OHL This Week: May 2 to 5, 2019
From 20 teams down to two. The Ottawa 67’s and Guelph Storm square off in the 2019 Rogers OHL Championship Series. Here’s a full look at that and more in the OHL This Week.
ROGERS OHL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES PREVIEW – #OTTvsGUE
The 2019 Rogers OHL Championship Series sees the Eastern Conference champion Ottawa 67’s enter play with a perfect 12-0 playoff record as they face the relentless Western Conference champion Guelph Storm for the J. Ross Robertson Cup. Series Preview
67’s SURGE PAST STORM IN GAME 1:
Marco Rossi scored in his return to the lineup and Sasha Chmelevski put up four points as the Ottawa 67’s overwhelmed the Guelph Storm 7-2 in Game 1 of the Rogers OHL Championship Series. Seven different players had multi-point performances as the Barber Poles tied an OHL playoff record with their 13th consecutive win, going 4-for-5 on the power play. Read more
2019 ROGERS OHL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES OFFICIATING TEAM:
Conrad Haché, OHL Director of Officiating, has assigned 12 officials for the Championship Series including six Referees and six Linesmen. Read more
OHL MOURNS THE LOSS OF RED KELLY:
The Ontario Hockey League family is deeply saddened by the loss of NHL legend and former Memorial Cup champion Leonard “Red” Kelly who passed away on Thursday in Toronto at the age of 91. Read more
GUELPH STORM ARE 2019 WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS:
The Guelph Storm captured the Wayne Gretzky Trophy as 2019 OHL Western Conference Champions, battling back from a 3-1 series deficit to eliminate the Saginaw Sprit with a 3-2 road win in Game 7 at the Dow Event Center. The remarkable comeback comes on the heels of Guelph overcoming a 3-0 hole against the London Knights in the second round of the OHL Playoffs, with Monday’s win improving Guelph’s record to a perfect 7-0 in elimination games. Recap / Photo Gallery
EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPION 67’s ROLL UP THEIR SLEEVES IN FLOOD RELIEF EFFORT:
Just two days after winning an Eastern Conference Championship, the Ottawa 67’s were in Constance Bay to assist those affected by flooding in the community. The team arrived and began filling sand bags to be transported to houses being affected by the flooding. Read more
REWARDING SEASON FOR TYE FELHABER:
Hard work and commitment has helped the overage forward achieve team and personal success leading his hometown Ottawa 67’s to a record year and signing with the Dallas Stars. Watch
STORM’S SUZUKI NAMED OHL MOST SPORTSMANLIKE PLAYER FOR THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR:
Montreal Canadiens prospect Nick Suzuki of the Guelph Storm is the 2018-19 recipient of the William Hanley Trophy awarded to the OHL’s Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year. Suzuki earns the award for a record third straight season after finishing 11th in league scoring by compiling 94 points including 34 goals and 60 assists along with a plus-minus rating of plus-40 in 59 games played. He recorded just 12 penalty minutes in 2018-19 which was lowest among the league’s top-14 point producers and third fewest among the league’s top-35. Read more
67’s’ TOURIGNY NAMED OHL COACH OF THE YEAR:
Ottawa 67’s is the 2018-19 recipient of the Matt Leyden Trophy awarded annually to the OHL’s Coach of the Year. With Tourigny behind the bench the 2018-19 67’s set a new franchise record with 106 points to claim their fourth Hamilton Spectator Trophy as the OHL’s first place team. They tied the franchise record of 50 wins set in 1983-84 with the league’s stingiest defence, one that surrendered just 183 goals. The 67’s won a league-high 29 games on home ice including a string of 14 straight from December 28 to March 3. The 29 home wins are also the most by the club since 1982-83. Read more
PROSPECTS HIT THE ICE IN KITCHENER AT 2019 OHL GOLD CUP:
Ontario’s top young prospects are suiting up for their respective minor hockey associations at the 2019 OHL Gold Cup taking place at the Activa Sportsplex in Kitchener this weekend. Of the 160 players competing at the event, 128 were chosen in April’s OHL Priority Selection, representing approximately 80% of the young athletes taking the ice at the annual event that runs from Thursday through Sunday. Read more / Day 1 Recap
CANADA SETTLES FOR FOURTH PLACE AT U18 WORLDS:
A three-goal second period gave the United States the boost it needed to skate past Canada 5-2 and claim bronze at the 2019 IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championship. Canada was kept off the podium for a fourth straight year, being outshot 41-23 in the Bronze Medal Game, finishing with a tournament record of 5-2. Read more
STORM’S SAMORUKOV NAMED OHL ‘ON THE RUN’ PLAYER OF THE WEEK:
Edmonton Oilers prospect Dmitri Samorukov of the Guelph Storm is the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week for the playoff week ending April 28 with eight points in four games including four goals and four assists and a plus-minus rating of plus-5. Samorukov delivered a first star performance when the Storm needed it most facing elimination on the road in Game 5 of the Western Conference Championship Series. Read more
STORM’S SUZUKI REPRESENTS OHL IN CIBC SHOWDOWN:
Guelph Storm forward Nick Suzuki is the OHL’s representative in this week’s CIBC Showdown featuring one great play from all three leagues. Watch & Vote
