SPIRIT’S COLE PERFETTI WINS CHL SCHOLASTIC PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD PRESENTED BY CIBC

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

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Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League is proud to announce that 2020 NHL Draft prospect Cole Perfetti of the Saginaw Spirit is the 2019-20 recipient of the CHL’s Scholastic Player of the Year Award presented by CIBC.

Perfetti combined success on the ice with success in school by setting a Spirit single season scoring record of 111 points including 37 goals and 74 assists over 61 games while achieving an overall academic average of 93%.

“CIBC proudly congratulates Saginaw Spirit forward Cole Perfetti on receiving the CIBC Scholastic Player of the Year Award. Cole’s demonstrated excellence both on the ice in hockey and off the ice in academics has set a positive example for his fellow teammates and those in the community, and we look forward to seeing him continue to flourish back on the ice in the near future.”

The 18-year-old born January 1, 2002, is the fifth ranked North American skater for the 2020 NHL Draft after finishing second in Ontario Hockey League scoring.  The sophomore forward chosen fifth overall by the Spirit in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection was highly regarded by OHL Western Conference coaches in the league’s annual poll where he received top marks in the Smartest Player, Best Playmaker, Best Stickhandler, and Best Shootout Shooter categories.  In the classroom between Heritage High School in Saginaw and All Saints Catholic Secondary School in his hometown of Whitby, Ontario, Perfetti was enrolled in an impressive seven University level courses including Algebra, Analyzing Current Economic Issues, Elite Athletics, Healthy & Active Living, Leadership, Organizational Studies in Behaviour and Human Resources, and World Religions.

“Thank you for choosing me to be the CHL Scholastic Player of the Year award winner,” Perfetti said. “It’s a big honour for me and something that I worked for all season. To be able to be a part of this trophy, and a group of all the prior recipients, it means a lot to me. There are a lot of great players to have won in the past and even better people. I want to say thank you to my family and my billets. Without them I wouldn’t be where I am today. They give me the support and the love that I need to excel both on and off the ice and in the classroom and without them I wouldn’t be in the spot that I am now. I also want to say thank you to the Spirit organization and to Pam Moretuzzo especially. Everyone in the organization is trying to make each player a better student, a better hockey player, but most importantly a better person. Pam is our high school advisor and day in, day out, she’s always taking care of me and making sure that each player is set up for greatness. I can’t thank her enough and I can’t thank the Spirit organization enough for providing me with all the resources and help I need to thrive both on and off the ice.”

Perfetti is the first member of the Spirit to win the award since it was introduced at the national level in 1988.  A number of top prospects have been recognized with this award ahead of their NHL Draft selection including back-to-back recipient Connor McDavid of the Erie Otters who won in 2014 and then again in 2015 before being chosen first overall by the Edmonton Oilers.  Other first round picks to win include Josh Morrissey of the Prince Albert Raiders (2013), Dougie Hamilton of the Niagara IceDogs (2011), Gilbert Brule of the Vancouver Giants (2005), Devan Dubnyk of the Kamloops Blazers (2004), Dustin Brown of the Guelph Storm (2003), Brad Boyes of the Otters (2000), Stefan Cherneski of the Brandon Wheat Kings (1997), Boyd Devereaux of the Kitchener Rangers (1996), Scott Niedermayer of the Blazers (1991), and Darrin Shannon of the Windsor Spitfires (1988).

Finalists for the award were fellow 2020 NHL Draft prospect Dylan Garand of the Western Hockey League’s Kamloops Blazers and Montreal Canadiens prospect Rafael Harvey-Pinard of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Chicoutimi Sagueneens.

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. For more information visit http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/.

67’s’ ANDRE TOURIGNY WINS CHL BRIAN KILREA COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD PRESENTED BY JANES

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

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Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League is proud to announce that Ottawa 67’s head coach Andre Tourigny is the 2019-20 recipient of the CHL’s Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award presented by Janes.

Tourigny guided the 67’s to a second straight Ontario Hockey League regular season title with a of 50-11-0-1 record, a CHL leading 296 goals scored, and just 164 goals against which was fewest in the OHL.

“I’d like to congratulate Andre Tourigny for being named the 2019-20 Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year,” said Paul Craft, Vice President of Marketing, Sofina Foods. “The Janes brand is proud and honoured to be a partner with the CHL and is committed to supporting communities across the country. Our production facilities are also in many of these great communities where you all play. Supporting hockey, the development of players, as well as recognizing the billet families is very important to the Janes brand.”

The 46-year-old from Nicolet, Quebec, helped this year’s 67’s equal the franchise’s all-time best mark of 50 wins set one year ago despite playing in six fewer games as a result of the abbreviated schedule.  The team also set a franchise record with a 17-game winning-streak that spanned from November 16 to January 10.  Another highlight of Tourigny’s season was winning gold as an assistant coach for Canada’s National Junior Team at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship.  He will return as the program’s head coach in 2020-21.

