OHL Announces 2015-16 All-Star Teams

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the All-Star teams for the 2015-16 OHL season.

Nylander, Alexander
Alexander Nylander of the Mississauga Steelheads. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Mitch Marner of the London Knights headlines the First Team All-Stars at Right Wing for the second straight season.  Marner was the league’s Red Tilson Trophy recipient for Most Outstanding Player of the Year and became the first player in OHL history to win that award followed by OHL Playoff MVP honours, CHL Player of the Year, and MasterCard Memorial Cup MVP.  He is joined up front by linemates including Arizona Coyotes prospect Christian Dvorak and 2016 NHL Draft prospect Matthew Tkachuk.  The trio combined for 344 regular season points and marks just the fifth time in league history and first since the 2001 Belleville Bulls where all three forward positions on the First All-Star Team are from the same team.  Draft eligible Defenceman of the Year Mikhail Sergachev of the Windsor Spitfires is also a First Team All-Star along with Calgary Flames prospect Rasmus Andersson of the Barrie Colts.  New Jersey Devils prospect and Goaltender of the Year Mackenzie Blackwood of the Colts, and Coach of the Year Kris Knoblauch of the Erie Otters round out the group receiving top honours.

The Otters lead the way with a total of five representatives including Knoblauch, along with Second Team All-Stars that include Maple Leafs prospect Travis Dermott and goaltender Devin Williams, and Third Team All-Stars that include Coyotes prospect Dylan Strome and 2016 NHL Draft prospect Alex DeBrincat.  The Knights and Colts each have four representatives including London’s forward trio on the First All-Star Team along with draft eligible defenceman Olli Juolevi receiving Third Team recognition.  The Colts have Andersson and Blackwood on the First Team, and Second Team All-Stars that include San Jose Sharks prospect and OHL Top Scorer Kevin Labanc, and Flames prospect Andrew Mangiapane.

The OHL All-Star Teams were selected by the OHL’s General Managers.  Players were voted on by position and received five points for a first place vote, three for a second place vote, and one for a third place vote.  In the case of defencemen, the top two selections received five points, the third and fourth selections received three points, and the fifth and sixth selections each received a single point.

2015-16 OHL All-Star Teams (voting points listed following team):

First Team All-Stars:

C – Christian Dvorak (London Knights) 62

LW – Matthew Tkachuk (London Knights) 56

RW – Mitch Marner (London Knights) 71 – voted 1st team in 2014-15

D – Mikhail Sergachev (Windsor Spitfires) 64

D – Rasmus Andersson (Barrie Colts) 61 – voted 2nd team in 2014-15

G – Mackenzie Blackwood (Barrie Colts) 49

Coach – Kris Knoblauch (Erie Otters) 73

Second Team All-Stars:

C – Mike Amadio (North Bay Battalion) 61

LW – Andrew Mangiapane (Barrie Colts) 46

RW – Kevin Labanc (Barrie Colts) 69

D – Travis Dermott (Erie Otters) 50

D – Jakob Chychrun (Sarnia Sting) 42 – voted 3rd team in 2014-15

G – Devin Williams (Erie Otters) 47

Coach – Rocky Thompson (Windsor Spitfires) 36

Third Team All-Stars:

C – Dylan Strome (Erie Otters) 51 – voted 2nd team in 2014-15

LW – Alexander Nylander (Mississauga Steelheads) 34

RW – Alex DeBrincat (Erie Otters) 22 – voted 2nd team in 2014-15

D – Olli Juolevi (London Knights) 38

D – Roland McKeown (Kingston Frontenacs) 37

G – Alex Nedeljkovic (Niagara IceDogs) 46 – voted 3rd team in 2014-15, 1st team in 2013-14

Coach – Mike Van Ryn (Kitchener Rangers) 22

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OHL Announces 2015-16 Awards Finalists

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the finalists for seven of the league’s major awards for the 2015-16 regular season.

OHL

Six of the seven awards are voted on by OHL Member Teams including Rookie of the Year, Overage Player of the Year, Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Goaltender of the Year, and Defenceman of the Year.  Teams were asked to submit one nominee from their club for consideration on the ballot and were not permitted to vote for the player from their own hockey club.  The first stage of voting was by conference only with the top three players from each conference making the final ballot which is voted on by all 20 OHL General Managers.

All finalists for the Red Tilson Trophy were also nominated by the Member Teams of the Ontario Hockey League as their Most Outstanding Player for the 2015-16 regular season.  The Red Tilson Trophy is voted on by the sports writers and broadcasters in the OHL.

2015-16 OHL Awards Finalists:

Rookie of the Year / Emms Family Award Finalists:

Cam Dineen (North Bay Battalion)
Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)
Max Jones (London Knights)
Boris Katchouk (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Alex Nylander (Mississauga Steelheads)
Matthew Strome (Hamilton Bulldogs)

Overage Player of the Year / Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy Finalists:

Aaron Berisha (London Knights)
Jack Flinn (Mississauga Steelheads)
Hunter Garlent (Peterborough Petes)
Gabe Guertler (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Kevin Labanc (Barrie Colts)
Devin Williams (Erie Otters)

Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year / William Hanley Trophy Finalists:

Mike Amadio (North Bay Battalion)
Eric Cornel (Peterborough Petes)
Christian Dvorak (London Knights)
Taylor Raddysh (Erie Otters)
Blake Speers (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Spencer Watson (Kingston Frontenacs)

Coach of the Year / Matt Leyden Trophy Finalists:

Stan Butler (North Nay Battalion)
Dale Hawerchuk (Barrie Colts)
Kris Knoblauch (Erie Otters)
Paul McFarland (Kingston Frontenacs)
Rocky Thompson (Windsor Spitfires)
Mike Van Ryn (Kitchener Rangers)

