OHL Announces 2015-16 Awards Finalists

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the finalists for seven of the league’s major awards for the 2015-16 regular season.

OHL

Six of the seven awards are voted on by OHL Member Teams including Rookie of the Year, Overage Player of the Year, Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Goaltender of the Year, and Defenceman of the Year.  Teams were asked to submit one nominee from their club for consideration on the ballot and were not permitted to vote for the player from their own hockey club.  The first stage of voting was by conference only with the top three players from each conference making the final ballot which is voted on by all 20 OHL General Managers.

All finalists for the Red Tilson Trophy were also nominated by the Member Teams of the Ontario Hockey League as their Most Outstanding Player for the 2015-16 regular season.  The Red Tilson Trophy is voted on by the sports writers and broadcasters in the OHL.

2015-16 OHL Awards Finalists:

Rookie of the Year / Emms Family Award Finalists:

Cam Dineen (North Bay Battalion)
Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)
Max Jones (London Knights)
Boris Katchouk (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Alex Nylander (Mississauga Steelheads)
Matthew Strome (Hamilton Bulldogs)

Overage Player of the Year / Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy Finalists:

Aaron Berisha (London Knights)
Jack Flinn (Mississauga Steelheads)
Hunter Garlent (Peterborough Petes)
Gabe Guertler (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Kevin Labanc (Barrie Colts)
Devin Williams (Erie Otters)

Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year / William Hanley Trophy Finalists:

Mike Amadio (North Bay Battalion)
Eric Cornel (Peterborough Petes)
Christian Dvorak (London Knights)
Taylor Raddysh (Erie Otters)
Blake Speers (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Spencer Watson (Kingston Frontenacs)

Coach of the Year / Matt Leyden Trophy Finalists:

Stan Butler (North Nay Battalion)
Dale Hawerchuk (Barrie Colts)
Kris Knoblauch (Erie Otters)
Paul McFarland (Kingston Frontenacs)
Rocky Thompson (Windsor Spitfires)
Mike Van Ryn (Kitchener Rangers)

Goaltender of the Year Award Finalists:

Mackenzie Blackwood (Barrie Colts)
Michael McNiven (Owen Sound Attack)
Alex Nedeljkovic (Niagara IceDogs)
Tyler Parsons (London Knights)
Jake Smith (North Bay Battalion)
Devin Williams (Erie Otters)

Defenceman of the Year / Max Kaminsky Trophy Finalists:

Jakob Chychrun (Sarnia Sting)
Travis Dermott (Erie Otters)
Cam Dineen (North Bay Battalion)
Roland McKeown (Kingston Frontenacs)
Mikhail Sergachev (Windsor Spitfires)
Mitchell Vande Sompel (Oshawa Generals)

Most Outstanding Player of the Year / Red Tilson Trophy Finalists:

Barrie – Kevin Labanc
Erie – Devin Williams
Flint – Will Bitten
Guelph – James McEwan
Hamilton – Niki Petti
Kingston – Roland McKeown
Kitchener – Ryan MacInnis
London – Mitch Marner
Mississauga – Alex Nylander
Niagara – Jordan Maletta
North Bay – Mike Amadio
Oshawa – Anthony Cirelli
Ottawa – Leo Lazarev
Owen Sound – Santino Centorame
Peterborough – Hunter Garlent
Saginaw – Mitchell Stephens
Sarnia – Pavel Zacha
Sault Ste. Marie – Zach Senyshyn
Sudbury – Dmitry Sokolov
Windsor – Christian Fischer

The 2016 OHL Awards Ceremony takes place on Tuesday June 7 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, however award recipients will be announced periodically throughout the remainder of the 2016 OHL Playoffs.  Additional player awards to be announced include Humanitarian of the Year, Academic Players of the Year, and the 2015-16 Mickey Renaud Captain’s Trophy recipient.

IceDogs’ Alex Nedeljkovic named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Carolina Hurricanes prospect Alex Nedeljkovic of the Niagara IceDogs is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the playoff week ending April 10 after posting a 3-0-0-0 record with a goals-against-average of 2.40 and save percentage of .932.

Vaughn

Nedeljkovic made 110 saves in three games last week backstopping the fourth place IceDogs to a 3-0 lead against the first place Kingston Frontenacs in their OHL Eastern Conference Semi-Final series.  He opened the series with a first star performance last Thursday night in Game 1 helping the IceDogs to a 3-1 victory, then made 47 saves on Friday night in Game 2 including 18 stops in overtime as the IceDogs stole a 6-5 win and 2-0 series lead.  In Game 3 on Sunday afternoon on home ice, Nedeljkovic contributed another first star effort stopping 32 shots as part of another overtime victory won 3-2 by the IceDogs.

A 20-year-old from Parma, Ohio, Nedeljkovic is playing in his fourth OHL season and first with the IceDogs since being acquired from the Flint Firebirds in December.  Selected in the second round of the 2014 NHL Draft by the Hurricanes, Nedeljkovic played 30 games for the IceDogs down the stretch with a record 15-13-1-1 including a shutout victory along with a goals-against-average of 2.72 and save percentage of .907.

Also considered for the award this week was rookie Mathieu Bellemare of the Gatineau Olympiques who posted a 1-1-0-0 record including a shutout victory against the Moncton Wildcats stopping 56 shots for a goals-against-average of 1.01 and save percentage of .966, while 2016 NHL Draft prospect Carter Hart of the Everett Silvertips also posted a 1-1-0-0 record against the Seattle Thunderbirds including a shutout victory with 56 saves along with with a goals-against-average of 1.02 and save percentage of .966.

