OHL’s Draft Eligible Players: Final Ranking

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

The National Hockey League’s annual draft is just a short couple of weeks away and with that comes my final ranking of Ontario Hockey League Players eligible for the first time for that draft.

Matthew Tkachuk of the London Knights. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Matthew Tkachuk of the London Knights. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Those that have followed me in the past know all to well that I am not afraid to sway from the consensus. Sometimes I get lucky, sometimes I don’t. And let’s face it: when you combine everything you’ve seen on the ice throughout the season and try and compare it to where a player’s potential stands, it becomes more luck than skill.

There’s no exact science when it comes to drafting. It’s 50% luck and 50% doing your due diligence. Hopefully some of the luck I’ve had doesn’t run out before this draft.

I usually do a top 50 skaters and top 5 goaltenders, but this year I’ve done a top 50 plus one simply because I really like one kid that chances are very likely that he won’t get drafted, but wanted to recognize the excellent second half of the season he had.

Here are my top 50 (plus one) skaters and top 5 goalies. Throughout the season, I have done profiles on most of them and you can click the players name to go directly to that profile. I have also included where they ranked on NHL Central Scouting’s mid-term ranking and their final ranking, as well as the change in those rankings.

Rank Player Pos Team Mid Final +/-
1 Matthew Tkachuk LW London Knights 1 1 –
2 Mikhail Sergachev D Windsor Spitfires 6 6 –
3 Jakob Chychrun D Sarnia Sting 2 3 -1
4 Olli Juolevi D London Knights 4 4 –
5 Logan Brown C Windsor Spitfires 8 5 +3
6 Alexander Nylander RW Mississauga Steelheads 3 2 +1
7 Michael McLeod C Mississauga Steelheads 5 7 -2
8 Max Jones LW London Knights 7 9 -2
9 Boris Katchouk LW Soo Greyhounds 13 11 +2
10 Nathan Bastian C/LW Mississauga Steelheads 9 14 -5
11 Alexander DeBrincat RW Erie Otters 10 8 +2
12 Markus Niemelainen D Saginaw Spirit 19 20 -1
13 Cam Dineen D North Bay Battalion 38 17 +21
14 Logan Stanley D Windsor Spitfires 11 10 +1
15 Adam Mascherin LW Kitchener Rangers 22 18 +4
16 Jordan Kyrou RW Sarnia Sting 18 13 +5
17 Will Bitten C Flint Firebirds 16 19 -3
18 Taylor Raddysh RW Erie Otters 15 15 –
19 Jack Kopacka LW Soo Greyhounds 14 12 +2
20 Cliff Pu C/RW London Knights 30 28 +2
21 Sean Day D Mississauga Steelheads 17 23 -6
22 Givani Smith RW Guelph Storm 25 21 +4
23 Riley Stillman D Oshawa Generals 32 24 +8
24 Victor Mete D London Knights 23 27 -4
25 Tim Gettinger LW Soo Greyhounds 12 16 -4
26 Benjamin Gleason D Hamilton Bulldogs 20 22 -2
27 Keaton Middleton D Saginaw Spirit 21 26 -5
28 Nicholas Caamano RW Flint Firebirds 45 25 +20
29 Cole Candella D Hamilton Bulldogs 26 30 -4
30 Connor Hall D Kitchener NR 36 –
31 Connor Bunnaman C Kitchener Rangers 29 31 -2
32 Dmitry Sokolov C/LW Sudbury Wolves 34 41 -7
33 Jordan Sambrook D Erie Otters 33 35 -2
34 Travis Barron LW Ottawa 67’s 24 33 -9
35 Kyle Maksimovich LW Erie Otters 37 38 -1
36 Jonathan Ang C Peterborough Petes 42 34 +8
37 Domenic Commisso C Oshawa Generals 40 39 +1
38 Stepan Falkovsky Ottawa 67’s 27 32 -5
39 Nicolas Mattinen D London Knights 35 45 -10
40 Noah Carroll D Guelph Storm 28 47 -19
41 Alan Lyszczarczyk LW Sudbury Wolves 39 43 -4
42 Anthony Salinitri C Sarnia Sting 41 29 +12
43 Hayden Verbeek C Soo Greyhounds 49 40 +9
44 Tye Felhaber C Saginaw Spirit 43 50 -7
45 Ondrej Kachyna D Hamilton Bulldogs 52 37 +15
46 Christopher Paquette C Niagara Ice Dogs 31 42 -11
47 Zach Poirier C North Bay Battalion 55 NR –
48 Brandon Saigeon C Hamilton Bulldogs 48 48 –
49 Justin Murray D Barrie Colts 51 46 +5
50 Justin Brazeau RW North Bay Battalion 57 51 +6
51 Logan DeNoble C/LW Peterborough Petes 58 NR –

