OHL Announces Disciplinary Action

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Press Release

Game of Sunday, March 24, 2019, – Hamilton at Ottawa

The Ontario Hockey League today announced the results of two separate reviews of incidents which took place in a playoff game played in Ottawa on the 24th of March, 2019, involving the 67’s and the visiting Hamilton Bulldogs Hockey Club.

The first incident reviewed was a game misconduct for charging assessed to player Kyle Maksimovich of the Ottawa 67’s Hockey Club.

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

The second incident reviewed was a match penalty for cross checking assessed to player Navrin Mutter of the Hamilton Bulldogs Hockey Club.

Based on a review of the incident, it is the position of the League that player Navrin Mutter shall be suspended for three (3) games effective immediately.

Keean Washkurak – Mississauga Steelheads – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height: 5’10”

Weight: 184 pounds

Date of birth: August 16, 2001

Hometown: Waterloo, Ontario

Position: Center

Shoots: Left

OHL Draft: Round 2, 30th overall, 2017 Priority Selection

NHL Central Scouting Rankings: Pre-season: C Prospect, November: B Prospect, Mid-term: 134th NA

Mississauga Steelheads pivot Keean Washkurak played his Minor Midget AAA hockey for his hometown Waterloo Wolves during the 2016-2017 season where he compiled 17 goals, 21 assists and 34 minutes in penalties in 32 games. He would add 7 goals and 7 assists and 16 penalty minutes in 15 playoff games.

Washkurak would make his Ontario Hockey League debut on September 22, 2017 and score his first goal 4 games into the season on September 30th, 2017 in Owen Sound. He would complete his rookie season scoring 6 goals and 9 assists with 32 minutes in penalties in 61 games. He also competed at the World Hockey Challenge Under-17 with Team Red and had a goal and a helper in 6 games.

Washkurak, Keean
Keean Washkurak of the Mississauga Steelheads. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images

Washkurak finished his regular season draft year (now in the playoffs) appearing in 66 games for the Steelheads. He scored 16 goals and assisted on 31 others while racking up 58 minutes in penalties. His 31 helpers were eighth among draft eligible players from the OHL. Perhaps more importantly, 17 of them were primary helpers.

Washkurak’s 16 goals came from 143 shots he fired on goal, good for an 11.2% shooting percentage. When broken down by difficulty, he shot 22.6% from high danger zone areas, 15.4% for mid-danger zone areas and 5.8% from low danger zone areas.  

Like the vast majority of players in this group, as a pivot, faceoffs are an area that Washkurak needs to work on. On the season he won 502 of 1019 draws for a winning percentage of 49.3%.

Where Washkurak stands ahead of most of his peers is his compete level, work ethic and willingness to do whatever it takes shift in and shift out. When it comes to these three areas, consistency is never an issue. However, producing at a consistently has proven to be an issue after starting the year at an excellent pace. Yet, if he is not producing he does so many other things well that he has an effect on the game and NHL scouts will certainly pay attention to those attributes.

Washkurak is an excellent skater with some explosiveness in his stride. Combined with his compete level, he hounds the opposition for the puck making him an excellent forechecker. Despite his 5’10 frame, he’s more then willing, and capable, of banging against much bigger players. And he won’t shy away when those players are coming at him. And yes, he’s been known to drop the mitts against bigger players as well.

Washkurak won’t dangle through players with finesse but rather uses good hockey smarts to make plays quickly. He’d rather drive through players and take the disc right to the net with surprisingly good results. But he can lure defenders in and then make a very good pass finding teammates. His pick possession skills are okay, but it’s not like he is prone to turnovers. Again, it’s quick thinking and quick movement of the puck that makes him most effective.

It’s difficult to predict what kind of career Washkurak will have at the next level. He has the tools to carve himself out a pro career. Sure, it would be nice to have produced more offense. But you’ve got to like the rest of the tools in the tool box.

Stat page from Elite Prospects

OHL Writers’ Draft Eligible Player of the Year

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Well, another Ontario Hockey League season has come to a close and the 2019 National Hockey League Draft begins to have more focus, it’s time for our Draft Eligible Player of the Year at OHL Writers. We tend to focus our attention on players eligible for the NHL draft and we’ve compiled notes on all of them. But this time of year, we pick one who has stood out the most.

And this year it’s Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Each month we select a Draft Eligible Player of the Month and we gave the nod to Kaliyev in January and February. 

Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Statistically speaking, you will find Kaliyev’s name all over the page. He led draft eligible players with 51 goals (4th best in the OHL), assists with 51 (17th in the OHL), points with 102 (6th in the OHL), shots on goal by a wide margin with 320 (2nd in the OHL), powerplay goals with 20 (2nd in the OHL), and 2nd in powerplay assists (20th in the OHL).

In the 2018-2019 Coaches Poll, Kaliyev was voted the second most dangerous in the goal area from the Eastern conference, the best shot in the Eastern Conference, and the hardest shot in the Eastern Conference.

Kaliyev is ranked 11th among North American Skaters (3rd from the OHL) by NHL Central Scouting, and 13th overall by TSN’s Bob McKenzie on their respective mid-term rankings.

Ryan Suzuki – Barrie Colts – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height: 6’

Weight: 170 pounds

Date of birth: May 28, 2001

Hometown: London, Ontario

Position: Center

Shoots: Left

OHL Draft: 1st overall pick, 2017 Priority Selection

NHL Central Scouting Rankings: Pre-season, November: A prospect. Mid-term: 10th overall, NA

Barrie Colts’ pivot Ryan Suzuki is the younger brother of the Guelph Storm’s Nick Suzuki, who was the 13th overall pick at the 2017 National Hockey League Draft by the Vegas Golden Knights (since traded to the Montreal Canadiens). Many in the scouting community coming into this season believed Ryan would be picked higher then his elder brother come this June in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Ryan played his Minor Midget AAA hockey with the London Jr Knights during the 2016-2017 season amassing 19 goals and 40 assists in 32 games. He would add 9 goals and 13 assists in 11 playoff games, leading the Knights to the Championship. He led the league in assists and points and was named the Alliance Hockey Player of the Year.

Following his Minor Midget season, he would appear in 1 game with the London Nationals of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League scoring 2 goals. And in 6 playoff games he recorded a goal and 3 assists.

Ontario Hockey League Central Scouting had this to say about Ryan:

Ryan is one of the most skilled players in this year’s Priority Selection. He is the type of player that makes

everyone around him better. Ryan is an unselfish player that sees the ice better than most at this age group. He makes plays that a lot of people don’t see developing from the stands and his passes are usually tape to tape. He is a good skater with the ability to beat players off the rush. He is dangerous every time he is on the ice. Ryan will be an offensive force in the OHL.

Ryan Suzuki of the Barrie Colts. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Ryan Suzuki of the Barrie Colts. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images

Ryan appeared in 64 games for the Colts last season compiling 14 goals and 30 assists. He would be named to the OHL Second All-Rookie Team. Ryan would also represent Canada at the World Hockey Challenge Under-17. In 6 games he scored 3 goals and 4 assists, helping Team Red capture a silver medal.

This season began with Ryan representing Canada once again, this time with Team Canada at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup. He scored once and added 7 helpers and helping Canada win a Gold Medal.

The Colts did not make the playoffs this season, and sadly, Ryan’s OHL season has come to an end. He appeared in 65 games and scored 25 goals and 50 assists.

One area of Ryan’s game that he needs to work on is faceoffs. His game is best suited down the middle so improve on winning 453 of 989 draws (45.8%) is vital.

The second area is learning to be a more selfish player. Possessing the threat that you might shoot to go along with what borders on elite playmaking abilities opens up more possibilities. And Ryan has a very good shot. His shot percentage is at 16.5%, but when you consider he is at 18.2% from the low danger zone areas of the ice (19 of his goals come from that area), then you can see he can beat goaltenders from any area.

As mentioned, Ryan’s playmaking abilities border on elite. He sees the ice extremely well, and sees things developing before they actually do. And he can deliver a tape-to-tape pass or lead a teammate with a pass. The fact that 29 of his assists are primary assists speaks to the fact that he can deliver the disc for a scoring threat.

As much as Ryan is an offensive threat on the powerplay (8 goals and 20 assists) he has shown that he can be a threat when down a man as well, although the numbers don’t reflect that (2 goals, 1 assist). He thinks the game so well and has excellent anticipation that he can steal the puck defending and go on the attack in a flash. Defensively he understands the game and works hard at it. You won’t find many coming back on the backcheck harder then he does.

He transitions quickly. While he has good speed, I wouldn’t consider him a speedster. He is excellent at puck possession and gaining the zone with possession.

If you follow the independent scouting services available to you, then you will see there is a mixed bag of where Suzuki is ranked. The rankings are anywhere from 12th overall (including TSN’s Bob McKenzie’s ranking) to 23rd. NHL Central Scouting has him 10th among North American skaters and 2nd among OHL skaters, behind defenceman Thomas Harley of the Mississauga Steelheads.

Personally, I think it comes down to Suzuki and Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Take your pick: The playmaker or the goal scorer.

Stat page from Elite Prospects

 

OHL Announces Top Performers of the Month for March

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 March, 2019, including Kitchener Rangers forward Greg Meireles, London Knights defenceman Evan Bouchard and Saginaw Spirit teammates Cole Perfetti and Ivan Prosvetov.

OHL Player of the Month – Greg Meireles (Kitchener Rangers):

Kitchener Rangers forward Greg Meireles has been named the OHL Player of the Month for March, finishing tied for the league lead with 18 points including five goals and 13 assists over eight games. Meireles recorded points in all eight contests as part of an ongoing 20-game point streak, the OHL’s longest of the 2018-19 season. The 5-foot-11, 188Ib centre recorded at least three points three different times including a three-assist showing on Mar. 1st against London, a goal and three assists in an 8-4 win over the Erie Otters on Mar. 8th followed up by a goal and two helpers on Mar. 10th in Guelph. Meireles potted a pair of power play goals to help the Rangers’ top-ranked power play finish the season with a 29% success rate, the league’s highest since the 2016 Memorial Cup champion London Knights. He also had a hand in helping teammate Jonathan Yantsis reach the 50-goal mark, assisting on four of his goals in the month of March.

A 20-year-old native of Ottawa, Ont., Meireles finished the season as Kitchener’s leading scorer, recording 97 points 36-61–97) over 68 games, 43 of which came on the man advantage. Meireles led the Rangers with 249 shots on goal this season and went 54.1% in the faceoff circle. The former first round (12th overall) pick of the 2015 OHL Priority Selection remains without an NHL contract but attended rookie camp with the St. Louis Blues in 2017.

OHL Defenceman of the Month – Evan Bouchard (London Knights):

For the second straight month a London Knights blueliner has been named the OHL’s Defenceman of the Month. Edmonton Oilers prospect Evan Bouchard takes the torch from teammate Adam Boqvist, recording nine points including five goals and four assists over eight games for the Midwest Division champion Knights. The veteran captain started the month with a season-high four point performance, scoring while adding three assists in an 8-6 road win over the Kitchener Rangers on Mar. 1st. Bouchard also found the back of the net in a 3-2 overtime win over the Flint Firebirds on Mar. 8th before recording back-to-back two-point contests to close out the month, helping the Knights lock down first place in the Western Conference. He scored twice in a 6-3 road loss to the Soo Greyhounds on Mar. 15th before scoring a goal and an assist in a 5-2 win over the Saginaw Spirit on Mar. 16th. Bouchard recorded at least five shots on goal on five different occasions in the month of March.

A 19-year-old product of Oakville, Ont., Bouchard recorded 53 points (16-37–53) over 45 games in an abbreviated season after returning from the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers where he played seven games and scored his first goal to start the campaign. Bouchard’s 201 career regular season points (54-147–201) sit second in franchise history for defencemen behind Rick Corriveau (1987-92). Originally London’s first round (17th overall) pick in 2015, Bouchard was chosen by the Oilers with the 10th overall pick of the 2018 NHL Draft.

OHL Rookie of the Month – Cole Perfetti (Saginaw Spirit):

Cole Perfetti‘s tremendous rookie season continued this past month as the Saginaw Spirit winger has been named OHL Rookie of the Month for a second consecutive term. Perfetti led all rookies with seven goals along with four assists for 11 points over eight games along with a plus-10 rating. The 5-foot-10 left-winger helped the Spirit secure its first West Division title since 2011, putting up three different multi-point performances beginning with a goal and an assist in an 8-0 win over the Peterborough Petes on Mar. 3rd. He put up a season-high four goals in a 4-1 road win over the London Knights on Mar. 9th, becoming the OHL’s first 16-year-old rookie to do so since Peterborough’s Ryan Spooner in March 2009. Perfetti followed that sterling performance up with a goal and two assists on Mar. 12th as the Spirit took a 6-2 road win over the Sarnia Sting. In total, Perfetti earned Three Star recognition three different times in the month of March.

A 17-year-old native of Whitby, Ont., Perfetti finished the season tied with Owen Tippett for the Spirit scoring lead, recording a league-leading 74 points (37-37–74) among rookies over 63 games. Perfetti’s 37 goals are a new Spirit franchise record for rookies as he finished with the OHL’s sixth-highest shooting percentage of 22.4% while netting seven game winners. Eligible for the 2020 NHL Draft, Perfetti was Saginaw’s first round (5th overall) pick in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection from the Vaughan Kings Minor Midgets.


Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month – Ivan Prosvetov (Saginaw Spirit):

Arizona Coyotes prospect Ivan Prosvetov is the Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month for March, backstopping his team to a West Division title. Prosvetov played to a 4-1-0-1 record with a 1.99 goals-against average, .943 save percentage and one shutout over six games, turning aside 197 shots in the process. He started the month with four consecutive wins as part of a larger eight-game trend,  posting his fourth shutout of the season with a 27-save effort against the Peterborough Petes on Mar. 3rd. He earned second star honours, turning aside 47 of 48 shots in a 4-1 road win over the London Knights on Mar. 9th. Prosvetov turned aside 29 shots on Mar. 12th in Sarnia to backstop the Spirit to a franchise record 46th win and a club mark nine consecutive victories. He stopped 25 shots two nights later on Mar. 14th as the Spirit fell 2-1 in overtime to the Soo Greyhounds but locked down their first West Division title since 2011.

A 20-year-old native of Moscow, Russia, Prosvetov played to an overall mark of 36-11-2-1 with a 2.94 goals-against average, .910 save percentage and four shutouts in his first OHL season. The 6-foot-5, 185Ib netminder owns a league-leading .924 save percentage since Jan. 1st, playing to a 19-5-1-1 mark in that span. Chosen with the 13th overall pick of the 2018 CHL Import Draft, Prosvetov was a fourth round (114th overall) pick of the Arizona Coyotes last summer.


2018-19 OHL Performers of the Month:


Player of the Month:
March – Greg Meireles (Kitchener Rangers)
February – Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
January – Ben Jones/Akil Thomas (Niagara IceDogs)
December – Tye Felhaber (Ottawa 67’s)
November – Jason Robertson (Niagara IceDogs)
October – Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)


Defenceman of the Month:
March – Evan Bouchard (London Knights)
February – Adam Boqvist (London Knights)
January – Sean Durzi (Guelph Storm)
December – Bode Wilde (Saginaw Spirit)
November – Noel Hoefenmayer (Ottawa 67’s)
October – Mac Hollowell (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)


Rookie of the Month:
March – Cole Perfetti (Saginaw Spirit)
February – Cole Perfetti (Saginaw Spirit)
January – Marco Rossi (Ottawa 67’s)
December – Jacob Perreault (Sarnia Sting)
November – Marco Rossi (Ottawa 67’s)
October – Marco Rossi (Ottawa 67’s)


Vaughn Goaltender of the Month:
March – Ivan Prosvetov (Saginaw Spirit)
February – Luke Richardson (Kitchener Rangers)
January – Cedrick Andree (Ottawa 67’s)
December – Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Sudbury Wolves)
November – Joseph Raaymakers (London Knights)
October – Cedrick Andree (Ottawa 67’s)

CHL Announces Weekly Award Winners

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Robertson leads the pack, Villalta grabs goalie honours

IceDogs’ Jason Robertson named CHL Player of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that top scorer Jason Robertson of the Niagara IceDogs is the CHL Player of the Week for the final regular season week ending March 17 with 11 points in three games including five goals and six assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-7.

Robertson frequented the scoresheet in all three appearances last week to help the IceDogs close out the season with six straight wins for a 44-17-7-0 record clinching the franchise’s first OHL Central Division title since 2011-12. His week began Thursday with a four-point night against the Mississauga Steelheads scoring a pair of goals including one less than two minutes into the opening frame en route to a 4-2 victory and first-star recognition. Two nights later the Dallas Stars prospect had another four points, including a pair of goals with the game-winner, in a 7-4 decision against the Barrie Colts, and wrapped up the weekend with a goal and two assists in an 8-3 win against the North Bay Battalion, who Niagara now faces in the opening round of the playoffs.

The 19-year-old Michigan native, who was acquired from the Kingston Frontenacs in November, found another offensive gear after arriving in Niagara as he tallied 79 points in just 38 contests, or better than a two-points-per-game pace. In all, Robertson finished the regular season with 48 goals and 69 assists to capture the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy as the Ontario Hockey League’s top scorer. His 117 points also ranked first in the entire CHL.

Also considered for the award this week was Chicoutimi Sagueneens forward Vladislav Kotkov, who recorded five goals and two assists for seven points in three games, as well as forward Connor Zary of the Kamloops Blazers, whose week included five goals and four assists for nine points in four games.

2018-19 CHL 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: Brayden Tracey (Moose Jaw Warriors)

Feb. 11 – Feb. 17: Maxime Comtois (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

Feb. 4 – Feb. 10: Alexis Lafreniere (Rimouski Oceanic)

Jan. 28 – Feb. 3: Samuel Asselin (Halifax Mooseheads)

Jan. 21 – Jan. 27: Ethan Crossman (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Jan. 14 – Jan. 20: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

Jan. 7 – Jan. 13: Bowen Byram (Vancouver Giants)

Dec. 31 – Jan. 6: Arthur Kaliyev (Hamilton Bulldogs)

Dec. 24 – Dec. 30: Kyle Maksimovich (Erie Otters)

Dec. 10 – Dec. 16: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)

Dec. 3 – Dec. 9: Ivan Chekhovich (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Nov. 26 – Dec. 2: Gregor MacLeod (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

Nov. 19 – Nov. 25: Brett Leason (Prince Albert Raiders)

Nov. 12 – Nov. 18: Peter Abbandonato (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)

Nov. 5 – Nov. 11: Jason Robertson (Kingston Frontenacs)

Oct. 29 – Nov. 4: Joachim Blichfeld (Portland Winterhawks)

Oct. 22 – Oct. 28: Ivan Chekhovich (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)

Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Damien Giroux (Saginaw Spirit)

Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Dawson Davidson (Saskatoon Blades)

Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Luka Burzan (Brandon Wheat Kings)

Sept. 19 – Sept. 23: Kirby Dach (Saskatoon Blades)

Greyhounds’ Matthew Villalta named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Matthew Villalta of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the regular season week ending March 17 with a 2-0-0-0 record, a goals-against average of 1.20, and save percentage of .964.

Villalta claims the honour for the first time this season after going undefeated in two games last week in which he stopped a combined 53 shots to help the Greyhounds conclude the 2018-19 regular season with a 44-16-7-1 showing, good for third in the Western Conference and a date with the Owen Sound Attack in the opening round of the playoffs. The Los Angeles Kings prospect began his week with a 33-save performance in a 2-1 overtime victory over the West Division rival Saginaw Spirit. He then followed it up the next night when he turned aside 20 shots en route to a 6-3 win against the London Knights.

Villalta, 19, is competing in his third season with the Greyhounds. Through 51 games this year, the product of Godfrey, Ont., posted a 33-12-5-0 record alongside a 3.03 goals-against average and .903 save percentage.

Also considered for the award this week was Samuel Harvey of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, who went a perfect 2-0-0-0 across two appearances as he picked up wins over the Val-d’Or Foreurs and Blainville-Boisbriand Armada to go with a goals-against average of 2.00 and save percentage of .940. In the WHL, Adam Evanoff of the Moose Jaw Warriors went 2-0-0-0 as he made a combined 52 saves in wins over the Brandon Wheat Kings and Swift Current Broncos for a goals-against average of 1.50 and save percentage of .945.

2018-19 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Mar. 11 – Mar. 17: Matthew Villalta (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

Mar. 4 – Mar. 10: Ian Scott (Prince Albert Raiders)

Feb. 25 – Mar. 3: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)

Feb. 18 – Feb. 24: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)

Feb. 11 – Feb. 17: Joel Hofer (Portland Winterhawks)

Feb. 4 – Feb. 10: Mads Sogaard (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Jan. 28 – Feb. 3: Jet Greaves (Barrie Colts)

Jan. 21 – Jan. 27: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)

Jan. 14 – Jan. 20: Olivier Rodrigue (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

Jan. 7 – Jan. 13: Kevin Mandolese (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)

Dec. 31 – Jan. 6: Ivan Prosvetov (Saginaw Spirit)

Dec. 24 – Dec. 30: Cedrick Andree (Ottawa 67’s)

Dec. 10 – Dec. 16: Mads Sogaard (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Dec. 3 – Dec. 9: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)

Nov. 26 – Dec. 2: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Sudbury Wolves)

Nov. 19 – Nov. 25: Kyle Jessiman (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Nov. 12 – Nov. 18: Ian Scott (Prince Albert Raiders)

Nov. 5 – Nov. 11: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)

Oct. 29 – Nov. 4: Joseph Raaymakers (London Knights)

Oct. 22 – Oct. 28: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)

Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Emile Samson (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)

Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Alexis Gravel (Halifax Mooseheads)

Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Trent Miner (Vancouver Giants)

Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Luke Richardson (Kitchener Rangers)

Sept. 19 – Sept. 23: Hunter Jones (Peterborough Petes)

Statement from the Ontario Hockey League regarding the Niagara IceDogs Hockey Club

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Press Release

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) has reached a settlement with the Niagara IceDogs Hockey Club with regard to the club’s violation of player recruitment rules.  The club will pay a fine of $150,000.00 and shall forfeit its first round pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection Draft.

The club has acknowledged that it violated OHL player recruitment rules. The club recognizes the importance of these rules and agrees to comply.

This settlement follows the league announcement in February that the league had levied fines against the club and had taken away first round draft selections in the OHL Priority Selection process.

OHL Announces 2018-19 Coaches Poll Winners

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the results of the Eastern and Western Conference Coaches Polls for the 2018-19 OHL regular season.

The OHL Coaches Poll provides member club coaches with the opportunity to recognize the top three players in 20 different skill categories within their own conference.

In the Eastern Conference, the Hamilton Spectator Trophy winning Ottawa 67’s lead the way with eight players represented inside the top three votes across nine different categories.  Among them is rookie Marco Rossi who was the club’s only top vote getter recognized as the Smartest Player.  The Oshawa Generals had seven players voted across nine different categories and finished tied for the Eastern Conference lead with four first place votes including Brett Neumann (Best Skater), Mitchell Brewer (Best Shot Blocker), Kyle MacLean (Best Defensive Forward), and Kyle Keyser (Best Puck Handling Goalie, tied).

The Hamilton Bulldogs also placed first in four different categories headlined by Arthur Kaliyev atop two of them including Best Shot and Hardest Shot.  Fellow 2019 NHL Draft prospect Thomas Harley of the Mississauga Steelheads also led his club in two of their four first place votes including Most Improved Player and Best Offensive Defenceman.  Buffalo Sabres prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen of the Sudbury Wolves was also first in a pair of categories including Best Shootout Goaltender and tied with Keyser for Best Puck Handling Goalie.  Justin Brazeau of the North Bay Battalion was the only player to appear as a top three finisher in four different categories winning the Most Dangerous in the Goal Area vote.  Kaliyev and Harley both had a trio of top three finishes along with the Barrie Colts pair of Ryan Suzuki and Jason Willms who both claimed first place votes in Best Playmaker and Best on Face-Offs respectively.  Detroit Red Wings prospect Zach Gallant of the Peterborough Petes finished behind Willms in the face-off category but was recognized as one of the best for a third straight season.  Gallant was one of eight players to appear in two categories along with fellow Pete Ryan Merkley, Generals MacLean and Keyser, Wolves Luukkonen and Macauley Carson, Sasha Chmelevski of the 67’s, and Philip Tomasino of the Niagara IceDogs.

In the Western Conference, the first place London Knights lead the way with nine different players spread across 11 of the 20 different categories.  Edmonton Oilers prospect Evan Bouchard is the only Knight to appear in multiple categories voted third Smartest Player for a second straight year, second Hardest Shot after winning the vote last season, and third Best Offensive Defenceman after finishing first a year ago.  The Knights were represented in first place votes by Ottawa Senators prospect Alex Formenton picked Best Skater for a second straight year, and Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Liam Foudy who tied for first in the Best Penalty Killer vote.  The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds were also represented in 11 different categories with five different players receiving top three votes including a total of five first place selections which tied for the Western Conference lead.  Philadelphia Flyers prospect Morgan Frost led the West by finishing first in three of them including Best Playmaker and Best Stickhandler both for a second straight season, along with Best Shootout Shooter.  He also finished second in the Smartest Player category after winning the vote a year ago.

The West Division winning Saginaw Spirit were represented by six players across 10 different categories and tied the Greyhounds with five first place votes.  Among them was Florida Panthers prospect Owen Tippett who was voted first two times including Hardest Shot along with Most Dangerous in the Goal Area after appearing second and first in the last two Eastern Conference polls.  The Guelph Storm were also represented in 10 different categories with five players spread across the votes.  Oilers prospect Dmitri Samorukov appeared in three categories and finished first in two of them including Best Body Checker and Best Defensive Defenceman.  Storm forward Nick Suzuki, a Montreal Canadiens prospect, also appeared in three different categories winning the Smartest Player vote.  10 players were recognized in two different categories including Tippett and fellow Spirit including captain Damien Giroux, and defencemen Bode Wilde and Justin Murray, Greyhounds Mac Hollowell and Matthew Villalta, Storm captain Isaac Ratcliffe, Firebirds captain Ty Dellandrea, Sting captain Ryan McGregor, and Jonathan Yantsis of the Kitchener Rangers.  Also of note, Windsor Spitfires captain Luke Boka was voted Best Shot Blocker for a second consecutive season.

The Coaches Poll is tabulated when each team submits one nominee per category, and coaches then vote for the top three players for each category within their conference.  Players receive five points for a first place vote, three points for a second place vote, and one point for a third place vote.  Clubs are not permitted to vote for players from their own team allowing for a maximum of 45 possible points for each winner.

All 20 categories are listed below with Eastern Conference and Western Conference winners including their final point totals in brackets.

Most Underrated Player:

Eastern Conference:
1. Alan Lyszczarczyk, Mississauga Steelheads (17)
2. Cedrick Andree, Ottawa 67’s (16)
3. Jason Willms, Barrie Colts (13)

Western Conference:
1. Damien Giroux, Saginaw Spirit (24)
2. Jake Durham, Flint Firebirds (21)
3. Rickard Hugg, Kitchener Rangers (11)

Most Improved Player:

Eastern Conference:
1. Thomas Harley, Mississauga Steelheads (39)
2. Philip Tomasino, Niagara IceDogs (14)
3. Hunter Jones, Peterborough Petes (13)

Western Conference:
1. Jonathan Yantsis, Kitchener Rangers (31)
2. Cole MacKay, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (16)
3. Connor McMichael, London Knights (15)

Smartest Player:

Eastern Conference:
1. Marco Rossi, Ottawa 67’s (22)
2. Ryan Suzuki, Barrie Colts (21)
3. Justin Brazeau, North Bay Battalion (20)

Western Conference:
1. Nick Suzuki, Guelph Storm (32)
2. Morgan Frost, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (26) – finished first in 2017-18
3. Evan Bouchard, London Knights (13) – finished third in 2017-18

Hardest Worker:

Eastern Conference:
1. Keean Washkurak, Mississauga Steelheads (32)
2. Kyle MacLean, Oshawa Generals (25)
3. Ryan Cranford, Kingston Frontenacs (11)

Western Conference:
1. Aidan Dudas, Owen Sound Attack (22)
2. Franco Sproviero, Sarnia Sting (15)
3. Greg Meireles, Kitchener Rangers (12)

Best Playmaker:

Eastern Conference:
1. Ryan Suzuki, Barrie Colts (28)
2. Jason Robertson, Niagara IceDogs (18)
3. Ryan Merkley, Peterborough Petes (16)

Western Conference:
1. Morgan Frost, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (37) – finished first in 2017-18
2. Ty Dellandrea, Flint Firebirds (16)
3. Kevin Hancock, London Knights (15)

Most Dangerous in Goal Area:

Eastern Conference:
1. Justin Brazeau, North Bay Battalion (33)
2. Arthur Kaliyev, Hamilton Bulldogs (21)
3. Tye Felhaber, Ottawa 67’s (20)

Western Conference:
1. Owen Tippett, Saginaw Spirit (29) – finished second in 2017-18 and first in 2016-17 Eastern Conference
2. Isaac Ratcliffe, Guelph Storm (23)
3. Jonathan Yantsis, Kitchener Rangers (16)

Best Skater:

Eastern Conference:
1. Brett Neumann, Oshawa Generals (28)
2. Thomas Harley, Mississauga Steelheads (19)
3. Philip Tomasino, Niagara IceDogs (12)

Western Conference:
1. Alex Formenton, London Knights (38) – finished first in 2017-18
2. Mac Hollowell, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (20)
3. Jamie Drysdale, Erie Otters (10) tied –
3. Jean-Luc Foudy, Windsor Spitfires (10)

Best Shot:

Eastern Conference:
1. Arthur Kaliyev, Hamilton Bulldogs (35)
2. Justin Brazeau, North Bay Battalion (24)
3. Brandon Saigeon, Oshawa Generals (11)

Western Conference:
1. Bode Wilde, Saginaw Spirit (28)
2. Nick Suzuki, Guelph Storm (27) – finished tied for second in 2017-18
3. Hugo Leufvenius, Sarnia Sting (15)

Hardest Shot:

Eastern Conference:
1. Arthur Kaliyev, Hamilton Bulldogs (26)
2. Nicolas Mattinen, Oshawa Generals (25)
3. Kirill Maksimov, Niagara IceDogs (21)

Western Conference:
1. Owen Tippett, Saginaw Spirit (35)
2. Evan Bouchard, London Knights (32) – finished first in 2017-18
3. Mitch Eliot, Sarnia Sting (8)

Best Stickhandler:

Eastern Conference:
1. Nick Robertson, Peterborough Petes (21)
2. Ryan Suzuki, Barrie Colts (20)
3. Sasha Chmelevski, Ottawa 67’s (15) – finished second in 2017-18

Western Conference:
1. Morgan Frost, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (29) – finished tied for first in 2017-18
2. Joseph Garreffa, Kitchener Rangers (25)
3. Nick Suzuki, Guelph Storm (20) – finished third in 2017-18

Best on Face-Offs:

Eastern Conference:
1. Jason Willms, Barrie Colts (29)
2. Zach Gallant, Peterborough Petes (27) – finished second in 2017-18 and first in 2016-17
3. Jack Studnicka, Niagara IceDogs (11) tied –
3. Sasha Chmelevski, Ottawa 67’s (11)

Western Conference:
1. Ty Dellandrea, Flint Firebirds (22)
2. Barrett Hayton, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (17)
3. Billy Moskal, London Knights (16)

Best Body Checker:

Eastern Conference:
1. Tyler Tucker, Barrie Colts (31) – finished third in 2017-18
2. Navrin Mutter, Hamilton Bulldogs (21)
3. Brad Chenier, North Bay Battalion (16)

Western Conference:
1. Dmitri Samorukov, Guelph Storm (40)
2. Kelton Hatcher, Sarnia Sting (15)
3. Justin Murray, Saginaw Spirit (12)

Best Shot Blocker:

Eastern Conference:
1. Mitchell Brewer, Oshawa Generals (20) tied
1. Macauley Carson, Sudbury Wolves (20)
3. Nikita Okhotyuk, Ottawa 67’s (16)

Western Conference:
1. Luke Boka, Windsor Spitfires (25) – finished first in 2017-18
2. Jack Hanley, Guelph Storm (14)
3. Mark Woolley, Owen Sound Attack (13) tied –
3. Reilly Webb, Saginaw Spirit (13)

Best Defensive Forward:

Eastern Conference:
1. Kyle MacLean, Oshawa Generals (23)
2. Zach Gallant, Peterborough Petes (18)
3. Jason Willms, Barrie Colts (14) tied
3. Ben Jones, Niagara IceDogs (14) – finished third in 2017-18

Western Conference:
1. MacKenzie Entwistle, Guelph Storm (24)
2. Damien Giroux, Saginaw Spirit (20)
3. Ryan McGregor, Sarnia Sting (17) – finished tied for third in 2017-18

Best Penalty Killer:

Eastern Conference:
1. Isaac Nurse, Hamilton Bulldogs (20)
2. Macauley Carson, Sudbury Wolves (17)
3. Christopher Paquette, Peterborough Petes (13)

Western Conference:
1. Liam Foudy, London Knights (20) tied –
1. Ryan McGregor, Sarnia Sting (20)
3. Dmitri Samorukov, Guelph Storm (19)

Best Offensive Defenceman:

Eastern Conference:
1. Thomas Harley, Mississauga Steelheads (33)
2. Ryan Merkley, Peterborough Petes (27)
3. Noel Hoefenmayer, Ottawa 67’s (15)

Western Conference:
1. Mac Hollowell, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (37)
2. Bode Wilde, Saginaw Spirit (20)
3. Evan Bouchard, London Knights (16) – finished first in 2017-18

Best Defensive Defenceman:

Eastern Conference:
1. Jacob Paquette, Niagara IceDogs (21)
2. Liam Ham, Mississauga Steelheads (16) tied –
2. Merrick Rippon, Ottawa 67’s (16)

Western Conference:
1. Dmitri Samorukov, Guelph Storm (34)
2. Jordan Sambrook, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (18)
3. Justin Murray, Saginaw Spirit (17)

Best Puck-Handling Goalie:

Eastern Conference:
1. Kyle Keyser, Oshawa Generals (20) – finished second in 2017-18
1. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Sudbury Wolves (20)
3. Michael DiPietro, Ottawa 67’s – finished first in 2017-18 Western Conference

Western Conference:
1. Matthew Villalta, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (39) – finished second in 2017-18
2. Joseph Raaymakers, London Knights (22)
3. Luke Richardson, Kitchener Rangers (9) tied –
3. Colton Incze, Windsor Spitfires (9)

Best Shootout Shooter:

Eastern Conference:
1. Matthew Strome, Hamilton Bulldogs (20)
2. Cole Carter, Mississauga Steelheads (15)
3. Justin Brazeau, North Bay Battalion (13)

Western Conference:
1. Morgan Frost, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (24)
2. Isaac Ratcliffe, Guelph Storm (19) – finished first in 2017-18
3. Antonio Stranges, London Knights (17)

Best Shootout Goalie:

Eastern Conference:
1. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Sudbury Wolves (41)
2. Kyle Keyser, Oshawa Generals (19) – finished second in 2017-18
3. Jacob Ingham, Mississauga Steelheads (13)

Western Conference:
1. Ivan Prosvetov, Saginaw Spirit (29)
2. Matthew Villalta, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (21)
3. Jordan Kooy, London Knights (17)

Eastern Conference Playoff Preview

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

 

2019 Playoff Bracket

Ottawa 67’s vs Hamilton Bulldogs: Head To Head Stats
Summary
Description Result
Head to Head Record Ottawa 5-0-0-0 Hamilton 0-4-1-0
Head to Head last season Ottawa 0-5-0-0 Hamilton 5-0-0-0
Last 5 Years Ottawa 18-11-1-0 Hamilton 12-16-2-0
At Ottawa Ottawa 10-4-0-0 Hamilton 4-9-1-0
At Hamilton Ottawa 8-7-1-0 Hamilton 8-7-1-0
This Season Ottawa 5 @ Hamilton 3
Hamilton 1 @ Ottawa 8
Ottawa 4 @ Hamilton 3
Hamilton 3 @ Ottawa 5
Ottawa 4 @ Hamilton 3 OT
How the 2 teams match up
Hamilton Ottawa
Team Record 29-34-3-2 — 63 points 50-12-4-2 — 106 points
Division Ranking 4th East 1st East
Conference Ranking 8th Eastern 1st Eastern
League Ranking 14th 1st
Past 10 Games 2-8-0-0 6-3-1-0
Streak 0-3-0-0 3-0-1-0
Home Record 15-15-2-2 29-3-1-1
Away Record 14-19-1-0 21-9-3-1
GF 241 296
GA 283 183
PP (Overall) (72/286) 25.2% (60/259) 23.2%
PP (Home) (35/145) 24.1% (30/131) 22.9%
PP (Away) (37/141) 26.2% (30/128) 23.4%
PK (Overall) (62/266) 76.7% (62/276) 77.5%
PK (Home) (30/135) 77.8% (22/127) 82.7%
PK (Away) (32/131) 75.6% (40/149) 73.2%
PP vs. Opp. (4/19) 21.1% (5/16) 31.3%
PK vs. Opp. (5/16) 68.8% (4/19) 78.9%
Leading Rookie Morrison (14-20-34) Rossi (29-36-65)
Most PIM Mutter – 96 Clark – 98
Team PIM/GM 10.9/Game 13.1/Game
Leading Scorers Kaliyev (51-51-102) Felhaber (59-50-109)
Strome (28-51-79) Keating (22-67-89)
Landry (6-45-51) Maksimovich (35-46-81)
Henderson (14-33-47) Chiodo (29-50-79)
Morrison (14-20-34) Chmelevski (35-40-75)
Leading After 1st 15-5-1-2 31-0-0-2
Leading After 2nd 22-2-0-2 40-0-2-2
Tied After 1st 11-6-0-0 17-3-2-0
Tied After 2nd 6-4-1-0 7-3-1-0
Trailing After 1st 3-23-2-0 2-9-2-0
Trailing After 2nd 1-28-2-0 3-9-1-0
Out Shooting Opponents 19-17-0-1 32-9-3-1
Out Shot by Opponents 9-14-3-1 13-2-1-1
1-Goal Games 11-6-3-2 12-5-4-2
2-Goal Games 8-10-0-0 10-1-0-0
3-Goal Games 4-6-0-0 13-3-0-0
Niagara IceDogs vs North Bay Battalion: Head To Head Stats
Summary
Description Result
Head to Head Record Niagara 4-1-1-0 North Bay 2-4-0-0
Head to Head last season Niagara 4-1-0-1 North Bay 2-3-1-0
Last 5 Years Niagara 16-9-3-2 North Bay 14-14-2-0
At Niagara Niagara 9-3-2-1 North Bay 6-8-1-0
At North Bay Niagara 7-6-1-1 North Bay 8-6-1-0
This Season Niagara 8 @ North Bay 3
Niagara 6 @ North Bay 4
North Bay 2 @ Niagara 5
Niagara 3 @ North Bay 4
North Bay 4 @ Niagara 3
North Bay 1 @ Niagara 6
How the 2 teams match up
North Bay Niagara
Team Record 30-33-3-2 — 65 points 44-17-7-0 — 95 points
Division Ranking 4th Central 1st Central
Conference Ranking 7th Eastern 2nd Eastern
League Ranking 13th 4th
Past 10 Games 4-6-0-0 8-2-0-0
Streak 0-1-0-0 6-0-0-0
Home Record 17-13-3-1 25-6-3-0
Away Record 13-20-0-1 19-11-4-0
GF 230 326
GA 281 209
PP (Overall) (56/232) 24.1% (85/303) 28.1%
PP (Home) (30/125) 24.0% (50/151) 33.1%
PP (Away) (26/107) 24.3% (35/152) 23.0%
PK (Overall) (64/286) 77.6% (63/276) 77.2%
PK (Home) (31/143) 78.3% (28/131) 78.6%
PK (Away) (33/143) 76.9% (35/145) 75.9%
PP vs. Opp. (4/17) 23.5% (6/27) 22.2%
PK vs. Opp. (6/27) 77.8% (4/17) 76.5%
Leading Rookie Caines (9-12-21) Uberti (2-7-9)
Most PIM Walker – 129 Maksimov – 118
Team PIM/GM 12.0/Game 11.3/Game
Leading Scorers Brazeau (61-52-113) Robertson (48-69-117)
Struthers (31-50-81) Jones (41-61-102)
Chenier (30-35-65) Thomas (38-64-102)
King (8-32-40) Studnicka (36-47-83)
Coe (17-20-37) Maksimov (40-39-79)
Leading After 1st 17-3-2-1 32-2-0-0
Leading After 2nd 20-0-2-1 39-0-1-0
Tied After 1st 6-8-1-0 8-7-1-0
Tied After 2nd 5-6-1-0 4-4-2-0
Trailing After 1st 7-22-0-1 4-8-6-0
Trailing After 2nd 5-27-0-1 1-13-4-0
Out Shooting Opponents 7-7-0-0 35-7-4-0
Out Shot by Opponents 21-26-3-2 8-9-2-0
1-Goal Games 11-6-3-2 10-9-7-0
2-Goal Games 6-4-0-0 5-2-0-0
3-Goal Games 9-8-0-0 10-4-0-0
Oshawa Generals vs Peterborough Petes: Head To Head Stats
Summary
Description Result
Head to Head Oshawa 6-1-1-0 Peterborough 2-5-1-0
Head to Head Last Season Oshawa 6-2-0-0 Peterborough 2-5-0-1
Last 5 Years Oshawa 28-8-3-1 Peterborough 12-22-3-3
At Oshawa Oshawa 15-4-1-0 Peterborough 5-14-0-1
At Peterborough Oshawa 13-4-2-1 Peterborough 7-8-3-2
This Season Peterborough 3 @ Oshawa 6
Oshawa 6 @ Peterborough 3
Peterborough 6 @ Oshawa 12
Oshawa 6 @ Peterborough 5
Oshawa 2 @ Peterborough 3
Peterborough 1 @ Oshawa 4
Oshawa 4 @ Peterborough 1
Peterborough 2 @ Oshawa 1
How the 2 teams match up
Peterborough Oshawa
Team Record 33-31-2-2 — 70 points 44-20-4-0 — 92 points
Division Ranking 3rd East 2nd East
Conference Ranking 6th Eastern 3rd Eastern
League Ranking 11th 6th
Past 10 Games 7-2-1-0 7-2-1-0
Streak 0-1-0-0 3-0-0-0
Home Record 19-11-2-2 21-10-3-0
Away Record 14-20-0-0 23-10-1-0
GF 234 288
GA 256 216
PP (Overall) (49/258) 19.0% (71/290) 24.5%
PP (Home) (28/138) 20.3% (42/152) 27.6%
PP (Away) (21/120) 17.5% (29/138) 21.0%
PK (Overall) (61/274) 77.7% (49/270) 81.9%
PK (Home) (21/124) 83.1% (23/127) 81.9%
PK (Away) (40/150) 73.3% (26/143) 81.8%
PP vs. Opp. (4/27) 14.8% (7/33) 21.2%
PK vs. Opp. (7/33) 78.8% (4/27) 85.2%
Leading Rookie Butler (18-8-26) Tullio (15-27-42)
Most PIM Osmanski – 78 Gross – 81
Team PIM/GM 11.3/Game 11.4/Game
Leading Scorers Merkley (14-57-71) Saigeon (37-55-92)
Robertson (27-28-55) Salinitri (48-40-88)
Timleck (23-30-53) Noel (34-47-81)
Paquette (29-23-52) Neumann (45-34-79)
Chisholm (5-43-48) McShane (34-35-69)
Leading After 1st 15-2-0-0 26-3-2-0
Leading After 2nd 21-2-1-1 32-1-0-0
Tied After 1st 9-14-2-1 12-3-0-0
Tied After 2nd 9-1-0-0 6-2-2-0
Trailing After 1st 9-15-0-1 6-14-2-0
Trailing After 2nd 3-28-1-1 6-17-2-0
Out Shooting Opponents 17-7-0-2 26-9-2-0
Out Shot by Opponents 16-23-2-0 17-9-2-0
1-Goal Games 11-3-2-2 14-4-4-0
2-Goal Games 3-8-0-0 5-5-0-0
3-Goal Games 12-9-0-0 11-7-0-0
Sudbury Wolves vs Mississauga Steelheads: Head To Head Stats
Summary
Description Result
Head to Head Sudbury 4-2-0-0 Mississauga 2-4-0-0
Head to Head Last Season Sudbury 1-5-0-0 Mississauga 5-1-0-0
Last 5 Years Sudbury 9-19-1-1 Mississauga 21-6-0-3
At Sudbury Sudbury 7-7-1-0 Mississauga 8-4-0-3
At Mississauga Sudbury 2-12-0-1 Mississauga 13-2-0-0
This Season Sudbury 2 @ Mississauga 1
Mississauga 0 @ Sudbury 3
Sudbury 1 @ Mississauga 3
Mississauga 0 @ Sudbury 7
Mississauga 2 @ Sudbury 3
Sudbury 3 @ Mississauga 5
How the 2 teams match up
Mississauga Sudbury
Team Record 32-29-5-2 — 71 points 43-20-3-2 — 91 points
Division Ranking 3rd Central 2nd Central
Conference Ranking 5th Eastern 4th Eastern
League Ranking 10th 7th
Past 10 Games 3-7-0-0 7-3-0-0
Streak 1-0-0-0 0-1-0-0
Home Record 21-12-1-0 27-6-1-0
Away Record 11-17-4-2 16-14-2-2
GF 239 254
GA 250 206
PP (Overall) (67/282) 23.8% (38/280) 13.6%
PP (Home) (37/140) 26.4% (16/147) 10.9%
PP (Away) (30/142) 21.1% (22/133) 16.5%
PK (Overall) (49/244) 79.9% (51/305) 83.3%
PK (Home) (30/130) 76.9% (23/162) 85.8%
PK (Away) (19/114) 83.3% (28/143) 80.4%
PP vs. Opp. (6/32) 18.8% (2/25) 8%
PK vs. Opp. (2/25) 92% (6/32) 81.3%
Leading Rookie Hardie (15-7-22) Byfield (29-32-61)
Most PIM Canade – 89 Pilon – 121
Team PIM/GM 10.9/Game 13.7/Game
Leading Scorers Lyszczarczyk (39-43-82) Ruzicka (35-43-78)
Carter (35-33-68) Byfield (29-32-61)
Harley (11-47-58) Bulitka (19-35-54)
Schwindt (19-30-49) Murray (30-20-50)
Washkurak (16-31-47) Carson (17-29-46)
Leading After 1st 16-5-1-2 21-3-1-0
Leading After 2nd 22-2-1-1 31-0-1-0
Tied After 1st 9-8-2-0 14-6-2-0
Tied After 2nd 4-5-2-1 7-1-1-0
Trailing After 1st 7-16-2-0 8-11-0-2
Trailing After 2nd 6-22-2-0 5-19-1-2
Out Shooting Opponents 24-16-3-1 27-8-2-0
Out Shot by Opponents 6-11-1-1 16-12-1-2
1-Goal Games 12-3-5-2 16-0-3-2
2-Goal Games 5-12-0-0 7-6-0-0
3-Goal Games 10-9-0-0 8-9-0-0

Predictions

Ottawa in 5 games

Niagara in 5 games

Oshawa in 5 games

Sudbury in 6 games

Don Mills Flyers are 2019 OHL Cup Powered by Under Armour Champions

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

OHL Cup

Toronto, ON – Shane Wright set up Brennan Othmann with 1:30 left in overtime as the Don Mills Flyers overcame a 4-1 deficit to defeat the Toronto Red Wings 6-5 and capture their first OHL Cup Powered by Under Armour Championship.

Blueliner Brandt Clarke sent Wright and Othmann off to the races on a two-on-one with a high flip through the neutral zone as the former fed the latter who lifted a high shot up and over Red Wings goaltender Josh Rosenzweig.

“It’s amazing. I can’t take credit for it,” said overtime hero Othmann moments before getting a celebratory shower from his teammates. “I have great teammates and Shane made a beautiful pass. I just saw the opening and I buried it.”

It’s more than just another win for the Flyers, a team that lost just once all season. The boys in black and orange celebrated the memory of fallen teammate and former goaltender Roy Pejcinovski who passed away just over a year ago.

“It’s an exciting night obviously. It is sad though, we do miss Roy,” said Flyers head coach Marc Slawson. “We feel like he was here tonight supporting us. We feel like he’s been with us all season and had our back. A big shout out to Vaz and Victoria. We miss them, we love them and Roy will always be a part of this team.”

With an assist on the game winner, exceptional status OHL Priority Selection prospect Shane Wright earned Tim Adams Tournament MVP honours, finishing the game with a goal and two helpers for an overall total of 18 points, one shy of Connor McDavid’s 2012 event record.

“It’s incredible, just to have this moment and to take in what just happened,” said Wright. “Coming back from down 4-1 to win in overtime. It’s a brotherhood in that dressing room. We all came together, stayed calm and focused on what we had to do.”

Sending pucks to the net paid off for the Red Wings early as Justin Ertel (3) snapped a shot past Don Mills’ Anson Thornton from the top of the circle just 1:41 into action.

Toronto blueliner Owen Simpson put the Wings up 2-0 at 7:30 before Othmann did laymen’s work down low to set up Wright and give the Flyers some life with 4:06 left in the period.

The Red Wings reinstated the two-goal lead before the first expired though as a Francesco Pinelli (7) power play one-timer spelled an end to Thornton’s night at 13:16 as Sergei Litvinov took over in the Don Mills crease.

Don Mills’ play improved after Toronto defenceman Chandler Romeo (1) followed up his own rebound to put the Wings up 4-1 inside the opening minute of the second.

Francesco Arcuri found a streaking Edward Moskowitz (5) coming down the middle at 3:55 to cut the lead to two before the high-scoring Othmann (7) finished off a nice play between Arcuri and defenceman Paul Christopoulos entering the zone at the midway point of the frame.

With the Red Wings up 4-3, the second period came to an exciting end after Rosenzweig denied Don Mills’ Brandt Clarke of a sure goal on the doorstep before Toronto’s Noah Filice hit iron inside the final two minutes of action.

Liam Arnsby (1) knotted the score at four with a tip in the high slot 1:25 into the third period but Red Wings underage sniper Adam Fantilli (5) neutralized that momentum with a shot from down the left wing to put Toronto back in front 5-4.

The Flyers drew even again with 4:05 to go as Arnsby took out his man in the corner, allowing Edward Moskowitz to come up with the puck and find a waiting Alex Christopoulos (6) who ripped a high shot over the shoulder of Rosenzweig.

The OHL Cup Powered by Under Armour Final went to overtime for the third time in the past five years as Wright fed Othmann in a thrilling finish.

Don Mills outshot Toronto 30-27 while the Red Wings went 2-for-2 on the power play.

The Toronto Red Wings end their showcase with a 5-2-0 record, outscoring opponents 29-18. They were led in scoring by captain Francesco Pinelli (7-7–14) while Luca Del Bel Belluz (6-2–8), Ryan Gillespie (0-8–8) and Adam Fantilli (5-2–7) also frequented the scoresheet. Goaltender Josh Rosenzweig played all seven of the team’s games, finishing with a 2.44 goals-against average and an .883 save percentage.

The Flyers played to a perfect 7-0-0 record, becoming the first champion to do so since the 2012 Mississauga Rebels. They tied the 2008 Toronto Jr. Canadiens’ event record 41 goals for while surrendering just 10. Wright (8-10–18) led the way offensively followed by Othmann (8-6–14) and Francesco Arcuri (4-9–13). Goaltenders Thornton and Litvinov finished with sub-1.60 goals-against averages and save percentages of .909 and .910 respectively.

The OHL Cup was presented to Flyers captain Ethan Mistry by Hockey Night in Canada Stars and minor hockey advocates Don Cherry and Ron MacLean along with GTHL President Don West and OHL Commissioner David Branch. The game was broadcast live on Sportsnet Ontario.

The showcase provides fans and scouts one last opportunity to see many of the top minor midget aged players from across Ontario and parts of the United States compete for the OHL Cup performing against the best competition prior to the 2019 OHL Priority Selection.

STATS | HIGHLIGHTS

For more information, please visit ohlcup.ca.