The Double OA Consideration

This one is for you Desousa...


I opened up the floor to viewer/listeners/tweeps ideas and opinions for future blog posts and I would like to thank the many blog ideas that came my way... I am honoured that you want my opinion on the matter, or you sent me the topics so I can make a fool of myself... either or...

Even though I 'dedicated' this one to OHL Alum Chris Desousa, now with UPEI, there was another person who wanted to know about this topic so lets go shall we.

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When you read tweets from players about wanting to be a Double OA, hating the fact that they have to cook their own meals, do their own laundry or they just don't want to grow up, you roll your eyes at them. I do. It is ok to admit it. I was a university student once, I left... it wasn't for me. For some reason I thought Radio Broadcasting was for me and I graduated with 'high honours', best in the class with numerous awards on my way to the real world. In the same light, these OHLers who were boys entering the league now leave as men so they really have no reason to complain about having to do things for themselves. But how about this, maybe this is a perfect opportunity to transition these players into the real world while receiving the comforts of still being a 'major junior' player.

A middle league. How about that? a transitional league for those who are moving on to CIS but saving them from jumping in feet first into the real world. Sure this sounds like I am making these kids out to be babies, but let me explain.

For all intensive purposes the NCAA is for late bloomers (please dont leave comments about what the NCAA is, just follow me here) while CIS in Canada is considered a 'dead zone' (even though the overall play in the league is rising) so how about a single year transitional year for the lost OA's and the first year removed players? with only 60 OA spots available there are many OHLers who must move on a year before they are ready to leave the Major Junior game. By forming a league that is localized more than the entire OHL, say around 4 or 5 close universities. You can provide the 'support' that these players need, giving them a high level of competition while easing them into the 'real world'. Lets take a look at the criteria needed to be apart of this Prep League for the Real World

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• Full Time School - Full course load with minimum grades needed to play
• No 'OA' Pay - the players will not receive an 'open' cheque, they will be given an 'allowance' in which it will be used for food, bills, etc. no more video games.
• Billets Living - They will get the benefits of living in a billets but the billets family will not be responsible for their whereabouts (curfew)
• Age - 20 and 21 year olds only, if you happen to be a cut OA you can play, first year out of MAjor Junior you can play. No exceptions
• Volunteer Hrs Mandatory - Certain number of hours a week volunteering making sure they are not 'wasting' their second chance.

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That is just a few of the base criteria that could be implimented for this prep league to help transition these kids out of the Major Junior system. Lets face it, just because you are deemed 'too old' doesn't mean you are prepared or ready to take that next step. A nice transition is always useful.

What do you think? could this work or is this just players who do not want to grow up?

In The O Fight of the Week November 16

In a week that was shortened by the exhibition “Super Series,” there was no shortage of fights this week in the O. (Check out Brandon’s article about the series here http://intheobloggers.blogspot.com/2011/11/super-series-is-super-boring.html, I couldn’t agree more)

This week we have some history being made, as Johnny McGuire of the Erie Otters makes his second appearance in the In the O Fight of the Week. Johnny took on Kyle Flemington of the London Knights early in the first period of their matchup on Saturday.

Despite a slight height advantage for Flemington, McGuire held his own in this very spirited affair between the two. Hard to pick a winner in this one, so let’s just call it a draw and enjoy the action in the November 16^th, In the O Fight of the Week!

Courtesy hockeyfights.com

ITO Three Stars & Power Rankings: Week 8

As the middle of November arrives, the Ontario Hockey League has hit the quarter mark of the season, and teams are now getting an idea of whether they are able to contend, or if it’s time to plan for next year. This week, we’ll fill you in on how your favourite team did last week, and what’s in store over the next seven days.

ITO 3 Stars

1. Ryan Spooner (Kingston Frontenacs) – Ryan may have only played twice this week, but that didn’t stop him from making a huge impact in both contests. After scoring a pair of goals in a victory over Oshawa on Friday, he would score a shorthanded goal as well as four assists in a 5-3 win over Saginaw. In just two games, Ryan would register three goals and seven points, worthy of being this week’s ITO First Star.

