Matthew Maggio

SPITFIRES’ MAGGIO AWARDED RED TILSON TROPHY AS OHL’S MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER PRESENTED BY KIA

Posted on May 12, 2023 by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that New York Islanders prospect Matthew Maggio of the Windsor Spitfires is the 2022-23 recipient of the Red Tilson Trophy, an award presented annually to the OHL’s Most Outstanding Player during the regular season as voted by the writers and broadcasters that cover the league. The OHL’s Most Outstanding Player Award is presented by Kia.

“As proud partner of the CHL and presenting sponsor of the Memorial Cup, Kia Canada is thrilled to congratulate Matthew Maggio of the Windsor Spitfires, recognized as the OHL’s Most Outstanding Player for the 2022-23 season,” said Michael Kopke, Director of Marketing for Kia Canada. “Matthew’s performance this season has been remarkable and we look forward to seeing where it takes him next.”

Maggio led the OHL with 54 goals and 111 points in 66 games, and gives the Spitfires back-to-back Red Tilson Trophy recipients after current Dallas Stars forward Wyatt Johnston claimed the honour in 2021-22. Maggio helped the Spitfires win their second of back-to-back West Division titles and becomes the first player in OHL history to receive both the Red Tilson Trophy as Most Outstanding Player, while also being voted the league’s Overage Player of the Year.

“I am incredibly honoured and humbled to receive the Red Tilson Trophy,” said Maggio. “I would like to acknowledge the support and contributions of my family, friends, teammates, coaches, management, and ownership with the Windsor Spitfires. I am grateful for their guidance, motivation, and unwavering support throughout the season. I am also honoured to join the esteemed group of past winners and their legacy of excellence in the OHL and the sport of hockey. This award is not only a personal achievement, but a reflection of the team’s success. I would like to thank the OHL and its fans for this recognition, and I am excited to continue working hard to achieve even greater success in the future.”

“Matt was a consistent performer all year,” noted Spitfires General Manager Bill Bowler. “He was valuable to our organization both on and off the ice. This award is a credit to Matt and all his hard work.”

Maggio’s 111 points were 35 more than the next-highest scorer on his team. He was a plus-41 performer, scoring just four of his 54 goals on the power play to become one of four players in the past decade to score at least 45 even strength goals in a season. He led the league with 311 shots on goal and was held pointless in just nine of his 66 games.

“Matt was the hardest worker on the Spitfires this season and played the right way night in night out and got rewarded for it,” said Spitfires Head Coach Marc Savard. “He is a great human being, and it’s great to see. Well deserved.”

A 20-year-old native of Tecumseh, Ont., Maggio wraps-up his OHL career with 99 goals, 118 assists and 217 points over 212 regular season contests spent between Windsor and the Ottawa 67’s, who selected him in the fifth-round (86th overall) of the 2018 OHL Priority Selection. He tied a Spitfires single game franchise record with his five goals on Dec. 15th in a 6-3 win over the Erie Otters, joining Daniel D’Amico, Paul Gagne and Gerry Leroux as the fourth Spitfire to accomplish the feat. The 6-foot, 185Ib. right-winger recorded 17 points (7-10–17) in 25 games last spring as the Spits won a Western Conference title and reached Game 7 of the OHL Championship Series. He was a fifth-round (142nd overall) pick of the New York Islanders in the 2022 NHL Draft, and signed a three-year entry-level NHL contract with the club on May 1, 2023.

Maggio follows Johnston (2021-22) as well as blueliner Ryan Ellis (2010-11), forward Ernie Godden (1980-81) and goaltender Glenn Hall (1950-51) as the fifth Spitfire to earn the Red Tilson Trophy. Recent winners have included Marco Rossi (Ottawa 2020), Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Sudbury 2019), Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia 2018) and Alex DeBrincat (Erie 2017).

The Red Tilson Trophy is the most prestigious individual award presented by the Ontario Hockey League. First presented in 1945, the trophy is named in honour of Albert “Red” Tilson, who was killed in action in Europe during World War II. Tilson was the OHA scoring champion for the 1942-43 season after scoring 19 goals and 38 assists for 57 points in 22 games with the Oshawa Generals.

Accredited media were asked to select their top choice from a ballot consisting of 20 team-nominated representatives. Maggio emerged as the front-runner, receiving 45 percent of the vote ahead of Barrie Colts defenceman Brandt Clarke, who received 23 percent. Sarnia Sting forward Ty Voit placed third, earning 11 percent of the vote.

The Red Tilson Trophy winner is the OHL’s nominee for the Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year Award, presented at the CHL Awards Ceremony on Saturday, June 3 during the 2023 Memorial Cup presented by Kia which takes place in Kamloops, British Columbia. Maggio will be formally presented with the Red Tilson Trophy at the OHL’s Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, June 14 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

For a complete list of award winners, visit ontariohockeyleague.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.

SPITFIRES’ MAGGIO AWARDED LEO LALONDE MEMORIAL TROPHY AS OVERAGE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Posted on April 14, 2023 by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Windsor Spitfires forward Matthew Maggio is the 2022-23 recipient of the Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy awarded to the League’s Overage Player of the Year as voted by OHL General Managers.

The 20-year-old from nearby Tecumseh, Ont. led the OHL with 111 points and 54 goals, joining current Spitfires GM Bill Bowler (1994-95) as just the second player in Spitfires franchise history to be named OHL Overage Player of the Year.

“I feel very privileged to win this award,” said Maggio. “Playing in the OHL for the last five years has been the best time of my life and I’ve been lucky enough to play with some incredible players throughout this journey. I want to say thank you to the Ottawa 67’s and Windsor Spitfires, and everything they have done to help develop me into the player I am today. I’d like to thank my family, friends, coaching staff and my faith for helping to guide me along the way. Most of all I want to thank my teammates because without them this would not have been possible.”

Maggio, who was held pointless in just nine of his 66 games this past season, finished as the front-runner for the award, with Ottawa 67’s forward Logan Morrison coming in as the runner-up.

“Matt has been an elite performer all season,” said Spitfires General Manager Bill Bowler. “He has the ability to produce offence at top speed and we got to witness that consistency every time he was on the ice.”

A fifth-round pick by the New York Islanders last summer, Maggio wraps-up his OHL career with 99 goals, 118 assists and 217 points over 212 regular season contests spent between Windsor and the Ottawa 67’s, who selected him in the fifth-round (86th overall) of the 2018 OHL Priority Selection. Maggio recorded 17 points (7-10–17) in 25 games last spring as the Spits won a Western Conference title and reached Game 7 of the OHL Championship Series.

Maggio recorded an assist with the AHL’s Bridgeport Islanders in his professional debut on Wednesday night.

The Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the Top Overage Player of the Year as selected by OHL General Managers. Teams were asked to submit a nominee for the award and were not permitted to vote for players from their own hockey club.

First presented in 1984, the Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy was donated by the trainers of the Ontario Hockey League, in memory of the late Leo Lalonde, former Chief Scout of OHL Central Scouting. Leo Lalonde was also formerly the Chief Scout for the Belleville Bulls as well as a scout for the Peterborough Petes.

Maggio is added to a list of other recent recipients of the award that includes Brandon Coe of the North Bay Battalion in 2021-22, Austen Keating of the Ottawa 67’s in 2019-20 and Justin Brazeau of the North Bay Battalion in 2018-19.

2022-23 OHL Awards announcements continue next week when the League recognizes its Matt Leyden Trophy recipient as Coach of the Year.

For an extensive history of OHL award winners, visit ontariohockeyleague.com.

SPITFIRES’ MAGGIO CLAIMS EDDIE POWERS MEMORIAL TROPHY AS OHL’S TOP SCORER

Posted on April 12, 2023 by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League is pleased to formally recognize Windsor Spitfires forward Matthew Maggio with the OHL Top Scorer Award presented by Kubota Canada. Maggio claims the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy with a league-leading 111 points, including an OHL-high 54 goals over 66 games for the West Division champion Spitfires.

A 20-year-old from Tecumseh, Ont., Maggio follows former teammate Wyatt Johnston as the OHL’s regular season scoring champion, making the Spitfires the first team to produce back-to-back winners since the Erie Otters had Connor Brown (2014) and Dylan Strome (2015) lead the league.

“It’s an honour to win the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy,” said Maggio. “I am humbled to be in the same conversation as some of the previous winners and know that none of this would have been possible without the help of my teammates, the support staff in Windsor, my family and friends, and the fan support our team received all year.”

A fifth-round pick of the New York Islanders last summer, Maggio’s 111 points were 35 more than the next-highest scorer on his team. He was a plus-41 performer, scoring just four of his 54 goals on the power play to become one of four players in the past decade to score at least 45 even strength goals in a season.

“Matt had an unbelievable season and never took any nights off,” said Spitfires head coach Marc Savard, a two-time winner of the award. “When he’s your hardest worker night in and night out it generally pays off. All results he got were earned. I’m very proud to see him join the list of Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy winners.”

Maggio tied a Spitfires single game franchise record with his five goals on Dec. 15th in a 6-3 win over the Erie Otters, joining Daniel D’Amico, Paul Gagne and Gerry Leroux as the fourth Spitfire to accomplish the feat. He follows Wyatt Johnston in becoming the fourth player in modern Spitfires franchise history to claim the honour. Other recipients have included Taylor Hall (2009-10) and Peter Sarno (1997-98) while Earl Reibel (1949-50) and Bert Giesebrecht (1948-49) also have their names etched on the trophy.

The overage Maggio wraps-up his OHL regular season career with 99 goals, 118 assists and 217 points over 212 contests spent between Windsor and the Ottawa 67’s, who selected him in the fifth round (86th overall) of the 2018 OHL Priority Selection. Maggio recorded 17 points (7-10–17) in 25 games last spring as the Spits won a Western Conference title and reached Game 7 of the OHL Championship Series.

The Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy was donated by the Toronto Marlboro Athletic Club in memory of Eddie Powers and was first awarded in 1945-46 to Tod Sloan of St. Michael’s who scored 79 points in 25 games. In addition to Wyatt Johnston, other recent recipients have included Marco Rossi of the Ottawa 67’s in 2019-20, high-scoring present-day Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson of the Niagara IceDogs in 2018-19, along with former Spitfire Aaron Luchuk, who claimed the honour as a member of the Barrie Colts in 2017-18.

The Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy winner is the OHL’s nominee for Canadian Hockey League Top Scorer Award, presented at the CHL Awards Ceremony on Saturday June 3 during the 2023 Memorial Cup presented by Kia which takes place in Kamloops, British Columbia. Maggio will be formally presented with the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy at the OHL’s Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, June 14 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

For an extensive history of OHL award winners, visit ontariohockeyleague.com.

OHL ANNOUNCES 2022-23 REGULAR SEASON AWARD WINNERS

Posted on March 27, 2023 by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced recipients of the League’s annual regular season awards.

Hamilton Spectator Trophy (Best Record During the Regular Season) – Ottawa 67’s
The Ottawa 67’s set new franchise records on the final weekend of the season, finishing with 51 wins and 107 points atop the OHL standings.

The Hamilton Spectator Trophy is their sixth, following past regular season titles in 2020, 2019, 1997, 1982 and 1978.

The 51-12-3-2 67’s finished-out the season surrendering a League-low 171 goals while boasting the OHL’s best home record, going 29-4-0-1 at TD Place. Defending OHL Playoff MVP Logan Morrison led the club in scoring, recording 94 points (40-54–94) over 56 games.

The Hamilton Spectator Trophy was first presented to the Ontario Hockey Association in the 1957-58 season. Winners have gone on to capture the OHL championship 25 times and the Memorial Cup 11 times. The Hamilton Bulldogs were both J. Ross Robertson Cup champions as well as Hamilton Spectator Trophy recipients in 2021-22. Prior to that, the 2017 Erie Otters hoisted the Robertson Cup following their second straight regular season title while the 2009 Windsor Spitfires were the last OHL club to complete the trifecta, emerging as Memorial Cup champions.

The 67’s are in pursuit of their fourth OHL championship after recently coming in as finalists in 2019. They last hoisted the J. Ross Robertson Cup in 2001 and are two-time Memorial Cup champions, capturing CHL supremacy in both 1984 and 1999.

Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy (Top Scorer) & Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy (Top Scoring Right Winger) – Matthew Maggio, Windsor Spitfires
For the second straight year, a Windsor Spitfires player is taking home the Eddie Powers Trophy, receiving the OHL’s Top Scorer Award presented by Kubota Canada. As the OHL’s top-scoring right winger, Maggio also earns the Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy.

New York Islanders prospect Matthew Maggio paced the OHL with 111 points including a League-leading 54 goals along with 57 assists in 66 games. Maggio was a plus-41 performer, scoring just four of his 54 goals on the power play to become one of four players in the past decade to score at least 45 even strength goals in a season.

