PANWAR AND DIVINCENTIIS 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, March 12, 2023.



Bulldogs’ Sahil Panwar Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

For the second time this season, Sahil Panwar of the Hamilton Bulldogs is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording three goals, four assists and seven points in three games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-4.

Helping guide the Bulldogs to a 3-0 showing last week, the overage forward got things started with an assist in a 4-3 road win over the Niagara IceDogs on Thursday. The Bulldogs returned home to host the IceDogs on Friday as Panwar recorded a goal and a pair of helpers in the 6-2 victory. The 6-foot, 185 lb. centreman closed out the weekend with two goals and an assist to earn first star honours as the Bulldogs defeated the Ottawa 67’s 6-3 on Sunday.

A 21-year-old native of Mississauga, Ont., Panwar currently has points in 12 of his last 13 games. He’s produced 18 goals, 28 assists and 46 points in 29 games since joining the Bulldogs in January. In total, Panwar has recorded 28 goals, 35 assists and 63 points over 63 games between Hamilton and Peterborough in 2022-23. The former second round (23rd overall) pick by the London Knights in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection has registered 51 goals, 67 assists and 118 points in 194 career regular season games split between the Knights, Flint Firebirds, Peterborough Petes and Hamilton Bulldogs. Panwar attended rookie camp with the Florida Panthers as a free agent invite in September.

Also considered for the award this week, Nashville Predators prospect Nolan Burke of the Sarnia Sting produced four goals, two assists and six points in two victories last week. Chicago Blackhawks prospect Gavin Hayes of the Flint Firebirds contributed five goals and an assist for six points in three wins.

2022-23 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Mar. 6– Mar. 12: Sahil Panwar (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Feb. 27 – Mar. 5: Christian Kyrou (Sarnia Sting)
Feb. 20 – Feb. 26: Braeden Bowman (Guelph Storm)
Feb. 13 – Feb. 19: Nolan Burke (Sarnia Sting)
Feb. 6 – Feb. 12: Sean McGurn (London Knights)
Jan. 30 – Feb. 5: Matthew Maggio (Windsor Spitfires)
Jan. 23 – Jan. 29: Sahil Panwar (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Jan. 16 – Jan. 22: James Hardie (Mississauga Steelheads)
Jan. 9 – Jan. 15: Colby Barlow (Owen Sound Attack)
Jan. 2 – Jan. 8: Bryce McConnell-Barker (Soo Greyhounds)
Dec. 26 – Jan. 1: Connor Lockhart (Peterborough Petes)
Dec. 12 – Dec. 18: Evan Vierling (Barrie Colts)
Dec. 5 – Dec. 11: Ryan Gagnier (Oshawa Generals)
Nov. 28 – Dec. 4: Quentin Musty (Sudbury Wolves)
Nov. 21 – Nov. 27: Jorian Donovan (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Nov. 14 – Nov. 20: Matthew Poitras (Guelph Storm)
Nov. 7 – Nov. 13: Brody Crane (London Knights)
Oct. 31 – Nov. 6: Matvey Petrov (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 24 – Oct. 30: Deni Goure (Owen Sound Attack)
Oct. 17 – Oct. 23: Owen Beck (Mississauga Steelheads)
Oct. 10 – Oct. 16: Matthew Maggio (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 3 – Oct. 9: Pavel Mintyukov (Saginaw Spirit)
Sept. 29 – Oct. 2: Tucker Robertson (Peterborough Petes)
 



Battalion’s Domenic DiVincentiis Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

For the second-straight week and third time this season, Winnipeg Jets prospect Dom DiVincentiis of the North Bay Battalion is the OHL Goaltender of the Week with two wins including a shutout, a goals-against average of 0.50 and a save percentage of .984.

