OHL This Week: December 5 to 8, 2019
We’re into the month of December and that means Teddy Bear Tosses, World Junior camps and lots of news on the road to the 2020 OHL Cup Powered by Under Armour. Let’s dig in with the OHL This Week.
PAIR OF OHL CONTESTS ON SPORTSNET THIS WEEKEND:
The Ontario Hockey League will be front and centre on Sportsnet this weekend as the Owen Sound Attack visit the London Knights on Friday, a game that can be seen on Sportsnet East, Ontario & Pacific at 7:30pm. The scene shifts to Ottawa on Sunday at 2:00pm when the 67’s take on the QMJHL rival Gatineau Olympiques.
OHL ANNOUNCES PERFORMERS OF THE MONTH FOR NOVEMBER:
The Ontario Hockey League on Monday announced Top Performers of the Month for November including Hamilton’s Jan Jenik, Windsor’s Connor Corcoran, Kingston’s Shane Wright and Guelph’s Nico Daws.
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OHL ANNOUNCES ACADEMIC PLAYERS OF THE MONTH FOR NOVEMBER:
The Ontario Hockey League on Tuesday announced its Academic Players of the Month for November including Oshawa’s Lleyton Moore, Niagara’s Jonah De Simone, Kitchener’s Michael Vukojevic and Sarnia’s Ryan Mast.
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67’s, KNIGHTS, SPITFIRES AND PETES IN KIA CHL TOP 10:
The Ottawa 67’s are up to third in the 12th edition of the Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings following a dominant 3-0 showing last week. The London Knights, Windsor Spitfires and Peterborough Petes are also in the conversation.
FULL RANKINGS
67’s ROSSI NAMED OHL ‘ON THE RUN’ PLAYER OF THE WEEK:
Draft eligible Ottawa 67’s centreman Marco Rossi is the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week with 11 points including six goals and five assists along with a plus/minus rating of plus-8 in three games. Rossi helped the 67’s combine to score 21 goals over three games, extending their winning streak to seven while also becoming the OHL’s first 20 game winner.
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67’s TRIO NAMED TO VAUGHN CHL TEAM OF THE WEEK FOR NOV. 25 – DEC. 1:
Ottawa 67’s teammates Noel Hoefenmayer, Austen Keating and Marco Rossi were each included on the latest edition of the Vaughn CHL Team of the Week. Rossi and Keating both put up 11 points over three contests while Hoefenmayer logged six points over the three victories.
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12 OHL PLAYERS NAMED TO CANADA’S NATIONAL JUNIOR TEAM SELECTION CAMP:
Hockey Canada announced Monday the 12 OHL players invited to Canada’s National Junior Team Selection Camp set to take place at the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville, Ont. from Dec. 9-12. The 12 players are part of a 31-man camp roster.
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OHL PLAYERS FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE ATTENDING WORLD JUNIOR CAMPS:
Players from across the OHL are competing to represent their respective countries at World Junior Selection Camps in the coming days. The 2020 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship is set for Dec. 26-Jan. 5 in Ostrava and Trinec, Czech Republic while the IIHF World Junior Division 1, Group A Hockey Championship will take place from Dec. 9-15 in Minsk, Belarus.
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#PLAYERSFIRST – SCHOLARSHIP FLEXIBILITY:
The OHL Scholarship is designed with the flexibility to allow players to pursue professional hockey while still having an opportunity to access their earned scholarship. Kyle Pereira shares more on that in the latest OHL Players First Fact of the Week while London Knights graduate Aaron Berisha shares his story in this week’s alumni spotlight.
FACT OF THE WEEK / ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
5 QUESTIONS WITH FLINT FIREBIRDS FORWARD TY DELLANDREA:
Serving in his fourth season with the Flint Firebirds, and second as captain, Ty Dellandrea is a critical cog for the five-year-old franchise both on and off the ice, where he now stands as the club’s all-time leader in all major offensive categories. Dellandrea chatted with the CHL this past week.
FIVE QUESTIONS
PETES’ GALLANT REPRESENTS OHL IN CHL SHOWDOWN:
San Jose Sharks prospect Zach Gallant of the Peterborough Petes scores one of the nicest goals you’ll see all season as the OHL entry in CHL Showdown, a weekly contest that features one great play from all three leagues.
