2017 OHL Development Combine Recap

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

OHL Combine

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League held its eighth annual OHL Development Combine April 1-2 at Oshawa’s Tribute Communities Centre providing 2017 OHL Priority Selection prospects the opportunity to showcase their abilities.

77 players (36 forwards, 25 defencemen, and 16 goaltenders) born in 2001 participated in the weekend events which featured both off and on-ice components with results distributed to every OHL member team General Manager to assist in their evaluation for this Saturday’s draft.

“It’s a great opportunity for the players to showcase their athletic abilities and is a big evaluation opportunity for our members teams,” said Joe Birch, OHL Senior Director of Hockey Development and Special Events. “The results provide a benchmark which gives players an idea of where they stand among their peers to help push their own personal development.”

Saturday’s off-ice drills included the traditional Broad Jump, Hand Grip, 20M Sprint, 5-10-5 Sprints, and Wingate, along with new skills tests this season which included Pull-Ups, Squat, Drop, and Counter Movement Jumps, and 1080 Sprint technology adding resistance to measure power and force.  On-ice testing drills included a 30M Sprint Forward with and without the puck, 30M Backwards with and without the puck, Weave Agility with and without the puck, and Transition Agility with and without the puck.  The 1080 Sprint technology was also introduced as a new on-ice component.  All tests were performed with players wearing Zephyr Heart Rate Monitors.

Sunday’s action featured both 5-on-5 and 3-on-3 competition bringing an end to the two-day event.  All four teams were joined behind the bench by special guest coaches that included OHL grads Paul Ranger, Luca Caputi and Matt Corrente as well as members of OHL Central Scouting and team personnel.

Team Subban was crowned 2017 OHL Combine Champions, accumulating the most points based on overall testing results combined with Sunday’s in-game play.

“I was proud of the way the guys pulled together,” said Team Subban coach Luca Caputi, an OHL graduate who now serves as an assistant coach with the Guelph Storm. “These guys knew it was their last chance to leave an impression on scouts and general managers before the draft and they all did a great job.”

The 2017 OHL Priority Selection takes place on Saturday April 8 beginning at 9:00 am.

2017 OHL Development Combine Testing Results:

Off-Ice Testing Top Performers:

Top 5 Forwards:
1. Ryan Campbell (Cambridge Hawks) (Team Lindros)
2. Kurtis Evans (Central Ontario Wolves) (Team Lindros)
3. Mitchell Russell (Barrie Jr. Colts) (Team Stamkos)
4. Jalen Balbosa (York Simcoe Express) (Team Stamkos)
5. Nicholas Porco (Vaughan Kings) (Team Stamkos)

Top 5 Defencemen:
1. Christian De Giorgis (Toronto Marlboros) (Team Lindros)
2. Robert Calisti (Toronto Nationals) (Team Ekblad)
3. Liam Ross (Mississauga Reps) (Team Subban)
4. Mark Woolley (Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs) (Team Subban)
5. Duncan Penman (Mississauga Rebels) (Team Ekblad)

Top 5 Goaltenders:
1. David Cunti (Toronto Titans) (Team Stamkos)
2. Cameron Carvalho (Toronto Marlboros) (Team Lindros)
3. Aidan Pitre (Sun County Panthers) (Team Stamkos)
4. Matthew Dunsmoor (Guelph Jr. Gryphons) (Team Ekblad)
5. Cyrus Martin (Waterloo Wolves) (Team Lindros)

On-Ice Testing Top Performers:

Top 5 Forwards:
1. Mitchell Russell (Barrie Jr. Colts) (Team Stamkos)
2. Joseph Carroll (Carleton Place Canadians U18) (Team Lindros)
3. Ethan Keppen (Toronto Nationals) (Team Ekblad)
4. Nicholas Porco (Vaughan Kings) (Team Stamkos)
5. Kurtis Evans (Central Ontario Wolves) (Team Lindros)

Top 5 Defencemen:
1. Christian De Giorgis (Toronto Marlboros) (Team Lindros)
2. Mark Woolley (Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs) (Team Subban)
3. Liam Ross (Mississauga Reps) (Team Subban)
4. Klim Georgiev (Mississauga Reps) (Team Lindros)
5. Mitchell Brewer (Halton Hurricanes) (Team Lindros)

2017 OHL Development Combine Game Results:

Game 1: Team Stamkos (Blue) 5 vs. Team Lindros (Red) 3

Stamkos Goals: Blake Murray (2) (Whitby Wildcats), Curtis Fabbro (Ottawa Jr. Senators U18), Jalen Balbosa (York-Simcoe Express), Evan Brand (Mississauga Rebels) — Luke Cavallin, 0 GA (Kemptville 73’s U18), David Cunti, 3 GA (Toronto Titans). Lindros Goals: Alex Dominique (Toronto Titans), Nicholas Chartrand (Cumberland Grads U18), Bill Constantinou (Toronto Marlboros) — Cameron Carvalho, 0 GA (Toronto Marlboros), Ethan Taylor, 5 GA (Quinte Red Devils)