Goaltender of the Year Award Finalists:

Mackenzie Blackwood (Barrie Colts)
Michael McNiven (Owen Sound Attack)
Alex Nedeljkovic (Niagara IceDogs)
Tyler Parsons (London Knights)
Jake Smith (North Bay Battalion)
Devin Williams (Erie Otters)

Defenceman of the Year / Max Kaminsky Trophy Finalists:

Jakob Chychrun (Sarnia Sting)
Travis Dermott (Erie Otters)
Cam Dineen (North Bay Battalion)
Roland McKeown (Kingston Frontenacs)
Mikhail Sergachev (Windsor Spitfires)
Mitchell Vande Sompel (Oshawa Generals)

Most Outstanding Player of the Year / Red Tilson Trophy Finalists:

Barrie – Kevin Labanc
Erie – Devin Williams
Flint – Will Bitten
Guelph – James McEwan
Hamilton – Niki Petti
Kingston – Roland McKeown
Kitchener – Ryan MacInnis
London – Mitch Marner
Mississauga – Alex Nylander
Niagara – Jordan Maletta
North Bay – Mike Amadio
Oshawa – Anthony Cirelli
Ottawa – Leo Lazarev
Owen Sound – Santino Centorame
Peterborough – Hunter Garlent
Saginaw – Mitchell Stephens
Sarnia – Pavel Zacha
Sault Ste. Marie – Zach Senyshyn
Sudbury – Dmitry Sokolov
Windsor – Christian Fischer

The 2016 OHL Awards Ceremony takes place on Tuesday June 7 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, however award recipients will be announced periodically throughout the remainder of the 2016 OHL Playoffs.  Additional player awards to be announced include Humanitarian of the Year, Academic Players of the Year, and the 2015-16 Mickey Renaud Captain’s Trophy recipient.

21 CHL PLAYERS NAMED TO CANADA’S NATIONAL MEN’S UNDER-18 TEAM PRE-COMPETITION ROSTER AS CAMP OPENS IN WINNIPEG

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Hockey Canada

Team Canada faces Czech Republic and Sweden in pair of pre-tournament games

CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Hockey League, have assembled 23 players to take part in Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team pre-competition camp in Winnipeg in preparation for the 2016 IIHF U18 World Championship.

CHL Players Invited to Camp:

Goaltenders:
Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)
Evan Fitzpatrick (Sherbrooke Phoenix)
Stuart Skinner (Lethbridge Hurricanes)

Defencemen:
Jake Bean (Calgary Hitmen)
Jakob Chychrun (Sarnia Sting)
Nicolas Hague (Mississauga Steelheads)
Markus Phillips (Owen Sound Attack)
David Quenneville (Medicine Hat Tigers)
Logan Stanley (Windsor Spitfires)

Forwards:
Jared Anderson-Dolan (Spokane Chiefs)
Will Bitten (Flint Firebirds)
Maxime Comtois (Victoriaville Tigres)
Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia Sting)
Pascal Laberge (Victoriaville Tigres)

Beck Malenstyn (Calgary Hitmen)
Michael McLeod (Mississauga Steelheads)
Antoine Morand (Acadie-Bathurst Titan)
Michael Rasmussen (Tri-City Americans)
Mason Shaw (Medicine Hat Tigers)
Owen Tippett (Mississauga Steelheads)
Gabe Vilardi (Windsor Spitfires)

Hockey Canada’s director of player personnel, Ryan Jankowski, built the roster with support from head coach Shaun Clouston (Viking, Alta./Medicine Hat, WHL) and assistant coaches Serge Lajoie (St. Albert, Alta./University of Alberta, CWUAA), Jarrod Skalde (Niagara Falls, Ont./Guelph, OHL), and national team alumnus Ryan Smyth, who is part of Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence management group. Jankowski evaluated the players during the 2015-16 season, following them alongside numerous other candidates during league play, as well as in international competition.

“Bringing the players together in Winnipeg gives the team a chance to gel before we travel to Grand Forks, and allows some of our up-and-coming players to gain some valuable experience working with our coaching staff and playing two exhibition games against international teams,” said Jankowski. “We’re looking forward to a great week in Winnipeg, and hope the fans will come out to watch a preview of the world-class hockey we’ll all be able to enjoy in Grand Forks, and on TSN.”

The roster includes three goaltenders, seven defencemen and 13 forwards, as well as:

  • eight players (Bean, Bitten, Fabbro, Jost, Kyrou, Malenstyn, McLeod, and Quenneville) who won a gold medal with Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team at the 2015 U18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup in the Czech Republic and Slovakia last summer; and
  • eight players (Comtois, DiPietro, Anderson-Dolan, Morand, Phillips, Rasmussen, Tippett and Vilardi) who participated in the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John, B.C., last November.

The roster includes select under-age players invited to play in pre-tournament games to gain added experience in international competition. Players from across the CHL that have been eliminated from playoff action will be added to complete the roster for the tournament.

Canada will play a pair of pre-tournament games in Winnipeg, facing the Czech Republic on April 10 (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT) before taking on Sweden on April 12 (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT). Tickets are $10 and available for purchase at the MTS Iplex on game day.

Canada opens the 2016 IIHF U18 World Championship, hosted in Grand Forks, N.D., from April 14-24, on April 15 against Denmark; it will also play the Czech Republic, Finland, and Slovakia in preliminary-round action. TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast 12 games, including all Team Canada match-ups.

Canada has won seven medals at the IIHF U18 World Championship, including three gold medals (2003, 2008 and 2013).