WATCH & VOTE
WAWANESA OHL PLAYS OF THE WEEK – DEC. 4, 2019:
The latest edition of the Wawanesa OHL Plays of the Week for the 2019-20 season feature a collection of the league’s Top-5 plays during the week ending December 1st. Included this week are Kingston Frontenacs defenceman Nick King who dances down the wing, Flint Firebirds forward Connor Roberts who tallies despite being tripped up, draft eligible Ottawa 67’s forward Marco Rossi who pulls off a sweet toe drag, Sudbury star Quinton Byfield completing his first OHL hat-trick in style and Peterborough Petes captain Zach Gallant scoring one of the nicest goals you’ll see all season.
WATCH
VAUGHN SAVES OF THE WEEK – DEC. 3, 2019:
December’s here and OHL goaltenders have delivered a big shipment of Vaughn Saves for your viewing pleasure. Featured are Hamilton’s Zach Roy, Kitchener’s Jacob Ingham, North Bay’s Joe Vrbetic, Guelph’s Nico Daws, Sarnia’s Ben Gaudreau, Niagara’s Tucker Tynan, Saginaw’s Marshall Frappier, Mississauga’s Kai Edmonds and Kingston’s Ryan Dugas.
WATCH
OHL CUP POWERED BY UNDER ARMOUR WEEK 2 TOP 10 RANKINGS:
The Quinte Red Devils rise to the top spot in the second edition of the weekly rankings after reaching the semi-final of the Gloria Rints Memorial International Silver Stick Tournament held this past weekend in Whitby, Ont. Quinte was the last Ontario-based team standing in the annual showcase as Detroit Honeybaked went on to win Sunday’s championship final.
FULL RANKINGS
OHL WEEKEND NOTEBOOK: DECEMBER 3, 2019:
The OHL Weekend Notebook recaps the weekend that was with news, information and interesting facts from both on and off the ice. Here are 10 of the leading stories from this past weekend.
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SPORTSNET UNVEILS 2020 NHL DRAFT RANKINGS FOR DECEMBER:
Sportsnet’s Sam Cosentino rolled out his 2020 NHL Draft prospect rankings for December earlier this week, with four OHL players occupying spots in the top 10. Sudbury Wolves forward Quinton Byfield held down the number two spot behind Rimouski Oceanic star Alexis Lafreniere. Other OHL talent inside the top 10 includes Saginaw’s Cole Perfetti, Ottawa’s Marco Rossi and Erie’s Jamie Drysdale.
READ MORE AT SPORTSNET.CA
PETES EXTEND CONTRACT OF GENERAL MANAGER MIKE OKE:
The Peterborough Petes announced Tuesday that General Manager Mike Oke’s contract has been extended through the 2021-22 season. Under Oke, the Petes currently sit in first place in the Ontario Hockey League, and have been listed in the Kia CHL Top 10 rankings for three consecutive weeks. The team has compiled a record of 197-191-10-24, including three playoff series wins, five playoff appearances, and the team’s first division title since 2006 with Oke at the helm.
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DETROIT HONEYBAKED WINS WHITBY SILVER STICK TOURNAMENT:
An American entry has been crowned Silver Stick champion for a second straight year as Detroit Honeybaked marched to a perfect 7-0 record, outscoring opponents 43-8 on their way to their fourth Minor Midget title following past triumphs in 2005, 2011 and 2014.
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OMHA MINOR MIDGET SHOWCASE SET FOR THIS WEEKEND:
The OMHA Minor Midget Showcase will feature top 2020 OHL Priority Selection prospects hitting the ice at the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville, Ont. this coming weekend. The event marks one of the few times all season that all of the OMHA teams will be under one roof competing at the same time. There will be a live-streaming of each game on the OMHA website. Check out omha.net for a full schedule and list of players to watch.
FULL DETAILS AT OMHA.NET
COMMUNITY CORNER:
Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award winner Rico Phillips shares community vision with OHL clubs: In a city that hockey had once escaped, Rico Phillips and the Flint Firebirds have been working together to build it all back. Earlier this week, Phillips opened the OHL 2020s Vision meetings with some encouraging words on community.
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Bears take flight across the OHL this weekend: A number of OHL teams will be hosting Teddy Bear Toss Nights this weekend, beginning Thursday with the Barrie Colts, Oshawa Generals and Peterborough Petes, Friday with the Sarnia Sting, Saturday with the Niagara IceDogs in ugly Christmas sweaters and Sunday with the Mississauga Steelheads. The Kitchener Rangers will host their Teddy Bear Toss on Tuesday.
