Around the OHL

ATTACK’S BARLOW AWARDED BOBBY SMITH TROPHY AS OHL SCHOLASTIC PLAYER OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY DAIRY FARMERS OF ONTARIO

Posted on April 27, 2023 by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League is proud to announce that draft eligible forward Colby Barlow of the Owen Sound Attack is the 2022-23 recipient of the Bobby Smith Trophy, which is awarded to the OHL’s Scholastic Player of the Year presented by MilkUP, youth lifestyle brand of Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO).

Barlow becomes the first player in Owen Sound Attack history to win the prestigious award, excelling with an overall average of 93 percent across Grade 12 University-level courses: Challenge and Change in Society (97 percent), Families in Canada (96 percent), Organizational Business (95 percent), Business Leadership (95 percent), International Business (90 percent), and English (85 percent) at Owen Sound District Secondary School.

On the ice, Barlow enters the 2023 NHL Draft as the OHL’s highest-ranked skater, coming in at 12th on NHL Central Scouting’s final list of North American players eligible for the annual selection that takes place in Nashville, Tenn. on June 28-29. He led the Attack in 2022-23 producing 79 points including 46 goals, 33 assists and a league-leading 12 game-winning tallies in 59 games.

“I’m truly honoured to be awarded the Bobby Smith Trophy,” said Barlow. “Playing hockey at an elite level and excelling at academics are really two sides of the same coin. It would be inconsistent for someone with the dedication it requires to perform at an elite level in sports, not to apply that same dedication to their academic studies. To excel in hockey it requires talent, but more importantly it requires discipline. The skillsets in athletics and academics are interrelated and I appreciate everyone with the Owen Sound Attack who has helped me as I continue to try and excel in both of those areas.”

Fresh-off setting an Attack rookie record for goals as a 16-year-old with 30 in 2021-22, Barlow became the youngest captain in Owen Sound Attack franchise history at 17-years-old, and emerged as one of five OHL players with at least 46 goals in his sophomore season.

“Colby has found an incredible way to balance both on-ice brilliance and excellence in the classroom,” said Attack General Manager Dale DeGray. “He also did a tremendous job serving as captain of our team in just his second season, and has amazed many at the Bayshore, scoring some outstanding goals and demonstrating what it truly means to be a leader both on and off the ice.”

Hailing from Orillia, Ont., Barlow is currently representing Canada at the 2023 IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championship in Switzerland, and also wore the maple leaf, winning gold for Canada at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Alberta last summer. Barlow competed in the 2023 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game this past January in Langley, BC. Originally selected by the Attack with their first round (8th overall) pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection, Barlow went on to be voted to the league’s first all-rookie team in 2021-22.

“Colby has a very positive attitude that is evident in everything he does,” commented Attack Academic Advisor Sarah Rowe. “He leads by example and preaches accountability both in school and in the dressing room. Colby is an honour roll student and a star on the ice who continues to do Owen Sound proud.”

Each year the Bobby Smith Trophy is presented to the OHL Scholastic Player of the Year who best combines high standards of play and academic excellence. The trophy is in honour of Bobby Smith, a former Ottawa 67s star who exhibited a standard of excellence in both of these areas. Past recipients since the award was first presented in 1980 include three-time winner Dustin Brown (Guelph 2001-03), Steven Stamkos (Sarnia 2007), Ryan Ellis (Windsor 2008), Matt Duchene (Brampton 2009), Erik Gudbranson (Kingston 2010), Dougie Hamilton (Niagara 2011), Adam Pelech (Erie 2012), Darnell Nurse (Sault Ste. Marie 2013), back-to-back winner Connor McDavid (Erie 2014, ’15), Sasha Chmelevski (Ottawa 2017), Barrett Hayton (Sault Ste. Marie 2018), Thomas Harley (Mississauga 2019), Cole Perfetti (Saginaw 2020) and Owen Beck (Mississauga 2022).

Next in line for the award were a pair of other NHL Draft eligibles in Erie Otters forward Carey Terrance and London Knights blueliner Oliver Bonk. Ottawa 67s draft-eligible forward Luca Pinelli placed third in the process.

Barlow will be the OHL’s nominee for the Canadian Hockey League Scholastic Player of the Year Award, presented at the CHL Awards Ceremony on Saturday, June 3 during the 2023 Memorial Cup presented by Kia which takes place in Kamloops, British Columbia. Barlow will be formally presented with the Bobby Smith Trophy at the OHL’s Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, June 14 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

All 20 of the OHL’s member clubs provide nominees for the Bobby Smith Trophy, with nominees representing the 2022-23 OHL Scholastic Team:

2022-23 OHL Scholastic Team Nominees:
Barrie Colts – Grayson Tiller
Erie Otters – Carey Terrance
Flint Firebirds – Daks Klinkhammer
Guelph Storm – Matthew Poitras
Hamilton Bulldogs – Nick Lardis
Kingston Frontenacs – Alec Belanger
Kitchener Rangers – Matthew Andonovski
London Knights – Oliver Bonk
Mississauga Steelehads – Luke Misa
Niagara IceDogs – Bronson Ride
North Bay Battalion – Wyatt Kennedy
Oshawa Generals – Ben Danford
Ottawa 67’s – Luca Pinelli
Owen Sound Attack – Colby Barlow
Peterborough Petes – Chase Lefebvre
Saginaw Spirit – Joey Willis
Sarnia Sting – Easton Wainwright
Soo Greyhounds – Andrew Gibson
Sudbury Wolves – Alex Pharand
Windsor Spitfires – Joey Costanzo

About the Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the world’s largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American states. In addition to the OHL, the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League and U SPORTS than any other league.

COLTS’ VIERLING AWARDED WILLIAM HANLEY TROPHY AS OHL’S MOST SPORTSMANLIKE PLAYER

Posted on April 26, 2023 by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Barrie Colts forward Evan Vierling is the 2022-23 recipient of the William Hanley Trophy awarded to the League’s Most Sportsmanlike Player as voted by OHL General Managers.

The 20-year-old overage forward from Aurora, Ont. led the Colts with 95 points including 35 goals and 60 assists over 60 regular season games, taking just 12 penalty minutes in the process. He becomes the ninth player in Colts franchise history to record 60 assists in a season, and the first to ever claim the William Hanley Trophy.

“It truly is an honour to be recognized with the William Hanley Trophy,” said Vierling. “When looking back at the past winners, it’s a great group to join and a nice way to finish off my OHL career. My success this year is a reflection of all the help I got from my teammates, coaches, and family.”

Vierling was a consistent offensive producer for the Colts, recording at least three points in a game 15 different times over the course of the season. His campaign was highlighted by five-point efforts on Dec. 13th in a 7-5 win over the Sudbury Wolves (1-4–5) and Mar. 5th in a 6-3 road win over the Owen Sound Attack (3-2–5), one of his two hat tricks on the season.

“Anytime you can have a player that wins a league award it’s always great news for the franchise,” said Colts Head Coach and General Manager Marty Williamson. “Evan was a key contributor to our team this season and he took his play to the next level. It’s a reflection of his game by finishing with 95 points and only 12 minutes in penalties. The entire Colts organization is proud of him.”

