KNIGHTS AND FRONTENACS INCLUDED IN WEEK 5 EDITION OF KIA CHL TOP 10 RANKINGS

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Canadian Hockey League announced today the Week 5 edition of the Kia CHL Top-10 Rankings for the 2021-22 season.

The London Knights are up another two spots this week, climbing to second in the Canadian Hockey League as the only remaining undefeated squad. The 8-0 Knights rattled off two more wins last week, defeating the Owen Sound Attack for a fourth time this season on Wednesday as OHL Goaltender of the Month Brett Brochu earned first star honours in a 4-1 decision. The Knights were at home on Friday, defeating their 402 rival the Sarnia Sting by a score of 5-2 thanks to a hat-trick from captain Luke Evangelista. The Knights own the League’s top power play, one currently operating at 33 percent while sitting second in OHL penalty killing metrics with a 91.4 percent efficiency rate shorthanded. The Knights return to the ice on Friday at home to Owen Sound before crossing the border to visit the Flint Firebirds on Saturday night.

The Kingston Frontenacs are in the Top 10 for the sixth straight edition, rising one spot to number nine in the CHL. The Fronts fell 3-2 in overtime to the Ottawa 67’s at home on Friday before exacting vengeance on the Barber Poles Saturday afternoon in the nation’s capital. Los Angeles Kings prospect Martin Chromiak enjoyed a career performance with his first OHL hat-trick that was capped off by a lacrosse-style third period game winner in a 4-3 decision. Saturday’s win was goaltender Aidan Spooner‘s first in the OHL. Top 2022 NHL Draft prospect Shane Wright and the Frontenacs are at home for three straight this week, hitting the ice on Wednesday against the Mississauga Steelheads, hosting the North Bay Battalion on Friday and taking on the Peterborough Petes on Sunday afternoon.

The ascending Saginaw Spirit and Soo Greyhounds are both honourable mention teams this week, with the Spirit having earned a point in five consecutive games, entering a fresh week off a 4-1 triumph over the Flint Firebirds last Wednesday. The 7-4-0-0 Greyhounds currently hold down top spot in the West Division. The Spirit make their first trip to Ontario on Wednesday to take on the Greyhounds in a game fans won’t want to miss.

For further analysis on the Week 5 edition of the Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings, visit CHL.ca.


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

KNIGHTS, RANGERS AND FRONTENACS INCLUDED IN WEEK 4 EDITION OF KIA CHL TOP 10 RANKINGS

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Canadian Hockey League announced today the Week 4 edition of the Kia CHL Top-10 Rankings for the 2021-22 season.

Following the Quebec Remparts, Winnipeg ICE and Acadie-Bathurst Titan, the undefeated 6-0 London Knights rise one spot to number four in this week’s rankings. The Knights won their lone game of the weekend, defeating the visiting Owen Sound Attack 2-1 on Friday as Brett Brochu turned aside 36 of 37 shots and Nashville Predators prospect Luke Evangelista scored the shorthanded game winner early in the third period. The Knights also had Dallas Stars prospect Antonio Stranges in their lineup for the first time this season after the shifty winger returned from injury. London hits the road to face Owen Sound on Wednesday before a home date with the Sarnia Sting on Friday night.

A weekend split saw the Kitchener Rangers enter the Top-10 for the first time this season, defeating the Windsor Spitfires in a thrilling shootout finish on Friday as Pavel Cajan stood tall in the crease and rookie Carson Rehkopf netted the winner in a 3-2 decision. The Blueshirts fell 4-2 to the rival Guelph Storm on Sunday to see their undefeated start come to a halt as they own a mark of 5-1-0-0 entering a week with a Wednesday/Friday home-and-home against the Soo Greyhounds before visiting the Windsor Spitfires on Saturday.

