Top minor midget clubs battle for OHL Cup berths
By Aaron Bell
Heading into the final weekend before the 2008 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament hosted by the GTHL, several spots are still up for grabs.
The OHL Cup Showcase Tournament is the annual championship tournament that features 20 of the top teams from Ontario as well as the United States. The tournament opens next Wednesday at the Hershey Centre and runs through to the championship game on Sunday.
In the GTHL, the Toronto Jr. Canadiens (1) lead the Toronto Marlies (4) three games to two in their best-of-seven championship series. The Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs (2) defeated the Brantford 99ers to win the Alliance championship and the Ottawa Jr. Senators (9) defeated the Ottawa Jr. 67's four games to one to win the ODMHA championship. The OMHA Tournament of Champions runs this weekend in Peterborough with the Petes (10) hosting the Halton Hurricanes (7), York Simcoe Express (3), Guelph Storm and North Central Predators.
The tournament will feature several of the top players eligible for the 2008 OHL Priority Selection like Jr. Canadiens' captain John McFarland (pictured). Last year, the top three picks in the OHL Priority Selection -- Ryan O'Reilly of the Erie Otters,
Taylor Hall of the Windsor Spitfires and
Casey Cizikas of the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors -- all played in the OHL Cup.
The 16 participating teams and complete schedule for the 2008 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament will be announced on Monday.
Final Minor Midget Rankings for the OHL Cup Showcase Tournament
1. Toronto Jr. Canadiens -- GTHL
2. Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs -- Alliance
3. York Simcoe Express -- OMHA
4. Toronto Marlies -- GTHL
5. Compuware U16 -- MWEHL (U.S.A.)
6. Detroit Belle Tire U16 - MWEHL (U.S.A.)
7. Halton Hurricanes -- OMHA
8. Markham Majors -- GTHL
9. Ottawa Senators -- ODMHA
10. Peterborough Petes -- OMHA
Last year, the Mississauga IceDogs defeated the Toronto Marlies in the championship game of the OHL Cup.
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds' rookie
Michael Fine and
Michael Santini tied for the tournament scoring lead last year. Matthew Duchene of the Brampton Battalion, Andrew Agozzino of the Niagara IceDogs,
Michael Latta of the Ottawa 67's and
Andrew Yogan of the Windsor Spitfires were also among the group of current OHL rookies that participated in the event last year.
OHL stars like
John Tavares of the Oshawa Generals,
Steven Stamkos of the Sarnia Sting,
Jared Staal of the Sudbury Wolves and
Bryan Cameron of the Belleville Bulls also played in the tournament over the past few years.
The champions and finalists from minor hockey associations in Ontario, including the GTHL, OMHA, ODMHA, the Alliance and a representative from the NOHA will participate in the tournament, along with additional teams identified by the Tournament Selection Committee.
Complete details, schedules and stats for the tournament will be available online at www.ontariohockeyleague.com/ohlcup.
Photo by Aaron Bell
