Battalion’s Justin Brazeau named OHL’s Overage Player of the Year

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Justin Brazeau of the North Bay Battalion is the 2018-19 recipient of the Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy awarded annually to the OHL’s Overage Player of the Year.

Brazeau led the league with 61 goals and finished second overall with 113 points in 68 games played.  He becomes the first member of the Battalion to earn this award after establishing a new franchise record for goals in a season while becoming just the second Battalion player following Wojtek Wolski to surpass the century mark for points in a season.

“It’s always a great feeling anytime you are recognized by the league for your personal accomplishments,” Brazeau said. “I enjoyed my four years in North Bay and couldn’t have asked for anything more. To be able to finish it off with this award, especially with the group of overage players we had in the league this year, is definitely a great feeling.”

A 21-year-old from New Liskeard, Ont., Brazeau played four seasons for the Troops after being chosen by the club in the 13th round of the 2014 OHL Priority Selection.  His 2018-19 campaign featured 33 multi-point performances including five hat-tricks and an OHL best seven-point outing on October 21.  He was recognized as one of the game’s three stars on 23 different occasions with 11 first star honours which tied for second most across the league.  Brazeau was also the only Eastern Conference player to appear as a top three finisher in four different categories of the annual Coaches Poll, winning the Most Dangerous in the Goal Area vote, second Best Shot, third Smartest Player, and third Best Shootout Shooter.  He finishes his OHL career with 128 goals and 238 points which are the most by any player to suit up for the Battalion since they relocated to North Bay in 2013-14.  His 128 goals are second behind Wojtek Wolski (130) on the club’s all-time goal scoring list, while his 238 points rank third all-time behind Wolski (328) and Cody Hodgson (243).  Upon season’s end, Brazeau signed a two-year AHL contract with the Toronto Marlies beginning in 2019-20.

Justin Brazeau of the North Bay Battalion
Justin Brazeau of the North Bay Battalion. Photo by OHL Images

“We’re very proud of Justin and excited to see him win this award,” said Stan Butler, Battalion Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations. “To see a player develop from a 13th round pick into a player recognized around the league for his abilities is quite an accomplishment. The work that Justin put in makes him a special player. Going from six goals in his first year to 61 three seasons later is a great story. Coming from a small town, Justin gives players a lot of hope, especially others from Northern Ontario.”

The Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the Top Overage Player of the Year as selected by OHL General Managers.  Teams were asked to submit a nominee for the award and were not permitted to vote for players from their own hockey club. Players received five points for a first place vote, three points for a second place vote and one point for a third place vote.

Brazeau received 83 of a possible 95 points in the voting process, followed by Dallas Stars prospect Tye Felhaber of the Ottawa 67’s who received 44 voting points, and Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Mac Hollowell of the Soo Greyhounds who finished in third place with 27 voting points.

First presented in 1984, the Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy was donated by the trainers of the Ontario Hockey League, in memory of the late Leo Lalonde, former Chief Scout of OHL Central Scouting.  Leo Lalonde was also formerly the Chief Scout for the Belleville Bulls as well as a scout for the Peterborough Petes.

While Brazeau is the first Battalion player to win the award, it has been won three times by former North Bay Centennials including Len Soccio (1988), John Spoltore (1992), and B.J MacPherson (1994).  The five previous award recipients were all members of either the Barrie Colts or the Erie Otters including Aaron Luchuk (Barrie 2018), Darren Raddysh (Erie 2017), Kevin Labanc (Barrie 2016), Joseph Blandisi (Barrie 2015), and Dane Fox (Erie 2014).

Brazeau will be formally presented with the Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy at the 2018-19 OHL Awards Ceremony scheduled for June 5 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

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OHL Announces 2018-19 Regular Season Award Winners

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the recipients of four of the league’s annual awards following the conclusion of the 2018-19 regular season.

Offensively, Dallas Stars prospect Jason Robertson of the Niagara IceDogs captured the league’s scoring title earning the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy, while North Bay Battalion captain Justin Brazeau is the recipient of the Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy for Top Scoring Right Winger.  Recognizing defensive efforts, the goaltending tandem of the team with the fewest goals against goes to Ottawa 67’s Cedrick Andree and Michael DiPietro who earn the Dave Pinkney Trophy, while Ethan Taylor of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds claims the F.W “Dinty” Moore Trophy as the rookie with the best goals-against average.

Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy (Scoring Champion): Jason Robertson, Niagara IceDogs

Jason Robertson finished atop the regular season scoring charts with 117 points powered by 48 goals and 69 assists in 62 games for a league-best points-per-game average of 1.89.

