CHL Announces Weekly Award Winners

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Otters’ Kyle Maksimovich named CHL Player of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Erie Otters captain Kyle Maksimovich is the CHL Player of the Week for the regular season week ending December 30 recording seven points in two games including four goals and three assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-3.

Maksimovich started the schedule’s second half with a pair of multi-point efforts while reaching a personal milestone and climbing the Otters record books during the club’s Michigan road trip.  His return from the holiday break featured a hat-trick performance plus an assist as first star of Friday’s 9-2 win over the Flint Firebirds, then a goal and two assists as third star of Saturday’s 6-4 loss to the Saginaw Spirit.  Maksimovich continued his strong play into the New Year with a pair of assists in Monday’s 4-3 shootout loss to the Hamilton Bulldogs to close 2018.  Over the weekend he became just the ninth player in Otters history to reach the century mark for career goals while moving into fifth on the club’s all-time points list.  The Otters are currently battling for a spot in the OHL’s Western Conference playoffs where they sit in ninth place with a 14-20-1-1 record trailing the Windsor Spitfires by three points.

A 20-year-old from Hamilton, Ont., Maksimovich is playing in his fifth career season with the Otters after being chosen in the third round of the 2014 OHL Priority Selection.  He’s currently ninth in league scoring with 51 points in 36 games tallying 20 goals and 31 assists.  The 2017 OHL champion has played in 289 career games for Erie scoring 100 goals and 176 assists for 276 points.

Also considered for the award this week was San Jose Sharks prospect Noah Gregor of the Prince Albert Raiders with five goals and two assists for seven points in three games, and defenceman Yann-Felix Lapointe of the Sherbrooke Phoenix who scored twice with two assists for four points in two games.

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

Dec. 24 – Dec. 30: Kyle Maksimovich (Erie Otters)
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)

67’s’ Cedrick Andree named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Cedrick Andree of the Ottawa 67’s is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the regular season week ending December 30 posting a 2-0-0-0 record with a goals-against-average of 1.50 and save percentage of .951.

Andree started the schedule’s second half with 58 saves in two victories for the OHL’s Eastern Conference leading 67’s against their toughest competition in the standings.  His return from the holiday break featured a 30-save performance as first star of Friday’s 4-1 win against the second place Niagara IceDogs, then 28 saves during Sunday’s 5-2 win over the third place Oshawa Generals.  The 67’s currently hold a 27-7-3-1 record for 58 points and despite a New Year’s Eve loss to Niagara on Monday, still lead the IceDogs by nine points.

An 18-year-old from Orleans, Ont., Andree is playing in his second season for his hometown team after being chosen in the 12th round of the 2016 OHL Priority Selection.  He currently leads the OHL in wins carrying an overall record of 23-4-1-1 while his goals-against-average of 2.56 and save percentage of .909 are among the league’s leaders.

Also considered for the award this week was Ottawa Senators prospect Kevin Mandolese of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles who posted a 1-0-0-1 record stopping 60 shots for a goals-against-average of 2.31 and save percentage of .923.  In the WHL, Dean McNabb of the Regina Pats who his only start against the top ranked Prince Albert Raiders stopping 43 shots in the 2-1 road victory for a goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .977.

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

Dec. 24 – Dec. 30: Cedrick Andree (Ottawa 67’s)
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)

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Otters’ Kyle Maksimovich named OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that overage forward Kyle Maksimovich of the Erie Otters is the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week for the regular season week ending December 30 where he led the league in scoring with seven points in two games including four goals and three assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-3.

Maksimovich produced a pair of multi-point performances in his return from the holiday break helping the Otters earn a split in their Michigan road trip.  He began the schedule’s second half much the same way he started the 2018-19 campaign by scoring a hat-trick and an assist against the Flint Firebirds.  Both games remain his only four-point efforts of the season with the latter earning him first star honours in the 9-2 victory.  On Saturday night the captain became just the ninth Otter to reach the century mark for career OHL goals.  The milestone marker was his 20th of the season and combined with two assists earned Maksimovich third star honours despite the 6-4 loss to the Saginaw Spirit.  The Otters are currently battling for a spot in the Western Conference playoffs where they sit ninth with a 14-20-1-0 record trailing both Kitchener and Windsor by four points.

