DARREN RUMBLE TO LEAD CANADA’S NATIONAL MEN’S UNDER-18 TEAM AT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Press Release

CHL’s Rumble selected as head coach, assisted by Steve Hamilton and Stéphane Julien 

Hockey Canada

CALGARY, Alta. – Darren Rumble (Barrie, Ont./Moncton, QMJHL) returns to the Hockey Canada Program of Excellence men’s under-18 program, this time as Team Canada’s head coach at the 2017 IIHF U18 World Championship.

Rumble, an assistant coach with Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup in 2015 and 2016, winning gold in his first appearance, will be assisted by Steve Hamilton (Edmonton/Edmonton, WHL) and Stéphane Julien (Shawinigan, Que./Sherbrooke, QMJHL).

Rounding out this year’s coaching staff are Jory Stuparyk (Vermilion, Alta./Edmonton, WHL) as video coach, and Fred Brathwaite (Ottawa/Hockey Canada) as goaltending consultant.

“The experience this coaching staff has with short tournaments like a world championship is important because the approach and preparation is completely different,” said Scott Salmond, vice-president of hockey operations and national teams. “We’ve had Darren working with our National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team for the past two years, and Steve has been part of the Under-17 program as a coach for Team Pacific. We’re confident that together with Stéphane, Jory, and Fred they will ensure that our players are ready to compete for gold next month in Slovakia.”

Rumble’s head-coaching experience spans two seasons with the AHL’s Norfolk Admirals, and he just finished his fourth season with the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL. In addition to his experience with Team Canada at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup, Rumble was an assistant coach at the 2013 IIHF World Championship, Division II with Iceland, winning bronze. His playing career included 193 NHL games with Ottawa, Philadelphia, St. Louis, and Tampa Bay, as well as stints in the AHL and IHL. Rumble also played three seasons with the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers.

Hamilton coached at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, as both assistant coach then head coach for Team Pacific, and was tapped as assistant coach for the WHL All-Stars during Canada/Russia Series last fall. He joined the Edmonton Oil Kings as an assistant coach for the 2010-11 season following five seasons as general manager and head coach in the Alberta Junior Hockey League – with the Fort Saskatchewan Traders (2005-06) and Spruce Grove Saints (2006-10). Hamilton was promoted to head coach of the Oil Kings before the start of the 2014-15 season.

Julien joined the QMJHL’s Sherbrooke Phoenix as assistant coach for the 2012-13 season following his final season as a player in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) in Germany. He was promoted to head coach midway through the 2015-16 season. Julien’s playing career included five seasons in the QMJHL (1990-95) with Trois-Rivières and Sherbrooke, and 18 seasons of professional hockey in France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland Austria. He won the Emile Bouchard Trophy as QMJHL defenceman of the year in 1994-95.

Hockey Canada’s director of player personnel, Ryan Jankowski, and the coaching staff will select Canada’s roster for the upcoming 2017 IIHF U18 World Championship. The roster will include players whose CHL teams either missed the playoffs or are no longer competing in the postseason.

Canada opens the 2017 IIHF U18 World Championship on April 13 against Latvia; it will also play Finland, Slovakia and Switzerland in preliminary-round action. TSN, the official broadcast partner of Hockey Canada, is broadcasting 12 games, including all of Team Canada’s match-ups at the IIHF U18 World Championship.

 Canada has won seven medals at the IIHF U18 World Championship, including three gold medals (2003, 2008, 2013).

For more information on Hockey Canada and the Program of Excellence, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow along via social media on Facebook, Twitter, and Twitter.com/HC_Men.

Marian Studenic – Hamilton Bulldogs – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height: 6’0”

Weight: 165 pounds

Date of birth: October 28, 1998

Hometown: Holic, Slovakia

Position: Right Wing

Shoots: Left

OHL Draft: Round 1, 11th overall, CHL Import Draft

The Hamilton Bulldogs selected Marian Studenic with the eleventh overall pick at the 2016 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft. One season ago, Studenic was playing in Slovakia’s top league with HK 36 Skalica. He appeared in 35 games recording 8 goals and 8 assists.

Internationally, Studenic has represented Slovakia at the World Hockey Challenge Under-17, World Junior Championship Under-18, the Ivan Hlinka Memorial, and this year, the World Junior Championship Under-20. In total, he has 19 international games under his belt and registered 1 goal and 4 assists in those contests.

At the time of the Import Draft, Hamilton General manager Steve Staios had this to say about Studenic:

His ability to score against players nearly twice his age showed us that he was on a very good development curve. We feel like with our environment and the style of play we’re looking to implement he’ll fit in just fine.”

And with the 2016-2017 Ontario Hockey League season coming to a close, Studenic has transitioned fine to North America and fit right in with the Bulldogs. He’s scored 18 goals to go along with 12 assists in 57 games. He’s provided some offense on the powerplay – 3 goals, 2 assists – and is third on the Bulldogs with 3 game winning goals. He’s firing at 14.5% shooting percentage, but with just 124 shots on goal, it is an indication he should put more pucks on goal, and more production should follow.

