Hello fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs and the prospects not yet playing professional hockey. It was a great week for a lot of the kids, with four kids putting up five or more points. The NCAA prospects have all started their playoffs, Nick Robertson gets an award, and someone cracked their knuckles. Let’s jump into it.

Just a reminder, click the links for video recaps of each game.

Ontario Hockey League
#19 - Semyon Der-Arguchintsev (C) / Nicholas Robertson (C/LW)
4G, 5A, +6 / 5G, 5A, +8
x - Peterborough Petes - 37-21-2-2 - 3rd in Eastern Conference

March 5: vs Hamilton Bulldogs
W 8-0 - 1G, 1A, +2 / 1G, 0A, +2
March 7: vs Mississauga Steelheads
W 5-1 - 1G, 2A, +1 / 2G, 2A, +1
March 8: @ Niagara IceDogs
W 12-1 - 2G, 1A, +3 / 2G, 3A, +5

Nick Robertson had a big week, and he got all of the attention even though he only scored one more point than fellow Leafs prospect Semyon Der-Arguchintsev. The OHL named him Player of the Week, and Katya looked at his goals this season, pondering if he can hit the record books.

Nick Robertson’s race to make OHL history

#25 - Kalle Loponen (D) - 0G, 0A, +4
x - Sudbury Wolves - 34-27-1-1 - 2nd in Eastern Conference

March 5: @ Barrie Colts
W 8-3 - 0G, 0A, +3
March 6: vs Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
L 7-3 - 0G, 0A, -1
March 8: vs Kingston Frontenacs
W 8-0 - 0G, 0A, +2

Loponen got into a fight against Nicholas Porco, in a second period that also saw three roughing penalties, one tripping, and one unsportsmanlike conduct get handed out.

Western Hockey League

#18 - Riley Stotts (C) - 0G, 5A, -2
x - Calgary Hitmen - 35-24-4-1 - 1st Eastern Conference Wild Card
Rights expire on June 1st

March 3: @ Prince Albert Raiders
L 8-3 - 0G, 1A, -1
March 4: @ Saskatoon Blades
W 4-3 - 0G, 2A
March 6: @ Medicine Hat Tigers
L 6-1 - 0G, 1A, -1
March 7: vs Spokane Chiefs
L 6-3 - 0G, 1A

The Hitmen dropped three of four over the past week, and a strong win streak could have bumped them up to a spot in the Central Division’s top three, but now they’re six points back of that spot with just four more games to play.

#18 - Filip Kral (D) - 0G, 2A, +5
x - Spokane Chiefs - 40-18-4-1 - 3rd in US Division
Rights expire on June 1st

March 4: @ Edmonton Oil Kings
W 6-2 - 0G, 2A, +2
March 6: @ Red Deer Rebels
W 5-1 - 0G, 0A, +3
March 7: @ Calgary Hitmen
W 6-3 - Did Not Play

Spokane is firmly in their playoff spot right now, 21 points ahead of the first Wild Card, and nine points back of their current opponent, the Everett Silvertips. The Chiefs are in the midst of a nine game win streak, heading into the post-season hot. Kral missed Saturday’s game against Stotts and the Hitmen, named a scratch ahead of game time. It could be nothing, a rest after a long road trip, or some aches and pains. No one’s pointing to injury at the moment.

Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

#9 - Mikhail Abramov (C/RW) - 1G, 2A, +2
x - Victoriaville Tigres - 26-28-5-4, 5th in Western Conference

March 4: @ Rimouski Oceanic
L 7-3 - 1G, 0A
March 6: vs Rouyn-Noranda Huskies
W 4-1 - 0G, 1A, +1
March 7: vs Val d’Or Fourerus
W 4-2 - 0G, 1A, +1

A decent week for Abramov, he continues to play at a point per game pace and he set up the game winning goal in both games he had an assist in.

#33 Zachary Bouthillier (G) - 96sh, 82sv, .854sv%
x - Saint John Sea Dogs - 30-33-1-0 - 6th in Eastern Conference
Rights expire on June 1st

March 5: @ Charlottetown Islanders
L 6-2 - Did Not Play
March 6: @ Charlottetown Islanders
L 6-2 - 54sh, 48sv, .889sv%
March 7: vs Drummondville Voltiguers
L 8-2 - 42sh, 34sv, .810sv%

Bouthillier missed the first game in Charlottetown due to a lower body injury, but made it in for the second game on the island, and the final game of the week. He put up average numbers for this season, playing behind a rebuilding Sea Dogs team.

USHL

Michael Koster (D) - 0G, 0A, -1
Tri-City Storm - 24-17-5-2 - 4th in Western Conference
Committed to University of Minnesota for 2020-21

March 6: vs Muskegon Lumberjacks
L 4-1 - 0G, 0A, -1
March 7: vs Muskegon Lumberjacks
W 4-3 - No Points

Koster made no impact on the score sheet last week, and the Storm stayed steady in their potential playoff spot.

NCAA

Ryan O’Connell (D) - 0G, 0A, +1
Ohio State Buckeyes

Big10 Playoffs Round one: Buckeyes defeat Wisconsin 2-0

March 6: vs Wisconsin
W 9-1 - 0G, 0A, +1
March 7: vs Wisconsin
W 2-1 - No Points

The Buckeyes made short work of the Badgers in round one of the Big10 Men’s hockey playoffs. They now face Michigan in the single elimination semi-finals on Saturday night. If they win that game they’ll face either Minnesota or Penn State.

#16 - Nicholas Abruzzese (C) - 1G, 4A, +4
Harvard Crimson

ECAC Playoffs Round one: Harvard defeats St. Lawrence 2-0.

March 6: vs St. Lawrence
W 5-3 - 1G, 1A, +2
March 7: vs St. Lawrence
W 7-1 - 0G, 3A, +2

Abruzzese had a huge impact on the Crimson as the routed St. Lawrence in round one of the ECAC playoffs. Five points in two games as a freshman is outstanding in such huge games. Harvard will now give up the home ice advantage and play RPI in a best of three series this weekend.

It won’t be a be advantage for RPI, as the games will be played in an empty arena.

#14 - JD Greenway (D) - 0G, 1A, +1
Maine Black Bears

March 6: vs Providence
W 1-0 - 0G, 1A, +1

Setting up the only goal of the weekend for Maine, Greenway ended the regular season on a high note. Now Maine will host the University of Connecticut in round one of the Hockey East playoffs. Maine finished the season in fourth place, just one point ahead of the opponent. It will be a close series and should go the distance, unlike the other two college series we’re following.

The college playoffs have begun and we only have two more weeks of junior hockey until those kids get into their post seasons as well. Every prospect will get in at least one round of playoffs this year. This may delay some prospects signing ELC’s or ATO’s and joining the Marlies or Growlers, but with their sights set on a championship, I doubt most of them mind that.

Maple Leafs Prospects