Maggio tied a Spitfires single game franchise record with his five goals on Dec. 15th in a 6-3 win over the Erie Otters, joining Daniel D’Amico, Paul Gagne and Gerry Leroux as the fourth Spitfire to accomplish the feat. He follows last year’s Eddie Powers Trophy recipient, former teammate Wyatt Johnston in becoming the fourth player in modern Spitfires franchise history to claim the honour. Other recipients have included Taylor Hall (2009-10) and Peter Sarno (1997-98) while Earl Reibel (1949-50) and Bert Giesebrecht (1948-49) also have their names etched on the trophy.

A fifth round (142nd overall) pick by the New York Islanders last summer, the overage Maggio wraps-up his OHL regular season career with 99 goals, 118 assists and 217 points over 212 contests spent between Windsor and the Ottawa 67’s, who selected him in the fifth round (86th overall) of the 2018 OHL Priority Selection. Maggio recorded 17 points (7-10–17) in 25 games last spring as the Spits won a Western Conference title and reached Game 7 of the OHL Championship Series.

The Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy was donated by the Toronto Marlboro Athletic Club in memory of Eddie Powers and was first awarded in 1945-46 to Tod Sloan of St. Michael’s who scored 79 points in 25 games. In addition to Johnston, other recent recipients have included Marco Rossi of the Ottawa 67’s in 2019-20, high-scoring present-day Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson of the Niagara IceDogs in 2018-19, along with former Spitfire Aaron Luchuk, who claimed the honour as a member of the Barrie Colts in 2017-18.

Additionally, Maggio is the first Windsor Spitfires player to ever win the Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy as the OHL’s top scoring right-winger.

The Jim Mahon Trophy was first presented following the 1971-72 season by the players and management of the Peterborough Petes in memory of their right winger Jim Mahon who was accidentally killed that summer. Recent recipients have included Lucas Edmonds of the Kingston Frontenacs in 2021-22, Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs in 2019-20, Justin Brazeau of the North Bay Battalion in 2018-19 and Jordan Kyrou of the Sarnia Sting in 2017-18.

Dave Pinkney Trophy (Lowest Team Goals-Against) – Max Donoso and Collin MacKenzie, Ottawa 67’s
The Ottawa 67’s surrendered a League-low 171 goals over their 68-game schedule during a season that resulted in a franchise record 51 wins and 107 points. They were backstopped by the goaltending duo of Max Donoso and Collin MacKenzie, who earn the Dave Pinkney Trophy in 2022-23.

Donoso and MacKenzie helped the 67’s earn their sixth Hamilton Spectator Trophy in franchise history as the club allowed just over 2.5 goals-per-game.

Donoso played in 47 of Ottawa’s 68 games, recording the eighth 30+ win season by a goaltender in 67’s franchise history as he boasted a record of 30-10-0-2 with a 2.72 goals-against average and .898 save percentage with two shutouts. The native of Windsor, Ont. was a fifth round (98th overall) pick by the 67’s in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection and owns a career record of 41-19-1-7 with a 2.75 goals-against average, .901 save percentage and three shutouts in 74 regular season games.

MacKenzie continued a tremendous start to his OHL career to open the season, carrying over a 4-0 record from 2021-22 to win his first 10 consecutive decisions, the most by a goaltender in the past 25 years of OHL history. He also set a new OHL record on Oct. 21st in Sault Ste. Marie when he made 15 consecutive shootout saves in a 2-1 victory over the Greyhounds. The 18-year-old from Elora, Ont. posted an impressive 1.88 goals-against average, .928 save percentage and a record of 21-2-3-0 in 30 games. The former eighth round (160th overall) pick by Ottawa in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection is a career 25-2-3-0 over 38 regular season games.

This marks the eighth time the 67’s have led the League with the fewest goals-against. Past 67’s goaltenders with their names engraved on the trophy include Cedrick Andree and Will Cranley (2019-20), Cedrick Andree and Michael DiPietro (2018-19), Craig Hillier and Seamus Kotyk (1997-98), Tim Keyes and Craig Hillier (1996-97), Darren Pang and Greg Coram (1983-84), Jim Ralph (1980-81) and Michel “Bunny” Larocque (1971-72).

F.W. “Dinty” Moore Trophy (Besst Rookie Goals-Against Average): Zach Bowen, London Knights
Zach Bowen of the London Knights is the recipient of the F.W. “Dinty” Moore Trophy, leading all qualified rookie netminders with a 3.10 goals-against average.

An 18-year-old from Kanata, Ont., Bowen played to a mark of 17-4-0-0, with an .899 save percentage and one shutout over 26 contests. He went on a run of 15 consecutive wins between Nov. 12th and Feb. 18th, the second-longest such streak in the past 25 years of OHL history. Bowen was London’s fourth round (77th overall) pick in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection last season after going undrafted in 2021.

Bowen follows current goaltending partner Brett Brochu, who won the Dinty Moore Trophy in 2019-20. Other Knights recipients have included Jordan Kooy in 2017-18, Ryan MacDonald in 2003-04, Sean Basilio in 1989-90 and Barry Heard in 1976-77.

The trophy is named after F.W. “Dinty” Moore of Port Colborne, Ont., who served as OHA President from 1942-45. In order to qualify for this rookie award, a goaltender must play a minimum of 900 minutes. Last year’s winner was Domenic DiVincentiis of the North Bay Battalion.

For a look at the history of the Ontario Hockey League’s award recipients, click here

OHL ANNOUNCES TOP PERFORMERS OF THE MONTH FOR FEBRUARY

Posted on March 1, 2023 by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the Top OHL Performers of the Month for regular season games played in February 2023, including Windsor Spitfires forward Matthew Maggio, Barrie Colts defenceman Brandt Clarke, Ottawa 67’s goaltender Collin MacKenzie and Sudbury Wolves rookie netminder Nate Krawchuk.

OHL Player of the Month – Matthew Maggio (Windsor Spitfires):
New York Islanders prospect Matthew Maggio of the Windsor Spitfires is the OHL Player of the Month for February, producing 11 goals, 15 assists and 26 points in 12 games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-12. Maggio guided his team to a February mark of 9-2-1-0, registering points in nine of his 12 outings, seven of those yielding multiple points. The 6-foot, 185 Ib. forward started the month with back-to-back two-goal, three-point outings in home victories over Sault Ste. Marie and Hamilton. He then logged a goal and four assists (1-4–5) on Feb. 5th as the Spitfires defeated the Owen Sound Attack 8-1.Maggio’s scoring ways continued on Feb. 16th with another multi-point showing, recording a goal and three helpers (1-3–4) in a 6-5 overtime win over the Flint Firebirds.He closed out the month with another four-point night on Feb. 26th with a pair of goals and assists (2-2–4) to earn first star honours while recording his 200th career point as the Spitfires defeated the Kingston Frontenacs in an 8-4 road win.

