CHL Spotlight: Erie Otters

The Erie Otters are in the midst of an incredible turnaround after going 10-52-6 (20th overall) in 2011-12 and 19-40-9 (19th) in 2012-13. Erie currently leads the tougher Western Conference, which has the top 4 OHL teams, with a 34-7-2 record entering Friday night. RW Connor Brown (TOR, 156th in 2012) leads the Otters in scoring with 88 points (60 assists) in 43 GP and undrafted overage C Dane Fox paces the team in goals with 51 (81 points in 43 GP). The Otters also boast top 2015 draft prospect C Connor McDavid (58 points in 34 GP), & LW Andre Burakovsky (WAS, 23rd in 2013) has been a boost to the club in his first OHL season after coming over from Malmo with 53 points in 34 GP. His fellow Swede and World Junior Championship teammate, G Oscar Dansk (CLB, 31st in 2012), has vastly improved his numbers to a 1.97 GAA, and .928 SP in 24 games after posting 4.11, .888 numbers in 43 games last season as the D in front of him has improved, led by Islanders prospect Adam Pelech (65th in 2012) with 32 points and a +31 in 35 games. With the most talent they have had since moving to Erie in 1996, the Otters are primed to give the Northwest Pennsylvania city it’s first OHL crown since 2002.

Notable alumni (Erie only):

Ryan O’Reilly 2007-2009
Chris Campoli 2000-2004
Brad Boyes 1998-2002
Tim Connolly 1997-1999

Franchise history:
Windsor Spitfires 1946-53
Hamilton (Tiger Cubs 1953-60, Red Wings 1960-74, Fincups 1974-76)
St Catherines Fincups 1976-77
Hamilton Fincups 1977-78
Brantford Alexanders 1978-84
Hamilton Steelhawks 1984-88
Niagara Falls Thunder 1988-96
Erie Otters 1996-

OHA/OHL Championships

1961-62, 1975-76, 2001-02

Memorial Cup Championships
1961-62, 1975-76

 

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