Vierling recorded 13 points (1-12–13) in seven playoff outings for the Colts this spring before being sidelined by an injury in Game 2 of Barrie’s second round series against the North Bay Battalion.

Entering the League as the second overall pick of the 2018 OHL Priority Selection by the Flint Firebirds, Vierling turned in a productive four-year career that yielded 213 points (75-138–213) over 218 regular season games between the Colts and Firebirds. He was selected by the New York Rangers in the fifth round (127th overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft, and attended training camp with the Columbus Blue Jackets last October.

The William Hanley Trophy is awarded each year based on a selection by the 20 General Managers of the Ontario Hockey League. All 20 teams submit a nominee but are not permitted to vote for their own candidate. The trophy is presented by the OHL to commemorate William Hanley, former Secretary-Manager of the Ontario Hockey Association for over 25 years.

Owen Sound Attack forward Cedrick Guindon finished as a runner-up in award voting, followed by Oshawa Generals forward Calum Ritchie who placed third.

Vierling follows a number of current NHL players to have previously won the award, including 2022 recipient Wyatt Johnston (Windsor Spitfires) of the Dallas Stars, as well as Nick Robertson (Peterborough 2020), three-time winner Nick Suzuki (Owen Sound/Guelph 2017, ’18, ’19), Mike Amadio (North Bay 2016), Dylan Strome (Erie 2015), Connor McDavid (Erie 2014), Brandon Saad (Saginaw 2012) and Jeff Carter (Sault Ste. Marie 2005).

Vierling will be the OHL’s nominee for the Canadian Hockey League Sportsman of the Year Award, presented at the CHL Awards Ceremony on Saturday, June 3 during the 2023 Memorial Cup presented by Kia which takes place in Kamloops, British Columbia. Vierling will be formally presented with the William Hanley Trophy at the OHL’s Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, June 14 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

For a complete history of OHL award winners, visit ontariohockeyleague.com.

2023 OHL PRIORITY SELECTION FIRST ROUND RECAP

Posted on April 22, 2023 by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – Twenty-two players from across 15 different organizations were chosen in the first round of the 2023 OHL Priority Selection presented by Real Canadian Superstore on Friday, April 21.

The Erie Otters kicked-off the proceedings with the selection of Halton Hurricanes defenceman Matthew Schaefer, making him the first OMHA player selected first overall since Quinton Byfield, who was taken by the Sudbury Wolves in 2018. Hurricanes teammate Tyler Hopkins would hear his name called three picks later, being selected fourth overall by the Kingston Frontenacs.

Forwards in London Jr. Knights 50-goal scorer Ryan Roobroeck (2nd overall, Niagara) and Waterloo Wolves captain Brady Martin (3rd overall, Sault Ste. Marie) gave the Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario (ALLIANCE) two players chosen inside the first three picks for the first time since 2008.

The Mississauga Steelheads claimed the first goaltender in this year’s Priority Selection, with Mississauga Senators netminder Jack Ivankovic going seventh overall. He becomes the highest goaltender selected since the Sarnia Sting took Ben Gaudreau seventh overall in 2019.

Two OHL teams, the Niagara IceDogs and Kitchener Rangers, made two first round selections. The IceDogs followed-up the selection of Roobroeck by picking forward Ethan Czata of the Mississauga Rebels at fifth overall. The Rangers picked back-to-back at 10th and 11th overall, taking defenceman Cameron Reid from the Bishop Kearney Selects and Luca Romano of the Toronto Jr. Canadiens in those slots.

The first round consisted of 10 players chosen from the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL), five players selected from the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA), four players selected from the ALLIANCE, one from Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO) and a pair from U.S.-based programs.

The OHL Cup champion Toronto Jr. Canadiens led the way with three players selected in the opening round, with OHL Cup MVP Jake O’Brien hearing his name called eighth overall by the Brantford Bulldogs, forward Luca Romano going 11th overall to the Kitchener Rangers and 6-foot-4 winger Nico Addy being selected 12th overall by the Owen Sound Attack.

A total of 10 players chosen in the first round were members of Team Ontario’s gold-medal winning team at the 2023 Canada Games in Charlottetown, PEI this past February including Matthew Schaefer (1st overall, Erie), Ryan Roobroeck (2nd overall, Niagara), Brady Martin (3rd overall, Sault Ste. Marie), Tyler Hopkins (4th overall, Kingston), Jack Ivankovic (7th overall, Mississauga), Nico Addy (12th overall, Owen Sound), Carson Cameron (13th overall, Peterborough), Quinn Beauchesne (14th overall, Guelph), William Moore (18th overall, London) and Jack Nesbitt (20th overall, Windsor).

Of the 22 players selected in the first round, 20 will be eligible for the 2025 NHL Draft. Second overall pick Ryan Roobroeck (Niagara IceDogs) and 17th overall pick Ryan Brown (Sarnia Sting) are late birthdays and won’t be NHL Draft eligible until 2026.

The first round saw 16 forwards, five defencemen and one goaltender chosen by OHL clubs.

2023 OHL Priority Selection – First Round Selections:

Click on player name to watch profile video

1. Erie Otters – Matthew Schaefer (Halton Hurricanes) – 6.01.5, 160Ib., RD

2. Niagara IceDogs – Ryan Roobroeck (London Jr. Knights) – 6.02, 193Ib., C

3. Soo Greyhounds – Brady Martin (Waterloo Wolves) – 5.11.5, 170Ib., C

4. Kingston Frontenacs – Tyler Hopkins (Halton Hurricanes) – 6.00.5, 160Ib., C

5. Niagara IceDogs – Ethan Czata (Mississauga Rebels) – 6.00, 156Ib., C

6. Oshawa Generals – Owen Griffin (York-Simcoe Express) – 5.09.25, 144Ib., C

7. Mississauga Steelheads – Jack Ivankovic (Mississauga Senators) – 5.10.5, 169Ib., G

8. Brantford Bulldogs – Jake O’Brien (Toronto Jr. Canadiens) – 6.00.25, 148Ib., C

9. Sudbury Wolves – Caden Taylor (Mississauga Senators) – 6.02, 171Ib., C

10. Kitchener Rangers – Cameron Reid (Bishop Kearney Selects) – 5.11, 160Ib., LD

11. Kitchener Rangers – Luca Romano (Toronto Jr. Canadiens) – 5.10.5, 162Ib., C

12. Owen Sound Attack – Nico Addy (Toronto Jr. Canadiens) – 6.04.75, 204Ib., RW

13. Peterborough Petes – Carson Cameron (Central Ontario Wolves) – 6.00.25, 171Ib., RD

14. Guelph Storm – Quinn Beauchesne (Nepean Raiders) – 5.10.25, 151Ib., RD

15. Flint Firebirds – Jeremy Martin (Toronto Marlboros) – 6.00.5, 179Ib., LW

16. Saginaw Spirit – Aiden Young (London Jr. Knights) – 5.10, 160Ib., LW

17. Sarnia Sting – Ryan Brown (York-Simcoe Express) – 5.09.5, 151Ib., LW

18. London Knights – William Moore (Toronto Marlboros) – 6.03, 160Ib., C

19. Barrie Colts – Shamar Moses (Don Mills Flyers) – 6.01, 209Ib., RW

20. Windsor Spitfires – Jack Nesbitt (Lambton Jr. Sting) – 6.04, 165Ib., C

21. North Bay Battalion – Carter Kostuch (Vaughan Kings) – 5.10.5, 148Ib., LW

22. Ottawa 67’s – Henry Brzustewicz (North Jersey Avalanche) – 6.00, 201Ib., RD

OTTERS ANNOUNCE MATTHEW SCHAEFER AS FIRST OVERALL PICK OF 2023 OHL PRIORITY SELECTION PRESENTED BY REAL CANADIAN SUPERSTORE

Posted on April 20, 2023 by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League in association with the Erie Otters Hockey Club today announced that 15-year-old defenceman Matthew Schaefer of the Halton Hurricanes U16 program will be the first overall pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection presented by Real Canadian Superstore.

