The Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League selected Swedish goaltender Oscar Dansk (DAHN-sk) from Brynäs of the Elitserien with the third overall selection in the 2012 CHL Import Draft Wednesday morning.

Born February 28, 1994 in Stockholm, the 6-foot-2, 187-pound Dansk was drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets with the 31st overall pick of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Dansk was ranked second among European goaltenders by NHL Central Scouting in their final rankings for the draft.

In 28 games in the junior-level Super Elitserien, Dansk had a 2.82 goals-against-average and a save percentage of .910 with Brynäs. He also won a silver medal with Sweden at the 2012 IIHF Under-18 World Championships.

Dansk has previously played in North America with the storied Shattuck-St. Mary’s program in Minnesota, which has produced hockey superstars such as Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby, New Jersey Devils left wing Zach Parise and Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews.

Elite Prospects describes Dansk as “A very agile goalie with a large frame. Plays a hybrid style of play. Solid technical skills and is also strong mentally. Uses his size to his advantage and cuts off angles well. A good competitor.”

The Otters will select their next player in the 63rd spot.

The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Moncton Wildcats used the first overall pick to select Russia left wing Ivan Barbashev. The Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League selected German left wing Leon Draisaitl with the second overall pick.

- From Erie Otters news release

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Brandon Saad of the Saginaw Spirit is the 2011-12 recipient of the William Hanley Trophy awarded to the OHL’s Most Sportsmanlike Player.

Saad, a 19-year-old from Gibsonia, PA, scored 34 goals and 42 assists for 76 points in just 44 games while recording just 38 penalty minutes in his second OHL season with the Spirit. He becomes the second member of the Spirit to win the award following current Tampa Bay Lightning forward Tom Pyatt who received the honour in 2006-07.

“It’s an honor to win any award and be recognized by the league,” commented Saad. “I’m excited about the news and happy to win the award and accept this award on behalf of the Saginaw Spirit and my teammates.”

The Spirit captain led all OHL players with 1.73 points-per-game after beginning the season with the Chicago Blackhawks who selected him in the second round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Upon his return to Saginaw he immediately produced an eight-game point-streak and received OHL Player of the Week honours following his second week in action ending October 23. That week included his first career five-point game where he scored a career-high four goals October 20 as first star of a 5-2 win over the Brampton Battalion.

A member of the U.S National Junior Team at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship, Saad recorded 21 multi-point games this season and had the fourth longest point-streak in the league at 16 games between January 15 and February 24. He also finished with the sixth-best plus-minus rating in the OHL with a mark of plus-35.

“Brandon has been an outstanding player for the Spirit organization,” said Head Coach Greg Gilbert. “His commitment both on and off the ice exemplifies the type of player and person he is. His passion for the game and his leadership for our club have been second to none. He plays each game with determination and respect, not only for the game itself, but for his team and opponents. He is a true leader.”

The William Hanley Trophy is awarded each year based on a selection by the 20 General Managers of the Ontario Hockey League. Teams are not permitted to vote for their own candidate with players receiving five points for a first place vote, three points for a second place vote, and one point for a third place vote. The trophy is presented by the OHL to commemorate William Hanley, former Secretary-Manager of the Ontario Hockey Association for over 25 years.

“Since his first day in Saginaw, Brandon Saad has displayed an extraordinary commitment to doing things right, both on and off the ice,” said Craig Goslin, Spirit Managing Partner, President and Governor. “Whether communicating with his teammates or visiting sick kids in a local hospital or doing a community appearance, his approach is consistently conducted with class and respect for others. Our franchise has certainly been the recipient of an outstanding future NHL hockey player and an outstanding person as well.”

Saad received 45 points in the voting process ahead of Tobias Rieder of the Kitchener Rangers who received 38 voting points, and Freddie Hamilton of the Niagara IceDogs who finished in third place with 31 voting points.

