OHL Announces Top Performers of the Month for October

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the Top OHL Performers of the Month for regular season games played in October 2015, including Erie Otters forward Alex DeBrincat, Flint Firebirds defenceman Vili Saarijarvi, Mississauga Steelheads rookie Alexander Nylander and Kingston Frontenacs goaltender Lucas Peressini.

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

OHL Player of the Month – Alex DeBrincat (Erie Otters):
2016 NHL Draft prospect Alex DeBrincat is the OHL Player of the Month for March after he tallied 16 goals, seven assists and 23 points in 12 games. DeBrincat recorded points in 10 of his 12 outings, with seven multi-point performances and set a new Erie Otters regular season franchise record on October 1st, scoring five goals in a 6-1 win over the Niagara IceDogs. A week later, DeBrincat buried four more goals against the IceDogs in a 7-2 win on October 9th. He earned first star honours on four separate occasions last month and was named the Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week for the week ending October 5th after he led the league with five goals in two games.

DeBrincat, a 17-year-old from Detroit, Michigan, earned OHL and CHL Rookie of the Year honours in 2014-15 after scoring 51 goals and 53 assists for 104 points in 68 games. He has recorded 17 goals, eight assists and 25 points through his first 13 games this season and was one of seven OHL players listed as first round candidates by NHL Central Scouting in their September ‘Players to Watch’ list. DeBrincat was a three-time OHL Rookie of the Month recipient in 2014-15, receiving the honours in October, November and March.

Vili Saarijarvi of Flint Firebirds. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Vili Saarijarvi of Flint Firebirds. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

OHL Defenceman of the Month – Vili Saarijarvi (Flint Firebirds):
Flint Firebirds 18 year-old blueliner Vili Saarijarvi is the OHL Defenceman of the Month. The Detroit Red Wings prospect put together an outstanding first full month in the OHL, scoring two goals along with 9 assists for 11 points in 11 contests to go with a plus/minus rating of plus-9. The Finnish rearguard registered points in seven of his 11 October appearances, scoring his first OHL goal as part of a two-goal effort against the Ottawa 67’s on October 16th. Saarijarvi had three multi-point performances, including three assists against the Peterborough Petes on October 11th. Saarijarvi is currently tied for the lead in scoring among OHL defencemen with two goals, 14 assists and 16 points in 14 games.

A native of Rovaniemi, Finland, Saarijarvi was Flint’s first round, ninth overall selection in the 2015 CHL Import Draft. A third round pick by the Detroit Red Wings at the 2015 NHL Draft, Saarijarvi was named best defenceman of the 2015 World Under-18 Hockey Championship in Switzerland after he paced Finland to a fourth place finish with three goals, six assists and nine points in seven games.

Alexander Nylander of the Mississauga Steelheads. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Alexander Nylander of the Mississauga Steelheads. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

OHL Rookie of the Month – Alexander Nylander (Mississauga Steelheads):
Mississauga Steelheads winger Alexander Nylander is the OHL Rookie of the Month for October after recording nine goals, nine assists and 18 points in 13 games. Nylander’s big month included points in 11 of his 13 contests, recording six multi-point outings in the process. The 17 year-old son of former NHL forward Michael Nylander received star of the game recognition on four occasions and enjoyed a 10-game point streak from October 4-29 when he compiled eight goals and seven assists. Quickly developing a reputation for scoring highlight reel goals, Nylander was part of the Tip Top Tailors OHL Plays of the Week on two different occasions in October.

A native of Södertälje, Sweden, Nylander was Mississauga’s first round, 12th overall pick in the 2015 CHL Import Draft. He helped Sweden claim silver at the 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament this past summer, scoring two goals, four assists and six points in five contests. He is eligible for the 2016 NHL Draft and was one of seven OHL players listed as first round candidates by NHL Central Scouting in their September ‘Players to Watch’ list. Nylander currently leads the Steelheads, as well as all OHL rookies in scoring with 10 goals, 11 assists and 21 points in 16 games.

Lucas Peressini of Kingston Frontenacs. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Lucas Peressini of Kingston Frontenacs. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month – Lucas Peressini (Kingston Frontenacs):
Lucas Peressini of the Kingston Frontenacs is the Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month for October. The Nobleton, ON, native played to a 7-1-0-0 record supported by a 1.85 goals against-average and a .944 save percentage with one shutout. Peressini made 35 savesto blank the Oshawa Generals in a 1-0 victory on October 18th, recording his sixth career OHL shutout after setting a Frontenacs franchise record with five last season. Peressini made a season-high 37 saves in a 3-2 overtime win over the Erie Otters on October 23rd, handing them their first loss of the season while earning second star honours. The 20 year-old rattled off six straight wins from October 7-25 helping establish the Frontenacs as one of the Eastern Conference’s top teams.