The announcement was made at a news conference held at Erie Insurance Arena, introducing Schaefer and his family to the organization and local media.

“I’m so honoured to be picked by such a great organization,” said Schaefer. “It still just doesn’t feel real at all – all the amazing players that have come through this organization and ended up in the NHL.

“It’s a great feeling,” he added. “I just want to get started working this summer, and I can’t wait for training camp. I’m a hard-working player that will compete every day and will play whatever role the Erie Otters want me to.”

Schaefer follows Otters franchise cornerstones Connor McDavid (2012) and Ryan O’Reilly (2007) as the third first overall selection in the organization’s history, making him Erie’s highest-drafted blueliner. He joins a franchise that has also produced the likes of NHL talent in Dylan Strome (Washington Capitals), Alex DeBrincat (Ottawa Senators), Jamie Drysdale (Anaheim Ducks), Adam Pelech (NY Islanders) and Connor Brown (Washington Capitals) among several others.

“Matthew is clearly a dominant player in his age-group,” said Otters General Manager and Executive Vice-President Dave Brown. “He can carry the tempo of a game, he can change a game in a moment with his explosive speed, ability, his edges and his hockey IQ. He’s a big kid with all the intangibles and the skill set that a smaller, mobile defenceman would have. He’s also a natural-born leader and that’s something that organizations need, and our organization can definitely use more of that.”

Hailing from Hamilton, Ont., Schaefer put together an outstanding season on the Halton blue line, producing 12 goals, 20 assists and 32 points over 25 games for the Hurricanes, who finished first place in the OMHA’s SCTA circuit with a regular season record of 31-2-3. Schaefer had a memorable experience representing Ontario at the 2023 Canada Games in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island in February, scoring the overtime winner to push Ontario to a gold medal finish, defeating Saskatchewan 3-2. Schaefer will be eligible for the 2025 NHL Draft.

Schaefer is the 2023 recipient of the Jack Ferguson Award presented annually to the player selected first overall in the OHL Priority Selection. The “Fergie” recognizes the dedication and contributions made by Jack Ferguson during his 25 year association with the OHL, first as a scout with the Ottawa 67’s and followed by his appointment as head of the OHL’s Central Scouting Bureau in 1981 as its Director of Central Scouting.

“Matthew is an elite defenceman in this age group and he continued his strong play since playing U16 last season as an underage,” said Darrell Woodley, Director of OHL Central Scouting. “He is a powerful defender that has speed to burn and he uses it in all three zones. He can be a one-man breakout as his foot speed allows him to beat forecheckers and make a good heads-up pass or continue though the neutral zone with the puck, as he is not afraid to lead the play and create offence. He uses his outstanding skating ability to defend with the best of them as he closes on players fast and gives them little time and space to make plays. He has a great understanding for the game and knows what each situation calls for.”

WATCH: 2023 #OHLDraft Prospect Profile: Matthew Schaefer

Join Matthew Schaefer as he hears his name called to kick-off the first round of the 2023 OHL Priority Selection Draft Show presented by Real Canadian Superstore beginning at 7:00pm on Friday night. The OHL Priority Selection will once again be held over the course of two days, with Rounds 1-3 taking place on Friday. The proceedings continue on Saturday, April 22 starting at 9:00am with Rounds 4-15. The Priority Selection will be streamed for free in its entirety on CHL TV. Fans can also watch complete Day 1 coverage produced by YourTV on community stations and across the province on OHL Action Pak ch. 463.

Winners of the Jack Ferguson Award Include:
1981 Dan Quinn, Belleville Bulls
1982 Kirk Muller, Guelph Platers
1983 Trevor Stienburg, Guelph Platers
1984 Dave Moylan, Sudbury Wolves
1985 Bryan Fogarty, Kingston Canadians
1986 Troy Mallette, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
1987 John Uniac, Sudbury Wolves
1988 Drake Berehowsky, Kingston Raiders
1989 Eric Lindros, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
1990 Pat Peake, Detroit Ambassadors
1991 Todd Harvey, Detroit Ambassadors
1992 Jeff O’Neill, Guelph Storm
1993 Alyn McCauley, Ottawa 67’s
1994 Jeff Brown, Sarnia Sting
1995 Daniel Tkaczuk, Barrie Colts
1996 Rico Fata, London Knights
1997 Charlie Stephens, Toronto St. Michael’s Majors
1998 Jay Harrison, Brampton Battalion
1999 Jason Spezza, Mississauga IceDogs
2000 Patrick Jarrett, Mississauga IceDogs
2001 Patrick O’Sullivan, Mississauga IceDogs
2002 Robbie Schremp, Mississauga IceDogs
2003 Patrick McNeill, Saginaw Spirit
2004 John Hughes, Belleville Bulls
2005 John Tavares, Oshawa Generals
2006 Steven Stamkos, Sarnia Sting
2007 Ryan O’Reilly, Erie Otters
2008 John McFarland, Sudbury Wolves
2009 Daniel Catenacci, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
2010 Alex Galchenyuk, Sarnia Sting
2011 Aaron Ekblad, Barrie Colts
2012 Connor McDavid, Erie Otters
2013 Travis Konecny, Ottawa 67’s
2014 Jakob Chychrun, Sarnia Sting
2015 David Levin, Sudbury Wolves
2016 Ryan Merkley, Guelph Storm
2017 Ryan Suzuki, Barrie Colts
2018 Quinton Byfield, Sudbury Wolves
2019 Shane Wright, Kingston Frontenacs
2020 Ty Nelson, North Bay Battalion
2021 Quentin Musty, Sudbury Wolves
2022 Michael Misa, Saginaw Spirit
2023 Matthew Schaefer, Erie Otters

67’s’ CAMERON EARNS MATT LEYDEN TROPHY AS OHL COACH OF THE YEAR

Posted on April 19, 2023 by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Dave Cameron of the Ottawa 67’s is the recipient of the Matt Leyden Trophy awarded annually to the OHL’s Coach of the Year.

Closing out his second season at the helm for the 67’s, Cameron steered Ottawa to a Hamilton Spectator Trophy, finishing first place in the OHL’s regular season standings with a record of 51-12-3-2 for a franchise-record 107 points. Cameron’s 67’s surrendered a league-low 171 goals, produced the OHL’s best home record of 29-4-0-1 and boasted a second-ranked penalty kill, operating at 84.1 percent.

