Toronto, Ont. – The Canadian Hockey League announced today that the Kitchener Rangers will host the 2022 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game on February 2, 2022.
“The Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is one of our most anticipated national events,” said Dan MacKenzie, President of the Canadian Hockey League. “Working in partnership with the National Hockey League, we look forward to showcasing the stars of tomorrow for our fans in Kitchener, who are among the most passionate fans in the CHL.”
The Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game showcases top NHL Draft eligible talent from across the Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, and Western Hockey League competing before hundreds of NHL scouts in attendance.
“Kubota Canada is proud to be the title sponsor of the Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game,” said Steve Sweetnam, Marketing Director for Kubota Canada. “We’re excited about the return of hockey and pleased to be able to support the development of these great future prospects.”
The 2022 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game marks the 14th time the OHL will serve as host and the first time the event has returned to Kitchener since 2003. In all, 24 Rangers players have competed in the showcase, most recently defenceman Donovan Sebrango in 2020 who was later selected 63rd overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2020 NHL Draft.
“We are honoured and grateful that the CHL has selected Kitchener as this year’s host location,” said Joe Birch, Rangers Chief Operating Officer and Governor. “Hockey is back in full swing in the Kitchener-Waterloo region and we look forward to providing fans the opportunity to see the CHL’s top draft eligible talent at The Aud here in its 70th anniversary season.”
Since its reintroduction as the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in 1996, the event has featured 15 players who were later selected first overall in the NHL Draft, including Alexis Lafreniere (2020), Nico Hischier (2017), Connor McDavid (2015), Aaron Ekblad (2014), Nathan MacKinnon (2013), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (2011), Taylor Hall (2010), John Tavares (2009), Steven Stamkos (2008), Patrick Kane (2007), Marc-Andre Fleury (2003), Rick Nash (2002), Vincent Lecavalier (1998), Joe Thornton (1997), and Chris Phillips (1996).
Beginning December 1, tickets will be available to the general public online at kwtickets.ca, by phone at 1-800-265-8977 or 519-578-1570, and at the box offices at the Centre In The Square (101 Queen St. N., Kitchener, Mon. – Sat., 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.) and the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium (400 East Ave., Kitchener, Mon., Wed., Fri., 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Game Days, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.). The 2022 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game will also be broadcasted nationally on TSN and RDS.
The Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game was last held in Hamilton in January 2020 where Team White defeated Team Red 5-3. Tyson Foerster (Team White/Barrie Colts/Philadelphia Flyers) and Jack Quinn (Team Red/Ottawa 67’s/Buffalo Sabres) were named the Players of the Game. In all, 37 players who competed in the 2020 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game were later chosen in the 2020 NHL Draft headlined by Lafreniere’s first-overall selection by the New York Rangers.
More information about the 2022 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game including team rosters and coaches will be announced at a later date.
About the Canadian Hockey League The Canadian Hockey League is the world’s largest development hockey league with 52 Canadian and eight American teams participating in the Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, and Western Hockey League. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League and U SPORTS than any other league.
About Kubota Canada Ltd. Kubota Canada Ltd. (KCL) is an affiliate of Kubota Corporation, a tractor and heavy equipment manufacturer based in Osaka, Japan. KCL markets and distributes Kubota engineered and manufactured equipment, including a complete line of tractors of up to 210HP, performance-matched implements, compact and utility tractors, compact construction, landscaping and public work equipment, residential lawn and garden equipment, commercial turf products and utility vehicles. For product literature or dealer locations, contact Kubota Canada Ltd. at 5900 14th Avenue, Markham, Ontario Canada L3S 4K4, by telephone, at 905-294-6535, by visiting KCL’s website kubota.ca
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, November 14, 2021.
Knights’ Antonio Stranges Named OHL Player of the Week
Dallas Stars prospect Antonio Stranges of the London Knights is the OHL Player of the Week, scoring three times while adding four assists for seven points over three contests.
Stranges posted three consecutive multi-point performances as the Knights took five of a possible six points last week. He tied the score late in the third period of London’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Guelph Storm on Tuesday before posting two assists in Friday’s 7-4 win over the Soo Greyhounds, picking up a helper on Max McCue’s second period game winning goal. Stranges finished off the weekend with a season-high three points, scoring a pair of goals in a 7-4 road win over the Erie Otters on Saturday. He collected a primary assist on Cody Morgan’s deciding goal in the third period before tacking on insurance just over three minutes later.
A 5-foot-11, 188Ib. left-winger from Plymouth, Mich., Stranges has 10 points including three goals and seven assists through his first eight games of the season. Now in his third OHL campaign, Stranges has recorded 84 points (35-49–84) over 135 regular season games since joining the Knights as a second round (21st overall) pick in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection. He made his professional debut last season, recording an assist during a nine-game stint with the AHL’s Texas Stars, top affiliate of the Dallas Stars who selected him in the fourth round (123rd overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft.
Also given consideration for this week’s recognition, Kingston Frontenacs forward Lucas Edmonds posted seven points including a goal and six assists over three games, earning first star honours in Saturday’s shootout win over the Mississauga Steelheads on CBC. Detroit Red Wings prospect Pasquale Zito of the Windsor Spitfires also merited consideration, recording two goals and three assists for five points in two games.
Battalion’s Joe Vrbetic Named OHL Goaltender of the Week
Montreal Canadiens prospect Joe Vrbetic of the North Bay Battalion is the OHL Goaltender of the Week with a 0.96 goals-against average, .956 save percentage, one shutout and a record of 1-0-0-1.
The 6-foot-6, 186Ib. Vrbetic stood tall in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Sudbury Wolves on Friday, stopping 29 of 31 shots to help the Troops earn a point on the road. He was back in the crease on Sunday, stopping all 14 shots he faced for his first shutout of the season as the Battalion blanked the visiting Wolves 4-0.
A 19-year-old native of Dunvegan, Ont., Vrbetic owns an 8-2-0-1 record, 2.82 goals-against average, .901 save percentage and one shutout through 11 games this season, helping the Battalion hold down first place in the Central Division. Now in his second full season with the Battalion, Vrbetic has played to an overall record of 22-27-1-1 with a 3.93 goals-against average, .885 save percentage and three shutouts over 54 career regular season games. North Bay’s second round (31st overall) pick in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection, Vrbetic was a seventh round (214th overall) choice of the Montreal Canadiens this past summer.
