CROMBIE, MARSHALL AND MBUYI NAMED OHL TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, October 13, 2024.



Bulldogs’ Calvin Crombie Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

Brantford Bulldogs forward Calvin Crombie is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, leading the league with 10 points over three contests.

Crombie helped the Bulldogs rebound to go 3-0 this past week, scoring once while adding nine assists on a lethal line alongside Nick Lardis and Patrick Thomas. Crombie began the week with three assists in Wednesday’s 5-1 win over the visiting Sarnia Sting. The Bulldogs hit the road on Friday and Crombie took his offensive productivity with him to the nation’s capital, scoring while adding three assists in a 6-3 win over the Ottawa 67’s. Crombie closed out the week on Saturday, recording an assist on all three Brantford goals as the Bulldogs defeated the Kingston Frontenacs 3-2 in the game’s final minute.

A 19-year-old right-winger from Hamilton, Ont., Crombie is in his second season with the Bulldogs, putting up 11 points (1-10—11) through his first seven games of the season. A former 15th round (297th overall) pick by the London Knights in 2022, Crombie spent time with the GOJHL’s Caledonia Corvairs before entering the OHL. He is the nephew of former Knights forward Chris Crombie (1989-92).

Also given consideration for the award this week, Bulldogs linemate Nick Lardis put the finishing touches of Crombie’s playmaking, scoring six times while adding two assists over three games. Kitchener Rangers forward Adrian Misaljevic was also a standout, with seven points (3-4—7) over three games for the Blueshirts.

2024-25 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Oct. 7 – Oct. 13: Calvin Crombie (Brantford Bulldogs)
Sept. 30 – Oct. 6: Kevin He (Niagara IceDogs)
Sep. 25 – Sept. 29: Michael Misa (Saginaw Spirit)



Wolves’ Finn Marshall Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Sudbury Wolves netminder Finn Marshall is the OHL Goaltender of the Week after he went 2-0 with a 1.80 goals-against average, .946 save percentage and one shutout in a trio of appearances last week.

Marshall’s early-season success story continued as he opened the week with a 40-save shutout on Thursday in Peterborough, helping the Wolves skate to a 1-0 win at the PMC. Marshall was thrust into a relief appearance on Friday in Kingston as the Wolves came out on the short end of a 7-2 outcome. Wolves head coach Scott Barney went back to Marshall on Sunday in Ottawa, a start that resulted in 24 saves as Sudbury defeated the 67’s 4-1. In all, Marshall led the league with 87 saves across 167 minutes of action.

An 18-year-old from Toronto, Marshall 4-0 to begin his OHL career, recording a 2.09 goals-against average and .933 save percentage in the process. The former 13th round (246th overall) pick by Sudbury in 2022 spent last season with the OJHL’s Georgetown Raiders, playing to a mark of 17-11-1 with a 2.85 goals-against average and .915 save percentage over 33 contests.

Also considered for the award this week, Buffalo Sabres prospect Ryerson Leenders of the Brantford Bulldogs backstopped his team to a pair of road wins with a 1.50 goals-against average and .949 save percentage.

2024-25 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Oct. 7 – Oct. 13: Finn Marshall (Sudbury Wolves)
Sept. 30 – Oct. 6: Joey Costanzo (Windsor Spitfires)
Sept. 25 – Sept. 29: Jack Ivankovic (Brampton Steelheads)



Attack’s Pierce Mbuyi Named OHL Rookie of the Week

Owen Sound Attack forward Pierce Mbuyi is the OHL Rookie of the Week, recording two goals and an assist over three contests.

Mbuyi helped the Attack earn five of a possible six points with a pair of wins following an overtime loss. He pitched in with an assist in Wednesday’s 5-4 defeat at the hands of the London Knights. Mbuyi and the Attack handed the Niagara IceDogs their first loss by a score of 6-4 on Friday in St. Catharines before the Bears returned home on Saturday, with Mbuyi scoring twice in a 7-2 win over the Peterborough Petes to earn second star recognition.

