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Hosts Guelph set to begin journey to 2027 Memorial Cup

Matt Tidcombe — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 15:52:26 +0000

By Dylan Baker On Nov. 25, 2025, the Guelph Storm secured their berth in the 2027 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota as host of the event. In the months since, the organization has worked to build a roster capable of competing for a championship, both in the Ontario Hockey League and at the Memorial Cup. The Storm have hosted the Memorial Cup once before, in 2002, when the club played in the newly opened Guelph Sports and Entertainment Centre. The building now enters its 27th season, has since been renamed, and is ready to host junior hockey's ultimate championship once again. To get the team ready to compete for its first Memorial Cup title, general manager George Burnett and his staff have been busy throughout the offseason, picking up pieces through a slew of trades and a high-profile CHL Import Draft selection, getting the bulk of the work done before training camp opened a few weeks ago. All in all, Guelph acquired seven players through eight offseason trades, adding to an already talented young core set to take the next step in 2026-27.

Key Additions	Returning Core
Ethan Czata (TB)	Tyler Hopkins (TOR)
Ryan Roobroeck (CHI	Grant Spada (TB)
Owen Griffin (CBJ)	Jaakko Wycisk (2027)
Vladimir Dravecky (NYI)	Carter Stevens (STL)
Timothy Kazda (2027)	Eric Frossard (ANA)
Adrien Bartovic	Rylan Singh (SEA)
Ben Hrebik	Zach Jovanovski (CAR)

It was a busy offseason for the club, which began on June 2 — two days after the 2026 Memorial Cup was handed out — with the acquisition of forward Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Ethan Czata from the Niagara IceDogs. They later added his Niagara teammate, two-time 30-goal scorer and Chicago Blackhawks prospect, Ryan Roobroeck in a separate deal. The club landed the OHL's 2025 playoff-leading goal-scorer in Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Owen Griffin from Oshawa and bolstered its blue-line with the addition of New York Islanders prospect Vladimir Dravecky from the Brantford Bulldogs, in a deal that also brought in Czech forward Adrien Bartovič. Guelph also traded up to select top 2027 NHL Draft prospect, Slovakian forward Timothy Kazda, in the CHL Import Draft, and acquired goaltender Ben Hrebik from Barrie in August. General manager George Burnett feels his team has added depth, varied skill sets and veteran presence to help it thrive in the big moments this spring. “They all bring something a little bit different,” Burnett said in a June interview. “But the big thing they bring is experience in all [different] situations and all circumstances. And [they] all are leaders.” These additions supplement a returning core that includes Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Tyler Hopkins, coming off a career-high 25 goals last season; top 2027 NHL Draft prospect Jaakko Wycisk, who posted 43 points and helped lead Canada to gold at the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup; and Tampa Bay Lightning prospect, defenceman Grant Spada, ranked the best shot-blocker in the Western Conference in the OHL's 2026 Coaches Poll. With all this talent added, the Storm rank No. 1 in the CHL's preseason Top 10 Rankings ahead of 2026-27. Behind the bench, Storm Head Coach Cory Stillman returns for his third season as bench boss in the Royal City, with NHL Alumnus Rob Davison as Associate Coach and former OHLer Scott Simmonds as Assistant Coach once again. Overage Storm defenceman Rowan Topp believes that the roster has meshed successfully throughout the preseason and is ready to go when the puck drops on Friday. “We’re excited to be out there together," Topp said. "We’ve already created a lot of bonds and friendships that will last throughout the year and hopefully lead to some wins.” While the Memorial Cup looms on everyone’s mind to begin the year, for Czata and his new teammates, the immediate focus is on capturing the club’s sixth J. Ross Robertson Cup, and their first since 2019. “[We’re] here to help this team win, not just the Memorial Cup but the [OHL] championship too. We’re going to give it our best effort.” The Storm host the Erie Otters on Friday, Sept. 18 at 7:07pm, in the Royal City to open their 2026-27 campaign. The game can be watched live on FloHockey.

Audette, Beauregard, Fleury, Richard and Tanguay officially immortalized in QMJHL Hall of Fame

Matt Tidcombe — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 15:09:38 +0000

It’s official: Donald Audette, David-Alexandre Beauregard, