2022/23 OHL Season Preview Part 3: Award Predictions

The conclusion to my three part season preview sees me look at potential award candidates for 2022/23.

 

Red Tilson Trophy - Brandt Clarke (Barrie Colts)

It has been over a decade since a defender won the Red Tilson. Ryan Ellis was the last in 2011. But if Brandt Clarke returns to the league in good time, I like him as my preseason favourite. I think he's ready to take that next step as a completely dominating force. Plus, I expect the Colts to be one of the best teams in the OHL. I also expect Wyatt Johnston to return and you can never discount the previous year's Red Tilson trophy winner. What happens if Shane Wright comes back to the OHL? I expect him to be dealt to a contender and that likely pushes him to the top of this list. What about a goaltender? If the Sting end up being one of the better teams in the Western Conference, one of the reasons will be Ben Gaudreau and that would have to make him a contender. Brennan Othmann in Flint, Tucker Robertson in Peterborough, Francesco Pinelli in Kitchener, Danny Zhilkin and Sasha Pastujov in Guelph, Matvey Petrov in North Bay, and Luca Del Bel Belluz in Mississauga are all going to be serious contenders too IMO.

 

Jim Rutherford Goaltender of the Year - Ben Gaudreau (Sarnia Sting)

Considering that I mentioned him as a candidate for the Red Tilson, it should come as no surprise that I'm going to list Gaudreau as my preseason pick for the Rutherford. Not only do I expect him to have a phenomenal year for Sarnia, but I think he ends up as Canada's starter at this year's WJC's too. Other strong candidates include Anson Thornton, Will Cranley, Jacob Oster, Dom DiVicentiis, and of course returning OA Brett Brochu. Brochu is obviously a big wild card as the returning Rutherford winner. But I don't expect the Knights to be great. That could mean they end up moving him to a contender at some point.

 

Max Kaminski Trophy - Brandt Clarke (Barrie Colts)

If he's the Red Tilson winner like I've predicted, then he's obviously going to be the Max Kaminski winner. Again, I do think Clarke comes back at some point and I think he really takes that next step as one of the league's elite on a strong Barrie team. If you read my work, you know how much I love Pavel Mintyukov so it would be foolish of me not to mention him here. I think draft eligible defender Cam Allen has a monster season for the Storm and that will put him in Kaminski contention. Last year's winner was an OA and look for Gavin White, Mitchell Smith, and Lleyton Moore to all have strong years. Ethan Del Mastro should have a monster year for the Steelheads. Christian Kyrou likely puts up a ton of points for the Otters. Ty Nelson likely has a big bounce back year. Heck, even rookie Hunter Brzustewicz could be a contender with the Rangers. It's a really strong year for defenders in the league.

Emms Family Award - Malcolm Spence (Erie Otters)

I think Spence is in a good position to be the league's top rookie this season. He's one of the most physically mature 2006's entering the league and he's going to be given a ton of ice time and responsibility. Look for him to be an immediate point per game player. Michael Misa should have a good year for the Spirit too for similar reasons to Spence. There are a whole bunch of quality 06's entering the league and many are being put in great situations. However, I do want to highlight some of the great '06 defenders who had great preseasons like Zayne Parekh, Anthony Cristoforo, in addition top the likes of Sam Dickinson, Henry Mews, etc. It's a very strong rookie crop. 

Leo Lalande Trophy - Ethan Cardwell (Barrie Colts)

The best thing for Cardwell's development would be for the Sharks to send him back to the OHL for his OA year and I believe that is the most likely scenario. And if that is the case, I think he's going to be a 100 point scorer and a candidate for many of the league's top awards. Logan Morrison is also an extremely strong candidate here if he returns. Ditto for teammate Gavin White. I also like defenders Mitchell Smith and Lleyton Moore here. Goaltender Brett Brochu is an obvious candidate even if where he ends up finishing the year is a bit of a mystery. Matthew Maggio is going to be a serious candidate too if he returns to the OHL. Lastly, can James Hardie pop 45+ this season for the Steelheads? Lots of good candidates.

Matt Leyden Trophy - Ted Dent (Flint Firebirds)

I expect the Firebirds to finish the year with the best record in the OHL, so that would make Ted Dent a top candidate for coach of the year. Marty Williamson in Barrie, Scott Walker in Guelph, Rob Wilson in Peterborough, and Chris Dennis in Kitchener are all strong preseason candidates. 

Eddie Powers Trophy - Ethan Cardwell (Barrie Colts)

I actually had Cardwell winning this award last year...which obviously wasn't a great prediction given his disappointing year. But...I'm back again. Look, Barrie is going to be one of the league's top offenses this year and Cardwell will be right in the middle of that pending his return. He's not going to miss time like many of the other top candidates (due to extended NHL stays, WJC appearances, etc). Take your pick of many of the other players I listed as Red Tilson candidates too.

Goal Scoring Leader - Brennan Othmann (Flint Firebirds)

At this point, I'd be pretty shocked if Othmann doesn't end up leading the OHL in goals this year. The stars are aligned for him to have a pretty special season. I expect Matvey Petrov, James Hardie, Wyatt Johnston, Tucker Robertson, Matthew Maggio, and Sasha Pastujov to be right up there too. Colby Barlow could have a pretty special draft year too.

1st Team All Stars

Center - Wyatt Johnston

Left Wing - Brennan Othmann

Right Wing - Ethan Cardwell

Defense - Brandt Clarke

Defense - Cam Allen

Goaltender - Ben Gaudreau

Coach - Ted Dent

2nd Team All Stars

Center - Luca Del Bel Belluz

Left Wing - Matvey Petrov

Right Wing - Sasha Pastujov

Defense - Ethan Del Mastro

Defense - Pavel Mintyukov

Goaltender - Dom DiVicentiis

Coach - Marty Williamson

3rd Team All Stars

Center - Tucker Robertson

Left Wing - Colby Barlow

Right Wing - Matthew Maggio

Defense - Hunter Brzustewicz

Defense - Gavin White

Goaltender - Jacob Oster

Coach - Rob Wilson

1st All Rookie Team

Center - Michael Misa

Left Wing - Malcolm Spence

Right Wing - Porter Martone

Defense - Zayne Parekh

Defense - Sam Dickinson

Goaltender - Nathaniel Day

2nd All Rookie Team

Center - Joey Willis

Left Wing - Beckett Sennecke

Right Wing - Jett Luchanko

Defense - Anthony Cristoforo

Defense - Henry Mews

Goaltender - Mason Vaccari