OHL This Week: October 24 to 27, 2019

 

It’s getting spooky as Halloween draws nearer across the Ontario Hockey League. Learn all about how you can Trick or Treat at the rink this weekend in the latest edition of the OHL This Week.

60 TEAMS. ONE APP: THE FUTURE OF HOCKEY IN YOUR HAND:
The Canadian Hockey League in association with Adept Mobile are proud to announce the launch of an industry leading mobile app to CHL fans from coast-to-coast. The future of hockey is now truly available in your hand with the new product becoming the official mobile home of the CHL which includes national events, all three regional leagues, and all 60 teams.
FULL DETAILS

GENERALS, ATTACK AND PETES INCLUDED IN KIA CHL TOP 10:
The Oshawa Generals were unseated as the CHL’s top team while the Owen Sound Attack and Peterborough Petes are both on the rise this week. The Bears rise two spots to number six on the weekly rankings while the Peterborough Petes used a 3-0 weekend to climb back into the Top-10 at number nine. The Flint Firebirds remained an honourable mention for the second straight week.
FULL RANKINGS

#PLAYERSFIRST ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: OHL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM:
Did you know that every OHL Alumni is entitled to a scholarship upon graduation from the league? OHL graduates Logan DeNoble (Peterborough Petes 2018), Jason Guy (London Knights 2009) and Liam Heelis (Owen Sound Attack 2011) share their success stories, outlining how they have used their OHL Scholarship to take the next step in their careers.
WATCH

OHL WEEKEND NOTEBOOK – OCT. 21, 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.
READ MORE

PETES’ JONES NAMED OHL ‘ON THE RUN’ PLAYER OF THE WEEK:
Minnesota Wild prospect Hunter Jones of the Peterborough Petes is the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week for the week of regular season action running from October 14th through the 20th with a 3-0 record, 1.67 goals-against average and .943 save percentage.
READ MORE

HOEFENMAYER AND JOSLING NAMED TO VAUGHN CHL TEAM OF THE WEEK:
Overage veterans in Ottawa 67’s defenceman Noel Hoefenmayer and Sarnia Sting forward Sean Josling have been named to the Vaughn CHL Team of the Week. Hoefenmayer put up six points counting four goals and two assists over three games. His best performance came Sunday as he recorded his first career hat-trick, including the overtime winner in a 5-4 final versus the Hamilton Bulldogs. Josling finished with six goals and five assists for 11 points in three games. That stretch included Friday’s five-point outing against the Oshawa Generals in which Josling claimed first-star honours after notching three goals and two assists to hand the first-place club its first loss this season.
READ MORE

WAWANESA OHL PLAYS OF THE WEEK – OCT. 23, 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 October 20th. This week’s highlights include Ottawa’s Noel Hoefenmayer completing a hat-trick in overtime, Sarnia’s Jamieson Rees scoring his first goal of the season in fine style, Saginaw’s Damien Giroux finishing-off a three-way passing play, London’s Liam Foudy scoring his second Forsbergian goal of the campaign and Windsor’s Tyler Angle with a sweet dangle.
WATCH

VAUGHN SAVES OF THE WEEK – OCT. 22, 2019:
OHL puckstoppers provide sensational stops in the latest edition of #VaughnSaves. Featured this week are a pair of saves from Hamilton Bulldogs rookie Marco Costantini along with other highlights from Peterborough’s Hunter Jones, Sarnia’s Ben Gaudreau, Windsor’s Xavier Medina, Erie’s Daniel Murphy, Flint’s Anthony Popovich, Windsor’s Kari Piiroinen, Sudbury’s Mitchell Weeks and North Bay’s Reece Proulx.
WATCH

ANGLE REPRESENTS OHL IN CHL SHOWDOWN:
Windsor Spitfires forward Tyler Angle is the OHL’s representative in this week’s CHL Showdown featuring one great play from all three leagues. Cast your vote for Tyler today!
WATCH AND VOTE AT CHLSHOWDOWN.CA

SIX PLAYERS SCORE MILESTONE MARKERS:
A total of six OHL newcomers scored first career OHL goals this past week. Sarnia’s Marek Berka, Kingston’s Francesco Arcuri, London’s Luke Evangelista, Saginaw’s Davis Codd, Sudbury’s Kosta Manikis and Guelph’s Matthew Papais all found the back of the net. Watch their career firsts with OHL Milestone Moments.
WATCH

