CHL Announces Weekly Award Winners

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Tracey tops the charts, Dhillon sets franchise record

Warriors’ Brayden Tracey named CHL Player of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that rookie forward Brayden Tracey of the Moose Jaw Warriors is the CHL Player of the Week for the regular season week ending February 24 with 11 points in four games including six goals and five assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-5.

Tracey recorded four consecutive multi-point games last week as the Warriors recorded three wins in four appearances to improve to a 34-16-6-2 record, good for third place in the WHL’s East Division. His week began Monday with a three-point night, including two power-play tallies as the Warriors fell just short of a comeback in a 4-3 loss to the top-seeded Prince Albert Raiders. The 2019 NHL Draft hopeful then followed up that performance four nights later with another two-goal effort in a 4-2 win against the Swift Current Broncos in which he was recognized as the game’s third star. On Saturday, Tracey was named second star after picking up another three points, including one goal and two assists, in a 5-2 victory over the Regina Pats. Tracey then closed out the weekend with another three points as he recorded one goal and two assists in Sunday’s 5-1 win over the Kootenay ICE.

A 17-year-old from Calgary, Alta., Tracey is starring in his first full season with the Warriors after appearing in five games plus two playoff contests a year ago. In 58 games with Moose Jaw this season, the first round pick in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft has tallied 31 goals and 42 assists for 73 points, good for first among CHL rookies and third in team scoring behind fellow forwards Tristin Langan (45-51-96) and Justin Almeida (25-62-87).  He is listed 73rd among North American skaters for the 2019 NHL Draft in NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Rankings.

Also considered for the award this week was Detroit Red Wings prospect Joseph Veleno of the Drummondville Voltigeurs with seven points in three games, including two goals and five assists, and Guelph Storm forward and Philadelphia Flyers draft pick Isaac Ratcliffe, who registered seven goals and two assists for nine points in three games.

2018-19 CHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:

Feb. 18 – Feb. 24: Brayden Tracey (Moose Jaw Warriors)

Feb. 11 – Feb. 17: Maxime Comtois (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

Feb. 4 – Feb. 10: Alexis Lafreniere (Rimouski Oceanic)

Jan. 28 – Feb. 3: Samuel Asselin (Halifax Mooseheads)

Jan. 21 – Jan. 27: Ethan Crossman (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Jan. 14 – Jan. 20: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

Jan. 7 – Jan. 13: Bowen Byram (Vancouver Giants)

Dec. 31 – Jan. 6: Arthur Kaliyev (Hamilton Bulldogs)

Dec. 24 – Dec. 30: Kyle Maksimovich (Erie Otters)

Dec. 10 – Dec. 16: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)

Dec. 3 – Dec. 9: Ivan Chekhovich (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Nov. 26 – Dec. 2: Gregor MacLeod (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

Nov. 19 – Nov. 25: Brett Leason (Prince Albert Raiders)

Nov. 12 – Nov. 18: Peter Abbandonato (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)

Nov. 5 – Nov. 11: Jason Robertson (Kingston Frontenacs)

Oct. 29 – Nov. 4: Joachim Blichfeld (Portland Winterhawks)

Oct. 22 – Oct. 28: Ivan Chekhovich (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)

Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Damien Giroux (Saginaw Spirit)

Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Dawson Davidson (Saskatoon Blades)

Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Luka Burzan (Brandon Wheat Kings)

Sept. 19 – Sept. 23: Kirby Dach (Saskatoon Blades)

IceDogs’ Stephen Dhillon named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Stephen Dhillon of the Niagara IceDogs is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the regular season week ending February 24 with a 4-0-0-0 record, two shutouts, a goals-against average of 1.00, and save percentage of .966.

Dhillon claims the honour for the second time this season after stopping 113 shots in four games last week to help the IceDogs improve to 37-15-7-0 on the season. Against the Peterborough Petes on Monday, Dhillon turned aside 30 shots in an eventual 5-2 victory en route to second star honours. Three nights later, he came up with a 31-save performance against the Kitchener Rangers in a 10-2 win for his second-straight victory. Dhillon then wrapped the week with a pair of shutouts over the Petes and the Owen Sound Attack, combining for 52 saves over the two contests. Saturday’s 5-0 victory over Peterborough earned him first star honours and marked his 90th career victory as he became Niagara’s all-time franchise leader in wins, while Sunday’s 9-0 defeat of the Attack brought third star recognition as he set the club’s single season wins record with 31.

The 20-year-old native of Buffalo, N.Y., is competing in his fifth season with the IceDogs. In 50 games this season, Dhillon owns a 31-10-7-0 record alongside five shutouts, a 2.94 goals-against average, and .911 save percentage.

Also considered for the award this week was Cole McLaren of the Halifax Mooseheads after he posted a 2-0-0-0 record including one shutout making 61 saves for a goals-against average of 0.50 and save percentage of .984. In the WHL, Dylan Myskiw of the Edmonton Oil Kings went 3-0-0-0 with one shutout stopping 88 shots in total for a goals-against average of 1.00 and save percentage of .967.

2018-19 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:

Feb. 18 – Feb. 24: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)

Feb. 11 – Feb. 17: Joel Hofer (Portland Winterhawks)

Feb. 4 – Feb. 10: Mads Sogaard (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Jan. 28 – Feb. 3: Jet Greaves (Barrie Colts)

Jan. 21 – Jan. 27: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)

Jan. 14 – Jan. 20: Olivier Rodrigue (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

Jan. 7 – Jan. 13: Kevin Mandolese (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)

Dec. 31 – Jan. 6: Ivan Prosvetov (Saginaw Spirit)

Dec. 24 – Dec. 30: Cedrick Andree (Ottawa 67’s)

Dec. 10 – Dec. 16: Mads Sogaard (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Dec. 3 – Dec. 9: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)

Nov. 26 – Dec. 2: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Sudbury Wolves)

Nov. 19 – Nov. 25: Kyle Jessiman (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Nov. 12 – Nov. 18: Ian Scott (Prince Albert Raiders)

Nov. 5 – Nov. 11: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)

Oct. 29 – Nov. 4: Joseph Raaymakers (London Knights)

Oct. 22 – Oct. 28: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)

Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Emile Samson (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)

Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Alexis Gravel (Halifax Mooseheads)

Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Trent Miner (Vancouver Giants)

Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Luke Richardson (Kitchener Rangers)

Sept. 19 – Sept. 23: Hunter Jones (Peterborough Petes)

CHL Announces Weekly Award Winners

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Voltigeurs’ Maxime Comtois named CHL Player of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Anaheim Ducks prospect Maxime Comtois of the Drummondville Voltigeurs is the CHL Player of the Week for the regular season week ending February 17 with 16 points in four games including nine goals and seven assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-13.

