Frontenacs’ Jeremy Helvig named Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Carolina Hurricanes prospect Jeremy Helvig of the Kingston Frontenacs is the Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week for the week ending January 29 after posting a 2-0-0-1 record including two shutout victories with a goals-against-average of 1.28 and save percentage of .956.

Helvig becomes the sixth OHL netminder to claim the award this season after stopping 87 shots and helping the Frontenacs earn five of a possible six points last week.  His week began on Wednesday where the Frontenacs were on the disappointing end of a marathon matchup against the Ottawa 67’s.  Helvig stopped 29 shots in regulation and overtime before denying 12 of 14 shootout attempts in the 5-4 loss.  Helvig rebounded Friday stopping all 28 shots he faced as second star of a 3-0 victory over the Niagara IceDogs, then made 30 saves on Saturday as second star of a 1-0 triumph over the Mississauga Steelheads earning back-to-back shutouts for the first time in his career.  The Frontenacs are now fourth in the OHL’s Eastern Conference standings with a 22-17-5-3 record.

Jeremy Helvig of the Kingston Frontenacs. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

A 19-year-old from Markham, ON, Helvig is playing in his third OHL season with the Frontenacs who chose him in the third round of the 2013 OHL Priority Selection.  So far this season he carries a 20-14-4-2 record with five shutouts, tied for most in the league, along with the OHL’s fifth best goals-against-average at 2.62, also posting a save percentage of .910 in 41 games.  He was selected by the Hurricanes in the fifth round of the 2016 NHL Draft.

Watch video highlights of Helvig and the Frontenacs against the 67’s, IceDogs, and Steelheads.

Also considered for the award this week was Arizona Coyotes prospect Dylan Strome who became the Erie Otters all-time leading scorer following a week of eight points including three goals and five assists in three games.  In addition, New Jersey Devils prospect Michael McLeod of the Mississauga Steelheads had four goals and four assists for eight points in four games, while defenceman Jeff King of the Sarnia Sting had a goal and six assists for seven points in two games.

2016-17 Pioneer Energy OHL Players of the Week:

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)

CHL’s Top Prospects Perform in Sport Testing Combine

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Quebec City, QC – 40 of the CHL’s top prospects eligible for the 2017 NHL Draft were put to the test on Sunday at Centre Videotron one day before Team Cherry and Team Orr face-off at the 2017 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.

Players seized the opportunity to showcase their individual strengths with Sport Testing once again putting the next wave of NHL Draft talent through a series of tests to gauge fitness and skill levels for NHL management and scouts.

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Alex Formenton of the London Knights, ranked 24th by NHL Central Scouting in their Midterm Rankings, finished atop the overall standings in the on-ice portion of the tests which included forward and backward sprints, reaction, weave agility, and transition agility each performed with and without the puck.  Defenceman Antoine Crete-Belzile of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (ranked 66th by NHL CS) finished second in on-ice tests, followed by fellow rearguard Markus Phillips of the Owen Sound Attack (ranked 62nd by NHL CS) in third position, forward Nico Hischier of the Halifax Mooseheads (ranked 2nd by NHL CS) in fourth, and Michael Rasmussen of the Tri-City Americans (ranked 6th by NHL CS) finished fifth in the skating drills.

Defenceman Jacob Paquette of the Kingston Frontenacs (ranked 90th by NHL CS) led the way in off-ice tests conducted earlier in the day which included strength testing, agility runs, sprints, and various leg power evaluations.  Forward Morgan Frost of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (ranked 29th by NHL CS) finished second in off-ice tests, and Owen Tippett of the Mississauga Steelheads (ranked 4th by NHL CS) finished in third position.  Alex Formenton also finished near the top in off-ice tests landing in fourth place overall, followed by Isaac Ratcliffe of the Guelph Storm (ranked 20th by NHL CS) in fifth.

In specialized Sport Testing for goalies, Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires claimed top honours in an array of reaction, agility, and movement challenges.

