Team USA Announces Roster for the World Junior Championships

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

As is always the case with tournaments such as this, sometimes who is left off the roster draws more attention than who makes the roster. It is no different this year with the Americans as multiple 50 goal scorer Alex DeBrincat (Erie Otters) did not make the final cut. The questions, and controversy, began almost immediately.

American General Manager Jim Johannson had this to say”

“We’re excited about this group of players and the way in which they will maximize the style of hockey that head coach Bob Motzko wants the team to play. The talent level in the United States is among the best in the world and the difficulty we had identifying this year’s roster speaks to that. These players earned their way on to this roster and we’re looking forward to the tournament getting underway.”

Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

With that said, the focus then should be on who is on the roster. Two OHL’ers made the American roster: Goaltender Tyler Parsons (London Knights) and forward Jeremy Bracco (Kitchener Rangers)

The Americans also named their leadership group. Luke Kunin (University of Wisconsin) will serve as Captain while Colin White (Boston College) and Charlie McAvoy (Boston University) will serve as Alternates.

Goaltenders

Tyler Parsons (London Knights, OHL)

Jake Oettinger (Boston University, HEA)

Joseph Woll (Boston College, HEA)

Defence

Ryan Lindgren (University of Minnesota, Big 10)

Jack Ahcan (St Cloud State, NCHC)

Caleb Jones (Portland Winterhawks, WHL)

Casey Fitzgerald (Boston College, HEA)

Adam Fox (Harvard University, ECAC)

Charlie McAvoy (Boston University, HEA)

Joe Cecconi (University of Michigan, Big 10)

Forwards

Luke Kunin (University of Wisconsin, Big 10)

Tanner Laczynski (Ohio State, Big 10)

Patrick Harper (Boston University, HEA)

Jordan Greenway (Boston University (HEA)

Joey Anderson (University of Minnesota Duluth, NCHC)

Erik Foley (Providence College, HEA)

Jeremy Bracco (Kitchener Rangers, OHL)

Colin White (Boston College, HEA)

Clayton Keller (Boston University, HEA)

Troy Terry (University of Denver, NCHC)

Kieffer Bellows (Boston University, HEA)

Jack Roslovic (Manitoba Moose, AHL)

Tage Thompson (University of Connecticut, HEA)

Finland, Russia, Denmark and Slovakia set final roster for World Juniors

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Finland, Russia, Denmark and Slovakia finalized their rosters for the World Junior Championships.

The Ontario Hockey League is well represented with Finland leading the way with five OHL’ers on their roster, followed by Russia with two and Slovakia with one. The Canadian Hockey League is also well represented.

Russia’s Nikita Korostelev (Sarnia Sting) and Artur Tyanulin (Ottawa 67’s)  were sent home.

Finland’s Roster 

Goaltenders:
Karolus Kaarlehto, TPS Turku
Markus Ruusu, JYP Jyvaskyla
Veini Vehvilainen, JYP Jyvaskyla

Defencemen:
Miro Heiskanen, IFK Helsinki
Olli Juolevi, London Knights (OHL)
Jesper Mattila, Boston College (NCAA)
Juho Rautanen, Jokerit Helsinki
Vili Saarijarvi, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)
Urho Vaakanainen, JYP Jyvaskyla
Juuso Valimaki, Tri-City Americans (WHL)

Forwards:
Kasper Bjorkqvist, Providence College (NCAA)
Henrik Borgstrom, Denver University (NCAA)
Otto Koivula, Ilves Tampere
Janne Kuokkanen, London Knights (OHL)
Joona Luoto, Tappara Tampere
Julius Mattila, Boston College (NCAA)
Julius Nattinen, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
Petrus Palmu, Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
Arttu Ruotsalainen, Assat Pori
Aapeli Rasanen, Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
Eeli Tolvanen, Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
Kristian Vesalainen, HPK Hameenlinna
Teemu Vayrynen, TPS Turku

Head Coach:
Jukka Rautakorpi
Russia’s Roster 

Goaltenders:
Anton Krasotkin, Loko Yaroslavl
Ilya Samsonov, Metallurg Magnitigorsk
Vladislav Sukhachyov, Chelmet Chelyabinsk

Defencemen:
Grigori Dronov, Metallurg Magnitigorsk
Vadim Kudako, Severstal Cherepovets
Yegor Rykov, SKA St. Petersburg
Mikhail Sergachyov, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
Mikhail Sidorov, Ak Bars Kazan
Artyom Volkov, Dynamo Balashikha
Yegor Voronkov, Vityaz Podolsk
Sergei Zborovski, Regina Pats (WHL)

