named in recognition of Max Kaminsky, who enjoyed a 10-year professional playing career that included four years in the NHL with Ottawa, Boston, and Montreal. After he retired from playing, Kaminsky enjoyed a 15-year coaching career that was capped by winning the Memorial Cup with the St. Catharines Teepees in 1960.

Raddysh will be formally presented with the Max Kaminsky Trophy at the OHL Awards Ceremony which takes place June 8 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. He will also be the OHL’s nominee for CHL Defenceman of the Year to be announced on May 27 at the 2017 Mastercard Memorial Cup in Windsor.

Otters’ Anthony Cirelli named CHL Player of the Week

Posted on May 2, 2017October 11, 2017 by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Anthony Cirelli of the Erie Otters is the CHL Player of the Week for the playoff week ending April 30 after scoring four goals and five assists for nine points in four games with a plus-minus rating of plus-6.

Cirelli helped the Otters earn an OHL Western Conference title claiming the Wayne Gretzky Trophy with a 4-2 series win over the Owen Sound Attack with a trio of multi-point performances in the final three games. In Game 3 last Monday he contributed an assist despite the 6-3 loss, then scored a goal and an assist in Game 4 on Wednesday earning first star honours as the Otters tied the series 2-2 with a 4-3 victory. Cirelli’s play was again impactful in Game 5 on Friday with two assists in the 4-2 win, then in Game 6 on Sunday helped clinch the series with a hat-trick and an assist as first star of the 7-2 win. The Otters have now advanced to the OHL Championship Series where they will face the Mississauga Steelheads beginning Thursday in Erie.

Anthony Cirelli of the Erie Otters. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

A 19-year-old from Woodbridge, ON, Cirelli is playing in his third OHL season and first with the Otters after being acquired from the Oshawa Generals in January. In 17 playoff games he ranks fifth in scoring with 23 points including 13 goals and 10 assists. In 25 games with Erie he scored 12 goals and 18 assists for 30 points bringing his 2016-17 totals to a career-high 25 goals and 39 assists for 64 points in 51 games. The third round pick of the Lightning helped the Generals capture a 2015 OHL Championship and a 2015 Mastercard Memorial Cup title scoring the overtime winner against the Kelowna Rockets in Quebec City.

Also considered for the award this week was Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Adam Brooks of the Regina Pats who scored one goal and seven assists for eight points in four games advancing to the WHL Championship Series with a 4-2 series win over the Lethbridge Hurricanes. In addition, Ottawa Senators prospect Thomas Chabot of the Saint John Sea Dogs scored twice with four assists for six points in four games advancing to the QMJHL Final with a 4-2 series win over the Chicoutimi Sagueneens.

2016-17 CHL Post-Season Players of the Week:
Apr. 24 – Apr. 30: Anthony Cirelli (Erie Otters)
Apr. 17 – Apr. 23: Alex Barré-Boulet (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)
Apr. 10 – Apr. 16: Reid Gardiner (Kelowna Rockets)
Apr. 3 – Apr. 9: Giorgio Estephan (Lethbridge Hurricanes)
Mar. 27 – Apr. 2: Ethan Bear (Seattle Thunderbirds)
Mar. 20 – Mar. 26: Sam Steel (Regina Pats)

2016-17 CHL Regular Season Players of the Week:

Mar. 13 – Mar. 19: Brandon Hagel (Red Deer Rebels)
Mar. 6 – Mar. 12: Daniel Sprong (Charlottetown Islanders)
Feb. 27 – Mar. 5: Gabriel Vilardi (Windsor Spitfires)
Feb. 20 – Feb. 26: Michael McLeod (Mississauga Steelheads)
Feb. 13 – Feb. 19: Christophe Boivin (Acadie-Bathurst Titan)
Feb. 6 – Feb. 12: Mathew Barzal (Seattle Thunderbirds)
Jan. 30 – Feb. 5: Alex DeBrincat (Erie Otters)
Jan. 23 – Jan. 29: Tyler Boland (Rimouski Oceanic)
Jan. 16 – Jan. 22: Alexis D’Aoust (Shawinigan Cataractes)
Jan. 9 – Jan. 15: Kole Sherwood (Flint Firebirds)
Jan. 2 – Jan. 8: Brayden Burke (Moose Jaw Warriors)
Dec. 26 – Jan. 1: Adam Brooks (Regina Pats)
Dec. 12 – Dec. 18: Vitalii Abramov (Gatineau Olympiques)
Dec. 5 – Dec. 11: Hayden Hodgson (Saginaw Spirit)
Nov. 28 – Dec. 4: Sergey Zborovskiy (Regina Pats)
Nov. 21 – Nov. 27: Jayden Halbgewachs (Moose Jaw Warriors)
Nov. 14 – Nov. 20: Alexander Katerinakis (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)
Nov. 7 – Nov. 13: Nico Hischier (Halifax Mooseheads)
Oct. 31 – Nov. 6: Alex DeBrincat (Erie Otters)
Oct. 24 – Oct. 30: Bobby MacIntyre (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Oct. 17 – Oct. 23: Kale Clague (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Oct. 10 – Oct. 16: Jeremy Bracco (Kitchener Rangers)
Oct. 3 – Oct. 9: Cameron Askew (Moncton Wildcats)
Sept. 26 – Oct. 2: Sam Steel (Regina Pats)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 25: Kameron Kielly (Charlottetown Islanders)

Steelheads’ Matthew Mancina named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Posted on May 2, 2017October 11, 2017 by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Matthew Mancina of the Mississauga Steelheads is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the playoff week ending April 30 after posting a 2-0 record including a shutout victory with a goals-against-average of 0.40 and save percentage of .981.