WAWANESA OHL PLAYS OF THE WEEK: THIRD ROUND OF PLAYOFFS:
Another bonus edition of the Wawanesa OHL Plays of the Week feature a collection of the league’s Top-5 goals scored during the third round of the 2019 OHL Playoffs. The highlights include rookie Marco Rossi of the Ottawa 67’s who takes the puck from the corner to the net, Ryan McLeod of the Saginaw Spirit with some impressive puck control in overtime, a big save by Spirit rookie Tristan Lennox leads to a tic-tac-toe play the other way with Reagan O’Grady scoring from Cole Cole Perfetti and Cole Coskey. Two Guelph Storm spin moves headline the list with defenceman Dmitri Samorukov completing his hat-trick in Game 5 and forward Nick Suzuki going backhand roof in Game 6. Watch
ROOKIES AND VETERANS RAISE THEIR GAME IN FINAL FOUR EDITION OF #JANESSAVES:
OHL rookies and veterans raise their game in the final four edition of #JanesSaves. Featured this week is Tristan Lennox of the Saginaw Spirit, Kyle Keyser of the Oshawa Generals, Anthony Popovich of the Guelph Storm, and Michael DiPietro of the Ottawa 67’s. Watch
SPIRIT’S McLEOD SIGNS WITH OILERS:
Saginaw Spirit forward Ryan McLeod has signed a three-year entry level NHL contract with the Edmonton Oilers. The 19-year-old from Mississauga, Ont. recently completed his fourth OHL season, recording 62 points (19-43–62) over 63 games between Saginaw and Mississauga this past season. The 6-foot-2, 207Ib centre helped guide the Spirit to their first ever Western Conference Championship Series appearance after they won their first West Division title since 2011. McLeod recorded 12 points (5-7–12) over 17 playoff contests with Saginaw. He’ll now join the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors in their playoff run. Read more
STORM’S PHILLIPS SIGNS WITH KINGS:
Guelph Storm defenceman Markus Phillips has signed a three-year entry level NHL contract with the Los Angeles Kings. The 20-year-old Toronto, Ont. product recorded 26 points (5-21–26) over 62 games between Guelph and Owen Sound this past season, helping the Storm reach the Rogers OHL Championship Series. Phillips was Los Angeles’ fourth round pick in the 2017 NHL Draft. He represented Canada at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship. Read more
STUART ROLOFS COMMITS TO KNIGHTS:
The London Knights have received a commitment from 2019 first round (20th overall) selection Stuart Rolofs. The 16-year-old 6-foot-1, 190Ib. winger form Carp, Ont. recorded 33 goals and 57 points over 39 games with the Kanata Lasers U18 program this past season. Read more
LAWSON SHERK COMMITS TO BULLDOGS:
The Hamilton Bulldogs have received a commitment from 2019 second round (40th overall) selection Lawson Sherk. The 6-foot, 175Ib. centre was the captain of the Halton Hurricanes Minor Midgets where he put up 51 points (16-35–51) over 32 games and was named OMHA SCTA Minor Midget Player of the Year. Read more
LANDON CATO COMMITS TO ICEDOGS:
The Niagara IceDogs have received a commitment from 2019 third round selection Landon Cato. The 6-foot-2 defender spent last season with the GTHL’s Toronto Nationals. He’ll be representing Team GTHL Blue at the upcoming OHL Gold Cup. Read more
GRUDEN AND MONTGOMERY COMMIT TO KNIGHTS:
The London Knights have received commitments from Ottawa Senators prospect Jonathan Gruden and 16-year-old free agent defenceman Bryce Montgomery. A fifth round pick by the Knights in 2016, Gruden recorded 12 goals and 15 points in 38 games at the University of Miami (Ohio) this past season and was a fourth round pick of the Ottawa Senators in 2018. A native of Bowie, Maryland, Montgomery spent last season at Cushing Academy, recording seven assists over 33 contests. The 6-foot-3, 200Ib. defender attended the Knights Development Camp this past spring. Read more
RECAPPING NINE SPRING DEVELOPMENT CAMPS IN APRIL:
Soon after the completion of the 2019 OHL Priority Selection and Under-18 Draft, nine Ontario Hockey League teams hosted Spring Development Camps in April. The weekend events gave teams an opportunity to meet the newest members of their organization while offering prospects an early look at the communities and facilities they hope to call home in September. Read more
TORONTO YOUNG NATIONALS CROWNED TELUS CUP MIDGET AAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONS:
Eight OHL prospects are Telus Cup Midget AAA National Champions as members of the Toronto Young Nationals. Joseph Martino scored 1:31 into the second overtime to put the Young Nats over the Magog Cantonniers by a score of 2-1 at Fort William Gardens in Thunder Bay, Ont. Martino’s goal made a winner out of Toronto netminder James Gray (Flint Firebirds) who turned in a 49-save performance to backstop his team to national supremacy. Read more
RANGERS C.O.O. STEVE BIENKOWSKI INDUCTED INTO WATERLOO REGION HALL OF FAME:
Kitchener Rangers Chief Operating Officer & Governor Steve Bienkowski was inducted into the Waterloo Region Hall of Fame this past week. Bienkowski is a two-time recipient of the OHL’s Executive of the Year Award, claiming the honour in both 2002-03 and 2011-12. The Waterloo Region Hall of Fame is generously supported by the Kitchener Sports Association, Region of Waterloo, and the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum. The Hall of Fame honours individuals and groups – now numbering more than 500 – for their significant contributions to the community. Watch the induction ceremony at kitchenerrangers.com.