Forwards:
Denis Alexeyev, HK Ryazan
Kirill Belyayev, Yugra Khanty-Mansisk
Denis Guryanov, Texas Stars (AHL)
Kirill Kaprizov, Salavat Yulayev Ufa
Pavel Karnaukhov, CSKA Moscow
Danila Kvartalnov, CSKA Moscow
Alexander Polunin, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl
German Rubtsov, Vityaz Chekhov
Yakov Trenin, Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL)
Kirill Urakov, Torpedo Nizhni Novgorod
Mikhail Vorobyov, Salavat Yulayev Ufa
Danil Yurtaikin, HK Ryazan

Head Coach:
Valeri Bragin
Slovakia’s Roster 

Goaltenders:
Roman Durny, MHk 32 Liptovsky Mikulas
Adam Huska, University of Connecticut (NCAA)
Matej Tomek, Unviersity of North Dakota (NCAA)

Defencemen:
Martin Bodak, Tappara Tampere (FIN)
Erik Cernak, Erie Otters (OHL)
Martin Fehervary, Malmo Redhawks (SWE)
Mario Grman, HC Topolcany
Samuel Hain, HC Topolcany
Andrej Hatala, Dukla Trencin
Oliver Kosecky, HC ´05 Banska Bystrica
Michal Roman, Ocelari Trinec (CZE)

Forwards:
Martin Andrisik, HC ´05 Banska Bystrica
Radovan Bondra, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
Marek Hecl, Dukla Trencin
Filip Lestan, HV71 Jonkoping (SWE)
Patrik Osko, MHk 32 Liptovsky Mikulas
Oliver Pataky, Dukla Trencin
Milos Roman, Ocelari Trinec (CZE)
Adam Ruzicka, Sarnia Sting (OHL)
Boris Sadecky, Dukla Trencin
Marek Sloboda, HK VSR SR 20
Miroslav Struska, MHk 32 Liptovsky Mikulas
Marian Studenic, Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL)

Head Coach:
Ernest Bokros
Denmark Roster 

Goaltenders:
Emil Gransoe, Topeka Roadrunners (NAHL)
Kasper Krog, SonderjyskE Vojens
Lasse M. Petersen, Red Deer Rebels (WHL)

Defencemen:
Oliver Gatz Nielsen, Herning Blue Fox
Morten Jensen, Rogle Angelholm (SWE)
Anders Koch, Esbjerg Energy
Oliver Larsen, Odense Bulldogs
Christian Mieritz, Leksands IF (SWE)
Mathias Rondbjerg, Rungsted
Nicolai Weichel, Rungsted

Forwards:
Niklas Andersen, Esbjerg Energy
Rasmus T. Andersson, HV71 Jonkoping (SWE)
Joachim Blichfeld, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
William Boysen, Rungsted
Nikolaj Christensen-Krag, Rogle Angelholm (SWE)
Mathias From, Rogle Angelholm (SWE)
Frederik Hoeg, Odense Bulldogs
Jeppe Jul Korsgaard, Aalborg Pirates
Tobias Ladehoff, Aalborg Pirates
David Madsen, Vaxjo Lakers (SWE)
Daniel Nielsen, Herning Blue Fox
Jonas Rondbjerg, Vaxjo Lakers (SWE)
Alexander True, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
Christian Wejse, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)

Head Coach:
Olaf Eller

CHL Announces Top 10 Rankings

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced the week fourteen edition of the CHL Top-10 Rankings for the 2016-17 season.  The weekly rankings of the CHL’s Top-10 teams are selected by a panel of National Hockey League scouts.

 CHL Top 10 Rankings – Week 14

Rank: Team: Last Week Rank: Number of Weeks Ranked:
1 Regina Pats (22-3-6-0) 1 13
2 Erie Otters (24-6-2-0) 3 9
3 Everett Silvertips (24-4-5-0) 4 11
4 London Knights (22-5-2-3) 2 13
5 Saint John Sea Dogs (22-7-3-1) 5 9
6 Prince George Cougars (26-8-2-0) 8 13
7 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (24-8-2-0) 7 4
8 Windsor Spitfires (21-6-4-1) 6 13
9 Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (20-8-1-5) 10 14
10 Shawinigan Cataractes (21-9-1-1) – 12
Honourable Mention:
Medicine Hat Tigers (25-10-1-0) – 4
Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (20-10-3-1) 9 6
Oshawa Generals (21-9-1-2) – 1

Olympiques’ Vitalii Abramov named CHL Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Vitalii Abramov of the Gatineau Olympiques is the CHL Player of the Week for the first half week ending December 18 scoring five goals and six assists for 11 points in three games with a plus-minus rating of plus-7.

