OHL WRITER’S DRAFT ELIGIBLE PLAYER OF THE MONTH FOR NOVEMBER 2021

Posted on by Dominic Tiano
Kyle Jackson of the North Bay Battalion. Photo by Terry Wilson, OHL Images

I can’t tell you how much fun it is to be back in an arena and watching live hockey. There just isn’t anything like it in the sports world.

In prior years, we here have done a draft eligible player of the month. However, just like we did for October, because of the sheer number of players re-entering the draft we have expanded it to include the draft eligible player of the month at forward position, defence and goaltending. So here we go…

FORWARD

It was an easy decision up front and that was Kyle Jackson of the North Bay Battalion. Jackson recorded eleven goals and eleven assists in just eleven games in November and now sits with fourteen goals and twenty-one assists in twenty-two games to lead all draft eligible players in scoring. Jackson was held off the scoresheet just once in November and produced seven multi-point games. He was recognized by the OHL as the top performer of the month.

We did consider Nolan Dann of the Sarnia Sting briefly. Dann played in twelve games and scored ten goals and assisted on six.

DEFENCEMAN

This could have gone any number of ways but we went with Gavin White of the Hamilton Bulldogs. White scored twice while adding eleven assists in ten games in the month of November. The reason we chose White over the others was his consistency through the month. He was only held pointless twice in those ten games and he only had two multi point games in the remaining eight. You can’t get much more consistent than that for a blueliner. White is a draft re-entry.

Also considered were a pair of Saginaw Spirit defencemen. Pavel Mintyukov had two goals and eight helpers in twelve games while Roberto Mancini had three goals and eight assists. Spencer Sova of the Erie Otters was also given consideration with his three goals and eight assists in eleven contests.

GOALTENDER

Patrick Leaver gets the nod here and it’s a token nod since he will not get the playing time, he has gotten through the first two months with the return of Oshawa Generals number one netminder from an injury. It’s not like he is not deserving though. Leaver posted a 4-2-1 record through November and a .902 save-percentage.

Of course, Brett Brochu of the London Knights was also considered. Brochu had a 6-4-1 record and a .904 save-percentage.

FORWARDS

November – Kyle Jackson – North Bay Battalion

October – Tucker Robertson – Peterborough Petes

DEFENCEMEN

November – Gavin While – Hamilton Bulldogs

October – Ty Nelson – North Bay Battalion

GOALTENDERS

November – Patrick Leaver – Oshawa Generals

October – Brett Brochu – London Knights

AUSTIN AND OTHMANN NAMED OHL TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, November 28, 2021.

Firebirds’ Brennan Othmann Named OHL Player of the Week

New York Rangers prospect Brennan Othmann of the Flint Firebirds is the OHL Player of the Week with seven points including a goal and six assists across three games.

Othmann helped the Firebirds win two of three last week, earning first star recognition twice. He chipped in with an assist in Wednesday’s 5-3 win over the visiting rival Saginaw Spirit before a three-assist effort on Friday as Flint skated to a 6-3 win in Sarnia. Othmann had a goal and two assists along with nine shots on goal on Saturday as the Firebirds dropped a 4-3 decision on the back-end of a home-and-home against the Sting.

An 18-year-old native of Pickering, Ont., Othmann leads the Firebirds with 27 points (14-13–27) in 17 games this season. His 92 shots on goal are the third-most in the OHL as he produces at a 1.59 point-per-game clip, the fifth-highest pace in the League. A member of Canada’s gold medal-winning National Under-18 Team this past May in Frisco, Texas, Othmann was selected by the New York Rangers with the 16th overall pick of the 2021 NHL Draft. The former OHL Cup champion was Flint’s first round (2nd overall) pick in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection and was named to the OHL’s First All-Rookie Team in 2019-20 with 33 points (17-16–33) in 55 games.

Also considered for the award this week, Hamilton Bulldogs forward Logan Morrison recorded seven points (1-6–7) as his club picked up five of a possible six points. Nashville Predators prospect Luke Evangelista of the London Knights led the League with five goals along with an assist over three games, and Buffalo Sabres prospect Josh Bloom of the Saginaw Spirit had six points (3-3–6), headlined by two shorthanded goals and a game winner.

