FLORES AND GAGNIER 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, December 11, 2022.



Generals’ Ryan Gagnier Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

Ryan Gagnier of the Oshawa Generals is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording two goals, six assists and eight points in three games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-6.

Helping the Generals extend their winning streak to five with three more victories this week, Gagnier got things started with a goal and three assists on Tuesday as Oshawa defeated the London Knights 5-3 at Budweiser Gardens on Tuesday. He picked up an assist on Friday as the Generals defeated the visiting Soo Greyhounds 7-2. Gagnier contributed another goal, two helpers and the shootout winner in Oshawa’s annual Teddy Bear Toss game on Sunday, fueling a 4-3 victory over the Barrie Colts.

A 20-year-old native of Tecumseh, Ont., Gagnier has produced nine goals, 19 assists and 28 points in 29 games this season, winning 57 percent of his 516 faceoff attempts in the process. The former third round (50th overall) pick by the Generals in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection has registered 31 goals, 41 assists and 72 points in 150 career regular season games as he continues his fourth season in Oshawa.

Also given consideration for the award this week were New York Islanders prospect Matthew Maggio of the Windsor Spitfires who recorded four goals and four assists (4-4-8) over three games, along with a plus/minus rating of plus-5. Minnesota Wild prospect Hunter Haight of the Saginaw Spirit was also a standout, registering three goal and five helpers (3-5-8) in four games.

2022-23 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
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)



IceDogs’ Owen Flores Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Owen Flores of the Niagara IceDogs is the OHL Goaltender of the Week with one win and a shootout loss, a goals-against average of 1.44 and save percentage of .963.

Flores stopped 77 of the 81 shots that came his way last week, helping the IceDogs earn three of a possible four points. He turned aside 35 shots on top of two of the three shootout attempts he faced on Thursday as the IceDogs fell to the Kingston Frontenacs 3-2. Flores was back between the pipes on Saturday, backstopping the IceDogs to a 2-1 win over the Mississauga Steelheads where he made 43 saves to earn first star honours.

An 18-year-old from Antioch, Ill., Flores owns a 5-7-2-1 record with a 4.64 goals-against average and .879 save percentage in 18 games with the IceDogs this season. The 6-foot-2, 176Ib. netminder was acquired from the London Knights in September after going 6-8-2-2 with a 3.67 goals-against average and .875 save percentage with the Knights in his rookie season. He was also named to the GOJHL’s Rookie All-Star Team in 2021-22 after playing to a 12-2-0 record with a 2.20 goals-against average and .928 save percentage in 16 games with the London Nationals. Flores was London’s sixth round (114th overall) pick in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection.

A pair of other candidates were given consideration for the award as Kitchener Rangers netminder Marcus Vandenberg went 2-0, recording a 2.00 goals-against average and .953 save percentage in wins over Guelph and Peterborough. Colorado Avalanche prospect Ivan Zhigalov of the Kingston Frontenacs also went 2-0, posting a 1.44 goals-against average and .955 save percentage in road victories over Niagara and Hamilton.

2022-23 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
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.

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Hunter Haight – Barrie Colts – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano
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Hunter Haight of the Barrie Colts. Photo by Terry Wilson, OHL Images.

For the 9th overall pick at the 2020 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection that was deemed one of the top offensive producers in the 2022 NHL Draft Class from the OHL, it has not been a stellar start for Hunter Haight of the Barrie Colts. With just 5 goals and 6 assists in 19 games, more was expected because he is capable of more.

So, what’s the issue? Judging from what I have seen it is a size issue. Not so much his 5’10” but the measly 167 pounds he carries on that frame. Haight just isn’t capable of getting sustained time in front of the opposition net to get dirty chance goals as he is easily moved. And if you happen to be a good enough skater that you can catch him streaking down the wing, you can easily knock him off the puck.

That said, the skillset is definitely there and it should not be ignored. You can’t knock Haight’s effort. He plays the game with a lot of pace, is an extremely quick skater with the hands and the brains to go with it. Many times, you look at the same caliber player and suggest when his hands and brain catch up to his feet, he will be dangerous, but Haight is already there.

Haight’s ability to make plays at top speed is also pretty impressive. His skating – speed and edgework- allows him to maintain possession, buy time and with his IQ create space for himself and his teammates. He has the vision, creativity and playmaking skills to go along with that. He also has an NHL caliber shot already. The problem is that he is averaging just 1.7 shots per game, not enough for a player with his shot quality. Again, I attribute that to not having the muscle/size to get to the areas he needs to get too to get that shot off.

