Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that draft eligible Saginaw Spirit defenceman Zayne Parekh is the 2023-24 recipient of the Max Kaminsky Trophy awarded to the League’s Defenceman of the Year as voted by OHL General Managers.
Parekh led OHL blueliners with 33 goals and 96 points, both Spirit single season franchise records at the position. He follows John Slaney (Cornwall, 1989-90) as just the second defenceman in OHL history to score more than 30 goals in his first season of NHL Draft eligibility. Parekh is the first Saginaw Spirit player to ever win the OHL Defenceman of the Year Award.
“I am very honoured to be recognized for this award, there’s so much talent in this league and I’m extremely grateful to be selected,” said Parekh.
“I’d like to thank my family, agent and the people within my support group that have helped me so much this year. I especially want to thank the Saginaw Spirit organization, the fans, ownership, staff, and especially the players. Without the group around me, I wouldn’t have had the same success I had throughout the year.
“I’d like to extend a big thank you to my Head Coach Chris Lazary and my General Manager Dave Drinkill for helping develop me into the player I’ve become and for always having belief and trust in me.”
Parekh was named OHL Defenceman of the Month for both November and March. His six game-winning goals paced OHL blueliners. He also scored a pair of hat-tricks during the regular season, with the first coming on Nov. 8th in a 6-2 win over Flint and another as part of a five-point effort in an 11-3 win over Windsor on Jan. 10th.
“As an organization, we couldn’t be prouder of Zayne for winning such a prestigious award,” said Spirit General Manager Dave Drinkill. “Since coming into our league last year as a young 16-year-old, he has worked extremely hard in all aspects of his game, on and off the ice. It is very rewarding to know that the rest of the league recognized this as well, and supported him to receive this award after a tremendous season here in Saginaw.”
“What Zayne accomplished this season as a second-year defenceman was simply remarkable,” Drinkill added. “Each game he found a way to make an impact, helping our team achieve new club records, while setting team and league individual records for a defenceman along the way.”
An 18-year-old from Nobleton, Ont., Parekh joined the Spirit as a first round (19th overall) pick in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection from the Markham Majors U16 program. After setting a new OHL record with 21 goals as a 16-year-old defenceman in 2022-23, he closed out his 2023-24 campaign with career totals that include 54 goals, 79 assists and 133 points over 116 regular season games, registering a plus/minus of plus-42. He enters the 2024 NHL Draft this summer as the highest-ranked OHL skater on Central Scouting’s Final Rankings, coming in at fifth in North America.
The Max Kaminsky Trophy is awarded each year to the Most Outstanding Defenceman as selected by OHL General Managers. All 20 clubs submitted a nominee but were not permitted to vote for their own player.
The award is named in recognition of Max Kaminsky, who enjoyed a 10-year professional playing career that included four years in the NHL with Ottawa, Boston and Montreal. After he retired from playing, Kaminsky enjoyed a 15-year coaching career that was capped by winning the Memorial Cup with the St. Catharines Teepees in 1960.
Parekh led the way in this year’s award voting process, followed by Calgary Flames prospect Hunter Brzustewicz of the Kitchener Rangers as runner-up.
Parekh follows a former Spirit rearguard in Pavel Mintyukov of the Ottawa 67’s who was last year’s recipient. Other prominent names to have won the OHL Defenceman of the Year Award include Dougie Hamilton (Niagara 2012), two-time recipients Ryan Ellis (Windsor 2009 & 2011) and Bryan Berard (Detroit 1995 & 1996), Drew Doughty (Guelph 2008) as well as Chris Pronger (Peterborough 1993).
Parekh will be the OHL’s nominee for the Canadian Hockey League Defenceman of the Year Award, presented at the CHL Awards Ceremony that will be held that the 2024 Memorial Cup presented by Dow from May 24th to June 2nd in Saginaw, Michigan. He’ll be formally presented with the Max Kaminsky Trophy at the OHL’s Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, June 12th at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
For a complete history of OHL award winners, click here.
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Jacob Oster of the Oshawa Generals is the 2023-24 recipient of the Jim Rutherford Trophy, awarded annually to the OHL’s Goaltender of the Year.
Oster excelled for the Generals under a big workload, leading the OHL with 35 wins while setting a new club mark with 3,569 minutes played in a single season. Oster appeared in 60 of the Generals’ 68 regular season games, posting a 2.82 goals-against average, .905 save percentage and three shutouts.
“Obviously it’s a very big honour and something that wouldn’t be possible without the guys in front of me and the coaching staff helping me,” said Oster of the award. “This whole season has been a great ride and I’m proud to be surrounded by such an amazing organization to get to this point.”
Oster’s 35 wins are the third-highest single season total in team history and the most since Ken Appleby won 38 in 2014-15. His 60 games played equal the club mark set by Peter Sidorkiewicz in 1982-83. Oster finished his season out strong, winning his final 11 consecutive starts. He’s the second goaltender in Oshawa Generals history to win the award, and the first to do so since Mike Fountain in 1991-92.
