FOHL Insider #1

There are stories so powerful, so connected that it rocks the foundation of our civilization as we know it. Watergate. The Panama Papers. The Hong Kong riots. We can now add one more story to that list: the Arthur Kaliyev saga. The history of the entire universe is billions of years in the making, but that isn't even close to as long as the Erie Otters have been fielding calls, making decisions and then back-peddling with their handling of superstar Arthur Kaliyev. Such a happy tale all started so awfully, with a prior GM drawing gasps and awes on the draft conference call as it was reported that Erie, a team that desperately needed to rebuild in the wake of consecutive competitive years under the likes of Connor McDavid, Dylan Strome and Alex Debrincat, had done the unthinkable and made an all-in move. They sent the 6th overall pick in the OHL priority selection, normally a player that would net you a foundational player to build around, their 2nd and 3rd round picks, a...

31  21 Thoughts with Elliotte Friedman Now that we are more than a month removed from the start of the season, I'm recalling a conversation I had with a GM in the summer that said last season laid the ground work for a lot of teams, where most teams think they planted a foundation where stars are going to blossom. That GM then suggested that a lot of teams are going to check that garden expecting flowers, only to find weeds. I think we're starting to see some pesticide in the form of trades and waivers. 1.  Commissioner Tyler Hetherington dealt with a lot of star power throughout the summer, including some of Canada's top indie bands and emerging acts, as well as Brooklin Heights of Ru Paul's Drag Race fame, but he unrolled the carpet on perhaps the biggest star yet when the OHL's most followed insider, aptly named OHL Insider, decided to take the reigns of the Sarnia Sting. I'm told teams are lining up to get a trade done with him just so they can have...

September's players of the month are presented by Skip The Dishes, official partner of the FOHL Player of the Month - Anthony Salinitri (Niagara IceDogs) After being acquired in the offseason, Salinitri has taken the challenge of being returned for an overage season with lightning in his veins. He's been on a better than a point per game pace, and currently leads the league in points. While the Ice Dogs may not be performing to expectations, Salinitri has more than delivered, just like how SkiptheDishes can deliver right to your door. Goalie of the Month - Kyle Keyser (Oshawa Generals) The mighty Oshawa Generals have been rolling this season, and that is thanks in part to veteran netminder Kyle Keyser. Largely predicted to be one of the top goalies entering this season, Keyser has more than defied expectations to cement his status as #1 in the league. Just like how SkiptheDishes has cemented their status as the #1 food delivery app in Ontario. ...

There's no clever name for it like the McDavid derby, or the Fall for Hall, or Fail for Nail campaigns. There's no glory or respect given to the notion of tanking in the FOHL. In fact, it's a hot button issue that has ignited message boards around the league. With the topic under such a microscope, there's no one hanging a poster in their GM office reading "Fight for Wright", but GMs around the FOHL are keenly aware that an exceptional status player is entering the 2019 draft. Joining the likes of John Tavares, Aaron Ekblad, Connor McDavid, and ahem, Sean Day, Shane Wright becomes the fifth OHLer to be granted exceptional status to the league. The 15 year old is expected to join the talent ranks of the trio of aforementioned, all who went first overall in the OHL draft and then followed that up with first overall picks into the NHL. There's no clear cut bad teams in the FOHL, so take the rankings with a grain of salt. It's meant to showcase the ...