OHL Eastern Conference Coaches Poll

Press Release

The Ontario Hockey League today announced the results of the Eastern Conference Coaches Poll for the 2012-13 OHL regular season.

The OHL Coaches Poll provides member club coaches with the opportunity to recognize the top three players in 20 different skill categories within their own conference.

Ryan Strome of the Niagara IceDogs led the way with representation in six categories including four first-place selections including Best Stickhandler, Best Playmaker, Smartest Player, and Best Shootout Shooter.  This marks his third straight year being recognized as the Eastern Conference’s Best Stickhandler, while he makes his third straight appearance in the Best Playmaker category also finishing first in 2010-11.  Last season Strome also finished third in the Smartest Player category, while being the third Hardest Worker and second Most Dangerous in the Goal Area this season.

The Barrie Colts and the Oshawa Generals led the way with representation in 10 categories each with the Generals finishing first in a league-high five categories compared to the Colts’ three first-place finishes.  The Belleville Bulls and the Brampton Battalion were represented in eight categories each, finishing first in three apiece.

Four other players received first place recognition in multiple categories including the Colts’ Mark Scheifele who was named Most Dangerous in the Goal Area and Best Shot.  Zach Bell of the Battalion was named Best Body Checker and Best Shot Blocker, while Booner Jenner of the Generals was named Hardest Worker for the second straight year, and Best on Face-offs.  Finally, the Bulls’ Malcolm Subban was named Best Puck Handling Goalie, and Best Shootout Goalie for the second straight season.

Each team submitted one nominee per category and coaches voted for the top three players for each category within their conference and are not permitted to vote for players on their own team.  Players receive five points for a first place vote, three points for a second place vote, and one point for a third place vote.

All 20 Eastern Conference categories are listed below with the player’s final point totals in brackets.

2012-13 Eastern Conference Coaches Poll Results:

Most Underrated Player

    Nick Baptiste, Sudbury Wolves (16)
    Zach Bell, Brampton Battalion (14)
    Henri Ikonen, Kingston Frontenacs (13)

Most Improved Player

    Scott Sabourin, Oshawa Generals (30)
    Anthony Camara, Barrie Colts (24)
    Mathew Campagna, Sudbury Wolves (11)

Smartest Player

     1.  Ryan Strome, Niagara IceDogs (43) – finished third in voting in 2011-12
     2.  Sean Monahan, Ottawa 67’s (27)
     3.  Riley Brace, Mississauga Steelheads (9)


Hardest Worker

    Boone Jenner, Oshawa Generals (40) – finished first in voting in 2011-12
    Michael Kantor, Sudbury Wolves (12)
    Ryan Strome, Niagara IceDogs (10)

Best Playmaker

    Ryan Strome, Niagara IceDogs (40) – finished second in voting in 2011-12 and first in 2010-11
    Sean Monahan, Ottawa 67’s (14)
    Riley Brace, Mississauga Steelheads (11)

Most Dangerous in the Goal Area

    Mark Scheifele, Barrie Colts (35) – finished third in voting in 2011-12
    Ryan Strome, Niagara IceDogs (18)
    Tyler Graovac, Belleville Bulls (14)

Best Skater

    Lucas Lessio, Oshawa Generals (32)
    Joseph Cramarossa, Belleville Bulls (18)
    Nick Baptiste, Sudbury Wolves (15)

Best Shot

    Mark Scheifele, Barrie Colts (24)
    Tyler Graovac, Belleville Bulls (19)
    Lucas Lessio, Oshawa Generals (14)

 Hardest Shot

    Brett Ritchie, Niagara IceDogs (36)
    Michal Cajkovsky, Ottawa 67’s (19)
    Tyler Biggs, Oshawa Generals (12)

Best Stickhandler

    Ryan Strome, Niagara IceDogs (35) – finished first in voting in 2011-12 and tied for first in voting in 2010-11
    Andreas Athanasiou, Barrie Colts (20)
    Sean Monahan, Ottawa 67’s (18)

Best on Face-Offs

    Boone Jenner, Oshawa Generals – finished second in voting in 2011-12
    Mark Scheifele, Barrie Colts – finished third in voting in 2011-12
    Sean Monahan, Ottawa 67’s (13)

Best Body Checker

    Zach Bell, Brampton Battalion (23)
    Boone Jenner, Oshawa Generals (21)
    Anthony Camara, Barrie Colts (20) –finished tied for second in 2011-12 and first in West voting in 2010-11

Best Shot Blocker

    Zach Bell, Brampton Battalion (35) – finished second in voting in 2011-12
    Alex Cord, Mississauga Steelheads (20)
    Adam Bignell, Belleville Bulls tied Tyler Biggs, Oshawa Generals (7)

Best Defensive Forward

     1.  Brendan Gaunce, Belleville Bulls (23)
     2.  Scott Laughton, Oshawa Generals (20)
     3.  Barclay Goodrow, Brampton Battalion tied Michael Kantor, Sudbury Wolves (12)

Best Penalty Killer

    Scott Laughton, Oshawa Generals (27)
    Zach Bell, Brampton Battalion (18)
    Riley Brace, Mississauga Steelheads (14)

Best Offensive Defenceman

    Ryan O’Connor, Barrie Colts (36)
    Jordan Subban, Belleville Bulls (19)
    Dylan DeMelo, Mississauga Steelheads (16)

Best Defensive Defenceman

    Cameron Wind, Brampton Battalion (29) – finished first in voting in 2011-12
    Aaron Ekblad, Barrie Colts (18)
    Alex Cord, Mississauga Steelheads (14)

Best Puck Handling Goalie

    Malcolm Subban, Belleville Bulls (25) – tied for third in voting in 2011-12
    Matej Machovsky, Brampton Battalion tied Frank Palazzese, Sudbury Wolves (17)

Best Shootout Shooter

    Ryan Strome, Niagara IceDogs (30)
    Mark Scheifele, Barrie Colts, tied Stuart Percy, Mississauga Steelheads, tied Mathew Campagna, Sudbury Wolves (13) – Scheifele finished second in voting in 2011-12, Campagna finished third in voting in 2011-12

Best Shootout Goalie

    Malcolm Subban, Belleville Bulls (36) – finished first in voting in 2011-12
    Mathias Niederberger, Barrie Colts (27)
    Matej Machovsky, Brampton Battalion (7)

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