OHL ANNOUNCES 2019-20 ALL-STAR AND ALL-ROOKIE TEAMS

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

All Star Teams

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the First, Second and Third All-Star Team selections along with the First and Second All-Rookie Team selections for the 2019-20 season.

The OHL All-Star Teams were selected by the OHL’s General Managers, with voting conducted in two stages beginning with a Conference ballot followed by a final ballot that integrated the top selections from both the Eastern and Western Conference results.

Headlining the First Team is Red Tilson Trophy recipient and OHL scoring leader Marco Rossi of the Ottawa 67’s who becomes the first 67’s player to be selected to the League’s First All-Star Team since Tyler Toffoli in 2011-12. The top 2020 NHL Draft prospect led the entire Canadian Hockey League with 120 points, producing at a 2.14 point-per-game clip for the OHL’s first place team. Joining Rossi in the forward ranks was OHL goal-scoring leader Nick Robertson of the Peterborough Petes, a Toronto Maple Leafs prospect who lit the lamp 55 times in just 46 games. Flanking the right side is Los Angeles Kings prospect Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs who scored 48 goals and posted 98 points in 57 games. OHL Defenceman of the Year Noel Hoefenmayer of the Ottawa 67’s stands out on the blue line after recording a league-best 82 points including 26 goals over 58 games. Top draft eligible rearguard Jamie Drysdale joins Hoefenmayer on the back end after a sophomore season with the Erie Otters that included 47 points over 49 games. Fellow Canadian National Junior Team gold medalist Nico Daws of the Guelph Storm, who was voted OHL Goaltender of the Year, was appointed as a First Team All-Star netminder after posting a league-high .924 save percentage and five shutouts. OHL Coach of the Year Andre Tourigny of the Ottawa 67’s rounds out the group, being voted to the OHL’s First All-Star Team for a second consecutive year.

Washington Capitals first round pick Connor McMichael is positioned down the middle on the Second Team, joined by wingers in 111-point scorer Cole Perfetti of the Saginaw Spirit and fifth-year overage veteran Joseph Garreffa of the Ottawa 67’s. Dallas Stars first round selection Thomas Harley of the Mississauga Steelheads joins New Jersey Devils prospect Kevin Bahl on the back end while 2020 OHL Humanitarian of the Year and Los Angeles Kings prospect Jacob Ingham of the Kitchener Rangers holds down the crease. Dale Hunter of the London Knights was voted Second Team Head Coach, being selected to an All-Star Team for the sixth time in his OHL coaching career.

Top 2020 NHL Draft prospect Quinton Byfield of the Sudbury Wolves was voted Third Team centreman. He’s accompanied on the wings by Guelph Storm 45-goal scorer Pavel Gogolev and Sarnia Sting overage veteran Sean Josling who led his team with 78 points. The Third Team defence corps consists of the London Knights tandem of Chicago Blackhawks prospect Alec Regula and San Jose Sharks first round pick Ryan Merkley while Ottawa 67’s netminder Cedrick Andree is in goal. George Burnett of the Guelph Storm was voted to an OHL All-Star Team for the seventh time in his career, being named Third Team Head Coach.

A total of 11 teams were represented among the All-Star selections led by the Hamilton Spectator Trophy recipient Ottawa 67’s with six including First Team members Rossi, Hoefenmayer and Tourigny, Second Team selections Garreffa and Bahl and Third Team selection Andree. The Midwest Division champion London Knights trailed with four selections including Second Team members McMichael and coach Dale Hunter as well as Third Team defenders Merkley and Regula.

The Ontario Hockey League also unveiled its First and Second All-Rookie Teams for the 2019-20 season.

OHL Rookie of the Year and 2019 OHL Priority Selection first overall pick Shane Wright of the Kingston Frontenacs headlined the First All-Rookie Team, being joined by former Don Mills Flyers Minor Midget teammates in second overall OHL Priority Selection choice Brennan Othmann of the Flint Firebirds and fourth overall pick Brandt Clarke of the Barrie Colts on the back end. Sudbury Wolves winger Chase Stillman and Finnish-born Windsor Spitfires rearguard Ruben Rafkin joined London Knights standout netminder Brett Brochu in completing the First Team.

The Second Team is centred by 2019 fifth overall OHL Priority Selection choice and Peterborough Petes 29-goal scorer Mason McTavish. He’s joined up front by CHL Import Draft selections and 2020 NHL Draft prospects Martin Chromiak of the Kingston Frontenacs and Oliver Suni of the Oshawa Generals. On the blue line, North Bay Battalion rearguard Paul Christopoulos joins Saginaw Spirit defender Mitchell Smith in front of North Bay goaltender Joe Vrbetic to round out the group.

A total of 10 different teams were represented among the All-Rookie Team selections led by the Kingston Frontenacs and North Bay Battalion with a pair each.

2019-20 OHL All-Star Teams:

First All-Star Team:
C – Marco Rossi, Ottawa 67’s (OHL’s Most Outstanding Player) – voted 2nd all-rookie team in 2018-19
LW – Nick Robertson, Peterborough Petes
RW – Arthur Kaliyev, Hamilton Bulldogs – voted 2nd team in 2018-19, 2nd all-rookie team in 2017-18
D – Noel Hoefenmayer, Ottawa 67’s (OHL Defenceman of the Year)
D – Jamie Drysdale, Erie Otters – voted 1st all-rookie team in 2018-19
G – Nico Daws, Guelph Storm (OHL Goaltender of the Year)
Coach – Andre Tourigny, Ottawa 67’s (OHL Coach of the Year) – voted 1st team in 2018-19

Second All-Star Team:
C – Connor McMichael, London Knights
LW – Cole Perfetti, Saginaw Spirit – voted 1st all-rookie team in 2018-19
RW – Joseph Garreffa, Ottawa 67’s
D – Thomas Harley, Mississauga Steelheads – voted 3rd team in 2018-19
D – Kevin Bahl, Ottawa 67’s
G – Jacob Ingham, Kitchener Rangers – voted 1st team all-rookie in 2016-17
Coach – Dale Hunter, London Knights – voted 3rd team in 2018-19, 1st team in 2009-10, 2nd team in 2005-06, 1st team in 2004-05, 1st team in 2003-04

Third All-Star Team:
C – Quinton Byfield, Sudbury Wolves – voted 1st all-rookie team in 2018-19
LW – Pavel Gogolev, Guelph Storm
RW – Sean Josling, Sarnia Sting
D – Alec Regula, London Knights – voted 1st team all-rookie in 2017-18
D – Ryan Merkley, London Knights – voted 1st team all-rookie in 2016-17
G – Cedrick Andree, Ottawa 67’s
Coach – George Burnett, Guelph Storm – voted 2nd team in 2012-13, 2nd team in 2008-09, 3rd team in 2007-08, 2nd team in 1997-98, 1st team in 1991-92, 1st team in 1990-91

2019-20 OHL All-Rookie Teams:

First All-Rookie Team:
C – Shane Wright, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL Rookie of the Year)
LW – Brennan Othmann, Flint Firebirds
RW – Chase Stillman, Sudbury Wolves
D – Brandt Clarke, Barrie Colts
D – Ruben Rafkin, Windsor Spitfires
G – Brett Brochu, London Knights

Second All-Rookie Team:
C – Mason McTavish, Peterborough Petes
LW – Martin Chromiak, Kingston Frontenacs
RW – Oliver Suni, Oshawa Generals
D – Paul Christopoulos, North Bay Battalion
D – Mitchell Smith, Saginaw Spirit
G – Joe Vrbetic, North Bay Battalion

For full coverage of the 2020 OHL Awards, be sure to visit ontariohockeyleague.com or follow along on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

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. For more information visit http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/.

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OHL ANNOUNCES 2019-20 REGULAR SEASON AWARD WINNERS

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

OHL awards

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the recipients of four of the league’s annual awards following the conclusion of the 2019-20 regular season.

Offensively, 2020 NHL Draft prospect Marco Rossi of the Ottawa 67’s captured the League’s scoring title earning the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy, while Los Angeles Kings prospect Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs is the recipient of the Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy for Top Scoring Right Winger.  Recognizing defensive efforts, the goaltending tandem of the team with the fewest goals against goes to Ottawa 67’s Cedrick Andree and Will Cranley who earn the Dave Pinkney Trophy, while Brett Brochu of the London Knights claims the F.W “Dinty” Moore Trophy as the rookie with the best goals-against average.

Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy (Scoring Champion): Marco Rossi, Ottawa 67’s

Marco Rossi finished atop the regular season scoring charts earning the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy with a CHL-leading 120 points including 39 goals, 81 assists and an impressive plus/minus rating of plus-69 over just 53 games. His 2.14 point-per-game pace led the OHL and is the highest such figure by an OHL scoring champion since London’s Patrick Kane (2.50) in 2006-07. He becomes the first Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy recipient of European descent in the award’s 74-year history.

The 18-year-old from Feldkirch, Austria helped power the first place 67’s with the League’s top power play, rounding out the campaign with a total of 34 multi-point performances, 23 of which included three points or more. His top performances included a five assist showing on October 20th against Hamilton, another five point outing on November 17th in Sarnia and a career-high six point output on November 27th in Kingston. The 5-foot-9, 187Ib. centreman finished the season with an impressive 58.5% success rate in the faceoff circle.

The fifth-ranked North American skater on NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Draft Rankings competed in the 2020 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game this past January in Hamilton. Rossi, who was named to the OHL’s second all-rookie team in 2018-19, has accumulated 185 points (68-117–185) over just 109 regular season games since being selected by the 67’s with the 18th overall pick of the 2018 CHL Import Draft.

Rossi becomes the seventh player in 67’s franchise history to earn the award, following Tyler Toffoli (2011), two-time winner Corey Locke (2003, 2004), Andrew Cassels (1988), Jim Fox (1980), Bobby Smith (1978) and Blake Dunlop (1973). He follows other recent OHL standouts who won the award in their draft eligible seasons including Erie’s Dylan Strome (2015), Windsor’s Taylor Hall (2010), Plymouth’s Tyler Seguin (2010), London’s John Tavares (2009) and London’s Patrick Kane (2007).

The Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy was donated by the Toronto Marlboro Athletic Club in memory of Eddie Powers and was first awarded in 1945-46 to Tod Sloan of St. Michael’s who scored 79 points in 25 games.  Jason Robertson of the Niagara IceDogs was last year’s recipient with 117 points in 62 games including 48 goals and 69 assists.  Other recent winners include Barrie’s Aaron Luchuk (2018), Erie’s Alex DeBrincat (2017) and Barrie’s Kevin Labanc (2016).

Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy (Top Scoring Right Winger): Arthur Kaliyev, Hamilton Bulldogs

Los Angeles Kings prospect Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs finished fifth in OHL scoring but led all right wingers with 98 points including 44 goals and 54 assists in 57 games.

The 18-year-old from Staten Island, NY became the Bulldogs’ all-time leader in both career points (248) and goals (126) this past season, leading the team offensively while setting a new single season club mark for assists with 54.

