NCAA vs CHL... The Never Ending Debate

by Dominic Tiano



This debate is long, never ending, and frankly, getting tiresome. I am often asked about my opinion on it and what I feel should happen. First off, let me say I really don’t have an opinion on the matter, or at least a public one. I have listened to arguments from both sides and find them equally talking out of the sides of their mouths. My statements won’t win any popularity contests, nor have I ever attempted to.

The Canadian Hockey League, first and foremost is a business, one that the National Hockey League needs to succeed. As the premier supplier of talent to the NHL, the latter knows that it is in their best interest to have the CHL succeed both on the ice and financially. The CHL has over 1300 players playing under their three leagues. Some have already been drafted by NHL teams, some will in the next year and some in the coming years and the NHL needs a place for them to develop so the ultimate success of the CHL is also the NHL’s success.

The NHL, to ensure that the CHL has a good product to put on the ice to attract fans, and to keep those fans, came up with the age 20 rule – where a player drafted out of the CHL must turn 20 during the year in which the season is played – to play in the AHL otherwise, they must remain with the NHL team or be sent back to junior. There is no such rule for NCAA players, or for that matter Europeans. In fact, a player drafted out of the NCAA, or Europe, can make the jump to the CHL the following season and still be eligible to play in the AHL before he turns 20.

Furthermore, the NHL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement allows for its member teams to pay a salary to players playing Major Junior as long as they are signed to an NHL Standard Player’s Contract and it is negotiated in that contract. (Section 9.4, page 26 of the CBA)

What the NHL has created here is an opportunity for NCAA players to make the jump to Major Junior and earn a salary and still maintain their chances of moving up to the American Hockey League and earn an even larger salary. It’s created a financial reason for NCAA players to want to play in the CHL.

Sure the CHL covets those players and tries hard to lure them to play Major Junior. But, as I said previously, it is a business and they have to do whatever it takes to make their business successful. It’s something that’s done at just about every level of hockey so why then are teams in the CHL being accused of doing something illegal in some circles? Or is it because of National Letters of intent?

National Letters of Intent are not a legally binding agreement. If there is a clause promising exclusive negotiating rights, then that clause is legally binding but the total document is not. The vast majority of those LOI are signed before the player is 18 years of age. And that is the age in most States that a person can enter into a legally binding contract.

If the NCAA firmly believes that players should honour LOI’s, a document that is not legally binding and is asking someone not of legal age to sign that document, then they should include the clause that is

legally binding – exclusive negotiating rights – in every LOI. So why don’t they? Only two reasons that come to my mind: Firstly, they know that players won’t sign it and throw away other options – one that includes the CHL and secondly, they know that they can’t legally enforce that on a person under the legal age of majority (in most States).

College Hockey Inc. Led by the former head of the NHLPA Paul Kelly seems to be taking the right approach. In an article on United States of Hockey website yesterday, it states that College Hockey Inc is trying to get legislation with the help of the NHL to make National Letters of Intent a binding agreement. http://unitedstatesofhockey.com/2012/02/08/ncaa-vs-chl-strengthening-nlis-opening-college-hockey-to-chlers/

The article goes on to explain that it would take a gentleman’s agreement between the NHL, CHL and College Hockey Inc. It also goes on to talk about how USA Hockey and Hockey Canada could be involved because of the transfer rules that are governed by the International Ice Hockey Federation. My fear is that if LOI were made a legally binding agreement, that you would have players waiting out the CHL drafts and putting the NCAA in a more difficult situation trying to put squads together.

If College Hockey Inc is unsuccessful in having LOI’s made legally binding, would USA Hockey or Hockey Canada impede a players choice to make a jump across the border? It’s a possibility but highly unlikely. There is always the possibility of appeal to the IIHF or even court action to reverse their decision and I can’t see either supporting the decision to enforce something that isn’t legally binding, although with some of the decisions that have come down from the IIHF in the past, it wouldn’t be surprising.

I have always maintained that for any resolution to be successful, the NHL will have to be involved. Part of this lays on them for having seemingly two sets of rules governing drafted players, those from the CHL and everyone else. And if anyone thinks that the financial reward doesn’t play a part in this remember that these players are advised by player agents who have a vested interest. It’s about time the NHL stepped up to the plate.

As a hockey fan, I want hockey to be successful everywhere not just Canada, and that includes the United States. If I had to make the decision and fix this situation from a CHL standpoint, this is what I would do:

I would change the import rule and have every non-Canadian count against the import maximums and increase the import maximum to 5 per team. It currently stands at two and only Europeans count as imports. There are those that believe that this would harm the US based franchises. Well, a quick look at some rosters from the Ontario Hockey league shows the Windsor Spitfires having as many Americans as the Plymouth Whalers and Erie Otters on their roster with 8. Only the Saginaw Spirit has more with 11. I would even consider making American born players available only to the US franchises, but that may never fly with the Canadian teams.

With almost every other team other than the one’s mentioned above having 3 or less Americans on their roster, some that don’t have any, I don’t see a big change in how they do things. We could, theoretically see even more Europeans.

As it stands now, NCAA players lose their eligibility once they sign a pro contract. The NCAA could, as long as no monies are being handed out – such as signing bonuses, change their own rules to allow players to remain in the NCAA as long as their contract was signed after they entered school and will not receive any moneys before they leave school. For some players, there is no other option to leave the NCAA once they sign their pro contracts.

In turn the NHL could, with new CBA talks about to begin, eliminate salaries allowed Major Junior players after they’ve signed a pro contract and thus level that playing field. It’s not that many CHL players are collecting that salary, but the option is there and it is enticing.

There are two things we know for certain: One, the CHL will never give up the age 20 rule, and it’s unlikely the NHL wants that to happen. So do they even the playing field and make it the same for NCAA players? Also unlikely because once that player signs an NHL contract they lose their NCAA eligibility and are free to go where ever they want.

The second is that the CHL will never willingly and of their free will honour Letters of Intent. And this is where the NHL has to persuade the CHL. After all, isn’t that in the best interest of hockey and what the NHL stands for? If persuasion doesn’t work and a threat is needed, there is always the age 20 rule.

Then there is the moral issue: those that believe it’s morally wrong for players not to honour their LOI. Well the vast majority do honour them. Show me a group of 15-17 year olds in everyday life that hasn’t changed their minds in what could be life altering decisions, well...you get the picture.

In closing I’ll say this: The NCAA is the only innocent bystander in this. There is blame to be shared by the CHL, the NHL and yes, even the players, their families or their agents. So before we continue to put fingertips to keyboards and continue to blame the CHL, let’s remember that there are others involved and stop blaming them for something that is widely accepted at every other level.

Scott Wedgewood: Out of OHL Anonymity

Special Thanks to Bryan Thiel

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As of December 25th, not many people knew the name Scott Wedgewood. That's not to say no one knew it—those who follow the OHL are familiar with the Plymouth Whalers' goaltender—but he wasn't exactly a household name. Actually, he's barely a household name in his own league.

Now? The name Wedgewood is known Canada-wide, and he could be the next hot-topic at this year's World Junior Championships.

Wedgewood stood on his head against the Czech Reupublic December 28th, earning Canada a 5-0 win and moving them to 2-0 at the tournament. The shutout also marked Canada's 5th against the Czech Republic in World Junior history, and if we want to look at this hockey season as a whole, it was Wedgewood's third of the season.

Success really hasn't eluded Wedgewood over his two seasons in the OHL as a starting goalie: He's a combined 41-23-3-2, and while the stats aren't as pristine this year, he finished last year in the top-ten in goals-against average and save percentage, and (combined with backup Matt Mahalak) has Plymouth battling for top spot in the Western Conference this year.

If you want to go back even farther, you can look at the last game of the 2009/10 playoffs for Plymouth, which was Wedgewood's coming out party. Down 3-0 in their second-round series against the Windsor Spitfires, Wedgewood was the default starter for Game Four after then-Whaler Matt Hackett was suspended for 3-games because he went blocker-first after Derek Lanoue. All Wedgewood did was take the Windsor Spitfires to overtime, and make 70 saves—yes, 70 saves—in a 3-2 loss.

But along with the successes have come the 'hardships' of playing for a team that the Ontario portion of the OHL ignores. Ask someone who the best goalie in the OHL is, and Dale Hunter will tell you it's Michael Houser. Kitchener can bring first-year revelation John Gibson to the table, and Ottawa boasts Petr Mrazek, but only the wise ones mention Wedgewood. Last year in their first-round series against the Rangers, no one thought the Whalers' goalie could steal a series against the third seed. But he did, dragging a frustrated Gabriel Landeskog, Jerry D'Amigo and Jason Akeson along for the ride.

The spring before, the 70-save performance against the Spits made Wedgewood famous…for about a week. Soon after everyone was talking about the 3-0 lead Kitchener had in the Western Conference Finals. Then it was the fact that the Spitfires came back to win the series. Then it was Windsor’s second consecutive Memorial Cup. Who was going to remember a little second-round elimination at the hands of the champs?

Before he even started that game Plymouth Coach Mike Vellucci, his biggest supporter, was completely behind Wedgewood, saying he had always given his team a chance to win in the 18 games he played that year. In fact, Vellucci hoped that Wedgewood’s start against Windsor would get him some attention from the NHL scouts.

It did, as Wedgewood became a third round selection of the New Jersey Devils, and the second goalie taken from the OHL (Mark Visentin was taken in the first round by Phoenix).

While the draft status may have been ‘average’ (Thomas McCollum—30^th overall in 2008—and Visentin are the only OHL goalies to go in the first round since 2001), a team that knew a thing or two about goalies had chosen Wedgewood, which on it’s own merit should have had people talking about him. But it didn’t. Neither did the fact that this was about the time many began wondering who would take over for Martin Brodeur, a goalie Wedgewood idolized, whenever the all-time great retired. Few mentioned the recently drafted goalie, who was the first goalie New Jersey had selected in the entry draft in five years, on the 20^th anniversary of Brodeur’s selection.

Fast-forward to today and we know a little more about Scott Wedgewood and what he brings to the table. We know that the starting goalie of the Plymouth Whalers they call ‘Money’ has vaulted himself into the upper-tier of OHL goalies, he brought a country to their feet with his 26-save shutout of the Czechs, and he may just be the answer when people ask ‘who’s up next for New Jersey once Broduer is done?’

We won’t know the answer to that last one for a few more years, but one thing is for sure: Scott Wedgewood is no longer the OHL’s best kept secret.

Bulls Daniel Altshuller has some tough decisions ahead

Belleville Bulls goaltending prospect Daniel Altshuller is having a dream year. First with his hometown Nepean Raiders Jr.A club Altshuller took over the starting role when then starter Michel Kowalew suffered a serious ankle injury. It took Altshuller about 9 games to get adjusted to his new role with the club as he went 2-7 in that stretch before adjusting to the speed of the game. Altshuller then won seven of his next ten including a 3-2 win over the Cornwall Colts a perennial league powerhouse.

Daniel was then invited to the Team Ontario U-17 camp for the upcoming U-17 world challenge Altshuller was a long shot as his competition all had some experience playing in the CHL but Altshuller had a fantastic camp and made the team as a back up. At some point between being named to the team and the beginning of the tournament Altshuller had outplayed Jake Paterson (the original starter) and was named the starter just before the tournament was to begin.

Altshuller led Ontario to a 4-0 run in the round robin and eventually to a gold medal while being named the tournaments top goaltender. The Belleville Bulls third round pick received glowing reviews from Bulls GM George Burnett as he told the Ottawa Sun that "Daniel was the goalie of the tournament and that was a great oppurtunity for him to face such high-calibre talent every night." Altshuller then returned to the Raiders and finished off the season with a 19-13-6-4-1 record along with a 3.22 GAA and a .906 sv% leading the Raiders into a sixth place finish and a first round matchup with the Brockville Braves.

Then this summer an invite to the U-18 squad came along for the upcoming Ivan Hlinka tournament in the Czech Republic and of course Altshuller was on the flight overseas as the team left yesterday. Once again Altshuller was a bit of a long shot to make the team as he was the only one without any Major Junior experience. Battling for one of two roster spots with six goaltenders at camp some had said that he may make the team as the backup. Once again Altshuller not only found a way onto the squad but will be playing the starters role while wearing the Maple Leaf in the Czech next week.

Altshuller's quick rise has forced the Bulls to try and woo the young 17 year old (Altshuller turned 17 on July 24th) into the OHL and onto their roster. As he has expressed his interest in going the NCAA route instead of through Major Junior it's proving to be quite the task. There are other cards at play that make the situation more complicated for the Bulls, Altshuller's father Brian owns the Raiders his Jr.A club and his brother Shawn plays as a forward for the club. The Bulls may have some help from Hockey Canada who will surely advise Altshuller that the best thing for him would be the CHL.

In the meantime Belleville has room on their roster for Altshuller as they traded Tyson Teichmann to Erie just this week essentially giveing Daniel a spot on their roster. As of now it looks like Altshuller is closer to signing with Belleville than he's ever been but the Bulls will still have to wait for an official decision as Daniel will be spending the next few weeks stopping rubber in the Czech Republic.

Team Canada U20 (WJHC) CHL Invite Roster

A couple weeks back I looked at the Hockey Canada (HC) U18 Camp Invitee roster, with an OHL focus, and gave you my honest opinion on whether or not certain OHLers would make it. Now it is time to look at the OHLers named to the U-20, or World Junior Hockey Championship (WJHC). The crown jewel in Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence (PoE). Below is the complete list of invitees, (OHL in BOLD), and then a breakdown of whether or not they have a shot at making the team.

Goaltenders:

Tyler Bunz, Medicine Hat Tigers, Louis Domingue, Quebec Remparts, Mark Visentin, Niagara IceDogs, Scott Wedgewood, Plymouth Whalers

Defencemen:

Nathan Beaulieu, Saint John Sea Dogs, Cody Ceci, Ottawa 67's, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc, Rimouski, Oceanic, Brandon Gormley, Moncton Wildcats, Erik Gudbranson, Kingston Frontenacs, Dougie Hamilton, Niagara IceDogs, Scott Harrington, London Knights, Martin Lefebvre, Quebec Remparts, Joe Morrow, Portland Winterhawks, Ryan Murphy, Kitchener Rangers, Ryan Murray, Everett Silvertips, Stuart Percy, Mississauga St. Michael's Majors, Matthew Petgrave, Owen Sound Attack, Mark Pysyk, Edmonton Oil Kings, Duncan Siemens, Saskatoon Blades

Forwards:

Michael Bournival, Shawinigan Cataractes, Brett Connolly, Prince George Cougars, Sean Couturier, Drummondville Voltigeurs, Phillip Danault, Victoriaville Tigres, Brendan Gallagher, Vancouver Giants

Freddie Hamilton, Niagara IceDogs, Patrick Holland, Tri-City Americans, Quinton Howden, Moose Jaw Warriors, Jonathan Huberdeau, Saint John Sea Dogs, Boone Jenner, Oshawa Generals, Ryan Johansen, Portland Winterhawks, Lucas Lessio, Oshawa Generals, Greg McKegg, Erie Otters, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Red Deer Rebels, Matthew Puempel, Peterborough Petes, Ty Rattie, Portland Winterhawks, Brett Ritchie, Sarnia Sting, Mark Scheifele, Barrie Colts, Michael Sgarbossa, Sudbury Wolves, Devante Smith-Pelly, Mississauga St. Michael's Majors, Ryan Spooner, Kingston Frontenacs, Mark Stone, Brandon Wheat Kings

Ryan Strome, Niagara IceDogs, Christian Thomas, Oshawa Generals, Tyler Toffoli, Ottawa 67's

OHL Breakdown: 2 Goaltenders, 7 Defenceman and 13 forwards. 22 of the 44 players attending the WJHC Camp are from the OHL. Dominance much?

