OHL This Week: November 1 to 4, 2018
The calendar flips to November as another exciting weekend of OHL action is on the horizon. Here’s a look across the league.
OHL ANNOUNCES TOP PERFORMERS FOR OCTOBER:
The Ontario Hockey League today announced the Top OHL Performers of the Month for regular season games played in October 2018, including North Bay Battalion forward Justin Brazeau, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds defenceman Mac Hollowell and Ottawa 67’s teammates Marco Rossi and Cedrick Andree. Read more
TEAM OHL LEADERSHIP GROUP ANNOUNCED FOR 2018 CIBC CANADA RUSSIA SERIES:
Nick Suzuki of the Owen Sound Attack and Jack Studnicka of the Oshawa Generals will serve as Team OHL captains for the 2018 CIBC Canada Russia Series. Suzuki will lead Team OHL in Game 3 of the series against the Russian National Junior Team taking place in Sarnia on Thursday November 8, while Studnicka will wear the ‘C’ in front of his home Oshawa crowd for Game 4 on Monday November 12. In addition, the OHL has announced that forwards Barrett Hayton of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and Owen Tippett of the Mississauga Steelheads will serve as alternate captains for Team OHL. Read more
67’s AND GREYHOUNDS IN KIA CHL TOP 10 RANKINGS:
The Ottawa 67’s are on the rise in the Week 7 edition of the Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings. The Barber Poles rise to number two on the list while the Soo Greyhounds also climb to eighth in the CHL. Full Rankings
KIA CHL TOP 10 SPOTLIGHT: OTTAWA 67’s:
The Ottawa 67’s are featured in this week’s edition of the Kia CHL Top 10 Spotlight. Ranked second in the CHL, the 67’s open a weekend road trip as winners of nine of their last 10 games. Read more
ICEDOGS’ STEPHEN DHILLON NAMED BOTH VAUGHN CHL GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK & OHL ‘ON THE RUN’ PLAYER OF THE WEEK:
Niagara IceDogs goaltender Stephen Dhillon is both the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week as well as the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week for the regular season week ending October 28. Dhillon posted a 3-0-0-0 record including one shutout for a goals-against-average of 0.97 and save percentage of .970. The Buffalo, NY native turned aside 97 shots last week which backstopped the IceDogs to a trio of victories to climb into first place in the Central Division standings with a 9-4-2-0 record. Read more
67’s’ KEATING REPRESENTS OHL IN CIBC SHOWDOWN:
Ottawa 67’s forward Austen Keating is this week’s OHL representative in CIBC Showdown, a weekly feature that allows fans across the CHL to vote for their favourite play across all three leagues. Watch & Vote
SEVEN MORE OHL MILESTONE MOMENTS THIS WEEK:
Seven more players including Adam Boqvist (London Knights), Kelton Hatcher (Sarnia Sting), Griffin Wilson (Owen Sound Attack), Gerard Keane (London Knights), Brendan Sellan (Erie Otters), Lleyton Moore (Niagara IceDogs) and Dominic Mufarreh (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) scored first career OHL goals this past week. Watch
WAWANESA OHL PLAYS OF THE WEEK:
The sixth edition of the Wawanesa OHL Plays of the Week for the 2018-19 season feature a collection of the league’s Top-5 goals during the week ending October 28. This week’s highlights include Maksim Sushko with a tremendous solo effort for the Owen Sound Attack, then it’s Owen Tippett of the Mississauga Steelheads scoring from an impossible angle. The Soo Greyhounds showcase their power play precision with touches from Mac Hollowell, Morgan Frost, Cole MacKay, and Barrett Hayton, then it’s the Peterborough Petes with some quick work off the draw with Declan Chisholm and Nick Robertson connecting for the give-and-go. Finally our top play goes to Austen Keating of the Ottawa 67’s with a breakaway buzzer beater in overtime. Watch
MASKED MEN DELIVER SCARY GOOD PERFORMANCES IN JANES SAVES OF THE WEEK:
The OHL’s masked men deliver scary good performances in time for Halloween in the latest edition of #JanesSaves. Featured this week is Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen of the Sudbury Wolves, Matthew Villalta of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, Ethan Langevin of the Sarnia Sting, Jordan Kooy of the London Knights, Andrew MacLean of the Owen Sound Attack, Stephen Dhillon of the Niagara IceDogs, Zachary Roy of the Hamilton Bulldogs, and Joe Ranger of the Mississauga Steelheads. Watch
