The Ontario Hockey League announced today that the Windsor Spitfires have been punished for what the league termed as “violations of our Recruitment/Benefit Rules and Policies.”
The club was fined $400,000 and was stripped of five OHL draft picks over the next five years – first-rounders in 2013, 2014 and 2016 and second-rounders in 2015 and 2017. The ruling was handed down based on findings from two separate investigations, the league said in a statement.
“While the penalties may appear to be severe,” OHL Commissioner David Branch said in the statement, “the league and its member teams recognize for any such violations of our Recruitment/Benefit Rules and Policies, we must send a strong message to preserve the integrity of our league.”
Branch pointed to the league’s enforcement program, which was developed by the OHL’s Board of Governors in 2009. The program, he said in the statement, “is designed to address and attempt to eliminate violations of the rules and impose appropriate penalties if violations occur.”
The enforcement process,” Branch added, “is an integral part of the process to ensure integrity and fair play among the member teams. One of the fundamental principles of the enforcement process is to ensure that those member teams that are abiding by the rules are not disadvantaged by their commitment to compliance.”
Check out this story from The Windsor Star.

Toronto – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Kitchener Rangers’ Chief Operating Officer and Governor Steve Bienkowski is the recipient of the OHL Executive of the Year Award for the 2011-12 season.

Bienkowski championed the 2012 expansion of the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex creating a business plan that will see the Rangers Hockey Club fully fund the $10.6 million upgrade to the city owned facility. The venture will see an additional 968 seats installed providing more opportunities for fans to enjoy Kitchener Rangers hockey.

The facility will also receive new media boxes and suite expansions, new concourse, washrooms and concessions, improved accessibility, along with a dressing room upgrade for the club, new medical and training facilities for players, and business offices for staff. The renovations will also create a new Rangers “Hall of History” in time for the franchise’s 50th Anniversary celebrations next season.

“We are very fortunate to have Steve leading our business operations,” said Craig Campbell, President of the Kitchener Rangers Board of Directors. “Steve complements the vision of our entire Board in recognizing the importance of our role in supporting community. On behalf of our Board, I offer congratulations to Steve on this most deserving recognition.”

Under Bienkowski’s leadership the Rangers maintain a strong focus on their community supporting hundreds of charitable programs and non-profit organizations including: St. John Ambulance, Kitchener Sports Association, Children’s Wish Foundation, Kitchener Minor Hockey Association, House of Friendship, Kitchener Panthers Baseball Club, Food Bank of Waterloo Region , THEMUSEUM, Waterloo Regional Boxing Academy, and the Royal Highland Fusiliers.

Bienkowski, the Rangers’ COO since 2002, previously served six years on the club’s Board of Director’s Executive Committee. He is also a graduate of the league playing two seasons with the Rangers from 1979-81 winning an OHL Championship in his final season. His tireless efforts have also been recognized by the community as Bienkowski received the 2011 Citizen of the Year Award bestowed by the Lions Club of Kitchener, and also recently received the Order of St. John from the Governor General of Canada in recognition of his many years of volunteer service to St. John Ambulance.

The OHL Executive of the Year Award is presented annually to the executive whose team demonstrates success both on the ice and at the administration level through excellent organization and franchise success. The winner is selected by the League’s Executive Council.

This marks Bienkowski’s second OHL Executive of the Year Award having first received the honour following the Rangers’ Memorial Cup-winning season in 2002-03. Other recipients of the award include Craig Goslin of the Saginaw Spirit who won the award back-to-back in 2005-06 and 2006-07, followed by Denise Burke of the Niagara IceDogs in 2007-08, Warren Rychel of the Windsor Spitfires in 2008-09, Rick Gaetz of the Guelph Storm in 2009-10, and Dale DeGray of the Owen Sound Attack who won the award last season.

Bienkowski will be formally presented with the OHL’s Executive of the Year Award at the league’s annual award ceremony at the Hockey Hall of Fame on Tuesday.

- From OHL new release

Toronto – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Andrew Agozzino of the Niagara IceDogs is the 2011-12 recipient of the Mickey Renaud Captain’s Trophy.

A three-year captain with the IceDogs, Agozzino was chosen for the award by a media selection committee as the OHL team captain that best exemplifies leadership on and off the ice, with a passion and dedication to the game of hockey and his community that Mickey demonstrated.

Nomination forms were submitted by OHL general managers on behalf of their individual team captains. The selection committee consisted of a panel of four, representing media from each OHL division.