The most surprising thing, to me anyway, is that he has bought into what Coach Marty Williamson insists on and that is being a strong two-way player. There is no questioning Haight’s effort defensively, using his skating, IQ and the effort he brings at the other end of the ice to his own end.

There is no telling at this stage what NHL teams think of Haight. He certainly has the talent to be an early second round pick in the NHL Entry Draft. It will all come down to whether anyone has size concerns. If not, we could see him even go as high as a late first rounder, but if they do, he could even drop to the third round.

My perspective is this: When I look at Haight, I look back to Alex DeBrincat, not that I am comparing Haight to DeBrincat. But during his draft year, DeBrincat played at 5’7” and 160 pounds. Today, DeBrincat is playing at 167 pounds and is very successful and to put it simply, he found a way.

Haight is also going to have to find a way. Eventually, I think he will.

OHL ANNOUNCES ACADEMIC PLAYERS OF THE MONTH FOR NOVEMBER

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Cole Brown of the Hamilton Bulldogs, Hunter Haight of the Barrie Colts, Nolan Lalonde of the Erie Otters and Ethan Hay of the Flint Firebirds have been named Academic Players of the Month for November.

East Division: Rookie forward Cole Brown of the Hamilton Bulldogs is the East Division Academic Player of the Month for November with a 92.5 percent average in Grade 11 studies at Ancaster High School.

Currently studying Grade 11 University-level Functions and Health for Life, Brown’s teachers regularly comment on the amount of effort he puts into his homework and assignments.

“Cole enrolled in the maximum number of courses allowed in the new quadmester model and showed great resilience and perseverance in this accelerated format,” said Bulldogs academic advisor Sean Nicholson.

On the ice, the 16-year-old from Aurora, Ont. has four points (2-2–4) through his first nine games with the Bulldogs. He was selected with Hamilton’s third round (43rd overall) pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection from the York-Simcoe Express U16 program. He scored his first career OHL goal on Nov. 18th in Peterborough.

Central Division: Barrie Colts centreman and top 2022 NHL Draft prospect Hunter Haight is the OHL Central Division Academic Player of the Month for November.

Haight has yet to receive a grade below an ‘A’ to this point in his high school career. The Grade 12 student at Innisdale Secondary School recently completed a Personal Physical Fitness course while studying Advanced Functions, Personal Life Management and a High Performance Athlete Co-op program. By the end of the current semester, Haight will have completed all six of his University-level Grade 12 classes including Data Management, Calculus, Vectors, Advanced Functions and Physics.

“Hunter’s scholastic ability is matched on the ice where he takes on a leadership role,” said Colts academic advisor Chris Cudmore. “He’s clearly integral to his team’s success and continues to excel away from the rink as well.”

The 17-year-old Haight has posted 11 points (5-6–11) over 18 games in his rookie season, being assigned a ‘B’ rating on NHL Central Scouting’s Players to Watch List. The Strathroy, Ont. product was Barrie’s first round (9th overall) pick in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection from the Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs U16 program.

Midwest Division: Erie Otters goaltender Nolan Lalonde is the Midwest Division Academic Player of the Month for November, excelling in his studies between Fairview High School and Blyth Academy.

Lalonde has taken on a heavy course-load that includes Grade 11 classes in English and Business in addition to Grade 12 Advanced Functions, English and Biology as well as Public Speaking.

“Nolan has a tremendous work ethic and has committed himself to being a true leader both in the classroom and on the ice,” said Otters academic advisor Jaime Cieszynski. “Nolan has adapted to the return to the classroom, his new home in Erie, and the pressures of his first OHL season while being a role model for his teammates.”

The 17-year-old from Kingston, Ont. has appeared in 15 games this season, going 5-8-1-0 with a 3.72 goals-against average and .884 save percentage. Lalonde was assigned a ‘C’ rating on NHL Central Scouting’s November Players to Watch List for the 2022 NHL Draft. He was Erie’s third round (49th overall) selection from the Kingston Jr. Gaels U16 program in 2020.

West Division: Flint Firebirds rookie forward Ethan Hay is the OHL West Division Academic Player of the Month for November, recording an 88.4 percent average in Grade 11 studies through Grand Blanc High School and Blyth Academy.

Hay achieved a 97.2 percent average in Sociology, a 93 percent in English and a 75 percent in Mathematics, drawing high praise from his academic advisor.

