CHL Team of the Month presented by CCM: September/October 2024

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

TORONTO, ON — The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) announced today the September/October edition of the CHL Team of the Month presented by CCM for the 2024-25 regular season, which considered the small number of games played in September to begin this latest campaign.

F – Michael Misa (Saginaw Spirit / OHL)
17G-9A, 26 PTS, +8 in 13 GP in September/October

No player in the CHL scored more goals during September and October than 2025 NHL Draft prospect Michael Misa of the Saginaw Spirit. With 17 goals, including five contests with two or more, the 2024 Memorial Cup champion wrapped up the month of October by finding twine in five straight games. Misa impressively only failed to score a goal in two of his first 13 games, and he recorded his first career OHL hat-trick as part of a four-point effort on September 27 against the Soo Greyhounds. The 17-year-old from Oakville, Ont., also began his 2024-25 season by collecting a point in 13 consecutive contests, which included registering eight multi-point outings. Misa’s 26 points were just one point shy of the CHL lead and the most by any prospect in the CHL eligible for the 2025 NHL Draft. In addition to his scoring prowess over the first couple of months, Misa finished the month of October ranked fifth in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) for faceoff winning percentage (53.0%) and second in that same league for shots on goal (68). Earlier last month, Misa was also one of 22 players who were named to the CHL’s roster for the 2024 CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Kubota Canada, which is a new two-game series scheduled to take place from November 26-27 in London and Oshawa, Ontario.

F – Mathieu Cataford (Rimouski Océanic / QMJHL)
8G-17A, 25 PTS, +14 in 12 GP in September/October

Holding one of the highest point-per-game averages in the CHL, Mathieu Cataford of the No.6-ranked and 2025 Memorial Cup host Rimouski Océanic had an impressive start to his 2024-25 season in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Playing in just 12 games over the last couple of months, Cataford rose up the scoring ranks in the QMJHL and finished October as that league’s co-leading scorer with 25 points. The reigning QMJHL MVP registered nine multi-point outings over those 12 games, including four contests with three points or more. The 19-year-old from Saint-Constant, Que., was held off the scoresheet only once and he failed to score in just five games over September and October. A 2023-24 CHL Third Team All-Star selection, Cataford’s 17 assists ranked second in the QMJHL, trailing only Drummondville’s Luke Woodworth who tallied 20 helpers. Cataford also held a +14 plus/minus rating by the end of October, which was tied for the third-best mark in the QMJHL at that time.

F – Gavin McKenna (Medicine Hat Tigers / WHL)
7G-16A, 23 PTS, +8 in 14 GP in September/October

2026 NHL Draft prospect Gavin McKenna of the Medicine Hat Tigers got his 2024-25 campaign off to a strong start by leading the Western Hockey League (WHL) in scoring with 23 points in 14 games over September and October. The 16-year-old from Whitehorse, Yukon, also co-led the WHL with 16 assists. Over his 14 appearances through the first couple of months, McKenna was held over the scoresheet on just two occasions. He capped off October on a five-game point streak, having accrued 10 points (5G-5A) over that stretch. A 2023-24 CHL Third Team All-Star and All-Rookie Team selection, McKenna registered eight multi-point outings including three games with three points. The Tigers forward also co-led the CHL with 74 shots on goal through his first 14 games of the season.

D – Luca Marrelli (Oshawa Generals / OHL)
8G-10A, 18 PTS, +13 in 14 GP in September/October

Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Luca Marrelli of the Oshawa Generals has been one of the most productive defencemen in the CHL to begin the 2024-25 season. The 19-year-old from Toronto, Ont., scored eight goals through September and October, which were tied for the most by any defenceman in the CHL. Meanwhile, Marrelli’s 18 points over the first two months were the most of any blueliner in the OHL and ranked in a tie for second among that same group in the CHL. His 18 points were also good enough to place him among the OHL’s top-10 leading scorers. The Generals defenceman managed the latter by registering six multi-point outings, including three straight to close out the month of October. Marrelli was just one of three defencemen in the OHL to register two game-winning goals through the first two months of the season. Additionally, his +13 plus/minus rating in September and October ranked among the top five in the OHL.

D – Tarin Smith (Everett Silvertips / WHL)
3G-15A, 18 PTS, +16, in 13 GP in September/October

Anaheim Ducks prospect Tarin Smith of the No.4-ranked Everett Silvertips played an important part in the success of the Silvertips, who led the CHL in wins (12) and point percentage (.857) at the end of October. Held off the scoresheet only twice in his first 13 games, the 18-year-old from Porcupine Plain, Sask., led all WHL defencemen with 18 points, which placed him a tie for second among that same group in the CHL. A 2023-24 CHL All-Rookie Team selection, Smith’s 15 assists were also tied for the most of any blueliner in the WHL, while also standing one helper short of the CHL lead among defencemen. Smith began his 2024-25 campaign in the WHL by recording a single-game career-high of four points (1G-3A) against the Portland Winterhawks on September 28. The latter marked one of five multi-point contests that Smith registered over the first two months of the season. 