A 20-year-old from nearby Tecumseh, Ont., Maggio leads the OHL with 46 goals and 94 points (46–48-94) on the season. Of Maggio’s 46 goals, just three have come on the power play. He helped the Spitfires win a Western Conference title last spring, following-up a 38-goal regular season with 17 points (7-10–17) in 25 playoff contests before being selected by the New York Islanders in the fifth round (142nd overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft. Maggio was originally Ottawa’s fifth round (86th overall) pick in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection from the Sun County Panthers U16 program.

OHL Defenceman of the Month – Brandt Clarke (Barrie Colts):
Los Angeles Kings prospect Brandt Clarke of the Barrie Colts is the OHL Defenceman of the Month for the second straight month, recording two goals, 17 assists and 19 points in 13 games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-12. Clarke helped the Colts play to a February record of 9-2-2-0, finishing the month with four consecutive victories. His month included points in 10 of his 13 contests, including eight multi-point showings. Clarke recorded a pair of assists, including the overtime winner on Feb. 5th as the Colts defeated the Sudbury Wolves 2-1. The 6-foot-2, 188lb. blueliner went on to register three assists on Feb. 20th against Kingston, as the Colts blanked the Frontenacs 4-0. Clarke made Colts franchise history to close out the month, surpassing Luch Nasato as the club’s all-time top-scoring defenceman with a goal and an assist in a 9-4 win over the Niagara IceDogs on Feb. 26th. He wrapped up February on a seven-game point streak. This mark’s Clarke’s third career OHL Defenceman of the Month honour after he was previously recognized in January.

A 20-year-old from Nepean, Ont., Clarke has produced career totals that include 29 goals, 107 assists and a franchise record 136 points by a blueliner in 134 regular season games. Now in his third season with the Colts, Clarke was voted to the League’s second all-star team in 2021-22, recording 59 points (11-48–59) in 55 games. The blueliner was Barrie’s first round (4th overall) pick in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection from the Don Mills Flyers U16 program. He was a first round (8th overall) pick of the Los Angeles Kings in the 2021 NHL Draft, and signed a three-year entry level NHL contract with the club on Aug. 10, 2021. He played in nine games with Los Angeles earlier this season, recording two assists in the process, and was a Canadian World Junior gold medalist this past January.

OHL Goaltender of the Month – Collin MacKenzie (Ottawa 67’s):
Draft-eligible Ottawa 67’s netminder Collin MacKenzie is the OHL Goaltender of the Month for February, playing to a record of 4-0-1-0 with a 1.45 goals-against average and .950 save percentage over six appearances. MacKenzie opened the month of February by stopping 30 of 31 shots on the road in Saginaw as the 67’s defeated the Spirit 5-1 on Feb. 4th. MacKenzie entered a game on Feb. 9th against the Gatineau Olympiques, stopping all six shots he faced before turning aside 14 of 15 in a win over the Niagara IceDogs on Feb. 10th. Other highlights in February included a 40-save, first star performance on Feb. 16th in Peterborough as the 67’s defeated the Petes 3-2. MacKenzie helped the 67’s defeat the West Division-leading Windsor Spitfires on Feb. 24th, making 28 saves in a 6-1 outcome. He becomes the first 67’s netminder to earn OHL Goaltender of the Month honours since Cedrick Andree, who last did so in January 2019.

An 18-year-old from Elora, Ont., MacKenzie is 14-2-3-0 on the season with a 1.90 goals-against average, .928 save percentage and one shutout over 22 games. MacKenzie won his first 10 consecutive OHL decisions after going 4-0-0-0 in an abbreviated campaign with Ottawa last season. He penciled himself into the OHL record books on Oct. 21st in Sault Ste. Marie, making 15 consecutive shootout saves in a 2-1 victory over the Greyhounds. Ottawa’s eighth round (160th overall) pick in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection, MacKenzie is a graduate of the Waterloo Wolves U16 and U18 programs.

OHL Rookie of the Month –Nate Krawchuk (Sudbury Wolves):
Sudbury Wolves netminder Nate Krawchuk is the OHL Rookie of the Month for February, playing to a 5-1-1-0 record with a 2.50 goals-against average and .912 save percentage with one shutout. Krawchuk made 197 saves in February, winning five of his eight outings for the Wolves. He stopped all 21 shots that came his way on Feb. 3rd to earn his first OHL career shutout as the Wolves blanked the Mississauga Steelheads 4-0. He turned aside 28 of the 30 shots he faced on Feb. 5th to earn first star honours as the Wolves came up short in overtime against the Barrie Colts. Krawchuk closed out February with back-to-back road wins, making 26 saves in a 5-2 triumph over the Niagara IceDogs on Feb. 24th before blocking 38 of the 42 shots he faced in a 5-4 win over the Erie Otters on Feb. 25th.

A 17-year-old from Thunder Bay, Ont., Krawchuk owns a 10-6-1-0 record with a 3.13 goals-against average and .897 save percentage in his first 20 games with the Wolves this season. The 6-foot-1, 153Ib. netminder was Sudbury’s first round (3rd overall) pick in the 2022 OHL Under-18 Priority Selection from the Thunder Bay Kings U18 program.

2022-23 OHL Performers of the Month:

Player of the Month:
February – Matthew Maggio (Windsor Spitfires)
January – Colby Barlow (Owen Sound Attack)
December – Francesco Pinelli (Kitchener Rangers)
November – Sean McGurn (London Knights)
October – Brennan Othmann (Flint Firebirds)

Defenceman of the Month:
February – Brandt Clarke (Barrie Colts)
January – Brandt Clarke (Barrie Colts)
December – Pavel Mintyukov (Saginaw Spirit)
November – Pavel Mintyukov (Saginaw Spirit)
October – Pavel Mintyukov (Saginaw Spirit)

Goaltender of the Month:
February – Collin MacKenzie (Ottawa 67’s)
January – Domenic DiVincentiis (North Bay Battalion)
December – Anson Thornton (Barrie Colts)
November – Tristan Lennox (Saginaw Spirit)
October – Michael Simpson (Peterborough Petes)

Rookie of the Month:
February – Nate Krawchuk (Sudbury Wolves)
January – Liam Greentree (Windsor Spitfires)
December – Zayne Parekh (Saginaw Spirit)
November – Oliver Bonk (London Knights)
October – Michael Misa (Saginaw Spirit)

MAGGIO AND KRAWCHUK NAMED OHL TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK

Posted on February 6, 2023 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, February 5, 2023.

