Royals’ Tyler Soy named CHL Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that forward Tyler Soy of the Victoria Royals is the CHL Player of the Week for the regular season week ending March 20 after scoring five goals and four assists for nine points in three games with a plus-minus rating of plus-5.

Soy recorded three multi-point games last week helping the first place Royals win all three of their games finishing the 2015-16 WHL campaign on a 13-game winning-streak.  He earned back-to-back first star honours to start the week including Wednesday night with a goal and three assists in a 7-4 road win over the Kelowna Rockets, and Friday night with two goals and an assist in a 4-2 triumph while visiting the Everett Silvertips.  Soy finished the week and regular season with a two-goal performance at home in a 4-1 win over the Silvertips giving the Royals their first 50-win season.  The Royals will now face the wildcard Spokane Chiefs in the first round of the WHL playoffs beginning on Friday March 25.

A 19-year-old from Cloverdale, BC, Soy just completed his third full WHL season with the Royals.  He suited up for all 72 games this season finishing 13th in league scoring with a career-high 85 points including 46 goals which was the third highest total in the WHL.

Also considered for the award this week was 2016 NHL Draft prospect Samuel Girard of the Shawinigan Cataractes who scored two goals and five assists for seven points in two games, and New Jersey Devils prospect Blake Speers of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds who scored three goals and five assists for eight points in three games.

2015-16 CHL Regular Season Players of the Week:
Mar. 14 – Mar. 20: Tyler Soy (Victoria Royals)
Mar. 7 – Mar. 13: Andrew Mangiapane (Barrie Colts)
Feb. 29 – Mar. 6: Jayce Hawryluk (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Feb. 22 – Feb. 28: Tyler Wong (Lethbridge Hurricanes)
Feb. 15 – Feb. 21: Adam Brooks (Regina Pats)
Feb. 8 – Feb. 14: Kevin Labanc (Barrie Colts)
Feb. 1 – Feb. 7: Ivan Provorov (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Jan. 25 – Jan. 31: Frédéric Allard (Chicoutimi Sagueneens)
Jan. 18 – Jan. 24: Giorgio Estephan (Lethbridge Hurricanes)
Jan. 11 – Jan. 17: Reid Gardiner (Prince Albert Raiders)
Jan. 4 – Jan. 10: Maxime Comtois (Victoriaville Tigres)
Dec. 28 – Jan. 3: Kevin Labanc (Barrie Colts)
Dec. 14 – Dec. 20: Brendan Lemieux (Windsor Spitfires)
Dec. 7 – Dec. 13: Christian Dvorak (London Knights)
Nov. 30 – Dec. 6: Mitchell Marner (London Knights)
Nov. 23 – Nov. 29: Conor Garland (Moncton Wildcats)
Nov. 16 – Nov. 22: Pierre-Luc Dubois (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)
Nov. 9 – Nov. 15: Dylan Strome (Erie Otters)
Nov. 2 – Nov. 8: Nikolas Brouillard (Quebec Remparts)
Oct. 26 – Nov. 1: Mathew Barzal (Seattle Thunderbirds)
Oct. 19 – Oct. 25: Kevin Labanc (Barrie Colts)
Oct. 12 – Oct. 18: Zach Bratina (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 5 – Oct. 11: Dennis Yan (Shawinigan Cataractes)
Sept. 28 – Oct. 4: Conor Garland (Moncton Wildcats)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 27: Alex Forsberg (Victoria Royals)

CHL Leagues

Titan’s Reilly Pickard named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Vaughn

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Reilly Pickard of the Acadie-Bathurst Titan is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the regular season week ending March 20 after posting a 2-0-0-0 record with a goals-against-average of 1.80 and save percentage of .953.

Pickard made an impressive 101 saves in three appearances last week backstopping the Titan to a pair of victories.  He opened the week with a 34-save performance in a 2-1 overtime victory against the Saint John Sea Dogs, then played the final two periods of Friday’s contest against the Charlottetown Islanders stopping all 20 shots he faced despite the 3-2 loss.  Pickard finished the week and regular season campaign recording his 25th win stopping 47 shots plus an additional five shootout shooters earning second star honours in a 5-4 win over the Moncton Wildcats.  The 14th seed Titan will open the QMJHL playoffs on the road against the third place Sea Dogs beginning on Friday March 25.

