Decade in Review: 2014-15
A big, fast and physical Oshawa Generals club continued to build upon the legacy of one of the most decorated franchises in OHL history as the Gennies hoisted the Robertson Cup for a record 13th time before capturing their sixth Memorial Cup on overtime heroics from Anthony Cirelli.
Oshawa came up just short of the Hamilton Spectator Trophy during the regular season, going 51-11-2-4 with 108 points. DJ Smith’s club cruised through the OHL Playoffs, eliminating Peterborough, Niagara and North Bay before squaring off with Connor McDavid, Dylan Strome and the Erie Otters in the OHL Championship Series. Oshawa’s size and strength made the difference in a five-game series as the Generals punched their ticket to the 2015 Memorial Cup in Quebec City where they went 3-0 in the round robin and defeated the Kelowna Rockets 2-1 in overtime on Cirelli’s game winner.
The 2014-15 Generals were stingy defensively, surrendering just 157 goals against as Ken Appleby set a new franchise record with a league-leading 2.08 goals-against average during the regular season. The Generals greatly benefitted by GM Roger Hunt’s midseason additions of Michael McCarron, Matt Mistele and Dakota Mermis who came in and complimented offensive producers in Michael Dal Colle, Cole Cassels and Tobias Lindberg.
Strome led the entire CHL in scoring with 129 points (45-84–129), riding shotgun with McDavid who trailed close behind with 120 (44-76–120) to earn the Red Tilson Trophy as OHL Player of the Year. Otters rookie Alex DeBrincat lit the lamp a league-leading 51 times, marking his first of three consecutive 50+ goal seasons. London Knights forward Mitch Marner was also among the League’s scoring leaders with 126 points (44-82–126) to his credit.
The OHL shone at the 2015 NHL Draft, with McDavid going first overall to the Edmonton Oilers followed by Strome third overall to the Arizona Coyotes and Marner fourth overall to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Among the prominent names in the OHL’s graduating class of 2014-15, Max Domi (London Knights/Montreal Canadiens) wrapped up a four-year career with 331 points and McDavid (Erie Otters/Edmonton Oilers) finished with 285 points over just three seasons. Other notables include OHL Defenceman of the Year Anthony DeAngelo (Soo Greyhounds/New York Rangers), Sam Bennett (Kingston Frontenacs/Calgary Flames), Tyler Bertuzzi (Guelph Storm/Detroit Red Wings), Jared McCann (Soo Greyhounds/Pittsburgh Penguins), Nick Ritchie (Soo Greyhounds/Anaheim Ducks), Jason Dickinson (Guelph Storm/Dallas Stars).
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