CHL Announces Weekly Award Winners

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Robertson leads the pack, Villalta grabs goalie honours

IceDogs’ Jason Robertson named CHL Player of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that top scorer Jason Robertson of the Niagara IceDogs is the CHL Player of the Week for the final regular season week ending March 17 with 11 points in three games including five goals and six assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-7.

Robertson frequented the scoresheet in all three appearances last week to help the IceDogs close out the season with six straight wins for a 44-17-7-0 record clinching the franchise’s first OHL Central Division title since 2011-12. His week began Thursday with a four-point night against the Mississauga Steelheads scoring a pair of goals including one less than two minutes into the opening frame en route to a 4-2 victory and first-star recognition. Two nights later the Dallas Stars prospect had another four points, including a pair of goals with the game-winner, in a 7-4 decision against the Barrie Colts, and wrapped up the weekend with a goal and two assists in an 8-3 win against the North Bay Battalion, who Niagara now faces in the opening round of the playoffs.

The 19-year-old Michigan native, who was acquired from the Kingston Frontenacs in November, found another offensive gear after arriving in Niagara as he tallied 79 points in just 38 contests, or better than a two-points-per-game pace. In all, Robertson finished the regular season with 48 goals and 69 assists to capture the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy as the Ontario Hockey League’s top scorer. His 117 points also ranked first in the entire CHL.

Also considered for the award this week was Chicoutimi Sagueneens forward Vladislav Kotkov, who recorded five goals and two assists for seven points in three games, as well as forward Connor Zary of the Kamloops Blazers, whose week included five goals and four assists for nine points in four games.

2018-19 CHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Mar. 11 – Mar. 17: Jason Robertson (Niagara IceDogs)

Mar. 4 – Mar. 10: Greg Meireles (Kitchener Rangers)

Feb. 25 – Mar. 3: Nate Schnarr (Guelph Storm)

Feb. 18 – Feb. 24: Brayden Tracey (Moose Jaw Warriors)

Feb. 11 – Feb. 17: Maxime Comtois (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

Feb. 4 – Feb. 10: Alexis Lafreniere (Rimouski Oceanic)

Jan. 28 – Feb. 3: Samuel Asselin (Halifax Mooseheads)

Jan. 21 – Jan. 27: Ethan Crossman (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Jan. 14 – Jan. 20: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

Jan. 7 – Jan. 13: Bowen Byram (Vancouver Giants)

Dec. 31 – Jan. 6: Arthur Kaliyev (Hamilton Bulldogs)

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

Dec. 10 – Dec. 16: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)

Dec. 3 – Dec. 9: Ivan Chekhovich (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Nov. 26 – Dec. 2: Gregor MacLeod (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

Nov. 19 – Nov. 25: Brett Leason (Prince Albert Raiders)

Nov. 12 – Nov. 18: Peter Abbandonato (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)

Nov. 5 – Nov. 11: Jason Robertson (Kingston Frontenacs)

Oct. 29 – Nov. 4: Joachim Blichfeld (Portland Winterhawks)

Oct. 22 – Oct. 28: Ivan Chekhovich (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)

Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Damien Giroux (Saginaw Spirit)

Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Dawson Davidson (Saskatoon Blades)

Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Luka Burzan (Brandon Wheat Kings)

Sept. 19 – Sept. 23: Kirby Dach (Saskatoon Blades)

Greyhounds’ Matthew Villalta named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Matthew Villalta of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the regular season week ending March 17 with a 2-0-0-0 record, a goals-against average of 1.20, and save percentage of .964.

Villalta claims the honour for the first time this season after going undefeated in two games last week in which he stopped a combined 53 shots to help the Greyhounds conclude the 2018-19 regular season with a 44-16-7-1 showing, good for third in the Western Conference and a date with the Owen Sound Attack in the opening round of the playoffs. The Los Angeles Kings prospect began his week with a 33-save performance in a 2-1 overtime victory over the West Division rival Saginaw Spirit. He then followed it up the next night when he turned aside 20 shots en route to a 6-3 win against the London Knights.

Villalta, 19, is competing in his third season with the Greyhounds. Through 51 games this year, the product of Godfrey, Ont., posted a 33-12-5-0 record alongside a 3.03 goals-against average and .903 save percentage.

Also considered for the award this week was Samuel Harvey of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, who went a perfect 2-0-0-0 across two appearances as he picked up wins over the Val-d’Or Foreurs and Blainville-Boisbriand Armada to go with a goals-against average of 2.00 and save percentage of .940. In the WHL, Adam Evanoff of the Moose Jaw Warriors went 2-0-0-0 as he made a combined 52 saves in wins over the Brandon Wheat Kings and Swift Current Broncos for a goals-against average of 1.50 and save percentage of .945.

2018-19 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Mar. 11 – Mar. 17: Matthew Villalta (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

Mar. 4 – Mar. 10: Ian Scott (Prince Albert Raiders)

Feb. 25 – Mar. 3: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)

Feb. 18 – Feb. 24: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)

Feb. 11 – Feb. 17: Joel Hofer (Portland Winterhawks)

Feb. 4 – Feb. 10: Mads Sogaard (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Jan. 28 – Feb. 3: Jet Greaves (Barrie Colts)

Jan. 21 – Jan. 27: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)

Jan. 14 – Jan. 20: Olivier Rodrigue (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

Jan. 7 – Jan. 13: Kevin Mandolese (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)

Dec. 31 – Jan. 6: Ivan Prosvetov (Saginaw Spirit)

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

Dec. 10 – Dec. 16: Mads Sogaard (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Dec. 3 – Dec. 9: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)

Nov. 26 – Dec. 2: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Sudbury Wolves)

Nov. 19 – Nov. 25: Kyle Jessiman (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Nov. 12 – Nov. 18: Ian Scott (Prince Albert Raiders)

Nov. 5 – Nov. 11: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)

Oct. 29 – Nov. 4: Joseph Raaymakers (London Knights)

Oct. 22 – Oct. 28: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)

Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Emile Samson (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)

Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Alexis Gravel (Halifax Mooseheads)

Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Trent Miner (Vancouver Giants)

Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Luke Richardson (Kitchener Rangers)

Sept. 19 – Sept. 23: Hunter Jones (Peterborough Petes)

OHL Writers’ Draft Eligible Player of the Month for October

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

When it comes to draft eligible players from the 2018-2019 Ontario Hockey League season, most of the attention will be focused around Ryan Suzuki of the Barrie Colts and Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs, and rightfully so.

