OHL Announces 2015-16 All-Star Teams

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the All-Star teams for the 2015-16 OHL season.

Nylander, Alexander
Alexander Nylander of the Mississauga Steelheads. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Mitch Marner of the London Knights headlines the First Team All-Stars at Right Wing for the second straight season.  Marner was the league’s Red Tilson Trophy recipient for Most Outstanding Player of the Year and became the first player in OHL history to win that award followed by OHL Playoff MVP honours, CHL Player of the Year, and MasterCard Memorial Cup MVP.  He is joined up front by linemates including Arizona Coyotes prospect Christian Dvorak and 2016 NHL Draft prospect Matthew Tkachuk.  The trio combined for 344 regular season points and marks just the fifth time in league history and first since the 2001 Belleville Bulls where all three forward positions on the First All-Star Team are from the same team.  Draft eligible Defenceman of the Year Mikhail Sergachev of the Windsor Spitfires is also a First Team All-Star along with Calgary Flames prospect Rasmus Andersson of the Barrie Colts.  New Jersey Devils prospect and Goaltender of the Year Mackenzie Blackwood of the Colts, and Coach of the Year Kris Knoblauch of the Erie Otters round out the group receiving top honours.

The Otters lead the way with a total of five representatives including Knoblauch, along with Second Team All-Stars that include Maple Leafs prospect Travis Dermott and goaltender Devin Williams, and Third Team All-Stars that include Coyotes prospect Dylan Strome and 2016 NHL Draft prospect Alex DeBrincat.  The Knights and Colts each have four representatives including London’s forward trio on the First All-Star Team along with draft eligible defenceman Olli Juolevi receiving Third Team recognition.  The Colts have Andersson and Blackwood on the First Team, and Second Team All-Stars that include San Jose Sharks prospect and OHL Top Scorer Kevin Labanc, and Flames prospect Andrew Mangiapane.

The OHL All-Star Teams were selected by the OHL’s General Managers.  Players were voted on by position and received five points for a first place vote, three for a second place vote, and one for a third place vote.  In the case of defencemen, the top two selections received five points, the third and fourth selections received three points, and the fifth and sixth selections each received a single point.

2015-16 OHL All-Star Teams (voting points listed following team):

First Team All-Stars:

C – Christian Dvorak (London Knights) 62

LW – Matthew Tkachuk (London Knights) 56

RW – Mitch Marner (London Knights) 71 – voted 1st team in 2014-15

D – Mikhail Sergachev (Windsor Spitfires) 64

D – Rasmus Andersson (Barrie Colts) 61 – voted 2nd team in 2014-15

G – Mackenzie Blackwood (Barrie Colts) 49

Coach – Kris Knoblauch (Erie Otters) 73

Second Team All-Stars:

C – Mike Amadio (North Bay Battalion) 61

LW – Andrew Mangiapane (Barrie Colts) 46

RW – Kevin Labanc (Barrie Colts) 69

D – Travis Dermott (Erie Otters) 50

D – Jakob Chychrun (Sarnia Sting) 42 – voted 3rd team in 2014-15

G – Devin Williams (Erie Otters) 47

Coach – Rocky Thompson (Windsor Spitfires) 36

Third Team All-Stars:

C – Dylan Strome (Erie Otters) 51 – voted 2nd team in 2014-15

LW – Alexander Nylander (Mississauga Steelheads) 34

RW – Alex DeBrincat (Erie Otters) 22 – voted 2nd team in 2014-15

D – Olli Juolevi (London Knights) 38

D – Roland McKeown (Kingston Frontenacs) 37

G – Alex Nedeljkovic (Niagara IceDogs) 46 – voted 3rd team in 2014-15, 1st team in 2013-14

Coach – Mike Van Ryn (Kitchener Rangers) 22

Advertisement

Steelheads’ Alexander Nylander named OHL Rookie of the Year

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

OHL Announces First and Second All-Rookie Teams

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that forward Alexander Nylander of the Mississauga Steelheads is the 2015-16 recipient of the Emms Family Award presented to the OHL’s Rookie of the Year.

Nylander led all OHL rookies with 75 points in 57 games played scoring 28 goals and 47 assists finishing 19th overall in league scoring.  He set a new Steelheads record for points by a rookie and becomes the first player in franchise history to earn Rookie of the Year honours.