The Kingston Frontenacs keep hanging around inside the Top-10, falling one spot to tenth despite a 6-1 triumph over the Peterborough Petes at home on Friday. Lucas Edmonds scored two more goals in the win and now leads the team with 12 points (5-7–12) over six games. Dallas Stars prospect Francesco Arcuri recorded a career-high four points and has eight (3-5–8) over his first four games while overage centre Jordan Frasca has nine (3-6–9) to his credit through six games.

Netting four out of a possible six points in a three-in-three road trip last weekend has the Ottawa 67’s as an honourable mention this week. The Barber Poles fell 5-2 to the Mississauga Steelheads on Friday before taking a 3-0 shutout win over the Barrie Colts in Saturday’s CHL on CBC broadcast. St. Louis Blues prospect Will Cranley stopped all 28 shots he faced for his fifth career shutout. Ottawa wrapped up the weekend in thrilling fashion, scoring three third period goals in under a minute en route to stunning the Oshawa Generals 5-4 in a shootout on a winner from Brenden Sirizzotti.

For further analysis on the Week 4 edition of the Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings, visit CHL.ca.


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

KNIGHTS, BULLDOGS AND FRONTENACS INCLUDED IN WEEK 3 EDITION OF KIA CHL TOP 10 RANKINGS

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Canadian Hockey League announced today the Week 3 edition of the Kia CHL Top-10 Rankings for the 2021-22 season.

The London Knights continue to climb following another perfect week of hockey as they went 3-0 with a pair of victories over the Windsor Spitfires along with one over the Sarnia Sting. Led by OHL Goaltender of the Week Brett Brochu, the Knights also got a big performance from rookie winger Colton Smith who scored his first two career OHL goals on Friday before following-up Saturday in Sarnia with his first hat trick. Nashville Predators prospect and captain Luke Evangelista leads the club with eight points (4-4–8) through five contests while Smith and 19-year-old forward Sean McGurn each have seven to their credit.

The Hamilton Bulldogs make their first appearance of the season on the weekly rankings, coming in at seventh with a perfect 4-0 record. The ‘Dogs scored consecutive 4-0 shutout victories over the Niagara IceDogs in a home-and-home set last weekend. Marco Costantini turned aside all 36 shots he faced on Friday for his first career shutout before rookie Tristan Malboeuf logged a perfect League debut on the road, making 27 saves for the shutout win. The Bulldogs, under new head coach Jay McKee, have been led offensively by 19-year-old forward Logan Morrison who has paced them with eight points (2-6–8) over four games.

The Kingston Frontenacs held steady at ninth on the list, defeating the Sudbury Wolves 5-4 at home on Friday before a 3-1 road win over the Peterborough Petes on Saturday. The 3-2-0-0 Frontenacs have benefitted from the addition of overage forward Lucas Edmonds this year as the first-year talent who previously played in Sweden has nine points (3-6–9) through his first five contests. Top 2022 NHL Draft prospect Shane Wright has six points (2-4–6) through his first five games of the season. The Fronts try and continue their forward momentum on Friday when they play host to the Peterborough Petes.

The undefeated Kitchener Rangers are in the honourable mention category this week after defeating the Guelph Storm 4-2 on Tuesday to improve to 4-0. The Blueshirts have spread the scoring around early in the season, with Mike Petizian, Francesco Pinelli, Reid Valade and defenceman Roman Schmidt all with three goals to their credit. The Rangers will try and crack the top-10 with a strong showing against the Windsor Spitfires on Friday before they pay a visit to the nearby Storm on Sunday afternoon.

For further analysis on the Week 3 edition of the Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings, visit CHL.ca.


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

FRONTENACS, COLTS AND SPITFIRES IN PRE-SEASON EDITION OF KIA CHL TOP 10 RANKINGS

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Canadian Hockey League announced today the preseason edition of the Kia CHL Top-10 Rankings for the 2021-22 season.

