Team Orr Defeats Team Cherry 2-1 In The Home Hardware CHL Top Prospects Game

Scouts and General Managers from all 30 NHL Teams flocked to Prospera Place in Kelowna British Columbia to witness the lowest scoring game in the 17 year history of the event - a 2-1 victory for Team Orr.

Tom Wilson of the Plymouth Whalers (Team Cherry) showed why he's one of the top power forwards available for the draft when on his first shift he threw two big hits on Gianluca Curcuruto of the Soo Greyhounds. He continued to throw the body all night and was sure to draw the attention of scouts. He had a pretty good bout with Dalton Thrower of the Saskatoon Blades in the second period.

As for Curcuruto, he played a solid, physical, defensive game. He showed flashes of his puck carrying abilities, going end to end in the second period. He took the body when he could without going out of his way looking for the hit. He was left almost defenseless on Team Cherry's only goal as Thrower went out of his way to make a hit and missed leaving a virtual 2 on 1. Dillon Fournier scored on the rebound.

Gemel Smith of the Owen Sound Attack (Team Cherry) was his typical self. Tenacious on the puck despite his size, he fought battles along the wall and usually came away with the puck. His speed was evident throughout the night especially on the backcheck where he broke up a couple of Team Orr rushes.

Belleville Bulls teammates Daniil Zharkov and Brendan Gaunce (Team Cherry) played on a line together and created a couple of chances. The best chance came halfway through the second right after teams switched goaltenders when Zharkov picked the puck up at center and went in on defenseman Matt Finn (Guelph Storm). He pulled the puck between his legs and went around Finn and put a shot on Francois Tremblay.

Adam Pelech of the Erie Otters (Team Orr) was almost unbeatable defensively. He took his opponents out of the play at every opportunity, was positionally sound and took away shooting and passing lanes. It's no wonder he's only a minus 4 on a team where you find a roster full of minus 20 and 30.

Matt Murray of the Soo Greyhounds (Team Cherry) was nothing short of spectacular in goal coming in halfway through the second. His best two saves back to back were when they were on the penalty kill and he made a big save on Scott Kosmachuk (Guelph Storm) and then on Raphael Bussieres, who along with Radek Faksa (Kitchener Rangers), were buzzing.

No one really hurt their value in the game. The Finn's, Faksa's and Laughton's and such played okay games but weren't their usual dominant players that they show they could be at times. They should all be proud of the way they played and rest assured, no one hurt their value.

The one thing we learned from this game, or at least confirmed: This is the year of the defenseman.

Team Orr Beats Team Cherry In Top Prospects Skills Competition

Team Orr beat Team Cherry 15-9 at the Home Hardware CHL Top Prospects Game Skills Competition Tuesday in Kelowna, British Columbia.

Nick Ebert of the Windsor Spitfires (Team Cherry) had the hardest shot at 94.7 MPH. He was followed closely by Ryan Murray of the Everett Silvertips (Team Cherry) at 94.3 MPH. Team Orr recieved a point for the highest team average at 91.9 MPH.

Francis Beaullivier of Rimouski Oceanic (Team Orr) won the fastest skater with a time of 14.132 seconds. Team Orr also got the point for the fastest team average of 14.524 seconds.

Gianluca Curcuruto of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (Team Orr) beat out Scott Laughton of the Oshawa Generals (Team Cherry) in a playoff after both finished with 4 targets in 5 shots. The teams were tied at 13 for 28 and both received an extra points.

Radek Faksa of the Kitchener Rangers (Team Orr) also needed a playoff to beat Tim Bozon of the Kamloops Blazers (Team Cherry) in the Show-Down Breakaway Challenge. Faksa earned a score of 26 in the third playoff round to take the event. Team Orr took another team point with an average score of 22.3.

Team Orr had a 7-2 lead on Team Cherry heading into the 3 on 3, where Team Orr took the contest 8-7.

