CHL Announces 2017-18 Award Winners

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Regina, SK – The Canadian Hockey League today announced the 10 national award winners for the 2017-18 season including Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Alex Barré-Boulet of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada who earned Sportsnet CHL Player of the Year honours.

The awards were presented as part of the 2018 Mastercard Memorial Cup festivities in Regina.

2017-18 CHL Award Winners: Sherwin-Williams Top Prospect Award: Andrei Svechnikov, Barrie Colts

Barrie Colts forward Andrei Svechnikov is listed number one in NHL Central Scouting’s Final North American Rankings for the 2018 NHL Draft in Dallas.  The 18-year-old forward from Barnaul, Russia, registered 40 goals, 32 assists and 72 points in an injury-shortened 44-game rookie season.  He becomes the first OHL player to win the award since first overall NHL Draft pick Connor McDavid of the Erie Otters did so in 2014-15. Finalists for the award include Filip Zadina of the Halifax Mooseheads who was listed third by NHL Central Scouting, and Ty Smith of the Spokane Chiefs ranked 14th.

CCM Top Scorer Award: Jayden Halbgewachs, Moose Jaw Warriors

San Jose Sharks prospect Jayden Halbgewachs led the CHL with 70 goals and 129 points in 72 games, helping the Moose Jaw Warriors capture the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as WHL regular season champions for the first time in franchise history. The 21-year-old product of Emerald Park, Sask. became the first WHL player to reach the 70-goal plateau since 1998-99 when Pavel Brendl did so with the Calgary Hitmen. The offensive outburst earned Halbgewachs a free agent contract with the NHL’s San Jose Sharks. He follows Regina Pats forward Sam Steel as the second straight WHL player to earn the distinction. Finalists for the award were Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Alex Barré-Boulet of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada with 53 goals, 63 assists and 116 points in 65 games, and Ottawa Senators prospect Aaron Luchuk of the Barrie Colts with 50 goals, 65 assists and 115 points in 68 games.

Bumper to Bumper Sportsman of the Year Award: Aleksi Heponiemi, Swift Current Broncos

Florida Panthers prospect Aleksi Heponiemi of the Swift Current Broncos was one of the most proficient passers in the WHL during the 2017-18 season, recording a single-season franchise record 90 assists along with 28 goals and 118 points in only 57 games. Heponiemi recorded just 28 penalty minutes in the process to earn the Brad Hornung Trophy as WHL Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year. A product of Tampere, Finland, Heponiemi represented Finland at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship before helping his Swift Current Broncos claim the Ed Chynoweth Cup as 2018 WHL Champions. Heponiemi becomes the first WHL player to claim the award since Kelowna’s Rourke Chartier did so in 2014-15. Finalists for the award were Vegas Golden Knights prospect Nick Suzuki of the Owen Sound Attack and Blainville-Boisbriand Armada forward Joel Teasdale.

CHL Award Winners
Humanitarian of the Year Garrett McFadden of Guelph Storm, Defenceman of the Year Nicolas Hague of Mississauga Steelheads, Coach of the Year Drew Bannister of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and Top Prospect Andrei Svechnikov of Barrie Colts at the Brandt Centre on May 26, 2018 in Regina, Canada. (Photo by Marissa Baecker/CHL Images)

TVA Sports Humanitarian of the Year Award: Garrett McFadden, Guelph Storm

Guelph Storm captain Garrett McFadden is the CHL’s Humanitarian of the Year after being named a finalist for the award last season, establishing himself as an exceptional ambassador for his team and the league both on and off the ice. The 20-year-old native of Kincardine, Ont. continued his tremendous work with ‘McFadden’s Movement’ in support of youth mental health awareness.  The initiative took new heights in 2017-18 with the introduction of an Ambassadors Program along with fundraising efforts that totaled $20,000 to local mental health resources. The $20,000 raised by McFadden’s Movement fundraising programs and corporate partnership support more than triples his donation from 2016-17, and has been split between WES for Youth Online (a free youth online counseling service created in memory of McFadden’s family friend), and the Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo-Wellington Branch. On the ice, the fifth-year veteran recorded six goals, 38 assists and 44 points in 68 games. McFadden is the first OHL player to win the award since Saginaw’s Will Petschenig did so in 2015-16. Finalists for the award were New York Rangers prospect Ty Ronning of the Vancouver Giants and forward Vincent Tremblay-Lapalme of the Chicoutimi Saguenéens.

CIBC Scholastic Player of the Year Award: Alexandre Alain, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada

Montreal Canadiens prospect Alexandre Alain excelled in Natural Sciences studies at Cégep St-Jérôme this past season while also serving as captain of the QMJHL regular season champion Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. The 21-year-old native of Québec, Que. recorded 44 goals, 43 assists and 87 points in 65 games, earning an NHL contract with the Montreal Canadiens in his overage season.  Alain is the first QMJHL player to earn the award since Shawinigan’s Alexis D’Aoust in 2015-16. Finalists for the award included 2018 NHL Draft prospects Ty Smith of the Spokane Chiefs and Barrett Hayton of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

Janes Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award: Drew Bannister, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

Drew Bannister led the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds to an all-time franchise best record of 55-7-3-3, topping the CHL Top-10 Rankings throughout much of the 2017-18 season. The 44-year-old from Belleville, Ont. helped the Greyhounds earn a Western Conference crown, capturing their fifth Hamilton Spectator Trophy as OHL regular season champions.  They set a franchise record 23-game winning-streak from October 28 to December 30 which ranks third best in OHL history, and generated a run of 29 consecutive contests without a regulation loss.  The Hounds also went on a 27-game home winning-streak from October 20 to March 14 which stands as the second-longest in OHL history following the club’s undefeated season at home in 1984-85.  The 116 points and .853 winning-percentage are both tied for second best all-time under the 68-game schedule. Bannister is the OHL’s second straight recipient of the award following Owen Sound’s Ryan McGill in 2017. Finalists for the award were Manny Viveiros of the Swift Current Broncos and Joel Bouchard of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada.