“It’s a great honour to be selected Rookie of the Year,” said Nylander. “I couldn’t do this without my teammates, coaching staff and I thank the Steelheads for the opportunity.”

Nylander, Alexander
Alexander Nylander of the Mississauga Steelheads. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

The 18-year-old from Sweden was selected by the Steelheads 12th overall in the 2015 CHL Import Draft.  He earned OHL Rookie of the Month honours in October, November, and February, finishing the season with 20 multi-point games including a trio of four-point performances.  Nylander was also recognized in the Eastern Conference Coaches Poll as being the second Best Stick-handler, second Best Shootout Shooter, and for having the third Best Shot.  The 2016 NHL Draft prospect is currently ranked third among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting.

 “Alex made a seamless transition into the Ontario Hockey League, quickly becoming a key member of our hockey club and a valued teammate,” said Steelheads General Manager and Head Coach James Boyd. “His exciting style of play thrilled our fans all season long. Alex is a focused player who is willing to put the work in to get better every day and is extremely deserving of this special award.”

Internationally, Nylander represented Sweden at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship where he scored four goals and five assists for nine points in seven games to lead his club in scoring.  He is also currently competing with Sweden at the 2016 IIHF World Under-18 Championship.

First presented in 1973, notable Emms Family Award recipients include Wayne Gretzky (Sault Ste. Marie 1978), Joe Thornton (Sault Ste. Marie 1996), Rick Nash (London 2001), John Tavares (Oshawa 2006), Taylor Hall (Windsor 2008), Aaron Ekblad (Barrie 2012), Connor McDavid (Erie 2013), and Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters who was last year’s recipient.

The Emms Family Award was donated by Leighton “Hap” Emms, former owner of the Barrie, Niagara Falls, and St. Catharines OHL franchises.  The award is selected by all 20 member club General Managers.  Teams were asked to submit only one nominee from their own club for consideration on the ballot and were not permitted to vote for the player from their own hockey club.  Players received five points for a first vote, three points for a second place vote, and one point for a third place vote.

Nylander earned 84 of a possible 95 voting points ahead of Cam Dineen of the North Bay Battalion and Boris Katchouk of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds who tied for second with 30 voting points each.  The Emms Family Award will be formally presented to Nylander at the OHL’s annual Awards Ceremony at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto on Tuesday June 7.  He will be the OHL’s nominee for CHL Rookie of the Year to be announced at the MasterCard Memorial Cup on Saturday May 28.

Nylander was also named to the OHL’s First All-Rookie Team at left wing joined up front by teammate Owen Tippett at right wing, and centre Nick Suzuki of the Owen Sound Attack.  First team defencemen include Dineen, along with Mikhail Sergachev of the Windsor Spitfires.  Fellow Spitfire Michael DiPietro was named goaltender for the First All-Rookie Team.  Katchouk was voted to the Second All-Rookie Team at left wing alongside Spitfires Gabriel Vilardi at centre, and Cole Carter at right wing.  Olli Juolevi of the London Knights and the Steelheads’ Nicolas Hague were voted second team defencemen, joined by goaltender Stephen Dhillon of the Niagara IceDogs.

The OHL All-Rookie Teams were also selected by the OHL’s General Managers.  Players were voted on initially by position within their conference receiving five points for a first place vote, three for a second place vote, and one for a third.  Top vote getters in each position made up the final ballot that was then circulated to all 20 teams.

2015-16 OHL All-Rookie Teams (voting points in brackets):

 First Team:

Centre – Nick Suzuki, Owen Sound Attack (57)

Left Wing – Alexander Nylander, Mississauga Steelheads (90)

Right Wing – Owen Tippett, Mississauga Steelheads (81)

Defence – Mikhail Sergachev, Windsor Spitfires (93)

Defence – Cam Dineen, North Bay Battalion (78)

Goaltender – Michael DiPietro, Windsor Spitfires (91)

Second Team:

Centre – Gabriel Vilardi, Windsor Spitfires (43)

Left Wing – Boris Katchouk, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (42)

Right Wing – Cole Carter, Windsor Spitfires (34)

Defence – Olli Juolevi, London Knights (72)

Defence – Nicolas Hague, Mississauga Steelheads (40)

Goaltender – Stephen Dhillon, Niagara IceDogs (40)

OHL’s Draft Eligible Stat Leaders: End of Season

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

The Ontario Hockey League’s regular season has come to an end and we look at the statistical leaders in a variety of categories. Listed are players available for the National Hockey League Draft on June, 2016 for the first time – players passed over in previous drafts are not included.

