Draft Eligible Forward of the Month – Colby Barlow – Owen Sound Attack
There is no debating this choice. Barlow went on a tear in the month of January and scored 14 goals and 6 assists in just 12 games to take the honors here and now leads the draft class in goals and points. Actually, he leads the league in goals. You’ll also find him among the leaders in assists and plus/minus.
Barlow had just one game where he didn’t register a goal or a point and that came on January 20 on the road against the London Knights. He had three multi-goal games and 7 multi-point games. For his efforts, the OHL named him Player of the Month for January.
Also considered was Zander Veccia of the Mississauga Steelheads. Veccia appeared in 11 games in January, scoring 7 goals and adding 9 assists. Just how productive was Veccia? Over half his production of 13 goals and 15 assists on the season came in January.
Draft Eligible Defenceman of the Month – Rodwin Dionicio – Windsor Spitfires
If anyone benefited from a trade near trade deadline, it’s Dionicio. He appeared in 11 games for the Spitfires in January and scored twice and assisted on 11 to lead all draft eligible blueliners. He had 4 goals and 3 assists in 17 games prior to the deal. He had two games with 3 helpers. One coming against the Saginaw Spirit on January 12 and the other against the London Knights on January 15.
Also considered was Beau Akey of the Barrie Colts. He appeared in 11 games during the month and scored once and assisted on 9 others. He has 7 goals and 29 assists on the season to lead draft eligible defencemen.
Draft Eligible Goaltender of the Month – Jacob Oster – Oshawa Generals
It was quite the month for Oster after a trade from the Guelph Storm. He appeared in 4 games, going 3-1-0 with a hefty .965 save-percentage and back-to-back shutouts where he stopped 19 of 19 shots he faced against the Kingston Frontenacs and then stopping all 30 he faced against the North Bay Battalion two nights later. Even in his only loss he stopped 35 of 38 shots. He was named Goaltender of the Month by the OHL for the week of January 23-29.
Also considered was Zach Bowen of the London Knights who went 3-0-0 and stopped 80 of 84 shots with one shutout and a save-percentage of .952.
Our previous choices were:
Forwards
Colby Barlow – Owen Sound Attack – January
Quentin Musty – Sudbury Wolves – December
Quentin Musty – Sudbury Wolves – November
Ryan Abraham – Windsor Spitfires – October
Defencemen
Rodwin Dionicio – Windsor Spitfires – January
Beau Akey – Sudbury Wolves – December
Brody Crane – London Knights – November
Hunter Brzustewicz – Kitchener Rangers – October
Goaltenders
Jacob Oster – Oshawa Generals – January
Joey Costanzo – Windsor Spitfires – December
Andrew Oke – Saginaw Spirit – November
Collin MacKenzie – Ottawa 67’s – October