PETES’ NICK ROBERTSON WINS CHL SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD PRESENTED BY CAVENDISH FARMS

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

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Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League is proud to announce that Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Nick Robertson of the Peterborough Petes is the 2019-20 recipient of the CHL Sportsman of the Year Award presented by Cavendish Farms.

Robertson led the entire CHL with 55 goals in just 46 games played while adding 31 assists for a total of 86 points along with 40 penalty minutes.

“Cavendish Farms proudly congratulates Nick Robertson of the Peterborough Petes on receiving the CHL Sportsman of the Year Award presented by Cavendish Farms. Nick set a positive example for his fellow teammates, opponents, fans and the Peterborough community, both on and off the ice. We look forward to watching Nick continue his hockey career in the near future.”

The 18-year-old from Northville, Michigan, finished tenth in Ontario Hockey League scoring during his third career season after being chosen by the Leafs in the second round of the 2019 NHL Draft and signing his entry-level contract in September.  He was held without a goal just nine times over the course of the season and went on a 14-game goal-scoring streak from January 9 to February 8 upon his return from the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship where he played for Team USA.  His impressive 1.20 goals-per-game pace is the highest the CHL has seen since Rene Corbet of the Drummondville Voltigeurs and Pat Peake of the Detroit Junior Red Wings back in 1992-93 when considering players with more than 20 goals scored and over 30 games to their credit in a single season.  The 1992-93 campaign is also the last time a Petes player has reached the 50-goal milestone.

“I want to thank the CHL for awarding me the most sportsmanlike player of the year,” Robertson said. “I just want to thank my organization the Peterborough Petes as well as the GM Mike Oke, head coach Rob Wilson, and my teammates. And finally I’d like to thank the fans in Peterborough for all of their support and making it an electrifying building every night. I hope everyone stays safe and healthy.”

Robertson is the first member of the Petes to win the national award since presentation began in 1990 following previous team nominees Ryan Spooner (2010) and Mike Ricci (1990).  The OHL’s most recent recipient is Nick Suzuki, now a member of the Montreal Canadiens, who was recognized in 2017 while starring for the Owen Sound Attack.  This is the second straight season a Robertson has been recognized on the national stage with Nick following in the footsteps of older brother Jason who led the CHL in scoring with 117 points as a member of the Niagara IceDogs one year ago.

Finalists for the award were 2020 NHL Draft prospect Seth Jarvis of the Western Hockey League’s Portland Winterhawks and Calgary Flames prospect Jakob Pelletier of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Moncton Wildcats.

About the Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the world’s largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American states. In addition to the OHL, the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League and U SPORTS than any other league. For more information visit http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/.

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

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

All Star Teams

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2019-20 OHL All-Star Teams:

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

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

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

2019-20 OHL All-Rookie Teams:

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

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

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

About the Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the world’s largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American states. In addition to the OHL, the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League and U SPORTS than any other league. For more information visit http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/.

PETES’ NICK ROBERTSON NAMED OHL’S MOST SPORTSMANLIKE PLAYER PRESENTED BY ASHLEY HOMESTORE

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Nick Robertson

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Nick Robertson of the Peterborough Petes is the 2019-20 recipient of the William Hanley Trophy awarded to the OHL’s Most Sportsmanlike Player presented by Ashley HomeStore.

Three-time winner Nick Suzuki passes the torch to Robertson, who led the OHL with 55 goals in just 46 games while adding 31 assists for a total of 86 points. The 5-foot-9, 164Ib. left winger registered a plus-29 rating along with 40 penalty minutes in his third OHL season and went on a 14-game goal-scoring streak from January 9 to February 8. Robertson was held without a goal just nine times over the course of the season, scoring a pair of hat-tricks while recording two different five-point performances along the way. His 1.20 goals-per-game pace is the seventh-highest single season figure since 1980-81, third among players under the age of 19 trailing Oshawa’s Eric Lindros (1.25, 1990-91) and Tony Tanti (1.21, 1980-81). Nick follows in the footsteps of older brother Jason, who led the Canadian Hockey League in scoring with 117 points as a member of the Niagara IceDogs during the 2018-19 season.

“I really appreciate being recognized as the OHL’s Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year,” says Robertson. “I’d like to thank my general manager Mike Oke, head coach Rob Wilson, the Petes staff, and my teammates.

“I’d also like to thank Petes fans – you all made the PMC an electrifying building, got us excited and motivated to win and, win or loss, you were always there to support us.”

An 18-year-old product of Northville, Mich., Robertson was within striking distance of a Petes franchise single season goal-scoring record of 63 held by Scott Tottle (1983-84) when the season came to a premature end. He ended the year three goals shy of 100 on his OHL career, owning 174 points (97-77–174) over 162 career regular season games in a Petes uniform after being the club’s first round (16th overall) pick in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection. Robertson was widely recognized in the 2019-20 OHL Coaches Poll, finishing in six different categories including the Eastern Conference’s Most Dangerous in the Goal Area along with Best Shot. He represented the United States in the 2020 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship and was a second round (53rd overall) pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2019.

“This is a proud moment for Nick and the Peterborough Petes,” said general manager Mike Oke. “He is one of the top players in the OHL and plays within the rules. Leading not only the OHL, but the CHL in goals is a special accomplishment.  From the moment he joined the Petes, Nick has approached and played the game the right way and is more than deserving of this award.”

The William Hanley Trophy is awarded each year based on a selection by the 20 General Managers of the Ontario Hockey League.  All 20 teams submit a nominee but are not permitted to vote for their own candidate. The trophy is presented by the OHL to commemorate William Hanley, former Secretary-Manager of the Ontario Hockey Association for over 25 years.