Stopping 63 of the 64 shots he faced, DiVincentiis defended the crease in back-to-back victories for the Battalion last week. He turned aside 36 of the 37 shots that came his way on Wednesday as North Bay defeated the Owen Sound Attack 4-1. The 6-foot-2, 190lb. netminder was back in the crease on Sunday, stopping all 27 shots he faced to earn his fourth shutout of the season as the Battalion blanked the London Knights 4-0. Together with goaltending partner Charlie Robertson, DiVincentiis has helped the Battalion put together a run of one goal allowed over their past five games.

A 19-year-old native of Bolton, Ont., DiVincentiis owns a record of 34-9-2-0 on the season with a league-best 2.36 goals-against average along with a .918 save percentage. He was the recipient of the OHL’s F.W. ‘Dinty’ Moore Trophy in 2021-22, posting a league-low 2.59 goals-against average among rookies to go with a 14-8-0-1 record and .907 save percentage. DiVincentiis was selected in the seventh round (207th overall) by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2022 NHL Draft.  He’s a former sixth round (116th overall) pick by the Battalion in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection.

Also in the running for the award this week, New York Islanders prospect Tristan Lennox of the Saginaw Spirit recorded a two-win week with a 1.00 goals-against average, and .962 save percentage. Arizona Coyotes prospect Anson Thornton of the Barrie Colts also played to a 2-0 mark with a 2.00 goals-against average and .930 save percentage.

2022-23 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Mar. 6 – Mar. 12: Dom DiVincentiis (North Bay Battalion)
Feb. 27 – Mar. 5: Dom DiVincentiis (North Bay Battalion)
Feb. 20 – Feb. 26: Michael Simpson (Peterborough Petes)
Feb. 13 – Feb. 19: Tristan Lennox (Saginaw Spirit)
Feb. 6 – Feb. 12: Zach Bowen (London Knights)
Jan 30 – Feb. 5: Nate Krawchuk (Sudbury Wolves)
Jan 23 – Jan. 29: Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)
Jan 16 – Jan. 22: Mason Vaccari (Kingston Frontenacs)
Jan 9 – Jan. 15: Matteo Drobac (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Jan. 2 – Jan. 8: Max Donoso (Ottawa 67’s)
Dec. 26 – Jan. 1: Michael Simpson (Peterborough Petes)
Dec. 12 – Dec. 18: Marco Costantini (Kitchener Rangers)
Dec. 5 – Dec. 11: Owen Flores (Niagara IceDogs)
Nov. 28 – Dec. 4: Dom DiVincentiis (North Bay Battalion)
Nov. 21 – Nov. 27: Brett Brochu (London Knights)
Nov. 14 – Nov. 20: Michael Simpson (Peterborough Petes)
Nov. 7 – Nov. 13: Joe Ranger (Sudbury Wolves)
Oct. 31 – Nov. 6: Tristan Lennox (Saginaw Spirit)
Oct. 24 – Oct. 30: Carter George (Owen Sound Attack)
Oct. 17 – Oct. 23: Collin MacKenzie (Ottawa 67’s)
Oct. 10 – Oct. 16: Ivan Zhigalov (Kingston Frontenacs)
Oct. 3 – Oct. 9: Alessio Beglieri (Mississauga Steelheads)
Sept. 29 – Oct. 2: Ben Gaudreau (Sarnia Sting)


About the Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the world’s largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American states. In addition to the OHL, the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League and U SPORTS than any other league.

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MAGGIO AND KRAWCHUK 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, February 5, 2023.



Spitfires’ Matthew Maggio Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

New York Islanders prospect Matthew Maggio of the Windsor Spitfires is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week for the second time this season, recording five goals, six assists and 11 points in three games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-10.

Leading the Spitfires to a perfect 3-0 showing last week, Maggio got things started with a pair of goals and an assist as Windsor defeated the Soo Greyhounds 7-4 on Thursday. Maggio’s success continued on Saturday with another three-point showing (2-1–3) in a 6-3 win over the Hamilton Bulldogs. Maggio extended his point streak to 12 games on Sunday, recording a goal and four assists as the Spitfires closed out the weekend with a high-scoring 8-1 win over the Owen Sound Attack. His performance on Sunday saw him reach the 100 career assist plateau, giving him 185 points (85-100–185) in 192 regular season games.