“What has impressed me most about Ethan is his work ethic on and off the ice,” said Kevin Keilitz. “When he comes to school he doesn’t waste any time getting to his studies. Ethan was also a huge advocate of bringing a math tutor in to help with players who are struggling. There is no doubt in my mind that by the end of the semester his math grade will rise at least 10 percent.”

A 16-year-old from Waterloo, Ont., Hay has four points (2-2–4) through his first 17 games with the Firebirds. He was chosen by Flint with their third round (46th overall) pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection from the Waterloo Wolves U16 program. Hay scored his first career OHL goal on Nov. 5th in Kitchener.

2021-22 OHL Academic Players of the Month:

East Division:
November – Cole Brown (Hamilton Bulldogs)
October – Sam Alfano (Peterborough Petes)

Central Division:
November – Hunter Haight (Barrie Colts)
October – Owen Beck (Mississauga Steelheads)

Midwest Division:
November – Nolan Lalonde (Erie Otters)
October – Cal Uens (Owen Sound Attack)

West Division:
November – Ethan Hay (Flint Firebirds)
October – Bronson Ride (Windsor Spitfires)

A total of 343 graduates utilized their OHL Scholarship at post-secondary institutions across North America during the 2020-21 academic year, with a total contribution by teams of over $3.1 million. Over the past 10 seasons, OHL Scholarship payments have totalled more than $25 million.

Click here for more information about ‘OHL Players First’ programs.


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.

HOCKEY CANADA RECOGNIZES 13 OHL PLAYERS INVITED TO 2021 NATIONAL SUMMER UNDER-18 TEAM DEVELOPMENT CAMP

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada has recognized 13 Ontario Hockey League players as part of a group of 45 players invited to attend Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team Development Camp at Seven Chiefs Sportsplex on the Tsuut’ina Nation near Calgary from July 25th to Aug 4th. Sarnia Sting head coach Alan Letang, Ottawa 67’s goaltending coach Charles McTavish and Kingston Frontenacs equipment manager Chris Cook have also been recognized, along with Owen Sound Attack therapist Andy Brown, North Bay Battalion therapist Andrew Sachkiw and Guelph Storm mental performance consultant Dr. Ashwin Patel.

One OHL goaltender, four defencemen and eight forwards were recognized as invitees to the 11-day camp. Players will be split into two teams, Red and White, and participate in practices and intrasquad games, including combined practices and intrasquad games with Canada’s National Junior Team on Aug. 2nd and 3rd.

“This stage of our Summer Showcase is about bringing together the top under-18 players in Canada to work and learn from an elite-level coaching staff, giving them the necessary skills for their hockey development to grow and succeed,” said Alan Millar, director of player personnel for Hockey Canada. “We have an opportunity to connect with the players through on- and off-ice sessions to give them the tools that will only enhance their skill set as they advance through our program and prepare for the upcoming season.”

Letang, who was appointed head coach of the Sting late last month after serving behind the Attack bench, will return to Canada’s coaching staff. Letang won a gold medal as an assistant coach with Canada’s National Junior Team at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship and, as a player, helped Canada’s National Men’s Team to a 1998 Spengler Cup championship and won a bronze medal at the 2006 Deutschland Cup.

The camp is typically a stepping stone in evaluating and selecting Canada’s roster for the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, but Canada will not participate this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The focus will now turn to the 2022 IIHF U18 World Championship next spring, where Canada will look to defend their gold medal after claiming the top prize at this year’s tournament in Texas.

OHL Players Invited to Canada’s National Summer Under-18 Team Development Camp

Goaltenders:
Domenic DiVincentiis (North Bay Battalion)

Defencemen:
Jorian Donovan (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Donovan McCoy (Sudbury Wolves)
Ty Nelson (North Bay Battalion)
Spencer Sova (Erie Otters)

Forwards:
Sam Alfano (Peterborough Petes)
Pano Fimis (Niagara IceDogs)
David Goyette (Sudbury Wolves)
Cedrick Guindon (Owen Sound Attack)
Hunter Haight (Barrie Colts)
Paul Ludwinski (Kingston Frontenacs)
Bryce McConnell-Barker (Soo Greyhounds)
Matthew Poitras (Guelph Storm)

Coaches:
Assistant Coach – Alan Letang (Sarnia Sting)
Goaltending Coach – Charles McTavish (Ottawa 67’s)
Equipment Manager – Chris Cook (Kingston Frontenacs)
Therapist – Andy Brown (Owen Sound Attack)
Therapist – Andrew Sachkiw (North Bay Battalion)
Mental Performance Consultant – Dr. Ashwin Patel (Guelph Storm)

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 ACADEMIC PLAYERS OF THE MONTH FOR NOVEMBER

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Lawson Sherk of the Hamilton Bulldogs, Hunter Haight of the Barrie Colts, Connor Lockhart of the Erie Otters and Gavin Hayes of the Flint Firebirds have been named the OHL Academic Players of the Month for November.