Wawanesa Rookie of the Year Award: Alexis Lafrenière, Rimouski Océanic

2020 NHL Draft prospect Alexis Lafrenière of the Rimouski Océanic turned in a dominant 16-year-old season, leading CHL underage rookies with 80 points including 42 goals and 38 assists in 60 games. The product of St-Eustache, Que. was the QMJHL’s first overall pick in 2017 and didn’t disappoint, becoming the first Quebec-born CHL Rookie of the Year since Rimouski star Vincent Lecavalier back in 1997. He follows in the footsteps of another prominent Océanic forward in 2003-04 recipient Sidney Crosby. Finalists for the award were Andrei Svechnikov of the Barrie Colts and Dylan Cozens of the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

Vaughn Goaltender of the Year Award: Carter Hart, Everett Silvertips Philadelphia

Flyers prospect Carter Hart of the Everett Silvertips becomes the first two-time recipient of the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Year Award after winning 31 of his 41 appearances, logging a 1.60 goals-against average and .947 save percentage with seven shutouts. The Sherwood Park, Alta. product earned his third consecutive Del Wilson Trophy as WHL Goaltender of the Year and represented Canada at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship, backstopping his nation to a gold medal before taking his Everett Silvertips to Game 6 of the 2018 WHL Championship. Hart also tied a CHL record, recording his 26th career shutout this past season. Finalists for the award were Vancouver Canucks prospect Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires and Rouyn-Noranda Huskies netminder Samuel Harvey.

Superstore Defenceman of the Year Award: Nicolas Hague, Mississauga Steelheads

Vegas Golden Knights prospect Nicolas Hague of the Mississauga Steelheads earns Superstore CHL Defenceman of the Year honours after setting an all-time franchise record for goals by a defenceman with 35, adding 43 assists for 78 points in 67 games. His 35 tallies were the most by an OHL defenceman since 1998 as he finished the season with 26 multi-point performances. Hague becomes the first OHL recipient of the award since Sault Ste. Marie’s Anthony DeAngelo claimed the honour in 2014-15. Finalists for the award were Los Angeles Kings prospect Kale Clague of the Moose Jaw Warriors and fifth-year veteran Olivier Galipeau of the Acadie-Bathurst Titan.

Sportsnet Player of the Year Award: Alex Barré-Boulet, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada

Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Alex Barré-Boulet led the QMJHL with 53 goals and 63 assists for 116 points in 65 games. The recently turned 21-year-old native of Montmagny, Que. wrapped up his four-year career with 337 points (140-197–337) in 263 games, earning an NHL contract in his overage season. Barré-Boulet led the Armada to a QMJHL regular season title before steering them to Game 6 of the President Cup Final.   He is the first Armada player to win the award and the QMJHL’s first recipient since Val-d’Or’s Anthony Mantha claimed the honours in 2013-14. Finalists for the award were Philadelphia Flyers prospect Carter Hart of the Everett Silvertips and St. Louis Blues prospect Jordan Kyrou of the Sarnia Sting.

CHL announces 2017-18 Award Finalists

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced the nominees for the 10 major awards that will be presented at the annual CHL Awards Ceremony which takes place on Saturday May 26 as part of the 2018 Mastercard Memorial Cup festivities in Regina.

Sherwin-Williams Top Prospect Award:
Ty Smith (Spokane Chiefs)
Andrei Svechnikov (Barrie Colts)
Filip Zadina (Halifax Mooseheads)


Most recent winner by league: Nolan Patrick (Brandon Wheat Kings 2017), Pierre-Luc Dubois (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles 2016), Connor McDavid (Erie Otters 2015).


CCM Top Scorer Award:
Jayden Halbgewachs (Moose Jaw Warriors)
Aaron Luchuk (Barrie Colts)
Alex Barré-Boulet (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)

Most recent winner by league: Sam Steel (Regina Pats 2017), Conor Garland (Moncton Wildcats 2016), Dylan Strome (Erie Otters 2015).

BRP Sportsman of the Year Award:
Aleksi Heponiemi (Swift Current Broncos)
Nick Suzuki (Owen Sound Attack)
Joel Teasdale (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)

Most recent winner by league: Nick Suzuki (Owen Sound Attack 2017), Samuel Girard (Shawinigan Cataractes 2016), Rourke Chartier (Kelowna Rockets 2015).

TVA Sports Humanitarian of the Year Award:
Ty Ronning (Vancouver Giants)
Garrett McFadden (Guelph Storm)
Vincent Tremblay-Lapalme (Chicoutimi Saguenéens)

Most recent winner by league: Tyler Wong (Lethbridge Hurricanes 2017), Will Petschenig (Saginaw Spirit 2016), Danick Martel (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada 2015).

CIBC Scholastic Player of the Year Award:
Ty Smith (Spokane Chiefs)
Barrett Hayton (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Alexandre Alain (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)

Most recent winner by league: Sasha Chmelevski (Ottawa 67’s 2017), Alex D’Aoust (Shawinigan Cataractes 2016), Josh Morrissey (Prince Albert Raiders 2013).

Janes Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award:
Manny Viveiros (Swift Current Broncos)
Drew Bannister (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Joel Bouchard (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)

Most recent winner by league: Ryan McGill (Owen Sound Attack 2017), Gilles Bouchard (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies 2016), Jim Hiller (Tri-City Americans 2012).

Wawanesa Rookie of the Year Award:
Dylan Cozens (Lethbridge Hurricanes)
Andrei Svechnikov (Barrie Colts)
Alexis Lafrenière (Rimouski Oceanic)

Most recent winner by league: Nico Hischier (Halifax Mooseheads 2017), Alexander Nylander (Mississauga Steelheads 2016), Brett Connolly (Prince George Cougars 2009).

Vaughn Goaltender of the Year Award:
Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)
Samuel Harvey (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)

Most recent winner by league: Michael McNiven (Owen Sound Attack 2017), Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips 2016), Philippe Desrosiers (Rimouski Oceanic 2015).

Superstore Defenceman of the Year Award:
Kale Clague (Moose Jaw Warriors)
Nicolas Hague (Mississauga Steelheads)
Olivier Galipeau (Acadie-Bathurst Titan)

Most recent winner by league: Thomas Chabot (Saint John Sea Dogs 2017), Ivan Provorov (Brandon Wheat Kings 2016), Anthony DeAngelo (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 2015).

Sportsnet Player of the Year Award:
Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia Sting)
Alex Barré-Boulet (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)

Most recent winner by league: Alex DeBrincat (Erie Otters 2017), Anthony Mantha (Val-d’Or Foreurs 2014), Brendan Shinnimin (Tri-City Americans 2012).

For more information please visit www.mastercardmemorialcup.ca.

OHL Announces 2017-18 All-Star Teams

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

OHL Logo

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the All-Star teams for the 2017-18 OHL season.