Also receiving consideration for this week’s award, New York Islanders prospect Tristan Lennox of the Saginaw Spirit went 1-1-0-0 with a 2.03 goals-against average and .922 save percentage. Sudbury Wolves netminder Mitchell Weeks was also steady, stopping 74 of the 80 shots he faced, going 1-1-0-0 with a 2.88 goals-against average and .925 save percentage.
2021-22 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season: 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.
Toronto, Ont. – We had Wednesday and Thursday off, but we’re back at it with all 20 teams in action on Friday! Here’s what you need to know entering the weekend.
Welsh to make OHL history in Kitchener on Friday: She’s already worked an OHL pre-season game, but Kirsten Welsh will become the OHL’s first-ever woman linesperson during regular season action on Friday in Kitchener as the Rangers play host to the Owen Sound Attack. Get to know Welsh, who is a former blueliner and captain of Robert Morris University’s women’s hockey program here.
Frontenacs honour Larry Mavety on CBC this Saturday: The Kingston Frontenacs host the Mississauga Steelheads in this week’s CHL on CBC instalment Saturday at 3:00pm ET. It’s Larry Mavety Night at the Leon’s Centre as the Fronts pay tribute to one of the League’s best-known all-time builders in the late Larry Mavety. Top 2022 NHL Draft prospect Shane Wright takes to the ice against a Steelheads club that enters the weekend as winners of four in a row. The Frontenacs are led in scoring by overage winger Lucas Edmonds, whose unconventional path to the OHL has taken him from North Bay, to the GTHL, to Sweden and finally to Kingston. You can learn more about Edmonds’ journey here.
B.J Adams named new Head Coach of Otters: After a 3-7-1-0 start to the season, the Erie Otters have made a change behind the bench, relieving Chris Hartsburg of his duties while promoting long-time associate coach B.J. Adams to the club’s lead role. Read more
Rosters revealed for 2021 Capital City Challenge: Hockey Canada’s 66-player National Under-17 roster consists of 24 OHL players spread out across three rosters entering the four-team Capital City Challenge that gets underway on November 26th in Ottawa. Read more
Knights and Greyhounds included in Week 6 edition of Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings: The London Knights hold steady at number two in the CHL this week behind the WHL’s Winnipeg ICE despite dropping consecutive decisions. The Soo Greyhounds make their season debut on the list, coming in at 10th in the country. Read more
Frontenacs’ Wright named OHL Player of the Week, receives national honours: Kingston Frontenacs captain Shane Wright is the OHL Player of the Week with eight points over three games last week. He also earned CHL Team of the Week recognition for his performance. Read more
Steelheads’ Basran named OHL Goaltender of the Week: Roman Basran of the Mississauga Steelheads is the OHL Goaltender of the Week with three wins, a 0.97 goals-against average, .952 save percentage and his first career OHL shutout. Read more
OHL Weekend Notebook: The OHL Weekend Notebook recaps the weekend that was with news, information and interesting facts from both on and off the ice. Read more
Spitfire teammates Maggio, Johnston featured in OHL Plays of the Week: It’s time for the OHL Plays of the Week! Check out offensive brilliance from Sudbury’s Chase Stillman, Windsor’s Matt Maggio, Sault Ste. Marie’s Tyler Savard, Owen Sound’s Mark Woolley and Windsor’s Wyatt Johnston. Watch
Petes’ Simpson stymies shooters in OHL Saves of the Week: Rolling out the red carpet for ridiculous OHL refusals headlined by Peterborough Petes netminder Michael Simpson in the latest edition of the OHL Saves of the Week. Watch
Check out 23 career firsts and a pair of shutouts in OHL Milestone Moments: The latest instalment of OHL Milestone Moments includes 23 first career goals along with a pair of milestone shutouts. Watch
OHL News – Radio Edition with Oshawa’s Ty Tullio: Entering the weekend on a 12-game point streak, Edmonton Oilers prospect Ty Tullio of the Oshawa Generals joins OHL News Radio. Listen
Battalion’s Petrov signs with Oilers: The Edmonton Oilers have signed North Bay Battalion forward Matvey Petrov to a three-year entry-level NHL contract. The Russian winger has started his season with 10 goals and eight assists in 14 games for the Troops. Read more
Carson Lloyd commits to Knights: The London Knights have received a commitment from third round 2021 OHL Priority Selection choice Carson Lloyd who has started his season with the OJHL’s Georgetown Raiders. Read more
COMMUNITY CORNER:
OHL supporting Special Olympics Ontario at six games this weekend: Special Olympics Month continues across the OHL this weekend, with six games supporting athletes across the province. Keep an eye out for ceremonial puck drops and awareness campaigns on Friday in Guelph, Niagara, Kingston and Kitchener, on Saturday in Windsor and on Sunday in Oshawa. Read more
67’s honour Canadian Armed Forces on Friday: The Ottawa 67’s will be decked out in special military themed jerseys on Friday when they play host to the Mississauga Steelheads. The 67’s will be honouring men and women in uniform throughout the evening.
Otters host Military Appreciation Night on Saturday: With Remembrance Day and Veterans Day this past week, the Erie Otters will be saluting the troops on Saturday at Erie Insurance Arena. The Otters will be wearing special camouflaged military themed uniforms to be auctioned off post-game in section 220 as well as online next week. Proceeds will go to the Veterans Miracle Center of Erie.
Spirit honour Military on Saturday: Much like the Otters, the Saginaw Spirit will be honouring Military service-people and veterans on Saturday at home to the Kitchener Rangers at the Dow Event Center. The Spirit will be wearing limited edition military uniforms to be auctioned off in support of the Bay City Elks for local veteran initiatives.
Battalion prepare for Tim Horton’s Day on Sunday: Timbits make their return to the Memorial Gardens on Sunday afternoon with the Sudbury Wolves in town. Fans will have a chance to win major prizes from Tim Horton’s including free coffee for a year for one lucky winner.
Steelheads raising funds for men’s health with Movember campaign: The Mississauga Steelheads are growing their mo’s for men’s health this month. The Trout have started a team Movember campaign as they look to change the face of men’s health. Learn more about their initiative and make a donation here.
