Top Prospects Arrive in Vancouver for 2016 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Vancouver, BC – After a full day of travelling for the majority of them, 40 of the CHL’s top draft eligible prospects descended on Vancouver on Tuesday in preparation for the 2016 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game on Thursday night.

Players were introduced to their new teammates and met with the media at Pacific Coliseum, the home of the WHL’s Vancouver Giants.

“I had an early morning flight but it’s great to be here,” said Team Cherry captain Jakob Chychrun of the Sarnia Sting. “This is the first time I’ve been to Vancouver and from what I’ve seen so far, it’s beautiful.”

Team Orr captain Matthew Tkachuk of the London Knights was equally enthused about his new surroundings.

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“It’s a privilege to be here in Vancouver,” he said. “Ever since I found out I was coming to this game and learned that I was on Team Orr and playing for somebody who is so well respected around the NHL and in the hockey world, I’ve been extremely excited. Bobby Orr is the greatest defenceman to have ever played the game and to be able to play for him on Thursday is really an honour.”

34 of the top-60 skaters included in NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Rankings will compete in Thursday’s game, making for what’s sure to be an interesting matchup on Thursday night between the two sides.

As for the history between them, Chychrun is well aware of the recent outcomes that have resulted in Team Orr winning five straight dating back to 2010.

“Yeah, we really want this one,” he said with a chuckle. “Five years is too long and it’s time to get back on the winning end. It’s always fun playing with such high-end talent. Hopefully our side can form some chemistry early on and win this thing.”

One the other side of the ice, Tkachuk is confident that when skilled players are involved, things will come together smoothly.

“It’s a tough thing that we don’t really have a full practice together,” he noted, “but we can make do with some time together off the ice and a morning skate. Good players can mix well with anybody so it shouldn’t be too big of an issue so long as everyone is willing to work together and play as a team.”

Of the 40 CHL players competing in Thursday’s game, the OHL leads the way with 20 participants while the WHL will feature 12 players competing and the QMJHL will have eight representatives.

The BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is returning to Vancouver for the first time since 2005 when Giants star Gilbert Brule put on a performance for the memory books, scoring the only hat-trick in the history of the event to lead Team Cherry to an 8-4 win over Team Davidson.

With the 21st edition of the BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game right around the corner, the time for the CHL’s brightest young stars to take centre stage has arrived.

Both teams will undergo on and off-ice testing on Wednesday along with interviews with participating media before Thursday’s big game that gets underway at 6:00pm PST/9:00pm EST. The game can be seen live across the country on Sportsnet, TVA Sports and in the United States on NHL Network.

For more information about the BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game please visit www.bmotopprospects.ca or follow the conversation @CHLHockey using #BMOTP.

BMO and the Canadian Hockey League:

BMO Financial Group and the Canadian Hockey League announced BMO as the Official Bank of the Canadian Hockey League in 2011. The sponsorship builds on BMO’s partnership with the CHL of more than 10 years and affirms BMO’s exclusivity as a financial services sponsor of the league in the retail banking category. It also engrains a presence with the 48 teams which currently participate in the BMO CHL Affinity MasterCard program, which enables CHL fans to support their favourite teams through a co-branded credit card.

Super series

CHL Announces Roster Changes for 2016 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Giants’ Ty Ronning added to Team Cherry replacing injured Tyler BensonSting’s Jakob Chychrun named Team Cherry Captain, Rockets’ Dillon Dube named Alternate

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Ty Ronning of the Vancouver Giants has been added to the Team Cherry roster for the 2016 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game to be played on Thursday January 28 at Pacific Coliseum.

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 Ronning, an 18-year-old from Burnaby, BC, has 26 goals and 15 assists for 41 points in 45 games and ranks second on the Giants in scoring this season.  The third-year forward was listed 82nd among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting in last week’s Midterm Rankings for the 2016 NHL Draft.  Ronning will compete in place of teammate Tyler Benson who is unable to participate due to injury.

 The CHL also announced today that defenceman Jakob Chychrun of the Sarnia Sting will serve as Team Cherry captain in place of Benson, while Kelowna Rockets forward Dillon Dube has been named an alternate captain for Cherry joining Julien Gauthier of the Val-d’Or Foreurs.

 Listed second in North America in NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Rankings, the 17-year-old Chychrun hails from Boca Raton, Florida, and has seven goals and 22 assists for 29 points in 42 games and was the first overall pick in the 2014 OHL Priority Selection.  He follows former Sting and first overall pick Steven Stamkos who served as captain in this event in 2008 playing for Team McDonald/Vernon.  Dube is second in Rockets scoring with 20 goals and 26 assists for 46 points in 40 games.  The 17-year-old from Cochrane, AB, was listed 35th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting.

 Chychrun and Gauthier were originally announced as Team Cherry alternates earlier this month with Team Orr leaders that include captain Matthew Tkachuk of the London Knights, and alternates Jake Bean of the Calgary Hitmen, and Pierre-Luc Dubois of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.

 The 2016 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is proudly supported by title partner BMO Bank of Montreal, and CHL associate sponsors Cooper Tire, autoTRADER.ca and Sherwin-Williams.  The game will be broadcast live across Canada on Sportsnet, TVA Sports, and in the United States on NHL Network.

 For more information please visit www.bmotopprospects.ca.

BMO and the Canadian Hockey League:
BMO Financial Group and the Canadian Hockey League announced BMO as the Official Bank of the Canadian Hockey League in 2011. The sponsorship builds on BMO’s partnership with the CHL of more than 10 years and affirms BMO’s exclusivity as a financial services sponsor of the league in the retail banking category. It also engrains a presence with the 48 teams which currently participate in the BMO CHL Affinity MasterCard program, which enables CHL fans to support their favourite teams through a co-branded credit card.

Super series

Tim Gettinger – Player Profile – Soo Greyhounds

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height:  6’6”

Weight:  200 Pounds

Date of birth: April 14, 1998. North Olmstead, OH

Position:  Left Wing

Shoots:  Left

OHL Draft: Round 3, 49th overall, 2014 OHL Priority Selection.

Gettinger played for the Cleveland Barons Under-16 during the 2013-2014 season and in 34 games scored 24 goals and added 8 assists.  His characterization as a goal scorer was cemented.

Last season was Gettinger’s rookie season in the Ontario Hockey League and much like teammate (and first round pick) Zachary Senyshyn, was relegated to a bottom six role while being a healthy scratch on occasion simply because of the depth and a very strong Greyhounds squad.  In 54 games, he scored 10 goals and 15 assists and 1 goal and 1 assist while getting into the lineup for a half dozen games.