A 17-year-old from Halifax, NS, Pickard is playing in his second QMJHL season with the Titan.  Originally a second round choice of the Baie-Comeau Drakkar in the 2014 QMJHL Entry Draft, the 2016 NHL Draft eligible netminder appeared in 58 games this season playing to a 25-20-2-3 including two shutouts along with a goals-against-average of 3.15 and save percentage of .902 which was tied for fifth best in the QMJHL.

Also considered for the award this week was Jordan Papirny of the Brandon Wheat Kings who posted a 3-0-0-0 record including a shutout victory with a goals-against-average of 1.33 and save percentage of .944, and Jake Smith of the North Bay Battalion who went 3-0-0-0 with a goals-against-average of 2.25 and save percentage of .921.

2015-16 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week:

Mar. 14 – Mar. 20: Reilly Pickard (Acadie-Bathurst Titan)
Mar. 7 – Mar. 13: Landon Bow (Seattle Thunderbirds)
Feb. 29 – Mar. 6: Connor Ingram (Kamloops Blazers)
Feb. 22 – Feb. 28: Devin Williams (Erie Otters)
Feb. 15 – Feb. 21: Zach Sawchenko (Moose Jaw Warriors)
Feb. 8 – Feb. 14: Leo Lazarev (Ottawa 67’s)
Feb. 1 – Feb. 7: Taz Burman (Swift Current Broncos)
Jan. 25 – Jan. 31: Luke Opilka (Kitchener Rangers)
Jan. 18 – Jan. 24: Jordan Papirny (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Jan. 11 – Jan. 17: Zach Sawchenko (Moose Jaw Warriors)
Jan. 4 – Jan. 10: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)
Dec. 28 – Jan. 3: Étienne Montpetit (Val-d’Or Foreurs)
Dec. 14 – Dec. 20: Callum Booth (Quebec Remparts)
Dec. 7 – Dec. 13: Jack Flinn (Mississauga Steelheads)
Nov. 30 – Dec. 6: Ty Edmonds (Prince George Cougars)
Nov. 23 – Nov. 29: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 16 – Nov. 22: Keven Bouchard (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)
Nov. 9 – Nov. 15: Devin Williams (Erie Otters)
Nov. 2 – Nov. 8: Etienne Montpetit (Val-d’Or Foreurs)
Oct. 26 – Nov. 1: Tyler Parsons (London Knights)
Oct. 19 – Oct. 25: Adin Hill (Portland Winterhawks)
Oct. 12 – Oct. 18: Julio Billia (Chicoutimi Sagueneens)
Oct. 5 – Oct. 11: Coleman Vollrath (Victoria Royals)
Sept. 28 – Oct. 4: Louis-Philip Guindon (Rimouski Oceanic)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 27: Zack Bowman (Flint Firebirds)

CHL Leagues

York Simcoe Express win 2016 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The 2016 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament was destined to end in either a three-peat or a trifecta.

Rhys Forhan’s goal 7:17 into the second overtime completed the triple crown for the York Simcoe Express, as they added an OHL Cup title to their Silver Stick and OMHA Championships.

York Simcoe Express
The York Simcoe Express defeated the Toronto Marlboros 2-1 at 7:17 of the 2nd overtime period to capture the 2016 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Forhan’s second of the night came on a turn-around wrister that snuck under the pad of Toronto Marlboros goaltender Elliott Tang, giving the Express a 2-1 victory for their first OHL Cup title since 2004.

“It feels amazing, there’s no place I’d rather be,” said the night’s hero. “Doing it for the boys is amazing and being able to capitalize in front of everyone, there’s no feeling like it.”

Forhan’s winner capped off a furious overtime pace that saw the two clubs swap chances, forcing Tang and OHL Cup MVP Andrei Berezinskiy in goal for York Simcoe into some tough saves.

The Marlboros opened the scoring at 4:31 after Tang turned aside a two-on-one attempt by Cameron Hillis and Richard Whittaker. Blueliner Pierre-Luc Forget took a neutral zone feed from Thomas Tinmouth, crossing the top of the circles before beating Berezinskiy over the shoulder on a shot that trickled over the goal line.

After a scoreless second period, an Express powerplay 7:39 into the third didn’t yield any results on the scoreboard, but it did provide them sustained pressure as they wore Toronto down, scoring a shift into even strength play.