Top five goaltenders

1 Tyler Parsons G London Knights 3 1 2
2 Dylan Wells G Peterborough Petes 2 3 -1
3 Joseph Raaymakers G Soo Greyhounds 1 2 -1
4 Troy Timpano G Sudbury Wolves 5 5 –
5 Evan Cormier G Saginaw Spirit 4 4 –
Advertisement

2016 OHL’s Draft Eligible Player of the Year

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

For the past several years, yours truly has done a draft eligible player of the month and topped it off at the end of the year with a draft eligible player of the year. Previous winners include Tyler Seguin (2010), Gabriel Landeskog (2011), Malcolm Subban (2012), Max Domi (2013) Sam Bennett (2015) and Connor McDavid (2015).

This season it goes to Matthew Tkachuk of the London Knights.

Matthew Tkachuk of the London Knights. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Matthew Tkachuk of the London Knights. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Tkachuk was named my draft eligible player of the month in September and November joining Alex DeBrincat (Erie Otters) and Cam Dineen (North Bay Battalion) as a two time winners.

The first year OHL’er (Tkachuk was not eligible for rookie of the year because of age requirements) scored 30 goals and 77 assists and a plus 45 in 57 regular season games while playing on arguably the best line in the OHL.

Great players rise to the occasion when it matters most and it’s the playoffs that set Tkachuk apart from the field. In 18 playoff games, Tkachuk finished with 20 goals and 20 assists and a plus 23 trailing only linemate Mitchell Marner for the playoff scoring title.

Despite the fine regular season, Tkachuk was never named OHL Player of the Week. However, he did receive the honour three times in seven weeks in the playoffs. He was the recipient of the Canadian Hockey League’s player of the week twice in that playoff run that led to the OHL Championship and a chance at the Memorial Cup.

The son of former NHL great and Hockey Hall of Famer Keith Tkachuk is expected to go in the top five at the National Hockey League Draft in June. While anything can happen, it’s likely OHL oppositions have seen the last of Matthew Tkachuk.

Knights’ Matthew Tkachuk 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 Matthew Tkachuk of the London Knights is the Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week for the playoff week ending May 8 recording six points in two games including three goals and three assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-2.

Matthew Tkachuk of the London Knights. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Matthew Tkachuk of the London Knights. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Tkachuk earns the award for a third time this post-season after helping the Knights take a 2-0 lead in the Rogers OHL Championship Series for the Robertson Cup against the Niagara IceDogs.  In Game 1 last Thursday he collected two assists as part of a 4-1 victory, then tallied a four-point performance in a 6-1 win during Saturday’s Game 2.  In that contest he scored his third hat-trick of the playoffs including his league-leading 19th goal and also added an assist earning first star honours.  The series now shifts to St. Catharines with Game 3 on Monday night followed by Game 4 scheduled for Wednesday.

An 18-year-old from St. Louis, Missouri, Tkachuk is listed second among North American skaters for the 2016 NHL Draft in NHL Central Scouting’s final draft rankings.  The first year Knight is second in playoff scoring with 39 points in 16 games played after finishing fifth during the 2015-16 regular season with 107 points in 57 games.

Watch video highlights of Tkachuk and the Knights against the IceDogs in Game 1 and Game 2 of the Rogers OHL Championship Series.

Also considered for the award this week was Arizona Coyotes prospect Christian Dvorak and Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Mitch Marner.  Alongside Tkachuk the Knights trio combined for 16 points in the opening two games of the series with Dvorak chipping in two goals and four assists, and Marner scoring once with three assists.   Last week’s award recipient Stephen Harper leads the IceDogs with a goal and one assist through two games.  In goal, 2016 NHL Draft prospect Tyler Parsons won both games between the pipes for the Knights making 51 saves while posting a goals-against-average of 1.03 and save percentage of .962.

