Around the CHL ~ volume #2 season edition #11

With no playoffs to speak of for this season, this post comes a little later than normal. As a way to wrap up 2019-20, I wanted to share who led the three leagues during the season. 

League leaders
Goals - Nick Robertson 55 goals (OHL Peterborough Petes), Adam Beckman 48 goals (WHL Spokane Chiefs), Egor Sokolov 46 goals (QMJHL Cape Breton Eagles)
Assists - Marco Rossi 81 points (OHL Ottawa 67's), Alexis Lafreniere 77 assists (QMJHL Rimouski Oceanic), Eli Zummack 64 assists (WHL Spokane Chiefs) 
Points - Marco Rossi 120 points (OHL Ottawa 67's),  Alexis Lafreniere 112 points (QMJHL Rimouski Oceanic), Adam Beckman 107 points (WHL Spokane Chiefs)
Defenceman points - Noel Hoefenmayer 82 points (OHL Ottawa 67's), Alex Cotton 67 points (WHL Lethbridge Hurricanes), William Villeneuve 58 points (QMJHL Saint John Sea Dogs)
Rookie points - Shane Wright 66 points (OHL Kingston Frontenacs), Michal Teply 63 points (WHL Winnipeg ICE), Zachary L'Heureux 53 points (QMJHL Moncton Wildcats)
Goalie wins - Alexis Shank 36 wins (QMJHL Chicoutimi Sagueneens), Dustin Wolf 34 wins (WHL Everett Silvertips), Jacob Ingham 33 wins (OHL Kitchener Rangers)
Save percentage - Dustin Wolf 0.935 SAV% (WHL Everett Silvertips), Kevin Mandolese 0.925 SAV% (QMJHL Cape Breton Eagles), Nico Daws 0.924 SAV% (OHL Guelph Storm)
Goals against average - Dustin Wolf 1.88 GAA (WHL Everett Silvertips), Samuel Hlavaj 2.25 GAA (QMJHL Sherbrooke Phoenix), Brett Brochu 2.40 GAA (OHL London Knights)

Division leaders
WHL - Portland Winterhawks 97 points/45 wins (U.S. division), Edmonton Oil Kings 94 points/42 wins (Central division), Kamloops Blazers 86 points/41 wins (B.C. division), Prince Albert Raiders 82 points/36 wins (East division)
OHL - Ottawa 67's 101 points/50 wins (East division), London Knights 92 points/45 wins (Midwest division), Saginaw Spirit 87 points/41 wins (West division), Sudbury Wolves 70 points/34 wins (Central division)
QMJHL - Sherbrooke Phoenix 106 points/51 wins (Central division), Moncton Wildcats 101 points/50 wins (Maritimes division), Chicoutimi Sagueneens 96 points/45 wins (East division), Blainville-Boisbriand Armada 68 points/32 wins (West division)

BMO CHL top ten ~ week 25
1. Sherbrooke Phoenix {51-8-3-1} week 24 #1
2. Ottawa 67's {50-11-0-1} week 24 #2
3. Moncton Wildcats {50-13-1-0} week 24 #3
4. Portland Winterhawks {45-11-3-4} week 24 #6
5. Everett Silvertips {46-13-3-1} week 24 #4
6. London Knights (45-15-1-1} week 24 #7
7. Chicoutimi Sagueneens {45-12-5-1} week 24 #8
8. Edmonton Oil Kings {42-12-6-4} week 24 #5
9. Saginaw Spirit {41-16-3-2} week 24 #10
10. Spokane Chiefs {41-18-4-1} week 24 HM
Honorable mentions: Kitchener Rangers {40-16-5-2 #9}, Kamloops Blazers {41-18-3-1 n/a}, Cape Breton Eagles {40-20-2-1 n/a}

Top Herd

An early ending to a disappointing season but there were still some good things that happened in 2019-20 including a total of eight rookies scoring their first career goals. With the season over, I gave you guys the chance to vote for this season's Top Herd player award. Thank you for voting once again.

And the winner is....










Cole McLaren

Halifax drafted the goaltender in 2016 and even in losses was one of the best players on the ice for the Mooseheads. Cole finished the season with an 8-16-0 record, one shutout and a 0.888 save percentage.