2015-16 Vaughn CHL Post-Season Goaltenders of the Week:

Apr. 4 – Apr. 10: Alex Nedeljkovic (Niagara IceDogs)
Mar. 28 – Apr. 3: Samuel Montembeault (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)
Mar. 21 – Mar. 27: Chase Marchand (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)

2015-16 Vaughn CHL Regular Season Goaltenders of the Week:

Mar. 14 – Mar. 20: Reilly Pickard (Acadie-Bathurst Titan)
Mar. 7 – Mar. 13: Landon Bow (Seattle Thunderbirds)
Feb. 29 – Mar. 6: Connor Ingram (Kamloops Blazers)
Feb. 22 – Feb. 28: Devin Williams (Erie Otters)
Feb. 15 – Feb. 21: Zach Sawchenko (Moose Jaw Warriors)
Feb. 8 – Feb. 14: Leo Lazarev (Ottawa 67’s)
Feb. 1 – Feb. 7: Taz Burman (Swift Current Broncos)
Jan. 25 – Jan. 31: Luke Opilka (Kitchener Rangers)
Jan. 18 – Jan. 24: Jordan Papirny (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Jan. 11 – Jan. 17: Zach Sawchenko (Moose Jaw Warriors)
Jan. 4 – Jan. 10: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)
Dec. 28 – Jan. 3: Étienne Montpetit (Val-d’Or Foreurs)
Dec. 14 – Dec. 20: Callum Booth (Quebec Remparts)
Dec. 7 – Dec. 13: Jack Flinn (Mississauga Steelheads)
Nov. 30 – Dec. 6: Ty Edmonds (Prince George Cougars)
Nov. 23 – Nov. 29: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 16 – Nov. 22: Keven Bouchard (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)
Nov. 9 – Nov. 15: Devin Williams (Erie Otters)
Nov. 2 – Nov. 8: Etienne Montpetit (Val-d’Or Foreurs)
Oct. 26 – Nov. 1: Tyler Parsons (London Knights)
Oct. 19 – Oct. 25: Adin Hill (Portland Winterhawks)
Oct. 12 – Oct. 18: Julio Billia (Chicoutimi Sagueneens)
Oct. 5 – Oct. 11: Coleman Vollrath (Victoria Royals)
Sept. 28 – Oct. 4: Louis-Philip Guindon (Rimouski Oceanic)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 27: Zack Bowman (Flint Firebirds)

CHL Leagues

Knights’ Mitch Marner named CHL Player of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Mitch Marner of the London Knights is the CHL Player of the Week for the playoff week ending April 10 after scoring twice with five assists for seven points in two games with a plus-minus rating of plus-5.

Marner becomes the second straight Knight to earn the award after helping his team take a 2-0 lead in their OHL Western Conference Semi-Final series against the Kitchener Rangers.  He produced back-to-back multi-point performances including a goal and two assists in Game 1 on Friday night as part of a 6-3 victory, then scored shorthanded while adding three assists Sunday in London’s 5-3 triumph in Game 2.

The 18-year-old from Thornhill, ON, leads the OHL playoff scoring race with six goals and 13 assists for 19 points in six games.  Playing in his third career OHL season with the Knights, Marner was chosen fourth overall by the Maple Leafs in the 2015 NHL Draft and finished the regular season with 116 points in 57 games topping the century mark for the second straight season.

Also considered for the award this week was Philadelphia Flyers prospect Ivan Provorov of the Brandon Wheat Kings who scored twice with four assists for six points in three games, and Michael Joly of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles who scored five goals and one assist for six points in three games.

2015-16 CHL Post-Season Players of the Week:

Apr. 4 – Apr. 10: Mitch Marner (London Knights)
Mar. 28 – Apr. 3: Matthew Tkachuk (London Knights)
Mar. 21 – Mar. 27: Timo Meier (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)

2015-16 CHL Regular Season Players of the Week:

Mar. 14 – Mar. 20: Tyler Soy (Victoria Royals)
Mar. 7 – Mar. 13: Andrew Mangiapane (Barrie Colts)
Feb. 29 – Mar. 6: Jayce Hawryluk (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Feb. 22 – Feb. 28: Tyler Wong (Lethbridge Hurricanes)
Feb. 15 – Feb. 21: Adam Brooks (Regina Pats)
Feb. 8 – Feb. 14: Kevin Labanc (Barrie Colts)
Feb. 1 – Feb. 7: Ivan Provorov (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Jan. 25 – Jan. 31: Frédéric Allard (Chicoutimi Sagueneens)
Jan. 18 – Jan. 24: Giorgio Estephan (Lethbridge Hurricanes)
Jan. 11 – Jan. 17: Reid Gardiner (Prince Albert Raiders)
Jan. 4 – Jan. 10: Maxime Comtois (Victoriaville Tigres)
Dec. 28 – Jan. 3: Kevin Labanc (Barrie Colts)
Dec. 14 – Dec. 20: Brendan Lemieux (Windsor Spitfires)
Dec. 7 – Dec. 13: Christian Dvorak (London Knights)
Nov. 30 – Dec. 6: Mitchell Marner (London Knights)
Nov. 23 – Nov. 29: Conor Garland (Moncton Wildcats)
Nov. 16 – Nov. 22: Pierre-Luc Dubois (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)
Nov. 9 – Nov. 15: Dylan Strome (Erie Otters)
Nov. 2 – Nov. 8: Nikolas Brouillard (Quebec Remparts)
Oct. 26 – Nov. 1: Mathew Barzal (Seattle Thunderbirds)
Oct. 19 – Oct. 25: Kevin Labanc (Barrie Colts)
Oct. 12 – Oct. 18: Zach Bratina (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 5 – Oct. 11: Dennis Yan (Shawinigan Cataractes)
Sept. 28 – Oct. 4: Conor Garland (Moncton Wildcats)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 27: Alex Forsberg (Victoria Royals)

CHL Leagues

2016 OHL Gold Cup Rosters Unveiled

KITCHENER, ON –160 players from across Ontario have been given a unique opportunity to catch the attention of National Team scouts, as the rosters for the eight OHL Gold Cup teams were unveiled today.

OHL Gold Cup

Highlighting the rosters are 16 of the 20 first round picks from the 2016 OHL Priority Selection including Ryan Merkley (Toronto Jr. Canadiens/GTHL Blue) chosen first overall by the Guelph Storm, Owen Lalonde (Windsor Jr. Spitfires/ALLIANCE) who was chosen second overall by the Sudbury Wolves, and Connor Roberts (Grey Bruce Highlanders/OMHA Black) chosen third overall by the Hamilton Bulldogs.

“It’s just been unbelievable really. I can’t really explain it. It’s been busy and I couldn’t be happier,” the Grey Bruce Highlanders forward said. Along with Merkley, Roberts represented Canada at the Youth Olympics earlier this year. “I’m really looking forward to playing some high level hockey like that again. It was an unbelievable experience in Norway and I’m looking forward to getting to play with some high level boys.”

In total, of the 160 players who will be on the ice at Kitchener’s Activa Sportsplex from May 4-8, 126 were selected by OHL teams on the weekend.

“We are really excited to present this group of players today and look forward to the performances at the OHL Gold Cup,” said Tony Martindale, of the OHL Gold Cup Steering Committee. “As part of the process through Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence, we believe Canada will be well represented.”

