OHL Announces Academic Players of the Month for November

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the OHL Academic Players of the Month for November, 2016, including forwards Matthew Strome of the Hamilton Bulldogs, Kyle Heitzner of the Barrie Colts, Cade Robinson of the Erie Otters and Hunter Holmes of the Flint Firebirds.

Best of Both Worlds

East Division: 2017 NHL Draft prospect Matthew Strome of the Hamilton Bulldogs is the East Division Academic Player of the Month for November. The 17-year-old native of Mississauga, Ont., has excelled in his Grade 12 University-level studies at Ancaster High School. Strome is currently taking English, Challenge & Change, and Nutrition & Health courses and has achieved excellent results in all three. On the ice, Strome leads the Bulldogs in scoring with 28 points (16-12–28) in 26 games this season. He was Hamilton’s first round (8th overall) pick in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection.

Central Division: Barrie Colts 17-year-old forward Kyle Heitzner is the Central Division Academic Player of the Month for November. Heitzner is currently enrolled in Grade 12 University-level Math, Politics, English and Co-op courses at Innisdale Secondary School and has achieved an average over 85% over all four. The Orillia, Ont., native is described as an excellent student who attends classes on time, participates in class lessons and prepares thoroughly for tests and assignments. The rookie forward currently has two goals on the season, scoring his first in the OHL on September 25th at Ottawa. Heitzner was Barrie’s 11th round (218th overall) pick in 2015.

Midwest Division: Erie Otters rookie forward Cade Robinson is the Midwest Division Academic Player of the Month for November. The 17-year-old native of Jackson, Mich., is excelling in online studies through Michigan Virtual Charter Academy, maintaining a 90% in Chemistry, American Literature, Economics, Geometry and Fine Arts courses. He is described as a hard worker, continually on task, polite and focused. He has recorded one assist through 16 games this season and won’t be eligible for the NHL Draft until 2018. Robinson was Erie’s 11th round (211th overall) pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection.

West Division: Flint Firebirds rookie forward Hunter Holmes is the West Division Academic Player of the Month for November. Currently studying French, Business Law, American Literature and Entrepreneurship at Grand Blanc High School, Holmes has maintained an 87% average in his studies as a Grade 11 student. The 16-year-old native of St. Davids, Ont. currently has two goals, five assists and seven points in 25 games this season. He was Flint’s second round (22nd overall) pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection.

2016-17 OHL Academic Players of the Month:

East Division:
November – Matthew Strome (Hamilton Bulldogs)
October – Zach Gallant (Peterborough Petes)

Central Division:

November – Kyle Heitzner (Barrie Colts)
October – Jacob Ingham (Mississauga Steelheads)

Midwest Division:

November – Cade Robinson (Erie Otters)
October – Nick Suzuki (Owen Sound Attack)

West Division:

November – Hunter Holmes (Flint Firebirds)
October – Cole Purboo (Windsor Spitfires)

During the 2015-16 season, the OHL centrally administered Scholarship Program facilitated scholarships for 315 OHL graduates attending 57 different academic institutions with a total scholarship payment in excess of $2.9 million.  Click here for more information about ‘OHL Players First’ programs.

OHL Announces Top Performers of the Month for November

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the Top OHL Performers of the Month for regular season games played in November 2016, including Erie Otters forwards Alex DeBrincat and Taylor Raddysh, Otters blueliner Darren Raddysh, Kingston Frontenacs rookie Linus Nyman and London Knights goaltender Tyler Parsons.

OHL Co-Players of the Month – Alex DeBrincat, Taylor Raddysh (Erie Otters):
Erie Otters forwards in Chicago Blackhawks prospect Alex DeBrincat and Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Taylor Raddysh have been named OHL Co-Players of the Month for November. Both with 27 points over 12 games, DeBrincat and Raddysh steered the Otters to a 9-2-1-0 mark in the month of November.

DeBrincat recorded 14 goals, 13 assists and 27 points over 12 contests, producing points in 10 of those games. His month was headlined by a pair of five point efforts with the first coming in a 7-3 win over the Kitchener Rangers on November 5th that included three goals and two assists. DeBrincat capped off the month on Tuesday, producing three goals and two assists in a 9-2 win over the Mississauga Steelheads. The Farmington Hills, Mich. native was named first star of the game on three different occasions in November and currently leads the league in goals with 26 along with 25 assists for 51 points in 23 games this season. He was Chicago’s second round (39th overall) pick in the 2016 NHL Draft.