Peressini comes off a remarkable 2014-15 campaign, setting new Frontenacs single-season franchise records for goals against-average (2.32) and save percentage (.922) to be named OHL Goaltender of the Year. The 6’2″, 188Ib netminder attended training camp with the Toronto Maple Leafs this past September and has gone 7-3-1-1 with a 2.37 goals-against average and a .926 save percentage through 12 games this season.

CHL Announces BMO CHL Top 10 Rankings

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced the seventh edition of the BMO CHL Top-10 Rankings for the 2015-16 season.  The weekly rankings of the CHL’s Top-10 teams are selected by a panel of National Hockey League scouts.

BMO

BMO CHL Top 10 Rankings – Week 7

Rank: Team: Last Week Rank: Number of Weeks Ranked:
1 Erie Otters (12-1-1-0) 1 7
2 Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (15-1-3-1) 2 6
3 Kitchener Rangers (12-0-3-0) 3 3
4 Shawinigan Cataractes (15-3-0-0) 5 7
5 Brandon Wheat Kings (11-3-0-2) 8 7
6 Prince Albert Raiders (11-3-1-1) 4 3
7 London Knights (11-2-1-1) 9 7
8 Red Deer Rebels (12-5-0-0) – 4
9 Seattle Thunderbirds (9-4-1-0) 7 4
10 Windsor Spitfires (10-3-3-0) – 2
Honourable Mention:
Moncton Wildcats (11-6-2-0) 10 1
Ottawa 67’s (10-6-1-0) – 0
Kelowna Rockets (11-5-0-0) – 1

CHL Large

Thunderbirds’ Mathew Barzal named CHL Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that New York Islanders prospect Mathew Barzal of the Seattle Thunderbirds is the CHL Player of the Week for the week ending November 1 after recording 10 points in three games including a goal and nine assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-6.

Barzal helped the Thunderbirds earn a pair of victories last week to stay atop the WHL’s U.S. Division standings where they currently have a 9-3-1-0 record.  Last Tuesday night Barzal tallied a career-high five assists and earned first star honours in a 7-2 win over the Brandon Wheat Kings.  Over the weekend he produced a pair of multi-point performances scoring a goal and two assists on Saturday as second star of a 5-2 victory over the Kootenay Ice, then two assists on Sunday despite a 4-3 loss to the Calgary Hitmen.

An 18-year-old from Coquitlam, BC, Barzal is playing in his third career WHL season with the Thunderbirds.  The 16th overall pick of the Islanders in the 2015 NHL Draft has 20 points in just 10 games played so far this season and will compete for Team WHL in the 2015 CHL Canada Russia Series November 9-10 in Kelowna and Kamloops, BC.

Also considered for the award this week was QMJHL Top Scorer Francis Perron, an Ottawa Senators prospect of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, who scored three goals and six assists for nine points in three games.  In the OHL, Calgary Flames prospect Andrew Mangiapane of the Barrie Colts scored three goals and four assists for seven points in three games.

2015-16 CHL Regular Season Players of the Week:

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

Knights’ Tyler Parsons named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that 2016 NHL Draft prospect Tyler Parsons of the London Knights is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending November 1 after posting a record of 3-0-0-0 with two shutout victories along with a goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .964.

Parsons turned aside 81 of the 84 shots he faced last week to backstop the Knights to three straight victories earning second star honours in all three games.  On Friday night he made 27 saves as part of a 6-3 win over the Windsor Spitfires, then picked up his first of back-to-back shutouts with a 22-save performance on Saturday in a 7-0 win over the Saginaw Spirit.  The win featured a pair of milestones including Parsons’ first career shutout, and the 600th career win for head coach Dale Hunter.  On Sunday Parsons wrapped up his week making 32 saves in a 6-0 win over the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

An 18-year-old from Chesterfield, Michigan, Parsons is playing in his second career OHL season with the Knights.  He is eligible for the 2016 NHL Draft and was given a ‘B’ rating by NHL Central Scouting in their September ‘Players to Watch’ list.  Parsons currently has a 10-1-1-1 record with a goals-against-average of 2.53 and save percentage of .919 so far this season.

Also considered for the award this week was last week’s winner Arizona Coyotes prospect Adin Hill of the Portland Winterhawks who posted a 2-1-0-0 record stopping 115 shots in three games with a goals-against-average of 1.67 and save percentage of .958, while Carolina Hurricanes prospect Callum Booth of the Quebec Remparts stopped 92 shots with a 2-0-1-0 record including a shutout victory along with a goals-against-average of 1.98 and save percentage of .939.

