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:
Oshawa, Ont. – The 2022 OHL Development Combine wrapped up on Sunday at the Tribute Communities Centre in Oshawa, Ont.
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 29 and Saturday, April 30.
The games that featured both 5-on-5 and 3-on-3 portions brought an end to the two-day event that also included on and off-ice skills testing on Saturday. (Top finishers at bottom)
Saturday’s events included on and off-ice testing performed by Okanagan Hockey Group. Off-ice drills consisted of jumps, pro-agility sprints, pull-ups, and the wingate bike test. The on-ice portion included skills testing on both players and goaltenders.
Team Subban won the OHL Combine Cup championship as a result of finishing with the most points accumulated between Saturday’s testing results and Sunday’s game outcomes.
Final Team Standings: Team Subban (White) = 592 Testing + 95 Games = 687 Points Team Stamkos (Blue) = 497 Testing + 155 Games = 652 Points Team Lindros (Red) = 493 Testing + 130 Games = 623 Points Team Ekblad (Orange) = 472 Testing + 0 Games = 472 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 10 vs. Team Ekblad 2
Team Stamkos wins both halves and the game, plus a first half shutout = 95 pts.
Stamkos Goal-Scoring Summary: Jack Dean (Markham Majors) – 2G Michael Denney (York-Simcoe Express) – 2G Sam Dickinson (Toronto Marlboros) – 1G Sean Doherty (Ajax-Pickering Raiders) – 1G Josh Glavin (Lambton Jr. Sting) – 1G Quentin Lisle (Mississauga Senators) – 1G Michael Misa (Mississauga Senators) – 1G
Team Lindros wins both halves and the game, plus first half shutout = 95 pts.
Lindros Goal-Scoring Summary: Ben Cormier (Navan Grads) – 2G Tyler Graham (Cambridge Hawks) – 2G Nash Giles (Toronto Nationals) – 1G Nicholas Holomego (Thunder Bay Kings) – 1G Lucas Leblanc (Ottawa Jr. Senators) – 1G Sam O’Reilly (Vaughan Kings) – 1G Ethan Toms (Quinte Red Devils) – 1G Daniel Vasic (York-Simcoe Express) – 1G
Subban Goal-Scoring Summary: Caden Kelly (Mississauga Senators) – 2G Parker Forlin (Niagara North Stars) – 1G Isaac Larmand (North Central Predators) – 1G Kaden Pitre (Vaughan Kings) – 1G
GAME #2 – Team Subban 8, Team Ekblad 1
Team Subban wins both halves and the game, plus second half shutout = 95 pts.
Subban Goal-Scoring Summary: Caden Kelly (Mississauga Senators) – 3G Isaac Larmand (North Central Predators) – 2G Luc Warner (Toronto Marlboros) – 2G Grayden Strohack (Waterloo Wolves) – 1G
Ekblad Goal-Scoring Summary: Lirim Amidovski (Barrie Jr. Colts) – 1G
GAME #1 – Team Lindros 9, Team Stamkos 7
Team Lindros wins the first half and the game = 35 pts. Team Stamkos wins the second half, plus second half shutout = 60 pts.
Lindros Goal-Scoring Summary: Ben Cormier (Navan Grads) – 4G Tyler Graham (Cambridge Hawks) – 1G Brayden Russell (Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs – 1G Ethan Toms (Quinte Red Devils) – 1G Lucas Leblanc (Ottawa Jr. Senators) – 1G Daniel Vasic (York-Simcoe Express) – 1G
Stamkos Goal-Scoring Summary: Jack Dean (Markham Majors) – 5G Sean Doherty (Ajax-Pickering Raiders) – 1G Reed Gee (Quinte Red Devils) – 1G
All four teams were joined behind the bench by special guest coaches that included OHL scouts Mike Battah (Erie Otters), Ryan Berard (Erie Otters), Jay De Gennaro (London Knights), Greg Hammell (Saginaw Spirit), Nathan Hisko (Sarnia Sting), Mark Seidel (Barrie Colts), Ryan Yessie (Sudbury Wolves) and Tom Watson (Flint Firebirds).