2017 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game – Sport Testing Combine Top Performers:

On-Ice Tests:

30M Forward Skate:

1 – Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) 3.991

2 – Stelio Mattheos (Brandon Wheat Kings)

3 – Cody Glass (Portland Winterhawks)

30M Forward Skate with Puck:

1 – Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

2 – Stelio Mattheos (Brandon Wheat Kings)

3 – Henri Jokiharju (Portland Winterhawks)

30M Backward Skate:

1 – Michael Rasmussen (Tri-City Americans)

2 – Markus Phillips (Owen Sound Attack)

3 – Nico Hischier (Halifax Mooseheads)

 30M Backward Skate with Puck:

1 – Markus Phillips (Owen Sound Attack)

2 – Nico Hischier (Halifax Mooseheads)

3 – Antoine Crete-Belzile (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)

Transition Agility:

1 – Alex Formenton (London Knights)

2 – Antoine Crete-Belzile (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)

3 – Henri Jokiharju (Portland Winterhawks)

Transition Agility with Puck:

1 – Owen Tippett (Mississauga Steelheads)

2 – Alex Formenton (London Knights)

3 – Markus Phillips (Owen Sound Attack)

Weave Agility:

1 – Alex Formenton (London Knights)

2 – Kailer Yamamoto (Spokane Chiefs)

3 – Antoine Morand (Acadie-Bathurst Titan)

Weave Agility with Puck:

1 – Kailer Yamamoto (Spokane Chiefs)

2 – Nico Hischier (Halifax Mooseheads)

3 – Alex Formenton (London Knights)

Reaction:

1 – Stelio Mattheos (Brandon Wheat Kings)

2 – Adam Ruzicka (Sarnia Sting)

3 – Kailer Yamamoto (Spokane Chiefs)

Reaction with Puck:

1 – Juuso Valimaki (Tri-City Americans)

2 – Alex Formenton (London Knights)

3 – Michael Rasmussen (Tri-City Americans)

Off-Ice Tests:

Pro-Agility Left:

1 – Ivan Lodnia (Erie Otters)

2 – Nick Suzuki (Owen Sound Attack)

3 – Kailer Yamamoto (Spokane Chiefs)

Pro-Agility Right:

1 – Kailer Yamamoto (Spokane Chiefs)

2 – Juuso Valimaki (Tri-City Americans)

3 – Ivan Lodnia (Erie Otters)

Vertical Jump:

1 – Alex Formenton (London Knights)

2 – Jake Leschyshyn (Regina Pats)

3 – Jacob Paquette (Kingston Frontenacs)

Broad Jump:

1 – Eemeli Rasanen (Kingston Frontenacs)

2 – Ian Scott (Prince Albert Raiders)

2 – Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

Medicine Ball Toss:

1 – Nicolas Hague (Mississauga Steelheads)

2 – Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)

3 – Markus Phillips (Owen Sound Attack)

Grip Left:

1 – Adam Ruzicka (Sarnia Sting)

2 – Nikita Popugaev (Prince George Cougars)

3 – Jacob Paquette (Kingston Frontenacs)

Grip Right:

1 – Adam Ruzicka (Sarnia Sting)

2 – Owen Tippett (Mississauga Steelheads)

3 – Jacob Paquette (Kingston Frontenacs)

Sport Testing scores provide valuable performance benchmarks to coaches and players at all levels of hockey with data collected at the Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game shared with NHL Central Scouting and distributed to all 30 NHL teams.

For more information please visit www.sporttesting.com.

Sean Durzi – Owen Sound Attack – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height: 5’11”

Weight: 185 pounds

Date of birth: October 21, 1998

Hometown: Mississauga, Ontario

Position: Defence

Shoots: Right

OHL Draft: Round 12, 228th overall, 2014 Priority Selection

Owen Sound Attack defenceman Sean Durzi played his Midget hockey with the Mississauga Rebels during the 2015-2015 season and scored one goal and added five assists in twenty-four games. He also appeared in two games for the St. Michael’s Buzzers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League and registered an assist.

The Attack would select Durzi in the twelfth round, 228th overall in the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.

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

Durzi broke onto the scene with the Attack last season. He appeared in 45 games and scored ten goals while adding six assists. The ten goals surprised a lot of people. It was good enough for fourth in goals by a rookie defenceman trailing Mikhail Sergachev (17, 67 games), Nicolas Hague (14, 66 games) and Cam Dineen (13, 68 games). Sergachev and Dineen were selected in the 2016 National Hockey League Draft. Three of his goals came on the powerplay.

But the goals haven’t come easy for Durzi this season, having just one in thirty-nine games. However, he has become a very good set-up man from the blueline, having twenty-two assists to date, with seven coming on the powerplay.

