CHL Announces BMO CHL Top 10 Rankings

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced the twenty-fourth edition of the BMO CHL Top-10 Rankings for the 2015-16 season.  The weekly rankings of the CHL’s Top-10 teams are selected by a panel of National Hockey League scouts.

BMO

 BMO CHL Top 10 Rankings – Week 24

Rank: Team: Last Week Rank: Number of Weeks Ranked:
1 Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (49-9-3-2) 2 23
2 Erie Otters (48-13-1-0) 1 24
3 Val-d’Or Foreurs (47-12-3-1) 3 15
4 London Knights (47-13-2-1) 4 24
5 Victoria Royals (45-16-3-3) 6 8
6 Kingston Frontenacs (43-15-2-2) 8 4
7 Gatineau Olympiques (44-17-2-1) 9 13
8 Kitchener Rangers (40-15-5-2) 5 20
9 Kelowna Rockets (44-18-3-0) 7 18
10 Brandon Wheat Kings (43-18-4-2) – 11
Honourable Mention:
Saint John Sea Dogs (41-16-5-0) – 2
Shawinigan Cataractes (41-18-4-0) – 17
Lethbridge Hurricanes (44-21-1-1) 10 13

CHL Large

OHL Announces Launch of New Web Platform and League Site

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League in partnership with Stadium Digital today announced the launch of a newly designed website at ontariohockeyleague.com.

The revamped OHL site marks the beginning of a Canadian Hockey League wide network redesign that will see 66 other team, league, and special event websites unveiled in the coming weeks.

All new websites will operate on a WordPress platform and feature responsive technology that streamlines the user experience across all devices.

“The Ontario Hockey League is very excited to introduce a fresh website to provide our fans with more content on a new user friendly platform,” said Paul Krotz, OHL Director of Communications. “The new design not only delivers more content, but provides the information OHL fans crave in a more accessible fashion with a seamless transition from PC, to tablet, to mobile devices everywhere.”

The site offers improved navigation and news feed showcasing more articles, photos, and video content on the homepage, along with a redesigned schedule and enhanced live scoring console.  Fueled by league stats provider HockeyTech, fans can now access a hub of information to follow the action of their favourite teams including game previews, links to tickets and live video and audio streams, a new play-by-play feed that tracks in arena events such as shots on goal and face-offs, along with a fresh box score design.

“The launch of the new OHL website is an important milestone in the CHL’s evolving digital strategy and represents a complete overhaul of the user experience and underlying technology framework”, said Mark Silver, President of Stadium Digital. “Together, we plan to continuously innovate the CHL’s digital platforms to deliver more value to teams, sponsors, and most importantly, the fans.“

This marks the first redesign of the league site since September, 2010, when the CHL produced the largest ever Canadian sports online network launch.

Fans are invited to share their feedback regarding the new OHL website and features by completing an online form.

For more information, please visit the new ontariohockeyleague.com.

About the Ontario Hockey League

The Ontario Hockey League is comprised of 20 member teams, 17 in Ontario, and three in the United States, and is the number one development league in the world for players to the National Hockey League and Canadian Interuniversity Sport.

About Stadium Digital
Stadium Digital specializes in the creation and management of content and technology to deliver products in the areas of sponsorship, fan engagement, ticketing and e-commerce. The company was formed to help sports and entertainment properties and their partners realize the full potential of their brand and investment around their content rights. It’s client include the CHL, WHL, QMJHL, OHL and all 60 teams, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Cycling Sports Group (Cannondale), Toronto Rock, Golf Canada and the GTHL. For more about Stadium Digital, please visit StadiumDigital.com.

OHL Announces February Academic Players of the Month

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the OHL Academic Players of the Month for February 2016, including forward Zach Gallant of the Peterborough Petes and defencemen Nicolas Hague of the Mississauga Steelheads, Markus Phillips of the Owen Sound Attack and Kyle Auger of the Windsor Spitfires.

East Division: Peterborough Petes rookie forward Zach Gallant is the OHL East Division Academic Player of the Month for February after maintaining a 91% average in grade 12 university level functions, data management and healthy active living courses at Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School. He is enrolled in grade 11 university english, chemistry and biology this semester and already sits two credits ahead of schedule after earning 18 in his first four semesters of high school. “Zach has a strong work ethic, and matched with solid intellect he is academically successful at whatever he puts his mind to,” said Petes Academic Advisor Kim Driscoll. “The Petes organization is proud of the excellent marks earned by Zach,” added general manager Michael Oke. “He has shown a high level of commitment to his academics and ability to balance both hockey and education.” The 16-year-old has four assists in 43 games with the Petes this season. He was Peterborough’s first round (5th overall) pick in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection.