Robertson joins a host of former Petes to have won the award including Ryan Spooner (2009-10), Mike Ricci (1989-90), Scott Tottle (1984-85), Doug Jarvis (1974-75), Mickey Redmond (1966-67) and Andre Lacroix (1965-66). Joining Suzuki as current NHL players to have been awarded the William Hanley Trophy include Mike Amadio (North Bay 2016), Dylan Strome (Erie 2015), Connor McDavid (Erie 2014), Brandon Saad (Saginaw 2012) and Jeff Carter (Sault Ste. Marie 2005).

Robertson will be the OHL’s nominee for CHL Sportsman of the Year, an award that will be announced in the coming weeks.

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

About the Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the world’s largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American states. In addition to the OHL, the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League and U SPORTS than any other league. For more information visit http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/.

Vaughn CHL Team of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

The Canadian Hockey League today announced the 24th edition of the Vaughn CHL Team of the Week for the 2019-20 season based on individual performances from March 2-8.

Leading the group is Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Nick Robertson of the Peterborough Petes who wrapped up the week with 10 points counting five goals and five assists over three appearances. Standing atop the circuit with 55 goals, Robertson continued to fill the net over the past week, counting back-to-back multi-goal performances including Saturday’s 5-1 win over the Mississauga Steelheads in which he tallied twice en route to first-star recognition. For his efforts, Robertson was named the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week.

Also up front is 2020 NHL Draft hopeful William Dufour of the Drummondville Voltigeurs whose week totaled nine points counting six goals and three assists in a trio of contests. In posting back-to-back hat-tricks, Dufour’s best showing came in Saturday’s 8-2 road victory over the Saint John Sea Dogs in which he finished with a season high of five points and first-star honours. In recognition, Dufour was also named the Ultramar QMJHL Player of the Week.

Rounding out the forward ranks is Los Angeles Kings draft pick Akil Thomas of the Peterborough Petes who finished the week with four goals and five assists for nine points through three games. Thomas’ best performance came Sunday against his former club in the Niagara IceDogs as he put up a career-high six-point effort to lead his squad to a 12-1 road win.

On the blue line, Winnipeg Jets prospect Declan Chisholm of the Peterborough Petes put up an impressive showing as he closed out the week with eight points counting two goals and six assists over three contests. Chisholm, who sits third among all OHL rearguards with 69 points on the season, continued to add to his totals as his week counted a four-point night in Thursday’s 8-0 win over the Hamilton Bulldogs in which he matched his regular-season high and was credited as the third star.

Partnering on the back end is New Jersey Devils first-round pick Ty Smith of the Spokane Chiefs who shined with seven points counting two goals and five assists in three games. Registering at least one point in all five of his most recent appearances, that stretch includes Friday’s 5-1 road win versus the Red Deer Rebels that saw Smith finish with one goal and three assists to help guide his team to victory.

In the blue paint, Minnesota Wild prospect Hunter Jones of the Peterborough Petes was nearly unbeatable across a pair of contests as he came away with a 2-0-0-0 showing while turning aside a combined 70 shots to close out the week with a 0.50 goals-against average and .986 save percentage. Facing the Hamilton Bulldogs on Thursday, Jones put up his best showing as he stopped 40 shots to notch his fourth shutout of the season and claim second-star honours in an 8-0 victory.

PETES’ NICK ROBERTSON NAMED OHL ‘ON THE RUN’ PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Nick Robertson of the Peterborough Petes is the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week with 10 points in three games including five goals and five assists along with a plus/minus rating of plus-8.

Robertson led the Petes to a perfect 3-0 week, outscoring opponents 25-2 in the process as he increased his goal-scoring total to a CHL-leading 55. The third-year winger scored a goal in Thursday’s 8-0 blanking of the visiting Hamilton Bulldogs. He earned first star honours with two goals and two assists in Saturday’s 5-1 victory over the Mississauga Steelheads on home ice, finishing the game with seven shots on goal. Robertson rounded out the weekend with his second five-point effort of the season, scoring twice while adding three assists as the Petes took it to the Niagara IceDogs in a 12-1 road win.

A 19-year-old product of Northville, Mich., Robertson leads the Canadian Hockey League with 55 goals, tacking on 31 assists for the OHL’s ninth-best total of 86 points over 46 games. He recently became the fastest player in Peterborough Petes history to score his 50th goal, doing so on in his 43rd game of the season on Mar. 1st. Robertson is currently fifth in OHL shots on goal with 255 to his credit. He’s eight goals shy of Scott Tottle’s 1983-84 Petes single season franchise record of 63 with six games remaining on the schedule. Robertson was a second round (53rd overall) pick of the Maple Leafs last summer and represented the United States at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship this past January. The Petes selected Robertson with the 16th overall pick of the 2017 OHL Priority Selection from the Toronto Red Wings Minor Midgets.

Also considered for the award this week were a pair of Peterborough Petes teammates including Los Angeles Kings prospect Akil Thomas who recorded nine points (4-5–9) over the three wins. Minnesota Wild draftee Hunter Jones was also stellar, playing to a 2-0 record with a 0.50 goals-against average, .986 save percentage with one shutout.

