CHL Announces 100th Memorial Cup Bid Presentation Details

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced details regarding formal bid presentations for the 2018 Mastercard Memorial Cup which will be the 100th edition of the league’s prestigious national championship.

The Hamilton Bulldogs, Oshawa Generals, and the Regina Pats will present before a national Site Selection Committee of industry leaders from across Canada on Wednesday January 25, 2017, in Toronto.

2018 Mastercard Memorial Cup Site Selection Committee:

  • Michael Akpata (Retired Canadian Armed Forces, 2017 Mastercard Memorial Cup HOC)
  • 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)
  • Scott Smith (Chief Operating Officer, Hockey Canada)

Ex officio members of the Site Selection Committee include Commissioners David Branch (OHL), Gilles Courteau (QMJHL), and Ron Robison (WHL), and CHL Legal Counsel Gord Kirke who will serve as Site Selection Committee Chairman.

The 100th Mastercard Memorial Cup will take place May 17-27, 2018, and will feature a host CHL team along with the champions of the OHL, WHL, and QMJHL competing in the traditional round-robin tournament format.  The successful host city will be announced in February, 2017.

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.

Eemeli Rasanen – Kingston Frontenacs – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height: 6’6”

Weight: 205 pounds

Date of birth: March 6, 1999

Hometown: Joensuu, Finland

Position: Defence

Shoots: Right

OHL Draft: Round 2, 113th overall, 2016 CHL Import Draft

Kingston Frontenacs’ defenceman Eemeli Rasanen represented his native Finland at both the World Hockey Challenge Under-17 and at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. After watching him in the latter tournament, there was no doubt that Rasanen was a monster physically while at the same time he had to make huge strides in other areas, such as his skating- which is more awkward than anything.

The Frontenacs selected Rasanen in the second round, 113th overall in the Canadian Hockey League’s Import Draft in 2016. He was also selected in the 2015 USHL Draft by the Sioux City Musketeers in the twelfth round, 194 overall.

Eemeli Rasanen of the Kingston Frontenacs. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Eemeli Rasanen of the Kingston Frontenacs. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Rasanen made the jump to the Ontario Hockey League and it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows early on. He looked to be having a difficult time transitioning to North America, but that faded quickly. He appears to have worked hard on his skating, but still has some ways to go, especially his technique and adding even more speed. At the Hlinka, he was beaten to the outside with speed easily. Now, he’s using his long reach and a quicker step to prevent being beaten.

There’s no question Rasanen’s physical game. He uses his 6’6”, 205-pound frame effectively. In fact, he looks as if he enjoys and relishes physical contact. He has the physical strength to knock players over on the rush, pin opponents along the wall, and wins battles defending his goal. He’s improved on his transition game and makes a good first pass.

While Rasanen doesn’t lack hockey IQ, it appears average. He won’t dazzle you with puck rushes, but after making his first pass, he’s showing more willingness to jump into the play, but he does it intelligently and picks his spots.

Rasanen has showed a steady improvement offensively. He has four goals and seventeen assists through forty-four games this season but is getting more involved as of late. He has a hard-booming shot from the point but has a difficult time finding the space to get it away.

Rasanen projects to be a shut-down defenceman who can put up a little offence but patience will be required as he is a project.

On NHL Central Scouting’s mid-term rankings, Rasanen was ranked 20th among OHL skaters and 57th among North American skaters.

Eemeli Räsänen

This is the profile page of Eemeli Räsänen at http://www.eliteprospects.com

 

Jonah Gadjovich – Owen Sound Attack – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 201 pounds

Date of birth: October 12, 1998

Hometown: Whitby, Ontario

Position: Left Wing

Shoots: Left

OHL Draft: Round 2, 39th overall, 2014 Priority Selection

Jonah Gadjovich played his minor midget AAA hockey with the Whitby Wildcats during the 2013-2014 season where he scored 15 goals and added 15 assists in 23 games. He also played in the OHL Cup and the OHL Gold cup and appeared in 5 games in each of the Championships scoring once and adding three assists in each.

