ATTACK’S BARLOW AWARDED BOBBY SMITH TROPHY AS OHL SCHOLASTIC PLAYER OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY DAIRY FARMERS OF ONTARIO

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League is proud to announce that draft eligible forward Colby Barlow of the Owen Sound Attack is the 2022-23 recipient of the Bobby Smith Trophy, which is awarded to the OHL’s Scholastic Player of the Year presented by MilkUP, youth lifestyle brand of Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO).

Barlow becomes the first player in Owen Sound Attack history to win the prestigious award, excelling with an overall average of 93 percent across Grade 12 University-level courses: Challenge and Change in Society (97 percent), Families in Canada (96 percent), Organizational Business (95 percent), Business Leadership (95 percent), International Business (90 percent), and English (85 percent) at Owen Sound District Secondary School.

On the ice, Barlow enters the 2023 NHL Draft as the OHL’s highest-ranked skater, coming in at 12th on NHL Central Scouting’s final list of North American players eligible for the annual selection that takes place in Nashville, Tenn. on June 28-29. He led the Attack in 2022-23 producing 79 points including 46 goals, 33 assists and a league-leading 12 game-winning tallies in 59 games.

“I’m truly honoured to be awarded the Bobby Smith Trophy,” said Barlow. “Playing hockey at an elite level and excelling at academics are really two sides of the same coin. It would be inconsistent for someone with the dedication it requires to perform at an elite level in sports, not to apply that same dedication to their academic studies. To excel in hockey it requires talent, but more importantly it requires discipline. The skillsets in athletics and academics are interrelated and I appreciate everyone with the Owen Sound Attack who has helped me as I continue to try and excel in both of those areas.”

Fresh-off setting an Attack rookie record for goals as a 16-year-old with 30 in 2021-22, Barlow became the youngest captain in Owen Sound Attack franchise history at 17-years-old, and emerged as one of five OHL players with at least 46 goals in his sophomore season.

“Colby has found an incredible way to balance both on-ice brilliance and excellence in the classroom,” said Attack General Manager Dale DeGray. “He also did a tremendous job serving as captain of our team in just his second season, and has amazed many at the Bayshore, scoring some outstanding goals and demonstrating what it truly means to be a leader both on and off the ice.”

Hailing from Orillia, Ont., Barlow is currently representing Canada at the 2023 IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championship in Switzerland, and also wore the maple leaf, winning gold for Canada at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Alberta last summer. Barlow competed in the 2023 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game this past January in Langley, BC. Originally selected by the Attack with their first round (8th overall) pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection, Barlow went on to be voted to the league’s first all-rookie team in 2021-22.

“Colby has a very positive attitude that is evident in everything he does,” commented Attack Academic Advisor Sarah Rowe. “He leads by example and preaches accountability both in school and in the dressing room. Colby is an honour roll student and a star on the ice who continues to do Owen Sound proud.”

Each year the Bobby Smith Trophy is presented to the OHL Scholastic Player of the Year who best combines high standards of play and academic excellence. The trophy is in honour of Bobby Smith, a former Ottawa 67s star who exhibited a standard of excellence in both of these areas. Past recipients since the award was first presented in 1980 include three-time winner Dustin Brown (Guelph 2001-03), Steven Stamkos (Sarnia 2007), Ryan Ellis (Windsor 2008), Matt Duchene (Brampton 2009), Erik Gudbranson (Kingston 2010), Dougie Hamilton (Niagara 2011), Adam Pelech (Erie 2012), Darnell Nurse (Sault Ste. Marie 2013), back-to-back winner Connor McDavid (Erie 2014, ’15), Sasha Chmelevski (Ottawa 2017), Barrett Hayton (Sault Ste. Marie 2018), Thomas Harley (Mississauga 2019), Cole Perfetti (Saginaw 2020) and Owen Beck (Mississauga 2022).

Next in line for the award were a pair of other NHL Draft eligibles in Erie Otters forward Carey Terrance and London Knights blueliner Oliver Bonk. Ottawa 67s draft-eligible forward Luca Pinelli placed third in the process.

