OHL Announces 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 2016, including Peterborough Petes forward Zach Gallant, Kingston Frontenacs blueliner Stephen Desrocher, Guelph Storm rookie Ryan Merkley and Windsor Spitfires goaltender Michael DiPietro. 

OHL Player of the Month – Zach Gallant (Peterborough Petes):
2017 NHL Draft prospect Zach Gallant of the Peterborough Petes is the OHL Player of the Month for December after collecting seven goals, eight assists and 15 points over 10 contests along with a plus/minus rating of plus-13. Gallant was also 56 percent in the faceoff circle to help the Petes to a perfect 10-0-0-0 month of December as they climbed to second place in the East Division. The 6-foot-1, 184Ib. centre had points in eight games including five multi-point outings. Gallant earned first star honours on four separate occasions, doing so on December 3rd when he had a goal and an assist in a 5-2 win over the visiting Guelph Storm. His two goals and an assist on December 11th led the Petes over the Ottawa 67’s 6-2 on the road. Gallant was named first star once again on December 15th when had a goal and an assist to help the Petes defeat the London Knights 3-1 on Sportsnet. Gallant rounded out his first star selections on December 29th with two goals and an assist in a 7-5 win over visiting Ottawa.

A 17-year-old native of Oakville, Ont., Gallant is currently in his sophomore season with the Petes after being the club’s first round (5th overall) pick in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection. He’s currently tied for fifth in team scoring with 12 goals, 17 assists and 29 points over 36 games to go with a plus/minus rating of plus-9 and a 59.4 percent success rate in the faceoff circle.

OHL Defenceman of the Month – Stephen Desrocher (Kingston Frontenacs):
Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Stephen Desrocher of the Kingston Frontenacs has been named the OHL Defenceman of the Month for December. Desrocher led all defencemen with 15 points including two goals and 13 assists over 10 games as the Frontenacs played to a 5-1-4-0 record. The 6-foot-4, 206Ib. rearguard recorded points in all 10 of his December contests, registering four multi-point outputs. Desrocher earned first star honours four times as he helped the Fronts defeat the visiting Kitchener Rangers with a goal and an assist on December 2nd. A night later he pitched in with two assists in a 3-2 shootout win in Hamilton. Desrocher recorded a pair of helpers to earn first star recognition in a 3-2 home ice win over Oshawa on December 17th. He rounded out his first star performances on December 30th with three assists in a 4-3 overtime loss to Peterborough.

A 20-year-old native of Toronto, Ont., Desrocher is in his fourth OHL season and second with the Frontenacs after spending parts of three seasons with the Oshawa Generals where he won an OHL title and Mastercard Memorial Cup championship in 2014-15.  He leads Kingston defencemen in scoring with five goals, 20 assists and 25 points over 33 contests and has recorded 13 of his 25 points on the power play. He was Toronto’s sixth round (155th overall) pick in the 2015 NHL Draft.


OHL Rookie of the Month – Ryan Merkley (Guelph Storm):
For the second time this season, 2016 OHL Priority Selection first overall pick Ryan Merkley of the Guelph Storm is the OHL Rookie of the Month. Merkley led all rookies with 13 points including four goals and nine assists over 10 games. His December included the first two multi-goal games of his OHL career including a pair on December 7th in a 5-4 road loss against the Sarnia Sting. Merkley’s overtime winner on December 11th was his second of the game and along with an assist, he recorded three points to earn first star recognition in a 4-3 win over the Kingston Frontenacs. The rookie had a three assist effort, setting up the overtime winner on December 28th when the Storm defeated the visiting Sarnia Sting 4-3.

A 16-year-old native of Mississauga, Ont., Merkley leads all OHL rookies with 28 points including six goals and 22 assists over 30 games. He is third in Storm scoring this season after being the club’s first round (1st overall) pick this past April. He will be eligible for the 2018 NHL Draft.

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Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month – Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires):
2017 NHL Draft prospect Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires is the Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month for December. DiPietro played to a 6-2-0-0 record with a 1.48 goals-against-average, a .940 save percentage and three shutouts over his eight December starts. He started the month with a 36-save performance on December 3rd as the Spitfires claimed a 2-1 win over the Flint Firebirds. His month was headlined by a string of three straight road shutouts from December 8-11, earning him Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week honours as he blanked the Barrie Colts, Sudbury Wolves and North Bay Battalion in succession. DiPietro put together a shutout streak that spanned parts of five games for an overall length of 209:23.

A 17-year-old native of Amherstburg, Ont., DiPietro comes off a tremendous rookie season in the OHL, one that earned him the F.W. Dinty Moore Trophy with a 2.45 goals-against-average. This season, DiPietro has played to a 16-5-4-0 record with a 2.21 goals-against-average, .918 save percentage and four shutouts over 26 games. He was Windsor’s second round (23rd overall) pick in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection. DiPietro will represent Team Orr in the upcoming 2017 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Quebec City on January 30th.