Peterborough Petes forward Logan DeNoble appears on the list in three categories – the only player not ranked by NHL Central Scouting on their midterm rankings in January.  DeNoble ranked sixth in shooting percentage at 16.95%. Will Bitten of the Flint Firebirds led the way with 20.55% followed by Boris Katchouk of the Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds at 20.17%. Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters was third at 18.96% followed by Katchouk’s teammate Hayden Verbeek at 17.95%. Another Otter, Kyle Maksimovich placed fifth at 17.65%.

DeNoble also finished third in faceoff win percentage at 53.9%. Jack Kopacka of the Greyhounds tops the list at 60.9% followed by Michael McLeod of the Mississauga Steelheads at 58%. Logan Brown of the Windsor Spitfires followed DeNoble at 53%.

Finally, DeNoble finished eighth in plus-minus with a plus-22. Four London Knights topped the plus-minus, Victor Mete (plus-53), Matthew Tkachuk (plus-45), Olli Juolevi (plus-38) and Max Jones (plus-30). Maksimovich placed fifth (plus-25) Brown sixth (plus-24) and Sarnia Sting defenceman Jakob Chychrun (plus-23) finished ahead of DeNoble.

DeNoble finished just outside the top ten in goals with 22.

Points Leaders
Player Team GP G A Pts
Matthew Tkachuk London Knights 57 30 77 107
Alex DeBrincat Erie Otters 60 51 50 101
Adam Mascherin Kitchener Rangers 65 35 46 81
Alexander Nylander Mississauga Steelheads 57 28 47 75
Logan Brown Windsor Spitfires 59 21 53 74
Taylor Raddysh Erie Otters 67 24 49 73
Kyle Maksimovich Erie Otters 68 27 44 71
Will Bitten Flint Firebirds 67 30 35 65
Michael McLeod Mississauga Steelheads 57 21 40 61
Nathan Bastian Mississauga Steelheads 64 19 40 59
Goal Scoring Leaders
Player Team GP G GPG
Alex DeBrincat Erie Otters 60 51 0.85
Adam Mascherin Kitchener Rangers 65 35 0.54
Matthew Tkachuk London Knights 57 30 0.53
Will Bitten Flint Firebirds 67 30 0.45
Dmitry Sokolov Sudbury Wolves 68 30 0.44
Alexander Nylander Mississauga Steelheads 57 28 0.49
Max Jones London Knights 63 28 0.44
Kyle Maksimovich Erie Otters 68 27 0.40
Taylor Raddysh Erie Otters 67 24 0.36
Boris Katchouk Soo Greyhounds 63 24 0.38
Assist Leaders
Player Team GP A APG
Matthew Tkachuk London Knights 57 77 1.35
Logan Brown Windsor Spitfires 59 53 0.90
Alex DeBrincat Erie Otters 60 50 0.83
Taylor Raddysh Erie Otters 67 49 0.73
Alexander Nylander Mississauga Steelheads 57 47 0.82
Adam Mascherin Kitchener Rangers 65 46 0.71
Cam Dineen North Bay Battalion 68 46 0.68
Kyle Maksimovich Erie Otters 68 44 0.65
Michael McLeod Mississauga Steelheads 57 40 0.70
Nathan Bastian Mississauga Steelheads 64 40 0.63
Defencemen Point Leaders
Player Team GP G A Pts
Cam Dineen North Bay Battalion 68 13 46 59
Mikhail Sergachev Windsor Spitfires 67 17 40 57
Jakob Chychrun Sarnia Sting 62 11 38 49
Olli Juolevi London Knights 57 9 33 42
Victor Mete London Knights 68 8 30 38
Benjamin Gleason Hamilton Bulldogs 66 7 26 33
Jordan Sambrook Erie Otters 67 9 18 27
Markus Niemelainen Saginaw Spirit 65 1 26 27
Plus/Minus Leaders
Player Team GP +/-
Victor Mete London Knights 68 +53
Matthew Tkachuk London Knights 57 +45
Olli Juolevi London Knights 57 +38