Unless you are the most ardent follower, then a young netminder from the Peterborough Petes being named our draft eligible player of the month may come as a surprise to you. That young netminder is none other than Hunter Jones.

Don’t be fooled by his 6-5-0 record during the month of October. The Petes have suffered through some key injuries and had it not been for Jones, that record could have been worse. In those eleven contests in October, Jones posted a remarkable .939 save percentage.

Goalie #29 Hunter Jones of the Peterborough Petes
Goalie Hunter Jones of the Peterborough Petes. Photo courtesy of OHL Images

As of today, no goaltender has played more minutes then Jones (897) including some seasoned veterans: Jacob Ingham (780), Cedrick Andree (755), Matthew Villalta (719) and Michael DiPietro (641). Jones has also faced more rubber (527) then any other goaltender, 127 more then Ingham and stopped more shots (491), 130 more then Stephen Dhillon of the Niagara Ice Dogs.

Jones currently sits forth in goals against average among goaltenders with four or more starts with a 2.41 goals-against average. He currently sits second in save percentage at .931.

Jones was the OHL goaltender of the week and runner up to the CHL goaltender of the week for the week of October 8-14 – he was both the OHL and CHL goaltender of the week on opening week.

His performance earned him an invitation to participate for Team OHL in the upcoming Canada-Russia Super Series, a precursor to the World Junior Championships.

Also considered were Suzuki, who posted 2 goals and 11 assists in 9 games, Kaliyev and his 7 goals and 4 assists in 11 games and Cole MacKay of the Soo Greyhounds who recorded 2 goals and 10 assists in 11 games.

CHL Announces Weekly Award Winners

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Frost and Skinner honoured as league finals commence 

Greyhounds’ Morgan Frost named CHL Player of the Week 

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Philadelphia Flyers prospect Morgan Frost of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds is the CHL Player of the Week for the playoff week ending May 6 recording seven points in three games including three goals and four assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-1. 

Frost’s week included key contributions in two different playoff rounds for the Greyhounds including a Game 7 victory over the Kitchener Rangers in the OHL’s Western Conference Final plus the opening two games of the Rogers OHL Championship Series against the Hamilton Bulldogs.  In last Monday’s Game 7, Frost scored once and added two assists in regulation before the Greyhounds clinched the series and Western Conference title with a 4-3 triumph in double overtime.  Competing in their first OHL final since 1993, the Greyhounds earned a two-game split with the Bulldogs in a pair of home ice contests last week with Frost contributing an assist in a 4-3 overtime loss in Game 1 on Thursday then a two-goal and one assist performance in Game 2 on Saturday as part of the 4-2 victory.  Frost opened this week with a goal despite a 6-5 loss in Monday’s Game 3.  The series continues Wednesday night for the Robertson Cup with Game 4 action from Hamilton available as part of CHL playoff coverage on Sportsnet One and 360. 

An 18-year-old from Aurora, Ont., Frost is currently tied for third in OHL playoff scoring with 27 points including 10 goals and 17 assists through 21 games.  The fourth round pick of the Greyhounds in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection finished his third campaign in Sault Ste. Marie second overall in regular season scoring with a career-high 112 points in 67 games including 42 goals and 70 assists.  The first round pick of the Flyers in the 2017 NHL Draft previously earned CHL Player of the Week honours for the week ending December 17. 

Also considered for the award this week was Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Alex Barre-Boulet of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada who scored two goals and four assists for six points in three games which included a Game 7 win over the Charlottetown Islanders and the opening two games of the Rogers QMJHL Championship Series against the Acadie-Bathurst Titan for the President Cup.  In the WHL, Matteo Gennaro also scored twice with four assists for six points in three games which included a Game 6 victory over the Lethbridge Hurricanes and the opening two games of the Rogers WHL Championship Series against the Everett Silvertips for the Ed Chynoweth Cup. 

2017-18 CHL Players of the Week – Playoffs:
Apr. 30 – May 6: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Apr. 23 – Apr. 29: Brad Morrison (Lethbridge Hurricanes)
Apr. 16 – Apr. 22: Boris Katchouk (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Apr. 9 – Apr. 15: Jake Bean (Tri-City Americans)
Apr. 2 – Apr. 8: Pascal Aquin (Charlottetown Islanders)
Mar. 26 – Apr. 1: Gabriel Vilardi (Kingston Frontenacs)
Mar. 19 – Mar. 25: Brad Morrison (Lethbridge Hurricanes)

2017-18 CHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:

Mar. 12 – Mar. 18: Dillon Dube (Kelowna Rockets)
Mar. 5 – Mar. 11: Jayden Halbgewachs (Moose Jaw Warriors)
Feb. 26 – Mar. 4: Maxime Comtois (Victoriaville Tigres)
Feb. 19 – Feb. 25: Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia Sting)
Feb. 12 – Feb. 18: Aaron Luchuk (Barrie Colts)
Feb. 5 – Feb. 11: Maxime Comtois (Victoriaville Tigres)
Jan. 29 – Feb. 4: Ty Ronning (Vancouver Giants)
Jan. 22 – Jan. 28: Peter Abbandonato (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)
Jan. 15 – Jan. 21: Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia Sting)
Jan. 8 – Jan. 14: Taylor Raddysh (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Owen Tippett (Mississauga Steelheads)
Dec. 25 – Dec. 31: Ivan Kosorenkov (Victoriaville Tigres)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 17: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Stelio Mattheos (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Alex Barré-Boulet (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Cody Glass (Portland Winterhawks)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Cliff Pu (London Knights)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Aleksi Heponiemi (Swift Current Broncos)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Albert Michnac (Mississauga Steelheads)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Aaron Luchuk (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Drake Batherson (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Tyler Soy (Victoria Royals)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Kale Clague (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Tyler Steenbergen (Swift Current Broncos)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 24: Kole Lind (Kelowna Rockets) 

Broncos’ Stuart Skinner named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week 

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Edmonton Oilers prospect Stuart Skinner of the Swift Current Broncos is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the playoff week ending May 6 after posting a 2-1 record with a goals-against-average of 1.93 and save percentage of .941. 