The 19-year-old from Northville, Michigan, split his season between the Niagara IceDogs and the Kingston Frontenacs where he was originally a fourth round pick in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection.  His tenure with the IceDogs began in November and included 25 goals and 54 assists for 79 points in 38 games helping the club clinch their second Central Division title.

His season highlight was undoubtedly on March 1 when he surpassed the century mark for points in a season while reaching the 300 point milestone for his career.  One of three IceDogs to top 100 points this season, Robertson accomplished the feat with 30 multi-point performances including five hat-tricks while producing point-streaks of 19 and 18 games which rank second and fourth respectively among the league’s best in 2018-19.

The second round pick of the Stars in the 2017 NHL Draft signed his entry-level contract last May and won silver with the United States at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship.  He finishes his four-year OHL career with three-straight seasons of more than 40 goals lighting the lamp a total of 149 times with 168 helpers for 317 points in 252 games.

Robertson becomes the first member of the IceDogs to win the award and sixth American following Alex DeBrincat (Erie Otters, 2017), Kevin Labanc (Barrie Colts, 2016), Vincent Trocheck (Plymouth Whalers, 2013), Patrick Kane (London Knights, 2007), and Rob Schremp (London Knights, 2006).

The Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy was donated by the Toronto Marlboro Athletic Club in memory of Eddie Powers and was first awarded in 1945-46 to Tod Sloan of St. Michael’s who scored 79 points in 25 games.  Aaron Luchuk of the Barrie Colts was last year’s recipient with 115 points in 68 games including 50 goals and 65 assists.  Other recent winners include Otters Dylan Strome (2015) and Connor Brown (2014).

Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy (Top Scoring Right Winger): Justin Brazeau, North Bay Battalion

Justin Brazeau finished second in OHL scoring but led all right wingers with 113 points including a league-high 61 goals along with 52 assists in 68 games.

The 21-year-old from New Liskeard, Ont., set a new Battalion mark for goals in a season and is one of just three North Bay OHL stars to surpass the 60 goal plateau joining former Centennials Vitali Yachmenev who scored 61 in 1993-94, and Nick Kypreos who netted 62 during the 1985-86 season.  Brazeau became just the second Battalion player to join the OHL’s century club for points in a season following Wojtek Wolski who produced 128 points in 2005-06.  It’s also the first time North Bay fans have seen a 100-point player since Trevor Gallant accomplished the feat by putting up 105 points for the Centennials in 1995-96.

Brazeau’s season was highlighted by 33 multi-point performances including five hat-tricks and an OHL best seven-point outing on October 21.  The 13th round pick by the Battalion in the 2014 OHL Priority Selection finishes his OHL career with 128 goals and 238 points which are the most by any player to suit up for the Troops since they relocated to North Bay in 2013-14.  His 128 goals are second behind Wolski (130) on the club’s all-time goal scoring list.

The Jim Mahon Trophy was first presented following the 1971-72 season by the players and management of the Peterborough Petes in memory of their right winger Jim Mahon who was accidentally killed that summer.  Brazeau becomes the second Battalion player to receive the honour following John Hughes who recorded 91 points in 68 games during the 2007-08 season.  Jordan Kyrou of the Sarnia Sting was last year’s recipient with 109 points in 56 games scoring 39 goals with 70 assists.  Recent winners also include Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters in 2017, Kevin Labanc of the Barrie Colts in 2016, and Mitch Marner of the London Knights in 2015.

Dave Pinkney Trophy (Lowest Team Goals Against): Cedrick Andree and Michael DiPietro, Ottawa 67’s

The Ottawa 67’s allowed the fewest goals in the OHL during the 2018-19 season with just 183 against, backstopped primarily by the tandem of Cedrick Andree and Michael DiPietro.

The pair finished first and second among league leaders in goals-against-average with DiPietro’s overall mark of 2.40 just ahead of Andree’s 2.48.  The netminders were instrumental in delivering a franchise record of 106 points which included 50 wins for just the second time in team history en route to the club’s fourth Hamilton Spectator Trophy as regular season champions.

Andree, an 18-year-old from Orleans, Ont., appeared in 45 games for the Barber Poles amassing an overall record of 34-5-2-2 with a sparkling .910 save percentage.  The 12th round pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection also recorded four shutouts this season which tied for third most in the league beginning with the first of his career on November 1.

DiPietro, a 19-year-old from Amherstburg, Ont., joined the 67’s in a December trade with the Windsor Spitfires.  As a member of the 67’s he played 17 games carrying a record of 12-4-0-0 with a goals-against-average of 2.50 and save percentage of .897 with three shutouts.  DiPietro made OHL history this season by setting the league’s all-time shutout record with 17 and finishes his illustrious career with 19.  He finishes his four-year OHL career as one of the best all-time winning a 2017 Memorial Cup title, earning 2018 Goaltender of the Year honours, representing Canada at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship, and backstopping his teams to 98 wins in 174 games.  The third round pick of the Vancouver Canucks in the 2017 NHL Draft made his NHL debut on February 11 during his stint as an emergency recall.

