OHL Alumni Central

In 2005, the Ontario Hockey League provided just five players to Team Canada for the IIHF World Juniors. Those five players played a major role in Canada winning its first Gold Medal since 1997. The victory sparked a streak of five consecutive golds. All five are still active in professional hockey with four in the National Hockey League and one in the AHL. Four of the five were first round picks at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Three were team captains of the OHL clubs.

Danny Syvret played three seasons in the Ontario Hockey League from 2002-03 to 2004-05 with the London Knights. Syvret was taken in the third round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the Edmonton Oilers, 81st overall. Danny has played sparingly in the NHL with the Oilers, Philadelphia Flyers and Anaheim Ducks. He is currently a member of the Peoria Rivermen of the American Hockey League.

Jeff Carter spent four years with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds from 2001-02 to 2004-05. Carter was the eleventh overall pick of the Broad Street Bullies at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Jeff played six years with the Flyers and is in his first season with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Corey Perry was a member of the London Knights for four seasons from 2001-02 to 2004-05. Corey was the 28th pick in the first round of the 2003 draft, going to the Anaheim Ducks. Perry is in his seventh season with the Ducks, having won a Stanley Cup in his first season with the club and the Rocket Richard Trophy as the NHL’s top goal scorer this past season.

Michael Richards played four years with the Kitchener Rangers from 2001-02 to 2004-05. He was picked four places ahead of Corey Perry at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers. Richards played six years with the Flyers and is in his first season with the Los Angeles Kings.

Anthony Stewart played with the Kingston Frontenacs for four years from 2001-02 to 2004-05. He directly followed Richards at the 2003 draft, picked by the Florida Panthers. He has played in the NHL for the Panthers, Atlanta Thrashers and Carolina Hurricanes. 2011-12 is his first season with Carolina.

With less than a month to go before the start of the 2012 World Juniors, here’s hoping that the Ontario Hockey League can once again contribute players of the same calibre as those from 2005.

Subban as a member of Team Canada at the World Junior Championships.

Former Belleville Bull, Team Canada World Junior Alumnus and current Hamilton Bulldog, P.K. Subban, has been called up to the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens as the Habs deal with injuries heading into the Olympic break. Subban represented Team Canada in the 2010 AHL All-Star Classic versus Team Planet USA.

In other news…

Jeff Carter and Steve Mason have been put on alert as possible replacements on Team Canada for the 2010 Olympics in case of an injury emergency. Carter is a member of the Philadelphia Flyers and a Sault Ste. Marie Greyhound grad. Mason plays between the pipes for the Columbus Blue Jackets and is a former London Knight and Kitchener Ranger.