Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the 2022 OHL Western Conference Championship Series for the Wayne Gretzky Trophy between the Windsor Spitfires and Flint Firebirds beginning Saturday, May 21 in Windsor.
The third round series features a pair of highly familiar West Division rivals. The Spitfires won the West Division with a 44-17-4-3 record during the regular season. They proceeded to eliminate the Sarnia Sting in six games and the Kitchener Rangers in five to reach their first Western Conference Final since 2011. The Firebirds played to a franchise record 42-21-1-4 mark, finishing third in the Western Conference. They bested the Owen Sound Attack in seven games before eliminating the Soo Greyhounds in five contests, reaching the Western Conference Championship Series for the first time in their history.
The Spitfires and Firebirds faced each other eight times during the regular season, with Windsor winning seven of those meetings.
The Western Conference Champion receives the Wayne Gretzky Trophy named in honour of the Hockey Hall of Fame member who played for the Soo Greyhounds in 1977-78. The Spitfires made three straight appearances in the Western Conference Championship Series from 2009-11, winning consecutive titles in the first two showings. The Firebirds have won their first two playoff rounds in the six-year history of the franchise this year, and look to keep the momentum going when the puck drops on Saturday.
Game 1, Sat., May 21 at Windsor, 7:05pm Game 2, Mon., May 23 at Windsor, 7:05pm Game 3, Wed., May 25 at Flint, 7:00pm Game 4, Fri., May 27 at Flint, 7:00pm Game 5, Sun., May 29 at Windsor, 7:05pm* Game 6, Tues., May 31 at Flint, 7:00pm* Game 7, Wed., June 1 at Windsor, 7:05pm* *if necessary
Don’t miss a second of the 2022 OHL Playoffs. CHL TV playoff packages are on sale now, with complete OHL Playoff passes, round-by-round passes and single day passes available. See a full range of options at watch.chl.ca.
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.
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the 2022 OHL Eastern Conference Championship Series for the Bobby Orr Trophy between the Hamilton Bulldogs and North Bay Battalion beginning Friday, May 20 in Hamilton.
The third round series features the top two seeds in the Eastern Conference as the Bulldogs, who won the Hamilton Spectator Trophy with the OHL’s best regular season record, come off consecutive series sweeps of the Peterborough Petes and Mississauga Steelheads to reach the Conference Final. They’ll face the Central Division champion North Bay Battalion, who eliminated the Ottawa 67’s and Kingston Frontenacs to reach the Eastern Conference Championship Series for the first time since 2015.
The Bulldogs and Battalion faced each other four times during the regular season, with North Bay winning the first two meetings before Hamilton responded with victories in the final two encounters.
The Eastern Conference Champion receives the Bobby Orr Trophy named in honour of the Hockey Hall of Fame member who played four OHL seasons with the Oshawa Generals from 1962-66. The Bulldogs last hoisted the Bobby Orr Trophy in the same year they were eventually crowned OHL champions in 2018. The Battalion last won an Eastern Conference title in 2014.
EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES SCHEDULE:
(1) HAMILTON BULLDOGS (51-12-3-2) vs. (2) NORTH BAY BATTALION (43-18-3-4) – #HAMvsNB
Game 1, Fri., May 20 at Hamilton, 7:00pm Game 2, Sun., May 22 at Hamilton, 7:00pm Game 3, Wed., May 25 at North Bay, 7:00pm Game 4, Fri., May 27 at North Bay, 7:00pm Game 5, Sun., May 29 at Hamilton, 7:00pm* Game 6, Tues., May 31 at North Bay, 7:00pm* Game 7, Wed., June 1 at Hamilton, 7:00pm* *if necessary
Don’t miss a second of the 2022 OHL Playoffs. CHL TV playoff packages are on sale now, with complete OHL Playoff passes, round-by-round passes and single day passes available. See a full range of options at watch.chl.ca.
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.
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Mark Woolley of the Owen Sound Attack is the 2021-22 recipient of the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy awarded to the OHL Humanitarian of the Year.
Diagnosed as a Type 1 Diabetic as a teenager, the Attack captain has been a leader on and off the ice. Woolley raised $25,000 toward Diabetes Canada during the 2021-22 season, contributing to an overall contribution of over $60,000 through his Woolley’s Warriors initiative over the course of his five-year OHL career. The funds raised are being used to send children to Diabetes Canada D-Camps.