Gettinger also put in a very strong performance at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial in August. He scored twice and added two assists in four games. In September, Gettinger competed in the CCM/USA Hockey 2015 All-American Prospects Game in Buffalo, NY. He scored once for Team Roenick as they lost 6-4 to Team Plante in the annual exhibition of the top American prospects available for the draft.

Tim Gettinger of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Tim Gettinger of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

But it’s been a mixed bag so far this season for Gettinger.

First and foremost, one must understand that the Greyhounds are on a sort of a mini rebuild after the team dominated last season before bowing out to the Erie Otters in the Eastern Conference Finals. They are a young team on a quick turnaround that could be right back in the mix next season with all their young talent.

Last season he showed an ability to use his size to intimidate, drive the net, control the walls and was a solid net front presence. This season however, Gettinger looks to be kind of confused as to what type of player he should be, often trying to play a skilled game instead of using his strengths.

That said Gettinger isn’t without talent. He has great speed especially for a guy who is 6’6”. He’s shown to have the smarts and ability to get open and has a good shot that he can get off. Learning to mix that in with a dump and chase, battle for pucks, get to the front of the net, use his speed and size to retrieve pucks, and then use that size to maintain possession is key for Gettinger. If he can combine it all instead of trying to be one or the other, he should have a productive NHL career. He’s still a raw talent, and it would be hard to bet against him.

On September’s NHL Central Scouting list of players to watch, and their updated November list, Gettinger was listed as a B prospect – typically a second or third round prospect. On their January mid-term rankings, Gettinger was ranked 28th among North American skaters – 12th among OHL players (not including goaltenders). When you include goaltenders and European skaters, you are probably looking at a late second round pick.

152 CHL Players Listed in 2016 NHL Central Scouting Midterm Rankings

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

35 of the top 60 ranked skaters will compete in BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that 152 CHL players appear in NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Rankings for the 2016 NHL Draft which takes place June 24-25 in Buffalo, New York.

The domestic rankings list a total of 210 North American skaters including 133 from the CHL, also listing an additional 30 North American goaltenders including 19 that currently compete in the CHL.

Matthew Tkachuk of the London Knights is the top ranked North American skater and headlines a list of seven straight CHL players ranked by NHL Central Scouting.  Defenceman Jakob Chychrun of the Sarnia Sting is listed at number two, followed by forward Alexander Nylander of the Mississauga Steelheads at three, Julien Gauthier of the Val-d’Or Foreurs at four, defenceman Olli Juolevi of the Knights is ranked fifth, the Steelheads’ Michael McLeod is listed at six, and Pierre-Luc Dubois of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles falls at number seven.  Also included at number 10 is defenceman Mikhail Sergachev of the Windsor Spitfires.

The top seven ranked goalies are also from the CHL including Carter Hart of the Everett Silvertips at number one, Evan Fitzpatrick of the Sherbrooke Phoenix at two, Zach Sawchenko of the Moose Jaw Warriors is ranked third, Joseph Raaymakers of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds is listed at four, Dylan Wells of the Peterborough Petes is fifth, the Knights’ Tyler Parsons is at six, and Evan Cormier of the Saginaw Spirit is ranked seventh.

The Ontario Hockey League leads the way with 67 players appearing in the rankings including 60 skaters and seven goaltenders, followed by 51 players from the Western Hockey League including 43 skaters and eight goaltenders, with a total of 34 players from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League listed including 30 skaters and four goaltenders.

All 40 of the CHL players competing in the 2016 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game on Thursday January 28 in Vancouver, BC, appear in the Midterm Rankings including 35 of the top-60 skaters.

Last season, 150 CHL players appeared in the Midterm Rankings before 95 players from the CHL were selected in the 2015 NHL Draft including 17 players chosen in the first round.

For more information please visit www.bmotopprospects.ca.

CHL North American Skaters:

 Players in bold will compete in 2016 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game

