Canada Sports Hall of Fame Inducts 11
Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame announced 11 new inductees on Wednesday.
Six athletes and 5 builders will be inducted.
Athletes Steve Nash, Sonja Gaudet, Diane Jones Konihowski, Eric Lamaze & ” Hickstead “, John “Jackie” Barrett and Lorie Kane will be formally inducted in 2021.
The 5 builders to be honoured are Willie O’Ree, Sheldon Kennedy, Judy Kent, Ross Powless and Duncan Campbell.
NASCAR Rained Out
Rain wiped out the Cup Series race last night at Charlotte Motor Speedway
The race now will be conducted this evening at 7 pm which in turn forced NASCAR to bump their scheduled Xfinity Race at at Bristol Motor Speedway from this Saturday to Monday
The rainout created an additional day of rest for the drivers, particularly Kyle Busch and Timmy Hill, who have entered all 7 races since NASCAR returned.
Exemption Request From Alberta
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has asked the federal government to exempt National Hockey League players and personnel from the country's travel protocol.
The letter is designed to facilitate Edmonton's bid to be a ” hub city ” in the NHL's potential return to play.
Edmonton is one of the 10 cities NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said is under consideration to be one of two hub cities for the league's potential return.
Current laws say any person entering Canada must self-isolate for 14 days.
Ontario Hockey League AllStar + All Rookie Teams
The Ontario Hockey League announced the three All-Star Teams for this past season along with the First and Second All-Rookie Teams
Six members of the Ottawa 67's were placed on the various All Star teams.
The All Rookie team is fronted by Kingston centre Shane Wright who was the OHL Rookie of the Year.
OHL Release
The Ontario Hockey League today announced the First, Second and Third All-Star Team selections along with the First and Second All-Rookie Team selections for the 2019-20 season.
The OHL All-Star Teams were selected by the OHL's General Managers, with voting conducted in two stages beginning with a Conference ballot followed by a final ballot that integrated the top selections from both the Eastern and Western Conference results.
Headlining the First Team is Red Tilson Trophy recipient and OHL scoring leader Marco Rossi of the Ottawa 67's who becomes the first 67's player to be selected to the League's First All-Star Team since Tyler Toffoli in 2011-12. The top 2020 NHL Draft prospect led the entire Canadian Hockey League with 120 points, producing at a 2.14 point-per-game clip for the OHL's first place team. Joining Rossi in the forward ranks was OHL goal-scoring leader Nick Robertson of the Peterborough Petes, a Toronto Maple Leafs prospect who lit the lamp 55 times in just 46 games. Flanking the right side is Los Angeles Kings prospect Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs who scored 48 goals and posted 98 points in 57 games. OHL Defenceman of the Year Noel Hoefenmayer of the Ottawa 67's stands out on the blue line after recording a league-best 82 points including 26 goals over 58 games. Top draft eligible rearguard Jamie Drysdale joins Hoefenmayer on the back end after a sophomore season with the Erie Otters that included 47 points over 49 games. Fellow Canadian National Junior Team gold medalist Nico Daws of the Guelph Storm, who was voted OHL Goaltender of the Year, was appointed as a First Team All-Star netminder after posting a league-high .924 save percentage and five shutouts. OHL Coach of the Year Andre Tourigny of the Ottawa 67's rounds out the group, being voted to the OHL's First All-Star Team for a second consecutive year.
Washington Capitals first round pick Connor McMichael is positioned down the middle on the Second Team, joined by wingers in 111-point scorer Cole Perfetti of the Saginaw Spirit and fifth-year overage veteran Joseph Garreffa of the Ottawa 67's. Dallas Stars first round selection Thomas Harley of the Mississauga Steelheads joins New Jersey Devils prospect Kevin Bahl on the back end while 2020 OHL Humanitarian of the Year and Los Angeles Kings prospect Jacob Ingham of the Kitchener Rangers holds down the crease. Dale Hunter of the London Knights was voted Second Team Head Coach, being selected to an All-Star Team for the sixth time in his OHL coaching career.
