Mooseheads’ Nico Hischier named CHL Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that 2017 NHL Draft prospect Nico Hischier of the Halifax Mooseheads is the CHL Player of the Week for the week ending November 13 after recording nine points in two games with five goals and four assists along with a plus-minus rating of plus-4.

Hischier earned first star honours in both games last week leading the Mooseheads to a pair of victories on home ice to improve their record to 11-10-0-0.  On Friday night he scored two goals and three assists as part of a 9-5 win over the Sherbrooke Phoenix, then scored his second hat-trick of the season while adding an assist in a 7-4 win against the Charlottetown Islanders.

A 17-year-old from Naters, Switzerland, Hischier is playing in his first QMJHL season with the Mooseheads after being chosen sixth overall in the 2016 CHL Import Draft.  The rookie is currently tied for second in QMJHL scoring with 34 points including 17 goals and 17 assists in 21 games and is a top prospect for the 2017 NHL Draft with an ‘A rating’ from NHL Central Scouting in their October Players to Watch list.

Also considered for the award this week was Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Adam Brooks of the Regina Pats who scored once with five assists for six points in two games, and Florida Panthers prospect Jonathan Ang of the Peterborough Petes who scored four goals and three assists for seven points in four games.

 2016-17 CHL Players of the Week:

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

Oil Kings’ Patrick Dea named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Patrick Dea of the Edmonton Oil Kings is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending November 13 after posting a 2-0-0-0 record including a shutout victory with a goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .968.

Dea made 61 saves in two games backstopping the Oil Kings to a pair of victories to improve their record to 8-9-2-0.  On Thursday night he stopped 34 shots in a 4-2 win over the Saskatoon Blades, then had a 27-save performance on Saturday recording his first shutout of the season in a 3-0 triumph over the Kootenay Ice where he earned third star honours.

A 19-year-old from St. Albert, AB, Dea is playing in his third full season with the Oil Kings after being chosen by the club in the first round of the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft.  So far this season he carries a record of 7-5-0-0 with a 3.24 goals-against-average and a .897 save percentage.

Also considered for the award this week was Stephen Dhillon of the Niagara IceDogs who made 123 saves in three games posting a record of 2-1-0-0 along with a goals-against-average of 1.67 and save percentage of .961, and Carolina Hurricanes prospect Callum Booth of the Quebec Remparts who made 66 saves going 2-0-0-0 with a goals-against-average of 2.90 and save percentage of .917.

2016-17 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week:

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

 

Michael DiPietro – Windsor Spitfires – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height: 6’0”

Weight:  193 pounds

Date of birth:  June 9, 1999

Hometown:  Amherstburg, ON

Position:  Goaltender

Catches: Left

OHL Draft:  Round 2, 23rd overall, 2015 OHL Priority Selection

I’m not usually a fan of goaltenders being drafted in the first round but every once in a while a prospect comes along that you have to give it serious consideration. Malcolm Subban was the last Ontario Hockey League goaltender selected in the first round of the National Hockey League Draft (24th overall in 2012 by the Boston Bruins), and setting aside hindsight, an argument can be made whether it was the correct choice or not.

Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires will rightfully garner attention as a first rounder in 2017.

Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

DiPietro played his midget hockey for the Sun County Panthers where he posted a 2.12 goals against average and a .916 save percentage. He also led Team Ontario Under-16’s to a gold medal at the Canada Winter Games with a 0.75 goals against average and a .970 save percentage. That set the stage for Spitfires’ General Manager Warren Rychel to select him in the second round of the OHL Draft.

DiPietro made an immediate impact in the OHL in his rookie season 16-8-1-1 record with a 2.45 goals against average and .912 save percentage. He won the Dinty Moore Trophy for having the best rookie goals against average and was named to the OHL First All-Rookie Team at the end of the season.

DiPietro also played for Team Canada at the World Hockey Challenge Under-17’s where he posted the tournaments best goals against average at 1.75 and in those five games had a save percentage of .929. He was also a standout for Team Canada at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial. In 3 appearances he posted a 2.00 goals against average as well as a .920 save percentage.

This season, DiPietro is taking the next step ranking near the top of the league in both goals against average and save percentage.

DiPietro lacks the size that NHL teams seem to covet when it comes to goaltenders nowadays. But what he lacks in size, he makes up with talent.

