CHL Unveils 100th Memorial Cup Celebration Logo

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today unveiled a celebration logo designed to honour the 100th presentation of the Memorial Cup.

The logo was introduced prior to three final bid presentations for the 2018 Mastercard Memorial Cup heard today in downtown Toronto by a national Site Selection Committee of sport industry leaders from across Canada.

memorial-cup-100-years

The Hamilton Bulldogs, Regina Pats, and Oshawa Generals are all vying for the opportunity to host the 100th edition of the league’s prestigious national championship to be held May 17-27, 2018, featuring a host CHL team along with the champions of the OHL, WHL, and QMJHL competing in the traditional round-robin tournament format.

“Today was a very successful day with three fine presentations,” said Gord Kirke, 2018 Mastercard Memorial Cup Site Selection Committee Chairman. “Each of the presentations were professional and thorough emphasizing competitive hockey clubs and an appreciation for Canadian Armed Forces and the services they provide our country.  The Site Selection Committee has a challenging decision ahead, which is a good thing, because if today’s presentations are any indication the 100th presentation of the Memorial Cup will be a tremendous celebration.”

WATCH: 2018 Mastercard Memorial Cup Bid Presentation Highlights (Interview clips include club representatives and Site Selection Committee Chair Gord Kirke).

The successful host city of the 2018 Mastercard Memorial Cup will be announced in February.  The Site Selection Committee is comprised of Michael Akpata (Retired Canadian Armed Forces, 2017 Mastercard Memorial Cup Host Organizing Committee), Paul Beeston (Former President & CEO, Toronto Blue Jays), Colin Campbell (Senior Executive Vice-President of Hockey Operations, NHL), Al Coates (Interim Director, Hockey Canada Foundation), Serge Fortin (Vice-President, TVA Sports), Scott Moore (President, Sportsnet and NHL Properties), and Scott Smith (Chief Operating Officer, Hockey Canada).

The Memorial Cup has a rich tradition that has shaped the way junior hockey is played in North America. The trophy was originally known as the OHA Memorial Cup and was donated by the Ontario Hockey Association in March, 1919, in remembrance of the many soldiers who paid the supreme sacrifice for Canada in the First World War.  In 2010 the Memorial Cup was rededicated to the memory of all fallen Canadian Military Personnel killed in combat serving our country.

The 99th edition of the Mastercard Memorial Cup will be hosted by the Windsor Spitfires May 18-28, 2017.

For more information please visit www.mastercardmemorialcup.ca.

CHL Announces 100th Memorial Cup Bid Presentation Details

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced details regarding formal bid presentations for the 2018 Mastercard Memorial Cup which will be the 100th edition of the league’s prestigious national championship.

The Hamilton Bulldogs, Oshawa Generals, and the Regina Pats will present before a national Site Selection Committee of industry leaders from across Canada on Wednesday January 25, 2017, in Toronto.

2018 Mastercard Memorial Cup Site Selection Committee:

  • Michael Akpata (Retired Canadian Armed Forces, 2017 Mastercard Memorial Cup HOC)
  • Paul Beeston (Former President & CEO, Toronto Blue Jays)
  • Colin Campbell (Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations, NHL)
  • Al Coates (Interim Director, Hockey Canada Foundation)
  • Serge Fortin (Vice-President, TVA Sports)
  • Scott Moore (President, Sportsnet and NHL Properties)
  • Scott Smith (Chief Operating Officer, Hockey Canada)

Ex officio members of the Site Selection Committee include Commissioners David Branch (OHL), Gilles Courteau (QMJHL), and Ron Robison (WHL), and CHL Legal Counsel Gord Kirke who will serve as Site Selection Committee Chairman.

The 100th Mastercard Memorial Cup will take place May 17-27, 2018, and will feature a host CHL team along with the champions of the OHL, WHL, and QMJHL competing in the traditional round-robin tournament format.  The successful host city will be announced in February, 2017.