Vaughn

 2015-16 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week:
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

OHL’s Draft Eligible Player of the Month – October

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Although it feels like spring out there it is November and that means it’s time to look at our draft eligible player of the month for October.

And he is: Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters.

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

Through the month of October, DeBrincat played in 12 games scoring a league leading 16 goals and adding 7 assists for 23 points – also for the league lead – and finishing a plus 8. DeBrincat’s 16 goals came off of 57 shots on goal good for 28.07 shooting percentage.  He also went 28 for 59 in the faceoff circle or 47.4 winning percentage.

DeBrincat was on fire to start the month scoring 5 goals versus the Niagara Ice Dogs on October 1st in Niagara and almost repeated the feat at home scoring 4 goals on October 9th in the rematch. He had seven multi point games and was held off the score sheet just twice. He was named the game’s first star five times and second star once.

DeBrincat was named OHL player of the week for the week ending October 4, 2015 and was runner up for the CHL player of the week for the same period.

Also considered was DeBrincat’s teammate Taylor Raddysh who scored 4 goals and added 13 assists in 12 games and the Mississauga Steelheads’ Alexander Nylander with 9 goals and 9 assists in 13 games. In goal, the London Knights’ Tyler Parsons played all but 60 minutes of the Knights’ games and posted a 9-1-1-0 record with a 2.55 goals against average and .915 save percentage with one shutout.

Knights’ Tyler Parsons named Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that 2016 NHL Draft prospect Tyler Parsons of the London Knights is the Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week for the week ending November 1 after posting a record of 3-0-0-0 including two shutout victories with a goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .964.

Tyler Parsons courtesy Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Tyler Parsons courtesy Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Parsons stopped 81 shots backstopping the Knights to three straight victories last week improving the club’s record to 11-2-1-1 for 24 points which ranks third in the Midwest Division standings.  The second goaltender to claim the award this season, Parsons opened the week on Friday with a 27-save performance as part of a 6-3 victory over the Windsor Spitfires where he earned second star honours.  Then on Saturday night, Parsons posted his first career shutout and first of two-straight with a 22-save effort as second star of a 7-0 road win over the Saginaw Spirit helping head coach Dale Hunter secure his 600th career OHL win.  He finished the week on Sunday by making 32 saves to blank the host Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 6-0 picking up his league-leading 10th win of the season while earning second star honours for the third straight game.

Parsons, an 18-year-old from Chesterfield, Michigan, is playing in his second career OHL season with the Knights.  Eligible for the 2016 NHL Draft, Parsons was one of three OHL goaltenders to be given a ‘B’ rating by NHL Central Scouting in their September ‘Players to Watch’ list.  So far this season he carries a 10-1-1-1 record with a goals-against-average of 2.53 and save percentage of .919.

Watch video highlights of Parsons and the Knights against the Spitfires, Spirit, and Greyhounds.

Also considered for the award this week was Calgary Flames prospect Andrew Mangiapane of the Barrie Colts who scored three goals and four assists for seven points in three games.  Additionally, Arizona Coyotes prospect Ryan MacInnis and 2016 NHL Draft top prospect Max Jones of the Knights both scored five goals and one assist for six points in three games.

Pioneer

2015-16 Pioneer Energy OHL Players of the Week:

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’s Draft Eligible Statistical Leaders – October

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Halloween has come and gone and we’ve seen multiple tricks and fabulous treats through the first full month of the Ontario Hockey League season.

With October games in the books, we look at those players eligible for the National Hockey League draft and who leads in a variety of statistical categories from points, to penalty minutes to time on ice.

As in previous seasons, we look at those players eligible for the NHL draft for the first time.