Kaliyev was the OHL’s Player of the Month for October. His season was highlighted by 29 different multi-point performances including a career-high five-point effort on January 9th in Niagara. The former second round (26th overall) pick of the Bulldogs in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection finished with the League’s second-highest total of 288 shots on goal as he becomes the first Hamilton player in OHL history to earn the award.

Kaliyev, who was a second team all-star in 2018-19 and represented the United States at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship, was a second round (33rd overall) pick by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2019 NHL Draft. He follows in the footsteps of former long-time Kings forward Jim Fox (Ottawa 67’s, 1979-80) as well as recent Kings winger Tyler Toffoli (Ottawa 67’s, 2011-12) in winning the award.

The Jim Mahon Trophy was first presented following the 1971-72 season by the players and management of the Peterborough Petes in memory of their right winger Jim Mahon who was accidentally killed that summer.  Justin Brazeau of the North Bay Battalion was last year’s recipient with 113 points in 68 games scoring 61 goals with 52 assists.  Recent winners also include Jordan Kyrou of the Sarnia Sting in 2018, Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters in 2017, Kevin Labanc of the Barrie Colts in 2016, and Mitch Marner of the London Knights in 2015.

Dave Pinkney Trophy (Lowest Team Goals Against): Cedrick Andree and Will Cranley, Ottawa 67’s

The Ottawa 67’s allowed the fewest goals in the OHL for the second straight season, surrendering just 164 over a 62-game schedule backstopped by the tandem of Cedrick Andree and Will Cranley.

Andree and Cranley guided the 67’s to a second consecutive Hamilton Spectator Trophy as OHL regular season champions as Ottawa played to an overall record of 50-11-0-1 for 101 points. It marks the third time in franchise history that the Barber Poles have won 50 games and the fifth time they’ve finished first overall in the regular season standings.

Andree finished with the League’s second-lowest goals-against average of 2.42, second-highest win total of 32 as part of a 32-9-0-1 record along with a .916 save percentage and four shutouts over 43 games. The 19-year-old from Orleans, Ont. was a 12th round (232nd overall) pick by the club in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection. He claimed the Pinkney Trophy alongside Michael DiPietro in 2018-19 and becomes the first back-to-back recipient since Mississauga’s JP Anderson won consecutively in 2010 and 2011.

Cranley, who appeared in just 11 games with the 67’s in 2018-19, went an impressive 18-2-0-0 with a 2.81 goals-against average, .894 save percentage and four shutouts over 21 appearances. His 18 wins are the most by a 67’s designated rookie since Lukas Mensator (26) in 2002-03 while his four shutouts are the most by a 67’s designated rookie since Levente Szuper had just as many in 1998-99.  The 18-year-old from Peterborough, Ont. was a second round (35th overall) pick by Ottawa in 2018 and was the 16th ranked North American goaltender on NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Rankings released in mid-January.

This marks the seventh time the 67’s have led the league with the fewest goals against. They become the first back-to-back winners of the award since the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors claimed the honours in both 2010 and 2011. It marks the second time that Ottawa has won the award in consecutive seasons as a trio of Craig Hillier, Seamus Kotyk and Tim Keyes combined to earn the distinction in both 1997 and 1998. Other 67’s netminders with their names engraved on the trophy include Darren Pang (1983-84), Greg Coram (1983-84), Jim Ralph (1980-81) and Michal Larocque (1971-72).

The Dave Pinkney Trophy is awarded annually to the goaltending tandem from the team that allows the fewest goals against during the regular season.

F.W. “Dinty” Moore Trophy (Best Rookie GAA): Brett Brochu, London Knights

Brett Brochu of the London Knights capped off his record-breaking season with the best goals-against-average among OHL rookie goaltenders at 2.40, the lowest figure among recipients since 2012-13.

The 17-year-old product of Tilbury, Ont. suited up in 42 games with the Knights this season, posting a 32-6-0-0 record with the league’s lowest goals-against average and third-highest save percentage of .919. His 32 wins on the year came one short of the League lead and set a new record for the most victories by a 16 or 17-year-old first-year goaltender in OHL history, surpassing the previous mark set by John Vanbiesbrouck (Sault Ste. Marie, 1980-81) and Andrew Loverock (Mississauga, 2006-07).

Brochu was recognized as OHL Rookie and Goaltender of the Month in January and was awarded the League’s top goaltender honours once again in February. A sixth round pick of the Knights in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection out of the Chatham-Kent Cyclones Minor Midget program, Brochu spent the 2018-19 season with the PJHL’s Dresden Jr. Kings where was named Stobbs Division Rookie of the Year with a 27-11-0 record, 2.46 goals-against average and .915 save percentage over 38 regular season games. He proceeded to go 6-5 in the playoffs with a 2.10 goals-against average, a .931 save percentage and two shutouts.

Brochu becomes the fourth Knight to earn the distinction after former teammate Jordan Kooy (3.11 GAA in 2017-18), Ryan MacDonald (2.06 GAA in 2003-04), Sean Basilio (3.65 GAA in 1989-90), and Barry Heard (3.28 GAA in 1976-77).

The trophy is named after F.W. “Dinty” Moore of Port Colborne, Ont., who served as OHA President from 1942-45. In order to qualify for this rookie award, a goaltender must play a minimum of 900 minutes. Last year’s recipient was Sault Ste. Marie’s Ethan Taylor with a 3.24 goals-against average.

KNIGHTS’ LIAM FOUDY NAMED OHL ‘ON THE RUN’ PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Foudy

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Liam Foudy of the London Knights is the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week with seven points in three games including two goals and five assists along with a plus/minus rating of plus-4.