Skinner earns his second national honour of the post-season after turning aside 96 shots from two different opponents backstopping the Broncos to a six-game series win over the Lethbridge Hurricanes and a two-game series split against the Everett Silvertips in the Rogers WHL Championship Series.  The Broncos captured the WHL’s Eastern Conference Championship last Monday night with a 5-1 victory on the road against the Hurricanes with Skinner stopping 33 of 34 shots faced against his former team.  Competing in their first WHL final since 1993, the Broncos opened at home on Friday night with Skinner making 23 saves despite a 2-1 loss in Game 1 followed by a 40-save performance in a 4-3 overtime victory in Saturday’s Game 2 to even the series.  The scene shifts to Everett for Game 3 of the series on Tuesday night for the Ed Chynoweth Cup. 

A 19-year-old from Edmonton, Alta., Skinner has now played 22 games during the 2018 WHL Playoffs with a 13-9 record that includes a pair of overtime losses.  He has an impressive four shutouts and league-best marks in goals-against-average and save percentage at 2.33 and .927 respectively.  Originally a first round pick by the Hurricanes in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft, Skinner joined the Broncos in January after more than three seasons with Lethbridge.  His regular season numbers with the Broncos included a 16-6-1-1 record, two shutouts, a 2.68 goals-against-average, and a .914 save percentage.  He was chosen by the Oilers in the third round of the 2017 NHL Draft. 

Also considered for the award this week was Rookie Emile Samson of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada also picked up a Game 7 victory last week against the Charlottetown Islanders then posted a win and a loss against the Acadie-Bathurst Titan in the opening two games of the Rogers QMJHL Championship Series for the President Cup making a total of 70 saves for a goals-against-average of 1.67 and save percentage of .933.  In the OHL, Los Angeles Kings prospect Matthew Villalta of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds posted a Game 7 victory over the Kitchener Rangers followed by a win and overtime loss against the Hamilton Bulldogs to open the Rogers OHL Championship Series for the Robertson Cup making 95 saves for a goals-against-average of 2.62 and save percentage of .913.   

2017-18 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week – Playoffs:
Apr. 30 – May 6: Stuart Skinner (Swift Current Broncos)
Apr. 23 – Apr. 29: Evan Fitzpatrick (Acadie-Bathurst Titan)
Apr. 16 – Apr. 22: Émile Samson (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)
Apr. 9 – Apr. 15: Evan Fitzpatrick (Acadie-Bathurst Titan)
Apr. 2 – Apr. 8: Patrick Dea (Tri-City Americans)
Mar. 26 – Apr. 1: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Mar. 19 – Mar. 25: Stuart Skinner (Swift Current Broncos)

2017-18 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:

Mar. 12 – Mar. 18: Patrick Dea (Tri-City Americans)
Mar. 5 – Mar. 11: Etienne Montpetit (Victoriaville Tigres)
Feb. 26 – Mar. 4: Shane Farkas (Portland Winterhawks)
Feb. 19 – Feb. 25: Emanuel Vella (Mississauga Steelheads)
Feb. 12 – Feb. 18: Riley Lamb (Red Deer Rebels)
Feb. 5 – Feb. 11: Brody Willms (Moose Jaw Warriors)
Jan. 29 – Feb. 4: Zachary Bouthillier (Chicoutimi Sagueneens)
Jan. 22 – Jan. 28: Jeremy Helvig (Kingston Frontenacs)
Jan. 15 – Jan. 21: Mario Culina (Kitchener Rangers)
Jan. 8 – Jan. 14: Stuart Skinner (Swift Current Broncos)
Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Samuel Harvey (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)
Dec. 25 – Dec. 31: James Porter (Kelowna Rockets)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 17: Tristan Bérubé (Gatineau Olympiques)
 Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Anthony Morrone (Victoriaville Tigres)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Justin Fazio (Sarnia Sting)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Cole Kehler (Portland Winterhawks)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Samuel Harvey (Rouyn-Noranada Huskies)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Logan Flodell (Swift Current Broncos)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Cole Kehler (Portland Winterhawks)
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Dereck Baribeau (Quebec Remparts)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 24: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)

OHL Announces 2017-18 Regular Season Award Winners

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

OHL Logo

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the recipients of four of the league’s annual awards following the conclusion of the 2017-18 regular season. 

Offensively, Ottawa Senators prospect Aaron Luchuk of the Barrie Colts captured the league’s scoring title earning the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy, while St. Louis Blues prospect Jordan Kyrou is the recipient of the Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy presented to the Top Scoring Right Winger.  The other two awards recognize defensive efforts including the Dave Pinkey Trophy for the goaltending tandem of the team with the fewest goals against won by Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds Matthew Villalta and Tyler Johnson, and the F.W “Dinty” Moore Trophy awarded to Jordan Kooy of the London Knights as the rookie with the best goals-against-average. 

Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy (Scoring Champion): Aaron Luchuk, Barrie Colts 

Aaron Luchuk recorded 50 goals and 65 assists for 115 points in 68 games to lead all OHL players in regular season scoring. 

The 20-year-old from Kingston, Ont., split his season between the Barrie Colts and the Windsor Spitfires where he was originally a fourth round pick in the 2013 OHL Priority Selection and captured a 2017 Mastercard Memorial Cup title.  Since his move to Barrie in December, the overage centre produced 22 goals and 42 assists for 64 points in 38 games as the Colts clinched their third Central Division title in four years.  

Luchuk became the 12th all-time member of the Colts to reach the century mark for points on March 2, and his 50 goals tied for the league lead with teammate Dmitry Sokolov both attaining the milestone mark on March 16 and representing the first pair from the same team to accomplish the feat in the same season since 2005-06 London Knights Rob Schremp and David Bolland. 

Signed to a free agent contract by the Ottawa Senators in December, Luchuk delivered 35 multi-point performances this season, recorded the league’s second longest point-streak at 21 games, and finishes his OHL career with 115 goals and 135 assists for 250 points in 274 regular season games. 

