Mason McTavish

ONUSKA AND MORRISON NAMED OHLTOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK

Posted on June 14, 2022 by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of playoff games ending Sunday, June 12, 2022.

Bulldogs’ Logan Morrison Named OHL Player of the Week

Logan Morrison of the Hamilton Bulldogs is the OHL Player of the Week, scoring twice while adding three assists for five points in three contests.

Morrison continued his 17-game playoff point streak, the longest in League history since London’s Corey Perry (18) in 2005, helping Hamilton take a 3-2 lead in the OHL Championship Series. He found the back of the net in a 6-3 loss in Game 3 on Monday, returning for Friday’s Game 4 in Windsor with a goal and an assist as the Bulldogs won 3-2 in overtime. Morrison’s two points in the win gave him 33 points in the postseason, a new franchise record that surpasses Robert Thomas (32) in 2018. Morrison tacked on two assists as the Bulldogs won Game 5 by a score of 3-2. This marks the third time this season that Morrison has earned OHL Player of the Week honours.

A 19-year-old from Guelph, Ont., Morrison sits second in OHL playoff scoring with 35 points (15-20–35) in 17 contests. His 2.06 points-per-game are the second-most in the League. He recorded a club-leading 100 points (34-66–100) in 60 regular season games, becoming the second player in Bulldogs history to reach the century mark while setting a new club record for assists with 66. Morrison has amassed 179 points (71-108–179) in 166 career regular season games since he was Hamilton’s first round (18th overall) pick in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection. He attended training camp with the Los Angeles Kings last fall.

Also considered for the award this week, Windsor Spitfires winger Will Cuylle also had two goals, three assists and five points in three games while Morrison’s Bulldogs teammate Mason McTavish scored three times and added an assist for four points in three outings.

2021-22 OHL Players of the Week – Playoffs:
June 6 – June 12: Logan Morrison (Hamilton Bulldogs)
May 30 – June 5: Daniel D’Amico (Windsor Spitfires)
May 23 – May 29: Brennan Othmann (Flint Firebirds)
May 16 – May 22: Avery Hayes (Hamilton Bulldogs)
May 9 – May 15: Wyatt Johnston (Windsor Spitfires)
May 2 – May 8: Joseph Serpa (Kitchener Rangers)
Apr. 25 – May 1: Zayde Wisdom (Kingston Frontenacs)
Apr. 19 – Apr. 24: Antonio Stranges (London Knights)

2021-22 OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Apr. 11 – Apr. 18: Robert Calisti (Soo Greyhounds)
Apr. 4 – Apr. 10: Martin Chromiak (Kingston Frontenacs)
Mar. 28 – Apr. 3: Mason McTavish (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Mar. 21 – Mar. 27: Dalton Duhart (Saginaw Spirit)
Mar. 14 – Mar. 20: Matthew Maggio (Windsor Spitfires)
Mar. 7 – Mar. 13: Lucas Edmonds (Kingston Frontenacs)
Feb. 28 – Mar. 6: Theo Hill (Sarnia Sting)
Feb. 21 – Feb. 27: Logan Morrison (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Feb. 14 – Feb. 20: Antonio Stranges (London Knights)
Feb. 7 – Feb. 13: Logan Morrison (Hamilton Bulldogs).
Jan. 31 – Feb. 6: Luke Evangelista (London Knights)
Jan. 24 – Jan. 30: Brandt Clarke (Barrie Colts)
Jan. 17 – Jan. 23: Riley Piercey (Flint Firebirds)
Jan. 10 – Jan. 16: David Goyette (Sudbury Wolves)
Jan. 3 – Jan 9: Wyatt Johnston (Windsor Spitfires)
Dec. 27 – Jan. 2: James Hardie (Mississauga Steelheads)
Dec. 13 – Dec. 19: Ty Tullio (Oshawa Generals)
Dec. 6 – Dec. 12: Lucas Edmonds (Kingston Frontenacs)
Nov. 29 – Dec. 5: Wyatt Johnston (Windsor Spitfires)
Nov. 22 – Nov. 28: Brennan Othmann (Flint Firebirds)
Nov. 15 – Nov. 21: Brandon Coe (North Bay Battalion)
Nov. 8 – Nov. 14: Antonio Stranges (London Knights)
Nov. 1 – Nov. 7: Shane Wright (Kingston Frontenacs)
Oct. 25 – Oct. 31: Tucker Robertson (Peterborough Petes)
Oct. 18 – Oct. 24: Rory Kerins (Soo Greyhounds)
Oct. 11 – Oct. 17: Calum Ritchie (Oshawa Generals)
Oct. 4 – Oct. 10: Jack Thompson (Sudbury Wolves)

Spitfires’ Matt Onuska Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Matt Onuska of the Windsor Spitfires is the OHL Goaltender of the Week, going 1-1-1 with a 2.92 goals-against average and .915 save percentage.

Onuska stopped 97 of the 106 shots that came his way in Games 3, 4 and 5 of the OHL Championship Series as the Spitfires trail 3-2 headed into Monday’s Game 6. He drew his first start of the series in Game 3 on Monday, stopping 35 of 38 as the Spitfires won 6-3 over Hamilton despite being outshot 38-32. Onuska did his part in Game 4 on Friday, making 41 saves the Windsor fell 3-2 in overtime on a game winner from defenceman Gavin White. He made 21 saves in Sunday’s 3-2 loss in Game 5 at FirstOntario Centre. Onuska follows Xavier Medina as the second straight Spitfires netminder to earn OHL Goaltender of the Week honours.

A 20-year-old from Waterloo, Ont., Onuska owns a playoff record of 11-5-2-0, posting a 2.75 goals-against average and .905 save percentage with one shutout in 20 games. He comes off a regular season that included a 19-5-1-1 record over 29 games between Windsor and London, registering a 3.31 goals-against average and .884 save percentage. Onsuka was originally Kingston’s seventh round (133rd overall) pick in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection.

2021-22 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Playoffs:
June 6 – June 12: Matt Onuska (Windsor Spitfires)
May 30 – June 5: Xavier Medina (Windsor Spitfires)
May 23 – May 29: Marco Costantini (Hamilton Bulldogs)
May 16 – May 22: Marco Costantini (Hamilton Bulldogs)
May 9 – May 15: Marco Costantini (Hamilton Bulldogs)
May 2 – May 8: Luke Cavallin (Flint Firebirds)
Apr. 25 – May 1: Luke Cavallin (Flint Firebirds)
Apr. 18 – Apr. 24: Tucker Tynan (Soo Greyhounds)