G – Riley Mercer (Drummondville Voltigeurs / QMJHL)
9-2-0-0 record, 1.91 GAA, .945 SV%, 1 SO over 11 GP in September/October

With nine wins in 11 starts, Riley Mercer of the No.3-ranked Drummondville Voltigeurs has been a big part of why Drummondville found themselves on top of the QMJHL standings as the calendar turned over to November. The 2024 QMJHL Champion registered a .945 save percentage, which was the best of any goalie in the CHL. Mercer’s 1.91 goals-against average was the best of any netminder in the QMJHL and ranked third in the CHL through September and October. The 20-year-old from Bay Roberts, Nfld., registered an impressive eight performances with 30-plus saves through his first 11 starts, winning seven of those contests. The latter included Mercer turning aside all 35 shots he faced against the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies on October 12 for his first shutout of the season. The nine wins that Mercer recorded through September and October were tied for the most of any netminder in the CHL. Over his 11 starts, Mercer also totaled 362 saves, which ranked fourth among netminders across the CHL.

OHL’s Draft Eligible Statistical Leaders: October

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

The first full month of the Ontario Hockey League season is behind us and it should come as no surprise that Michael Misa and Porter Martone are ahead of the rest of the players eligible for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft when it comes to Point production. The pair of first round prospects should go neck and neck through the season.

Here’s a look at the statistical leaders among the OHL’s draft eligible players:

Points Leaders
PlayerTeamGPGAPts
Michael MisaSaginaw1317926
Porter MartoneBrampton11121325
Kristian EppersonSaginaw1261117
Jack NesbittWindsor139615
Cameron ReidKitchener1431215
Malcolm SpenceErie125914
Matthew SotoKingston136713
Matthew BuckleyOshawa146713
Luca RomanoKitchener145813
Christopher ThibodeauFlint1221113
Goal Scoring Leaders
PlayerTeamGPGGPG
Michael MisaSaginaw13171.31
Porter MartoneBrampton11121.09
Jack NesbittWindsor1390.69
Chase CoughlinSudbury1280.67
Luke EllinasKitchener1480.57
Adam ZidlickyBrampton1170.64
Evan Van GorpLondon1170.64
Kristian EppersonSaginaw1260.50
Matthew SotoKingston1360.46
Matthew BuckleyOshawa1460.43
Assist Leaders
PlayerTeamGPAAPG
Porter MartoneBrampton11131.18
Cameron ReidKitchener14120.86
Kristian EppersonSaginaw12110.92
Christopher ThibodeauFlint12110.92
Calvin CrombieBrantford11111.00
Anthony CristoforoWindsor13100.77
Mitch YoungSarnia15100.67
Henry BrzustewiczLondon11100.91
Bode StewartBarrie12100.83
Michael MisaSaginaw1390.69
Defencemen Point Leaders
PlayerTeamGPGAPts
Cameron ReidKitchener1431215
Anthony CristoforoWindsor1321012
Mitch YoungSarnia1521012
Henry BrzustewiczLondon1101010
Jack BrautiNiagara13189
Jakub ChromiakKitchener9178
Matthew VirgilioNiagara13178
Braedyn RogersOwen Sound13088
Kashawn AitchesonBarrie10347
Alexis DaviaultErie12257
Goaltenders Leaders – Goals Against Average
PlayerTeamGPMinGAAvg
Joey CostanzoWindsor10600191.90
Jack IvankovicBrampton7365132.14
Noah ErlidenErie9544232.54
Sam HillebrandtBarrie9536232.57
Nate KrawchukSudbury7319152.82
Goaltending Leaders – Save Percentage
PlayerTeamGPSHSVSSV%
Joey CostanzoWindsor102602430.935
Jack IvankovicBrampton71821690.929
Noah ErlidenErie93192960.928
Nate KrawchukSudbury71911760.921
Mike McIvorNorth Bay82742520.920

CHL & USA Hockey announce CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Kubota

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

TORONTO, ON — The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) and its three-member leagues, in partnership with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program (NTDP), are excited to announce the creation of the CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Kubota, which is being added to the calendar over the next three years.

Building off of one of hockey’s greatest rivalries between Canada and the United States, the CHL USA Prospects Challenge will see the top first-year NHL Draft-eligible prospects from the CHL’s three-member leagues – Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) – face off against those from USA Hockey’s NTDP in a two-game series.

During the series, players from both the CHL and NTDP competing in this event will play before hundreds of NHL scouts and thousands of fans in an effort to improve their draft stock ahead of the upcoming NHL Draft. Players for the CHL team will be provided by NHL Central Scouting as selected by the NHL’s 32 clubs, and much like other national events in the CHL, the hosting duties of the CHL USA Prospects Challenge will rotate between the CHL’s three-member league markets each year. The first edition of this new event is set to take place in November 2024 with specific details on the date, location, and event format to come at a later date. 

Fans interested in learning more about the 2024 CHL USA Prospects Challenge are encouraged to enter their name and contact information at chl.ca/prospectschallenge. Once entered, you will be placed on a list to receive special communications on event information, tickets, and more.

“The Canadian Hockey League is excited to partner with USA Hockey to add this one-of-a-kind event for both our players and fans to enjoy over the coming seasons,” said Dan MacKenzie, President of the CHL. “Serving as a best-on-best showcase, the CHL USA Prospects Challenge will provide our top draft-eligible players from across the CHL with a great opportunity to demonstrate their elite talent and world-class skill set as they work towards hearing their name called at the NHL Draft.”

“We’re very much looking forward to this creative new event with the Canadian Hockey League,” stated Pat Kelleher, Executive Director of USA Hockey. “It will provide our players with yet another opportunity to compete at a high level on the international stage as an additional part of their overall development.”

“This Prospects Challenge will give NHL Clubs and CHL fans the unique opportunity to see the best Canadian and American NHL draft-eligible prospects compete in a two-game series, and it will provide the only time during the hockey season that some of the top-ranked prospects in the 2025 NHL Draft class will compete in a best-on-best patriotic rivalry,” said Dan Marr, Director of NHL Central Scouting. “This event provides an exclusive advance look at these top prospects and is the perfect venue for the CHL and USA Hockey players to showcase their skills and attributes.”

“Kubota Canada is proud to be a sponsor of the new CHL USA Prospects Challenge, and we look forward to continuing to support the CHL in their mission to provide a platform to grow and develop the players of tomorrow,” added Steve Sweetnam, Director of Marketing at Kubota Canada Ltd.

RANGERS’ BRZUSTEWICZ NAMED INAUGURAL RECIPIENT OF TED BAKER TEAMMATE OF THE YEAR AWARD

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Kitchener Rangers defenceman Hunter Brzustewicz is the inaugural recipient of the Ted Baker Teammate of the Year Award. The annual honour is presented to the player deemed the best teammate based off selfless play, on and off-ice leadership as a mentor and role model to other players, as well as a commitment and dedication to his team.

A 6-foot, 188Ib. right-shot defenceman, Brzustewicz earns the award after persevering through a season where he encountered challenges both on the ice and in life, maintaining a positive, team-first attitude regardless of the circumstances he was faced with. Dealt to the Calgary Flames midseason in a trade that saw the Vancouver Canucks acquire forward Elias Lindholm, Brzustewicz excelled for the Rangers, setting a new single-season franchise mark for defencemen with a league-leading 79 assists. His 92 points tied a 1993-94 mark held by Jason Gladney for points by a Kitchener defenceman. He was recently named to the OHL’s second all-star team for the 2023-24 season, and also recognized by the Canadian Hockey League as a second team all-star for his efforts.

“First of all, I would like to thank the OHL and the Kitchener Rangers for making this possible,” said Brzustewicz of the honour. “I would also like to thank my teammates for making it so easy to come to the rink everyday, to work hard and have fun. All I’ve wanted to do since I’ve been here is give it my all to be the best teammate and player I can be. The coaches gave me the guidance to make all that possible.

“I believe everything happens for a reason,” he continued. “No matter what, always make the best out of the opportunities you get.”

Brzustewicz’s totals included 13 goals, 79 assists and 92 points over 67 games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-31 this past season. His performance earned him the Rangers’ Jim Malleck Trophy as the team’s most valuable player, the Bob ‘Snowy’ Schlieman Award as the club’s best offensive blueliner and the Blueline Club Award as the player who best embodies sportsmanship and respect for the game. The 19-year-old from Washington, Mich. has appeared in 135 career regular season games for Kitchener since being acquired from the Barrie Colts in January 2022, amassing an impressive 149 points (19-130–149) along the way.

“We are very proud of Hunter and it is a great honour for a member of our organization to be recognized with this award,” said Rangers General Manager Mike McKenzie. “He had many moments of adversity throughout the season but was always there for our team and was a steadying presence on and off the ice. He is a very deserving recipient and we couldn’t be happier for him and his family.”

A middle child with two older sisters and two younger brothers, one of whom (Henry) currently plays for the division rival London Knights, Brzustewicz was originally a fourth-round (69th overall) pick by the Barrie Colts in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection, and joined the Rangers via trade after parts of three seasons with the U.S. National Development Program. He was a third-round (75th overall) choice by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2023 NHL Draft. After being acquired by Calgary, Brzustewicz signed a three-year entry-level NHL contract with the Flames on March 14, 2024.

The Ted Baker Teammate of the Year Award was first announced in August 2023 following the retirement of OHL Vice President Ted Baker, who served 35 years with the Ontario Hockey League. The award celebrates the achievements of a player deemed to have demonstrated the same qualities of teamwork, selflessness and dedication demonstrated by Ted throughout his time with the league.

Brzustewicz will be formally presented with the Ted Baker Teammate of the Year Award at the OHL’s Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, June 12 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

For a full list of award winners, click here.

OHL ANNOUNCES 2023-24 ALL-STAR AND ALL-ROOKIE TEAMS

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the first, second and third all-star team selections, in addition to the first and second all-rookie team designations for the 2023-24 season.

OHL all-star and all-rookie teams were selected by the OHL’s General Managers, with voting conducted in two stages beginning with a Conference ballot followed by a final ballot that integrated the top selections from both the Eastern and Western Conferences.

A total of 15 of the league’s 20 member teams are represented on his year’s all-star and all-rookie team selections, with the OHL champion London Knights leading the way with seven. The Eastern Conference champion Oshawa Generals joined the Central Division champion North Bay Battalion, Kitchener Rangers and Sudbury Wolves in trailing with three players each.

2023-24 OHL All-Star Teams:

Representatives with major positional awards in brackets are default first team members, all other designations are determined by votes cast by OHL General Managers

First All-Star Team
Centre – Dalibor Dvorský (Sudbury)
Left Wing – Quentin Musty (Sudbury)
Right Wing – Easton Cowan (London) (Most Outstanding Player) – voted second all-rookie team in 2022-23
Defence – Zayne Parekh (Saginaw) (Defenceman of the Year) – voted first all-rookie team in 2022-23
Defence – Oliver Bonk (London) – voted second all-rookie team in 2022-23
Goaltender – Jacob Oster (Oshawa) (Goaltender of the Year)
Coach – Derek Laxdal (Oshawa) (Coach of the Year)

Second All-Star Team
Centre – Calum Ritchie (Oshawa)
Left Wing – Denver Barkey (London)
Right Wing – Anthony Romani (North Bay)
Defence – Hunter Brzustewicz (Kitchener)
Defence – Sam Dickinson (London) – voted first all-rookie team in 2022-23
Goaltender – Michael Simpson (London) – voted third all-star in 2022-23
Coach – Dale Hunter (London) – eighth time being voted to an OHL All-Star Team

Third All-Star Team
Centre – Owen Beck (Saginaw) – voted third all-star team in 2022-23
Left Wing – Liam Greentree (Windsor) – voted first all-rookie team in 2022-23
Right Wing – David Goyette (Sudbury)
Defence – Ty Nelson (North Bay) – voted third all-star team in 2022-23
Defence – Michael Buchinger (Guelph)
Goaltender – Carter George (Owen Sound)
Coach – Ryan Oulahen (North Bay) – voted third all-star team in 2022-23

2023-24 OHL All-Rookie Teams:

First All-Rookie Team
Centre – Jake O’Brien (Brantford) (Rookie of the Year)
Left Wing – Ryan Roobroeck (Niagara)
Right Wing – Travis Hayes (Sault Ste. Marie)
Defence – Matthew Schaefer (Erie)
Defence – Cameron Reid (Kitchener)
Goaltender – Carter George (Owen Sound)

Second All-Rookie Team
Centre – Sam O’Reilly (London)
Left Wing – Cole Davis (Windsor)
Right Wing – Tanner Lam (Kitchener)
Defence – Jakub Fibigr (Mississauga)
Defence – Carson Cameron (Peterborough)
Goaltender – Jack Ivankovic (Mississauga)
 

Historical results of note:

  • The Sudbury Wolves (Dalibor Dvorsky, Quentin Musty) feature two first team all-star members for the first time since 1999-2000 (Norm Milley, Taylor Pyatt)
  • The Oshawa Generals (Jacob Oster, Derek Laxdal) feature two first team all-star members for the first time since 2013-14 (Scott Laughton, DJ Smith)
  • The London Knights (Easton Cowan, Oliver Bonk) feature two first team all-star members for the first time since 2015-16 (Christian Dvorak, Mitch Marner, Matthew Tkachuk)
  • The London Knights feature a franchise record seven players voted to all-star teams, surpassing the prior mark of six set in 2004-05
  • The Saginaw Spirit (Zayne Parekh) feature a first team all-star member for the first time since 2011-12 (Brandon Saad, Greg Gilbert)
    • Parekh is the first Spirit defenceman voted to a first all-star team in club history
  • Owen Sound Attack goaltender Carter George becomes the third OHL goaltender to be voted to both an all-star team and all-rookie team in the same season, following Tom McCollum (Guelph, 2006-07) and David Shantz (Mississauga, 2003-04)
  • Sudbury Wolves forward Dalibor Dvorský follows Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (2018-19) as an import player being voted to a first all-star team in his first season in the OHL
  • Brantford Bulldogs centre Jake O’Brien is the first player in Bulldogs history voted to a first all-rookie team
  • Kitchener Rangers defenceman Cameron Reid is the first Rangers blueliner to be voted to a first all-rookie team since 2009-10 (Ryan Murphy)
  • Peterborough Petes defenceman Carson Cameron is the first Petes defenceman voted to an all-rookie team since 2010-11 (Slater Koekkoek)
  • Niagara IceDogs left-winger Ryan Roobroeck becomes the club’s first player voted to an all-rookie team since 2016-17 (Akil Thomas)
  • A trio of former first overall picks are included in this year’s results including Quentin Musty (Sudbury, first all-star team), Ty Nelson (North Bay, third all-star team), Matthew Schaefer (Erie, first all-rookie team)
  • Former Toronto Jr. Canadiens U16 AAA teammates Ty Nelson (North Bay) and Michael Buchinger (Guelph) both voted to third all-star team

OSHAWA GENERALS WIN BOBBY ORR TROPHY AS EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Oshawa, Ont. – The Oshawa Generals had their hands full with the North Bay Battalion in the Eastern Conference Championship Series, but managed to avert disappointment with an impressive 6-1 victory in Game 7 on Monday night at the Tribute Communities Centre.

New York Rangers prospect Dylan Roobroeck had two goals and an assist as the Generals halted the Battalion, who entered the seventh and deciding game on the heels of three consecutive wins, looking to overcome a 3-0 series deficit. Sunday’s Game 6 outcome saw the Battalion win by a score of 8-1.

“The kids were incredible tonight, starting with Jacob Oster,” said Generals head coach Derek Laxdal. “He set the tone right off the hop. We got that first goal and I thought our guys did an incredible job of checking and shutting down North Bay tonight.

“You gotta give the kids a lot of credit. They believed that they could win Game 7 at home today. It was a tough game getting beat 8-1, but for them to respond that way today, I’m very proud of them as a coach. In all my years coaching that was one of the best efforts I’ve seen in a Game 7 to shut down the other team.”

Defenceman David Bedkowski opened the scoring with his first career OHL playoff goal coming with 5:53 remaining in the first period. Rasmus Kumpulainen and Connor Lockhart scored in the second to give Oshawa a 3-0 lead after 40 minutes.

Roobroeck scored his first of two 2:08 into the third before North Bay’s Jacob LeBlanc spoiled Oster’s shutout bid just under four minutes later. Roobroeck scored his 10th of the postseason before Ethan Toms hit the empty net in the game’s final minute to seal the 6-1 final.

The Generals win their first Bobby Orr Trophy since 2015, their second since the trophy was first awarded in 1999. They advance to the OHL Championship Series following series victories over the Barrie Colts, Ottawa 67’s and North Bay Battalion.

The Troops see their playoff run come to an end after they eliminated Kingston and Sudbury to reach their third consecutive East Final. It marks the second straight year they’ve fallen in Game 7.

“The entire playoff run with this team, I’m just so impressed with our guys,” said Battalion head coach Ryan Oulahen. “I’m proud of our team and our players. We came up a little bit short once again but we’re going to talk about this team for decades – the way we’ve been able to change the culture and make North Bay a destination for people to want to come and play for the Battalion.”

The Battalion played to a regular season mark of 39-20-7-2, winning a third straight Central Division title. Overage players in captain Liam Arnsby, Paul Christopoulos and Justin Ertel skated in their final OHL contest.

The Oshawa Generals advance to the 2024 OHL Championship Series as they face the London Knights in an encounter that begins on Thursday night in London. The series will be broadcast in its entirety on TSN, the official broadcast partner of the Canadian Hockey League.

Generals captain Stuart Rolofs was presented with the Bobby Orr Trophy by OHL Vice President Cole Butterworth. The Generals won a previous Eastern Conference title in 2015 en route to their 13th OHL championship, the most by any of the league’s 20 teams.

All-time Generals great Eric Lindros was on-hand to conduct the ceremonial faceoff prior to a Game 7 played before a crowd of 5,694 at the Tribute Communities Centre.

KNIGHTS’ COWAN AWARDED RED TILSON TROPHY AS OHL’S MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan of the London Knights is the 2023-24 recipient of the Red Tilson Trophy, an award presented annually to the OHL’s Most Outstanding Player as voted by the writers and broadcasters that cover the league.

“I want to thank all of my teammates, coaches, training staff and of course my family,” said Cowan of the award. “None of this is possible without them. It’s a great honour for me and my family.”

Cowan finished his sophomore season with 34 goals, 62 assists and 96 points in 54 games, registering the league’s second-highest production rate of 1.78 points-per-game. He garnered league-wide attention with his 36-game point streak that spanned from Nov. 25 through the final game of the regular season on Mar. 24, eventually reaching a run of 42 games in the OHL Playoffs. The 36-game mark established a new London Knights franchise record, and is the longest point streak the OHL has seen since 1995.

“It takes special players to win and have great teams and Easton is exceptional,” said Knights Vice President and General Manager Mark Hunter. “He has speed skill and will and of all of those his will to win and be better everyday is a testament to his work ethic and drive to be a National Hockey League player. He had a great season in London and we’re very proud of him.”

Cowan’s season saw him record at least a point in 49 of his 54 outings, with a total of 33 multi-point performances along the way. His seven shorthanded goals were tied with teammate Denver Barkey for the league lead while his 14 shorthanded points finished atop the OHL list. His contributions helped the Knights secure a Hamilton Spectator Trophy as the OHL’s first place team during the regular season, along with a fifth straight Midwest Division title.

An 18-year-old from Mount Brydges, Ont., Cowan has recorded 55 goals, 96 assists and 151 points over 129 career regular season games, registering a plus/minus rating of plus-47. He’s also scored a total of 10 shorthanded goals along with seven goals on the power play. Cowan helped the Knights win the Wayne Gretzky Trophy as Western Conference champions last spring, putting up 21 points (9-12—21) across 20 playoff contests. He was Toronto’s first round (28th overall) pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, and signed an entry-level NHL contract with the Leafs on Aug. 10, 2023. The Knights selected Cowan with their second round (25th overall) pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection.

Cowan becomes the seventh London Knights player to win the Red Tilson Trophy, joining a list that includes Mitch Marner (2015-16), Michael Houser (2011-12), Corey Perry (2004-05), Jason Allison (1993-94), Dave Simpson (1981-82) and Dennis Maruk (1974-75). Recent winners have included a pair of Windsor Spitfires forwards in Matthew Maggio (2022-23) and Wyatt Johnston (2021-22) along with Ottawa 67’s forward Marco Rossi (2019-20) and Sudbury Wolves goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (2018-19).

The Red Tilson Trophy is the most prestigious individual award presented by the Ontario Hockey League.  First presented in 1945, the trophy is named in honour of Albert “Red” Tilson, who was killed in action in Europe during World War II. Tilson was the OHA scoring champion for the 1942-43 season after scoring 19 goals and 38 assists for 57 points in 22 games with the Oshawa Generals.

Accredited media were asked to select their top choice from a ballot consisting of 20 team-nominated representatives. Cowan emerged as the front-runner, receiving 41 percent of the vote ahead of Saginaw Spirit defenceman Zayne Parekh who received 18 percent. Sudbury Wolves forward David Goyette placed third with 17 percent of the vote.

The Red Tilson Trophy winner is the OHL’s nominee for the Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year Award, presented at the CHL Awards Ceremony that will be held at the 2024 Memorial Cup presented by Dow from May 24 to June 2 in Saginaw, Michigan. Cowan will be formally presented with the Red Tilson Trophy at the OHL’s Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, May 2 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

For a complete history of OHL award winners, click here.

STORM’S LUCHANKO RECEIVES WILLIAM HANLEY TROPHY AS OHL’S MOST SPORTSMANLIKE PLAYER

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that draft eligible Guelph Storm forward Jett Luchanko is the 2023-24 recipient of the William Hanley Trophy awarded to the League’s Most Sportsmanlike Player as voted by OHL General Managers.

Luchanko led the Storm with 74 points including 20 goals and 54 assists over 68 games. He was also a front-runner in this year’s OHL Coaches Poll, emerging as the lone player to finish in the top-three of four different categories. He accomplished this while taking just 36 minutes in penalties during the regular season.

“I’m grateful to be recognized for demonstrating good sportsmanship as it is a reflection of my commitment to competing at the highest levels of the game,” said Luchanko. “I’m honoured to follow in the footsteps of Guelph Storm graduate Nick Suzuki who won this award three times. He’s someone I’ve looked up to growing up in London and a player who has done great things both in the OHL and today in Montreal.”

