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Vaughn CHL Team of the Week
The Canadian Hockey League today announced the fourth edition of the Vaughn CHL Team of the Week for the 2019-20 season based on individual performances from Oct. 7-13.
Leading the way up front is Drummondville Voltigeurs centre Xavier Simoneau, who wrapped up the week with 10 points counting three goals and seven assists across a trio of appearances. That stretch included a five-point showing versus the Baie-Comeau Drakkar in which Simoneau contributed on each tally in coming away with one goal and four assists. For his efforts, Simoneau was recognized as the Ultramar QMJHL Player of the Week.
Also up front is Halifax Mooseheads right-wing and Edmonton Oilers prospect Raphael Lavoie, who finished with eight points counting four goals and four assists in three contests. His top performance came in a four-point outing against the Val-d’Or Foreurs on Sunday in which he registered two goals and two assists to earn second-star recognition.
Rounding out the forward ranks is Medicine Hat Tigers centre James Hamblin, who also claimed WHL On the Run Player of the Week honours following a seven-point week that included two goals and five assists in three straight wins for the Tigers. Hamblin pushed his point streak to five games Saturday following a three-point night versus the Red Deer Rebels in which he came away with one goal and two assists en route to second-star honours.
On the blue line, London Knights rearguard and Detroit Red Wings prospect Alec Regula impressed with five points counting three goals and two assists in two games. Facing the Saginaw Spirit on Saturday, Regula posted a season-high three points as he notched two goals plus one assist. The budding blue-liner sits second in team scoring with 10 points counting four goals and six assists in five outings.
Also on the back end is Quebec Remparts defenceman Darien Kielb, whose week saw him record one goal and five assists for six points in a pair of appearances. His top showing came in registering three points counting one goal and two assists in a 6-4 win over the Chicoutimi Sagueneens en route to first-star recognition. Kielb currently sits tied for first among all CHL defencemen with 15 points as he has recorded five goals and 10 assists.
Between the pipes, Portland Winterhawks goaltender and St. Louis Blues prospect Joel Hofer went undefeated in regulation as he posted a 2-0-0-1 showing with one shutout victory across three appearances coupled with a 0.97 goals-against average and .963 save percentage. Hofer’s busiest game of the week came Sunday with a 39-save performance versus the Edmonton Oil Kings that earned him third-star recognition despite the 2-1 shootout loss.
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TRADE; Hounds add Constantinou to blueline in deal with Frontenacs
ATTACK’S MACK GUZDA NAMED OHL ‘ON THE RUN’ PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that goaltender Mack Guzda of the Owen Sound Attack is the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week for the week of regular season action ending October 13 with a 3-0 record, 2.59 goals-against average and .927 save percentage.
• HIGHLIGHTS: Guzda named first star in win over Soo
• HIGHLIGHTS: Guzda stops 47 in road win over London
• HIGHLIGHTS: Guzda denies 5 of 6 shootout opponents in win
Guzda becomes the first goaltender to receive the honour this season, guiding the Attack to three wins in a span of four days. The 6-foot-5, 210Ib netminder turned aside 26 shots and stopped five of six shootout opponents in Wednesday’s 4-3 shootout win over visiting Kitchener. He followed that effort up with a career-high 47-save showing on Friday night in London, helping the heavily outshot Attack get past the Knights 5-4 in overtime, earning third star honours in the process. Guzda was the first star of Saturday’s 4-1 win over the visiting Soo Greyhounds, making 28 saves as the Attack were outshot once again.
An 18-year-old from Knoxville, Tenn., Guzda has embarked on his third season in Owen Sound after originally being the club’s second round (31st overall) pick in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection. He’s played to a 5-2-0-1 record to go with a 2.94 goals-against average and .906 save percentage with one shutout through eight games this season. He owns a career OHL regular season record of 39-27-6-4 with a 3.42 goals-against average and .881 save percentage over 87 contests. After going undrafted in 2019, Guzda is eligible for the 2020 NHL Draft.
Additionally, Guzda is a back-to-back recipient of the OHL’s Ivan Tennant Memorial Award presented to the league’s top academic secondary school student.
