CHL Weekend Review: March starts with milestones
The calendar changing from February to March means just three more weeks until the Canadian Hockey League playoffs. It’s also the time of year where teams put together some of their final promotions amidst their playoff pushes, and many different milestones are met as some of the league’s top individual performers set new standards.
Here’s a closer look at everything you may have missed:
Welsh Sets QMJHL Record
Matthew Welsh of the Charlottetown Islanders is in a league of his own setting a new QMJHL mark for most minutes played. The overage netminder set the record on Friday night surpassing former PEI Rocket netminder Ryan Mior whose total stood at 12,933:20. Following Sunday’s victory, Welsh has eclipsed the 13,000 minutes mark between-the-pipes in his 222nd game. He also now has 124 wins to his credit, all accumulated with the Islanders since 2015-16.
And just like that, he's done it!
Matthew Welsh has set the QMJHL record for most minutes played by a goaltender in a career! pic.twitter.com/dJtkz4fewm
— Charlottetown Islanders (@IslandersHKY) February 29, 2020
Congrats to @IslandersHKY goaltender @mwelsh73 on establishing a new #QMJHL record tonight! 👏 pic.twitter.com/MvVrLjrFhQ
— QMJHL (@QMJHL) February 29, 2020
"He's done so much on and off the ice for this community, it was a terrific celebration tonight and it was fitting." – Jim Hulton
More from the Eastlink Centre on a historic, memorable night for Matthew Welsh.
📰 | https://t.co/tDaGrKyrpF pic.twitter.com/clQko2Ftlg
— Charlottetown Islanders (@IslandersHKY) February 29, 2020
Robertson Records 50th
Toronto Maple Leafs second round pick Nick Robertson of the Peterborough Petes became the league’s first 50 goal scorer achieving the milestone in style on Sunday with a hat-trick in his 43rd game of the season. He’s the first Petes player to meet the mark since both Jason Dawe and Mike Harding pulled it off in 1992-93.
5⃣0⃣ GOALS IN 4⃣3⃣ GAMES
@nickrob2001 scores shorthanded, for the hat-trick, to become the first Pete in 27 years to score 50 goals in a season!#GoPetesGo | #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/JJNSwzJTA7
— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) March 1, 2020
Kisio is Forever A Hitmen
A ceremony was held on Sunday in Calgary honouring Kelly Kisio for his contributions to the Hitmen as an executive and a coach. The celebration and banner raising, all part of the club’s 25th anniversary season, recognizes his nearly two decades with the club from 1998 until 2016. Under Kisio’s leadership, the Hitmen earned 763 regular season wins and captured the Ed Chynoweth Cup twice in 1999 and 2010.
'Forever A Hitmen'
The Kisio Family watching the banner raise in Scotiabank Saddledoome.📸- @CWardPhoto pic.twitter.com/fmFaMd4RKH
— Calgary Hitmen (@WHLHitmen) March 1, 2020
Hurricanes add to Wall of Honour
The Lethbridge Hurricanes held a special pre-game ceremony on Saturday inducting alumni Byron Ritchie and Shane Peacock into the club’s Wall of Honour. Ritchie played four WHL seasons with the club from 1993-97 recording 126 points during his final season which helped the Canes hoist the Ed Chynoweth Cup. Peacock played five seasons from 1989-94 appearing in 336 career games with an impressive 366 points which includes his 102-point campaign in 1992-93 that stands as the club’s single season record by a defenceman.
Join us tonight for a special pre-game ceremony as we induct #WHLCanesAlumni @Byronritchie93 and Shane Peacock into the Hurricanes Wall of Honour presented by Kirk’s Tirecraft! Ritchie and Peacock will also be signing autographs after the game. #WHLCanes #YQL pic.twitter.com/qkbDtQ6C2v
— Lethbridge Hurricanes (@WHLHurricanes) February 29, 2020
Player’s Night on the Island
Matthew Welsh’s record night was also part of a special promotion in Charlottetown where the Islanders players worked together to design a jersey that honoured the history of hockey on Prince Edward Island. The most unique element of the design were nicknames stitched on the back in place of last names inspired by Major League Baseball’s annual Player’s Weekend.