The OHL Gold Cup is an annual event featuring Ontario’s top Under-16 talent. As part of Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence, the top players from the OHL Gold Cup will be invited to attend the Under-17 National Camp. There, players will practice and compete against other the top talent from across the country, trying to earn a spot on Team Canada and compete at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

OHL Drafted Players in 2016 OHL Gold Cup:

Barrie Colts (8):

Luke Bignell (ALLIANCE)
Tristan De Jong (ALLIANCE)
Curtis Douglas (GTHL Blue)
Kai Edmonds (HEO)
Mathew MacDougall (OMHA Black)
Ian MacLean (OMHA Black)
Jack McBain (GTHL Red)*
Tyler Tucker (GTHL Blue)*

Erie Otters (3):
Jack Duff (OMHA Black)
Allan McShane (GTHL Red)*
Tyler Orban (HEO)

Flint Firebirds (6):
Dennis Busby (OMHA White)
Ty Dellandrea (OMHA Black)*
Hunter Holmes (OMHA Black)
Ryan Littlejohn (GTHL Red)
Eric Uba (ALLIANCE)
Jack Wismer (OMHA White)

Guelph Storm (8):
John Beaton (HEO)
Mitchell Doyle (OMHA Black)
Cameron Hillis (OMHA Black)
Barret Kirwin (OMHA White)
Ryan Merkley (GTHL Blue)*
Luke Moncada (GTHL Red)
Keegan Stevenson (NOHA)
Teth Wilson-Burles (GTHL Blue)

Hamilton Bulldogs (9):
Brian Bygrave (HEO)
Dylan D’Agostino (NOHA)
Kyle Fisher (ALLIANCE)
D.J. King (GTHL Red)
Riley McCourt (OMHA Black)
Jake Murray (ALLIANCE)
Connor Roberts (OMHA Black)*
Derek Seguin (ALLIANCE)
Tanner Sheppard (OMHA Black)

Kingston Frontenacs (6):
Nathan Dunkley (OMHA White)*
Emmett Gordon (GTHL Blue)
Paul Larabie (HEO)
Christian Mattiace (GTHL Blue)
Justin Pringle (GTHL Red)
Joseph Samson (HEO)

Kitchener Rangers (8):
Riley Damiani (GTHL Blue)
Eric Guest (ALLIANCE)
Liam Peyton (HEO)
Lucas Pfeil (OMHA White)
Merrick Rippon (HEO)
Giovanni Vallati (GTHL Red)*
Ian Vucko (OMHA Black)
Jack York (HEO)

London Knights (7):
Ryan Bangs (HEO)
Francois Drouin (HEO)
Liam Foudy (GTHL Red)*
Jett Leishman (HNO)
Billy Moskal (NOHA)
Wil Murray (HEO)
Richard Whittaker (OMHA Black)

Mississauga Steelheads (2):
Jacob Ingham (OMHA White)
Michael Little (GTHL Red)

Niagara IceDogs (4):
Pierre-Luc Cote-Forget (GTHL Red)
Justin MacPherson (OMHA Black)
Lucas Theriault (NOHA)
Akil Thomas (GTHL Blue)*

North Bay Battalion (6):
Rhys Forhan (OMHA Black)
Ty Lindeman (NOHA)
Travis Mailhot (GTHL Red)
Adam McMaster (OMHA Black)*
Mason Snell (OMHA Black)
Jordan Spadafore (NOHA)

Oshawa Generals (8):
Danil Antropov (GTHL Blue)*
William Ennis (HEO)
Dante Fantauzzi (GTHL Blue)
Mitchell Hewitson (OMHA White)
Serron Noel (HEO)
Joseph Rupoli (GTHL Red)
Isaac Taylor (ALLIANCE)
Nathan Torchia (ALLIANCE)

Ottawa 67’s (9):
Kevin Bahl (GTHL Blue)
Samuel Bitten (GTHL Red)
Mitchell Hoelscher (ALLIANCE)
Ethan Manderville (HEO)
Matt Nastasiuk (OMHA White)
Carter Robertson (OMHA Black)
Trevor Peca (HNO)**
Peter Stratis (GTHL Blue)*
Thomas Tinmouth (GTHL Blue)

Owen Sound Attack (5):
Jackson Doherty (OMHA White)
Aidan Dudas (OMHA White)*
Daylon Groulx (OMHA White)
Marino Moro (OMHA White)
Jesse Tucker (GTHL Blue)

Peterborough Petes (9):
Adrien Beraldo (OMHA White)
Brendan Cederberg (OMHA Black)
Declan Chisholm (GTHL Red)
Chad Denault (NOHA)
Wyllum Deveaux (GTHL Red)
Isaac Emon (OMHA White)
Matthew Falls (GTHL Red)
Brady MacDonald (ALLIANCE)
Matthew McNamara (OMHA White)

Saginaw Spirit (9):
Jackson Alexeev (GTHL Blue)
Dylan Bond (GTHL Red)
Damien Giroux (NOHA)
Maxim Grondin (GTHL Red)
Danny Katic (NOHA)
Cameron Lamour (NOHA)
Tyler McBay (ALLIANCE)
Mitch Morrison (OMHA Black)
Chet Phillips (OMHA White)

Sarnia Sting (5):
Blair Coffin (OMHA Black)
Braden Henderson (OMHA White)
Brady Hinz (ALLIANCE)
Ethan Lavallee (NOHA)
Samuel Stevens (HNO)**

Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (6):
Chris Clark (NOHA)
Matt Hayami (GTHL Blue)
Barrett Hayton (GTHL Blue)*
Brett Jacklin (NOHA)
Peter Muzyka (GTHL Blue)
Holden Wale (ALLIANCE)

Sudbury Wolves (5):
Dawson Baker (OMHA White)
Joshua Eisfeld (GTHL Red)
Owen Gilhula (ALLIANCE)
Owen Lalonde (ALLIANCE)*
Jacob Roach (OMHA White)

 Windsor Spitfires (3):
Connor Corcoran (OMHA White)
Chris Playfair (ALLIANCE)
Zackary Young (GTHL Blue)

 *Player was a first round pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection
** Trevor Peca (Buffalo Jr. Sabres) and Samuel Stevens (Shattuck-St. Mary’s 16U) will compete for Team HNO

These OHL prospects and future Canadian hockey stars can be seen live or online at the 2016 OHL Gold Cup. The Steering Committee is pleased to announce it has partnered with FastHockey for 2016 to have all 20 games carried live. Additionally, for those who want to see all the action in person, event passes and individual day tickets are now available.

Over 40 percent of players who have participated in the first three years of the OHL Gold Cup have gone on to play in the Ontario Hockey League. Sixty-eight, or about a third of all players named to Hockey Canada’s U-17 rosters, have played in the Gold Cup.