 Rank, Name, Club, League, Birthdate, Height, Weight, Position, Shot

1 TKACHUK, MATTHEW LONDON OHL 11-Dec-1997 6′ 1.25″ 195 lbs * LW L
2 CHYCHRUN, JAKOB SARNIA OHL 31-Mar-1998 6′ 2.0″ 215 lbs * D L
3 NYLANDER, ALEXANDER MISSISSAUGA OHL 02-Mar-1998 6′ 0.5″ 179 lbs * LW R
4 GAUTHIER, JULIEN VAL-D’OR QMJHL 15-Oct-1997 6′ 3.5″ 225 lbs * RW R
5 JUOLEVI, OLLI LONDON OHL 05-May-1998 6′ 2.5″ 179 lbs * D L
6 MCLEOD, MICHAEL MISSISSAUGA OHL 03-Feb-1998 6′ 2.25″ 188 lbs * C R
7 DUBOIS, PIERRE-LUC CAPE BRETON QMJHL 24-Jun-1998 6′ 2.5″ 202 lbs * LW L
10 SERGACHEV, MIKHAIL WINDSOR OHL 25-Jun-1998 6′ 2.5″ 206 lbs * D L
11 JONES, MAX LONDON OHL 17-Feb-1998 6′ 3.0″ 205 lbs * LW L
13 BEAN, JAKE CALGARY WHL 09-Jun-1998 5′ 11.75″ 173 lbs * D L
14 BROWN, LOGAN WINDSOR OHL 05-Mar-1998 6′ 6.0″ 222 lbs * C L
19 BASTIAN, NATHAN MISSISSAUGA OHL 06-Dec-1997 6′ 3.75″ 208 lbs * RW R
20 DEBRINCAT, ALEXANDER ERIE OHL 18-Dec-1997 5′ 7.0″ 163 lbs * RW R
21 BENSON, TYLER VANCOUVER WHL 15-Mar-1998 5′ 11.75″ 201 lbs * LW L
22 CLAGUE, KALE BRANDON WHL 05-Jun-1998 5′ 11.75″ 177 lbs * D L
23 STANLEY, LOGAN WINDSOR OHL 26-May-1998 6′ 6.75″ 220 lbs * D L
25 STRANSKY, SIMON PRINCE ALBERT WHL 21-Dec-1997 5′ 11.5″ 171 lbs * LW L
26 HAJEK, LIBOR SASKATOON WHL 04-Feb-1998 6′ 2.0″ 185 lbs * D L
27 HOWDEN, BRETT MOOSE JAW WHL 29-Mar-1998 6′ 2.25″ 193 lbs * C L
28 GETTINGER, TIMOTHY SAULT STE. MARIE OHL 14-Apr-1998 6′ 5.25″ 206 lbs * LW L
29 STEEL, SAM REGINA WHL 03-Feb-1998 5′ 11.0″ 177 lbs * C L
31 LABERGE, PASCAL VICTORIAVILLE QMJHL 09-Apr-1998 6′ 1.0″ 162 lbs * C R
32 KATCHOUK, BORIS SAULT STE. MARIE OHL 18-Jun-1998 6′ 1.0″ 181 lbs * LW L
33 KOPACKA, JACK SAULT STE. MARIE OHL 05-Mar-1998 6′ 2.0″ 190 lbs * LW L
34 RADDYSH, TAYLOR ERIE OHL 18-Feb-1998 6′ 1.75″ 203 lbs * RW R
35 DUBE, DILLON KELOWNA WHL 20-Jul-1998 5′ 10.25″ 180 lbs * C L
36 ALLARD, FREDERIC CHICOUTIMI QMJHL 27-Dec-1997 6′ 1.0″ 179 lbs * D R
37 GREEN, LUKE SAINT JOHN QMJHL 12-Jan-1998 6′ 0.25″ 189 lbs * D R
38 JOHANSEN, LUCAS KELOWNA WHL 16-Nov-1997 6′ 1.25″ 174 lbs * D L
40 GIRARD, SAMUEL SHAWINIGAN QMJHL 12-May-1998 5′ 9.5″ 160 lbs * D L
41 LAJOIE, MAXIME SWIFT CURRENT WHL 05-Nov-1997 6′ 1.0″ 183 lbs * D L
42 BITTEN, WILLIAM FLINT OHL 10-Jul-1998 5′ 9.75″ 167 lbs * C R
43 DAY, SEAN MISSISSAUGA OHL 09-Jan-1998 6′ 2.0″ 224 lbs * D L
44 KUZNETSOV VLADIMIR ACADIE-BATHURST QMJHL 18-Feb-1998 6′ 2.0″ 210 lbs * RW L
45 KYROU, JORDAN SARNIA OHL 05-May-1998 6′ 0.0″ 178 lbs * C R
46 NIEMELAINEN, MARKUS SAGINAW OHL 08-Jun-1998 6′ 4.75″ 189 lbs * D L
47 SOMPPI, OTTO HALIFAX QMJHL 12-Jan-1998 6′ 0.75″ 179 lbs * C L
53 GLEASON, BENJAMIN HAMILTON OHL 25-Mar-1998 6′ 0.0″ 168 lbs * D L
55 MIDDLETON, KEATON SAGINAW OHL 10-Feb-1998 6′ 5.5″ 233 lbs * D L
56 ABRAMOV, VITALY GATINEAU QMJHL 08-May-1998 5′ 8.75″ 172 lbs * RW L
57 MASCHERIN, ADAM KITCHENER OHL 06-Jun-1998 5′ 9.5″ 206 lbs * LW L
58 METE, VICTOR LONDON OHL 07-Jun-1998 5′ 9.5″ 174 lbs * D L
60 BARRON, TRAVIS OTTAWA OHL 17-Aug-1998 6′ 1.25″ 195 lbs * LW L
61 BUDIK, VOJTECH PRINCE ALBERT WHL 29-Jan-1998 6′ 1.0″ 189 lbs * D L
62 ANDERSON, JOSH PRINCE GEORGE WHL 29-Aug-1998 6′ 2.25″ 221 lbs * D L
63 SMITH, GIVANI GUELPH OHL 28-Feb-1998 6′ 1.5″ 204 lbs * RW L
65 CANDELLA, COLE HAMILTON OHL 13-Feb-1998 6′ 1.0″ 189 lbs * D L
68 BURKE, BRAYDEN LETHBRIDGE WHL 01-Jan-1997 5′ 9.75″ 160 lbs * LW L
70 VALA, ONDREJ KAMLOOPS WHL 13-Apr-1998 6′ 4.5″ 207 lbs * D L
71 BAJKOV, PATRICK EVERETT WHL 27-Nov-1997 5′ 11.5″ 175 lbs * LW R
72 NEVEU, JACOB ROUYN-NORANDA QMJHL 12-Jan-1998 6′ 1.5″ 206 lbs * D R
74 SYLVESTRE, GABRIEL SHAWINIGAN QMJHL 22-Jan-1998 6′ 3.0″ 190 lbs * D R
75 GREGOR, NOAH MOOSE JAW WHL 28-Jul-1998 5′ 11.25″ 180 lbs * C L
76 KASPICK, TANNER BRANDON WHL 28-Jan-1998 6′ 0.25″ 200 lbs * C L
77 BABENKO, EGOR LETHBRIDGE WHL 05-Feb-1997 5′ 9.0″ 160 lbs * RW L
78 GERLACH, MAX MEDICINE HAT WHL 04-Apr-1998 5′ 8.5″ 163 lbs * C R
79 FALKOVSKY, STEPAN OTTAWA OHL 18-Dec-1996 6′ 7.0″ 224 lbs * D L
80 CARROLL, NOAH GUELPH OHL 02-Dec-1997 6′ 1.0″ 178 lbs * D L
81 BUNNAMAN, CONNOR KITCHENER OHL 16-Apr-1998 6′ 1.0″ 207 lbs * C L
82 RONNING, TY VANCOUVER WHL 20-Oct-1997 5′ 8.75″ 165 lbs * RW R
83 PU, CLIFF LONDON OHL 03-Jun-1998 6′ 1.5″ 192 lbs * RW R
84 STALLARD, JORDAN CALGARY WHL 18-Sep-1997 6′ 2.0″ 188 lbs * C L
87 PAQUETTE, CHRISTOPHER NIAGARA OHL 27-Mar-1998 6′ 1.25″ 207 lbs * C R
88 STILLMAN, RILEY OSHAWA OHL 09-Mar-1998 6′ 0.5″ 180 lbs * D L
90 SAMBROOK, JORDAN ERIE OHL 11-Apr-1998 6′ 1.5″ 187 lbs * D R
91 SOKOLOV, DMITRY SUDBURY OHL 14-Apr-1998 5′ 11.25″ 220 lbs * RW L
94 O’BRIEN, BROGAN PRINCE GEORGE WHL 13-Aug-1997 6′ 2.25″ 189 lbs * LW L
