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/.

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STORM’S NICO DAWS NAMED INAUGURAL RECIPIENT OF JIM RUTHERFORD TROPHY AS OHL GOALTENDER OF THE YEAR

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Daws, Nico 2

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Nico Daws of the Guelph Storm is the inaugural recipient of the Jim Rutherford Trophy awarded annually to the OHL’s Goaltender of the Year.

The top-ranked North American goaltender on NHL Central Scouting’s Final Draft Rankings, Daws led the League with a .924 save percentage and five shutouts, posting a 2.48 goals-against average and 23-8-3-3 record over 38 games for the defending OHL champions. He was named the OHL’s Goaltender of the Month for November as part of a span that included nine consecutive wins. The third-year netminder was recognized with three star of the game honours on 15 different occasions, including a total of eight first star distinctions. His impressive numbers as a 19-year-old came as he stepped into the Storm’s starting role after getting into just 20 games during the 2018-19 season. Daws was a member of Canada’s gold medal-winning National Junior Team that claimed world supremacy at the 2020 IIHF World Juniors in Ostrava and Trinec, Czech Republic.

Announced last August, the Jim Rutherford Trophy is presented by the League in honour of former OHL goaltender, General Manager, Chairman of the Board and two-time Executive of the Year Jim Rutherford. The current General Manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Rutherford played 13 seasons as an NHL netminder and was the architect behind Stanley Cup championships for the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006 and Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in November 2019.

“I’m honoured to be the first recipient of the Jim Rutherford Trophy and am truly humbled to have my name associated with not only a world class goaltender, but an influential builder of the game,” said Daws. “I’d like to thank my family for always supporting me and also my billet family for giving me a home away from home. Lastly, thank you to my coaches and teammates. I wouldn’t be able to achieve this without their help.”

A 19-year-old product of Burlington, Ont., Daws’ .924 save percentage is the highest in Storm history by goaltenders having spent a full season with the club. His 2.48 goals-against average is the lowest by a qualified goaltender since Tom McCollum’s 2.39 mark in 2006-07. The 6-foot-4, 202Ib. Daws rounded out his third OHL season with a record of 34-20-5-6, a 2.94 goals-against average, .909 save percentage and six shutouts over 72 career regular season games. He was recognized in the 2019-20 OHL Coaches Poll as the Western Conference’s Most Improved Player, Best Puckhandling Goaltender and second-best Shootout Goaltender. Daws was Guelph’s seventh round pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection from the Burlington Eagles minor midgets.

“Following our playoff run last spring Nico recognized the potential for opportunity and went to work,” said Storm head coach and general manager George Burnett. “His decision to make substantial adjustments with his nutrition, overall fitness and daily routine both on and off the ice was life changing. His total recommitment and outstanding work in all areas has led to this very special story he is currently writing and the opportunities which will result. Nico deserves all of the credit and we could not be more proud of him.”

The Jim Rutherford Trophy is awarded to the league’s most outstanding goaltender as selected by OHL General Managers.  Teams were not permitted to vote for a goaltender from their own hockey club.

While becoming the first to formally receive the Jim Rutherford Trophy, Daws follows Craig Anderson (2001) as the second goaltender in Storm history to win OHL Goaltender of the Year honours. The award was first presented in 1987-88 to Rick Tabaracci (Cornwall) with other notable winners including Manny Legace (Niagara Falls 1993), Steve Mason (London 2007), the league’s only back-to-back winner Mike Murphy (Belleville 2008 and 2009), Jordan Binnington (Owen Sound 2013), Alex Nedeljkovic (Plymouth 2014), Lucas Peressini (Kingston 2015), Mackenzie Blackwood (Barrie 2016), Michael McNiven (Owen Sound 2017), Michael DiPietro (Windsor 2018) and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Sudbury 2019).

Daws is also the OHL’s nominee for CHL Goaltender of the Year to be announced in the coming weeks.

2020 OHL Awards announcements continue on Wednesday when the OHL recognizes its Max Kaminsky Trophy recipient as the League’s Defenceman of the Year presented by Real Canadian Superstore.