A failed Marlboros clearing attempt saw Ian Vucko hold the play at the offensive blueline as he quickly dished to Robbie Cranston who found a waiting Forhan in the slot. Forhan waited out Tang, tucking the puck past his outstretched pad for his first of the showcase at10:53 to tie the score at one.

The Express goal ended Tang’s shutout streak of 155 minutes dating back to Friday’s win over Team NOHA.

The second straight Championship game to require overtime also marked the first double overtime Championship game in OHL Cup history coming to an end 7:17 into the period when Forhan turned and fired a shot under the pad of Tang to vault the Express onto the ice in celebration.

“The year we’ve had, it’s been a dream year,” said York Simcoe head coach Rob Shilton. “It’s hard to even describe what a great experience this has been. There’s a number of guys here who have been with our program for six, seven years now and it’s so satisfying to see everybody rewarded for their hard work.”

The Marlboros outshot the Express 40-32 in the game as Andrei Berezinskiy made 39 saves to earn Player of the Game honours along with the Tim Adams Memorial Trophy awarded to the OHL Cup MVP.

The Toronto Marlboros end their 2016 OHL Cup with a record of 5-2-0-0, being led in scoring by OHL Cup leading scorer Akil Thomas who had six goals, seven assists and 13 points in seven contests. Danil Antropov trailed close behind with seven goals, three assists and 10 points in seven games.

The Marlies played in their tenth straight OHL Cup Championship game but were denied a record third straight title in the loss.

Six players were named to the Gatorade OHL Cup All-Star Team at the conclusion of the Championship game. Those players include Marlies forwards Akil Thomas and Danil Antropov, Niagara North Stars forward Hunter Holmes (4 GP, 6-3–9), blueliner Justin MacPherson (7 GP, 0-3–3) of the York Simcoe Express and defenceman Declan Chisholm (6 GP, 2-3–5) of the Don Mills Flyers. York Simcoe’s Berezinskiy rounded out the selections in goal with a 5-0 record to go with a 2.09 goals-against average.

Game Summary

Hockey Night in Canada star and Minor Hockey advocate Don Cherry presented the OHL Cup alongside OHL Commissioner David Branch and GTHL First Vice President Ken Smith.  Monday’s Final was played before an energetic crowd at Mattamy Athletic Centre and was also broadcast across the country live on Sportsnet Ontario.

The OHL Cup Showcase Tournament 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 2016 OHL Priority Selection.

For more information about the OHL Cup Showcase Tournament, hosted by the Greater Toronto Hockey League, please visit www.ohlcup.ca.

OHL’s Draft Eligible Stat Leaders: End of Season

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

The Ontario Hockey League’s regular season has come to an end and we look at the statistical leaders in a variety of categories. Listed are players available for the National Hockey League Draft on June, 2016 for the first time – players passed over in previous drafts are not included.

Peterborough Petes forward Logan DeNoble appears on the list in three categories – the only player not ranked by NHL Central Scouting on their midterm rankings in January.  DeNoble ranked sixth in shooting percentage at 16.95%. Will Bitten of the Flint Firebirds led the way with 20.55% followed by Boris Katchouk of the Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds at 20.17%. Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters was third at 18.96% followed by Katchouk’s teammate Hayden Verbeek at 17.95%. Another Otter, Kyle Maksimovich placed fifth at 17.65%.

DeNoble also finished third in faceoff win percentage at 53.9%. Jack Kopacka of the Greyhounds tops the list at 60.9% followed by Michael McLeod of the Mississauga Steelheads at 58%. Logan Brown of the Windsor Spitfires followed DeNoble at 53%.

Finally, DeNoble finished eighth in plus-minus with a plus-22. Four London Knights topped the plus-minus, Victor Mete (plus-53), Matthew Tkachuk (plus-45), Olli Juolevi (plus-38) and Max Jones (plus-30). Maksimovich placed fifth (plus-25) Brown sixth (plus-24) and Sarnia Sting defenceman Jakob Chychrun (plus-23) finished ahead of DeNoble.

DeNoble finished just outside the top ten in goals with 22.