“The Matt Leyden Trophy is the ultimate team award,” said Cameron of the honour. “I wouldn’t be here without the hard work of my players, coaching and support staff, and management group.”

The 67’s got off to a remarkable start to their season, winning nine consecutive games and owning a record of 18-1 by mid-November. They went on to finish the season with a mark of 41-0 when leading after two periods, and ended-up finished tied for the second-most shorthanded goals in the OHL with 16. Ottawa played to a mark of 13-2-3-2 in one-goal games.

“Dave’s boundless energy, knowledge, and passion for teaching the game were driving forces behind our 67’s record-breaking 2022-23 regular season,” stated 67’s General Manager James Boyd. “In addition to our on-ice success, Dave’s continuous promotion of community service, and academics has reinforced our positive team culture, both at and away from the rink.”

A native of Charlottetown, PEI, Cameron has spent eight seasons between Head and Assistant Coaching assignments in the National Hockey League along with an additional four in the American Hockey League. He’s coached a total of 12 seasons in the OHL dating back to 1997-98 when he broke in with the Soo Greyhounds. His tenure has also included four seasons with the Toronto St. Michael’s Majors from 2000-04, a stretch in which he led the club to four consecutive Eastern Conference Championship Series appearances. He made two more East Final appearances as Head Coach of the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors over a four-year span between 2007-11, guiding the Majors to an Eastern Conference title in 2011. Cameron’s Majors reached the Memorial Cup Championship Final as tournament hosts that same year, falling to the Saint John Sea Dogs by a score of 3-1. He became the 15th coach in OHL history to win 400 games on Nov. 4th, 2022, and owns a career OHL coaching record of 440-289-40 with 45 ties over his 814-game regular season career.

Cameron emerged as the front-runner for this year’s award, while colleagues Dale Hunter of the London Knights, Ryan Oulahen of the North Bay Battalion and Chris Lazary of the Saginaw Spirit finished in a three-way tie for second place in the voting.

The Matt Leyden Trophy has been awarded annually to the OHL’s Coach of the Year as selected by his peers since 1972. The award is in recognition of the contributions of Matt Leyden, past president of the Ontario Hockey Association from 1965-67, and former manager of the Oshawa Generals who spent more than 50 years with the team.

Cameron becomes the third different Ottawa 67’s coach to claim the award, following two-time winner André Tourigny who received the honour in both 2019 and 2020. OHL coaching legend Brian Kilrea has his name on the Matt Leyden Trophy a record total of five times, last winning in 2003.

Cameron will be the OHL’s nominee for the Brian Kilrea Canadian Hockey League Coach of the Year Award, presented at the CHL Awards Ceremony on Saturday, June 3 during the 2023 Memorial Cup presented by Kia which takes place in Kamloops, British Columbia. Cameron will be formally presented with the Matt Leyden Trophy at the OHL’s Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, June 14 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

For a complete history of OHL award winners, visit ontariohockeyleague.com.

TEAM STAMKOS REIGNS SUPREME AT 2023 OHL DEVELOPMENT COMBINE PRESENTED BY DAIRY FARMERS OF ONTARIO

Posted on April 17, 2023 by Dominic Tiano

Oshawa, Ont. – The 2023 OHL Development Combine presented by Dairy Farmers of Ontario wrapped up on Sunday at the Tribute Communities Centre, with Team Stamkos coming away as champions of the annual event.

76 draft eligible prospects had the opportunity to showcase their on-ice skills in a series of games played before scouts and general managers to assist in their evaluation prior to the OHL Priority Selection presented by Real Canadian Superstore to be held on Friday, April 21 and Saturday, April 22.

The games brought an end to the two-day event that also included on and off-ice skills testing on Saturday. (Top finishers below)

Saturday’s events included on and off-ice testing. Off-ice drills conducted by Elite Training Systems consisted of vertical and horizontal jumps, pro-agility sprints, grip strength and pull-ups. The on-ice portion included skills testing on both players and goaltenders performed by Game Ready Testing.

Team Stamkos won the OHL Combine championship as a result of finishing with the most points accumulated between Saturday’s testing results and Sunday’s game outcomes.

All four teams were joined behind the bench by special guest coaches that included OHL personnel in Jeff Kyrzakos (Asst. GM & Asst. Coach, Mississauga Steelheads) and Rico Phillips (OHL Director, Cultural Diversity & Inclusion) for Team Stamkos, Ryan Kuwabara (Head Coach, Niagara IceDogs) and Tom Watson (Scout, Flint Firebirds) for Team Lindros, Brandon Shaw (Assistant Coach, Niagara IceDogs) and Greg Hammell (Head Scout, Saginaw Spirit) for Team Subban along with Chris Longo (Assistant Coach, Kingston Frontenacs) and Kevin Hess (USA Scout, OHL & NHL Central Scouting) for Team Ekblad.

WATCH: Behind the Scenes at the 2023 OHL Development Combine

Final Team Standings:
Team Stamkos (Blue) = 774 Testing + 90 Games = 864 points
Team Lindros (Red) = 779 Testing + 10 Games = 789 points
Team Subban (White) = 661 Testing + 70 Games = 731 points
Team Ekblad (Gold) = 700 Testing + 0 Games = 700 points

Standings are based on a point system where individual player testing results contributed to the team’s total score. Players are ranked by position and scored according to rank (1-36 for forwards, 1-24 for defencemen, 1-16 for goalies). During Sunday’s games teams scored 10 points per half win, 25 points per game win, and 50 points per half shutouts.

Sunday’s OHL Combine Game Results:

Game 4 – Team Stamkos 9, Team Ekblad 4
Team Stamkos earns 45 points as a result of the victory

Team Stamkos scoring:
Dylan Tsherna (Don Mills Flyers) – 2G, 1A
Chase Del Colombo (Toronto Nationals) – 2G, 1A
Adam Smeeton (Don Mills Flyers) – 1G, 2A
Gabriel Smith (Toronto Marlboros) – 1G, 1A
Aiden Young (London Jr. Knights) – 1G, 1A
Peter Legostaev (Smiths Falls Bears) – 1G
Mason Goodfellow (Kingston Jr. Gaels) – 1G
Tyler Vorstadt (Whitby Wildcats) – 1A
Jack Nesbitt (Lambton Jr. Sting) – 1A
Lucas Moore (Peterborough Petes) – 1A
Casey Bridgewater (Halton Hurricanes) – 1A

Team Ekblad scoring:
Luca Moreno (Toronto Jr. Canadiens) – 2G
Shamar Moses (Don Mills Flyers) – 1G, 1A
Cooper Bordeaux (Detroit Little Caesars) – 1G
John Lumsden (Peterborough Petes) – 1A
Jayden Connors (Mississauga Senators) – 1A
Lucas Prud’homme (Renfrew Wolves) – 1A

Game 3 – Team Subban 6, Team Lindros 5
Team Subban earns 35 points and Team Lindros earns 10 points

Team Subban scoring:
Ethan Czata (Mississauga Rebels) – 2G, 2A
Ethan Brassard (Mississauga Senators) – 3A
Andrew Mondoux (Toronto Titans) – 1G, 1A
Ryan Brown (York-Simcoe Express) – 1G
Dryden Allen (Southern Tier Admirals – 1G
Jake Crawford (York-Simcoe Express) – 1G
Shawn Costello (Mississauga Senators) – 1A
P.J. Fagan (Don Mills Flyers) – 1A
Vasily Serov (Vaughan Kings) – 1A
Harry Nansi (Nepean Raiders) – 1A