This marks the sixth time the 67’s have led the league with the fewest goals against with past award recipients including Craig Hillier and Seamus Kotyk (172 GA) in 1997-98, Tim Keyes and Craig Hillier (177 GA) in 1996-97, Darren Pang and Greg Coram (223 GA) in 1983-84, Jim Ralph (264 GA) in 1980-81, Michael Larocque (216) in 1971-72

The Dave Pinkney Trophy is awarded annually to the goaltending tandem from the team that allows the fewest goals against during the regular season.  Last season, Matthew Villalta and Tyler Johnson were part of a Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds club that allowed 186 goals against to claim the award.

F.W. “Dinty” Moore Trophy (Best Rookie GAA): Ethan Taylor, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

Ethan Taylor posted the best-goals-against-average among OHL rookie goaltenders in 2018-19 with a mark of 3.24.

The 17-year-old from Trenton, Ont., appeared in 22 games for the Greyhounds this season playing to a 10-1-2-1 record with a .894 save percentage.  Chosen by the Greyhounds in the ninth round of the 2017 OHL Priority Selection from the Quinte Red Devils Minor Midgets, Taylor played Midget AAA a year ago in Quinte before committing to the club in September.  He won his first career start on October 5 turning aside 36 shots in a 4-1 win over the Kingston Frontenacs.

Taylor becomes the sixth Greyhound to win the award following current teammate Matthew Villalta (2.41 GAA in 2016-17), Kyle Gajewski (2.55 GAA in 2004-05), Kevin Hodson (3.22 GAA in 1990-91), Gerry Iuliano (3.64 GAA in 1983-84), and John Vanbiesbrouck (4.14 GAA in 1980-81).

The trophy is named after F.W. “Dinty” Moore of Port Colborne, ON, who served as OHA President from 1942-45.  In order to qualify for this rookie award, a goaltender must play a minimum of 900 minutes.  Jordan Kooy of the London Knights won the award last season with a 3.11 goals-against-average, with other recent recipients including Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires (2.45 GAA) and Michael McNiven of the Owen Sound Attack (2.79 GAA) winning in 2016 and 2015 respectively.

CHL Announces Weekly Award Winners

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Battalion’s Justin Brazeau named CHL Player of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that OHL top scorer Justin Brazeau of the North Bay Battalion is the CHL Player of the Week for the regular season week ending December 16 scoring eight goals and two assists for 10 points in three games with a plus-minus rating of plus-7.

Brazeau wins the award for the second time this season powered by a trio of multi-goal performances that helped the Battalion finish the first half with three-straight wins.  On Thursday night he scored twice with one assist and earned first star honours in an 8-5 victory on home ice over the Kitchener Rangers.  He did the same three-point damage on Saturday while visiting the Barrie Colts where his first goal held as the game-winner and his second the insurance marker receiving second star accolades in the 4-1 triumph.  Brazeau brought his best effort right before the holiday break in a rematch against the Colts scoring a career-high four goals including the Teddy Bear Toss tally at home receiving first star honours in the 5-4 decision.  The Troops will be fighting for playoff positioning in the second half carrying a 14-18-1-1 record in the competitive OHL Eastern Conference standings.

A 20-year-old from New Liskeard, Ont., Brazeau is playing in his fourth career season with the Battalion who chose him in the 13th round of the 2014 OHL Priority Selection.  Through 34 games he’s scored 34 goals along with 29 assists for an OHL-best 63 points.  During Sunday’s game he eclipsed the century mark for career goals and now has 101 with 87 assists for 188 points in 234 games.

Also considered for the award this week was Nicolas Guay of the Drummondville Voltigeurs who scored six goals and two assists for eight points in three games, and Dante Hannoun of the Victoria Royals who scored three goals and six assists for nine points in four games.