Kyle Maksimovich of the Erie Otters. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Kyle Maksimovich of the Erie Otters. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

A 20-year-old from Hamilton, Ont., Maksimovich is playing in his fifth career season with the Otters after being chosen in the third round of the 2014 OHL Priority Selection.  He’s currently ninth in league scoring with 49 points in 35 games tallying 20 goals and 29 assists.  This past week the 2017 OHL champion moved into sole possession of fifth place among the club’s all-time leading scorers now with 274 points in 288 career games powered by 100 goals and 174 assists. 

Watch video highlights of Maksimovich and the Otters against the Firebirds and Spirit.

Also considered for the award this week was newly acquired Guelph Storm forward Pavel Gogolev, and Florida Panthers prospect Serron Noel of the Oshawa Generals both with two goals and four assists for six points in two games.  In goal, Cedrick Andree of the Ottawa 67’s posted a 2-0-0-0 record with 58 saves for a goals-against-average of 1.50 and save percentage of .951.

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

Dec. 24 – Dec. 30: Kyle Maksimovich (Erie Otters)
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)

Greyhounds’ Morgan Frost named OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Philadelphia Flyers prospect Morgan Frost of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds is the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week for the week ending December 17 after leading the league with eight points in three games including four goals and four assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-9. 

Morgan Frost of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Morgan Frost of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Frost wrapped up the first half of the 2017-18 season with three-straight multi-point performances extending his personal point-streak to 11 while helping extend the team’s winning-streak to 20.  On Wednesday night he earned first star honours with two goals in a 4-1 win over the Flint Firebirds, then contributed two assists on Friday as the Greyhounds squeaked out a victory over the Kitchener Rangers by a 4-3 score in the game’s dying seconds.  His week wrapped up Saturday with his second four-point effort of the season netting two goals and two assists as second star of a 7-1 win over the Guelph Storm.  The Greyhounds enter the holiday break with a 29-3-2-0 record and are just five wins away from equalling the 1983-84 Rangers who produced 25 consecutive wins. 

An 18-year-old from Aurora, Ont., Frost is playing in his third season with the Greyhounds who chose him in the fourth round of the 2015 OHL Priority Selection.  He currently ranks third in OHL scoring with 19 goals and 36 assists for 55 points in 33 games and carries a league-high plus-minus rating of plus-42.  Last season he scored 20 goals and 42 assists for 62 points in 67 games before being selected by the Flyers in the first round of the 2017 NHL Draft.  Frost was signed by Philadelphia to a three-year entry-level contract in August. 

Watch video highlights of Frost and the Greyhounds against the Firebirds, Rangers, and Storm. 

Also considered for the award this week was Greyhounds’ defenceman Mac Hollowell who scored once with six assists for seven points in three games, and Kyle Maksimovich of the Erie Otters who scored four goals and two assists for six points in three games.  In goal, New Jersey Devils prospect Evan Cormier of the Saginaw Spirit posted a 2-1-0-0 record including a shutout victory with a goals-against-average of 1.80 and save percentage of .955 while becoming the club’s all-time shutout leader with six.

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

Dec. 11 – Dec. 17: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
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)

 

OHL Announces 2015-16 Coaches Poll Winners

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the results of the Eastern and Western Conference Coaches Polls for the 2015-16 OHL regular season.

OHL

 The OHL Coaches Poll provides member club coaches with the opportunity to recognize the top three players in 20 different skill categories within their own conference.

 In the Eastern Conference, the Central Division champion Barrie Colts lead the way with eight players represented across 16 of the 20 different categories highlighted by Calgary Flames prospect Andrew Mangiapane who was named Most Underrated, Best Skater, and Best Shootout Shooter.  Fellow Colt and OHL top scorer Kevin Labanc, a San Jose Sharks prospect, appeared in five categories finishing first in Best Playmaker, and Best Penalty Killer.  The East Division champion Kingston Frontenacs finished second in team voting with six different players appearing in 12 different categories including Jeremy Helvig (Most Improved),  Spencer Watson (Most Dangerous in the Goal Area), Lawson Crouse (Best Body Checker), and Roland McKeown (Best Defensive Defenceman) finishing first.

 North Bay Battalion captain Mike Amadio was the top individual winner by appearing in the Top-3 in seven different categories.  The Los Angeles Kings prospect finished first in four different categories including Smartest Player, Hardest Worker, Best Shot, Best Defensive Forward.  Other multiple category winners in the Eastern Conference include Niagara IceDogs goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic who tied for first in the Best Puck Handling Goalie vote, and Best Shootout Goalie category.  Fellow IceDog Josh Ho-Sang was named Best Stickhandler for the second straight season.

