Around the OHL

Hamilton Bulldogs (1) vs Ottawa 67’s (8)

	Hamilton	Ottawa
Season Series	5-0-0-0	0-5-0-0
Home record	22-9-0-3	17-11-4-2
Road record	21-9-4-0	13-18-2-1
Goals for	252	225
Goals against	207	260
Powerplay	24.6%	16.3%
Penalty kill	77.1%	78.8%
PP vs opponent	19.2%	14.3%
PK vs Opponent	85.7%	80.8%
Leading scorer	Chmelevski (35-41-76)	Thomas (24-51-75)
Leading after 2nd	33-2-0-2	15-1-2-0
Trailing after 2nd	6-15-2-0	9-24-4-2
Last 10 games	7-2-1-0	4-5-1-0

 

Only the London Knights have as many players on the roster ranked by National Hockey League Central Scouting as the Ottawa 67’s. They include Merrick Rippon, Sam Bitten, Mitchell Hoelscher, Carter Robertson, Kody Clark and Kevin Bahl. For the Hamilton Bulldogs, only backup goaltender Nick Donofrio is ranked by Central Scouting, and barring an injury or collapse by Kaden Fulcher, will likely not see any game time.

Prediction: Hamilton in 4 games

Barrie Colts (2) vs Mississauga Steelheads (7)

	Barrie	Mississauga
Season Series	2-4-0-0	4-2-0-0
Home record	22-9-2-0	22-11-0-1
Road record	20-12-2-0	11-21-1-1
Goals for	297	251
Goals against	229	250
Powerplay	22.8%	25.5%
Penalty kill	79.3%	78.4%
PP vs opponent	16.7%	33.3%
PK vs Opponent	66.7%	83.3%
Leading scorer	Luchuk (50-65-115)	Hague (35-43-78)
Leading after 2nd	31-2-2-0	25-2-0-0
Trailing after 2nd	4-17-1-0	4-28-1-2
Last 10 games	8-0-2-0	6-4-0-0

 

The Barrie Colts are led by superstar draft eligible Andrei Svechnikov and rugged defenseman Tyler Tucker, who are ranked by NHL Central Scouting. For the Mississauga Steelheads it Ryan McLeod and goaltender Jacob Ingham. The Steelheads won the season series, but they are going to have to win one on the road if they are going to upset the Colts.

Prediction: Barrie in 6 games

Kingston Frontenacs (3) vs North Bay Battalion (6)

	Kingston	North Bay
Season Series	3-1-0-0	1-2-0-1
Home record	22-6-5-1	18-9-5-2
Road record	14-17-1-2	12-19-2-1
Goals for	243	213
Goals against	202	237
Powerplay	25.7%	19.9%
Penalty kill	84.7%	79.2%
PP vs opponent	30.0%	22.2%
PK vs Opponent	77.8%	70.0%
Leading scorer	Robertson (41-46-87)	Brazeau (39-36-75)
Leading after 2nd	25-3-2-2	18-3-2-0
Trailing after 2nd	5-17-2-0	6-22-2-2
Last 10 games	4-5-1-0	3-6-0-1

 

The Fronts have four draft eligible players, but none ranked on Central Scouting’s mid-term rankings. Only Justin Pringle plays regularly. The Battalion have 6 with Matthew Struthers the lone player ranked on the list. The Fronts lead in just about every category but if the Battalion can get a lead, they can shut you down. This could be closer then many think.

Prediction: Kingston in 6 games

Niagara IceDogs (4) vs Oshawa Generals (5)

	Niagara	Oshawa
Season Series	1-0-0-1	1-0-1-0
Home record	21-10-2-1	20-12-2-0
Road record	14-13-5-2	16-17-1-0
Goals for	240	250
Goals against	235	243
Powerplay	19.5%	18.8%
Penalty kill	80.1%	74.9%
PP vs opponent	37.5%	0.0%
PK vs Opponent	100.0%	62.5%
Leading scorer	Miletic (36-56-92)	Studnicka (22-50-72)
Leading after 2nd	25-3-2-2	18-3-2-0
Trailing after 2nd	5-17-2-0	6-22-2-2
Last 10 games	8-1-1-0	7-3-0-0

 

The IceDogs are led by draft eligible Akil Thomas, a top prospect for the NHL Draft. On defence, Justin McPherson was also listed on Central Scouting’s mid-term ranking. Oshawa is led by top prospects Serron Noel and Allan McShane as well as William Ennis and Nico Gross, who received rankings by Central Scouting. This has the potential to be the best series of the first round. About as even as any two teams can be, but Niagara holds the advantage in special teams versus each other.