Yay or Nay?

Mark Visentin, Niagara IceDogs – if you are new to ITO then you do not know that I am in love with this kid and his goaltending abilities. What started off as a mockery of bet at the CHL Top Prospects game has turned into a hate-hate relationship between Mark and I. But no matter what we personally agree or disagree on, this kid will be the starter yet again for Team Canada in December. And I do want to point out that last year when he was labeled the ‘backup’ I was yelling and screaming the whole time that he should have started the tournament. Game set and match, Brandon.

Scott Wedgewood, Plymouth Whalers – Unfortunately for Scott he has been playing in the shadows of phenomenal goaltending as he has come up through the years. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride for Scott and I have been yelling again, since day one that this kid needs more attention. Best kept secret in the OHL… despite Ryan Strome undressing him in that YouTube video. I know Scott is working hard to finally get a chance to wear the Red and White and I don’t see why this year he couldn’t make the roster.

Cody Ceci, Ottawa 67’s – since seeing him for the first time two seasons ago, I keep forgetting that Cody is not a veteran, but man does he play like one. He is 2012 NHL draft eligible and he has already just wowed me with his style of play. He has definitely come up through the HC PoE and I see that trend continuing here. At 6’2” and a staggering 205lbs there is nothing that will get in his way, not even some veterans to this team.

Erik Gudbranson, Kingston Frontenacs – what a past 12 months for Erik. Getting drafted, just missing the ability to sign with the FLA Panthers over an amount of money as low as $15,000 on the contract, forgetting how to play hockey, a suspension here and there, a team meltdown that gets him stripped of his ‘A’, another suspension and overall sucking in your game… and yet he still gets an invite to this years camp. Unlike last season when he made Team Canada, this year, the Florida Panthers will have him signed and he will not be allowed to go. End of story.

Dougie Hamilton, Niagara IceDogs – I am conflicted with Dougie here, not because of his ability or skill set. He will make Team Canada based on those qualities right there. He has the skill and size to make it, and his 9^th overall drafting in this years NHL Entry Draft proves he can play the game. But I am conflicted on whether or not he will be back in the OHL this season. Something tells me that he could stay with the Boston Bruins… Defenceman do take longer to develop than forwards, and it could hurt him to be there at a really young age… then again for Drew Doughty it didn’t hurt him and Dougie has size and build on him already. If Dougie puts on the pounds he could make BOS and if he does, he will not make Team Canada. If he is back in Niagara. Then he does not get the Christmas break off.

Scott Harrington, London Knights – here is my mandatory, I am a huge fan of the London Knights speech, and I am. I don’t care if I am media and I am supposed to be unbiased. I cant help it. But in this case, I can not see any scenario where Harrington will make Team Canada. He had a… well not awful year, but a very underwhelming draft year. Unless he comes out firing out of the gate and can carry the momentum this year in London… then he will be at home watching like the rest of us. And that is tough for me to say… you know, since I am a London Knights fan.

Ryan Murphy, Kitchener Rangers – So here is a kid who is left off the U18 roster for the Ivan Hlinka because he can not play defence. When the Rangers get knocked out of the playoffs he plays for the U18 team at the Worlds, despite him not being able to play defence. And then he gets drafted 12^th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes even though he can not play defence? Has everyone dropped that notion by now? No? ok fine, maybe he can not play D, but he will play for Team Canada.

Stuart Percy, Mississauga Majors – Now a lot of you will be saying who? Stuart Percy… selected 25^th by the Toronto Maple Leafs… a solid, stay at home defenceman who has wowed a lot of people this year into not only becoming a Top Prospect, but a first round draft pick. He may not possess bone crushing hits, or a big frame that may scare the opposition. But this kid knows his angles and knows how to play D. if him  and Murphy played together, would it make them the Odd Couple? He is wearing the maple leaf come Christmas.

Matt Petgrave, Owen Sound Attack – here is your recipient of a fantastic team season where he got loads of PP time and worked well in a system invitee… I am not trying to take anything away from Matt Petgrave but his invite is the result of the Owen Sound Attack coming from off the map to become the OHL Champions this year. The buck stops here Matt… but hey this will give you the time to reload your iPod… I hear Beyonce has a new album out.

Freddie Hamilton, Niagara IceDogs – the man with the Brows… or Brow. Depending in what light you are looking at him. Freddie has shown he is a pure sniper. What many didn’t know about him, is that he is a pretty complete player. And this year his stock rose immensely, thanks in part because of a teammate of his who I will get to later. It would be good to take them both on the team, but with the Head Coach being Don Hay from the WHL. This Hamilton may be in Calgary during the Christmas break… but he will be watching his brother.

Boone Jenner, Oshawa Generals – ‘are they yelling boooo? Or Boooooone?’ In the case of Mr. Burns the crowd was chanting BOO! But in Jenner's case, BOOOOOONNNNEEEE! Will this get him onto the team though? No sadly it will not.  A great talent who next season in the OHL will be a breakout star but with a lot of potential for veterans on the team, he will be a victim to the numbers game. Has played in HC PoE at every level and he will wear the Maple Leaf at the U20 soon. But not this year.

Lucas Lessio, Oshawa Generals – I love this kid, I love how he plays, love how he jokes, and I love how the crowd in Niagara hate him sooooooo much. Seriously though, this kid has not grown into his skill yet. Plays a much bigger game than his stature suggests and even though his stats did not set the world on fire, he was on a veteran team who clawed for every second they got to play. This season will be different but he will have to wait until the season after next to play for the red and white.

Greg McKegg, Erie Otters – The Pirate Captain himself, who was cut from last years team even though he was leading in Goals at the time. He finished the year strong and can provide a lot to this Team Canada team. I would look for him in a 3^rd/4^th line role, like Stefan Della Rovere was for Team Canada a few years ago. He makes the team hands down.

Matt Puempel, Peterborough Petes – Maybe it is because he doesn’t play NHL 11, no seriously, he is not a gamer at all. But Puempel has grown on me. He didn’t set the world on fire in his sophomore season like he did in his rookie campaign but the kid has gotten physically stronger. He lost the end of the year due to hip surgery but I am assured that he is stronger than before in his lower body. But I still don’t believe he never meant to shoot the puck at me back in October… he already wears maroon and white, and maroon is a darker red. Easy decision here.

Brett Ritchie, Sarnia Sting – Not every OHLer can make this team and here is one that I am very undecided on. A big, strong winger that is built like, and plays like he should be in the WHL, that is… if you want to stereotype leagues and players like that. since it is a coach from the WHL, I am inclined to say he will be one of the last players cut, or be a 13^th forward.

