OHL Announces Minor Midget Top-10 Rankings for 2016 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

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

OHL Cup

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 7

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

The OHL Cup continues to showcase 20 participating teams from across Ontario and the United States with 16 of the 20 spots in 2016 guaranteed through league competition.  The 16 guaranteed spots continue to 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.  Also as in past years, two tournament entries are reserved for United States competition, while both an HNO and NOHA representative will also compete.  New in 2016, the final guaranteed spot is awarded to the highest finishing minor midget team in the HEO Midget League which in 2015-16 belongs to CIHA White.

This season the final four entries at the 2016 OHL Cup will be Wild Cards determined among eight teams that will play a one game ‘win and in’ scenario.  The eight competing teams aiming for the final four tournament spots will continue to include the fifth place team at the OMHA Championship, and the loser of the ALLIANCE Semi-Final Wild Card Series.  New in 2016, two spots in Wild Card games will be 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.  Also new in 2016, one 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.  Finally, the three remaining teams who will compete in the Wild Card matchups will be named by the Tournament Selection Committee based on regular season, playoff, and tournament play. All four Wild Card games will take place onTuesday March 15 with specific matchups and times of play to be determined by random draw among the eight competing teams onMonday 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.

2016 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Rosters Announced

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

40 top NHL Draft eligible CHL players will compete January 28, 2016, in Vancouver, BC
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Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League in association with the host Vancouver Giants Hockey Club, and title partner BMO Financial Group, today announced the 40 players that will compete in the 2016 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Vancouver, BC, on Thursday January 28, 2016.

The 40 CHL players competing in the game were chosen by all 30 NHL clubs and divided into teams by NHL Central Scouting.  This season’s event marks the 21st annual showcase of the CHL’s top-40 NHL Draft eligible players featuring talent from the Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League competing before hundreds of NHL scouts in attendance.

“The BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is one of the highlights of the hockey season,” said CHL President David Branch. “Since 1996 the CHL’s top prospects have showcased their skills in this event providing NHL scouts, General Managers, and fans the opportunity to catch the next wave of NHL talent which in recent years has featured first overall picks Connor McDavid, Aaron Ekblad, Nathan MacKinnon, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. We look forward to January 28 with coaches Don Cherry and Bobby Orr, and 40 of the top CHL players eligible for the 2016 NHL Draft competing before the passionate hockey fans in Vancouver and to CHL fans across Canada watching live on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.”

The Giants’ Tyler Benson and Port Moody, BC, native Lucas Johansen of the Kelowna Rockets are among the 20 players to suit up for Team Cherry along with Canadian National Junior Team member Julien Gauthier of the Val-d’Or Foreurs, and OHL top goal scorer Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters who won World Junior bronze with the United States.  Team Orr features World Junior gold medalist Olli Juolevi of the London Knights, fellow Knight and World Junior bronze medalist Matthew Tkachuk, Canadian National Junior Team Selection Camp invite Pierre-Luc Dubois of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, and Alexander Nylander of the Mississauga Steelheads who led Sweden in World Junior scoring.

“We are thrilled for the up-and-coming talent chosen for this year’s BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game,” said Michael Bonner, Senior Vice President, BC and Yukon Division, BMO Bank of Montreal. “As the Official Bank of the CHL, we’re proud to sponsor an event that allows Canadians to watch some of the top young athletes across the country, and we’re excited to bring them to Vancouver later this month.”

25 of the CHL’s 60 member clubs are represented on the rosters.  The 40 competing players include 20 from the OHL, 12 from the WHL, and eight from the QMJHL.  13 CHL Players who competed in the 2015 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in St. Catharines, ON, were selected in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft.  In 20 years, 278 CHL players from this event have been chosen by NHL clubs in the first round of the NHL Draft representing 47% of all players selected.