Former winners of the William Hanley Trophy include Wayne Gretzky (Sault Ste. Marie 1977-78), Brian Campbell (Ottawa 1998-99), Brad Boyes (Erie 2000-01 and 2001-02), Jeff Carter (Sault Ste. Marie 2004-05), Wojtek Wolski (Brampton 2005-06), and Cody Hodgson (Brampton 2008-09). Last season OHL top scorer Jason Akeson of the Kitchener Rangers claimed the award, while Ryan Spooner won the award in 2009-10 as a member of the Peterborough Petes.

Saad will be presented with the William Hanley Trophy at the 2011-12 OHL Awards Ceremony set for Tuesday June 5 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. He will also be the OHL’s nominee for Sportsman of the Year at the Annual CHL Awards.

- From OHL news release

Victor Fernandes makes his predictions for the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs:

Eastern Conference
Quarterfinals
No. 1 New York Rangers (51-24-7) vs. No. 8 Ottawa Senators (41-31-10)
* The Rangers don’t have enough offense to win the title this season. But they will come close.
Prediction: Rangers in 6 games
No. 2 Boston Bruins (49-29-4) vs. No. 7 Washington Capitals (42-32-8)
* With a healthy Nicklas Backstrom, the Capitals will nearly upset the defending champion.
Prediction: Bruins in 7 games
No. 3 Florida Panthers (38-26-18) vs. No. 6 New Jersey Devils (48-28-6)
* The Panthers’ first playoff appearance in 12 years will be short-lived.
Prediction: Devils in 6 games
No. 4 Pittsburgh Penguins (51-25-6) vs. No. 5 Philadelphia Flyers (47-26-9)
* The winner of this hard-fought, in-state rivarly could limp into the second round.
Prediction: Penguins in 6 games

Semifinals
No. 1 N.Y. Rangers vs. No. 6 New Jersey
* Goaltending and defense will headline a battle between these longtime rivals.
Prediction: Rangers in 6 games
No. 2 BostonPittsburgh
* Even with G Tim Thomas and D Zdeno Chara, the Bruins won’t stop Evgeni Malkin and the Penguins.
Prediction: Penguins in 7 games

Finals
No. 1 N.Y. Rangers vs. No. 4 Pittsburgh
* The Penguins reached full strength late in regular season. That pays off in the playoffs.
Prediction: Penguins in 6 games

Western Conference
Quarterfinals
No. 1 Vancouver Canucks (51-22-9) vs. Los Angeles Kings (40-27-15)
* Much-maligned G Roberto Luongo will lead the way against the league’s second-worst offense.
Prediction: Canucks in 4 games
No. 2 St. Louis Blues (49-22-11) vs. No. 7 San Jose Sharks (43-20-10)
Defense wins championships – or in the Blues’ case, a first-round series.
Prediction: Blues in 5 games
No. 3 Phoenix Coyotes (42-27-13) vs. No. 6 Chicago Blackhawks (45-26-11)
The Blackhawks still have enough holdovers from their 2010 Cup title team.
Prediction: Blackhawks in 6 games
No. 4 Nashville Predators (48-26-8) vs. No. 5 Detroit Red Wings (48-28-6)
* The up-and-coming Predators break through the perennial Cup contender.
Prediction: Predators in 7 games

Semifinals
No. 1 Vancouver vs. No. 6 Chicago
* The Canucks reach the conference finals for the third straight year. But it won’t be easy.
Prediction: Canucks in 7 games
No. 2 St. Louis Blues vs. No. 4 Nashville
* G Pekka Rinne and the Predators end the Blues’ surprising season.
Prediction: Predators in 6 games

Finals
No. 1 Vancouver vs. No. No. 4 Nashville
* The Presidents Trophy-winning Canucks fall short of a second straight Cup final.
Prediction: Predators in 6 games

Stanley Cup Final
No. 4E Pittsburgh vs. No. 4W Nashville
* The league’s most dangerous offense leads the Penguins back to the top of the NHL.
Prediction: Penguins in 5 games

OSHAWA, Ontario – Three players with connections to the Erie Otters – current Otters Greg McKegg and Sondre Olden and former Otter David Broll – are playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2011 rookie tournament at General Motors Centre.

