The Owen Sound Attack Over-Ager speaks about his season and the CHLPA
Last season Nathan Chiarlitti played against every opponents top line as a member of the OHL's Sarnia Sting. After a trade this season, he now logs huge minutes as a top pairing blueliner for the Owen Sound Attack. Hockeyprospect.com has mentioned previously that we are fans of Nathan's defense first, shutdown approach. HP's Steven Perko recently spoke to Chiarlitti about his current season and got his thoughts on the CHLPA.
Owen Sound defenceman Nathan Chiarlitti first heard about the CHLPA while watching TV in the summer. At the time, he was still the captain of the Sarnia Sting. Two months later, he found himself in the middle of the controversy surrounding the new players' association.
In August, Chiarlitti went on record in saying that the CHLPA raised some good points and arguments. Two days later, the Sarnia Sting traded him to the Attack based on those comments. It's not true, but that's what the CHLPA wanted you to believe.
"No one really approached me until recently when Derek Clarke (a proposed union spokesperson) gave me a shout," said Chiarlitti. "He called me up and said they went to the Labour Boards of various provinces and that's how I kind of got to know and familiarize myself with what they wanted to do."
However, the defenceman says, they wouldn't go into detail as to what exactly they stood for. They didn't even have a mission statement for players to identify with.
Our 60 clubs operate with the best interest of the players in mind, at all times. It is estimated the net value, or investment, for each player in the league is between $35,000 -40,000 annually. This accounts for the education program, and the many other benefits provided by CHL member Clubs.
The CHL vehemently disagrees with the recent allegations made by Georges Laraque on behalf of the Canadian Hockey League Player's Association (CHLPA). Mr. Laraque, knows better than anyone, the investment that we make in each of our players and our commitment to ensuring that the player's amateur hockey experience is maximized.
We firmly believe that our Teams have always acted in accordance with all applicable provincial and federal laws and will continue to do so.
The CHL is charged with ensuring that our players, who are between the ages of 16-20 are protected. We have no interest in doing anything that would jeopardize their experience. That is why, more than eight weeks ago, we communicated with Mr Laraque that prior to any meeting with the CHLPA we needed to understand who is behind the organization, how the organization operates and to be provided with a copy of their mandate. We have not heard back from the CHLPA.
In terms of any organizing drive by the CHLPA, we have and will continue to operate within the legal guidelines. This is without exception. We will however continue to tell our players and their families that before they agree to anything that they do their research into the CHLPA, who is behind it. We do not believe that any third party can provide programs and support better than what the CHL currently voluntarily provides to our players, through our member teams.
Both goaltenders were perfect through the opening 20 minutes of play. Jordan Binnington stopped eight Rangers' shots, while Kitchener netminder John Gibson turned aside all 11 shots he faced in the first.
The scoreless deadlock would continue for 15 minutes in the second period before veteran winger Kyle Hope put Owen Sound on the board. The fourth-year forward collected a pass from Joseph Blandisi in front of the Rangers net and chipped it past Gibson to tally his second of the season. Gemel Smith also collected an assist on the play.
Kitchener evened the score with 20.5 seconds remaining in the frame. Max Iafrate's lead pass connected with Matt Puempel, who saw his first shot stoned by Binnington. The Essex, ON native pounced on his own rebound, however, and tucked it behind the sprawled Attack tender. Puempel leads the Rangers with eight goals in 2012-13, and was named to Team OHL for the Subway Super Series earlier this week. Sophomore rearguard Cory Genovese recorded his first point of the season with an assist.
Owen Sound continued to lead shots on goal in the second with a 17-13 advantage.
Puempel's second of the game, early in the third period, pushed the Rangers to a 2-1 lead. The fourth-year winger snapped a fast shot through Binnington, his ninth of the year. Assists were credited to NHL prospects Radek Faksa and Evan McEneny.
A late tally from Smith pulled the Attack even with 1:06 remaining on the clock. The Toronto-born pivot controlled the draw deep in Rangers territory and found the back of the net with a quick shot. The unassisted goal was his fifth of the season.
Owen Sound out-shot the Rangers 15-12 in the third and finished regulation with a 43-33 advantage in shots on goal.
Neither team scored in overtime, with Gibson making one save and Binnington stopping two shots.
Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Matia Marcantuoni scored the lone goal in a five-round shootout, pushing the Rangers to a 3-2 victory.
Gibson made 42 saves in the game and stopped five shooters to pick up his fourth consecutive victory. The Rangers (7-4-0-1) have won four straight games, including three in a row at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium.
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Justin Bailey recorded the game winner as the Kitchener Rangers defeated the Plymouth Whalers 2-1 on Sunday night. Matt Puempel scored his team-leading tenth of the season for the Rangers, while John Gibson made 31 saves in his fifth straight win.
Each team fired nine shots on goal in the opening period, but Rangers' starter John Gibson and Plymouth's Matt Mahalak both remained perfect after 20 minutes.
The Whalers jumped to a 1-0 lead just 30 seconds into the middle frame. Garrett Meurs collected the puck behind the Rangers' net and moved it to Ryan Hartman in front. The freshman forward snapped a shot past Gibson to record his fourth of the season. Zach Bratina also assisted on the play.
The Rangers evened the score just past the halfway point, when Jared Gilbert's long shot was tipped past Mahalak by Matt Puempel. The fourth-year winger leads Kitchener with 10 goals this season, including three in his last three outings. The second assist on the 4-on-4 marker was credited to defenceman Ben Fanelli.
The Rangers led shots on goal 15-11 in the second period.
Justin Bailey put the Rangers ahead 2-1 early in the third period, converting a pass from Ryan Murphy into his third goal of the year, and the first game winner of his OHL career. The rookie centre has recorded all three in front of the home crowd. Josh Sterk also picked up a helper on the play.
Kitchener out-shot the Whalers 13-12 in the final frame and finished the game with a 39-32 overall advantage. Gibson made 31 saves for Kitchener, picking up his fifth consecutive win.
With the victory, the Rangers extend their home winning streak to four games, and are 5-0-1-0 in their last six contests.
Scoring
2. PLY R. Hartman, (4) (G. Meurs, Z. Bratina), 0:30
2. KIT M. Puempel, (10) (J. Gilbert, B. Fanelli), 10:36
3. KIT J. Bailey, (3) (R. Murphy, J. Sterk), 3:00
Attendance: 6630
Three Stars
1. KIT - 35 John Gibson
2. KIT - 95 Justin Bailey
3. PLY - 37 Matt Mahalak
The Rangers hit the road Thursday, November 1 for a 7:00 game with the Niagara IceDogs. The team returns to the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium on Friday, November 2 for a 7:30pm meeting with the Windsor Spitfires. Tickets are available by phone at 519-578-1570 or 1-800-265-8977, via the internet at www.centre-square.com or in person at the Centre In the Square Box Office or the Kitchener Auditorium Box Office.
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A team of 23 Russian players will make the trip to Canada for the duration of the six-game series including former Sarnia Sting forward Nail Yakupov who was selected first overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. An additional five NHL drafted players are among this group including 2012 Tampa Bay first round pick goaltender Andrei Vasilevski, fellow Lightning prospect defenceman Nikita Nesterov, Chicago Blackhawks forward prospect Maxim Shalunov, Florida Panthers prospect Yaroslav Kosov, and Boston Bruins prospect and former Windsor Spitfire Alexander Khokhlachev.


