Press Release

GTHL’s Toronto Jr. Canadiens officially qualify for 2016 OHL Cup

 

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the twelfth edition of the weekly minor midget rankings for the 2016 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament hosted by the Greater Toronto Hockey League.

The weekly rankings are determined by a panel of OHL Central Scouting Staff and represent the top teams that are competing to play in the annual year-end championship tournament which takes place March 15-21, 2016.  All games will be played at the Scotiabank Pond in Toronto until the Championship Final moves to the Mattamy Athletic Centre on Monday March 21.

Minor Midget Rankings for the 2016 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament – Week 12

RANK	TEAM	LEAGUE	LAST WEEK	WEEKS RANKED
1	Mississauga Rebels	GTHL	1	12
2	York Simcoe Express	OMHA	2	12
3	Toronto Marlies	GTHL	3	12
4	Toronto Jr. Canadiens	GTHL	4	12
5	Toronto Red Wings	GTHL	5	12
6	Barrie Jr. Colts	OMHA	6	11
7	Waterloo Wolves	ALLIANCE	8	10
8	Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs	OMHA	9	12
9	Don Mills Flyers	GTHL	7	10
10	Kingston Frontenacs	OMHA	10	5
	Honourable Mention
	London Jr. Knights	ALLIANCE	–	1
	Southern Tier Admirals	OMHA	–	–
	Kitchener Jr. Rangers	ALLIANCE	–	–
	North Central Predators	OMHA	–	3

Four teams from the GTHL have now officially qualified for the 2016 OHL Cup by advancing to their league Semi-Finals including the Mississauga Rebels, Toronto Marlies, Toronto Red Wings, and Toronto Jr. Canadiens who most recently defeated the Don Mills Flyers in the final Quarter-Final matchup.  The Jr. Canadiens will face the Marlies, and the Rebels will face the Red Wings in the league’s Semi-Finals set to begin later this month.  Also beginning later this month is the GTHL Wild Card Series featuring the four teams eliminated from the first round of playoffs including the Flyers who will face the Vaughan Kings, and the Mississauga Senators who will face the Markham Majors for the opportunity to keep their hopes alive with a Wild Card tournament entry.

Semi-Finals are underway in the ALLIANCE featuring the Waterloo Wolves against the Kitchener Jr. Rangers, and the London Jr. Knights against the Windsor Jr. Spitfires.  Both series winners will earn automatic entry into the 2016 OHL Cup, with the losing teams competing in a Semi-Final Wild Card Series with the winner also granted a berth in the tournament.  The fourth place team will be eligible for an OHL Cup Wild Card Play-In Game.

The OHL Cup continues to showcase 20 participating teams from across Ontario and the United States, but as of February, 2016, 15 of the 20 spots are now guaranteed through league competition.  The 15 guaranteed spots include all four GTHL Semi-Finalists, and the top four teams that place at the OMHA Championship.  Three teams from the ALLIANCE will still be guaranteed a spot in the tournament including the Champion and Finalist, along with the winner of a best-of-three Semi-Final Wild Card Series to be played between the losers of the two league Semi-Finals.  Two tournament entries are reserved for United States competition, while both an HNO and NOHA representative will also compete.

Also announced in February, 2016, is the addition of one Wild Card Play-In Game whereupon the final five entries at the 2016 OHL Cup will now be Wild Cards determined among 10 teams that will play a one game ‘win and in’ scenario.  The 10 competing teams aiming for the final five tournament spots will now include five teams named by the Tournament Selection Committee based on regular season, playoff, and tournament play.  The other Wild Card Play-In Game spots will continue to include the fifth place team at the OMHA Championship, and the loser of the ALLIANCE Semi-Final Wild Card Series.  Two spots in Wild Card games are also reserved for GTHL teams.  The two competing GTHL teams will be determined through a pair of Wild Card Play-In Series matchups involving the four GTHL teams who qualified for the playoffs but lost in the first round.  The final spot in a Wild Card will be reserved for the winner of an OMHA SCTA Consolation Game that features both teams who lost in the SCTA Tournament Semi-Final.  The OMHA teams eligible for this matchup will be determined annually based on the league not hosting the OMHA Championship.  All five Wild Card games will take place on Tuesday March 15 with specific matchups and times of play to be determined by random draw among the 10 competing teams on Monday March 14.

