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)

Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced the week eighteen 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 18:

Rank: Team: Last Week Rank: Number of Weeks Ranked:
1 Prince Albert Raiders (40-5-0-2) 1 16
2 Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (39-7-0-1) 2 15
3 Drummondville Voltigeurs (35-9-1-0) 4 13
4 London Knights (30-7-5-1) 3 14
5 Ottawa 67’s (32-9-3-1) 6 15
6 Baie-Comeau Drakkar (33-9-2-1) 7 16
7 Everett Silvertips (33-12-1-1) 5 9
8 Halifax Mooseheads (32-10-2-1) 8 18
9 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (30-10-4-1) 9 5
10 Niagara IceDogs (27-10-7-0) 10 8
Honourable Mention:
Saginaw Spirit (28-12-2-2) – 3
Vancouver Giants (29-12-2-0) – 13
Rimouski Oceanic (29-14-3-0) – 3

Kia CHL Top 10

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

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the tenth 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 10

RANK TEAM LEAGUE LAST WEEK WEEKS RANKED
1 Don Mills Flyers GTHL 1 10
2 Toronto Marlboros GTHL 2 10
3 Toronto Young Nationals GTHL 3 10
4 Whitby Wildcats OMHA 4 10
5 Toronto Red Wings GTHL 5 10
6 Sudbury Minor Midget Wolves NOHA 6 10
7 Kitchener Jr. Rangers ALLIANCE 8 7
8 North Central Predators OMHA 7 10
9 York-Simcoe Express OMHA 10 6
10 Mississauga Rebels GTHL 9 8
Honourable Mention
Peterborough Petes OMHA – –
London Jr. Knights ALLIANCE – –
Halton Hurricanes OMHA – –

The top six teams in the OHL Cup powered by Under Armour Top 10 Rankings hold steady in Week 10 while the Kitchener Jr. Rangers and York-Simcoe Express both rise one spot in the bottom half of the list. The Peterborough Petes make their third honourable mention appearance of the season.

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

Greyhounds’ Morgan Frost named CHL Player of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Philadelphia Flyers prospect Morgan Frost of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds is the CHL Player of the Week for the regular season week ending January 20 after scoring seven goals and three assists for 10 points in three games with a plus-minus rating of plus-10.

Frost led the Greyhounds to three wins last week extending their winning-streak to six games extending their lead atop the OHL’s West Division standings where they carry a 30-10-4-1 record.  His weekend road trip began in North Bay on Thursday contributing an assist in a 5-1 win over the Battalion, and continued Saturday in Barrie with two goals and two assists earning second star honours in an 8-5 win over the Colts.  His week wrapped up Sunday with an impressive five-goal performance against the Wolves earning first star honours in the 7-4 victory.  The hat-trick alone set a new personal best for Frost who produced a pair of goals at even strength along with a shorthanded, power play, and empty-net marker in total to reach the 30-goal plateau for the second straight season.

A 19-year-old from Aurora, Ont., Frost is playing in his fourth season with the Greyhounds who chose him in the fourth round of the 2015 OHL Priority Selection.  He is currently third in OHL scoring with 75 points in just 38 games and leads the OHL with a 1.97 points-per-game average.  Frost represented Canada at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship and was a first round pick by the Flyers in the 2017 NHL Draft.

Also considered for the award this week was 2020 NHL Draft prospect Alexis Lafreniere of the Rimouski Oceanic who scored five goals and two assists for seven points in four games, and Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Justin Almeida of the Moose Jaw Warriors who scored three goals and five assists for eight points in four games.

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

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)

Voltigeurs’ Olivier Rodrigue named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Edmonton Oilers prospect Olivier Rodrigue of the Drummondville Voltigeurs is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the regular season week ending January 20 posting a 2-0-0-0 record with a goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .963.

Rodrigue backstopped the Voltigeurs to a pair of victories last week that extended their winning-streak to five games improving their record to 35-9-1-0 where they remain in second place in the QMJHL’s overall standings.  He turned aside 52 shots in total beginning with a 15-save effort on Tuesday night as second star of a 7-1 win over the Victoriaville Tigres, then made 37 saves on Saturday as third star of a 6-1 road win over the Sherbrooke Phoenix.

An 18-year-old from Chicoutimi, QC, Rodrigue is playing in his third season with Drummondville after being the third overall pick by the Voltigeurs in the 2016 QMJHL Entry Draft.  He currently leads the league in wins carrying a personal record of 27-6-1-0 while his goals-against-average of 2.44 and save percentage of .902 are among the league’s leaders.  He was chosen by the Oilers in the second round of the 2018 NHL Draft.

