OHL Top Performers for October
Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the Top OHL Performers of the Month for regular season games played in October 2016, including Erie Otters forward Taylor Raddysh, Flint Firebirds defenceman Mathieu Henderson, Guelph Storm rookie Ryan Merkley and Erie Otters goaltender Troy Timpano.
OHL Player of the Month – Taylor Raddysh (Erie Otters):
Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Taylor Raddysh of the Erie Otters is the OHL Player of the Month for October after he recorded 11 goals, 17 assists and 28 points over 12 games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-21. Raddysh had points in all 12 of his October contests, collecting four points in back-to-back games on October 15th against London (0-4–4) and again on October 19th in Niagara (2-2–4). He registered four different three-point efforts over the course of the month, most recently doing so on Thursday (1-2–3) in a 5-2 win over the Barrie Colts. Raddysh received star of the game recognition in six of his 12 contests, once earning first star honours, twice being named second star and three times being recognized as third star.
A native of Caledon, Ont., Raddysh currently leads the OHL in scoring despite missing the Otters first two games of the season while attending training camp with the Lightning. He represented the OHL at the 2015 CIBC Canada Russia Series and will do so again this coming month on November 14th in Hamilton. He was Tampa Bay’s second round (58th overall) pick in the 2016 NHL Draft this past summer. Erie selected him with their first round (19th overall) pick in the 2014 OHL Priority Selection.
OHL Defenceman of the Month – Mathieu Henderson (Flint Firebirds):
Flint Firebirds overage veteran Mathieu Henderson has been named the OHL’s Defenceman of the Month for October. Henderson led all OHL defencemen with 17 points, including five goals and 12 assists over 13 October contests to go along with a plus/minus rating of plus-9. Henderson’s month was headlined by a four assist effort in a 7-4 win over the Sarnia Sting on October 1st. He recorded his first OHL multi-goal game, scoring twice in a 4-2 loss to the Peterborough Petes on October 27th and finished the month with a goal and two assists in an 8-6 win over the Ottawa 67’s on Sunday. Henderson strung together a seven game point streak from October 13th to 27th, helping the Firebirds finish the month with an 8-7-0-1 record.
A native of Brantford, Ont., Henderson leads OHL defencemen in scoring with six goals, 12 assists and 18 points over 16 contests. The fourth-year defenceman is a graduate of the Brantford 99’ers Minor Midget program and was Plymouth’s seventh round (124th overall) pick in the 2012 OHL Priority Selection.
OHL Rookie of the Month – Ryan Merkley (Guelph Storm):
Guelph Storm defenceman Ryan Merkley has been named the OHL Rookie of the Month for October. The 16-year-old rearguard excelled in his first full month in the OHL recording two goals, eight assists and 10 points in as many games. Merkley’s month was headlined by a three assist effort in a 5-4 loss to the Hamilton Bulldogs on October 8th. He scored his first OHL goal two days later as the Storm fell to the Kitchener Rangers 8-4 on October 10th. Merkley had points in seven of his 10 October outings and enters November on a four game point streak that dates back to October 16th.
A native of Mississauga, Ont., Merkley leads all rookie defencemen with 11 points (2-9–11) this season. The 2016 GTHL Minor Midget Player of the Year is currently representing Team Canada Red in the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Sault Ste. Marie. His five points (1-4–5) in six games last February helped Canada claim silver at the Youth Olympic Games in Lillehammer, Norway. He was the first overall pick of the 2016 OHL Priority Selection.
Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month – Troy Timpano (Erie Otters):
Erie Otters goaltender Troy Timpano has been named the Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month for October after he went 8-0-0-0 with a 1.88 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage with two shutouts over eight games. Timpano, who turns 19 on November 13th, helped the Otters climb to first place in the Western Conference with a 10-3-1-0 record to end the month, allowing less than three goals in six of his eight starts. He started his season with a 26-save shutout effort in a 6-0 win over the Oshawa Generals on October 7th. Timpano recorded another shutout to end October, making 27 saves in a 6-0 win over the Saginaw Spirit on Saturday night.
A native of Ajax, Ont., Timpano leads all OHL goaltenders with a 1.88 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage. The fourth-year goaltender is in his first campaign with Erie after being acquired from the Sudbury Wolves over the offseason. Timpano was Sudbury’s second round (27th overall) pick in the 2013 OHL Priority Selection.
2016-17 OHL Performers of the Month:
Player of the Month:
October – Taylor Raddysh (Erie Otters)
Defenceman of the Month:
October – Mathieu Henderson (Flint Firebirds)
Rookie of the Month:
October – Ryan Merkley (Guelph Storm)
Vaughn Goaltender of the Month:
October – Troy Timpano (Erie Otters)