For more information on Hockey Canada and the Program of Excellence, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow along via social media on Facebook, Twitter, and Twitter.com/HC_Men.

OHL’s Draft Eligible Stat Leaders: End of Season

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

The Ontario Hockey League’s regular season has come to an end and we look at the statistical leaders in a variety of categories. Listed are players available for the National Hockey League Draft on June, 2016 for the first time – players passed over in previous drafts are not included.

Peterborough Petes forward Logan DeNoble appears on the list in three categories – the only player not ranked by NHL Central Scouting on their midterm rankings in January.  DeNoble ranked sixth in shooting percentage at 16.95%. Will Bitten of the Flint Firebirds led the way with 20.55% followed by Boris Katchouk of the Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds at 20.17%. Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters was third at 18.96% followed by Katchouk’s teammate Hayden Verbeek at 17.95%. Another Otter, Kyle Maksimovich placed fifth at 17.65%.

DeNoble also finished third in faceoff win percentage at 53.9%. Jack Kopacka of the Greyhounds tops the list at 60.9% followed by Michael McLeod of the Mississauga Steelheads at 58%. Logan Brown of the Windsor Spitfires followed DeNoble at 53%.

Finally, DeNoble finished eighth in plus-minus with a plus-22. Four London Knights topped the plus-minus, Victor Mete (plus-53), Matthew Tkachuk (plus-45), Olli Juolevi (plus-38) and Max Jones (plus-30). Maksimovich placed fifth (plus-25) Brown sixth (plus-24) and Sarnia Sting defenceman Jakob Chychrun (plus-23) finished ahead of DeNoble.

DeNoble finished just outside the top ten in goals with 22.

Points Leaders
Player Team GP G A Pts
Matthew Tkachuk London Knights 57 30 77 107
Alex DeBrincat Erie Otters 60 51 50 101
Adam Mascherin Kitchener Rangers 65 35 46 81
Alexander Nylander Mississauga Steelheads 57 28 47 75
Logan Brown Windsor Spitfires 59 21 53 74
Taylor Raddysh Erie Otters 67 24 49 73
Kyle Maksimovich Erie Otters 68 27 44 71
Will Bitten Flint Firebirds 67 30 35 65
Michael McLeod Mississauga Steelheads 57 21 40 61
Nathan Bastian Mississauga Steelheads 64 19 40 59
Goal Scoring Leaders
Player Team GP G GPG
Alex DeBrincat Erie Otters 60 51 0.85
Adam Mascherin Kitchener Rangers 65 35 0.54
Matthew Tkachuk London Knights 57 30 0.53
Will Bitten Flint Firebirds 67 30 0.45
Dmitry Sokolov Sudbury Wolves 68 30 0.44
Alexander Nylander Mississauga Steelheads 57 28 0.49
Max Jones London Knights 63 28 0.44
Kyle Maksimovich Erie Otters 68 27 0.40
Taylor Raddysh Erie Otters 67 24 0.36
Boris Katchouk Soo Greyhounds 63 24 0.38
Assist Leaders
Player Team GP A APG
Matthew Tkachuk London Knights 57 77 1.35
Logan Brown Windsor Spitfires 59 53 0.90
Alex DeBrincat Erie Otters 60 50 0.83
Taylor Raddysh Erie Otters 67 49 0.73
Alexander Nylander Mississauga Steelheads 57 47 0.82
Adam Mascherin Kitchener Rangers 65 46 0.71
Cam Dineen North Bay Battalion 68 46 0.68
Kyle Maksimovich Erie Otters 68 44 0.65
Michael McLeod Mississauga Steelheads 57 40 0.70
Nathan Bastian Mississauga Steelheads 64 40 0.63
Defencemen Point Leaders
Player Team GP G A Pts
Cam Dineen North Bay Battalion 68 13 46 59
Mikhail Sergachev Windsor Spitfires 67 17 40 57
Jakob Chychrun Sarnia Sting 62 11 38 49
Olli Juolevi London Knights 57 9 33 42
Victor Mete London Knights 68 8 30 38
Benjamin Gleason Hamilton Bulldogs 66 7 26 33
Jordan Sambrook Erie Otters 67 9 18 27
Markus Niemelainen Saginaw Spirit 65 1 26 27
Plus/Minus Leaders
Player Team GP +/-
Victor Mete London Knights 68 +53
Matthew Tkachuk London Knights 57 +45
Olli Juolevi London Knights 57 +38
Max Jones London Knights 63 +30
Kyle Maksimovich Erie Otters 68 +25
Logan Brown Windsor Spitfires 59 +24
Jakob Chychrun Sarnia Sting 62 +23
Logan DeNoble Peterborough Petes 63 +22
Adam Mascherin Kitchener Rangers 65 +19
Austin Osmanski Mississauga Steelheads 65 +19
Penalty Minutes Leaders
Player Team GP PIM M/G
Givani Smith Guelph Storm 65 146 2.25
Max Jones London Knights 63 106 1.68
Logan Stanley Windsor Spitfires 64 103 1.61
Michael Pezzetta Sudbury Wolves 64 98 1.53
Matthew Tkachuk London Knights 57 80 1.40
Ben Hawerchuk Barrie Colts 60 78 1.30
Faceoff Leaders (Minimum 60 faceoffs)
Player Team GP FOA FOW %
Jack Kopacka Soo Greyhounds 67 69 42 60.9
Michael McLeod Mississauga Steelheads 57 1284 745 58.0
Logan DeNoble Peterborough Petes 63 154 83 53.9
Logan Brown Windsor Spitfires 59 1148 609 53.0
Alex DeBrincat Erie Otters 60 183 97 53.0
Cliff Pu London Knights 63 851 445 52.3
Brandon Saigeon Hamilton Bulldogs 43 502 259 51.6
Boris Katchouk Soo Greyhounds 63 72 37 51.4
Matthew Tkachuk London Knights 57 74 38 51.4
Connor Bunnaman Kitchener Rangers 68 193 99 51.3
Shooting Percentage Leaders (Min 75 shots)
Player Team GP Shots Goals SH%
Will Bitten Flint Firebirds 67 146 30 20.55
Boris Katchouk Soo Greyhounds 63 119 24 20.17
Alex DeBrincat Erie Otters 60 269 51 18.96
Hayden Verbeek Soo Greyhounds 63 78 14 17.95
Kyle Maksimovich Erie Otters 68 153 27 17.65
Logan DeNoble Peterborough Petes 63 118 20 16.95
Jonathan Ang Peterborough Petes 68 127 21 16.54
Alexander Nylander Mississauga Steelheads 57 178 28 15.73
Matthew Tkachuk London Knights 57 191 30 15.71
Domenic Commisso Oshawa Generals 66 117 18 15.38
Goaltenders Leaders – Goals Against Average
Player Team GP Min GA Avg
Tyler Parsons London Knights 49 2835 110 2.33
Stephen Dhillon Niagara Ice Dogs 27 1317 59 2.69
Evan Cormier Saginaw Spirit 58 3246 201 3.72
Dylan Wells Peterborough Petes 27 1516 116 4.59
Troy Timpano Sudbury Wolves 35 2000 158 4.74
Goaltending Leaders – Save Percentage
Player Team GP SH SVS SV%
Tyler Parsons London Knights 49 1397 1287 0.921
Stephen Dhillon Niagara Ice Dogs 27 639 580 0.908
Evan Cormier Saginaw Spirit 58 1825 1624 0.890
Troy Timpano Sudbury Wolves 35 1296 1138 0.878
Dylan Wells Peterborough Petes 27 896 780 0.871