SPITFIRES’ DIPIETRO BECOMES WINNINGEST GOALTENDER IN FRANCHISE HISTORY:
Michael DiPietro stopped 33 of the 34 shots he faced on Sunday in Owen Sound as the Windsor Spitfires took a 6-1 win to snap a four-game slide. The win is the 79th of DiPietro’s OHL career, placing him ahead of Andrew Engelage (2006-09) for the most in Spitfires franchise history. This season, he is 4-4-0-1 with a 2.58 goals-against average, a .914 save percentage and one shutout over 10 games. Read more
GRAHAM DICKERSON COMMITS TO RANGERS:
The Kitchener Rangers have received a commitment from 2017 14th round selection Graham Dickerson. The 17-year-old, Port Hope, Ont. native started the season with the OJHL’s Whitby Fury, where he notched eight goals and 13 points in 16 games played. During the 2017-18 season, Dickerson suited up for the Port Hope Panthers tallying 26 goals, 27 assists for a total of 53 points in 37 regular season games played. He also added three goals and eight points in 16 playoff games. Read more
CHL/OHL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: DIGITAL AND VIDEO CONTENT COORDINATOR:
The Canadian Hockey League & Ontario Hockey League are requesting applications for the position of Coordinator, Video & Digital Content. This position is an seven month contract that will run through June, 2019. The Video Coordinator will be responsible to help manage all aspects of video production for the CHL/OHL. This includes but is not limited to producing game highlights, marketing/sponsor elements and producing original content for web and social media. Details
ROGERS HOMETOWN HOCKEY TOUR STOPS IN BURLINGTON, HEADS TO NEPEAN:
The Rogers Hometown Hockey Tour stopped in Burlington, Ont. last weekend, highlighting stories from across the hockey community with hosts Ron MacLean and Tara Slone on site. The tour moves to Nepean, Ont. this weekend where stories featuring NHL Hall of Famer Steve Yzerman and other OHL graduates in Ottawa Senators alumni Jason York and Chris Kelly will be shared. Follow along at hometownhockey.com.
COMMUNITY CORNER:
Petes don plaid on Thursday: The Peterborough Petes face the Oshawa Generals on Thursday in their second annual Petes Plaid Night in support of the United Way. The Petes will wear special theme jerseys, featuring plaid elements, that will be auctioned online with proceeds benefiting United Way Peterborough and District. A pre-game ceremonial puck drop will feature delegates from United Way, including 2018 campaign chair Meg Murphy. For more information visit gopetesgo.com.
Wolves to retire Schutt’s #8 on Friday: The Sudbury Wolves will retire franchise great Rod Schutt’s #8 jersey on Friday night prior to puck drop against the Erie Otters. Schutt’s jersey will join good company in the uniforms of Randy Carlyle, Ron Duguay, Mike Foligno and Dale Hunter at the heights of Sudbury Community Arena. Friday is also #HuntForACure in Sudbury as the Wolves support the Northern Cancer Foundation in special hunting safety uniforms that will be auctioned off post-game. For full details on an exciting weekend visit sudburywolves.com.
Hockey Fights Cancer Night in Kingston on Friday: The Kingston Frontenacs are bringing out specially themed Hockey Fights Cancer jerseys for Friday’s tilt at home to the Peterborough Petes. This year, the Fronts have placed their focus on fighting cancer that affects dads as they look to raise funds through a post-game jersey auction. This marks the eighth consecutive season the Frontenacs are partnering with the Canadian Cancer Society. See full details at kingstonfrontenacs.com.
Spirit host First Responders Night on Saturday: The Saginaw Spirit are holding their 12th annual First Responders Night on Saturday when they play host to the Guelph Storm. Fundraising tickets are on sale, with $5 from each going to the Great Lakes Burn Camp. The evening will also feature a Charity Hockey Game starting at 5:00pm at the Dow Event Center. For details visit saginawspirit.com.
