CHL Notes

QMJHL Press Release

BOUCHERVILLE, Monday, October 6, 2008 – Montreal Juniors forward Angelo Esposito and Cape Breton Screaming Eagles goaltender Olivier Roy today were named the TELUS offensive and defensive players of the week for the period extending from September 29 to October 5.

In two games, Esposito registered two goals, including a shorthanded marker, and five helpers while maintaining a +4 rating. In his first outing of the season at the Verdun Auditorium last Friday, the winger collected an assist on Nick Layton’s game-winner midway into the third period that sealed a 4-3 victory over the Titan. Then, on Sunday, Esposito recorded a franchise-high six points in an 8-4 win over the Tigres in Victoriaville. Montreal is currently in the midst of a four-game winning streak.

Mathieu Tousignant (Rocket), Cédric Lalonde-McNicoll (Cataractes) and Chris Culligan (Screaming Eagles) were also considered.

The defensive player of the week award goes to Olivier Roy of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. In two wins over the Lewiston MAINEiacs, Roy was stellar, pushing away forty-nine shots while posting a 1.00 goals-against-average and .961 save percentage. He also collected a shutout. The young backstop has yet to lose a game in seven starts so far this season. The Screaming Eagles sit atop the Atlantic division standings thanks to eight wins in their first nine contests.

Drew Paris (Titan), T.J. Brennan (Junior) and Charles Lavigne (Remparts) were also strong candidates.

The Saint John Sea Dogs and the Val d'Or Fourers have completed a trade. The Foreurs acquired François Gauthier as well as Sea Dog's 5th round pick in 2009. The Sea Dogs received the Foreurs 1st round selection in next summer's Import Draft.

OHL Press Release

The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Stefan Della Rovere of the Barrie Colts is the Boston Pizza OHL Player of the Week for the week ending October 5 after scoring four goals and three assists for seven points in two games. Della Rovere also finished the week with a plus-2 plus-minus rating.

Della Rovere put the Colts on the scoreboard early Thursday night with a power play goal in a 4-3 overtime loss at home to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. He would later add an assist that tied the game early in the third period. On Saturday night, Della Rovere exploded for three goals and two assists in a 7-2 home win over the top ranked Windsor Spitfires. His first career OHL hat-trick included a first period goal to open the scoring, a second period power play insurance marker, and a late third period shorthanded tally. Della Rovere was named the first star of the game.

Della Rovere, an 18-year-old from Maple, ON is in his third OHL season with the Colts. Prior to this season, Della Rovere was named team captain of the Barrie Colts. He was selected in the seventh round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft by the Washington Capitals.

Honourable mention this week goes to John Tavares who had four goals and two assists for six points in three games for the Oshawa Generals. Matt Caria of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds was also considered after scoring four goals and one assist for five points in three games. All four of Caria’s goals came in a 4-3 overtime win against Della Rovere and the Barrie Colts Thursday night.

What's your reward for earning a NHL Contract? Get sent back down to Juniors. Cody Hodgson signed an entry level deal with the Vancouver Canucks and was sent back down to the Brampton Battalion today.

WHL Press Release

CALGARY, AB. - The BOSTON PIZZA WHL Player of the Week is forward Casey Pierro-Zabotel of the Vancouver Giants.

Pierro-Zabotel picked up seven points, scoring two goals and five assists to go with a +7 rating, in two games over the past week, helping the Giants post a 2-0 record in that span.

On Friday, October 3rd, the Giants hosted their American rivals, the Seattle Thunderbirds, at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver. Pierro-Zabotel picked up one goal and two assists as the Giants defeated the Thunderbirds 10-2.

The next evening, Saturday, October 4th, Vancouver played host to another U.S. Division club, as the Portland Winter Hawks crossed the border to face the Giants. Pierro-Zabotel scored one goal and added three assists as the Giants downed the Winter Hawks 7-1. He was also named the games 1st Star.

With the two victories the Vancouver Giants have yet to lose a game in regulation (6-0-0-1) and find themselves in top spot among all WHL Clubs.

Pierro-Zabotel, an over-ager from Kamloops, British Columbia, is in his second season of play in the Western Hockey League. He joined the Giants last year after playing three seasons in the BCHL with the Merritt Centennials. At the 2007 NHL Entry Draft Pierro-Zabotel was selected in the 3rd round – 80th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The WHL has also nominated Dustin Tokarski of the Spokane Chiefs for the ADT CHL Goaltender of the Week Award. Tokarski posted a 2-0-0-1 record this past week with a shut-out, allowing just four goals on 89 shots for a 1.300 goals-against average and a .955 save percentage.

Kyle Beach returned to the Everett Silertips today. The Prince George Cougars have traded 19-year old forward Cody Rainaldi to the Portland Winter Hawks in exchange for future considerations.

That's My Take

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)