Comtois recorded consecutive multi-point efforts in four-straight games last week to help push the Voltigeurs’ win streak to eight games and improve to a 44-10-2-0 record for top spot in the QMJHL’s Central Division. His week began Wednesday with a hat-trick plus one assist and first star honours in an 8-1 defeat of the Sherbrooke Phoenix. The National Junior Team captain then followed up that performance two nights later with three points, including two goals and one assist, in a 4-1 win against the Victoriaville Tigers en route to another first star recognition. On Saturday, Comtois then notched his second hat-trick of the week and added two assists to match a season-high five-point night in a 7-2 victory over the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. Comtois then wrapped the weekend with a goal and three assists in Sunday’s 6-4 defeat of the Shawinigan Cataractes.

A 20-year-old from Longueuil, Que., Comtois is starring in his fourth season in the QMJHL, and first year with the Voltigeurs after spending the previous three campaigns with the Tigres. Comtois began the season with the Ducks then captained Canada at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship before returning to the Voltigeurs’ lineup full time. In 16 games with Drummondville this season, Comtois has tallied 18 goals and 14 assists for 32 points. He finished last season with 85 points in 54 appearances.

Also considered for the award this week was Carolina Hurricanes prospect Stelio Mattheos of the Brandon Wheat Kings with nine points in three games, including four goals and five assists, and Oshawa Generals forward Nando Eggenberger, who picked up four goals and two assists for six points in three games.

2018-19 CHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:

Feb. 11 – Feb. 17: Maxime Comtois (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

Feb. 4 – Feb. 10: Alexis Lafreniere (Rimouski Oceanic)

Jan. 28 – Feb. 3: Samuel Asselin (Halifax Mooseheads)

Jan. 21 – Jan. 27: Ethan Crossman (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Jan. 14 – Jan. 20: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

Jan. 7 – Jan. 13: Bowen Byram (Vancouver Giants)

Dec. 31 – Jan. 6: Arthur Kaliyev (Hamilton Bulldogs)

Dec. 24 – Dec. 30: Kyle Maksimovich (Erie Otters)

Dec. 10 – Dec. 16: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)

Dec. 3 – Dec. 9: Ivan Chekhovich (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Nov. 26 – Dec. 2: Gregor MacLeod (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

Nov. 19 – Nov. 25: Brett Leason (Prince Albert Raiders)

Nov. 12 – Nov. 18: Peter Abbandonato (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)

Nov. 5 – Nov. 11: Jason Robertson (Kingston Frontenacs)

Oct. 29 – Nov. 4: Joachim Blichfeld (Portland Winterhawks)

Oct. 22 – Oct. 28: Ivan Chekhovich (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)

Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Damien Giroux (Saginaw Spirit)

Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Dawson Davidson (Saskatoon Blades)

Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Luka Burzan (Brandon Wheat Kings)

Sept. 19 – Sept. 23: Kirby Dach (Saskatoon Blades)

Winterhawks’ Joel Hofer named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that St. Louis Blues prospect Joel Hofer of the Portland Winterhawks is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the regular season week ending February 17 with a 2-0-0-0 record including one shutout victory with a goals-against average of 1.00 and save percentage of .967.

Hofer claims the honour for the first time this season after turning aside 59 shots in two games last week to help the Winterhawks improve to 36-16-3-3 on the season clinching a berth in the WHL’s Western Conference playoffs. Against the Red Deer Rebels on Saturday, Hofer stopped 25 shots in an eventual 2-0 victory en route to first star honours and his third shutout of the season. The following night, he came up with a 34-save performance against the Seattle Thunderbirds in a 5-2 win as he improved to 13-25-2-1 on the season.

The 18-year-old Winnipeg, Man., native is competing in his second season in the Western Hockey League. Acquired from the Swift Current Broncos in a January trade, Hofer has notched a .920 save percentage and 2.76 goals-against average in 11 games since the deal.

Also considered for the award this week was Jonathan Lemieux of the Val-d’Or Foreurs who posted a 2-0-0-0 record in two appearances making 60 saves overall for a goals-against average of 1.00 and save percentage of .969. In the OHL, Kai Edmonds of the Barrie Colts went 2-0-0-0, stopping 51 shots for a goals-against average of 1.50 and save percentage of .944.

2018-19 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:

Feb. 11 – Feb. 17: Joel Hofer (Portland Winterhawks)

Feb. 4 – Feb. 10: Mads Sogaard (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Jan. 28 – Feb. 3: Jet Greaves (Barrie Colts)

Jan. 21 – Jan. 27: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)

Jan. 14 – Jan. 20: Olivier Rodrigue (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

Jan. 7 – Jan. 13: Kevin Mandolese (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)

Dec. 31 – Jan. 6: Ivan Prosvetov (Saginaw Spirit)

Dec. 24 – Dec. 30: Cedrick Andree (Ottawa 67’s)

Dec. 10 – Dec. 16: Mads Sogaard (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Dec. 3 – Dec. 9: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)

Nov. 26 – Dec. 2: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Sudbury Wolves)

Nov. 19 – Nov. 25: Kyle Jessiman (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Nov. 12 – Nov. 18: Ian Scott (Prince Albert Raiders)

Nov. 5 – Nov. 11: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)

Oct. 29 – Nov. 4: Joseph Raaymakers (London Knights)

Oct. 22 – Oct. 28: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)

Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Emile Samson (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)

Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Alexis Gravel (Halifax Mooseheads)

Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Trent Miner (Vancouver Giants)

Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Luke Richardson (Kitchener Rangers)

Sept. 19 – Sept. 23: Hunter Jones (Peterborough Petes)

OHL Announces Sanctions Against the Niagara IceDogs Hockey Club

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League, (OHL), has levied fines totalling $250,000.00 against the Niagara IceDogs Hockey Club and taken away 1st round draft selections in the 2019 and 2021 OHL Priority Selection process.