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/.

FIREBIRDS’ TYLER TUCKER NAMED OHL ‘ON THE RUN’ PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Tucker

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that St. Louis Blues prospect Tyler Tucker of the Flint Firebirds is the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week with 11 points in four games including three goals and eight assists along with a plus/minus rating of plus-4.

Tucker joins Firebirds teammate Riley McCourt as the second defenceman to claim the honour this season, marking the fifth different occasion that a Flint player has been recognized. Tucker’s 11 points over an extended week that included a Family Day holiday on Monday led the League as Flint’s club record-setting winning streak reached 15 games. Tucker set a new Firebirds record for points by a defenceman in a single game on Monday, racking up seven consisting of two goals and five assists in a 12-7 road win over the Sarnia Sting. He chipped in with an assist in Thursday’s 4-0 road win over the Niagara IceDogs before scoring his 16th goal of the season and picking up a helper in Friday’s 6-3 victory over the Mississauga Steelheads. Tucker and the Firebirds saw their 15-game winning streak snapped back at home on Saturday as the defender collected an assist in a 4-1 loss to the Kitchener Rangers.

A 19-year-old product of Longlac, Ont., Tucker sits seventh among OHL defencemen with 53 points (16-37–53) over 49 games between Flint and Barrie this season. The fourth-year veteran has registered 24 points (8-16–24) over 21 games since being acquired by the Firebirds on January 7th. A former first round (14th overall) pick of the Barrie Colts in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection, Tucker has recorded 149 points (34-115–149) over 238 career regular season contests. He was a seventh round (200th overall) pick of the St. Louis Blues in the 2018 NHL Draft. Tucker made his professional debut last spring, appearing in two regular season games with the AHL’s San Antonio Rampage.

Two goaltenders were also in the running for this week’s award including Guelph Storm netminder Nico Daws who went 3-0 with a 1.88 goals-against average and .932 save percentage along with Oshawa Generals puckstopper Zachary Paputsakis who won a pair of games while posting a 1.50 goals-against average and .951 save percentage.

OTR_2017_Logo

2019-20 OHL ‘On the Run’ Players of the Week – Regular Season:
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)

Vaughn CHL Team of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

The Canadian Hockey League today announced the 21st edition of the Vaughn CHL Team of the Week for the 2019-20 season based on individual performances from Feb. 10-16.

Headlining the group is Rimouski Oceanic captain and 2020 NHL Draft favourite Alexis Lafreniere who amassed 10 points counting two goals and eight assists across a pair of appearances. Against the Quebec Remparts on Sunday, Lafreniere pushed his point streak to five games as he put up a dominant, career-best performance of seven points including one goal and six assists en route to an 11-2 victory and first-star honours. For his efforts, Lafreniere was recognized as the Ultramar QMJHL Player of the Week.

Also up front is fellow 2020 NHL Draft hopeful Cole Perfetti of the Saginaw Spirit who wrapped up the week with 10 points counting four goals and six assists over a trio of contests. Registering at least one point in 10 of his past 11 appearances, Perfetti matched a season high of five points – all coming as helpers – in Wednesday’s 7-5 road win over the Soo Greyhounds, helping him earn recognition as the game’s first star in addition to OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week honours.

Rounding out the forward ranks is another top NHL Draft prospect in Portland Winterhawks centre Seth Jarvis whose week counted three goals and six assists for nine points over three games. A projected early selection come June, Jarvis put his offensive skills on display in Sunday’s 11-2 win over the Moose Jaw Warriors in which he finished with one goal and four assists for five points to match a season high and wrap up the night with second-star recognition. The successful showing also helped Jarvis garner WHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week honours.

On the blue line, Spirit veteran rearguard D.J. Busdeker continues to build on an incredible season as he tallied six points counting two goals and four assists through three appearances. Facing the Soo Greyhounds on Wednesday, Busdeker put up a pair of tallies plus an assist to match a season high of three points en route to a 7-5 victory.