Points Leaders
Player Team GP G A Pts
**Alex DeBrincat Erie Otters 13 17 8 25
Matthew Tkachuk London Knights 14 5 17 22
*Alexander Nylander Mississauga Steelheads 15 10 11 21
Kyle Maksimovich Erie Otters 14 5 14 19
Taylor Raddysh Erie Otters 14 5 14 19
Adam Mascherin Kitchener Rangers 12 7 10 17
Will Bitten Flint Fireberids 14 7 9 16
Michael McLeod Mississauga Steelheads 15 4 12 16
Logan Brown Windsor Spitfires 10 2 12 14
*Alan Lyszczarczyk Sudbury Wolves 14 4 8 12
Goal Scoring Leaders
Player Team GP G G/GM
**Alex DeBrincat Erie Otters 13 17 1.31
*Alexander Nylander Mississauga Steelheads 15 10 0.67
*Max Jones London Knights 12 7 0.58
Adam Mascherin Kitchener Rangers 12 7 0.58
Will Bitten Flint Fireberids 14 7 0.50
*Boris Katchouk Soo Grreyhounds 12 6 0.50
Nathan Basian Mississauga Steelheads 13 6 0.46
Assist Leaders
Player Team GP A A/GM
Matthew Tkachuk London Knights 14 17 1.21
Kyle Maksimovich Erie Otters 14 14 1.00
Taylor Raddysh Erie Otters 14 14 1.00
Logan Brown Windsor Spitfires 10 12 1.20
Michael McLeod Mississauga Steelheads 15 12 0.80
*Markus Niemelainen Saginaw Spirit 15 11 0.73
*Alexander Nylander Mississauga Steelheads 15 11 0.73
Defensemen Point Leaders
Player Team GP G A Pts
*Markus Niemelainen Saginaw Spirit 15 0 11 11
Benjamin Gleason Hamilton Bulldogs 12 4 6 10
Jakob Chychrun Sarnia Sting 14 3 7 10
*Olli Juolevi London Knights 14 2 8 10
Victor Mete London Knights 14 1 9 10
Sean Day Mississauga Steelheads 15 3 6 9
Cole Candella Hamilton Bulldogs 14 2 7 9
Plus/Minus Leaders
Player Team GP +/-
Kyle Maksimovich Erie Otters 14 +17
Victor Mete London Knights 14 +14
Matthew Tkachuk London Knights 14 +14
*Olli Juolevi London Knights 14 +13
Jakob Chychrun Sarnia Sting 14 +11
Taylor Raddysh Erie Otters 14 +11
Penalty Minute Leaders
Player Team GP PIM PIM/G
Givani Smith Guelph Storm 13 30 2.31
Logan Stanley Windsor Spitfires 16 28 1.75
*Max Jones London Knights 12 21 1.75
Keaton Middleton Saginaw Spirit 15 21 1.40
Michael McLeod Mississauga Steelheads 15 16 1.07
Drake Rymsha Ottawa 67’s 15 16 1.07
Faceoff Leaders
Player Team GP FOA FOW %
Michael McLeod Mississauga Steelheads 15 326 203 62.3
Drake Rymsha Ottawa 67’s 15 209 128 61.2
Logan Brown Windsor Spitfires 10 185 110 59.5
Will Bitten Flint Fireberids 14 248 104 41.9
Jonathan Ang Peterborough Petes 15 209 93 44.5
Shoot Out Percentage
Player Team SOGP SOA Goals %
Jakob Chychrun Sarnia Sting 1 1 1 100
Dmitri Sokolov Sudbury Wolves 1 1 1 100
*Alexander Nylander Mississauga Steelheads 2 2 1 50
Michael McLeod Mississauga Steelheads 2 2 1 50
Alex DeBrincat Erie Otters 2 2 1 50
Time On Ice Leaders
Player Team GP TOI
Jakob Chychrun Sarnia Sting 14 30:00
Sean Day Mississauga Steelheads 15 29:17
*Alexander Nylander Mississauga Steelheads 15 27:52
Alex DeBrincat Erie Otters 13 26:32
Taylor Raddysh Erie Otters 14 26:08
Cole Candella Hamilton Bulldogs 14 26:05
Michael McLeod Mississauga Steelheads 15 25:00
Even strength time on ice
Goaltending Leaders – Goals Against Avg.
Player Team GP MIN GA AVG
Tyler Parsons London Knights 12 723 33 2.74
Joseph Raaymakers Soo Greyhounds 7 394 23 3.50
Evan Cormier Saginaw Spirit 12 701 42 3.59
Dylan Wells Peterborough Petes 7 427 28 3.93
Minimum 350 minutes
Goaltending Leaders – Save Percentage
Player Team GP SH SVS SV%
Tyler Parsons London Knights 12 375 342 0.912
Dylan Wells Peterborough Petes 7 262 234 0.893
Evan Cormier Saginaw Spirit 12 376 334 0.888
Joseph Raaymakers Soo Greyhounds 7 191 168 0.880
Minimum 350 minutes
*Rookie
**Leads league

OHL This Week for October 29 to November 1, 2015

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – Ontario Hockey League action heads into the sixth week of the regular season schedule with 24 games beginning tonight through Sunday.

 Here’s a look at what’s going on around the league:

AT THE RINKS:

Spitfires go pink on Thursday night: Thursday is Pink in the Rink Night in Windsor when the Spitfires host the Flint Firebirds. Wear pink in support of International Dragon Boat For the Cure! All those who purchase tickets in advance will get a free rally towel. The Spitfires’ pink game worn jerseys will be auctioned off online from November 15-22.

Halloween costume contest in Barrie: Get your costumes out Colts fans! Dress up and attend the Colts’ Thursday night home game against the Erie Otters for a chance to win great prizes!