Luchuk becomes the third member of the Colts to win the award following Kevin Labanc in 2015-16 with a club record 127 points in 65 games, and Sheldon Keefe who scored 121 points in 66 games back in the club’s 1999-2000 championship campaign. 

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.  Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters was last year’s recipient with 127 points in 63 games including 65 goals and 62 assists.  Other notable winners include Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin who tied for the league’s scoring title before being chosen first and second overall respectively in 2010, while fellow first overall NHL picks John Tavares (2009), and Patrick Kane (2007) are also recent winners. 

Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy (Top Scoring Right Winger): Jordan Kyrou, Sarnia Sting 

Jordan Kyrou finished third in OHL scoring but led all right wingers with 109 points including 39 goals and 70 assists in just 56 games. 

The 19-year-old from Toronto, Ont., was the league’s first to reach the century mark for points reaching the milestone mark in his 50th game on February 27.  Kyrou also generated 31 multi-point performances and led the league with a 1.95 point-per-game mark.  He helped Canada win gold at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship and captained the Sarnia Sting to their best season in franchise history. 

The 19-year-old from Toronto, Ont., has been a four-year member of the Sting where he was originally chosen in the second round of the 2014 OHL Priority Selection.  He played 250 career regular season games accumulating 290 points including 99 goals and 191 assists.  Kyrou was a second round pick of the St. Louis Blues in the 2016 NHL Draft. 

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.  Kyrou becomes Sarnia’s first recipient of the award and follows recent winners that include Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters in 2017, Kevin Labanc of the Barrie Colts in 2016, and Mitch Marner of the London Knights in 2015. 

Dave Pinkney Trophy (Lowest Team Goals Against): Matthew Villalta and Tyler Johnson, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 

The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds allowed the fewest goals in the OHL this season with just 186 against, backstopped by the tandem of Matthew Villalta and Tyler Johnson. 

Villalta, a 19-year-old from Godfey, Ont., led the league with a 2.58 goals-against-average and finished the 2017-18 campaign with a .908 save percentage and three shutouts in 49 appearances.  The Los Angeles Kings prospect selected in the third round of the 2017 NHL Draft played to an overall record of 40-5-2-2 tying the franchise single season record for wins.  He joined the Hounds as a free agent commit prior to the 2016-17 season and went on to claim the league’s F.W. “Dinty” Moore Trophy with a rookie best goals-against-average of 2.41. 

Johnson, a 20-year-old from Amherst, NY., is playing in his second OHL season.  He was originally chosen by the Plymouth Whalers in the seventh round of the 2014 OHL Priority Selection, then joined the London Knights for 2016-17.  He was acquired by the Greyhounds in October and during his 20 games with the club posted a 14-1-0-1 record including two shutout victories with a goals-against-average of 2.36 and save percentage of .912. 

The Greyhounds finished the 2017-18 season with a franchise record 55 wins powered by an overall record of 55-7-3-3 for 116 points.  Their season accolades also include a 23-game winning-streak, a run of 29 undefeated games in regulation, and 27 straight victories on home ice. 

This marks the fourth time the Greyhounds have led the league with the fewest goals against with past award recipients including Kyle Gajewski and Bryce O’Hagan (173 GA) in 2007-08, Kevin Hodson (229 GA) in 1991-92 and Mike Lenarduzzi and Kevin Hodson (217 GA) in 1990-91. 

The Dave Pinkney Trophy is awarded annually to the goaltending tandem from the team that allows the fewest goals against during the regular season.  Last season, the Owen Sound Attack’s Michael McNiven and Emanuel Vella allowed 177 goals against to claim the award. 

F.W. “Dinty” Moore Trophy (Best Rookie GAA): Jordan Kooy, London Knights 

Jordan Kooy posted the best goals-against-average among OHL rookie goaltenders in 2017-18 with a mark of 3.11. 

The 17-year-old from Bradford, Ont., appeared in 24 games for the London Knights and played to a 10-8-0-1 record with a .904 save percentage.  He made 25 saves on March 2 to record his first career OHL shutout by a 3-0 score over the Kingston Frontenacs.  Chosen by the Knights in the eighth round of the 2016 OHL Priority Selection, Kooy split his time last season between the Knights, the St. Mary’s Lincolns, and the Jr. Knights Midget AAA program. 

The trophy is named after F.W. “Dinty” Moore of Port Colborne, ON, 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.  Matthew Villalta of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds won the award last season with a 2.41 goals-against-average, with Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires (2.45 GAA) and Michael McNiven of the Owen Sound Attack (2.79 GAA) winning in 2016 and 2015 respectively. 

Kooy is the fourth Knight to win the award following Ryan MacDonald (2.06 GAA in 2003-04), Sean Basilio (3.65 GAA in 1989-90), and Barry Heard (3.28 GAA in 1976-77).

CHL Announces Weekly Award Winners

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Luchuk and Lamb lead CHL’s best 

Colts’ Aaron Luchuk named CHL Player of the Week 

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Ottawa Senators prospect Aaron Luchuk of the Barrie Colts is the CHL Player of the Week for the week ending February 18 after recording nine points in three games including three goals and six assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-3. 

Luchuk produced three straight multi-point performances last week that led the Colts to three straight victories officially securing a playoff berth and maintaining their lead atop the OHL’s Central Division standings with a current record of 34-20-2-1.  He earned back-to-back first star honours on the road including Wednesday against the Flint Firebirds with a goal and two assists in an 8-5 Valentine’s Day victory, and Thursday in his return to Windsor facing his former Spitfires where he scored the overtime winner and added three assists in a 5-4 triumph.  His week wrapped up Saturday scoring a goal and an assist claiming third star honours in a 3-1 win over the Niagara IceDogs.  Luchuk is the first two-time recipient of the award this season earning the honour with both the Spitfires and the Colts. 

A 20-year-old from Kingston, Ont., Luchuk is playing in his fourth full OHL season after being chosen in the fourth round of the 2013 OHL Priority Selection by the Spitfires.  He played 236 career games in Windsor and scored the game-winning goal in the 2017 Mastercard Memorial Cup before joining the Colts in December.  Luchuk leads the OHL in scoring with 95 points in 57 games including a league-high 43 goals and is currently riding a 15-game point-streak.  He was signed by the Senators to an entry-level contract as a free agent in December. 