At 6’0”, Studenic is not exactly small, but adding some serious bulk to his 165-pound frame is a must for him to have any type of success at the next level. If he can do that without affecting his skating – which is plenty good for the NHL, it will only help improve the assets he already possesses.

Marian Studenic of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Marian Studenic of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

One area that Studenic could improve on is to utilize his teammates more. His skating is smooth and he has near elite speed and is extremely effective at protecting the puck. But to often he looks to create offense for himself when there are better options out there. Of course, that may lead you to believe he lacks vision or hockey IQ, but that is just not the case. He has all the abilities to be a playmaker from the wing.

Finding consistency from game to game is another area Studenic needs to work on. After starting the season on fire with 3 goals and 5 assists in his first 7 games, he’s gone 4 or more games without registering a point on 5 occasions on the season. But he has such a strong work ethic that if he can use his teammates more often, it shouldn’t be an issue going forward.

Studenic will never wow you with defensive abilities, nor will he ever receive Selke considerations in the NHL, but he’s no slouch either. He can anticipate well in his own zone, he can break up plays, and he can skate the puck up ice effectively. But most importantly, he will not shy away from his defensive responsibilities and puts in the effort to protect his zone.

Play-by-play voice of the Bulldogs and good friend Reed Duthie (@rcduthie) had this to say about Studenic:

Marian Studenic is a highly talented winger with a tremendous motor. Since coming to the Hamilton Bulldogs from HK 36 Skalica in Slovakia, Studenic has made a solid transition from playing on international ice to the smaller North American rinks. Studenic had to learn to operate in much tighter traffic with less time but has made his skill translate with eye-popping skill moves and elite speed. Hockey IQ & Defensive game need refining and more practice but Marian Studenic has shown the willingness to work at his craft which bode well for his future in the game.

Studenic was ranked 86 among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s mid-term rankings in January.

OHL Announces Top Performers of the Month for March

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 March 2017, including Owen Sound Attack teammates Petrus Palmu and Santino Centorame along with Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds goaltender Matthew Villalta.

OHL Player of the Month – Petrus Palmu (Owen Sound Attack):
Owen Sound Attack winger Petrus Palmu is the OHL Player of the Month for March after leading all players with 20 points including seven goals and 13 assists in nine games to go with a plus/minus rating of plus-13. The Finnish forward had points in all nine contests, including seven multi-point efforts headlined by a four-point performance, netting four assists in a 6-4 road win over the Niagara IceDogs on March 9th. Palmu finished the 2016-17 season with goals in six straight outings, including a two-goal, one assist showing as the Attack defeated the Sarnia Sting 9-3 on March 12th. The 19-year-old rounded out the month with a goal and two assists in Owen Sound’s 8-5 win in Guelph on Sunday as the Attack secured third place in the Western Conference.

A native of Joensuu, Finland, Palmu closed out his third OHL season with 98 points, the most by an Attack player since Bobby Ryan’s 102 in 2006-07. Palmu’s 98 points including 40 goals and 58 assists place him fourth in league scoring as the Attack finished second in the Midwest Division with a franchise-best record of 49-15-2-2. Owen Sound’s first round (22nd overall) CHL Import Draft selection in 2014, Palmu has not been drafted to the NHL but attended Training Camp with the Montreal Canadiens last fall. He represented Finland at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship.

OHL Defenceman of the Month – Santino Centorame (Owen Sound Attack):
For the second time this season, Owen Sound Attack captain Santino Centorame is the OHL’s Defenceman of the Month, leading all rearguards with 15 points including two goals and 13 assists in nine contests. Centorame surpassed Chris Bigras as Owen Sound’s all-time franchise scoring leader among defencemen during the productive month of March, recording points in eight of his nine outings. The 20-year-old recorded three assists in a 6-4 win over the Niagara IceDogs on March 9th. He earned first star honours twice, first on March 16th with a goal and two assists in Owen Sound’s 6-1 victory in Windsor to set a new franchise mark for wins in a season. He posted two assists a game later to earn first star recognition and help the Attack defeat the Kitchener Rangers 7-2 on March 18th.

A native of Mississauga, Ont., Centorame finishes his fourth and final OHL season second in league scoring among defencemen with 73 points including seven goals and a 66 assists to go with a plus/minus rating of plus-37. He ends his OHL regular season career with 29 goals, 133 assists and 162 points in 265 games between Owen Sound and London to go with a plus/minus rating of plus-55. Originally London’s fourth round (88th overall) pick in 2012, Centorame attended Training Camp with the St. Louis Blues last fall.

Matthew Villalta of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Matthew Villalta of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month & OHL Rookie of the Month – Matthew Villalta (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds):
After an outstanding month of March, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds rookie Matthew Villalta is the first dual-award winner of the 2016-17 season. The 17-year-old is the Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month and the OHL Rookie of the Month after leading all netminders with a 1.34 goals-against average and .957 save percentage along with a 5-1-0-0 record with one shutout over six games. Villalta’s month started with a bang as he turned in a 37-save performance to record his first OHL shutout in a 6-0 win over the Guelph Storm on March 3rd. He made 27 saves two nights later in a 2-1 road win over the Kitchener Rangers. Villalta made a season-high 40 saves as the Hounds defeated the Rangers 6-1 at home on March 10th. He closed out the month with a 27-save effort in a 3-1 win over the Saginaw Spirit on March 17th. He received star of the game recognition four times, including a pair of first star designations.