Saturday’s OHL Combine Testing Results:
Off-Ice Testing Top Performers:
Top 5 Forwards: 1. Cole Davis (Team Stamkos/York-Simcoe Express) 2. Hunter McKenzie (Team Subban/Halton Hurricanes) 3. Kaden Pitre (Team Subban/Vaughan Kings) 4. Ethan Procyszyn (Team Stamkos/North Central Predators) 5. Sam O’Reilly (Team Lindros/Vaughan Kings)
Top 5 Defencemen: 1. David Bedkowski (Team Subban/South Central Coyotes) 2. Tyson Rismond (Team Stamkos/Sudbury Nickel Capitals) 3. Brayden Turley (Team Lindros/Mississauga Senators) 4. Sam Dickinson (Team Stamkos/Toronto Marlboros) 5. Reed Gee (Team Stamkos/Quinte Red Devils)
Top 5 Goaltenders: 1. Evan Maillet (Team Ekblad/Mississauga Senators) 2. Karsen Chartier (Team Stamkos/North York Rangers) 3. Glen McInnes (Team Lindros/Quinte Red Devils) 4. Noah Tegelaar (Team Lindros/Mississauga Rebels) 5. Michael McIvor (Team Subban/Quinte Red Devils)
On-Ice Testing Top Performers:
Top 5 Forwards: 1. Tyron Fevry (Team Ekblad/Toronto Red Wings) 2. Hunter McKenzie (Team Subban/Halton Hurricanes) 3. Sam O’Reilly (Team Lindros/Vaughan Kings) 4. Sean Doherty (Team Stamkos/Ajax-Pickering Raiders) 5. Carter Lowe (Team Subban/Toronto Marlboros)
Be sure to tune into the 2022 OHL Priority Selection presented by Real Canadian Superstore this coming Friday, April 29th 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 OHL Action Pak. Day 2 gets underway on Saturday, April 30th, with coverage of Rounds 4-15 beginning at 9:00am. The Priority Selection will be streaming for free in its entirety on CHL TV.
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 rosters and schedule for the 2022 OHL Development Combine which takes place April 23-24 at the Tribute Communities Centre in Oshawa. Ont.
The OHL Combine offers 76 players (36 forwards, 24 defencemen, and 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 29-30.
“The OHL Combine offers prospective players with a unique experience to enhance their own personal development,” said Kyle Pereira, OHL Director of Recruitment and Development. “The skills testing helps identify off and on-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 off and on-ice testing performed by Okanagan Hockey Group in addition to skills training and a specific focus on goaltenders. Over the weekend players will partake in a seminar that focuses on proper Nutrition and Training for elite athletes. 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 off and on-ice testing, as well as Sunday’s game results.
The 2022 event marks the 13th year the OHL has hosted a skills development day for players and goaltenders in advance of the OHL Priority Selection. The OHL Development Combine is open to the general public.
Schedule:
Saturday, April 23 – 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 23 – 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 24 – 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)
2022 OHL Development Combine Rosters:
TEAM STAMKOS (BLUE)
Defencemen 3. Justin Huynh (Mississauga Senators) 4. Sam Dickinson (Toronto Marlboros) 5. Tyson Rismond (Sudbury Nickel Capitals) 6. Reed Gee (Quinte Red Devils) 7. Tyler McGuire (Windsor Jr. Spitfires) 8. Josh Glavin (Lambton Jr. Sting)
Forwards 10. Ethan Procyszyn (North Central Predators) 11. Sean Doherty (Ajax-Pickering Raiders) 12. Michael Misa (Mississauga Senators) 13. Quentin Lisle (Mississauga Senators) 14. Joshua Lepain (Windsor Jr. Spitfires) 15. Masen Wray (North Bay Trappers) 16. Michael Denney (York-Simcoe Express) 17. Jack Dean (Markham Majors) 97. Cole Davis (York-Simcoe Express)
Goaltenders 82. Paolo Frasca (Toronto Jr. Canadiens) 83. Jacob Brown (Kingston Jr. Gaels) 84. Karsen Chartier (North York Rangers) 85. Carter Frost (Toronto Jr. Canadiens)
Coaches Mike Battah (Erie Otters) Ryan Berard (Erie Otters)
TEAM LINDROS (RED)
Defencemen 33. Brayden Turley (Mississauga Senators) 34. Kashawn Aitcheson (North York Rangers) 35. Brodie McConnell-Barker (London Jr. Knights) 36. Zachary Major (North Bay Trappers) 37. Nicholas Holomego (Thunder Bay Kings) 38. Hudson Gill (Burlington Eagles)
Forwards 39. Tyler Graham (Cambridge Hawks) 40. Ben Cormier (Navan Grads) 41. Sam O’Reilly (Vaughan Kings) 42. Brayden Russell (Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs) 43. Lucas Leblanc (Ottawa Jr. Senators) 44. Daniel Vasic (York-Simcoe Express) 45. Riley Patterson (Mississauga Senators) 46. Ethan Toms (Quinte Red Devils) 47. Nash Giles (Toronto Nationals)
Goaltenders 70. Jensen Howe (Toronto Titans) 71. Glen McInnes (Quinte Red Devils) 72. Carter George (Thunder Bay Kings) 73. Noah Tegelaar (Mississauga Rebels)
Coaches Jay De Gennaro (London Knights) Greg Hammell (Saginaw Spirit)
TEAM EKBLAD (GOLD)
Defencemen 48. Frankie Marrelli (Markham Waxers) 49. Jack Brauti (Shattuck St. Mary’s) 50. Carson Campbell (Quinte Red Devils) 51. Ryan Castle (Vaughan Kings) 52. Ty Henry (Toronto Red Wings) 53. Brady Wassink (Mississauga Senators)
