SENNECKE, PARSONS AND KATZIN NAMED OHL TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, December 8, 2024.



Generals’ Beckett Sennecke Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

Anaheim Ducks prospect Beckett Sennecke of the Oshawa Generals is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, registering two goals, six assists and eight points over three games played.

Sennecke’s outstanding performance earned him an invitation to Canada’s National Junior Team Development Camp. He got the week started with a goal and four assists, earning second star honours in Wednesday’s 8-4 win over the Ottawa 67’s. On Friday, he added a goal and two assists, claiming first star honours in a 5-3 win against London as the Generals ended the Knights’ 19-game winning streak. Sennecke’s goal on Friday was a goal of the year candidate, seen on highlight reels far and wide.

An 18-year-old from Toronto, Ont., Sennecke has tallied 44 points (21-23-44) in 26 games this season. Selected eighth overall by Oshawa in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, the 6-foot-4, 195lbb. right-winger has recorded 167 points (68-99–167) in 150 career regular season games. He registered 22 points (10-12–22) in 16 playoff games last year, helping the Generals capture the Eastern Conference championship. Sennecke was selected third overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2024 NHL Draft. He heads to Ottawa in a bid to make Canada’s National Junior Team when camp gets underway this week.

Also given consideration for the award this week, 2025 NHL Draft-eligible prospect Michael Misa of the Saginaw Spirit registered six points (2-4-6) in two games played. Washington Capitals prospect Ilya Protas of the Windsor Spitfires was also a standout, tallying three goals, two assists and five points in two contests.

2024-25 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Dec. 2 – Dec. 8: Beckett Sennecke (Oshawa Generals)
Nov. 25 – Dec. 1: Blake Montgomery (London Knights)
Nov. 18 – Nov. 24: Joey Willis (Saginaw Spirit)
Nov. 11 – Nov. 17: Joey Willis (Saginaw Spirit)
Nov. 4 – Nov. 10: Sam Dickinson (London Knights)
Oct. 28 – Nov. 3: Marco Mignosa (Soo Greyhounds)
Oct. 21 – Oct. 27: Sam Dickinson (London Knights)
Oct. 14 – Oct. 20: Liam Greentree (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 7 – Oct. 13: Calvin Crombie (Brantford Bulldogs)
Sept. 30 – Oct. 6: Kevin He (Niagara IceDogs)
Sep. 25 – Sept. 29: Michael Misa (Saginaw Spirit)



Rangers’ Jackson Parsons Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Jackson Parsons of the Kitchener Rangers is the OHL Goaltender of the Week for the third time this season, going 3-0-0-0 including a shutout, along with a 1.62 goals-against average, and a .943 save percentage.

Turning aside 83 shots last week, Parsons made 23 saves in Tuesday’s 6-3 win over the Brantford Bulldogs. He followed that up on Friday with a 27-save shutout performance, earning first star honours in a 3-0 victory over the Soo Greyhounds. Parsons capped off the week with a 3-2 shootout win over the Windsor Spitfires on Saturday, making 33 saves and three shootout denials to secure second star honours and extend the Rangers’ winning streak to six games.

A  20-year-old from Embrun, Ont., Parsons is 17-5-1-0 on the season, leading all OHL netminders with a 2.05 goals-against average, .929 save percentage and four shutouts over 23 games played. The former third-round (53rd overall) pick by Kitchener in 2020 is now in his fourth OHL season, owning a career mark of 54-37-5-0 with a 3.03 goals-against average, .902 save percentage and eight shutouts over 101 regular season games. Parsons is committed to play NCAA Division I hockey at Clarkson University next season.

Also considered for the award this week, Detroit Red Wings prospect Landon Miller of the Soo Greyhounds was excellent, going 1-1-0-0 including a shutout with a 1.00 goals-against average and .976 save percentage, while Ben Hrebik of the Barrie Colts was also a standout in the crease, going 2-0-0-0 with a 1.50 goals-against average and .953 save percentage.