A native of Godfrey, Ont., Villalta finished his rookie season with an impressive 25-3-0-0 record to go with a 2.41 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage. He becomes the OHL’s first 17-year-old rookie to win 25 games in a season since 2006-07 and sets a new Greyhounds single-season record for lowest goals-against average as his 2.41 mark surpasses the prior benchmark of 2.44 set by Kyle Gajewski in 2007-08. Villalta enjoyed a 16-game winning streak from Sept. 24th to Feb. 10th, marking the longest winning streak by an OHL goaltender since Niagara’s Mark Visentin won 17 straight during the 2011-12 season. Signed as a free agent by the Greyhounds out of Training Camp last fall, Villalta is eligible for the 2017 NHL Draft.

2016-17 OHL Performers of the Month:
Player of the Month:
March – Petrus Palmu (Owen Sound Attack)
February – Alex DeBrincat (Erie Otters)
January – Adam Mascherin (Kitchener Rangers)
December – Zach Gallant (Peterborough Petes)
November – Alex DeBrincat/Taylor Raddysh (Erie Otters)
October – Taylor Raddysh (Erie Otters)

Defenceman of the Month:
March – Santino Centorame (Owen Sound Attack)
February – Darren Raddysh (Erie Otters)
January – Santino Centorame (Owen Sound Attack)
December – Stephen Desrocher (Kingston Frontenacs)
November – Darren Raddysh (Erie Otters)
October – Mathieu Henderson (Flint Firebirds)

Rookie of the Month:
March – Matthew Villalta (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
February – Adam Ruzicka (Sarnia Sting)
January – Allan McShane (Oshawa Generals)
December – Ryan Merkley (Guelph Storm)
November – Linus Nyman (Kingston Frontenacs)
October – Ryan Merkley (Guelph Storm)

Vaughn Goaltender of the Month:
March – Matthew Villalta (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
February – Michael McNiven (Owen Sound Attack)
January – Jacob Ingham (Mississauga Steelheads)
December – Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires
November – Tyler Parsons (London Knights)
October – Troy Timpano (Erie Otters)

CHL Announces Top 10 Rankings

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

CHL Large

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced the week twenty-six and final edition of the CHL Top-10 Rankings for the 2016-17 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 26

Rank: Team: Last Week Rank: Number of Weeks Ranked:
1 Regina Pats (52-12-7-1) 2 25
2 Erie Otters (50-15-2-1) 3 21
3 Saint John Sea Dogs (48-14-5-1) 1 21
4 Owen Sound Attack (49-15-2-2) 6 10
5 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (48-16-3-1) 5 16
6 London Knights (46-15-3-4) 4 25
7 Medicine Hat Tigers (51-20-1-0) 9 12
8 Charlottetown Islanders (46-18-4-0) 7 6
9 Everett Silvertips (44-16-9-3) – 20
10 Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (43-18-2-5) 8 23
Honourable Mention:
Seattle Thunderbirds (46-20-4-2) 10 3
Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (43-19-4-2) – 6
Windsor Spitfires (41-19-5-3) – 17

CHL Leagues

2017 OHL Playoffs – First Round Schedule

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

OHL Playoffs 2017

Toronto, ON – After 680 games the 2016-17 Ontario Hockey League regular season has come to an end.

All 16 playoff positions have been claimed, setting the stage for eight first round post-season matchups across the league.

In the Eastern Conference, the first place Peterborough Petes will play the eighth place Niagara IceDogs, the second place Mississauga Steelheads will host the seventh place Ottawa 67’s, the third place Oshawa Generals will take on the sixth place Sudbury Wolves, and the fourth place Kingston Frontenacs will take on the fifth place Hamilton Bulldogs.

In the Western Conference, the first place Erie Otters will face the eighth place Sarnia Sting, the second place Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds host the seventh place Flint Firebirds, the third place Owen Sound Attack will play the sixth place Kitchener Rangers, and the fourth place London Knights take on the fifth place Windsor Spitfires.

Four first round games will be broadcast across the country on Sportsnet 360 including Game’s 1 and 2 from London featuring the Knights and Mastercard Memorial Cup host Spitfires on Friday March 24 and Sunday March 26, Game 3 between the Petes and IceDogs from St. Catharines on Tuesday March 28, and Game 4 between the Frontenacs and host Bulldogs on Thursday March 30.

The puck drops on first round action beginning Thursday night, March 23.

