Vaughn CHL Team of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

The Canadian Hockey League today announced the 12th edition of the Vaughn CHL Team of the Week for the 2019-20 season based on individual performances from Dec. 2-8.

Leading the way is Flint Firebirds captain and Dallas Stars first-round pick Ty Dellandrea who collected six goals and five assists for 11 points across three appearances. That stretch counted a pair of four-point efforts including a three-goal, one-assist showing against the Barrie Colts on Thursday in which Dellandrea notched his second hat-trick of the season to power his club to a 5-2 road victory and earn first-star recognition. For his efforts, Dellandrea was named the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week.

Also up front is Rimouski Oceanic captain and 2020 NHL Draft favourite Alexis Lafreniere who capped the week with seven goals and four assists for 11 points in four outings. Against the Val-d’Or Foreurs on Friday, Lafreniere recorded his second five-point night of the season as he finished with his fifth career hat-trick plus two assists en route to a 10-8 road win in addition to first star honours. Lafreniere, who stands atop the CHL with 70 points on the season, wrapped up the week with Ultramar QMJHL Player of the Week recognition.

Rounding out the forward ranks is Sherbrooke Phoenix centre Felix Robert who collected nine points counting two goals and seven assists over a trio of appearances. Currently riding a three-game point streak, that stretch included Friday’s four-point effort against the Moncton Wildcats in which Robert finished with two goals and two assists to help guide his team to a 6-3 victory in addition to earning second-star recognition.

On the back end, Everett Silvertips blue-liner Jake Christiansen, who began the season with the AHL’s Stockton Heat, made a phenomenal return to the lineup in recording eight points counting five goals and three assists over three games. After making an immediate impact with a three-point debut, Christiansen then matched that total in his most recent outing in netting two goals including the eventual game winner plus one assist in a 6-3 road victory versus the Calgary Hitmen that earned him first-star honours and later helped him claim WHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week recognition.

Partnering on the blue line is Drummondville Voltigeurs rookie rearguard Jacob Dion who wrapped up the week with two goals and six assists for eight points in three games. Against the Wildcats on Saturday, Dion finished with a career-high four points – all coming as helpers – en route to a 6-3 victory that saw him recognized as the game’s first star.

Between the pipes, Ottawa 67’s netminder Cedrick Andree was nearly unbeatable across two appearances as he turned aside a combined 53 of 54 shots in the home-and-home Battle of the Ottawa River versus the Gatineau Olympiques to finish the week with a perfect 2-0-0-0 showing. Andree’s top performance came Friday in Gatineau as he stopped all 32 shots to record his sixth career shutout en route to a 4-0 victory and first-star recognition. In all, Andree wrapped up the week with an incredible 0.50 goals-against average and an equally impressive .981 save percentage.

OHL CUP POWERED BY UNDER ARMOUR MINOR MIDGET TOP-10 RANKINGS

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

OHL Cup

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the third edition of the weekly minor midget rankings for the 2020 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament powered by Under Armour and hosted by the Greater Toronto Hockey League.

The 2020 OHL Cup powered by Under Armour and hosted by the GTHL is scheduled for March 17-23 and will feature 20 teams from across Ontario and the United States showcasing many of the top players eligible for the 2020 OHL Priority Selection.  All games will be played at Scotiabank Pond in Toronto until the Championship Final moves to the Mattamy Athletic Centre on Monday, March 23.

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.

Minor Midget Rankings for the 2020 OHL Cup Powered by Under Armour – Week 3

RANK TEAM LEAGUE LAST WEEK WEEKS RANKED
1 Quinte Red Devils OMHA 1 3
2 Toronto Jr. Canadiens GTHL 2 3
3 Toronto Marlboros GTHL 3 3
4 Toronto Titans GTHL 4 3
5 Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs ALLIANCE 6 3
6 Southern Tier Admirals OMHA 5 3
7 Waterloo Wolves ALLIANCE 8 3
8 Toronto Nationals GTHL 7 3
9 Hamilton Huskies ALLIANCE – 1
10 York-Simcoe Express OMHA 9 3
Honourable Mention:
Mississauga Senators GTHL – –
Mississauga Reps GTHL – 1
Whitby Wildcats OMHA – –

 

The Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs, Waterloo Wolves and Hamilton Huskies are all on the rise in the third edition of the weekly OHL Cup Powered by Under Armour Top 10 Rankings. The 16-0-6 Chiefs remain undefeated in ALLIANCE regular season play, defeating seventh-ranked Waterloo 5-1 on Friday. The Wolves are 17-3-3, sitting one point back of Elgin-Middlesex and holding down third in the ALLIANCE Minor Midget ranks. The ALLIANCE’s first place Hamilton Huskies make their season debut inside the Top 10, currently on a six-game winning streak with wins in nine of their last 10. The Quinte Red Devils hold down the top spot for a second straight week, currently riding a four-game winning streak to improve their regular season record to 19-2-2.

