OHL This Week: March 7 to 10, 2019
March is here and playoff races are heating up as the season enters the stretch drive toward the 2019 OHL Playoffs. Here’s a look at what’s happening across the league.
CHL MOURNS THE LOSS OF ALEC REID:
The Canadian Hockey League family is mourning the loss of Blainville-Boisbriand forward Alec Reid who died unexpectedly Sunday morning at the age of 18. He was with his loved ones when he passed away due to complications related to epilepsy. Due to concerns over his condition, Reid hadn’t played since February 19, 2019. A seventh round pick of the Victoriaville Tigres in 2017, Reid made his QMJHL debut at the beginning of the 2018–2019 season with the Drummondville Voltigeurs. Read more
HAMILTON BULLDOGS TO HOST 2020 CHL/NHL TOP PROSPECTS GAME:
The Canadian Hockey League in association with the Ontario Hockey League and the Hamilton Bulldogs Hockey Club today announced that the 2020 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game will be hosted by the Bulldogs on Thursday January 16, 2020. For the 25th straight year this event will showcase top NHL Draft eligible talent featuring players from across the OHL, as well as the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League competing before hundreds of NHL scouts in attendance. Read more
OHL ANNOUNCES TOP PERFORMERS FOR FEBRUARY:
Sault Ste. Marie’s Morgan Frost, London’s Adam Boqvist, Kitchener’s Luke Richardson and Saginaw’s Cole Perfetti are OHL Performers of the Month for February 2019. Read more
OHL ANNOUNCES ACADEMIC PLAYERS OF THE MONTH FOR FEBRUARY:
Kingston’s Jacob Murray, North Bay’s Pacey Schlueting, Guelph’s Zack Terry and Saginaw’s Cole Perfetti are the OHL’s Academic Players of the Month for February. Read more
67’s, KNIGHTS AND SPIRIT INCLUDED IN KIA CHL TOP 10 RANKINGS:
The Ottawa 67’s, London Knights and Saginaw Spirit are included in the Week 24 edition of the Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings while the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and Guelph Storm each receive an honourable mention. Full Rankings
67’s CAPTURE EAST DIVISION TITLE:
With wins on Friday and Sunday, the Ottawa 67’s are 2019 OHL East Division champions. The 67’s rebounded from a Thursday night loss in Barrie with a 5-3 road win over the Hamilton Bulldogs Friday night. OHL all-time shutouts leader Michael DiPietro made 22 saves on Sunday for the 18th of his OHL career as the Barber Poles blanked visiting Mississauga 3-0 to lock up first place in the Eastern Conference. Now 46-11-3-2 with six games remaining on the schedule, the 67’s claim the 16th Leyden Trophy in franchise history, doing so for the first time since earning the last of three straight division titles in 2012. Read more
KNIGHTS CROWNED MIDWEST DIVISION CHAMPS:
The London Knights are Midwest Division champions for the first time since 2013, securing the Holody Trophy with Sunday’s 3-1 road win over the Erie Otters. The 44-12-6-1 Knights are winners of three straight and recently secured at least 40 wins in a season for the sixth time in the past seven years. London’s ninth Midwest Division title is also their 12th division crown in franchise history and follows back-to-back championships the last two times they captured the Midwest in 2012 and 2013. Read more
STORM’S NATE SCHNARR NAMED CHL & OHL ‘ON THE RUN’ PLAYER OF THE WEEK:
Arizona Coyotes prospect Nate Schnarr of the Guelph Storm is both the CHL Player of the Week as well as the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week for the regular season week ending March 3rd. Schnarr registered 13 points in four games including four goals and nine assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-11. He recorded at least one point in four straight contests last week as the Storm found the win column in each to push their current win streak to seven and improve to a 36-16-6-4 showing, good for second place in the OHL’s Midwest Division. Read more