Also considered for the award this week was Stephen Dhillon of the Niagara IceDogs who posted a 3-0-0-0 record with one shutout making 102 saves in total for a 1.67 goals-against-average with a .953 save percentage.  In the WHL, James Porter of the Kelowna Rockets finished the week with a 1-0-0-0 record including a shutout victory stopping all 44 shots faced in a pair of appearances for a perfect goals-against-average of 0.00 and save percentage of 1.000.

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

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)

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

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the ninth 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 9

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

 

The Toronto Marlboros leapfrog the Toronto Young Nationals into second on the ninth edition of the OHL Cup powered by Under Armour Top 10 Rankings, defeating the Nats by a score of 4-2 on Friday. The North Central Predators, Kitchener Jr. Rangers and Mississauga Rebels also rise one spot on the list while the Halton Hurricanes make their honourable mention debut.

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

Giants’ Bowen Byram named CHL Player of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that NHL Draft prospect Bowen Byram of the Vancouver Giants is the CHL Player of the Week for the regular season week ending January 13 recording six points in two games including three goals and three assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-6.

Byram becomes just the second defenceman to earn the award this season after setting a Giants record with a five-point performance on Saturday.  His two goals and three assists not only shattered his previous contest high of three points but earned him first star honours in the 7-4 win over the Kamloops Blazers and set a new franchise mark for single game points by a defenceman.  On Sunday Byram opened the scoring in a 3-2 win over the Victoria Royals extending the Giants winning-streak to three.  This keeps them perched firmly atop the WHL’s B.C Division standings with a 26-12-2-0 record and nine points ahead of the aforementioned Royals.

A 17-year-old from Cranbrook, B.C., Byram is playing in his second full season with the Giants.  He was chosen by the club with the third overall pick in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft and is currently tied for fourth in league scoring among defencemen with 39 points in 40 games including 13 goals and 26 assists.  He is one of 11 CHL skaters to receive an ‘A’ rating in NHL Central Scouting’s ‘Players to Watch’ list released in November and will compete for Team Cherry in the 2019 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game on January 23 in Red Deer.

Also considered for the award this week was Philadelphia Flyers prospect Isaac Ratcliffe of the Guelph Storm scoring seven goals and three assists for 10 points in four games, and NHL Draft prospect Maxim Cajkovic of the Saint John Sea Dogs with three goals and four assists for seven points in three games.  Cajkovic will join Byram on Team Cherry in next week’s showcase.

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

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)

Screaming Eagles’ Kevin Mandolese named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Ottawa Senators prospect Kevin Mandolese of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the regular season week ending January 13 posting a 2-0-0-0 record including one shutout with a goals-against-average of 0.50 and save percentage of .983.

Mandolese turned aside 58 shots last week allowing just one goal in two games between-the-pipes for the Screaming Eagles who extended their winning-streak to three and climbed into a fifth place tie in the QMJHL’s overall standings.  On Friday night his 37-save performance earned first star honours in a 3-0 shutout of the Halifax Mooseheads, and on Saturday his 21 saves were enough to beat the Shawinigan Cataractes by a 4-1 score.  Cape Breton now holds a 26-14-1-2 record for 55 points which is even with the Moncton Wildcats and behind Halifax by only six points.

An 18-year-old from Blainville, QC, Mandolese is playing in his third career season with the Screaming Eagles who chose him 13th overall in the 2016 QMJHL Entry Draft.  This season is already shaping up to be his best statistically with a personal record of 17-8-1-2 including two shutouts with a goals-against-average of 2.79 and save percentage of .897 which are all improvements over last year’s totals.  Mandolese was selected by the Senators in the sixth round of the 2018 NHL Draft.

Also considered for the award this week was Buffalo Sabres prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen of the Sudbury Wolves who returned to action following a gold medal performance with Finland at the World Juniors to post a 2-0-0-0 record with a shutout victory making 45 saves for a goals-against-average of 1.50 and save percentage of .938.  In the WHL, NHL Draft prospect Taylor Gauthier of the Prince George Cougars went 3-1-0-0 with two shutout victories while stopping 97 shots for an overall goals-against-average of 1.26 and save percentage of .951.  Gauthier will suit up for Team Cherry at next week’s Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.

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

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)

Storm’s Isaac Ratcliffe named OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Philadelphia Flyers prospect Isaac Ratcliffe of the Guelph Storm is the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week for the regular season week ending January 13 with 10 points in four games scoring seven goals and three assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-4.

Ratcliffe recorded four straight multi-point performances last week helping the Storm earn seven of a possible eight points to improve their second place Midwest Division record to 22-12-4-4.  All three of the Storm’s victories came against opponents ranked higher in the overall standings including division rivals the London Knights, plus the East Division leading Ottawa 67’s, and the Central Division leading Niagara IceDogs.  On Tuesday night in London, Ratcliffe scored twice and earned first star honours in the 7-5 decision against his hometown team.  He scored a goal and an assist as part of a 6-5 overtime road win against the IceDogs on Thursday, then produced the same stat line in Kitchener on Friday earning third star honours despite the final 4-3 OT score favouring the Rangers.  Ratcliffe’s top performance of the week came Sunday on home ice against the 67’s producing a season-high four points including his first hat-trick of the campaign.  The captain earned first star honours in the 8-4 victory and continued his chemistry with new linemates Nick Suzuki and MacKenzie Entwistle who combined for six assists on the afternoon.