The Owen Sound Attack would select Gadjovich in the second round, thirty-ninth overall in the 2014 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.

Jonah Gadjovich of the Owen Sound Attack. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Jonah Gadjovich of the Owen Sound Attack. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

The Owen Sound Attack have won 12 straight games and Gadjovich has played a major role in that run. In that span he has 15 goals and 8 assists giving him 25 goals and 16 assists through 36 games on the season. His 41 points put him fourth on the Attack scoring list.

As a late ’98 birthdate, Gadjovich is in his third season with the Attack. His rookie campaign saw him put up 4-5-9 totals in 60 games. He followed that up during the 2015-2016 season with 14-10-24 totals in 66 games. This season, he is playing in all situations and has 7 powerplay goals and a shorthanded goal.

Gadjovich plays with a shoot first mentality, being held off the shot board just once this season and all but two others have been multi-shot games, with a game high of twelve which he’s accomplished twice. And why wouldn’t he since he’s scoring on 15.7% of those shots.

Gadjovich is an average skater, but his size and strength enable him to drive the net with or without the puck, usually resulting in a scoring chance. He has a very good shot and not a stretch to say the best backhand in this draft class.

Gadjovich will battle for pucks in all the dirty areas, will take the hit to make a play and will throw a hit to separate his opponent from the puck. He is also very good at anticipating, taking away passes and causing turnovers.

Gadjovich was ranked 22nd among OHL skaters 6oth among North American skaters on NHL Central Scouting mid-term ranking.

Jonah Gadjovich hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of Jonah Gadjovich, a hockey player from Whitby, ONT born Oct 12 1998 who was active from 2014 to 2017.

 

Ben Jones – Niagara Ice Dogs – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height: 6’0”

Weight:  187 pounds

Date of birth:  February 26,1999

Hometown: Waterloo, Ontario

Position: Center

Shoots: Left

OHL Draft: Round 1, 7th overall, 2015 Priority Selection

The Niagara Ice Dogs selected Ben Jones seventh overall at the 2015 Ontario Hockey League’s Priority Selection. Jones is a graduate of the Toronto Marlboros Minor Midget AAA squad from the 2014-2015 season where he scored 27 goals and 42 assists in 74 games. His 69 points were second only to Ryan McLeod for the Marlboros, who went on to win the GTMMHL Championship.

Jones went on to add one goal and fours assists in seven OHL Cup games as the Marlboros took that championship as well. Jones also participated in the OHL Gold Cup, scoring three goals in five games.

Ben Jones of the Niagara IceDogs. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Ben Jones of the Niagara IceDogs. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Last season, Jones made the Ice Dogs lineup and scored five goals and four assists in sixty-one games while playing on a deep Ice Dogs squad that went to the OHL Finals and eventually lost to the London Knights.

There is no consensus when it comes to Jones, and depending on which scouting service you subscribe to, he’s liked by some and not on the radar of others. I’m in the camp that believes Jones can play in the NHL and that an NHL teams sees the same at perhaps a very late second round or early third round pick in the National Hockey League Draft.

To date this season, Jones has appeared in thirty-six games for the Ice Dogs and has ten goals and twenty-one assists making his thirty-one points rank third among Ice Dogs.

Jones projects as a two-way center who can provide some offense. He’s good on face-offs at 52.2%. He has very good speed and decent size to play an energy role for his squad. He doesn’t shy away from the physical game, but he also doesn’t go out seeking it. At the same time, he doesn’t shy away from the dirty areas and will score most of his goals directly in front of the opposition net. He does possess a hard, accurate shot with a very good release.

Jones is a good skater with good speed and very good vision. He handles the puck extremely well and uses his teammates exceptionally well.

Jones’ biggest need is to add strength and he’s aware of that, taking part in strength building. And having played most of his hockey life to date as a defenceman, he’s aware of the defensive game, which is probably why he’s such a good two-way player.