STING’S LEUFVENIUS REPRESENTS OHL IN CIBC SHOWDOWN:
Sarnia Sting forward Hugo Leufvenius is this week’s OHL representative in CIBC Showdown, a weekly feature that allows fans across the CHL to vote for their favourite play across all three leagues. Watch & Vote
WAWANESA OHL PLAYS OF THE WEEK:
The 23rd edition of the Wawanesa OHL Plays of the Week for the 2018-19 season feature a collection of the league’s Top-5 goals during the week ending March 3. This week’s highlights include the Mississauga Steelheads trio of Cole Schwindt, Liam Ham, and Alan Lyszczarczyk putting on a passing clinic, a wraparound goal by Reagan O’Grady of the Saginaw Spirit, some wizardry by Ryan Suzuki of the Barrie Colts, an incredible rush by Evan Bouchard of the London Knights, and an extra gear from Hugo Leufvenius of the Sarnia Sting to create his own space and find Ryan McGregor with a brilliant bank pass. Watch
MESMERIZING START TO MARCH IN JANES SAVES OF THE WEEK:
You’ll be mesmerized by the OHL goaltenders who stand mighty in March’s first edition of #JanesSaves. Featured this week is Jet Greaves and Kai Edmonds of the Barrie Colts, Christian Propp of the North Bay Battalion, Brendan Bonello of the Kingston Frontenacs, Joseph Raaymakers of the London Knights, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen of the Sudbury Wolves, Tristan Lennox and Ivan Prosvetov of the Saginaw Spirit, Anthony Popovich of the Guelph Storm, and Michael DiPietro of the Ottawa 67’s. Watch
OHL CUP POWERED BY UNDER ARMOUR TOP 10 RANKINGS – WEEK 16:
The OMHA champion Whitby Wildcats are headed to the 2019 OHL Cup Powered by Under Armour, joining the finalist Halton Hurricanes, third place York-Simcoe Express, fourth place Quinte Red Devils and ALLIANCE Wild Card Series winner Windsor Jr. Spitfires in the latest round of qualifiers. The Toronto Marlboros rise one spot to number two on the list after eliminating the third-ranked Toronto Young Nationals in GTHL Semi-Final play. In ALLIANCE Championship action the sixth-ranked Kitchener Jr. Rangers are tied 2-2 in points with the 10th ranked Brantford 99ers. Full Rankings
2019 OHL CUP POWERED BY UNDER ARMOUR WILD CARD MATCHUPS AND SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED:
The Ontario Hockey League in association with the Greater Toronto Hockey League announced the four Wild Card Play-In Matchups which will determine the final four entries for the 2019 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament powered by Under Armour. Full details
ROAD TO THE OHL CUP: NOHA EAGER TO COMPETE:
A team that has made big strides at the OHL Cup Powered by Under Armour in recent years, the Northern Ontario Hockey Association is excited about another class of talented prospects coming south for the annual showcase next week. Read more
GREYHOUNDS’ HOLLOWELL SIGNS WITH MAPLE LEAFS:
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds overage defenceman Mac Hollowell has signed a three-year entry level NHL contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 20-year-old from Niagara Falls, Ont. currently leads OHL defencemen in goals (23) and points (72). He was Toronto’s fourth round pick in the 2018 NHL Draft. Read more
KNIGHTS’ KEANE SIGNS WITH RANGERS:
London Knights defenceman Joey Keane has signed a three-year entry level NHL contract with the New York Rangers. The 19-year-old has skated in 61 games between London and Barrie this season, recording eight goals, 29 assists and 37 points along with a plus-14 rating. The 6-foot, 183Ib blueliner from Homer Glen, Ill., was New York’s third round pick in the 2018 NHL Draft. Read more
67’s FELHABER SIGNS WITH STARS:
Ottawa 67’s overage forward Tye Felhaber has signed a three-year entry level NHL contract with the Dallas Stars. The 20-year-old winger has a league-leading 56 goals along with 100 points through 62 games this season. The 20-year-old product of Pembroke, Ont. recently skated in his 300th career regular season OHL contest. Read more
67’s’ FELHABER RECORDS 100TH POINT:
Tye Felhaber‘s 56th goal of the season on Sunday was also his 100th point as the Eastern Conference regular season champion Ottawa 67’s blanked the visiting Mississauga Steelheads 3-0. The league’s leading goal scorer, Felhaber teamed up with linemate Marco Rossi to join Morgan Frost, Jason Robertson and Kevin Hancock as the OHL’s fourth 100-point scorer of the 2018-19 season. Read more
KALIYEV BECOMES FIRST 50-GOAL SCORER IN BULLDOGS HISTORY:
Draft eligible winger Arthur Kaliyev became the first player in Hamilton Bulldogs history to score 50 goals in a season on Sunday. He is the fifth player in the last 20 years to score 50 goals at the age of 17 or younger, joining other names such as Alex DeBrincat (2015), Jeff Skinner (2010), John Tavares(2009) and Steven Stamkos (2008) in that span. Read more
ICEDOGS’ ROBERTSON REACHES CENTURY MARK, RECORDS 300TH CAREER POINT:
Dallas Stars prospect Jason Robertson hit a pair of milestones in Friday’s Niagara IceDogs road win over North Bay. The Niagara IceDogs forward picked up two assists in Friday’s 6-4 road win over the North Bay Battalion to surpass the 100-point milestone on the season and in doing so, recorded the 300th point of his OHL career. Robertson’s OHL career includes 301 points (143-158–301) over 244 career regular season games, with 46 of his goals coming on the power play. He recently hit the 40-goal plateau for the third straight season. Read more
KNIGHTS’ HANCOCK SCORES 50TH GOAL, ENTERS TRIPLE DIGITS:
Overage forward Kevin Hancock reached both the 50-goal and 100-point milestones in Friday’s London Knights win over the rival Kitchener Rangers. Hancock joins good company in recent Knights franchise history, matching the likes of Christian Dvorak (2016), John Tavares (2009) and Patrick Kane (2007) who each racked up at least 50 goals and 100 points in a season. Read more
KNIGHTS’ MARK HUNTER NAMED TO HOCKEY CANADA PROGRAM OF EXCELLENCE MANAGEMENT GROUP:
London Knights general manager Mark Hunter makes his return to Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence for the first time since the 2013-14 season. He will oversee the under-20 program and Canada’s National Junior Team. Hunter rejoined the London Knights as general manager last summer after spending four seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, serving as director of player personnel (2014-16) and assistant general manager (2016-18). Prior to joining the Maple Leafs, Hunter spent 14 seasons as general manager of the Knights, winning OHL championships in 2005, 2012 and 2013, and a Memorial Cup in 2005. Read more
OHL CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY ON FRIDAY:
The OHL will celebrate International Women’s Day this coming Friday as several up and coming female names in the broadcasting industry will deliver fast paced action. Friday’s contest between the North Bay Battalion and host Oshawa Generals will feature an all-female broadcast team on Rogers Television. Hannah Nordman carries play-by-play duties alongside colour commentators Laura Barney and Samantha McDaid. Host Michelle Farrugia and location reporter Aly Munro will also contribute while special feature interviews include Hockey Night in Canada’s Christine Simpson, Sportsnet’s Evanka Osmak and Rogers Hometown Hockey’s Tara Slone.
CHARGING BULLS: CELEBRATING THE 1999 OHL CHAMPIONS SET TO PREMIERE:
A new documentary film featuring the Belleville Bulls’ 1999 OHL Championship run is set for its red carpet premiere at the Empire Theatre in Belleville, Ont. this coming Saturday night. ‘Charging Bulls’ is a production by former OHL Communications Director Aaron Bell and his wife Angela. A Belleville native and lifelong follower of the OHL, Bell’s Lot 48 Film Company takes fans through the journey of Belleville’s first and only Robertson Cup title with a team that included such names as Ryan Ready, Jonathan Cheechoo and Justin Papineau. For more information on the documentary, visit bellevillebulls99.com.
