MAILLET AND SZTUSKA NAMED OHL TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, March 3, 2024.



67’s’ Jacob Maillet Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

Jacob Maillet of the Ottawa 67’s is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording nine assists over three contests to help the 67’s earn three points last week.

Maillet started the week with a four-point performance on Thursday, registering four assists as the 67’s defeated the Niagara IceDogs 8-2. He found the scoresheet again on Friday, tallying a pair of helpers as the 67’s earned a point in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Mississauga Steelheads. Maillet closed out the week with three more assists on Sunday as the 67’s fell to the Erie Otters 6-5. Seven of Maillet’s assists last week were primary helpers.

A soon-to-be 21-year-old from Dundas, Ont., Maillet has recorded 14 goals, 35 assists, and 49 points over 59 games played between the Windsor Spitfires and 67’s this season. Originally selected in the second round (39th overall) by the Guelph Storm in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection from the Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs U16 AAA program, the 6-foot-1, 193lb. forward has registered 162 points (49-113–162) over 246 regular season games between the Storm, Spitfires and 67’s. Maillet attended rookie camp with the Vancouver Canucks as a free agent invite this past September.

Also considered for the award this week, 67’s teammate Cooper Foster scored four times and added three assists over three games played. Colorado Avalanche prospect Calum Ritchie of the Oshawa Generals was also productive, contributing a total of five goals and two helpers to a three-win weekend.

2023-24 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Feb. 26 – Mar. 3: Jacob Maillet (Ottawa 67’s)
Feb. 19 – Feb. 25: Carson Rehkopf (Kitchener Rangers)
Feb. 12 – Feb. 18: Rodwin Dionicio (Saginaw Spirit)
Feb. 5 – Feb. 11: David Goyette (Sudbury Wolves)
Jan. 29 – Feb. 4: Gavin Bryant (Niagara IceDogs)
Jan. 22 – Jan. 28: Liam Greentree (Windsor Spitfires)
Jan. 15 – Jan. 21: Quentin Musty (Sudbury Wolves)
Jan. 8 – Jan. 14: Oliver Bonk (London Knights)
Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Anthony Romani (North Bay Battalion)
Dec. 28 – Dec. 31: Sam Dickinson (London Knights)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 18: Ruslan Gazizov (London Knights)
Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Nick Lardis (Brantford Bulldogs)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Pano Fimis (Erie Otters)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Matyas Sapovaliv (Saginaw Spirit)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Donovan McCoy (Peterborough Petes)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Denver Barkey (London Knights)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Braeden Kressler (Flint Firebirds)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Kirill Kudryavtsev (Soo Greyhounds)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Anthony Romani (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Carson Rehkopf (Kitchener Rangers)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Jordan D’Intino (Soo Greyhounds)
Sep. 28 – Oct. 1: Jax Dubois (Peterborough Petes)



Petes’ Liam Sztuska Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Liam Sztuska of the Peterborough Petes is the OHL Goaltender of the Week with a 1.00 goals-against average and .978 save percentage in a win last week.

Backstopping the Petes to victory with a 45-save performance on Sunday, Sztuska stopped 45 of the 46 shots that came his way in a 4-1 road win over the Owen Sound Attack. Among the busiest goaltenders in the League this season, Sztuska has faced at least 40 shots in 15 of his last 17 starts. Five of his 10 wins this season have featured at least 40 saves.

A 19-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., Sztuska owns a season mark of 10-22-4-1, posting a 3.86 goals-against average and .906 save percentage while facing the league’s third-highest total of 1,530 shots. Selected in the fifth round (94th overall) by the Petes in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection from the Toronto Titans U16 AAA program, the 6-foot, 181lb. netminder has appeared in 63 games over three seasons, registering a 3.70 goals-against average and .902 save percentage. Sztuska won an OHL Championship with Peterborough last spring.

Also in the running for the award this week, Jackson Parsons of the Kitchener Rangers played to a 2-0 record with a 2.40 goals-against average, and .884 save percentage. Andrew Oke of the Saginaw Spirit was also solid in the crease, playing to a 2-0 mark with a 2.50 goals-against average and .900 save percentage.