Forwards 54. Liam Greentree (Markham Majors) 55. Jacob Battaglia (Toronto Jr. Canadiens) 56. Tyron Fevry (Toronto Red Wings) 57. Alex Kostov (Markham Majors) 58. Nolan Newton (Sudbury Nickel Capitals) 59. Nathan Aspinall (Markham Waxers) 60. Jacob Therrien (Clarington Toros) 61. Andrew Vermeulen (Niagara North Stars) 62. Lirim Amidovski (Barrie Jr. Colts)
Coaches Mark Seidel (Barrie Colts) Tom Watson (Flint Firebirds)
TEAM SUBBAN (WHITE)
Defencemen 18. David Bedkowski (Richmond Hill Coyotes) 19. Callum Cheynowski (Southern Tier Admirals) 20. Nathan Schaap (North Central Predators) 21. Grayden Strohack (Waterloo Wolves) 22. Mason Taylor (Don Mills Flyers) 23. Roarke Gilmour (Kemptville 73’s)
Forwards 24. Carter Lowe (Toronto Marlboros) 26. Caden Kelly (Mississauga Senators) 27. Kaden Pitre (Vaughan Kings) 28. Luc Warner (Toronto Marlboros) 29. Hunter McKenzie (Halton Hurricanes) 31. Logan Sawyer (Vaughan Kings) 32. Parker Forlin (Niagara North Stars) 91. Tate Vader (Huron-Perth Lakers) 92. Isaac Larmand (North Central Predators)
Goaltenders 78. Andrew Gaulton (Markham Majors) 79. Michael McIvor (Quinte Red Devils) 80. Easton Rye (Ajax-Pickering Raiders) 81. Trevor Woods (Oakville Rangers)
Coaches Nathan Hisko (Sarnia Sting) Ryan Yessie (Sudbury Wolves)
Follow along throughout the weekend for continuing coverage of the 2022 OHL Development Combine at ontariohockeyleague.com.
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.
It’s playoff time! Here’s what’s happening across the League as the 2022 OHL Playoffs get underway.
CHL TV playoff packages now on sale: The OHL Playoffs are getting underway and CHL TV playoff packages are now on sale! Get in on an OHL All Access Pass for $59.99 or keep tabs on the entirety of the CHL Playoffs for $89.99. Visit watch.chl.ca for more information
Saginaw Spirit to Select First Overall in 2022 OHL Priority Selection Presented by Real Canadian Superstore: The results from the 2022 OHL Priority Selection Draft Lottery are in, and the Saginaw Spirit will be selecting first on April 29-30 when OHL member teams build toward the future in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection Presented by Real Canadian Superstore. Read more
OHL Western Conference Playoff Preview: A look at first round playoff matchups in the Western Conference. Read more
OHL Eastern Conference Playoff Preview: A look at first round playoff matchups in the Eastern Conference. Read more
OHL Announces 2021-22 Coaches Poll Winners: The Ontario Hockey League has announced results of the Eastern and Western Conference Coaches Polls for the 2021-22 OHL Regular Season. Read more
OHL Announces 2021-22 Regular Season Award Winners: The OHL announced recipients of the League’s regular season awards earlier this week including Windsor’s Wyatt Johnston, Kingston’s Lucas Edmonds, North Bay’s Dom DiVincentiis and Hamilton netminders Marco Costantini and Matteo Drobac. Read more
OHL Top Performers of the Month for April: Soo Greyhounds teammates Rory Kerins and Jack Thompson, Peterborough Petes netminder Michael Simpson and Kingston Frontenacs rookie Paul Ludwinski have been named the OHL top performers for the month of April. Read more
Bulldogs, Spitfires, Battalion included in Week 25 Edition of Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings: The Hamilton Bulldogs, Windsor Spitfires and North Bay Battalion are included in the Week 25 edition of the Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings. Read more
Three OHL players named to CHL Team for the Week for Apr. 11-17: Robert Calisti of the Soo Greyhounds, Mitchell Smith of the Saginaw Spirit and Max Donoso of the Ottawa 67’s have been named to the CHL Team of the Week. Read more
Greyhounds’ Calisti named OHL Player of the Week: Robert Calisti of the Soo Greyhounds is the OHL Player of the Week, putting together three straight multi-point performances as the Greyhounds took two of three to close out the season in fourth place in the Western Conference. Read more
67’s’ Donoso named OHL Goaltender of the Week: Max Donoso of the Ottawa 67’s is the OHL Goaltender of the Week, playing to a 1-0-0-1 record with a 0.48 goals-against average, .984 save percentage and one shutout. Read more
OHL Weekend Notebook: The OHL Weekend Notebook recaps the weekend that was with news, information and interesting facts from both on and off the ice. Read more
One first goal and a shutout in OHL Milestone Moments: Check out a first career goal from Hamilton’s Braeden O’Keefe and a first career shutout from Ottawa’s Max Donoso. Watch
Six OHL Players to Represent Canada at 2022 IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championship: Kocha Delic, Nolan Collins and David Goyette of the Sudbury Wolves, Nolan Lalonde and Spencer Sova of the Erie Otters, and Pano Fimis of the Niagara IceDogs have been named to Canada’s roster for the 2022 IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championship. Read more