Mark Scheifele, Barrie Colts – a talented kid who put up numbers beyond expectations for a very weak Barrie Colts team. If he put up numbers like this on Mississauga, or another high offence team, there would be suspicion. In this case, was he deserving of 7^th overall and the future face of the Winnipeg Jets? Time will tell (I say yes). He can move, he can shoot, and he learned how to be a better defensive forward this year. Mark will get a long look, but it may not be this season he gets the nod and that is only because of the centreman who I will discuss soon.

Michael Sgarbossa, Sudbury Wolves – Wow this is a tough call, much like Scheifele, once he fell in Sudbury he made the most of his situation including carrying the entire team on his back. Ok not the entire team, because Marcus Foligno was carrying the other half of the team. But it was insane to see the difference in his game once he moved to Sudbury from Saginaw. In 26 games for the Spirit, 7G-13A-20Pts. In 37 games for Sudbury 29G-33A-62pts… Did he play more in the Bury? Definitely… but did he play with the same offensive type talent that Saginaw stockpiled? Definitely not. This kid has something in him, he didn’t get drafted the second time around, but his NHL invites will be interesting. A long look, but too one dimensional for my likes.

Devante Smith-Pelly, Mississauga Majors – what do I not like about this guy? Nothing. I love everything that he brings to the table. You want a tough mucker grinder who has the softest hands in the world who will get you those surprise goals that can turn the tournament in your favour. Then take DSP. Otherwise he will be sitting at home. I think it would be a shame to see him sitting at home, but he is similar to Ritchie, and Ritchie is a little lighter on his feet. Sorry DSP.

Ryan Spooner, Kingston Frontenacs – I know he has talent and skill and has played at the U17 and U18 tournament… but I just don’t realistically see him at this tournament wearing the Maple Leaf. Maybe it is something about his haircut, I don’t know. If he is a hot commodity heading into December, then I will be eating my words. Right now, I don’t see it.

Ryan Strome, Niagara IceDogs – SEE YOUTUBE. That is all I practically have to say. What else do you need to know? Tremendous vision, raised the stock of every player on the IceDogs by constantly feeding them easy goals after he did the hard work. Can skate with the pact and can dangle more than… Steve Dangle himself (although I have never seen Steve dangle, I assume he can with a name like that). Here is your, ‘must cry foul’ if Strome does not make Team Canada this Christmas.

Christian Thomas, Oshawa Generals – Here is one that many people, myself included, screamed to be on Team Canada this past tournament. Granted the team basically had muckers and grinders and here is a kid who had tremendous offensive talent, 54 goals to end the season, who is a speedy little guy too. Christian will not be denied this year otherwise I believe the Oshawa twitterverse will explode.

Tyler Toffoli, Ottawa 67’s – Speaking of crying foul, here is your OHL Goal Scoring leader for this past season. 57 tough love goals and he is cut from Team Canada. I don’t know who he ticked off, maybe it is just his size that people will dismiss him at. He has picked up his skating ability, one of the hardest shots in the league. And has had to battle a few things that you would not believe. Tough kid with character and of course, the Midas touch to goal scoring. I say yes… but I think Don Hay will say no.

FINALLY! That is all 22 OHLers and my personal opinion on whether or not they have a shot at making Team Canada during Christmas. 10 of the 22 I believe will make it, with 2 yes, but the NHL will decide. So I say a total of 12 OHLers could be on Team Canada this upcoming holiday season. And what would that mean? Another dominant effort by the greatest Major Junior league in the World. Hands down the OHL rules and by proxy, I rule because I cover the league!

OHL Trade Deadline In Review...

Jan. 10 - Deadline Day:


*Michael Whaley from Windsor to Plymouth for 13th in 2012.
At least Windsor gets one pick for their future. 


*Belleville sends Kyle DeCoste to London for a 7th round pick in 2012.


*Brandon Archibald to Saginaw from SOO for Michael Kantor, 4th in 2012, 6th in 2013, 2nd in 2014
A bit surprised that SSM got less for Archibald then they did Carrick, but clearly they just want picks to rebuild their now weak team. 


*Jake Carrick from Sault Ste Marie to Windsor for Brent Sullivan 4th in 2012, 3rd in 2013, 10th in 2014, 2nd in 2015.
Windsor continuing to surprise and build another Mem Cup team, while SSM gets a handful of much-needed picks. 


*Chris DeSousa from London to Mississauga for 2nd and 4th in 2013.
After requesting a trade from Niagara, landing him in London last year in efforts to go deep in the playoffs and get some scouting attention, DeSousa has had one of his worst OHL seasons this year. Maybe he can turn things around in Mississauga with a potential Memorial Cup team. London stocks up to rebuild, decent trade. 


*Jeremy Gottzmann from Erie to Peterborough for 5th in 2011.
Good move for Erie to grab a pick. 


*Corey Czarnik from Barrie to Plymouth for 12th in 2011.
Again, Barrie stocking up on draft picks. 


*Victor Terreri from London to Niagara for 5th in 2011 (BRM), 8th in 2012
Just what Niagara needed - a legitimate heavy-weight enforcer. Although they have plenty of guys who will mix things up, they did lack a guy to protect the smaller stars from the big guns. Good trade for both as London is clearly rebuilding after going through there worst year in many. 


*Plymouth trades defenseman Jay Gilbert ('91) to Owen Sound for defenseman Curtis Crombeen ('93), SAG 2nd round pick in 2012, OS 3rd round pick in 2013.
Gilbert has never been a top four defender, but plays a role as a shutdown third pairing d-man. He went from the IceDogs to Plymouth, now to Owen Sound, nothing to special regarding him, Plymouth is the winner out of this deal. 


*London sends Tyler Brown to Kingston for an 8th round pick in 2011 and 4th in 2012.
Not a blockbuster trade by any means, but one that gives London some picks and gives Kingston and average player that will be an OA next season. 


*Sault St. Marie sends offensive powerhouse and Soo native Brett Thompson ('91) and 2nd round import pick to Erie for David Broll ('93), 1st round import, 3rd round pick in 2013, and 4th in 2014.
After a 42 goal season last year, Brett Thompson is having an okay season this year but may not reach 40 with 25 goals and 21 assists in 40 games. However, Thompson is a pure goal scorer that will compliment Greg McKegg and take some weight off his shoulders, while Broll is a promising young forward, and the picks will help SSM rebuild in years to come. 


*London Knights trade overage defenceman Michael D'Orazio ('90) to Mississauga for three 2nd round picks.
Mississauga receives a solid OA defenseman who is well-liked by many coaches and teammates, should be a great fit and addition to an already powerful team. London looking shaky this season, they're in need of some picks.  


Jan. 9: 


*Windsor sends promising youngsters Eric Locke ('93) and Josh Malecki ('93) to Barrie for high-scoring forward Taylor Carnevale ('91). 
A lot of people in Windsor are puzzled at this one. The first rumours circulating around the Spitfires were the two World Junior stars Ryan Ellis and Zack Kassian being on the trading block, but instead it seems like Windsor opted to keep the pair and go for another big name in Taylor Carnevale... Going for the three-peat???  Risky trade for Windsor, great trade for Barrie though, Locke seems very promising and two '93's will help rebuild the team. 