2015-16 Pioneer Energy OHL Players of the Week:

 Playoffs:

May 2 – May 8: Matthew Tkachuk (London Knights)
Apr. 25 – May 1: Stephen Harper (Niagara IceDogs)
Apr. 18 – Apr. 24: Matthew Tkachuk (London Knights)
Apr. 11 – Apr. 17: Mackenzie Blackwood (Barrie Colts)
Apr. 4 – Apr. 10: Mitch Marner (London Knights)
Mar. 28 – Apr. 3: Matthew Tkachuk (London Knights)
Mar. 21 – Mar. 27: Warren Foegele (Kingston Frontenacs)

 Regular Season:

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)

Spitfires’ Mikhail Sergachev Named OHL Defenceman of the Year

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that 2016 NHL Draft prospect Mikhail Sergachev of the Windsor Spitfires is the 2015-16 recipient of the Max Kaminsky Trophy awarded annually to the OHL’s Most Outstanding Defenceman of the Year.

Sergachev finished third in scoring among defencemen with 57 points in 67 games including 17 goals which led all blueliners in 2015-16.  Born June 25, 1998, the 17-year-old is the youngest recipient of the award in OHL history and just the second rookie to win the award following Bryan Berard of the Detroit Junior Red Wings in 1994-95.

Mikhail Sergachev of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Mikhail Sergachev of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

“This is so unexpected. I’m truly honoured,” said Sergachev. “I think there were many worthy candidates, including my defence partners, who could’ve easily been named. I’m grateful to all my teammates for their support and for helping me throughout the entire year to improve as a player and a person. I’m very thankful to the coaching staff and management for never stopping coaching me and always believing in me.”

A native of Nizhnekamsk, Russia, Sergachev was chosen by the Spitfires sixth overall in the 2015 CHL Import Draft.  The 2016 NHL Draft prospect is listed eighth among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting in their final draft rankings, and recently represented his country at the 2016 IIHF World Under-18 Championship in North Dakota.

“This recognition is a testament to how hard Misha had to work from day one,” said Spitfires Head Coach Rocky Thompson. “When he first arrived, he didn’t speak a word of English. He was thousands of miles away from home, his family. And not only did he play at the highest level night in and night out, he earned the respect of the entire organization, his coaches and, most importantly, his teammates. At just 17, he’s mature way beyond his years. I couldn’t be happier for him. He is entirely deserving of this honour.”

Sergachev finished the 2015-16 campaign offensively with 15 multi-point games including two four-point performances November 13 with a goal and three assists as part of a 7-4 win over the Mississauga Steelheads, and January 21 in a 5-3 victory over the Flint Firebirds.  One of two defencemen named to the OHL’s First All-Rookie Team, Sergachev also received Defenceman of the Month honours for March, and was recognized in the OHL’s Western Conference Coaches Poll as having the Best Shot, and being the third Best Offensive Defenceman.

The Max Kaminsky Trophy is awarded each year to the Most Outstanding Defenceman as selected by OHL General Managers.  All 20 clubs submitted a nominee but were not permitted to vote for their own player.  Players received five points for a first place vote, three points for a second place vote and one point for a third place vote.

Sergachev received 52 points in the voting process ahead of Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Travis Dermott of the Erie Otters who finished second with 48 voting points, and Carolina Hurricanes prospect Roland McKeown of the Kingston Frontenacs who finished in third place with 28 voting points.

This marks the fourth time the Max Kaminsky Trophy has been won by a Spitfire following Darryl Shannon in 1988, and Ryan Ellis who won the award twice in 2009 and in 2011.  Sergachev and Ellis are two of just five players to capture the award in their 18-year-old birth year along with John Slaney (Cornwall 1990), Bryan Berard (Detroit 1995), and Aaron Ekblad (Barrie 2014).  Other past winners since 1970 include Al MacInnis (Kitchener 1983), Chris Pronger (Peterborough 1993), Brian Campbell (Ottawa 1999), Marc Staal (Sudbury 2007), Drew Doughty (Guelph 2008), Dougie Hamilton (Niagara 2012), and Anthony DeAngelo (Sault Ste. Marie 2015).

The award is named in recognition of Max Kaminsky, who enjoyed a 10-year professional playing career that included four years in the NHL with Ottawa, Boston, and Montreal.  After he retired from playing, Kaminsky enjoyed a 15-year coaching career that was capped by winning the Memorial Cup with the St. Catherine’s Teepees in 1960.

