Around the OHL

Toronto, ON – The 2017 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection takes place this Saturday April 8, 2017, beginning at 9:00 am and can be followed live online at www.ontariohockeyleague.com.

fans are encouraged to join the conversation on social media leading up to and throughout the weekend using #OHLDraft.

Click here to access the 2017 OHL Priority Selection Preview and Media Guide.

Toronto, ON – The first round of the 2017 OHL Playoffs wrapped up Tuesday night with a pair of thrilling Game 7 decisions including the London Knights edging the Windsor Spitfires 3-2, and the Kingston Frontenacs defeating the Hamilton Bulldogs by a 3-2 score in overtime.

All four Conference Semi-Final matchups are set with final second round schedules confirmed.

In the Western Conference, the Knights will now face the first place Midwest Division champion Erie Otters who advanced to the second round following a 4-0 series win over the Sarnia Sting.  The other Western Conference Semi-Final matchup includes the second seed West Division champion Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds against the third place Owen Sound Attack.  The Greyhounds advanced with a 4-1 series win over the Flint Firebirds, while the Attack also defeated the Kitchener Rangers in five games.

In the Eastern Conference, the Frontenacs will now face the first place East Division champion Peterborough Petes who advanced to the second round with a 4-0 series win over the Niagara IceDogs.  The other Eastern Conference Semi-Final matchup will feature the second place Central Division champion Mississauga Steelheads against the third place Oshawa Generals.  Both clubs advanced with 4-2 series wins on Sunday including the Steelheads over the Ottawa 67’s and the Generals over the Sudbury Wolves.

The puck drops on second round action beginning Wednesday night, April 5.

2017 #OHLPLAYOFFS BRACKETS

2017 OHL EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF SCHEDULE:

Series “E” – Peterborough Petes (1) vs. Kingston Frontenacs (4)
Game 1, Thurs, Apr 6, at Peterborough – 7:05 pm
Game 2, Sun, Apr 9, at Peterborough – 7:05 pm
Game 3, Tues, Apr 11, at Kingston – 7:00 pm
Game 4, Thurs, Apr 13, at Kingston – 7:00 pm
Game 5, Sat, Apr 15, at Peterborough – 7:05 pm*
Game 6, Mon, Apr 17, at Kingston – 7:00 pm*
Game 7, Tues, Apr 18, at Peterborough – 7:05 pm*
#PBOvsKGN

Series “F” – Mississauga Steelheads (2) vs. Oshawa Generals (3)
Game 1, Fri, Apr 7, at Mississauga – 7:00 pm
Game 2, Sun, Apr 9, at Mississauga – 2:00 pm
Game 3, Tues, Apr 11, at Oshawa – 7:05 pm
Game 4, Thurs, Apr 13, at Oshawa – 7:05 pm
Game 5, Sat, Apr 15, at Oshawa – 2:05 pm*
Game 6, Sun, Apr 16, at Mississauga – 2:00 pm*
Game 7,Tues, Apr 18, at Mississauga – 7:00 pm*
#MISSvsOSH

*if necessary

2017 OHL WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF SCHEDULE:

Series “E” – Erie Otters (1) vs. London Knights (4)
Game 1, Thurs, Apr 6, at Erie – 7:00 pm
Game 2, Fri, Apr 7, at Erie – 7:00 pm
Game 3, Tues, Apr 11, at London – 7:00 pm
Game 4, Thurs, Apr 13, at London – 7:00 pm
Game 5, Sat, Apr 15, at Erie – 7:00 pm*
Game 6, Sun, Apr 16, at London – 6:00 pm*
Game 7, Tues, Apr 18, at Erie – 7:00 pm*
#ERvsLDN

Series “F” – Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (2) vs. Owen Sound Attack (3)
Game 1, Wed, Apr 5, at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07 pm
Game 2, Fri, Apr 7, at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07 pm
Game 3, Sun, Apr 9, at Owen Sound – 6:00 pm
Game 4, Tues, Apr 11, at Owen Sound – 7:00 pm
Game 5, Fri, Apr 14, at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07 pm*
Game 6, Sun, Apr 16, at Owen Sound – 6:00 pm*
Game 7, Tues, Apr 18, at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07 pm*
#SSMvsOS

*if necessary

Play #CHLPredictor and choose playoff winners from across the Canadian Hockey League! Register through the new #CHLFanbase module, earn points for correct picks, and have the chance to win great prizes including a trip to the Mastercard Memorial Cup.

Well, it wasn’t a bad round for my predictions as I went 7 correct winners of the possible 8. Five of the seven correct came in the number of games I predicted. In fact, the one I did get incorrect: I had Hamilton defeating Kingston in 7 games, but in the end, it was Kingston that prevailed in seven games, and in overtime to boot.

Good luck to everyone trying to predict the second round. It’s a tough one. But I’ll give it a shot.