2021-22 OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Nov. 22 – Nov. 28: Brennan Othmann (Flint Firebirds)
Nov. 15 – Nov. 21: Brandon Coe (North Bay Battalion)
Nov. 8 – Nov. 14: Antonio Stranges (London Knights)
Nov. 1 – Nov. 7: Shane Wright (Kingston Frontenacs)
Oct. 25 – Oct. 31: Tucker Robertson (Peterborough Petes)
Oct. 18 – Oct. 24: Rory Kerins (Soo Greyhounds)
Oct. 11 – Oct. 17: Calum Ritchie (Oshawa Generals)
Oct. 4 – Oct. 10: Jack Thompson (Sudbury Wolves)


Petes’ Tye Austin Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Tye Austin of the Peterborough Petes is the OHL Goaltender of the Week after winning a pair of games while posting a 2.50 goals-against average and .923 save percentage.

Austin recently returned from injury and turned aside 60 of the 65 shots that came his way last week. He made 19 saves in Thursday’s 5-3 win over the visiting North Bay Battalion, snapping the Troops’ four-game winning streak in Mason McTavish’s return to the Petes lineup. Austin provided a season-high 41 saves in Sunday’s 3-2 win over the Ottawa 67’s, earning first star recognition as the Petes were outshot 43-29, earning their third straight win.

A 19-year-old from Pembroke, Ont., Austin missed a month of action with a shoulder injury, returning to the Petes’ lineup on November 18th. The 6-foot-6, 200Ib. netminder is 3-2-0-0 with a 3.83 goals-against average and .888 save percentage in six games this season. Selected by the Petes in the third round (43rd overall) of the 2018 OHL Priority Selection, Austin owns a career mark of 14-16-0-1 with a 4.16 goals-against average and .877 save percentage through 42 career regular season games in maroon and white.

Also considered for this week’s award, last week’s recipient Ben Gaudreau of the Sarnia Sting was strong once again, going 1-1-0-0 with a 2.03 goals-against average and .937 save percentage in two games. London Knights goaltender Brett Brochu was kept busy, making 113 saves over three outings. He posted a 2.95 goals-against average and .926 save percentage as the Knights went 2-1-0-0.

2021-22 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Nov. 22 – Nov. 28: Tye Austin (Peterborough Petes)
Nov. 15 – Nov. 21: Ben Gaudreau (Sarnia Sting)
Nov. 8 – Nov. 14: Joe Vrbetic (North Bay Battalion
Nov. 1 – Nov. 7: Roman Basran (Mississauga Steelheads)
Oct. 25 – Oct. 31: Patrick Leaver (Oshawa Generals)
Oct. 18 – Oct. 24: Jacob Oster (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 11 – Oct. 17: Brett Brochu (London Knights)
Oct. 4 – Oct. 10: Tucker Tynan (Niagara IceDogs)


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

OHL ANNOUNCES TOP PERFORMERS OF THE MONTH FOR OCTOBER

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 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.

OHL WRITERS’ DRAFT ELIGIBLE PLAYER OF THE MONTH: OCTOBER

Posted on by Dominic Tiano
Brett Brochu of the London Knights. Photo by Luke Durda / OHL Images

This season will be unlike any other for the players eligible for the 2022 NHL Entry Draft that are playing in the Ontario Hockey League.

As you know, the pandemic wiped out the entire 2020-2021 OHL season and NHL scouts didn’t have an opportunity to scout the talent in the OHL with the exception of those that played in Europe or the Under-18 or the showcase tournament in Erie. We are basically combining two drafts into one and there are over 200 players eligible for the draft for the first time or re-entering the draft.

In a normal season here at OHL Writers, we look only at the players eligible for the NHL Entry Draft for the first time, but because of the number of players eligible for 2022 we have decided to include first time eligible players and players entering the draft for the second time which is why you will see some players born after September 15, 2002 throughout the season talked about here.

Also, a little different this season will be our Draft Eligible Player of the Month. Normally, we pick the player who had the best month but again, because of the volume of players available for the draft for this season we are breaking it down by position.

Our draft eligible player of the month for October up front is Tucker Robertson of the Peterborough Petes. To say Robertson had a fantastic month would be an understatement. In 9 games he notched 6 goals and 10 assists to lead all draft eligible players in scoring with 16 points. He was also 140 for 238 on the faceoff dot for a 58.8 winning percentage.