Game 2: Team Subban (White) 6 vs. Team Ekblad (Orange) 5 – SO

Subban Goals: Brandon Coe (3, Shootout Winner) (Toronto Nationals), Nate Allensen (Waterloo Wolves), Ryan Stepien (Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs) — Owen Say, 2 GA (London Jr. Knights), Zachary Paputsakis, 3 GA (Cumberland Grads U18). Ekblad Goals: Tye Kartye (Kingston Jr. Frontenacs), Jamieson Rees (Mississauga Reps), Connor McMichael (Ajax-Pickering Raiders), Ethan Keppen (Toronto Nationals), Alexandre Hogue (Cumberland Grads U18) — Matt Dunsmoor, 2 GA (Guelph Jr. Gryphons), Zach Roy, 3 GA (Toronto Nationals)

Game 3: Team Subban (White) 6 vs. Team Lindros (Red) 1

Subban Goals: Ian Martin (2) (Ajax-Pickering Raiders), Hayden Fowler (Kingston Jr. Frontenacs), Alex Johnston (Kanata Lasers U18), Andrew Horsley (Brampton 45’s), Jordan Stock (Hamilton Huskies) — Joe Howe, 0 GA (Toronto Jr. Canadiens), Christian Cicigoi, 1 GA (Thunder Bay Kings). Lindros Goals: Mason Dreger (Whitby Wildcats) — Cyrus Martin, 2 GA (Waterloo Wolves), Ethan Langevin, 4 GA (Whitby Wildcats)

Game 4: Team Ekblad (Orange) 11 vs. Team Stamkos (Blue) 6

Ekblad Goals: Jamieson Rees (4) (Mississauga Reps), Aidan Prueter (2) (London Jr. Knights), Alexandre Charlebois (Cumberland Grads U18), Ethan Keppen (Toronto Nationals), Tanner McEachern (Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs), Connor McMichael (Ajax-Pickering Raiders), Alexandre Hogue (Cumberland Grads U18) — Brody Bernard, 3 GA (Smiths Falls Bears U18), Owen Robertson, 3 GA (Mississauga Rebels). Stamkos Goals: Ty Gilberds (Vaughan Kings), Mitchell Russell (Barrie Jr. Colts), Nicholas Porco (Vaughan Kings), Dennis Golovatchev (Mississauga Reps), Grayson Ladd (Chatham-Kent Cyclones), Carson Eden (Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs) — Aidan Pitre, 5 GA (Sun County Panthers), Logan Stein, 6 GA (TPH Thunder U16)

Final Team Standings:
Team Subban (White) =  596 Testing + 130 Games = 726 Points
Team Stamkos (Blue) =  522 Testing + 95 Games = 617 Points
Team Ekblad (Orange) = 502 Testing + 45 Games = 547 Points
Team Lindros (Red) = 454 Testing + 60 Games = 514 Points

Standings are based on a point system where individual player testing results contributed to the team’s total score.  Players are ranked by position and scored according to rank (1-36 for forwards, 1-25 for defencemen, 1-16 for goalies). During Sunday’s games teams scored 10 points per half win, 25 points per game win, and 50 points per shutout.

2017 OHL Combine Champion Team Subban:

Goaltenders:

78 Joseph Howe (Toronto Jr. Canadiens)
79 Christian Cicigoi (Thunder Bay Kings)
80 Owen Say (London Jr. Knights)
81 Zachary Paputsakis (Cumberland Grads U18)

Defencemen:
18 Nathan Allensen (Waterloo Wolves)
19 Mark Woolley (Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs)
20 Liam Ross (Mississauga Reps)
21 Kyle Sullivan (Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs)
22 Simon Rose (Pembroke Lumber Kings U18)
23 Drew Wawrow (Brampton 45’s)

Forwards:
24 Ethan Doyle (Whitby Wildcats)
25 Brandon Coe (Toronto Nationals)
26 Hayden Fowler (Kingston Jr. Frontenacs)
27 Ryan Stepien (Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs)
28 Matthew Gordon (Guelph Jr. Gryphons)
29 Ian Martin (Ajax-Pickering Raiders)
30 Alex Johnston (Kanata Lasers U18)
31 Jordan Stock (Hamilton Huskies)
32 Andrew Horsley (Brampton 45’s)

 Coaches:
Luca Caputi (Assistant Coach, Guelph Storm)
Frank Evola (Head Scout, Oshawa Generals)

CLICK HERE FOR FULL #OHLCOMBINE ROSTERS

For more information about OHL Combine testing, please read the Sportsnet.ca article How the OHL is poised to change the way combines are run by David Singh.

