Latest news with #OHLPrioritySelection
Ottawa Citizen
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
North Bay Battalion wrap their development camp on Sunday
The North Bay Battalion's three-day development camp ended on a high note Sunday, with officials of the Ontario Hockey League club pleased with the level of competition and the guidance provided. 'We accomplished what we wanted to accomplish,' general manager John Winstanley said after 33 participants started heading home. 'We gave a lot of information to the families and the players, and overall we got to see some really good hockey. 'This is really just for them to get their feet wet and see what this is all about. Come the end of August, when all of our veteran players are back, this ramps up pretty significantly, so the message to them is, 'Now you understand what this is about. Take the summer to get stronger, faster, work on the things that we talked about,' and we look forward to seeing them after a really crucial summer of them getting better,' says Winstanley. Adam Dennis, director of hockey operations, echoed those sentiments and cited the high level of play ahead of training camp, which opens in August. 'I thought it was a major success. We said training camp was going to be one of our most competitive ever. I really thought that this was one of our more competitive development camps,' says Dennis. Among the many who excelled at Boart Longyear Memorial Gardens were defenceman Carter Kunopaski, the Battalion's second-round pick in the OHL Priority Selection in April, and forward Ryder Cali. 'When I first got here, everybody was so welcoming, and throughout the whole weekend it's just been amazing,' said Kunopaski, a Pakenham, Ont., resident who played in 2024-25 with the Ottawa Valley Titans U16s. 'All the people are so nice, and it's been a great experience. 'I'd say I'm a defenceman who can play both sides of the puck, offensively and defensively. I'm a physical player. I like to be a leader on and off the ice, and I can play in any situation.' Cali, a first-rounder, 18th overall, last year to the Soo Greyhounds, declined to report and was declared defected before being traded to North Bay on Sept. 13 and seeing action in five games with the Troops in midseason. Cali played primarily with the junior A Milton Menace, completing their playoff run last Wednesday night. He made a verbal commitment to Harvard University of Cambridge, Mass., before the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division I council voted Nov. 7 to permit former Canadian Hockey League players to compete. 'Deciding to come to North Bay was a great option,' says Cali, a resident of Penetanguishene, Ont. 'I'm happy that I got traded here and I'm happy it all worked out the way it did, to get the best of both worlds.' Matt Marquardt guided Team White to a 6-2 victory in the intrasquad game, avenging a 6-5 loss Saturday night in the first such meeting. Fellow assistant coach Bill Houlder ran the Team Green bench for the three 20-minute periods as coach Ryan Oulahen again observed from the stands. Green defenceman Karter Buchmann didn't play after the first period, when he was shaken up against the boards and glass. Buchmann was a 13th-round pick in the Priority Selection in April from the North Bay Trappers U18s. GAME RECAP Six different players scored a goal apiece for White, with Kunopaski netting what proved to be the winner. Starting goaltender Cole Vreugdenhil earned the victory, with Logan Coates playing the second half. Forward Cam Warren, the Battalion's first-round pick in April, scored his first camp goal in the win. Lineups White: Cole Vreugdenhil, Logan Coates, Carter Kunopaski, Richard Wang, Sam Weedmark, Kent Greer, Aydin Beharie, James Rosenberg, Isaac Tracze, Dylan Nobili, Cameron Lockhart, Cam Warren, Jax Pereira, Parker Vaughan, Ewan McChesney, Maverick Hill. Green: Gavin Zepp, Kyle Karwowski, Oskar Konobelj, Colton D'Amico, Karter Buchmann, Dylan Rousselle, Grady Jalbert, Sam Rivet, Javian Nei, Ryder Carey, Lincoln Edwards, Quinn Kipfer, Ben Maharaj, Owen Head, Ryder Cali, Alex Kontos, Cole Worsfold-Bonneville. White goals: Hill, Pereira, Kunopaski, McChesney, Warren, Greer. Green goals: Cali, Rousselle.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Peterborough Petes Take Kaden McGregor With First-Overall Pick
The Peterborough Petes kicked off the 2025 OHL Priority Selection by selecting Kaden McGregor with the first overall pick in the draft. It was a big moment for McGregor, who will go down in Pete's history as the only first-overall selection made by Peterborough to date. McGregor is the latest recipient of the Jack Ferguson Award, which is given out to the first-overall pick in the OHL Priority Selection. He joins a long line of first-overall selections, including Nashville Predators forward Steven Stamkos and Oilers' superstar Connor McDavid. The Ottawa native spent the year playing for the Ottawa Valley Titans in the HEO. He had a thunderous season, scoring 38 goals and adding 44 assists for a total of 82 points in just 29 games. He capped off the strong season by taking the OHL Cup by storm, scoring three goals and eight assists in five games during the tournament. OHL Playoff Primer: Round Two It's a busy night in the OHL tonight, with four games taking place as we kick off the second round of the playoffs. All four of the second-round series will play game one simultaneously in what promises to be an exciting night of junior hockey. McGregor has great skill and hockey sense that is backed up by an incredible work ethic and desire to win, according to OHL Director of Central Scouting Darrell Woodley. He joins a Peterborough group that continued to rebuild this season while developing strong young talent, including Aiden Young and 2024 fourth-overall selection Colin Fitzgerald. They were one of the youngest teams in the OHL this season and adding an elite talent like McGregor will undoubtedly help them take steps forward. Peterborough fans will undoubtedly be very excited to watch their brand new first-overall selection join the team next season.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
London Knights Forward Commits To NCAA University Of Maine
The Ontario Hockey League's London Knights announced via their official X account that their 2006-born forward Evan Van Gorp has committed to the University of Maine in the NCAA. EVG has committed to @MaineIceHockey starting in the 2027-28 season! — London Knights (@LondonKnights) February 25, 2025 Van Gorp is having a strong second season in London. He has scored 16 goals and 35 points in 54 games, improving on his six goals and 12 points in 44 games in 2023-24. The Watford, Ontario native was overlooked and went undrafted in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection and the 2023 OHL U18 Priority Selection. As a free agent, Van Gorp attended Sarnia Sting's training camp in 2023. Although he was one of the final cuts, the Knights had their eye on him and quickly invited him back after Sarnia let him go. Van Gorp impressed the management and coaching staff, earning an OHL contract as a free agent, and has become a full-time regular in a championship caliber roster for the last two seasons. NHL Central Scouting has recognized the play of the 5-foot-10, 165-pound forward, listing him as the 215th best North American skater in their midterm rankings. Van Gorp is a staple fourth-liner for London when the team has a healthy lineup. However, he's been moved up the lineup throughout the season and provided secondary scoring when his teammates have been away due to injuries, representing their countries at the 2025 World Juniors, or at the start of the season when they were still away at NHL training camps. Van Gorp started the season red-hot scoring a goal in five of his first six games and recording eight points. His commitment to the University of Maine begins in the 2027-28 season.