2023-24 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Feb. 26 – Mar. 3: Liam Sztuska (Peterborough Petes)
Feb. 19 – Feb. 25: Michael Simpson (London Knights)
Feb. 12 – Feb. 18: Matteo Drobac (Brantford Bulldogs)
Feb. 5 – Feb. 11: Ben West (Barrie Colts)
Jan. 29 – Feb. 4: Owen Willmore (London Knights)
Jan. 22 – Jan. 28: Sam Hillebrandt (Barrie Colts)
Jan. 15 – Jan. 21: Matteo Drobac (Brantford Bulldogs)
Jan. 8 – Jan. 14: Michael Simpson (London Knights)
Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)
Dec. 28 – Dec. 31: Brayden Gillespie (Guelph Storm)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 18: Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)
Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Max Donoso (Ottawa 67’s)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Marcus Vandenberg (Niagara IceDogs)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Jack Ivankovic (Mississauga Steelheads)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Carter George (Owen Sound Attack)
Nov. 8 – Nov. 12: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 7: Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Sam Hillebrandt (Barrie Colts)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Brayden Gillespie (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Collin MacKenzie (Ottawa 67’s)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Ryerson Leenders (Mississauga Steelheads)
Sep. 28 – Oct. 1: Ryerson Leenders (Mississauga Steelheads)


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.

BRYANT AND WILLMORE NAMED OHL TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, February 4, 2024.



IceDogs’ Gavin Bryant Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

Gavin Bryant of the Niagara IceDogs is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, contributing two goals, five assists and seven points while registering a plus-3 rating in three games.

Bryant found the score sheet on Thursday, registering a goal in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Sudbury Wolves. Bouncing back on Saturday, the 5-foot-11, 192lb. forward tallied a pair of assists including one on the game-winner to help Niagara defeat the Peterborough Petes 5-4 in extra time. Bryant closed out the weekend tying his career-high single-game high of four points with a goal and three primary assists in a 6-4 win over the North Bay Battalion on Sunday.

A 19-year-old from Ingersoll, Ont., Bryant has recorded 36 points (13-23–36) through 42 outings this season. Originally selected in the second round (37th overall) by the Owen Sound Attack in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection from the Brantford 99ers AAA U16 program, Bryant has tallied 32 goals, 68 assists, and 100 points over 135 regular season games between the Attack and the IceDogs.

Also considered for the award this week, Colorado Avalanche prospect and January OHL Player of the Month Calum Ritchie of the Oshawa Generals scored two times and added five assists to help the Generals earn nine points. OHL Rookie of the Month Riley Patterson of the Barrie Colts was also productive, contributing a total of four goals and three helpers on the road last week.

2023-24 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Jan. 29 – Feb. 4: Gavin Bryant (Niagara IceDogs)
Jan. 22 – Jan. 28: Liam Greentree (Windsor Spitfires)
Jan. 15 – Jan. 21: Quentin Musty (Sudbury Wolves)
Jan. 8 – Jan. 14: Oliver Bonk (London Knights)
Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Anthony Romani (North Bay Battalion)
Dec. 28 – Dec. 31: Sam Dickinson (London Knights)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 18: Ruslan Gazizov (London Knights)
Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Nick Lardis (Brantford Bulldogs)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Pano Fimis (Erie Otters)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Matyas Sapovaliv (Saginaw Spirit)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Donovan McCoy (Peterborough Petes)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Denver Barkey (London Knights)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Braeden Kressler (Flint Firebirds)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Kirill Kudryavtsev (Soo Greyhounds)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Anthony Romani (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Carson Rehkopf (Kitchener Rangers)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Jordan D’Intino (Soo Greyhounds)
Sep. 28 – Oct. 1: Jax Dubois (Peterborough Petes)



Knights’ Owen Willmore Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Owen Willmore of the London Knights is the OHL Goaltender of the Week following three wins including a shutout, with a 1.96 goals-against average and .918 save percentage.

Stopping a total of 67 shots last week, Willmore turned aside all 24 attempts he faced on Tuesday to earn his first career OHL shutout and first star honours as the Knights blanked the Kitchener Rangers 4-0. The 6-foot-3, 180lb. netminder was back in the crease with a 22-save performance on Friday to help the Knights defeat the Erie Otters 5-3. Willmore closed out his week stopping 24 of the 27 shots that came his way along with four shootout attempts in a 4-3 win road over the Owen Sound Attack on Saturday.

A 19-year-old hometown product, Willmore owns a season mark of 11-4-0-2, posting a 3.12 goals-against average and .895 save percentage. Selected in the 14th round (279th overall) by the Knights in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection, Willmore has appeared in 23 games over two season, registering a 3.32 goals-against average and .886 save percentage. He appeared in three games in last year’s OHL Championship Series, going 1-1 with a 1.44 goals-against average and .958 save percentage.