Wolves launch Movember campaign: The Sudbury Wolves are working on their moustaches this month, launching a Movember campaign to raise funds for men’s health. Check out their progress at movember.com.
ALUMNI NOTES:
Nash’s #61 to be retired by Blue Jackets: The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced that all-time leading scorer Rick Nash’s number 61 will be retired by the club prior to a game on March 5, 2022. The Brampton, Ont. native who played two seasons for the London Knights from 2000-02 put up 547 points (289-258–547) over a 674-game tenure in Columbus after being selected by the club with the first overall pick of the 2002 NHL Draft. The 37-year-old Nash retired following the 2017-18 season after a 1,060-game NHL career resulting in 805 points between the Jackets, New York Rangers and Boston Bruins.
Cotter makes NHL debut: London Knights graduate Paul Cotter got into his first NHL game on Tuesday as the Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Seattle Kraken 4-2. The 21-year-old Cotter picked up his first NHL goal two nights later against the Minnesota Wild. A product of Canton, Michigan, Cotter played one season in London, recording 26 points (9-17–26) in 48 games during the 2018-19 campaign. He was Vegas’ fourth round pick in the 2018 NHL Draft.
Gagner plays 900th career NHL contest: London Knights graduate Sam Gagner played in his 900th career NHL contest on Tuesday, picking up an assist as his Detroit Red Wings beat his former club, the Edmonton Oilers by a score of 4-2. The 32-year-old Gagner has six points (2-4–6) through 15 games with the Red Wings in this, his 15th NHL season. Gagner played one season with the London Knights in 2006-07 before being selected by the Oilers with the sixth overall pick of the 2007 NHL Draft. Sam and his father Dave Gagner, who is also an OHL graduate, are one of six father-son combos in NHL history to have each played 900 games.
Sparks, Villalta make for inseparable goaltending tandem in AHL: Los Angeles Kings farmhands Garret Sparks and Matthew Villalta as thick as thieves. The two OHL graduates have paced the Ontario Reign to their best-ever start to a season with a 9-0-1 mark in the standings. The two goaltenders are an inseparable duo both on and off the ice as Sparks, who is a former Guelph Storm puckstopper and Villalta, a former Soo Greyhound, have quite the friendship. Jared Shafran has more in the LA Kings Insider.
Knights grad Marietti to be inducted into ECHL Hall of Fame: London Knights graduate Brett Marietti has been announced as a member of the ECHL’s 2022 Hall of Fame Class. The Haileybury, Ont. product was a South Carolina Stingrays star for nine seasons between 1994-2003, winning Kelly Cup titles in 1997 and 2001. He scored at least 20 goals seven times over his nine seasons while his 30 career playoff goals are tied for 13th in ECHL history. Marietti played for the Knights from 1990-93.
KEY MATCHUPS:
Soo Greyhounds at London Knights Friday November 12th – 7:30pm
The OHL’s two representatives in this week’s edition of the Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings square off at Budweiser Gardens on Friday as the CHL’s second-ranked Knights try and reverse consecutive losses against the high-scoring 10th ranked Soo Greyhounds. The Knights were without captain Luke Evangelista in their last two contests but the Nashville Predators prospect is expected to make his return against the Greyhounds. The Hounds feature two of the League’s top three scorers in Calgary Flames prospect Rory Kerins and overage winger Tye Kartye. Veteran flank Cole MacKay and St. Louis Blues prospect Tanner Dickinson are also big producers in the Soo lineup. This is the first of four meetings between the two clubs this season.
Mississauga Steelheads at Kingston Frontenacs Saturday November 13th – 3:00pm on CBC
Top 2022 NHL Draft prospect and reigning OHL Player of the Week Shane Wright comes to CBC this weekend as his Kingston Frontenacs host the Mississauga Steelheads before a national audience. While Wright is a staple down the middle, the Fronts have been led in scoring by overage winger Lucas Edmonds and Los Angeles Kings prospect Martin Chromiak, each with 18 points. Rookie standout Matthew Soto has also registered over a point-per-game with 13 through his first 12 OHL matchups. The Steelheads enter the weekend as winners of four in a row. Overage netminder Roman Basran is the League’s reigning Goaltender of the Week. The Trout also lead the OHL in shots-on-goal per-game, while also surrendering a league low.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
Friday, November 12th: Saginaw at Flint – 7:00pm Peterborough at Hamilton – 7:00pm Oshawa at Kingston – 7:00pm Barrie at Niagara – 7:00pm Mississauga at Ottawa – 7:00pm Windsor at Sarnia – 7:05pm North Bay at Sudbury – 7:05pm Erie at Guelph – 7:30pm Owen Sound at Kitchener – 7:30pm Sault Ste. Marie at London – 7:30pm
Saturday, November 13th: Mississauga at Kingston – 3:00pm – CHL on CBC Ottawa at Hamilton – 4:00pm London at Erie – 7:00pm Kitchener at Flint – 7:00pm Oshawa at Niagara – 7:00pm Sarnia at Saginaw – 7:05pm Sault Ste. Marie at Windsor – 7:05pm Peterborough at Barrie – 7:30pm Guelph at Owen Sound – 7:30pm
Sunday, November 14th: Sudbury at North Bay – 2:00pm Kitchener at Saginaw – 5:30pm Ottawa at Oshawa – 6:05pm
Toronto, Ont. – The Canadian Hockey League announced today the Week 6 edition of the Kia CHL Top-10 Rankings for the 2021-22 season.
The London Knights hold steady at number two in the CHL this week behind the WHL’s Winnipeg ICE despite dropping consecutive decisions, first seeing their nine-game season-opening winning streak snapped at the hands of the Flint Firebirds on Saturday. The Knights picked up a point but fell 4-3 in overtime to the Guelph Storm on Tuesday night. London continues to hold the OHL’s best winning percentage of .864, outscoring opponents 39-25. The Knights have been without captain and leading scorer Luke Evangelista in each of their losses and they try and return to the win column on Friday at home to the Soo Greyhounds, who we’ll cover next.
The Hounds enter the Top-10 for the first time all season, sitting 10th on the rankings with a 9-5-0-0 record. The highest-scoring team in the OHL with 65 goals scored, the Greyhounds feature two of the League’s top three scorers with Calgary Flames prospect Rory Kerins (9-14–23) and winger Tye Kartye (13-8–21) leading the way. They opened last week with an 8-4 home ice victory over the Saginaw Spirit before splitting a pair of high-scoring home dates against the Guelph Storm. The Greyhounds are on the road this coming weekend, making stops in London and Windsor.
