CHL Announces Weekly Award Winners

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Knights’ Adam Boqvist named CHL Player of the Week

 

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that defenceman Adam Boqvist of the London Knights is the CHL Player of the Week for the second week of playoff action ending March 31 with six goals in two games.

The Knights blue-liner helped cap a four-game sweep of the eighth-seed Windsor Spitfires in first round OHL Western Conference action thanks to an incredible four-goal effort in Game 3 that saw him cash in three times on the power play before adding the eventual game winner late in the final frame of the 6-3 victory en route to first-star recognition. The Chicago Blackhawks first-round pick then added two more tallies in a 5-2 win in Game 4 for his second-straight first-star honour to help punch London’s ticket to the second round and a date with the Guelph Storm beginning Friday night. Through four playoff games, Boqvist has collected seven points, including an OHL-leading six goals.

Boqvist, 20, is in his first season with the Knights, coming off a campaign in which he registered 20 goals and 40 assists for 60 points in just 54 games to lead all London defencemen and finish third in team scoring. Earlier this year, Boqvist competed in five games with his native Sweden at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship, where he notched one goal and three assists for four points.

Also considered for the award this week was 2019 NHL Draft hopeful and Vancouver Giants blue-liner Bowen Byram, who tallied two goals and four assists for six points in four games to lead his squad to a six-game defeat of the Seattle Thunderbirds, as well as 2019 Jean Beliveau Trophy winner Peter Abbandonato, who notched eight assists and a plus-seven rating over three games to power the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies to a six-game series win over the Shawinigan Cataractes.

2018-19 CHL Players of the Week – Playoffs:

Mar. 25 – Mar. 31: Adam Boqvist (London Knights)

Mar. 18 – Mar. 24: Evan Bouchard (London Knights)

 

2018-19 CHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Mar. 11 – Mar. 17: Jason Robertson (Niagara IceDogs)

Mar. 4 – Mar. 10: Greg Meireles (Kitchener Rangers)

Feb. 25 – Mar. 3: Nate Schnarr (Guelph Storm)

Feb. 18 – Feb. 24: Brayden Tracey (Moose Jaw Warriors)

Feb. 11 – Feb. 17: Maxime Comtois (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

Feb. 4 – Feb. 10: Alexis Lafreniere (Rimouski Oceanic)

Jan. 28 – Feb. 3: Samuel Asselin (Halifax Mooseheads)

Jan. 21 – Jan. 27: Ethan Crossman (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Jan. 14 – Jan. 20: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

Jan. 7 – Jan. 13: Bowen Byram (Vancouver Giants)

Dec. 31 – Jan. 6: Arthur Kaliyev (Hamilton Bulldogs)

Dec. 24 – Dec. 30: Kyle Maksimovich (Erie Otters)

Dec. 10 – Dec. 16: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)

Dec. 3 – Dec. 9: Ivan Chekhovich (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Nov. 26 – Dec. 2: Gregor MacLeod (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

Nov. 19 – Nov. 25: Brett Leason (Prince Albert Raiders)

Nov. 12 – Nov. 18: Peter Abbandonato (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)

Nov. 5 – Nov. 11: Jason Robertson (Kingston Frontenacs)

Oct. 29 – Nov. 4: Joachim Blichfeld (Portland Winterhawks)

Oct. 22 – Oct. 28: Ivan Chekhovich (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)

Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Damien Giroux (Saginaw)

IceDogs’ Stephen Dhillon named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Stephen Dhillon of the Niagara IceDogs is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the second week of playoff action ending March 31 with a 3-0 record, including two shutouts, a goals-against average of 1.00, and save percentage of .959.

Dhillon claims the honour for the third time this year after turning aside 70 shots over three contests versus the North Bay Battalion to help win the first round OHL Eastern Conference series in five games. His week began with a 6-0 road victory in which he stopped 20 shots and was named the game’s third star. He then chalked up his second-straight road win in a 5-3 final where he made 23 saves. Dhillon then wrapped up the series Friday with his third shutout in five games as he turned aside 27 shots in the 4-0 final earning third star recognition and setting up a second round series versus the Oshawa Generals.

A native of Buffalo, N.Y., the 20-year-old Dhillon is in his fifth season with Niagara. Through 58 games this year, he posted a 38-11-7-0 record with a 2.97 goals-against average and .909 save percentage, helping him claim the franchise record for single season wins as well as career wins, with 98. Through five playoff appearances in 2018-19, Dhillon is 4-1 with a 1.41 goals-against average and .943 save percentage.

Also considered for the award this week was Ottawa Senators prospect Kevin Mandolese of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, who won all four of his appearances, in which he posted a 1.92 goals-against average and .935 save percentage with one shutout to push his club to a six-game series win over the Charlottetown Islanders. In the WHL, Everett Silvertips netminder Dustin Wolf guided his club to a five-game defeat of the Tri-City Americans, where his past three appearances saw him come away with two wins, including one shutout, for a goals-against average of 1.34 and save percentage of .945.

2018-19 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week – Playoffs:

Mar. 25 – Mar. 31: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)

Mar. 18 – Mar. 24: Kyle Keyser (Oshawa Generals)

 

2018-19 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Mar. 11 – Mar. 17: Matthew Villalta (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

Mar. 4 – Mar. 10: Ian Scott (Prince Albert Raiders)

Feb. 25 – Mar. 3: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)

Feb. 18 – Feb. 24: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)

Feb. 11 – Feb. 17: Joel Hofer (Portland Winterhawks)

Feb. 4 – Feb. 10: Mads Sogaard (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Jan. 28 – Feb. 3: Jet Greaves (Barrie Colts)

Jan. 21 – Jan. 27: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)

Jan. 14 – Jan. 20: Olivier Rodrigue (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

Jan. 7 – Jan. 13: Kevin Mandolese (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)

Dec. 31 – Jan. 6: Ivan Prosvetov (Saginaw Spirit)

Dec. 24 – Dec. 30: Cedrick Andree (Ottawa 67’s)

Dec. 10 – Dec. 16: Mads Sogaard (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Dec. 3 – Dec. 9: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)

Nov. 26 – Dec. 2: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Sudbury Wolves)

Nov. 19 – Nov. 25: Kyle Jessiman (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Nov. 12 – Nov. 18: Ian Scott (Prince Albert Raiders)

Nov. 5 – Nov. 11: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)

Oct. 29 – Nov. 4: Joseph Raaymakers (London Knights)

Oct. 22 – Oct. 28: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)

Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Emile Samson (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)

Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Alexis Gravel (Halifax Mooseheads)

Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Trent Miner (Vancouver Giants)

Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Luke Richardson (Kitchener Rangers)

Sept. 19 – Sept. 23: Hunter Jones (Peterborough Petes)

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IceDogs’ Stephen Dhillon named OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that goaltender Stephen Dhillon of the Niagara IceDogs is the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week for the playoff week ending March 31 carrying a 3-0 record including two shutouts with an overall goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .959.

Dhillon is recognized for a third time this season after turning aside 70 shots over the final three games of the IceDogs’ Eastern Conference Quarter-Final series against the North Bay Battalion.  With the series tied 1-1 headed north, Dhillon stopped 20 shots in Game 3 on Tuesday night earning third star honours in a 6-0 win then made 23 saves in Game 4 on Thursday to preserve the 5-3 victory.  Dhillon and the IceDogs wrapped up the series at home in Game 5 on Friday before a national audience on Sportsnet with a 27-save performance as third star of the 4-0 triumph.  It was the third time Dhillon was perfect between-the-pipes against the Troops which marks the first time the league has seen a trio of shutouts in a single playoff series since JP Anderson and the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors against the Belleville Bulls in 2011.  The IceDogs will now face the Oshawa Generals in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals beginning Friday night.

A 20-year-old from Buffalo, New York, Dhillon has been a five-year member of the IceDogs since joining the club as a third round pick in the 2014 OHL Priority Selection.  Through five playoff games he carries a goals-against-average of 1.41 and save percentage of .943 after a record setting 2018-19 regular season where he set franchise marks for single season and career wins with 38 and 98 respectively.  His 197 career games played is also the most by any IceDogs goaltender.

Watch video highlights of Dhillon and the IceDogs against the Battalion in Game 3, Game 4, and Game 5.

Also considered for the award this week was Chicago Blackhawks prospect Adam Boqvist of the London Knights who scored six goals in two wins against the Windsor Spitfires.  In addition, Arizona Coyotes prospect Barrett Hayton of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds scored twice with six assists for eight points in three wins against the Owen Sound Attack while teammate Jaden Peca picked up eight assists.  Ottawa Senators prospect Alex Formenton of the Knights also recorded eight points accumulating one goal and seven assists in two games.

2018-19 OHL ‘On the Run’ Players of the Week – Playoffs:
Mar. 25 – Mar. 31: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)
Mar. 18 – Mar. 24: Evan Bouchard (London Knights)

2018-19 OHL ‘On the Run’ Players of the Week – Regular Season:

Mar. 11 – Mar. 17: Jason Robertson (Niagara IceDogs)
Mar. 4 – Mar. 10: Greg Meireles (Kitchener Rangers)
Feb. 25 – Mar. 3: Nate Schnarr (Guelph Storm)
Feb. 18 – Feb. 24: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)
Feb. 11 – Feb. 17: Nando Eggenberger (Oshawa Generals)
Feb. 4 – Feb. 10: Jacob Ingham (Mississauga Steelheads)
Jan. 28 – Feb. 3: Riley Damiani (Kitchener Rangers)
Jan. 21 – Jan. 27: Liam Foudy (London Knights)
Jan. 14 – Jan. 20: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Jan. 7 – Jan. 13: Isaac Ratcliffe (Guelph Storm)
Dec. 31 – Jan. 6: Arthur Kaliyev (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Dec. 24 – Dec. 30: Kyle Maksimovich (Erie Otters)
Dec. 10 – Dec. 16: Andrew MacLean (Owen Sound Attack)
Dec. 3 – Dec. 9: Brett Neumann (Kingston Frontenacs)
Nov. 26 – Dec. 2: Jason Robertson (Niagara IceDogs)
Nov. 19 – Nov. 25: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Nov. 12 – Nov. 18: Owen Tippett (Mississauga Steelheads)
Nov. 5 – Nov. 11: Jason Robertson (Kingston Frontenacs)
Oct. 29 – Nov. 4: Kevin Hancock (Owen Sound Attack)
Oct. 22 – Oct. 28: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)
Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Damien Giroux (Saginaw Spirit)
Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Sudbury Wolves)
Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Lucas Chiodo (Barrie Colts)
Sept. 19 – Sept. 23: Akil Thomas (Niagara IceDogs)

CHL Announces Weekly Award Winners

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Tracey tops the charts, Dhillon sets franchise record

Warriors’ Brayden Tracey named CHL Player of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that rookie forward Brayden Tracey of the Moose Jaw Warriors is the CHL Player of the Week for the regular season week ending February 24 with 11 points in four games including six goals and five assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-5.

Tracey recorded four consecutive multi-point games last week as the Warriors recorded three wins in four appearances to improve to a 34-16-6-2 record, good for third place in the WHL’s East Division. His week began Monday with a three-point night, including two power-play tallies as the Warriors fell just short of a comeback in a 4-3 loss to the top-seeded Prince Albert Raiders. The 2019 NHL Draft hopeful then followed up that performance four nights later with another two-goal effort in a 4-2 win against the Swift Current Broncos in which he was recognized as the game’s third star. On Saturday, Tracey was named second star after picking up another three points, including one goal and two assists, in a 5-2 victory over the Regina Pats. Tracey then closed out the weekend with another three points as he recorded one goal and two assists in Sunday’s 5-1 win over the Kootenay ICE.

A 17-year-old from Calgary, Alta., Tracey is starring in his first full season with the Warriors after appearing in five games plus two playoff contests a year ago. In 58 games with Moose Jaw this season, the first round pick in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft has tallied 31 goals and 42 assists for 73 points, good for first among CHL rookies and third in team scoring behind fellow forwards Tristin Langan (45-51-96) and Justin Almeida (25-62-87).  He is listed 73rd among North American skaters for the 2019 NHL Draft in NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Rankings.

Also considered for the award this week was Detroit Red Wings prospect Joseph Veleno of the Drummondville Voltigeurs with seven points in three games, including two goals and five assists, and Guelph Storm forward and Philadelphia Flyers draft pick Isaac Ratcliffe, who registered seven goals and two assists for nine points in three games.

2018-19 CHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:

Feb. 18 – Feb. 24: Brayden Tracey (Moose Jaw Warriors)

Feb. 11 – Feb. 17: Maxime Comtois (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

Feb. 4 – Feb. 10: Alexis Lafreniere (Rimouski Oceanic)

Jan. 28 – Feb. 3: Samuel Asselin (Halifax Mooseheads)

Jan. 21 – Jan. 27: Ethan Crossman (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Jan. 14 – Jan. 20: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

Jan. 7 – Jan. 13: Bowen Byram (Vancouver Giants)

Dec. 31 – Jan. 6: Arthur Kaliyev (Hamilton Bulldogs)

Dec. 24 – Dec. 30: Kyle Maksimovich (Erie Otters)

Dec. 10 – Dec. 16: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)

Dec. 3 – Dec. 9: Ivan Chekhovich (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Nov. 26 – Dec. 2: Gregor MacLeod (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

Nov. 19 – Nov. 25: Brett Leason (Prince Albert Raiders)

Nov. 12 – Nov. 18: Peter Abbandonato (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)

Nov. 5 – Nov. 11: Jason Robertson (Kingston Frontenacs)

Oct. 29 – Nov. 4: Joachim Blichfeld (Portland Winterhawks)

Oct. 22 – Oct. 28: Ivan Chekhovich (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)

Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Damien Giroux (Saginaw Spirit)

Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Dawson Davidson (Saskatoon Blades)

Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Luka Burzan (Brandon Wheat Kings)

Sept. 19 – Sept. 23: Kirby Dach (Saskatoon Blades)

IceDogs’ Stephen Dhillon named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Stephen Dhillon of the Niagara IceDogs is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the regular season week ending February 24 with a 4-0-0-0 record, two shutouts, a goals-against average of 1.00, and save percentage of .966.

Dhillon claims the honour for the second time this season after stopping 113 shots in four games last week to help the IceDogs improve to 37-15-7-0 on the season. Against the Peterborough Petes on Monday, Dhillon turned aside 30 shots in an eventual 5-2 victory en route to second star honours. Three nights later, he came up with a 31-save performance against the Kitchener Rangers in a 10-2 win for his second-straight victory. Dhillon then wrapped the week with a pair of shutouts over the Petes and the Owen Sound Attack, combining for 52 saves over the two contests. Saturday’s 5-0 victory over Peterborough earned him first star honours and marked his 90th career victory as he became Niagara’s all-time franchise leader in wins, while Sunday’s 9-0 defeat of the Attack brought third star recognition as he set the club’s single season wins record with 31.

The 20-year-old native of Buffalo, N.Y., is competing in his fifth season with the IceDogs. In 50 games this season, Dhillon owns a 31-10-7-0 record alongside five shutouts, a 2.94 goals-against average, and .911 save percentage.

Also considered for the award this week was Cole McLaren of the Halifax Mooseheads after he posted a 2-0-0-0 record including one shutout making 61 saves for a goals-against average of 0.50 and save percentage of .984. In the WHL, Dylan Myskiw of the Edmonton Oil Kings went 3-0-0-0 with one shutout stopping 88 shots in total for a goals-against average of 1.00 and save percentage of .967.

2018-19 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:

Feb. 18 – Feb. 24: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)

Feb. 11 – Feb. 17: Joel Hofer (Portland Winterhawks)

Feb. 4 – Feb. 10: Mads Sogaard (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Jan. 28 – Feb. 3: Jet Greaves (Barrie Colts)

Jan. 21 – Jan. 27: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)

Jan. 14 – Jan. 20: Olivier Rodrigue (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

Jan. 7 – Jan. 13: Kevin Mandolese (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)

Dec. 31 – Jan. 6: Ivan Prosvetov (Saginaw Spirit)

Dec. 24 – Dec. 30: Cedrick Andree (Ottawa 67’s)

Dec. 10 – Dec. 16: Mads Sogaard (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Dec. 3 – Dec. 9: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)

Nov. 26 – Dec. 2: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Sudbury Wolves)

Nov. 19 – Nov. 25: Kyle Jessiman (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Nov. 12 – Nov. 18: Ian Scott (Prince Albert Raiders)

Nov. 5 – Nov. 11: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)

Oct. 29 – Nov. 4: Joseph Raaymakers (London Knights)

Oct. 22 – Oct. 28: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)

Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Emile Samson (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)

Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Alexis Gravel (Halifax Mooseheads)

Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Trent Miner (Vancouver Giants)

Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Luke Richardson (Kitchener Rangers)

Sept. 19 – Sept. 23: Hunter Jones (Peterborough Petes)

IceDogs’ Stephen Dhillon named OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that goaltender Stephen Dhillon of the Niagara IceDogs is the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week for the regular season week ending February 24 after posting a 4-0-0-0 record including two shutout victories with a goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .966.

Dhillon turned aside 113 shots in four games last week and surpassed franchise great Mark Visentin to establish a pair of records for the IceDogs who hold first place in the Central Division standings with a 37-15-7-0 record.  Dhillon became the club’s all-time wins leader with his 90th career victory on Saturday earning first star honours by making 31 saves in a 5-0 shutout win over the Peterborough Petes.  Then on Sunday afternoon he set the IceDogs single season wins record with his 31st victory that came in the form of a 9-0 shutout in Owen Sound where he stopped 21 Attack shots and was named the game’s third star.  His week also included a 30-save performance on Family Day as second star of a 5-2 road win over the Petes, and a 31-save effort on Thursday in a 10-2 win over the Kitchener Rangers.  This marks Dhillon’s second award recognition of the season and the fifth time a goaltender has been the recipient.  He’s also just the third multi-week winner following Morgan Frost of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and teammate Jason Robertson who was honoured once as an IceDog and once as a member of the Kingston Frontenacs.

A 20-year-old from Buffalo, New York, Dhillon is playing in his fifth OHL season with the IceDogs after being chosen by the club in the third round of the 2014 Priority Selection.  So far this season he carries a 31-10-7-0 record including five shutout victories which is tied for most in the OHL.  He also holds a goals-against-average of 2.94 and save percentage of .911 which are both among the league’s leaders.  Dhillon also continues to build on his IceDogs record for career games played which currently stands at 189 with an overall record of 91-63-17-9.

Watch video highlights of Dhillon and the IceDogs against the Petes, Rangers, Petes, and Attack.

Also considered for the award this week were a pair of Philadelphia Flyers prospects including past winner Isaac Ratcliffe of the Guelph Storm and the aforementioned Frost.  Ratcliffe tallied seven goals and two assists for nine points in three games to become the first Storm player since 1995 to record back-to-back 40-goal seasons, and Frost became the league’s first 100-point producer accomplishing the feat for the second straight season while eclipsing the 300 career point plateau with three goals and seven assists for 10 points in four games.  Honourable mention goes to Cole Perfetti with six goals and three assists for nine points in four games setting a new Saginaw Spirit record for single season goals by a rookie now with 30.

2018-19 OHL ‘On the Run’ Players of the Week – Regular Season:

Feb. 18 – Feb. 24: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)
Feb. 11 – Feb. 17: Nando Eggenberger (Oshawa Generals)
Feb. 4 – Feb. 10: Jacob Ingham (Mississauga Steelheads)
Jan. 28 – Feb. 3: Riley Damiani (Kitchener Rangers)
Jan. 21 – Jan. 27: Liam Foudy (London Knights)
Jan. 14 – Jan. 20: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Jan. 7 – Jan. 13: Isaac Ratcliffe (Guelph Storm)
Dec. 31 – Jan. 6: Arthur Kaliyev (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Dec. 24 – Dec. 30: Kyle Maksimovich (Erie Otters)
Dec. 10 – Dec. 16: Andrew MacLean (Owen Sound Attack)
Dec. 3 – Dec. 9: Brett Neumann (Kingston Frontenacs)
Nov. 26 – Dec. 2: Jason Robertson (Niagara IceDogs)
Nov. 19 – Nov. 25: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Nov. 12 – Nov. 18: Owen Tippett (Mississauga Steelheads)
Nov. 5 – Nov. 11: Jason Robertson (Kingston Frontenacs)
Oct. 29 – Nov. 4: Kevin Hancock (Owen Sound Attack)
Oct. 22 – Oct. 28: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)
Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Damien Giroux (Saginaw Spirit)
Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Sudbury Wolves)
Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Lucas Chiodo (Barrie Colts)
Sept. 19 – Sept. 23: Akil Thomas (Niagara IceDogs)

OHL Writers’ Draft Eligible Player of the Month for October

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

When it comes to draft eligible players from the 2018-2019 Ontario Hockey League season, most of the attention will be focused around Ryan Suzuki of the Barrie Colts and Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs, and rightfully so.

Unless you are the most ardent follower, then a young netminder from the Peterborough Petes being named our draft eligible player of the month may come as a surprise to you. That young netminder is none other than Hunter Jones.

Don’t be fooled by his 6-5-0 record during the month of October. The Petes have suffered through some key injuries and had it not been for Jones, that record could have been worse. In those eleven contests in October, Jones posted a remarkable .939 save percentage.

Goalie #29 Hunter Jones of the Peterborough Petes
Goalie Hunter Jones of the Peterborough Petes. Photo courtesy of OHL Images

As of today, no goaltender has played more minutes then Jones (897) including some seasoned veterans: Jacob Ingham (780), Cedrick Andree (755), Matthew Villalta (719) and Michael DiPietro (641). Jones has also faced more rubber (527) then any other goaltender, 127 more then Ingham and stopped more shots (491), 130 more then Stephen Dhillon of the Niagara Ice Dogs.

Jones currently sits forth in goals against average among goaltenders with four or more starts with a 2.41 goals-against average. He currently sits second in save percentage at .931.

Jones was the OHL goaltender of the week and runner up to the CHL goaltender of the week for the week of October 8-14 – he was both the OHL and CHL goaltender of the week on opening week.

His performance earned him an invitation to participate for Team OHL in the upcoming Canada-Russia Super Series, a precursor to the World Junior Championships.

Also considered were Suzuki, who posted 2 goals and 11 assists in 9 games, Kaliyev and his 7 goals and 4 assists in 11 games and Cole MacKay of the Soo Greyhounds who recorded 2 goals and 10 assists in 11 games.

CHL Announces Weekly Award Winners

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Chekhovich and Dhillon earn national honours

Drakkar’s Ivan Chekhovich named CHL Player of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that San Jose Sharks prospect Ivan Chekhovich of the Baie-Comeau Drakkar is the CHL Player of the Week for the regular season week ending October 28 after scoring five goals and three assists for eight points in three games with a plus-minus rating of plus-3.

Chekhovich began the week in style delivering his second five-point performance of the 2018-19 season which included a hat-trick and two assists as first star of Wednesday’s 6-5 shootout victory over the Quebec Remparts.  On Friday night he contributed a first period goal as part of another shootout victory for the Drakkar, this time against the Chicoutimi Sagueneens by a 4-3 score to open the rivalry week home-and-home series.  The Drakkar also emerged victorious in Saturday’s rematch in Baie-Comeau by a 4-1 score with Chekhovich netting a goal and an assist while earning third star honours.  The three-game win-streak lifted the Drakkar back into first place in the QMJHL’s overall standings with a 12-3-0-1 record.

A 19-year-old from Yekaterinburg, Russia, Chekhovich is playing in his third QMJHL season with the Drakkar since joining the club as the third overall selection in the 2016 CHL Import Draft.  Through 16 games his 10 goals and 14 assists give him 24 points which ranks tied for fifth overall in the QMJHL.  The seventh round pick of the Sharks in 2017 is expected to compete in the 2018 CIBC Canada Russia Series representing his country against Team QMJHL November 13 in Sherbooke and November 15 in Drummondville.

Also considered for the award this week was last week’s recipient Justin Brazeau of the North Bay Battalion with four goals and four assists for eight points in three games, and Washington Capitals prospect Alexander Alexeyev of the Red Deer Rebels who scored three goals and five assists for eight points in four games.

2018-19 CHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:

Oct. 22 – Oct. 28: Ivan Chekhovich (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)
Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Damien Giroux (Saginaw Spirit)
Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Dawson Davidson (Saskatoon Blades)
Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Luka Burzan (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Sept. 19 – Sept. 23: Kirby Dach (Saskatoon Blades)

IceDogs’ Stephen Dhillon named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Stephen Dhillon of the Niagara IceDogs is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the regular season week ending October 28 with a 3-0-0-0 record including a shutout victory with a goals-against-average of 0.97 and save percentage of .970.

Dhillon picked up his first shutout of the season last Wednesday with a 28-save performance that earned him first star honours in a 3-0 victory over the Peterborough Petes.  He helped extend the IceDogs winning-streak to four with a pair of road wins in Michigan including a 3-2 shootout triumph on Saturday over the Saginaw Spirit where he made 36 saves, then a 7-1 win over the Flint Firebirds on Sunday where he stopped 33 and was named the game’s third star.  Niagara has now climbed into first place in the OHL’s Central Division standings with a 9-4-2-0 record.

A 20-year-old from Buffalo, New York, Dhillon is now a five-year veteran of the IceDogs who chose him in the third round of the 2014 OHL Priority Selection.  He’s on pace for his best season to date with seven wins in 11 games while carrying a goals-against-average of 2.59 and a save percentage of .921.

Also considered for the award this week was Creed Jones of the Gatineau Olympiques who posted a 2-0-0-0 record stopping 64 shots for a goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .970.  In the WHL, 2019 NHL Draft prospect Dustin Wolf of the Everett Silvertips who posted a 3-1-0-0 record including a shutout victory stopping 93 shots for a goals-against-average of 1.01 and save percentage of .959.

2018-19 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:

Oct. 22 – Oct. 28: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)
Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Émile Samson (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)
Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Alexis Gravel (Halifax Mooseheads)
Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Trent Miner (Vancouver Giants)
Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Luke Richardson (Kitchener Rangers)
Sept. 19 – Sept. 23: Hunter Jones (Peterborough Petes)

IceDogs’ Stephen Dhillon named OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Niagara IceDogs goaltender Stephen Dhillon is the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week for the regular season week ending October 28 after posting a 3-0-0-0 record including one shutout for a goals-against-average of 0.97 and save percentage of .970.

Dhillon turned aside 97 shots last week which backstopped the IceDogs to a trio of victories to climb into first place in the Central Division standings with a 9-4-2-0 record.  He earned his first shutout of the season last Wednesday making 28 saves to blank the Peterborough Petes claiming first star honours in the 3-0 home ice decision.  Dhillon then won back-to-back games in Michigan to wrap up the weekend including a 3-2 victory Saturday night in Saginaw where he made 36 saves plus two in the shootout to edge the Spirit, then Sunday afternoon in Flint where his 33-save performance earned him third star honours in the 7-1 win over the Firebirds.

A 20-year-old from Buffalo, New York, Dhillon is now a five-year veteran of the IceDogs who chose him in the third round of the 2014 OHL Priority Selection.  He’s now played in exactly 150 career OHL games amassing 67 wins with a cumulative goals-against-average of 3.27 and save percentage of .907.  His totals so far this season better those marks as he carries a 2.59 goals-against-average and .921 save percentage through 11 games with both figures among the top-five across the league.

Watch video highlights of Dhillon and the IceDogs against the Petes, Spirit, and Firebirds.

Also considered for the award this week was last week’s recipient Justin Brazeau of the North Bay Battalion who once again led the league in scoring with eight points in three games including four goals and four assists.  His teammate Matthew Struthers also had a strong week with three goals and four assists for seven points in three games, while Jonathan Yantsis of the Kitchener Rangers scored three goals and three assists for six points in two games.

2018-19 OHL ‘On the Run’ Players of the Week – Regular Season:

Oct. 22 – Oct. 28: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)
Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Damien Giroux (Saginaw Spirit)
Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Sudbury Wolves)
Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Lucas Chiodo (Barrie Colts)
Sept. 19 – Sept. 23: Akil Thomas (Niagara IceDogs)

Attack’s Nick Suzuki named OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Vegas Golden Knights prospect Nick Suzuki of the Owen Sound Attack is the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week for the final week of regular season action ending March 18 after scoring six goals and one assist for seven points in three games with a plus-minus rating of plus-5. 

Nick Suzuki of the Owen Sound Attack. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Nick Suzuki of the Owen Sound Attack. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Suzuki extended his point-streak to eight and reached the century mark in season points while helping the Attack win three games last week securing fourth overall in the Western Conference standings with a 38-22-3-5 record.  On Wednesday night Suzuki picked up an assist in a 7-1 road win over the Flint Firebirds, then earned first star honours on Thursday with his third hat-trick of the season contributing to a 9-2 road win over the Windsor Spitfires.  Back home on Saturday, Suzuki wrapped up his season in style with two goals and one assist in a 9-4 victory against the Sarnia Sting becoming the Attack’s first 100-point scorer since Bobby Ryan in 2006-07.  The week included an impressive 25 goals scored by the Attack who are among the league’s hottest teams with six wins and an overtime loss in their last seven as they prepare for a first round playoff series matchup with the London Knights beginning Friday at home.

An 18-year-old from London, Ont., Suzuki is playing in his third season in Owen Sound since he was a first round choice by the Attack in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection.  His 100 points in 64 games were fourth best in the league this season and represent a new career-high.  This marks the second straight season Suzuki has hit the 40-goal plateau finishing with 42 after scoring 45 in 2016-17.  After three full seasons with the Attack, Suzuki has 107 career goals and 127 assists for 234 points in 192 games.  The first round pick of the Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL Draft also earned the league’s weekly honour for his play to start October. 

Watch video highlights of Suzuki and the Attack against the Firebirds, Spitfires, and Sting. 

Also considered for the award this week were Tye Felhaber of the Ottawa 67’s with three goals and five assists for eight points in three games, and Lucas Chiodo of the Barrie Colts with two goals and six assists for eight points in three games.  In goal, Stephen Dhillon helped the Niagara IceDogs finish the season with seven straight wins posting a 2-0-0-0 record while making 72 saves for a goals-against-average of 2.45 and save percentage of .935.

 2017-18 OHL ‘On the Run’ Players of the Week:

Mar. 12 – Mar. 18: Nick Suzuki (Owen Sound Attack)
Mar. 5 – Mar. 11: Dmitry Sokolov (Barrie Colts)
Feb. 26 – Mar. 4: Robert Thomas (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Feb. 19 – Feb. 25: Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia Sting)
Feb. 12 – Feb. 18: Aaron Luchuk (Barrie Colts)
Feb. 5 – Feb. 11: Liam Foudy (London Knights)
Jan. 29 – Feb. 4: Kenny Huether (Oshawa Generals)
Jan. 22 – Jan. 28: Jeremy Helvig (Kingston Frontenacs)
Jan. 15 – Jan. 21: Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia Sting)
Jan. 8 – Jan. 14: Taylor Raddysh (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Owen Tippett (Mississauga Steelheads)
Dec. 25 – Dec. 31: Ben Jones (Niagara IceDogs)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 17: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Joseph Garreffa (Kitchener Rangers)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Serron Noel (Oshawa Generals)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Cliff Pu (London Knights)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Ryan Merkley (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Albert Michnac (Mississauga Steelheads)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Aaron Luchuk (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia Sting)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Brady Hinz (Sarnia Sting)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Nick Suzuki (Owen Sound Attack)
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Jonathan Ang (Peterborough Petes)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 24: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)

CHL Announces Weekly Award Winners

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Mattheos and Hart lead WHL’s hottest teams

Wheat Kings’ Stelio Mattheos named CHL Player of the Week 

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Carolina Hurricanes prospect Stelio Mattheos of the Brandon Wheat Kings is the CHL Player of the Week for the week ending December 10 recording nine points in three games including three goals and six assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-6. 

Mattheos produced three multi-point performances in three home victories last week for the Wheat Kings who extended their winning-streak to a season-high eight games.  On Wednesday night he scored once and added two assists in a 7-4 win over the Regina Pats, then earned first star honours on Friday with a goal and an assist in a 4-3 overtime victory against the Medicine Hat Tigers.  Mattheos stayed hot on Saturday with a season-high four points scoring his 24th goal of the season and adding three assists as third star of a 7-4 victory over the Kelowna Rockets snapping their six-game win-streak.  The week improved the Wheat Kings record to 22-7-0-1 in the WHL’s competitive East Division where they stand third behind fellow Top-10 ranked CHL clubs the Moose Jaw Warriors and Swift Current Broncos.   

An 18-year-old from Winnipeg, Man., Mattheos is playing in his third season in Brandon after being chosen by the Wheat Kings with the first overall pick in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft.  He helped the club capture the 2016 WHL Championship during his rookie season then scored 26 goals and 35 assists for 61 points in 69 games played as a sophomore.  Since being chosen by the Hurricanes in the third round of the 2017 NHL Draft, Mattheos ranks eighth in WHL scoring with 49 points in 30 games. 

Also considered for the award this week was QMJHL top scorer and last week’s recipient Alex Barré-Boulet of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada who scored six goals and three assists for nine points in four games, and forward Justin Brazeau of the North Bay Battalion who scored five goals and three assists for eight points in three games. 

2017-18 CHL Players of the Week:

Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Stelio Mattheos (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Alex Barré-Boulet (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Cody Glass (Portland Winterhawks)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Cliff Pu (London Knights)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Aleksi Heponiemi (Swift Current Broncos)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Albert Michnac (Mississauga Steelheads)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Aaron Luchuk (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Drake Batherson (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Tyler Soy (Victoria Royals)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Kale Clague (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Tyler Steenbergen (Swift Current Broncos)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 24: Kole Lind (Kelowna Rockets)

Silvertips’ Carter Hart named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week 

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Philadelphia Flyers prospect Carter Hart of the Everett Silvertips is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending December 10 after posting a 3-0-0-0 record including a shutout victory with a goals-against-average of 0.67 and save percentage of .982. 

Hart collects the award for an impressive third straight week after turning aside 109 shots in a trio of victories for the Silvertips who extend their winning-streak to nine games.  His week began Wednesday night by making 28 saves and earning third star honours in a 4-1 victory over the Portland Winterhawks, then continued Friday with a 39-save performance for his fifth shutout of the season blanking the Spokane Chiefs by a 3-0 score as the game’s first star.  His week wrapped up Saturday with 42 saves in a 2-1 triumph against the Winterhawks where he was named second star for the second place Silvertips who trail first place Portland by just one point in the WHL’s U.S Division with a 19-12-1-1 record. 

A 19-year-old from Sherwood Park, AB, Hart is playing in his fourth season with the Silvertips who selected him in the eighth round of the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft.  He now carries a record of 13-3-0-1 lowering his goals-against-average to 1.32 and raising his save percentage to .961 atop the WHL leaderboard.  The second round pick of the Flyers in the 2016 NHL Draft now has 24 career shutouts inching him closer to the WHL record of 26.  Hart will now attend Canada’s National Junior Team Selection Camp in St. Catharines as a returning member of Team Canada. 

Also considered for the award this week was Stephen Dhillon of the Niagara IceDogs posting a 2-0-0-0 record including one shutout victory making 59 saves for a goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .967, and rookie Colten Ellis of the Rimouski Oceanic who went 2-0-0-0 stopping 57 shots for a goals-against-average of 2.00 and save percentage of .934. 

2017-18 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week:

Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Anthony Morrone (Victoriaville Tigres)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Justin Fazio (Sarnia Sting)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Cole Kehler (Portland Winterhawks)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Samuel Harvey (Rouyn-Noranada Huskies)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Logan Flodell (Swift Current Broncos)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Cole Kehler (Portland Winterhawks)
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Dereck Baribeau (Quebec Remparts)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 24: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)

Battalion’s Justin Brazeau named OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Justin Brazeau of the North Bay Battalion is the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week for the week ending December 10 after leading the league with eight points in three games scoring five goals and three assists. 

Brazeau recorded a pair of multi-point performances that helped the Troops earn a pair of victories on home ice to maintain their hold on third place in the Central Division standings.  He contributed to 80% of the Battalion’s total offense last week beginning Thursday night by scoring twice including the game-winner and adding one assist as first star of a 4-3 win over the Mississauga Steelheads.  The win was the tenth of the season for the Battalion and number 682 all-time for head coach Stan Butler who moved into fourth on the OHL wins list ahead of Larry Mavety.  Brazeau was held to just one assist on Friday in a 3-1 loss to the top ranked Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds but rebounded with the best game of his OHL career later that weekend.  It was Sunday where the power forward scored his first hat-trick including another game-winner while assisting on Luke Burghardt’s Teddy Bear Toss goal to earn first star honours in a 5-2 win over the Barrie Colts. 

A 19-year-old from New Liskeard, Ont., Brazeau is playing in his third season with the Battalion who chose him in the 13th round of the 2014 OHL Priority Selection.  The 6’5’’, 221lb winger is currently tied for 18th in league scoring with 36 points in 31 games while his 23 goals are third among OHL leaders.  His goal output has already surpassed the 22 he tallied last season as he stands just one point shy of equalling his 37-point total recorded in 67 games played in 2016-17.  In September Brazeau attended Training Camp with the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets as a free agent invite. 

Watch video highlights of Brazeau and the Battalion against the Steelheads, Greyhounds, and Colts. 

Also considered for the award this week was overage forward Aaron Luchuk of the Windsor Spitfires and Florida Panthers prospect Adam Mascherin of the Kitchener Rangers who both scored five goals and two assists for seven points in three contests highlighted by hat-trick performances in the same game head-to-head last Tuesday night.  In goal, Stephen Dhillon of the Niagara IceDogs posted a 2-0-0-0 record including one shutout making 59 saves for a goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .967.

2017-18 OHL ‘On the Run’ Players of the Week:

Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Joseph Garreffa (Kitchener Rangers)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Serron Noel (Oshawa Generals)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Cliff Pu (London Knights)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Ryan Merkley (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Albert Michnac (Mississauga Steelheads)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Aaron Luchuk (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia Sting)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Brady Hinz (Sarnia Sting)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Nick Suzuki (Owen Sound Attack)
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Jonathan Ang (Peterborough Petes)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 24: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)