OHL Announces Top Performers of the Month for February

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the Top OHL Performers of the Month for regular season games played in February 2016, including London Knights forward Mitchell Marner, Sarnia Sting defenceman Jakob Chychrun, Mississauga Steelheads rookie Alexander Nylander and Kingston Frontenacs goaltender Jeremy Helvig.

Marner, Mitchell (1)OHL Player of the Month – Mitchell Marner (London Knights):
Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Mitchell Marner of the London Knights is the OHL’s Player of the Month for February after recording 10 goals, 18 assists and a league-leading 28 points in 12 games with a plus/minus rating of plus-14. Marner had points in 11 of his 12 February contests, collecting four points on three separate occasions to help the Knights play to a 9-3-0-0 record. The 18-year-old recorded back-to-back four point efforts, scoring a goal while adding three assists in a 5-0 win over Owen Sound on February 5th before registering four assists in a 4-3 victory over Sarnia on February 7th. Marner had a pair of two-goal efforts coming in a 3-1 win over Niagara on February 12th and again in a 5-2 triumph over Flint on February 15th. He registered a goal and three assists in a 4-0 win in Flint on February 20th. Marner’s three assists in Ottawa on Sunday made him the 12th player in Knights franchise history to reach the 100-point mark in back-to-back seasons.

A native of Thornhill, ON, Marner recently became the third OHL player to reach 100 points this season and currently sits third behind Barrie’s Kevin Labanc and Knights teammate Christian Dvorak with 101 points (38-63–101) in 48 games. Marner represented Canada at the 2016 World Junior Hockey Championship in Finland, leading the team in scoring with four goals, two assists and six points in five games. He was Toronto’s 1st round (4th overall) pick in the 2015 NHL Draft and was originally London’s 1st round (19th overall) pick in the 2013 OHL Priority Selection.

Chychrun, Jakob (5)OHL Defenceman of the Month – Jakob Chychrun (Sarnia Sting): 
Draft eligible defenceman Jakob Chychrun of the Sarnia Sting is the OHL’s Defenceman of the Month for February. Chychrun scored twice and added 11 assists for 13 points in 13 games with a plus/minus rating of plus-6. He had points in nine of his 13 contests with a pair of multi-point outings, highlighted by four assists in a 6-2 win over Barrie on February 26th. Chychrun has points in his last three games, following up his four assists with a goal in a 4-1 win over Owen Sound on February 27th and an assist in a 5-2 win over Guelph on February 28th.

A native of Boca Raton, Florida, Chychrun is fourth among defencemen with 45 points (10-35–45) in 57 games this season, with seven of his 10 goals coming on the powerplay. Chychrun was named to the OHL’s first all-rookie team last season after scoring 16 goals, 17 assists and 33 points in 42 games. He represented Team Cherry at the 2016 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Vancouver. Chychrun was the first overall pick of the 2014 OHL Priority Selection and is the second ranked North American skater in NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Rankings.

Nylander, Alexander (1)OHL Rookie of the Month – Alexander Nylander (Mississauga Steelheads): 
For the third time this season, draft eligible Mississauga Steelheads forward Alexander Nylander has been named the OHL’s Rookie of the Month. The Swedish winger recorded two goals, 12 assists and 14 points in 11 February contests, putting together four multi-point performances over the course of the month. Nylander earned second star honours with three assists in Mississauga’s 5-4 win over Erie on Friday, February 12th before proceeding to have multi-point outings the rest of the weekend with a goal and an assist in a 6-2 win in Niagara and a goal and two helpers in a 7-5 win over Sudbury. Nylander’s Rookie of the Month honours follow up recognition in both October and November.