Also considered for the award this week was Peterborough Petes defenceman Declan Chisholm. The Winnipeg Jets prospect recorded a goal and four assists over three road games as the Petes played to a 2-1 record. Guzda’s Attack teammate Barret Kirwin was also in the running after putting up five points (3-2–5) along with a plus-6 rating over three victories, scoring the overtime winner in Friday’s victory over London.
2019-20 OHL ‘On the Run’ Players of the Week – Regular Season:
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)
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Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings
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Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced the week four 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 4
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Vaughn CHL Team of the Week
The Canadian Hockey League today announced the third edition of the Vaughn CHL Team of the Week for the 2019-20 season based on individual performances from Sept. 30 – Oct. 6.
The forward ranks begin with Rimouski Oceanic star Alexis Lafreniere, who reached double-digit points in notching four goals and six assists in four outings, including a four-point effort in a 9-2 victory over the Cape Breton Eagles to begin the week. Lafreniere, 17, is the early favourite to be selected first overall in the coming 2020 NHL Draft in Montreal.
Joining Lafreniere up front is Oceanic teammate Cedric Pare, who led all CHL talents this week with five goals, including his first career hat-trick Saturday versus the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. Pare also added four assists in his last four appearances to bring his weekly point total to nine and help Rimouski hold down top spot in the QMJHL’s East Division.
Rounding out the forward ranks is Eagles right-wing Ryan Francis, a 2020 NHL Draft hopeful who claimed Ultramar Player of the Week recognition after he recorded nine points counting two goals and seven assists in three games. That stretch included Friday’s incredible five-point showing in a 7-2 win over the Baie-Comeau Drakkar in which Francis was honoured as the game’s first star.
The blue line begins with Spokane Chiefs captain Ty Smith, who upon returning to the club after attending training camp with the New Jersey Devils needed little time to adjust to game action as he came away with six points counting three goals and three assists in a trio of appearances. The high-water mark was Smith’s season debut against the Seattle Thunderbirds in which he collected three points and claimed first-star honours. For his efforts, Smith was named the WHL On the Run Player of the Week.
Also on the back end is Oshawa Generals blue-liner and New York Rangers prospect Nico Gross, whose week saw him register four goals and one assist in three games to help his club remain the lone undefeated CHL squad with a perfect 7-0 record. A Swiss import, Gross is skating in his third year with the Generals, while his four-goal total already matches his previous career high set in 2017-18.
Between the pipes, Red Deer Rebels goaltender Ethan Anders had a busy week as he turned aside 100 of 105 shots and collected three consecutive victories. His top performance came with a 33-save effort in a 2-1 victory versus the Saskatoon Blades. In all, Anders wrapped up the week with an impressive .952 save percentage alongside a miniscule 1.66 goals-against average.
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2020 Draft: Lafreniere among Central Scouting’s players to watch
Alexis Lafreniere, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, earned an A rating in NHL Central Scouting’s preliminary players to watch list released Monday.
The 6-foot-1, 196-pound left wing could become the third player from Rimouski of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League chosen No. 1 in the NHL Draft. The last one from Rimouski selected No. 1 was center Sidney Crosby by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2005, and before that was center Vincent Lecavalier by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1998. Lafreniere has 16 points (four goals, 12 assists) and 45 shots on goal in seven games for the Oceanic this season.
The players to watch list is Central Scouting’s compilation of top prospects from all the major development leagues throughout North America and Europe. The list is updated throughout the season while scouts travel to evaluate the players live.
The players on the list with A ratings are considered potential first-round picks. Players with a B rating are considered possible second- or third-round choices, and those with C ratings are potential fourth-, fifth- or sixth-round selections.
“Alexis Lafreniere is justly viewed as the consensus No. 1 for the 2020 NHL Draft,” said Dan Marr, director of NHL Central Scouting. “His play and development over the past two seasons make him worthy of this distinction. Once the 2019-20 season gets underway, there are a number of prospects who will look to challenge to be ranked as the top prospect.”