The Flint Firebirds are an honourable mention in this week’s rankings after defeating the Kitchener Rangers behind a Brennan Othmann hat-trick on Friday before returning home to hand the London Knights their first loss of the season on Saturday. The Firebirds have won four of their last five games and own a 6-3-0-0 record, preparing to face the rival Saginaw Spirit at home on Friday.
The Ottawa 67’s have earned themselves an honourable mention, leading the East Division with an 8-4-0-1 record, gathering at least a point in three straight. Prior to Tuesday’s 4-3 shootout loss to the Kingston Frontenacs, the 67’s had scored consecutive victories over the Peterborough Petes and North Bay Battalion. Calgary Flames prospect Jack Beck, who missed Tuesday’s contest, leads the club in scoring with 17 points (11-6–17) in 12 games.
For further analysis on the Week 6 edition of the Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings, visit 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.
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, November 7, 2021
Frontenacs’ Shane Wright Named OHL Player of the Week
Top 2022 NHL Draft prospect Shane Wright of the Kingston Frontenacs is the OHL Player of the Week, leading the League with eight points including three goals and five assists over three contests.
Wright put up three multi-point showings on home ice, beginning with a goal and an assist in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Mississauga Steelheads on Wednesday. The Frontenacs came up short again on Friday, but Wright scored his fifth and sixth goals of the season while going 20-for-32 in the faceoff circle as the North Bay Battalion took a 5-4 decision. Wright’s Frontenacs battled back into the win column on Sunday as he recorded a career-high four assists in a 6-5 overtime win against the Peterborough Petes. Wright gathered an assist on Lucas Edmonds’ OT winner, extending his current point streak to five games.
A 17-year-old native of Burlington, Ont., Wright sits third in Frontenacs scoring with 16 points (6-10–16) through 11 games. Named both OHL and CHL Rookie of the Year as an exceptional status talent in 2019-20, Wright helped guide Canada to IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championship gold this past May in Frisco, Texas. He was selected by the Frontenacs with the first overall pick of the 2019 OHL Priority Selection after leading the Don Mills Flyers to an OHL Cup championship.
Wright becomes the first Frontenacs player to win the weekly honour since Brett Neumann last did so in December 2018.
Also considered for the award this week, Guelph Storm forward and reigning Player of the Month Sasha Pastujov helped his club play to a 2-1-0-0 mark, climbing to the top of OHL scoring with seven points (2-5–7) over three games. Soo Greyhounds forward Rory Kerins also recorded seven points (2-5–7) as the Hounds went 2-1-0-0 on the week.
Steelheads’ Roman Basran Named OHL Goaltender of the Week
Roman Basran of the Mississauga Steelheads is the OHL Goaltender of the Week with three wins, a 0.97 goals-against average, .952 save percentage and his first career OHL shutout.
A 20-year-old product of Vancouver, BC, Basran was acquired by the Steelheads via OHL entry waivers on October 4. He played four seasons with the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets, going 52-41-7-4 with a 2.90 goals-against average, .905 save percentage and five shutouts after originally being selected in the third round of the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft. The 6-foot-2, 192Ib. netminder represented Canada Black at the 2017 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John, BC. Basran owns the League’s second-lowest goals-against average of 2.37, going 5-3-0-0 with an .894 save percentage with the Steelheads so far this season.
Other goaltenders considered for the award this week include Xavier Medina of the Windsor Spitfires who went 2-0 with a 1.99 goals-against average and .933 save percentage. London Knights goaltender Brett Brochu also played well, going 1-1 with a 1.98 goals-against average and .909 save percentage.
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 pleased to congratulate 24 OHL players named by Hockey Canada to the Under-17 roster set to participate at the inaugural Capital City Challenge, a four-team tournament featuring three men’s under-17 teams and Canada’s National Women’s Team to take place November 26 to December 1 at TD Place in Ottawa.
The 66 players named to compete in the event will be divided into three teams – Team Canada Black, Team Canada Red and Team Canada White – and will compete against Canada’s National Women’s Team as part of its centralization schedule. The rosters for Team Canada Black, Team Canada Red and Team Canada White will be unveiled in the coming weeks.
The under-17 roster was selected by Scott Salmond (Creston, B.C.), senior vice-president of hockey operations, Alan Millar (Tottenham, Ont.), director of player personnel, and Byron Bonora (Brooks, Alta.), head scout for the U17 program. U17 Program of Excellence management group lead Philippe Boucher (Saint-Apollinaire, Que./Drummondville, QMJHL) and manager of hockey operations Benoit Roy (Sudbury, Ont.), as well as regional scouts Pierre Cholette (Quebec), Rob Simpson (Ontario), Darren Sutherland (Atlantic) and Darrell Woodley (Ontario), also provided input with support from Hockey Canada’s 13 Members.
“We are excited to unveil the 66 players that will suit up for our three men’s under-17 teams at the Capital City Challenge and have the unique opportunity to compete against Canada’s National Women’s Team in Ottawa,” said Salmond. “Although this has not been a traditional year for our Program of Excellence and the under-17 group, we are excited to introduce these athletes to an event that replicates short-term, international competition.”
In addition to the 24 OHL players selected, a total of nine OHL hockey operations personnel have been named to the staffs of the three Canadian squads including Team Red director of operations Kyle Raftis (Soo Greyhounds), Team White head coach Rob Wilson (Peterborough Petes), assistant Chad Wiseman (Guelph Storm) and Team Black assistant coach Jordan Smith (Soo Greyhounds).