“It’s a tremendous honour for me and my staff to get coach of the year in the CHL,” said Tourigny. “In the CHL you have 60 head coaches and staff who work really hard during the season so to be recognized by the CHL with coach of the year, me and my coaching staff are really blessed and honoured. Our ownership and our management give us all of the tools to make that happen, and I want to also thank our players for all of their support and hard work during the season to make it happen. I want to thank the Commissioners and Dan (MacKenzie) for the tremendous honour.”

Awarded annually to the coach of the year in the CHL since 1988, the trophy was renamed in 2003 to honour Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Brian Kilrea when he won his 1000th game as coach of the 67’s.  Kilrea’s name is also inscribed on the award as a recipient in 1997.  Tourigny’s recognition comes after two previous nominations including last season as well as in 2006 as a member of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies.  He spent a decade behind-the-bench with the Huskies from 2003-13, then moved on to the NHL for three seasons as an assistant coach with the Colorado Avalanche from 2013-15 and the Ottawa Senators for 2015-16, returned for one year with the Halifax Mooseheads in 2016-17, and has now been with the 67’s for the past three seasons.  Tourigny has established himself as one of the league’s all-time greatest coaches with career figures that equal 496 wins in 961 games.  As it stands, only 21 CHL coaches have ever reached 500 wins and only 19 have surpassed the 1,000 game milestone.

Finalists for the award were Brad Lauer of the Western Hockey League’s Edmonton Oil Kings and Stephane Julien of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Sherbrooke Phoenix.

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. For more information visit http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/.

Marco Rossi wins CHL Top Scorer of the Year Award presented by Purolator

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Purolator

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League is proud to announce that 2020 NHL Draft prospect Marco Rossi of the Ottawa 67’s is the 2019-20 recipient of the CHL Top Scorer of the Year Award presented by Purolator.

Rossi led all players with 120 points including 39 goals and 81 assists in 56 games helping the 67’s finish first in the Ontario Hockey League’s regular season standings for the second straight season.

“Purolator is delighted to partner with another iconic Canadian brand, the CHL, to recognize the young athletes who inspire others and deliver the entertainment of sport for Canadians across the country,” said Purolator Marketing Director, Melanie Cheng-Kai-On. “Congratulations, Marco Rossi on being named the 2019-20 CHL Top Scorer of the Year. With so many talented young players, winning the CHL scoring title is an incredible achievement. We look forward to watching Marco’s career continue – knowing he’ll deliver many more highlights in the future!”

The 18-year-old from Feldkirch, Austria, has now played two seasons for the 67’s after being chosen with the 18th pick in the 2018 CHL Import Draft.  This season he nearly doubled his point total following a rookie campaign in which he registered 65 points in 53 games.  He led the entire CHL with a plus-69 rating and was held off the scoresheet just four times producing an impressive 34 multi-point performances highlighted by a six-point output on November 27 scoring his first career hat-trick plus three assists against the Kingston Frontenacs.  The sixth ranked North American skater on NHL Central Scouting’s final list also finished the schedule with success in the faceoff circle winning 58.5% of his draws and is a finalist for CHL Player of the Year.

“I want to say thanks to the CHL for giving me the CHL Top Scorer Award and I want to say thanks to the Ottawa 67’s for those amazing two years,” said Rossi. “Thank you very much, stay safe, and stay healthy.”

Since the award was first presented in 1994, Rossi is just the third top scorer to have joined the league through the Import Draft process following Czech Republic born Pavel Rosa for the 1996-97 Hull Olympiques, and Russian Alexander Radulov for the 2005-06 Quebec Remparts.  He’s also the first player to win the award in his first season of NHL Draft eligibility since Dylan Strome of the Erie Otters shared the honour in 2014-15.  That list also includes Nic Petan who shared the award in 2012-13 with the Portland Winterhawks, Patrick Kane of the 2006-07 London Knights, Sidney Crosby of the 2004-05 Rimouski Oceanic, Pierre-Marc Bouchard of the 2001-02 Chicoutimi Sagueneens, Ramzi Abid of the 1997-98 Sagueneens, Daniel Briere of the 1995-96 Drummondville Voltigeurs, and Marc Savard of the 1994-95 Oshawa Generals.  Rossi is now the second member of the 67’s to win the award joining Corey Locke during the 2002-03 season.

Finalists for the award were fellow 2020 NHL Draft prospect Alexis Lafreniere of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Rimouski Oceanic and Minnesota Wild prospect Adam Beckman of the Western Hockey League’s Spokane Chiefs.

OHL ANNOUNCES 2019-20 ALL-STAR AND ALL-ROOKIE TEAMS

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All Star Teams

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the First, Second and Third All-Star Team selections along with the First and Second All-Rookie Team selections for the 2019-20 season.

The OHL All-Star Teams were selected by the OHL’s General Managers, with voting conducted in two stages beginning with a Conference ballot followed by a final ballot that integrated the top selections from both the Eastern and Western Conference results.