A 20-year-old native of Tecumseh, Ont., Maggio leads the OHL with 40 goals, 39 assists and 79 points (40-39–79) in 46 games this season. Helping Windsor win a Western Conference title, Maggio was a fifth round (142nd overall) pick of the New York Islanders this past summer following 38 goals, 47 assists and 85 points in 66 regular season games in 2021-22. The 6-foot, 185lb. forward was originally Ottawa’s fifth round (86th overall) pick in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection from the Sun County Panthers U16 program.

Also given consideration for the award this week were Anaheim Ducks prospect Sasha Pastujov of the Sarnia Sting, who recorded two goals and seven assists in three games. Draft eligible defenceman Tristan Bertucci of the Flint Firebirds was also a standout, recording three goals and four helpers (3-4–7) over three games.

2022-23 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Jan. 30 – Feb. 5: Matthew Maggio (Windsor Spitfires)
Jan. 23 – Jan. 29: Sahil Panwar (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Jan. 16 – Jan. 22: James Hardie (Mississauga Steelheads)
Jan. 9 – Jan. 15: Colby Barlow (Owen Sound Attack)
Jan. 2 – Jan. 8: Bryce McConnell-Barker (Soo Greyhounds)
Dec. 26 – Jan. 1: Connor Lockhart (Peterborough Petes)
Dec. 12 – Dec. 18: Evan Vierling (Barrie Colts)
Dec. 5 – Dec. 11: Ryan Gagnier (Oshawa Generals)
Nov. 28 – Dec. 4: Quentin Musty (Sudbury Wolves)
Nov. 21 – Nov. 27: Jorian Donovan (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Nov. 14 – Nov. 20: Matthew Poitras (Guelph Storm)
Nov. 7 – Nov. 13: Brody Crane (London Knights)
Oct. 31 – Nov. 6: Matvey Petrov (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 24 – Oct. 30: Deni Goure (Owen Sound Attack)
Oct. 17 – Oct. 23: Owen Beck (Mississauga Steelheads)
Oct. 10 – Oct. 16: Matthew Maggio (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 3 – Oct. 9: Pavel Mintyukov (Saginaw Spirit)
Sept. 29 – Oct. 2: Tucker Robertson (Peterborough Petes)
 



Wolves’ Nate Krawchuk Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Nate Krawchuk of the Sudbury Wolves is the OHL Goaltender of the Week, earning his first career shutout while posting a goals-against average of 0.97 and a save percentage of .961.

Earning first star honours in back-to-back games, Krawchuk stopped 49 of the 51 shots that came his way last week, helping the Wolves earn three of a possible four points. He turned aside all 21 shots he faced to earn his first career OHL shutout on Friday as the Wolves took a 4-0 win over the Mississauga Steelheads. Krawchuk was back between the pipes on Sunday to make his first set of consecutive starts this season, blocking 28 of the 30 shots that came his way as Sudbury fell to the Barrie Colts 2-1 in overtime.

A 17-year-old from Thunder Bay, Ont., Krawchuk owns a 6-5-1-0 record with a 3.16 goals-against average and .896 save percentage in his first 14 games with the Wolves this season. The 6-foot-1, 153Ib. netminder was Sudbury’s first round (3rd overall) pick in the 2022 OHL Under-18 Priority Selection from the Thunder Bay Kings U18 program.

A pair of other candidates were given consideration for the award as Arizona Coyotes prospect Anson Thornton of the Barrie Colts went 2-0-1-0, posting a 1.77 goals-against average and .939 save percentage. Reigning OHL Goaltender of the Week Jacob Oster of the Oshawa Generals was also a standout, recording a 2.04 goals-against average and .944 save percentage along with his third shutout of the season.

