Photo Credits: Tim Bates / OJHL Images

The OJHL All-Star Celebration took place last weekend, January 13 and 14 in beautiful Collingwood, Ontario. It featured 4 events, an OJHL Alumni game and the inaugural skills competition which included categories such as Hardest Shot, Accuracy Shooting, Fastest Skater and Top Goaltender all taking place on the 13th (Results below). January the 14th was the day of the centrepiece of the weekend, that being the OJHL All-Star Game. It was an extremely exciting game that saw Team Hyman (North-West Conference) triumph 9-8 in overtime against Team Giordano (South-East Conference). 

Although there were no Blades players participating in the All-Star Game, the following InStat Top Prospects Game saw 3 Blades players get the chance to showcase their skills in front of the plethora of scouts. Oakville sent D Andrew Brown, F Gleb Akimov and F Matthew Wang to Collingwood for the game. All of the players played solid all around games that demonstrated why they were rightfully named to the prestigious game. As a part of Team Danforth (North-West) both Akimov (1G) and Brown (1A) registered points in the game that Team Evans (South-East) would end up winning by a final score of 5-4 in OT. 

D Andrew Brown:

Played a very strong game, especially in transition, using his great 4-way mobility to either carry the puck out of the zone or make a crisp tape-to-tape pass. His defensive game was great in this game, constantly thwarting the opponent's plans as they tried to enter the zone. He set up the Akimov goal just 5:50 into the game by carrying the puck through all 3 zones before splitting the defence and getting a shot on net that would leave a juicy rebound for Akimov.

F Gleb Akimov:

Used his awareness and positioning well in this matchup, resulting in him being at the right place at the right time for a goal. Played intelligently at both ends of the ice, with the exception of a tripping penalty he took in the 1st period. Found himself on the ice for the PK where he was solid as well.

F Matthew Wang:

Wang played a very good game despite not being able to get his name on the scoresheet for Team Danforth. He was used in all situations and as a centerman where he played responsibly in his own end. He brought his forechecking game to another level this game using his stick and body in combination to turn the puck over in their end multiple times. Took many shots from the high danger areas on the ice but just wasn’t able to squeak one past the opposing goaltenders. His forechecking also led to a goal, although it wasn’t direct enough for him to be credited with an assist.

See some more details on all of the events in the following links:

INAUGURAL SKILLS EVENTS COMPETITION AT 2023 OJHL ALL-STAR CELEBRATION 

OJHL ALL-STAR GAME BOX SCORE

OJHL INSTAT TOP PROSPECTS GAME BOX SCORE

By Ty Brooks