2018-19 CHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:

Dec. 10 – Dec. 16: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)
Dec. 3 – Dec. 9: Ivan Chekhovich (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)
Nov. 26 – Dec. 2: Gregor MacLeod (Drummondville Voltigeurs)
Nov. 19 – Nov. 25: Brett Leason (Prince Albert Raiders)
Nov. 12 – Nov. 18: Peter Abbandonato (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)
Nov. 5 – Nov. 11: Jason Robertson (Kingston Frontenacs)
Oct. 29 – Nov. 4: Joachim Blichfeld (Portland Winterhawks)
Oct. 22 – Oct. 28: Ivan Chekhovich (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)
Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Damien Giroux (Saginaw Spirit)
Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Dawson Davidson (Saskatoon Blades)
Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Luka Burzan (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Sept. 19 – Sept. 23: Kirby Dach (Saskatoon Blades)

Tigers’ Mads Sogaard named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that 2019 NHL Draft prospect Mads Sogaard of the Medicine Hat Tigers is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the regular season week ending December 16 carrying a 2-0-0-0 record for a goals-against-average of 1.50 and save percentage of .966.

Sogaard made an impressive 85 saves across his two victories last week helping the Tigers enter the holiday break with a winning 17-15-1-2 record in the competitive WHL Central Division standings.  On Wednesday he made 36 saves and earned second star honours in a 4-2 triumph over the Kamloops Blazers, then kicked aside a career-high 49 shots on Friday earning first star praise in the 4-1 road victory against the first place Red Deer Rebels.

The recently turned 18-year-old from Aalborg, Denmark, was chosen 32nd overall in the 2018 CHL Import Draft.  Sogaard finished the first half with a 10-4-1-2 record with one shutout along with a 2.39 goals-against-average and .931 save percentage which place him among the league’s leaders.  Last week Sogaard was named as one of four goaltenders who will compete in the 2019 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game to be played on January 23 in Red Deer.

Also considered for the award was OHL rookie Andrew MacLean of the Owen Sound Attack who posted a 3-0-0-0 record including one shutout victory making a total of 102 saves for a goals-against-average of 1.67 and save percentage of .953.  In the QMJHL, Chicago Blackhawks prospect Alexis Gravel of the Halifax Mooseheads went 2-0-0-1 with a shutout victory making 80 total saves for a goals-against-average of 1.30 and save percentage of .952.

2018-19 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:

Dec. 10 – Dec. 16: Mads Sogaard (Medicine Hat Tigers)
Dec. 3 – Dec. 9: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 26 – Dec. 2: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Sudbury Wolves)
Nov. 19 – Nov. 25: Kyle Jessiman (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)
Nov. 12 – Nov. 18: Ian Scott (Prince Albert Raiders)
Nov. 5 – Nov. 11: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 29 – Nov. 4: Joseph Raaymakers (London Knights)
Oct. 22 – Oct. 28: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)
Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Émile Samson (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)
Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Alexis Gravel (Halifax Mooseheads)
Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Trent Miner (Vancouver Giants)
Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Luke Richardson (Kitchener Rangers)
Sept. 19 – Sept. 23: Hunter Jones (Peterborough Petes)

Attack’s Andrew MacLean named OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that rookie goaltender Andrew MacLean of the Owen Sound Attack is the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week for the regular season week ending December 16 posting a 3-0-0-0 record including one shutout victory with a goals-against-average of 1.67 and save percentage of .953.

MacLean turned aside 102 shots last week across a trio of victories for the Attack who enter the holiday break riding a five-game winning-streak.  His week began on Tuesday night with a big division victory over the Guelph Storm by a 3-2 score stopping a career-high 44 shots including a perfect 22-save third period.  MacLean’s weekend included a pair of road triumphs against East Division competition beginning Friday night in Kingston where he was perfect with 27 saves to record his first career shutout as first star of a 3-0 win over the Frontenacs.  Then on Saturday afternoon in Ottawa, MacLean made 31 saves as part of 6-3 victory over the first place 67’s.  The Attack end the league’s first half of the regular season schedule with a 19-11-1-2 record for 41 points which ties them with Guelph for second place behind the London Knights in the Midwest.

A 17-year-old from Port Huron, Michigan, MacLean was chosen by the Attack in the tenth round of the 2017 OHL Priority Selection.  Since making his first start on October 6, the 2019 NHL Draft prospect has produced a 9-3-0-1 record with a goals-against-average of 3.22 and save percentage of .904.  He spent last season with the Detroit Honeybaked U16 program after playing his Minor Midget season with the Lambton Jr. Sting.  MacLean is the third goaltender to receive the award so far this season following Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs) and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Sudbury Wolves), and second member of the Attack to be recognized following forward Kevin Hancock.

Watch video highlights of MacLean and the Attack against the Storm, Frontenacs, and 67’s.

Also considered for the award this week was OHL top scorer Justin Brazeau of the North Bay Battalion who scored eight goals and two assists for 10 points in three games.  A pair of Storm forwards also had productive weeks collecting 11 points in four games including Dallas Stars prospect Liam Hawel who scored six goals and five assists and Arizona Coyotes prospect Nate Schnarr with four goals and seven assists.

