Godfrey, Cuthbert recognized in OHL coaches poll

NEWS RELEASES

ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE

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Coaches Poll - Western Conference Toronto - The Ontario Hockey League today announced the Western Conference results of the 2006-07 Coaches Poll.

OHL leading scorer leader Patrick Kane of the London Knights was recognized as the top player in two categories, including Most Dangerous in Goal Area and Best Stickhandler, while teammate Sam Gagner received top honours as Smartest Player and Best Playmaker. Tom Sestito of the Plymouth Whalers also received the most votes in multiple categories as he was acknowledged as Most Improved and Best Penalty Killer.

The OHL Coaches Poll provides team coaches with the opportunity to recognize players in several skill categories within their own conference. The top three players in each category from the Eastern and Western Conferences are recognized. Coaches vote for each category within their conference and are not permitted to vote for players on their team. Players receive five points for a first place vote, three points for a second place vote and one point for a third place vote.

Pictured is Soo Greyhounds defenseman Josh Godfrey

2006-07 Ontario Hockey League Coaches Poll – Western Conference Results

Most Underrated Player 1. Trevor Kell, Sarnia Sting (22) 2. Mike McLean, Guelph Storm (18) 3. Scott Aarssen, London Knights (16)

Most Improved Player 1. Tom Sestito, Plymouth Whalers (30) 2. Josh Godfrey, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (27) 3. Steve Mason, London Knights (10)

Smartest Player 1. Sam Gagner, London Knights (28) 2. Steven Stamkos, Sarnia Sting (18) 3. Evan Brophey, Plymouth Whalers (16)

Hardest Worker 1. Matt Halischuk, Kitchener Rangers (23) 2. Jared Boll, Plymouth Whalers (19) 3. Rafael Rotter, Guelph Storm (12)

Best Playmaker 1. Sam Gagner, London Knights (29) 2. Bobby Ryan, Owen Sound Attack (26) 3. Evan Brophey, Plymouth Whalers (15)

Most Dangerous in the Goal Area 1. Patrick Kane, London Knights (41) 2. Bobby Ryan, Owen Sound Attack (30) 3. Steve Downie, Kitchener Rangers (13)

Best Skater 1. Mark Katic, Sarnia Sting (23) 2. Robbie Drummond, London Knights (20) 3. Trevor Lewis, Owen Sound Attack (16)

Best Shot 1. Sergei Kostitsyn, London Knights (23) 1. Dan Collins, Plymouth Whalers (23) 3. Josh Godfrey, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (20)

Hardest Shot 1. Josh Godfrey, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (45) 2. Nigel Williams, Saginaw Spirit (18) 3. Ryan Wilson, Sarnia Sting (7)

Best Stickhandler 1. Patrick Kane, London Knights (40) 2. Bobby Ryan, Owen Sound Attack (29) 3. Steven Stamkos, Sarnia Sting (14)

Best on Face-Offs 1. Justin Azevedo, Kitchener Rangers (20) 2. Evan Brophey, Plymouth Whalers (18) 3. Marcus Carroll, Owen Sound Attack (12) Ryan O’Marra, Saginaw Spirit (12)

Best Body Checker 1. James Neal, Plymouth Whalers (35) 2. Todd Perry, London Knights (18) 3. Ryan Wilson, Sarnia Sting (11)

Best Defensive Forward 1. Robbie Drummond, London Knights (21) 2. Cody Bass, Saginaw Spirit (19) 3. Scott Tregunna, Owen Sound Attack (14)

Best Penalty Killer 1. Tom Sestito, Plymouth Whalers (25) 2. Mike McLean, Guelph Storm (23) 3. Matt Halischuk, Kitchener Rangers (19)

Best Offensive Defenceman 1. Drew Doughty, Guelph Storm (33) 2. Patrick McNeill, Saginaw Spirit (23) 3. Ryan Wilson, Sarnia Sting (16)

Best Defensive Defenceman 1. Ryan Parent, Guelph Storm (45) 2. Scott Aarssen, London Knights (15) 3. Tyler Cuthbert, Sault. Ste. Marie (12)

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Coaches Poll - Eastern Conference

Toronto - The Ontario Hockey League today announced the Eastern Conference results of the 2006-07 Coaches Poll.

John Tavares of the Oshawa Generals led all players in the Eastern Conference Coaches Poll winning three categories, including Smartest Player, Most Dangerous in Goal Area and Best Stickhandler. Tavares was also recognized as third in the Best Playmaker category. Stefan Legein of the Mississauga IceDogs took top honours as Most Improved Player and Best Skater, while Tyler Donati of the Belleville Bulls was recognized as Best Playmaker and was runner-up in Smartest Player and Most Dangerous in Goal Area. Donati was also recognized as third in Best Stickhandler.

2006-07 Ontario Hockey League Coaches Poll – Eastern Conference Results

Most Underrated Player 1. Jordan Owens, Mississauga IceDogs (37) 2. Nick Plastino, Barrie Colts (13) 3. Geoff Killing, Belleville Bulls (12)

Most Improved Player 1. Stefan Legein, Mississauga IceDogs (36) 2. Matt Caria, Toronto St. Michaels Majors (19) 3. Shawn Matthias, Belleville Bulls (11) Brett MacLean, Oshawa Generals (11)

Smartest Player 1. John Tavares, Oshawa Generals (24) 2. Tyler Donati, Belleville Bulls (18) 3. Cory Emmerton, Kingston Frontenacs (14)

Hardest Worker 1. Bryan Little, Barrie Colts (40) 2. Marc Staal, Sudbury Wolves (16) 3. Matt Beleskey, Belleville Bulls (15)

Best Playmaker 1. Tyler Donati, Belleville Bulls (23) 2. Bryan Little, Barrie Colts (20) 3. John Tavares, Oshawa Generals (16)

Most Dangerous in the Goal Area 1. John Tavares, Oshawa Generals (39) 2. Tyler Donati, Belleville Bulls (25) 3. Bryan Little, Barrie Colts (12)

Best Skater 1. Stefan Legein, Mississauga IceDogs (34) 2. Chris Stewart, Kingston Frontenacs (18) 3. Yves Bastien, Peterborough Petes (17)

Best Shot 1. Bryan Little, Barrie Colts (39) 2. Chris Lawrence, Mississauga IceDogs (20) 3. Jamie McGinn, Ottawa 67’s (11)

Hardest Shot 1. P.K. Subban, Belleville Bulls (27) 2. Jonathan D’Aversa, Sudbury Wolves (22) 3. Bryan Little, Barrie Colts (20)

Best Stickhandler 1. John Tavares, Oshawa Generals (26) 2. Vladimir Nikiforov, Barrie Colts (25) 3. Tyler Donati, Belleville Bulls (18)

Best on Face-Offs 1. Bryan Little, Barrie Colts (36) 2. Bobby Hughes, Kingston Frontenacs (16) 3. Matt Caria, Toronto St. Michaels Majors (11)

Best Body Checker 1. Chris Stewart, Kingston Frontenacs (23) 2. Marc Staal, Sudbury Wolves (21) 3. Cal Clutterbuck, Oshawa Generals (19)

Best Defensive Forward 1. Matthew Bragg, Barrie Colts (28) 2. Jordan Owens, Mississauga IceDogs (18) 3. Andrew Gibbons, Belleville Bulls (11)

Best Penalty Killer 1. Marc Staal, Sudbury Wolves (28) 2. Andrew Gibbons, Belleville Bulls (22) 3. Hunter Tremblay, Barrie Colts (15)

Best Offensive Defenceman 1. Michael Del Zotto, Oshawa Generals (34) 2. Jonathan D’Aversa, Sudbury Wolves (21) 3. Alex Pietrangelo, Mississauga IceDogs (14)

Best Defensive Defenceman 1. Nick Plastino, Barrie Colts (28) 2. Adam McQuaid, Sudbury Wolves (18) 3. John de Gray, Brampton Battalion (17)

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