Spitfires’ Matthew Maggio Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

New York Islanders prospect Matthew Maggio of the Windsor Spitfires is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week for the second time this season, recording five goals, six assists and 11 points in three games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-10.

Leading the Spitfires to a perfect 3-0 showing last week, Maggio got things started with a pair of goals and an assist as Windsor defeated the Soo Greyhounds 7-4 on Thursday. Maggio’s success continued on Saturday with another three-point showing (2-1–3) in a 6-3 win over the Hamilton Bulldogs. Maggio extended his point streak to 12 games on Sunday, recording a goal and four assists as the Spitfires closed out the weekend with a high-scoring 8-1 win over the Owen Sound Attack. His performance on Sunday saw him reach the 100 career assist plateau, giving him 185 points (85-100–185) in 192 regular season games.

A 20-year-old native of Tecumseh, Ont., Maggio leads the OHL with 40 goals, 39 assists and 79 points (40-39–79) in 46 games this season. Helping Windsor win a Western Conference title, Maggio was a fifth round (142nd overall) pick of the New York Islanders this past summer following 38 goals, 47 assists and 85 points in 66 regular season games in 2021-22. The 6-foot, 185lb. forward was originally Ottawa’s fifth round (86th overall) pick in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection from the Sun County Panthers U16 program.

Also given consideration for the award this week were Anaheim Ducks prospect Sasha Pastujov of the Sarnia Sting, who recorded two goals and seven assists in three games. Draft eligible defenceman Tristan Bertucci of the Flint Firebirds was also a standout, recording three goals and four helpers (3-4–7) over three games.

2022-23 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Jan. 30 – Feb. 5: Matthew Maggio (Windsor Spitfires)
Jan. 23 – Jan. 29: Sahil Panwar (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Jan. 16 – Jan. 22: James Hardie (Mississauga Steelheads)
Jan. 9 – Jan. 15: Colby Barlow (Owen Sound Attack)
Jan. 2 – Jan. 8: Bryce McConnell-Barker (Soo Greyhounds)
Dec. 26 – Jan. 1: Connor Lockhart (Peterborough Petes)
Dec. 12 – Dec. 18: Evan Vierling (Barrie Colts)
Dec. 5 – Dec. 11: Ryan Gagnier (Oshawa Generals)
Nov. 28 – Dec. 4: Quentin Musty (Sudbury Wolves)
Nov. 21 – Nov. 27: Jorian Donovan (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Nov. 14 – Nov. 20: Matthew Poitras (Guelph Storm)
Nov. 7 – Nov. 13: Brody Crane (London Knights)
Oct. 31 – Nov. 6: Matvey Petrov (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 24 – Oct. 30: Deni Goure (Owen Sound Attack)
Oct. 17 – Oct. 23: Owen Beck (Mississauga Steelheads)
Oct. 10 – Oct. 16: Matthew Maggio (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 3 – Oct. 9: Pavel Mintyukov (Saginaw Spirit)
Sept. 29 – Oct. 2: Tucker Robertson (Peterborough Petes)

Wolves’ Nate Krawchuk Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Nate Krawchuk of the Sudbury Wolves is the OHL Goaltender of the Week, earning his first career shutout while posting a goals-against average of 0.97 and a save percentage of .961.

Earning first star honours in back-to-back games, Krawchuk stopped 49 of the 51 shots that came his way last week, helping the Wolves earn three of a possible four points. He turned aside all 21 shots he faced to earn his first career OHL shutout on Friday as the Wolves took a 4-0 win over the Mississauga Steelheads. Krawchuk was back between the pipes on Sunday to make his first set of consecutive starts this season, blocking 28 of the 30 shots that came his way as Sudbury fell to the Barrie Colts 2-1 in overtime.

A 17-year-old from Thunder Bay, Ont., Krawchuk owns a 6-5-1-0 record with a 3.16 goals-against average and .896 save percentage in his first 14 games with the Wolves this season. The 6-foot-1, 153Ib. netminder was Sudbury’s first round (3rd overall) pick in the 2022 OHL Under-18 Priority Selection from the Thunder Bay Kings U18 program.

A pair of other candidates were given consideration for the award as Arizona Coyotes prospect Anson Thornton of the Barrie Colts went 2-0-1-0, posting a 1.77 goals-against average and .939 save percentage. Reigning OHL Goaltender of the Week Jacob Oster of the Oshawa Generals was also a standout, recording a 2.04 goals-against average and .944 save percentage along with his third shutout of the season.

2022-23 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Jan 30 – Feb. 5: Nate Krawchuk (Sudbury Wolves)
Jan 23 – Jan. 29: Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)
Jan 16 – Jan. 22: Mason Vaccari (Kingston Frontenacs)
Jan 9 – Jan. 15: Matteo Drobac (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Jan. 2 – Jan. 8: Max Donoso (Ottawa 67’s)
Dec. 26 – Jan. 1: Michael Simpson (Peterborough Petes)
Dec. 12 – Dec. 18: Marco Costantini (Kitchener Rangers)
Dec. 5 – Dec. 11: Owen Flores (Niagara IceDogs)
Nov. 28 – Dec. 4: Dom DiVincentiis (North Bay Battalion)
Nov. 21 – Nov. 27: Brett Brochu (London Knights)
Nov. 14 – Nov. 20: Michael Simpson (Peterborough Petes)
Nov. 7 – Nov. 13: Joe Ranger (Sudbury Wolves)
Oct. 31 – Nov. 6: Tristan Lennox (Saginaw Spirit)
Oct. 24 – Oct. 30: Carter George (Owen Sound Attack)
Oct. 17 – Oct. 23: Collin MacKenzie (Ottawa 67’s)
Oct. 10 – Oct. 16: Ivan Zhigalov (Kingston Frontenacs)
Oct. 3 – Oct. 9: Alessio Beglieri (Mississauga Steelheads)
Sept. 29 – Oct. 2: Ben Gaudreau (Sarnia Sting)

COSTANTINI AND VIERLING NAMED OHL TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK

Posted on December 19, 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, December 18, 2022.

Colts’ Evan Vierling Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

Evan Vierling of the Barrie Colts is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, posting five goals, five assists and 10 points as the Colts won three of four contests last week.

Vierling started his week off strong on Tuesday, recording a goal and five assists as the Colts defeated the visiting Sudbury Wolves 7-5. He found the scoresheet again on Friday in Guelph, helping the Colts defeat the Storm 3-2 in overtime. Vierling’s second multi-goal effort of the season came Saturday at home to North Bay as his second of the game was the deciding marker coming 2:34 into the third period. Vierling’s was the game’s first star, finishing with two goals and an assist. He helped the Colts earn a point on Sunday in North Bay, extending his goal-scoring streak to six games with a tally in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Battalion.

