Five CHL players added to Team Canada’s roster for the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

TORONTO, ON — Hockey Canada has announced that forward Ollie Josephson (Red Deer Rebels / WHL), forward Maxim Massé (Chicoutimi Saguenéens / QMJHL), defenceman Frankie Marrelli (Ottawa 67’s / OHL), defenceman Henry Mews (Ottawa 67’s / OHL), and goaltender Jack Ivankovic (Mississauga Steelheads / OHL) have been added to Team Canada’s roster at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship (see the updated roster below), which is scheduled to run from April 25 – May 5 in Espoo and Vantaa, Finland.

The additions mean that there are now 24 CHL players set to lace up their skates for Team Canada at the tournament, including a total of 13 players from the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), eight players from the Western Hockey League (WHL), and three from the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). In all, 15 of the 24 players named to Team Canada’s roster were listed in NHL Central Scouting’s Final Rankings ahead of the 2024 NHL Draft.

Ollie Josephson, Maxim Massé, Frankie Marrelli, and Henry Mews are no strangers to wearing the Maple Leaf, having been a part of Canada’s gold-medal winning squad at the 2023 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup last summer. All four players were also recently listed among the Top-50 ranked North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting led by Massé (30th), who was then followed by Mews (37th), Josephson (40th), and Marrelli (46th). Massé, who led the QMJHL’s Chicoutimi Saguenéens with 75 points this season, was recently awarded the 2023-24 Michael-Bossy Trophy as the QMJHL’s Top Professional Prospect.

16-year-old netminder Jack Ivankovic has also previously won gold representing Canada on the world stage, having been a part of Canada White’s first-place finish at the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in November. Ivankovic registered a 14-5-4-0 record playing for the OHL’s Mississauga Steelheads this season, finishing with a 2.72 goals-against average (GAA) and a .915 save percentage. His 2.72 GAA was the lowest by an OHL rookie during the 2023-24 campaign, earning him the F.W. “Dinty” Moore Trophy.

Canada will play its final pre-tournament game against Norway on Tuesday. Canada’s quest for a gold medal at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship begins April 25 at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT against Sweden. Canada will play Czechia on April 26, Switzerland on April 28, and Kazakhstan on April 30 to close out preliminary-round action. The semifinals are set for May 4 before the tournament concludes with the medal games on May 5.

TSN and RDS, Hockey Canada’s official broadcast partners will broadcast select tournament games, including all Team Canada games and all playoff-round games. Check your local listings for details. Since 2002, Canada has won four gold medals at the IIHF U18 World Championship (2003, 2008, 2013, 2021), in addition to one silver (2005) and four bronze (2012, 2014, 2015, 2023).

​​For more information on Hockey Canada and the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

24 CHL PLAYERS NAMED TO CANADA’S 2024 IIHF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ROSTER

Goaltenders (3)
Jack Ivankovic (Mississauga Steelheads / OHL)
Ryerson Leenders (Mississauga Steelheads / OHL)
Carter George (Owen Sound Attack / OHL)

Defencemen (8)
Frankie Marrelli (Ottawa 67’s / OHL)
Henry Mews (Ottawa 67’s / OHL),
Kashawn Aitcheson (Barrie Colts / OHL)
Matthew Schaefer (Erie Otters / OHL)
Harrison Brunicke (Kamloops Blazers / WHL)
Reese Hamilton (Calgary Hitmen / WHL)
Spencer Gill (Rimouski Océanic / QMJHL)
Charlie Elick (Brandon Wheat Kings / WHL)

Forwards (13)
Ollie Josephson (Red Deer Rebels / WHL)
Maxim Massé (Chicoutimi Saguenéens / QMJHL)
Gavin McKenna (Medicine Hat Tigers / WHL)
Marek Vanacker (Brantford Bulldogs / OHL)
Malcolm Spence (Erie Otters / OHL)
Roger McQueen (Brandon Wheat Kings / WHL)
Jett Luchanko (Guelph Storm / OHL)
Ryder Ritchie (Prince Albert Raiders / WHL)
Porter Martone (Mississauga Steelheads / OHL)
Carson Wetsch (Calgary Hitmen / WHL)
Caleb Desnoyers (Moncton Wildcats / QMJHL)
Liam Greentree (Windsor Spitfires / OHL)
Cole Beaudoin (Barrie Colts / OHL)