2. Stefan Noesen (Plymouth Whalers) – As this week’s Second Star, Stefan would have an impressive week, helping the Whalers register three straight victories this week. Noesen would score once and add three helpers on Friday night in Guelph, and another assist the next night against Sault Ste. Marie. Sunday afternoon, Stefan would score a pair of goals, and add an assist in a win over Erie. With three goals and eight points in three games over the weekend, Stefan Noesen is our Second Star.

3. Alexander Khokhlachev (Windsor Spitfires) – Another player who racked up the points this week, Alexander Khokhlachev earns this week’s nod as the ITO Third Star based on two goals and seven points in action over the weekend. Alex would score both goals on Friday night, to go along with an assist in a victory in Erie. Two nights later, he would register four assists in a big win over Sault Ste. Marie. Though held off the scoresheet against Niagara, Khoklachev’s performance this week earns the Third Star selection.

ITO Power Rankings

1. London Knights – (Last Week: 1) No change at the top of the OHL Power Rankings this week, as the London Knights continue to be the team to beat so far this season. The Knights would lose to Sault Ste. Marie on Friday night, but would bounce back to knock off Erie the next night. This week, London faces three games in three nights, taking on Plymouth on Friday before traveling to Owen Sound a day later to start a home and home series, which will conclude Sunday evening.

2. Sarnia Sting – (Last Week: 2) By splitting a pair of games over the weekend themselves, the Sting find themselves unable to leap past London atop the Power Rankings. Sarnia would drop a decision in Owen Sound on Friday night, but would defeat Mississauga on Sunday afternoon. The Sting also play three games in three nights this week, hosting Kitchener on Thursday. A home and home series wth Saginaw over the next two nights wraps up in Saginaw on Saturday night.

3. Plymouth Whalers – (Last Week: 5) The Whalers were impressive this week, scoring 23 goals in three weekend victories. After doubling up Guelph, Plymouth returned home for lopsided victories over both Sault Ste. Marie and Erie. With points in seven straight games, the Whalers will look to extend the streak with games in Windsor and London on Thursday and Friday, then returning home to face Kitchener on Saturday.

4. Brampton Battalion – (Last Week: 9) A pair of big victories this week help the Battalion jump five spots this week, landing at number four. After defeating Niagara on Friday night, Brampton would use a shootout to knock off Ottawa on Sunday afternoon. Winners of three in a row, the Battalion now head out on the road, playing three times in the week ahead, starting Thursday night in Saginaw. From there, Brampton will make stops in Sault Ste. Marie on Friday and Sudbury on Sunday.

5. Kitchener Rangers – (Last Week: 4) The Rangers slip a spot this week, despite winning both games over the last seven days. Kitchener would defeat Sudbury on Friday night, and then use a shootout to beat Guelph on Sunday afternoon. With points in seven of their last eight games, the Rangers play three times from Thursday through Saturday this week. Beginning in Sarnia on Thursday night, Kitchener hosts Erie before traveling to Plymouth.

6. Belleville Bulls – (Last Week: 8) Only two games over the weekend, but a pair of shootout victories help the Bulls leap two spots this week in the OHL Power Rankings. Belleville would defeat Saginaw on home ice Saturday, and then win again a night later in Oshawa. This week, the Bulls have a couple of weekday games in a three game week. Belleville begins a home and home series with Peterborough on Wednesday night at home, finishing up Thursday night on the road. Saturday night, the Bulls host Ottawa.

7. Ottawa 67’s – (Last Week: 3) Ottawa went sliding down the OHL Power Rankings this week, even though they were able to earn three points in three games over the weekend. The 67’s would start the week with a shootout victory over Saginaw on Friday night, but would lose a night later in Oshawa. Sunday afternoon, Ottawa would drop a shootout decision in Brampton, giving the 67’s just one win in their past five games. Three in three once again for Ottawa this weekend ahead, starting Friday night when they host Barrie. From there, a game in Belleville before finishing the weekend on home ice against Niagara.