Headlining the First Team is Red Tilson Trophy recipient and OHL scoring leader Marco Rossi of the Ottawa 67’s who becomes the first 67’s player to be selected to the League’s First All-Star Team since Tyler Toffoli in 2011-12. The top 2020 NHL Draft prospect led the entire Canadian Hockey League with 120 points, producing at a 2.14 point-per-game clip for the OHL’s first place team. Joining Rossi in the forward ranks was OHL goal-scoring leader Nick Robertson of the Peterborough Petes, a Toronto Maple Leafs prospect who lit the lamp 55 times in just 46 games. Flanking the right side is Los Angeles Kings prospect Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs who scored 48 goals and posted 98 points in 57 games. OHL Defenceman of the Year Noel Hoefenmayer of the Ottawa 67’s stands out on the blue line after recording a league-best 82 points including 26 goals over 58 games. Top draft eligible rearguard Jamie Drysdale joins Hoefenmayer on the back end after a sophomore season with the Erie Otters that included 47 points over 49 games. Fellow Canadian National Junior Team gold medalist Nico Daws of the Guelph Storm, who was voted OHL Goaltender of the Year, was appointed as a First Team All-Star netminder after posting a league-high .924 save percentage and five shutouts. OHL Coach of the Year Andre Tourigny of the Ottawa 67’s rounds out the group, being voted to the OHL’s First All-Star Team for a second consecutive year.

Washington Capitals first round pick Connor McMichael is positioned down the middle on the Second Team, joined by wingers in 111-point scorer Cole Perfetti of the Saginaw Spirit and fifth-year overage veteran Joseph Garreffa of the Ottawa 67’s. Dallas Stars first round selection Thomas Harley of the Mississauga Steelheads joins New Jersey Devils prospect Kevin Bahl on the back end while 2020 OHL Humanitarian of the Year and Los Angeles Kings prospect Jacob Ingham of the Kitchener Rangers holds down the crease. Dale Hunter of the London Knights was voted Second Team Head Coach, being selected to an All-Star Team for the sixth time in his OHL coaching career.

Top 2020 NHL Draft prospect Quinton Byfield of the Sudbury Wolves was voted Third Team centreman. He’s accompanied on the wings by Guelph Storm 45-goal scorer Pavel Gogolev and Sarnia Sting overage veteran Sean Josling who led his team with 78 points. The Third Team defence corps consists of the London Knights tandem of Chicago Blackhawks prospect Alec Regula and San Jose Sharks first round pick Ryan Merkley while Ottawa 67’s netminder Cedrick Andree is in goal. George Burnett of the Guelph Storm was voted to an OHL All-Star Team for the seventh time in his career, being named Third Team Head Coach.

A total of 11 teams were represented among the All-Star selections led by the Hamilton Spectator Trophy recipient Ottawa 67’s with six including First Team members Rossi, Hoefenmayer and Tourigny, Second Team selections Garreffa and Bahl and Third Team selection Andree. The Midwest Division champion London Knights trailed with four selections including Second Team members McMichael and coach Dale Hunter as well as Third Team defenders Merkley and Regula.

The Ontario Hockey League also unveiled its First and Second All-Rookie Teams for the 2019-20 season.

OHL Rookie of the Year and 2019 OHL Priority Selection first overall pick Shane Wright of the Kingston Frontenacs headlined the First All-Rookie Team, being joined by former Don Mills Flyers Minor Midget teammates in second overall OHL Priority Selection choice Brennan Othmann of the Flint Firebirds and fourth overall pick Brandt Clarke of the Barrie Colts on the back end. Sudbury Wolves winger Chase Stillman and Finnish-born Windsor Spitfires rearguard Ruben Rafkin joined London Knights standout netminder Brett Brochu in completing the First Team.

The Second Team is centred by 2019 fifth overall OHL Priority Selection choice and Peterborough Petes 29-goal scorer Mason McTavish. He’s joined up front by CHL Import Draft selections and 2020 NHL Draft prospects Martin Chromiak of the Kingston Frontenacs and Oliver Suni of the Oshawa Generals. On the blue line, North Bay Battalion rearguard Paul Christopoulos joins Saginaw Spirit defender Mitchell Smith in front of North Bay goaltender Joe Vrbetic to round out the group.

A total of 10 different teams were represented among the All-Rookie Team selections led by the Kingston Frontenacs and North Bay Battalion with a pair each.