The rankings were selected with input from NHL Central Scouting and come prior to the 2021-22 season opening Thursday as the defending President Cup champion Victoriaville Tigres host the Shawinigan Cataractes. The WHL opens its season Friday while the OHL begins play October 7. Rankings of the CHL’s Top-10 teams will resume on a weekly basis.

The Kingston Frontenacs lead OHL clubs at number four on the first instalment of 2021-22, boasting top 2022 NHL Draft prospect and former CHL Rookie of the Year Shane Wright down the middle. Kingston features added offensive firepower in overage veteran Jordan Frasca, 20-year-old newcomer Lucas Edmonds, Dallas Stars prospect Francesco Arcuri and Philadelphia Flyers draftee Zayde Wisdom who is currently sidelined following offseason surgery. In the crease, the Fronts boast one of the League’s most intriguing netminders in Ottawa Senators third round pick Leevi Merilainen coming out of Finland. Kingston played to a perfect 4-0 pre-season record under first-year head coach Luca Caputi.

The Barrie Colts follow close behind at number five, headlined by Los Angeles Kings first round pick Brandt Clarke, a creative puck-moving defenceman who will be heavily utilized by Colts head coach Marty Williamson. Barrie brings a range of weapons up front in Colorado Avalanche first round selection Oskar Olausson, San Jose Sharks prospect Ethan Cardwell, New York Rangers draftee Evan Vierling and the potential return of Philadelphia Flyers hopeful Tyson Foerster who enjoyed a strong showing in the American Hockey League last season.

The Windsor Spitfires lead OHL Western Conference clubs at eighth on the list as newly named head coach Marc Savard will have plenty to work with in his first OHL assignment. Big 6-foot-4, 210Ib. power winger Will Cuylle leads an offensive cast that also includes newly-signed Dallas Stars first round pick Wyatt Johnston alongside overage shooter Daniel D’Amico and 6-foot-5 winger Kyle McDonald. Colorado Avalanche prospect Jean-Luc Foudy made a good impression with the AHL’s Colorado Eagles last season and would give the Spits one of the League’s fastest skaters should he return.

The ever-competitive London Knights earned an honourable mention on the pre-season edition. The traditionally high-scoring Knights will look to Nashville Predators prospect Luke Evangelista and Dallas Stars selection Antonio Stranges to carry-on that legacy while San Jose Sharks picks Max McCue, Liam Gilmartin and 6-foot-2, 204Ib. Stuart Rolofs provide some muscle up front. The Knights are anchored by Brett Brochu in the crease, who enjoyed an outstanding rookie season with London in 2019-20. Expect Ottawa Senators second round choice Ben Roger to see lots of ice on a defence corps that currently features five bodies at 6-foot-2 or taller.

For further analysis on the pre-season edition of the Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings, visit CHL.ca.

CANADIAN HOCKEY LEAGUE ANNOUNCES 2021-22 CBC BROADCAST SCHEDULE

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Canadian Hockey League announced today that six games from the upcoming 2021-22 regular season schedule will be televised by CBC as part of the CHL’s new multi-platform, multi-year broadcast rights partnership.
 
“We are very excited to drop the puck on Saturday afternoons during the 2021-22 season with the CBC,” said CHL President Dan MacKenzie. “Their iconic position in Canadian hockey combined with the CHL’s role as the top development league in the world will make for a winning partnership.”
 
The six games include representation from each of the CHL’s three member leagues with action beginning Saturday, Oct. 2 featuring the Regina Pats and 2023 NHL Draft favourite Connor Bedard hosting the Prince Albert Raiders. The schedule concludes with a matinee contest featuring the OHL’s Mississauga Steelheads taking on the Kingston Frontenacs and 2022 NHL Draft headliner Shane Wright.
 