History:
Last season the Don Mills Flyers overcame a 4-1 deficit to defeat the Toronto Red Wings 6-5 as Shane Wright (Kingston Frontenacs) set up Brennan Othmann (Flint Firebirds) for the overtime winning goal. The Flyers added both OHL Cup and GTHL Championships to their incredible season that saw them lose just once. An exceptional status player who was selected by the Kingston Frontenacs with the first overall pick of the 2019 OHL Priority Selection, Wright was named Tournament MVP with 18 points over seven contests, one shy of Connor McDavid’s 2012 event record.

The 2019 OHL Priority Selection featured 15 players chosen in the first round who competed for the OHL Cup including Shane Wright (Don Mills Flyers – 1st overall Kingston Frontenacs), Brennan Othmann (Don Mills Flyers – 2nd overall Flint Firebirds), Brandt Clarke (Don Mills Flyers – 4th overall Barrie Colts), Wyatt Johnston (Toronto Marlboros – 6th overall Windsor Spitfires), Benjamin Gaudreau (Team NOHA – 7th overall Sarnia Sting), Ryan Winterton (Whitby Wildcats – 8th overall Hamilton Bulldogs), Liam Arnsby (Don Mills Flyers – 9th overall North Bay Battalion), Ethan Del Mastro (Toronto Marlboros – 12th overall Mississauga Steelheads), Francesco Pinelli (Toronto Red Wings – 13th overall Kitchener Rangers), Danny Zhilkin (Toronto Marlboros -14th overall Guelph Storm), Landon McCallum (Brantford 99’ers – 15th overall Sudbury Wolves), Brett Harrison (London Jr. Knights – 16th overall Oshawa Generals), Jacob Holmes (York-Simcoe Express – 18th overall Soo Greyhounds), Connor Punnett (North Central Predators – 19th overall Saginaw Spirit) and Jack Matier (Team NOHA – 21st overall Ottawa 67’s).

Notable OHL Cup graduates currently playing in the NHL include Dylan Strome (Toronto Marlboros/Chicago Blackhawks), Travis Konecny (Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs/Philadelphia Flyers), Mitch Marner (Vaughan Kings/Toronto Maple Leafs), Connor McDavid (Toronto Marlboros/Edmonton Oilers), Max Domi (Don Mills Flyers/Montreal Canadiens), Sean Monahan (Mississauga Rebels/Calgary Flames), Taylor Hall (Greater Kingston Frontenacs/New Jersey Devils), Tyler Seguin (Toronto Nationals/Dallas Stars), John Tavares (Toronto Marlboros/Toronto Maple Leafs), P.K Subban (Markham Islanders/New Jersey Devils), and Steven Stamkos (Markham Waxers/Tampa Bay Lightning).

For more information, please visit ohlcup.ca.

Just How Impressive Has Jan Jenik and His Scoring Streak Been?

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

As is the case in real life, in hockey, all good things must come to an end.

Hamilton Bulldogs winger and Arizona Coyotes prospect (Round 3, 65th overall, 2018 NHL Entry Draft) Jan Jenik has been nothing short of impressive this season coming off an Ontario Hockey League high 26 game point streak in which he notched 22 goals and 34 helpers.

But just how impressive has the streak been?

Jan Jenik of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Jan Jenik of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images

Well, since the turn of the century, few players have had longer point streaks. The Oshawa Generals’ Brett MacLean had a 32-game point streak during the 2007-2008 campaign while the Sarnia Stings’ Jordan Kyrou had himself a 30-game point streak during the 2016-2017 season.

Jenik’s 26 games have him one shy of the next with three National Hockey League superstars, Connor McDavid, John Tavares and Alex DeBrincat.

Jenik 1

That’s not to say that Jenik will end up in the same class as those players. MacLean only went on to play 18 games in the NHL but was forced to retire after suffering cardiac arrest while playing in a pick up game in July of 2012. He had just come off of three 20-goal and a 30-goal season in the American Hockey League and was hoping to make his mark.

Kyrou is still trying to carve himself a niche. The second-round pick, 35th overall by the St Louis Blues has had to battle some injuries but has been clipping along at a near point-per-game pace in the AHL and has recently been called up to the Blues.