2016-17 OHL Performers of the Month:

Player of the Month:
December – Zach Gallant (Peterborough Petes)
November – Alex DeBrincat/Taylor Raddysh (Erie Otters)
October – Taylor Raddysh (Erie Otters)

Defenceman of the Month:
December – Stephen Desrocher (Kingston Frontenacs)
November – Darren Raddysh (Erie Otters)
October – Mathieu Henderson (Flint Firebirds)

Rookie of the Month:
December – Ryan Merkley (Guelph Storm)
November – Linus Nyman (Kingston Frontenacs)
October – Ryan Merkley (Guelph Storm)

Vaughn Goaltender of the Month:
December – Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires
November – Tyler Parsons (London Knights)
October – Troy Timpano (Erie Otters)

OHL Draft Eligible Player of the Month for December

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

December was one of the toughest months I’ve ever had coming up with the top performer among the Ontario Hockey League’s draft eligible players as there were literally a hand full of performances that, if you picked one over another you couldn’t go wrong.

With that out of the way, I’ve decided to go with Windsor Spitfires’ goaltender Michael DiPietro.

DiPietro started eight games during the month and came in in relief in the final game of 2016 with just 3 minutes remaining. He posted a 6-2-0-0 record with a jaw dropping 1.50 goals against average and .940 save percentage.

Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

DiPietro posted three consecutive shutouts with a shutout streak that lasted 202 minutes and 57 seconds. Thus, he was named the OHL Player of the Week and the Canadian Hockey League’s Goaltender of the Week.

The scale tipped in DiPietro’s favor because he kept the Spitfires within striking distance of the Soo Greyhounds for top spot in the Central Division despite missing top scorers Logan Brown and Gabriel Vilardi for almost the entire month.

Also considered were Mississauga Steelheads’ teammates, forward Owen Tippett (11 goals, 6 assists in 12 games), and defenceman Nicolas Hague (5 goals, 8 assists in 12 games) as well as Soo Greyhounds defenceman Conor Timmins (3 goals, 9 assists in 10 games), and a pair of Owen Sound Attack forwards, Nick Suzuki (5 goals, 10 assists in 9 games) and Jonah Gadjovich (9 goals, 5 assists in 9 games).

Previously

November – Nick Suzuki, Owen Sound Attack

October – Gabriel Vilardi – Windsor Spitfires

September – Greg Meireles – Kitchener Rangers

OHL’s Draft Eligible Statistical Leaders as Of December

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Happy New Year!

As we enter the New Year, December has come to a close and we’ll look at the Ontario Hockey League’s statistical leaders among players eligible for the 2017 National Hockey League Draft.

While there are players that are still eligible, since they were passed over in 2016, we did not include them. The list is entirely of players eligible for the first time.

Nick Suzuki (Owen Sound Attack) and Owen Tippett (Mississauga Steelheads) have opened up a lead in the points race over third place Morgan Frost (Soo Greyhounds). Suzuki leads the way with 47 points followed closely by Tippett with 45 points. Frost sits 11 points back of the leader with 36 points. Tippett has an over whelming lead in the goal scoring department with 29, 9 more than Suzuki.

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

The top two defenceman leading in the scoring race among rearguards have also opened up a bit of a gap. Conor Timmins (Soo Greyhounds) leads defenders with 34 points. He has a 4 point lead over Nicolas Hague (Mississauga Steelheads). There is a 10 point gap between Hague and Noel Hoefenmayer (Ottawa 67’s), who comes in third with 20 points.

Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires) leads in all goaltending categories including shutouts (4) that lead the entire league.

We’ve added some categories this month: longest goal scoring streak, longest assist streak, longest point streak, shot attempts and shots on goal to name a few.

Players with an asterisk (*) also lead the league in that category.

While we take great care in the stat keeping, please refer to the OHL website for official stats.   Goaltenders ranked are minimum 4 games played.