Team Lindros scoring:
Joseph Cadorin (Toronto Marlboros) – 2G, 1A
Carson Harmer (Huron-Perth Lakers) – 1G, 1A
Jordan Charron (Cambridge Hawks) – 1G, 1A
Cristian Giancola (Halton Hurricanes) – 1G
Jeremy Martin (Toronto Marlboros) – 1A
Ben Radley (Peterborough Petes) – 1A

Game 2 – Team Subban 6, Team Ekblad 3
Team Subban earns 35 points as a result of the victory

Team Subban scoring:
Ethan Brassard (Mississauga Senators) – 2G
Shawn Costello (Mississauga Senators) – 2G
P.J. Fagan (Don Mills Flyers) – 1G, 1A
Vasily Serov (Vaughan Kings) – 1G
Harry Nansi (Nepean Raiders) – 2A
Ethan Czata (Mississauga Rebels) – 2A
Zach Houben (Huron-Perth Lakers) -1A
Justin Handsor (York-Simcoe Express) – 1A

Team Ekblad scoring:
Cayden Smith (York-Simcoe Express) – 1G, 1A
Jimmy Lombardi (Don Mills Flyers) – 2A
Shamar Moses (Don Mills Flyers) – 1G
Lucas Prud’homme (Renfrew Wolves) – 1G
Jayden Connors (Mississauga Senators) – 1A
Josh Avery (Peterborough Petes) – 1A

Game 1 – Team Stamkos 8, Team Lindros 3
Team Stamkos earns 45 points as a result of the victory

Team Stamkos scoring:
Tanner Lam (Halton Hurricanes) – 2G, 1A
Dylan Tsherna (Don Mills Flyers) – 1G, 3A
Jaiden Newton (Whitby Wildcats) – 1G, 1A
Tyler Vorstadt (Whitby Wildcats) -1G, 1A
Casey Bridgewater (Halton Hurricanes) – 1G
Gabriel Smith (Toronto Marlboros) – 1G
Aiden Young (London Jr. Knights) – 1G
Jack Nesbitt (Lambton Jr. Sting) – 1A

Team Lindros scoring:
Joseph Cadorin (Toronto Marlboros) – 1G, 1A
Carson Harmer (Huron-Perth Lakers) – 1G
Artem Frolov (Vaughan Kings) – 1G (Penalty Shot)

Saturday’s OHL Combine Testing Results:

Off-Ice Testing Top Performers:

Players with at least three first-place finishes in different testing categories for their respective teams:
1. Casey Bridgewater (Team Stamkos/Halton Hurricanes) – 6
2. Carson Harmer (Team Lindros/Huron-Perth Lakers) – 5
3. Tristan Boudreau (Team Lindros/Renfrew Wolves) – 4
T-4. Lucas Prud’homme (Team Ekblad/Renfrew Wolves) – 3
T-4. Wesley Royston (Team Lindros/York-Simcoe Express) – 3
T-4. P.J. Fagan (Team Subban/Don Mills Flyers) – 3

Team Lindros’ Owen Edwards (Whitby Wildcats) led all goaltenders at the Combine with five first place finishes in off-ice testing.

On-Ice Testing Top Performers:

Top 5 Forwards:
1. Will McFadden (Team Subban/Peterborough Petes)
2. Jeremy Martin (Team Lindros/Toronto Marlboros)
3. Chase Del Colombo (Team Stamkos/Toronto Nationals)
4. Wesley Royston (Team Lindros/York-Simcoe Express)
5. Jaiden Newton (Team Stamkos/Whitby Wildcats)

Top 5 Defencemen:
1. Casey Bridgewater (Team Stamkos/Halton Hurricanes)
2. Isaac Oldenhoff (Team Stamkos/York-Simcoe Express)
3. James Barr (Team Ekblad/Burlington Eagles)
4. P.J. Fagan (Team Subban/Don Mills Flyers)
5. Jayden Connors (Team Ekblad/Mississauga Senators)

Top 5 Goaltenders:
1. Aleksei Medvedev (Team Stamkos/Vaughan Kings)
2. Reece Herman (Team Ekblad/Quinte Red Devils)
3. Kayden Newton (Team Lindros/Halton Hurricanes)
4. Erik Maki (Team Lindros/Peterborough Petes)
T-5. Owen Edwards (Team Lindros/Whitby Wildcats)
T-5. Jaeden Nelson (Team Lindros/Toronto Marlboros)

Be sure to tune into the 2023 OHL Priority Selection presented by Real Canadian Superstore this coming Friday, April 21st at 7:00pm as Rounds 1-3 air live across the province on Your TV, Rogers tv, Eastlink, Cable 14 and Shaw Spotlight community stations as well as the Rogers Super Sports Pak. Day 2 gets underway on Saturday, April 22nd, with coverage of Rounds 4-15 beginning at 9:00am. The Priority Selection will be streaming for free in its entirety on OHL Live.

OHL UNVEILS ROSTERS AND SCHEDULE FOR 2023 DEVELOPMENT COMBINE PRESENTED BY DAIRY FARMERS OF ONTARIO

Posted on April 14, 2023 by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the rosters and schedule for the 2023 OHL Development Combine presented by Dairy Farmers of Ontario which takes place April 15-16 at the Tribute Communities Centre in Oshawa, Ont.

The event offers 76 players (36 forwards, 24 defencemen, 16 goaltenders) the opportunity to showcase themselves both on and off the ice to OHL member team personnel. Sport testing results will be distributed to every OHL member team General Manager to assist in their evaluation for the OHL Priority Selection to be held on April 21-22.

“The OHL Combine provides prospective players with a unique experience to enhance their own personal development,” said Brodie Barrick, OHL Director of Recruitment and Player Services. “The skills testing helps identify on and off-ice strengths to help players achieve their peak performance, while the games provide players another platform to showcase their talents in a new environment alongside their peers in advance of the Priority Selection.”

The weekend program includes on and off-ice testing performed by Okanagan Hockey Group in addition to skills training provided by Power Edge Pro. Over the weekend players will partake in a seminar that focuses on proper nutrition and training for elite athletes, as well as a “More Than Hockey” presentation conducted by OHL Director of Cultural Diversity and Inclusion Rico Phillips who will be joined by OHL and NHL alumnus Anthony Stewart of Hockey Equality. Players will also compete in a series of 5-on-5 and 3-on-3 games on Sunday joined behind the bench by OHL member team personnel.

Teams will be competing for the OHL Combine Cup Championship that awards points based on individual and team performances in both on and off-ice testing, as well as Sunday’s game results.

The 2023 event marks the 14th year the OHL has hosted a skills development day for players and goaltenders in advance of the OHL Priority Selection. The OHL Development Combine presented by Dairy Farmers of Ontario is open to the general public.