Even faced with barriers to community involvement through the Covid-19 pandemic, Woolley joined high school-aged Attack teammates in spearheading a charitable online auction entitled Woolley’s Warriors Operation November that raised over $2,000 for his foundation. He took the lead and joined forces with the Attack on February 26, 2022 to host the club’s first-ever Woolley’s Warriors Night that featured specially-themed uniforms auctioned off for charity, an event that raised upwards of $19,000.
“I’m extremely honoured to have been selected by the league for such a prestigious award,” said Woolley. “If you take a look at all the past winners of the Humanitarian Award there are some pretty special names that were involved in their community on that list, so to be recognized on that stage is a huge accomplishment that I am very proud of. Obviously it’s my face and name on the front of Woolley’s Warriors, but I just want to make sure I give proper thanks to everybody who has been involved thus far. There are so many little details that go on behind the scenes and without the amazing support I’ve gotten along the way none of this would have been possible. To the Guelph Storm and the Owen Sound Attack, thank you for giving me the opportunity to grow in two outstanding organizations and for shaping me into being the young man I am today.”
In addition to building friendships and forming connections with young fans who have also been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, Woolley was a force for the Attack on the ice, recording 12 points (3-9–12) over 54 games while drawing high praise on the OHL Coaches Poll, being voted the top Body Checker and top Shot Blocker in the Western Conference. The 6-foot-3, 226Ib. native of St. Thomas, Ont. played four OHL seasons between Owen Sound and Guelph, recording 41 points (9-32–41) over 225 regular season games while adding four assists in 18 postseason matchups. Woolley was originally a third round (54th overall) pick by the Guelph Storm in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection.
“The organization would like to congratulate Mark Woolley on being selected as OHL Humanitarian of the Year,” said Attack General Manager Dale DeGray. “Mark has shown an incredible amount of willingness to continue the growth of his endeavour through some crazy times during Covid. He has maintained his availability to help in every way he could at the same time being the captain of a young group of players that needed his direction as well. He is a very worthy recipient of this award and the Attack organization is proud to see him furthering the legacy of Dan Snyder, who made a tremendous impact on the city of Owen Sound.”
Each year the OHL awards a player that has demonstrated outstanding qualities as a positive role model in the community with the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy. The Ontario Hockey League Board of Governors announced in 2004 that the OHL Humanitarian of the Year award would be renamed in recognition of the former Owen Sound Platers captain, who was twice named his team’s Humanitarian of the Year in recognition of his tremendous efforts in supporting community activities.
Woolley becomes the first Attack player to earn Humanitarian of the Year honours since Mike Angelidis in 2005-06. Recent recipients include back-to-back winner Garrett McFadden of the Guelph Storm in 2017 and 2018, Nicholas Canade of the Mississauga Steelheads in 2018-19 and Jacob Ingham of the Kitchener Rangers in 2019-20.
Two other Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy nominees joined Woolley as repeat candidates from 2019-20 including Kingston Frontenacs defender Braden Haché and Soo Greyhounds forward Cole MacKay, who both served as ambassadors for Hockey Gives Blood in their respective communities. Haché was the 2020-21 recipient of the Dayna Brons Honorary Award and launched his own blood drive in Kingston that recruited 30 new donors this past season. A hometown product of Sault Ste. Marie, MacKay was a 2021-22 nominee for the Dayna Brons Honorary Award having demonstrated his commitment to raising the profile of blood, stem cell, organ and tissue donation for the past two years.
Woolley will be the OHL’s nominee for the Canadian Hockey League Humanitarian of the Year Award.
From Diabetes Canada Community Engagement Coordinator Lindsay Wig: “As a person living with type 1 diabetes, Mark has been a strong role model in the Diabetes Canada community. He has been a supportive presence in our fundraising events, including our Flame of Hope Golf Tournament in Shelburne, Ontario; being a type 1 diabetes model in our Pump Couture Fashion Show; and rallying a team for our Lace Up to End Diabetes virtual walk. Since Mark launched Woolley’s Warriors in 2019, he has raised over $60,000 and connected those living with diabetes through sharing his story, while building a platform for others to share theirs.
“Mark doesn’t let diabetes stand in the way of his goals. Thanks to an exceptional health care team and the unwavering support of his family, Mark has risen above his diagnosis and achieved his dreams of playing hockey at an elite level. One in three Canadians are currently living with or are at risk of diabetes and Mark does everything he can to help and inspire those affected by diabetes live healthier, more hopeful lives.”