Foudy’s recognition marks the fourth time a Knights player has received the honour this season after he registered multi-point outcomes in all three of London’s wins last week. The fleet-footed winger picked up a pair of assists in Wednesday’s 4-3 overtime win over the Guelph Storm before he earned first star honours with a goal and a helper in Friday’s 4-2 victory over the Soo Greyhounds. Foudy was the third star of Sunday’s 6-3 road win over the Erie Otters, notching a goal and two assists as the Knights improved to 41-15-1-1 for first place in the Western Conference.

A 20-year-old native of Scarborough, Ont., Foudy is riding a 14-game point streak that dates back to Jan. 26th, a span in which he also suited up in two NHL contests with the Columbus Blue Jackets, recording his first career NHL point with an assist on Feb. 13th in Buffalo. The 6-foot-1, 182Ib. left-winger sits fourth in London scoring with 62 points (26-36–62) over 41 games including a team-leading plus-34 rating. The former first round (18th overall) pick by the Knights in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection has accumulated 185 points (95-90–185) over 226 career regular season games. He won gold as a member of Canada’s National Junior Team at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in January. Foudy was Columbus’ first round (18th overall) pick in the 2018 NHL Draft.

A pair of other candidates were also given consideration for the award, ones that performed well despite their clubs going winless over the course of the week. Erie Otters forward Chad Yetman registered eight points (3-5–8) over three contests to reach the 70-point mark on the season. Hamilton’s Arthur Kaliyev tied the Bulldogs’ franchise points mark, coming within three points of 100 on the campaign with eight points (1-7–8) over three outings.

OTR_2017_Logo

2019-20 OHL ‘On the Run’ Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Feb. 24 – Mar. 1: Liam Foudy (London Knights)
Feb. 17 – Feb. 23: Tyler Tucker (Flint Firebirds)
Feb. 10 – Feb. 16: Cole Perfetti (Saginaw Spirit)
Feb. 3 – Feb. 9: Evgeniy Oksentyuk (Flint Firebirds)
Jan. 27 – Feb. 2: Connor McMichael (London Knights)
Jan. 20 – Jan. 26: Ty Dellandrea (Flint Firebirds)
Jan. 13 – Jan. 19: Mitchell Hoelscher (Ottawa 67’s)
Jan. 6 – Jan. 12: Philip Tomasino (Oshawa Generals)
Dec. 30 – Jan. 5: Jacob Ingham (Kitchener Rangers)
Dec. 16 – Dec. 29: Joseph Garreffa (Ottawa 67’s)
Dec. 9 – Dec. 15: Jacob Ingham (Kitchener Rangers)
Dec. 2 – Dec. 8: Ty Dellandrea (Flint Firebirds)
Nov. 25 – Dec. 1: Marco Rossi (Ottawa 67’s)
Nov. 18 – Nov. 24: Riley McCourt (Flint Firebirds)
Nov. 11 – Nov. 17: Jan Jenik (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Nov. 4 – Nov. 10: Cam Hillis (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 28 – Nov. 3: Connor McMichael (London Knights)
Oct. 21 – Oct. 27: Nico Daws (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 14 – Oct. 20: Hunter Jones (Peterborough Petes)
Oct. 7 – Oct. 13: Mack Guzda (Owen Sound Attack)
Sept. 24 – Oct. 6: Philip Tomasino (Niagara IceDogs)
Sept. 23 – Sept. 29: Connor McMichael (London Knights)
Sept. 19 – Sept. 22: Semyon Der-Arguchintsev (Peterborough Petes)

KNIGHTS’ CONNOR MCMICHAEL NAMED OHL ‘ON THE RUN’ PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

McMichael

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Washington Capitals prospect Connor McMichael of the London Knights is the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week with eight points including four goals and four assists over two weekend contests.

• HIGHLIGHTS: McMichael’s career-high six point night
• HIGHLIGHTS: McMichael helps Knights defeat Generals

McMichael earns the award for the second time this season, helping the Knights win back-to-back games to give them victories in five of their past six. The 6-foot, 181Ib. centre registered a career-high six points, scoring the overtime winner in Friday’s 7-6 win over the visiting Erie Otters. With the game tied 4-4, McMichael scored late in the second period before tying things up with 1:05 remaining in regulation. He capped-off his hat-trick with 1:56 remaining in overtime, becoming the first Knights player to record six points in a game since Robert Thomas on October 27, 2017. McMichael continued his strong weekend with a goal and an assist in Sunday’s 5-1 road win over the Oshawa Generals, earning second star honours while extending his run of consecutive multi-point performances to six.

An 18-year-old native of Ajax, Ont., McMichael sits second in OHL scoring with 34 points (17-17–34) over 14 games, with 19 of those points coming over his past six outings. The former 11th overall pick in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection has split his three-year OHL career between London and Hamilton, recording 61 goals, 61 assists and 122 points over 141 regular season games. He was Washington’s first round (25th overall) pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. McMichael will represent Team OHL in this week’s CIBC Canada Russia Series.

Also considered for the award this week were Hamilton Bulldogs teammates Arthur Kaliyev and Jan Jenik who each posted four goals, four assists and eight points over three games as the Bulldogs played to a 2-1 record.

