Wednesday, December 5, 2012

OHL Top Performers of November

Press Release


Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the Top OHL Performers of the Month for November, 2012, including forward Ryan Strome of the Niagara IceDogs, defenceman Dougie Hamilton of the IceDogs, rookie Connor McDavid of the Erie Otters, and goaltender Franky Palazzese of the Kitchener Rangers.

OHL Player of the Month – Ryan Strome (Niagara IceDogs):
Ryan Strome of the Niagara IceDogs led the OHL in November scoring with 35 points in 13 games producing nine goals with a league-high 26 assists.  He also recorded the league’s best plus-minus rating with a mark of plus-18.  Strome picked up a point in all 13 games he played last Month and had 10 multi-point contests.  He is currently on a 14-game point streak which is one behind the OHL’s longest streak of the season set by rookie Connor McDavid.  Strome was twice recognized as first star of the game and received third star honours six times including back-to-back games where he recorded five-point performances.  On November 3 he scored a goal and four assists in a 9-4 win over the Guelph Storm then did the same to the Peterborough Petes on November 4 in the 6-4 victory. 
Strome, a 19-year-old from Mississauga, ON, is playing in his fourth OHL season and leads the league in scoring with 59 points in 30 games contributing 20 goals and 39 assists.  The New York Islanders prospect selected fifth overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft was also named Player of the Game for Team OHL on November 12 with a goal and an assist in the 2-1 victory over Team Russia in the 2012 SUBWAY Super Series.  A returning member of Canada’s National Junior Team, Strome will attend Canada’s Selection Camp for the 2013 World Junior Championship beginning December 10. 

OHL Defenceman of the Month – Dougie Hamilton (Niagara IceDogs):
A four-time recipient of this award last season, Dougie Hamilton of the Niagara IceDogs claims the honour for November after leading OHL defencemen in scoring with one goal and 20 assists for 21 points in 13 games along with a plus-minus rating of plus-11.  Hamilton recorded a point in 11 of his 13 games played producing six multi-point contests and helping the IceDogs win nine games in November.  He matched a career-high with four assists on November 3 in a 9-4 win over the Guelph Storm, and received first star honours November 24 scoring once and adding two assists in regulation time then netting the shootout clincher to beat the Sudbury Wolves 6-5.
Hamilton, a 19-year-old from Toronto, ON, is playing in his fourth OHL season with the IceDogs.  Selected ninth overall by the Boston Bruins in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Hamilton leads OHL defencemen in scoring and is ranked 12th overall in the league with 39 points in 30 games.  A returning member of Canada’s National Junior Team, Hamilton will attend Canada’s Selection Camp for the 2013 World Junior Championship beginning December 10. 

OHL Rookie of the Month – Connor McDavid (Erie Otters):
For the second straight time Connor McDavid of the Erie Otters is the OHL Rookie of the Month after tallying nine goals and eight assists to lead all rookies with 17 points in 13 November games.  He picked up a point in 11 of his 13 games including a goal and an assist on November 2 where despite a 6-3 loss to the Owen Sound Attack he extended his point-streak to 15 straight games which still stands as the longest streak in the OHL this season.  His best game of the month was on November 9 when he recorded his first career three-point game with two goals including his first career shorthanded goal as second star of a 6-3 win over the Peterborough Petes. 
McDavid, a 15-year-old from Newmarket, ON, was selected first overall by the Otters in the 2012 OHL Priority Selection.  He currently leads all rookies in scoring with 17 goals and 19 assists for 36 points in 29 games and is tied with teammate Connor Brown ranked 15th in OHL scoring.  McDavid recently competed in the 2012 SUBWAY Super Series for Team OHL and was the youngest player to compete in the 10-year history of the event.  Later this month he will play for Team Ontario at the 2013 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. 

Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month – Franky Palazzese (Kitchener Rangers):
Franky Palazzese is the Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month after posting a perfect 5-0-0-0 record between the pipes for the Kitchener Rangers with a goals-against-average of 1.18 and save percentage of .957.  He stopped 135 shots allowing just six goals in five starts.  His month was highlighted by his first career shutout victory on November 23 when he made 23 saves as first star of a 5-0 victory over the Sarnia Sting. 
Palazzese, a 19-year-old from Mississauga, ON, is playing in his third full OHL season and second with the Rangers.  So far this season Palazzese has a 6-2-1-2 record but holds the league’s best goals-against-average and save percentage with marks of 1.87 and .939 respectively. 


 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

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