Rodwin Dionicio – Niagara IceDogs – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano
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2020-21Under-17 ElitBern U-1710268
2020-21Under-20 ElitBern U-203121012
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#94 Rodwin Dionicio of the Niagara IceDogs. Brandon Taylor/ OHL Images

Born in Newark New Jersey, Niagara IceDogs defenceman Rodwin Dionicio has both American and Swiss citizenship, but because he has represented Switzerland at numerous IIHF sanctioned tournaments, he will be considered Swiss in future tournaments. And because he was playing in Switzerland at the time of the OHL Draft, he had to be selected in the CHL Import Draft. And the IceDogs did just that using the 18th overall pick at the 2021 Import Draft. The Dionicio parents were both from the Dominican Republic and moved to Switzerland when Dionicio was just 5 months young.

There is a lot to like about Dionicio. He has good size and his frame is solidly built. He uses that size and bulk to play a physical game. And when he hits, he hits to hurt – not in the literal sense, but he hits very hard. And he uses that physical stature in his competitiveness when it comes to the board battles and in front of his goaltender. He just will not give up.

Dionicio can lead the attack from transition, he handles the puck extremely well, he sees the ice well and he can make plays. He is willing to jump up in the attack and can pace himself to be the late man. In short, you have to be intrigued by the offensive potential. He has the skill set, the IQ and the willingness. But something is lacking.

Dionicio lacks speed. He’s not bad once he gets going, but his first steps are in need of some improvement, He has the strength in his legs, so maybe just fine tuning his technique will get him there. It will only help develop all the offensive instincts he already possesses.

But it’s just not the speed he needs to work on. His pivots from forward to backward skating needs improving as does his east-west mobility – or his lateral movement. The improvements will not just help him offensively, but defensively. It would help him to get to puck retrievals quicker and help stay with opponents and keep them wide or to the outside. It is something he is lacking that leads him to take foolish and unnecessary penalties.

I’ve often said that skating doesn’t worry me as much as it once did because of the coaching players receive when they get to the next level. And it’s possible Dionicio didn’t receive that level of coaching in Switzerland.

That said, the skill set would have me taking Dionicio higher than where I will rank him, but I do have some concern about the skating here and that will cause him to drop.

But he could be a surprise find in later rounds if he can put it together.

OHL Finals Preview and Prediction

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

The stage is set as the Ontario Hockey League’s top two teams during the regular season face off for the J. Ross Robertson Cup and the winner advancing to the Memorial Cup in Saint John New Brunswick from June 20 through June 29.

The finals begin Friday June 3 as the Windsor Spitfires face off against the Hamilton Bulldogs in the steel city at 7:00 pm. Game two will be a matinee addition on Sunday at 2:00 pm, also in Hamilton.

Before we break down how the two teams stack up, here’s a look at how the two teams got to this point along with my predictions:

CONFERENCE QUARTER FINALS

EASTERN CONFERENCEPREDICTIONOUTCOME
(1) Hamilton vs (8) PeterboroughHamilton in 4Hamilton wins 4-0
(2) North Bay vs (7) OttawaNorth Bay in 5North Bay wins 4-0
(3) Kingston vs (6) OshawaKingston in 6Kingston wins 4-2
(4) Mississauga vs (5) BarrieMississauga in 7Mississauga wins 4-2
WESTERN CONFERENCEPREDICTIONOUTCOME
(1) Windsor vs (8) SarniaWindsor in 5Windsor wins 4-2
(2) London vs (7) KitchenerLondon in 6Kitchener wins 4-3
(3) Flint vs (6) Owen SoundFlint in 6Flint wins 4-3
(4) Sault Ste Marie vs (5) GuelphSault Ste Marie in 7Sault Ste Marie wins 4-1

CONFERENCE SEMI FINALS                                                                                                                                        

EASTERN CONFERENCEPREDICTIONOUTCOME
(1) Hamilton vs (4) MississaugaHamilton in 5Hamilton wins 4-0
(2) North Bay vs (3) KingstonNorth Bay in 6North Bay wins 4-1
WESTERN CONFERENCEPREDICTIONOUTCOME
(1) Windsor vs (7) KitchenerWindsor in 6Windsor wins 4-1
(3) Flint vs (4) Sault Ste MarieSault Ste Marie in 7Flint wins 4-1

