BOUCHERVILLE, Monday, December 15, 2008 – Cape Breton Screaming Eagles forward Robert Slaney and Acadie-Bathurst Titan netminder Nicholas Champion today were named the TELUS offensive and defensive players of the week for the period extending from December 8 to 14.
The Screaming Eagles’ left-winger collected five goals and two helpers while posting a +1 rating to help his team earn three out of a possible four wins on the road. Moreover, Slaney recorded two game-winning markers and added another shorthanded. He played his best game of the week on Sunday, earning first star honours by registering three points in a 3-0 win over the seemingly unstoppable Moncton Wildcats.
Yannick Riendeau (Voltigeurs), Marc-Olivier Vallerand (Remparts) and Guillaume Goulet (Drakkar) were also considered.
Nicholas Champion is the big winner on defence. In three road games, the Titan goaltender managed to record two wins while posting a 2.28 goals-against-average and .931 save percentage. He enjoyed his best outing of the week on Friday in Chicoutimi, pushing away 37 shots in a 4-3 overtime win over the Saguenéens.
Alex Wall (Juniors), Rémi Blanchard (Titan) and Kevin Poulin (Tigres) were also strong candidates.
Press Release
Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that defenceman Cameron Gaunce of the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors is the Boston Pizza OHL Player of the Week for the week ending December 14 scoring one goal and five assists for six points with a plus-minus rating of plus-3 in three games, helping the Majors to a 3-0-0-0 record.Gaunce had two three-point nights this week beginning Friday night in a 7-4 home win over the Niagara IceDogs. He scored one goal and two assists including a power play set-up to teammate Zac Rinaldo for the game winning goal midway through the second period. Gaunce was held scoreless in the rematch Saturday night at Niagara but his Majors were victorious by a score of 4-3. Gaunce contributed three assists and was second star of the game Sunday afternoon beating the Kingston Frontenacs 7-4 and completing the weekend sweep of three wins in three games for the Majors. The game Sunday featured a special pre-game ceremony that honoured the number nine jersey of Majors alumnus and Hockey Hall of Fame legend Dave Keon.
Gaunce, an 18-year-old from Markham, ON is in his second full season with the Majors. Last season he was named to the OHL All-Rookie team and was later drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in the second round, 50th overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Gaunce is currently ninth in scoring amongst OHL defencemen with 10 goals and 15 assists for 25 points in 30 games.
Fellow Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors forward Casey Cizikas was also considered for the award this week scoring four goals and one assist for five points in three games. London Knights rookie John Carlson had six points with one goal and five assists including a four-point night in a 5-2 win over the Sarnia Sting on Sunday. Michael Hutchinson of the Barrie Colts made 36 saves for the shutout and was first star of the 4-0 win over the Brampton Battalion on Thursday.
2008-09 Boston Pizza OHL Players of the Week
Dec. 15 – Cameron Gaunce, Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors
Dec. 8 – John Tavares, Oshawa Generals
Dec. 1 – John Tavares, Oshawa Generals
Nov. 24 – Eric Tangradi, Belleville Bulls
Nov. 17 – Mathew Sisca, Niagara IceDogs
Nov. 10 – Cody Hodgson, Brampton Battalion
Nov. 3 – Ryan Ellis, Windsor Spitfires
Oct. 27 – Taylor Hall, Windsor Spitfires
Oct. 20 – Brandon Foote, Brampton Battalion
Oct. 13 – Justin DiBenedetto, Sarnia Sting
Oct. 6 – Stefan Della Rovere, Barrie Colts
Sept. 29 – Luke Pither, Guelph Storm
Sept. 22 – Matt Lyall, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Press Release
CALGARY, AB. - The BOSTON PIZZA WHL Player of the Week is forward Ian Duval of the Moose Jaw Warriors.
Duval picked up seven points, scoring five goals and two assists to go with a +2 rating, in three games over the past week, helping the Warriors post a 3-0-0-0 road record in that span.
On Tuesday, December 9th, the Warriors hosted East Division rivals the Brandon Wheat Kings at the Civic Centre in Moose Jaw. Duval netted two goals as the Warriors downed the Wheat Kings 6-3. He was also named the games 2nd Star.
On Friday, December 12th, the Warriors started a short two game road trip through the WHL Central Division starting with the Hurricanes at the Enmax Centre in Lethbridge. Duval scored a goal and an assist as the Warriors defeated the Hurricanes 4-3. He was also named the games 1st Star. The next evening, Saturday, December 13th, the Warriors were in Cranbrook to take on the Kootenay Ice. Duval had another big night picking up two goals, one short-handed, and an assist with the Warriors taking the game 7-4. He was named the games 2nd Star.
Duval, a 20-year-old from Winnipeg, Manitoba, is currently playing his fifth full season in the Western Hockey League. He was originally drafted in the 7th round of the 2003 WHL Bantam Draft by the Regina Pats and has gone on to play a total of 295 games in the WHL scoring 162 points to date.
The WHL has also nominated rookie Darcy Kuemper of the Red Deer Rebels for the ADT CHL Goaltender of the Week Award. Kuemper posted a 2-0-0-0 record this past week with a shut-out, allowing just one goal on 50 shots for a 0.500 goals-against average and incredible .980 save percentage.
Kuemper, an 18 year-old from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, is playing his first season in the Western Hockey League. He spent last year in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League appearing in 44 games with the Saskatoon Blazers compiling a 2.36 GAA. Kuemper currently sits in 9th spot among all WHL goaltenders with a 2.67 goals-against average.
Boston Pizza WHL Player of the Week
Sept. 18 – Sept. 21: Jordan Weal, Regina Pats
Sept. 22 – Sept. 28: Joel Broda, Moose Jaw Warriors
Sept. 29 – Oct. 5: Casey Pierro-Zabotel, Vancouver Giants
Oct. 6 – Oct. 12: Evander Kane, Vancouver Giants
Oct. 13 – Oct. 19: Jay Fehr, Brandon Wheat Kings
Oct. 20 – Oct. 26: Jamie Benn, Kelowna Rockets
Oct. 27 – Nov. 2: Dana Tyrell, Prince George Cougars
Nov. 3 – Nov. 9: C.J. Stretch, Kamloops Blazers
Nov. 10 – Nov. 16: Andy Smith, Chilliwack Bruins
Nov. 17 – Nov. 23: Scott Glennie, Brandon Wheat Kings
Nov. 24 – Nov. 30: Taylor Procyshen, Tri-City Americans
Dec. 1 – Dec. 7: Brett Sonne, Calgary Hitmen
Dec. 8 – Dec. 14: Ian Duval, Moose Jaw Warriors
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)
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