OTR_2017_Logo

2019-20 OHL ‘On the Run’ Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Mar. 2 – Mar. 8: Nick Robertson (Peterborough Petes)
Feb. 24 – Mar. 1: Liam Foudy (London Knights)
Feb. 17 – Feb. 23: Tyler Tucker (Flint Firebirds)
Feb. 10 – Feb. 16: Cole Perfetti (Saginaw Spirit)
Feb. 3 – Feb. 9: Evgeniy Oksentyuk (Flint Firebirds)
Jan. 27 – Feb. 2: Connor McMichael (London Knights)
Jan. 20 – Jan. 26: Ty Dellandrea (Flint Firebirds)
Jan. 13 – Jan. 19: Mitchell Hoelscher (Ottawa 67’s)
Jan. 6 – Jan. 12: Philip Tomasino (Oshawa Generals)
Dec. 30 – Jan. 5: Jacob Ingham (Kitchener Rangers)
Dec. 16 – Dec. 29: Joseph Garreffa (Ottawa 67’s)
Dec. 9 – Dec. 15: Jacob Ingham (Kitchener Rangers)
Dec. 2 – Dec. 8: Ty Dellandrea (Flint Firebirds)
Nov. 25 – Dec. 1: Marco Rossi (Ottawa 67’s)
Nov. 18 – Nov. 24: Riley McCourt (Flint Firebirds)
Nov. 11 – Nov. 17: Jan Jenik (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Nov. 4 – Nov. 10: Cam Hillis (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 28 – Nov. 3: Connor McMichael (London Knights)
Oct. 21 – Oct. 27: Nico Daws (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 14 – Oct. 20: Hunter Jones (Peterborough Petes)
Oct. 7 – Oct. 13: Mack Guzda (Owen Sound Attack)
Sept. 24 – Oct. 6: Philip Tomasino (Niagara IceDogs)
Sept. 23 – Sept. 29: Connor McMichael (London Knights)
Sept. 19 – Sept. 22: Semyon Der-Arguchintsev (Peterborough Petes)

OHL THIS WEEK: MARCH 5 TO 8, 2020

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

OHL This Week

Toronto, Ont. – The 2019-20 regular season is winding down and the playoff races are heating up! Here’s all you need to know in the latest edition of the OHL This Week.

OHL THIS WEEK PODCAST WITH SUDBURY WOLVES VETERAN MACAULEY CARSON:
Sudbury Wolves captain Macauley Carson discusses his upcoming record-breaking night in his hometown of Barrie as he’ll play his 302nd career regular season game to climb atop the Wolves’ all-time list. He shares some of his memories and some details on the friendships he’s made along the way. Erie Otters captain Jack Duff also joins the show, sharing his new community initiative with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Northwest Pennsylvania.
LISTEN

OHL TOP PERFORMERS OF THE MONTH FOR FEBRUARY:
Kingston’s Shane Wright and London Knights teammates Alec Regula and Brett Brochu are OHL Top Performers for February 2020.
READ MORE

OHL ACADEMIC PLAYERS OF THE MONTH FOR FEBRUARY:
Hamilton’s Lawson Sherk, Barrie’s Ethan Cardwell, Erie’s Aidan Campbell and Flint’s Braeden Kressler are the OHL’s Academic Players of the Month for February.
READ MORE

SPITFIRES AND RANGERS SQUARE OFF SUNDAY ON SPORTSNET:
OHL action comes to Sportsnet on Sunday afternoon as the Kitchener Rangers pay a visit to the Windsor Spitfires at 2:05pm. See the game across the country on Sportsnet as two Western Conference teams bound for the OHL Playoffs meet in Windsor.

67’s, KNIGHTS, RANGERS AND SPIRIT IN KIA CHL TOP 10:
The Ottawa 67’s remain as the second-ranked team in this week’s Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings while the London Knights, Kitchener Rangers and Saginaw Spirit are also on the national radar.
FULL RANKINGS

KNIGHTS’ FOUDY NAMED OHL ‘ON THE RUN’ PLAYER OF THE WEEK:
Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Liam Foudy of the London Knights is the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week with seven points over three victories.
READ MORE

FOUDY AND YETMAN NAMED TO VAUGHN CHL TEAM OF THE WEEK:
Forwards Liam Foudy of the London Knights and Chad Yetman of the Erie Otters have been named to the Vaughn CHL Team of the Week.
READ MORE

WAWANESA OHL PLAYS OF THE WEEK – MAR. 4, 2020:
Wawanesa OHL Plays of the Week is brought to you by some perfect passes and some outstanding goals. Catch Windsor’s Jean-Luc Foudy with some jump in his step, Kingston’s Shane Wright with an effortless move behind the skates, Owen Sound’s Adam McMaster splitting the defenders, Niagara’s Jackson Doherty capping off a toe drag with a wicked snipe and Niagara’s Ivan Lodnia getting real fancy on his way to the net.
WATCH

VAUGHN SAVES OF THE WEEK – MAR. 3, 2020:
We’ve got glove saves, pad saves and even a save off the mask in this week’s Vaughn Saves roundup! Tune in for the good stuff from Mississauga’s Kai Edmonds, Flint’s Peyton Grainer, Hamilton’s Zachary Roy, Sarnia’s Benjamin Gaudreau, Sudbury’s David Bowen, London’s Brett Brochu, Niagara’s Andrew MacLean, Windsor’s Xavier Medina, Oshawa’s Jordan Kooy, Peterborough’s Hunter Jones, Saginaw’s Tristan Lennox and Ottawa’s Cedrick Andree.
WATCH

ICEDOGS’ LODNIA REPRESENTS OHL IN CHL SHOWDOWN:
Niagara IceDogs forward Ivan Lodnia is the OHL’s representative in this week’s CHL Showdown featuring one great play from all three leagues.
WATCH & VOTE AT CHLSHOWDOWN.CA

OHL CUP POWERED BY UNDER ARMOUR MINOR MIDGET TOP-10 RANKINGS:
The top-ranked Toronto Jr. Canadiens and fourth-ranked Vaughan Kings are squaring off in the GTHL Championship Series while third-ranked Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs and fifth-ranked Hamilton Huskies are going head-to-head for ALLIANCE Minor Midget supremacy. In the OMHA, Top-10 teams in the Quinte Red Devils (2), Southern Tier Admirals (8) and Whitby Wildcats (9) are off to this weekend’s OMHA Championship in Belleville alongside the Niagara North Stars and the Oshawa Generals. A total of seven teams have now secured spots at the 2020 OHL Cup Powered by Under Armour.
FULL RANKINGS