Also in the running for the award this week, Winnipeg Jets prospect Dom DiVincentiis of the North Bay Battalion played to a 2-0 record including a shutout, with a 2.00 goals-against average, and .918 save percentage. Nick Surzycia of the Sarnia Sting was also solid in the crease, playing to a 2-0 mark with a 2.40 goals-against average and .922 save percentage.

2023-24 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Jan. 29 – Feb. 4: Owen Willmore (London Knights)
Jan. 22 – Jan. 28: Sam Hillebrandt (Barrie Colts)
Jan. 15 – Jan. 21: Matteo Drobac (Brantford Bulldogs)
Jan. 8 – Jan. 14: Michael Simpson (London Knights)
Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)
Dec. 28 – Dec. 31: Brayden Gillespie (Guelph Storm)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 18: Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)
Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Max Donoso (Ottawa 67’s)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Marcus Vandenberg (Niagara IceDogs)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Jack Ivankovic (Mississauga Steelheads)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Carter George (Owen Sound Attack)
Nov. 8 – Nov. 12: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 7: Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Sam Hillebrandt (Barrie Colts)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Brayden Gillespie (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Collin MacKenzie (Ottawa 67’s)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Ryerson Leenders (Mississauga Steelheads)
Sep. 28 – Oct. 1: Ryerson Leenders (Mississauga Steelheads)


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.

CHL Team of the Month presented by CCM: January 2024

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

TORONTO, ON — The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) is proud to announce today the January edition of the CHL Team of the Month presented by CCM for the 2023-24 regular season.

F – Gavin McKenna (Medicine Hat Tigers / WHL)
10G-19A, 29 PTS, +12 in 12 GP in January

With 29 points through 12 games in January, no skater in the CHL tallied more points than 16-year-old Gavin McKenna of Medicine Hat Tigers. Over the last month, McKenna averaged 2.42 points per game, which ranked second in the CHL behind only Moose Jaw’s Jagger Firkus (2.78). Eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft, McKenna registered eight multi-point outings during the last month, including six contests with three points or more. The latter included a career-high six-point effort (1G-5A) against the Tri-City Americans on January 6 at Co-op Place in Medicine Hat. Additionally, throughout January, the six-foot, 165-pound left winger recorded 19 assists, which was the most of any player in the CHL. Ultimately, the product from Whitehorse, Y.T., was held off the scoresheet twice over his last 12 games. McKenna now ranks second in the CHL rookie scoring race this season with 63 points, trailing only Prince George’s Terik Parascak (69 points). McKenna also sits second on his team in scoring with 21 goals and 42 assists in 41 games this season. Drafted first overall by the Tigers during the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft, McKenna’s 42 assists and 1.54 points per game during the 2023-24 campaign both rank first among any rookie in the CHL.

F – Calum Ritchie (Oshawa Generals / OHL)
9G-17A, 26 PTS, +19 in 13 GP in January

Following a strong January, Colorado Avalanche prospect Calum Ritchie of the Oshawa Generals now leads his team in scoring with 51 points (17G-34A) despite having played in 29 games this season. Specifically, in 13 games during the last month, Ritchie recorded nine goals and 17 assists to lead all OHL scorers. His 26 points in January trailed only Medicine Hat’s Gavin McKenna for the scoring lead in the Canadian Hockey League. Over those 13 games in January, the 19-year-old from Oakville, Ont., tallied points in 12 contests. The latter included six outings with two or more points, including a pair of five-point efforts against the Flint Firebirds on January 6 (0G-5A) and the Peterborough Petes on January 19 (2G-3A). Both of those five-point outings represented a career-high for the Oshawa Generals’ centreman. His plus/minus rating of +19 was also the highest of any skater in the CHL for the month of January. With 17 goals and 34 assists through 29 games during the 2023-24 campaign, Ritchie is averaging 1.76 points per game, which stands as the third-highest mark among skaters in the OHL. A first-round pick of the Colorado Avalanche last summer, Ritchie has tallied 51 points since November 12, which ranks first and second in the OHL and CHL respectively over that period.

F – Jagger Firkus (Moose Jaw Warriors / WHL)
10G-15A, 25 PTS, -3 in 9 GP in January

Averaging a CHL-best 2.78 points per game during January, Seattle Kraken prospect Jagger Firkus of the Moose Jaw Warriors was one of the top forwards in the CHL over the last month. In all nine of his games in January, Firkus found the scoresheet, which included registering two or more points on seven occasions. The 19-year-old from Irma, Alta., got his month off to a great start by matching a career-high with five points (1G-4A) against the Prince Albert Raiders on January 5 in Moose Jaw. Firkus’ month was also highlighted by his fourth hat trick of the season, a feat he accomplished on the road against the Swift Current Broncos on January 19. Ultimately, by tallying points in all nine of his games last month, Firkus comes into February on a 19-game point streak (15G-26A over that stretch), which stands as the longest active point streak in the CHL. His current 19-game point streak also ranks as the third-longest streak of the 2023-24 campaign behind only Kelowna’s Andrew Cristall (23 games from Nov. 3 to Jan. 19) and his Moose Jaw teammate Denton Mateychuk (23 games from Oct. 10 to Dec. 8). Firkus’ recent stretch of scoring has also helped catapult him to the top of the CHL scoring race with 84 points on the season. Meanwhile, his 37 goals over this latest campaign place him in a tie for third in the CHL alongside fellow Seattle Kraken prospect Carson Rehkopf of the Kitchener Rangers and Anaheim Ducks prospect Egor Sidorov of the Saskatoon Blades.

D – Oliver Bonk (London Knights / OHL)
10G-11A, 21 PTS, +14 in 10 GP in January

Having tallied 10 goals and 11 assists, all while helping his team to a 9-0-0-2 during January, Philadelphia Flyers prospect Oliver Bonk of the No.4-ranked London Knights put together an impressive month. Alongside Saginaw’s Zayne Parekh, Bonk led all defencemen in the CHL with 21 points. At the same time, his 2.10 points per game average and 10 goals were the most by any blueliner in the CHL in January. Over his last 10 games, the 19-year-old from Ottawa, Ont., was held off the scoresheet on just one occasion, registering five multi-point games. The latter included establishing a new single-game career-high when he collected five points (2G-3A) against the Sting in Sarnia on January 10. The 2023 Philadelphia Flyers’ first-round pick registered three games with two goals while tallying six power-play goals and being credited with three game-winning markers last month. Now holding 12 power-play goals on the season, Bonk sits tied with the Soo Greyhounds’ Arttu Karki for first among CHL rearguards in that category. The Knights’ defenceman has also set a new single-season career-high with 51 points during the 2023-24 campaign, a point total that currently ranks fifth among blueliners in the Canadian Hockey League this season. Since December 2, having collected 27 points (11G-16A) over his last 13 games, Bonk is averaging 2.08 points per game, the highest mark of any defenceman in the CHL over that stretch.

D – Zayne Parekh (Saginaw Spirit / OHL)
9G-12A, 21 PTS, +13 in 11 GP in January

Having been named to the CHL Team of the Month presented by CCM back in November, 2024 NHL Draft prospect Zayne Parekh of the No.3-ranked Saginaw Spirit becomes the first defenceman to be awarded this honour for a second time during the 2023-24 season. Alongside London’s Oliver Bonk, Parekh led all CHL defencemen with 21 points in January. Over the last month, the 17-year-old from Nobleton, Ont., was held off the scoresheet just twice. In his last 11 contests, Parekh has registered six multi-point games, including a single-game career-high of five points (3G-2A) against the Spitfires in Windsor on January 10. The latter also represented the second time this season that the projected 2024 NHL first-round pick scored a hat trick. Over his last 26 games, dating back to November 18, Parekh has only failed to register a point on four occasions. He’s tallied 16 goals (two more than his next closest competitor, London’s Oliver Bonk) and 44 points (10 more than his next closest competitor, Kitchener’s Hunter Brzustewicz) which both rank as the most by a CHL blueliner over that stretch of games since November 18. Thanks to his strong play over these last couple of months, Parekh is up to 22 goals and 66 points on the season. His 22 goals currently stand as the most by any defenceman in the CHL, while his 66 points rank second in the Canadian Hockey League behind only Kitchener’s Hunter Brzustewicz (69 points). In January, Parekh was ranked as the No. 10 skater in North America by NHL Central Scouting in their Midterm Rankings ahead of the 2024 NHL Draft.