Points Leaders
Player Team GP G A Pts
Matthew Tkachuk London Knights 57 30 77 107
Alex DeBrincat Erie Otters 60 51 50 101
Adam Mascherin Kitchener Rangers 65 35 46 81
Alexander Nylander Mississauga Steelheads 57 28 47 75
Logan Brown Windsor Spitfires 59 21 53 74
Taylor Raddysh Erie Otters 67 24 49 73
Kyle Maksimovich Erie Otters 68 27 44 71
Will Bitten Flint Firebirds 67 30 35 65
Michael McLeod Mississauga Steelheads 57 21 40 61
Nathan Bastian Mississauga Steelheads 64 19 40 59
Goal Scoring Leaders
Player Team GP G GPG
Alex DeBrincat Erie Otters 60 51 0.85
Adam Mascherin Kitchener Rangers 65 35 0.54
Matthew Tkachuk London Knights 57 30 0.53
Will Bitten Flint Firebirds 67 30 0.45
Dmitry Sokolov Sudbury Wolves 68 30 0.44
Alexander Nylander Mississauga Steelheads 57 28 0.49
Max Jones London Knights 63 28 0.44
Kyle Maksimovich Erie Otters 68 27 0.40
Taylor Raddysh Erie Otters 67 24 0.36
Boris Katchouk Soo Greyhounds 63 24 0.38
Assist Leaders
Player Team GP A APG
Matthew Tkachuk London Knights 57 77 1.35
Logan Brown Windsor Spitfires 59 53 0.90
Alex DeBrincat Erie Otters 60 50 0.83
Taylor Raddysh Erie Otters 67 49 0.73
Alexander Nylander Mississauga Steelheads 57 47 0.82
Adam Mascherin Kitchener Rangers 65 46 0.71
Cam Dineen North Bay Battalion 68 46 0.68
Kyle Maksimovich Erie Otters 68 44 0.65
Michael McLeod Mississauga Steelheads 57 40 0.70
Nathan Bastian Mississauga Steelheads 64 40 0.63
Defencemen Point Leaders
Player Team GP G A Pts
Cam Dineen North Bay Battalion 68 13 46 59
Mikhail Sergachev Windsor Spitfires 67 17 40 57
Jakob Chychrun Sarnia Sting 62 11 38 49
Olli Juolevi London Knights 57 9 33 42
Victor Mete London Knights 68 8 30 38
Benjamin Gleason Hamilton Bulldogs 66 7 26 33
Jordan Sambrook Erie Otters 67 9 18 27
Markus Niemelainen Saginaw Spirit 65 1 26 27
Plus/Minus Leaders
Player Team GP +/-
Victor Mete London Knights 68 +53
Matthew Tkachuk London Knights 57 +45
Olli Juolevi London Knights 57 +38
Max Jones London Knights 63 +30
Kyle Maksimovich Erie Otters 68 +25
Logan Brown Windsor Spitfires 59 +24
Jakob Chychrun Sarnia Sting 62 +23
Logan DeNoble Peterborough Petes 63 +22
Adam Mascherin Kitchener Rangers 65 +19
Austin Osmanski Mississauga Steelheads 65 +19
Penalty Minutes Leaders
Player Team GP PIM M/G
Givani Smith Guelph Storm 65 146 2.25
Max Jones London Knights 63 106 1.68
Logan Stanley Windsor Spitfires 64 103 1.61
Michael Pezzetta Sudbury Wolves 64 98 1.53
Matthew Tkachuk London Knights 57 80 1.40
Ben Hawerchuk Barrie Colts 60 78 1.30
Faceoff Leaders (Minimum 60 faceoffs)
Player Team GP FOA FOW %
Jack Kopacka Soo Greyhounds 67 69 42 60.9
Michael McLeod Mississauga Steelheads 57 1284 745 58.0
Logan DeNoble Peterborough Petes 63 154 83 53.9
Logan Brown Windsor Spitfires 59 1148 609 53.0
Alex DeBrincat Erie Otters 60 183 97 53.0
Cliff Pu London Knights 63 851 445 52.3
Brandon Saigeon Hamilton Bulldogs 43 502 259 51.6
Boris Katchouk Soo Greyhounds 63 72 37 51.4
Matthew Tkachuk London Knights 57 74 38 51.4
Connor Bunnaman Kitchener Rangers 68 193 99 51.3
Shooting Percentage Leaders (Min 75 shots)
Player Team GP Shots Goals SH%
Will Bitten Flint Firebirds 67 146 30 20.55
Boris Katchouk Soo Greyhounds 63 119 24 20.17
Alex DeBrincat Erie Otters 60 269 51 18.96
Hayden Verbeek Soo Greyhounds 63 78 14 17.95
Kyle Maksimovich Erie Otters 68 153 27 17.65
Logan DeNoble Peterborough Petes 63 118 20 16.95
Jonathan Ang Peterborough Petes 68 127 21 16.54
Alexander Nylander Mississauga Steelheads 57 178 28 15.73
Matthew Tkachuk London Knights 57 191 30 15.71
Domenic Commisso Oshawa Generals 66 117 18 15.38
Goaltenders Leaders – Goals Against Average
Player Team GP Min GA Avg
Tyler Parsons London Knights 49 2835 110 2.33
Stephen Dhillon Niagara Ice Dogs 27 1317 59 2.69
Evan Cormier Saginaw Spirit 58 3246 201 3.72
Dylan Wells Peterborough Petes 27 1516 116 4.59
Troy Timpano Sudbury Wolves 35 2000 158 4.74
Goaltending Leaders – Save Percentage
Player Team GP SH SVS SV%
Tyler Parsons London Knights 49 1397 1287 0.921
Stephen Dhillon Niagara Ice Dogs 27 639 580 0.908
Evan Cormier Saginaw Spirit 58 1825 1624 0.890
Troy Timpano Sudbury Wolves 35 1296 1138 0.878
Dylan Wells Peterborough Petes 27 896 780 0.871