2019-20 OHL All-Star Teams:

First All-Star Team:
C – Marco Rossi, Ottawa 67’s (OHL’s Most Outstanding Player) – voted 2nd all-rookie team in 2018-19
LW – Nick Robertson, Peterborough Petes
RW – Arthur Kaliyev, Hamilton Bulldogs – voted 2nd team in 2018-19, 2nd all-rookie team in 2017-18
D – Noel Hoefenmayer, Ottawa 67’s (OHL Defenceman of the Year)
D – Jamie Drysdale, Erie Otters – voted 1st all-rookie team in 2018-19
G – Nico Daws, Guelph Storm (OHL Goaltender of the Year)
Coach – Andre Tourigny, Ottawa 67’s (OHL Coach of the Year) – voted 1st team in 2018-19

Second All-Star Team:
C – Connor McMichael, London Knights
LW – Cole Perfetti, Saginaw Spirit – voted 1st all-rookie team in 2018-19
RW – Joseph Garreffa, Ottawa 67’s
D – Thomas Harley, Mississauga Steelheads – voted 3rd team in 2018-19
D – Kevin Bahl, Ottawa 67’s
G – Jacob Ingham, Kitchener Rangers – voted 1st team all-rookie in 2016-17
Coach – Dale Hunter, London Knights – voted 3rd team in 2018-19, 1st team in 2009-10, 2nd team in 2005-06, 1st team in 2004-05, 1st team in 2003-04

Third All-Star Team:
C – Quinton Byfield, Sudbury Wolves – voted 1st all-rookie team in 2018-19
LW – Pavel Gogolev, Guelph Storm
RW – Sean Josling, Sarnia Sting
D – Alec Regula, London Knights – voted 1st team all-rookie in 2017-18
D – Ryan Merkley, London Knights – voted 1st team all-rookie in 2016-17
G – Cedrick Andree, Ottawa 67’s
Coach – George Burnett, Guelph Storm – voted 2nd team in 2012-13, 2nd team in 2008-09, 3rd team in 2007-08, 2nd team in 1997-98, 1st team in 1991-92, 1st team in 1990-91

2019-20 OHL All-Rookie Teams:

First All-Rookie Team:
C – Shane Wright, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL Rookie of the Year)
LW – Brennan Othmann, Flint Firebirds
RW – Chase Stillman, Sudbury Wolves
D – Brandt Clarke, Barrie Colts
D – Ruben Rafkin, Windsor Spitfires
G – Brett Brochu, London Knights

Second All-Rookie Team:
C – Mason McTavish, Peterborough Petes
LW – Martin Chromiak, Kingston Frontenacs
RW – Oliver Suni, Oshawa Generals
D – Paul Christopoulos, North Bay Battalion
D – Mitchell Smith, Saginaw Spirit
G – Joe Vrbetic, North Bay Battalion

For full coverage of the 2020 OHL Awards, be sure to visit ontariohockeyleague.com or follow along on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

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. For more information visit http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/.

FIREBIRDS’ TY DELLANDREA AWARDED MICKEY RENAUD CAPTAIN’S TROPHY

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Ty Dellandrea

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Dallas Stars prospect Ty Dellandrea of the Flint Firebirds is the 2019-20 recipient of the Mickey Renaud Captain’s Trophy.

Dellandrea was chosen for the award by a media selection committee as the OHL team captain that best exemplifies leadership on and off the ice, with a passion and dedication to the game of hockey and community that Mickey demonstrated.

“This is an award very near and dear to our family’s hearts,” said Mickey’s father Mark Renaud. “Ty had an outstanding year on the ice for the Firebirds. He was also an important presence in his community and helped lead Team Canada to a gold medal at the World Juniors. We’ll be watching Ty play in the NHL for many years to come and we extend our congratulations and wish him the very best of luck in the future.”

Dellandrea modelled leadership both on the ice and in the Flint community, continually stepping up as the first player to put his name down for community events on the Firebirds’ dressing room cork board. Throughout his four-year tenure, he has shown a genuine interest in the lives of others, initiating spontaneous acts of kindness such as a hospital visit to a sick fan that included him bringing along a signed stick and Firebirds pennant unannounced. His positive attitude, accommodating relationship with local media and willingness to go the extra mile at community events to ensure no fan is left without an autograph or photo opportunity were all things that made him a fan favourite in Flint. Coming in as a 16-year-old rookie following a 2015-16 season that had its share of challenges, Dellandrea proved to be a leader through thick and thin during each of his four seasons with the franchise.

“This is truly an honour to receive the Mickey Renaud Captain’s Trophy,” said Dellandrea. “This is not an individual award. We have a great leadership group in our dressing room and every one of those guys played a role in this. To hear so much about Mickey to this day speaks a lot of who he was as a captain and as a person. On behalf of the entire Flint Firebirds organization, I’d like to thank the Renaud family and give my respect to Mickey and what he has done for our game.”

On the ice, the 19 year-old from Port Perry’s resume is a lengthy one. After being selected fifth overall by Flint in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection and developing through a pair of seasons outside of the Western Conference playoff picture, Dellandrea served as a key piece of the Firebirds’ best season yet as they won 40 of their 63 games. Dellandrea recorded 70 points (32-38–70) over 47 contests, wrapping up his fourth season as the Firebirds’ all-time leader in career goals (94), assists (122) and points (216). The 6-foot-1, 190Ib. centre won gold as part of Canada’s National Junior Team in January and finished tied for first as the Western Conference’s top face-off man in the 2019-20 OHL Coaches Poll. Dellandrea, who was chosen as Flint’s most valuable player in both the 2018 and 2019 seasons, was selected by Dallas with the 13th overall pick of the 2018 NHL Draft.