ICEDOGS GM JOEY BURKE NAMED TO TOP 40 UNDER FORTY LIST:
Niagara IceDogs GM Joey Burke has been named to Business Link Media Group’s Top 40 under Forty list of recipients. He’ll be recognized at the 16th annual 40 Under Forty Business Achievement Awards. For more on the story visit niagaraicedogs.net.
JOB POSTING: OHL MANAGER OF MARKETING AND SPONSORSHIP:
The Ontario Hockey League is pleased to announce the opportunity for a Manager of Marketing & Sponsorship. The successful candidate will provide superior service to help our League and Member Teams with marketing and sponsorship programs, working as a part of an integrated team to support marketing operations. Full details
ALUMNI NOTES:
Grubauer posts first NHL playoff shutout: OHL graduate Philipp Grubauer posted his first career NHL playoff shutout on Thursday, turning aside 32 shots as the Colorado Avalanche blanked visiting San Jose 3-0. The playoff shutout is the first of Grubauer’s career since he was a member of the 2010 Memorial Cup champion Windsor Spitfires. The 27-year-old Rosenheim, Germany played to an 18-9 record this past season with a 2.64 goals-against average and .917 save percentage over 37 contests. Grubauer played three OHL seasons between Belleville, Windsor and Kingston from 2008-11, going 52-36-5-5 while backstopping the Spits to their second of back-to-back Memorial Cup championships.
Foegele on fire for Hurricanes: Erie Otters graduate and former OHL Playoff MVP Warren Foegele is making his mark with the Carolina Hurricanes, registering nine points (5-4–9) over 11 postseason contests. He has matched the Hurricanes/Whalers franchise record for most in a postseason by a rookie, a mark set by Erik Cole in 2002. Foegele and the Hurricanes are off to the Eastern Conference Final after eliminating the New York Islanders in four straight games. A 23-year-old product of Markham, Ont., Foegele played two OHL seasons between Kingston and Erie from 2015-17, registering 111 points (40-71–111) over 113 regular season games. His 26 points (13-13–26) in the 2017 OHL Playoffs steered the Erie Otters to a league title as he earned the Wayne Gretzky ’99’ Award.
McKegg’s first NHL playoff goal sends Canes to East Final: London Knights graduate Greg McKegg scored his first career NHL playoff goal on Friday, one that stood as the game winner as the Carolina Hurricanes advanced to the Eastern Conference Final. The Canes defeated the New York Islanders 5-2 as McKegg found the back of the net 3:17 into the second period. The 26-year-old St. Thomas, Ont. native recorded 11 points (6-5–11) over 41 games with Carolina this past season. McKegg was the 2nd overall pick of the 2008 OHL Priority Selection and went on to record 270 points (125-145–270) over 262 regular season games between London and Erie from 2008-12.
9 OHL grads to represent Canada at 2019 IIHF World Hockey Championship: A total of nine OHL graduates will suit up for Canada at the upcoming 2019 IIHF World Hockey Championship from May 10-26 in Kosice and Bratislava, Slovakia. Those names include goaltenders Mackenzie Blackwood (New Jersey Devils/Barrie Colts) and Matt Murray (Pittsburgh Penguins/Soo Greyhounds), blueliner Darnell Nurse (Edmonton Oilers/Soo Greyhounds) and forwards Tyler Bertuzzi (Detroit Red Wings/Guelph Storm), Anthony Cirelli (Tampa Bay Lightning/Erie Otters), Adam Henrique (Anaheim Ducks/Windsor Spitfires), Jared McCann (Pittsburgh Penguins/Soo Greyhounds), Dylan Strome (Chicago Blackhawks/Erie Otters) and John Tavares (Toronto Maple Leafs/London Knights. Read more
CHL Leaders: Steve Ferry enjoying life in financial services in Cayman Islands: Former London Knights defenceman Steve Ferry is working away in the financial services sector in the Cayman Islands. Beginning in the 2004-05 campaign, Ferry was a part of a London Knights squad that pieced together a record-setting 31-game unbeaten streak in a season that ultimately culminated in the franchise’s first-ever Memorial Cup championship. Read more
#OHLCHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE:
Saturday May 4th:
Guelph at Ottawa – 2:00pm (Game 2)
Monday May 6th:
Ottawa at Guelph – 7:00pm (Game 3)
Wednesday May 8th:
Ottawa at Guelph – 7:00pm (Game 4)
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.
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