These fines follow a League-requested third-party investigation by the law firm of Lax O’Sullivan Lisus Gottlieb LLP. This investigation found that the Club violated certain League player recruitment policies.

“The League takes our commitment to our players and their player experience very seriously, which includes ensuring a fair and competitive on-ice experience among all teams. In order to maintain the integrity of this player experience and competitiveness within the league, it is critical that all clubs operate within the league recruitment guidelines. When a club ignores these guidelines, significant sanctions are required,” said David Branch, OHL Commissioner.

Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced the week twenty-one edition of the Kia CHL Top-10 Rankings for the 2018-19 season.  The weekly rankings of the CHL’s Top-10 teams are selected by a panel of National Hockey League scouts.

Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings – Week 21:

Rank: Team: Last Week Rank: Number of Weeks Ranked:
1 Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (47-7-0-1) 1 18
2 Prince Albert Raiders (45-7-0-2) 2 19
3 Ottawa 67’s (40-9-3-2) 4 18
4 Drummondville Voltigeurs (40-10-2-0) 5 16
5 London Knights (37-9-5-1) 3 17
6 Halifax Mooseheads (39-12-2-1) 8 21
7 Everett Silvertips (38-13-1-1) 7 12
8 Baie-Comeau Drakkar (38-12-2-1) 6 19
9 Rimouski Oceanic (36-14-3-0) 9 5
10 Vancouver Giants (37-13-2-1) – 14
Honourable Mention:
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (35-12-5-1) – 6
Saskatoon Blades (34-13-8-0) – 1
Sudbury Wolves (33-16-2-1) – 1

Kia CHL Top 10

OHL Cup Powered by Under Armour Minor Midget Top-10 Rankings

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto Red Wings become fourth team to officially qualify
OHL Cup

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the thirteenth edition of the weekly minor midget rankings for the 2019 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament powered by Under Armour and hosted by the Greater Toronto Hockey League.

The 2019 OHL Cup powered by Under Armour and hosted by the GTHL is scheduled for March 12-18 and will feature 20 teams from across Ontario and the United States showcasing many of the top players eligible for the 2019 OHL Priority Selection.  All games will be played at Scotiabank Pond in Toronto until the Championship Final moves to the Mattamy Athletic Centre on Monday March 18 where it will be broadcasted nationally on Sportsnet.

The weekly rankings are determined by a panel of OHL Central Scouting staff and represent the top teams that are competing to play in the annual year-end championship tournament.

Minor Midget Rankings for the 2018 OHL Cup powered by Under Armour – Week 13

RANK TEAM LEAGUE LAST WEEK WEEKS RANKED
1 Don Mills Flyers* GTHL 1 13
2 Toronto Young Nationals* GTHL 2 13
3 Toronto Marlboros* GTHL 3 13
4 Whitby Wildcats OMHA 4 13
5 Sudbury Minor Midget Wolves NOHA 5 13
6 Toronto Red Wings* GTHL 6 13
7 Kitchener Jr. Rangers ALLIANCE 7 10
8 York-Simcoe Express OMHA 9 9
9 North Central Predators OMHA 10 13
10 Mississauga Rebels GTHL 8 11
Honourable Mention
Guelph Gryphons OMHA – –
Brantford 99ers ALLIANCE – 7
Halton Hurricanes OMHA – –
Quinte Red Devils OMHA – –

*officially qualified for 2019 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament powered by Under Armour

The Toronto Red Wings defeated the Mississauga Rebels 4-3 in Game 7 of their GTHL Quarter-Final Series to claim the fourth spot in the 2019 OHL Cup Powered by Under Armour. The Don Mills Flyers lead the rankings for a 13th straight week while the OMHA’s York-Simcoe Express and North Central Predators both rise one spot on this week’s list after winning their first round playoff series. The Quinte Red Devils also pushed through to the second round of the ETA Playoffs and have turned heads, earning an honourable mention after taking a 4-2 second round series lead in points over North Central.

Tournament Structure:
15 of the 20 spots in the 2019 OHL Cup powered by Under Armour are guaranteed through league competition.  The 15 guaranteed spots continue to include all four GTHL Semi-Finalists, and the top four teams that place at the OMHA Championship.  Three teams from the ALLIANCE will still be guaranteed a spot in the tournament including the Champion and Finalist, along with the winner of a best-of-three Semi-Final Wild Card Series to be played between the losers of the two league Semi-Finals.  Also as in past years, two tournament entries are reserved for United States competition, while both an HNO and NOHA representative will also compete.  This season there will not be a representative from HEO.

Wild Card Games:

The final five entries at the 2019 OHL Cup powered by Under Armour will be Wild Cards determined among 10 teams that will play a one game ‘win and in’ scenario.  The 10 competing teams aiming for the final five tournament spots will continue to include the fifth place team at the OMHA Championship, and the loser of the ALLIANCE Semi-Final Wild Card Series.  As introduced in 2016, two spots in Wild Card games will be reserved for GTHL teams.  The two competing GTHL teams will be determined through a pair of Wild Card Play-In Series matchups involving the four GTHL teams who qualified for the playoffs but lost in the first round.  As introduced in 2017, one spot in a Wild Card will also be reserved for the winner of an OMHA SCTA Consolation Game that features both teams who lost in the SCTA Tournament Semi-Final.  The OMHA teams eligible for this matchup will be determined annually based on the league not hosting the OMHA Championship.  Finally, the five remaining teams who will compete in the Wild Card matchups will be named by the Tournament Selection Committee.  The Committee will evaluate and review a team’s post-season success as the first criteria for selection, with additional criteria to include regular season play and tournament play.  All five Wild Card games will take place on Tuesday March 12 with specific matchups and times of play to be determined by random draw among the eight competing teams in advance of the event.

History:

Last season the Toronto Jr. Canadiens were crowned OHL Cup Champions, capturing the annual Minor Midget showcase for the first time since 2008 with a 5-1 victory over the Vaughan Kings. Current Oshawa Generals forward Dylan Robinson finished second in event scoring with 11 points (6-5–11) over seven games, earning the Tim Adams Memorial Trophy as tournament MVP.