VETERANS AND ROOKIES WORKING TOGETHER ON THE OHL OFFICIATING TEAM:
Veterans and rookies work together on the OHL Officiating Team as 21-year linesman Kevin Hastings skates alongside newcomer Matt Mannella in this behind the scenes look.
WATCH

A TALE OF TWO LONDON KNIGHTS DRAFT ELIGIBLE SOPHOMORES:
Luke Evangelista and Antonio Stranges are reaping the rewards of lessons learned during their rookie seasons, developing valuable skills and a long-term vision under the coaching of Dale Hunter.
WATCH

67’s LOCK UP SECOND STRAIGHT EAST DIVISION TITLE:
The Ottawa 67’s are East Division champions for a second straight year following Friday’s 4-1 win over the visiting Oshawa Generals. The 2020 East Division title secures the franchise’s 17th Leyden Trophy.
READ MORE

SPITFIRES HEADED TO THE POSTSEASON:
The Windsor Spitfires are headed to the 2020 OHL Playoffs for the fifth straight season. Their 10-2 win over the Kingston Frontenacs, led by multi-point performances from a pair of top NHL Draft prospects in Jean-Luc Foudy (2-2—4) and Will Cuylle (2-1—3), solidified their spot in the postseason with a 34-19-6-0 tally on the season and 74 points for fifth in the Western Conference, becoming the fifth Western team to enter the playoff tree.
READ MORE

COLTS BACK IN THE PLAYOFF PICTURE:
The Barrie Colts are officially back in the playoff picture. Despite a 6-1 loss to the Peterborough Petes on Sunday, the Niagara IceDogs’ loss to the North Bay Battalion vaulted the Colts into the playoff tree with their 27-26-4-2 record and 60 points at fifth in the Eastern Conference.
READ MORE

BULLDOGS PART WAYS WITH HEAD COACH VINCE LAISE:
The Hamilton Bulldogs announced Tuesday that Vince Laise has been relieved of his coaching duties effective immediately. President and general manager Steve Staios will oversee the coaching staff for the remainder of the season.
READ MORE

FIREBIRDS’ TUCKER SIGNS WITH BLUES:
Flint Firebirds defenceman Tyler Tucker has signed a three-year entry level NHL contract with the St. Louis Blues. The 20-year-old has 55 points (17-38–55) over 52 games between the Firebirds and Barrie Colts this season. He was St. Louis’ seventh round pick in the 2018 NHL Draft.
READ MORE

PETES’ ROBERTSON IS OHL’S FIRST TO 50 GOALS IN 2019-20:
Nick Robertson is the Canadian Hockey League’s first to 50 in 2019-20. The Toronto Maple Leafs prospect netted a hat-trick in Sunday’s 6-1 Peterborough Petes win over the visiting Barrie Colts to hit the 50-goal mark, doing so in just his 43rd game. He’s in good company, joining 13 other names to accomplish the feat in the storied history of the Peterborough Petes.
READ MORE

FRONTENACS’ ROOKIE WRIGHT SETS NEW FRANCHISE MARK FOR GOALS BY A ROOKIE:
Shane Wright made Kingston Frontenacs history on Saturday, recording his first OHL hat-trick to become the franchise’s all-time leading goalscorer among rookies.
READ MORE

ATTACK’S LYLE SETS FRANCHISE RECORD FOR CAREER GOALS BY A DEFENCEMAN:
Overage defenceman Brady Lyle scored 58 seconds into action on Wednesday in Flint, burying the Attack’s first shot of the game to become the franchise’s all-time leader in career goals by a defenceman.
READ MORE

NOLAN FORSTER COMMITS TO STORM:
The Guelph Storm have received a commitment from 2019 eighth round selection Nolan Forster. Forster enjoyed a great rookie season with the Cambridge Redhawks of the GOJHL, recording 14 goals and 44 assists for a total of 58 points in 47 regular season games.  Forster finished the season second in team scoring.
READ MORE

5 QUESTIONS WITH JACOB INGHAM:
Los Angeles Kings prospect Jacob Ingham of the Kitchener Rangers shares thoughts about a season where he has made an impact on and off the ice.
READ MORE

OHL PERFORMANCE DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: SPOTS FILLING UP FAST!
The OHL Performance Development League launches April 26th and spots are filling up fast! The registration deadline is April 22nd. Don’t miss out, book your spot today!
DETAILS

BEYOND THE BOARDS:

Captain Jack’s Kids: Erie Otters Captain Jack Duff has teamed up with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Family Services of NW PA for an initiative he’s called Captain Jack’s Kids. Duff invites a new kid and their family to each Otters home game, meets with them after the game, gifts them a signed puck, and gives them an overall one-of-a-kind experience. Inspired by visits from the Kingston Frontenacs when he was a child in school, Duff wants to be an inspiration for younger kids, reach out to the less fortunate and help them “do whatever it is they want to do” in the future.
VISIT OTTERSHOCKEY.COM FOR MORE

Canadore Community Appreciation Night in North Bay: Fans are asked to join Canadore College and their guests for a fun-filled night at the Memorial Gardens on Thursday as the Troops host the Kingston Frontenacs. There’ll be plenty of prizes to win along with a special intermission promo fans won’t want to miss! Fans are asked to wear their Canadore ‘Red’ clothing to the game and bring their favourite noise maker.