“The BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game provides a unique opportunity for NHL scouts and General Managers to evaluate top CHL talent for the 2016 NHL Draft in a best-on-best competition,” said NHL Central Scouting Director Dan Marr. “The game is also a unique opportunity for the players to take advantage of the spotlight in what is consistently an exciting and highly competitive showcase.”

Since the event was first introduced in 1996 the game has featured 13 players selected with the first overall pick in the NHL Draft including Connor McDavid, Aaron Ekblad, Nathan MacKinnon, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Taylor Hall, John Tavares, Steven Stamkos, Patrick Kane, Marc-Andre Fleury, Rick Nash, Vincent Lecavalier, Joe Thornton, and Chris Phillips.

2016 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Rosters:

Team Cherry:

Goaltenders:

Evan Fitzpatrick (Sherbrooke Phoenix)

Zach Sawchenko (Moose Jaw Warriors)

Defencemen:

Jakob Chychrun (Sarnia Sting)

Kale Clague (Brandon Wheat Kings)

Sean Day (Mississauga Steelheads)

Samuel Girard (Shawinigan Cataractes)

Lucas Johansen (Kelowna Rockets)

Markus Niemelainen (Saginaw Spirit)

 Forwards:

Vitalii Abramov (Gatineau Olympiques)

Tyler Benson (Vancouver Giants)

Logan Brown (Windsor Spitfires)

Alex DeBrincat (Erie Otters)

Dillon Dube (Kelowna Rockets)

Julien Gauthier (Val-d’Or Foreurs)

Tim Gettinger (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

Noah Gregor (Moose Jaw Warriors)

Max Jones (London Knights)

Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia Sting)

Michael McLeod (Mississauga Steelheads)

Sam Steel (Regina Pats)


Team Orr:

Goaltenders:

Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)

Dylan Wells (Peterborough Petes)

Defencemen:

Jake Bean (Calgary Hitmen)

Luke Green (Saint John Sea Dogs)

Libor Hajek (Saskatoon Blades)

Olli Juolevi (London Knights)

Mikhail Sergachev (Windsor Spitfires)

Logan Stanley (Windsor Spitfires)

Forwards:

Nathan Bastian (Mississauga Steelheads)

Will Bitten (Flint Firebirds)

Pierre-Luc Dubois (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)

Brett Howden (Moose Jaw Warriors)

Boris Katchouk (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

Jack Kopacka (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

Pascal Laberge (Victoriaville Tigres)

Alexander Nylander (Mississauga Steelheads)

Taylor Raddysh (Erie Otters)

Otto Somppi (Halifax Mooseheads)

Simon Stransky (Prince Albert Raiders)

Matthew Tkachuk (London Knights)


The 2016 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is proudly supported by title partner BMO Bank of Montreal, and CHL associate sponsors Cooper Tire, autoTRADER.ca and Sherwin-Williams.  The game will be broadcast live on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.

For more information please visit www.bmotopprospects.ca.

BMO and the Canadian Hockey League:
BMO Financial Group and the Canadian Hockey League announced BMO as the Official Bank of the Canadian Hockey League in 2011. The sponsorship builds on BMO’s partnership with the CHL of more than 10 years and affirms BMO’s exclusivity as a financial services sponsor of the league in the retail banking category. It also engrains a presence with the 48 teams which currently participate in the BMO CHL Affinity MasterCard program, which enables CHL fans to support their favourite teams through a co-branded credit card.

Super series

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 2015, including forward Brendan Lemieux of the Windsor Spitfires, defenceman Cam Dineen of the North Bay Battalion and goaltender Devin Williams of the Erie Otters.

OHL Player of the Month – Brendan Lemieux (Windsor Spitfires):
Winnipeg Jets prospect Brendan Lemieux of the Windsor Spitfires is the OHL Player of the Month after recording 12 goals, six assists and 18 points in nine games between Windsor and Barrie. Lemieux recorded points in all nine of his December contests, helping Windsor play to a 5-1-1-0 record following his Spitfires debut on December 10th against Mississauga. Lemieux registered a pair of hat-tricks, with one coming in a 3-0 win over Sarnia on December 11th and the second in a 6-3 win over Saginaw on December 19th. He earned star of the game recognition six times, being named the first star of the game on four different occasions. The 6’1″, 210Ib. winger is currently in the midst of a 16-game point streak that dates back to November 15th.