2018-19 OHL ‘On the Run’ Players of the Week – Regular Season:

Dec. 10 – Dec. 16: Andrew MacLean (Owen Sound Attack)
Dec. 3 – Dec. 9: Brett Neumann (Kingston Frontenacs)
Nov. 26 – Dec. 2: Jason Robertson (Niagara IceDogs)
Nov. 19 – Nov. 25: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Nov. 12 – Nov. 18: Owen Tippett (Mississauga Steelheads)
Nov. 5 – Nov. 11: Jason Robertson (Kingston Frontenacs)
Oct. 29 – Nov. 4: Kevin Hancock (Owen Sound Attack)
Oct. 22 – Oct. 28: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)
Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Damien Giroux (Saginaw Spirit)
Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Sudbury Wolves)
Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Lucas Chiodo (Barrie Colts)
Sept. 19 – Sept. 23: Akil Thomas (Niagara IceDogs)

OHL Announces Top Performers of the Month for October

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 October 2018, including North Bay Battalion forward Justin Brazeau, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds defenceman Mac Hollowell and Ottawa 67’s teammates Marco Rossi and Cedrick Andree.


OHL Player of the Month – Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion):

North Bay Battalion captain Justin Brazeau is the OHL Player of the Month for October after recording 26 points including 11 goals and 15 assists in 10 games. Brazeau’s month was headlined by a seven-point performance on Oct. 21st, helping the Battalion defeat the Kingston Frontenacs 8-3 on home ice with three goals and four assists. The seven points tied a franchise record set in 2006 and also helped Brazeau earn both CHL and OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week honours. The 6-foot-6 winger also had a five point outing with two goals and three assists in a 5-3 win over Flint on Oct. 12th. More recently he put up four points with a goal and three helpers in a 5-2 win over the Erie Otters on Oct. 27th. In total, Brazeau recorded points in eight of his 10 outings, coming away with multi-point totals in six of them. He earned first star honours three times, second star recognition twice and was named third star on one occasion.

A 20-year-old native of New Liskeard, Ont., Brazeau is currently in his fourth OHL season after being a 13th round pick by the Battalion in 2014. He enters November as the OHL’s scoring leader with 33 points (16-17–33) over 15 contests and is just six goals shy of becoming the Battalion’s new career goal-scoring leader during the franchise’s tenure in North Bay. Over 215 career regular season games he has found the back of the net 83 times, added 75 assists and put up 158 points. Brazeau attended training camp with the San Jose Sharks this past September.


OHL Defenceman of the Month – Mac Hollowell (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds):

Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Mac Hollowell of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds is the OHL Defenceman of the Month for October after leading all rearguards with 15 points over 13 games. Hollowell’s four goals and 11 assists helped the Greyhounds climb into the West Division lead, entering November with a record of 11-3-3-0. The overage blueliner had points in 11 of his 13 outings, wrapping up the month on a four-game trend. His October was headlined by a pair of three-point performances, first recording a goal and two assists in a 6-3 win over the Saginaw Spirit on Oct. 17th before picking up three assists two nights later in a 4-3 triumph over the Kingston Frontenacs. While Hollowell was effective offensively, he also played a big role in helping the Greyhounds rise to second on the OHL’s penalty killing rankings.

A 20-year-old native of Niagara Falls, Ont., Hollowell’s outstanding month of October came after he was returned to the OHL by the Toronto Maple Leafs, who selected him in the fourth round (118th overall) of the 2018 NHL Draft. The 5-foot-10, 163Ib. smooth-skating defender is in his fourth full OHL season and has appeared in 208 career regular season games, recording 22 goals, 99 assists and 121 points in the process. He was originally Sault Ste. Marie’s 12th round pick in 2014.


OHL Rookie of the Month – Marco Rossi (Ottawa 67’s):

After a sensational first month of his OHL career, Ottawa 67’s forward Marco Rossi is the OHL Rookie of the Month for October. The Austrian centreman recorded 16 points including nine goals and seven assists in 11 games to go with a league-high plus/minus rating of plus-18, helping the 67’s take the East Division lead with an overall record of 12-3-1-0. Rossi’s month included a pair of three-point performances, with the first including two goals and an assist in a 4-1 win over the Windsor Spitfires on Oct. 12th. He registered a goal and two assists in a 3-1 road win over the Mississauga Steelheads on Oct. 21st. Three of his nine goals were of the game-winning variety. Playing alongside veterans Tye Felhaber and Austen Keating, Rossi has been among the league’s top faceoff men, winning nearly 60% of his draws in the month of October.

