Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Cole Brown of the Hamilton Bulldogs, Hunter Haight of the Barrie Colts, Nolan Lalonde of the Erie Otters and Ethan Hay of the Flint Firebirds have been named Academic Players of the Month for November.
East Division: Rookie forward Cole Brown of the Hamilton Bulldogs is the East Division Academic Player of the Month for November with a 92.5 percent average in Grade 11 studies at Ancaster High School.
Currently studying Grade 11 University-level Functions and Health for Life, Brown’s teachers regularly comment on the amount of effort he puts into his homework and assignments.
“Cole enrolled in the maximum number of courses allowed in the new quadmester model and showed great resilience and perseverance in this accelerated format,” said Bulldogs academic advisor Sean Nicholson.
On the ice, the 16-year-old from Aurora, Ont. has four points (2-2–4) through his first nine games with the Bulldogs. He was selected with Hamilton’s third round (43rd overall) pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection from the York-Simcoe Express U16 program. He scored his first career OHL goal on Nov. 18th in Peterborough.
Central Division: Barrie Colts centreman and top 2022 NHL Draft prospect Hunter Haight is the OHL Central Division Academic Player of the Month for November.
Haight has yet to receive a grade below an ‘A’ to this point in his high school career. The Grade 12 student at Innisdale Secondary School recently completed a Personal Physical Fitness course while studying Advanced Functions, Personal Life Management and a High Performance Athlete Co-op program. By the end of the current semester, Haight will have completed all six of his University-level Grade 12 classes including Data Management, Calculus, Vectors, Advanced Functions and Physics.
“Hunter’s scholastic ability is matched on the ice where he takes on a leadership role,” said Colts academic advisor Chris Cudmore. “He’s clearly integral to his team’s success and continues to excel away from the rink as well.”
The 17-year-old Haight has posted 11 points (5-6–11) over 18 games in his rookie season, being assigned a ‘B’ rating on NHL Central Scouting’s Players to Watch List. The Strathroy, Ont. product was Barrie’s first round (9th overall) pick in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection from the Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs U16 program.
Midwest Division: Erie Otters goaltender Nolan Lalonde is the Midwest Division Academic Player of the Month for November, excelling in his studies between Fairview High School and Blyth Academy.
Lalonde has taken on a heavy course-load that includes Grade 11 classes in English and Business in addition to Grade 12 Advanced Functions, English and Biology as well as Public Speaking.
“Nolan has a tremendous work ethic and has committed himself to being a true leader both in the classroom and on the ice,” said Otters academic advisor Jaime Cieszynski. “Nolan has adapted to the return to the classroom, his new home in Erie, and the pressures of his first OHL season while being a role model for his teammates.”
The 17-year-old from Kingston, Ont. has appeared in 15 games this season, going 5-8-1-0 with a 3.72 goals-against average and .884 save percentage. Lalonde was assigned a ‘C’ rating on NHL Central Scouting’s November Players to Watch List for the 2022 NHL Draft. He was Erie’s third round (49th overall) selection from the Kingston Jr. Gaels U16 program in 2020.
West Division: Flint Firebirds rookie forward Ethan Hay is the OHL West Division Academic Player of the Month for November, recording an 88.4 percent average in Grade 11 studies through Grand Blanc High School and Blyth Academy.
Hay achieved a 97.2 percent average in Sociology, a 93 percent in English and a 75 percent in Mathematics, drawing high praise from his academic advisor.
“What has impressed me most about Ethan is his work ethic on and off the ice,” said Kevin Keilitz. “When he comes to school he doesn’t waste any time getting to his studies. Ethan was also a huge advocate of bringing a math tutor in to help with players who are struggling. There is no doubt in my mind that by the end of the semester his math grade will rise at least 10 percent.”
A 16-year-old from Waterloo, Ont., Hay has four points (2-2–4) through his first 17 games with the Firebirds. He was chosen by Flint with their third round (46th overall) pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection from the Waterloo Wolves U16 program. Hay scored his first career OHL goal on Nov. 5th in Kitchener.
2021-22 OHL Academic Players of the Month:
East Division: November – Cole Brown (Hamilton Bulldogs) October – Sam Alfano (Peterborough Petes)
Central Division: November – Hunter Haight (Barrie Colts) October – Owen Beck (Mississauga Steelheads)
Midwest Division: November – Nolan Lalonde (Erie Otters) October – Cal Uens (Owen Sound Attack)
West Division: November – Ethan Hay (Flint Firebirds) October – Bronson Ride (Windsor Spitfires)
A total of 343 graduates utilized their OHL Scholarship at post-secondary institutions across North America during the 2020-21 academic year, with a total contribution by teams of over $3.1 million. Over the past 10 seasons, OHL Scholarship payments have totalled more than $25 million.
Click here for more information about ‘OHL Players First’ programs.
About the Ontario Hockey League The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the world’s largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American states. In addition to the OHL, the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League and U SPORTS than any other league.
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the Top OHL Performers of the Month for regular season games played in November 2021, including North Bay Battalion teammates Kyle Jackson and Joe Vrbetic, Hamilton Bulldogs defenceman Nathan Staios and Mississauga Steelheads forward Owen Beck.
OHL Player of the Month – Kyle Jackson (North Bay Battalion): North Bay Battalion forward Kyle Jackson is the OHL Player of the Month for November, recording 22 points including 11 goals and 11 assists over 11 games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-7. Jackson recorded points in 10 of his 11 outings to help the Battalion ascend to the top of the Eastern Conference standings with a record of 7-2-1-1 over the course of the month. The 6-foot-2, 191Ib. centreman scored his first career hat trick on Nov. 5th in Kingston, finishing with four points (3-1–4) in a 5-4 road win. He took centre stage with a first star performance on Nov. 18th against Ottawa, scoring a pair of goals to go with an assist in a 3-0 win over the 67’s. Jackson struck for the game winner and earned second star honours a night later in Oshawa as the Battalion doubled-up the Generals 4-2. He posted his third four-point performance of the season (2-2–4) on Nov. 26th in Kingston, garnering first star recognition as the Troops skated to a 5-2 win. Jackson is the Battalion’s first OHL Player of the Month recipient since Justin Brazeau earned the distinction in October 2018.
A 19-year-old from Ottawa, Ont., Jackson is enjoying a breakout season in his third tour of duty with the Battalion, sitting tied for second in OHL scoring with 35 points (14-21–35) across 22 games. Jackson’s 27.5 percent shooting percentage is currently second-best in the OHL among players with at least 50 shots on goal. He’s recorded 60 career points (24-36–60) over 96 career regular season games with North Bay since being the club’s third round (49th overall) pick in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection.
OHL Defenceman of the Month – Nathan Staios (Hamilton Bulldogs): Hamilton Bulldogs blueliner Nathan Staios is the OHL Defenceman of the Month for November, posting 12 points including three goals and nine assists over 10 games with a plus/minus rating of plus-9. The overage defenceman logged big minutes, helping push the Bulldogs to the top of the East Division standings with a November record of 6-2-1-1. Staios picked up a pair of assists in a 6-3 win over the Sudbury Wolves on Nov. 6th, found the back of the net as Hamilton fell to the Barrie Colts 4-3 a night later, and collected two more helpers on Nov. 12th as the Bulldogs defeated the Peterborough Petes 4-2. Staios matched a career-high on Nov. 18th with four points (0-4–4) in a 10-6 road win over the Petes. He struck for the game winner on Nov. 25th in Niagara as the Bulldogs beat the IceDogs 6-3, crossing the 100 career point threshold in the process. Staios becomes the first rearguard in Bulldogs history to earn Defenceman of the Month honours.
A 20-year-old product of Oakville, Ont., Staios sits tied for third in scoring among OHL defencemen with 19 points (4-15–19) over 20 games this season. The fourth-year defender’s 70 shots on goal are the second-most at his position Leaguewide. The son of long-time NHL defenceman, OHL graduate and Bulldogs president and general manager Steve Staios, he’s put up 101 points (22-79–101) over 198 career OHL regular season games between Hamilton and Windsor. Staios, who made his pro debut in six games with the AHL’s Utica Comets last season, was Windsor’s first round (17th overall) pick in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection. He represented the St. Louis Blues at the Traverse City Prospects Tournament this past fall.
OHL Rookie of the Month – Owen Beck (Mississauga Steelheads): Mississauga Steelheads centreman Owen Beck has been named OHL Rookie of the Month for November, producing 11 points including five goals and six assists over 11 games to go with a plus/minus rating of plus-5. Beck found the scoresheet in nine of his 11 November contests as the Steelheads played to a record of 8-2-0-1, holding down second place in the Central Division. The 6-foot, 180Ib. Beck earned second star honours on Nov. 5th, scoring while adding an assist in a 3-0 win over the Hamilton Bulldogs. He recorded another multi-point effort on Nov. 21st, chipping in a goal and an assist as the Steelheads defeated the Sudbury Wolves 7-2. Beck was excellent in the faceoff circle with a 57.5 percent rate at the dot in November. He’s the first Steelheads player to receive Rookie of the Month honours since Alexander Nylander earned the award three times during the 2015-16 season.
A 17-year-old native of Port Hope, Ont., Beck sits third in Steelheads scoring with 16 points (7-9–16) across 19 games. His 59 percent success rate in the faceoff circle is the League’s second-highest among centremen who have attempted at least 200 draws this season. Beck was assigned a ‘B’ rating on NHL Central Scouting’s November Players to Watch List released on Nov. 19th. He was Mississauga’s second round (29th overall) pick in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection.
OHL Goaltender of the Month – Joe Vrbetic (North Bay Battalion): Montreal Canadiens prospect Joe Vrbetic of the North Bay Battalion is the OHL Goaltender of the Month for November after posting a 6-0-1-1 record, 2.09 goals-against average, .917 save percentage and two shutouts across eight games. The 6-foot-6 Vrbetic went undefeated in regulation to help the Battalion surge to the top of the Central Division standings in a month of November that saw him string together 203 minutes and four seconds of consecutive shutout hockey. Vrbetic recorded back-to-back shutouts, making 14 saves on Nov. 14th in a 4-0 win over the Sudbury Wolves and an additional 23 in a 3-0 blanking of the Ottawa 67’s on Nov. 18th. He proceeded to pickup victories with a 23-save performance on Nov. 21st, defeating the Niagara IceDogs 7-3 and 24 stops on Nov. 26th as the Troops beat the Kingston Frontenacs 5-2. Vrbetic is the first Battalion netminder to claim the monthly honour since Patrick Killeen last did so as a member of the Brampton Battalion in February 2010.
A 19-year-old from Dunvegan, Ont., Vrbetic owns a record of 11-2-1-1 on the season with a 2.59 goals-against average, .907 save percentage and two shutouts over 15 games. Now in his second full season with the Battalion, he’s compiled an overall record of 25-27-2-1 with a 3.78 goals-against average and .887 save percentage in 58 regular season games since being a second round (31st overall) pick in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection. The Montreal Canadiens selected Vrbetic with their seventh round (214th overall) pick this past summer.
2021-22 OHL Performers of the Month:
Player of the Month: November – Kyle Jackson (North Bay Battalion) October – Sasha Pastujov (Guelph Storm)
Defenceman of the Month: November – Nathan Staios (Hamilton Bulldogs) October – Jack Thompson (Sudbury Wolves)
Rookie of the Month: November – Owen Beck (Mississauga Steelheads) October – Calum Ritchie (Oshawa Generals)
Goaltender of the Month: November – Joe Vrbetic (North Bay Battalion) October – Brett Brochu (London Knights)
About the Ontario Hockey League The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the world’s largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American states. In addition to the OHL, the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League and U SPORTS than any other league.
Toronto, Ont. – Just like that, we enter the last weekend of November approximately a quarter of the way through the season. The inaugural Under-17 Capital City Challenge sees many of the OHL’s top 16-year-old talents out of the lineup this weekend, and we’re getting geared up for lots of community-driven activity in OHL arenas as the holiday season draws nearer. Here’s a look at what’s happening across the League.
2021-22 OHL Online Media Information Guide available for download: The 2021-22 online edition of the Ontario Hockey League Media and Information Guide is now available for download. The Guide includes OHL team directories, statistics and standings from last season as well as historical seasons along with award winners. This year’s instalment includes a new layout featuring expanded franchise records as well as an additional section documenting historical 100-point and 50-goal seasons. Read more
Knights, Steelheads and Battalion included in Week 8 edition of Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings: The London Knights remain on the Kia CHL Top 10 while the Mississauga Steelheads and North Bay Battalion make their first appearance of the season. Read more
Petes’ McTavish returns from Anaheim Ducks: Third overall 2021 NHL Draft pick Mason McTavish will make his OHL season debut on Thursday when the Peterborough Petes play host to the North Bay Battalion. McTavish played in nine NHL contests with the Anaheim Ducks this season, scoring a pair of goals. Read more
63 OHL players included on NHL Central Scouting ‘Players to Watch’ List for November: 63 OHL players have been included on NHL Central Scouting’s November ‘Players to Watch’ List for the 2022 NHL Draft scheduled to take place July 7-8 in Montreal, Quebec. Read more
Mic’d Up with Shane Wright: Take a few laps through warmups with Kingston Frontenacs star and top 2022 NHL Draft prospect Shane Wright. Watch
Battalion’s Brandon Coe named OHL Player of the Week: San Jose Sharks prospect Brandon Coe of the North Bay Battalion is the OHL Player of the Week, recording three goals, five assists and eight points over three consecutive Battalion victories. Read more
Sting’s Ben Gaudreau named OHL Goaltender of the Week: San Jose Sharks prospect Ben Gaudreau of the Sarnia Sting is the OHL Goaltender of the Week with a record of 2-0-1-0, a 1.97 goals-against average, .942 save percentage and one shutout. Read more
Coe, McDonald and Robertson named to CHL Team of the Week for Nov. 15-21: North Bay’s Brandon Coe, Windsor’s Kyle McDonald and Peterborough’s Tucker Robertson have been named to the CHL Team of the Week. Read more
Battalion’s Coe leads OHL Plays of the Week: Reviewing the best plays in the OHL this week, featuring Guelph’s Sasha Pastujov, Flint’s Zacharie Giroux, Saginaw’s Calem Mangone, Peterborough’s Joe Carroll and North Bay’s Brandon Coe. Watch
Big-time banditry in OHL Saves of the Week: Check out highlight reel saves from Sault Ste. Marie’s Samuel Ivanov, Erie’s Nolan Lalonde, Sarnia’s Ben Gaudreau, Mississauga’s Roman Basran, Ottawa’s Will Cranley, Guelph’s Owen Bennett, Barrie’s Mack Guzda, Windsor’s Matt Tovell, and the London duo of Brett Brochu and Owen Flores. Watch
OHL Milestone Moments: Check out 14 more first career OHL markers along with first shutouts from Matt Tovell and Ben Gaudreau in the latest edition of OHL Milestone Moments. Watch
OHL Weekend Notebook: The OHL Weekend Notebook recaps the weekend that was with news, information and interesting facts from both on and off the ice. Read more
67’s’ Robinson suspended for eight games: Following review of a checking to the head infraction assessed on the 19th of November in Sudbury, the OHL has suspended Ottawa 67’s forward Dylan Robinson for eight games. Watch
Frontenacs’ Burns added to Team Red roster for Under-17 Capital City Challenge: Hockey Canada has added Kingston Frontenacs rookie blueliner Quinton Burns to its roster for the upcoming Under-17 Capital City Challenge set to begin Friday, November 26th in Ottawa. Read more
Slovakian forward Dominik Jendek joins Wolves: The Sudbury Wolves have added overage Slovakian forward Dominik Jendek to their lineup. The club’s second round (91st overall) selection in the 2020 CHL Import Draft joins Liam Ross, Mitchell Weeks and injured forward Kosta Manikis as an overager in Sudbury. Read more
Gavin Grundner commits to Storm: The Guelph Storm have received a commitment from ninth round 2020 OHL Priority Selection choice Gavin Grundner. Grundner has had a great start to his first season of Junior hockey for the GOJHL’s Leamington Flyers, recording nine goals and eight assists for 17 points in 17 games to start the 2021-22 season. Read more
Noah Roberts commits to Bulldogs: The Hamilton Bulldogs have received a commitment from third round 2021 OHL Priority Selection choice Noah Roberts, the son of former Ottawa 67’s forward and long-time NHL winger Gary Roberts. Read more
Jordyn Ertel commits to Generals: The Oshawa Generals have received a commitment from 10th round 2021 OHL Priority Selection choice Jordyn Ertel, a graduate of the Waterloo Wolves U16 program. Read more
Wolves add Gary Ricciardi to scouting staff: The Sudbury Wolves have added to their scouting staff, adding Gary Ricciardi whose focus will be in identify talent south of the border. Read more
COMMUNITY CORNER:
Special Olympics Month continues this weekend: Special Olympics Month wraps up across the OHL this weekend with awareness nights on Thursday in Peterborough, Saturday in Barrie and Ottawa and Sunday in Sarnia. Read more
Bulldogs team up with Hamilton Police for RIDE Program: The Hamilton Bulldogs and Hamilton Police Service have combined forces once again this holiday season to combat Drinking & Driving. From now through January, the Bulldogs are giving sober drivers stopped at a RIDE stop the chance to be rewarded with tickets to a Bulldogs home game. Watch at hamiltonbulldogs.com.
Frontenacs enjoy team outing at CFB Kingston: On Saturday, November 20, the Kingston Frontenacs visited CFB Kingston for a team building exercise. Players set up tents, did a spider web team obstacle, and conducted an observation exercise along with other activities. Watch at kingstonfrontenacs.com.
Colts salute Canadian Armed Forces on Thursday: The Barrie Colts salute the Canadian Armed Forces on Thursday when they play host to the Owen Sound Attack at Sadlon Arena.
Bears take flight on Saturday in Erie: The Erie Otters host their annual Thanksgiving Game on Thursday at home to the Soo Greyhounds before Teddy Bear Toss Night at Erie Insurance Arena on Saturday. All bears will be donated to the Salvation Army.
Spirit support Leukemia & Lymphoma Society on Saturday: The Saginaw Spirit have partnered with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for Light the Night on Saturday at home to the Windsor Spitfires.
Storm collecting books for kids on Sunday: Guelph Storm fans generously donated over 1,000 books for kids at last year’s Books for Kids Night, and this year they’re raising the bar! Fans are asked to donate new, unwrapped books at Sunday’s game against the Erie Otters to put a smile on a kid’s face.
Steelheads collect toys for tots on Sunday: With the holiday season just around the corner, the Mississauga Steelheads will be hosting their annual Toys For Tots game on Sunday when they take on Shane Wright and the Kingston Frontenacs at 2:00pm. Last season, fans showed their generosity when over 375 toys were donated to the cause. Read more at mississaugasteelheads.com.
Petes host ‘Next Gen’ Game on Sunday: Attention fans! Do you have a kid in your life that has always wanted to coach the Peterborough Petes or has wanted to get on the mic at the Memorial Centre? Well, this and many more opportunities will also be possible during the club’s Next Gen game this Sunday against the Ottawa 67’s. Read more at gopetesgo.com.
Wolves collecting hats and mittens this weekend: The Sudbury Wolves have partnered with All Nations Church to keep Sudbury children warm this winter. Their 6th annual Mountain of Mittens campaign collects donations of warm winter wear to be distributed throughout the local community.
ALUMNI NOTES:
Durzi scores in NHL debut: Former Owen Sound Attack and Guelph Storm defenceman Sean Durzi had an NHL debut to remember on Wednesday night in Los Angeles, finding the back of the net against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Kings blueliner made his NHL debut at the age of 23 following a hot start to the season with the AHL’s Ontario Reign. A former 12th round OHL Priority Selection choice, Durzi put up 140 points over 180 regular season games between Owen Sound and Guelph, winning an OHL championship with the Storm in 2019.
Landeskog plays 700th NHL game: Kitchener Rangers graduate Gabriel Landeskog became the sixth player in Colorado Avalanche franchise history to appear in 700 games earlier this week. He joins Joe Sakic, Milan Hedjuk, Adam Foote, Michel Goulet and Peter Stastny in that category. The 29-year-old winger has 17 points (6-11–17) through 14 games this, his 11th season with the Avalanche who selected him second overall in the 2011 NHL Draft. The Swedish flank played two seasons in Kitchener from 2009-11.
Gaunce named AHL Player of the Week: Erie Otters graduate Brendan Gaunce of the Cleveland Monsters is the AHL Player of the Week after recording six points (3-3–6) in three games. Gaunce matched an AHL career high with three points on Friday as the Monsters defeated the Syracuse Crunch 5-1. He tacked on another three in a 6-5 overtime win over the Toronto Marlies on Sunday. The 27-year-old is in his eighth pro season, one that has included 118 career NHL contests after he was chosen by the Vancouver Canucks in the first round of the 2012 NHL Draft. Gaunce played four OHL seasons between Belleville and Erie from 2010-14.
Frost getting his development back on track: Soo Greyhounds graduate Morgan Frost is getting back on track after losing a year to injury in 2020-21. The former Philadelphia Flyers first round draft pick was limited to just two games last season before undergoing shoulder surgery. The AHL’s Bob Rotruck documents his road back to full health and positive start to the season with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Frost was a Greyhound from 2015-19, helping the club win a Western Conference championship in 2018. Read more at theahl.com
Appleby named ECHL Goaltender of the Week: Oshawa Generals graduate and former Memorial Cup champion Ken Appleby of the Worcester Railers is the ECHL Goaltender of the Week, going 2-0-0 with a 1.50 goals-against average and .965 save percentage. Under an NHL contract with the New York Islanders, Appleby has appeared in seven games for the Railers going 3-3-1 with a 2.40 goals-against average and a save percentage of .927 this season. The 26-year-old from North Bay, Ont. has appeared in three career NHL games since graduating as a Memorial Cup champion in 2015. He played three seasons with the Generals from 2012-15 before signing an NHL contract with the New Jersey Devils.
Eight OHL grads to represent Canada at 2021 FISU Winter Universiade: Eight former OHL players have been selected from U SPORTS men’s hockey rosters across the country to represent Canada at the 2021 FISU Winter Universiade, held from December 11-21 in Lucerne, Switzerland. Read more
KEY MATCHUPS:
North Bay Battalion at Peterborough Petes Thursday November 25th – 7:05pm
Mason McTavish makes his season debut with the Peterborough Petes, returning from an NHL stint with the Anaheim Ducks to start the season. The third overall pick of the 2021 NHL Draft recorded three points (2-1–3) in nine NHL games, tacking on two more (1-1–2) over three games with the AHL’s San Diego Gulls on an injury rehab assignment. McTavish joins one of the OHL’s hottest forwards in Tucker Robertson who racked up 10 points last week and leads the OHL with 34 points (15-19–34) in 17 games. The Petes will have a tall task in front of them on Thursday as the CHL’s ninth-ranked North Bay Battalion pay a visit to the PMC. OHL Player of the Week Brandon Coe is one of three Battalion players inside the top-10 OHL scoring leaders while 6-foot-6 Montreal Canadiens prospect Joe Vrbetic as been among the League’s best in goal.
Kingston Frontenacs at Mississauga Steelheads Sunday November 28th – 2:00pm
Fresh off being bumped out of the Kia CHL Top 10, the Kingston Frontenacs embark on a three-in-three weekend against a trio of tough Eastern Conference opponents. The Fronts host North Bay on Friday before visits to Hamilton on Saturday and Mississauga on Sunday. Their Sunday date with the Trout pits them against the eighth-ranked team in the CHL this week. Fronts head coach Luca Caputi will have a new option on the back end with the addition of Ottawa Senators prosect Ben Roger from the London Knights on Thursday. Shane Wright and the Frontenacs will be tasked with reeling in a Steelheads club that has won eight of nine entering the weekend. Mississauga overage netminder Roman Basran leads the OHL with a 2.25 goals-against average.
UPCOMING GAMES:
Thursday November 25th: Sault Ste. Marie at Erie – 7:00pm Hamilton at Niagara – 7:00pm North Bay at Peterborough – 7:05pm Mississauga at Sudbury – 7:05pm Owen Sound at Barrie – 7:30pm
Friday November 26th: North Bay at Kingston – 7:00pm Flint at Sarnia – 7:05pm Mississauga at Sudbury – 7:05pm London at Guelph – 7:30pm Sault Ste. Marie at Kitchener – 7:30pm Saginaw at Windsor – 7:30pm Ottawa at Oshawa – 7:35pm
Saturday November 27th: North Bay at Ottawa – 2:00pm Kingston at Hamilton – 4:00pm Guelph at Erie – 7:00pm Sarnia at Flint – 7:00pm Windsor at Saginaw – 7:05pm Niagara at Barrie – 7:30pm London at Owen Sound – 7:30pm
Sunday November 28th: Erie at Guelph – 2:00pm Kingston at Mississauga – 2:00pm Ottawa at Peterborough – 2:05pm Sault Ste. Marie at Sarnia – 2:05pm Barrie at Sudbury – 2:05pm Hamilton at Oshawa – 6:05pm
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, November 21, 2021.
Battalion’s Brandon Coe Named OHL Player of the Week
San Jose Sharks prospect Brandon Coe of the North Bay Battalion is the OHL Player of the Week, recording three goals, five assists and eight points over three consecutive Battalion victories.
Coe strung together three multi-point efforts, continuing an eight game point streak as the Battalion sit atop the Eastern Conference standings. The big 6-foot-5, 203Ib. winger put together a second star performance on Thursday at home to the Ottawa 67’s, registering a goal and two assists in a 3-0 win. Coe picked up an assist on Kyle Jackson’s game winning goal in Oshawa on Friday night, finishing with a pair of helpers as the Battalion defeated the Generals 4-2. He rounded out the weekend with two goals and an assist in Sunday’s 7-3 win over visiting Niagara, earning first star honours while collecting his 150th career OHL point.
A 20-year-old native of Ajax, Ont. and an alternate captain with the Battalion this season, Coe leads the OHL with 24 assists and sits one point back of the League scoring lead with 33 points (9-24–33) through 19 contests. His plus-14 plus/minus rating has him tied for fifth in the OHL. Coe made his professional debut last season, recording five points (1-4–5) in 17 games with the San Jose Barracuda, AHL affiliate of the San Jose Sharks who selected him in the fourth round (98th overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft. Coe was originally North Bay’s first round (3rd overall) pick in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection from the OHL Cup finalist Toronto Nationals U16 program.
Coe is the first Battalion player to earn the weekly honour since Justin Brazeau last did so in October 2018.
Also considered for the award this week, Peterborough Petes forward Tucker Robertson led all players with 10 points (4-6–10) in three games to climb into the League scoring lead as the Petes went 1-2 on a high-scoring weekend. Windsor Spitfires winger Kyle McDonald was also highly productive, putting up eight points (5-3–8) and three consecutive multi-point efforts as the Spitfires won a pair.
Sting’s Ben Gaudreau Named OHL Goaltender of the Week
San Jose Sharks prospect Ben Gaudreau of the Sarnia Sting is the OHL Goaltender of the Week with a record of 2-0-1-0, a 1.97 goals-against average, .942 save percentage and one shutout.
Gaudreau stopped 97 of the 103 shots he faced to help the Sting continue to reverse a slow start to the season. He earned first star honours with 36 saves on Tuesday as Sarnia defeated the CHL’s third-ranked London Knights 4-2 on home ice. Gaudreau was back in the crease on Saturday in Guelph, helping the Sting earn a point despite being outshot with 35 saves in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Storm. He logged another first star performance on Sunday, earning his first career OHL shutout with 26 saves as the Sting blanked the visiting Owen Sound Attack 4-0.
An 18-year-old native of Corbeil, Ont., Gaudreau owns a 5-2-3-0 record with a 2.98 goals-against average, .912 save percentage and one shutout through 10 games this season. The 6-foot-2, 172Ib. third round (81st overall) pick of the San Jose Sharks this past summer starred for Canada’s gold medal-winning National Under-18 Team this past May in Frisco, Texas. He was Sarnia’s first round (7th overall) pick in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection, the highest-selected goaltender in Sting franchise history.
Also considered for the award this week were a pair of recent award recipients in Roman Basran of the Mississauga Steelheads and Montreal Canadiens prospect Joe Vrbetic of the North Bay Battalion. Basran went 2-0-0-0 with a 1.00 goals-against average and .964 save percentage including a shutout as the Steelheads continued their hot streak. Last week’s Goaltender of the Week, Vrbetic was also 2-0-0-0, posting a 1.50 goals-against average and .939 save percentage with one shutout, carrying over a shutout streak that concluded at a length of 203 minutes and four seconds in a win on Sunday.
2021-22 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season: Nov. 15 – Nov. 21: Ben Gaudreau (Sarnia Sting) Nov. 8 – Nov. 14: Joe Vrbetic (North Bay Battalion Nov. 1 – Nov. 7: Roman Basran (Mississauga Steelheads) Oct. 25 – Oct. 31: Patrick Leaver (Oshawa Generals) Oct. 18 – Oct. 24: Jacob Oster (Guelph Storm) Oct. 11 – Oct. 17: Brett Brochu (London Knights) Oct. 4 – Oct. 10: Tucker Tynan (Niagara IceDogs)
About the Ontario Hockey League The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the world’s largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American states. In addition to the OHL, the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League and U SPORTS than any other league.
Toronto, Ont. – The Canadian Hockey League announced today the Week 7 edition of the Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings for the 2021-22 season.
The London Knights are down one spot to number three this week, trailing the WHL’s Winnipeg ICE and Everett Silvertips in the weekly rankings. London scored consecutive 7-4 wins over the Soo Greyhounds and Erie Otters last Friday and Saturday before dropping a 4-2 decision on the road in Sarnia on Tuesday night. Dallas Stars prospect Antonio Stranges was recognized with OHL Player of the Week honours for his seven points (3-4–7) last week. Captain Luke Evangelista is on a 12-game point streak dating back to October 8th, one that has yielded 19 points (12-7–19). London returns to action on Friday night at home to Sarnia.
The Ottawa 67’s are into the Top 10 for the first time this season, coming in at eighth as back-to-back wins have them seated first in the East Division with a 10-5-0-1 record. The 67’s managed to knock off both Hamilton and Oshawa on the road last weekend, doing so without Calgary Flames prospect Jack Beck in their lineup. Nineteen-year-old winger Dylan Robinson has been a steady producer for the Barber Poles with 10 points (6-4–10) through 11 games. Cameron Tolnai (5-14–19) and Vsevolod Gaidamak (11-7–18) lead Ottawa offensively headed into a Thursday night road date with the North Bay Battalion.
The Kingston Frontenacs are back into the Top 10 after missing the cut last week. Kingston shook-off a 6-4 loss to the Oshawa Generals on Friday, defeating the Mississauga Steelheads 5-4 in a shootout Saturday afternoon on CBC as Shane Wright emerged as the hero on Larry Mavety Night. Overage winger Lucas Edmonds continues to lead Kingston in scoring with 24 points (9-15–24) over 14 games while rookie Matthew Soto has been a nice addition to the club, recording 14 points (4-10–14) in as many contests.
The Soo Greyhounds dropped from 10th in last week’s rankings to an honourable mention in Week 7. The Greyhounds lost 7-4 to the London Knights on Friday before rebounding to defeat the Windsor Spitfires 4-3 on Saturday as Tye Kartye‘s league-leading 15th of the season was the difference maker. The Hounds finish off three straight on the road tonight in Saginaw before returning home for the weekend, taking on the Erie Otters on Sunday afternoon.
For further analysis on the Week 7 edition of the Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings, visit CHL.ca.
About the Ontario Hockey League The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the world’s largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American states. In addition to the OHL, the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League and U SPORTS than any other league.
Toronto, Ont. – We had Wednesday and Thursday off, but we’re back at it with all 20 teams in action on Friday! Here’s what you need to know entering the weekend.
Welsh to make OHL history in Kitchener on Friday: She’s already worked an OHL pre-season game, but Kirsten Welsh will become the OHL’s first-ever woman linesperson during regular season action on Friday in Kitchener as the Rangers play host to the Owen Sound Attack. Get to know Welsh, who is a former blueliner and captain of Robert Morris University’s women’s hockey program here.
Frontenacs honour Larry Mavety on CBC this Saturday: The Kingston Frontenacs host the Mississauga Steelheads in this week’s CHL on CBC instalment Saturday at 3:00pm ET. It’s Larry Mavety Night at the Leon’s Centre as the Fronts pay tribute to one of the League’s best-known all-time builders in the late Larry Mavety. Top 2022 NHL Draft prospect Shane Wright takes to the ice against a Steelheads club that enters the weekend as winners of four in a row. The Frontenacs are led in scoring by overage winger Lucas Edmonds, whose unconventional path to the OHL has taken him from North Bay, to the GTHL, to Sweden and finally to Kingston. You can learn more about Edmonds’ journey here.
B.J Adams named new Head Coach of Otters: After a 3-7-1-0 start to the season, the Erie Otters have made a change behind the bench, relieving Chris Hartsburg of his duties while promoting long-time associate coach B.J. Adams to the club’s lead role. Read more
Rosters revealed for 2021 Capital City Challenge: Hockey Canada’s 66-player National Under-17 roster consists of 24 OHL players spread out across three rosters entering the four-team Capital City Challenge that gets underway on November 26th in Ottawa. Read more
Knights and Greyhounds included in Week 6 edition of Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings: The London Knights hold steady at number two in the CHL this week behind the WHL’s Winnipeg ICE despite dropping consecutive decisions. The Soo Greyhounds make their season debut on the list, coming in at 10th in the country. Read more
Frontenacs’ Wright named OHL Player of the Week, receives national honours: Kingston Frontenacs captain Shane Wright is the OHL Player of the Week with eight points over three games last week. He also earned CHL Team of the Week recognition for his performance. Read more
Steelheads’ Basran named OHL Goaltender of the Week: Roman Basran of the Mississauga Steelheads is the OHL Goaltender of the Week with three wins, a 0.97 goals-against average, .952 save percentage and his first career OHL shutout. Read more
OHL Weekend Notebook: The OHL Weekend Notebook recaps the weekend that was with news, information and interesting facts from both on and off the ice. Read more
Spitfire teammates Maggio, Johnston featured in OHL Plays of the Week: It’s time for the OHL Plays of the Week! Check out offensive brilliance from Sudbury’s Chase Stillman, Windsor’s Matt Maggio, Sault Ste. Marie’s Tyler Savard, Owen Sound’s Mark Woolley and Windsor’s Wyatt Johnston. Watch
Petes’ Simpson stymies shooters in OHL Saves of the Week: Rolling out the red carpet for ridiculous OHL refusals headlined by Peterborough Petes netminder Michael Simpson in the latest edition of the OHL Saves of the Week. Watch
Check out 23 career firsts and a pair of shutouts in OHL Milestone Moments: The latest instalment of OHL Milestone Moments includes 23 first career goals along with a pair of milestone shutouts. Watch
OHL News – Radio Edition with Oshawa’s Ty Tullio: Entering the weekend on a 12-game point streak, Edmonton Oilers prospect Ty Tullio of the Oshawa Generals joins OHL News Radio. Listen
Battalion’s Petrov signs with Oilers: The Edmonton Oilers have signed North Bay Battalion forward Matvey Petrov to a three-year entry-level NHL contract. The Russian winger has started his season with 10 goals and eight assists in 14 games for the Troops. Read more
Carson Lloyd commits to Knights: The London Knights have received a commitment from third round 2021 OHL Priority Selection choice Carson Lloyd who has started his season with the OJHL’s Georgetown Raiders. Read more
COMMUNITY CORNER:
OHL supporting Special Olympics Ontario at six games this weekend: Special Olympics Month continues across the OHL this weekend, with six games supporting athletes across the province. Keep an eye out for ceremonial puck drops and awareness campaigns on Friday in Guelph, Niagara, Kingston and Kitchener, on Saturday in Windsor and on Sunday in Oshawa. Read more
67’s honour Canadian Armed Forces on Friday: The Ottawa 67’s will be decked out in special military themed jerseys on Friday when they play host to the Mississauga Steelheads. The 67’s will be honouring men and women in uniform throughout the evening.
Otters host Military Appreciation Night on Saturday: With Remembrance Day and Veterans Day this past week, the Erie Otters will be saluting the troops on Saturday at Erie Insurance Arena. The Otters will be wearing special camouflaged military themed uniforms to be auctioned off post-game in section 220 as well as online next week. Proceeds will go to the Veterans Miracle Center of Erie.
Spirit honour Military on Saturday: Much like the Otters, the Saginaw Spirit will be honouring Military service-people and veterans on Saturday at home to the Kitchener Rangers at the Dow Event Center. The Spirit will be wearing limited edition military uniforms to be auctioned off in support of the Bay City Elks for local veteran initiatives.
Battalion prepare for Tim Horton’s Day on Sunday: Timbits make their return to the Memorial Gardens on Sunday afternoon with the Sudbury Wolves in town. Fans will have a chance to win major prizes from Tim Horton’s including free coffee for a year for one lucky winner.
Steelheads raising funds for men’s health with Movember campaign: The Mississauga Steelheads are growing their mo’s for men’s health this month. The Trout have started a team Movember campaign as they look to change the face of men’s health. Learn more about their initiative and make a donation here.
Wolves launch Movember campaign: The Sudbury Wolves are working on their moustaches this month, launching a Movember campaign to raise funds for men’s health. Check out their progress at movember.com.
ALUMNI NOTES:
Nash’s #61 to be retired by Blue Jackets: The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced that all-time leading scorer Rick Nash’s number 61 will be retired by the club prior to a game on March 5, 2022. The Brampton, Ont. native who played two seasons for the London Knights from 2000-02 put up 547 points (289-258–547) over a 674-game tenure in Columbus after being selected by the club with the first overall pick of the 2002 NHL Draft. The 37-year-old Nash retired following the 2017-18 season after a 1,060-game NHL career resulting in 805 points between the Jackets, New York Rangers and Boston Bruins.
Cotter makes NHL debut: London Knights graduate Paul Cotter got into his first NHL game on Tuesday as the Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Seattle Kraken 4-2. The 21-year-old Cotter picked up his first NHL goal two nights later against the Minnesota Wild. A product of Canton, Michigan, Cotter played one season in London, recording 26 points (9-17–26) in 48 games during the 2018-19 campaign. He was Vegas’ fourth round pick in the 2018 NHL Draft.
Gagner plays 900th career NHL contest: London Knights graduate Sam Gagner played in his 900th career NHL contest on Tuesday, picking up an assist as his Detroit Red Wings beat his former club, the Edmonton Oilers by a score of 4-2. The 32-year-old Gagner has six points (2-4–6) through 15 games with the Red Wings in this, his 15th NHL season. Gagner played one season with the London Knights in 2006-07 before being selected by the Oilers with the sixth overall pick of the 2007 NHL Draft. Sam and his father Dave Gagner, who is also an OHL graduate, are one of six father-son combos in NHL history to have each played 900 games.
Sparks, Villalta make for inseparable goaltending tandem in AHL: Los Angeles Kings farmhands Garret Sparks and Matthew Villalta as thick as thieves. The two OHL graduates have paced the Ontario Reign to their best-ever start to a season with a 9-0-1 mark in the standings. The two goaltenders are an inseparable duo both on and off the ice as Sparks, who is a former Guelph Storm puckstopper and Villalta, a former Soo Greyhound, have quite the friendship. Jared Shafran has more in the LA Kings Insider.
Knights grad Marietti to be inducted into ECHL Hall of Fame: London Knights graduate Brett Marietti has been announced as a member of the ECHL’s 2022 Hall of Fame Class. The Haileybury, Ont. product was a South Carolina Stingrays star for nine seasons between 1994-2003, winning Kelly Cup titles in 1997 and 2001. He scored at least 20 goals seven times over his nine seasons while his 30 career playoff goals are tied for 13th in ECHL history. Marietti played for the Knights from 1990-93.
KEY MATCHUPS:
Soo Greyhounds at London Knights Friday November 12th – 7:30pm
The OHL’s two representatives in this week’s edition of the Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings square off at Budweiser Gardens on Friday as the CHL’s second-ranked Knights try and reverse consecutive losses against the high-scoring 10th ranked Soo Greyhounds. The Knights were without captain Luke Evangelista in their last two contests but the Nashville Predators prospect is expected to make his return against the Greyhounds. The Hounds feature two of the League’s top three scorers in Calgary Flames prospect Rory Kerins and overage winger Tye Kartye. Veteran flank Cole MacKay and St. Louis Blues prospect Tanner Dickinson are also big producers in the Soo lineup. This is the first of four meetings between the two clubs this season.
Mississauga Steelheads at Kingston Frontenacs Saturday November 13th – 3:00pm on CBC
Top 2022 NHL Draft prospect and reigning OHL Player of the Week Shane Wright comes to CBC this weekend as his Kingston Frontenacs host the Mississauga Steelheads before a national audience. While Wright is a staple down the middle, the Fronts have been led in scoring by overage winger Lucas Edmonds and Los Angeles Kings prospect Martin Chromiak, each with 18 points. Rookie standout Matthew Soto has also registered over a point-per-game with 13 through his first 12 OHL matchups. The Steelheads enter the weekend as winners of four in a row. Overage netminder Roman Basran is the League’s reigning Goaltender of the Week. The Trout also lead the OHL in shots-on-goal per-game, while also surrendering a league low.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
Friday, November 12th: Saginaw at Flint – 7:00pm Peterborough at Hamilton – 7:00pm Oshawa at Kingston – 7:00pm Barrie at Niagara – 7:00pm Mississauga at Ottawa – 7:00pm Windsor at Sarnia – 7:05pm North Bay at Sudbury – 7:05pm Erie at Guelph – 7:30pm Owen Sound at Kitchener – 7:30pm Sault Ste. Marie at London – 7:30pm
Saturday, November 13th: Mississauga at Kingston – 3:00pm – CHL on CBC Ottawa at Hamilton – 4:00pm London at Erie – 7:00pm Kitchener at Flint – 7:00pm Oshawa at Niagara – 7:00pm Sarnia at Saginaw – 7:05pm Sault Ste. Marie at Windsor – 7:05pm Peterborough at Barrie – 7:30pm Guelph at Owen Sound – 7:30pm
Sunday, November 14th: Sudbury at North Bay – 2:00pm Kitchener at Saginaw – 5:30pm Ottawa at Oshawa – 6:05pm
Toronto, Ont. – The Canadian Hockey League announced today the Week 6 edition of the Kia CHL Top-10 Rankings for the 2021-22 season.
The London Knights hold steady at number two in the CHL this week behind the WHL’s Winnipeg ICE despite dropping consecutive decisions, first seeing their nine-game season-opening winning streak snapped at the hands of the Flint Firebirds on Saturday. The Knights picked up a point but fell 4-3 in overtime to the Guelph Storm on Tuesday night. London continues to hold the OHL’s best winning percentage of .864, outscoring opponents 39-25. The Knights have been without captain and leading scorer Luke Evangelista in each of their losses and they try and return to the win column on Friday at home to the Soo Greyhounds, who we’ll cover next.
The Hounds enter the Top-10 for the first time all season, sitting 10th on the rankings with a 9-5-0-0 record. The highest-scoring team in the OHL with 65 goals scored, the Greyhounds feature two of the League’s top three scorers with Calgary Flames prospect Rory Kerins (9-14–23) and winger Tye Kartye (13-8–21) leading the way. They opened last week with an 8-4 home ice victory over the Saginaw Spirit before splitting a pair of high-scoring home dates against the Guelph Storm. The Greyhounds are on the road this coming weekend, making stops in London and Windsor.
The Flint Firebirds are an honourable mention in this week’s rankings after defeating the Kitchener Rangers behind a Brennan Othmann hat-trick on Friday before returning home to hand the London Knights their first loss of the season on Saturday. The Firebirds have won four of their last five games and own a 6-3-0-0 record, preparing to face the rival Saginaw Spirit at home on Friday.
The Ottawa 67’s have earned themselves an honourable mention, leading the East Division with an 8-4-0-1 record, gathering at least a point in three straight. Prior to Tuesday’s 4-3 shootout loss to the Kingston Frontenacs, the 67’s had scored consecutive victories over the Peterborough Petes and North Bay Battalion. Calgary Flames prospect Jack Beck, who missed Tuesday’s contest, leads the club in scoring with 17 points (11-6–17) in 12 games.
For further analysis on the Week 6 edition of the Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings, visit CHL.ca.
About the Ontario Hockey League The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the world’s largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American states. In addition to the OHL, the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League and U SPORTS than any other league.
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, November 7, 2021
Frontenacs’ Shane Wright Named OHL Player of the Week
Top 2022 NHL Draft prospect Shane Wright of the Kingston Frontenacs is the OHL Player of the Week, leading the League with eight points including three goals and five assists over three contests.
Wright put up three multi-point showings on home ice, beginning with a goal and an assist in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Mississauga Steelheads on Wednesday. The Frontenacs came up short again on Friday, but Wright scored his fifth and sixth goals of the season while going 20-for-32 in the faceoff circle as the North Bay Battalion took a 5-4 decision. Wright’s Frontenacs battled back into the win column on Sunday as he recorded a career-high four assists in a 6-5 overtime win against the Peterborough Petes. Wright gathered an assist on Lucas Edmonds’ OT winner, extending his current point streak to five games.
A 17-year-old native of Burlington, Ont., Wright sits third in Frontenacs scoring with 16 points (6-10–16) through 11 games. Named both OHL and CHL Rookie of the Year as an exceptional status talent in 2019-20, Wright helped guide Canada to IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championship gold this past May in Frisco, Texas. He was selected by the Frontenacs with the first overall pick of the 2019 OHL Priority Selection after leading the Don Mills Flyers to an OHL Cup championship.
Wright becomes the first Frontenacs player to win the weekly honour since Brett Neumann last did so in December 2018.
Also considered for the award this week, Guelph Storm forward and reigning Player of the Month Sasha Pastujov helped his club play to a 2-1-0-0 mark, climbing to the top of OHL scoring with seven points (2-5–7) over three games. Soo Greyhounds forward Rory Kerins also recorded seven points (2-5–7) as the Hounds went 2-1-0-0 on the week.
Steelheads’ Roman Basran Named OHL Goaltender of the Week
Roman Basran of the Mississauga Steelheads is the OHL Goaltender of the Week with three wins, a 0.97 goals-against average, .952 save percentage and his first career OHL shutout.
A 20-year-old product of Vancouver, BC, Basran was acquired by the Steelheads via OHL entry waivers on October 4. He played four seasons with the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets, going 52-41-7-4 with a 2.90 goals-against average, .905 save percentage and five shutouts after originally being selected in the third round of the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft. The 6-foot-2, 192Ib. netminder represented Canada Black at the 2017 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John, BC. Basran owns the League’s second-lowest goals-against average of 2.37, going 5-3-0-0 with an .894 save percentage with the Steelheads so far this season.
Other goaltenders considered for the award this week include Xavier Medina of the Windsor Spitfires who went 2-0 with a 1.99 goals-against average and .933 save percentage. London Knights goaltender Brett Brochu also played well, going 1-1 with a 1.98 goals-against average and .909 save percentage.
About the Ontario Hockey League The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the world’s largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American states. In addition to the OHL, the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League and U SPORTS than any other league.
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League is pleased to congratulate 24 OHL players named by Hockey Canada to the Under-17 roster set to participate at the inaugural Capital City Challenge, a four-team tournament featuring three men’s under-17 teams and Canada’s National Women’s Team to take place November 26 to December 1 at TD Place in Ottawa.
The 66 players named to compete in the event will be divided into three teams – Team Canada Black, Team Canada Red and Team Canada White – and will compete against Canada’s National Women’s Team as part of its centralization schedule. The rosters for Team Canada Black, Team Canada Red and Team Canada White will be unveiled in the coming weeks.
The under-17 roster was selected by Scott Salmond (Creston, B.C.), senior vice-president of hockey operations, Alan Millar (Tottenham, Ont.), director of player personnel, and Byron Bonora (Brooks, Alta.), head scout for the U17 program. U17 Program of Excellence management group lead Philippe Boucher (Saint-Apollinaire, Que./Drummondville, QMJHL) and manager of hockey operations Benoit Roy (Sudbury, Ont.), as well as regional scouts Pierre Cholette (Quebec), Rob Simpson (Ontario), Darren Sutherland (Atlantic) and Darrell Woodley (Ontario), also provided input with support from Hockey Canada’s 13 Members.
“We are excited to unveil the 66 players that will suit up for our three men’s under-17 teams at the Capital City Challenge and have the unique opportunity to compete against Canada’s National Women’s Team in Ottawa,” said Salmond. “Although this has not been a traditional year for our Program of Excellence and the under-17 group, we are excited to introduce these athletes to an event that replicates short-term, international competition.”
In addition to the 24 OHL players selected, a total of nine OHL hockey operations personnel have been named to the staffs of the three Canadian squads including Team Red director of operations Kyle Raftis (Soo Greyhounds), Team White head coach Rob Wilson (Peterborough Petes), assistant Chad Wiseman (Guelph Storm) and Team Black assistant coach Jordan Smith (Soo Greyhounds).
24 OHL Players Named to 2021 Capital City Challenge:
*player committed to Ontario Hockey League club
Goaltenders (3): Joseph Costanzo (Niagara IceDogs) Nathaniel Day (Flint Firebirds) Mason Vaccari (Kingston Frontenacs)*
Forwards (15): Denver Barkey (London Knights) Chris Barlas (Ottawa 67’s) Colby Barlow (Owen Sound Attack) Easton Cowan (London Knights)* Nick Lardis (Peterborough Petes) Luke McNamara (Saginaw Spirit) Ethan Miedema (Windsor Spitfires) Luke Misa (Mississauga Steelheads) Owen Outwater (North Bay Battalion) Alex Pharand (Hamilton Bulldogs) Luca Pinelli (Ottawa 67’s) Carson Rehkopf (Kitchener Rangers) Calum Ritchie (Oshawa Generals) Matthew Soto (Kingston Frontenacs) Carey Terrance (Erie Otters)
Team Staff (Canada Black): Assistant Coach – Jordan Smith (Soo Greyhounds) Athletic Therapist – Marie-Pierre Néron (Ottawa 67’s)
Team Staff (Canada Red): Director of Operations – Kyle Raftis (Soo Greyhounds) Goaltending Coach – Franky Palazzese (Sarnia Sting) Video Coach – Nick Biamonte (Guelph Storm) Equipment Manager – Spencer Stehouwer (Sarnia Sting) Team Physician – Dr. Wanda Millard (London Knights)
Team Staff (Canada White): Head Coach – Rob Wilson (Peterborough Petes) Assistant Coach – Chad Wiseman (Guelph Storm)
The Capital City Challenge opens on Nov. 26 at TD Place Arena, home of the Ottawa 67’s. Canada’s centralization roster will face Team Canada White in the tournament opener at 12 p.m. ET, followed by Team Canada Black taking on Team Canada Red at 7 p.m. ET.
Full-event ticket packages can be purchased for $80 (plus applicable fees) starting Monday, Nov. 8, while single-game tickets will be available starting as low as $5 at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets.
For more information on Hockey Canada and the Capital City Challenge, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and by using #OurGameIsBack.
About the Ontario Hockey League The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the world’s largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American states. In addition to the OHL, the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League and U SPORTS than any other league.
Toronto, Ont. – November has arrived and we’ve got cross-border play in the Ontario Hockey League! Here’s your rundown of what’s taking place across the League this week.
November is Special Olympics Game Month in the OHL For the 13th consecutive season, the Ontario Hockey League is teaming up with The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) and Special Olympics Ontario to raise awareness around the Special Olympics movement. Read more
OHL Top Performers of the Month for October: The Ontario Hockey League today announced the Top OHL Performers of the Month for regular season games played in October 2021, including Guelph Storm forward Sasha Pastujov, Sudbury Wolves defenceman Jack Thompson, Oshawa Generals rookie Calum Ritchie and London Knights goaltender Brett Brochu. Read more
OHL Academic Players of the Month for October: The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Sam Alfano of the Peterborough Petes, Owen Beck of the Mississauga Steelheads, Cal Uens of the Owen Sound Attack and Bronson Ride of the Windsor Spitfires have been named the OHL Academic Players of the Month for October. Read more
Knights and Frontenacs included in Week 5 edition of Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings: The London Knights are up another two spots this week, climbing to second in the Canadian Hockey League as the only remaining undefeated squad. The Kingston Frontenacs are in the Top 10 for the sixth straight edition, rising one spot to number nine in the CHL. Read more
Petes’ Robertson named OHL Player of the Week: Tucker Robertson of the Peterborough Petes is the OHL Player of the Week with five points including three goals and two assists in a pair of victories. Read more
Generals’ Leaver named OHL Goaltender of the Week: Patrick Leaver of the Oshawa Generals is the OHL Goaltender of the Week with two wins, a 1.00 goals-against average, .976 save percentage and one shutout. Read more
Robertson, Clarke and Leaver named to CHL Team of the Week: Peterborough’s Tucker Robertson, Barrie’s Brandt Clarke and Oshawa’s Patrick Leaver have been named to the CHL Team of the Week for Oct. 25-31, 2021. Read more
Hockey Canada Announces Capital City Challenge The nation’s capital will serve as the backdrop for the Capital City Challenge, a four-team tournament featuring Canada’s National Women’s Team and three national men’s under-17 teams starting November 26. Read more
Chromiak’s lacrosse-inspired special leads OHL Plays of the Week: Surveying the OHL Plays of the Week for action ending Sunday, October 31st featuring Niagara’s Cameron Peters, Sarnia’s Justin O’Donnell, Guelph’s Sasha Pastujov, Mississauga’s combo of Ty Collins and Luca Del Bel Belluz as well as Kingston’s Martin Chromiak. Watch
Kicking-off November with terrific turnaways in the OHL Saves of the Week: Kicking-off the month of November with terrific turnaways by OHL puckstoppers including Saginaw’s Andrew Oke, Kitchener’s Pavel Cajan, Barrie’s Matthew Sbrocca, Windsor’s Kyle Downey, Oshawa’s Patrick Leaver, Sault Ste. Marie’s Samuel Ivanov, Kingston’s Aidan Spooner and North Bay’s Joe Vrbetic. Watch
Twelve first goals and a shutout in OHL Milestone Moments: Check out 12 first career OHL goals and Patrick Leaver’s first career shutout from the past week of action in the latest edition of OHL Milestone Moments! Watch
OHL Weekend Notebook: The OHL Weekend Notebook recaps the weekend that was with news, information and interesting facts from both on and off the ice. Read more
Rodion Tatarenko commits to Battalion: The North Bay Battalion have received a commitment from ninth round 2020 OHL Priority Selection choice Rodion Tatarenko who has started his season with the NOJHL affilaite Powassan Voodoos. Read more
Matthew Mania commits to Wolves: The Sudbury Wolves have received a commitment from fourth round 2021 OHL Priority Selection choice Matthew Mania who began his season with the USHL’s Fargo Force. Read more
Betts and Gushchin added to IceDogs’ leadership group: Niagara IceDogs head coach Billy Burke has named overage defenceman Dakota Betts and first-year San Jose Sharks prospect Danil Gushchin as alternate captains. Read more
COMMUNITY CORNER:
Otters fire up ‘Movember’ with team campaign: The Erie Otters are growing their ‘Mo’s’ in support of men’s health this month. Visit the club’s donation page at movember.com.
Petes host Battalion for Remembrance Day game on Thursday: The Peterborough Petes will be saluting veterans and active military service members on Thursday when they host the North Bay Battalion in their annual Remembrance Day game. The Petes will welcome, recognize and honour the men and women who have and continue to put their lives on the line for our great country. More info at gopetesgo.com
Rangers unveil 16th annual Remembrance Day jersey for Friday: The Kitchener Rangers are excited about their fast approaching Remembrance Day game on Friday. They recently unveiled their 16th annual Remembrance Day jersey that will be auctioned off to raise funds for local military charities. Read more
Spirit host First Responders Night on Saturday: The Saginaw Spirit hold their annual 4:00pm Team Police vs. Team Fire charity game prior to pcuk drop against the Sarnia Sting on Saturday. A long-standing Spirit tradition, the charity matchup will take place for a 14th season.
Spitfires hand out limited edition Remembrance Day poster on Saturday: Fans attending Saturday’s Windsor Spitfires game at home to the Erie Otters will receive a free, limited edition team Remembrance Day poster while supplies last. The Spits will salute past and present military service members at Saturday’s game.
ALUMNI NOTES:
Pezzetta makes NHL debut: Former Sudbury Wolves and Sarnia Sting forward Michael Pezzetta made his NHL debut with the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday at the age of 23. The former sixth round pick by Montreal in 2016 broke into the NHL after spending 115 games in the American Hockey League. A former Wolves captain, Pezzetta played in the OHL from 2014-18, recording 111 points (48-63–111) over 241 regular season games. He had six points (3-3–6) through his first eight games of the season with the AHL’s Laval Rocket before being recalled.
Harley skates in first NHL regular season matchup: Thomas Harley had the opportunity to make his NHL debut during the Dallas Stars’ 2020 Stanley Cup playoff run, but on Tuesday saw his first regular season action in the NHL as the Stars fell to the Winnipeg Jets 4-3 in a shootout. The 20-year-old Mississauga Steelheads graduate has one assist through six games with the AHL’s Texas Stars this season. He played 38 AHL games last year, putting up 25 points (8-17–25). Harley, who played in Mississauga over three seasons from 2017-20, was Dallas’ first round (18th overall) pick in the 2019 NHL Draft.
Merkley lights the lamp with Sharks: Former first overall OHL Priority Selection choice and OHL Rookie of the Year Ryan Merkley scored his first NHL goal on Tuesday as the San Jose Sharks defeated the Buffalo Sabres 5-3. Merkley was skating in his second career NHL contest after making his debut on Oct. 30th. The 21-year-old registered four assists through his first four games of the season with the AHL’s San Jose Barracuda. Merkley played four OHL seasons between Guelph, Peterborough and London from 2016-20, graduating with 269 points (54-215–269), the sixth-most by a defenceman in OHL history.
Brodie plays in 700th NHL contest: Toronto Maple Leafs blueliner T.J. Brodie suited up in his 700th career regular season game on Tuesday. The 31-year-old product of Chatham, Ont. is in the midst of his 11th NHL season and second in Toronto after starting out with the Calgary Flames as a fourth round pick in the 2008 NHL Draft. Brodie played four OHL seasons between the Saginaw Spirit and Barrie Colts from 2006-10. He has two assists through 10 games with the Maple Leafs this season.
Monahan suits up for 600th NHL game: Calgary Flames centreman Sean Monahan played in his 600th career NHL game on Tuesday, recording an assist in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Nashville Predators. The 27-year-old from Brampton, Ont. has spent the entirety of his nine-year career with Calgary after being selected by the Flames with the sixth overall pick of the 2013 NHL Draft. Monahan played three OHL seasons for the Ottawa 67’s from 2010-13. He has 205 goals, 238 assists and 443 points over his 600-game NHL tenure.
Landeskog notches 300th assist: Former Kitchener Rangers captain Gabriel Landeskog recorded career assist number 300 on Wednesday. The 28-year-old Colorado Avalanche captain picked up two helpers to reach 300 as the Avs fell to the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-4 in overtime. Landeskog has 10 points (4-6–10) through his first seven games of the season and joins Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg, Milan Hejduk, Nathan MacKinnon and Alex Tanguay as one of six Avs players to record 300 assists with the club. Landeskog played two seasons in Kitchener from 2009-11 before being selected by the Avs with the second overall pick of the 2011 NHL Draft.
Quinn named AHL Rookie of Month: Ottawa 67’s grad Jack Quinn is the AHL Rookie of the Month for October. The Buffalo Sabres first round draft pick tallied five goals and five assists for 10 points over six games with the Rochester Americans. The Cobden, Ont. native was limited to just 15 games with the Amerks last season after undergoing a hernia surgery in April. The 20-year-old scored 52 goals for the 67’s during the 2019-20 season before being selected by the Sabres with the eighth overall pick in 2020. Quinn played parts of three seasons in Ottawa under head coach Andre Tourigny from 2017-20.
Luchuk named ECHL Player of Month: Former OHL top scorer Aaron Luchuk is the ECHL Player of the Month, putting up four goals, four assists and eight points in three games for the Orlando Solar Bears, an affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 24-year-old tallied at least two points in each of his three games, and had a four-point game (3-1–4) in a 5-4 overtime win over Jacksonville on Oct. 31, which included the fastest hat trick in Solar Bears’ history (12:07). Luchuk played four full seasons in the OHL, winning a Memorial Cup with the Windsor Spitfires in 2017 before winning the Eddie Powers Trophy as the League’s top scorer between Windsor and Barrie with 115 points in 2017-18.
Oksentyuk named ECHL Rookie of the Month: Flint Firebirds graduate Evgeniy Oksentyuk (Yauheni Aksiantsiuk) of the Idaho Steelheads is the ECHL Rookie of the Month for October, recording four goals, five assists and a plus-6 rating in five games during the opening month of the season. A sixth round pick of the Dallas Stars in 2020, Oksentyuk recorded 78 points (33-45–78) in his lone season in Flint, the 2019-20 campaign. The Belarusian forward is under an NHL contract with Dallas.
KEY MATCHUPS:
Barrie Colts at Oshawa Generals Friday November 5th – 7:35pm
Brandt Clarke and the Barrie Colts visit Oshawa to kick-off their weekend on Friday, entering play with a 4-5-0-1 record through their first 10 games. It’s been a mixed bag to start the season for the Colts, who have Clarke coming off a six-point week that saw them take wins in two of three. Clarke leads the Colts offensively with 12 points (3-9–12) through eight games while Colorado Avalanche first round pick Oskar Olausson also has 12 points (7-5–12) to his credit. The Generals featured Edmonton Oilers prospect and captain Ty Tullio who owns the OHL’s longest point streak this season. He’s put up a point in each of his 10 games thus far. Oshawa enters play with points in each of their last four games as Generals netminder Patrick Leaver comes off OHL Goaltender of the Week honours.
Guelph Storm at Soo Greyhounds Friday November 5th and Saturday November 6th – 7:07pm
Winners of three straight, the Guelph Storm are in Sault Ste. Marie for two this weekend as the OHL’s four top scorers will share the same ice surface. Anaheim Ducks prospect Sasha Pastujov (10-9–19) was the OHL Player of the Month for October and sits tied with Sault Ste. Marie’s Tye Kartye (11-8–19) for the League lead in points. The Hounds feature an offensive triple thread, with Calgary Flames prospect Rory Kerins (7-11–18) and overage winger Cole MacKay (6-11–17) joining Kartye while St. Louis Blues prospect Tanner Dickinson (4-12–16) trails close behind. The 8-4-0-0 Greyhounds currently sit first in the West Division. The Storm, who feature top 2022 NHL Draft prospect Matthew Poitras (4-7–11) are 6-4-1-0.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
Thursday November 4th: Erie at Niagara – 7:00pm North Bay at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Friday November 5th: North Bay at Kingston – 7:00pm Hamilton at Mississauga – 7:00pm Peterborough at Ottawa – 7:00pm Saginaw at Sarnia – 7:05pm Niagara at Sudbury – 7:05pm Guelph at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07pm Flint at Kitchener – 7:30pm Owen Sound at London – 7:30pm Barrie at Oshawa – 7:35pm
Saturday November 6th: Sudbury at Hamilton – 4:00pm London at Flint – 7:00pm Sarnia at Saginaw – 7:05pm Erie at Windsor – 7:05pm Guelph at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07pm Kitchener at Owen Sound – 7:30pm
Sunday November 7th: Barrie at Hamilton – 2:00pm Peterborough at Kingston – 2:00pm Niagara at Mississauga – 2:00pm North Bay at Ottawa – 2:00pm Erie at Sarnia – 2:05pm Sudbury at Oshawa – 6:05pm
OHL Writers 