Gabriel Vilardi – Windsor Spitfires – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 200 pounds

Date of birth: August 16, 1999

Hometown: Kingston, Ontario

Position: Center/Wing

Shoots: Right

OHL Draft: Round 1, 2nd overall, 2015 Priority Selection

Windsor Spitfires forward Gabriel Vilardi played his Minor Midget AAA hockey for the CIHA Voyageurs during the 2014-2015 season in which he scored 18 goals and 21 assists in 21 games. The CIHA is the Canadian International Hockey Academy, a premier hockey prep school in Eastern Ontario. He was named the Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO) Player of the Year.

Gabriel Vilardi of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Gabriel Vilardi of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

At the OHL Gold Cup, Vilardi appeared in 5 games scoring 4 goals and adding 5 assists. He would win gold at the World Hockey Challenge Under-17 with Team Canada White. In 6 games at the tournament, he scored 4 goals and added 3 assists. Windsor would make Vilardi the second overall pick at the 2015 Ontario Hockey League’s Priority Selection.

Last season, his rookie year with Windsor, Vilardi appeared in 62 games and scored 17 goals while adding 21 assists. He received some quality powerplay time and scored 4 goals while adding 7 assists on the PP. He was named to the OHL Second All-Rookie Team.

Everything pointed to an excellent draft year for Vilardi. But a knee injury he suffered at Team Canada’s camp kept him out of the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and delayed the start of his OHL season. On November 21, 2016, he underwent an emergency appendectomy and would miss the next 5 weeks.

Despite the time missed, Vilardi still managed to put up 29 goals and 32 assists in 49 regular season games and finished among the top ten among draft eligible players in goals, points and faceoff winning percentage. Despite being a natural center, he spent a lot of time on the wing for the Spitfires.

If he isn’t already, Vilardi is the closest draft eligible player in the OHL to being NHL ready. There are issues with his skating, but it isn’t a huge issue that can prevent him from success at the NHL level. Overall and first step speed is lacking, but if he puts in the necessary work, it’s an area that he can certainly improve.

Vilardi’s game is solid in all three zones. He puts the effort required in the defensive zone and puts himself in position to defend. In the neutral zone, he anticipates well and can create turnovers. Despite being above average defensively, his bread and butter comes from offense.

Vilardi’s vision and hockey sense is above average. He’s at his best with the puck on his stick as he can control the play in the o-zone. He has the size and strength to be able to keep control in battles along the wall or down low. And he has both the playmaking abilities to set up teammates or to score on his own. Simply, he makes everyone around him better.

The question that pops up most regarding Vilardi is: Is his game better suited for wing or center? There is no question he has the size, playmaking skills, vision and smarts to be a center in the NHL. If he can improve his foot speed, he’ll be successful at the position. I wouldn’t bet against him at any position.

Vilardi represented Canada at the Canada/Russia Super Series and participated at the Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game

On NHL Central scouting’s mid-term rankings, Vilardi was ranked third among North American Skaters. On Bob McKenzie’s mid-term rankings, Vilardi was ranked 4th overall.

Gabriel Vilardi

This is the profile page of Gabriel Vilardi at Elite Prospects

 

OHL Announces Disciplinary Action

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Press Release

The Ontario Hockey League today announced the results of a review of an incident which took place in a playoff game played in Oshawa on the 31st of March, 2017, involving the Generals and the visiting Sudbury Wolves Hockey Club.

The incident reviewed was a 5 minute major and game misconduct for cross checking assessed to player Michael Pezzetta of the Sudbury Wolves Hockey Club.

Based on a review of the incident, it is the position of the League that player Michael Pezzetta shall be suspended for two (2) games effective immediately.

Around the Ontario Hockey League

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Mike McKenzie named General Manager of the Kitchener Rangers

The Kitchener Rangers announced today that Mike McKenzie has been named General Manager of the Club, while Murray Hiebert will now assume the role of Director of Hockey Operations; effective immediately.

The role of assistant general manager previously held by McKenzie will remain vacant.

McKenzie was hired as an assistant coach of the Rangers in 2012 under then head coach, Steve Spott. He spent three seasons in that role before being promoted to assistant coach/assistant general manager ahead of the 2015-16 season.

As general manager, McKenzie will be responsible for all elements of Rangers’ scouting, including the upcoming OHL Priority Selection, OHL Under-18 Priority Selection and 2017 CHL Import Draft.