Robertson was kept off the scoresheet just twice in October while also compiling 4 multi point games and two games with 3 assists.

Also considered was North Bay Battalion’s Kyle Jackson who scored 3 goals to go along with 10 helpers in 11 games.

On defence, our choice is Ty Nelson of the North Bay Battalion. Nelson had 2 goals and 8 assists in 11 games and leads all draft eligible defensemen in scoring with 10 points and is fourth among all OHL defensemen in scoring. Nelson was held off the scoresheet just 4 times and had 4 multi-point games. He also finished with a very impressive plus-7.

Also considered was Hamilton Bulldogs defenseman Gavin White. He notched 7 helpers through 10 games and was a steadying influence at both ends of the ice. It took some time for White to find his stride, but he finished the month off with 6 helpers in Hamilton’s final 6 games of the month.

In the net Brett Brochu of the London Knights gets the nod. He’s played in every game and has a perfect 8-0-0 record. He also boasts the leagues best save-percentage if .935 and best goals-against-average of 2.07 (goalies with more than two starts).

Also considered was Oshawa Generals netminder Patrick Leaver, If it wasn’t for Brochu’s outstanding numbers, Leaver would have been the obvious choice with his .925 save-percentage and 2.49 goals-against-average.

RITCHIE AND BROCHU 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 17, 2021.

Generals’ Calum Ritchie Named OHL Player of the Week

Rookie forward Calum Ritchie of the Oshawa Generals is the OHL Player of the Week with a league-leading seven points including four goals and three assists over three games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-4.

The second overall pick of the 2021 OHL Priority Selection, Ritchie helped the Generals take wins in two of three games last week. The 6-foot-2, 178Ib. centre started with a goal and an assist in a 7-3 road loss to the Ottawa 67’s on Thanksgiving Monday. The Generals were back in the nation’s capital on Friday and this time came away with a 4-1 win as Ritchie scored midway through the third period. He saved his best performance for last, recording two goals and two assists in a 6-3 win over the visiting Peterborough Petes on Sunday night. Ritchie becomes the youngest Generals player to record four points in a single game since Michael Dal Colle did so back on Nov. 4, 2012. His five-game goal-scoring streak brings him in line with John Tavares, who accomplished the feat in the month of January 2006 during his exceptional status rookie season.

A 16-year-old native of Oakville, Ont., Ritchie’s six goals tie him with teammate Ryan Stepien for the League lead. He sits two points back of Sudbury’s Jack Thompson for the OHL lead in points, registering nine (6-3–9) through five games. His 28 shots on goal are the most in the OHL, and his 116 faceoffs are tied for second in the League. Ritchie is a graduate of the Oakville Rangers U16 program, a team he captained before being chosen second overall this past June.

Ritchie becomes the first Generals player to claim Player of the Week honours since Philip Tomasino last did so from January 6-12, 2020.

Other Player of the Week candidates included Calgary Flames prospect Jack Beck who posted four goals and two assists over three games as his Ottawa 67’s went 2-1. Soo Greyhounds winger Cole MacKay also recorded six points (2-4–6) as the Soo Greyhounds took four of a possible six points on the road. London Knights rookie winger Colton Smith was also given consideration after scoring five goals, including his first career OHL hat-trick as the Knights went 3-0 last week.

2021-22 OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Oct. 11- Oct. 17 – Calum Ritchie (Oshawa Generals)
Oct. 4 – Oct. 10: Jack Thompson (Sudbury Wolves)

Knights’ Brett Brochu Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

London Knights netminder Brett Brochu is the OHL Goaltender of the Week with three wins, a 2.55 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage.

Brochu helped the Knights improve to a League-best 5-0 record with back-to-back wins over the Windsor Spitfires before edging the Sarnia Sting in a shootout on Saturday. He turned aside 35 of the 38 shots he faced in a 4-3 Thanksgiving Monday shootout road win over the Spitfires, stopping seven of eight Windsor shootout attempts. Brochu was up to the task on Friday when the Knights played host to the Spitfires, making 32 saves in a 5-1 win while drawing an assist on Max McCue’s first goal of the season. He wrapped up the weekend making 29 saves in a 5-4 overtime road win over the Sarnia Sting, none bigger than a game-saving overtime denial that led to a Sean McGurn game winner in transition.