The 2018 OHL Priority Selection featured 17 players chosen in the first round who competed for the OHL Cup including Quinton Byfield (York-Simcoe Express – 1st overall Sudbury Wolves), Evan Vierling (York-Simcoe Express – 2nd overall Flint Firebirds), Will Cuylle (Toronto Marlboros – 3rd overall Peterborough Petes), Jamie Drysdale (Toronto Marlboros – 4th overall Erie Otters), Cole Perfetti (Vaughan Kings – 5th overall Saginaw Spirit), Cameron Tolnai (Oakville Rangers – 6th overall Ottawa 67’s), Daniil Chayka (Toronto Jr. Canadiens – 7th overall Guelph Storm), James Hardie (Barrie Colts – 8th overall Mississauga Steelheads), Pacey Schlueting (Team NOHA – 9th overall North Bay Battalion), Ty Tullio (Vaughan Kings – 11th overall Oshawa Generals), Lleyton Moore (Toronto Marlboros – 12th overall Niagara IceDogs), Jake Murray (Oakville Rangers – 13th overall Kingston Frontenacs), Luke Evangelista (Oakville Rangers – 14th overall London Knights), Riley Piercey (Toronto Marlboros – 16th overall Barrie Colts), Reid Valade (Toronto Marlboros – 17th overall Kitchener Rangers), Logan Morrison (Guelph Gryphons – 18th overall Hamilton Bulldogs), Ryan O’Rourke (Vaughan Kings – 20th overall Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds).

Notable OHL Cup graduates currently playing in the NHL include Robby Fabbri (Mississauga Rebels/St. Louis Blues), Travis Konecny (Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs/Philadelphia Flyers), Mitch Marner (Vaughan Kings/Toronto Maple Leafs), Connor McDavid (Toronto Marlboros/Edmonton Oilers), Max Domi (Don Mills Flyers/Montreal Canadiens), Sean Monahan (Mississauga Rebels/Calgary Flames), Taylor Hall (Greater Kingston Frontenacs/New Jersey Devils), Tyler Seguin (Toronto Nationals/Dallas Stars), John Tavares (Toronto Marlboros/Toronto Maple Leafs), P.K Subban (Markham Islanders/Nashville Predators), and Steven Stamkos (Markham Waxers/Tampa Bay Lightning).

2019 marks the third season of a three-year partnership between the OHL and GTHL with Under Armour that includes title sponsorship of the OHL Cup Showcase Tournament.  The OHL and GTHL are also in the third season of a five-year partnership extension announced in 2017 that ensures the event will continue to be hosted by the GTHL through 2021.

For more information, please visit ohlcup.ca.

CHL Announces Weekly Award Winners

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Oceanic’s Alexis Lafreniere named CHL Player of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that forward Alexis Lafreniere of the Rimouski Oceanic is the CHL Player of the Week for the regular season week ending February 10 with eight points in two games including five goals and three assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-6.

Lafreniere recorded consecutive four-point outings in a pair of games last week to help push the Oceanic’s win streak to 11 games and improve to a 36-14-3-0 record for second place in the QMJHL’s East Division.  His week began Wednesday with a hat-trick plus one assist and first star honours in a 5-4 victory over the Chicoutimi Sagueneens.  The 2020 NHL Draft hopeful then followed up that performance two nights later with two goals and two assists in a 4-0 win against the Shawinigan Cataractes en route to another first star recognition at the outdoor Winter Classic.  This marks the first time this season in which Lafreniere has been named the CHL Player of the Week, and the first member from the Oceanic to do so this year.

A 17-year-old from St-Eustache, Que., Lafreniere is starring in his second career season.  The first-overall selection in the 2017 QMJHL Entry Draft, Lafreniere leads the Oceanic in scoring with 32 goals and 55 assists for 87 points in 47 games.  He finished last season with 80 points in 60 appearances and was named CHL Rookie of the Year.

Also considered for the award this week was 2019 NHL Draft prospect Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs with eight points in three games, including four goals and four assists, and Montreal Canadiens prospect Cole Fonstad of the Prince Albert Raiders after scoring five goals and three assists for eight points in three games.

2018-19 CHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:

Feb. 4 – Feb. 10: Alexis Lafreniere (Rimouski Oceanic)

Jan. 28 – Feb. 3: Samuel Asselin (Halifax Mooseheads)

Jan. 21 – Jan. 27: Ethan Crossman (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Jan. 14 – Jan. 20: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

Jan. 7 – Jan. 13: Bowen Byram (Vancouver Giants)

Dec. 31 – Jan. 6: Arthur Kaliyev (Hamilton Bulldogs)

Dec. 24 – Dec. 30: Kyle Maksimovich (Erie Otters)

Dec. 10 – Dec. 16: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)

Dec. 3 – Dec. 9: Ivan Chekhovich (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Nov. 26 – Dec. 2: Gregor MacLeod (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

Nov. 19 – Nov. 25: Brett Leason (Prince Albert Raiders)

Nov. 12 – Nov. 18: Peter Abbandonato (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)

Nov. 5 – Nov. 11: Jason Robertson (Kingston Frontenacs)

Oct. 29 – Nov. 4: Joachim Blichfeld (Portland Winterhawks)

Oct. 22 – Oct. 28: Ivan Chekhovich (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)

Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Damien Giroux (Saginaw Spirit)

Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Dawson Davidson (Saskatoon Blades)

Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Luka Burzan (Brandon Wheat Kings)

Sept. 19 – Sept. 23: Kirby Dach (Saskatoon Blades)

Tigers’ Mads Sogaard named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that 2019 NHL Draft prospect Mads Sogaard of the Medicine Hat Tigers is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the regular season week ending February 10 with a 3-0-0-0 record including one shutout with a goals-against average of 1.30 and save percentage of .960.

Sogaard claims the honour for the second time this season after turning aside 96 shots in three games last week to help the Tigers improve to 31-18-3-2 on the season.  Against the Kootenay ICE on Wednesday, Sogaard stopped 23 shots in an eventual 6-3 victory.  Two nights later, Sogaard received first star honours following his 41-save performance against the Everett Silvertips to earn his third shutout of the season in a 1-0 win.  He then wrapped up the week Sunday with 32 saves against the Portland Winterhawks en route to a 2-1 victory and back-to-back first star honours.

