3rd Annual Battle of the Border Hits Sarnia This Weekend
Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the commencement of the third annual ‘Battle of the Border’ Minor Midget Hockey Showcase in partnership with the High Performance Hockey League taking place November 11-13 at Progressive Auto Sales Arena in Sarnia, ON, home of the OHL’s Sarnia Sting.
The event features 12 teams from across Ontario, Detroit, and Illinois with players eligible for the 2017 OHL Priority Selection competing before scouts and fans in an 18-game showcase of Minor Midget talent.
Teams representing Ontario include the Brampton 45’s (OMHA), London Jr. Knights (ALLIANCE), Toronto Marlboros (GTHL), Toronto Young Nationals (GTHL), Vaughan Kings (GTHL), and Whitby Wildcats (OMHA). Six teams from the HPHL will also compete including Chicago Mission, Chicago Young Americans, Detroit Compuware, Detroit Little Caesars, Detroit Honeybaked, and Team Illinois.
In addition to the action on the ice, the OHL will be hosting seminars and information sessions for players and their families focusing on areas such as the league’s scholarship program, professional support programs, development opportunities, benefits, player environment, and safety, health and welfare programs.
“Since the development of our inaugural event in Plymouth, 2014, our goal has been to continue building a strong partnership with the HPHL,” said Joe Birch, Senior Director of Hockey Development and Special Events. “We’re excited to return to Sarnia after a successful event north of the border last season to provide participating players a unique minor hockey experience. The exhibition weekend will provide the opportunity to compete against teams that they may not see during the regular season, and the chance to learn more about our league and what the OHL provides to players.”
Players will also have the opportunity to see an OHL game when the Sting host the Kingston Frontenacs on Saturday November 12.
“The HPHL is excited to once again be partnering up with the OHL to create these great events,” said HPHL President Jill Hare. “The HPHL teams are looking forward to a weekend of high level competition and being able to play the games in Canada will give our players a unique experience.”
All 12 teams have a history of developing OHL players including many who have graduated to NHL success including Peter Holland (Brampton 45’s/Guelph Storm/Toronto Maple Leafs), Christian Dvorak (Chicago Mission/London Knights/Arizona Coyotes), Alex Galchenyuk (Chicago Young Americans/Sarnia Sting/Montreal Canadiens), Austin Watson (Detroit Compuware/London Knights/Nashville Predators), Vince Trocheck (Detroit Little Caesars/Plymouth Whalers/Florida Panthers), Cam Fowler (Detroit Honeybaked/Windsor Spitfires/Anaheim Ducks), Garret Sparks (Team Illinois/Guelph Storm/Toronto Maple Leafs), Drew Doughty (London Jr. Knights/Guelph Storm/Los Angeles Kings), Connor McDavid (Toronto Marlboros/Erie Otters/Edmonton Oilers), Jeff Skinner (Toronto Young Nationals/Kitchener Rangers/Carolina Hurricanes), Ryan Sproul (Vaughan Kings/Soo Greyhounds/Detroit Red Wings), James Neal (Whitby Wildcats/Plymouth Whalers/Nashville Predators).
In addition, the following players from the teams appearing in the Battle of the Border were selected in the first round of the 2016 OHL Priority Selection – fourth overall pick Blade Jenkins (Detroit Compuware) chosen by the Saginaw Spirit, sixth overall pick Danil Antropov (Toronto Marlboros) of the Oshawa Generals, 12th overall pick Akil Thomas (Toronto Marlboros) of the Niagara IceDogs, 16th overall pick Giovanni Vallati (Vaughan Kings) of the Kitchener Rangers, and 19th overall pick Allan McShane (Toronto Marlboros) of the Erie Otters.
All games will have three 17-minute periods with a flood occurring midway through the second period. 3-on-3 overtime will ensue should games be tied after regulation time, followed by a three-man shootout if there is no overtime goal. Total points accumulated by each country will determine the ‘Battle of the Border’ champion. Teams receive three points for a win, one point for each tie, and one extra point for an overtime or shootout win. The United States have earned won both annual events to date.
Admission is free for all ‘Battle of the Border’ games. The event will also be available online in partnership with http://hockeytv.com.
2016 Battle of the Border Schedule:
Friday November 13:
3 p.m. – Detroit Honeybaked vs Whitby Wildcats (Rink 1)
3:30 p.m – Detroit Little Caesars vs Vaughan Kings (Rink 2)
5:15 p.m. – Detroit Compuware vs Toronto Marlboros (Rink 1)
5:45 p.m. – Chicago Young Americans vs Toronto Young Nationals (Rink 2)
7:30 p.m. – Chicago Mission vs London Jr. Knights (Rink 1)
8 p.m. – Team Illinois vs Brampton 45s (Rink 2)
Saturday November 12:
9:30 a.m. – Toronto Marlboros vs Detroit Honeybaked (Rink 1)
10 a.m. – Toronto Young Nationals vs Detroit Little Caesars (Rink 2)
11:45 a.m. – London Jr. Knights vs Detroit Compuware (Rink 1)
12:15 p.m. – Brampton 45s vs Chicago Young Americans (Rink 2)
2 p.m. – Whitby Wildcats vs Chicago Mission (Rink 1)
2:30 p.m. – Vaughan Kings vs Team Illinois (Rink 2)
7:05 pm – OHL Kingston Frontenacs vs. Sarnia Sting
Sunday November 13:
8:30 a.m. – Team Illinois vs Toronto Young Nationals (Rink 1)
9 a.m. – Chicago Mission vs Toronto Marlboros (Rink 2)
10:30 a.m. – Chicago Young Americans vs Vaughan Kings (Rink 1)
11 a.m. – Detroit Compuware vs Whitby Wildcats (Rink 2)
12:30 p.m. – Detroit Little Caesars vs Brampton 45s (Rink 1)
1 p.m. – Detroit Honeybaked vs London Jr. Knights (Rink 2)