At 5’11”, Durzi doesn’t have that big size on defence, but he makes up for it with his skating. He moves up and down the ice with ease but doesn’t have elite speed. He is strong on his edges with very good lateral movement and an ability to beat opponents one-on-one. He picks his spots to jump into the rush or pinching at the blueline, almost always making the right choice.

Durzi possesses a very good shot and is adept at walking the line and getting himself into position to fire it on goal. But he shoots with a purpose and usually puts it in a spot for a teammate to tip the shot or create a rebound. His ability to move also opens lanes and has good enough vision to setup his teammates.

As with many players at this level, Durzi’s defensive game needs some work although he has shown improvement year over year. Despite his size, he has no fear of a physical game and at times initiates it, he is surprisingly strong on both his feat and upper body. He has an active stick, though at times could position it better. He reads and anticipates the opposition very well.

Durzi was ranked 139 on NHL Central Scouting’s mid-term rankings.

Sean Durzi

This is the profile page of Sean Durzi at http://www.eliteprospects.com

 

Noel Hoefenmayer – Ottawa 67’s – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height: 6’0”

Weight: 190 pounds

Date of birth: January 6, 1999

Hometown: North York, Ontario

Position: Defence

Shoots: Left

OHL Draft: Round 2, 36th overall, 2015 Priority Selection

Ottawa 67’s defenceman Noel Hoefenmayer played his minor midget hockey during the 2014-2015 season with the Don Mills Flyers. In 62 games, he scored 10 goals and 33 points. He also won an OHL Gold Cup championship registering an assist in 4 games.

Hoefenmayer also played in the OHL Cup and posted 5 assists in 7 games. The Ottawa 67’s would select Hoefenmayer in the second round of the 2015 Ontario Hockey League’s Priority Selection, 36th overall.

Last season was Hoefenmayer’s rookie campaign in the OHL where he scored twice while adding three assists in 45 games. What we saw was a young player with signs of potential and a willingness to do what he needed to do to help his squad.

Noel Hoefenmayer of the Ottawa 67's. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Noel Hoefenmayer of the Ottawa 67’s. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

To date this season, Hoefenmayer has played in 42 games and has scored 8 goals and 26 points. What we see is a confident defenceman who has been aggressive offensively but has tamed the approach recently. He is very creative at his point position. He sees the ice well and can make slight adjustments to find seams and set up teammates.

Those assets make Hoefenmayer a suitable quarterback on the powerplay. He has a very good and accurate shot – currently firing at 12.1% shooting percentage – but he could work on getting the shot off more quickly.

Defensively, Hoefenmayer is good at reading and reacting with good anticipation skills. He doesn’t possess long arms or a long stick, but is capable of reacting and getting into lanes and taking away passes. Although he can improve his skating, he gets onto loose pucks regularly and is always willing to take the hit to make a play. He makes good, safe plays and smart passes to exit the zone.

There are no glaring weaknesses in Hoefenmayer’s game. His foot work could use some improvement and he could add some muscle. But those things will come in time.

Hoefenmayer is the classic “good at everything but doesn’t excel at any one thing”. That’s not a knock on him. He’ll be a safe pick in the National Hockey League Draft and could go on to have a steady career in the NHL.

Hoefenmayer was recently ranked 41st by NHL Central Scouting on their mid-term ranking.

Noel Hoefenmayer

This is the profile page of Noel Hoefenmayer at http://www.eliteprospects.com

 

Dominic Tiano: How USHL rule changes could affect Canadian junior hockey

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

kirkaluedeke's avatarscoutingpost

ushlEditor’s note- The Scouting Post contributor Dominic Tiano is back with a thoughtful piece on the second and third-order effects of the recent announcement by the USHL to modify its import roster player rules.Dom’s instincts and conclusions are sound- one more example of the forward thinking that has brought the USHL into prominence under Commissioner Bob Fallen’s stewardship.

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Earlier this week, the United States Hockey League announced several rule changes, but there are a couple that I will look at and the possible effects on every level of junior hockey in Canada.

The first is the USHL Import rule, and this change that takes effect next season:

·         Canadian Imports: Applicable only to the Tier 1 USHL, the USA Hockey Board of Directors granted the USHL permission to roster up to two Canadian-born citizens as non-imports. Presently, each USHL team is allowed up to four (4) import roster positions…

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CHL Unveils 100th Memorial Cup Celebration Logo

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today unveiled a celebration logo designed to honour the 100th presentation of the Memorial Cup.

The logo was introduced prior to three final bid presentations for the 2018 Mastercard Memorial Cup heard today in downtown Toronto by a national Site Selection Committee of sport industry leaders from across Canada.

memorial-cup-100-years

The Hamilton Bulldogs, Regina Pats, and Oshawa Generals are all vying for the opportunity to host the 100th edition of the league’s prestigious national championship to be held May 17-27, 2018, featuring a host CHL team along with the champions of the OHL, WHL, and QMJHL competing in the traditional round-robin tournament format.

“Today was a very successful day with three fine presentations,” said Gord Kirke, 2018 Mastercard Memorial Cup Site Selection Committee Chairman. “Each of the presentations were professional and thorough emphasizing competitive hockey clubs and an appreciation for Canadian Armed Forces and the services they provide our country.  The Site Selection Committee has a challenging decision ahead, which is a good thing, because if today’s presentations are any indication the 100th presentation of the Memorial Cup will be a tremendous celebration.”

WATCH: 2018 Mastercard Memorial Cup Bid Presentation Highlights (Interview clips include club representatives and Site Selection Committee Chair Gord Kirke).

The successful host city of the 2018 Mastercard Memorial Cup will be announced in February.  The Site Selection Committee is comprised of Michael Akpata (Retired Canadian Armed Forces, 2017 Mastercard Memorial Cup Host Organizing Committee), Paul Beeston (Former President & CEO, Toronto Blue Jays), Colin Campbell (Senior Executive Vice-President of Hockey Operations, NHL), Al Coates (Interim Director, Hockey Canada Foundation), Serge Fortin (Vice-President, TVA Sports), Scott Moore (President, Sportsnet and NHL Properties), and Scott Smith (Chief Operating Officer, Hockey Canada).

The Memorial Cup has a rich tradition that has shaped the way junior hockey is played in North America. The trophy was originally known as the OHA Memorial Cup and was donated by the Ontario Hockey Association in March, 1919, in remembrance of the many soldiers who paid the supreme sacrifice for Canada in the First World War.  In 2010 the Memorial Cup was rededicated to the memory of all fallen Canadian Military Personnel killed in combat serving our country.

The 99th edition of the Mastercard Memorial Cup will be hosted by the Windsor Spitfires May 18-28, 2017.

For more information please visit www.mastercardmemorialcup.ca.

CHL Announces Top 10 Rankings

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced the week eighteen 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 18

Rank: Team: Last Week Rank: Number of Weeks Ranked:
1 Regina Pats (31-6-6-1) 1 17
2 London Knights (30-7-3-4) 3 17
3 Everett Silvertips (30-6-7-2) 4 15
4 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (32-11-2-1) 2 8
5 Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (29-11-1-5) 5 18
6 Erie Otters (32-10-2-1) 6 13
7 Prince George Cougars (34-13-3-0) 8 17
8 Windsor Spitfires (29-9-5-2) 7 17
9 Saint John Sea Dogs (29-12-3-1) 9 13
10 Owen Sound Attack (30-13-1-0) 10 2
Honourable Mention:
Shawinigan Cataractes (30-12-2-1) – 14
Medicine Hat Tigers (32-15-1-0) – 5
Charlottetown Islanders (29-14-2-0) – 0

OHL Cup Powered by Under Armour Minor Midget Top-10 Rankings

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the sixth edition of the weekly minor midget rankings for the 2017 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament powered by Under Armour and hosted by the Greater Toronto Hockey League.

OHL CupThe weekly rankings are determined by a panel of OHL Central Scouting Staff and represent the top teams that are competing to play in the annual year-end championship tournament which takes place March 14-20, 2017.  All games will be played at the Scotiabank Pond in Toronto until the Championship Final moves to the Mattamy Athletic Centre on Monday March 20.