“This is a fantastic achievement for Jacob,” said Generals Vice President and General Manager Roger Hunt. “Let’s face it, a team rides their hot goalie and we did that with Jacob. Goaltending Coach Mike Parson along with Noah Bender would certainly share in this success of Jacob and our team. Mike’s technical expertise and Noah continuing to put pressure on Jacob to be at his best was a great formula.”
The Generals acquired Oster from the Guelph Storm in January 2023. The 20-year-old from Ottawa, Ont. has been a consistent presence in the Oshawa crease with career totals that include a record of 68-47-12-4 with a 3.29 goals-against average, .891 save percentage and six shutouts over 143 career regular season games between the two teams. He was originally Guelph’s fifth round (92nd overall) pick in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection. Oster attended training camp with the Los Angeles Kings last fall.
Announced in August 2019, the Jim Rutherford Trophy is presented by the League in honour of former OHL goaltender, General Manager, Chairman of the Board and two-time Executive of the Year Jim Rutherford. The current President of Hockey Operations of the Vancouver Canucks, Rutherford played 13 seasons as an NHL netminder and was the architect behind Stanley Cup championships for the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006 and Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in November 2019.
The OHL’s Goaltender of the Year Award was first presented in 1988 to Rick Tabaracci (Cornwall), with other notable winners including Manny Legace (Niagara Falls 1993), Andrew Raycroft (Kingston 2000), Craig Anderson (Guelph 2001), the League’s only back-to-back winner Mike Murphy (Belleville 2008 & 2009), along with current NHL goaltenders Jordan Binnington (Owen Sound 2013), Alex Nedeljkovic (Plymouth 2014), Mackenzie Blackwood (Barrie 2016), Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Sudbury 2019) and Nico Daws (Guelph 2020).
Oster was the front-runner in this year’s award voting, with Michael Simpson of the London Knights coming in as runner-up.
Oster is the OHL’s nominee for the Canadian Hockey League Goaltender of the Year Award, presented at the CHL Awards Ceremony at the 2024 Memorial Cup presented by Dow which takes place from May 24 to June 2 in Saginaw, Michigan. He will be formally presented with the Jim Rutherford Trophy at the OHL’s Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, June 12 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
For a complete list of OHL award winners, click here.
Ollie Josephson, Maxim Massé, Frankie Marrelli, and Henry Mews are no strangers to wearing the Maple Leaf, having been a part of Canada’s gold-medal winning squad at the 2023 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup last summer. All four players were also recently listed among the Top-50 ranked North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting led by Massé (30th), who was then followed by Mews (37th), Josephson (40th), and Marrelli (46th). Massé, who led the QMJHL’s Chicoutimi Saguenéens with 75 points this season, was recently awarded the 2023-24 Michael-Bossy Trophy as the QMJHL’s Top Professional Prospect.
16-year-old netminder Jack Ivankovic has also previously won gold representing Canada on the world stage, having been a part of Canada White’s first-place finish at the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in November. Ivankovic registered a 14-5-4-0 record playing for the OHL’s Mississauga Steelheads this season, finishing with a 2.72 goals-against average (GAA) and a .915 save percentage. His 2.72 GAA was the lowest by an OHL rookie during the 2023-24 campaign, earning him the F.W. “Dinty” Moore Trophy.
Canada will play its final pre-tournament game against Norway on Tuesday. Canada’s quest for a gold medal at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship begins April 25 at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT against Sweden. Canada will play Czechia on April 26, Switzerland on April 28, and Kazakhstan on April 30 to close out preliminary-round action. The semifinals are set for May 4 before the tournament concludes with the medal games on May 5.
TSN and RDS, Hockey Canada’s official broadcast partners will broadcast select tournament games, including all Team Canada games and all playoff-round games. Check your local listings for details. Since 2002, Canada has won four gold medals at the IIHF U18 World Championship (2003, 2008, 2013, 2021), in addition to one silver (2005) and four bronze (2012, 2014, 2015, 2023).
For more information on Hockey Canada and the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
24 CHL PLAYERS NAMED TO CANADA’S 2024 IIHF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ROSTER
Berkly Catton (Spokane Chiefs / WHL) and Cayden Lindstrom (Medicine Hat Tigers / WHL) were invited, but unable to participate
Staff Head Coach – Gardiner MacDougall (former Saint John Sea Dogs head coach) Assistant Coach – Travis Crickard (Saint John Sea Dogs / QMJHL) Assistant Coach – Ryan Smith (Spokane Chiefs / WHL) Goaltending Coach – Dan De Palma (Kamloops Blazers / WHL) Program of Excellence management group representative – Dave Brown (Erie Otters / OHL) Athletic Therapist – Jimmy McKnight (Edmonton Oil Kings / WHL) Team Physician – Dr. Michael Conrad (Victoria Royals / WHL)
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Brantford Bulldogs forward Jake O’Brien is the 2023-24 recipient of the Emms Family Award, presented annually to the OHL Rookie of the Year as voted by the league’s General Managers.
