Josh Soares and his family at the inaugural OJHL Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Oakville May 10. Soares scored 56 times in 48 games in 2002-03 with the Hamilton Kilty Bees. (Photo by Tim Bates/OJHL Images)
By Ron Valentine
Since the 1999-2000 season, 19 players in the Ontario Junior Hockey League and its predecessor, the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League, have scored 50 goals or more in a season.
Where did they come from before their Jr. A goal-scoring sprees and where did they go after the OJHL/OPJHL?
Here’s the honour roll of snipers:
- GREG CAREY (Burlington Cougars) 72 in 48 games in 2009-10.
The all-time record for goals in the OJHL is 75 by Steve Walker of the Barrie Colts during the 1992-93 season. Darren Haydar is the only other player with over 70 goals – he had 71 in 1997-98 for the Milton Merchants. Greg had 114 points in his 72-goal campaign, just two behind linemate Josh Jooris. He recorded seven hat tricks and four four-goal games. After four years at St. Lawrence University, he played for six seasons in the AHL. Greg was a Hobey Baker finalist in 2013-14 and won numerous NCAA awards. His younger brother Matt starred for the Hamilton Red Wings and Toronto Jr. Canadiens and played in two NHL games for the Chicago Blackhawks, scoring a goal.
- DAVID WRIGLEY (Couchiching Terriers) 64 in 47 games in 2000-01.
In that season David compiled 124 points and went on to Mercyhurst College of the NCAA where he registered 136 points in four years. Born in Washago ON, David played minor pro in the U.S. before spending 10 seasons in Germany (four seasons each with EHC Munchen and Bietigheim Steelers) and one with the Asia League champions, the Japan-based Tohoku Free Blades. David retired in 2018.
- JOSH SOARES (Hamilton Kilty Bees) 56 in 48 games in 2002-03.
Josh was named one of the inaugural members inducted into the OJHL Hall of Fame earlier this year. In four seasons as a Kilty Bee and one as a Hamilton Red Wing, he amassed 404 points, including 171 goals. He played four years for the University of Maine Black Bears of the NCAA and had 112 scoring points. After playing minor pro in the U.S. he had nine successful seasons playing in Germany, Sweden, Austria and Norway, where he had four seasons with the Stavanger Oilers. Josh retired in 2020 following two years of senior hockey.
- JEFF HRISTOVSKI (Brampton Capitals) 56 in 48 games in 2001-02.
The Concord native had two seasons at the ‘Home of Capital punishment’ as the sign read in the team’s venerable arena on Elliot Street. He played four seasons with the NCAA’s Yale Bulldogs before suiting up for the Dayton Bombers of the ECHL. He was named OHA Junior A player of the year following his 56-goal season. Jeff retired after the 2006-07 season.
- MARK PRENTICE (Port Hope Predators) 56 in 49 games in 2005-06.
From Bethany, ON, Mark started his OJHL career with the Lindsay Muskies before moving to Peterborough to suit up for the Bees – the Peterborough Petes drafted him in the fifth round in 2001. He also spent one season in the OHL with the Oshawa Generals. He reached the 100-point mark in his 56-goal season. After two terms with the SPHL’s Columbus Cottonmouths, Mark finished his hockey career with the Norwood Vipers Senior AAA club. He retired in 2015.
- STACE PAGE (Georgetown Raiders) 54 in 49 games in 2000-01.
Stace posted 341 points in four seasons with the Raiders ending as team captain. This was his second 50-point campaign, also accomplishing that feat in the 1998-99 season in which he put up 124 points. Four seasons at NCAA’s St. Lawrence University followed. For three consecutive years, starting in 2009, Stace was a member of the OfficeTrax Vandals, Canadian National 25+ Pond Hockey Champions from an event held at Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville.
- STEVE PINIZZOTTO (Oakville Blades) 54 in 49 games in 2000-01.
He played four full seasons in Oakville, being named captain in his final one. He racked up 218 points as well as 457 penalty minutes as a Blade. Following two years at RIT, Steve had a long professional career including 36 games with the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers. He was on Calder Cup winning teams in Hershey in 2009 and 2010. Steve played his four final campaigns in Germany, retiring in 2019.
- JACK RICHARD (Burlington Cougars) 53 in 52 games in 2022-23.
In his first term for the NCAA’s Niagara Purple Eagles last season he posted 21 points and transferred to Merrimack College for the 2024-25 campaign. Jack was captain of the Cougars in his 53-goal season where he had two four-goal games and two hat tricks ending with 36 points in his last 16 games played. He was selected to the OJHL All-Star team. The Stoney Creek, ON native graduated from the Hamilton Bulldogs minor hockey system.
- BRADY WIFFEN (Trenton Golden Hawks) 53 in 52 games in 2014-15.
