OHL This Week: April 4 to 7, 2019
The second round of the 2019 OHL Playoffs is set to begin and the 2019 OHL Priority Selection presented by Real Canadian Superstore takes place this coming weekend. Get the scoop on all that and more in the latest edition of the OHL This Week.
2019 OHL PLAYOFFS – SECOND ROUND SCHEDULE:
The first round of the 2019 Ontario Hockey League Playoffs wrapped up Saturday with the Oshawa Generals becoming the eighth and final team to advance to the Conference Semi-Finals. With their victory, all four second round matchups have been confirmed and for the third straight season they include the top four seeds on both sides. The puck drops on second round action beginning Friday night, April 5th. Full Schedule / Eastern Conference Semi-Final Preview / Western Conference Semi-Final Preview
2019 OHL PRIORITY SELECTION PRESENTED BY REAL CANADIAN SUPERSTORE SET FOR SATURDAY:
The top young talent from across Ontario and the United States will take centre stage this coming Saturday as the 2019 OHL Priority Selection presented by Real Canadian Superstore gets underway at 9:00am. The annual event will be held online for the 19th year with a live Draft Show hosted by Terry Doyle hitting the airwaves at ontariohockeyleague.com beginning at 9:00am. Order of Selection / Preview Guide
A CLOSER LOOK AT TOP 2019 #OHLDRAFT PROSPECTS:
With the 2019 OHL Priority Selection Presented by Real Canadian Superstore just over a week away, we take the opportunity to get a closer look at names expected to be called early in the proceedings on Saturday April 6th. Click on the names of the following top prospects to get a better idea of what they will bring to the Ontario Hockey League: Liam Arnsby / Josh Bloom / Brandt Clarke / Ethan Del Mastro / Isaac Enright / Ben Gaudreau / Artem Guryev / Jacob Holmes / Connor Lockhart / Mason McTavish / Justin O’Donnell / Brennan Othmann / Francesco Pinelli / Roman Schmidt / Shane Wright / Danny Zhilkin
FRONTENACS EYE FRANCHISE CORNERSTONE WITH FIRST OVERALL PICK:
The first overall pick of the 2019 OHL Priority Selection presented by Real Canadian Superstore will be a first for the Kingston Frontenacs. The Kingston Raiders selected defenceman Drake Berehowsky first overall in the 1988 OHL Priority Selection before becoming the Frontenacs a year later. Since then, the Fronts haven’t had the opportunity to pick first in their 30 seasons in black and gold. The club will introduce their historic selection on Friday morning. Read more
FIRST OVERALL PICK BYFIELD RUNNING WITH THE WOLVES:
From pulling a Sudbury Wolves jersey over his head for the first time last April to leading the pack through the first round of the playoffs, Quinton Byfield is enjoying the ride through his first OHL season. Chosen first overall by the Wolves in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection presented by Real Canadian Superstore, Byfield has made big strides in his first season. Read more
#OHLDRAFT REWIND: REVISITING STRONG ROOKIE PERFORMANCES:
Last year’s 2018 OHL Priority Selection featured a number of high profile names that went on to have productive rookie campaigns. Here’s a closer look at a few of those highlights. Read more
TEAM EKBLAD WINS 2019 OHL DEVELOPMENT COMBINE:
Team Ekblad emerged victorious at the 2019 OHL Development Combine that wrapped up on Sunday at the Tribute Communities Centre in Oshawa, Ont. Draft eligible prospects had the opportunity to showcase their on-ice skills in a series of games played before scouts and general managers to assist in their evaluation prior to the OHL Priority Selection. Read more / On & Off-Ice Testing
OHL ANNOUNCES 2018-19 AWARDS FINALISTS:
The Ontario Hockey League announced Thursday the finalists for seven of the league’s major awards for the 2018-19 regular season. Six of the seven awards are voted on by OHL Member Teams including Rookie of the Year, Overage Player of the Year, Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Goaltender of the Year, and Defenceman of the Year. Teams were asked to submit one nominee from their club for consideration on the ballot and were not permitted to vote for the player from their own hockey club. The first stage of voting was by conference only with the top three players from each conference making the final ballot which is voted on by all 20 OHL General Managers. Read more
OHL CELEBRATES FIVE SEASONS OF #TALKTODAY:
The Ontario Hockey League, in association with the Canadian Mental Health Association, and Teachers Life, are proud to celebrate five full seasons of the Talk Today program. Since its inception, Talk Today has made a sizable impact in the OHL with 1,070 players, and over 500 coaches, billets, and staff receiving mental health and suicide prevention training to date. The partnership has expanded to include a mental health awareness seminar as part of the OHL/OHF Under-15 Program of Excellence since April, 2015, and is in the third season of a partnership with all 60 teams across the Canadian Hockey League. Read more
BOQVIST AND DHILLON NAMED CHL PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK:
London Knights defenceman Adam Boqvist and Niagara IceDogs goaltender Stephen Dhillon have been named CHL Performers of the Week. The Chicago Blackhawks first round pick Boqvist scored six times in two games, helping the Knights eliminate the Windsor Spitfires in four straight games. Also the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week, Dhillon claims Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week honours for the third time this season after going 3-0 with two shutouts as the Niagara IceDogs eliminated the North Bay Battalion. Read more
WAWANESA OHL PLAYS OF THE WEEK: FIRST ROUND OF PLAYOFFS:
This bonus edition of the Wawanesa OHL Plays of the Week feature a collection of the league’s Top-5 goals scored during the first round of the 2019 OHL Playoffs. The highlights include a quick Ottawa 67’s breakout with a give-and-go between Graeme Clarke and Sasha Chmelevski, some beautiful puck movement by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds that starts and ends with Morgan Frost, dirty dangles by Oshawa Generals captain Kyle MacLean, an end-to-end rush by defenceman Bode Wilde of the Saginaw Spirit, and a jaw dropping inside-outside deke by Alexey Toropchenko of the Guelph Storm. Watch
GENERALS’ KEYSER REPRESENTS OHL IN CIBC SHOWDOWN:
Oshawa Generals goaltender Kyle Keyser is the OHL’s representative in this week’s CIBC Showdown featuring one great play from all three leagues. Watch & Vote
HIGHWAY ROBBERY IN JANES SAVES OF THE WEEK:
Somebody call Crime Stoppers because OHL goaltenders are guilty of robbery in this playoff edition of #JanesSaves. Featured this week is Kyle Keyser of the Oshawa Generals, Matthew Villalta of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, Christian Propp of the North Bay Battalion, Hunter Jones of the Peterborough Petes, Zachary Roy of the Hamilton Bulldogs, Mack Guzda of the Owen Sound Attack, and Ivan Prosvetov of the Saginaw Spirit. Watch
STORM’S DURZI SIGNS WITH KINGS:
Overage Guelph Storm defenceman Sean Durzi has signed a three-year entry level NHL contract with the Los Angeles Kings. The 20-year-old Mississauga, Ont. native appeared in 35 contests between Guelph and Owen Sound this past season, recording 37 points (11-26–37). He picked up five points (0-5–5) in Guelph’s first round sweep of the Kitchener Rangers. Originally Toronto’s second round pick last summer, Durzi was dealt to Los Angeles in a deal that saw the Leafs acquire veteran defender Jake Muzzin. Read more
RANGERS’ DAMIANI SIGNS WITH STARS:
Kitchener Rangers forward Riley Damiani has signed a three-year entry level NHL contract with the Dallas Stars. The 18-year-old from Mississauga, Ont. recorded 85 points (30-55–85) over 58 games in Kitchener this past season. Damiani was originally Dallas’ fifth round pick in the 2018 NHL Draft. Read more
BULLDOGS’ JENIK SIGNS WITH COYOTES:
Hamilton Bulldogs forward Jan Jenik has signed a three-year entry level NHL contract with the Arizona Coyotes. The 18-year-old from Nymburk, Czech Rep. put up 30 points (13-17–30) over 27 games with the Bulldogs this season after beginning the year in the Czech professional ranks. Jenik was Arizona’s third round pick in 2018. Read more
BATTALION’S BRAZEAU SIGNS AHL CONTRACT WITH TORONTO MARLIES:
North Bay Battalion overage captain Justin Brazeau has signed a two-year AHL contract with the Toronto Marlies. Brazeau scored a single season franchise record 61 goals to lead the OHL this past season. The 21-year-old from New Liskeard, Ont. put up a total of 113 points (61-52–113) over 68 games, the second-highest total in the league. Read more
OHL PLAYERS JOIN PRO RANKS TO FINISH SEASON:
A number of OHL players have joined professional clubs to finish out the 2018-19 season. The following players are getting a taste of the next level: Trent Bourque (Owen Sound Attack/Belleville Senators, AHL), Dennis Busby (Flint Firebirds/Tucson Roadrunners, AHL), Theo Calvas (North Bay Battalion/Toledo Walleye, ECHL), Declan Chisholm (Peterborough Petes/Manitoba Moose, AHL), Riley Damiani (Kitchener Rangers/Texas Stars, AHL), Ty Dellandrea (Flint Firebirds/Texas Stars, AHL), Semyon Der-Arguchintsev (Peterborough Petes/Newfoundland Growlers, ECHL), Aidan Dudas (Owen Sound Attack/Ontario Reign, AHL), Mitch Eliot (Sarnia Sting/Utica Comets, AHL), Zach Gallant (Peterborough Petes/Toledo Walleye, ECHL), Jacob Ingham (Mississauga Steelheads/Ontario Reign, AHL), Alexey Lipanov (Kitchener Rangers/Orlando Solar Bears, ECHL), Ryan McGregor (Sarnia Sting/Toronto Marlies, AHL), Hakon Nilsen (Flint Firebirds/Wichita Thunder, ECHL), Matej Pekar (Barrie Colts/Rochester Americans, AHL), Matthew Strome (Hamilton Bulldogs/Lehigh Valley Phantoms, AHL), Matthew Struthers (North Bay Battalion/Laval Rocket, AHL).
MAX DODIG COMMITS TO STEELHEADS:
The Mississauga Steelheads have received a commitment from 2018 14th round selection Max Dodig. The 2002 Toronto-born winger spent 2018-19 playing for the Mississauga Reps Midget AAA team where he collected 13 goals and 22 assists for 35 points over 50 games. Read more
OHL GRAD BRETT GIBSON NAMED HEAD COACH OF CANADA’S NATIONAL UNDER-18 TEAM:
Hockey Canada has named OHL graduate Brett Gibson (Queen’s University) head coach of Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team for the 2019 IIHF U18 World Championship, April 18-28 in Örnsköldsvik and Umeå, Sweden. Gibson, who was last behind the bench internationally for Team Canada White at the 2018 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, will be joined by assistant coaches Serge Aubin (Val-d’Or, Que.) and Dave Struch (Flin Flon, Man./Regina, WHL). Read more
#CHLPREDICTOR CONTEST CONTINUES:
Choose second round playoff winners from across the Canadian Hockey League, earn points for correct selections, and have the opportunity to win great prizes! Register at CHLFanbase.ca to play.
OHF CHAMPIONSHIPS UNDERWAY:
OHL picks as well as Under-18 Priority Selection prospects are currently competing in the Central Region Midget AAA Championship in Bowmanville. The event includes the host Clarington Toros, Pembroke Lumber Kings (HEO), North Bay Trappers (NOHA), Elgin Middlesex Chiefs (ALLIANCE), Toronto Young Nationals (GTHL), and Kingston Jr. Frontenacs (OMHA) battling for a berth in the 2019 TELUS Cup, Canada’s National Midget Championship, happening April 22-29 in Thunder Bay.