Frontenacs to honour Chris Clifford in Canadians jerseys on Friday: For the first time in over 30 years, the Kingston Canadians will hit OHL ice as the Kingston Frontenacs honour former goaltender Chris Clifford on Friday. Clifford, who played for the Canadians from 1983 to 1987, held the franchise record of 75 career wins by a goaltender. That record stood for 31 years until being broken by Kingston Frontenacs netminder Jeremy Helvig in 2018.
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Storm teaming up with GuelphToday for “Books For Kids” this Friday: As the Storm take on the Barrie Colts Friday night, volunteers at the entrance of the Sleeman Centre will be collecting new books that will be delivered to the Salvation Army and handed out as part of their annual hamper program this holiday season. In the past two years, GuelphToday has assisted in the distribution of over 2,000 books.
MORE INFO AT GUELPHSTORM.COM
Petes host Girls Hockey Night this Saturday: The Petes will be celebrating minor girls’ hockey teams this Saturday when they face the Kingston Frontenacs. Messages from iconic female hockey legends will be announced throughout the night.
FULL DETAILS AT GOPETESGO.COM
Superhero Night in Saginaw on Saturday: Saginaw Spirit fans are invited to dress up as their favourite superhero on Saturday as the Spirit host Superhero Night at the Dow Event Center. The Spirit will be suiting up in special themed jerseys for the contest and the first 1,000 fans into the Dow Event Center will receive a free cape!
67’s host Wawanesa Toy Drive on Sunday: The Ottawa 67’s square off against their cross-river QMJHL rival the Gatineau Olympiques on Sunday afternoon on Sportsnet, a game that also includes the Wawanesa Toy Drive. Ottawa fans can get the warm and fuzzies by donating a new and unwrapped toy at the game.
FULL DETAILS
Storm host Toy Drive on Sunday: A Sunday afternoon matchup between the Guelph Storm and visiting London Knights will feature a Toy Drive in support of the Salvation Army. Fans are encouraged to bring new toys for donation and participate in the puck toss, which will also benefit the Salvation Army. Prizes for the puck toss include a team-autographed jersey and team-autographed stick.
READ MORE AT GUELPHSTORM.COM
ALUMNI NOTES:
Carlson scores 100th career NHL goal: The red hot John Carlson kept producing on Wednesday, scoring twice to help the Washington Capitals defeat the Los Angeles Kings 3-1. The London Knights graduate scored the 100th and 101st goals of his NHL career to widen his lead atop the NHL’s leading scorers from the blue line. Carlson now has 42 points (11-31–42) through 30 games. Carlson becomes the fifth defenceman in Capitals franchise history to score 100 goals with the club. He’s also the first defenceman to reach the 30-assist mark in 29 or fewer games since New York Rangers rearguard Brian Leetch did it in 2000-01.
Ward takes the reins in Calgary: In the wake of Bill Peters’ resignation late last week, former OHL head coach Geoff Ward has been named the interim head coach of the Calgary Flames. Ward’s coaching career has made several stops since he served as head coach of the Kitchener Rangers and Guelph Storm between 1994-99. The 57-year-old Waterloo region native has served stints in Europe and the AHL but has been working as an assistant at the NHL level since 2007. Ward spent seven years as an assistant in Boston, hoisting the Stanley Cup in 2010-11. He was an assistant in New Jersey from 2015-18 and is currently in his second season with the Flames organization.
Stillman carrying on family tradition: Hamilton Bulldogs graduate and former OHL champion Riley Stillman is following in his father’s footsteps. The son of Sudbury Wolves head coach and two-time Stanley Cup champion Cory Stillman, Riley is rounding out his game with the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds, top affiliate of the Florida Panthers who selected him the fourth round of the 2016 NHL Draft. The 6-foot-1 rearguard has five points (3-2–5) through 17 games in Springfield this season. TheAHL.com’s Ryan Smith brings us up to speed on the family connections of the OHL graduate.
READ MORE AT THEAHL.COM
Red hot Noesen recalled by Penguins: OHL graduate Stefan Noesen is getting another crack in the NHL. The 26-year-old has put up 22 points (14-8–22) in as many games with the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and scored in his season debut with the Pittsburgh Penguins upon being called up on Wednesday. The former Plymouth Whalers forward and first round NHL Draft pick has played in 160 career NHL contests between Pittsburgh, New Jersey and Anaheim. The native of Plano, Tx. registered 220 points (99-121–220) over 215 career OHL regular season contests, all in a Whalers uniform from 2009-13.