Last season the Toronto Marlboros captured their fifth OHL Cup title in 11 years with a 3-2 overtime win over the Don Mills Flyers. Marlies forward and OHL Cup MVP Ryan McLeod followed up older brother Michael McLeod’s MVP effort in 2014 with three goals and four assists in the tournament.

McLeod was one of 12 first round draft selections from 2015 OHL Cup teams, including six of the top ten picks. Those names include David Levin (Don Mills Flyers – 1st overall to the Sudbury Wolves), Ryan McLeod (Toronto Marlboros – 3rd overall to the Flint Firebirds), Brady Gilmour (Quinte Red Devils – 6th overall to the Saginaw Spirit), Ben Jones (Toronto Marlboros – 7th overall to the Niagara IceDogs), Matthew Strome (Toronto Marlboros – 8th overall to the Hamilton Bulldogs) and Markus Phillips (Toronto Titans – 9th overall to the Owen Sound Attack).

Five first round selections in the 2015 NHL Draft are also OHL Cup graduates including Connor McDavid (Toronto Marlboros/Edmonton Oilers), Dylan Strome (Toronto Marlboros/Arizona Coyotes), Mitch Marner (Don Mills Flyers/Toronto Maple Leafs), Lawson Crouse (Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs/Florida Panthers) and Travis Konecny (Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs/Philadelphia Flyers).

Notable OHL Cup graduates currently playing in the NHL include Taylor Hall (Greater Kingston Frontenacs/Edmonton Oilers), John Tavares (Toronto Marlboros/New York Islanders), Steven Stamkos (Markham Waxers/Tampa Bay Lightning), Tyler Seguin (Toronto Nationals/Dallas Stars), 2013 Norris Trophy winner P.K. Subban (Markham Islanders/Montreal Canadiens) and 2010 OHL Cup MVP Sean Monahan (Mississauga Rebels/Calgary Flames).

For more information, please visit ohlcup.ca.

David Branch, Geraldine Heaney, Mario Lemieux, Bob Nicholson to be honoured as part of 13th annual Hockey Canada Foundation Celebrity Classic

 HALIFAX, N.S. – The Order of Hockey in Canada welcomes two players and two executives to its ranks of distinguished honourees who have made outstanding contributions or service to the growth and development of the sport of hockey in Canada.

 The Distinguished Honourees of the Order of Hockey in Canada were announced in Halifax, host-city of the 2016 Hockey Canada Foundation Celebrity Classic gala and golf tournament, where David Branch, Geraldine Heaney, Mario Lemieux, and Bob Nicholson will be formally celebrated.

 David Branch – As president of the Canadian Hockey League since 1996 and commissioner of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) since 1979, Branch oversees the world’s largest development league encompassing the OHL, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, and Western Hockey League. He has been instrumental in leading a number of player-safety campaigns on topics that include anti-violence and mental health.

Geraldine Heaney – A two-time Olympic medallist and seven-time world champion in women’s hockey, Heaney has been inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame (2008), Hockey Hall of Fame (2013), and Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame (2014). Heaney helped put women’s hockey on the map with her gold medal-winning goal at the inaugural IIHF World Women’s Championship in 1990, and her impact on the next crop of female hockey talent continues through her coaching activity in her hometown.

Mario Lemieux – Co-owner and chairman of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Lemieux’s NHL and international successes have left their mark on hockey in Canada and around the world. As a member of Team Canada, Lemieux recorded 49 points in 36 games, and he served as captain for the 2004 World Cup of Hockey-winning team and the golden 2002 Olympic Winter Games team. Other international successes include winning the 1987 Canada Cup, a silver medal at the 1985 IIHF World Championship, and a bronze at the 1983 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Bob Nicholson – CEO and vice-chair of the Oilers Entertainment Group, Nicholson served as president and CEO of Hockey Canada from 1998-2014, overseeing the nation’s gold-medal performances at seven Olympic Winter Games, 12 IIHF World Junior Championships, five IIHF World Championships, 10 IIHF World Women’s Championships, four IIHF World Women’s U18 Championships, three IIHF World U18 Championships, two IPC Sledge Hockey World Championships, and one Paralympic Winter Games. In addition to the high-performance wins, Nicholson continues to dedicate himself to the growth and development of the sport through his work as chairman of the IIHF Development & Coaching Committee.

 “Between David, Geraldine, Mario, and Bob, they have impacted millions of people in Canada and around the world through their work within the sport of hockey,” said Tom Renney, president and chief executive officer, Hockey Canada. “I congratulate them all, on behalf of my colleagues at Hockey Canada and the Order of Hockey in Canada selection committee, as well as our board of directors, volunteers, and the 750,000 registered members from coast-to-coast-to-coast, on this well-deserved recognition.”