The 18-year-old Danish netminder is competing in his first season in the Western Hockey League after being selected 32nd overall by the Tigers in the 2018 CHL Import Draft.  In 27 games this season, the rookie has notched a 15-4-2 record alongside a .935 save percentage and 2.19 goals-against average.  Sogaard was listed third among North American goaltenders in NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings for the 2019 NHL Draft.

Also considered for the award this week was Tristan Cote-Cazenave of the Victoriaville Tigres who posted a 2-0-1-0 record, including back-to-back shutouts for a goals-against average of 1.33 and save percentage of .960.  In the OHL, Los Angeles Kings prospect Jacob Ingham of the Mississauga Steelheads went 3-0-0-0, stopping 86 shots for a goals-against average of 1.26 and save percentage of .956.

2018-19 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:

Feb. 4 – Feb. 10: Mads Sogaard (Medicine Tigers)

Jan. 28 – Feb. 3: Jet Greaves (Barrie Colts)

Jan. 21 – Jan. 27: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)

Jan. 14 – Jan. 20: Olivier Rodrigue (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

Jan. 7 – Jan. 13: Kevin Mandolese (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)

Dec. 31 – Jan. 6: Ivan Prosvetov (Saginaw Spirit)

Dec. 24 – Dec. 30: Cedrick Andree (Ottawa 67’s)

Dec. 10 – Dec. 16: Mads Sogaard (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Dec. 3 – Dec. 9: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)

Nov. 26 – Dec. 2: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Sudbury Wolves)

Nov. 19 – Nov. 25: Kyle Jessiman (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Nov. 12 – Nov. 18: Ian Scott (Prince Albert Raiders)

Nov. 5 – Nov. 11: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)

Oct. 29 – Nov. 4: Joseph Raaymakers (London Knights)

Oct. 22 – Oct. 28: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)

Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Emile Samson (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)

Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Alexis Gravel (Halifax Mooseheads)

Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Trent Miner (Vancouver Giants)

Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Luke Richardson (Kitchener Rangers)

Sept. 19 – Sept. 23: Hunter Jones (Peterborough Petes)

CHL Announces Weekly Award Winners

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Mooseheads’ Samuel Asselin named CHL Player of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that forward Samuel Asselin of the Halifax Mooseheads is the CHL Player of the Week for the regular season week ending February 3 with 11 points in three games including six goals and five assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-12.

Asselin recorded two multi-goal efforts in a pair of games last week to help push the Mooseheads’ win streak to three games and improve to a 36-11-2-1 record atop the QMJHL’s Maritimes Division. His week began Thursday with a four-point showing, including two goals and two assists, and second star honours in a 7-5 win over the Victoriaville Tigres. The 2018 Memorial Cup champion then followed up that performance Saturday with a five-point night, including his second career hat-trick and two assists, in an 8-2 victory against the Sherbrooke Phoenix en route to first star recognition. He then closed out the week Sunday adding one goal and one assist in a 4-2 win over the Moncton Wildcats and was named the game’s third star. Asselin is the first member of the Mooseheads to be recognized as the CHL Player of the Week this season.

A 20-year-old from L’Assomption, Que., Asselin is playing in his fourth career season. The Mooseheads acquired Asselin from the Acadie-Bathurst Titan in a September trade. He’s tallied a league-leading 40 goals and 29 assists with Halifax this season. During last year’s playoff championship run, Asselin scored three goals and eight assists for 11 points in 20 games.

Also considered for the award this week was Dallas Stars prospect Riley Damiani of the Kitchener Rangers with nine points in three games, including four goals and five assists, and Minnesota Wild prospect Conor Dewar of the Everett Silvertips after scoring four goals and four assists for eight points in two games.

2018-19 CHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:

Jan. 28 – Feb. 3: Samuel Asselin (Halifax Mooseheads)

Jan. 21 – Jan. 27: Ethan Crossman (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Jan. 14 – Jan. 20: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

Jan. 7 – Jan. 13: Bowen Byram (Vancouver Giants)

Dec. 31 – Jan. 6: Arthur Kaliyev (Hamilton Bulldogs)

Dec. 24 – Dec. 30: Kyle Maksimovich (Erie Otters)

Dec. 10 – Dec. 16: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)

Dec. 3 – Dec. 9: Ivan Chekhovich (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Nov. 26 – Dec. 2: Gregor MacLeod (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

Nov. 19 – Nov. 25: Brett Leason (Prince Albert Raiders)

Nov. 12 – Nov. 18: Peter Abbandonato (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)

Nov. 5 – Nov. 11: Jason Robertson (Kingston Frontenacs)

Oct. 29 – Nov. 4: Joachim Blichfeld (Portland Winterhawks)

Oct. 22 – Oct. 28: Ivan Chekhovich (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)

Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Damien Giroux (Saginaw Spirit)

Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Dawson Davidson (Saskatoon Blades)

Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Luka Burzan (Brandon Wheat Kings)

Sept. 19 – Sept. 23: Kirby Dach (Saskatoon Blades)

Colts’ Jet Greaves named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that rookie Jet Greaves of the Barrie Colts is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the regular season week ending February 3 with a 1-0-0-1 record and a goals-against average of 1.45 and save percentage of .971.

Greaves claims the honour for the first time this season after stopping 100 shots in two games last week in back-to-back 50-save efforts to help the Colts improve to 21-25-2-1 on the season. Against the London Knights on Friday, Greaves turned aside 50 shots, including 21 saves in the opening frame, before being named second star of the eventual 3-2 shootout loss. The following night, Greaves received first star honours for his 50 saves in a 3-1 win over the Mississauga Steelheads.

A 17-year-old from Cambridge, Ont., Greaves was chosen by the Colts in the third round of the 2017 OHL Priority Selection. In his OHL rookie season, Greaves has notched a 5-6-1 record alongside a 2.81 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage in 16 games.

Also considered for the award this week was Tristan Cote-Cazenave of the Victoriaville Tigres who posted a 1-1-0-0 record, stopping a total of 71 shots for a goals-against average of 2.40 and save percentage of .934. In the WHL, Reece Klassen of the Spokane Chiefs went 1-0-0-1 with a shutout victory, stopping 34 shots in total for a goals-against average of 0.71 and save percentage of .971.