Also considered for the award this week was Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Vitalii Abramov of the Victoriaville Tigres who scored six goals and three assists for nine points in four games, and Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Jordy Bellerive of the Lethbridge Hurricanes who scored five goals and five assists for 10 points in five games. 

2017-18 CHL Players of the Week:

Feb. 12 – Feb. 18: Aaron Luchuk (Barrie Colts)
Feb. 5 – Feb. 11: Maxime Comtois (Victoriaville Tigres)
Jan. 29 – Feb. 4: Ty Ronning (Vancouver Giants)
Jan. 22 – Jan. 28: Peter Abbandonato (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)
Jan. 15 – Jan. 21: Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia Sting)
Jan. 8 – Jan. 14: Taylor Raddysh (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Owen Tippett (Mississauga Steelheads)
Dec. 25 – Dec. 31: Ivan Kosorenkov (Victoriaville Tigres)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 17: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Stelio Mattheos (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Alex Barré-Boulet (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Cody Glass (Portland Winterhawks)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Cliff Pu (London Knights)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Aleksi Heponiemi (Swift Current Broncos)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Albert Michnac (Mississauga Steelheads)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Aaron Luchuk (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Drake Batherson (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Tyler Soy (Victoria Royals)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Kale Clague (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Tyler Steenbergen (Swift Current Broncos)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 24: Kole Lind (Kelowna Rockets)  

Rebels’ Riley Lamb named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week 

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Riley Lamb of the Red Deer Rebels is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending February 18 after posting a 4-0-0-0 record including one shutout victory with a goals-against-average of 1.50 and save percentage of .957. 

Lamb turned aside an impressive 133 shots last week backstopping the red hot Rebels to four straight road victories.  He began the week by recording his first shutout of the season last Monday on British Columbia’s Family Day with a 25-save performance against the Prince George Cougars earning second star honours in the 4-0 win.  His strong holiday play continued on Valentine’s Day with a first star performance on Wednesday in Kelowna making 36 saves in a 4-1 win over the Rockets.  Continuing the west coast road trip into the weekend, Lamb made 33 saves and was named second star of a 4-3 victory over the Victoria Royals on Friday, then wrapped up his week with 39 saves in a 4-2 win over the Vancouver Giants on Sunday.  The Rebels have now won eight of their last 10 games and are third in the WHL’s Central Division with a record of 21-26-10-3. 

A 19-year-old from Rivers, MB, Lamb is playing in his second WHL season with the Rebels and carries an 8-9-3-2 record including seven straight wins in 24 appearances this season.  His goals-against-average of 3.24 and save percentage of .905 are improved marks over his 2016-17 figures of 3.39 and .899 across 41 games. 

Also considered for the award this week was Los Angeles Kings prospect Matthew Villalta of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds who posted a 2-0-0-0 record with one shutout making 44 saves overall for a goals-against-average of 0.50 and save percentage of .978.  In the QMJHL, Samuel Harvey of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies posted a 1-1-0-0 record with one shutout stopping 55 shots for a goals-against-average of 1.01 and save percentage of .965. 

2017-18 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week:

Feb. 12 – Feb. 18: Riley Lamb (Red Deer Rebels)
Feb. 5 – Feb. 11: Brody Willms (Moose Jaw Warriors)
Jan. 29 – Feb. 4: Zachary Bouthillier (Chicoutimi Sagueneens)
Jan. 22 – Jan. 28: Jeremy Helvig (Kingston Frontenacs)
Jan. 15 – Jan. 21: Mario Culina (Kitchener Rangers)
Jan. 8 – Jan. 14: Stuart Skinner (Swift Current Broncos)
Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Samuel Harvey (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)
Dec. 25 – Dec. 31: James Porter (Kelowna Rockets)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 17: Tristan Bérubé (Gatineau Olympiques)
 Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Anthony Morrone (Victoriaville Tigres)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Justin Fazio (Sarnia Sting)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Cole Kehler (Portland Winterhawks)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Samuel Harvey (Rouyn-Noranada Huskies)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Logan Flodell (Swift Current Broncos)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Cole Kehler (Portland Winterhawks)
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Dereck Baribeau (Quebec Remparts)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 24: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)

CHL Leagues

CHL Announces Weekly Award Winners

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Ronning and Bouthillier best in the CHL to start February  

Giants’ Ty Ronning named CHL Player of the Week 

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that New York Rangers prospect Ty Ronning of the Vancouver Giants is the CHL Player of the Week for the week ending February 4 scoring five goals and two assists for seven points in three games with a plus-minus rating of plus-3. 

Ronning delivered a trio of multi-point performances last week helping the Giants win all three games to improve their record to 28-16-5-3 in the WHL’s B.C. Division standings.  Opening the week with two home games against the Calgary Hitmen, Ronning scored twice with an assist in Wednesday’s 4-1 victory then scored another two goals including the game-winner on Friday earning first star honours in the 4-2 win.  On Saturday he produced another first star effort scoring once and assisting on the game-winner to reach the 200-point milestone for his career in a 5-4 triumph over the Medicine Hat Tigers.  The Giants sit just four points back of the Kelowna Rockets and Victoria Royals who are tied for the division lead. 

A 20-year-old from Burnaby, BC, Ronning is playing in his fifth season with the Giants who chose him in the first round of the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft.  He currently ranks second in the WHL with 47 goals and his 66 points through 52 games are a new career high.  Ronning is just one goal shy of Evander Kane’s single season record of 48 goals and ranks third on the club’s all-time list with 113 in 267 games played.  He was a seventh round pick of the Rangers in the 2016 NHL Draft. 

Also considered for the award this week was 2018 NHL Draft prospect Joe Veleno of the Drummondville Voltigeurs with one goal and six assists for seven points in three games, and Kenny Huether of the Oshawa Generals who scored three goals with four assists for seven points in three games. 

