OHL ANNOUNCES TOP PERFORMERS OF THE MONTH FOR APRIL

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the Top OHL Performers of the Month for regular season games played in April 2022, including Soo Greyhounds teammates Rory Kerins and Jack Thompson, Peterborough Petes netminder Michael Simpson and Kingston Frontenacs rookie Paul Ludwinski.

OHL Player of the Month – Rory Kerins (Soo Greyhounds):
Calgary Flames prospect Rory Kerins of the Soo Greyhounds is the OHL Player of the Month for April, leading the League with 16 points including four goals and 12 assists over six games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-9. Kerins helped the Hounds finish out the regular season in fourth place in the Western Conference, registering multi-point outputs in five of his six April outings. He started the month with a goal and three assists as the Greyhounds defeated the Saginaw Spirit 9-3 on April 1st. He’d tack on four helpers in an 8-4 win over the Sudbury Wolves on April 8th. Kerins wrapped up the season by crossing the 200 career point threshold on April 15th in Flint, scoring while adding two assists as the Greyhounds defeated the Firebirds 6-3. Kerins is the first Greyhounds player to earn OHL Player of the Month honours since Morgan Frost in February 2019.

A 20-year-old from Caledon, Ont., Kerins finishes the season second in OHL scoring with 118 points including 43 goals and 75 assists over 67 games. Kerins’ 118 points are the most by a Hounds player since Joe Thornton (122) in 1996-97. He is among the League’s top faceoff performers, winning 56.8 percent of his draws throughout the season. He’s amassed 200 points (82-118–200) over 188 career regular season games with the Greyhounds. Kerins was a sixth round (174th overall) pick by the Calgary Flames in the 2020 NHL Draft and made his pro debut with the organization last season, appearing in four games with the AHL’s Stockton Heat. He signed a three-year entry level contract with the Flames on March 1st. The Greyhounds selected him with their fourth round (71st overall) pick in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection from the Mississauga Rebels U16 program.

OHL Defenceman of the Month – Jack Thompson (Soo Greyhounds)
For the second time this season, Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Jack Thompson of the Soo Greyhounds is the OHL Defenceman of the Month. Thompson, who first earned the honour as a member of the Sudbury Wolves in October, led OHL defenders with 12 points including five goals and seven assists over seven April contests, pairing that with a plus/minus rating of plus-9. Thompson recorded a point in six of his seven matchups, starting with a goal and three assists in a 9-3 win over the Saginaw Spirit on April 1st. Thompson found the back of the net twice on April 9th, helping the Hounds beat the Sudbury Wolves 5-1. Thompson is the first Greyhounds blueliner to be named OHL Defenceman of the Month since Mac Hollowell in October 2018.

A 20-year-old native of Courtice, Ont., Thompson finished the season tied for the League lead in goals by a defenceman, equalling teammate Robert Calisti’s mark of 21. He and Calisti finished tied for sixth in scoring among OHL defencemen, putting up 57 points (21-36–57), 34 of which came as a member of the Greyhounds. In three OHL seasons, the 6-foot-1 rearguard has collected 40 goals, 65 assists and 105 points in 180 games. Thompson made his pro debut with the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch last season, recording an assist in his lone contest. He has signed an entry-level NHL contract with the Lightning, who selected him in the third round of the 2020 NHL Draft. The right-shot rearguard was originally Sudbury’s second round (30th overall) pick in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection from the Clarington Toros U16 program.

OHL Goaltender of the Month – Michael Simpson (Peterborough Petes)
Michael Simpson of the Peterborough Petes is the OHL Goaltender of the Month, helping his team qualify for the OHL Playoffs as he played to a 4-0-0-1 record with a 2.16 goals-against average, .928 save percentage and one shutout. Simpson won his final four starts of the season, turning aside all 37 shots for his first career OHL shutout on April 5th as the Petes defeated the Barrie Colts 1-0 in overtime. He stopped 20 of 21 on April 9th as the Petes beat the Niagara IceDogs 5-1, and rounded-out the season with a 28-save performance on April 17th as Peterborough defeated Kingston 6-3. Simpson is the first Petes netminder to earn OHL Goaltender of the Month honours since Hunter Jones in October 2019.

A 19-year-old from London, Ont., Simpson played to a record of 20-18-3-1 with a 3.56 goals-against average and .891 save percentage in his first OHL season. The 6-foot, 188Ib. netminder was Peterborough’s 10th round (193rd overall) pick in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection from the London Jr. Knights U16 program.

OHL Rookie of the Month – Paul Ludwinski (Kingston Frontenacs)
2022 NHL Draft prospect Paul Ludwinski of the Kingston Frontenacs is the OHL Rookie of the Month for April, collecting five goals, five assists and 10 points in eight games. Ludwinski’s month was headlined by a hat trick and season-high four points on April 10th as the Frontenacs defeated the Niagara IceDogs 10-5. He’d chip in with a goal and an assist in Kingston’s final regular season game on April 17th, a 6-3 loss to the Peterborough Petes.

A soon-to-be 18-year-old from Pickering, Ont., Ludwinski recorded 43 points including 16 goals and 27 assists over 67 games in his first OHL season. The 5-foot-11, 172Ib. centreman competed in March’s Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Kitchener, and was the 29th ranked North American skater on NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Rankings. Ludwinksi was Kingston’s first round (5th overall) pick in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection from the Toronto Marlboros U16 program.

2021-22 OHL Performers of the Month:

Player of the Month:
April – Rory Kerins (Soo Greyhounds)
March – Wyatt Johnston (Windsor Spitfires)
February – Logan Morrison (Hamilton Bulldogs)
January – Wyatt Johnston (Windsor Spitfires)
December – Wyatt Johnston (Windsor Spitfires)
November – Kyle Jackson (North Bay Battalion)
October – Sasha Pastujov (Guelph Storm)

Defenceman of the Month:
April – Jack Thompson (Soo Greyhounds)
March – Pavel Mintyukov (Saginaw Spirit)
February – Michael Buchinger (Guelph Storm)
January – Brandt Clarke (Barrie Colts)
December – Ethan Del Mastro (Mississauga Steelheads)
November – Nathan Staios (Hamilton Bulldogs)
October – Jack Thompson (Sudbury Wolves)

Rookie of the Month:
April – Paul Ludwinski (Kingston Frontenacs)
March – Cedrick Guindon (Owen Sound Attack)
February – Michael Buchinger (Guelph Storm)
January – David Goyette (Sudbury Wolves)
December – Coulson Pitre (Flint Firebirds)
November – Owen Beck (Mississauga Steelheads)
October – Calum Ritchie (Oshawa Generals)

Goaltender of the Month:
April – Michael Simpson (Peterborough Petes)
March – Marco Costantini (Hamilton Bulldogs)
February – Luke Cavallin (Flint Firebirds)
January – Mack Guzda (Barrie Colts)
December – Mack Guzda (Barrie Colts)
November – Joe Vrbetic (North Bay Battalion)
October – Brett Brochu (London Knights)


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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CLARKE AND DONOSO 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, January 30, 2022

Colts’ Brandt Clarke Named OHL Player of the Week

Los Angeles Kings prospect Brandt Clarke of the Barrie Colts is the OHL Player of the Week, recording two goals, seven assists and nine points in four games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-8.

Clarke had at least two points in all four games, helping the Colts score lopsided wins over Sudbury and Owen Sound before road losses in Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury. The right-shot defender kicked off the week with a goal and an assist in Barrie’s 9-1 win in Sudbury on Tuesday, garnering second star recognition. Clarke was back on the scoresheet Thursday night, picking up a pair of assists as the Colts defeated the Owen Sound Attack 8-0. He helped Barrie earn a point in Sault Ste. Marie on Saturday, scoring the game-tying marker with less than a second remaining to force overtime as the Colts would go on to fall 4-3 in the extra frame. Clarke finished things off with three assists on Sunday as Barrie’s comeback effort came up short in Sudbury, resulting in a 6-5 loss. Clarke is the second defenceman to earn the honour this season and becomes the first Colts player to be named OHL Player of the Week since Lucas Chiodo in September 2018.

Hailing from Nepean, Ont., the 18-year-old Clarke leads OHL defenders with 42 points including eight goals, 34 assists and a plus-19 rating across 32 games. The 6-foot-2 rearguard leads the Colts in scoring this season and is riding a current five-game point streak. Clarke was a first round (8th overall) pick of the Los Angeles Kings last summer, and signed an entry-level NHL contract with the club in August. Clarke won a gold medal as a member of Canada’s National Under-18 Team in May 2021 and is a former 2019 OHL Cup champion as a member of the Don Mills Flyers. The Colts selected Clarke fourth overall in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection.

Also considered for the award this week, Colts teammate Nathan Allensen recorded eight points (2-6–8) across four games while OHL scoring leader Rory Kerins of the Soo Greyhounds put up seven points (3-4–7) in three contests as the Hounds won two of three.

2021-22 OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
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, going 1-0-0-1 with a 1.44 goals-against average and .947 save percentage.

Donoso stopped 54 of 57 shots directed his way, helping the 67’s collect three points on the road. He turned aside 33 shots on Friday in Sudbury, earning first star honours in his third straight win as Ottawa defeated the Wolves 3-1. Donoso returned to the crease Sunday afternoon in North Bay, making 21 saves as the Barber Poles fell 3-2 in a shootout to the Battalion.

An 18-year-old from Windsor, Ont., Donoso is 3-3-0-0 in his first OHL season with a 2.13 goals-against average and .923 save percentage across eight games. He’s split the season between the 67’s and Hawkesbury Hawks, going 11-2-0 with a 1.79 goals-against average and .935 save percentage in the CCHL. The 6-foot-1, 173Ib. netminder was Ottawa’s fifth round (98th overall) selection in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection, and spent the 2019-20 season between the Rochester Coalition U18 program and Salisbury Prep School located in Salisbury, Conn.

Also considered for the award this week, Roman Basran of the Mississauga Steelheads went 3-0-0-0 with a 1.67 goals-against average and .911 save percentage. Reigning Goaltender of the Week Mack Guzda of the Barrie Colts was 2-0-1-0 with a 1.67 goals-against average and .940 save percentage.

2021-22 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
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.

HARDIE AND RANGER 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, January 2, 2022

Steelheads’ James Hardie Named OHL Player of the Week

Mississauga Steelheads forward James Hardie is the OHL Player of the Week, recording three goals and three assists for six points in a pair of victories.

Hardie helped Mississauga stay on top of the OHL standings with consecutive wins, recording a season-high four points with two goals and two assists in Wednesday’s 5-4 win over visiting North Bay. He followed-up that first star performance with a goal and an assist on New Year’s Eve in Sudbury as Mississauga won 8-2, claiming their fourth consecutive win.

A 19-year-old product of Innisfil, Ont., Hardie sits tied for second in OHL goal-scoring with 21 this season. He leads the Steelheads with 38 points (21-17–38) through 28 contests while posting a plus/minus rating of plus-26. A former first round (8th overall) selection by Mississauga in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection, Hardie has posted 70 goals, 53 assists and 123 points in 149 career regular season games with the Steelheads. He attended rookie camp with the Toronto Maple Leafs this past September.

Hardie is the first Steelheads player to earn OHL Player of the Week honours since former goaltender Jacob Ingham last did so in February 2019.

Also considered for the award this week, Calgary Flames prospect Rory Kerins of the Soo Greyhounds recorded seven points (4-3–7) as the Greyhounds won two of their three games last week. Chicago Blackhawks prospect and Hardie’s Mississauga Steelheads teammate Ethan Del Mastro also had a strong showing, recording six assists in two games.

2021-22 OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
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)

Steelheads’ Joe Ranger Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Joe Ranger of the Mississauga Steelheads is the OHL Goaltender of the Week, helping the Steelheads remain on top of the standings by posting a 3.00 goals-against average, .909 save percentage and turning aside 60 shots in a pair of victories.

Ranger made 35 saves on Wednesday as the Steelheads won a Central Division showdown, defeating the visiting North Bay Battalion 5-4 despite being outshot 39-22. He was solid in a New Year’s Eve road win over the Sudbury Wolves on Friday, making 25 saves as the Trout took it 8-2 for their fourth straight win.

A 19-year-old native of Carp, Ont., Ranger currently leads the League in goals-against average (1.93) and save percentage (.929) while posting a 9-2-1-0 record with two shutouts over 13 games. He’s played to an overall record of 15-12-5-0 with a 3.40 goals-against average and .885 save percentage in 39 career OHL regular season games with Mississauga. Ranger was originally the Steelheads’ fourth round (63rd overall) pick in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection and joins Roman Basran as the second Mississauga netminder to earn the award this season.

Also considered for recognition this week, Saginaw Spirit rookie Andrew Oke went 2-1-0-0 with a 2.62 goals-against average and .908 save percentage. Flint Firebirds netminder Luke Cavallin was 1-0-0-1 with a 2.41 goals-against average and .918 save percentage.

2021-22 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
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.

KERINS AND OSTER 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, October 24, 2021

Greyhounds’ Rory Kerins Named OHL Player of the Week

Calgary Flames prospect Rory Kerins of the Soo Greyhounds is the OHL Player of the Week with a league-leading 10 points including five goals and five assists over three games including a plus/minus rating of plus-3.

Kerins got the week started with a four-point performance on Wednesday night as the Greyhounds defeated the visiting Sudbury Wolves 4-3 in overtime. Kerins scored twice, tying the game with a third period power play marker before collecting an assist on Tye Kartye’s game winner. His dominance carried over into Friday’s home date against the North Bay Battalion as Kerins posted a career-high six points including his first OHL hat-trick as the Hounds outgunned the Troops 8-5. Kerins’ six points were the most by a Greyhounds player in a single game since Nick Cousins recorded six on Feb. 16, 2013 against the Kingston Frontenacs. Kerins was held off the scoresheet on Saturday as the Hounds fell to the Battalion 4-2 on home ice. The 5-foot-11, 186Ib. centreman was an impressive 68 percent in the faceoff circle last week, winning 51 of his 75 draws.

A 19-year-old from Caledon, Ont., Kerins is currently tied for the OHL lead in scoring with his 14 points (8-6–14) over eight games. His 61.8 percent success rate in the faceoff circle is third among centremen with at least 100 faceoff attempts this season. Kerins was a sixth round (174th overall) pick by the Calgary Flames in the 2020 NHL Draft and made his pro debut with the organization last season, appearing in four games with the AHL’s Stockton Heat. The Greyhounds selected him with their fourth round (71st overall) pick in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection from the Mississauga Rebels U16 program.

Kerins becomes the first Greyhounds player to earn the weekly honour since Morgan Frost last did so from Jan. 14-20, 2019.

Also considered for the award this week were San Jose Sharks prospect Danil Gushchin of the Niagara IceDogs who finished the week with nine points including five goals and four assists over three contests. Gushchin’s first career OHL hat-trick headlined an IceDogs win over the Barrie Colts on Thursday. Kerins’ Soo Greyhounds teammate Tye Kartye was also in the running after recording eight points including four goals and four assists over three games last week.

2021-22 OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
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 Jacob Oster Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Guelph Storm rookie Jacob Oster is the OHL Goaltender of the Week with a pair of wins, a 1.50 goals-against average and a .942 save percentage.

Oster stopped 49 of the 52 shots he faced over the weekend, first denying 35 of 36 in a 2-1 Storm road win over the Sarnia Sting on Friday. He was back in the crease on Sunday afternoon at home to the Kitchener Rangers, earning first star honours with 14 saves in a 4-2 victory.

A 17-year-old from Ottawa, Ont., Oster is 3-1-0-0 with a 2.52 goals-against average and .906 save percentage in four games this season. The 6-foot-3, 187Ib. netminder was Guelph’s fifth round (92nd overall) pick in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection from the Kemptville 73’s U18 program.

Also considered for the award this week were Owen Sound Attack goaltender Mack Guzda who went 1-1 with a 1.53 goals-against average and .963 save percentage as well as St. Louis Blues prospect Will Cranley of the Ottawa 67’s who went 1-1 with a 2.50 goals-against average, .923 save percentage and one shutout.

2021-22 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
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.

Rory Kerins – Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height: 5’10

Weight: 173 Pounds

Date of birth: April 12, 2002

Hometown: Caledon, Ontario

Position: Center

Shoots: Left

OHL Draft: Round 4, 71st overall, 2018 Priority Selection

NHL Central Scouting Rankings

Pre-season

 November Mid-term Final
C Prospect B Prospect 74 N.A.

72 N.A.

Rory Kerins played his Minor Midget AAA during the 2017-2018 season skating down the middle for the Mississauga Rebels where he scored 19 goals and added 19 assists in 26 contests. He would appear in both the OHL Cup and OHL Gold Cup and combined he had 7 helpers in 8 games. He won silver at the Gold Cup with Team GTHL. During the 2016-2017 season, Kerins also appeared in the OHL Cup with Mississauga, registering 3 helpers in 5 games.

The Hounds selected Kerins, a native of Caledon Ontario, with the 71st overall pick at the 2018 Ontario Hockey League’s Priority Selections.

Rory Kerins of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Rory Kerins of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Photo by Terry Wilson/OHL Images.

Kerins would appear in 57 games for the Hounds during the 2018-2019 season where he scored 9 goals and added 14 assists. He would be kept off the score sheet in 10 playoff games.

It was a break out season for Kerins during the 2019-2020 season. Among first time draft eligible players, Kerins finished 10th in points (59), 9th in goals (30), 3rd in faceoff percentage (53.8%) and tops in shooting percentage – 4th in the entire league (22.72%). Kerins finished 7th in the entire league in faceoff attempts, an indication that the coaching staff would use him in critical situations.

I asked Twitter friend Peter Florio (@HoundsInsider) for his thoughts on Kerins. Here is what Peter had to say:

Rory Kerins is a natural goal scorer. He makes it look easy, his pressure in the offensive zone is hard to shut down. He is an elevated player, when he has the puck something is going to happen and has an absolute missile of a shot. I fully expect Rory to be in the fight for point championship next year with the jump he made from 2018/2019 season to 2019/2020.

I won’t make as bold of a prediction as Peter did, but I will say this: We’ve all heard the saying that talent alone will only get you so far. You need heart, determination and be willing to put in the effort, and Kerins has that in spades.

Kerins plays the game the right way and is actually an accomplished 200-foot player. He has no fear of getting into the higher danger zone area in the slot area. He can score the dirty goals or as Peter said, beat you with his shot. He’ll battle along the walls, and has surprising strength at 5’10”. He has the ability to be an effective forechecker. If there is an area that I feel he could improve it’s adding an extra gear. That would help him in getting on the forecheck quicker. Despite his willingness to go into battle, he does it the right way, and the Greyhounds recognized that by awarding him the Dr. Bill Kelly Award as the Most Gentlemanly Player.

Kerins also has very good hockey IQ. He has shown he can be a good playmaker. He can slow down and wait for a play to become available and make a good pass, with a very good ability to lead players with a pass by putting it into areas they can skate into. However, judging how his playmaking skills are is difficult. The Greyhounds are a young team that need to gain some experience. And they didn’t muster up a whole lot of offense this season, just 253 goals and that ranks 14th in the OHL.

Defensively, Kerins understands positioning, whether it’s getting his body or stick into lanes, or understanding where he needs to be and is always prepared for the breakout. The coaches have the trust in him to take key defensive zone draws and use him on the penalty kill.

Except for faceoffs and his shooting percentage, Kerins is not exactly a standout at most aspects of the game, but rather one of those guys that just does all the things required to help your team find success. Again, the Greyhounds recognized that by awarding him with the Rock 101 Trophy as the Most Valuable Player on his team.

It’s hard to project what Kerins could bring at the NHL level. Certainly, the work ethic, understanding the 200-foot game and his shot suggest he could be an effective NHL’er. We would like to see him add that extra gear when it comes to his skating. We know he’ll score goals at the OHL level, but it’ll be another year before we truly know how good his abilities to set up teammates for goals is. Right now, he’s a mid-round pick and if everything comes together, a high reward one at that.