2021-22 Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy Nominees: Barrie Colts – Ethan Cardwell Erie Otters – Spencer Sova Flint Firebirds – Luke Cavallin Guelph Storm – Jacob Oster Hamilton Bulldogs – Nathan Staios Kingston Frontenacs – Braden Haché* Kitchener Rangers – Reid Valade London Knights – Antonio Stranges Mississauga Steelheads – Ethan Del Mastro Niagara IceDogs – Landon Cato North Bay Battalion – Dalyn Wakely Oshawa Generals – Ty Tullio Ottawa 67’s – Cameron Tolnai Owen Sound Attack – Mark Woolley* Peterborough Petes – Konnor Smith Saginaw Spirit – Nick Wong Sarnia Sting – Nolan DeGurse Soo Greyhounds – Cole MacKay* Sudbury Wolves – David Goyette Windsor Spitfires – Daniel D’Amico
*- 2019-20 nominee
2022 OHL Awards announcements continue next week when the OHL recognizes its academic award winners.
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.
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that James Richmond of the Mississauga Steelheads is the recipient of the Matt Leyden Trophy awarded annually to the OHL’s Coach of the Year.
Completing his fifth season as head coach in Mississauga, Richmond steered the Steelheads to club records with 37 wins and 82 points, placing second in the Central Division standings. They surrendered the League’s second-lowest total of 189 goals, produced the OHL’s third-ranked penalty kill, finished first in both shots-per-game (35.7) and fewest shots-against-per-game (26.6), and outshot opponents in 53 of their 68 contests. The Steelheads finished the season tied for the League lead with six players included on NHL Central Scouting’s Final Draft Rankings, including top-10 considerations Luca Del Bel Belluz and Owen Beck.
“It’s a tremendous honour to be a finalist for Coach of the Year in the OHL and an even greater honour to ultimately win it,” said Richmond. “Knowing that your peers are responsible for the votes gives me a huge sense of humility because I can tell you, I think we have great coaches throughout this entire league. I also know I didn’t win this award on my own. The Steelheads organization is filled with wonderful hard-working people that make me better and I can’t thank them enough for everything they do.”
Richmond took the opportunity to recognize key individuals to the Steelheads’ success throughout the season.
“Mike Doyle has been with me for more than a decade and his work and friendship mean the world to me. My assistant coaches, Jeff Kyrzakos and Brendan Taylor are two unbelievable people that grind away everyday and I’m so thankful for their commitment to the Steelheads. Our goalie coach Chris Beckford-Tseu and video coach Matt Comand make our team and myself better. Our support staff, equipment manager Tom Frater and athletic therapist Binne Brouwer are two of the best in the business. Our Director of Scouting Rob Toffoli finds the character players for us to coach, and our boss the owner, Elliott Kerr, is much more than that. He’s a wonderful man that allows me to coach in this league and work at what I love to do. I’m a pretty lucky person to have the job I have. I’ve had a super group of players to lead and none of this goes unnoticed. I am truly thankful of everyone that is part of the Steelheads team.
“Most importantly I’d like to thank my family, my wife, Ainsley is by my side everyday and night encouraging me to be the best I can be. My kids, Kennedy and MacGregor love me no matter what the score is.
“With great pride and gratitude I accept the Coach of the Year Award not just for myself but for all those that surround me. Thank you so so much!”
Richmond joined the Steelheads as an assistant coach in 2015-16 after spending 10 seasons as a head coach in the OJHL between the Georgetown Raiders and Aurora Tigers while also serving on the player development staff of the Los Angeles Kings. Richmond assumed head coaching responsibilities with the Trout to begin the 2016-17 season and became the club’s general manager starting in 2017-18 after guiding the Steelheads to an East Division title and Eastern Conference championship. The 58-year-old Mississauga native owns a career OHL coaching record of 163-134-18-18 for a winning percentage of .544.
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.
The first Matt Leyden Trophy recipient in the all-time history of the Steelheads franchise, Richmond will be the OHL’s nominee for Canadian Hockey League Coach of the Year Award.
2022 OHL Awards announcements continue on Thursday when the OHL recognizes its Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy recipient as the League’s Humanitarian of the Year.
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.
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today conducted the sixth annual OHL Under-18 Priority Selection for U18 AAA hockey players in Ontario.