 In the Western Conference, the Erie Otters lead the way with seven players represented in 12 of the 20 categories including a league-high nine first place votes.  Arizona Coyotes prospect Dylan Strome is the Conference’s top individual winner leading the way in three different areas including Smartest Player, Best on Face-Offs, and Best Shootout Shooter.  2016 NHL Draft prospect Alex DeBrincat was also one of seven Otters to earn first place recognition earning Most Dangerous in the Goal Area accolades for the second straight season.  The Midwest Division’s Kitchener Rangers and London Knights also factored heavily into Western Conference voting.  Seven different Rangers appeared in 11 different categories, while six different Knights were spread across nine different categories.  Most notably, the Rangers’ Adam Mascherin was listed in four categories receiving first place in Best Shot, while Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Mitch Marner headlined the Knights’ representation winning Best Playmaker and Best Stickhandler after appearing among the Top-3 in both categories last season.

 New York Rangers prospect Brandon Halverson of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds is the league’s only three-time winner earning Best Puck Handling Goalie recognition for the third consecutive season.

 The Coaches Poll is tabulated when each team submits one nominee per category, and coaches then vote for the top three players for each category within their conference.  Players receive five points for a first place vote, three points for a second place vote, and one point for a third place vote.  Clubs are not permitted to vote for players from their own team allowing for a maximum of 45 possible points for each winner.  This season all 20 OHL clubs are represented in at least one category.

All 20 categories are listed below with Eastern Conference and Western Conference winners including their final point totals in brackets.

Most Underrated Player:

Eastern Conference:
1. Andrew Mangiapane, Barrie Colts (28)
2. Jordan Maletta, Niagara IceDogs (16)
3. Juho Lammikko, Kingston Frontenacs (15)

Western Conference:
1. Aaron Berisha, London Knights (22)
2. Jeff King, Sarnia Sting (14)
3. Jalen Chatfield, Windsor Spitfires (12)

 Most Improved Player:
Eastern Conference:

1.Jeremy Helvig, Kingston Frontenacs (30)
2. Mathew Santos, North Bay Battalion (18)
3. Nic Hague, Mississauga Steelheads tied Riley Stillman, Oshawa Generals (10)

Western Conference:
1. Kyle Maksimovich, Erie Otters tied Logan Stanley, Windsor Spitfires (25)
3. Adam Mascherin, Kitchener Rangers (10)

Smartest Player:

Eastern Conference:
1. Mike Amadio, North Bay Battalion (32)
2. Kevin Labanc, Barrie Colts (25)
3. Hunter Garlent, Peterborough Petes (8)

Western Conference:
1. Dylan Strome, Erie Otters (41) – finished third in voting in 2014-15
2. Matthew Tkachuk, London Knights (18)
3. Petrus Palmu, Owen Sound Attack (7)

Hardest Worker:

Eastern Conference:
1. Michael McLeod, Mississauga Steelheads tied Mike Amadio, North Bay Battalion (24) – McLeod finished third in voting in 2014-15
3. Lawson Crouse, Kingston Frontenacs (21) – finished first in voting in 2014-15

Western Conference:
1. Hayden Verbeek, Soo Greyhounds (32)
2. Jonah Gadjovich, Owen Sound Attack tied Josh Jacobs, Sarnia Sting (13)

Best Playmaker:

Eastern Conference:
1. Kevin Labanc, Barrie Colts (31)
2. Josh Ho-Sang, Niagara IceDogs (26) – finished third in voting in 2014-15
3. Michael Dal Colle, Kingston Frontenacs (12)

Western Conference:
1. Mitch Marner, London Knights (35) – finished second in voting in 2014-15
2. Dylan Strome, Erie Otters (27)
3. Jeremy Bracco, Kitchener Rangers (12)

Most Dangerous in Goal Area:

Eastern Conference:
1. Spencer Watson, Kingston Frontenacs (35) – finished third in voting in 2014-15
2. Kevin Labanc, Barrie Colts tied Mike Amadio, North Bay Battalion (24)

Western Conference:
1. Alex DeBrincat, Erie Otters (37) – finished first in voting in 2014-15
2. Christian Dvorak, London Knights (32)
3. Zach Senyshyn, Soo Greyhounds (9)

Best Skater:

Eastern Conference:

1. Andrew Mangiapane, Barrie Colts (18)

2. Sean Day, Mississauga Steelheads tied Mitchell Vande Sompel, Oshawa Generals, and Jonathan Ang, Peterborough Petes (17) – Day finished second in voting in both 2013-14 and 2014-15