OHL’s Draft Eligible Player of the Month for March: Alex DeBrincat

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Alex DeBrincat returned back to form to help lead his Erie Otters to top spot in the Ontario Hockey League standings on the final day. After returning from the World Junior Championships, DeBrincat went into a mini slump – possibly due to not being fully recovered from an injury he sustained at the tournament.

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 finished the month of March with 8 goals and 11 assists in 9 games. In his 9 March games, DeBrincat was named the game’s first star 4 times while garnering second star honours once. DeBrincat would finish 7th overall in OHL scoring with 101 points on 51 goals and 50 assists in 60 games. He broke the fifty goal mark for the second consecutive season.

Also considered were: the London Knights’ Matthew Tkachuk who posted 7 goals and 7 assists in 9 games. Pair of Windsor Spitfires were also considered. Defenceman Mikhail Sergachev had 3 goals and 7 assists in 8 games while Logan Brown scored 5 goals and added 7 assists.

Previous winners

February – Tyler Parsons, London Knights

January – Cam Dineen, North Bay Battalion

December – Cam Dineen, North Bay Battalion

November – Matthew Tkachuk, London Knights

October – Alex DeBrincat, Erie Otters

September – Matthew Tkachuk, London Knights

OHL Announces 2015-16 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 2015-16 regular season.

OHL

Offensively, San Jose Sharks prospect Kevin Labanc of the Barrie Colts captured the league’s scoring title earning the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy and 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 Tyler Parsons and Brendan Burke of the London Knights, and the F.W “Dinty” Moore Trophy awarded to Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires as the rookie with the best goals-against-average.

 Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy (Scoring Champion) and Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy (Top Scoring Right Winger): Kevin Labanc, Barrie Colts:

Kevin Labanc scored 39 goals and 88 assists for 127 points in 65 games to lead all OHL players while setting a franchise single season points record.

 The 20-year-old from Staten Island, NY, recorded 42 multi-point games during the 2015-16 campaign and surpassed his own Colts record for assists in a season helping Barrie capture their second straight Central Division title.

 He becomes just the second member of the Colts to win both awards following Sheldon Keefe in 1999-2000 who previously held the club’s single season scoring mark with 121 points in 66 games.

 Labanc was originally chosen by the Colts in the sixth round of the 2011 OHL Priority Selection before joining the club in 2013.  The three-year veteran played in 198 career games accumulating 269 points which ranks fourth among Barrie’s all-time greats.  Labanc recently signed his entry-level contract with the Sharks who chose him in the sixth round of the 2014 NHL Draft.

 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.  Dylan Strome of the Erie Otters was last year’s recipient with 129 points in 68 games scoring 45 goals and 84 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.  Mitch Marner of the London Knights was last year’s recipient with 126 points in 63 games scoring 44 goals and 82 assists.

 Dave Pinkney Trophy (Lowest Team Goals Against): Tyler Parsons and Brendan Burke, London Knights

 The London Knights allowed the fewest goals in the OHL this season with just 182 against, backstopped by the tandem of Tyler Parsons and Brendan Burke.