Here is the list of my Top Herd that I have done this season. I didn't name one every game.
Sep 27   Charlottetown - Zack Jones
Oct 10   Saint John - Senna Peeters
Oct 13   Val-d'Or - Benoit-Olivier Groulx
Oct 19   Cape Breton - Jordan McKenna
Nov 8    Drummondville - Maxim Trepanier
Nov 21  Baie-Comeau - Alexis Gravel
Nov 30  Blainville - Benoit-Olivier Groulx
Dec 13  Charlottetown - Walter Flower
Dec 31  Saint John - D'Artagnan Joly
Jan 4     Acadie-Bathurst - Jason Horvath
Jan 10   Chictoutimi - Denis Toner
Jan 23   Gatineau - Kevin Gursoy
Feb 1    Shawinigan - Cole McLaren
Feb 9    Sherbrooke - Alexis Gravel
Feb 20  Rimouski - Cole McLaren
Feb 22  Rouyn-Noranda - Ozzie King
Mar 6   Quebec - Cole McLaren


Here are the final poll results
Cole McLaren - 46.7%, Alex Gravel - 23.4%, Kevin Gursoy - 19.5%, Senna Peeters - 10.4%

Season series versus each team

Below you will find the records of your Halifax Mooseheads versus each of the other seventeen teams in the Q plus the monthly records for the team this season. (note: Halifax's score is listed first)

West division
Blainville-Boisbriand 2 games 2-0-0-0 {4-1, 3-0}
Gatineau 2 games 1-1-0-0 {3-8, 4-3OT}
Rouyn-Noranda 2 games 1-1-0-0 {3-2, 1-4}
Val-d'Or 2 games 1-0-1-0 {6-2, 1-2OT}

Central division
Drummondville 2 games 1-1-0-0 {5-1, 1-4}
Shawinigan 2 games 0-2-0-0 {4-7, 3-8}
Sherbrooke 2 games 0-2-0-0 {2-4, 1-3}
Victoriaville 2 games 1-1-0-0 {2-1SO, 2-5}

East division
Baie-Comeau 2 games 1-0-0-1 {4-3OT, 1-2SO}
Chicoutimi 2 games 0-2-0-0 {1-4, 3-8}
Quebec 2 games 0-1-0-1 {4-5SO, 1-3}
Rimouski 2 games 1-1-0-0 {1-0, 2-6}

Maritimes division
Acadie-Bathurst 7 games 5-2-0-0 {2-1, 4-1, 4-3OT, 6-3, 3-2, 2-4, 2-6}
Cape Breton 8 games 1-7-0-0 {3-5, 2-8, 1-7, 6-5, 1-5, 1-7, 3-5, 1-5}
Charlottetown 9 games 3-5-1-0 {2-5, 1-3, 4-1, 2-5, 4-1, 0-5, 2-7, 2-3OT}
Moncton 7 games 1-5-1-0 {4-2, 4-5OT, 2-4, 3-7, 0-8, 2-7, 1-5}
Saint John 8 games 1-7-0-0 {3-4, 6-5, 1-4, 3-4, 2-4, 4-6, 7-9, 1-2}

Monthly records
September 4 games ~ 1-3-0-0 record overall, 1-1-0-0 home, 0-2-0-0 away
October 12 games ~ 6-5-1-0 record overall, 2-2-1-0 home, 4-3-0-0 away
November 11 games ~ 6-3-1-1 record overall, 2-3-0-1 home, 4-0-1-0 away
December 9 games ~ 2-7-0-0 record overall, 1-3-0-0 home, 1-4-0-0 away
January 10 games ~ 3-7-0-0 record overall, 2-3-0-0 home, 1-4-0-0 away
February 13 games ~ 1-10-1-1 record overall, 1-6-1-0 home, 0-4-0-1 away
March 4 games ~ 1-3-0-0 record overall, 0-2-0-0 home, 1-1-0-0 away

Overtime/shootout records
OT ~ three overtime win, three overtime loss
SO ~ one shootout win, two shootout loss