DiPietro is very agile and athletic. His side to side movement is very quick as is his ability to get into position. He plays a composed game and tracks the puck extremely well. His reflexes are excellent and trusts his abilities. He’s very good in close and remains calm in those situations. His positioning is excellent especially with shots coming through traffic. He is so positionally sound that the puck just hits him through that traffic, or if deflected, can get a pad or glove on it.

If there was one area that DiPietro needed to work on it is his rebound control. From last season to now, he has improved in that area of his game, but it continues to be a work in progress.

As hosts of the 2017 Memorial Cup, the Windsor Spitfires will be playing into May and there will be a lot of eyes on DiPietro. If you are a gambler, don’t bet against him.

Michael DiPietro hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of Michael DiPietro, a hockey player from Amherstburg, ONT born Jun 9 1999 who was active from 2015 to 2017.

 

Petes’ Jonathan Ang named Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Florida Panthers prospect Jonathan Ang of the Peterborough Petes is the Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week for the week ending November 13 after scoring four goals and three assists for seven points in four games with a plus-minus rating of plus-4.

Ang’s seven points led the league in scoring last week as the Petes wrapped up a three-game West Division road trip.  Before heading west, the Petes picked up a win on home ice last Tuesday with a 3-1 victory over the Niagara IceDogs in a special ‘throwback’ game paying tribute to the very first Peterborough and St. Catharines matchup 60 years ago.  Ang first hit the score sheet Friday recording his second hat-trick of the month and earning first star honours in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Flint Firebirds.  He also picked up an assist on Saturday in a 7-4 loss to the Saginaw Spirit, then finished the week Sunday with a goal and two assists as third star of a 4-3 loss to the Windsor Spitfires.

Jonathan Ang of the Peterborough Petes. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Jonathan Ang of the Peterborough Petes. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

An 18-year-old from Markham, ON, Ang is playing in his third career season with the Petes who chose him in the first round of the 2014 OHL Priority Selection.  He currently leads the Petes with 20 points in 19 games including 10 goals and 10 assists and was a fourth round pick of the Florida Panthers in the 2016 NHL Draft.

Watch video highlights of Ang and the Petes against the IceDogs, Firebirds, Spirit, and Spitfires.

Also considered for the award this week was Toronto Maple Leafs prospect JJ Piccinich of the London Knights and Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Taylor Raddysh of the Erie Otters.  The newly appointed captain of the Knights, Piccinich, recorded two goals and four assists for six points in two games, while Raddysh, the league’s top scorer, netted three goals and three assists for six points in four games.  In goal, Stephen Dhillon of the Niagara IceDogs made 123 saves in three games posting a record of 2-1-0-0 along with a goals-against-average of 1.67 and save percentage of .961.

2016-17 Pioneer Energy OHL Players of the Week:

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)

MacKenzie Entwistle – Hamilton Bulldogs – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height: 6’3”

Weight:  181 pounds

Date of birth:  July 4, 1999

Hometown: Georgetown, ON

Position:  Right Wing

Shoots:  Right

OHL Draft:  Second round, 40th overall, 2015 OHL Priority Selection

Entwistle played his midget hockey for the Toronto Marlboros. There, in 66 games, he scored 22 goals and added 27 assists and an Alternate Captain of the Marlboros. He was drafted by the Bulldogs in the second round, 40th overall at the 2015 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.

Last season was Entwistle’s rookie campaign with the Bulldogs. He appeared in all but eight games scoring six goals and fourteen points. He represented Canada at the World Hockey Challenge Under-17’s with a goal in six games. In August, he represented Canada once again at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial and contributed an assist in 4 games.

MacKenzie Entwistle of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
MacKenzie Entwistle of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Entwistle came into this season as a projected first round talent and to date has given no indication that he is anything but. Through the Bulldogs’ first 19 games, Entwistle sits third in scoring for Hamilton with 9 goals and 7 assists.

During his rookie season, Entwistle showed improvement as the season began and that trajectory has carried over into this season. He was already strong defensively with the Marlboros but continues to take it to another level. He is a premier penalty killer for Hamilton and has a shorthanded goal to show for it. He uses his size effectively to play physical and separate players from the puck. Combined with his skating and strong hockey sense, he is a force in his own zone.