Eligibility for the 2022 OHL Under-18 Priority Selection included all U18 players (2004 and 2005 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 52 players were selected from 32 different teams and included 23 forwards, 16 defencemen and 13 goaltenders. 46 of the 52 players selected were born in 2005.
“Congratulations to all 52 players selected tonight,” said OHL Director of Player Recruitment and Development Kyle Pereira. “It’s an exciting day for players, family members, coaches and teammates to celebrate perseverance through the past couple of seasons that may have included some players being overlooked in last year’s OHL Priority Selection. 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.”
Winners of the Under-18 Priority Selection Draft Lottery back on April 20, the Saginaw Spirit used the first overall selection to take right-winger Lincoln Moore of the Soo Jr. Greyhounds U18 program. The pick follows their selection of Calem Mangone with the second overall choice from the same program last year. Mangone recorded 13 goals and 34 points in his rookie season with the Spirit.
The Erie Otters picked second and scooped up the first goaltender in 6-foot-2 netminder Vlad Visan of the Burlington Eagles U18 team. The Sudbury Wolves followed-up with another goaltender at third overall in Nate Krawchuk of the Thunder Bay Kings.
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 Greater Toronto Hockey League led the way with 18 players selected including five from the Central Region U18 AAA champion Mississauga Reps. The Ontario Minor Hockey Association followed with 16, including five each from the Ajax-Pickering Raiders and Oshawa Generals U18 programs. The Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario produced 12 picks, Hockey Eastern Ontario produced seven, and first overall pick Lincoln Moore was the lone representative from the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. One player was selected from an accredited Hockey Canada sport school.
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 CHL TV.
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).
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.
So, 7 out of 8 correct winners. The Hockey Gods looked after the Kitchener Rangers after they were robbed of a goal as video review deemed it kicked in when it wasn’t. (The OHL officially came out and said the next day that it was an error). That call quite possibly cost the Rangers game 5. But they bounced back, tied the series and forced a game 7 in London in which they won in overtime to take the series.
But in only two of the series where I picked the correct winner did, I hit on the number of games. The biggest discrepancy was the Soo Greyhounds taking care of business against the Guelph Storm in 5 games where I had predicted it to go the distance. I don’t think anyone predicted the Storm wouldn’t give the Greyhounds a fight.
So, I try again with round two:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
(1) Hamilton vs (4) Mississauga
Hamilton
Mississauga
Head-to-head
5-2-0-1
3-5-0-0
PP Regular Season
27.6%
20.9%
PP Playoffs
39.4%
33.3%
PP vs opponent
16.7%
14.3%
PK Regular Season
80.9%
81.3%
PK Playoffs
91.3%
75.0%
PK vs opponent
85.7%
83.3%
GF Regular season
300
229
GF Playoffs
27
17
GA Regular season
176
189
GA Playoffs
9
13
PIM /game regular season
11.3/game
11.5/game
PIM /game playoffs
21.5/game
9.8/game
I want to say “it’s hard to imagine the Hamilton Bulldogs losing a game in these playoffs” but I can’t because it’s bound to happen at some point. Offensively, the Bulldogs dominated during the regular season and the playoffs. Defensively, the Steelheads were almost as good as Hamilton during the regular season and the playoffs.
Both teams brought their powerplays to new levels during the playoffs. Mississauga’s penalty kill took a hit during the playoffs while Hamilton’s skyrocketed. However, one must take into account their respective opponents. If special teams are going to be a factor in this series, then you have to take into account that Mississauga is taking fewer penalties in the playoffs than the regular season while Hamilton has almost doubled theirs. But I’m not going to overthink this trying to find wins for Mississauga.
Prediction: Hamilton in 5 games.
(2) North Bay vs (3) Kingston
North Bay
Kingston
Head-to-head
4-0-0-0
0-4-0-0
PP Regular Season
25.9%
25.3%
PP Playoffs
30.0%
26.7%
PP vs opponent
53.8%
13.3%
PK Regular Season
80.6%
79.8%
PK Playoffs
90.0%
60.0%
PK vs opponent
86.7%
46.2%
GF Regular season
267
285
GF Playoffs
17
27
GA Regular season
198
242
GA Playoffs
11
18
PIM /game regular season
9.1/game
11.1/game
PIM /game playoffs
7.8/game
11.5/game
As you can see above, the North Bay Battalion swept the season series against the Kingston Frontenacs. Only 6 points separated the two teams in the regular season. Their powerplays were pretty even as was their penalty kills and their goals for. North Bay had a decisive advantage in the goals against department.