Player's Night just brought the heat 🔥
Have a look at the jerseys we'll be wearing on Friday night, and a sneak peak at the nicknames! pic.twitter.com/JCLrbpx0gl
— Charlottetown Islanders (@IslandersHKY) February 25, 2020
Breast Cancer Awareness in Spokane and Tri-City
The Chiefs and Americans both hosted Breast Cancer Awareness games over the weekend with the former supporting the cause with special sweaters, and the latter painting their ice pink for the occasion.
4️⃣ hours ‘til puck drop! #GoChiefsGo pic.twitter.com/8XDa3cXkqX
— Spokane Chiefs (@spokanechiefs) February 29, 2020
💞 Painted pink & ready for action 💞 pic.twitter.com/DJ7qRCeoZy
— Tri-City Americans (@TCAmericans) February 28, 2020
Winter Wonderlands
There’s still plenty of snow in the air and on the ground, especially in Quebec, as evidenced by these social media shots from the Gatineau Olympiques and Victoriaville Tigres who despite the cold provided heart warming gestures for stranded vehicles in need of a push.
Aucun répit pour nos joueurs, malgré la tempête !! 🙈😀 pic.twitter.com/899U6AtPmR
— Olympiques de Gatineau (@OlympiquesGAT) February 27, 2020
Hey @ForeursVD !
Vous ne pourrez pas dire qu’on a jamais rien fait pour vos partisans ! 😂 pic.twitter.com/UKDbkRPtdf
— Tigres de Victoriaville (@TigresVicto) February 27, 2020
Voyer Launches Equipment Drive
Alex-Olivier Voyer of the Sherbrooke Phoenix recently launched a local initiative to support his community by inviting fans to donate new or gently used sports equipment. The gear was collected at the rink and fans who contributed received a free ticket to see the Phoenix. The program was in support of the David Perron Foundation that helps youth in the region.
L’attaquant @Voyer, toujours très impliqué dans la communauté, lance sa collecte sportive. Il invite les partisans à apporter de l’équipement sportif au Palais des sports et le tout sera redonné à la @FondationDPAH. https://t.co/PiVQKRAdWW pic.twitter.com/pTo9hsknLQ
— Phœnix de Sherbrooke (@PhoenixSherbroo) February 18, 2020
Merci en avance à tous ceux qui vont nous aider dans cette collecte sportive!! https://t.co/nrklojHr4s
— Alex-Olivier Voyer (@19voyer) February 19, 2020
Alex-Olivier Voyer apporte du matériel pour sa collecte sportive #phœnixsherbrooke @FondationDPAH pic.twitter.com/IXW6tQPXp3
— Phœnix de Sherbrooke (@PhoenixSherbroo) February 26, 2020
67’s Help Grow The Game
The Ottawa 67’s had their first ever Punjabi Night and Punjabi Telecast accompanied by a one of a kind networking event attended by over 700 tech students in the nation’s capital. The game, complete with fan reaction and highlights, was part of a feature segment on Saturday’s Hockey Night Punjabi broadcast.
.@Ottawa67sHockey won more than just a hockey game last night! @AmritG takes a look at how the organization is helping grow the game. pic.twitter.com/7p1HjkxFs2
— Hockey Night Punjabi (@HkyNightPunjabi) March 1, 2020
Not Your Ordinary Games
A couple of unique takes on a classic CHL promotion took place in Edmonton and Ottawa last Tuesday morning. The Oil Kings Hockey Hooky Game showcased some creative designs from young fans as part of the team’s game presentation, while the 67’s offered free tickets for their AM puck drop.
Want to see more of these incredible headshots from today's Hockey Hooky game? You can find them all here ➡️ https://t.co/A2mu1u0gsK pic.twitter.com/NsFyITL0CP
— Edmonton Oil Kings (@EdmOilKings) February 25, 2020
Did you hear? Come out on Tuesday and watch your #67s at zero cost!#NoQuit | 🎟️: https://t.co/4lKtnSTfW9 pic.twitter.com/D03xuu1kqZ
— Ottawa 67’s (@Ottawa67sHockey) February 23, 2020
Les Freres Coulombe
A family friendly photo opportunity was captured in Shawinigan on Friday when Coulombe brothers, Antoine of the Cataractes, and Olivier of the visiting Acadie-Bathurst Titan, met for the second time this season. The pair weren’t the only brothers to go head-to-head over the weekend as Sportsnet’s Saturday afternoon game showcased Clarke brothers Graeme and Brandt of the Ottawa 67’s and Barrie Colts.