O’Brien led OHL rookies with 51 assists and 64 points over 61 games, surpassing Matthew Strome and Arthur Kaliyev to set a pair of new Bulldogs all-time rookie marks. His 51 assists are the most by an OHL rookie in his first year of eligibility since Sarnia’s Alex Galchenyuk registered 52 in 2010-11.
“It’s an honour to be voted OHL Rookie of the Year. This award symbolizes an incredible amount of work put in and support to make the transition from AAA to the OHL,” said O’Brien. “I want to say thank you to my coaches for their guidance and belief in me and to my teammates for pushing me to be a better player every day.
“I also want to thank my family for their constant support and encouragement. This accomplishment wouldn’t have been possible without them.”
O’Brien’s impressive season also saw him lead OHL rookies in power play goals (8), power play assists (19) and game-winning goals (4). Additionally, O’Brien was the East Division Academic Player of the Month in January after being the league’s Rookie of the Month in December.
“Jake has more than exceeded expectations as a 16-year-old rookie,” said Bulldogs Head Coach Jay McKee. “While his amazing point production stands out, his strengths go well beyond the goals and assists he earned this season. Jake’s commitment to a two-way game, his compete level and the leadership qualities he has shown are well beyond his years.”
A 6-foot-1, 165Ib. centreman from Toronto, Ont., O’Brien was chosen by the Bulldogs with their first round (8th overall) pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection after he guided the Toronto Jr. Canadiens to an OHL Cup championship, being named tournament MVP following a 17-point (7-10—17) output over seven games. He competed in the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in November, representing Canada Red. O’Brien will be eligible for the 2025 NHL Draft.
O’Brien is the first player in Bulldogs history to win the award. He follows other recent winners in Saginaw Spirit forward Michael Misa (2022-23), Guelph Storm defenceman Cam Allen (2021-22) and Kingston Frontenacs forward Shane Wright (2019-20).
The Emms Family Award was donated by Leighton “Hap” Emms, former owner of the Barrie, Niagara Falls and St. Catharines OHL franchises. The award is selected by all 20 member team General Managers. Teams were asked to submit only one nominee from their own club for consideration on the ballot and were not permitted to vote for the player from their own hockey club.
O’Brien finished as the front-runner in the award voting process followed by goaltender Carter George of the Owen Sound Attack who placed second.
O’Brien is the OHL’s nominee for the Canadian Hockey League Rookie of the Year Award, presented at the CHL Awards Ceremony happening at the 2024 Memorial Cup presented by Dow that takes place from May 24th through June 2nd in Saginaw, Michigan. O’Brien will be formally presented with the Emms Family Award at the OHL’s Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, June 12th at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
For a complete list of OHL award winners, click here.
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the schedule of games for the 2024 OHL Eastern Conference Championship Series for the Bobby Orr Trophy between the Oshawa Generals and the North Bay Battalion.
The Eastern Conference’s first place Generals advanced to the third round of the playoffs following a four-game sweep of the Ottawa 67’s that wrapped-up on Thursday in the nation’s capital. The Generals eliminated the Barrie Colts in the opening round of the OHL Playoffs following a 40-19-7-2 regular season.
The North Bay Battalion are into the Eastern Conference Championship Series for a third straight year, defeating the Sudbury Wolves 5-0 in Game 4 of their second-round affair on Thursday. The Battalion bested the Kingston Frontenacs in five games to open the postseason following a third straight Central Division title with a 39-20-7-2 record during the regular season.
The Battalion and the Generals meet in the playoffs for the third time since the Troops arrived in North Bay following prior encounters in 2014 and 2015. North Bay last won the Bobby Orr Trophy in 2014, eliminating Oshawa in four Eastern Conference Championship Series games before falling to the Guelph Storm in the OHL Final. Oshawa’s last Bobby Orr Trophy came in 2015 after they eliminated North Bay in a six-game East Final before moving on to capture the OHL title over the Erie Otters.
Eastern Conference Championship Series Schedule: Game 1 – Friday, April 26 at Oshawa, 7:35pm Game 2 – Sunday, April 28 at Oshawa, 6:05pm Game 3 – Monday, April 29 at North Bay, 7:00pm Game 4 – Wednesday, May 1 at North Bay, 7:00pm Game 5 – Friday, May 3 at Oshawa, 7:35pm* Game 6 – Sunday, May 5 at North Bay, 2:00pm* Game 7 – Monday, May 6 at Oshawa, 7:05pm* *- if necessary
Watch the entire series, wherever you are on OHL Live! Streaming packages are now on sale at ohllive.com.
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today conducted the eighth annual OHL Under-18 Priority Selection for U18 AAA hockey players in Ontario.
Eligibility for the 2024 OHL Under-18 Priority Selection included all U18 players (2006 and 2007 birth years) not currently on an OHL Member Team Protected List who were carded with an Ontario based U18 AAA Hockey Club or an accredited Hockey Canada sport school within the Ontario Hockey Federation, Hockey Eastern Ontario or Hockey Northwestern Ontario in the current season.