2022-23 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Jan 30 – Feb. 5: Nate Krawchuk (Sudbury Wolves)
Jan 23 – Jan. 29: Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)
Jan 16 – Jan. 22: Mason Vaccari (Kingston Frontenacs)
Jan 9 – Jan. 15: Matteo Drobac (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Jan. 2 – Jan. 8: Max Donoso (Ottawa 67’s)
Dec. 26 – Jan. 1: Michael Simpson (Peterborough Petes)
Dec. 12 – Dec. 18: Marco Costantini (Kitchener Rangers)
Dec. 5 – Dec. 11: Owen Flores (Niagara IceDogs)
Nov. 28 – Dec. 4: Dom DiVincentiis (North Bay Battalion)
Nov. 21 – Nov. 27: Brett Brochu (London Knights)
Nov. 14 – Nov. 20: Michael Simpson (Peterborough Petes)
Nov. 7 – Nov. 13: Joe Ranger (Sudbury Wolves)
Oct. 31 – Nov. 6: Tristan Lennox (Saginaw Spirit)
Oct. 24 – Oct. 30: Carter George (Owen Sound Attack)
Oct. 17 – Oct. 23: Collin MacKenzie (Ottawa 67’s)
Oct. 10 – Oct. 16: Ivan Zhigalov (Kingston Frontenacs)
Oct. 3 – Oct. 9: Alessio Beglieri (Mississauga Steelheads)
Sept. 29 – Oct. 2: Ben Gaudreau (Sarnia Sting)


About the Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the world’s largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American states. In addition to the OHL, the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League and U SPORTS than any other league.

BARLOW AND DROBAC NAMEDOHL 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, January 15, 2023.



Attack’s Colby Barlow Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

2023 NHL Draft prospect Colby Barlow of the Owen Sound Attack is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording four goals, three assists and seven points in three victories along with a plus/minus rating of plus-3.

Barlow helped the Attack gain ground in the Western Conference last week as they took wins over Niagara, Erie and Guelph. He found the back of the net as the Attack defeated the Niagara IceDogs 5-1 on Wednesday. Barlow’s scoring ways continued on Thursday as he netted a goal and added two primary assists in a 6-5 overtime win over the Erie Otters. He turned in a first star performance to close out the week on Saturday, scoring his 28th and 29th goals of the season while adding an assist in a 6-4 win over the Guelph Storm. Barlow’s second of the game was the third period game winner as he came away from Saturday’s action with goals in seven straight contests, pushing his current point streak to nine games.

A 17-year-old from Orillia, Ont., Barlow leads the Attack with 55 points (29-26–55) in 36 games this season, sitting tied for second in League goal-scoring with 29 on the campaign. Barlow’s eight game winners lead the League and his 172 shots on goal are currently the third-most in the OHL. His 10-game goal-scoring streak from Nov. 12 to Dec. 4 is the longest in the League this season, setting a new Attack franchise record. Selected in the first round (8th overall) by Owen Sound in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection from the Toronto Marlboros U16 program, the 6-foot-1, 187lb. winger scored 30 goals in 2021-22, a new Attack franchise record for a 16 or 17-year-old rookie. Barlow was listed as the OHL’s top-ranked skater on last week’s NHL Central Scouting Midseason Rankings, coming in at 10th in North America for the 2023 NHL Draft.

Also considered for the award this week, Boston Bruins prospect Brett Harrison put up seven points (4-3–7) in three victories for the Windsor Spitfires. North Bay Battalion overage forward Kyle McDonald also had success, recording five goals, one assist and six points for the Troops while also tacking on a shootout game winner.