But as you go through the list of those with the longest point streaks since the 2001-2001 season, you’ll find that there can be a transition in offence from the OHL to the NHL.

In terms of points per game during their respective streaks, Jenik is no Sergei Kostityn, who led the way with a remarkable 2.84 points-per-game during his run in 2006-2007 with the London Knights. Jenik is no slouch, having put up 2.15 points per game during his drive, good for tenth spot.

Jenik 2

However, what is most impressive is the percentage of team’s offense the players provided while they were on their respective rosters. And if you look near the top, you’ll find Jenik’s name. It’s not an exact representations as Jenik hasn’t even played half the season yet, but it does represent how important he is to the Bulldogs offence.

Jenik 3

Despite the offensive prowess, Jenik’s defensive game sometimes gets overshadowed. He is a smart player without the puck, knowing how to take away passing lanes and almost always has his stick in an excellent defensive posture. Coaches aren’t afraid to use him on the PK, and yes even down two men. He takes important faceoffs and is usually one of the first over the boards in the last minute to defend a one-goal lead or to try and even things up. In his last game against Mississauga where the streak ended, he was the guy in front of his empty net blocking a sure goal to give his team a chance. Oh, and a premature whistle by the referee in which Jenik scored to tie the game, caused his point streak to come to an end.

 

FIREBIRDS’ TY DELLANDREA NAMED OHL ‘ON THE RUN’ PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Dyllandrea

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Dallas Stars prospect Ty Dellandrea of the Flint Firebirds is the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week with 11 points including six goals and five assists over three contests.

Dellandrea helped the Firebirds take four of a possible six points on a three game weekend road trip with stops in Barrie, Sudbury and North Bay, recording a pair of four-point performances along with a three-point effort. The fourth-year centreman recorded his second hat-trick of the season, tacking on an assist for four points in Flint’s 5-2 win over the Barrie Colts on Thursday. He chipped in with a goal and two assists, earning third star honours as the Firebirds fell 8-5 to the Sudbury Wolves on Friday, a game that saw him take an incredible 46 faceoffs while winning 29 of them. Dellandrea scored twice and added two assists in Sunday’s 5-3 win over the North Bay Battalion, scoring the game winner 5:50 into the third period. He won 62.7 percent of his faceoffs over the course of the three games, earning star of the game recognition in each.

A 19-year-old from Port Perry, Ont., Dellandrea recently became the all-time leading scorer in Flint Firebirds history. The 6-foot-1, 190Ib. pivot has 37 points (17-20–37) over 27 games this season and will attend Canada’s National Junior Team Selection Camp this week in Oakville, Ont. Originally a first round (5th overall) pick of the Firebirds in 2016, Dellandrea was selected by the Dallas Stars with the 13th overall pick of the 2018 NHL Draft. He made his pro debut last spring, recording three points (2-1–3) over 11 games with the AHL’s Texas Stars.

A pair of goaltenders were also considered for the award this week including Cedrick Andree of the Ottawa 67’s who played to a 2-0 record, registering a shutout along with a 0.50 goals-against average and .981 save percentage. Peterborough Petes netminder Hunter Jones was also solid, going 2-0 with a 1.50 goals-against average and a .951 save percentage.

• HIGHLIGHTS: Dellandrea’s four-point night in Barrie
• HIGHLIGHTS: Dellandrea records three points against Wolves
• HIGHLIGHTS: Dellandrea scores twice, adds two assists in North Bay

OTR_2017_Logo

2019-20 OHL ‘On the Run’ Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Dec. 4 – Dec. 8: Ty Dellandrea (Flint Firebirds)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 1: Marco Rossi (Ottawa 67’s)
Nov. 19 – Nov. 24: Riley McCourt (Flint Firebirds)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 17: Jan Jenik (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Nov. 5 – Nov. 10: Cam Hillis (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 3: Connor McMichael (London Knights)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 27: Nico Daws (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 14 – Oct. 20: Hunter Jones (Peterborough Petes)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 13: Mack Guzda (Owen Sound Attack)
Oct. 3 – Oct. 6: Philip Tomasino (Niagara IceDogs)
Sept. 26 – Sept. 29: Connor McMichael (London Knights)
Sept. 19 – Sept. 22: Semyon Der-Arguchintsev (Peterborough Petes)

Jaromir Pytlik – Soo Greyhounds – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 192 pounds

Date of birth: September 25, 2001

Hometown: Dacice, Czech Republic

Position: Center/Wing

Shoots: Right

OHL Draft: Round 2, 118th overall, 2018 CHL Import Draft

NHL Central Scouting Rankings

Pre-season November Mid-term Final
B Prospect B Prospect 38 N.A. 46 N.A.
Jaromir Pytlik of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Jaromir Pytlik of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images

The Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds selected Jaromir Pytlik with the 118th pick at the 2018 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft following an impressive early career in his native Czech Republic. But even more impressive is Pytlik’s international experience.