2021-22 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Apr. 11 – Apr. 17: Max Donoso (Ottawa 67’s)
Apr. 4 – Apr. 10: Michael Simpson (Peterborough Petes)
Mar. 28 – Apr. 3: Patrick Leaver (Oshawa Generals)
Mar. 21 – Mar. 27: Joey Costanzo (Niagara IceDogs)
Mar. 14 – Mar. 20: Marco Costantini (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Mar. 7 – Mar. 13: Nick Chenard (Owen Sound Attack)
Feb. 28 – Mar. 6: Marco Costantini (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Feb. 21 – Feb. 27: Leevi Merilainen (Kingston Frontenacs)
Feb. 14 – Feb. 20: Mack Guzda (Barrie Colts)
Feb. 7 – Feb. 13: Pavel Cajan (Kitchener Rangers)
Jan. 31 – Feb. 6: Patrick Leaver (Oshawa Generals)
Jan. 24 – Jan. 30: Max Donoso (Ottawa 67’s)
Jan. 17 – Jan. 23: Mack Guzda (Barrie Colts)
Jan. 10 – Jan. 16: Mitchell Weeks (Sudbury Wolves)
Jan. 3 – Jan. 9: Nolan Lalonde (Erie Otters)
Dec. 27 – Jan. 2: Joe Ranger (Mississauga Steelheads)
Dec. 13 – Dec. 19: Owen Bennett (Guelph Storm)
Dec. 6 – Dec. 12: Mack Guzda (Barrie Colts)
Nov. 29 – Dec. 5: Leevi Merilainen (Kingston Frontenacs)
Nov. 22 – Nov. 28: Tye Austin (Peterborough Petes)
Nov. 15 – Nov. 21: Ben Gaudreau (Sarnia Sting)
Nov. 8 – Nov. 14: Joe Vrbetic (North Bay Battalion
Nov. 1 – Nov. 7: Roman Basran (Mississauga Steelheads)
Oct. 25 – Oct. 31: Patrick Leaver (Oshawa Generals)
Oct. 18 – Oct. 24: Jacob Oster (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 11 – Oct. 17: Brett Brochu (London Knights)
Oct. 4 – Oct. 10: Tucker Tynan (Niagara IceDogs)

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.

CAVALLIN AND WISDOM NAMED OHL TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK

Posted on May 2, 2022 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, May 1, 2022.

Frontenacs’ Zayde Wisdom Named OHL Player of the Week

Philadelphia Flyers prospect Zayde Wisdom of the Kingston Frontenacs is the OHL Player of the Week, leading the League with eight points including four goals and four assists over four games.

Wisdom helped the Frontenacs eliminate the Oshawa Generals in their six game first round series, picking up a point in all four of his outings. The right-winger posted four points in Game 4 of the series on Thursday in Oshawa, scoring twice while adding two assists to earn first star honours in a 6-2 win. He proceeded to collect an assist in each of his next three contests, with a primary helper coming on Shane Wright’s overtime winner in Game 6 to send the Fronts to the second round.

A 5-foot-10, 201Ib. native of Toronto, Ont., Wisdom currently leads the OHL Playoffs with 12 points (4-8–12) over six games along with a League-best plus/minus rating of plus-11. He recorded 38 points (9-29–38) in 43 regular season games after recovering from shoulder surgery that sidelined him until December. He has posted 107 points (41-66–107) in 165 career regular season games over three seasons in Kingston. Wisdom spent the 2020-21 campaign with the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms, collecting 18 points (7-11–18) in 28 games after he was a fourth round (94th overall) selection by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2020 NHL Draft. Wisdom was Kingston’s fourth round (73rd overall) pick from the OHL Cup champion Toronto Jr. Canadiens in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection.

Also considered for the award this week, Anaheim Ducks prospect Mason McTavish picked up seven points (4-3–7) in three games as the Hamilton Bulldogs eliminated the Peterborough Petes in the first round of the playoffs. Edmonton Oilers prospect Ty Tullio recorded seven points (2-5–7) in four games as the Generals were ousted from the postseason by Kingston.

2021-22 OHL Players of the Week – Playoffs:
Apr. 25 – May 1: Zayde Wisdom (Kingston Frontenacs)
Apr. 19 – Apr. 24: Antonio Stranges (London Knights)

Cavallin made 100 saves in three games as the Firebirds finished the week with a 3-2 lead in their first round series against the Owen Sound Attack. Cavallin made 36 saves in Game 3 of the series on Monday in Owen Sound as the Firebirds dropped a 2-1 decision. He returned to the crease at the Bayshore in Game 4 on Wednesday, turning aside 28 of 30 shots sent his way in a 3-2 win. Cavallin made 36 saves in Sunday’s 5-1 win on home ice, picking up third star recognition.

A 21-year-old from Greely, Ont., Cavallin led the OHL with 36 wins this season, setting other Firebirds club records with a 3.16 goals-against average and .910 save percentage. His 3,288 minutes played were the second-most in the League. Flint’s career leader in games played (143), wins (62) and shutouts (2), Cavallin is in his fourth season with the franchise after being selected in the second round (28th overall) of the 2017 OHL Priority Selection.

Also considered for the award this week, San Jose Sharks prospect Ben Gaudreau of the Sarnia Sting gave his team a chance to win in their six-game series against first place Windsor, going 2-2 with a 2.44 goals-against average and .929 save percentage. Matteo Lalama of the Barrie Colts was also solid when called into action, going 1-0-1 with a 1.61 goals-against average and .938 save percentage.

2021-22 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Playoffs:
Apr. 25 – May 1: Luke Cavallin (Flint Firebirds)
Apr. 18 – Apr. 24: Tucker Tynan (Soo Greyhounds)

LEAVER AND MCTAVISH NAMED OHL TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK

Posted on April 5, 2022 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, April 3, 2022

Bulldogs’ Mason McTavish Named OHL Player of the Week

Anaheim Ducks prospect Mason McTavish of the Hamilton Bulldogs is the OHL Player of the Week, recording four goals, three assists and seven points in four Bulldogs victories.

McTavish found the back of the net in all four outings, recording a goal and an assist in his return to the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Tuesday as the Bulldogs took a 6-2 decision. He scored the third period game winner in a 3-2 triumph over the Oshawa Generals on Thursday, and tacked on an additional goal and assist a night later in Erie as Hamilton prevailed by a score of 3-0. McTavish wrapped things up with a goal and assist in Sunday’s 6-1 win over visiting Peterborough, finalizing a productive week that saw Hamilton clinch its second East Division banner.

A 19-year-old native of Carp, Ont., McTavish has registered 40 points (18-22–40) in 25 games between Hamilton and Peterborough this season, collecting 33 of those (12-21–33) since joining the Bulldogs. The 6-foot-1, 207Ib. centre recorded two goals and an assist in nine games with the Anaheim Ducks earlier this season, also appearing in three games with the AHL’s San Diego Gulls where he posted a goal and assist. Voted to the OHL’s second all-rookie team in 2019-20 before winning World Under-18 gold with Team Canada in 2021, McTavish was selected by Anaheim with the third overall pick of the 2021 NHL Draft. The Peterborough Petes selected him with the fifth overall pick of the 2019 OHL Priority Selection from the Pembroke Lumber Kings U18 program.

Also considered for the award this week, reigning OHL Player of the Month and current scoring leader Wyatt Johnston of the Windsor Spitfires recorded seven points (2-5–7) in three wins, while Guelph’s Cooper Walker had six points (4-2–6) over three outings as the Storm went 3-0.