Also on the back end is San Jose Sharks first-round pick Ryan Merkley of the London Knights who earns a spot on the Vaughn CHL Team of the Week for the fourth time this season after collecting six assists through three contests. Riding a nine-game point streak, the stretch saw Merkley register a season high of four points in Friday’s 6-3 win over the rival Kitchener Rangers in which he took home first-star honours.

Between the pipes, top-ranked North American netminder Nico Daws of the Guelph Storm continued his dominant play in coming away with a pair of victories in which he combined for 77 saves to finish with a 0.50 goals-against average and .987 save percentage. Versus the Owen Sound Attack on Friday, Daws turned aside 40 shots to help guide his club to a 2-0 win that saw him record his fifth shutout of the season.

 

SPIRIT’S COLE PERFETTI NAMED OHL ‘ON THE RUN’ PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Perfetti

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that draft eligible Saginaw Spirit forward Cole Perfetti is the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week with 10 points in three games including four goals and six assists along with a plus/minus rating of plus-6.

Perfetti becomes the first Spirit player to claim the honour this season, stringing together three straight first star performances as the Spirit maintained their standing atop the West Division with a pair of victories. His five assists in Sault Ste. Marie on Wednesday equal a past single game mark recorded by Vincent Trocheck (March 2012) and Marcus Crawford (January 2017) as the Spirit defeated the Greyhounds 7-5. Perfetti followed up on his career high-matching five point effort with his first hat-trick of the season on Friday as the Spirit were edged by the visiting Flint Firebirds 5-4. He rounded out the weekend with a goal and an assist on Saturday as Saginaw bounced back to defeat the Kitchener Rangers 8-2 on home ice. Perfetti became the fastest player in Spirit history to reach the 100 career assist mark in the weekend finale, bringing him to within three points of the century mark in his sophomore season.

An 18-year-old native of Whitby, Ont., Perfetti sits one point back of Ottawa’s Marco Rossi for the OHL scoring lead, boasting 97 points (34-63–97) over 53 games this season. The sharpshooting winger has collected four consecutive multi-point efforts and sits tied with teammate Damien Giroux for the team lead with 34 goals. The fourth-ranked North American skater on NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Draft Rankings, Perfetti recently competed in the 2020 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Hamilton, Ont. He was a key member of Canada’s silver medal-winning National Under-18 Team at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup last summer, recording 12 points (8-4–12) over five contests. He was Saginaw’s first round (5th overall) pick in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection from the Vaughan Kings Minor Midgets.

A pair of goaltenders were also considered for the award this week including Guelph Storm netminder Nico Daws who stopped 77 of the 78 shots he faced, posting a 0.50 goals-against average, .987 save percentage and one shutout in wins over London and Owen Sound. North Bay Battalion rookie Joe Vrbetic was also outstanding, stopping 79 of the 81 shots that came his way to post a 2-0 record with a 0.96 goals-against average, .975 save percentage and one shutout to defeat Barrie and Mississauga.

• HIGHLIGHTS: Perfetti’s five assists in the Soo
• HIGHLIGHTS: Perfetti records hat-trick against Flint
• HIGHLIGHTS: Perfetti’s goal and assist against Kitchener

OTR_2017_Logo

2019-20 OHL ‘On the Run’ Players of the Week – Regular Season:
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)

40 Players Selected for 2020 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

2020 Top Prospects Game

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League in association with National Hockey League Central Scouting announce the 40 players invited to compete in the 2020 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.


The 25th annual showcase of top CHL players eligible for the NHL Draft takes place on Thursday January 16, 2020, and is hosted by the Hamilton Bulldogs.  The 40 players selected were chosen by NHL clubs and feature talent from across the Ontario Hockey League, Western Hockey League, and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.


“All 31 NHL clubs have a say in the player selection process and take great interest in this best-on-best showcase,” said Dan Marr, Director of NHL Central Scouting. “The Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is a great opportunity for scouts and general managers to evaluate talent and we look forward to seeing which players will make their mark in Hamilton.”