G – Chase Wutzke (Red Deer Rebels / WHL)
8-0-0-1, 1.98 GAA, .929 SV% in nine starts in January

With a CHL-best eight wins over January, 2024 NHL Draft prospect Chase Wutzke of the Red Deer Rebels is making his first-ever appearance in the CHL Team of the Month presented by CCM. Over his nine starts last month, the 17-year-old from Debden, Sask., posted a 1.98 goals-against average (GAA) and a .929 save percentage (SV%), which both ranked first among goalies in the WHL (minimum 100 minutes played in January). Wutzke only allowed one goal during five different games last month. He also registered a pair of performances with 30-plus saves in January, one of which was a 31-save effort against the No.1-ranked Saskatoon Blades on January 17, which ultimately helped the Rebels snap the Blades’ 18-game point streak. Going back to December 6, Wutzke has won 12 of his last 14 starts, having also collected a point in all 14 of those games (12-0-1-1). Moreover, since December 6, the rookie netminder owns a 1.88 GAA and a .934 SV%, which both rank first in the CHL among goalies who have played a minimum of 300 minutes during that stretch of time. Ultimately, those strong performances over December and January have helped Wutzke as he now ranks fourth in GAA (2.24) and fifth in SV% (.922) in the Canadian Hockey League this season. In January, Wutzke was also identified as the No. 13-ranked goalie in North America in the NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Rankings ahead of the 2024 NHL Draft.

OHL ANNOUNCES TOP PERFORMERS OF THE MONTH FOR JANUARY

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Month for games played in January 2024.

Player of the Month – Calum Ritchie (Oshawa Generals)

Colorado Avalanche prospect Calum Ritchie of the Oshawa Generals is the OHL Player of the Month, leading the league with 26 points including nine goals and 17 assists along with a plus/minus rating of plus-19 over 13 games. Ritchie’s month of January featured five different performances with at least three points, including two five-point showings that came on Jan. 6th at Flint and Jan. 19th vs. Peterborough. He helped the Generals climb the Eastern Conference standings with a January record of 8-3-1-1, earning three star recognition six different times throughout the course of the month.

A recently-turned 19-year-old from Oakville, Ont., Ritchie leads the Generals in regular season scoring despite having played in just 28 games. His 1.68 points-per-game resulting from 16 goals and 31 assists are the fourth-highest rate in the OHL this season while he’s also registered a plus/minus rating of plus-28. A 6-foot-2, 179Ib. centreman, Ritchie is in his third season with the Generals, having recorded 59 goals, 92 assists and 151 points over 152 career regular season games since being selected by Oshawa with the second overall pick of the 2021 OHL Priority Selection. Ritchie was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche with their first round (27th overall) pick last summer. A former OHL first all-rookie team member in 2021-22, Ritchie won a gold medal with Canada at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, leading the tournament in scoring before capturing bronze at the 2023 IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championship.

Also considered for the award this month, London Knights forward Easton Cowan finished January with 21 points (8-13–21) over 10 games.

Defenceman of the Month – Oliver Bonk (London Knights)

Philadelphia Flyers prospect Oliver Bonk of the London Knights is the OHL Defenceman of the Month, recording 21 points including 10 goals and 11 assists along with a plus/minus rating of plus-14 over 10 games. Bonk helped the Knights play to a January mark of 9-0-0-2 as they climbed into first place in the OHL standings, recording points in nine of his 10 outings. He recorded three different two-goal outings along with five multi-point contests to begin the 2024 calendar year, headlined by five points (2-3–5) in a 9-2 road win over the Sarnia Sting on Jan. 10th. Three of Bonk’s January goals were game-winners while six of his 10 tallies came on the man advantage.

A newly-turned 19-year-old from Ottawa, Ont., Bonk sits third among OHL defencemen with 51 points (16-35–51) over 38 games while his 12 power play markers are tied for the league-lead among rearguards. The 6-foot-2, 179Ib. defender has played parts of three seasons in London, recording 26 goals, 68 assists and 94 points over 115 regular season games. He helped the Knights reach the OHL Championship Series last spring, recording 11 assists during their 21-game playoff run. Bonk was voted to the OHL’s second all-rookie team in 2022-23 before being selected by Philadelphia with their first round (22nd overall) pick last summer. Bonk won gold with Canada at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and represented Canada at this past month’s 2024 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Sweden. The Knights selected Bonk in the second round (26th overall) of the 2021 OHL Priority Selection.

Also considered for the award this month, Saginaw Spirit defender Zayne Parekh registered 21 points (9-12–21) over 11 games.

Goaltender of the Month – Michael Simpson (London Knights)

London Knights netminder Michael Simpson is the OHL Goaltender of the Month, playing to a record of 5-0-0-1 with a 1.32 goals-against average, .950 save percentage and one shutout over six outings. Simpson carried a five-game winning streak into the month of January, stretching that to 10 games while still remaining undefeated in regulation since Dec. 10th to close-out the month. He backstopped the Knights to his second shutout of the season on Jan. 14th vs. Owen Sound.

A 20-year-old London native, Simpson leads the OHL in both goals-against average (2.54) and wins (23) while also posting a .909 save percentage and two shutouts over 33 games. Now in his third OHL season, last year’s OHL Playoff MVP has played to a career mark of 67-47-5-4 with a 2.96 goals-against average, .905 save percentage and eight shutouts over 129 regular season games between London and Peterborough. The 6-foot-1, 198Ib. goaltender was originally Peterborough’s 10th round (193rd overall) pick in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection. Simpson, who was voted to the OHL’s third all-star team last season, attended training camp with the Pittsburgh Penguins prior to the start of the 2023-24 campaign.

Also considered for the award this month, Jacob Oster of the Oshawa Generals played to a record of 7-3-0-1 in January, posting a 2.00 goals-against average and .929 save percentage with one shutout over 11 outings.

Rookie of the Month – Riley Patterson (Barrie Colts)

Barrie Colts forward Riley Patterson is the OHL Rookie of the Month, leading all first-year talents with 15 points including five goals and 10 assists over 12 games. Patterson put together a trio of multi-point performances, helping the Colts score wins over the Soo Greyhounds and Niagara IceDogs with three-point efforts on Jan. 6th and Jan. 20th. He closed out January with a career-high four points, scoring twice while adding two assist in a 7-6 overtime loss to the Owen Sound Attack on Jan. 31st.

A 17-year-old from Burlington, Ont., Patterson currently leads OHL rookies with 16 goals, adding 22 assists for 38 points over 44 games. The 6-foot, 194Ib. centreman joined the Colts last summer, coming over in a trade from the Flint Firebirds who selected him in the third round (57th overall) of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection. A former OHL Cup champion with the Mississauga Senators U16 program, Patterson was the OJHL Rookie of the Year in 2022-23, recording 73 points (30-43–73) over 52 games with the North York Rangers Jr. A program. Patterson was the 116th ranked North American skater on NHL Central Scouting’s Midseason NHL Draft Rankings released on Jan. 12th.

Also considered for the award this month, December Rookie of the Month award recipient Jake O’Brien of the Brantford Bulldogs put up 13 points (2-11–13) over 11 contests.

2023-24 OHL Performers of the Month:

Player of the Month:
January – Calum Ritchie (Oshawa Generals)
December – Ruslan Gazizov (London Knights)
November – Filip Mesar (Kitchener Rangers)
October – Carson Rehkopf (Kitchener Rangers)

Defenceman of the Month:
January – Oliver Bonk (London Knights)
December – Nick DeAngelis (Sudbury Wolves)
November – Zayne Parekh (Saginaw Spirit)
October – Hunter Brzustewicz (Kitchener Rangers)

Goaltender of the Month:
January – Michael Simpson (London Knights)
December – Marcus Vandenberg (Sudbury Wolves)
November – Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers)
October – Brayden Gillespie (Guelph Storm)

Rookie of the Month:
January – Riley Patterson (Barrie Colts)
December – Jake O’Brien (Brantford Bulldogs)
November – Cole Davis (Windsor Spitfires)
October – Carter George (Owen Sound Attack)


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.

COLTS’ VIERLING AWARDED WILLIAM HANLEY TROPHY AS OHL’S MOST SPORTSMANLIKE PLAYER

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Barrie Colts forward Evan Vierling is the 2022-23 recipient of the William Hanley Trophy awarded to the League’s Most Sportsmanlike Player as voted by OHL General Managers.

The 20-year-old overage forward from Aurora, Ont. led the Colts with 95 points including 35 goals and 60 assists over 60 regular season games, taking just 12 penalty minutes in the process. He becomes the ninth player in Colts franchise history to record 60 assists in a season, and the first to ever claim the William Hanley Trophy.

“It truly is an honour to be recognized with the William Hanley Trophy,” said Vierling. “When looking back at the past winners, it’s a great group to join and a nice way to finish off my OHL career. My success this year is a reflection of all the help I got from my teammates, coaches, and family.”