Round one predictions and results:

Series	Prediction	Results
(1) Peterborough vs (8) Niagara	Peterborough in 6	Peterborough 4-0
(2) Mississauga vs (7) Ottawa	Mississauga in 5	Mississauga 4-2
(3) Oshawa vs (6) Sudbury	Oshawa in 6	Oshawa 4-2
(4) Kingston vs (5) Hamilton	Hamilton in 7	Kingston 4-3
(1) Erie vs (8) Sarnia	Erie in 4	Erie 4-0
(2) SSM vs (7) Flint	SSM in 5	SSM 4-1
(3) Owen Sound vs (6) Kitchener	Owen Sound in 5	Owen Sound 4-1
(4) London vs (5) Windsor	London in 7	London 4-3

 

Round Two Preview

*Note: When it comes to goals for, goals against, powerplay and penalty kill percentages. I list both the regular season and the playoffs.

Eastern Conference

(1) Peterborough vs (4) Kingston

	Peterborough	Kingston
Overall Record	42-21-2-3	33-26-5-4
Head-to-Head	6-2-0-0	2-3-2-1
Home Record	24-7-2-1	20-9-3-2
Away Record	18-14-0-2	13-17-2-2
Goals For	239 – 21	179 – 22
Goals Against	221 – 10	200 – 19
Powerplay	20.7% – 26.7%	22.1% – 11.1%
Penalty Kill	80.7% – 75.0%	78.1% – 64.3%
Draft Eligible Players to Watch	Cole Fraser (D)	Jacob Paquette (D)
	Zach Gallant (C)	Eemeli Rasanen (D)
	Nick Isaacson (LW)	Jason Robertson (LW)
	Matyas Svoboda (LW)	Linus Nyman (RW)

 

The Petes are very well rested after taking care of Niagara in for games while Kingston is coming off that 7 game nail-biter with Hamilton. Special teams could be huge in this series with the Petes holding a decided advantage in both the powerplay and the penalty kill.

Prediction: Peterborough in 6 games

(2) Mississauga vs (3) Oshawa

	Mississauga	Oshawa
Overall Record	34-21-6-7	40-23-3-2
Head-to-Head	0-2-1-1	4-0-0-0
Home Record	16-11-4-3	25-9-0-0
Away Record	18-10-2-4	15-14-3-2
Goals For	240 – 22	228 – 20
Goals Against	219 – 17	215 – 13
Powerplay	19.7% – 14.3%	18.8% – 8.6%
Penalty Kill	80.6% – 78.3%	83.1% – 84.6%
Draft Eligible Players to Watch	Nicolas Hague (D)	Jack Studnicka (C)
	Owen Tippett (RW)	Kyle Keyser (G)
	Shaw Boomhower (C)

 

Both teams are coming off series victories in 6 games with Mississauga taking care of Ottawa and Oshawa beating Sudbury. The two teams are pretty evenly matched, but Oshawa is going to have to improve on their powerplay. If they can do that, they can take this series. With that said…..

Prediction: Mississauga in 7 games

Western Conference

(1) Erie vs (4) London

	Erie	London
Overall Record	50-15-2-1	46-15-3-4
Head-to-Head	4-2-0-0	2-4-0-0
Home Record	30-2-1-1	25-5-1-3
Away Record	20-13-1-0	21-10-2-1
Goals For	319 – 29	289 – 21
Goals Against	182 – 12	194 – 18
Powerplay	27.2% – 34.8%	26.4% – 25.9%
Penalty Kill	83.4% – 64.3%	81.0% – 79.3%
Draft Eligible Players to Watch	Ivan Lodnia (C)	Robert Thomas (C)
		Alex Forementon (LW)

 

Another well rested team in Erie after trouncing Sarnia in 4 games going up against London who went the distance with Memorial Cup Hosts Windsor. For London, it will come down to how many games can Tyler Parsons steal and for Erie, can they get to Tyler Parsons.

Prediction: Erie in 6 games

(2) Sault Ste Marie vs (3) Owen Sound

Both teams won their opening round series in five games with the Greyhounds eliminating the Flint Firebirds and the Attack dispatching the Kitchener Rangers. These are two high powered offences (Greyhounds were 4^th and the Attack 2^nd in goals for) going head-to-head. However, this may come down to defence where the Attack allowed the fewest goals and goaltending. The Attack have the decided advantage in goal with Michael McNiven going up against Joseph Raaymakers or Matthew Villalta.

	Soo Greyhounds	Owen Sound
Overall Record	48-16-3-1	49-15-2-2
Last 10 games	8-1-1-0	9-0-1-0
Head-to-Head	0-2-0-0	2-0-0-0
Home Record	22-9-2-1	27-4-1-2
Away Record	26-7-1-0	22-11-1-0
Goals For	287 – 22	297 – 27
Goals Against	208 – 12	177 – 9
Powerplay	18.4% – 13.8%	28.6% – 33.3%
Penalty Kill	84.2% – 84.0%	83.4% – 87.5%
Draft Eligible Players to Watch	Matthew Villalta (G)	Sean Durzi (D)
	Conor Timmins (D)	Markus Phillips (D)
	Anthony DeMeo (D)	Zachary Roberts (LW)
	Morgan Frost (C)	Jonah Gadjovich (LW)
		Maksim Sushko (RW)
		Nick Suzuki (C)

 

Prediction: Owen Sound in 6 games

On a side note, I’m rooting for Oshawa, London and Sault Ste Marie, so I wouldn’t mind being wrong.