Prediction: Oshawa in 7 games

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

The online voting platform hosted at http://chlteamofthecentury.ca features photos, rosters, and tournament recaps for the first 99 Memorial Cup champions who represent the candidates eligible for the distinction of CHL Team of the Century. 

The voting process permits users to select up to four Memorial Cup champions from across all three leagues / regions up to 10 times per day.  In order to vote, users must login to 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 first round of voting is open through April 29 at which point the top team in each league / region plus one wild card entry will advance to the final round of voting that commences May 1 and continues through May 15.  The winning team will be announced as part of the centennial celebration at the 2018 Mastercard Memorial Cup. 

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.

Upcoming WHL playoff opponents Dube and Dea claim CHL’s final regular season honours

Rockets’ Dillon Dube named CHL Player of the Week 

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Calgary Flames prospect Dillon Dube of the Kelowna Rockets is the CHL Player of the Week for the final week of regular season action ending March 18 scoring four goals and three assists for seven points in two games with a plus-minus rating of plus-5. 

Dube extended his personal point-streak to eight with a pair of multi-point performances last week that helped the Rockets clinch their seventh B.C. Division title in franchise history with a record of 43-22-5-2.  On Wednesday night Dube scored twice including the game-winner while adding an assist as part of a 6-3 win over the Prince George Cougars.  He wrapped up the season with a first star effort tallying two goals and two assists in an 8-1 victory over the Vancouver Giants.  Dube and the Rockets will begin their quest for the Ed Chynoweth Cup on Thursday in Game 1 of their first round WHL playoff series against the Tri-City Americans. 

A 19-year-old from Cochrane, Alta., Dube finishes his fourth season with the Rockets producing a career-high 84 points in 53 games including 38 goals and 46 assists.  He joined the organization as a first round pick in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft and played 203 career games accumulating 232 points.  The captain of Canada’s gold medal winning team at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship was a second round pick by the Flames in the 2016 NHL Draft. 

Also considered for the award this week was Vegas Golden Knights prospect Nick Suzuki who reached the century mark in points with six goals and one assist for seven points in his final three games of the season helping the Owen Sound Attack clinch fourth place in the OHL’s Western Conference standings, and defenceman Nicolas Beaudin who contributed seven assists in three games for the Drummondville Voltigeurs who finish the season fifth place in the QMJHL’s overall standings. 

2017-18 CHL Players of the Week:

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)  

Americans’ Patrick Dea named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week 

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Patrick Dea of the Tri-City Americans is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the final week of regular season action ending March 18 posting a 2-0-0-0 record with a goals-against-average of 1.58 and save percentage of .951. 

Dea turned aside 78 of the 82 shots fired his way in three appearances last week helping the Americans secure the first of two Wild Card spots in the WHL’s Western Conference finishing the 2017-18 campaign with a 38-25-8-1 record.  On Tuesday night Dea made 33 saves against the U.S. Division leading Everett Silvertips in a 4-2 victory, then made 36 saves on Friday in a first star performance to beat the Spokane Chiefs 2-1.  His week wrapped up Sunday playing the first half of a 5-2 win against the Seattle Thunderbirds making nine saves and earning third star honours.  The Americans will open the 2018 WHL Playoffs on the road against the B.C. Division champion Kelowna Rockets. 

A 21-year-old from St. Albert, Alta., Dea is a veteran of four WHL seasons beginning his career with the Edmonton Oil Kings where he played three seasons after being chosen by the club in the first round of the 2012 Bantam Draft.  In his single season between-the-pipes for the Americans, Dea appeared in 47 games carrying a record of 22-14-7-0 with two shutouts along with a goals-against-average of 3.17 and save percentage of .913. 