OHL NEWS – RADIO EDITION WITH PETERBOROUGH PETES GOALTENDER HUNTER JONES:
OHL News – Radio Edition with host Terry Doyle and presented by Bauer brings fans insight from feature guests as well as news and notes from around the league each and every week over the airwaves. This week’s segment features Peterborough Petes goaltender Hunter Jones, a second round pick of the Minnesota Wild in this past summer’s NHL Draft.
LISTEN

AFANASYEV AND OKHOTYUK TO REPRESENT RUSSIA IN CIBC CANADA RUSSIA SERIES:
Windsor Spitfires forward Egor Afanasyev and Ottawa 67’s defenceman Nikita Okhotyuk will represent Russia in the 2019 CIBC Canada Russia Series. Afanasyev is in his first OHL season with the Spitfires after being selected by the Nashville Predators in the second round of the 2019 NHL Draft. The 18-year-old from Moscow, Russia has 12 points (5-7–12) through his first 11 games of the 2019-20 season. Okhotyuk was a second round pick of the New Jersey Devils this past summer who made his season debut last weekend after recovering from injury to begin 2019-20. The 18-year-old from Chelyabinsk, Russia is in his third OHL season after recording 17 points (2-15–17) over 56 games with the 67’s last season, helping guide the team to an Eastern Conference championship.
READ MORE

CANADIAN ROSTERS UNVEILED FOR 2019 WORLD UNDER-17 HOCKEY CHALLENGE:
Twenty-four OHL players are spread out over three Canadian rosters set to compete in the 2019 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge from November 2-9. A total of 24 OHL players are spread out over the three rosters announced on Monday.
FULL ROSTERS

ICEDOGS’ TOMASINO SIGNS WITH PREDATORS:
Niagara IceDogs forward Philip Tomasino has signed a three-year entry-level NHL contract with the Nashville Predators. The 18-year-old Mississauga, Ont. native was Nashville’s first round (24th overall) pick in this past summer’s NHL Draft. Tomasino has started the season with 23 points (9-14–23) through 12 games and was recently named to Team OHL’s roster for the upcoming CIBC Canada Russia Series.
READ MORE

SPITFIRES’ AFANASYEV SIGNS WITH PREDATORS:
Windsor Spitfires forward Egor Afanasyev has signed a three-year entry-level NHL contract with the Nashville Predators. The 18-year-old native of Moscow, Russia was selected by the Predators in the second round (45th overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft and has 12 points (5-7–12) through his first 11 games of the season.
READ MORE

FIVE QUESTIONS WITH QUINTON BYFIELD:
Sudbury Wolves star Quinton Byfield chatted with the CHL about his early success this season and his anticipation ahead of the coming NHL Draft. This season, Byfield’s torrent pace has continued as he has tallied 27 points counting 11 goals and 16 assists in 13 games.
READ MORE

IN CONVERSATION WITH OHL COMMISSIONER DAVID BRANCH:
Entering his 40th season as commissioner of the Ontario Hockey League, David Branch chatted with Junior Hockey Magazine about some recent major changes, including a new face of the CHL, how the league is interacting with fans in the digital age, the league’s invaluable scholarship program, as well as the CHL’s continued success in supplying pro-level talent.
READ MORE

 

COMMUNITY CORNER:

Attack and Canadian Cancer Society raise over $7,000 through head shave event: On Monday night at the Bayshore Community Centre, seventeen children and six members of the Owen Sound Attack took part in a head shave/cut/chalk event to raise funds for Hockey Fights Cancer. By the end of the evening with all the money counted, they had raised over $7,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society. Deni Goure, Brady Lyle, Stepan Machacek, Andrew Perrott, Matt Philip and Carter Robertson all volunteered to have their heads shaved, with teammates doing the honours with help from the professionals at Mastercuts Owen Sound. Other Attack players had partnered with local children that were participating in the event, helping shave, cut or chalk their hair.
READ MORE

Greyhounds’ MacKay, MacLean visit Collegiate Heights Retirement Residence: Soo Greyhounds teammates Cole MacKay and Cullen MacLean paid a visit to Collegiate Heights Retirement Residence this past week, visiting elderly fans and bringing smiles to their faces.
PHOTO GALLERY AT SOOGREYHOUNDS.COM

Knights host First Responders Night on Friday: The London Knights will honour their local first responders on Friday when they play host to the Saginaw Spirit. The Knights will recognize members of the London Fire Department, London Police Services and Middlesex-London EMS prior to puckdrop.

IceDogs host first intermission costume contest on Friday: Wear your best Halloween costume to the Niagara IceDogs game on Friday for a chance to win great prizes! The Dogs host a first intermission costume contest at their Friday night tilt against the Hamilton Bulldogs. Don’t miss out!