9 & 99: THE HOWE • GRETZKY EXHIBITION AT THE HOCKEY HALL OF FAME:
In tribute to legends Gordie Howe and Wayne Gretzky, the Hockey Hall of Fame has launched a showcase unlike any other. 9 & 99: The Howe · Gretzky Exhibition offers a once-in-a-lifetime look at the relationship between “Mr. Hockey” and “The Great One,” as well as their prolific careers. Read more
CHARLOTTETOWN AND SUMMERSIDE TO SERVE AS CO-HOSTS AS 2020 WORLD UNDER-17 HOCKEY CHALLENGE:
The World Under-17 Hockey Challenge – an international showcase of the best young hockey talent in the world – is heading to Prince Edward Island for the first time in the fall of 2020 when Charlottetown and Summerside co-host the tournament from Oct. 31-Nov. 7. The 2020 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge represents a partnership between Hockey Canada, Hockey P.E.I. and the Canadian Hockey League, as well as the cities of Charlottetown and Summerside. Full details at CHL.ca.
COMMUNITY CORNER:
Sting unveils 25th anniversary ultimate team: The Sarnia Sting let the fans have their say and now they’re revealing the results. A star-studded lineup that includes the likes of 2018 OHL Player of the Year Jordan Kyrou, Steven Stamkos, Alex Galchenyuk, former first overall OHL pick Jakob Chychrun and recent goaltending graduate Justin Fazio has been announced. Visit sarniasting.com to see the full lineup.
Petes support Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation on Thursday: The Peterborough Petes are encouraging fans young and old to dress in pyjamas on Thursday night when they play host to the Kingston Frontenacs. Fans will have the opportunity to support the Foundation through a second intermission chuck-a-puck. They’ll have the chance to win a team-signed Petes jersey, a $150 gift card package, and an $80 gift card package. The Foundation is dedicated to enriching the lives of children found in need of protection with the Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Aid Society. For full details on Thursday’s game visit gopetesgo.com.
Steelheads bleed blue on Friday: The Steelheads are proud to announce the team’s first ever Bleed Blue game on Friday, March 8th when the club faces off against the Hamilton Bulldogs. This year the Steelheads have teamed up with Hockey Gives Blood in partnership with Canadian Blood Services. Hockey Gives Blood is a non-profit society founded by four former hockey players in an effort to motivate, inspire and educate young hockey players to support patients in need of blood and blood products. The Steelheads will be wearing one of a kind Bleed Blue jerseys on Friday. Full details at mississaugasteelheads.com.
IceDogs raise mental health awareness on Friday: The Niagara IceDogs will be wearing special custom jerseys on Friday night when they host the Sudbury Wolves in a battle for first place in the Central Division. The special jerseys will be auctioned off post-game with funds being donated to Pathstone Mental Health who will use them to benefit youth in the community.
Storm fans picking up the tab on Friday: Guelph Storm fans are asked to bring their aluminum can tabs to Friday’s home game against the Saginaw Spirit as part of the club’s “Pick Up the Tab” initiative. Money raised through the contributions will result in a donation to the “Tabs for Wheelchairs” program. This will help with the purchase of new wheelchairs, motorized scooters and walkers across Canada. Full details at guelphstorm.com.
Firebirds salute overagers, hold Whaley Children’s Fundraiser on Saturday: The Flint Firebirds will pay tribute to overage veterans Hakon Nilsen and Emanuel Vella on Saturday when they play host to the Windsor Spitfires. In addition, the Firebirds are teaming up with the Whaley Children’s Center (WCC) for a donation drive where fans can bring in five or more personal hygiene items to receive a complimentary Silver Level ticket. For full details visit flintfirebirds.com.
Spitfires’ first responder jerseys up for auction: The Windsor Spitfires are auctioning off their game worn first responder jerseys worn in last Sunday’s game against the Kingston Frontenacs. Partial proceeds from the auction will be donated to the “Ignite the Spirit” Fund, which supports firefighters and their families in times of need. To cast your bid, visit SpitsGear.com.