Final regular season edition of OHL Plays of the Week: It’s the final regular season edition of the OHL Plays of the Week! See contributions from Erie’s Brett Bressette, North Bay’s Liam Arnsby, Owen Sound’s Sam Sedley, Flint’s Coulson Pitre, and Niagara’s Pano Fimis. Watch
Rolling back the OHL Saves of the Week: Scope out season-ending saves from Kitchener’s duo of Jackson Parsons and Pavel Cajan, Erie’s Nolan Lalonde, Sarnia’s pairing of Ben Gaudreau and Anson Thornton, Owen Sound’s Nick Chenard, Soo’s Samuel Ivanov and Tucker Tynan, North Bay’s Joe Vrbetic, and Windsor’s Xavier Medina. Watch
Spirit’s Bloom signs with Sabres: The Buffalo Sabres have signed Saginaw Spirit forward Josh Bloom to a three-year, entry-level contract. Read more
Vaughan Kings are Inaugural U14 OHL Cup Champions: The Vaughan Kings are the first-ever champions of the U14 OHL Cup presented by Dairy Farmers of Ontario and hosted by the Ontario Minor Hockey Association. Read more
OHL Mourns the Loss of Lance Galbraith: The Ontario Hockey League is mourning the sudden loss of Ottawa 67’s alumnus and former Memorial Cup champion Lance Galbraith. Read more
OHL Mourns the Loss of Tom McCarthy: The Ontario Hockey League is saddened by news of the loss of former Oshawa Generals forward and Minnesota North Stars standout Tom McCarthy. Read more
COMMUNITY CORNER
Hounds hold Ryan Vendramin Appreciation Night on Thursday: The Soo Greyhounds will honour Officer Ryan Vendramin on Thursday prior to puck drop in Game 1 of their first round series against the Guelph Storm. A former Sarnia Sting forward, Vendramin was injured in the line of duty in September 2021.
D’Amico awarded Jason Bennett Award for community service: The Windsor Spitfires awarded Daniel D’Amico the Jason Bennett Award for community service. Throughout his last five years, D’Amico has done a tremendous amount of work in the community including hospital visits and special events. For a full look at the Spitfires’ end of season awards, visit windsorspitfires.com.
Spitfires’ Steve Horne awarded Paul Maurice award for determination and dedication to the organization: The Spits awarded Windsor’s Director of Business Operations, Steve Horne, with the Paul Maurice award for determination and dedication to the organization. Steve has been with the Spitfires for over 30 years. For a full look at the Spitfires’ end of season awards, visit windsorspitfires.com.
Owen Sound raises funds for Ukrainian Refugees: The Owen Sound Attack saluted local nurses Tally Grandjean & Shari Chambers and local ER Physician Dr. Kysenia Troyan on Saturday night as they head over to Poland to provide medical care to Ukrainian Refugees. Attack fans raised $5200 for the cause.
ALUMNI NOTES
Okhotyuk recalled to Devils: the New Jersey Devils have recalled Nikita Okhotyuk from Utica of the American Hockey League. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound Russian native has three goals, 12 points and 68 penalty minutes in 63 games for Utica. Okhutiuk played three season for the Ottawa 67’s. Read more
Rossi makes Iowa Wild history: With his goal on Tuesday night, Marco Rossi now holds the single season record for most points by a rookie in Iowa Wild history. Rossi played two season for the Ottawa 67’s and was the OHL’s Red Tilson Trophy recipient as the League’s Most Outstanding Player in 2019-20.
Regula scores first NHL goal: London Knights’ alumnus Alec Regula scored his first National Hockey League goal on Monday night for the Chicago Blackhawks. Regula played three seasons for London, racking up 60 points in his final campaign in 2019-20.
Duchene becomes first 40 goal-scorer in Predators franchise history: Scoring his 40th goal of the season on Tuesday, Brampton Battalion alumnus matt Duchene became the first player in Nashville Predators franchise history to reach the milestone. Duchene is in his 13th NHL season, enjoying his most productive campaign to date.
Smith named NHL’s third star of the week: Mike Smith stopped all 69 shots across two starts and became the sixth goaltender in NHL history to record consecutive shutouts at age 40 or older last week. The Edmonton Oilers netminder played three season in the OHL between the Kingston Frontenacs and the Sudbury Wolves from 1999-2002.
Bennett earns ECHL Rookie of the Year: Kris Bennett of the Iowa Heartlanders has been named ECHL Rookie of the Year and the recipient of the John A. Daley Memorial Trophy. Bennett put up 35 goals, 38 assists and 73 points for Iowa this past season after playing three seasons at the University of New Brunswick. He played parts of five seasons for the Saginaw Spirit from 2012-17.