Red Tilson Trophy winner Jordan Kyrou of the Sarnia Sting headlines the First Team All-Stars at right wing after leading the league with a 1.95 points-per-game mark to finish the year with 39 goals and 70 assists for 109 points in 56 games.  A pair of Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds join the St. Louis Blues prospect at forward including centre Morgan Frost and left winger Boris Katchouk.  Frost, a Philadelphia Flyers prospect, finished second in league scoring just ahead of Kyrou recording 112 points in 67 games.  Katchouk, a Tampa Bay Lightning prospect, was tenth in league scoring with 85 points in 58 games but led all left side skaters with 42 goals.  Defenceman of the Year and Vegas Golden Knights prospect Nicolas Hague of the Mississauga Steelheads occupies the first team blue line with 2018 NHL Draft prospect Evan Bouchard of the London Knights.  Both players led their respective teams in scoring with Bouchard tallying 87 points in 67 games including 25 goals, and Hague producing 78 points in 67 games including 35 goals to lead the position. Goaltender of the Year and Vancouver Canucks prospect Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires is this year’s First Team netminder with a league-high seven shutout victories.  Coach of the Year Drew Bannister retains First Team honours following a record season of 55 wins and 116 points for the Greyhounds.

The regular season champion Greyhounds lead the way with a total of six representatives including Second Team honourees Taylor Raddysh (Tampa Bay Lightning) at left wing and Conor Timmins (Colorado Avalanche) on defence, along with Matthew Villalta (Los Angeles Kings) in goal for the Third Team.  The Barrie Colts had a pair of Second Team representatives including top scorer and Ottawa Senators prospect Aaron Luchuk at centre, coach Dale Hawerchuk, and had defenceman Joey Keane listed on the Third Team.  The Kingston Frontenacs also had three representatives voted at their positions including Carolina Hurricanes prospect Jeremy Helvig in goal for the Second Team, Los Angeles Kings prospect Gabe Vilardi at centre on the Third Team, and Dallas Stars prospect Jason Robertson at right wing on the Third Team.  Both the Sarnia Sting and Windsor Spitfires had Third Team reps including defenceman Cam Dineen (Arizona Coyotes) and coach Trevor Letowski respectively bringing both team’s totals to two honourees.

The OHL All-Star Teams were selected by the OHL’s General Managers upon completion of the regular season schedule.  Players were voted on by position and received five points for a first place vote, three for a second place vote, and one for a third place vote.  In the case of defencemen, the top two selections received five points, the third and fourth selections received three points, and the fifth and sixth selections each received a single point.

2017-18 OHL All-Star Teams (voting points listed following team):

First Team All-Stars:

C – Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) 56

LW – Boris Katchouk (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) 76

RW – Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia Sting) 80

D – Nicolas Hague (Mississauga Steelheads) 83

D – Evan Bouchard (London Knights) 81

G – Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires) 70 – voted 3rd team in 2016-17

Coach – Drew Bannister (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) 79 – voted 3rd team in 2016-17

Second Team All-Stars:

C – Aaron Luchuk (Barrie Colts) 55

LW – Sam Miletic (Niagara IceDogs) 59

RW – Taylor Raddysh (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) 31 – voted 3rd team in 2016-17

D – Sean Durzi (Owen Sound Attack) 53

D – Conor Timmins (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

43 G – Jeremy Helvig (Kingston Frontenacs) 65

Coach – Dale Hawerchuk (Barrie Colts) 32

Third Team All-Stars:

C – Gabriel Vilardi (Kingston Frontenacs) 30

LW – Adam Mascherin (Kitchener Rangers) 17 – voted 1st team in 2016-17

RW – Jason Robertson (Kingston Frontenacs) 28

D – Cam Dineen (Sarnia Sting) 32

D – Joey Keane (Barrie Colts) 20

G – Matthew Villalta (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) 21

Coach – Trevor Letowski (Windsor Spitfires) 26

Bulldogs’ Justin Lemcke Awarded Mickey Renaud Captain’s Trophy

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Hamilton Bulldogs defenceman Justin Lemcke is the 2017-18 recipient of the Mickey Renaud Captain’s Trophy.

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

“It’s an honour to receive the Mickey Renaud Captain’s Trophy,” said Lemcke. “This is such a prestigious award, in memory of a very special person. I think it’s just as important for a captain to show leadership in the community as it is on the ice. We are seen as role models by many and it’s our responsibility to give back to those who support us.”

Lemcke is currently the longest serving OHL captain and was the first player given the ‘C’ in Bulldogs history appointed during their inaugural 2015-16 season upon relocation to Hamilton.  In the early stages of his first season in Hamilton he suffered a severe leg break that kept him out of the lineup from early October until mid-February.  He stayed in Hamilton during his recovery and maintained a leadership presence in the dressing room and throughout the community that has helped create the culture that exists within the organization today.  His influence has created a welcoming environment for all players, regardless of age, to thrive both on and off the ice while ensuring his teammates are held accountable to team standards.  He has embraced Bulldogs Foundation initiatives that include the city’s largest breakfast program that feeds thousands of children across 22 high needs schools, meeting and mentoring minor hockey players, and organizing team visits to McMaster’s Children’s Hospital to deliver gifts and spend time with young patients every Christmas.

“Justin Lemcke is the perfect example of a captain that demonstrates leadership both on and off the ice,” says Bulldogs President and General Manager Steve Staios. “He has a passion for the game along with a strong dedication to the Hamilton community.”

On the ice, the 21-year-old from Whitby, Ont., helped the Bulldogs steadily improve from 58 points in 2015-16, to 74 in 2016-17, and 93 in 2017-18 where they captured their first East Division title atop the Eastern Conference standings.  The overager was originally chosen by the Belleville Bulls in the first round of the 2013 OHL Priority Selection and has played in 258 career games amassing 105 points including 30 goals and 75 assists.  This post-season he was the first to accept the Bobby Orr Trophy and hoist the Robertson Cup in team history celebrating Hamilton’s first OHL title and berth in the Mastercard Memorial Cup since 1976.

Lemcke becomes the tenth recipient of the award following Alex Peters of the Flint Firebirds who received the award last season.  Past recipients also include Michael Webster (Barrie Colts 2016), Max Domi (London Knights 2015), Matt Finn (Guelph Storm 2014), Colin Miller (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 2013), Andrew Agozzino (Niagara IceDogs 2012), Ryan Ellis (Windsor Spitfires 2011), John Kurtz (Sudbury Wolves 2010), and Chris Terry of the Plymouth Whalers who won the inaugural award for the 2008-09 season.