*Barrie sends over-ager Dalton Prout ('90) to Saginaw for sophomore defenseman Alex Lepkowski ('93), veteran blue-liner Matt Ashman ('90), Kitchener's 3rd round pick in 2013, and a 3rd round pick in 2014. 
Prout is a proven leader that will add experience to Saginaw - a team that wants to go for the title in the Western Conference this year, while Barrie receives some much-needed picks and a young defenseman that adds a whole lot of size (6.03, 216 Lbs.) Good trade for both teams.  


*Barrie sends defenseman Stephen Gaskin to Guelph for their own 2nd round pick in 2012, and a 4th round pick in 2012. 
Barrie is cleaning house and making some room for all of the draft picks they have acquired along with the many '93-born players in efforts to rebuild the struggling last place team. Good trade for Barrie to get the picks, Guelph gains an exceptional defenseman. 

No Room In The League For Guys Like Conor Stokes...

With guys like this in the league, there's no wonder why fighting is gaining a bad reputation throughout the hockey world. 

It began with banning the removal of the helmet prior to the fight because of one death in over 100 years of hockey. Now it's gone even further with the CHL's new rule regarding pre-staged fights, suspending players who drop the gloves off the opening face-off of a period. 

And with guys like Conor Stokes pulling moves like these game after game, it proves that one or two guys can ruin it for everyone - and it shows the lack of honour and mutual respect that enforcers are expected to have. 

This first video shows Stokes throwing a late, dirty punch that earned him a misconduct and a suspension, and below is a clip of his most recent fight against the Niagara IceDogs' Johnson Andrews, where Stokes proceeded to throw haymakers when the players both tumbled to the ice. 

The punches landed and bashed the IceDogs player's head off the ice causing severe bleeding, and Stokes was awarded a mere five minute fighting major. It is known among enforcers as an unwritten rule that once the fight reaches the ice, it's over. 

These types of actions are what cause people to doubt the necessity of fighting in hockey - and trust me, without the fight in the game of hockey, it is not hockey. It's already sad to see fighting majors decline due to the no buckets off rule; now players fear breaking their hands on the shield or helmet. For the amount of deaths or injuries caused by fighting with no helmet, there has to be plenty more beat up/broken hands by leaving them on. 

Back to the point, the gutlessness shown by Stokes should strike the league as a foreshadow of what this kid is capable of - no one I know personally in the sport would carry out actions like this, and if the kid is merely tapped on the wrist for these actions, I don't want to think about what he is capable of in the future. 

This is not how the game of hockey is meant to be played; grit and physicality is great, but dishonour and disrespect cannot be tolerated. 

If Michael Liambis was expelled from the league for his hit from behind as a repeat offender, I think Stokes' time should be soon. The fact he even wears an "A" on the Frontenacs shows that his behavior is obviously encouraged or supported by the team and coaching staff, which is totally shocking. 

If a player who continually throws cheap shots while fighting and carrying out his role is a leader on your team, something is going wrong.

So instead of making senseless rules that effect the enforcer that wants to do things right - we should re-evaluate what gives fighting in hockey controversy, and that's classless players like this...

View the videos and judge for yourself. 

OHL Eastern Conf. Power Rankings - Week 7

By JEFF BLAY
In the O Blogger

1.    Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors – 29 Pts
Record: 14-2-0-1
P10: 8-1-0-1
Streak: 7-0-0-1
Weekend Recap: Shutout IceDogs 3-0, beat Brampton 3-1, lost to Erie 2-1 in S/O.
2.    Kingston Frontenacs – 23 Pts
Record: 11-6-1-0
P10: 7-3-0-0
Streak: 1-0-0-0
Weekend Recap: Won 3-2 over both Petes and Bulls, lost 5-1 to Barrie.
3.    Niagara IceDogs – 24 Pts
Record: 11-5-1-1
P10: 6-3-0-1
Streak: 1-0-0-0
Weekend Recap: Shutout 3-0 by Majors, Won against Petes 4-2
4.    Oshawa Generals – 21 Pts
Record: 9-5-1-2
P10: 4-4-1-1
Streak: 1-0-0-0
Weekend Recap: Lost to Greyhouds, won 2-1 against Wolves.
5.    Brampton Battalion – 19 Pts
Record: 8-6-0-3
P10: 4-4-0-2
Streak: 1-0-0-0
Weekend Recap: Lost to Plymouth 3-2, Lost to Majors 3-1, Won 4-1 over Barrie.
6.    Barrie Colts – 9 Pts
Record: 4-12-1-0
P10: 3-6-1-0
Streak: 0-1-0-0
Weekend Recap: Won 5-1 over Kingston, lost 4-1 to Brampton
7.    Sudbury Wolves – 11 Pts
Record: 5-11-1-0
P10: 4-6-0-0
Streak: 0-1-0-0
Weekend Recap: Beat Plymouth 6-4, lost to  Oshawa 2-1.
8.    Ottawa 67’s – 22 Pts
Record: 11-8-0-0
P10: 5-5-0-0
Streak: 0-2-0-0
Weekend Recap: Beat London 4-3, lost to Sarnia and Guelph
9.    Belleville Bulls – 11 Pts
Record: 5-12-0-1
P10: 3-6-0-1
Streak: 0-1-0-1
Weekend Recap: Lost 8-0 to Kitchener, Lost 3-2 to Kingston in S/O
10.    Peterborough Petes – 9 Pts
Record: 4-11-0-1
P10: 3-6-0-1
Streak: 0-4-0-0
Weekend Recap: Lost to Kingston 3-2, Lost to Niagara 4-2

Top 10 Most Improved Players in the OHL

By JEFF BLAY

In the O Blogger

Here is my Top 10 list of Most Improved Players from around the OHL. Somewhat in order, but this was a toughie. There are so many players who have upped their game since last season, but the following are players I feel have made the most improvement, which has resulted positively for their respective teams. The honourable mentions could very well have made this list, but I simply couldn’t decide on just 10. With such a big league and so many new and improving players, I may have skimmed over some worthy choices. If you feel I have, please send your feedback to jeff.blay@intheoradio.com.

1.     Ryan Strome ('93), C – Niagara IceDogs

2009/10: GP: 61 G: 8 A: 19 PTS: 27 PIM: 61

After a promising rookie season, Ryan Strome showed spurts of potential last year with both the Colts and IceDogs, and came into the 2010 training camp a new player. People expected this kid to do good things, but I don’t think anyone quite expected him to do as well as he has to start the season. Strome has been a top scorer in the OHL since the beginning of the season, not to mention scoring possibly one of the most talked about goals not only in the OHL, but in the entire hockey world. The buzz around the rink from scouts, and one of my sources in particular, Jeff Marek of CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada, is that Strome could pull a Jeff Skinner and sneak into the Top Ten of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, should he continue his exceptional play throughout the remainder of the season. For not really being noticed as a top pick in pre-season, Strome has done quite well in making himself known during first 18 games of the season. He leads the IceDogs with 9 goals, 19 assists, and 28 points. For this reason, Strome is the most improved player in the OHL.

2.    Ryan Murphy ('93), D – Kitchener Rangers

2009-10: GP: 62 G: 6 A: 33 PTS: 39 PIM: 22

Ryan Murphy was one of the top rookies last season – especially amongst defensemen.  Although he had a more than impressive 39 point season last year, he as improved himself even more and excelled as not only the top offensive defenseman, but one of the top five scorers in the OHL to start the season. Murphy as already recorded 10 goals and 21 assists for 31 points in just 17 games and currently sites in third overall in league scoring. Murphy worked hard over the summer to improve his skills even more, and he could very well be one of the most exciting defenders to watch in the OHL today.