ALUMNI NOTES:
OHL Mourns the Loss of Ted Lindsay: The OHL family is mourning the loss of former Oshawa Generals Memorial Cup champion and Detroit Red Wings legend Ted Lindsay. The Renfrew, Ont. native played his junior career with the OHA’s Toronto St. Michael’s College before joining the Oshawa Generals for the 1944 Memorial Cup, hoisting the prestigious trophy after recording nine points (7-2–9) in seven games. Lindsay amassed 851 points (379-472–851) over a 1,068-game NHL career spent between Detroit and Chicago between 1944-65. He served as general manager of the Red Wings over a four-year span from 1976-80 following his retirement. Read more
Marner producing at furious pace: London Knights graduate Mitch Marner keeps racking up points with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 21-year-old from Thornhill, Ont. recorded his second straight three-point contest on Monday becoming the first Leafs player to record 80 points in 66 or fewer games since Doug Gilmour in 1993-94. Marner has 81 points (24-57–81) through 66 games in this, his third NHL season. The former OHL Player of the Year has recorded 211 points (65-146–211) over his 225 game NHL tenure. Marner put up back-to-back 100-point seasons with the Knights and graduated from the OHL with 301 points (96-205–301) over 184 career regular season games. The 2016 Memorial Cup champion was Toronto’s first round (4th overall) pick in the 2015 NHL Draft.
Richardson has night to remember: Owen Sound Attack graduate Brad Richardson put up a career-high four goals last Thursday, helping the Arizona Coyotes defeat the Vancouver Canucks 5-2. Richardson becomes the eighth player since 1998-99 aged 34 or older to accomplish the feat, joining Patrick Marleau, Martin St. Louis, Alex Kovalev, Mats Sundin, Scott Mellanby, Brett Hull and Dave Andreychuk. The Belleville, Ont. native has 21 points (16-5–21) over 50 games with Arizona this season. He’s played in 733 career NHL contests dating back to 2005. Richardson played four seasons in Owen Sound from 2001-05, recording 213 points (87-126–213) over 208 career regular season games. He was Colorado’s fifth round pick in 2003.
OHL officiating graduate Markovic to make NHL debut: Former OHL official Michael Markovic will make his NHL debut on Wednesday in Detroit as the Red Wings take on the New York Rangers. A native of Scarborough, Ont., Markovic served as an OHL linesman in 2016-17 before wearing the bands in 2017-18. He has also made stops in the ECHL as well as the AHL.
Percy joins Providence Bruins: Mississauga Steelheads graduate Stuart Percy is on the move in the American Hockey League, being acquired by the Providence Bruins from the Belleville Senators. Percy has 19 points (2-17–19) over 41 games in Belleville this season and has been dealt for forward Austin Fyten. The former first round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2011 NHL Draft played four seasons in Mississauga from 2009-13, recording 122 points (25-97–122) over 218 career regular season games.
6 OHL grads win AUS Championship with UNB: OHL graduates Noah Carroll (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds), Marcus McIvor (North Bay Battalion), Kris Bennett (Saginaw Spirit), Cameron Brace (Belleville Bulls), James McEwan (Guelph Storm) and Patrick Watling (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) are 2019 AUS Champions with back-to-back winners the UNB Reds. Bennett earned AUS Playoff MVP honours as UNB won its third title in the past five years, defeating the StFX X-Men in two games. Read more
OHL grads highlight OUA’s 2018-19 Awards: OUA East and West Division MVP’s Slater Doggett (Queen’s/Windsor Spitfires) and Matt Mistele (Ryerson/Sarnia Sting) headline the league’s 2018-19 season-ending awards. Other recipients include East Division Rookie of the Year Jake Smith (Carleton/Windsor Spitfires) and West Division Defenceman of the Year Alex Basso (Ryerson/London Knights). Read more
Guelph, Queen’s set to clash in OUA Championship: A number of OHL graduates will be playing for OUA Men’s Hockey supremacy on Saturday night in Kingston when the host Queen’s Gaels take on the Guelph Gryphons. Both teams have already secured a berth at the 2019 University Cup in Lethbridge, Alta. that begins on March 14th. The Western Mustangs and Carleton Ravens will play for bronze on Saturday in Ottawa.