All six CBC games will air Saturdays in October and November at 3 p.m. Eastern time:
 
Sat., Oct. 2 – Prince Albert Raiders vs. Regina Pats (WHL) – 3 p.m. ET
Sat., Oct. 9 – Rouyn-Noranda Huskies vs. Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL) – 3 p.m. ET
Sat., Oct. 16 – Calgary Hitmen vs. Red Deer Rebels (WHL) – 3 p.m. ET
Sat., Oct. 23 – Ottawa 67’s vs. Barrie Colts (OHL) – 3 p.m. ET
Sat., Nov. 6 – Saint John Sea Dogs vs. Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL) – 3 p.m. ET
Sat., Nov. 13 – Mississauga Steelheads vs. Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) – 3 p.m. ET
 
“We’re proud to partner with the CHL and we’re looking forward to sharing the excitement of Canadian major junior hockey with fans across the country this fall,” said Chris Wilson, Executive Director, Sports & Olympics, CBC. “We’re committed to engaging our audiences on a regional and community level, and this partnership with the CHL helps to further that commitment by providing fans more opportunities to cheer on their local teams.”
 
In addition to being broadcast on CBC TV, all six games will also be available via CBCSports.ca, the CBC Sports app and the free CBC Gem streaming service. Beginning in November, CBC Gem, CBCSports.ca and the CBC Sports app will offer live streaming coverage of one CHL game per week through the end of the regular season. The schedule for these games will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
 
The 2021-22 CHL regular season begins September 30 as part of an exciting new campaign that features the stars of tomorrow in Bedard and Wright in addition to the return of the CHL’s signature national events including the 2022 Memorial Cup presented by Kia.
 
###
 
About the Canadian Hockey League
The Canadian Hockey League is the world’s largest development hockey league with 52 Canadian and eight American teams participating in the Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, and Western Hockey League. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League and U SPORTS than any other league.
 
About CBC/Radio-Canada
CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster. Through our mandate to inform, enlighten and entertain, we play a central role in strengthening Canadian culture. As Canada’s trusted news source, we offer a uniquely Canadian perspective on news, current affairs and world affairs. Our distinctively homegrown entertainment programming draws audiences from across the country. Deeply rooted in communities, CBC/Radio-Canada offers diverse content in English, French and eight Indigenous languages. We also deliver content in Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Punjabi and Tagalog, as well as both official languages, through Radio Canada International (RCI). We are leading the transformation to meet the needs of Canadians in a digital world.

Also of note: Many have asked me how the new TV deal affects the OHL Action Pak on the Rogers Sports Pak on cable. In an email I sent to Josh Sweetland, Director of Communications of the OHL, he replied it does not have any effect.

Hi Dominic,


The national TSN deal has no impact on the OHL Action Pak or regional coverage on Rogers, YourTV, Eastlink, Shaw or Cable 14 channels. The Action Pak will continue to carry upwards of 700 OHL games throughout the regular season and playoffs.


A complete television broadcast schedule is forthcoming.


Thanks,
Josh Sweetland

Shane Wright restores the prestige of the ‘exceptional status’ pick

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

The list of players who have been granted exceptional status to play in the Canadian Hockey League at the age of 15 was once as short as it was impressive.

First, there was John Tavares in 2009. Then Aaron Ekblad in 2011. And Connor McDavid in 2012.
Those first three were considered no-doubters —truly exceptional talents. All would go on to become No. 1 overall picks in the NHL.

Then came Sean Day in 2013 and Joe Veleno in 2015, and all of a sudden the word “exceptional” lost its meaning.

Day, who wasn’t even a top-three pick in the OHL, was drafted in the third round in 2016 by the New York Rangers. He is now playing in the ECHL.

Veleno, the 30th overall pick of the Detroit Red Wings in 2018, spent an extra year in junior after his draft year and all of this past season in the American Hockey League where he tied for seventh in team scoring.

So, when Shane Wright was granted exceptional status last year — following denials to 2019 No. 1 overall pick Jack Hughes and several others — what he was really being granted was exceptional comparison. Scouts were certainly hoping he would become the next Tavares or McDavid. But at the same time, they couldn’t be sure if the 5-foot-11 centre would be the next Day or Veleno.