Offensively, Entwistle uses his skating and size to attack the net with or without the puck and can cause havoc and scoring opportunities for his teammate. While he gets quality power play time, he has yet to score on the PP but he has three helpers. He’s underrated offensively in some circles. He possesses soft hands with very good vision and is a very good playmaker. He’s strong on the puck and difficult to separate from it.

Reed Duthie is the TV play by play voice of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Reed was kind enough to share his thoughts with OHL Writers:

Perhaps the most improved of a young Bulldogs’ team from the beginning of 2015/16 to now. Entwistle continues to learn to effectively use his size and growing strength to his advantage and continues to improve his hockey IQ and play in all 3 zones. Exciting with the puck on his stick, Entwistle can hold off defenders while making plays or driving to the net. A key member of the Bulldogs PK unit as well, Entwistle’s positioning & quick stick benefit his teammates in tough defensive situations. With the depth, when healthy, Entwistle will get the chance to add to already offensive numbers this season. Entwistle projects moving forward as a top 6 forward with room to grow into an elite level OHLer.

MacKenzie Entwistle hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of MacKenzie Entwistle, a hockey player from Georgetown, ONT born Jul 14 1999 who was active from 2015 to 2017.

 

Warriors’ Zach Sawchenko named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Zach Sawchenko of the Moose Jaw Warriors is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week after posting a 2-0-0-0 record with a goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .975.

Vaughn

Sawchenko made 77 saves and earned first star honours in both Warriors victories last week.  On Tuesday night he made 41 saves in a 3-1 win over the Brandon Wheat Kings, then stopped 36 shots on Friday in a 3-1 triumph over the Edmonton Oil Kings.  The Warriors are currently second place in the WHL’s East Division standings with an 11-4-2-0 record.

An 18-year-old from Calgary, AB, Sawchenko is playing in his fourth career season with the Warriors who selected him in the second round of the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft.  In nine games so far this season, Sawchenko has a 6-1-2-0 record with a 2.82 goals-against-average and .915 save percentage.  He is eligible for the 2017 NHL Draft and was given a ‘C’ rating by NHL Central Scouting in their October ‘Players to Watch’ list.

Also considered for the award this week was Edmonton Oilers prospect Dylan Wells of the Peterborough Petes who posted a 2-0-0-0 record with a goals-against-average of 1.98 and save percentage of .944, and Samuel Harvey of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies with a 2-0-0-0 record posting a goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .968.

2016-17 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week:

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)

Otters’ Alex DeBrincat named CHL Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Chicago Blackhawks prospect Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters is the CHL Player of the Week for the week ending November 6 after recording 11 points in three games scoring five goals with six assists along with a plus-minus rating of plus-3.

Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

DeBrincat produced a trio of multi-point performances last week helping the OHL’s first place Otters improve their record to 13-3-1-0.  He scored the game-winning goal in all three contests including the overtime winner on Wednesday morning, part of a two-goal and one assist effort, as first star of a 5-4 School Day win over the Guelph Storm.  On Friday night he scored a goal and two assists in a 7-4 win over the Mississauga Steelheads, then finished the week by matching a career-high with five points including two goals and three assists receiving first star honours in a 7-3 comeback win against the Kitchener Rangers.

An 18-year-old from Farmington Hills, Michigan, DeBrincat is playing in his third career OHL season with the Otters.  The 2015 CHL Rookie of the Year has recorded back-to-back 51-goal campaigns and currently leads the OHL with 17 goals ranking second in points with 35 through 14 games.  The second round pick of the Blackhawks in the 2016 NHL Draft was signed to an entry-level contract on Monday.

Also considered for the award this week Antoine Waked of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies who scored five goals and four assists for nine points in three games, and Washington Capitals prospect Connor Hobbs of the Regina Pats with one goal and six assists for seven points in two games.

2016-17 CHL Players of the Week:

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)

Otters’ Alex DeBrincat named Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Chicago Blackhawks prospect Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters is the Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week for the week ending November 6 after scoring five goals and six assists for 11 points in three games with a plus-minus rating of plus-3.