OTR_2017_Logo

2019-20 OHL ‘On the Run’ Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Oct. 30 – Nov. 3: Connor McMichael (London Knights)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 27: Nico Daws (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 14 – Oct. 20: Hunter Jones (Peterborough Petes)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 13: Mack Guzda (Owen Sound Attack)
Oct. 3 – Oct. 6: Philip Tomasino (Niagara IceDogs)
Sept. 26 – Sept. 29: Connor McMichael (London Knights)
Sept. 19 – Sept. 22: Semyon Der-Arguchintsev (Peterborough Petes)

OHL ANNOUNCES TOP PERFORMERS OF THE MONTH FOR OCTOBER

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Top Performers October

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the Top OHL Performers of the Month for regular season games played in October 2019, including Hamilton Bulldogs forward Arthur Kaliyev, Ottawa 67’s defenceman Noel Hoefenmayer and Peterborough Petes teammates Mason McTavish and Hunter Jones.

OHL Player of the Month – Arthur Kaliyev (Hamilton Bulldogs):
Los Angeles Kings prospect Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs is the OHL Player of the Month for October after leading the league with 25 points, putting up 14 goals and 11 assists over 12 games to go with a plus/minus rating of plus-4. The 6-foot-2, 190Ib. winger recorded points in 11 of his 12 October outings including eight different multi-point performances. Kaliyev’s month was headlined by back-to-back four point performances on October 11th and 14th as he scored a career-high four goals in a 4-1 road win over the Erie Otters followed by two goals and two assists in a 7-5 win over visiting Barrie. He recorded two goals and an assist in a 4-2 road win over the Kingston Frontenacs on October 18th and ended the month with another three-point performance in Wednesday’s 5-4 win over Barrie that included a goal and two helpers. Kaliyev earned star of the game recognition on six different occasions, being named first star three times.

An 18-year-old native of Staten Island, NY, Kaliyev sits tied for the OHL lead in goals with 16, tacking on 15 assists for 31 points over 16 games. After finishing second in OHL shots on goal last season, Kaliyev is on top of the league with 88 to his credit thus far. Now in his third season, Kaliyev comes off a 102-point campaign in 2018-19 and has amassed 181 points (98-83–181) over 151 career regular season games, all spent in a Bulldogs uniform. He helped Hamilton hoist the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL Champions in 2017-18, becoming the first rookie in Bulldogs all-time franchise history to score over 30 goals in a season. Kaliyev was a second round (33rd overall) pick of the Los Angeles Kings this past summer after originally being Hamilton’s second round (26th overall) pick in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection. He attended USA Hockey’s World Junior Summer Showcase this past August.

OHL Defenceman of the Month – Noel Hoefenmayer (Ottawa 67’s):
Ottawa 67’s overage defenceman Noel Hoefenmayer is the OHL Defenceman of the Month for October after leading all rearguards with 16 points including five goals and 11 assists along with a plus/minus rating of plus-12 over nine contests. Hoefenmayer recorded at least one point in eight of his nine October appearances, finishing the month strong with two game winning goals in his last three contests. The 6-foot-1, 196Ib. blueliner recorded a goal and an assist to help the 67’s charge back to defeat the Kingston Frontenacs 8-7 on October 14th. He potted his first career OHL hat-trick, capping it off with the overtime winner in a 5-4 win over visiting Hamilton on October 20th. Hoefenmayer followed that impressive performance with another three-point showing, recording a goal and two assists with the third period game winner in a 4-3 win over the Kitchener Rangers on October 25th. His latest outing yielded a season-high four points as he picked up four helpers in a 7-2 win over the Sarnia Sting on October 27th.

A 20-year-old native of North York, Ont., Hoefenmayer leads OHL defencemen with 21 points (6-15–21) over 13 games this season. His 253 career regular season games are fifth-most in 67’s franchise history as he’s collected 161 points (45-116–161) along the way. The fifth-year defender who helped the 67’s win an Eastern Conference title last spring was a fourth round (108th overall) pick of the Arizona Coyotes in the 2017 NHL Draft before going unsigned. Hoefenmayer attended rookie camp with the Carolina Hurricanes this past September. He was Ottawa’s second round (36th overall) pick in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection.

OHL Rookie of the Month – Mason McTavish (Peterborough Petes):
Peterborough Petes forward Mason McTavish is the OHL Rookie of the Month for October after leading all rookies with eight goals along with a pair of assists for 10 points in 11 games. The 6-foot, 198Ib. centreman bookended the month with a pair of two-goal performances, helping the Petes take a 5-2 win in North Bay on October 3rd before recently lighting the lamp twice in a 10-3 win over the Mississauga Steelheads on October 26th. McTavish also scored the game winner in Peterborough’s 6-3 road win over the Sarnia Sting on October 11th and was an impressive 67.8% (38/56) in the faceoff circle over the course of the month.

A 16-year-old native of Pembroke, Ont., McTavish leads OHL rookies with 10 goals along with four assists for 14 points in as many games this season. He’s currently second among rookies in shots on goal with 39 and has helped the Petes to a 10-4-0-0 record on the season including an 8-3-0-0 away from home. The Pembroke Lumber Kings Midget AAA graduate was the fifth overall pick of the 2019 OHL Priority Selection. His father, Dale McTavish played four seasons in Peterborough from 1989-93, helping the Petes hoist the Robertson Cup in 1993.

OHL Goaltender of the Month – Hunter Jones (Peterborough Petes):
Minnesota Wild prospect Hunter Jones of the Peterborough Petes is the Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month for October after playing to an 8-1-0-0 record with a 2.34 goals-against average, .923 save percentage and one shutout over nine contests. The 6-foot-4, 198Ib. netminder ends the month on a four-game winning streak and provided 25 saves or more in six of his eight October victories. Jones locked down his first shutout of the season on October 9th in Saginaw, making 23 saves as the Petes blanked the Spirit 4-0. He turned in another first star performance on Oct. 18th in Ottawa, turning side 32 of 33 shots in a 3-1 win over the 67’s. Jones backstopped the Petes past the CHL’s top-ranked Oshawa Generals 2-1 on October 20th, turning side 28 of 29 shots.