Central Division: Rookie defenceman Nicolas Hague of the Mississauga Steelheads is the OHL Central Division Academic Player of the Month. The native of Kitchener, ON, completed grade 12 university level english, data management, law and co-op courses at Phillip Pocock Secondary School with an 84.5% average. The 6’5″, 207Ib. rearguard has applied and received early acceptance from a number of Ontario Universities and will commence his full-time post-secondary studies next season while playing in the OHL. Mississauga’s second round (29th overall) pick in the 2014 OHL Priority Selection, Hague has 11 goals, 10 assists and 21 points in 59 games from the blueline this season.

West Division: 16-year-old defenceman Kyle Auger of the Windsor Spitfires is the OHL West Division Academic Player of the Month for February. The Thunder Bay, ON, native finished first semester with an 87% average in university level courses at St. Anne High School. “Kyle is always seeking academic help and striving to do better,” said Spitfires academic advisor Danielle Chevalier. Auger is pursuing a career in business and is described as very hard working and dedicated by his teachers, coaches and teammates. In 24 games with the Spitfires this season, the second round (39th overall) pick in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection has a goal and two assists.

Midwest Division: Rookie blueliner Markus Phillips of the Owen Sound Attack is the OHL Midwest Division Academic Player of the Month for February. The 16-year-old Toronto native has excelled in his university level studies as a grade 11 student at West Hill Secondary School, earning five credits in the first semester. “Markus is an amazingly gifted student athlete,” said Attack academic advisor Sarah Rowe. “He is self-motivated and takes responsibility for his own learning. Teachers have commented on his maturity and absolute dedication to his school work.” Owen Sound’s first round (9th overall) pick in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection, Phillips has two goals, eight assists and 10 points in 54 games this season.

2015-16 OHL Academic Players of the Month:

West Division:
February – Kyle Auger (Windsor Spitfires)
January – Conor Timmins (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
December – Sasha Chmelevski (Sarnia Sting)
November – Brady Gilmour (Saginaw Spirit)
October – Kyle Keyser (Flint Firebirds)

Midwest Division:
February – Markus Phillips (Owen Sound Attack)
January – Cliff Pu (London Knights)
December – Luke Richardson (Kitchener Rangers)
November – Brock Philips (Guelph Storm)
October – Jake Lawr (Erie Otters)

Central Division:
February – Nicolas Hague (Mississauga Steelheads)
January – Brady Pataki (Sudbury Wolves)
December – Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)
November – Jacob Ramalho (North Bay Battalion)
October – Ruan Badenhorst (Barrie Colts)

East Division:
February – Zach Gallant (Peterborough Petes)
January – Austen Keating (Ottawa 67’s)
December – Riley Stillman (Oshawa Generals)
November – Sam Field (Kingston Frontenacs)
October – Jack Hanley (Hamilton Bulldogs)

During the 2014-15 season, the CHL proudly awarded 769 graduate players with academic scholarships representing an investment of over $6.2 million this season.  Scholarship Programs throughout the CHL are solely funded by the member clubs of the Western Hockey League, the Ontario Hockey League, and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

OHL Announces Top Performers of the Month for February

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 February 2016, including London Knights forward Mitchell Marner, Sarnia Sting defenceman Jakob Chychrun, Mississauga Steelheads rookie Alexander Nylander and Kingston Frontenacs goaltender Jeremy Helvig.

Marner, Mitchell (1)OHL Player of the Month – Mitchell Marner (London Knights):
Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Mitchell Marner of the London Knights is the OHL’s Player of the Month for February after recording 10 goals, 18 assists and a league-leading 28 points in 12 games with a plus/minus rating of plus-14. Marner had points in 11 of his 12 February contests, collecting four points on three separate occasions to help the Knights play to a 9-3-0-0 record. The 18-year-old recorded back-to-back four point efforts, scoring a goal while adding three assists in a 5-0 win over Owen Sound on February 5th before registering four assists in a 4-3 victory over Sarnia on February 7th. Marner had a pair of two-goal efforts coming in a 3-1 win over Niagara on February 12th and again in a 5-2 triumph over Flint on February 15th. He registered a goal and three assists in a 4-0 win in Flint on February 20th. Marner’s three assists in Ottawa on Sunday made him the 12th player in Knights franchise history to reach the 100-point mark in back-to-back seasons.

A native of Thornhill, ON, Marner recently became the third OHL player to reach 100 points this season and currently sits third behind Barrie’s Kevin Labanc and Knights teammate Christian Dvorak with 101 points (38-63–101) in 48 games. Marner represented Canada at the 2016 World Junior Hockey Championship in Finland, leading the team in scoring with four goals, two assists and six points in five games. He was Toronto’s 1st round (4th overall) pick in the 2015 NHL Draft and was originally London’s 1st round (19th overall) pick in the 2013 OHL Priority Selection.

