CALISTI AND DONOSO NAMEDOHL TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, April 17, 2022.

Greyhounds’ Robert Calisti Named OHL Player of the Week

Overage defenceman Robert Calisti of the Soo Greyhounds is the OHL Player of the Week with seven assists over three games.

Calisti put together three straight multi-point performances as the Greyhounds took two of three to close out the season in fourth place in the Western Conference. Calisti was good for a season-high three assists on Wednesday at home to Sudbury, earning second star honours as the Greyhounds defeated the Wolves 6-4. He posted back-to-back two-assist efforts in Flint on Friday and Saturday, helping the Hounds win 6-3 in the opener before they fell 6-4 in the back half. Calisti joins Brandt Clarke and Jack Thompson as just the third defenceman to earn Player of the Week honours this season.

A 21-year-old native of Etobicoke, Ont., Calisti finished his overage season with a league-leading 21 goals from the blue line, finishing tied for sixth among OHL defenders with 57 points (21-36–57). His 198 shots on goal were the league’s fourth-most at his position as he wraps up his OHL regular season career with 41 goals, 73 assists and 114 points over 195 career contests. Calisti signed a two-year minor league contract with the Florida Panthers organization in March. He was Sault Ste. Marie’s third round (44th overall) pick in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection.

Also considered for the award this week, New York Rangers prospect Brennan Othmann of the Flint Firebirds scored six times in three games, reaching the 50-goal milestone with a four-goal effort in Flint’s final regular season game on Saturday. Hamilton Bulldogs forward Logan Morrison was also in the running, recording seven points (2-5–7) in three victories to close out the season with 100 points.

2021-22 OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Apr. 11 – Apr. 18: Robert Calisti (Soo Greyhounds)
Apr. 4 – Apr. 10: Martin Chromiak (Kingston Frontenacs)
Mar. 28 – Apr. 3: Mason McTavish (Hamilton Bulldogs) 
Mar. 21 – Mar. 27: Dalton Duhart (Saginaw Spirit)
Mar. 14 – Mar. 20: Matthew Maggio (Windsor Spitfires)
Mar. 7 – Mar. 13: Lucas Edmonds (Kingston Frontenacs)
Feb. 28 – Mar. 6: Theo Hill (Sarnia Sting)
Feb. 21 – Feb. 27: Logan Morrison (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Feb. 14 – Feb. 20: Antonio Stranges (London Knights)
Feb. 7 – Feb. 13: Logan Morrison (Hamilton Bulldogs).
Jan. 31 – Feb. 6: Luke Evangelista (London Knights)
Jan. 24 – Jan. 30: Brandt Clarke (Barrie Colts)
Jan. 17 – Jan. 23: Riley Piercey (Flint Firebirds)
Jan. 10 – Jan. 16: David Goyette (Sudbury Wolves)
Jan. 3 – Jan 9: Wyatt Johnston (Windsor Spitfires)
Dec. 27 – Jan. 2: James Hardie (Mississauga Steelheads)
Dec. 13 – Dec. 19: Ty Tullio (Oshawa Generals)
Dec. 6 – Dec. 12: Lucas Edmonds (Kingston Frontenacs)
Nov. 29 – Dec. 5: Wyatt Johnston (Windsor Spitfires)
Nov. 22 – Nov. 28: Brennan Othmann (Flint Firebirds)
Nov. 15 – Nov. 21: Brandon Coe (North Bay Battalion)
Nov. 8 – Nov. 14: Antonio Stranges (London Knights)
Nov. 1 – Nov. 7: Shane Wright (Kingston Frontenacs)
Oct. 25 – Oct. 31: Tucker Robertson (Peterborough Petes)
Oct. 18 – Oct. 24: Rory Kerins (Soo Greyhounds)
Oct. 11 – Oct. 17: Calum Ritchie (Oshawa Generals)
Oct. 4 – Oct. 10: Jack Thompson (Sudbury Wolves)

67’s’ Max Donoso Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Max Donoso of the Ottawa 67’s is the OHL Goaltender of the Week, playing to a 1-0-0-1 record with a 0.48 goals-against average, .984 save percentage and one shutout.