2017 #OHLPLAYOFFS BRACKETS

2017 OHL EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF SCHEDULE:

Series “A” – Peterborough Petes (1) vs. Niagara IceDogs (8)
Game 1, Thurs, Mar 23 at Peterborough – 7:05 p.m.
Game 2, Sat, Mar 25 at Peterborough – 7:05 p.m.
Game 3, Tues, Mar 28 at Niagara – 7:00 p.m. (Sportsnet 360)
Game 4, Thurs, Mar 30 at Niagara – 7:00 p.m.
Game 5, Sat, Apr 1 at Peterborough – 7:05 p.m.*
Game 6, Mon, Apr 3 at Niagara – 7:00 p.m.*
Game 7, Tues, Apr 4 at Peterborough – 7:05 p.m.*
#PBOvsNIAG

Series “B” – Mississauga Steelheads (2) vs. Ottawa 67’s (7)
Game 1, Fri, Mar 24 at Mississauga – 7:00 p.m.
Game 2, Sun, Mar 26 at Mississauga – 2:00 p.m.
Game 3, Tues, Mar 28 at Ottawa – 7:00 p.m.
Game 4, Thurs, Mar 30 at Ottawa – 7:00 p.m.
Game 5, Fri, Mar 31 at Mississauga – 7:00 p.m.*
Game 6, Sun, Apr 2 at Ottawa – 2:00 p.m.*
Game 7, Tues, Apr 4 at Mississauga – 7:00 p.m.*
#MISSvsOTT

Series “C” – Oshawa Generals (3) vs. Sudbury Wolves (6)
Game 1, Fri, Mar 24 at Oshawa – 7:35 p.m.
Game 2, Sun, Mar 26 at Oshawa – 6:05 p.m.
Game 3, Tues, Mar 28 at Sudbury – 7:00 p.m.
Game 4, Thurs, Mar 30 at Sudbury – 7:00 p.m.
Game 5, Fri, Mar 31 at Oshawa – 7:35 p.m.*
Game 6, Sun, Apr 2 at Sudbury – 7:00 p.m.*
Game 7, Tues, Apr 4 at Oshawa – 7:05 p.m.*
#OSHvsSBY

Series “D” – Kingston Frontenacs (4) vs. Hamilton Bulldogs (5)
Game 1, Fri, Mar 24 at Kingston – 7:00 p.m.
Game 2, Sun, Mar 26 at Kingston – 2:00 p.m.
Game 3, Tues, Mar 28 at Hamilton – 7:00 p.m.
Game 4, Thurs, Mar 30 at Hamilton – 7:00 p.m. (Sportsnet 360)
Game 5, Fri, Mar 31 at Kingston – 7:00 p.m.*
Game 6, Sun, Apr 2 at Hamilton – 2:00 p.m.*
Game 7, Tues, Apr 4 at Kingston – 7:00 p.m.*
#KGNvsHAM

*if necessary

2017 OHL WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF SCHEDULE:

Series “A” – Erie Otters (1) vs. Sarnia Sting (8)
Game 1, Thurs, Mar 23 at Erie – 7:00 p.m.
Game 2, Sat, Mar 25 at Sarnia – 7:05 p.m.
Game 3, Mon, Mar 27 at Sarnia – 7:05 p.m.
Game 4, Wed, Mar 29 at Erie – 7:00 p.m.
Game 5, Fri, Mar 31 at Erie – 7:00 p.m.*
Game 6, Sun, Apr 2 at Sarnia – 2:00 p.m.*
Game 7, Tues, Apr 4 at Erie -7:00 p.m.*
#ERvsSAR

Series “B” – Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (2) vs. Flint Firebirds (7)
Game 1, Thurs, Mar 23 at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07 p.m.
Game 2, Sat, Mar 25 at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07 p.m.
Game 3, Mon, Mar 27 at Flint – 7:00 p.m.
Game 4, Wed, Mar 29 at Flint – 7:00 p.m.
Game 5, Fri, Mar 31 at  Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07 p.m.*
Game 6, Sun, Apr 2 at Flint – 4:00 p.m.*
Game 7, Tues, Apr 4 at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07 p. m.*
#SSMvsFLNT

Series “C” – Owen Sound Attack (3) vs. Kitchener Rangers (6)
Game 1, Fri, Mar 24 at Owen Sound – 7:30 p.m.
Game 2, Sat, Mar 25 at Owen Sound – 7:30 p.m.
Game 3, Mon, Mar 27 at Kitchener – 7:00 p.m.
Game 4, Wed, Mar 29 at Kitchener – 7:00 p.m.
Game 5, Fri, Mar 31 at Owen Sound – 7:30 p.m.*
Game 6, Sun, Apr 2 at Kitchener – 7:00 p.m.*
Game 7, Tues, Apr 4 at Owen Sound – 7:00 p.m.*
#OSvsKIT

Series “D” – London Knights (4) vs. Windsor Spitfires (5)
Game 1, Fri, Mar 24 at London – 7:30 p.m. (Sportsnet 360)
Game 2, Sun, Mar 26 at London – 2:00 p.m. (Sportsnet 360)
Game 3, Tues, Mar 28 at Windsor – 7:05 p.m.
Game 4, Thurs, Mar 30 at Windsor -7:05 p.m.
Game 5, Fri, Mar 31 at London – 7:30 p.m.*
Game 6, Sun, Apr 2 at Windsor – 2:00 p.m.*
Game 7, Tues, Apr 4 at London – 7:00 p.m.*
#LDNvsWSR

*if necessary

Play #CHLPredictor and choose playoff winners from across the Canadian Hockey League! Register through the new #CHLFanbase module, earn points for correct picks, and have the chance to win great prizes including a trip to the Mastercard Memorial Cup.