Battalion distribute rally towels on CAA Night: The first 500 fans into the North Bay Memorial Gardens on Thursday will receive a free rally towel courtesy of CAA. Cheer on the Troops as they take on the Ottawa 67’s. One lucky fan will come away with a $500 CAA gift card!

Friday night costume contest in Sault Ste. Marie: Show your Halloween spirit on Friday night at the Essar Centre as the Hounds battle the Ottawa 67’s! The first 50 kids to sign up for the costume contest will receive a free loot bag and the top three costumes will receive a prize! Sign up at the Greyhounds Marketing table beside the Hound Pound!

IceDogs host annual Halloween game: The IceDogs will host their annual Halloween game on Friday night at home to the Sarnia Sting. Fans are encouraged to dress up in costume for the game and all kids in attendance that wear a costume will receive a treat bag from the IceDogs. Kids in costume will also be invited to take part in a second intermission parade on the ice!

Halloween Spooktacular in Sudbury: All youngsters aged 12 and under wearing a costume will be admitted to Friday night’s Wolves game for the low price of $5 and receive a free popcorn! Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes in attendance and you won’t want to miss pumpkin curling during the second intermission!

Pink in the Rink in Kingston: The Kingston Frontenacs hold their annual Pink in the Rink game against the Peterborough Petes on Friday night, raising funds for the Canadian Cancer Society. Fans can purchase a ‘Pink Pack’ for $25. It includes a game ticket, a special Pink in the Rink T-Shirt, as well as a $5 donation back to the Canadian Cancer Society (included in the $25). Pink Pack quantities are limited, so buy yours today at Frontenacs Originals located at Rogers K-Rock Centre, Cataraqui Centre, or at the Canadian Cancer Society – Kingston location!

COLTS’ KEVIN LABANC RECEIVES WEEKLY HONOURS:

The Ontario Hockey League today announced that San Jose Sharks prospect Kevin Labanc of the Barrie Colts is the Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week for the week ending October 25 after leading the league with nine points in three games scoring twice with seven assists along with a plus-minus rating of plus-3. Labanc had three multi-point games last week helping the Colts earn three straight victories to move into first place in the Central Division standings with 16 points.

TIP TOP TAILORS OHL PLAYS OF THE WEEK – WEEK 5:

A wicked backhander from Alexander Nylander headlines the fifth edition of the Tip Top Tailors OHL Plays of the Week. Some nifty passing on goals by Drake Rymsha, Kyle Maksimovich and Max Jones also makes the highlight reel. Watch the Tip Top Tailors OHL Plays of the Week

GETTING ON THE BOARD: FIRST OHL GOALS IN 2015-16:

70 different players have scored their first OHL goal this season! Revisit their exciting milestones right here! Click on a player’s name below to watch his first OHL goal! 

Vladislav Barulin, Daniel Beaudoin, Justin Brazeau, Robbie Burt, Chase Campbell, Cole Candella, Cole Carter, Jacob Cascagnette, Lucas Chiodo, Sasha Chmelevski, C.J. Clarke, Ryan Cranford, Cam Dineen, Sean Durzi, MacKenzie Entwistle, Stepan Falkovsky, Christian Fischer, Morgan Frost, Ben Garagan, Brady Gilmour, Christian Girhiny, Ben Gleason, Brendan Harrogate, Jake Henderson, Noel Hoefenmayer, Aiden Jamieson, Dane Johnstone, Ben Jones, Max Jones, Olli Juolevi, Boris Katchouk, Max Kislinger, Jack Kopacka, David Levin, Vanya Lodnia, Lukas Lofquist, Alan Lyszczarczyk, Riley MacRae, Zachary Magwood, Kirill Maksimov, Ryan McGregor, Greg Meireles, Mitchell Mendonca, Jarrett Meyer, Christian Mieritz, Daniel Muzito-Bagenda, Julius Nattinen, Alex Nylander, Tyler Parsons, J.J. Piccinich, Zack Pittman, Isaac Ratcliffe, Daniel Robertson, Jason Robertson, Vili Saarijarvi, Jordan Sambrook, Eddie Schulz, Mikhail Sergachev, Kole Sherwood, Nicolas Sicoly, Jalen Smereck, Dmitry Sokolov, Matthew Strome, Matthew Struthers, Nick Suzuki, Robert Thomas, Owen Tippett, Matthew Tkachuk, Makar Tokarev, Gabe Vilardi

MILESTONE WATCH:

The 2015-16 season is still young, but a few notable milestones have already been reached. Here’s a look at what’s happening in the record books. 