Berkly Catton (Spokane Chiefs / WHL) and Cayden Lindstrom (Medicine Hat Tigers / WHL) were invited, but unable to participate 

Staff
Head Coach – Gardiner MacDougall (former Saint John Sea Dogs head coach)
Assistant Coach – Travis Crickard (Saint John Sea Dogs / QMJHL)
Assistant Coach – Ryan Smith (Spokane Chiefs / WHL)
Goaltending Coach – Dan De Palma (Kamloops Blazers / WHL)
Program of Excellence management group representative – Dave Brown (Erie Otters / OHL)
Athletic Therapist – Jimmy McKnight (Edmonton Oil Kings / WHL)
Team Physician – Dr. Michael Conrad (Victoria Royals / WHL)

Henry Mews – Ottawa 67’s – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano
Henry Mews of the Ottawa 67’s. Photo by Luke Durda/OHL Images
HTWTDOBPOSSHOHL DRAFTNHLCSNAT
6’1”183Mar 9, 2006RDR7th, 202227th, N.A.CANADA
SEASONLEAGUETEAMGPGAPTS
2021-2022AAA U16Toronto Jr Canadiens52146478
2021-2022OHL CupToronto Jr Canadiens6145
2022-2023WHC U17Canada White6268
2022-2023OHLOttawa 67’s55121931
2023-2024Hlinka/GretzkyCanada5167
2023-2024OHLOttawa 67’s65154661

Henry Mews of the Ottawa 67’s has consistently generated offense throughout his career, from AAA to the World Hockey Challenge U17 tournament to the Ontario Hockey League. Though considered the third-best defenseman in his OHL draft class after Sam Dickinson and Zayne Parekh, Mews brings a distinct skill set compared to his highly-touted peers. The trio couldn’t be more different.

Mews’ skating ability stands out as his greatest asset, with fluid mechanics, explosive acceleration in just a few strides, and adept edge work enabling effortless changes of pace and direction. While his top-end speed could improve, this minor weakness does not detract from his overall excellence on the ice.

Mews is an excellent puck handler who thrives during breakouts and in transition. With elite vision and superb playmaking ability, he gets the job done moving the puck up ice. Although not a scoring threat yet, he still creates danger in the offensive zone by using his accurate shot to generate rebounds. Developing a heavier shot could make him even more of a dual threat, but for now his playmaking skills make him someone you want controlling the puck.

The area of concern at this level is always a player’s defensive game and it is no different for Mews. While he can play with an edge and is superb at keeping his gaps tight thanks to his elite skating, I have concerns about his inconsistent defensive effort. There are times he looks lost in his own zone, not from a lack of hockey IQ, but seemingly from a lapse in effort. If he can maintain strong defensive effort, he has the skillset to succeed at the next level.

OHL Writers Draft Eligible Players of the Month: March

Posted on by Dominic Tiano
Zayne Parekh of the Saginaw Spirit. Photo by Natalie Shaver/OHL Images

The 2023-2024 Ontario Hockey League season will be remembered as one of the most competitive and unpredictable in recent memory. The fact that not a single playoff series was set until the last day of the season truly speaks volumes about the level of competition and passion in the league.

Today, we take a look at players eligible for the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and who had the most impact in March with our forward, defenceman, and goaltender of the month.

Forward of the Month – Beckett Sennecke – Oshawa Generals

March was Sennecke’s best all-around month of the season and offensively he produced 6 goals and 12 assists in 10 games. He was a plus player in each game and he was kept off the scoresheet just twice. He also had 5 multi-point games.

Also considered were: Dalyn Wakely of the North Bay Battalion with 7 goals and 12 assists in 9 games; his teammate Anthony Romani with 11 goals and 6 assists in 10 games; Ruslan Gazizov of the London Knights with 8 goals and 7 assists in 9 games; Sam Alfano of the Erie Otters with 8 goals and 8 assists in 10 games.