Also considered for the award this week was Jimmy Lemay who made 42 saves in a pair of shootout losses posting a goals-against-average of 1.38 and save percentage of .933 for the Rimouski Oceanic who finished atop the QMJHL’s East Division standings.  In the OHL, Stephen Dhillon helped the Niagara IceDogs finish the season with seven straight wins clinching fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings posting a 2-0-0-0 record last week making 72 saves for a goals-against-average of 2.45 and save percentage of .935. 

2017-18 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week:

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)

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the results of the Eastern and Western Conference Coaches Polls for the 2017-18 OHL regular season. 

The OHL Coaches Poll provides member club coaches with the opportunity to recognize the top three players in 20 different skill categories within their own conference.   

In the Eastern Conference, the Kingston Frontenacs lead the way with representation across 15 of the 20 categories featuring 11 different players.  They also tied for the conference lead with five first place votes including Gabriel Vilardi in both the Best Playmaker and Best Stickhandler categories, Ryan Cranford voted Best Defensive Forward, Tyler Burnie voted Best Penalty Killer, and Jeremy Helvig voted Best Shootout Goalie.  In addition, Jason Robertson appeared inside the top-three votes across a conference leading four different categories including Smartest Player (2), Most Dangerous in the Goal Area (3), Best Shot (3), and Best Shootout Shooter (3).  The Central Division champion Barrie Colts were represented by five players in nine different categories including five in first place with Joey Keane leading both the Most Improved and Best Defensive Defenceman lists.  The East Division champion Hamilton Bulldogs were also represented in nine different categories with seven different players appearing on the list including Robert Thomas who was voted Smartest Player, second Best Playmaker, and third Best Stickhandler. 

Mississauga Steelheads defenceman Nicolas Hague finished first in two categories including Hardest Shot and Best Offensive Defenceman, both by unanimous votes.  Owen Tippett also appeared on the list twice leading the Best Shot vote for the second straight year, and second in the Most Dangerous in the Goal Area category after leading the vote last season.  Travis Barron of the Ottawa 67’s finished first in both the Hardest Worker and Best Body Checker category. 

In the Western Conference, the Sarnia Sting lead the way with representation in 14 of the 20 categories featuring 10 different players.  Jordan Kyrou tied for the conference lead by appearing among the top three in four different votes including tied for first in Best Stickhandler after finishing second last season, second Smartest Player, second Best Playmaker, and second Best Skater after appearing in the list the past two seasons.  The first place Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds were represented by eight players across 12 different categories receiving first place votes in six.  Morgan Frost was listed three times finishing first as the West’s Smartest Player, Best Playmaker, and tied for first with Kyrou in the Best Stickhandler category.  Boris Katchouk finished first in both the Most Dangerous in the Goal Area vote along with Best Penalty Killer for the second straight season, while Conor Timmins was named Best Defensive Defenceman. 

Other notable Western Conference vote getters are Evan Bouchard of the London Knights who appears in four different categories including first in Hardest Shot and Best Offensive Defenceman, second Best Shot, and third Smartest Player.  Jonah Gadjovich of the Owen Sound Attack was named Hardest Worker after finishing in third last season and second the year before, while teammate Jacob Friend was voted Best Body Checker a second straight season and also finished in the top three back in 2015-16.  Adam Mascherin of the Kitchener Rangers was also a repeat winner in the Best Shot category after finishing second last season and first in 2015-16.  He also finished second in the Most Dangerous in the Goal Area a second straight season, and second in the Hardest Shot vote a second straight season after appearing third in 2015-16.  

The Coaches Poll is tabulated when each team submits one nominee per category, and coaches then vote for the top three players for each category within their conference.  Players receive five points for a first place vote, three points for a second place vote, and one point for a third place vote.  Clubs are not permitted to vote for players from their own team allowing for a maximum of 45 possible points for each winner. 

All 20 categories are listed below with Eastern Conference and Western Conference winners including their final point totals in brackets.   