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Edmonton Oilers prospect Ethan Bear of the Seattle Thunderbirds is the CHL Player of the Week for the playoff week ending April 2 after scoring twice with five assists for seven points in two games with a plus-minus rating of plus-4.

Bear finished the first round of the 2017 WHL Playoffs with a pair of multi-point performances in two victories for the Thunderbirds who eliminated the Tri-City Americans in four straight games.  In Game 3 last Wednesday night he delivered a career-high five points including two goals and three assists as first star of a 9-2 win, then chipped in two assists on Friday in Game 4’s 5-2 victory.  The Thunderbirds will now face the Everett Silvertips in the WHL’s Western Conference Semi-Finals beginning Friday night.

A 19-year-old from Ochapowace, SK, Bear is playing in his fourth season in Seattle after being chosen by the club in the second round of the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft.  The fifth round pick of the Oilers in the 2015 NHL Draft signed an entry-level contract with the club last summer before finishing third in scoring among defencemen with 70 points in 67 games including 28 goals and 42 assists during the 2016-17 regular season campaign.

Also considered for the award this week was New Jersey Devils prospect Michael McLeod of the Mississauga Steelheads who scored five goals and four assists for nine points in four games as part of a first round series win over the Ottawa 67’s, and Mathieu Nadeau of the Val-d’Or Foreurs who scored four goals and four assists for eight points in four games as part of a first round series upset over the Shawinigan Cataractes.

2016-17 CHL Post-Season Players of the Week:
Mar. 27 – Apr. 2: Ethan Bear (Seattle Thunderbirds)
Mar. 20 – Mar. 26: Sam Steel (Regina Pats)

2016-17 CHL Regular Season Players of the Week:

Mar. 13 – Mar. 19: Brandon Hagel (Red Deer Rebels)
Mar. 6 – Mar. 12: Daniel Sprong (Charlottetown Islanders)
Feb. 27 – Mar. 5: Gabriel Vilardi (Windsor Spitfires)
Feb. 20 – Feb. 26: Michael McLeod (Mississauga Steelheads)
Feb. 13 – Feb. 19: Christophe Boivin (Acadie-Bathurst Titan)
Feb. 6 – Feb. 12: Mathew Barzal (Seattle Thunderbirds)
Jan. 30 – Feb. 5: Alex DeBrincat (Erie Otters)
Jan. 23 – Jan. 29: Tyler Boland (Rimouski Oceanic)
Jan. 16 – Jan. 22: Alexis D’Aoust (Shawinigan Cataractes)
Jan. 9 – Jan. 15: Kole Sherwood (Flint Firebirds)
Jan. 2 – Jan. 8: Brayden Burke (Moose Jaw Warriors)
Dec. 26 – Jan. 1: Adam Brooks (Regina Pats)
Dec. 12 – Dec. 18: Vitalii Abramov (Gatineau Olympiques)
Dec. 5 – Dec. 11: Hayden Hodgson (Saginaw Spirit)
Nov. 28 – Dec. 4: Sergey Zborovskiy (Regina Pats)
Nov. 21 – Nov. 27: Jayden Halbgewachs (Moose Jaw Warriors)
Nov. 14 – Nov. 20: Alexander Katerinakis (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)
Nov. 7 – Nov. 13: Nico Hischier (Halifax Mooseheads)
Oct. 31 – Nov. 6: Alex DeBrincat (Erie Otters)
Oct. 24 – Oct. 30: Bobby MacIntyre (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Oct. 17 – Oct. 23: Kale Clague (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Oct. 10 – Oct. 16: Jeremy Bracco (Kitchener Rangers)
Oct. 3 – Oct. 9: Cameron Askew (Moncton Wildcats)
Sept. 26 – Oct. 2: Sam Steel (Regina Pats)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 25: Kameron Kielly (Charlottetown Islanders)

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Philadelphia Flyers prospect Carter Hart of the Everett Silvertips is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the playoff week ending April 2 after posting a 3-1 record including a shutout victory with a goals-against-average of 1.07 and save percentage of .954.

Hart made 124 saves in four games last week wrapping up first round action in the 2017 WHL Playoffs with three wins backstopping the Silvertips to a 4-2 series triumph over the Victoria Royals.  His week was highlighted by a first star performance on Sunday in Victoria making 64 saves in the longest game in CHL history that extended into a fifth overtime period ending at 151:36 with the Silvertips emerging victorious by a 3-2 score courtesy of Cal Babych’s winner.  Hart also posted a Game 3 shutout on Tuesday stopping all 25 shots he faced as third star in a 2-0 road win, followed by an 18-save effort in a 2-1 road loss in Wednesday’s Game 4, then earned a 17-save win in Friday’s 3-2 overtime decision in Game 5.  The Silvertips will now face the Seattle Thunderbirds in the WHL’s Western Conference Semi-Finals beginning Friday night.