UPCOMING PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Thursday April 21: Peterborough at Hamilton (Game 1) – 7:00pm Ottawa at North Bay (Game 1) – 7:00pm Kitchener at London (Game 1) – 7:00pm Sarnia at Windsor (Game 1) – 7:05pm Guelph at Sault Ste. Marie (Game 1) – 7:07pm
Friday April 22: Oshawa at Kingston (Game 1) – 7:00pm Barrie at Mississauga (Game 1) – 7:00pm Kitchener at London (Game 2) – 7:00pm Owen Sound at Flint (Game 1) – 7:00pm
Saturday April 23: Ottawa at North Bay (Game 2) – 7:00pm Owen Sound at Flint (Game 2) – 7:00pm Sarnia at Windsor (Game 2) – 7:05pm Guelph at Sault Ste. Marie (Game 2) – 7:07pm
Sunday April 24: Barrie at Mississauga (Game 2) – 2:00pm London at Kitchener (Game 3) – 2:00pm Oshawa at Kingston (Game 2) – 4:00pm
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the results of the Eastern and Western Conference Coaches Polls for the 2021-22 OHL Regular Season.
The OHL Coaches Poll provides member club coaches with the opportunity to recognize the top three players in 20 different skill categories within their own conference.
In the Eastern Conference, the Regular Season champion Hamilton Bulldogs led the entire League with nine players included in the top three of their respective categories, including a total of seven different first place finishes. The Dogs were led by Anaheim Ducks prospect Mason McTavish who placed first in three different categories (Most Dangerous in the Goal Area, Best Shot and Hardest Shot). Teammates Logan Morrison (Best Playmaker), Arber Xhekaj (Best Body Checker), Colton Kammerer (Best Shot Blocker) and Ryan Humphrey (Most Underrated) also earned first place finishes. The Mississauga Steelheads featured six different players in the final results, with four first place finishes in captain Ethan Del Mastro (Best Penalty Killer, Best Defensive Defenceman), Owen Beck (Best on Faceoffs) and Luca Del Bel Belluz (Most Improved). The Central Division champion North Bay Battalion also had six players listed, with captain Liam Arnsby (Hardest Worker) earning a first place finish while appearing in four different categories. Kingston Frontenacs forwards Shane Wright (Tied – Smartest Player) and Jordan Frasca (Best Defensive Forward) both made first place appearances while being included in other categories as well. Other Eastern Conference notables include San Jose Sharks prospect Danil Gushchin of the Niagara IceDogs who earned a pair of first place finishes (Best Stickhandler, Best Shootout Shooter) and was listed in four different categories. On the back end, Los Angeles Kings prospect Brandt Clarke of the Barrie Colts finished first in two categories (Tied – Smartest Player, Best Offensive Defenceman) and placed third in another (Best Stickhandler).
In the Western Conference, the West Division champion Windsor Spitfires led the way with six players listed, with Dallas Stars prospect and OHL scoring leader Wyatt Johnston pulling in the League’s best individual performance. Johnston was listed in six different categories, placing first in four (Smartest Player, Best Playmaker, Best Skater, Best Stickhandler) while teammate Louka Henault (Best Offensive Defenceman) gave the Spits another first place outcome. New York Rangers prospect and 50-goal scorer Brennan Othmann of the Flint Firebirds received three different first place nods of approval (Most Dangerous in Goal Area, Best Shot, Hardest Shot). The Kitchener Rangers followed Windsor with five players in the final results while the Guelph Storm, London Knights and Sarnia Sting had four each. Knights captain and OHL goal-scoring leader Luke Evangelista is found in four different categories, coming out as the Western Conference’s Best Shootout Shooter while teammate Brett Brochu was the lone goaltender to place first in two different categories (Best Puck-Handling Goaltender, Best Shootout Goaltender). Sarnia’s Nolan Burke was voted the Conference’s Most Improved Player. Other Western Conference notables include Owen Sound Attack captain Mark Woolley who logged two first place finishes (Best Body Checker, Best Shot Blocker) while Soo Greyhounds teammates Rory Kerins (Best on Face-offs), Tye Kartye (Hardest Worker) and Ryan O’Rourke (Best Defensive Defenceman) both came out on top of one of multiple categories they were listed in. Erie Otters defenceman Christian Kyrou also had a strong showing, being voted the Conference’s Most Underrated Player while landing in two other categories as well.
The Coaches Poll is tabulated when each team submits one nominee per category, and coaches then vote for the top three players for each category within their conference. Players receive five points for a first place vote, three points for a second place vote, and one point for a third place vote. Clubs are not permitted to vote for players from their own team allowing for a maximum of 45 possible points for each winner.
All 20 categories are listed below with Eastern Conference and Western Conference winners including their final point totals in brackets.
