Tuesday, February 26, 2013

OJHL ALL-PROSPECT TEAMS ANNOUNCED

Press Release

The Ontario Junior Hockey League today announced the OJHL First and Second All-Prospect Teams

1st Team All-Prospect
G – Daniel Mannella (Stouffville Spirit)
D – Kyle Jenkins (Oakville Blades)
D – Jared Walsh (St. Michael's Buzzers)
F – Matt Buckles (St. Michael's Buzzers)
F – Jake Evans (St. Michael's Buzzers)
F – David Miller (Georgetown Raiders)

2nd Team All-Prospect
G – Hayden Lavigne (Wellington Dukes)
D – Travis Dermott (Newmarket Hurricanes)
D – Chad Duchesne (Kingston Voyageurs)
F - Matt Alvaro (Oakville Blades)
F – Troy Crema (Hamilton Red Wings)
F – Mike Soucier (Wellington Dukes)
F – Aidan Wallace (Pickering Panthers)

Goaltender – Daniel Mannella (Stouffville Spirit)
(pictured top left - photo credit - Catherine Reid/OJHL Images)

The 17-year old native of Woodbridge, Ontario, Daniel Mannella was the only member of the All-Prospect Teams to be traded this year, after beginning his rookie season with the Georgetown Raiders.  After getting off to a hot start with the Raiders, that would see him post a 9-2-1 record in his first 13 contests, Mannella would earn an invitation to Team Canada East's Final Selection Camp and ultimately earn a spot as Charlie Finn's back-up at the 2012 World Junior 'A' Challenge held in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.  Upon returning to the OJHL, Mannella would be one of the key pieces in part of the December 1st five player blockbuster trade between the Raiders and Stouffville Spirit. Playing on a younger club in Stouffville, the backstop would log heavy minutes, ultimately finishing with a 19-20-2 record, including one shutout, a 3.00 goals against average and .904 save percentage.  Mannella was also a member of the OJHL Prospect Team that defeated the CCHL Prospects 4-3 in overtime, allowing just one goal during his half of the game.

Defence – Kyle Jenkins (Oakville Blades)
(pictured top middle - photo credit - Shawn Muir/OJHL Images)

Selected in the 4th round, 68th overall of the 2012 OHL Priority Selection by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, 16-year old defenceman Kyle Jenkins impressed the OHL club enough that they officially signed the rearguard in early January.  One of the few 16-year olds that was invited to the Team Canada East Final Selection Camp, the smooth skating Jenkins recorded 9 goals and 29 points on the season to finish seventh in scoring on the Oakville Blades, while also finishing 16th among all OJHL defencemen.  The native of Brampton, Ontario finished tied for fourth among blueliners with his nine goals, including a league-leading seven markers on the power play.  Jenkins would also be selected as a member of the OJHL South Division All-Star Team that competed at the 2012 Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge that took place in Welllington, Ontario, notching two assists in three games played.

Defence – Jared Walsh (St. Michael's Buzzers)
(pictured top right - photo credit - Mike Ivall/OJHL Images)

One of the pleasant surprises on the Buzzers blueline this year, 16-year old Jared Walsh impressed many early in the season with his steady presence on the back-end and he would use his great start to earn a spot on Team Canada East, competing at the 2012 World Junior 'A' Challenge.  The 5', 11", 175 lbs. Toronto, Ontario native would finish third on the club in scoring among defencemen with 17 assists and 21 points in 49 games played.  Walsh was also selected to play for the OJHL Prospect Team at the 2012 Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge in Wellington, Ontario, recording an assist during a 4-3 overtime victory versus the CCHL.  A second round pick of the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors (now Steelheads), Walsh confirmed his commitment to join the prestigious University of Michigan Wolverines program beginning in 2015.

Forward – Matt Buckles (St. Michael's Buzzers)
(pictured bottom left - photo credit - Mike Ivall/OJHL Images)

One of the most highly touted prospects in the OJHL this season, Matt Buckles has not disappointed both scouts and fans alike with his play this season, leading the Buzzers in scoring with 40 goals and 71 points in 50 regular season games played.  The 17-year old native of Toronto, Ontario, who played last year with the Toronto Lakeshore Patriots, finished fourth among all OJHL players in goal scoring, while also playing with a physical edge that would see him record 107 penalty minutes, tied for the 17th highest total in the league.  On NHL Central Scouting's Watch List all season, Buckles was ranked 134th among North American skaters on the mid-season rankings.  After playing in the 2011 CJHL Prospect Game series, Buckles would join Team Canada East at the 2012 World Junior 'A' Challenge, recording a game-winning goal, as well as representing the OJHL South Division All-Star Team at the Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge for the second consecutive year.

Forward – Jake Evans (St. Michael's Buzzers)
(pictured bottom middle - photo credit - Mike Ivall/OJHL Images)

After committing to the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish program as a minor midget, Jake Evans joined another well respected program in the St. Michael's Buzzers to play his junior hockey.  Another Toronto, Ontario product, the 6', 179 lbs. forward played five games as an affiliate with the Buzzers last season, recording four points, and would make an impact during his rookie season, finishing seventh on the Buzzers in scoring with 44 points in 50 games played.  Evans' impressive OJHL start would also see him join Team Canada East at the 2012 World Junior 'A' Challenge, as well as competing for the OJHL Prospect Team at the 2012 Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge.

Forward – David Miller (Georgetown Raiders)
(pictured bottom right - photo credit - Shawn Muir/OJHL Images)

Another top rookie in the OJHL this season, David Miller was selected by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the 6th round, 107th overall, of the 2012 OHL Priority Selection.  His early season efforts with the Georgetown Raiders, scoring at more than a point/game pace, saw him sign with the OHL club and make his debut just after Christmas, recording three assists in five games played.  The Burlington, Ontario native finished seventh on the Raiders in scoring, notching 16 goals and 42 points in 46 games played.  He was selected as a member of the OJHL Prospect Team that competed at the 2012 Central Canada Cup, but was forced to miss the event due to his OHL recall to Sault Ste. Marie.

2nd Team All-Stars (tie in voting for final forward position)

Wellington Dukes goaltender Hayden Lavigne is a native of Brampton, Ontario.  He posted a 9-7-1 record with a 2.48 goals against average and a .922 save percentage.  Lavigne would compete for Team East at the 2012 CJHL Prospects Game.

Kingston Voyageurs defenceman Chad Duchesne is a native of Kingston, Ontario.  He led the Vees defensive corps with seven goals, while recording 24 points.  Duchesne is committed to Northeastern University for 2015 and competed for Team East at the 2012 CJHL Prospects Game.

Newmarket Hurricanes defenceman Travis Dermott is a native of Newmarket, Ontario.  He finished fourth among Hurricanes defencemen with 14 assists and 15 points and was a member of the OJHL Prospect Team at the 2012 Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge.

Oakville Blades forward Matt Alvaro is a native of Toronto, Ontario.  He led the Blades with three shorthanded goals, while also recording 14 goals and 27 points.

Hamilton Red Wings forward Troy Crema is a native of Toronto, Ontario.  He led the Red Wings in most statistical categories, including 24 goals, 37 assists and 61 points.  Crema was a member of the OJHL Prospect Team at the 2012 Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge and is committed to Dartmouth College for 2013.

Wellington Dukes forward Mike Soucier is a native of Caledon, Ontario.  He finished sixth on the Dukes in scoring with 15 assists and 22 points in 46 games played and was a member of the East Division All-Star Team that won the 2012 Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge, as well as Team Canada East at the 2012 World Junior 'A' Challenge.  Soucier is committed to Bemidji State University for 2013.

Pickering Panthers forward Aidan Wallace is a native of Markham, Ontario.  He finished fifth in scoring on the Panthers with 22 points, was named Player of the Game for Team East during game two of the 2012 CJHL Prospect Game series, and scored the overtime-winning goal for the OJHL Prospects at the 2012 Central Canada Cup versus the CCHL.  Wallace also made his OHL debut as a member of the Oshawa Generals.

The Ontario Junior Hockey League’s All-Star Teams will be announced later this week.

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

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