OHL’s Draft Eligible Statistical Leaders: January

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

January 31 brings us within a hair of the three-quarter mark of the Ontario Hockey League season and there are many interesting individual races in a variety of statistical categories. As always, we look at players eligible for the National Hockey League Draft in June in Dallas Texas, for the first time. That is not meant to take away from players re-entering the draft. While I believe some of them will get drafted the second time around, history has shown that they are usually passed over the second time.

It’s hard to imagine, or maybe it is not, where Andrei Svechnikov of the Barrie Colts would be had he not missed almost two months with a wrist injury. Despite missing seven weeks and playing in twenty fewer games, Svechnikov leads all draft eligible players with 23 goals in 27 games. That’s two more then Aidan Dudas of the Owen Sound Attack and three more then Ty Dellandria of the Flint Firebirds, who both have played 47 games.

Andrei Svechnikovof the Barrie Colts. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Andrei Svechnikov of the Barrie Colts. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Thanks in part to Svechnikov’s absence, a pair of highly touted defensemen lead all players in points. Evan Bouchard of the London Knights leads the pack with 60 points in 47 games. He is followed closely by Ryan Merkley of the Guelph Storm who has 57 points in 47 games. Akil Thomas of the Niagara IceDogs comes in third with 56 points in 47 games.

Of course, it goes without saying that Bouchard and Merkley lead all defensemen in the point scoring race. Rasmus Sandin of the Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds sits in the next tier by himself with 30 points in 34 games. Yours truly has made it no secret that Sandin would be my choice as the second defenseman taken from the OHL. Giovanni Vallati of the Kitchener Rangers comes in fourth with 20 points in 47 games.

Over the years, there has been a great debate over the value of the plus-minus stat. Whether you agree or not, there is some value to the stat. And Sandin leads the way with a plus-28. That’s a comfortable plus-10 more than teammate Barrett Hayton and Nathan Dunkley of the London Knights.

Serron Noel of the Oshawa Generals led the entire OHL for most of the season in shooting percentage. As of January 31, he drops to second, but still leads all draft eligible players at 25%. Svechnikov comes in second, scoring on 22.3% of his shots, while Cam Hillis of the Guelph Storm comes in third at 21.8%.

Bouchard leads all shooters in shots on goal with 211, which is good enough for second overall in the OHL. He has a comfortable lead over Dellandria (173) and Dudas (172).

While we take great care in compiling stats, always refer to the OHL website for official stats.

Points Leaders
Player Team GP G A Pts
Evan Bouchard London Knights 47 16 44 60
Ryan Merkley Guelph Storm 47 12 45 57
Akil Thomas Niagara Ice Dogs 47 13 43 56
Ryan McLeod Mississauga Steelheads 47 17 36 53
Aidan Dudas Owen Sound Attack 47 21 25 46
Cam Hillis Guelph Storm 47 18 28 46
Barrett Hayton Soo Greyhounds 47 17 27 44
Ty Dellandrea Flint Firebirds 47 20 21 41
Nathan Dunkley London Knights 40 15 24 39
Andrei Svechnikov Barrie Colts 27 23 15 38
Goal Scoring Leaders
Player Team GP G GPG
Andrei Svechnikov Barrie Colts 27 23 0.85
Aidan Dudas Owen Sound Attack 47 21 0.45
Ty Dellandrea Flint Firebirds 47 20 0.43
Cam Hillis Guelph Storm 47 18 0.38
Serron Noel Oshawa Generals 42 18 0.43
Pavel Gogolev Peterborough Petes 43 18 0.42
Ryan McLeod Mississauga Steelheads 47 17 0.36
Barrett Hayton Soo Greyhounds 47 17 0.36
Evan Bouchard London Knights 47 16 0.34
Kody Clark Ottawa 67’s 38 16 0.42
Assist Leaders
Player Team GP A APG
Ryan Merkley Guelph Storm 47 45 0.96
Evan Bouchard London Knights 47 44 0.94
Akil Thomas Niagara Ice Dogs 47 43 0.91
Ryan McLeod Mississauga Steelheads 47 36 0.77
Cam Hillis Guelph Storm 47 28 0.60
Barrett Hayton Soo Greyhounds 47 27 0.57
Allan McShane Oshawa Generals 47 27 0.57
Aidan Dudas Owen Sound Attack 47 25 0.53
Rasmus Sandin Soo Greyhounds 34 24 0.71
Nathan Dunkley London Knights 40 24 0.60
Defencemen Point Leaders
Player Team GP G A Pts
Evan Bouchard London Knights 47 16 44 60
Ryan Merkley Guelph Storm 47 12 45 57
Rasmus Sandin Soo Greyhounds 34 6 24 30
Giovanni Vallati Kitchener Rangers 46 3 17 20
Merrick Rippon Ottawa 67’s 48 2 16 18
Peter Stratis Sudbury Wolves 49 5 12 17
Caleb Everett Saginaw Spirit 39 4 13 17
Kevin Bahl Ottawa 67’s 48 1 16 17
Plus/Minus Leaders
Player Team GP +/-
Rasmus Sandin Soo Greyhounds 34 +28
Nathan Dunkley London Knights 40 +18
Barrett Hayton Soo Greyhounds 47 +18
Evan Bouchard London Knights 47 +17
Tyler Tucker Barrie Colts 40 +16
Adam Liska Kitchener Rangers 44 +12
Andrei Svechnikov Barrie Colts 27 +11
Alec Regula London Knights 47 +11
William Sirman Windsor Spitfires 46 +10
Ryan Roth Soo Greyhounds 49 +10
Penalty Minutes Leaders
Player Team GP PIM M/G
Tyler Tucker Barrie Colts 40 67 1.68
Kevin Bahl Ottawa 67’s 48 67 1.40
Daylon Groulx Owen Sound Attack 39 60 1.54
Merrick Rippon Ottawa 67’s 48 57 1.19
Curtis Douglas Windsor Spitfires 46 55 1.20
Ryan Merkley Guelph Storm 47 50 1.06
Max Grondin Saginaw Spirit 46 47 1.02
Faceoff Leaders  (Minimum 200 faceoffs)
Player Team GP FOA FOW %
Billy Moskal London Knights 46 445 266 59.8
Allan McShane Oshawa Generals 47 695 382 55.0
Nathan Dunkley London Knights 40 484 263 54.3
David Levin Sudbury Wolves 32 232 125 53.9
Ryan McLeod Mississauga Steelheads 48 1043 556 53.3
Akil Thomas Niagara Ice Dogs 47 761 405 53.2
Ty Dellandrea Flint Firebirds 47 985 500 50.8
Aidan Dudas Owen Sound Attack 47 662 326 49.2
Barret Kirwin Guelph Storm 48 659 324 49.2
Cam Hillis Guelph Storm 48 776 379 48.8
Longest Goal Scoring Streak
Player Team From To Gms Goals
Brady Hinz Sarnia Sting 10/9 10/19 5 7
Kody Clark Ottawa 67’s 10/12 10/21 5 6
Nathan Dunkley Kingston Frontenacs 11/26 12/3 4 5
Blade Jenkins Saginaw Spirit 10/29 11/4 4 6
Ryan McLeod Mississauga Steelheads 1/19 1/26 3 6
Longest Assist Streak
Player Team From To Gms Assts
Ryan Merkley Guelph Storm 10/22 11/16 9 13
Akil Thomas Niagara Ice Dogs 9/30 10/19 8 10
Ryan Merkley Guelph Storm 1/11 1/28 8 10
Ryan McLeod Mississauga Steelheads 10/27 11/9 6 9
Akil Thomas Niagara Ice Dogs 12/7 12/31 6 6
Longest Point Streak
Player Team From To Gms Pts
Ryan McLeod Mississauga Steelheads 10/6 11/10 14 20
Akil Thomas Niagara Ice Dogs 12/9 1/13 12 18
Ryan Merkley Guelph Storm 11/19 12/15 10 16
Ryan Merkley Guelph Storm 10/22 11/16 9 17
Akil Thomas Niagara Ice Dogs 9/29 10/19 9 15
Shooting Percentage
Player Team GP G S %
Serron Noel Oshawa Generals 42 18 72 25.0
Andrei Svechnikov Barrie Colts 27 23 103 22.3
Cam Hillis Guelph Storm 48 19 87 21.8
Nathan Dunkley London Knights 40 15 74 20.3
Brady Hinz Peterborough Petes 49 14 73 19.2
Shots On Goal Leaders
Player Team GP SOG
Evan Bouchard London Knights 47 211
Ty Dellandrea Flint Firebirds 47 173
Aidan Dudas Owen Sound Attack 47 172
Riley Damiani Kitchener Rangers 49 133
Barrett Hayton Soo Greyhounds 47 131
Goaltenders Leaders – Goals Against Average (Min 10 games)
Player Team GP Min GA Avg
Jordon Kooy London Knights 17 827 40 2.90
Nick Donofrio Hamilton Bulldogs 11 581 30 3.10
Kai Edmonds Barrie Colts 12 569 32 3.37
Jacob Ingham Mississauga Steelheads 33 1865 117 3.76
Cameron Lamour Saginaw Spirit 12 522 37 4.25
Goaltending Leaders – Save Percentage (Min 10 games)
Player Team GP SH  SVS SV%
Jordon Kooy London Knights 17 442 402 0.910
Nick Donofrio Hamilton Bulldogs 11 270 240 0.889
Kai Edmonds Barrie Colts 12 278 246 0.885
Jacob Ingham Mississauga Steelheads 33 959 842 0.878
Marshall Frappier Sudbury Wolves 13 376 329 0.875
Goaltending Leaders – Wins
Player Team GP W L OL
Jacob Ingham Mississauga Steelheads 17 13 16 1
Nick Donofrio Hamilton Bulldogs 11 7 1 1
Jordon Kooy London Knights 17 6 6 1
Kai Edmonds Barrie Colts 12 5 4 0
Cameron Lamour Saginaw Spirit 12 5 4 0
Goaltending Leaders – Shutouts
Player Team GP SO
Nick Donofrio Hamilton Bulldogs 11 1
Mario Peccia Oshawa Generals 8 1

OHL Writers Draft Eligible Player of the Month for January

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Barrie Colts’ Andrei Svechnikov is our draft eligible player of the month for January.

Svechnikov had a dominant offensive performance for the Colts posting 9 goals and 8 assists in 11 games in January. He was held off the score sheet just once, on January 13 versus the North Bay Battalion. Seven of his remaining ten games were multi-point games. He was named the OHL Rookie of the Month for January.

Andrei Svechnikovof the Barrie Colts. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Andrei Svechnikov of the Barrie Colts. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Heading into the season, Svechnikov was a consensus top-two pick for the 2018 National Hockey League draft. More recently, it’s almost assured that Sweden’s Rasmus Dahlin will be the first player selected, while Filip Zadina (Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL) is challenging Svechnikov to go second.

Svechnikov missed almost two months with a wrist injury. Prior to his injury, he was second in the Ontario Hockey League with 10 goals in 10 games. Despite playing in 20 fewer games, he still leads all draft eligible players in goals with 23 at the end of January (27 games played) and is among the top 10 in points. He sits second next to fellow draft eligible Serron Noel of the Oshawa Generals in shooting percentage at 22.3% on 23 goals on 103 shots.

Also considered was Mississauga Steelheads’ Ryan McLeod who had 7 goals and 8 assists in 10 games. Evan Bouchard of the London Knights was also given consideration after posting 3 goals and 11 assists in 11 OHL games and tying the NHL/CHL Top Prospects Game record with 4 assists and being named player of the game. Akil Thomas was also considered after posting 3 goals and 14 assists in 12 games.

Player of the Month

Andrei Svechnikov – Barrie Colts (January)

Evan Bouchard – London Knights (December)

Evan Bouchard – London Knights (November)

Brady Hinz – Sarnia Sting (October)

Matthew Struthers – Owen Sound Attack (September)

Offence connects as Team Cherry triumphs 7-4 in Guelph

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Guelph, ON – For the second straight year, Team Cherry’s offensive instincts rose to the surface as gorgeous goals and a few additions to the event record book paved the way to a 7-4 win at the Sleeman Centre in Guelph.

Team Cherry’s Jim Gregory Player of the Game Award recipient Evan Bouchard (London Knights) tied a pair of event records with four assists and four points from the back end while forward Ty Dellandrea made a record-breaking contribution of his own with two goals just 20 seconds apart.

“They came at us hard to start the game but we bounced back and once we scored a goal or two we gained momentum and that really carried us,” said Bouchard, who tied Daniel Briere’s event record of four assists set back in 1996. “It’s easy to generate chemistry when you have the chance to play with great players like this.”

Dellandrea’s pair of bang-bang goals late in the first period surpassed a long-standing record set by JP Dumont back in 1996.

“The guys all played great and I was just fortunate to be able to finish on those great plays by my teammates,” said Dellandrea who is just the second Flint Firebirds player to ever suit up at the event.

“Our team grew close over these past three days and we all had a lot of fun out there tonight.”

Six different Team Cherry players had multi-point outputs as second-ranked North American skater Filip Zadina (Halifax Mooseheads), late addition Aidan Dudas (Owen Sound Attack) and Dellandrea each finished the night with a pair of markers.

After a back-and-forth opening half of the first period, Don Cherry’s squad took over with four goals in a span of 2:32.

Russian winger Egor Sokolov (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles) got things started, finishing off a broken play in the slot with a quick release through the legs of Team Orr netminder Alexis Gravel (Halifax Mooseheads) at 14:10.

Dudas snuck in behind the Team Orr defence just over a minute later, taking a Bouchard up-ice feed to go in alone and beat Gravel through the legs.

Dellandrea would proceed to set a pair of new Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game records, making the score 4-0 when he tallied 20 seconds apart to smash JP Dumont’s 1996 mark of two goals in 3:22.

Dellandrea’s second marker came on a deflection off a Nico Gross (Oshawa Generals) point release, giving Team Cherry three goals in a span of 1:07 to set another new event mark.

Team Cherry picked up where it left off 4:12 into the second frame as Barrett Hayton (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) found NHL Central Scouting’s second-ranked North American skater Filip Zadina (Halifax Mooseheads) waiting in the slot for a one-time finish past his Halifax teammate Gravel.

After a number of quality power play scoring chances, Team Orr broke its offensive silence just shy of the midway mark of the second as big blueliner Kevin Bahl (Ottawa 67’s) sent a shot toward the goal that was deflected enroute by Serron Noel (Oshawa Generals).

Both clubs changed goaltenders at the midway point with Team Cherry in the lead 5-1, outshooting Team Orr 21-14 as Jacob Ingham (Mississauga Steelheads) and Kevin Mandolese (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles) took over in the crease.

Though the 6-foot-6 defenceman has just one goal in Ottawa this season, Bahl jumped into the rush to cut Team Orr’s deficit to three with 6:12 left in the second frame, coming in late as the trailer to rip a quick wrister past Ingham.

Dudas would put away his second of the night 1:12 later, putting Team Cherry up 6-2 with a beautiful toe-drag through the slot before depositing a shot over the shoulder of Kevin Mandolese (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles) at the 15-minute mark.

Zadina would bury his second of the night on a rebound with 1:52 left in the third, grabbing the second effort off a Bouchard perimeter shot to send Team Cherry into the intermission leading 7-2.

Team Orr made things interesting in the third, getting goals from Cole Fonstad (Prince Albert Raiders) and Dmitry Zavgorodniy (Rimouski Océanic) to cut the deficit to three before the sound of the final buzzer.

Bouchard (4A) and Team Orr’s Kevin Bahl (1G, 1A) claimed Jim Gregory Player of the Game recognition as Team Cherry improved to 7-13 at the Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.

Team Cherry outshot Team Orr 41-26 on the night, going 1-for-3 on the power play.

CHL’s Top Prospects Showcase Strengths in Sport Testing Combine

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Guelph, ON – The next wave of NHL Draft talent were put to the test on Wednesday competing on and off the ice in advance of the 2018 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.

All 40 of the Canadian Hockey League’s top prospects in attendance seized the opportunity to showcase their individual strengths with Sport Testing to gauge fitness and skill levels for NHL management and scouts.

The day began at the University of Guelph with a series of off-ice performance measures that included strength testing, agility runs, and leg power evaluations.  The afternoon shifted to on-ice tests at Sleeman Centre including forward and backward sprints, reaction, weave agility, and transition agility drills each performed with and without a puck.

Forward Barrett Hayton of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, ranked 6th by NHL Central Scouting in their Midterm Rankings, finished atop the overall standings in the off-ice portion which factored performance results from across the seven different fields.  Defenceman Kevin Bahl of the Ottawa 67’s (ranked 30th by NHL CS) finished in second, followed by a pair of London Knights including defenceman Evan Bouchard (ranked 5th by NHL CS) in third and forward Liam Foudy (ranked 91st by NHL CS) in fourth, and forward Ryan McLeod of the Mississauga Steelheads (ranked 16th by NHL CS) finished in fifth.

Defenceman Noah Dobson of the Acadie-Bathurst Titan (ranked 8th by NHL CS) led the way in overall on-ice testing based on results across the 10 different categories.  Fellow defenceman Ty Smith of the Spokane Chiefs (ranked 14th by NHL CS) tied for second with Knights forward Liam Foudy, followed by forward Dmitry Zavgorodniy of the Rimouski Oceanic (ranked 54th by NHL CS) in fourth, and top ranked North American skater Andrei Svechnikov of the Barrie Colts finished in fifth.

In specialized Sport Testing for goalies, Jacob Ingham of the Mississauga Steelheads (ranked 3rd by NHL CS) claimed top honours in an array of reaction, agility, and movement challenges.

SWTP Skills Development - 01-24-18 (10)
Images captured during the 2018 Sherwin-Williams CHL / NHL Top Prospects Events. Photo by Terry Wilson / CHL Images.

2018 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game – Sport Testing Combine Top Performers:

Off-Ice Tests:

Vertical Jump: 1 – Liam Foudy (London Knights) 2 – Barrett Hayton (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhound) 3 – Kevin Bahl (Ottawa 67’s)

Broad Jump: 1 – Liam Foudy (London Knights) 2 – Serron Noel (Oshawa Generals) 3 – Kevin Bahl (Ottawa 67’s)

Medicine Ball Toss: 1 – Kevin Bahl (Ottawa 67’s) 1 – Anderson MacDonald (Moncton Wildcats) 3 – Liam Foudy (London Knights)

Grip Left: 1 – Barrett Hayton (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) 2 – Andrei Svechnikov (Barrie Colts) 3 – Riley Sutter (Everett Silvertips)

Grip Right: 1 – Xavier Bernard (Drummondville Voltigeurs) 2 – Riley Sutter (Everett Silvertips) 3 – Gabriel Fortier (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Pro-Agility Left: 1 – Barrett Hayton (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) 2 – Liam Foudy (London Knights) 3 – Noah Dobson (Acadie-Bathurst Titan)

Pro-Agility Right: 1 – Liam Foudy (London Knights) 2 – Ryan McLeod (Mississauga Steelheads) 3 – Nico Gross (Oshawa Generals) 

On-Ice Tests:

30M Forward Skate: 1 – Serron Noel (Oshawa Generals) 2 – Dmitry Zavgorodniy (Rimouski Oceanic) 3 – Liam Foudy (London Knights)

30M Forward Skate with Puck: 1 – Ty Smith (Spokane Chiefs) 2 – Liam Foudy (London Knights) 3 – Noah Dobson (Acadie-Bathurst Titan)

30M Backward Skate: 1 – Noah Dobson (Acadie-Bathurst Titan) 2 – Evan Bouchard (London Knights) 3 – Xavier Bernard (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

30M Backward Skate with Puck: 1 – Noah Dobson (Acadie-Bathurst Titan) 2 – Ty Smith (Spokane Chiefs) 3 – Liam Foudy (London Knights)

Reaction: 1 – Barrett Hayton (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) 2 – Allan McShane (Oshawa Generals) 3 – Nico Gross (Oshawa Generals)

Reaction with Puck: 1 – Liam Foudy (London Knights) 2 – Vladislav Kotkov (Chicoutimi Sagueneens) 3 – Ty Smith (Spokane Chiefs)

Weave Agility: 1 – Andrei Svechnikov (Barrie Colts) 2 – Dmitry Zavgorodniy (Rimouski Oceanic) 3 – Ty Smith (Spokane Chiefs)

Weave Agility with Puck: 1 – Andrei Svechnikov (Barrie Colts) 2 – Allan McShane (Oshawa Generals) 3 – Philipp Kurashev (Quebec Remparts)

Transition Agility: 1 – Akil Thomas (Niagara IceDogs) 2 – Barrett Hayton (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) 3 – Ryan McLeod (Mississauga Steelheads)

Transition Agility with Puck: 1 – Akil Thomas (Niagara IceDogs) 2 – Aidan Dudas (Owen Sound Attack) 3 – Cameron Hillis (Guelph Storm)

Sport Testing scores provide valuable performance benchmarks to coaches and players at all levels of hockey with data collected at the Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game shared with NHL Central Scouting and distributed to all 31 NHL teams.

For more information please visit www.sporttesting.com.

sporttesting

Attack’s Aidan Dudas added to Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that forward Aidan Dudas of the Owen Sound Attack has been added to the Team Cherry roster for the 2018 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game set for Thursday January 25 in Guelph.

Top Prospects Game

A 17-year-old from Parry Sound, Ont., Dudas is playing in his second season with the Attack who chose him in the first round of the 2016 OHL Priority Selection.  The forward is currently third in team scoring averaging exactly a point-per-game with 20 goals and 24 assists in 44 games.  Dudas was listed 131st among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s Mid-Season Rankings for the 2018 NHL Draft released on Monday.  He was a member of Canada’s gold medal winning Under-18 team at the 2017 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup.

Dudas replaces Kody Clark of the Ottawa 67’s who is unable to compete due to injury.

Click here to see full Team Cherry and Team Orr rosters for the 2018 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.

The 2018 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is proudly supported by title partner Sherwin-Williams, and CHL associate sponsors CIBC and Cooper Tires.  The game will be broadcast live on Sportsnet and TVA Sports. Tickets are still available through the box office at 1-519-837-9690 or visit Ticketmaster to purchase online. For more information please visit http://sherwin-williamstopprospects.ca.   Ask Sherwin-Williams™ For 150 years, Sherwin-Williams has been an industry leader in the development of technologically advanced paint and coatings. As North America’s largest specialty retailer of paint and painting supplies, Sherwin-Williams is dedicated to supporting both do-it-yourselfers and painting professionals with exceptional and exclusive products, resources to make confident colour selections and expert, personalized service at its more than 4,000 neighbourhood stores. For more information, visit sherwin-williams.ca. Join Sherwin-Williams on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, LinkedIn and Tumblr.

140 CHL players listed in 2018 NHL Central Scouting Midterm Rankings

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

25 of the top 62 ranked skaters will compete in Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that 140 CHL players appear in NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Rankings for the 2018 NHL Draft which takes place June 22-23 in Dallas, TX.

Dallas draft

The domestic rankings list a total of 217 North American skaters including 126 from the CHL, also listing an additional 31 North American goaltenders including 14 that currently compete in the CHL.

CHL forwards Andrei Svechnikov of the Barrie Colts and Filip Zadina of the Halifax Mooseheads occupy the top two spots on the list of North American skaters, leading a group of 19 CHL players, ranked as first round candidates.

CHL talent also included in the Top-10 includes London Knights defenceman Evan Bouchard at fifth, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds forward Barrett Hayton at sixth, Acadie-Bathurst Titan rearguard Noah Dobson at eighth, Oshawa Generals winger Serron Noel at ninth and Niagara IceDogs forward Akil Thomas at 10.

A total of nine CHL defencemen are ranked inside the top-31 including the aforementioned Bouchard and Dobson along with 12th ranked Jared MacIsaac of the Halifax Mooseheads, 15th ranked Rasmus Sandin of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, 20th ranked Jett Woo of the Moose Jaw Warriors, 21st ranked Ryan Merkley of the Guelph Storm, 26th ranked Alexander Alexeyev of the Red Deer Rebels and 30th ranked Kevin Bahl of the Ottawa 67’s.

In the crease, each of the top four North American goaltenders are slated to compete in the upcoming 2018 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game as top-ranked Alexis Gravel of the Halifax Mooseheads teams up with fourth-ranked Kevin Mandolese of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles on Team Orr. Team Cherry goaltenders include second-ranked Olivier Rodrigue of the Drummondville Voltigeurs and third-ranked Jacob Ingham of the Mississauga Steelheads.

The Ontario Hockey League leads the way with 61 players in the rankings including 58 skaters and three goaltenders followed by 43 players from the Western Hockey League including 40 skaters and three goaltenders. The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League rounds out the CHL contingent with 36 players ranked including 28 skaters and eight goaltenders.

The Ottawa 67’s lead all teams with six players included in the rankings while the Drummondville Voltigeurs, London Knights and Oshawa Generals trail close behind with five each. Teams with four ranked players include the Calgary Hitmen, Kitchener Rangers, North Bay Battalion, Red Deer Rebels, Saginaw Spirit and Vancouver Giants.

All 40 of the CHL players competing in the 2018 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game on Thursday January 25 in Guelph, Ont. appear in the Midterm Rankings including 25 of the top 62 skaters and each of the top-four ranked netminders.

Last season, 153 CHL players appeared in the Midterm Rankings before 89 were selected at the 2017 NHL Draft in Chicago  including 14 players chosen in the first round.

CHL North American Skaters:

Players in bold will compete in 2018 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game

*invited to 2018 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game but unable to play

North American rank, name, birthdate, CHL club, position

 

1 SVECHNIKOV ANDREI 26-Mar-00 BARRIE OHL RW
2 ZADINA FILIP 27-Nov-99 HALIFAX QMJHL RW
5 BOUCHARD EVAN 20-Oct-99 LONDON OHL D
6 HAYTON BARRETT 09-Jun-00 SAULT STE. MARIE OHL C
8 DOBSON NOAH 07-Jan-00 ACADIE-BATHURST QMJHL D
9 NOEL SERRON 08-Aug-00 OSHAWA OHL RW
10 THOMAS AKIL 02-Jan-00 NIAGARA OHL C
12 MCISAAC JARED 27-Mar-00 HALIFAX QMJHL D
13 VELENO JOSEPH 13-Jan-00 DRUMMONDVILLE QMJHL C
14 SMITH TY 24-Mar-00 SPOKANE WHL D
15 SANDIN RASMUS 07-Mar-00 SAULT STE. MARIE OHL D
16 MCLEOD RYAN 21-Sep-99 MISSISSAUGA OHL C
18 GROULX BENOIT-OLIVIER 06-Feb-00 HALIFAX QMJHL C
20 *WOO JETT 27-Jul-00 MOOSE JAW WHL D
21 MERKLEY RYAN 14-Aug-00 GUELPH OHL D
24 JENKINS BLADE 11-Aug-00 SAGINAW OHL LW
26 *ALEXEYEV ALEXANDER 15-Nov-99 RED DEER WHL D
28 CLARK KODY 13-Oct-99 OTTAWA OHL RW
30 BAHL KEVIN 27-Jun-00 OTTAWA OHL D
33 MCSHANE ALLAN 14-Feb-00 OSHAWA OHL C
34 ADDISON CALEN 11-Apr-00 LETHBRIDGE WHL D
35 FORTIER GABRIEL 06-Feb-00 BAIE-COMEAU QMJHL LW
36 BEAUDIN NICOLAS 09-Oct-99 DRUMMONDVILLE QMJHL D
37 BERNARD XAVIER 06-Jan-00 DRUMMONDVILLE QMJHL D
38 VALLATI GIOVANNI 21-Feb-00 KITCHENER OHL D
39 DURZI SEAN 21-Oct-98 OWEN SOUND OHL D
40 *ROMAN MILOS 06-Nov-99 VANCOUVER WHL C
41 BOUCHARD XAVIER 28-Feb-00 BAIE-COMEAU QMJHL D
42 CHISHOLM DECLAN 12-Jan-00 PETERBOROUGH OHL D
43 REGULA ALEC 06-Aug-00 LONDON OHL D
47 GROSS NICO 26-Jan-00 OSHAWA OHL D
52 KRAL FILIP 20-Oct-99 SPOKANE WHL D
53 SALDA RADIM 18-Feb-99 SAINT JOHN QMJHL D
54 ZAVGORODNY DMITRI 11-Aug-00 RIMOUSKI QMJHL LW
58 DER-ARGUCHINTSEV SEMYON 15-Sep-00 PETERBOROUGH OHL C
59 HILLIS CAMERON 24-Jun-00 GUELPH OHL C
61 ROBERTSON CARTER 15-Jan-00 OTTAWA OHL D
63 RIPPON MERRICK 27-Apr-00 OTTAWA OHL D
64 TOPPING KYLE 18-Nov-99 KELOWNA WHL C
65 MACDONALD ANDERSON 16-May-00 MONCTON QMJHL LW
68 KURASHEV PHILIPP 12-Oct-99 QUEBEC QMJHL C
70 DOUGLAS CURTIS 06-Mar-00 WINDSOR OHL C
72 SUTTER RILEY 25-Oct-99 EVERETT WHL RW
73 SOKOLOV EGOR 07-Jun-00 CAPE BRETON QMJHL LW
74 KOTKOV VLADISLAV 08-Jan-00 CHICOUTIMI QMJHL LW
75 GOGOLEV PAVEL 19-Feb-00 PETERBOROUGH OHL RW
76 DELLANDREA TY 21-Jul-00 FLINT OHL C
78 FONSTAD COLE 24-Apr-00 PRINCE ALBERT WHL C
79 YERYOMENKO VLADISLAV 23-Apr-99 CALGARY WHL D
80 REICHEL KRISTIAN 11-Jun-98 RED DEER WHL C
82 HOELSCHER MITCHELL 27-Jan-00 OTTAWA OHL C
84 MICHNAC ALBERT 18-Oct-98 MISSISSAUGA OHL LW
86 EVERETT CALEB 20-Jan-00 SAGINAW OHL D
88 STOTTS RILEY 05-Jan-00 CALGARY WHL C
89 BURZAN LUKA 07-Jan-00 BRANDON WHL C
90 IVAN MICHAL 18-Nov-99 ACADIE-BATHURST QMJHL D
91 FOUDY LIAM 04-Feb-00 LONDON OHL C
93 FLORCHUK ERIC 10-Jan-00 SASKATOON WHL C
94 BITTEN SAMUEL 21-Mar-00 OTTAWA OHL C
95 LEPPARD JACKSON 18-Jan-00 PRINCE GEORGE WHL LW
96 CORCORAN CONNOR 07-Aug-00 WINDSOR OHL D
97 PECKFORD RYAN 04-Mar-99 MOOSE JAW WHL LW
99 DUCHARME JUSTIN 22-Feb-00 ACADIE-BATHURST QMJHL LW
100 ZAMULA EGOR 30-Mar-00 CALGARY WHL D
103 WOUTERS CHASE 08-Feb-00 SASKATOON WHL C
104 TUCKER TYLER 01-Mar-00 BARRIE OHL D
107 LUDVIG JOHN 02-Aug-00 PORTLAND WHL D
108 STRUTHERS MATTHEW 26-Dec-99 NORTH BAY OHL C
110 ZABRANSKY LIBOR 26-May-00 KELOWNA WHL D
116 STRATIS PETER 18-Jan-00 SUDBURY OHL D
118 GOLOD MAXIM 18-Aug-00 ERIE OHL LW
119 DAMIANI RILEY 20-Mar-00 KITCHENER OHL C
120 GUAY NICOLAS 18-Jun-99 DRUMMONDVILLE QMJHL C
121 MACDOUGALL MATTHEW 23-Jan-00 WINDSOR OHL LW
122 MCKENNA JEREMY 20-Apr-99 MONCTON QMJHL RW
125 ALMEIDA JUSTIN 06-Feb-99 MOOSE JAW WHL C
127 LYLE BRADY 06-Jun-99 OWEN SOUND OHL D
130 MOSKAL BILLY 22-Mar-00 LONDON OHL C
131 DUDAS AIDAN 15-Jun-00 OWEN SOUND OHL C
132 DUNKLEY NATHAN 05-Mar-00 LONDON OHL C
133 HOLLOWELL MAC 26-Sep-98 SAULT STE. MARIE OHL D
134 HUGG RICKARD 18-Jan-99 KITCHENER OHL C
135 BOUDRIAS SHAWN 14-Sep-99 GATINEAU QMJHL RW
136 LEUFVENIUS HUGO 26-Mar-99 SARNIA OHL LW
137 KRASTENBERGS RENARS 26-Dec-98 OSHAWA OHL LW
141 BRAZEAU JUSTIN 02-Feb-98 NORTH BAY OHL RW
142 MINULIN ARTYOM 01-Oct-98 SWIFT CURRENT WHL D
143 SAIGEON BRANDON 14-Jun-98 HAMILTON OHL C
144 STUART BRODI 10-Mar-00 KAMLOOPS WHL LW
147 HENMAN LUKE 29-Apr-00 BLAINVILLE-BOISBRIAND QMJHL C
149 HOLMES HUNTER 25-Jan-00 FLINT OHL C
150 ROBERTS CONNOR 22-Feb-00 FLINT OHL C
153 BURGHARDT LUKE 12-May-98 NORTH BAY OHL C
155 THILANDER ADAM 18-Sep-98 NORTH BAY OHL D
156 BARTEAUX DAWSON 12-Jan-00 RED DEER WHL D
158 HOUDE SAMUEL 08-Mar-00 CHICOUTIMI QMJHL C
160 CHYZOWSKI RYAN 14-May-00 MEDICINE HAT WHL LW
161 NIZHNIKOV KIRILL 29-Mar-00 SUDBURY OHL RW
162 LISKA ADAM 14-Oct-99 KITCHENER OHL C
163 MACPHERSON JUSTIN 23-Jun-00 NIAGARA OHL D
164 REINHARDT COLE 01-Feb-00 BRANDON WHL LW
166 KEMP BRETT 23-Mar-00 EDMONTON WHL C
168 MCCORMICK ADAM 25-Jun-00 CAPE BRETON QMJHL D
169 GINNELL BRAD 04-Jul-00 KOOTENAY WHL C
170 JOHNSON ISAAC 24-Jan-99 TRI-CITY WHL LW
171 VESTERINEN SAKU 28-Feb-99 CHARLOTTETOWN QMJHL D
173 ENNIS WILLIAM 31-May-00 OSHAWA OHL D
174 GROUCHY MATTHEW 19-Nov-99 QUEBEC QMJHL RW
176 MALM JAMES 25-Jun-99 VANCOUVER WHL C
177 GIROUX DAMIEN 03-Mar-00 SAGINAW OHL C
179 WYLIE WYATTE 02-Nov-99 EVERETT WHL D
181 HARTJE CHASE 17-Dec-99 BRANDON WHL D
182 MARTEL JORDAN 24-Feb-98 BAIE-COMEAU QMJHL RW
183 LEVIN DAVID 16-Sep-99 SUDBURY OHL C
184 MCLEOD WYATT 27-Jan-00 EDMONTON WHL D
187 ETHIER THOMAS 12-Oct-99 BLAINVILLE-BOISBRIAND QMJHL LW
188 HARSCH REECE 07-Jan-99 SEATTLE WHL D
190 KANNOK-LEIPERT ALEX 20-Jul-00 VANCOUVER WHL LW
193 OKSANEN EMIL 25-Sep-98 REGINA WHL LW
200 FOCHT CARSON 04-Feb-00 CALGARY WHL C
202 NYMAN LINUS 11-Jul-99 KINGSTON OHL RW
203 HERAUF JACOB 16-May-00 RED DEER WHL D
207 LYNCH ROBERT 16-Jun-98 DRUMMONDVILLE QMJHL C
208 PLOUFFE DYLAN 27-Apr-99 VANCOUVER WHL D
211 GRONDIN MAXIM 04-Jul-00 SAGINAW OHL C
216 ONYEBUCHI MONTANA 08-Mar-00 KAMLOOPS WHL D

 

CHL North American Goaltenders:

North American rank, name, birthdate, CHL club, position

1 GRAVEL ALEXIS 21-Mar-00 HALIFAX QMJHL G
2 RODRIGUE OLIVIER 06-Jul-00 DRUMMONDVILLE QMJHL G
3 INGHAM JACOB 10-Jun-00 MISSISSAUGA OHL G
4 MANDOLESE KEVIN 22-Aug-00 CAPE BRETON QMJHL G
6 HOFER JOEL 30-Jul-00 SWIFT CURRENT WHL G
8 TENDECK DAVID 25-Nov-99 VANCOUVER WHL G
10 HARVEY SAMUEL 04-Feb-98 ROUYN-NORANDA QMJHL G
13 KOOY JORDAN 30-Apr-00 LONDON OHL G
16 EMOND ZACHARY 20-Jun-00 ROUYN-NORANDA QMJHL G
17 DONOFRIO NICK 19-Nov-99 HAMILTON OHL G
20 FITZPATRICK LUCAS 04-Jul-00 SHAWINIGAN QMJHL G
21 MOODY DANIEL 01-Jan-00 DRUMMONDVILLE QMJHL G
22 MCGOVERN DUNCAN 07-Jun-00 KOOTENAY WHL G
25 COTE-CAZENAVE TRISTAN 12-Oct-99 VICTORIAVILLE QMJHL G

For more on the NHL Central Scouting Midterm Rankings, visit nhl.com.

 

Bernard and Vallati added to Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that defencemen Xavier Bernard of the Drummondville Voltigeurs and Giovanni Vallati of the Kitchener Rangers have been added to 2018 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game rosters for this week’s showcase taking place on Thursday January 25 in Guelph.

Giovanni Vallati of the Kitchener Rangers. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Giovanni Vallati of the Kitchener Rangers. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

An 18-year-old from Mercier, Que., Bernard is playing in his second season with the Voltigeurs after being chosen by the club in the first round of the 2016 QMJHL Entry Draft.  Through 43 games this season he has 10 goals and 17 assists for 27 points.  Bernard is listed 37th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting in their Mid-Season Rankings for the 2018 NHL Draft.  He will join Team Orr and compete opposite two of his Voltigeurs teammates on Team Cherry including forward Joe Veleno and goaltender Olivier Rodrigue.

A 17-year-old from Ottawa, Ont., Vallati is in the midst of his second season with the Rangers who chose him in the first round of the 2016 OHL Priority Selection.  In 44 games this season he has recorded three goals and 17 assists for 20 points.  Vallati is listed 38th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting in their Mid-Season Rankings for the 2018 NHL Draft.  He will join Team Cherry alongside fellow OHL rearguards that include Evan Bouchard of the London Knights, Nico Gross of the Oshawa Generals, Ryan Merkley of the Guelph Storm, and Rasmus Sandin of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

Bernard replaces Jett Woo of the Moose Jaw Warriors, while Vallati replaces Alexander Alexeyev of the Red Deer Rebels, both unable to compete due to injury.

Click here to see full Team Cherry and Team Orr rosters for the 2018 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.

The 2018 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is proudly supported by title partner Sherwin-Williams, and CHL associate sponsors CIBC and Cooper Tires.  The game will be broadcast live on Sportsnet and TVA Sports. Tickets are still available through the box office at 1-519-837-9690 or visit Ticketmaster to purchase online. For more information please visit http://sherwin-williamstopprospects.ca.   Ask Sherwin-Williams™ For 150 years, Sherwin-Williams has been an industry leader in the development of technologically advanced paint and coatings. As North America’s largest specialty retailer of paint and painting supplies, Sherwin-Williams is dedicated to supporting both do-it-yourselfers and painting professionals with exceptional and exclusive products, resources to make confident colour selections and expert, personalized service at its more than 4,000 neighbourhood stores. For more information, visit sherwin-williams.ca. Join Sherwin-Williams on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, LinkedIn and Tumblr.

Knights’ Liam Foudy added to Team Orr for Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that forward Liam Foudy of the London Knights has been added to the Team Orr roster for the 2018 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game to be played on Thursday January 25 in Guelph.

Top Prospects Game

A 17-year-old from Scarborough, Ont., Foudy is playing in his second season with the Knights who chose him in the first round of the 2016 OHL Priority Selection.  So far this season the centre has scored seven goals and five assists for 12 points in 42 games and was given a ‘B’ rating by NHL Central Scouting in their November ‘Players to Watch’ list.  Foudy will line up opposite Knights teammate Evan Bouchard who is an alternate captain with Team Cherry.

Foudy replaces Milos Roman of the Vancouver Giants who is unable to compete due to injury.

Click here to see full Team Cherry and Team Orr rosters for the 2018 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.

The 2018 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is proudly supported by title partner Sherwin-Williams, and CHL associate sponsors CIBC and Cooper Tires.  The game will be broadcast live on Sportsnet and TVA Sports. Tickets are still available through the box office at 1-519-837-9690 or visit Ticketmaster to purchase online. For more information please visit http://sherwin-williamstopprospects.ca.   Ask Sherwin-Williams™ For 150 years, Sherwin-Williams has been an industry leader in the development of technologically advanced paint and coatings. As North America’s largest specialty retailer of paint and painting supplies, Sherwin-Williams is dedicated to supporting both do-it-yourselfers and painting professionals with exceptional and exclusive products, resources to make confident colour selections and expert, personalized service at its more than 4,000 neighbourhood stores. For more information, visit sherwin-williams.ca. Join Sherwin-Williams on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, LinkedIn and Tumblr.

Smith and Veleno named Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Captains

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League in association with Sherwin-Williams today announced the captains and alternate captains for the 2018 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game which takes place on Thursday January 25 hosted by the Guelph Storm.

Ty Smith of the Spokane Chiefs and Joe Veleno of the Drummondville Voltigeurs have both been named captains for the 23rd annual showcase of the CHL’s top-40 NHL Draft eligible players as selected by NHL teams.  Smith will lead Team Orr along with alternate captains Jared McIsaac of the Halifax Mooseheads and Andrei Svechnikov of the Barrie Colts.  Veleno will lead Team Cherry with alternates Evan Bouchard of the London Knights, and Ryan Merkley of the Storm.

Top Prospects Game

“It’s an honour to be selected to be the captain of Team Orr,” Smith said. “I’ve watched the Top Prospects Game on TV for years now and have watched friends and teammates participate. It was a goal of mine at the beginning of the season to make the roster and to be named captain makes it all that much more special. I’m looking forward to competing against and with many of my buddies from across the CHL as well as meeting some new players.”

A 17-year-old from Lloydminster, Alberta, Smith is playing in his second full season with the Chiefs after being selected by the club first overall in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft.  The defenceman has already established career-highs in all offensive categories this season with six goals and 37 assists for 43 points in 44 games.  Internationally, Smith captained Team Canada to a silver medal finish at the 2016 Youth Winter Olympic games, and also served as captain for Team Canada Black at the 2016 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge earning a silver medal and tournament all-star honours.  Most recently he was an alternate captain at the 2017 Ivan Hlinka Memorial helping Canada capture gold.

“Just to be there with all the other prospects means a lot to me and, to be captain, is something very special for myself,” Veleno said. “I think it’s a very special event for players like us who will probably end up getting drafted this summer. It’ll be fun, I’m super excited and proud to be named captain!”

An 18-year-old from Kirkland, Quebec, Veleno is playing in his third QMJHL season after becoming the league’s first player granted exceptional status in 2015 prior to being selected first overall by the Saint John Sea Dogs.  Before joining the Voltigeurs in December, Veleno served as captain for the defending QMJHL champion Sea Dogs where he tallied 114 points in 138 games.  The forward has 10 assists in his first eight games in Drummondville helping the Voltigeurs put together a seven-game win-streak.  Earlier this season Veleno competed for Team QMJHL in the 2017 CIBC Canada Russia Series, and in August served as Canada’s captain at the 2017 Ivan Hlinka Memorial winning gold.

Over the past 22 years, 13 Chiefs and eight Voltigeurs have competed in this event.  Smith is the first from his club to be named captain, while Veleno follows Sean Couturier who captained Team Cherry at the 2011 event in Toronto.

Team Orr leaders McIsaac and Svechnikov have also represented their countries on the international stage in recent months.  McIsaac, a 17-year-old defenceman from Truro, Nova Scotia, played in the 2017 CIBC Canada Russia Series and was a member of Canada’s gold medal winning Ivan Hlinka team.  Svechnikov, a 17-year-old from Barnaul, Russia, competed at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship.  McIsaac is playing in his second QMJHL season after being the second overall pick in 2016 and currently has 26 points through 42 games.  This is Svechnikov’s rookie season in Barrie after being chosen first overall by the Colts in the 2017 CHL Import Draft.  In 21 games the forward has 16 goals and 10 assists for 26 points.

Team Cherry leaders Bouchard and Merkley are two of the OHL’s top offensive defencemen and are currently tied for most points at the position with 50.  Bouchard, an 18-year-old from Oakville, Ontario, was recently named Knights captain playing in his third season since being chosen in the first round of the 2015 OHL Priority Selection.  He competed in the 2017 CIBC Canada Russia Series and has a career-high 15 goals and 35 assists through 43 games.  Merkley, a 17-year-old from Mississauga, Ontario, was the first overall pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection and earned OHL Rookie of the Year honours last season.  He helped Canada win gold at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial and so far this season has scored 11 goals with 39 assists through 42 games.

Since 2010, Team Cherry captains have included Nolan Patrick, Jakob Chychrun, Anthony Beauvillier, Sam Reinhart, Nathan MacKinnon, Ryan Murray, Sean Couturier, and Taylor Hall, while recent Team Orr captains include Nico Hischier, Matthew Tkachuk, 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 2018 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.

The 2018 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is proudly supported by title partner Sherwin-Williams, and CHL associate sponsors CIBC and Cooper Tires.  The game will be broadcast live on Sportsnet and TVA Sports. Tickets are still available through the box office at 1-519-837-9690 or visit Ticketmaster to purchase online. For more information please visit http://sherwin-williamstopprospects.ca.   Ask Sherwin-Williams™ For 150 years, Sherwin-Williams has been an industry leader in the development of technologically advanced paint and coatings. As North America’s largest specialty retailer of paint and painting supplies, Sherwin-Williams is dedicated to supporting both do-it-yourselfers and painting professionals with exceptional and exclusive products, resources to make confident colour selections and expert, personalized service at its more than 4,000 neighbourhood stores. For more information, visit sherwin-williams.ca. Join Sherwin-Williams on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, LinkedIn and Tumblr.

Cherry and Lindros to Coach Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League in association with Sherwin-Williams today announced the coaching staffs for the Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game set for Thursday January 25, 2018, hosted by the Ontario Hockey League’s Guelph Storm.

Top Prospects Game

CHL alumni including Canadian hockey icon Don Cherry and 2016 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Eric Lindros will serve as head coaches for the 23rd annual showcase that features 40 of the top CHL prospects eligible for the 2018 NHL Draft.  Team Cherry will also include the legendary Ottawa 67’s coaching pair of Brian Kilrea and Bert O’Brien along with Mississauga Steelheads head coach and general manager James Richmond.  Lindros, who will lead Team Orr, is joined behind the bench by members of the Storm coaching staff that include head coach and general manager George Burnett, associate coach Jake Grimes, and assistant coach Luca Caputi.

“The CHL is honoured to have Don Cherry and Eric Lindros part of the 2018 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game,” said CHL President David Branch.  “Don is one of the key architects of this event from the inaugural game in 1996 to building the showcase it is today, and Eric is one of our league’s all-time greatest players whose contributions to the game are evidenced by his Hockey Hall of Fame induction last season.  Their participation in Guelph will certainly make this a very special experience for the players and for the fans.”

Before establishing his legacy as the star of Hockey Night in Canada, Cherry was a Memorial Cup champion as a member of the 1953 Barrie Flyers.  Earlier this season the Kingston, Ont., native was named Honourary Chairman of the CHL’s 100th Mastercard Memorial Cup Celebration large in part for his longstanding and unwavering support of Canadians in uniform which has earned him Honourary Lifetime Membership into the Royal Canadian Legion and the appointment as an Honourary Patricia by the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.  Recognized with Bobby Orr as a builder of the Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, Cherry will be participating in this event for the 17th time since 1996.  The 1976 Jack Adams Trophy winner holds an all-time record of 5-11 which includes four head-to-head wins against Orr (1996, 1998, 2003, 2010) in 13 games between 1996 and 2016, a win over John Davidson in 2005, plus losses opposite Doug Gilmour and Wendel Clark in 2011, and Mike McPhee in 2013.  Since 2006, the winning team has been presented with the Don Cherry and Bobby Orr CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Trophy engraved with the names of every player to ever participate in this prestigious event.

Lindros earned his prestigious Hockey Hall of Fame induction for achieving success at all levels of the game.  The London, Ont., native hoisted the Memorial Cup as a member of the 1990 Oshawa Generals, received CHL Player of the Year honours in 1991 with 149 points including 71 goals and 78 assists in 57 games, and was chosen first overall in the 1991 NHL Draft.  Over the course of his distinguished NHL career, Lindros accumulated career totals of 372 goals and 493 assists for 865 points. The 6-time NHL All-star was the recipient of both the Lester B. Pearson award and the Hart Trophy.  He represented Canada on multiple occasions including the World Junior tournaments winning gold in both 1990 and 1991.  He was also a member of the championship team in the 1991 Canada Cup, played in the World Cup in 1996, and represented Canada in three separate Olympic games winning both silver and gold medals.  As the Honorary Chair for the annual See the Line symposium, Lindros continues to make a difference with his support as an advocate of world-class sport concussion research, care and awareness. In 2016, he was appointed to the Rowan’s Law Advisory committee tasked with implementing Canada’s first concussion related legislation, and in 2017 received the Meritorious Service Medal, one of the highest civil decorations within the Canadian system of honours.  His number 88 jersey was retired by the Generals in 2008 and will soon hang from the rafters in Philadelphia following a ceremony scheduled by the Flyers for January 18 when they face the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Team Cherry will feature members of the host Storm including forward Cam Hillis and defenceman Ryan Merkley, while Lindros’ Team Orr fittingly includes Generals Allan McShane and Serron Noel.  Captains and alternates for both teams will be announced at a later date.

2018 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Staff:

TEAM CHERRY :

Head Coach – Don Cherry

Assistant Coach – Brian Kilrea

Assistant Coach – Bert O’Brien

Assistant Coach – James Richmond (Mississauga Steelheads)

Athletic Therapist – Amy Mausser (Sarnia Sting)

Equipment Manager – Russ Hammond (Guelph Storm)

TEAM ORR :

Head Coach – Eric Lindros

Assistant Coach – George Burnett (Guelph Storm)

Assistant Coach – Jake Grimes (Guelph Storm)

Assistant Coach – Luca Caputi (Guelph Storm)

Athletic Therapist – Andy Brown (Owen Sound Attack)

Equipment Manager – J.R. Grant (Windsor Spitfires)

All 14 CHL players chosen in the first round of the 2017 NHL Draft competed in last year’s game played in Quebec including first overall pick Nico Hischier of the Halifax Mooseheads who captained Team Orr opposite Team Cherry who was led by captain Nolan Patrick of the Brandon Wheat Kings selected second overall in June.  In 22 years, a total of 307 CHL players from this event have been chosen by NHL clubs in the first round of the NHL Draft representing close to 47% of all players selected.  Since the event was first introduced in 1996 the game has featured 14 players selected with the first overall pick in the NHL Draft including Hischier, 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.

The 2018 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is proudly supported by title partner Sherwin-Williams, and CHL associate sponsors CIBC and Cooper Tires.  The game will be broadcast live on Sportsnet and TVA Sports. Tickets are still available through the box office at 1-519-837-9690 or visit Ticketmaster to purchase online. For more information please visit http://sherwin-williamstopprospects.ca.   Ask Sherwin-Williams™ For 150 years, Sherwin-Williams has been an industry leader in the development of technologically advanced paint and coatings. As North America’s largest specialty retailer of paint and painting supplies, Sherwin-Williams is dedicated to supporting both do-it-yourselfers and painting professionals with exceptional and exclusive products, resources to make confident colour selections and expert, personalized service at its more than 4,000 neighbourhood stores. For more information, visit sherwin-williams.ca. Join Sherwin-Williams on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, LinkedIn and Tumblr.