GOYETTE AND WEST 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 11, 2024.



Wolves’ David Goyette Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

Seattle Kraken prospect David Goyette of the Sudbury Wolves is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, contributing three goals, six assists and nine points while registering a plus-3 rating in three wins.

Riding an eight-game point streak, Goyette led the League with nine points, helping the Wolves become the first Eastern Conference team to reach 30 wins this season. He was instrumental in Sudbury’s 6-5 comeback win over Sault Ste. Marie on Wednesday recording a goal and an assist in the latter half of the third period. The 5-foot-11, 181lb. right-wing found the scoresheet again on Friday, registering a a goal and two helpers in a 6-1 win over the Niagara IceDogs. Goyette closed out the weekend with a four-point performance on Sunday, tallying a goal and three assists including one on the winning goal as Sudbury clinched an 8-7 overtime victory over the Mississauga Steelheads.

A 19-year-old from Hawkesbury, Ont., Goyette ranks second among all OHL point producers, tallying 31 goals, 53 assists, and 84 points in 50 games this season. Selected in the second-round (61st overall) by the Seattle Kraken in the 2022 NHL Draft, the former first-round (11th overall) pick by the Wolves in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection has put up 105 goals, 144 assists and 249 points in 179 OHL regular season contests. Goyette signed an entry-level NHL contract with Seattle on Apr. 10, 2023.

Also considered for the award this week, Montreal Canadiens prospect Owen Beck of the Saginaw Spirit recorded seven points (4-3–7) in three games. Defenceman Finn Harding of the Mississauga Steelheads also had a standout week registering seven points (1-6–7) in three showings, while Florida Panthers prospect Sandis Vilmanis of the North Bay Battalion recorded six goals in a pair of victories.

2023-24 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
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)
 



Colts’ Ben West Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Ben West of the Barrie Colts is the OHL Goaltender of the Week following two wins, making 81 saves with a 3.00 goals-against average and .931 save percentage.

West backstopped the Colts to a pair of wins despite their being outshot in both contests. Earning third star honours on Monday, West turned aside 38 of the 41 shots he faced as the Colts defeated the Erie Otters 6-3. The 6-foot-3, 156lb. netminder was back in the crease with a 43-save, second star performance on Saturday to help the Colts defeat the Kingston Frontenacs 4-3 at home, improving Barrie’s season record to 21-25-3-0.

A 20-year-old hometown product, West owns a season mark of 10-13-1-0, posting a 3.94 goals-against average and .889 save percentage. Selected in the 10th round (190th overall) by the Erie Otters in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection from the Toronto Marlboros U16 AAA program, West has appeared in 53 games over two seasons spent with the Colts, registering a 3.78 goals-against average and .889 save percentage.

Also in the running for the award this week, Ian Michelone of the Ottawa 67’s played to a 2-0 record with a 1.50 goals-against average, and .936 save percentage. Andrew Oke of the Saginaw Spirit was also solid in the crease, playing to a 2-0 mark including a shutout, with a 1.93 goals-against average and .920 save percentage.

2023-24 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
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)

LARDIS AND DONOSO 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, 2023.



Bulldogs’ Nick Lardis Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

Chicago Blackhawks prospect Nick Lardis of the Brantford Bulldogs is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording five goals, two assists, and seven points over three contests as the Bulldogs earned five of a possible six points.

Lardis had a strong showing in Peterborough on Thursday, registering a goal against his former club as the Bulldogs defeated the Petes 4-2. The 5-foot-11, 171lb. forward found the scoresheet again on Friday, tallying a goal and an assist as the Bulldogs suffered a 6-5 overtime loss to the Kitchener Rangers. Lardis closed out the week with his first career OHL hat trick along with an assist on Saturday. He scored the overtime winner, earning first star honours as the Bulldogs bounced back, defeating the Rangers 5-4 in extra time.

An 18-year-old from Oakville, Ont., Lardis has recorded 35 points (23-12-35) through 28 outings this season as the Bulldogs own a record of 14-9-5-1. Originally selected sixth overall by the Peterborough Petes in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection from the Oakville Rangers U16 program, Lardis has tallied 78 goals, 59 assists, and 137 points over 160 regular season games between the Petes and the Bulldogs. Lardis was selected in the third round (67th overall) by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2023 NHL Draft.

Also considered for the award this week, overage forward Jack Beck of the Soo Greyhounds scored three times and added four assists to help the Greyhounds earn six points. Oliver Peer of the Windsor Spitfires was also productive, contributing a total of three goals and four helpers to a two-win weekend.

2023-24 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
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)
 



67’s’ Max Donoso Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Max Donoso of the Ottawa 67’s is the OHL Goaltender of the Week after he went 2-0, posting a 1.51 goals-against average and .957 save percentage in three appearances last week.

Stopping a total of 88 shots last week, Donoso turned aside 32 of the 34 shots he faced on Wednesday as the 67’s defeated the Oshawa Generals 3-2 in overtime. Donoso entered the game to begin the second period of Friday’s matchup against the Peterborough Petes, stopping 17 of the 18 shots that came his way as the 67’s fell by a score of 5-2. He returned to the crease on Sunday afternoon in Peterborough, earning first star honours with 39 saves in a 2-1 win over the Petes. Sunday’s win was the 50th of Donoso’s OHL career, making him the 10th goaltender in 67’s franchise history to reach the milestone.