Guelph’s annual Pick Up The Tab Night: The Storm are collecting beer tabs for their annual Pick Up The Tab night this Friday when they face off against the Oshawa Generals. They’re teaming up with Sleeman Breweries and the tabs are being collected for Elora Legion Branch 229 “Tabs for Wheelchairs” program. Money raised from the recycled tabs will go towards new wheelchairs, new walkers, and new motorized scooters.
MORE INFO AT GUELPHSTORM.COM

OHL ONSIDE touches down in Kitchener: With the Barrie Colts in town Friday, the Kitchener Rangers are hosting their fourth annual OHL ONSIDE event in support of ending gender-based violence with the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region. There will be an information table set up at the game as well as a ceremonial puck drop. OHL ONSIDE is an initiative between the Ontario Hockey League and the Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres (OCRCC) aimed at increasing the understanding and awareness of players’ responsibility to demonstrate respect for women and people of all genders.
READ MORE AT KITCHENERRANGERS.COM

Niagara IceDogs’ ‘Night School’ Game: The Icedogs’ “Night School” game will take place this Saturday against the visiting Erie Otters in partnership with the Education Foundation of Niagara and Niagara Foundation for Catholic Education. The team will be sporting the jerseys designed by elementary school student Owen McNeish-Fortune.
MORE DETAILS AT NIAGARAICEDOGS.NET

Oshawa Generals and Hockey Gives Blood host upcoming Blood Drive: On Tuesday, March 10th, the Oshawa Generals and their Hockey Gives Blood player ambassador Lleyton Moore will be host a Blood Drive. All those interested in taking part can visit OshawaGenerals.com to book an appointment.
SIGN UP AT OSHAWAGENERALS.COM

Peterborough Petes looking for Playoff Slogan: The Petes are on the hunt for a playoff slogan and they’ve reached out to the community for help. Entries are being accepted until March 15th and the winner will receive some great prizes.
CONTINUE READING AT GOPETESGO.COM

ALUMNI NOTES:

Hishon, Bieber’s close friendship blasts Attack into social media stratosphere: The CHL’s smallest market hit the world stage early Monday morning when Justin Bieber blasted out a photo wearing a personalized Owen Sound Attack jersey while posing with assistant coach Joey Hishon, a former Attack star who helped guide the team to an OHL Championship in 2010-11. The image was sent out to Bieber’s 129-million Instagram followers, becoming an instant viral sensation. Hishon and Bieber, the Stratford duo, have been hitting the ice in Los Angeles and New York recently as Bieber prepares for his eventual 10-breakaway challenge against former Attack goaltender and NHL all-star Jordan Binnington. The Owen Sound Sun-Times’ Greg Cowan has the story.
READ MORE AT OWENSOUNDSUNTIMES.COM

Studnicka a shorthanded force for Bruins: Niagara IceDogs graduate and long-time Oshawa Generals forward Jack Studnicka received high praise over at bostonbruins.com this week. The 21-year-old centreman has scored an AHL-leading seven shorthanded goals this season as part of a 46-point (22-24–46) rookie campaign. Studnicka was Boston’s second round pick in 2017 and played four seasons in the OHL from 2015-19.
READ MORE AT NHL.COM/BRUINS

Garlent named ECHL Player of the Month: Peterborough Petes graduate Hunter Garlent of the Florida Everblades has been named ECHL Player of the Month for February. The 25-year-old recorded seven goals, 12 assists and 19 points in 12 games, tacking on a plus-15 rating. Garlent is tied for seventh among ECHL rookies with 41 points (16-25–41) in 51 games this season. Following a five-year OHL career between Guelph and Peterborough from 2011-16, he played U SPORTS Men’s Hockey at St. Mary’s University from 2016-19.
READ MORE AT ECHL.COM

12 OHL alumni set to battle for Queen’s Cup: The University of Ottawa Gee-Gees and University of Guelph Gryphons are headed to the 109th Queen’s Cup Final with a total 12 former OHL skaters suiting up for the one game showdown.
READ MORE

CHL Leaders – Zack Shepley: There are no shortage of parallels between Zack Shepley’s current career and his former days in the Ontario Hockey League. Currently serving as a firefighter in the Windsor, Ont., area, Shepley vastly enjoys his new work environment, one that comes with a recollection of his time around his teammates and the friendships that came with it during his five seasons with the Plymouth Whalers and Brampton Battalion from 2003-08.
READ MORE

KEY MATCHUPS:

Erie Otters at Niagara IceDogs
Saturday, March 7

The Erie Otters (25-25-4-7) are looking to maintain that Western Conference eighth place seed and the Niagara IceDogs (18-36-5-1) are hoping to get the leg up on the Kingston Frontenacs for eighth in the East.

The Otters are led by third year skaters Maxim Golod (25-52—77) and Chad Yetman (41-31—72), and have top NHL Draft prospect Jamie Drysdale monitoring the blueline.

The IceDogs have struggled to find themselves in the win column as of late with only one win in their last 17 games, but they currently sit tied with the eighth place Kingston Frontenacs, meaning that playoff berth could be anyone’s.

Minnesota Wild prospect Ivan Lodnia sits atop the Niagara scoring race with 60 points to his name (26-34—60) and is followed up by fellow overager Oliver Castleman, posting a 57-point total (21-36—57).

The Otters hold a 4-0-0-1 tally over the course of the season and will wrap up their series with the ‘Dogs on Saturday night at the Meridian Centre.

Kingston Frontenacs at Soo Greyhounds
Saturday, March 7

Dwindling in eighth place and tied for 42 points on the year with Niagara, the Kingston Frontenacs (19-36-2-2) will head to Sault Ste. Marie Saturday hungry to hold down the playoff spot and widen that point cushion.

The next few wins are just as crucial for the ninth place Greyhounds (26-31-3-1), who trail the Erie Otters by five points over in the Western Conference.

Shane Wright continues to lead the squad with a franchise record-setting 66 points, whose numbers match Connor McDavid’s rookie total as a fellow exceptional status skater. The 16-year-old rookie notched his first OHL hat-trick last weekend to hit the 38 goal-marker, surpassing former Kingston Canadian Bernie Nicholls’ 36 rookie goals scored over a single season. Linemate Zayde Wisdom has kept up consistent numbers, boasting 58 points over his 59 appearances.