Chychrun, Jakob (5)OHL Defenceman of the Month – Jakob Chychrun (Sarnia Sting): 
Draft eligible defenceman Jakob Chychrun of the Sarnia Sting is the OHL’s Defenceman of the Month for February. Chychrun scored twice and added 11 assists for 13 points in 13 games with a plus/minus rating of plus-6. He had points in nine of his 13 contests with a pair of multi-point outings, highlighted by four assists in a 6-2 win over Barrie on February 26th. Chychrun has points in his last three games, following up his four assists with a goal in a 4-1 win over Owen Sound on February 27th and an assist in a 5-2 win over Guelph on February 28th.

A native of Boca Raton, Florida, Chychrun is fourth among defencemen with 45 points (10-35–45) in 57 games this season, with seven of his 10 goals coming on the powerplay. Chychrun was named to the OHL’s first all-rookie team last season after scoring 16 goals, 17 assists and 33 points in 42 games. He represented Team Cherry at the 2016 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Vancouver. Chychrun was the first overall pick of the 2014 OHL Priority Selection and is the second ranked North American skater in NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Rankings.

Nylander, Alexander (1)OHL Rookie of the Month – Alexander Nylander (Mississauga Steelheads): 
For the third time this season, draft eligible Mississauga Steelheads forward Alexander Nylander has been named the OHL’s Rookie of the Month. The Swedish winger recorded two goals, 12 assists and 14 points in 11 February contests, putting together four multi-point performances over the course of the month. Nylander earned second star honours with three assists in Mississauga’s 5-4 win over Erie on Friday, February 12th before proceeding to have multi-point outings the rest of the weekend with a goal and an assist in a 6-2 win in Niagara and a goal and two helpers in a 7-5 win over Sudbury. Nylander’s Rookie of the Month honours follow up recognition in both October and November.

A native of Sodertalje, Sweden, Nylander currently leads all OHL rookies with 28 goals, 44 assists and 72 points in 52 games. He was the third ranked North American skater on NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Draft Rankings released in January. Nylander put forth an outstanding performance at the 2016 World Junior Hockey Championship, finishing tied for fifth in tournament scoring with four goals, five assists and nine points in seven contests as Sweden placed fourth. He was Mississauga’s 1st round (12th overall) pick in the 2015 CHL Import Draft.

Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month – Jeremy Helvig (Kingston Frontenacs): 

Kingston Frontenacs sophomore Jeremy Helvig has been named the OHL’s Goaltender of the Month for February. The 18-year-old appeared in six games, going 6-0-0-0 with a 1.88 goals-against average, a .942 save percentage and one shutout to help the Frontenacs clinch their first East Division title since 1995. Helvig’s sensational February was headlined by his first career OHL shutout in front of a national audience on Sportsnet as he made 32 saves in a 4-0 win over Niagara on February 21st. The 6’2″, 198Ib. netminder closed out the month of February with a 37-save performance in Monday’s 5-2 win over the visiting Ottawa 67’s. Helvig enters the month of March having received star of the game recognition in each of his last three starts. He is the second Kingston goaltender to receive the honours this season after teammate Lucas Peressini was the OHL’s Goaltender of the Month in October.

A native of Markham, ON, Helvig is 16-2-0-1 on the season with a 2.16 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage. He hasn’t lost in regulation since October 30th, a run of 18 consecutive appearances. Since the turn of the new year, Helvig has played to a mark of 9-0-0-0 with a 1.57 goals-against average and a .950 save percentage. He was Kingston’s 3rd round (45th overall) pick in the 2013 OHL Priority Selection.

2015-16 OHL Top Performers of the Month:

Player of the Month:
February – Mitchell Marner (London Knights)
January – Kevin Labanc (Barrie Colts)
December – Brendan Lemieux (Windsor Spitfires)
November – Dylan Strome (Erie Otters)
October – Alex DeBrincat (Erie Otters)

Defenceman of the Month:
February – Jakob Chychrun (Sarnia Sting)
January – Rasmus Andersson (Barrie Colts)
December – Cam Dineen (North Bay Battalion)
November – Travis Dermott (Erie Otters)
October – Vili Saarijarvi (Flint Firebirds)

Rookie of the Month:
February – Alexander Nylander (Mississauga Steelheads)
January – Cam Dineen (North Bay Battalion)
December – Cam Dineen (North Bay Battalion)
November – Alexander Nylander (Mississauga Steelheads)
October – Alexander Nylander (Mississauga Steelheads)

Vaughn Goaltender of the Month:
February – Jeremy Helvig (Kingston Frontenacs)
January – Michael Giugovaz (Guelph Storm)
December – Devin Williams (Erie Otters)
November – Mackenzie Blackwood (Barrie Colts)
October – Lucas Peressini (Kingston Frontenacs)

Quebec Remparts to Host 2017 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League in association with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, and the Quebec Remparts Hockey Club, today announced that the 2017 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game will be hosted by the Remparts at Centre Vidéotron on Thursday January 26, 2017.