A 20-year-old from Aurora, Ont., Vierling leads the Colts with 38 points including 15 goals and 23 assists in 24 games. The former fifth round NHL Draft pick by the New York Rangers in 2020 has recorded 156 points (55-101–156) in 182 career OHL regular season games between Flint and Barrie after being chosen second overall by the Firebirds in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection. Vierling attended training camp with the Columbus Blue Jackets this past September.

Also considered for the award this week, Kitchener Rangers captain Francesco Pinelli scored twice and added six assists in a pair of victories. Windsor Spitfires captain Matthew Maggio was also productive, with a total of six goals on the week including a five-goal effort on Thursday night against the Erie Otters.

2022-23 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Dec. 12 – Dec. 18: Evan Vierling (Barrie Colts)
Dec. 5 – Dec. 11: Ryan Gagnier (Oshawa Generals)
Nov. 28 – Dec. 4: Quentin Musty (Sudbury Wolves)
Nov. 21 – Nov. 27: Jorian Donovan (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Nov. 14 – Nov. 20: Matthew Poitras (Guelph Storm)
Nov. 7 – Nov. 13: Brody Crane (London Knights)
Oct. 31 – Nov. 6: Matvey Petrov (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 24 – Oct. 30: Deni Goure (Owen Sound Attack)
Oct. 17 – Oct. 23: Owen Beck (Mississauga Steelheads)
Oct. 10 – Oct. 16: Matthew Maggio (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 3 – Oct. 9: Pavel Mintyukov (Saginaw Spirit)
Sept. 29 – Oct. 2: Tucker Robertson (Peterborough Petes)

Rangers’ Marco Costantini Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Marco Costantini of the Kitchener Rangers is the OHL Goaltender of the Week, going 2-0 with a shutout, a 0.50 goals-against average and a .981 save percentage as the Rangers enter the holiday break on a six-game winning streak.

Costantini was in the crease for Kitchener’s 9-0 Friday night win over the visiting Soo Greyhounds as he turned aside 22 shots for his second shutout of the season and eighth of his OHL career. He turned aside 30 shots on Sunday afternoon in Mississauga, sending the Rangers into the break with a first star performance in a 5-1 win over the Steelheads.

A 20-year-old from Hamilton, Ont., Costantini owns an overall record of 11-8-0-0 with a 3.16 goals-against average and .902 save percentage in 20 games between Kitchener and Hamilton this season. Last year’s runner-up in OHL Goaltender of the Year voting, Costantini hoisted the J. Ross Robertson Cup as an OHL champion with the Hamilton Bulldogs and owns career regular season totals that include a record of 52-32-8-2 with a 3.15 goals-against average, .898 save percentage and eight shutouts in 99 games. He was 16-2-1-0 in the 2022 OHL Playoffs with a 2.29 goals-against average, .913 save percentage and three shutouts. Originally Hamilton’s fifth round (95th overall) pick in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection, Costantini attended rookie camp with the Toronto Maple Leafs this past September.

Also considered for the award this week, Sarnia Sting netminder Nicholas Surzycia posted a 2.00 goals-against average and .927 save percentage in wins over Erie and Flint.

2022-23 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Dec. 12 – Dec. 18: Marco Costantini (Kitchener Rangers)
Dec. 5 – Dec. 11: Owen Flores (Niagara IceDogs)
Nov. 28 – Dec. 4: Dom DiVincentiis (North Bay Battalion)
Nov. 21 – Nov. 27: Brett Brochu (London Knights)
Nov. 14 – Nov. 20: Michael Simpson (Peterborough Petes)
Nov. 7 – Nov. 13: Joe Ranger (Sudbury Wolves)
Oct. 31 – Nov. 6: Tristan Lennox (Saginaw Spirit)
Oct. 24 – Oct. 30: Carter George (Owen Sound Attack)
Oct. 17 – Oct. 23: Collin MacKenzie (Ottawa 67’s)
Oct. 10 – Oct. 16: Ivan Zhigalov (Kingston Frontenacs)
Oct. 3 – Oct. 9: Alessio Beglieri (Mississauga Steelheads)
Sept. 29 – Oct. 2: Ben Gaudreau (Sarnia Sting)

FLORES AND GAGNIER NAMED OHL TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK

Posted on December 12, 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, December 11, 2022.

Generals’ Ryan Gagnier Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

Ryan Gagnier of the Oshawa Generals is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording two goals, six assists and eight points in three games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-6.

Helping the Generals extend their winning streak to five with three more victories this week, Gagnier got things started with a goal and three assists on Tuesday as Oshawa defeated the London Knights 5-3 at Budweiser Gardens on Tuesday. He picked up an assist on Friday as the Generals defeated the visiting Soo Greyhounds 7-2. Gagnier contributed another goal, two helpers and the shootout winner in Oshawa’s annual Teddy Bear Toss game on Sunday, fueling a 4-3 victory over the Barrie Colts.

A 20-year-old native of Tecumseh, Ont., Gagnier has produced nine goals, 19 assists and 28 points in 29 games this season, winning 57 percent of his 516 faceoff attempts in the process. The former third round (50th overall) pick by the Generals in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection has registered 31 goals, 41 assists and 72 points in 150 career regular season games as he continues his fourth season in Oshawa.

Also given consideration for the award this week were New York Islanders prospect Matthew Maggio of the Windsor Spitfires who recorded four goals and four assists (4-4-8) over three games, along with a plus/minus rating of plus-5. Minnesota Wild prospect Hunter Haight of the Saginaw Spirit was also a standout, registering three goal and five helpers (3-5-8) in four games.

2022-23 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Dec. 5 – Dec. 11: Ryan Gagnier (Oshawa Generals)
Nov. 28 – Dec. 4: Quentin Musty (Sudbury Wolves)
Nov. 21 – Nov. 27: Jorian Donovan (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Nov. 14 – Nov. 20: Matthew Poitras (Guelph Storm)
Nov. 7 – Nov. 13: Brody Crane (London Knights)
Oct. 31 – Nov. 6: Matvey Petrov (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 24 – Oct. 30: Deni Goure (Owen Sound Attack)
Oct. 17 – Oct. 23: Owen Beck (Mississauga Steelheads)
Oct. 10 – Oct. 16: Matthew Maggio (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 3 – Oct. 9: Pavel Mintyukov (Saginaw Spirit)
Sept. 29 – Oct. 2: Tucker Robertson (Peterborough Petes)

IceDogs’ Owen Flores Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Owen Flores of the Niagara IceDogs is the OHL Goaltender of the Week with one win and a shootout loss, a goals-against average of 1.44 and save percentage of .963.