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

The Mickey Renaud Captain’s Trophy will be formally presented to Lemcke at the OHL Awards Ceremony on Wednesday June 6 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

Sting’s Jordan Kyrou Wins Red Tilson Trophy as OHL’s Most Outstanding Player of the Year

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that St. Louis Blues prospect Jordan Kyrou of the Sarnia Sting is the 2017-18 recipient of the Red Tilson Trophy awarded to the OHL’s Most Outstanding Player of the Year as voted by the writers and broadcasters that cover the league.

Kyrou becomes the Sting’s first Red Tilson Trophy recipient after finishing third in OHL scoring with 109 points in 56 games including 39 goals while tying for the league lead with 70 assists.  His offensive production delivered an impressive 1.95 points-per-game to lead all skaters while captaining the Sting to their best regular season in franchise history with 46 wins and 97 points.

“I am truly honoured to receive this award, there are many great players in our league who had great seasons and deserve similar recognition,” Kyrou said. “The last four years with the Sting have been an unbelievable experience with some amazing people. This past season was extra special for me, and I want to thank all of my teammates who stood with me day in and day out, I would not have the success I did without each-and-every one of them.

“I would also like to thank my coaches, billets, family and friends who have supported me throughout my junior hockey career, as well as the entire Sarnia Sting Organization for providing me such a great place to develop my hockey career. I am truly humbled to receive this honour and cannot thank everyone enough.”

The 20-year-old from Toronto, Ont., was the league’s first player to reach the century mark for points this season achieving the milestone mark in his 50th game on February 27.  He generated 31 multi-point performances and was recognized as OHL Player of the Month twice (October and November) amidst the club’s record 14-game winning-streak (September 30 to November 2), and received OHL Player of the Week honours three times (week ending October 22, January 21, February 25).  The Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy recipient for Top Scoring Right Winger also tied for the Western Conference lead by appearing among the top three in four different categories of the annual Coaches Poll including tied for first in the Best Stickhandler vote, second Smartest Player, second Best Playmaker, and second Best Skater.

“On behalf of the entire Sarnia Sting organization we would like to congratulate Jordan on this tremendous accomplishment,” said Sting General Manager Nick Sinclair. “Having the opportunity to draft him four years ago and being able to watch him evolve as a player on the ice and a young man off the ice, has been extremely rewarding.

“Jordan has provided our organization and the Sarnia Sting fan base with countless special moments over the last four seasons, with todays’ recognition being the icing on the cake to his exceptional junior career. He has had a phenomenal year and is truly deserving of this honour.”

Kyrou was originally chosen by the Sting in the second round of the 2014 OHL Priority Selection and was named captain prior to the 2017-18 campaign.  He accumulated 290 points in 250 games during his four-year tenure including 99 goals and a franchise record 191 assists.  His 290 points stand second in Sting all-time scoring behind only Jon Sim who recorded 311 points in 211 games.  This season Kyrou also represented the Sting on the international stage winning gold with Canada at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship.  He was chosen by the Blues in the second round of the 2016 NHL Draft and signed his entry-level contract with the club a month following his selection.

The Red Tilson Trophy is the most prestigious individual award presented by the Ontario Hockey League.  First presented in 1945, the trophy is named in honour of Albert “Red” Tilson, who was killed in action in Europe during World War II. Tilson was the OHA scoring champion for the 1942-43 season after scoring 19 goals and 38 assists for 57 points in 22 games with the Oshawa Generals.

Accredited media were asked to select their top three choices from the 20 nominees submitted by all 20 member clubs.  Players received five points for a first place selection, three points for second place and one point for a third place selection.  Kyrou received 235 points in the voting process including first place selection on nearly 40% of all submitted ballots.  Philadelphia Flyers prospect Morgan Frost of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds finished in second place with 191 voting points, followed by Ottawa Senators prospect Aaron Luchuk of the Barrie Colts in third place with 165 voting points.

The list of former Red Tilson Trophy recipients includes Tod Sloan (St. Michael’s 1946), Stan Mikita (St. Catharines 1959), Yvan Cournoyer (Montreal 1964), Bobby Smith (Ottawa 1978), former Blues Doug Gilmour (Cornwall 1983), and back-to-back winner Brad Boyes (Erie 2000 and 2001), John Tavares (Oshawa 2007), and recent winners Connor McDavid (Erie 2015), Mitch Marner (London 2016), and Alex DeBrincat (Erie 2018).

The Red Tilson Trophy winner is the OHL’s nominee for Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year presented at the CHL Awards Ceremony on Saturday May 26 during the 2018 Mastercard Memorial Cup in Regina.  Kyrou will also be formally presented with the Red Tilson Trophy at the OHL’s Awards Ceremony on Wednesday June 6 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

Final Four Vote Underway for CHL Team of the Century

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

memorial-cup-100-years

Toronto, ON – In celebration of the 100th edition of the Mastercard Memorial Cup, the Canadian Hockey League has been asking fans to cast their vote for CHL Team of the Century. 

After thousands of votes for history’s 99 Memorial Cup champions, a final ballot has been reached consisting of the top representative from each league plus a wildcard team. 

The Western Hockey League’s 1995 Kamloops Blazers, the Ontario Hockey League’s 2005 London Knights, and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s 2013 Halifax Mooseheads each led their respective league in votes, while the QMJHL’s 2000 Rimouski Oceanic was the next highest finisher to complete the final four. 

The 1995 Kamloops Blazers became the seventh team in history to win back-to-back but first to win an incredible third Memorial Cup title in the span of four years celebrating on home ice with an 8-2 victory over the Detroit Jr. Red Wings.  Coached by Don Hay, the Blazers featured tournament MVP Shane Doan along with stars like Jarome Iginla, and the trio of Darcy Tucker, Tyson Nash, and Ryan Huska who were part of all three Blazers championships. 

The 2005 London Knights began their 40th season with a CHL record 31-game unbeaten streak compiling an OHL record 59 wins and 120 points.  The tournament hosts entered through the front door winning their first OHL title with a 16-2 record before sweeping the national competition including two wins over the Rimouski Oceanic led by Sidney Crosby.  Coached by Dale Hunter, the Knights featured tournament MVP Corey Perry and future NHL talent like David Bolland, Dan Girardi, Marc Methot, and Brandon Prust. 

The 2013 Halifax Mooseheads tied a QMJHL record with 58 regular season wins then captured their first league title with just one playoff loss.  Their first national championship came in Saskatoon powered by the dynamic NHL Draft eligible duo of tournament MVP Nathan MacKinnon and CHL Player of the Year Jonathan Drouin who combined for eight goals and 14 assists in four games.  Coached by Dominique Ducharme, the Mooseheads, backstopped by fellow NHL Draft prospect Zach Fucale, defeated the Portland Winterhawks 6-4 in the final. 