Donoso stopped 62 of the 63 shots he faced as the 67’s completed their regular season in seventh place in the Eastern Conference. He recorded his first career OHL shutout on Friday as the 67’s blanked the visiting Kingston Frontenacs 5-0. Donoso made 26 saves and earned first star of the game recognition. He returned to the crease on Saturday in Kingston, stopping 36 of 37 to help Ottawa earn a point before falling by a score of 2-1 in a shootout while being named the game’s third star. This marks the second time Donoso has earned OHL Goaltender of the Week honours this season.

An 18-year-old from Windsor, Ont., Donoso played to a mark of 11-9-1-5 with a 2.82 goals-against average and .906 save percentage over 27 games in his first OHL season. A former fifth round (98th overall) pick by Ottawa in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection, Donoso is a graduate of the Windsor Jr. Spitfires U16 program and spent the 2019-20 season at Salisbury Prep School in Connecticut. He began the 2021-22 campaign with the Hawkesbury Hawks of the CCHL, going 11-2-0 with a 1.79 goals-against average and .935 save percentage over 15 games.

Also considered for the award this week, Matteo Drobac of the Hamilton Bulldogs went 2-0 with a 1.50 goals-against average and .958 save percentage in wins over Niagara and Erie. Guelph’s Owen Bennett also played to a 2-0 mark in wins over Erie and Windsor, recording a 1.50 goals-against average and .930 save percentage.

2021-22 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Apr. 11 – Apr. 17: Max Donoso (Ottawa 67’s)
Apr. 4 – Apr. 10: Michael Simpson (Peterborough Petes)
Mar. 28 – Apr. 3: Patrick Leaver (Oshawa Generals)
Mar. 21 – Mar. 27: Joey Costanzo (Niagara IceDogs)
Mar. 14 – Mar. 20: Marco Costantini (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Mar. 7 – Mar. 13: Nick Chenard (Owen Sound Attack)
Feb. 28 – Mar. 6: Marco Costantini (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Feb. 21 – Feb. 27: Leevi Merilainen (Kingston Frontenacs)
Feb. 14 – Feb. 20: Mack Guzda (Barrie Colts)
Feb. 7 – Feb. 13: Pavel Cajan (Kitchener Rangers)
Jan. 31 – Feb. 6: Patrick Leaver (Oshawa Generals)
Jan. 24 – Jan. 30: Max Donoso (Ottawa 67’s)
Jan. 17 – Jan. 23: Mack Guzda (Barrie Colts)
Jan. 10 – Jan. 16: Mitchell Weeks (Sudbury Wolves)
Jan. 3 – Jan. 9: Nolan Lalonde (Erie Otters)
Dec. 27 – Jan. 2: Joe Ranger (Mississauga Steelheads)
Dec. 13 – Dec. 19: Owen Bennett (Guelph Storm)
Dec. 6 – Dec. 12: Mack Guzda (Barrie Colts)
Nov. 29 – Dec. 5: Leevi Merilainen (Kingston Frontenacs)
Nov. 22 – Nov. 28: Tye Austin (Peterborough Petes)
Nov. 15 – Nov. 21: Ben Gaudreau (Sarnia Sting)
Nov. 8 – Nov. 14: Joe Vrbetic (North Bay Battalion
Nov. 1 – Nov. 7: Roman Basran (Mississauga Steelheads)
Oct. 25 – Oct. 31: Patrick Leaver (Oshawa Generals)
Oct. 18 – Oct. 24: Jacob Oster (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 11 – Oct. 17: Brett Brochu (London Knights)
Oct. 4 – Oct. 10: Tucker Tynan (Niagara IceDogs)


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.

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BENNETT AND TULLIO NAMED OHL TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, December 19, 2021.

Generals’ Ty Tullio Named OHL Player of the Week

Edmonton Oilers prospect Ty Tullio of the Oshawa Generals is the OHL Player of the Week, posting four goals and three assists for seven points in two games.

Tullio took centre stage in consecutive performances, helping the Generals enter the holiday break on a four-game winning streak. He scored his first career OHL hat trick in natural fashion on Friday, earning first star honours as the Generals skated to a 4-2 win in Ottawa. He was back at it a night later in Peterborough, teaming up with linemate Stuart Rolofs to score and add three assists in an 8-4 win over the rival Petes.

A 19-year-old right-winger from Lakeshore, Ont., Tullio leads the Generals with 38 points (12-26–38) over 26 games in this, his third OHL season. Oshawa’s captain leads all OHL skaters with 21 power play points while sitting fourth with 119 shots on goal. He’s recorded 146 points (54-92–146) over 148 career regular season games with the Generals after being the club’s first round (11th overall) pick in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection. Tullio was a fifth round (126th overall) pick by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2020 NHL Draft. He signed an entry level NHL contract with the Oilers in September.