2024-25 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Dec. 2 – Dec. 8: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers)
Nov. 25 – Dec. 1: Aleksei Medvedev (London Knights)
Nov. 18 – Nov. 24: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers)
Nov. 11 – Nov. 17: Carter George (Owen Sound Attack)
Nov. 4 – Nov. 10: Andrew Oke (Saginaw Spirit)
Oct. 28 – Nov. 3: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers)
Oct. 21 – Oct. 27: Nathan Day (Flint Firebirds)
Oct. 14 – Oct. 20: Joey Costanzo (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 7 – Oct. 13: Finn Marshall (Sudbury Wolves)
Sept. 30 – Oct. 6: Joey Costanzo (Windsor Spitfires)
Sept. 25 – Sept. 29: Jack Ivankovic (Brampton Steelheads)



Storm’s Lev Katzin Named OHL Rookie of the Week

Guelph Storm forward Lev Katzin is the OHL Rookie of the Week, recording two goals, four assists and six points over his first three OHL contests.

Katzin made his OHL debut on Wednesday, recording an assist in the Storm’s 7-4 loss to the Brampton Steelheads. He followed up on Friday with a goal and an assist, earning second star honours in a 4-1 victory over the Owen Sound Attack. Katzin wrapped up the week on Sunday, contributing a goal and two assists in a 5-3 loss to the Peterborough Petes.

A 17-year-old forward from Thornhill, Ont., Katzin joined the Storm in late November after spending the past two seasons with the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers, where he tallied 39 points (12-27–39) over 66 games. He was part of the gold medal-winning Team Canada White at the 2023 U17 World Hockey Challenge in Prince Edward Island. During his OHL draft year, Katzin excelled with the GTHL’s Toronto Marlboros U16 AAA program and was the Storm’s fifth round (94th overall) selection.

Also considered for the award this week, Joshua Avery of the Brantford Bulldogs contributed a goal and three assists in three contests, while Jaeden Nelson of the Ottawa 67’s played to a 1-1-0-0 record along with a 1.51 goals-against average and .957 save percentage.

2024-25 OHL Rookies of the Week – Regular Season:
Dec. 2 – Dec. 8: Lev Katzin (Guelph Storm)
Nov. 25 – Dec. 1: Aleksei Medvedev (London Knights)
Nov. 18 – Nov. 24: Gavin Betts (Kingston Frontenacs)
Nov. 11 – Nov. 17: Beckham Edwards (Sarnia Sting)
Nov. 4 – Nov. 10: Carter Stevens (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 28 – Nov. 3: Aleksei Medvedev (London Knights)
Oct. 21 – Oct. 27: Cole Zurawski (Flint Firebirds)
Oct. 14 – Oct. 20: Alessandro Di Iorio (Sarnia Sting)
Oct. 7 – Oct. 13: Pierce Mbuyi (Owen Sound Attack)
Sept. 30 – Oct. 6: Beckham Edwards (Sarnia Sting)
Sept. 25 – Sept. 29: Ethan Belchetz (Windsor Spitfires)

OHL’s Draft Eligible Goaltenders

Posted on by Dominic Tiano
Carter George of the Owen Sound Attack. Photo by Luke Durda/OHL Images

Today we will be examining the goaltenders that will be available for the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The list will be in the order of NHL Central Scouting’s mid-term rankings and will contain some goaltenders who are not ranked. Below, I have included a few brief thoughts.

Carter George – Owen Sound Attack – NHL Central Scouting: 1

George is an exceptional goalie with excellent technical skills. He remains calm and confident in the net, which has a positive influence on his teammates. Although he is not a big-bodied goaltender, he works hard to see the puck through traffic and has great anticipation skills. He excels at controlling rebounds and handling the puck. However, his foot speed could use some improvement, although he is quick to challenge the shooter by moving out on top of the blue paint. He could also improve his lateral movement to become more agile.