Where North Bay had the big advantage was on specialty teams head-to-head. North Bay’s powerplay clipped along at 53.8% against Kingston while the Fronts could only score on 13.3% of their chances against the Battalion. And in the four games head-to-head during the regular season North Bay outscored Kingston 19-10. If Kingston gets into penalty trouble, this series could be over quickly.
Prediction: North Bay in 6 games.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
(1) Windsor vs (7) Kitchener
Windsor
Kitchener
Head-to-head
4-3-0-1
4-4-0-0
PP Regular Season
26.1%
18.3%
PP Playoffs
7.4%
22.7%
PP vs opponent
21.9%
16.0%
PK Regular Season
82.6%
77.4%
PK Playoffs
76.0%
80.0%
PK vs opponent
84.0%
78.1%
GF Regular season
305
236
GF Playoffs
18
23
GA Regular season
248
271
GA Playoffs
11
23
PIM /game regular season
10.3/game
11.0/game
PIM /game playoffs
14.3/game
9.3/game
The regular season series between the Kitchener Rangers and Windsor Spitfires was pretty even. The Spits were better team on the powerplay and the penalty kill against each other and the rest of the league. The Spits scored 69 more goals than the Rangers – that’s a goal per game more and also allowed 23 fewer goals against than the Rangers.
But in the playoffs, it was the Rangers who came out on top in the special team’s department while also playing a tougher opponent in the London Knights than Windsor had against the Sarnia Sting. The Spits have some star power for sure but of Rangers goalie Pavel Cajan can play as he did versus the Knights it will be a tight series. Mathias Onuska was no slouch for Windsor in the blue paint either.
Prediction: Windsor in 6 games.
(3) Flint vs (4) Sault Ste Marie
Flint
Sault Ste Marie
Head-to-head
2-1-0-2
3-1-1-0
PP Regular Season
19.7%
28.4%
PP Playoffs
9.7%
35.3%
PP vs opponent
34.6%
17.6%
PK Regular Season
84.3%
78.7%
PK Playoffs
87.5%
90.9%
PK vs opponent
82.4%
65.4%
GF Regular season
286
295
GF Playoffs
22
21
GA Regular season
238
246
GA Playoffs
20
11
PIM /game regular season
10.4/game
11.5/game
PIM /game playoffs
10.9/game
15.4/game
The Flint Firebirds and Soo Greyhounds were also very close in the regular season. Only 4 points separated them in the standings. Their offence and defence were also close. The Greyhounds win out in the powerplay department while the Firebirds topped them on the penalty kill. However, head-to-head the Firebirds dominated.
Flint couldn’t get the man advantage to work for them in their first round series against the Owen Sound Attack while the Greyhounds exploded against the Guelph Storm. Unless the Greyhounds can limit the number of penalties, they take the powerplay could be the difference in this series. It could also come down to home ice advantage. For me, this is a flip a coin series.
Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that San Jose Sharks prospect Brandon Coe of the North Bay Battalion is the 2021-22 recipient of the Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy awarded annually to the OHL’s Overage Player of the Year.
Coe joined Wojtek Wolski and Justin Brazeau as the third player in Battalion franchise history to reach the century mark offensively, leading the team with 101 points including 34 goals, 67 assists and a plus/minus rating of plus-33. He becomes the second member of the Battalion to earn the award, following Brazeau who first did so with a 113-point season in 2018-19.
“It’s an honour to receive this award,” said Coe. “It’s been a good year for myself and for our team, so it’s pretty cool to be recognized for that. None of this is possible without my teammates, so I want to thank them. I’ve just tried hard to be consistent and bring the same game every night.”
A 20-year-old native of Ajax, Ont., Coe was originally selected by the Battalion with the third overall pick of the 2017 OHL Priority Selection and has recorded a North Bay Battalion record 132 career assists, contributing to 218 points (86-132–218) over 250 regular season games. The 6-foot-5, 203Ib. right-winger produced 33 multi-point performances for the Central Division champions, including five different games with three assists. He was recognized as one of the game’s three stars 20 times throughout the season, receiving first star honours 11 times. He was voted the Eastern Conference’s third-best skater and playmaker in the 2021-22 OHL Coaches Poll. Coe, who appeared in 17 AHL contests with the San Jose Barracuda last season, signed an entry-level NHL contract with the San Jose Sharks on Dec. 6, 2021. He was San Jose’s fourth round (98th overall) pick in the 2020 NHL Draft.