Abramov recorded a trio of multi-point performances and was named first star in all three games for the Olympiques who picked up four points on the road heading into the holiday break.  Last Monday night he recorded a career-high six points including two goals and four assists in an 8-1 win over the Quebec Remparts, then tallied two goals and an assist on Friday as part of a 5-3 win over the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, finishing the week with a goal and an assist on Saturday despite a 5-4 loss to the Sherbrooke Phoenix.

The 18-year-old Russian is playing in his second career season with the Olympiques who chose him 13th overall in the 2015 CHL Import Draft.  So far this season he has 23 goals and 22 assists for 45 points in 32 games after a rookie campaign where he produced 38 goals and 55 assists for 93 points in 63 games.  He was selected by the Blue Jackets in the third round of the 2016 NHL Draft.

Also considered for the award this week was Anaheim Ducks prospect Deven Sideroff of the Kamloops Blazers who scored five goals and three assists for eight points in four games, and New York Rangers prospect Tim Gettinger of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds with four goals and two assists for six points in three games.

2016-17 CHL Players of the Week:

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)

Petes’ Dylan Wells named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Edmonton Oilers prospect Dylan Wells of the Peterborough Petes is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the first half week ending December 18 posting a 3-0-0-0 record with a goals-against-average of 1.95 and save percentage of .945.

Wells turned aside 103 shots in three games last week helping the Petes extend their winning-streak to eight-straight heading into the league’s holiday break.  On Thursday night he made 30 saves before a national audience on Sportsnet earning second star honours in a 3-1 victory over the London Knights.  He followed that performance with a 40-save effort Friday to earn first star of a 4-3 overtime win against the Kingston Frontenacs, then closed out the first half Sunday with 33 saves to earn second star recognition in a 5-2 win over the North Bay Battalion.

Dylan Wells of the Peterborough Petes. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Dylan Wells of the Peterborough Petes. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

An 18-year-old from St. Catharines, ON, Wells is playing in his third career season with the Petes who chose him in the second round of the 2014 OHL Priority Selection.  Wells ranks second in the OHL with 903 saves while carrying a record of 16-8-1-2 with a goals-against-average of 2.97 and the league’s fifth best save percentage at .920.  He was selected by the Oilers in the fifth round of the 2016 NHL Draft.

Also considered for the award this week was Samuel Harvey of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies who made 50 saves in two games posting a 2-0-0-0 record including a shutout victory with a goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .960, while Ty Edmonds of the Prince George Cougars made 68 saves posting a 3-0-0-0 record with a goals-against-average of 1.67 and save percentage of .932.

2016-17 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week:
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)

DYLAN STROME, MATHEW BARZAL, THOMAS CHABOT SELECTED TO LEAD TEAM CANADA AT 2017 IIHF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Strome to captain team on home ice, Barzal, Chabot serve as alternates

TORONTO, Ont. and MONTREAL, Que. – Dylan Strome (Mississauga, Ont./Erie, OHL), Mathew Barzal (Coquitlam, B.C./Seattle, WHL), and Thomas Chabot (Sainte-Marie-de-Beauce, Que./Saint John, QMJHL) will be leading Canada’s National Junior Team during Monday’s pre-tournament game in Montreal, and through the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship, having been named by Hockey Canada as the team’s captains when the Canadian holiday tradition returns to home ice on Boxing Day.

The 22-player squad was named at the completion of a five-day selection camp in Boisbriand, Que., last week. Of its five returning players, Strome will wear the ‘C’ with Barzal and Chabot serving as alternate captains – a recognition of their on- and off-ice leadership qualities the coaching staff has recognized and the team as a whole is tapping into.

Dylan Strome of the Erie Otters. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Dylan Strome of the Erie Otters. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

“We have eight players on this team who are captains of their club teams, and numerous other associate captains, so there is an abundance of leadership,” said Dominique Ducharme, head coach of Canada’s National Junior Team. “Dylan, Mat and Thomas have been through this tournament before, and we have confidence in their ability to lead this team on and off the ice.”

For Strome, whose international experience also includes a gold medal at the 2014 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup and a place on the Ontario team at the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge where he was named a tournament all-star, the experience brings him back to his minor hockey roots; the Mississauga native and Arizona Coyotes’ 2015 draft pick grew up playing in the GTA before being drafted by the OHL’s Erie Otters of the Canadian Hockey League. Canada plays all of its preliminary-round games in Toronto, while gold will be won in Montreal.