Read the full article from the Toronto Sun here.

Martin Chromiak – Kingston Frontenacs – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height: 6’

Weight: 181 Pounds

Date of birth: August 20, 2002

Hometown: Ilava, Slovakia

Position: Left Wing

Shoots: Right

OHL Draft: Round 1, 2nd overall, 2019 CHL Import Draft

NHL Central Scouting Rankings

Pre-season

 November Mid-term Final
C Prospect C Prospect 35 Euro

30 N.A.

Kingston Frontenacs winger Martin Chromiak has a history of playing above his age group. It began as a 14-year-old playing in an Under-18 League in his native Slovakia going back to the 2016-2017 season.

During the 2017-2018 season, Chromiak began the season in the Slovak Under-16 League, tearing it apart with 29 points in just 11 games, so up a level he went to HK Dukla Trencin Under-18 squad. In 22 games he scored 16 goals and 15 assists, then tallying 6 goals and 4 assists in 11 playoff games helping the Trencin capture Slovakia’s Under-18 Championship.

The 2018-2019 season saw Chromiak begin the hockey season with HK Dukla in Slovakia’s Under-18 League. After just 4 games in which he scored 3 goals and added 9 assists, it was evident that the competition was below his abilities. So, as a 16-year-old he joined HK Dukla Under-20.

Things weren’t much different moving up for Chromiak He laced up the skates for 39 games and potted 22 goals and 24 helpers playing against older players, then added 9 goals and 8 assists in 15 playoff games and helping lead the Trencin to the Under-20 Championship. He even got into 2 games in Slovakia’s Tipsport Liga (Extraliga), Slovakia’s top league.

 

Chromiak, Martin
Martin Chromiak of the Kingston Frontenacs. Photo by Ian MacAlpine / Kingston Whig-Standard

Chromiak has had plenty of international experience. He has appeared in the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup on two occasions. 2018 saw him score 2 goals and 2 assists in 4 games and in 2019 he scored 2 goals and 3 assists in 4 games. He’s also represented Slovakia in Under-16, Under-18 and Under-20 international competition.

This season saw Chromiak begin with HK Dukla Under-20 squad, but his offence took a nosedive to just 5 goals and 1 assist in 32 games. Maybe there was some complacency in his game. On December 28, 2019, Chromiak committed to joining the Frontenacs for the remainder of the OHL season and he did not disappoint, scoring 11 goals and 22 assists in 28 games.

Chromiak has superb vision to go along with high end passing abilities. He is excellent with the puck on his stick, protecting it well and an ability to slow things down and let plays develop or give his teammate the time to get to high danger areas and then set them up with a perfect tape-to-tape pass.

Chromiak can play both wings, but is most dangerous on the left side, especially on the powerplay where he can run things with his superb playmaking skills. But Chromiak is not just a playmaker. He has an excellent wrist shot and snap shot that is deadly accurate. However, if he is going to predominantly play the left side as a right shot, I would like to see him improve on his one-timer.

Technically, Chromiak is a good skater but I would like to see him continue to work on his acceleration – or separation gear to be precise. But that doesn’t keep him from challenging defenders one-on-one and he has some success in those situations. That said, he is so smart that he finds the areas he needs to on the ice and he gets there with or without the puck.

At 6’1” Chromiak has some good size and I would like to see him engage more physically along the walls battling for pucks and driving to the net with or without the puck. Defensively his game is a work in progress and as one of the youngest players in the draft, that is to be expected. But he has shown that he understands positioning and now it’s a matter of putting in the effort.

Chromiak has been a fast rider in this draft class, and with good reason: his dynamic offensive abilities. He’ll be in a good position with Kingston next season to further develop with a very good, young team.

Zayde Wisdom – Kingston Frontenacs – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height: 5’9”

Weight: 195 Pounds

Date of birth: July 7, 2002

Hometown: Toronto, Ontario

Position: Right Wing

Shoots: Right

OHL Draft: Round 4, 73rd overall, 2018 Priority Selection

NHL Central Scouting Rankings

Pre-season November Mid-term Final
N.R. N.R. 90 N.A. 54 N.A.

Perhaps no other player has caught the attention of the scouting world and moved up the rankings as much as Kingston Frontenacs’ Zayde Wisdom has. Wisdom was an after thought on NHL Central Scouting’s Players to Watch Lists in the preseason and November and jumped all the way to 90th among North American Skaters on their mid-term report.

In fairness to Central Scouting, they weren’t the only ones to “miss the boat”. We here at OHLW didn’t include him on our preseason list, but moved him up to a C prospect on our list (4th, 5th or 6th round prospect) in November. The 90th ranking by Central Scouting sets Wisdom as a late 4th or early 5th round pick when you take into consideration Goaltenders and Europeans.

Zayde Wisdom of the Kingston Frontenacs. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Zayde Wisdom of the Kingston Frontenacs. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images

Wisdom played his Minor Midget AAA hockey during the 2017-2018 season with the Toronto Junior Canadiens where he appeared in 57 games, scoring 15 goals and adding 38 assists. Wisdom had a superb OHL Cup Tournament with 3 goals and 5 helpers in 7 games and helping the Junior Canadiens capture the OHL Cup.

Wisdom played his first Ontario Hockey League game a season ago and played in a total of 60 contests for the Frontenacs. He scored just 3 goals and assisted on 10 others on a team that finished last overall, scored the fewest goals (68 fewer than the next closest) and the second most goals surrendered.

Wisdom wrote a different story this season as a young Frontenacs team improved. He finished the year with 29 goals and 30 assists in 62 games. His 59 points were second only to junior phenom to be Shane Wright on the team. But that is the question many pundits are asking themselves: Just how much was Wisdom the beneficiary of playing with Wright?

That’s not an easy question to answer. To play with a player of Wright’s calibre, you need to be able to think the game at a high level to do so. And you need to put yourself in position when defences are keying in on your best player. Consider this: through the first 10 games while Wright, who was granted exceptional status by Hockey Canada, was getting acclimated to the OHL and going against older players, it was Wisdom who was carrying the offence for the Fronts.

Wisdom is a good skater with good speed and is markedly improved from a year ago. He is able to get on the forecheck quickly and create havoc. He darts into lanes quickly and without hesitation. He’s a small guy at 5’9” but built like a tank. Quite simply he is the little engine that can with a motor and work ethic that never hits pause.

Wisdom is not afraid to go to the dirty areas, in fact, he has a superb net front presence. You’ll find he parks himself in front of the blue paint and yes, he is hard to move. But he’ll also score the majority if his goals from the top of or in the paint. But he also has an excellent shot and release that can beat a goaltender from the high slot or coming down his wing. Frankly, with his ability to find open ice combined with his shot, we are a little bit surprised he doesn’t score more of those goals.

Wisdom has also improved on his puck possession and has learned the importance of maintaining possession in today’s game. He is strong on his feet and hard to separate from the puck. His body is always in a good position to protect the puck. We would like to see his playmaking skills improve. To put it in hockey terms, would like to see his hands catch up to his feet and his head.

We see Wisdom topping out at the NHL level as a third line winger who will provide energy and some offense. He will be able to move up and down the lineup in a pinch.

What we all know for sure is that there have been a lot of eyes on Wright this season. And that bodes well for Wisdom because the more you see him, the more you realize what assets he can bring to the NHL. And all the rankings available are showing just that.

OHL ANNOUNCES TOP PERFORMERS OF THE MONTH FOR FEBRUARY

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the Top OHL Performers of the Month for regular season games played in February 2020, including Kingston Frontenacs forward Shane Wright and London Knights teammates Alec Regula and Brett Brochu.

OHL Player & Rookie of the Month – Shane Wright (Kingston Frontenacs):
First overall OHL Priority Selection choice and exceptional status forward Shane Wright of the Kingston Frontenacs has been recognized as both the OHL Player of the Month and Rookie of the Month for February. The 16-year-old led the League with 14 goals while adding 10 assists for 24 points over 13 contests as his Frontenacs got back into the playoff hunt with five victories to pull into a tie for eighth in the Eastern Conference. Wright lit the lamp in 10 of his 13 February outings, netting three multi-goal efforts along the way. He opened the month with two goals and an assist in a 5-3 road loss to the Barrie Colts on Feb. 1st before registering another multi-goal showing with a pair in a 4-3 win over the Peterborough Petes on Feb. 5th. Wright went on to string together three straight three-point performances on Feb. 9th, 12th and 14th, tallying a goal and two assists in each game. He stepped up with the overtime winner as the Frontenacs defeated the Oshawa Generals on Feb. 21st. Wright saved his biggest performance of the month for last, surpassing Bernie Nicholls for the Frontenacs’ all-time franchise rookie goal-scoring mark with his 39th of the season as part of his first career OHL hat-trick in a 6-1 road win over the Flint Firebirds. Wright received star of the game recognition five times over the course of the month.

A product of Burlington, Ont., Wright leads OHL rookies with 39 goals and 66 points over 55 games this season. His 66 points are equal to Connor McDavid‘s total over 63 games as an exceptional status rookie with the Erie Otters in 2012-13. The 2004-born talent captained Team Canada Black at the 2019 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, recording seven points (4-3–7) over five games. He was selected first overall by the Frontenacs last spring after being named GTHL Player of the Year with 150 points (66-84–150) over 72 games as a member of the OHL Cup champion Don Mills Flyers.

OHL Defenceman of the Month – Alec Regula (London Knights):
Chicago Blackhawks prospect Alec Regula of the London Knights is the OHL Defenceman of the Month for February, leading all blueliners with 11 goals while adding seven assists for 18 points over 11 contests with a plus/minus rating of plus-10. Regula recorded points in 10 of his 11 February outings, starting the month with a two-goal showing on Feb. 1st in Sarnia. He matched a season-high with three points including a goal and two helpers in a 6-3 win over the Kitchener Rangers on Feb. 14th, chipping in with a pair of assists a night later as London defeated Kingston 7-5. After recording a goal and an assist in a win over the Windsor Spitfires on Feb. 20th, Regula became the first Knights defenceman to score a hat-trick since March 2009 when he netted three on Feb. 21st against Guelph. Regula finished February on a high note, picking up a goal and an assist in a 4-2 win over the Soo Greyhounds on Feb. 28th.

A 19-year-old native of West Bloomfield, Mich., Regula leads OHL defenders with 26 goals while adding 31 assists for 57 points over 53 games this season. The 6-foot-4, 207Ib. third-year veteran sits owns a team co-leading plus-34 rating and his 26 goals are the most by a Knights rearguard since Dennis Wideman potted 27 during the 2001-02 season. Regula has accumulated 121 points (44-77–121) over 186 career regular season games with the Knights dating back to 2017 after he was selected in the fourth round (74th overall) of the 2016 OHL Priority Selection. He was a third round (67th overall) pick of the Detroit Red Wings in the 2018 NHL Draft before being dealt to the Chicago Blackhawks in an October 2019 move that saw OHL graduate Brendan Perlini go the other way. The Blackhawks signed Regula to a three-year entry level contract in November.

OHL Goaltender of the Month – Brett Brochu (London Knights):
For the second straight month, London Knights rookie Brett Brochu has been recognized with OHL Top Goaltender honours. Brochu led all netminders with a 2.36 goals-against average to go with a 7-1-0-0 record and .926 save percentage over eight games. He put together a season-high 43 saves on Feb. 17th in Ottawa as the Knights defeated the CHL’s top-ranked 67’s 4-2, with the rookie earning second star honours. Brochu built off that, stopping 36 of 38 on Feb. 20th in Windsor as the Knights defeated the Spitfires 4-2. He rounded out the month with a record-setting 29th win on Feb. 28th, making 26 saves against the Soo Greyhounds to pass Ryan MacDonald on the Knights’ all-time list for wins by a rookie goaltender.

A 17-year-old native of Tilbury, Ont., Brochu has won 19 of his last 20 outings for an overall record of 29-6-0-0 with the league’s third-best 2.50 goals-against average, a .918 save percentage and two shutouts over 39 games. His 29 wins are the most by an OHL 17-year-old rookie since Niagara’s Andrew Loverock won 31 during the 2006-07 campaign. The 5-foot-11, 156Ib. puckstopper was London’s sixth round pick in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection. He spent last season with the Dresden Kings Jr. C club, earning PJHL Stobbs Division Rookie of the Year honours.

2019-20 OHL Performers of the Month:

Player of the Month:
February – Shane Wright (Kingston Frontenacs)
January – Philip Tomasino (Oshawa Generals)
December – Cole Schwindt (Mississauga Steelheads)
November – Jan Jenik (Hamilton Bulldogs)
October – Arthur Kaliyev (Hamilton Bulldogs)

Defenceman of the Month:
February – Alec Regula (London Knights)
January – Noel Hoefenmayer (Ottawa 67’s)
December – Noel Hoefenmayer (Ottawa 67’s)
November – Connor Corcoran (Windsor Spitfires)
October – Noel Hoefenmayer (Ottawa 67’s)

Rookie of the Month:
February – Shane Wright (Kingston Frontenacs)
January – Brett Brochu (London Knights)
December – Mason McTavish (Peterborough Petes)
November – Shane Wright (Kingston Frontenacs)
October – Mason McTavish (Peterborough Petes)

Goaltender of the Month:
February – Brett Brochu (London Knights)
January – Brett Brochu (London Knights)
December – Jacob Ingham (Kitchener Rangers)
November – Nico Daws (Guelph Storm)
October – Hunter Jones (Peterborough Petes)

OHL Writers’ Draft Eligible Player of the Month for February

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Much like it was for us in the month of January, selecting one performance over another  for our draft eligible player of the month was a difficult task once again in February. And this time, we have a different outcome.

Marco Rossi of the Ottawa 67’s becomes the third time winner as our choice as the top performer among players eligible for the National Hockey League Draft.

Rossi, who leads the Ontario Hockey League in assists (73) and points (108) appeared in 13 games through the month of February and tallied 6 goals to go along with 17 assists. Despite putting up amazing offensive numbers in those 13 games, Rossi was only named a game’s star twice, receiving 1 first star honor and one second star mention.

Rossi, Marco
Marco Rossi of the Ottawa 67’s. Photo by OHL Images

Following close behind Rossi was teammate Jack Quinn who potted 8 goals while assisting on 11 others through February. But unlike Rossi, the powers at be found Quinn to do enough to be named the game’s second star on 4 different occasions.

Also considered was Cole Perfetti of the Saginaw Spirit with 8 goals and 11 assists in 11 games. Honorable mention has to go to James Hardie of the Mississauga Steelheads with 6 goals and 7 assists in 10 games and Kingston Frontenacs’ Zayde Wisdom with 7 goals and 9 assists in 13 games played.

In goal, Brett Brochu continues to shine. Brochu appeared in 8 games with a 7-1-0-0 record while stopping 244 of 264 shots for an impressive .924 save percentage and a 2.38 goals-against-average.

OHL Writers Draft Eligible Players of the Month

February – Marco Rossi – Ottawa 67’s

January – Cole Perfetti – Saginaw Spirit

December – Marco Rossi – Ottawa 67’s

November – Marco Rossi – Ottawa 67’s

October – Cole Perfetti – Saginaw Spirit