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

DeBrincat produced a trio of multi-point performances scoring the game-winning goal in all three games for the Otters last week who improved their first place record to 13-3-1-0.  His week began with a Wednesday morning battle against the Guelph Storm in the Otters’ annual School Day game scoring two goals including the overtime winner while adding an assist as first star of the 5-4 triumph.  On Friday night in Mississauga he tallied a goal and two assists as the Otters defeated the Steelheads 7-4.  His week wrapped up Saturday earning first star honours for matching a career-high with five points fueled by two goals and three assists as the Otters erased a 3-2 third period deficit coming back to beat the Kitchener Rangers by a 7-3 score.  DeBrincat is the second straight Otter to earn Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week honours following goaltender Troy Timpano.

An 18-year-old from Farmington Hills, Michigan, DeBrincat is playing in his third career OHL season with the Otters.  The 2015 CHL Rookie of the Year has recorded back-to-back 51-goal campaigns collecting 205 points in his first two OHL seasons.  The second round pick of the Blackhawks in the 2016 NHL Draft signed his entry-level contract with the club today and currently leads the league with 17 goals and ranks second in overall scoring with 35 points in 14 games.

Watch video highlights of DeBrincat and the Otters against the Storm, Steelheads, and Rangers.

Also considered for the award this week was fellow Otter and OHL Top Scorer Taylor Raddysh, a Tampa Bay Lightning prospect who scored four goals and seven assists for 11 points in three games, and 2017 NHL Draft prospect Nick Suzuki of the Owen Sound Attack who scored three goals and five assists for eight points in three games.  In goal, Edmonton Oilers prospect Dylan Wells of the Peterborough Petes posted a 2-0-0-0 record with 67 saves for a goals-against-average of 1.98 and save percentage of .944.

2016-17 Pioneer Energy OHL Players of the Week:

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)

2016 CIBC Canada Russia Series Begins Tonight in Prince George

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

CHL and CIBC launch #CIBCRenameTheGame fan vote

Prince George, BC – The stage is set for the 2016 CIBC Canada Russia Series featuring some of the world’s best major junior hockey talent competing in a six-game series that opens tonight in Prince George, BC.

2016 marks the 14th edition of the Canada-Russia rivalry with regional league teams of Canadian National Junior Team candidates from across the Canadian Hockey League competing against the Russian National Junior Team.  The series is an integral part of the identification process for Team Canada prior to the IIHF World Junior Championship and begins with two games in the Western Hockey League, followed by a pair of contests in the Ontario Hockey League, and wraps up with two games in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

super-series

“The rivalry between Canada and Russia is one of the greatest in hockey,” said CHL President David Branch. “For the 14th straight season we look forward to bringing the CIBC Canada Russia Series to communities across our country.  This event annually showcases many of the league’s best players aiming for a spot on Canada’s National Junior Team in advance of the World Junior Championship which returns to Toronto and Montreal next winter.”

Since the event first began in 2003, CHL teams have played to an overall record of 54-18-6 against Team Russia.  The competitiveness of the rivalry has grown in recent years with four of the last six series decided in the final game.  Russia earned their first series victory in 2010 and have since alternated annual series victories with the CHL who earned the 2015 title by a 12-3 margin in points.

The 2016 event welcomes CIBC, the Official Bank of the CHL, as title sponsor.  Over the past few weeks, CIBC and the CHL have partnered to give fans the opportunity to rename the CIBC Canada Russia Series through online submissions using #CIBCRenameTheGame.

“As new title sponsor of the CIBC Canada Russia Series, we want to help capture and amplify the pride around junior hockey across Canada,” says Rob Assimakopoulos, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, CIBC. “The opportunity to give this iconic tournament a new name, beginning in 2017, is a great way for Canadians to foster a sense of ownership for this campaign, by voting for their favourite choice, and creating a lasting impact on the series.”

From November 7-17, Canadians can vote for their favourite new name from a list of online entries by visiting http://chlcanadarussia.ca/renamethegame.

Fans from coast-to-coast can enjoy all six games of the 2016 CIBC Canada Russia Series live on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.  Live scoring, statistics, tournament history, records, event news, and game highlights are all available at http://chlcanadarussia.ca and on social media @CHLHockey using #CANvsRUS.