Smith sets Battalion franchise wins mark: North Bay Battalion goaltender Jake Smith won his 65th career OHL game on October 18th, surpassing Bryan Pitton for first in Battalion franchise history. Full Story

Williams becomes Otters’ franchise wins leader: Erie Otters goaltender Devin Williams won his 73rd career OHL game on October 28th, surpassing Josh Disher for first in Otters franchise history. Full Story

Knights’ Dale Hunter two wins away from 600: London Knights head coach Dale Hunter enters the weekend with 598 career OHL victories. Hunter is set to become the sixth coach in league history to win 600 games, joining Brian Kilrea, Bert Templeton, Larry Mavety, Stan Butler and George Burnett. His .696 winning percentage is the highest of any coach in OHL history to have coached over 400 games. The Knights host Windsor on Friday before traveling to Saginaw and Sault Ste. Marie on Saturday and Sunday.

ALUMNI NOTES:

Darnell Nurse scores first goal in NHL debut: It didn’t take Darnell Nurse long to make a splash in the NHL. The Soo Greyhounds graduate scored in his first NHL game on Tuesday night, rushing through the middle and over the blueline to blow a slapshot over the shoulder of Minnesota’s Devan Dubnyk. Nurse, who was a seventh overall pick by the Oilers in the 2014 NHL Draft, started his 2015-16 season appearing in six games with the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors where he recorded one assist. Nurse registered 36 goals, 98 assists and 134 points over 221 career OHL regular season games.

Sam Bennett scores first NHL regular season goal: Though he scored in the playoffs last spring, Kingston Frontenacs graduate Sam Bennett buried his first NHL regular season goal on Wednesday. Quickly becoming a fan favourite in Calgary for his grit and competitiveness, Bennett has a goal and two assists in nine contests this season. He was Calgary’s first round, fourth overall pick in 2014.

Kane, Seguin among NHL’s early season scoring leaders: OHL graduates Patrick Kane and Tyler Seguin are among the NHL’s early season scoring leaders. A former Plymouth Whalers centreman, Seguin sits third in the league with four goals, nine assists and 13 points in nine contests. A two-time NHL All-Star and Stanley Cup Champion in 2011, Seguin has helped the Dallas Stars get out to a 7-2-0 start to their season for first place in the Central Division. Kane is currently fourth in NHL scoring with five goals, seven assists and 12 points in nine games. The 2007 CHL Rookie of the Year and three-time Stanley Cup Champion continues to produce.

Khokhlachev tied for AHL scoring lead: Entering his third full AHL season, Alexander Khokhlachev is among the league’s top producers. The former Windsor Spitfires forward has two goals, nine assists and 11 points through seven games. Khokhlachev, who led the P-Bruins in scoring with 43 points last season, has appeared in four career NHL games with Boston.

Vail, Szydlowski off to hot starts in ECHL: OHL graduates Brady Vail and Shawn Szydlowski are off to strong starts in the ECHL. A Windsor Spitfires graduate, Vail has three goals, five assists and eight points through his first three contests with the Orlando Solar Bears, the ECHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Erie Otters grad Shawn Szydlowski has two goals, six assists and eight points through his first four games with the Fort Wayne Komets, the ECHL affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche.

Three OHL grads sign with Brampton Beast: OHL graduates Michael Vernace (Brampton Battalion), Luke Pither (Barrie Colts) and Jamie Wise (Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors) have all signed with the Brampton Beast, the ECHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens. Vernace, whose 72 points in 2005-06 is the highest single-season total ever recorded by a Battalion defenceman, has 22 games of NHL experience with the Colorado Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning. Pither, who recorded 97 points during his overage season with Barrie in 2009-10, returns from playing in Europe where he spent last season with Klagenfurter of the Austrian Elite League. Wise, who scored 31 goals with Mississauga in 2011-12, split last season between the AHL and the ECHL after a two year stint playing at Ryerson University.

Welychka leads OUA in scoring: Belleville Bulls graduate Brett Welychka enters the weekend as the OUA’s leading scorer. The Carleton University forward has six goals, seven assists and 13 points in just five games including two four-point outings and his first career OUA hat-trick. Fellow OHL graduates Justice Dundas (12 pts.) and Liam Heelis (11 pts.) trail close behind.

Locke leads AUS in scoring: Saginaw Spirit graduate Eric Locke is currently leading the AUS in scoring with five goals, four assists and nine points in five games. The St. Francis Xavier X-Men forward has paced his club to a 3-1-1 start. Fellow OHL graduate Cameron Brace (7 pts.) is also among the league leaders.