2021-22 OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Mar. 28 – Apr. 3: Mason McTavish (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Mar. 21 – Mar. 27: Dalton Duhart (Saginaw Spirit)
Mar. 14 – Mar. 20: Matthew Maggio (Windsor Spitfires)
Mar. 7 – Mar. 13: Lucas Edmonds (Kingston Frontenacs)
Feb. 28 – Mar. 6: Theo Hill (Sarnia Sting)
Feb. 21 – Feb. 27: Logan Morrison (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Feb. 14 – Feb. 20: Antonio Stranges (London Knights)
Feb. 7 – Feb. 13: Logan Morrison (Hamilton Bulldogs).
Jan. 31 – Feb. 6: Luke Evangelista (London Knights)
Jan. 24 – Jan. 30: Brandt Clarke (Barrie Colts)
Jan. 17 – Jan. 23: Riley Piercey (Flint Firebirds)
Jan. 10 – Jan. 16: David Goyette (Sudbury Wolves)
Jan. 3 – Jan 9: Wyatt Johnston (Windsor Spitfires)
Dec. 27 – Jan. 2: James Hardie (Mississauga Steelheads)
Dec. 13 – Dec. 19: Ty Tullio (Oshawa Generals)
Dec. 6 – Dec. 12: Lucas Edmonds (Kingston Frontenacs)
Nov. 29 – Dec. 5: Wyatt Johnston (Windsor Spitfires)
Nov. 22 – Nov. 28: Brennan Othmann (Flint Firebirds)
Nov. 15 – Nov. 21: Brandon Coe (North Bay Battalion)
Nov. 8 – Nov. 14: Antonio Stranges (London Knights)
Nov. 1 – Nov. 7: Shane Wright (Kingston Frontenacs)
Oct. 25 – Oct. 31: Tucker Robertson (Peterborough Petes)
Oct. 18 – Oct. 24: Rory Kerins (Soo Greyhounds)
Oct. 11 – Oct. 17: Calum Ritchie (Oshawa Generals)
Oct. 4 – Oct. 10: Jack Thompson (Sudbury Wolves)

Generals’ Patrick Leaver Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Patrick Leaver of the Oshawa Generals is the OHL Goaltender of the Week, going 2-0-0-1 with a 2.52 goals-against average and .933 save percentage as the Generals collected five of a possible six points and clinched a spot in the OHL Playoffs.

Leaver was kept busy, making 111 saves in three outings beginning with 30 in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Ottawa 67’s on Tuesday that netted him first star honours. He was first star again on Friday in Kingston, turning aside 40 of 43 before stopping three of four in a shootout as the Generals won 4-3. Leaver saved the best for last, making 41 saves in Sunday’s 3-2 overtime win over the visiting Frontenacs, backstopping the Generals to two points despite being outshot 43-22. He joins Barrie’s Mack Guzda as the second netminder to earn Goaltender of the Week honours three times this season.

An 18-year-old from Perth, Ont., Leaver has played to a mark of 22-17-1-3 this season with a 3.16 goals-against average and .909 save percentage to go with two shutouts. The 6-foot-1, 186Ib. The former eighth round (158th overall) pick in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection was the 29th-ranked North American goaltender on NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Rankings released in January.

Also considered for the award this week, Jacob Oster of the Guelph Storm picked up a pair of wins including a 43-save effort in Flint on Saturday as the Storm booked a trip to the OHL Playoffs. Hamilton Bulldogs goaltender Matteo Drobac earned his first career OHL shutout, going 2-0 with a 0.86 goals-against average and .957 save percentage as the Bulldogs clinched an East Division title.

2021-22 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Mar. 28 – Apr. 3: Patrick Leaver (Oshawa Generals)
Mar. 21 – Mar. 27: Joey Costanzo (Niagara IceDogs)
Mar. 14 – Mar. 20: Marco Costantini (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Mar. 7 – Mar. 13: Nick Chenard (Owen Sound Attack)
Feb. 28 – Mar. 6: Marco Costantini (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Feb. 21 – Feb. 27: Leevi Merilainen (Kingston Frontenacs)
Feb. 14 – Feb. 20: Mack Guzda (Barrie Colts)
Feb. 7 – Feb. 13: Pavel Cajan (Kitchener Rangers)
Jan. 31 – Feb. 6: Patrick Leaver (Oshawa Generals)
Jan. 24 – Jan. 30: Max Donoso (Ottawa 67’s)
Jan. 17 – Jan. 23: Mack Guzda (Barrie Colts)
Jan. 10 – Jan. 16: Mitchell Weeks (Sudbury Wolves)
Jan. 3 – Jan. 9: Nolan Lalonde (Erie Otters)
Dec. 27 – Jan. 2: Joe Ranger (Mississauga Steelheads)
Dec. 13 – Dec. 19: Owen Bennett (Guelph Storm)
Dec. 6 – Dec. 12: Mack Guzda (Barrie Colts)
Nov. 29 – Dec. 5: Leevi Merilainen (Kingston Frontenacs)
Nov. 22 – Nov. 28: Tye Austin (Peterborough Petes)
Nov. 15 – Nov. 21: Ben Gaudreau (Sarnia Sting)
Nov. 8 – Nov. 14: Joe Vrbetic (North Bay Battalion
Nov. 1 – Nov. 7: Roman Basran (Mississauga Steelheads)
Oct. 25 – Oct. 31: Patrick Leaver (Oshawa Generals)
Oct. 18 – Oct. 24: Jacob Oster (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 11 – Oct. 17: Brett Brochu (London Knights)
Oct. 4 – Oct. 10: Tucker Tynan (Niagara IceDogs)

SIX OHL PLAYERS SELECTED IN FIRST ROUND OF 2021 NHL DRAFT

Posted on July 25, 2021 by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – A total of six OHL players were selected in Friday’s first round of the 2021 NHL Draft that was held virtually online and aired across the globe.

The six OHL players were among the 15 CHL players chosen in the draft’s opening round.

Peterborough Petes centreman Mason McTavish led the way for the OHL, being selected third overall by the Anaheim Ducks. The 18-year-old from Carp, Ont. is the highest-drafted Petes player since Nick Ritchie was selected by the Ducks with the 10th overall pick in 2014. McTavish joins a Ducks franchise currently coached by Petes alumnus Dallas Eakins (1984-88) and is the highest-drafted OHL player by the Ducks franchise since Owen Sound’s Bobby Ryan went second overall in 2005.

“We talked two or three times and to be honest I didn’t really know where I was going to end up,” said McTavish. “I’m super fortunate that they took me and I’m really looking forward to the future.”

Offensively gifted Barrie Colts blueliner Brandt Clarke followed McTavish on the journey to Southern California, being selected by the Los Angeles Kings at eighth overall. Joined by older brother and New Jersey Devils prospect Graeme, Brandt was overwhelmed with excitement upon hearing his name called by the Kings.

“I have a really good support system, a lot of people there supporting me and it was amazing,” Clarke described. “It was just raw emotion. I was just really excited and it’s the best day of my life.”

Clarke, who posted 38 points (6-32–38) in 57 games with the Colts as a rookie in 2019-20, becomes the fourth Barrie player in the past decade to be chosen in the top-10 selections at the NHL Draft, joining Andrei Svechnikov (2nd overall, 2018), Aaron Ekblad (1st overall, 2014) and Mark Scheifele (7th overall, 2011).

Fellow 2019 OHL Cup champion and past Don Mills Flyers teammate Brennan Othmann followed Clarke at 16th overall, being selected by the New York Rangers. Othmann, who set Flint Firebirds rookie records with 17 goals and 33 points in 2019-20, expressed excitement about his new destination.

“I think I fit in great. Kakko and Lafreniere – they’re two studs, two great players,” he said. “I think if I’m able to play with those guys, those guys are playmakers and if I’m able to find the right spots on the ice, I think they’d feed me and I’d put the puck in the back of the net all the time.”