Flores stopped 77 of the 81 shots that came his way last week, helping the IceDogs earn three of a possible four points. He turned aside 35 shots on top of two of the three shootout attempts he faced on Thursday as the IceDogs fell to the Kingston Frontenacs 3-2. Flores was back between the pipes on Saturday, backstopping the IceDogs to a 2-1 win over the Mississauga Steelheads where he made 43 saves to earn first star honours.

An 18-year-old from Antioch, Ill., Flores owns a 5-7-2-1 record with a 4.64 goals-against average and .879 save percentage in 18 games with the IceDogs this season. The 6-foot-2, 176Ib. netminder was acquired from the London Knights in September after going 6-8-2-2 with a 3.67 goals-against average and .875 save percentage with the Knights in his rookie season. He was also named to the GOJHL’s Rookie All-Star Team in 2021-22 after playing to a 12-2-0 record with a 2.20 goals-against average and .928 save percentage in 16 games with the London Nationals. Flores was London’s sixth round (114th overall) pick in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection.

A pair of other candidates were given consideration for the award as Kitchener Rangers netminder Marcus Vandenberg went 2-0, recording a 2.00 goals-against average and .953 save percentage in wins over Guelph and Peterborough. Colorado Avalanche prospect Ivan Zhigalov of the Kingston Frontenacs also went 2-0, posting a 1.44 goals-against average and .955 save percentage in road victories over Niagara and Hamilton.

2022-23 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Dec. 5 – Dec. 11: Owen Flores (Niagara IceDogs)
Nov. 28 – Dec. 4: Dom DiVincentiis (North Bay Battalion)
Nov. 21 – Nov. 27: Brett Brochu (London Knights)
Nov. 14 – Nov. 20: Michael Simpson (Peterborough Petes)
Nov. 7 – Nov. 13: Joe Ranger (Sudbury Wolves)
Oct. 31 – Nov. 6: Tristan Lennox (Saginaw Spirit)
Oct. 24 – Oct. 30: Carter George (Owen Sound Attack)
Oct. 17 – Oct. 23: Collin MacKenzie (Ottawa 67’s)
Oct. 10 – Oct. 16: Ivan Zhigalov (Kingston Frontenacs)
Oct. 3 – Oct. 9: Alessio Beglieri (Mississauga Steelheads)
Sept. 29 – Oct. 2: Ben Gaudreau (Sarnia Sting)

MAGGIO AND ZHIGALOV NAMEDOHL TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK

Posted on October 17, 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, October 16, 2022

Spitfires’ Matthew Maggio Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

New York Islanders prospect Matthew Maggio of the Windsor Spitfires is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording three goals, four assists and seven points over three games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-5.

Suiting up at the WFCU Centre for the first time since returning from the New York Islanders, Maggio posted a goal and two assists, setting up Alex Christopoulos’ overtime winner on Thanksgiving Monday as the Spits defeated the Soo Greyhounds 3-2. He proceeded to add two assists in Windsor’s 6-3 road win over the Sarnia Sting on Friday and closed out the weekend with a pair of goals in a 5-4 overtime loss in Owen Sound on Saturday.

A 19-year-old native of Tecumseh, Ont., Maggio has points in all four of his games this season, posting four goals and four assists for eight points. He was a fifth round (142nd overall) pick of the New York Islanders this past summer following 38 goals, 47 assists and 85 points in 66 games last season. Originally selected by the Ottawa 67’s in the fifth round of the 2018 OHL Priority Selection, Maggio is embarking on his fourth OHL season and is one goal shy of 50 on his OHL career.

Also given consideration for the award this week were Owen Sound Attack forward and top 2023 NHL Draft prospect Colby Barlow, who recorded four goals and two assists (4-2-6) including a hat trick and overtime winner in three games last week. Chicago Blackhawks blue line prospect Ethan Del Mastro of the Mississauga Steelheads was also a standout, recording five points (1-4–5) as the Trout went 3-0.

2022-23 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Oct. 10 – Oct. 16: Matthew Maggio (Windsor Spitfires
Oct. 3 – Oct. 9: Pavel Mintyukov (Saginaw Spirit)
Sept. 29 – Oct. 2: Tucker Robertson (Peterborough Petes)

Frontenacs’ Ivan Zhigalov Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Colorado Avalanche prospect Ivan Zhigalov of the Kingston Frontenacs is the OHL Goaltender of the Week with two victories, a 1.50 goals-against average and a .952 save percentage.

Leading Kingston to an undefeated weekend at home, Zhigalov stopped 29 of the 31 shots that came his way as the Fronts won 4-2 against the Hamilton Bulldogs on Friday. The 6-foot-3, 173Ib. goaltender continued to defend the crease against the Guelph Storm on Saturday, blocking 30 of the 31 shots he faced in a 6-1 win.

A 19-year-old from Minsk, Belarus, Zhigalov owns a 3-1-0-1 record with a 1.78 goals-against average and .945 save percentage in five games this season. The seventh round (225th overall) pick of the Colorado Avalanche this past summer spent the 2021-22 season with the QMJHL’s Sherbrooke Phoenix, playing to a 26-9-3 record with a 2.84 goals-against-average and .892 save percentage. He participated in the 2022 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Kitchener, Ont., and was Kingston’s first round (47th overall) pick in the 2022 CHL Import Draft.

A pair of other candidates were given consideration for the award as Sudbury Wolves netminder Joe Ranger went 1-0-0-1 on the weekend, posting a 2.37 goals-against average and .933 save percentage. Kitchener Rangers goaltender Marco Costantini went 1-1-0-0 with his new club, posting a 2.55 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage.

2022-23 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Oct. 10 – Oct. 16: Ivan Zhigalov (Kingston Frontenacs)
Oct. 3 – Oct. 9: Alessio Beglieri (Mississauga Steelheads)
Sept. 29 – Oct. 2: Ben Gaudreau (Sarnia Sting)

A Look at NHL Central Scouting’s Final Draft Ranking

Posted on May 7, 2022May 6, 2022 by Dominic Tiano

So, I am not going to break down NHL Central Scouting’s rankings in its entirety, just those Ontario Hockey League players ranked (or not ranked). After all, this sight is all about the OHL, right?

Let’s begin in the blue paint. One name that we have been pushing on OHL Writers for most of the season is Patrick Leaver of the Oshawa Generals. We selected Leaver as our Draft Eligible Goaltender of the Year at the end of the regular season. Central scouting showed him a lot of love on their final list as Leaver had the highest jump among ranked OHL netminders climbing 13 spots from 29 on the midterm rankings to 16 on the final rankings.