For those who cannot attend the four-day tournament starting on May 5th, FastHockey will be carrying the games live. Interested fans need only register at www.FastHockey.com and search OHL Gold Cup. A monthly subscription is available for under $30 and gives you access to all 20 games of the tournament, regardless of where in the province (or world) you will be watching from.

Ticket packages start at $15 for children under 12 and seniors. Adult event passes are $30 each while a day pass is $10/day. Youth and seniors are $5 a day. Tickets are available online or at the door starting on May 4th, when the teams will be taking part in an official practice and enjoying the Bauer Experience.

For more information including full team rosters, schedule, and to purchase tickets please visit www.ohlgoldcup.com.

OJHL Final Preview

After 6 and a half months, the final two teams are left standing as the Georgetown Raiders and the Trenton Goldenhawks will be competing in the final best of 7 series for the OJHL Buckland Cup. A true Jr A championship in the province of Ontario. Right up there with the Bogart Cup of the CCHL and the Copeland Cup-McNamara Trophy of the NOJHL.

 This year the best two teams are in the finals. The Southwest Conference champions, The Georgetown Raiders and the Northeast Conference Champions, Trenton Goldenhawks.

 For the Goldenhawks, they were the wire to wire team to beat in the Northeast conference and the in the OJHL. On the backend the team was lead by Daniel Urbani between the pipes who posted amazing numbers, almost video game like statistics, including a 1.69 GAA and a .930 SV%. He also posted a leagues best  5 shutouts in his 40 games played this season.

The blue line is patrolled by 6 strong individuals who may not be involved in a lot of scoring, but they definitely know how to stop the puck at the blue line and frustrate the opposition. Adam Clements was the D’s leading scorer with 7 goals and 34 points through 37 games. Jordan DaSilva, Blayne Oliver, Josh Allan, Brandon Marinelli and Nick Boddy and Chays Ruddy make up the other 6 patrolling blue liners. These 6 combined for 12 goals and 93 points. Again, not a scoring group, but definitely get the puck to the net. Even in the playoffs, this group has combined for a little more, netting 12 and racking up 34 points through 13 games… that is more back end umph per game than in the regular season.

 The Forwards are never in question. Danny Hanlon, Mitch Emerson, Hunter Fargey, Liam Morgan and Kevin Lavoie all put up 20 goals in the regular season, 115 in total. and in the playoffs, they combine for 22 through 13 games. A bit of a surprise is Lucas Brown with his team leading 8 in the playoffs who put up 12 through 44 games in the regular season.

The offence is potent, the goaltending is solid, Special teams? #1 PP in the playoffs, #1 PK in the playoffs, 32.69% and 95.45%, a whopping 128.14% combined. And this is a sport where anything over a combined 100% is great.

How do you beat the Goldenhawks? There isn’t an easy answer. Newmarket and Wellington figured it out… twice this season. But in the playoffs Trenton made good and took them both out in a combined 9 games. In fact, Wellington has given them the lone blemish in these playoffs as Trenton advanced by sweeping Kingston, playing only 13 games.

Whatever the answer is to the question how do you slow the Goldenhawks down. I am sure Greg Walters, Head Coach and GM of Georgetown will find the answer.

 Switching to the Raiders… They seem to just get better with age. And by age I mean more games under their belt. Their season wasn’t a dominate affair like many are use to seeing. For a good period of time both Orangeville and Burlington were the best team in the division, arguably the southwest conference.  As the season went on, Georgetown began to really assert their dominance, even as Buffalo climbed up the standings to compete for the top spot. In the end the Raiders claimed their 2nd straight conference title.

 In between their pipes is arguably the best goalie in the OJHL this year, Andrew Masters. If you are asking me, I say he has the advantage over Urbani. The only statistical advantage that Masters had was a greater save percentage, beating Urbani by .004 while facing 318 more shots than Urbani, an average of 8 shots more per game and although 8 shots doesn’t seem like much, take a quick look at what workload can do to a netminder. Last year Andrew Lee faced an average of 39 shots a game and had a 2-8 record. This year, he faced an average of 29 shots a game and cut his GAA by 2 whole goals from 4.84 to 2.80. Don’t tell me goalies can’t be over worked and tire out.

 But back to the point. Andrew Masters has the leg up in the net when compared to his counterpart, at least in my mind given the workload he carried.  The defence is similar to Trenton’s that the D can add to the offence, but are there to stop the opposition first and foremost. Matthew Cairns lead the blueline in scoring with 9 goals and 33 points; alongside him are Zack Dybowski, Austin Cho, Jake Payette, Kyle Allan, Wyatt Hicken and Matthew Thom. These 6 combined for 13 goals and 93 points in the regular season; additionally the 7 defenders had 320 penalty minutes this season, a testament to their tough style of play which wears down the opposition quickly.

 Up front the Georgetown Raiders are lead by Jack Jacome, younger brother to Brendan who are 1-2 in team scoring, 55 goals and 145 points between the two brothers. The Raiders had 4 forwards notch 20 goals or more and one at 19 goals on the season. The Jacomes’s alongside Josh Dickinson, Daniel Hardie, Jordan Crocker and Andrew Court are a potent top 6. Behind them are a great 3rd and 4th line that allows Greg Walters to roll all lines, any time of the game to change the momentum or give them that extra something to finish the game.

 With 4 strong lines and 7 capable D, the Raiders were 5th in PP% for the regular season .40% behind the Goldenhawks and 2nd in PK behind… you guessed it… Trenton. The Goldenhawks’ PK% in the regular season was 90.70% while Georgetown was at 87.84%. In the Playoffs, the Raiders are again, 4th in PP%, a staggering 7.01%  behind Trenton and 2nd in PK% with 91.03%. Again, a huge number but 4.42% behind the number one team… Trenton. Combined Georgetown has a 116.71% on Special teams.

 After all of this, the series comes down to a pick em. Trenton or Georgetown, flip a coin. Who do you like?

On one hand you have a very solid all around team up against a team that can get the job done behind a very solid goaltender. Arguably the best goalie in the OJHL.

The action gets underway on the 15th of April in Trenton for the odd numbered games and in Georgetown for the even numbered games. Pull up a chair, buy some popcorn and enjoy the action.

