FACT + FIGURES
A big trade, a huge upset and a massive win streak top our weekly by the numbers look at the OHL.
Number of draft picks Sudbury Wolves sacrificed to acquire Russian-born winger Kirill Nizhnikov from the Barrie Colts last week: two second- rounders, a third-rounder and a fifth-rounder. It’s fewer than half the number of picks (10) the Colts gave up to get Nizhnikov from Mississauga Steelheads 15 months ago.
The number of Hamilton Bulldogs named to the CHL Top Prospects game. Forty players, including 16 from the OHL, are set to play in the showcase, which takes place Jan. 25 in Guelph. They were picked by NHL clubs and divided into teams by NHL Central Scouting.
The number of OHL players still fighting for a spot on Canada’s national junior team in St. Catharines (as of Thursday afternoon, that is). The most recent addition to the selection camp roster was defenceman Victor Mete, who was assigned by the Montreal Canadiens Monday. The 19-year-old from Woodbridge also took part in last year’s camp as a member of the London Knights, but was one of Canada’s first cuts.
The number of players from Hamilton in Sunday’s outdoor game between host Ottawa 67’s and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Gatineau Olympiques. Olympiques defenceman Darien Kielb is a grad of the minor midget Jr. Bulldogs squad that produced Owen Sound Attack forwards Jackson Doherty and Marino Moro and former Guelph Storm forward Liam Stevens.
The number of previous outdoor games involving OHL teams. In 2013, the London Knights and Plymouth Whalers drew 26,384 fans — the CHL attendance record — at Detroit’s Comerica Park. The Windsor Spitfires and Saginaw Spirit also faced off at the stadium earlier the same day.
The number of former OHLers honoured as a U Sports Top Academic All-Canadian. Eric Locke was presented with his commendation at a ceremony in Quebec City last Friday. The Toronto native, who played for the Spitfires, Colts and Spirit over the course of his five-year junior career, helped lead St. FX to back-to-back AUS conference championship banners while earning the top marks in his human kinetics program. He now plays for the Gee-Gees at the University of Ottawa, where he enrolled in medical school earlier this year.
The number of times in two meetings this season the underdog Spirit has downed the Sarnia Sting. The West Division rivals square off another four times in the wake of Wednesday’s 2-1 Saginaw win.
The number of straight wins racked up by Sault Ste. Marie, including Wednesday’s 4-1 decision over the Flint Firebirds.
The CHL’s top-ranked Hounds haven’t lost since Oct. 27 when they were toppled by the host Sting and haven’t lost at home since Oct. 15. Canadian Top 10 1. (1) Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL, 26-3-2-0) 2. (2) Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL, 26-5-1-1) 3. (3) Sarnia Sting (OHL, 24-6-2-0) 4. (7) Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL, 23-7-0-1) 5. (5) Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL, 21-7-2-0) 6. (6) Swift Current Broncos (WHL, 23-7-2-0) 7. (10) Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL, 20-7-4-0) 8. (4) Portland Winterhawks (WHL, 21-9-0-1) 9. (8) Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL, 21-9-1-1) 10. (9) Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL, 18-7-3-3)