Mancina earns the award for a second straight week after backstopping the Steelheads to an OHL Eastern Conference title earning the Bobby Orr Trophy following a 4-0 series sweep of the Peterborough Petes. In his two starts last week Mancina made 52 saves including 28 in Game 3 of the series last Monday in a 2-1 double overtime victory, then turned aside all 24 shots he faced on Wednesday in Game 4 earning first star honours in the 7-0 shutout. The Steelheads will now face the Erie Otters in the OHL Championship Series beginning Thursday in Erie.

Matthew Mancina of the Mississauga Steelheads. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

A recently turned 21-year-old from Tecumseh, Ont., Mancina is playing in his fourth OHL season but first with the Steelheads after being acquired from the Petes prior to the 2016-17 campaign. So far this post-season he carries an 8-1 record with a goals-against-average of 1.90 and save percentage of .924 with two shutouts. Originally a third round choice of the Guelph Storm in the 2012 OHL Priority Selection, Mancina’s OHL tenure has included 157 regular season games including 76 victories between his three clubs.

Also considered for the award this week was Florida Panthers prospect Samuel Montembeault of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada who posted a 3-0 record stopping 84 shots with a goals-against-average of 2.67 and save percentage of .913 advancing to the QMJHL Final with a 4-1 series win over the Charlottetown Islanders. In addition, rookie Carl Stankowski of the Seattle Thunderbirds went 3-1 stopping 119 shots with a goals-against-average of 2.26 and save percentage of .930 advancing to the WHL Championship Series with a 4-2 series win over the Kelowna Rockets.

2016-17 Vaughn CHL Playoff Goaltenders of the Week:

Apr. 24 – Apr. 30: Matthew Mancina (Mississauga Steelheads)
Apr. 17 – Apr. 23: Matthew Mancina (Mississauga Steelheads)
Apr. 10 – Apr. 16: Dylan Wells (Peterborough Petes)
Apr. 3 – Apr. 9: Joseph Raaymakers (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Mar. 27 – Apr. 2: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Mar. 20 – Mar. 26: Kyle Jessiman (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)

2016-17 Vaughn CHL Regular Season Goaltenders of the Week:
Mar. 13 – Mar. 19: Cole Kehler (Portland Winterhawks)
Mar. 6 – Mar. 12: Callum Booth (Saint John Sea Dogs)
Feb. 27 – Mar. 5: Matthew Villalta (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Feb. 20 – Feb. 26: Zach Sawchenko (Moose Jaw Warriors)
Feb. 13 – Feb. 19: Zach Sawchenko (Moose Jaw Warriors)

Otters’ Anthony Cirelli named Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week

Posted on May 1, 2017 by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Anthony Cirelli of the Erie Otters is the Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week for the playoff week ending April 30 after recording nine points in four games scoring four goals and five assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-6.

Cirelli earns the award for a second time this post-season after producing three straight multi-point performances in three wins for the Otters who captured the Wayne Gretzky Trophy with a 4-2 series win against the Owen Sound Attack in the Western Conference Championship Series. Cirelli chipped in with one assist despite a 6-3 loss in last Monday’s Game 3, then earned first star honours in Wednesday’s Game 4 with a goal and an assist as the Otters tied the series 2-2 with a 4-3 triumph in Owen Sound. His strong play continued with two assists in Friday’s Game 5 leading to a 4-2 victory, then peaked in Sunday’s Game 6 series finale delivering a hat-trick plus an assist as first star of the 7-2 win. This marks the third Wayne Gretzky Trophy for the Otters following Western Conference titles in 2015 and 2002. They now advance to the Rogers OHL Championship Series against the Mississauga Steelheads for the J. Ross Robertson Cup beginning Thursday in Erie.

A 19-year-old from Woodbridge, ON, Cirelli is playing in his third OHL season and first with the Otters after being acquired from the Oshawa Generals in January. In 17 playoff games he ranks fifth in scoring with 23 points including 13 goals and 10 assists. In 25 games with Erie he scored 12 goals and 18 assists for 30 points bringing his 2016-17 totals to a career-high 25 goals and 39 assists for 64 points in 51 games. The third round pick of the Lightning in the 2015 NHL Draft will be playing in his second OHL Championship Series after winning the 2015 title along with a Mastercard Memorial Cup with the Generals.

Watch video highlights of Cirelli and the Otters against the Attack in Game 4, Game 5, and Game 6 of the Western Conference Championship Series.

Also considered for the award this week was Otters captain and Arizona Coyotes prospect Dylan Strome with two goals and three assists for five points in four games, along with Steelheads captain and New Jersey Devils prospect Michael McLeod who scored twice with two assists for four points in two games. In goal, Matthew Mancina backstopped the Steelheads to an Eastern Conference title capturing the Bobby Orr Trophy with a 4-0 series win over the Peterborough Petes. In his two games last week he made 52 saves in two victories including one by shutout for an overall goals-against-average of 0.40 and save percentage of .981.

2016-17 Pioneer Energy OHL Playoff Players of the Week:

Apr. 24 – Apr. 30: Anthony Cirelli (Erie Otters)
Apr. 17 – Apr. 23: Matthew Mancina (Mississauga Steelheads)
Apr. 10 – Apr. 16: Dylan Wells (Peterborough Petes)
Apr. 3 – Apr. 9: Joseph Raaymakers (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Mar. 27 – Apr. 2: Michael McLeod (Mississauga Steelheads)
Mar. 20 – Mar. 26: Anthony Cirelli (Erie Otters)

2016-17 Pioneer Energy OHL Regular Season Players of the Week:

Author: Dominic Tiano

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