Most Underrated Player:

Eastern Conference:
1. Justin Brazeau, North Bay Battalion (34)
2. Linus Nyman, Kingston Frontenacs (21)
3. Brandon Saigeon, Hamilton Bulldogs (17)

Western Conference:
1. Aidan Dudas, Owen Sound Attack (25)
2. Kyle Maksimovich, Erie Otters (20) – finished second in 2016-17
3. Franco Sproviero, Sarnia Sting (15)

Most Improved Player:

Eastern Conference:
1. Joey Keane, Barrie Colts (24)
2. Jakob Brahaney, Kingston Frontenacs (18)
2. Serron Noel, Oshawa Generals (18)

Western Conference:
1. Liam Foudy, London Knights (36)
2. Mac Hollowell, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (31)
3. Connor Schlichting, Sarnia Sting (7)

Smartest Player:

Eastern Conference:
1. Robert Thomas, Hamilton Bulldogs (33)
2. Jason Robertson, Kingston Frontenacs (26) – finished third in 2016-17
3. Aaron Luchuk, Barrie Colts (24)

Western Conference:
1. Morgan Frost, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (36)
2. Jordan Kyrou, Sarnia Sting (27)
3. Evan Bouchard, London Knights (16)

Hardest Worker:

Eastern Conference:
1. Travis Barron, Ottawa 67’s (30)
2. Brett Neumann, Kingston Frontenacs (14)
3. Sam Miletic, Niagara IceDogs (13)

Western Conference:
1. Jonah Gadjovich, Owen Sound Attack (29) – finished third in 2016-17 and tied for second in 2015-16
2. Hayden Verbeek, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (27) – finished second in 2016-17 and first in 2015-16
3. Cam Hillis, Guelph Storm (13)

Best Playmaker:

Eastern Conference:
1. Gabriel Vilardi, Kingston Frontenacs (41)
2. Robert Thomas, Hamilton Bulldogs (21)
3. Sasha Chmelevski, Ottawa 67’s (10)

Western Conference:
1. Morgan Frost, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (35)
2. Jordan Kyrou, Sarnia Sting (28)
3. Nick Suzuki, Owen Sound Attack (14)

Most Dangerous in Goal Area:

Eastern Conference:
1. Dmitry Sokolov, Barrie Colts (37) – finished third in 2016-17
2. Owen Tippett, Mississauga Steelheads (20) – finished first in 2016-17
3. Jason Robertson, Kingston Frontenacs (18) – finished second in 2016-17

Western Conference:
1. Boris Katchouk, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (39)
2. Adam Mascherin, Kitchener Rangers (28) – finished second in 2016-17
3. Jonah Gadjovich, Owen Sound Attack (11) – finished third in 2016-17

Best Skater:

Eastern Conference:
1. Andrei Svechnikov, Barrie Colts (37)
2. Ryan Moore, Hamilton Bulldogs (17)
3. Ryan McLeod, Mississauga Steelheads (16) – finished third in 2016-17

Western Conference:
1. Alex Formenton, London Knights (34)
2. Jordan Kyrou, Sarnia Sting (24) – finished third in 2016-17 and tied for third in 2015-16
3. Hayden Verbeek, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (12)

Best Shot:

Eastern Conference:
1. Owen Tippett, Mississauga Steelheads (39) – finished first in 2016-17
2. Andrei Svechnikov, Barrie Colts (16)
3. Jason Robertson, Kingston Frontenacs (13)

Western Conference:
1. Adam Mascherin, Kitchener Rangers (45) – finished second in 2016-17 and first in 2015-16
2. Evan Bouchard, London Knights (17)
2. Nick Suzuki, Owen Sound Attack (17)

Hardest Shot:

Eastern Conference:
1. Nicolas Hague, Mississauga Steelheads (45) – finished first in 2016-17
2. Eemeli Rasanen, Kingston Frontenacs (13)
3. Nikita Korostelev, Peterborough Petes (11)

Western Conference:
1. Evan Bouchard, London Knights (37)
2. Adam Mascherin, Kitchener Rangers (33) – finished second in 2016-17 and third in 2015-16
3. Taylor Raddysh, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (15)