Max Jones London Knights 63 +30
Kyle Maksimovich Erie Otters 68 +25
Logan Brown Windsor Spitfires 59 +24
Jakob Chychrun Sarnia Sting 62 +23
Logan DeNoble Peterborough Petes 63 +22
Adam Mascherin Kitchener Rangers 65 +19
Austin Osmanski Mississauga Steelheads 65 +19
Penalty Minutes Leaders
Player Team GP PIM M/G
Givani Smith Guelph Storm 65 146 2.25
Max Jones London Knights 63 106 1.68
Logan Stanley Windsor Spitfires 64 103 1.61
Michael Pezzetta Sudbury Wolves 64 98 1.53
Matthew Tkachuk London Knights 57 80 1.40
Ben Hawerchuk Barrie Colts 60 78 1.30
Faceoff Leaders (Minimum 60 faceoffs)
Player Team GP FOA FOW %
Jack Kopacka Soo Greyhounds 67 69 42 60.9
Michael McLeod Mississauga Steelheads 57 1284 745 58.0
Logan DeNoble Peterborough Petes 63 154 83 53.9
Logan Brown Windsor Spitfires 59 1148 609 53.0
Alex DeBrincat Erie Otters 60 183 97 53.0
Cliff Pu London Knights 63 851 445 52.3
Brandon Saigeon Hamilton Bulldogs 43 502 259 51.6
Boris Katchouk Soo Greyhounds 63 72 37 51.4
Matthew Tkachuk London Knights 57 74 38 51.4
Connor Bunnaman Kitchener Rangers 68 193 99 51.3
Shooting Percentage Leaders (Min 75 shots)
Player Team GP Shots Goals SH%
Will Bitten Flint Firebirds 67 146 30 20.55
Boris Katchouk Soo Greyhounds 63 119 24 20.17
Alex DeBrincat Erie Otters 60 269 51 18.96
Hayden Verbeek Soo Greyhounds 63 78 14 17.95
Kyle Maksimovich Erie Otters 68 153 27 17.65
Logan DeNoble Peterborough Petes 63 118 20 16.95
Jonathan Ang Peterborough Petes 68 127 21 16.54
Alexander Nylander Mississauga Steelheads 57 178 28 15.73
Matthew Tkachuk London Knights 57 191 30 15.71
Domenic Commisso Oshawa Generals 66 117 18 15.38
Goaltenders Leaders – Goals Against Average
Player Team GP Min GA Avg
Tyler Parsons London Knights 49 2835 110 2.33
Stephen Dhillon Niagara Ice Dogs 27 1317 59 2.69
Evan Cormier Saginaw Spirit 58 3246 201 3.72
Dylan Wells Peterborough Petes 27 1516 116 4.59
Troy Timpano Sudbury Wolves 35 2000 158 4.74
Goaltending Leaders – Save Percentage
Player Team GP SH SVS SV%
Tyler Parsons London Knights 49 1397 1287 0.921
Stephen Dhillon Niagara Ice Dogs 27 639 580 0.908
Evan Cormier Saginaw Spirit 58 1825 1624 0.890
Troy Timpano Sudbury Wolves 35 1296 1138 0.878
Dylan Wells Peterborough Petes 27 896 780 0.871

2016 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Rosters Announced

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

40 top NHL Draft eligible CHL players will compete January 28, 2016, in Vancouver, BC
Print

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League in association with the host Vancouver Giants Hockey Club, and title partner BMO Financial Group, today announced the 40 players that will compete in the 2016 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Vancouver, BC, on Thursday January 28, 2016.

The 40 CHL players competing in the game were chosen by all 30 NHL clubs and divided into teams by NHL Central Scouting.  This season’s event marks the 21st annual showcase of the CHL’s top-40 NHL Draft eligible players featuring talent from the Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League competing before hundreds of NHL scouts in attendance.