Lafreniere, 17, doesn’t expect the pressure as the projected No. 1 pick in the 2020 draft to affect his play during his third QMJHL season.
Full story from nhl.com
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ICEDOGS’ PHILIP TOMASINO NAMED OHL ‘ON THE RUN’ PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Nashville Predators prospect Philip Tomasino of the Niagara IceDogs is the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week for the week of regular season action ending October 6 with three goals, four assists and seven points in two games.
• HIGHLIGHTS: Tomasino records career-high six points in victory
Tomasino recorded an assist in Niagara’s 5-4 loss to visiting Saginaw on Thursday before tying an IceDogs franchise record with six points including his first career OHL hat-trick in Friday’s 8-4 win over the Kingston Frontenacs. Tomasino scored once in each period, recording seven shots on goal while capping his hat-trick 7:25 into the third frame. His three assists helped linemate Kyen Sopa score his first career trio in the decisive home ice victory.
Tomasino joins David Pacan as just the second Niagara IceDogs player to ever put up six points in a single game, doing so for the first time since March 5, 2011.
An 18-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., Tomasino is off to a strong start with 15 points (5-10–15) spread out over six of his seven contests. The former fifth overall pick in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection was chosen 24th overall by the Nashville Predators this past summer after he registered 72 points (34-38–72) over 67 games in 2018-19. The Mississauga Rebels Minor Midget graduate also represented Canada at the 2019 IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championship in Sweden, recording five points (1-4–5) over six contests.
Also considered for the award this week was Sudbury Wolves forward David Levin whose seven points (1-6–7) helped his team win a pair of games this past weekend. Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Nick Robertson of the Peterborough Petes also had a productive week, recording seven points (4-3–7) over three contests as the Petes went 2-1 on the road.
2019-20 OHL ‘On the Run’ Players of the Week – Regular Season:
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)
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Hamilton Bulldogs owner pledges $30 million for mountain arena
The question of whether a new arena should be built at Limeridge Mall, or downtown as part of a larger entertainment venue, was back in front of Hamilton politicians on Wednesday.
Hamilton’s general issues committee has heard from Hamilton Bulldogs owner Michael Andlauer, who says he would pay up to $30 million toward the construction of a mountain arena for his Ontario Hockey League (OHL) team.
Full story from Global News.
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OHL’s Draft Eligible Statistical Leaders: September
Sure, most teams have yet to play a handful of games, but the calendar has switched from September to October (are you getting ready for winter yet?) so it’s time to look at the first time draft eligible player statistical leaders as we begin the journey towards the 2020 National Hockey League Draft.
Three things we know for sure: 1) the list of names today will not be the same in March. 2) Barring a catastrophe or major injury, expect to see Quinton Byfield to stay at or near the top of the lists. 3) Same goes for Jamie Drysdale among blueliners.
Byfield leads the way in goals, points and tied for top spot in assists. Not only does he lead the league’s draft eligible players in points, but he leads the entire OHL. A sure fire top 5 pick in Montreal on June 26, 2020 but there are those (yours truly included) that believe that he could challenge for the number one spot at season’s end.
Here’s a look at the statistical leaders. As always, we take great care in compiling stats, but always refer to the OHL Website for official stats.
| Points Leaders | |||||
| Player | Team | GP | G | A | Pts |
| Quinton Byfield | Sudbury Wolves | 5 | 6 | 6 | 12 |
| Tyson Foerster | Barrie Colts | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| Jamie Drysdale | Erie Otters | 5 | 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Antonio Stranges | London Knights | 4 | 5 | 2 | 7 |
| Jaromir Pytlik | Soo Greyhounds | 4 | 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Oliver Suni | Oshawa Generals | 4 | 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Cole Perfetti | Saginaw Spirit | 5 | 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Jack Thompson | Sudbury Wolves | 5 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Evan Vierling | Flint Firebirds | 4 | 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Ty Tullio | Oshawa Generals | 4 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Goal Scoring Leaders | |||||
| Player | Team | GP | G | GPG | |
| Quinton Byfield | Sudbury Wolves | 5 | 6 | 1.20 | |
| Antonio Stranges | London Knights | 4 | 5 | 1.25 | |
| Tyson Foerster | Barrie Colts | 4 | 4 | 1.00 | |
| Jack Thompson | Sudbury Wolves | 5 | 3 | 0.60 | |
| Hayden Fowler | Erie Otters | 3 | 3 | 1.00 | |
| Jamie Drysdale | Erie Otters | 5 | 2 | 0.40 | |
| Jaromir Pytlik | Soo Greyhounds | 4 | 2 | 0.50 | |
| Oliver Suni | Oshawa Generals | 4 | 2 | 0.50 | |
| Ty Tullio | Oshawa Generals | 4 | 2 | 0.50 | |
| Marco Rossi | Ottawa 67’s | 2 | 2 | 1.00 | |
| Assist Leaders | |||||
| Player | Team | GP | A | APG | |
| Quinton Byfield | Sudbury Wolves | 5 | 6 | 1.20 | |
| Jamie Drysdale | Erie Otters | 5 | 6 | 1.20 | |
| Cole Perfetti | Saginaw Spirit | 5 | 6 | 1.20 | |
| Luke Evangelista | London Knights | 4 | 5 | 1.25 | |
| Jaromir Pytlik | Soo Greyhounds | 4 | 5 | 1.25 | |
| Oliver Suni | Oshawa Generals | 4 | 5 | 1.25 | |
| Evan Vierling | Flint Firebirds | 4 | 5 | 1.25 | |
| Tanner Dickinson | Soo Greyhounds | 4 | 4 | 1.00 | |
| Tyson Foerster | Barrie Colts | 4 | 4 | 1.00 | |
| Ruben Rafkin | Windsor Spitfires | 4 | 4 | 1.00 | |
| Defencemen Point Leaders | |||||
| Player | Team | GP | G | A | Pts |
| Jamie Drysdale | Erie Otters | 5 | 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Jack Thompson | Sudbury Wolves | 5 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Ruben Rafkin | Windsor Spitfires | 4 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Ole Bjorgvik-Holm | Mississauga Steelheads | 4 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Colton Kammerer | Sarnia Sting | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Plus/Minus Leaders | |||||
| Player | Team | GP | +/- | ||
| Quinton Byfield | Sudbury Wolves | 5 | +8 | ||
| Tyson Foerster | Barrie Colts | 4 | +7 | ||
| Tanner Dickinson | Soo Greyhounds | 4 | +5 | ||
| David Jesus | Oshawa Generals | 4 | +5 | ||
| Jaromir Pytlik | Soo Greyhounds | 4 | +5 | ||
| Oliver Suni | Oshawa Generals | 4 | +5 | ||
| Igor Chibrikov | Owen Sound Attack | 4 | +4 | ||
| Marcus Gretz | Flint Firebirds | 2 | +3 | ||
| Goaltenders Leaders – Goals Against Average | |||||
| Player | Team | GP | Min | GA | Avg |
| Xavier Medina | Windsor Spitfires | 1 | 60 | 1 | 1.00 |
| Will Cranley | Ottawa 67’s | 1 | 60 | 2 | 2.00 |
| Nick Chenard | Owen Sound Attack | 1 | 60 | 2 | 2.00 |
| Marco Costantini | Hamilton Bulldogs | 1 | 60 | 2 | 2.00 |
| Tucker Tynan | Niagara Ice Dogs | 5 | 225 | 9 | 2.40 |
| Goaltending Leaders – Save Percentage | |||||
| Player | Team | GP | SH | SVS | SV% |
| Nick Chenard | Owen Sound Attack | 1 | 39 | 37 | 0.949 |
| Xavier Medina | Windsor Spitfires | 1 | 19 | 18 | 0.947 |
| Marco Costantini | Hamilton Bulldogs | 1 | 35 | 33 | 0.943 |
| Owen Bennett | Guelph Storm | 1 | 42 | 39 | 0.929 |
| Will Cranley | Ottawa 67’s | 1 | 24 | 22 | 0.917 |
OHL Writers 