An 18-year-old from Sherwood Park, AB, Hart is playing in his third season in Everett after being selected by the club in the eighth round of the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft.  The second round pick of the Flyers in the 2016 NHL Draft signed his entry-level contract in October and finished the 2016-17 campaign with a 32-11-6-2 record including nine shutouts along with a goals-against-average of 1.99 and save percentage of .927.  The reigning CHL Goaltender of the Year also helped Canada earn silver at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Also considered for the award this week was Etienne Montpetit of the Val-d’Or Foreurs who went 3-1 making 147 saves while posting a goals-against-average of 2.26 and save percentage of .942 completing the first round playoff upset over the Shawinigan Cataractes.  In the OHL, Joseph Raaymakers of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds made 82 saves in three straight victories posting a goals-against-average of 1.33 and save percentage of .953 closing out a first round playoff series win over the Flint Firebirds.

2016-17 Vaughn CHL Playoff Goaltenders of the Week:

Mar. 27 – Apr. 2: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Mar. 20 – Mar. 26: Kyle Jessiman (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)

2016-17 Vaughn CHL Regular Season Goaltenders of the Week:
Mar. 13 – Mar. 19: Cole Kehler (Portland Winterhawks)
Mar. 6 – Mar. 12: Callum Booth (Saint John Sea Dogs)
Feb. 27 – Mar. 5: Matthew Villalta (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Feb. 20 – Feb. 26: Zach Sawchenko (Moose Jaw Warriors)
Feb. 13 – Feb. 19: Zach Sawchenko (Moose Jaw Warriors)

Feb. 6 – Feb. 12: Brodan Salmond (Kelowna Rockets)
Jan. 30 – Feb. 5: Stuart Skinner (Lethbridge Hurricanes)
Jan. 23 – Jan. 29: Jeremy Helvig (Kingston Frontenacs)
Jan. 16 – Jan. 22: Matthew Welsh (Charlottetown Islanders)
Jan. 9 – Jan. 15: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)
Jan. 2 – Jan. 8: Francis Leclerc (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)
Dec. 26 – Jan. 1: Griffen Outhouse (Victoria Royals)
Dec. 12 – Dec. 18: Dylan Wells (Peterborough Petes)
Dec. 5 – Dec. 11: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)
Nov. 28 – Dec. 4: Connor Ingram (Kamloops Blazers)
Nov. 21 – Nov. 27: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 14 – Nov. 20: Matthew Villalta (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Nov. 7 – Nov. 13: Patrick Dea (Edmonton Oil Kings)
Oct. 31 – Nov. 6: Zach Sawchenko (Moose Jaw Warriors)
Oct. 24 – Oct. 30: Troy Timpano (Erie Otters)
Oct. 17 – Oct. 23: Reilly Pickard (Acadie-Bathurst Titan)
Oct. 10 – Oct. 16: Ryan Kubic (Vancouver Giants)
Oct. 3 – Oct. 9: Logan Flodell (Saskatoon Blades)
Sept. 26 – Oct. 2: Samuel Harvey (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 25: Liam Herbst (Guelph Storm)

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League held its eighth annual OHL Development Combine April 1-2 at Oshawa’s Tribute Communities Centre providing 2017 OHL Priority Selection prospects the opportunity to showcase their abilities.

77 players (36 forwards, 25 defencemen, and 16 goaltenders) born in 2001 participated in the weekend events which featured both off and on-ice components with results distributed to every OHL member team General Manager to assist in their evaluation for this Saturday’s draft.

“It’s a great opportunity for the players to showcase their athletic abilities and is a big evaluation opportunity for our members teams,” said Joe Birch, OHL Senior Director of Hockey Development and Special Events. “The results provide a benchmark which gives players an idea of where they stand among their peers to help push their own personal development.”

Saturday’s off-ice drills included the traditional Broad Jump, Hand Grip, 20M Sprint, 5-10-5 Sprints, and Wingate, along with new skills tests this season which included Pull-Ups, Squat, Drop, and Counter Movement Jumps, and 1080 Sprint technology adding resistance to measure power and force.  On-ice testing drills included a 30M Sprint Forward with and without the puck, 30M Backwards with and without the puck, Weave Agility with and without the puck, and Transition Agility with and without the puck.  The 1080 Sprint technology was also introduced as a new on-ice component.  All tests were performed with players wearing Zephyr Heart Rate Monitors.

Sunday’s action featured both 5-on-5 and 3-on-3 competition bringing an end to the two-day event.  All four teams were joined behind the bench by special guest coaches that included OHL grads Paul Ranger, Luca Caputi and Matt Corrente as well as members of OHL Central Scouting and team personnel.