Othmann becomes the second Firebirds player to be selected in the first round of the NHL Draft, following former captain and Dallas Stars prospect Ty Dellandrea (13th overall, 2018).

Dallas added dependable two-way Windsor Spitfires centreman Wyatt Johnston with the 23rd overall selection, giving the Stars first round picks out of the OHL in three of the past four years. Johnston recorded 30 points (12-18–30) as a Spits rookie in 2019-20 and played a key role on Canada’s gold medal-winning National Under-18 team this past spring.

“Jamie Benn called me and that was an amazing moment,” Johnston described. “I was pretty star-struck just hearing him on the other side of the phone. That was a special experience.”

The New Jersey Devils nabbed a competitor with the 29th overall selection, taking third generation OHL talent Chase Stillman of the Sudbury Wolves. The son of two-time Stanley Cup champion Cory Stillman and younger brother of Chicago Blackhawks blueliner Riley Stillman, Chase put up 13 goals and 34 points as a Wolves rookie in 2019-20. Following second overall pick Quinton Byfield (Los Angeles) in 2020, Stillman’s selection gives the Sudbury franchise first rounders in back-to-back years for the first time since 2005 & 2006.

“It was a remarkable moment, it’s a huge relief and I’m beyond excited,” said Stillman. “I talked to multiple people in the organization and I had a good feeling. New Jersey is a great organization that has done very well. To throw on a Devils jersey will be an awesome experience.”

The Montreal Canadiens rounded-out OHL selections in the first round by picking London Knights blueliner Logan Mailloux at 31st overall.

The 2021 NHL Draft resumes with Rounds 2-7 on Saturday, beginning at 11:00am ET.

OHL Players Selected in the First Round of the 2021 NHL Draft:

Click on player name below to watch pick announcement and media availability

3. Mason McTavish (Peterborough Petes) – Anaheim Ducks
8. Brandt Clarke (Barrie Colts) – Los Angeles Kings
16. Brennan Othmann (Flint Firebirds) – New York Rangers
23. Wyatt Johnston (Windsor Spitfires) – Dallas Stars
29. Chase Stillman (Sudbury Wolves) – New Jersey Devils
31. Logan Mailloux (London Knights) – Montreal Canadiens

For more information on the 2021 NHL Draft including full results visit nhl.com.

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.

13 OHL PLAYERS CAPTURE U18 WORLDS GOLD AS CANADA DEFEATS RUSSIA 5-3

Posted on May 7, 2021 by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League is pleased to congratulate 13 OHL players who will return from the Lone Star State with gold medals after defeating Russia by a score of 5-3 in the IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championship gold medal game on Thursday in Frisco, Texas.

Kingston Frontenacs star Shane Wright found the back of the net twice as Canada’s National Under-18 Team completed a perfect 7-0 tournament, outscoring opponents 51-12 in the process to claim their first U18 Worlds gold since 2013.

“It means the world to this country, to the guys in our dressing room, all of the coaches and all of the staff,” said Wright after the win. “Just the effort we put in, how hard everyone has worked since day one. I couldn’t be prouder of the work everyone has put in and all the sacrifices that have been made.”

Russia presented a new challenge to Canada in the early going, with tournament scoring leader Matvei Michkov netting his 12th of the U18 Worlds 5:13 in, marking the first time Canada had surrendered the first goal in the event.

“We had scored first every single time, which is a great thing, but we knew it was going to happen,” said Canadian coach Dave Barr, who was OHL Coach of the Year with the Guelph Storm in 2006. “We talked about it in the first intermission about playing from behind and how we aren’t going to change the way we play the game. We just did what we needed to do to work our way back into the game.”

Just over a minute after a denied penalty shot, exceptional talent Connor Bedard (Regina Pats) beat Sergei Ivanov on the backhand with 4:01 remaining in the first to tie things up as Chase Stillman (Sudbury Wolves) picked up a secondary assist. Russia quickly responded with a goal from Dmitri Buchelnikov before Wright ripped home a wrist shot on the power play to make it 2-2 after one.

A shot from a tight angle off the stick of Brennan Othmann (Flint Firebirds) put Canada in the lead 3-2 off a feed from Ethan Del Mastro (Mississauga Steelheads) 4:42 into the second. Logan Stankoven (Kamloops Blazers) delivered a wrist shot to double the Canadian lead near the period’s end as Brandt Clarke (Barrie Colts) and Wright pitched in with assists.

Following a scoreless nine minutes to start the third, Vladimir Grudinin brought Russia back within one on the power play. Wright ultimately struck on the empty net with 40 seconds remaining off an impressive pass from Bedard to seal an undefeated tournament for Team Canada. With his ninth goal, Wright surpassed Connor McDavid‘s 2013 mark of eight to set a Canadian record at the U18 Worlds.

Ben Gaudreau (Sarnia Sting) amassed 31 saves in net to improve to 5-0 for Canada as the shots ended an even 34-34.

“It was really exciting, the last minute felt about as long as the entire game,” said Gaudreau after the buzzer. “Once Shaner (Wright) put the icing on the cake there with 40 seconds left it really set in. The feelings can’t really be described. I couldn’t have done this with a better group of guys.”

Wright finished the tournament tied for second in scoring with fellow exceptional status forward Bedard, racking up 14 points (9-5–14) in just five games, two back of tournament-leader Michkov of Russia who wound up with 16 points.

Brandt Clarke finished tied for second in tournament scoring by defencemen with seven points (2-5–7) in as many games, being named to the event’s media all-star team.

Between the pipes, Gaudreau paced all goaltenders with five wins, a 2.20 goals-against average and .919 save percentage over five games to be recognized as the tournament’s top goaltender by the IIHF directorate.

“I have had a great time coaching this team,” said Barr. “It was a lot of fun to be able to bring the gold medal back to Canada, and I was very fortunate to have two great assistant coaches in Mike Stothers and Gordie Dwyer. Ultimately you are trying to win the gold medal and you never know how a game like tonight’s is going to go, but we focused on what we were able to control and that gave us a great chance to win.”

Since 2002, Canada has won four gold medals at the IIHF U18 World Championship (2003, 2008, 2013, 2021), in addition to one silver (2005) and three bronze (2012, 2014, 2015).

13 OHL players winning gold with Canada at the U18 Worlds:

Goaltender:
Ben Gaudreau (Sarnia Sting)

Defence:
Brandt Clarke (Barrie Colts), Ethan Del Mastro (Mississauga Steelheads), Jack Matier (Ottawa 67’s)

Forwards:
Brett Harrison (Oshawa Generals), Wyatt Johnston (Windsor Spitfires), Mason McTavish (Peterborough Petes), Brennan Othmann (Flint Firebirds), Francesco Pinelli (Kitchener Rangers), Chase Stillman (Sudbury Wolves), Ryan Winterton (Hamilton Bulldogs), Shane Wright (Kingston Frontenacs), Danny Zhilkin (Guelph Storm)

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.

13 OHL PLAYERS NAMED TO CANADA’S NATIONAL MEN’S UNDER-18 TEAM

Posted on April 2, 2021 by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League is proud to recognize 13 OHL players named to Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team that will compete in the 2021 IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championship set to take place from April 26 to May 6 in Frisco and Plano, Texas.

