Spirit’s Matyas Sapovaliv named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Vegas Golden Knights prospect Matyas Sapovaliv of the Saginaw Spirit is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording four goals, seven assists, and 11 points in three victories.

Sapovaliv had a strong showing on Wednesday, registering three helpers to earn second star honours as the Spirit defeated the rival Flint Firebirds 6-3. The 6-foot-4, 195lb. centreman found the scoresheet again on Friday, tallying a goal and three assists in a 6-1 win over the Sarnia Sting. Sapovaliv closed out the weekend with a hat-trick along with an assist in Sunday’s 6-2 win over the Niagara IceDogs, earning first star honours as the Spirit’s 10th consecutive win established a new club record. Sapovaliv was a force in the faceoff circle last week, winning 64 percent (41-of-64) of his draws.

Selected in the first round, 15th overall by the Spirit in the 2021 CHL Import Draft, Sapovaliv has recorded 28 points (11-17-28) over 22 games this season. The Golden Knights’ second round (48th overall) pick in the 2022 NHL Draft continues his third season in Saginaw, playing to a career mark of 56 goals, 80 assists, and 136 points in 151 regular season matchups. The Kladno, Czechia native has represented his home country in each of the last two World Junior Hockey Championships, helping Czechia claim silver last year.

Also considered for the award this week, San Jose Sharks prospect Quentin Musty of the Sudbury Wolves contributed five goals and three assists to two wins last week. Winnipeg Jets prospect Jacob Julien of the London Knights was also productive, contributing five goals and an assist in three road games.

2023-24 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Matyas Sapovaliv (Saginaw Spirit)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Donovan McCoy (Peterborough Petes)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Denver Barkey (London Knights)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Braeden Kressler (Flint Firebirds)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Kirill Kudryavtsev (Soo Greyhounds)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Anthony Romani (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Carson Rehkopf (Kitchener Rangers)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Jordan D’Intino (Soo Greyhounds)
Sep. 28 – Oct. 1: Jax Dubois (Peterborough Petes)