Full weekend of action in Flint with Pucks for Paws Game, Trick or Treat Night: The Flint Firebirds host back-to-back home games as the Sudbury Wolves visit on Friday and the Soo Greyhounds come to town on Saturday. The ‘Birds will hold their inaugural Pucks for Paws game on Friday where fans can bring their dogs to the game! There’s all kinds of great giveaways and Paw Patrol characters Chase and Marshall will be in attendance. On Saturday, the Firebirds host a Trick or Treat at the Rink event as fans can spend Saturday evening in a safe, fun and dry environment, bringing home some candy from the Dort Federal Event Center.
FULL DETAILS AT FLINTFIREBIRDS.COM

Spirit set for Pink Out on Saturday: The Saginaw Spirit will host their annual Pink Out Night on Saturday when the Sudbury Wolves visit the Dow Event Center. The Spirit are teaming up with Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital in a post-game jersey auction where fans can take home a specially themed Spirit ‘Pink Out’ game worn uniform.

Trick or Treat in the Suites with the Bulldogs on Saturday: The Hamilton Bulldogs get in the spirit of Halloween with their highly anticipated Stranger Things game on Saturday when the Oshawa Generals pay a visit to steeltown. Fans are invited to wear their Halloween costumes and go Trick or Treat-ing inside First Ontario Centre during the game.

Frontenacs host Arkells Night on Saturday: The Kingston Frontenacs are hosting Arkells Night on Saturday when the Kitchener Rangers visit Leon’s Centre. The Fronts will have Arkells related music, games and giveaways plus if fans buy a ticket to Friday’s game at the box office before 6:00pm, they’ll get a ticket to Saturday’s game against the Kitchener Rangers for free!

Otters host Hat Trick or Treat Night on Saturday: The first 500 kids into Erie Insurance Arena on Saturday will receive a free ballcap as the Otters host their Hat Trick or Treat Night at home to the London Knights. Saturday’s festivities include a costume contest, so fans are encouraged to wear their spookiest outfit to the game!

Lansdowne Fright on Sunday in Ottawa: Fans in Ottawa won’t want to miss Lansdowne Fright on Sunday afternoon as the 67’s play host to the Sarnia Sting. Wear your costume, trick-or-treat and enjoy a spooky post-game skate with the players. Enjoy those features along with various ‘Stranger Things’ themed elements inside the building as the 67’s square off with the Sting.
FULL DETAILS AT OTTAWA67s.COM

 

ALUMNI NOTES:

Maurice earns 700th NHL win: An accomplished OHL alumnus both on the ice and behind the bench, Paul Maurice became the seventh coach in NHL history to earn 700 career victories this past Sunday as his Winnipeg Jets defeated the Edmonton Oilers 1-0 in a shootout. Maurice is in the midst of his 22nd season as an NHL head coach, a tenure that has included the past seven seasons with the Jets. The 52-year-old from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. has also enjoyed coaching stints with the Hartford Whalers, Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs dating back to his breakthrough into the NHL in 1995-96.
READ MORE

Carlson off to red hot start in Washington: London Knights graduate John Carlson (5-15–20) leads the NHL with 20 points, marking an impressive start for the Washington Capitals blueliner. Carlson is the fourth different defenceman in NHL history to register 20 points or more in October, joining Paul Coffey (1981, 1988), Al MacInnis (1988) and Brian Leetch (1990). The 29-year-old spent the 2008-09 season in London, recording 76 points (16-60–76) over 59 games that season. He was Washington’s first round pick in the 2008 NHL Draft and helped the Caps win a Stanley Cup title in 2018.

Capobianco scores first NHL goal: Sudbury Wolves graduate Kyle Capobianco scored his first career NHL goal on Saturday. The Arizona Coyotes defenceman found the back of the net in a 5-2 win over the Ottawa Senators, doing so in his sixth career NHL contest. The 22-year-old native of Mississauga, Ont. enjoyed a four-year career in Sudbury from 2013-17, recording 141 points (27-114–141) over 254 career regular season contests. He was Arizona’s third round pick in 2015 and spent the past two seasons with the AHL’s Tucson Roadrunners, recording 32 points (7-25–32) in 40 games last season.

Stillman recalled by Panthers: Hamilton Bulldogs graduate Riley Stillman has been called up by the Florida Panthers. The 21-year-old from Peterborough, Ont. made his NHL debut last season and has logged one assist through his first five games with the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds in 2019-20. The former fourth round pick of Florida in the 2016 NHL Draft enjoyed an OHL career that spanned parts of four seasons from 2014-18 as he suited up for Oshawa and Hamilton. Stillman won an OHL title with the Bulldogs in 2017-18.