CONFERENCE FINALS

EASTERN CONFERENCEPREDICTIONOUTCOME
(1) Hamilton vs (2) North BayHamilton in 5Hamilton wins 4-0
WESTERN CONFERENCEPREDICTIONOUTCOME
(1) Windsor vs (3) FlintWindsor in 7Windsor wins 4-3

There were no head-to-head matches between the Bulldogs and Spitfires as all games were played within their own conference because of the concerns of the COVID-19 Pandemic. But let’s take a look at how their regular season matched up:

 HAMILTONWINDSOR
Record51-12-544-17-7
Home Record24-4-325-7-2
Road Record24-8-219-10-5
Goals For300305
Goals Against176248
Power Play27.6%26.1%
Power Play (Home)25.0%28.1%
Power Play (Away)31.3%24.5%
Penalty Kill80.9%82.6%
Penalty Kill (Home)79.1%%78.2%
Penalty Kill (Away)83.1%86.8%
Leading After First34-2-423-5-0
Leading After Second43-2-232-0-2
Trailing After First3-6-07-7-2
Trailing After Second3-9-26-14-3
Outshooting Opponents36-5-234-12-4
Out Shot By Opponents15-7-310-4-3

The Bulldogs are the favorites and I don’t think the Spitfires mind being the underdog. Statistically speaking, the two teams match up pretty well except in one category: Goals against. The Bulldogs allowed a whopping 72 fewer goals then the Spits in the 68-game regular season.

But how do they matchup in the playoffs? Let’s take a look:

 HAMILTONWINDSOR
Games Played1218
Record12-012-6
Home Record6-06-4
Road Record6-06-2
Goals For6068
Goals Against2147
Power Play37.9%13.9%
Power Play (Home)37.9%16.3%
Power Play (Away)37.9%10.3%
Penalty Kill87.0%80.3%
Penalty Kill (Home)84.7%93.9%
Penalty Kill (Away)88.0%68.4%
Leading After First8-07-2
Leading After Second10-010-0
Trailing After First1-04-1
Trailing After Second0-01-5

There is a little more separation between the playoff stats and the regular season stats and of course, one must take into consideration their opponents. Some may not agree, but I believe the Bulldogs had the tougher route to the finals. Admittedly, I tried to find a loss for the Bulldogs in the first three rounds and even said that in prior articles, but it just never happened.

But I can’t count out the Spitfires who are well coached and Marc Savard has gotten more out of his younger players then anyone could have imagined.

Coming into the season, the Bulldogs were my choice to win it all. And here we are. Can the Spitfires be the team that finally puts one in the loss column for Hamilton?

Prediction: Hamilton in 6 games

OHL ANNOUNCES CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES SCHEDULE SCENARIOS

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced scheduling scenarios for the 2022 OHL Championship Series for the J. Ross Robertson Cup.

The Eastern Conference champion Hamilton Bulldogs await the winner of a Western Conference Championship Series Game 7 matchup between the host Windsor Spitfires and Flint Firebirds who play for the Wayne Gretzky Trophy tonight.

The OHL Championship Series will be aired in its entirety on CHL TV, with Bulldogs home broadcasts for Games 1 and 2 carried on Cable 14 in Hamilton and across the province on the OHL Action Pak.

Games 3-through-7 of the OHL Championship Series will be broadcast on TSN, with play-by-play voice Jon Abbott joining colour commentator and analyst Craig Button in the broadcast booth.

The Hamilton Bulldogs advance to the OHL Championship Series following three consecutive series sweeps, becoming the third team in OHL history to start the postseason with a perfect 12-0 record. The Bulldogs claimed the Hamilton Spectator Trophy as regular season champions in 2021-22, playing to a record of 51-12-3-2.

The Windsor Spitfires are in the hunt for their fourth Robertson Cup title following previous OHL championships in 1988, 2009 and 2010. The 44-17-4-3 Spitfires were West Division champions this past season for the first time since 2010.

The Flint Firebirds have their sights set on appearing in their first-ever OHL Championship Series. Flint played to a club record 42-21-1-4 mark during the regular season as the Firebirds have reached the Western Conference Championship Series for the first time in their history.