A 19-year-old from Tilbury, Ont., Brochu leads OHL netminders with five wins on the season while posting a 2.49 goals-against average and .922 save percentage. He’s won 14 consecutive regular season games dating back to Feb. 14, 2020, part of a stretch in which he’s won 27 of 28 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 Knights franchise record for rookie goaltenders. 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.

Also meriting consideration for the award this week was Ottawa Senators prospect Leevi Merilainen of the Kingston Frontenacs who played to a 2-0 mark while recording a 2.50 goals-against average and .912 save percentage. New York Islanders prospect Tristan Lennox of the Saginaw Spirit was also in the running, going 1-1 with a 2.01 goals-against average and .913 save percentage.

2021-22 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Mar. 11 – Mar. 17: Brett Brochu (London Knights)
Mar. 4 – Mar. 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.

16 OHL Players Recognized as Invitees to Canada’s National Junior Team Sport Chek Summer Development Camp

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

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Calgary, Atla. – The Ontario Hockey League is pleased to announce that 16 OHL players have been invited to attend Hockey Canada’s National Junior Team Sport Chek Summer Development Camp.

The camp roster features two OHL goaltenders, three defencemen and 26 forwards as part of the 41-player roster that will attend the five-day virtual camp taking place July 27-31. The camp will feature various online education sessions with a focus on player development. Hockey Canada announced last month that various programming and training sessions will be held virtually this summer due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“We are excited to begin preparations for the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship with this group of 41 players and our full staff at our online camp, as we believe we have a good mix of veteran leadership and young talent that are eager to represent Canada during the holiday season,” said Scott Salmond, senior vice-president of national teams for Hockey Canada. “We are also pleased to have Michael and Mitch round out the coaching staff, as their Canadian Hockey League and international experience will compliment André’s leadership while we work towards defending our gold medal on home ice.”

The roster for Canada’s National Junior Team Sport Chek Summer Development Camp includes three OHL skaters who helped Canada win gold at the 2020 World Juniors (Byfield, Drysdale, McMichael), six OHL players who were selected at the 2019 NHL Draft (Harley, Clarke, McMichael, Rees, Suzuki, Tomasino), eight OHL players who are eligible for the 2020 NHL Draft (Brochu, Drysdale, O’Rourke, Byfield, Foerster, Perfetti, Perreault, Quinn), one who is eligible in 2021 (Lennox) and one who is eligible in 2022 (Wright).

As announced earlier this year, Ottawa 67’s head coach André Tourigny will return to Canada’s National Junior Team and serve as head coach after helping Canada to a gold medal as an assistant coach at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship. He was named head coach of the OHL’s 67’s in 2017 and has helped them claim the Hamilton Spectator Trophy twice as back-to-back regular season champions. Tourigny was recently awarded the Matt Leyden Trophy as the OHL’s Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season and was named the CHL Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year presented by Janes.

The 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship is set to take place in Edmonton and Red Deer this December.

OHL Players Invited to Canada’s National Junior Team Sport Chek Summer Development Camp

Goaltenders:
Brett Brochu (London Knights)
Tristan Lennox (Saginaw Spirit)

Defencemen:
Jamie Drysdale (Erie Otters)
Thomas Harley (Mississauga Steelheads)
Ryan O’Rourke (Soo Greyhounds)

Forwards:
Quinton Byfield (Sudbury Wolves)
Graeme Clarke (Ottawa 67’s)
Tyson Foerster (Barrie Colts)
Connor McMichael (London Knights)
Cole Perfetti (Saginaw Spirit)
Jacob Perreault (Sarnia Sting)
Jack Quinn (Ottawa 67’s)
Jamieson Rees (Sarnia Sting)
Ryan Suzuki (Saginaw Spirit)
Philip Tomasino (Oshawa Generals)
Shane Wright (Kingston Frontenacs)

Coaches:
Head Coach – André Tourigny (Ottawa 67’s)

For more information on Hockey Canada and the Program of Excellence, visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, Twitter and Twitter.com/HC_Men.