None of them scored goals in a 4-2 opening-night win against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday. The Leafs face the Pittsburgh Penguins today at 7 p.m., with coverage on mapleleafs.com starting at 7:30 p.m. The Leafs face the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

What: Kitchener Rangers (4-1-0-0) vs. Erie Otters (3-3-0-0)

When: Saturday, 7 p.m.; Monday, 1 p.m.

Where: Tullio Arena (today); Kitchener Memorial Auditorium – Kitchener, Ontario (Monday)

On the air: WFNN-AM/1330, www.ottershockey.com (live stream)

Players to watch

Erie – C Greg McKegg (4 goals, 6 assists, 10 points), C Mike Cazzola (3-6-9), LW David Broll (2-4-6), D Tyler Hostetter (2-3-5), RW Shawn Szydlowski (2-3-5)

Kitchener – D Ryan Murphy (4-9-13, plus-8), RW Gabriel Landeskog (5-4-9), RW Tobias Rieder (4-5-9), RW Jason Akeson (3-5-8), Matthew Tipoff (3-2-5)

Fast facts

Erie – The Otters enter the home-and-home series against their Midwest Division rival on a two-game winning streak. … They lost the first meeting in the eight-game season series 7-3 in Kitchener on Oct. 1. … The Otters have lost nine straight games against the Rangers by a combined 51-20 score dating back to last season. … McKegg and Cazzola are among the OHL’s top 20 in scoring. … McKegg has points in five straight games (four goals, seven points). … RW Anthony Luciani (undisclosed injury) joined D Brett Cook (undisclosed injury) and rookie C Connor Crisp (concussion) out of the lineup for Friday’s win in Guelph. … The Otters have allowed power-play goals in five of six games this season.

Kitchener – Murphy leads the league in points and assists and ranks among the top 10 with three power-play goals. He had a goal and four assists in last weekend’s win against the Otters… Landeskog (2 goals, assist), Akeson (goal, 2 assists) and C Michael Catenacci (goal, 2 assists) had three points apiece in that game. … The Rangers remain without C Jeff Skinner, who has begun the season with the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes. LW Jeremy Morin, who was the final cut from Chicago Blackhawks’ training camp, was assigned to the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs earlier this week. The duo combined for 22 goals and 33 points in eight games against the Otters last season.

Up next: vs. Kitchener (Saturday, 7 p.m.), at Kitchener (Monday, 1 p.m.)

KITCHENER, Ontario – Kitchener doesn’t need Jeremy Morin and Jeff Skinner to beat the Erie Otters.

While both offensive leaders remain at NHL training camps, the Rangers pulled away in the third period for a 7-3 win in front of 6,366 at Kitchener Memorial Auditorium on Friday night.

The Otters (1-3-0-0) have lost three straight since a season-opening win in Brampton. They also have lost nine straight to the Rangers (3-0-0-0), dating back to the opening game of an eight-game season series last year. Morin and Skinner combined for 22 goals and 33 points in the Rangers’ season sweep.

But Morin and Skinner have performed well this preseason with the Chicago Blackhawks and Carolina Hurricanes, respectively. Meanwhile, their Rangers’ teammates have picked up the offensive slack.

Gabriel Landeskog, a potential first-round pick in the 2011 National Hockey League Entry Draft, scored twice – his fourth and fifth goals of the season. Ryan Murphy had a goal and his four assists.

Murphy and Landeskog scored consecutive goals in less than a minute midway through the third period to cap a three-goal stretch that turned the Rangers’ 3-2 lead into a 6-2 advantage.

Kitchener scored all seven goals on 34 shots against rookie goaltender Chris Festarini, who was playing in only his second Ontario Hockey League game. David Shields, Anthony Luciani and Mitch Gaulton scored for the Otters, which complete their three-game weekend tonight at home against London.

SUMMARY

Rangers 7, Otters 3

Erie  1  1  1  —  3

Kitchener  2  2  3  —  7

1^st Period — 1. Kitchener, Andrew Crescenzi 1 (Murphy, Akeson), 13:03. 2. Kitchener, Michael Catenacci 1 (Landeskog, Murphy), 14:39. 3. Erie, David Shields 1 (Broll), 16:26. Penalties — Appio (E) 5-min. fighting, 6:12; Lowry (K) 5-min. fighting, 6:12; Cook (E) 5-min. fighting, 6:47; Randell (K) 5-min. fighting, 6:47; McKegg (E) interference, 7:16; Crescenzi (K) holding the stick, 10:43.

2^nd Period — 4. Kitchener, Gabriel Landeskog 4 (unassisted), :50. 5. Erie, Anthony Luciani 3 (McKegg, Holden), 8:51. 6. Jason Akeson 1 (Catenacci, Murphy), 18:59. Penalties — Shields (E) tripping, 12:22.

3^rd Period — 7. Kitchener, Landeskog 5 (Rieder, Catenacci), 9:15. 8. Erie, Mitch Gaulton 2 (Cazzola, McKegg), 10:59 (pp). 10. Kitchener, Matthew Tipoff 3 (Akeson, Murphy), 15:46. Penalties — Sol (K) roughing, 3:24; McKegg (E) roughing, 6:52; Landeskog (K) roughing, 6:52; Cazzola (E) holding the stick, 7:15; Marcantuoni (K) roughing, 10:55; Rieder (K) interference, 11:47; Melchiori (K) delay of game, 19:44.

Shots on goal — Erie, 11-15-12—38; Kitchener, 10-8-16—34.

Goaltenders — Erie, Chris Festarini 0-1-0-0 (34 shots, 27 saves); Kitchener, Brandon Maxwell 2-0-0-0 (38 shots, 35 saves).

Power plays — Erie (1-5), Kitchener (1-3).

Referees — Darren Price, Scott Hoberg. Linesmen — Matt Gregory, Dave Pfohl.

Attendance — 6,366.

Three stars

* Ryan Murphy, Rangers (goal, 4 assists) ** Gabriel Landeskog, Rangers (2 goals, assist) *** Jason Akeson, Rangers (goal, 2 assists)

What: Erie Otters (1-2-0-0) at Kitchener Rangers (2-0-0-0)

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Kitchener Memorial Auditorium – Kitchener, Ontario

On the air: WFNN-AM/1330, www.ottershockey.com (live stream)

Players to watch

Erie – C Greg McKegg (1 goals, 2 assists, 3 points), C Mike Cazzola (2-3-5), RW Anthony Luciani (2-1-3), LW David Broll (1-2-3), D Tyler Hostetter (1-1-2, plus-4)

Kitchener – RW Tobias Rieder (2-3-5), RW Gabriel Landeskog (3-1-4), D Ryan Murphy (2-2-4), LW Matthew Tipoff (2-0-2), RW Jason Akeson (0-2-2)

Fast facts

Erie – The Otters face Kitchener for the first of eight times in the regular season. They lost all eight meetings last season by a combined 44-17 score. … The Otters haven’t beaten Kitchener since a 4-1 win on March 14, 2009. … They haven’t won in Kitchener since a 6-3 victory on Jan. 18, 2009 – a span of five straight losses. … Rookie RW Macaulay McDonnell recorded his first point, an assist, in his OHL debut on Thursday at Niagara. … The Otters have been outshot 126-95 in three games this season, including 98-59 in two road games. … D David Shields, who returned from NHL camp with the St. Louis Blues last weekend, had no points and a plus-1 rating in his season debut on Friday. … Rookie C Connor Crisp (mild concussion) missed his third straight game on Friday. …

Kitchener – LW Jeremy Morin and C Jeff Skinner remain at NHL training camps with the Chicago Blackhawks and Carolina Hurricanes, respectively. They combined for 22 goals and 33 points in eight games against the Otters last season. … Rieder was the fifth overall pick in the CHL Import Draft in June. … The Rangers began the season with a 5-2 home win against Saginaw and 6-4 road win against Guelph last weekend. … G Brandon Maxwell (1-0-0-0, 2.00 goals-against average, .946 save percentage), a former Otters’ draft pick, stopped 35-of-37 shots in the season-opening win against Saginaw.

Up next: vs. London (Saturday, 7 p.m.), at Guelph (Oct. 8, 7:30 p.m.)

- Victor Fernandes

OHL players to watch

(listed in alphabetical order; stats from 2009-10 season)

RW Taylor Beck, Guelph – 39 goals, 93 points (61 games)

C Alexander Burmistrov, Barrie – 22 goals, 65 points (62 games)

D Ryan Ellis, Windsor – 12 goals, 61 points (48 games)

D Cam Fowler, Windsor – 8 goals, 55 points (55 games)

D Erik Gudbranson, Kingston – 23 points, +11 rating (41 games)

C Joey Hishon, Owen Sound – 16 goals, 40 points (36 games)

C Peter Holland, Guelph – 30 goals, 80 points (59 games)

C Cody Lindsay, Ottawa – 39 goals, 82 points (68 games)

C Greg McKegg, Erie – 37 goals, 85 points (67 games)

LW Jeremy Morin, Kitchener – 47 goals, 83 points (58 games)*

LW Matt Puempel, Peterborough – 33 goals, 64 points (59 games)

C Tyler Seguin, Plymouth – 48 goals, 106 points (63 games)

C Jeff Skinner, Kitchener – 50 goals, 90 points (64 games)

RW Tyler Toffoli, Ottawa – 37 goals, 79 points (65 games)

G Mark Visentin, Niagara – 24-26-0-5 record, 2.99 goals-against average, .911 save percentage, 7 shutouts

* Eligible to play with Rockford IceHogs, Chicago Blackhawks‘ AHL affiliate, this season

- Victor Fernandes

Former Erie Otters goaltender Jaroslav Janus stopped stopped 54-of-59 shots – 40-of-43 in regulation and 14-of-16 in a marathon shootout – to lead the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 4-3 win against the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday in the NHL Prospects Tournament at Center Ice Arena in Traverse City, Mich. The Lightning face the Dallas Stars on Tuesday at 3 p.m.

In other news from the NHL Prospects Tournament, Otters forward Andrew Yogan had no points but played a solid game in the New York Rangers‘ 1-0 loss against the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday. The Rangers face the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.

Defenseman David Shields had no points in the St. Louis Blues‘ 4-1 loss to the Stars. The Blues, which had no points from former Otters winger Luke Gazdic, face the Red Wings on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

At the Maple Leafs Rookie Tournament at John Labatt Centre in London, Ontario, Otters forward Greg McKegg was scoreless in the Toronto Maple Leafs‘ 2-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday. But check out this photo of former Otters winger Michael Liambas‘ fight in the game. Forward Shawn Szydlowski and the Ottawa Senators beat the Chicago Blackhawks 7-3 on Sunday.

Szydlowski and McKegg face off on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

- Victor Fernandes

Greg McKegg (Contributed/Toronto Maple Leafs)

Erie Otters forward Greg McKegg had a goal and assist in his Toronto Maple Leafs‘ debut, a 6-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday night in the Maple Leafs Rookie Tournament at John Labatt Centre in London, Ontario.

Read more by clicking the link and check out video of McKegg’s goal. McKegg and the Leafs face the Pittsburgh Penguins today at 7 p.m. Forward Shawn Szydlowski and the Ottawa Senators lost 5-3 to the Penguins. Ottawa and Chicago meet today at 2 p.m.

At the NHL Prospects Tournament at Center Ice Arena in Traverse City, Mich., Otters defenseman David Shields had two assists in the St. Louis Blues‘ 4-2 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday. Shields and the Blues face the Dallas Stars today at 1:30 p.m.

Former Otters goaltender Jaroslav Janus was backup to Dustin Tokarski for the Lightning, which face the Detroit Red Wings today at 6 p.m. Former Otters winger Luke Gazdic had no points and a minus-1 rating in the Stars’ 6-1 loss to the Red Wings on Saturday.

Forward Andrew Yogan had no points and a minus-1 rating in the New York Rangers‘ 5-4 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Yogan and the Rangers face the Carolina Hurricanes today at 5:30 p.m.

- Victor Fernandes