24 OHL Players Named to 2021 Capital City Challenge:
*player committed to Ontario Hockey League club
Goaltenders (3): Joseph Costanzo (Niagara IceDogs) Nathaniel Day (Flint Firebirds) Mason Vaccari (Kingston Frontenacs)*
Forwards (15): Denver Barkey (London Knights) Chris Barlas (Ottawa 67’s) Colby Barlow (Owen Sound Attack) Easton Cowan (London Knights)* Nick Lardis (Peterborough Petes) Luke McNamara (Saginaw Spirit) Ethan Miedema (Windsor Spitfires) Luke Misa (Mississauga Steelheads) Owen Outwater (North Bay Battalion) Alex Pharand (Hamilton Bulldogs) Luca Pinelli (Ottawa 67’s) Carson Rehkopf (Kitchener Rangers) Calum Ritchie (Oshawa Generals) Matthew Soto (Kingston Frontenacs) Carey Terrance (Erie Otters)
Team Staff (Canada Black): Assistant Coach – Jordan Smith (Soo Greyhounds) Athletic Therapist – Marie-Pierre Néron (Ottawa 67’s)
Team Staff (Canada Red): Director of Operations – Kyle Raftis (Soo Greyhounds) Goaltending Coach – Franky Palazzese (Sarnia Sting) Video Coach – Nick Biamonte (Guelph Storm) Equipment Manager – Spencer Stehouwer (Sarnia Sting) Team Physician – Dr. Wanda Millard (London Knights)
Team Staff (Canada White): Head Coach – Rob Wilson (Peterborough Petes) Assistant Coach – Chad Wiseman (Guelph Storm)
The Capital City Challenge opens on Nov. 26 at TD Place Arena, home of the Ottawa 67’s. Canada’s centralization roster will face Team Canada White in the tournament opener at 12 p.m. ET, followed by Team Canada Black taking on Team Canada Red at 7 p.m. ET.
Full-event ticket packages can be purchased for $80 (plus applicable fees) starting Monday, Nov. 8, while single-game tickets will be available starting as low as $5 at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets.
For more information on Hockey Canada and the Capital City Challenge, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and by using #OurGameIsBack.
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. – November has arrived and we’ve got cross-border play in the Ontario Hockey League! Here’s your rundown of what’s taking place across the League this week.
November is Special Olympics Game Month in the OHL For the 13th consecutive season, the Ontario Hockey League is teaming up with The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) and Special Olympics Ontario to raise awareness around the Special Olympics movement. Read more
OHL Top Performers of the Month for October: The Ontario Hockey League today announced the Top OHL Performers of the Month for regular season games played in October 2021, including Guelph Storm forward Sasha Pastujov, Sudbury Wolves defenceman Jack Thompson, Oshawa Generals rookie Calum Ritchie and London Knights goaltender Brett Brochu. Read more
OHL Academic Players of the Month for October: The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Sam Alfano of the Peterborough Petes, Owen Beck of the Mississauga Steelheads, Cal Uens of the Owen Sound Attack and Bronson Ride of the Windsor Spitfires have been named the OHL Academic Players of the Month for October. Read more
Knights and Frontenacs included in Week 5 edition of Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings: The London Knights are up another two spots this week, climbing to second in the Canadian Hockey League as the only remaining undefeated squad. The Kingston Frontenacs are in the Top 10 for the sixth straight edition, rising one spot to number nine in the CHL. Read more
Petes’ Robertson named OHL Player of the Week: Tucker Robertson of the Peterborough Petes is the OHL Player of the Week with five points including three goals and two assists in a pair of victories. Read more
Generals’ Leaver named OHL Goaltender of the Week: Patrick Leaver of the Oshawa Generals is the OHL Goaltender of the Week with two wins, a 1.00 goals-against average, .976 save percentage and one shutout. Read more
Robertson, Clarke and Leaver named to CHL Team of the Week: Peterborough’s Tucker Robertson, Barrie’s Brandt Clarke and Oshawa’s Patrick Leaver have been named to the CHL Team of the Week for Oct. 25-31, 2021. Read more
Hockey Canada Announces Capital City Challenge The nation’s capital will serve as the backdrop for the Capital City Challenge, a four-team tournament featuring Canada’s National Women’s Team and three national men’s under-17 teams starting November 26. Read more
Chromiak’s lacrosse-inspired special leads OHL Plays of the Week: Surveying the OHL Plays of the Week for action ending Sunday, October 31st featuring Niagara’s Cameron Peters, Sarnia’s Justin O’Donnell, Guelph’s Sasha Pastujov, Mississauga’s combo of Ty Collins and Luca Del Bel Belluz as well as Kingston’s Martin Chromiak. Watch
Kicking-off November with terrific turnaways in the OHL Saves of the Week: Kicking-off the month of November with terrific turnaways by OHL puckstoppers including Saginaw’s Andrew Oke, Kitchener’s Pavel Cajan, Barrie’s Matthew Sbrocca, Windsor’s Kyle Downey, Oshawa’s Patrick Leaver, Sault Ste. Marie’s Samuel Ivanov, Kingston’s Aidan Spooner and North Bay’s Joe Vrbetic. Watch
Twelve first goals and a shutout in OHL Milestone Moments: Check out 12 first career OHL goals and Patrick Leaver’s first career shutout from the past week of action in the latest edition of OHL Milestone Moments! Watch
OHL Weekend Notebook: The OHL Weekend Notebook recaps the weekend that was with news, information and interesting facts from both on and off the ice. Read more
Rodion Tatarenko commits to Battalion: The North Bay Battalion have received a commitment from ninth round 2020 OHL Priority Selection choice Rodion Tatarenko who has started his season with the NOJHL affilaite Powassan Voodoos. Read more
Matthew Mania commits to Wolves: The Sudbury Wolves have received a commitment from fourth round 2021 OHL Priority Selection choice Matthew Mania who began his season with the USHL’s Fargo Force. Read more
Betts and Gushchin added to IceDogs’ leadership group: Niagara IceDogs head coach Billy Burke has named overage defenceman Dakota Betts and first-year San Jose Sharks prospect Danil Gushchin as alternate captains. Read more
COMMUNITY CORNER:
Otters fire up ‘Movember’ with team campaign: The Erie Otters are growing their ‘Mo’s’ in support of men’s health this month. Visit the club’s donation page at movember.com.
Petes host Battalion for Remembrance Day game on Thursday: The Peterborough Petes will be saluting veterans and active military service members on Thursday when they host the North Bay Battalion in their annual Remembrance Day game. The Petes will welcome, recognize and honour the men and women who have and continue to put their lives on the line for our great country. More info at gopetesgo.com
Rangers unveil 16th annual Remembrance Day jersey for Friday: The Kitchener Rangers are excited about their fast approaching Remembrance Day game on Friday. They recently unveiled their 16th annual Remembrance Day jersey that will be auctioned off to raise funds for local military charities. Read more
Spirit host First Responders Night on Saturday: The Saginaw Spirit hold their annual 4:00pm Team Police vs. Team Fire charity game prior to pcuk drop against the Sarnia Sting on Saturday. A long-standing Spirit tradition, the charity matchup will take place for a 14th season.