 The 2017 event will mark the 22nd annual showcase of the CHL’s top-40 NHL draft eligible players featuring talent from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, the Ontario Hockey League, and the Western Hockey League competing before hundreds of NHL scouts in attendance.

 “On behalf of the Canadian Hockey League, we are very pleased to announce the return of the Top Prospects Game to Quebec City in 2017,” said CHL President David Branch. “Since 1996 this event has annually featured the next wave of NHL talent showcasing their skills before hundreds of NHL scouts and General Managers.  This event is a special experience for players across the CHL who will undoubtedly enjoy competing in the beautiful new Centre Vidéotron in front of Quebec’s passionate fans.”

 Next season will be the third time the event is hosted by the QMJHL and second time it will be played in Quebec following the 2007 event.  13 other Canadian cities have hosted including Toronto (1996-98, 2000, 2011), Calgary (1999, 2001, 2014), Saskatoon (2002), Kitchener (2003), London (2004), Ottawa (2006), Edmonton (2008), Oshawa (2009), Windsor (2010), Kelowna (2012), Halifax (2013), St. Catharines (2015), and Vancouver (2005, 2016).

 The 2016-17 season marks the 20th campaign for the Remparts since returning to the QMJHL in 1997-98.  This season the club is competing in the brand new Centre Vidéotron and have already established a new franchise record for attendance in a season with over 412,000 fans including an opening night sellout of 18,259 on September 12 against the Rimouski Oceanic.

 The Remparts have had 16 players compete in this event with five of them chosen in the first round of the NHL Draft the same season. That list includes Eric Chouinard (Montreal 1998), Simon Gagne (Philadelphia 1998), Maxime Ouellet (Philadelphia 1999), Angelo Esposito (Pittsburgh 2007), and Mikhail Grigorenko (Buffalo 2012).  In 2007, Esposito represented his hometown Remparts at Colisée Pepsi for a team coached by Scotty Bowman and Jacques Demers who fell 5-3 to a team coached by Pat Burns and Michel Bergeron.  Remparts’ forward Ruslan Bashkirov earned Player of the Game honours for the winning side scoring a pair of goals.

 Since the event was first introduced in 1996 the game has featured 13 players that were selected with the first overall pick in the NHL Draft including Chris Phillips (1996), Joe Thornton (1997), Vincent Lecavalier (1998), Rick Nash (2002), Marc-Andre Fleury (2003), Patrick Kane (2007), Steven Stamkos (2008), John Tavares (2009), Taylor Hall (2010), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (2011), Nathan MacKinnon (2013), Aaron Ekblad (2014), and Connor McDavid (2015).

 This season, 35 of the top-60 ranked North American skaters eligible for the 2016 NHL Draft competed on January 28 in Vancouver, BC.  Top ranked Matthew Tkachuk of the London Knights captained Team Orr to a 3-2 victory over Team Cherry that featured number two ranked Jakob Chychrun of the Sarnia Sting.  Pascal Laberge of the Victoriaville Tigres was named Player of the Game with two goals and one assist, competing alongside Pierre-Luc Dubois of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles who scored once with two assists.

 The 2017 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is proudly supported by associate sponsors, Cooper Tires, autoTRADER.ca, and Sherwin Williams.  The game will be broadcast live across Canada on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.

For more information about the event please visit www.bmotopprospects.ca.

CHL Leagues

OHL This Week for February 18-21, 2016

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – Just five more weeks until the 2016 Ontario Hockey League playoffs with lots of exciting battles for position continuing this weekend with 26 games tonight through Sunday.

 OHLThisWeek

Here’s a look at what’s going on around the league:

AT THE RINKS:

Spitfires honour Mickey Renaud on Thursday: The Windsor Spitfires hold their annual Mickey Renaud Night on Thursday at home to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. The Spitfires honour their former captain prior to puckdrop.

Wolves, Colts, 67’s, Battalion raise mental health awareness: The Sudbury Wolves (Friday), Barrie Colts, Ottawa 67’s (Saturday) and North Bay Battalion (Sunday) are teaming up with the Canadian Mental Health Association to raise mental health awareness this weekend. The four clubs will be promoting the #TalkToday program, presented by the OHL in partnership with CMHA Ontario.

Pink in the Rink in Hamilton on Saturday: The Hamilton Bulldogs host Pink in the Rink Night on Saturday! Wear your pink and help support the fight against cancer as the Bulldogs don special pink jerseys to celebrate the occasion. The game-worn jerseys will be auctioned off post-game with proceeds going toward the fight against cancer. There is also a pre-game Skate-a-thon from 4:00-5:00pm where fans can skate with Bulldogs president Steve Staios and mascot Bruiser. For full details please visithamiltonbulldogs.com.

Otters support ANNA Shelter, hold Dylan Strome bobblehead giveaway on Sunday: The Erie Otters are supporting ANNA Shelter on Sunday at home to the Kitchener Rangers. Fans can purchase discounted tickets with a portion of proceeds going to the shelter while also bringing donations to the game. Not to be overlooked, the first 500 kids age 12-and-under through the doors on Sunday will receive a Dylan Strome bobblehead! For full details on donation items and more, please visit ottershockey.com.

COMMUNITY CORNER:

Storm, Battalion pay visit to backyard rinks: Both the Guelph Storm and North Bay Battalion paid visits to outdoor rinks in their communities as part of the Home Depot Backyard Rink Contest. Check out photos from the Storm and the Battalion from their visits this past week!

Vote on the Bulldogs’ new look: The top three finalists have been selected and now fans can have their say! Voting on the top three designs is ongoing and will run until March 1st. Voting ballots are available at all Bulldogs home games, the Bulldogs front office and online at www.hamiltonbulldogs.com/jerseycontest. Check out a visual of the top three finalists.

Spirit holding new and used equipment sale on Saturday: The Saginaw Spirit are holding a new and used equipment sale on Saturdayat the Dow Event Center in the northwest concourse of section 24. For full details on what’s available please visit saginawspirit.com.

Wolves hold annual hockey card autograph signing: The Sudbury Wolves will host their annual hockey card autograph session on Saturday February 20th from 2:00pm -3:00pm at the New Sudbury Centre (Food Court). Get out and meet your 2015-16 Sudbury Wolves and pick up a free set of 2015-16 Sudbury Wolves hockey cards!

COLTS’ KEVIN LABANC TAKES WEEKLY HONOURS:

San Jose Sharks prospect Kevin Labanc of the Barrie Colts is the CHL Player of the Week for the week ending February 14 after recording 11 points in three games including four goals and seven assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-6. Labanc earns the award for the third time this season after becoming the first player in the OHL to eclipse 100 points.  His three multi-point performances helped the Colts extend their winning-streak to eight games securing their hold on second place in the league’s Eastern Conference standings with 70 points. A 20-year-old from Staten Island, New York, Labanc is playing in his third career OHL season with the Colts and currently ranks fourth in all-time franchise scoring with 245 points in 184 games.  A sixth round pick of the Sharks in the 2014 NHL Draft, Labanc now has 103 points in 51 games for his second consecutive 100-point campaign and is second to only Conor Garland of the Moncton Wildcats (109 points in 50 games) in CHL scoring.

67’s’ LEO LAZAREV NAMED VAUGHN CHL GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK: 

Leo Lazarev of the Ottawa 67’s is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending February 14 after posting a 2-0-0-0 record including a shutout victory with a goals-against-average of 0.50 and save percentage of .983. Lazarev made 57 saves and allowed just one goal in two games last week for the 67’s who are in the midst of a tight battle for playoff positioning in the OHL’s Eastern Conference currently in a three-way tie for fourth place and just two points shy of third.  Born in Moscow, Russia, Lazarev was chosen by the 67’s in the second round of the 2014 OHL Priority Selection and is playing in his second season with the club. The 18-year-old carries a 21-13-0-0 record so far this season with a save percentage of .905 and a goals-against-average of 2.72 which ranks seventh in the OHL.

TIP TOP TAILORS OHL PLAYS OF THE WEEK – WEEK 20: 

Mitchell Marner’s magical moves headline the 20th edition of the Tip Top Tailors OHL Plays of the Week! Be sure to vote for Marner in this week’s CHL Fan Choice vote at fanchoice.ca!

GETTING ON THE BOARD: FIRST OHL GOALS IN 2015-16:

Check out the players who have scored their first OHL goal in the past week! 142 different players have accomplished the milestone this season! Click on a player’s name below to watch his first OHL goal!

Haydn Hopkins, Evan Krassey, Reagan O’Grady

ROAD TO THE 2016 OHL CUP CONTINUES:

The 2016 OHL Cup is just four weeks away! Four ALLIANCE teams are battling for three OHL Cup berths as semi-final action continues this weekend. This week we take a closer look at what the ALLIANCE has to offer, a league that has supplied such recent high-end talent as Travis Konecny (Sarnia Sting), Lawson Crouse (Kingston Frontenacs) and Logan Stanley (Windsor Spitfires). FULL STORY

OHL COMMISSIONER DAVID BRANCH A DISTINGUISHED HONOUREE OF THE ORDER OF HOCKEY IN CANADA AND WHITBY SPORTS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE:

OHL Commissioner and CHL President David Branch is among the Distinguished Honourees of The Order of Hockey in Canada. As president of the Canadian Hockey League since 1996 and commissioner of the Ontario Hockey League since 1979, Branch oversees the world’s largest development league encompassing the OHL, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. FULL STORY

Also announced this week, Branch is included in the Whitby Sports Hall of Fame’s 2016 induction class. He will join retired National Lacrosse League player Gavin Prout and former CFL linebacker Jason Pottinger at the induction ceremony on Saturday, April 30th.

ALUMNI NOTES:

Cousins scores first NHL goal: Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds graduate Nick Cousins scored his first career NHL goal last Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres, adding an assist to help lead the Flyers to a 5-1 victory. Cousins added another goal on Tuesday night in New Jersey as the Flyers won 6-3. A native of Belleville, ON, Cousins has spent the last two seasons in the AHL and has 12 goals, 26 assists and 38 points in 38 games with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms this season. The 22-year-old played four seasons with the Greyhounds from 2009-13, finishing eighth in all-time franchise scoring with 102 goals, 189 assists and 291 points in 264 career regular season games. Cousins, who competed in the 2016 AHL All-Star Classic last month in Syracuse, was Philadelphia’s third round (68th overall) pick in the 2011 NHL Draft.

Paul makes NHL debut with Ottawa: North Bay Battalion graduate Nick Paul made his NHL debut with the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday. The 20-year-old native of Mississauga, ON, saw 10:54 of ice, recording a shot on goal as the Sens defeated the Buffalo Sabres 2-1 in a shootout. Paul has appeared in 45 games with the AHL’s Binghamton Senators this season, recording six goals, 11 assists and 17 points. The 6’4″, 223Ib centreman played three OHL seasons between Brampton and North Bay, recording 140 points (75-65–140) in 191 regular season contests. He had 34 points (19-15–34) in 42 career postseason games. Paul was the OHL’s Humanitarian of the Year in 2015.

Friesen makes NHL debut with Vancouver: Niagara IceDogs graduate Alex Friesen made his NHL debut with the Vancouver Canuckson Monday. The native of Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, has appeared in 41 games with the AHL’s Utica Comets this season, recording eight goals, 10 assists and 18 points. Friesen, who graduated from the OHL following the 2012 season, has spent the last three seasons in the American Hockey League. The 25-year-old was Vancouver’s sixth round (172nd overall) pick in the 2010 NHL Draft and played 292 career regular season games in Niagara from 2007-12. The 5’10”, 186Ib. centreman compiled 91 goals, 153 assists and 244 regular season points over his OHL career.

McFarland makes NHL debut with Florida: Former first overall OHL Priority Selection pick John McFarland made his NHL debut with the Florida Panthers on Saturday. McFarland suited up in his first NHL game after having spent the past three seasons with the American Hockey League’s San Antonio Rampage. In 43 AHL games with the Portland Pirates this season, McFarland has collected 14 goals, eight assists and 22 points in 43 games. The Richmond Hill, ON, native played in 219 career regular season OHL games between Sudbury, Saginaw and Ottawa, recording 90 goals, 100 assists and 190 points. McFarland was the first overall pick of the 2008 OHL Priority Selection and was later selected in the second round (33rd overall) by Florida in the 2010 NHL Draft.

McCollum sets new Griffins record: OHL graduate Tom McCollum played in his 211th career AHL game with the Grand Rapids Griffinson Friday, passing fellow OHL alumnus Joey MacDonald for first on the Griffins’ all-time list. McCollum is currently second in franchise wins (93), 16 behind MacDonald and is currently 5-9-0-0 with a 2.79 goals-against average eand a .917 save percentage in 15 games this season. The 26-year-old native of Sanborn, New York has been with Grand Rapids since the 2009-10 season, winning a Calder Cup title in 2013 after being Detroit’s first round (30th overall) pick in the 2008 NHL Draft. McCollum played three OHL seasons between Guelph and Brampton, going 85-51-8-12 with a 2.33 goals-against average, a .920 save percentage and 16 shutouts over 160 games.

Campbell named ECHL Goaltender of the Week: For the second time this season, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds graduate Jack Campbell has been named the ECHL’s Goaltender of the Week. The 24-year-old went 2-0-0 with one shutout, a 0.48 goals-against average and a .983 save percentage in two appearances last week. Campbell made 17 saves in a 3-1 victory over Utah on Friday and stopped all 40 shots he faced in a 1-0 shootout win at Utah on Saturday. A native of Port Huron, MI, Campbell played two OHL seasons between Windsor and Sault Ste. Marie from 2010-12, going 45-29-5-6 with a 3.62 goals-against average and an .890 save percentage. He was Dallas’ first round (11th overall) pick in the 2010 NHL Draft.

Gryphons defend title as OUA playoffs are underway: The OUA playoffs got underway on Wednesday as the quest for the 105th Queen’s Cup has begun. The reigning OUA champion Guelph Gryphons who featured 13 OHL graduates (Andrew D’Agostini, Daniel Broussard, Mac Nichol, Mark Raycroft, Steven Strong, Nick Trecapelli, Carlos Amestoy, Brett Appio, Michael Hasson, Andres Kopstals, Trevor Morbeck, Kyle Neuber, Scott Simmonds), begin their title defence with a first round matchup against last year’s bronze medal winning Windsor Lancers. For full OUA Men’s Hockey playoff details, visit oua.ca.

KEY WEEKEND MATCHUPS:

Barrie Colts (34-17-0-2) vs. London Knights (39-12-2-1)
Friday February 19th at London – Sportsnet Friday Night Hockey

Sportsnet Friday Night Hockey features two of the OHL’s top contenders as the Barrie Colts visit the London Knights. Led by OHL leading scorer Kevin Labanc, the Colts enter the weekend as winners of eight of their last 10 and have won three of their last four away from home. Speedy Calgary Flames prospect Andrew Mangiapane is currently second in the OHL with 41 goals in 45 games, with 24 of those tallies coming since January 1st. Currently the fourth-ranked team in the country, the London Knights trail the Erie Otters by four points in the Midwest Division. They boast three of the league’s top five scorers in Christian Dvorak (42-54–96), Mitchell Marner (34-55–89) and Matthew Tkachuk (22-59–81). London took the only meeting between the two clubs so far this season by a score of 6-3 back on December 10th.

Niagara IceDogs (27-20-3-3) vs. Ottawa 67’s (29-24-1-1)
Saturday February 20th at Ottawa

With the Eastern Conference currently in a logjam, two clubs knotted with 60 points on the season go head-to-head on Saturdayafternoon in the nation’s capital. The Niagara IceDogs pay a visit to the Ottawa 67’s in a big matchup with a possible impact on home ice advantage come playoff time. The 67’s have won four of their last five games and embark on a three-in-three set on Friday in Kingston before matchups against Niagara and Oshawa. Ottawa has won nine games during Dante Salituro’s current 13-game point streak. The IceDogs have taken wins in two of their three encounters with Ottawa this season. Veteran captain Anthony DiFruscia has points in five of his last contests.

WEEKEND SCHEDULE: 

Thursday, February 18
Erie at Flint – 7:00pm
Hamilton at Niagara – 7:00pm
Sudbury at North Bay – 7:00pm
Kingston at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Sault Ste. Marie at Windsor – 7:05pm

Friday, February 19
Kingston at Ottawa – 7:00pm
Peterborough at Sudbury – 7:00pm
Erie at Saginaw – 7:05pm
Flint at Sarnia – 7:05pm
Owen Sound at Guelph – 7:30pm
Oshawa at Kitchener – 7:30pm
Barrie at London – 7:30pm – Sportsnet Friday Night Hockey
North Bay at Mississauga – 7:30pm

Saturday, February 20
Niagara at Ottawa – 1:00pm
Windsor at Hamilton – 7:00pm
Sault Ste. Marie at Saginaw – 7:05pm
Oshawa at Barrie – 7:30pm
London at Flint – 7:30pm
Guelph at Owen Sound – 7:30pm

Sunday, February 21
Niagara at Kingston – 12:30pm – CHL on Sportsnet
Peterborough at North Bay – 2:00pm
Mississauga at Sudbury – 2:00pm
Sault Ste. Marie at Sarnia – 2:05pm
Hamilton at Windsor – 2:05pm
Kitchener at Erie – 5:00pm
Ottawa at Oshawa – 6:05pm

CATCH ALL OF THE ACTION ON OHL LIVE

OHL Announces Details for 3rd Annual Coaches Conference

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced details for the third annual OHL Coaches Conference scheduled forSaturday June 4, 2016, at UOIT in Oshawa, ON.

Coaches Conference

“For the third straight season the OHL is excited to offer a program that brings together coaches from across Ontario,” said Joe Birch, OHL Senior Director of Hockey Development and Special Events. “This is a great opportunity for OHL coaches along with our special guests from the AHL and NHL to share best practices with minor hockey coaches in an interactive professional development day.”

