Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that overage forward James Hardie of the Mississauga Steelheads is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording two goals, eight assists and 10 points in four games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-4.
Helping guide the Steelheads to a 3-1 showing last week, Hardie got things started with Mississauga’s lone goal in a 2-1 road loss to the Erie Otters on Monday. The Steelheads bounced back on Thursday with a 6-2 win over the Niagara IceDogs as Hardie put together the first of two consecutive four-assist outings. He registered another four assists on Friday, helping linemate Zander Veccia score his first OHL hat trick as the Steelheads defeated the Central Division-leading North Bay Battalion 5-4. Hardie contributed another goal on Sunday as the Steelheads closed out the weekend with a 5-4 win over the IceDogs on home ice. Currently riding a 10-game point streak, seven of Hardie’s eight assists last week were primary helpers.
A 21-year-old native of Innisfil, Ont., Hardie currently sits eighth in OHL points with 57 (28-29–57) through 41 games this season. His 181 shots on goal are the fourth-highest total in the League. Mississauga’s fist round (8th overall) pick in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection is the club’s all-time leading goal-scorer (118) and point producer (219) in his 230 career regular season contests. Hardie attended rookie camp with the Boston Bruins last September.
Also given consideration for the award this week were Steelheads teammate Zander Veccia who recorded five goals, four assists and nine points in four games. Edmonton Oilers prospect Matvey Petrov of the North Bay Battalion was also a standout, recording five goals and two assists over three outings.
2022-23 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Jan. 16 – Jan. 22: James Hardie (Mississauga Steelheads)
Jan. 9 – Jan. 15: Colby Barlow (Owen Sound Attack)
Jan. 2 – Jan. 8: Bryce McConnell-Barker (Soo Greyhounds)
Dec. 26 – Jan. 1: Connor Lockhart (Peterborough Petes)
Dec. 12 – Dec. 18: Evan Vierling (Barrie Colts)
Dec. 5 – Dec. 11: Ryan Gagnier (Oshawa Generals)
Nov. 28 – Dec. 4: Quentin Musty (Sudbury Wolves)
Nov. 21 – Nov. 27: Jorian Donovan (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Nov. 14 – Nov. 20: Matthew Poitras (Guelph Storm)
Nov. 7 – Nov. 13: Brody Crane (London Knights)
Oct. 31 – Nov. 6: Matvey Petrov (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 24 – Oct. 30: Deni Goure (Owen Sound Attack)
Oct. 17 – Oct. 23: Owen Beck (Mississauga Steelheads)
Oct. 10 – Oct. 16: Matthew Maggio (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 3 – Oct. 9: Pavel Mintyukov (Saginaw Spirit)
Sept. 29 – Oct. 2: Tucker Robertson (Peterborough Petes)