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. Last season, more than nine million fans attended CHL games in the regular season, playoffs and at the Memorial Cup Presented by Kia. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League and U Sports than any other league.  For more information visit www.ontariohockeyleague.com.

OHL NETMINDERS INVITED TO HOCKEY CANADA’S VIRTUAL PROGRAM OF EXCELLENCE GOALTENDING CAMP

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

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CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada continues preparations for the 2020-21 season with a virtual four-day Program of Excellence goaltending camp from June 9-12.

Typically serving as the initial evaluation stage for summer development and selection camps for Canada’s national men’s teams, the online camp will focus on goaltender development and evaluation through online education.

Twenty-three of the top goaltenders in Canada will participate in camp, as well as 11 elite-level instructors. The list of goaltenders includes five at the under-20 level, six at the under-18 level and 12 at the under-17 level.

“The Program of Excellence goaltending camp is a great opportunity to bring together the top young goaltenders in the country and assist with the development process for these athletes,” said Scott Salmond, senior vice-president of national teams for Hockey Canada. “Despite the unique nature of this year’s camp and the switch to an online delivery for our programs, we believe all 23 goalies will benefit from world-class instruction as we continue to prepare for a new season.”

Online sessions will include goaltender development, mental and physical performance, planning for short-term competition, environments for success, embracing the role of a back-up goaltender and more.

OHL Goaltenders Invited to Program of Excellence Goaltending Camp

Under-20 Goaltenders:
Brett Brochu (London Knights)
Tristan Lennox (Saginaw Spirit)

Under-18 Goaltenders:
Matteo Drobac (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Benjamin Gaudreau (Sarnia Sting)

Under-17 Goaltenders:
Nolan Lalonde (Kingston Jr. Gaels U16/Erie Otters)*
Jackson Parsons (Cornwall Colts U18/Kitchener Rangers)*

*- committed to OHL member team for 2020-21 season

For more information on Hockey Canada and the Program of Excellence, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, Twitter and Twitter.com/HC_Men.

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/.

OHL Writers’ Draft Eligible Player of the Year

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

First off, I want to begin by saying I hope you are all safe and healthy in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. We all have to do our part to keep our families, our friends, our neighbours and ourselves from catching and spreading this terrible virus.

We don’t know when hockey will return, and for this piece here, we don’t know when the National Hockey League Draft will take place and how exactly the NHL will conduct the draft or how the draft order will be set. But here at OHLW, we will continue to bring you the usual content regarding the draft as we will get through this and it will eventually take place.

Our draft eligible player of the year isn’t always a reflection of the player we believe should be the first Ontario Hockey League player selected at the draft, but rather the player that performed the best from the first drop of the puck to the final horn of the season.

This year, for us, that player is Marco Rossi of the Ottawa 67’s.

Rossi, Marco
Marco Rossi of the Ottawa 67’s. Photo by OHL Images

Rossi led the entire OHL in assists (81) and points (120) and finished tenth in goals (39) en route to capturing the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy for most points on the season. He also led the entire league in plus/minus with a plus-69, and finished second in powerplay assists (31).

Rossi was named in the recent Coaches Poll as the Eastern Conference’s smartest player, best playmaker and best shootout shooter. He finished second in the voting as best on face-offs and defensive forward. He was voted as the third best penalty killer by the coaches.

On three occasions, November, December and February, Rossi was selected our draft eligible player of the month. The quest for perfection was interrupted twice by a player we gave consideration here to: Cole Perfetti of the Saginaw Spirit.

Perfetti finished second only to Rossi in the OHL scoring race with 111 points and assists (74). It’s the first time since the 2014-2015 season when teammates Dylan Strome and Connor McDavid of the Erie Otters that draft eligible players finished one-two in the OHL scoring race. Prior to those two accomplishing the feat, you’d have to go back to 2009-2010 when Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin both finished with 106 points and went one-two respectively at the NHL Draft.

We also gave some quick consideration to London Knights’ netminder Brett Brochu. In a season where there were more questions then answers coming into the season, Brochu took to the crease and ran with it. He set an OHL record with 32 wins for a first year netminder on lost just 6 games on the year. Not bad for a goaltender not ranked on NHL Central Scouting’s Players to Watch Lists or mid-term rankings!

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.