KEY WEEKEND MATCHUPS:

Erie Otters (9-1-1-0) vs. Barrie Colts (8-4-0-0)
Thursday October 29 at Barrie

A pair of the best teams from each conference clash in Barrie on Thursday night. The Erie Otters try and get back on track after a hiccup last weekend that saw them drop decisions against Kingston and Saginaw. Slovakian blueliner Erik Cernak joins the club on the road this week as the Otters take on a Colts team that went 3-0 last weekend and leads the Central Division with 16 points.

Kingston Frontenacs (9-2-1-1) vs. Oshawa Generals (5-7-2-0)
Sunday November 1 at Oshawa

The Oshawa Generals meet the red hot Kingston Frontenacs for the third time this season and are still in the hunt for their first win against their rivals to the east. Oshawa’s struggles against Kingston over the past year have been well documented and the Fronts have continued that trend in 2015-16 with wins by scores of 3-2 in OT and more recently, a 1-0 game on October 18th. The Frontenacs enter the weekend as winners of four straight while the Generals try and get back on track.

WEEKEND SCHEDULE: 

Thursday, October 29
Mississauga at Niagara – 7:00pm
Ottawa at North Bay – 7:00pm
Flint at Windsor – 7:05pm
Kitchener at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Erie at Barrie – 7:30pm

Friday, October 30
Oshawa at Sudbury – 7:00pm
Peterborough at Kingston – 7:00pm
Sarnia at Niagara – 7:00pm
Owen Sound at Saginaw – 7:05pm
Ottawa at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07pm
Hamilton at Mississauga – 7:30pm
North Bay at Kitchener – 7:30pm
Windsor at London – 7:30pm

Saturday, October 31
Guelph at Windsor – 1:05pm
Barrie at Hamilton – 2:00pm
Owen Sound at Flint – 2:00pm
Sarnia at Erie – 7:00pm
London at Saginaw – 7:05pm

Sunday, November 1
Barrie at Mississauga – 2:00pm
Guelph at Kitchener – 2:00pm
Niagara at North Bay – 2:00pm
Ottawa at Sudbury – 2:00pm
London at Sault Ste. Marie – 2:07pm
Kingston at Oshawa – 6:05pm

CATCH ALL OF THE ACTION ON OHL LIVE

Team Russia Roster Announced for 2015 CHL Canada Russia Series

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced the roster for Team Russia that will compete in the 2015 CHL Canada Russia Series which begins on Monday November 9 in Kelowna, BC.

A team of 23 Russian players will travel across Canada as part of the 13th annual series playing six games against CHL competition from November 9-19 in preparation for the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship which takes places this winter in Finland.

The 23 Russian players includes three goaltenders, eight defencemen, and 12 forwards and features 6’5’’ Los Angeles Kings prospect Alexander Dergachev who was a member of the 2015 Russian National Junior Team that earned a silver medal at last year’s World Junior Championship.  Team Russia is led once again by head coach Valery Bragin who coached in last year’s event as well as the 2011 and 2010 series prior to earning medals at all three corresponding World Juniors including silver in Toronto 2015, silver in Calgary 2012, and gold in Buffalo 2011.

Super SeriesAn additional 11 Russian-born CHL players will compete in various games of the series including Philadelphia Flyers first round pick Ivan Provorov of the Brandon Wheat Kings who also earned silver as a member of the Russian National Junior Team last season.  Provorov will compete in both games against Team WHL November 9 in Kelowna and November 10 in Kamloops along with fellow Flyers prospect Radel Fazleev of the Calgary Hitmen, New York Rangers prospect Sergey Zborovskiy of the Regina Pats, and Ivan Nikolishin of the Red Deer Rebels.

OHL players competing for Russia include St. Louis Blues prospect Dmitrii Sergeev of the Kitchener Rangers, and Los Angeles Kings prospect Damir Sharipzyanov of the Owen Sound Attack.  Both defencemen will compete for their country against Team OHL in Owen Sound on November 12, while defenceman Aleksandar Mikulovich of the Niagara IceDogs will compete for Team Russia on November 16 in Windsor.

Four QMJHL players will suit up for Russia in the final two games of the series taking place November 17 in Rouyn-Noranda and November 19 in Halifax led by Detroit Red Wings first round pick Evgeny Svechnikov of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.  Fellow Cape Breton forward Maxim Lazarev will also compete, along with Nashville Predators second round pick Yakov Trenin of the Gatineau Olympiques, and Colorado Avalanche prospect Sergei Boikov of the Drummondville Voltigeurs.

Last season Russia captured their third series victory in 12 years over the CHL winning 11-7 in points.

