NEWS RELEASES
ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE
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Evgeny Grachev named OHL Rookie of the Year
Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that forward Evgeny Grachev of the Brampton Battalion is the recipient of the Emms Family Award as the OHL’s Rookie of the Year for the 2008-09 season.
Grachev, a 19-year-old from Yaroslavl, Russia, was selected by the Battalion 40th overall in the CHL Import Draft last June. He finished first among OHL rookies in scoring with 40 goals and 40 assists for 80 points in 60 games. He had a plus-minus rating of plus-48 which was fourth best in the league. His 40 goals were the fifth highest total in the OHL and his 80 points had him ranked 13th in the league this season. Grachev also helped Team Russia win a bronze medal at the 2009 World Junior Hockey Championships in Ottawa. He was selected in the third round, 75th overall, by the New York Rangers at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
Grachev was named the Kal Tire OHL Rookie of the Month for November and January. His best offensive game was when he scored four goals as first star November 16 in a 4-2 win over the Ottawa 67’s. He registered 21 multi-point games with six game-winning goals. On October 11 he began a 10-game point streak and followed that up with an 11-game point streak beginning December 14. He represented Team Russia at the 2008 ADT Canada Russia Challenge and was named Game MVP November 20 with a shorthanded goal in the 6-3 loss to Team OHL. He also represented the Battalion and the Eastern Conference at the 2009 Subway OHL All-Star Classic.
The Emms Family Award is presented annually to the top first year player as selected by OHL general managers. Teams were not permitted to vote for a player from their own hockey club. Players received five points for a first place vote, three points for a second place vote and one point for a third place vote.
Grachev received 47 points in the voting process ahead of Tyler Seguin of the Plymouth Whalers with 40 points, and Calvin de Haan of the Oshawa Generals who finished third with 31 points.
Former winners of the Emms Family Award include Wayne Gretzky (Sault Ste. Marie, 1977-78), Joe Thornton (Sault Ste. Marie, 1995-96), Rick Nash (London, 2000-01), and Patrick Kane (London 2006-07). Taylor Hall of the Windsor Spitfires won the award last season. Grachev is just the second Russian born player to win this award following Vitali Yachmenev who won the award during the 1993-94 season with the North Bay Centennials. He is the first member of the Brampton Battalion organization to be honoured with this award.
The Emms Family Award was donated by Leighton "Hap" Emms, former owner of the Barrie, Niagara Falls and St. Catharines OHL franchises.
Grachev will be formally presented the Emms Family Award during the 2008-09 OHL Awards Ceremony taking place on Wednesday June 3, 2009, at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
The OHL also announced the All-Rookie Teams for the 2008-09 season.
The first team includes Grachev at left wing with Seguin at centre and Tyler Toffoli of the Ottawa 67’s at right wing. The defence includes de Haan with John Carlson of the London Knights. Between the pipes in goal is JP Anderson of the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors.
2008-09 OHL All-Rookie Teams
First Team: Centre – Tyler Seguin, Plymouth Whalers Left Wing – Evgeny Grachev, Brampton Battalion Right Wing – Tyler Toffoli, Ottawa 67’s Defence – John Carlson, London Knights Defence – Calvin de Haan, Oshawa Generals Goaltender – JP Anderson, Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors
Second Team: Centre – Ryan Spooner, Peterborough Petes Left Wing – Darren Archibald, Barrie Colts Right Wing – Jason Akeson, Kitchener Rangers Defence – Erik Gudbranson, Kingston Frontenacs Defence – Ryan O’Connor, Barrie Colts Goaltender – Scott Stajcer, Owen Sound Attack
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Spitfires’ Mitchell named Boston Pizza OHL Player of the Week
Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that forward Dale Mitchell of the Windsor Spitfires is the Boston Pizza OHL Player of the Week for the week ending April 5. Mitchell scored five goals and four assists for nine points in three games with a plus-minus rating of plus-4.
Mitchell and the Spitfires began their second round playoff series against the Plymouth Whalers Thursday night in Windsor. Mitchell opened the scoring on the power play early in the first period and added a second period goal before the Whalers took control and grabbed the game one victory 6-3. Mitchell was named second star in the loss. The Spitfires showed their offensive strengths Saturday night in game two with an 8-2 win. Mitchell helped grabbed the early lead with assists on the first two goals and scored the game-winner on the power play early in the second. Mitchell had his best game of the week Sunday as first star with four points with two goals and two assists in the 8-1 win. The Spitfires now lead the second round best-of-seven playoff series 2-1.
Mitchell, a 19-year-old from Mississauga, ON, is in his fourth OHL season and first with the Spitfires after playing three years with the Oshawa Generals. He scored 33 goals and 35 assists for 68 points in 66 games this season. He currently leads the league with nine playoff goals in seven games and is ranked second overall with 16 points. Mitchell was selected in the third round, 74th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs at the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.
Also considered for the award this week from the Windsor Spitfires is forward Andrei Loktionov. After recording nine points in three games this week, he currently leads the OHL in playoff scoring with 17 points. His best game was Saturday with two goals and three assists as second star of the 8-2 win. Luke Pither of the Belleville Bulls was named first star of the game twice in four games. He had two four-point games including Monday in the 6-1 win over the Sudbury Wolves with four assists and Thursday in the 4-3 overtime win against the Niagara IceDogs with two goals and two assists. In goal, rookie JP Anderson of the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors has kept their second round series close against the Brampton Battalion posting a 2.01 goals-against-average and a .948 save percentage in three games.
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