In his young career, Pytlik has represented the Czech Republic in 76 games that include the Hlinka/Gretzky, World Hockey Challenge Under-17, World Junior Championships Under-18 as well as several other international competitions. In total, Pytlik has scored 20 goals and added 23 helpers.

Last season, Pytlik joined the Greyhounds on January 11, 2019 and although it took him a few games to get accustomed, he never looked back. He would finish the season playing in 26 games scoring 11 goals and assisting on 8 others while finishing with a plus-14. He showed no drop off in the playoffs with the same .73 points-per-game on 4 goals and 4 assists in 11 games. Despite playing just one-third of the season, Pytlik finished ninth in goals by a rookie.

To date this season, Pytlik has 12 goals and 18 assists in 28 games.

Pytlik has good size and skates extremely well – he’s shown an improvement from last season, and I’m not so sure it needed improving as much as he needed to use the smaller ice surface differently then the European ice. He knows how to use his body and strength. He is a force down low, along the walls and in front of the goal and with his quick smooth hands, is dangerous in the goal area. He understands how to use his frame to protect the puck which makes him effective on the cycle and coming off the wall.

Pytlik is also a very intelligent player and one of the most complete players in his draft class. His attention to detail on defence is as important to him as offence. The coaching staff can trust him with big defensive responsibilities and is usually the first player over the boards in the last minute whether down a goal or up a goal. He can kill penalties and is a threat offensively on the PK.

Pytlik can play both center and wing, which is something NHL scouts covet. Here’s the thing: While he’s smart enough and more then capable of handling the defensive responsibilities to play in the middle, he needs some serious work on the faceoff dot. Not a big worry as it is something that can be improved, especially knowing he is willing to put in the work. And on the wing, I would like him to add another gear to is speed. Again, he’s worked on that and has shown improvement and if he continues to put the effort into improving, then it’s a no brainer.

NHL Central Scouting had him listed as a B-prospect on both their preseason and November lists – which means a second to third round pick. If things keep going as they are, and he continues to show improvement, he could be a very early second rounder and possibly garner some attention as a late first.

Fans either like him because of his physical, power game or don’t because he isn’t a flashy bring them out of their seat’s kind of player. But scouts do because of his all-around complete game.

OHL Stat page

Elite Prospects page

Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings – Week 12

Posted on by Dominic Tiano
Top 10

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced the week twelve edition of the Kia CHL Top-10 Rankings for the 2019-20 season.  The weekly rankings of the CHL’s Top-10 teams are selected by a panel of National Hockey League scouts.

Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings – Week 12

Rank: Team: Last Week Ranked: Total Weeks Ranked:
1 Sherbrooke Phoenix (22-4-2-0) 1 12
2 Moncton Wildcats (21-6-0-0) 2 6
3 Ottawa 67’s (20-6-0-0) 7 10
4 Prince Albert Raiders (18-5-3-1) 6 9
5 Chicoutimi Sagueneens (20-5-3-0) 5 12
6 Everett Silvertips (17-6-1-0) 4 6
7 London Knights (17-5-1-1) – 5
8 Windsor Spitfires (15-5-3-0) 3 5
9 Medicine Hat Tigers (19-7-1-0) – 2
10 Peterborough Petes (19-6-1-1) – 4
Honourable Mention:
Portland Winterhawks (17-6-1-2) 9 2
Rimouski Oceanic (17-6-2-3) – 1
Edmonton Oil Kings (18-6-4-2) – 10

OHL CUP POWERED BY UNDER ARMOUR MINOR MIDGET TOP-10 RANKINGS

Posted on by Dominic Tiano
OHL Cup
Quinte Red Devils climb into top spot after a strong showing in this past weekend’s Whitby Silver Stick Tournament

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the second edition of the weekly minor midget rankings for the 2020 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament powered by Under Armour and hosted by the Greater Toronto Hockey League.

The 2020 OHL Cup powered by Under Armour and hosted by the GTHL is scheduled for March 17-23 and will feature 20 teams from across Ontario and the United States showcasing many of the top players eligible for the 2020 OHL Priority Selection.  All games will be played at Scotiabank Pond in Toronto until the Championship Final moves to the Mattamy Athletic Centre on Monday, March 23.