A native of Sodertalje, Sweden, Nylander currently leads all OHL rookies with 28 goals, 44 assists and 72 points in 52 games. He was the third ranked North American skater on NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Draft Rankings released in January. Nylander put forth an outstanding performance at the 2016 World Junior Hockey Championship, finishing tied for fifth in tournament scoring with four goals, five assists and nine points in seven contests as Sweden placed fourth. He was Mississauga’s 1st round (12th overall) pick in the 2015 CHL Import Draft.

Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month – Jeremy Helvig (Kingston Frontenacs): 

Kingston Frontenacs sophomore Jeremy Helvig has been named the OHL’s Goaltender of the Month for February. The 18-year-old appeared in six games, going 6-0-0-0 with a 1.88 goals-against average, a .942 save percentage and one shutout to help the Frontenacs clinch their first East Division title since 1995. Helvig’s sensational February was headlined by his first career OHL shutout in front of a national audience on Sportsnet as he made 32 saves in a 4-0 win over Niagara on February 21st. The 6’2″, 198Ib. netminder closed out the month of February with a 37-save performance in Monday’s 5-2 win over the visiting Ottawa 67’s. Helvig enters the month of March having received star of the game recognition in each of his last three starts. He is the second Kingston goaltender to receive the honours this season after teammate Lucas Peressini was the OHL’s Goaltender of the Month in October.

A native of Markham, ON, Helvig is 16-2-0-1 on the season with a 2.16 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage. He hasn’t lost in regulation since October 30th, a run of 18 consecutive appearances. Since the turn of the new year, Helvig has played to a mark of 9-0-0-0 with a 1.57 goals-against average and a .950 save percentage. He was Kingston’s 3rd round (45th overall) pick in the 2013 OHL Priority Selection.

2015-16 OHL Top Performers of the Month:

Player of the Month:
February – Mitchell Marner (London Knights)
January – Kevin Labanc (Barrie Colts)
December – Brendan Lemieux (Windsor Spitfires)
November – Dylan Strome (Erie Otters)
October – Alex DeBrincat (Erie Otters)

Defenceman of the Month:
February – Jakob Chychrun (Sarnia Sting)
January – Rasmus Andersson (Barrie Colts)
December – Cam Dineen (North Bay Battalion)
November – Travis Dermott (Erie Otters)
October – Vili Saarijarvi (Flint Firebirds)

Rookie of the Month:
February – Alexander Nylander (Mississauga Steelheads)
January – Cam Dineen (North Bay Battalion)
December – Cam Dineen (North Bay Battalion)
November – Alexander Nylander (Mississauga Steelheads)
October – Alexander Nylander (Mississauga Steelheads)

Vaughn Goaltender of the Month:
February – Jeremy Helvig (Kingston Frontenacs)
January – Michael Giugovaz (Guelph Storm)
December – Devin Williams (Erie Otters)
November – Mackenzie Blackwood (Barrie Colts)
October – Lucas Peressini (Kingston Frontenacs)

OHL’s Draft Eligible Statistical Leaders for January

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

January has come and gone along with the snow (hopefully?) and it’s time to look at the OHL players eligible for the NHL draft and the leaders in a variety of categories. As we’ve done in the past, we only look at players eligible for the first time. However, when it comes to the goaltenders, we look at those previously passed over.

The London Knights’ Matthew Tkachuk leads the way in the point race with 70 points in 38 games. Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters follows just behind with 65 points in 39 games. Climbing fast, and quietly, is Adam Mascherin of the Kitchener Rangers with 59 points in 44 games.

DeBrincat has a solid lead in the goal scoring department with 36 goals in 39 games. Alexander Nylander of the Mississauga Steelheads leads the second tier with 26 goals in 41 games followed by Mascherin with 25 goals in 44 games.

On defence, all eyes are turning to Cam Dineen of the North Bay Battalion who leads with 44 points in 47 games. Mikhail Sergachev of the Windsor Spitfires is next with 37 points in 48 games followed by Jakob Chychrun of the Sarnia Sting with 32 points in 44 games.

