OHL Writers

LARDIS AND DONOSO NAMED OHL TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK

Posted on December 11, 2023 by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, December 11, 2023.

Bulldogs’ Nick Lardis Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

Chicago Blackhawks prospect Nick Lardis of the Brantford Bulldogs is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording five goals, two assists, and seven points over three contests as the Bulldogs earned five of a possible six points.

Lardis had a strong showing in Peterborough on Thursday, registering a goal against his former club as the Bulldogs defeated the Petes 4-2. The 5-foot-11, 171lb. forward found the scoresheet again on Friday, tallying a goal and an assist as the Bulldogs suffered a 6-5 overtime loss to the Kitchener Rangers. Lardis closed out the week with his first career OHL hat trick along with an assist on Saturday. He scored the overtime winner, earning first star honours as the Bulldogs bounced back, defeating the Rangers 5-4 in extra time.

An 18-year-old from Oakville, Ont., Lardis has recorded 35 points (23-12-35) through 28 outings this season as the Bulldogs own a record of 14-9-5-1. Originally selected sixth overall by the Peterborough Petes in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection from the Oakville Rangers U16 program, Lardis has tallied 78 goals, 59 assists, and 137 points over 160 regular season games between the Petes and the Bulldogs. Lardis was selected in the third round (67th overall) by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2023 NHL Draft.

Also considered for the award this week, overage forward Jack Beck of the Soo Greyhounds scored three times and added four assists to help the Greyhounds earn six points. Oliver Peer of the Windsor Spitfires was also productive, contributing a total of three goals and four helpers to a two-win weekend.

2023-24 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Nick Lardis (Brantford Bulldogs)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Pano Fimis (Erie Otters)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Matyas Sapovaliv (Saginaw Spirit)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Donovan McCoy (Peterborough Petes)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Denver Barkey (London Knights)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Braeden Kressler (Flint Firebirds)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Kirill Kudryavtsev (Soo Greyhounds)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Anthony Romani (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Carson Rehkopf (Kitchener Rangers)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Jordan D’Intino (Soo Greyhounds)
Sep. 28 – Oct. 1: Jax Dubois (Peterborough Petes)

67’s’ Max Donoso Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Max Donoso of the Ottawa 67’s is the OHL Goaltender of the Week after he went 2-0, posting a 1.51 goals-against average and .957 save percentage in three appearances last week.

Stopping a total of 88 shots last week, Donoso turned aside 32 of the 34 shots he faced on Wednesday as the 67’s defeated the Oshawa Generals 3-2 in overtime. Donoso entered the game to begin the second period of Friday’s matchup against the Peterborough Petes, stopping 17 of the 18 shots that came his way as the 67’s fell by a score of 5-2. He returned to the crease on Sunday afternoon in Peterborough, earning first star honours with 39 saves in a 2-1 win over the Petes. Sunday’s win was the 50th of Donoso’s OHL career, making him the 10th goaltender in 67’s franchise history to reach the milestone.

A 20-year-old from Windsor, Ont., Donoso has appeared in 18 games this season, playing to a 2.83 goals-against average to go with a 9-6-1-0 record, .909 save percentage and one shutout. The 6-foot-1, 185Ib. netminder was the 67’s fifth round (98th overall) pick in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection from the Windsor Jr. Spitfires U16 program. He owns a career regular season mark of 50-25-2-7 with a 2.77 goals-against average, .903 save percentage and four shutouts in 92 contests.

Also considered for the award this week, Ben Gaudreau of the Erie Otters went 2-0 with a 1.00 goals-against average, and .961 save percentage as Erie defeated Niagara and Guelph. Ian Michelone of the Windsor Spitfires also secured a pair of wins, recording a 2.00 goals-against average along with a .945 save percentage as the Spits defeated Barrie and Flint.

2023-24 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Max Donoso (Ottawa 67’s)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Marcus Vandenberg (Niagara IceDogs)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Jack Ivankovic (Mississauga Steelheads)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Carter George (Owen Sound Attack)
Nov. 8 – Nov. 12: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 7: Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Sam Hillebrandt (Barrie Colts)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Brayden Gillespie (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Collin MacKenzie (Ottawa 67’s)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Ryerson Leenders (Mississauga Steelheads)
Sep. 28 – Oct. 1: Ryerson Leenders (Mississauga Steelheads)

About the Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the world’s largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American states. In addition to the OHL, the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League and U SPORTS than any other league.

FIMIS AND VANDENBERG NAMED OHL TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK

Posted on December 4, 2023 by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, December 3, 2023.

Otters’ Pano Fimis Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

Pano Fimis of the Erie Otters is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording four goals, three assists, and seven points over three contests.

Fimis started the week with a goal on Wednesday as the Otters earned a point in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Kitchener Rangers. He found the scoresheet again on Saturday, recording a pair of goals along with an assist as the Otters fell to the Owen Sound Attack 7-4. Bouncing back on Sunday, the 5-foot-11, 183lb. centreman closed out the weekend with a penalty shot goal and two helpers as the Otters defeated the Attack 8-5 at the Bayshore. Currently leading the OHL with a 64.5% success rate in the faceoff circle, Fimis was 52.8% at the dot last week.