Further to those duties, McKenzie will oversee areas of player management, trades, and hockey operations staffing, as well as address any media obligations that arise.

As Director of Hockey Operations, Hiebert will continue to play a major part in Rangers’ scouting at both the OHL and OHL Priority Selection levels. He will also focus on the implementation and execution of player education plans, as well as serve as a liaison between the team and the Ontario Hockey League.

Full story 

Breaking down new benchmarks set in 2016-17

Several teams will have updates to make in their respective team record books over the summer after a number of new records were set across the league on team and individual levels.

The Erie Otters were in the headlines often throughout the 2016-17 campaign, seemingly setting new records every few weeks. Dylan Strome, Alex DeBrincat and Darren Raddysh all re-wrote franchise records as the Otters made Canadian Hockey League history, earning their second straight Hamilton Spectator Trophy and third consecutive Midwest Division title in the process.

There’s all that and more below! Here’s a look at new benchmarks set during this past season.

Full story

Owen Tippett – Mississauga Steelheads – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 204 pounds

Date of birth: February 16, 1999

Hometown: Peterborough, Ontario

Position: Right Wing

Shoots: Right

OHL Draft: Round 1, 4th overall, 2015 Priority Selection

Mississauga Steelheads’ right winger Owen Tippett played his minor midget hockey during the 2014-2015 season and captained the Toronto Red Wings while potting 52 goals and 35 assists in 50 games. He represented Team GTHL at the OHL-Gold Cup where he provided 3 helpers in 5 games. The Steelheads would select Tippett fourth overall at the 2015 Ontario Hockey League’s Priority Selection.

Last season, Tippett’s rookie season in the OHL, he scored 15 goals and 5 assists in 48 games. He was named to the OHL’s First All-Rookie Team at the end of the season. He also represented Canada White at the World Hockey Challenge Under-17. His 5 goals and 3 assists in 6 games helped Canada win gold and he was named to the tournament’s all-star team. He would also represent Canada at the World Junior Championships Under-18 and in 7 games scored once and added 2 assists.

Owen Tippett of the Mississauga Steelheads. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Owen Tippett of the Mississauga Steelheads. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Tippett’s 2016-2017 began last August representing Canada once again at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. He scored one goal and one assist in 4 games. He would add to his international experience during the season as he represented the OHL at the Canada/Russia Super Series where he had 2 assists in the game.

Tippett also participated in the Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects game and scored a goal and an assist for Team Cherry as his squad beat Team Orr 7-5.

Tippett would finish this season with 44 goals and 31 assists in 60 games for the Steelheads. Among the OHL’s draft eligible players, his 44 goals and 75 points were good enough for third in each category. He also finished eighth in plus/minus, had the longest goal scoring streak with 11 goals in 6 games as well as the longest point streak with 21 points in 12 games, and finished second in shots on goal.

In a recent nhl.com article, Tippett compared himself to Pittsburgh Penguins forward Phil Kessel.

Tippett may just be the hardest player to defend against when talking about the OHL’s draft eligible players. And there are some similarities to Kessel. His shot is elite level and he gets it off with an explosive release. He has power and velocity behind his shot with an ability to beat goaltenders cleanly.

Tippett is also an excellent skater possessing both an excellent first step and top end speed. He uses his speed effectively to force defenders back on their heels, beat them one-on-one, and then drive to the net. He also can release his lethal shot while at top speed. Without the puck, he uses his speed to separate himself from defenders and get himself into open ice allowing his teammates an option.

Pure goal scorers like Tippett are few and far between. And like most players at this stage, he doesn’t come without things he can improve on. While he has all the tools, and the size to go with it which makes him a force all over the ice, he doesn’t always make the right decisions. He could certainly use his teammates more effectively, and once he does that he could become an even greater offensive force. I think in some circles, his hockey IQ comes into question because of that, but I think he just needs to learn that he doesn’t always have to be the “go-to” guy, especially at the NHL level when he’s surrounded by talented players.

Throughout the season on various rankings, Tippett has been in a see-saw battle with Windsor Spitfires’ Gabriel Vilardi on who will be the first player chosen from the OHL. Either way, you can’t go wrong.

Tippett was ranked fourth on NHL Central Scouting’s mid-term rankings among North American skaters in January. On Bob McKenzie’s mid-term rankings, Tippett was ranked sixth overall.

On January 19, 2017, Tippett appeared on OHL News – Radio Edition with Terry Doyle. You can listen to that here:

Owen Tippett

This is the profile page of Owen Tippett at Elite Prospects

 

OHL Writers Draft Eligible Player of the Month for March

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Yes, it’s April 1st, but this is no April Fools joke. My Ontario Hockey League’s draft eligible player of the month for March is Kingston Frontenac’s Jason Robertson.