A 19-year-old from London, Ont., Ratcliffe is playing in his fourth season with the Storm who chose him in the first round of the 2015 OHL Priority Selection.  He currently ranks 30th in league scoring with 47 points in 39 games powered by 30 goals and 17 assists.  This past week he eclipsed the century mark for career goals and now stands with 104 in 219 games played in crimson amassing a total of 182 points.  Ratcliffe was chosen by the Flyers in the second round of the 2017 NHL Draft.

Watch video highlights of Ratcliffe and the Storm against the Knights, IceDogs, Rangers, and 67’s.

Also considered for the award this week was Los Angeles Kings prospect Akil Thomas of the Niagara IceDogs and Dallas Stars prospect Ty Dellandrea of the Flint Firebirds.  Both players accumulated nine points in three games with Thomas scoring four goals and five assists to Dellandrea’s two goals and seven assists.  In goal, Buffalo Sabres prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen returned to the Sudbury Wolves following a gold medal performance at the World Juniors to post a 2-0-0-0 record including a shutout victory making 45 saves for a goals-against-average of 1.50 and save percentage of .938.

2018-19 OHL ‘On the Run’ Players of the Week – Regular Season:

Jan. 7 – Jan. 13: Isaac Ratcliffe (Guelph Storm)
Dec. 31 – Jan. 6: Arthur Kaliyev (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Dec. 24 – Dec. 30: Kyle Maksimovich (Erie Otters)
Dec. 10 – Dec. 16: Andrew MacLean (Owen Sound Attack)
Dec. 3 – Dec. 9: Brett Neumann (Kingston Frontenacs)
Nov. 26 – Dec. 2: Jason Robertson (Niagara IceDogs)
Nov. 19 – Nov. 25: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Nov. 12 – Nov. 18: Owen Tippett (Mississauga Steelheads)
Nov. 5 – Nov. 11: Jason Robertson (Kingston Frontenacs)
Oct. 29 – Nov. 4: Kevin Hancock (Owen Sound Attack)
Oct. 22 – Oct. 28: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)
Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Damien Giroux (Saginaw Spirit)
Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Sudbury Wolves)
Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Lucas Chiodo (Barrie Colts)
Sept. 19 – Sept. 23: Akil Thomas (Niagara IceDogs)

CHL Announces Weekly Award Winners

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

OHL sweeps weekly honours with Kaliyev and Prosvetov

Bulldogs’ Arthur Kaliyev named CHL Player of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that NHL Draft prospect Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs is the CHL Player of the Week for the regular season week ending January 6 after scoring seven goals with four assists for 11 points in four games with a plus-minus rating of plus-2.

Kaliyev helped the defending OHL champion Bulldogs earn seven of a possible eight points by producing four multi-point performances.  He closed out the 2018 calendar with two goals on New Year’s Eve in a 4-3 shootout win over the Erie Otters, then contributed a goal and an assist on Wednesday starting 2019 with a 7-1 win over the Kingston Frontenacs.  The projected first round NHL pick earned first star honours on Saturday with two goals including the overtime winner plus an assist in a 4-3 victory against the Sarnia Sting, then matched a season-high on Sunday with four points including a pair of goals and assists in a 6-5 shootout loss to the Niagara IceDogs where he was awarded third star recognition.  The Bulldogs are battling to stay in the OHL’s Eastern Conference playoff picture sporting an 18-18-3-1 record which currently puts them in eighth.

Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

A 17-year-old from Staten Island, New York, Kaliyev was chosen by the Bulldogs in the second round of the 2017 OHL Priority Selection.  The sophomore ranks fourth in OHL scoring with 31 goals and 32 assists for 63 points in 40 games.  His 31 goals equal an impressive rookie total produced over 68 games a year ago where he compiled 48 points.  Kaliyev is among the 40 CHL players invited to compete in the 2019 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game and one of 11 ‘A’ rated prospects by NHL Central Scouting.

Also considered for the award this week was San Jose Sharks prospect Ivan Chekhovich of the Baie-Comeau Drakkar with two goals and nine assists for 11 points in four games, and Noah Philp of the Seattle Thunderbirds with four goals and four assists for eight points in three games.

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

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)

Spirit’s Ivan Prosvetov named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Arizona Coyotes prospect Ivan Prosvetov of the Saginaw Spirit is the Vaughan CHL Goaltender of the Week for the regular season week ending January 6 posting a 3-0-0-0 record including one shutout for a goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .969.