Among the players named to the preliminary roster are Canadian National Junior Team members such as CHL top scorer and reigning Player of the Year Alexis Lafreniere of the Rimouski Oceanic, fellow forwards Quinton Byfield of the Sudbury Wolves and Dawson Mercer of the Drummondville Voltigeurs, defenceman Jamie Drysdale of the Erie Otters, and goaltender Nico Daws of the Guelph Storm.  Three more players including Cole Perfetti of the Saginaw Spirit, Connor Zary of the Kamloops Blazers, and defenceman Braden Schneider of the Brandon Wheat Kings will also compete after attending Canada’s Selection Camp.

31 of the CHL’s 60 member clubs are represented with a total of 17 OHL players from 13 different teams, 13 WHL players from 10 different teams, and 10 QMJHL players from eight different teams. Nine different teams have two players listed including Brandon, Drummondville, Kamloops, the Ottawa 67’s, Prince Albert Raiders, Shawinigan Cataractes, Soo Greyhounds, Sudbury, and the Windsor Spitfires.


19 of the players selected received ‘A’ ratings as first round candidates determined by NHL Central Scouting in their November Players to Watch list including 13 forwards and six defencemen.  17 players were given ‘B’ ratings including 11 forwards and six defencemen, while all four goaltenders were listed as ‘C’ rated prospects.


2020 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Roster:

*denotes ‘A’ rated first round candidates


Goaltenders:
Nico Daws (Guelph Storm)
Dylan Garand (Kamloops Blazers)
Brock Gould (Victoria Royals)
Samuel Hlavaj (Sherbrooke Phoenix)

Defencemen:
Justin Barron (Halifax Mooseheads)*
Lukas Cormier (Charlottetown Islanders)
Jamie Drysdale (Erie Otters)*
Kaiden Guhle (Prince Albert Raiders)*
Daemon Hunt (Moose Jaw Warriors)*
Thimo Nickl (Drummondville Voltigeurs)
Ryan O’Rourke (Soo Greyhounds)
Jeremie Poirier (Saint John Sea Dogs)*
Braden Schneider (Brandon Wheat Kings)*
Donovan Sebrango (Kitchener Rangers)
Christoffer Sedoff (Red Deer Rebels)
Jack Thompson (Sudbury Wolves)

Forwards:
Mavrik Bourque (Shawinigan Cataractes)
Quinton Byfield (Sudbury Wolves)*
Brandon Coe (North Bay Battalion)
Will Cuylle (Windsor Spitfires)*
Jack Finley (Spokane Chiefs)
Tyson Foerster (Barrie Colts)
Jean-Luc Foudy (Windsor Spitfires)*
Ridly Greig (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Seth Jarvis (Portland Winterhawks)
Alexis Lafreniere (Rimouski Oceanic)*
Hendrix Lapierre (Chicoutimi Sagueneens)*
Dawson Mercer (Drummondville Voltigeurs)*
Jake Neighbours (Edmonton Oil Kings)
Cole Perfetti (Saginaw Spirit)*
Jacob Perreault (Sarnia Sting)*
Vasiliy Ponomarev (Shawinigan Cataractes)
Jaromir Pytlik (Soo Greyhounds)
Jack Quinn (Ottawa 67’s)*
Marco Rossi (Ottawa 67’s)*
Justin Sourdif (Vancouver Giants)*
Antonio Stranges (London Knights)*
Oliver Suni (Oshawa Generals)
Ozzy Wiesblatt (Prince Albert Raiders)
Connor Zary (Kamloops Blazers)*

The 40 players will be divided into teams by NHL Central Scouting and announced along with coaching staffs in January.

12 CHL players from last year’s game in Red Deer were chosen in the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft led by Saskatoon Blades forward Kirby Dach picked third overall and currently competing as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks. In 24 years, a total of 329 CHL players from this event have been chosen by NHL clubs in the first round of the NHL Draft representing close to 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 (2017), Connor McDavid (2015), Aaron Ekblad (2014), Nathan MacKinnon (2013), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (2011), Taylor Hall (2010), John Tavares (2009), Steven Stamkos (2008), Patrick Kane (2007), Marc-Andre Fleury (2003), Rick Nash (2002), Vincent Lecavalier (1998), Joe Thornton (1997), and Chris Phillips (1996).