The Robertson Cup is emblematic of the Ontario Hockey League’s championship series.  The Cup was presented by J. Ross Robertson, who was president of the Ontario Hockey Association from 1901 to 1905.  Since its inception, the Robertson Cup has been won by 29 different teams with the Oshawa Generals leading the way with 13 championships including a record seven straight from 1938-44.

The winner of the Rogers OHL Championship Series will advance to the 2022 Memorial Cup presented by Kia which takes place June 20-29 in Saint John, New Brunswick and also features the host Saint John Sea Dogs along with the champions from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League.

OHL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES SCHEDULE:

SCENARIO 1 – (1E) HAMILTON BULLDOGS (51-12-3-2) vs. (1W) WINDSOR SPITFIRES (44-17-4-3)
If Windsor wins tonight
Game 1, Fri., June 3 at Hamilton, 7:00pm
Game 2 , Sun., June 5 at Hamilton, 2:00pm
Game 3, Mon., June 6 at Windsor, 7:00pm
Game 4, Fri., June 10 at Windsor, 7:00pm
Game 5, Sun., June 12 at Hamilton, 2:00pm*
Game 6, Mon., June 13 at Windsor, 7:00pm*
Game 7, Wed., June 15 at Hamilton, 7:00pm*
*if necessary

SCENARIO 2 – (1E) HAMILTON BULLDOGS (51-12-3-2) vs. (3W) FLINT FIREBIRDS (42-21-1-4)
If Flint wins tonight
Game 1, Fri., June 3 at Hamilton, 7:00pm
Game 2, Sun., June 5 at Hamilton, 7:00pm
Game 3, Wed., June 8 at Flint, 7:00pm
Game 4, Fri., June 10 at Flint, 7:00pm
Game 5, Sun., June 12 at Hamilton, 7:00pm*
Game 6, Tues., June 14 at Flint, 7:00pm*
Game 7, Wed., June 15 at Hamilton, 7:00pm*
*if necessary

2022 OHL Playoff Brackets

Don’t miss a second of the 2022 OHL Championship Series. CHL TV packages are on sale now at watch.chl.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.

BULLDOGS’ NATHAN STAIOS NAMEDOHL DEFENCEMAN OF THE YEAR

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Nathan Staios of the Hamilton Bulldogs is the 2021-22 recipient of the Max Kaminsky Trophy presented annually to the OHL’s Most Outstanding Defenceman of the Year.

Staios led OHL blueliners with 66 points including 15 goals and 51 assists in 59 games to go with a plus/minus rating of plus-40. His 32 power play points led OHL rearguards while he placed third among defenders with 200 shots on goal. Staios’ offensive totals are new single season benchmarks by a Bulldogs defenceman in the six-year history of the franchise.

“I am very honoured and privileged to receive the Max Kaminsky Trophy as Defenceman of the Year,” said Staios. “Playing in the top junior league in the world has helped me develop so much as a person and player. I would like to give credit to my teammates, coaching staff, family, billets, The Hamilton Bulldogs organization, community of Hamilton and our great fans for contributing to this award. They all played a huge role in my success this year and I can’t thank them enough.”

A 21-year-old from Oakville, Ont., Staios split four OHL seasons between Hamilton and Windsor, putting up career totals that include 33 goals, 115 assists and 148 points in 237 career regular season games. The 5-foot-10, 178Ib. blueliner has appeared in nine games during the 2022 OHL Playoffs, registering eight points (2-6–8) to help Hamilton capture the Bobby Orr Trophy as Eastern Conference champions. Staios was originally Windsor’s first round (17th overall) pick in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection. He attended rookie camp with the St. Louis Blues last fall.

“Nathan’s recognition is very well deserved,” said Bulldogs head coach Jay McKee. “While being the league’s top offensive defenceman, he has also been used to help shut down our opposition’s top two lines of forwards. He has shown that his abilities on both sides of the puck are elite.”

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.

Staios is the first defenceman in the entire history of the Hamilton/Belleville franchise to win the award, following recent names in Noel Hoefenmayer (Ottawa 2020), Evan Bouchard (London 2019), Nicolas Hague (Mississauga 2018), Darren Raddysh (Erie 2017) and Mikhail Sergachev (Windsor 2016). 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).