Zack Trott leads the pack in Sault Ste. Marie, boasting 61 points over 59 games in his third OHL season, and trailing five points behind him is sophomore skater Rory Kerins with his team-highest 29 goals.

Saturday will see the two squads square off for the second and final time this season. The ‘Hounds scored five in a row to defeat the Fronts 5-2 back in late January in their first meeting.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

Thursday, March 5th:
Saginaw at Mississauga – 11:00pm
Kingston at North Bay – 7:00pm
Hamilton at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Owen Sound at Windsor – 7:05pm
Sudbury at Barrie – 7:30pm

Friday, March 6th:
North Bay at Mississauga – 7:00pm
Soo at Sudbury – 7:05pm
Oshawa at Guelph – 7:30pm
Barrie at Kitchener – 7:30pm
Sarnia at London – 7:30pm

Saturday, March 7th:
Saginaw at Hamilton – 4:00pm
Windsor at Flint – 7:00pm
Erie at Niagara – 7:00pm
Mississauga at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Kingston at Soo – 7:07pm
Ottawa at Barrie – 7:30pm
London at Owen Sound – 7:30pm

Sunday, March 8th:
Saginaw at Erie – 2:00pm
Peterborough at Niagara – 2:00pm
Ottawa at North Bay – 2:00pm
Kingston at Sudbury – 2:05pm
Kitchener at Windsor – 2:05pm (Live on Sportsnet)
Guelph at Sarnia – 4:05pm
Oshawa at London – 6:00pm

ICEDOGS’ PHILIP TOMASINO NAMED OHL ‘ON THE RUN’ PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Tomosino

Toronto, Ont.  – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Nashville Predators prospect Philip Tomasino of the Niagara IceDogs is the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week for the week of regular season action ending October 6 with three goals, four assists and seven points in two games.

• HIGHLIGHTS: Tomasino records career-high six points in victory

Tomasino recorded an assist in Niagara’s 5-4 loss to visiting Saginaw on Thursday before tying an IceDogs franchise record with six points including his first career OHL hat-trick in Friday’s 8-4 win over the Kingston Frontenacs. Tomasino scored once in each period, recording seven shots on goal while capping his hat-trick 7:25 into the third frame. His three assists helped linemate Kyen Sopa score his first career trio in the decisive home ice victory.

Tomasino joins David Pacan as just the second Niagara IceDogs player to ever put up six points in a single game, doing so for the first time since March 5, 2011.

An 18-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., Tomasino is off to a strong start with 15 points (5-10–15) spread out over six of his seven contests. The former fifth overall pick in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection was chosen 24th overall by the Nashville Predators this past summer after he registered 72 points (34-38–72) over 67 games in 2018-19. The Mississauga Rebels Minor Midget graduate also represented Canada at the 2019 IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championship in Sweden, recording five points (1-4–5) over six contests.

Also considered for the award this week was Sudbury Wolves forward David Levin whose seven points (1-6–7) helped his team win a pair of games this past weekend. Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Nick Robertson of the Peterborough Petes also had a productive week, recording seven points (4-3–7) over three contests as the Petes went 2-1 on the road.

OTR_2017_Logo

2019-20 OHL ‘On the Run’ Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Oct. 3 – Oct. 6: Philip Tomasino (Niagara IceDogs)
Sept. 26 – Sept. 29: Connor McMichael (London Knights)
Sept. 19 – Sept. 22: Semyon Der-Arguchintsev (Peterborough Petes)

Nick Robertson – Peterborough Petes – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height: 5’9”

Weight: 160 pounds

Date of birth: September 11, 2001

Hometown: Arcadia, California

Position: Left Wing

Shoots: Left

OHL Draft: Round 1, 16th overall, 2017 Priority Selection

NHL Central Scouting Rankings: pre-season, November: B Prospect. Mid-term: 30th North America

Born in Arcadia California and now calls Northville Michigan home, Peterborough Petes’ little engine that could Nick Robertson is the younger brother of OHL sniper Jason Robertson of the Niagara IceDogs. The younger Robertson is one of the youngest players available for the 2019 National Hockey League Draft, making the September 15, 2001 cut off date by just 4 days.

The biggest difference between the brothers that stands out most to hockey watchers is the size difference. While Nick stands at just 5’9”, Jason comes in at 6’2”. There is also an older brother, Michael, who when he played, stood at 6’. So, you’d think there is some room for physical growth, right?

Robertson played his Minor Midget AAA hockey with the Toronto Red Wings during the 2016-2017 season amassing 18 goals and 18 assists in 32 games as an Alternate Captain. At the end of his Minor Midget season, Robertson appeared in 4 games with the North York Rangers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League, notching 3 assists in 4 contests.

Last season, Robertson broke onto the OHL scene with the Petes, appearing in 62 games and scoring 15 goals and 18 assists.

NIck Robertson of the Peterborough Petes. Photo by Terry Wilson - OHL Images.
Nick Robertson of the Peterborough Petes. Photo by Terry Wilson – OHL Images.

Robertson’s draft year began by representing Team USA at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup and in 5 games with the Americans, Robertson scored 4 goals while adding an assist. He started off the preseason well but then just two games into the season, he suffered a wrist injury that caused him to miss the next month. He would re-injure the wrist in early November missing another 4 games.

Since Robertson’s return in November, he’s been nothing short of a consistent offensive producer, notching points in 20 of his 32 contests, going pointless in back-to-back games just once. He now has 44 points in 42 games and only Ryan Merkley, who the Petes acquired in a trade, has more points on the Petes.

Robertson is an extremely hard worker who plays with a “do anything to win” mentality. Maybe it’s because he was born 8 weeks premature and almost didn’t survive and came to the conclusion that he had to do his best to be the best he can be. I strongly recommend this article from the Peterborough Examiner.

