Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) today announced that Windsor Spitfires forward Liam Greentree is this year’s recipient of the Mickey Renaud Captain’s Trophy.
Greentree was chosen for the award by a panel of accredited OHL media members, being recognized as the team captain that best exemplifies leadership on and off the ice, with a passion and dedication to the game of hockey in his community that Mickey demonstrated.
“I’m truly honoured to receive this award. It’s incredibly meaningful—not just for me personally, but for our entire organization.” said Greentree. “This recognition is a reflection of the hard work, dedication, and passion that every member of our team brings every day. I may be the one accepting this, but it represents a collective effort. I’m proud to lead such an inspiring team, and even prouder to stand alongside them. This award belongs to all of us.”
Greentree had a tremendous third season in Windsor, his second as the team’s captain. He produced 49 goals, 70 assists and 119 points over 64 games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-55. His 306 shots on goal were the second-most in the OHL as he helped guide the Spitfires from the bottom of the standings to the top of the West Division with 45 wins and 96 points.
“Liam is a great teammate and leader.” said Spitfires General Manager Bill Bowler. “We are delighted as an organization for Liam to be recognized for this award as it is a credit to his character. Here in Windsor we all know what Mickey meant to our organization and Liam proudly wears the ‘C’ and has tried to replicate what Mickey embodied.”
Noted as the first Spitfire to arrive at the rink and the last one to leave on game days, Greentree has become known for his friendly disposition toward fans and staff at the WFCU Centre. He played a lead role in the club’s involvement with the Goodfellows paper drive, a local organization that raises funds for individuals in the community needing assistance with food and housing.
“Liam is as genuine and humble as they come,” added Bowler. “He represents the Spitfires organization with class and we’re very proud of his accomplishments.”
A 19-year-old from Oshawa, Ont., Greentree was selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the first round (26th overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft. The 6-foot-3, 216Ib. left-wing has amassed 254 points (110-144–254) over 189 career regular season games with the Spitfires, and was an OHL first all-rookie team member in 2022-23 followed by a third team all-star in 2023-24. He won a World Under-18 Hockey Championship gold medal with Canada in 2024. Greentree was Windsor’s second round (34th overall) pick in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection.
The Mickey Renaud Captain’s Trophy is presented in honour of former Windsor Spitfires captain and Calgary Flames prospect Mickey Renaud, who tragically passed away at the age of 19 on February 18, 2008 due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, an underlying heart condition. Renaud, from Tecumseh, Ont., played three seasons with the Spitfires from 2005-08, leaving a lasting impact on the city’s hockey community.
Greentree follows Ryan Ellis (2010-11) as the second Spitfires player to win the Mickey Renaud Captain’s Trophy. Recent winners have included Braden Haché of the Saginaw Spirit (2023-24), Nolan Dillingham of the Sarnia Sting (2022-23) and Mark Woolley of the Owen Sound Attack (2021-22).
Nomination forms are submitted annually by OHL General Managers on behalf of their individual team captains. The selection committee consists of a panel of four, representing media from each OHL division.
Greentree will be formally presented with the Mickey Renaud Captain’s Trophy at the OHL Awards Ceremony at the Hockey Hall of Fame in June.
For a complete list of past award winners, click here.
Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of playoff games ending Sunday, March 30, 2025.
Otters’ Pano Fimis Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week
Pano Fimis of the Erie Otters is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, registering five goals, three assists and eight points in two victories.
Helping the Otters take a 2-0 series lead over the Saginaw Spirit in Round 1 of the OHL Playoffs, Fimis scored twice on Thursday night to earn first-star honours in an 8-5 victory. He found the scoresheet again on Saturday, recording a club playoff record six points including a hat trick and three assists to once again earn first-star honours as Erie secured a 9-5 road win.