A 17-year-old native of Feldkirch, Austria, Rossi has 18 points (9-9–18) through 16 games this season. The 18th overall pick of the 2018 CHL Import Draft, Rossi isn’t eligible for the NHL Draft until 2020. He spent last season with the Swiss Jr. A circuit’s GCK Lions where he put up 51 points (22-29–51) over 34 games.

 

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Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month – Cedrick Andree (Ottawa 67’s):

A perfect 8-0-0-0 month of October has earned Ottawa 67’s netminder Cedrick Andree Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month honours. Andree won all eight of his starts, recording a league-leading 1.72 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage in the process as the 67’s surged up the standings as well as the Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings. The sophomore didn’t surrender more than three goals in any of his starts, with his best effort coming on Oct. 21st in Mississauga when he made 31 saves as the 67’s defeated the Steelheads 3-1. He limited the opposition to just one goal on three other occasions including a 4-1 win over Kingston on Oct. 10th, a 4-1 win over Windsor on Oct. 12th and a 2-1 overtime win over London on Oct. 26th.

An 18-year-old native of Orleans, Ont., Andree holds a 10-2-0-0 record, 2.59 goals-against average and .905 save percentage in this, his second OHL season. The 5-foot-10, 165Ib. goaltender appeared in 13 games with the 67’s last season after being the club’s 12th round pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection.


2018-19 OHL Performers of the Month:


Player of the Month:
October – Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)


Defenceman of the Month:
October – Mac Hollowell (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

Rookie of the Month:
October – Marco Rossi (Ottawa 67’s)


Vaughn Goaltender of the Month:
October – Cedrick Andree (Ottawa 67’s)

CHL Announces Weekly Award Winners

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Battalion’s Justin Brazeau named CHL Player of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Justin Brazeau of the North Bay Battalion is the CHL Player of the Week for the regular season week ending October 21 after recording nine points in two games including four goals and five assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-3.

Brazeau produced a pair of multi-point performances highlighted by a Battalion record-tying output to take over the lead in the OHL’s scoring race.  He scored a goal and an assist on Thursday earning second star honours despite a 4-3 loss to the Mississauga Steelheads, then scored a hat-trick with four assists on Sunday as first star of an 8-3 win over the Kingston Frontenacs.  The hat-trick was his second of the season, scored entirely in the first period, while the seven points match the club’s all-time best set by Wojtek Wolski back in 2006.

A 20-year-old from New Liskeard, Ont., Brazeau is playing in his fourth season with the Battalion who chose him in the 13th round of the 2014 OHL Priority Selection.  His league-best 25 points in 12 games includes 12 goals and 13 assists bringing him a third of the way towards his career-high 75 points recorded in 68 games last season.  The overage forward was named team captain prior to the 2018-19 season after attending San Jose Sharks Training Camp as a Free Agent invite.

Also considered for the award this week was Mark Kastelic of the Calgary Hitmen who scored five goals and three assists for eight points in four games, and Daniel Hardie of the Charlottetown Islanders with three goals and three assists for six points in two games.

2018-19 CHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:

Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Damien Giroux (Saginaw Spirit)
Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Dawson Davidson (Saskatoon Blades)
Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Luka Burzan (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Sept. 19 – Sept. 23: Kirby Dach (Saskatoon Blades)

Armada’s Émile Samson named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Émile Samson of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the regular season week ending October 21 after posting a 2-0-0-0 record with one shutout for a goals-against-average of 0.50 and save percentage of .984.

Samson turned aside 61 shots last week for the Armada who climbed into seventh place in the QMJHL’s overall standings holding a 7-4-1-0 record.  He recorded his first shutout of the season on Friday night with a 32-save performance to blank the Val-d’Or Foreurs by a 4-0 score while earning third star honours.  On Saturday night he delivered a first star effort against the Quebec Remparts featuring 29 saves in a 4-1 triumph.

A 19-year-old from Lévis, Quebec, Samson is playing in his second QMJHL season with the Armada after joining the club as a Free Agent one year ago.  So far this season he carries a 6-2-1-0 record with the league’s second best goals-against-average and save percentage with marks of 1.86 and .939 respectively.  Last season as a rookie he won 17 of his 27 regular season appearances followed by another 13 playoff victories helping the Armada reach the President Cup Final.

Also considered for the award this week was Boston Bruins prospect Kyle Keyser of the Oshawa Generals who posted a 3-0-0-0 record making 88 saves for a goals-against-average of 1.33 and save percentage of .957, and rookie Trent Miner of the Vancouver Giants who went 1-0-1-0 stopping 59 shots for a goals-against-average of 1.48 and save percentage of .952.

2018-19 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:

Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Émile Samson (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)
Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Alexis Gravel (Halifax Mooseheads)
Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Trent Miner (Vancouver Giants)
Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Luke Richardson (Kitchener Rangers)
Sept. 19 – Sept. 23: Hunter Jones (Peterborough Petes)

CHL Leagues

Battalion’s Justin Brazeau named OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that North Bay Battalion captain Justin Brazeau is the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week for the regular season week ending October 21 with nine points in two games scoring four goals and five assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-3.

Brazeau took over sole possession of the OHL’s scoring lead on Sunday while tying a Battalion single-game record with a seven point performance.  He scored his second hat-trick of the season accounting for the club’s first three goals in 11:31 of the first period then added four assists to earn first star honours in an 8-3 win over the Kingston Frontenacs.  The seven points equals franchise great Wojtek Wolski who had four goals and three assists in a 9-4 decision over the Erie Otters in Brampton on January 22, 2006.  Brazeau also scored once with an assist on Thursday as second star of a 4-3 loss to the Mississauga Steelheads in the Troops’ annual Pink in the Rink game.

A 20-year-old from New Liskeard, Ont., Brazeau is playing in his fourth season with the Battalion who chose him in the 13th round of the 2014 OHL Priority Selection.  So far this season he’s scored 12 goals and 13 assists for 25 points in 12 games to reach the 150 career point milestone which ranks 15th on the club’s all-time list.  In September the overage forward was appointed the club’s fifth captain in their North Bay tenure after leading the OHL pre-season in scoring.  Brazeau attended San Jose Sharks Training Camp as a Free Agent invite.

Watch video highlights of Brazeau and the Battalion against the Steelheads and Frontenacs.

Also considered for the award this week were a trio of players with nine points in three games led by Kevin Hancock of the Owen Sound Attack who scored five goals and four assists, plus a pair of Philadelphia Flyers prospects including Morgan Frost of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and Matthew Strome of the Hamilton Bulldogs both recording three goals and six assists.

In goal, Boston Bruins prospect Kyle Keyser posted a 3-0-0-0 record between-the-pipes for the Oshawa Generals making 88 saves for a goals-against-average of 1.33 and save percentage of .957.

2018-19 OHL ‘On the Run’ Players of the Week – Regular Season:

Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Damien Giroux (Saginaw Spirit)
Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Sudbury Wolves)
Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Lucas Chiodo (Barrie Colts)
Sept. 19 – Sept. 23: Akil Thomas (Niagara IceDogs)

CHL Announces Weekly Award Winners

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Mattheos and Hart lead WHL’s hottest teams

Wheat Kings’ Stelio Mattheos named CHL Player of the Week 

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Carolina Hurricanes prospect Stelio Mattheos of the Brandon Wheat Kings is the CHL Player of the Week for the week ending December 10 recording nine points in three games including three goals and six assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-6. 

Mattheos produced three multi-point performances in three home victories last week for the Wheat Kings who extended their winning-streak to a season-high eight games.  On Wednesday night he scored once and added two assists in a 7-4 win over the Regina Pats, then earned first star honours on Friday with a goal and an assist in a 4-3 overtime victory against the Medicine Hat Tigers.  Mattheos stayed hot on Saturday with a season-high four points scoring his 24th goal of the season and adding three assists as third star of a 7-4 victory over the Kelowna Rockets snapping their six-game win-streak.  The week improved the Wheat Kings record to 22-7-0-1 in the WHL’s competitive East Division where they stand third behind fellow Top-10 ranked CHL clubs the Moose Jaw Warriors and Swift Current Broncos.   

An 18-year-old from Winnipeg, Man., Mattheos is playing in his third season in Brandon after being chosen by the Wheat Kings with the first overall pick in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft.  He helped the club capture the 2016 WHL Championship during his rookie season then scored 26 goals and 35 assists for 61 points in 69 games played as a sophomore.  Since being chosen by the Hurricanes in the third round of the 2017 NHL Draft, Mattheos ranks eighth in WHL scoring with 49 points in 30 games. 

Also considered for the award this week was QMJHL top scorer and last week’s recipient Alex Barré-Boulet of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada who scored six goals and three assists for nine points in four games, and forward Justin Brazeau of the North Bay Battalion who scored five goals and three assists for eight points in three games. 

2017-18 CHL Players of the Week:

Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Stelio Mattheos (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Alex Barré-Boulet (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Cody Glass (Portland Winterhawks)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Cliff Pu (London Knights)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Aleksi Heponiemi (Swift Current Broncos)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Albert Michnac (Mississauga Steelheads)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Aaron Luchuk (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Drake Batherson (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Tyler Soy (Victoria Royals)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Kale Clague (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Tyler Steenbergen (Swift Current Broncos)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 24: Kole Lind (Kelowna Rockets)

Silvertips’ Carter Hart named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week 

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Philadelphia Flyers prospect Carter Hart of the Everett Silvertips is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending December 10 after posting a 3-0-0-0 record including a shutout victory with a goals-against-average of 0.67 and save percentage of .982. 