Sergachev will be formally presented with the Max Kaminsky Trophy at the OHL Awards Ceremony which takes place June 7 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.  He will also be the OHL’s nominee for CHL Defenceman of the Year to be announced on May 28 at the 2016 MasterCard Memorial Cup in Red Deer.

Steelheads’ Alexander Nylander named OHL Rookie of the Year

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

OHL Announces First and Second All-Rookie Teams

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that forward Alexander Nylander of the Mississauga Steelheads is the 2015-16 recipient of the Emms Family Award presented to the OHL’s Rookie of the Year.

Nylander led all OHL rookies with 75 points in 57 games played scoring 28 goals and 47 assists finishing 19th overall in league scoring.  He set a new Steelheads record for points by a rookie and becomes the first player in franchise history to earn Rookie of the Year honours.

“It’s a great honour to be selected Rookie of the Year,” said Nylander. “I couldn’t do this without my teammates, coaching staff and I thank the Steelheads for the opportunity.”

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

The 18-year-old from Sweden was selected by the Steelheads 12th overall in the 2015 CHL Import Draft.  He earned OHL Rookie of the Month honours in October, November, and February, finishing the season with 20 multi-point games including a trio of four-point performances.  Nylander was also recognized in the Eastern Conference Coaches Poll as being the second Best Stick-handler, second Best Shootout Shooter, and for having the third Best Shot.  The 2016 NHL Draft prospect is currently ranked third among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting.

 “Alex made a seamless transition into the Ontario Hockey League, quickly becoming a key member of our hockey club and a valued teammate,” said Steelheads General Manager and Head Coach James Boyd. “His exciting style of play thrilled our fans all season long. Alex is a focused player who is willing to put the work in to get better every day and is extremely deserving of this special award.”

Internationally, Nylander represented Sweden at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship where he scored four goals and five assists for nine points in seven games to lead his club in scoring.  He is also currently competing with Sweden at the 2016 IIHF World Under-18 Championship.

First presented in 1973, notable Emms Family Award recipients include Wayne Gretzky (Sault Ste. Marie 1978), Joe Thornton (Sault Ste. Marie 1996), Rick Nash (London 2001), John Tavares (Oshawa 2006), Taylor Hall (Windsor 2008), Aaron Ekblad (Barrie 2012), Connor McDavid (Erie 2013), and Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters who was last year’s recipient.

The Emms Family Award was donated by Leighton “Hap” Emms, former owner of the Barrie, Niagara Falls, and St. Catharines OHL franchises.  The award is selected by all 20 member club General Managers.  Teams were asked to submit only one nominee from their own club for consideration on the ballot and were not permitted to vote for the player from their own hockey club.  Players received five points for a first vote, three points for a second place vote, and one point for a third place vote.

Nylander earned 84 of a possible 95 voting points ahead of Cam Dineen of the North Bay Battalion and Boris Katchouk of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds who tied for second with 30 voting points each.  The Emms Family Award will be formally presented to Nylander at the OHL’s annual Awards Ceremony at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto on Tuesday June 7.  He will be the OHL’s nominee for CHL Rookie of the Year to be announced at the MasterCard Memorial Cup on Saturday May 28.

Nylander was also named to the OHL’s First All-Rookie Team at left wing joined up front by teammate Owen Tippett at right wing, and centre Nick Suzuki of the Owen Sound Attack.  First team defencemen include Dineen, along with Mikhail Sergachev of the Windsor Spitfires.  Fellow Spitfire Michael DiPietro was named goaltender for the First All-Rookie Team.  Katchouk was voted to the Second All-Rookie Team at left wing alongside Spitfires Gabriel Vilardi at centre, and Cole Carter at right wing.  Olli Juolevi of the London Knights and the Steelheads’ Nicolas Hague were voted second team defencemen, joined by goaltender Stephen Dhillon of the Niagara IceDogs.

The OHL All-Rookie Teams were also selected by the OHL’s General Managers.  Players were voted on initially by position within their conference receiving five points for a first place vote, three for a second place vote, and one for a third.  Top vote getters in each position made up the final ballot that was then circulated to all 20 teams.

