Owen Sound Attack claim three CHL awards
The Owen Sound Attack picked up three of 10 national awards announced by the Canadian Hockey League on Saturday.
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The Owen Sound Attack picked up three of 10 national awards announced by the Canadian Hockey League on Saturday.
Attack head coach Ryan McGill won the Brian Kilrea coach of the year award, while Michael McNiven was named goaltender of the year and forward Nick Suzuki was named sportsman of the year.
The 48-year-old McGill led the Attack to an all-time franchise record of 49-15-2-2 for 102 points, which surpassed the old club mark of 97 points.
“I enjoy these kids,” said McGill, who was previously nominated for the award in 2013 when he was with Kootenay. “It’s been a great adjustment for me to go to the Ontario Hockey League.
“There’s lots of skill to work with and the organization is phenomenal to be a part of.”
The 19-year-old McNiven set a new franchise record and led all OHL goalies with 41 wins. He posted the league’s best goals-against average at 2.30 and was sixth with a .915 save percentage. His six shutouts tied for the league lead and brought his career total to 11, which is also a franchise record.
McNiven was not selected in the NHL draft, but signed a free-agent deal with the Montreal Canadiens and quickly noticed a former winner on the trophy.
“Yeah, Carey Price 10 years ago this year,” McNiven said. “That’s pretty cool.”
It was a great season on the ice for McNiven, but a trying one off the ice as his mother died in November and his father was diagnosed with a brain tumour a few weeks later.
“The (Owen Sound) staff helped me figure things out,” McNiven said. “There was someone there I could talk to and get through things.”
A highly touted prospect for this year’s NHL draft, Suzuki was fifth in OHL scoring with 96 points in 65 games with a plus 51 rating and just 10 penalty minutes.
“Nick does everything right,” McGill said. “He’s very consistent in his play.
“His game has grown so much. The sky’s the limit for this guy just because of how he thinks the game.”
Erie Otters forward Alex DeBrincat, who will play in Sunday’s Memorial Cup final, was named player of the year after posting a team record 65 goals and 127 points in 63 games with a plus 60 rating.
“It’s pretty incredible,” said the 19-year-old DeBrincat, who is a Chicago Blackhawks prospect. “I’ve seen a lot of great players win that award. You look up to those guys. To be on the same award as those guys is pretty surreal. It’s pretty crazy to think how far I’ve come.”
Thomas Chabot, whose Saint John Sea Dogs were eliminated by Erie in Friday’s Memorial Cup semifinal, was named defenceman of the year. The Ottawa Senators prospect had 10 goals and 45 points in 34 games this season.
“You go from looking around the locker room and see this is the last time you’re going to dress in the same room with these guys, and then the next morning you get an award like that,” the 20-year-old Chabot said. “That’s what the game of hockey is and what makes it so special.”
Brandon Wheat Kings captain Nolan Patrick was named the top prospect. The 18-year-old Patrick had 20 goals and 46 points in 33 games.
“I think the media thinks it will be more stressful than it actually is,” said Patrick, who is rated the No. 1 North American skating prospect by NHL Central Scouting. “I just try to have fun with it.”
Regina’s Sam Steel won the top scorer award after leading the CHL with 131 points in 66 games.
Lethbridge Hurricanes captain Tyler Wong was named CHL humanitarian of the year after being named a finalist a year ago.
Ottawa Senators forward Sasha Chmelevski was named scholastic player of the year after achieving a 98 per cent average in six Grade 12 courses.
Halifax Mooseheads forward Nico Hischler was named rookie of the year after scoring 38 goals and 86 points in 57 games.
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