 Parsons, an 18-year-old from Chesterfield, Michigan, led the league with a 2.33 goals-against-average and also posted a league-high save percentage of .921.  The sophomore is eligible for the 2016 NHL Draft and carried a record of 37-9-2-1 with four shutout victories for the Knights who finished one point shy of a Midwest Division and regular season crown.  Sharing the duties in goal was Burke, a 21-year-old from Paradise Valley, Arizona, who carried a record of 10-4-0-0 with one shutout along with a goals-against-average of 2.95 and save percentage of .896.  The Arizona Coyotes prospect joined the OHL midway through the season after playing over four seasons in the Western Hockey League.

 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 Oshawa Generals allowed just 157 goals against with Ken Appleby and Jeremy Brodeur between the pipes.

 This marks the fourth time the Knights have captured the award and first since the 2004-05 champion club backstopped by Gerald Coleman and Adam Dennis allowed a record-low 125 goals against.

 F.W. “Dinty” Moore Trophy (Best Rookie GAA): Michael DiPietro, Windsor Spitfires

 Michael DiPietro had the best goals-against-average among OHL rookie goaltenders with a mark of 2.45 this season becoming the first Windsor Spitfires netminder to earn the award.

 A 16-year-old from Amherstburg, ON, DiPietro was chosen in the second round by the Spitfires in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection.  The rookie played to a 16-8-1-1 record with two shutout victories while posting a save percentage of .912.  His goals-against-average not only led all rookies, but was third best in the entire league while his save percentage was the fourth best overall mark.

 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 McNiven of the Owen Sound Attack won the award last season with a 2.79 goals-against-average, while Alex Nedeljkovic was the last 16-year-old rookie to earn the award after posting an impressive mark of 2.28 with the Plymouth Whalers in 2012-13.

 The 2016 OHL Playoffs begin on Thursday March 24, visit www.ontariohockeyleague.com for all first round matchups and schedules.

Greyhounds’ Blake Speers named Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that New Jersey Devils prospect Blake Speers of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds is the Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week for the regular season week ending March 20 scoring three goals and five assists for eight points in three games with a plus-minus rating of plus-2.

Speers recorded a trio of multi-point performances helping the Greyhounds earn four of a possible six points at home.  The captain tallied two assists on Wednesday despite a 5-4 loss to the Saginaw Spirit, then scored a goal and an assist on Friday as part of a 6-1 win over the Flint Firebirds.  He finished the week by matching a season-high with four points including two goals and two assists in an 8-3 victory over the Guelph Storm.  The Hounds finished the 2015-16 regular season campaign in seventh place and will open their first round playoff series in Sarnia on Friday night against their West Division rivals the Sting.

A 19-year-old Sault Ste. Marie, ON, native, Speers is playing in his third OHL season with the club who chose him in the first round of the 2013 OHL Priority Selection.  This season he led the Greyhounds in scoring with career-highs in all offensive categories including 26 goals, 48 assists, and 74 points while dressing in all 68 of the team’s games.  Speers was selected by the Devils in the third round of the 2015 NHL Draft.

Watch video highlights of Speers and the Greyhounds against the Storm.

Also considered for the award this week was Arizona Coyotes prospect Dylan Strome who scored once with seven assists for eight points in three games helping the Erie Otters clinch the Midwest Division title and Hamilton Spectator Trophy as regular season champions.  In addition, Philadelphia Flyers prospect Travis Konecny scored two goals and four assists for six points in two games to eclipse the century mark for the first time while helping the Sting post new franchise records in wins (42) and points (91).  In goal, Jake Smith of the North Bay Battalion posted a 3-0-0-0 record with a goals-against-average of 2.25 and save percentage of .921.