3.     Shane Prince ('92), LW – Ottawa 67’s

2009/10: GP: 65 G: 15 A: 15 PTS: 30 PIM: 45

With the exit of a few of Ottawa’s top players, this season Prince has found himself facing more ice time and getting a better chance to prove himself. So far, he has done just that as he is vastly approaching his last years totals in the first 18 games of the season, as he has already recorded 7 goals, 19 assists and 26 points. Prince has gained confidence both with and without the puck, and playing with the likes of Tyler Toffoli, Ryan Martindale, Cody Lindsay and countless other successful producers on the 67’s roster, Prince could very well fit in with the OHL’s elite if he continues to walk the path he is currently on. He should be one of the 67’s top producers this season, as he currently leads the team in points with Toffoli, Martindale, and Thomas Nesbitt nipping at his heels.

4.     Colin Behenna ('91), C – Barrie Colts

2009/10: GP: 55 G: 7 A: 18 PTS: 25 PIM: 14

After the Barrie Colts made a Memorial Cup run last season, they have started this one with a lot less key players as they lost many to over-age, the AHL, and a few to the NHL. With many top-scorers gone from the roster, new opportunity awaits those left behind. Behenna is a perfect example. After a quite first two seasons, Behenna has started this one leading the Colts with 5 goals, 15 assists and 20 points in 17 games. His skill seems to be much improved, and increased ice time along with time on the power play will allow Colin to break out and improve his totals by a margin should he continue his stellar play on the struggling Barrie team.

5.     Ian Watters ('91), LW – Brampton Battalion

2009/10: GP: 57 G: 9 A: 16 PTS: 25 PIM: 46

Watters leads the Brampton Battalion in points, and is a major reason why this underrated team is doing so well to start the season. With 11 goals, 5 assists and 16 points in just 17 games, he has already nearly reached his last years’ totals in roughly 1/3 of the games played. Watters hasn’t been talked about too too much, but is quietly making a name for himself, and should he continue his streak, he could very well be one of the top scorers for the Battalion and make for a valuable over-aged player next season. He looks more confident in the offensive zone, and has learned to take way more shots on net, which has paid of for him so far.

6.     Jacob Riley ('93), G – Brampton Battalion

As a rookie last season, Riley played in 10 games where he posted a 2.56 GAA, .898 SV% and a 2-4-1-0 record. This season, Riley has been given the chance to start in 11 games due to the loss of starting goaltender Patrick Kileen to over-age. In the 11 games, Riley has stopped 241 shots with a 2.86 GAA, a .893 SV% and 5-3-0-3 record. Although competing for a spot with fellow goalie Dennis Saikkonen, if Riley continues to play the way he has, I think he has a legitimate chance to take over the starting position. He needs to work on his shootouts, but has by far looked like the strongest goalie for the Battalion to start the season, and certainly looks much improved compared to last season.

7.     Brandon Francisco ('93), LW – Sarnia Sting

2009/10: GP: 65 G: 12 A: 20 PTS: 32 PIM: 14

Coming off an impressive rookie season, there was no doubt Brandon Francisco had great potential and could breakout in his sophomore season. So far he has lived up to the hype, and although he is not in the OHL’s top ten, his confidence and skill has noticeably improved. Francisco was a -30 last season with the Sting even though he scored 32 points, but this season he has already recorded about half of his last years totals and maintained a +6 rating. The Sting started off hot before cooling down as of late, but Francisco has the ability to be one of the leaders on the team and continue to improve as a player. He has the potential to be one of a team’s top scorers.

8.     Garrett Wilson ('91), LW – Owen Sound Attack

2009/10: GP: 65 G: 36 A: 25 PTS: 61 PIM: 80

The captain of the Owen Sound Attack has always been an impact player, but in his fourth OHL season, Wilson has started the season with passion, grit, and much improved skill to lead the OHL in goals and the impressive Owen Sound Attack in scoring, with a whopping 18 goals and 11 assists for 29 points in just 17 games. Wilson has emerged as a pure goal scorer and offensive juggernaut on special teams with 9 PPG and 2 SHG, and will surely be one of the Attack’s top producers throughout the season.

9.     Dougie Hamilton ('93), D, Niagara IceDogs

2009/10: GP: 64 G: 3 A: 13 PTS: 16 PIM: 36

Ranked 8^th overall in Bob McKenzie’s pre-season scouting report for the 2011 NHL Draft, this powerful offensive defensemen will break out this season and be one of the top offensive producers among OHL defenders. His size, vision, skating ability, physicality, and wicked shot all contribute to Hamilton being a complete package. Already notching 2 goals and 10 assists in 17 games, Hamilton will surely bypass his last seasons totals and is expected to go in the first round of the 2011 NHL Draft. He leads the IceDogs in +/- with a +10, and is a great power play quarter back with 2PPG and 3PPA to start the season.

10.  Kale Kerbashian ('90), LW – Sarnia Sting

2009-10: GP: 58 G: 26 A: 30 PTS: 56 PIM: 28

Another Sting player makes the list. As a seasoned veteran and over-aged player, Kerbashian can use his experience to really breakout as an OA this season. Although his numbers have been relatively impressive throughout his tenure in the OHL, Kerbashian seems to be playing with a more intensive edge to start the 2010-11 season. He has already recorded 11 goals and 17 assists for 28 points, currently tied with Ryan Strome for the 5^th/6^th spot in league scoring. Kerbashian will definitely be one of the Stings’ key leaders both on and off the ice for the remainder of the season, and for these reasons he makes the Top 10.

Honourable Mention:

Scott Stajcer, G – Owen Sound Attack

Tyler Hostetter, D – Erie Otters

John Cullen, G – Sarnia Sting

Mitchell Theoret, C - Niagara IceDogs

Stefan Noesen, RW - Plymouth Whalers

Tyler Brown, F - Plymouth Whalers

Niagara Falls Native Bryan McGregor's Hockey Life In the Czech League

By VICKY GRYGAR

In the O Blogger

In Canada, hockey has grown to become part of everyday culture. The CHL along with our beloved 6 NHL franchises have united Canadians and fans across the country. As hockey enthusiasts these are the teams we follow and cheer for. It is evident that at times, many of us forget hockey has grown in popularity at each corner of the globe. Of course we all know of the remaining NHL teams located in the U.S. along with the AHL, ECHL, CHL, NCAA, USHL, etc, but many writers, reporters and fans don’t often look beyond these leagues.

Europe is a haven for up and coming hockey players. The most prominent league, as many know, is also one of the NHL’s fiercest competitors, the Russian KHL. The issues between the NHL and KHL are ever surfacing as each looks to gain control over the market. It is also now common nature for NHL players to transfer to the KHL in hopes of financially receiving what they believe they are truly worth. Moving beyond the KHL we run into the elite leagues of Sweden, Finland and the Czech Republic.

Fans flying the Canadian Flag for McGregor in the stands.

These rosters are usually dominated by European players, so it was an interesting story to learn that Bryan McGregor, a Niagara Falls, Ontario native, earned a spot on the Czech Extraliga’s HC Ocelari Trinec roster. This marks the first time in the team’s franchise history that a Canadian born player has had the opportunity to play for the Ocelari. McGregor, 26, left home at the age of 15 to pursue his hockey career in the BCHL with the Vernon Vipers. From there he committed to the NCAA route and played at the University of Minnesota-Duluth to simultaneously grow as a hockey player and student. Upon graduation McGregor found himself playing for 3 different ECHL teams and prior to heading to Europe, the forward tallied a few games with the Binghamton Senators of the AHL. The decision for a North American hockey player to embark on a career in Europe is not a light decision. Many, if given the opportunity would find the choice debatable and be edgy to pack up and leave everything they’ve known behind. McGregor however has embraced his chance and is now a popular entity in the city of Trinec. I had the opportunity to ask Bryan a few questions about his diverse hockey career.


1. Going back to Junior Hockey, what made you decide on the NCAA route versus CHL?

BM: It was a very difficult decision. At 15 years old, you have to decide your future in not only hockey but in life as well. I have a very high interest in academics and also did very well in high school. I felt I would not be ready for the NHL at 18-20, so I therefore decided to move to British Columbia to pursue the NCAA route. I always wonder what my life would of been like had I went the OHL route, but that’s life.

2. You've now had the chance to play in both Finland and the Czech Republic. How has the adjustment been for you in terms of culture?

BM: There are a lot of differences. I found that Finland is a lot more tolerant to English culture and more people speak English. The city I was in, in Finland was half Swedish and half Finnish. Swedish people speak English as we do, with almost no accent. I found that very fascinating. But if you want to get technical, both Swedish and English stem from the same language base (Germanic). The food is very different, in Finland the food was very different, a lot of fish and fish related dishes. Czech is more what I am used to with a lot of meat and potatoes. The countries in general are very different. Finland is a very clean and simple country. I find Czech is very old, lots of history. Both are unique and very nice in their own ways. I enjoy the differences, and like living in both countries.

3. How is communication with coaches/teammates working?

BM: Communication is easy on our team, as everyone speaks English except the coaches. So that is the only downside to the language barrier. I adapt well to languages, no matter where I am. I speak decent Finnish and Swedish, and every day I learn more Czech. I know all the basics, colours, numbers, foods, basic conversation, and am slowly getting better and better. I am able to adapt no matter where I am to language problems, as it is just something I have become accustomed to.

4. Being among one of the first Canadians to ever play for HC Ocelari Trinec, how have the fans treated you so far?

BM: I am actually the first Canadian to play for Ocelari, which is a very cool thing. The fans have been awesome to me, they fly the Canadian flag in the stands for me. Hopefully I play better, and more of that catches on. But everyone has been really good to me. There was a young boy who wanted my jersey, (he was the younger brother of a friend of mine), and so I bought him my jersey and gave it to him. I think it is good to give as much back to the fans as they give to you, and in Trinec we have really great fans.

5. Can you describe the technical difference between European and North American hockey?

BM: Well there are a lot of differences, but the biggest difference has to be speed. The European style of hockey is more technical, more skill, more speed. The NHL is as well, but with a lot more body contact in North America vs Europe. The size of the ice rinks has to do with that. In the NHL they play on a lot smaller surface. I like both styles mind you, but every country in Europe plays a different style, Finland vs Sweden vs Russia, etc.

Ryan Strome's Goal Featured on NHL.com Front Page!!

Congrats to Ryan Strome who had his goal featured on NHL.com's front page!! If you haven't seen the goal yet, you have to check it out here: http://intheobloggers.blogspot.com/2010/10/ryan-strome-highlight-reel-goal-vs.html or just scroll down our home page! The goal is also found on YouTube's front page in trending videos, and currently has 214,486 views. Wow. Unreal.

Questions of Ryan Strome? I have answers... jeff.blay@intheoradio.com
- Blayzer

joelsmithphotography.ca

Ryan Strome celebration after highlight reel goal. Courtesy joelsmithphotography.ca

Niagara IceDogs on CBC's The National

Photo courtesy of Joel Smith Photography (joelsmithphotography.ca)

• Click the link to see the OHL's Niagara IceDogs Andrew Agozzino, Ryan Strome, Alex Friesen, Johnson Andrews, and Freddie Hamilton interviewed regarding concussions on CBC's The National.

LINK: Niagara IceDogs on CBC's The National 
http://www.cbc.ca/video/player.html?category=News&zone=health&site=cbc.health.ca&clipid=1631029998

OHL Eastern Conf. Power Rankings - Week 5

I have been trying to the these Power Rankings up for the past few days now, but due to the lack of content on the Ontario Hockey League's website (i.e. no longer a Standings section showing the teams past 10 games/streaks, and unable to view the schedule for past scores) it has taken me until now to find the proper information, thanks to http://twitter.com/#!/craiger_c . So without further a due:

 1. Mississauga St. Michael's Majors - GP: 10, PTS: 16    
Record: 8-2-0-0
P10: 8-2-0-0
Streak: 1-0-0-0
 2. Ottawa 67's - GP: 12, PTS: 16
Record: 8-4-0-0
P10:  7-3-0-0
Streak: 1-0-0-0
 3. Kingston Frontenacs - GP: 11 PTS: 13
Record: 6-4-1-0
P10: 6-3-1-0
Streak: 2-0-0-0
 4. Sudbury Wolves - GP: 11, PTS: 9
Record: 4-6-1-0
P10: 4-5-1-0
Streak: 3-0-0-0
 5. Oshawa Generals - GP: 11, PTS: 14
Record: 6-3-0-2
P10: 5-3-0-2
Streak: 1-0-0-1
 6. Niagara IceDogs - GP: 13, PTS: 17
Record: 8-4-1-0
P10: 6-3-1-0
Streak: 0-2-0-0 
 7. Brampton Battalion - GP: 12, PTS: 15
Record: 7-4-0-1
P10: 6-3-0-1
Streak: 0-1-0-0
 8. Barrie Colts - GP: 12, PTS: 5
Record: 2-9-1-0
P10: 2-7-1-0
Streak: 1-0-0-0
 9. Peterborough Petes - GP: 11 PTS: 7
Record: 3-7-0-1
P10: 3-6-0-1
Streak: 0-1-0-1
 10. Belleville Bulls - GP: 13 PTS: 6
Record: 3-10-0-0
P10: 2-8-0-0
Streak: 0-3-0-0

OHL Eastern Conference Power Rankings: Week 4

1.      Niagara IceDogs: 10GP, 15 PTS

Streak: 5-0-1-0

Last Ten: 7-2-1-0
Won games vs Belleville, Ottawa and Oshawa

2.      Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors: 8GP, 14 PTS

Streak: 4-0-0-0

Last Ten: 7-1-0-0
Won games vs Brampton, Sault St. Marie and Sudbury

3.      Ottawa 67’s: 9GP, 12 PTS

Streak: 2-0-0-0

Last Ten: 6-3-0-0
Lost to Niagara, won against Erie and Brampton

4.      Brampton Battalion: 10GP, 13 PTS

Streak: 0-1-0-0

Last Ten: 6-3-0-1
Won against Sault St. Marie and Sudbury, lost to Ottawa

5.      Oshawa Generals: 9GP, 11 PTS

Streak: 0-2-0-0

Last Ten: 5-3-0-1
Won against Sarnia, lost to Niagara and Saginaw

6.      Kingston Frontenacs: 8GP, 9 PTS

Streak: 2-0-1-0

Last Ten: 4-3-1-0
Won against Belleville

7.      Belleville Bulls: 10GP, 6 PTS

Streak: 1-0-0-0

Last Ten: 3-7-0-0
Lost to Niagara and Kingston, won against Saginaw

8.      Peterborough Petes: 8GP, 4 PTS

Streak: 1-0-0-0

Last Ten: 2-6-0-0
Won against Sarnia

9.      Sudbury Wolves: 8GP, 3 PTS

Streak:0-3-1-0

Last Ten: 1-6-1-0
Lost to Brampton and Mississauga

10.  Barrie Colts: 9GP, 2 PTS

Streak: 0-4-0-0

Last Ten: 1-8-0-0
Lost both games in home and home with Owen Sound

Top 5 Hottest OHL Teams That Didn't Crack Top 5 Last Season

Owen Sound Attack – I don’t think anyone expected the Attack to start the season with 8 wins and 1 loss to post up second in the OHL after the fourth weekend of the season. After making a couple big trades with the Niagara IceDogs, the team seems to have all the pieces they need to be legit competitors. Attack captain Garret Wilson leads the OHL with 12 goals in just nine games, while the new additions of Andrew Shaw, Matt Petgrave and Andrew Fritsch all sit in the top ten for scoring on the Attack roster. Let’s not forget the fact that Joey Hishon has only played two games, where he has added 2 goals and 3 assists, and Jesse Blacker remains a solid addition on the back end. Goaltender Scott Stajcer has won all seven games he has played in, while backup tender Jordan Binnington is 1-1. For the amount of games played, Owen Sound is the hottest team in the OHL right now.

Saginaw Spirit – Although the Spirit have the overall points lead with 17 to Owen Sound’s 16, Saginaw has played 11 games while OS has played just 9. However, the Spirit were expected to be a team to compete with this season, and they have lived up to, if not exceeded those expectations by starting the season with an 8-2-1-0 record. With a solid depth of contributors, and a successful goaltending pairing, Saginaw has the potential to be a top contending team in the OHL, and as of right now, they are.

Niagara IceDogs – With a new coaching staff, a handful of new players, and a new attitude, the IceDogs have proven without a reasonable doubt that they are one of the best teams in the OHL. Ryan Strome has been on an insane point streak the lapped over from the pre-season to lead all OHL players in points with 20, while also racking up 17 PIM. Let’s not forget the incredible depth of scoring the Dogs have from both the front and back end, with Andrew Agozzino, Alex Friesen, and Freddie Hamilton all in the OHL’s Top 20 scorers, while Dougie Hamilton, Jesse Graham, and Simon Gronvaldt provide some help from the blue line. Last but certainly not least comes sophomore goaltender John Chartrand, who has been filling in for starting goalie Mark Visentin, who is nursing a minor injury day to day. Chartrand has led his team to their past five wins, and has been a key component to the Dogs recent success. Niagara could easily continue their winning streak and move up in the rankings in weeks to come.

Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors – The Majors were projected to be the top team in the OHL prior to the start of the season, and they very well could still be that team. They currently sit in second place in the Central Division, but have played just eight games and still managed to pick up 14 points with a 7-1-0-0 record. This team has all the tools needed to be a top competitor in the OHL. Look for Mississauga to break north in the Eastern Conference Standings over the next few weeks.

Brampton Battalion – The fifth place was a tough one. Could have easily went to many teams including London, Kitchener, Ottawa… However, the Battalion lost a lot this season, but have managed to put together a solid team that shows a lot of promise. With 42 goals for and 33 goals against, this team is well rounded both offensively and defensively. With four players reaching the 10 point mark, and two rookies trailing close behind both with 8 points, this young, underrated team has proven they are one of the OHL’s hottest throughout the first few weeks of the OHL season. 

Eastern Conference Power Rankings - Week 3

Here are the OHL's Eastern Conference Power Rankings for this week. This is an estimate of where the teams will be placed in the rankings based on their performances this past weekend, as well as the upcoming teams they will be facing this week. 

1.    Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors – The Majors were expected to lead the Eastern Conference this season, and although they had one tough loss, they went 2-0 this past weekend and have a total record of 5-1-0-0 to lead the conference with 10 points. The explosive offense is only getting better as Justin Shugg is getting more comfortable with the team, and the big guns are beginning to produce. This team should stay in first through the upcoming weekend as they face the Sault St. Marie Greyhounds and the struggling Sudbury Wolves. 

2.    Ottawa 67’s – The 67’s move up yet again after going 3-0 over the weekend. With a powerful 7-2 victory last Sunday against the Mississauga Majors, the 67’s continued their streak with wins over the Plymouth Whalers and the top seeding Oshawa Generals. Like I said last week, with all of this teams major pieces returned, Ottawa will be a force to recon with in the Eastern Conference this season, and really give the Majors trouble. 

3.    Niagara IceDogs – Although tied with the Brampton Battalion for nine points in the Central Division, the IceDogs were victorious in both of their weekend games, and are 2-0-1-0 in their last three, earning them a move up. The IceDogs have a solid team, and with all of the recent acquisitions, Niagara has proven they can roll three lines of legit scoring. They face the struggling Belleville Bulls Wednesday night, before returning home to host a tough two games with the Oshawa Generals an Ottawa 67’s. If the Dogs are successful in their next three, it could finally prove they are legit contenders in the east this season. 

4.    Oshawa Generals – Going 1-1-1 in their past three, the Gens calmed down a bit after starting off with a 4-0 undefeated record in their first four games. The Gens still have a powerful team, which is why I ranked them ahead of the Brampton Battalion, who finished the weekend with the same record, but have one more game played. The Gens are expected to do well this year, but they fall to fourth this week, which is where about they should remain throughout the season. 


5.    Brampton Battalion – I can’t say this team didn’t surprise me. I had them ranked 6th last week because I couldn’t see them continuing to win games, but after going 4-2-0-1 in their last seven, this young, underrated team has proven they can keep up with the rest of them.  However, Brampton’s recent streak is 0-1-0-1, so I have to place them in 5th because they did defeat the Kingston Frontenacs, but lost to Mississauga and had a worse weekend then any of the teams above. However, the Battalion should not be passed over as a dangerous opponent in the Central Division, and could very well continue to surprise. 


6.    Kingston Frontenacs – Moving down after going 1-0-1-0 this past weekend. Although they just received back their keynote defenseman Erik Gudbranson, the Fronts started off with a bit of struggle, but have shown they can get it together after battling through some intense games over the weekend. The Fronts really do have a plethora of firepower up front, with Nathan Moon, Ethan Werek, and Michael Fine leading the way each scoring 9 or more points in seven games. The back-end could also be one of the best in the league, and the Fronts have the ability to recover from their shaky start and begin winning games, but move down to 6th after a loss to the Brampton Battalion this weekend. 

7.    Belleville Bulls – The Bulls picked up a 4-3 win over the Sarnia Sting this weekend, giving them a 2-5 record on the season and 4 points to slightly edge the Sudbury Wolves in the standings. The Bulls could easily fit into a rank grouping with the Wolves and the Petes, but this week they move up a spot due to their hard-fought win.

8.    Sudbury Wolves – The Wolves move down a spot because of their 0-1-1-0 weekend. They showed some spark in their OT loss to Niagara, however, the Wolves are missing something that will keep them in the ladder half of the standings for the remainder of the season.

9.    Peterborough Petes - This one is a bit of a shocker to me. The Petes move down a spot after loosing two in a row and only winning one game on the season. They seem to have a lot of the tools to be legitimate competitors - last season’s rookie of the year Matt Puempel leads the scoring front backed up by Ryan Spooner and Austin Watson, while housing what I thought was a decent backend… Something is wrong in Peterborough, and they’ll sit in the bottom three until they figure out how to fix whatever problem they seem to be having.

10.    Barrie Colts – Not much needs to be said here. It’s unfortunate for Barrie, but no surprise as last year they traded away some youth to pick up experience in efforts to make a run at the Memorial Cup. When that happens, rebuilding is the next step. The Colts have a young team with lots of potential talent, but won’t have a shot at moving up in the ranks any time soon.