Points Leaders
Player Team GP G A Pts
Matthew Tkachuk London Knights 38 16 54 70
Alex DeBrincat Erie Otters 39 36 29 65
Adam Mascherin Kitchener Rangers 44 25 34 59
*Alexander Nylander Mississauga Steelheads 41 26 32 58
Taylor Raddysh Erie Otters 46 18 37 55
Michael McLeod Mississauga Steelheads 47 19 35 54
Kyle Maksimovich Erie Otters 47 22 31 53
Will Bitten Flint Firebirds 46 21 27 48
Logan Brown Windsor Spitfires 40 9 36 45
Nathan Bastian Mississauga Steelheads 46 13 31 44
Goal Scoring Leaders
Player Team GP G GPG
Alex DeBrincat Erie Otters 39 36 0.92
*Alexander Nylander Mississauga Steelheads 41 26 0.63
Adam Mascherin Kitchener Rangers 44 25 0.57
Kyle Maksimovich Erie Otters 47 22 0.47
*Max Jones London Knights 42 21 0.50
Will Bitten Flint Firebirds 46 21 0.46
Michael McLeod Mississauga Steelheads 47 19 0.40
Assist Leaders
Player Team GP A APG
Matthew Tkachuk London Knights 38 54 1.42
Taylor Raddysh Erie Otters 46 37 0.80
Logan Brown Windsor Spitfires 40 36 0.90
Michael McLeod Mississauga Steelheads 47 35 0.74
Adam Mascherin Kitchener Rangers 44 34 0.77
*Cam Dineen North Bay Battalion 47 33 0.70
*Alexander Nylander Mississauga Steelheads 41 32 0.78
Defencemen Point Leaders
Player Team GP G A Pts
*Cam Dineen North Bay Battalion 47 11 33 44
*Mikhail Sergachev Windsor Spitfires 48 13 24 37
Jakob Chychrun Sarnia Sting 44 8 24 32
Victor Mete London Knights 47 6 25 31
Benjamin Gleason Hamilton Bulldogs 46 7 22 29
*Olli Juolevi London Knights 36 5 22 27
*Markus Niemelainen Saginaw Spirit 48 1 23 24
Plus/Minus Leaders
Player Team GP +/-
Victor Mete London Knights 47 +39
Kyle Maksimovich Erie Otters 47 +30
*Olli Juolevi London Knights 36 +29
Matthew Tkachuk London Knights 38 +25
Adam Mascherin Kitchener Rangers 44 +19
Logan Brown Windsor Spitfires 40 +18
*Max Jones London Knights 42 +17
Penalty Minutes Leaders
Player Team GP PIM M/G
Givani Smith Guelph Storm 45 89 1.98
Logan Stanley Windsor Spitfires 46 88 1.91
*Max Jones London Knights 42 82 1.95
Ben Hawerchuk Barrie Colts 39 66 1.69
*Brock Philips Guelph Storm 30 58 1.93
Keaton Middleton Saginaw Spirit 48 58 1.21
Michael McLeod Mississauga Steelheads 47 55 1.17
Faceoff Leaders (Wins)
Player Team GP FOA FOW %
Michael McLeod Mississauga Steelheads 47 1061 621 58.5
Logan Brown Windsor Spitfires 40 753 401 53.3
Cliff Pu London Knights 43 616 325 52.8
Hayden Verbeek Soo Greyhounds 42 599 287 47.9
*Domenic Commisso Oshawa Generals 47 547 265 48.4
Brandon Saigeon Hamilton Bulldogs 43 502 259 51.6
Shootout Leaders
Player Team SOG SOA Goals %
Logan Brown Windsor Spitfires 1 1 1 100.0
Alex DeBrincat Erie Otters 3 3 2 66.7
*Alexander Nylander Mississauga Steelheads 4 4 2 50.0
Will Bitten Flint Firebirds 2 2 1 50.0
Michael McLeod Mississauga Steelheads 2 2 1 50.0
Shooting Percentage Leaders
Player Team GP Shots Goals SH%
Will Bitten Flint Firebirds 46 100 21 21.00
Alex DeBrincat Erie Otters 39 173 36 20.81
Kyle Maksimovich Erie Otters 47 106 22 20.75
*Alexander Nylander Mississauga Steelheads 41 139 26 18.71
*Boris Katchouk Soo Greyhounds 44 87 16 18.39
Goaltenders Leaders – Goals Against Average
Player Team GP Min GA Avg
***Jeremy Helvig Kingston Frontenacs 16 902 34 2.26
Tyler Parsons London Knights 33 1908 82 2.58
*Stephen Dhillon Niagara Ice Dogs 20 1101 51 2.78
***Jeremy Brodeur Oshawa Generals 37 2131 99 2.79
***Leo Lazarev Ottawa 67’s 33 1898 89 2.81
Evan Cormier Saginaw Spirit 42 2333 134 3.45
Joseph Raaymakers Soo Greyhounds 21 1162 75 3.87
***Connor Hicks Hamilton Bulldogs 18 990 70 4.24
***Zack Bowman Sudbury Wolves 29 1535 111 4.34
Dylan Wells Peterborough Petes 20 1124 85 4.54
Troy Timpano Sudbury Wolves 21 1188 86 4.34
           
Goaltending Leaders – Save Percentage
Player Team GP SH SVS SV%
***Jeremy Helvig Kingston Frontenacs 16 454 420 0.925
Tyler Parsons London Knights 33 952 870 0.914
*Stephen Dhillon Niagara Ice Dogs 20 545 494 0.906
***Jeremy Brodeur Oshawa Generals 37 1029 930 0.904
***Leo Lazarev Ottawa 67’s 33 913 824 0.903
Evan Cormier Saginaw Spirit 42 1271 1137 0.895
Joseph Raaymakers Soo Greyhounds 21 663 588 0.887
Troy Timpano Sudbury Wolves 21 752 666 0.886
***Zack Bowman Sudbury Wolves 29 953 842 0.884
Dylan Wells Peterborough Petes 20 689 604 0.877
***Connor Hicks Hamilton Bulldogs 18 568 498 0.877
           
*Rookie
**Leads League
*** Was eligible for 2015 draft but not selected and eligible for 2016

CHL’s Top Prospects Excel in Sport Testing Combine

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Vancouver, BC – 40 of the CHL’s best young stars were put to the test on Wednesday at Pacific Coliseum one day before Team Cherry and Team Orr face-off at the 2016 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.

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Players seized the opportunity to showcase their individual strengths with Sport Testing once again putting the league’s Top Prospects eligible for the 2016 NHL Draft through a series of tests to gauge fitness and skill levels for NHL management and scouts.

Finishing atop the overall standings in the on-ice portion of the tests were a pair of Sarnia Sting players on Team Cherry led by forward Jordan Kyrou.  The Toronto native, listed 45th in NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Ranking of North American Skaters, finished first ahead of teammate Jakob Chychrun, the top ranked defenceman listed second by Central Scouting.  Skating in at third overall in on-ice testing was fellow defenceman Jake Bean of the Calgary Hitmen and Team Orr (ranked 13th by NHL Central Scouting), with forward Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters and Team Cherry (ranked 20th) and Libor Hajek of the Saskatoon Blades and Team Orr (ranked 26th) tying for fourth place in the skating drills.

On-ice tests included forward and backwards sprints, reaction, weave agility, and transition agility each performed with and without the puck.