The 2000 Rimouski Oceanic were led by Brad Richards who won nearly every award possible that season including QMJHL and CHL Top Scorer, Player of the Year, and later QMJHL playoff and Memorial Cup tournament MVP honours.  Coached by Doris Labonte, the Oceanic won their first national title in the first tournament played in Atlantic Canada going undefeated against the host Halifax Mooseheads, Kootenay Ice, and Barrie Colts who they beat twice including 6-2 in the final.  

Through May 15 at 11:59 pm Eastern, fans can help select the CHL Team of the Century among the final four candidates with the winning team to be announced as part of the centennial celebration at the 2018 Mastercard Memorial Cup. 

The online voting platform hosted at http://chlteamofthecentury.ca features photos, rosters, and tournament recaps for all 99 Memorial Cup champions.  The voting process permits users to vote up to 10 times per day by logging into an active CHL Fanbase account.  New users can register at http://chlfanbase.ca/.  Every vote cast provides fans the opportunity to win great prizes including a grand prize trip for two to the 2019 Memorial Cup including transportation, accommodations, and tickets to the Semi-Final and Championship Final. 

The CHL Team of the Century vote is the latest initiative to commemorate the historic 100th Mastercard Memorial Cup celebration.  Other initiatives this season have included the creation and sale of a Commemorative Coin in partnership with CIBC, a Memorial Cup Trophy Tour that visited 17 CHL communities in eight different provinces from November 18 through March 17, and a Champions Video Series to share stories and highlight moments of glory from some of history’s most memorable victories. 

The centennial celebration at the 2018 Mastercard Memorial Cup will take place May 17-27, 2018, and will feature the host Regina Pats who competed in the very first Memorial Cup championship in 1919, along with the 2018 champions from the Western Hockey League, the Ontario Hockey League, and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. 

The Memorial Cup has a rich tradition that has shaped the way junior hockey is played in North America.  The trophy was original known as the OHA Memorial Cup and was donated by the Ontario Hockey Association in March, 1919, in remembrance of the many soldiers who paid the supreme sacrifice for Canada in the First Wold War.  In 2010 the Memorial Cup was rededicated to the memory of all fallen Canadian Military Personnel. 

The 2018 Mastercard Memorial Cup is proudly supported by Mastercard, title sponsor of this event for 20 straight years.  Associate sponsors include CIBC and Cooper Tires.  All games will be broadcast by Sportsnet and TVA Sports. 

For more information please visit www.mmc100.ca or join the conversation on social media using #MMC100.

Storm’s Garrett McFadden Named OHL Humanitarian of the Year

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that defenceman Garrett McFadden of the Guelph Storm is the 2017-18 recipient of the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy awarded annually to the OHL’s Humanitarian of the Year.

McFadden becomes the league’s first two-time award recipient winning for a second straight season with the continuation of his program ‘McFadden’s Movement’ in support of youth mental health awareness.  The initiative took new heights in 2017-18 with the introduction of an Ambassadors Program along with fundraising efforts that totaled $20,000 to local mental health resources.

“It’s a tremendous honour to be recognized as the Dan Snyder Humanitarian of the Year,” McFadden said. “The OHL and every person involved in my junior hockey career have all played a huge role in allowing me to be the person I am today. Without the help and guidance of these people, being recognized for this award would not be possible.

“It’s been awesome to see all the support from the league and the community over the last two years, which has allowed the initiative to grow, giving us the chance to reach more and more people out there who are either struggling, or wanting to help end the stigma around mental health,” McFadden added. “Being able to also have the chance to work with countless people in the mental health community has also been an eye-opening experience, one that has taught me a lot about how important and prevalent mental health really is in the community. Being able to not only voice my story, but involve teammates and friends, along with involving youth in the community has really allowed McFadden’s Movement to blossom over the last two years.”

The Storm captain introduced ‘McFadden’s Movement’ in September, 2016, as a campaign striving to change, help, and develop mental health among athletes.  Directly affected by the loss of a close family friend, Wes Cameron, to suicide in 2011, McFadden has drawn on his own challenges when connecting with youth.  This season’s MM27 Ambassadors Program encouraged Storm teammates and elite athletes from across the province to open up and share their own stories about mental health.  This inspired community youth to do the same with an online portal on the McFadden’s Movement website that accepts digitally submitted mental health stories.  Over 30 Ambassadors ranging from ages four to their mid-20’s opened up and shared personal experiences such as dealing with the emotions of changing schools, losing friends to suicide, long-term health disorders impacting their mental health, and facing mental health obstacles.  As part of his community outreach, ‘McFadden’s Movement Ambassadors of the Game’ were invited to attend a Storm game as McFadden’s guest, meet with him post-game, and share their connection on the program’s website.  The $20,000 raised by McFadden’s Movement fundraising programs and corporate partnership support more than triples his donation from 2016-17, and has been split between WES for Youth Online (a free youth online counseling service created in memory of McFadden’s family friend), and the Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo-Wellington Branch.

“He has not only raised a substantial amount of funds for us to be able to continue our services but contributing immensely on reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness,” said Kayla Piekarz, the Community Relations Coordinator for WES for Youth Online. “Garrett’s passion to see the change, make the change, and rally others around him to join his Movement is truly inspiring.”

A 20-year-old from Kincardine, Ont., McFadden played five full seasons with the Storm as the club’s first round pick in the 2013 OHL Priority Selection.  He won an OHL championship with the club as a rookie in 2014 and has accumulated 147 points in 292 games including a career-high 44 points in 68 games this season.  The two-year captain and University of Guelph student has been the team’s Humanitarian of the Year in three of his five seasons and remains the only Storm player to win the league’s award since it was first presented in 1993.

“We are privileged to have many great young men play in our league, but once in a while a really special person comes along,” said Storm Governor Rick Gaetz. “Garrett’s hockey contributions in Guelph speak for themselves, but I have never seen anyone more engaged in our community than Garrett has been for the past five years. It takes a lot of courage to champion a program related to mental health and it’s been a real privilege to watch Garrett spread his message and make a difference in our community during his time with the Storm.”

Each year the OHL awards a player that has demonstrated outstanding qualities as a positive role model in the community with the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy.  The Ontario Hockey League Board of Governors announced in 2004 that the OHL Humanitarian of the Year award would be renamed in recognition of the former Owen Sound Platers captain, who was twice named his team’s Humanitarian of the Year in recognition of his tremendous efforts in supporting community activities.