Spitfires hand out limited edition Remembrance Day poster on Saturday: Fans attending Saturday’s Windsor Spitfires game at home to the Erie Otters will receive a free, limited edition team Remembrance Day poster while supplies last. The Spits will salute past and present military service members at Saturday’s game.
ALUMNI NOTES:
Pezzetta makes NHL debut: Former Sudbury Wolves and Sarnia Sting forward Michael Pezzetta made his NHL debut with the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday at the age of 23. The former sixth round pick by Montreal in 2016 broke into the NHL after spending 115 games in the American Hockey League. A former Wolves captain, Pezzetta played in the OHL from 2014-18, recording 111 points (48-63–111) over 241 regular season games. He had six points (3-3–6) through his first eight games of the season with the AHL’s Laval Rocket before being recalled.
Harley skates in first NHL regular season matchup: Thomas Harley had the opportunity to make his NHL debut during the Dallas Stars’ 2020 Stanley Cup playoff run, but on Tuesday saw his first regular season action in the NHL as the Stars fell to the Winnipeg Jets 4-3 in a shootout. The 20-year-old Mississauga Steelheads graduate has one assist through six games with the AHL’s Texas Stars this season. He played 38 AHL games last year, putting up 25 points (8-17–25). Harley, who played in Mississauga over three seasons from 2017-20, was Dallas’ first round (18th overall) pick in the 2019 NHL Draft.
Merkley lights the lamp with Sharks: Former first overall OHL Priority Selection choice and OHL Rookie of the Year Ryan Merkley scored his first NHL goal on Tuesday as the San Jose Sharks defeated the Buffalo Sabres 5-3. Merkley was skating in his second career NHL contest after making his debut on Oct. 30th. The 21-year-old registered four assists through his first four games of the season with the AHL’s San Jose Barracuda. Merkley played four OHL seasons between Guelph, Peterborough and London from 2016-20, graduating with 269 points (54-215–269), the sixth-most by a defenceman in OHL history.
Brodie plays in 700th NHL contest: Toronto Maple Leafs blueliner T.J. Brodie suited up in his 700th career regular season game on Tuesday. The 31-year-old product of Chatham, Ont. is in the midst of his 11th NHL season and second in Toronto after starting out with the Calgary Flames as a fourth round pick in the 2008 NHL Draft. Brodie played four OHL seasons between the Saginaw Spirit and Barrie Colts from 2006-10. He has two assists through 10 games with the Maple Leafs this season.
Monahan suits up for 600th NHL game: Calgary Flames centreman Sean Monahan played in his 600th career NHL game on Tuesday, recording an assist in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Nashville Predators. The 27-year-old from Brampton, Ont. has spent the entirety of his nine-year career with Calgary after being selected by the Flames with the sixth overall pick of the 2013 NHL Draft. Monahan played three OHL seasons for the Ottawa 67’s from 2010-13. He has 205 goals, 238 assists and 443 points over his 600-game NHL tenure.
Landeskog notches 300th assist: Former Kitchener Rangers captain Gabriel Landeskog recorded career assist number 300 on Wednesday. The 28-year-old Colorado Avalanche captain picked up two helpers to reach 300 as the Avs fell to the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-4 in overtime. Landeskog has 10 points (4-6–10) through his first seven games of the season and joins Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg, Milan Hejduk, Nathan MacKinnon and Alex Tanguay as one of six Avs players to record 300 assists with the club. Landeskog played two seasons in Kitchener from 2009-11 before being selected by the Avs with the second overall pick of the 2011 NHL Draft.
Quinn named AHL Rookie of Month: Ottawa 67’s grad Jack Quinn is the AHL Rookie of the Month for October. The Buffalo Sabres first round draft pick tallied five goals and five assists for 10 points over six games with the Rochester Americans. The Cobden, Ont. native was limited to just 15 games with the Amerks last season after undergoing a hernia surgery in April. The 20-year-old scored 52 goals for the 67’s during the 2019-20 season before being selected by the Sabres with the eighth overall pick in 2020. Quinn played parts of three seasons in Ottawa under head coach Andre Tourigny from 2017-20.
Luchuk named ECHL Player of Month: Former OHL top scorer Aaron Luchuk is the ECHL Player of the Month, putting up four goals, four assists and eight points in three games for the Orlando Solar Bears, an affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 24-year-old tallied at least two points in each of his three games, and had a four-point game (3-1–4) in a 5-4 overtime win over Jacksonville on Oct. 31, which included the fastest hat trick in Solar Bears’ history (12:07). Luchuk played four full seasons in the OHL, winning a Memorial Cup with the Windsor Spitfires in 2017 before winning the Eddie Powers Trophy as the League’s top scorer between Windsor and Barrie with 115 points in 2017-18.
Oksentyuk named ECHL Rookie of the Month: Flint Firebirds graduate Evgeniy Oksentyuk (Yauheni Aksiantsiuk) of the Idaho Steelheads is the ECHL Rookie of the Month for October, recording four goals, five assists and a plus-6 rating in five games during the opening month of the season. A sixth round pick of the Dallas Stars in 2020, Oksentyuk recorded 78 points (33-45–78) in his lone season in Flint, the 2019-20 campaign. The Belarusian forward is under an NHL contract with Dallas.
KEY MATCHUPS:
Barrie Colts at Oshawa Generals Friday November 5th – 7:35pm
Brandt Clarke and the Barrie Colts visit Oshawa to kick-off their weekend on Friday, entering play with a 4-5-0-1 record through their first 10 games. It’s been a mixed bag to start the season for the Colts, who have Clarke coming off a six-point week that saw them take wins in two of three. Clarke leads the Colts offensively with 12 points (3-9–12) through eight games while Colorado Avalanche first round pick Oskar Olausson also has 12 points (7-5–12) to his credit. The Generals featured Edmonton Oilers prospect and captain Ty Tullio who owns the OHL’s longest point streak this season. He’s put up a point in each of his 10 games thus far. Oshawa enters play with points in each of their last four games as Generals netminder Patrick Leaver comes off OHL Goaltender of the Week honours.