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.

Minor Midget Rankings for the 2020 OHL Cup Powered by Under Armour – Week 2

RK. TEAM LEAGUE LAST WEEK WEEKS RANKED
1 Quinte Red Devils OMHA 2 2
2 Toronto Jr. Canadiens GTHL 1 2
3 Toronto Marlboros GTHL 3 2
4 Toronto Titans GTHL 4 2
5 Southern Tier Admirals OMHA 5 2
6 Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs ALLIANCE 7 2
7 Toronto Nationals GTHL 3 2
8 Waterloo Wolves ALLIANCE 8 2
9 York-Simcoe Express OMHA 9 2
10 London Jr. Knights ALLIANCE – 1
Honourable Mention:
Hamilton Huskies ALLIANCE – –
Mississauga Senators GTHL – –
Mississauga Reps GTHL 10 1

The Quinte Red Devils rise to the top spot in the second edition of the weekly rankings after reaching the semi-final of the Gloria Rints Memorial International Silver Stick Tournament held this past weekend in Whitby, Ont. Quinte was the last Ontario-based team standing in the annual showcase as Detroit Honeybaked went on to win Sunday’s championship final. Also on the rise are the Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs who climb one spot to sixth along with the cross-town ALLIANCE rival London Jr. Knights who take the 10th spot after making the quarter-final in Whitby this past weekend.

History:
Last season the Don Mills Flyers overcame a 4-1 deficit to defeat the Toronto Red Wings 6-5 as Shane Wright (Kingston Frontenacs) set up Brennan Othmann (Flint Firebirds) for the overtime winning goal. The Flyers added both OHL Cup and GTHL Championships to their incredible season that saw them lose just once. An exceptional status player who was selected by the Kingston Frontenacs with the first overall pick of the 2019 OHL Priority Selection, Wright was named Tournament MVP with 18 points over seven contests, one shy of Connor McDavid’s 2012 event record.

The 2019 OHL Priority Selection featured 15 players chosen in the first round who competed for the OHL Cup including Shane Wright (Don Mills Flyers – 1st overall Kingston Frontenacs), Brennan Othmann (Don Mills Flyers – 2nd overall Flint Firebirds), Brandt Clarke (Don Mills Flyers – 4th overall Barrie Colts), Wyatt Johnston (Toronto Marlboros – 6th overall Windsor Spitfires), Benjamin Gaudreau (Team NOHA – 7th overall Sarnia Sting), Ryan Winterton (Whitby Wildcats – 8th overall Hamilton Bulldogs), Liam Arnsby (Don Mills Flyers – 9th overall North Bay Battalion), Ethan Del Mastro (Toronto Marlboros – 12th overall Mississauga Steelheads), Francesco Pinelli (Toronto Red Wings – 13th overall Kitchener Rangers), Danny Zhilkin (Toronto Marlboros -14th overall Guelph Storm), Landon McCallum (Brantford 99’ers – 15th overall Sudbury Wolves), Brett Harrison (London Jr. Knights – 16th overall Oshawa Generals), Jacob Holmes (York-Simcoe Express – 18th overall Soo Greyhounds), Connor Punnett (North Central Predators – 19th overall Saginaw Spirit) and Jack Matier (Team NOHA – 21st overall Ottawa 67’s).

Notable OHL Cup graduates currently playing in the NHL include Dylan Strome (Toronto Marlboros/Chicago Blackhawks), Travis Konecny (Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs/Philadelphia Flyers), Mitch Marner (Vaughan Kings/Toronto Maple Leafs), Connor McDavid (Toronto Marlboros/Edmonton Oilers), Max Domi (Don Mills Flyers/Montreal Canadiens), Sean Monahan (Mississauga Rebels/Calgary Flames), Taylor Hall (Greater Kingston Frontenacs/New Jersey Devils), Tyler Seguin (Toronto Nationals/Dallas Stars), John Tavares (Toronto Marlboros/Toronto Maple Leafs), P.K Subban (Markham Islanders/New Jersey Devils), and Steven Stamkos (Markham Waxers/Tampa Bay Lightning).

For more information, please visit ohlcup.ca.

Vaughn CHL Team of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

The Canadian Hockey League today announced the 11th edition of the Vaughn CHL Team of the Week for the 2019-20 season based on individual performances from Nov. 25 – Dec. 1.

Leading the forward ranks is Ottawa 67’s centre and 2020 NHL Draft hopeful Marco Rossi who wrapped up the week with 11 points counting six goals and five assists across a trio of appearances. Rossi’s top showing came in a season-high six-point night against the Kingston Frontenacs on Wednesday in which he finished with his first career hat-trick plus three assists en route to an 11-6 victory that saw him claim second-star recognition. For his efforts, Rossi was named the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week.