The 2019 All-Ontario Bantam AAA Championship is also underway in Toronto and proudly sponsored by the OHL. Next year’s crop of Priority Selection prospects on the host Toronto Titans, Toronto Marlboros (GTHL), Elgin Middlesex Chiefs (ALLIANCE), Soo Jr. Greyhounds (NOHA), Quinte Red Devils (OMHA), Thunder Bay Kings (HNO), and Eastern Ontario Wild (HEO) are competing for a provincial title through the weekend. Both events can be followed here.
ALUMNI NOTES:
Senyshyn makes NHL debut, scores first career goal: Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds graduate Zach Senyshyn was called up to the Boston Bruins this week and made his NHL debut Thursday night where he was rewarded with his first career goal. The 22-year-old from Ottawa scored the third goal in a 3-0 victory over the Minnesota Wild after playing most of the season in Providence where he’s tallied a career-high 14 goals in 62 games. In four seasons with the Greyhounds, Senyshyn scored 114 goals including back-to-back seasons of more than 40 in 2016 and 2017. He was selected by the Bruins with the 15th overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft.
Brown sets new Kings games played record: Guelph Storm graduate Dustin Brown became the new all-time games played leader in Los Angeles Kings franchise history on Thursday. Brown suited up in his 1,112th career contest, surpassing Dave Taylor on the club’s all-time list. The 34-year-old from Ithaca, NY has 49 points (22-27–49) in 69 games in this, his 15th NHL season. A three-time OHL Scholastic Player of the Year, Brown played three seasons in Guelph from 2000-03, recording 194 points (98-96–194) over 174 regular season games. He was chosen by Los Angeles 13th overall in the 2003 NHL Draft. Brown has amassed 616 points (282-334–616) over 1,114 career regular season games, all spent in a Kings uniform.
Bertuzzi sets Red Wings record: Guelph Storm graduate Tyler Bertuzzi caught fire this past week with the Detroit Red Wings becoming the first player in the club’s historic tenure to record three points in four consecutive games. This marks the first full NHL season for the Sudbury native who has 47 points through 72 games after splitting time last season between the big club and the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins. The former Calder Cup champion also won an OHL title with the Storm in 2014, his third season of a four year career in Guelph that ended with a 98 point campaign in 2015.
Binnington named NHL Rookie of the Month: Owen Sound Attack graduate has earned NHL top rookie honours for the second straight month. The St. Louis Blues goaltender went 6-3-0 with a 2.37 goals-against average and .912 save percentage in nine appearances. Binnington has gone 22-5-1 with a 1.78 goals-against average, .931 save percentage and five shutouts this season to help St. Louis return to the postseason following a one-year absence. The 25-year-old product of Gravenhurst, Ont. played four seasons in Owen Sound, winning a championship with the Attack in 2011. He was the OHL’s Goaltender of the Year in 2013 after being chosen by the Blues in the third round of the 2011 NHL Draft.
Hamilton plays 500th NHL game: Niagara IceDogs graduate Dougie Hamilton played his 500th career NHL regular season game on Thursday. The 25-year-old defenceman is in the midst of his seventh NHL season and first with the Carolina Hurricanes. Hamilton played four seasons in Niagara from 2009-13, recording 187 points (40-147–187) over 213 career regular season games. Hamilton was originally the ninth overall pick of the 2011 NHL Draft by the Boston Bruins. He spent three seasons in Boston and three with the Calgary Flames prior to joining Carolina.
Nedeljkovic named AHL Goaltender of the Month: Niagara IceDogs graduate Alex Nedeljkovic has been named AHL Goaltender of the Month. The 23-year-old native of Parma, Ohio went 6-2-1 with a 1.46 goals-against average, .945 save percentage and two shutouts with the Charlotte Checkers, AHL affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes. Since Jan. 1, Nedeljkovic has gone 17-3-3 and has allowed two goals or fewer in 21 of his 23 starts; he owns a record of 32-8-5 in 48 appearances overall and currently leads the AHL in victories, goals-against average (2.24) and minutes played (2,738). Nedeljkovic played four OHL seasons between Plymouth, Flint and Niagara, being named the League’s Goaltender of the Year in 2014.