2016 CIBC Canada Russia Series Schedule:

Game 1 – Monday November 7 at Prince George, BC (Live at 7pm PT on Sportsnet, TVA Sports 2, NHL Network U.S)

Game 2 – Tuesday November 8 at Edmonton, AB (Live at 8pm MT on Sportsnet, TVA Sports 2, NHL Network U.S)

Game 3 – Thursday November 10 at North Bay, ON (Live at 7pm ET on Sportsnet ONE, TVA Sports 2, Next day 1:00 pm ET on NHL Network U.S)

Game 4 – Monday November 14 at Hamilton, ON (Live at 7pm ET on Sportsnet, TVA Sports 2, Next day 1:00 pm ET on NHL Network U.S)

Game 5 – Tuesday November 15 at Chicoutimi, QC (Live at 7pm ET on Sportsnet ONE, Sportsnet Pacific, TVA Sports 2, Next day 1:00 pm ET on NHL Network U.S)

Game 6 – Thursday November 17 at Baie-Comeau, QC (Live at 7pm ET on Sportsnet ONE, TVA Sports 2, Next day 1:00 pm ET on NHL Network U.S)

The 2016 CIBC Canada Russia series is supported by title sponsor and Official Bank of the CHL, CIBC, and CHL associate sponsors Cooper Tire, autoTRADER.ca and Sherwin-Williams.

OHL Announces Academic Players of the Month for October

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the OHL Academic Players of the Month for October, 2016, including forwards Zach Gallant of the Peterborough Petes, Nick Suzuki of the Owen Sound Attack, Cole Purboo of the Windsor Spitfires and goaltender Jacob Ingham of the Mississauga Steelheads.

Best of Both Worlds

East Division: Peterborough Petes sophomore forward Zach Gallant is the OHL East Division Academic Player of the Month for October. The Oakville, ON, native claims his second Academic Player of the Month award after earning the distinction in February, 2016. The grade 12 student is currently excelling in his schoolwork, striving for success both in the classroom and on the ice. Gallant is achieving high grades in University level English, Biology and Physics courses at St. Peter’s Secondary School. On the ice, Gallant has a goal and six assists over 14 games and is among the league’s top faceoff-men with a 60% success rate (138/228). He scored his first career OHL goal on September 28th against Oshawa.

Central Division: Mississauga Steelheads rookie goaltender Jacob Ingham has been named the OHL Central Division Academic Player of the Month for October. A 16-year-old grade 11 student at Philip Pocock Catholic Secondary School, Ingham is excelling in University level courses this semester and has earned praise from his teachers and academic advisors. The Barrie, ON, native is 2-2-1-1 over seven games this season and is currently representing Team Canada Black at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Sault Ste. Marie. He was Mississauga’s second round (26th overall) pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection.

Midwest Division: Owen Sound Attack sophomore forward Nick Suzuki is the OHL Midwest Division Academic Player of the Month for October. Suzuki is described as a “self-motivated learner who takes full responsibility for his own learning,” by Attack academic advisor Sarah Rowe. “He is the first to offer help to our younger players who are taking Math and Science. He makes balancing the demands of school and sport look easy.” Suzuki is currently taking University level Advanced Functions, English and Organizational Business along with two Co-op periods. The grade 12 student at Owen Sound District Secondary School has six goals, eight assists and 14 points in 15 games this season and is eligible for the 2017 NHL Draft.

West Division: Windsor Spitfires rookie forward Cole Purboo is the OHL West Division Academic Player of the Month for October. The 17-year-old grade 12 student at St. Anne’s Catholic High School is described as “intelligent and intuitive” by Spitfires academic advisor Danielle Chevalier. “His teachers comment on how he frequently participates in class and respects those offering different points of view,” she continued. Purboo is currently taking University level Chemistry, Law and English courses. On the ice, he has five goals and an assist over 14 games this season.

2016-17 OHL Academic Players of the Month:

East Division:

October – Zach Gallant (Peterborough Petes)

Central Division:

October – Jacob Ingham (Mississauga Steelheads)

Midwest Division:

October – Nick Suzuki (Owen Sound Attack)

West Division:

October – Cole Purboo (Windsor Spitfires)

During the 2015-16 season, the OHL centrally administered Scholarship Program facilitated scholarships for 315 OHL graduates attending 57 different academic institutions with a total scholarship payment in excess of $2.9 million.  Click here for more information about ‘OHL Players First’ programs.