“Ty has been a leader from the first day he arrived in Flint,” said Flint Firebirds Vice President of Hockey Operations & General Manager Barclay Branch. “He embodies everything that Mickey represented both on and off the ice. We could not be more proud of Ty’s leadership skills and his commitment to the game. As the second Firebird to earn this award in just four years, it is a great example of the type of character level and culture we have inside our dressing room in Flint.”

Dellandrea follows 2016-17 award winner Alex Peters as the second Firebirds player to earn the award. Past recipients also include Isaac Ratcliffe (Guelph 2019), Justin Lemcke (Hamilton 2018), Michael Webster (Barrie 2016), Max Domi (London 2015), Matt Finn (Guelph 2014), Colin Miller (Sault Ste. Marie 2013), Andrew Agozzino (Niagara 2012), Ryan Ellis (Windsor 2011), John Kurtz (Sudbury 2010) and Chris Terry (Plymouth 2009).

Nomination forms are submitted annually by OHL General Managers on behalf of their individual team captains. The selection committee consists of a panel of four, representing media from each OHL division.

2020 OHL Awards announcements continue on Wednesday when the OHL recognizes its All-Star and All-Rookie Teams for the 2019-20 season.

For full coverage of the 2020 OHL Awards, be sure to visit ontariohockeyleague.com or follow along on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

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. For more information visit http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/.

67’s’ JAMES BOYD NAMED INAUGURAL RECIPIENT OF JIM GREGORY GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

James Boyd

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League announced today that James Boyd of the Ottawa 67’s is the inaugural recipient of the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award selected by a combination of the League’s General Managers as well as a five-member panel consisting of OHL writers and broadcasters along with a representative from NHL Central Scouting.

First announced last August, the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award is presented annually to the General Manager who best excelled in his role during the regular season. The award honours the memory of one of the game’s great builders in former long-time NHL executive Jim Gregory who passed away this past October at the age of 83.

“My dad would be so proud to have James as the first winner,” said David Gregory, the son of the late Jim Gregory who currently works with NHL Central Scouting. “A couple seasons back, at one of the last games my dad and I scouted together, James was there. We sat together, watched the game and talked hockey, which my dad loved. When we were leaving my dad said to me, ‘that James, he’s a real hockey man.’

“My dad got his start in junior hockey and always loved his continued association with the OHL,” Gregory added. “My family is eternally grateful to David Branch and the Ontario Hockey League for honouring him with the namesake of this award. We’re also so thankful for all those associated with picking such a worthy winner as James Boyd.”

Working alongside back-to-back OHL Coach of the Year Andre Tourigny, Boyd’s 67’s skated to a second straight Hamilton Spectator Trophy atop the OHL regular season standings with a record of 50-11-0-1. Just as they did in 2018-19, the 67’s equalled their franchise record-tying mark of 50 wins, doing so in six-fewer games as a result of the abbreviated schedule. The Barber Poles led the League in goals for (296), surrendered the fewest against (164), owned the OHL’s top power play (29.8%) and third-ranked penalty kill (82.1%). They led all clubs in both home (26) and road (24) wins and strung together a franchise record 17-game winning streak that spanned from November 16 to January 10.

“This is a tremendous honour for our organization to receive this inaugural award in memory of the late, great Jim Gregory, whose exemplary dedication and class touched so many people in our game,” said Boyd. “The shared success of our 67’s team would not be possible without the tireless work of Assistant General Manager and Director of Scouting, Jan Egert, and our team of dedicated scouts. Also, Coach of the Year, Andre Tourigny, our coaching staff and development team with their keen interest in team building and player improvement. Most importantly, our ownership group at OSEG, who provide the resources and support for each of our players to pursue their dreams.”

The 67’s featured several core returning members of their 2019 Eastern Conference championship roster including the OHL’s Most Outstanding Player Marco Rossi, Defenceman of the Year Noel Hoefenmayer, Overage Player of the Year Austen Keating, World Junior gold medalist Kevin Bahl, starting netminder Cedrick Andree and draft eligible 52-goal scorer Jack Quinn leading the way. Boyd’s biggest addition to the talented group this past season was October pickup Joseph Garreffa who went on to record 90 points (36-54–90) over 52 games in his overage season.

An OHL graduate and native of Mississauga, Ont. who played for the 67’s, Kitchener Rangers and Belleville Bulls from 1993-97, Boyd has been working in a hockey operations capacity in the League since 1999 when he broke in as an Assistant Coach in Belleville. Following 12 seasons spent largely as an Assistant Coach and Assistant General Manager, Boyd took the reins as head coach and GM of the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors in 2011-12. Following five seasons in that capacity with the Majors/Steelheads, Boyd signed on as General Manager of the Ottawa 67’s to begin the 2017-18 season. Since then, the club has played to an overall regular season record of 130-52-10-6.