Hart collects the award for an impressive third straight week after turning aside 109 shots in a trio of victories for the Silvertips who extend their winning-streak to nine games.  His week began Wednesday night by making 28 saves and earning third star honours in a 4-1 victory over the Portland Winterhawks, then continued Friday with a 39-save performance for his fifth shutout of the season blanking the Spokane Chiefs by a 3-0 score as the game’s first star.  His week wrapped up Saturday with 42 saves in a 2-1 triumph against the Winterhawks where he was named second star for the second place Silvertips who trail first place Portland by just one point in the WHL’s U.S Division with a 19-12-1-1 record. 

A 19-year-old from Sherwood Park, AB, Hart is playing in his fourth season with the Silvertips who selected him in the eighth round of the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft.  He now carries a record of 13-3-0-1 lowering his goals-against-average to 1.32 and raising his save percentage to .961 atop the WHL leaderboard.  The second round pick of the Flyers in the 2016 NHL Draft now has 24 career shutouts inching him closer to the WHL record of 26.  Hart will now attend Canada’s National Junior Team Selection Camp in St. Catharines as a returning member of Team Canada. 

Also considered for the award this week was Stephen Dhillon of the Niagara IceDogs posting a 2-0-0-0 record including one shutout victory making 59 saves for a goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .967, and rookie Colten Ellis of the Rimouski Oceanic who went 2-0-0-0 stopping 57 shots for a goals-against-average of 2.00 and save percentage of .934. 

2017-18 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week:

Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Anthony Morrone (Victoriaville Tigres)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Justin Fazio (Sarnia Sting)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Cole Kehler (Portland Winterhawks)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Samuel Harvey (Rouyn-Noranada Huskies)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Logan Flodell (Swift Current Broncos)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Cole Kehler (Portland Winterhawks)
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Dereck Baribeau (Quebec Remparts)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 24: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)

Battalion’s Justin Brazeau named OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Justin Brazeau of the North Bay Battalion is the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week for the week ending December 10 after leading the league with eight points in three games scoring five goals and three assists. 

Brazeau recorded a pair of multi-point performances that helped the Troops earn a pair of victories on home ice to maintain their hold on third place in the Central Division standings.  He contributed to 80% of the Battalion’s total offense last week beginning Thursday night by scoring twice including the game-winner and adding one assist as first star of a 4-3 win over the Mississauga Steelheads.  The win was the tenth of the season for the Battalion and number 682 all-time for head coach Stan Butler who moved into fourth on the OHL wins list ahead of Larry Mavety.  Brazeau was held to just one assist on Friday in a 3-1 loss to the top ranked Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds but rebounded with the best game of his OHL career later that weekend.  It was Sunday where the power forward scored his first hat-trick including another game-winner while assisting on Luke Burghardt’s Teddy Bear Toss goal to earn first star honours in a 5-2 win over the Barrie Colts. 

A 19-year-old from New Liskeard, Ont., Brazeau is playing in his third season with the Battalion who chose him in the 13th round of the 2014 OHL Priority Selection.  The 6’5’’, 221lb winger is currently tied for 18th in league scoring with 36 points in 31 games while his 23 goals are third among OHL leaders.  His goal output has already surpassed the 22 he tallied last season as he stands just one point shy of equalling his 37-point total recorded in 67 games played in 2016-17.  In September Brazeau attended Training Camp with the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets as a free agent invite. 

Watch video highlights of Brazeau and the Battalion against the Steelheads, Greyhounds, and Colts. 

Also considered for the award this week was overage forward Aaron Luchuk of the Windsor Spitfires and Florida Panthers prospect Adam Mascherin of the Kitchener Rangers who both scored five goals and two assists for seven points in three contests highlighted by hat-trick performances in the same game head-to-head last Tuesday night.  In goal, Stephen Dhillon of the Niagara IceDogs posted a 2-0-0-0 record including one shutout making 59 saves for a goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .967.

2017-18 OHL ‘On the Run’ Players of the Week:

Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Joseph Garreffa (Kitchener Rangers)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Serron Noel (Oshawa Generals)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Cliff Pu (London Knights)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Ryan Merkley (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Albert Michnac (Mississauga Steelheads)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Aaron Luchuk (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia Sting)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Brady Hinz (Sarnia Sting)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Nick Suzuki (Owen Sound Attack)
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Jonathan Ang (Peterborough Petes)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 24: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)