The 20-year-old overage centreman recorded 32 goals, 54 assists, and 86 points in 68 games played in Erie this season, also leading the league in the faceoff circle with a 63.2 percent success rate. Originally selected second overall by the Niagara IceDogs in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection, the Richmond Hill, Ont. native has appeared in 245 regular season contests between the IceDogs and the Otters, tallying 87 goals, 166 assists and 253 points.
Also considered for the award this week, Los Angeles Kings prospect Liam Greentree of the Windsor Spitfires registered seven points (3-4-7) in two wins, while Philadelphia Flyers prospect Denver Barkey of the London Knights tallied three goals and four assists in a pair of victories.
2024-25 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Playoffs: Mar. 24 – Mar. 30: Pano Fimis (Erie Otters)
Bulldogs’ Ryerson Leenders Named OHL Goaltender of the Week
Buffalo Sabres prospect Ryerson Leenders of the Brantford Bulldogs is the OHL Goaltender of the Week for the fourth time this season, going 2-0 including a shutout, along with a 1.50 goals-against average, and a .944 save percentage.
Helping Brantford take a 2-0 series lead over North Bay in Round 1 of the OHL Playoffs, Leenders made 51 saves last week. He stopped 30 of 33 shots on Friday as the Bulldogs defeated the Battalion 6-3. On Sunday, he earned first-star honours with his first career OHL playoff shutout, making 21 saves in a 3-0 victory.
An 18-year-old from Nanticoke, Ont., Leenders played to a 31-14-3-0 regular season record, with a 3.11 goals-against average and .910 save percentage in 48 games played. The former second-round (32nd overall) pick by Mississauga in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection is now in his third OHL season, owning a career mark of 67-46-10-0 with a 3.21 goals-against average, .903 save percentage and four shutouts over 129 regular season games. Leenders was selected in the seventh round (202nd overall) by Buffalo in the 2024 NHL Draft last summer.
Also considered for the award this week, Joey Costanzo of the Windsor Spitfires went 2-0 with a 1.50 goals-against average and .927 save percentage, while Charlie Schenkel of the Kingston Frontenacs was also a standout in the crease, going 2-0 along with a 1.68 goals-against average and .929 save percentage.
2024-25 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Playoffs: Mar. 24 – Mar. 30: Ryerson Leenders (Brantford Bulldogs)
2024-25 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season: Mar. 17 – Mar. 23: Mike McIvor (North Bay Battalion) Mar. 10 – Mar. 16: Ryerson Leenders (Brantford Bulldogs) Mar. 3 – Mar. 9: Austin Elliott (London Knights) Feb. 14 – Mar. 2: Nathan Day (Flint Firebirds) Feb. 17 – Feb. 23: Mike McIvor (North Bay Battalion) Feb. 10 – Feb. 16: Collin MacKenzie (Ottawa 67’s) Feb. 3 – Feb. 9: Ryerson Leenders (Brantford Bulldogs) Jan. 27 – Feb. 2: Carter George (Owen Sound Attack) Jan. 20 – Jan. 26: Austin Elliott (London Knights) Jan. 13 – Jan. 19: Nolan Lalonde (Soo Greyhounds) Jan. 6 – Jan. 12: Easton Rye (Peterborough Petes) Dec. 30 – Jan. 5: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers) Dec. 28 – Dec. 29: Ben Hrebik (Barrie Colts) Dec. 16 – Dec. 22: Nathan Day (Flint Firebirds) Dec. 9 – Dec. 15: Ryerson Leenders (Brantford Bulldogs) 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)
Spitfires’ Ethan Garden Named OHL Rookie of the Week
Windsor Spitfires forward Ethan Garden is the OHL Rookie of the Week, registering a goal, two assists and three points in two games played.
Helping Windsor take a 2-0 series lead over the Soo Greyhounds in Round 1 of the 2025 OHL Playoffs, Garden recorded an assist in Thursday’s 7-2 home win. The Belleville, MI native found the scoresheet again on Saturday, adding a goal and an assist to earn third-star honours in a 7-1 victory.