Points Leaders
Player Team GP G A Pts
Nick Suzuki Owen Sound Attack 36 20 27 47
Owen Tippett Mississauga Steelheads 36 29 16 45
Morgan Frost Soo Greyhounds 37 13 23 36
Ivan Lodnia Erie Otters 33 16 19 35
Austen Keating Ottawa 67’s 33 16 19 35
Jason Robertson Kingston Frontenacs 35 16 18 34
Robert Thomas London Knights 34 11 23 34
Conor Timmins Soo Greyhounds 37 6 28 34
Mattew Strome Hamilton Bulldogs 35 18 15 33
Isaac Ratcliffe Guelph Storm 36 17 16 33
Goal Scoring Leaders
Player Team GP G GPG
Owen Tippett Mississauga Steelheads 36 29 0.81
Nick Suzuki Owen Sound Attack 36 20 0.56
Mattew Strome Hamilton Bulldogs 35 18 0.51
Isaac Ratcliffe Guelph Storm 36 17 0.47
Jonah Gadjovich Owen Sound Attack 30 17 0.57
Ivan Lodnia Erie Otters 33 16 0.48
Jason Robertson Kingston Frontenacs 35 16 0.46
Linus Nyman Kingston Frontenacs 35 16 0.46
Sasha Chmelevski Ottawa 67’s 29 14 0.48
Macauley Carson Sudbury Wolves 37 14 0.38
Assist Leaders
Player Team GP A APG
Conor Timmins Soo Greyhounds 37 28 0.76
Nick Suzuki Owen Sound Attack 36 27 0.75
Austen Keating Ottawa 67’s 37 25 0.68
Robert Thomas London Knights 34 23 0.68
Morgan Frost Soo Greyhounds 37 23 0.62
Ivan Lodnia Erie Otters 33 19 0.58
Jason Robertson Kingston Frontenacs 35 18 0.51
Greg Meireles Kitchener Rangers 32 17 0.53
Lucas Chiodo Barrie Colts 34 17 0.50
Zach Gallant Peterborough Petes 35 17 0.49
Defencemen Point Leaders
Player Team GP G A Pts
Conor Timmins Soo Greyhounds 37 6 28 34
Nicolas Hague Mississauga Steelheads 36 13 17 30
Noel Hoefenmayer Ottawa 67’s 31 7 13 20
Adam Thilander North Bay Battalion 32 3 15 18
Brady Lyle North Bay Battalion 36 3 12 15
Eememi Rasanen Kingston Frontenacs 35 3 12 15
Tom Hedberg Barrie Colts 28 3 11 14
Markus Phillips Owen Sound Attack 36 4 8 12
Plus/Minus Leaders
Player Team GP +/-
Robert Thomas London Knights 34 +25
Conor Timmins Soo Greyhounds 37 +25
Jonah Gadjovich Owen Sound Attack 30 +18
Isaac Ratcliffe Guelph Storm 36 +18
Nick Suzuki Owen Sound Attack 36 +18
Zach Gallant Peterborough Petes 35 +12
Ivan Lodnia Erie Otters 33 +11
Liam Hawel Soo Greyhounds 37 +10
Gabriel Vilardi Windsor Spitfires 19 +9
Elijah Roberts Kitchener Rangers 34 +9
Penalty Minutes Leaders
Player Team GP PIM M/G
Shaw Boomhower Mississauga Steelheads 33 70 2.12
Nicolas Hague Mississauga Steelheads 35 62 1.77
Drake Pilon Sudbury Wolves 28 60 2.14
Darian Pilon Sudbury Wolves 37 59 1.59
Cole Fraser Peterborough Petes 34 54 1.59
Zach Gallant Peterborough Petes 35 54 1.54
Hayden Davis Niagara Ice Dogs 34 48 1.41
Faceoff Leaders  (wins)
Player Team GP FOA FOW %
Robert Thomas London Knights 34 659 380 57.7
Zach Gallant Peterborough Petes 35 623 364 58.4
Jack Studnicka Oshawa Generals 35 501 264 52.7
Ben Jones Niagara Ice Dogs 31 506 254 50.2
Jason Willms Barrie Colts 34 486 253 52.1
Nick Suzuki Owen Sound Attack 36 456 245 53.7
Morgan Frost Soo Greyhounds 37 474 239 50.4
Nate Schnarr Guelph Storm 23 468 234 50.0
Sasha Chmelevski Ottawa 67’s 29 414 224 54.1
Matthew Philip Niagara Ice Dogs 36 424 219 51.7
Longest Goal Scoring Streak
Player Team From To Gms Goals
Owen Tippett Mississauga Steelheads 10/12 10/23 6 11
Nick Suzuki Owen Sound Attack 11/18 11/26 5 6
Isaac Ratcliffe Guelph Storm 11/27 12/9 5 6
Jonah Gadjovich Owen Sound Attack 12/11 – 4 7
Zach Gallant Peterborough Petes 12/3 12/15 4 5
Longest Assist Streak
Player Team From To Gms Assts
Zach Gallant Peterborough Petes 12/3 12/16 5 5
Austen Keating Ottawa 67’s 10/23 11/5 5 5
Austen Keating Ottawa 67’s 9/25 10/6 5 9
Conor Timmins Soo Greyhounds 11/25 12/8 5 7
Noel Hoefenmayer Ottawa 67’s 10/1 10/9 5 5
Longest Point Streak
Player Team From To Gms Pts
Nicolas Hague Mississauga Steelheads 12/4 12/28 8 12
Jack Studnicka Oshawa Generals 12/18 12/9 7 11
Maksim Sushko Owen Sound Attack 10/9 10/26 7 9
Lucas Chiodo Barrie Colts 11/12 11/26 7 8
Noel Hoefenmayer Ottawa 67’s 9/25 10/9 7 8
Shot Attempt Leaders
Player Team GP S/A
Owen Tippett* Mississauga Steelheads 36 183
Nick Suzuki Owen Sound Attack 36 142
Jason Robertson Kingston Frontenacs 35 137
Jonah Gadjovich Owen Sound Attack 30 125
Nicolas Hague Mississauga Steelheads 35 107
Shots On Goal Leaders
Player Team GP SOG
Nick Suzuki* Owen Sound Attack 36 108
Jonah Gadjovich Owen Sound Attack 30 99
Owen Tippett Mississauga Steelheads 36 96
Jason Robertson Kingston Frontenacs 35 76
Zach Gallant Peterborough Petes 35 73
Goaltenders Leaders – Goals Against Average
Player Team GP Min GA Avg
Michael DiPietro Windsor Spitfires 26 1520 56 2.21
Matthew Vallalta Soo Greyhounds 14 730 32 2.63
Riley Daniels Owen Sound Attack 7 367 18 2.94
Kaden Fulcher Hamilton Bulldogs 29 1632 88 3.24
Kyle Keyser Oshawa Generals 13 667 37 3.33
Goaltending Leaders – Save Percentage
Player Team GP SH SVS SV%
Michael DiPietro Windsor Spitfires 26 683 627 0.918
Matthew Vallalta Soo Greyhounds 14 345 313 0.907
Jake McGrath Sudbury Wolves 18 562 506 0.900
Aidan Hughes Sarnia Sting 9 305 274 0.898
Kaden Fulcher Hamilton Bulldogs 29 817 729 0.892
Goaltending Leaders – Wins
Player Team GP W L OL
Michael DiPietro Windsor Spitfires 26 16 5 4
Kaden Fulcher Hamilton Bulldogs 29 13 11 4
Matthew Vallalta Soo Greyhounds 14 10 1 0
Jake McGrath Sudbury Wolves 18 8 6 2
Anthony Poppvich Guelph Storm 14 6 6 1
Goaltending Leaders – Shutouts
Player Team GP SO
Michael DiPietro* Windsor Spitfires 26 4
Jake McGrath Sudbury Wolves 18 1
Kaden Fulcher Hamilton Bulldogs 29 1

