67’s’ SIRMAN WINS ROGER NEILSON MEMORIAL AWARD AS OHL’S TOP ACADEMIC POST-SECONDARY STUDENT

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Ottawa 67’s defenceman Thomas Sirman is the 2023-24 recipient of the Roger Neilson Memorial Award, presented annually to the OHL’s Top Academic Post-Secondary student.

Sirman recorded an average of over 83 percent in studies at Queen’s University, with excellence in Geography, French and Liberal Arts, doing so during his third season on the 67’s blue line.

“I want to thank everyone in the Ottawa 67’s organization for their role in helping me receive this award; including James Boyd, Jan Egert, Dave Cameron, my billets, teammates and our academic advisor Eileen Duffin, who has helped me continue my education since I’ve arrived in Ottawa,” said Sirman. “Education is extremely important in my family, so being able to share this award with them is amazing. I’m very fortunate to have been able to begin my university education while playing in the OHL.”

A 19-year-old defenceman from Aurora, Ont., Sirman recorded 16 points (3-13–16) over 40 games in an injury-shortened 2023-24 season, recording a plus-9 rating along with 40 penalty minutes. The 5-foot-10, 178Ib. rearguard has collected 12 goals, 51 assists and 63 points in 160 regular season games since being selected by the 67’s with the third round (60th overall) pick of the 2020 OHL Priority Selection.

“Throughout his time with the Ottawa 67’s, Thomas has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication, both on the ice and in the classroom,” said 67’s General Manager James Boyd. “We are very pleased to see him recognized for his academic achievements.”

Sirman added two goals and an assist in 10 playoff games as Ottawa eliminated the Brantford Bulldogs before falling to the Oshawa Generals in the second round.

“I am extremely happy to see Thomas rewarded with the Roger Neilson Award for the top marks he’s earned on his courses at Queen’s University,” said Eileen Duffin, who serves as the club’s Academic Advisor. “Thomas sets the academic bar high, and is an excellent role model for the 67’s high school players who are moving on to university next year.” 

The Roger Neilson Memorial Award is named in honour of the Hall of Fame Coach who served behind the Peterborough Petes bench in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s.  Neilson, a former high school teacher, was a pioneer in stressing the importance of education to all of his players. Sirman follows other 67’s players in back-to-back winner Adam Varga (2021, ’22), Sasha Chmelevski (2019) and Danny Battochio (2005, ’06) to become the fourth to win the award in franchise history.

Finalists for this year’s Roger Neilson Memorial Award included Oshawa Generals forward Stuart Rolofs and Kitchener Rangers goaltender Jackson Parsons.

For a full list of award winners, click here.

HALTTUNEN 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 playoff games ending Sunday, April 28th.



Knights’ Kasper Halttunen Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

San Jose Sharks prospect Kasper Halttunen of the London Knights is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording three goals in a pair of victories.

Helping the Knights take a 2-0 Western Conference Championship Series lead over the Saginaw Spirit last week, Halttunen registered a pair of third period markers to earn first star honours, securing a 3-1 comeback win on Friday night at Budweiser Gardens. The 6-foot-3, 215lb. forward tallied another goal on Sunday, helping London skate to a 3-1 victory.

An 18-year-old from Helsinki, Finland, Halttunen has 14 points (9-5–14) in 10 playoff contests following a regular season that yielded 32 goals, 29 assists and 61 points over 57 games. A former first round pick by London in the 2022 CHL Import Draft, Halttunen was selected by the San Jose Sharks in the second round (36th overall) of last summer’s NHL Draft. He signed a three-year entry-level contract with the club on July 12, 2023. Halttunen has also found success on the international stage, earning a bronze medal with Finland at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship, along with a bronze medal at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

Also considered for the award this week, Stuart Rolofs of the Oshawa Generals helped his team skate to a 2-0 Eastern Conference Final series lead over the North Bay Battalion, recording three goals in a pair of victories.

2023-24 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Playoffs:
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)
 



Generals’ Jacob Oster Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Jacob Oster of the Oshawa Generals is the OHL Goaltender of the Week for the fifth time this season, playing to a 2-0 record including a shutout, along with a 1.00 goals-against average, and .958 save percentage.

Backstopping the Generals to a 2-0 Eastern Conference Championship Series lead over the North Bay Battalion, Oster made a total of 46 saves last week. Oster stopped 24 of the 26 shots that came his way on Friday in a 4-2 win at the Tribute Communities Centre. He returned to the crease on Sunday evening with a 22-save shutout performance to earn first star honours as the Generals blanked the Battalion 3-0.

A 20-year-old from Ottawa, Ont., Oster was awarded OHL Goaltender of the Year honours after playing to a regular season mark of 35-16-7-1 while posting a 2.82 goals-against average and .905 save percentage. Ranked first among all netminders with a 1.76 goals-against average in postseason action, Oster currently holds a 10-2-0-0 record. Selected in the fifth-round (92nd overall) by the Guelph Storm in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection, the veteran goaltender has appeared in 143 career regular season contests, recording a 3.29 goals-against average and .891 save percentage over three seasons, going 68-47-12-4 in the process. Oster attended training camp with the Los Angeles Kings last September.

Also considered for the award this week, Michael Simpson backstopped the London Knights to a 2-0 Western Conference Championship Series lead over the Saginaw Spirit, playing to a 2-0 record along with a 1.00 goals-against average and .959 save percentage.

2023-24 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Playoffs:
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)

OHL ANNOUNCES ACADEMIC PLAYERS OF THE MONTH FOR DECEMBER

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Press Release

academic players for December

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Giordano Biondi of the Sudbury Wolves, Cameron Tolnai of the Ottawa 67’s, Stuart Rolofs of the London Knights, and Jacob Holmes of the Soo Greyhounds have been named the OHL Academic Players of the Month for December.

East Division: Ottawa’s Cameron Tolnai is the East Division Academic Player for the month of December. He boasts a 92% average in his grade 12 university level courses that include International Business, Economics, Kinesiology, and Advanced Functions at Blyth Academy Ottawa. Upon graduating, Tolnai plans on pursuing a Business Commerce university degree.

His work ethic has stood out among his teachers, teammates, and peers. “Cam epitomizes a student athlete,” said Eileen Duffin, 67’s Academic Advisor. “He is an extremely motivated student, committed to only turning in top notch work while balancing the demands of the hockey schedule.”

The 67’s drafted the Oakville, Ont. native sixth overall in 2018 OHL Priority Selection after he put up 80 points (31-49-80) in just 35 games with the Oakville Rangers Minor Midgets. Tolnai totaled three goals and 10 assists for 13 points in his rookie season as a 67, and has seven points (2-5-7) through 28 games so far in his sophomore year.

Central Division: Giordano Biondi of the Sudbury Wolves has been named December’s OHL Central Division Academic Player of the Month. He holds an 87.3% average in three grade 12 courses (Advanced Functions, Kinesiology, and Chemistry) at Lo Ellen Park Secondary.

“Giordano is always engaged in class lessons and activities,” writes one of his teachers. “[He] takes responsibility for his own learning.”

Biondi has scored one goal through his first 13 games with the Wolves. He was selected in the 14th round of the 2018 OHL Priority Selection out of the Sudbury Wolves Minor Midget program where he registered nine goals and 11 assists for 20 points in 21 games played. A Sudbury native, Biondi spent the 2018-19 season with the NOJHL’s Rayside-Belfour Canadians, amassing 32 points (15-17-32) in 47 games.

Midwest Division: London’s Stuart Rolofs has been recognized as the Midwest Division’s Academic Player of the Month for December. A grade 11 student at Blyth Academy in London, he’s maintained an 84% average and has received praise for his respect and determination in the classroom.

“Stuart is a dedicated and ambitious student who maintains strong relationships with both his peers and teachers,” said Patricia Hurley, the Knights’ Academic Advisor.

Rolofs, who hails from Carp, Ont., was drafted 20th overall by the Knights last April. He’s earned two assists through his first 15 OHL games and put up high numbers with the Kanata Lasers U18 program last year, rounding out the season with 33 goals and 24 assists for 57 points in 39 games.

West Division: West Division Academic Player of the Month honours have been awarded to Jacob Holmes of the Soo Greyhounds. He holds an overall average of 81% at Superior Heights Secondary School that notably includes a 99% mark in Mathematics. Holmes is described by his teachers as “a well-liked student/athlete who works willingly and cooperatively with his classmates.” Holmes has also received positive comments on behalf of the school’s administrative staff.

“[Jacob] has successfully demonstrated that he has adjusted well to the many challenges of life in the Ontario Hockey League,” stated Greyhounds Academic Advisors Jerry Bumbacco and Mary-Lynne Lukenda.

Holmes, a native of Alliston, Ont., was a first round draft pick of the Greyhounds in last April’s OHL Priority Selection. He has collected three goals and four assists for seven points through 33 games with the Greyhounds in his rookie season. He represented Team Black at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in November where he registered an assist in five games.

2019-20 OHL Academic Players of the Month:

East Division:
December – Cameron Tolnai (Ottawa 67’s)
November – Lleyton Moore (Oshawa Generals)
October – Shane Wright (Kingston Frontenacs)

Central Division:
December – Giordano Biondi (Sudbury Wolves)
November – Jonah De Simone (Niagara IceDogs)
October – Pacey Schlueting (North Bay Battalion)

Midwest Division:
December – Stuart Rolofs (London Knights)
November – Michael Vukojevic (Kitchener Rangers)
October – Zack Terry (Guelph Storm)

West Division:
December – Jacob Holmes (Soo Greyhounds)
November – Ryan Mast (Sarnia Sting)
October – Cole Perfetti (Saginaw Spirit)

Last season, the OHL Centrally Administered Scholarship Program facilitated scholarships for 340 OHL Alumni at 69 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 totalled more than $25 million.

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