Defenceman of the Month – Zayne Parekh – Saginaw Spirit

For the third time in the season, Parekh is our choice here. In 11 games in March, Parekh had 5 goals and 11 assists and established himself as the top offensive blueliner in the draft. He was held pointless in just two of the games and was a minus player just twice.

Also considered were: Jakub Fibigr of the Mississauga Steelheads who had 1 goal and 12 assists in 11 games; Luca Marrelli of the Oshawa Generals who had 3 goals and 8 assists in 10 games; Henry Mews of the Ottawa 67’s had 4 goals and 6 assists in 12 games.

Goaltender of the Month – Jacob Oster – Oshawa Generals

Oster is a two-time goaltender of the month for us after we selected him in January as well. He appeared in 9 games in March and was a perfect 9-0-0-0. He stopped 223 of 244 shots he faced for a save percentage of .914. This will be Oster’s third and final year of draft eligibility.

Also considered were: Liam Sztuska of the Peterborough Petes who went 2-3-0 and had a save percentage of .915; Charlie Robertson of the Niagara IceDogs who went 1-3-0-1 with a save percentage of .913; Ryerson Leenders of the Mississauga Steelheads who went 3-0-2-0 with a save percentage of .917.

Our monthly choices:

Forward of the Month

Beckett Sennecke – Oshawa Generals – March

Ryan Abraham – Windsor Spitfires – February

Marek Vanacker – Brantford Bulldogs – January

Ruslan Gazizov – London Knights – December

Liam Greentree – Windsor Spitfires – November

Adrian Misaljevic – Kitchener Rangers – October

Defenceman of the Month

Zayne Parekh – Saginaw Spirit – March

Sam Dickinson – London Knights – February

Zayne Parekh – Saginaw Spirit – January

Sam Dickinson – London Knights – December

Zayne Parekh – Saginaw Spirit – November

Jacob LeBlanc – Sarnia Sting – October

Goaltender of the Month

Jacob Oster – Oshawa Generals – March

Carter George – Owen Sound Attack – February

Jacob Oster – Oshawa Generals – January

Carter George – Owen Sound Attack – December

Jack Parsons – Kitchener Rangers – November

Brayden Gillespie – Guelph Storm – October

OHL Writers Draft Eligible Players of the Month: November

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

It was a wild and crazy month in the Ontario Hockey League and it’s not always easy to select the best performances among forwards, defencemen and goaltenders. Yet, here we are doing just that among the players eligible for the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.

Forward of the Month: Liam Greentree – Windsor Spitfires

There were a lot of options here but ultimately decided on Greentree because of what he is doing on the League’s last place club. Greentree posted 9 goals and 9 assists in just 10 games in November and is a bright spot on a season Spitfires’ fans would like to forget. He’s creating a lot of chances for himself and his teammates and he’s making them count. Greentree has 17 goals and 18 assists in 22 games on the season and leads the Spits in most offensive categories.

Also considered were: Anthony Romani of the North Bay Battalion who had 9 goals and 6 assists in 11 games; Kocha Delic of the Sudbury Wolves who had 6 goals and 10 assists in 11 games; Trent Swick of the Kitchener Rangers who notched 8 goals and 9 assists in 13 games and Simon Slavicek of the Flint Firebirds who scored 5 goals and 11 assists in 12 games.

Defenceman of the Month: Zayne Parekh – Saginaw Spirit

It was an easier decision on the blueline where Parekh put up 7 goals and 12 assists in 11 games. He was held off the scoresheet just twice and only 2 games were not multi point games. He had a hattrick on November 8 against Flint – the first of his OHL career.

Parekh finished with a minus in just one game in November, a 3-1 win over the Windsor Spitfires. It just happened to be one of the games he went pointless in as well. Parekh now has 9 goals and 22 assists in 23 games on the season.

Also considered was Ottawa 67’s defenceman Henry Mews who had 2 goals and 10 assists in 10 games. Returning after missing 3 games, Mews put up points in 7 of his 10 games with all but two of them being multi-point games. He now has 3 goals and 15 assists in 20 games on the season.

Goaltender of the Month: Jackson Parsons – Kitchener Rangers

Perhaps an even easier decision was selecting Parsons. Yes, he plays on a great Rangers squad but he is one of the reasons they are so good. He made 11 appearances in November and posted a 9-1-0-0 record. As good as Kitchener is as a team, Parsons still faced some rubber stopping 303 of 323 shots he faced for a .937 save-percentage, 2.05 goals-against-average and 2 shutouts.

Parsons faced 30 or more shots in 7 of his 10 complete games in November and is 7th among OHL goalies in shots faced on the season. Parsons is now 14-5-0-0 on the season with a 2.43 goals-against-average and .921 save-percentage. So, he is not just the beneficiary of playing on a good team.

We didn’t really consider anyone else as our nominee.

Our monthly choices:

Forward of the Month

Liam Greentree – Windsor Spitfires – November

Adrian Misaljevic – Kitchener Rangers – October

Defenceman of the Month

Zayne Parekh – Saginaw Spirit – November

Jacob LeBlanc – Sarnia Sting – October

Goaltender of the Month

Jack Parsons – Kitchener Rangers – November

Brayden Gillespie – Guelph Storm – October

13 OHL PLAYERS SELECTED TO REPRESENT CANADA AT 2023 HLINKA GRETZKY CUP

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League is pleased to congratulate 13 OHL players on being selected to represent Canada at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup to be held from July 31st through August 5th in Trencin, Slovakia and Breclav, Czechia.

The 13 OHL players are part of a Canadian roster consisting of 24 names that was assembled by Alan Millar (Tottenham, Ont.), director of player personnel, and Cam Russell (Halifax Mooseheads), the U18 lead for the Program of Excellence management group, with support from Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), senior vice-president of hockey operations, Benoit Roy (Sudbury, Ont.), senior manager of hockey operations, and Byron Bonora (Brooks, Alta.), manager of hockey operations and U17 head scout. Head coach Alan Letang (Sarnia Sting) and assistant coaches Kris Mallette (Kelowna Rockets) and Sylvain Favreau (Drummondville Voltigeurs) also provided input.

OHL Rookie of the Year Michael Misa headlines the 13 OHL players named to the roster, being joined by Saginaw Spirit teammate Zayne Parekh on the blue line. Misa and Parekh are accompanied by fellow OHL first all-rookie team members Sam Dickinson of the London Knights and Liam Greentree of the Windsor Spitfires while second team voting recipient Anthony Cristoforo of the Windsor Spitfires is also included.

The Ottawa 67’s feature a pair of teammates on the blueline in Henry Mews and Frankie Marrelli while the Mississauga Steelheads joined the 67’s, Saginaw Spirit and Windsor Spitfires in also producing two players named to the squad in forward Porter Martone and goaltender Ryerson Leenders.

OHL Players Named to Canada’s National Summer Under-18 Team:

Goaltender:
Carter George (Owen Sound Attack)
Ryerson Leenders (Mississauga Steelheads)

Defencemen:
Anthony Cristoforo (Windsor Spitfires)
Ben Danford (Oshawa Generals)
Sam Dickinson (London Knights)
Frankie Marrelli (Ottawa 67’s)
Henry Mews (Ottawa 67’s)
Zayne Parekh (Saginaw Spirit)

Forwards:
Cole Beaudoin (Barrie Colts)
Liam Greentree (Windsor Spitfires)
Porter Martone (Mississauga Steelheads)
Michael Misa (Saginaw Spirit)
Malcolm Spence (Erie Otters)

Prior to the start of the tournament, the team will practice at the Ice Palace in Budapest, Hungary from July 23-27, and will face off against Hungary’s national under-20 team on July 27 at 12:30 p.m. ET/9:30 a.m. PT. It will also take on Czechia on July 29 at 12:30 p.m. ET/9:30 a.m. PT at Fosfa Arena in Breclav as a part of its pre-tournament schedule.

Canada will open the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup against Finland on July 31 at 9:30 a.m. ET/6:30 a.m. PT. It will also face co-host Slovakia and Switzerland in the preliminary round before the tournament concludes with the medal games on Aug. 5.

TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast all Team Canada games and select elimination and medal games; please check local listings for more details.

Canada has won 23 gold medals in 31 years of summer under-18 competition, along with three silver medals and one bronze.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca.


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.