Staios will be the OHL’s nominee for the CHL Defenceman of the Year Award. He edged out Western Conference finalist Ryan O’Rourke of the Soo Greyhounds in the final round of voting.


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.

COSTANTINI AND OTHMANN 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 playoff games ending Sunday, May 29, 2022.

Firebirds’ Brennan Othmann Named OHL Player of the Week

New York Rangers prospect Brennan Othmann of the Flint Firebirds is the OHL Player of the Week, recording six points including a goal and five assists in four contests.

Othmann helped guide the Firebirds to a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference Championship Series, scoring shorthanded while adding two assists in Sunday’s 4-3 win over the Windsor Spitfires in Game 5. Othmann assisted on both Flint goals in a 4-2 loss on Friday in Game 4, and pitched in with a helper in Wednesday’s 6-3 win over Windsor in Game 3.

A 19-year-old native of Pickering, Ont., Othmann leads the Firebirds in playoff scoring with 23 points including nine goals and 14 assists in 17 games. The 6-foot, 180Ib. left-winger led Flint with 50 goals, 47 assists and 97 points in 66 regular season games, giving him 130 points (67-63–130) through 121 career regular season games after being selected second overall by the Firebirds in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection. Othmann was selected by New York with the 16th overall pick of the 2021 NHL Draft and signed a three-year entry level contract with the Rangers on August 12, 2021.

Also considered for the award this week, Windsor Spitfires forward Wyatt Johnston had six points (2-4–6) in four outings, as did Spits teammate Matthew Maggio (4-2–6) as Windsor goes to Flint for Game 6 on Tuesday trailing in the series 3-2.

2021-22 OHL Players of the Week – Playoffs:
May 23 – May 29: Brennan Othmann (Flint Firebirds)
May 16 – May 22: Avery Hayes (Hamilton Bulldogs) 
May 9 – May 15: Wyatt Johnston (Windsor Spitfires)
May 2 – May 8: Joseph Serpa (Kitchener Rangers)
Apr. 25 – May 1: Zayde Wisdom (Kingston Frontenacs)
Apr. 19 – Apr. 24: Antonio Stranges (London Knights)

2021-22 OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Apr. 11 – Apr. 18: Robert Calisti (Soo Greyhounds)
Apr. 4 – Apr. 10: Martin Chromiak (Kingston Frontenacs)
Mar. 28 – Apr. 3: Mason McTavish (Hamilton Bulldogs) 
Mar. 21 – Mar. 27: Dalton Duhart (Saginaw Spirit)
Mar. 14 – Mar. 20: Matthew Maggio (Windsor Spitfires)
Mar. 7 – Mar. 13: Lucas Edmonds (Kingston Frontenacs)
Feb. 28 – Mar. 6: Theo Hill (Sarnia Sting)
Feb. 21 – Feb. 27: Logan Morrison (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Feb. 14 – Feb. 20: Antonio Stranges (London Knights)
Feb. 7 – Feb. 13: Logan Morrison (Hamilton Bulldogs).
Jan. 31 – Feb. 6: Luke Evangelista (London Knights)
Jan. 24 – Jan. 30: Brandt Clarke (Barrie Colts)
Jan. 17 – Jan. 23: Riley Piercey (Flint Firebirds)
Jan. 10 – Jan. 16: David Goyette (Sudbury Wolves)
Jan. 3 – Jan 9: Wyatt Johnston (Windsor Spitfires)
Dec. 27 – Jan. 2: James Hardie (Mississauga Steelheads)
Dec. 13 – Dec. 19: Ty Tullio (Oshawa Generals)
Dec. 6 – Dec. 12: Lucas Edmonds (Kingston Frontenacs)
Nov. 29 – Dec. 5: Wyatt Johnston (Windsor Spitfires)
Nov. 22 – Nov. 28: Brennan Othmann (Flint Firebirds)
Nov. 15 – Nov. 21: Brandon Coe (North Bay Battalion)
Nov. 8 – Nov. 14: Antonio Stranges (London Knights)
Nov. 1 – Nov. 7: Shane Wright (Kingston Frontenacs)
Oct. 25 – Oct. 31: Tucker Robertson (Peterborough Petes)
Oct. 18 – Oct. 24: Rory Kerins (Soo Greyhounds)
Oct. 11 – Oct. 17: Calum Ritchie (Oshawa Generals)
Oct. 4 – Oct. 10: Jack Thompson (Sudbury Wolves)

Bulldogs’ Marco Costantini Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Hamilton Bulldogs netminder Marco Costantini is the OHL Goaltender of the Week for a third straight week, going 2-0 with a 2.00 goals-against average, .918 save percentage and one shutout.

