OHL This Week: November 15 to 18, 2018

 

We’re midway through November and it’s time to take another look at what’s happening across the OHL This Week.

47 OHL PLAYERS TO WATCH FOR 2019 NHL DRAFT:
47 players from the Ontario Hockey League have been listed among NHL Central Scouting’s November ‘Players to Watch’ list for the 2019 NHL Draft which takes place June 21-22 in Vancouver, BC.  The 47 players is part of a greater Canadian Hockey League total of 128, which includes 48 players from the Western Hockey League and 33 from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Full list

KNIGHTS VISIT STORM ON SPORTSNET CHL SATURDAY SHOWCASE:
RJ Broadhead, Sam Cosentino and the Sportsnet crew will be in Guelph this Saturday as the London Knights visit the Guelph Storm in the CHL Saturday Showcase at 3:30pm. The Midwest Division clash pits to teams separated by just one point in the standings against each other as the Knights come in hot with wins in nine of their last 10 games.

KOCHETKOV PERFECT AS RUSSIA BLANKS TEAM OHL IN OSHAWA:
Pyotr Kochetkov stopped all 23 shots he faced as Russia blanked the OHL for just the second time in CIBC Canada Russia Series history on Monday in Oshawa. The OHL wraps up its 2018 leg of the series with an all-time record of 25-6-1 as Peterborough Petes goaltender Hunter Jones made 24 saves in the loss. Read more

CIBC CANADA RUSSIA HOST GENERALS PROUD OF STORIED PAST:
With five Memorial Cups and an OHL record 13 Robertson Cup titles to their name, the Oshawa Generals have treated fans in Canada’s Motor City to a great deal of success over the franchise’s storied history. Some of the game’s greatest names in Bobby Orr, Eric Lindros and John Tavares have come through Oshawa, serving as inspiration for the Generals of today who count it a great responsibility to maintain a winning culture for the years to come. Read more

ONE-ON-ONE WITH TEAM OHL CAPTAIN NICK SUZUKI:
Team OHL captain Nick Suzuki of the Owen Sound Attack sat down to talk about playing for Team OHL and what it meant to be captain in Game 3 of the 2018 CIBC Canada Russia Series. Watch

67’s AND KNIGHTS IN KIA CHL TOP 10 RANKINGS:
The second-ranked Ottawa 67’s and eight-placed London Knights are included in the Week 9 edition of the Kia Canada CHL Top 10 Rankings. The Soo Greyhounds received an honourable mention this week. Full Rankings

WORLD UNDER-17 HOCKEY CHALLENGE: STORM’S CHAYKA WINS GOLD, HOUNDS’ O’ROURKE NAMED TO TOURNAMENT ALL-STAR TEAM:
Guelph Storm rookie blueliner Daniil Chayka returned home from Saint John, New Brunswick with World Under-17 Hockey Challenge gold as he and his Russian teammates defeated Finland to claim supremacy in the annual tournament. Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds defender Ryan O’Rourke was named to the Tournament All-Star Team following his standout performance for Team Canada Black. Read more

UNITED STATES WINS 2018 BATTLE OF THE BORDER:
High Performance Hockey League teams led the United States to victory in the fifth annual OHL Battle of the Border in Windsor. The 36-game event held this past weekend at Windsor’s WFCU Centre featured a total of 24 teams from across Ontario, Detroit, and Illinois competing in two divisions with Under-16 talent eligible for the 2018 OHL Priority Selection and Under-18 players eligible for the 2018 Under-18 Priority Selection. Read more

SPITFIRES’ DIPIETRO, FRONTENACS’ ROBERTSON NAMED CHL TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK:
OHL standouts Jason Robertson of the Kingston Frontenacs and Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires have been named CHL Top Performers of the Week. Robertson led the way with nine points including six goals and three assists over three games, netting a pair of hat-tricks to be named CHL Player of the Week. DiPietro earned Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week honours, going 2-0 with a 0.96 goals-against average and .969 save percentage while also representing the OHL in the CIBC Canada Russia Series. Read more