2022-23 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Jan. 9 – Jan. 15: Colby Barlow (Owen Sound Attack)
Jan. 2 – Jan. 8: Bryce McConnell-Barker (Soo Greyhounds)
Dec. 26 – Jan. 1: Connor Lockhart (Peterborough Petes)
Dec. 12 – Dec. 18: Evan Vierling (Barrie Colts)
Dec. 5 – Dec. 11: Ryan Gagnier (Oshawa Generals)
Nov. 28 – Dec. 4: Quentin Musty (Sudbury Wolves)
Nov. 21 – Nov. 27: Jorian Donovan (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Nov. 14 – Nov. 20: Matthew Poitras (Guelph Storm)
Nov. 7 – Nov. 13: Brody Crane (London Knights)
Oct. 31 – Nov. 6: Matvey Petrov (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 24 – Oct. 30: Deni Goure (Owen Sound Attack)
Oct. 17 – Oct. 23: Owen Beck (Mississauga Steelheads)
Oct. 10 – Oct. 16: Matthew Maggio (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 3 – Oct. 9: Pavel Mintyukov (Saginaw Spirit)
Sept. 29 – Oct. 2: Tucker Robertson (Peterborough Petes)



Bulldogs’ Matteo Drobac Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Matteo Drobac of the Hamilton Bulldogs is the OHL Goaltender of the Week with two wins, a goals-against average of 2.00 and a save percentage of .949.

Drobac backstopped the Bulldogs to back-to-back road wins, starting with a 35-save effort on Friday night in Ottawa as the Bulldogs handed the first place 67’s a second home loss in under a month in a 4-3 decision. Drobac was excellent again on Saturday, making 40 saves to earn second star recognition in a 4-1 victory over the Kingston Frontenacs.

A 19-year-old native of Oakville, Ont., Drobac owns a record of 10-12-2-0 on the season with a 3.28 goals-against average and an .893 save percentage. The 6-foot-2, 201lb. netminder helped the Bulldogs win an OHL championship last year, joining Marco Costantini in winning the Dave Pinkney Trophy for fewest team goals-against by going 19-2-1-0 during the regular season with a 2.57 goals-against average and .905 save percentage in 23 games. He was selected in the sixth round (110th overall) by the Bulldogs in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection from the Halton Hurricanes U16 program.

A pair of other candidates were given consideration for the award as Arizona Coyotes prospect Anson Thornton of the Barrie Colts went 2-0, posting a 1.00 goals-against average and .958 save percentage. Winnipeg Jets prospect Dom DiVincentiis of the North Bay Battalion also went 2-0, recording a 1.92 goals-against average and .948 save percentage.

2022-23 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Jan 9. – Jan. 15: Matteo Drobac (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Jan. 2 – Jan. 8: Max Donoso (Ottawa 67’s)
Dec. 26 – Jan. 1: Michael Simpson (Peterborough Petes)
Dec. 12 – Dec. 18: Marco Costantini (Kitchener Rangers)
Dec. 5 – Dec. 11: Owen Flores (Niagara IceDogs)
Nov. 28 – Dec. 4: Dom DiVincentiis (North Bay Battalion)
Nov. 21 – Nov. 27: Brett Brochu (London Knights)
Nov. 14 – Nov. 20: Michael Simpson (Peterborough Petes)
Nov. 7 – Nov. 13: Joe Ranger (Sudbury Wolves)
Oct. 31 – Nov. 6: Tristan Lennox (Saginaw Spirit)
Oct. 24 – Oct. 30: Carter George (Owen Sound Attack)
Oct. 17 – Oct. 23: Collin MacKenzie (Ottawa 67’s)
Oct. 10 – Oct. 16: Ivan Zhigalov (Kingston Frontenacs)
Oct. 3 – Oct. 9: Alessio Beglieri (Mississauga Steelheads)
Sept. 29 – Oct. 2: Ben Gaudreau (Sarnia Sting)


About the Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the world’s largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American states. In addition to the OHL, the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League and U SPORTS than any other league.

OHL ANNOUNCES TOP PERFORMERS OF THE MONTH FOR DECEMBER

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the Top OHL Performers of the Month for regular season games played in December 2022 including Kitchener Rangers forward Francesco Pinelli and Barrie Colts netminder Anson Thornton along with Saginaw Spirit teammates Pavel Mintyukov and Zayne Parekh.