READ MORE AT POST-GAZETTE.COM
Luukkonen named ECHL Goaltender of the Month: Reigning OHL Player of the Year Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has been named the ECHL’s Goaltender of the Month. The Sudbury Wolves graduate has been making his way back from hip surgery and appears to be back in top form, playing to a 6-2-1 record with two shutouts, a 1.88 goals-against average and a save percentage of .925 with the Cincinnati Cyclones last month. The 20-year-old set Wolves franchise records with a 2.50 goals-against average and six shutouts last season, earning both OHL Goaltender of the Year and Red Tilson Trophy honours.
READ MORE AT ECHL.COM
5 OHL graduates ready to compete for U SPORTS All-Stars:
Five OHL graduates will suit up for the U SPORTS All-Stars at Canada’s National Junior Team Selection Camp. Josh Burnside (Carleton/Mississauga), Mikel Aagaard (Guelph/Sudbury), Kris Bennett (UNB/Saginaw), Bryson Cianfrone (StFX/Owen Sound) and Mathew Santos (Ryerson/North Bay) will all be going up against Canada’s National Junior Team hopefuls.
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Van Schubert named OUA Male Athlete of the Week: Former OHL netminder Bradley Van Schubert has been named the OUA’s Male Athlete of the Week. The RMC Paladins goaltender picked up a pair of victories over the weekend , getting the job done against Laurentian and McGill. The second-year Officer Cadet snapped the Paladins’ 30-game losing streak against McGill with an outstanding 39-save performance. He sits third in the OUA with 457 saves this season. The 6-foot-4 netminder from Barrie, Ont. played parts of three OHL seasons between Guelph, North Bay and Owen Sound from 2014-17.
KEY MATCHUPS:
Ottawa 67’s at Gatineau Olympiques
Friday, December 6
The 67’s are heading over the bridge for the first of their two-game “Battle of the Ottawa River” series with the QMJHL’s Gatineau Olympiques on Friday. The Barber Poles will be carrying a seven-game win streak with them to the Robert Guertin Arena, while the Olympiques will be hungry for victory following two consecutive losses. Leading 67 Marco Rossi, expected to hear his name called high in the upcoming NHL Draft, is riding a nine-game point streak in which he’s accumulated 23 (11-12-23). He sits fifth in OHL scoring with 49 points and second in assists with 33. Ottawa netminder Cedrick Andree boasts a second-best 2.62 goals against average and fifth-best .911 save percentage. The 67’s will host the Olympiques back at TD Place on Sunday to finish out the series, hoping to keep the Alexandra Cup, which is awarded to the winner of the series, at home. Ottawa won the Cup last season, in its inaugural year, with a 5-1 win.
London Knights at Guelph Storm
Sunday, December 8
The London Knights will round out their weekend at the Sleeman Centre this Sunday after facing off against the first place Petes and the Owen Sound Attack. The Knights are currently riding a seven-game win streak led by leading OHL scorer and Washington Capitals prospect Connor McMichael, who has 56 points to his name. Guelph is 8-1-0-1 in their last 10 games, while London boasts a 9-1-0-0 tally. Both teams have similarly strong home records, with London at 9-1-0-0 and Guelph, 8-1-0-1. The Storm will play host to the Barrie Colts Friday before welcoming the Knights.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
Thursday, December 5th:
Soo at Niagara – 7:00pm
Kingston at Oshawa – 7:05pm
London at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Kitchener at Windsor – 7:05pm
Flint at Barrie – 7:30pm
Friday, December 6th:
Ottawa at Gatineau – 7:00pm
Soo at Erie – 7:00pm
Peterborough at Kingston – 7:00pm
Hamilton at Mississauga – 7:00pm
Saginaw at Sarnia – 7:05pm
Flint at Sudbury – 7:05pm
Barrie at Guelph – 7:30pm
Oshawa at Kitchener – 7:30pm
Owen Sound at London – 7:30pm (Sportsnet Ontario, East & Pacific)
Saturday, December 7th:
Mississauga at Hamilton – 4:00pm
Sarnia at Niagara – 7:00pm
Kingston at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Windsor at Saginaw – 7:05pm
Kitchener at Owen Sound – 7:30pm
Sunday, December 8th:
Sarnia at Erie – 2:00pm
London at Guelph – 2:00pm
Soo at Mississauga – 2:00pm
Flint at North Bay – 2:00pm
Gatineau at Ottawa – 2:00pm (Sportsnet)
Barrie at Sudbury – 2:05pm
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