“First and foremost, we are all so happy for Brandon,” said Battalion general manager Adam Dennis. “He truly deserves this award and has had to deal with quite a bit of adversity to get here. He has been a leader on and off the ice for our team and has shown significant growth since coming back from his stint in the AHL last season. We congratulate Brandon for his achievement and look forward to having him help us for one final playoff push as a Battalion before he sets off on a successful professional career.”
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.
Coe emerged as the top candidate in the Eastern Conference, receiving more votes than Western Conference representative Tye Kartye of the Soo Greyhounds in the final round of voting to be crowned the winner.
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.
While Coe is the second Battalion player to win the award, it had been won three times by former North Bay Centennials including Len Soccio (1988), John Spoltore (1992), and B.J MacPherson (1994). Ottawa 67’s forward Austen Keating won the award in 2019-20.
2021-22 OHL Awards announcements continue next week when the League recognizes its Matt Leyden Trophy recipient as Coach of the Year.
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.
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League in association with the Saginaw Spirit Hockey Club today announced that 15-year-old forward Michael Misa of the OHL Cup champion Mississauga Senators U16 program will be the first overall pick in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection presented by Real Canadian Superstore.
The announcement was made at a news conference held at The Dow Event Center in Saginaw, introducing Misa and his family to the organization, local fans and media.
The 2007-born Misa joins John Tavares (2005), Aaron Ekblad (2011), Connor McDavid (2012) and Shane Wright (2019) as the fifth player to be selected first overall after being granted exceptional player status by Hockey Canada.
“It is an honour to be selected by the Saginaw Spirit with the first overall pick in the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection,” said Misa. “I am grateful to Spirit owner Dick Garber, President & Managing Partner Craig Goslin, and the entire ownership group as well as GM Dave Drinkill and his scouting staff, and Head Coach Chris Lazary for putting their trust in me as their first overall pick. I also want to thank Spirit fans everywhere for welcoming me and my family to the organization. I am committed to this team, this city, and these fans. There is lots of hard work and development ahead. I am looking forward to the future and contributing to the organization on and off the ice.”
Misa joins a Spirit organization that won back-to-back West Division titles in 2019 and 2020, with the franchise making its first-ever appearance in the Western Conference Championship Series in 2019. The Spirit have produced such current day NHL performers as Brandon Saad (St. Louis Blues), Vincent Trocheck (Carolina Hurricanes), Filip Hronek (Detroit Red Wings) and Winnipeg Jets top prospect Cole Perfetti among others.
“On behalf of the entire Saginaw Spirit organization, we are thrilled to welcome a player of Michael’s caliber to our franchise,” said Spirit General Manager Dave Drinkill. “He joins a very select group of players granted exceptional status and we recognize his talents by making Michael our first overall pick in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection. Michael is an elite hockey player, with high-end skills, ability and high hockey IQ to match. He is also a very dedicated, humble, young man with great character, from a great family, and a well-rounded individual, on and off the ice.”
A native of Oakville, Ont., Misa put together a spectacular finish to his season with the Mississauga Senators, breaking Connor McDavid’s OHL Cup scoring record with 20 points (10-10–20) in seven games. Misa became the first player in OHL Cup history to score a hat trick in the championship final, recording a championship record five points as the Senators defeated the Toronto Jr. Canadiens to hoist the OHL Cup for the first time in their history. Misa finished the regular season with a grand total of 93 points (37-56–93) in 55 games. He will be eligible for the 2025 NHL Draft.
Misa is the 2022 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. First presented in 1981, Misa becomes the second member of the Spirit to receive the award following Patrick McNeill, who was the franchise’s first-ever selection back in 2003.
“Michael Misa is a dynamic offensive player that was one of the driving forces for the Senators in their OHL Cup run,” said Darrell Woodley, Director of OHL Central Scouting. “He plays like he has eyes in the back of his head. His vision is exceptional, he anticipates plays well and always seems to be in the right place at the right time. He received exceptional status because of his all-around game. He is not a one-dimensional player. He has tremendous hockey sense and he does the little things well. He will be able to make an impact as a 15-year-old in the OHL.”
