2024-2025 GMHL All-Star Event Recap: A Day to Remember in North York

The 2024-2025 GMHL All-Star Event was a resounding success, hosted by the North York Renegades at their home arena. The day brought together the best talents from across the league in a celebration of skill, teamwork, and competition. Bradford Rattlers Team Manager Jordan Richardson expertly MCed the event, with play-by-play commentary provided by Renegades' own Cliff Kirby. Videographer Gianluca Rizza of Rizza Visions captured the action, while a dedicated team of staff and volunteers worked tirelessly to make the day unforgettable.

This year, the All-Star rosters were selected through a draft process, marking a departure from traditional formats like North vs. South or Team North America vs. Team World. Coaches took turns drafting players, creating balanced and exciting matchups across all events.

U18 Top Prospects Game

The day began with the U18 Top Prospects Game, where Team CAO edged out Team Keele Street Collision in a thrilling 6-5 contest. Zachary Major (West Nipissing Lynx) was named MVP after scoring twice and showcasing exceptional playmaking.

Goals Summary:

First Period:

• Team Keele Street Collision: Artyom Borisov (Bradford Rattlers), assisted by Etienne Gilbert (Knights of Meaford).
• Team CAO: Major from Nathan Ertel (St. George Ravens).
• Team CAO: William Shmyr (Northumberland Stars), assisted by Alec Bedic (Toronto Predators) and William McComb (West Nipissing Lynx).
• Team CAO: Major from Aaron Stemper (Bradford Rattlers) and Sterling Poff (Northumberland Stars).

Second Period:

• Team CAO: Stemper from David Kolenko (North York Renegades) and Poff.
• Team Keele Street Collision: Reilly Wosick (Richmond Hill Rampage) unassisted

Third Period:

• Team Keele Street Collision: Borisov from Gilbert.
• Team CAO: Felix Mercier (Ville-Marie Pirates), assisted by Ertel and Maxim Schmidt (St. George Ravens).
• Team Keele Street Collision: Tyson Rowntree (Wasaga River Dragons), assisted by Gilbert and Nicolas Bosse (Tottenham Railers).
• Team CAO: McComb unassisted
• Team Keele Street Collision: Anrijs Bundzenieks (Bradford Rattlers), assisted by Borisov.

All-Star Skills Competition

Next came the All-Star Skills Competition, which showcased the players' individual talents in four unique events:

• Fastest Skater: Maximus Marek-Tortorella (North York Renegades).
• Hardest Shot: Malik Thibeault Boisvert (Tottenham Railers).
• Accuracy Competition: Team St. George Ravens: Anthony Arthurs Shooting with Daniel Tremblay and Nathan Ertel passing:
• 3-on-0 Breakaway Challenge: Team Gaidukov triumphed, with Artemii Gaidukov (North York Renegades) as the winning Netminder shutting down Team Dyer in the finals. The Skaters/Scorers for Team Gaidukov were Renegades teammates Evan Gupta, Eric Stephenson, and Brayden Sally

U21 All-Star Game

The marquee event of the day saw Team Abrams Towing defeat Team SC Insurance 7-4. Goaltender Artemii Gaidukov earned MVP honors after allowing just one goal during his time in net.

Goals Summary:

First Period:

• Team SC Insurance: Anthony Arthurs (St. George Ravens) from twin brother Tyler Arthurs (St. George Ravens).
• Team Abrams Towing: Brendon Wolesky (Bradford Rattlers) from Ryan Daponte (Toronto Flyers).
• Team Abrams Towing: Kevin Demules (Knights of Meaford) from Max Enge-Kristansen (Knights of Meaford).
• Team Abrams Towing: Kosta Tsabiev (Durham Roadrunners) from Daponte and Guy Manco (Niagara Predators).

Second Period:

• Team Abrams Towing: Damian Bridgett (North York Renegades) from Demules and Enge-Kristansen.

Third Period:

• Team SC Insurance: Tremblay from T. Arthurs and Logan Baille (Niagara Predators).
• Team SC Insurance: Tremblay unassisted
• Team Abrams Towing: Tay Kurpius (Wasaga River Dragons) from Joel Texmo (Wasaga River Dragons) and Xavier Borgia (West Nipissing Lynx).
• Team SC Insurance: A. Arthurs from T. Arthurs and Tremblay.
• Team Abrams Towing: Wolesky from Eric Stephenson (North York Renegades).
• Team Abrams Towing: Daponte from Tsabiev.

Closing Thoughts

The GMHL All-Star Event celebrated the incredible talent and dedication of players across all levels. From thrilling matchups to awe-inspiring skills, the day highlighted the league's brightest stars. Congratulations to all participants, and special thanks to the hosts, staff, and volunteers who made this event possible. Here’s to the rest of an exciting 2024-2025 season!