Joining Rossi up front is his 67’s teammate in left-wing Austen Keating who also finished the week with 11 points after notching four goals and seven assists in three appearances. Alongside Rossi, Keating shined against the Frontenacs as he lit the lamp three times to record his fourth career hat-trick before adding four assists to finish with seven points on the night, helping him claim recognition as the game’s first star.

Rounding out the forward ranks is Brandon Wheat Kings left-wing Cole Reinhardt who impressed over a pair of appearances this week in registering eight points counting four goals and four assists. Reinhardt’s best billing came against the rival Winnipeg ICE on Saturday as he finished with a season-high five points that included his second career hat-trick alongside two assists as he guided his club to a 7-4 decision in which he was recognized with first-star honours. For his efforts, Reinhardt also earned WHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week recognition.

The back end is led by another member of the 67’s in rearguard Noel Hoefenmayer who across three appearances this week collected three goals and three assists for six points. Against the Frontenacs on Wednesday, the budding blue-liner tied a season-high as he finished with one goal and three assists for four points in an 11-6 victory that earned him third-star recognition. In all, Hoefenmayer’s performance helped him earn a spot on the Vaughn CHL Team of the Week for the third team this season.

Rounding out the defensive end is Chicoutimi Sagueneens blue-liner and San Jose Sharks prospect Artemi Kniazev whose week included one goal and five assists across a trio of contests. Against the defending Memorial Cup champion Rouyn-Noranda Huskies on Saturday, Kniazev shined as he put up a season-high three-point performance in tallying one goal and two assists en route to a 7-3 victory.

Between the pipes, Kelowna Rockets netminder Roman Basran was superb across two showings and 125 minutes of action as turned aside a combined 46 shots to finish the week unbeaten in regulation with a 1-0-0-1 showing. Basran’s top performance came against the Edmonton Oil Kings on Tuesday where despite a 1-0 shootout loss he recorded 27 saves to earn second-star honours and his fourth career shutout. In all, Basran wrapped up the week with a miniscule 0.96 goals-against average and a dominant .958 save percentage. For his efforts, Basran was recognized as the WHL Eli Wilson Goaltending Goaltender of the Week.

OHL ANNOUNCES ACADEMIC PLAYERS OF THE MONTH FOR NOVEMBER

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Academic players for November

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Lleyton Moore of the Oshawa Generals, Jonah De Simone of the Niagara IceDogs, Michael Vukojevic of the Kitchener Rangers and Ryan Mast of the Sarnia Sting have been named the OHL Academic Players of the Month for November.

East Division: Oshawa Generals sophomore blueliner Lleyton Moore has been named the OHL East Division Academic Player of the Month for November. The grade 12 student holds an impressive 85% average at Maxwell Heights Secondary School where he is taking law and international business classes.

Moore’s teachers describe him as a strong, conscientious student. “He is organized and on task,” said Tom Buchanan, Moore’s academic advisor. “Lleyton is an outstanding role model and a leader amongst his peers both on and off the ice.”

A 17-year-old native of Woodbridge, Ont., Moore has 12 points (1-11–12) over 25 contests with the Generals this season. The 5-foot-8, 170Ib. defenceman was originally selected by the Niagara IceDogs with the 12th overall pick of the 2018 OHL Priority Selection.

Central Division: Niagara IceDogs second-year forward Jonah De Simone is the OHL Central Division Academic Player of the Month for November. De Simone holds an 87% average in his grade 12 university prep courses at Governor Simcoe Secondary School.

“Jonah is a fantastic role model for many of the younger high school-aged players,” said IceDogs academic advisor Tim Tope. “His commitment to his studies will undoubtedly serve him well in the future.”

The 17-year-old winger from Richmond Hill, Ont. has recorded seven points (3-4–7) over 27 games with the IceDogs this season after being the club’s fourth round (70th overall) pick in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection.

Midwest Division: New Jersey Devils prospect Michael Vukojevic has earned the title of OHL Midwest Division Academic Player of the Month for November. Following his first few months studying psychology and sociology at Wilfrid Laurier University, Vukojevic is described as an energetic, thoughtful student and has received praise for his ability to ‘take suggestions and run with them’ in different situations.

“Michael has a strong ability to balance his hockey and educational career with a positive attitude,” said Dave Tennant, the Rangers’ academic advisor. “He excels not only in the classroom but helping to teach and guide in the community by joining the Rangers on various community initiatives.”

An 18-year-old native of Oakville, Ont., Vukojevic has nine points (2-7–9) through 24 games in his third OHL season. The 6-foot-3, 210Ib. defenceman was a third round (82nd overall) pick of the New Jersey Devils this past summer after recording 29 points (3-26–29) over 68 games with the Rangers in 2018-19.

Vukojevic suited up for Canada at the 2019 IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championship where he registered two assists in seven games. He was one of four recipients of the Rangers’ Academic Achievement Award at the end of last season.

West Division: Sarnia Sting rookie defenceman Ryan Mast has been named the OHL West Division Academic Player of the Month for November. He maintains an 80% average at Northern Collegiate/Blyth Academy in his grade 11 university english and environmental science classes, as well as his grade 12 university functions class.

“Ryan’s academic achievement is a direct reflection of his work ethic and commitment to being the best student athlete that he can be,” said Sting academic advisor Mark Scott. “Ryan is a leader in the classroom and is a great example for his teammates.”

A 16-year-old native of Bloomfield, Mich., Mast has seven assists through his first 26 games of the season. The 6-foot-4, 200Ib. defenceman was a ninth round (169th overall) pick of the Sting last spring from the Detroit Compuware U16 program.

2019-20 OHL Academic Players of the Month:

East Division:
November – Lleyton Moore (Oshawa Generals)
October – Shane Wright (Kingston Frontenacs)

Central Division:
November – Jonah De Simone (Niagara IceDogs)
October – Pacey Schlueting (North Bay Battalion)

Midwest Division:
November – Michael Vukojevic (Kitchener Rangers)
October – Zack Terry (Guelph Storm)

West Division:
November – Ryan Mast (Sarnia Sting)
October – Cole Perfetti (Saginaw Spirit)

Last season, the OHL Centrally Administered Scholarship Program facilitated scholarships for 340 OHL Alumni at 69 different academic institutions across North America with a total scholarship payment in excess of $3.2 million. Since the 2007-08 season, OHL Scholarship payments have totalled more than $25 million.

Click here for more information about ‘OHL Players First’ programs.

OHL ANNOUNCES TOP PERFORMERS OF THE MONTH FOR NOVEMBER

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

performers of the month for november

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the Top OHL Performers of the Month for regular season games played in November 2019, including Hamilton Bulldogs forward Jan Jenik, Windsor Spitfires defenceman Connor Corcoran, Kingston Frontenacs rookie Shane Wright and Guelph Storm goaltender Nico Daws.

OHL Player of the Month – Jan Jenik (Hamilton Bulldogs):
For a second straight month, a Hamilton Bulldogs player has been named OHL Player of the Month. Arizona Coyotes prospect Jan Jenik takes the November honours after leading the league with 31 points including 11 goals, 20 assists and a plus/minus rating of plus-6 over 12 games. Jenik continued the OHL’s longest point streak since the 2016-17 season, wrapping up the month on a 25-game trend. Nine of his 12 November outings were multi-point finishes, four of which included multi-goal outputs. His month was highlighted by a four-point effort (1-3–4) on Nov. 10th as the Bulldogs fell to the Niagara IceDogs 5-4. He followed that up with a career-high five-point showing (3-2–5) that included his first hat-trick of the season as the Bulldogs won 5-1 in North Bay on Nov. 14th. Jenik scored twice on Nov. 15th in Sault Ste. Marie and tacked on three consecutive three-point performances from Nov. 17-22. In total, Jenik earned star of the game recognition six times in the month of November, including two first star designations, three second star assignments and one third star distinction.

A 19-year-old native of Nymburk, Czech Rep., Jenik is in the midst of his second OHL season after joining the Bulldogs midway through the 2018-19 campaign. He sits tied for the team lead in scoring alongside Arthur Kaliyev with 54 points (20-34–54) over 25 contests and is in the midst of the longest point streak in the five year OHL history of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Jenik represented his native Czech Republic in last year’s IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship and is expected to do so again this December with the annual tournament on home ice. He was a third round pick of the Arizona Coyotes in the 2018 NHL Draft. Jenik was selected by the Flint Firebirds with the sixth overall pick of the 2018 CHL Import Draft.

OHL Defenceman of the Month – Connor Corcoran (Windsor Spitfires):
Vegas Golden Knights prospect Connor Corcoran of the Windsor Spitfires is the OHL Defenceman of the Month for November, putting up 15 points including five goals, 10 assists and a plus/minus rating of plus-8 over 10 games. Fourth-year veteran Corcoran’s big month helped the Spitfires ascend the West Division standings, playing to a 6-2-2-0 record in the month of November. The 6-foot-3, 194Ib. defender had points in seven of his 10 outings, starting the month with three points (1-2–3) in a lopsided 10-2 road win over the Soo Greyhounds on Nov. 2nd. His biggest showing came Nov. 15th in Erie as he scored the overtime winner and finished with three points (2-1–3) in a 7-6 win. Corcoran registered three assists along with a plus-5 rating in a 6-3 win over the Soo Greyhounds on Nov. 21st. He tacked on back-to-back two-point efforts (1-1–2) on Nov. 24th against Owen Sound and Nov. 29th against London.

A 19-year-old product of Beeton, Ont., Corcoran is in his fourth season with the Spitfires after originally being the club’s second round (21st overall) pick back in 2016. The former Memorial Cup champion has 24 points (8-16–24) over 23 games this season is well on his way to cruising past last year’s career-high of 32 points (10-22–32). He was a fifth round pick of the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2018 NHL Draft.

OHL Rookie of the Month – Shane Wright (Kingston Frontenacs):
The first overall pick of the 2019 OHL Priority Selection, Shane Wright of the Kingston Frontenacs has been named OHL Rookie of the Month for November. Wright played a big part in helping the young Frontenacs rebound from a slow start to the season as they played to a respectable 5-5-0-1 record in the month of November thanks to his nine points (6-3–9) over seven contests. Wright missed the first half of the month off representing Team Canada Black at the 2019 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Medicine Hat, Alta. and Swift Current, Sask. where he recorded seven points (4-3–7) over five games. Upon his return, Wright recorded a goal and an assist in a 3-1 road win over the Owen Sound Attack on Nov. 16th before logging back-to-back two-goal performances. He scored twice in a 5-3 win over visiting Sudbury on Nov. 22nd before potting two more including the third period game winner in a 3-2 victory over visiting Mississauga on Nov. 24th. Wright netted another game winner in his latest outing, scoring with 55 seconds left in the third period of Friday’s 4-3 triumph over visiting North Bay. He ended the month on a six-game point streak.

A 15-year-old native of Burlington, Ont., Wright sits third in OHL rookie scoring with 20 points (11-9–20) over 21 games while sitting tied for the lead among league freshmen with 74 shots on goal. The fifth player to be granted exceptional status in OHL history, Wright was selected first overall by the Frontenacs last spring after an outstanding season with the GTHL’s Don Mills Flyers where he won an OHL Cup title and league championship, earning GTHL Player of the Year honours in the process. He won’t be eligible for the NHL Draft until 2022.

OHL Goaltender of the Month – Nico Daws (Guelph Storm):
Third-year veteran Nico Daws of the Guelph Storm is the OHL Goaltender of the Month for November, playing to a record of 7-0-0-1 with a league-leading 2.09 goals-against average and .929 save percentage with one shutout. The 6-foot-4, 202Ib. netminder earned an opportunity to represent Team OHL in the CIBC Canada Russia Series while helping to backstop the defending OHL champions to a 13-game point streak. Five of Daws’ seven November wins required at least 30 saves, providing those in consecutive victories over Sault Ste. Marie, Kitchener and Owen Sound to start the month. He turned aside 26 of 27, earning first star honours in a 2-1 win over visiting Saginaw on Nov. 16th before turning away 30 shots to claim second star recognition on Nov. 19th in Kitchener. Daws posted his league-leading third shutout of the season with a 17-save showing on Nov. 22nd against Sarnia and closed out November with a 30-save performance as the Storm defeated the Saginaw Spirit 6-2 on Friday.

A 19-year-old native of Burlington, Ont., Daws currently leads the league with a 2.13 goals-against average and .936 save percentage and three shutouts to go with an 11-2-1-3 record over 17 games. He hoisted the Robertson Cup as an OHL champion with the Storm last spring after appearing in 20 regular season games and parts of two playoff contests. Daws was a seventh round pick of the Storm in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection.

2019-20 OHL Performers of the Month:

Player of the Month:
November – Jan Jenik (Hamilton Bulldogs)
October – Arthur Kaliyev (Hamilton Bulldogs)

Defenceman of the Month:
November – Connor Corcoran (Windsor Spitfires)
October – Noel Hoefenmayer (Ottawa 67’s)

Rookie of the Month:
November – Shane Wright (Kingston Frontenacs)
October – Mason McTavish (Peterborough Petes)

Goaltender of the Month:
November – Nico Daws (Guelph Storm)
October – Hunter Jones (Peterborough Petes)