A 19-year-old native of Brantford, Ont., Jones sits tied for the OHL lead with 10 wins accompanied by a 2.46 goals-against average and .920 save percentage over 11 games. The third-year veteran owns a career regular season record of 41-34-2-2 with a 3.54 goals-against average and .897 save percentage with four shutouts over 83 games. Jones was a second round (59th overall) pick of the Minnesota Wild this past summer and was originally Peterborough’s fifth round (89th overall) pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection. He attended Hockey Canada’s National Junior Team Summer Development Camp in August and will represent Team OHL in the upcoming 2019 CIBC Canada Russia Series.

2019-20 OHL Performers of the Month:

Player of the Month:
October – Arthur Kaliyev (Hamilton Bulldogs)

Defenceman of the Month:
October – Noel Hoefenmayer (Ottawa 67’s)

Rookie of the Month:
October – Mason McTavish (Peterborough Petes)

Goaltender of the Month:
October – Hunter Jones (Peterborough Petes)

Arthur Kaliyev – Hamilton Bulldogs – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 185 pounds

Date of birth: June 26, 2001

Hometown: Staten Island, NY

Position: Left Wing

Shoots: Left

OHL Draft: Round 2, 26th overall, 2017 Priority Selection

NHL Central Scouting Rankings: Pre-season, November: A Prospect. Mid-term: 11 North America

Coming into this season, it was widely expected that it would be a two-way race between Hamilton’s Arthur Kaliyev and Barrie’s Ryan Suzuki as the first player selected from the Ontario Hockey League for the 2019 National Hockey League Draft in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Then in January, much to the surprise of many onlookers, NHL Central Scouting released its mid-term rankings and by scouring the list you would find Mississauga’s Thomas Harley at number 9, followed Suzuki at 10 and Kaliyev at 11 among North American skaters.

My belief coming into this season was the same in January and remains the same today: If you’re looking for a playmaker that borders on elite, Suzuki is the name you call on the draft floor. If it’s the pure sniper your dreaming of then you call on the kid born in Tashkent, Usbekistan.

Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

The Kaliyev family moved to the United States when Arthur was just 11 months old. He came up playing through the Little Caesars hockey program, eventually playing for the Compuware Under-16 squad in his OHL Draft year. He appeared in 19 games that season scoring 13 goals while adding 5 assists and won an Under-16 Championship. The Bulldogs would use the 26th overall pick at the 2017 Priority Selection to nab Kaliyev.

OHL Central Scouting had this to say:

Arthur is a big, skilled power forward that isn’t afraid to get involved physically. He is a powerful player that has a good stride and is deceptively faster than most defencemen think. He shoots the puck like a junior already as his shot is very hard and he gets it off extremely quick. Arthur finds open ice very well and has the ability to hit the open holes just as the puck is getting there. He has great offensive instincts which are very hard to teach.

Kaliyev broke into the OHL a season ago on a star-studded Bulldogs’ roster that went on to win an OHL Championship and a birth in the Memorial Cup and playing mostly 4th line minutes. Yet he still managed to pot 31 goals and 17 assists while playing in all 68 games. He would add 3 more goals and 8 helpers in 21 playoff games. He was the first underage rookie to hit 30 goals since Alex Galchenyuk had 31 during the 2010-2011 season.

This season began with Kaliyev representing the United States at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup where he scored 3 goals and 3 assists in 5 games. He finished the season appearing in all but 1 games and scoring 51 goals and 51 assists and leading all draft eligible players in most offensive stats. At OHL Writers, we voted Kaliyev our Draft Eligible Player of the Year.

So, what do we have in Kaliyev?

Well, I had the chance to talk to Troy Izlakar, the analyst for Bulldogs’ games on Cable 14 in Hamilton. The first thing that caught my attention in talking to Troy was when he said, “Let’s face it, Arthur Kaliyev is a great hockey player. There, I said it! My broadcast partner Reed Duthie would be proud of me, despite the fact we still disagree on where he may get selected this June.  In fact, we even have a fun side bet as to where he’ll be selected in the upcoming NHL draft.”

And that in a nutshell is the consensus. Or lack of it. Ask two people their opinions and they will likely differ. Here’s the thing: Kaliyev’s offensive abilities are no secret to anyone. They are as pure and lethal as anyone in the draft class. The question one must ask is “has there been an improvement from year to year, and has there been ongoing improvement throughout his draft year?” If you answered no, then you haven’t been paying attention.

Kaliyev possesses an elite level shot, an NHL caliber shot. OHL coaches voted him as having the best shot in the Eastern Conference. Troy said “On the power play from his sweet spot on the right side, there is likely nobody better at the one timer in the OHL than the left shot Kaliyev.” His numbers suggest that he can beat a goaltender from anywhere on the ice. Kaliyev shot 31.6% from high danger zone shots, 11.9% from mid danger zone areas and 14.2% from low danger zone areas.

Kaliyev has very good size at 6’2” and moves well. What is lacking is his willingness to take the puck hard to the net. Troy agreed, saying “Kaliyev is a better then average skater and really impressed scouts at the recent CHL Prospects game. However, he will often prefer to glide into the offensive zone looking for or giving a pass rather than attempting a straight power move to the net. He possesses that ability, I’ve see it, would just like to see it more.” I don’t think Troy is being overly critical here, but I also believe with maturity and confidence, it will come to him.