“The BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is one of the highlights of the hockey season,” said CHL President David Branch. “Since 1996 the CHL’s top prospects have showcased their skills in this event providing NHL scouts, General Managers, and fans the opportunity to catch the next wave of NHL talent which in recent years has featured first overall picks Connor McDavid, Aaron Ekblad, Nathan MacKinnon, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. We look forward to January 28 with coaches Don Cherry and Bobby Orr, and 40 of the top CHL players eligible for the 2016 NHL Draft competing before the passionate hockey fans in Vancouver and to CHL fans across Canada watching live on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.”

The Giants’ Tyler Benson and Port Moody, BC, native Lucas Johansen of the Kelowna Rockets are among the 20 players to suit up for Team Cherry along with Canadian National Junior Team member Julien Gauthier of the Val-d’Or Foreurs, and OHL top goal scorer Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters who won World Junior bronze with the United States.  Team Orr features World Junior gold medalist Olli Juolevi of the London Knights, fellow Knight and World Junior bronze medalist Matthew Tkachuk, Canadian National Junior Team Selection Camp invite Pierre-Luc Dubois of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, and Alexander Nylander of the Mississauga Steelheads who led Sweden in World Junior scoring.

“We are thrilled for the up-and-coming talent chosen for this year’s BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game,” said Michael Bonner, Senior Vice President, BC and Yukon Division, BMO Bank of Montreal. “As the Official Bank of the CHL, we’re proud to sponsor an event that allows Canadians to watch some of the top young athletes across the country, and we’re excited to bring them to Vancouver later this month.”

25 of the CHL’s 60 member clubs are represented on the rosters.  The 40 competing players include 20 from the OHL, 12 from the WHL, and eight from the QMJHL.  13 CHL Players who competed in the 2015 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in St. Catharines, ON, were selected in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft.  In 20 years, 278 CHL players from this event have been chosen by NHL clubs in the first round of the NHL Draft representing 47% of all players selected.

“The BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game provides a unique opportunity for NHL scouts and General Managers to evaluate top CHL talent for the 2016 NHL Draft in a best-on-best competition,” said NHL Central Scouting Director Dan Marr. “The game is also a unique opportunity for the players to take advantage of the spotlight in what is consistently an exciting and highly competitive showcase.”

Since the event was first introduced in 1996 the game has featured 13 players selected with the first overall pick in the NHL Draft including 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.

2016 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Rosters:

Team Cherry:

Goaltenders:

Evan Fitzpatrick (Sherbrooke Phoenix)

Zach Sawchenko (Moose Jaw Warriors)

Defencemen:

Jakob Chychrun (Sarnia Sting)

Kale Clague (Brandon Wheat Kings)

Sean Day (Mississauga Steelheads)

Samuel Girard (Shawinigan Cataractes)

Lucas Johansen (Kelowna Rockets)

Markus Niemelainen (Saginaw Spirit)

 Forwards:

Vitalii Abramov (Gatineau Olympiques)

Tyler Benson (Vancouver Giants)

Logan Brown (Windsor Spitfires)

Alex DeBrincat (Erie Otters)

Dillon Dube (Kelowna Rockets)

Julien Gauthier (Val-d’Or Foreurs)

Tim Gettinger (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

Noah Gregor (Moose Jaw Warriors)

Max Jones (London Knights)

Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia Sting)

Michael McLeod (Mississauga Steelheads)

Sam Steel (Regina Pats)


Team Orr:

Goaltenders:

Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)

Dylan Wells (Peterborough Petes)

Defencemen:

Jake Bean (Calgary Hitmen)

Luke Green (Saint John Sea Dogs)

Libor Hajek (Saskatoon Blades)

Olli Juolevi (London Knights)

Mikhail Sergachev (Windsor Spitfires)

Logan Stanley (Windsor Spitfires)

Forwards:

Nathan Bastian (Mississauga Steelheads)

Will Bitten (Flint Firebirds)

Pierre-Luc Dubois (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)

Brett Howden (Moose Jaw Warriors)

Boris Katchouk (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

Jack Kopacka (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

Pascal Laberge (Victoriaville Tigres)

Alexander Nylander (Mississauga Steelheads)

Taylor Raddysh (Erie Otters)

Otto Somppi (Halifax Mooseheads)

Simon Stransky (Prince Albert Raiders)

Matthew Tkachuk (London Knights)


The 2016 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is proudly supported by title partner BMO Bank of Montreal, and CHL associate sponsors Cooper Tire, autoTRADER.ca and Sherwin-Williams.  The game will be broadcast live on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.