Team Subban was crowned 2017 OHL Combine Champions, accumulating the most points based on overall testing results combined with Sunday’s in-game play.

“I was proud of the way the guys pulled together,” said Team Subban coach Luca Caputi, an OHL graduate who now serves as an assistant coach with the Guelph Storm. “These guys knew it was their last chance to leave an impression on scouts and general managers before the draft and they all did a great job.”

The 2017 OHL Priority Selection takes place on Saturday April 8 beginning at 9:00 am.

2017 OHL Development Combine Testing Results:

Off-Ice Testing Top Performers:

Top 5 Forwards:
1. Ryan Campbell (Cambridge Hawks) (Team Lindros)
2. Kurtis Evans (Central Ontario Wolves) (Team Lindros)
3. Mitchell Russell (Barrie Jr. Colts) (Team Stamkos)
4. Jalen Balbosa (York Simcoe Express) (Team Stamkos)
5. Nicholas Porco (Vaughan Kings) (Team Stamkos)

Top 5 Defencemen:
1. Christian De Giorgis (Toronto Marlboros) (Team Lindros)
2. Robert Calisti (Toronto Nationals) (Team Ekblad)
3. Liam Ross (Mississauga Reps) (Team Subban)
4. Mark Woolley (Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs) (Team Subban)
5. Duncan Penman (Mississauga Rebels) (Team Ekblad)

Top 5 Goaltenders:
1. David Cunti (Toronto Titans) (Team Stamkos)
2. Cameron Carvalho (Toronto Marlboros) (Team Lindros)
3. Aidan Pitre (Sun County Panthers) (Team Stamkos)
4. Matthew Dunsmoor (Guelph Jr. Gryphons) (Team Ekblad)
5. Cyrus Martin (Waterloo Wolves) (Team Lindros)

On-Ice Testing Top Performers:

Top 5 Forwards:
1. Mitchell Russell (Barrie Jr. Colts) (Team Stamkos)
2. Joseph Carroll (Carleton Place Canadians U18) (Team Lindros)
3. Ethan Keppen (Toronto Nationals) (Team Ekblad)
4. Nicholas Porco (Vaughan Kings) (Team Stamkos)
5. Kurtis Evans (Central Ontario Wolves) (Team Lindros)

Top 5 Defencemen:
1. Christian De Giorgis (Toronto Marlboros) (Team Lindros)
2. Mark Woolley (Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs) (Team Subban)
3. Liam Ross (Mississauga Reps) (Team Subban)
4. Klim Georgiev (Mississauga Reps) (Team Lindros)
5. Mitchell Brewer (Halton Hurricanes) (Team Lindros)

2017 OHL Development Combine Game Results:

Game 1: Team Stamkos (Blue) 5 vs. Team Lindros (Red) 3

Stamkos Goals: Blake Murray (2) (Whitby Wildcats), Curtis Fabbro (Ottawa Jr. Senators U18), Jalen Balbosa (York-Simcoe Express), Evan Brand (Mississauga Rebels) — Luke Cavallin, 0 GA (Kemptville 73’s U18), David Cunti, 3 GA (Toronto Titans). Lindros Goals: Alex Dominique (Toronto Titans), Nicholas Chartrand (Cumberland Grads U18), Bill Constantinou (Toronto Marlboros) — Cameron Carvalho, 0 GA (Toronto Marlboros), Ethan Taylor, 5 GA (Quinte Red Devils)

Game 2: Team Subban (White) 6 vs. Team Ekblad (Orange) 5 – SO

Subban Goals: Brandon Coe (3, Shootout Winner) (Toronto Nationals), Nate Allensen (Waterloo Wolves), Ryan Stepien (Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs) — Owen Say, 2 GA (London Jr. Knights), Zachary Paputsakis, 3 GA (Cumberland Grads U18). Ekblad Goals: Tye Kartye (Kingston Jr. Frontenacs), Jamieson Rees (Mississauga Reps), Connor McMichael (Ajax-Pickering Raiders), Ethan Keppen (Toronto Nationals), Alexandre Hogue (Cumberland Grads U18) — Matt Dunsmoor, 2 GA (Guelph Jr. Gryphons), Zach Roy, 3 GA (Toronto Nationals)

Game 3: Team Subban (White) 6 vs. Team Lindros (Red) 1

Subban Goals: Ian Martin (2) (Ajax-Pickering Raiders), Hayden Fowler (Kingston Jr. Frontenacs), Alex Johnston (Kanata Lasers U18), Andrew Horsley (Brampton 45’s), Jordan Stock (Hamilton Huskies) — Joe Howe, 0 GA (Toronto Jr. Canadiens), Christian Cicigoi, 1 GA (Thunder Bay Kings). Lindros Goals: Mason Dreger (Whitby Wildcats) — Cyrus Martin, 2 GA (Waterloo Wolves), Ethan Langevin, 4 GA (Whitby Wildcats)