The 17-year-old from London, Ont. piled up 30 assists on the power play, a figure that finished tied for second in the OHL this season. Luchanko enters the 2024 NHL Draft as the 20th ranked skater in North America on NHL Central Scouting’s Final Rankings released last week.

“Jett has had a terrific season and has led our team in all situations,” said Storm General Manager George Burnett. “It is a credit to him that his compete level has been elevated significantly throughout the season while being able to maintain excellent discipline. We are so proud of Jett’s many accomplishments this season.”

Entering the league as Guelph’s first round (12th overall) pick in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, Luchanko has accrued 88 points (25-63—88) over 114 career regular season contests. He earned a silver medal with Canada Red at the 2022 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and is currently representing Canada at the 2024 IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championship in Finland.

The William Hanley Trophy is awarded each year based on a selection by the 20 General Managers of the Ontario Hockey League.  All 20 teams submit a nominee but are not permitted to vote for their own candidate. The trophy is presented by the OHL to commemorate William Hanley, former Secretary-Manager of the Ontario Hockey Association for over 25 years.

Luchanko finished first in this year’s voting for the award, followed by runner-up Dalibor Dvorský of the Sudbury Wolves.

Luchanko follows fellow Londoner and three-time winner Nick Suzuki (2018-19) along with Jeff Williams (1995-96) to become the third Guelph Storm player to win the award. Other recent recipients have included Evan Vierling of the Barrie Colts (2022-23), Wyatt Johnston of the Windsor Spitfires (2021-22) and Nick Robertson of the Peterborough Petes (2019-20).

Luchanko will be the OHL’s nominee for the Canadian Hockey League Sportsman of the Year Award, presented at the CHL Awards Ceremony that will be held that the 2024 Memorial Cup presented by Dow from May 24th to June 2nd in Saginaw, Michigan. He’ll be formally presented with the William Hanley Trophy at the OHL’s Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, June 12th at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

For a complete list of OHL award winners, click here.

SPIRIT’S PAREKH AWARDED MAX KAMINSKY TROPHY AS OHL DEFENCEMAN OF THE YEAR

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that draft eligible Saginaw Spirit defenceman Zayne Parekh is the 2023-24 recipient of the Max Kaminsky Trophy awarded to the League’s Defenceman of the Year as voted by OHL General Managers.

Parekh led OHL blueliners with 33 goals and 96 points, both Spirit single season franchise records at the position. He follows John Slaney (Cornwall, 1989-90) as just the second defenceman in OHL history to score more than 30 goals in his first season of NHL Draft eligibility. Parekh is the first Saginaw Spirit player to ever win the OHL Defenceman of the Year Award.

“I am very honoured to be recognized for this award, there’s so much talent in this league and I’m extremely grateful to be selected,” said Parekh.

“I’d like to thank my family, agent and the people within my support group that have helped me so much this year. I especially want to thank the Saginaw Spirit organization, the fans, ownership, staff, and especially the players. Without the group around me, I wouldn’t have had the same success I had throughout the year.

“I’d like to extend a big thank you to my Head Coach Chris Lazary and my General Manager Dave Drinkill for helping develop me into the player I’ve become and for always having belief and trust in me.”

Parekh was named OHL Defenceman of the Month for both November and March. His six game-winning goals paced OHL blueliners. He also scored a pair of hat-tricks during the regular season, with the first coming on Nov. 8th in a 6-2 win over Flint and another as part of a five-point effort in an 11-3 win over Windsor on Jan. 10th.

“As an organization, we couldn’t be prouder of Zayne for winning such a prestigious award,” said Spirit General Manager Dave Drinkill. “Since coming into our league last year as a young 16-year-old, he has worked extremely hard in all aspects of his game, on and off the ice. It is very rewarding to know that the rest of the league recognized this as well, and supported him to receive this award after a tremendous season here in Saginaw.”

“What Zayne accomplished this season as a second-year defenceman was simply remarkable,” Drinkill added. “Each game he found a way to make an impact, helping our team achieve new club records, while setting team and league individual records for a defenceman along the way.”

An 18-year-old from Nobleton, Ont., Parekh joined the Spirit as a first round (19th overall) pick in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection from the Markham Majors U16 program. After setting a new OHL record with 21 goals as a 16-year-old defenceman in 2022-23, he closed out his 2023-24 campaign with career totals that include 54 goals, 79 assists and 133 points over 116 regular season games, registering a plus/minus of plus-42. He enters the 2024 NHL Draft this summer as the highest-ranked OHL skater on Central Scouting’s Final Rankings, coming in at fifth in North America.

The Max Kaminsky Trophy is awarded each year to the Most Outstanding Defenceman as selected by OHL General Managers. All 20 clubs submitted a nominee but were not permitted to vote for their own player.

The award is named in recognition of Max Kaminsky, who enjoyed a 10-year professional playing career that included four years in the NHL with Ottawa, Boston and Montreal. After he retired from playing, Kaminsky enjoyed a 15-year coaching career that was capped by winning the Memorial Cup with the St. Catharines Teepees in 1960.

Parekh led the way in this year’s award voting process, followed by Calgary Flames prospect Hunter Brzustewicz of the Kitchener Rangers as runner-up.

Parekh follows a former Spirit rearguard in Pavel Mintyukov of the Ottawa 67’s who was last year’s recipient. Other prominent names to have won the OHL Defenceman of the Year Award include Dougie Hamilton (Niagara 2012), two-time recipients Ryan Ellis (Windsor 2009 & 2011) and Bryan Berard (Detroit 1995 & 1996), Drew Doughty (Guelph 2008) as well as Chris Pronger (Peterborough 1993).

Parekh will be the OHL’s nominee for the Canadian Hockey League Defenceman of the Year Award, presented at the CHL Awards Ceremony that will be held that the 2024 Memorial Cup presented by Dow from May 24th to June 2nd in Saginaw, Michigan. He’ll be formally presented with the Max Kaminsky Trophy at the OHL’s Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, June 12th at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

For a complete history of OHL award winners, click here.

GENERALS’ OSTER EARNS JIM RUTHERFORD TROPHY AS OHL GOALTENDER OF THE YEAR

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Jacob Oster of the Oshawa Generals is the 2023-24 recipient of the Jim Rutherford Trophy, awarded annually to the OHL’s Goaltender of the Year.

Oster excelled for the Generals under a big workload, leading the OHL with 35 wins while setting a new club mark with 3,569 minutes played in a single season. Oster appeared in 60 of the Generals’ 68 regular season games, posting a 2.82 goals-against average, .905 save percentage and three shutouts.

“Obviously it’s a very big honour and something that wouldn’t be possible without the guys in front of me and the coaching staff helping me,” said Oster of the award. “This whole season has been a great ride and I’m proud to be surrounded by such an amazing organization to get to this point.”

Oster’s 35 wins are the third-highest single season total in team history and the most since Ken Appleby won 38 in 2014-15. His 60 games played equal the club mark set by Peter Sidorkiewicz in 1982-83. Oster finished his season out strong, winning his final 11 consecutive starts. He’s the second goaltender in Oshawa Generals history to win the award, and the first to do so since Mike Fountain in 1991-92.

“This is a fantastic achievement for Jacob,” said Generals Vice President and General Manager Roger Hunt. “Let’s face it, a team rides their hot goalie and we did that with Jacob.  Goaltending Coach Mike Parson along with Noah Bender would certainly share in this success of Jacob and our team. Mike’s technical expertise and Noah continuing to put pressure on Jacob to be at his best was a great formula.”

The Generals acquired Oster from the Guelph Storm in January 2023. The 20-year-old from Ottawa, Ont. has been a consistent presence in the Oshawa crease with career totals that include a record of 68-47-12-4 with a 3.29 goals-against average, .891 save percentage and six shutouts over 143 career regular season games between the two teams. He was originally Guelph’s fifth round (92nd overall) pick in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection. Oster attended training camp with the Los Angeles Kings last fall.

Announced in August 2019, the Jim Rutherford Trophy is presented by the League in honour of former OHL goaltender, General Manager, Chairman of the Board and two-time Executive of the Year Jim Rutherford. The current President of Hockey Operations of the Vancouver Canucks, Rutherford played 13 seasons as an NHL netminder and was the architect behind Stanley Cup championships for the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006 and Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in November 2019.

The OHL’s Goaltender of the Year Award was first presented in 1988 to Rick Tabaracci (Cornwall), with other notable winners including Manny Legace (Niagara Falls 1993), Andrew Raycroft (Kingston 2000), Craig Anderson (Guelph 2001), the League’s only back-to-back winner Mike Murphy (Belleville 2008 & 2009), along with current NHL goaltenders Jordan Binnington (Owen Sound 2013), Alex Nedeljkovic (Plymouth 2014), Mackenzie Blackwood (Barrie 2016), Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Sudbury 2019) and Nico Daws (Guelph 2020).

Oster was the front-runner in this year’s award voting, with Michael Simpson of the London Knights coming in as runner-up.

Oster is the OHL’s nominee for the Canadian Hockey League Goaltender of the Year Award, presented at the CHL Awards Ceremony at the 2024 Memorial Cup presented by Dow which takes place from May 24 to June 2 in Saginaw, Michigan. He will be formally presented with the Jim Rutherford Trophy at the OHL’s Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, June 12 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

For a complete list of OHL award winners, click here.