OHL Player of the Month – Francesco Pinelli (Kitchener Rangers):
Los Angeles Kings prospect Francesco Pinelli of the Kitchener Rangers is the OHL Player of the Month for December, producing eight goals, 13 assists and 21 points in nine games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-12. The Rangers captain guided his team to a December mark of 6-2-2-0, registering points in eight of his nine outings, six of those yielding multiple points. The 6-foot-1, 185 Ib. centre logged three goals and an assist on Dec. 3rd in Guelph as the Rangers defeated the Storm 5-1. Pinelli’s high-scoring contributions continued in three consecutive mid-month contests, recording a goal and two helpers on Dec. 9th as the Rangers defeated the Niagara IceDogs 5-1. He posted a career-high five points with a goal and four assists at home on Dec. 16th as the Rangers shutout Sault Ste. Marie 9-0. His third consecutive multi-point showing came on Dec. 18th in Mississauga as Pinelli recorded a goal and two assists, helping Kitchener skate to a 5-1 win over the Steelheads. Pinelli becomes the first Rangers player to earn OHL Player of the Month honours since Greg Meireles in March 2019.

A 19-year-old native of Stoney Creek, Ont., Pinelli currently sits atop Rangers scoring with 43 points (21-22–43) in 27 games. His 1.59 points-per-game currently sit fourth in the OHL. Now in his third season with the Rangers, Pinelli has produced career totals that include 61 goals, 83 assists and 144 points in 141 regular season games. He was a second round (42nd overall) pick of the Los Angeles Kings in the 2021 NHL Draft, and signed a three-year entry level NHL contract with the club on Apr. 11, 2022. Pinelli was Kitchener’s first round (13th overall) pick in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection from the Toronto Red Wings U16 program.

OHL Defenceman of the Month – Pavel Mintyukov (Saginaw Spirit):
For the third straight month, Anaheim Ducks prospect Pavel Mintyukov of the Saginaw Spirit is the OHL Defenceman of the Month, leading all defenders with 16 points including two goals and 14 assists in 10 games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-8. Mintyukov’s continued dominance on the blue line helped the Western Conference-leading Spirit play to a December record of 6-3-1-0 as they roll into the new year with four consecutive wins. His month included five consecutive multi-point showings, starting with a goal and an assist on Dec. 11th as the Spirit fell to the North Bay Battalion 4-2. He recorded four assists the following game at home as the Spirit defeated the Flint Firebirds 5-1 on Dec. 14th. Mintyukov went on to register a goal and two helpers on Dec. 29th against Sault Ste. Marie, scoring the overtime winner as the Spirit defeated the Greyhounds 5-4. He rounded-out December with a pair of assists in a 7-4 win over the Flint Firebirds on Dec. 30th, followed by another three helpers in a 5-3 win over the Birds on Dec. 31st as the Spirit took a 4-1 lead in the I-75 Divide Cup. Mintyukov becomes the League’s first blueliner on record to ever receive three consecutive OHL Defenceman of the Month honours.

A 19-year-old blueliner standing 6-foot-3 and 195Ibs., Mintyukov sits third in OHL scoring with 51 points (14-37–51) in 34 games this season, paired with the League’s second-best plus/minus rating of plus-27. He became the first defenceman to ever lead the Spirit in scoring last season, recording 62 points (17-45–62) in 67 games before being selected 10th overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2022 NHL Draft. The Spirit selected Mintyukov with the 52nd overall pick of the 2020 CHL Import Draft. He was voted to the OHL’s third all-star team last season.

OHL Goaltender of the Month – Anson Thornton (Barrie Colts):
Arizona Coyotes prospect Anson Thornton of the Barrie Colts is the OHL Goaltender of the Month for December, playing to a 5-0-0-1 record with a 2.25 goals-against average, .945 save percentage and one shutout. Thornton was busy, making at least 36 saves in all six of his December outings. He stopped 38 of the 40 shots that came his way on Dec. 4th as the Colts defeated his former Sarnia Sting teammates 3-2 in overtime. He turned aside 45 shots the following week at home as the Colts defeated the Saginaw Spirit by a score of 5-2 on Dec. 8th. Thornton registered another 40-plus save showing on Dec. 17th as Barrie defeated the Central Division-leading North Bay Battalion 6-3. He closed out December with his first shoutout of the campaign on Dec. 31st, making 38 saves as the Colts defeated the Guelph Storm 8-0. Thornton earned star of the game recognition five times in December, three times being named first star while being named second star twice.

A 19-year-old Oshawa, Ont. native, Thornton owns a 10-6-1-2 record with a 3.40 goals-against average and .906 save percentage through 19 games in his second OHL season. The 6-foot-4, 187lb. goaltender has played to a career mark of 18-22-1-2 with a 3.77 goals-against average and .893 save percentage in 45 regular season games between Barrie and Sarnia. Thornton signed an entry-level NHL contract as a free agent with the Arizona Coyotes after attending the team’s training camp in October 2021. He was originally Sarnia’s first round (3rd overall) pick in the 2020 OHL U18 Priority Selection. Thornton won an OHL Cup championship with the Don Mills Flyers U16 program in 2019.

OHL Rookie of the Month – Zayne Parekh (Saginaw Spirit):
Saginaw Spirit blueliner Zayne Parekh is the OHL Rookie of the Month for December, recording 10 points including six goals and four assists in 10 games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-7. Parekh recorded points in eight of his 10 December contests, finishing the month with points in four consecutive showings. He had a two-point night on Dec. 6th, recording a goal and an assist as the Spirit defeated the Erie Otters 8-3. He did the same on Dec. 30th as the Spirit defeated the rival Flint Firebirds 7-4. Parekh finished the month with his 11th goal of the season on Dec. 31st as the Spirit took another 5-3 win over Flint. Parekh becomes the first rookie defenceman in Saginaw Spirit history to earn OHL Rookie of the Month honours.

A 16-year-old from Nobleton, Ont., Parekh has been an offensive threat from the blue line with 20 points (11-9–20) in 24 games. His 11 goals this season lead all OHL rookie blueliners. Parekh was Saginaw’s first round (19th overall) pick in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection from the Markham Majors U16 program.

2022-23 OHL Performers of the Month:

Player of the Month:
December – Francesco Pinelli (Kitchener Rangers)
November – Sean McGurn (London Knights)
October – Brennan Othmann (Flint Firebirds)

Defenceman of the Month:
December – Pavel Mintyukov (Saginaw Spirit)
November – Pavel Mintyukov (Saginaw Spirit)
October – Pavel Mintyukov (Saginaw Spirit)

Goaltender of the Month:
December – Anson Thornton (Barrie Colts)
November – Tristan Lennox (Saginaw Spirit)
October – Michael Simpson (Peterborough Petes)

Rookie of the Month:
December – Zayne Parekh (Saginaw Spirit)
November – Oliver Bonk (London Knights)
October – Michael Misa (Saginaw Spirit)


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.

LOCKHART AND SIMPSON NAMEDOHL 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, January 1, 2023.



Petes’ Connor Lockhart Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

Vancouver Canucks prospect Connor Lockhart of the Peterborough Petes is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, posting four goals, five assists and nine points in three games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-7.

Lockhart helped the Petes take three wins last week, extending their current winning streak to five games. He recorded a goal and an assist as the Petes defeated the Mississauga Steelheads 5-1 on Thursday. Lockhart’s success continued on Friday as he contributed four helpers in a 6-2 road win over the Kitchener Rangers. The Petes forward finished the weekend with a natural hat-trick in the second period on Sunday as Peterborough opened the new year with a 6-1 win over the rival Oshawa Generals.

A 19-year-old from Kanata, Ont., Lockhart has recorded 13 goals, 29 assists and 42 points in 32 games this season. He’s produced 117 points (45-72–117) over 153 career OHL regular season games between Peterborough and Erie since being selected by the Otters with the third overall pick of the 2019 OHL Priority Selection. Lockhart was selected in the sixth round (178th overall) by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2021 NHL Draft.