Each of the OHL’s 20 member team General Managers cast their vote to establish a pool of finalists before further deliberations were carried out and an award winner identified by a five-man panel consisting of OHL print and broadcast media in addition to a representative from NHL Central Scouting.

A builder and good friend of the Ontario Hockey League along with countless people across the hockey world, Jim Gregory was a Hockey Hall of Fame inductee in 2007 who made significant contributions to the game throughout his lengthy career. Gregory got his managerial start by guiding St. Michael’s College School and the Toronto Marlboros to great success, winning a total of three Memorial Cup titles before becoming General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs from 1969-79. He then transitioned into an executive role with the National Hockey League, one that spanned the course of four decades as he most recently served as the NHL’s Sr. Vice President of Hockey Operations.

2020 OHL Awards announcements continue on Tuesday when the OHL recognizes its Mickey Renaud Captain’s Trophy recipient.

For full coverage of the 2020 OHL Awards, be sure to visit ontariohockeyleague.com or follow along on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

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. For more information visit http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/.

VETERAN REFEREE JASON FAIST RECOGNIZED WITH KEN BODENDISTEL CHARACTER AWARD FOR OFFICIALS

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

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Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League announced today that 14-year OHL officiating veteran Jason Faist is the 2019-20 recipient of the Ken Bodendistel Character Award for Officials as voted by his peers.

A native of Waterloo, Ont., Faist began his OHL tenure as a linesman before wearing the bands as a referee for the past 12 seasons. He’s worked 550 career regular season games along with 85 playoff games.

“It is such an honour to be this year’s recipient of ‘The Bodie’ Award,” said Faist. “Ken was a mentor for so many young officials spanning several decades. I was fortunate enough to see Ken as a supervisor at many of my games when I first started as I lived in Cambridge and he was in Guelph. You knew when he was in the building, you better bring your ‘A’ game. He expected nothing less from you.”

“Jason is not only a successful referee, he’s also a leader on our team and is highly respected and regarded by his peers and the OHL clubs,” said OHL Director of Officiating Conrad Haché. “He’s a mentor to our officials and after 14 years he continues to bring his dedication, willingness to learn, commitment and desire to every assignment that he works.”

Faist, who works as a firefighter with the City of Kitchener away from the rink, got his OHL officiating start at the outset of the 2006-07 season. Since then, #5 has worked a total of three OHL Championship Series as well as the 2019 Memorial Cup presented by Kia in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He also skated in Game 4 of the 2019 CIBC Canada Russia Series in London and serves as a referee in the American Hockey League.

“Thank you to the Ontario Hockey League, Conrad Haché, the Officiating Managers and all my fellow officials that I’ve had the pleasure to skate beside night in and night out,” Faist continued. “Not only do I get to share the ice with the best junior players in the country, but I have the opportunity to skate alongside the very best amateur officials in the world!

“I’d also like to thank my family and especially my wife Kayla for always supporting me as I spend so many nights away throughout the season. This award wouldn’t be possible without her.”

Established in 2013, “The Bodie” is presented annually to the OHL official who demonstrates a passion and dedication to officiating and the game of hockey, who best exemplifies leadership on and off the ice, professionalism, and is respected by OHL member teams, players, and fellow officials.  The award is named in recognition of former OHL Senior Officiating Manager, Ken Bodendistel, who served 40 years in the league beginning as a Supervisor in 1974-75.  Bodendistel passed away in November, 2013, at the age of 73 after a courageous battle with cancer.  This year marked the eighth year “The Bodie” has been presented with past recipients including Geoff Rutherford, Kevin Hastings, Joe Celestin, Mike Cairns, Steve Corlyon, Sean Reid and Scott Oakman.

2020 OHL Awards announcements continue on Monday when the OHL recognizes its inaugural recipient of the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award.

For full coverage of the 2020 OHL Awards, be sure to visit ontariohockeyleague.com or follow along on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

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. For more information visit http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/.

Shane Wright restores the prestige of the ‘exceptional status’ pick

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

The list of players who have been granted exceptional status to play in the Canadian Hockey League at the age of 15 was once as short as it was impressive.

First, there was John Tavares in 2009. Then Aaron Ekblad in 2011. And Connor McDavid in 2012.
Those first three were considered no-doubters —truly exceptional talents. All would go on to become No. 1 overall picks in the NHL.

Then came Sean Day in 2013 and Joe Veleno in 2015, and all of a sudden the word “exceptional” lost its meaning.

Day, who wasn’t even a top-three pick in the OHL, was drafted in the third round in 2016 by the New York Rangers. He is now playing in the ECHL.

Veleno, the 30th overall pick of the Detroit Red Wings in 2018, spent an extra year in junior after his draft year and all of this past season in the American Hockey League where he tied for seventh in team scoring.