2015-16 OHL All-Rookie Teams (voting points in brackets):

 First Team:

Centre – Nick Suzuki, Owen Sound Attack (57)

Left Wing – Alexander Nylander, Mississauga Steelheads (90)

Right Wing – Owen Tippett, Mississauga Steelheads (81)

Defence – Mikhail Sergachev, Windsor Spitfires (93)

Defence – Cam Dineen, North Bay Battalion (78)

Goaltender – Michael DiPietro, Windsor Spitfires (91)

Second Team:

Centre – Gabriel Vilardi, Windsor Spitfires (43)

Left Wing – Boris Katchouk, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (42)

Right Wing – Cole Carter, Windsor Spitfires (34)

Defence – Olli Juolevi, London Knights (72)

Defence – Nicolas Hague, Mississauga Steelheads (40)

Goaltender – Stephen Dhillon, Niagara IceDogs (40)

Playoff Preview: Round Two

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Round One Results

Western Conference

(1) Erie vs (8) Saginaw: Erie wins four games to zero (my prediction: Erie in four)

(2) Sarnia vs (7) Sault Ste Marie: Sault Ste Marie wins four games to three (my prediction: Sarnia in six)

(3) London vs (6) Owen Sound: London wins four games to two (my prediction: London in five)

(4) Kitchener vs (5) Windsor: Kitchener wins four games to one (my prediction: Windsor in seven)

Eastern Conference

(1) Kingston vs (8) Oshawa: Kingston wins four games to one (my prediction: Kingston in four)

(2) Barrie vs (7) Mississauga: Barrie wins four games to three (my prediction: Barrie in six)

(3) North Bay vs (6) Peterborough: North Bay wins four games to three (my prediction: North Bay in six)

(4) Niagara vs (5) Ottawa: Niagara wins four games to one (my prediction: Niagara in six)

Round Two

Western Conference

(1) Erie vs (7) Sault Ste Marie

Head to head: Erie 2-0-0-0 Sault Ste Marie 0-1-1-0

Powerplay regular season: Erie 25.3% Sault Ste Marie 19.4% Playoffs: Erie 35.0% Sault Ste Marie 16.7%

Penalty kill regular season: Erie 82.6% Sault Ste Marie 79.0% Playoffs: Erie 90.0% Sault Ste Marie 62.1%

Goals for: Erie 269 Sault Ste Marie 243

Goals against: Erie 183 Sault Ste Marie 233

Draft eligible players to watch:

Player Team GP G A PTS +/- PIM
Alex DeBrincat Erie 4 3 6 9 +3 0
Kyle Maksimovich Erie 4 4 1 5 -1 2
Taylor Raddysh Erie 4 3 1 4 +2 0
Jordan Sambrook Erie 4 0 2 2 -1 6
Boris Katchouk Soo 7 4 2 6 +3 0
Hayden Verbeek Soo 7 1 2 3 0 2
Tim Gettinger Soo 7 1 1 2 -5 0
Jack Kopacka Soo 7 0 2 2 +2 0

 

Prediction: Erie in six games

(3) London vs (4) Kitchener

Head to head: London 4-2-0-0 Kitchener 2-4-0-0

Powerplay regular season: London 29.2% Kitchener 22.2% Playoffs: London 20.8% Kitchener 34.8%

Penalty kill: regular season London 82.3% Kitchener 80.1% Playoffs: London 65.6% Kitchener 55.0%

Goals for: London 319 Kitchener 256

Goals against: London 182 Kitchener 197

Draft eligible players to watch:

Player Team GP G A PTS +/- PIM
Matthew Tkachuk London 6 8 4 12 +9 14
Cliff Pu London 6 5 1 6 +7 4
Olli Juolevi London 6 0 3 3 +4 2
Victor Mete London 6 1 1 2 +6 0
Adam Mascherin Kitchener 5 4 4 8 +1 0
Connor Bunnaman Kitchener 5 1 1 2 0 0

 

Goaltender Tyler Parsons will start for the Knights

Prediction: London in six games

Eastern Conference

(1) Kingston vs (4) Niagara

Head to head: Kingston 3-1-0-0 Niagara 1-2-0-1

Powerplay regular season: Kingston 21.5% Niagara 19.1% Playoffs: Kingston 22.7% Niagara 31.6%

Penalty kill regular season: Kingston 83.5% Niagara 84.2% Playoffs: Kingston 83.3% Niagara 80.8%