Past recipients include Chris Terry and Ryan Hayes who represented the Plymouth Whalers with back-to-back awards in 2009 and 2010 respectively, before Jack Walchessen and Andrew D’Agostini of the Peterborough Petes won in 2011 and 2012.  Ben Fanelli (Kitchener 2013), Scott Simmonds (Belleville 2014), Nick Paul (North Bay 2015), and Will Petschenig (Saginaw 2016) are the most recent award recipients.

Of the 20 nominees submitted by member clubs this season, an impressive six including McFadden, were repeat candidates who all contributed admirably to their communities.  In Hamilton, defenceman Jack Hanley was once again a leader for the Bulldogs in their anti-bullying campaign and made regular visits to McMaster Children’s Hospital.  Frontenacs’ defenceman Liam Murray put Alzheimer’s Disease at centre ice this season becoming a Youth Ambassador for Kingston’s Alzheimer Society sharing his personal experiences with his grandfather at education sessions, school visits, and other Society activities.  Oshawa Generals captain Jack Studnicka created his ‘Skate in Strides’ program to help raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis Canada.  In Sarnia, Nick Grima was once again instrumental in helping the Sting hold their third annual First Responder’s Night in support of the program #IveGotYourBack911.  And hometown hero Michael DiPietro continued to champion local outreach programs for the Windsor Spitfires contributing largely to the success of ‘Super Hero Night’ in support of the ‘Fight Like Mason Foundation’.

McFadden will be formally presented with the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy at the 2018 OHL Awards Ceremony which takes place on Wednesday June 6 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.  He will also be the OHL’s nominee for Humanitarian of the Year at the annual CHL Awards presented on Saturday May 26 at the 2018 Mastercard Memorial Cup in Regina.

For more information you can follow @McFaddensMvmnt or visit www.mcfaddensmovement.com to support the cause.

2017-18 Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy Nominees:

Barrie Colts – Justin Murray

Erie Otters – Aidan Timmermans

Flint Firebirds – C.J Clarke

Guelph Storm – Garrett McFadden*

Hamilton Bulldogs – Jack Hanley*

Kingston Frontenacs – Liam Murray*

Kitchener Rangers – Joseph Garreffa

London Knights – Alex Turko

Mississauga Steelheads – Emanuel Vella

Niagara IceDogs – Johnathon Schaefer

North Bay Battalion – Patrick Brown

Oshawa Generals – Jack Studnicka*

Ottawa 67’s – Noel Hoefenmayer

Owen Sound Attack – Ethan Szypula

Peterborough Petes – Dylan Wells

Saginaw Spirit – Evan Cormier

Sarnia Sting – Nick Grima*

Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds – Jack Kopacka

Sudbury Wolves – Owen Gilhula

Windsor Spitfires – Michael DiPietro*

*repeat nominee

CHL Announces Weekly Award Winners

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Frost and Skinner honoured as league finals commence 

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 playoff week ending May 6 recording seven points in three games including three goals and four assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-1. 

Frost’s week included key contributions in two different playoff rounds for the Greyhounds including a Game 7 victory over the Kitchener Rangers in the OHL’s Western Conference Final plus the opening two games of the Rogers OHL Championship Series against the Hamilton Bulldogs.  In last Monday’s Game 7, Frost scored once and added two assists in regulation before the Greyhounds clinched the series and Western Conference title with a 4-3 triumph in double overtime.  Competing in their first OHL final since 1993, the Greyhounds earned a two-game split with the Bulldogs in a pair of home ice contests last week with Frost contributing an assist in a 4-3 overtime loss in Game 1 on Thursday then a two-goal and one assist performance in Game 2 on Saturday as part of the 4-2 victory.  Frost opened this week with a goal despite a 6-5 loss in Monday’s Game 3.  The series continues Wednesday night for the Robertson Cup with Game 4 action from Hamilton available as part of CHL playoff coverage on Sportsnet One and 360. 

An 18-year-old from Aurora, Ont., Frost is currently tied for third in OHL playoff scoring with 27 points including 10 goals and 17 assists through 21 games.  The fourth round pick of the Greyhounds in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection finished his third campaign in Sault Ste. Marie second overall in regular season scoring with a career-high 112 points in 67 games including 42 goals and 70 assists.  The first round pick of the Flyers in the 2017 NHL Draft previously earned CHL Player of the Week honours for the week ending December 17. 

Also considered for the award this week was Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Alex Barre-Boulet of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada who scored two goals and four assists for six points in three games which included a Game 7 win over the Charlottetown Islanders and the opening two games of the Rogers QMJHL Championship Series against the Acadie-Bathurst Titan for the President Cup.  In the WHL, Matteo Gennaro also scored twice with four assists for six points in three games which included a Game 6 victory over the Lethbridge Hurricanes and the opening two games of the Rogers WHL Championship Series against the Everett Silvertips for the Ed Chynoweth Cup. 

2017-18 CHL Players of the Week – Playoffs:
Apr. 30 – May 6: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Apr. 23 – Apr. 29: Brad Morrison (Lethbridge Hurricanes)
Apr. 16 – Apr. 22: Boris Katchouk (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Apr. 9 – Apr. 15: Jake Bean (Tri-City Americans)
Apr. 2 – Apr. 8: Pascal Aquin (Charlottetown Islanders)
Mar. 26 – Apr. 1: Gabriel Vilardi (Kingston Frontenacs)
Mar. 19 – Mar. 25: Brad Morrison (Lethbridge Hurricanes)

2017-18 CHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:

Mar. 12 – Mar. 18: Dillon Dube (Kelowna Rockets)
Mar. 5 – Mar. 11: Jayden Halbgewachs (Moose Jaw Warriors)
Feb. 26 – Mar. 4: Maxime Comtois (Victoriaville Tigres)
Feb. 19 – Feb. 25: Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia Sting)
Feb. 12 – Feb. 18: Aaron Luchuk (Barrie Colts)
Feb. 5 – Feb. 11: Maxime Comtois (Victoriaville Tigres)
Jan. 29 – Feb. 4: Ty Ronning (Vancouver Giants)
Jan. 22 – Jan. 28: Peter Abbandonato (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)
Jan. 15 – Jan. 21: Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia Sting)
Jan. 8 – Jan. 14: Taylor Raddysh (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Owen Tippett (Mississauga Steelheads)
Dec. 25 – Dec. 31: Ivan Kosorenkov (Victoriaville Tigres)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 17: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Stelio Mattheos (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Alex Barré-Boulet (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Cody Glass (Portland Winterhawks)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Cliff Pu (London Knights)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Aleksi Heponiemi (Swift Current Broncos)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Albert Michnac (Mississauga Steelheads)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Aaron Luchuk (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Drake Batherson (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Tyler Soy (Victoria Royals)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Kale Clague (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Tyler Steenbergen (Swift Current Broncos)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 24: Kole Lind (Kelowna Rockets) 

Broncos’ Stuart Skinner named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week 

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Edmonton Oilers prospect Stuart Skinner of the Swift Current Broncos is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the playoff week ending May 6 after posting a 2-1 record with a goals-against-average of 1.93 and save percentage of .941. 