Selected by the Spitfires in the ninth round (164th overall) of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection from the Detroit Little Caesars U15 AAA program, the 5-foot-8, 166lb. forward registered six goals, eight assists, and 14 points in 55 regular season contests.
Also considered for the award this week, Graydon Jones of the Saginaw Spirit recorded three assists in two games played.
2024-25 OHL Rookies of the Week – Playoffs: March. 24 – March. 30: Ethan Garden (Windsor Spitfires)
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Spitfires’ Liam Greentree Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week
Los Angeles Kings prospect Liam Greentree of the Windsor Spitfires is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week for the second time this season, registering five goals, seven assists and 12 points over four victories.
Greentree captained the League-leading Spitfires to a four-win week, starting with a goal and three assists in a 6-4 victory over the Flint Firebirds on New Year’s Eve, earning first star honours. On Thursday, he recorded a career-high five-point game with a goal and four assists to claim second star honours in a 9-5 win against the Guelph Storm. Greentree continued his strong play on Saturday, earning first star honours with two goals in a 7-5 triumph over the Erie Otters. He capped off the week on Sunday by netting the overtime winner in a 4-3 victory over the Niagara IceDogs, earning first star honours once again and sealing a perfect week for the Spitfires.
A recently turned 19-year-old left-winger from Oshawa, Ont., Greentree leads all OHL players in points this season with 68 (29-39–68) in 38 games. Drafted 26th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2024 NHL Draft, the 6-foot-3, 216lb. forward has tallied 203 points (90-113-203) in 163 regular season games for Windsor. He was selected by the Spitfires in the second round (34th overall) of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection.
Also considered for the award this week, Spitfires teammate and Washington Capitals prospect Ilya Protas posted five goals and five assists in the four wins. Philadelphia Flyers prospect Denver Barkey of the London Knights was also a standout, recording 11 points (3-8-11) in three contests.
Rangers’ Jackson Parsons Named OHL Goaltender of the Week
Jackson Parsons of the Kitchener Rangers is the OHL Goaltender of the Week for the fourth time this season, going 3-0-0-0, along with a 1.30 goals-against average, and a .948 save percentage.
A 20-year-old from Embrun, Ont., Parsons is 23-6-1-0 on the season, leading all OHL netminders with a 2.03 goals-against average and ranking second in save percentage at .928, along with four shutouts over 30 games played. The former third-round pick (53rd overall) by Kitchener in 2020 is now in his fourth OHL season, boasting a career record of 60-38-5-0 with a 2.95 goals-against average, .903 save percentage, and eight shutouts over 108 regular season games. Parsons is committed to play NCAA Division I hockey at Clarkson University next season.
Also considered for the award this week, Zachary Jovanovski of the Guelph Storm was excellent, going 1-1 including a shutout with a 1.97 goals-against average and .938 save percentage, while Trenten Bennett of the Owen Sound Attack was also a standout in the crease, going 1-2 including a shutout, with a 1.68 goals-against average and .944 save percentage.
2024-25 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season: Dec. 30 – Jan. 5: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers) Dec. 28 – Dec. 29: Ben Hrebik (Barrie Colts) Dec. 16 – Dec. 22: Nathan Day (Flint Firebirds) Dec. 9 – Dec. 15: Ryerson Leenders (Brantford Bulldogs) 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)
Spitfires’ Ethan Belchetz Named OHL Rookie of the Week
Ethan Belchetz of the Windsor Spitfires is the OHL Rookie of the Week for the second time this season, recording three goals, four assists, and seven points in four victories.
Belchetz kicked off the week with a pair of assists on Thursday as the Spitfires secured a 9-5 home victory over the Guelph Storm. He remained productive on Saturday, picking up an assist before scoring the third period game winner to earn third star recognition in a 7-5 win against the Erie Otters. The 6-foot-5, 226lb. forward from Oakville, Ont. capped off the week with another goal on Sunday, helping the Western Conference-leading Spitfires edge the Niagara IceDogs 4-3 in overtime. Windsor now boasts a 29-7-2-1 record this season.