Best Stickhandler:

Eastern Conference:
1. Gabriel Vilardi, Kingston Frontenacs (39)
2. Sasha Chmelevski, Ottawa 67’s (15)
3. Robert Thomas, Hamilton Bulldogs (10)

Western Conference:
1. Jordan Kyrou, Sarnia Sting (25) – finished second in 2016-17
1. Morgan Frost, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (25)
3. Nick Suzuki, Owen Sound Attack (14)

Best on Face-Offs:

Eastern Conference:
1. Michael McLeod, Mississauga Steelheads (31) – finished second in 2016-17
2. Zach Gallant, Peterborough Petes (17) – finished first in 2016-17
3. Aaron Luchuk, Barrie Colts (16)

Western Conference:
1. Drake Rymsha, Sarnia Sting (39) – finished third in 2016-17
2. Kevin Hancock, Owen Sound Attack (19)
3. Connor Bunnaman, Kitchener Rangers (18)

Best Body Checker:

Eastern Conference:
1. Travis Barron, Ottawa 67’s (22) – finished second in 2016-17
2. Ted Nichol, Kingston Frontenacs (13)
3. Tyler Tucker, Barrie Colts (11)

Western Conference:
1. Jacob Friend, Owen Sound Attack (37) – finished first in 2016-17 and tied for second in 2015-16
2. Michael Pezzetta, Sarnia Sting (14)
3. Keaton Middleton, Saginaw Spirit (12)

Best Shot Blocker:

Eastern Conference:
1. Jesse Saban, North Bay Battalion (20)
2. Liam Murray, Kingston Frontenacs (19)
3. Connor Walters, Hamilton Bulldogs (18) – finished tied for third in 2016-17

Western Conference:
1. Luke Boka, Windsor Spitfires (19)
2. Garrett McFadden, Guelph Storm (15)
2. Chase Campbell, Owen Sound Atack (15)

Best Defensive Forward:

Eastern Conference:
1. Ryan Cranford, Kingston Frontenacs (25)
2. Jake Henderson, North Bay Battalion (14)
3. Ben Jones, Niagara IceDogs (13)

Western Conference:
1. Kevin Hancock, Owen Sound Attack (39) – finished second in 2016-17
2. Alex Formenton, London Knights (14)
3. Ryan McGregor, Sarnia Sting (7)
3. Barrett Hayton, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (7)
3. Luke Boka, Windsor Spitfires (7)

Best Penalty Killer:

Eastern Conference:
1. Tyler Burnie, Kingston Frontenacs (21)
1. Ben Jones, Niagara IceDogs (21)
3. Will Bitten, Hamilton Bulldogs (20)

Western Conference:
1. Boris Katchouk, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (20) – finished first in 2016-17
2. Kevin Hancock, Owen Sound Attack (19)
3. Keaton Middleton, Saginaw Spirit (14)
3. Anthony Salinitri, Sarnia Sting (14)

Best Offensive Defenceman:

Eastern Conference:
1. Nicolas Hague, Mississauga Steelheads (45)
2. Matthew Brassard, Oshawa Generals (12)
3. Adam Thilander, North Bay Battalion (10)

Western Conference:
1. Evan Bouchard, London Knights (45)
2. Sean Durzi, Owen Sound Attack (18)
3. Cam Dineen, Sarnia Sting (13) – finished third in 2015-16 Eastern Conference voting

Best Defensive Defenceman:

Eastern Conference:
1. Joey Keane, Barrie Colts (17)
2. Jacob Moverare, Mississauga Steelheads (16) – finished third in 2016-17
3. Riley Stillman, Hamilton Bulldogs (15)
3. Riley Bruce, North Bay Battalion (15)

Western Conference:
1. Conor Timmins, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (43)
2. Keaton Middleton, Saginaw Spirit (14)
3. Connor Hall, Kitchener Rangers (10)

Best Puck-Handling Goalie:

Eastern Conference:
1. Dylan Wells, Peterborough Petes (26) – finished tied for third in 2016-17
2. Kyle Keyser, Oshawa Generals (21)
3. Kaden Fulcher, Hamilton Bulldogs (17)