Western Conference:

1. Zach Senyshyn, Soo Greyhounds (33) – finished third in voting in 2014-15

2. Victor Mete, London Knights (27)

3. Vili Saarijarvi, Flint Firebirds tied Jordan Kyrou, Sarnia Sting (7)

Best Shot:

Eastern Conference:
1. Mike Amadio, North Bay Battalion (35)
2. Spencer Watson, Kingston Frontenacs (30)
3. Alex Nylander, Mississauga Steelheads tied Greg Betzold, Peterborough Petes (7)

Western Conference:

1. Adam Mascherin, Kitchener Rangers (28)
2. Travis Konecny, Sarnia Sting (25)
3. Alex DeBrincat, Erie Otters (16)

Hardest Shot:

Eastern Conference:

1. Kyle Wood, North Bay Battalion (41) – finished second in voting in 2014-15
2. Lawson Crouse, Kingston Frontenacs (23)
3. Rasmus Andersson, Barrie Colts (10)

Western Conference:

1. Mikhail Sergachev, Windsor Spitfires (30)
2. Pavel Zacha, Sarnia Sting (20)
3. Adam Mascherin, Kitchener Rangers (13)

Best Stickhandler:

Eastern Conference:
1. Josh Ho-Sang, Niagara IceDogs (35) – finished first in voting in 2014-15
2. Alex Nylander, Mississauga Steelheads (16)
3. Kevin Labanc, Barrie Colts (15)

Western Conference:

1. Mitch Marner, London Knights (43) – finished third in voting in 2014-15
2. William Bitten, Flint Firebirds (13)
3. Jeremy Bracco, Kitchener Rangers tied Blake Speers, Soo Greyhounds (11)

Best on Face-Offs:

Eastern Conference:
1. Jordan Maletta, Niagara IceDogs (38)
2. Mike Amadio, North Bay Battalion (24)
3. Juho Lammikko, Kingston Frontenacs (10)

Western Conference:
1. Dylan Strome, Erie Otters (30)
2. Gustaf Franzen, Kitchener Rangers (21)
3. Christian Dvorak, London Knights (20)

Best Body Checker:

Eastern Conference:
1. Lawson Crouse, Kingston Frontenacs (39)
2. Jacob Middleton, Ottawa 67’s (13)
3. Cameron Lizotte, Barrie Colts (11) – finished second in voting in 2014-15

Western Conference:

1. Givani Smith, Guelph Storm (34)
2. Connor Hall, Kitchener Rangers tied Jacob Friend, Owen Sound Attack (12)

Best Shot Blocker:

Eastern Conference:

1. Jacob Middleton, Ottawa 67’s (25)
2. Roland McKeown, Kingston Frontenacs (15)
3. Dylan Sadowy, Barrie Colts (14)

Western Conference:
1. Damir Sharipzyanov, Owen Sound Attack (24)
2. Darren Raddysh, Erie Otters (18)
3. Will Petschenig, Saginaw Spirit tied Patrick Sanvido, Windsor Spitfires (11)

Best Defensive Forward:

Eastern Conference:
1. Mike Amadio, North Bay Battalion (32)
2. Juho Lammikko, Kingston Frontenacs (29) – finished third in voting in 2014-15
3. Cordell James, Barrie Colts tied Anthony Cirelli, Oshawa Generals (9)

Western Conference:
1. Kyle Pettit, Erie Otters (31) – finished third in voting in 2014-15
2. Ryan MacInnis, Kitchener Rangers (22)
3. Kris Bennett, Saginaw Spirit (14)

Best Penalty Killer:

Eastern Conference:

1. Kevin Labanc, Barrie Colts (26)
2. Mike Amadio, North Bay Battalion (25)
3. Jordan Maletta, Niagara IceDogs (17)

Western Conference:
1. Pavel Zacha, Sarnia Sting (26)
2. Kyle Pettit, Erie Otters (19)
3. Darby Llewellyn, Kitchener Rangers (16)

Best Offensive Defenceman:

Eastern Conference:
1. Rasmus Andersson, Barrie Colts (31) – finished third in voting in 2014-15
2. Mitchell Vande Sompel, Oshawa Generals (23) – finished second in voting in 2014-15
3. Cam Dineen, North Bay Battalion (17)

