Chicago Blackhawks prospect Alex DeBrincat captured the Canadian Hockey League’s Sportsnet Player of the Year Award after the 2016 second-round pick finished a dominating season for the Erie Otters. The CHL handed out 10 awards, most notably including Nolan Patrick (Top Prospect), Sam Steel (Top Scorer), Nico Hischier (Top Rookie), Michael McNiven (Top Goaltender) and Thomas Chabot (Top Defenseman).
In DeBrincat, the 19-year-old winger scored 65 goals and added 62 assists for 127 points. The former CHL Rookie of the Year helped the Otters capture their second straight season title and the OHL championship to reach the Memorial Cup with 13 goals in 22 playoff games. Despite his offensive success, DeBrincat fell to the second round due to his 5-9, 160-pound size, but he has continued to put up good numbers.
Patrick and Hischier, the likely top two picks in the 2017 NHL draft had different years. Patrick only played in 33 games, but put up 20 goals and 22 assists for the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL. Hischier scored 33 goals and 48 assists in 57 games in his first season in the QMJHL for the Halifax Mooseheads.
Steel, the Anaheim Ducks’ first-round pick in 2016 won the top scorer award after finishing his WHL season with 50 goals and 81 assists for 131 points. Chabot, the top defender, actually got into one game for the Ottawa Senators this year. The 20-year-old 2015 first-round pick (18th overall) put up 10 goals and 35 assists in just 34 games for the Saint John Sea Dogs of the QMJHL.
Montreal goaltending prospect McNiven was an undrafted free agent, but signed a three-year entry level deal in 2015 with the Canadiens and flourished this year, finishing with a record of 41-9-2, a league-leading 2.30 GAA and a .915 save percentage for the OHL’s Owen Sound Attack. He was tied for first with six shutouts.
For more on the awards, check out the article on CHL’s website.