A native of Paradise Valley, Arizona, Lemieux was Buffalo’s 2nd round (31st overall) pick in the 2014 NHL Draft before being dealt to Winnipeg in February of 2015 in a deal that saw Tyler Myers and Drew Stafford also go to the Jets for Zach Bogosian and Evander Kane. The son of former NHL forward Claude Lemieux, Brendan is in his fourth OHL season, having amassed 94 goals, 62 assists and 156 points in 183 career regular season games to this point. He currently has 20 goals, nine assists and 29 points in 19 games this season.

OHL Defenceman & Rookie of the Month – Cam Dineen (North Bay Battalion): 
Seventeen year-old rookie defenceman Cam Dineen has earned the rare distinction of being named both Defenceman and Rookie of the Month after recording two goals, 12 assists and 14 points in 10 games with a plus/minus rating of plus-6. Dineen had points in eight of his 10 December contests, including a four point performance with a goal and three assists to help the Battalion defeat the Mississauga Steelheads 6-3 on New Year’s Eve. This followed a big performance on December 18th when the Troops defeated the Niagara IceDogs 2-1 in overtime, with Dineen setting up Zach Poirier for the winning goal with just four seconds remaining. The 5’11”, 182Ib. defenceman helped North Bay’s seventh ranked powerplay produce last month with six of his 14 points coming on the man advantage.

A native of Toms River, New Jersey, Dineen currently leads OHL defencemen in scoring with six goals, 27 assists and 33 points in 36 games. The draft eligible rearguard was North Bay’s 11th round (214th overall) pick in the 2014 OHL Priority Selection. Dineen is currently tied for fourth in the league with 16 powerplay assists on the season.

Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month – Devin Williams (Erie Otters): 
Erie Otters overage goaltender Devin Williams has been named the Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month for December after going 7-1-0-0 with a 1.60 goals-against average and a .939 save percentage with one shutout. Williams helped the country’s top ranked Otters stay atop the Western Conference with some big performances in the month of December. Williams recorded his first shutout of the season with 17 saves against the Owen Sound Attack on December 5th before leading the Otters to a 2-1 win in Ottawa on December 11th when he made 31 saves to earn first star honours. Williams was solid again on December 19th, being named first star of the game after he made 34 saves in a 3-2 shootout win over Sarnia. Williams earned star of the game recognition six times in the month of December, taking first star honours on four occasions.

A native of Saginaw, Michigan, Williams is currently in his fifth OHL season and currently leads OHL goaltenders in goals-against average (2.11) and wins (26). The former fifth round pick in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection set an Otters franchise record earlier this season, making 27 saves on October 28th in Owen Sound to claim his 73rd career OHL win. The 20 year-old is 91-39-4-4 with a 3.09 goals-against average and an .899 save percentage and eight shutouts in 151 career regular season games. Williams has played to a 21-9-2-0 mark with a 3.04 goals-against average and an .898 save percentage in 33 career playoff contests.

2015-16 OHL Top Performers of the Month:

Player of the Month:
December – Brendan Lemieux (Windsor Spitfires)
November – Dylan Strome (Erie Otters)
October – Alex DeBrincat (Erie Otters)

Defenceman of the Month:
December – Cam Dineen (North Bay Battalion)
November – Travis Dermott (Erie Otters)
October – Vili Saarijarvi (Flint Firebirds)

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

Vaughn Goaltender of the Month:
December – Devin Williams (Erie Otters)
November – Mackenzie Blackwood (Barrie Colts)
October – Lucas Peressini (Kingston Frontenacs)

CHL Announces BMO CHL Top 10 Rankings

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced the fifteenth 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 15