The 2020 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is proudly supported by new title partner Kubota Canada, and CHL associate partners CIBC, Kia Canada, and Cooper Tires.  The game will be broadcast live across Canada on Sportsnet and TVA Sports, and in the United States on NHL Network.


Tickets are on sale for the 2020 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game at ticketmaster.ca or call 855-985-4357.  For group and promotional inquiries, please contact the Hamilton Bulldogs at 905-529-8500.

For more information please visit http://kubotatopprospects.ca.

About Kubota Canada
Kubota Canada Ltd. (KCL) is a subsidiary of Kubota Corporation, a tractor and heavy equipment manufacturer based in Osaka, Japan. KCL markets and distributes Kubota-engineered and manufactured equipment, which includes a complete line of tractors (up to 210-horsepower), performance-matched implements, compact and utility tractors, compact construction, landscaping and public work equipment, residential lawn and garden equipment, commercial turf products and utility vehicles. For product literature or dealer locations, visit: kubota.ca. 

OHL ANNOUNCES TOP PERFORMERS OF THE MONTH FOR NOVEMBER

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

performers of the month for november

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the Top OHL Performers of the Month for regular season games played in November 2019, including Hamilton Bulldogs forward Jan Jenik, Windsor Spitfires defenceman Connor Corcoran, Kingston Frontenacs rookie Shane Wright and Guelph Storm goaltender Nico Daws.

OHL Player of the Month – Jan Jenik (Hamilton Bulldogs):
For a second straight month, a Hamilton Bulldogs player has been named OHL Player of the Month. Arizona Coyotes prospect Jan Jenik takes the November honours after leading the league with 31 points including 11 goals, 20 assists and a plus/minus rating of plus-6 over 12 games. Jenik continued the OHL’s longest point streak since the 2016-17 season, wrapping up the month on a 25-game trend. Nine of his 12 November outings were multi-point finishes, four of which included multi-goal outputs. His month was highlighted by a four-point effort (1-3–4) on Nov. 10th as the Bulldogs fell to the Niagara IceDogs 5-4. He followed that up with a career-high five-point showing (3-2–5) that included his first hat-trick of the season as the Bulldogs won 5-1 in North Bay on Nov. 14th. Jenik scored twice on Nov. 15th in Sault Ste. Marie and tacked on three consecutive three-point performances from Nov. 17-22. In total, Jenik earned star of the game recognition six times in the month of November, including two first star designations, three second star assignments and one third star distinction.

A 19-year-old native of Nymburk, Czech Rep., Jenik is in the midst of his second OHL season after joining the Bulldogs midway through the 2018-19 campaign. He sits tied for the team lead in scoring alongside Arthur Kaliyev with 54 points (20-34–54) over 25 contests and is in the midst of the longest point streak in the five year OHL history of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Jenik represented his native Czech Republic in last year’s IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship and is expected to do so again this December with the annual tournament on home ice. He was a third round pick of the Arizona Coyotes in the 2018 NHL Draft. Jenik was selected by the Flint Firebirds with the sixth overall pick of the 2018 CHL Import Draft.

OHL Defenceman of the Month – Connor Corcoran (Windsor Spitfires):
Vegas Golden Knights prospect Connor Corcoran of the Windsor Spitfires is the OHL Defenceman of the Month for November, putting up 15 points including five goals, 10 assists and a plus/minus rating of plus-8 over 10 games. Fourth-year veteran Corcoran’s big month helped the Spitfires ascend the West Division standings, playing to a 6-2-2-0 record in the month of November. The 6-foot-3, 194Ib. defender had points in seven of his 10 outings, starting the month with three points (1-2–3) in a lopsided 10-2 road win over the Soo Greyhounds on Nov. 2nd. His biggest showing came Nov. 15th in Erie as he scored the overtime winner and finished with three points (2-1–3) in a 7-6 win. Corcoran registered three assists along with a plus-5 rating in a 6-3 win over the Soo Greyhounds on Nov. 21st. He tacked on back-to-back two-point efforts (1-1–2) on Nov. 24th against Owen Sound and Nov. 29th against London.