Guelph Storm at Soo Greyhounds Friday November 5th and Saturday November 6th – 7:07pm
Winners of three straight, the Guelph Storm are in Sault Ste. Marie for two this weekend as the OHL’s four top scorers will share the same ice surface. Anaheim Ducks prospect Sasha Pastujov (10-9–19) was the OHL Player of the Month for October and sits tied with Sault Ste. Marie’s Tye Kartye (11-8–19) for the League lead in points. The Hounds feature an offensive triple thread, with Calgary Flames prospect Rory Kerins (7-11–18) and overage winger Cole MacKay (6-11–17) joining Kartye while St. Louis Blues prospect Tanner Dickinson (4-12–16) trails close behind. The 8-4-0-0 Greyhounds currently sit first in the West Division. The Storm, who feature top 2022 NHL Draft prospect Matthew Poitras (4-7–11) are 6-4-1-0.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
Thursday November 4th: Erie at Niagara – 7:00pm North Bay at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Friday November 5th: North Bay at Kingston – 7:00pm Hamilton at Mississauga – 7:00pm Peterborough at Ottawa – 7:00pm Saginaw at Sarnia – 7:05pm Niagara at Sudbury – 7:05pm Guelph at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07pm Flint at Kitchener – 7:30pm Owen Sound at London – 7:30pm Barrie at Oshawa – 7:35pm
Saturday November 6th: Sudbury at Hamilton – 4:00pm London at Flint – 7:00pm Sarnia at Saginaw – 7:05pm Erie at Windsor – 7:05pm Guelph at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07pm Kitchener at Owen Sound – 7:30pm
Sunday November 7th: Barrie at Hamilton – 2:00pm Peterborough at Kingston – 2:00pm Niagara at Mississauga – 2:00pm North Bay at Ottawa – 2:00pm Erie at Sarnia – 2:05pm Sudbury at Oshawa – 6:05pm
Toronto, Ont. – The Canadian Hockey League announced today the Week 5 edition of the Kia CHL Top-10 Rankings for the 2021-22 season.
The London Knights are up another two spots this week, climbing to second in the Canadian Hockey League as the only remaining undefeated squad. The 8-0 Knights rattled off two more wins last week, defeating the Owen Sound Attack for a fourth time this season on Wednesday as OHL Goaltender of the Month Brett Brochu earned first star honours in a 4-1 decision. The Knights were at home on Friday, defeating their 402 rival the Sarnia Sting by a score of 5-2 thanks to a hat-trick from captain Luke Evangelista. The Knights own the League’s top power play, one currently operating at 33 percent while sitting second in OHL penalty killing metrics with a 91.4 percent efficiency rate shorthanded. The Knights return to the ice on Friday at home to Owen Sound before crossing the border to visit the Flint Firebirds on Saturday night.
The Kingston Frontenacs are in the Top 10 for the sixth straight edition, rising one spot to number nine in the CHL. The Fronts fell 3-2 in overtime to the Ottawa 67’s at home on Friday before exacting vengeance on the Barber Poles Saturday afternoon in the nation’s capital. Los Angeles Kings prospect Martin Chromiak enjoyed a career performance with his first OHL hat-trick that was capped off by a lacrosse-style third period game winner in a 4-3 decision. Saturday’s win was goaltender Aidan Spooner‘s first in the OHL. Top 2022 NHL Draft prospect Shane Wright and the Frontenacs are at home for three straight this week, hitting the ice on Wednesday against the Mississauga Steelheads, hosting the North Bay Battalion on Friday and taking on the Peterborough Petes on Sunday afternoon.
The ascending Saginaw Spirit and Soo Greyhounds are both honourable mention teams this week, with the Spirit having earned a point in five consecutive games, entering a fresh week off a 4-1 triumph over the Flint Firebirds last Wednesday. The 7-4-0-0 Greyhounds currently hold down top spot in the West Division. The Spirit make their first trip to Ontario on Wednesday to take on the Greyhounds in a game fans won’t want to miss.
For further analysis on the Week 5 edition of the Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings, visit 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.
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the Top OHL Performers of the Month for regular season games played in October 2021, including Guelph Storm forward Sasha Pastujov, Sudbury Wolves defenceman Jack Thompson, Oshawa Generals rookie Calum Ritchie and London Knights goaltender Brett Brochu.
OHL Player of the Month – Sasha Pastujov (Guelph Storm): Anaheim Ducks prospect Sasha Pastujov of the Guelph Storm is the OHL Player of the Month for October, sitting tied for the League-lead in both goals (10) and points (17) through 10 games this season. Pastujov is tied for the OHL’s second-most shots on goal with 44 and also scored a pair of game winners as the Storm played to a mark of 5-4-1-0. Pastujov wasted little time scoring his first career hat-trick, lighting the lamp three times on Oct. 9th as Guelph fell to visiting Kitchener 5-4. He proceeded to record points in eight consecutive games from Oct. 9th to 29th, headlined by three points (2-1–3) on Oct. 28th as the Storm fell to the Windsor Spitfires 6-3 before posting a season-high four points (3-1–4) on Oct. 29th in a 9-4 win over Owen Sound. Pastujov earned star of the game recognition four times, including a pair of first star and second star designations. He’s the first Storm player to earn OHL Player of the Month honours since Robby Fabbri last did so in February 2014.
An 18-year-old product of Bradenton, Fla., Pastujov has embarked on his first OHL season after being selected in the third round (66th overall) by the Anaheim Ducks out of the U.S. National Development Program last summer. A former World Under-17 Hockey Challenge silver medalist and IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championship standout representing the United States, Pastujov was originally Guelph’s 14th round (276th overall) pick in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection.
OHL Defenceman of the Month – Jack Thompson (Sudbury Wolves): Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Jack Thompson of the Sudbury Wolves is the OHL Defenceman of the Month for October, leading all blueliners with 16 points including four goals and 12 assists over 11 games. The League’s inaugural Player of the Week to start the season, Thompson leads the OHL with 50 shots on goal, is one of three defenders to score twice on the power play and is the lone rearguard to score a shorthanded goal this season. The Wolves captain registered three points (1-2–3) in his opening game of the season as Sudbury defeated visiting Peterborough 6-3. He followed that up with a career-high four points (1-3–4) as the Wolves skated to a 6-3 win in Sault Ste. Marie on Oct. 9th. He scored the deciding goal in Sunday’s 3-1 victory over North Bay. Thompson has recorded points in nine of his 11 games this season and earned star of the game recognition four times throughout October, twice being named first star along with one second and one third star designation. Thompson is the first Wolves defender to earn the honour since Frank Corrado in October 2013.