Goals for: Kingston 252 Niagara 213

Goals against: Kingston 189 Niagara 198

Player Team GP G A PTS +/- PIM
Ryan Cranford Kingston 5 0 0 0 +1 2
William Lochead Niagara 5 1 1 2 +3 6
Kyle Langdon Niagara 5 1 0 1 +3 0
Chris Paquette Niagara 5 1 0 1 +2 0

 

Prediction: Niagara in seven

(2) Barrie vs (3) North Bay

Head to head: Barrie 2-3-0-1 North Bay 4-1-0-1

Powerplay regular season: Barrie 21.7% North Bay 18.8% Playoffs: Barrie 24.1% North Bay 31.0%

Penalty kill regular season: Barrie 83.4% North Bay 81.5% Playoffs: Barrie 80.0% North Bay 89.7%

Goals for: Barrie 195 North Bay 240

Goals against: Barrie 207 North Bay 227

Player Team GP G A PTS +/- PIM
Ben Hawerchuk Barrie 7 0 1 1 -4 11
Justin Murray Barrie 7 0 1 1 -2 0
Giordano Finoro Barrie 7 0 0 0 -3 0
Cam Dineen North Bay 7 0 7 7 -2 0
Zack Poirier North Bay 6 0 1 1 -8 6
Justin Brazeau North Bay 7 0 0 0 -1 0
Max Kislinger North Bay 7 0 0 0 -1 4

 

Prediction: North Bay in six games

Knights’ Matthew Tkachuk named CHL Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that 2016 NHL Draft prospect Matthew Tkachuk of the London Knights is the CHL Player of the Week for the playoff week ending April 3 after recording 12 points in four games including eight goals and four assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-8.

Tkachuk led the Knights’ offense last week contributing to wins in three of their four games advancing to the OHL’s Western Conference Semi-Finals with a six-game series win over the Owen Sound Attack.  With the series tied 1-1, Tkachuk elevated his game to new levels on the road scoring twice in Game 3 last Monday night earning second star honours in the 5-1 win, then had a five-point performance in Game 4 on Wednesday scoring four goals and one assist as first star of the 8-5 win.  He tallied just one assist in the Knights’ 4-3 overtime loss in Game 5 on Friday before finishing the series with another first star effort on the road in Sunday’s Game 6 scoring two goals and two assists in the 5-2 triumph.

An 18-year-old from St. Louis, Missouri, Tkachuk is playing in his first career OHL season with the Knights.  The top ranked North American skater for the 2016 NHL Draft finished seventh in league scoring during the regular season and joined teammates Christian Dvorak and Mitch Marner in the league’s century club finishing the campaign with 107 points including 30 goals and 77 assists in 57 games.

Also considered for the award this week was Adam Brooks who scored two goals and seven assists for nine points in three games leading the Regina Pats to a 4-1 first round WHL Eastern Conference series victory over the Lethbridge Hurricanes. In the QMJHL, Gabryel Paquin-Boudreau scored five goals and two assists for seven points in two games for the Gatineau Olympiques who eliminated the Quebec Remparts 4-0.

2015-16 CHL Post-Season Players of the Week:

Mar. 28 – Apr. 3: Matthew Tkachuk (London Knights)
Mar. 21 – Mar. 27: Timo Meier (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)

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

Knights’ Matthew Tkachuk 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 Matthew Tkachuk of the London Knights is the Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week for the playoff week ending April 3 after scoring eight goals and four assists for 12 points in four games with a plus-minus rating of plus-8.

Tkachuk had points in all four games last week helping the Knights advance to the Western Conference Semi-Finals with a six-game series win over the Owen Sound Attack.  He scored two goals in Game 3 last Monday night earning second star honours in the 5-1 win, then found the back of the net four times in Game 4 while adding an assist for a five-point performance as first star of the 8-5 win.  He tallied just one assist in the Knights’ 4-3 overtime loss in Game 5 on Friday before leading the club’s offense with another first star performance on the road scoring twice with two assists in Sunday’s 5-2 Game 6 triumph.

An 18-year-old from St. Louis, Missouri, Tkachuk is playing in his first career OHL season with the Knights.  The top ranked North American skater for the 2016 NHL Draft finished seventh in league scoring during the regular season and joined teammates Christian Dvorak and Mitch Marner in the league’s century club finishing the campaign with 107 points including 30 goals and 77 assists in 57 games.