Top 2020 NHL Draft prospect Quinton Byfield of the Sudbury Wolves was voted Third Team centreman. He's accompanied on the wings by Guelph Storm 45-goal scorer Pavel Gogolev and Sarnia Sting overage veteran Sean Josling who led his team with 78 points. The Third Team defence corps consists of the London Knights tandem of Chicago Blackhawks prospect Alec Regula and San Jose Sharks first round pick Ryan Merkley while Ottawa 67's netminder Cedrick Andree is in goal. George Burnett of the Guelph Storm was voted to an OHL All-Star Team for the seventh time in his career, being named Third Team Head Coach.
A total of 11 teams were represented among the All-Star selections led by the Hamilton Spectator Trophy recipient Ottawa 67's with six including First Team members Rossi, Hoefenmayer and Tourigny, Second Team selections Garreffa and Bahl and Third Team selection Andree. The Midwest Division champion London Knights trailed with four selections including Second Team members McMichael and coach Dale Hunter as well as Third Team defenders Merkley and Regula.
The Ontario Hockey League also unveiled its First and Second All-Rookie Teams for the 2019-20 season.
OHL Rookie of the Year and 2019 OHL Priority Selection first overall pick Shane Wright of the Kingston Frontenacs headlined the First All-Rookie Team, being joined by former Don Mills Flyers Minor Midget teammates in second overall OHL Priority Selection choice Brennan Othmann of the Flint Firebirds and fourth overall pick Brandt Clarke of the Barrie Colts on the back end. Sudbury Wolves winger Chase Stillman and Finnish-born Windsor Spitfires rearguard Ruben Rafkin joined London Knights standout netminder Brett Brochu in completing the First Team.
The Second Team is centred by 2019 fifth overall OHL Priority Selection choice and Peterborough Petes 29-goal scorer Mason McTavish. He's joined up front by CHL Import Draft selections and 2020 NHL Draft prospects Martin Chromiak of the Kingston Frontenacs and Oliver Suni of the Oshawa Generals. On the blue line, North Bay Battalion rearguard Paul Christopoulos joins Saginaw Spirit defender Mitchell Smith in front of North Bay goaltender Joe Vrbetic to round out the group.
A total of 10 different teams were represented among the All-Rookie Team selections led by the Kingston Frontenacs and North Bay Battalion with a pair each.
2019-20 OHL All-Star Teams:
First All-Star Team:
C – Marco Rossi, Ottawa 67's (OHL's Most Outstanding Player) – voted 2nd all-rookie team in 2018-19
LW – Nick Robertson, Peterborough Petes
RW – Arthur Kaliyev, Hamilton Bulldogs – voted 2nd team in 2018-19, 2nd all-rookie team in 2017-18
D – Noel Hoefenmayer, Ottawa 67's (OHL Defenceman of the Year)
D – Jamie Drysdale, Erie Otters – voted 1st all-rookie team in 2018-19
G – Nico Daws, Guelph Storm (OHL Goaltender of the Year)
Coach – Andre Tourigny, Ottawa 67's (OHL Coach of the Year) – voted 1st team in 2018-19
Second All-Star Team:
C – Connor McMichael, London Knights
LW – Cole Perfetti, Saginaw Spirit – voted 1st all-rookie team in 2018-19
RW – Joseph Garreffa, Ottawa 67's
D – Thomas Harley, Mississauga Steelheads – voted 3rd team in 2018-19
D – Kevin Bahl, Ottawa 67's
G – Jacob Ingham, Kitchener Rangers – voted 1st team all-rookie in 2016-17
Coach – Dale Hunter, London Knights – voted 3rd team in 2018-19, 1st team in 2009-10, 2nd team in 2005-06, 1st team in 2004-05, 1st team in 2003-04
Third All-Star Team:
C – Quinton Byfield, Sudbury Wolves – voted 1st all-rookie team in 2018-19
LW – Pavel Gogolev, Guelph Storm
RW – Sean Josling, Sarnia Sting
D – Alec Regula, London Knights – voted 1st team all-rookie in 2017-18
D – Ryan Merkley, London Knights – voted 1st team all-rookie in 2016-17
G – Cedrick Andree, Ottawa 67's
Coach – George Burnett, Guelph Storm – voted 2nd team in 2012-13, 2nd team in 2008-09, 3rd team in 2007-08, 2nd team in 1997-98, 1st team in 1991-92, 1st team in 1990-91
2019-20 OHL All-Rookie Teams:
First All-Rookie Team:
C – Shane Wright, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL Rookie of the Year)
LW – Brennan Othmann, Flint Firebirds
RW – Chase Stillman, Sudbury Wolves
D – Brandt Clarke, Barrie Colts
D – Ruben Rafkin, Windsor Spitfires
G – Brett Brochu, London Knights
Second All-Rookie Team:
C – Mason McTavish, Peterborough Petes
LW – Martin Chromiak, Kingston Frontenacs
RW – Oliver Suni, Oshawa Generals
D – Paul Christopoulos, North Bay Battalion
D – Mitchell Smith, Saginaw Spirit
G – Joe Vrbetic, North Bay Battalion
For full coverage of the 2020 OHL Awards, be sure to visit ontariohockeyleague.com or follow along on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Canadian Hockey League Awards
The Canadian Hockey League will announce the recipients of 10 major awards for the season beginning today with the Top Scorer of the Year Award.
Marco Rossi of the Ottawa 67’s will get the trophy after putting up 120 points this season
CHL Release
The Canadian Hockey League is proud to announce that the recipients of 10 major awards for the 2019-20 season will be revealed in a series of digital presentations beginning May 28.
“Over the next two weeks the Canadian Hockey League will be recognizing winners of 10 national awards for the 2019-20 season,” said CHL President Dan MacKenzie. “Congratulations to all of the nominees, award recipients, their families, and teams on these outstanding achievements. I would also like to acknowledge the support of all presenting partners of the CHL Awards program. Thank you for helping us celebrate the very best in our great game. I hope everyone stays safe and healthy as we look forward to returning to the rink next season.”
Award winners will first be unveiled on the league’s web and social media platforms between Thursday May 28 and Wednesday June 10. Each of the CHL’s 10 major awards has three finalists representing nominations from the Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
2019-20 CHL Awards – Announcement Schedule & Finalists:
Thursday May 28: CHL Top Scorer of the Year Award presented by Purolator
Adam Beckman (Spokane Chiefs)
Marco Rossi (Ottawa 67’s)
Alexis Lafreniere (Rimouski Oceanic)
Most recent winners by league: Jason Robertson (Niagara IceDogs 2019), Jayden Halbgewachs (Moose Jaw Warriors 2018), Conor Garland (Moncton Wildcats 2016).
Friday May 29: CHL Top Prospect of the Year Award presented by Kubota Canada
Kaiden Guhle (Prince Albert Raiders)
Quinton Byfield (Sudbury Wolves)
Alexis Lafreniere (Rimouski Oceanic)
Most recent winners by league: Bowen Byram (Vancouver Giants 2019), Andrei Svechnikov (Barrie Colts 2018), Pierre-Luc Dubois (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles 2016).
Monday June 1: CHL Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award presented by Janes
Brad Lauer (Edmonton Oil Kings)
Andre Tourigny (Ottawa 67’s)
Stephane Julien (Sherbrooke Phoenix)
Most recent winners by league: Mario Pouliot (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies 2019), Drew Bannister (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 2018), Jim Hiller (Tri-City Americans 2012).