2018-19 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:

Jan. 28 – Feb. 3: Jet Greaves (Barrie Colts)

Jan. 21 – Jan. 27: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)

Jan. 14 – Jan. 20: Olivier Rodrigue (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

Jan. 7 – Jan. 13: Kevin Mandolese (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)

Dec. 31 – Jan. 6: Ivan Prosvetov (Saginaw Spirit)

Dec. 24 – Dec. 30: Cedrick Andree (Ottawa 67’s)

Dec. 10 – Dec. 16: Mads Sogaard (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Dec. 3 – Dec. 9: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)

Nov. 26 – Dec. 2: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Sudbury Wolves)

Nov. 19 – Nov. 25: Kyle Jessiman (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Nov. 12 – Nov. 18: Ian Scott (Prince Albert Raiders)

Nov. 5 – Nov. 11: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)

Oct. 29 – Nov. 4: Joseph Raaymakers (London Knights)

Oct. 22 – Oct. 28: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)

Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Emile Samson (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)

Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Alexis Gravel (Halifax Mooseheads)

Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Trent Miner (Vancouver Giants)

Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Luke Richardson (Kitchener Rangers)

Sept. 19 – Sept. 23: Hunter Jones (Peterborough Petes)

OHL Announces Academic Players of the Month for January

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the OHL Academic Players of the Month for January 2019, including forwards Logan Morrison of the Hamilton Bulldogs, Peter Fleming of the Barrie Colts, Alex Gritz of the Erie Otters and Ethan Keppen of the Flint Firebirds.

East Division: Hamilton Bulldogs rookie Logan Morrison is the OHL East Division Academic Player of the Month for January, recording an average in the 80’s across the board in his Grade 11 studies at Ancaster High School. Morrison is currently studying university level International Business, Recreation & Healthy Active Living Leadership and Challenge and Change programs as a 16-year-old in his first OHL season. “Logan puts the ‘student’ in student-athlete,” said Bulldogs academic advisor Sean Nicholson. “He is always on time with his assignments and never falls behind in his studies, even with a busy schedule in the OHL.” A native of Guelph, Ont., Morrison has 18 points (6-12–18) through 30 games this season after being Hamilton’s first round pick last spring from the Guelph Gryphons Minor Midgets.

Central Division: Barrie Colts rookie Peter Fleming is the OHL Central Division Academic Player of the Month for January, maintaining an 84% average in his Grade 12 studies. “Peter’s plan is to attend university and complete an engineering degree,” said Colts academic advisor Chris Cudmore. “He’s currently excelling in university level biology, physics and co-op programs and is looking forward to second semester challenges in chemistry and math.” On the ice, Fleming has four points (2-2–4) through 39 games this season. The 6-foot-2, 167Ib winger was Barrie’s sixth round pick in 2017. He spent last season with the St. Thomas Stars Jr. B club.

Midwest Division: Erie Otters winger Alex Gritz is the OHL Midwest Division Academic Player of the Month for January, carrying a 93% average through studies at Seneca Valley High School. He’s currently studying Pre-Calculus/Trigonometry, Modern Humanities, Consumer Decisions, Physical Education, French, Health and Personal Finance. “Alex is an extremely motivated young man working diligently every day to balance his academics with his hockey commitments,” said Otters academic advisor Jaime Cieszynski. Now in his third OHL season, Gritz has recorded 18 points (7-11–18) through 42 games in 2018-19. The native of Cranberry Township, Penn. was originally a third round pick of the Soo Greyhounds in 2016 from the Waterloo Wolves Minor Midgets.

West Division: Flint Firebirds winger Ethan Keppen is the OHL West Division Academic Player of the Month for January, achieving high grades in Grade 12 Advanced Sports Skills, Accounting/Finance, Life Management and Foundations of College Mathematics programs at Grand Blanc High School. “Ethan is a leader inside and outside of the classroom,” said Firebirds academic advisor Nathan Riek. “He is a mature young man and is well-liked and respected by his classmates and teachers.” The 17-year-old from Whitby, Ont. has 40 points (20-20–40) over 52 games this season. Keppen had a productive month of January, one that included a 10-game point streak and 12 points (7-5–12) in as many games. Flint’s first round pick in 2017, Keppen is eligible for the 2019 NHL Draft.

2018-19 OHL Academic Players of the Month:

East Division:
January – Logan Morrison (Hamilton Bulldogs)
December – Tye Austin (Peterborough Petes)
November – Will Cranley (Ottawa 67’s)
October – Nick Wong (Oshawa Generals)

Central Division:
January – Peter Fleming (Barrie Colts)
December – Thomas Harley (Mississauga Steelheads)
November – Peter Stratis (Sudbury Wolves)
October – Jonah De Simone (Niagara IceDogs)

Midwest Division:
January – Alex Gritz (Erie Otters)
December – Mack Guzda (Owen Sound Attack)
November – Gerard Keane (London Knights)
October – Isaac Langdon (Kitchener Rangers)

West Division:
January – Ethan Keppen (Flint Firebirds)
December – Jordan Frasca (Windsor Spitfires)
November – Cole MacKay (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
October – Colton Kammerer (Sarnia Sting)

Last season, the OHL Centrally Administered Scholarship Program facilitated scholarships for 321 OHL Alumni at 66 different academic institutions across North America with a total scholarship payment in excess of $3.2 million. Since the 2007-08 season, OHL Scholarship payments have totaled more than $22 million.

Click here for more information about ‘OHL Players First’ programs.

OHL Announces Top Performers of the Month for January

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Top Performers January 2019

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the Top OHL Performers of the Month for regular season games played in January 2019, including Niagara IceDogs teammates Ben Jones and Akil Thomas, Guelph Storm defenceman Sean Durzi and Ottawa 67’s teammates Marco Rossi and Cedrick Andree.


OHL Player of the Month – Ben Jones/Akil Thomas (Niagara IceDogs):

Riding a stretch of seven straight wins to wrap up the month, Niagara IceDogs teammates Ben Jones and Akil Thomas are the OHL’s C0-Players of the Month. Both players registered 25 points over 13 games, with Jones scoring 12 times, adding 13 assists and recording a plus/minus rating of plus-10 while Thomas finished with 13 goals, 12 assists and a plus/minus rating of plus-6.