Terry records 500th AHL point: OHL graduate Chris Terry recorded his 500th career AHL point on Sunday. The Grand Rapids Griffins forward has 60 points (28-32–60) over 64 games with the Gryphons in this, his eighth full AHL season. The 30-year-old Brampton, Ont. native has played in 152 NHL contests between Carolina and Montreal. He played four seasons with the Plymouth Whalers from 2005-09, recording 289 points (114-175–289) over 253 career regular season contests. The former OHL Humanitarian of the Year led the AHL in scoring with 71 points last season.
Betzold named ECHL Player of the Month: Peterborough Petes graduate Greg Betzold has been named the ECHL’s Player of the Month for March. The Kansas City Mavericks forward scored eight goals and added 16 assists for 24 points in 16 games during the month. A native of Bel Air, Maryland, Betzold has 55 points (25g-30a) in 68 games with the Mavericks this season. Betzold played four seasons in Peterborough from 2012-16, finishing with 168 points (88-80–168) over 244 regular season games.
Helvig named ECHL Goaltender of the Month: Kingston Frontenacs graduate Jeremy Helvig has been named the ECHL Goaltender of the Week as well as the league’s Goaltender of the Month for March. The Florida Everblades netminder went 8-0-1 with a 1.96 goals-against average and a save percentage of .933 in 10 appearances during the month. Helvig leads ECHL rookies, and is third overall with 26 wins, ranks fourth with a 2.26 goals-against average and is tied for seventh with a .918 save percentage in 38 games with the Everblades this season. The 21-year-old from Markham, Ont. played four seasons in Kingston, finishing with a franchise record 81 career wins along with a 2.75 goals-against average and .910 save percentage over 156 regular season games. He was Carolina’s fifth round pick in 2016.
CHL Leaders – Johnson Andrews: Former Niagara IceDogs forward Johnson Andrews pursued an education and is now enjoying a new position in the mortgage services industry. A native of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., Andrews suited up for the OHL’s IceDogs, based in nearby St. Catharines, for part of five seasons before electing to pursue his education at local Brock University. At Brock, Andrews majored in accounting and finance, then added his master’s in business administration, an academic background that helped him secure his current position as a credit analyst with the Vine Group, a mortgage services provider. Read more
SCHEDULE:
Friday April 5th:
Sudbury at Ottawa – 7:00pm (Game 1)
Oshawa at Niagara – 7:00pm (Game 1)
Sault Ste. Marie at Saginaw – 7:05pm (Game 1)
Guelph at London – 7:30pm (Game 1)
Sunday April 7th:
Sudbury at Ottawa – 2:00pm (Game 2)
Oshawa at Niagara – 2:00pm (Game 2)
Guelph at London – 2:00pm (Game 2)
Sault Ste. Marie at Saginaw – 5:30pm (Game 2)
Monday April 8th:
London at Guelph – 7:00pm (Game 3)
Tuesday April 9th:
Ottawa at Sudbury – 7:05pm (Game 3)
Niagara at Oshawa – 7:05pm (Game 3)
Saginaw at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07pm (Game 3)
The Ontario Hockey League, in association with its digital media partner NeuLion, are proud to offer special packages and rates for OHL Live coverage of the 2019 OHL Playoffs. Powered by NeuLion, OHL Live provides coverage of all 20 teams in the OHL delivering all games throughout the regular season and playoffs.
Single Round Team Pass Home and Away: $25.99
Playoff All Access : $79.99
*All prices in Canadian dollars
In addition to these packages, OHL Live continues to offer single game passes and are available at a rate of $7.99 per game.