Most Underrated Player:
Eastern Conference: 1. Ryan Humphrey, Hamilton Bulldogs (27) 2. Mitchell Russell, North Bay Battalion (20) 3. Kasper Larsen, Mississauga Steelheads (11)
Western Conference: 1. Christian Kyrou, Erie Otters (29) 2. Zacharie Giroux, Flint Firebirds (16) 3. Luka Profaca, Guelph Storm (15)
Most Improved Player:
Eastern Conference: 1. Luca Del Bel Belluz, Mississauga Steelheads (43) 2. Kyle Jackson, North Bay Battalion (22) 3. Nick DeGrazia, Sudbury Wolves (8)
Western Conference: 1. Nolan Burke, Sarnia Sting (31) 2. Matthew Maggio, Windsor Spitfires (29) 3. Christian Kyrou, Erie Otters (7)
Western Conference: 1. Wyatt Johnston, Windsor Spitfires (36) 2. Ty Voit, Sarnia Sting (19) 3. Antonio Stranges, London Knights (15)
Best on Face-Offs:
Eastern Conference: 1. Owen Beck, Mississauga Steelheads (28) 2. Jan Mysak, Hamilton Bulldogs (17) 3. Jordan Frasca, Kingston Frontenacs (15)
Western Conference: 1. Rory Kerins, Soo Greyhounds (29) 2. Danny Zhilkin, Guelph Storm (15) 3. Francesco Pinelli, Kitchener Rangers (9)
Best Body Checker:
Eastern Conference: 1. Arber Xhekaj, Hamilton Bulldogs (21) 2. Artem Guryev, Peterborough Petes (17) 3. Liam Arnsby, North Bay Battalion (14)
Western Conference: 1. Mark Woolley, Owen Sound Attack (33) – finished third in 2019-20 T-2. Navrin Mutter, Kitchener Rangers (19) – finished first in 2019-20 and second in 2018-19 T-2. Luka Profaca, Guelph Storm (19) 3. Cameron Morton, Erie Otters (7)
Best Shot Blocker:
Eastern Conference: 1. Colton Kammerer, Hamilton Bulldogs (34) 2. Evan Brand, Mississauga Steelheads (17) 3. Jack Matier, Ottawa 67’s (11)
Western Conference: 1. Mark Woolley, Owen Sound Attack (26) 2. Ashton Reesor, Guelph Storm (17) 3. Ryan O’Rourke, Soo Greyhounds (12)
Best Defensive Forward:
Eastern Conference: 1. Jordan Frasca, Kingston Frontenacs (30) 2. Liam Arnsby, North Bay Battalion (21) 3. Ryan Gagnier, Oshawa Generals (12)
Western Conference: 1. Camaryn Baber, London Knights (24) 2. Cooper Walker, Guelph Storm (19) 3. Wyatt Johnston, Windsor Spitfires (13)
Best Penalty Killer:
Eastern Conference: 1. Ethan Del Mastro, Mississauga Steelheads (41) 2. Liam Arnsby, North Bay Battalion (19) 3. Avery Hayes, Hamilton Bulldogs (14)
Western Conference: 1. Josh Bloom, Saginaw Spirit (25) 2. Ryan O’Rourke, Soo Greyhounds (17) 3. Reid Valade, Kitchener Rangers (16) 3. Cooper Walker, Guelph Storm (16)
Best Offensive Defenceman:
Eastern Conference: 1. Brandt Clarke, Barrie Colts (39) 2. Nathan Staios, Hamilton Bulldogs (32) 3. Ty Nelson, North Bay Battalion (8)
Western Conference: 1. Louka Henault, Windsor Spitfires (21) 2. Christian Kyrou, Erie Otters (19) 3. Jack Thompson, Soo Greyhounds (18)
Best Defensive Defenceman:
Eastern Conference: 1. Ethan Del Mastro, Mississauga Steelheads (35) 2. Arber Xhekaj, Hamilton Bulldogs (33) 3. Artur Cholach, Barrie Colts (6)
Western Conference: 1. Ryan O’Rourke, Soo Greyhounds (27) 2. Luke Profaca, Guelph Storm (19) 3. Andrew Perrott, Windsor Spitfires (12)
Western Conference: 1. Luke Evangelista, London Knights (29) 2. Rory Kerins, Soo Greyhounds (14) 3. Daniel D’Amico (Windsor Spitfires (13)
Best Shootout Goaltender:
Eastern Conference: 1. Leevi Merilainen, Kingston Frontenacs (22) 2. Mack Guzda, Barrie Colts (16) 3. Joe Vrbetic, North Bay Battalion (13)
Western Conference: 1. Brett Brochu, London Knights (34) 2. Luke Cavallin, Flint Firebirds (14) 2. Ben Gaudreau, Sarnia Sting (14) 3. Pavel Cajan, Kitchener Rangers (9)
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 results from the 2022 OHL Priority Selection Draft Lottery are in, and the Saginaw Spirit will be selecting first on April 29-30 when OHL member teams build toward the future in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection Presented by Real Canadian Superstore.
Each of the four non-playoff teams participating in the Priority Selection Lottery, the Erie Otters, Niagara IceDogs, Saginaw Spirit and Sudbury Wolves, had an equal 25 percent change of drawing the first overall pick. The final results were determined by a computerized random number generator, with the process overseen and certified by Mr. Robert Bayne, partner with the law firm Filion Wakely Thorup Angeletti LLP.
The coveted top spot came down to a reveal between the Spirit and the Erie Otters, who will be selecting second overall for the first time since 2013.
The Spirit will be adding their first Jack Ferguson Award recipient since they made Patrick McNeill their first-ever selection back in 2003.
The OHL Priority Selection will once again be held over the course of two days, with Rounds 1-3 taking place beginning at 7:00pm on Friday, April 29. 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.