Though the puck has yet to drop on the 2020-21 OHL Regular Season, players are striving for excellence in the classroom through their studies. The League continues to work with government and public health agencies to prepare a safe return to play with a targeted Regular Season start date of Thursday, February 4, 2021. Academic players of the month are listed in correspondence with their 2019-20 divisions. Details concerning the structure of 2020-21 team alignment will be made available upon release of the OHL Regular Season schedule.

Here’s a closer look at the OHL’s Academic Players of the Month for November:

East Division: Lawson Sherk of the Hamilton Bulldogs is being recognized as November’s East Division Academic Player of the Month. He achieved 100% in Grade 12 University Level Advanced Functions; one of few Ancaster High School students to have ever achieved the perfect grade. Sherk also scored the top mark in Grade 12 University Level Physics with 94% and earned a 93% in his Personal Life Management course.

Sherk’s teachers and coaches regularly compliment his work ethic, positive attitude and kindness and point out his perseverance and teamwork both in the classroom and on the ice. He is known around school as a mentor and a leader.

The 17-year-old Halton Hills, Ont. native put up 15 points (5-10—15) over 62 games in his rookie season with the Bulldogs. He was selected 40th overall by Hamilton in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection after a 50-point season (15-35—50) with the OMHA’s Halton Hurricanes.

Central Division: Barrie’s Hunter Haight is November’s Central Division Academic Player of the Month. Over his first term at Blyth Academy, he put up an impressive 98% in Grade 11 University Level Physics and 95% in Grade 12 Community Technology. Out of the 19 courses Haight has completed so far, he has yet to receive a grade lower than 90%.

Haight is described by his teachers as extremely focused and as someone who “continuously puts forth his best efforts both on and off the ice.” He was also recently recognized with the Emerging Leaders Award on account of his outstanding personal leadership, positive impact and contributions within the community.

The 9th overall 2020 OHL Priority Selection pick led the ALLIANCE U16 ranks with 32 goals last season and led his Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs to a league championship. Haight finished the 2019-20 season with 58 points (32-26—58) in 33 appearances and put up 26 points (11-15—26) in the playoffs.

Midwest Division: Connor Lockhart of the Erie Otters has been named the Midwest Division’s Academic Player of the Month for November after undertaking a full courseload that included Grade 11 Academic Math, Grade 12 Athletic Leadership, Grade 11 English, Grade 12 Nutrition and Grade 12 Personal Life Management.

Lockhart has been praised for fulfilling his course responsibilities at John McRae Secondary School and Blyth Academy before the start of the season so that he will have more time in his schedule for increased demands during his draft year. His ability to adapt to new ways of learning, time management, self-motivation and prioritization during this difficult time have also been praised, as well as his decision to front load his schedule to maximize his free time while maintaining his workouts and pre-season preparation.

The 17-year-old forward amassed 27 points (9-18—27) over 57 contests in his rookie campaign with the Otters following a 79-point (30-49—79) production with the Kanata Lasers U18 in 2018-19.

West Division: Flint Firebirds rookie Gavin Hayes is the West Division’s Academic Player of the Month for November. Hayes earned an 88% in U.S. History, 84% in Grade 11 English and 83% in Algebra II at SOAR Academic Institute.

Drafted 16th overall by the Firebirds in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection, Hayes led the High-Performance Hockey League in goals (16) and points (33) over 21 appearances with the Detroit Compuware U15 AAA squad.

2020-21 OHL Academic Players of the Month:

Players listed in correspondence with 2019-20 divisions. Details concerning the structure of 2020-21 team alignment will be made available upon release of the OHL Regular Season schedule.

East Division:
November – Lawson Sherk (Hamilton Bulldogs)

Central Division:
November – Hunter Haight (Barrie Colts)

Midwest Division:
November – Connor Lockhart (Erie Otters)

West Division:
November – Gavin Hayes (Flint Firebirds)

A total of 334 graduates utilized their OHL Scholarship at post-secondary institutions across North America during the 2019-20 academic year, with a total contribution by teams of over $3 million.  Over the past 10 seasons, OHL Scholarship payments have totalled more than $25 million.

Click here for more information about ‘OHL Players First’ programs.

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.