Tullio becomes the second Generals player to earn Player of the Week honours this season after rookie Calum Ritchie did so from Oct. 11-17.

Also considered for the award this week, Peterborough Petes forward Tucker Robertson recorded seven points (4-3–7) over three contests as the Petes played to a 1-2-0-0 record. Dallas Stars prospect Wyatt Johnston of the Windsor Spitfires recorded six points (2-4–6) in a pair of victories as the Spits surged to the top of the West Division.

2021-22 OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Dec. 13 – Dec. 19: Ty Tullio (Oshawa Generals)
Dec. 6 – Dec. 12: Lucas Edmonds (Kingston Frontenacs)
Nov. 29 – Dec. 5: Wyatt Johnston (Windsor Spitfires)
Nov. 22 – Nov. 28: Brennan Othmann (Flint Firebirds)
Nov. 15 – Nov. 21: Brandon Coe (North Bay Battalion)
Nov. 8 – Nov. 14: Antonio Stranges (London Knights)
Nov. 1 – Nov. 7: Shane Wright (Kingston Frontenacs)
Oct. 25 – Oct. 31: Tucker Robertson (Peterborough Petes)
Oct. 18 – Oct. 24: Rory Kerins (Soo Greyhounds)
Oct. 11 – Oct. 17: Calum Ritchie (Oshawa Generals)
Oct. 4 – Oct. 10: Jack Thompson (Sudbury Wolves)

Storm’s Owen Bennett Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Owen Bennett of the Guelph Storm is the OHL Goaltender of the Week, helping the Storm secure first place in the Western Conference entering the holiday break with 25 saves in a win on Saturday.

Bennett earned his seventh win in eight starts, defeating the London Knights in a second straight outing with 25 saves on 26 shots as the Storm won 4-1 on home ice. The 6-foot-3 netminder earned third star honours in the game as Guelph leapfrogged London in the standings, improving to 17-8-1-1 as the top team in the Western Conference.

A 19-year-old native of Georgetown, Ont., Bennett owns a 9-5-1-0 record, 3.33 goals-against average, .875 save percentage and two shutouts over 15 games this season. The sophomore goaltender carries a career mark of 18-20-1-2 with a 3.71 goals-against average and .879 save percentage in 42 career regular season games with the Storm. He was Guelph’s fourth round (67th overall) pick in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection.

Also considered for the award this week, Mississauga Steelheads goaltender Roman Basran made 26 saves in Saturday’s 2-1 win over the visiting North Bay Battalion, helping the Trout pull into a first place tie atop the Central Division. Zachary Paputsakis made 32 saves in the Oshawa Generals’ 4-2 road win over the Ottawa 67’s on Friday.

2021-22 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Dec. 13 – Dec. 19: Owen Bennett (Guelph Storm)
Dec. 6 – Dec. 12: Mack Guzda (Barrie Colts)
Nov. 29 – Dec. 5: Leevi Merilainen (Kingston Frontenacs)
Nov. 22 – Nov. 28: Tye Austin (Peterborough Petes)
Nov. 15 – Nov. 21: Ben Gaudreau (Sarnia Sting)
Nov. 8 – Nov. 14: Joe Vrbetic (North Bay Battalion
Nov. 1 – Nov. 7: Roman Basran (Mississauga Steelheads)
Oct. 25 – Oct. 31: Patrick Leaver (Oshawa Generals)
Oct. 18 – Oct. 24: Jacob Oster (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 11 – Oct. 17: Brett Brochu (London Knights)
Oct. 4 – Oct. 10: Tucker Tynan (Niagara IceDogs)


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.

GUZDA AND EDMONDS NAMED OHL TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, December 12, 2021.

Frontenacs’ Lucas Edmonds Named OHL Player of the Week

Kingston Frontenacs forward Lucas Edmonds is the OHL Player of the Week, scoring four goals while adding eight assists for 12 points over three games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-6.

Edmonds recorded at least three points in three straight wins, climbing into the OHL scoring lead as the Frontenacs ascended to the top of the OHL standings. He scored twice and added two assists, setting up Francesco Arcuri’s game winner in Friday’s 6-5 victory over the visiting Hamilton Bulldogs. Edmonds was back at it a night later in Niagara, scoring while adding two assists with 11 shots on goal as the Frontenacs defeated the IceDogs 5-2. He wrapped up the weekend with a season-high five points, scoring while racking up four helpers as the Fronts won their eighth consecutive contest, topping the Mississauga Steelheads 5-3.

A 20-year-old native of North Bay, Ont., Edmonds leads the OHL with 35 assists and 52 points (17-35–52) in 25 games. His 121 shots on goal are a League-high, as are his 19 points on the power play. The first-year winger was originally Kingston’s seventh round (131st overall) pick in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection before spending the past four seasons playing between the junior and professional ranks in Sweden. Edmonds was assigned a C rating on NHL Central Scouting’s November Players to Watch List for the 2022 NHL Draft. He joins Shane Wright as the second Frontenacs player to receive Player of the Week honours this season.

Also considered for the award this week, Frontenacs teammate Jordan Frasca recorded consecutive hat tricks, finishing with nine points including seven goals and two assists over three wins. Hamilton Bulldogs forward Logan Morrison scored three goals, added four assists and finished with seven points along with a plus-7 rating in three outings.

2021-22 OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Dec. 6 – Dec. 12: Lucas Edmonds (Kingston Frontenacs)
Nov. 29 – Dec. 5: Wyatt Johnston (Windsor Spitfires)
Nov. 22 – Nov. 28: Brennan Othmann (Flint Firebirds)
Nov. 15 – Nov. 21: Brandon Coe (North Bay Battalion)
Nov. 8 – Nov. 14: Antonio Stranges (London Knights)
Nov. 1 – Nov. 7: Shane Wright (Kingston Frontenacs)
Oct. 25 – Oct. 31: Tucker Robertson (Peterborough Petes)
Oct. 18 – Oct. 24: Rory Kerins (Soo Greyhounds)
Oct. 11 – Oct. 17: Calum Ritchie (Oshawa Generals)
Oct. 4 – Oct. 10: Jack Thompson (Sudbury Wolves)

Colts’ Mack Guzda Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Barrie Colts netminder Mack Guzda has been named the OHL Goaltender of the Week after playing to a 2-0 record with a 0.96 goals-against average, .967 save percentage and one shutout.

Guzda helped the Colts defeat the Central Division-leading North Bay Battalion on consecutive nights, first making 32 saves at home on Saturday before turning away all four Battalion shootout attempts in a 3-2 victory. Guzda followed-up with his sixth career OHL shutout on Sunday in North Bay, making 26 saves as the Colts skated to a 1-0 triumph on Evan Vierling’s third period game winner. Guzda earned first star honours in both outings, helping the Colts climb back into the Central Division conversation with their fourth and fifth straight wins.

A 20-year-old native of Knoxville, Tenn., Guzda owns the League’s second-highest save percentage of .917 through 16 games this season, playing to an overall record of 10-5-0-1 with a 2.82 goals-against average and one shutout between Barrie and Owen Sound. The overage talent has been steady, going 5-1-0-0 with a 2.25 goals-against average and .920 save percentage since joining the Colts on Nov. 19th. Originally Owen Sound’s second round (31st overall) pick in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection, Guzda has played to a career mark of 68-50-10-7 with a 3.29 goals-against average and .892 save percentage with six shutouts in 146 regular season games. He attended rookie camp with the Buffalo Sabres this past September.

Also considered for the award this week, Windsor Spitfires netminder Xavier Medina returned from injury to go 3-0 with a 1.00 goals-against average and .967 save percentage last week. Owen Bennett of the Guelph Storm played to a 2-0 mark with a 0.55 goals-against average and .977 save percentage, posting a 27-save shutout in London on Saturday.

2021-22 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Dec. 6 – Dec. 12: Mack Guzda (Barrie Colts)
Nov. 29 – Dec. 5: Leevi Merilainen (Kingston Frontenacs)
Nov. 22 – Nov. 28: Tye Austin (Peterborough Petes)
Nov. 15 – Nov. 21: Ben Gaudreau (Sarnia Sting)
Nov. 8 – Nov. 14: Joe Vrbetic (North Bay Battalion
Nov. 1 – Nov. 7: Roman Basran (Mississauga Steelheads)
Oct. 25 – Oct. 31: Patrick Leaver (Oshawa Generals)
Oct. 18 – Oct. 24: Jacob Oster (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 11 – Oct. 17: Brett Brochu (London Knights)
Oct. 4 – Oct. 10: Tucker Tynan (Niagara IceDogs)


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.

Owen Bennett – Guelph Storm – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 202 Pounds

Date of birth: April 11, 2002

Hometown: Georgetown, Ontario

Position: Goaltender

Catches: Left

OHL Draft: Round 4, 67th overall, 2018 Priority Selection

NHL Central Scouting Rankings

Pre-season

 November Mid-term Final
N.R. C Prospect 13 N.A. Goalies

24 N.A. Goalies

Guelph Storm netminder Owen Bennett played his Minor Midget hockey during the 2017-2018 season, strapping on the pads for the Halton Hurricanes. In 19 games, Bennett posted a 2.61 goals-against-average. The Storm would select Bennett with the 67th overall pick at the 2018 Priority Selection, making him the eighth goaltender selected.

During the 2018-2019 season, Bennett would play Tier 2 hockey with the Carlton Place Junior Canadians of the Central Canada Hockey League. Bennett would go on to post a 2.48 goals-against-average and .909 save percentage in 29 games, finishing second and first respectively among rookies, and tenth and fourth respectively overall.

Owen Bennett of the Guelph Strom. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Owen Bennett of the Guelph Storm. Photo by Terry Wilson/OHL Images

Bennett is ranked second among OHL Goaltenders by NHL Central scouting as of their mid-term rankings. The question surrounding Bennett coming into the season was “How much playing time would he get?” considering the top ranked goaltender is teammate Nico Daws, who was passed over at the 2019 NHL draft and is re-entering the draft.

A World Junior Championship appearance and an injury to Daws opened the door for Bennett and he appeared in 27 games for the Storm, fourth most by first time draft eligible goaltenders. He finished ninth in goals-against-average at 3.92 and eighth in save percentage at .881.

Bennett has the size that seems to draw scouts at 6’3” – he pretty much has the same frame as Daws. But he does have some areas that need work. Not a major concern however as with good coaching, those areas can be improved. And pairing with Daws, who went through similar things can only be beneficial for the young netminder.

Working on his positioning is one area Bennett needs to work on. He doesn’t get out to the top of the blue paint as far as he should in some situations. His post-to-post movement isn’t exactly slow, but I think with an adjustment to his technique and “pushing off”, he can improve in that area. Consistency can be an issue as he sometimes looses the net and can be beat by poor coverage of the cage. I don’t think it’s due to a lack of concentration. He seems to never get rattled, even when he gives up a softie.

Bennett fights through traffic to keep his eyes on the puck extremely well. And when things are in tight, he plays the butterfly position well and keeps himself big to take up a lot of the net. His rebound control is actually pretty good. He has an active blocker and his glove is above average for a goaltender of his age.

We like the tools Bennett has and the concerns over areas that need working on don’t scare us away. Bennett is in a good situation in Guelph with coaching and Daws as his partner. And we’re confident in saying that he’s willing to put in the necessary work.

OHL Writers Draft Eligible Player of the Month for December.

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

We hope that everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. While we enjoyed the holidays with friends and family and the great entertainment of the World Junior Championships, we need to take care of a little business and announce our draft eligible player of the month for December.

And that player is Marco Rossi of the Ottawa 67’s.

Rossi, Marco
Marco Rossi of the Ottawa 67’s. Photo by OHL Images

Rossi appeared in six games through the month of December, scoring 9 goals and adding 7 helpers. He had three multi goal games, two multi assist games and all but one game was a multi point game. Rossi was named the game’s first star in four contests and second star in another.

Not only does Rossi lead all draft eligible players in most offensive categories, but leads the entire OHL in points (66), sixth in goals (24), second in assists (42) and has a large lead over the rest of the league with a plus-42.

Also considered were Brandon Coe of the North Bay Battalion with 7 goals and 7 assists in 9 games, Jacob Perreault of the Sarnia Sting with 8 goals and 7 assists in 10 games and Cole Perfetti of the Saginaw Spirit with 7 goals and 6 assists in 8 games.

In goal, Owen Bennett of the Guelph Storm gets the nod as he tries to hold the fort while Nico Daws represents Canada at the World Junior Championships. Bennett went 4-2-0-1 through December with a .903 Save Percentage.

Our previous players of the month

December – Marco Rossi – Ottawa 67’s

November – Marco Rossi – Ottawa 67’s

October – Cole Perfetti – Saginaw Spirit