Spitfires’ Michael DiPietro named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that 2017 NHL Draft prospect Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending December 11 after posting a 3-0-0-0 record with three shutouts for a goals-against-average of 0.00 and save percentage of 1.000.

DiPietro was perfect in goal last week blanking the opposition in all three Spitfires’ road games improving the club’s record to 21-5-4-0 for first place in the OHL’s West Division standings.  He earned first star honours twice including Thursday with 21 saves in a 3-0 win over the Barrie Colts, and Sunday with 21 saves in a 3-0 triumph against the North Bay Battalion.  His week also included a 22-save performance Saturday in a 6-0 win against the Sudbury Wolves building a shutout streak that now stands at 204:16.

Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

A 17-year-old from Amherstburg, ON, DiPietro is playing in his second career OHL season and leads the league with four shutouts while carrying the league’s lowest goals-against-average with a mark of 2.11 and highest save percentage at .922.  The second round pick of the Spitfires in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection has made 22 appearances this season for the Mastercard Memorial Cup hosts and carries a 15-3-4-0 record.

Also considered for the award this week was Antoine Samuel of the Baie-Comeau Drakkar who made 76 saves while posting a 2-1-0-0 record with a goals-against-average of 0.71 and save percentage of .974, and Dylan Ferguson of the Kamloops Blazers who made 69 saves posting a 1-0-0-1 record with a goals-against-average of 1.92 and save percentage of .945.

2016-17 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week:
Dec. 5 – Dec. 11: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)
Nov. 28 – Dec. 4: Connor Ingram (Kamloops Blazers)
Nov. 21 – Nov. 27: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 14 – Nov. 20: Matthew Villalta (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Nov. 7 – Nov. 13: Patrick Dea (Edmonton Oil Kings)
Oct. 31 – Nov. 6: Zach Sawchenko (Moose Jaw Warriors)
Oct. 24 – Oct. 30: Troy Timpano (Erie Otters)
Oct. 17 – Oct. 23: Reilly Pickard (Acadie-Bathurst Titan)
Oct. 10 – Oct. 16: Ryan Kubic (Vancouver Giants)
Oct. 3 – Oct. 9: Logan Flodell (Saskatoon Blades)
Sept. 26 – Oct. 2: Samuel Harvey (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 25: Liam Herbst (Guelph Storm)

 

Spitfires’ Michael DiPietro named Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that 2017 NHL Draft prospect Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires is the Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week for the week ending December 11 after posting a 3-0-0-0 record with three shutouts for a goals-against-average of 0.00 and save percentage of 1.000.

DiPietro was perfect in goal last week turning aside all 64 shots he faced backstopping the Spitfires to a trio of road victories to reclaim first place in the OHL’s West Division standings with a 21-5-4-0 record.  The sophomore netminder spoiled the holiday fun in Barrie, Sudbury, and North Bay blanking the hometown opposition in all three of their annual Teddy Bear Toss promotional nights.  On Thursday night he earned first star honours with 21 saves in a 3-0 win over the Colts, then stopped 22 shots on Saturday in a 6-0 win over the Wolves, and ended the week Sunday with a 21-save performance as first star of a 3-0 win against the Battalion.  DiPietro’s shutout-streak now stands at 204:16 and approaches recent marks set by Owen Sound’s Jordan Binnington (211:32, 2012-13) and Niagara’s Mark Visentin (237:53, 2011-12).

Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

A 17-year-old from Amherstburg, ON, DiPietro now leads the OHL with four shutouts while carrying the league’s lowest goals-against-average with a mark of 2.11 and highest save percentage at .922.  The second round pick of the Spitfires in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection has made 22 appearances this season for the Mastercard Memorial Cup hosts and carries a 15-3-4-0 record.

Watch video highlights of DiPietro and the Spitfires against the Colts, Wolves, and Battalion.

Also considered for the award this week was Hayden Hodgson of the Saginaw Spirit who scored seven goals and two assists for nine points in three games, Los Angeles Kings prospect Spencer Watson of the Mississauga Steelheads scored six goals and one assist for seven points in his first three games of the season, and Anaheim Ducks prospect Jack Kopacka of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds who scored six goals in three games.