Pioneer

2015-16 Pioneer Energy OHL Players of the Week:

Mar. 14 – Mar. 20: Blake Speers (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Mar. 7 – Mar. 13: Andrew Mangiapane (Barrie Colts)
Feb. 29 – Mar. 6: Hunter Garlent (Peterborough Petes)
Feb. 22 – Feb. 28: Logan Brown (Windsor Spitfires)
Feb. 15 – Feb. 21: Mike Amadio (North Bay Battalion)
Feb. 8 – Feb. 14: Kevin Labanc (Barrie Colts)
Feb. 1 – Feb. 7: Spencer Watson (Kingston Frontenacs)
Jan. 25 – Jan. 31: Jonah Gadjovich (Owen Sound Attack)
Jan. 18 – Jan. 24: Matthew Mancina (Peterborough Petes)
Jan. 11 – Jan. 17: Michael Giugovaz (Guelph Storm)
Jan. 4 – Jan. 10: Kevin Labanc (Barrie Colts)
Dec. 28 – Jan. 3: Kevin Labanc (Barrie Colts)
Dec. 14 – Dec. 20: Jake Smith (North Bay Battalion)
Dec. 7 – Dec. 13: Christian Dvorak (London Knights)
Nov. 30 – Dec. 6: Mitchell Marner (London Knights)
Nov. 23 – Nov. 29: Christian Dvorak (London Knights)
Nov. 16 – Nov. 22: Pavel Zacha (Sarnia Sting)
Nov. 9 – Nov. 15: Devin Williams (Erie Otters)
Nov. 2 – Nov. 8: Dylan Strome (Erie Otters)
Oct. 26 – Nov. 1: Tyler Parsons (London Knights)
Oct. 19 – Oct. 25: Kevin Labanc (Barrie Colts)
Oct. 12 – Oct. 18: Zach Bratina (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 5 – Oct. 11: Hunter Garlent (Peterborough Petes)
Sept. 28 – Oct. 4: Alex DeBrincat (Erie Otters)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 27: Zack Bowman (Flint Firebirds)

OHL Cup Final to feature York Simcoe Express and Toronto Marlboros

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Monday’s Championship Final at Mattamy Athletic Centre
Broadcast LIVE on Sportsnet Ontario
Free access for Media and Fans

OHL Cup

Toronto, ON – The 2016 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament, hosted by the Greater Toronto Hockey League, is down to two teams as the York Simcoe Express and Toronto Marlboros emerged victorious following this morning’s Quarter-Finals and this evening’s Semi-Final contests.

The Express needed overtime to edge the top ranked Mississauga Rebels 3-2 to start their day, then pushed past the Wild Card entry Don Mills Flyers with a 4-1 victory.  The Marlboros posted a pair of shutout victories on Saturday including a 7-0 triumph over the Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs, then a 6-0 win against GTHL rivals the Toronto Jr. Canadiens.

The Marlboros will make their tenth straight appearance in the OHL Cup Championship Final searching for a record third straight titleon Monday night, with the Express playing in their first final since winning the 2004 OHL Cup against the Richmond Hill Stars.

Monday March 21, 2016

Mattamy Athletic Centre
7:00 pm Championship Final – Toronto Marlboros vs. York Simcoe Express

Championship Final to be broadcast live on Sportsnet Ontario.

Here’s a quick look at today’s action:

Saturday March 19, 2016

QF #1 – Toronto Red Wings 3 vs. Don Mills Flyers 4 2OT

Red Wings MVP – Adam Trotman 1G

Flyers MVP – Tyler Weiss 2G (OTW)

Game Summary

QF #2 – Mississauga Rebels 2 vs. York Simcoe Express 3 OT

Rebels MVP – Riley Damiani

Express MVP – Carter Robertson 1G (OTW)

Game Summary

QF #3 – Toronto Marlboros 7 vs. Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs 0

Marlboros MVP – Thomas Tinmouth 1G 1A

Hamilton MVP – Bobby Harrison

Game Summary

QF #4 – Toronto Jr. Canadiens 3 vs. Quinte Red Devils 2 OT

Canadiens MVP – Kirill Nizhnikov 2G (OTW)

Quinte MVP – Joe Roy

Game Summary

SF #1 – York Simcoe Express 4 vs. Don Mills Flyers 1

Express MVP – Andrei Berezinkiy (goaltender)

Flyers MVP – Tyler Weiss

Game Summary

SF #2 – Toronto Jr. Canadiens 0 vs. Toronto Marlboros 6

Canadiens MVP – Justin Paul

Marlboros MVP – Elliot Tang (goaltender)

Game Summary

Akil Thomas of the Toronto Marlboros has taken over the tournament scoring lead with six goals and seven assists for 13 points in five games.

The OHL Cup Showcase Tournament 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 2016 OHL Priority Selection.

For full tournament information please visit www.ohlcup.ca.