Western Conference:
1. Travis Dermott, Erie Otters (28)
2. Vili Saarijarvi, Flint Firebirds (21)
3. Mikhail Sergachev, Windsor Spitfires (20)

Best Defensive Defenceman:

Eastern Conference:

1. Roland McKeown, Kingston Frontenacs (30) – finished third in voting in 2014-15
2. Jacob Middleton, Ottawa 67’s (29)
3. Michael Webster, Barrie Colts (19)

Western Conference:
1. Darren Raddysh, Erie Otters (37)
2. Frank Hora, Kitchener Rangers (13)
3. Chris Martenet, London Knights tied Colton White, Soo Greyhounds (9)

Best Puck-Handling Goalie:

Eastern Conference:

1. Mackenzie Blackwood, Barrie Colts tied Alex Nedeljkovic, Niagara IceDogs (21) – Nedeljkovic finished third in 2014-15 West vote
2. Jake Smith, North Bay Battalion (18) – finished second in voting in 2013-14 and 2014-15

Western Conference:

1. Brandon Halverson, Soo Greyhounds (28) – finished first in 2013-14 and 2014-15
2. Michael Giugovaz, Guelph Storm (12)
3. Michael McNiven, Owen Sound Attack (11)

Best Shootout Shooter:

Eastern Conference:

1. Andrew Mangiapane, Barrie Colts (29) – finished third in voting in 2014-15
2. Alex Nylander, Mississauga Steelheads (20)
3. Josh Ho-Sang, Niagara IceDogs (16)

Western Conference:
1. Dylan Strome, Erie Otters (23)
2. Christian Dvorak, London Knights (22)
3. William Bitten, Flint Firebirds tied Petrus Palmu, Owen Sound Attack (16)

Best Shootout Goalie:

Eastern Conference:

1. Alex Nedeljkovic, Niagara IceDogs (24) – finished second in 2013-14 and 2014-15 West voting
2. Mackenzie Blackwood, Barrie Colts (18) – finished third in voting in 2014-15
3. Jack Flinn, Mississauga Steelheads (16)

Western Conference:
1. Devin Williams, Erie Otters (36)
2. Michael McNiven, Owen Sound Attack (16)
3. Charlie Graham, Sarnia Sting (11)

Kyle Maksimovich – Player Profile – Erie Otters

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height:  5’9”

Weight:  174 pounds

Date of birth: March 10, 1998, Hamilton, On

Position:  Left Wing

Shoots:  Left

OHL Draft: Round 3, 59th overall, 2014 Priority Selection

The Erie Otters have been ranked at the top of the Canadian Hockey League’s top 10 rankings almost from day one, and they are doing it with a roster makeup where over half the forwards are sub 6 foot with talent and an ability to skate. Maksimovic is one of those diminutive players.

Kyle Maksimovich of the Erie Otters. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Kyle Maksimovich of the Erie Otters. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Maksimovich currently sits fourth on the team in points (55) and third in goals (22) and assists (31) in 48 games. His 22 goals come on just 109 shots for a 20.2 shooting percentage. He’s been a model of consistency going pointless in consecutive games just twice this season: 3 games from Oct 15-17 and 2 games on Nov 13 and 14.

Maksimovich played his minor midget hockey for the Toronto Marlboros. In 33 games, he tallied 24 goals along with 34 assists. In 14 playoff goals he contributed 5 goals and 8 assists. Maksimovic also appear in the OHL Gold Cup -16 (4 goals, 3 assists in 5 games) and the OHL Cup (2 goals, 6 assists in 7 games) winning a silver and a championship respectively.

Last season Maksimovich stuck with the Otters who had a very deep lineup. He played in 56 games and scored 6 goals to go along with 18 assists. But he gained valuable experience as the Otters went on to the OHL Finals – something they want to duplicate this year. He appeared in 20 playoff games scoring 3 goals and 5 assists.

The first thing that will come to mind for the fandom is the size. Admittedly, at 5’9” Maksimovich is undersized. But despite the size, he has no fear of going into the corners to battle, nor does he shy away from going to the net. He also plays with a high level of energy and hard to contain.

At least at this level, Maksimovich overcomes his size with his speed and smarts. He has the ability to expose defences with his creativity and passing. When he gets into a position to shoot, it’s usually on target and with a purpose.

Maksimovich’s defensive game continues to be a work in progress, but he’s coming along. He’s getting into shooting and passing lanes, blocks shots and kills penalties.

Maksimovich was ranked 111th on NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings in January.