This was a close one, and one thing tipped the scales in Robertson’s favor: The amount of the Frontenac’s offense he provided.

Jason Robertson of the Kingston Frontenacs. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Jason Robertson of the Kingston Frontenacs. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Robertson finished the regular season with 9 goals and 9 assists in 9 games for the month of March. He tallied a total of 42 goals and 39 assists while playing in all 68 regular season games. He was far and away the leader in goals and points for the Frontenacs while being tied for tops in assists.

What is truly amazing is that Robertson scored 23.5% of the Frontenacs’ regular season goals and he has been in on 45.3% of his club’s goals.

Robertson has carried on where he left off in the playoffs as the Frontenacs currently lead the Hamilton Bulldogs 3 games to two in the opening round. Robertson leads his squad with 3 goals and 5 assists through 5 games, leaving him tied for fourth in the OHL.

Robertson led the way in March with 12 goals and 14 assists through 14 games.

Not to be outdone however was Owen Sound Attack top prospect Nick Suzuki.

In the 9 games in the month of March to finish out the regular season, Suzuki found the back of the net 11 times while setting up his teammates for 6 tallies. He would finish the regular season with 45 goals and 51 assists. His 96 points were second only to Petrus Palmu (98 points) for the Attack.

Like Robertson, Suzuki continued where he left off during the Attack’s 5 game elimination of the Kitchener Rangers. Suzuki notched 4 goals and 6 assists and his 10 points are once again second on the club to Palmu.

Suzuki finished the month of March with 15 goals and 12 assists in 14 games.

Previously

February – Nick Suzuki – Owen Sound Attack

January – Owen Tippett – Mississauga Steelheads

December – Michael DiPietro, Windsor Spitfires

November – Nick Suzuki, Owen Sound Attack

October – Gabriel Vilardi – Windsor Spitfires

September – Greg Meireles – Kitchener Rangers

OHL Announces Disciplinary Action

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Press Release

Game of Thursday, March 30th, 2017 – Mississauga at Ottawa

The Ontario Hockey League today announced the results of two reviews of incidents which took place in a game played in Ottawa on the 30th of March, 2017, involving the 67’s and the visiting Mississauga Steelheads Hockey Club.

The first incident reviewed was a game misconduct assessed to player Kyle Auger of the Ottawa 67’s Hockey Club as the result of leaving the player’s bench during an altercation for the purpose of starting an altercation.

Based on such review, and as per League policy, player Kyle Auger shall be automatically suspended two (2) games, Head Coach Jeff Brown shall be automatically suspended two (2) games, and the Ottawa 67’s Hockey Club is fined $1,000.00.

The second incident reviewed was an aggressor game misconduct penalty assessed to player Nicolas Hague of the Mississauga Steelheads Hockey Club.

Based on a preliminary review of the incident, it is the position of the League that player Nicolas Hague shall be suspended indefinitely pending a completion of the review by the League.

Details Announced for 2017 OHL Development Combine

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

·       Combine includes 77 top prospects eligible for the 2017 OHL Priority Selection

·       Media are invited to Oshawa’s Tribute Communities Centre for Photo/ENG opportunities, please RSVP for Interviews

OHL Combine

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the rosters and schedule for the 2017 OHL Development Combine which takes place April 1-2 at the Tribute Communities Centre In Oshawa, ON.

The Combine offers 77 players (36 forwards, 25 defencemen, and 16 goaltenders) born in 2001 the opportunity to showcase themselves both on and off the ice to OHL member team personnel.  Sport Testing results will be distributed to every OHL member team General Manager to assist in their evaluation for the OHL Priority Selection to be held on Saturday, April 8, 2017.

“This year’s OHL Combine will feature an improved and advanced use of technology,” said Joe Birch, OHL Senior Director of Player Development and Special Events. “By collecting more data that measures elements such as power, velocity, agility, and strength, we can better assist the players in their own personal development while providing more resources for evaluation by OHL member teams.”

This year’s off and on-ice testing will be conducted by Elite Training Systems in partnership with The Park Sports Facility Inc.  In addition to Saturday’s testing, players will partake in a seminar that focuses on proper Nutrition and Training for elite athletes led by Oshawa Generals Strength Coach, Kevin Chapman.  Generals Player Development Skills Coach, Anthony Cornacchia, will lead the teams during the Skills Practice portion of their on-ice time, while OHL Goaltending Consultant, Rick Wamsley, and members of the league’s Goaltending Advisory Board will lead goalie specific on-ice and classroom sessions aimed at development.  Participants will open the weekend by experiencing the OHL Playoffs when the Generals host the Sudbury Wolves on Friday night.