The Minor Hockey Coaches Program will cover several topic areas such as:

  • Player Evaluation & Selection (Roger Hunt, General Manager, Oshawa Generals)
  • Effective Season & Practice Planning (Bob Jones, Head Coach, Oshawa Generals)
  • Goaltender Development in Practices (Rick Wamsley, Ottawa Senators / OHL Goaltending Consultant)
  • Face-Off Plays (Steve Spott, Assistant Coach, San Jose Sharks)
  • Developing Forwards (Paul McFarland, Head Coach, Kingston Frontenacs)
  • In Season Training Programs (Mark Fitzgerald, Anaheim Ducks / OHL Nutrition and Training Consultant)

The program will also include a ‘Coaching Pathways’ panel hosted by Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek who will facilitate discussion between Toronto Maple Leafs Assistant Coach DJ Smith, San Jose Barracuda Assistant Coach Ryan Mougenel, and Hamilton Bulldogs Associate Coach Troy Smith.

Registration is now open for the Minor Hockey Coaches Program with space for 90 delegates.  The conference is open to any coach registered within the OHF, OHA, OWHA, HEO, or HNO, coaching Pee-Wee ‘AAA’, Minor Bantam and Major Bantam ‘AE to AAA’, Minor Midget and Midget ‘AE to AAA’.  Cost of the OHL Coaches Conference is $200 that includes an OHL welcome gift, all presented materials, and lunch.  The one-day program will also provide attending coaches with three certification points towards their Hockey Canada coaching levels.

Interested applicants can complete the online registration for the third annual OHL Coaches Conference here.

For more information please contact:

Joe Birch

OHL Senior Director of Hockey Development & Special Events

Phone: 416-299-8700 ext. 228

jbirch@chl.ca

STATEMENT FROM DAVID BRANCH, OHL COMMISSIONER

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto – The Ontario League takes the health and well being of our players very seriously.  The recent actions by the owner of the Flint Firebirds Rolf Nilsen and his representatives on the management team and coaching staff is of great concern as they pose a serious threat to our commitment to our players and their families.

The league announces the following sanctions effective immediately:

  • Mr Nilsen and his appointees on the management and coaching staff including Sergei Kharin are suspended from Flint Firebirds’ hockey operations until further notice;
  • The Flint Firebirds at their cost, under the direction of the League, shall provide counselling services for players;
  • Rolf Nilsen and representatives of the Flint Firebirds shall co-operate with the Commissioner and the League in investigations into the conduct and actions of the Flint Firebirds and its representatives, employees, officers and directors;

In addition, the League will continue to investigate the actions of Rolf Nilsen and other representatives of the Flint Firebirds and will take any action and impose any sanctions that are deemed appropriate by the Commissioner.

Later today, the League will be meeting with the players in Flint to further discuss the situation, and to ensure that they are provided the appropriate supports.  These discussions and supports will be ongoing for the players and their families.

STATEMENT FROM DAVID BRANCH, OHL COMMISSIONER

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – It has come to the league’s attention that the Flint Firebirds ownership has once again made significant changes to their coaching staff.  This change, the manner in which it occurred and the way it was communicated to the players and to the league is of great concern.

We have been in contact with the team captain and it is our intention to meet and communicate with all players and families in short order.  The players and their playing experience is of the utmost importance to the league and we will continue to work to ensure that they are treated with respect.

It is the league’s intention to immediately review the actions of the Flint Firebirds before we determine the next steps we will take to address this situation.

CHL Announces BMO CHL Top 10 Rankings

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced the twenty-first edition of the BMO CHL Top-10 Rankings for the 2015-16 season.  The weekly rankings of the CHL’s Top-10 teams are selected by a panel of National Hockey League scouts.

BMO

 BMO CHL Top 10 Rankings – Week 21

Rank: Team: Last Week Rank: Number of Weeks Ranked:
1 Erie Otters (42-10-1-0) 1 21
2 Val-d’Or Foreurs (41-10-2-1) 2 12
3 Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (40-8-3-2) 3 20
4 London Knights (39-12-2-1) 5 21
5 Kitchener Rangers (37-11-5-0) 4 17
6 Kelowna Rockets (40-15-3-0) 7 15
7 Lethbridge Hurricanes (40-16-1-0) 8 11
8 Gatineau Olympiques (37-15-2-1) – 10
9 Victoria Royals (37-16-3-3) 6 5
10 Shawinigan Cataractes (35-15-4-0) 9 17
Honourable Mention:
Saint John Sea Dogs (35-14-4-0) – 2
Brandon Wheat Kings (35-17-2-2) 10 10
Kingston Frontenacs (35-14-2-2) – 1

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