Game 4: Team Ekblad (Orange) 11 vs. Team Stamkos (Blue) 6

Ekblad Goals: Jamieson Rees (4) (Mississauga Reps), Aidan Prueter (2) (London Jr. Knights), Alexandre Charlebois (Cumberland Grads U18), Ethan Keppen (Toronto Nationals), Tanner McEachern (Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs), Connor McMichael (Ajax-Pickering Raiders), Alexandre Hogue (Cumberland Grads U18) — Brody Bernard, 3 GA (Smiths Falls Bears U18), Owen Robertson, 3 GA (Mississauga Rebels). Stamkos Goals: Ty Gilberds (Vaughan Kings), Mitchell Russell (Barrie Jr. Colts), Nicholas Porco (Vaughan Kings), Dennis Golovatchev (Mississauga Reps), Grayson Ladd (Chatham-Kent Cyclones), Carson Eden (Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs) — Aidan Pitre, 5 GA (Sun County Panthers), Logan Stein, 6 GA (TPH Thunder U16)

Final Team Standings:
Team Subban (White) =  596 Testing + 130 Games = 726 Points
Team Stamkos (Blue) =  522 Testing + 95 Games = 617 Points
Team Ekblad (Orange) = 502 Testing + 45 Games = 547 Points
Team Lindros (Red) = 454 Testing + 60 Games = 514 Points

Standings are based on a point system where individual player testing results contributed to the team’s total score.  Players are ranked by position and scored according to rank (1-36 for forwards, 1-25 for defencemen, 1-16 for goalies). During Sunday’s games teams scored 10 points per half win, 25 points per game win, and 50 points per shutout.

2017 OHL Combine Champion Team Subban:

Goaltenders:

78 Joseph Howe (Toronto Jr. Canadiens)
79 Christian Cicigoi (Thunder Bay Kings)
80 Owen Say (London Jr. Knights)
81 Zachary Paputsakis (Cumberland Grads U18)

Defencemen:
18 Nathan Allensen (Waterloo Wolves)
19 Mark Woolley (Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs)
20 Liam Ross (Mississauga Reps)
21 Kyle Sullivan (Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs)
22 Simon Rose (Pembroke Lumber Kings U18)
23 Drew Wawrow (Brampton 45’s)

Forwards:
24 Ethan Doyle (Whitby Wildcats)
25 Brandon Coe (Toronto Nationals)
26 Hayden Fowler (Kingston Jr. Frontenacs)
27 Ryan Stepien (Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs)
28 Matthew Gordon (Guelph Jr. Gryphons)
29 Ian Martin (Ajax-Pickering Raiders)
30 Alex Johnston (Kanata Lasers U18)
31 Jordan Stock (Hamilton Huskies)
32 Andrew Horsley (Brampton 45’s)

 Coaches:
Luca Caputi (Assistant Coach, Guelph Storm)
Frank Evola (Head Scout, Oshawa Generals)

CLICK HERE FOR FULL #OHLCOMBINE ROSTERS

For more information about OHL Combine testing, please read the Sportsnet.ca article How the OHL is poised to change the way combines are run by David Singh.

Mike McKenzie named General Manager of the Kitchener Rangers

The Kitchener Rangers announced today that Mike McKenzie has been named General Manager of the Club, while Murray Hiebert will now assume the role of Director of Hockey Operations; effective immediately.

The role of assistant general manager previously held by McKenzie will remain vacant.

McKenzie was hired as an assistant coach of the Rangers in 2012 under then head coach, Steve Spott. He spent three seasons in that role before being promoted to assistant coach/assistant general manager ahead of the 2015-16 season.

As general manager, McKenzie will be responsible for all elements of Rangers’ scouting, including the upcoming OHL Priority Selection, OHL Under-18 Priority Selection and 2017 CHL Import Draft.

Further to those duties, McKenzie will oversee areas of player management, trades, and hockey operations staffing, as well as address any media obligations that arise.

As Director of Hockey Operations, Hiebert will continue to play a major part in Rangers’ scouting at both the OHL and OHL Priority Selection levels. He will also focus on the implementation and execution of player education plans, as well as serve as a liaison between the team and the Ontario Hockey League.

Full story 

Breaking down new benchmarks set in 2016-17

Several teams will have updates to make in their respective team record books over the summer after a number of new records were set across the league on team and individual levels.

The Erie Otters were in the headlines often throughout the 2016-17 campaign, seemingly setting new records every few weeks. Dylan Strome, Alex DeBrincat and Darren Raddysh all re-wrote franchise records as the Otters made Canadian Hockey League history, earning their second straight Hamilton Spectator Trophy and third consecutive Midwest Division title in the process.

There’s all that and more below! Here’s a look at new benchmarks set during this past season.