“Elite Training Systems is excited to work with The Park Sports Facility to bring the OHL a more advanced version of the combine,” said Mark Fitzgerald, Owner and Head of Performance at ETS. “Since day one ETS has been involved in the development of this program and continues to find ways to deliver quality information to the athletes and coaches. Introducing some new technology this year will help present a clearer picture of athletic performance and the athlete’s ability to perform on the ice.”

Players will also compete in a series of 5-on-5 and 3-on-3 games on Sunday joined behind the bench by special guest coaches that include OHL graduates Paul Beraldo, Luca Caputi, Matt Corrente, and Paul Ranger, along with member team personnel.  All games are available online at http://hockeytv.com.

Teams will be competing for the OHL Combine Cup Championship that awards points based on individual and team performances in both off and on-ice testing, as well as Sunday’s game results.

The 2017 event marks the tenth straight year the OHL has hosted a skills development day for players and goaltenders in advance of the OHL Priority Selection.  Last season’s OHL Development Combine featured seven players chosen in the first round of the Priority Selection including Connor Roberts (3rd to HAM), Ty Dellandrea (5th to FLNT), Barrett Hayton (9th to SSM), Adam McMaster (13th to NB), Tyler Tucker (14th to BAR), Nathan Dunkley (17th to KGN), Liam Foudy (18th to LDN).  McMaster, Tucker, and Foudy were all members of the Combine Cup Champion Team Black.

 2017 OHL Development Combine Schedule:

Saturday April 1:
8:15 am to 9:15 am – Goalies Off-Ice Testing
9:30 am to 10:30 am – Team Stamkos (Blue) Off-Ice Testing
10:45 am to 11:45 am – Team Lindros (Red) Off-Ice Testing
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm – Team Ekblad (Orange) Off-Ice Testing
1:15 pm to 2:15 pm – Team Subban (White) Off-Ice Testing

12:00 pm to 1:15 pm – Team Subban and Team Stamkos Goalie On-Ice Skills and Practice
1:30 pm to 2:45 pm – Team Lindros and Team Ekblad Goalie On-Ice Skills and Practice

3:00 pm to 4:15 pm – Team Lindros (Red) On-Ice Testing and Skills Practice
4:30 pm to 5:45 pm – Team Ekblad (Orange) On-Ice Testing and Skills Practice
6:00 pm to 7:15 pm – Team Subban (White) On-Ice Testing and Skills Practice
7:30 pm to 8:45 pm – Team Stamkos (Blue) On-Ice Testing and Skills Practice

Sunday April 2:
8:15 am to 9:15 am – Team Stamkos (Blue) vs. Team Lindros (Red)
9:30 am to 10:30 am – Team Ekblad (Orange) vs. Team Subban (White)
12:55 pm to 2:00 pm – Team Red (Lindros) vs. Team Subban (White)
2:25 pm to 3:30 pm – Team Stamkos (Blue) vs. Team Ekblad (Orange)

2017 OHL Development Combine Rosters:

TEAM STAMKOS (BLUE)

Goaltenders:
82 David Cunti (Toronto Titans)
83 Luke Cavallin (Kemptville 73’s U18)
84 Logan Stein (TPH Thunder U16)
85 Aidan Pitre (Sun County Panthers)

Defencemen:
3 Noah Beck (Markham Majors)
4 Evan Brand (Mississauga Rebels)
5 Thomas Harley (Vaughan Kings)
6 Ford Ondrovic (Ottawa Jr. Senators U18)
7 Grayson Ladd (Chatham-Kent Cyclones)
8 Joe Kennedy (Toronto Red Wings)

Forwards:
9 Jalen Balbosa (York-Simcoe Express)
10 Curtis Fabbro (Ottawa Jr. Senators U18)
11 Nicholas Porco (Vaughan Kings)
12 Blake Murray (Whitby Wildcats)
13 Mitchell Russell (Barrie Jr. Colts)
14 Dennis Golovatchev (Mississauga Reps)
15 Brayden Guy (Brampton 45’s)
16 Carson Eden (Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs)
17 Ty Gilberds (Vaughan Kings)

Coaches:
Paul Ranger (Graduate, Oshawa Generals)
Matt Turek (Director of Player Personnel, Hamilton Bulldogs)

TEAM SUBBAN (WHITE)

Goaltenders:
78 Joseph Howe (Toronto Jr. Canadiens)
79 Christian Cicigoi (Thunder Bay Kings)
80 Owen Say (London Jr. Knights)
81 Zachary Paputsakis (Cumberland Grads U18)