A 16-year-old left-winger from Mississauga, Ont., Mbuyi has four points (3-1—4) through his first seven OHL contests. The Attack selected Mbuyi with their first round (7th overall) pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection from the Toronto Marlboros U16 AAA program.

Also considered for the award this week includes London Knights netminder Alexei Medvedev, who backstopped the green and gold to a pair of wins. Guelph Storm forward Alex McLean also scored a pair of goals across two games last week.

2024-25 OHL Rookies of the Week – Regular Season:
Oct. 7 – Oct. 13: Pierce Mbuyi (Owen Sound Attack)
Sept. 30 – Oct. 6: Beckham Edwards (Sarnia Sting)
Sept. 25 – Sept. 29: Ethan Belchetz (Windsor Spitfires)


About the Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) has long been regarded as the number one development league in the world, continuing to serve as a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League. The OHL consists of 20 teams, with 17 located in Ontario, two in the state of Michigan and one in the state of Pennsylvania. A proud member of the Canadian Hockey League, the OHL is also a leading provider of hockey scholarships, with over 330 graduates receiving OHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice in 2023-24, resulting in a collective investment of over $3.9 million by OHL member teams.

OHL Writers Draft Eligible Players of the Month: October

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Last season we began doing this feature a little differently than previous seasons. We began doing a draft eligible forward, defenceman and goaltender of the month as opposed to just one that stood out. Fans responded to the change with plenty of positive feedback, so we are doing it again this season.

We are also now doing all players eligible for the NHL Entry Draft as opposed to first time draft eligible players. As a reminder, players born between January 1, 2004 and September 15, 2006 are eligible for the draft. Players born between September 16, 2005 and September 15, 2006 are first time draft eligible while all the others are draft re-entries.

Draft Eligible Forward of the Month – Adrian Misaljevic – Kitchener Rangers

Misaljevic was a free agent signing by the Rangers back in 2021 after being passed over in the OHL Priority Selection. He was first eligible for the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and has been passed over. He has already surpassed his career highs of 4 goals and 7 assists a season ago with 10 goals and 10 assists in just 13 games. He sits tied on the leader board among draft eligible players in goals and assists. The 5’11”, 154-pound right wing produce in bunches and will continue to be an offensive threat for the Rangers.

Also considered was Mississauga Steelheads forward Luke Misa. Misa had 6 goals and 14 assists in 13 games. With a November, 2005 birthdate, Misa is eligible for the NHL Entry Draft for the first time in 2024.

Draft Eligible Defenceman of the Month – Jacob LeBlanc – Sarnia Sting

After being acquires from the Niagara Ice Dogs (and previously the Kitchener Rangers) LeBlanc (along with his brother) have found a comfortable home with the Sting. LeBlanc led all draft eligible defenceman in assists (13) and points (15) to go along with 2 goals in October. He is also just 1 point shy of leading the Sting in scoring as a defenceman. The right shooting 6’1” blueliner has a June 2004 birthdate, making this his third NHL Entry Draft.

Also considered was Saginaw Spirit defenceman Zayne Parekh. He took the OHL by storm last season and has picked up where he left off with 2 goals and 10 assists in 11 games during October. With a 2006 birthdate, this will be his first NHL Entry Draft where he could be a top-10 pick.

Draft Eligible Goaltender of the Month – Brayden Gillespie – Guelph Storm

This wasn’t an easy choice but we went with Gillespie here – who was also named OHL Goaltender of the Month today. Gillespie led all goaltenders in goals against average (2.02), save percentage (.932), third in games played (10) and fifth in minutes (594) and sixth in shots against (594). With a July 2005 birthdate, this will be Gillespie’s second NHL Entry Draft.

Also considered was Owen Sound Attack netminder Carter George who today was named the OHL’s Rookie of the Month for October. Among all OHL goaltenders, George trails only Gillespie in goals against average (2.18) and save percentage (.929). George has a June 2006 birthdate and is eligible for the NHL Entry Draft for the first time in 2024.