Skinner earns his second national honour of the post-season after turning aside 96 shots from two different opponents backstopping the Broncos to a six-game series win over the Lethbridge Hurricanes and a two-game series split against the Everett Silvertips in the Rogers WHL Championship Series.  The Broncos captured the WHL’s Eastern Conference Championship last Monday night with a 5-1 victory on the road against the Hurricanes with Skinner stopping 33 of 34 shots faced against his former team.  Competing in their first WHL final since 1993, the Broncos opened at home on Friday night with Skinner making 23 saves despite a 2-1 loss in Game 1 followed by a 40-save performance in a 4-3 overtime victory in Saturday’s Game 2 to even the series.  The scene shifts to Everett for Game 3 of the series on Tuesday night for the Ed Chynoweth Cup. 

A 19-year-old from Edmonton, Alta., Skinner has now played 22 games during the 2018 WHL Playoffs with a 13-9 record that includes a pair of overtime losses.  He has an impressive four shutouts and league-best marks in goals-against-average and save percentage at 2.33 and .927 respectively.  Originally a first round pick by the Hurricanes in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft, Skinner joined the Broncos in January after more than three seasons with Lethbridge.  His regular season numbers with the Broncos included a 16-6-1-1 record, two shutouts, a 2.68 goals-against-average, and a .914 save percentage.  He was chosen by the Oilers in the third round of the 2017 NHL Draft. 

Also considered for the award this week was Rookie Emile Samson of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada also picked up a Game 7 victory last week against the Charlottetown Islanders then posted a win and a loss against the Acadie-Bathurst Titan in the opening two games of the Rogers QMJHL Championship Series for the President Cup making a total of 70 saves for a goals-against-average of 1.67 and save percentage of .933.  In the OHL, Los Angeles Kings prospect Matthew Villalta of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds posted a Game 7 victory over the Kitchener Rangers followed by a win and overtime loss against the Hamilton Bulldogs to open the Rogers OHL Championship Series for the Robertson Cup making 95 saves for a goals-against-average of 2.62 and save percentage of .913.   

2017-18 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week – Playoffs:
Apr. 30 – May 6: Stuart Skinner (Swift Current Broncos)
Apr. 23 – Apr. 29: Evan Fitzpatrick (Acadie-Bathurst Titan)
Apr. 16 – Apr. 22: Émile Samson (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)
Apr. 9 – Apr. 15: Evan Fitzpatrick (Acadie-Bathurst Titan)
Apr. 2 – Apr. 8: Patrick Dea (Tri-City Americans)
Mar. 26 – Apr. 1: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Mar. 19 – Mar. 25: Stuart Skinner (Swift Current Broncos)

2017-18 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:

Mar. 12 – Mar. 18: Patrick Dea (Tri-City Americans)
Mar. 5 – Mar. 11: Etienne Montpetit (Victoriaville Tigres)
Feb. 26 – Mar. 4: Shane Farkas (Portland Winterhawks)
Feb. 19 – Feb. 25: Emanuel Vella (Mississauga Steelheads)
Feb. 12 – Feb. 18: Riley Lamb (Red Deer Rebels)
Feb. 5 – Feb. 11: Brody Willms (Moose Jaw Warriors)
Jan. 29 – Feb. 4: Zachary Bouthillier (Chicoutimi Sagueneens)
Jan. 22 – Jan. 28: Jeremy Helvig (Kingston Frontenacs)
Jan. 15 – Jan. 21: Mario Culina (Kitchener Rangers)
Jan. 8 – Jan. 14: Stuart Skinner (Swift Current Broncos)
Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Samuel Harvey (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)
Dec. 25 – Dec. 31: James Porter (Kelowna Rockets)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 17: Tristan Bérubé (Gatineau Olympiques)
 Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Anthony Morrone (Victoriaville Tigres)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Justin Fazio (Sarnia Sting)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Cole Kehler (Portland Winterhawks)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Samuel Harvey (Rouyn-Noranada Huskies)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Logan Flodell (Swift Current Broncos)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Cole Kehler (Portland Winterhawks)
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Dereck Baribeau (Quebec Remparts)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 24: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)

OHL Championship Preview

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Championship series

If you had asked most people in the preseason which two teams would meet for the J. Ross Robertson Cup and the Ontario Hockey League Championship, most would have predicted this outcome.

It’s a best-on-best as the Hamilton Bulldogs, tops in the Eastern Conference meet the Sault Ste Marie Greyhound, the top team in the Western Conference and the top ranked team in the Canadian Hockey League for most of the season.

The schedule is as follows:

Game 1, Thurs., May 3 at Sault Ste. Marie, 7:07 pm

Game 2, Sat., May 5 at Sault Ste. Marie, 7:07 pm

Game 3, Mon., May 7 at Hamilton, 7:00 pm

Game 4, Wed., May 9 at Hamilton, 7:00 pm (Sportsnet)

Game 5, Fri., May 11 at Sault Ste. Marie, 7:07 pm*

Game 6, Sun., May 13 at Hamilton, 2:00 pm* (Sportsnet)

Game 7, Mon., May 14 at Sault Ste. Marie, 7:07 pm*

*if necessary

The two squads met just twice during the regular season. On February 11, 2018, the Bulldogs defeated the Greyhounds 5-2 on home ice. Five days later in The Soo, the Greyhounds pasted the Bulldogs 10-0.

It will be Kaden Fulcher in the crease for the Bulldogs while Matthew Villalta will man the cage for the Greyhounds. Head-to-head, Fulcher has a 4.50 goals against average and .870 save percentage versus the Greyhounds while Villalta has a 3.00 goals against average and .878 save percentage.

Head-to-head, MacKenzie Entwistle and Matthew Strome led the Bulldogs with a goal and three assists each while Hayden Verbeek led the Greyhounds with four goals and an assist.

In the last five season, which includes two seasons as the Belleville Bulls before moving to Hamilton, the Greyhounds hold a 7-2-1-0 record with a 5-0-0-0 record on home ice.