Before joining the ‘Hawks Brady played for his hometown St. Mary’s Lincolns in the GOJHL. He posted 172 points in his three years in Trenton and followed that up with four years at RPI (Rensselaer Polytechic Institute). His last four seasons have been with the Seaforth Centenaires of the Ontario Elite Hockey League.
- TYLER GJURICH (Buffalo Jr. Sabres) 53 in 53 games in 2012-13.
In that season Tyler accumulated 97 scoring points and had nine game-winning and four shorthanded goals. He posted 70 points in his final 31 OJHL games. During the season he had three five-point games. The native of Hatfield, PA played his last six seasons in the Federal Prospects Hockey League with his best output being 2018-19 where he put up 55 goals and 106 points for the Watertown Wolves. In 2015-16 Tyler had a 100-point season for the Danbury Titans. Last season he was the head coach of the Elmira River Sharks of the FPHL.
- JAMES WOODCROFT (Milton Icehawks and Brampton Capitals) 52 in 48 games in 2010-11, 25 for Milton and 27 for Brampton.
The Milton native played for the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires in 2010. After junior hockey he played five years for the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks in Oshawa. In his 52-goal season James had a combined total of 101 points.
- DARCY MURPHY (Wellington Dukes) 52 in 48 games in 2011-12.
He was voted the OJHL’s most improved player that season. Born in Belleville ON, Darcy played two seasons as a Duke, going to the RBC Cup in 2011, and four more for the Colgate Raiders of the NCAA. He retired in 2022 after playing in Ireland, Germany, Switzerland and Poland. He was head coach of the Quinte Red Devils U16 AAA club last season.
- ROB TARANTINO (Oakville Blades) 52 in 49 games in 2002-03.
Rob, younger Brother of Mike, the GM of the Collingwood Blues, was in his third season with the Blades and ended with 91 points topping his previous year by 20 points. After junior he played four years at RIT. He started his OJHL career in 1998 with the Mississauga Chargers.
- ANDREW PETRUCCI (Toronto Patriots) 52 in 54 games in 2017-18.
Torontonian Andrew captained the club in that season and reached a total of 100 points. He was the MVP and named to the OJHL All-Star team after leading the league in goals and points. In 2022-23 he was named captain of RIT Tigers of the NCAA. Andrew started his OJHL career with the Markham Royals before moving to the Milton Icehawks and the Patriots.
- JESSE BOUCHER (Markham Waxers) 51 in 47 games in 2001-02.
It was his second season in a Waxers’ uniform for the local product. Jesse suited up for the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers, going to the Memorial Cup in 2003 before four years at Western University in London and he ended his career in 2010 following seasons in Belgium and Sweden.
- MATTHEW SMTYH (Couchiching Terriers) 51 in 51 games in 2009-10.
Born in Orlando, FL, his junior career included stints with the OHL’s Brampton Battalion, Sarnia Sting and Barrie Colts. Matt played minor pro in the IHL, ECHL, SPHL and FHL before retiring after the 2013-14 season. Matt was selected in the first round of the 2005 OHL draft, 14th overall, by the Battalion. In his 51-goal season he posted 106 points. He had 19 game winners as a Terrier. In a 24-game stretch during 2009-10 he amassed 70 points.
- BEN-CHAIM LALKIN (Markham Royals) 50 in 42 games in 2023-24.
Missing 14 games due to injury and being selected to play in the World Jr. A Challenge and Eastern Canada Cup. Ben had 88 points including a six-point, five-point and four-point games. He notched three hat tricks and recorded a dozen two-goal games. He played for the OHL’s Sarnia Sting in 2021-22. With a 2005 birthdate, Ben still has lots of junior hockey to be played.
- MAX BIRBRAER (Newmarket Hurricanes) 50 in 47 games in 1999-2000.
Max (Maxim) was born in Kazakhstan and represented Israel on the junior stage. He started his OJHL (OJPHL) career with the Shelburne Wolves. Max has played in the AHL, CHL and ECHL as well as in Wales (for the Cardiff Wolves) and in England for the Telford Tigers, Swindon Wildcats and Bristol Pitbulls, his current club. In 2008-09 he played in Germany and Russia. Max was a third-round pick by the New Jersey Devils in the 2000 NHL Draft.
- MIKE BRITO (Collingwood Blues) 50 in 47 games in 1999-2000.
From Kitchener, ON, Mike played junior hockey for the Belleville Bulls, who drafted him in the fourth round in 1996, the Hull Olympiques and Barrie Colts before going to Collingwood where in his 50-goal season he had 111 points and 209 penalty minutes. He retired in 2012 after four seasons of senior hockey with the Elora Rocks.
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