Robertson is a very good skater with very good speed. He has excellent edgework and despite the size disadvantage is very strong on his skates. He has the ability to slow the game down or pick up the pace quickly because of a very quick first step. He’s able to slip into seams almost unnoticed. He skates with a wide stance which makes him stronger on his feet.

Robertson also possesses excellent vision. He can draw in defenders with his patience and sees opportunities and seams open up with good anticipation. But when he doesn’t see those seams, he will take the lane directly to the net.  

It can be argued that Robertson has the best puck skills in his draft class. He handles the puck extremely well at top speed and can dish it at top speed. He can also fire it while at top speed and off his wrong foot. His shot is deceptive and is as NHL ready as any shooter in the draft class.  His shot is right there with Arthur Kaliyev and his puck skills with Ryan Suzuki.

Defensively, the game is a work in progress for Robertson. He certainly has the skating ability to put himself in the right position. And he has the work ethic and the smarts. But he’s young, determined and has the coaching he needs. I don’t think it will be an issue going forward.

Stat page from Elite Prospects

Rosters Announced for 2019 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League in association with National Hockey League Central Scouting have announced the rosters for the 2019 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game which takes place on Wednesday January 23 in Red Deer, Alberta.

Top Prospects Game

The 40 players from across the Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League selected by NHL clubs to compete in the 24th annual showcase of draft eligible talent have been divided into Team Cherry and Team Orr by NHL Central Scouting.

Team Cherry will be coached by Ron MacLean alongside Dave Hunter and Brent Sutter, with Team Orr to be coached by Kelly Hrudey with Robyn Regehr and Marc Habscheid.

NHL Central Scouting ‘A’ rated prospects Bowen Byram (Vancouver Giants), Dylan Cozens (Lethbridge Hurricanes), Nolan Foote (Kelowna Rockets), Arthur Kaliyev (Hamilton Bulldogs), Peyton Krebs (Kootenay ICE), Raphael Lavoie (Halifax Mooseheads), Samuel Poulin (Sherbrooke Phoenix), and Matthew Robertson (Edmonton Oil Kings) headline the Team Cherry roster.  The group also includes World Junior Championship talents in Mads Sogaard (Medicine Hat Tigers) from Denmark, and Valentin Nussbaumer (Shawinigan Cataractes) from Switzerland.  A total of 20 different CHL teams are represented on Team Cherry including eight WHL, six OHL, and six QMJHL clubs.  The home team will feature the host Rebels with forward Oleg Zaytsev.

‘A’ rated prospects on Team Orr include Kirby Dach (Saskatoon Blades), Vladislav Kolyachonok (Flint Firebirds), and Ryan Suzuki (Barrie Colts).  The group also includes Brett Leason (Prince Albert Raiders) who was a member of Canada’s National Junior Team.  The roster breakdown includes nine OHL players, with seven WHL, and four from the QMJHL representing a total of 17 CHL teams.  Kelowna Rockets defencemen Kaedan Korczak and Lassi Thomson will compete together, as will London Knights forwards Matvey Guskov and Connor McMichael, and teammates Nikita Okhotyuk and Graeme Clarke of the Ottawa 67’s.  The Rockets pair will play opposite Foote, Orr forward Josh Williams will face his Tigers teammate Sogaard, and Orr goaltender Hunter Jones will face his Peterborough Petes teammate Nick Robertson on Cherry.

2019 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Rosters:

Team Cherry:


Goaltenders:
Taylor Gauthier (Prince George Cougars)
Mads Sogaard (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Defencemen:
Samuel Bolduc (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)
Bowen Byram (Vancouver Giants)
Billy Constantinou (Kingston Frontenacs)
Thomas Harley (Mississauga Steelheads)
Matthew Robertson (Edmonton Oil Kings)
Michael Vukojevic (Kitchener Rangers)

Forwards:
Maxim Cajkovic (Saint John Sea Dogs)
Dylan Cozens (Lethbridge Hurricanes)
Nolan Foote (Kelowna Rockets)
Arthur Kaliyev (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Peyton Krebs (Kootenay ICE)
Raphaël Lavoie (Halifax Mooseheads)
Nathan Légaré (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)
Valentin Nussbaumer (Shawinigan Cataractes)
Samuel Poulin (Sherbrooke Phoenix)
Jamieson Rees (Sarnia Sting)
Nick Robertson (Peterborough Petes)
Oleg Zaytsev (Red Deer Rebels)

Team Orr:

Goaltenders:
Colten Ellis (Rimouski Océanic)
Hunter Jones (Peterborough Petes)

Defencemen:
Artemi Kniazev (Chicoutimi Saguenéens)
Vladislav Kolyachonok (Flint Firebirds)
Kaedan Korczak (Kelowna Rockets)
Jake Lee (Seattle Thunderbirds)
Nikita Okhotyuk (Ottawa 67’s)
Lassi Thomson (Kelowna Rockets)

Forwards:
Nikita Alexandrov (Charlottetown Islanders)
Joe Carroll (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Graeme Clarke (Ottawa 67’s)
Kirby Dach (Saskatoon Blades)
Matvey Guskov (London Knights)
Brett Leason (Prince Albert Raiders)
Connor McMichael (London Knights)
Sasha Mutala (Tri-City Americans)
Jakob Pelletier (Moncton Wildcats)
Ryan Suzuki (Barrie Colts)
Philip Tomasino (Niagara IceDogs)
Josh Williams (Medicine Hat Tigers)

The teams are named in recognition of event builders and hockey icons Don Cherry and Bobby Orr who were instrumental in the success of the event when it was first introduced in 1996.  Since 2006, the winning team has been presented with the Don Cherry and Bobby Orr CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Trophy engraved with the names of every player to ever participate in this prestigious event.  Teams wearing the Orr crest carry an overall record of 13-6 while Team Cherry holds an all-time record of 7-13 with the extra victory opposite Team Davidson in 2005.