Schedule:

Saturday, April 15 – Off-Ice Testing:
8:15 am to 9:15 am – Goalies
9:30 am to 10:30 am – Team Stamkos (Blue)
10:45 am to 11:45 am – Team Lindros (Red)
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm – Team Ekblad (Orange)
1:15 pm to 2:15 pm – Team Subban (White)

Saturday, April 15 – On-Ice Testing & Skills Practice:
10:30 am to 11:45 am – Team Subban (White) – Main Bowl
12:00 pm to 1:15 pm – Subban (White) and Stamkos (Blue) Goalies
1:30 pm to 2:45 pm – Lindros (Red) and Ekblad (Orange) Goalies
3:00 pm to 4:15 pm – Team Lindros (Red) – Main Bowl
4:30 pm to 5:45 pm – Team Ekblad (Orange) – Rink 2
6:00 pm to 7:15 pm – Team Stamkos (Blue) – Rink 2

Sunday, April 16 – Game Schedule:
8:15 am to 9:15 am – Team Stamkos (Blue) vs. Team Lindros (Red)
9:30 am to 10:30 am – Team Ekblad (Orange) vs. Team Subban (White)
12:55 pm to 2:00 pm – Team Red (Lindros) vs. Team Subban (White)
2:25 pm to 3:30 pm – Team Stamkos (Blue) vs. Team Ekblad (Orange)

2023 OHL Development Combine Rosters:

TEAM STAMKOS (BLUE)

Defencemen
3. Tyler Vorstadt (Whitby Wildcats)
4. Rylan Singh (York-Simcoe Express)
5. Isaac Oldenhoff (York-Simcoe Express)
6. Casey Bridgewater (Halton Hurricanes)
7. Gabriel Smith (Toronto Marlboros)
8. Lucas Moore (Peterborough Petes)

Forwards
9. Chase Del Colombo (Toronto Nationals)
10. Adam Smeeton (Don Mills Flyers)
11. Jack Nesbitt (Lambton Jr. Sting)
12. Tanner Lam (Halton Hurricanes)
13. Peter Legostaev (Smiths Falls Bears)
14. Jaiden Newton (Whitby Wildcats)
15. Dylan Tsherna (Don Mills Flyers)
16. Aidan Young (London Jr. Knights)
17. Mason Goodfellow (Kingston Jr. Gaels)

Goaltenders
82. Aleksei Medvedev (Vaughan Kings)
83. Matthew Koprowski (Elgin-Middlesex Canucks)
84. Gabe Donohue (Whitby Wildcats)
85. Luke Suys (Navan Grads)

Coaches
Jeff Kyrzakos (Asst. GM & Asst. Coach, Mississauga Steelheads)
Rico Phillips (OHL Director, Cultural Diversity & Inclusion)

TEAM LINDROS (RED)

Defencemen
33. Ben Radley (Peterborough Petes)
34. Liam Ladds (Elgin-Middlesex Canucks)
35. Oliver Turner (Mississauga Rebels)
36. Artem Frolov (Vaughan Kings)
37. Kaleb Dietsch (Southern Tier Admirals)
38. Tristan Boudreau (Renfrew Wolves)

Forwards
39. Max Anderson (Don Mills Flyers)
40. Jordan Charron (Cambridge Hawks)
41. Jeremy Martin (Toronto Marlboros)
42. Parker Snelgrove (London Jr. Knights)
43. Wesley Royston (York-Simcoe Express)
44. Tristan Delisle (Mississauga Rebels)
45. Carson Harmer (Huron-Perth Lakers)
46. Cristian Giancola (Halton Hurricanes)
47. Joseph Cadorin (Toronto Marlboros)

Goaltenders
70. Jaeden Nelson (Toronto Marlboros)
71. Owen Edwards (Whitby Wildcats)
72. Kayden Newton (Halton Hurricanes)
73. Erik Maki (Peterborough Petes)

Coaches
Ryan Kuwabara (Head Coach, Niagara IceDogs)
Tom Watson (Scout, Flint Firebirds)

TEAM EKBLAD (GOLD)

Defencemen
48. John Lumsden (Peterborough Petes)
49. James Barr (Burlington Eagles)
50. Jayden Connors (Mississauga Senators)
51. Zach Wilson (Central Ontario Wolves)
52. Aaron Enright (Renfrew Wolves)
53. Kaden Schneider (Northern Alberta Hockey Academy)

Forwards
54. Shamar Moses (Don Mills Flyers)
55. Luca Moreno (Toronto Jr. Canadiens)
56. Kieran Witkowski (Toronto Marlboros)
57. Jimmy Lombardi (Don Mills Flyers)
58. Cayden Smith (York-Simcoe Express)
59. Josh Avery (Peterborough Petes)
60. Lucas Prud’homme (Renfrew Wolves)
61. Matthew Manza (Mississauga Senators)
62. Cooper Bordeaux (Detroit Little Caesars)

Goaltenders
74. Noah Paddock (Ottawa Jr. Senators)
75. Charlie Larocque (Carleton Place Canadians)
76. Masen Johnston (Peterborough Petes)
77. Reece Herman (Quinte Red Devils)

Coaches
Chris Longo (Assistant Coach, Kingston Frontenacs)
Kevin Hess (USA Scout, OHL & NHL Central Scouting)

TEAM SUBBAN (WHITE)

Defencemen
18. Andrew MacNiel (Peterborough Petes)
19. Dryden Allen (Southern Tier Admirals)
20. Thanasi Marentette (Toronto Nationals)
21. P.J. Fagan (Don Mills Flyers)
22. Andrew Mondoux (Toronto Titans)
23. Justin Handsor (York-Simcoe Express)

Forwards
24. Zach Houben (Huron-Perth Lakers)
26. Ethan Czata (Mississauga Rebels)
27. Will McFadden (Peterborough Petes)
28. Ethan Brassard (Mississauga Senators)
29. Vasily Serov (Vaughan Kings)
31. Harry Nansi (Nepean Raiders)
32. Jake Crawford (York-Simcoe Express)
91. Shawn Costello (Mississauga Senators)
92. Ryan Brown (York-Simcoe Express)

Goaltenders
78. Isaac Gravelle (Southern Tier Admirals)
79. Zachary Jovanovski (Sun County Panthers)
80. Chase Furlong (Thunder Bay Kings)
81. Dryden Riley (Kingston Jr. Gaels)

Coaches
Brandon Shaw (Assistant Coach, Niagara IceDogs)
Greg Hammell (Head Scout, Saginaw Spirit)

Follow along throughout the weekend for continuing coverage of the 2023 OHL Development Combine at ontariohockeyleague.com.

SPITFIRES’ MAGGIO AWARDED LEO LALONDE MEMORIAL TROPHY AS OVERAGE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Posted on April 14, 2023 by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Windsor Spitfires forward Matthew Maggio is the 2022-23 recipient of the Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy awarded to the League’s Overage Player of the Year as voted by OHL General Managers.

The 20-year-old from nearby Tecumseh, Ont. led the OHL with 111 points and 54 goals, joining current Spitfires GM Bill Bowler (1994-95) as just the second player in Spitfires franchise history to be named OHL Overage Player of the Year.