Western Conference:
1. Michael DiPietro, Windsor Spitfires (23)
2. Matthew Villalta, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (22)
3. Justin Fazio, Sarnia Sting (21)

Best Shootout Shooter:

Eastern Conference:
1. Aaron Luchuk, Barrie Colts (19)
1. Adam Thilander, North Bay Battalion (19)
3. Jason Robertson, Kingston Frontenacs (16) – finished third in 2016-17

Western Conference:
1. Isaac Ratcliffe, Guelph Storm (20)
2. Kole Sherwood, Kitchener Rangers (18)
3. Jonathan Ang, Sarnia Sting (14)

Best Shootout Goalie:

Eastern Conference:
1. Jeremy Helvig, Kingston Frontenacs (31)
2. Kyle Keyser, Oshawa Generals (17)
3. Christian Propp, North Bay Battalion (12)

Western Conference:
1. Evan Cormier, Saginaw Spirit (23)
2. Justin Fazio, Sarnia Sting (22)
3. Michael DiPietro, Windsor Spitfires (20) – finished second in 2016-17

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Minnesota Wild prospect Dmitry Sokolov of the Barrie Colts is the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week for the week ending March 11 after leading the league with nine points in three games including five goals and four assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-7. 

Sokolov delivered a trio of multi-point performances last week extending his personal point-streak to 13 while taking over the league-lead in goals and helping the Colts clinch the Central Division title.  On Wednesday night Sokolov produced three points including the game-winning goal and two assists as first star of a 6-3 victory over the Eastern Conference leading Hamilton Bulldogs which officially secured the Central crown won three times in the last four years by the Colts.  On Thursday night he scored twice with two assists and was named second star of a 6-5 overtime loss to the Owen Sound Attack, then scored twice on Saturday including another game-winner as second star of a 6-4 victory over the Peterborough Petes.  The Colts are still in pursuit of the Eastern Conference’s top spot with a 40-21-3-1 record with three games remaining in the regular season. 

A 19-year-old from Omsk, Russia, Sokolov is playing in his third OHL season after being the number three selection in the 2015 CHL Import Draft by the Sudbury Wolves.  Sokolov played two and a half seasons with the Wolves before joining the Colts in January.  His time in Barrie has already included 28 goals in just 26 games bringing his 2017-18 total to a league-high 48 along with 42 assists for 90 points in 61 games which ranks sixth overall.  Sokolov was a seventh round pick by the Wild in the 2016 NHL Draft and represented Russia at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship in Buffalo. 

Watch video highlights of Sokolov and the Colts against the Bulldogs, Attack, and Petes. 

Also considered for the award this week was Edmonton Oilers prospect Kirill Maksimov of the Niagara IceDogs who scored once with six assists for seven points in three games, and Boston Bruins prospect Jack Studnicka of the Oshawa Generals who scored five goals with one assist for six points in three games.  In goal, fellow General and Bruins prospect Kyle Keyser posted a 2-0-0-0 record making 63 saves for a goals-against-average 2.50 and save percentage of .926.

2017-18 OHL ‘On the Run’ Players of the Week:

Mar. 5 – Mar. 11: Dmitry Sokolov (Barrie Colts)
Feb. 26 – Mar. 4: Robert Thomas (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Feb. 19 – Feb. 25: Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia Sting)
Feb. 12 – Feb. 18: Aaron Luchuk (Barrie Colts)
Feb. 5 – Feb. 11: Liam Foudy (London Knights)
Jan. 29 – Feb. 4: Kenny Huether (Oshawa Generals)
Jan. 22 – Jan. 28: Jeremy Helvig (Kingston Frontenacs)
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: Ben Jones (Niagara IceDogs)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 17: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Joseph Garreffa (Kitchener Rangers)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Serron Noel (Oshawa Generals)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Cliff Pu (London Knights)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Ryan Merkley (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Albert Michnac (Mississauga Steelheads)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Aaron Luchuk (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia Sting)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Brady Hinz (Sarnia Sting)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Nick Suzuki (Owen Sound Attack)
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Jonathan Ang (Peterborough Petes)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 24: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)

The 2017 National Hockey League Draft had some impressive pickings in the goaltending department. The 2018 Draft, not as high end nor as deep. Two goaltenders on my list in 2017 did not get selected. They are Kaden Fulcher of the Hamilton Bulldogs and Kyle Keyser of the Oshawa Generals. In total there were 21 netminders selected in 2017.