Costantini backstopped the Bulldogs to an Eastern Conference title, making 27 saves in a 6-4 victory over the North Bay Battalion in Game 3 on Wednesday. He returned to the crease for his third shutout of the OHL Playoffs on Friday as the Bulldogs took a 12th consecutive win, blanking the Battalion 6-0.

A 19-year-old product of Hamilton, Costantini was voted the Eastern Conference’s Top Goaltender this past season with league-leading figures that include a 2.32 goals-against average, .917 save percentage and six shutouts. He played to a mark of 31-9-2-2 in 45 games, improving to 41-24-8-2 with a 3.15 goals-against average and .897 save percentage in his 79-game OHL regular season career. Costantini has played to a postseason record of 12-0 with a 1.75 goals-against average and .933 save percentage. He was Hamilton’s fifth round (95th overall) pick in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection.

2021-22 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Playoffs:
May 23 – May 29: Marco Costantini (Hamilton Bulldogs)
May 16 – May 22: Marco Costantini (Hamilton Bulldogs)
May 9 – May 15: Marco Costantini (Hamilton Bulldogs)
May 2 – May 8: Luke Cavallin (Flint Firebirds)
Apr. 25 – May 1: Luke Cavallin (Flint Firebirds)
Apr. 18 – Apr. 24: Tucker Tynan (Soo Greyhounds)

2021-22 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Apr. 11 – Apr. 17: Max Donoso (Ottawa 67’s)
Apr. 4 – Apr. 10: Michael Simpson (Peterborough Petes)
Mar. 28 – Apr. 3: Patrick Leaver (Oshawa Generals)
Mar. 21 – Mar. 27: Joey Costanzo (Niagara IceDogs)
Mar. 14 – Mar. 20: Marco Costantini (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Mar. 7 – Mar. 13: Nick Chenard (Owen Sound Attack)
Feb. 28 – Mar. 6: Marco Costantini (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Feb. 21 – Feb. 27: Leevi Merilainen (Kingston Frontenacs)
Feb. 14 – Feb. 20: Mack Guzda (Barrie Colts)
Feb. 7 – Feb. 13: Pavel Cajan (Kitchener Rangers)
Jan. 31 – Feb. 6: Patrick Leaver (Oshawa Generals)
Jan. 24 – Jan. 30: Max Donoso (Ottawa 67’s)
Jan. 17 – Jan. 23: Mack Guzda (Barrie Colts)
Jan. 10 – Jan. 16: Mitchell Weeks (Sudbury Wolves)
Jan. 3 – Jan. 9: Nolan Lalonde (Erie Otters)
Dec. 27 – Jan. 2: Joe Ranger (Mississauga Steelheads)
Dec. 13 – Dec. 19: Owen Bennett (Guelph Storm)
Dec. 6 – Dec. 12: Mack Guzda (Barrie Colts)
Nov. 29 – Dec. 5: Leevi Merilainen (Kingston Frontenacs)
Nov. 22 – Nov. 28: Tye Austin (Peterborough Petes)
Nov. 15 – Nov. 21: Ben Gaudreau (Sarnia Sting)
Nov. 8 – Nov. 14: Joe Vrbetic (North Bay Battalion
Nov. 1 – Nov. 7: Roman Basran (Mississauga Steelheads)
Oct. 25 – Oct. 31: Patrick Leaver (Oshawa Generals)
Oct. 18 – Oct. 24: Jacob Oster (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 11 – Oct. 17: Brett Brochu (London Knights)
Oct. 4 – Oct. 10: Tucker Tynan (Niagara IceDogs)


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.