Un beau duel de jumeaux! #lesfreresCoulombe 🧡❤️ pic.twitter.com/X4AOCrsmGk
— Cataractes de Shawinigan (@Cataractes_Shaw) February 29, 2020
Million Dollar Milestone for Thunderbirds
The Seattle Thunderbirds Community Sports Foundation proudly announced that over $1 million has been awarded to local youth sports teams, schools, and associations since the Foundation’s inception in 2009. 50/50 raffles at every T-Birds home game is a primary contributor to the non-profit that believes all youth should have access to community sports.
NEWS | @FoundationTbird Has Awarded Over $1 Million To Local Sports Teams, Groups, and Associations 👀 🔗 👉 https://t.co/p7Do2izdAp pic.twitter.com/4jyLUCSJEM
— Seattle Thunderbirds (@SeattleTbirds) February 27, 2020
#TalkToday
Throughout the month of February, CHL teams have activated their partnerships with Canadian Mental Health Association branches at home games as part of the Talk Today program continuing to raise awareness and funds for mental health services from coast-to-coast.
Tonight, we support @CMHA_Victoria in promoting mental health awareness. Come on down, lend your support, and share pictures of the game with the hashtag #TalkToday! pic.twitter.com/FCsaTjfChH
— Victoria Royals (@victoriaroyals) February 29, 2020
Thanks to @CMHAWW,@TeachersLifeCAN and fans for making our annual #TalkToday event a success! You’re all helping to make positive #mentalhealth a part of our community! #TalkToday pic.twitter.com/eJasmFITXz
— Guelph Storm (@Storm_City) February 29, 2020
One in five youth struggle with #mentalhealth issues. It’s time to #TalkToday about mental health. Join us tonight at the Brandt Centre with @CMHARegina! pic.twitter.com/TXkmuQiMTS
— Regina Pats (@WHLPats) February 28, 2020
Rookie Records
Shane Wright of the Kingston Frontenacs continued his exceptional rookie season by establishing a new franchise mark for first year players with 39 goals. A similar record was set in Edmonton where fellow first overall pick Dylan Guenther’s 25th goal set a new Oil Kings modern day rookie record. Between-the-pipes, Brett Brochu of the London Knights earned his 29th win for a new franchise rookie record.
History was made tonight in Flint, Michigan.@shane_wright51 past Bernie Nicholls for the all-time rookie goals lead in Kingston's franchise history.
Shane will be the first person to credit his teammates for the amazing accomplishment.
Well done Shane! 👏👏👏#WeRiseTogether pic.twitter.com/XUMgqLHfY4
— Kingston Frontenacs (@KingstonFronts) March 1, 2020
With a 1st period hat trick, Dylan Guenther gives your #OilKings a 4-0 lead AND breaks the record for most goals by a rookie in modern franchise history (25)!!! #gunsablazin pic.twitter.com/g63wiUz6bk
— Edmonton Oil Kings (@EdmOilKings) February 25, 2020
With today's win, Brett Brochu has broken the franchise record for most wins by a rookie goaltender!Congratulations Brett! pic.twitter.com/qjgtjdDqPF
— London Knights (@LondonKnights) March 1, 2020
More Team Records and Milestones
Felix Robert set a new Sherbrooke Phoenix single season points record with 89, while Ty Smith of the Spokane Chiefs broke his own franchise single game points record by a defenceman with eight. Behind the bench, Patrick Roy of the Quebec Remparts became just the 10th QMJHL coach to win 400 career games. The Phoenix became the first club from coast-to-coast to 100 points which is also a franchise first, while the Moncton Wildcats set a franchise record with their 15th straight win. At the gates, the Rimouski Oceanic hit the 100,000 fans mark this season and the Saint John Sea Dogs celebrate 2 million all-time attendees.
Grâce à ses 4 points ce soir, Félix Robert a déclassé Guillaume Gauthier (86 points) au titre du joueur du Phœnix avec le plus de points en une saison.
Avec ses 89 points, Félix Robert est officiellement le meilleur pointeur de l'histoire du Phœnix. 🌪️#phœnixsherbrooke pic.twitter.com/fD1VA5CGQI
— Phœnix de Sherbrooke (@PhoenixSherbroo) March 1, 2020
🎥 Ty Smith is very good at hockey. He also sports a mean mustache. Not sure if that's relevant or not.
Here is the @NJDevils prospec after his record-breaking performance on Friday night!#GoChiefsGo pic.twitter.com/dQ1fYNWGZq
— Spokane Chiefs (@spokanechiefs) February 29, 2020
Avec cette victoire, notre directeur-gérant/entraîneur-chef Patrick Roy atteint le plateau des 400victoires en carrière en saison régulière dans la LHJMQ et devient ainsi l’entraîneur ayant réalisé cet exploit avec le moins grand nombre de matchs de la ligue, soit en 673 matchs pic.twitter.com/NAEjOUri2w
— 🏆 – Remparts de Québec (@quebec_remparts) March 1, 2020
Avec la victoire de ce soir, le Phœnix a atteint les 100 points ! C'est seulement la 3e fois qu'une équipe junior sherbrookoise atteint ce plateau. 🌪️#phœnixsherbrooke #sherbylove pic.twitter.com/DOxdPn5hNC
— Phœnix de Sherbrooke (@PhoenixSherbroo) February 29, 2020
Rollin', rollin', rollin'!#DefendTheDen pic.twitter.com/oHm09p5spz
— Moncton Wildcats (@monctonwildcats) March 1, 2020
L'organisation de L'Océanic est choyée de compter sur des partisans aussi passionnés qui répondent présents, année après année.
Pour une 25e saison, vous êtes 100 000 et plus à venir encourager vos favoris. Nous en sommes très reconnaissants.
Merci. 100 000 MERCIS!#Oceanic25 pic.twitter.com/ekDttfk4yT— L'Océanic de Rimouski (@oceanicrimouski) March 2, 2020
We recently surpassed 2 MILLION fans who have attended a Saint John Sea Dogs home game in our 15 year history! #SeaDogs15
Thank you Saint John for your continued support and making us YOUR TEAM!
We invite all 2 million of you to join us for our home games this weekend! #QMJHL pic.twitter.com/aCLdv5IG6H
— Saint John Sea Dogs (@SJSeaDogs) February 28, 2020
300 Career Games
Add another trio to the CHL’s 300 career games club including Conner McDonald of the Kelowna Rockets, Macauley Carson of the Sudbury Wolves, and Christian Huntley of the Moncton Wildcats.
Another milestone for CMAC! He played in @TheWHL game number 300 tonight. pic.twitter.com/782G0amK6L
— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) March 1, 2020
🚨🚨 @macauleycarsonn hits the ice for his 300th #OHL career game! 👊 He looks to tie the franchise record of 301 games played in a Wolves uniform Sunday! 🏒 #congrats 🎉 pic.twitter.com/l93p1RMn53
— Sudbury Wolves (@Sudbury_Wolves) February 29, 2020
Congratulations to Christian Huntley, playing his 300th regular season @LHJMQ game tonight! #DefendTheDen
📸: @DanielStLouis pic.twitter.com/Lc9Wg70JV9— Moncton Wildcats (@monctonwildcats) February 28, 2020
67’s Win East Division
The Ottawa 67’s became the CHL’s second club to add a y next to their x by locking up the OHL’s East Division title for the second straight season and 17th time since 1975-76.
About last night…#NoQuit | 🗞️: https://t.co/W4eDrGRaqk pic.twitter.com/JfgrrE9lEt
— Ottawa 67’s (@Ottawa67sHockey) February 29, 2020
CHL Playoff Picture
11 more spots were locked up since last Monday’s weekend review with the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings, Vancouver Giants, Victoria Royals, and Winnipeg ICE added to the mix along with the OHL’s Barrie Colts, Sudbury Wolves, and Windsor Spitfires, plus the QMJHL’s Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, Charlottetown Islanders, Drummondville Voltigeurs, and Saint John Sea Dogs.
#CHL Playoff Picture: 32 of 48 ✔️
Four more clubs open March with postseason berths locked up including @OHLBarrieColts, @ArmadaBLB, @SpitsHockey, and @SJSeaDogs.
MORE ✖️: https://t.co/QZjzzyRmFv pic.twitter.com/sqrQLOYRXy
— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) March 2, 2020