The two teams took different routes to the finals. The Bulldogs took care of the Ottawa 67’s, Niagara IceDogs and Kingston Frontenacs all in five games. They are the rested team. The Greyhounds however, took the difficult route. After sweeping the Saginaw Spirit, they were pushed to the limit by the Owen Sound Attack and the Kitchener Rangers, with the Western Conference Final going to double overtime.

Both teams made some additions throughout the season for this run. The Bulldogs added adding Nicolas Mattinen (Erie Otters), Robert Thomas (London Knights), Riley Stillman (Oshawa Generals), Nicholas Caamano and Ryan Moore (Flint Firebirds) and Kade Landry (Barrie Colts). The Greyhounds loaded up by adding Taylor Raddysh and Jordan Sambrook (Erie Otters).

Here’s a look at how the two teams stack up:

  Sault Ste. Marie Hamilton
Season Series 1-1-0-0 1-1-0-0
Home record 31-1-2-0 22-9-0-3
Road record 24-6-1-3 21-9-4-0
Goals for (regular season) 317 252
Goals for (playoffs) 77 66
Goals against (regular season) 186 207
Goals against (playoffs) 63 36
Powerplay (regular season) 24.8% 24.6%
Powerplay (playoffs) 27.6% 28.6%
Penalty kill (regular season) 82.0% 77.1%
Penalty kill (playoffs) 76.4% 78.3%
PP vs opponent 30.0% 0%
PK vs Opponent 100.0% 70.0%
Leading scorer (regular season) Frost (42-70-112) Thomas (24-51-75)
Leading scorer (playoffs) Katchouk ((15-12-28) Thomas (8-17-25)
Leading after 2nd 39-0-0-0 33-2-0-2
Trailing after 2nd 5-6-1-3 6-15-2-0
Last 10 games 6-3-1 8-1-1

 

Both squads carry a wealth of experience. Hamilton’s backup goaltender Nick Donofrio is draft eligible. The Greyhounds have a pair of projected first rounders in Barrett Hayton and Rasmus Sandin. Isaac Nurse and Brandon Saigeon of the Bulldogs and Mac Hollowell of the Greyhounds are re-entering the draft.

It hasn’t been my best season for playoff predictions as you can see.

playoffs

As for my finals prediction? My heart and my head are picking one team while my gut is picking the other. I’m going to go with my gut.

Prediction: Hamilton in 7 games

Steelheads’ Nicolas Hague Named OHL Defenceman of the Year

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Vegas Golden Knights prospect Nicolas Hague of the Mississauga Steelheads is the 2017-18 recipient of the Max Kaminsky Trophy awarded annually to the OHL’s Most Outstanding Defenceman of the Year.

Hague becomes the first Steelhead in all-time franchise history to win the award after leading his team in scoring and finishing second among blueliners with 78 points in 67 games including 35 goals and 43 assists.  His 78 points set a Steelheads single season record while his 35 goals represent an all-time franchise mark and the most by an OHL defenceman since Chris Allen of the Kingston Frontenacs lit the lamp 38 times in 1997-98.

“I am extremely excited and proud to win this award,” said Hague. “It is an honour to be recognized among all the other great defencemen we have in our league. I would like to thank my teammates, coaches and management in Mississauga. Without them this wouldn’t have been possible. Most of all I’d like to thank my parents and billet family for their constant support all season long.” 

Nicolas Hague of the Mississauga Steelheads. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Nicolas Hague of the Mississauga Steelheads. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Hague produced 26 multi-point performances in 2017-18 and finished the regular season campaign with a career-high 11-game point-streak.  His 15 power play goals led all defencemen and tied for fifth overall among the league’s top scorers, while his 270 shots on goal was the eighth highest total among all skaters.  He earned OHL Defenceman of the Month honours in both January and March and was unanimously voted Best Offensive Defenceman and atop the Hardest Shot category in the annual Eastern Conference Coaches Poll.  Hague also represented Team OHL in the 2017 CIBC Canada Russia Series competing in the event for the second straight season.

“The Mississauga Steelheads are very proud of Nic as well as very happy for him being selected as the OHL Defenceman of the Year,” said Steelheads General Manager and Head Coach James Richmond. “Nic has put an enormous amount of work into his development as a player over his three season with the Steelheads so it’s wonderful that he is being rewarded at this time. Nic is not only a great hockey player, he is a wonderful person, a great teammate and we would like to congratulate Nic and his family on such a prestigious award from the OHL.”

A 19-year-old from Kitchener, Ont., Hague was originally chosen by the Steelheads in the second round of the 2014 OHL Priority Selection.  The alternate captain played three full seasons for the Trout appearing in 198 career games accumulating 148 points including 67 goals and 81 assists.  He was named to the league’s Second All-Rookie Team in 2015-16 season and was also named OHL Scholastic Player of the Year.  Last season he helped the Steelheads hoist the Bobby Orr Trophy as Eastern Conference Champions before being selected by Vegas in the second round of the 2017 NHL Draft.  In September he signed his entry-level contract with the Golden Knights.

The Max Kaminsky Trophy is awarded each year to the Most Outstanding Defenceman as selected by OHL General Managers.  All 20 clubs submitted a nominee but were not permitted to vote for their own player.  The first round of voting was conducted by conference only with the top three selections from the West and East advancing to form the final ballot.  Players received five points for a first place vote, three points for a second place vote, and one point for a third place vote. 

Hague received 67 points in the final voting process narrowly edging 2018 NHL Draft prospect Evan Bouchard of the London Knights who finished second with 65 voting points.  Sean Durzi of the Owen Sound Attack finished in third place with 29 voting points.

Past winners of the award since 1970 include Craig Hartsburg (Sault Ste. Marie 1977), Larry Murphy (Peterborough 1980), Al MacInnis (Kitchener 1983), Chris Pronger (Peterborough 1993), Brian Campbell (Ottawa 1999), Marc Staal (Sudbury 2007), Drew Doughty (Guelph 2008), Ryan Ellis (Windsor 2009 and 2011), Dougie Hamilton (Niagara 2012), Ryan Sproul (Sault Ste. Marie 2013), Aaron Ekblad (Barrie 2014), Anthony DeAngelo (Sault Ste. Marie 2015), Mikhail Sergachev (Windsor 2016), and Darren Raddysh (Erie 2017).

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

Hague will be formally presented with the Max Kaminsky Trophy at the OHL Awards Ceremony which takes place June 6 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.  He will also be the OHL’s nominee for CHL Defenceman of the Year to be announced on May 26 at the 2018 Mastercard Memorial Cup in Regina.