A total of 55 players were selected from 31 different teams and included 27 forwards, 13 defencemen and 15 goaltenders. 53 of the 55 players selected were born in 2007.
“Congratulations to all 55 players selected tonight,” said OHL Director of Player Recruitment and Player Services Brodie Barrick. “The Under-18 Priority Selection has provided the OHL with a number of quality players since its inception in 2017, and it presents another opportunity for prospects to further their development and showcase themselves in an effort to become the best player they can be. Enjoy celebrating with your families and the people who have helped you achieve this great accomplishment.”
Winners of the OHL Priority Selection Draft Lottery back on March 27, the Windsor Spitfires used the first overall selection to take 6-foot-1 Halton Hurricanes goaltender Michael Newlove. He becomes the first goaltender to be chosen with the first overall pick since the Kingston Frontenacs selected Aidan Spooner in 2019.
The Sarnia Sting selected Don Mills Flyers defenceman Jonathan Kapageridis with the second overall choice. The Peterborough Petes followed at third, selecting Ottawa Jr. 67’s left-winger Dylan Turcotte.
All OHL member teams were required to draft a minimum of two players, however to enhance opportunities specifically for goaltenders, clubs selecting a goaltender with one of their selections had the option to select another player (skater only) in a third round.
The Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) led the way with 16 players selected followed by the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) with 13 and Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO) with 12. The Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario developed nine selections, independent school hockey programs developed three and the Northern Ontario Hockey Association (NOHA) saw two players chosen.
The HEO’s Ottawa Myers Automotive program developed the most players selected with seven being taken off their roster. The OMHA’s Halton Hurricanes and ALLIANCE’s Waterloo Wolves trailed with four each respectively.
The OHL Under-18 Priority Selection was conducted in partnership with RinkNet as picks were submitted online by OHL member clubs and displayed in real time at ontariohockeyleague.com. The selections were also streamed live on OHL Live.
Announced in January 2017, the concept of the OHL Under-18 Priority Selection was developed with full support from Hockey Canada’s three Ontario Branches including the Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF), Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO), and Hockey Northwestern Ontario (HNO).
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today concluded the 2024 OHL Priority Selection presented by Real Canadian Superstore for North American players born predominantly in 2008.
The annual Priority Selection was held online over a span of two days, with Day 1 and 2 coverage produced by YourTV, airing across the province on YourTV, Rogers tv and Eastlink community stations as well as on the OHL Action Pak. Both days of the annual event were streamed for free in their entirety on OHL Live.
A total of 302 players were selected in the 15-round process from 78 different programs. The selected players included 170 forwards, 102 defencemen, and 30 goaltenders. A total of 298 of the players chosen were 2008-born athletes while two were born in 2007 and two were born in 2006.
“Congratulations to the remarkable 302 players drafted in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection, a testament to your unwavering commitment and dedication,” said Darrell Woodley, Director of OHL Central Scouting. “Being selected is a tremendous achievement, to be shared with family, friends, coaches and mentors who’ve fuelled your journeys thus far. This is only the beginning as you prepare to reach your full potential throughout your junior careers. Your draft number matters less than the resilience, integrity, and skill you continue to develop on the ice. Success awaits those with the right mindset and determination, even beyond today’s selection. To all players, whether drafted or not, your pursuit of hockey and academic excellence holds endless opportunity, with the chance to also find success through next year’s Under-18 Priority Selection. Best of luck to all players in pursuit of your on and off ice goals!”
The Ontario Minor Hockey Association led the way with 103 selections from 19 different teams with the OMHA champion Barrie Jr. Colts leading with 14 picks, while the OHL Cup champion Oakville Rangers developed 12 and the U16 Peterborough Petes produced 10. The Greater Toronto Hockey League had 77 players selected from 11 different teams, as the GTHL finalist North York Rangers led the way with 16 selections. The Toronto Marlboros and GTHL champion Vaughan Kings trailed close behind with 13 selected players each. The Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario produced 40 selections from 11 different teams with the Elgin-Middlesex Canucks on top of the list with nine players selected, followed closely by the London Jr. Knights with eight. Hockey Eastern Ontario saw 26 players find their way onto OHL Draft boards from five different teams with the Upper Canada Cyclones and Ottawa Myers Automotive each leading with seven. The Northern Ontario Hockey Association had 13 players selected from across five teams as the Sudbury Wolves developed five, followed by the Soo Jr. Greyhounds with four. An additional four prospects were selected from Ontario-based junior teams, along with an out of province and Canadian Prep School player. A total of 34 players were chosen from across 22 different American-based teams led by Detroit Little Caesars with five players chosen, followed closely by Shattuck-St. Mary’s School, Detroit HoneyBaked, and the Chicago Mission with four each. An additional two players were chosen from U.S Prep Schools, while one was selected from an American-based Junior program.
This season marked the 24th straight year the Priority Selection was conducted by way of the internet, carried out in partnership with RinkNet.