Normally, the pair would re-enter the draft and with certainty, would have been selected in 2018.

However, the Detroit Red Wings and the Boston Bruins had plans of their own.

Fulcher attended the Red Wings camp while Keyser attended the Bruins camp (both development camp and rookie camp) on professional tryout agreements (PTO). By extending a PTO to the undrafted pair, the two squads had until 5:00 pm on October 5, 2017 (the start to their NHL season) to sign them to Entry Level Contracts (ELC). And the two teams did just that.

Fulcher signed a three-year deal with the Wings with an annual average value (AAV) of $716,666 on October 3, 2017. Keyser signed the same three-year deal with the Bruins a few hours later and shortly after the Bruins had lost Malcolm Subban to waivers to the Vegas Golden Knights. Ironically, Subban played his junior hockey for the Belleville Bulls who have since moved to Hamilton and are now Fulcher’s Bulldogs.

In the end, the moves are like getting a free draft pick.

Neither Fulcher nor Keyser are eligible for the American Hockey League since they will both be under 20 years of age as of September 15, 2018 – with Fulcher missing the cut-off date by seven days. Fulcher, a native of Brigden, Ontario would not be eligible for the World Junior Championships Under-20. However, Keyser, a native of Coral Springs, Florida would be.

Fulcher has been nothing short of spectacular on most nights. He’s led his squad to a regular season division championship and the Bulldogs are just 3 points shy of clinching the Eastern Conference. He sits third in the OHL in minutes played (3063), fourth in wins (31), seventh in goals against (2.84) and eighth in save percentage (.908).

Since recovering from a concussion and the calendar flipping to 2018, Keyser is among the best statistically. On the season he sits thirteenth in minutes played (2423), ninth in wins (26), twelfth in goals against (3.05) and seventeenth in save percentage (.900). He’s been the key cog to the Generals climbing the standings and currently sitting fourth in the conference. An argument can be made for him as the Generals most valuable player.

A season ago, these were my thoughts on Fulcher. So, what has changed?

Obviously, the size is still there. He moves extremely well in his crease. His post-to-post movement is at an elite level. He has gained control of his rebounds – kicking the puck back into danger areas has virtually disappeared. The soft goals he may have been prone to a season ago are a thing of the past. At times, he seemed to get rattled, but it to has been extinguished.

A season ago there were some consistency issues with Fulcher, but this season he has been in total control. He is extremely athletic. He gets into position quickly and gets set and square in the blink of an eye. He tracks pucks and plays extremely well and is positionally sound for shots he can’t see. He possesses one of the best glove hands in the OHL.

As for Keyser, here are my thoughts from a year ago. And today….

After a somewhat slow start and a couple of injuries, the last one being a concussion, Keyser’s been near the top of statistical categories since the start of 2018.

Keyser too has decent size for a goalkeeper. While Fulcher is the more athletic goaltender, Keyser is the more technical puck-stopper. His movement in the crease is above average. He plays an excellent butterfly style and is always making himself big in the net. He tracks pucks very well. His anticipation is great, and he sets himself quickly.

One-on-one, Keyser is one of the toughest goaltenders to beat in the OHL as shown by his .857 save percentage in shootouts. When it comes to handling the puck, he’s among the top handful as the best. He plays an even calmer game then a year ago – seeming never to get rattled when there’s a scrum for the puck in front of him.

You’ve heard it many times, as have I: goaltenders are the toughest players to project. But with both Fulcher and Keyser, there is plenty of time. Both will be back in the OHL for another season and then likely spend their entire entry level contract in the AHL under the tutelage on NHL goaltending coaches to hone their craft.

But for now, they’ve both been nothing short of impressive.