Barlow will be the OHL’s nominee for the Canadian Hockey League Scholastic Player 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. Barlow will be formally presented with the Bobby Smith Trophy at the OHL’s Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, June 14 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

All 20 of the OHL’s member clubs provide nominees for the Bobby Smith Trophy, with nominees representing the 2022-23 OHL Scholastic Team:

2022-23 OHL Scholastic Team Nominees:
Barrie Colts – Grayson Tiller
Erie Otters – Carey Terrance
Flint Firebirds – Daks Klinkhammer
Guelph Storm – Matthew Poitras
Hamilton Bulldogs – Nick Lardis
Kingston Frontenacs – Alec Belanger
Kitchener Rangers – Matthew Andonovski
London Knights – Oliver Bonk
Mississauga Steelehads – Luke Misa
Niagara IceDogs – Bronson Ride
North Bay Battalion – Wyatt Kennedy
Oshawa Generals – Ben Danford
Ottawa 67’s – Luca Pinelli
Owen Sound Attack – Colby Barlow
Peterborough Petes – Chase Lefebvre
Saginaw Spirit – Joey Willis
Sarnia Sting – Easton Wainwright
Soo Greyhounds – Andrew Gibson
Sudbury Wolves – Alex Pharand
Windsor Spitfires – Joey Costanzo


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

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OHL Writers Draft Eligible Player of the Month for January

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Draft Eligible Forward of the Month – Colby Barlow – Owen Sound Attack

There is no debating this choice. Barlow went on a tear in the month of January and scored 14 goals and 6 assists in just 12 games to take the honors here and now leads the draft class in goals and points. Actually, he leads the league in goals. You’ll also find him among the leaders in assists and plus/minus.

Barlow had just one game where he didn’t register a goal or a point and that came on January 20 on the road against the London Knights. He had three multi-goal games and 7 multi-point games. For his efforts, the OHL named him Player of the Month for January.

Also considered was Zander Veccia of the Mississauga Steelheads. Veccia appeared in 11 games in January, scoring 7 goals and adding 9 assists. Just how productive was Veccia? Over half his production of 13 goals and 15 assists on the season came in January.

Draft Eligible Defenceman of the Month – Rodwin Dionicio – Windsor Spitfires

If anyone benefited from a trade near trade deadline, it’s Dionicio. He appeared in 11 games for the Spitfires in January and scored twice and assisted on 11 to lead all draft eligible blueliners. He had 4 goals and 3 assists in 17 games prior to the deal. He had two games with 3 helpers. One coming against the Saginaw Spirit on January 12 and the other against the London Knights on January 15.

Also considered was Beau Akey of the Barrie Colts. He appeared in 11 games during the month and scored once and assisted on 9 others. He has 7 goals and 29 assists on the season to lead draft eligible defencemen.

Draft Eligible Goaltender of the Month – Jacob Oster – Oshawa Generals

It was quite the month for Oster after a trade from the Guelph Storm. He appeared in 4 games, going 3-1-0 with a hefty .965 save-percentage and back-to-back shutouts where he stopped 19 of 19 shots he faced against the Kingston Frontenacs and then stopping all 30 he faced against the North Bay Battalion two nights later. Even in his only loss he stopped 35 of 38 shots. He was named Goaltender of the Month by the OHL for the week of January 23-29.

Also considered was Zach Bowen of the London Knights who went 3-0-0 and stopped 80 of 84 shots with one shutout and a save-percentage of .952.

Our previous choices were:

Forwards

Colby Barlow – Owen Sound Attack – January

Quentin Musty – Sudbury Wolves – December

Quentin Musty – Sudbury Wolves – November

Ryan Abraham – Windsor Spitfires – October

Defencemen

Rodwin Dionicio – Windsor Spitfires – January

Beau Akey – Sudbury Wolves – December

Brody Crane – London Knights – November

Hunter Brzustewicz – Kitchener Rangers – October

Goaltenders

Jacob Oster – Oshawa Generals – January

Joey Costanzo – Windsor Spitfires – December

Andrew Oke – Saginaw Spirit – November

Collin MacKenzie – Ottawa 67’s – October

OHL ANNOUNCES TOP PERFORMERS OF THE MONTH FOR JANUARY

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 January 2023 including Owen Sound Attack forward Colby Barlow, Barrie Colts blueliner Brandt Clarke, Windsor Spitfires rookie Liam Greentree and North Bay Battalion netminder Domenic DiVincentiis.