Other OHL Players involved in the skills competition were:

Gemel Smith of the Owen Sound Attack in the fastest skater event with a time of 14.907 (6th)
Adam Pelech of the Erie Otters in the hardest shot competition at 91.0 MPH  (6th)
Matt Finn of the Guelph Storm in the hardest shot competition at 90.1 MPH (7th)
Tom Wilson of the Plymouth Whalers in the shooting accuracy finishing 4/6 (3rd)
Scott Kosmachuk of the Guelph Storm in the breakaway challenge scored 20
Tanner Pearson of the Barrie Colts in the breakaway challenge scored 26
Andreas Athanasiou of the London Knights in the breakaway challenge scored 15
Daniil Zharkov of the Belleville Bulls in the breakaway challenge scores 21
Brendan Gaunce of the Belleville Bulls in the breakaway challenge scored 16
Dane Fox of the Erie Otters in the breakaway challenge scored 19

The Top Prospects game goes this evening at 10:00 PM Eastern On Rogers Sportsnet Nationally and TVA in Quebec. It is also available on the radio and on line at http://www.fan590.com/

OHL News Radio - Tom Wilson - Plymouth Whalers

OHL News Radio Edition with host Terry Doyle features 2012 NHL Entry Draft prospect Tom Wilson of the Plymouth Whalers.

Wilson, a 17-year-old from Toronto, ON, has 16 points in 33 games and was recently ranked 33rd among North American Skaters by NHL Central Scouting in their midterm rankings.  Wilson will play for Team Cherry in the upcoming Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.

OHL News Radio Edition will feature a new prospect each week on the show leading up to the 2012 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game which takes place February 1 in Kelowna, BC, and can be seen live on Sportsnet.

Listen here

OHL Academic Players of November

Toronto, ON - The Ontario Hockey League today announced the OHL Academic Players of the Month for November, 2011.

West Division- The OHL Academic Player of the Month for November in the West Division is right winger Tom Wilson of the Plymouth Whalers.  Wilson, 17, a native of Toronto, Ontario, is currently a senior at Plymouth High School and has achieved a 3.75 GPA average.  Tom has worked hard to reach his full educational potential while playing with the Whalers this season.  Eligible for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Wilson will compete in the 2012 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in February.

Midwest Division - The OHL Academic Player of the Month for November in the Midwest Division is Defenseman Adam Pelech of the Erie Otters.  Pelech, 17, a native of Toronto, Ontario, hold’s straight A’s in all of his advanced courses.  Adam has preformed terrifically so far displaying great leadership both on ice and off.  Adam’s teachers all rave about his attitude and good manner throughout the school.  He is eligible for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft and will compete in the 2012 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.

Central Division- The OHL Academic Player of the Month for November in the Central Division is Defenseman Aaron Ekbladof the Barrie Colts.  Ekblad, 15, a native of Belle River, Ontario, is currently attending Innisdale Secondary School.  Despite his young age Aaron demonstrates a very mature approach to his academics and displays a tremendous work ethic on and off the ice.  Aaron is off to an amazing start to his OHL career and is adapting very nicely to the demands of his academics and hockey life in Barrie. He is a hard working well organized elite student athlete.

East Division- The OHL Academic Player of the Month for November in the East Division is left winger Michael Curtis of the Belleville Bulls.  Curtis, 18, a native of Mississauga, Ontario, is currently completing his final grade 12 university level courses for graduation at Quinte Secondary School.  At midterm Michael carried an average of 88%.  Just like on the ice Mike shows hard work, focus and determination, and his teachers wish him congratulations on his accomplishments so far as well as good luck with his hockey and academic career in the future.

Tom Wilson

Tom Wilson - Plymouth Whalers


6'4" - 200 LBS
D.O.B. March 29, 1994


After recording 44 goals and 61 assists for the Toronto Jr Canadiens during the 2009-2010 season, Wilson became a second round pick, 27th overall, of the Plymouth Whalers in the 2010 OHL Priority Draft. Wilson had an injury plagued season his rookie year appearing in just 28 games and recording 3 goals and 3 assists for the Whalers.


After signing Wilson, Whalers' GM and Head Coach Mike Vellucci had this to say about Wilson : "We feel he's the best power forward in his age group," Vellucci said. "We're looking forward to having him make a positive impact on our club and contribute right away."


At 6'4" Wilson possesses tremendous size which he uses to his advantage. He seems to relish the physical game, uses his size to battle along the boards, drive to the net, and park himself in front of opposing goaltenders to cause havoc. Once he adds some bulk to his frame, he'll be a force. 


Wilson has a finishing touch. They may not always be the prettiest goals, but he knows just what to do and where to go to clean up the trash and deposit pucks into the net. He has already established a strong two way game. His skating is above average. We can't say enough about his physicality. 


For us, Wilson has been on a steady climb up the rankings of draft eligible players and if he continues to do all the little things right, he'll keep on climbing. His dedication and work ethic should keep him on track.


Wilson was a member of Team Ontario's gold medal winning squad at the 2011 World Under 17 Hockey Chanllenge.