We’re down to just two Maple Leafs draft picks left playing in the CHL playoffs this season. Adam Brooks and the Regina Pats, and Nikita Korostelev and the Peterborough Petes will head to their respective conference finals.
JJ Piccinich, Nicolas Mattinen, Martins Dzierkals, and Stephen Desrocher are now free to spend their summer how they wish. Desrocher and Piccinich now face the decision to try and turn pro or face the real world as they’re too old to return to the OHL next season.
Ontario Hockey League
JJ Piccinich (F) / Nicolas Mattinen (D)
0G, 0A, -4 / 0G, 1A
London Knights
Lose series vs Erie Otters 3-4
April 11: Home
L 3-1 - No Points / No Points
April 13th: Home
W 4-2 - No Points / No Points
April 14th: Away
L 6-3 - 0G, 0A, -1 / 0G, 0A, -1
April 16th: Home
W 2-1 OT - No Points / No Points
April 18th: Away
L 5-4 OT - 0G, 0A, -3 / 0G, 1A, +1
The 2016 Memorial Cup / OHL Champions will not defend their titles this year. Tyler Parsons was a wizard in net for the Knights, but even his magic goalie skills were no match for the Erie Otters fire power.
JJ Piccinich has aged out of the OHL and will now try and get a contract with the Maple Leafs / Marlies this fall at training camp.
Nicolas Mattinen can return to the OHL next season if unsigned.
Stephen Desrocher (D) - 0G, 1A, -4
Kingston Frontenacs
Lose series vs Peterborough Petes 4-0
April 11: Home
L 3-1 - 0G, 0A, -1
April 13th: Home
L 6-2 - 0G, 1A, -3
Desrocher was the Frontenacs captain this year, and despite being mixed into trade deadline rumours didn’t leave the team when he could have. He stayed and led the Fronts to the second round of the OHL playoffs. He’s aged out of the CHL and will be a free agent if he isn’t signed by the end of June.
Nikita Korostelev (F) - 0G, 1A, +3
Peterborough Petes
Sweep Kingston Frontenacs 4-0
April 11th: Home
W 3-1 - 0G, 0A, +2
April 13th:
W 6-2 - 0G, 1A, +1
The Petes will now face the Mississauga Steelheads in the OHL Eastern Conference Final. Game one is tomorrow night at 7 in Peterborough.
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
Martins Dzierkals (F) - No Points
Rouyn-Noranda Huskies
Lose series vs Chicoutimi Sagueens 3-4
April 11th: Away
W 3-1 - Did Not Play (Injury)
April 12th: Away
L 6-1 - Did Not Play (Injury)
April 14th: Away
L 3-1 - Did Not Play (Injury)
April 17th: Home
W 9-2 - No Points
April 18th: Away
L 4-3 OT - Did Not Play (Injury)
Dzierkals wasn’t used as much as he has been last year, and this series saw him injured for all but game six. The Huskies defense of the QMJHL Championship has been ended, seven games into round two. Dzierkals could return for an overage year with the Huskies next year, but his eye will be on making the jump to the pros.
Western Hockey League
Adam Brooks (F) - No Points
Regina Pats
Series vs Swift Current Broncos tied 3-3
April 10th: Away
L 2-1 OT - Did Not Play (Injury)
April 11th: Away
L 5-4 OT - Did Not Play (Injury)
April 14th: Home
W 3-2 - No Points
April 15th: Away
W 5-3 - No Points
April 17th: Home
W 5-1 - No Points
Brooks was just coming off an injury, and wasn't used as much as normal at the end of this series. The Pats will take on the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the WHL Eastern Conference final beginning on Friday.
Completed seasons:
Nolan Vesey (F) - Maine Black Bears
Vesey has one more year to go with Maine, and is looking to return.
JD Greenway (D) - Wisconsin Badgers
The Freshman will return to the Badgers next year.
Joseph Woll (G) - Boston College Eagles
The Freshman will return to the Eagles next year.
Keaton Middleton (D) - Saginaw Spirit
Middleton could return for an overage year in the OHL next season.
Dakota Joshua (F) - Ohio State Buckeyes
Dakota will be returning to the Buckeyes next season.
Jack Walker (F) - Victoria Royals
Walker’s time in the CHL is now over. The overager missed his final playoff series due to injury, but is now free to sign a PTO/ATO with the Marlies/Solar Bears for the remainder of the year.
Vladimir Bobylyov (F) - Victoria Royals
Bobylyov could sign with the Marlies for the remainder of the season, and is eligible for an overage year in Victoria. It will be interesting to see where he ends up - On a Marlies/Solar Bears deal, on a Leafs/Marlies deal or back in the WHL.
Jeremy Bracco (F) - Windsor Spitfires
Bracco and the Spitfires aren’t quite done. They’re hosting the 99th Memorial Cup tournament, so they now have 6 weeks to rest and practice before they face off with the OHL, QMJHL, and WHL champions.
Dominic Toninato (F) - UMD Bulldogs
Toninato captain’d the Bulldogs to being within one goal of the NCAA Championship. In his final year playing hockey with UMD, Toninato helped them win a conference title. His most likely route to the Leafs is starting with a 2 way AHL deal, like his former teammate Tony Cameranesi.
Stephen Desrocher (D) - Kingston Frontenacs
J.J. Piccinich (F) - London Knights
Nicolas Mattinen (D) - London Knights
Martins Dzierkals (F) - Rouyn-Noranda Huskies