Vierling was a consistent offensive producer for the Colts, recording at least three points in a game 15 different times over the course of the season. His campaign was highlighted by five-point efforts on Dec. 13th in a 7-5 win over the Sudbury Wolves (1-4–5) and Mar. 5th in a 6-3 road win over the Owen Sound Attack (3-2–5), one of his two hat tricks on the season.

“Anytime you can have a player that wins a league award it’s always great news for the franchise,” said Colts Head Coach and General Manager Marty Williamson. “Evan was a key contributor to our team this season and he took his play to the next level. It’s a reflection of his game by finishing with 95 points and only 12 minutes in penalties. The entire Colts organization is proud of him.”

Vierling recorded 13 points (1-12–13) in seven playoff outings for the Colts this spring before being sidelined by an injury in Game 2 of Barrie’s second round series against the North Bay Battalion.

Entering the League as the second overall pick of the 2018 OHL Priority Selection by the Flint Firebirds, Vierling turned in a productive four-year career that yielded 213 points (75-138–213) over 218 regular season games between the Colts and Firebirds. He was selected by the New York Rangers in the fifth round (127th overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft, and attended training camp with the Columbus Blue Jackets last October.

The William Hanley Trophy is awarded each year based on a selection by the 20 General Managers of the Ontario Hockey League.  All 20 teams submit a nominee but are not permitted to vote for their own candidate. The trophy is presented by the OHL to commemorate William Hanley, former Secretary-Manager of the Ontario Hockey Association for over 25 years.

Owen Sound Attack forward Cedrick Guindon finished as a runner-up in award voting, followed by Oshawa Generals forward Calum Ritchie who placed third.

Vierling follows a number of current NHL players to have previously won the award, including 2022 recipient Wyatt Johnston (Windsor Spitfires) of the Dallas Stars, as well as Nick Robertson (Peterborough 2020), three-time winner Nick Suzuki (Owen Sound/Guelph 2017, ’18, ’19), Mike Amadio (North Bay 2016), Dylan Strome (Erie 2015), Connor McDavid (Erie 2014), Brandon Saad (Saginaw 2012) and Jeff Carter (Sault Ste. Marie 2005).

Vierling will be the OHL’s nominee for the Canadian Hockey League Sportsman of the Year Award, presented at the CHL Awards Ceremony on Saturday, June 3 during the 2023 Memorial Cup presented by Kia which takes place in Kamloops, British Columbia. Vierling will be formally presented with the William Hanley Trophy at the OHL’s Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, June 14 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

For a complete history of OHL award winners, visit ontariohockeyleague.com.


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.

Calum Ritchie – Oshawa Generals – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano
HTWTDOBPOSSHOOTSOHL DRAFTNHLCSCOUNTRY
6’2”187Jan 21, 2005CR2nd 2021A ProspectCanada
SEASONLEAGUETEAMGPGAPTS
2019-20SCTA U-15Oakville Rangers30203959
2021-22OHLOshawa Generals65192645
2022-23OHLOshawa Generals29101727
  Projects to68234063
#21 Calum Ritchie – Photo by Brandon Taylor – OHL Images.

Projected on most draft boards coming into the season as a top-10 pick, Calum Ritchie was selected by the Oshawa Generals as a point producer with the second overall pick at the 2021 Ontario Hockey League’s Priority Selection.

Despite being talented and having all the tools to be successful at the next level, the production isn’t where it was expected to be this year and he has probably been passed by other players in public rankings to date. His offensive numbers are good, just not great.

Ritchie has decent size, is strong on his skates and has excellent puck protection skills. His skating is technically sound, has good first step speed and average top speed, very good on his edges but is at his best when he’s going north. He has excellent vision and is capable of making a pass where one isn’t apparent. He has an excellent shot as well but could play a little more selfish.

I think Ritchie’s strongest attribute is his hockey IQ. He thinks the game at a very high level and makes his decisions quickly and they are usually the right decisions. It’s his hockey smarts that make him a top-notch three zone player. He has excellent anticipation skills and an uncanny ability to keep the opposition to the outside.

Ritchie has the tools to play at the NHL level, especially when it comes to the three-zone play. But he’s going to have to raise his offensive output in the second half of the season if he’s going to remain a potential top-10 pick.

24 OHL PLAYERS NAMED TO HOCKEY CANADA UNDER-17 ROSTER FOR INAUGURAL CAPITAL CITY CHALLENGE

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League is pleased to congratulate 24 OHL players named by Hockey Canada to the Under-17 roster set to participate at the inaugural Capital City Challenge, a four-team tournament featuring three men’s under-17 teams and Canada’s National Women’s Team to take place November 26 to December 1 at TD Place in Ottawa.

The 66 players named to compete in the event will be divided into three teams – Team Canada Black, Team Canada Red and Team Canada White – and will compete against Canada’s National Women’s Team as part of its centralization schedule. The rosters for Team Canada Black, Team Canada Red and Team Canada White will be unveiled in the coming weeks.

The under-17 roster was selected by Scott Salmond (Creston, B.C.), senior vice-president of hockey operations, Alan Millar (Tottenham, Ont.), director of player personnel, and Byron Bonora (Brooks, Alta.), head scout for the U17 program. U17 Program of Excellence management group lead Philippe Boucher (Saint-Apollinaire, Que./Drummondville, QMJHL) and manager of hockey operations Benoit Roy (Sudbury, Ont.), as well as regional scouts Pierre Cholette (Quebec), Rob Simpson (Ontario), Darren Sutherland (Atlantic) and Darrell Woodley (Ontario), also provided input with support from Hockey Canada’s 13 Members.

“We are excited to unveil the 66 players that will suit up for our three men’s under-17 teams at the Capital City Challenge and have the unique opportunity to compete against Canada’s National Women’s Team in Ottawa,” said Salmond. “Although this has not been a traditional year for our Program of Excellence and the under-17 group, we are excited to introduce these athletes to an event that replicates short-term, international competition.”

In addition to the 24 OHL players selected, a total of nine OHL hockey operations personnel have been named to the staffs of the three Canadian squads including Team Red director of operations Kyle Raftis (Soo Greyhounds), Team White head coach Rob Wilson (Peterborough Petes), assistant Chad Wiseman (Guelph Storm) and Team Black assistant coach Jordan Smith (Soo Greyhounds).

24 OHL Players Named to 2021 Capital City Challenge:

*player committed to Ontario Hockey League club

Goaltenders (3):
Joseph Costanzo (Niagara IceDogs)
Nathaniel Day (Flint Firebirds)
Mason Vaccari (Kingston Frontenacs)*

Defencemen (6):
Beau Akey (Barrie Colts)
Cam Allen (Guelph Storm)
Tristan Bertucci (Flint Firebirds)
Oliver Bonk (London Knights)*
Alexis Daviault (Sarnia Sting)
Olivier Savard (Saginaw Spirit

Forwards (15):
Denver Barkey (London Knights)
Chris Barlas (Ottawa 67’s)
Colby Barlow (Owen Sound Attack)
Easton Cowan (London Knights)*
Nick Lardis (Peterborough Petes)
Luke McNamara (Saginaw Spirit)
Ethan Miedema (Windsor Spitfires)
Luke Misa (Mississauga Steelheads)
Owen Outwater (North Bay Battalion)
Alex Pharand (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Luca Pinelli (Ottawa 67’s)
Carson Rehkopf (Kitchener Rangers)
Calum Ritchie (Oshawa Generals)
Matthew Soto (Kingston Frontenacs)
Carey Terrance (Erie Otters)

Team Staff (Canada Black):
Assistant Coach – Jordan Smith (Soo Greyhounds)
Athletic Therapist – Marie-Pierre Néron (Ottawa 67’s)

Team Staff (Canada Red):
Director of Operations – Kyle Raftis (Soo Greyhounds)
Goaltending Coach – Franky Palazzese (Sarnia Sting)
Video Coach – Nick Biamonte (Guelph Storm)
Equipment Manager – Spencer Stehouwer (Sarnia Sting)
Team Physician – Dr. Wanda Millard (London Knights)

Team Staff (Canada White):
Head Coach – Rob Wilson (Peterborough Petes)
Assistant Coach – Chad Wiseman (Guelph Storm)

The Capital City Challenge opens on Nov. 26 at TD Place Arena, home of the Ottawa 67’s. Canada’s centralization roster will face Team Canada White in the tournament opener at 12 p.m. ET, followed by Team Canada Black taking on Team Canada Red at 7 p.m. ET.

Full-event ticket packages can be purchased for $80 (plus applicable fees) starting Monday, Nov. 8, while single-game tickets will be available starting as low as $5 at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets.

For more information on Hockey Canada and the Capital City Challenge, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and by using #OurGameIsBack.


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

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.

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.