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Kitchener Rangers forward Matthew Sop is the 2023-24 recipient of the Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy awarded to the League’s Overage Player of the Year as voted by OHL General Managers.
A 21-year-old from Kitchener, Sop racked up 43 goals and 90 points over 67 games in his third season. He finished tied with teammate Carson Rehkopf for the league-lead in game-winning goals with 10, and was knotted with Sudbury’s Quentin Musty for the most overtime goals with five. He also led Kitchener in shorthanded goals with three.
“This recognition from the league means a lot to me,” said Sop of the honour. “I am really honoured to receive it, but I definitely could not have gotten it without all of my teammates and coaches around me!”
Sop’s production climbed over each of his three OHL seasons, starting with 22 points (10-12—22) as a rookie in 2021-22, climbing to 56 points (23-33—56) in 2022-23 to 90 (43-47—90) this past season, giving the former seventh-round pick in 2019 a total of 169 points (76-93—169) over 203 regular season games with his hometown Rangers.
“We are so excited and proud of Matthew on this individual accomplishment,” said Rangers General Manager Mike McKenzie. “It has been tremendous to see the growth in his game throughout his career with the Rangers and this is well-earned recognition for a great season.
“Also, as a seventh-round pick, it is fitting this award will be handed out on OHL Draft weekend,” McKenzie added. “Matthew is another example that development looks different for everyone and players that aren’t top picks can still make a big impact.”
Sop becomes the fourth player in Kitchener Rangers history to earn Overage Player of the Year recognition, following Jason Akeson (2010-11), Andre Benoit (2004-05) and Joey St. Aubin (1990-91).
Owen Sound Attack forward Deni Goure finished as runner-up in award voting.
The Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the Top Overage Player of the Year as selected by OHL General Managers. Teams were asked to submit a nominee for the award and were not permitted to vote for players from their own hockey club.
First presented in 1984, the Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy was donated by the trainers of the Ontario Hockey League, in memory of the late Leo Lalonde, former Chief Scout of OHL Central Scouting. Leo Lalonde was also former the Chief Scout for the Belleville Bulls as well as a scout for the Peterborough Petes.
Sop joins a list of other accomplished recent recipients in last year’s winner Matthew Maggio of the Windsor Spitfires, North Bay Battalion graduate Brandon Coe (2021-22) and former Ottawa 67’s forward Austen Keating (2019-20).
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the results of the Eastern and Western Conference Coaches Polls for the 2023-24 OHL Regular Season.
The OHL Coaches Poll provides member club coaches with the opportunity to recognize the top three players in 20 different skill categories within their own conference.
In the Eastern Conference, the Oshawa Generals led the OHL with a total of nine players included in the poll, led by goaltender Jacob Oster who placed first in three different categories (Most Improved, Best Puckhandling Goaltender, Best Shootout Goaltender) while forward Luke Torrance and defenceman Ben Danford each appeared in three different sections. The Ottawa 67’s trailed with seven players on the poll while the North Bay Battalion had six, including top scorer Anthony Romani who placed first in two different categories (Smartest Player, Most Dangerous in Goal Area) as well as second in another (Best Shot). Ty Nelson (Offensive Defenceman), Owen Van Steensel (Penalty Killer), Liam Arnsby (Defensive Forward) and Paul Christopoulos (Shot Blocker) were also first place finishers from North Bay. Other prominent Eastern Conference competitors include Barrie Colts teammates Cole Beaudoin (Hardest Worker, Penalty Killer) and Beau Jelsma (Best Skater, Shootout Shooter) who each appeared in three different categories, netting a pair of first place finishes respectively. Sudbury Wolves forward Dalibor Dvorsky also fared well, finishing first in both Best Shot and Best Stickhandler while placing second in Smartest Player.
In the Western Conference, the London Knights led all teams with eight players on the poll, including first place finishers Denver Barkey (Best Shootout Shooter) and Kasper Halttunen (Hardest Shot). The Kitchener Rangers featured seven players, but cleaned up with seven different first place finishes thanks in large part to blueliner Matthew Andonovski who came in on top in three categories (Best Body Checker, Best Penalty Killer, Defensive Defenceman). Carson Rehkopf placed first in both Best Shot and Most Dangerous in the Goal Area while Hunter Brzustewicz appeared three times, placing first in Smartest Player. The Saginaw Spirit had a dual first place finisher in Zayne Parekh (Best Offensive Defenceman, Best Playmaker) while Matyas Sapovaliv finished in three categories, headlining Best on Face-offs. Soo Greyhounds forward Owen Allard was one of the league’s best individual performers on the coaches poll, leading the way in both Most Improved Player and Hardest Worker while placing second in Best Defensive Forward. Lastly, the Owen Sound Attack featured goaltender Carter George, who placed first in both Best Puckhandling Goaltender and Best Shootout Goaltender while Colby Barlow placed second in three different fields (Most Dangerous in Goal Area, Best Shot, Hardest Shot).