Ryerson Leenders – Mississauga Steelheads – NHL Central Scouting: 3

Leenders is a talented goaltender who often makes remarkable saves, earning him recognition as the OHL’s save of the night or week. Although he may not possess the same level of technical skill as George, Leenders’ athleticism and determination allow him to battle for every puck, like Michael DiPietro’s style of play. While he needs to improve his rebound control and ability to navigate through traffic, I am confident that with better coaching, he will continue to progress and reach his full potential.

Landon Miller – Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds – NHL Central Scouting: 17

Miller is a bigger goalie than both George and Leenders and is currently serving as a backup for the Soo. As a result, he doesn’t see as many pucks as the other guys. However, there’s no doubt that he’s the goalie of the future for the Greyhounds. In fact, at times, he has outperformed the current starter, Charlie Schenkel. Miller is an agile goalie, especially considering his size. Although he needs to work on some technical aspects of his game, such as his positioning and rebounds, coaching can easily help him with those. Overall, Miller has the potential to become an excellent goalie.

Karsen Chartier – Sarnia Sting – NHL Central Scouting: 23

It can be challenging to evaluate a goaltender like Chartier on a young and rebuilding team. Often, he is left to fend for himself, facing a significant number of high-quality scoring opportunities against him. To gain a complete understanding of his abilities, it is necessary to observe him consistently. If you only watch him on his off nights, you might miss his potential. However, if you also observe him on his good nights, you can see the skills he possesses. Chartier is a large, athletic goaltender who takes up a lot of space in the butterfly position. Although his technical game requires some fine-tuning, he has the potential to improve with the right guidance.

Zachary Bowen – Peterborough Petes – NHL Central Scouting: 30

Bowen is a draft re-entry with a save percentage of less than .900 in his OHL career. However, he faces a lot of shots on goal and has a calm demeanor that keeps him from getting rattled. Bowen has good glove and blocker hands with quick reflexes. He is quick to move out of the net to the top of the paint and is also fast post-to-post. Although his technique is a work in progress, he has the potential to improve his rebound control.

Sam Hillebrandt – Barrie Colts

Many people were surprised when he received an invitation to Team USA camp for the WJC and was expected to be named the third goalie. However, he demonstrated the right attitude when he said, “My main goal is to just go there and win the number one job.” He has proven people wrong at every level, moving from Junior C to the OHL to the WJC in short order. Despite his size, he compensates with excellent positioning and technical skills. His movements are fluid and controlled, but he needs to work on his rebound control and become stronger on second-chance opportunities.

Owen Willmore – London Knights

As difficult as it is to judge a young goaltender like Chartier on a young and rebuilding squad, perhaps it’s just as difficult doing the same with a young goaltender such as Willmore on a powerhouse London Knights team. Willmore came to the forefront in last year’s playoffs after injuries forced him into action. That was also his first year of draft eligibility. The youngster’s poise, calmness, and confidence exuded from him, and it carried over to this season. A big goaltender who is positionally sound and athletic, he isn’t on many people’s draft list the second time around.

GAZIZOV AND ROBERTSON NAMED OHL TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, March 17, 2024.



Knights’ Ruslan Gazizov Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

Ruslan Gazizov of the London Knights is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week for the second time this season, recording six goals, three assists, and nine points over three contests as the Knights earned six points last week.

Extending London’s winnings to five consecutive games, Gazizov registered a pair of helpers on Wednesday in a 5-1 road win over the Erie Otters. He found the scoresheet again on Friday, earning first star honours with a career-high four-goal performance to defeat the Soo Greyhounds 6-3. Gazizov earned first star recognition again on Sunday, closing out the week with two goals and an assist in a 7-4 victory over the Windsor Spitfires.

Selected by the Knights in the first round (12th overall) of the 2021 CHL Import Draft, the 20-year-old Gazizov has recorded a career-high 79 points (36-43–79) through 62 outings this season, helping the Knights play to a League-leading record of 48-14-1-3. Gazizov has tallied 69 goals, 86 assists, and 155 points over 172 regular season games played in three seasons with London. He competed in the 2022 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Kitchener.