The 13 OHL players are part of a 25-man Canadian roster consisting of three goaltenders, eight defencemen and 14 forwards to be coached by former OHL Coach of the Year Dave Barr (Guelph Storm, 2003-08) along with assistant Mike Stothers (Owen Sound Attack, 2002-07).

The Canadian roster was assembled by Hockey Canada director of player personnel Alan Millar along with manager of national teams Benoit Roy.

OHL PLAYERS NAMED TO CANADA’S NATIONAL UNDER-18 TEAM:

Goaltender: Benjamin Gaudreau (Sarnia Sting)

Defence: Brandt Clarke (Barrie Colts), Ethan Del Mastro (Mississauga Steelheads), Jack Matier (Ottawa 67’s)

“We are excited to announce the 25 players that have been selected to wear the Maple Leaf at the 2021 IIHF U18 World Championship. Despite a difficult year for our players and staff, we are confident this group will represent our country with pride while giving us a chance to compete for a gold medal in Texas,” said Millar. “We are also pleased to have Dave (Barr), Mike (Stothers) and Gordie (Dwyer) as a part of our coaching staff, and to welcome a number of excellent support staff who bring unique skills to our team. We know the extensive experience of our coaching staff and the dedication of our support staff will greatly benefit our team at the world championship.”

Barr most recently served as an assistant coach with the San Jose Sharks (2017-19). Prior to joining the Sharks, he was an associate coach with the Florida Panthers (2016-17), as well as an assistant coach with the Buffalo Sabres (2015-16), New Jersey Devils (2011-15), Minnesota Wild (2009-11) and Colorado Avalanche (2008-09). Barr spent five seasons (2003-08) as the general manager and head coach of the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), leading the Storm to an OHL championship in 2004. He also held various positions with the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League (AHL) and International Hockey League (IHL) from 1997-2003, including assistant coach, head coach, director of hockey operations, vice-president, general manager and president. He has represented Canada once as a head coach, leading Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team to a gold medal at the 2008 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament.

Dwyerwas the head coach of the Shawinigan Cataractes of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) last season. Prior to joining the Cataractes, he spent two seasons as head coach of Dinamo Minsk (2017-19) and two seasons as head coach of Medvescak Zagreb (2015-17) of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), as well as part of one season as head coach of HC Ambrì-Piotta (2016-17) of National League A (NLA). Dwyer also served two seasons as head coach of the Charlottetown Islanders (2013-15) and two seasons as head coach of the Prince Edward Island Rocket (2011-13) of the QMJHL, as well as two seasons as head coach and director of player personnel with the Summerside Western Capitals of the Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL). He won bronze medals as the head coach of Team Canada at the 2020 Youth Olympic Games and as an assistant coach at the 2012 IIHF U18 World Championship and was an assistant coach at two Spengler Cups (2016, 2018).

Stothersmost recently served as head coach of the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League (AHL) for five seasons (2015-20). He has held various coaching positions in the NHL, AHL, OHL and Western Hockey League (WHL), including one season as an assistant coach with the NHL’s Atlanta Thrashers (2010-11) and two seasons as an assistant with the Philadelphia Flyers (2000-02). Stothers was also the head coach of the AHL’s Manchester Monarchs (2014-15), winning a Calder Cup and Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award as AHL coach of the year, as well as the Grand Rapids Griffins (2007-08). He also served as an assistant coach with the Philadelphia Phantoms (1996-2000) and Hershey Bears (1991-96). His Canadian Hockey League (CHL) experience includes three seasons as head coach of the WHL’s Moose Jaw Warriors (2011-14) and five seasons as head coach of the OHL’s Owen Sound Attack (2002-07). Stothers had a 10-year professional playing career in the NHL and AHL, winning the Calder Cup with the Maine Mariners in 1984.

The support staff that will work with Team Canada at the IIHF U18 World Championship includes:

Senior vice-president of national teams Scott Salmond
Video coach Travis Crickard
Goaltending coach Matt Weninger (Moose Jaw Warriors)
Athletic therapists Kevin Elliott (Charlottetown Islanders) and Doug Stacey
Equipment manager A.J. Murley
Mental performance consultant Ashwin Patel (Guelph Storm)
Team physician Dr. Ben Cameron (Lethbridge Hurricanes)
Education consultant Dave Tennant (Kitchener Rangers)
Coordinator of national teams Kurt Keats

Prior to travelling to Frisco on April 17, players and staff will self-isolate at home starting April 12 and will be tested for COVID-19 three times. Upon arrival in Texas, all team personnel will enter a four-day quarantine at the hotel before starting a pre-tournament camp on April 21. The team will take on Finland in its lone pre-tournament game on April 24 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

Canada will open the 2021 IIHF U18 World Championship against Sweden on April 26 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, and will also take on Latvia, Switzerland and Belarus in preliminary-round action. TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast select games throughout the tournament and will announce details at a later date.

Since 2002, Canada has won three gold medals at the IIHF U18 World Championship (2003, 2008, 2013), in addition to one silver (2005) and three bronze (2012, 2014, 2015).

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook and Twitter.

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.

Hockey Canada Releases Under-18 Invites

Posted on June 11, 2020 by Dominic Tiano

Hockey Canada

The 2020 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, the precursor to the 2021 National Hockey League Draft, was cancelled because of the COVID-19 Pandemic, but that didn’t stop Hockey Canada from naming the 46 players that would have been invited to the selection camp.

Hockey Canada released that list today and it includes 12 Ontario Hockey League players with a possible 13th, depending on whether goaltender Matteo Drobac makes the Hamilton Bulldogs roster when the 2020-2021 season takes place.

Five of the six players on our Players to Watch List have made the cut with Russian Daniil Chayka the only exception, so of course, he’s not eligible.

Here is the full list of invites by Hockey Canada:

Name	Ht.	Wt.	Club Team	NHL Draft
Goaltenders
Tyler Brennan	6’3”	187	Prince George (WHL)	2022
Matteo Drobac	6’1”	170	Hamilton (GOJHL)	2021
Benjamin Gaudreau	6’2″	165	Sarnia (OHL)	2021
Jacob Goobie	5’10”	178	Charlottetown (QMJHL)	2021
Thomas Milic	5’11”	155	Burnaby Winter Club (CSSHL)	2021
William Rousseau	6’10”	170	Trois-Rivières (LHMAAAQ)	2021
Defence
Nolan Allan	6’2″	185	Prince Albert (WHL)	2021
Olivier Boutin	5’10”	160	Gatineau (QMJHL)	2021
Corson Ceulemans	6’2″	190	Brooks (AJHL)	2021
Brandt Clarke	6’1″	181	Barrie (OHL)	2021
Jacob Holmes	6’1″	174	Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)	2021
Carson Lambos	6’1″	200	Winnipeg (WHL)	2021
Jérémy Langlois			Cape Breton (QMJHL)	2022
Kyle Masters	5’11”	159	Red Deer (WHL)	2021
Evan Nause	6’1″	172	Sioux Falls (USHL)	2021
Oscar Plandowski	5’11”	175	Charlottetown (QMJHL)	2021
Guillaume Richard	6’0″	148	Mount St. Charles Academy (USU16)	2021
Graham Sward	6’2″	170	Spokane (WHL)	2021
Cameron Whynot	6’1″	168	Halifax (QMJHL)	2021
Olen Zellweger	5’9″	165	Everett (WHL)	2021
Forwards
Liam Arnsby	5’10”	172	North Bay (OHL)	2022
Zachary Bolduc	6’0″	172	Rimouski (QMJHL)	2021
Zach Dean	5’9″	166	Gatineau (QMJHL)	2021
Nathan Gaucher	6’3″	186	Quebec (QMJHL)	2022
Dylan Guenther	6’1″	170	Edmonton (WHL)	2021
Brett Harrison	6’1″	167	Oshawa (OHL)	2021
Cole Huckins	6’4″	191	Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL)	2021
Wyatt Johnston	6’0″	167	Windsor (OHL)	2021
Riley Kidney	5’11”	160	Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL)	2021
Zachary L’Heureux	5’10”	196	Moncton (QMJHL)	2021
Connor Lockhart	5’8″	163	Erie (OHL)	2021
James Malatesta	5’9″	172	Quebec (QMJHL)	2021
Mason McTavish	6’1″	198	Peterborough (OHL)	2021
Olivier Nadeau	6’2″	204	Shawinigan (QMJHL)	2021
Brennan Othmann	5’11”	165	Flint (OHL)	2021
Francesco Pinelli	6’0″	182	Kitchener (OHL)	2021
Peter Reynolds	5’10”	165	Chilliwack (BCHL)	2021
Justin Robidas	5’7″	173	Val-d’Or (QMJHL)	2021
Conner Roulette	5’11”	158	Seattle (WHL)	2021
Joshua Roy	6’0″	191	Saint John (QMJHL)	2021
Cole Sillinger	6’0″	187	Medicine Hat (WHL)	2021
Logan Stankoven	5’7″	165	Kamloops (WHL)	2021
Chase Stillman	5’11”	170	Sudbury (OHL)	2021
Zach Stringer	6’1″	165	Lethbridge (WHL)	2021
Dovar Tinling	5’11”	181	Hawkesbury (CCHL)	2021
Danny Zhilkin	6’0″	185	Guelph (OHL)	2022

Early Look at the Ontario Hockey League’s 2021 Draft Eligible Players

Posted on June 7, 2020June 7, 2020 by Dominic Tiano

The Ontario Hockey League draft class for the 2019 National Hockey League Draft was one of the worst ever. On the flip side, 2020 was one of the best classes to come out of the OHL. So, what’s in store for the 2021 Draft? At first glance, it’s a good class with some talented first round potential.

When the 2020-2021 season does begin, and that’s still a question on everyone’s mind because of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have produced a list of players that definitely are worth keeping an eye on.

In no particular order:

Brandt Clarke – Defenceman – Barrie Colts

With exceptional mobility and speed, Clarke is almost like a fourth forward when transitioning to offence and jumping up into the play. It should come as no surprise since he models his game after Erik Karlsson. He plays a very poised game, patient with the puck, and rarely turns it over. He has excellent hockey senses and is a superb passer. His defensive game showed marked improvement as the season progressed. He gets back quickly because of his skating, has good gat control and is effective with his stick. And he doesn’t shy away from the physicality and began to be the player who initiated contact rather then the receiver as the season went on. Clarke finished the season with 6 goals and 32 assists in 57 games and was named to the OHL First All-Rookie Team.

Mason McTavish – Center – Peterborough Petes

The offensively talented McTavish led all 2003 born players in goals and points despite not always getting the best offensive opportunities with the Petes, moving up and down the lineup. He’s a puck possession beast, seemingly having the puck on a string. He’s not shy about going end-to-end, is patient with the puck and is very adept at creating space. He reads the play extremely well and is able to find soft spots undetected. He is willing to drive the net with or without the puck. McTavish is a pure sniper with a pro caliber shot and release already. He’s already physically strong and yet there is still room for more. He’s also a top player in the faceoff circle. McTavish finished the season with 29 goals and 13 assists in 57 games and was named to the OHL Second All-Rookie Team.

Francesco Pinelli – Left Wing – Kitchener Rangers

At this point, it may not be a reach to say that Pinelli is the best two-way player out of the draft class and that ability coming straight from minor midget earned him the trust of the Rangers coaches. He’s a versatile player who can play both the wing and down the middle. He works hard from shift-to-shift and is not afraid to play a physical game. He has high hockey senses, is positionally sound and creates turnovers almost at will. He’s a strong skater with a unique ability to draw in defenders and make a perfect pass. He has a superb one-timer and can unleash it with accuracy and it is especially dangerous on the pp with space. He finished fourth among rookies with 18 goals and 23 assists in 59 games.

Brennan Othmann – Left Wing – Flint Firebirds

When watching Othmann play, it’s obvious his deadliest asset is his shot. He possesses and excellent one-timer and a snap shot that is deadly accurate with a superb release. Maybe it was a lack of confidence in his abilities, but he just didn’t use that shot enough as he chose to dish off rather then take his shot. That said, he is a very good playmaker as well, so maybe he was reading something else on the ice. One might raise the question if it’s his hockey sense/vision that comes into play. However, I believe it’s just a question of confidence in his ability to beat goaltenders and with a year under his belt, those questions will be answered. Othmann finished the season with 17 goals and 16 assists in 55 games and was named to the OHL First All-Rookie Team.

Daniil Chayka – Defenceman – Guelph Storm

With a late 2002 birth date, Chayka will be in his third OHL season come his draft year and the young Russian has already made a name for himself. He is a smooth skater, plays in all situations and eats up huge minutes. Chayka is a pass first defender but is more then willing to jump into the play on offence. He has a good shot from the point but doesn’t try to overpower goaltenders and shoots with a purpose. Defensively his size and skating make him hard to beat one-on-one. Even at a young age, Chayka has shown excellent leadership qualities. Chayka finished the season with 11 goals and 23 assists in 56 games. He was named to the 2018-2019 OHL Second All-Rookie Team.

Brett Harrison – Center – Oshawa Generals

Harrison carries a big body at 6’3” but filling in the frame is a requirement. He’s near impossible to knock off of the puck and uses excellent body and stick position to protect the disc. He is a technically strong skater with good speed and has the ability to change gears and challenge defenders one-on-one. He is dynamite on his edgework which is surprising for a player of his size. Harrison also has an excellent shot that he can release in a split second and he is very deceptive with small positional changes to improve his angle. Harrison finished the year with 21 goals and 16 assists in 58 games.

Chase Stillman – Wing – Sudbury Wolves

Chase Stillman of the Sudbury Wolves. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images. While the attention in Sudbury was all on Quinton Byfield, Stillman quietly put up a very good rookie season. The son of former NHL’er Cory Stillman and younger brother of Riley, he comes from a family with hockey blood lines. He is a swift skater he has a high level of hockey smarts. Stillman is a coachable player – not because his father is a coach in Sudbury, he stayed with a billet family, but he took directions well from the older players. Expect Stillman to be one of the go-to guys for offence in Sudbury next season. He finished the year with 13 goals and 21 assists in 58 games. He was named to the OHL First All-Rookie Team.

Photos courtesy of OHL Images

OHL ANNOUNCES 2019-20 ALL-STAR AND ALL-ROOKIE TEAMS

Posted on May 27, 2020May 27, 2020 by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the First, Second and Third All-Star Team selections along with the First and Second All-Rookie Team selections for the 2019-20 season.