For more information please visit www.bmotopprospects.ca.

BMO and the Canadian Hockey League:
BMO Financial Group and the Canadian Hockey League announced BMO as the Official Bank of the Canadian Hockey League in 2011. The sponsorship builds on BMO’s partnership with the CHL of more than 10 years and affirms BMO’s exclusivity as a financial services sponsor of the league in the retail banking category. It also engrains a presence with the 48 teams which currently participate in the BMO CHL Affinity MasterCard program, which enables CHL fans to support their favourite teams through a co-branded credit card.

Super series

WJC: Finland 5 Czech Republic 4

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

This was quite easily, in my opinion, the best and most exciting game to date of the tournament. And it had implications for the playoff round. The winner would face Canada (and avoid the United States?) while the loser would face the Americans – no matter what happened in the Sweden – Canada game.

The Finns played with a depleted core on defence. Vili Sopanen was out with an injury and Miro Keskitalo out with an illness to start the game, they then lost Vili Saarijarvi who had to leave with a stomach flu.

After a scoreless first period where the teams would also be equal in the shot department at 11 a piece, the Finns would strike first . Finn netminder Veini Vehvilainen would stop David Pastrnak on a breakaway. As the play moved up ice, Sebastian Aho would gain the Czech zone. A pass attempt would be blocked but Aho would follow through and send a pass to Jesse Puljujarvi who made no mistake.

The lead would last just 3:30 as the Czechs would dominate zone time. Pastrnak and Michael Spacek would set up Jiri Smejkal who blasted a shot top shelf to even the score.

Only 1:46 later the Czechs would take the lead. The Finns were running around in their own zone while the Czechs were controlling the puck, that eventually worked its way Jan Ordos for an easy tuck and a 2-1 lead.

The Finns would tie it at 8:06 with the Czech defence playing questionable in their own zone this time. A brutal giveaway had Roope Hintz would find himself all alone facing Vitek Vanecek. Hintz would beat him five-hole to even things up.

The Finns would take the lead with their lethal powerplay. Kasperi Kapanen waited patiently on the left side half wall and sent a cross ice pass to Antti Kalapudas who one-timed it home for a 3-2 lead.

However the Czechs would tie things up on a powerplay of their own with 33 seconds remaining. Dominik Masin controlled the puck on the half wall and sent a pass to David Sklenicka who was following up on the play. Sklenicka would fire a rocket and beat Vehvilainen on his blocker side.

The Czechs would control the early part of the third period. Then with 8:37 gone in the period, Pastrnak would carry into the Finn zone. He sent a beautiful cross ice, no look pass to Spacek who one-timed it for a 4-3 Czech lead.

Finland’s deadly powerplay would go to work once again. Olli Juolevi would send a pass down low to Julius Nattinen who sent it cross crease to Puljujarvi to even things up at 4.

The Finns would take advantage on yet another powerplay. Aho would send a pass to Juolevi on the point. The defenceman would take a couple of steps towards the goal and drop back to Patrik Laine who fired it home for the go ahead goal and the win.

Pastrnak would be named the player of the game while Laine was named the Finn’s player of the game.

WJC: Finland 8 Slovakia 3

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

If you didn’t know why Jesse Puljujarvi and Patrik Laine were consensus top 5 picks for the 2016 National Hockey League Draft, or didn’t know who they were, you should definitely know now.

Finns’ Twins have been nothing short of dominating in this tournament to date, and it was more of the same for the dynamic pair again today.

Slovakia opened the scoring 9:50 into the game. Players from both sides battled in front of the Finnish net. Matej Palocko was able to get his stick on it and knock it over to an unguarded Matus Sukel who beat Finnish netminder Kappo Kahkonen.

Just 2:05 later the Slovaks would go up 2-0. The Slovaks were buzzing when Radovan Bondra scored. The goal would go to video review and it was deemed a good goal.

The trio of Puljujarvi , Laine and Sebastian Aho took over from there.