Also considered for the award, Owen Van Steensel of the North Bay Battalion registered five goals and two assists to help the Troops earn five points last week. Blueliner Chas Sharpe of the Mississauga Steelheads also found success, tallying eight points (3-5-8) in four games.

2023-24 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Mar. 11 – Mar. 17: Ruslan Gazizov (London Knights)
Mar. 4 – Mar. 10: Dylan Roobroeck (Oshawa Generals)
Feb. 26 – Mar. 3: Jacob Maillet (Ottawa 67’s)
Feb. 19 – Feb. 25: Carson Rehkopf (Kitchener Rangers)
Feb. 12 – Feb. 18: Rodwin Dionicio (Saginaw Spirit)
Feb. 5 – Feb. 11: David Goyette (Sudbury Wolves)
Jan. 29 – Feb. 4: Gavin Bryant (Niagara IceDogs)
Jan. 22 – Jan. 28: Liam Greentree (Windsor Spitfires)
Jan. 15 – Jan. 21: Quentin Musty (Sudbury Wolves)
Jan. 8 – Jan. 14: Oliver Bonk (London Knights)
Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Anthony Romani (North Bay Battalion)
Dec. 28 – Dec. 31: Sam Dickinson (London Knights)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 18: Ruslan Gazizov (London Knights)
Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Nick Lardis (Brantford Bulldogs)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Pano Fimis (Erie Otters)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Matyas Sapovaliv (Saginaw Spirit)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Donovan McCoy (Peterborough Petes)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Denver Barkey (London Knights)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Braeden Kressler (Flint Firebirds)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Kirill Kudryavtsev (Soo Greyhounds)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Anthony Romani (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Carson Rehkopf (Kitchener Rangers)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Jordan D’Intino (Soo Greyhounds)
Sep. 28 – Oct. 1: Jax Dubois (Peterborough Petes)
 



IceDogs’ Charlie Robertson Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Charlie Robertson of the Niagara IceDogs is the OHL Goaltender of the Week, playing to a 1-1 record including a shutout, along with a 1.51 goals-against average and .959 save percentage.

Making a total of 70 saves last week, Robertson stopped 40 of the 43 shots that came his way on Friday, falling short in a 3-2 road loss to the Mississauga Steelheads. The 6-foot-4, 175lb. netminder closed out the weekend with a 30-save shutout performance on Sunday at home, earning first star honours in a 3-0 win over the Barrie Colts. The shutout is Robertson’s first of the season and the fourth of his OHL career.

Acquired by the IceDogs in a trade with the North Bay Battalion on Jan. 7, Robertson has appeared in 30 games between Niagara and North Bay, going 8-11-4-1 with a 4.71 goals-against average and .875 save percentage. Guarding the crease in his second OHL season, Robertson has played to a career mark of 20-17-4-2 between the IceDogs and Battalion, along with a 4.06 goals-against average and .881 save percentage. The 18-year-old London, Ont. native was the Battalion’s seventh round (130th overall) pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection from the London Jr. Knights U16 program. Robertson competed in the 2023 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, and attended rookie camp with the Florida Panthers last September.

Also in the running for the award this week, rookie Landon Miller of the Soo Greyhounds played to a 1-0-0-1 record with a 1.21 goals-against average, and .958 save percentage. Jacob Oster of the Oshawa Generals was also solid in the crease, playing to a 3-0 mark with a 2.66 goals-against average and .909 save percentage.