QMJHL Cancels Regular Season

Photo - QMJHL website

Well, it's official. The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League announced on Tuesday afternoon that they have decided to cancel the remainder of the 2019-20 regular season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A number of fans figured this would be the outcome eventually but it doesn't make it any easier. No word on if playoffs will go ahead or not yet. The regular season was scheduled to conclude on March 21, 2020. Final standings are below;

1. xy Sherbrooke Phoenix   63GP  51-8-3-1 record  106pts 

2. xy Moncton Wildcats   64GP  50-13-1-0 record  101pts

3. xy Chicoutimi Sagueneens   63GP  45-12-5-1 record  96pts

4. x Cape Breton Eagles   63GP  40-20-2-1 record  83pts

5. x Rimouski Oceanic   64GP  38-18-4-4 record  84pts

6. x Drummondville Voltigeurs   63GP  36-25-2-0 record  74pts

7. x Charlottetown Islanders   64GP  33-26-5-0 record  71pts

8. x Blainville-Boisbriand Armada   63GP  32-27-2-2 record  68pts

9. x Rouyn-Noranda Huskies   63GP  29-30-2-2 record  62pts

10. x Victoriaville Tigres   63GP  26-28-5-4 record  61pts

11. x Saint John Sea Dogs   64GP. 30-33-1-0 record  61pts

12. x Shawinigan Cataractes   63GP  29-32-2-0 record  60pts

13. x Val-d'Or Foreurs   63pts  26-30-5-2 record  59pts

14. x Quebec Remparts   64GP  27-32-4-1 record  59pts

15. x Baie-Comeau Drakkar   64GP  24-29-7-4 record  59pts

16. Gatineau Olympiques   64GP  22-37-5-0 record  49pts

17. Halifax Mooseheads   63GP. 20-38-3-2 record  45pts

18. Acadie-Bathurst Titan   64GP  12-40-8-4 record  36pts

The QMJHL also announced that they have cancelled four events that were supposed to take place after the regular season. The Golden Puck Awards Gala, the New England Showcase, the Gatorade Excellence Challenge and the Goaltenders Development Camp were all removed from the schedule because of the restrictions that have been put in place by the government and health authorities. 

CHL Season Suspended Until Further Notice

HALIFAX - The remainder of the 2019-20 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League season has been suspended indefinitely as of March 12.

News release:

The Canadian Hockey League and its three regional leagues the Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, and Western Hockey League, take the health and safety of our players, fans, volunteers, staff, and general public very seriously. CHL President Dan MacKenzie with Commissioners David Branch, Gilles Courteau, and Ron Robison have been monitoring the situation in regard to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) including what local, provincial, and federal health agencies have recommended. Following consultation with medical professionals and meetings today among the CHL Executive Council, and regional league Board of Governors, the CHL announces that the balance of the 2019-20 season and all hockey activity shall be paused immediately until further notice. 

It was announced as well that players will remain in the area with their billet families. No official word from the Halifax Mooseheads but considering there is no hockey activity for the foreseeable future, practices and team gatherings I am sure are suspended too.

This news came hours after the National Hockey League suspended their season because of the Coronavirus. It is unknown when the play will return, if it will at all for this season.

If the regular season does not resume, at least our Mooseheads went out on a high note by defeating the Charlottetown Islanders on Tuesday evening on the island by a score of 7-4.

10 Games You Got To See

We are just a week away from the start of the 2019-20 regular season so I thought I would let you know the ten Halifax Mooseheads games I think you should see.

September 27 vs. Charlottetown Islanders - Our Halifax Mooseheads will kick off a new quarter century when they host the Islanders in the 2019-20 home opener.
October 10 vs. Saint John Sea Dogs - It's the first time Moose Country will get to see the first overall pick in the most recent QMJHL draft; Joshua Roy live. Plus games against the Sea Dogs have been entertaining the last number of seasons.
October 19 vs. Cape Breton Eagles - The annual Pink in the Rink event will hit Scotiabank Centre on this day when provincial rivals come in to town, bring some cash to get raffle tickets. We'll also see the Eagles' new uniforms.
November 8 vs. Drummondville Voltigeurs - Come make the men and women who fight for our country feel appreciated on DND appreciation night as the team wears special themed Navy jerseys. 
December 13 vs. Charlottetown Islanders - The annual Teddy Bear Toss game is a great way to donate stuffed animals to kids who are not as fortunate. 
December 28 vs. Cape Breton Eagles - Halifax will host the opening game of the Hurley Cup.

January 10 vs. Chicoutimi Sagueneens - Gatineau, QC native Hendrix Lapierre, who is projected to go in the top 3 at the 2020 NHL draft will make his lone visit to Moose Country on this date.
February 9 vs. Sherbrooke Phoenix - Former Herd forward Xavier Parent makes his return to Scotiabank Centre after getting traded to Sherbrooke during the summer and will hope to help his new team beat his old one.
February 22 vs. Rouyn-Noranda Huskies - The 2019 QMJHL President's Cup final was one for the ages and the two clubs that were in it will meet for a rematch where it all ended on February 22.
March 21 vs. Moncton Wildcats - It's fan appreciation night. 

Roster Announced by Mooseheads

YOUR 2019-20 HALIFAX MOOSEHEADS

1  Alexis Gravel  G  (Asbestos, QC)

3  Walter Flower  D  (Lunenburg, NS)
7  Lucas Robinson  D  (Rocky Harbour, NL)*
8  Jeffrey Burridge  RW  (Barrie, ON)
11  Said Abi-Faycal  C  (Montreal, QC)
12  Patrick Kyte  D  (Pembroke, ON)
14  Jared McIsaac  D  (Truro, NS)
17  Cameron Whynot  D  (Kentville, NS)*
19  Benoit-Olivier Groulx  C  (Gatineau, QC)
20  Justin Barron  D  (Halifax, NS)
21  Cole Foston  C  (Beaver Bank, NS)*
26  Cole Stewart  RW  (Moncton, NB)
28  Gavin Hart  RW  (Bible Hill, NS)
29  Cole McLaren  G  (Annapolis Royal, NS)
42  Zack Jones  C  (Bridgewater, MA)
50  Raphael Lavoie  RW  (Chambly, QC)
67  Sonny Kabatay  C  (Membertou, NS)*
71  Maxim Trepanier  LW  (St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC)
79  Jason Horvath  D  (Russell, ON)
82  Senna Peeters  C  (Deurne, Belgium)*
91  Marcel Barinka  C  (Prague, Czech Republic)
94  Samuel Dube  LW  (Bad Tolz, Germany)

*indicates rookie

Events

The schedule was released months ago and the Halifax Mooseheads have finally announced the dates of their annual events for the 2019-20 season. All the charity events are before the new year this season which is different but there are plenty of special nights all season long. 


Annual events
HOME OPENER - September 27 vs. Charlottetown Islanders
Pink in the Rink 12 - October 19 vs. Cape Breton Screaming Eagles
DND Appreciation Night - November 8 vs. Drummondville Voltigeurs
Teddy Bear Toss - December 13 vs. Charlottetown Islanders
Battle of Nova Scotia - December 28 vs. Cape Breton Screaming Eagles
Fan Appreciation Night - March 21 vs. Moncton Wildcats

Schedule Released for 2019-20

Photo - QMJHL website

The Halifax Mooseheads released the 2019-20 regular season schedule.

Probably to no one's surprise, the Herd will hit the road to open the season. Halifax will travel to Saint John to take on the Sea Dogs, a game that will be played on September 20 with puck dropping at 7:00pm.

Other highlights from the schedule:

• The Mooseheads hit the Scotiabank Centre ice for the first time of the season in a game against the Charlottetown Islanders which will begin at 7pm for the team's home opener. A new scoreboard should be hanging from the rafters during this match
• Halifax will have their first Quebec road trip at the beginning of October when they visit the Drummondville Voltigeurs, Chicoutimi Sagueneens and Baie-Comeau Drakkar from October 2-5
• For the sixth straight year, the Herd will play on New Year's Eve but this year it will not be against Cape Breton. They'll host the Saint John Sea Dogs at 2pm on December 31 so you can still go out and ring in 2020 afterwards
• The Moose's longest home stand will be five games (December 31-January 12) while their longest road trip will be 4 games (March 10-18)
• Halifax's final match of the season will see them host their division rivals; the Moncton Wildcats on March 21 in an early evening game. Puck drop at 4pm