Puljujarvi led the way with a goal and three assists, Aho with two goals and an assist and Laine with 1 goal and two assists as they helped the Finns blow it wide open.

Olli Juolevi, the OHL London Knights’ defenceman would have two assists for the Finns in this game and currently leads all defenceman in scoring in the tournament with four assists.

Mid-season OHL’s Draft Eligible Rankings

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

The mid way point of the Ontario Hockey League season is upon us and it’s time for my mid-season rankings of players eligible for the 2016 National Hockey League Draft.

Jakob Chychrun of the Sarnia Sting. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
1. Jakob Chychrun – Sarnia Sting

 

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 215 pounds

Date of birth: March 31, 1998. Boca Raton, Florida

Position: Defence

Shoots: Left

OHL Draft: Round 1, 1st overall, 2014 Priority Selection

 

Matthew Tkachuk of the London Knights. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
2. Matthew Tkachuk – London Knights

Height:  6’1”

Weight: 195 pounds

Date of birth: December 11, 1997. St Louis, MO

Position: Left Wing

Shoots: Left

OHL Draft: Round 4, 64th overall, 2013 Priority Selection

Nylander, Alexander (1)
3. Alexander Nylander – Mississauga Steelheads

Height: 6’0”

Weight: 172 pounds

Date of birth: March 2, 1998, Södertälje, Sweden

Position: Right Wing

Shoots: Right

OHL Draft: Round 1, 12th overall, CHL Import Draft

 

Max Jones of the London Knights. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
4. Max Jones – London Knights

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 200 pounds

Date of birth: February 17, 1998, Orion, MI

Position: Left Wing

Shoots: Left

OHL Draft: Round 1, 18th overall, 2014 Priority Selection

Mikhail Sergachev of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
5.Mikhail Sergachev – Windsor Spitfires

Height:  6’2”

Weight: 205 pounds

Date of birth: June 25, 1998. Nizhnekamsk, Russia

Position: Defence

Shoots: Left

OHL Draft: Round 1, 6th overall, 2015 CHL Import Draft

Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
6. Alex DeBrincat – Erie Otters

Height: 5’7”

Weight: 160 pounds

Date of Birth: December 18, 1997 – Detroit, Michigan

Position: Right Wing

Shoots: Right

OHL Draft: Undrafted, signed as a free agent.

 

Olli Juolevi of the London Knights. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
7. Olli Juolevi – London Knights

Height:  6’2”

Weight: 185 pounds

Date of birth: May 5, 1998. Helsinki, Finland

Position: Defence

Shoots: Left

OHL Draft:  Round 1, 45th overall, CHL Import Draft.

McLeod, Michael (2)
8. Michael McLeod – Mississauga Steelheads

Height:  6’2”

Weight: 187 pounds

Date of birth: February 3, 1998. Mississauga, Ontario

Position: Center

Shoots: Right

OHL Draft: Round 1, 5th overall, 2014 Priority Selection

Brown, Logan (1).JPG
9. Logan Brown – Windsor Spitfires

Height: 6’6”

Weight: 218 pounds

Date of birth: March 5, 1998, Chesterfield, MO

Position: Center

Shoots: Left

OHL Draft: Round 1, 6th overall, 2014 Priority Selection

Bastian, Nathan (2).jpg
10. Nathan Bastian – Mississauga Steelheads

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 208 pounds

Date of birth: December 6, 1997. Kitchener, Ontario

Position: Center

Catches: Right

OHL Draft: Round 7, 127th overall, 2013 Priority Selection

All photos courtesy of Terry Wilson/Aaron Bell – OHL Images

Finland Names Final Roster for WJC

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Jukka Jalonen, the head coach of the Finland U20 national team, has made his final decisions regarding the team roster for World Juniors beginning this coming Saturday.