OHL Announces 2016-17 Regular Season Award Winners

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the recipients of four of the league’s annual awards following the conclusion of the 2016-17 regular season.

Offensively, Chicago Blackhawks prospect Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters captured the league’s scoring title earning the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy along with the Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy presented to the Top Scoring Right Winger.  The other two awards recognize defensive efforts including the Dave Pinkney Trophy for the goaltending tandem of the team with the fewest goals against won by Owen Sound Attack netminder Michael McNiven and Emanuel Vella, and the F.W “Dinty” Moore Trophy awarded to Matthew Villalta of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds as the rookie with the best goals-against-average.

OHL Logo

Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy (Scoring Champion) and Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy (Top Scoring Right Winger): Alex DeBrincat, Erie Otters:

Alex DeBrincat recorded 65 goals and 62 assists for 127 points in 63 games to lead all OHL players in regular season scoring.

The 19-year-old from Farmington Hills, Michigan, delivered a multitude of scoring records over the course of the 2016-17 campaign helping the Otters capture their second straight Hamilton Spectator Trophy, third straight Midwest Division crown, and record fourth straight 50 win season.

His 65 goals represent a new Erie Otters single season record after cementing his position as the first player since Dale McCourt (1974-77) to record three-straight 50-goal seasons and matching Mike Ricci’s 1988 mark with goals in 19 consecutive games.  DeBrincat also became just the eighth player in the league’s modern era to record three-straight 100-point seasons, and the third Otter to reach the prestigious 300 career-point milestone.  In 191 career games over three seasons, the undrafted free agent signee has scored 167 goals and 165 assists for 332 points.  He is the Otters all-time leading goal scorer and the leading American goal scorer in OHL history.

The second round pick of the Blackhawks in the 2016 NHL Draft is the third Otter to earn the league’s scoring title doing so in a span of four years following Dylan Strome (2014-15) and Connor Brown (2013-14).  In addition to the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy, Brown was also the club’s first Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy recipient.

The Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy was donated by the Toronto Marlboro Athletic Club in memory of Eddie Powers and was first awarded in 1945-46 to Tod Sloan of St. Michael’s who scored 79 points in 25 games.  Kevin Labanc of the Barrie Colts was last year’s recipient with 127 points in 65 games including 39 goals and 88 assists.  Other notable winners include Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin who tied for the league’s scoring title before being chosen first and second overall respectively in 2010, while fellow first overall NHL picks John Tavares (2009), and Patrick Kane (2007) are also recent winners.

The Jim Mahon Trophy was first presented following the 1971-72 season by the players and management of the Peterborough Petes in memory of their right winger Jim Mahon who was accidentally killed that summer.  Labanc was also the 2015-16 recipient.

Dave Pinkney Trophy (Lowest Team Goals Against): Michael McNiven and Emanuel Vella, Owen Sound Attack

The Owen Sound Attack allowed the fewest goals in the OHL this season with just 177 against, backstopped by the tandem of Michael McNiven and Emanuel Vella.

McNiven, a 19-year-old from Georgetown, ON, led the league with a 2.30 goals-against-average and finished the 2016-17 campaign with a .915 save percentage in 54 games.  The Montreal Canadiens prospect carried a record of 41-9-2-2 which led the league in wins and also set an Attack single season record.  His six shutouts were tied for a league-high and brought his career total to 11 which is also a new franchise mark.  Vella, an 18-year-old from Toronto, ON, played eight games for the Attack posting a 5-2-0-0 record with a goals-against-average 3.21 and save percentage of .863 after being acquired from the London Knights in November.

2016-17 marks the best season in franchise history for the Attack with a 49-15-2-2 record for 102 points surpassing their previous best of 46 wins and 97 points set in their 2011 OHL Championship season.

The Dave Pinkney Trophy is awarded annually to the goaltending tandem from the team that allows the fewest goals against during the regular season.  Last season, the London Knights allowed 182 goals against with the award presented to Tyler Parsons and Brendan Burke.

The 2012-13 Attack tandem of Jordan Binnington and Brandon Hope allowed just 165 goals against to claim the club’s only other Dave Pinkney Trophy in Owen Sound history.

F.W. “Dinty” Moore Trophy (Best Rookie GAA): Matthew Villalta, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

Matthew Villalta had the best goals-against-average among OHL rookie goaltenders in 2016-17 with a mark of 2.41 for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds who captured their third West Division title in four years.

Not only did his 2.41 GAA lead all rookies, it was the fifth lowest across the entire league, and set a new Greyhounds record besting Kyle Gajewski’s 2.44 mark in 2007-08.

A 17-year-old from Godfrey, ON, Villalta committed to the Greyhounds prior to the 2016-17 campaign after competing last season as a member of the Greater Kingston AAA Midget Hockey Club.  The rookie played in 33 games this season carrying a record of 25-3-0-0 including one shutout with a save percentage of .918 while posting 16-straight victories from September 24 to February 10.  His 25 wins are the most by a 17-year-old OHL rookie in 10 years following Mississauga’s Andrew Loverock (31) and Guelph’s Thomas McCollum (26) in 2006-07.