2016-17 Pioneer Energy OHL Players of the Week:

Dec. 5 – Dec. 11: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)
Nov. 28 – Dec. 4: Alex DeBrincat (Erie Otters)
Nov. 21 – Nov. 27: Boris Katchouk (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Nov. 14 – Nov. 20: Jeremy Bracco (Kitchener Rangers)
Nov. 7 – Nov. 13: Jonathan Ang (Peterborough Petes)
Oct. 31 – Nov. 6: Alex DeBrincat (Erie Otters)
Oct. 24 – Oct. 30: Troy Timpano (Erie Otters)
Oct. 17 – Oct. 23: Max Jones (London Knights)
Oct. 10 – Oct. 16: Jeremy Bracco (Kitchener Rangers)
Oct. 3 – Oct. 9: Logan Brown (Windsor Spitfires)
Sept. 26 – Oct. 2: Joseph Raaymakers (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 25: Matt Luff (Hamilton Bulldogs)

Michael DiPietro – Windsor Spitfires – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height: 6’0”

Weight:  193 pounds

Date of birth:  June 9, 1999

Hometown:  Amherstburg, ON

Position:  Goaltender

Catches: Left

OHL Draft:  Round 2, 23rd overall, 2015 OHL Priority Selection

I’m not usually a fan of goaltenders being drafted in the first round but every once in a while a prospect comes along that you have to give it serious consideration. Malcolm Subban was the last Ontario Hockey League goaltender selected in the first round of the National Hockey League Draft (24th overall in 2012 by the Boston Bruins), and setting aside hindsight, an argument can be made whether it was the correct choice or not.

Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires will rightfully garner attention as a first rounder in 2017.

Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

DiPietro played his midget hockey for the Sun County Panthers where he posted a 2.12 goals against average and a .916 save percentage. He also led Team Ontario Under-16’s to a gold medal at the Canada Winter Games with a 0.75 goals against average and a .970 save percentage. That set the stage for Spitfires’ General Manager Warren Rychel to select him in the second round of the OHL Draft.

DiPietro made an immediate impact in the OHL in his rookie season 16-8-1-1 record with a 2.45 goals against average and .912 save percentage. He won the Dinty Moore Trophy for having the best rookie goals against average and was named to the OHL First All-Rookie Team at the end of the season.

DiPietro also played for Team Canada at the World Hockey Challenge Under-17’s where he posted the tournaments best goals against average at 1.75 and in those five games had a save percentage of .929. He was also a standout for Team Canada at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial. In 3 appearances he posted a 2.00 goals against average as well as a .920 save percentage.

This season, DiPietro is taking the next step ranking near the top of the league in both goals against average and save percentage.

DiPietro lacks the size that NHL teams seem to covet when it comes to goaltenders nowadays. But what he lacks in size, he makes up with talent.

DiPietro is very agile and athletic. His side to side movement is very quick as is his ability to get into position. He plays a composed game and tracks the puck extremely well. His reflexes are excellent and trusts his abilities. He’s very good in close and remains calm in those situations. His positioning is excellent especially with shots coming through traffic. He is so positionally sound that the puck just hits him through that traffic, or if deflected, can get a pad or glove on it.

If there was one area that DiPietro needed to work on it is his rebound control. From last season to now, he has improved in that area of his game, but it continues to be a work in progress.

As hosts of the 2017 Memorial Cup, the Windsor Spitfires will be playing into May and there will be a lot of eyes on DiPietro. If you are a gambler, don’t bet against him.

Michael DiPietro hockey statistics and profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of Michael DiPietro, a hockey player from Amherstburg, ONT born Jun 9 1999 who was active from 2015 to 2017.

 

OHL’s Draft Eligible Player of the Month for October is Gabriel Vilardi

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Well it is November 1st and every month of the Ontario Hockey League season is the time I select my player of the month eligible for the National Hockey League Draft. For October there was no easy choice as there were several worthy candidates. In the end, I settles on Gabriel Vilardi of the Windsor Spitfires.

Gabriel Vilardi of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Gabriel Vilardi of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

The OHL season began with Vilardi injured but he made his anticipated return showing no rust and on fire. In just 9 games through October, Vilardi scored 6 goals and 8 assists and finishing with a plus 5. His six goals came on twenty five shots, good for a 24 per cent shooting percentage.

In his nine games, Vilardi was named the game’s first star three times. He’s climbed up the Spitfires’ scoring chart and sits tied for second with his fourteen points which is tied for fifth among draft eligible players.

Also garnering attention is Mississauga Steelheads’ star Owen Tippet who leads the Steelheads (and tied for tops among draft eligible players) in scoring. In eleven October games Tippett registered twelve goals and four assists.

Two defencemen drew plenty of attention as well. Tippett’s teammate Nicolas Hague had 7 goals and 4 assists in 10 games while Noel Hoefenmayer of the Ottawa 67’s had 4 goals and 8 assists in 12 games.

In goal, Michael DiPietro posted a 5-2-0-0 record with a 2.25 goals against average and .924 save percentage with one shutout.

Previous Player of the month

October – Gabriel Vilardi (Windsor Spitfires)

September – Greg Meireles (Kitchener Rangers)

OHL’s Draft Eligible Statistical Leaders

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

It is November 1st and that means the Ontario Hockey League’s first full month of the season is now in the books. While the month ended on Halloween, there are no disguises, but a few surprises.

While we look at the League’s statistical leaders in various categories, remember we look at first time draft eligible players only. Those passed over in previous drafts are not included. For example, Oshawa Generals’ Domenic Commisso sits 18th in scoring with 18 points in 15 games, but because he was passed over at the 2016 National Hockey League Draft, he is not included here but is still eligible for the 2017 Draft.

Owen Tippett of the Mississauga Steelheads and Austen Keating of the Ottawa 67’s lead the scoring race with 18 points apiece. Right behind them sits Matthew Strome of the Hamilton Bulldogs with 17 points. However, it’s Gabriel Vilardi of the Windsor Spitfires, who began the season injured, leads in points per game with 1.56. Vilardi, considered the top prospect from the OHL has 14 points in just 9 games.