Also considered for the award this week, Lockhart’s Petes linemates Tucker Robertson (4-5–9) and J.R. Avon (4-4–8) were also productive while Saginaw Spirit blueliner Pavel Mintyukov had eight points (1-7–8) in three victories including an overtime game winner.

2022-23 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Dec. 26 – Jan. 1: Connor Lockhart (Peterborough Petes)
Dec. 12 – Dec. 18: Evan Vierling (Barrie Colts)
Dec. 5 – Dec. 11: Ryan Gagnier (Oshawa Generals)
Nov. 28 – Dec. 4: Quentin Musty (Sudbury Wolves)
Nov. 21 – Nov. 27: Jorian Donovan (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Nov. 14 – Nov. 20: Matthew Poitras (Guelph Storm)
Nov. 7 – Nov. 13: Brody Crane (London Knights)
Oct. 31 – Nov. 6: Matvey Petrov (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 24 – Oct. 30: Deni Goure (Owen Sound Attack)
Oct. 17 – Oct. 23: Owen Beck (Mississauga Steelheads)
Oct. 10 – Oct. 16: Matthew Maggio (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 3 – Oct. 9: Pavel Mintyukov (Saginaw Spirit) 
Sept. 29 – Oct. 2: Tucker Robertson (Peterborough Petes)
 



Petes’ Michael Simpson Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Michael Simpson of the Peterborough Petes is the OHL Goaltender of the Week for the second time this season, posting a 2-0 record with a 1.00 goals-against average and .973 save percentage.

Helping Peterborough close out the 2022 calendar year with a pair of victories, Simpson turned aside 40 of the 41 shots he faced in a first star performance as the Petes defeated the Mississauga Steelheads 5-1 on Thursday. The six-foot-one, 198 lb. goaltender was back between the pipes on Sunday, backstopping the Petes to a 6-1 road victory over the Oshawa Generals where he made 33 saves for the win.

A 19-year-old from London, Ont., Simpson leads the OHL with a 2.57 goals-against average, .919 save percentage and two shutouts through 27 games, posting a record of 14-9-1-2. The second-year netminder played to a 20-18-3-1 mark in 2021-22, registering a 3.56 goals-against average and .891 save percentage. Simpson was a 10th round (193rd overall) pick of the Petes in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection from the London Jr. Knights U16 program.

Also in the running for the award this week, London Knights netminder Brett Brochu turned aside 61 shots, going 2-0 with a 1.50 goals-against average and .953 save percentage. Arizona Coyotes prospect Anson Thornton of the Barrie Colts also went 2-0 with a 1.93 goals-against average, .949 save percentage and a shoutout victory.

2022-23 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Dec. 26 – Jan. 1: Michael Simpson (Peterborough Petes)
Dec. 12 – Dec. 18: Marco Costantini (Kitchener Rangers)
Dec. 5 – Dec. 11: Owen Flores (Niagara IceDogs)
Nov. 28 – Dec. 4: Dom DiVincentiis (North Bay Battalion)
Nov. 21 – Nov. 27: Brett Brochu (London Knights)
Nov. 14 – Nov. 20: Michael Simpson (Peterborough Petes)
Nov. 7 – Nov. 13: Joe Ranger (Sudbury Wolves)
Oct. 31 – Nov. 6: Tristan Lennox (Saginaw Spirit)
Oct. 24 – Oct. 30: Carter George (Owen Sound Attack)
Oct. 17 – Oct. 23: Collin MacKenzie (Ottawa 67’s)
Oct. 10 – Oct. 16: Ivan Zhigalov (Kingston Frontenacs)
Oct. 3 – Oct. 9: Alessio Beglieri (Mississauga Steelheads)
Sept. 29 – Oct. 2: Ben Gaudreau (Sarnia Sting)


About the Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the world’s largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American states. In addition to the OHL, the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League and U SPORTS than any other league.