Denver Barkey of the London Knights. Photo by Luke Durda/OHL Images
Obviously, the first thing that will come to mind is “5’9” – 154-pound NHL player?” The scouting community raises the same question. I will say this: You will be hard pressed to find a handful of players that work harder than London Knights’ forward Denver Barkey in the entire draft class, not just the OHL.
Barkey is quick, but not a speedster. He is like the Tasmanian Devil in pursuit of the puck. He is often the first man in on the forecheck causing havoc and usually forcing the opposition to react faster than they’d like and turning over the puck.
Barkey is versatile and can play all three forward positions. He can also play in any situation. On the powerplay where he has more space, Barkey is dangerous, able to make tape-to-tape passes through sticks and bodies look easy. On the penalty kill, he uses that same tenacity in puck pursuit to break up plays.
Barkey is an extremely intelligent player who anticipates well and reads and reacts well. There are issues, here, but I don’t believe size is one of them (how often do we have to be proven wrong before we admit it).
For starters, I wish Barkey was faster. Yes, he is quick, but doesn’t possess the speed you’d expect out of a smaller player. Secondly, he really needs to work on his shot. Maybe he can gain a little more power behind it when he adds some muscle, but for now, it’s a work in progress. He’s not going to beat many goaltenders at the next level with it.
The good thing is that his play on the ice is contagious. When teammates watch him go out and leave everything on the ice, they usually follow suit. All things considered; Barkey can fill a third line role if he maximizes his potential. We love how Dale Hunter gets the most out of his players here and how he brings them along in their development.
Nathan Day of the Flint Firebirds. Photo by Natalie Shaver/OHL Images
If you are an NHL team looking to draft a goaltender with relative success from the Ontario Hockey League then your chances of success are relatively diminished. While there have been some mildly successful picks, the odds are stacked against you.
There are many reasons. For parents, it is cost prohibitive to provide equipment for their kids when they are outgrowing that equipment every other year. Many European hockey federations are investing more money and time in developing goaltenders from a young age than Canada does. The CHL even banned drafting import goalies from 2014 to 2018 and all that did was dilute the product on the ice.
Even the NHL salary cap plays a role. Skaters earn more money than goaltenders so the better athletes chose not to tend the net. I admit, that thought process enters the parent’s mind long before it enters the player’s mind.
The last OHL goaltender chosen in the first round of the NHL draft was Malcolm Subban back in 2012. Since then, there have been 7 goaltenders drafted in the first round – three Russians, two Americans, one Swede and one from the Western Hockey League.
We also know that NHL teams don’t like to use first round picks on goaltenders. From 2000-2021 the majority of goaltenders were picked in the sixth round and followed closely by the fifth round. There is a drop off to the next two busiest rounds for goaltenders which are the third round and seventh round.
Here’s a look at the goaltenders ranked by NHL Central Scouting with their mid-term rank and their final rank:
Goalie
Team
Height
Weight
Mid
Final
Nathan Day
Flint
6’3”
181
14
12
Charlie Robertson
North Bay
6’3”
167
12
13
Zach Bowen
London
6’2”
176
29
15
Charlie Schenkel
Soo
6’6”
197
23
25
Owen Flores
Niagara
6’2”
178
NR
27
Andrew Oke
Saginaw
6’2”
194
NR
29
Corbin Votary
Owen Sound
6’2”
198
NR
32
Here’s a look at their regular season stats:
Goalie
Team
GP
Min
Shots
Saves
GA
SO
GAA
SAV%
Nathan Day
Flint
32
1659
856
748
108
0
3.91
.874
Charlie Robertson
North Bay
21
1155
563
502
61
3
3.17
.892
Zach Bowen
London
26
1373
701
630
71
1
3.10
.899
Charlie Schenkel
Soo
31
1753
958
856
102
2
3.49
.894
Owen Flores
Niagara
42
2209
1557
1388
169
0
4.59
.891
Andrew Oke
Saginaw
24
1269
675
602
73
0
3.45
.892
Corbin Votary
Owen Sound
30
1628
862
761
101
0
3.72
.883
Obviously, we shouldn’t put too much stock into the stats because everyone is in a different situation. Flores was on a bad team in Niagara and no one played as much or faced as much rubber as he did, yet he managed to allow a goal per game+ less then his partners in Niagara. On the flip side, Day, Robertson and Bowen played for three very good defensive teams. Flores averaged ten+ shots more against per game than that trio yet his save percentage was comparable to Robertson and Bowen.
Here are some thoughts:
Nathan Day
Day got off to a slow start this season, but because of his willingness to work hard and the support of his long-time goaltending coach, he turned things around by the mid way point of the season. Day has good size, is very athletic and has an explosiveness in his lateral movement from post to post. He tracks pucks well, gets up from the butterfly and resets quickly and is very sound positionally. In tight he takes away the lower portion of the net when there are battles in front of him. What I like best about Day is that he is willing to put in all the hard work to become the best he can be.
Charlie Robertson
Robertson didn’t get to take the net a lot as the backup in North Bay but he was given the opportunity at the CHL/NHL Top Prospects game as the lone OHL goaltender to showcase himself. He has good size but doesn’t have the athleticism Day possesses. He can be aggressive in the crease challenging players, but he is not overly aggressive to the point it costs him. His lateral movement is a work in progress as is his recovery from a save. He tracks the puck extremely well, but he needs to get quicker.
Zach Bowen
It’s hard to get any traction and playing time when you are the backup to one of the best goalies the OHL has ever had. But injuries to Brett Brochu, including in the playoffs afforded Bowen the opportunity. Bowen is one very calm goaltender. He rarely gets rattled in the crease and if he gives up a soft goal it is quickly behind him and onto the next save. He is athletic and has very good lateral movement. His glove and blocker are extremely quick. He tracks extremely well and knows where everyone is on the ice and anticipates very well. He needs to work on his rebound control and using his stick.
Charlie Schenkel
It was a tough situation for Schenkel with the Soo Greyhounds. But this kid battles and only Flores faced more shots per game than he did. He’s a huge goaltender who uses his size to take away the net extremely well. He remains tall when down on his knees and battles taking place in front of him. He moves extremely well for a big goaltender, challenges well and is technically sound. Schenkel is a draft re-entry who caught the attention of some scouts last season (Central Scouting ranked him 17th), but a lack of ice time left more questions than answers. Are those questions answered after this season? Only time will tell, but it’s not a great OHL goaltending class, or CHL for that matter so someone might take a shot here.
Owen Flores
I spoke a bit about Flores earlier and it appears he opened some eyes going from not being ranked on NHL Central Scouting’s mid-term rankings to 27th among North American goalies on their final list. I don’t know that it is enough to hear his name called out at the draft. Interesting enough, Flores attended the Detroit Red Wings Development Camp last summer after going undrafted, so he’s gotten some attention. He has good size with good mobility. He is technically sound, has vastly improved his rebound control and he is adept at killing plays. What is most impressive is that he never gives up on a play. Niagara was terrible this season. It is hard to imagine how much worse off they would have been without Flores.
Andrew Oke
Oke is a draft re-entry (ranked 9th by Central Scouting in 2022) and you can read what I had to say about him last season here. Not much has changed. I mentioned some things that Oke needed to improve on and he has put in the necessary work, but still has some work to put in. Personally, I had him ranked as the third goaltender from the OHL in 2022 based on potential alone, but I wanted to see more of an improvement this season.
Corbin Votary
Votary came to the OHL with a lot of promise as a big goaltender with good athleticism, technically strong goaltender with excellent positioning who controlled rebounds like a seasoned veteran and knew how to take away much of the net with his size. I just did not see enough from Votary this season to garner a lot of attention. He is also a draft re-entry that did not make Central Scouting’s rankings a year ago, nor was he on mine. He will be on my list in a couple of weeks, but as I said earlier, it’s not a great draft class.
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the first, second and third all-star team selections, in addition to the first and second all-rookie team designations for the 2022-23 season.
OHL all-star and all-rookie teams were selected by the OHL’s General Managers, with voting conducted in two stages beginning with a Conference ballot followed by a final ballot that integrated the top selections from both the Eastern and Western Conferences.
A total of 12 of the league’s 20 member teams are represented on his year’s all-star and all-rookie team selections, with the Western Conference champion London Knights leading the way with seven. The OHL champion Peterborough Petes join the Sarnia Sting trailing with four members recognized while the North Bay Battalion, Ottawa 67’s, Saginaw Spirit and Windsor Spitfires each boast three.
Historical results of note include North Bay’s Domenic DiVincentiis becoming the first Battalion netminder ever selected to a first all-star team while Troops head coach Ryan Oulahen was voted to an all-star team for the first time in his OHL career. NHL Draft eligible left-winger Colby Barlow was voted to the first all-star team, giving the Attack their first forward to receive the designation since Joey Hishon and Garrett Wilson in 2010-11. The four Sarnia Sting representatives (Del Mastro, Pastujov, Voit, Kyrou) voted to all-star teams matches a franchise record set back in 1995-96.
On the all-rookie teams front, the Saginaw Spirit become the first team to have three players (Misa, Parekh, Willis) voted to a first all-rookie team since the 1993-94 North Bay Centennials (Jinman, Neilson, Yachmenev). Liam Greentree became the first Windsor Spitfires forward voted to an OHL all-rookie team since Taylor Hall in 2007-08. Mason Vaccari is the first Kingston Frontenacs goaltender voted to an all-rookie team since Curtis Cruickshank in 1996-97.
2022-23 OHL All-Star & All-Rookie Teams:
Representatives with major positional awards in brackets are default first team members, all other designations are determined by votes cast by OHL General Managers
First All-Star Team: C – Logan Morrison, Ottawa 67’s LW – Colby Barlow, Owen Sound Attack – voted 1st all-rookie team in 2021-22 RW – Matthew Maggio, Windsor Spitfires (Most Outstanding Player) D – Pavel Mintyukov, Ottawa 67’s (Defenceman of the Year) – voted 3rd all-star team in 2021-22 D – Brandt Clarke, Barrie Colts – voted 2nd all-star team in 2021-22 and 1st all-rookie team in 2019-20 G – Domenic DiVincentiis, North Bay Battalion (Goaltender of the Year) – voted 2nd all-rookie team in 2021-22 Coach – Dave Cameron, Ottawa 67’s (Coach of the Year) – fifth time being voted to an OHL all-star team
Second All-Star Team C – Amadeus Lombardi, Flint Firebirds LW – Sasha Pastujov, Sarnia Sting RW – Ty Voit, Sarnia Sting D – Ethan Del Mastro, Sarnia Sting D – Logan Mailloux, London Knights G – Brett Brochu, London Knights – voted 1st all-star team in 2021-22 and 1st all-rookie team in 2019-20 Coach – Dale Hunter, London Knights – seventh time being voted to an OHL all-star team
Third All-Star Team C – Owen Beck, Peterborough Petes – voted 2nd all-rookie team in 2021-22 LW – Brennan Othmann, Peterborough Petes – voted 1st all-star team in 2021-22 and 1st all-rookie team in 2019-20 RW – Avery Hayes, Peterborough Petes D – Ty Nelson, North Bay Battalion – voted 2nd all-rookie team in 2021-22 D – Christian Kyrou, Sarnia Sting G – Michael Simpson, Peterborough Petes Coach – Ryan Oulahen, North Bay Battalion
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.
Kingston Frontenacs acquired Ethan Miedema from the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Tim Cornett/OHL Images.
When the Kingston Frontenacs traded Shane Wright to the Windsor Spitfires, one of the key pieces with promise coming back to the Fronts was Ethan Miedema. It didn’t turn out as well as expected.
There is no questioning the size. Miedema brings with that size physical play but also has some good hockey smarts, vision and playmaking skills from the wing. And he can chip in with some goals too. He can play up and down the lineup whether with skilled players or to provide a boost with some energy in the lower part of the lineup.
Miedema could certainly benefit by adding some speed to his skating. He moves like you’d expect a 6’4”, 200-punder to move. Despite the size he could also benefit from adding some strength on his feet. He doesn’t get knocked down but you can certainly knock him off balance.
The other concern I have is that he doesn’t always with the pace I’d expect from him. At times it doesn’t look like he’s giving it 100% and there might be some tentativeness in his game while he waits for things to develop or he waits for the play to come to him rather than initiating.
His second half of the season, after the trade, was an opportune time for him to showcase himself given the extra opportunities he wasn’t going to get in Windsor. It didn’t materialize and, in the end, may have hurt his draft stock. Still, what he brings to the table has to be considered intriguing in the middle of the draft.
In what is a common theme with NHL Central Scouting where many OHL players dropped from the mid-term rankings to the final rankings, Miedema only dropped 5 spots among North American skaters.
Quinton Burns of the Kingston Frontenacs. Photo by OHL Images.
Kingston Frontenacs defenceman Quinton Burns has good size at 6’1” but will need to add plenty of bulk to that frame. But that doesn’t deter him from playing an aggressive and physical game. Whether it’s along the boards or open ice, making contact for Burns is a priority.
Burns is a great skater and his pre-OHL days have shown us he can be a capable puck rushing defenceman in transition. However, the confidence to do so hasn’t materialized at this level as of yet although, as the season progressed, signs of his ability were beginning to come through which is what you are hoping to see.
If you like playmaking defencemen with physicality, then Burns is your guy. He can be dangerous inside the opposition blueline with his passing skills, vision and high IQ. However, he lacks the shot from the point to make him extremely dangerous. If he could add that element to his game and leave the opposition guessing as to what is coming next, it will make him that much more dangerous.
At this point it’s difficult to say what type of defender Burns can be at the next level. Certainly, the skill set is there and there are some things to improve on. At worst, you have a physical, shut down defenceman who will make life difficult for the opposition. At best, you have that but the added element of a puck-rushing, two-way defenceman. Next season will be a huge development year for Burns and that will tell us more. In the meantime, he is definitely worth a mid round pick.
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of playoff games ending Sunday, May 14, 2023.
Petes’ Tucker Robertson Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week
Seattle Kraken prospect Tucker Robertson of the Peterborough Petes is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, posting two goals, three assists and five points in three games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-3.
A 19-year-old native of Toronto, Ont., Robertson recorded 36 goals, 54 assists and a club-leading 90 points in 68 games this season, making him the first Petes player since Daniel Ryder (2005, 2006) to record back-to-back 80+ point seasons in maroon and white. Among the league’s top faceoff performers, Robertson won 58.5 percent of his faceoffs during the 2022-23 regular season. He sits second in Petes playoff scoring with 17 points (7-10–17) in 19 games. Robertson was a fourth round (123rd overall) pick of the Seattle Kraken following 41 goals, 40 assists and 81 points in 68 games last season. The former fourth round (72nd overall) pick by the Petes in 2019 has registered 85 goals, 104 assists and 189 points in 191 career regular season OHL contests.
2022-23 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Playoffs: May 8 – May 14: Tucker Robertson (Peterborough Petes) May 1 – May 7: Ryan Winterton (London Knights) Apr. 24 – Apr. 30: Connor Lockhart (Peterborough Petes) Apr. 17 – Apr. 23: Denver Barkey (London Knights) Apr. 10 – Apr. 16: Evan Vierling (Barrie Colts) Apr. 3 – Apr. 9: Luca Pinelli (Ottawa 67’s) Mar. 27 – Apr. 2: Matyas Sapovaliv (Saginaw Spirit)
Petes’ Michael Simpson Named OHL Goaltender of the Week
Michael Simpson of the Peterborough Petes is the OHL Goaltender of the Week, going 2-1 with a 2.35 goals-against average and .936 save percentage.
Simpson helped the Petes defeat the North Bay Battalion in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Championship Series on Monday, stopping 22 of the 24 shots that came his way in a 3-2 win. The 6-foot-1, 198lb. netminder returned to the crease in his hometown of London on Thursday, making 29 saves in a 3-0 loss to the Knights. Simpson rebounded with a 51-save performance on Saturday in Game 2, closing out the week with a 5-3 victory to knot the OHL Championship Series at one win apiece.
A 20-year-old from London, Ont., Simpson played to a 24-22-2-2 record with a 2.73 goals-against average and .914 save percentage in 51 games this past season, leading the OHL in saves (1,442) and minutes played (2,989). He’s currently 13-6 with a 2.76 goals-against average and .916 save percentage in the 2023 OHL Playoffs. Simpson was the OHL’s Goaltender of the Month for October 2022. He played to a mark of 20-18-3-1 in 2021-22, registering a 3.56 goals-against average and .891 save percentage. Simpson was a 10th round (193rd overall) pick by the Petes in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection from the London Jr. Knights U16 program.
2022-23 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Playoffs: May 8 – May 14: Michael Simpson (Peterborough Petes) May 1 – May 7: Dom DiVincentiis (North Bay Battalion) Apr. 24 – Apr. 30: Brett Brochu (London Knights) Apr. 17 – Apr. 23: Brett Brochu (London Knights) Apr. 10 – Apr. 16: Ben Gaudreau (Sarnia Sting) Apr. 3 – Apr. 9: Brett Brochu (London Knights) Mar. 27 – Apr. 2: Marco Costantini (Kitchener Rangers)
2022-23 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season: Mar. 20 – Mar. 26: Collin MacKenzie (Ottawa 67’s) Mar. 13 – Mar. 19: Liam Sztuska (Peterborough Petes) Mar. 6 – Mar. 12: Dom DiVincentiis (North Bay Battalion) Feb. 27 – Mar. 5: Dom DiVincentiis (North Bay Battalion) Feb. 20 – Feb. 26: Michael Simpson (Peterborough Petes) Feb. 13 – Feb. 19: Tristan Lennox (Saginaw Spirit) Feb. 6 – Feb. 12: Zach Bowen (London Knights) Jan 30 – Feb. 5: Nate Krawchuk (Sudbury Wolves) Jan 23 – Jan. 29: Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals) Jan 16 – Jan. 22: Mason Vaccari (Kingston Frontenacs) Jan 9 – Jan. 15: Matteo Drobac (Hamilton Bulldogs) Jan. 2 – Jan. 8: Max Donoso (Ottawa 67’s) Dec. 26 – Jan. 1: Michael Simpson (Peterborough Petes) Dec. 12 – Dec. 18: Marco Costantini (Kitchener Rangers) Dec. 5 – Dec. 11: Owen Flores (Niagara IceDogs) Nov. 28 – Dec. 4: Dom DiVincentiis (North Bay Battalion) Nov. 21 – Nov. 27: Brett Brochu (London Knights) Nov. 14 – Nov. 20: Michael Simpson (Peterborough Petes) Nov. 7 – Nov. 13: Joe Ranger (Sudbury Wolves) Oct. 31 – Nov. 6: Tristan Lennox (Saginaw Spirit) Oct. 24 – Oct. 30: Carter George (Owen Sound Attack) Oct. 17 – Oct. 23: Collin MacKenzie (Ottawa 67’s) Oct. 10 – Oct. 16: Ivan Zhigalov (Kingston Frontenacs) Oct. 3 – Oct. 9: Alessio Beglieri (Mississauga Steelheads) Sept. 29 – Oct. 2: Ben Gaudreau (Sarnia Sting)
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.
Andrew Gibson of the Soo Greyhounds. Photo by OHL Images.
If you’re only watching a handful of Soo Greyhounds game and defenceman Andrew Gibson, you’ll probably question why so many public rankings have him listed so high. On the opposite end, if you’ve watched a lot of games, you’ll be questioning those that just don’t see it.
At 6’3” and 198 pounds, the first thing you notice is that Gibson has great size. His mobility isn’t the greatest, but it’s good enough. And being a right-shot defenceman that NHL teams are always looking for, that’s a plus.
Gibson is still a green blueliner with enough raw potential who plays a solid two-way game. He’s not going to bring fans out of their seats with a flair for the dramatic. Instead, he plays a consistent, safe game almost always making the right plays at both ends of the ice.
Defensively, Gibson plays with physicality. He moves well enough backwards and laterally to keep his gaps tight. The long reach he possesses is a bonus, able to break up plays with his stick. At times he can be pressured into making an error under the forecheck. But I also believe that with more experience and confidence those errors will be minimized.
As the season moved along, Gibson became more confident in his abilities offensively and it showed up on the stat sheet. After recording just a single point in November, he came to life in December and early January. But a lower body injury on January 12, 2023 would cause Gibson to miss the next two months of the season.
Prior to the injury, a more confident Gibson was jumping into the attack more. He began to take more risk, was better at keeping the puck in the offensive zone and even taking more chances at going in deep from the blueline, all with success.
Again, Gibson is a raw talent. If he can continue to improve in the defensive zone and continue to improve his skating by adding more speed, there is definitely some upside here.
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that New York Islanders prospect Matthew Maggio of the Windsor Spitfires is the 2022-23 recipient of the Red Tilson Trophy, an award presented annually to the OHL’s Most Outstanding Player during the regular season as voted by the writers and broadcasters that cover the league. The OHL’s Most Outstanding Player Award is presented by Kia.
“As proud partner of the CHL and presenting sponsor of the Memorial Cup, Kia Canada is thrilled to congratulate Matthew Maggio of the Windsor Spitfires, recognized as the OHL’s Most Outstanding Player for the 2022-23 season,” said Michael Kopke, Director of Marketing for Kia Canada. “Matthew’s performance this season has been remarkable and we look forward to seeing where it takes him next.”
Maggio led the OHL with 54 goals and 111 points in 66 games, and gives the Spitfires back-to-back Red Tilson Trophy recipients after current Dallas Stars forward Wyatt Johnston claimed the honour in 2021-22. Maggio helped the Spitfires win their second of back-to-back West Division titles and becomes the first player in OHL history to receive both the Red Tilson Trophy as Most Outstanding Player, while also being voted the league’s Overage Player of the Year.
“I am incredibly honoured and humbled to receive the Red Tilson Trophy,” said Maggio. “I would like to acknowledge the support and contributions of my family, friends, teammates, coaches, management, and ownership with the Windsor Spitfires. I am grateful for their guidance, motivation, and unwavering support throughout the season. I am also honoured to join the esteemed group of past winners and their legacy of excellence in the OHL and the sport of hockey. This award is not only a personal achievement, but a reflection of the team’s success. I would like to thank the OHL and its fans for this recognition, and I am excited to continue working hard to achieve even greater success in the future.”
“Matt was a consistent performer all year,” noted Spitfires General Manager Bill Bowler. “He was valuable to our organization both on and off the ice. This award is a credit to Matt and all his hard work.”
Maggio’s 111 points were 35 more than the next-highest scorer on his team. He was a plus-41 performer, scoring just four of his 54 goals on the power play to become one of four players in the past decade to score at least 45 even strength goals in a season. He led the league with 311 shots on goal and was held pointless in just nine of his 66 games.
“Matt was the hardest worker on the Spitfires this season and played the right way night in night out and got rewarded for it,” said Spitfires Head Coach Marc Savard. “He is a great human being, and it’s great to see. Well deserved.”
A 20-year-old native of Tecumseh, Ont., Maggio wraps-up his OHL career with 99 goals, 118 assists and 217 points over 212 regular season contests spent between Windsor and the Ottawa 67’s, who selected him in the fifth-round (86th overall) of the 2018 OHL Priority Selection. He tied a Spitfires single game franchise record with his five goals on Dec. 15th in a 6-3 win over the Erie Otters, joining Daniel D’Amico, Paul Gagne and Gerry Leroux as the fourth Spitfire to accomplish the feat. The 6-foot, 185Ib. right-winger recorded 17 points (7-10–17) in 25 games last spring as the Spits won a Western Conference title and reached Game 7 of the OHL Championship Series. He was a fifth-round (142nd overall) pick of the New York Islanders in the 2022 NHL Draft, and signed a three-year entry-level NHL contract with the club on May 1, 2023.
Maggio follows Johnston (2021-22) as well as blueliner Ryan Ellis (2010-11), forward Ernie Godden (1980-81) and goaltender Glenn Hall (1950-51) as the fifth Spitfire to earn the Red Tilson Trophy. Recent winners have included Marco Rossi (Ottawa 2020), Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Sudbury 2019), Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia 2018) and Alex DeBrincat (Erie 2017).
The Red Tilson Trophy is the most prestigious individual award presented by the Ontario Hockey League. First presented in 1945, the trophy is named in honour of Albert “Red” Tilson, who was killed in action in Europe during World War II. Tilson was the OHA scoring champion for the 1942-43 season after scoring 19 goals and 38 assists for 57 points in 22 games with the Oshawa Generals.
Accredited media were asked to select their top choice from a ballot consisting of 20 team-nominated representatives. Maggio emerged as the front-runner, receiving 45 percent of the vote ahead of Barrie Colts defenceman Brandt Clarke, who received 23 percent. Sarnia Sting forward Ty Voit placed third, earning 11 percent of the vote.
The Red Tilson Trophy winner is the OHL’s nominee for the Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year Award, presented at the CHL Awards Ceremony on Saturday, June 3 during the 2023 Memorial Cup presented by Kia which takes place in Kamloops, British Columbia. Maggio will be formally presented with the Red Tilson Trophy at the OHL’s Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, June 14 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
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.
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Anaheim Ducks prospect Pavel Mintyukov of the Ottawa 67’s is the 2022-23 recipient of the Max Kaminsky Trophy, an award presented annually to the OHL’s Defenceman of the Year as voted by the league’s General Managers.
Mintyukov led OHL blueliners with 88 points including 24 goals and 64 assists along with a plus/minus rating of plus-33, joining the 67’s midway through the season to help them secure the Hamilton Spectator Trophy as the league’s regular season champions.
“I am extremely honoured to receive such a prestigious award,” said Mintyukov. “This would not have been possible without the support of everyone around me. A huge thank you goes out to my family as well as both the Ottawa 67’s and Saginaw Spirit organizations consisting of all of my teammates, and coaching staffs.”
Mintyukov saw time in all situations, logging big minutes throughout the season as he led OHL rearguards with six game-winning goals and put together 27 multi-point outings. He became the OHL’s first defenceman on record to ever receive league Defenceman of the Month honours in three consecutive months, doing so in October, November and December.
“Throughout the 2022-23 season, Pavel exhibited his tremendous skill, energy, and passion for the game, each and every day,” said 67’s General Manager James Boyd. “His positive impacts as a teammate, and leader extend beyond the ice surface. It is great to see Pavel receive this well-deserved, prestigious recognition.”
A 19-year-old from Moscow, Russia, Mintyukov recorded 150 points (41-109–150) over 136 career regular season games between Ottawa and Saginaw over the past two seasons, becoming the first blueliner to ever lead the Spirit in regular season scoring during the 2021-22 campaign as he was voted an OHL third team all-star. The Anaheim Ducks selected Mintyukov with the 10th overall pick of the 2022 NHL Draft, and signed him to a three-year entry-level NHL contract on July 16, 2022. He was Saginaw’s first round (52nd overall) pick in the 2020 CHL Import Draft.
The Max Kaminsky Trophy is awarded each year to the Most Outstanding Defenceman as selected by OHL General Managers. All 20 clubs submitted a nominee but were not permitted to vote for their own player.
The award is named in recognition of Max Kaminsky, who enjoyed a 10-year professional playing career that included four years in the NHL with Ottawa, Boston, and Montreal. After he retired from playing, Kaminsky enjoyed a 15-year coaching career that was capped by winning the Memorial Cup with the St. Catharines Teepees in 1960.
Barrie Colts blueliner Brandt Clarke finished as the runner-up in this year’s award voting.
Mintyukov is the latest Ottawa 67’s blueliner to win the award, joining an impressive list of names that includes Noel Hoefenmayer (2020), Brendan Bell (2003), Brian Campbell (1999), Sean Blanchard (1997), Chris Snell (1991), Brad Shaw (1984), Randy Boyd (1981) and back-to-back winner Denis Potvin (1972, 1973). Other prominent winners have included Dougie Hamilton (Niagara 2012), two-time recipients Ryan Ellis (Windsor 2009 & 2011) and Bryan Berard (Detroit 1995 & 1996), Drew Doughty (Guelph 2008) as well as Chris Pronger (Peterborough 1993).
Mintyukov is the OHL’s nominee for the Canadian Hockey League Defenceman of the Year Award, presented at the CHL Awards Ceremony on Saturday, June 3 during the 2023 Memorial Cup presented by Kia which takes place in Kamloops, British Columbia. He will be formally presented with the Max Kaminsky Trophy at the OHL’s Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, June 14 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
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.
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for playoff games ending Sunday, May 7th, 2023.
Knights’ Ryan Winterton Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week
Seattle Kraken prospect Ryan Winterton of the London Knights is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, posting five goals, one assist and six points in four games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-5.
Helping London skate to a 4-2 series win over the Sarnia Sting to capture the Wayne Gretzky Trophy as Western Conference champions last week, Winterton started things with a goal in a 5-2 road loss on Tuesday night. He went on to record another goal the following night as the Knights fell 6-3. Helping London rebound back at home on Friday, the 6-foot-2, 190lb. forward recorded a pair of goals in the 5-2 victory. Winterton closed out the series with a goal and an assist on Sunday, stretching his current point streak to eight games as the Knights punched their ticket to the OHL Championship Series with a 5-1 win over the Sting.
A 19-year-old from Whitby, Ont., Winterton recorded 12 goals, 24 assists and 36 points in 34 games this season. He’s produced 105 points (44-61–105) over 124 career OHL regular season games between London and Hamilton since being selected by the Bulldogs with the eighth overall pick of the 2019 OHL Priority Selection. He’s currently produced 10 points (6-4–10) over 12 games in the 2023 OHL Playoffs. Winterton was selected in the third round (67th overall) by the Seattle Kraken in the 2021 NHL Draft.
Also considered for the award this week, Knights teammate and 2023 NHL Draft eligible Denver Barkey was productive, recording three goals and three assists in four games, while Anaheim Ducks prospect Sasha Pastujov of the Sarnia Sting had eight points (2-6–8) in four outings.
Battalion’s Dom DiVincentiis Named OHL Goaltender of the Week
Winnipeg Jets prospect Dom DiVincentiis of the North Bay Battalion is the OHL Goaltender of the Week, playing to a 2-2 record including a goals-against average of 2.75 and a save percentage of .927.
DiVincentiis helped the Battalion play to a 2-2 mark against the Peterborough Petes in the Eastern Conference Championship Series last week, beginning with a 40-save performance in a 3-2 road loss on Tuesday. DiVincentiis stopped 37 of the 39 shots he faced in Wednesday’s Game 4, defeating the Petes 5-2. He returned home to block 22 of the 24 shots that came his way in a 6-2 win on Saturday, before the 6-foot-2, 190lb. netminder would close out the week in Peterborough, stopping 40 shots in a 4-3 overtime loss in Sunday’s Game 6.
A 19-year-old native of Bolton, Ont., DiVincentiis played to a 36-9-2-0 record with a 2.33 goals-against average and .919 save percentage in 48 games this past season to earn the Jim Rutherford Trophy as the OHL’s Goaltender of the Year. He was the recipient of the OHL’s F.W. ‘Dinty’ Moore Trophy in 2021-22, posting a league-low 2.59 goals-against average among rookies to go with a 14-8-0-1 record and .907 save percentage. DiVincentiis was selected in the seventh round (207th overall) by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2022 NHL Draft. He’s a former sixth round (116th overall) pick by the Battalion in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection.
2022-23 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Playoffs: May 1 – May 7: Dom DiVincentiis (North Bay Battalion) Apr. 24 – Apr. 30: Brett Brochu (London Knights) Apr. 17 – Apr. 23: Brett Brochu (London Knights) Apr. 10 – Apr. 16: Ben Gaudreau (Sarnia Sting) Apr. 3 – Apr. 9: Brett Brochu (London Knights) Mar. 27 – Apr. 2: Marco Costantini (Kitchener Rangers)
2022-23 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season: Mar. 20 – Mar. 26: Collin MacKenzie (Ottawa 67’s) Mar. 13 – Mar. 19: Liam Sztuska (Peterborough Petes) Mar. 6 – Mar. 12: Dom DiVincentiis (North Bay Battalion) Feb. 27 – Mar. 5: Dom DiVincentiis (North Bay Battalion) Feb. 20 – Feb. 26: Michael Simpson (Peterborough Petes) Feb. 13 – Feb. 19: Tristan Lennox (Saginaw Spirit) Feb. 6 – Feb. 12: Zach Bowen (London Knights) Jan 30 – Feb. 5: Nate Krawchuk (Sudbury Wolves) Jan 23 – Jan. 29: Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals) Jan 16 – Jan. 22: Mason Vaccari (Kingston Frontenacs) Jan 9 – Jan. 15: Matteo Drobac (Hamilton Bulldogs) Jan. 2 – Jan. 8: Max Donoso (Ottawa 67’s) Dec. 26 – Jan. 1: Michael Simpson (Peterborough Petes) Dec. 12 – Dec. 18: Marco Costantini (Kitchener Rangers) Dec. 5 – Dec. 11: Owen Flores (Niagara IceDogs) Nov. 28 – Dec. 4: Dom DiVincentiis (North Bay Battalion) Nov. 21 – Nov. 27: Brett Brochu (London Knights) Nov. 14 – Nov. 20: Michael Simpson (Peterborough Petes) Nov. 7 – Nov. 13: Joe Ranger (Sudbury Wolves) Oct. 31 – Nov. 6: Tristan Lennox (Saginaw Spirit) Oct. 24 – Oct. 30: Carter George (Owen Sound Attack) Oct. 17 – Oct. 23: Collin MacKenzie (Ottawa 67’s) Oct. 10 – Oct. 16: Ivan Zhigalov (Kingston Frontenacs) Oct. 3 – Oct. 9: Alessio Beglieri (Mississauga Steelheads) Sept. 29 – Oct. 2: Ben Gaudreau (Sarnia Sting)
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 