Austen Keating of the Ottawa 67's. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Austen Keating of the Ottawa 67’s. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Another Ottawa 67 leads defencemen in scoring. Noel Hoefenmayer leads the way with 14 points in 15 games. And right there with him is another Mississauga Steelhead in Nicolas Hague with 13 points in 13 games. Adam Thilander of the North Bay Battalion comes in third with 10 points in 15 games.

In goal, Windsor Spitfires’ Michael DiPietro leads in both goals against average and save percentage. His 2.10 GAA and .926 save percentage rank second and third respectively overall in the OHL.

Here are the leaders in various categories:

Points Leaders
Player Team GP G A Pts
Owen Tippett Mississauga 14 13 5 18
Austen Keating Ottawa 15 6 12 18
Matthew Strome Hamilton 14 10 7 17
*Greg Meireles Kitchener 14 4 12 16
Ivan Lodnia Erie 13 8 7 15
Macauley Carson Sudbury 15 7 7 14
Nick Suzuki Owen Sound 15 6 8 14
Gabriel Vilardi Windsor 9 6 8 14
Noel Hoefenmayer Ottawa 15 5 9 14
Nicolas Hague Mississauga 13 8 5 13
Goal Scoring Leaders
Player Team GP G GPG
Owen Tippett Mississauga 14 13 0.93
Matthew Strome Hamilton 14 10 0.71
Ivan Lodnia Erie 13 8 0.62
Nicolas Hague Mississauga 13 8 0.62
Macauley Carson Sudbury 15 7 0.47
Sasha Chmelevski Ottawa 14 7 0.50
MacKenzie Entwistle Hamilton 14 7 0.50
Nate Schnarr Guelph 16 7 0.44
Austen Keating Ottawa 15 6 0.40
Gabriel Vilardi Windsor 9 6 0.67
Assist Leaders
Player Team GP A APG
Greg Meireles Kitchener 14 12 0.86
Austen Keating Ottawa 15 12 0.80
Noel Hoefenmayer Ottawa 15 9 0.60
Gabriel Vilardi Windsor 9 8 0.89
Robert Thomas London 13 8 0.62
Nick Suzuki Owen Sound 15 8 0.53
Ivan Lodnia Erie 13 7 0.54
Brett Neumann Erie 14 7 0.50
Matthew Strome Hamilton 14 7 0.50
Macauley Carson Sudbury 15 7 0.47
Defencemen Point Leaders
Player Team GP G A Pts
Noel Hoefenmayer Ottawa 15 5 9 14
Nicolas Hague Mississauga 13 8 5 13
Adam Thilander North Bay 15 3 7 10
Markus Phillips Owen Sound 15 4 4 8
Tom Hedberg Barrie 12 2 6 8
Eemeli Rasanen Kingston 14 2 6 8
Nick Grima Peterborough 8 2 4 6
Dmitri Samarukov Guelph 15 0 6 6
Plus/Minus Leaders
Player Team GP +/-
Matthew Strome Hamilton 14 +9
Nick Suzuki Owen Sound 15 +9
Nick Grima Peterborough 8 +8
Brett Neumann Erie 14 +7
Owen Tippett Mississauga 14 +7
Macauley Carson Sudbury 15 +7
Ryan McGregor Sarnia 15 +7
Ivan Lodnia Erie 13 +6
Matthew Phillip Niagara 14 +6
Elijah Roberts Kitchener 14 +6
Penalty Minutes Leaders
Player Team GP PIM M/G
Drake Pilon Sudbury 15 28 1.87
Darian Pilon Sudbury 15 26 1.73
Zach Gallant Peterborough 14 25 1.79
Hayden Davis Niagara 14 21 1.50
Carson Edwardson Erie 9 20 2.22
Matthew Strome Hamilton 14 20 1.43
Cole Tymkin London 12 19 1.58
Faceoff Leaders 
Player Team GP FOA FOW %
Nate Schnarr Guelph 12 333 175 52.6
Zach Gallant Peterborough 14 256 133 52.0
Sasha Chmelevski Ottawa 14 225 127 56.4
Jason Willms Barrie 15 232 122 52.6
Jack Studnicka Oshawa 15 199 110 55.3
Morgan Frost Sault Ste Marie 16 194 98 50.5
Nick Suzuki Owen Sound 15 185 94 50.8
Adam Ruzicka Sarnia 15 207 93 44.9
Goaltending Leaders – Goals Against Average
Player Team GP Min GA Avg
Michael DiPietro Windsor 9 542 19 2.10
Matthew Villalta Sault Ste Marie 7 348 16 2.76
Kaden Fulcher Hamilton 12 667 34 3.06
Riler Daniels Owen Sound 4 195 10 3.08
Christian Propp Barrie 6 301 18 3.59
Goaltending Leaders – Save Percentage
Player Team GP SH SVS SV%
Michael DiPietro Windsor 9 257 238 0.926
Kaden Fulcher Hamilton 12 362 328 0.906
Colton Incze Niagara 3 117 106 0.906
Matthew Villalta Sault Ste Marie 7 155 139 0.897
Christian Propp Barrie 6 173 155 0.896

2017 OHL’s Draft Eligible Players by Team

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Opening week of the Ontario Hockey League season has begun and here you’ll find all the players eligible for the first time for the 2017 National Hockey League Draft.