The 2019 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is proudly supported by title partner Sherwin-Williams, and CHL associate sponsors CIBC, Kia Canada, Cooper Tires, and Kubota Canada.  The game will be broadcast live across Canada on Sportsnet and TVA Sports, and in the United States on NHL Network.

Tickets are still available and can be purchased via reddeerrebels.com or ticketsalberta.com.  For further ticket details please contact the Rebels office at 403-341-6000.

For more event information please visit http://sherwin-williamstopprospects.ca.

40 Players Selected for 2019 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League in association with National Hockey League Central Scouting announce today the 40 players that will compete in the 2019 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.

The 24th annual showcase of the CHL’s top prospects eligible for the NHL Draft will be played on Wednesday January 23, 2019, at the ENMAX Centrium, home of the Western Hockey League’s Red Deer Rebels.  The 40 competing players were chosen by NHL clubs and include talent from across the WHL, the Ontario Hockey League, and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

“The Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game provides scouts and general managers the unique opportunity to evaluate talent competing in a best-on-best showcase,” said Dan Marr, NHL Central Scouting Director. “All 31 NHL clubs contributed to the roster selection and have a great interest in this priority scouting event to see which players can elevate their game under the spotlight.”

Headlining the talent in Alberta will be 11 CHL players identified by NHL Central Scouting as potential first round candidates in their November ‘Players to Watch’ list.  Six of those players hail from WHL clubs including forwards Dylan Cozens of the Lethbridge Hurricanes, Kirby Dach of the Saskatoon Blades, Nolan Foote of the Kelowna Rockets, and Peyton Krebs of the Kootenay ICE, along with defencemen Bowen Byram of the Vancouver Giants, and Matthew Robertson of the Edmonton Oil Kings.  Additional ‘A’ rated players competing in the event include OHL forwards Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs and Ryan Suzuki of the Barrie Colts, defenceman Vladislav Kolyachonok of the Flint Firebirds, plus QMJHL forwards Raphael Lavoie of the Halifax Mooseheads and Samuel Poulin of the Sherbrooke Phoenix.

33 of the CHL’s 60 member clubs will be represented in the game with a total of 16 WHL players from 12 different teams, 15 OHL players from 12 teams, and nine QMJHL players each from a different organization.  Kelowna leads the way with three players selected followed by the London Knights, Medicine Hat Tigers, Ottawa 67’s, Peterborough Petes, and Seattle Thunderbirds each with two.  The host Rebels will be represented in the game by forward Oleg Zaytsev.

2019 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Roster:

Goaltenders:
Colten Ellis (Rimouski Océanic)
Taylor Gauthier (Prince George Cougars)
Hunter Jones (Peterborough Petes)
Mads Sogaard (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Defencemen:
Samuel Bolduc (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)
Bowen Byram (Vancouver Giants)
Billy Constantinou (Kingston Frontenacs)
Thomas Harley (Mississauga Steelheads)
Artemi Kniazev (Chicoutimi Saguenéens)
Vladislav Kolyachonok (Flint Firebirds)
Kaedan Korczak (Kelowna Rockets)
Jake Lee (Seattle Thunderbirds)
Nikita Okhotyuk (Ottawa 67’s)
Matthew Robertson (Edmonton Oil Kings)
Lassi Thomson (Kelowna Rockets)
Michael Vukojevic (Kitchener Rangers)

Forwards:
Nikita Alexandrov (Charlottetown Islanders)
Maxim Cajkovic (Saint John Sea Dogs)
Joe Carroll (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Graeme Clarke (Ottawa 67’s)
Dylan Cozens (Lethbridge Hurricanes)
Kirby Dach (Saskatoon Blades)
Nolan Foote (Kelowna Rockets)
Matvey Guskov (London Knights)
Dillon Hamaliuk (Seattle Thunderbirds)
Arthur Kaliyev (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Peyton Krebs (Kootenay ICE)
Raphaël Lavoie (Halifax Mooseheads)
Brett Leason (Prince Albert Raiders)
Nathan Légaré (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)
Connor McMichael (London Knights)
Sasha Mutala (Tri-City Americans)
Jakob Pelletier (Moncton Wildcats)
Samuel Poulin (Sherbrooke Phoenix)
Jamieson Rees (Sarnia Sting)
Nick Robertson (Peterborough Petes)
Ryan Suzuki (Barrie Colts)
Philip Tomasino (Niagara IceDogs)
Josh Williams (Medicine Hat Tigers)
Oleg Zaytsev (Red Deer Rebels)

The 40 players will be divided into Team Cherry and Team Orr by NHL Central Scouting prior to the event.  Coaching staffs for both teams will also be announced at a later date.

10 CHL players from last year’s game in Guelph were chosen in the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft led by Barrie’s Andrei Svechnikov picked second overall by the Carolina Hurricanes.  In 23 years, a total of 317 CHL players from this event have been chosen by NHL clubs in the first round of the NHL Draft representing over 45% of all players selected.  Since the event was first introduced in 1996 the game has featured 14 players selected with the first overall pick in the NHL Draft including Nico Hischier, Connor McDavid, Aaron Ekblad, Nathan MacKinnon, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Taylor Hall, John Tavares, Steven Stamkos, Patrick Kane, Marc-Andre Fleury, Rick Nash, Vincent Lecavalier, Joe Thornton, and Chris Phillips.


The 2019 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is proudly supported by title partner Sherwin-Williams, and CHL associate sponsors CIBC, Kia Canada, Cooper Tires, and Kubota Canada.  The game will be broadcast live across Canada on Sportsnet and TVA Sports, and in the United States on NHL Network.

Tickets are still available and can be purchased via reddeerrebels.com or ticketsalberta.com.  For further ticket details please contact the Rebels office at 403-341-6000.

For more event information please visit http://sherwin-williamstopprospects.ca.