The Coaches Poll is tabulated when each team submits one nominee per category, and coaches then vote for the top three players for each category within their conference. Players receive five points for a first place vote, three points for a second place vote, and one point for a third place vote. Clubs are not permitted to vote for players from their own team allowing for a maximum of 45 possible points for each winner.
All 20 categories are listed below with Eastern Conference and Western Conference winners including their final point totals in brackets.
Most Underrated Player:
Eastern Conference: 1. Owen Van Steensel, North Bay Battalion (29) 2. Luke Torrance, Oshawa Generals (23) 3. Mason Zebeski, Mississauga Steelheads (9)
Western Conference: 1. Kirill Kudryavtsev, Soo Greyhounds (22) finished t-3rd in 2022-23 2. Trent Swick, Kitchener Rangers (15) 3. Cole Davis, Windsor Spitfires (12)
Most Improved Player:
Eastern Conference: 1. Jacob Oster, Oshawa Generals (30) 2. Marek Vanacker, Brantford Bulldogs (26) 3. Jacob Battaglia, Kingston Frontenacs (23)
Western Conference: 1. Owen Allard, Soo Greyhounds (34) 2. Adrian Misaljevic, Kitchener Rangers (17) 3. Sam Alfano, Erie Otters (13)
Smartest Player:
Eastern Conference: 1. Anthony Romani, North Bay Battalion (22) 2. Dalibor Dvorsky, Sudbury Wolves (17) 3. Luca Marrelli, Oshawa Generals (16)
Eastern Conference: 1. Beau Jelsma, Barrie Colts (26) 2. Paul Ludwinski, Kingston Frontenacs (20) 3. Kevin He, Niagara IceDogs (16)
Western Conference: 1. Oliver Peer, Flint Firebirds (33) 2. Jett Luchanko, Guelph Storm (19) 3. Easton Cowan, London Knights (13)
Best Shot:
Eastern Conference: 1. Dalibor Dvorsky, Sudbury Wolves (29) T-2. Anthony Romani, North Bay Battalion (15) T-2. Ryan Roobroeck, Niagara IceDogs (15) 3. Luca Pinelli, Ottawa 67’s (9)
Western Conference: 1. Carson Rehkopf, Kitchener Rangers (33) 2. Colby Barlow, Owen Sound Attack (27) – finished1st in 2022-23 and 3rd in 2021-22 3. Kasper Halttunen, London Knights (15)
Hardest Shot:
Eastern Conference: 1. Connor Punnett, Oshawa Generals (34) – finished 2nd in 2022-23 2. Ty Nelson, North Bay Battalion (17) – finished 1st in 2022-23 3. Samuel Mayer, Ottawa 67’s (15)
Western Conference: 1. Kasper Halttunen, London Knights (31) 2. Colby Barlow, Owen Sound Attack (24) – finished tied for first in 2022-23 and 3rd in 2021-22 T-3. Arttu Karki, Soo Greyhounds (14) T-3. Carson Rehkopf, Kitchener Rangers (14) – finished 3rd in 2022-23
Western Conference: 1. Matthew Andonovski, Kitchener Rangers (23) 2. Owain Johnston, Erie Otters (18) 3. Ryan McGuire, Guelph Storm (12)
Best Shot Blocker:
Eastern Conference: 1. Paul Christopoulos, North Bay Battalion (27) 2. Ben Danford, Oshawa Generals (21) 3. Daniil Sobolev, Brantford Bulldogs (14)
Western Conference: T-1. Andrew Gibson, Soo Greyhounds (16) T-1. Taos Jordan, Owen Sound Attack (16) T-1. Thomas Budnick, Guelph Storm (16) – finished 3rd in Eastern Conference in 2022-23 2. Owain Johnston, Erie Otters (11) 3. Braden Haché, Saginaw Spirit (10)
Best Defensive Forward:
Eastern Conference: 1. Liam Arnsby, North Bay Battalion (31) – finished 1st in 2022-23 and 2nd in 2021-22 2. Cole Beaudoin, Barrie Colts (17) 3. Luke Torrance, Oshawa Generals (12)
Western Conference: 1. Matyas Sapovaliv, Saginaw Spirit (27) 2. Owen Allard, Soo Greyhounds (23) 3. Easton Cowan, London Knights (14)
Best Penalty Killer:
Eastern Conference: 1. Cole Beaudoin, Barrie Colts (19) 2. Luke Torrance, Oshawa Generals (16) 3. Owen Van Steensel, North Bay Battalion (15)
Western Conference: 1. Matthew Andonovski, Kitchener Rangers (26) 2. Isaiah George, London Knights (18) 3. Ethan Hay, Saginaw Spirit (15)
Best Offensive Defenceman:
Eastern Conference: 1. Ty Nelson, North Bay Battalion (35) – finished 3rd in 2022-23 and 2022-21 2. Henry Mews, Ottawa 67’s (23) 3. Luca Marrelli, Oshawa Generals (11)
Western Conference: 1. Zayne Parekh, Saginaw Spirit (39) 2. Hunter Brzustewicz, Kitchener Rangers (29) 3. Oliver Bonk, London Knights (11)
Best Defensive Defenceman:
Eastern Conference: 1. Ben Danford, Oshawa Generals (26) 2. Andre Anania, Sudbury Wolves (18) 3. Matthew Mayich, Ottawa 67’s (12)
Western Conference: 1. Matthew Andonovski, Kitchener Rangers (24) 2. Sam Dickinson, London Knights (23) 3. Andrew Gibson, Soo Greyhounds (20)
Best Puck-Handling Goaltender:
Eastern Conference: 1. Jacob Oster, Oshawa Generals (22) 2. Dom DiVincentiis, North Bay Battalion (21) – finished 1st in 2022-23 3. Matteo Drobac, Brantford Bulldogs (14)
Western Conference: 1. Carter George, Owen Sound Attack (26) 2. Michael Simpson, London Knights (20) – finished 2nd in Eastern Conference in 2022-23 3. Ben Gaudreau, Erie Otters (13) – finished 3rd in 2022-23
Western Conference: 1. Denver Barkey, London Knights (27) T-2. Liam Greentree, Windsor Spitfires (15) T-2. Matthew Sop, Kitchener Rangers (15) 3. Jett Luchanko, Guelph Storm (14)
Best Shootout Goaltender:
Eastern Conference: 1. Jacob Oster, Oshawa Generals (28) 2. Dom DiVincentiis, North Bay Battalion (16) – finished 1st in 2022-23 3. Jack Ivankovic, Mississauga Steelheads (14)
Western Conference: 1. Carter George, Owen Sound Attack (26) 2. Jackson Parsons, Kitchener Rangers (18) 3. Nathan Day, Flint Firebirds (14)
TORONTO, ON — The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) is proud to announce today the March edition of the CHL Team of the Month presented by CCM for the 2023-24 regular season.
With 15 goals and 15 assists in 11 games, San Jose Sharks prospect Quentin Musty of the Sudbury Wolves tallied more points than anyone in the CHL over the month of March. His 15 goals were tied for the most by a CHL skater alongside Moose Jaw’s Jagger Firkus. In his 11 contests in March, the 18-year-old from Hamburg, N.Y. also registered an impressive seven multi-point outings, which included posting a season-high six points on March 8 (4G-2A, including GWG, vs. Windsor) and March 22 (2G-4A vs. Barrie). His four-goal effort against Windsor also set a new single-game career-high for the first overall pick of the 2021 OHL Priority Selection. To kick start the month, Musty also potted a hat-trick and added two helpers in the Wolves’ 10-3 victory against Sarnia. As the season came to a close last week, Musty finished the 2023-24 campaign ranked tied for fourth in scoring in the OHL having recorded 102 points (43G-59A) in 53 games, and he was one of 16 skaters in the CHL to top 100 points this season. Averaging 1.92 points per game through the 2023-24 campaign, the 6-foot-2, 202-pound left-winger had the highest scoring average of any OHL skater and ranked fourth in the CHL behind Halifax’s Jordan Dumais (2.24), Moose Jaw’s Matthew Savoie (2.09) and Firkus (2.00). Drafted 26th overall by the San Jose Sharks at the 2023 NHL Draft, Musty signed a three-year entry-level contract with the club back at the beginning of the season in October.
Thanks to a strong month highlighted by 15 goals and 10 assists, Seattle Kraken prospect Jagger Firkus of the Moose Jaw Warriors has been named to the CHL Team of the Month for the second time this season (previously selected as a member of the CHL Team of the Month in January). Firkus’ 15 goals were tied with Sudbury’s Quentin Musty for the most by a CHL skater in March. The 19-year-old from Irma, Alta., tallied a point in all 10 of the Warriors’ regular season games this month and he heads into the post-season riding a 14-game point streak (20G-12A over that stretch). In total, the 5-foot-11, 160-pound centreman registered eight multi-point outings throughout March, including four in a row to close out the month. Firkus also wrapped up March having scored a goal in five straight games, including tallying two or more in each of his last four contests. His strong play and 25 points down the stretch allowed him to finish the 2023-24 season as the leading scorer in the CHL with 126 points (61G-65A). By achieving the latter, he becomes just the second player in Moose Jaw’s franchise history to lead the CHL in points (Jayden Halbgewachs in 2017-18), and the fourth Warriors skater to ever claim the Bob Clarke Trophy as the WHL’s Top Scorer (Halbgewachs in 2017-18; Troy Brouwer in 2005-06; Theoren Fleury in 1987-88). Firkus also finished the 2023-24 campaign as the CHL leader in power-play points with 50 (15G-35A). Drafted in the second round (35th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft, the 19-year-old signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Seattle Kraken back in April 2023.
Having registered 13 goals and 25 points in just 11 games during the month of March, St. Louis Blues prospect Dalibor Dvorský of the Sudbury Wolves has earned his first CHL Team of the Month selection of the 2023-24 season. Trailing only his Wolves teammate Quentin Musty in scoring, Dvorský’s 25 points in March placed him in a tie for second in the CHL, while his 13 goals during the month were ranked third behind Musty (15G) and Moose Jaw’s Jagger Firkus (15G). In total, the 18-year-old from Zvolen, Slovakia registered six multi-point contests in March, which included tallying a single-game career-high of five points on March 8 (2G-3A vs. Windsor) and March 16 (1G-4A vs. Barrie). Prior to the Wolves’ final regular season game, which saw Dvorský held off the scoresheet for the first time since February 18, the Blues’ 2023 first-round pick had registered a point in 14 straight games. The 6-foot-1, 201-pound centreman enters the playoffs having scored a goal in nine of his last 11 contests. He finished the 2023-24 campaign with 88 points (45G-43A), a team-leading 45 goals, and a CHL-best 26.8% shooting percentage this season. Dvorský’s 45 goals also place him among the top-five goal scorers in the OHL. Along with his teammates David Goyette (40 goals) and Musty (43 goals), Dvorský is one of three Sudbury Wolves to have topped the 40-goal plateau this season – marking the first time in 24 years that the Wolves have had three 40-goal scorers (1999-00: Norm Milley, Jason Jaspers and Taylor Pyatt). Chosen tenth overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 2023 NHL Draft, Dvorský signed a three-year entry-level contract with the organization last summer in July 2023.
Having led all CHL defencemen with 17 points in the month of March, San Jose Sharks prospect Luca Cagnoni of the Portland Winterhawks has earned his second selection of the 2023-24 season to the CHL Team of the Month (previously selected as a member of the CHL Team of the Month in November). In 11 games in March, Cagnoni was held off the scoresheet only twice, having recorded two points or more on six occasions. His strong month allowed the 19-year-old from Burnaby, B.C., to finish the 2023-24 campaign with career-highs in goals (18), assists (72), and points (90). Cagnoni’s 90 points were the most by a WHL blueliner during the 2023-24 campaign, and he was one of just three defencemen in the CHL to top 90 points this season (along with Saginaw’s Zayne Parekh & Kitchener’s Hunter Brzustewicz). Cagnoni was also the first WHL defenceman in 30 years to top the 90-point plateau in a single season, and the first Winterhawks blueliner since 1986 to achieve the feat (1985-86: Glen Wesley, 91 points). In addition to leading all WHL defencemen in scoring this season, Cagnoni’s 72 assists were also the most by a WHL blueliner and he ranked second among rearguards in the CHL trailing only Brzustewicz (79). Last summer, Cagnoni was selected in the fourth round (123rd overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft by the San Jose Sharks.
With four goals and 14 points through 10 games in the month of March, Buffalo Sabres prospect Vsevolod Komarov of the Drummondville Voltigeurs rounds out the defencemen selected in March’s CHL Team of the Month. Komarov was held off the scoresheet on just four occasions and he registered four multi-point outings in March, including matching a single-game career-high with four points (1G-3A) on March 1 against the Charlottetown Islanders. The 20-year-old from Chelyabinsk, Russia finished the 2023-24 campaign with 55 assists and 69 points, both of which rank as the most by a QMJHL defenceman this season. The 6-foot-3, 188-pound defenceman ultimately set new career highs in goals (14), assists (55) and points (69) during the 2023-24 season, and he averaged over a point per game for the first time in his QMJHL career. The Sabres prospect, who won a Memorial Cup last year with the Québec Remparts, was acquired by the Voltigeurs from the Remparts at the beginning of December. Of his 69 points recorded this season, Komarov tallied 50 of them in just 38 games with Drummondville. His strong play no doubt played an important role in helping the Voltigeurs to their first 100-point season since 2019 and allowing the club to secure first place in the QMJHL’s Western Conference. Selected in the fifth round (134th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres, Komarov signed a three-year entry-level contract with the club last May ahead of his participation in the 2023 Memorial Cup.
Having secured a CHL-best nine wins through the month of March, Jacob Oster of the Oshawa Generals was selected for the first time this season to the CHL Team of the Month. Through nine starts in March, Oster held a perfect 9-0-0-0 record along with an impressive 2.33 goals-against-average and a .914 save percentage. In six of his nine starts this month, Oster gave up two goals or fewer, which included turning aside 26-of-27 shots against the OHL’s highest-scoring team (the Sudbury Wolves) on March 24. The latter proved to be an important victory and performance by Oster, as the Generals secured the top spot in the Eastern Conference for the first time in nine years with the victory. Oshawa’s triumph over the Wolves in that regular-season finale also gave the Generals their 12th victory in a row, which stands as their longest winning streak since 1986-87. Through this historic winning streak, Oster has started in and won 11 of those contests. His strong play late in the year allowed the 20-year-old from Ottawa, Ont., to finish in a tie for first in the OHL with a .905 save percentage and to grab a share of first place in the CHL with 35 wins this season. Additionally, Oster’s 2.82 goals-against-average during the 2023-24 campaign ranked second in the OHL, trailing only London’s Michael Simpson (2.61 GAA).
OHL Writers 