While there are some top notch players that will have their name’s called in June, It’s not a particularly strong or deep draft class from the O.

Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

On the high end, there is Gabriel Vilardi of the Windsor Spitfires, Owen Tippet and Nicolas Hague of the Mississauga Steelheads and Matthew Strome of the Hamilton Bulldogs to name a few. Standout goaltender Michael DiPietro of the Spitfires has the makeup to push for first round consideration as a goalie.

As for my season prediction, I like Hamilton versus Mississauga in the Eastern Final and London versus Windsor in the Western Final with London defeating Mississauga for the OHL Championship.

Here are the first time draft eligible players

# Rookie Player Pos Team
5 * Chris Cameron D Barrie Colts
7 * Kade Landry D Barrie Colts
8 Lucas Chiodo LW Barrie Colts
12 * Joey Keane D Barrie Colts
15 * Jaden Peca RW Barrie Colts
19 * Jason Willms C Barrie Colts
25 * Kyle Heitzner C Barrie Colts
26 * Tom Hedberg D Barrie Colts
17 Kyle Auger D Barrie Colts
31 Ruan Badenhorst G Barrie Colts
33 * Christian Propp G Barrie Colts
3 * Ryan Martin D Erie Otters
8 * Carson Edwardson C Erie Otters
13 Brett Neumann C Erie Otters
22 Josh Wainman D Erie Otters
27 Ivan Lodnia C Erie Otters
39 * Gera Puddbnyi C Erie Otters
40 * Anand Oberoi G Erie Otters
6 * Samuel Duchesne D Flint Firebirds
9 * Jack Phibbs LW Flint Firebirds
12 * Jake Durham RW Flint Firebirds
5 * Dmitri Samorukov D Guelph Storm
13 * Hanna Quinn D Guelph Storm
14 * Cedric Ralph C Guelph Storm
16 * Nate Schnarr C Guelph Storm
19 Isaac Ratcliffe LW Guelph Storm
20 Albert Michnac C Guelph Storm
22 Liam Stevens LW Guelph Storm
26 Nick Deakin-Poot C Guelph Storm
32 * Anthony Popovich G Guelph Storm
9 * Reilly Webb D Hamilton Bulldogs
11 * Isaac Nurse RW Hamilton Bulldogs
12 * Zachary Johnson LW Hamilton Bulldogs
15 * Fedor Gordeev D Hamilton Bulldogs
18 Matthew Strome LW Hamilton Bulldogs
28 Marian Studenic C Hamilton Bulldogs
44 MacKenzie Entwistle RW Hamilton Bulldogs
33 Kaden Fulcher G Hamilton Bulldogs
6 Jacob Paquette D Kingston Frontenacs
13 * Colin Van Den Hurk D Kingston Frontenacs
19 Jason Robertson LW Kingston Frontenacs
22 * Jakub Brahaney D Kingston Frontenacs
23 * Tyler Burnie RW Kingston Frontenacs
75 * Linus Nyman RW Kingston Frontenacs
77 * Eemeli Rosonen D Kingston Frontenacs
4 Joseph Garreffa C Kitchener Rangers
21 Nick McHugh LW Kitchener Rangers
25 * Alex Peterson D Kitchener Rangers
48 * Cedric Scheimenz C Kitchener Rangers
81 * Dylan Seitz C Kitchener Rangers
88 Greg Meireles RW Kitchener Rangers
98 Elijah Roberts D Kitchener Rangers
34 Luke Richardson G Kitchener Rangers
6 * Ryley Coome D London Knights
15 * Cole Tymkin RW London Knights
24 * Ian Blacker D London Knights
26 * Josh Nelson C London Knights
27 Robert Thomas C London Knights
42 * Jacob Golden D London Knights
80 * Alex Forementon LW London Knights
15 Shaw Boomhower C Mississauga Steelheads
17 * Scoley Dow LW Mississauga Steelheads
18 * Aidan McFarland LW Mississauga Steelheads
28 * Matthew Titus RW Mississauga Steelheads
41 Nicolas Hague D Mississauga Steelheads
74 Owen Tippet RW Mississauga Steelheads
94 * Jeremy Goodwin LW Mississauga Steelheads
3 Ben Jones C Niagara Ice Dogs
5 * Drew Hunter D Niagara Ice Dogs
6 Hayden Davis D Niagara Ice Dogs
16 * Danial Singer C Niagara Ice Dogs
18 * Matthew Philip C Niagara Ice Dogs
19 * Pavel Demin C Niagara Ice Dogs
20 * Ondrej Machala C Niagara Ice Dogs
27 * Cal Davis RW Niagara Ice Dogs
29 * Liam Ham D Niagara Ice Dogs
1 * Colton Incze G Niagara Ice Dogs
2 * Eric Allair D North Bay Battalion
3 Adam Thilander D North Bay Battalion
11 * Daniel Walker LW North Bay Battalion
20 Jacob Ball LW North Bay Battalion
22 Lyle Brady D North Bay Battalion
23 Daniil Vertiy LW North Bay Battalion
24 * Brad Chenier LW North Bay Battalion
27 * Adam McMaster C North Bay Battalion
35 * Mat Woroniuk G North Bay Battalion
3 * Jaimen Allison D Oshawa Generals
4 * Matt Stoia D Oshawa Generals
7 Sullivan Sparkes C Oshawa Generals
15 Kyle MacLean LW Oshawa Generals
17 Renars Krastenbergs LW Oshawa Generals
18 Robbie Burt RW Oshawa Generals
23 Jack Studnicka C Oshawa Generals
38 Kyle Keyser G Oshawa Generals
35 * Barrett Mundell G Oshawa Generals
2 Noel Hoefenmayer D Ottawa 67’s
5 * Andrei Golikov D Ottawa 67’s
9 Austen Keating LW Ottawa 67’s
16 * Ben Evans C Ottawa 67’s
18 Hudson Wilson D Ottawa 67’s
89 Sasha Chmelevski C Ottawa 67’s
5 Sean Durzi D Owen Sound Attack
7 * Zachary Roberts LW Owen Sound Attack
12 * Nick Pryce LW Owen Sound Attack
18 Markus Phillips D Owen Sound Attack
21 Jonah Gadjovich LW Owen Sound Attack
24 * Maksim Sushko RW Owen Sound Attack
37 Nick Suzuki C Owen Sound Attack
2 Cole Fraser D Peterborough Petes
7 Nick Grima D Peterborough Petes
11 Zach Gallant C Peterborough Petes
12 C. J. Clarke RW Peterborough Petes
15 * Nick Isaacson LW Peterborough Petes
23 * Matyas Svoboda LW Peterborough Petes
25 Igor Martynov LW Peterborough Petes
6 * Robert Proner D Saginaw Spirit
7 * Kyle Bollers LW Saginaw Spirit
9 Brady Gilmour C Saginaw Spirit
24 * Brock Hill D Saginaw Spirit
25 Kirill Maksimov RW Saginaw Spirit
49 Cole Coskey RW Saginaw Spirit
91 * Gianluca Fuoco LW Saginaw Spirit
20 * Brendan Bonello G Saginaw Spirit
19 Ryan McGregor LW Sarnia Sting
21 * Adam Ruzicka C Sarnia Sting
23 * Egert Curtis LW Sarnia Sting
27 * Sean Josling RW Sarnia Sting
28 * Kelton Hatcher D Sarnia Sting
30 * Aidan Hughes G Sarnia Sting
7 Anthony DeMeo D Soo Greyhounds
11 Mac Hollowell D Soo Greyhounds
15 Calvin Martin LW Soo Greyhounds
16 Morgan Frost C Soo Greyhounds
21 Connor Timmins D Soo Greyhounds
22 Liam Hawel C Soo Greyhounds
29 * Dougie Newhouse G Soo Greyhounds
31 * Matthew Villalta G Soo Greyhounds
7 Reagan O’Grady D Sudbury Wolves
8 * Conor Ali D Sudbury Wolves
12 Brady Pataki RW Sudbury Wolves
14 * Owen Lane LW Sudbury Wolves
18 Macauley Carson LW Sudbury Wolves
20 * Shane Bulitka LW Sudbury Wolves
22 Ben Garagan C Sudbury Wolves
28 Drake Pilon RW Sudbury Wolves
29 Darian Pilon LW Sudbury Wolves
30 * Drake McGrath G Sudbury Wolves
13 Gabriel Vilardi C Windsor Spitfires
26 * Cole Purboo RW Windsor Spitfires
29 * Jasper Forgrave RW Windsor Spitfires
61 Luke Boka RW Windsor Spitfires
31 * Lucas Patton G Windsor Spitfires
64 Michael DiPietro G Windsor Spitfires

