Six Troops populate Poll
NORTH BAY, Ont. — Ethan Procyszyn, named in four categories, led six North Bay Battalion representatives when results of the Ontario Hockey League’s Coaches Poll for the 2025-26 season were released Tuesday.
Procyszyn finished in a tie atop the best defensive forward category for the Eastern Conference, was second in best on faceoffs, finished third in best penalty killer voting and tied for third in hardest shot.
Jack Lisson was second in both most improved player and best shootout goaltender results, and Lirim Amidovski was second as hardest worker. Cam Warren tied for second as best skater, while Bronson Ride finished third in best defensive defenceman results and Nick Wellenreiter was third as best shootout shooter.
The Coaches Poll in each of the two conferences sees every club submit one nominee in 20 categories. Coaches vote for the top three players in each category within their conference, with players receiving points on a 5-3-1 basis. Coaches may not vote for their own players, producing a maximum of 45 points for each winner.
Procyszyn tied fellow centre Cole Beaudoin of the Barrie Colts for best defensive forward as each earned 37 points.
Procyszyn had 19 points in best on faceoffs voting, won by Beaudoin with 39.
In best penalty killer results, Procyszyn had 21 points, behind Beaudoin with 31 and defenceman Ben Danford of the Brantford Bulldogs with 30.
Procyszyn tied left winger Adam Novotny of the Peterborough Petes with 10 points in hardest shot. Barrie defenceman Kashawn Aitcheson captured the category with 41 points, and left winger Ryan Roobroeck of the Niagara IceDogs attracted 20.
Lisson, who finished just behind left winger Nic Whitehead of the Ottawa 67’s in most improved player voting, being edged 25-24, had 19 points as best shootout goaltender, which Ottawa’s Ryder Fetterolf won with 29 points.
Right winger Amidovski had 17 points in the hardest worker category as Beaudoin garnered 43.
Centre Warren matched Ottawa defenceman Kohyn Eshkawkogan with 14 points in best skater voting, with Brantford centre Jett Luchanko receiving 28.
Ride registered 11 points as best defensive defenceman, behind Danford with 34 and Barrie’s Parker von Richter with 22.
Right winger Wellenreiter had 20 points in voting for best shootout shooter. Brantford centre Adam Benak won with 32 points, and centre Riley Patterson of Niagara had 24.
Brantford led the conference with eight players across the categories, while Barrie and Peterborough matched North Bay’s six.
In the Western Conference, the Kitchener Rangers led the way with eight players gaining mention.
