Ryan and Matt Rupert: Two of a kind

on May 10th, 2012 by Pulver Sports

Note: Congrats to Ryan and Matt Rupert on winning the OHL Championship and advancing to the Memorial Cup!

Ryan and Matt Rupert were drafted by the London Knights to be impact players, but it’s unlikely anyone outside the organization thought they’d be making such a big impact so early in their major junior hockey careers. And on such a major stage to boot.

The feisty 17-year-olds from Grand Bend have simply been two of the Knights’ better players in the OHL final against the Niagara IceDogs, which London leads 3-1 heading into Game 5 Friday night at the John Labatt Centre (7 p.m., Rogers Sportsnet).

“The playoffs suit us,” Matt Rupert said Thursday at the JLC. “It’s all about grinding it out, getting the puck in deep and finishing your checks.”

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Murphy, Yakupov, Agozzino All-Stars

on May 9th, 2012 by Pulver Sports

From OntarioHockeyLeague.com: Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the All-Star teams for the 2011-12 OHL regular season. Both clubs competing in the Rogers OHL Championship Series are well represented on all three All-Star teams with the Niagara IceDogs leading the way with four players, followed by the London Knights with three players. [...]

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A Tale of Two Thomas’

on May 4th, 2012 by Pulver Sports

The pressure cooker of pro sports can make for some strange situations, and hockey history has seen many a family battle, with gentlemen sharing the same last name going up against one another in opposing jerseys.

Most of those have been sibling clashes, with brother combinations like Phil and Tony Esposito, the Staal brothers, the Sutter clan, Scott and Rob Niedermayer, Keith and Wayne Primeau, etc., knocking heads.

The current Connecticut Whale vs. Norfolk Admirals series, though, features a father and son locking horns, in the Whale’s Christian Thomas and his dad, Steve.

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D’Agostini OHL Humanitarian of Year

on May 1st, 2012 by Pulver Sports

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that goaltender Andrew D’Agostini of the Peterborough Petes is the 2011-12 recipient of the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy presented to the OHL’s Humanitarian of the Year.

D’Agostini, a 19-year-old from Scarborough, ON, earns the award for his efforts in support of Cystic Fibrosis Canada shown large in part through his support and friendship of six-year-old Anthony Romanelli who was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis three years ago. D’Agostini is the fifth member of the Petes to receive this award and the second straight following Jack Walchessen who was last year’s recipient.

“I would like to thank the Peterborough Petes and the OHL for this great honour,” said D’Agostini. “Peterborough has always made me feel welcome and I have enjoyed every minute giving back to them. The real heroes are people like Anthony and his family who understand how precious every day is.”

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Kerdiles’ 5 point, Gold Medal Game

on April 23rd, 2012 by Pulver Sports

If Sunday’s gold medal game at the 2012 Under 18 IIHF World Championships is any indication of how incoming UW hockey recruit Nic Kerdiles is going to play in big games while at Wisconsin, Badger fans have something to start getting excited about.

Kerdiles, widely considered the top forward on the United States under 18 team helped secure gold for the red, white, and blue over the weekend, thanks in large part to a two-goal, three-assist performance in a 7-0 gold medal game thrashing of Sweden.

The 6’2, 200 pound C/LW finished the tournament as the top point producer for the United States, with 9 points in 6 tournament games (4g, 5a).

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Sabres prospect Varone turning heads

on April 18th, 2012 by Pulver Sports

Sabres prospect Varone turning heads in Rochester Rookie led Americans in scoring, earned two-way contract By Bill Hoppe Niagara Gazette ROCHESTER — It was a life-changing decision. In September, Phil Varone impressed the Buffalo Sabres, so the club offered an AHL contract following his training camp tryout. But Varone was also strongly considering attending the [...]

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LeBlanc succeeds with winning attitude

on April 12th, 2012 by Pulver Sports

The Hamilton, Ont., native’s season hit full speed after a three-point effort against Oklahoma City on Nov. 16, his first game in the lineup after being scratched for three consecutive contests.

Now, LeBlanc is second overall in points for the IceHogs this season, is one of the leaders in power-play points and has nearly a dozen multi-point games on the campaign.

According to LeBlanc, the key to his success is relatively simple.

“It’s just a comfort thing,” he said. “Last year was my first year playing that many games in a season. This year I’m used to it, the three-in-three’s and back-to-back games. I’ve gotten used to that and have been able to handle the grind of the season a lot better.”

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Rychel delighted with Ho-Sang pick

on April 8th, 2012 by Pulver Sports

WINDSOR, Ont. — Windsor Spitfires general manager Warren Rychel feels he struck gold Saturday by grabbing Toronto Marlboros minor midget centre Josh Ho-Sang with the fifth pick overall in the Ontario Hockey League Draft.

“To get a player of Josh’s caliber at No. 5 is awesome for our franchise,” Rychel said. “Very electric, very offensive, a driven kid who wants to do well. He will play immediately and be on the top two lines.”

The five-foot-11, 160-pound Ho-Sang was considered the pre-season favourite to be the top pick in this year’s OHL Draft, but his stock slipped during the season.

“It’s a dream come true,” said Ho-Sang, who will wear No. 66. “I’ve been kind of dreaming about playing for Windsor for a long time.”

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