8. Peterborough Petes – (Last Week: 7) Not much to report from Peterborough over the last week, as they would drop a decision on home ice Tuesday night to Oshawa, but rebounded to pick up a victory in Barrie on Saturday night. The schedule picks up some this week for the Petes, who have a home and home series with Belleville on Wednesday and Thursday night, before hosting Windsor on Saturday night.

9. Mississauga St. Michaels Majors – (Last Week: 10) The Majors are down one spot this week, after earning just three points in three games over the weekend. Mississauga would defeat Barrie in overtime Friday night, but would lose in the shootout in Owen Sound the next night. The Majors would then drop a Sunday afternoon tilt at home to Sarnia to end the weekend. Three road games await Mississauga this week, as the Majors play games in Niagara on Thursday, Sudbury on Friday, and Sault Ste. Marie on Sunday.

10. Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds – (Last Week: 6) The short staffed Greyhounds had a tough week last weekend, dropping two of three games in lopsided fashion. The week started well as the Soo would pick up the win in London, but they would seem out of place in blowout losses in Plymouth and Windsor. The Hounds look to get back on track this week on home ice, playing games against Brampton Friday and Mississauga Sunday.

11. Sudbury Wolves – (Last Week: 12) The Wolves climb a spot this week, after splitting a pair of games. After a tough one goal loss in Kitchener on Friday, the Wolves would go into Guelph a night later and pick up the win. Sudbury plays three games this week, starting Thursday night when they play in Barrie. Mississauga pays a visit to Sudbury on Friday night, and the Wolves host Brampton on Sunday afternoon.

12. Owen Sound Attack – (Last Week: 15) With wins in both their contests over the last week, the Attack climb three spots to land at number twelve. Friday night, Owen Sound would start the week with an impressive victory over Sarnia, and the momentum carried through a night later, when the Attack would defeat Mississauga in a shootout. Owen Sound hosts Erie on Wednesday of this week, before playing a home and home series with London over the weekend, wrapping up Sunday night on the road.

13. Niagara IceDogs – (Last Week: 14) Niagara finds themselves up a spot this week, after splitting their two games this past week. Niagara would drop a decision in Brampton on Friday night, but replied nicely, defeating Windsor Saturday night. The IceDogs have a tough week ahead, facing Mississauga on Thursday night, before hitting the road for games in Kingston on Friday and Ottawa on Sunday.

14. Guelph Storm – (Last Week: 11) The Storm wouldn’t find any success in three contests this week, picking up just a single point out of six possible in weekend play. Losses to Plymouth and Sudbury, on Friday and Saturday nights respectively, were followed by a shootout loss in Kitchener. With only one win in their last six, the Storm will look to get back in track Friday night when they host Oshawa, before playing in Erie the following night.

15. Barrie Colts – (Last Week: 13) Unable to come up with a win this week, Barrie now finds themselves winless in four. The Colts would earn a point in an overtime loss in Mississauga on Friday, but couldn’t follow it up the next night, losing on home ice to Peterborough. On Thursday, Barrie plays host to Sudbury, then heads out on the road for games in Ottawa on Friday and Kingston on Sunday.

16. Oshawa Generals – (Last Week: 16) A busy week for the Generals sees them pick up five points in four games. The week started well for Oshawa when they would pick up the win in Peterborough on Tuesday night, but a lopsided loss in Kingston Friday night took away some of their momentum. The following night, however, the Generals would defeat Ottawa on home ice, then would lose in a shootout to Belleville on Sunday evening. Three in three on tap for Oshawa again this weekend, as they open the week in Guelph on Friday night, then return home for contests with Kingston and Windsor to finish up the week.

17. Windsor Spitfires – (Last Week: 17) Windsor earns a pair of victories in a three game weekend, defeating Erie on Friday, but losing to Niagara a night later. A lopsided victory over Sault Ste. Marie would keep the Spits from sliding any spots this week. Windsor plays three games this week starting Thursday against Plymouth, before hitting the road over the weekend, with games in Peterborough on Saturday, and Oshawa on Sunday.