Defencemen:
18 Nathan Allensen (Waterloo Wolves)
19 Mark Woolley (Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs)
20 Liam Ross (Mississauga Reps)
21 Kyle Sullivan (Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs)
22 Simon Rose (Pembroke Lumber Kings U18)
23 Drew Wawrow (Brampton 45’s)

Forwards:
24 Ethan Doyle (Whitby Wildcats)
25 Brandon Coe (Toronto Nationals)
26 Hayden Fowler (Kingston Jr. Frontenacs)
27 Ryan Stepien (Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs)
28 Matthew Gordon (Guelph Jr. Gryphons)
29 Ian Martin (Ajax-Pickering Raiders)
30 Alex Johnston (Kanata Lasers U18)
31 Jordan Stock (Hamilton Huskies)
32 Andrew Horsley (Brampton 45’s)

Coaches:
Luca Caputi (Assistant Coach, Guelph Storm)
Frank Evola (Head Scout, Oshawa Generals)

TEAM LINDROS (RED)

Goaltenders:
70 Cameron Carvalho (Toronto Marlboros)
71 Cyrus Martin (Waterloo Wolves)
72 Ethan Taylor (Quinte Red Devils)
73 Ethan Langevin (Whitby Wildcats)

Defencemen:
33 Mitchell Brewer (Halton Hurricanes)
34 Klim Georgiev (Mississauga Reps)
35 Christian De Giorgis (Toronto Marlboros)
36 Cameron Supryka (Quinte Red Devils)
37 Xavier Henry (Toronto Titans)
38 Bill Constantinou (Toronto Marlboros)

Forwards:
39 Ryan Campbell (Cambridge Hawks)
40 Mason Dreger (Whitby Wildcats)
41 Joseph Carroll (Carleton Place Canadians U18)
42 Owen Belisle (Thunder Bay Kings)
43 Kurtis Evans (Central Ontario Wolves)
44 Emmett Sproule (Grey-Bruce Highlanders)
45 Keean Washkurak (Waterloo Wolves)
46 Alex Dominique (Toronto Titans)
47 Nicholas Chartrand (Cumberland Grads U18)

Coaches:
Paul Beraldo (Area Scout, Hamilton Bulldogs)
Beau Moyer (Director of Player Development, Kingston Frontenacs)

TEAM EKBLAD (ORANGE)

Goaltenders:
74 Zach Roy (Toronto Nationals)
75 Brody Bernard (Smiths Falls Bears U18)
76 Owen Robertson (Mississauga Rebels)
77 Matthew Dunsmoor (Guelph Jr. Gryphons)

Defencemen:
48 Robert Calisti (Toronto Nationals)
49 Lucas Peric (Halton Hurricanes)
50 Alexandre Hogue (Cumberland Grads U18)
51 Mason Howard (London Jr. Knights)
52 Duncan Penman (Mississauga Rebels)
53 Aidan McLeod (Brantford 99ers)
86 Alexandre Charlebois (Cumberland Grads U18)

Forwards:
54 Jeff Burridge (London Jr. Knights)
55 Eric Ciccolini (Vaughan Kings)
56 Connor McMichael (Ajax-Pickering Raiders)
57 Aidan Prueter (London Jr. Knights)
58 Tanner McEachern (Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs)
59 Tye Kartye (Kingston Jr. Frontenacs)
60 Ethan Keppen (Toronto Nationals)
61 Jamieson Rees (Mississauga Reps)
62 Michael Andrews (Quinte Red Devils)

Coaches:
Matt Corrente (Graduate, Niagara IceDogs)
Justin Collins (Area Scout, Hamilton Bulldogs)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PRINTABLE ROSTERS AND SCHEDULE

For more information about OHL Combine testing, please read the Sportsnet.ca article How the OHL is poised to change the way combines are run by David Singh.

OHL Announces 2016-17 Awards Finalists

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

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Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the finalists for seven of the league’s major awards for the 2016-17 regular season.

Six of the seven awards are voted on by OHL Member Teams including Rookie of the Year, Overage Player of the Year, Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Goaltender of the Year, and Defenceman of the Year.

Teams were asked to submit one nominee from their club for consideration on the ballot and were not permitted to vote for the player from their own hockey club.  The first stage of voting was by conference only with the top three players from each conference making the final ballot which is voted on by all 20 OHL General Managers.

All finalists for the Red Tilson Trophy were also nominated by the Member Teams of the Ontario Hockey League as their Most Outstanding Player for the 2016-17 regular season.  The Red Tilson Trophy is voted on by the sports writers and broadcasters in the OHL.

