Latest news with #OHLPlayoffs
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kasper Halttunen Wins Playoffs MVP
Last night, at the conclusion of the OHL Playoffs, Kasper Halttunen was given the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award, which is given out to the OHL Playoffs MVP as voted by accredited members of the media. Halttunen is the first import player to be given the award. "Obviously it means a lot, but that's a team trophy right there," said Halttunen. "I couldn't have done it without any of those guys. It doesn't matter who wins individual trophies, what matters is the trophy that the boys are lifting right now together." Halttunen performed fantastically in the playoffs scoring 15 goals and 21 points in 17 games. He played a critical role in the Final scoring eight goals in the final three games. His back-to-back hattricks in games three and four helped put the Knights up 3-1 in the series. He also picked up a pair of goals in game five. With a total of nine goals in the OHL Championship Series, Halttunen is the highest-scoring individual player in a Finals Series since Belleville Bulls forward Jonathan Cheechoo in 1999. In an amusing twist of fate, both Cheechoo and Halttunen were second-round picks of the San Jose Sharks. The pair were picked 25 years apart. Cheechoo went on to play more than 500 games in the NHL between San Jose and Ottawa. In Halttunen, the Sharks are likely looking at another prospect who can be a solid NHL player. Sam Dickinson had nothing but praise for Halttunen throughout the series, listing him as the best shooter and goal scorer in the OHL. A London player has won the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award for the last two seasons. Last year, Halttunen's teammate and Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan was named Playoffs MVP. The win means London and Halttunen will have another shot at winning a Memorial Cup. The team fell short last year, losing in the final game to the Saginaw Spirit. This year, the tournament will be held in Rimouski.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Source Confirms Flyers Prospect Avoided Worst With Injury
As first reported to Max Miller of Sharks Hockey Digest, Philadelphia Flyers prospect Denver Barkey managed to avoid the worst with the injury he suffered on April 26. Barkey, who captains the OHL's London Knights, suffered a worrying hit against the Kitchener Rangers and could not put any weight on his leg as he went off the ice. UPDATE: London Knights captain Denver Barkey will not play in Game 2 of the #OHL West Final vs #LetsGoFlyers prospect left Game 1 after a hit from Max Dirracolo, with his left leg/ankle as the has 9 goals & 20 points in 9 games in the #OHLPlayoffs — Brandon Caputo (@BCaputo_AGM) April 27, 2025 While many feared that the winger had suffered a severe injury, a source confirmed that Barkey is only dealing with a high ankle sprain and the Knights want him to rest as much as possible. The source told SHD, 'The more rest, the better. He just doesn't need to play until he has to.' Barkey was an instrumental player in the Knights' dominant postseason run, notching nine goals and 11 assists before getting hurt as London swept the playoffs 12-0. They are currently playing in the OHL Championship series against the Oshawa Generals, which features fellow Flyers prospect Noah Powell.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
IceDogs Announce Sweeping Staff Changes Following Cultural Review
Former Niagara IceDogs Head Coach Ben Boudreau [Tim Cornett/OHL Images]. Earlier today, the Niagara IceDogs announced sweeping changes to their staff following a comprehensive team cultural review conducted by the OHL. As a result of the review, team owner and governor Darren DeDobbelaer will step back from the day-to-day operations of the hockey and business sides of the organization. Head Coach Ben Boudreau, son of former Vancouver Canucks Head Coach Bruce Boudreau, has been relieved of his position. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement In addition to firing Boudreau, the team will not renew the contracts of Assistant Coaches Dan Paille and Marc Slawson. Finally, GM Wes Consorti will transition to a new role as the executive liaison between DeDobbelaer and the club's operational leadership. He will act as interim GM until a replacement can be found. "While this season brought several challenges, our focus remains on building a positive and stable environment for our players, staff and fans," said DeDobbelaer. "These changes are part of our commitment to ensuring long-term success both on and off the ice." Niagara IceDogs Under Investigation For Cultural Review Niagara IceDogs Under Investigation For Cultural Review On Wednesday, Mar. 12, TSN's Senior Correspondent ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Rick Westhead reported that the Ontario Hockey League has hired a Toronto law firm — Turnpennery Milne LLP — to conduct a cultural review of the Niagara IceDogs. In March, the OHL announced the hiring of Toronto law firm Turnpennery Milne LLP to conduct a cultural review of the IceDogs. The league initiated the review, which has now come to fruition, following "multiple complaints of inappropriate behaviour involving staff members," as reported by TSN Senior Correspondent Rick Westhead. It should be noted that Westhead also reported at that time that the "nature of the concerns raised are not sexual or criminal in nature," according to OHL Commissioner Bryan Crawford. Shortly after the review was initiated, the team was disciplined following an incident at a local movie theater during the first round of the OHL Playoffs. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The incident in question involved players yelling and throwing food inside the theater. As punishment, each player on the Niagara roster was forced to sit for a period during their first-round series against the Barrie Colts. They ended up losing the series 4-1. It will be an offseason of hiring in Niagara based on these announcements. In their press release today, the IceDogs mentioned they will immediately begin searching for a new GM and coaching staff in collaboration with the OHL.