Jones was ranked 32nd among OHL skaters, 99th among North American skaters on NHL Central Scouting mid-term rankings.

Ben Jones (b.1999) hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of Ben Jones, a hockey player from Waterloo, ONT born Feb 26 1999 who was active from 2014 to 2017.

Zach Gallant – Peterborough Petes – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 184 pounds

Date of birth: March 6, 1999

Hometown: Oakville, Ontario

Position: Center

Shoots: Left

OHL Draft: Round 1, 5th overall, 2015 Priority Selection

Playing his midget hockey for the Mississauga Rebels Minor Midget AAA squad, Zachary Gallant scored twenty-four goals and thirty-four assists in sixty-two games while amassing ninety-five minutes in penalties. Upon completion of his season, he got a three-game stint with the Oakville Blades of the Ontario Junior Hockey League.

Last season Gallant took the Ontario Hockey League route and appeared in fifty-one games for the Peterborough Petes. He registered just four assists on the season as it appeared he was having difficulty adjusting to the league. He also represented Canada Red at the World Hockey Challenge Under-17, and in six games for Canada, had two assists.

Zach Gallant of the Peterborough Petes. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Zach Gallant of the Peterborough Petes. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

The Petes have been one of the OHL’s hottest teams of late going 16-3-0 and Gallant has been a large part of that run scoring nine goals and adding ten assists raising his season totals to fourteen goals and nineteen assists in forty-one games.

At 6’1” and 184 pounds, Gallant has good size. He’s not afraid of the physical game and does not hesitate to initiate the physicality. He lacks an explosive first step to his skating and doesn’t possess a separation gear which in turn reflects on his offense. I’m a firm believer that skating can be improved through hard work and commitment and have no doubt Gallant has the will to do just that.

Gallant’s strength however, is his ability to play an excellent two-way game while providing some offense. How his skating improves will dictate how his offensive abilities translate to the NHL. He’s excellent in the face-off circle, winning 59.9% of his draws. Defensively, Gallant can read and react instantly and has a strong ability to create turnovers. He has a willingness to block shots and is adept at it. His work ethic and commitment to the defensive zone will be his ticket to the NHL.

Offensively, Gallant is not afraid of the dirty areas. He’s hard to knock off the puck and is excellent at keeping possession. He cycles with confidence and sometimes with ease. He has an average shot, firing at a rate of 12.8% while an average playmaker.

There are no statistics to measure heart and determination to win. But Gallant is all heart with a willingness to do whatever it takes to win, and with him, the team always comes first.

Gallant was ranked 24th among OHL players , 71st among North American skaters on the NHL Central Scouting mid-term rankings.

68 OHL Players NHL Central Scouting’s Mid-Term Rankings

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

National Hockey League Central Scouting released it’s mid-term rankings for the 2017 draft, and 60 Ontario Hockey League players made the list. That list is comprised of 51 skaters and 9 goaltenders.

As is always the case with any such list, there will be questions and head scratching. Yours truly has never  been shy of this in the past. So here is my take on the good, the bad and the ugly from the list.

The Good

Conor Timmins continues to open eyes and its good to see that he has grabbed the attention of Central Scouting. After a somewhat unimpressive rookie season a year ago, he has emerged as the Greyhounds number one defenceman on the first place team.

The Bad

It’s hard to argue against Kaden Fulcher or Kyle Keyser, but Matthew Villalta should be ahead. He’s the backup to Joseph Raaymakers (undrafted and re-enters the draft and is unranked), but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Villalta get more and more starts as he has shown he can lead the Greyhounds to victory as much, if not more than Raaymakers.

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.

The Ugly

Goaltender Michael DiPietro as the number seven ranked goaltender from North America is simply mind boggling. His two seasons in the OHL have been outstanding. This is definitely a knock on his size – you know, big goaltenders are the way to go in the NHL these days. But if he goes where Central has him ranked, someone is going to get the steal of the draft.