The OHL All-Star Teams were selected by the OHL’s General Managers, with voting conducted in two stages beginning with a Conference ballot followed by a final ballot that integrated the top selections from both the Eastern and Western Conference results.

Headlining the First Team is Red Tilson Trophy recipient and OHL scoring leader Marco Rossi of the Ottawa 67’s who becomes the first 67’s player to be selected to the League’s First All-Star Team since Tyler Toffoli in 2011-12. The top 2020 NHL Draft prospect led the entire Canadian Hockey League with 120 points, producing at a 2.14 point-per-game clip for the OHL’s first place team. Joining Rossi in the forward ranks was OHL goal-scoring leader Nick Robertson of the Peterborough Petes, a Toronto Maple Leafs prospect who lit the lamp 55 times in just 46 games. Flanking the right side is Los Angeles Kings prospect Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs who scored 48 goals and posted 98 points in 57 games. OHL Defenceman of the Year Noel Hoefenmayer of the Ottawa 67’s stands out on the blue line after recording a league-best 82 points including 26 goals over 58 games. Top draft eligible rearguard Jamie Drysdale joins Hoefenmayer on the back end after a sophomore season with the Erie Otters that included 47 points over 49 games. Fellow Canadian National Junior Team gold medalist Nico Daws of the Guelph Storm, who was voted OHL Goaltender of the Year, was appointed as a First Team All-Star netminder after posting a league-high .924 save percentage and five shutouts. OHL Coach of the Year Andre Tourigny of the Ottawa 67’s rounds out the group, being voted to the OHL’s First All-Star Team for a second consecutive year.

Washington Capitals first round pick Connor McMichael is positioned down the middle on the Second Team, joined by wingers in 111-point scorer Cole Perfetti of the Saginaw Spirit and fifth-year overage veteran Joseph Garreffa of the Ottawa 67’s. Dallas Stars first round selection Thomas Harley of the Mississauga Steelheads joins New Jersey Devils prospect Kevin Bahl on the back end while 2020 OHL Humanitarian of the Year and Los Angeles Kings prospect Jacob Ingham of the Kitchener Rangers holds down the crease. Dale Hunter of the London Knights was voted Second Team Head Coach, being selected to an All-Star Team for the sixth time in his OHL coaching career.

Top 2020 NHL Draft prospect Quinton Byfield of the Sudbury Wolves was voted Third Team centreman. He’s accompanied on the wings by Guelph Storm 45-goal scorer Pavel Gogolev and Sarnia Sting overage veteran Sean Josling who led his team with 78 points. The Third Team defence corps consists of the London Knights tandem of Chicago Blackhawks prospect Alec Regula and San Jose Sharks first round pick Ryan Merkley while Ottawa 67’s netminder Cedrick Andree is in goal. George Burnett of the Guelph Storm was voted to an OHL All-Star Team for the seventh time in his career, being named Third Team Head Coach.

A total of 11 teams were represented among the All-Star selections led by the Hamilton Spectator Trophy recipient Ottawa 67’s with six including First Team members Rossi, Hoefenmayer and Tourigny, Second Team selections Garreffa and Bahl and Third Team selection Andree. The Midwest Division champion London Knights trailed with four selections including Second Team members McMichael and coach Dale Hunter as well as Third Team defenders Merkley and Regula.

The Ontario Hockey League also unveiled its First and Second All-Rookie Teams for the 2019-20 season.

OHL Rookie of the Year and 2019 OHL Priority Selection first overall pick Shane Wright of the Kingston Frontenacs headlined the First All-Rookie Team, being joined by former Don Mills Flyers Minor Midget teammates in second overall OHL Priority Selection choice Brennan Othmann of the Flint Firebirds and fourth overall pick Brandt Clarke of the Barrie Colts on the back end. Sudbury Wolves winger Chase Stillman and Finnish-born Windsor Spitfires rearguard Ruben Rafkin joined London Knights standout netminder Brett Brochu in completing the First Team.

The Second Team is centred by 2019 fifth overall OHL Priority Selection choice and Peterborough Petes 29-goal scorer Mason McTavish. He’s joined up front by CHL Import Draft selections and 2020 NHL Draft prospects Martin Chromiak of the Kingston Frontenacs and Oliver Suni of the Oshawa Generals. On the blue line, North Bay Battalion rearguard Paul Christopoulos joins Saginaw Spirit defender Mitchell Smith in front of North Bay goaltender Joe Vrbetic to round out the group.

A total of 10 different teams were represented among the All-Rookie Team selections led by the Kingston Frontenacs and North Bay Battalion with a pair each.

2019-20 OHL All-Star Teams:

First All-Star Team:
C – Marco Rossi, Ottawa 67’s (OHL’s Most Outstanding Player) – voted 2nd all-rookie team in 2018-19
LW – Nick Robertson, Peterborough Petes
RW – Arthur Kaliyev, Hamilton Bulldogs – voted 2nd team in 2018-19, 2nd all-rookie team in 2017-18
D – Noel Hoefenmayer, Ottawa 67’s (OHL Defenceman of the Year)
D – Jamie Drysdale, Erie Otters – voted 1st all-rookie team in 2018-19
G – Nico Daws, Guelph Storm (OHL Goaltender of the Year)
Coach – Andre Tourigny, Ottawa 67’s (OHL Coach of the Year) – voted 1st team in 2018-19

Second All-Star Team:
C – Connor McMichael, London Knights
LW – Cole Perfetti, Saginaw Spirit – voted 1st all-rookie team in 2018-19
RW – Joseph Garreffa, Ottawa 67’s
D – Thomas Harley, Mississauga Steelheads – voted 3rd team in 2018-19
D – Kevin Bahl, Ottawa 67’s
G – Jacob Ingham, Kitchener Rangers – voted 1st team all-rookie in 2016-17
Coach – Dale Hunter, London Knights – voted 3rd team in 2018-19, 1st team in 2009-10, 2nd team in 2005-06, 1st team in 2004-05, 1st team in 2003-04

Third All-Star Team:
C – Quinton Byfield, Sudbury Wolves – voted 1st all-rookie team in 2018-19
LW – Pavel Gogolev, Guelph Storm
RW – Sean Josling, Sarnia Sting
D – Alec Regula, London Knights – voted 1st team all-rookie in 2017-18
D – Ryan Merkley, London Knights – voted 1st team all-rookie in 2016-17
G – Cedrick Andree, Ottawa 67’s
Coach – George Burnett, Guelph Storm – voted 2nd team in 2012-13, 2nd team in 2008-09, 3rd team in 2007-08, 2nd team in 1997-98, 1st team in 1991-92, 1st team in 1990-91

2019-20 OHL All-Rookie Teams:

First All-Rookie Team:
C – Shane Wright, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL Rookie of the Year)
LW – Brennan Othmann, Flint Firebirds
RW – Chase Stillman, Sudbury Wolves
D – Brandt Clarke, Barrie Colts
D – Ruben Rafkin, Windsor Spitfires
G – Brett Brochu, London Knights

Second All-Rookie Team:
C – Mason McTavish, Peterborough Petes
LW – Martin Chromiak, Kingston Frontenacs
RW – Oliver Suni, Oshawa Generals
D – Paul Christopoulos, North Bay Battalion
D – Mitchell Smith, Saginaw Spirit
G – Joe Vrbetic, North Bay Battalion

For full coverage of the 2020 OHL Awards, be sure to visit ontariohockeyleague.com or follow along on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

OHL ANNOUNCES TOP PERFORMERS OF THE MONTH FOR DECEMBER

Posted on January 2, 2020 by Dominic Tiano

Top Performers December

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the Top OHL Performers of the Month for regular season games played in December 2019, including Mississauga Steelheads forward Cole Schwindt, Ottawa 67’s defenceman Noel Hoefenmayer, Peterborough Petes rookie Mason McTavish and Kitchener Rangers goaltender Jacob Ingham.