So, when Shane Wright was granted exceptional status last year — following denials to 2019 No. 1 overall pick Jack Hughes and several others — what he was really being granted was exceptional comparison. Scouts were certainly hoping he would become the next Tavares or McDavid. But at the same time, they couldn’t be sure if the 5-foot-11 centre would be the next Day or Veleno.

Read the full article from the Toronto Sun here.

67’s’ MARCO ROSSI VOTED OHL’S MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Rossi, Marco 2

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that 2020 NHL Draft prospect Marco Rossi of the Ottawa 67’s is the 2019-20 recipient of the Red Tilson Trophy awarded to the OHL’s Most Outstanding Player of the Year as voted by the writers and broadcasters that cover the League.

Rossi becomes the eighth different 67’s player to win the award and first since Corey Locke’s second of back-to-back honours in 2003-04. He follows reigning Red Tilson Trophy recipient Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen of the Sudbury Wolves as the second European import player to ever be recognized.

“Thank you to all of the accredited OHL media writers for awarding me the prestigious Red Tilson Trophy,” said Rossi of the honour. “I would like to acknowledge the great Mr. Albert “Red” Tilson, who was killed in action in Europe during World War II, a true hero. In these COVID-19 unprecedented times, I honor the men and women, doctors and nurses and all of those putting their lives on the line for all of us across the globe, true heroes that follow in Mr. Tilson’s footsteps.”

Rossi finished atop the CHL scoring charts with 120 points including 39 goals, 81 assists and an impressive plus/minus rating of plus-69 over just 53 games. His 2.14 point-per-game pace led the OHL and is the highest such figure by a Red Tilson Trophy recipient since Erie’s Connor McDavid (2.55) in 2014-15. He was recently recognized as the first Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy recipient of European descent since Stan Mikita of the St. Catharines Teepees claimed the honour in 1958-59.

“I am extremely grateful to receive this recognition,” Rossi continued. “This is truly a team award, and I want to thank the entire first-class 67’s organization for their support over the 2019-20 season. From the ownership group, to the management staff, to the coaching staff, to the training staff, to my teammates, to my billeting family, to my immediate family, to the fans and to everyone who provided a helping hand during this last season and the time leading up to it: thank you! I am honored and forever grateful to receive this prestigious award.”

The 18-year-old from Feldkirch, Austria helped power the first place 67’s with the League’s top power play, rounding out the campaign with a total of 34 multi-point performances, 23 of which included three points or more. He earned three star of the game recognition a total of 23 different times, a figure that includes eight first star selections. The 5-foot-9, 187Ib. centreman finished the schedule with an impressive 58.5% success rate in the faceoff circle and was held off the scoresheet just four times.

Rossi’s 120 points are the most by a 67’s player in a single season since Locke (151) in 2002-03. His plus-69 rating is the fifth-highest by any player since the League began tracking plus/minus in 1996-97, trailing fellow 67’s Nick Boynton (plus 81, 1996-97) and Sean Blanchard (plus-74, 1996-97) as well as London’s Danny Syvret (plus-70, 2004-05) and Sault Ste. Marie’s Morgan Frost (plus-70, 2017-18).

“Marco brought fans out of their seats on numerous occasions this season, consistently showcasing his skill and smarts,” said 67’s general manager James Boyd. “Marco played with a commitment to the team concept and attention to detail defensively and on many nights dominated the game with his play at both ends of the ice. Marco is an outstanding player and it is fitting that he be awarded the Red Tilson Trophy for his contributions to our team this season.”

The sixth-ranked North American skater on NHL Central Scouting’s Final Draft Rankings competed in the 2020 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game this past January in Hamilton. Rossi, who was named to the OHL’s second all-rookie team in 2018-19, has accumulated 185 points (68-117–185) over just 109 regular season games since being selected by the 67’s with the 18th overall pick of the 2018 CHL Import Draft. He was widely recognized in the 2019-20 OHL Coaches Poll, appearing in six different categories as he earned recognition as the Eastern Conference’s smartest player, best playmaker and best shootout shooter.

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 were asked to select their top choice from the 20 nominees submitted by all 20 member clubs. Rossi led the way, receiving 62% of the overall vote followed by the League’s second-highest point producer in Cole Perfetti of the Saginaw Spirit with 13% of the vote and OHL goal-scoring leader Nick Robertson of the Peterborough Petes with his share of 12%.

This marks the 10th time a 67’s player has earned the award as Rossi follows the aforementioned Corey Locke (2002-03, 2003-04), defenceman Brian Campbell (1998-99), two-time winner Alyn McCauley (1995-96, 1996-97), Andrew Cassels (1987-88), Jim Fox (1979-80), Bobby Smith (1977-78) and Peter Lee (1975-76) in having his name engraved on the trophy. In addition to Luukkonen, other recent winners include Sarnia’s Jordan Kyrou (2018), Erie’s Alex DeBrincat (2017) and London’s Mitch Marner (2016). Rossi joins Connor McDavid (Erie 2015), Tyler Seguin (Plymouth 2010), John Tavares (Oshawa 2007), David Legwand (Plymouth 1998), Eric Lindros (Oshawa 1991) and Jack Valiquette (Sault Ste. Marie 1974) as the seventh player to claim the honour prior to his NHL Draft selection.