GREYHOUNDS’ HAYTON REPRESENTS OHL IN CIBC SHOWDOWN:
Soo Greyhounds forward Barrett Hayton 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

WAWANESA OHL PLAYS OF THE WEEK:
The eighth 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 November 11. This week’s highlights include London Knights cycling pressure by Alec Regula and Evan Bouchard who dishes to Alex Turko for the goal, Nick Suzuki of the Owen Sound Attack with a smart second effort, rookie Jack Quinn of the Ottawa 67’s who looks like a seasoned veteran, Curtis Egert of the Sarnia Sting who scores a backside behind-the-back goal, and Barrett Hayton of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds with a sensational moment in the spotlight. Watch

OHL GOALTENDERS STAND TALL IN JANES SAVES OF THE WEEK:
‘Not today’ say OHL netminders cruising through November with no nonsense skill on display in the latest edition of #JanesSaves. Featured this week is Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires, Luke Richardson of the Kitchener Rangers, Christian Propp of the North Bay Battalion, Christian Sbaraglia of the Niagara IceDogs, Cedrick Andree of the Ottawa 67’s, Luke Cavallin of the Flint Firebirds, and Brendan Bonello of the Kingston Frontenacs. Watch

FOUR OHL MILESTONE MOMENTS THIS WEEK:
North Bay Battalion defenders Braden Henderson and Simon Rose joined Kitchener’s Arber Xhekaj and Sarnia’s Alexandre Hogue with first career OHL goals this past week. Watch

OHL NEWS – RADIO EDITION WITH 67’s’ AUSTEN KEATING:
This week’s edition of OHL News – Radio Edition with host Terry Doyle features veteran Ottawa 67’s forward Austen Keating who recently represented the OHL in the 2018 CIBC Canada Russia Series. The 19-year-old Guelph native is currently tied for fifth in league scoring with 34 points in 22 games including nine goals and 25 assists. Listen

CANADA’S NATIONAL JUNIOR TEAM TO HOLD SELECTION CAMP IN VICTORIA:
Canada’s World Juniors hopefuls will begin their quest for back-to-back gold medals when they head west for the National Junior Team Sport Chek Selection Camp, Dec. 11-14 in Victoria, B.C. Read more

GOLDEN KNIGHTS PROSPECT PAUL COTTER COMMITS TO KNIGHTS:
The London Knights have received a commitment from soon-to-be 19-year-old Vegas Golden Knights prospect Paul Cotter. A native of Canton, Mich., Cotter will report to the Knights after starting this season with Western Michigan University.  As a fourth-round draft pick of the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Cotter scored 18 goals with a total of 39 points last season for the Lincoln Stars of the USHL. Read more

PETES’ LIAM KIRK TO REPRESENT GREAT BRITAIN AT D2A WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP:
Ice Hockey UK announced Monday that Petes forward Liam Kirk has been named to Great Britain’s Under-20 National Team. The team will compete in the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship Division II Group A (D2A) tournament to be held in Estonia from January 13 to 19, 2019. Other teams taking part include host team Estonia, Korea, Lithuania, Romania, and Spain. Read more

LATEST EDITION OF JUNIOR HOCKEY MAGAZINE FEATURES HOUNDS STAR BARRETT HAYTON:
This week’s edition of Junior Hockey Magazine with Gino Reda features Arizona Coyotes prospect Barrett Hayton of the Arizona Coyotes. Hayton, who recently represented the OHL in the CIBC Canada Russia Series, discusses his push for a spot on the Canadian National Junior Team. Listen

 

COMMUNITY CORNER:

Ontario Premier Doug Ford joins Petes in celebration of Special Olympics Ontario 50th Anniversary: Ontario Premier Doug Ford joined Peterborough Special Olympian Chrystal Cochrane, as well as Peterborough Police Service Chief Scott Gilbert, for a ceremonial puck drop ahead of Thursday’s game against the Owen Sound Attack. Premier Ford took in Special Olympics Night, an awareness campaign that is part of the ongoing commitment by the Ontario Hockey League, Peterborough Petes, and Special Olympics Ontario. He interacted with fans throughout the evening. Full details at gopetesgo.com.

Chris Neil Night in North Bay on Friday: The North Bay Battalion are saluting a former Centennials fan favourite. Recently retired NHL winger Chris Neil will be at the Memorial Gardens on Friday when the Battalion hosts the Sudbury Wolves. Neil will be present for a meet and greet prior to the game, starting at 5:30pm at Gate #1. The 39-year-old played three seasons in North Bay from 1996-99 before a 15-year NHL career spent entirely with the Ottawa Senators.

Cubs for Cancer Night in Owen Sound on Saturday: The Owen Sound Attack hosts their annual Cubs for Cancer Night at home to the Flint Firebirds on Saturday. This year’s Cubs for Cancer game features a black jersey designed by 8-year-old Finn Hurley-Johnston as well as long sleeve shirts with the Cubs for Cancer logo on them. For full details on Cubs for Cancer Night and the coming weekend in Owen Sound, visit attackhockey.com.

Storm auctioning off Remembrance Day jerseys: The auction for the one-of-a-kind commemorative Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae Remembrance Day jerseys that the Storm wore in the 4-3 win over the Barrie Colts on Friday, November 9th run until November 18th with the first jersey ending at 6:30pm and then each jersey ending in 5 min increments with the last jersey finishing at 8:00pm. All net proceeds will go to the local Royal Canadian Legions including Guelph’s Colonel John McCrae Memorial Branch 234. Place your bid at CHL Auctions.

 

ALUMNI NOTES:

Gleason earns assist in NHL debut: A free agent signing by the Dallas Stars just prior to the start of the season, Hamilton Bulldogs graduate Ben Gleason already has his first NHL point. The 20-year-old native of Ortonville, Mich., picked up an assist in his NHL debut on November 10th against Nashville, building off a strong start with the AHL’s Texas Stars where he collected six points (2-4–6) over 12 games. Gleason helped the Hamilton Bulldogs win an OHL Championship last spring and played four OHL seasons between London and Hamilton from 2014-18.

Cernak makes NHL debut: Erie Otters graduate Erik Cernak made his NHL debut with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday in a 2-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. The 21-year-old from Kosice, Slovakia has recorded seven points (2-5–7) in nine games with the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch this season. Cernak won an OHL Championship with Erie in 2017 and was originally a second round draft pick of the Los Angeles Kings in 2015 before being dealt to Tampa in February 2017.

OHL grads Strome, Spooner trade places: A pair of OHL graduates are on the move. The Edmonton Oilers have dealt former Niagara IceDogs star Ryan Strome to the New York Rangers in exchange for Sarnia Sting graduate Ryan Spooner. The 25-year-old Strome has two points (1-1–2) in 18 games for the Oilers this season while the 26-year-old Spooner has two points (1-1–2) in 16 games with the Rangers in 2018-19. For more on the deal, visit sportsnet.ca.

Thornton scores 400th career NHL goal: After recently playing his 1,500th career NHL contest, Joe Thornton scored career goal 400 on Tuesday, netting the game winner as the San Jose Sharks beat Nashville 5-4. Thornton skated with the Soo Greyhounds from 1995-97 before being selected with the first overall pick of the 1997 NHL Draft. The St. Thomas, Ont. native was the 1996 CHL Rookie of the Year and won a gold medal with Canada at the 1997 World Juniors.

Schremp announces retirement: Former Memorial Cup champion and London Knights graduate Rob Schremp has announced his retirement. Schremp called it a career earlier this week at the age of 32 following a lengthy pro career that included 114 games in the NHL. A former OHL Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year, Schremp racked up 384 points (154-230–384) over 247 career regular season OHL contests between Mississauga and London from 2002-06. He was a first round pick of the Edmonton Oilers in the 2004 NHL Draft and played parts of five NHL seasons between Edmonton, the New York Islanders and Atlanta Thrashers. Most recently, Schremp played with EC Salzburg last season, recording 47 points (9-38–47) over 36 games.