Full story

·       Combine includes 77 top prospects eligible for the 2017 OHL Priority Selection

·       Media are invited to Oshawa’s Tribute Communities Centre for Photo/ENG opportunities, please RSVP for Interviews

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the rosters and schedule for the 2017 OHL Development Combine which takes place April 1-2 at the Tribute Communities Centre In Oshawa, ON.

The Combine offers 77 players (36 forwards, 25 defencemen, and 16 goaltenders) born in 2001 the opportunity to showcase themselves both on and off the ice to OHL member team personnel.  Sport Testing results will be distributed to every OHL member team General Manager to assist in their evaluation for the OHL Priority Selection to be held on Saturday, April 8, 2017.

“This year’s OHL Combine will feature an improved and advanced use of technology,” said Joe Birch, OHL Senior Director of Player Development and Special Events. “By collecting more data that measures elements such as power, velocity, agility, and strength, we can better assist the players in their own personal development while providing more resources for evaluation by OHL member teams.”

This year’s off and on-ice testing will be conducted by Elite Training Systems in partnership with The Park Sports Facility Inc.  In addition to Saturday’s testing, players will partake in a seminar that focuses on proper Nutrition and Training for elite athletes led by Oshawa Generals Strength Coach, Kevin Chapman.  Generals Player Development Skills Coach, Anthony Cornacchia, will lead the teams during the Skills Practice portion of their on-ice time, while OHL Goaltending Consultant, Rick Wamsley, and members of the league’s Goaltending Advisory Board will lead goalie specific on-ice and classroom sessions aimed at development.  Participants will open the weekend by experiencing the OHL Playoffs when the Generals host the Sudbury Wolves on Friday night.

“Elite Training Systems is excited to work with The Park Sports Facility to bring the OHL a more advanced version of the combine,” said Mark Fitzgerald, Owner and Head of Performance at ETS. “Since day one ETS has been involved in the development of this program and continues to find ways to deliver quality information to the athletes and coaches. Introducing some new technology this year will help present a clearer picture of athletic performance and the athlete’s ability to perform on the ice.”

Players will also compete in a series of 5-on-5 and 3-on-3 games on Sunday joined behind the bench by special guest coaches that include OHL graduates Paul Beraldo, Luca Caputi, Matt Corrente, and Paul Ranger, along with member team personnel.  All games are available online at http://hockeytv.com.

Teams will be competing for the OHL Combine Cup Championship that awards points based on individual and team performances in both off and on-ice testing, as well as Sunday’s game results.

The 2017 event marks the tenth straight year the OHL has hosted a skills development day for players and goaltenders in advance of the OHL Priority Selection.  Last season’s OHL Development Combine featured seven players chosen in the first round of the Priority Selection including Connor Roberts (3rd to HAM), Ty Dellandrea (5th to FLNT), Barrett Hayton (9th to SSM), Adam McMaster (13th to NB), Tyler Tucker (14th to BAR), Nathan Dunkley (17th to KGN), Liam Foudy (18th to LDN).  McMaster, Tucker, and Foudy were all members of the Combine Cup Champion Team Black.

 2017 OHL Development Combine Schedule:

Saturday April 1:
8:15 am to 9:15 am – Goalies Off-Ice Testing
9:30 am to 10:30 am – Team Stamkos (Blue) Off-Ice Testing
10:45 am to 11:45 am – Team Lindros (Red) Off-Ice Testing
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm – Team Ekblad (Orange) Off-Ice Testing
1:15 pm to 2:15 pm – Team Subban (White) Off-Ice Testing

12:00 pm to 1:15 pm – Team Subban and Team Stamkos Goalie On-Ice Skills and Practice
1:30 pm to 2:45 pm – Team Lindros and Team Ekblad Goalie On-Ice Skills and Practice

3:00 pm to 4:15 pm – Team Lindros (Red) On-Ice Testing and Skills Practice
4:30 pm to 5:45 pm – Team Ekblad (Orange) On-Ice Testing and Skills Practice
6:00 pm to 7:15 pm – Team Subban (White) On-Ice Testing and Skills Practice
7:30 pm to 8:45 pm – Team Stamkos (Blue) On-Ice Testing and Skills Practice

Sunday April 2:
8:15 am to 9:15 am – Team Stamkos (Blue) vs. Team Lindros (Red)
9:30 am to 10:30 am – Team Ekblad (Orange) vs. Team Subban (White)
12:55 pm to 2:00 pm – Team Red (Lindros) vs. Team Subban (White)
2:25 pm to 3:30 pm – Team Stamkos (Blue) vs. Team Ekblad (Orange)

2017 OHL Development Combine Rosters:

TEAM STAMKOS (BLUE)

Goaltenders:
82 David Cunti (Toronto Titans)
83 Luke Cavallin (Kemptville 73’s U18)
84 Logan Stein (TPH Thunder U16)
85 Aidan Pitre (Sun County Panthers)

Defencemen:
3 Noah Beck (Markham Majors)
4 Evan Brand (Mississauga Rebels)
5 Thomas Harley (Vaughan Kings)
6 Ford Ondrovic (Ottawa Jr. Senators U18)
7 Grayson Ladd (Chatham-Kent Cyclones)
8 Joe Kennedy (Toronto Red Wings)

Forwards:
9 Jalen Balbosa (York-Simcoe Express)
10 Curtis Fabbro (Ottawa Jr. Senators U18)
11 Nicholas Porco (Vaughan Kings)
12 Blake Murray (Whitby Wildcats)
13 Mitchell Russell (Barrie Jr. Colts)
14 Dennis Golovatchev (Mississauga Reps)
15 Brayden Guy (Brampton 45’s)
16 Carson Eden (Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs)
17 Ty Gilberds (Vaughan Kings)

Coaches:
Paul Ranger (Graduate, Oshawa Generals)
Matt Turek (Director of Player Personnel, Hamilton Bulldogs)

TEAM SUBBAN (WHITE)

Goaltenders:
78 Joseph Howe (Toronto Jr. Canadiens)
79 Christian Cicigoi (Thunder Bay Kings)
80 Owen Say (London Jr. Knights)
81 Zachary Paputsakis (Cumberland Grads U18)

Defencemen:
18 Nathan Allensen (Waterloo Wolves)
19 Mark Woolley (Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs)
20 Liam Ross (Mississauga Reps)
21 Kyle Sullivan (Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs)
22 Simon Rose (Pembroke Lumber Kings U18)
23 Drew Wawrow (Brampton 45’s)

Forwards:
24 Ethan Doyle (Whitby Wildcats)
25 Brandon Coe (Toronto Nationals)
26 Hayden Fowler (Kingston Jr. Frontenacs)
27 Ryan Stepien (Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs)
28 Matthew Gordon (Guelph Jr. Gryphons)
29 Ian Martin (Ajax-Pickering Raiders)
30 Alex Johnston (Kanata Lasers U18)
31 Jordan Stock (Hamilton Huskies)
32 Andrew Horsley (Brampton 45’s)

Coaches:
Luca Caputi (Assistant Coach, Guelph Storm)
Frank Evola (Head Scout, Oshawa Generals)

TEAM LINDROS (RED)

Goaltenders:
70 Cameron Carvalho (Toronto Marlboros)
71 Cyrus Martin (Waterloo Wolves)
72 Ethan Taylor (Quinte Red Devils)
73 Ethan Langevin (Whitby Wildcats)

Defencemen:
33 Mitchell Brewer (Halton Hurricanes)
34 Klim Georgiev (Mississauga Reps)
35 Christian De Giorgis (Toronto Marlboros)
36 Cameron Supryka (Quinte Red Devils)
37 Xavier Henry (Toronto Titans)
38 Bill Constantinou (Toronto Marlboros)

Forwards:
39 Ryan Campbell (Cambridge Hawks)
40 Mason Dreger (Whitby Wildcats)
41 Joseph Carroll (Carleton Place Canadians U18)
42 Owen Belisle (Thunder Bay Kings)
43 Kurtis Evans (Central Ontario Wolves)
44 Emmett Sproule (Grey-Bruce Highlanders)
45 Keean Washkurak (Waterloo Wolves)
46 Alex Dominique (Toronto Titans)
47 Nicholas Chartrand (Cumberland Grads U18)

Coaches:
Paul Beraldo (Area Scout, Hamilton Bulldogs)
Beau Moyer (Director of Player Development, Kingston Frontenacs)

TEAM EKBLAD (ORANGE)

Goaltenders:
74 Zach Roy (Toronto Nationals)
75 Brody Bernard (Smiths Falls Bears U18)
76 Owen Robertson (Mississauga Rebels)
77 Matthew Dunsmoor (Guelph Jr. Gryphons)

Defencemen:
48 Robert Calisti (Toronto Nationals)
49 Lucas Peric (Halton Hurricanes)
50 Alexandre Hogue (Cumberland Grads U18)
51 Mason Howard (London Jr. Knights)
52 Duncan Penman (Mississauga Rebels)
53 Aidan McLeod (Brantford 99ers)
86 Alexandre Charlebois (Cumberland Grads U18)

Forwards:
54 Jeff Burridge (London Jr. Knights)
55 Eric Ciccolini (Vaughan Kings)
56 Connor McMichael (Ajax-Pickering Raiders)
57 Aidan Prueter (London Jr. Knights)
58 Tanner McEachern (Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs)
59 Tye Kartye (Kingston Jr. Frontenacs)
60 Ethan Keppen (Toronto Nationals)
61 Jamieson Rees (Mississauga Reps)
62 Michael Andrews (Quinte Red Devils)

Coaches:
Matt Corrente (Graduate, Niagara IceDogs)
Justin Collins (Area Scout, Hamilton Bulldogs)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PRINTABLE ROSTERS AND SCHEDULE

For more information about OHL Combine testing, please read the Sportsnet.ca article How the OHL is poised to change the way combines are run by David Singh.