A 20-year-old from Windsor, Ont., Donoso has appeared in 18 games this season, playing to a 2.83 goals-against average to go with a 9-6-1-0 record, .909 save percentage and one shutout. The 6-foot-1, 185Ib. netminder was the 67’s fifth round (98th overall) pick in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection from the Windsor Jr. Spitfires U16 program. He owns a career regular season mark of 50-25-2-7 with a 2.77 goals-against average, .903 save percentage and four shutouts in 92 contests.

Also considered for the award this week, Ben Gaudreau of the Erie Otters went 2-0 with a 1.00 goals-against average, and .961 save percentage as Erie defeated Niagara and Guelph. Ian Michelone of the Windsor Spitfires also secured a pair of wins, recording a 2.00 goals-against average along with a .945 save percentage as the Spits defeated Barrie and Flint.

2023-24 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
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.

JOHNSTON AND MERILAINEN 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 5, 2021

Spitfires’ Wyatt Johnston Named OHL Player of the Week

Dallas Stars prospect Wyatt Johnston of the Windsor Spitfires is the OHL Player of the Week with nine points including two goals and seven assists in two games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-5.

Johnston extended his point streak to 14 games, helping the Spitfires collect three of a possible four points last week. He recorded three primary assists and went 14-for-17 in the faceoff circle in Thursday’s 5-4 overtime loss to the Erie Otters. He followed-up with a career-high six points, scoring twice while adding four assists in a 7-5 road win over the Sarnia Sting on Friday. The six points are the most in a single game by a Spitfires player since Josh Ho-Sang put up a similar stat line on Feb. 9, 2014 against North Bay.

An 18-year-old from Toronto, Ont., Johnston leads the Spitfires with 36 points (13-23–36) over 21 games, with a current 14-game point streak dating back to Oct. 28th. The 6-foot-2, 181Ib. centre’s 1.71 points-per-game mark the fourth-highest pace in the OHL. Johnston was selected by the Dallas Stars with the 23rd overall pick of the 2021 NHL Draft. He was originally Windsor’s first round (6th overall) pick in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection from the Toronto Marlboros U16 program.

Johnston becomes the first Spitfires player to earn Player of the Week honours since Aaron Luchuk last did so in October 2017.

Other players considered for the award this week include San Jose Sharks prospect Brandon Coe of the North Bay Battalion who put up seven points (3-4–7) over two victories. Coe leads the League with 46 points (14-32–46) over 24 games. Top 2022 NHL Draft prospect Shane Wright of the Kingston Frontenacs was also a candidate, recording eight points (2-6–8) over three victories.

2021-22 OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Nov. 29 – Dec. 5: Wyatt Johnston (Windsor Spitfires)
Nov. 22 – Nov. 28: Brennan Othmann (Flint Firebirds)
Nov. 15 – Nov. 21: Brandon Coe (North Bay Battalion)
Nov. 8 – Nov. 14: Antonio Stranges (London Knights)
Nov. 1 – Nov. 7: Shane Wright (Kingston Frontenacs)
Oct. 25 – Oct. 31: Tucker Robertson (Peterborough Petes)
Oct. 18 – Oct. 24: Rory Kerins (Soo Greyhounds)
Oct. 11 – Oct. 17: Calum Ritchie (Oshawa Generals)
Oct. 4 – Oct. 10: Jack Thompson (Sudbury Wolves)
 

Frontenacs’ Leevi Merilainen Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Ottawa Senators prospect Leevi Merilainen of the Kingston Frontenacs has been named the OHL Goaltender of the Week after he went 2-0 with a 0.50 goals-against average, a .980 save percentage and one shutout.

Merilainen stopped 48 of the 49 shots that came his way as Kingston defeated Oshawa and Ottawa on home ice to exit the weekend as the first place team in the East Division. The 6-foot-2, 160Ib. Finnish netminder stopped all 28 shots he faced on Friday for his first career OHL shutout as the Frontenacs blanked the Generals 5-0. Merilainen was solid again on Sunday, making 20 saves in a 5-1 win over the Ottawa 67’s.

A 19-year-old from Oulu, Finland, Merilainen sits tied for second in OHL wins with 12 on the season, playing to an overall record of 12-4-3-0 with a 3.10 goals-against average and .897 save percentage. He leads all netminders, stopping all 13 shootout opponents he has faced this season to help the Frontenacs win three shootouts. The first-year goaltender was a third round (71st overall) pick of the Ottawa Senators in the 2020 NHL Draft, and signed an entry-level contract with the franchise on June 14, 2021. Merilainen was Kingston’s first round (48th overall) pick in the 2021 CHL Import Draft.

Also considered for the award this week, Flint Firebirds goaltender Ian Michelone went 2-1 across three consecutive starts, making 100 saves while posting his first career OHL shutout on Thursday. Samuel Ivanov of the Soo Greyhounds won a pair of outings, posting a 2.00 goals-against average as the Greyhounds maintained top spot in the West Division.

2021-22 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Nov. 29 – Dec. 5: Leevi Merilainen (Kingston Frontenacs)
Nov. 22 – Nov. 28: Tye Austin (Peterborough Petes)
Nov. 15 – Nov. 21: Ben Gaudreau (Sarnia Sting)
Nov. 8 – Nov. 14: Joe Vrbetic (North Bay Battalion
Nov. 1 – Nov. 7: Roman Basran (Mississauga Steelheads)
Oct. 25 – Oct. 31: Patrick Leaver (Oshawa Generals)
Oct. 18 – Oct. 24: Jacob Oster (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 11 – Oct. 17: Brett Brochu (London Knights)
Oct. 4 – Oct. 10: Tucker Tynan (Niagara IceDogs)


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