ROMANI AND GILLESPIE NAMED OHL TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK

Posted on 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, October 22, 2023.



Battalion’s Anthony Romani Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

North Bay Battalion forward Anthony Romani is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, scoring five goals while adding an assist while registering a plus-7 rating in a pair of games.

Romani scored a pair of goals and added an assist on Thursday, being named the game’s second star as the Battalion came up just short against the visiting Mississauga Steelheads in a 7-6 final. He earned first star honours on Sunday, scoring his first career OHL hat trick as the Troops defeated the Flint Firebirds 6-4 at the Gardens.

An 18-year-old from Pickering, Ont., Romani is off to a strong start to his third OHL season, recording 15 points (8-7–15) through 10 outings as the Battalion own a record of 5-3-1-1. The 6-foot-1, 184Ib. right-winger was North Bay’s third round (41st overall) pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection from the Toronto Jr. Canadiens U16 program. In 130 regular season games, Romani has put up 39 goals, 33 assists and 72 points. He’s reached the Eastern Conference Championship Series with the Battalion in each of the past two years, recording 12 points (9-3–12) across 33 playoff games. Romani attended rookie camp with the Carolina Hurricanes last month.

Also considered for the award this week, North Bay Battalion teammate Dalyn Wakely recorded seven points (2-5–7) in two games. Mississauga Steelheads winger Porter Martone was also a standout, putting up seven points (4-3–7) over three outings. Kitchener Rangers defenceman Hunter Brzustewicz climbed to the top of OHL scoring with seven points (1-6–7) in three games last week.

2023-24 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
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)
 



Storm’s Brayden Gillespie Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Brayden Gillespie of the Guelph Storm is the OHL Goaltender of the Week following a pair of wins where he posted a 1.50 goals-against average and .929 save percentage.

Gillespie continued his excellent start to the season, backstopping the Storm to a 3-1 win over the Barrie Colts on Friday with a 20-save performance. He returned to the crease on Saturday, making 19 saves as the Storm defeated the Kingston Frontenacs 6-2.

An 18-year-old from Oakville, Ont., Gillespie leads the OHL with a 1.88 goals-against average to go with a 5-2-0-0 record, .933 save percentage and one shutout through seven games this season. The 5-foot-11, 155Ib. netminder was the Storm’s 11th round (207th overall) pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection from the North York Rangers U16 program. Gillespie split the 2022-23 season between the Storm and the Ayr Centennials of the GOJHL. He owns a career regular season mark of 18-8-2-1 with a 3.06 goals-against average, .891 save percentage and two shutouts in 32 contests.

Also considered for the award this week, Charlie Schenkel of the Soo Greyhounds went 1-1 with a 1.51 goals-against average and .945 save percentage, recording a 31-save shutout on Thursday in Peterborough. Brantford Bulldogs rookie David Egorov played to a 1-0 mark across two appearances, posting a 0.70 goals-against average and .980 save percentage.

2023-24 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
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.

REHKOPF AND MACKENZIE NAMED OHL TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK

Posted on 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, October 15, 2023.



Rangers’ Carson Rehkopf Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

Seattle Kraken prospect Carson Rehkopf of the Kitchener Rangers is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording five goals, three assists, and eight points over two contests as the Rangers collected four points over the weekend.

Rehkopf had a strong start on Friday, registering a hat trick and an assist to earn first star honours as the Rangers blanked the visiting Barrie Colts 8-0. The 6-foot-1, 196lb. centreman found the scoresheet again on Sunday, tallying a pair of goals and assists as Kitchener defeated the Windsor Spitfires in a high-scoring 11-2 victory to close out the weekend.

An 18-year-old from Vaughan, Ont., Rehkopf ranks third among OHL point-producers, recording seven goals, six assists, and 13 points over seven games played this season. Seattle’s second round (50th overall) pick in the 2023 NHL Draft has recorded 105 points (55-50–105) in 140 career OHL regular season games with the Rangers after being chosen 17th overall by the club in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection.

Also considered for the award this week, draft-eligible forward Luke Misa of the Mississauga Steelheads scored three times and added five assists in three wins. Rehkopf’s Rangers teammate Matthew Sop was also productive, contributing a total of three goals and four helpers to Kitchener’s perfect weekend.

2023-24 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
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’ Collin MacKenzie Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Ottawa 67’s goaltender Collin MacKenzie is the OHL Goaltender of the Week. He played to a 2-0 record with a 1.50 goals-against average, and .948 save percentage as the 67’s played their way to the top of the OHL Power Rankings.

Stopping a total of 55 shots last week, MacKenzie turned aside 23 of the 25 attempts that came his way on Thursday as Ottawa defeated the North Bay Battalion 4-2. The 6-foot, 175lb. netminder was back in the crease on Friday, stopping 32 of the 33 shots he faced to earn first star honours as the 67’s built on their perfect weekend with a 2-1 win over the Soo Greyhounds.

An 18-year-old from Elora, Ont., MacKenzie joined teammate Max Donoso in receiving the 2023-24 Dave Pinkney Trophy presented to the goaltenders of the team that surrenders the fewest goals-against during the regular season. MacKenzie owns a career OHL regular season mark of 27-3-3-0, posting a 2.25 goals-against average and .914 save percentage over 41 games. He was Ottawa’s eighth round (160th overall) pick in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection from the Waterloo Wolves U16 program.

Also in the running for the award this week, Carter George of the Owen Sound Attack played to a 1-1-1-0 record, with a 1.68 goals-against average, and .944 save percentage along with his first OHL shutout. Winnipeg Jets prospect and returning OHL Goaltender of the Year Dom DiVincentiis of the North Bay Battalion played to a 2-1-0-0 mark with a 2.01 goals-against average and .926 save percentage.

2023-24 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
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.

D’INTINO AND LEENDERS NAMED OHL TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK

Posted on 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, October 8, 2023.



Greyhounds’ Jordan D’Intino Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

Soo Greyhounds overage forward Jordan D’Intino is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, leading the League with seven points, including four goals and three assists over three contests.

D’Intino helped the Greyhounds climb to the top of the Western Conference standings, recording his first career OHL hat trick in the process. After being held off the scoresheet in Wednesday’s 3-2 shootout win over the London Knights, D’Intino put together a goal and an assist in a 7-4 road loss to the Sarnia Sting on Friday. He had a career night in Flint on Saturday, scoring three times while adding a pair of assists for first star recognition as the Hounds improved to 4-1 to start the season.

A 20-year-old from Delaware, Ont., D’Intino sits tied for second in OHL scoring with eight points (5-3–8) through five games. The 6-foot-1, 190Ib. left-winger is in his third season with the Greyhounds, producing 36 goals, 28 assists and 64 points through 128 career regular season games. The Greyhounds selected D’Intino in the fourth round (80th overall) of the 2019 OHL Priority Selection from the London Jr. Knights U16 program.

Also considered for the award this week, Sarnia Sting forward Marko Sikic also produced his first career hat trick, finishing with six points (4-2–6) in three games. Owen Sound Attack forward Deni Goure was also productive, putting up five points (3-2–5) in a pair of outings.

2023-24 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Jordan D’Intino (Soo Greyhounds)
Sep. 28 – Oct. 1: Jax Dubois (Peterborough Petes)
 



Steelheads’ Ryerson Leenders Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Draft eligible Mississauga Steelheads goaltender Ryerson Leenders is the OHL Goaltender of the Week for a second straight week. He played to a 2-0 record with a 0.50 goals-against average, .981 save percentage and one shutout as the Steelheads climbed to the top of the Eastern Conference standings last week.

After earning top honours last week, Leenders returned to the crease on Thursday in Niagara, stopping all 29 shots he faced for his second shutout of the young season as the Steelheads beat the IceDogs 2-0. He got the start on Sunday at home against Brantford, turning aside 24-of-25 shots in a 6-1 win over the Bulldogs.

A 17-year-old from Nanticoke, Ont., Leenders leads the league through two weeks of action, going 4-0 with a 1.00 goals-against-average and .967 save percentage. The 6-foot-1, 176Ib. sophomore played to a mark of 12-15-3-0 with a 3.48 goals-against average and .879 save percentage over 35 games as a rookie in Mississauga last year. Leenders was the first goaltender selected in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, being taken by the Steelheads in the second round (32nd overall) out of the Toronto Nationals U16 program. He won a gold medal with Canada’s men’s national under-18 team this past summer at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Czechia and Slovakia.

Also considered for the award this week, Brayden Gillespie of the Guelph Storm went 1-1 with a shutout and .951 save percentage over two outings. Carolina Hurricanes prospect Jakub Vondras of the Sudbury Wolves earned his first OHL shutout, going 1-1 with a 2.50 goals-against average and .921 save percentage.

2023-24 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
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.

DUBOIS AND LEENDERS NAMED OHL TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK

Posted on 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, October 1, 2023.



Petes’ Jax Dubois Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

Jax Dubois of the Peterborough Petes is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording two goals along with five assists for seven points over two games played.

Dubois led the 2023 OHL champions to a strong start in their title defence, recording one goal and two assists in Peterborough’s home-opener as they defeated the Kingston Frontenacs 5-4 on Thursday. The 6-foot-4, 205lb. forward was productive once again with a four-point night on Friday, recording one goal and three assists in a 5-2 win over the Ottawa 67’s. Dubois was also steady in the faceoff circle, going 56 percent. His seven points place him atop the OHL’s list of top scorers entering the second week of the season.

An overage centreman from Ottawa, Ont., Dubois was selected in the 14th round (273rd overall) by the Petes in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection, recording 21 goals, 39 assists and 60 points over 119 OHL regular season games.

Also considered for the award this week, newly-acquired Soo Greyhounds forward Jack Beck made a strong first impression with six points (2-4–6) in a pair of victories. Luke Misa helped guide the Mississauga Steelheads to a pair of victories, putting up five points (2-3–5) in back-to-back wins over the Erie Otters.

2023-24 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Sept. 28 – Oct. 1: Jax Dubois (Peterborough Petes)
 



Steelheads’ Ryerson Leenders Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Ryerson Leenders of the Mississauga Steelheads is the OHL Goaltender of the Week, going 2-0 with a shutout, a 1.50 goals-against average and .957 save percentage.

Stopping 66 of the 69 shots he faced, Leenders defended the crease in a pair of victories against the Erie Otters last week. He turned aside all 34 shots that came his way on Friday, earning his first career OHL shutout along with first star honours as Mississauga defeated the Otters 5-0 at home. The 6-foot-1, 176lb. netminder was back in the crease on Saturday, blocking 32 of the 35 shots he faced as the Steelheads closed out the weekend with a 5-3 victory.

An 18-year-old from Nanticoke, Ont., Leenders was Mississauga’s second round (32nd overall) pick in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection from the Toronto Nationals U16 program. He won a gold medal as a member of Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team this past summer at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Czechia and Slovakia. Leenders is eligible for the 2024 NHL Draft.

Also considered or the award this week, Jackson Parsons of the Kitchener Rangers went 2-0 with his first career OHL shutout coming Saturday in Flint. Parsons missed most of the 2022-23 season with an injury and was tremendous in his return. Newly-acquired London Knights netminder Michael Simpson also merits consideration after going 2-0 with a 1.50 goals-against average and .950 save percentage in his first week in green and gold.

2023-24 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
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.

2023-2024 OHL’s Draft Eligible Players

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

The puck has dropped on the 2023-2024 Ontario Hockey League season and we begin our draft coverage with players eligible for the 2024 National Hockey League Entry Draft. Players eligible for the draft must have a birthdate between January 1, 2004 and September 15, 2006. Players born between September 16, 2023 and September 15, 2024 are first time draft eligible. A total of 291 eligible players are listed on team rosters on opening week. Many will not finish the season with their respective clubs. Of the 291 players eligible, 180 of them are draft re-entries and 111 are first time draft eligible players.

Sam Dickinson of the London Knights is the early favorite to be the first player selected from the OHL. Photo by Natalie Shaver/OHL Images
BARRIE COLTS
#PLAYERPOSHTWTD.O.B.RENTRY
6Jack BrautiD6’0″16524-May-06No
8Grayson TillerD5’10”19020-Feb-05Yes
17Endo MeierRW6’0″17220-Jul-05Yes
21Riley PattersonC6’0″19422-Mar-06No
22Cooper MatthewsRW5’9″18411-Feb-04Yes
23Tai YorkLW6’1″18518-Jun-04Yes
29Cole BeaduoinC6’2″20624-Apr-06No
34Olivier SavardD6’2″19614-Jan-05Yes
53Beau JelsmaC5’9″17428-Apr-06Yes
71Bode StewartLW6’1″16909-Feb-06No
81Chris GrisoliaC6’0″18230-Apr-05Yes
85Carter LoweLW6’3″20901-Mar-06No
92Roenick JodoinC5’6″15710-Sep-04Yes
30Sam HillebrandtG6’1″16621-Feb-05Yes
31Nolan ChartrandG6’3″19506-May-04Yes
BRANTFORD BULLDOGS
#PLAYERPOSHTWTD.O.B.RENTRY
4Lucas MooreD5’10”18507-Jun-05Yes
5Noah Van VlietD6’3″22018-Feb-04Yes
7Noah RobertsD6’1″19002-Dec-05Yes
11Noah NelsonC6’1″18628-Mar-05Yes
14Calvin CrombieRW6’0″18603-Sep-05Yes
17Masen WrayC6’3″17715-May-06No
27Daniel ChenD6’4″18604-Aug-06No
42Braeden O’KeefeC5’9″17008-Jun-05Yes
68Cedricson OkitunduD5’11”19803-Jan-04Yes
71Callum CheynowskiD6’119104-Aug-06No
74Adrian RebeloLW6’2″18622-Jun-04Yes
78Marek VanackerLW6’1″17012-Apr-06No
89Ben BujoldC6’0″17903-Mar-04Yes
91Luca TestaC6’0″17210-Apr-06No
92Cole BrownRW6’3″18027-Apr-05Yes
29Tristan MalboeufG6’2″17321-Mar-04Yes
88David EgorovG6’1″16118-May-06No
ERIE OTTERS
#PLAYERPOSHTWTD.O.B.RENTRY
2Ty HenryD6’4″19819-Jul-06No
5Nathan SauderD6’1″19901-Feb-05Yes
6Taeo ArtichukLW5’10”17515-Feb-05Yes
8Georgy ToroptsevLW6’0″17922-Apr-06No
14George AlboimD6’2″19215-Mar-05Yes
20Kaleb SmithRW6’0″18814-May-04Yes
21Alex MessierLW6’3″21323-Mar-05Yes
22Spencer SovaD6’1″18810-Jan-04Yes
33Sam AlfanoRW6’4″22118-Jan-04Yes
65Nicholas HolomegoD6’5″20219-Jun-06No
72Alexis DaviaultD6’0″19017-Jun-05Yes
91Brett HammondC6’2″18808-Sep-06No
96Ondrej MolnarLW5’10”17508-Feb-05Yes
98Pano FimisC5’11”18317-Jun-04Yes
80Kyle DowneyG6’2″18004-Mar-04Yes
FLINT FIREBIRDS
#PLAYERPOSHTWTD.O.B.RENTRY
4Taylor MasonD5’9″15923-Feb-06No
5Blake SmithD6’4″20205-Oct-04Yes
6Reed GeeD6’0″17812-Mar-06No
16Alex BradshawLW6’4″19116-Mar-04Yes
17Kaden PitreC5’11”16708-Feb-06No
24Owen PittersC6’0″20028-Aug-05Yes
27Matthew JenkinD6’3″18412-Oct-05No
28Matthew WangLW6’2″20022-Aug-05Yes
42Markas SamenasLW6’5″21502-Feb-04Yes
59Grayden StrohackD6’3″18309-Jun-06No
61Simon SlavicekC6’0″17002-Feb-04Yes
73Daks KlinkhammerLW6’0″19714-Aug-05Yes
76Nathan AspinallLW6’4″16830-Mar-06No
95Marko StojkovD6’0″17011-Aug-04Yes
41Jocob BrownG6’2″17607-Mar-06No
GUELPH STORM
#PLAYERPOSHTWTD.O.B.RENTRY
2Zackary SandhuD6’1″18920-Dec-05No
3Rowan ToppD6’2″19502-Apr-06No
7Jett LuchankoRW5’10”16521-Aug-06No
12Ryan McGuireC5’10”18529-Feb-04Yes
16Gavin GrundnerLW6’0″17712-May-04Yes
2Leo SerlinRW6’0″18620-Jan-06No
23Charlie PaquetteRW6’0″18506-Dec-05No
26Max NamestnikovRW5’7″17306-Feb-04Yes
1Damian SlavikG6’4″18509-Jun-05Yes
31Brayden GillespieG5’11”15523-Jul-05Yes
KINGSTON FRONTENACS
#PLAYERPOSHTWTD.O.B.RENTRY
9Gage HeyesRW5’11”15821-Apr-04Yes
10Christopher ThibodeauRW5’9″14413-Oct-05No
11Maleek McGowanD5’11”16413-Jun-05Yes
17Owen OutwaterLW6’2″16804-Jan-05Yes
18Gabriel FrascaC6’0″17018-Feb-06Yes
20Cameron BergeronD5’11”18116-Apr-06No
23Duncan SchneiderD6’1″18105-Jul-05Yes
24Thomas BudnickD6’0″18414-Feb-04Yes
26Mitchell BrooksLW5’8″15423-Mar-05Yes
27Vann WiliamsonD6’2″16219-Jul-06No
37Adam CavallinC5’11”18204-Mar-05Yes
44Cal UensD5’9″15911-Feb-05Yes
88Jacob BattagliaRW6’0″20317-Mar-06No
90Linus HemstromRW6’0″16901-Jan-04Yes
92Matthew SotoRW5’10”17931-Aug-05Yes
1Mason VaccariG5’10”17829-Apr-05Yes
35JJ SalajkoG6’2″17428-Jul-06No
KITCHENER RANGERS
#PLAYERPOSHTWTD.O.B.RENTRY
7Blair ScottD6’2″20014-Mar-05Yes
8Carson CampbellD6’1″18514-Apr-05Yes
10Adrian MisaljevicRW5’11”15410-Jul-04Yes
11Cameron MercerC6’0″18027-May-05Yes
19Luke EllinasLW6’1″18612-Mar-06No
23Kyle MoreyC5’11”16027-Jun-05Yes
44Antonio PuglieseRW5’9″17909-Apr-04Yes
57Trent SwickLW6’6″20825-Apr-06Yes
77Justin BottineauRW6’0″16811-Jan-06No
32Jackson ParsonsG6’2″20223-Nov-04Yes
34Luca DiFeliceG6’3″18011-Apr-06No
LONDON KNIGHTS
#PLAYERPOSHTWTD.O.B.RENTRY
3Sam DickinsonD6’3″19507-Jun-06No
11Ryder BoultonLW5’10”19421-Jun-06No
23Sam O’ReillyRW6’1″1830-Mar-06No
27AlecLeanoardD5’11”17413-May-04Yes
29Brody CraneLW5’11”18529-May-05Yes
37Kaeden JohnstonRW6’1″17503-Feb-05Yes
70Ruslan GazizovLW5’11”18521-Jan-04Yes
73William NichollC6’0″17024-May-06No
77Juan CopelandLW5’11”16903-Sep-05Yes
80Owen WillmoreG6’3″18014-Dec-04Yes
MISSISSAUGA STEELHEADS
#PLAYERPOSHTWTD.O.B.RENTRY
4Stevie LeskovarD6’3″20709-Sep-04Yes
5Jakub FibigrD6’0″17122-Jul-06No
6Parker Von RichterD6’1″18317-May-06No
7Finn HardingD6’1″19802-Mar-05Yes
14Jack Van VolsenC6’2″18812-Jan-06No
18William EggletonLW5’11”17419-Feb-06No
19Mason ZebeskiLW6’1″18604-Oct-05No
33Luke MisaC5’10”17525-Nov-05No
44Liam SpencerD6’3″19619-Jan-06No
67Justin DeZoeteLW6’0″19202-Jan-04Yes
71William HaleyD6’0″17715-Oct-05No
74Zander VecciaRW5’10”18427-Jul-04Yes
78MacGregor RichmondRW5’9″18006-Aug-06No
91Adam ZidlickyLW6’0″17028-Jan-05Yes
31Ryerson LeendersG6’1″17601-Jun-06No
NIAGARA ICEDOGS
#PLAYERPOSHTWTD.O.B.RENTRY
8Alex AssadourianC5’9″16824-Jul-05Yes
10Bronson RideD6’6″20914-Jan-05Yes
11Kevin HeLW6’0″18230-Apr-06No
13Ryan VannettenD6’11”16530-Mar-04Yes
16Mike LevinLW5’8″15016-Oct-05No
19Gavin BryantC5’11”19224-Jul-04Yes
20William StewartRW6’2″18023-Feb-05Yes
27Zakary LavoieRW5’10”18713-Mar-04Yes
28Michael PodolioukhC6’1″19828-Nov-04Yes
54Mathieu ParisRW6’0″17501-Jan-05Yes
57Evan KleinLW6’2″20612-Jan-04Yes
75Andrew WyciskD5’11”17701-Jul-05Yes
79Andrew VermeulenLW6’1″20207-Feb-06No
86Urban PodrekarD5’11”18114-Feb-05Yes
98Christopher O’FlahertyLW6’1″20412-Mar-05Yes
35Owen FloresG6’2″19209-May-05Yes
41Marcus VandenbergG5’11”17225-Apr-04Yes
NORTH BAY BATTALION
#PLAYERPOSHTWTD.O.B.RENTRY
2Wyatt KennedyD6’4″19827-May-05Yes
6Jacob TherrienLW5’8″16508-Feb-06No
7Brayden TurleyD6’1″19308-Aug-06No
8Brice CookeLW6’2″20223-Mar-04Yes
10Dylan RichterC5’8″18411-Jul-06No
14Dalyn WakelyC6’1″19705-Mar-04Yes
15Anthony RomaniRW6’1″18412-Jul-05Yes
16Owen Van SteenselLW5’10”18404-Aug-04Yes
17Tyson RismondD6’2″18530-Mar-06No
19Nolan LairdC6’1″18004-Jan-06No
21Ethan ProcyszynRW6’3″18911-Jul-06No
25Chase MacQueen SpenceLW5’9″16909-Jan-05Yes
26Alex CajkovicD5’10”17919-Jul-05Yes
28Stef ForgioneLW5’10”17529-Apr-05Yes
32Charlie RobertsonG6’4″17502-Apr-05Yes
34Mike McIvorG6’0″16522-Mar-06No
OSHAWA GENERALS
#PLAYERPOSHTWTD.O.B.RENTRY
4Luca D’AmatoD5’9″16018-Aug-04Yes
6Fraser McDonellD6’7″21002-Mar-06No
11Matthew BuckleyRW5’11”18821-Mar-05Yes
17Luke TorranceRW6’1″20930-Mar-04Yes
18Jonathon PylypuikC6’1″16325-Mar-06No
19Luca MarrelliD6’2″18404-Oct-05No
26Lucas RodriguesD6’2″17626-Apr-06No
28Tyler GrahamLW5’11”18410-Aug-06No
44Caeden HeinsLW6’1″18006-Feb-06No
45Beckett SenneckeRW6’3″17828-Jan-06No
61Ethan TomsC5’11”18019-Jan-06No
72Ryder McIntyreRW6’3″21315-Jul-04Yes
77Ben DanfordD6’2″19206-Feb-06No
36Noah BenderG6’4″19230-Jun-06No
38Jacob OsterG6’3″19426-Mar-04Yes
OTTAWA 67’S
#PLAYERPOSHTWTD.O.B.RENTRY
2Derek SmythD6’5″21217-Apr-04Yes
3Josh BradyD6’0″19111-Jan-06No
5Bradley HornerD6’0″19216-Jun-05Yes
6Thomas SirmanD5’10”17805-Mar-04Yes
8Frankie MarrelliD5’11”18716-Feb-06No
9Chris BarlasLW5’10”18510-Jan-05Yes
11Henry MewsD6’1″18309-Mar-06No
17Brady StonehouseRW5’10”19406-Aug-04Yes
18JackDeverRW5’10”17505-Sep-05Yes
21Charlie HiltonLW6’5″19615-Sep-06No
23Will GerriorLW5’10”174Mar 2,2004Yes
26Gavin EwlesD6’1″19101-Mar-05Yes
28Caden KellyRW5’11”19315-Jan-06No
33Collin MacKenzieG6’0″17530-Nov-05Yes
OWEN SOUND ATTACK
#PLAYERPOSHTWTD.O.B.RENTRY
5Madden SteenD6’2″21418-May-04Yes
8Ben CormierC6’0″17720-Jul-06No
10Landen HookeyRW6’5″21529-Jan-04Yes
13Gavin BryantC5’11”19224-Jul-04Yes
15Martin MatejicekD6’2″20705-Aug-05Yes
19Tomislave BrennanC6’0″17115-Mar-06Yes
22Jackson StewartLW6’0″19818-Jun-04Yes
24Jordon TaosD5’11”18729-Mar-04Yes
27Declan WaddickC5’9″16224-Jan-05Yes
28James PetrovskiD6’4″19012-Aug-05Yes
34Thomas ChafeRW5’10”16319-Apr-05Yes
36Sam EthierD6’0″18709-Aug-06No
37Antonio TersigniC5’10”17103-May-06No
30Corbin VotaryG6’3″19512-Apr-04Yes
32Carter GeorgeG6’1″18220-May-06No
PETERBOROUGH PETES
#PLAYERPOSHTWTD.O.B.RENTRY
7Chase LefebvreLW6’2″17013-May-04Yes
11Brody PartridgeC5’9″16214-Sep-06No
12Sam McCueRW6’1″17703-Oct-05No
14Quinton PageLW5’7″16903-Aug-05Yes
19Donovan McCoyD6’0″19810-Nov-04Yes
20Tommy PurdellerC6’0″19413-Apr-04Yes
21Nathan LeekLW6’1″19516-Sep-05No
23Jonathan MeleeLW6’0″18215-Jan-04Yes
24Dylan WouldsD6’0″1928-Mar-06No
25Brayden VellarisD6’2″20516-Apr-05Yes
27Quinn BinnieRW6’0″19829-Apr-04Yes
28Brennan FaulknerLW5’10”13126-Dec-05No
29Braydon McCallumRW5’10”16503-May-06No
1Liam SztuskaG6’0″18101-May-04Yes
31Zach BowenG6’2″18025-Apr-05Yes
SAGINAW SPIRIT
#PLAYERPOSHTWTD.O.B.RENTRY
4Will BishopD6’6″18-Jul-0015-Mar-05Yes
7Calem MangoneRW5’9″16504-Nov-04Yes
15Sebastien GervaisLW6’1″18511-Apr-05Yes
17James GuoD6’1″19002-Apr-05Yes
18Lincoln MooreRW6’1″20521-Sep-05No
19Zayne ParehkD6’0″18002-Feb-06No
21Liam StorchRW5’9″14520-Jan-06No
27PJ ForgioneD6’2″21512-Nov-04Yes
74Valentin ZhuginLW5’11”18013-Dec-04Yes
90Luke McNamaraC6’2″18002-Mar-05Yes
92Nic SimaRW6’3″20031-Mar-05Yes
29Andrew OkeG6’2″19526-Mar-04Yes
41Brett FullertonG6’4″20025-Jun-04Yes
SARNIA STING
#PLAYERPOSHTWTD.O.B.RENTRY
2Joshua HooverD6’0″19915-Feb-04Yes
4Jacon LeBlancD6’1″18003-Jun-04Yes
5Mitch YoungD6’1″18329-Jun-05Yes
6Owen MacDonaldD6’1″18828-Aug-04Yes
7Andrew LeBlancC6’1″17603-Jun-04Yes
10Carson HallLW6’2″18329-Apr-06No
11Zach FilakC6’0″17521-Jan-04Yes
12Easton WainwrightC5’10”17819-Jan-05Yes
13Lukas FisherD6’3″17009-Sep-06No
21Roman KukumbergC6’1″18501-Mar-05Yes
24Daylen MosesC6’2″18013-Jun-05Yes
25Tyson DoucetteLW5’11”17030-Jan-04Yes
27Nathan OmeriD5;11″17515-Jun-06No
55Sean DohertyRW6’1″18223-Mar-06No
93Dennis LominacLW5’10”16811-Jan-06No
31Nick SurzyciaG6’0″17017-Dec-04Yes
33Karsen ChartierG6’3″18001-Jan-06No
SOO GREYHOUNDS
#PLAYERPOSHTWTD.O.B.RENTRY
7Caeden CarlisleD6’2″19731-Jan-04Yes
8Brodie McConnell-BarkerD6’0″18031-Jan-06No
9Tate VaderC5’11”18309-Jan-06No
14Owen AllardC6’2″20013-Jan-04Yes
16Spencer EvansD5’11”17812-May-06No
17Alex KostovRW6’3″19203-Jun-06No
19Christopher BrownC5’11”16627-Jan-06No
20Connor TomsD5’11”17413-Mar-04Yes
21Dustin GoodRW6’1″16702-Jan-05Yes
23Connor ClattenburgLW6’2″19702-May-05Yes
24Justin CloutierRW5’8″18220-Jun-05Yes
25Matthew VirgilioD5’11”18624-Mar-06No
26Marco MignosaRW5;11″16613-Apr-05Yes
39Caleb Van De VenD6’2″17724-Nov-04Yes
31Charlie SchenkelG6’5″20616-Aug-04Yes
36Landon MillerG6’4″19303-Jan-06No
SUDBURY WOLVES
#PLAYERPOSHTWTD.O.B.RENTRY
7Jakub ChromiakD5’11”18302-Nov-05No
9Chase ChoughlanRW5’11”19017-Jun-05Yes
13Kocha DelicC5’10”18011-Mar-04Yes
18Nick YearwoodLW6’0″19015-Jul-04Yes
22Kieron WaltonLW6’6″20322-Apr-06No
23Devin MauroLW5’8″15206-Jun-04Yes
89Nathan VilleneuveC6’0″18313-Apr-06No
91Evan KonyenRW5’11”17022-Feb-04Yes
92Lucas Di GiantommasoRW5’11”16514-Nov-05No
30Nate KrawchukG6’1″15304-Jul-05Yes
35Drew GaultonG6’3″19307-Apr-06No
WINDSOR SPITFIRES
#PLAYERPOSHTWTD.O.B.RENTRY
4Conor WaltonD6’4″20822-Apr-06No
5Josef EichlerD6’0″19214-Dec-05No
8AJ SpellacyC6’3″19524-Feb-06No
10Jack GreenwellRW6’0″17205-Jan-05Yes
11Noah MorneauC6’0″16007-May-04Yes
12Ryan AbrahamC5’8″16805-Apr-04Yes
24Anthony CristoforoD5’11”18025-May-06No
25Alec StewartC5’11”17002-Apr-05Yes
26Ryan StruthersC6’1″18202-Jan-04Yes
61Colton SmithLW6’3″215Feb 0, 2004Yes
66Liam GreentreeRW6’2″19801-Jan-06No
72Ethan MartinC6’6″22625-Mar-05Yes
86Cole DavisLW5’10”15822-Jun-06No
90Aidan CastleRW6’1″18008-Jan-04Yes
91Tanner WinegardD6’6″22111-Jan-05Yes
21Ian MicheloneG6’2″20521-Jun-04Yes
33Joey CostanzoG6’1″18026-Jul-05Yes

Information is imported from official OHL team websites. For current and up to date information, please refer to their roster pages.

44 OHL PLAYERS AND PROSPECTS PARTICIPATE IN PROGRAM OF EXCELLENCE SUMMER MEETINGS

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, JULY 27, 2023

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League is proud to recognize 44 players and prospects who were invited to participate in Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence summer meetings in preparation for the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and the 2024 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship.

A total of 45 players were invited to the National Junior Team summer meetings, with 16 from the Ontario Hockey League. The list of attendees was compiled by Alan Millar (Regina Pats), director of player personnel and Peter Anholt (Lethbridge Hurricanes), the U20 lead for the Program of Excellence management group, with input from Scott Salmond, senior vice-president of hockey operations and Benoit Roy, senior manager of hockey operations.

An additional 66 under-17 players attended the meetings, with 28 from the Ontario Hockey League. The U17 meetings attendees were selected by Millar, Byron Bonora, U17 head scout and Dave Brown (Erie Otters), the U17 lead for the Program of Excellence management group, with input from Salmond and regional scouts Rob Simpson (London Knights/Ontario), Pierre Cholette (QMJHL Central Scouting/Quebec), Darren Sutherland (Atlantic) and Darrell Woodley (OHL Central Scouting/Ontario).

Players took part in virtual meetings that covered a variety of topics, including education on the Program of Excellence, Sport Safety presentations, short-term international competition preparation and meetings with the Hockey Canada management group. The discussions will allow participants to continue to evolve as high-performance athletes and utilize the strengths and experience of the Program of Excellence’s leadership.

Players will continue to be evaluated through the early portion of the 2023-24 season before Canadian rosters are named for the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and the 2024 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden.

OHL Players – National Junior Team Summer Meetings (16):

Goaltenders:
Domenic DiVincentiis (North Bay Battalion)

Defencemen:
Michael Buchinger (Guelph Storm)
Jorian Donovan (Brantford Bulldogs)
Isaiah George (London Knights)
Ty Nelson (North Bay Battalion)
Spencer Sova (Erie Otters)

Forwards:
Colby Barlow (Owen Sound Attack)
Owen Beck (Peterborough Petes)
David Goyette (Sudbury Wolves)
Cedrick Guindon (Owen Sound Attack)
Hunter Haight (Saginaw Spirit)
Paul Ludwinski (Kingston Frontenacs)
Bryce McConnell-Barker (Soo Greyhounds)
Matthew Poitras (Guelph Storm)
Calum Ritchie (Oshawa Generals)
Brady Stonehouse (Ottawa 67’s)

OHL Players & Prospects – National Under-17 Team Summer Meetings (28):

Goaltenders:
Isaac Gravelle (Oshawa Generals/Southern Tier Admirals, OMHA)
Jack Ivankovic (Mississauga Steelheads/Mississauga Senators, GTHL)

Defencemen:
Dryden Allen (Flint Firebirds/Southern Tier Admirals, OMHA)
James Barr (Sarnia Sting/Burlington Eagles, OMHA)
Quinn Beauchense (Guelph Storm/Nepean Raiders, HEO)
Carson Cameron (Peterborough Petes/Central Ontario Wolves, OMHA)
Luke Dragusica (Mississauga Steelheads/Toronto Marlboros, GTHL)
Nolan Jackson (Sudbury Wolves/Barrie Colts, OMHA)
Ben Radley (Brantford Bulldogs/Peterborough Petes, OMHA)
Cameron Reid (Kitchener Rangers/Bishop Kearney Selects)
Matthew Schaefer (Erie Otters/Halton Hurricanes, OMHA)
Rylan Singh (Guelph Storm/York-Simcoe Express, OMHA)

Forwards:
Nico Addy (Owen Sound Attack, Toronto Jr. Canadiens, GTHL)
Ryan Brown (Sarnia Sting/York-Simcoe Express, OMHA)
Ethan Czata (Niagara IceDogs/Mississauga Rebels, GTHL)
Owen Griffin (Oshawa Generals/York-Simcoe Express, OMHA)
Tyler Hopkins (Kingston Frontenacs/Halton Hurricanes, OMHA)
Lev Katzin (Guelph Storm/Toronto Marlboros, GTHL)
Brady Martin (Soo Greyhounds/Waterloo Wolves, ALLIANCE)
Jeremy Martin (Flint Firebirds/Toronto Marlboros, GTHL)
Jack Nesbitt (Windsor Spitfires/Lambton Jr. Sting, ALLIANCE)
Jake O’Brien (Brantford Bulldogs/Toronto Jr. Canadiens, GTHL)
Luca Romano (Kitchener Rangers/Toronto Jr. Canadiens, GTHL)
Ryan Roobroeck (Niagara IceDogs/London Jr. Knights, ALLIANCE)
Wesley Royston (Erie Otters/York-Simcoe Express, OMHA)
Parker Snelgrove (Guelph Storm/London Jr. Knights, ALLIANCE)
Caden Taylor (Sudbury Wolves/Mississauga Senators, GTHL)
Aiden Young (Saginaw Spirit/London Jr. Knights, ALLIANCE)

For more information on Hockey Canada and the Program of Excellence, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.


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.

13 OHL PLAYERS SELECTED TO REPRESENT CANADA AT 2023 HLINKA GRETZKY CUP

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League is pleased to congratulate 13 OHL players on being selected to represent Canada at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup to be held from July 31st through August 5th in Trencin, Slovakia and Breclav, Czechia.

The 13 OHL players are part of a Canadian roster consisting of 24 names that was assembled by Alan Millar (Tottenham, Ont.), director of player personnel, and Cam Russell (Halifax Mooseheads), the U18 lead for the Program of Excellence management group, with support from Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), senior vice-president of hockey operations, Benoit Roy (Sudbury, Ont.), senior manager of hockey operations, and Byron Bonora (Brooks, Alta.), manager of hockey operations and U17 head scout. Head coach Alan Letang (Sarnia Sting) and assistant coaches Kris Mallette (Kelowna Rockets) and Sylvain Favreau (Drummondville Voltigeurs) also provided input.

OHL Rookie of the Year Michael Misa headlines the 13 OHL players named to the roster, being joined by Saginaw Spirit teammate Zayne Parekh on the blue line. Misa and Parekh are accompanied by fellow OHL first all-rookie team members Sam Dickinson of the London Knights and Liam Greentree of the Windsor Spitfires while second team voting recipient Anthony Cristoforo of the Windsor Spitfires is also included.

The Ottawa 67’s feature a pair of teammates on the blueline in Henry Mews and Frankie Marrelli while the Mississauga Steelheads joined the 67’s, Saginaw Spirit and Windsor Spitfires in also producing two players named to the squad in forward Porter Martone and goaltender Ryerson Leenders.

OHL Players Named to Canada’s National Summer Under-18 Team:

Goaltender:
Carter George (Owen Sound Attack)
Ryerson Leenders (Mississauga Steelheads)

Defencemen:
Anthony Cristoforo (Windsor Spitfires)
Ben Danford (Oshawa Generals)
Sam Dickinson (London Knights)
Frankie Marrelli (Ottawa 67’s)
Henry Mews (Ottawa 67’s)
Zayne Parekh (Saginaw Spirit)

Forwards:
Cole Beaudoin (Barrie Colts)
Liam Greentree (Windsor Spitfires)
Porter Martone (Mississauga Steelheads)
Michael Misa (Saginaw Spirit)
Malcolm Spence (Erie Otters)

Prior to the start of the tournament, the team will practice at the Ice Palace in Budapest, Hungary from July 23-27, and will face off against Hungary’s national under-20 team on July 27 at 12:30 p.m. ET/9:30 a.m. PT. It will also take on Czechia on July 29 at 12:30 p.m. ET/9:30 a.m. PT at Fosfa Arena in Breclav as a part of its pre-tournament schedule.

Canada will open the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup against Finland on July 31 at 9:30 a.m. ET/6:30 a.m. PT. It will also face co-host Slovakia and Switzerland in the preliminary round before the tournament concludes with the medal games on Aug. 5.

TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast all Team Canada games and select elimination and medal games; please check local listings for more details.

Canada has won 23 gold medals in 31 years of summer under-18 competition, along with three silver medals and one bronze.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca.


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.

OHL Writers Final 2023 NHL Draft Ranking

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

If you cover the Ontario Hockey League and the NHL Entry Draft is your thing, it hasn’t been a fun season. We will see three OHL players selected on the first day of the draft, maybe four.

Colby Barlow of the Owen Sound Attack. Photo by Luke Durda/OHL Images

Colby Barlow of the Owen Sound Attack is the consensus first OHL player to hear his name called. He is followed by Calum Ritchie of the Oshawa Generals, not quite a consensus number two but as close to it as can be. There is some division in the scouting community on who is number three and I’m leaning to Quentin Musty of the Sudbury Wolves. Those three should hear their names called in the first round Wednesday.

At number four there seems to be a tossup between Hamilton Bulldogs forward Nick Lardis and London Knights defenceman Oliver Bonk. One of them could find themselves at the tail end of the first round of the draft.

There’s a consensus with the number 6 spot with Carson Rehkopf of the Kitchener Rangers. I’ve called him pound for pound probably the most talented player in this group who could impact the game in different ways. From there, it becomes a crapshoot.

Below are my top 40 skaters and top 7 goaltenders from the OHL. What might we see? Well, I can see it being as low as 30-32 skaters selected and 2 goaltenders.

RKPlayerTeam
1Colby BarlowOwen Sound Attack
2Calum RitchieOshawa Generals
3Quentin MustySudbury Wolves
4Nick LardisHamilton Bulldogs
5Oliver BonkLondon Knights
6Carson RehkopfKitchener Rangers
7Carey TerranceErie Otters
8Coulson PitreFlint Firebirds
9Beau AkeyBarrie Colts
10Andrew GibsonSoo Greyhounds
11Hunter BrzustewiczKitchener Rangers
12Quinton BurnsKingston Frontenacs
13Tristan BertucciFlint Firebirds
14Cam AllenGuelph Storm
15Easton CowanLondon Knights
16Luca PinelliOttawa 67’s
17Denver BarkeyLondon Knights
18Ethan MiedemaKingston Frontenacs
19Matthew ManiaSudbury Wolves
20Alex PharandSudbury Wolves
21Brad GardinerOttawa 67’s
22Ondrej MolnarErie Otters
23Ethan HayFlint Firebirds
24Angus MacDonellMississauga Steelheads
25Cole BrownHamilton Bulldogs
26Matthew SotoKingston Frontenacs
27Cooper FosterOttawa 67’s
28Konnor SmithPeterborough Petes
29Donavan McCoyPeterborough Petes
30Joey WillisSaginaw Spirit
31Anthony RomaniNorth Bay Battalion
32Owen OutwaterKingston Frontenacs
33Matthew MayichOttawa 67’s
34Luke McNamaraSaginaw Spirit
35Alexis DaviaultErie Otters
36Spencer SovaErie Otters
37Rodwin DionicioWindsor Spitfires
38Alex AssadourianNiagara IceDogs
39James PetrovskiOwen Sound Attack
40Braeden BowmanGuelph Storm
RKGOALTENDERS
1Nathan DayFlint Firebirds
2Charlie RobertsonNorth Bay Battalion
3Zach BowenLondon Knights
4Charlie SchenkelSoo Greyhounds
5Owen FloresNiagara IceDogs
6Andrew OkeSaginaw Spirit
7Corbin VotaryOwen Sound Attack

Alex Pharand – Sudbury Wolves – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano
Alex Pharand of the Sudbury Wolves. Photo by Natalie Shaver/OHL Images
HTWTDOBPOSSHOOTSOHL DRAFTNHLCSCOUNTRY
6’3”1981-5-05C/RWR14th 202154 N ACANADA
SEASONLEAGUETEAMGPGAPTS
2021-2022OHLHamilton Bulldogs23134
2021-2022OHLSudbury Wolves335510
2022-2023WJC U-18Canada7011
2022-2023OHLSudbury Wolves67182139

A big body who has deceptive speed for his size and knows how to use both is the best way to describe Sudbury Wolves winger/center Alex Pharand. He drives the net, uses his size extremely well to take away the goaltender’s vision, plays a straight north-south game, gets in on the forecheck and disrupts plays effectively and is near impossible to knock off the puck when in the cycle.

Those assets alone will get Pharand a lengthy look at the draft and those assets translate to the next level. He will score some at the next level as well, but they’ll mostly come from cleaning up the loose pucks in front. He doesn’t really possess an overwhelming shot that he can beat goaltenders with, nor do I believe he has the puck skills or the playmaking skills to be a driver on a line.

Pharand put up decent numbers but consistency was an issue. His second half of the season was not great with just 3 of his 18 goals coming in the second half. And for the most part, he looked overwhelmed at the WJC U-18 often trying to do too much rather than play a simple game.

His skill set will allow him to play a fourth line role in the NHL, provide some energy and create offensive zone time, but for him to become a third liner, he will have to find consistency in the goal scoring department and work on his shot.

Easton Cowan – London Knights – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano
HTWTDOBPOSSHOOTSOHL DRAFTNHLCSCOUNTRY
5’10”1715-20-05FL25th 202175 N ACANADA
SEASONLEAGUETEAMGPGAPTS
2020-2021U16DID NOT PLAY    
2021-2022GOJHLKomoka Kings24112334
2021-2022OHLLondon Knights7112
2022-2023OHLLondon Knights68203353
Easton Cowan of the London Knights. Photo by Luke Durda/OHL Images

If there is one thing, I don’t like about NHL Central Scouting’s rankings, it’s the timing of their release. They don’t wait until after the playoffs. I feel it’s important to see what a player does (or doesn’t do) in the most important games and under pressure. For Easton Cowan of the London Knights, I think that hurt him a little in their rankings and helped him in some of the public rankings.

There was a transformation in Cowan’s game through the season from a hard working, tenacious and secondary player to a player that not only drove his line, but his team. It was most evident when he led his team to a Western Conference Championship.

Cowan is a terrific skater with a great separation gear that allows him to challenge defenders one-on-one. When chasing dump-ins, he regularly beats defenders to those pucks. It helps that he has a non-stop work ethic as well. He plays every shift of every game with the same high-tempo effort.

Cowan isn’t only about skating fast and working hard. He has the sill set as well. He has soft, great hands, able to make plays at top flight. He sees the ice extremely well and you can tell he knows what he’s going to do with the puck as soon as it’s on his blade. He can also score with a very good shot and has a way of disguising his release. His confidence grew as the season progressed and yet, there is more development on the horizon for Cowan. He’s just beginning to scratch the surface and if I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times: Dale Hunter gets the best out of his players and another year under Hunter will do wonders for Cowan.

I know there are still plenty of people that put a lot of emphasis on size and will do so with Cowan as well. But he doesn’t shy away from physicality, he’ll go along the walls and he will drive to the dirty areas. He plays an all-around game that can be used in any situation. If his development continues at his current pace, he could fill a middle six role at the next level.