Youth Sports Night in Flint on Saturday: The Flint Firebirds are hosting Youth Sports Night at the Dort Federal Event Center on Saturday when they play host to the Ottawa 67’s at 3:00pm. The Flint Firebirds encourage active youth lifestyles and look forward to showcasing the diversity of youth sports in Genesee County and its surrounding areas. To show support for youth sports, the Firebirds are offering free admission to all athletes K-12 wearing their team jersey with a paid adult ticket (1 free child per adult). Additionally, the first 1,000 fans will receive a free drawstring bag, compliments of PFCU. Read more at flintfirebirds.com.
Generals support Special Olympics Ontario on Sunday: The Oshawa Generals will be promoting inclusion through the power of sport during Sunday’s home game against the Barrie Colts. The Generals will be raising support for Special Olympics Ontario throughout the evening.
Sting polling fans to create ultimate all-time team: The Sarnia Sting are asking fans to help select the club’s ultimate all-time team as part of their 25th anniversary celebrations this season. This week, the club is seeking the opinion of fans on the best goaltenders in Sting franchise history. Have your say and vote today at sarniasting.com.
Colts, IceDogs embark on Movember campaigns: With November comes Movember as OHL clubs rally together to raise support for men’s health. Both the Barrie Colts and Niagara IceDogs have begun their campaigns. Visit the Colts and IceDogs at movember.com.
ALUMNI NOTES:
Kane named NHL’s Third Star of the Month: London Knights graduate Patrick Kane has been named the NHL’s Third Star of the Month for October. The Chicago Blackhawks winger shared the league-lead with 11 goals and placed fourth overall with 18 points in 12 outings to power the Hawks to a 6-4-3 first month of the season. The 2007 OHL and CHL Rookie of the Year, Kane has gone on to win three Stanley Cups in Chicago. The 29-year-old from Buffalo, NY was the first overall pick of the 2007 NHL Draft.
Bouchard and Formenton score first NHL goals: A pair of returning eligible London Knights scored milestone markers in the NHL this past week including defenceman Evan Bouchard of the Edmonton Oilers and forward Alex Formenton of the Ottawa Senators. The 19-year-old Bouchard became the youngest blueliner in Oilers history to tally when he found the back of the net last Thursday in a win against the defending champion Washington Capitals. The former Knights captain and 10th overall pick in June’s NHL Draft has now played seven games with the big club. Formenton’s goal came Tuesday night in a 5-1 loss to the Arizona Coyotes playing in his eighth game of the season. The 19-year-old member of Canada’s gold medal winning National Junior Team a year ago was a second round pick by the Sens in 2017.
Sandin, McLeod score first AHL goal: Recent OHL grads Rasmus Sandin (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) and Michael McLeod (Mississauga Steelheads) scored their first career American Hockey League goals this past week. Sandin found the back of the net in his AHL debut on Friday, helping the Toronto Marlies defeat the Syracuse Crunch 4-1. Toronto’s first round (29th overall) pick this past summer, Sandin helped guide the Greyhounds to a Western Conference title in 2018, putting up 45 points (12-33–45) in 51 regular season games. McLeod also scored on Friday as his Binghamton Devils fell 4-3 in overtime against the Charlotte Checkers. The former Mississauga Steelheads captain played four OHL seasons, recording 44 points (16-28–44) in 38 games in 2017-18. He was New Jersey’s first round (12th overall) pick in 2016 and has three points (1-2–3) in nine games this season.
Spezza plays 1000th NHL contest: Former OHL standout Jason Spezza played his 1000th career NHL contest on Tuesday in Montreal. The 35-year-old Dallas Stars forward is in his 16th NHL season after being the second overall pick of the 2001 NHL Draft. Spezza was named to the OHL’s First All-Rookie Team in 1998-99, playing as an underage player with the Brampton Battalion. He spent the next three seasons between Mississauga, Windsor and Belleville, playing in a total of 228 OHL contests, recording 353 (131-222–353) regular season points in the process. Spezza is a two-time NHL All-Star who also won a World Championship Gold Medal with Canada in 2015. He has eight points (2-6–8) in 11 games this season.