2022 OHL Priority Selection First Round Order of Selection:
Saginaw Spirit
Erie Otters
Sudbury Wolves
Niagara IceDogs
Sarnia Sting
Peterborough Petes
Ottawa 67’s
Oshawa Generals
Kitchener Rangers
Barrie Colts
Owen Sound Attack
Guelph Storm
Mississauga Steelheads
Oshawa Generals*
London Knights
Soo Greyhounds
Kingston Frontenacs
Flint Firebirds
Saginaw Spirit*
North Bay Battalion
Ottawa 67’s*
Windsor Spitfires
Hamilton Bulldogs
* – compensatory pick
The 2022 OHL Priority Selection presented by Real Canadian Superstore will see the top players born in 2006 within OHL jurisdiction eligible to be selected on April 29-30, in addition to 2007-born forward Michael Misa of the OHL Cup champion Mississauga Senators, who has been granted exceptional player status by Hockey Canada.
In addition to live streaming on CHL TV, the Priority Selection will also be covered extensively on the OHL’s Twitter, Instagram, Facebook accounts, as well as on the web at ontariohockeyleague.com.
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 recipients of four of the league’s annual awards following the conclusion of the 2021-22 regular season.
Offensively, Wyatt Johnston of the Windsor Spitfires captured the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy as the league’s leading scorer while Lucas Edmonds of the Kingston Frontenacs is the recipient of the Jim Mahon Trophy as the OHL’s top-scoring right winger. Recognizing defensive efforts, the Hamilton Bulldogs goaltending tandem of Marco Costantini and Matteo Drobac earns the Dave Pinkney Trophy, surrendering a league-low 176 goals against. North Bay Battalion rookie Dom DiVincentiis is the recipient of the F.W. “Dinty” Moore Trophy awarded to the rookie with the lowest goals-against average.
Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy (Top Scorer) – Wyatt Johnston, Windsor Spitfires Dallas Stars prospect Wyatt Johnston is the recipient of the OHL Top Scorer Award presented by Kubota Canada, claiming the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy with 124 points including 46 goals and 78 assists in 68 games. Johnston boasted a plus-29 rating to go with a league-leading 1.82 point-per-game production rate. Johnston’s 124 points are the most by an OHL scoring leader since Erie’s Alex DeBrincat in 2016-17.
Johnston finished with 42 multi-point performances on the campaign including four different games with at least four points. His 124 points are the fifth-highest total in Spitfires franchise history, trailing Ernie Godden (153 points, 1980-81), Bill Bowler (135 points, 1994-95), Kelly Cain (133 points, 1987-88) and Blair Barnes (130 points (1979-80). He joins Taylor Hall (2009-10) and Peter Sarno (1997-98) as the third player in modern Spitfires franchise history to claim the honour. Earl Reibel (1949-50) and Bert Giesebrecht (1948-49) were also past Spitfires winners.
The 23rd overall pick of the 2021 NHL Draft by the Dallas Stars, Johnston has collected 58 goals, 96 assists and 154 points through 121 career regular season games with the Spitfires, who selected him with the sixth overall pick of the 2019 OHL Priority Selection. He’ll be making his OHL playoff debut this week when the Spitfires open up their first round series against the Sarnia Sting.
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. High-scoring Stars winger Jason Robertson was the 2018-19 recipient as a member of the Niagara IceDogs while veteran Dallas centreman Tyler Seguin has his named inscribed on the trophy as a member of the Plymouth Whalers in 2009-10.
Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy (Top Scoring Right Winger) – Lucas Edmonds, Kingston Frontenacs Lucas Edmonds of the Kingston Frontenacs is the recipient of the Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy, presented annually to the league’s top scoring right winger. Edmonds finished third in OHL scoring with 113 points including 34 goals and a league-high 79 assists over 68 games in his first OHL season.
The 21-year-old originally from North Bay, Ont. turned heads this past season, leading the Frontenacs offensively with 30 different multi-point appearances including nine different instances with at least four points.
Edmonds joins David Ling (1994-95) as just the second Frontenacs player to ever claim the honour, finishing with the Kingston franchise’s sixth-highest assist total of 79. Edmonds’ 113 points are the most by a Frontenac since Ling put up 135 during the 1994-95 season.
Originally Kingston’s seventh round pick in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection, Edmonds made the most of a rare first-year overage season and is eligible for the 2022 NHL Draft in July.
The Jim Mahon Trophy was first presented following the 1971-72 season by the players and management of the Peterborough Petes in memory of their right winger Jim Mahon who was accidentally killed that summer. Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs last received the honour in 2019-20 while other recent winners have included Justin Brazeau of the North Bay Battalion in 2019 and Jordan Kyrou of the Sarnia Sting in 2018.
Dave Pinkney Trophy (Lowest Team Goals Against) – Marco Costantini and Matteo Drobac, Hamilton Bulldogs The Hamilton Bulldogs surrendered a league-low 176 goals over their 68-game schedule, backstopped by goaltenders Marco Costantini and Matteo Drobac who earn the Dave Pinkney Trophy in 2021-22.