A 19-year-old product of Beeton, Ont., Corcoran is in his fourth season with the Spitfires after originally being the club’s second round (21st overall) pick back in 2016. The former Memorial Cup champion has 24 points (8-16–24) over 23 games this season is well on his way to cruising past last year’s career-high of 32 points (10-22–32). He was a fifth round pick of the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2018 NHL Draft.

OHL Rookie of the Month – Shane Wright (Kingston Frontenacs):
The first overall pick of the 2019 OHL Priority Selection, Shane Wright of the Kingston Frontenacs has been named OHL Rookie of the Month for November. Wright played a big part in helping the young Frontenacs rebound from a slow start to the season as they played to a respectable 5-5-0-1 record in the month of November thanks to his nine points (6-3–9) over seven contests. Wright missed the first half of the month off representing Team Canada Black at the 2019 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Medicine Hat, Alta. and Swift Current, Sask. where he recorded seven points (4-3–7) over five games. Upon his return, Wright recorded a goal and an assist in a 3-1 road win over the Owen Sound Attack on Nov. 16th before logging back-to-back two-goal performances. He scored twice in a 5-3 win over visiting Sudbury on Nov. 22nd before potting two more including the third period game winner in a 3-2 victory over visiting Mississauga on Nov. 24th. Wright netted another game winner in his latest outing, scoring with 55 seconds left in the third period of Friday’s 4-3 triumph over visiting North Bay. He ended the month on a six-game point streak.

A 15-year-old native of Burlington, Ont., Wright sits third in OHL rookie scoring with 20 points (11-9–20) over 21 games while sitting tied for the lead among league freshmen with 74 shots on goal. The fifth player to be granted exceptional status in OHL history, Wright was selected first overall by the Frontenacs last spring after an outstanding season with the GTHL’s Don Mills Flyers where he won an OHL Cup title and league championship, earning GTHL Player of the Year honours in the process. He won’t be eligible for the NHL Draft until 2022.

OHL Goaltender of the Month – Nico Daws (Guelph Storm):
Third-year veteran Nico Daws of the Guelph Storm is the OHL Goaltender of the Month for November, playing to a record of 7-0-0-1 with a league-leading 2.09 goals-against average and .929 save percentage with one shutout. The 6-foot-4, 202Ib. netminder earned an opportunity to represent Team OHL in the CIBC Canada Russia Series while helping to backstop the defending OHL champions to a 13-game point streak. Five of Daws’ seven November wins required at least 30 saves, providing those in consecutive victories over Sault Ste. Marie, Kitchener and Owen Sound to start the month. He turned aside 26 of 27, earning first star honours in a 2-1 win over visiting Saginaw on Nov. 16th before turning away 30 shots to claim second star recognition on Nov. 19th in Kitchener. Daws posted his league-leading third shutout of the season with a 17-save showing on Nov. 22nd against Sarnia and closed out November with a 30-save performance as the Storm defeated the Saginaw Spirit 6-2 on Friday.

A 19-year-old native of Burlington, Ont., Daws currently leads the league with a 2.13 goals-against average and .936 save percentage and three shutouts to go with an 11-2-1-3 record over 17 games. He hoisted the Robertson Cup as an OHL champion with the Storm last spring after appearing in 20 regular season games and parts of two playoff contests. Daws was a seventh round pick of the Storm in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection.

2019-20 OHL Performers of the Month:

Player of the Month:
November – Jan Jenik (Hamilton Bulldogs)
October – Arthur Kaliyev (Hamilton Bulldogs)

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

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

Goaltender of the Month:
November – Nico Daws (Guelph Storm)
October – Hunter Jones (Peterborough Petes)

Vaughn CHL Team of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

The Canadian Hockey League today announced the sixth edition of the Vaughn CHL Team of the Week for the 2019-20 season based on individual performances from Oct. 21-27.