The trophy is named after F.W. “Dinty” Moore of Port Colborne, ON, who served as OHA President from 1942-45.  In order to qualify for this rookie award, a goaltender must play a minimum of 900 minutes.  Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires won the award last season with a 2.45 goals-against-average.

Villalta is the fifth Greyhound to win the award following Gajewski (2004-05), Kevin Hodson (1990-91), Gerry Iuliano (1983-84), and John Vanbiesbrouck (1980-81).

OHL Playoff Preview: Round One

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

The Ontario Hockey League’s second season matchups are all set with play beginning tomorrow night on three fronts: the Erie Otters host the Sarnia Sting, Niagara Ice Dogs visit the Peterborough Pets and the Flint Firebirds travel to Sault Ste Marie to take on the Greyhounds.

The remaining series all begin on Friday evening.

Below, you will see how the competition did during the regular season and against each other. You will also see a list of players to watch (not all eligible are listed) that are eligible for the 2017 National Hockey League Draft in June as well as my predictions.

OHL Logo

EASTERN CONFERENCE

(1) Peterborough Petes vs (8) Niagara Ice Dogs

  Peterborough Niagara
Overall Record 42-21-2-3 23-35-6-4
Last 10 games 7-3-0-0 4-6-0-0
Head-to-Head 3-1-0-0 1-3-0-0
Home Record 24-7-2-1 15-15-1-3
Away Record 18-14-0-2 8-20-5-1
Goals For 239 207
Goals Against 221 274
Powerplay 20.7% 15.5%
Penalty Kill 80.7% 79.6%
Draft Eligible Players Cole Fraser (D) Ben Jones (C)
  Zach Gallant (C) Kirill Maksimov (RW)
  Nick Isaacson (LW) Oliver Castleman (LW)
  Matyas Svoboda (LW) Matthew Philip (C)
    Ondrej Machala (C)
    Stephen Dhillon (G)

*Note: Stephen Dhillon was eligible for the 2016 NHL Draft but passed over and is eligible for 2017

Prediction: Peterborough in 6 games

(2) Mississauga Steelheads vs (7) Ottawa 67’s

  Mississauga Ottawa
Overall Record 34-21-6-7 26-34-7-1
Last 10 games 8-2-0-0 4-4-2-0
Head-to-Head 2-0-2-0 2-2-0-0
Home Record 16-11-4-3 13-20-0-1
Away Record 18-10-2-4 13-14-6-1
Goals For 240 221
Goals Against 219 271
Powerplay 19.7% 18.0%
Penalty Kill 80.6% 79.1%
Draft Eligible Players Nicolas Hague (D) Noel Hoefenmayer
  Owen Tippett (RW) Sasha Chmelevski
  Shaw Boomhower (C) Austen Keating

 

Prediction: Mississauga in 5 games

(3) Oshawa Generals vs (6) Sudbury Wolves

  Oshawa Sudbury
Overall Record 40-23-3-2 27-34-7-0
Last 10 games 6-4-0-0 4-6-0-0
Head-to-Head 2-2-0-0 2-2-0-0
Home Record 25-9-0-0 15-13-6-0
Away Record 15-14-3-2 12-21-1-0
Goals For 228 207
Goals Against 215 265
Powerplay 18.8% 17.8%
Penalty Kill 83.1% 81.7%
Draft Eligible Players Jack Studnicka (C) Macauley Carson
  Kyle Keyser (G) Drake McGrath

 

Prediction: Oshawa in 6 games

(4) Kingston Frontenacs vs (5) Hamilton Bulldogs

  Kingston Hamilton
Overall Record 33-26-5-4 33-27-4-4
Last 10 games 6-4-0-0 4-4-0-2
Head-to-Head 3-3-0-0 3-2-0-1
Home Record 20-9-3-2 16-12-3-3
Away Record 13-17-2-2 17-15-1-1
Goals For 179 238
Goals Against 200 225
Powerplay 22.1% 20.2%
Penalty Kill 78.1% 77.7%
Draft Eligible Players Jacob Paquette (D) Matthew Strome (LW)
  Eemeli Rasanen (D) Marian Studenic (C)
  Jason Robertson (LW) MacKenzie Entwistle (RW)
  Linus Nyman (RW) Kaden Fulcher (G)

 

Prediction: Hamilton in 7 games

WESTERN CONFERENCE

(1) Erie Otters vs (8) Sarnia Sting

  Erie Otters Sarnia Sting
Overall Record 50-15-2-1 31-30-6-1
Last 10 games 6-4-0-0 5-4-1-0
Head-to-Head 3-1-0-0 1-3-0-0
Home Record 30-2-1-1 20-12-2-0
Away Record 20-13-1-0 11-18-4-1
Goals For 319 257
Goals Against 182 277
Powerplay 27.2% 18.8%
Penalty Kill 83.4% 77.8%
Draft Eligible Players Ivan Lodnia (C) Nick Grima (D)
    Adam Ruzicka (C)
    Ryan McGregor (LW)
    Aidan Hughes (G)

 

