Thursday, January 19, 2006

Toronto - The Ontario Hockey League today announced the weekly minor midget rankings for the 2006 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament hosted by the GTHL.

The weekly rankings are determined by a panel of OHL Central Scouting staff and reflect the top teams that are competing to play in the annual year-end championship tournament.

Minor Midget Rankings for the OHL Cup Showcase Tournament - Week 7

1. Markham Waxers - OMHA (1)
2. Detroit Honeybaked - MWEHL/USA (2)
3. Toronto Red Wings - GTHL (3)
4. Jr. Canadiens - GTHL (4)
5. Vaughan Kings - GTHL (5)
6. Don Mills Flyers - GTHL (8)
7. Huron Perth - Alliance (9)
8. Mississauga IceDogs - GTHL (7)
9. Brantford 99ers - Alliance (6)
10. Toronto Marlies - GTHL (NR)

(Last week's rating in brackets)

Last March, the Toronto Marlboroughs defeated the London Jr. Knights in the championship game. Six players from that championship game were selected in the first round of the OHL Priority Selection last May, including first overall pick John Tavares, who scored two goals and an assist in the Marlies 5-0 win in the championship game. In all, 13 Marlies were selected in the draft.

The Ontario Hockey League and Greater Toronto Hockey League will host the 2006 Ontario Hockey League Showcase for the OHL Cup hosted by the GTHL on March 22-26, 2006.

The OHL Cup Showcase Tournament features the top minor midget teams from Ontario, along with selected teams from the U.S.A. Invitations for the tournament will be extended to the champion and finalist from each division of the Ontario Hockey Federation and branches of the OHF, ODHA and Thunder Bay.

Several current OHL players are graduates of the OHL Cup, including Marc and Jordan Staal of the Sudbury Wolves and Peterborough Petes respectively, Chris Lawrence from the Mississauga IceDogs, David Bolland of the London Knights and John Hughes of the Belleville Bulls.