Both Barzal, selected by the New York Islanders in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft, and Chabot, who will be on familiar ice in pre-tournament action in Ottawa who selected him 18th overall in the 2015 draft, were members of the Canadian team that captured bronze at the 2015 IIHF U18 World Championship, and Barzal also won gold at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup in 2014.

The puck will officially drop on the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship, a Canadian holiday tradition, on Dec. 26 in Montreal and Toronto. In its opening game, Canada will face Russia at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto at 8 p.m. ET.

Canada plays three pre-tournament games as part of the Road to the World Juniors: Dec. 19 in Montreal against Finland, Dec. 21 in Ottawa against the Czech Republic, and Dec. 23 in Toronto against Switzerland. Extensive coverage of the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship is planned by TSN and RDS, the official broadcasters of Hockey Canada, including Canada’s three pre-tournament games; check local listings for details.

Opportunities remain for fans to take part in the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship and the Road to the World Juniors pre-tournament games; tickets to all pre-tournament games, select preliminary-round and championship-round games can be purchased online, or at all host-venue box offices.

 For more information on Hockey Canada, Canada’s National Junior Team, and the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship, visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow along via social media on Facebook and Twitter, as well as #WorldJuniors.

HOCKEY CANADA NAMES ROSTER FOR 2017 IIHF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Twenty CHL players selected to Canada’s National Junior Team following four-day selection camp

TORONTO, Ont. and MONTREAL, Que. – With Canada’s National Junior Team Sport Chek Selection Camp rolling to a close with an 8-0 win over the Czech Republic, Hockey Canada has named the 22 players who will represent the country at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship in Toronto and Montreal.

Hockey Canada

Five players who competed for Canada at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship – Mathew Barzal (Coquitlam, B.C./Seattle, WHL), Thomas Chabot (Sainte-Marie-de-Beauce, Que./Saint John, QMJHL), Julien Gauthier (Pointe-aux-Trembles, Que./Val-d’Or, QMJHL), Mitchell Stephens (Peterborough, Ont./Saginaw, OHL), and Dylan Strome (Mississauga, Ont./Erie, OHL) – will don the Team Canada crest for the holiday tournament.

“We’ve had a great selection camp, and I can see this group of players really beginning to work together and getting better every day,” said Dominique Ducharme, head coach, Canada’s National Junior Team. “It’s never easy to make the difficult decisions of releasing players, and that’s a testament to Canada’s depth of talent. Kris, Tim and I are looking forward to continuing to work with these players to fine-tune our game and be ready when we start the tournament on Boxing Day.”

20 CHL players on Canada’s National Junior Team:

Goaltenders:
Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Connor Ingram (Kamloops Blazers)

Defencemen:
Jake Bean (Calgary Hitmen)
Thomas Chabot (Saint John Sea Dogs)*
Kale Clague (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Noah Juulsen (Everett Silvertips)
Jérémy Lauzon (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)
Philippe Myers (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)

Forwards:
Mathew Barzal (Seattle Thunderbirds)*
Anthony Cirelli (Oshawa Generals)
Dillon Dubé (Kelowna Rockets)
Pierre-Luc Dubois (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)
Julien Gauthier (Val-d’Or Foreurs)*
Mathieu Joseph (Saint John Sea Dogs)
Michael McLeod (Mississauga Steelheads)
Taylor Raddysh (Erie Otters)
Nicolas Roy (Chicoutimi Saguenéens)
Blake Speers (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Mitchell Stephens (Saginaw Spirit)*
Dylan Strome (Erie Otters)*

* – returning player

The puck will officially drop on the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship, a Canadian holiday tradition, on Dec. 26 in Montreal and Toronto. In its opening game, Canada will face Russia at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto at 8 p.m. ET.

 Canada plays three pre-tournament games as part of the Road to the World Juniors: Dec. 19 in Montreal against Finland, Dec. 21 in Ottawa against the Czech Republic, and Dec. 23 in Toronto against Switzerland. Extensive coverage of the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship is planned by TSN and RDS, the official broadcasters of Hockey Canada, including Canada’s three pre-tournament games; check local listings for details. 

For more information on Hockey Canada, Canada’s National Junior Team, and the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship, visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow along via social media on Facebook and Twitter, as well as #WorldJuniors.

Spirit’s Hayden Hodgson named CHL Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Saginaw Spirit forward Hayden Hodgson is the CHL Player of the Week for the week ending December 11 after scoring seven goals and two assists for nine points in three games with a plus-minus rating of plus-3.

Hayden Hodgson of the Saginaw Spirit. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Hayden Hodgson of the Saginaw Spirit. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Hodgson helped the Spirit win three straight games last week continuing the club’s solid play as of late where they’ve earned 12 of a possible 14 points over their last seven games.  His week was highlighted by a career-high five-point performance on Sunday scoring four goals including the game-winner plus an assist as second star of a 6-3 win over the Oshawa Generals.  Hodgson also recorded a three-point effort on Thursday collecting two goals and an assist as second star of a 3-0 win over the Sarnia Sting, then scored a goal on Saturday in the Spirit’s 4-3 shootout win over the Hamilton Bulldogs.

A 20-year-old from Leamington, ON, Hodgson is playing in his fifth career OHL season and second with the Spirit after being acquired from the Sarnia Sting last January.  Originally a third round pick of the Erie Otters in the 2012 OHL Priority Selection, Hodgson has 17 goals and 15 assists for 32 points in 29 games and is approaching his career-high of 23 goals and 38 points tallied in 2014-15.

Also considered for the award this week was Calvin Thurkauf of the Kelowna Rockets who scored eight goals and two assists for 10 points in four games, and Matthew Highmore of the Saint John Sea Dogs who scored four goals and three assists for seven points in three games.

2016-17 CHL Players of the Week:

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)

Pats’ Sergey Zborovskiy named CHL Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that New York Rangers prospect Sergey Zborovskiy of the Regina Pats is the CHL Player of the Week for the week ending December 4 after scoring three goals and six assists for nine points in two games with a plus-minus rating of plus-10.

Zborovskiy helped the Pats maintain a stronghold on the WHL’s East Division lead with two multi-point efforts that contributed to a pair of victories improving the club’s record to 19-2-4-0.  The defenceman’s week was highlighted by a career-high seven point performance on Saturday scoring twice with five assists as first star of a 12-2 win against the Prince Albert Raiders.  His week wrapped up Sunday earning third star honours with a goal and assist in a 6-3 road win over the Swift Current Broncos.

A 19-year-old from Moscow, Russia, Zborovskiy is playing in his third career WHL season with the Pats after being selected by the club in the 2014 CHL Import Draft.  Zborovskiy has already matched a career-high with 25 points through 22 games and will compete for a spot in the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship by attending Russia’s training camp this month after playing in the CIBC Canada Russia Series for the second straight season.  Zborovskiy was chosen by the Rangers in the third round of the 2015 NHL Draft.

Also considered for the award this week was Chicago Blackhawks prospect Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters who scored five goals and five assists for 10 points in four games, and defenceman Vincent Lanoue of the Victoriaville Tigres who recorded six assists in three games.

2016-17 CHL Players of the Week:

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)

CHL Leagues

Blazers’ Connor Ingram named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Connor Ingram of the Kamloops Blazers is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending December 4 after posting a 3-0-0-0 record including a shutout victory with a goals-against-average of 1.66 and save percentage of .950.

Ingram made 96 saves in three games backstopping the Blazers to a trio of victories improving their record to 17-12-1-0 for second place in the WHL’s B.C Division.  His week included a pair of notable performances beginning with a season-high 52 saves on Wednesday as first star of a 4-3 overtime win against the Seattle Thunderbirds, and ending Sunday with a 29-save shutout as third star of a 4-0 victory over the Brandon Wheat Kings.  In between, Ingram turned aside 15 shots on Saturday in a 5-2 win over the Vancouver Giants.

A 19-year-old from Imperial, SK, Ingram is playing in his third career WHL season with the Blazers and was a third round pick of the Lightning in the 2016 NHL Draft.  He currently carries a 14-9-1-0 record along with two shutout victories, and boasts the league’s second lowest goals-against-average with a mark of 2.12 and second highest save percentage at .935 trailing only Carter Hart of the Everett Silvertips.  Ingram will join Hart and Michael McNiven of the Owen Sound Attack at Canada’s National Junior Team Selection Camp which opens this week.

Also considered for the award this week was Carolina Hurricanes prospect Callum Booth of the Quebec Remparts who went 2-0-0-0 stopping 61 shots for a goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .968, and Troy Timpano of the Erie Otters who made 102 saves in three games posting a 3-0-0-0 record with a goals-against-average of 1.67 and save percentage of .953.

2016-17 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week:
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)

CHL Leagues