Selected first overall by Windsor in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection from the Oakville Rangers U16 AAA program, the 2024 OHL Cup champion and MVP is excelling in his rookie campaign. He ranks second among all OHL rookies with 26 points (12-14–26) over 30 games. Belchetz won gold representing Canada White at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in November, recording five points (4-1–5) in as many games.
Also considered for the award this week, Brooks Rogowski of the Oshawa Generals scored twice and added two assists over four games played. Guelph Storm netminder Zachary Jovanovski was also a standout, playing to a 1-1 record including a shutout, along with a 1.97 goals-against average and .938 save percentage.
Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Month for October, including a small number of games played in September to begin the 2024-25 regular season.
Player of the Month – Michael Misa (Saginaw Spirit) Top 2025 NHL Draft prospect Michael Misa of the Saginaw Spirit is the OHL Player of the Month for October, leading the league with 17 goals over 13 games with a plus/minus rating of plus-8. Misa, who added nine assists to his stat line for a total of 26 points, has been held without a goal just twice so far this season, and has recorded at least one point in all 13 of his outings. Misa’s start to the season was headlined by a hat-trick as part of a four-point effort on Sept. 27th against the Soo Greyhounds. He enters November having scored in five consecutive games. Misa is the first Spirit player to earn OHL Player of the Month honours since Eric Locke in February 2013.
A 17-year-old from Oakville, Ont., Misa was selected by the Spirit as an exceptional status player with the first overall pick of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection. The 6-foot-1, 185Ib. centreman has accumulated 68 goals, 89 assists and 157 points over 125 season games with the Spirit, tacking on an additional 19 points (7-12–19) over 28 playoff contests. Misa, who hoisted the Memorial Cup with Saginaw this past June, was included as an A-rated prospect on NHL Central Scouting’s Preliminary Players to Watch List. He’ll compete as a member of Team CHL in the upcoming CHL/USA Prospects Challenge slated to take place on Nov. 26th and 27th in London and Oshawa.
Also considered for the award this month, Los Angeles Kings prospect Liam Greentree of the Windsor Spitfires put up 27 points (7-20–27) over 12 contests. NHL Draft prospect Porter Martone of the Brampton Steelheads was also a standout, registering 25 points (12-13–25) over 11 games to begin the campaign.
Defenceman of the Month – Luca Marrelli (Oshawa Generals) Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Luca Marrelli of the Oshawa Generals is the OHL Defenceman of the Month for October, leading blueliners with 17 points including eight goals and nine assists over 14 games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-13. Marrelli’s eight goals, just one of which has come on the power play while two have been game-winners, lead OHL blueliners. Marrelli has been held off the scoresheet just three times and he enters November with multi-point outputs in three consecutive games. Marrelli is the first Generals defender to earn OHL Defenceman of the Month recognition since Michael Del Zotto in December 2008.
A 19-year-old from Toronto, Ont., Marrelli has recorded 114 points (19-95–114) over 201 OHL regular season games since being selected by the Generals with their fifth-round (81st overall) pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection. The 6-foot-2, 184Ib. defender helped Oshawa win an Eastern Conference title last spring, producing 13 points (2-11–13) over 21 playoff games. Marrelli was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the third-round (86th overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft.
Also considered for the award this month, London Knights defenceman Sam Dickinson returned from the San Jose Sharks to produce 15 points (7-8–15) over his first 10 games of the season. Windsor Spitfires blueliner Anthony Cristoforo was also excellent, leading the OHL with a plus/minus rating of plus-20 while recording 12 points (2-10–12) over 13 games.
Goaltender of the Month – Joey Costanzo (Windsor Spitfires) Windsor Spitfires netminder Joey Costanzo is the OHL Goaltender of the Month for October, playing to a 9-1-0-0 record with a 1.90 goals-against average, .934 save percentage and one shutout. Costanzo has surrendered more than two goals in a game just twice so far in 2024-25, steering the Spitfires to the top of the West Division standings. The fourth-year veteran came out of the gate with nine consecutive wins to start the season, making 30+ saves on four different occasions. Costanzo becomes the first Spitfire to get the nod as OHL Goaltender of the Month since Michael DiPietro in December 2016.
A 19-year-old from Toronto, Ont., Costanzo owns a career mark of 50-40-2-3 with a 3.96 goals-against average, .882 save percentage and two shutouts over 106 career regular season matchups between Windsor and Niagara. The 6-foot-1, 174Ib. Costanzo was the first goaltender chosen in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection, going in the second-round (23rd overall) to the Niagara IceDogs from the Toronto Marlboros U16 AAA program.
Also considered for the award this month, Owen Flores of the Niagara IceDogs was impressive, playing to a 7-1-0-0 record with a 2.26 goals-against average and .935 save percentage. Edmonton Oilers prospect Nathan Day of the Flint Firebirds turned aside 280 shots, going 6-4-0-1 with a 2.26 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage.
Rookie of the Month – Ethan Belchetz (Windsor Spitfires) First overall 2024 OHL Priority Selection choice Ethan Belchetz is off to a great start, being named October’s OHL Rookie of the Month with 12 points including four goals and eight assists over 12 games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-6. Belchetz led OHL rookies in points (12) and shots on goal (41) to begin the campaign, with two of his four markers coming shorthanded. His six-points effort (4-2–6) on Sept, 28th vs. Kitchener was the most productive single game performance by a 16-year-old rookie in the OHL since March 2010. Belchetz enters November with points in each of his last two outings and joins teammates Cole Davis (November 2023) and Liam Greentree (March 2023) in earning Rookie of the Month honours.
A 6-foot-5, 226Ib. 16-year-old from Oakville, Ont., Belchetz was chosen by the Spitfires with the first overall pick of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. Last year’s OHL Cup MVP was instrumental in leading the Oakville Rangers to a championship title in the annual showcase. Belchetz is set to represent Canada White in the 2024 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge taking place in Sarnia beginning on Sunday.
Also considered for the award this month, Sarnia Sting forward Beckham Edwards had 11 points (6-5–11) in his first 14 OHL games. Draft eligible forward Filip Ekberg of the Ottawa 67’s put up 10 points (5-5–10) over 12 contests.
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Spitfires’ Liam Greentree Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week
Los Angeles Kings prospect Liam Greentree of the Windsor Spitfires is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, registering four goals, seven assists and 11 points over three contests.
An 18-year-old left-winger from Oshawa, Ont., Greentree leads all OHL players in points this season with six goals, 17 assists, and 23 points (6-17-23) in nine games. Drafted 26th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2024 NHL Draft, the 6-foot-3, 216lb. forward has tallied 158 points (67-91-158) in 134 regular season games for Windsor. He was selected by the Spitfires in the second round, 34th overall, of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection.
Also given consideration for the award this week, Spitfires teammate and Washington Capitals prospect Ilya Protas played a big role in Windsor’s six-point week, registering three goals, four assists and seven points. Michael Misa of the Saginaw Spirit was also a standout, with seven points (3-4—7) over three games played.
2024-25 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season: 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)
Spitfires’ Joey Costanzo Named OHL Goaltender of the Week
Joey Costanzo of the Windsor Spitfires is the OHL Goaltender of the Week for the second time this season, going 3-0 along with a 1.33 goals-against average and .947 save percentage.
Stopping 71 of the 75 shots he faced last week, Costanzo turned aside 15 of the 17 shots that came his way in a 5-2 win over the Oshawa Generals on Monday. The 6-foot-1, 174lb. netminder was back in the crease on Friday, stopping 32 of the 33 shots he faced as the Spitfires defeated the Guelph Storm 4-1. Costanzo closed out a perfect weekend with a 4-1 win over the Owen Sound Attack on Saturday, turning aside 24-of-25 shots. The Spitfires currently lead the OHL standings with an 8-1-1-0 record this season.