While Kaliyev is known and will probably forever be known as a sniper first, one cannot ignore the strides made in his puck distribution skills. He has excellent vision, puck protection skills and a knack for finding seams. 28 of his 51 assists were primary assists, and that is a sign of ability regardless if it’s 5 on 5 or on the powerplay.

Troy added, “Kaliyev is a better play maker than he likely gets credit for, but again the benefit of the first team power play gives him more time and space to create. During the second half of the season, we witnessed Kaliyev turn a corner on being a consummate play maker, he’s really starting to make everyone around him better.”

Kaliyev isn’t overly physical for his size, but he is willing to battle when necessary. Troy took it a step further: “I’d like to see him win more one on one battles in the corners and in high dangers areas, but maturity and strength will improve that. Kaliyev doesn’t shy away from puck battles but I sometimes feel it’s not his favourite thing to do.”

The knock on Kaliyev has always been his defensive game. But I go back to the question: Has he shown improvement year over year and throughout his draft season? I let Troy answer (agree with me): “There are nights you expect a 17yr old hockey player to disappear from the radar at times and Arthur Kaliyev still has those nights, particularly in the defensive zone. He has made a noticeable improvement during the latter half of this season, chasing down offenders inside his own blue line and shoring up his half board responsibilities in the D zone. Things are improving.”

Troy closed out our chat by saying “There’s no doubt Kaliyev will play professional hockey, but at the moment there is still work to be done on his 200ft game for a team to make a generational top 10 pick. I have Kaliyev slotted around 15-20 for the upcoming draft, which would mean he would be drafted by a team that is in a position to give him time to continue to craft his game and become a more well-rounded prospect.”

As they say, time will tell.

Stat page from Elite Prospects

 

OHL Writers’ Draft Eligible Player of the Year

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Well, another Ontario Hockey League season has come to a close and the 2019 National Hockey League Draft begins to have more focus, it’s time for our Draft Eligible Player of the Year at OHL Writers. We tend to focus our attention on players eligible for the NHL draft and we’ve compiled notes on all of them. But this time of year, we pick one who has stood out the most.

And this year it’s Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Each month we select a Draft Eligible Player of the Month and we gave the nod to Kaliyev in January and February. 

Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Statistically speaking, you will find Kaliyev’s name all over the page. He led draft eligible players with 51 goals (4th best in the OHL), assists with 51 (17th in the OHL), points with 102 (6th in the OHL), shots on goal by a wide margin with 320 (2nd in the OHL), powerplay goals with 20 (2nd in the OHL), and 2nd in powerplay assists (20th in the OHL).

In the 2018-2019 Coaches Poll, Kaliyev was voted the second most dangerous in the goal area from the Eastern conference, the best shot in the Eastern Conference, and the hardest shot in the Eastern Conference.

Kaliyev is ranked 11th among North American Skaters (3rd from the OHL) by NHL Central Scouting, and 13th overall by TSN’s Bob McKenzie on their respective mid-term rankings.

OHL Writers’ Draft Eligible Player of the Month for February

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

February may be the shortest month of the year, but it produced the best offensive numbers of the season led by Hamilton Bulldogs’ sniper and our draft eligible player of the month, Arthur Kaliyev.

Kaliyev led the way with 11 goals and 10 assists in just 11 games as he attempts to hit the 50-goal, 50-assist plateau on the season. Entering tonight’s action, Kaliyev sits at 47 goals along with 46 assists in 60 games. Among draft eligible players, he is dominating in just about every offensive category.

Kaliyev finished February with points in 9 of his 11 games and 6 of those being multi-point games. Twice he was named the games first star as well as second star on two other occasions.

Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Also Considered were Flint Firebirds’ Ethan Keppen who had 8 goals and 5 assists in 10 games, and Cole MacKay of the Soo Greyhounds with 9 goals and 5 helpers in 12 games. In goal, Jet Greaves of the Barrie Colts led the way 286 of 310 shots in just 8 games for a .919 save-percentage. He was named CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending February 4.

Player of the Month

Arthur Kaliyev – Hamilton Bulldogs – February

Arthur Kaliyev – Hamilton Bulldogs – January

Connor McMichael – London Knights – December

Philip Tomasino – Niagara IceDogs – November

Hunter Jones – Peterborough Petes – October

OHL Writers’ Draft Eligible Player of the Month for January

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

For the first time this season, Hamilton Bulldogs’ forward and to prospect for the 2019 National Hockey League Draft Arthur Kaliyev is our draft eligible player of the month after having come close in previous months.

Kaliyev, who is ranked 11th on NHL Central Scouting’s mid term rankings among North American Skaters, appeared in 12 games for the Bulldogs in January scoring 10 goals while assisting on 8 others. He also notched a pair of goals at the Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.

Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Kaliyev leads all draft eligible players in goals, assists, points, shots and possesses the top three goal scoring streaks of the season as well as the longest assist streak of the season. He was named the OHL Player of the Week for the week ending January 7, 2019. In January, he was named the games’ first star twice and third star once.

Also considered were Mississauga Steelheads defenceman Thomas Harley and Niagara IceDogs forward Philip Tomasino. Harley recorded 4 goals and 11 helpers in 12 contests while Tomasino notched 9 goals and 7 helpers.

Harley was ranked by NHL Central Scouting 9th overall among North Americans and the top prospect from the OHL while Tomasino was ranked 24th.

Among goaltenders, Jet Greaves of the Barrie Colts gets our vote. Despite his record of 2-3-2 in January, Greaves posted a 2.42 goals-against-average and .926 save-percentage. Greaves is not ranked on Central Scouting’s mid term rankings.