Raddysh, who was also the OHL Player of the Month in October, registered 12 goals, 15 assists and 27 points over 12 games to go with a plus/minus rating of plus-13. The Caledon, Ont. native produced points in 11 of his 12 outings, highlighted by back-to-back four-point performances on November 4th and 5th in wins over Mississauga and Kitchener. He finished the month of November with five points (3-2–5) in a 9-2 win over Mississauga on Tuesday. The 18-year-old currently leads the OHL in scoring with 23 goals, 32 assists and 55 points over 24 games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-34. He was Tampa Bay’s second round (58th overall) pick in the 2016 NHL Draft.

OHL Defenceman of the Month – Darren Raddysh (Erie Otters):
Veteran Erie Otters rearguard Darren Raddysh is the OHL Defenceman of the Month for November after leading OHL blueliners with four goals, 16 assists and 20 points over 12 contests. Raddysh’s outstanding month continued a 16-game point streak, tying his own Otters franchise record for defencemen while surpassing Adam Pelech (129, 2010-14) for fourth in Otters all-time points by a defenceman in the process. The older of the Raddysh brothers on the Otters, Darren’s month was headlined by a career-high four point (1-3–4) effort in a 7-4 win over Mississauga on November 4th. Five of his 12 November contests were multi-point efforts, capped by a three-point (1-2–3) outing in Tuesday’s 9-2 win over the Mississauga Steelheads.

A 20-year-old native of Caledon, Ont., Raddysh is currently in his fifth season with the Otters after being a fifth round (84th overall) pick by the club in 2012. He attended training camp with the San Jose Sharks this past September. Raddysh is currently tied for the OHL lead in scoring among defencemen with six goals, 22 assists and 28 points over 20 games.

 OHL Rookie of the Month – Linus Nyman (Kingston Frontenacs):
Draft eligible Kingston Frontenacs forward Linus Nyman is the OHL Rookie of the Month for November after recording eight goals, two assists and 10 points over 11 contests. The 17-year-old Finnish winger had points in seven of his 11 November contests including three different two-goal efforts. Nyman scored twice in a 4-1 win over the Guelph Storm on November 6th before doing so against the Sarnia Sting in a 5-4 road win on November 12th. Nyman earned second star honours, scoring twice in a 5-3 loss in Sudbury on November 20th.

A native of Helsinki, Finland, Nyman was Kingston’s first round (53rd overall) selection in the 2016 CHL Import Draft. He is third in Frontenacs team scoring and is currently second among OHL rookies with 14 goals, five assists and 19 points in 25 games.

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Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month – Tyler Parsons (London Knights):
Calgary Flames prospect Tyler Parsons of the London Knights is the Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month for November after going 6-0-0-1 with a 1.83 goals-against-average and a .939 save percentage over seven games. Parsons’ standout November was headlined by a 30-save shutout performance in a 7-0 win over Kingston on November 11th. He was solid once again on November 23rd, earning second star honours with 34 saves in a 2-1 shootout loss in Owen Sound.

A native of Chesterfield, Mich., Parsons is currently 8-1-1-1 on the season, sitting second in the OHL with a 2.39 goals-against-average to go with a .917 save percentage and two shutouts over 11 games. The 19-year-old was a second round (54th overall) pick by the Calgary Flames this past summer.

2016-17 OHL Performers of the Month:

Player of the Month:
November – Alex DeBrincat/Taylor Raddysh (Erie Otters)
October – Taylor Raddysh (Erie Otters)

Defenceman of the Month:
November – Darren Raddysh (Erie Otters)
October – Mathieu Henderson (Flint Firebirds)

Rookie of the Month:
November – Linus Nyman (Kingston Frontenacs)
October – Ryan Merkley (Guelph Storm)

Vaughn Goaltender of the Month:
November – Tyler Parsons (London Knights)
October – Troy Timpano (Erie Otters)

Warriors’ Jayden Halbgewachs named CHL Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that forward Jayden Halbgewachs of the Moose Jaw Warriors is the CHL Player of the Week for the week ending November 27 after scoring six goals and three assists for nine points in three games with a plus-minus rating of plus-3.

Halbgewachs recorded a trio of multi-point performances last week helping the Warriors pick up a pair of road wins to improve their second place record to 15-5-4-0 in the WHL’s East Division.  On Tuesday night he scored twice and earned second star recognition despite a 6-3 loss to the visiting Medicine Hat Tigers, then tallied another two goals including the game-winner plus an assist Friday in Calgary as first star of a 5-4 win over the Hitmen.  His week wrapped up with another first star effort Saturday in Red Deer collecting a career-high four points including two goals and two assists in a 5-2 triumph over the Rebels.

A 19-year-old from Emerald Park, SK, Halbgewachs is playing in his third full WHL season with the Warriors after initially being chosen in the first round of the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft by the Kamloops Blazers.  He currently ranks tied for ninth in league scoring with 32 points including a career-high 19 goals along with 13 assists through 24 games.