The captain of the Central Division-leading IceDogs, Jones had points in 11 of his 13 January contests including a run of nine straight multi-point outings that spanned from Dec. 29th to Jan. 17th. The Vegas Golden Knights prospect had a trio of multi-goal performances including Jan. 3rd against London with two, Jan. 10th against Guelph with two goals and an assist and Jan. 17th against Hamilton when he netted his third hat-trick of the season. An accomplished centreman, Jones also won 58% of his faceoffs in January and finished the month with a goal in Thursday’s 6-1 win over the Soo Greyhounds. Jones earned first star honours twice throughout the month along with receiving second and third star recognition.

A 19-year-old native from Waterloo, Ont., Jones is second in IceDogs team scoring and sits seventh in the OHL with 72 points (29-43–72) over 48 games. Originally Niagara’s first round (7th overall) pick of the 2015 OHL Priority Selection from the OHL Cup champion Toronto Marlboros Minor Midgets, Jones was selected by the Vegas Golden Knights in the seventh round of the 2017 NHL Draft and signed a three-year entry level contract with the club in June 2018.

For his part, Thomas was equally impressive, stringing together six straight multi-point performances headlined by four (3-1–4) and five (2-3–5) point outings on Jan. 11th against Kingston and Jan. 19th against Flint. The 6-3 triumph over Kingston included Thomas’ first OHL hat-trick before he put together his fifth five-point contest of the season in a 7-2 win over the Firebirds. The Los Angeles Kings prospect followed-up that effort with two goals and an assist in a 4-3 road win over the Guelph Storm on Jan. 20th. Thomas rounded out the month of January with two goals and an assist in Thursday’s 6-1 win over the Soo Greyhounds. In total, Thomas was named first star of the game twice and second star of the game twice throughout the month of January, capping things off by recording his 200th career OHL point on Thursday.

An 18-year-0ld product of Brandon, Fla., Thomas is third in IceDogs team scoring and eighth in the OHL with 71 points (26-45–71) over 43 games this season. He also leads the IceDogs with a plus/minus rating of plus-31. Thomas is currently in his third season with Niagara after being the club’s first round (12th overall) pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection from the Toronto Marlboros Minor Midgets. He was a second round pick of the Los Angeles Kings last summer.


OHL Defenceman of the Month – Sean Durzi (Guelph Storm):

Los Angeles Kings prospect Sean Durzi of the Guelph Storm is the OHL Defenceman of the Month for January. Durzi, who split the month between the Storm and the Owen Sound Attack, finished tied for the league lead in scoring among defencemen, recording 16 points including five goals and 11 assists over 12 games. The overage rearguard had points in 11 of those outings, ending the month on a nine-game point streak on a Storm club that has won seven of the past 10. Durzi’s lone multi-goal outing came on Jan. 13th as the Storm defeated the Ottawa 67’s by a score of 8-4. He twice recorded three assists, doing so on Jan. 10th in a 6-5 win over the Niagara IceDogs and again this past Wednesday as Guelph defeated visiting Saginaw 8-2. Fourteen of Durzi’s 16 January points came over the course of his nine games in a Storm uniform.

A 20-year-old native of Mississauga, Ont., Durzi joined the Storm alongside former Owen Sound Attack teammates Nick Suzuki, Markus Phillips and Zachary Roberts at January’s OHL Trade Deadline. The right-shot rearguard has 31 points (8-23–31) over an injury-shortened 27 game season to this point, with 15 of his 31 points coming on the man advantage. After being selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round of the 2018 NHL Draft, Durzi was recently dealt to the Los Angeles Kings in a trade that saw OHL graduate Jake Muzzin join the Leafs. Durzi has amassed 134 career points (35-99–134) from the blue line over 172 regular season OHL contests. He was Owen Sound’s 12th round pick in the 2014 OHL Priority Selection from the Mississauga Rebels Minor Midgets.


OHL Rookie of the Month – Marco Rossi (Ottawa 67’s):

For the third time this season, Ottawa 67’s centreman Marco Rossi is the OHL Rookie of the Month. Rossi finished tied for the January lead in points by a rookie, registering 10 goals, eight assists, 18 points and a plus/minus rating of plus-14 over 11 games. The 17-year-old centre returned from a December injury to record points in nine of his 11 outings including a pair of three-point showings coming on Jan. 6th against Oshawa (0-3–3) and Jan. 11th at Sarnia (1-2–3). Rossi also had two multi-goal contests that came on Jan. 19th against Hamilton and this past Wednesday in a 7-1 win over the Kingston Frontenacs. Rossi ends the month of January with goals in seven consecutive games as the 67’s have wins in each of their past six.

A 17-year-old native of Feldkirch, Austria, Rossi leads OHL rookies with 45 points (23-22–45) over 34 games this season in addition to a plus/minus rating of plus-37. Rossi, who isn’t eligible for the NHL Draft until 2020, has recorded the most points by a 67’s rookie since Travis Konecny (26-44–70) in 2013-14. He was the 18th overall pick of the 2018 CHL Import Draft.

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Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month – Cedrick Andree (Ottawa 67’s):

For the second time this season, Ottawa 67’s netminder Cedrick Andree is the OHL Goaltender of the Month. Andree played to a 5-0-0-0 record, registering a league-leading 2.17 goals-against average and .925 save percentage along with two shutouts over six January contests. The 18-year-old started the month with a 17-save shutout performance over the Barrie Colts on Jan. 5th. He put together another perfect outing on the latest edition of the Sportsnet CHL Saturday Showcase, making 38 saves in a 4-0 blanking of the Oshawa Generals. Andree also won his latest start, turning aside 33 shots as the 67’s defeated the Saginaw Spirit 5-3 on Sunday.

An 18-year-old native of Orleans, Ont., Andree is currently on a seven-game winning streak with a league-leading 28 victories on the campaign. Overall, he’s played to a 28-4-1-1 record to go with a 2.50 goals-against average, .912 save percentage and three shutouts. Andree is a former 12th round pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection from the Ottawa Jr. Senators Midget AAA team.