A 19-year-old from Toronto, Ont., Costanzo ranks second among all OHL goaltenders with a .932 save percentage and 2.00 goals-against average this season with a league-leading eight wins. Originally drafted by the Niagara IceDogs in the second round (23rd overall) of the 2021 OHL Priority Selection, Costanzo has played to a 49-39-2-3 record including two shutouts over 104 regular season games split between the IceDogs and the Spitfires, with a career save percentage of .881 and a 4.02 goals-against average.
Also considered or the award this week, Charlie Schenkel of the Soo Greyhounds went 1-1-0-0, making 70 saves last week. Noah Erliden of the Erie Otters was also a standout, going 1-1-0-0 with 62 saves.
A 16-year-old centreman from Vaughan, Ont., Di Iorio ranks seventh among all rookie point-getters, tallying seven points (2-5—7) through his first 11 OHL contests. The Sting selected Di Iorio second overall in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection from the Vaughan Kings U16 AAA program.
Also considered for the award this week were Ottawa 67’s teammates Filip Ekberg (1-4-5) and Kohyn Eshkawkogan (1-2-3), despite the team falling short in three games over the weekend.
Liam Greentree of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Luke Durda/OHL Images
Though the Windsor season was lackluster overall, left-wing Liam Greentree was a standout. Greentree often carried the team, his stellar play drawing well-deserved attention. With his impressive performance, Greentree seems destined to be a top draft pick at the 2024 NHL Entry Draft in Las Vegas.
Greentree is an aggressive forward who excels at driving the net from both sides to create scoring chances. He loves charging straight ahead to attack the front of the opposition’s net, especially on north/south plays. But he also moves laterally well to exploit openings by cutting to the middle of the ice. Once in tight, Greentree has a knack for scoring on tips, rebounds and second chances in the slot.
Greentree has more than just a knack for scoring gritty goals; he also boasts a deceptive, lightning-quick wrist shot that he would be wise to utilize more often.
Despite Greentree’s large frame, he could play with more physicality. While he uses his size to win battles and protect the puck, throwing more body checks would make him a more consistent physical presence.
Greentree is a surprisingly agile skater despite his large frame. He accelerates quickly from a standstill and can separate himself from opponents with ease. His strong edges and fluid movements make him remarkably nimble on the ice.
Nearly all players at this level have aspects of their game that need refinement. For Greentree, shoring up his defensive consistency would significantly improve his impact. This inconsistency seems endemic to the Spitfires as a whole rather than just Greentree, implying a team-wide issue is at the root of individual struggles.
Liam Greentree of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Luke Durda/OHL Images
Though the Windsor season was lackluster overall, left-wing Liam Greentree was a standout. Greentree often carried the team, his stellar play drawing well-deserved attention. With his impressive performance, Greentree seems destined to be a top draft pick at the 2024 NHL Entry Draft in Las Vegas.
Greentree is an aggressive forward who excels at driving the net from both sides to create scoring chances. He loves charging straight ahead to attack the front of the opposition’s net, especially on north/south plays. But he also moves laterally well to exploit openings by cutting to the middle of the ice. Once in tight, Greentree has a knack for scoring on tips, rebounds and second chances in the slot.
Greentree has more than just a knack for scoring gritty goals; he also boasts a deceptive, lightning-quick wrist shot that he would be wise to utilize more often.
Despite Greentree’s large frame, he could play with more physicality. While he uses his size to win battles and protect the puck, throwing more body checks would make him a more consistent physical presence.
Greentree is a surprisingly agile skater despite his large frame. He accelerates quickly from a standstill and can separate himself from opponents with ease. His strong edges and fluid movements make him remarkably nimble on the ice.