Also considered for the award this week was François Beauchemin of the Val-d’Or Foreurs who scored four goals with five assists for nine points in four games, and Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Boris Katchouk of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds who scored four goals with two assists for six points in three games.

2016-17 CHL Players of the Week:

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

Silvertips’ Carter Hart named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

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 week ending November 27 after posting two shutout victories in two starts for a perfect goals-against-average of 0.00 and save percentage of 1.000.

Considered for the award last week, Hart turned aside all 63 shots he faced in two games this past week to claim the award for the Silvertips who lead the WHL’s U.S Division with an 18-3-4-0 record.  On Wednesday night his 37-save performance against Seattle matched a season-high and earned him first star honours in the 3-0 victory over the Thunderbirds.  On Saturday night he picked up his second shutout of the week and third of the 2016-17 campaign making 26 saves as first star of another 3-0 triumph this time over the B.C Division leading Prince George Cougars.

An 18-year-old from Sherwood Park, AB, Hart is playing in his third full WHL season with the Silvertips after being selected by the club in the eighth round of the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft.  A second round pick of the Flyers in the 2016 NHL Draft, Hart is the reigning CHL Goaltender of the Year and currently carries a record of 13-3-3-0 with a goals-against-average of 1.67 and save percentage of .937 which are both top marks in the WHL.

Also considered for the award this week was Stephen Dhillon of the Niagara IceDogs who went 2-0-0-0 making 59 saves with a goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .967, and Francis Leclerc of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada who posted a 1-0-1-0 record while stopping 71 shots for a goals-against-average of 1.99 and save percentage of .947.

2016-17 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week:

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

Armada’s Alexander Katerinakis named CHL Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that forward Alexander Katerinakis of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada is the CHL Player of the Week for the week ending November 20 after scoring four goals and three assists for seven points in two games with a plus-minus rating of plus-3.

Katerinakis recorded back-to-back multi-point performances last week for the Armada in a pair of road victories that helped the club take over first place in the QMJHL’s overall standings with a record of 16-6-1-1.  He earned first star in both contests including Friday night with two goals and one assist in a 6-5 win over the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, and Saturday with two goals and two assists for a career-high four points leading the Armada to a 5-4 win against the Val-d’Or Foreurs.

An 18-year-old from Montreal, QC, Katerinakis is playing in his third QMJHL season with the Armada who selected him in the first round of the 2014 QMJHL Entry Draft.  In 16 games so far this season he has five goals and 15 assists for 15 points after recording 17 points in 42 games last season.

Also considered for the award this week was Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Jeremy Bracco of the Kitchener Rangers who scored five goals and five assists for 10 points in four games, and Alexander True of the Seattle Thunderbirds who scored five goals and two assists for seven points in three games.

 2016-17 CHL Players of the Week:

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

Greyhounds’ Matthew Villalta named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that rookie Matthew Villalta of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending November 20 after posting a 2-0-0-0 record with a goals-against-average of 2.00 and save percentage of .933.

Villalta made 56 saves last week helping the Greyhounds extend their winning-streak to four games moving into a tie for first place in the OHL’s West Division standings with a 15-7-1-0 record.  His week began with a 28-save performance on Wednesday morning in Saginaw in a 5-3 School Day victory over the host Spirit, then earned first star honours Saturday making 28 saves on home ice in a 4-1 victory over the Kingston Frontenacs.

Matthew Villalta of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Matthew Villalta of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

A 17-year-old from Kingston, ON, Villalta committed to the Greyhounds prior to the 2016-17 campaign after competing last season as a member of the Greater Kingston AAA Midget Hockey Club last season.  So far this season he carries a 6-1-0-0 record with a goals-against-average of 2.56 and save percentage of .907.

Also considered for the award this week was Philadelphia Flyers prospect Carter Hart of the Everett Silvertips who posted a 1-1-1-0 record with a goals-against-average of 1.68 and save percentage of .933, and James Povall of the Victoriaville Tigres who posted a 1-1-0-0 record with a 2.52 goals-against-average and a .928 save percentage.

2016-17 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week:

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)

Mooseheads’ Nico Hischier named CHL Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that 2017 NHL Draft prospect Nico Hischier of the Halifax Mooseheads is the CHL Player of the Week for the week ending November 13 after recording nine points in two games with five goals and four assists along with a plus-minus rating of plus-4.

Hischier earned first star honours in both games last week leading the Mooseheads to a pair of victories on home ice to improve their record to 11-10-0-0.  On Friday night he scored two goals and three assists as part of a 9-5 win over the Sherbrooke Phoenix, then scored his second hat-trick of the season while adding an assist in a 7-4 win against the Charlottetown Islanders.