“I feel very privileged to win this award,” said Maggio. “Playing in the OHL for the last five years has been the best time of my life and I’ve been lucky enough to play with some incredible players throughout this journey. I want to say thank you to the Ottawa 67’s and Windsor Spitfires, and everything they have done to help develop me into the player I am today. I’d like to thank my family, friends, coaching staff and my faith for helping to guide me along the way. Most of all I want to thank my teammates because without them this would not have been possible.”

Maggio, who was held pointless in just nine of his 66 games this past season, finished as the front-runner for the award, with Ottawa 67’s forward Logan Morrison coming in as the runner-up.

“Matt has been an elite performer all season,” said Spitfires General Manager Bill Bowler. “He has the ability to produce offence at top speed and we got to witness that consistency every time he was on the ice.”

A fifth-round pick by the New York Islanders last summer, Maggio wraps-up his OHL career with 99 goals, 118 assists and 217 points over 212 regular season contests spent between Windsor and the Ottawa 67’s, who selected him in the fifth-round (86th overall) of the 2018 OHL Priority Selection. Maggio recorded 17 points (7-10–17) in 25 games last spring as the Spits won a Western Conference title and reached Game 7 of the OHL Championship Series.

Maggio recorded an assist with the AHL’s Bridgeport Islanders in his professional debut on Wednesday night.

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 formerly the Chief Scout for the Belleville Bulls as well as a scout for the Peterborough Petes.

Maggio is added to a list of other recent recipients of the award that includes Brandon Coe of the North Bay Battalion in 2021-22, Austen Keating of the Ottawa 67’s in 2019-20 and Justin Brazeau of the North Bay Battalion in 2018-19.

2022-23 OHL Awards announcements continue next week when the League recognizes its Matt Leyden Trophy recipient as Coach of the Year.

For an extensive history of OHL award winners, visit ontariohockeyleague.com.

OHL Conference Semi Final Previews

Posted on April 12, 2023 by Dominic Tiano

So, my Conference Quarter Final predictions are not something I am proud of. Getting three incorrect teams is something I usually do in an entire playoff, not one round. I had picked Windsor over Kitchener in 5 games (Kitchener won in 4), Sudbury over Peterborough in 7 games (Peterborough won in 4) and Flint over Saginaw in 7 games (Saginaw won in 7).

But here I am again to look at the Conference Semi Final matchups and once again give my prediction.

Western Conference

(2) London vs (8) Kitchener

	LONDON	KITCHENER
Regular season record	45-21-2-0	33-29-6-0
Playoff record	4-0	4-0
Head-to-head	5-1-0-0	1-4-1-0
Home record (regular season)	22-11-1-0	19-11-4-0
Away record (regular season)	23-10-1-0	14-18-2-0
Goals scored (regular season)	269	257
Goals scored (playoffs)	20	20
Goals against (regular season)	214	240
Goals against (playoffs)	6	7
Powerplay (regular season)	21.3%	21.1%
PP home (regular season)	23.0%	22.7%
PP away (regular season)	19.7%	19.5%
Powerplay (playoffs)	29.2%	30..0%
PP home (playoffs)	25.0%	33.3%
PP away (playoffs)	60.0%	100.0%
Penalty kill (regular season)	78.9%	77.4%
PK home (regular season)	76.9%	76.5%
PK away (regular season)	80.4%	78.3%
Penalty Kill (playoffs)	69.2%	93.8%
PK home (playoffs)	75.0%	83.3%
PK away (playoffs)	60.0%	100.0%
Powerplay vs opponent	13.0%	14.8%
Penalty kill vs opponent	85.2%	87.0%
Leading after 1^st (playoffs)	2-0	3-0
Leading after 2^nd (playoffs)	3-0	4-0
Trailing after 1^st (playoffs)	0-0	0-0
Trailing after 2^nd (playoffs)	0-0	0-0
1-goal games (playoffs)	2-0	0-0
2-goal games (playoffs)	0-0	1-0
3 goal games (playoffs)	0-0	1-0

Despite the disparity in the regular season, the two teams were relatively equal in offence and specialty teams. As I said in the opening round series between Kitchener and Windsor, you just don’t know which Rangers team is going to show up. What we saw against the Spitfires is what we should have seen all season. Now the question is: which team will show up against the Knights?

If we get the same Rangers team we did in the opening round, this may come down to two things: First, the goaltending. Marco Costantini had a great first round. He appeared in 4 games against the Knights in the regular season allowing 15 goals and a 3.70 goals-against-average .891 save-percentage. Brett Brochu appeared in 3 games against the Rangers allowing 4 goals for a goals-against-average of 1.34 and a .945 save-percentage.

The second thing is coaching with the veteran and savvy Dale Hunter against the green Mike McKenzie. Whoever can get the matchups they want will be key. And whoever can up the impact of their specialty teams will benefit the most. McKenzie did just that in the opening round. But never underestimate Hunter.

Prediction: London in 7 games.

(3) Sarnia vs (4) Saginaw

	SARNIA	SAGINAW
Regular season record	41-18-5-4	36-27-3-2
Playoff record	4-2	4-3
Head-to-head	5-2-1-0	3-3-0-0
Home record (regular season)	21-7-4-2	17-16-0-1
Away record (regular season)	20-11-1-2	19-11-3-1
Goals scored (regular season)	298	244
Goals scored (playoffs)	27	28
Goals against (regular season)	224	244
Goals against (playoffs)	19	20
Powerplay (regular season)	26.0%	23.8%
PP home (regular season)	27.2%	20.9%
PP away (regular season)	24.6%	27.6%
Powerplay (playoffs)	12.0%	14.8%
PP home (playoffs)	23.1%	25.0%
PP away (playoffs)	0.0%	0.0%
Penalty kill (regular season)	81.4%	78.8%
PK home (regular season)	82.5%	77.6%
PK away (regular season)	80.3%	80.0%
Penalty Kill (playoffs)	92.3%	88.9%
PK home (playoffs)	93.8%	93.8%
PK away (playoffs)	90.0%	81.8%
Powerplay vs opponent	25.9%	21.1%
Penalty kill vs opponent	78.9%	74.1%
Leading after 1^st (playoffs)	1-0	3-0
Leading after 2^nd (playoffs)	2-0	3-1
Trailing after 1^st (playoffs)	2-1	0-1
Trailing after 2^nd (playoffs)	0-2	0-1
1-goal games (playoffs)	2-1	1-2
2-goal games (playoffs)	0-1	0-0
3 goal games (playoffs)	0-0	2-1

Saginaw won all 3 games in the first half of the season – all in Sarnia, while Sarnia won the last 3 games in the second half – all in Saginaw. That means two things: Home ice advantage doesn’t mean much in this series and it shows Sarnia’s dominance after trade deadline. Sarnia has the majority of statistical advantages through the regular season.

I have to give the nod to Sarnia in the crease and also their blueline which will make it difficult for Saginaw to overcome. History however, is not on their side. Since moving to Sarnia in the 1994-1995 season the team has never gone beyond the second round in the playoffs. I have a difficult time seeing that futility continue.

Prediction: Sarnia in 6 games.