Unique road brought Lofquist back to AHL: Guelph Storm graduate Sam Lofquist is no stranger to packing up and moving. Over the last seven seasons, he has played for six teams across four leagues in Europe. He’s played professionally in Sweden, Finland, Russia and Switzerland, and he is now a regular in the American Hockey League with the San Antonio Rampage. With over 300 professional games ‘across the pond,’ many don’t realize that Lofquist’s winding pro hockey path began in the United States. Now 28-years-old, Lofquist played two seasons in Guelph from 2009-11. For more on his story, visit TheAHL.com.

Kolomatis sets Monarchs all-time records: Owen Sound Attack graduate David Kolomatis has etched his name into the Manchester Monarchs history books. The 29-year-old defender is the Manchester franchise’s new leader in all-time points and games played. His assist on a goal by fellow OHL grad Nick Moutrey on Friday gave him 200 career points, the most by any player in club history. On Wednesday, Kolomatis appeared in his 415th career game with the team in a 4-1 win over Adirondack to top the charts. The veteran captain has played for the Monarchs in both the AHL and ECHL. He played three seasons in Owen Sound from 2006-09 and was a fifth round pick by Los Angeles in 2009. Read more at ECHL.com.

 

KEY MATCHUPS:

Sudbury Wolves (11-6-1-1) vs. North Bay Battalion (10-8-0-1)
Friday November 16th at North Bay

A Friday night northern clash sees the Sudbury Wolves travel to take on the North Bay Battalion in a matchup of two clubs separated by just three points.

The Wolves and Troops have met once already this season as Sudbury took a 4-3 home ice win on November 4th. The Battalion looks for revenge at home on Chris Neil Night at the Memorial Gardens.

Sudbury enters play with points in each of their last five contests while the Battalion have won their last two and seven of the past 10. North Bay captain Justin Brazeau leads the OHL in scoring with 39 points (19-20–39) over 19 games while Wolves rookie Quinton Byfield (7-5–12) returns from the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

Windsor Spitfires (10-9-0-1) vs. Saginaw Spirit (11-7-1-1)
Saturday November 17th at Saginaw

The Saginaw Spirit host the Windsor Spitfires Saturday night in a matchup of two West Division clubs separated by just three points.

The Spits enter action on a four-game winning streak thanks to fine goaltending from Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week Michael DiPietro. Saginaw has been up-and-down this season but comes off a 4-2 win over the Flint Firebirds on Wednesday night.

This marks the third meeting of the season between the two clubs. Windsor has won each of the past two, scoring seven goals on both occasions.

London Knights (12-4-2-0) vs. Guelph Storm (10-5-3-2)
Sportsnet CHL Saturday Showcase – 3:30pm at Guelph

The London Knights and Guelph Storm will battle before a national audience on Saturday afternoon. The two Midwest Division titans go head-to-head on the Sportsnet CHL Saturday Showcase when the puck drops at 3:30pm.

The Knights enter play with wins in eight of their last nine games, leading Guelph by one point in the Midwest Division.

The Storm claimed victory in their only prior meeting this season as Nate Schnarr picked up the overtime winner in a 3-2 home ice win back on October 14th.

 

SCHEDULE:

Thursday November 15:
Hamilton at Niagara – 7:00pm
Owen Sound at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Ottawa at Sudbury – 7:05pm
Oshawa at Windsor – 7:05pm
North Bay at Barrie – 7:30pm

Friday November 16:
Mississauga at Kingston – 7:00pm
Sudbury at North Bay – 7:00pm
Oshawa at Sarnia – 7:05pm
Ottawa at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07pm
Flint at Guelph – 7:30pm
Saginaw at Kitchener – 7:30pm
Peterborough at London – 7:30pm

Saturday November 17:
London at Guelph – 3:30pm
Niagara at Erie – 7:00pm
Windsor at Saginaw – 7:05pm
Peterborough at Sarnia – 7:05pm
Kitchener at Barrie – 7:30pm
Flint at Owen Sound – 7:30pm

Sunday November 18:
Hamilton at Kingston – 2:00pm
Sudbury at Mississauga – 2:00pm
Windsor at Sault Ste. Marie – 2:07pm
Ottawa at North Bay – 3:00pm
London at Erie – 4:00pm
Niagara at Oshawa – 6:05pm