The Red Tilson Trophy winner is the OHL’s nominee for Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year to be announced in the coming weeks.

2020 OHL Awards announcements continue on Friday when the OHL recognizes the 2019-20 recipient of the Ken Bodendistel Character Award for Officials.

For full coverage of the 2020 OHL Awards, be sure to visit ontariohockeyleague.com or follow along on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

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. For more information visit http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/.

67’s’ NOEL HOEFENMAYER NAMED OHL DEFENCEMAN OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY REAL CANADIAN SUPERSTORE

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Hoefenmayer, Noel (2)

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that overage veteran Noel Hoefenmayer of the Ottawa 67’s is the 2019-20 recipient of the Max Kaminsky Trophy awarded annually to the OHL’s Most Outstanding Defenceman of the Year presented by Real Canadian Superstore.

Hoefenmayer led OHL rearguards with 82 points including 26 goals and 56 assists over 82 games along with a plus-52 rating, spearheading the League’s top-ranked power play from the blue line. He became the first 67’s defender to lead his position in OHL scoring since Brian Campbell in 1998-99 while racking up the most goals by a Barber Poles blueliner since Bruce Cassidy in 1983-84. His eight game winning goals led the League’s defenders, the highest single season total at the position since London’s Danny Syvret in 2004-05. Hoefenmayer earned OHL Defenceman of the Month honours in October, December and January, rounding out his season with a total of 24 multi-point performances. He received three star of the game recognition 12 different times, including six instances where he was recognized as the game’s first star.

“It’s truly an honour to be able to represent the Ottawa 67’s and win such a prestigious award like the Max Kaminsky Trophy,” said Hoefenmayer. “I would like to thank the entire 67’s organization as well as the city of Ottawa for the tremendous support that myself and my teammates have gotten over my five year tenure with the team.  This award represents a lot of people that have helped me to get to where I am today, including the coaching staff, the training staff, Sean Young of Canadian Strength, Derek Miller of Next Gen Hockey, my billet families as well as my immediate family. Thank you!”

A 21-year-old native of North York, Ont., Hoefenmayer wraps up his accomplished five-year 67’s career sixth in all-time points by an Ottawa defenceman with 222 (65-157–222) accumulated over 298 regular season contests, the highest figure by a blueliner in club history. His 65 career goals are tied for third among franchise blueliners, trailing greats Denis Potvin and Doug Wilson. A former fourth round pick of the Arizona Coyotes in the 2017 NHL Draft, Hoefenmayer signed a two-year AHL contract with the Toronto Marlies last month. He was originally Ottawa’s second round pick in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection from the Don Mills Flyers minor midgets.

“Through hard work and perseverance Noel has showed continuous improvement throughout his junior career,” commented 67’s general manager James Boyd. “In addition to this season’s league leading offensive production, Noel has been a steady defensive presence on our blue line and is a key part of our team’s leadership group. Noel is a deserving recipient of this season’s Max Kaminsky Trophy.”

The Max Kaminsky Trophy is awarded each year to the Most Outstanding Defenceman as selected by OHL General Managers.  All 20 clubs submitted a nominee but were not permitted to vote for their own player.

The award is named in recognition of Max Kaminsky, who enjoyed a 10-year professional playing career that included four years in the NHL with Ottawa, Boston, and Montreal.  After he retired from playing, Kaminsky enjoyed a 15-year coaching career that was capped by winning the Memorial Cup with the St. Catharines Teepees in 1960.

Hoefenmayer becomes the eighth different 67’s defenceman to earn the distinction and first since Brendan Bell in 2002-03. Other franchise names engraved on the Max Kaminsky Trophy include Brian Campbell (1998-99), Sean Blanchard (1996-97), Chris Snell (1990-91), Brad Shaw (1983-84), Randy Boyd (1980-81) and two-time recipient Denis Potvin (1972-73, 1971-72). Past winners of the award also include current NHL talents in Andrej Sekera (Owen Sound 2006), Marc Staal (Sudbury 2007), Drew Doughty (Guelph 2008), Ryan Ellis (Windsor 2009 and 2011), Jacob Muzzin (Sault Ste. Marie 2010), Dougie Hamilton (Niagara 2012), Aaron Ekblad (Barrie 2014), Anthony DeAngelo (Sault Ste. Marie 2015), and Mikhail Sergachev (Windsor 2016).

Hoefenmayer will be the OHL’s nominee for CHL Defenceman of the Year to be announced in the coming weeks.

2020 OHL Awards announcements continue on Thursday when the OHL recognizes its Red Tilson Trophy recipient as the League’s Most Outstanding Player.

For full coverage of the 2020 OHL Awards, be sure to visit ontariohockeyleague.com or follow along on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

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. For more information visit http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/.