A 19-year-old from Richmond Hill, Ont., Fimis has recorded 10 goals, 19 assists, and 29 points over 26 games played so far this season. Originally selected second overall by the Niagara IceDogs in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection, Fimis has registered 120 points (40-80–120) over 135 regular season games between the IceDogs and Otters. Fimis attended rookie camp with the Pittsburgh Penguins this past September.

Also considered for the award this week, Seattle Kraken prospect David Goyette of the Sudbury Wolves scored three times and added five assists to help Sudbury earn three of a possible six points. Draft-eligible blueliner Zayne Parekh of the Saginaw Spirit was also productive, contributing a total of two goals and six helpers to a two-win weekend.

2023-24 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Pano Fimis (Erie Otters)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Matyas Sapovaliv (Saginaw Spirit)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Donovan McCoy (Peterborough Petes)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Denver Barkey (London Knights)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Braeden Kressler (Flint Firebirds)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Kirill Kudryavtsev (Soo Greyhounds)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Anthony Romani (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Carson Rehkopf (Kitchener Rangers)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Jordan D’Intino (Soo Greyhounds)
Sep. 28 – Oct. 1: Jax Dubois (Peterborough Petes)

IceDogs’ Marcus Vandenberg Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Marcus Vandenberg of the Niagara IceDogs is the OHL Goaltender of the Week following a pair of wins where he posted a 1.96 goals-against average and .951 save percentage.

Stopping a total of 77 shots last week, Vandenberg stopped 44 of the 47 that came his way against his former club on Friday, earning first star honours as the IceDogs defeated the first place Kitchener Rangers 4-3 in overtime. He returned to the crease at home on Sunday, turning aside 33 of the 34 shots he faced in another first star performance as the IceDogs defeated the Peterborough Petes 2-1.

Vandenberg has appeared in 12 games for the IceDogs this season, playing to a 3-6-2-0 record while logging a 3.95 goals-against-average and .891 save percentage. The 5-foot-11, 172lb. Dorchester, Ont. native was originally selected in the ninth round (177th overall) by the Kitchener Rangers in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection from the Elgin-Middlesex U16 program. Defending the crease in his third OHL season, the 19-year-old has played to a career record of 12-18-4-0, posting a 3.79 goals-against-average and .890 save percentage.

Also considered for the award this week, Edmonton Oilers prospect Nathan Day of the Flint Firebirds went 2-0 with a 1.93 goals-against average, and .932 save percentage in wins over Peterborough and Ottawa.

2023-24 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Marcus Vandenberg (Niagara IceDogs)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Jack Ivankovic (Mississauga Steelheads)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Carter George (Owen Sound Attack)
Nov. 8 – Nov. 12: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 7: Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Sam Hillebrandt (Barrie Colts)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Brayden Gillespie (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Collin MacKenzie (Ottawa 67’s)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Ryerson Leenders (Mississauga Steelheads)
Sep. 28 – Oct. 1: Ryerson Leenders (Mississauga Steelheads)

OHL’s Draft Eligible Statistical Leaders: November

Posted on December 1, 2023 by Dominic Tiano

November is in the books and it is time to look at some of the statistical leaders among players eligible for the 2024 National Hockey League Entry Draft.

Some of the players are first time eligible while others are second and even third time eligible. Players born between January 1 2004 and September 15, 2004 are third time eligible. Players born between September 16 2004 and September 15 2005 are second time eligible. Players born between September 16 2005 and September 15 2006 are first time eligible.

We take great care in compiling stats, but for official stats. Always refer to the OHL website.