Domenic DiVincentiis – North Bay Battalion – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano
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Domenic DiVincentiis of the North Bay Battalion. Photo by Robert Lefebvre/OHL Images

I will admit that I am baffled at NHL Central Scouting’s ranking of North Bay Battalion Goaltender Domenic DiVincentiis. I am even more baffled that they dropped him eleven spots from their mid term ranking to their final ranking among North American Goaltenders. That change dropped him from fourth among OHL goaltenders to seventh. The fact is, there are plenty of OHL people that believe he is the top OHL goaltender for the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

Among draft eligible netminders, DiVincentiis finished with the best goals-against-average (winning the Dinty Moore Trophy as the rookie goaltender with the lowest GAA) and third best save-percentage, surpassed only by two draft re-entry or “overagers”. The Battalion coaching staff had enough confidence in him to start half their playoff games over the older and much more experienced teammate Joe Vrbetic.

At 6’2” DiVincentiis has good size. There are aspects of his game that are further ahead in development. He’s an athletic goaltender who is excellent on his skates and enables him to go post-to-post or dart out to the top of the paint quickly. His technique is also very good. He is square to shooters, stays tall in his net and I like how he gives opponents little to no room when in the reverse-VH. While he is no Mike Smith, he handles the puck pretty well.

Like any goaltender at this level, DiVincentiis doesn’t come without some warts – or more fairly, things to work on. His rebound control needs work as does his ability to fight through traffic to see how the play is developing. In tight with traffic, he also needs some work at staying focused and tracking the puck. These are all fixable through coaching as long as he is willing to put in the work and the effort. There is nothing to suggest he won’t.

DiVincentiis was part of Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence last summer, so they too saw something in the young netminder. I’ve said it before, but I don’t believe this year’s draft class to be a great class among OHL goaltenders. We may not see one selected until late in the third round, maybe early fourth. But DiVincentiis should get some consideration to be the first one selected.

Kirill Kudryavtsev – Soo Greyhounds – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano
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6’2002-5-04DL6th 2020 Import108 NARUSSIA
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Kirill Kudryavtsev of the Soo Greyhounds. Photo by Luke Durda/OHL Images

For Soo Greyhounds defenceman Kirill Kudryavtsev, the draft year began by helping Russia capture a gold medal at the 2021 Hlinka-Gretzky Tournament.  

The Greyhounds had just selected Kudryavtsev with the sixth overall pick in June at the CHL Import Draft. Immediately following the Hlinka-Gretzky, he committed to joining the Greyhounds for his draft year.

There were expectations on Kudryavtsev entering the OHL. He was known for having an impact at both ends of the ice. Sometimes it takes a bit of patience with a European player coming to North America and playing on the smaller ice surface. That said, I’ve been impressed with his progression this season.

Kudryavtsev has some decent wheels when he gets going at top speed. However, it takes some time for him to reach it. I think improving his first few steps will go a long way for him. When he reaches top speed, he uses it to his advantage to join the rush. His puck handling is very good and I think he sees the ice well enough that he can make plays.

Kudryavtsev also has a variety of very nice shots. What is best about it is that he can adjust his release point. He can also bring it in close to his blades and get off a shot from there. Too many times however, he is looking to make the play rather than take the shot himself. When he does decide to shoot – only 87 in 68 games – it’s always with a purpose. He’s looking for those tips and rebounds for his teammates.

Defensively, I have also been impressed with his development. Early on there was some tentativeness to take opponents to the wall and engage in front of his own net to help his goaltenders see the shots coming. It has come along. Even his puck retrieval skills have improved and can only get better if he and when he works on those first few steps I mentioned. His decisions when exiting the zone were not always the best, but there has been a marked improvement there as the season has progressed. Maybe it’s confidence. Maybe it’s getting use to the smaller ice because everything was coming at him faster this year then in previous years.

I’ve seen him called “the best Russian Defenceman with a 2004 birthdate.” I don’t know that I would go that far, but the skills and talent level have me intrigued for sure.

OHL ANNOUNCES 2021-22 ALL-STAR AND ALL-ROOKIE VOTING FINALISTS

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the final ballot for both the OHL All-Star Team and OHL All-Rookie Team voting process, with final results to be announced on Friday, June 10.

The final all-star and all-rookie ballots were established through a voting process that saw OHL General Managers vote for players/coaches within their own conference. They weren’t allowed to vote for players/coaches on their own team.

The final all-star ballot consists of the three top vote recipients from each conference at centre, left wing, right wing, goaltender and head coach, in addition to six defencemen from both the East and West. A total of three OHL All-Star Teams will be announced following the final round of voting.