Join Michael Misa as he hears his name called to kick-off the first round of the 2022 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 30 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 on YourTV, Rogers tv, Eastlink, Cable 14 and Shaw Spotlight community stations, as well as on the OHL Action Pak.
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
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.
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League announced today that a total of 349 graduates utilized their OHL Scholarship at post-secondary institutions during the 2021-22 academic year. OHL member teams made a total contribution of over $3.5 million to the OHL Scholarship Program.
Of the 349 graduates accessing their OHL Scholarship, 200 competed on U SPORTS Men’s Hockey rosters and an additional 32 accessed their scholarships while playing professionally.
Centrally administered through the OHL Office, OHL Scholarships are funded by OHL member teams, with assistance from the Government of Ontario for provincially-based clubs through the Covid-19 pandemic. Every player who plays in the OHL is eligible to receive an OHL Scholarship. The OHL graduate can utilize their scholarship worldwide at any post-secondary institution or in any career-enhancing program of his choice, including trade schools or professional career training programs.
In addition to alumni accessing their OHL Scholarship following graduation from the League, all current OHL players are encouraged to enroll in post-secondary courses with costs fully covered by OHL member teams. Team investment in scholarships being accessed by current OHL players was approximately $300,000 during the 2021-22 season.
“The investment in the OHL Scholarship Program is an important piece of the player experience and one in which the OHL and its member teams are very proud,” said Commissioner David Branch. “We’re certainly thankful for the support of Premier Doug Ford, Minister Lisa MacLeod and the Government of Ontario through the challenges of the past two seasons, assisting the OHL in continuing to be a leading supplier of talent to both the National Hockey League as well as U SPORTS.”
This year, 328 of the 349 OHL Scholarship recipients are furthering their education at Canadian Universities. A total of 254 graduates are attending Ontario-based Universities with Western University leading all post-secondary institutions with 29 OHL graduates enrolled in full-time studies, while 26 former OHL players enrolled at the University of Guelph and 24 are studying at Queen’s University. A total of 59 OHL graduates are attending Universities in Eastern Canada with the University of Prince Edward Island leading the way with 12 former players enrolled. Seven graduates have accessed their OHL Scholarship at Universities in Western Canada.
A total of 42 OHL Scholarship recipients are attending Ontario-based Colleges with Algonquin College leading the way with 12 graduates. Conestoga College and Georgian College each have four alumni attending.
A total of 20 OHL graduates are accessing their OHL Scholarship while studying at American-based post-secondary institutions while one is enrolled in an institution outside of North America.
OHL member teams have invested in excess of $25 million into the OHL Scholarship Program over the past 10 seasons.
The Ontario Hockey League annually recognizes three academic award winners for achievements in the classroom. The Bobby Smith Award is presented to the OHL Scholastic Player of the Year who combines high standards of play and academic excellence. The Roger Neilson Memorial Award is presented to the League’s top academic post-secondary student and the Ivan Tennant Memorial Award is given out to the OHL’s top academic secondary school student. The League’s academic awards will be announced on Tuesday, May 17th.
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.
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the 20 nominees for the Red Tilson Trophy submitted by OHL member teams as their Most Outstanding Player during the 2021-22 regular season. The Red Tilson Trophy is voted on by the sports writers and broadcasters of the Ontario Hockey League.
The Red Tilson Trophy is the most prestigious individual award presented by the Ontario Hockey League. First presented in 1945, the trophy is named in honour of Albert “Red” Tilson, who was killed in action in Europe during World War II. Tilson was the OHA scoring champion for the 1942-43 season after scoring 19 goals and 38 assists for 57 points in 22 games with the Oshawa Generals.
Accredited media will be asked to select their top choice from 10 nominees in each conference. The candidate in each conference receiving the highest number of accumulative votes will be recognized as the Most Outstanding Player in their respective conference, and emerge as a finalist for the Red Tilson Trophy.
Recent Red Tilson Trophy recipients include forward Marco Rossi (Ottawa 2020), goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Sudbury 2019), forward Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia 2018), forward Alex DeBrincat (Erie 2017), forward Mitchell Marner (London 2016) and forward Connor McDavid (Erie 2015).
The Red Tilson Trophy winner is the OHL’s nominee for Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year honours.
Most Outstanding Player of the Year / Red Tilson Trophy Nominees:
OHL Writers 