Toronto – The Ontario Hockey League announced today that forward Ryan Kujawinski of the Kingston Frontenacs is the OHL Player of the Week for the week ending Sept. 30 after recording five points in two games scoring twice with three assists and a plus-minus rating of plus-2.

Kujawinski helped lift the Frontenacs to a pair of victories over the weekend beginning Friday night, where he picked up three assists as second star when the club erased a 5-3 third period deficit to comeback and beat the Erie Otters 6-5 in overtime.
On Sunday afternoon, he received first-star honours with two goals in a 5-4 win over the Niagara IceDogs giving the Frontenacs their best start to a season since 1997-98 with a perfect 3-0-0-0 record as the only undefeated team remaining in the OHL.

Kujawinski, a 17-year-old from Iroqouis Falls, ON, is playing in his second OHL season. Eligible for the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, Kujawinski was a first-round pick of the Sarnia Sting in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection, but finished his rookie campaign with the Frontenacs where he scored 15 goals and 15 assists for 30 points in 30 games.

Also considered for the award this week was Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Boone Jenner of the Oshawa Generals who scored four goals and four assists for eight points in three games, and Montreal Canadiens prospect Brady Vail of the Windsor Spitfires who picked up three goals and four assists for seven points in three games.
In goal, Detroit Red Wings prospect Jake Paterson of the Saginaw Spirit posted a 1-0-1-0 record including a shutout victory with a goals-against-average of 1.46 and save percentage of .955.

- 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

2012 EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINALS

SERIES A TIME (ET) #1 NY Rangers vs. #8 Ottawa Networks
Thursday, April 12, 2012 7 p.m. Ottawa at NY Rangers NHL Network, CBC
Saturday, April 14, 2012 7 p.m. Ottawa at NY Rangers NBC Sports Network, CBC
Monday, April 16, 2012 7:30 p.m. NY Rangers at Ottawa CBC, CNBC
Wednesday, April 18, 2012 7:30 p.m. NY Rangers at Ottawa CBC, CNBC
*Saturday, April 21, 2012 7 p.m. Ottawa at NY Rangers NBC Sports Network, CBC
*Monday, April 23, 2012 TBD NY Rangers at Ottawa TBD
*Thursday, April 26, 2012 TBD Ottawa at NY Rangers TBD

SERIES B TIME (ET) #2 Boston vs. #7 Washington Networks
Thursday, April 12, 2012 7:30 p.m. Washington at Boston NBC Sports Network, CBC
Saturday, April 14, 2012 3 p.m. Washington at Boston NBC, CBC
Monday, April 16, 2012 7:30 p.m. Boston at Washington NBC Sports Network, CBC
Thursday, April 19, 2012 7:30 p.m. Boston at Washington NBC Sports Network, CBC
*Saturday, April 21, 2012 3 p.m. Washington at Boston NBC, CBC
*Sunday, April 22, 2012 TBD Boston at Washington TBD
*Wednesday, April 25, 2012 TBD Washington at Boston TBD

SERIES C TIME (ET) #3 Florida vs. #6 New Jersey Networks
Friday, April 13, 2012 7 p.m. New Jersey at Florida NHL Network, TSN
Sunday, April 15, 2012 7:30 p.m. New Jersey at Florida NBC Sports Network, TSN
Tuesday, April 17, 2012 7 p.m. Florida at New Jersey NHL Network, TSN
Thursday, April 19, 2012 7 p.m. Florida at New Jersey NHL Network, TSN
*Saturday, April 21, 2012 6:30 p.m. New Jersey at Florida NHL Network, TSN
*Tuesday, April 24, 2012 TBD Florida at New Jersey TBD
*Thursday, April 26, 2012 TBD New Jersey at Florida TBD

SERIES D TIME (ET) #4 Pittsburgh vs. #5 Philadelphia Networks
Wednesday, April 11, 2012 7:30 p.m. Philadelphia at Pittsburgh NBC Sports Network, TSN
Friday, April 13, 2012 7:30 p.m. Philadelphia at Pittsburgh NBC Sports Network, TSN
Sunday, April 15, 2012 3 p.m. Pittsburgh at Philadelphia NBC, TSN
Wednesday, April 18, 2012 7:30 p.m. Pittsburgh at Philadelphia NBC Sports Network, TSN
*Friday, April 20, 2012 7:30 p.m. Philadelphia at Pittsburgh NBC Sports Network, TSN
*Sunday, April 22, 2012 TBD Pittsburgh at Philadelphia TBD
*Tuesday, April 24, 2012 TBD Philadelphia at Pittsburgh TBD

