WELLINGTON DUKES – OJHL
This will be the third time in franchise history that the Wellington Dukes of the OJHL have made it to the RBC Cup, making it previously before in 2003 and 2011. They defeated the host Dryden GM Ice Dogs in the four-team Dudley-Hewitt Cup to represent the Central region.
Wellington is a community of about 1,900 people in the southwest portion of Ontario. The Dukes began as a junior C team in the 70’s before moving up to junior A hockey in 1991.
The Dukes are one of two Ontario teams in this year’s RBC Cup, and they had a tough path to get to the RBC Cup. In their first two rounds, Welllington went the distance in two seven-game series. They caught fire in the later rounds, winning the OJHL championship over the Georgetown Raiders in six games. In the Dudley-Hewitt, the Dukes lost their first game of the prelims to Dryden, but recovered to win their next 4 games including the final game.
The Dukes are led by F Mitchell Martan (’98), who led the way with 67 points (26 G, 41 A) in 51 games played in the regular season. Martan was named the top forward at the Dudley-Hewitt Cup, where he was a two-way force for Wellington. He is committed to Canisius College for next season.
Ben Evans (’99) and Mitchell Mendonca (’98) tied for the lead in Dudley-Hewitt Cup scoring with 8 points each, and both have more years yet to come in junior A hockey. Colin Doyle is also someone to keep an eye on, as he led the Dukes with 24 points in 25 OJHL playoff games.
Wellington has two talented young 2000-born defencemen on their roster, and both make a tremendous impact. Declan Carlile and Mason Snell both had 13 points in the OJHL playoffs, and Carlile was named the top defenceman at the Dudley-Hewitt Cup as he led all d-men in scoring at the tournament. Both are ranked in the NHL Central Scouting’s final draft list amongst North American skaters, Snell has been listed at #173; Carlile at #176.
Like all the teams at the RBC Cup, they have a goalie that has been solid coming into the tournament. Jonah Capriotti posted a 2.63 GAA with a .919 SV% and one shutout in the OJHL playoffs. In the Dudley-Hewitt Cup, Capriotti (’98) recorded a 2.83 GAA, and a .913 SV%.
The Dukes are a physical team that recorded a lot of PIM in the regular season and the playoffs, and have a nack for finishing around the net (eg. Loose pucks, high and low deflections, and odd-man rushes). This is a young team that is hungry to win the franchise’s first national championship.
Leading Playoff Scorers (OJHL)
F Colin Doyle (’98) – 25 GP – 24 PTS (8 G, 16 A)
F Teddy McGeen (’97) – 25 GP – 18 PTS (8 G, 10 A)
F Mitchell Martan (’98) – 21 GP – 17 PTS (6 G, 11 A)
GOALTENDING
Jonah Capriotti – 2.63 GAA, 919 SV%, 1 SO