GTHL Blue wins 2015 U16 OHL Gold Cup

Sunday May 10, 2015

Team GTHL Blue are 2015 OHL Gold Cup Champions, skating to a perfect 5-0 record in the tournament following Sunday’s 6-2 victory over Team ALLIANCE to claim gold.

GTHL Blue used a big third period, scoring five including a pair of shorthanded markers against ALLIANCE to surge ahead on the scoreboard and never look back as the GTHL claimed its first OHL Gold Cup title.

Hamilton Bulldogs first round selection Matthew Strome earned Player of the Game honours for GTHL Blue, scoring a goal and an assist to lead his club to victory.

After a scoreless first, Kingston Frontenacs first round selection Robbie Burt of GTHL Blue and Guelph Storm first round pick Isaac Ratcliffe of ALLIANCE swapped goals to see the game enter the third period knotted at one.

Peterborough Petes prospect C.J. Clarke put GTHL Blue ahead for good 1:39 into the third with a helper going to Strome before back-to-back shorthanded markers from Strome and Erie Otters prospect Brett Neumann put them firmly in the lead 4-1 enroute to a 6-2 final score.

In the bronze medal game played earlier on Sunday, Team OMHA Navy defeated Team HEO 5-1 to claim third place.

OMHA Navy forward and Saginaw Spirit first round pick Brady Gilmour led the way with two goals while Quinte Red Devils teammate Aidan McFarland (Mississauga Steelheads) chipped in with two assists. Quinte goaltender Anthony Popovich (Guelph Storm) was solid in goal to collect the win while Matthew Titus (Mississauga Steelheads) registered the lone goal for Team HEO.

Also on Sunday, Team GTHL Red held off a comeback by Team OMHA White as defenceman Fedor Gordeev (Hamilton Bulldogs) scored the winner 4:19 into the third period in a 5-4 win. Peterborough Petes first round pick Zachary Gallant had a goal and an assist for GTHL Red.

Forwards Robert Thomas (London Knights) and Kyle Heitzner (Barrie Colts) each scored a pair of second period goals in Team OMHA White’s second period comeback bid that fell just short.

Team NOHA finished their weekend with a 6-1 win over Team HNO as Maxim Lacroix led the way with a pair of goals and Owen Sound Attack prospect Cayse Ton contributed three helpers.

London Knights first round selection defenceman Evan Bouchard of Team OMHA White led the tournament in scoring with five goals, six assists and 11 points in five contests. 2015 OHL Priority Selection second overall pick Gabe Vilardi of Team HEO trailed close behind with four goals, five assists and nine points while OMHA White forward Ben Evans (Ottawa 67’s) also finished with six points.

Bouchard’s outstanding weekend marks the first time that a defenceman has led the tournament in scoring.

The OHL Gold Cup created to feature Ontario’s top Under-16 talent and also serves as an evaluation and selection process for the Hockey Canada Program of Excellence.

127 players chosen in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection competed in this year’s U16 OHL Gold Cup including 19 first round picks.

2015 OHL Gold Cup Champions – GTHL Blue:
Brendan Bonello (Saginaw Spirit)
Robbie Burt (Kingston Frontenacs)*
Finn Evans (London Knights)
C.J. Clarke (Peterborough Petes)
Samuel Duchesne (Flint Firebirds)
Ben Garagan (Subury Wolves)
Joseph Garreffa (Kitchener Rangers)
Nicolas Hatzikiriakos
Noel Hoefenmayer (Ottawa 67’s)
Nick Isaacson (Peterborough Petes)
Zachary Jackson (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Michael Mannara (Guelph Storm)
Jake McGrath (Sudbury Wolves)
Ryan McLeod (Flint Firebirds)*
Brett Neumann (Erie Otters)
Markus Phillips (Owen Sound Attack)*
Robert Proner (Saginaw Spirit)
Elijah Roberts (Kitchener Rangers)
Devlin Shanahan (Windsor Spitfires)
Matthew Strome (Hamilton Bulldogs)*

*first round pick in 2015 OHL Priority Selection

For more information including scores, stats, and video highlights please visit ohlgoldcup.com.