Nearly all players at this level have aspects of their game that need refinement. For Greentree, shoring up his defensive consistency would significantly improve his impact. This inconsistency seems endemic to the Spitfires as a whole rather than just Greentree, implying a team-wide issue is at the root of individual struggles.
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, January 28, 2024.
Spitfires’ Liam Greentree Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week
2024 NHL Draft-eligible forward Liam Greentree of the Windsor Spitfires is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, contributing three goals, four assists and seven points while registering a plus-6 rating in two games.
A recently turned 18-year-old from Oshawa, Ont., the 6-foot-2, 198lb. forward ranks eighth among all OHL point-getters, recording 64 (27-37–64) through 41 outings as the Spitfires own a record of 14-27-3-1 on the season. Selected in the second-round (34th overall) by Windsor in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, Greentree has put up 52 goals, 57 assists and 109 points in 102 regular season contests. Rated 12th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting ahead of the 2024 NHL Draft, Greentree recently represented Team White at the Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game held in Moncton, NB last week, registering the team’s sole marker.
Also considered for the award this week, Winnipeg Jets prospect Colby Barlow of the Owen Sound Attack recorded seven points (4-3–7) in three games. Dalyn Wakely of the North Bay Battalion also had a standout week, registering two goals and five assists in three games.
Colts’ Sam Hillebrandt Named OHL Goaltender of the Week
Sam Hillebrandt of the Barrie Colts is the OHL Goaltender of the Week for the second time this season following a pair of wins with a 2.40 goals-against average and .940 save percentage.
Stopping a total of 78 shots last week, Hillebrandt turned aside 38 of the 41 attempts he faced on Thursday as Barrie defeated the Owen Sound Attack 7-3. The 6-foot-1, 166lb. netminder was back in the crease with a 40-save performance on Saturday, stopping all four shootout attempts that came his way to earn first star honours in a 3-2 shootout win over the Oshawa Generals as the Colts improved to 18-24-1-0 on the season.
An 18-year-old from Riverview, Florida., Hillebrandt owns a season mark of 11-11-0-0, posting a 3.29 goals-against average and .907 save percentage. Originally hailing from Michigan, Hillebrandt played in the Detroit Little Caesars AAA program before moving to Florida. He won a gold medal with the United States National Junior Team at the 2024 World Juniors in Sweden. The Colts signed Hillebrandt as a free agent ahead of the 2022-23 season after he spent the 2021-22 season with the Florida Alliance North 16U organization.
Also in the running for the award this week, Nathan Day of the Flint Firebirds played to a 2-0 record, with a 2.36 goals-against average, and .917 save percentage. Charlie Schenkel of the Soo Greyhounds was solid in the crease, playing to a 2-0 mark with a 2.00 goals-against average and .923 save percentage.
It was a wild and crazy month in the Ontario Hockey League and it’s not always easy to select the best performances among forwards, defencemen and goaltenders. Yet, here we are doing just that among the players eligible for the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
Forward of the Month: Liam Greentree – Windsor Spitfires
There were a lot of options here but ultimately decided on Greentree because of what he is doing on the League’s last place club. Greentree posted 9 goals and 9 assists in just 10 games in November and is a bright spot on a season Spitfires’ fans would like to forget. He’s creating a lot of chances for himself and his teammates and he’s making them count. Greentree has 17 goals and 18 assists in 22 games on the season and leads the Spits in most offensive categories.
Also considered were: Anthony Romani of the North Bay Battalion who had 9 goals and 6 assists in 11 games; Kocha Delic of the Sudbury Wolves who had 6 goals and 10 assists in 11 games; Trent Swick of the Kitchener Rangers who notched 8 goals and 9 assists in 13 games and Simon Slavicek of the Flint Firebirds who scored 5 goals and 11 assists in 12 games.
Defenceman of the Month: Zayne Parekh – Saginaw Spirit
It was an easier decision on the blueline where Parekh put up 7 goals and 12 assists in 11 games. He was held off the scoresheet just twice and only 2 games were not multi point games. He had a hattrick on November 8 against Flint – the first of his OHL career.