2016 OHL Priority Selection: Round One

  1. Guelph Storm – Ryan Merkley
    Ryan Merkley of the Toronto Jr. Canadiens. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
    Ryan Merkley of the Toronto Jr. Canadiens. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

    Merkley

  2. Sudbury Wolves – Owen Lalonde
    Owen Lalonde of the Windsor Jr. Spitfires. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
    Owen Lalonde of the Windsor Jr. Spitfires. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

    Lalonde

  3. Hamilton Bulldogs – Connor Roberts
    Action from the 2016 OHL Combine. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
    Action from the 2016 OHL Combine. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

    Roberts

     

  4. Saginaw Spirit – Blade Jenkins
    Blade Jenkins of Detroit Compuware. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
    Blade Jenkins of Detroit Compuware. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

    Jenkins

  5. Flint Firebirds – Ty Dellandrea
    Action from the 2016 OHL Combine. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
    Action from the 2016 OHL Combine. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

    Dellandrea

  6. Oshawa Generals – Danil Antropov
    Danil Antropov of the Toronto Marlies. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
    Danil Antropov of the Toronto Marlies. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

    Antropov

  1. Mississauga Steelheads – Kirill Nizhnikov
    Kirill Nizhnikov of the Toronto Jr. Canadiens. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
    Kirill Nizhnikov of the Toronto Jr. Canadiens. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

    Nizhnikov

  2. Peterborough Petes – Pavel GogolevGogolev
  3. Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds – Barrett Hayton
    Action from the 2016 OHL Combine. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
    Action from the 2016 OHL Combine. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

    Hayton

  4. Owen Sound Attack – Aidan DudasDudas
  5. Ottawa 67’s – Peter Stratis
    Peter Stratis of the Mississauga Rebels. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
    Peter Stratis of the Mississauga Rebels. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

    Stratis

  6. Niagara Ice Dogs – Akil Thomas
    Akil Thomas of the Toronto Marlies. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
    Akil Thomas of the Toronto Marlies. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

     

  7. North Bay Battalion – Adam McMaster
    Adam McMaster of the Niagara North Stars. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
    Adam McMaster of the Niagara North Stars. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

     

  8. Barrie Colts – Tyler Tucker
    Tyler Tucker of the Toronto Titans. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
    Tyler Tucker of the Toronto Titans. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

    Tucker

  9. Sarnia Sting – Tyler Weiss
    Tyler Weiss of the Don Mills Flyers. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
    Tyler Weiss of the Don Mills Flyers. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

    Weiss

  10. Kitchener Rangers – Giovanni Vallati
    Giovanni Vallati of the Vaughan Kings. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
    Giovanni Vallati of the Vaughan Kings. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

    Vallati

  11. Kingston Frontenacs – Nathan Dunkley
    Nathan Dunkley of the Quinte Red Devils. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
    Nathan Dunkley of the Quinte Red Devils. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

    Dunkley

  12. London Knights – Liam Foudy
    Action from the 2016 OHL Combine. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
    Action from the 2016 OHL Combine. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

    Foudy

  13. Erie Otters – Allan McShane
    Allan McShane of the Toronto Marlies. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
    Allan McShane of the Toronto Marlies. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

    McShane

  14. Barrie Colts – Jack McBain
    Jack McBain of the Don Mills Flyers. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
    Jack McBain of the Don Mills Flyers. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

    McBain

All photos courtesy Terry Wilson/Aaron Bell OHL Images

Scouting reports courtesy of OHL Central Scouting

Storm announce Ryan Merkley as First Overall Pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection

OHL Priority Selection takes place Saturday April 9, 2016, at 9:00 am at www.ontariohockeyleague.com

OHL Priority Logo

 

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League in association with the Guelph Storm Hockey Club today announced that 15-year-old defenceman Ryan Merkley of the Greater Toronto Hockey League’s Toronto Jr. Canadiens will be the first overall pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection.

 The announcement was made at a news conference held this morning in Guelph where Merkley was introduced to local media.

“The opportunity to have the first selection in the OHL Priority Selection is both an honour and a huge responsibility,” Storm GM Mike Kelly said. “Our scouting staff has probably watched more than a 1,000 games throughout Ontario and the United States this year. The number of elite players available for this year’s Priority Selection was astonishing. It is clear the game of hockey is indeed in very good hands, with so many budding stars on the horizon.  While the process of determining our selection was thorough and labour intensive, there was one player who stood out amongst all the others.  We are very proud and excited to select Ryan Merkley with the first overall pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection.  Ryan is a very elite defenseman, who, above all, cares about winning.  His high end skill, vision, creativity and hockey IQ, separated him from 3 or 4 other very special players.  We are confident that Ryan will be a cornerstone to a future championship calibre team.  We look forward to working with Ryan and his family, as he achieves his hockey and academic goals”.

 Merkley was named GTHL Player of the Year after leading the Jr. Canadiens in scoring with 44 points including seven goals and 37 assists in 33 regular season games.  As team captain, the 5’10, 160 lb, Mississauga, ON, native produced more than a point-per-game and represented Canada at the Youth Olympic Games earning a silver medal.  Born August 14, 2000, Merkley will be eligible for the 2018 NHL Draft.

 “I am extremely excited and honoured to be chosen first overall in this year’s OHL Priority Selection,” Merkley said.  “It’s an unbelievable feeling.  I want to thank the Guelph Storm ownership, management team and scouting staff for showing their confidence in me.  I cannot wait to meet my new teammates and begin working towards building a championship team here in Guelph.”

Ryan Merkley of the Toronto Jr. Canadiens. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Ryan Merkley of the Toronto Jr. Canadiens. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

 Merkley is the 2016 recipient of the Jack Ferguson Award presented annually to the player selected first overall in the OHL Priority Selection. The “Fergie” recognizes the dedication and contributions made by Jack Ferguson during his 25 year association with the OHL, first as a scout with the Ottawa 67’s and followed by his appointment as head of the OHL’s Central Scouting Bureau in 1981 as its Director of Central Scouting.  Merkley is the second member of the Storm to receive the award following Jeff O’Neill in 1992.  O’Neill’s number 92 was honoured by the Storm in November as part of the club’s 25th anniversary celebrations.  The past five OHL recipients include David Levin, Jakob Chychrun, Travis Konecny, and current NHL stars Connor McDavid, and Aaron Ekblad.

“Ryan is a dominant player that has the ability to take over a game whenever he wants to,” said OHL Central Scouting Director Darrell Woodley. “His skill level and creativity with the puck are second to none. He has the ability to thread a pass that not many others could. Ryan is a great skater and has made many forwards miss on the forecheck leaving them looking silly. He is dangerous on the rush as his one-on-one skills are top notch. He is always on the other team’s radar and he plays on the edge.”