“It is a special honor to have been awarded of the Mickey Renaud Captain’s Trophy,” said Agozzino, who competed against Mickey as a rookie with the IceDogs in 2007. “Mickey was very well respected and a great captain and to receive this in his memory is something I’m very proud of.”

On the IceDogs nomination form, Agozzino is described as a passionate and determined individual who truly cares for his teammates, his opponents, and the game. He leads by example putting team goals, objectives, and the well-being of those around him before his own personal goals. Agozzino is also very active in the community playing a large role in appearances and team initiatives in each of his five seasons, while personally raising $2,480 for Movember this year. His fundraising efforts led all OHL players in the first year of this CHL-wide initiative in support of men’s health and prostate cancer awareness.

“For five years Andrew has been the heart and soul of the IceDogs, just as Mickey was the heart and soul of the Spitfires,” said IceDogs’ owner Bill Burke. “With Mickey’s mother Jane having been from Niagara Falls and his father Mark having played for the Thunder, there is obviously a connection between the Renaud’s and the Niagara Region, making the award even more special for our team.”

Agozzino is a 21-year-old native of Kleinburg, ON, who played all five of his OHL seasons with the IceDogs after being the franchise’s first ever draft pick selected 15th overall in the 2007 Priority Selection. This season he tied for fifth in league scoring with a career-high 88 points in 67 games scoring 40 goals and 48 assists leading the IceDogs to their first Central Division title and best overall record in team history with a record of 47-18-0-3 for 97 points.

Also named the Overage Player of the Year, he led the IceDogs in both goals and points for the third time in five years finishing his career with a franchise record 159 goals and 147 assists for 306 points in a franchise record 318 regular season games played.

Agozzino becomes the fourth recipient of the award following Ryan Ellis of the Windsor Spitfires, John Kurtz of the Sudbury Wolves, and Chris Terry of the Plymouth Whalers who won the inaugural award for the 2008-09 season.

The Mickey Renaud Captain’s Trophy will be formally presented to Agozzino in addition to the Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy at the OHL Awards Ceremony on Tuesday June 5 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

- From OHL news release

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that a media conference is scheduled for Wednesday at 12 pm at the John Labatt Centre in London, Ontario, to announce the winner of the Red Tilson Trophy presented to the OHL’s Most Outstanding Player of the Year for the 2011-12 season.

The Red Tilson Trophy is the most prestigious individual award presented annually by the league to the Most Outstanding Player in the Ontario Hockey League during the regular season schedule of games as voted by sports writers and broadcasters in the OHL. The award is in honour of Albert “Red” Tilson, who was killed in action in Europe during World War II. Tilson was the OHA scoring champion for the 1942-43 season after scoring 19 goals and 38 assists for 57 points in 22 games with the Oshawa Generals. Ryan Ellis of the Windsor Spitfires captured the award last season.

2011-12 Red Tilson Trophy Nominees
Barrie Colts – Tanner Pearson
Belleville Bulls – Brendan Gaunce
Brampton Battalion – Sam Carrick
Erie Otters – Adam Pelech
Guelph Storm – Matt Finn
Kingston Frontenacs – Darcy Greenaway
Kitchener Rangers – Tobias Rieder
London Knights – Michael Houser
Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors – Riley Brace
Niagara IceDogs – Mark Visentin
Oshawa Generals – Kevin Bailie
Ottawa 67’s – Tyler Toffoli
Owen Sound Attack – Mike Halmo
Peterborough Petes – Andrew Yogan
Plymouth Whalers – Stefan Noesen
Saginaw Spirit – Brandon Saad
Sarnia Sting – Nail Yakupov
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds – Nick Cousins
Sudbury Wolves – Michael Sgarbossa
Windsor Spitfires – Kerby Rychel

- From OHL news release

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League will be hosting a media conference call on Tuesday at 12 pm to announce the 2011-12 recipient of the Max Kaminsky Trophy, awarded annually to the OHL’s Most Outstanding Defenceman.

Finalists for 2011-12 OHL Defenceman of the Year are:
Ryan Murphy, Kitchener Rangers
Scott Harrington, London Knights
Dougie Hamilton, Niagara IceDogs
Cody Ceci, Ottawa 67’s
Ryan Sproul, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Frank Corrado, Sudbury Wolves

The Max Kaminsky Trophy is voted on by the member teams of the Ontario Hockey League. In a first round of balloting, teams vote for the top defencemen, within their own conference. The top three nominees from both the Eastern and Western conferences are declared as finalists. A second round of voting is then conducted on a league wide basis where teams vote for any of the six finalists. At no time during the voting can a team vote for their own candidate. Defencemen receive five points for a first place vote, three points for a second place vote and one point for a third place vote.

Prior to 1969, the Kaminsky Trophy was awarded to the Most Gentlemanly Player. The award is in recognition of Kaminsky, who enjoyed a 10-year professional playing career that included four years in the NHL with Ottawa, Boston and Montreal. After he retired from playing, Kaminsky enjoyed a 15-year coaching career that was capped by winning the Memorial Cup with the St. Catharines Teepees in 1960. Last season, Ryan Ellis of the Windsor Spitfires won the award.

- From OHL 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

Third-year forward Dane Fox and second-year defenseman Adam Pelech headline five Erie Otters named to NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings for the NHL Entry Draft in June.

Fox, 18, who was acquired along with second-year defenseman Troy Donnay from London last week, stands 48th among North American skaters. Pelech, 17, is six spots back at No. 54. Rookie winger Connor Brown, 17, stands at No. 85. Donnay, 17, and rookie defenseman Liam Maaskant, 17, are Nos. 115 and 134, respectively.

Former Otters winger Chris Marchese, who was traded to Windsor for winger Anthony Cortellessa last month, stands at No. 97. Center Drake Caggiula, the Otters’ third-round pick in the 2010 OHL Priority Selection, is at No. 197. He plays for Stouffville in the Ontario Junior A Hockey League and has committed to the University of North Dakota.

Sarnia winger Nail Yakupov ranks first overall among North American skaters. The OHL has eight other skaters among the top 20 – Kitchener C Radek Faksa (No. 4), London D Olli Maatta (No. 6), Belleville C Brendan Gaunce (No. 11), Guelph D Matthew Finn (No. 15), Ottawa D Cody Ceci (No. 16), Peterborough D Slater Koekkoek (No. 17), Belleville LW Daniil Zharkov (No. 19) and Owen Sound C Gemel Smith (No. 20). Belleville’s Malcolm Subban ranks first among North American goaltenders.

Check out the complete lists on NHL.com, including the top European goaltenders. Sherry Bassin, Otters managing partner and general manager, has said the 2012 CHL Import Draft in June features goaltenders that could be selected in the first round of the NHL draft.

Bassin likely will focus on the CHL draft to find a goaltender to replace overager Ramis Sadikov next season. Rookie backup Devin Williams, who has played 18 minutes in his brief OHL career, is currently the most experienced prospect in the organization.

Chris Marchese and Anthony Cortellessa were teammates with the Toronto Marlboros AAA hockey team.

On Tuesday, they were involved in the same OHL trade.

The Erie Otters traded Marchese, a former first-round pick, for fellow left winger Cortellessa in a deal that also involved four picks. The Otters received a seventh-rounder in the 2013 OHL Priority Selection and second-rounders in 2014 and 2015 originally held by Owen Sound and Sault Ste. Marie, respectively.

The Spitfires, who also obtained a fifth-round choice in 2013, “wanted Marchese. They wanted him bad,” said Sherry Bassin, Otters managing partner and general manager. Marchese, 17, the 11^th overall pick in the 2010 draft, had nine goals and 26 points in 68 career games with the Otters.

Bassin wanted Cortellessa’s speed, which helped the 5 foot 9 inch, 183-pounder generate 35 goals and 60 points in 81 midget games with the Marlboros in the 2009-10 season. Cortellessa, 17, who slipped to the 10^th round in the 2010 OHL draft because he considered the NCAA route at the time, has one goal and two points in 31 games this season.

- Victor Fernandes

SARNIA, Ontario (AP) — Top NHL draft prospect Alex Galchenyuk will have surgery this week to repair a torn knee ligament.

The 17-year-old center, who plays for the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League, was injured on Sept. 16 in a preseason game against the Windsor Spitfires. The Sting announced the surgery on Monday.

“Unfortunately injuries like this are a part of the game. Our thoughts are solely with Alex at this time as this was very difficult news to receive,” Sting general manager Jacques Beaulieu said in a release. “We will be providing Alex with the best care possible as he begins his rehab toward getting back on the ice.”

Galchenyuk, a Milwaukee native, had 31 goals and 52 assists in 68 games last season.

This week, I’ll break down all 20 OHL clubs division by division and unveil my predictions for the 2011-12 season. Today, let’s look at the Western Conference’s West Division (listed in alphabetical order):

Plymouth Whalers

Coach/GM: Michael Vellucci

2008-09 finish: 36-26-2-4, 3^rd division, 6^th conference

Playoff finish: Lost to Owen Sound 4-0 in conference semifinals

Key players: G Scott Wedgewood (28-18-1-1 record, 2.99 goals-against average, .908 save percentage, 2 shutouts; New Jersey prospect), RW Stefan Noesen (33-44-77; Ottawa prospect), C Mitchell Heard (20-30-50; Toronto prospect), D Beau Schmitz (7-23-30; Carolina prospect), C Rickard Rakell (20-25-45; Anaheim prospect)

Key losses: C Robbie Czarnik (33-44-77), LW Tyler Brown (25-34-59), RW James Livingston (22-27-49), LW Jamie Devane (18-20-38; signed with Toronto)

Outlook: Noesen blossomed into a big-time player in his second season. Now he leads a club that returns quality players at every position, including Wedgewood in net, Schmitz on defense and Heard up front.

Saginaw Spirit

Coach/GM: Todd Watson

2008-09 finish: 40-22-4-2, 1^st division, 2^nd conference

Playoff finish: Lost to Windsor 4-2 in conference semifinals

Key players: LW Josh Shalla (47-25-72; Nashville prospect), RW Jordan Szwarz (27-39-66; signed with Phoenix), C Vincent Trocheck (26-36-62; Florida prospect), LW Brandon Saad (27-28-55), C John McFarland (25-13-38; signed with Florida)

Key losses: C Ivan Telegin (20-41-61; traded to Barrie; signed with Winnipeg), C Mathew Sisca (12-30-42)

Outlook: The Spirit’s once-promising season ended in the second round against the rival Spitfires. Yet they still have enough talent to make a deep playoff run, as long as Tadeas Galansky plays well in net.

Sarnia Sting

Coach/GM: Jacques Beaulieu

2008-09 finish: 25-36-5-2, 4^th division, 0^th conference

Playoff finish: Did not qualify

Key players: RW Nail Yakupov (49-52-101), C Alex Galchenyuk (31-52-83), G Brandon Maxwell (23-15-4-2, 3.22, .903, 1 SO with Kitchener), C Taylor Carnevale (35-35-70 with Barrie/Windsor; Los Angeles prospect), RW Brett Ritchie (21-20-41; Dallas prospect)

Key losses: LW Kale Kerbashian (37-51-88), LW Tyler Peters (21-40-61), D Joe Rogalski (7-25-32; traded to Sault Ste. Marie)

Outlook: Yakupov and Galchenyuk were the most notable rookie tandem in the league last season. But the Sting added a few key pieces in Carnevale and Maxwell through offseason trades.

Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

Coach/GM: Mike Stapleton/Kyle Dubas

2008-09 finish: 24-36-5-3, 5^th division, 10^th conference

Playoff finish: Did not qualify

Key players: C Nick Cousins (29-39-68; Philadelphia prospect), RW Andrew Fritsch (27-35-62 with Owen Sound; Phoenix prospect), LW David Broll (13-21-34 with Erie/Sault Ste. Marie; signed with Toronto), D Joe Rogalski (7-25-32 with Sarnia; Pittsburgh prospect), RW Carson Dubchak (18-22-40)

Key losses: C Daniel Catenacci (26-45-71; traded to Owen Sound), LW Vern Cooper (25-35-60), G Chris Perugini (17-21-4-1, 3.96, .885, 1 SO; has left the club, according to The Sault Star)

Outlook: Stapleton, the Otters’ former associate/assistant coach, rejoins the Greyhounds after a season as an assistant coach with the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch. He will continue the rebuilding process.

Windsor Spitfires

Coach/GM: Bob Boughner/Warren Rychel

2008-09 finish: 39-23-3-3, 2^nd division, 4^th conference

Playoff finish: Lost to Owen Sound 4-1 in conference finals

Key players: C Alexander Khokhlachev (34-42-76; Boston prospect), LW Tom Kuhnhackl (39-29-68; signed with Pittsburgh), G Jack Campbell (24-14-2-2, 3.80, .884; signed with Dallas), D Nick Ebert (11-30-41), D Adrian Robertson (5-21-26)

Key losses: D Ryan Ellis (24-77-101; signed with Nashville), RW Zack Kassian (26-51-77; signed with Buffalo), C Taylor Carnevale (35-35-70; traded to Sarnia), RW Kenny Ryan (21-37-58; signed with Toronto), C Stephen Johnston (21-29-50)

Outlook: Ellis and Kassian, key members of the Spitfires’ consecutive league and Memorial Cup title teams from 2008-10. Now they have passed the torch to Khokhlachev, Kuhnhackl and company.

- Victor Fernandes