OHL Player of the Month – Colby Barlow (Owen Sound Attack):
2023 NHL Draft prospect Colby Barlow of the Owen Sound Attack is the OHL Player of the Month for January, producing 14 goals, six assists and 20 points in 12 games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-6. The Attack captain guided his team to a January mark of 8-3-1-0, registering points in 11 of his 12 outings, seven of those yielding multiple points. The 6-foot-1, 187 Ib. forward logged a goal and two helpers on Jan. 12th as the Attack defeated the Erie Otters 6-5 in overtime. Barlow’s scoring ways continued on Jan. 14th with another three-point showing, recording an assist and a pair of goals including the game winner in a 6-4 win over the Guelph Storm. He posted another two-goal night on Jan. 21st as the Attack defeated the Peterborough Petes 7-4 before closing out the month with another game-winning goal (2-0–2) in a 4-3 win over the Sudbury Wolves on Jan. 28th. Barlow becomes the first Attack player to earn OHL Player of the Month honours since Petrus Palmu, who was recognized in March 2017.

A 17-year-old from Orillia, Ont., Barlow leads the OHL with 36 goals on the season, including a League-leading 10 game winners. Listed as the OHL’s top-ranked skater on NHL’s Central Scouting Midseason Rankings, Barlow currently leads the Attack with 63 points (36-27–63) in 42 games. Now in his second season with Owen Sound, the left-winger has produced career totals that include 66 goals, 44 assists and 110 points in 101 regular season games. He was voted to the League’s first all-rookie team last season, setting an Attack franchise record for goals by a 16-year-old forward with 30. Barlow was Owen Sound’s first round (8th overall) pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection from the Toronto Marlboros U16 program. He returns to the Bayshore after captaining Team White to a 4-2 victory in the 2023 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects game held in Langley, BC last week.

OHL Defenceman of the Month – Brandt Clarke (Barrie Colts):
Los Angeles Kings prospect Brandt Clarke of the Barrie Colts is the OHL Defenceman of the Month for January, recording 20 points including 10 goals and 10 assists in nine games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-12 since returning from the Kings on Jan. 12th. Clarke’s offensive dominance on the blue line helped the Colts play to a January record of 6-3-0-0 upon his return, finishing the month with consecutive victories. His month included points in eight of his nine contests, including six multi-point showings. Clarke recorded a pair of goals and assists (2-2-4) on Jan. 15th to earn first star honours as the Colts defeated the Mississauga Steelheads 6-2. The 6-foot-2, 188lb. blueliner went on to register two goals and an assist on Jan. 17th against Owen Sound, assisting on the overtime winner as the Colts defeated the Attack 6-5. Continuing to lead the Colts to victory, Clarke recorded another three points on Jan. 28th with a pair of goals and a helper as Barrie defeated the Flint Firebirds 6-4. He rounded-out January with his first career OHL hat trick the following night, tacking on an assist as the Colts took a 4-1 win over the Saginaw Spirit. This mark’s Clarke’s second career OHL Defenceman of the Month honour after he was previously recognized in January 2022.

A 19-year-old from Nepean, Ont., Clarke has produced career totals that include 27 goals, 90 assists and 117 points in 121 regular season games. Now in his third season with the Colts, Clarke was voted to the League’s second all-star team in 2021-22, recording 59 points (11-48–59) in 55 games. The blueliner was Barrie’s first round (4th overall) pick in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection from the Don Mills Flyers U16 program. He was a first round (8th overall) pick of the Los Angeles Kings in the 2021 NHL Draft, and signed a three-year entry level NHL contract with the club on Aug. 10, 2021. Clarke returned to the Colts after winning a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship last month. He played in nine games with Los Angeles earlier this season, recording two assists in the process.

OHL Goaltender of the Month – Domenic DiVincentiis (North Bay Battalion):
Winnipeg Jets prospect Domenic DiVincentiis of the North Bay Battalion is the OHL Goaltender of the Month for January, playing to a 7-0-0-1 record with a 2.23 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage. DiVincentiis made 216 saves last month, winning seven of his eight outings for the Central Division-leading Battalion. He stopped 26 of the 27 shots that came his way on top of four shootout attempts on Jan. 11th as the Battalion defeated the Sudbury Wolves 2-1. He turned aside 47 of the 50 shots he faced the following week at home as the Battalion defeated the Flint Firebirds by a score of 7-3 on Jan. 15th. He closed out January blocking 30 of the 32 shots he faced on Jan. 28th as the Battalion defeated the Niagara IceDogs 8-2.

An 18-year-old Bolton, Ont. native, DiVincentiis leads the OHL with 25 wins to go with a 2.51 goals-against average and .911 save percentage through 32 games in his second OHL season. Helping backstop the Battalion to the Eastern Conference Championship Series last season, the 6-foot-2, 190lb. goaltender has played to a career mark of 39-14-1-1 with a 2.54 goals-against average and .909 save percentage in 59 regular season games with North Bay. He was the OHL’s F.W. ‘Dinty’ Moore Trophy winner in 2021-22, posting a 2.59 goals-against average while also being voted to the League’s second all-rookie team. DiVincentiis was selected by the Winnipeg Jets in the seventh round (207th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft. He was originally North Bay’s sixth round (116th overall) pick in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection from the Vaughan Kings U16 program.

OHL Rookie of the Month – Liam Greentree (Windsor Spitfires):
Windsor Spitfires forward Liam Greentree is the OHL Rookie of the Month for January, recording 16 points including 10 goals and six assists in 12 games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-6. Greentree recorded points in nine of his 12 January contests, finishing the month with points in four consecutive showings. He had a two-point night on Jan. 14th, recording a goal and a game-winning assist to earn first star honours as the Spitfires defeated the Saginaw Spirit 5-3. He continued his scoring ways with a hat trick on Jan. 22nd, including a pair of goals less than a minute apart as the Spitfires fell to the Oshawa Generals in a high-scoring 9-5 contest. Greentree finished the month with another pair of goals on Jan. 29th as the Spitfires took a 9-4 win over the Soo Greyhounds. Greentree is the first Spitfires player to earn OHL Rookie of the Month honours since Logan Brown, who was recognized in February 2015.

A 2006-born right-winger from Oshawa, Ont., the 6-foot-2, 198lb. Greentree recently joined Will Cuylle as just the second Spitfires 16-year-old rookie in the past 10 years to reach the 20-goal mark. Greentree was Windsor’s second round (34th overall) pick in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection from the Markham Majors U16 program. He wont be eligible for the NHL Draft until 2024.

2022-23 OHL Performers of the Month:

Player of the Month:
January – Colby Barlow (Owen Sound Attack)
December – Francesco Pinelli (Kitchener Rangers)
November – Sean McGurn (London Knights)
October – Brennan Othmann (Flint Firebirds)

Defenceman of the Month:
January – Brandt Clarke (Barrie Colts)
December – Pavel Mintyukov (Saginaw Spirit)
November – Pavel Mintyukov (Saginaw Spirit)
October – Pavel Mintyukov (Saginaw Spirit)

Goaltender of the Month:
January – Domenic DiVincentiis (North Bay Battalion)
December – Anson Thornton (Barrie Colts)
November – Tristan Lennox (Saginaw Spirit)
October – Michael Simpson (Peterborough Petes)

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


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

BARLOW AND DROBAC NAMEDOHL TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, January 15, 2023.



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

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

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

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

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

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



Bulldogs’ Matteo Drobac Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

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

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

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

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

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


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

Colby Barlow – Owen Sound Attack – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano
HTWTDOBPOSSHOOTSOHL DRAFTNHLCSCOUNTRY
6’1”187Feb 14/05LWL8th 2021A ProspectCANADA
SEASONLEAGUETEAMGPGAPTS
2019-20GTHL U-15Toronto Marlboros34232447
2020-21 DID NOT PLAY    
2021-22OHLOwen Sound Attack59301747
2022-23OHLOwen Sound Attack29211940
  Projected65474390
Colby Barlow of the Owen Sound Attack. Photo by Luke Durda/OHL Images

There was never any doubt Colby Barlow could produce offence. He showed just that in the Under-15 and one of the reasons why the Owen Sound Attack selected him with the 8th overall pick at the 2021 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection. Last season he proved he could do it at the OHL level as a rookie and he’s about to smash those numbers this season and why NHL Central Scouting has him as a first rounder on their Players to Watch List.

Barlow has an interesting skill set and some intriguing tools. He has good size, very good speed and plays physical. All great attributes to have if you want to play in the NHL. But his defensive game? It is NHL ready right now. When you add in his shot and compete level, he just looks like a professional hockey player.

Barlow does have some things that need work on, as do most players in any draft class. He’s not a play driver but more of a complimentary piece. It is rare that he creates his own opportunities, but he always seems to be in the right place at the right time for his teammates. While he breaks up plays in his own end, his transition game can use some work.

While Barlow has an excellent shot that can beat goaltenders, most of his tallies come from the dirty area in close. He’s not dynamic, won’t bring fans out of their seats with rushes but, he gets the job done. He’s not overly adept in the playmaking department and his goals will always out produce his assists.

Sound like a lot of negativities? Maybe. Some of those things can be worked on and improved. But he’s an NHL caliber prospect and a first rounder at that.

MAGGIO AND ZHIGALOV NAMEDOHL TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, October 16, 2022



Spitfires’ Matthew Maggio Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

New York Islanders prospect Matthew Maggio of the Windsor Spitfires is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording three goals, four assists and seven points over three games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-5.

Suiting up at the WFCU Centre for the first time since returning from the New York Islanders, Maggio posted a goal and two assists, setting up Alex Christopoulos’ overtime winner on Thanksgiving Monday as the Spits defeated the Soo Greyhounds 3-2. He proceeded to add two assists in Windsor’s 6-3 road win over the Sarnia Sting on Friday and closed out the weekend with a pair of goals in a 5-4 overtime loss in Owen Sound on Saturday.

A 19-year-old native of Tecumseh, Ont., Maggio has points in all four of his games this season, posting four goals and four assists for eight points. He was a fifth round (142nd overall) pick of the New York Islanders this past summer following 38 goals, 47 assists and 85 points in 66 games last season. Originally selected by the Ottawa 67’s in the fifth round of the 2018 OHL Priority Selection, Maggio is embarking on his fourth OHL season and is one goal shy of 50 on his OHL career.

Also given consideration for the award this week were Owen Sound Attack forward and top 2023 NHL Draft prospect Colby Barlow, who recorded four goals and two assists (4-2-6) including a hat trick and overtime winner in three games last week. Chicago Blackhawks blue line prospect Ethan Del Mastro of the Mississauga Steelheads was also a standout, recording five points (1-4–5) as the Trout went 3-0.

2022-23 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Oct. 10 – Oct. 16: Matthew Maggio (Windsor Spitfires
Oct. 3 – Oct. 9: Pavel Mintyukov (Saginaw Spirit) 
Sept. 29 – Oct. 2: Tucker Robertson (Peterborough Petes)



Frontenacs’ Ivan Zhigalov Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Colorado Avalanche prospect Ivan Zhigalov of the Kingston Frontenacs is the OHL Goaltender of the Week with two victories, a 1.50 goals-against average and a .952 save percentage.

Leading Kingston to an undefeated weekend at home, Zhigalov stopped 29 of the 31 shots that came his way as the Fronts won 4-2 against the Hamilton Bulldogs on Friday. The 6-foot-3, 173Ib. goaltender continued to defend the crease against the Guelph Storm on Saturday, blocking 30 of the 31 shots he faced in a 6-1 win.

A 19-year-old from Minsk, Belarus, Zhigalov owns a 3-1-0-1 record with a 1.78 goals-against average and .945 save percentage in five games this season. The seventh round (225th overall) pick of the Colorado Avalanche this past summer spent the 2021-22 season with the QMJHL’s Sherbrooke Phoenix, playing to a 26-9-3 record with a 2.84 goals-against-average and .892 save percentage. He participated in the 2022 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Kitchener, Ont., and was Kingston’s first round (47th overall) pick in the 2022 CHL Import Draft.

A pair of other candidates were given consideration for the award as Sudbury Wolves netminder Joe Ranger went 1-0-0-1 on the weekend, posting a  2.37 goals-against average and .933 save percentage. Kitchener Rangers goaltender Marco Costantini went 1-1-0-0 with his new club, posting a 2.55 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage.

2022-23 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Oct. 10 – Oct. 16: Ivan Zhigalov (Kingston Frontenacs)
Oct. 3 – Oct. 9: Alessio Beglieri (Mississauga Steelheads)
Sept. 29 – Oct. 2: Ben Gaudreau (Sarnia Sting)


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