Prediction: Erie in 4 games

(2) Soo Greyhounds vs (7) Flint Firebirds

  Soo Greyhounds Flint Firebirds
Overall Record 48-16-3-1 32-28-3-5
Last 10 games 8-1-1-0 3-4-2-1
Head-to-Head 3-1-1-1 3-3-0-0
Home Record 22-9-2-1 19-11-2-2
Away Record 26-7-1-0 13-17-1-3
Goals For 287 229
Goals Against 208 242
Powerplay 18.4% 14.5%
Penalty Kill 84.2% 79.9%
Draft Eligible Players Matthew Villalta (G) Fedor Gordeev (D)
  Conor Timmins (D) C.J. Clarke (RW)
  Anthony DeMeo (D)  
  Morgan Frost (C)  

 

Prediction: Soo Greyhounds in 5 games

(3) Owen Sound Attack vs (6) Kitchener Rangers

  Owen Sound Kitchener Rangers
Overall Record 49-15-2-2 36-27-3-2
Last 10 games 9-0-1-0 5-4-1-0
Head-to-Head 7-1-0-0 1-7-0-0
Home Record 27-4-1-2 20-11-2-1
Away Record 22-11-1-0 16-16-1-1
Goals For 297 244
Goals Against 177 251
Powerplay 28.6% 21.7%
Penalty Kill 83.4% 77.5%
Draft Eligible Players Sean Durzi (D) Elijah Roberts (D)
  Markus Phillips (D) Joseph Garreffa (RW)
  Zachary Roberts (LW) Nick McHugh (LW)
  Jonah Gadjovich (LW) Dylan Seitz (C)
  Maksim Sushko (RW) Greg Meireles (RW)
  Nick Suzuki (C)  

 

Prediction: Owen Sound in 5 games

(4) London Knights vs (5) Windsor Spitfires

  London Windsor
Overall Record 46-15-3-4 41-19-5-3
Last 10 games 7-3-0-0 5-5-0-0
Head-to-Head 3-2-1-0 3-2-1-0
Home Record 25-5-1-3 27-6-1-0
Away Record 21-10-2-1 14-13-4-3
Goals For 289 232
Goals Against 194 185
Powerplay 26.4% 22.9%
Penalty Kill 81.0% 88.5%
Draft Eligible Players Robert Thomas (C) Gabriel Vilardi (C)
  Alex Forementon (LW) Michael DiPietro (G)

 

Prediction: London in 7 games

*Note: As hosts of the 2017 Memorial Cup, Windsor would move on to the tournament.

Rebels’ Brandon Hagel named CHL Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Buffalo Sabres prospect Brandon Hagel of the Red Deer Rebels is the CHL Player of the Week for the regular season week ending March 29 recording 12 points in four games including six goals and six assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-4.

Hagel finished the 2016-17 WHL regular season with a trio of four-point performances over a four-game span helping the Rebels pick up five of a possible eight points to hold onto third place in the Central Division standings.  Last Tuesday night he scored twice including the game-winner while adding two assists as first star of an 8-3 win over the Medicine Hat Tigers.  The next night he repeated his offensive output, again netting the game’s winning-goal and earning first star honours, as part of a 5-1 win over the Calgary Hitmen.  Hagel was held off the scoresheet on Saturday in a 4-1 loss to Edmonton in the first of a home-and-home series with the Oil Kings that ended with two goal and two assist effort on Sunday despite a 5-4 overtime loss.

An 18-year-old from Morinville, AB, Hagel is playing in his second WHL season after joining the club as an undrafted signee prior to the 2015-16 season.  In 65 games this year the sixth round pick of the Sabres in 2016 tallied 31 goals and 40 assists for 71 points.  Hagel and the Rebels will now face the Lethbridge Hurricanes in first round playoff action beginning Saturday.

Also considered for the award this week was last week’s recipient Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Daniel Sprong of the Charlottetown Islanders who scored once with six assists for seven points in three games, and Ethan Szypula of the Owen Sound Attack who scored once with 10 assists for 11 points in four games.

2016-17 CHL 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)

CHL Leagues

Winterhawks’ Cole Kehler named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Vaughn

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 regular season week ending March 19 after posting a 2-0-0-0 record with a goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .971.

Kehler stopped 66 shots in two road wins over WHL U.S Division opponents last week as the Winterhawks closed out the 2016-17 regular season in a Western Conference Wild Card position with 84 points.  Last Tuesday he earned first star honours with 35 saves as part of a 6-1 win over the Tri-City Americans, then turned aside 31 shots on Saturday claiming second star honours in a 4-1 win over the Seattle Thunderbirds.  The Winterhawks will now face the B.C Division champion Prince George Cougars in first round playoff action beginning Friday night.

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 has compiled a 32-17-0-3 record over 56 appearances posting a goals-against-average of 3.10 and save percentage of .910 along with two shutouts.

Also considered for the award this week was rookie Jacob Ingham of the Mississauga Steelheads with a 3-0-0-0 record stopping 91 shots for a goals-against-average of 1.50 and save percentage of .958.  In the QMJHL, Etienne Montpetit of the Val-d’Or Foreurs earned a 2-1-0-0 record stopping 97 shots for a goals-against-average of 1.95 and save percentage of .942.

2016-17 Vaughn CHL 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

Mississauga Reps are 2017 OHL Cup powered by Under Armour Champions

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

OHL Cup

Toronto, ON – The first all-Wild Card Championship Final in OHL Cup history didn’t disappoint.