2015 CHL Canada Russia Series – Team Russia:

Most recent club team listed in brackets

*indicates players who competed in 2014 CHL Canada Russia Series

^indicates players who competed in 2015 National Junior Team Summer Development Camp in Calgary

Goaltenders:

Anton Krasotkin (Loko Yaroslavl – MHL)

Maxim Tretiak (Zvezdka Chekhov – VHL)^
Alexander Trushkov (Khimik Voskresensk – VHL)^

Defencemen:

Kirill Ablaev (Spartak Moscow – KHL)

Ilya Dervuk (Avangard Omsk – KHL)^

Ilya Kolganov (Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod – KHL)

Alexander Shchemerov (Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg – KHL)

Kirill Tsulygin (Salavat Yulaev Ufa – KHL)

Artem Volkov (Dynamo Moscow – KHL)

Mikhail Yuzeyev (Yuzhny Ural Orsk – VHL)^

Nikita Zhuldikov (Traktor Chelyabinsk – KHL)^

Forwards:

Semyon Afonasevsky (Traktor Chelyabinsk – KHL)^

Alexander Dergachev (SKA St. Petersburg – KHL)*

Ivan Igumnov (Dynamo Balashikha – VHL)

Marat Khayrullin (Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk – KHL)^

Artur Lauta (Avangard Omsk – KHL)^

Kirill Pilipenko (Dynamo Balashikha – VHL)

Alexander Protapovich (Bars Kazan – VHL)^

Andrey Svetlakov (CSKA Moscow – KHL)^

Daniil Vovchenko (Severstal Cherepovets – KHL)*

Egor Yakovlev (Admiral Vladivostok – KHL)

Nikita Yazkov (Metallurg Novokuznetsk – KHL)

Artem Zhelezkov (Metallurg Magnitogorsk – KHL)

WHL players on Team Russia:

Radel Fazleev (Calgary Hitmen)^

Ivan Nikolishin (Red Deer Rebels)*

Ivan Provorov (Brandon Wheat Kings)*

Sergey Zborovskiy (Regina Pats)

 OHL Players on Team Russia:

Aleksandar Mikulovich (Niagara IceDogs)

Dmitrii Sergeev (Kitchener Rangers)

Damir Sharipzyanov (Owen Sound Attack)*^

 QMJHL Players on Team Russia:

Sergei Boikov (Drummondville Voltigeurs)^

Maxim Lazarev (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)*

Evgeny Svechnikov (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)*^

Yakov Trenin (Gatineau Olympiques)

Staff:

Head Coach – Valery Bragin

Assistant Coach – Anvar Gatiyatulin

Assistant Coach – Alexander Boykov

Assistant Coach – Vladimir Kulikov

Video Coach – Vladislav Krutskikh

General Manager – Alexei Kochetkov

Doctor – Alexander Borodin

Physiotherapist – Artem Timofeev

Equipment Manager – Alexander Rezepov

Media Manager – Petr Tereshchenkov

 The schedule for the 2015 Canada Russia Series is as follows:

Game 1 – Monday, November 9 at Kelowna, BC
Game 2 – Tuesday, November 10 at Kamloops, BC
Game 3 – Thursday, November 12 at Owen Sound, ON

Game 4 – Monday, November 16 at Windsor, ON

Game 5 – Tuesday, November 17 at Rouyn-Noranda, QC

Game 6 – Thursday, November 19 at Halifax, NS

The 2015 Canada Russia series is supported by CHL associate sponsors, BMO Bank of Montreal, Cooper Tire, autoTRADER.ca and Sherwin-Williams. All six games will be broadcast nationally on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.

For more information including how to purchase tickets please visit http://canadarussia.chl.ca.

CHL Leagues

CHL Announces BMO CHL Top 10 Rankings

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced the sixth edition of the BMO CHL Top-10 Rankings for the 2015-16 season.  The weekly rankings of the CHL’s Top-10 teams are selected by a panel of National Hockey League scouts.

BMO

BMO CHL Top 10 Rankings – Week 6

Rank: Team: Last Week Rank: Number of Weeks Ranked:
1 Erie Otters (9-1-1-0) 1 6
2 Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (12-1-3-1) 4 5
3 Kitchener Rangers (9-0-3-0) 7 2
4 Prince Albert Raiders (10-2-0-1) 10 2
5 Shawinigan Cataractes (12-3-0-0) 2 6
6 Kingston Frontenacs (9-2-1-1) – 1
7 Seattle Thunderbirds (8-2-1-0) 8 3
8 Brandon Wheat Kings (8-3-0-2) 3 6
9 London Knights (8-2-1-1) 5 6
10 Moncton Wildcats (11-5-1-0) – 1
Honourable Mention:
Lethbridge Hurricanes (9-2-0-0) – 0
Windsor Spitfires (8-2-3-0) – 1
Red Deer Rebels (10-4-0-0) – 3