Foligno, Jarvis reflect on time in Sudbury with Rod Schutt: Sudbury Wolves team historian Mike Commito caught up with graduate and former head coach Mike Foligno along with another former Wolves standout in Wes Jarvis in advance of Friday’s Rod Schutt jersey retirement. Foligno, who skated with the Wolves from 1975-79 prior to a 15-year NHL career, reached the 1976 OHL Final alongside Schutt and shares some of his memories from their time together. Foligno, who had his number retired by the Wolves back in 1996, is elated to be able to share the honour with his former teammate. Jarvis also skated with the Wolves for four seasons before a 237-game NHL career. Read more on these stories at sudburywolves.com.
Wilson filling big shoes as Penguins captain: Owen Sound Attack graduate and former OHL champion Garrett Wilson is filling some big shoes as captain of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Wilson inherited the ‘C’ from fellow OHL graduate Tom Kostopoulos (London Knights) after the 39-year-old called it a career at the end of last season. Wilson has seven points (3-4–7) through eight games with the Baby Pens this season. The 27-year-old Elmvale, Ont. native played four OHL seasons between Windsor and Owen Sound from 2007-11 and was a fourth round pick of the Florida Panthers in 2009. Read the full story at theahl.com.
KEY MATCHUPS:
Owen Sound Attack (8-6-0-1) vs. Oshawa Generals (8-5-1-0)
Friday November 2nd at Oshawa
Two teams off to respectable starts meet up in Oshawa on Friday as the Generals play host to the Owen Sound Attack.
The Bears bring the dynamic duo of Kevin Hancock (10-11–21) and Nick Suzuki (10-9–19) in to face the Generals, looking to get a three-in-three weekend that features other contests against London and Hamilton off on the right foot.
The Generals also play three times this weekend and feature Boston Bruins prospect Jack Studnicka (6-12–18) who recently joined Owen Sound’s Suzuki in being named a captain for Team OHL in the upcoming 2018 CIBC Canada Russia Series with games in Sarnia and Oshawa.
The two clubs met back on October 6th, with the Attack taking a 4-2 decision.
Guelph Storm (9-4-2-0) vs. Saginaw Spirit (7-5-1-1)
Saturday November 3rd at Saginaw
The Midwest Division-leading Guelph Storm pay a visit to the Saginaw Spirit on Saturday.
Winners of three of their last four, the Storm visit Saginaw led by Arizona Coyotes prospect Nate Schnarr (10-13–23) and leading goal-scorer Isaac Ratcliffe (13-8–21), a second round pick of the Philadelphia Flyers. San Jose Sharks prospect Ryan Merkley (3-13–16) has points in five straight games.
The Spirit come off back-to-back losses and sit nine points back of first place Sault Ste. Marie in the West Division. Albert Michnac (8-13–21) recently had a 13-game point streak snapped. He leads the club in scoring while New York Islanders prospect Bode Wilde (3-10–13) leads the Spirit offensively from the back end.
The second meeting of the season between the two clubs comes after Guelph beat Saginaw 6-5 in overtime back on September 29th.
SCHEDULE:
Thursday November 1:
Mississauga at Niagara – 7:00pm
Erie at North Bay – 7:00pm
Oshawa at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Barrie at Sarnia – 7:05pm
Ottawa at Windsor – 7:05pm
Friday November 2:
Peterborough at Kingston – 7:00pm
Niagara at Mississauga – 7:00pm
Erie at Sudbury – 7:05pm
Guelph at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07pm
Windsor at Kitchener – 7:30pm
Flint at London – 7:30pm
Owen Sound at Oshawa – 7:35pm
Saturday November 3:
Ottawa at Flint – 3:00pm
Kingston at Hamilton – 4:00pm
Guelph at Saginaw – 7:05pm
Sarnia at Windsor – 7:05pm
London at Owen Sound – 7:30pm
Sunday November 4:
Owen Sound at Hamilton – 2:00pm
London at Kitchener – 2:00pm
Kingston at Mississauga – 2:00pm
Erie at Sault Ste. Marie – 2:07pm
North Bay at Sudbury – 3:05pm
Ottawa at Saginaw – 5:30pm
Barrie at Oshawa – 6:05pm
Be sure to catch all of this weekend’s action at ohllive.com.