Prosvetov turned aside 93 shots last week helping the OHL’s Spirit stay hot with wins in 10 of their last 11 games including six straight victories to improve their West Division record to 24-11-2-2 just one point behind first place Sault Ste. Marie.  The highlight of his week was undoubtedly Sunday’s shutout performance with an incredible 54 saves to earn first star honours of the 2-0 decision over the Sudbury Wolves.  The 54 saves is the most recorded by an OHL goaltender in a shutout effort since Sudbury’s Alain Valiquette made 57 back in March, 2011.  Prosvetov’s week also included 21 saves in a 9-1 win over the Flint Firebirds on Wednesday, and 18 saves in a 5-2 win over the Kitchener Rangers on Saturday.

A 19-year-old from Moscow, Russia, Prosvetov joined the Spirit this season after being chosen 13th overall in the 2018 CHL Import Draft.  He’s compiled a 20-6-1-0 record with an OHL best three shutout victories and powered recently by eight straight wins.  The fourth round pick by the Coyotes in the 2018 NHL Draft also has an overall goals-against-average of 3.07 and save percentage of .902.

Also considered for the award this week was Matthew Welsh of the Charlottetown Islanders who stopped 98 shots across a trio of victories while carrying a goals-against-average of 1.33 and save percentage of .961.  In the WHL, NHL Draft prospect Nolan Maier of the Saskatoon Blades posted a 3-0-0-0 record making a total of 76 saves for a goals-against-average of 1.65 and save percentage of .938.

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

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)

Bulldogs’ Arthur Kaliyev named OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that NHL Draft prospect Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs is the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week for the regular season week ending January 6 recording 11 points in four games which included scoring seven goals and four assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-2.

Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Kaliyev produced four straight multi-point performances including three multi-goal efforts to help the Bulldogs earn seven of a possible eight points in a busy second week following the league’s holiday break.  He scored two goals on New Year’s Eve as the defending champions celebrated the end of a special 2018 in style defeating the Erie Otters 4-3 in a shootout.  His week continued Wednesday with a goal and an assist as part of a 7-1 win over the Kingston Frontenacs, then Saturday when he scored two goals including the OT winner while adding an assist as first star of 4-3 triumph over the Sarnia Sting.  On Sunday he matched a season-high with four points tallying twice with two assists earning third star honours despite a 6-5 shootout loss to the Niagara IceDogs.  The recent success has brought Hamilton’s record back up to .500 where they stand 18-18-3-1 holding onto eighth place in the Eastern Conference standings.

A 17-year-old from Staten Island, New York, Kaliyev is playing in his second season with the Bulldogs who chose him in the second round of the 2017 OHL Priority Selection.  He’s currently fourth in league scoring with 63 points in 40 games featuring 31 goals to match his rookie total that set a franchise record for most goals by a 16-year-old.  Eligible for the 2019 NHL Draft, Kaliyev was given an ‘A’ rating by NHL Central Scouting in their December ‘Players to Watch’ list identifying first round candidates.

Watch video highlights of Kaliyev and the Bulldogs against the Otters, Frontenacs, Sting, and IceDogs.

Also considered for the award this week was Alan Lyszczarczyk of the Mississauga Steelheads who also recorded 11 points in four games including four goals and seven assists, and Anthony Salinitri of the Oshawa Generals who scored six goals and four assists for 10 points in four games.  In goal, Arizona Coyotes prospect Ivan Prosvetov of the Saginaw Spirit posted a 3-0-0-0 record including a shutout victory with a goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .969.  His Sunday shutout against the Wolves featured 54 saves which is the most in a shutout by an OHL goaltender since Sudbury’s Alain Valiquette made 57 saves back in March, 2011.

2018-19 OHL ‘On the Run’ Players of the Week – Regular Season:

Dec. 31 – Jan. 6: Arthur Kaliyev (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Dec. 24 – Dec. 30: Kyle Maksimovich (Erie Otters)
Dec. 10 – Dec. 16: Andrew MacLean (Owen Sound Attack)
Dec. 3 – Dec. 9: Brett Neumann (Kingston Frontenacs)
Nov. 26 – Dec. 2: Jason Robertson (Niagara IceDogs)
Nov. 19 – Nov. 25: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Nov. 12 – Nov. 18: Owen Tippett (Mississauga Steelheads)
Nov. 5 – Nov. 11: Jason Robertson (Kingston Frontenacs)
Oct. 29 – Nov. 4: Kevin Hancock (Owen Sound Attack)
Oct. 22 – Oct. 28: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)
Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Damien Giroux (Saginaw Spirit)
Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Sudbury Wolves)
Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Lucas Chiodo (Barrie Colts)
Sept. 19 – Sept. 23: Akil Thomas (Niagara IceDogs)