A 19-year-old native of Courtice, Ont., Thompson is in his third season with the Wolves having put up 64 points (23-41–64) over 126 career regular season contests with the franchise. He was a third round (93rd overall) pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2020 NHL Draft before spending part of the 2020-21 season with Surahammars IF of Sweden’s HockeyEttan circuit. Thompson made his pro debut with the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch last season, recording an assist in his lone contest. He signed an entry-level NHL contract with the Lightning on May 19, 2021. The right-shot rearguard was originally Sudbury’s second round (30th overall) pick in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection from the Clarington Toros U16 program.
OHL Rookie of the Month – Calum Ritchie (Oshawa Generals): Calum Ritchie of the Oshawa Generals is the OHL Rookie of the Month for October, leading the field with 12 points including seven goals and five assists in 10 games. Ritchie also led rookies with 44 shots on goal and is tied for the most game winning goals with two. He opened his OHL career with goals in five consecutive games from Oct. 8th to 17th, recording a season-high four points (2-2–4) in a 6-3 win over the Peterborough Petes on Oct. 17th. The four-point performance made Ritchie the youngest General to accomplish the feat since Michael Dal Colle back on Nov. 4, 2012. His five-game goal-scoring streak brought him in line with John Tavares, who had a similar run during his exceptional status rookie season in the month of January 2006. Ritchie rounded-out the month by scoring the third period game winner on Oct. 28th in North Bay as the Generals skated to a 3-2 win. He becomes the first General to earn OHL Rookie of the Month honours since Allan McShane last did so in January 2017.
A 16-year-old native of Oakville, Ont., Ritchie is a graduate of the Oakville Rangers U16 program, a team he captained before being chosen second overall in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection this past June.
OHL Goaltender of the Month – Brett Brochu (London Knights): Brett Brochu of the London Knights is the OHL Goaltender of the Month after leading OHL netminders with a 2.07 goals-against average, .935 save percentage and an undefeated 8-0-0-0 record in the month of October. He also stopped 11 of 12 shootout attempts. Brochu put forth three different first star performances against the Owen Sound Attack including an Oct. 8th opening night 3-2 shootout victory that included 28 saves and four shootout denials. He was sharp against the Attack once again on Oct. 22nd, making 36 saves in a 2-1 win on home ice. Brochu turned back Owen Sound a fourth time in the month on Oct. 27th, making 32 saves in a 4-1 road win. The OHL Goaltender of the Month honour is Brochu’s third in a row dating back to January and February of 2020 prior to the season being halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
A 19-year-old from Tilbury, Ont., Brochu has won 17 consecutive regular season games dating back to Feb. 14, 2020, part of a stretch in which he’s won 30 of 31 decisions since Dec. 29, 2019. The 6-foot, 176Ib. Brochu was a member of the OHL’s first all-rookie team during the 2019-20 season, leading the League with a 2.40 goals-against average to win the F.W. Dinty Moore Trophy. His 32 wins that season set a new OHL record for a 16 or 17-year-old first year goaltender. The former sixth round (114th overall) pick in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection made his professional debut with the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in 2020-21, appearing in one game on May 16, 2021.
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 regular season games ending Sunday, October 31, 2021
Petes’ Tucker Robertson Named OHL Player of the Week
Tucker Robertson of the Peterborough Petes is the OHL Player of the Week with five points including three goals and two assists in a pair of victories.
Robertson got the Petes going on Thursday, scoring before recording two primary assists in a 4-3 home win over the Hamilton Bulldogs. He earned first star honours, going 21-for-29 in the faceoff circle as the Petes got back in the win column. Robertson was excellent again on Saturday in Niagara, scoring second period goals three-and-a-half minutes apart as the Petes nipped the IceDogs 5-4. Robertson was once again the game’s first star, going 16-for-30 at the dot while recording four shots on goal.
An 18-year-old product of Toronto, Ont., Robertson is second among OHL skaters producing 1.78 points-per-game this season. His 16 points (6-10–16) over nine contests pace the Peterborough offence while his 238 faceoffs are the third-most in the League as he currently boasts a 58.8 percent success rate. Robertson recorded 18 points (8-10–18) over 55 games in 2019-20 after being a fourth round (72nd overall) pick from the Toronto Marlboros U16 program in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection. He attended rookie camp with the Carolina Hurricanes this past September.
Also considered for the award this week was Anaheim Ducks prospect Sasha Pastujov of the Guelph Storm who recorded a league-leading seven points (5-2–7) over three games as the Storm went 2-1. Los Angeles Kings prospect Brandt Clarke of the Barrie Colts was also impressive, posting six points (3-3–6) over three games as the Colts won a pair.
Generals’ Patrick Leaver Named OHL Goaltender of the Week
Patrick Leaver of the Oshawa Generals is the OHL Goaltender of the Week with two wins, a 1.00 goals-against average, .976 save percentage and his first career OHL shutout.
Leaver helped the Generals take road wins in North Bay and Sudbury, stopping 82 of the 84 shots he faced. The first-year goaltender carried a shutout into the third period of Thursday’s matchup against the Battalion, turning aside 44 shots in a 3-2 win. Leaver was flawless in Sudbury on Friday, posting a 38-save shutout as the Generals prevailed by a score of 4-0.
An 18-year-old from Perth, Ont., Leaver owns a 5-2-0-1 record with a 2.49 goals-against average, .925 save percentage and one shutout through his first nine games of the season. The 6-foot-1, 180Ib. goaltender was Oshawa’s eighth round (158th overall) pick in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection from the Smiths Falls Bears U18 program. Leaver won a silver medal while representing Team Ontario at the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, Alta.
Also in the running for this week’s award was undefeated London Knights goaltender Brett Brochu who earned a pair of wins over Owen Sound and Sarnia, posting a 1.50 goals-against average and .950 save percentage to climb to 8-0-0-0.
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 