OHL All Star Teams

Press Release

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the All-Star teams for the 2008-09 season.

The Windsor Spitfires, winners of the Wayne Gretzky Trophy as Western Conference Champions, are represented by three players along with head coach Bob Boughner who was named to the first team for the second straight year. Taylor Hall at left wing and top prospect Ryan Ellis on defence were also both named to the first team. The Brampton Battalion, winners of the Bobby Orr Trophy as Eastern Conference Champions, are also represented by three players including Cody Hodgson who was named to the first team at centre. Thomas McCollum was named to the second team after two straight seasons as a third team all-star goaltender.

The Belleville Bulls had three players named first team all-stars including goaltender Mike Murphy who was also named a first team all-star last season. Head coach George Burnett was named to the second team after being represented as a third team all-star last season. The London Knights had three players appear on all-star teams including top NHL draft prospect John Tavares as a second team centre. Tavares was named to the first team in 2006-07. Plymouth Whalers head coach and third team all-star Michael Vellucci was also named a first team all-star in 2006-07. Alex Pietrangelo of the Niagara IceDogs was named a third team all-star defenceman for the third straight season.

The OHL All-Star Teams were selected by the OHL’s General Managers. Players received five points for a first place vote, three for a second place vote, and one for a third.

2008-09 All-Star Teams

First Team:
Centre – Cody Hodgson, Brampton Battalion (81)
Left Wing – Taylor Hall, Windsor Spitfires (68)
Right Wing – Bryan Cameron, Belleville Bulls (63)
Defence – Ryan Ellis, Windsor Spitfires (81)
Defence – P.K Subban, Belleville Bulls (79)
Goaltender – Mike Murphy, Belleville Bulls (81)
Coach – Bob Boughner, Windsor Spitfires (58)

Second Team:
Centre – John Tavares, London Knights (65)
Left Wing – Justin DiBenedetto, Sarnia Sting (40)
Right Wing – Greg Nemisz, Windsor Spitfires (47)
Defence – Cameron Gaunce, Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors (61)
Defence – John Carlson, London Knights (43)
Goaltender – Thomas McCollum, Brampton Battalion (44)
Coach – George Burnett, Belleville Bulls (38)

Third Team:
Centre – Chris Terry, Plymouth Whalers (25)
Left Wing – Evgeny Grachev, Brampton Battalion (33)
Right Wing – Matt Kennedy, Guelph Storm (43)
Defence – Alex Pietrangelo, Niagara IceDogs (26)
Defence – Michael Del Zotto, London Knights (20)
Goaltender – Edward Pasquale, Saginaw Spirit (19)
Coach – Michael Vellucci, Plymouth Whalers (34)

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