2017-18 CHL Players of the Week:

Jan. 29 – Feb. 4: Ty Ronning (Vancouver Giants)
Jan. 22 – Jan. 28: Peter Abbandonato (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)
Jan. 15 – Jan. 21: Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia Sting)
Jan. 8 – Jan. 14: Taylor Raddysh (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Owen Tippett (Mississauga Steelheads)
Dec. 25 – Dec. 31: Ivan Kosorenkov (Victoriaville Tigres)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 17: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Stelio Mattheos (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Alex Barré-Boulet (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Cody Glass (Portland Winterhawks)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Cliff Pu (London Knights)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Aleksi Heponiemi (Swift Current Broncos)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Albert Michnac (Mississauga Steelheads)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Aaron Luchuk (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Drake Batherson (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Tyler Soy (Victoria Royals)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Kale Clague (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Tyler Steenbergen (Swift Current Broncos)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 24: Kole Lind (Kelowna Rockets)  

Sagueneens’ Zachary Bouthillier named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week 

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Zachary Bouthillier of the Chicoutimi Sagueneens is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending February 4 after posting a 2-0-0-0 record with a goals-against-average of 1.88 and save percentage of .948. 

Bouthillier turned aside 73 shots and earned first star honours twice last week backstopping the Sags to a pair of victories over top QMJHL competition.  On Tuesday night against the first place Blainville-Boisbriand Armada he made 30 saves in a 3-2 overtime win, then made 43 saves on Friday against the East Division’s first place Rimouski Oceanic as part of a 4-3 win.  The Sagueneens have now won four straight games and stand 15th in the league’s overall standings with a 21-24-4-0 record. 

An 18-year-old from Chambly, QC, Bouthillier is playing in his second QMJHL season and first in Chicoutimi after being selected by the Shawinigan Cataractes in the second round of the 2015 QMJHL Entry Draft.  In 25 games this season he carries a 7-10-2-0 record including one shutout with a goals-against-average of 3.22 and save percentage of .900. 

Also considered for the award this week was Los Angeles Kings prospect Matthew Villalta of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds who posted a 3-0-0-0 record including one shutout making 69 saves for a goals-against-average of 1.64 and save percentage of .932.  In the WHL, Riley Lamb of the Red Deer Rebels went 2-0-0-0 stopping 57 shots for a goals-against-average of 1.96 and save percentage of .934. 

2017-18 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week:

Jan. 29 – Feb. 4: Zachary Bouthillier (Chicoutimi Sagueneens)
Jan. 22 – Jan. 28: Jeremy Helvig (Kingston Frontenacs)
Jan. 15 – Jan. 21: Mario Culina (Kitchener Rangers)
Jan. 8 – Jan. 14: Stuart Skinner (Swift Current Broncos)
Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Samuel Harvey (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)
Dec. 25 – Dec. 31: James Porter (Kelowna Rockets)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 17: Tristan Bérubé (Gatineau Olympiques)
 Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Anthony Morrone (Victoriaville Tigres)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Justin Fazio (Sarnia Sting)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Cole Kehler (Portland Winterhawks)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Samuel Harvey (Rouyn-Noranada Huskies)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Logan Flodell (Swift Current Broncos)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Cole Kehler (Portland Winterhawks)
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Dereck Baribeau (Quebec Remparts)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 24: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)

Generals’ Kenny Huether named OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that forward Kenny Huether of the Oshawa Generals is the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week for the week ending February 4 after scoring three goals and four assists for seven points in three games with a plus-minus rating of plus-5. 

Huether produced a pair of multi-point performances that helped the Generals finish the weekend with two straight victories climbing into a tie for fifth in the Eastern Conference standings with a 25-23-3-0 record.  Following a 7-1 loss to the Kingston Frontenacs on Friday, Huether put together a first star effort on Saturday in Peterborough scoring one of five first period goals for the Generals and assisting on two which led to an 8-2 road win over their rival Petes.  His week wrapped up Sunday with a season-high four points including two goals and two assists earning second star honours in a 6-3 win over the Windsor Spitfires. 

Kenny Huether of the Oshawa Generals. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Kenny Huether of the Oshawa Generals. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

A 20-year-old from Londesborough, Ont., Huether is playing in his fourth season in Oshawa after being chosen by the club in the ninth round of the 2013 OHL Priority Selection.  The overage forward is currently the longest serving General with his tenure dating back to the 2014-15 season which included an OHL and Mastercard Memorial Cup title.  In 236 career games he’s compiled 145 points including 39 points in 51 games this season with a team-high 24 goals. 

Watch video highlights of Huether and the Generals against the Petes and Spitfires. 

Huether wasn’t the only General to have a strong week as Domenico Commisso tallied three goals and four assists for seven points in three games.  A pair of Barrie Colts were also considered for the award after each recording seven points in three games including top NHL Draft prospect Andrei Svechnikov with six goals and one assist, and Ottawa Senators prospect Aaron Luchuk with two goals and five assists.  In goal, Los Angeles Kings prospect Matthew Villalta of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds posted a 3-0-0-0 record including one shutout making 69 saves for a goals-against-average of 1.64 and save percentage of .932.

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

Jan. 29 – Feb. 4: Kenny Huether (Oshawa Generals)
Jan. 22 – Jan. 28: Jeremy Helvig (Kingston Frontenacs)
Jan. 15 – Jan. 21: Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia Sting)
Jan. 8 – Jan. 14: Taylor Raddysh (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Owen Tippett (Mississauga Steelheads)
Dec. 25 – Dec. 31: Ben Jones (Niagara IceDogs)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 17: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Joseph Garreffa (Kitchener Rangers)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Serron Noel (Oshawa Generals)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Cliff Pu (London Knights)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Ryan Merkley (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Albert Michnac (Mississauga Steelheads)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Aaron Luchuk (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia Sting)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Brady Hinz (Sarnia Sting)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Nick Suzuki (Owen Sound Attack)
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Jonathan Ang (Peterborough Petes)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 24: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)

CHL Announces Weekly Award Winners

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Tippett and Harvey start 2018 with national honours 

Steelheads’ Owen Tippett named CHL Player of the Week 

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Florida Panthers prospect Owen Tippett of the Mississauga Steelheads is the CHL Player of the Week for the week ending January 7 recording 10 points in three games including seven goals with three assists and a plus-minus rating of plus-3. 

