OHL this Week for February 9-12, 2017

Published on February 9, 2017 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL) News Release

Toronto, ON - February continues as the push for playoffs draws near with 23 games to be played around the league tonight through Sunday.

Here's a look at what's been happening around the league:

OTTERS, KNIGHTS, GREYHOUNDS, ATTACK IN CHL TOP 10:

The Erie Otters (2), London Knights (3), Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (5) and Owen Sound Attack (9) are all included in the 20th edition of the weekly CHL Top 10 Rankings. The weekly rankings of the CHL's Top-10 teams are selected by a panel of National Hockey League scouts. Read more

The Attack are featured on this week's CHL Top 10 Spotlight, highlighting the top teams across the Canadian Hockey League. Read more

OTTERS' DeBRINCAT NAMED PIONEER ENERGY OHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK AND CHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

Chicago Blackhawks prospect Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters is the Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week for the week ending February 5 after recording 11 points in three games scoring six times with five assists and a plus-minus rating of plus-1. DeBrincat earns the award for the third time this season following a trio of multi-point performances on the club's East Division road trip that helped the Otters extend their winning-streak to eight and claim sole possession of first place in the overall standings with a 37-10-2-1 record. Read more

DeBrincat made Otters history this past week, becoming the franchise's leading goal scorer with 146 on his OHL career. He leads the league with 44 goals in 45 games this season. Read more

SPITFIRES' DiPIETRO SETS TWO FRANCHISE SHUTOUT RECORDS:

At just 17-years-old, Windsor Spitfires sophomore netminder Michael DiPietro has set a pair of all-time Spits franchise records in the crease. DiPietro made 22 saves on Thursday as the Spitfires blanked the visiting Saginaw Spirit 4-0 for their 31st win of the season. His league-leading sixth shutout also sets a Spitfires single-season record, surpassing Andrew Engelage's 2008-09 mark of five. DiPietro's eighth career shutout also sets a new Spitfires all-time franchise mark, eclipsing Engelage's total of seven over his 136 career regular season games from 2006-08. Read more

OTTERS' CIRELLI HEADLINES OHL PLAYS OF THE WEEK:

The 19th edition of the OHL Plays of the Week for the 2016-17 season feature another exciting countdown of the league's Top-5 goals scored during the week ending February 5. This week's highlights include a nifty drop pass from Ryan Valentini to Sudbury Wolves teammate David Levin, Sasha Chmelevski of the Ottawa 67's showcasing his skill at the Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, defenseman Evan Bouchard of the London Knights with some offensive flair driving to the net, Nikita Korostelev of the Peterborough Petes scores between his legs, and Anthony Cirelli of the Erie Otters with an incredible individual effort. Watch

Cirelli is also the OHL representative featured in this week's #CHLShowdown which showcases one great play from all three leagues allowing fans the opportunity to choose their favourite play. See all the plays and vote at chlshowdown.ca.

NINE GOALTENDERS FEATURED ON JANES SAVES OF THE WEEK:

February began with more stone cold stops from OHL goaltenders highlighted in the 19th edition of #JanesSaves. Featured in this week's highlights are Kaden Fulcher and Dawson Carty of the Hamilton Bulldogs, Brendan Bonello of the Saginaw Spirit, Dylan Wells of the Peterborough Petes, Stephen Dhillon of the Niagara IceDogs, Luke Opilka of the Kitchener Rangers, Jeremy Brodeur of the Oshawa Generals, Leo Lazarev of the Ottawa 67's, and Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires. Watch

FOUR FIRST GOALS IN OHL MILESTONE MOMENTS:

The 19th week of the 2016-17 Ontario Hockey League season ending February 5 featured four more players celebrating milestone moments scoring first career OHL goals. First goals came off the sticks of Jonathan Yantsis (Kitchener Rangers), Tyler Angle (Windsor Spitfires), Josh Wainman (Erie Otters) and Theo Calvas (Sarnia Sting). Watch

OHL CUP POWERED BY UNDER ARMOUR MINOR MIDGET TOP-10 RANKINGS - WEEK 8:

The London Jr. Knights continue to lead the weekly 2017 OHL Cup powered by Under Armour Minor Midget Rankings while the Mississauga Rebels rise to number two on the list. The weekly rankings are determined by a panel of OHL Central Scouting Staff and represent the top teams that are competing to play in the annual year-end championship tournament which takes place March 14-20, 2017. Read more

With the 2017 OHL Cup Powered by Under Armour fast approaching, learn more about some of the high end talent the GTHL has to offer this season on the Road to the OHL Cup. Read more

CMHA TALK TODAY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN COMES TO KINGSTON:

The Kingston Frontenacs are teaming up with CMHA Kingston to host CMHA Talk Today Night on Sunday at home to the Owen Sound Attack. The special game night is the fourth of its kind this season following awareness nights in London (Jan. 13), Saginaw (Jan. 29), Windsor (Feb. 2) and Guelph (Feb. 3). Presented by Teachers Life in 16 different OHL communities, Talk Today awareness games feature a CMHA kiosk where fans can get more information about Talk Today and the programs and services offered by the Branches. There will also be public address and video announcements in venue addressing the importance of positive mental health, along with mental health awareness messaging delivered through social media.

OHL DIRECTOR OF RECRUITMENT DANIEL BROUSSARD FEATURED ON JUNIOR HOCKEY MAGAZINE:

OHL Director of Player Recruitment Daniel Broussard is featured on this week's edition of Junior Hockey Magazine with Gino Reda. Broussard, who enjoyed a four year career with the Sarnia Sting and Ottawa 67's from 2008-12 before attending the University of Guelph, joined the OHL in his current capacity at the beginning of the 2016-17 season. Listen

2017 MASTERCARD MEMORIAL CUP VOLUNTEERS WANTED:

Registration for volunteers for the 2017 Mastercard Memorial Cup in Windsor are now being accepted. Starting Thursday, February 9th, in-person registration will begin on the concourse at Windsor Spitfires home games. Fans can also register online. For full details, please visit mastercardmemorialcup.ca.

COMMUNITY CORNER:

Nurse Appreciation Night in Windsor on Thursday: The Windsor Spitfires are celebrating the nurses of Windsor-Essex on Thursday when they host the Oshawa Generals.

Hounds fight cancer on Saturday: The Soo Greyhounds will be holding their annual 'Hockey Fights Cancer' event on Saturday when they play host to the Flint Firebirds. This year's event will be the third installment of the annual initiative, one that raised $18,407 last year. For the 2017 event, the Hounds have teamed up with the Algoma Residential Community Hospice and the Canadian Cancer Society 'Wheels of Hope' program to benefit from the proceeds raised. For full details, visit soogreyhounds.com.

Bulldogs hold First Responders Night on Saturday: The Hamilton Bulldogs are saluting first responders on Saturday when they host the Windsor Spitfires. The brave men and women of EMS, Fire and Police services will be honoured at FirstOntario Centre prior to puck drop.

Darren Raddysh Poster Night in Erie: The first 1000 fans through the doors at Erie Insurance Arena on Sunday will receive a free Darren Raddysh poster. Raddysh will be signing autographs post-game after the Otters play host to the Windsor Spitfires.

Steelheads feature Valentine's 2-for-1 ticket offer on Sunday: In the spirit of Valentine's Day, fans can catch the Mississauga Steelheads on Sunday afternoon at home to the Saginaw Spirit and bring a friend for free! Get in on the Steelheads' 2-for-1 ticket offer using the offer code "VD241" at ticketmaster.ca.

Superhero Night in Oshawa on Sunday: The Oshawa Generals will wear specially designed superhero jerseys when they play host to the North Bay Battalion on Sunday night. The jerseys will be auctioned off after the game in support of the Children's Wish Foundation. Fans could also win free movie passes to an upcoming superhero movie. For full details visit oshawagenerals.com.

Petes raise $70,412 in eighth annual Pink in the Rink Game: The Peterborough Petes raised a total of $70,412 to be donated to the Canadian Cancer Society through their Pink in the Rink Night on Saturday. This brings their eight year total to $530,000. Highlights of Saturday's fundraiser included Petes captain Brandon Prophet's game-worn jersey selling for $1050, and a Toronto Maple Leafs package including memorabilia and tickets raising $800 in the silent auction. Read more

Bulldogs' Jackson donates $3000 to Children's Mental Health Ontario: Hamilton Bulldogs forward Zach Jackson has harnessed the power of social media to do a tremendous deed. He and his family have made a $3000 donation to Children's Mental Health Ontario after he received over 5,700 retweets on a message declaring that he would donate 75 cents for every retweet he received in support of #BellLetsTalk Day on January 25th. Read more on the story in The Hamilton Spectator.

ALUMNI NOTES:

Dennis, Pronk, Rowan, Walch featured in OHL Alumni of the Month Spotlight: The OHL unveiled a new initiative on Wednesday, announcing the OHL Alumni of the Month program that features former players on all 20 members clubs achieving success in the corporate, business, or professional world. January's OHL Alumni of the Month include Brad Walch (Saginaw Spirit), Blake Pronk (Kingston Frontenacs), Chris Rowan (Brampton Battalion), and Adam Dennis (Guelph Storm). Read more

Budaj named NHL's Third Star of the Week: OHL graduate Peter Budaj has been named the NHL's Third Star of the Week after going 3-1-0 with a 1.62 goals-against average, a .930 save percentage and two shutouts. The Los Angeles Kings netminder is now 25-15-3 on the season with a 2.02 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage along with a league-leading seven shutouts. Budaj played three seasons with the Toronto St. Michael's Majors from 1999-2002, going 39-35-4 with a 2.96 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage. He was Colorado's second round (63rd overall) pick in the 2001 NHL Draft.

Cassidy named interim head coach in Boston: OHL graduate Bruce Cassidy has been named the interim head coach of the Boston Bruins after the club fired long-time bench boss Claude Julien on Tuesday. After parts of three seasons with the Ottawa 67's from 1982-85, Cassidy went on to an 11-year pro career that included 36 NHL contests with the Chicago Blackhawks. Cassidy was the 1983 OHL Rookie of the Year and starred at the 1984 Memorial Cup, leading the 67's to a championship after leading the showcase in scoring with 12 points (7-5-12) in five games. He served as the head coach of the Kingston Frontenacs for parts of two seasons from 2006-08 before stepping behind the bench of the Providence Bruins, taking over as head coach in 2011.

12 OHL grads win bronze at FISU Winter Universiade: 12 OHL graduates helped Team Canada capture its 15th medal in 16 FISU tournament appearances, defeating the Czech Republic 4-3 to claim Bronze on Wednesday in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Less than 24 hours after a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Russia in the semi-final round, the OUA All-Stars rebounded to edge the Czechs on goals from Pierre-Olivier Morin, Tommy Giroux, Guillaume Asselin and Brett Welychka. Read more

KEY MATCHUPS:

London Knights (34-9-3-4, 2nd Midwest) vs. Kitchener Rangers (28-20-2-2, 4th Midwest) Friday February 10th at Kitchener (CHL on Sportsnet)

This week's installment of the CHL on Sportsnet features an age-old Midwest Division rivalry between a pair of 401 foes. The London Knights visit Kitchener to take on the Rangers Friday night, looking to keep pace with the red hot Erie Otters atop the Western Conference. The Knights are 4-0 against the Rangers this season but these two clubs always make for an entertaining game. Kitchener currently sits four points ahead of seventh place Sarnia in the Western Conference and needs a successful weekend to stay ahead of the Sting. If the playoffs started tomorrow, these two clubs would meet in a series for the first time since the first round of the 2015 playoffs.

North Bay Battalion (19-27-3-1, 5th Central) vs. Niagara IceDogs (17-26-6-3, 4th Central) Saturday February 11th at Niagara

The final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference is up for grabs and these two Central Division opponents are going to battle for it down the stretch. The IceDogs enter the weekend one point up on North Bay for the final spot, but the Troops have a pair of games in hand. The Battalion have won two of three meetings between the two clubs, with three more remaining on the schedule.

SCHEDULE:

Thursday February 9: Guelph at North Bay - 7:00pm Sudbury at Peterborough - 7:00pm Oshawa at Windsor - 7:05pm Mississauga at Barrie - 7:30pm

Friday February 10: Sudbury at Kingston - 7:00pm London at Kitchener - 7:00pm (CHL on Sportsnet) Hamilton at Mississauga - 7:00pm Barrie at Niagara - 7:00pm Oshawa at Sarnia - 7:05pm Guelph at Sault Ste. Marie - 7:07pm

Saturday February 11: Owen Sound at Ottawa - 2:00pm Saginaw at Erie - 7:00pm Windsor at Hamilton - 7:00pm North Bay at Niagara - 7:00pm Flint at Sault Ste. Marie - 7:07pm Peterborough at Barrie - 7:30pm

Sunday February 12: Owen Sound at Kingston - 2:00pm Sarnia at Kitchener - 2:00pm Saginaw at Mississauga - 2:00pm Sudbury at Ottawa - 2:00pm Guelph at Flint - 4:00pm Windsor at Erie - 5:00pm North Bay at Oshawa - 6:05pm

Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 9, 2017

• OHL this Week for February 9-12, 2017 - OHL
• Firebirds Earn Point in 4-3 Shootout Loss to Top-Ranked London - Flint Firebirds
• Petes Edge 67's on Late Lorenz Goal - Ottawa 67's

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