2016-17 OHL Awards Finalists:

Rookie of the Year / Emms Family Award Finalists:

Allan McShane (Oshawa Generals)
Ryan Merkley (Guelph Storm)
Linus Nyman (Kingston Frontenacs)
Adam Ruzicka (Sarnia Sting)
Akil Thomas (Niagara IceDogs)
Matthew Villalta (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

Overage Player of the Year / Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy Finalists:

Jeremy Brodeur (Oshawa Generals)
Santino Centorame (Owen Sound Attack)
Steven Lorentz (Peterborough Petes)
Bobby MacIntyre (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Ryan Mantha (Niagara IceDogs)
Darren Raddysh (Erie Otters)

Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year / William Hanley Trophy Finalists:

Lucas Chiodo (Barrie Colts)
Joseph Garreffa (Kitchener Rangers)
Nikita Korostelev (Peterborough Petes)
Jason Robertson (Kingston Frontenacs)
Nick Suzuki (Owen Sound Attack)
Robert Thomas (London Knights)

Coach of the Year / Matt Leyden Trophy Finalists:

Drew Bannister (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
David Bell (Niagara IceDogs)
Jody Hull (Peterborough Petes)
Bob Jones (Oshawa Generals)
Kris Knoblauch (Erie Otters)
Ryan McGill (Owen Sound Attack)

Goaltender of the Year Award Finalists:

Jeremy Brodeur (Oshawa Generals)
Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)
Jeremy Helvig (Kingston Frontenacs)
Michael McNiven (Owen Sound Attack)
Tyler Parsons (London Knights)
Dylan Wells (Peterborough Petes)

Defenceman of the Year / Max Kaminsky Trophy Finalists:

Santino Centorame (Owen Sound Attack)
Ryan Mantha (Niagara IceDogs)
Darren Raddysh (Erie Otters)
Vili Saarijarvi (Mississauga Steelheads)
Mikhail Sergachev (Windsor Spitfires)
Matthew Timms (Peterborough Petes)

Most Outstanding Player of the Year / Red Tilson Trophy Finalists:

Barrie – Anthony Stefano
Erie – Alex DeBrincat
Flint – Ryan Moore
Guelph – Isaac Ratcliffe
Hamilton – Matthew Strome
Kingston – Jason Robertson
Kitchener – Adam Mascherin
London – Tyler Parsons
Mississauga – Owen Tippett
Niagara – Stephen Dhillon
North Bay – Brett McKenzie
Oshawa – Jeremy Brodeur
Ottawa – Artur Tyanulin
Owen Sound – Michael McNiven
Peterborough – Dylan Wells
Saginaw – Filip Hronek
Sarnia – Jordan Kyrou
Sault Ste. Marie – Zach Senyshyn
Sudbury – Dmitry Sokolov
Windsor – Michael DiPietro

The 2017 OHL Awards Ceremony takes place on Thursday June 8 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, however award recipients will be announced periodically throughout the remainder of the 2017 OHL Playoffs.  Additional player awards to be announced include Humanitarian of the Year, Academic Players of the Year, and the 2016-17 Mickey Renaud Captain’s Trophy recipient.

Pats’ Sam Steel named CHL Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Anaheim Ducks prospect Sam Steel of the Regina Pats is the CHL Player of the Week for the first week of playoff action ending March 26 after scoring once with five assists for six points in two games and a plus-minus rating of plus-5.

Steel, Sam
Sam Steel of the Regina Pats was selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the first round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft in Buffalo, NY on Friday June 24, 2016. Photo by Aaron Bell/CHL Images

Steel helped the CHL’s top ranked Pats open the 2017 WHL Playoffs with a pair of victories on home ice against the Eastern Conference’s second Wild Card Calgary Hitmen in their first round best-of-seven series.  Steel picked up an assist in Friday’s 5-2 victory in Game 1, then recorded a five-point performance in Saturday’s Game 2 scoring once with four assists as first star of the 5-1 win.  The series now shifts to Calgary with Game 3 scheduled for Tuesday night followed by Game 4 on Thursday.

A 19-year-old from Sherwood Park, AB, Steel is playing in his third full season with the Pats who selected him second overall in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft.  Steel led all CHL players in scoring during the 2016-17 campaign earning the WHL’s Bob Clarke Trophy with 131 points powered by 50 goals and 81 assists in 66 games.  He was chosen in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft by the Ducks and signed his entry-level contract with the club in December.

Also considered for the award this week was Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Anthony Cirelli of the OHL’s first place Erie Otters who scored three goals and two assists for five points in two first round playoff wins against the Sarnia Sting.  In the QMJHL, Nashville Predators prospect Frédéric Allard of the Chicoutimi Sagueneens collected five assists in two first round playoff wins against the Victoriaville Tigres.

2016-17 CHL Post-Season Players of the Week:
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)

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