Generals’ Kyle Keyser named OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Boston Bruins prospect Kyle Keyser of the Oshawa Generals is the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week for the playoff week ending April 14 posting a 3-0-0-0 record with a goals-against-average of 1.67 and save percentage of .952.

Keyser was the backbone for the Generals last week making 100 saves in three straight wins to turn the tide in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals against the Niagara IceDogs.  Trailing 2-0 in the second round series but headed back to Oshawa, Keyser made 28 saves in Tuesday’s Game 3 earning second star honours in the 4-1 victory.  The Generals would even the series in Game 4 on Thursday with Keyser stopping 36 shots and receiving third star honours in the 7-3 win.  Keyser made another 36 saves in Saturday’s Game 5 in Niagara and once again earned third star recognition this time in a 3-1 win to put the Generals one win away from the Eastern Conference Championship Series.  Game 6 of the series goes Monday night in Oshawa.

A 20-year-old from Coral Springs, Florida, Keyser currently leads all OHL goaltenders with a playoff goals-against-average of 2.10 while his .943 save percentage is also a top mark.  He’s in his fourth OHL season and third with the Generals after playing his rookie season with the Flint Firebirds where he was a fourth round pick in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection.  Keyser went undrafted in the NHL but signed a Free Agent entry-level contract with the Bruins in October, 2017.  During the 2018-19 regular season he posted a 32-8-3-0 record with two shutouts, a 2.75 GAA, and .915 SV%, in 47 of his 120 career games as a General.

Watch video highlights of Keyser and the Generals against the IceDogs in Game 3, Game 4, and Game 5.

Also considered for the award this week was Montreal Canadiens prospect Nick Suzuki who scored five goals and five assists for 10 points in four games helping the Guelph Storm force a Game 7 against the London Knights in their Western Conference Semi-Final series.  In addition, Philadelphia Flyers prospect Morgan Frost of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds scored four goals and four assists for eight points in four games against the Saginaw Spirit, and Kyle Maksimovich of the Ottawa 67’s scored three goals and one assist for four points in two games against the Sudbury Wolves.

2018-19 OHL ‘On the Run’ Players of the Week – Playoffs:
Apr. 8 – Apr. 14: Kyle Keyser (Oshawa Generals)
Apr. 1 – Apr. 7: Tye Felhaber (Ottawa 67’s)
Mar. 25 – Mar. 31: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)
Mar. 18 – Mar. 24: Evan Bouchard (London Knights)

2018-19 OHL ‘On the Run’ Players of the Week – Regular Season:

Mar. 11 – Mar. 17: Jason Robertson (Niagara IceDogs)
Mar. 4 – Mar. 10: Greg Meireles (Kitchener Rangers)
Feb. 25 – Mar. 3: Nate Schnarr (Guelph Storm)
Feb. 18 – Feb. 24: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)
Feb. 11 – Feb. 17: Nando Eggenberger (Oshawa Generals)
Feb. 4 – Feb. 10: Jacob Ingham (Mississauga Steelheads)
Jan. 28 – Feb. 3: Riley Damiani (Kitchener Rangers)
Jan. 21 – Jan. 27: Liam Foudy (London Knights)
Jan. 14 – Jan. 20: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Jan. 7 – Jan. 13: Isaac Ratcliffe (Guelph Storm)
Dec. 31 – Jan. 6: Arthur Kaliyev (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Dec. 24 – Dec. 30: Kyle Maksimovich (Erie Otters)
Dec. 10 – Dec. 16: Andrew MacLean (Owen Sound Attack)
Dec. 3 – Dec. 9: Brett Neumann (Kingston Frontenacs)
Nov. 26 – Dec. 2: Jason Robertson (Niagara IceDogs)
Nov. 19 – Nov. 25: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Nov. 12 – Nov. 18: Owen Tippett (Mississauga Steelheads)
Nov. 5 – Nov. 11: Jason Robertson (Kingston Frontenacs)
Oct. 29 – Nov. 4: Kevin Hancock (Owen Sound Attack)
Oct. 22 – Oct. 28: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)
Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Damien Giroux (Saginaw Spirit)
Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Sudbury Wolves)
Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Lucas Chiodo (Barrie Colts)
Sept. 19 – Sept. 23: Akil Thomas (Niagara IceDogs)

Eric Ciccolini – Toronto Jr Canadiens – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height: 6’

Weight: 170 pounds

Date of birth: January 14, 2001

Hometown: Vaughan, Ontario

Position: Right wing

Shoots: Right

OHL Draft: Round 7, 122nd overall, 2017 Priority Selection / Round 8, 121st overall, 2018 USHL Draft.

NHL Central Scouting Rankings: Pre-season, November: C Prospect. Mid-term: 95th, North America

Following in the footsteps of former teammate Jack McBain, Toronto Jr Canadiens forward Eric Ciccolini was named the Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Top Prospect following the 2018-2019 season and is rightfully ranked by National Hockey League Central Scouting as the top prospect from the OJHL for the 2019 Draft in Vancouver, British Columbia on June 21 and 22.

And like McBain, Ciccolini is committed to playing NCAA hockey for the next four years (or less). But they won’t be teammates this time around as Ciccolini is heading to the University of Michigan.

Eric Ciccolini
Eric Ciccolini of the Toronto Jr Canadiens. Photo by OJHL Images

Ciccolini played his Minor Midget AAA hockey during the 2016-2017 season with the Vaughan Kings. In 27 games, he recorded 7 goals and added 15 assists. In 6 games with the Kings at the OHL Cup, he would add 3 helpers. The Guelph Storm selected him with the 122nd pick at the 2017 Priority Selection but were unable to obtain his commitment.

Ciccolini would begin his Junior A career with the Milton Icehawks a season later. He would appear in 23 games and score 12 goals while adding 7 assists. A mid-season trade sent him to the Jr Canadiens and he would finish the season with 17 goals and 13 assists in 47 games. In 11 playoff games with the Jr Canadiens he would score 2 goals to go along with 6 helpers.

Ciccolini is an offensively gifted player who can play both the wing and center. He has good size at 6’ and very good speed – both in first steps and top speed – with a deceptive separation gear. He’s an extremely good stickhandler and seemingly has the puck on a string whenever he’s in possession. He has the ability to make things happen at top speed.

Ciccolini also has very good vision and hockey sense. He sees plays developing and has an uncanny ability to slow the play down and wait for opportunities to open up. Perhaps his greatest offensive weapon is his shot which borders on elite. He gets the puck off his stick quickly and accurately and often times catches goaltenders by surprise.

If there is anything that might be underrated about Ciccolini it is his defensive game. Coaches trust him in any situation and to go up against the opposition’s top players. He uses the same hockey senses in his own zone as he does in the O-zone. He keeps his gaps tight, gets into passing and shooting lanes quickly and is very good at creating turnovers. He battles for pucks hard and is excellent at retrieving pucks. And his transition game is excellent.

What sometimes causes a player of Ciccolini’s calibre to fall at the NHL Draft is that a lot of teams don’t want to wait four years while he finishes College.

But for those willing to wait, Eric Ciccolini could be quite the find.

Stat page from Elite Prospects

OHL Announces Disciplinary Action

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Game of Friday, April 13th, 2109 – Sault Ste. Marie at Saginaw

The Ontario Hockey League today announced the results of a review of an incident which took place in a playoff game played in Saginaw on the 13th of April, 2019, involving the Spirit and the visiting Soo Greyhounds Hockey Club.

The incident reviewed was an inappropriate gesture made by player Jaden Peca of the Soo Greyhounds Hockey Club.

Based on a review of the incident, it is the position of the League that player Jaden Peca shall be suspended for two (2) games effective immediately.

Daniel D’Amico – Windsor Spitfires – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height: 5’9”

Weight: 178 Pounds

Date of birth: January 25, 2001

Hometown: Caledon, Ontario

Position: Center/Left Wing

Shoots: Left

OHL Draft: Round 6, 109th overall, 2017 Priority Selection

NHL Central Scouting Rankings: Pre-season, November: Not ranked. Mid-term: 164th North America

One of my favorite things when it comes to National Hockey League Central Scouting’s lists is when a player doesn’t make either of the Players to Watch Lists and all of a sudden appears on the mid-term rankings, especially when it comes to diminutive players like Daniel D’Amico of the Windsor Spitfires.

It’s not as though D’Amico didn’t have a body of work to look at when looking at pre-season players to watch. And the fact that he was a sixth-round pick at the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection should not be taken into consideration.

D’Amico played his minor midget AAA hockey during the 2016-2017 season with the Toronto Marlboros. In 32 games he posted 18 goals and 15 assists and was one of the leaders on the squad. At the OHL Cup he added 2 goals and 3 assists in 5 games.

Daniel D'Amico of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Daniel D’Amico of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Last season, D’Amico made the Spitfires roster out of camp and would play in 59 games, scoring 12 goals and 7 assists. He would also play in 6 playoff games for the Spits scoring once and adding 3 helpers.

D’Amico would make big strides in this his draft season. He appeared in 67 of the 68 regular season games and notched 21 goals and assisting on 25 others. In the 4 games loss at the hands of the London Knights in the opening round of the playoffs, he would add 3 helpers.

Among draft eligible players, his 21 goals were 10th in the league. D’Amico also holds the second longest point streak among draft eligible players, producing 14 points in 20 consecutive games from December 31, 2018 to January 20, 2019.

There are still plenty of folks in the hockey world, and this could be said about NHL Central Scouting as well, that endear themselves to “bigger bodies”, and the fact that D’Amico stands just 5’9”, well, that’s going to cause him to fall into the later rounds of the 2019 Draft in Vancouver, British Columbia come June. I’m not even sure where I will slot D’Amico come June as I finish my rankings.

At that size, you would look to skating as one of the more important things D’Amico needs to have. He doesn’t possess elite speed; his first steps are not explosive and he doesn’t have a separation gear. That said, pure effort, extraordinary work ethic and excellent hockey IQ is what puts him in areas that makes him dangerous.

Once D’Amico gets into those areas, he releases his shot quickly and accurately, something I see as underrated in his game. Overall, he had a 14.9% shooting percentage. He shot 27.3% from the high-danger zone areas, 20% from mid-danger area and 9.4% from low-danger areas.

D’Amico also has good vision. Not only does he anticipate very well which allows him to get into areas for scoring chances, he sees the ice well that he can make a very good pass to set up teammates. On the powerplay, he is more of a shooter then a playmaker with the extra space, finding the open ice to get off his shot.

Defensively, D’Amico’s game is about where you would expect it to be at this level. He understands where to position himself, how to defend with his lack of size, and is pretty good at clearing his zone. He can kill penalties and has shown he can be an offensive threat down a man.

D’Amico can play both center and wing but faceoffs are going to need some work. As he moves forward in his career, I think his game is better suited for the wing, especially with his lack of size.

Stat page from Elite Prospects

OHL Appoints Kyle Pereira Director of Player Recruitment

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Press Release

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the appointment of Kyle Pereira as its Director of Player Recruitment.

A 28-year-old from Brampton, Ont, Pereira will be responsible for developing and implementing league recruitment strategy and activities, and liaising with Minor Midget teams across Ontario and parts of the United States.  He will work closely with Minor Midget players and families to provide them with information and education regarding the opportunities the OHL provides. Pereira will also help further the development of the OHL Alumni Association, engage with and grow its membership, and coordinate annual events.

“The OHL provided me with an opportunity to not only develop as a hockey player, but also as a student athlete upon graduation from the league,” Pereira said. “I was very fortunate to have leveraged the OHL Scholarship Program to complete both my undergraduate and graduate degrees while still progressing my hockey career at the U Sports level.

“The OHL was certainly a springboard both athletically and educationally. It prepared me exceptionally well to make the transition into my career and I am thrilled for the opportunity to return to the OHL and work with the next generation of players and families.”

Originally a sixth round pick in the 2007 OHL Priority Selection, Pereira spent four seasons in the league including three as a member of his hometown Battalion from 2008-11 before completing his OHL experience as a member of the Guelph Storm in 2012.  That final season he not only served as alternate captain, but won the club’s Leadership Award and was the Community Hero & Humanitarian of the Year recipient.  He was also recognized at the league level as the 2012 Roger Neilson Memorial Award winner presented to the top post-secondary student in the OHL.  Pereira continued his hockey career at Saint Mary’s University where he played four seasons for the Huskies through 2015-16.  His tenure included AUS All-Rookie Team honours in 2012-13 followed by the prestigious Academic All-Canadian distinction his final season.  Pereira received a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 2015 then completed his Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in 2017. 

“We are excited to welcome Kyle back to the OHL as the newly appointed Director of Player Recruitment,” said Joe Birch, OHL Senior Director of Player Development and Special Events. “Kyle will be an excellent resource for prospective OHL players and families and will undoubtedly excel in this role given his communication skills and passion for the game. Kyle will have the ability to draw upon his own experience as an OHL and U Sports student athlete to assist players through their Minor Midget season.”

Pereira joins the league after working most recently as an Account Manager with The Delivery Group where his experience was profiled in the CHL Leaders segment on Junior Hockey Magazine.

The position was previously held by Daniel Broussard for parts of three seasons before departing in the spring to pursue new business opportunities outside of hockey.

OHL Announces Disciplinary Action

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Game of Thursday, April 11, 2019 – Niagara at Oshawa

The Ontario Hockey League today announced the results of a review of incident which took place in a playoff game played in Oshawa on the 11th of April, 2019, involving the Generals and the visiting Niagara IceDogs Hockey Club.

The incident reviewed was a game misconduct for cross checking assessed to player Jason Robertson of the Niagara IceDogs Hockey Club.

Based on a review of the incident, it is the position of the League that player Jason Robertson shall be suspended for one (1) game effective immediately.

Navrin Mutter – Hamilton Bulldogs – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 180 pounds

Date of birth: March 15, 2001

Hometown: Lucan, Ontario

Position: Left Wing

Shoots: Left

OHL Draft: Round 5, 83rd overall, 2017 Priority Selection

NHL Central Scouting Rankings: Pre-season, November: NR. Mid-term: 120th North America

Tenacity. Fearless. Reckless. And to quote Brian Burke, truculence.

Those are words that could at one time or another, be used to describe Hamilton Bulldogs left winger Navrin Mutter. While the game has changed, and will continue to change, Mutter has made somewhat of an adjustment. That adjustment is reflected in the National Hockey League Central Scouting’s rankings, going from not even being mentioned as a player to watch, to 120th among North American skaters on their mid-term rankings.

Mutter will make my final list come June. Where Central Scouting ranks him however will be interesting to see.

Mutter played his Minor Midget AAA with Elgin-Middlesex during the 2016-2017 season in which he scored 10 goals and added 12 assists in 29 games while racking up 84 minutes in penalties. He would add 3 goals and 5 assists in 13 playoff games and another 38 minutes in the sin bin.

Last season, the Bulldogs championship season, Mutter appeared in 28 games scoring twice while assisting on another. This season he appeared in 67 games and scored 6 goals and 7 assists while racking up 96 minutes in penalties, the most by a wide margin among draft eligible players.

Mutter is a big body who thrives playing in a physical game whether he is taking a hit or the one delivering it. Ontario Hockey League coaches voted him the second best body checker in the Eastern Conference in this year’s Coaches Poll.

Forward #15 Navrin Mutter of the Hamilton Bulldogs
Navrin Mutter of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Photo by OHL Images.

Once Mutter gets his feet moving, he has some decent speed in his long strides and is surprisingly smooth on his skates. Combined with his physicality, he has opposing defencemen with their head on a swivel as he goes in on the forecheck. Just his presence and knowing a hit is coming forces defenders to move the puck quickly, sometimes making the wrong decision. If he could add a quicker first step, it could only help. There’s nothing more to say about his strength on his blades other then he’s as strong as an Ox.

Perhaps his greatest attributes are that he’s a team-first guy, his work ethic, and his willingness to do whatever it takes to win mentality. Few players put their bodies on the line like Mutter does not only game-to-game, but shift-to-shift.

Mutter will never be known as an offensive threat – he went pointless in his first 21 games of the season. But as the season progressed, he showed that he has some decent vision and that he could distribute the puck. He won’t overpower goaltenders with his shot, although he has a pretty good shot. His bread and butter on offense will come from battling in front of the net, setting up screens and trying to dominate that small area of the ice. And as he gets stronger, cleaning up on those pucks in front of the net.

It’s a rare occurrence that late round picks find a regular home in the NHL. But Mutter is one of those guys that could find a home as a fourth line energy guy who is strong on the forecheck and can create havoc for defences and wearing them down.

Those types of players still have a place in today’s game.

Stat page from Elite Prospects

67’s’ Tye Felhaber named OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Dallas Stars prospect Tye Felhaber of the Ottawa 67’s is the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week for the playoff week ending April 7 scoring four goals with two assists for six points in two games while recording a plus-minus rating of plus-3.

Felhaber becomes the first 67’s player to be recognized this season after producing a pair of multi-point performances to help his club open their Eastern Conference Semi-Final series with two home wins against the Sudbury Wolves.  After scoring 59 times with three hat-tricks during the regular season, Felhaber broke out with his first three goals of the post-season in Friday’s series opener which earned him second star honours in the 8-5 victory.  He scored again in Game 2 on Sunday and added two assists in the 5-0 shutout victory giving him 10 points in six playoff games to date.  The series continues with Game 3 on Tuesday and Game 4 on Thursday night in Sudbury.

A 20-year-old from Pembroke, Ont., Felhaber has played five full seasons amassing 285 points in 311 career games since being chosen in the first round of the 2014 OHL Priority Selection by the Saginaw Spirit.  This season he finished tied for third in OHL scoring with 109 points in 68 games achieving personal bests in goals and assists helping the 67’s finish first overall while setting a new points record.  A finalist for the Red Tilson Trophy for Most Outstanding Player of the Year and the Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy for Overage Player of the Year, Felhaber signed a NHL entry-level contract with the Stars last month.

Watch video highlights of Felhaber and the 67’s against the Wolves in Game 1 and Game 2.

Also considered for the award this week was Florida Panthers prospect Owen Tippett of the Saginaw Spirit with three goals and three assists for six points in two games against the Soo Greyhounds, Minnesota Wild prospect Ivan Lodnia of the Niagara IceDogs who also had six points in two games scoring once with five assists against the Oshawa Generals, and Kevin Hancock of the London Knights who scored three goals and two assists for five points in two games against the Guelph Storm.  In goal, Arizona Coyotes prospect Ivan Prosvetov of the Spirit won twice while stopping 76 shots for a goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .974.

2018-19 OHL ‘On the Run’ Players of the Week – Playoffs:
Apr. 1 – Apr. 7: Tye Felhaber (Ottawa 67’s)
Mar. 25 – Mar. 31: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)
Mar. 18 – Mar. 24: Evan Bouchard (London Knights)

2018-19 OHL ‘On the Run’ Players of the Week – Regular Season:

Mar. 11 – Mar. 17: Jason Robertson (Niagara IceDogs)
Mar. 4 – Mar. 10: Greg Meireles (Kitchener Rangers)
Feb. 25 – Mar. 3: Nate Schnarr (Guelph Storm)
Feb. 18 – Feb. 24: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)
Feb. 11 – Feb. 17: Nando Eggenberger (Oshawa Generals)
Feb. 4 – Feb. 10: Jacob Ingham (Mississauga Steelheads)
Jan. 28 – Feb. 3: Riley Damiani (Kitchener Rangers)
Jan. 21 – Jan. 27: Liam Foudy (London Knights)
Jan. 14 – Jan. 20: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Jan. 7 – Jan. 13: Isaac Ratcliffe (Guelph Storm)
Dec. 31 – Jan. 6: Arthur Kaliyev (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Dec. 24 – Dec. 30: Kyle Maksimovich (Erie Otters)
Dec. 10 – Dec. 16: Andrew MacLean (Owen Sound Attack)
Dec. 3 – Dec. 9: Brett Neumann (Kingston Frontenacs)
Nov. 26 – Dec. 2: Jason Robertson (Niagara IceDogs)
Nov. 19 – Nov. 25: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Nov. 12 – Nov. 18: Owen Tippett (Mississauga Steelheads)
Nov. 5 – Nov. 11: Jason Robertson (Kingston Frontenacs)
Oct. 29 – Nov. 4: Kevin Hancock (Owen Sound Attack)
Oct. 22 – Oct. 28: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)
Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Damien Giroux (Saginaw Spirit)
Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Sudbury Wolves)
Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Lucas Chiodo (Barrie Colts)
Sept. 19 – Sept. 23: Akil Thomas (Niagara IceDogs)

Kari Piiroinen – Windsor Spitfires – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 176 pounds

Date of birth: July 1, 2001

Hometown: Helsinki, Finland

Position: Goaltender

Catches: Left

OHL Draft: Round 1, 30th overall, 2018 CHL Import Draft

NHL Central Scouting Rankings: Pre-season: C Prospect. November: B Prospect. Mid-term: 18 NA goalies

Selected 30th overall at the 2018 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft, Windsor Spitfires netminder Kari Piiroinen is a product of the goaltender producing nation of Finland, well known for producing high-end puck stoppers.

Prior to joining the Spitfires, Piiroinen played Junior B hockey for HIFK Under-18 in his native Finland. In 27 appearances he posted a 2.73 goals-against-average and .912 save-percentage. He was superb in the playoffs with a 1.00 goals-against-average and .957 save-percentage. He would briefly join HIFK Under-20 for 4 Junior A games.

Piiroinen (pronounced Pea-ROY-nin) represented Finland at the World Hockey Challenge Under-17.

Kari Piiroinen of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Kari Piiroinen of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images

The Spitfires brought Piiroinen in to be their goaltender of the future. At the start of the season, he was the backup to Michael DiPietro and once DiPietro was traded to the Ottawa 67’s then to Colton Incze. Still, he appeared in 27 games and posted a 4.23 goals-against-average and .875 save-percentage. He took the crease in two playoff contests during the London Knights sweep of the Spitfires in the opening round.

I think the plan was to ease Piiroinen in with DiPietro and once he got his feet wet the Spitfires would find a capable veteran backup and trade DiPietro. And that’s what happened by bringing Incze in. But it was Incze who got the majority of starts.

Piiroinen was the top 2001 goaltender in Finland when the Spitfires selected him and highly touted for the 2019 NHL Draft. But when you are deciding on where to select the netminder, you are going to have to base your thoughts around his potential and the signs of that potential rather then his accomplishments – or lack of – this season.

At 6’1” Piiroinen has some good size but really lacks some bulk to that frame. He has superb athleticism and lightning quick reflexes. He darts out to the top of the paint to challenge shooters quickly. His movement from side to side is very good and he tracks the puck east-west very well. But he has a tendency to over commit at times.

Piiroinen also has a very quick glove. Even when down in the butterfly, he gives shooters the glove side only to take it away with his trapper. He can also absorb pucks and deny second chance opportunities. He plays big in his crease even when down in the butterfly. He knows how to take away the top of the net and his glove hand helps.

That said, there are some issues to work through, most noticeably finding some sort of consistency. He doesn’t get rattled when he allows a soft goal. He can make the spectacular save and then let one in he would like back. But he has shown he can bounce back.

A lot of that comes from adding some muscle and holding his position better. The latter comes with more coaching. How to hold the post, work your angles better, directing rebounds, those type of things.

The strength part will come as he continues his offseason workout regiment and working towards his goal of one day playing in the NHL.

Stat page from Elite Prospects

Frontenacs announce Shane Wright as First Overall Pick in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

2019 OHL Priority Selection presented by Real Canadian Superstore takes place on Saturday April 6, 2019, at 9:00 am at www.ontariohockeyleague.com

Press Release
Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League in association with the Kingston Frontenacs Hockey Club today announced that 15-year-old forward Shane Wright of the Greater Toronto Hockey League’s Don Mills Flyers will be the first overall pick in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection presented by Real Canadian Superstore.

The announcement was made at a press conference this morning inside Council Chambers at historic Kingston City Hall, a fitting location for an announcement of this magnitude, in Canada’s first capital and the birthplace of hockey.  Joining Kingston Frontenacs management for the announcement was Shane’s parents Simon and Tanya Wright, Kingston Mayor Bryan Patterson, and members of Kingston City Council.

Born January 5, 2004, Wright was granted ‘Exceptional Player Status’ by Hockey Canada to be eligible for the 2019 OHL Priority Selection which features 2003-born talents.  He is just the fifth OHL player to receive the distinction following John Tavares (Toronto Marlboros/Oshawa Generals in 2005), defenceman Aaron Ekblad (Sun County Panthers/Barrie Colts in 2011), forward Connor McDavid (Toronto Marlboros/Erie Otters in 2012), and defenceman Sean Day (Detroit Compuware/Mississauga Steelheads in 2013).  Tavares, Ekblad, and McDavid were all chosen first overall in their respective seasons and were later first overall picks in the NHL Draft.

“There is a reason Shane was granted exceptional player status,” said Kingston Frontenacs General Manager Darren Keily. “It starts well before he plays the game; Shane is an exceptional person, with exceptional character, from an exceptional family. His hockey is part-in-part with that, and he will be a great asset to our club. That’s what separates him from others.”

Wright was named the GTHL Minor Midget Player of the Year after producing a league leading 150 points in 72 games including 66 goals and 84 assists.  He led a Flyers team that went undefeated in regulation play capturing a league title and OHL Cup powered by Under Armour championship.  He earned MVP honours on minor midget’s greatest stage with 18 points in seven OHL Cup contests including an assist on the overtime winner in a dramatic 6-5 victory against the Toronto Red Wings to finish just one point shy of McDavid’s 2012 record.  The 6-foot, 179-pound centreman led the showcase with a plus-16 rating, was 66.4 percent in the faceoff circle, and finished with the event’s fourth highest total of 29 shots on goal.  Wright also represented Ontario at the 2019 Canada Winter Games serving as team captain and earning a silver medal.

“Shane is one of the most gifted and talented players to come along in a number of years,” said OHL Director of Central Scouting, Darrell Woodley. “He has a combination of skill, speed, hockey sense and determination that really separates him from his peers. He is an explosive and powerful skater that can reach top speed quickly and can change gears in mid-flight to catch defenders flat footed. Shane’s skill and offensive instincts are second to none possessing vision and creativity with the puck that is truly fun to watch.”

Wright is the 2019 recipient of the Jack Ferguson Award presented annually to the player selected first overall in the OHL Priority Selection. The “Fergie” recognizes the dedication and contributions made by Jack Ferguson during his 25 year association with the OHL, first as a scout with the Ottawa 67’s and followed by his appointment as head of the OHL’s Central Scouting Bureau in 1981 as its Director of Central Scouting.  Wright is the first member of the Frontenacs to receive the award but is the third player in Kingston’s all-time franchise history with the first overall distinction following Drake Berehowsky chosen number one by the Kingston Raiders in 1988, and Bryan Fogarty of the Kingston Canadians in 1985.

WATCH: #OHLDraft Prospect Profile – Shane Wright, Don Mills Flyers

Wright and his family will be the featured guests on a special edition of the Frontenacs This Week podcast. The podcast will be available this afternoon on the Kingston Frontenacs website www.kingstonfrontenacs.com.

He will also be a feature guest on the live 2019 OHL Priority Selection Draft Show presented by Real Canadian Superstore beginning at 9:00 am on Saturday April 6, 2019.  The draft show along with live results feed will be available at www.ontariohockeyleague.com.  For the twelfth straight year, media and fans can watch the first three rounds live online with host Terry Doyle who will be joined on set by Darrell Woodley and Tim Cherry of OHL Central Scouting to provide analysis, interviews, and video footage of the next wave of OHL stars.

Former winners of the Jack Ferguson Award Include:
1981 Dan Quinn, Belleville Bulls
1982 Kirk Muller, Guelph Platers
1983 Trevor Stienburg, Guelph Platers
1984 Dave Moylan, Sudbury Wolves
1985 Bryan Fogarty, Kingston Canadians
1986 Troy Mallette, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
1987 John Uniac, Sudbury Wolves
1988 Drake Berehowsky, Kingston Raiders
1989 Eric Lindros, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
1990 Pat Peake, Detroit Ambassadors
1991 Todd Harvey, Detroit Ambassadors
1992 Jeff O’Neill, Guelph Storm
1993 Alyn McCauley, Ottawa 67’s
1994 Jeff Brown, Sarnia Sting
1995 Daniel Tkaczuk, Barrie Colts
1996 Rico Fata, London Knights
1997 Charlie Stephens, Toronto St. Michael’s Majors
1998 Jay Harrison, Brampton Battalion
1999 Jason Spezza, Mississauga IceDogs
2000 Patrick Jarrett, Mississauga IceDogs
2001 Patrick O’Sullivan,Mississauga IceDogs
2002 Robbie Schremp, Mississauga IceDogs
2003 Patrick McNeill, Saginaw Spirit
2004 John Hughes, Belleville Bulls
2005 John Tavares, Oshawa Generals
2006 Steven Stamkos, Sarnia Sting
2007 Ryan O’Reilly, Erie Otters
2008 John McFarland, Sudbury Wolves
2009 Daniel Catenacci, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
2010 Alex Galchenyuk, Sarnia Sting
2011 Aaron Ekblad, Barrie Colts
2012 Connor McDavid, Erie Otters
2013 Travis Konecny, Ottawa 67’s
2014 Jakob Chychrun, Sarnia Sting
2015 David Levin, Sudbury Wolves
2016 Ryan Merkley, Guelph Storm
2017 Ryan Suzuki, Barrie Colts
2018 Quinton Byfield, Sudbury Wolves
2019 Shane Wright, Kingston Frontenacs