Dennis Golovatchev scored with nine seconds remaining in the third period to give the Mississauga Reps their first ever OHL Cup Powered by Under Armour Championship with a 3-2 win over the Toronto Nationals at the Mattamy Athletic Centre.

Golovatchev wristed a quick release past Nationals goaltender Zach Roy off an offensive zone faceoff win by linemate Lucas Rowe, making the Reps the second Wild Card entry following the 2010 Mississauga Rebels to ever hoist the OHL Cup.

“We’ve worked on that faceoff play all season,” said Golovatchev following his late-game heroics. “We pulled it off perfectly. Rowe won it back to me and I just shot the puck.”

The winner came two minutes after the Nationals fought back to tie the score at two on a goal by Brandon Coe.

“We didn’t want to go into overtime because we knew it was going to be nerve-wracking,” said Golovatchev of the feeling on the Reps’ bench. “When coach put me on, we said ‘number two’ – that’s our faceoff play, and it worked.”

OHL Cup Champs
The Mississauga Reps defeated the Toronto Nationals 3-2 in the championship game of the 2017 OHL Cup at Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto on Monday March 20, 2017. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Mississauga carried the play for much of the game, outshooting the Nats 41-26 as Toronto goaltender Zach Roy turned in a solid performance to keep his team in the game to the bitter end.

The Reps were presented with the OHL Cup Trophy by OHL Commissioner David Branch, GTHL Vice President Ken Smith as well as Canadian hockey icon Don Cherry of Hockey Night in Canada.

OHL Cup scoring leader Mike Petizian earned Reps Player of the Game honours with a goal and an assist before being named the MVP of the 2017 OHL Cup Powered by Under Armour, recording five goals, eight assists and 13 points over seven contests.

“It’s been a tough go,” said Petizian,” but the guys never quit. I love how we battled back.”

Reps head coach Harry Evans echoed those remarks, admiring his team’s resilience.

“This team has never let me down,” he said “They’ve got no quit in them. Our goal all along was to get to this point. We took some lumps along the way but we got here.

“We had a long, hard road, but the kids stuck together. I give them credit. They really took it upon themselves to put in the work and we got the job done.”

The Reps started from behind as the  Nationals got on the board first, capitalizing 9:27 into the opening frame as Rory Graham got his stick on a Carter Schott point shot, tipping the puck past an outstretched Ryan Dugas in the Mississauga goal.

The game opened up in the second as both teams got creative.

Mississauga carried the play early on, forcing Roy into some difficult saves before finally getting on the board with 3:11 left on the clock.

Petizian set up linemate Aaron Jamieson in the slot, dishing a behind-the-back feed through the middle as Jamieson didn’t hesitate, beating Roy with a quick release to make it a 1-1 game.

The Reps outshot the Nationals 19-8 in the second, ending the frame on a two-man advantage that featured numerous big saves from Roy to keep the score knotted at one.

Mississauga’s five-on-three advantage carried over into the third and the Reps capitalized on a fresh sheet of ice as Petizian continued his torrid scoring pace.

Taking a feed through the middle from Lucas Rowe, Petizian stepped into a one-timer that beat Roy over the glove just 48 seconds in to give the Reps a 2-1 lead.

The Reps would hold that lead until the twelfth minute of the third period as Nationals leading scorer Ethan Keppen won a board battle off the forecheck before finding an oncoming Brandon Coe all alone in the slot to tie the score at two with 2:12 remaining.

Just when it looked as though the OHL Cup Final would require overtime for a third straight year, Golovatchev stepped up off the faceoff to rip a wrister into the back of the net.

The Toronto Nationals end their 2017 OHL Cup Showcase with an overall record of 5-2-0. They were led in scoring by Ethan Keppen who recorded a goal and seven assists for eight points in seven games.

Nationals goaltender Zach Roy earned Player of the Game honours for his team and was named to the Gatorade OHL Cup All-Star Team sporting a 1.43 goals-against average, .959 save percentage and two shutouts while leading all goaltenders with 315 minutes played.

The OHL Cup Champion Mississauga Reps wrap up their unforgettable showcase with a record of 6-0-1, outscoring opponents 24-12. They were led in scoring by Petizian while Jamieson Rees also recorded over a point-per-game with five goals, four assists and nine points in seven games.

Six players from the 2017 OHL Cup were also named to the Gatorade All-Star Team, a selection of the annual showcase’s top performers as chosen by OHL Central Scouting.

Three players from the Championship Final including Mississauga forwards Jamieson Rees and Mike Petizian joined Ethan Keppen, Robert Calisti and Zach Roy of the Nationals in the list of standouts. Mississauga Rebels blueliner Anthony Aguanno rounded out the selections.

The 2017 OHL Cup Championship Final was played before an enthusiastic crowd at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in downtown Toronto and was broadcast to a national audience on Sportsnet Ontario.

The showcase provides fans and scouts one last opportunity to see many of the top minor midget aged players from across Ontario and parts of the United States compete for the OHL Cup performing against the best competition prior to the 2017 OHL Priority Selection.

For more information, please visit ohlcup.ca.