2012 WESTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINALS

SERIES E TIME (ET) #1 Vancouver vs. #8 Los Angeles Networks
Wednesday, April 11, 2012 10:30 p.m. Los Angeles at Vancouver CBC, NBC Sports Network
Friday, April 13, 2012 10 p.m. Los Angeles at Vancouver CBC, NBC Sports Network
Sunday, April 15, 2012 10:30 p.m. Vancouver at Los Angeles NBC Sports Network, CBC
Wednesday, April 18, 2012 10 p.m. Vancouver at Los Angeles NBC Sports Network, CBC
*Sunday, April 22, 2012 TBD Los Angeles at Vancouver TBD
*Tuesday, April 24, 2012 TBD Vancouver at Los Angeles TBD
*Thursday, April 26, 2012 TBD Los Angeles at Vancouver TBD

SERIES F TIME (ET) #2 St. Louis vs. #7 San Jose Networks
Thursday, April 12, 2012 7:30 p.m. San Jose at St. Louis CNBC, TSN
Saturday, April 14, 2012 7:30 p.m. San Jose at St. Louis CNBC, TSN
Monday, April 16, 2012 10 p.m. St. Louis at San Jose NBC Sports Network, TSN
Thursday, April 19, 2012 10:30 p.m. St. Louis at San Jose NBC Sports Network, TSN
*Saturday, April 21, 2012 7:30 p.m. San Jose at St. Louis CNBC, TSN
*Monday, April 23, 2012 TBD St. Louis at San Jose TBD
*Wednesday, April 25, 2012 TBD San Jose at St. Louis TBD

SERIES G TIME (ET) #3 Phoenix vs. #6 Chicago Networks
Thursday, April 12, 2012 10 p.m. Chicago at Phoenix NBC Sports Network, TSN
Saturday, April 14, 2012 10 p.m. Chicago at Phoenix NBC Sports Network, TSN
Tuesday, April 17, 2012 9 p.m. Phoenix at Chicago CNBC, TSN
Thursday, April 19, 2012 8 p.m. Phoenix at Chicago CNBC, TSN
*Saturday, April 21, 2012 10 p.m. Chicago at Phoenix NBC Sports Network, TSN
*Monday, April 23, 2012 TBD Phoenix at Chicago TBD
*Wednesday, April 25, 2012 TBD Chicago at Phoenix TBD

SERIES H TIME (ET) #4 Nashville vs. #5 Detroit Networks
Wednesday, April 11, 2012 8 p.m. Detroit at Nashville CNBC, CBC
Friday, April 13, 2012 7:30 p.m. Detroit at Nashville CNBC, CBC
Sunday, April 15, 2012 Noon Nashville at Detroit NBC, CBC
Tuesday, April 17, 2012 7:30 p.m. Nashville at Detroit NBC Sports Network, CBC
*Friday, April 20, 2012 8 p.m. Detroit at Nashville CNBC, CBC
*Sunday, April 22, 2012 TBD Nashville at Detroit TBD
*Tuesday, April 24, 2012 TBD Detroit at Nashville TBD

* if necessary
TBD – To Be Determined

- From NHL news release

NEW YORK – The Detroit Red Wings will host the Toronto Maple Leafs at Michigan Stadium on the University of Michigan campus in the 2013 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic on Tuesday, Jan. 1, the National Hockey League announced today.

Nicknamed “The Big House,” the stadium is the largest in North America.  It is anticipated that the 2013 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic could set an all-time world attendance record for a hockey game.  The game will be broadcast live on NBC in the U.S. and on CBC and RDS in Canada.

“The Red Wings’ tradition of excellence, Detroit’s passion for hockey and the glorious history of the Maple Leafs create a Winter Classic scenario for the ages,” Commissioner Gary Bettman said. “The meeting of these two ‘Original Six’ rivals, at this iconic venue, will lift this Winter Classic to incomparable heights. The demand to be there will be so great that this event could only be held at ‘The Big House.’”

In concert with the 2013 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic, beginning in mid-December Comerica Park in downtown Detroit will be home to a celebration of hockey titled the Hockeytown Winter Festival™.  The main attraction of the festival will be an ice rink built on the Comerica Park field where a special game between notable Red Wings and Maple Leafs alumni – the NHL Alumni Showdown – will be played.

The outdoor rink at Comerica Park will feature games between teams representing every level of hockey and opportunities for open skating for the public.  Over a quarter of a million fans are expected to watch youth games, high school hockey games, sled hockey games, AHL games, OHL games and more.  The Grand Rapids Griffins, the AHL affiliate of the Red Wings, will play the Toronto Marlies, the AHL affiliate of the Maple Leafs, on the Comerica Park rink.

For the first time in its history, the Great Lakes Invitational will be played outdoors as Michigan Tech, the University of Michigan, Michigan State and Western Michigan University will be part of the Hockeytown Winter Festival.  Also, the ballpark will host two OHL matchups: the Windsor Spitfires vs. Saginaw Spirit and the Plymouth Whalers vs. London Knights.

“Mike and Marian Ilitch are deeply committed to their beloved Detroit.  That commitment has never wavered,” Commissioner Bettman added.  “The Hockeytown Winter Festival is just the latest example of their passion for their city and for hockey.”

The 2013 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic continues the tradition the NHL has established of hosting a regular-season game outdoors at the onset of the new year to celebrate the origin and traditions of hockey.  This season in Philadelphia, both the 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® between the Flyers and New York Rangers and the alumni game two days prior attracted sellout crowds.  More than 100,000 fans visited Spectator Plaza, the official outdoor hockey festival adjacent to the ballpark.

Further details on the 2013 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic, including the official event logo, ticketing information and uniform design for each team, will be released in the coming months.  Fans can visit www.NHL.com/winterclassic and www.Detroitredwings.com/2013winterclassic for the latest news.

- From NHL news release

Erie Otters goaltender Ramis Sadikov, a 20-year-old native of Moscow, Russia, lost three close friends in the Russian airline crash earlier this month that killed nearly 40 members of the Kontinental Hockey League’s Lokomotiv Yaroslavl club.

The plane, which reportedly crashed shortly after takeoff, was on its way to Minsk, Belarus, for the team’s season-opening game. The victims included Russian-born players Danill Sobchenko, 20, Yuri Urychev, 20, and Sergei Ostapchuk, 21.

Sadikov was a bit choked up while speaking to the media Tuesday, the day he rejoined the Otters after being given his unconditional release by the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings.

He recalled meeting Sobchenko for the first time when Sobchenko joined Lokomotiv. Sadikov and Urychev played on a Russian club together when they were younger. Sadikov met Ostapchuk two years ago while playing in the Subway Super Series, which features games between OHL, QMJHL and WHL all-star teams and a Russian club.

“It’s hard to lose like three friends on the plane,” Sadikov said.  “I know these guys for all my hockey career.”

- Victor Fernandes

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. – Former Erie Otters Shawn Szydlowski and Phil Varone had an assist apiece in the Buffalo Sabres 5-2 win against the New York Rangers in the championship game of the NHL Prospects Tournament at Center Ice Arena on Wednesday.

Varone finished the four-game tournament tied for second on the team with four points (two goals, two assists). Szydlowski had a goal and two points overall.

The Sabres haven’t announced their training camp roster. Former Otters forward Andrew Yogan, who appeared to be injured earlier in the tournament, didn’t play for the second straight game.

Otters overage defenseman David Shields has been invited to camp with the St. Louis Blues, which begins Friday in St. Louis Mills, Mo. Shields had no points and a minus-2 rating in the Blues’ 4-3 OT win against the Columbus Blue Jackets in the third-place game. He finished the tournament with no points and a minus-1 rating.

Otters OA goaltender Ramis Sadikov was the backup in the Detroit Red Wings’ 4-1 win against the Carolina Hurricanes in the seventh-place game. He had an 0-1-0 record, 4.00 goals-against average and .846 save percentage in one game. The Red Wings haven’t announced their camp roster.

Former Mercyhurst College standout forward Scott Pitt had no points and a minus-2 rating against the Red Wings. He finished tied for the team lead with two points (one goal, one assist), but didn’t receive an invitation to main camp.

Greg McKegg (Contributed/Toronto Maple Leafs)

OSHAWA, Ontario – Erie Otters forwards Greg McKegg and Sondre Olden scored a goal apiece in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 4-3 overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators on the final day of the 2011 Rookie Tournament at General Motors Centre.

Then according to mapleleafs.nhl.com, they joined former Otters winger David Broll in earning invitations to the Toronto Maple Leafs’ main camp, which begins Friday in Toronto and is headlined by the preseason opener Sept. 19 against the Senators.

McKegg finished the tournament tied for the team lead with four points (two goals, two assists).

At Traverse City, Mich., former Otters center Phil Varone scored his second goal in the NHL Prospects Tournament in the Buffalo Sabres’ 5-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday at Center Ice Arena. Former Otters teammate Shawn Szydlowski had no points for the Sabres.

Otters goaltender Ramis Sadikov didn’t play for the Red Wings. The Sabres face the New York Rangers today at 7 p.m. in the championship game. The game can be seen on NHL Network and Madison Square Garden Network.

But Varone and Szydlowski might not face former Otters teammate Andrew Yogan, who didn’t play in a 4-3 double-overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday. While I watched the broadcast of the Rangers’ win Sunday against the Dallas Stars, it appeared Yogan was injured while crashing into the boards.

Meanwhile, former Mercyhurst College standout Scott Pitt had a goal, assist and a plus-2 rating for the Hurricanes against the Rangers on Tuesday. Otters defenseman David Shields, who’s expected to begin his professional career this season, had no points and a plus-1 rating in the St. Louis Blues’ 6-1 win against the Stars.

- Victor Fernandes

Greg McKegg (Contributed/Toronto Maple Leafs)

OSHAWA, Ontario – Erie Otters captain Greg McKegg had a goal and two assists to lead the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 5-1 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2011 Rookie Tournament at General Motors Centre on Sunday.

Otters teammate Sondre Olden didn’t record a point for the Leafs. Former Otters winger David Broll was injured in the game, according to the team’s website. The Leafs face the Ottawa Senators on Monday at 7 p.m.

At Traverse City, Mich., Otters goaltender Ramis Sadikov allowed four goals on 26 shots in the Detroit Red Wings’ 4-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild in the NHL Prospects Tournament at Center Ice Arena.

Former Otters Shawn Szydlowski (goal) and Phil Varone (assist) led the Buffalo Sabres to a 6-3 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Former Otter Andrew Yogan scored a goal in the New York Rangers’ 6-2 win against the Dallas Stars.

Overage defenseman David Shields, who’s expected to begin his pro career this season, had no points in the St. Louis Blues’ 2-1 win against the Carolina Hurricanes. Former Mercyhurst College standout Scott Pitt had no points and a minus-2 rating for the Hurricanes.

Tuesday’s schedule is N.Y. Rangers vs. Carolina at 3 p.m.; St. Louis vs. Dallas at 3:30 p.m.; Minnesota vs. Columbus, 6:30 p.m.; and Buffalo vs. Detroit, 7 p.m.

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. – Former Erie Otters center Phil Varone scored in the Buffalo Sabres’ 6-3 win against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday at the NHL Prospects Tournament. Former teammate Shawn Szydlowski had no points and four shots on goal for the Sabres.

In other tournament action, David Shields, an overage defenseman with the Otters who’s expected to start his professional career this season, had no points and a plus-1 rating in the St. Louis Blues’ 5-2 loss to the New York Rangers. Former Otters forward Andrew Yogan, who was traded to Peterborough last month, had no points and a minus-1 rating for the Rangers.

Otters overage goaltender Ramis Sadikov didn’t play for the Detroit Red Wings in a 7-3 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Former Mercyhurst College standout Sc0tt Pitt had a minus-2 rating and one shot on goal in the Carolina Hurricanes’ 8-2 loss to the Dallas Stars.

Here is Sunday’s tournament schedule:

Columbus vs. Buffalo, 2:30 p.m.

Carolina vs. St. Louis, 3 p.m.

Dallas vs. N.Y. Rangers, 6 p.m. (Live on NHL Network, replay on NHL Network at 9 p.m.)

Detroit vs. Minnesota, 6:30 p.m.

Here’s the rest of the tournament schedule:

Tuesday

Dallas vs. St. Louis, 3 p.m.

N.Y. Rangers vs. Carolina, 3:30 p.m. (Live on NHL Network, replay on NHL Network at 7 p.m.)

Columbus vs. Minnesota, 6:30 p.m.

Detroit vs. Buffalo, 7 p.m.

Wednesday

7th-place game, 3 p.m.

5th-place game, 3:30 p.m.

3rd-place game, 6:30 p.m.

Championship game, 7 p.m.

Erie Otters goaltender Ramis Sadikov enjoyed a quick skate late Thursday afternoon before watching his teammates in an intra-squad scrimmage later in the evening.

But how long will they remain his teammates?

Sadikov, 20, will practice with the team until he leaves Sept. 8 to play for the Detroit Red Wings in the NHL Prospects Tournament in Traverse City, Mich. He hopes his performance at the tournament and at the Red Wings’ main camp will earn him a professional contract.

“I will show them what I’ve come to do,” said Sadikov, who arrived from Moscow, Russia, on Thursday.

Sadikov could return to Erie whether he signs or not. But Sherry Bassin, Otters managing partner and general manager, has said Sadikov isn’t a part of the team’s current plans, given his pro possibilities and the 18-year-old goaltending tandem of Chris Festarini and the recently acquired Tyson Teichmann. Bassin has expressed interest in trading Sadikov.

“I feel bad,” Sadikov said of possibly being traded. “Erie is my family.”

But he added, “I would say goodbye to my fans and get new ones (with a new OHL team).” However, one piece of Sadikov would stay in Erie – his unique post-game victory celebrations, which have been synonymous with the Otters the past two seasons.

“(There will be) no celebrations with a different team,” he said.

- Victor Fernandes