Around the OHL

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.

• Full Rosters
• Photo Gallery

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

Ekblad Goal-Scoring Summary:
Liam Greentree (Markham Majors) – 1G
Alex Kostov (Markham Majors) – 1G

GAME #3 – Team Lindros 10 vs. Team Subban 5

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)

Top 5 Defencemen:
1. Sam Dickinson (Team Stamkos/Toronto Marlboros)
2. Brayden Turley (Team Lindros/Mississauga Senators)
3. Hudson Gill (Team Lindros/Burlington Eagles)
4. Ryan Castle (Team Ekblad/Vaughan Kings)
5. Roarke Gilmour (Team Subban/Kemptville 73’s)

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)

Goaltenders
74. Evan Maillet (Mississauga Senators)
75. Marko Bilic (Toronto Marlboros)
76. Jacob Gibbons (Markham Majors)
77. Jaden Cholette (Nepean Raiders)

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)

Smartest Player:

Eastern Conference:
T-1. Brandt Clarke, Barrie Colts (24)
T-1. Shane Wright, Kingston Frontenacs (24) – finished second in 2019-20
2. Logan Morrison, Hamilton Bulldogs (18)
3. Tucker Robertson, Peterborough Petes (11)

Western Conference:
1. Wyatt Johnston, Windsor Spitfires (31)
2. Luke Evangelista, London Knights (27)
3. Rory Kerins, Soo Greyhounds (26)

Hardest Worker:

Eastern Conference:
1. Liam Arnsby, North Bay Battalion (23)
2. Jordan Frasca, Kingston Frontenacs (20)
3. Declan McDonnell, Barrie Colts (16)

Western Conference:
1. Tye Kartye, Soo Greyhounds (21)
2. Mike Petizian, Kitchener Rangers (15)
T-3. Camaryn Baber, London Knights (13)
T-3. Stepan Machacek, Owen Sound Attack (13)
T-3. Matthew Maggio, Windsor Spitfires (13)

Best Playmaker:

Eastern Conference:
1. Logan Morrison, Hamilton Bulldogs (29)
2. Shane Wright, Kingston Frontenacs (21)
3. Brandon Coe, North Bay Battalion (18)

Western Conference:
1. Wyatt Johnston, Windsor Spitfires (37)
2. Rory Kerins, Soo Greyhounds (20)
3. Luke Evangelista, London Knights (16)

Most Dangerous In Goal Area:

Eastern Conference:
1. Mason McTavish, Hamilton Bulldogs (26)
2. Danil Gushchin, Niagara IceDogs (22)
3. James Hardie, Mississauga Steelheads (20)

Western Conference:
1. Brennan Othmann, Flint Firebirds (29)
2. Luke Evangelista, London Knights (25)
3. Wyatt Johnston, Windsor Spitfires (22)

Best Skater:

Eastern Conference:
1. J.R. Avon, Peterborough Petes (21)
2. Nathan Staios, Hamilton Bulldogs (20)
3. Brandon Coe, North Bay Battalion (19)

Western Conference:
1. Wyatt Johnston, Windsor Spitfires (18)
2. Antonio Stranges, London Knights (17)
3. Robert Calisti, Soo Greyhounds (12)

Best Shot:

Eastern Conference:
1. Mason McTavish, Hamilton Bulldogs (37)
2. James Hardie, Mississauga Steelheads (15)
T-3. Danil Gushchin, Niagara IceDogs (11)
T-3. Ty Tullio, Oshawa Generals (11)

Western Conference:
1. Brennan Othmann, Flint Firebirds (38)
2. Will Cuylle, Windsor Spitfires (23)
3. Colby Barlow, Owen Sound Attack (11)

Hardest Shot:

Eastern Conference:
1. Mason McTavish, Hamilton Bulldogs (35)
2. Kasper Larsen, Mississauga Steelheads (14)
3. Martin Chromiak, Kingston Frontenacs (12)

Western Conference:
1. Brennan Othmann, Flint Firebirds (31)
2. Will Cuylle, Windsor Spitfires (30)
3. Colby Barlow, Owen Sound Attack (10)

Best Stickhandler:

Eastern Conference:
1. Danil Gushchin, Niagara IceDogs (26)
2. Lucas Edmonds, Kingston Frontenacs (23)
3. Brandt Clarke, Barrie Colts (15)

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)

Best Puck-Handling Goaltender:

Eastern Conference:
1. Josh Rosenzweig, Niagara IceDogs (25)
2. Marco Costantini, Hamilton Bulldogs (13)
T-3. Will Cranley, Ottawa 67’s (11)
T-3. Mack Guzda, Barrie Colts (11)
T-3. Mitchell Weeks, Sudbury Wolves (11)

Western Conference:
1. Brett Brochu, London Knights (36)
2. Luke Cavallin, Flint Firebirds (30)
3. Anson Thornton, Sarnia Sting (9)

Best Shootout Shooter:

Eastern Conference:
1. Danil Gushchin, Niagara IceDogs (24)
2. Shane Wright, Kingston Frontenacs (19)
3. Ryan Stepien, Oshawa Generals (14)

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. – Ontario Hockey League Commissioner David Branch today announced that Niagara IceDogs General Manager, Team Governor and minority owner Joey Burke and Head Coach and minority owner Billy Burke have been indefinitely suspended and, together with the team, fined a combined $150,000.00. An investigation was launched into their overall conduct following the League receiving transcripts of a March 6, 2022 WhatsApp conversation.

Based on the results of the League investigation, it is the position of the League that their conduct is prejudicial to the welfare of the OHL as it violates the Leagues’ Harassment & Abuse / Diversity Policy and also runs counter to the OHL’s Onside program which emphasizes the importance of demonstrating respect for women through actions and words.

Joey and Billy Burke will have the opportunity to apply for reinstatement no sooner than June 1, 2024. At that time, the Commissioner will assess whether they have successfully completed counselling and education to ensure that there will be no additional violations of League rules, policies, or expected conduct.