Tippett’s three multi-point performances last week earned him a trio of first star honours and led the Steelheads to three straight wins to open 2018.  On Wednesday night he scored twice with one assist in a 5-3 road win over the Erie Otters, then recorded a first period natural hat-trick on Thursday against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds before scoring the shootout winner in the 4-3 triumph stopping the CHL’s top ranked team from earning their 24th straight win.  Tippett finished the week with a season-high four points including two goals and two assists as part of a 6-2 win over the nation’s seventh ranked Kitchener Rangers.  Tippett has now delivered seven straight multi-point efforts totalling 20 points since December 17 as the Trout continue to climb the OHL’s Eastern Conference standings with a 17-22-0-1 record.  

An 18-year-old from Peterborough, Ont., Tippett is playing in his third season with the Steelheads who chose him fourth overall in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection.  The tenth overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft has 17 goals and 19 assists for 36 points in 23 OHL games since November 10 after starting the season in Florida where he played his first seven career NHL games. 

Also considered for the award this week was overage forward Matteo Gennaro of the Swift Current Broncos with seven goals and three assists for 10 points in five games, and 2019 NHL Draft prospect Raphael Lavoie of the Halifax Mooseheads with four goals and four assists for eight points in three games. 

2017-18 CHL Players of the Week:

Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Owen Tippett (Mississauga Steelheads)
Dec. 25 – Dec. 31: Ivan Kosorenkov (Victoriaville Tigres)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 17: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Stelio Mattheos (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Alex Barré-Boulet (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Cody Glass (Portland Winterhawks)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Cliff Pu (London Knights)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Aleksi Heponiemi (Swift Current Broncos)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Albert Michnac (Mississauga Steelheads)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Aaron Luchuk (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Drake Batherson (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Tyler Soy (Victoria Royals)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Kale Clague (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Tyler Steenbergen (Swift Current Broncos)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 24: Kole Lind (Kelowna Rockets)

Huskies’ Samuel Harvey named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week 

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Samuel Harvey of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending January 7 after posting a 2-0-0-1 record including one shutout with a goals-against-average of 0.65 and save percentage of .979. 

Harvey stopped 92 of 94 shots faced last week helping the Huskies ring in the new year with five of a possible six points to keep pace in the QMJHL standings carrying an overall record of 24-10-4-3 and just two points shy of first place.  On Thursday he recorded his third shutout of the season and tenth of his career with 26 saves as first star of a 3-0 road win against the Victoriaville Tigres.  Harvey and the Huskies finished the week at home with a 3-1 victory over the Gatineau Olympiques on Saturday and a 2-1 shootout loss to the Drummondville Voltigeurs on Sunday with the netminder producing 24 and 42 save performances respectively and earning second star honours in both games. 

A 19-year-old from Alma, Quebec, Harvey is now a two-time recipient of the CHL’s weekly award this season.  The fourth year goaltender has been a member of the Huskies since being chosen by the club in the second round of the 2014 QMJHL Entry Draft and has appeared in 141 games in that time.  This season he leads the QMJHL with a goals-against-average of 2.13 and save percentage of .930 and holds a 21-5-3-2 personal record. 

Also considered for the award this week was Los Angeles Kings prospect Matthew Villalta of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds who posted a 2-0-0-1 record making 73 saves for a goals-against-average of 1.80 and save percentage of .936, and Nolan Maier of the Saskatoon Blades who posted a 3-0-0-0 record with 69 saves for a goals-against-average of 2.00 and save percentage of .920. 

2017-18 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week:

Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Samuel Harvey (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)
Dec. 25 – Dec. 31: James Porter (Kelowna Rockets)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 17: Tristan Bérubé (Gatineau Olympiques)
 Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Anthony Morrone (Victoriaville Tigres)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Justin Fazio (Sarnia Sting)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Cole Kehler (Portland Winterhawks)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Samuel Harvey (Rouyn-Noranada Huskies)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Logan Flodell (Swift Current Broncos)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Cole Kehler (Portland Winterhawks)
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Dereck Baribeau (Quebec Remparts)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 24: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)

Steelheads’ Owen Tippett named OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Florida Panthers prospect Owen Tippett of the Mississauga Steelheads is the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week for the week ending January 7 with seven goals and three assists for 10 points in three games with a plus-minus rating of plus-3. 

Tippett welcomed 2018 with three multi-point performances leading the Steelheads to three straight victories to start the new year improving their Central Division record to 17-22-0-1.  He earned first star honours in all three games last week beginning Wednesday night with two goals and one assist in a 5-3 road win over the Erie Otters.  Back at home Thursday facing top ranked Sault Ste. Marie, Tippett scored a natural hat-trick in the first period, the first of his career, then tallied a shootout marker to secure a 4-3 win snapping the Greyhounds 23-game win-streak.  His week wrapped up Friday in Kitchener scoring two goals and two assists for his first four-point effort of the season to extend his personal point-streak to seven games in a 6-2 triumph over the Rangers. 

Owen Tippett of the Mississauga Steelheads. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Owen Tippett of the Mississauga Steelheads. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

An 18-year-old from Peterborough, Ont., Tippett is playing in his third season with the Steelheads who chose him fourth overall in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection.  After beginning the season in the NHL with one goal in seven games, Tippett has scored 17 goals with 19 assists for 36 points in 23 OHL games since November 10.  Last season Tippett set a Steelheads record with 44 goals as part of a 75-point campaign and would become the top OHL player chosen in the 2017 NHL Draft going tenth overall to the Panthers. 

Watch video highlights of Tippett and the Steelheads against the Otters and Rangers.

Also considered for the award this week was Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Sam Miletic of the London Knights producing 10 points in four games including four goals and six assists, and Dallas Stars prospect Jason Robertson of the Kingston Frontenacs with nine points in three games including three goals and six assists.  In goal, Los Angeles Kings prospect Matthew Villalta of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds posted a 2-0-0-1 record making 73 saves for a goals-against-average of 1.80 and save percentage of .936.