95 TWARYNSKI, CARSEN CALGARY WHL 24-Nov-1997 6′ 2.0″ 198 lbs * LW L
96 CRAWLEY, BRANDON LONDON OHL 02-Feb-1997 6′ 1.5″ 207 lbs * D L
98 DE WIT, JEFFREY RED DEER WHL 14-Mar-1998 6′ 3.25″ 189 lbs * C R
102 MIROMANOV, DANIIL ACADIE-BATHURST QMJHL 11-Jul-1997 6′ 3.5″ 185 lbs * LW R
103 MATTINEN, NICOLAS LONDON OHL 05-Mar-1998 6′ 4.5″ 220 lbs * D R
104 CHERNYUK, KONSTANTIN KINGSTON OHL 13-Feb-1998 6′ 4.25″ 177 lbs * D L
106 SALITURO, DANTE OTTAWA OHL 15-Nov-1996 5′ 8.25″ 178 lbs C R
107 BROOKS, ADAM REGINA WHL 06-May-1996 5′ 10.25″ 174 lbs * C L
111 MAKSIMOVICH, KYLE ERIE OHL 10-Mar-1998 5′ 8.5″ 172 lbs * LW L
112 BALMAS, MITCHELL CHARLOTTETOWN QMJHL 19-Mar-1998 6′ 0.0″ 180 lbs * C L
113 STUKEL, JAKOB CALGARY WHL 06-Mar-1997 5′ 11.5″ 182 lbs * LW L
114 HAGEL, BRANDON RED DEER WHL 27-Aug-1998 5′ 11.75″ 156 lbs * LW L
115 SEVIGNY, MATHIEU DRUMMONDVILLE QMJHL 12-Mar-1998 6′ 0.75″ 175 lbs * LW L
117 DINEEN, CAM NORTH BAY OHL 19-Jun-1998 5′ 11.0″ 183 lbs * D L
119 LYSZCZARCZYK, ALAN SUDBURY OHL 17-Feb-1998 5′ 10.25″ 184 lbs * LW L
120 GALIPEAU, OLIVIER VAL-D’OR QMJHL 22-May-1997 6′ 0.75″ 203 lbs * D L
121 ABOLS, RODRIGO PORTLAND WHL 05-Jan-1996 6′ 4.5″ 188 lbs * C L
122 ELYNUIK, HUDSON SPOKANE WHL 12-Oct-1997 6′ 4.75″ 201 lbs * C L
123 COMMISSO, DOMENIC OSHAWA OHL 19-Feb-1998 5′ 11.0″ 178 lbs * C R
124 MALENSTYN, BECK CALGARY WHL 04-Feb-1998 6′ 1.75″ 191 lbs * LW L
126 SALINITRI, ANTHONY SARNIA OHL 05-Mar-1998 5′ 10.25″ 168 lbs * C L
132 GIGNAC, BRANDON SHAWINIGAN QMJHL 07-Nov-1997 5′ 10.5″ 173 lbs * C L
136 NOEL, NATHAN SAINT JOHN QMJHL 21-Jun-1997 5′ 10.5″ 179 lbs * C R
137 ANG, JONATHAN PETERBOROUGH OHL 31-Jan-1998 5′ 11.25″ 165 lbs * C R
139 FELHABER, TYE SAGINAW OHL 05-Aug-1998 5′ 10.75″ 191 lbs * C L
140 HEBIG, CAMERON SASKATOON WHL 21-Jan-1997 5′ 10.5″ 191 lbs * C R
142 FELIXSON, OLIVER SAINT JOHN QMJHL 11-Mar-1998 6′ 6.0″ 220 lbs * D L
143 RYMSHA, DRAKE OTTAWA OHL 06-Aug-1998 5′ 11.5″ 187 lbs * C R
145 FORTIER, MAXIME HALIFAX QMJHL 15-Dec-1997 5′ 10.0″ 177 lbs * RW R
148 CAAMANO, NICHOLAS FLINT OHL 07-Sep-1998 6′ 0.5″ 188 lbs * RW L
150 COLEMAN, LUKE PRINCE ALBERT WHL 09-Sep-1998 6′ 1.5″ 193 lbs * LW L
152 SOUSTAL, TOMAS KELOWNA WHL 15-Feb-1997 6′ 3.0″ 198 lbs C R
153 OSMANSKI, AUSTIN MISSISSAUGA OHL 30-Apr-1998 6′ 3.25″ 196 lbs * D L
155 BERG, ADAM REGINA WHL 04-Feb-1997 6′ 0.5″ 195 lbs * LW L
156 BILODEAU, GABRIEL GATINEAU QMJHL 04-Jun-1998 6′ 1.0″ 185 lbs * D R
158 BOWER, WILLIAM MONCTON QMJHL 07-Nov-1997 6′ 0.5″ 186 lbs * C R
159 HAWERCHUK, BEN BARRIE OHL 27-Mar-1998 5′ 10.25″ 178 lbs * LW L
160 SAIGEON, BRANDON HAMILTON OHL 14-Jun-1998 6′ 1.0″ 197 lbs * C L
161 WIEDERER, MANUEL MONCTON QMJHL 21-Nov-1996 6′ 0.0″ 171 lbs * C R
164 VERBEEK, HAYDEN SAULT STE. MARIE OHL 17-Oct-1997 5′ 9.25″ 177 lbs * C L
165 HUBER, MARIO VICTORIAVILLE QMJHL 08-Aug-1996 6′ 1.75″ 208 lbs * C R
166 KIRWAN, LUKE FLINT OHL 23-Sep-1997 6′ 1.75″ 230 lbs * LW L
167 GARDINER, REID PRINCE ALBERT WHL 19-Jan-1996 5′ 10.5″ 193 lbs RW R
169 OTTENBREIT, TURNER SEATTLE WHL 09-Jul-1997 6′ 3.25″ 190 lbs * D L
171 MURRAY, JUSTIN BARRIE OHL 22-Aug-1998 5′ 11.5″ 179 lbs * D L
173 KACHYNA, ONDREJ HAMILTON OHL 30-Apr-1998 6′ 3.5″ 192 lbs * D L
174 PICARD MIGUEL BLAINVILLE-BOISBRIAND QMJHL 08-May-1998 6′ 0.75″ 174 lbs * C L
176 WESTGARD, TY VICTORIA WHL 21-May-1998 5′ 11.25″ 184 lbs * C R
177 COGHLAN, DYLAN TRI-CITY WHL 19-Feb-1998 6′ 1.75″ 190 lbs * D R
180 KUTKEVICIUS, LUKE HAMILTON OHL 25-Mar-1998 5′ 11.75″ 162 lbs * C L
181 DE JONG, BRENDAN PORTLAND WHL 23-Mar-1998 6′ 4.5″ 189 lbs * D L
182 MIERITZ, CHRISTIAN GUELPH OHL 30-Sep-1997 6′ 0.75″ 201 lbs * D L
187 PILON, GARRETT KAMLOOPS WHL 13-Apr-1998 5′ 10.25″ 175 lbs * C R
188 MALTSEV, ARTEM CHICOUTIMI QMJHL 27-Mar-1998 6′ 2.5″ 179 lbs * D R
191 WERBIK, NICOLAS RIMOUSKI QMJHL 09-Oct-1997 6′ 2.5″ 195 lbs * C R
194 KISLINGER, MAXIMILIAN NORTH BAY OHL 11-Feb-1998 6′ 2.0″ 201 lbs * LW L
196 KLIMA, KEVIN MONCTON QMJHL 05-Jun-1997 5′ 8.75″ 171 lbs * C L
197 DAVIDSON, DAWSON KAMLOOPS WHL 07-Apr-1998 5′ 10.75″ 177 lbs * D L
198 MURPHY, LIAM MONCTON QMJHL 20-Jan-1998 6′ 0.75″ 208 lbs * C L
199 POIRIER, ZACHARY NORTH BAY OHL 12-May-1998 5′ 11.75″ 193 lbs * C R
201 QUENNEVILLE, DAVID MEDICINE HAT WHL 13-Mar-1998 5′ 8.0″ 182 lbs * D R
202 MCEWAN, JAMES GUELPH OHL 15-Mar-1997 5′ 11.5″ 190 lbs * C L
204 MAHER, JORDAN ACADIE-BATHURST QMJHL 11-Mar-1998 5′ 11.0″ 175 lbs * C/RW R
206 VOLCAN, NOLAN SEATTLE WHL 04-Jul-1998 5′ 8.5″ 194 lbs * LW L
207 BRAZEAU, JUSTIN NORTH BAY OHL 02-Feb-1998 6′ 4.25″ 192 lbs * RW R
209 D’ASTOUS, CHARLES-EDOUARD RIMOUSKI QMJHL 21-Apr-1998 6′ 1.0″ 197 lbs * D L

CHL North American Goaltenders:

 Rank, Name, Club, League, Birthdate, Height, Weight, Position, Catches

1 HART, CARTER EVERETT WHL 13-Aug-1998 6′ 0.5″ 177 lbs * L
2 FITZPATRICK, EVAN SHERBROOKE QMJHL 28-Jan-1998 6′ 2.5″ 222 lbs * L
3 SAWCHENKO, ZACHARY MOOSE JAW WHL 30-Dec-1997 6′ 0.0″ 178 lbs L
4 RAAYMAKERS, JOSEPH SAULT STE. MARIE OHL 17-Mar-1998 6′ 0.25″ 185 lbs * L
5 WELLS, DYLAN PETERBOROUGH OHL 03-Jan-1998 6′ 1.5″ 187 lbs * L
6 PARSONS, TYLER LONDON OHL 18-Sep-1997 6′ 1.25″ 184 lbs * L
7 CORMIER, EVAN SAGINAW OHL 06-Nov-1997 6′ 2.75″ 202 lbs * L
9 SARTHOU, EVAN TRI-CITY WHL 24-Sep-1997 6′ 1.0″ 186 lbs * L
11 WILLMS, BRODY MOOSE JAW WHL 21-Jul-1998 6′ 1.0″ 170 lbs * L
12 INGRAM, CONNOR KAMLOOPS WHL 31-Mar-1997 6′ 0.5″ 212 lbs L
13 SAMUEL, ANTOINE BAIE-COMEAU QMJHL 17-Sep-1997 6′ 2.5″ 187 lbs * L
14 TIMPANO, TROY SUDBURY OHL 13-Nov-1997 6′ 0.5″ 186 lbs * L
18 PORTER, CODY CALGARY WHL 23-Sep-1997 6′ 1.0″ 186 lbs * L
20 EDMONDS, TY PRINCE GEORGE WHL 20-Aug-1996 6′ 1.75″ 181 lbs * L
23 OVSJANNIKOV, DAVID BARRIE OHL 16-Feb-1997 6′ 5.75″ 225 lbs * L
25 DHILLON, STEPHEN NIAGARA OHL 14-Sep-1998 6′ 3.75″ 182 lbs * L
28 GRAMETBAUER, MARK GATINEAU QMJHL 10-Aug-1998 6′ 0.75″ 176 lbs * L
29 MCBRIDE, NICK PRINCE GEORGE WHL 11-Jan-1997 6′ 3.0″ 185 lbs * L
30 POVALL, JAMES VICTORIAVILLE QMJHL 17-Nov-1997 6′ 2.5″ 172 lbs * L

Please visit www.nhl.com to see the full rankings.

Givani Smith – Player Profile – Guelph Storm

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height:  6’2”

Weight:  205 pounds

Date of birth: February 27, 1998, Toronto Ontario

Position:  Right Wing

Shoots:  Left

OHL Draft: Round 1, 13th overall, 2014 Priority Selection (Barrie Colts)

Smith played his Minor Midget hockey for the Mississauga Senators during the 2013-2014 season. In 26 games, he scored 9 goals and 8 assists to go along with 71 penalty minutes.  He added 4 goals and 4 assists in 7 playoff games.

The Barrie Colts made Smith their first round pick at the 2014 OHL Priority Selection. He would split his rookie season with the Colts and the Guelph Storm. He recorded just 4 assists in 31 games for the Colts before being traded to the Storm along with C.J. Garcia for Chadd Bauman and Ben Harpur.

Smith, the younger brother of former OHL’er and Dallas Stars prospect Gemel Smith, found a home in Guelph. It didn’t take long for Smith to become a regular in the top 6 rotation and come playoff time was logging big minutes.

Givani Smith of the Guelph Storm. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Givani Smith of the Guelph Storm. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

The move to Guelph paid off for Smith. In 30 games he would score 7 goals and add 8 assists and 56 penalty minutes. In 9 playoff games, he scored twice and added 3 assists. Smith also played in the OHL Cup, the OHL Gold Cup and Represented Canada Red at the World Hockey Challenge Under-17.

Smith is a power forward who finishes his checks and has the ability to throw devastating hits without going out of his way to look for a big hit. He is very strong and a difficult player to beat down low and can dominate the walls.

Perhaps his greatest asset is his work ethic. The Storm has certainly had their difficulties this season, currently sitting in last place in the OHL. But Smith just never seems to give up despite the team’s position or the score in a game. To put it in simple terms, Smith does something and you notice him on just about every shift.