Canada Announces Roster for the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Hockey Canada announced the 22 man roster that will go for a ninth straight gold medal at the 2016 Ivan Hlinka Memorial set to begin August 8 and run thru to August 13, 2016.

The Ontario Hockey League is well represented, making up half the roster led by Windsor Spitfires goaltender Michael DiPietro. To no surprise from this writer, three players not eligible until the 2018 National Hockey League Draft made the final cut. They are: London Knights’ defenceman Evan Bouchard, Mississauga Steelheads’ forward Ryan McLeod and from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Joseph Veleno of the Saint John Sea Dogs

Player Pos Club Draft
Michael DiPietro G Windsor (OHL) 2017
Ian Scott G Prince Albert (WHL) 2017
Evan Bouchard D London (OHL) 2018
Antoine Crête-Belzile D Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL) 2017
Ian Mitchell D Spruce Grove (AJHL) 2017
Jacob Paquette D Kingston (OHL) 2017
Markus Phillips D Owen Sound (OHL) 2017
Elijah Roberts D Kitchener (OHL) 2017
Jonathan Smart D Kelowna (WHL) 2017
Jordy Bellerive F Lethbridge (WHL) 2017
Shane Bowers F Waterloo (USHL) 2017
Maxime Comtois F Victoriaville (QMJHL) 2017
MacKenzie Entwistle F Hamilton (OHL) 2017
Stelio Mattheos F Brandon (WHL) 2017
Ryan McLeod F Mississauga (OHL) 2018
Greg Meireles F Ottawa (CCHL) 2017
Michael Rasmussen F Tri-City (WHL) 2017
Matthew Strome F Hamilton (OHL) 2017
Jack Studnicka F Oshawa (OHL) 2017
Nick Suzuki F Owen Sound (OHL) 2017
Owen Tippett F Mississauga (OHL) 2017
Joseph Veleno F Saint John (QMJHL) 2018

Hlinka Schedule