The Memorial Cup has a rich tradition that has shaped the way junior hockey is played in North America. The trophy was originally known as the OHA Memorial Cup and was donated by the Ontario Hockey Association in March, 1919, in remembrance of the many soldiers who paid the supreme sacrifice for Canada in the First World War.  In 2010 the Memorial Cup was rededicated to the memory of all fallen Canadian Military Personnel killed in combat serving our country.

The 99th edition of the Mastercard Memorial Cup will be hosted by the Windsor Spitfires May 18-28, 2017.

For more information please visit www.mastercardmemorialcup.ca.

OHL Introduces Under-18 Priority Selection

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the introduction of an annual Under-18 Priority Selection for Midget AAA hockey players in Ontario.

The inaugural OHL Under-18 Priority Selection will take place on Wednesday April 12, 2017, beginning at 7:00 pm with picks submitted online by OHL member clubs and displayed in real-time at ontariohockeyleague.com.

“Midget hockey in Ontario features hundreds of talented players who continue to develop their game,” said OHL Commissioner, David Branch. “Working with our Minor Hockey partners, the OHL Under-18 Priority Selection will serve to assist in the continued growth of Midget hockey and provide further opportunities for players at different stages of their overall hockey development.”

priority-selection-under-18The concept of the OHL Under-18 Priority Selection has developed with full support from Hockey Canada’s three Ontario Branches including the Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF), Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO), and Hockey Northwestern Ontario (HNO).

“The Ontario Hockey League has long been a leader in the advancement of young athletes and the new Under-18 Priority Selection is a continuation of that development,” said OHF President, Tony Foresi. “We believe this second draft will offer players a chance to develop at their own pace while still working toward their hockey goals.”

“The OHL has added a great incentive for those players who may have required an additional year or two of development to reach their full potential,” said HEO President, Ron McRostie. “HEO is excited that some late developing athletes may have an additional opportunity of reaching their goals.”

“The new Ontario Hockey League Under-18 Priority Selection is a great opportunity for players that have continued to develop in Midget AAA hockey within the province,” said HNO President, Glenn Timko. “We see this U18 draft as a positive opportunity for players in the Northwest, to have another chance at being selected by an Ontario Hockey League club.”

The OHL Under-18 Priority Selection will be held in addition to the league’s current Priority Selection process which takes place this season on Saturday April 8, 2017, for all 2001 birth year players and those eligible players currently not playing Midget hockey.

Eligibility for the OHL Under-18 Priority Selection includes all Midget players (1999 and 2000 birth years for 2017 draft) not currently on an OHL Member Team Protected List who were carded with an Ontario based Midget AAA Hockey Club within the OHF, HEO, or HNO in the current season.

The order of selection for the Under-18 Priority Selection shall be the same as the Under-16 Priority Selection format which is determined through the final preceding regular season schedule.  The non-playoff teams shall select first determined by inverse order of finish, followed by all other teams with the selection position also determined by inverse order of finish. 

The inaugural Under-18 Priority Selection will be capped at four rounds with all OHL Member Teams required to draft a minimum of four players. 

To enhance opportunities specifically for goaltenders, should an OHL Member Team select a goaltender with one of their selections, the club has the option to select another player (skater only).  An additional round will be added to facilitate the drafting of any additional skaters utilizing the same selection order and process.

Ontario Hockey League Teams up with Teachers Life

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Teachers Life becomes the Presenting Sponsor of the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Talk Today Program as part of multi-year OHL partnership

Toronto, Ontario, January 11, 2017 – The Ontario Hockey League in association with Teachers Life proudly announce the launch of a two-year partnership as Teachers Life becomes the Presenting Sponsor of the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Talk Today Program in 16 OHL communities.

teachers-lifeTalk Today is one of the most comprehensive mental health programs for amateur sports in Canada.  It aims to promote the mental health of young athletes and to spread awareness about the benefits of positive mental health throughout communities across the country.

“Mental illness directly or indirectly affects everyone at some point in their life,” said David Branch, OHL Commissioner. “Our partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association for the Talk Today program has further enhanced the playing environment for our student athletes.  With the support of Teachers Life we look forward to building this program and continuing to make a positive difference in OHL communities.”

Originally launched by the OHL in partnership with CMHA Ontario in 2014, Talk Today has made a sizable impact with over 725 players, 204 billets, and more than 85 coaches and front office staff receiving mental health and suicide prevention training to date.  The partnership has since expanded between the Canadian Hockey League and CMHA to include all 60 CHL teams beginning this season.

“CMHA Ontario is extremely grateful to Teachers Life for its generosity and backing of Talk Today, an important program that is providing help to OHL players and teams while helping to eliminate stigma and discrimination too often associated with mental health,” said Camille Quenneville, CEO, CMHA Ontario. “The Teachers Life commitment will help us provide mental health and suicide prevention training for individuals in OHL communities who, in turn, help the CMHA spread positive messages of mental health throughout Ontario.”

As part of its partnership, Teachers Life will help the OHL and CMHA Ontario branches raise awareness about the importance of mental health during upcoming OHL games beginning Friday January 13 in London when the Knights host the Saginaw Spirit.  Talk Today awareness nights presented by Teachers Life will continue league wide in February with a full schedule to be announced in the coming weeks.

“Teachers Life recognizes the challenges that mental health issues can bring to students, families, and those who work in education,” said Doug Baker, President and CEO of Teachers Life Insurance. “We are proud to be a part of the OHL’s Talk Today program to help raise awareness of the benefits of positive mental health. We know that by destigmatizing mental health issues, lives and communities are greatly improved.”

Teachers Life sponsored OHL teams include the Barrie Colts, Guelph Storm, Kingston Frontenacs, Kitchener Rangers, London Knights, Mississauga Steelheads, Niagara IceDogs, North Bay Battalion, Oshawa Generals, Ottawa 67’s, Owen Sound Attack, Peterborough Petes, Sarnia Sting, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, Sudbury Wolves, and Windsor Spitfires.

 About Teachers Life:

Teachers Life is a not-for-profit federally regulated life-insurance company and North America’s largest educator-owned fraternal insurer. Founded in 1939, Teachers Life offers a full suite of personal insurance products to address the unique needs of the whole education community including educators, administrators, support staff and their families. Teachers Life is the first insurance provider in Canada to underwrite life insurance products online, in as little as 15 minutes. As a not-for-profit fraternal insurer, community commitment is a core value for Teachers Life. For more information, please visit www.teacherslife.com.

About the Canadian Mental Health Association:

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) works toward a single mission: to make mental health possible for all. The vision of CMHA Ontario is a society that believes mental health is the key to well-being. CMHA Ontario works closely with 31 local branches in communities across the province to ensure the quality delivery of services in the areas of mental health, addictions, dual diagnosis and concurrent disorders. Through policy formulation, analysis and implementation, agenda setting, research, evaluation and knowledge exchange, we work to improve the lives of people with mental health and addictions conditions and their families.  Visit www.ontario.cmha.ca to find a CMHA branch in your community

 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. Last season, more than nine million fans attended CHL games in the regular season, playoffs and at the Mastercard Memorial Cup. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League and U Sports than any other league.  For more information visit www.ontariohockeyleague.com.

OHL Announces Academic Players of the Month for December

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the OHL Academic Players of the Month for December 2016, including forwards Nathan Dunkley of the Kingston Frontenacs, Adam McMaster of the North Bay Battalion, Nick Deakin-Poot of the Guelph Storm and Damien Giroux of the Saginaw Spirit.

East Division: Sixteen year-old rookie forward Nathan Dunkley of the Kingston Frontenacs is the East Division Academic Player of the Month for December after achieving an overall average of 78% over four university level courses at Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School. Dunkley is currently studying Functions, Accounting, World Religions and High Performance Athletics and has achieved successful results in all four streams. “Nathan demonstrates an exemplary attitude, work ethic and commitment to his studies,” said Frontenacs academic advisor Kim Hulton. “He’s an excellent role model and his commitment to success is evident in both his academic achievements and his on-ice performance. Dunkley has 14 points (3-11–14) over 31 games this season and represented Canada Red at the 2016 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. The Campbellford, Ont. native was Kingston’s first round (17th overall) pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection.

Nathan Dunkley of the Kingston Frontenacs. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Nathan Dunkley of the Kingston Frontenacs. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Central Division: Sixteen year-old rookie Adam McMaster of the North Bay Battalion is the Central Division Academic Player of the Month for December. The Beamsville, Ont. native is currently achieving high grades in Grade 11 Marketing, American History, English and Co-op courses at Chippewa Secondary School. “Adam demonstrates a thorough understanding of course materials and makes connections easily,” said Battalion academic advisor Judy Smith. “He was able to manage his school work effectively and independently while competing at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Sault Ste. Marie earlier this season.” McMaster has 11 points (2-9–11) over 29 games this season after being North Bay’s first round (13th overall) pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection. He was the 2016 OMHA SCTA Minor Midget Player of the Year last season.

Adam McMaster of the North Bay Battalion. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Adam McMaster of the North Bay Battalion. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Midwest Division: Guelph Storm sophomore forward Nick Deakin-Poot is the Midwest Division Academic Player of the Month for December. The 17 year-old native of Georgetown, Ont. is currently studying university level English, Kinesiology and Religion courses at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Secondary School and has maintained an 87% average in his studies. “Nick is a conscientious and disciplined student with a great attitude,” said Storm academic advisor Coleen Driscoll. “His teachers have been very complimentary of his commitment to his studies as well as his positive outlook.” Deakin-Poot has a goal and four assists over 24 games this season. He was Guelph’s third round (54th overall) pick in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection.

Nick Deakin-Poot of the Guelph Storm. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Nick Deakin-Poot of the Guelph Storm. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

West Division: Sixteen year-old rookie forward Damien Giroux of the Saginaw Spirit is the Midwest Division Academic Player of the Month for December. The Hanmer, Ont. native is an ‘A’ student over Grade 11 International Baccalaureate Language and Literature, Biology, Algebra and French courses, drawing the praise of his teachers in the process. “Damien is an outgoing and enthusiastic student with an amazing personality,” said Spirit academic advisor Pamela Moretuzzo. “He incorporates his terrific sense of humor into his classes. I appreciate and embrace his natural ability to make those around him laugh and have fun, while focusing on his many scholastic, athletic and community service commitments.” Giroux, who was Saginaw’s third round (44th overall) pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection, has 13 points (6-7–13) over 27 games as a rookie this season.

2016-17 OHL Academic Players of the Month:

East Division:
December – Nathan Dunkley (Kingston Frontenacs)
November – Matthew Strome (Hamilton Bulldogs)
October – Zach Gallant (Peterborough Petes)

Central Division:
December – Adam McMaster (North Bay Battalion)
November – Kyle Heitzner (Barrie Colts)
October – Jacob Ingham (Mississauga Steelheads)

Midwest Division:
December – Nick Deakin-Poot (Guelph Storm)
November – Cade Robinson (Erie Otters)
October – Nick Suzuki (Owen Sound Attack)

West Division:
December – Damien Giroux (Saginaw Spirit)
November – Hunter Holmes (Flint Firebirds)
October – Cole Purboo (Windsor Spitfires)

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

OHL Announces Top Performers of the Month for December

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON –  The Ontario Hockey League today announced the Top OHL Performers of the Month for regular season games played in December 2016, including Peterborough Petes forward Zach Gallant, Kingston Frontenacs blueliner Stephen Desrocher, Guelph Storm rookie Ryan Merkley and Windsor Spitfires goaltender Michael DiPietro. 

OHL Player of the Month – Zach Gallant (Peterborough Petes):
2017 NHL Draft prospect Zach Gallant of the Peterborough Petes is the OHL Player of the Month for December after collecting seven goals, eight assists and 15 points over 10 contests along with a plus/minus rating of plus-13. Gallant was also 56 percent in the faceoff circle to help the Petes to a perfect 10-0-0-0 month of December as they climbed to second place in the East Division. The 6-foot-1, 184Ib. centre had points in eight games including five multi-point outings. Gallant earned first star honours on four separate occasions, doing so on December 3rd when he had a goal and an assist in a 5-2 win over the visiting Guelph Storm. His two goals and an assist on December 11th led the Petes over the Ottawa 67’s 6-2 on the road. Gallant was named first star once again on December 15th when had a goal and an assist to help the Petes defeat the London Knights 3-1 on Sportsnet. Gallant rounded out his first star selections on December 29th with two goals and an assist in a 7-5 win over visiting Ottawa.

A 17-year-old native of Oakville, Ont., Gallant is currently in his sophomore season with the Petes after being the club’s first round (5th overall) pick in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection. He’s currently tied for fifth in team scoring with 12 goals, 17 assists and 29 points over 36 games to go with a plus/minus rating of plus-9 and a 59.4 percent success rate in the faceoff circle.

OHL Defenceman of the Month – Stephen Desrocher (Kingston Frontenacs):
Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Stephen Desrocher of the Kingston Frontenacs has been named the OHL Defenceman of the Month for December. Desrocher led all defencemen with 15 points including two goals and 13 assists over 10 games as the Frontenacs played to a 5-1-4-0 record. The 6-foot-4, 206Ib. rearguard recorded points in all 10 of his December contests, registering four multi-point outputs. Desrocher earned first star honours four times as he helped the Fronts defeat the visiting Kitchener Rangers with a goal and an assist on December 2nd. A night later he pitched in with two assists in a 3-2 shootout win in Hamilton. Desrocher recorded a pair of helpers to earn first star recognition in a 3-2 home ice win over Oshawa on December 17th. He rounded out his first star performances on December 30th with three assists in a 4-3 overtime loss to Peterborough.

A 20-year-old native of Toronto, Ont., Desrocher is in his fourth OHL season and second with the Frontenacs after spending parts of three seasons with the Oshawa Generals where he won an OHL title and Mastercard Memorial Cup championship in 2014-15.  He leads Kingston defencemen in scoring with five goals, 20 assists and 25 points over 33 contests and has recorded 13 of his 25 points on the power play. He was Toronto’s sixth round (155th overall) pick in the 2015 NHL Draft.


OHL Rookie of the Month – Ryan Merkley (Guelph Storm):
For the second time this season, 2016 OHL Priority Selection first overall pick Ryan Merkley of the Guelph Storm is the OHL Rookie of the Month. Merkley led all rookies with 13 points including four goals and nine assists over 10 games. His December included the first two multi-goal games of his OHL career including a pair on December 7th in a 5-4 road loss against the Sarnia Sting. Merkley’s overtime winner on December 11th was his second of the game and along with an assist, he recorded three points to earn first star recognition in a 4-3 win over the Kingston Frontenacs. The rookie had a three assist effort, setting up the overtime winner on December 28th when the Storm defeated the visiting Sarnia Sting 4-3.

A 16-year-old native of Mississauga, Ont., Merkley leads all OHL rookies with 28 points including six goals and 22 assists over 30 games. He is third in Storm scoring this season after being the club’s first round (1st overall) pick this past April. He will be eligible for the 2018 NHL Draft.

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Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month – Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires):
2017 NHL Draft prospect Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires is the Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month for December. DiPietro played to a 6-2-0-0 record with a 1.48 goals-against-average, a .940 save percentage and three shutouts over his eight December starts. He started the month with a 36-save performance on December 3rd as the Spitfires claimed a 2-1 win over the Flint Firebirds. His month was headlined by a string of three straight road shutouts from December 8-11, earning him Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week honours as he blanked the Barrie Colts, Sudbury Wolves and North Bay Battalion in succession. DiPietro put together a shutout streak that spanned parts of five games for an overall length of 209:23.

A 17-year-old native of Amherstburg, Ont., DiPietro comes off a tremendous rookie season in the OHL, one that earned him the F.W. Dinty Moore Trophy with a 2.45 goals-against-average. This season, DiPietro has played to a 16-5-4-0 record with a 2.21 goals-against-average, .918 save percentage and four shutouts over 26 games. He was Windsor’s second round (23rd overall) pick in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection. DiPietro will represent Team Orr in the upcoming 2017 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Quebec City on January 30th.

2016-17 OHL Performers of the Month:

Player of the Month:
December – Zach Gallant (Peterborough Petes)
November – Alex DeBrincat/Taylor Raddysh (Erie Otters)
October – Taylor Raddysh (Erie Otters)

Defenceman of the Month:
December – Stephen Desrocher (Kingston Frontenacs)
November – Darren Raddysh (Erie Otters)
October – Mathieu Henderson (Flint Firebirds)

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

Vaughn Goaltender of the Month:
December – Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires
November – Tyler Parsons (London Knights)
October – Troy Timpano (Erie Otters)

OHL Announces Academic Players of the Month for November

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

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

Best of Both Worlds

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

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

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

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

2016-17 OHL Academic Players of the Month:

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

Central Division:

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

Midwest Division:

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

West Division:

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

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

30 CHL Players Invited to Canada’s National Junior Team Selection Camp

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

30 CHL Players Invited to Canada’s National Junior Team Selection Camp

TORONTO, Ont. and MONTREAL, Que. – In less than 30 days, the puck will officially drop on the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship, and 32 players are now one step closer to being part of this Canadian holiday tradition as a member of Canada’s National Junior Team.

Hockey Canada unveiled the list of invitees who will report to Canada’s National Junior Team Sport Chek Selection Camp in Blainville, Que., Dec. 10-14, during coinciding news conferences in Montreal and Toronto on Tuesday. The cities will co-host the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship when it returns to Canadian ice next month.

Hockey Canada

The selection camp roster includes 19 forwards, 10 defencemen, and three goaltenders. The evaluation process was led by Ryan Jankowski, Hockey Canada’s director of player personnel, and Joël Bouchard of the organization’s Program of Excellence management group, with input from coaches and general managers from across the Canadian Hockey League (CHL).

CHL Players:

Goaltenders:

Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Connor Ingram (Kamloops Blazers)
Michael McNiven (Owen Sound Attack)

Defencemen:
Jake Bean (Calgary Hitmen)
Guillaume Brisebois (Charlottetown Islanders)
Thomas Chabot (Saint John Sea Dogs)
Kale Clague (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Samuel Girard (Shawinigan Cataractes)
Noah Juulsen (Everett Silvertips)
Jeremy Lauzon (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)
Victor Mete (London Knights)
Philippe Myers (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)

Forwards:
Mathew Barzal (Seattle Thunderbirds)
Anthony Cirelli (Oshawa Generals)
Dillon Dube (Kelowna Rockets)
Pierre-Luc Dubois (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)
Julien Gauthier (Val-d’Or Foreurs)
Brett Howden (Moose Jaw Warriors)
Mathieu Joseph (Saint John Sea Dogs)
Michael McLeod (Mississauga Steelheads)
Nick Merkley (Kelowna Rockets)
Nolan Patrick (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Taylor Raddysh (Erie Otters)
Nicolas Roy (Chicoutimi Sagueneens)
Zach Senyshyn (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Blake Speers (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Sam Steel (Regina Pats)
Mitchell Stephens (Saginaw Spirit)
Dylan Strome (Erie Otters)
Austin Wagner (Regina Pats)

“Congratulations to the 32 players named today to the National Junior Team selection camp roster,” said Scott Salmond, vice-president of hockey operations and men’s national teams, Hockey Canada. “With the number of talented players across Canada, it is a difficult process to get to this point. We are confident that the 22 players who emerge from this camp will wear the Team Canada jersey with pride, and give Canada the best opportunity to play for gold on January 5th.”

Five players return from the Canada’s National Junior Team that competed at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship in Helsinki, Finland: Mathew Barzal (Coquitlam, B.C./Seattle, WHL), Thomas Chabot (Sainte-Marie-de-Beauce, Que./Saint John, QMJHL), Julien Gauthier (Pointe-aux-Trembles, Que./Val-d’Or, QMJHL), Mitchell Stephens (Peterborough, Ont./Saginaw, OHL), and Dylan Strome (Mississauga, Ont./Erie, OHL).

“There have been a number of difficult decisions to make just to get us to this point, and I expect these players will continue to impress us and make the next round of decisions tough as well, which speaks to the talent Canada continues to produce on the ice,” said Jankowski. “We’re eager to get the players and our coaching and support staff together and get started.”

The selection camp will be held at the home of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, the Centre d’Excellence Sports Rousseau, and features three games: two against the USport All-Stars on Dec. 12 and 13, and a final game against the Czech Republic on Dec. 14.

Following the four-day camp, 22 players will be selected to represent Canada and don the Maple Leaf on home ice for the first time since 2015 when Canada won gold in front of a sold-out crowd of over 19,000 fans at the Air Canada Centre. This year, gold will be won in Montreal.

Single-game tickets to World Juniors on sale Nov. 30

Fans can purchase single-game tickets to the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship beginning Wednesday, Nov. 30. Single-game tickets for both host-venues, as well as other Montreal and Toronto ticket options can be found online at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets.

“As a Team Canada and World Junior Championship alumnus, there’s no experience like being part of a World Junior Championship – whether it’s as a player, or as a fan cheering on your national team,” said Wendel Clark, honourary captain, 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship. “This is a special event for hockey fans around the world, but it’s an annual tradition for Canadians – one that we don’t take for granted when it’s here on home ice.”

Canada plays three pre-tournament games as part of the Road to the World Juniors prior to opening the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship in Toronto on Boxing Day against Russia at 8 p.m. ET. It will then face its U.S. rivals on New Year’s Eve at 3:30 p.m. ET to close out preliminary-round action from Toronto before moving to the Bell Centre in Montreal. Extensive coverage of the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship is planned by TSN and RDS, the official broadcasters of Hockey Canada, including Canada’s three pre-tournament games; check local listings for details.

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

CHL Announces Shortlist for 100th Mastercard Memorial Cup Bid Presentations

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that three clubs will have the opportunity to make formal bid presentations to host the 2018 Mastercard Memorial Cup which will be the 100th edition of the league’s prestigious national championship.

The Ontario Hockey League’s Hamilton Bulldogs, Oshawa Generals, and the Western Hockey League’s Regina Pats have advanced to the next stage of the national bid process representing the final three teams submitted by the CHL’s regional leagues for consideration to host the historic celebration.  The event, which takes place May 17-27, 2018, will feature a host CHL team along with the champions of the OHL, WHL, and QMJHL competing in the traditional round-robin tournament format.

“The Canadian Hockey League’s mission for the historic 100th presentation of the Memorial Cup is to capture, preserve, and enhance the legacy of one of the most prestigious trophies in all of sport,” said CHL President David Branch. “Our successful host will help engage the entire nation through this celebration that will also honour the brave men and women who served and continue to serve our country.”

National bid presentations will be heard by a National Site Selection Committee.  Details regarding this stage of the process including presentation schedule and committee members will be announced at a later date.  The CHL will announce the 2018 Host City in February, 2017.

“We are very proud of our longstanding partnership with the Canadian Hockey League and our association with this prestigious annual event,” said Milos Vranesevic, Head of Marketing, Mastercard Canada. “We look forward to the centennial celebration in 2018 and wish the Hamilton Bulldogs, Oshawa Generals, and Regina Pats the best of luck with their bids.”

 The Memorial Cup has a rich tradition that has shaped the way junior hockey is played in North America. The trophy was originally known as the OHA Memorial Cup and was donated by the Ontario Hockey Association in March, 1919, in remembrance of the many soldiers who paid the supreme sacrifice for Canada in the First World War.  In 2010 the Memorial Cup was rededicated to the memory of all fallen Canadian Military Personnel killed in combat serving our country.

 The 99th edition of the Mastercard Memorial Cup will be hosted by the Windsor Spitfires May 18-28, 2017.

For more information please visit www.mastercardmemorialcup.ca.

CHL Leagues

2016 CIBC Canada Russia Series Begins Tonight in Prince George

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

CHL and CIBC launch #CIBCRenameTheGame fan vote

Prince George, BC – The stage is set for the 2016 CIBC Canada Russia Series featuring some of the world’s best major junior hockey talent competing in a six-game series that opens tonight in Prince George, BC.

2016 marks the 14th edition of the Canada-Russia rivalry with regional league teams of Canadian National Junior Team candidates from across the Canadian Hockey League competing against the Russian National Junior Team.  The series is an integral part of the identification process for Team Canada prior to the IIHF World Junior Championship and begins with two games in the Western Hockey League, followed by a pair of contests in the Ontario Hockey League, and wraps up with two games in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

super-series

“The rivalry between Canada and Russia is one of the greatest in hockey,” said CHL President David Branch. “For the 14th straight season we look forward to bringing the CIBC Canada Russia Series to communities across our country.  This event annually showcases many of the league’s best players aiming for a spot on Canada’s National Junior Team in advance of the World Junior Championship which returns to Toronto and Montreal next winter.”

Since the event first began in 2003, CHL teams have played to an overall record of 54-18-6 against Team Russia.  The competitiveness of the rivalry has grown in recent years with four of the last six series decided in the final game.  Russia earned their first series victory in 2010 and have since alternated annual series victories with the CHL who earned the 2015 title by a 12-3 margin in points.

The 2016 event welcomes CIBC, the Official Bank of the CHL, as title sponsor.  Over the past few weeks, CIBC and the CHL have partnered to give fans the opportunity to rename the CIBC Canada Russia Series through online submissions using #CIBCRenameTheGame.

“As new title sponsor of the CIBC Canada Russia Series, we want to help capture and amplify the pride around junior hockey across Canada,” says Rob Assimakopoulos, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, CIBC. “The opportunity to give this iconic tournament a new name, beginning in 2017, is a great way for Canadians to foster a sense of ownership for this campaign, by voting for their favourite choice, and creating a lasting impact on the series.”

From November 7-17, Canadians can vote for their favourite new name from a list of online entries by visiting http://chlcanadarussia.ca/renamethegame.

Fans from coast-to-coast can enjoy all six games of the 2016 CIBC Canada Russia Series live on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.  Live scoring, statistics, tournament history, records, event news, and game highlights are all available at http://chlcanadarussia.ca and on social media @CHLHockey using #CANvsRUS.

2016 CIBC Canada Russia Series Schedule:

Game 1 – Monday November 7 at Prince George, BC (Live at 7pm PT on Sportsnet, TVA Sports 2, NHL Network U.S)

Game 2 – Tuesday November 8 at Edmonton, AB (Live at 8pm MT on Sportsnet, TVA Sports 2, NHL Network U.S)

Game 3 – Thursday November 10 at North Bay, ON (Live at 7pm ET on Sportsnet ONE, TVA Sports 2, Next day 1:00 pm ET on NHL Network U.S)

Game 4 – Monday November 14 at Hamilton, ON (Live at 7pm ET on Sportsnet, TVA Sports 2, Next day 1:00 pm ET on NHL Network U.S)

Game 5 – Tuesday November 15 at Chicoutimi, QC (Live at 7pm ET on Sportsnet ONE, Sportsnet Pacific, TVA Sports 2, Next day 1:00 pm ET on NHL Network U.S)

Game 6 – Thursday November 17 at Baie-Comeau, QC (Live at 7pm ET on Sportsnet ONE, TVA Sports 2, Next day 1:00 pm ET on NHL Network U.S)

The 2016 CIBC Canada Russia series is supported by title sponsor and Official Bank of the CHL, CIBC, and CHL associate sponsors Cooper Tire, autoTRADER.ca and Sherwin-Williams.