Smith has an NHL calibre shot that is heavy and accurate. He has soft hands and capable of creating plays. His skating could use some work but it isn’t a detriment to him. He currently sits third in Storm scoring on 15 goals (on 119 shots for a 12.6 shooting percentage) and 11 assists in 39 games. He plays in any situation as well. Three of his goals have come on the powerplay while one coming shorthanded.

Smith also got off to a terribly slow start. Through his first 22 games, he had just 4 goals and 7 assists, with 3 of those goals coming in a game on November 1st against the Kitchener Rangers. But once the calendar flipped to December, he began to find the net and his consistency, never going more than two games without registering at least one point. Since then, he’s 11 goals and 4 assists in 17 games.

I don’t think we’ve seen the best Smith has to offer. The lack of a true playmaker on the Storm has had on impact on his production. With the Storm virtually guaranteed to miss the playoffs, NHL scouts won’t get an extended look at Smith. He can and should make Team Canada at the Under 18’s following his season and being surrounded by a higher quality of talent, the best he has to offer could come in that tournament.

Smith was ranked on NHL Central Scouting’s list of players to watch as a C prospect on their preliminary list and again on their November list. A C prospect is considered a fourth, fifth or sixth round pick.

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Boris Katchouk – Player Profile – Soo Greyhounds

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height:  6’1”

Weight:  179 pounds

Date of birth: June 18, 1998 – Waterloo, Ontario

Position:  Left Wing

Shoots:  Left

OHL Draft: Round 2, 33rd overall, 2014 OHL Priority Selection.

During the 2013-2014 season, Katchouk played his Minor Midget hockey for the Waterloo Wolves where he averaged two points per game on 25 goals and 33 assists. He added 3 goals and 9 assists in 10 playoff games and helping the Wolves to the championship.

Katchouk also played in the OHL Gold Cup Under-16 winning a bronze medal with the Team Alliance. In 5 games he registered 2 assists. He also played in the OHL Cup and had a goal and 2 assists in 4 games for the Wolves.

The following season Katchouk moved on to play in 29 games for the Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League where he would score 18 goals and 27 assists. In 11 playoff games Katchouk would score 4 goals and 11 assists helping the Thunderbirds to the Championship and Katchouk’s second league title.

Boris Katchouk of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Boris Katchouk of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Following his NOJHL season, Katchouk moved up to the Greyhounds and played in 12 regular season games registering 2 assists. He did not appear in the Greyhounds playoff run to the Western Conference Finals.

You’d be hard pressed to find many players with a higher work ethic than Katchouk. He’s very good at getting in on the forecheck, battling along the wall and a stop at no cost attitude to drive the net. He can be relentless in puck pursuit often causing turnovers and creating scoring chances on those turnovers.

Katchouk possesses size, speed and plays a gritty game. He’s very good in close and with his never quit attitude he is successful when in tight. Perhaps the most impressive asset is his consistency.

Through the first 37 games of this season, Katchouk has gone pointless in three consecutive games just once and two consecutive games without a point just twice. He has registered at least one point in 22 of his 37 games on 13 goals and 18 assists. His 13 goals come on just 67 shots which is good for a 19.4% shooting percentage.

Still an OHL rookie, Katchouk sits fourth in rookie scoring behind Alexander Nylander (Mississauga), Max Jones (London) and Cam Dineen (North Bay).

Katchouk was not on NHL Central Scouting’s pre-season players to watch. He made their updated list in November as a B prospect – second or third round prospect.

Katchouk is trending to be a solid third liner who can skate, play gritty and provide energy while contributing some offense and move up in a pinch to fill in for injury.

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Connor Bunnaman – Player Profile – Kitchener Rangers

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height:  6’3”

Weight:  211 pounds

Date of birth: April 16, 1998, Guelph Ontario

Position:  Center

Shoots:  Left

OHL Draft: Round 2, 31st overall, 2014 OHL Priority Selection

Bunnaman played his Minor Midget hockey for the Guelph Jr Gryphons during the 2013/14 season and in 27 games scored 18 goals and 17 assists. He added 3 goals and 4 assists in 9 playoff games. He also played in the OHL Cup compiling 3 goals and 3 assists in 5 games.

Bunnaman also appeared in the OHL Gold Cup and helped Team OMHA win gold with 3 goals and an assist in 5 games.

Last season was Bunnaman’s OHL rookie season. He appeared in all but one game for the Rangers and notched 10 goals and 5 assists in those contests. What we saw in his rookie season was a player who grew in confidence as the season progressed. He played a complete game in all three zones and earned the trust of the coaching staff and received time on the penalty kill.

Connor Bunnaman of the Kitchener Rangers. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Connor Bunnaman of the Kitchener Rangers. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Bunnaman is an excellent forechecker. He likes to play physical and completes his checks. He’s very good at protecting the puck and with his size is very good at one on one battle. He’ll also take the puck to the net, but also makes good decisions with it. He also has a heavy shot.

But Bunnaman’s skating abilities needed some improvement and it’s been a work in progress.

This season, Bunnaman has carried on from where he left off. He’s been playing more wing than center this season, but he does excellent on the dot and currently has a 58.8 winning percentage. He works as hard away from the puck, on the backcheck or in his own zone as he does in his pursuit of the puck.

While his skating has improved, it still needs some work. How much he can improve on it will determine whether he makes the NHL as a winger or a center. It could go a long way in helping him become a productive and effective two-way center. While he has some limited offensive skill and has that heavy shot, I don’t project him to be a goal scoring winger in the NHL – more of an energy guy who can score occasionally.

I had the opportunity to speak to Mike Farwell the Rangers play by play voice and host of post game show on Rogers TV.

OHLW: Do you think Connor’s game is better suited for wing or center at the next level?

Farwell: I think Connor’s game is best suited to the wing. He’ll make his living in the corners and he’s going to be downright dangerous when he figures out how big he really is.

OHLW: Connor is an excellent two-way player and works as hard in his own zone as the offensive zone. Do you see him more as a defensive player first who can provide some offense or is there another level offensively that’s still to come?

Farwell:  I’m not sure there’s another offensive level for Connor – what you see is what you get. He’s not blessed with a wicked shot or the deftest hands. His game is defined by hard work and he’ll be the guy that can get those goals for you in the “dirty areas.” If he’s scoring goals from more than ten feet out, something is wrong. I can see him developing into a premier penalty killer.