Parekh finished with a minus in just one game in November, a 3-1 win over the Windsor Spitfires. It just happened to be one of the games he went pointless in as well. Parekh now has 9 goals and 22 assists in 23 games on the season.
Also considered was Ottawa 67’s defenceman Henry Mews who had 2 goals and 10 assists in 10 games. Returning after missing 3 games, Mews put up points in 7 of his 10 games with all but two of them being multi-point games. He now has 3 goals and 15 assists in 20 games on the season.
Goaltender of the Month: Jackson Parsons – Kitchener Rangers
Perhaps an even easier decision was selecting Parsons. Yes, he plays on a great Rangers squad but he is one of the reasons they are so good. He made 11 appearances in November and posted a 9-1-0-0 record. As good as Kitchener is as a team, Parsons still faced some rubber stopping 303 of 323 shots he faced for a .937 save-percentage, 2.05 goals-against-average and 2 shutouts.
Parsons faced 30 or more shots in 7 of his 10 complete games in November and is 7th among OHL goalies in shots faced on the season. Parsons is now 14-5-0-0 on the season with a 2.43 goals-against-average and .921 save-percentage. So, he is not just the beneficiary of playing on a good team.
We didn’t really consider anyone else as our nominee.
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, November 12, 2023
Knights’ Denver Barkey Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week
Philadelphia Flyers prospect Denver Barkey of the London Knights is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording two goals, five assists, and seven points as the Knights won all three of their games last week.
An 18-year-old from Newmarket, Ont., Barkey ranks first among Knights point-producers, recording 11 goals, 15 assists, and 26 points over 18 games this season. Philadelphia’s third round (95th overall) pick in the 2023 NHL Draft has recorded 100 points (40-60-100) in 132 career OHL regular season games with the Knights after being chosen 16th overall by the club in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection. Barkey was a big part of London’s Western Conference title efforts last spring, producing 24 points (11-13–24) in 20 playoff games.
Also considered for the award this week, draft-eligible forward Liam Greentree of the Windsor Spitfires scored three times and added four assists in three appearances. Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Luca Pinelli of the Ottawa 67’s was also productive, contributing a total of four goals and two helpers.
Rangers’ Jackson Parsons Named OHL Goaltender of the Week
Jackson Parsons of the Kitchener Rangers is the OHL Goaltender of the Week, playing to a 3-0 record including two shutouts, with a 1.00 goals-against average, and .971 save percentage.
Stopping a total of 101 shots last week, Parsons turned aside all 30 that came his way on Wednesday as Kitchener blanked the Owen Sound Attack 5-0. The 6-foot-2, 202lb. netminder was back in the crease on Friday, turning aside all 39 shots he faced to earn first star honours and his second shutout of the weekend as the Rangers built on their win streak with a 4-0 win over the Peterborough Petes. Parsons closed out Kitchener’s perfect week on Sunday, stopping 32 of the 35 shots sent his way as the Rangers defeated the visiting Soo Greyhounds 5-3. Parsons’ shutout streak lasted a span of 181 minutes and 25 seconds.
Turning 19 later this month, Parsons, who is from Embrun, Ont., has come back strong from missing much of 2022-23 to injury, playing to a 10-4 record along with a 2.33 goals-against average, .923 save percentage and league-leading four shutouts so far this season. Selected in the third round (53rd overall) by Kitchener in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection, Parsons has appeared in 41 career regular season contests, recording a 3.38 goals-against average and .900 save percentage over three seasons.
Also considered for the award this week, Andrew Oke of the Saginaw Spirit went 3-0 with a 1.67 goals-against average and .940 save percentage as the Spirit ran their winning streak to five games. Sam Hillebrandt of the Barrie Colts continued his strong start to the season, going 2-0 with a 1.50 goals-against average and .955 save percentage.
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 