In specialized Sport Testing for goalies, Dylan Wells of the Peterborough Petes competing as a member of Team Orr, claimed top honours in an array of reaction, agility, and movement challenges.

Off-ice testing conducted earlier in the day also demonstrated the athleticism required to be a top prospect.  Strength testing, agility runs, sprints and leg power evaluations were conducted under the discerning eyes of NHL scouts and agents.

Jakob Chychrun led the way with the top overall score in the off-ice component, followed by Team Orr forward Pierre-Luc Dubois of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles ranked 7th by NHL Central Scouting.  Dylan Wells once again led all goaltenders and finished third overall in off-ice elements, with Team Cherry’s Michael McLeod of the Mississauga Steelheads (ranked 6th) powering his way into fourth spot overall, with Jordan Kyrou rounding out the top-five.  Some notable single event off-ice performances included Noah Gregor of the Moose Jaw Warriors and Luke Green of the Saint John Sea Dogs who dueled in the vertical jump, a key determinant of leg power used across sport.  Ultimately Gregor won by 1.5 inches, with a top score of 32 inches.   Wells  left the competition behind with an outstanding broad jump score of 9’10.5″.

Sport Testing scores provide valuable performance benchmarks to coaches and players at all levels of hockey with data collected at the BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game shared with NHL Central Scouting and distributed to all 30 NHL teams.

For more information please visit www.sporttesting.com.

The 2016 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is proudly supported by title partner BMO Bank of Montreal, and CHL associate sponsors Cooper Tire, autoTRADER.ca and Sherwin-Williams.  Thursday’s game will be broadcast live across Canada on Sportsnet, TVA Sports, and in the United States on NHL Network.

For more information about the BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game please visit www.bmotopprospects.ca or follow the conversation @CHLHockey using #BMOTP.

BMO and the Canadian Hockey League:
BMO Financial Group and the Canadian Hockey League announced BMO as the Official Bank of the Canadian Hockey League in 2011. The sponsorship builds on BMO’s partnership with the CHL of more than 10 years and affirms BMO’s exclusivity as a financial services sponsor of the league in the retail banking category. It also engrains a presence with the 48 teams which currently participate in the BMO CHL Affinity MasterCard program, which enables CHL fans to support their favourite teams through a co-branded credit card.

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Top Prospects Arrive in Vancouver for 2016 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Vancouver, BC – After a full day of travelling for the majority of them, 40 of the CHL’s top draft eligible prospects descended on Vancouver on Tuesday in preparation for the 2016 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game on Thursday night.

Players were introduced to their new teammates and met with the media at Pacific Coliseum, the home of the WHL’s Vancouver Giants.

“I had an early morning flight but it’s great to be here,” said Team Cherry captain Jakob Chychrun of the Sarnia Sting. “This is the first time I’ve been to Vancouver and from what I’ve seen so far, it’s beautiful.”

Team Orr captain Matthew Tkachuk of the London Knights was equally enthused about his new surroundings.

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“It’s a privilege to be here in Vancouver,” he said. “Ever since I found out I was coming to this game and learned that I was on Team Orr and playing for somebody who is so well respected around the NHL and in the hockey world, I’ve been extremely excited. Bobby Orr is the greatest defenceman to have ever played the game and to be able to play for him on Thursday is really an honour.”

34 of the top-60 skaters included in NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Rankings will compete in Thursday’s game, making for what’s sure to be an interesting matchup on Thursday night between the two sides.

As for the history between them, Chychrun is well aware of the recent outcomes that have resulted in Team Orr winning five straight dating back to 2010.

“Yeah, we really want this one,” he said with a chuckle. “Five years is too long and it’s time to get back on the winning end. It’s always fun playing with such high-end talent. Hopefully our side can form some chemistry early on and win this thing.”

One the other side of the ice, Tkachuk is confident that when skilled players are involved, things will come together smoothly.

“It’s a tough thing that we don’t really have a full practice together,” he noted, “but we can make do with some time together off the ice and a morning skate. Good players can mix well with anybody so it shouldn’t be too big of an issue so long as everyone is willing to work together and play as a team.”

Of the 40 CHL players competing in Thursday’s game, the OHL leads the way with 20 participants while the WHL will feature 12 players competing and the QMJHL will have eight representatives.

The BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is returning to Vancouver for the first time since 2005 when Giants star Gilbert Brule put on a performance for the memory books, scoring the only hat-trick in the history of the event to lead Team Cherry to an 8-4 win over Team Davidson.

With the 21st edition of the BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game right around the corner, the time for the CHL’s brightest young stars to take centre stage has arrived.

Both teams will undergo on and off-ice testing on Wednesday along with interviews with participating media before Thursday’s big game that gets underway at 6:00pm PST/9:00pm EST. The game can be seen live across the country on Sportsnet, TVA Sports and in the United States on NHL Network.

For more information about the BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game please visit www.bmotopprospects.ca or follow the conversation @CHLHockey using #BMOTP.

BMO and the Canadian Hockey League:

BMO Financial Group and the Canadian Hockey League announced BMO as the Official Bank of the Canadian Hockey League in 2011. The sponsorship builds on BMO’s partnership with the CHL of more than 10 years and affirms BMO’s exclusivity as a financial services sponsor of the league in the retail banking category. It also engrains a presence with the 48 teams which currently participate in the BMO CHL Affinity MasterCard program, which enables CHL fans to support their favourite teams through a co-branded credit card.

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CHL Announces Roster Changes for 2016 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Giants’ Ty Ronning added to Team Cherry replacing injured Tyler BensonSting’s Jakob Chychrun named Team Cherry Captain, Rockets’ Dillon Dube named Alternate

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Ty Ronning of the Vancouver Giants has been added to the Team Cherry roster for the 2016 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game to be played on Thursday January 28 at Pacific Coliseum.