OHLW: Skating was an area Connor needed to work on in the offseason, at least in my opinion, and he’s shown some improvement. Would you say it’s the biggest issue he needs to work on going forward?

Farwell: I couldn’t agree more. When I say he could develop into a premier penalty killer, that’s the area I’m thinking of that needs to develop. If and when it does, look out.

OHLW: At 6’3” and 210 pounds he has excellent size and not afraid to use it. He’s strong on the forecheck, finishes his checks, excellent on the cycle, very good puck possession player and hard to beat in battles along the wall. Can you agree with that?

Farewell: I can agree with everything you’ve said. But I honestly still believe there’s more. A little bit more nastiness, like I said above – figuring out how big he really is – is the next step.

OHLW: Can you give us some insight into Connor the person and not the player:

Farwell: Connor is a tremendous kid. Well-spoken, friendly, with a great sense of humour.

You can follow Mike on Twitter here.

Benson and Tkachuk named BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Captains

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League in association with BMO Financial Group today announced the captains and alternate captains for the 2016 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game to be played on Thursday January 28 in Vancouver, BC, hosted by the Western Hockey League’s Vancouver Giants.

 The Giants’ Tyler Benson and Matthew Tkachuk of the London Knights have both been named captains for the 21st annual showcase of the CHL’s top-40 NHL Draft eligible players.  Benson will lead Team Cherry along with alternate captains Jakob Chychrun of the Sarnia Sting, and Julien Gauthier of the Val-d’Or Foreurs.  Tkachuk will lead Team Orr with alternates Jake Bean of the Calgary Hitmen, and Pierre-Luc Dubois of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.

 Benson, a 17-year-old from Edmonton, AB, is also a captain for the host Giants playing in just his second full season after being the first overall pick in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft.  The forward has 26 points in 28 games so far this season including eight goals and 18 assists.  Another former top pick, Chychrun was chosen by the Sting first overall in the 2014 OHL Priority Selection.  The 17-year-old defenceman from Boca Raton, Florida, has five goals and 19 assists for 24 points in 36 games.  Gauthier, an 18-year-old from Pointe-aux-Trembles, QC, was a member of Canada’s National Junior Team.  The forward has 37 points in 30 games playing in his third season with the Foreurs and is tied for third in the QMJHL with 29 goals.

 Tkachuk, an 18-year-old from St. Louis, Missouri, is currently tied for third in OHL scoring with 61 points including 15 goals and 46 assists in 30 games so far this season.  The Knights’ first-year forward captured bronze with the U.S. National Junior Team at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship.  Bean currently ranks third in WHL scoring among defencemen with 15 goals and 24 assists for 39 points in 42 games.  The 17-year-old from Calgary, AB, is playing in his second season as a member of his hometown Hitmen.  Dubois ranks eighth in QMJHL scoring with 61 points in 41 games netting 26 goals and 35 assists.  The 17-year-old is from Ste-Agathe-des-Monts, QC, and was a fifth overall pick of the Screaming Eagles in the 2014 QMJHL Entry Draft.

 Benson and Tkachuk follow in the footsteps of past Giants and Knights to serve as captains in this event, most notably in 2009 when Evander Kane led Team Cherry and John Tavares captained Team Orr in Oshawa.  Former Giant Gilbert Brule also captained Team Cherry in 2005 when the event was last held in Vancouver.  Past Knights to serve as captains include Sam Gagner in 2007 for a team coached by Pat Burns and Michel Bergeron, and Rick Nash who captained a team coached by Kelly Hrudey in 2002.

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

 Click here to see full Team Cherry and Team Orr rosters for the 2016 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.

 The 2016 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is proudly supported by title partner BMO Bank of Montreal, and CHL associate sponsors Cooper Tire, autoTRADER.ca and Sherwin-Williams.  The game will be broadcast live on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.

 For more information please visit www.bmotopprospects.ca.

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Cam Dineen – Player Profile – North Bay Battalion

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height:  5’11”

Weight:  182 pounds

Date of birth: June 19, 1998, Toms River, NJ

Position:  Defence

Shoots:  Left

OHL Draft:  Round 11, 214th overall, 2014 OHL Priority Selection

Don’t be deceived by the low draft pick in the OHL draft.

Dineen received a scholarship from Yale University and in November of 2013 had a verbal agreement to join them for the 2016-2017 season. With that commitment, OHL teams were doubtful whether Dineen would commit to the OHL and thus the low pick. By comparison, in 2014 he was a first round pick, 3rd overall in the USHL Futures Draft.

With his commitment to the Battalion, Dineen relinquished his NCAA eligibility.

Cam Dineen of the North Bay Battalion. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Cam Dineen of the North Bay Battalion. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Last season, Dineen played for the New Jersey Rockets of the Eastern Hockey League. There, he scored 11 goals and added 30 assists in 39 games and was named the EHL Rookie of the Year, led all defencemen in scoring and was named an all star. He also appeared in 3 games for Tri-City Storm of the USHL. He was a member of Team USA at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament contributing 2 assists in 4 games.

Dineen, in an interview on the Rocket’s web site had this to say about his signing with the Battalion:

“It was a hard decision to make because of my commitment and opportunities with Yale and Tri-City. But I truly believe the OHL, and North Bay, is where I need to be. It was the right decision for me, considering the competition and style of play.”

Just past the halfway mark of this his rookie OHL season, Dineen leads all defencemen in points on 6 goals and 27 assists in 37 games. Earlier this month, I named him draft eligible player of the month for December.  A few days later, he was named OHL rookie of the month and OHL defenceman of the month for December. He’s also tied for second with Max Jones for points by a rookie, trailing only Alexander Nylander.

Once he appeared at the North Bay Battalion prospect’s camp, Dineen knew the OHL is where he wanted to be. As with almost all defencemen at this level, playing defensive hockey is almost always one area that needs improvement. The advantage that comes with playing in North Bay is that there may not be a better coach in the Canadian Hockey League than Stan Butler when it comes to teaching the defensive side of the game.

There is no questioning Dineen’s offensive game. He is one of the top defenders in the league at starting the rush. He can make a very good first pass out of the zone or he can skate it out with his quickness and agility. He possesses an almost effortless ability at jumping into the rush. Despite being a defensive coach, it appears that Butler has the utmost confidence in his abilities and has given him the green light.

Dineen is a very good powerplay quarterback. He sees the ice extremely well. He gains the zone with relative ease and can make tape to tape passes. If there is one thing he could do more of its shoot the puck. He can get the puck through bodies and it’s accurate and when he does shoot, it’s with a purpose.