Global News
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Global News
The London Knights advance to the OHL Championship Series for the 3rd year in a row
Sam Dickinson scored once and assisted on another as the London Knights defeated the Kitchener Rangers 4-2 to sweep their Western Conference Championship series in four games and advance to their third consecutive OHL Championship. London has gone 12-0 in the 2025 playoffs equalling the Windsor Spitfires run of a dozen straight in 1988 and the Hamilton Bulldogs from the 2021-22 season. The Ottawa 67's hold the record for most victories in a row in an OHL post-season. They won 14 consecutive in 2019. Kitchener took advantage of an early power play and scored 2:16 into the game as Jack Pridham found Luke Ellinas at the right post for his second goal of the series and eighth of the playoffs and the Rangers had the fans at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium on their feet. The Knights doused the crowd noise 56 seconds later as Noah Read scored on a goal mouth scramble to make it 1-1. Story continues below advertisement After Kitchener veterans Matt Andonovski and Luke Ellinas took back-to-back roughing penalties London made them pay. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Easton Cowan slid a pass to Sam Dickinson and he blasted a one-timer by Jackson Parsons for his seventh goal of the post-season to put the Knights in front 2-1 through 20 minutes. Kasper Halttunen of London scored the only goal of the second period as he hammered home a rebound on a Knights power play at 13:21 to give London a 3-1 advantage. Oliver Bonk and Jacob Julien picked up the assists on the play. Julien's assist gave him eight points in the series. Dickinson fired a shot off the pad of Parsons on a dash down left win in the third period and Jesse Nurmi drained the rebound to give the Knights a three-goal lead. The Rangers pulled goaltender Parsons with a little over four minutes left and got a goal from Pridham but London held from their to win the game and the series. The Knights were missing forwards Evan Van Gorp and Denver Barkey due to injury and defenceman Jared Woolley due to suspension. Woolley was given a one-game suspension after receiving a major penalty and a game misconduct for kneeing in Game 3. London outshot Kitchener 36-27. Story continues below advertisement The Knights were 2-for-6 on the power play. The Rangers were 1-for 3. Knights playoff scoring on a franchise record pace The Knights have now played a dozen games in the 2025 OHL Playoffs and they have scored 62 goals. That has them averaging 5.5 goals per game and that is the highest goals per game average of any London team making it to at least the third round. In fact they are the only Knights team that is averaging better than five goals per game this far into the playoffs. Here are the top-5: 2025 5.16 2024 4.8 2016 4.67 2004 4.60 2005 4.56
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ducks 2023 Second-Round Pick Signs ELC
Sep 14, 2023; Irvine, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks prospect Carey Terrance looks on during Ducks Rookie Camp at Great Park Ice. Mandatory Credit: Derek Lee-The Hockey News The Anaheim Ducks have another prospect under contract after 2023 second-round pick Carey Terrance (drafted 59th overall) signed his entry-level contract (ELC) on Wednesday afternoon. A speedy forward capable of playing both down the middle and on the wing, Terrance is currently captain of the OHL's Erie Otters, who advanced to the second round of the OHL Playoffs on Sunday. Terrance has not played since Feb. 14, when he crashed into the endboards and had to be stretchered off the ice. He has been practicing in a non-contact jersey alongside fellow injured teammate and potential 2025 first overall pick Matthew Schaefer recently, but neither has been deemed ready to return yet. Advertisement "Just being more consistent game-to-game," Terrance said in September regarding what he wanted to focus on. "Game-to-game, just preparing myself the same way every game, getting my sleep. It's a long junior season and with the travel, it's pretty hard sometimes. There's no excuse to get your mind and body right and be more consistent." Aug 3, 2024; Plymouth, MI, USA; USA's forward Carey Terrance (10) body checks Canada's defenseman Zayne Parekh (2) during the second period of the 2024 World Junior Summer Showcase at USA Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images Terrance was named to Team USA for the 2025 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and helped them win their second consecutive gold medal. Playing in a bottom-6 role, Terrance utilized his speed and tenacity to be an effective checking forward while also contributing as a penalty killer. It was Terrance's second time being named to the World Juniors roster, though he didn't appear in a game in 2024. "It was awesome," Terrance said. "To come back home with a gold medal is amazing. I had a different role on the team (in 2024), but I took advantage of it. I learned a lot from the older guys like Cutter (Gauthier) and (Rutger) McGroarty, guys like that who are really good players. It was a really good time." Advertisement "Carey's a very reliable player," Gauthier said. "I played with him at World Juniors and the (World Junior) Summer Showcase the summer before. Just a great person as well. He's fun to have in the locker room, great guy off the ice. He works really hard and he's super reliable." "I love to play in all situations. Playing the PK, playing power play, last-minute face-offs. (I) have that kind of versatility in my game and I can bring that to any team. - Carey Terrance on taking pride in being able to fill any role for the team Terrance was also named to Team USA's World Junior Summer Showcase roster, where he faced off against fellow Ducks prospects Lucas Pettersson (Sweden) and Beckett Sennecke (Canada). 2024 Ducks draft pick Austin Burnevik was also on the U.S. roster. "Summer showcase was great," Terrance said in September. "You had some returners that were coming in, so some guys that you're familiar with. I was used all over (in different roles) and I think come Christmas time (for 2025 World Juniors), I'm gonna have a big role with the team. I'm excited for it." Advertisement An emphasis for Terrance during his offseason training was getting bigger. Adding more weight to his frame in combination with his speed will allow him to be an even bigger force on the forecheck than he already is. Terrance's ELC begins with the 2025-26 NHL season, meaning he'll finish out the 2024-25 season with Erie before transitioning to the AHL next season as a 20-year-old. There's always a chance that he could break camp with the Ducks with a good showing during training camp, but the adjustment from junior hockey to the pro level can be difficult for some. There is no need for the Ducks to rush Terrance, especially as he currently recovers from a long-term injury.
