CHL Announces Weekly Award Winners

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Winterhawks’ Joachim Blichfeld named CHL Player of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that San Jose Sharks prospect Joachim Blichfeld of the Portland Winterhawks is the CHL Player of the Week for the regular season week ending November 4 after scoring four goals and five assists for nine points in three games with a plus-minus rating of plus-2.

Blichfeld produced a trio of multi-point performances over the weekend to move into third in WHL scoring helping the Winterhawks win all three games to move into second place in the WHL’s U.S Division where they hold a 10-6-0-1 record.  He recorded back-to-back two-point efforts earning third star honours in a pair of home wins against the Victoria Royals including Friday night with a goal and an assist in the 7-3 victory and Saturday scoring the game-winner plus an assist in the 2-1 triumph.  His week wrapped up Sunday with a five-point outing to match a season-high against the Spokane Chiefs scoring twice with three assists in the 8-6 win.

A 20-year-old from Frederikshavn, Denmark, Blichfeld is playing in his third WHL season since joining the Winterhawks in the second round of the 2016 CHL Import Draft.  So far this season he’s scored 14 goals and 21 assists for 35 points in 17 games.  He was selected by the Sharks in the seventh round of the 2016 NHL Draft.

Also considered for the award this week was Kevin Hancock of the Owen Sound Attack who scored four goals and five assists for nine points in three games, and Peter Abbandonato of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies who scored once with six assists for seven points in three games.

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

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)

Knights’ Joseph Raaymakers named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Joseph Raaymakers of the London Knights is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the regular season week ending November 4 posting a 2-0-0-0 record including a shutout victory with a goals-against-average of 1.02 and save percentage of .965.

Raaymakers turned aside 55 shots last week as the Knights stayed hot with wins in six of their last seven to move into a first place tie in the OHL’s Midwest Division standings with a 10-4-2-0 record.  The overage netminder made 25 saves on Friday as part of a 6-2 win over the Flint Firebirds, then earned his first shutout of the season on Sunday afternoon against the Kitchener Rangers with 30 saves as first star of the 3-0 victory.

A 20-year-old from Chatham, Ont., Raaymakers is playing in his fifth OHL season and second with the Knights after joining the league as a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds where he was the club’s second round pick in the 2014 OHL Priority Selection.  This season he carries a 4-3-2-0 record with a goals-against-average of 2.67 and save percentage of .917.  His Sunday shutout brings his career total to seven.

Also considered for the award this week was Ethan Anders of the Red Deer Rebels who posted a 34-save shutout performance in his lone appearance of the week for a goals-against-average of 0.00 and save percentage of 1.000, and Mark Grametbauer of the Acadie-Bathurst Titan who went 1-1-0-0 stopping 87 shots for a goals-against-average of 2.03 and save percentage of .956.

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

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)

Open Letter to Premier Ford and Minister Tibollo

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Press Release

November 6, 2018

Honourable Doug Ford

Premier of Ontario

Legislative Building,

Queen’s Park, Toronto, ON

M7A 1A1

 

Honourable Michael Tibollo

Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport

Hearst Block 9th Flr.,

900 Bay St, Toronto, ON

M7A 2E1

Dear Premier Ford and Minister Tibollo,

The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) which is the world’s largest development hockey league and the number one development league for U SPORTS, Canada’s national amateur teams and the NHL. Our system of development is admired and imitated by foreign hockey organizations around the world. Almost all Canadian hockey legends are graduates of the CHL.  Founded in 1934, the OHL is comprised of 20 teams, 17 in Ontario, two in Michigan and one in Pennsylvania. There are currently 425 players in the OHL. The OHL’s role in the community is unquestionable, both in terms of economic development, and charitable and community involvement.

The OHL’s primary goals are player protection, providing competition and coaching to advance our players in hockey as far as their talent and commitment allow, teaching players leadership skills and supporting their education to ensure success in life. Our teams are proud to provide our players with the top player experience both on and off the ice.

The hallmark of the player experience in the OHL is our Scholarship Program, which provides those players who have completed their time in the OHL a minimum of one year’s tuition, books and compulsory fees at a recognized university, college, trade school or career-enhancing program, for each year played in the league. The Program further provides that teams will pay for post-secondary tuition, books and compulsory fees for those players who are still playing in the league.

In the 2017-18 academic year, there were 321 OHL graduates using their scholarship at a cost to our teams of $3.125M. Of these 321 graduates 206 are playing on U SPORTS hockey teams. In addition this academic year our teams spent $475,000 on the Scholarship Program for current players.

There is a critical issue facing not just major junior hockey but all amateur and collegiate sports leagues, teams and players in Ontario and that is the status of amateur athletes. The CHL has been working with provincial governments across Canada and state governments in the US to confirm that our players are amateur athletes and not employees regulated by employment standards legislation.

Our players, together with their parents and with the support of player agents, enter and continue to play in the OHL clearly understanding that they are participating in amateur athletics.  Virtually all other jurisdictions in which CHL teams play have reviewed this issue and have already passed exemptions/clarifications. These jurisdictions include; Québec, New Brunswick, BC, Saskatchewan, Washington, Nova Scotia, Michigan, Manitoba and PEI.

The Commissioner and the Board of Governors of the OHL is calling on the Ontario Government to, as soon as possible, provide a clarification similar to those in the nine other jurisdictions.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact David Branch, OHL Commissioner.

Sincerely,

David Branch, Commissioner

Board of Governors, Ontario Hockey League

Attack’s Kevin Hancock named OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Owen Sound Attack overage forward Kevin Hancock is the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week for the regular season week ending November 4 after leading the league with nine points in three games scoring four goals and five assists.

Hancock recorded a trio of multi-point performances over the weekend and is now tied for fourth in OHL scoring.  He matched a season high with four points on Friday scoring a pair plus two assists as part of a 6-4 road win against the Oshawa Generals, then earned first star honours on Saturday with two goals and an assist in a 6-5 shootout loss to the London Knights.  His week wrapped up Sunday registering assists on both Attack goals in a 5-2 loss to the defending champion Hamilton Bulldogs.  The Attack are now third in the Midwest Division standings with a 9-7-0-2 record.

A 20-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., Hancock is now a five-year veteran of the Attack after being selected by the club in the fifth round of the 2014 OHL Priority Selection.  This season the Attack alternate captain has produced 14 goals and 16 assists for 30 points in 18 games bringing his career totals to exactly a point-per-game rate with 82 goals and 132 assists for 214 points in exactly 214 games.

Watch video highlights of Hancock and the Attack against the Generals, Knights, and Bulldogs.

Also considered for the award this week was San Jose Sharks prospect Ryan Merkley of the Guelph Storm with eight assists in three games, and overage forward Tye Felhaber of the Ottawa 67’s who scored three goals and three assists for six points in three games of a weekend road sweep.  In goal, overager Joseph Raaymakers of the London Knights stopped 55 shots across two victories including one by shutout with a goals-against-average of 1.02 and save percentage of .965.

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

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 for October

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

The 2019 National Hockey League Draft is considered to be a very good draft with some depth. But for Ontario Hockey League players, it’s one of the poorest in a long time. That doesn’t mean there are not some players of interest.

Ryan Suzuki of the Barrie Colts and Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs will garner a lot of attention as top first round picks. Offensively, they are the leaders in most statistical categories and barring injury, the two will flip flop at the top of the leader board as the season progresses. A player starting to garner some attention is Cole MacKay of the Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds. He sits quietly in third place in points with 17, behind Kaliyev and Suzuki at 24 a piece.

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

On defence, Billy Consantinou of the Niagara Ice Dogs and Thomas Harley of the Mississauga Steelheads lead the way with 11 points. Both are also in the top 10 in league scoring among draft eligibles. You will also find Constantinou among the leaders in plus/minus and penalty minutes.

In goal, Hunter Jones leads in just about every statistical category you can imagine. Which is why we named him draft eligible player of the month in October.

Here is the leader board in a variety of statistical categories. While we take great care in keeping track of stats, always refer to the OHL Website for official stats.

Points Leaders
Player Team GP G A Pts
Arthur Kaliyev Hamilton Bulldogs 15 14 10 24
Ryan Suzuki Barrie Colts 13 6 18 24
Cole MacKay Soo Greyhounds 17 6 11 17
Keean Washkurak Mississauga Steelheads 14 4 11 15
Kyen Sopa Niagara Ice Dogs 15 8 5 13
Connor McMichael London Knights 13 9 3 12
Nicholas Porco Saginaw Spirit 14 8 4 12
Danil Antropov Oshawa Generals 14 4 8 12
Billy Constantinou Niagara Ice Dogs 15 4 7 11
Thomas Harley Mississauga Steelheads 14 3 8 11
Goal Scoring Leaders
Player Team GP G GPG
Arthur Kaliyev Hamilton Bulldogs 15 14 0.93
Connor McMichael London Knights 13 9 0.69
Kyen Sopa Niagara Ice Dogs 15 8 0.53
Nicholas Porco Saginaw Spirit 14 8 0.57
Ryan Suzuki Barrie Colts 13 6 0.46
Cole MacKay Soo Greyhounds 17 6 0.35
Graeme Clarke Ottawa 67’s 16 6 0.38
Jacob Winterton Flint Firebirds 15 6 0.40
Ethan Keppen Flint Firebirds 15 5 0.33
Keean Washkurak Mississauga Steelheads 14 4 0.29
Assist Leaders
Player Team GP A APG
Ryan Suzuki Barrie Colts 14 18 1.29
Keean Washkurak Mississauga Steelheads 14 11 0.79
Cole MacKay Soo Greyhounds 17 11 0.65
Arthur Kaliyev Hamilton Bulldogs 15 10 0.67
Danil Antropov Oshawa Generals 14 8 0.57
Jack York Kitchener Rangers 14 7 0.50
Petr Cajka Erie Otters 15 7 0.47
Billy Constantinou Niagara Ice Dogs 15 7 0.47
Cole Schwindt Mississauga Steelheads 15 7 0.47
Matvey Guskov London Knights 13 6 0.46
Defencemen Point Leaders
Player Team GP G A Pts
Billy Constantinou Niagara Ice Dogs 15 4 7 11
Thomas Harley Mississauga Steelheads 15 3 8 11
Jack York Kitchener Rangers 14 1 7 8
Nathan Staios Windsor Spitfires 15 1 6 7
Michael Vukojevic Kitchener Rangers 15 2 4 6
Nathan Allensen Barrie Colts 15 1 5 6
Lucas Peric Ottawa 67’s 16 1 5 6
Grayson Ladd Windsor Spitfires 14 1 3 4
Plus/Minus Leaders
Player Team GP +/-
Ryan Suzuki Barrie Colts 14 +11
Kyen Sopa Niagara Ice Dogs 16 +11
Ashton Reesor Sarnia Sting 12 +10
Billy Constantinou Niagara Ice Dogs 16 +10
Lucas Peric Ottawa 67’s 16 +10
Cole MacKay Soo Greyhounds 17 +8
Jordan Frasca Windsor Spitfires 11 +7
Cole Schwindt Mississauga Steelheads 15 +6
Philip Tomasino Niagara Ice Dogs 16 +6
Brayden Guy Sarnia Sting 14 +5
Penalty Minutes Leaders
Player Team GP PIM M/G
Nathan Allensen Barrie Colts 15 23 1.53
Ethan Keppen Flint Firebirds 15 21 1.40
Jacob LeGuerrier Soo Greyhounds 17 16 0.94
Navrin Mutter Hamilton Bulldogs 15 15 1.00
Billy Constantinou Niagara Ice Dogs 16 14 0.88
Michael Vukojevic Kitchener Rangers 15 13 0.87
Matthew Hill Barrie Colts 12 12 1.00
Faceoff Leaders  (minimum 50 faceoffs)
Player Team GP FOA FOW %
Tim Fleischer Hamilton Bulldogs 15 51 34 66.7
Philip Tomasino Niagara Ice Dogs 16 137 73 53.3
Blake Murray Sudbury Wolves 15 198 102 51.5
Keean Washkurak Mississauga Steelheads 15 208 105 50.5
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 9/22 10/3 4 5
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
Arthur Kaliyev Hamilton Bulldogs 9/21 9/29 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
Griffin Wilson Owen Sound Attack 10/20 10/27 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
Danil Antropov Oshawa Generals 9/27 10/6 5 7
Shots On Goal Leaders
Player Team GP SOG
Arthur Kaliyev Hamilton Bulldogs 15 65
Tyler Angle Windsor Spitfires 16 44
Connor McMichael London Knights 13 42
Ryan Suzuki Barrie Colts 14 40
Philip Tomasino Niagara Ice Dogs 16 37
Goaltenders Leaders – Goals Against Average
Player Team GP Min GA Avg
Hunter Jones Peterborough Petes 16 856 34 2.38
Ethan Langevin Sarnia Sting 9 418 22 3.16
Zachary Roy Hamilton Bulldogs 7 408 22 3.24
Mack Guzda Owen Sound Attack 11 649 38 3.51
Luke Cavallin Flint Firebirds 10 984 39 2.38
Goaltending Leaders – Save Percentage
Player Team GP SH  SVS SV%
Hunter Jones Peterborough Petes 16 506 472 0.933
Jet Greaves Barrie Colts 3 88 81 0.920
Ethan Taylor Soo Greyhounds 12 379 347 0.916
Zachary Roy Hamilton Bulldogs 7 213 191 0.897
Goaltending Leaders – Wins
Player Team GP W L OL
Hunter Jones Peterborough Petes 16 9 6 0
Mack Guzda Owen Sound Attack 11 6 5 0
Ethan Langevin Sarnia Sting 9 4 3 0
Ethan Taylor Soo Greyhounds 5 3 0 1
Zachary Roy Hamilton Bulldogs 7 3 4 0
Goaltending Leaders – Shutouts
Player Team GP SO
Ryan Dugas Kingston Frontenacs 6 1
Mack Guzda Owen Sound Attack 11 1
Hunter Jones Peterborough Petes 16 1

 

OHL Writers’ Draft Eligible Player of the Month for October

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

When it comes to draft eligible players from the 2018-2019 Ontario Hockey League season, most of the attention will be focused around Ryan Suzuki of the Barrie Colts and Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs, and rightfully so.

Unless you are the most ardent follower, then a young netminder from the Peterborough Petes being named our draft eligible player of the month may come as a surprise to you. That young netminder is none other than Hunter Jones.

Don’t be fooled by his 6-5-0 record during the month of October. The Petes have suffered through some key injuries and had it not been for Jones, that record could have been worse. In those eleven contests in October, Jones posted a remarkable .939 save percentage.

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

As of today, no goaltender has played more minutes then Jones (897) including some seasoned veterans: Jacob Ingham (780), Cedrick Andree (755), Matthew Villalta (719) and Michael DiPietro (641). Jones has also faced more rubber (527) then any other goaltender, 127 more then Ingham and stopped more shots (491), 130 more then Stephen Dhillon of the Niagara Ice Dogs.

Jones currently sits forth in goals against average among goaltenders with four or more starts with a 2.41 goals-against average. He currently sits second in save percentage at .931.

Jones was the OHL goaltender of the week and runner up to the CHL goaltender of the week for the week of October 8-14 – he was both the OHL and CHL goaltender of the week on opening week.

His performance earned him an invitation to participate for Team OHL in the upcoming Canada-Russia Super Series, a precursor to the World Junior Championships.

Also considered were Suzuki, who posted 2 goals and 11 assists in 9 games, Kaliyev and his 7 goals and 4 assists in 11 games and Cole MacKay of the Soo Greyhounds who recorded 2 goals and 10 assists in 11 games.

OHL Announces Academic Players of the Month for October

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the OHL Academic Players of the Month for October 2018, including Nick Wong of the Oshawa Generals, Jonah De Simone of the Niagara IceDogs, Isaac Langdon of the Kitchener Rangers and Colton Kammerer of the Sarnia Sting.

East Division: Oshawa Generals sophomore forward Nick Wong is the OHL East Division Academic Player of the Month for October. The 17-year-old native of Erin, Ont. has excelled in his studies at Maxwell Heights Secondary School, maintaining an 89% average in grade 12 University-level courses. “Nick is a very personable and dedicated individual,” said Generals academic advisor Tom Buchanan. “He’s very respectful and puts in a full effort for himself, his teachers, coaches and teammates.” Oshawa’s second round (38th overall) pick in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection, Wong has followed-up a 17-goal rookie campaign with five points (3-2–5) over 15 October contests. He is a graduate of the Mississauga Senators Minor Midget program.

Central Division: Niagara IceDogs rookie forward Jonah De Simone is the OHL Central Division Academic Player of the Month for October. The 16-year-old native of Richmond Hill, Ont. maintains a 94% average in grade 11 University-level Chemistry, American History and Accounting courses at Governor Simcoe Secondary School. “Jonah is an exceptional student who is focused on his academic studies,” said IceDogs academic advisor Tim Tope. “His teachers have been impressed with his maturity and insight during class discussions.” The fourth round (70th overall) pick of the 2018 OHL Priority Selection from the Mississauga Reps Minor Midgets, De Simone recently scored his first OHL goal on Oct. 24th against Peterborough. He has two goals through the first 13 games of his OHL career.

Midwest Division: Kitchener Rangers rookie centreman Isaac Langdon is the OHL Midwest Division Academic Player of the Month for October. The 16-year-old native of Belleville, Ont. is achieving high grades in his grade 11 studies at Grand River Collegiate in Kitchener. He’s currently studying University-level Math, Physics, Anthropology and Leadership. “Isaac’s teachers describe him as well-spoken, hard-working and diligent,” said Rangers academic advisor Dave Tennant. A second round (32nd overall) pick in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection from the Quinte Red Devils Minor Midgets, Langdon has four assists through his first 15 games of the season.

West Division: Sarnia Sting sophomore blueliner Colton Kammerer is the OHL West Division Academic Player of the Month for October. The recently-turned 17-year-old native of Brooklin, Ont. holds an 89% average in grade 12 University-level Math, Business Leadership and Accounting courses at Northern Collegiate in Sarnia. “Colton demonstrates a strong work ethic both on the ice and in the classroom,” stated Sting academic advisor Mark Scott. “He takes a lot of pride in his studies.” Kammerer has a pair of assists through 14 games this season. He had eight points (1-7–8) over 39 games last season after being Sarnia’s third round (52nd overall) pick in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection from the Whitby Wildcats Minor Midgets. Kammerer was also the West Division Academic Player of the Month in February 2018.

2018-19 OHL Academic Players of the Month:

East Division:
October – Nick Wong (Oshawa Generals)

Central Division:
October – Jonah De Simone (Niagara IceDogs)

Midwest Division:
October – Isaac Langdon (Kitchener Rangers)

West Division:
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.

Team Russia Roster Announced for 2018 CIBC Canada Russia Series

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League in association with the Russian Ice Hockey Federation today announced the roster for Team Russia that will compete in the 2018 CIBC Canada Russia Series which takes place November 5-15.

Canada Russia

A team of 23 Russian players including two goaltenders, nine defencemen, and 12 forwards will travel across Canada as part of the 16th annual series playing six games against CHL competition in preparation for the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship taking place this season in Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia.

This year’s Team Russia includes 20 players born in 1999 and three born in 2000 and features five players with NHL affiliations.  Among those players is goaltender Daniil Tarasov who was chosen by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the third round of the 2017 NHL Draft.  An additional four were 2018 picks including second rounder Alexander Romanov (Montreal Canadiens) and fifth rounder Daniil Zhuravlev (Colorado Avalanche) on defence, along with forwards Bulat Shafigullin (Los Angeles Kings) chosen in the third round, and Pavel Shen (Boston Bruins) selected in the seventh round.

An additional 10 Russian-born CHL players, all with NHL affiliations, will compete against their respective leagues headlined by Western Hockey League defenceman Alexander Alexeyev of the Red Deer Rebels who was chosen in the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft by the Washington Capitals.  He’ll play in both games against Team WHL beginning November 5 in Kamloops followed by Game 2 on November 6 in Vancouver.  Ontario Hockey League goaltender Ivan Prosvetov (Arizona Coyotes) of the Saginaw Spirit will suit up for his home country in Game 3 of the series November 8 in Sarnia along with forwards Alexey Lipanov (Tampa Bay Lightning) of the Kitchener Rangers and Alexey Toropchenko (St. Louis Blues) of the Guelph Storm.  Edmonton Oilers prospects Kirill Maksimov of the Niagara IceDogs and defenceman Dmitri Samorukov of the Storm will dress in Sarnia and in Game 4 set for Oshawa on November 12.  Four Quebec Major Junior Hockey League players will compete November 13 in Sherbrooke and November 15 in Drummondville including Ivan Chekhovich (San Jose Sharks) of the Baie-Comeau Drakkar, Alexander Khovanov (Minnesota Wild) of the Moncton Wildcats, Pavel Koltygin (Nashville Predators) of the Drummondville Voltigeurs), and Dmitry Zavgorodniy (Calgary Flames) of the Rimouski Oceanic.

Behind the bench for Team Russia is head coach Valery Bragin who is making his seventh series appearance and fifth straight.  His time with the Russian National Junior Team has led to five World Junior medals including 2011 gold in Buffalo, silver in Calgary (2012), Toronto (2015), and Finland (2016), along with bronze in Montreal (2017). 

Team Russia has captured three series victories including 2010, 2012, and 2014.

2018 CIBC Canada Russia Series – Team Russia:

Most recent club team listed in brackets

Goaltenders:
Pyotr Kochetkov (HK Ryazan) – VHL
Daniil Tarasov (Toros Neftekamsk) – VHL

Defencemen:
Vaniamin Baranov (MHK Dynamo Moscow) – MHL
Danila Galenyuk (SKA-Varyagi im. Morozova) – MHL
Evgeny Kalabushkin (SKA-1946 St. Petersburg) – MHL
Alexander Lyakhov (Tolpar Ufa) – MHL
Saveliy Olshansky (Zauralie Kurgan) – VHL
Alexander Romanov (CSKA Moscow) – KHL
Mark Rubinchik (Toros Neftekamsk) – VHL
Artyom Volkov (MHK Spartak Moscow) – MHL
Daniil Zhuravlev (Bars Kazan) – VHL

Forwards:
Aryom Galimov (Bars Kazan) – VHL
Evgeny Kanitsky (Metallurg Novokuznetsk) – VHL
Maxim Marushev (Bars Kazan) – VHL
Ivan Muranov (Dynamo Moscow) – KHL
Artyom Nikolaev (SKA-Neva St. Petersburg) – VHL
Bulat Shafigullin (Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk) – KHL
Nikita Shashkov (Sibir Novosibirsk) – KHL
Pavel Shen (Salavat Yulaev Ufa) – KHL
Kirill Slepets (Lada Togliatti) – VHL
Stepan Starkov (HK Sochi) – KHL
Vladislav Tsitsyura (SKA-1946 St. Petersburg) – MHL
Alexander Yaremchuk (Avangard Omsk) – KHL

WHL players on Team Russia:
Alexander Alexeyev (Red Deer Rebels)

OHL Players on Team Russia:
Alexey Lipanov (Kitchener Rangers) – playing in Sarnia only
Kirill Maksimov (Niagara IceDogs)
Ivan Prosvetov (Saginaw Spirit) – playing in Sarnia only
Dmitri Samorukov (Guelph Storm)
Alexey Toropchenko (Guelph Storm) – playing in Sarnia only

QMJHL Players on Team Russia:
Ivan Chekhovich (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)
Alexander Khovanov (Moncton Wildcats)
Pavel Koltygin (Drummondville Voltigeurs)
Dmitry Zavgorodniy (Rimouski Oceanic)

 

Staff:
Team Manager – Alexei Kochetkov
Head Coach – Valery Bragin
Assistant Coach – Yury Babenko
Assistant Coach – Alexander Boykov
Goalie Coach – Vladimir Kulikov
Strength and Conditioning Coach – Alexander Kofanov
Senior Manager – Oleg Shuliya
Video Coach – Vladislav Krutskikh
Video Coach  – Alexander Kadykov
Physician – Valery Egorov
Massage Therapist – Artem Timofeev
Equipment Manager – Alexander Rezepov
Media Manager – Petr Tereshchenkov

The 2018 CIBC Canada Russia Series is supported by title sponsor CIBC, the Official Bank of the CHL, along with associate sponsors Kia Canada, Sherwin-Williams, Cooper Tires, and Kubota Canada.  All games will be broadcast nationally on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.

2018 CIBC Canada Russia Series Schedule:
Game 1 – Monday November 5 at Kamloops, BC
Game 2 – Tuesday November 6 at Vancouver, BC
Game 3 – Thursday November 8 at Sarnia, ON
Game 4 – Monday November 12 at Oshawa, ON
Game 5 – Tuesday November 13 at Sherbrooke, QC
Game 6 – Thursday November 15 at Drummondville, QC

For event information including how to purchase tickets please visit http://chlcanadarussia.ca.

OHL Announces Top Performers of the Month for October

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 October 2018, including North Bay Battalion forward Justin Brazeau, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds defenceman Mac Hollowell and Ottawa 67’s teammates Marco Rossi and Cedrick Andree.


OHL Player of the Month – Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion):

North Bay Battalion captain Justin Brazeau is the OHL Player of the Month for October after recording 26 points including 11 goals and 15 assists in 10 games. Brazeau’s month was headlined by a seven-point performance on Oct. 21st, helping the Battalion defeat the Kingston Frontenacs 8-3 on home ice with three goals and four assists. The seven points tied a franchise record set in 2006 and also helped Brazeau earn both CHL and OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week honours. The 6-foot-6 winger also had a five point outing with two goals and three assists in a 5-3 win over Flint on Oct. 12th. More recently he put up four points with a goal and three helpers in a 5-2 win over the Erie Otters on Oct. 27th. In total, Brazeau recorded points in eight of his 10 outings, coming away with multi-point totals in six of them. He earned first star honours three times, second star recognition twice and was named third star on one occasion.

A 20-year-old native of New Liskeard, Ont., Brazeau is currently in his fourth OHL season after being a 13th round pick by the Battalion in 2014. He enters November as the OHL’s scoring leader with 33 points (16-17–33) over 15 contests and is just six goals shy of becoming the Battalion’s new career goal-scoring leader during the franchise’s tenure in North Bay. Over 215 career regular season games he has found the back of the net 83 times, added 75 assists and put up 158 points. Brazeau attended training camp with the San Jose Sharks this past September.


OHL Defenceman of the Month – Mac Hollowell (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds):

Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Mac Hollowell of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds is the OHL Defenceman of the Month for October after leading all rearguards with 15 points over 13 games. Hollowell’s four goals and 11 assists helped the Greyhounds climb into the West Division lead, entering November with a record of 11-3-3-0. The overage blueliner had points in 11 of his 13 outings, wrapping up the month on a four-game trend. His October was headlined by a pair of three-point performances, first recording a goal and two assists in a 6-3 win over the Saginaw Spirit on Oct. 17th before picking up three assists two nights later in a 4-3 triumph over the Kingston Frontenacs. While Hollowell was effective offensively, he also played a big role in helping the Greyhounds rise to second on the OHL’s penalty killing rankings.

A 20-year-old native of Niagara Falls, Ont., Hollowell’s outstanding month of October came after he was returned to the OHL by the Toronto Maple Leafs, who selected him in the fourth round (118th overall) of the 2018 NHL Draft. The 5-foot-10, 163Ib. smooth-skating defender is in his fourth full OHL season and has appeared in 208 career regular season games, recording 22 goals, 99 assists and 121 points in the process. He was originally Sault Ste. Marie’s 12th round pick in 2014.


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

After a sensational first month of his OHL career, Ottawa 67’s forward Marco Rossi is the OHL Rookie of the Month for October. The Austrian centreman recorded 16 points including nine goals and seven assists in 11 games to go with a league-high plus/minus rating of plus-18, helping the 67’s take the East Division lead with an overall record of 12-3-1-0. Rossi’s month included a pair of three-point performances, with the first including two goals and an assist in a 4-1 win over the Windsor Spitfires on Oct. 12th. He registered a goal and two assists in a 3-1 road win over the Mississauga Steelheads on Oct. 21st. Three of his nine goals were of the game-winning variety. Playing alongside veterans Tye Felhaber and Austen Keating, Rossi has been among the league’s top faceoff men, winning nearly 60% of his draws in the month of October.

A 17-year-old native of Feldkirch, Austria, Rossi has 18 points (9-9–18) through 16 games this season. The 18th overall pick of the 2018 CHL Import Draft, Rossi isn’t eligible for the NHL Draft until 2020. He spent last season with the Swiss Jr. A circuit’s GCK Lions where he put up 51 points (22-29–51) over 34 games.

 

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Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month – Cedrick Andree (Ottawa 67’s):

A perfect 8-0-0-0 month of October has earned Ottawa 67’s netminder Cedrick Andree Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month honours. Andree won all eight of his starts, recording a league-leading 1.72 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage in the process as the 67’s surged up the standings as well as the Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings. The sophomore didn’t surrender more than three goals in any of his starts, with his best effort coming on Oct. 21st in Mississauga when he made 31 saves as the 67’s defeated the Steelheads 3-1. He limited the opposition to just one goal on three other occasions including a 4-1 win over Kingston on Oct. 10th, a 4-1 win over Windsor on Oct. 12th and a 2-1 overtime win over London on Oct. 26th.

An 18-year-old native of Orleans, Ont., Andree holds a 10-2-0-0 record, 2.59 goals-against average and .905 save percentage in this, his second OHL season. The 5-foot-10, 165Ib. goaltender appeared in 13 games with the 67’s last season after being the club’s 12th round pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection.


2018-19 OHL Performers of the Month:


Player of the Month:
October – Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)


Defenceman of the Month:
October – Mac Hollowell (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

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


Vaughn Goaltender of the Month:
October – Cedrick Andree (Ottawa 67’s)

Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced the week seven edition of the Kia CHL Top-10 Rankings for the 2018-19 season.  The weekly rankings of the CHL’s Top-10 teams are selected by a panel of National Hockey League scouts.

Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings – Week 7:

Rank: Team: Last Week Rank: Number of Weeks Ranked:
1 Prince Albert Raiders (15-1-0-0) 1 5
2 Ottawa 67’s (12-3-1-0) 4 4
3 Baie-Comeau Drakkar (12-3-0-1) 6 5
4 Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (12-4-0-0) 2 4
5 Halifax Mooseheads (12-4-0-0) 3 7
6 Vancouver Giants (11-3-2-0) 5 5
7 Victoria Royals (9-3-0-0) 7 4
8 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (10-3-3-0) 9 2
9 Moncton Wildcats (12-3-2-0) 10 2
10 Red Deer Rebels (10-4-1-0) – 1
Honourable Mention:
Drummondville Voltigeurs (11-4-1-0) – 3
Guelph Storm (9-4-2-0) – 2
Niagara IceDogs (9-4-2-0) – 3

Kia CHL Top 10

OHL Announces Leadership Group for 2018 CIBC Canada Russia Series

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League, in collaboration with the Canadian Hockey League and Hockey Canada, today announced that Nick Suzuki of the Owen Sound Attack and Jack Studnicka of the Oshawa Generals will serve as Team OHL captains for the 2018 CIBC Canada Russia Series.

Suzuki will lead Team OHL in Game 3 of the series against the Russian National Junior Team taking place in Sarnia on Thursday November 8, while Studnicka will wear the ‘C’ in front of his home Oshawa crowd for Game 4 on Monday November 12.  In addition, the OHL has announced that forwards Barrett Hayton of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and Owen Tippett of the Mississauga Steelheads will serve as alternate captains for Team OHL.

A 19-year-old from London, Ont., Suzuki is a fourth year forward with the Attack and was appointed team captain prior to the start of the 2018-19 season.  Originally chosen by the club in the first round of the 2015 OHL Priority Selection, he’s played in 205 career games amassing an impressive 253 points including 117 goals, 136 assists, and just 36 penalty minutes notably earning back-to-back recognition with the league’s Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year award.  Suzuki was a first round pick by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL Draft but joined the Montreal Canadiens in an off-season trade.  He will be competing for Team OHL a second straight season after serving as an alternate captain last year in Sudbury where he scored two goals and an assist in a 4-2 win.

Studnicka is a 19-year-old from Tecumseh, Ont., also playing in his fourth OHL season after being a first round pick by the Generals in 2015.  He’s currently in the midst of his second season serving as team captain in Oshawa where he was named a leader after being a second round pick by the Boston Bruins in the 2017 NHL Draft.  Studnicka has played in 205 career games producing 50 goals and 118 assists for 168 points.  He returns to the Team OHL lineup after competing last season in Sudbury.

Jack Studnicka of the Oshawa Generals. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Jack Studnicka of the Oshawa Generals. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Hayton will make his Team OHL debut this season competing in both Sarnia and Oshawa with a letter on his jersey.  The 18-year-old from Peterborough, Ont., and third year Greyhounds veteran was named team captain upon his return from the Arizona Coyotes where he was chosen fifth overall in the 2018 NHL Draft.  In nine games so far this season he’s collected six goals and eight assists for 14 points bringing his career total to 101 points through 135 games since being the ninth overall pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection.  Last season Hayton was named the OHL’s Scholastic Player of the Year while helping the Hounds win a team record 55 games.

Tippett will be among Team OHL’s most experienced players in Canada Russia Series competition playing in the event for a third straight year.  The 19-year-old Peterborough native was named Player of the Game with two assists in his debut performance back in 2016 in North Bay despite a 4-3 OHL loss.  He also played in two games last season recording two assists just days after returning from the Florida Panthers where he played seven games as the club’s 10th overall pick in 2017.  Tippett just recently eclipsed the century mark for career goals and now has 103 with 81 assists for 184 points in 167 games for the Steelheads.  The fourth overall pick in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection is serving his second season as an alternate captain in Mississauga.

All four players were invited to Hockey Canada’s National Junior Team Summer Showcase.


In 15 years of competition against the Russian National Junior Team, the OHL has a record of 24-5-1 in this series following a 5-2 loss in Owen Sound and a 4-2 victory in Sudbury last season.

The 2018 CIBC Canada Russia Series is supported by title sponsor CIBC, the Official Bank of the CHL, along with associate sponsors Kia Canada, Sherwin-Williams, Cooper Tires, and Kubota Canada.  All games will be broadcast nationally on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.

2018 CIBC Canada Russia Series Schedule:
Game 1 – Monday November 5 at Kamloops, BC
Game 2 – Tuesday November 6 at Vancouver, BC
Game 3 – Thursday November 8 at Sarnia, ON
Game 4 – Monday November 12 at Oshawa, ON
Game 5 – Tuesday November 13 at Sherbrooke, QC
Game 6 – Thursday November 15 at Drummondville, QC

For event information including how to purchase tickets please visit http://chlcanadarussia.ca.