18. Saginaw Spirit – (Last Week: 18) Despite not earning a win in any of their three contests, the Spirit still found a way to earn a pair of points this week, losing in shootouts to Ottawa and Belleville on Friday and Saturday nights, respectively. Saginaw would finish the weekend with a loss in Kingston on Sunday afternoon. Three more games this week for the Spirit, who host Brampton on Thursday night, then begin a home and home series with Sarnia on the road the following night.

19. Kingston Frontenacs – (Last Week: 19) While the Fronts remain at number 19 this week in the OHL Power Rankings, they have surely climbed closer to the rest of the pack, after winning two games this week to build a modest three game winning streak. Three in three over the weekend ahead, however, has Kingston hosting Niagara on Friday night, before playing in Oshawa on Saturday, and returning home to face Barrie on Sunday afternoon.

20. Erie Otters – (Last Week: 20) The Otters remain at the bottom of the OHL Power Rankings this week, as they would lose all three contests during the week, and have won just twice in their last twelve games. After losing a close contest to Windsor Friday night, Erie would lose in London and Plymouth. The road trip continues for the Otters this week, as they play in Owen Sound on Wednesday and Kitchener on Friday, before returning home to tackle with Guelph Saturday night.

The ITO Three Stars and Power Rankings can be found every Tuesday here at In The O… The Radio Show. Be sure to check back next week to see where your favourite team ranks, but if you can’t wait for your OHL fix, find me on Twitter, @N24Nicholson.

Anthony Nicholson covers Junior Hockey and the Toronto Maple Leafs for Toronto News 24, and can be heard as a regular contributor to "In The O... The Radio Show". Contact Anthony anytime for a conversation by joining him on Twitter, or send mail to anicholson@n24.ca.

Super Series is Super Boring

After 9 years the OHL is still undefeated. 18-0 baby. That is what I like to see from the OHL boys… but sad to say… I didn’t watch it. I had it on in the background and glanced to see the replay of the 6 OHL goals but that is where my interest ended. This event has lost its luster and no longer a premier event.

Sure for a certain cable provider it is good numbers as many people tune in to see an All-Star team beat up on the Russians. Who doesn’t like watching Russia lose at hockey…

I am still a huge fan of the OHL and will waive the flag proudly as I proclaim it the number 1 major junior league in the world but you have to know when you jumped the shark. Lets tweak this format… I know, lets include all the potential invitee’s to the WJHC Team Canada selection camp. That way it is truly Canada versus Russia. But then we shouldn’t call them Team OHL… maybe Team Canada featuring players only from the OHL. How about we make it a true Team OHL vs Russia, lets include the Americans, or Slovaks, Germans and Swedes. That is a Team OHL right there.

I know when it first started it was a big deal. Canada vs. Russia at the Junior level, 40 years after the big 72 Summit series. The series sold itself. Now… not so much. Maybe it is just not enjoyable to watch because I am so confident in the OHL’s ability to not only put a team together but to defeat the Russians. Yes you can point out that they had to come from behind to win Game 1… But just like people complained about the 1-3-1 trap that TBL used in the NHL, who won the game? Canada did. Uh, I mean Team OHL did.

Remember when no one cared about the NHL All Star game and they made it east vs west, north America vs the world and now the who wants kessel selection process? Well, at least the NHL is trying to get people interested. I don’t feel the same way about this series when it comes to the OHL territory. I can watch the Q and the W series just fine… It is unpredictable to me and maybe that is why.

Next year in the Super Series, lets send the best non drafted Canadian OHL players to represent the OHL. Think about it, if you were not drafted and have not signed a pro contract with an NHL team, you can play. Maybe then the Russians can beat Team OHL.

That of course is one idea, I have many more and I am sure you do as well. Bottom line, something needs to be tweaked in this series because I had more fun folding my laundry this evening. Maybe if I have insomnia tonight I will watch it on my PVR, and count how many more saves the post made when compared to the Russian goaltending.

Thoughts from the Editor...

Another weekend is done in the OHL and I just had to point out some bullet points from around the league.

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I Know Thayne (@thallyburton) can not believe this but the Brampton Battalion are sitting on top of the Central Division, tied with Mississauga in points (26) but have one more W than their HWY410/401/403 rivals. Brampton still leads the OHL in goals against while scoring the 2^nd fewest goals in the league.

The Central division is tighter than many would have thought at the beginning of the year. The 5 teams in the division has basically flipped flopped after the opening 3 weeks of the OHL season…

Mississauga started 7-0 until the Battalion made them a 7-1 team. After their first 8 games, the Majors have gone 4-5-1-3. 12 of a possible 26 after scooping up 14 of 16 to open the season.

Niagara has not set the league on fire as expected. Sitting third in the division with 20 points the IceDogs are still an enigma. Freddie Hamilton leads the team in points (12/18/30) with his younger brother Dougie Hamilton (9/19/28), Ryan Strome (11/9/20) and David Pacan (10/10/20) round out the top 3 in team scoring, What is puzzling is that only 2 players are a +5 or better player on the team (D. Hamilton, Strome with +7 each) with 13 players hosting a minus rating (Steven Shipley is the worst at -10). Potential starter for Team Canada at the WJHC Mark Visentin is equaling his worst statistcal numbers since his rookie season, currently with a 4-6-0-1 record 3.38GAA and a .882SV%

Sudbury Wolves looked to be copying what they accomplished last season. A slow (pathetic) start leading to a big finish, but this years Wolves squad has turned it around sooner. After starting this season 0-4-1 (started 1-6-1 in 10/), the Wolves have gone 9-4 to erase a huge deficit in the division and be considered a contender for the Central. The Wolves are the lowest scoring team in the Central and sit 18^th in league scoring.

Barrie Colts forward Tanner Pearson is still leading the league in overall scoring with 15G26A For 41 points.  Pearson has had 2 pointless games. Nail Yakupov is sitting with 38 points (13/25) which sits him second in league scoring and has had 4 pointless games.

The Saginaw Spirit prefer Brandon Saad was in the lineup terrorizing opponents. The Spirit are 2-9-2 without the Chicago Blackhawks in the lineup. With Saad’s 8 Games played and 18 pts (9G/9A) the Spirit are 5-3.

The Plymouth Whalers have put on an impressive weekend outscoring their opponents (GUE/SSM/ER) 23-5 this past weekend. Scott Wedgewood won 2 games this weekend with a 2GAA, a .933 SV% and a shootout, with Matt Mahalak winning the 3^rd game of the weekend with a 1GAA and a .971SV%. Wedgewood has a GAA over 3 for the season, Mahalak is under 1.9GAA and their save percentages has Wedgewood with a .905 while Mahalak is at a .939. Is it time for Plymouth to cash in on a goaltender?

After starting 1-8 on the season the Erie Otters have done little to improve. The Otters now sit at 3-16 on the season and it does not look like it will improve even with the return of Adam Pelech on the blueline. The Pieces in Erie are seemingly on the trade block and awaiting a new home.

Don’t look now but the Belleville Bulls have strung together 5 wins in a row, the first time they have accomplished during the regular season alone since March 7-18, 2009 (Oct 29-Nov 8 was another 5 Game winning streak). Also during the 08/09 season the Bulls had a 7 game winning streak (Feb 11-25), and an 8 game winning streak (Jan 10-30)

London Knight goaltender Michael Houser’s numbers may have fallen back down to normal level but he still is leasding the league in the most important category, Wins. Houser is leading all goaltenders with 15 Wins so far this season, OTT Petr Mrazek is second with 11 victories. Houser is also the busiest Goaltender in the league facing 673 shots in 19 games (35.4 shots a game).

The Kingston Frontenacs have apparently woken up winning out their 3 games this past week. The Frontenacs put up 19 goals in 3 games while Igor Bobkov has seemingly found his game in the Kingston Crease and the most talked about trade rumour subject, Ryan Spooner, woke up with 4 goals, 10 points and a +6 rating in the past 3 games.

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Until the next time I get an urge to point out weird random thoughts, don't forget to check out the website www.intheoradio.com or listen to our Interview roundup here.