Leading the way up front is Val-d’Or Foreurs right-wing Nicolas Ouellet, who wrapped up the week with eight points counting seven goals and one assist in three games. That stretch included back-to-back hat-tricks against Gatineau and Acadie-Bathurst, while Ouellet also added an assist in the latter contest to finish with four points and first-star recognition. For his efforts, the 20-year-old was named the Ultramar QMJHL Player of the Week.

Joining the forward ranks is London Knights centre and Washington Capitals first-round pick Connor McMichael, who finished the week with four goals and four assists for eight points across a trio of contests. McMichael, who is currently riding a five-game point streak, is coming off back-to-back three-point performances, including his three-assist showing versus Niagara on Sunday that earned him second-star honours.

Portland Winterhawks centre Jake Gricius rounds out the forward ranks following a week in which he amassed seven points counting three goals and four assists over two games. That stretch included an incredible five-point effort against Spokane on Friday in which Gricius finished with two goals and three assists to claim first-star honours. The overager was also later recognized as the WHL On the Run Player of the Week.

On the blue line, Ottawa 67’s overage rearguard Noel Hoefenmayer earns a spot on the Vaughn CHL Team of the Week for the second week running following a seven-point performance over two games. The budding blue-liner’s best showing came Sunday against Sarnia as he matched his career high for points in one game with four assists to guide his club to a 7-2 victory.

Partnering on the back end is Lethbridge Hurricanes overage defenceman Koletrane Wilson who tallied five points counting one goal and four assists across three appearances. Wilson was a key performer in Tuesday’s 4-3 decision over Red Deer in which he finished with two points, including a power play marker midway through the middle frame en route to second-star recognition.

Between the pipes, Guelph Storm netminder Nico Daws won all three of his appearances, turning aside a combined 111 shots for a .949 save percentage and 1.95 goals-against average. Daws’ top performance came in a 35-save outing against Mississauga on Sunday that guided the Storm to a 4-0 victory and his second shutout of the season. For his efforts, Daws was recognized as the OHL On the Run Player of the Week.

 

STORM’S NICO DAWS NAMED OHL ‘ON THE RUN’ PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Daws

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Guelph Storm goaltender Nico Daws is the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week for the week of regular season action ending October 27 with a 3-0-0-0 record, 1.95 goals-against average, .949 save percentage and one shutout.

Daws helped the defending OHL champion Storm win three straight as they improved to 6-4-1-2 in a highly competitive Midwest Division. Daws got things started bright and early on Wednesday in Erie, turning aside 45 shots before stopping three of four shootout opponents as the Storm took a 4-3 win over the Otters. He was back in the crease on Friday for Guelph’s 9-3 win over visiting North Bay that included 31 saves as the Storm were outshot in the lopsided outcome. Daws collected his second shutout of the young season on Sunday, stopping all 35 shots he faced as the Storm overcame the visiting Mississauga Steelheads 4-0, being outshot 35-28.

A 6-foot-4, 18-year-old native of Burlington, Ont., Daws currently leads the OHL in goals-against average (2.30), save percentage (.938) and shutouts (2) while playing to a record of 4-1-1-2 over eight games. The third-year netminder hoisted the Robertson Cup as an OHL Champion last spring and has played to an OHL record of 15-13-3-5 with a 3.26 goals-against average and .900 save percentage over 42 career regular season games. He was Guelph’s seventh round pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection from the Burlington Eagles Minor Midgets.

Also considered for the award this week was Ottawa 67’s overage defenceman Noel Hoefenmayer who collected seven points (1-6–7) over a pair of victories, scoring a late third period game winner on Friday. Washington Capitals prospect Connor McMichael of the London Knights also turned in a strong performance this past week, recording eight points (4-4–8) over three outings.

 

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2019-20 OHL ‘On the Run’ Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Oct. 23 – Oct. 27: Nico Daws (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 14 – Oct. 20: Hunter Jones (Peterborough Petes)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 13: Mack Guzda (Owen Sound Attack)
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)