Points Leaders
Player	Team	GP	G	A	Pts
Liam Greentree	Windsor Spitfires	22	17	18	35
Anthony Romani	North Bay Battalion	24	19	15	34
Luke Misa	Mississauga Steelheads	23	7	26	33
Adrian Misaljevic	Kitchener Rangers	26	17	14	31
Zayne Parekh	Saginaw Spirit	23	9	22	31
Dalyn Wakely	North Bay Battalion	24	8	23	31
Trent Swick	Kitchener Rangers	26	11	16	27
Marco Mignosa	Soo Greyhounds	25	8	18	26
Jonathan Melee	Peterborough Petes	21	11	14	25
Owen Van Steensel	North Bay Battalion	24	11	14	25
Goal Scoring Leaders
Player	Team		GP	G	GPG
Anthony Romani	North Bay Battalion		24	19	0.79
Liam Greentree	Windsor Spitfires		22	17	0.77
Adrian Misaljevic	Kitchener Rangers		26	17	0.65
Justin Cloutier	Soo Greyhounds		25	13	0.52
Owen Allard	Soo Greyhounds		25	12	0.48
Trent Swick	Kitchener Rangers		26	11	0.42
Jonathan Melee	Peterborough Petes		21	11	0.52
Owen Van Steensel	North Bay Battalion		24	11	0.46
Tyson Doucette	Sarnia Sting		24	11	0.46
Valentin Zhugin	Windsor Spitfires		24	11	0.46
Assist Leaders
Player	Team		GP	A	APG
Dalyn Wakely	North Bay Battalion		24	23	0.96
Zayne Parekh	Saginaw Spirit		23	22	0.96
Liam Greentree	Windsor Spitfires		22	18	0.82
Marco Mignosa	Soo Greyhounds		25	18	0.72
Jacon LeBlanc	Sarnia Sting		24	17	0.71
Trent Swick	Kitchener Rangers		26	16	0.62
Kocha Delic	Sudbury Wolves		23	16	0.70
Calem Mangone	Saginaw Spirit		23	16	0.70
Pano Fimis	Erie Otters		24	16	0.67
Simon Slavicek	Flint Firebirds		23	16	0.70
Defencemen Point Leaders
Player	Team	GP	G	A	Pts
Zayne Parekh	Saginaw Spirit	23	9	22	31
Jacon LeBlanc	Sarnia Sting	24	4	17	21
Sam Dickonson	London Knights	24	5	14	19
Henry Mews	Ottawa 67’s	20	3	15	18
Spencer Sova	Erie Otters	19	9	7	16
Luca D’Amato	Oshawa Generals	22	4	11	15
Jakub Fibigr	Mississauga Steelheads	23	4	11	15
Donovan McCoy	Peterborough Petes	23	4	11	15
Luca Marrelli	Oshawa Generals	22	1	14	15
Ben Danford	Oshawa Generals	22	1	13	14
Goaltenders Leaders – Goals Against Average
Player	Team	GP	Min	GA	Avg
Collin MacKenzie	Ottawa 67’s	11	617	25	2.43
Jackson Parsons	Kitchener Rangers	20	1113	45	2.43
Brayden Gillespie	Guelph Storm	20	1166	51	2.62
Andrew Oke	Saginaw Spirit	15	835	37	2.66
Carter George	Owen Sound Attack	19	1060	50	2.83
Sam Hillebrandt	Barrie Colts	13	721	35	2.91
Ryerson Leenders	Mississauga Steelheads	17	988	52	3.16
Charlie Schenkel	Soo Greyhounds	19	1089	58	3.20
Jacob Oster	Oshawa Generals	20	1169	66	3.39
Mason Vaccari	Kingston Frontenacs	22	1271	74	3.49
Goaltending Leaders – Save Percentage
Player	Team	GP	SH	SVS	SV%
Collin MacKenzie	Ottawa 67’s	11	333	308	0.925
Jackson Parsons	Kitchener Rangers	20	573	528	0.921
Carter George	Owen Sound Attack	19	583	533	0.914
Brayden Gillespie	Guelph Storm	20	581	530	0.912
Sam Hillebrandt	Barrie Colts	13	394	359	0.911
Ryerson Leenders	Mississauga Steelheads	17	582	530	0.911
Andrew Oke	Saginaw Spirit	15	388	351	0.905
Liam Sztuska	Peterborough Petes	15	538	487	0.905
Owen Flores	Niagara IceDogs	16	542	488	0.900
Jacob Oster	Oshawa Generals	20	637	571	0.896

OHL Writers Draft Eligible Players of the Month: November

Posted on December 1, 2023 by Dominic Tiano

It was a wild and crazy month in the Ontario Hockey League and it’s not always easy to select the best performances among forwards, defencemen and goaltenders. Yet, here we are doing just that among the players eligible for the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.

Forward of the Month: Liam Greentree – Windsor Spitfires

There were a lot of options here but ultimately decided on Greentree because of what he is doing on the League’s last place club. Greentree posted 9 goals and 9 assists in just 10 games in November and is a bright spot on a season Spitfires’ fans would like to forget. He’s creating a lot of chances for himself and his teammates and he’s making them count. Greentree has 17 goals and 18 assists in 22 games on the season and leads the Spits in most offensive categories.

Also considered were: Anthony Romani of the North Bay Battalion who had 9 goals and 6 assists in 11 games; Kocha Delic of the Sudbury Wolves who had 6 goals and 10 assists in 11 games; Trent Swick of the Kitchener Rangers who notched 8 goals and 9 assists in 13 games and Simon Slavicek of the Flint Firebirds who scored 5 goals and 11 assists in 12 games.

Defenceman of the Month: Zayne Parekh – Saginaw Spirit

It was an easier decision on the blueline where Parekh put up 7 goals and 12 assists in 11 games. He was held off the scoresheet just twice and only 2 games were not multi point games. He had a hattrick on November 8 against Flint – the first of his OHL career.

Parekh finished with a minus in just one game in November, a 3-1 win over the Windsor Spitfires. It just happened to be one of the games he went pointless in as well. Parekh now has 9 goals and 22 assists in 23 games on the season.

Also considered was Ottawa 67’s defenceman Henry Mews who had 2 goals and 10 assists in 10 games. Returning after missing 3 games, Mews put up points in 7 of his 10 games with all but two of them being multi-point games. He now has 3 goals and 15 assists in 20 games on the season.

Goaltender of the Month: Jackson Parsons – Kitchener Rangers

Perhaps an even easier decision was selecting Parsons. Yes, he plays on a great Rangers squad but he is one of the reasons they are so good. He made 11 appearances in November and posted a 9-1-0-0 record. As good as Kitchener is as a team, Parsons still faced some rubber stopping 303 of 323 shots he faced for a .937 save-percentage, 2.05 goals-against-average and 2 shutouts.

Parsons faced 30 or more shots in 7 of his 10 complete games in November and is 7^th among OHL goalies in shots faced on the season. Parsons is now 14-5-0-0 on the season with a 2.43 goals-against-average and .921 save-percentage. So, he is not just the beneficiary of playing on a good team.

We didn’t really consider anyone else as our nominee.

Our monthly choices:

Forward of the Month

Liam Greentree – Windsor Spitfires – November

Adrian Misaljevic – Kitchener Rangers – October

Defenceman of the Month

Zayne Parekh – Saginaw Spirit – November

Jacob LeBlanc – Sarnia Sting – October

Goaltender of the Month

Jack Parsons – Kitchener Rangers – November

Brayden Gillespie – Guelph Storm – October

CHL Team of the Month presented by CCM: November 2023

Posted on December 1, 2023December 1, 2023 by Dominic Tiano

TORONTO, ON — The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) is proud to announce today the November edition of the CHL Team of the Month presented by CCM for the 2023-24 regular season.

F – Jordan Dumais (Halifax Mooseheads / QMJHL)
8G-19A, 27 PTS, +13 in 12 GP in November

Across the CHL, no skater tallied more points in the month of November than Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Jordan Dumais of the No.3-ranked Halifax Mooseheads. The 19-year-old from Île Bizard, Que., registered points in 11 of 12 games over the course of the month – collecting eight goals and 19 assists. Within those 12 contests, Dumais recorded nine multi-point games, including six with three or more points. Through the 17 games he’s played this season, Dumais has failed to register a point in only one contest. He’s also averaging an impressive 2.41 points per game over the 2023-24 campaign, which is the highest mark of anyone in the CHL. Dumais, who led the QMJHL in scoring in 2022-23, is the only player in the CHL to currently be averaging more than two points per game (min. five games played) this season. Dumais is now up to 41 points during the 2023-24 campaign, which ranks second in the QMJHL and places him among the top-10 scorers in the CHL.

F – Filip Mešár (Kitchener Rangers / OHL)
10G-12A, 22 PTS, +9 in 13 GP in November

Alongside his teammate Carson Rehkopf, Montreal Canadiens prospect Filip Mešár of the No.4-ranked Kitchener Rangers led all OHL skaters with 22 points over the month of November. Those 22 points also ranked tied for fourth among any player in the CHL. Ultimately, the 19-year-old from Spisska Bela, Slovakia, recorded at least a point in 10 of 13 games in November, including registering seven multi-point contests. One of those games saw Mešár score his first career OHL hat-trick on November 21 in a 10-3 Kitchener win against the Erie Otters. The 2022 first-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens also tallied five power-play goals over the last month, which was one shy of the best mark in the OHL for November. Selected ninth overall in the 2021 CHL Import Draft, Mešár is now averaging 1.73 points per game during the 2023-24 campaign, which matches the highest mark of any player in the OHL this season.

F – Gabe Klassen (Portland Winterhawks / WHL)
7G-18A, 25 PTS, +12 in 11 GP in November

Averaging 2.27 points per game in November, Gabe Klassen of the No. 5-ranked Portland Winterhawks was one of the CHL’s highest scoring players over the last month. Klassen’s 25 points trailed only Halifax’s Jordan Dumais (27 points) for the top spot in the CHL in November, while his 18 assists were second behind Saskatoon’s Trevor Wong (21) in the WHL. Klassen led all WHL skaters in scoring over the month of November and his plus/minus rating of +12 ranked third in the WHL over that stretch. The 20-year-old from Prince Albert, Sask., failed to register a point in only three games last month, tallying three points or more on six different occasions, including a five-point outing (2G-3A) against the Kamloops Blazers on November 8. Thanks to his strong month in November, Klassen now has 41 points on the season, which places him among the top-10 scorers in the CHL during the 2023-24 campaign.

D – Zayne Parekh (Saginaw Spirit / OHL)
7G-12A, 19 PTS, +13 in 12 GP in November

2024 NHL Draft prospect Zayne Parekh of the No.8-ranked Saginaw Spirit had an spectacular month of November, tallying 19 points, which were the most of any blueliner in the Canadian Hockey League. His seven goals in November were also tied for the most of any defenceman in both the OHL and CHL. Over the last month, the 17-year-old from Nobleton, Ont., failed to register a point on only three occasions. Over his 12 games during the month of November, Parekh recorded seven multi-point games, including his first career OHL hat-trick on November 8 against the Spirit’s in-state rivals, the Flint Firebirds. Parekh’s excellent performance no doubt played a big role in helping Saginaw reach a franchise-record 10 straight wins along with a spot in the CHL Top-10 Rankings for the first time since the end of October. Parekh is now up to nine goals and 31 points during the 2023-24 campaign. His 31 points rank third among defencemen in the CHL, while his nine goals place him in a tie for fourth among that same group.

D – Luca Cagnoni (Portland Winterhawks / WHL)
1G-16A, 17 PTS, +9 in 11 GP in November

San Jose Sharks prospect Luca Cagnoni of the No.5-ranked Portland Winterhawks was a force on the backend throughout November. Trailing only Saginaw’s Zayne Parekh (19 points), Cagnoni’s 17 points in the last month were the second-most of any blueliner in the CHL. His 16 assists in November were ranked tied for first, alongside Kitchener’s Hunter Brzustewicz, for the most by a defenceman in the CHL. The 18-year-old from Burnaby, B.C., recorded at a point in eight of 11 games during the month of November. The latter included a five-point outing (1G-4A) against the Kamloops Blazers on November 8, which is the only five-point game by a defenceman in the CHL so far this season. The 2023 Sharks’ fourth-round pick is now up to 30 points on the year, which places him among the top-five scoring blueliners in the CHL during the 2023-24 campaign. His 27 assists on the year also rank third among defencemen in the Canadian Hockey League.

G – Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers / OHL)
9-1-0-0, 2.05 GAA, .937 SV%, 2 SO in ten starts in November

Having won nine of his 10 starts in November, Jackson Parsons of the No.4-ranked Kitchener Rangers has undoubtedly played an important part in his team’s success. Parsons’ nine wins were the most of any goalie in the CHL during the month of November, while his two shutouts also rank tied for first in the CHL over that stretch. In total, the 19-year-old from Embrun, Ont., made 310 saves in November, which trailed only Moose Jaw’s Jackson Unger (318) in the CHL. With six 30-plus save performances over the last month, Parsons’ 2.05 GAA and .937 SV% were both the third-best marks in the OHL for November. Parsons is now up to four shutouts on the season, which places him in a tie for first in the CHL with Prince George’s Joshua Ravensbergen. Meanwhile, his 14 wins are the most of any netminder in the OHL and he sits third in the CHL for that category. The Rangers’ netminder also holds a 2.43 GAA and a .921 SV% on the season, which rank first and second in the OHL respectively.

OHL ANNOUNCES TOP PERFORMERS OF THE MONTH FOR NOVEMBER

Posted on December 1, 2023 by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced top performers for the month of November including Kitchener Rangers teammates Filip Mesar and Jackson Parsons, Saginaw Spirit blueliner Zayne Parekh and Windsor Spitfires forward Cole Davis.

Player of the Month – Filip Mesar (Kitchener Rangers)

Montreal Canadiens prospect Filip Mesar of the Kitchener Rangers is the OHL Player of the Month for November, producing points in nine of his 13 outings, including six goals in his last five games played. He recorded 10 goals, 12 assists, and 24 points this month, helping the Western Conference-leading Rangers play to an 11-3 record. The 5-foot-10, 168lb. forward registered consecutive three-point showings on Nov. 12 and 17., along with a four-point performance on Nov. 21., scoring his first OHL career hat trick in the Rangers’ 10-3 win over the Erie Otters. Mesar gives the Rangers consecutive OHL Player of the Month recipients after teammate Carson Rehkopf earned October’s honours.

Selected ninth overall in the 2021 CHL Import Draft, the 19-year-old from Spisska Bela, Slovakia comes-off a solid first season in the OHL, registering 51 points (17-34-51) in 52 regular season matchups. Montreal’s first round (26th overall) pick in the 2022 NHL Draft has recorded 26 points (11-15–26) through 15 games with the Rangers this season.

Defenceman of the Month – Zayne Parekh (Saginaw Spirit)

2024 NHL Draft eligible defenceman Zayne Parekh of the Saginaw Spirit is the OHL Defenceman of the Month, registering seven goals, 12 assists, and 19 points over 12 November outings, including nine points in his last five games. Helping Saginaw win 10 of a possible 12 games last month, Parekh currently ranks second among all defensive point-getters, recording 31 points (9-22-31) over 23 games played this season. Tallying seven multi-point showings last month, he registered three different three-point performances on Nov. 2 and Nov. 29, as well as his first career OHL hat-trick on Nov. 8 as the Spirit defeated the Flint Firebirds 6-3.

A 17-year-old from Nobleton, Ont., Parekh is in his second OHL season after registering 37 points (21-16–37) over 50 games last season, setting a new OHL record for goals by a 16-year-old blueliner with 21. The 6-foot, 180Ib. right-shot defender earned a gold medal for Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup this past summer, and was recently awarded an A-rating on NHL Central Scouting’s October ‘Players to Watch’ List for the 2024 NHL Draft. Parekh was Saginaw’s first round (19th overall) pick in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection from the Markham Majors U16 program.

Goaltender of the Month – Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers)

Jackson Parsons of the Kitchener Rangers is the OHL Goaltender of the Month for November, playing to a 9-1 record with a 2.05 goals-against average and .937 save percentage along with two shutouts. Helping lead his team to the top of the Western Conference standings, Parsons posted back-to-back shutouts on Nov. 8 and Nov. 10, including a 30-save performance against the Owen Sound Attack, followed by a 39-save performance against the Peterborough Petes. Parson closed out the month with a 40-save performance on Nov. 29 as the Rangers bested the Erie Otters 5-4 in overtime.

A recently turned 19-year-old from Embrun, Ont., Parsons has come back strong from missing much of 2022-23 to injury, playing to a 14-5 record along with a league-leading 2.43 goals-against average, .921 save percentage and four shutouts so far this season. Selected in the third round (53rd overall) by Kitchener in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection, Parsons has appeared in 47 career regular season contests, recording a 24-19-2-0 record, 3.30 goals-against average and .902 save percentage over three seasons.

Rookie of the Month – Cole Davis (Windsor Spitfires)

Windsor Spitfires forward Cole Davis is the OHL Rookie of the Month, recording 12 points, including seven goals and five assists over 13 appearances in November. Davis registered four multi-point showings over the course of the month, tallying six points in his last five games. Davis tallied back-to-back two-point showings, recording a pair of goals on Nov. 18 against the Kitchener Rangers, followed by a goal and an assist in a 5-2 win over the Peterborough Petes on Nov. 23. Davis now leads all rookie skaters in points, registering 18 (10-8-18) through 25 games this season.

A 17-year-old from Sutton, Ont., Davis spent the 2022-23 season with the Lasalle Vipers of the GOJHL, recording 46 points (24-22-46) in 47 games played while also appearing in five games with the Spitfires. The 5-foot-10, 175Ib. forward was the Windsor’s fourth round (65th overall) pick in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection.

2023-24 OHL Performers of the Month:

Player of the Month:
November – Filip Mesar (Kitchener Rangers)
October – Carson Rehkopf (Kitchener Rangers)

Defenceman of the Month:
November – Zayne Parekh (Saginaw Spirit)
October – Hunter Brzustewicz (Kitchener Rangers)

Goaltender of the Month:
November – Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers)
October – Brayden Gillespie (Guelph Storm)

Rookie of the Month:
November – Cole Davis (Windsor Spitfires)
October – Carter George (Owen Sound Attack)

OHL ANNOUNCES ACADEMIC PLAYERS OF THE MONTH PRESENTED BY HOCKLEY VALLEY RESORT

Posted on November 30, 2023 by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Academic Players of the Month for November, proudly presented by Hockley Valley Resort.

East Division – Charlie Hilton (Ottawa 67’s)

Ottawa 67’s rookie forward Charlie Hilton is the OHL East Division Academic Player of the Month for November.

Hilton achieved an overall average of 82 percent across three university-level courses, including grade 12 Business, English, and Interdisciplinary Studies, and is currently completing grade 12 Law and World issues at Blyth Academy – The Glebe.

“Charlie’s drive and dedication to do well academically is demonstrated daily. He is a positive role model to his fellow teammates and classmates. Charlie’s teachers and Principal Kristy Larose appreciate his work ethic, reliability, and quiet nature,” said 67’s Academic Advisor, Eileen Duffin.

“Charlie has transitioned well to the OHL and daily life with the 67s, quickly becoming a valued member of our team. His work ethic and dedication to both hockey and academics has been exemplary,” added 67’s General Manager, James Boyd.

The 17-year-old from Oshawa, Ont. was selected in the 14^th round of the 2022 Priority Selection. Hilton played for the Oshawa Generals U18 program in 2022-23, recording 45 points in 32 games, including 23 goals capturing the OMHA Title with the Generals. Hilton scored his first OHL goal in his hometown of Oshawa on November 11, 2023.

Central Division – Chase Coughlan (Sudbury Wolves)

Sudbury Wolves forward Chase Coughlan is the OHL Central Division Academic Player of the Month for November.

Coughlan is currently holding an “A” average in three grade 12 university-level courses, including Nutrition and Health, Interdisciplinary Studies, and Hockey at St. Charles College.

“Chase is known as a great team player, and an excellent member of the Sudbury community,” said Wolves Academic Advisor, Gord Ewin.

The 18-year-old from Toronto, Ont. has played 22 games this season, recording five goals and four assists for the Wolves. The 5-foot-11, 192Ib. right-winger was originally selected in the third round, 59th overall by the Guelph Storm in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection before joining Sudbury last season.

Midwest Division – Henry Brzustewicz (London Knights)

London Knights rookie blueliner Henry Brzustewicz is the OHL Midwest Division Academic Player of the Month for November.

Brzustewicz is currently achieving outstanding grades in five university-level courses, including an 81 percent average in Algebra, a 93 percent average in Economics, a 97 percent average in Visual Arts, and a 98 percent average in Physical Education at Michigan International Prep School.

“Henry has made a serious commitment to academics. He keeps up to all class work and assessments, and independently maintains high academic standards in all that he does. He exhibits a high standard of self-regulation and initiative in all his academic work,” said Knights Academic Advisor, Wendy Glover.

The 6-foot-1, 194lb. defenceman from Washington, Mich. has appeared in 20 games this season, registering a goal and an assist for the Knights. The rookie was originally selected by the Ottawa 67’s in the first round of the 2023 OHL Priority Selection.

West Division – Tate Vader (Soo Greyhounds)

Soo Greyhounds forward Tate Vader is the OHL West Division Academic Player of the Month for November.

Vader is currently achieving an overall average of 96 percent across three university-level courses, with a 94 percent average in English, a 98 percent average in Physics, and a 96 percent average in Advanced Functions at Superior Heights Secondary School.

“Tate is highly respected and well-liked by his classmates and teachers. He has developed and demonstrated work habits and accountability, that will prepare him for a bright academic and hockey future. Congratulations Tate, you are and outstanding representative of the Greyhound hockey family,” said Greyhounds Academic Advisors Jerry Bumbacco and Mary Lynne Lukenda.

The 5-foot-11, 183lb. Gowanstown, Ont. native continues his second season with the Greyhounds, recording an assist in six games played so far this season. Vader was Sault Ste. Marie’s fifth round (92nd overall) pick in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection from the Huron Perth Lakers U16 program.

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The OHL continues to produce student-athletes that move on to both professional and U SPORTS men’s hockey endeavors.

A total of 333 graduates utilized their OHL Scholarship at post-secondary institutions across North America during the 2022-23 academic year, with a total contribution by teams of over $3.6 million. Over the past 10 seasons, OHL Scholarship payments have totaled more than $25 million.

A total of 228 OHL Alumni were included on U SPORTS men’s hockey rosters to open the 2023-24 season.

About Hockley Valley Resort
Hockley Valley Resort is a premier year-round destination, nestled in the heart of Ontario’s scenic countryside just 45 minutes from Toronto. Offering 108 guest rooms, extensive meeting facilities, full-service spa, championship golf course, ski runs and terrain park, and 10 kilometers of mountain biking trails, the resort caters to the diverse needs of both leisure and corporate guests. With a steadfast commitment to delivering exceptional experiences and creating unforgettable memories, Hockley Valley Resort offers its guests a welcoming, natural setting, ensuring a memorable stay.

Adamo Estate Winery, sister property to Hockley Valley Resort offers a delightful escape for wine enthusiasts, featuring exceptional wines crafted with attention to detail and a picturesque vineyard setting. Visitors can indulge in wine tastings, guided tours, and special events, immersing themselves in the artistry of winemaking in this emerging wine region of Mono, Ontario.

OHL CUP PRESENTED BY FPS PAYMENT U16 AAA TOP 10 RANKINGS – WEEK 2

Posted on November 28, 2023 by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the Week 2 edition of the weekly U16 AAA rankings for the 2024 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament presented by FPS Payment and hosted by the Greater Toronto Hockey League.

The 2024 OHL Cup will feature 20 teams consisting of talent eligible for the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. Starting with three Wild Card Play-In matchups on Monday, March 25, all games will be played at the Scotiabank Pond in Toronto until the Championship Final moves to the Mattamy Athletic Centre on Saturday, March 30.

The weekly rankings are determined by a panel of OHL Central Scouting staff and represent the top teams that are competing to play in the annual year-end championship tournament.

U16 AAA Rankings for the 2024 OHL Cup – Week 2

RANK:	TEAM:	LAST WK	WKS RANKED
1	Vaughan Kings (GTHL)	2	2
2	Toronto Marlboros (GTHL)	3	2
3	Barrie Colts (OMHA)	1	2
4	Oakville Rangers (OMHA)	6	2
5	North York Rangers (GTHL)	4	2
6	Toronto Jr. Canadiens (GTHL)	5	2
7	Mississauga Rebels (GTHL)	8	2
8	Upper Canada Cyclones (HEO)	7	2
9	Ottawa Myers Automotive (HEO)	–	1
10	York-Simcoe Express (OMHA)	9	2

HM	Peterborough Petes (OMHA)	–	–
HM	Halton Hurricanes (OMHA)	–	–
HM	Elgin-Middlesex Canucks (ALLIANCE)	10	1

The Silver Stick champion Vaughan Kings move to the top of the list in Week 2 following a 6-0-1 performance at the annual tournament in Whitby. The Kings defeated the second-ranked Toronto Marlboros by a score of 5-3 in Sunday’s Championship Final. The Oakville Rangers climb two spots to fourth on this week’s list after a strong showing at the Silver Stick while the Mississauga Rebels and Ottawa Myers Automotive are also on the rise.

For more information, visit OHLCup.ca.

SAPOVALIV AND IVANKOVIC NAMED OHL TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK

Posted on November 27, 2023 by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, November 26, 2023

Spirit’s Matyas Sapovaliv Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

Vegas Golden Knights prospect Matyas Sapovaliv of the Saginaw Spirit is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording four goals, seven assists, and 11 points in three victories.

Sapovaliv had a strong showing on Wednesday, registering three helpers to earn second star honours as the Spirit defeated the rival Flint Firebirds 6-3. The 6-foot-4, 195lb. centreman found the scoresheet again on Friday, tallying a goal and three assists in a 6-1 win over the Sarnia Sting. Sapovaliv closed out the weekend with a hat-trick along with an assist in Sunday’s 6-2 win over the Niagara IceDogs, earning first star honours as the Spirit’s 10th consecutive win established a new club record. Sapovaliv was a force in the faceoff circle last week, winning 64 percent (41-of-64) of his draws.

Selected in the first round, 15th overall by the Spirit in the 2021 CHL Import Draft, Sapovaliv has recorded 28 points (11-17-28) over 22 games this season. The Golden Knights’ second round (48th overall) pick in the 2022 NHL Draft continues his third season in Saginaw, playing to a career mark of 56 goals, 80 assists, and 136 points in 151 regular season matchups. The Kladno, Czechia native has represented his home country in each of the last two World Junior Hockey Championships, helping Czechia claim silver last year.

Also considered for the award this week, San Jose Sharks prospect Quentin Musty of the Sudbury Wolves contributed five goals and three assists to two wins last week. Winnipeg Jets prospect Jacob Julien of the London Knights was also productive, contributing five goals and an assist in three road games.

2023-24 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Matyas Sapovaliv (Saginaw Spirit)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Donovan McCoy (Peterborough Petes)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Denver Barkey (London Knights)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Braeden Kressler (Flint Firebirds)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Kirill Kudryavtsev (Soo Greyhounds)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Anthony Romani (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Carson Rehkopf (Kitchener Rangers)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Jordan D’Intino (Soo Greyhounds)
Sep. 28 – Oct. 1: Jax Dubois (Peterborough Petes)

Steelheads’ Jack Ivankovic Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

First-year netminder Jack Ivankovic of the Mississauga Steelheads is the OHL Goaltender of the Week, coming up with his first career OHL shutout on Saturday night.

Causing a teddy bear flight delay in Erie, Ivankovic stopped all 48 shots that came his way, earning his first career OHL shutout as the Steelheads blanked the Otters 5-0. The Mississauga native’s performance set a new club mark, with his 48 saves being the most ever by a Steelheads goaltender in a shutout effort, as well as the most by a 16-year-old rookie in a shutout in the past 25 years of OHL history.

Ivankovic has appeared in six games for the Steelheads this season, playing to a 4-1-0-0 record, along with a 2.40 goals-against-average and .935 save percentage. The 5-foot-11, 170lb. rookie was the Steelheads’ first round (seventh overall) pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection from the Mississauga Senators U16 program. Ivankovic recently excelled for Team Canada White at the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, returning from Prince Edward Island with a gold medal.

Also considered for the award this week, Carter George of the Owen Sound Attack went 1-1 with a 2.51 goals-against average, .948 save percentage, and a 50-save shutout of his own. Max Donoso of the Ottawa 67’s went 2-1 with a 2.61 goals-against average and .928 save percentage.

2023-24 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Jack Ivankovic (Mississauga Steelheads)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Carter George (Owen Sound Attack)
Nov. 8 – Nov. 12: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 7: Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Sam Hillebrandt (Barrie Colts)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Brayden Gillespie (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Collin MacKenzie (Ottawa 67’s)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Ryerson Leenders (Mississauga Steelheads)
Sep. 28 – Oct. 1: Ryerson Leenders (Mississauga Steelheads)

2024 OHL CUP PRESENTED BY FPS PAYMENT TO BE HELD MARCH 25-30 IN TORONTO

Posted on November 21, 2023 by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League, along with the Greater Toronto Hockey League and new presenting sponsor FPS Payment announced today that the 2024 OHL Cup Showcase is set to take place from Monday, March 25 through Saturday, March 30. The showcase will feature 20 of the top Under-16 AAA programs from across Ontario and the United States pursuing the annual championship.

This year’s showcase will include several new elements, with the Championship Final moving from its typical placement on Monday night to being held on Saturday, March 30 at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in downtown Toronto. Wild card and round robin play will commence on Monday, March 25 at Scotiabank Pond and run through Wednesday, March 27 before Quarter-final and Semi-final games are held on Thursday, March 28. No games will be played on Friday, March 29.

A total of 17 guaranteed entries will compete in the showcase along with an additional three teams emerging as winners from wild card play-in games.

Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO) will be making its return to the OHL Cup Showcase for the first time since 2017. The champion and finalist from the HEO U16 AAA division will qualify for the showcase along with the final four teams in the GTHL, final-four teams in the Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario (ALLIANCE) and top-four teams at the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) Championships, along with individual entries from the United States (TPH Hockey), Hockey Northwestern Ontario’s (HNO) Thunder Bay Kings and the Northern Ontario Hockey Association (NOHA).

Teams gaining entry to wild card play-in games will include the highest remaining seed from the ALLIANCE, the highest remaining seed from the GTHL and the fifth-place team at the OMHA Championships. An OHL Cup wild card selection committee will determine the remaining three teams that will play for a chance to gain entry to the showcase by no later than Friday, March 22.

The 2024 Gloria Rints Memorial Silver Stick Tournament gets underway in Whitby, Ont. this week as the road to the 2024 OHL Priority Selection for players born primarily in 2008 continues. Stay tuned for the first edition of weekly OHL Cup Top 10 Rankings that will be published ahead of the tournament on Wednesday.

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