VILMANIS AND MCIVOR 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 playoff games ending Sunday, May 5th, 2024.



Battalion’s Sandis Vilmanis Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

Florida Panthers prospect Sandis Vilmanis of the North Bay Battalion is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording four goals, five assists and nine points in four games played.

Helping the Battalion rally to force a Game 7 in the Eastern Conference Championship Series, Vilmanis started off the week with a goal in a 5-2 loss to the Oshawa Generals on Monday. The 6-foot-2, 192lb. forward tallied a pair of goals including the overtime winner along with two assists to earn first star honours on Wednesday, helping the Battalion skate to a 5-4 overtime win at home. He recorded another assist on Friday as the Battalion clinched a 5-4 double overtime victory. Vilmanis closed out the week with a goal and two helpers in a dominant 8-1 win on Sunday, leading the Battalion to tie the series 3-3 heading into Game 7 on Monday night.

A 20-year-old from Riga, Latvia, Vilmanis leads all post-season point-getters with 26 points (10-16–26) in 15 playoff contests following a regular season that yielded 38 goals, 29 assists and 67 points over 60 games played between the Battalion and the Sarnia Sting. A former first round pick by Sarnia in the 2022 CHL Import Draft, Vilmanis was selected by the Florida Panthers in the fifth round (157th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft. He signed a three-year entry-level contract with the club on March 2, 2024. Vilmanis has also participated on the international stage, representing Latvia at three consecutive IIHF World Junior Championships.

Also considered for the award this week, Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan of the London Knights helped his team skate to a 4-2 Western Conference Final Series victory over the Saginaw Spirit, recording four goals and four assists in four games played. Battalion teammate and Seattle Kraken prospect Ty Nelson was also a standout, registering two goals, five assists and seven points.

2023-24 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Playoffs:
Apr. 29 – May 5: Sandis Vilmanis (North Bay Battalion)
Apr. 22 – Apr. 28: Kasper Halttunen (London Knights)
Apr. 15 – Apr. 21: Jacob Julien (London Knights)
Apr. 8 – Apr. 14: Dylan Roobroeck (Oshawa Generals)
Apr. 1 – Apr. 7: Samuel Mayer (Ottawa 67’s)
Mar. 28 – Mar. 31: Owen Beck (Saginaw Spirit)

2023-24 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Mar. 11 – Mar. 17: David Goyette (Sudbury Wolves)
Mar. 11 – Mar. 17: Ruslan Gazizov (London Knights)
Mar. 4 – Mar. 10: Dylan Roobroeck (Oshawa Generals)
Feb. 26 – Mar. 3: Jacob Maillet (Ottawa 67’s)
Feb. 19 – Feb. 25: Carson Rehkopf (Kitchener Rangers)
Feb. 12 – Feb. 18: Rodwin Dionicio (Saginaw Spirit)
Feb. 5 – Feb. 11: David Goyette (Sudbury Wolves)
Jan. 29 – Feb. 4: Gavin Bryant (Niagara IceDogs)
Jan. 22 – Jan. 28: Liam Greentree (Windsor Spitfires)
Jan. 15 – Jan. 21: Quentin Musty (Sudbury Wolves)
Jan. 8 – Jan. 14: Oliver Bonk (London Knights)
Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Anthony Romani (North Bay Battalion)
Dec. 28 – Dec. 31: Sam Dickinson (London Knights)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 18: Ruslan Gazizov (London Knights)
Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Nick Lardis (Brantford Bulldogs)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Pano Fimis (Erie Otters)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Matyas Sapovaliv (Saginaw Spirit)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Donovan McCoy (Peterborough Petes)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Denver Barkey (London Knights)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Braeden Kressler (Flint Firebirds)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Kirill Kudryavtsev (Soo Greyhounds)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Anthony Romani (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Carson Rehkopf (Kitchener Rangers)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Jordan D’Intino (Soo Greyhounds)
Sep. 28 – Oct. 1: Jax Dubois (Peterborough Petes)



Battalion’s Mike McIvor Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Rookie netminder Mike McIvor of the North Bay Battalion is the OHL Goaltender of the Week for the second time this season, playing to a 3-1 record along with a 3.13 goals-against average, and .902 save percentage.

Helping the Battalion bounce back in the Eastern Conference Championship Series, McIvor made a total of 129 saves last week. He stopped 26 of the 31 shots he faced on Monday as the Battalion fell 5-2 to the Oshawa Generals. McIvor earned the Battalion’s first win of the series on Wednesday, blocking 27 of the 31 shots that came his way in a 5-4 overtime victory. The 6-foot, 165lb. netminder returned to the crease with a big performance on Friday, turning aside 41 of the 45 shots he faced to clinch a 5-4 double overtime win. McIvor closed out the week with a 35-save performance on Sunday as the Battalion defeated the Generals in a commanding 8-1 victory to push the series to Game 7.

An 18-year-old from Warkworth, Ont., McIvor played to a regular season mark of 8-9-0-0 with a 3.78 goals-against average and .876 save percentage over 18 games in his first OHL season. A fourth round (83rd overall) pick by the Battalion in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection from the Quinte Red Devils U16 program, McIvor has appeared in 14 playoff contests, playing to a 10-4 record along with a 2.58 goals-against average and .917 save percentage with one shutout.

Also considered for the award this week, Michael Simpson of the London Knights went 2-2 along with a 3.79 goals-against average and .899 save percentage to take a 4-2 Western Conference Championship Series victory over the Saginaw Spirit. Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Nolan Lalonde of the Saginaw Spirit also played to a 2-2 record along with a 3.05 goals-against average and .879 save percentage.

2023-24 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Playoffs:
Apr. 29 – May 5: Mike McIvor (North Bay Battalion)
Apr. 22 – Apr. 28: Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)
Apr. 15 – Apr. 21: Charlie Schenkel (Soo Greyhounds)
Apr. 8 – Apr. 14: Mike McIvor (North Bay Battalion)
Apr. 1 – Apr. 7: Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)
Mar. 28 – Mar. 31: Jakub Vondras (Sudbury Wolves)

2023-24 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Mar. 18 – Mar. 24: Nick Surzycia (Sarnia Sting)
Mar. 11 – Mar. 17: Charlie Robertson (Niagara IceDogs)
Mar. 4 – Mar. 10: Jack Ivankovic (Mississauga Steelheads)
Feb. 26 – Mar. 3: Liam Sztuska (Peterborough Petes)
Feb. 19 – Feb. 25: Michael Simpson (London Knights)
Feb. 12 – Feb. 18: Matteo Drobac (Brantford Bulldogs)
Feb. 5 – Feb. 11: Ben West (Barrie Colts)
Jan. 29 – Feb. 4: Owen Willmore (London Knights)
Jan. 22 – Jan. 28: Sam Hillebrandt (Barrie Colts)
Jan. 15 – Jan. 21: Matteo Drobac (Brantford Bulldogs)
Jan. 8 – Jan. 14: Michael Simpson (London Knights)
Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)
Dec. 28 – Dec. 31: Brayden Gillespie (Guelph Storm)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 18: Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)
Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Max Donoso (Ottawa 67’s)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Marcus Vandenberg (Niagara IceDogs)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Jack Ivankovic (Mississauga Steelheads)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Carter George (Owen Sound Attack)
Nov. 8 – Nov. 12: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 7: Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Sam Hillebrandt (Barrie Colts)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Brayden Gillespie (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Collin MacKenzie (Ottawa 67’s)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Ryerson Leenders (Mississauga Steelheads)
Sep. 28 – Oct. 1: Ryerson Leenders (Mississauga Steelheads)

JULIEN AND SCHENKEL 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 playoff games ending Sunday, April 21st, 2024.



Knights’ Jacob Julien Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

Winnipeg Jets prospect Jacob Julien of the London Knights is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording six goals in a pair of victories to send the Knights to the Western Conference Championship Series.

Julien recorded back-to-back hat-tricks, first powering the Knights to a 6-4 win over the Kitchener Rangers in Game 3 of their second round series. Julien completed his hat-trick with the deciding goal that came midway through Tuesday night’s third period. The 6-foot-3, 170Ib. centreman returned to his goal-scoring ways on Thursday, lighting the lamp once in the first period and twice in the second as London eliminated Kitchener in Game 4 by a score of 4-3.

A 19-year-old from London, Julien has 12 points (7-5–12) in eight games in these playoffs following a regular season that yielded 29 goals, 49 assists and 78 points over 67 games. Julien was selected by the Winnipeg Jets in the fifth round (146th overall) of last summer’s NHL Draft. Formerly London’s third round (41st overall) pick in the 2021 Under-18 Priority Selection, Julien has accumulated 94 points (38-56–94) over 107 career regular season games.

Also considered for the award this week, Florida Panthers prospect Sandis Vilmanis of the North Bay Battalion recorded seven points (3-4–7) in a pair of victories while New York Rangers draft pick Bryce McConnell-Barker of the Soo Greyhounds registered seven points (3-4–7) in four outings.

2023-24 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Playoffs:
Apr. 15 – Apr. 21: Jacob Julien (London Knights)
Apr. 8 – Apr. 14: Dylan Roobroeck (Oshawa Generals)
Apr. 1 – Apr. 7: Samuel Mayer (Ottawa 67’s)
Mar. 28 – Mar. 31: Owen Beck (Saginaw Spirit)

2023-24 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Mar. 11 – Mar. 17: David Goyette (Sudbury Wolves)
Mar. 11 – Mar. 17: Ruslan Gazizov (London Knights)
Mar. 4 – Mar. 10: Dylan Roobroeck (Oshawa Generals)
Feb. 26 – Mar. 3: Jacob Maillet (Ottawa 67’s)
Feb. 19 – Feb. 25: Carson Rehkopf (Kitchener Rangers)
Feb. 12 – Feb. 18: Rodwin Dionicio (Saginaw Spirit)
Feb. 5 – Feb. 11: David Goyette (Sudbury Wolves)
Jan. 29 – Feb. 4: Gavin Bryant (Niagara IceDogs)
Jan. 22 – Jan. 28: Liam Greentree (Windsor Spitfires)
Jan. 15 – Jan. 21: Quentin Musty (Sudbury Wolves)
Jan. 8 – Jan. 14: Oliver Bonk (London Knights)
Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Anthony Romani (North Bay Battalion)
Dec. 28 – Dec. 31: Sam Dickinson (London Knights)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 18: Ruslan Gazizov (London Knights)
Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Nick Lardis (Brantford Bulldogs)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Pano Fimis (Erie Otters)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Matyas Sapovaliv (Saginaw Spirit)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Donovan McCoy (Peterborough Petes)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Denver Barkey (London Knights)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Braeden Kressler (Flint Firebirds)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Kirill Kudryavtsev (Soo Greyhounds)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Anthony Romani (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Carson Rehkopf (Kitchener Rangers)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Jordan D’Intino (Soo Greyhounds)
Sep. 28 – Oct. 1: Jax Dubois (Peterborough Petes)
 



Greyhounds’ Charlie Schenkel Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Charlie Schenkel of the Soo Greyhounds is the OHL Goaltender of the Week, backstopping his team to Game 7 of their second round series with a 2-2 record, 2.19 goals-against average, .922 save percentage and two shutouts.

Schenkel rebounded from a tough Game 3 outing, with a 27-save effort for his first career OHL playoff shutout in Wednesday’s Greyhounds 4-0 home win. He was back in the crease on Friday in Saginaw, stopping 37 of the 40 shots sent his way as the Hounds fell to the Spirit by a score of 3-2 in overtime. Schenkel rounded-out his week with another shutout, this time stopping 24 shots as the Greyhounds forced a Game 7 on Tuesday night with a 5-0 victory at GFL Memorial Gardens.

A 19-year-old from Ottawa, Schenkel owns a 6-3 mark along with a 2.39 goals-against average and .909 save percentage through 10 playoff contests. His regular season featured a 28-12-3-0 record alongside a 3.10 goals-against average, .883 save percentage and two shutouts over 47 games. The 6-foot-5, 206Ib. Schenkel owns a career mark of 39-29-7-3 with a 3.27 G.A.A. and .886 SV% since being Sault Ste. Marie’s fifth round (91st overall) pick in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection. He attended rookie camp with the Ottawa Senators last fall.

Also considered for the award this week, Oshawa Generals netminder Jacob Oster helped his team sweep away the Ottawa 67’s with a 2-0 record, 1.75 goals-against average and .946 save percentage. Mike McIvor of the North Bay Battalion also went 2-0 with a 2.29 goals-against average and .939 save percentage as the Troops eliminated the Sudbury Wolves in second round play.

2023-24 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Playoffs:
Apr. 15 – Apr. 21: Charlie Schenkel (Soo Greyhounds)
Apr. 8 – Apr. 14: Mike McIvor (North Bay Battalion)
Apr. 1 – Apr. 7: Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)
Mar. 28 – Mar. 31: Jakub Vondras (Sudbury Wolves)

2023-24 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Mar. 18 – Mar. 24: Nick Surzycia (Sarnia Sting)
Mar. 11 – Mar. 17: Charlie Robertson (Niagara IceDogs)
Mar. 4 – Mar. 10: Jack Ivankovic (Mississauga Steelheads)
Feb. 26 – Mar. 3: Liam Sztuska (Peterborough Petes)
Feb. 19 – Feb. 25: Michael Simpson (London Knights)
Feb. 12 – Feb. 18: Matteo Drobac (Brantford Bulldogs)
Feb. 5 – Feb. 11: Ben West (Barrie Colts)
Jan. 29 – Feb. 4: Owen Willmore (London Knights)
Jan. 22 – Jan. 28: Sam Hillebrandt (Barrie Colts)
Jan. 15 – Jan. 21: Matteo Drobac (Brantford Bulldogs)
Jan. 8 – Jan. 14: Michael Simpson (London Knights)
Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)
Dec. 28 – Dec. 31: Brayden Gillespie (Guelph Storm)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 18: Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)
Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Max Donoso (Ottawa 67’s)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Marcus Vandenberg (Niagara IceDogs)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Jack Ivankovic (Mississauga Steelheads)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Carter George (Owen Sound Attack)
Nov. 8 – Nov. 12: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 7: Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Sam Hillebrandt (Barrie Colts)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Brayden Gillespie (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Collin MacKenzie (Ottawa 67’s)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Ryerson Leenders (Mississauga Steelheads)
Sep. 28 – Oct. 1: Ryerson Leenders (Mississauga Steelheads)

GOYETTE AND WEST 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, February 11, 2024.



Wolves’ David Goyette Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

Seattle Kraken prospect David Goyette of the Sudbury Wolves is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, contributing three goals, six assists and nine points while registering a plus-3 rating in three wins.

Riding an eight-game point streak, Goyette led the League with nine points, helping the Wolves become the first Eastern Conference team to reach 30 wins this season. He was instrumental in Sudbury’s 6-5 comeback win over Sault Ste. Marie on Wednesday recording a goal and an assist in the latter half of the third period. The 5-foot-11, 181lb. right-wing found the scoresheet again on Friday, registering a a goal and two helpers in a 6-1 win over the Niagara IceDogs. Goyette closed out the weekend with a four-point performance on Sunday, tallying a goal and three assists including one on the winning goal as Sudbury clinched an 8-7 overtime victory over the Mississauga Steelheads.

A 19-year-old from Hawkesbury, Ont., Goyette ranks second among all OHL point producers, tallying 31 goals, 53 assists, and 84 points in 50 games this season. Selected in the second-round (61st overall) by the Seattle Kraken in the 2022 NHL Draft, the former first-round (11th overall) pick by the Wolves in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection has put up 105 goals, 144 assists and 249 points in 179 OHL regular season contests. Goyette signed an entry-level NHL contract with Seattle on Apr. 10, 2023.

Also considered for the award this week, Montreal Canadiens prospect Owen Beck of the Saginaw Spirit recorded seven points (4-3–7) in three games. Defenceman Finn Harding of the Mississauga Steelheads also had a standout week registering seven points (1-6–7) in three showings, while Florida Panthers prospect Sandis Vilmanis of the North Bay Battalion recorded six goals in a pair of victories.

2023-24 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Feb. 5 – Feb. 11: David Goyette (Sudbury Wolves)
Jan. 29 – Feb. 4: Gavin Bryant (Niagara IceDogs)
Jan. 22 – Jan. 28: Liam Greentree (Windsor Spitfires)
Jan. 15 – Jan. 21: Quentin Musty (Sudbury Wolves)
Jan. 8 – Jan. 14: Oliver Bonk (London Knights)
Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Anthony Romani (North Bay Battalion)
Dec. 28 – Dec. 31: Sam Dickinson (London Knights)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 18: Ruslan Gazizov (London Knights)
Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Nick Lardis (Brantford Bulldogs)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Pano Fimis (Erie Otters)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Matyas Sapovaliv (Saginaw Spirit)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Donovan McCoy (Peterborough Petes)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Denver Barkey (London Knights)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Braeden Kressler (Flint Firebirds)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Kirill Kudryavtsev (Soo Greyhounds)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Anthony Romani (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Carson Rehkopf (Kitchener Rangers)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Jordan D’Intino (Soo Greyhounds)
Sep. 28 – Oct. 1: Jax Dubois (Peterborough Petes)
 



Colts’ Ben West Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Ben West of the Barrie Colts is the OHL Goaltender of the Week following two wins, making 81 saves with a 3.00 goals-against average and .931 save percentage.

West backstopped the Colts to a pair of wins despite their being outshot in both contests. Earning third star honours on Monday, West turned aside 38 of the 41 shots he faced as the Colts defeated the Erie Otters 6-3. The 6-foot-3, 156lb. netminder was back in the crease with a 43-save, second star performance on Saturday to help the Colts defeat the Kingston Frontenacs 4-3 at home, improving Barrie’s season record to 21-25-3-0.

A 20-year-old hometown product, West owns a season mark of 10-13-1-0, posting a 3.94 goals-against average and .889 save percentage. Selected in the 10th round (190th overall) by the Erie Otters in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection from the Toronto Marlboros U16 AAA program, West has appeared in 53 games over two seasons spent with the Colts, registering a 3.78 goals-against average and .889 save percentage.

Also in the running for the award this week, Ian Michelone of the Ottawa 67’s played to a 2-0 record with a 1.50 goals-against average, and .936 save percentage. Andrew Oke of the Saginaw Spirit was also solid in the crease, playing to a 2-0 mark including a shutout, with a 1.93 goals-against average and .920 save percentage.

2023-24 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Feb. 5 – Feb. 11: Ben West (Barrie Colts)
Jan. 29 – Feb. 4: Owen Willmore (London Knights)
Jan. 22 – Jan. 28: Sam Hillebrandt (Barrie Colts)
Jan. 15 – Jan. 21: Matteo Drobac (Brantford Bulldogs)
Jan. 8 – Jan. 14: Michael Simpson (London Knights)
Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)
Dec. 28 – Dec. 31: Brayden Gillespie (Guelph Storm)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 18: Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)
Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Max Donoso (Ottawa 67’s)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Marcus Vandenberg (Niagara IceDogs)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Jack Ivankovic (Mississauga Steelheads)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Carter George (Owen Sound Attack)
Nov. 8 – Nov. 12: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 7: Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Sam Hillebrandt (Barrie Colts)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Brayden Gillespie (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Collin MacKenzie (Ottawa 67’s)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Ryerson Leenders (Mississauga Steelheads)
Sep. 28 – Oct. 1: Ryerson Leenders (Mississauga Steelheads)