Eastern Conference

(1) Ottawa vs (4) Peterborough

	OTTAWA	PETERBOROUGH
Regular season record	51-12-3-2	35-29-2-2
Playoff record	4-1	4-0
Head-to-head	5-2-0-0	2-5-0-0
Home record (regular season)	29-4-0-1	18-13-1-2
Away record (regular season)	22-8-3-1	17-16-1-0
Goals scored (regular season)	286	247
Goals scored (playoffs)	27	15
Goals against (regular season)	171	207
Goals against (playoffs)	9	8
Powerplay (regular season)	23.8%	21.7%
PP home (regular season)	26.1%	22.1%
PP away (regular season)	21.0%	21.3%
Powerplay (playoffs)	31.8%	17.9%
PP home (playoffs)	33.3%	14.3%
PP away (playoffs)	33.3%	21.4%
Penalty kill (regular season)	84.1%	81.3%
PK home (regular season)	84.8%	80.2%
PK away (regular season)	83.3%	82.4%
Penalty Kill (playoffs)	81.3%	84.6%
PK home (playoffs)	71.4%	85.7%
PK away (playoffs)	88.9%	83.3%
Powerplay vs opponent	17.5%	13.8%
Penalty kill vs opponent	86.2%	82.5%
Leading after 1^st (playoffs)	2-1	0-0
Leading after 2^nd (playoffs)	3-1	2-0
Trailing after 1^st (playoffs)	0-0	2-0
Trailing after 2^nd (playoffs)	0-0	0-0
1-goal games (playoffs)	1-1	1-0
2-goal games (playoffs)	1-0	3-0
3 goal games (playoffs)	0-0	0-0

On paper it appears that this should go relatively easy for the best team in the regular season but don’t count Peterborough out for one big reason: Michael Simpson. Simpson is quite capable of stealing games for the Petes but can he steal a series – this series?

Ottawa has the league’s 7^th best powerplay while Peterborough is 9^th best. Ottawa’s 2^nd best penalty kill goes up against Peterborough’s 6^th best. Peterborough can’t match Ottawa’s offence or their stinginess at keeping the puck out of their own net. Simpson is going to have to stand on his head.

Prediction: Ottawa in 6 games.

(2) North Bay vs (3) Barrie

	NORTH BAY	BARRIE
Regular season record	48-17-2-1	42-17-6-3
Playoff record	4-2	4-2
Head-to-head	5-1-0-0	1-3-2-0
Home record (regular season)	27-5-1-1	21-9-3-1
Away record (regular season)	21-12-1-0	21-8-3-2
Goals scored (regular season)	285	284
Goals scored (playoffs)	25	31
Goals against (regular season)	183	239
Goals against (playoffs)	15	21
Powerplay (regular season)	22.9%	25.3%
PP home (regular season)	25.0%	28.3%
PP away (regular season)	20.9%	22.3%
Powerplay (playoffs)	20.8%	39.3%
PP home (playoffs)	15.4%	47.1%
PP away (playoffs)	27.3%	27.3%
Penalty kill (regular season)	87.1%	81.6%
PK home (regular season)	90.3%	84.2%
PK away (regular season)	84.4%	78.9%
Penalty Kill (playoffs)	84.6%	76.9%
PK home (playoffs)	80.0%	85.7%
PK away (playoffs)	90.9%	66.7%
Powerplay vs opponent	14.3%	4.0%
Penalty kill vs opponent	96.0%	85.7%
Leading after 1^st (playoffs)	3-0	3-0
Leading after 2^nd (playoffs)	4-1	3-0
Trailing after 1^st (playoffs)	0-1	1-0
Trailing after 2^nd (playoffs)	0-0	0-2
1-goal games (playoffs)	1-1	1-0
2-goal games (playoffs)	0-0	0-1
3 goal games (playoffs)	1-1	2-1

These are two pretty evenly matched teams through the regular season except for one category: goals against – where North Bay dominates here and were second in the league. Barrie was better on the powerplay and third best in the OHL. North Bay was better on the penalty kill and the best in the league. Barrie was no slouch at third best.

But head-to-head? North Bay dominated special teams against Barrie. Both teams are capable of protecting leads, not so much coming from behind. Whoever can get ahead may just hold the advantage. This is a tough series to call.

Prediction: North Bay in 7 games.

SPITFIRES’ MAGGIO CLAIMS EDDIE POWERS MEMORIAL TROPHY AS OHL’S TOP SCORER

Posted on April 12, 2023 by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League is pleased to formally recognize Windsor Spitfires forward Matthew Maggio with the OHL Top Scorer Award presented by Kubota Canada. Maggio claims the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy with a league-leading 111 points, including an OHL-high 54 goals over 66 games for the West Division champion Spitfires.

A 20-year-old from Tecumseh, Ont., Maggio follows former teammate Wyatt Johnston as the OHL’s regular season scoring champion, making the Spitfires the first team to produce back-to-back winners since the Erie Otters had Connor Brown (2014) and Dylan Strome (2015) lead the league.

“It’s an honour to win the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy,” said Maggio. “I am humbled to be in the same conversation as some of the previous winners and know that none of this would have been possible without the help of my teammates, the support staff in Windsor, my family and friends, and the fan support our team received all year.”

A fifth-round pick of the New York Islanders last summer, Maggio’s 111 points were 35 more than the next-highest scorer on his team. He was a plus-41 performer, scoring just four of his 54 goals on the power play to become one of four players in the past decade to score at least 45 even strength goals in a season.

“Matt had an unbelievable season and never took any nights off,” said Spitfires head coach Marc Savard, a two-time winner of the award. “When he’s your hardest worker night in and night out it generally pays off. All results he got were earned. I’m very proud to see him join the list of Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy winners.”

Maggio tied a Spitfires single game franchise record with his five goals on Dec. 15th in a 6-3 win over the Erie Otters, joining Daniel D’Amico, Paul Gagne and Gerry Leroux as the fourth Spitfire to accomplish the feat. He follows Wyatt Johnston in becoming the fourth player in modern Spitfires franchise history to claim the honour. Other recipients have included Taylor Hall (2009-10) and Peter Sarno (1997-98) while Earl Reibel (1949-50) and Bert Giesebrecht (1948-49) also have their names etched on the trophy.

The overage Maggio wraps-up his OHL regular season career with 99 goals, 118 assists and 217 points over 212 contests spent between Windsor and the Ottawa 67’s, who selected him in the fifth round (86th overall) of the 2018 OHL Priority Selection. Maggio recorded 17 points (7-10–17) in 25 games last spring as the Spits won a Western Conference title and reached Game 7 of the OHL Championship Series.

The Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy was donated by the Toronto Marlboro Athletic Club in memory of Eddie Powers and was first awarded in 1945-46 to Tod Sloan of St. Michael’s who scored 79 points in 25 games. In addition to Wyatt Johnston, other recent recipients have included Marco Rossi of the Ottawa 67’s in 2019-20, high-scoring present-day Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson of the Niagara IceDogs in 2018-19, along with former Spitfire Aaron Luchuk, who claimed the honour as a member of the Barrie Colts in 2017-18.

The Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy winner is the OHL’s nominee for Canadian Hockey League Top Scorer Award, presented at the CHL Awards Ceremony on Saturday June 3 during the 2023 Memorial Cup presented by Kia which takes place in Kamloops, British Columbia. Maggio will be formally presented with the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy at the OHL’s Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, June 14 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

For an extensive history of OHL award winners, visit ontariohockeyleague.com.

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: