Tristan Bertucci of the Flint Firebirds. Photo by Natalie Shaver/OHL Images
They year-over-year offensive improvement for Flint Firebirds defenceman Tristan Bertucci has elevated his stock. But it was the continued development and improvement throughout the season that has seen his draft stock rise. Ranked 51st on NHL Central Scouting’s mid-term rankings, he improved to 32nd on their final rankings among North America skaters.
Not only is that a 19-spot jump for Bertucci, but Central Scouting has him third among OHL defencemen on their list, overtaking some noticeable defencemen ranked ahead of him coming into the season and even on their mid-term rankings.
Bertuzzi has good size and his skating is one of his best skills. He has quick first steps and very good top speed. He can be elusive and hard to read with his feet. Has excellent edge work with great lateral mobility and is one of the better backwards skaters in this class. He also has a strong hockey IQ with an ability to process the game quickly. That ability allows him to conserve energy and to play big minutes.
Beginning in his defensive zone, Bertucci is quick to pucks. He can lead the breakout with an excellent first pass and is very good with long stretch passes. He can also break the forecheck by skating the puck out of his zone. In this area, he fits the mold of the new age defenceman perfectly.
Bertucci also plays physically in his own zone. He is capable of taking his man out, fighting for pucks on the wall and in front of the blue paint and he will only get better as he gets stronger. His skating allows him to keep gaps tight where he uses an excellent stick, reach and anticipation to break up plays. There is always room for improvement but he is on track.
His offensive game may be a question mark. While he has shown to be offensively capable at the OHL level, it may not translate to the next level. While he can quarterback the powerplay for Flint with his ability to walk the line and make plays, a lack of a good shot from the point may prevent him from doing it at the AHL or NHL level.
Bertucci certainly has some of the skills scouts like and he is sure to be taken in the upper half of the draft in June.
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Saginaw Spirit forward Michael Misa is the 2022-23 recipient of the Emms Family Award, presented annually to the OHL’s Top First-Year Player as voted by the league’s General Managers.
Misa led the league’s newcomers with 56 points, including 22 goals and 34 assists in 45 games. He did so after becoming the sixth player to be granted exceptional player status to play in the OHL by Hockey Canada, competing as the league’s lone 2007-born player during the 2022-23 season. Misa’s 1.24 points-per-game are the highest rate of any of the OHL’s six exceptional status talents during their first season, surpassing the benchmark of 1.18 previously held by John Tavares of the 2005-06 Oshawa Generals.
“Receiving this award is a tremendous honour and I couldn’t have done it without all the help from my teammates and coaching staff supporting me throughout my first year,” said Misa. “I’m super excited for what’s ahead with this group and I can’t wait to get started next year.”
A 5-foot-11, 160Ib. left-winger from Oakville, Ont., Misa was chosen first overall by the Spirit in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection and wasted little time finding the scoresheet in the OHL, picking-up where he left off to end the 2021-22 season with a record-setting performance as his Mississauga Senators won an OHL Cup title. Misa scored twice in his first career OHL contest on Oct. 1st against the Guelph Storm and registered points in each of his first three games. He went on to be named the league’s Rookie of the Month for October.
Misa’s first OHL campaign was headlined by 19 different multi-point outings including a four-point performance (1-3–4) on Oct. 14th in Guelph along with a trio of three-point efforts.
“As an organization we are extremely proud of Michael for winning this award,” said Spirit General Manager Dave Drinkill. “Since the day we drafted Michael he has done everything we have asked of him and more, both on and off the ice. It is not easy to succeed in this league as a first-year player, especially one that was granted entry to the OHL a year early, but Michael’s skill and drive to be the best allowed him to adapt quickly. He is an outstanding, humble young man that is very deserving of this recognition and we could not be happier for him.”
Misa, who turned 16 on February 16th, becomes the first player in Spirit franchise history to win the Emms Family Award and follows present-day NHL players in Andrei Svechnikov (Barrie 2018), Alex DeBrincat (Erie 2015), Travis Konecny (Ottawa 2014), Connor McDavid (2013) and Aaron Ekblad (Barrie 2012) in receiving the honour. Guelph Storm defenceman Cam Allen was the 2021-22 award-winner.
The Emms Family Award was donated by Leighton “Hap” Emms, former owner of the Barrie, Niagara Falls, and St. Catharines OHL franchises. The award is selected by all 20 member club General Managers. Teams were asked to submit only one nominee from their own club for consideration on the ballot and were not permitted to vote for the player from their own hockey club.
Finalists in this year’s voting included forwards Liam Greentree of the Windsor Spitfires and Porter Martone of the Mississauga Steelheads, who each tied for second-place.
Misa is the OHL’s nominee for the Canadian Hockey League Rookie 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 Emms Family Award 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 the week of playoff games ending Sunday, April 30, 2023.
Petes’ Connor Lockhart Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week
Vancouver Canucks prospect Connor Lockhart of the Peterborough Petes is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, posting four goals, one assist and five points in three games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-1.
Lockhart pushed the Petes to the Eastern Conference Championship Series, scoring a hat trick as Peterborough defeated the Ottawa 67’s 5-4 in Game 6 of their second round series on Monday night. The 5-foot-9, 164lb. forward continued his scoring ways against North Bay on Friday, recording a goal and an assist as the Petes defeated the Battalion 3-2 in Game 1. Lockhart continues to excel on a line alongside Owen Beck and Chase Stillman as the Petes enter Tuesday’s Game 3 of their Conference Final series tied at one with the North Bay Battalion.
A 20-year-old from Kanata, Ont., Lockhart recorded 29 goals, 50 assists and 79 points in 66 games this season. He’s produced 154 points (61-93–154) over 187 career OHL regular season games between Peterborough and Erie since being selected by the Otters with the third 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. Lockhart was selected in the sixth round (178th overall) by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2021 NHL Draft.
Also considered for the award this week, Petes teammate and Montreal Canadiens prospect Owen Beck was productive, recording one goal and four assists in three games, while Seattle Kraken prospect Ryan Winterton of the London Knights had five points (2-3–5) in two victories.
Knights’ Brett Brochu Named OHL Goaltender of the Week
Brett Brochu of the London Knights is the OHL Goaltender of the Week for the third time in the past four weeks, going 1-0 with a 0.62 goals-against average and .980 save percentage.
Brochu helped the Knights take a 2-0 series lead over the Sarnia Sting in the Western Conference Championship Series last week, turning aside 32 of the 33 shots he faced in a 4-1 win to earn first star honours on Friday. The 6-foot, 176lb. netminder stopped all 18 shots he faced in Sunday’s Game 2, leaving the game in the second period with an injury as the Knights went on to win by a score of 3-1.
A 20-year-old from Belle River, Ont., Brochu played to a 28-17-2-0 record with a 2.82 goals-against average and .902 save percentage in 47 games this past season. He’ll graduate with 89 regular season career victories, the second-most in London Knights franchise history. He posted a 2.67 goals-against average and .910 save percentage over 132 career regular season games, and also set a new OHL record for wins by a rookie goaltender with 32 in 2019-20. The overage netminder is currently 9-1 with a 1.48 goals-against average and .943 save percentage with four shutouts over 11 games in the 2023 OHL Playoffs. Brochu was London’s sixth round (114th overall) pick in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection. He attended training camp with the Vancouver Canucks last October.
Also considered for the award this week, Michael Simpson of the Peterborough Petes went 2-1 with a 2.68 goals-against average and .928 save percentage, making 103 saves over three games played last week. Winnipeg Jets prospect Dom DiVincentiis of the North Bay Battalion went 2-2 with a 2.02 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage.
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.
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Winnipeg Jets prospect Domenic DiVincentiis of the North Bay Battalion is the 2022-23 recipient of the Jim Rutherford Trophy, awarded annually to the OHL’s Goaltender of the Year presented by Real Canadian Superstore.
DiVincentiis put together the best statistical season by a goaltender in North Bay Battalion franchise history, leading the OHL with 36 wins, a 2.33 goals-against average and .919 save percentage. His five shutouts were tied for the league-lead, and he did not lose consecutive games throughout the entire season.
“I am truly honoured and humbled to be receiving the Jim Rutherford Trophy today as the top goaltender in the Ontario Hockey League,” said DiVincentiis. “To share this recognition with some of the best goaltenders in our league’s history is extremely exciting. This award, in my opinion, is a recognition and acknowledgment to the incredible support and encouragement I have received from my teammates, coaches, support staff, and fans with the North Bay Battalion.
“Finally, I would like to share this award with my family, billet family and support network that has been with me every step of the way. Your love and support has been my greatest source of strength and motivation, and I am grateful for every moment we have shared together through my career to date on and off the ice.”
DiVincentiis’ season was highlighted by being named the OHL’s Goaltender of the Month for both January and March. He had a tremendous finish to the season, recording four of his five shutouts after Feb. 24th while winning his final six outings of the campaign.
“This is another very proud day for our organization,” said Battalion General Manager Adam Dennis, who won the award as a member of the London Knights in 2006. “Dom has given us a chance to win all season with not just his play but also his leadership. Since the day he came into our program he has been a tireless worker who is incredibly dedicated to his craft; this award is well earned. We look forward watching Dom’s continued growth on the ice as his legacy in the North Bay community continues to grow.”
A 19-year-old from Bolton, Ont. DiVincentiis is the first goaltender in Battalion franchise history to win the award, becoming the first North Bay-based goaltender to do so in the league’s history. The 6-foot-2, 190Ib. netminder has played to a career OHL mark of 50-17-2-1 with a 2.42 goals-against average and .915 save percentage over 75 regular season games. He’s currently 9-4-2-0 with a 2.28 goals-against average and .928 save percentage through 15 games for the Battalion in the 2023 OHL Playoffs. The Troops selected DiVincentiis in the sixth round (116th overall) of the 2020 OHL Priority Selection. He was chosen by the Winnipeg Jets last summer, being taken in the seventh round (207th overall).
Announced in August 2019, the Jim Rutherford Trophy is presented by the League in honour of former OHL goaltender, General Manager, Chairman of the Board and two-time Executive of the Year Jim Rutherford. The current President of Hockey Operations of the Vancouver Canucks, Rutherford played 13 seasons as an NHL netminder and was the architect behind Stanley Cup championships for the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006 and Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in November 2019.
The OHL’s Goaltender of the Year Award was first presented in 1988 to Rick Tabaracci (Cornwall), with other notable winners including Manny Legace (Niagara Falls 1993), Andrew Raycroft (Kingston 2000), Craig Anderson (Guelph 2001), the League’s only back-to-back winner Mike Murphy (Belleville 2008 & 2009), along with current NHL goaltenders Jordan Binnington (Owen Sound 2013), Alex Nedeljkovic (Plymouth 2014) and Mackenzie Blackwood (Barrie 2016).
Finalists in this year’s voting included 2022 recipient Brett Brochu of the London Knights, along with New York Islanders prospect Tristan Lennox of the Saginaw Spirit, who finished in a tie for second.
DiVincentiis is the OHL’s nominee for the Canadian Hockey League Goaltender 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 Jim Rutherford 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.
Through the first two rounds, the Peterborough Petes have been my nemeses having predicted two losses for them and they’ve won both. That makes four incorrect picks for me – a lifetime worst. And here we are trying again. So, let’s get to it.
WESTERN CONFERENCE (2) LONDON KNIGHTS VS (3) SARNIA STING – WAYNE GRETZKY TROPHY
LONDON KNIGHTS
SARNIA STING
Regular season record
45-21-2-0
41-18-5-4
Playoff record
8-1
8-2
Head-to-head
4-2-0-0
2-2-1-1
Home record
22-11-1-0
21-7-4-2
Away record
23-10-1-0
20-11-1-2
Goals scored (regular season)
269
298
Goals scored (playoffs)
43
41
Goals against (regular season)
214
224
Goals against (playoffs)
17
23
Powerplay (regular season)
21.3%
26.0%
PP at home (regular season)
23.0%
27.2%
PP away (regular season)
19.7%
24.6%
Powerplay (playoffs)
29.2%
15.4%
PP at home (playoffs)
29.6%
27.8%
PP away (playoffs)
28.6%
4.8%
Penalty kill (regular season)
78.9%
81.4%
PK at home (regular season)
76.9%
82.5%
PK away (regular season)
80.4%
80.3%
Penalty kill (playoffs)
75.0%
91.7%
PK at home (playoffs)
68.8%
94.4%
PK away (playoffs)
81.3%
88.9%
Powerplay vs opponent
15.0%
32.3%
Penalty kill vs opponent
67.7%
85.0%
Leading after 1st (playoffs)
5-0
4-0
Leading after 2nd (playoffs)
7-0
5-0
Trailing after 1st (playoffs)
3-0
2-1
Trailing after 2nd (playoffs)
0-1
0-2
1-goal games (playoffs)
2-0
3-1
2-goal games (playoffs)
0-0
1-1
3 goal games (playoffs)
0-0
1-0
It’s a historic year for the Sting, who are into the Western Conference Championship Series for the first time in their history.
Sarnia comes off a sweep of the fourth-seed Saginaw Spirit in which they conceded just four goals, with Ben Gaudreau making franchise history with his second and third shutouts of the playoff run. After going up 2-0 over the eighth-placed Kitchener Rangers in the previous round, the Knights responded to a 6-1 Game 3 loss with consecutive Brett Brochu shutout wins in Games 4 and 5.
Following a spell in which they won the J. Ross Robertson Cup three times in five seasons, London has not reached the Western Conference Final since their last championship in 2016.
The team began to find a rhythm after adding Bulldogs teammates Ryan Winterton and Ryan Humphrey at the trade deadline.
The Sting boast a powerhouse offence but showed an ability to grind out results in the series against Saginaw. Their defensive trade-deadline acquisitions were a subject of discussion ahead of Game 1.
The Sting’s blueline spent much of the season riddled with injuries but with Ethan Del Mastro, Christian Kyrou, Ryan Mast, Nolan Dillingham, and Ethan Ritchie all available, Sarnia’s defence has looked steady in front of Gaudreau.
Not to be overlooked, Sarnia’s offence was a force throughout the season as they put together the OHL’s top power play, guided by one of the league’s top playmakers in Ty Voit. Factor in 50-goal scorer Nolan Burke and mid-season additions Sasha Pastujov and Luca Del Bel Belluz, and Sarnia isn’t a team London can afford to get into penalty trouble against.
PREDICTION: Sarnia in 6 games
EASTERN CONFERENCE (2) NORTH BAY BATTALION VS (4) PETERBOROUGH PETES BOBBY ORR TROPHY
The Petes are in search of their first trip to the OHL Championship Series since they were last champions in 2005-06. Captain Shawn Spearing and assistant captains Tucker Robertson and J.R. Avon were all members of the 2019-20 team that was poised to make a deep playoff run before the season came to a premature end. The group has been preparing for another one ever since.
The Battalion were on the receiving end of a sweep in last year’s Eastern Conference Final, falling to the eventual champions: the Hamilton Bulldogs. With much of the same core returning, the Troops have been a contender since the season began and added the requisite depth.
Picked first overall in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection and CHL Import Draft respectively, Ty Nelson and Matvey Petrov have developed into two of the most talented players in the league. Alongside overage forward Kyle McDonald, they sit tied for first in scoring among remaining players (18 pts.). Not fair behind in fourth is centreman Kyle Jackson (13 pts.).
The Battalion are ranked first in the postseason with 49 goals for, and much of that is to do with how seamlessly trade additions Pasquale Zito (5-9-14) and Josh Bloom (2-5-7) have fit into the team.
After acquiring 50-goal man Brennan Othmann from the Flint Firebirds in November, the Petes went after the big fish at the trade deadline, too. GM Mike Oke prioritized championship pedigree, dealing for Hamilton Bulldogs overage pair Avery Hayes and Gavin White. They have proven themselves to be instrumental for Peterborough thus far.
The Petes finished the season with a 5-6-1-0 record in March, which evoked questions about whether they were ready to take the next step in the postseason. Internally, however, the focus was on being prepared to flip the switch for Game 1.
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League is pleased to announce that Oshawa Generals forward Ryder McIntyre is the 2022-23 recipient of the Roger Neilson Memorial Award presented annually to the OHL’s Top Academic Post-Secondary Student.
McIntyre achieved an overall average of 81 percent in studies at the University of Guelph, headlined by a 100 percent grade in an Introduction to Marketing course, in addition to a 95 percent in Human Development. McIntyre’s course load also included Psychology and Microeconomics as he achieved high standing during his second season in the OHL.
“I’m very honoured to receive the Roger Neilson Memorial Award,” said McIntyre. “I’d like to thank my teachers, Oshawa Generals Academic Advisor Tom Buchanan, and the entire Generals organization for their continued support and the environment needed to succeed.”
A 6-foot-3, 221Ib. 18-year-old right-winger from Stouffville, Ont., McIntyre recorded seven goals, 10 assists and 17 points over 63 games between the Generals and the Sarnia Sting in 2022-23. He was acquired by the Generals from Sarnia on Oct. 20, 2022.
“It’s not a surprise to me that Ryder has won this prestigious academic award,” said Generals Vice-President and General Manager Roger Hunt. “He is a young man that is very capable of prioritizing things and has a great work ethic. He works as hard in the gym, on the ice and in the classroom – a great formula for young people to follow if you want to succeed in life.”
Originally a third round (51st overall) pick by Sarnia in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection, McIntyre’s top performance this past season came on Feb. 20th when he recorded a goal and two assists in a 10-7 win over the Niagara IceDogs.
“Ryder has shown himself as a dedicated and conscientious student,” said Generals Academic Advisor Tom Buchanan. “He has demonstrated the self-discipline and time management skills to combine a busy hockey schedule with the rigours of a university timetable. Ryder successfully completed four university courses during the hockey season.”
The Roger Neilson Memorial Award is named in honour of the Hall of Fame Coach who served behind the Peterborough Petes bench in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. Neilson, a former high school teacher, was a pioneer in stressing the importance of education to all of his players. McIntyre becomes the second Oshawa Generals player to win the award, following goaltender Daniel Altshuller who last did so in 2012-13.
Guelph Storm defenceman Payton Robinson finished as a finalist for this year’s Roger Neilson Memorial Award.
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 is proud to announce that draft eligible forward Colby Barlow of the Owen Sound Attack is the 2022-23 recipient of the Bobby Smith Trophy, which is awarded to the OHL’s Scholastic Player of the Year presented by MilkUP, youth lifestyle brand of Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO).
Barlow becomes the first player in Owen Sound Attack history to win the prestigious award, excelling with an overall average of 93 percent across Grade 12 University-level courses: Challenge and Change in Society (97 percent), Families in Canada (96 percent), Organizational Business (95 percent), Business Leadership (95 percent), International Business (90 percent), and English (85 percent) at Owen Sound District Secondary School.
On the ice, Barlow enters the 2023 NHL Draft as the OHL’s highest-ranked skater, coming in at 12th on NHL Central Scouting’s final list of North American players eligible for the annual selection that takes place in Nashville, Tenn. on June 28-29. He led the Attack in 2022-23 producing 79 points including 46 goals, 33 assists and a league-leading 12 game-winning tallies in 59 games.
“I’m truly honoured to be awarded the Bobby Smith Trophy,” said Barlow. “Playing hockey at an elite level and excelling at academics are really two sides of the same coin. It would be inconsistent for someone with the dedication it requires to perform at an elite level in sports, not to apply that same dedication to their academic studies. To excel in hockey it requires talent, but more importantly it requires discipline. The skillsets in athletics and academics are interrelated and I appreciate everyone with the Owen Sound Attack who has helped me as I continue to try and excel in both of those areas.”
Fresh-off setting an Attack rookie record for goals as a 16-year-old with 30 in 2021-22, Barlow became the youngest captain in Owen Sound Attack franchise history at 17-years-old, and emerged as one of five OHL players with at least 46 goals in his sophomore season.
“Colby has found an incredible way to balance both on-ice brilliance and excellence in the classroom,” said Attack General Manager Dale DeGray. “He also did a tremendous job serving as captain of our team in just his second season, and has amazed many at the Bayshore, scoring some outstanding goals and demonstrating what it truly means to be a leader both on and off the ice.”
Hailing from Orillia, Ont., Barlow is currently representing Canada at the 2023 IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championship in Switzerland, and also wore the maple leaf, winning gold for Canada at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Alberta last summer. Barlow competed in the 2023 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game this past January in Langley, BC. Originally selected by the Attack with their first round (8th overall) pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection, Barlow went on to be voted to the league’s first all-rookie team in 2021-22.
“Colby has a very positive attitude that is evident in everything he does,” commented Attack Academic Advisor Sarah Rowe. “He leads by example and preaches accountability both in school and in the dressing room. Colby is an honour roll student and a star on the ice who continues to do Owen Sound proud.”
Each year the Bobby Smith Trophy is presented to the OHL Scholastic Player of the Year who best combines high standards of play and academic excellence. The trophy is in honour of Bobby Smith, a former Ottawa 67s star who exhibited a standard of excellence in both of these areas. Past recipients since the award was first presented in 1980 include three-time winner Dustin Brown (Guelph 2001-03), Steven Stamkos (Sarnia 2007), Ryan Ellis (Windsor 2008), Matt Duchene (Brampton 2009), Erik Gudbranson (Kingston 2010), Dougie Hamilton (Niagara 2011), Adam Pelech (Erie 2012), Darnell Nurse (Sault Ste. Marie 2013), back-to-back winner Connor McDavid (Erie 2014, ’15), Sasha Chmelevski (Ottawa 2017), Barrett Hayton (Sault Ste. Marie 2018), Thomas Harley (Mississauga 2019), Cole Perfetti (Saginaw 2020) and Owen Beck (Mississauga 2022).
Next in line for the award were a pair of other NHL Draft eligibles in Erie Otters forward Carey Terrance and London Knights blueliner Oliver Bonk. Ottawa 67s draft-eligible forward Luca Pinelli placed third in the process.
Barlow will be the OHL’s nominee for the Canadian Hockey League Scholastic 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. Barlow will be formally presented with the Bobby Smith Trophy at the OHL’s Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, June 14 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
All 20 of the OHL’s member clubs provide nominees for the Bobby Smith Trophy, with nominees representing the 2022-23 OHL Scholastic Team:
2022-23 OHL Scholastic Team Nominees: Barrie Colts – Grayson Tiller Erie Otters – Carey Terrance Flint Firebirds – Daks Klinkhammer Guelph Storm – Matthew Poitras Hamilton Bulldogs – Nick Lardis Kingston Frontenacs – Alec Belanger Kitchener Rangers – Matthew Andonovski London Knights – Oliver Bonk Mississauga Steelehads – Luke Misa Niagara IceDogs – Bronson Ride North Bay Battalion – Wyatt Kennedy Oshawa Generals – Ben Danford Ottawa 67’s – Luca Pinelli Owen Sound Attack – Colby Barlow Peterborough Petes – Chase Lefebvre Saginaw Spirit – Joey Willis Sarnia Sting – Easton Wainwright Soo Greyhounds – Andrew Gibson Sudbury Wolves – Alex Pharand Windsor Spitfires – Joey Costanzo
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 Barrie Colts forward Evan Vierling is the 2022-23 recipient of the William Hanley Trophy awarded to the League’s Most Sportsmanlike Player as voted by OHL General Managers.
The 20-year-old overage forward from Aurora, Ont. led the Colts with 95 points including 35 goals and 60 assists over 60 regular season games, taking just 12 penalty minutes in the process. He becomes the ninth player in Colts franchise history to record 60 assists in a season, and the first to ever claim the William Hanley Trophy.
“It truly is an honour to be recognized with the William Hanley Trophy,” said Vierling. “When looking back at the past winners, it’s a great group to join and a nice way to finish off my OHL career. My success this year is a reflection of all the help I got from my teammates, coaches, and family.”
Vierling was a consistent offensive producer for the Colts, recording at least three points in a game 15 different times over the course of the season. His campaign was highlighted by five-point efforts on Dec. 13th in a 7-5 win over the Sudbury Wolves (1-4–5) and Mar. 5th in a 6-3 road win over the Owen Sound Attack (3-2–5), one of his two hat tricks on the season.
“Anytime you can have a player that wins a league award it’s always great news for the franchise,” said Colts Head Coach and General Manager Marty Williamson. “Evan was a key contributor to our team this season and he took his play to the next level. It’s a reflection of his game by finishing with 95 points and only 12 minutes in penalties. The entire Colts organization is proud of him.”
Vierling recorded 13 points (1-12–13) in seven playoff outings for the Colts this spring before being sidelined by an injury in Game 2 of Barrie’s second round series against the North Bay Battalion.
Entering the League as the second overall pick of the 2018 OHL Priority Selection by the Flint Firebirds, Vierling turned in a productive four-year career that yielded 213 points (75-138–213) over 218 regular season games between the Colts and Firebirds. He was selected by the New York Rangers in the fifth round (127th overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft, and attended training camp with the Columbus Blue Jackets last October.
The William Hanley Trophy is awarded each year based on a selection by the 20 General Managers of the Ontario Hockey League. All 20 teams submit a nominee but are not permitted to vote for their own candidate. The trophy is presented by the OHL to commemorate William Hanley, former Secretary-Manager of the Ontario Hockey Association for over 25 years.
Owen Sound Attack forward Cedrick Guindon finished as a runner-up in award voting, followed by Oshawa Generals forward Calum Ritchie who placed third.
Vierling follows a number of current NHL players to have previously won the award, including 2022 recipient Wyatt Johnston (Windsor Spitfires) of the Dallas Stars, as well as Nick Robertson (Peterborough 2020), three-time winner Nick Suzuki (Owen Sound/Guelph 2017, ’18, ’19), Mike Amadio (North Bay 2016), Dylan Strome (Erie 2015), Connor McDavid (Erie 2014), Brandon Saad (Saginaw 2012) and Jeff Carter (Sault Ste. Marie 2005).
Vierling will be the OHL’s nominee for the Canadian Hockey League Sportsman 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. Vierling will be formally presented with the William Hanley 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.
The Hamilton Bulldogs acquired Nick Lardis from the Peterborough Petes on Jan 7. Photo by OHL Images.
Nick Lardis of the Hamilton Bulldogs has been one of the biggest risers on NHL Central Scouting’s draft lists and rightfully so. Ranked 96th among North American skaters on their mid term rankings, Lardis appeared at number 27 on their final list. He was the benefactor of a January 7th trade from the Peterborough Petes to the Bulldogs.
Lardis was the 6th overall pick at the 2021 OHL Priority Selection by the Petes. He would finish the campaign with 18 goals and 19 assists – not bad for a rookie. He got off to a good start this season but it wasn’t until the trade that he exploded. He more than doubled his production in the second half with Hamilton.
Lardis is now a solid second round pick on most rankings and a strong showing at the World Junior Championships Under-18 where he already has 3 goals in 2 games could potentially see some teams liking him in the very late first round.
The biggest difference after the trade is Lardis turned from complimentary piece to a driver in Hamilton. Because of his size, skating is key to Lardis’ game. At the CHL/NHL Top Prospects game fitness testing, Lardis ranked near the top in several categories: 5th in 30-meter backwards skate, 5th in weave agility, first in weave agility with the puck, 5th in transition ability, 2nd in transition ability with the puck, 1st in reaction ability and 4th in reaction ability with the puck. He finished at the top of the overall list in on-ice testing.
Lardis is one of the better skaters in the draft class, but he also brings a lot of energy with it. He gets on the forecheck quickly, can cause havoc and create turnovers and he can make plays once he gains possession. He’s a north-south player he uses his speed and energy to perfection.
Of course, there are things Lardis needs to work on. He’s going to have to add a lot of bulk and strength onto his frame and he’s going to have to bring the same intensity and energy to the defensive side of the puck.
Toronto, Ont. – Twenty-two players from across 15 different organizations were chosen in the first round of the 2023 OHL Priority Selection presented by Real Canadian Superstore on Friday, April 21.
The Erie Otters kicked-off the proceedings with the selection of Halton Hurricanes defenceman Matthew Schaefer, making him the first OMHA player selected first overall since Quinton Byfield, who was taken by the Sudbury Wolves in 2018. Hurricanes teammate Tyler Hopkins would hear his name called three picks later, being selected fourth overall by the Kingston Frontenacs.
Forwards in London Jr. Knights 50-goal scorer Ryan Roobroeck (2nd overall, Niagara) and Waterloo Wolves captain Brady Martin (3rd overall, Sault Ste. Marie) gave the Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario (ALLIANCE) two players chosen inside the first three picks for the first time since 2008.
The Mississauga Steelheads claimed the first goaltender in this year’s Priority Selection, with Mississauga Senators netminder Jack Ivankovic going seventh overall. He becomes the highest goaltender selected since the Sarnia Sting took Ben Gaudreau seventh overall in 2019.
Two OHL teams, the Niagara IceDogs and Kitchener Rangers, made two first round selections. The IceDogs followed-up the selection of Roobroeck by picking forward Ethan Czata of the Mississauga Rebels at fifth overall. The Rangers picked back-to-back at 10th and 11th overall, taking defenceman Cameron Reid from the Bishop Kearney Selects and Luca Romano of the Toronto Jr. Canadiens in those slots.
The first round consisted of 10 players chosen from the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL), five players selected from the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA), four players selected from the ALLIANCE, one from Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO) and a pair from U.S.-based programs.
The OHL Cup champion Toronto Jr. Canadiens led the way with three players selected in the opening round, with OHL Cup MVP Jake O’Brien hearing his name called eighth overall by the Brantford Bulldogs, forward Luca Romano going 11th overall to the Kitchener Rangers and 6-foot-4 winger Nico Addy being selected 12th overall by the Owen Sound Attack.
A total of 10 players chosen in the first round were members of Team Ontario’s gold-medal winning team at the 2023 Canada Games in Charlottetown, PEI this past February including Matthew Schaefer (1st overall, Erie), Ryan Roobroeck (2nd overall, Niagara), Brady Martin (3rd overall, Sault Ste. Marie), Tyler Hopkins (4th overall, Kingston), Jack Ivankovic (7th overall, Mississauga), Nico Addy (12th overall, Owen Sound), Carson Cameron (13th overall, Peterborough), Quinn Beauchesne (14th overall, Guelph), William Moore (18th overall, London) and Jack Nesbitt (20th overall, Windsor).
Of the 22 players selected in the first round, 20 will be eligible for the 2025 NHL Draft. Second overall pick Ryan Roobroeck (Niagara IceDogs) and 17th overall pick Ryan Brown (Sarnia Sting) are late birthdays and won’t be NHL Draft eligible until 2026.
The first round saw 16 forwards, five defencemen and one goaltender chosen by OHL clubs.
2023 OHL Priority Selection – First Round Selections:
21. North Bay Battalion – Carter Kostuch (Vaughan Kings) – 5.10.5, 148Ib., LW
22. Ottawa 67’s – Henry Brzustewicz (North Jersey Avalanche) – 6.00, 201Ib., RD
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 