Goldobin named AHL Player of the Week: Sarnia Sting graduate Nikolay Goldobin of the Utica Comets is the AHL Player of the Week. The 24-year-old from Moscow, Russia had a goal, seven assists and eight points over three games last week, helping the Comets remain undefeated on the season. The former first round pick in the 2014 NHL Draft has an AHL-leading eight assists with Utica, top affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks. Goldobin has appeared in 124 career NHL contests between San Jose and Vancouver. He recorded 162 points (68-94–162) over 135 OHL regular season games in Sarnia from 2012-14.

Vilardi nearing return in Kings organization: LA Kings Insider Jon Rosen recently reported that Kingston Frontenacs graduate and former Windsor Spitfires Memorial Cup champion Gabriel Vilardi is nearing a return to the lineup after missing considerable time with a back injury. Vilardi was back on the ice this week and is aiming to suit up with the AHL’s Ontario Reign in the not too distant future. Vilardi hasn’t played in a game since last December when he appeared in four AHL contests with Ontario. The 20-year-old’s last regular action was with the Frontenacs in 2018 when the team reached the Eastern Conference Championship Series. A former second overall OHL Priority Selection choice, Vilardi played three OHL seasons between Windsor and Kingston, recording 157 points (68-69–157) over 143 career regular season contests. He was Los Angeles’ first round (11th overall) pick in 2017.

 

KEY MATCHUPS:

Kitchener Rangers vs. Ottawa 67’s
Friday October 25th

The Kitchener Rangers and Ottawa 67’s lock horns on Friday in the nation’s capital. The two clubs played to a closely matched 4-3 outcome on Sunday October 6th in Kitchener, with the host Rangers coming out on top.

Kitchener visits Ottawa and Kingston on Friday and Saturday, looking to get back in the win column following a pair of losses. The Rangers boast considerable veteran firepower up front with overage centre Liam Hawel leading the way with 14 points (5-9–14). Also impressive has been 16-year-old first round OHL Priority Selection choice Francesco Pinelli who has registered 11 points (6-5–11) over his first 10 career OHL contests.

The host 67’s own a 7-4-0-0 record on the young season coming off a thrilling 5-4 overtime win on Sunday that featured defenceman Noel Hoefenmayer’s first career hat-trick. Ottawa newcomer Joseph Garreffa, who had a goal and two assists in his 67’s debut, will square off with his former club after he spent four seasons as a Ranger.

 

Sudbury Wolves vs. Saginaw Spirit
Saturday October 26th

Two of the OHL’s top NHL Draft prospects go head to head in Saginaw on Saturday as Spirit star Cole Perfetti takes on 6-foot-5 Sudbury Wolves centreman Quinton Byfield.

The Spirit and the Wolves each lead their respective divisions entering this weekend’s action, with the host Spirit entering play on the heels of four straight wins. Perfetti leads Saginaw in scoring with 24 points (5-19–24) over 13 contests, racking up 13 points over his last four games. Spirit captain Damien Giroux, a Minnesota Wild prospect, leads the team in goal-scoring with 12 markers.

Sudbury’s Byfield continues to lead the OHL in scoring with 27 points (11-16–27) over 13 games. The 17-year-old from Newmarket, Ont. has helped guide Sudbury to a Central Division-leading 8-5-0-0 mark. The Wolves hit the road this weekend with visits to Flint, Saginaw and Windsor.

 

WEEKEND SCHEDULE:

Thursday October 24th:
Sarnia at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Soo at Windsor – 7:05pm
Owen Sound at Barrie – 7:30pm

Friday October 25th:
Sudbury at Flint – 7:00pm
Sarnia at Kingston – 7:00pm
Oshawa at Mississauga – 7:00pm
Hamilton at Niagara – 7:00pm
Kitchener at Ottawa – 7:00pm
North Bay at Guelph – 7:30pm
Saginaw at London – 7:30pm

Saturday October 26th:
Oshawa at Hamilton – 4:00pm
London at Erie – 7:00pm
Soo at Flint – 7:00pm
Kitchener at Kingston – 7:00pm
Mississauga at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Sudbury at Saginaw – 7:05pm
Niagara at Barrie – 7:30pm
North Bay at Owen Sound – 7:30pm

Sunday October 27th:
Mississauga at Guelph – 2:00pm
Niagara at London – 2:00pm
Sarnia at Ottawa – 2:00pm
Sudbury at Windsor – 2:05pm
Soo at Saginaw – 5:30pm
Hamilton at Oshawa – 6:05pm