Jack Kopacka – Player Profile – Soo Greyhounds

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height:  6’2”

Weight:  190 pounds

Date of birth:  March 5, 1998, 1998 Metamora, MI

Position:  Left Wing

Shoots:  Left

OHL Draft:  Round 8, 157th overall, 2014 Priority Selection

Jack Kopacka describes himself as: Explosive, wicked shot, fast, good vision, hockey sense.

Kopacka has good size at 6’2”. He is an extremely good skater with some speed and has very good hands and puck handling skills at top speed. He does posses good hockey sense, vision and has an excellent shot and release.

Jack Kopacka of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Jack Kopacka of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

His play this season has been inconsistent at times. He got off to a good start but the inconsistencies reared their ugly heads in November, December and January and at times found himself lower on the depth chart.

Have to give credit to Kopacka for working through it. His hard work paid off and since mid February has been producing at a point per game clip and providing the Greyhounds with some much needed secondary scoring. He’s reached the 20 goal 40 point mark (20 goals, 22 assists) and is second in rookie scoring on the Greyhounds behind Boris Katchouk.

Kopacka has the ability to be a strong two-way player. Two things I’d like to see him improve on. First, his physicality: With his size and skating, he could be a force on the forecheck but at times has shown an unwillingness to do so. Secondly, his consistency: If Kopacka would work harder at putting the effort in and using his skills without the hesitancy he at times projects, he could be more successful.

Those are things that young players can learn over time, especially when they get a taste of NHL development camps and see what it takes to make it at the next level. Kopacka certainly has the smarts and he’ll learn.

Kopacka played his minor hockey with Detroit Compuware Under-18. In 21 games he scored 8 goals and added 10 assists. The Greyhounds selected him in the 8th round, 157th overall in the 2014 Ontario hockey League Priority Selection. He was also selected in the United States Hockey League’s Futures Draft by the Sioux Falls Stampede in the 4th round, 84th overall.

Kopacka was ranked 33rd among North American skaters on NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings  released in January, right behind Katchouk.

Hayden Verbeek – Player Profile – Soo Greyhounds

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height:  5’ 10”

Weight:  180 pounds

Date of birth:  October 17, 1997 Kingston, Ontario

Position:  Center

Shoots:  Right

OHL Draft:  Round 4, 71st overall, 2013 Priority Selection

Lets flashback to last season’s Western Conference finals between the Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds and the Erie Otters.  The Otters led the series three games to two. With the game tied at 2 in the second period, it was one of the most questionable slew footing match penalties I can recall to Hayden Verbeek when he accidentally bumped Otters goaltender Devin Williams in which the Otters would score twice to take the victory and the series.

Hayden Verbeek of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Hayden Verbeek of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

A lot of players would dwell on it for a long time and they would actually change the way they play the game, but not the nephew of former NHL’er Pat Verbeek.

A vigorous off season workout regiment had Verbeek add some much needed bulk and muscle while also growing an inch. Working hard however, is not a characteristic Verbeek is lacking in.

Verbeek is consistently one of the hardest working players on the ice on any given night. Last season, he brought energy to a Greyhounds lineup that was deep and talented and he’s carried it over to this season where he has taken on an expanded role with players graduating to the next level.

Verbeek is a very strong skater and accompanied with his work ethic and compete level is an excellent forechecker. Despite his size, he’s an excellent body checker who can hit hard. He can also play a chippy game and can get under the skin of opponents.

Verbeek found himself with limited ice time and even a healthy scratch early on this season. But he worked hard and gained more playing time under coach Drew Bannister as the season progressed. Some line juggling late in the season gave Verbeek a chance to play more offensively. He’s a player that Bannister can trust, playing a role on the penalty kill and is second only to Gabe Guertler on the team in faceoffs taken.

The most surprising stat when it comes to Verbeek is that his 14 goals on the season have come on just 77 shots, for an 18.2 shooting percentage. Compare that to Tim Gettinger and his 15 goals on 170 shots for an 8.8 shooting percentage.

Verbeek played his midget hockey for the Sun County Panthers in 2012-2013 where he scored 13 goals and 21 assists in 43 games. The following season he would play for the Chatham Maroons of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey league scoring 8 goals and 27 points in 35 games. He would get in 5 games for the Greyhounds and go pointless. Last season was his rookie season with the Greyhounds where he scored 4 goals and 6 assists in 51 games.

Verbeek was ranked 164th among North American skaters on NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings in January.