Players of the month

Connor McMichael – London Knights – December

Philip Tomasino – Niagara Ice Dogs – November

Hunter Jones – Peterborough Petes – October

Rosters Announced for 2019 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League in association with National Hockey League Central Scouting have announced the rosters for the 2019 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game which takes place on Wednesday January 23 in Red Deer, Alberta.

Top Prospects Game

The 40 players from across the Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League selected by NHL clubs to compete in the 24th annual showcase of draft eligible talent have been divided into Team Cherry and Team Orr by NHL Central Scouting.

Team Cherry will be coached by Ron MacLean alongside Dave Hunter and Brent Sutter, with Team Orr to be coached by Kelly Hrudey with Robyn Regehr and Marc Habscheid.

NHL Central Scouting ‘A’ rated prospects Bowen Byram (Vancouver Giants), Dylan Cozens (Lethbridge Hurricanes), Nolan Foote (Kelowna Rockets), Arthur Kaliyev (Hamilton Bulldogs), Peyton Krebs (Kootenay ICE), Raphael Lavoie (Halifax Mooseheads), Samuel Poulin (Sherbrooke Phoenix), and Matthew Robertson (Edmonton Oil Kings) headline the Team Cherry roster.  The group also includes World Junior Championship talents in Mads Sogaard (Medicine Hat Tigers) from Denmark, and Valentin Nussbaumer (Shawinigan Cataractes) from Switzerland.  A total of 20 different CHL teams are represented on Team Cherry including eight WHL, six OHL, and six QMJHL clubs.  The home team will feature the host Rebels with forward Oleg Zaytsev.

‘A’ rated prospects on Team Orr include Kirby Dach (Saskatoon Blades), Vladislav Kolyachonok (Flint Firebirds), and Ryan Suzuki (Barrie Colts).  The group also includes Brett Leason (Prince Albert Raiders) who was a member of Canada’s National Junior Team.  The roster breakdown includes nine OHL players, with seven WHL, and four from the QMJHL representing a total of 17 CHL teams.  Kelowna Rockets defencemen Kaedan Korczak and Lassi Thomson will compete together, as will London Knights forwards Matvey Guskov and Connor McMichael, and teammates Nikita Okhotyuk and Graeme Clarke of the Ottawa 67’s.  The Rockets pair will play opposite Foote, Orr forward Josh Williams will face his Tigers teammate Sogaard, and Orr goaltender Hunter Jones will face his Peterborough Petes teammate Nick Robertson on Cherry.

2019 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Rosters:

Team Cherry:


Goaltenders:
Taylor Gauthier (Prince George Cougars)
Mads Sogaard (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Defencemen:
Samuel Bolduc (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)
Bowen Byram (Vancouver Giants)
Billy Constantinou (Kingston Frontenacs)
Thomas Harley (Mississauga Steelheads)
Matthew Robertson (Edmonton Oil Kings)
Michael Vukojevic (Kitchener Rangers)

Forwards:
Maxim Cajkovic (Saint John Sea Dogs)
Dylan Cozens (Lethbridge Hurricanes)
Nolan Foote (Kelowna Rockets)
Arthur Kaliyev (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Peyton Krebs (Kootenay ICE)
Raphaël Lavoie (Halifax Mooseheads)
Nathan Légaré (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)
Valentin Nussbaumer (Shawinigan Cataractes)
Samuel Poulin (Sherbrooke Phoenix)
Jamieson Rees (Sarnia Sting)
Nick Robertson (Peterborough Petes)
Oleg Zaytsev (Red Deer Rebels)

Team Orr:

Goaltenders:
Colten Ellis (Rimouski Océanic)
Hunter Jones (Peterborough Petes)

Defencemen:
Artemi Kniazev (Chicoutimi Saguenéens)
Vladislav Kolyachonok (Flint Firebirds)
Kaedan Korczak (Kelowna Rockets)
Jake Lee (Seattle Thunderbirds)
Nikita Okhotyuk (Ottawa 67’s)
Lassi Thomson (Kelowna Rockets)

Forwards:
Nikita Alexandrov (Charlottetown Islanders)
Joe Carroll (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Graeme Clarke (Ottawa 67’s)
Kirby Dach (Saskatoon Blades)
Matvey Guskov (London Knights)
Brett Leason (Prince Albert Raiders)
Connor McMichael (London Knights)
Sasha Mutala (Tri-City Americans)
Jakob Pelletier (Moncton Wildcats)
Ryan Suzuki (Barrie Colts)
Philip Tomasino (Niagara IceDogs)
Josh Williams (Medicine Hat Tigers)

The teams are named in recognition of event builders and hockey icons Don Cherry and Bobby Orr who were instrumental in the success of the event when it was first introduced in 1996.  Since 2006, the winning team has been presented with the Don Cherry and Bobby Orr CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Trophy engraved with the names of every player to ever participate in this prestigious event.  Teams wearing the Orr crest carry an overall record of 13-6 while Team Cherry holds an all-time record of 7-13 with the extra victory opposite Team Davidson in 2005.

The 2019 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is proudly supported by title partner Sherwin-Williams, and CHL associate sponsors CIBC, Kia Canada, Cooper Tires, and Kubota Canada.  The game will be broadcast live across Canada on Sportsnet and TVA Sports, and in the United States on NHL Network.

Tickets are still available and can be purchased via reddeerrebels.com or ticketsalberta.com.  For further ticket details please contact the Rebels office at 403-341-6000.

For more event information please visit http://sherwin-williamstopprospects.ca.