Leaver wasn’t the only netminder with a massive jump. Niagara IceDogs Josh Rosenzweig went from unranked on the midterm list to 22 on the final list.

Of course, when you have risers, they must be accompanied by fallers and the OHL had their share. Brett Brochu of the London Knights dropped 15 spots from 16 to 31. Dom DiVincentiis of the North Bay Battalion dropped 10 spots from 14 to 24.

When it comes to skaters, we have been big fans of Christian Kyrou of the Erie Otters since about the drop of the puck this season. We gave him serious consideration as our Draft Eligible Defenceman of the Year. In the annual OHL Coach’s Poll he was voted the most improved player in the Western Conference and the Most Underrated Player in the Western Conference as well as the second-best Offensive Defenceman in the Western Conference. Among draft eligible defencemen, he finished first in goals, second in points and third in assists. Central Scouting (finally) moved him up a whopping 131 spots from 179 to 48.

But that wasn’t the biggest jump. Matthew Maggio of the Windsor Spitfires jumped 149 spots from being not ranked (there were 251 players ranked on the midterm rankings so we used 252 as Maggio was not ranked) all the way up to 103 on the final rankings. Among draft eligible players, Maggio finished second in goals, assists and points. He was our runner up to Draft Eligible Forward of the Year. In the Coach’s Poll, he finished just ahead of Kyrou as the most improved player in the Western Conference and tied for third as the Hardest Worker in the Western Conference.

But the highest jump belonged to Amadeus Lombardi of the Flint Firebirds who moved up from not being ranked all the way to 94 on the final rankings. I can’t understand how he was not ranked on their midterm ranking, but they got this right.

Another player that deserves mentioning is David Goyette of the Sudbury Wolves who moved up 22 spots from 35 to 13. It’s a massive jump in its own right as that puts Goyette in the bottom third of the first round instead of middle second. And that’s a much-deserved spot for him. He deserves first round consideration.

Two of the biggest fallers are Ruslan Gazizov and Colton Smith, both of the London Knights who dropped from 62 to 149 and 129 to being not ranked respectively. For Comparison’s sake, Bob McKenzie had Gazizov at 15 and Smith as an honorable mention on his midterm rankings (only 80 players were ranked).

I do think that Central Scouting got a couple of Guelph Storm prospects correctly. For most of the season, Matthew Poitras was ranked ahead of Danny Zhilkin on a lot of lists. Poitras was ranked 23 on the midterm rankings and drops to 45 while Zhilkin was ranked 27 and drops to 35. We’re not saying we agree with the overall ranking, but that Zhilkin is rightfully ranked ahead of Poitras and we’ve been saying that for some time.

Vsevolod Gaidamak of the Ottawa 67’s was the highest ranked player on Central Scouting’s midterm rankings to fall off the chart on their final ranking. He went from 121 to being not ranked.

Nice to see a little love for James Hardie of the Mississauga Steelheads who moved up 56 spots from 204 to 148. But we are also surprised to see Tucker Robertson drop 53 spots from 109 to 162.

If you are looking for our final list, it usually comes out after the Memorial Cup. Until then, here is NHL Central Scouting’s rankings with their midterm and final ranking shown:

PLAYER	TEAM	NHL MID	NHL FIN
Shane Wright	Kingston	1	1
Pavel Mintyukov	Saginaw	5	6
Luca Del Bel Belluz	Mississauga	11	8
Owen Beck	Mississauga	19	10
David Goyette	Sudbury	35	13
Matyas Sapovaliv	Saginaw	13	23
Michael Buchinger	Guelph	36	30
Ty Nelson	North Bay	25	32
Bryce McConnell-Barker	Soo	28	34
Danny Zhilkin	Guelph	27	35
Vinzenz Rohrer	Ottawa	46	42
Hunter Haight	Barrie	47	44
Matthew Poitras	Guelph	23	45
Christian Kyrou	Erie	179	48
Paul Ludwinski	Kingston	29	49
Gavin Hayes	Flint	68	51
Isiah George	London	42	53
Servac Petrovsky	Owen Sound	52	58
Cedrick Guindon	Owen Sound	76	59
Jake Karabela	Guelph	61	62
Pano Fimis	Niagara	77	75
Spencer Sova	Erie	28	80
Jorian Donovan	Hamilton	39	81
Evan Konyen	Sudbury	88	85
Beau Jelsma	Barrie	137	88
Amadeus Lombardi	Flint	252	94
Matthew Maggio	Windsor	252	103
Lucas Edmonds	Kingston	107	104
Kiriil Kudryavtsev	Soo	103	108
Liam Arnsby	North Bay	66	115
Rodwin Dionicio	Niagara	132	118
Kocha Delic	Sudbury	200	122
Jackson Edward	London	75	123
Tnias Mathurin	North Bay	152	126
Zakary Lavoie	Mississauga	124	134
Samuel Mayer	Peterborough	120	139
James Hardie	Mississauga	204	148
Ruslan Gazizov	London	62	149
Aidan Castle	Owen Sound	155	151
Brady Stonehouse	Ottawa	138	152
Nolan Collins	Sudbury	252	153
Kyle Jackson	North Bay	182	158
Tucker Robertson	Peterborough	109	162
Gavin Bryant	Owen Sound	160	179
Bryce Cook	Niagara	163	183
Braeden Bowman	Guelph	217	194
Kai Schwindt	Mississauga	252	196
Sam Alfano	Peterborough	190	207
Max Namestnikov	Sarnia	219	211
Landon Sim	London	213	215
Kasper Larsen	Mississauga	252	220
Kirill Steklov	London	196	221
Roberto Mancini	Saginaw	195	222
Caeden Carlisle	Soo	252	223
Vsevolod Gaidamak	Ottawa	121	225
Colton Smith	London	129	225
Stuart Rolofs	Oshawa	142	225
Bryce Cook	Niagara	163	225
Tyler Savard	Soo	183	225
Brody Crane	London	188	225
Ryan Abraham	Windsor	210	225
Nolan Dann	Sarnia	225	225
Simon Slavicek	Flint	LV	225

GOALIES		NHL MID	NHL FIN
Andrew Oke	Saginaw	8	9
Nolan Lalonde	Erie	10	14
Patrick Leaver	Oshawa	29	16
Charlie Schenkel	Soo	12	17
Jacob Oster	Guelph	15	18
Josh Rosenzweig	Niagara	33	22
Domenic DiVincentiis	North Bay	14	24
Marco Costantini	Hamilton	33	29

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