Tuesday June 2: CHL Humanitarian of the Year Award presented by Kia
Riley Fiddler-Schultz (Calgary Hitmen)
Jacob Ingham (Kitchener Rangers)
Xavier Simoneau (Drummondville Voltigeurs)
Most recent winners by league: Charle-Edouard D’Astous (Rimouski Oceanic 2019), Garrett McFadden (Guelph Storm 2018), Tyler Wong (Lethbridge Hurricanes 2017).
Wednesday June 3: CHL Scholastic Player of the Year Award presented by CIBC
Dylan Garand (Kamloops Blazers)
Cole Perfetti (Saginaw Spirit)
Rafael Harvey-Pinard (Chicoutimi Sagueneens)
Most recent winners by league: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips 2019), Alexandre Alain (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada 2018), Sasha Chmelevski (Ottawa 67’s 2017).
Thursday June 4: CHL Sportsman of the Year Award presented by Cavendish Farms
Seth Jarvis (Portland Winterhawks)
Nick Robertson (Peterborough Petes)
Jakob Pelletier (Moncton Wildcats)
Most recent winners by league: Justin Almeida (Moose Jaw Warriors 2019), Nick Suzuki (Owen Sound Attack 2017), Samuel Girard (Shawinigan Cataractes 2016).
Friday June 5: CHL Rookie of the Year Award presented by Wawanesa Insurance
Dylan Guenther (Edmonton Oil Kings)
Shane Wright (Kingston Frontenacs)
Zachary Bolduc (Rimouski Oceanic)
Most recent winners by league: Quinton Byfield (Sudbury Wolves 2019), Alexis Lafreniere (Rimouski Oceanic 2018), Brett Connolly (Prince George Cougars 2009).
Monday June 8: CHL Goaltender of the Year Award presented by Vaughn
Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)
Nico Daws (Guelph Storm)
Kevin Mandolese (Cape Breton Eagles)
Most recent winners by league: Ian Scott (Prince Albert Raiders 2019), Michael McNiven (Owen Sound Attack 2017), Philippe Desrosiers (Rimouski Oceanic 2015).
Tuesday June 9: CHL Defenceman of the Year Award presented by Real Canadian Superstore
Ty Smith (Spokane Chiefs)
Noel Hoefenmayer (Ottawa 67’s)
Jordan Spence (Moncton Wildcats)
Most recent winners by league: Ty Smith (Spokane Chiefs 2019), Nicolas Hague (Mississauga Steelheads 2018), Thomas Chabot (Saint John Sea Dogs 2017).
Wednesday June 10: CHL David Branch Player of the Year Award
Adam Beckman (Spokane Chiefs)
Marco Rossi (Ottawa 67’s)
Alexis Lafreniere (Rimouski Oceanic)
Most recent winners by league: Alexis Lafreniere (Rimouski Oceanic 2019), Alex DeBrincat (Erie Otters 2017), Brendan Shinnimin (Tri-City Americans 2012).
Award winners are selected by NHL Central Scouting in association with the CHL.
MLB Players Counter
The Major League Baseball Players Association expects to counter the owners economic proposal by the end of this week.
The Players concept includes more than 100 games and a guarantee of full prorated salaries for the 2020 season
The disagreement over economics heated up after the league owners proposal for a sliding scale on salaries was shunned almost immediately by the players.
Washington pitcher Max Scherzer, among the 8 players on the union’s executive subcommittee, issued a statement last night calling management’s proposal for more salary cuts a ” non-starter “.
NBA Hall Induction Delayed
Basketball Hall of Fame chairman Jerry Colangelo relates that the enshrinement ceremony for Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett & Tim Duncan among others will be delayed until 2021.
The ceremony was scheduled for August 29th at Springfield, Massachusetts
Bryant, Garnett and Duncan all got into the Hall in their first year as finalists
CFL Reopens Facilities
The Canadian Football League is allowing its teams to reopen their fitness facilities
A league memo delivered yesterday allows local players to participate in training or receive treatment at their respective club's facility.
However, the league stipulated the reopening of facilities must “permitted by your local provincial and municipal public health authorities.”