OHL Announces Academic Players of the Month for November

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the OHL Academic Players of the Month for November 2018, including goaltender Will Cranley of the Ottawa 67’s, defencemen Peter Stratis of the Sudbury Wolves and Gerard Keane of the London Knights, and forward Cole MacKay of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.


East Division: Ottawa 67’s rookie netminder Will Cranley is the OHL East Division Academic Player of the Month for November. The 16-year-old from Peterborough, Ont. holds an 88% average in Grade 11 university level courses at Blyth Academy in Ottawa. Cranley is currently studying Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics. “Will is viewed by his teachers as a dedicated student who is able to balance the demands of hockey and education with his perseverance, respectful behaviour and positive outlook,” said 67’s academic advisor Eileen Duffin. Cranley currently leads the league in minutes played by a 16-year-old goaltender. He’s played to a 3-1-2-0 record with a 3.32 goals-against average and .883 save percentage over seven games. Cranley recently represented Team Canada Red at the 2018 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. He was Ottawa’s second round pick this past spring from the Peterborough Petes Minor Midgets.


Central Division: Sudbury Wolves defenceman Peter Stratis is the OHL Central Division Academic Player of the Month for November. The 18-year-old from Scarborough, Ont. holds an 80% average in Psychology and Exercise Science courses at Laurentian University. The former first round OHL Priority Selection choice has seven points (3-4–7) over 27 games in his third OHL season. Stratis was acquired by the Wolves from the Ottawa 67’s last season. He is a graduate of the Mississauga Rebels Minor Midget program.


Midwest Division: London Knights rookie defenceman Gerard Keane is the OHL Midwest Division Academic Player of the Month for November. The 16-year-old from Homer Glen, Ill. is excelling in his Grade 11 studies at Blyth Academy in London. “Gerard has found a great balance between playing elite level hockey and maintaining excellent grades,” said Knights academic advisor Annemarie Pedersen. “He is frequently done his in class work in advance and is given additional work to practice on. He has been a positive influence in the classroom.” London’s third round pick this past spring, Keane has one goal over 12 games this season.


West Division: Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds sophomore forward Cole MacKay is the OHL West Division Academic Player of the Month for November. The 17-year-old Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. product carries an average above 90% in Grade 12 studies at St. Mary’s College. “Cole has successfully balanced a difficult academic schedule with the rigors of OHL hockey,” said Greyhounds academic advisor Jerry Bumbacco. “He is extremely well liked by his teachers as well as his peers.” Studying Mathematics, English and Sciences in the classroom, MacKay has also excelled on the ice, recording 28 points (10-18–28) over 29 games this season. He was Sault Ste. Marie’s fifth round pick in 2017 from the Kitchener Rangers Minor Midgets.

2018-19 OHL Academic Players of the Month:


East Division:
November – Will Cranley (Ottawa 67’s)
October – Nick Wong (Oshawa Generals)

Central Division:
November – Peter Stratis (Sudbury Wolves)
October – Jonah De Simone (Niagara IceDogs)


Midwest Division:
November – Gerard Keane (London Knights)
October – Isaac Langdon (Kitchener Rangers)


West Division:
November – Cole MacKay (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
October – Colton Kammerer (Sarnia Sting)

Last season, the OHL Centrally Administered Scholarship Program facilitated scholarships for 321 OHL Alumni at 66 different academic institutions across North America with a total scholarship payment in excess of $3.2 million. Since the 2007-08 season, OHL Scholarship payments have totaled more than $22 million.

Click here for more information about ‘OHL Players First’ programs.

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Peter Stratis – Sudbury Wolves – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height: 6’0”

Weight: 183 pounds

Date of birth: January 18, 2000

Hometown: Scarborough, Ontario

Position: Defence

Shoots: Right

OHL Draft: Round 1, 11th overall, 2016 Priority Selection (Ottawa 67’s)

NHL Central Scouting pre-season: C Prospect

NHL Central Scouting mid-term: 116th overall, North American Skaters

NHL Central Scouting final rank: Not available at present

The Sudbury Wolves acquired defenceman Peter Stratis from the Ottawa 67’s on January 9, 2018 in exchange for four draft picks.  Stratis was the 11th overall pick by the 67’s at the 2016 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.

Stratis played his minor midget hockey for the Mississauga Rebels during the 2015-2016 season. He appeared in 70 games for the Rebels and scored 20 goals while adding 29 assists. He would add 2 goals and 2 assists in 7 OHL Cup games for the Rebels.

At the time of his draft, this was OHL Central Scouting’s scouting report:

Peter is a complete and versatile defender that does a lot of things very well. He has a good skating stride and is explosive off the mark. He uses his skating ability to beat forecheckers and join or lead the rush to create offense. Peter is a heads-up player that sees ice well from the back end. He makes the simple play most of the time and is a smart player that understands the game and its situations. He has a good hard shot from the point and has scored numerous goals from there this season. 

Stratis made his OHL debut last season with the 67’s. He played in 49 games and scored once while adding 14 assists. He would also represent Canada at the World Hockey Challenge Under-17.

Peter Stratis of the Ottawa 67's. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Former first-round pick Peter Stratis was acquired from the Ottawa 67’s on January 9, 2018 for four draft picks Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

This season, Stratis got off to a very good start with the 67’s. Through 39 games, he had 4 goals and 9 assists. He maintained his offensive production once the trade happened, finishing the year off as a member of the Wolves scoring twice and adding 10 assists.

I’m not sure if Stratis is not getting enough attention or if he’s receiving too much attention. We know the adage “Jack of all trades, master of none.” I don’t believe that fits Stratis entirely as it is believed in some circles in the hockey world.

First and foremost, Stratis is an excellent skater with a very good first couple of strides and he can reach top speed quickly. His mobility is very good including his lateral movement and his backwards skating. That, in today’s game, is an asset.

Combine that skating with the hockey sense Stratis possesses and we have a good start. He thinks the game at an above average level and he thinks it quickly. Beginning in the defensive zone, he understands gaps and closes them quickly. He has a very active stick and uses it effectively. He won’t overpower you with physicality and it is an area where he could use some improvement. He makes a good first pass to clear the zone but doesn’t skate it out with regularity. That could come as he gets more confidence.

Offensively, Stratis has shown that with his vision and passing, can quarterback a powerplay. However, he needs to work on aspects of his shot, specifically, his release, needs a heavier shot, needs to get his shot through and needs to shoot with a purpose.

Stratis possesses some interesting abilities. The question now becomes forecasting whether he can take his game up to the next level and can he improve on the things he needs to?

Stat page of Peter Stratis from Elite Prospects