Here is the full Central Scouting rankings of OHL players with their over-all rankings shown.

3 Vilardi, Gabriel Center Windsor
4 Tippett, Owen Right Wing Mississauga
11 Hague, Nicolas Defenseman Mississauga
16 Suzuki, Nick Center Owen Sound
19 Strome, Matthew Left Wing Hamilton
20 Ratcliffe, Isaac Left Wing Guelph
24 Formenton, Alex Left Wing London
26 Timmins, Conor Defenseman Sault Marie
27 Ruzicka, Adam Center Sarnia
28 Thomas, Robert Center London
29 Frost, Morgan Center Sault Marie
32 Schnarr, Nate Center Guelph
34 Robertson, Jason Left Wing Kingston
35 Entwistle, Mackenzie Right Wing Hamilton
37 Lodnia, Ivan Right Wing Erie
38 Chmelevski, Alexander Center Ottawa
39 Meireles, Greg Center Kitchener
41 Hoefenmayer, Noel Defenseman Ottawa
53 Lyle, Brady Defenseman North Bay
57 Rasanen, Eemeli Defenseman Kingston
59 Thilander, Adam Defenseman North Bay
60 Gadjovich, Jonah Left Wing Owen Sound
62 Phillips, Markus Defenseman Owen Sound
71 Gallant, Zach Center Peterborough
73 Sushko, Maksim Right Wing Owen Sound
79 McGregor, Ryan Center Sarnia
80 Studnicka, Jack Center Oshawa
86 Studenic, Marian Right Wing Hamilton
90 Paquette, Jacob Defenseman Kingston
92 Keating, Austen Left Wing Ottawa
96 Coskey, Cole Right Wing Saginaw
99 Jones, Ben Center Niagara
100 Seitz, Dylan Center Kitchener
102 Nyman, Linus Right Wing Kingston
122 Samorukov, Dmitri Defenseman Guelph
123 Boomhower, Shaw Left Wing Mississauga
135 Deakin-Poot, Nick Center Guelph
139 Durzi, Sean Defenseman Owen Sound
143 Golden, Jacob Defenseman London
147 Machala, Ondrej Left Wing Niagara
148 Hancock, Kevin Left Wing Owen Sound
161 Demeo, Anthony Defenseman Sault Marie
162 Michnac, Albert Left Wing Guelph
166 Svoboda, Matyas Left Wing Peterborough
168 Isaacson, Nick Left Wing Peterborough
173 Philip, Matthew Center Niagara
176 McHugh, Nicholas Left Wing Kitchener
180 Roberts, Zachary Left Wing Owen Sound
183 Carson, Macauley Left Wing Sudbury
185 Maksimov, Kirill Right Wing Niagara
188 Gordeev, Fedor Defenseman Flint
189 Castleman, Oliver Left Wing Niagara
191 Garreffa, Joseph Left Wing Kitchener
194 Purboo, Cole Right Wing Windsor
205 Hedberg, Tom Defenseman Barrie
206 Fraser, Cole Defenseman Peterborough
208 Roberts, Elijah Defenseman Kitchener
209 Grima, Nicholas Defenseman Sarnia
211 Boka, Lucas Right Wing Windsor
7 Dipietro, Michael Goalie Windsor
10 Keyser, Kyle Goalie Oshawa
12 Fulcher, Kaden Goalie Hamilton
14 Villalta, Matt Goalie Sault Marie
19 Dhillon, Stephen Goalie Niagara
23 McGrath, Jake Goalie Sudbury
25 Propp, Christian Goalie Barrie
27 Lafreniere, Olivier Goalie Ottawa
28 Hughes, Aidan Goalie Sarnia

OHL Introduces Under-18 Priority Selection

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the introduction of an annual Under-18 Priority Selection for Midget AAA hockey players in Ontario.

The inaugural OHL Under-18 Priority Selection will take place on Wednesday April 12, 2017, beginning at 7:00 pm with picks submitted online by OHL member clubs and displayed in real-time at ontariohockeyleague.com.

“Midget hockey in Ontario features hundreds of talented players who continue to develop their game,” said OHL Commissioner, David Branch. “Working with our Minor Hockey partners, the OHL Under-18 Priority Selection will serve to assist in the continued growth of Midget hockey and provide further opportunities for players at different stages of their overall hockey development.”

priority-selection-under-18The concept of the OHL Under-18 Priority Selection has developed with full support from Hockey Canada’s three Ontario Branches including the Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF), Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO), and Hockey Northwestern Ontario (HNO).

“The Ontario Hockey League has long been a leader in the advancement of young athletes and the new Under-18 Priority Selection is a continuation of that development,” said OHF President, Tony Foresi. “We believe this second draft will offer players a chance to develop at their own pace while still working toward their hockey goals.”

“The OHL has added a great incentive for those players who may have required an additional year or two of development to reach their full potential,” said HEO President, Ron McRostie. “HEO is excited that some late developing athletes may have an additional opportunity of reaching their goals.”

“The new Ontario Hockey League Under-18 Priority Selection is a great opportunity for players that have continued to develop in Midget AAA hockey within the province,” said HNO President, Glenn Timko. “We see this U18 draft as a positive opportunity for players in the Northwest, to have another chance at being selected by an Ontario Hockey League club.”

The OHL Under-18 Priority Selection will be held in addition to the league’s current Priority Selection process which takes place this season on Saturday April 8, 2017, for all 2001 birth year players and those eligible players currently not playing Midget hockey.

Eligibility for the OHL Under-18 Priority Selection includes all Midget players (1999 and 2000 birth years for 2017 draft) not currently on an OHL Member Team Protected List who were carded with an Ontario based Midget AAA Hockey Club within the OHF, HEO, or HNO in the current season.

The order of selection for the Under-18 Priority Selection shall be the same as the Under-16 Priority Selection format which is determined through the final preceding regular season schedule.  The non-playoff teams shall select first determined by inverse order of finish, followed by all other teams with the selection position also determined by inverse order of finish. 

The inaugural Under-18 Priority Selection will be capped at four rounds with all OHL Member Teams required to draft a minimum of four players. 

To enhance opportunities specifically for goaltenders, should an OHL Member Team select a goaltender with one of their selections, the club has the option to select another player (skater only).  An additional round will be added to facilitate the drafting of any additional skaters utilizing the same selection order and process.

CHL Announces Top 10 Rankings

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced the week seventeenth 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 17

Rank: Team: Last Week Rank: Number of Weeks Ranked:
1 Regina Pats (29-5-6-1) 1 16
2 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (31-10-2-0) 4 7
3 London Knights (28-7-3-3) 2 16
4 Everett Silvertips (28-6-7-1) 3 14
5 Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (27-10-1-5) 9 17
6 Erie Otters (29-10-2-1) 6 12
7 Windsor Spitfires (27-8-5-2) 7 16
8 Prince George Cougars (32-12-2-0) 10 16
9 Saint John Sea Dogs (27-12-3-1) 8 12
10 Owen Sound Attack (29-13-1-0) – 1
Honourable Mention:
Medicine Hat Tigers (30-13-1-0) – 5
Shawinigan Cataractes (27-12-2-1) 5 14
Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (26-11-4-2) – 6

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 fifth 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 5

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

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 on Wednesday 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.

Patrick and Hischier named Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Captains

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League in association with Sherwin-Williams today announced the captains and alternate captains for the 2017 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game to be played on Monday January 30 in Quebec City, hosted by the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Quebec Remparts.

Nolan Patrick of the Brandon Wheat Kings and Nico Hischier of the Halifax Mooseheads have both been named captains for the 22nd annual showcase of the CHL’s top-40 NHL Draft eligible players.  Patrick will lead Team Cherry along with alternate captains Maxime Comtois of the Victoriaville Tigres, and Owen Tippett of the Mississauga Steelheads.  Hischier will lead Team Orr with alternates Nicolas Hague of the Steelheads, and Michael Rasmussen of the Tri-City Americans.

“I’m excited about the event, to be named as a team captain is an honour,” said Patrick. “I’m just looking forward to getting to Quebec City and playing with some great players, it should be an entertaining game with that much talent on the ice together.”

unnamedAn 18-year-old from Winnipeg, MB, Patrick also serves as captain for the Wheat Kings playing in his third full WHL season after being selected by the club fourth overall in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft.  Last season he was named WHL Playoff MVP helping the club secure their third league title contributing 30 points in 21 post-season games.  Patrick has been limited to just eight games this season but has recorded six goals and seven assists for 13 points including a four-point performance Friday night in his return from injury.

“It feels really good (to be named captain) because it’s an honour for me and I’m really excited about it,” said Hischier. “It’s a good experience and a chance to meet new friends so it should be fun.”

An 18-year-old from Naters, Switzerland, Hischier is playing in his first full QMJHL season after being selected by the Mooseheads sixth overall in the 2016 CHL Import Draft.  He currently leads all QMJHL rookies in scoring with 30 goals and 30 assists for 60 points in 36 games which ranks sixth among all players.  Hischier was one of 55 CHL players to compete at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship leading his country in scoring and named one of Switzerland’s Top-3 Players with four goals and three assists for seven points in five games including an appearance in the Quarter-Finals.

Over the past 21 years, 18 Wheat Kings and 18 Mooseheads have competed in this event.  Patrick is the first from his club to be named captain, while Hischier follows Nathan MacKinnon who captained Team Cherry on home ice in 2013.

Team Cherry leaders also include a pair of forwards who excelled at the 2016 CIBC Canada Russia Series.  Comtois, an 18-year-old from Longueuil, QC, has 13 goals and 17 assists for 30 points in 42 games playing in his second QMJHL season after being selected third overall by the Tigres in the 2015 QMJHL Entry Draft.  He scored twice while representing Team QMJHL against the Russians on November 17 in Baie-Comeau.  Tippett, an 18-year-old from Peterborough, ON, is tied for the OHL lead with 34 goals and ranks fifth overall in league scoring with 57 points in 41 games.  Playing in his second career season after being chosen fourth overall by the Steelheads in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection, he also competed against Team Russia and was named Player of the Game for Team OHL November 10 in North Bay recording two assists.

 Team Orr leaders include a pair of towering figures on the blue line and up front.  Hague, an 18-year-old defenceman from Kitchener, ON, is playing in his second career season with the Steelheads who chose him in the second round of the 2014 OHL Priority Selection.  The 2016 OHL Scholastic Player of the Year stands 6’5’’ and currently has 14 goals and 17 assists for 31 points in 41 games.  Rasmussen, a 17-year-old from Surrey, BC, also stands 6’5’’ and currently ranks fifth in the WHL with 30 goals while adding 21 assists for 51 points through 46 games.  Playing in his second career season, the former seventh overall pick in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft opened the season in style for the Americans with a career-high four goals September 24 against the Spokane Chiefs.

 Since 2010, Team Cherry captains have included Jakob Chychrun, Anthony Beauvillier, Sam Reinhart, Nathan MacKinnon, Ryan Murray, Sean Couturier, and Taylor Hall, while recent Team Orr captains include Matthew Tkachuk, Connor McDavid, Aaron Ekblad, Seth Jones, Colton Sissons, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Tyler Seguin.

Click here to see full Team Cherry and Team Orr rosters for the 2017 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.

 Team Cherry and Team Orr coaching staffs will be announced later this week.

The 2017 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is proudly supported by title partner Sherwin-Williams, and CHL associate sponsors CIBC, Cooper Tire, and autoTRADER.ca.  The game will be broadcast live on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.

Tickets are still available through the box office at 1-855-790-1245 or visit Ticketmaster to purchase online.

For more information please visit http://sherwin-williamstopprospects.ca.

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