Aagaard named OUA Male Athlete of the Week: Sudbury Wolves graduate Mikkel Aagaard of the Guelph Gryphons has been named OUA Male Athlete of the Week after providing double-overtime heroics to push his team into the OUA Championship. Aagaard scored with 5:16 left in the second overtime to lift Guelph over Western by a score of 4-3 in London. In all, Aagaard had five goals and an assist last week. He now leads all OUA players with eight goals and 16 points in the postseason. The Fredrikshavn, Denmark product played two OHL seasons between Niagara and Sudbury from 2014-16, recording 94 points (39-55–94) over 123 regular season games.
KEY MATCHUPS:
Oshawa Generals (39-19-4-0) vs. Ottawa 67’s (46-11-3-2)
Saturday March 9th at Ottawa (Sportsnet CHL Saturday Showcase)
Two East Division foes will go head-to-head in the upcoming edition of the Sportsnet CHL Saturday Showcase as the Oshawa Generals visit the Ottawa 67’s.
The East Division champion 67’s are having one of their best seasons ever, playing to a 46-11-3-2 record as they boast OHL goal scoring leader Tye Felhaber along with rookie standout Marco Rossi and the dynamic goaltending duo of Michael DiPietro and Cedrick Andree.
The Generals have won eight of their last 10 and are led by the veteran presence of overage forwards Anthony Salinitri and Brandon Saigeon while Florida Panthers prospect Serron Noel creates space for himself down the wing.
The 67’s have won four of the six meetings between the two clubs this season. They’ll meet on both Saturday and Sunday this weekend.
Peterborough Petes (29-30-1-2) vs. Barrie Colts (26-32-3-1)
Saturday March 9th at Barrie
The 2018-19 OHL season enters its final weeks and teams at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings are jostling for position.
The Peterborough Petes visit the Barrie Colts on Saturday looking to solidify their playoff standing as they enter the weekend locked up in a sixth place tie with the Hamilton Bulldogs. The Petes are led offensively by San Jose Sharks prospect Ryan Merkley on the back end while 2019 NHL Draft prospect Nick Robertson has shown an ability to create offence with 48 points in as many games.
Barrie sits three points out of the Eastern Conference playoff picture and is in need of points with eight games remaining on their schedule. Draft eligible centreman Ryan Suzuki leads Barrie on the scoresheet with 66 points over 59 games this season.
The Colts won the lone meeting between the two clubs this season back on Feb. 14th.
SCHEDULE:
Thursday March 7th:
Erie at Niagara – 7:00pm
Barrie at North Bay – 7:00pm (Postponed)
Kingston at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Owen Sound at Windsor – 7:05pm
Friday March 8th:
Ottawa at Kingston – 7:00pm
Hamilton at Mississauga – 7:00pm
Sudbury at Niagara – 7:00pm
Saginaw at Guelph – 7:30pm
Erie at Kitchener – 7:30pm
Flint at London – 7:30pm
North Bay at Oshawa – 7:35pm
Saturday March 9th:
Oshawa at Ottawa – 3:30pm (Sportsnet CHL Saturday Showcase)
Sudbury at Hamilton – 4:00pm
Mississauga at Erie – 7:00pm
Windsor at Flint – 7:00pm
Saginaw at London – 7:00pm
Sarnia at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07pm
Peterborough at Barrie – 7:30pm
Guelph at Owen Sound – 7:30pm
Sunday March 10th:
Barrie at Niagara – 2:00pm
Peterborough at North Bay – 2:00pm
Windsor at Sault Ste. Marie – 2:07pm
Kitchener at Guelph – 4:00pm
Ottawa at Oshawa – 6:05pm