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 Ronning, an 18-year-old from Burnaby, BC, has 26 goals and 15 assists for 41 points in 45 games and ranks second on the Giants in scoring this season.  The third-year forward was listed 82nd among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting in last week’s Midterm Rankings for the 2016 NHL Draft.  Ronning will compete in place of teammate Tyler Benson who is unable to participate due to injury.

 The CHL also announced today that defenceman Jakob Chychrun of the Sarnia Sting will serve as Team Cherry captain in place of Benson, while Kelowna Rockets forward Dillon Dube has been named an alternate captain for Cherry joining Julien Gauthier of the Val-d’Or Foreurs.

 Listed second in North America in NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Rankings, the 17-year-old Chychrun hails from Boca Raton, Florida, and has seven goals and 22 assists for 29 points in 42 games and was the first overall pick in the 2014 OHL Priority Selection.  He follows former Sting and first overall pick Steven Stamkos who served as captain in this event in 2008 playing for Team McDonald/Vernon.  Dube is second in Rockets scoring with 20 goals and 26 assists for 46 points in 40 games.  The 17-year-old from Cochrane, AB, was listed 35th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting.

 Chychrun and Gauthier were originally announced as Team Cherry alternates earlier this month with Team Orr leaders that include captain Matthew Tkachuk of the London Knights, and alternates Jake Bean of the Calgary Hitmen, and Pierre-Luc Dubois of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.

 The 2016 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is proudly supported by title partner BMO Bank of Montreal, and CHL associate sponsors Cooper Tire, autoTRADER.ca and Sherwin-Williams.  The game will be broadcast live across Canada on Sportsnet, TVA Sports, and in the United States on NHL Network.

 For more information please visit www.bmotopprospects.ca.

BMO and the Canadian Hockey League:
BMO Financial Group and the Canadian Hockey League announced BMO as the Official Bank of the Canadian Hockey League in 2011. The sponsorship builds on BMO’s partnership with the CHL of more than 10 years and affirms BMO’s exclusivity as a financial services sponsor of the league in the retail banking category. It also engrains a presence with the 48 teams which currently participate in the BMO CHL Affinity MasterCard program, which enables CHL fans to support their favourite teams through a co-branded credit card.

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Benson and Tkachuk named BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Captains

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League in association with BMO Financial Group today announced the captains and alternate captains for the 2016 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game to be played on Thursday January 28 in Vancouver, BC, hosted by the Western Hockey League’s Vancouver Giants.

 The Giants’ Tyler Benson and Matthew Tkachuk of the London Knights have both been named captains for the 21st annual showcase of the CHL’s top-40 NHL Draft eligible players.  Benson will lead Team Cherry along with alternate captains Jakob Chychrun of the Sarnia Sting, and Julien Gauthier of the Val-d’Or Foreurs.  Tkachuk will lead Team Orr with alternates Jake Bean of the Calgary Hitmen, and Pierre-Luc Dubois of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.

 Benson, a 17-year-old from Edmonton, AB, is also a captain for the host Giants playing in just his second full season after being the first overall pick in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft.  The forward has 26 points in 28 games so far this season including eight goals and 18 assists.  Another former top pick, Chychrun was chosen by the Sting first overall in the 2014 OHL Priority Selection.  The 17-year-old defenceman from Boca Raton, Florida, has five goals and 19 assists for 24 points in 36 games.  Gauthier, an 18-year-old from Pointe-aux-Trembles, QC, was a member of Canada’s National Junior Team.  The forward has 37 points in 30 games playing in his third season with the Foreurs and is tied for third in the QMJHL with 29 goals.

 Tkachuk, an 18-year-old from St. Louis, Missouri, is currently tied for third in OHL scoring with 61 points including 15 goals and 46 assists in 30 games so far this season.  The Knights’ first-year forward captured bronze with the U.S. National Junior Team at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship.  Bean currently ranks third in WHL scoring among defencemen with 15 goals and 24 assists for 39 points in 42 games.  The 17-year-old from Calgary, AB, is playing in his second season as a member of his hometown Hitmen.  Dubois ranks eighth in QMJHL scoring with 61 points in 41 games netting 26 goals and 35 assists.  The 17-year-old is from Ste-Agathe-des-Monts, QC, and was a fifth overall pick of the Screaming Eagles in the 2014 QMJHL Entry Draft.

 Benson and Tkachuk follow in the footsteps of past Giants and Knights to serve as captains in this event, most notably in 2009 when Evander Kane led Team Cherry and John Tavares captained Team Orr in Oshawa.  Former Giant Gilbert Brule also captained Team Cherry in 2005 when the event was last held in Vancouver.  Past Knights to serve as captains include Sam Gagner in 2007 for a team coached by Pat Burns and Michel Bergeron, and Rick Nash who captained a team coached by Kelly Hrudey in 2002.

 Since 2010, Team Cherry captains have included Anthony Beauvillier, Sam Reinhart, Nathan MacKinnon, Ryan Murray, Sean Couturier, and Taylor Hall, while recent Team Orr captains include Connor McDavid, Aaron Ekblad, Seth Jones, Colton Sissons, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Tyler Seguin.

 Click here to see full Team Cherry and Team Orr rosters for the 2016 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.

 The 2016 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is proudly supported by title partner BMO Bank of Montreal, and CHL associate sponsors Cooper Tire, autoTRADER.ca and Sherwin-Williams.  The game will be broadcast live on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.

 For more information please visit www.bmotopprospects.ca.

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