Goalkeepers:
Kaapo Kähkönen, Blues Espoo
Emil Larmi, Peliitat Heinola
Veini Vehviläinen, JYP Jyväskylä

Defencemen:
Olli Juolevi, London Knights (OHL)
Miro Keskitalo, TPS Turku
Niko Mikkola, KalPa Kuopio
Sami Niku, JYP Jyväskylä
Vili Saarijärvi, Flint Firebirds (OHL)
Eetu Sopanen, Peliitat Heinola
Joni Tuulola, HPK Hämeenlinna

Forwards:
Sebastian Aho, Kärpät Oulu
Kasper Björkqvist, Blues Espoo
Roope Hintz, HIFK Helsinki
Antti Kalapudas, Kärpät Oulu
Kasperi Kapanen, Toronto Marlies (AHL)
Patrik Laine, Tappara Tampere
Juho Lammikko, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
Julius Nättinen, Barrie Colts (OHL)
Jesse Puljujärvi, Kärpät Oulu
Mikko Rantanen, San Antonio Rampage (AHL)
Sebastian Repo, Pelicans Lahti
Aleksi Saarela, Ässät Pori
Miska Siikonen, Pelicans Lahti

Finnish National Team 2016 WJC Selection Camp

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Head Coach Jukka Jalonen chose 27 potential players for the selection camp prior to the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Camp Roster Finland

Goaltenders:
Kaapo Kahkonen, Blues Espoo (Liiga)
Emil Larmi, Peliitat Heinola (Mestis)
Veini Vehvilainen, JYP Jyvaskyla (Liiga)

Defensemen:
Olli Juolevi, London Knights (OHL)
Miro Keskitalo, TPS Turku (Liiga)
Jesper Mattila, Ilves Tampere (Liiga)
Niko Mikkola, KalPa Kuopio (Liiga)
Sami Niku, JYP Jyvaskyla (Liiga)
Vili Saarijarvi, Flint Firebirds (OHL)
Robin Salo, Vaasan Sport (Liiga)
Eetu Sopanen, Peliitat Heinola (Mestis)
Joni Tuulola, HPK Hameenlinna (Liiga)
Urho Vaakanainen, Espoo Blues (Liiga)

Forwards:
Sebastian Aho, Karpat Oulu (Liiga)
Kasper Bjorkqvist, Espoo Blues (Liiga)
Roope Hintz, HIFK Helsinki (Liiga)
Antti Kalapudas, Karpat Oulu (Liiga)
Patrik Laine, Tappara Tampere (Liiga)
Juho Lammikko, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
Miro Makinen, Jukurit Mikkeli (Mestis)
Julius Nattinen, Barrie Colts (OHL)
Jesse Puljujarvi, Karpat Oulu (Liiga)
Sebastian Repo, Pelicans Lahti (Liiga)
Aleksi Saarela, Assat Pori (Liiga)
Miska Siikonen, Pelicans Lahti (Liiga)
Jonne Tammela, KalPa Kuopio (Liiga)
Patrik Virta, TPS Turku (Liiga)

OHL’s Draft Eligible Statistical Leaders: November

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

The calendar has flipped to December and it’s time to look at various statistical leaders among the Ontario Hockey League players eligible for the 2016 National Hockey League Draft.

As always, we only look at players eligible for the first time – those previously passed over are not included – except for goaltenders where we included those passed over a year ago.

Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters leads not only the draft eligible players in points, but the entire OHL. He’s averaged a hair over 2 points per game with 52 in 25 games. He’s followed closely by the London Knights’ Matthew Tkachuk at 48 points in 24 games. DeBrincat’s teammate Taylor Raddysh is at the head of the next tier with 40 points in 26 games while Alexander Nylander closes out the top 5 with 39 points in 28 games.

DeBrincat also leads the entire OHL in goals with 31, a pace that would equal the OHL record for goals in a season of 87. Nylander sits way back in second with 17 goals followed by the Flint Firebirds’ Will Bitten with 14. Tkachuk and the Kitchener Rangers’ Adam Mascherin follow with 12 a piece.

On defence, the Knights’ Olli Juolevi leads the blue liners with 20 points

Olli Juolevi of the London Knights. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Olli Juolevi of the London Knights. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

in24 games. Markus Niemelainen of the Saginaw Spirit is close behind with 18 points in 26 games followed by Cam Dineen of the North Bay Battalion with 17 and Mikhail Sergachev of the Windsor Spitfires with 16 in 27 games. It’s interesting to note that the top four are all rookies.

Here are the remaining statistical leaders.

Stats 1

Stats 2

Stats 3

Stats 4

Stats 5

Stats 6