2023-24 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Mar. 11 – Mar. 17: Charlie Robertson (Niagara IceDogs)
Mar. 4 – Mar. 10: Jack Ivankovic (Mississauga Steelheads)
Feb. 26 – Mar. 3: Liam Sztuska (Peterborough Petes)
Feb. 19 – Feb. 25: Michael Simpson (London Knights)
Feb. 12 – Feb. 18: Matteo Drobac (Brantford Bulldogs)
Feb. 5 – Feb. 11: Ben West (Barrie Colts)
Jan. 29 – Feb. 4: Owen Willmore (London Knights)
Jan. 22 – Jan. 28: Sam Hillebrandt (Barrie Colts)
Jan. 15 – Jan. 21: Matteo Drobac (Brantford Bulldogs)
Jan. 8 – Jan. 14: Michael Simpson (London Knights)
Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)
Dec. 28 – Dec. 31: Brayden Gillespie (Guelph Storm)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 18: Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)
Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Max Donoso (Ottawa 67’s)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Marcus Vandenberg (Niagara IceDogs)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Jack Ivankovic (Mississauga Steelheads)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Carter George (Owen Sound Attack)
Nov. 8 – Nov. 12: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 7: Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Sam Hillebrandt (Barrie Colts)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Brayden Gillespie (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Collin MacKenzie (Ottawa 67’s)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Ryerson Leenders (Mississauga Steelheads)
Sep. 28 – Oct. 1: Ryerson Leenders (Mississauga Steelheads)


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.

OHL Writers Draft Eligible Player of the Month: January

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

A new month is upon us and it’s time we look at our draft eligible players of the month at forward, defence and in the crease. January was not an easy month to make our selections because there were a few deserving players at each position, especially among goaltenders where it was a banner month for the draft eligible goaltenders. The is the best goalie class to come from the OHL in quite some time, so enjoy it while you can.

Forward of the Month: Marek Vanacker – Brantford Bulldogs

Vanacker appeared in 11 games for the Bulldogs in January scoring 11 goals and adding 7 assists that included 2 game winning goals. He had three multi goal games and was held off the scoresheet just once in the Bulldogs first game of January. He leads the Bulldogs in scoring with 26 goals and 52 points in 45 games.

Also considered were a pair of North Bay Battalion. Anthony Romani had 11 goals and 7 assists in 11 games that included three multi point games. He was held off the scoresheet in two games. Dalyn Wakely had 7 goals and 12 assists in those 11 games. He was held pointless just once in January.

Defenceman of the Month: Zayne Parekh – Saginaw Spirit

There wasn’t much debate here or even Discussion: Parehk takes it by a landslide. In just 11 games (there was a 2-game suspension in there as well, Parekh scored 9 goals and assisted on 12. He also finished with a plus-12. Six of his 9 games were multi point games with 5, 4, 3, 2,2 and 2 points in those games. He was held pointless in just two games, once at the beginning of the month and once at the end.

There was no one else that really garnered consideration from us.

Goaltender of the Month: Jacob Oster – Oshawa Generals

We literally could have flipped a coin here but eventually settles on Oster. He appeared in 11 of the 13 Generals games in January and posted a 7-3-1-0 record while stopping 290 of the 312 shots faced for a .929 save percentage and 2.00 goals against average. He currently sits second in the OHL with a .905 save percentage and also second with 2.86 goals against average.

Also considered were: Ryerson Leenders of the Mississauga Steelheads who posted a 4-5-1-0 record with a .922 save percentage and 2.50 goals against average. Rookie Landon Miller of the Soo Greyhounds had a 4-1-0-0 record with a .925 save percentage, 1.60 goals against average and 1 shutout.

Our monthly choices:

Forward of the Month

Marek Vanacker – Brantford Bulldogs – January

Ruslan Gazizov – London Knights – December

Liam Greentree – Windsor Spitfires – November

Adrian Misaljevic – Kitchener Rangers – October

Defenceman of the Month

Zayne Parekh – Saginaw Spirit – January

Sam Dickinson – London Knights – December

Zayne Parekh – Saginaw Spirit – November

Jacob LeBlanc – Sarnia Sting – October

Goaltender of the Month

Jacob Oster – Oshawa Generals – January

Carter George – Owen Sound Attack – December

Jack Parsons – Kitchener Rangers – November

Brayden Gillespie – Guelph Storm – October