Costantini and Drobac backstopped the Bulldogs to the club’s first Hamilton Spectator Trophy as OHL Regular Season champions as the club boasted an overall record of 51-12-3-2 for a franchise record 107 points.
Costantini led the league in goals-against average (2.32), save percentage (.917) and shutouts (6), establishing new Bulldogs single season records in those three categories while also playing to a mark of 31-9-2-2. Hamilton’s new career shutouts leader, Costantini ended the season with 17 consecutive wins dating back to February 16th. The 19-year-old hometown product was Hamilton’s fifth round pick in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection.
Drobac played to a record of 19-2-1-0, posting a 2.57 goals-against average and .905 save percentage with one shutout over 23 games in his first full OHL season. The Oakville, Ont. product was Hamilton’s sixth round pick in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection.
The Bulldogs also saw three appearances from rookie Tristan Malboeuf, who went 1-1, earning his first career OHL shutout on October 16th in Niagara.
This marks the first time the Bulldogs have earned the honour, but the Dave Pinkney Trophy has a prior history in Hamilton. Al Jensen of the 1977-78 Hamilton Fincups has his name inscribed on the trophy, as does the Hamilton Red Wings tandem of Jim Rutherford and Gerry Gray in 1967-68, Bud Blom in 1960-61 and Dennis Riggin of the Hamilton Tiger Cubs in 1953-54.
The Dave Pinkney Trophy is awarded annually to the goaltending tandem from the team that allows the fewest goals against during the regular season.
F.W. “Dinty” Moore Trophy (Best Rookie GAA): Dom DiVincentiis, North Bay Battalion Dom DiVincentiis of the North Bay Battalion is the recipient of the F.W. “Dinty” Moore Trophy, leading all rookie netminders with a 2.59 goals-against average.
An 18-year-old draft eligible goaltender from Bolton, Ont., DiVincentiis helped backstop the Battalion to a Central Division title, playing to a record of 14-8-0-1 with a .907 save percentage to accompany his 2.59 goals-against average. He was undefeated in regulation through his final eight starts of the season. DiVincentiis was North Bay’s sixth round pick in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection.
DiVincentiis follows Matej Machovsky (2010-11) as the second Battalion goaltender to ever earn the distinction. He’s the third North Bay goaltender to do so, joining Scott Roche (1993-94) and Sandy Allan (1991-92) of the Centennials.
The trophy is named after F.W. “Dinty” Moore of Port Colborne, Ont., who served as OHA President from 1942-45. In order to qualify for this rookie award, a goaltender must play a minimum of 900 minutes. The most recent past recipient of the award was Brett Brochu of the London Knights in 2019-20.
For a look at the history of the Ontario Hockey League’s award recipients, visit ontariohockeyleague.com.
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.
Cambridge, ON – The Ontario Hockey Federation today announced the results of the review by Hockey Canada in consideration of the application by Michael Misa, determining that the player is to be granted “exceptional player” status and therefore is eligible for the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.
The process was administered by the Ontario Hockey Federation with a Hockey Canada Special Evaluation Panel assembled to evaluate Misa’s hockey and academic documentation and to assess his level of maturity in reaching their decision.
“Having administered this process since 2005 with John Tavares, Aaron Ekblad, Connor McDavid, Sean Day and Shane Wright, I am continuously amazed by the well-rounded nature of those granted exceptional status,” said OHF Executive Director Phillip McKee. “His constant success both in the classroom and on the ice has demonstrated that Michael Misa is well deserving to be among those who have been granted status in the past.”
Born February 16, 2007, the 15-year-old Misa is a 5-foot-10, 150-pound forward for the Mississauga Senators U16 AAA team, where he scored 16 goals and 27 assists for 43 points in 27 games during the GTHL regular season. The Senators recently lifted the OHL Cup, where Misa scored 10 goals and 10 assists for 20 points in seven games while also becoming the first player to record a hat-trick in the Championship Final. These numbers saw Misa break the OHL Cup scoring record previously held by Connor McDavid while earning Tournament MVP honours in the process.
“It’s a huge honour to be counted among names like Connor McDavid and John Tavares to have received exceptional status from Hockey Canada,” said Misa. “I try not to compare myself to those superstars, and just focus on being the best I can be and improve my game every day.
“The OHL Cup was a tremendous team effort,” Misa added, reflecting on his record-setting performance. “We had to battle through some playoff disappointment and came through on the other side stronger as a team and got the job done together.”
Misa becomes just the sixth player to be granted “exceptional player” status in the Ontario Hockey League, following John Tavares (Toronto Marlboros, 2005), whose application formed the modern Exceptional Player process, defenceman Aaron Ekblad (Sun County Panthers, 2011), forward Connor McDavid (Toronto Marlboros, 2012), defenceman Sean Day (Detroit Compuware, 2013) and forward Shane Wright (Don Mills Flyers, 2019). The trio of Tavares, Ekblad, and McDavid were all chosen first overall in the OHL Priority Selection and later first overall in the NHL Draft while Wright is a top prospect for the 2022 NHL Draft in July.
OHL Writers 