A 17-year-old from Naters, Switzerland, Hischier is playing in his first QMJHL season with the Mooseheads after being chosen sixth overall in the 2016 CHL Import Draft.  The rookie is currently tied for second in QMJHL scoring with 34 points including 17 goals and 17 assists in 21 games and is a top prospect for the 2017 NHL Draft with an ‘A rating’ from NHL Central Scouting in their October Players to Watch list.

Also considered for the award this week was Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Adam Brooks of the Regina Pats who scored once with five assists for six points in two games, and Florida Panthers prospect Jonathan Ang of the Peterborough Petes who scored four goals and three assists for seven points in four games.

 2016-17 CHL Players of the Week:

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

Oil Kings’ Patrick Dea named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Patrick Dea of the Edmonton Oil Kings is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending November 13 after posting a 2-0-0-0 record including a shutout victory with a goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .968.

Dea made 61 saves in two games backstopping the Oil Kings to a pair of victories to improve their record to 8-9-2-0.  On Thursday night he stopped 34 shots in a 4-2 win over the Saskatoon Blades, then had a 27-save performance on Saturday recording his first shutout of the season in a 3-0 triumph over the Kootenay Ice where he earned third star honours.

A 19-year-old from St. Albert, AB, Dea is playing in his third full season with the Oil Kings after being chosen by the club in the first round of the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft.  So far this season he carries a record of 7-5-0-0 with a 3.24 goals-against-average and a .897 save percentage.

Also considered for the award this week was Stephen Dhillon of the Niagara IceDogs who made 123 saves in three games posting a record of 2-1-0-0 along with a goals-against-average of 1.67 and save percentage of .961, and Carolina Hurricanes prospect Callum Booth of the Quebec Remparts who made 66 saves going 2-0-0-0 with a goals-against-average of 2.90 and save percentage of .917.

2016-17 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week:

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

 

Warriors’ Zach Sawchenko named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Zach Sawchenko of the Moose Jaw Warriors is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week after posting a 2-0-0-0 record with a goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .975.

Vaughn

Sawchenko made 77 saves and earned first star honours in both Warriors victories last week.  On Tuesday night he made 41 saves in a 3-1 win over the Brandon Wheat Kings, then stopped 36 shots on Friday in a 3-1 triumph over the Edmonton Oil Kings.  The Warriors are currently second place in the WHL’s East Division standings with an 11-4-2-0 record.

An 18-year-old from Calgary, AB, Sawchenko is playing in his fourth career season with the Warriors who selected him in the second round of the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft.  In nine games so far this season, Sawchenko has a 6-1-2-0 record with a 2.82 goals-against-average and .915 save percentage.  He is eligible for the 2017 NHL Draft and was given a ‘C’ rating by NHL Central Scouting in their October ‘Players to Watch’ list.

Also considered for the award this week was Edmonton Oilers prospect Dylan Wells of the Peterborough Petes who posted a 2-0-0-0 record with a goals-against-average of 1.98 and save percentage of .944, and Samuel Harvey of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies with a 2-0-0-0 record posting a goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .968.

2016-17 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week:

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)

Otters’ Alex DeBrincat named CHL Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Chicago Blackhawks prospect Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters is the CHL Player of the Week for the week ending November 6 after recording 11 points in three games scoring five goals with six assists along with a plus-minus rating of plus-3.

Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

DeBrincat produced a trio of multi-point performances last week helping the OHL’s first place Otters improve their record to 13-3-1-0.  He scored the game-winning goal in all three contests including the overtime winner on Wednesday morning, part of a two-goal and one assist effort, as first star of a 5-4 School Day win over the Guelph Storm.  On Friday night he scored a goal and two assists in a 7-4 win over the Mississauga Steelheads, then finished the week by matching a career-high with five points including two goals and three assists receiving first star honours in a 7-3 comeback win against the Kitchener Rangers.

An 18-year-old from Farmington Hills, Michigan, DeBrincat is playing in his third career OHL season with the Otters.  The 2015 CHL Rookie of the Year has recorded back-to-back 51-goal campaigns and currently leads the OHL with 17 goals ranking second in points with 35 through 14 games.  The second round pick of the Blackhawks in the 2016 NHL Draft was signed to an entry-level contract on Monday.

Also considered for the award this week Antoine Waked of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies who scored five goals and four assists for nine points in three games, and Washington Capitals prospect Connor Hobbs of the Regina Pats with one goal and six assists for seven points in two games.

2016-17 CHL Players of the Week:

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)