OHL Announces Academic Players of the Month for November

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the OHL Academic Players of the Month for November 2018, including goaltender Will Cranley of the Ottawa 67’s, defencemen Peter Stratis of the Sudbury Wolves and Gerard Keane of the London Knights, and forward Cole MacKay of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.


East Division: Ottawa 67’s rookie netminder Will Cranley is the OHL East Division Academic Player of the Month for November. The 16-year-old from Peterborough, Ont. holds an 88% average in Grade 11 university level courses at Blyth Academy in Ottawa. Cranley is currently studying Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics. “Will is viewed by his teachers as a dedicated student who is able to balance the demands of hockey and education with his perseverance, respectful behaviour and positive outlook,” said 67’s academic advisor Eileen Duffin. Cranley currently leads the league in minutes played by a 16-year-old goaltender. He’s played to a 3-1-2-0 record with a 3.32 goals-against average and .883 save percentage over seven games. Cranley recently represented Team Canada Red at the 2018 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. He was Ottawa’s second round pick this past spring from the Peterborough Petes Minor Midgets.


Central Division: Sudbury Wolves defenceman Peter Stratis is the OHL Central Division Academic Player of the Month for November. The 18-year-old from Scarborough, Ont. holds an 80% average in Psychology and Exercise Science courses at Laurentian University. The former first round OHL Priority Selection choice has seven points (3-4–7) over 27 games in his third OHL season. Stratis was acquired by the Wolves from the Ottawa 67’s last season. He is a graduate of the Mississauga Rebels Minor Midget program.


Midwest Division: London Knights rookie defenceman Gerard Keane is the OHL Midwest Division Academic Player of the Month for November. The 16-year-old from Homer Glen, Ill. is excelling in his Grade 11 studies at Blyth Academy in London. “Gerard has found a great balance between playing elite level hockey and maintaining excellent grades,” said Knights academic advisor Annemarie Pedersen. “He is frequently done his in class work in advance and is given additional work to practice on. He has been a positive influence in the classroom.” London’s third round pick this past spring, Keane has one goal over 12 games this season.


West Division: Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds sophomore forward Cole MacKay is the OHL West Division Academic Player of the Month for November. The 17-year-old Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. product carries an average above 90% in Grade 12 studies at St. Mary’s College. “Cole has successfully balanced a difficult academic schedule with the rigors of OHL hockey,” said Greyhounds academic advisor Jerry Bumbacco. “He is extremely well liked by his teachers as well as his peers.” Studying Mathematics, English and Sciences in the classroom, MacKay has also excelled on the ice, recording 28 points (10-18–28) over 29 games this season. He was Sault Ste. Marie’s fifth round pick in 2017 from the Kitchener Rangers Minor Midgets.

2018-19 OHL Academic Players of the Month:


East Division:
November – Will Cranley (Ottawa 67’s)
October – Nick Wong (Oshawa Generals)

Central Division:
November – Peter Stratis (Sudbury Wolves)
October – Jonah De Simone (Niagara IceDogs)


Midwest Division:
November – Gerard Keane (London Knights)
October – Isaac Langdon (Kitchener Rangers)


West Division:
November – Cole MacKay (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
October – Colton Kammerer (Sarnia Sting)

Last season, the OHL Centrally Administered Scholarship Program facilitated scholarships for 321 OHL Alumni at 66 different academic institutions across North America with a total scholarship payment in excess of $3.2 million. Since the 2007-08 season, OHL Scholarship payments have totaled more than $22 million.

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

CHL Announces Weekly Award Winners

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

MacLeod and Luukkonen top weekly performers

Voltigeurs’ Gregor MacLeod named CHL Player of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that overage forward Gregor MacLeod of the Drummondville Voltigeurs is the CHL Player of the Week for the regular season week ending December 2 recording nine points in two games including four goals and five assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-6.

MacLeod produced a pair of multi-point performances last week helping the Voltigeurs remain one of the hottest teams in the country extending their winning-streak to six.  On Friday night he scored a career-high five points with one goal and four assists as first star of a 7-3 win over the Gatineau Olympiques, then scored a hat-trick plus an assist on Sunday afternoon as second star of a 10-3 win against the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada.  MacLeod now has points in seven-straight games while the Voltigeurs have climbed to third place in the QMJHL’s overall standings with a 20-6-1-1 record.

A 20-year-old from Dartmouth, NS, MacLeod is playing in his third QMJHL season and first with the Voltigeurs after beginning his career with the Charlottetown Islanders and finishing last season with the Quebec Remparts.  He’s currently tied for ninth in league scoring and second on his team with 38 points in 25 games which includes 17 goals and 21 assists.  He’s on pace to surpass his offensive production of a year ago where he scored 19 goals and 26 assists for 45 points in 54 games.

Also considered for the award this week was Vegas Golden Knights prospect Cody Glass of the Portland Winterhawks who scored twice with six assists for eight points in two games, and Dallas Stars prospect Jason Robertson of the Niagara IceDogs with three goals and seven assists for 10 points in three games.

2018-19 CHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:

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)

Wolves’ Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Buffalo Sabres prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen of the Sudbury Wolves is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the regular season week ending December 2 posting a 2-0-0-0 record including a shutout victory for a goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .960.

Luukkonen turned aside 48 of the 50 shots he faced last week helping the Wolves extend their winning-streak to four games to keep pace atop a crowded OHL Central Division.  He made 20 saves on Friday night as part of a 3-2 win against the Peterborough Petes, then recorded his second shutout of the season on Sunday afternoon against the Mississauga Steelheads with a 28-save performance that earned him first star honours in the 7-0 victory.  The Wolves now carry a 17-8-1-1 record and are tied for first in the division with the Niagara IceDogs.

A 19-year-old from Espoo, Finland, Luukkonen was chosen third overall by the Wolves in the 2018 CHL Import Draft becoming the first goaltender selected in the process since 2013.  So far this season he carries a 15-5-1-1 record with a goals-against-average of 2.50 and save percentage of .922 which are both among the league’s leaders.  Luukkonen was a second round pick by the Sabres in the 2017 NHL Draft and was recently invited to Finland’s Selection Camp for the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Also considered for the award this week was QMJHL rookie William Grimard of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles who also went 2-0-0-0 winning one game by shutout while stopping a total of 34 shots for a goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .944.  In the WHL, Vegas Golden Knights prospect Jiri Patera of the Brandon Wheat Kings posted a 2-0-0-0 record stopping 62 total shots for a goals-against-average of 1.50 and save percentage of .954.

2018-19 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:

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: Émile 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)

OHL Announces Top Performers of the Month for November

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 November 2018, including Niagara IceDogs forward Jason Robertson, Ottawa 67’s defenceman Noel Hoefenmayer, 67’s rookie Marco Rossi and London Knights goaltender Joseph Raaymakers.

OHL Player of the Month – Jason Robertson (Niagara IceDogs):
Niagara IceDogs forward Jason Robertson is the OHL Player of the Month for November after leading all players with 30 points including 12 goals and 18 assists along with a plus/minus rating of plus-9 over 12 games. The Dallas Stars prospect split the month between the Kingston Frontenacs and Niagara IceDogs, recording points in all 12 of his November contests. He registered a pair of hat-tricks while recording four points on four different occasions, being named first star of the game four times, second star twice and third star once. Robertson’s first hat-trick came on Nov. 7th in a four-point showing with Kingston as they fell 6-4 to the Ottawa 67’s. He scored another hat-trick and four points on Nov. 11th, defeating the Oshawa Generals 5-1. Robertson picked up four assists in his final game as a Frontenac on Nov. 18th, defeating the Hamilton Bulldogs 5-3. He wrapped up the month of November with back-to-back four-point efforts with the IceDogs, recording a goal and three assists in wins on Nov. 29th and Nov. 30th. In his four November games with Niagara, Robertson had three goals, nine assists and 12 points.

A 19-year-old native of Northville, Mich., Robertson sits second in OHL scoring with 52 points including 27 goals and 25 assists over 29 games this season. His 10 power play goals and 22 power play points also lead the league while his 152 shots on goal are second-most. After four years in Kingston, Robertson finished with 124 career goals, the fourth-most by any player to wear a Frontenacs uniform.

OHL Defenceman of the Month – Noel Hoefenmayer (Ottawa 67’s):
Ottawa 67’s blueliner Noel Hoefenmayer is the OHL Defenceman of the Month for November. The Arizona Coyotes prospect recorded 16 points including three goals and 13 assists along with a plus/minus rating of plus-9 over 12 November contests. Hoefenmayer had five different multi-point performances headlined by a four-point showing against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds on Nov. 16th. Hoefenmayer had two goals and two assists in that game, including one that served as the OHL’s representative in the weekly CIBC Showdown. He finished the month with points in three straight games, wrapping things up with a goal and two assists in a 6-2 win over Kingston on Nov. 28th.

A 19-year-old from North York, Ont., Hoefenmayer has 25 points including five goals and 20 assists along with a plus/minus rating of plus-14 over 29 games this season. The 6-foot-1, 204Ib. defender is currently in his fourth OHL season and picked up his 100th career point this past month. He was Arizona’s fourth round pick in 2017 and was originally a second round pick of the 67’s in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection from the Don Mills Flyers Minor Midgets.

OHL Rookie of the Month – Marco Rossi (Ottawa 67’s):
For the second straight month, Ottawa 67’s forward Marco Rossi is the OHL Rookie of the Month. The first-year centreman had nine points including four goals and five assists over seven games before suffering an elbow injury on Nov. 15th that will sideline him into the new year. Rossi had points in five of his seven outings, stringing together a five game point streak. He had a goal and an assist in an 8-2 road win over the Saginaw Spirit on Nov. 4th, a goal and two helpers in a 6-4 victory over the Kingston Frontenacs on Nov. 7th and a pair of goals in a 4-3 loss to the Oshawa Generals on Nov. 9th to headline the month’s action.

A 17-year-old, 2020 NHL Draft eligible native of Feldkirch, Austria, Rossi continues to lead OHL rookies in scoring with 13 goals, 14 assists and 27 points despite missing the past two weeks to injury. His plus-23 rating is among the best in the league while he’s also won 55.4% of his faceoffs this season. The 5-foot-9, 174Ib. centre was the 18th overall pick of the 2018 CHL Import Draft.

 

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OHL Goaltender of the Month – Joseph Raaymakers (London Knights):
Overage London Knights goaltender Joseph Raaymakers is the OHL Goaltender of the Month for November, playing to a perfect 8-0-0-0 record with a 1.99 goals-against average, .936 save percentage and one shutout. Raaymakers’ month was headlined by a pair of first star performances including a 30-save shutout in a 3-0 road win over the Kitchener Rangers on Nov. 4th. He followed up that showing with a 25-save effort in a 2-1 win over the Sudbury Wolves on Nov. 9th. Raaymakers turned aside 41 shots in a 6-3 win over the Erie Otters on Nov. 18th and closed out the month with 34 saves in an 8-1 win over the same Otters on Nov. 30th.

A 20-year-old native of Chatham, Ont., fifth-year veteran Raaymakers has helped backstop the Knights to a current 14-game winning streak, most recently earning his 90th career victory. Through 16 games he holds a 11-3-2-0 record with a 2.55 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage, earning his seventh career shutout in the process. Raaymakers attended training camp with the Columbus Blue Jackets this past September, seeing NHL pre-season action.

2018-19 OHL Performers of the Month:

Player of the Month:
November – Jason Robertson (Niagara IceDogs)
October – Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)

Defenceman of the Month:
November – Noel Hoefenmayer (Ottawa 67’s)
October – Mac Hollowell (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

Rookie of the Month:
November – Marco Rossi (Ottawa 67’s)
October – Marco Rossi (Ottawa 67’s)

Vaughn Goaltender of the Month:
November – Joseph Raaymakers (London Knights)
October – Cedrick Andree (Ottawa 67’s)

IceDogs’ Jason Robertson 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 Jason Robertson of the Niagara IceDogs is the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week for the regular season week ending December 2 after leading the league with 10 points in three games including three goals and seven assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-7.

Robertson produced a trio of multi-point performances for the IceDogs across three victories last week extending his personal point-streak to 13 which is tied for the league-high so far this season.  On Thursday night he scored his league-leading 10th power play goal of the season and added three assists as second star of a 6-1 win against the Owen Sound Attack, then contributed another four-point effort on Friday night with a goal and three assists as first star of a 7-2 road win over the Kitchener Rangers.  His week wrapped up with a goal and an assist on Sunday collecting third star honours in a 5-1 road win against the Hamilton Bulldogs.  The three-game winning-streak has helped the IceDogs keep pace in the Central Division standings where they remain tied for first place with the Sudbury Wolves holding a 16-7-4-0 record.

This marks the second weekly award of the season for the 19-year-old from Northville, Michigan, who was previously recognized in early November as a member of the Kingston Frontenacs.  It’s also the third time a member of the IceDogs has been honoured this season following forward Akil Thomas and goaltender Stephen Dhillon.  In five games since joining the IceDogs, Robertson has scored four goals and 10 assists bringing his season totals to 27 goals and 25 assists for 52 points in 29 games which ranks second overall among league leaders.  During his four-year OHL tenure, which began as a fourth round pick by Kingston in the 2015 Priority Selection, he’s amassed 128 goals and 124 assists for 252 points in 219 games.  Robertson was chosen by the Stars in the second round of the 2017 NHL Draft.

Watch video highlights of Robertson and the IceDogs against the Attack, Rangers, and Bulldogs.

Also considered for the award this week were a pair of Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds including Morgan Frost and Keeghan Howdeshell.  Frost, who won the award last week, scored three goals and six assists for nine points in three games to hold onto the league’s scoring lead, while Howdeshell scored seven goals and one assist for eight points in three games powered by back-to-back hat-tricks during the club’s Michigan road trip.  In goal, Buffalo Sabres prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen of the Sudbury Wolves stopped 48 of the 50 shots he faced in two victories including one by shutout for an overall goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .960.

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

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)

OHL’s Draft Eligible Statistical Leaders as of November

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

It was supposed to be a two-horse race between Ryan Suzuki of the Barrie Colts and Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs, two OHL’ers expected to go in the first round of the 2019 National Hockey League Draft in June from Vancouver, British Columbia.

It’s still early, just passing the one-third mark of the season, so there is still a lot of hockey remaining to be played, but Kaliyev has put a little distance between himself and Suzuki – for the moment. But the gap between the points leader – Kaliyev (40 points in 26 games) and Suzuki (32 points in 24 games) is greater then the gap between Suzuki and third place Cole MacKay of the Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds (27 points in 27 games).

Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

It’s also no surprise that Kaliyev, the best pure scorer in the draft class, leads in goals with 21. What may surprise some people is that Connor McMichael of the London Knights is just 4 behind the goal scoring leader. There’s a drop off to the third-place skater, Philip Tomasino of the Niagara IceDogs with 11 goals.

Among defencemen, Thomas Harley of the Mississauga Steelheads and Billy Constantinou of the Kingston Frontenacs continue to be offensive sparkplugs. Harley leads defender with 22 points in 27 games while Constantinou comes in second with 19 points in 26 games. They are trailed by four defencemen with 12 points.

In the crease, Hunter Jones of the Peterborough Petes leads netminders in goals-against-average, save percentage, games played, minutes played, wins and tied with Mack Guzda of the Owen Sound Attack in shutouts.

Here are the statistical leaders in a variety of categories. Always refer to the OHL website for official stats.

Points Leaders
Player Team GP G A Pts
Arthur Kaliyev Hamilton Bulldogs 26 21 19 40
Ryan Suzuki Barrie Colts 24 8 24 32
Cole MacKay Soo Greyhounds 27 10 17 27
Connor McMichael London Knights 25 17 9 26
Philip Tomasino Niagara Ice Dogs 26 11 13 24
Thomas Harley Mississauga Steelheads 27 4 18 22
Eric Uba Flint Firebirds 27 11 10 21
Kyen Sopa Niagara Ice Dogs 26 11 8 19
Danil Antropov Oshawa Generals 26 7 12 19
Billy Constantinou Kingston Frontenacs 26 5 14 19
Goal Scoring Leaders
Player Team GP G GPG
Arthur Kaliyev Hamilton Bulldogs 26 21 0.81
Connor McMichael London Knights 25 17 0.68
Philip Tomasino Niagara Ice Dogs 26 11 0.42
Eric Uba Flint Firebirds 27 11 0.41
Kyen Sopa Niagara Ice Dogs 26 11 0.42
Cole MacKay Soo Greyhounds 27 10 0.37
Nicholas Porco Saginaw Spirit 26 10 0.38
Graeme Clarke Ottawa 67’s 22 10 0.45
Petr Cajka Erie Otters 27 9 0.33
Daniel D’Amico Windsor Spitfires 26 9 0.35
Assist Leaders
Player Team GP A APG
Ryan Suzuki Barrie Colts 24 24 1.00
Arthur Kaliyev Hamilton Bulldogs 26 19 0.73
Thomas Harley Mississauga Steelheads 27 18 0.67
Cole MacKay Soo Greyhounds 27 17 0.63
Billy Constantinou Kingston Frontenacs 26 14 0.54
Philip Tomasino Niagara Ice Dogs 26 13 0.50
Keean Washkurak Mississauga Steelheads 25 12 0.48
Danil Antropov Oshawa Generals 26 12 0.46
Matvey Guskov London Knights 25 11 0.44
Mason Millman Saginaw Spirit 26 11 0.42
Defencemen Point Leaders
Player Team GP G A Pts
Thomas Harley Mississauga Steelheads 27 4 18 22
Billy Constantinou Kingston Frontenacs 26 5 14 19
Mason Millman Saginaw Spirit 26 1 11 12
Simon Rose North Bay Battalion 26 1 11 12
Jack York Kitchener Rangers 26 1 11 12
Nathan Staios Windsor Spitfires 27 1 11 12
Grayson Ladd Windsor Spitfires 26 2 9 11
Liam Ross Sudbury Wolves 26 3 7 10
Plus/Minus Leaders
Player Team GP +/-
Lucas Peric Ottawa 67’s 28 +16
Ashton Reesor Sarnia Sting 26 +14
Louka Henault Windsor Spitfires 25 +8
Grayson Ladd Windsor Spitfires 26 +8
Mathew Hill Barrie Colts 23 +6
Nathan Allensen Barrie Colts 25 +6
Jacob LeGuerrier Soo Greyhounds 27 +6
Nikita Okhotyuk Ottawa 67’s 17 +4
Mason Howard Niagara Ice Dogs 20 +4
Billy Constantinou Kingston Frontenacs 26 +4
Penalty Minutes Leaders
Player Team GP PIM M/G
Brendan Kischnick Erie Otters 17 27 1.59
Nathan Allensen Barrie Colts 25 27 1.08
Michael Vukojevic Kitchener Rangers 27 27 1.00
Jacob LeGuerrier Soo Greyhounds 27 26 0.96
Matthew Hill Barrie Colts 23 23 1.00
Evan Brand Kingston Frontenacs 27 20 0.74
Billy Constantinou Kingston Frontenacs 26 18 0.69
Faceoff Leaders  (minimum 90 faceoffs)
Player Team GP FOA FOW %
Tye Kartye Soo Greyhounds 23 151 85 56.3
Connor McMichael London Knights 25 252 139 55.2
Camaryn Baber Saginaw Spirit 17 114 61 53.5
Philip Tomasino Niagara Ice Dogs 26 228 119 52.2
Tim Fleischer Hamilton Bulldogs 26 178 90 50.6
Keean Washkurak Mississauga Steelheads 25 328 165 50.3
Blake Murray Sudbury Wolves 25 292 147 50.3
Longest Goal Scoring Streak
Player Team From To Gms Goals
Arthur Kaliyev Hamilton Bulldogs 10/13 10/19 4 7
Arthur Kaliyev Hamilton Bulldogs 9/21 9/30 4 6
Nicholas Porco Saginaw Spirit 10/5 10/13 4 4
Tag Bertuzzi Guelph Storm 10/5 10/13 4 4
Kyen Sopa Niagara Ice Dogs 10/4 10/13 4 4
Longest Assist Streak
Player Team From To Gms Assts
Philip Tomasino Niagara Ice Dogs 11/9 11/17 4 4
Arthur Kaliyev Hamilton Bulldogs 9/21 9/30 3 4
Ryan Suzuki Barrie Colts 9/20 9/27 3 7
Keean Washkurak Mississauga Steelheads 9/23 9/30 3 5
Danil Antropov Oshawa Generals 9/27 9/30 3 3
Longest Point Streak
Player Team From To Gms Pts
Ryan Suzuki Barrie Colts 9/20 10/7 7 15
Arthur Kaliyev Hamilton Bulldogs 10/13 10/20 7 11
Philip Tomasino Niagara Ice Dogs 11/2 11/23 7 11
Nicholas Porco Saginaw Spirit 11/3 11/14 6 6
Danil Antropov Oshawa Generals 9/27 10/6 5 7
Shots On Goal Leaders
Player Team GP SOG
Arthur Kaliyev Hamilton Bulldogs 26 113
Connor McMichael London Knights 25 81
Philip Tomasino Niagara Ice Dogs 26 72
Petr Cajka Erie Otters 27 68
Eric Uba Flint Firebirds 27 66
Goals Against Average (minimum 612 minutes)
Player Team GP Min GA Avg
Hunter Jones Peterborough Petes 26 1425 63 2.65
Zachary Roy Hamilton Bulldogs 14 825 42 3.05
Mack Guzda Owen Sound Attack 22 1221 68 3.34
Ethan Langevin Sarnia Sting 16 851 50 3.53
Luke Cavallin Flint Firebirds 17 759 71 5.61
Save Percentage Minimum 612 minutes)
Player Team GP SH  SVS SV%
Hunter Jones Peterborough Petes 26 822 759 0.923
Zachary Roy Hamilton Bulldogs 14 426 384 0.901
Mack Guzda Owen Sound Attack 22 585 517 0.884
Ethan Langevin Sarnia Sting 16 403 353 0.876
Luke Cavallin Flint Firebirds 17 487 416 0.854
Goaltending Leaders – Wins
Player Team GP W L OL
Hunter Jones Peterborough Petes 26 15 11 0
Mack Guzda Owen Sound Attack 22 10 8 2
Zachary Roy Hamilton Bulldogs 14 7 7 0
Ethan Langevin Sarnia Sting 16 6 7 1
Ryan Dugas Kingston Frontenacs 12 5 3 1
Goaltending Leaders – Shutouts
Player Team GP SO
Mack Guzda Owen Sound Attack 22 2
Hunter Jones Peterborough Petes 26 2
Kari Piiroinen Windsor Spitfires 9 1
Ryan Dugas Kingston Frontenacs 12 1

OHL Writer’s Draft Eligible Player of the Month for November

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

It’s now December, most folk’s favorite month of the year. The holidays are fast approaching, the World Junior Championships are around the corner, and the Ontario Hockey League season is past the one-third point.

But before we look forward, let’s look back at the month of November and our pick for the draft eligible player of the month.

Each month, we select one player eligible for the National Hockey League Draft for the first time he stood out just a little bit more then the rest of the draft class. And for November, our choice is Philip Tomasino of the Niagara IceDogs.

Philip Tomasino of the Niagara IceDogs. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Philip Tomasino of the Niagara IceDogs. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Tomasino appeared in eleven games for the IceDogs and recorded 9 goals to go along with 8 helpers and a plus-11. He was held off the scoreboard in just two contests and had five multi-point games.

Tomasino was named the game’s first star on two occasions and second star in another. He had tw0 game-winning goals and assisted on another while also scoring two insurance goals. On the season, Tomasino has appeared in 26 games and has contributed 11 goals and 13 helpers while also being very good defensively with a plus-17 to show for it.

Also considered were Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs and Thomas Harley of the Mississauga Steelheads. Kaliyev posted 7 goals and 9 assists in 11 games while Mississauga’s smooth skating defenceman posted a goal and 10 assists in 13 games. In goal, Peterborough Petes netminder Hunter Jones appeared in 11 games with a 6-5-0 record and a .908 save percentage.

Past Draft Eligible Player of the Month

Philip Tomasino – Niagara IceDogs – November

Hunter Jones – Peterborough Petes – October

CHL Announces Weekly Award Winners / La LCH dévoile les gagnants de ses prix hebdomadaires

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Leason and Jessiman earn national honours

Raiders’ Brett Leason named CHL Player of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that top scorer Brett Leason of the Prince Albert Raiders is the CHL Player of the Week for the regular season week ending November 25 scoring six goals and four assists for 10 points in three games with a plus-minus rating of plus-8.

Leason produced a trio of multi-point performances and earned first star honours in all three victories last week for the Raiders who extended their winning-streak to a franchise record 16 games.  On Tuesday he scored his first career hat-trick as part of a 5-1 win over the Lethbridge Hurricanes improving the Raiders undefeated home record to 13-0-0-0.  His week continued Friday with two goals including a shorthanded game-winner while adding two assists in a 7-3 road win against the Medicine Hat Tigers, then wrapped up Saturday with a goal and two assists in a 5-1 road victory against the Kootenay ICE.  The Raiders remain the CHL’s top ranked team with a 23-1-0-0 record.

A 19-year-old from Calgary, Alta., Leason is enjoying a breakout season atop the CHL scoring ranks with 54 points in 24 games powered by 25 goals and 29 assists.  He also carries a plus-40 rating which leads all CHL skaters.  These figures have already shattered his previous bests of 16 goals and 33 points collected across 66 games between the Raiders and Tri-City Americans last season.  Leason was originally chosen by the Americans in the third round of the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft and was recently recognized by NHL Central Scouting with a ‘C’ rating for the 2019 NHL Draft.

Also considered for the award this week was Detroit Red Wings prospect Joseph Veleno of the Drummondville Voltigeurs who scored five goals and five assists for 10 points in three games, and Philadelphia Flyers prospect Morgan Frost of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds who scored twice with seven assists for nine points in three games.

2018-19 CHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:

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)

Drakkar’s Kyle Jessiman named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Kyle Jessiman of the Baie-Comeau Drakkar is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the regular season week ending November 25 after posting a 2-0-0-0 record with a goals-against-average of 0.96 and save percentage of .972.

Jessiman stopped 69 shots last week in a pair of road wins that helped the Drakkar improve their record to 19-6-1-1 to stand tied for second place in the QMJHL’s overall standings.  His 33 saves on Saturday earned him second star honours and preserved a 2-1 victory against the Halifax Mooseheads.  Jessiman would earn second star honours again on Sunday in another 2-1 triumph, this time in a shootout, stopping 36 shots plus three shootout attempts to defeat the Charlottetown Islanders.

A 19-year-old from Châteauguay, QC, Jessiman is playing in his fourth season but first with the Drakkar after three campaigns with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles who chose him in the second round of the 2015 QMJHL Entry Draft.  So far this season he carries an 11-4-0-0 record with a goals-against-average of 2.80 and save percentage of .908.

Also considered for the award this week were a pair of 2019 NHL Draft prospects including Hunter Jones of the Peterborough Petes who posted a 2-0-0-0 record including one shutout victory making a total of 68 saves for a goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .971, and Dustin Wolf of the Everett Silvertips who went 3-0-0-0 with a shutout victory stopping 73 shots for a goals-against-average of 1.33 and save percentage of .948.

2018-19 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:

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: Émile 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)

CHL Leagues

La LCH dévoile les gagnants de ses prix hebdomadaires 

Les honneurs nationaux pour Leason et Jessiman
Brett Leason des Raiders est le joueur de la semaine dans la LCH 

Toronto (Ontario) – La Ligue canadienne de hockey a annoncé aujourd’hui que le meilleur marqueur de la Ligue de l’Ouest cette saison, Brett Leason des Raiders de Prince Albert est le Joueur de la semaine pour la semaine de saison régulière qui a pris fin le 25 novembre après avoir amassé six buts et quatre passes pour 10 points en trois matchs avec un différentiel de plus-8.

Leason a disputé trois matchs de plus d’un point et il a été élu la première étoile au terme de ces trois rencontres chez les Raiders, qui ont prolongé leur série de succès à 16 victoires consécutives, pour établir un record de club. Mardi, il a réussi son premier tour du chapeau en carrière dans un gain de 5-1 sur les Hurricanes de Lethbridge, portant la fiche invaincu des Raiders à domicile à 13-0-0-0. IL a poursuivi sur sa lancée vendredi avec un but gagnant en désavantage numérique en plus d’amasser deux passes dans un gain de 7-3 chez les Tigers à Medicine Hat, puis il a conclu samedi avec un but et deux passes dans un gain de 5-1 sur le ICE à Kootenay. Les Raiders demeurent la meilleure équipe de la LCH cette saison avec une fiche de 23-1-0-0.

Joueur de 19 ans originaire de Calgary en Alberta, Leason profite d’une saison de percée et il occupe le premier rang des marqueurs de la LCH avec 54 points en 24 rencontres grâces à une production de 25 buts et 29 passes. Il affiche aussi un différentiel de plus-40, en tête de tous les patineurs de la LCH. Ces statistiques lui permettent déjà d’améliorer ses marques personnelles de 16 buts et 33 points en 66 rencontres chez les Raiders et les Americans de Tri-City la saison dernière. Leason a été un choix de troisième ronde des Americans au Repêchage bantam de la Ligue de l’Ouest en 2014 et il a récemment reçu la Cote ‘C’ parmi les joueurs à surveiller pour le Repêchage de la LNH en 2019 par la Centrale de dépistage de la LNH.

Les autres joueurs pris en compte pour le titre hebdomadaire cette semaine étaient l’espoir des Red Wings de Detroit Joseph Veleno des Voltigeurs de Drummondville et l’espoir des Flyers de Philadelphie Morgan Frost des Greyhounds de Sault Ste. Marie. Veleno a marqué cinq buts et cinq passes pour 10 points en trois matchs, tandis que Frost a amassé deux buts et sept passes pour neuf points en trois rencontres.

Joueurs de la semaine dans la LCH – Saison régulière 2018-2019
19 au 25 novembre : Brett Leason (Raiders de Prince Albert)
12 au 18 novembre : Peter Abbandonato (Huskies de Rouyn-Noranda)
5 au 11 novembre : Jason Robertson (Frontenacs de Kingston)
29 octobre au 4 novembre : Joachim Blichfeld (Winterhawks de Portland)
22 au 28 octobre : Ivan Chekhovich (Drakkar de Baie-Comeau
15 au 21 octobre : Justin Brazeau (Battalion de North Bay)
8 au 14 octobre : Damien Giroux (Spirit de Saginaw)
1er au 7 octobre : Dawson Davidson (Blades de Saskatoon)
24 au 30 septembre : Luka Burzan (Wheat Kings de Brandon)
19 au 23 septembre : Kirby Dach (Blades de Saskatoon)

Kyle Jessiman du Drakkar est le gardien Vaughn de la semaine dans la LCH 

Toronto (Ontario) – La Ligue canadienne de hockey a annoncé aujourd’hui que Kyle Jessiman du Drakkar de Baie-Comeau est le gardien de la semaine Vaughn dans la LCH pour la semaine du calendrier régulier qui a pris fin le 25 novembre. Au cours de cette période, il a affiché un bilan de 2-0-0-0 avec une moyenne de buts alloués de 0,96 et un pourcentage d’arrêt de .972.

Jessiman a repoussé 69 tirs la semaine dernière dans une paire de victoires sur la route pour aider le Drakkar à porter sa fiche à 19-6-1-1, à égalité au deuxième rang du classement général de la LHJMQ. Ses 33 arrêts samedi lui ont valu la deuxième étoile et ont conduit à un gain de 2-1 sur les Mooseheads de Halifax. Jessiman a de nouveau été choisi la deuxième étoile dimanche dans une autre victoire de 2-1, cette fois en fusillade, au terme d’une prestation de 36 arrêts et de trois tirs de fusillade pour vaincre les Isladners de Charlottetown.

Joueur de 19 ans originaire Châteauguay au Québec, Jessiman dispute sa quatrième saison dans le circuit, mais sa première avec le Drakkar après trois campagnes chez les Screaming Eagles du Cap-Breton qui ont fait de lui un choix de deuxième ronde au Repêchage de la LHJMQ en 2015. Jusqu’à présent cette saison, il affiche un bilan de 11-4-0-0 avec une moyenne de buts alloués de 2,80 et un pourcentage d’arrêts de .908.

Les autres joueurs pris en compte pour le prix hebdomadaire cette semaine étaient deux espoirs de sélection de la LNH en 2019, soit Hunter Jones des Petes de Peterborough et Dustin Wolf des Silvertips d’Everett. Jones a affiché un bilan de 2-0-0-0 avec une victoire par jeu blanc, 68 arrêts, une moyenne de buts alloués de 1,00 et un pourcentage d’arrêt de .971, tandis que Wolf a présenté une fiche de 3-0-0-0 avec une victoire par jeu blanc, 73 arrêts, une moyenne de buts alloués de 1,33 et un pourcentage d’arrêt de .948.

Gardien de but de la semaine Vaughn dans la LCH – Saison régulière 2018-2019
19 au 25 novembre : Kyle Jessiman (Drakkar de Baie-Comeau)
12 au 18 novembre : Ian Scott (Raiders de Prince Albert)
5 au 11 novembre : Michael DiPietro (Spitfires de Windsor)
29 octobre au 4 novembre : Joseph Raaymakers (Knights de London)
22 au 28 octobre : Stephen Dhillon (IceDogs de Niagara)
15 au 21 octobre : Émile Samson (Armada de Blainville-Boisbriand)
8 au 14 octobre : Alexis Gravel (Mooseheads de Halifax)
1er au 7 octobre : Trent Miner (Giants de Vancouver)
24 au 30 septembre : Luke Richardson (Rangers de Kitchener)
19 au 23 septembre : Hunter Jones (Petes de Peterborough)

OHL Cup Powered by Under Armour Minor Midget Top-10 Ranking

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

OHL Cup

Greyhounds’ Morgan Frost named OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Philadelphia Flyers prospect Morgan Frost of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds is the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week for the regular season week ending November 25 after scoring twice with seven assists for nine points in three games with a plus-minus rating of plus-5.

Frost put together a pair of multi-point performances that helped the Greyhounds earn five of a possible six points last week to extend their lead atop the West Division standings.  On Wednesday night he scored once and added two assists including a shorthanded set-up on Zack Trott’s Teddy Bear Toss goal to earn first star of a 7-4 win over the Sudbury Wolves.  He scored once in Friday’s 5-4 overtime loss to the Guelph Storm then rebounded with a career-high five points, all assists, as first star of a 7-4 victory against the Owen Sound Attack.  Frost now leads the league with 30 assists and the Greyhounds hold a 15-6-4-1 record.

Morgan Frost of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Morgan Frost of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

A 19-year-old from Aurora, Ont., Frost is playing in his fourth career season after being chosen by the Greyhounds in the fourth round of the 2015 OHL Priority Selection.  He’s currently tied for second in OHL scoring with 46 points in 26 games which brings his career total to 247 points in 225 games.  The first round pick by the Flyers in the 2017 NHL Draft recently competed for Team OHL at the 2018 CIBC Canada Russia Series as one of the league’s top candidates aspiring to represent Canada at the World Junior Championship.

Watch video highlights of Frost and the Greyhounds against the Wolves, Storm, and Attack.

Also considered for the award this week was overage forward Anthony Salinitri of the Sarnia Sting who scored four goals and five assists for nine points in four games, and Columbus Blue Jackets first round pick Liam Foudy of the London Knights who scored three goals and four assists for seven points in three games.  In goal, NHL Draft prospect Hunter Jones of the Peterborough Petes posted a 2-0-0-0 record making a total of 68 saves for a goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .971 highlighted by a shutout victory on Teddy Bear Toss night in Erie.

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

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)

Hunter Jones – Peterborough Petes – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height: 6”4”

Weight: 196 pounds

Date of birth: September 21, 2000

Hometown: Brantford, Ontario

Position: Goaltender

Catches: Left

OHL Draft: Round 5, 89th overall, 2016 Priority Selection

 

NHL Central Scouting Rankings: Pre-season – C Prospect, November – B Prospect

It’s hard to determine what kind of Ontario Hockey League careers most players this age will carve out. Today though, it’s hard to imagine Peterborough Petes’ netminder Hunter Jones not being the first goaltender selected from the OHL at the 2019 National Hockey League Draft in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Jones played his Minor Midget hockey with the Mississauga Reps during the 2015-2016 season. The Petes would select Jones in the fifth round of the 2016 OHL Priority Selection, 89th overall.

Goalie #29 Hunter Jones of the Peterborough Petes
Goalie Hunter Jones of the Peterborough Petes. Photo courtesy of OHL Images

The following season, Jones would go on to man the net for the Stouffville Spirit of the Ontario Junior Hockey League where he posted a 2.74 goals-against-average and .917 save-percentage. He would be named to the league’s second all-prospects team at season’s end.

Last season, Jones made the jump to the OHL – and because of his September 21 birthdate, missed being eligible for last year’s NHL draft by 6 days. That may have been a blessing in disguise for the goalkeeper.

Jones backed up incumbent Dylan Wells in the Petes’ crease and his numbers weren’t anything to write home about. In 15 games he posted a 3-9-1 record with a 5.14 goals-against-average and .866 save-percentage.

There were concerns about goaltending entering this season for the Petes, but Jones has taken the bull by the horns and ran with it. He’s been nothing but a workhorse with little signs of slowing down. He’s appeared in 24 of the Petes 25 games this season. This stat tells a tale: Only 9 Petes’ skaters have appeared in more games then Hunter Jones.

Jones’ record heading into today’s schedule has him at 14-10-0. The above stat goes to show that there have been some key injuries for the Petes and one can only imagine what his win-loss record would be with a healthy squad in front of him. He has literally stolen games the Petes had no business winning.

From the start of the season, he’s been among the league leaders in goals-against-average and save-percentage. No OHL goaltender has appeared in more games, faced more shots and made more saves then Jones.

Jones’ progression this season can be described as otherworldly. At 6’4, he possesses that size that NHL Scouts love. He plays big in his net, even when in the butterfly, he stands tall and doesn’t give shooters the top of the net.

His size also allows him to see through traffic, and even when he can’t see the shooter, he reads things so well that he sets himself up to make a positional save. He moves well for a big guy getting from post-to-post quickly and efficiently and jumps to the top of the blue paint in a hurry. His movements are controlled and rarely does he over commit.

Jones has made some major improvements to his rebound control. He directs pucks out of danger and in areas for teammates to retrieve them, and makes it look relatively easy in doing so. Still, there are things to work on as with any goaltender at this level. But we believe in his commitment level and his abilities to put in the necessary work.

Jones himself will admit that the key for him is to maintain a positive attitude and when things get tough for the team, to continue to work hard and worry about the things he can control. He’s proven to have the mindset to do that.

The Petes are getting calls from NHL Scouts about Jones. I’m not sure he can continue at this pace. The Petes are going to have to find some time to rest him.

But today, he has NHL starter written all over him.