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

Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Owen Tippett (Mississauga Steelheads)
Dec. 25 – Dec. 31: Ben Jones (Niagara IceDogs)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 17: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Joseph Garreffa (Kitchener Rangers)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Serron Noel (Oshawa Generals)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Cliff Pu (London Knights)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Ryan Merkley (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Albert Michnac (Mississauga Steelheads)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Aaron Luchuk (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia Sting)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Brady Hinz (Sarnia Sting)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Nick Suzuki (Owen Sound Attack)
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Jonathan Ang (Peterborough Petes)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 24: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires) 

OHL Top Performers of the Month for December

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the Top OHL Performers of the Month for regular season games played in December 2017, including the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds trio of Morgan Frost, Rasmus Sandin and Matthew Villalta along with London Knights defenceman Evan Bouchard.

OHL Player of the Month – Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds):


Philadelphia Flyers prospect Morgan Frost of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds is the OHL Player of the Month for December after leading the league with 20 points including eight goals, 12 assists and a plus/minus rating of plus-18 over 10 games. The third-year centreman continued a 14-game point streak through the end of the month, registering multi-point outputs in eight of the 10 games he played. Frost earned first star honours twice this past month, scoring twice on Dec. 13th against Flint before registering four points (2-2–4) on Dec. 16th in Guelph.  His most recent performance featured a goal and an assist against the Guelph Storm on Dec. 30th as the Greyhounds pushed their current winning streak to 23 games.

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

An 18-year-old native of Aurora, Ont., Frost leads the OHL in scoring with 60 points (21-39–60) over 36 games while also leading all players with a plus-46 plus/minus rating. He has recorded at least one point in 20 games of the Greyhounds’ current 23-game winning streak that dates back to Oct. 28th. The. 6-foot, 180Ib. centreman represented Team OHL in the 2017 CIBC Canada-Russia Series earlier this season after being chosen in the first round of the 2017 NHL Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers last summer. Frost was Sault Ste. Marie’s fourth round pick in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection from the Barrie Colts Minor Midgets.

OHL Defenceman of the Month – Evan Bouchard (London Knights):


For the second straight month, draft eligible London Knights blueliner Evan Bouchard is the OHL Defenceman of the Month. Bouchard led OHL rearguards with 16 points including five goals and 11 assists over 11 games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-7. The 6-foot-2, 191Ib. defender had points in nine of his 11 games, helping the Knights to a 7-3-0-1 month of December. Bouchard started the month by earning third star honours with a goal and an assist on Dec. 1st against Oshawa. A week later his goal and an assist on Dec. 8th against Peterborough earned him second star recognition. Bouchard earned first star honours on Dec. 12th in Erie, scoring the overtime winner while also recording an assist. He ended 2017 with a three-assist outing on Dec. 31st in Sarnia.

Evan Bouchard of the London Knights. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Evan Bouchard of the London Knights. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

An 18-year-old product of Oakville, Ont., Bouchard currently leads OHL defencemen with 46 points including 13 goals and 33 assists along with a plus/minus rating of plus-14 in 37 games. The right-handed shooting blueliner has a total of 19 points on the power play this season. He represented the OHL in the 2017 CIBC Canada-Russia Series and has been named to the 2018 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game set for Jan. 25th in Guelph. Bouchard was an ‘A’ rated prospect on NHL Central Scouting’s November ‘Players to Watch’ List. Bouchard was London’s first round pick in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection from the Oakville Rangers Minor Midgets.

OHL Rookie of the Month – Rasmus Sandin (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds):


Draft eligible Swedish blueliner Rasmus Sandin of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds is the OHL Rookie of the Month for December. The 17-year-old had nine points including two goals and seven assists in 11 games from the back end this past month, helping the Greyhounds continue a 23-game winning streak. Sandin recorded two assists on Dec. 10th against Windsor before earning first star honours with a career-high three points (2-1–3) on Dec. 29th against Flint, setting up teammate Barrett Hayton for a late game-winning goal.

A 17-year-old native of Uppsala, Sweden, Sandin currently leads OHL rookie defencemen in scoring with 21 points (4-17–21) and a plus-19 rating in 24 games this season. After starting the season with Rogle BK of the Swedish Elite League, Sandin joined the Greyhounds in October and the team has proceeded to win 23 of their 24 games with him in the lineup. He has been named to the 2018 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game on Jan. 25th in Guelph and was an ‘A’ rated prospect on NHL Central Scouting’s November ‘Players to Watch’ List. Sandin was Sault Ste. Marie’s first round pick in the 2017 CHL Import Draft.

Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month – Matthew Villalta (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds):


For the second straight month, Los Angeles Kings prospect Matthew Villalta of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds is the Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month. The 18-year-old played to a perfect 7-0-0-0 record with a 2.25 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage this past month, continuing the Hounds’ 23-game winning streak along with a 16-game winning streak of his own. Villalta stopped 25 of 26 shots on Dec. 16th in Guelph before returning from the holiday break to earn second star honours with 30 saves on Dec. 28th against Saginaw. His latest outing included 39 saves and three shootout denials as the Greyhounds won their 23rd straight contest, defeating the Guelph Storm on Dec. 30th.

Matthew Villalta of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Matthew Villalta of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

A 6-foot-3, 183Ib. native of Godfrey, Ont. outside of Kingston, Villalta leads OHL goaltenders with a 2.45 goals-against average along with a 23-2-1-0 record, a .912 save percentage and one shutout. He holds an impressive career record of 48-5-1-0 over 59 career regular season games to go with a 2.43 goals-against average, a .915 save percentage and two shutouts. A free agent addition by the Greyhounds out of Training Camp in 2016, Villalta was a third round pick by the Los Angeles Kings this past summer.

2017-18 OHL Performers of the Month:

Player of the Month:
December – Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
November – Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia Sting)
October – Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia Sting)

Defenceman of the Month:
December – Evan Bouchard (London Knights)
November – Evan Bouchard (London Knights)
October – Sean Durzi (Owen Sound Attack)

Rookie of the Month:
December – Rasmus Sandin (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
November – Blade Jenkins (Saginaw Spirit)
October – Andrei Svechnikov (Barrie Colts)

Vaughn Goaltender of the Month:
December – Matthew Villalta (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
November – Matthew Villalta (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
October – Justin Fazio (Sarnia Sting)