 

Rank: Team: Last Week Rank: Number of Weeks Ranked:
1 Erie Otters (32-4-1-0) 1 15
2 Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (29-6-3-1) 2 14
3 London Knights (27-6-2-1) 3 15
4 Val-d’Or Foreurs (30-8-2-1) 6 6
5 Kelowna Rockets (28-10-2-0) 5 9
6 Kitchener Rangers (26-6-4-0) 4 11
7 Lethbridge Hurricanes (27-12-0-0) 8 5
8 Moncton Wildcats (27-10-4-1) 9 3
9 Red Deer Rebels (27-13-0-0) 10 10
10 Gatineau Olympiques (25-12-1-1) 7 6
Honourable Mention:
Shawinigan Cataractes (25-11-3-0) – 13
Kingston Frontenacs (23-11-2-1) – 1
Windsor Spitfires (23-10-5-0) – 4

OHL Announces Minor Midget Top-10 Rankings for 2016 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

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

The GTHL’s Toronto Jr. Canadiens take over top spot in this week’s rankings following a victory over the Toronto Red Wings in the championship final at the Toronto Marlboros Holiday Classic that featured 50 minor midget teams from across Ontario and the United States.

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 6

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

The OHL Cup continues to showcase 20 participating teams from across Ontario and the United States with 16 of the 20 spots in 2016 guaranteed through league competition.  The 16 guaranteed spots continue to 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.  Also as in past years, two tournament entries are reserved for United States competition, while both an HNO and NOHA representative will also compete.  New in 2016, the final guaranteed spot is awarded to the highest finishing minor midget team in the HEO Midget League which in 2015-16 belongs to CIHA White.

This season the final four entries at the 2016 OHL Cup will be Wild Cards determined among eight teams that will play a one game ‘win and in’ scenario.  The eight competing teams aiming for the final four tournament spots will continue to include the fifth place team at the OMHA Championship, and the loser of the ALLIANCE Semi-Final Wild Card Series.  New in 2016, two spots in Wild Card games will be 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.  Also new in 2016, one 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.  Finally, the three remaining teams who will compete in the Wild Card matchups will be named by the Tournament Selection Committee based on regular season, playoff, and tournament play. All four 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 eight 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.

CHL Announces BMO CHL Top 10 Rankings

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced the fourteenth 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

Action resumes in the CHL on Sunday December 27 following the Holiday Break, with the fifteenth edition of the BMO CHL Top-10 scheduled for release on Wednesday January 6, 2016.

 BMO CHL Top 10 Rankings – Week 14

 

Rank: Team: Last Week Rank: Number of Weeks Ranked:
1 Erie Otters (28-4-1-0) 1 14
2 Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (27-4-3-1) 2 13
3 London Knights (25-5-2-1) 5 14
4 Kitchener Rangers (23-5-4-0) 3 10
5 Kelowna Rockets (25-9-1-0) 4 8
6 Val-d’Or Foreurs (25-8-2-1) 6 5
7 Gatineau Olympiques (22-10-1-1) 7 5
8 Lethbridge Hurricanes (24-11-0-0) 9 4
9 Moncton Wildcats (24-10-4-0) – 2
10 Red Deer Rebels (23-12-0-0) – 9
Honourable Mention:
Prince George Cougars (21-11-1-1) – 0
Kingston Frontenacs (21-10-2-1) – 1
Shawinigan Cataractes (21-10-3-0) 8 13

OHL Announces Minor Midget Top-10 Rankings for 2016 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

OHL Cup

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the fifth 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 5

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

The OHL Cup continues to showcase 20 participating teams from across Ontario and the United States with 16 of the 20 spots in 2016 guaranteed through league competition.  The 16 guaranteed spots continue to 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.  Also as in past years, two tournament entries are reserved for United States competition, while both an HNO and NOHA representative will also compete.  New in 2016, the final guaranteed spot is awarded to the highest finishing minor midget team in the HEO Midget League which in 2015-16 belongs to CIHA White.

This season the final four entries at the 2016 OHL Cup will be Wild Cards determined among eight teams that will play a one game ‘win and in’ scenario.  The eight competing teams aiming for the final four tournament spots will continue to include the fifth place team at the OMHA Championship, and the loser of the ALLIANCE Semi-Final Wild Card Series.  New in 2016, two spots in Wild Card games will be 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.  Also new in 2016, one 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.  Finally, the three remaining teams who will compete in the Wild Card matchups will be named by the Tournament Selection Committee based on regular season, playoff, and tournament play. All four 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 eight 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.

OHL, WHL, and QMJHL proudly present Fan Choice

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the launch of the Fan Choice Program which showcases one great play from all three leagues and allows fans to vote on the top play.

Open now through the end of the 2016 regular season, all three leagues will nominate one play each week and invite fans to watch and vote for their favourite on the Fan Choice website at www.fanchoice.ca.

The weekly voting period will commence on Tuesday and close on Sunday evenings.  The play that receives the most votes will be declared the winner and announced each Monday.  The player from each League with the most votes at the end of the regular season will be crowned winner of the Fan Choice Play of the Year and the League will recognize the top play at their annual Awards Ceremony.

This week’s debut Fan Choice features Kevin Labanc of the OHL’s Barrie Colts up against Adam Marsh of the QMJHL’s Saint John Sea Dogs, and Coleman Vollrath of the WHL’s Victoria Royals.

Fan Choice is a partnership with Choice Hotels Canada helping celebrate the best plays in major junior hockey by connecting guests across Canada with their favourite pastime – hockey.

Check out all the action at www.fanchoice.ca and follow the conversation on social media using #fanchoice.

About Choice Hotels:

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CHL Announces BMO CHL Top 10 Rankings

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced the thirteenth 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 13

Rank: Team: Last Week Rank: Number of Weeks Ranked:
1 Erie Otters (27-3-1-0) 1 13
2 Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (26-3-3-1) 2 12
3 Kitchener Rangers (23-3-4-0) 3 9
4 Kelowna Rockets (24-7-1-0) 4 7
5 London Knights (23-5-1-1) 5 13
6 Val-d’Or Foreurs (24-7-2-1) 6 4
7 Gatineau Olympiques (21-10-1-1) 7 4
8 Shawinigan Cataractes (21-9-3-0) 8 13
9 Lethbridge Hurricanes (21-11-0-0) 10 3
10 Calgary Hitmen (21-12-1-1) – 4
Honourable Mention:
Red Deer Rebels (22-11-0-0) – 8
Kingston Frontenacs (20-9-2-1) – 1
Prince George Cougars (20-10-1-1) – 0

OHL Announces Minor Midget Top-10 Rankings for 2016 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the fourth 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 4

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

The OHL Cup continues to showcase 20 participating teams from across Ontario and the United States with 16 of the 20 spots in 2016 guaranteed through league competition.  The 16 guaranteed spots continue to 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.  Also as in past years, two tournament entries are reserved for United States competition, while both an HNO and NOHA representative will also compete.  New in 2016, the final guaranteed spot is awarded to the highest finishing minor midget team in the HEO Midget League which in 2015-16 belongs to CIHA White.

This season the final four entries at the 2016 OHL Cup will be Wild Cards determined among eight teams that will play a one game ‘win and in’ scenario.  The eight competing teams aiming for the final four tournament spots will continue to include the fifth place team at the OMHA Championship, and the loser of the ALLIANCE Semi-Final Wild Card Series.  New in 2016, two spots in Wild Card games will be 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.  Also new in 2016, one 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.  Finally, the three remaining teams who will compete in the Wild Card matchups will be named by the Tournament Selection Committee based on regular season, playoff, and tournament play. All four Wild Card games will take place onTuesday March 15 with specific matchups and times of play to be determined by random draw among the eight competing teams onMonday 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.