Watch video highlights of Tkachuk and the Knights against the Attack in Game 3, Game 4, and Game 6.

Also considered for the award this week was fellow 2016 NHL Draft prospect Alexander Nylander of the Mississauga Steelheads who scored six goals and five assists for 11 points in five games against the Barrie Colts, and New Jersey Devils prospect Pavel Zacha of the Sarnia Sting who scored five goals and four assists for nine points in four games against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.  In goal, the Sting’s Charlie Graham stopped 107 shots in four games playing to a record of 3-0-1-0 while posting a goals-against-average of 1.57 and save percentage of .939.

2015-16 Pioneer Energy OHL Players of the Week:

Playoffs:

Mar. 28 – Apr. 3: Matthew Tkachuk (London Knights)
Mar. 21 – Mar. 27: Warren Foegele (Kingston Frontenacs)

 Regular Season:

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 Announces Disciplinary Action

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

The Ontario Hockey League today announced the results of a review of two separate incidents which took place in OHL playoff games on Wednesday March 30, 2016.

OHL

Game of March 30th, 2016 – London at Owen Sound

 The Ontario Hockey League today announced the results of a review of an incident which took place in a playoff game played in Owen Sound on the 30th of March, 2016 involving the Attack and the visiting London Knights Hockey Club.

The incident reviewed was a checking to the head infraction involving player Max Jones of the London Knights Hockey Club and Owen Sound player Justin Brack.

Based on such review, it is the position of the League that player Max Jones shall be suspended for twelve (12) games effective immediately.

Click here for video and rationale of the Max Jones suspension.

Game of March 30th, 2016 – Kitchener at Windsor

The Ontario Hockey League today announced the results of a review of an incident which took place in a playoff game played in Windsor on the 30th of March, 2016 involving the Spitfires and the visiting Kitchener Rangers Hockey Club.

The incident reviewed was a play where there was unnecessary contact to the head area of an opponent by player Jake Henderson of the Kitchener Rangers Hockey Club.

Based on such review, it is the position of the League that player Jake Henderson shall be suspended for two (2) games effective immediately.

Jordan Sambrook – Player Profile – Erie Otters

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height:  6’2”

Weight:  186 pounds

Date of birth: April 11, 1998 Markham, Ontario

Position:  Defence

Shoots: Right

OHL Draft: Round 10, 119th overall, 2014 Priority Selection

Ranked 90th among North American skaters on NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings, the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to Jordan Sambrook is that he might just be a valuable find for an NHL team come June’s draft. And with plenty of NHL scouts’ eyes on teammates Alex DeBrincat and Taylor Raddysh, one would assume Sambrook has had plenty of looks.

Jordan Sambrook of the Erie Otters. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Jordan Sambrook of the Erie Otters. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Sambrook has taken every opportunity handed to him, whether its teammates away at the World Junior Championships, injuries or suspensions and made the most out of those opportunities. As a rookie defender in the Ontario Hockey League he scored 9 goals while adding 18 assists in playing all but one of the Otters’ 68 games.

What is truly surprising, especially for a rookie defender, is that Sambrook’s 9 goals came on just 69 shots for a whopping 13.0 shooting percentage and averaging just over 14 minutes of even strength ice time per game. (All of his goals came on 5 on 5 action).

At 6’2” Sambrook has good size but will need to add some bulk and of course strength – there are times he gets knocked off the puck easily. He plays it safe and simple defensively with an ability to keep opponents to the outside. He retrieves pucks fairly well and makes a good first pass out of the zone and has shown the ability to skate it out.

He is however, a two way defenceman.

Offensively, Sambrook has some things to work on. He can get caught up ice on occasion and needs to work on when to pinch and when not to pinch. He could also work on his skating speed. He’s not slow, but an extra step would make him that much more dangerous.  He is, after all, still a rookie and these are not things that can’t be worked on. He possesses decent vision and an underrated shot from the point. He can quarterback a powerplay, but most of his PP time this season has been on the second unit.

Sambrook projects to be an all around two way defender who can play in any situation and be a minute munching defender. Last season he scored 13 goals and 11 assists for the Toronto Nationals in Midget and made the direct jump to the OHL this season without missing a step.

Thanks to Prospect-stats, we can compare Sambrook to London Knights’ defender Victor Mete.

Sambrook vs Mete
Courtesy of Prospect-stats