Minor Midget Rankings for the 2017 OHL Cup powered by Under Armour – Week 6

RANK TEAM LEAGUE LAST WEEK WEEKS RANKED
1 London Jr. Knights ALLIANCE 1 6
2 Mississauga Reps GTHL 2 6
3 Whitby Wildcats OMHA 3 6
4 Mississauga Rebels GTHL 4 6
5 Toronto Marlboros GTHL 5 6
6 Toronto Young Nationals GTHL 7 6
7 Mississauga Senators GTHL 6 6
8 Waterloo Wolves ALLIANCE 9 3
9 Ajax-Pickering Raiders OMHA 8 6
10 Quinte Red Devils OMHA – 1
         
  Honourable Mention      
  Brampton 45’s OMHA – 1
  Toronto Jr. Canadiens GTHL – 0
  Toronto Titans GTHL – 0
  Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs OMHA 10 5

Tournament Structure:

16 of the 20 spots in the 2017 OHL Cup powered by Under Armour are guaranteed through league competition.  The 16 guaranteed spots continue to include all four GTHL Semi-Finalists, and the top four teams that place at the OMHA Championship.  Three teams from the ALLIANCE will still be guaranteed a spot in the tournament including the Champion and Finalist, along with the winner of a best-of-three Semi-Final Wild Card Series to be played between the losers of the two league Semi-Finals.  Also as in past years, two tournament entries are reserved for United States competition, while both an HNO and NOHA representative will also compete.  New in 2017, the final guaranteed spot is awarded to HEO but represented by their previous year Bantam Championship team who will be reassembled for tournament competition.  This season, HEO’s entry will be members of the 2016 Bantam Champion Eastern Ontario Wild.

Wild Card Games:

The final four entries at the 2017 OHL Cup powered by Under Armour will be Wild Cards determined among eight teams that will play a one game ‘win and in’ scenario.  The eight competing teams aiming for the final four tournament spots will continue to include the fifth place team at the OMHA Championship, and the loser of the ALLIANCE Semi-Final Wild Card Series.  As introduced in 2016, two spots in Wild Card games will be reserved for GTHL teams.  The two competing GTHL teams will be determined through a pair of Wild Card Play-In Series matchups involving the four GTHL teams who qualified for the playoffs but lost in the first round.  One spot in a Wild Card will also be reserved for the winner of an OMHA SCTA Consolation Game that features both teams who lost in the SCTA Tournament Semi-Final.  The OMHA teams eligible for this matchup will be determined annually based on the league not hosting the OMHA Championship.  Finally, the three remaining teams who will compete in the Wild Card matchups will be named by the Tournament Selection Committee.  The Committee will evaluate and review a team’s post-season success as the first criteria for selection, with additional criteria to include regular season play and tournament play.  All four Wild Card games will take place onTuesday March 14 with specific matchups and times of play to be determined by random draw among the eight competing teams onWednesday March 8.

History:

Last season the York Simcoe Express captured their second OHL Cup title and first since 2004 with a 2-1 overtime win over the Toronto Marlboros.  Current North Bay Battalion rookie Rhys Forhan scored both Express goals, while goaltender Andrei Berezinskiy earned tournament MVP honours playing to a 5-0 record with a 2.09 goals-against-average.

The 2016 OHL Priority Selection featured 12 players chosen in the first round who competed in the OHL Cup including Ryan Merkley (Toronto Jr. Canadiens – 1st overall Guelph Storm), Owen Lalonde (Windsor Jr. Spitfires – 2nd overall Sudbury Wolves), Danil Antropov (Toronto Marlboros – 6th overall Oshawa Generals), Kirill Nizhnikov (Toronto Jr. Canadiens – 7th overall Mississauga Steelheads), Barrett Hayton (Toronto Red Wings – 9th overall Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds), Peter Stratis (Mississauga Rebels – 11th overall Ottawa 67’s), Akil Thomas (Toronto Marlboros – 12th overall Niagara IceDogs), Adam McMaster (Niagara North – 13th overall North Bay Battalion), Tyler Weiss (Don Mills Flyers – 15th overall Sarnia Sting), Nathan Dunkley (Quinte Red Devils – 17th overall Kingston Frontenacs), Allan McShane (Toronto Marlboros – 19th overall Erie Otters), and Jack McBain (Don Mills Flyers – 20th overall Barrie Colts).

Notable OHL Cup graduates currently playing in the NHL include Mitch Marner (Vaughan Kings/Toronto Maple Leafs), Connor McDavid (Toronto Marlboros/Edmonton Oilers), Robby Fabbri (Mississauga Rebels/St. Louis Blues), Max Domi (Don Mills Flyers/Arizona Coyotes), Sean Monahan (Mississauga Rebels/Calgary Flames), Taylor Hall (Greater Kingston Frontenacs/New Jersey Devils), Tyler Seguin (Toronto Nationals/Dallas Stars), John Tavares (Toronto Marlboros/New York Islanders), P.K Subban (Markham Islanders/Nashville Predators), and Steven Stamkos (Markham Waxers/Tampa Bay Lightning).

This season the OHL and GTHL announced a new three-year partnership with Under Armour that includes title sponsorship of the OHL Cup Showcase Tournament.  The OHL and GTHL have also announced a five-year partnership extension ensuring the event will continue to be hosted by the GTHL through 2021.

For more information, please visit ohlcup.ca.

Cataractes’ Alexis D’Aoust named CHL Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that forward Alexis D’Aoust of the Shawinigan Cataractes is the CHL Player of the Week for the week ending January 22 after scoring three goals and four assists for seven points in two games with a plus-minus rating of plus-6.

D’Aoust recorded a pair of multi-point performances last week helping the Cataractes win both of their road games to become the first QMJHL team to reach 30 wins.  On Wednesday in Drummondville he matched a season-high with five points including two goals and three assists as second star of an 8-1 win over the Voltigeurs, then scored a goal and an assist on Friday as part of a 5-4 victory over the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada.  The Cataractes (30-12-2-1) are currently second place in a tight race for the overall league lead where the top five clubs are all within four points in the standings.

A 20-year-old from Trois-Rivieres, QC, D’Aoust has played his entire five-year QMJHL career with the Cataractes after being selected by the club in the fourth round of the 2012 QMJHL Entry Draft.  Last season’s CHL Scholastic Player of the Year, D’Aoust has 20 goals and 23 assists for 43 points in 31 games.

Also considered for the award this week was Anaheim Ducks prospect Tyler Soy of the Victoria Royals who scored twice with seven assists for nine points in four games, and Hayden Hodgson of the Saginaw Spirit who scored five goals and one assist for six points in three games.

2016-17 CHL Players of the Week:

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

Spirit’s Hayden Hodgson named Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that forward Hayden Hodgson of the Saginaw Spirit is the Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week for the week ending January 22 after scoring five goals and one assist for six points in three games with a plus-minus rating of plus-4.

Hodgson extended his point-streak to five games including a pair of multi-point performances last week helping the Spirit earn five of a possible six points on their Central Division road trip.  His week began Thursday night in Barrie scoring twice and picking up an assist despite a 5-4 overtime loss to the Colts.  On Friday night he earned first star honours with two goals including the game-winner in a 6-3 victory over the Sudbury Wolves, then found the back of the net again Sunday in North Bay as part of a 6-3 triumph over the Battalion.  The Spirit have closed the gap in the Western Conference playoff race with a 17-20-6-2 record trailing eighth place Flint by four points.

Hayden Hodgson of the Saginaw Spirit. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Hayden Hodgson of the Saginaw Spirit. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

A 20-year-old from Leamington, ON, Hodgson is playing in his fifth career OHL season and second with the Spirit after being acquired from the Sarnia Sting last January.  Originally a third round pick of the Erie Otters in the 2012 OHL Priority Selection, Hodgson has already established career-highs in all offensive categories including 27 goals and 22 assists for 49 points in 44 games.  He ranks tied for 15th overall in league scoring, while his 10 power play markers are tied for fifth best.  He is also among OHL leaders in shots on goal with 161 including 17 in his last three games.

Watch video highlights of Hodgson and the Spirit against the Colts and Battalion.

Also considered for the award this week were a pair of defencemen including fellow Spirit Filip Hronek and London Knights rearguard Mitchell Vande Sompel.  Hronek, a Detroit Red Wings prospect, picked up a goal and six assists for seven points in three games, while Vande Sompel, a New York Islanders prospect, tallied two goals and four assists for six points in three games.  In goal, 2017 NHL Draft prospect Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires posted a 2-0-0-1 record including a shutout victory stopping 103 shots for a goals-against-average of 1.30 and save percentage of .963.

2016-17 Pioneer Energy OHL Players of the Week:

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)