 The addition of this year’s class brings the total number of honourees to 18 since the Order of Hockey in Canada’s inception in 2012, including: Jean Béliveau (2012); Cassie Campbell-Pascall (2012); Clare Drake (2014); Jim Gregory (2015); Wayne Gretzky (2012); Paul Henderson (2013); Gordie Howe (2012); Dave King (2013); Mark Messier (2013); Pat Quinn (2015); Gordon Renwick (2012); France St-Louis (2014); Serge Savard (2015); and Steve Yzerman (2014).

 A selection committee of 12 members – appointed by the Order of Hockey in Canada executive committee, established by Hockey Canada – is tasked with nominating and selecting, via secret ballot, the annual recipients of the Order of Hockey in Canada. The committee members represent a cross-section of individuals with great and varied experience around the game of hockey in Canada.

 This year’s honourees will be celebrated as part of the 2016 Hockey Canada Foundation Celebrity Classic, June 20 and 21 in Halifax.

 Nova Scotia legacy plans unveiled

 Halifax is the first city without an NHL team to host the prestigious event. Half of the proceeds from the 2016 Hockey Canada Foundation Celebrity Classic will support a provincial legacy plan as selected by the local steering committee for the event.

 Daniel Gallivan, Q.C., chair of the steering committee, announced Tuesday that Hockey Nova Scotia, the Sidney Crosby Foundation, and the Long Pond Hockey Arena Building Society will share the proceeds that will remain locally, to be used for programs and projects that support the growth and development of the sport in the province.

 “We have seen tremendous support from the community to-date, and I believe that is in large part because of the knowledge that the Celebrity Classic benefits our region directly, and in a very meaningful way,” said Gallivan. “Our committee considered several options. We ultimately agreed to support these three because we believe that, together, they will have a lasting and positive effect on hockey and those who play the game in Nova Scotia.”

 The remaining proceeds from the 2016 Hockey Canada Foundation Celebrity Classic will go to the Foundation to support the future development and delivery of Hockey Canada programs, projects, and activities across the country.

 Visit the Hockey Canada website for more information on the Hockey Canada Foundation, the 2016 Celebrity Classic, and the Order of Hockey in Canada.

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that San Jose Sharks prospect Kevin Labanc of the Barrie Colts is the Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week for the week ending February 14 after leading the league with 11 points in three games scoring four goals and seven assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-6.

Labanc became the first player to eclipse the century mark in points this season producing three multi-point performances that helped the Colts extend their winning-streak to eight games.  The OHL’s top scorer had back-to-back four point efforts includingWednesday night where he collected his third hat-trick of the season plus an assist as first star of a 5-0 victory over the Owen Sound Attack, then scored once with three assists on Thursday as second star of a 7-6 triumph over the Hamilton Bulldogs.  Labanc reached then surpassed the 100-point milestone on Saturday with three assists as second star of a 5-1 victory over the Guelph Storm.  His performance marks the 11th time the Colts have had a 100-point scorer in franchise history and third time a player has reached the milestone in consecutive seasons joining Bryan Little (2005-07) and Sheldon Keefe (1998-2000) in the record books.

A 20-year-old from Staten Island, New York, Labanc has now captured Player of the Week honours four times this season.  With 101 points (33 goals and 68 assists) through 50 games, the three-year Colt has totaled 243 points in 183 career regular season games and currently sits fifth in all-time franchise scoring behind Little (342), Daniel Tkaczuk (334), Hunter Tremblay (274), and Michael Henrich (244).  The overage forward was a sixth round pick of the Sharks in the 2014 NHL Draft.

Watch video highlights of Labanc and the Colts against the Attack, Bulldogs, and Storm.

Also considered for the award this week was Labanc’s fellow Colt Andrew Mangiapane.  The Calgary Flames prospect picked up five goals including his league-best fifth hat-trick of the season along with four assists for nine points in three games.  Los Angeles Kings prospect Mike Amadio of the North Bay Battalion recorded seven points in three games including a franchise record five goals on Saturday against the Kingston Frontenacs.  In goal, Leo Lazarev of the Ottawa 67’s went 2-0-0-0 including a shutout victory while posting a goals-against-average of 0.50 and save percentage of .983.

2015-16 Pioneer Energy OHL Players of the Week:

Feb. 8 – Feb. 14: Kevin Labanc (Barrie Colts)
Feb. 1 – Feb. 7: Spencer Watson (Kingston Frontenacs)
Jan. 25 – Jan. 31: Jonah Gadjovich (Owen Sound Attack)
Jan. 18 – Jan. 24: Matthew Mancina (Peterborough Petes)
Jan. 11 – Jan. 17: Michael Giugovaz (Guelph Storm)
Jan. 4 – Jan. 10: Kevin Labanc (Barrie Colts)
Dec. 28 – Jan. 3: Kevin Labanc (Barrie Colts)
Dec. 14 – Dec. 20: Jake Smith (North Bay Battalion)
Dec. 7 – Dec. 13: Christian Dvorak (London Knights)
Nov. 30 – Dec. 6: Mitchell Marner (London Knights)
Nov. 23 – Nov. 29: Christian Dvorak (London Knights)
Nov. 16 – Nov. 22: Pavel Zacha (Sarnia Sting)
Nov. 9 – Nov. 15: Devin Williams (Erie Otters)
Nov. 2 – Nov. 8: Dylan Strome (Erie Otters)
Oct. 26 – Nov. 1: Tyler Parsons (London Knights)
Oct. 19 – Oct. 25: Kevin Labanc (Barrie Colts)
Oct. 12 – Oct. 18: Zach Bratina (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 5 – Oct. 11: Hunter Garlent (Peterborough Petes)
Sept. 28 – Oct. 4: Alex DeBrincat (Erie Otters)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 27: Zack Bowman (Flint Firebirds)

Revised 2016 OHL Cup structure now features 5 Wild Card games
GTHL’s Rebels, Marlies, Red Wings officially qualify for 2016 OHL Cup
ALLIANCE Semi-Final Matchups Set

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the eleventh edition of the weekly minor midget rankings for the 2016 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament hosted by the Greater Toronto Hockey League.

The weekly rankings are determined by a panel of OHL Central Scouting Staff and represent the top teams that are competing to play in the annual year-end championship tournament which takes place March 15-21, 2016.  All games will be played at the Scotiabank Pond in Toronto until the Championship Final moves to the Mattamy Athletic Centre on Monday March 21.

Minor Midget Rankings for the 2016 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament – Week 11

RANK	TEAM	LEAGUE	LAST WEEK	WEEKS RANKED
1	Mississauga Rebels	GTHL	1	11
2	York Simcoe Express	OMHA	2	11
3	Toronto Marlies	GTHL	4	11
4	Toronto Jr. Canadiens	GTHL	3	11
5	Toronto Red Wings	GTHL	5	11
6	Barrie Jr. Colts	OMHA	6	10
7	Don Mills Flyers	GTHL	8	9
8	Waterloo Wolves	ALLIANCE	7	9
9	Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs	OMHA	9	11
10	Kingston Frontenacs	OMHA	–	4
	Honourable Mention
	London Jr. Knights	ALLIANCE	–	1
	Clarington Toros	OMHA	–	5
	Kitchener Jr. Rangers	ALLIANCE	–	–
	North Central Predators	OMHA	10	3

Three teams from the GTHL have officially qualified for the 2016 OHL Cup by advancing to their league Semi-Finals including the Mississauga Rebels, Toronto Marlies, and Toronto Red Wings.  They will be joined by the winner of the first round playoff matchup between the Toronto Jr. Canadiens and the Don Mills Flyers.  The loser of that matchup along with the Mississauga Senators, Markham Majors, and Vaughan Kings will compete in the GTHL Wild Card Series where two winners will earn automatic placement into 2016 OHL Cup Wild Card Play-In Games.

Semi-Finals matchups are also set in the ALLIANCE featuring the Waterloo Wolves against the Kitchener Jr. Rangers, and the London Jr. Knights against the Windsor Jr. Spitfires.  Both series winners will earn automatic entry into the 2016 OHL Cup, with the losing teams competing in a Semi-Final Wild Card Series with the winner also granted a berth in the tournament.  The fourth place team will be eligible for an OHL Cup Wild Card Play-In Game.

The OHL Cup continues to showcase 20 participating teams from across Ontario and the United States, but as of February, 2016, 15 of the 20 spots are now guaranteed through league competition.  The 15 guaranteed spots include all four GTHL Semi-Finalists, and the top four teams that place at the OMHA Championship.  Three teams from the ALLIANCE will still be guaranteed a spot in the tournament including the Champion and Finalist, along with the winner of a best-of-three Semi-Final Wild Card Series to be played between the losers of the two league Semi-Finals.  Two tournament entries are reserved for United States competition, while both an HNO and NOHA representative will also compete.

Also announced in February, 2016, is the addition of one Wild Card Play-In Game whereupon the final five entries at the 2016 OHL Cup will now be Wild Cards determined among 10 teams that will play a one game ‘win and in’ scenario.  The 10 competing teams aiming for the final five tournament spots will now include five teams named by the Tournament Selection Committee based on regular season, playoff, and tournament play.  The other Wild Card Play-In Game spots will continue to include the fifth place team at the OMHA Championship, and the loser of the ALLIANCE Semi-Final Wild Card Series.  Two spots in Wild Card games are also reserved for GTHL teams.  The two competing GTHL teams will be determined through a pair of Wild Card Play-In Series matchups involving the four GTHL teams who qualified for the playoffs but lost in the first round.  The final spot in a Wild Card will be reserved for the winner of an OMHA SCTA Consolation Game that features both teams who lost in the SCTA Tournament Semi-Final.  The OMHA teams eligible for this matchup will be determined annually based on the league not hosting the OMHA Championship.  All five Wild Card games will take place on Tuesday March 15 with specific matchups and times of play to be determined by random draw among the 10 competing teams on Monday March 14.

Last season the Toronto Marlboros captured their fifth OHL Cup title in 11 years with a 3-2 overtime win over the Don Mills Flyers. Marlies forward and OHL Cup MVP Ryan McLeod followed up older brother Michael McLeod’s MVP effort in 2014 with three goals and four assists in the tournament.

McLeod was one of 12 first round draft selections from 2015 OHL Cup teams, including six of the top ten picks. Those names include David Levin (Don Mills Flyers – 1st overall to the Sudbury Wolves), Ryan McLeod (Toronto Marlboros – 3rd overall to the Flint Firebirds), Brady Gilmour (Quinte Red Devils – 6th overall to the Saginaw Spirit), Ben Jones (Toronto Marlboros – 7th overall to the Niagara IceDogs), Matthew Strome (Toronto Marlboros – 8th overall to the Hamilton Bulldogs) and Markus Phillips (Toronto Titans – 9th overall to the Owen Sound Attack).

Five first round selections in the 2015 NHL Draft are also OHL Cup graduates including Connor McDavid (Toronto Marlboros/Edmonton Oilers), Dylan Strome (Toronto Marlboros/Arizona Coyotes), Mitch Marner (Don Mills Flyers/Toronto Maple Leafs), Lawson Crouse (Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs/Florida Panthers) and Travis Konecny (Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs/Philadelphia Flyers).

Notable OHL Cup graduates currently playing in the NHL include Taylor Hall (Greater Kingston Frontenacs/Edmonton Oilers), John Tavares (Toronto Marlboros/New York Islanders), Steven Stamkos (Markham Waxers/Tampa Bay Lightning), Tyler Seguin (Toronto Nationals/Dallas Stars), 2013 Norris Trophy winner P.K. Subban (Markham Islanders/Montreal Canadiens) and 2010 OHL Cup MVP Sean Monahan (Mississauga Rebels/Calgary Flames).

For more information, please visit ohlcup.ca.

Toronto, ON – It’s February in the Ontario Hockey League which means just seven weekends remain in the regular season.

 There’s 23 games tonight through Sunday, here’s a look at what’s going on around the league:

AT THE RINKS:

Eventful Weekend in Flint: The Flint Firebirds host Mardi Gras Night at home to the Sudbury Wolves on Friday before Saturdayfeatures Military Appreciation Night at the Dort Federal Event Center when the Kitchener Rangers make their first visit. Don’t miss out on the action this weekend!

Frontenacs host Shutout Bullying Night: The Kingston Frontenacs host the Pink Shirt Day game on Friday in an effort to shut out bullying. The special night supports Boys and Girls Clubs of Kingston and encourages fans to ‘be a buddy, not a bully.’ Fans are asked to wear pink on Friday night!

Heartbeats and Hockey Sticks Game in Owen Sound: The Owen Sound Attack, in partnership with the Owen Sound Cardiac Rehabilitation program, the Owen Sound Hospital Foundation and Leeder and Associates Wealth Management Group of RBC Dominion Securities is pleased to announce the first ever Heartbeats and Hockey Sticks event in support of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program on Saturday. The goal of Heartbeats and Hockey Sticks is to raise money for a very valuable program for people in Grey and Bruce counties living with heart disease. The money raised will fund a new home based exercise program that will let 50 more people enter the program each year. For the full details on Saturday’s special event and to see the Attack’s specially themed jerseys, please visit attackhockey.com.

Petes, Spirit, Knights host #TalkToday Mental Health Awareness Nights: The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario are teaming up to raise awareness about the importance of mental health during OHL games throughout the month of February. The awareness campaign is part of the ongoing commitment by OHL clubs and local CMHA Ontario Branches to implement Talk Today. The Sarnia Sting hosted the first CMHA Game Night on Wednesday, while the Peterborough Petes host their game on Thursday, the Saginaw Spirit keep the conversation going on Saturday, with the London Knights hosting CMHA on Sunday. FULL STORY

COMMUNITY CORNER:

Petes and community partners collect 3,800Ibs. in Coach4Food campaign: For the second straight year, the Petes and local community partners collected food and donations for Kawartha Food Share through the Project Shutout Hunger initiative. Through the 2015/16 Coach4Food campaign, the Petes set a team record with 3,873.25 lbs of food donated. For the full story, please visitgopetesgo.com.

IceDogs raise over $5,000 in Pink in the Rink jersey auction: The Niagara IceDogs have raised over $5,000 in support of the Canadian Cancer Society and women’s cancer research as a result of their post-game Pink in the Rink jersey auction on Sunday. Josh Ho-Sang’s #26 jersey led the way with an $800 bid. For more on the story please visit niagaraicedogs.net.

ATTACK’S JONAH GADJOVICH TAKES WEEKLY HONOURS:

Jonah Gadjovich of the Owen Sound Attack is the Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week for the week ending January 31 after scoring three goals and three assists for six points in two games with a plus-minus rating of plus-9. Gadjovich’s breakout weekend featured the best two games of his OHL career with back-to-back three-point performances helping the Attack win both games of their East Division road trip.  A 17-year-old from Whitby, ON, Gadjovich is playing in his second career season with the Attack after being chosen in the second round of the 2014 OHL Priority Selection.  The former Whitby Wildcat is eligible for the 2017 NHL Draft and has 16 points in 46 games so far this season for the Attack who stand sixth place in the OHL’s Western Conference standings.

TIP TOP TAILORS OHL PLAYS OF THE WEEK – WEEK 18: 

A lethal Erie Otters powerplay tops the 18th edition of the Tip Top Tailors OHL Plays of the Week, with Jake Marchment finishing on a slick sequence of passes. Be sure to vote for Jake 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! 139 different players have accomplished the milestone this season! Click on a player’s name below to watch his first OHL goal!
Evan Bouchard

TVCOGECO HOCKEY DAY IN THE OHL FEATURES GREAT STORIES:

TVCogeco Hockey Day in the OHL featured three great games and brought several great stories to light as well. Revisit last weekend’s action and check out some of the great storylines that have emerged from team’s across the league! FULL STORY

OHL GRADUATES PARTICIPATE IN ALL-STAR FESTIVITIES:

A combined total of 36 OHL graduates participated in NHL and AHL All-Star Festivities this past weekend. Highlights included London Knights graduate John Tavares winning the accuracy shooting event in the NHL All-Star Skills Competition while fellow Knights grad Corey Perry scored the lone goal in a 1-0 win to give the Pacific Division the NHL All-Star Game 3-on-3 tournament title. 16 OHL grads attended NHL All-Star Weekend in Nashville, Tennessee while 20 participated in the AHL All-Star Classic in Syracuse, New York.

SPITFIRES RETIRE RYAN ELLIS NUMBER 6:

Undoubtedly one of the all-time franchise greats in Windsor Spitfires history, Ryan Ellis arrived on the scene in 2007 and took the OHL by storm throughout the next four seasons. On Saturday night, the Spitfires honoured the all-time leading scorer among defencemen in franchise history by raising his number 6 to the highest reaches of the WFCU Centre alongside Spitfire greats in Ernie Godden (15), Mickey Renaud (18) and several others. FULL STORY

ROAD TO THE 2016 OHL CUP CONTINUES:

With February upon us, Minor Midget playoffs are underway across the province. Stay tuned to ontariohockeyleague.com in the days ahead as we follow the road to the 2016 OHL Cup set for March 15-21 in Toronto. 10th edition of OHL Cup Minor Midget Top-10 Rankings

2016 OHF/OHL UNDER-15 PROGRAM OF EXCELLENCE DATES ANNOUNCED:

The Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF), in conjunction with the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), are pleased to announce the dates for the 2016 Under-15 Program of Excellence Development Camps. In total, seven camps will take place around Ontario including five hosted by the OHF, introducing young players – and their families – to the high performance stream. FULL STORY

ALUMNI NOTES:

McDavid dazzles in return: After a three month absence, Connor McDavid exploded back onto the NHL scene on Tuesday night, recording a goal and two assists in Edmonton’s 5-1 win over Columbus. McDavid’s goal was of the highlight reel variety as he busted through a pair of Columbus defenders before finishing a deke for his sixth goal of the season. The former Erie Otters star has six goals, nine assists and 15 points in 14 games this season. McDavid recorded 285 career regular season points (97-188-285) in 166 games with Erie from 2012-15.

Leighton named AHL Goaltender of the Month: Windsor Spitfires graduate Michael Leighton has been named the AHL’s Goaltender of the Month for January. The Petrolia, ON, native was 8-0-2 with a 1.22 goals-against average, a .954 save percentage and three shutouts as Rockford moved into first place in the Central Division. The longtime AHL veteran is currently tied with Hockey Hall of Famer Johnny Bower for the most shutouts (45) in the 80-year history of the American Hockey League. Leighton competed in his fourth career AHL All-Star Classic this past weekend in Syracuse, NY. He’s currently 23-4-5-3 on the season with a 2.04 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage with four shutouts. Leighton played three OHL seasons with Windsor from 1998-2001, going 53-43-9-4 with a 3.30 goals-against average, a .903 save percentage and three shutouts. He was Chicago’s sixth round pick in the 1999 NHL Draft.

Campbell named ECHL Goaltender of the Month: Soo Greyhounds graduate Jack Campbell has been named the ECHL’s Goaltender of the Month for January. The 24-year-old went 8-3-0 with three shutouts, a 1.27 goals-against average and a save percentage of .956 in 11 appearances during the month with the Idaho Steelheads. The native of Port Huron, MI, has split time this season between Idaho and the AHL’s Texas Stars where he has played to a 3-6-3-1 record with a 4.27 goals-against average and an .868 save percentage in 12 games. 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.

Paterson named ECHL Goaltender of the Week: Kitchener Rangers graduate Jake Paterson is the ECHL’s Goaltender of the Week. The 21-year-old was 2-0-0 with one shutout, a 0.99 goals-against average and a save percentage of .966 in two appearances last week. Paterson recorded his first career professional shutout on Friday, making 28 saves in a 4-0 win against Brampton and then turned aside 27 shots in a 3-2 victory over Quad City on Sunday. The Mississauga, ON, native is 7-7-2 with a 2.38 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage in 16 games with the Toledo Walleye this season. He appeared in 192 career regular season games with Saginaw and Kitchener posting an overall record of 96-75-15 with seven shutouts, a 3.29 goals-against average and a save percentage of .907.

KEY WEEKEND MATCHUPS:

Niagara IceDogs (24-17-3-3) vs. Kitchener Rangers (34-9-4-0)
Friday February 5 at Kitchener – Sportsnet Friday Night Hockey

This week’s installment of Sportsnet Friday Night Hockey features a great East-West battle as the Niagara IceDogs visit the Kitchener Rangers. The Dogs enter the weekend having lost their past two games and face back-to-back Midwest Division powerhouses on Thursday in London and on Friday in Kitchener. The IceDogs currently sit two points ahead of an Ottawa, Peterborough and Mississauga logjam in the Eastern Conference as they look to maintain home ice advantage with a strong showing in three games this weekend. The Rangers are currently the fourth-ranked team in the country. They won their only other meeting with Niagara this season by a score of 5-2 on New Year’s Eve.

Erie Otters (39-7-1-0) vs. Windsor Spitfires (30-14-5-0)
Saturday February 6 at Windsor

The two division leaders in the Western Conference clash on Saturday in Windsor as CHL’s top ranked Erie Otters pay a visit. The Otters come off wins over London and Mississauga last weekend and look to increase their Midwest Division lead on the road this weekend in Sarnia and Windsor. Erie is 2-1 against Windsor this season, with the Spits striking for a 6-4 win in their most recent meeting on November 7th behind Christian Fischer’s three goals and an assist. The Spitfires currently hold a five point lead on Sarnia in the West Division, but suffered a 5-0 loss at the hands of the Sting on Sunday. Draft eligible defenceman Mikhail Sergachev has factored in offensively of late, coming off a 12-point (3-9–12) month of January.

WEEKEND SCHEDULE: 

Thursday, February 4
London at Niagara – 7:00pm
Sault Ste. Marie at North Bay – 7:00pm
Hamilton at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Sudbury at Windsor – 7:05pm
Oshawa at Barrie – 7:30pm

Friday, February 5
Oshawa at Kingston – 7:00pm
Hamilton at Ottawa – 7:00pm
Erie at Sarnia – 7:05pm
Sudbury at Flint – 7:30pm
Saginaw at Guelph – 7:30pm
Niagara at Kitchener – 7:30pm – Sportsnet Friday Night Hockey
Owen Sound at London – 7:30pm
Sault Ste. Marie at Mississauga – 7:30pm

Saturday, February 6
Kingston at Hamilton – 7:00pm
North Bay at Niagara – 7:00pm
Ottawa at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Sudbury at Saginaw – 7:05pm
Erie at Windsor – 7:05pm
Mississauga at Barrie – 7:30pm
Kitchener at Flint – 7:30pm
Guelph at Owen Sound – 7:30pm

Sunday, February 7
Sarnia at London – 2:00pm
Sault Ste. Marie at Oshawa – 2:05pm

CATCH ALL OF THE ACTION ON OHL LIVE

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario are teaming up to raise awareness about the importance of mental health during upcoming OHL games throughout the month of February.

The awareness campaign is part of the ongoing commitment by OHL clubs and local CMHA Ontario Branches to implement TalkToday. Launched in October 2014, Talk Today is a partnership between the OHL and CMHA that provides mental health support to players and raises awareness about mental health and suicide throughout OHL communities.

This year, all 20 OHL teams will host a Talk Today awareness game in February with the support of their local CMHA Ontario Branch. Each game will feature a CMHA kiosk where fans can get more information about Talk Today and the programs and services offered by the Branches. There will also be public address and video announcements addressing the importance of positive mental health.

2016 OHL and CMHA Game Night Schedule:

February 3 at Sarnia Sting with CMHA Lambton Kent

February 4 at Peterborough Petes with CMHA Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge

February 6 at Saginaw Spirit with CMHA Windsor-Essex County

February 7 at London Knights with CMHA Middlesex

February 10 at Erie Otters with CMHA Niagara

February 12 at Guelph Storm with CMHA Waterloo-Wellington-Dufferin

February 19 at Sudbury Wolves with CMHA Sudbury-Manitoulin

February 20 at Barrie Colts with CMHA Simcoe County

February 20 at Ottawa 67’s with CMHA Ottawa

February 21 at North Bay Battalion with CMHA Nipissing

February 23 at Kitchener Rangers with CMHA Waterloo-Wellington-Dufferin

February 24 at Oshawa Generals with CMHA Durham

February 24 at Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds with CMHA Sault Ste. Marie

February 25 at Windsor Spitfires with CMHA Windsor-Essex County

February 26 at Flint Firebirds with CMHA Windsor-Essex County

February 26 at Mississauga Steelheads with CMHA Peel

February 27 at Owen Sound Attack with CMHA Grey Bruce

February 28 at Kingston Frontenacs with CMHA Kingston

February 28 at Hamilton Bulldogs with CMHA Hamilton

February 28 at Niagara IceDogs with CMHA Niagara

A key piece of the Talk Today program has been to educate players about mental health and suicide. Players on all 20 OHL teams have received mental health training specific to suicide awareness called safeTALK. This training helps teach individuals the importance of talking about mental health, how to acknowledge signs of suicide, seek help when they’re in need of support, and connect others in need of support to suicide first aid resources.

Since the inception of Talk Today, CMHA Ontario Branches have trained 611 players, 79 coaches and 158 billet parents in safeTALK. Each team is also linked to a CMHA Mental Health Coach, who can provide support and mental health resources to individuals in need.  In April, 2015, the league also expanded the partnership with CMHA Ontario to include a mental health awareness seminar as part of the OHL/OHF Under-15 Program of Excellence.

Talk Today is a mandatory program that works in conjunction with the OHL’s other league programs in areas such as drug awareness, health and safety education, and has become an important piece of the league’s ‘Players First’ guide.

For more information about upcoming OHL and CMHA game nights please contact OHL clubs or the local CMHA Ontario Branch.

Help us spread the word about mental health!  Keep the conversation going online using #TalkToday.

For more information please visit http://ontario.cmha.ca.