2018-19 OHL Performers of the Month:


Player of the Month:
January – Ben Jones/Akil Thomas (Niagara IceDogs)
December – Tye Felhaber (Ottawa 67’s)
November – Jason Robertson (Niagara IceDogs)
October – Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)

Defenceman of the Month:
January – Sean Durzi (Guelph Storm)
December – Bode Wilde (Saginaw Spirit)
November – Noel Hoefenmayer (Ottawa 67’s)
October – Mac Hollowell (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

Rookie of the Month:
January – Marco Rossi (Ottawa 67’s)
December – Jacob Perreault (Sarnia Sting)
November – Marco Rossi (Ottawa 67’s)
October – Marco Rossi (Ottawa 67’s)

Vaughn Goaltender of the Month:
January – Cedrick Andree (Ottawa 67’s)
December – Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Sudbury Wolves)
November – Joseph Raaymakers (London Knights)
October – Cedrick Andree (Ottawa 67’s)

CHL Announces Weekly Award Winners

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Drakkar’s Ethan Crossman named CHL Player of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that forward Ethan Crossman of the Baie-Comeau Drakkar is the CHL Player of the Week for the regular season week ending January 27 with seven points in three games including five goals and two assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-4.

Crossman recorded a trio of multi-point performances last week leading the Drakkar to three road wins to extend their franchise-best winning-streak to 13 and lifting them into second place in the QMJHL’s overall standings with a 36-9-2-1 record.  His week began on Friday night scoring once with an assist earning first star honours in a 5-3 victory over the Saint John Sea Dogs.  On Saturday night the 2018 Memorial Cup champion returned to Acadie-Bathurst to face his former team and delivered triumphantly with his first career hat-trick and first star honours for the second straight night in the 8-0 win against the Titan.  Sunday brought another homecoming of sorts for Crossman in Moncton scoring a goal and an assist in the 4-3 win over the Wildcats who selected him back in the 2015 QMJHL Entry Draft.  This marks the third time the Drakkar have been recognized for the award this season as top scorer Ivan Chekhovich won twice during the first half.

A 19-year-old from Sackville, NB, Crossman is playing in his fourth career season and has played in just 14 games with the Drakkar since being acquired from the Titan in December.  So far he’s produced 13 points in 14 games with his new club bringing his season total to 20 points in 32 games.  During last year’s championship playoff run Crossman scored 10 goals and contributed six assists for 16 points in 20 games.

Also considered for the award this week was Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Liam Foudy of the London Knights with eight points in three games including four goals and four assists, and Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Justin Almeida of the Moose Jaw Warriors who was nominated for the second straight week scoring four goals and three assists for seven points in three games.

2018-19 CHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:

Jan. 21 – Jan. 27: Ethan Crossman (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)
Jan. 14 – Jan. 20: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Jan. 7 – Jan. 13: Bowen Byram (Vancouver Giants)
Dec. 31 – Jan. 6: Arthur Kaliyev (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Dec. 24 – Dec. 30: Kyle Maksimovich (Erie Otters)
Dec. 10 – Dec. 16: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)
Dec. 3 – Dec. 9: Ivan Chekhovich (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)
Nov. 26 – Dec. 2: Gregor MacLeod (Drummondville Voltigeurs)
Nov. 19 – Nov. 25: Brett Leason (Prince Albert Raiders)
Nov. 12 – Nov. 18: Peter Abbandonato (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)
Nov. 5 – Nov. 11: Jason Robertson (Kingston Frontenacs)
Oct. 29 – Nov. 4: Joachim Blichfeld (Portland Winterhawks)
Oct. 22 – Oct. 28: Ivan Chekhovich (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)
Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Damien Giroux (Saginaw Spirit)
Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Dawson Davidson (Saskatoon Blades)
Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Luka Burzan (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Sept. 19 – Sept. 23: Kirby Dach (Saskatoon Blades)

Silvertips’ Dustin Wolf named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that NHL Draft prospect Dustin Wolf of the Everett Silvertips is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the regular season week ending January 27 with a 2-0-0-0 record including a shutout victory for a goals-against-average of 0.50 and save percentage of .984.

Wolf becomes the league’s first two-time award recipient of the season after turning aside 61 shots last week for the Silvertips who maintain their first place status in the WHL’s U.S. Division with a 35-12-1-1 record.  Wolf recorded his league-leading fifth shutout of the season on Friday night with a 36-save performance that earned him first star honours in the 2-0 win over the Tri-City Americans.  On Saturday night he stopped 25 shots as part of a 9-1 win over the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

An 18-year-old from Tustin, California, Wolf was chosen by the Silvertips in the fifth round of the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft.  He currently leads the entire CHL with 31 wins carrying a personal record of 31-11-1-0.  His goals-against-average of 1.82 and save percentage of .930 are both among the WHL leaders.  Wolf was recently listed 17th among North American goaltenders in NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Rankings for the 2019 NHL Draft.

Also considered for the award this week was Alexis Shank of the Chicoutimi Sagueneens who posted a 2-0-0-0 record including one shutout victory stopping a total of 47 shots for a goals-against-average of 0.50 and save percentage of .979.  In the OHL, Cedrick Andree of the Ottawa 67’s also went 2-0-0-0 with a shutout victory stopping 71 shots in total for a goals-against-average of 1.50 and save percentage of .959.

2018-19 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:

Jan. 21 – Jan. 27: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)
Jan. 14 – Jan. 20: Olivier Rodrigue (Drummondville Voltigeurs)
Jan. 7 – Jan. 13: Kevin Mandolese (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)
Dec. 31 – Jan. 6: Ivan Prosvetov (Saginaw Spirit)
Dec. 24 – Dec. 30: Cedrick Andree (Ottawa 67’s)
Dec. 10 – Dec. 16: Mads Sogaard (Medicine Hat Tigers)
Dec. 3 – Dec. 9: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 26 – Dec. 2: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Sudbury Wolves)
Nov. 19 – Nov. 25: Kyle Jessiman (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)
Nov. 12 – Nov. 18: Ian Scott (Prince Albert Raiders)
Nov. 5 – Nov. 11: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 29 – Nov. 4: Joseph Raaymakers (London Knights)
Oct. 22 – Oct. 28: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)
Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Émile Samson (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)
Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Alexis Gravel (Halifax Mooseheads)
Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Trent Miner (Vancouver Giants)
Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Luke Richardson (Kitchener Rangers)
Sept. 19 – Sept. 23: Hunter Jones (Peterborough Petes)