The final all-rookie ballot consists of the three top vote recipients from each conference at centre, left wing and right wing, in addition to six defenders from both the East and West. The final all-rookie goaltending ballot consists of all six rookie netminders from across the League this past season. A total of two OHL All-Rookie Teams will be announced following a final round of voting.

2021-22 Final OHL All-Star Voting Finalists:

Centre:
Wyatt Johnston (Windsor Spitfires)
Rory Kerins (Soo Greyhounds)
Sean McGurn (London Knights)
Mason McTavish (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Logan Morrison (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Shane Wright (Kingston Frontenacs)

Left Wing:
Martin Chromiak (Kingston Frontenacs)
Will Cuylle (Windsor Spitfires)
Danil Gushchin (Niagara IceDogs)
James Hardie (Mississauga Steelheads)
Tye Kartye (Soo Greyhounds)
Brennan Othmann (Flint Firebirds)

Right Wing:
Brandon Coe (North Bay Battalion)
Lucas Edmonds (Kingston Frontenacs)
Luke Evangelista (London Knights)
Matthew Maggio (Windsor Spitfires)
Sasha Pastujov (Guelph Storm)
Ty Tullio (Oshawa Generals)

Defencemen:
Daniil Chayka (Guelph Storm)
Brandt Clarke (Barrie Colts)
Ethan Del Mastro (Mississauga Steelheads)
Christian Kyrou (Erie Otters)
Kasper Larsen (Mississauga Steelheads)
Pavel Mintyukov (Saginaw Spirit)
Ty Nelson (North Bay Battalion)
Ryan O’Rourke (Soo Greyhounds)
Andrew Perrott (Windsor Spitfires)
Nathan Staios (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Jack Thompson (Soo Greyhounds)
Arber Xhekaj (Hamilton Bulldogs)

Goaltender:
Brett Brochu (London Knights)
Luke Cavallin (Flint Firebirds)
Marco Costantini (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Ben Gaudreau (Sarnia Sting)
Mack Guzda (Barrie Colts)
Mitchell Weeks (Sudbury Wolves)

Coach:
Ted Dent (Flint Firebirds)
Jay McKee (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Ryan Oulahen (North Bay Battalion)
James Richmond (Mississauga Steelheads)
Marc Savard (Windsor Spitfires)
Greg Walters (Owen Sound Attack)
 

2021-22 Final OHL All-Rookie Voting Finalists:

Centre:
Owen Beck (Mississauga Steelheads)
David Goyette (Sudbury Wolves)
Cedrick Guindon (Owen Sound Attack)
Matthew Poitras (Guelph Storm)
Calum Ritchie (Oshawa Generals)
Matyas Sapovaliv (Saginaw Spirit)

Left Wing:
Colby Barlow (Owen Sound Attack)
Jake Karabela (Guelph Storm)
Ethan Miedema (Windsor Spitfires)
Quentin Musty (Sudbury Wolves)
Luca Pinelli (Ottawa 67’s)
Owen Van Steensel (North Bay Battalion)

Right Wing:
Gavin Hayes (Flint Firebirds)
Nick Lardis (Peterborough Petes)
Calem Mangone (Saginaw Spirit)
Coulson Pitre (Flint Firebirds)
Vinzenz Rohrer (Ottawa 67’s)
Brady Stonehouse (Ottawa 67’s)

Defence:
Beau Akey (Barrie Colts)
Cam Allen (Guelph Storm)
Michael Buchinger (Guelph Storm)
Nolan Collins (Sudbury Wolves)
Alexis Daviault (Sarnia Sting)
Rodwin Dionicio (Niagara IceDogs)
Jorian Donovan (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Isaiah George (London Knights)
Kirill Kudryavtsev (Soo Greyhounds)
Donovan McCoy (Peterborough Petes)
Ty Nelson (North Bay Battalion)
Spencer Sova (Erie Otters)

Goaltender:
Joey Costanzo (Niagara IceDogs)
Dom DiVincentiis (North Bay Battalion)
Nolan Lalonde (Erie Otters)
Andrew Oke (Saginaw Spirit)
Jacob Oster (Guelph Storm)
Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers)


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.

KNIGHTS’ BRETT BROCHU NAMED OHL GOALTENDER OF THE YEAR

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Brett Brochu of the London Knights is the 2021-22 recipient of the Jim Rutherford Trophy, given annually to the recipient of the OHL’s Goaltender of the Year Award presented by Real Canadian Superstore.

Brochu backstopped the Knights to the franchise’s third consecutive Midwest Division title, going 29-11-2-0 with a 2.75 goals-against average, .911 save percentage and two shutouts in 43 games. He stopped 15 of the 17 shootout opponents he faced, going 4-0 in shootouts on the campaign. Brochu represented Canada at the abbreviated 2022 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta.

“It’s a huge honour receiving this award,” said Brochu. “It was a big goal of mine to achieve and I’m really grateful to have been able to play behind such a great team. I’m grateful to have been able to grow my game as much as I have throughout my season playing in the OHL.”

A 19-year-old native of Belle River, Ont., Brochu rounded out his second OHL season with an impressive career mark of 61-17-2-0, owning a 2.59 goals-against average, .915 save percentage and four shutouts over 85 regular season games. The former F.W. Dinty Moore Trophy recipient and 2019-20 OHL First All-Rookie Team member made his pro debut with the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins during the 2020-21 campaign, suiting up in one game. Brochu is the 31st-ranked North American goaltender on NHL Central Scouting’s Final Draft Rankings. He was originally London’s sixth round (114th overall) pick in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection.

“It’s well deserved and well earned,” said Knights Owner, Vice-President and General Manager Mark Hunter of the honour. “We are very proud of Brett and glad he is being recognized with this award.”

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 Jim Rutherford Trophy is awarded to the league’s most outstanding goaltender as selected by OHL General Managers.  Teams were not permitted to vote for a goaltender from their own hockey club.

Brochu follows Michael Houser (2012), Steve Mason (2007) and Adam Dennis (2006) as the fourth Knights netminder to earn the distinction of being the OHL’s Goaltender of the Year. The 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).

Brochu is the OHL’s nominee for CHL Goaltender of the Year honours. He edged out Eastern Conference finalist Marco Costantini of the Hamilton Bulldogs in the voting process.


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.

Beau Jelsma – Barrie Colts – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano
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Beau Jelsma of the Barrie Colts. Photo by Terry Wilson/OHL Images.

So, Beau Jelsma of the Barrie Colts had a pretty decent season prior to the OHL Priority Selection in 2020 with the Buffalo Jr Sabres Under-15 squad. Putting up 26 goals and 17 helpers in 53 games wasn’t too shabby. To say what came after that was a surprise would be an understatement.

Once his Under-15 season was over, Jelsma moved onto the Brantford 99’ers Under-16 team and scored once in 2 regular season games. But it was the playoffs where he put up 11 goals and 10 assists in 12 games that was both inspiring and surprising.

Of course, like most OHL players, Jelsma would miss the 2020-21 season in its entirety due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And like so many others, where to rank Jelsma at the start of the year raised question. If you compare NHL Central Scouting’s mid-term ranking to their final ranking and focus on players that were in the draft range at mid-term, Jelsma was one of the highest risers on their final list.

I’ve learned my lesson not to shy away from smaller players and at 5’9”, Jelsma certainly is on the smaller side. But even at 5’9” Jelsma is incredibly strong, hard to knock off pucks, engages physically along the walls and gets to the dirty area in front of the net and yes, wins most of his board battles.

Jelsma is a speedy and strong skater who generates a lot of speed with his crossovers. He can also maintain possession of the puck at top speed and is not afraid to take on defenders’ one-on-one, take it to the outside and then cut back inside with that upper body strength. He will also get in on the forecheck and as mentioned, is not shy about doing battle. Tenacious in every aspect is a good word to use.

Jelsma also sees the ice extremely well and can see the play developing. While he’s been a scorer more than a playmaker through his career, he can set up teammates. But when a teammate has the puck is when he is most dangerous. He reads the play so well that he can leak into open areas and create passing lanes for his teammates and then he releases his shot quickly and accurately. His shooting percentage was good at 20.5%.

Faceoffs is an area where Jelsma needs to put in some work. He was at 50.6% at the dot this season and that’s not bad for a rookie in the OHL. Defensively, He has made improvements throughout the season and can be trusted in any situation including the penalty kill – but it is still a work in progress.