OHL Player of the Month – Cole Schwindt (Mississauga Steelheads):
Florida Panthers prospect Cole Schwindt of the Mississauga Steelheads is the OHL Player of the Month for December, leading the league with 21 points including 12 goals, nine assists and a plus/minus rating of plus-7 over 12 games. The 6-foot-3, 186Ib. centreman recorded at least a point in 11 of his 12 December outings headlined by six different multi-point showings. Schwindt scored the late third period game winner in a 4-2 triumph over the North Bay Battalion on Dec. 13th and put up a goal and an assist a night later as the Steelheads fell to the Sarnia Sting 7-6. He earned second star honours on Dec. 19th in Windsor, scoring twice while adding an assist as the Trout fell to the Windsor Spitfires 5-4 in overtime. Schwindt recorded a career-high four points on Dec. 28th in Owen Sound, posting his first career OHL hat-trick in a 6-3 win over the Attack. He finished 2019 on a high note, scoring another hat-trick as the Steelheads skated to a 5-2 win in Hamilton on Dec. 31st. Schwindt earned three star recognition six times in December, recording over half of his 40 points this season over the course of the month.

An 18-year-old from Kitchener, Ont., Schwindt leads the Steelheads with 40 points including 17 goals and 23 assists in 37 games this season. The third year veteran is well on his way to surpassing last year’s total of 49 points as he continues to produce at over a point-per-game clip. Originally a fourth round pick of the Steelheads in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection, Schwindt was selected by the Florida Panthers in the third round of the 2019 NHL Draft.

OHL Defenceman of the Month – Noel Hoefenmayer (Ottawa 67’s):
Ottawa 67’s overage defenceman Noel Hoefenmayer has been named OHL Defenceman of the Month for the second time this season after recording 13 points including five goals, eight assists and a plus/minus rating of plus-8 over seven contests. Hoefenmayer recorded at least a point in six of his seven December outings including three different three-point efforts as Ottawa enjoyed a perfect 7-0 month. After pitching in with a goal and an assist in a 5-1 win over Gatineau on Dec. 8th, Hoefenmayer dished out three assists on Dec. 14th as the 67’s defeated the Barrie Colts 7-2. He played a central role in Ottawa’s 5-4 road win over the Oshawa Generals on Dec. 20th, earning second star honours with two goals and an assist. Hoefenmayer finished 2019 with another three-point showing, scoring while adding two helpers in a 6-1 win over the Peterborough Petes on Dec. 29th.

A 20-year-old native of North York, Ont., Hoefenmayer leads OHL defenders with 49 points including 15 goals, 34 assists and a league-leading plus/minus rating of plus-32 over 33 games. The 6-foot-1 rearguard has been a big contributor on Ottawa’s top-ranked 30.2% power play this season, registering 22 points on the man advantage. A fifth-year veteran, Hoefenmayer is currently inside the franchise top-10 for both career points by a defenceman (189) and career games played (273). He was a fourth round pick of the Arizona Coyotes in the 2017 NHL Draft before going unsigned and attended rookie camp with the Carolina Hurricanes in September. Hoefenmayer was a second round pick of the 67’s in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection.

OHL Rookie of the Month – Mason McTavish (Peterborough Petes):
Peterborough Petes forward Mason McTavish has been named OHL Rookie of the Month for the second time this season, leading all OHL freshmen with 11 points including nine goals and two assists along with a plus/minus rating of plus-6 over nine December contests. McTavish struck for his first career OHL hat-trick in a 7-4 win over the Hamilton Bulldogs on Dec. 12th. He followed that up with two goals in a 3-2 road win over the Oshawa Generals a night later. The 6-foot, 198Ib. centre recorded a career-high five points on New Year’s Eve in Niagara, scoring three times while adding two assists in a 7-3 win over the IceDogs. McTavish was a key part of Peterborough’s offence in December, helping them climb to the top of the East Division.

A 16-year-old native of Pembroke, Ont., McTavish leads OHL rookies with 32 points including 24 goals, eight assists and a plus-8 rating over 31 games. The fifth overall pick of the 2019 OHL Priority Selection, McTavish represented Canada White at the 2019 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, recording three points (2-1–3) over six contests. He was the OHL Rookie of the Month for October.

OHL Goaltender of the Month – Jacob Ingham (Kitchener Rangers):
Los Angeles Kings prospect Jacob Ingham of the Kitchener Rangers is the OHL Goaltender of the Month for December, playing to a 9-1-0-0 record along with a 1.69 goals-against average, .948 save percentage and two shutouts over 10 appearances. Ingham won his first six December starts, posting a career-high 51 saves in a 3-2 shootout road win over the Owen Sound Attack on Dec. 7th. He registered a 28-save shutout on Dec. 10th in London, turned aside 35 of 36 on Dec. 14th for a 6-1 win in Guelph and stopped all 45 shots he faced in a 3-0 road win over Owen Sound on Dec. 18th. Ingham rounded out 2019 by stopping 35 of 36 in a 6-1 New Year’s Eve road win over the Erie Otters. In total, Ingham earned three star recognition six different times in December, receiving first star honours on three occasions.

A 19-year-old native of Barrie, Ont., Ingham owns a 16-4-2-1 record in this, his fourth OHL season. He’s posted a 2.61 goals-against average, .926 save percentage and two shutouts over 23 contests, helping the Rangers turn their season around to sit second in the Midwest Division. The 6-foot-4, 198Ib. netminder owns a career record of 76-57-7-8 with a 3.21 goals-against average and .897 save percentage over 154 regular season games between Kitchener and Mississauga. He was a sixth round pick of the Los Angeles Kings in the 2018 NHL Draft. Ingham was originally selected by the Mississsauga Steelheads in the second round of the 2016 OHL Priority Selection.

2019-20 OHL Performers of the Month:

Player of the Month:
December – Cole Schwindt (Mississauga Steelheads)
November – Jan Jenik (Hamilton Bulldogs)
October – Arthur Kaliyev (Hamilton Bulldogs)

Defenceman of the Month:
December – Noel Hoefenmayer (Ottawa 67’s)
November – Connor Corcoran (Windsor Spitfires)
October – Noel Hoefenmayer (Ottawa 67’s)

Rookie of the Month:
December – Mason McTavish (Peterborough Petes)
November – Shane Wright (Kingston Frontenacs)
October – Mason McTavish (Peterborough Petes)

Goaltender of the Month:
December – Jacob Ingham (Kitchener Rangers)
November – Nico Daws (Guelph Storm)
October – Hunter Jones (Peterborough Petes)

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this: