Will Cranley – Ottawa 67’s – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 185 Pounds

Date of birth: February 26, 2002

Hometown: Peterborough, Ontario

Position: Goaltender

Catches: Left

OHL Draft: Round 2, 35th overall, 2018 Priority Selection

NHL Central Scouting Rankings

Pre-season

 November Mid-term Final
C Prospect C Prospect 16 N.A.

4 N.A.

Ottawa 67’s netminder Will Cranley is a graduate of the Peterborough Petes Minor Midget AAA program. During the 2017-2018 season he appeared in 18 games, posting a 2.17 goals-against-average. He also manned the net for the Petes at the OHL Cup and for Team OMHA Black at the OHL Gold Cup where his squad captured bronze.

Cranley was the third goaltender selected at the 2018 OHL Priority selection – 35th overall – behind Triston Lennox (26th by Saginaw) and Joe Vrbetic (31st by North Bay).

Last season, Cranley would appear in 11 games for the 67’s, posting a 3.46 goals-against-average and a .868 save-percentage. He would also appear in 6 CCHL games for the Navan Grads – 3.58 goals-against-average, .915save-percentage.

Will Cranley of the Ottawa 67's. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Will Cranley of the Ottawa 67’s. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

The two worst kept secrets in the OHL coming into the season were 1) the 67’s were going to be a juggernaut and 2) Cedrick Andree was going to get the bulk of the action. The latter meant that Cranley was going to have to make the best of the opportunities given to him.

Cranley appeared in 21 games for the 67’s and skated away with a very impressive 18-2-0-0 record. Some will make the argument that he was the beneficiary of the squad he backstopped. And there is some truth to that. The 67’s were more responsible defensively when Cranley was in the net, allowing just 25.6 shots per game. On the flip side, they allowed 28.1 shots per game with Andree in the crease. But you could break down almost every team like that and find that with the backup goaltender.

Cranley finished the year with a 2.81 goals-against-average (2nd among rookies) and .894 save-percentage (4th among rookies) to go along with 4 shutouts.

Cranley possesses some of the characteristics that NHL scouts drool over. First and foremost is the 6’4” size. But for a big goaltender, not only does he move exceptionally well, he is also very acrobatic. His post-to-post movement is excellent. He darts out to the top of the paint impressively quick and uses that size to take away angles. And his superb athleticism allows him to re-set to make that acrobatic save. However, though he has shown those traits, he didn’t do it on a consistent basis through the season.

In close, Cranley tracks the puck well, keeps himself big in his net to take away as much of the top as he can while still taking away the bottom of the net. He keeps his paddle in excellent position and very good at laying it down. He’s also very good with his pads down directing pucks out of danger.

Cranley doesn’t come without warts but he is still a very young netminder with loads of potential and that’s something goaltending coaches can work with. I think his confidence gets shaken if he allows a “soft” goal, not rebounding from it like he should. But it got better as the season progressed.

There are some technical parts of his game that Cranley could work on, and again, coaching will help. Rebound control might just be at the top of the list but that too has shown improvement as the season progressed. I also think he needs to work on holding the post more effectively. There are times he leaves a hole there and great goal scorers can expose that.

But I believe the potential is there with Cranley. It’s hard to say how many goaltenders will get drafted from the OHL in 2020, but Cranley deserves to be on that list.

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OHL ANNOUNCES 2019-20 REGULAR SEASON AWARD WINNERS

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

OHL awards

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the recipients of four of the league’s annual awards following the conclusion of the 2019-20 regular season.

Offensively, 2020 NHL Draft prospect Marco Rossi of the Ottawa 67’s captured the League’s scoring title earning the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy, while Los Angeles Kings prospect Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs is the recipient of the Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy for Top Scoring Right Winger.  Recognizing defensive efforts, the goaltending tandem of the team with the fewest goals against goes to Ottawa 67’s Cedrick Andree and Will Cranley who earn the Dave Pinkney Trophy, while Brett Brochu of the London Knights claims the F.W “Dinty” Moore Trophy as the rookie with the best goals-against average.

Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy (Scoring Champion): Marco Rossi, Ottawa 67’s

Marco Rossi finished atop the regular season scoring charts earning the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy with a CHL-leading 120 points including 39 goals, 81 assists and an impressive plus/minus rating of plus-69 over just 53 games. His 2.14 point-per-game pace led the OHL and is the highest such figure by an OHL scoring champion since London’s Patrick Kane (2.50) in 2006-07. He becomes the first Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy recipient of European descent in the award’s 74-year history.

The 18-year-old from Feldkirch, Austria helped power the first place 67’s with the League’s top power play, rounding out the campaign with a total of 34 multi-point performances, 23 of which included three points or more. His top performances included a five assist showing on October 20th against Hamilton, another five point outing on November 17th in Sarnia and a career-high six point output on November 27th in Kingston. The 5-foot-9, 187Ib. centreman finished the season with an impressive 58.5% success rate in the faceoff circle.

The fifth-ranked North American skater on NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Draft Rankings competed in the 2020 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game this past January in Hamilton. Rossi, who was named to the OHL’s second all-rookie team in 2018-19, has accumulated 185 points (68-117–185) over just 109 regular season games since being selected by the 67’s with the 18th overall pick of the 2018 CHL Import Draft.

Rossi becomes the seventh player in 67’s franchise history to earn the award, following Tyler Toffoli (2011), two-time winner Corey Locke (2003, 2004), Andrew Cassels (1988), Jim Fox (1980), Bobby Smith (1978) and Blake Dunlop (1973). He follows other recent OHL standouts who won the award in their draft eligible seasons including Erie’s Dylan Strome (2015), Windsor’s Taylor Hall (2010), Plymouth’s Tyler Seguin (2010), London’s John Tavares (2009) and London’s Patrick Kane (2007).

The Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy was donated by the Toronto Marlboro Athletic Club in memory of Eddie Powers and was first awarded in 1945-46 to Tod Sloan of St. Michael’s who scored 79 points in 25 games.  Jason Robertson of the Niagara IceDogs was last year’s recipient with 117 points in 62 games including 48 goals and 69 assists.  Other recent winners include Barrie’s Aaron Luchuk (2018), Erie’s Alex DeBrincat (2017) and Barrie’s Kevin Labanc (2016).

Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy (Top Scoring Right Winger): Arthur Kaliyev, Hamilton Bulldogs

Los Angeles Kings prospect Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs finished fifth in OHL scoring but led all right wingers with 98 points including 44 goals and 54 assists in 57 games.

The 18-year-old from Staten Island, NY became the Bulldogs’ all-time leader in both career points (248) and goals (126) this past season, leading the team offensively while setting a new single season club mark for assists with 54.

Kaliyev was the OHL’s Player of the Month for October. His season was highlighted by 29 different multi-point performances including a career-high five-point effort on January 9th in Niagara. The former second round (26th overall) pick of the Bulldogs in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection finished with the League’s second-highest total of 288 shots on goal as he becomes the first Hamilton player in OHL history to earn the award.

Kaliyev, who was a second team all-star in 2018-19 and represented the United States at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship, was a second round (33rd overall) pick by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2019 NHL Draft. He follows in the footsteps of former long-time Kings forward Jim Fox (Ottawa 67’s, 1979-80) as well as recent Kings winger Tyler Toffoli (Ottawa 67’s, 2011-12) in winning the award.

The Jim Mahon Trophy was first presented following the 1971-72 season by the players and management of the Peterborough Petes in memory of their right winger Jim Mahon who was accidentally killed that summer.  Justin Brazeau of the North Bay Battalion was last year’s recipient with 113 points in 68 games scoring 61 goals with 52 assists.  Recent winners also include Jordan Kyrou of the Sarnia Sting in 2018, Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters in 2017, Kevin Labanc of the Barrie Colts in 2016, and Mitch Marner of the London Knights in 2015.

Dave Pinkney Trophy (Lowest Team Goals Against): Cedrick Andree and Will Cranley, Ottawa 67’s

The Ottawa 67’s allowed the fewest goals in the OHL for the second straight season, surrendering just 164 over a 62-game schedule backstopped by the tandem of Cedrick Andree and Will Cranley.

Andree and Cranley guided the 67’s to a second consecutive Hamilton Spectator Trophy as OHL regular season champions as Ottawa played to an overall record of 50-11-0-1 for 101 points. It marks the third time in franchise history that the Barber Poles have won 50 games and the fifth time they’ve finished first overall in the regular season standings.

Andree finished with the League’s second-lowest goals-against average of 2.42, second-highest win total of 32 as part of a 32-9-0-1 record along with a .916 save percentage and four shutouts over 43 games. The 19-year-old from Orleans, Ont. was a 12th round (232nd overall) pick by the club in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection. He claimed the Pinkney Trophy alongside Michael DiPietro in 2018-19 and becomes the first back-to-back recipient since Mississauga’s JP Anderson won consecutively in 2010 and 2011.

Cranley, who appeared in just 11 games with the 67’s in 2018-19, went an impressive 18-2-0-0 with a 2.81 goals-against average, .894 save percentage and four shutouts over 21 appearances. His 18 wins are the most by a 67’s designated rookie since Lukas Mensator (26) in 2002-03 while his four shutouts are the most by a 67’s designated rookie since Levente Szuper had just as many in 1998-99.  The 18-year-old from Peterborough, Ont. was a second round (35th overall) pick by Ottawa in 2018 and was the 16th ranked North American goaltender on NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Rankings released in mid-January.

This marks the seventh time the 67’s have led the league with the fewest goals against. They become the first back-to-back winners of the award since the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors claimed the honours in both 2010 and 2011. It marks the second time that Ottawa has won the award in consecutive seasons as a trio of Craig Hillier, Seamus Kotyk and Tim Keyes combined to earn the distinction in both 1997 and 1998. Other 67’s netminders with their names engraved on the trophy include Darren Pang (1983-84), Greg Coram (1983-84), Jim Ralph (1980-81) and Michal Larocque (1971-72).

The Dave Pinkney Trophy is awarded annually to the goaltending tandem from the team that allows the fewest goals against during the regular season.

F.W. “Dinty” Moore Trophy (Best Rookie GAA): Brett Brochu, London Knights

Brett Brochu of the London Knights capped off his record-breaking season with the best goals-against-average among OHL rookie goaltenders at 2.40, the lowest figure among recipients since 2012-13.

The 17-year-old product of Tilbury, Ont. suited up in 42 games with the Knights this season, posting a 32-6-0-0 record with the league’s lowest goals-against average and third-highest save percentage of .919. His 32 wins on the year came one short of the League lead and set a new record for the most victories by a 16 or 17-year-old first-year goaltender in OHL history, surpassing the previous mark set by John Vanbiesbrouck (Sault Ste. Marie, 1980-81) and Andrew Loverock (Mississauga, 2006-07).

Brochu was recognized as OHL Rookie and Goaltender of the Month in January and was awarded the League’s top goaltender honours once again in February. A sixth round pick of the Knights in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection out of the Chatham-Kent Cyclones Minor Midget program, Brochu spent the 2018-19 season with the PJHL’s Dresden Jr. Kings where was named Stobbs Division Rookie of the Year with a 27-11-0 record, 2.46 goals-against average and .915 save percentage over 38 regular season games. He proceeded to go 6-5 in the playoffs with a 2.10 goals-against average, a .931 save percentage and two shutouts.

Brochu becomes the fourth Knight to earn the distinction after former teammate Jordan Kooy (3.11 GAA in 2017-18), Ryan MacDonald (2.06 GAA in 2003-04), Sean Basilio (3.65 GAA in 1989-90), and Barry Heard (3.28 GAA in 1976-77).

The trophy is named after F.W. “Dinty” Moore of Port Colborne, Ont., who served as OHA President from 1942-45. In order to qualify for this rookie award, a goaltender must play a minimum of 900 minutes. Last year’s recipient was Sault Ste. Marie’s Ethan Taylor with a 3.24 goals-against average.

OHL Announces Academic Players of the Month for November

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

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


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


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


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


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

2018-19 OHL Academic Players of the Month:


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

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


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


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

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

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