Merkley will be a feature guest on the live 2016 OHL Priority Selection Draft Show beginning at 9:00 am on Saturday April 9, 2016.  The draft show along with live results feed will be available at www.ontariohockeyleague.com.  For the ninth straight year, media and fans can watch the first three rounds live online with host Terry Doyle who will be joined on set by Darrell Woodley and Tim Cherry of OHL Central Scouting to provide analysis, interviews, and video footage of the next wave of OHL stars.

 Former winners of the Jack Ferguson Award Include:

1981 Dan Quinn, Belleville Bulls

1982 Kirk Muller, Guelph Platers

1983 Trevor Stienburg, Guelph Platers

1984 Dave Moylan, Sudbury Wolves

1985 Bryan Fogarty, Kingston Canadians

1986 Troy Mallette, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

1987 John Uniac, Sudbury Wolves

1988 Drake Berehowsky, Kingston Raiders

1989 Eric Lindros, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

1990 Pat Peake, Detroit Ambassadors

1991 Todd Harvey, Detroit Ambassadors

1992 Jeff O’Neill, Guelph Storm

1993 Alyn McCauley, Ottawa 67’s

1994 Jeff Brown, Sarnia Sting

1995 Daniel Tkaczuk, Barrie Colts

1996 Rico Fata, London Knights
1997 Charlie Stephens, Toronto St. Michael’s Majors

1998 Jay Harrison, Brampton Battalion

1999 Jason Spezza, Mississauga IceDogs

2000 Patrick Jarrett, Mississauga IceDogs

2001 Patrick O’Sullivan,Mississauga IceDogs

2002 Robbie Schremp, Mississauga IceDogs

2003 Patrick McNeill, Saginaw Spirit

2004 John Hughes, Belleville Bulls

2005 John Tavares, Oshawa Generals

2006 Steven Stamkos, Sarnia Sting

2007 Ryan O’Reilly, Erie Otters

2008 John McFarland, Sudbury Wolves

2009  Daniel Catenacci, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

2010  Alex Galchenyuk, Sarnia Sting

2011  Aaron Ekblad, Barrie Colts

2012  Connor McDavid, Erie Otters

2013  Travis Konecny, Ottawa 67’s

2014  Jakob Chychrun, Sarnia Sting

2015 David Levin, Sudbury Wolves

2016 Ryan Merkley, Guelph Storm

Playoff Preview: Round Two

Round One Results

Western Conference

(1) Erie vs (8) Saginaw: Erie wins four games to zero (my prediction: Erie in four)

(2) Sarnia vs (7) Sault Ste Marie: Sault Ste Marie wins four games to three (my prediction: Sarnia in six)

(3) London vs (6) Owen Sound: London wins four games to two (my prediction: London in five)

(4) Kitchener vs (5) Windsor: Kitchener wins four games to one (my prediction: Windsor in seven)

Eastern Conference

(1) Kingston vs (8) Oshawa: Kingston wins four games to one (my prediction: Kingston in four)

(2) Barrie vs (7) Mississauga: Barrie wins four games to three (my prediction: Barrie in six)

(3) North Bay vs (6) Peterborough: North Bay wins four games to three (my prediction: North Bay in six)

(4) Niagara vs (5) Ottawa: Niagara wins four games to one (my prediction: Niagara in six)

Round Two

Western Conference

(1) Erie vs (7) Sault Ste Marie

Head to head: Erie 2-0-0-0 Sault Ste Marie 0-1-1-0

Powerplay regular season: Erie 25.3% Sault Ste Marie 19.4% Playoffs: Erie 35.0% Sault Ste Marie 16.7%

Penalty kill regular season: Erie 82.6% Sault Ste Marie 79.0% Playoffs: Erie 90.0% Sault Ste Marie 62.1%

Goals for: Erie 269 Sault Ste Marie 243

Goals against: Erie 183 Sault Ste Marie 233

Draft eligible players to watch:

Player Team GP G A PTS +/- PIM
Alex DeBrincat Erie 4 3 6 9 +3 0
Kyle Maksimovich Erie 4 4 1 5 -1 2
Taylor Raddysh Erie 4 3 1 4 +2 0
Jordan Sambrook Erie 4 0 2 2 -1 6
Boris Katchouk Soo 7 4 2 6 +3 0
Hayden Verbeek Soo 7 1 2 3 0 2
Tim Gettinger Soo 7 1 1 2 -5 0
Jack Kopacka Soo 7 0 2 2 +2 0

 

Prediction: Erie in six games

(3) London vs (4) Kitchener

Head to head: London 4-2-0-0 Kitchener 2-4-0-0

Powerplay regular season: London 29.2% Kitchener 22.2% Playoffs: London 20.8% Kitchener 34.8%

Penalty kill: regular season London 82.3% Kitchener 80.1% Playoffs: London 65.6% Kitchener 55.0%

Goals for: London 319 Kitchener 256

Goals against: London 182 Kitchener 197

Draft eligible players to watch:

Player Team GP G A PTS +/- PIM
Matthew Tkachuk London 6 8 4 12 +9 14
Cliff Pu London 6 5 1 6 +7 4
Olli Juolevi London 6 0 3 3 +4 2
Victor Mete London 6 1 1 2 +6 0
Adam Mascherin Kitchener 5 4 4 8 +1 0
Connor Bunnaman Kitchener 5 1 1 2 0 0

 

Goaltender Tyler Parsons will start for the Knights

Prediction: London in six games

Eastern Conference

(1) Kingston vs (4) Niagara

Head to head: Kingston 3-1-0-0 Niagara 1-2-0-1

Powerplay regular season: Kingston 21.5% Niagara 19.1% Playoffs: Kingston 22.7% Niagara 31.6%

Penalty kill regular season: Kingston 83.5% Niagara 84.2% Playoffs: Kingston 83.3% Niagara 80.8%

Goals for: Kingston 252 Niagara 213

Goals against: Kingston 189 Niagara 198

Player Team GP G A PTS +/- PIM
Ryan Cranford Kingston 5 0 0 0 +1 2
William Lochead Niagara 5 1 1 2 +3 6
Kyle Langdon Niagara 5 1 0 1 +3 0
Chris Paquette Niagara 5 1 0 1 +2 0

 

Prediction: Niagara in seven

(2) Barrie vs (3) North Bay

Head to head: Barrie 2-3-0-1 North Bay 4-1-0-1

Powerplay regular season: Barrie 21.7% North Bay 18.8% Playoffs: Barrie 24.1% North Bay 31.0%

Penalty kill regular season: Barrie 83.4% North Bay 81.5% Playoffs: Barrie 80.0% North Bay 89.7%

Goals for: Barrie 195 North Bay 240

Goals against: Barrie 207 North Bay 227

Player Team GP G A PTS +/- PIM
Ben Hawerchuk Barrie 7 0 1 1 -4 11
Justin Murray Barrie 7 0 1 1 -2 0
Giordano Finoro Barrie 7 0 0 0 -3 0
Cam Dineen North Bay 7 0 7 7 -2 0
Zack Poirier North Bay 6 0 1 1 -8 6
Justin Brazeau North Bay 7 0 0 0 -1 0
Max Kislinger North Bay 7 0 0 0 -1 4

 

Prediction: North Bay in six games

Armada’s Samuel Montembeault named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Vaughn

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Florida Panthers prospect Samuel Montembeault of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the playoff week ending April 3 after posting a 3-1-0-0 record with a goals-against-average of 2.27 and save percentage of .933.

Montembeault backstopped the 13th seed Armada to a stunning first round QMJHL playoff series upset over the 4th seed Val-d’Or Foreurs making an incredible 152 saves in four games last week.  With the series tied 1-1, Montembeault made 35 saves on Tuesday earning first star honours in the 3-1 home victory in Game 3, then stopped 29 shots on Wednesday in the Armada’s 3-2 victory in Game 4.  On Friday night in Game 5 he made 34 saves despite a 6-5 loss, then rebounded with a brilliant 54-save performance on Sunday as first star of a 3-2 triple overtime triumph in Game 6.  The Armada and Foreurs were separated by 40 points during the regular season making this the biggest playoff upset in QMJHL history.

A 19-year-old from Bécancour, QC, Montembeault is playing in his third career QMJHL season with the Armada.  Selected by the Panthers in the third round of the 2015 NHL Draft, Montembeault leads all QMJHL goaltenders with a playoff save percentage of .933.  During the regular season he posted a 17-19-6-2 record with three shutouts, the league’s fifth best goals-against-average at 2.63, and save percentage of .901.

Also considered for the award this week was Jordan Papirny who posted a 3-0-0-0 record including a shutout victory with a goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .959 helping the Brandon Wheat Kings take a 3-2 series lead against the Edmonton Oil Kings. In the OHL, Charlie Graham of the Sarnia Sting posted a 3-0-1-0 record with a goals-against-average of 1.57 and save percentage of .939 against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

2015-16 Vaughn CHL Post-Season Goaltenders of the Week:

Mar. 28 – Apr. 3: Samuel Montembeault (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)
Mar. 21 – Mar. 27: Chase Marchand (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)

2015-16 Vaughn CHL Regular Season Goaltenders of the Week:

Mar. 14 – Mar. 20: Reilly Pickard (Acadie-Bathurst Titan)
Mar. 7 – Mar. 13: Landon Bow (Seattle Thunderbirds)
Feb. 29 – Mar. 6: Connor Ingram (Kamloops Blazers)
Feb. 22 – Feb. 28: Devin Williams (Erie Otters)
Feb. 15 – Feb. 21: Zach Sawchenko (Moose Jaw Warriors)
Feb. 8 – Feb. 14: Leo Lazarev (Ottawa 67’s)
Feb. 1 – Feb. 7: Taz Burman (Swift Current Broncos)
Jan. 25 – Jan. 31: Luke Opilka (Kitchener Rangers)
Jan. 18 – Jan. 24: Jordan Papirny (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Jan. 11 – Jan. 17: Zach Sawchenko (Moose Jaw Warriors)
Jan. 4 – Jan. 10: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)
Dec. 28 – Jan. 3: Étienne Montpetit (Val-d’Or Foreurs)
Dec. 14 – Dec. 20: Callum Booth (Quebec Remparts)
Dec. 7 – Dec. 13: Jack Flinn (Mississauga Steelheads)
Nov. 30 – Dec. 6: Ty Edmonds (Prince George Cougars)
Nov. 23 – Nov. 29: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 16 – Nov. 22: Keven Bouchard (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)
Nov. 9 – Nov. 15: Devin Williams (Erie Otters)
Nov. 2 – Nov. 8: Etienne Montpetit (Val-d’Or Foreurs)
Oct. 26 – Nov. 1: Tyler Parsons (London Knights)
Oct. 19 – Oct. 25: Adin Hill (Portland Winterhawks)
Oct. 12 – Oct. 18: Julio Billia (Chicoutimi Sagueneens)
Oct. 5 – Oct. 11: Coleman Vollrath (Victoria Royals)
Sept. 28 – Oct. 4: Louis-Philip Guindon (Rimouski Oceanic)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 27: Zack Bowman (Flint Firebirds)

CHL Leagues

2016 OHL Development Combine powered by Under Armour Recap

OHL Combine

·       Combine included 96 top prospects eligible for the 2016 OHL Priority Selection

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League held its seventh annual OHL Development Combine powered by Under Armour at the General Motors Centre in Oshawa, ON from April 1-3. Under Armour provided the OHL with sophisticated testing technology, allowing players to test their speed, strength, stamina and skill through a series of on-ice and off-ice drills. Under Armour also equipped participating players with performance apparel and footwear.

The 2016 OHL Development Combine powered by Under Armour showcased 96 players born in 2000 (48 forwards, 32 defencemen, and 16 goaltenders) to OHL member team personnel who were in attendance. Results from the combine testing have been distributed to every OHL member team General Manager to assist in their evaluation for the OHL Priority Selection to be held on Saturday, April 9, 2016.

2016 OHL Development Combine powered by Under Armour Results:

Friday’s Off-Ice Testing Top Performers:

Top 5 Forwards
1. Eric Guest (London Jr. Knights) (White)
2. Quinn Yule (Central Ontario Wolves) (Black)
3. Isaac Emon (North Central Predators) (Red)
4. Liam Peyton (Cumberland Grads) (Red)
5. Nathan Dunkley (Quinte Red Devils) (White)

Top 5 Defencemen
1. William Ennis (Selects Academy) (Red)
2. Emmett Gordon (Toronto Red Wings) (White)
3. Charlie Mackie (Toronto Marlboros) (Red)
4. Jack Duff (Kingston Jr. Frontenacs) (Grey)
5. Chet Phillips (Grey Bruce Highlanders) (Grey)

Top 5 Goaltenders
1. Hunter Jones (Mississauga Reps) (White)
2. Cameron Lamour (Sudbury Jr. Wolves) (White)
3. Tyler Szczepaniak (North York Rangers) (Red)
4. Tyler Masternak (Oshawa Jr. Generals) (Black)
5. Jacob Ingham (Barrie Jr. Colts) (Red)

Saturday’s On-Ice Testing Top Performers:

Top 5 Forwards
1. Eric Guest (London Jr. Knights) (White)
2. James Waldron (Whitby Wildcats (White)
3. Ty Dellandrea (Central Ontario Wolves) (White)
4. Adam McMaster (Niagara North Stars) (Black)
5. Matt Hayami (Toronto Red Wings) (Black)

Top 5 Defencemen
1. Emmett Gordon (Toronto Red Wings) (White)
2. Matteo Nicastro (Whitby Wildcats) (Grey)
3. Jack Duff (Kingston Jr. Frontenacs) (Grey)
4. Ryan Bangs (Carleton Place Canadians) (Black)
5. Isaac Walker (London Jr. Knights) (Grey)

Sunday’s 4-on-4 Scores:

Game 1: Team Black 4 vs. Team Red 3

Black Goals: Trevor Peca (Buffalo Jr. Sabres), Luke Moncada (Toronto Red Wings), Jack Wismer (Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs), Tyler Tucker (Toronto Titans).  Red Goals: Jack Tucker (Buffalo Jr. Sabres), Barret Hayton (Toronto Red Wings), Curtis Douglas (Mississauga Senators).  Black Goaltenders: Tyler Masternak (Oshawa Jr. Generals), Drew DeRidder (Oakland Jr. Grizzlies).  Red Goaltenders: Tyler Szczepaniak (North York Rangers), Pierce Charleson (York Simcoe Express).

Game 2: Team Grey 7 vs. Team White 3

Grey Goals: Adrien Beraldo (Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs), Jacob Roach (Whitby Wildcats), Jack Duff (Kingston Jr. Frontenacs), Chet Phillips (Grey Bruce Highlanders), Braden Henderson (Barrie Jr. Colts), Owen Gilhula (Huron Perth Lakers), Mateo Nicastro (Whitby Wildcats).  White Goals: Sean Blimkie (Whitby Wildcats), Jordan Spadafore (Sudbury Jr. Wolves), Nathan Dunkley (Quinte Red Devils).  Grey Goaltenders: Nathan Torchia (Waterloo Wolves), Tanner Sheppard (Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs).  White Goaltenders: Hunter Jones (Mississauga Reps), Zachary Borgiel (Detroit Honeybaked).

Game 3: Team Red 8 vs. Team White 0

Red Goals: Joseph Rupoli (Toronto Red Wings), Riley McCourt (Niagara North Stars), Mitchell Morrison (Guelph Gryphons), Max Grondin (Vaughan Kings), Marino Moro (Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs), Barret Hayton (Toronto Red Wings), Hayton (2) (EN), Morrison (2) (EN).  Red Goaltenders: Jacob Ingham (Barrie Jr. Colts), Jordan Kooy (Central Ontario Wolves). White Goaltenders: Cameron Lamour (Sudbury Jr. Wolves), Kai Edmonds (Cumberland Grads).

Game 4: Team Black 6 vs. Team Grey 1

Black Goals: Luke Moncada (Toronto Red Wings), Liam Foudy (Markham Majors), Holden Wale (Brantford 99’ers), Wale (2), Foudy (2), Bret Fisher (London Jr. Knights).  Grey Goals: Owen Gilhula (Huron Perth Lakers).  Black Goaltenders: Lucas Pfeil (Grey Bruce Highlanders), Joshua Eisfeld (Vaughan Kings).  Grey Goaltenders: Parker Simpson (Barrie Jr. Colts), Pierce Nelson (Quinte Red Devils).

Team Black was crowned the OHL Development Combine powered by Under Armour Champions accumulating the most points based on overall testing results combined with their 4-on-4 play.

Final Team Standings:
Team Black =  1113 points (90 Games + 923 Testing)
Team Red =  1002 points (155 Games + 847 Testing)
Team White = 965 points (0 Games + 965 Testing)
Team Grey = 882 points (45 Games + 837 Testing)

Standings are based on a point system where individual player testing results (off and on-ice) contribute to the team’s total score.  Players are ranked by position and scored according to rank (1-48 for forwards, 1-32 for defencemen, 1-16 for goalies).  DuringSunday’s games teams scored 10 pts per half win, 25 pts per game win, and 50 pts per shutout.

“Under Armour’s brand mission is to make all athletes better. The combine testing provides great insight on where players can improve as they work towards their athletic goals,” said Shana Ferguson, Under Armour Canada’s Director of Marketing. “Our involvement is about helping young prospects become the best athletes possible.”

“The OHL Development Combine powered by Under Armour provided 96 elite athletes eligible for the 2016 OHL Priority Selection an opportunity to showcase their abilities and gather information that will assist him in his future development,” said Joe Birch, Sr. Director of Hockey Development & Special Events, OHL. “Congratulations to Team Black for winning the Combine Championship, and best of luck to all players in Saturday’s draft.”

Photos from the OHL Development Combine powered by Under Armour: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/6tzyqhq14pdn39s/AAAFFQC9ztaL1laLTCo53Fmea?dl=0

 CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PRINTABLE ROSTERS FOR ALL FOUR TEAMS

Last season’s OHL Development Combine powered by Under Armour featured six players chosen in the first round of the Priority Selection including Evan Bouchard (LDN), Robbie Burt (OSH), Hayden Davis (NIAG), Ben Jones (NIAG), Markus Phillips (OS), and Matthew Strome (HAM).  Burt was one of 11 current OHL players who competed on the Combine Cup Champion Team Red along with Shane Bulitka (SBY), CJ Clarke (PBO), Samuel Duchesne (FLNT), Morgan Frost (SSM), Kade Landry (BAR), Jacob Paquette (KGN), Cedric Ralph (GUE), Zach Roberts (OS), Matthew Struthers (OS), and Reilly Webb (HAM).

 For more information please visit www.ontariohockeyleague.com.

About Under Armour, Inc.

Under Armour (NYSE: UA), the originator of performance footwear, apparel and equipment, revolutionized how athletes across the world dress. Designed to make all athletes better, the brand’s innovative products are sold worldwide to athletes at all levels. The Under Armour Connected Fitness™ platform powers the world’s largest digital health and fitness community through a suite of applications: UA Record, MapMyFitness, Endomondo and MyFitnessPal. The Under Armour global headquarters is in Baltimore, Maryland. For further information, please visit the Company’s website at www.uabiz.com.