Dineen may be considered a tad undersized, but if you believe the NHL is moving towards his type of defenceman, then Dineen has to be up there. He added some bulk and muscle in the offseason and trends to get stronger, which will help him more defensively.

Dineen was ranked as a C prospect on NHL Central Scouting’s preliminary list of players to watch and their updated November list. A C-prospect is considered a 4th, 5th or 6th round pick. That could change when the NHL releases its rankings later this month. He’s garnering attention and opening eyes.

Dineen wears number 4 in North Bay. He’s represented by Orr Hockey Group. Coincidence?

Cam Dineen first OHL goal

2016 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Rosters Announced

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

40 top NHL Draft eligible CHL players will compete January 28, 2016, in Vancouver, BC
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Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League in association with the host Vancouver Giants Hockey Club, and title partner BMO Financial Group, today announced the 40 players that will compete in the 2016 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Vancouver, BC, on Thursday January 28, 2016.

The 40 CHL players competing in the game were chosen by all 30 NHL clubs and divided into teams by NHL Central Scouting.  This season’s event marks the 21st annual showcase of the CHL’s top-40 NHL Draft eligible players featuring talent from the Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League competing before hundreds of NHL scouts in attendance.

“The BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is one of the highlights of the hockey season,” said CHL President David Branch. “Since 1996 the CHL’s top prospects have showcased their skills in this event providing NHL scouts, General Managers, and fans the opportunity to catch the next wave of NHL talent which in recent years has featured first overall picks Connor McDavid, Aaron Ekblad, Nathan MacKinnon, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. We look forward to January 28 with coaches Don Cherry and Bobby Orr, and 40 of the top CHL players eligible for the 2016 NHL Draft competing before the passionate hockey fans in Vancouver and to CHL fans across Canada watching live on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.”

The Giants’ Tyler Benson and Port Moody, BC, native Lucas Johansen of the Kelowna Rockets are among the 20 players to suit up for Team Cherry along with Canadian National Junior Team member Julien Gauthier of the Val-d’Or Foreurs, and OHL top goal scorer Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters who won World Junior bronze with the United States.  Team Orr features World Junior gold medalist Olli Juolevi of the London Knights, fellow Knight and World Junior bronze medalist Matthew Tkachuk, Canadian National Junior Team Selection Camp invite Pierre-Luc Dubois of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, and Alexander Nylander of the Mississauga Steelheads who led Sweden in World Junior scoring.

“We are thrilled for the up-and-coming talent chosen for this year’s BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game,” said Michael Bonner, Senior Vice President, BC and Yukon Division, BMO Bank of Montreal. “As the Official Bank of the CHL, we’re proud to sponsor an event that allows Canadians to watch some of the top young athletes across the country, and we’re excited to bring them to Vancouver later this month.”

25 of the CHL’s 60 member clubs are represented on the rosters.  The 40 competing players include 20 from the OHL, 12 from the WHL, and eight from the QMJHL.  13 CHL Players who competed in the 2015 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in St. Catharines, ON, were selected in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft.  In 20 years, 278 CHL players from this event have been chosen by NHL clubs in the first round of the NHL Draft representing 47% of all players selected.

“The BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game provides a unique opportunity for NHL scouts and General Managers to evaluate top CHL talent for the 2016 NHL Draft in a best-on-best competition,” said NHL Central Scouting Director Dan Marr. “The game is also a unique opportunity for the players to take advantage of the spotlight in what is consistently an exciting and highly competitive showcase.”

Since the event was first introduced in 1996 the game has featured 13 players selected with the first overall pick in the NHL Draft including Connor McDavid, Aaron Ekblad, Nathan MacKinnon, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Taylor Hall, John Tavares, Steven Stamkos, Patrick Kane, Marc-Andre Fleury, Rick Nash, Vincent Lecavalier, Joe Thornton, and Chris Phillips.

2016 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Rosters:

Team Cherry:

Goaltenders:

Evan Fitzpatrick (Sherbrooke Phoenix)

Zach Sawchenko (Moose Jaw Warriors)

Defencemen:

Jakob Chychrun (Sarnia Sting)

Kale Clague (Brandon Wheat Kings)

Sean Day (Mississauga Steelheads)

Samuel Girard (Shawinigan Cataractes)

Lucas Johansen (Kelowna Rockets)

Markus Niemelainen (Saginaw Spirit)

 Forwards:

Vitalii Abramov (Gatineau Olympiques)

Tyler Benson (Vancouver Giants)

Logan Brown (Windsor Spitfires)

Alex DeBrincat (Erie Otters)

Dillon Dube (Kelowna Rockets)

Julien Gauthier (Val-d’Or Foreurs)

Tim Gettinger (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

Noah Gregor (Moose Jaw Warriors)

Max Jones (London Knights)

Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia Sting)

Michael McLeod (Mississauga Steelheads)

Sam Steel (Regina Pats)


Team Orr:

Goaltenders:

Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)

Dylan Wells (Peterborough Petes)

Defencemen:

Jake Bean (Calgary Hitmen)

Luke Green (Saint John Sea Dogs)

Libor Hajek (Saskatoon Blades)

Olli Juolevi (London Knights)

Mikhail Sergachev (Windsor Spitfires)

Logan Stanley (Windsor Spitfires)

Forwards:

Nathan Bastian (Mississauga Steelheads)

Will Bitten (Flint Firebirds)

Pierre-Luc Dubois (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)

Brett Howden (Moose Jaw Warriors)

Boris Katchouk (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

Jack Kopacka (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

Pascal Laberge (Victoriaville Tigres)

Alexander Nylander (Mississauga Steelheads)

Taylor Raddysh (Erie Otters)

Otto Somppi (Halifax Mooseheads)

Simon Stransky (Prince Albert Raiders)

Matthew Tkachuk (London Knights)


The 2016 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is proudly supported by title partner BMO Bank of Montreal, and CHL associate sponsors Cooper Tire, autoTRADER.ca and Sherwin-Williams.  The game will be broadcast live on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.

For more information please visit www.bmotopprospects.ca.

BMO and the Canadian Hockey League:
BMO Financial Group and the Canadian Hockey League announced BMO as the Official Bank of the Canadian Hockey League in 2011. The sponsorship builds on BMO’s partnership with the CHL of more than 10 years and affirms BMO’s exclusivity as a financial services sponsor of the league in the retail banking category. It also engrains a presence with the 48 teams which currently participate in the BMO CHL Affinity MasterCard program, which enables CHL fans to support their favourite teams through a co-branded credit card.

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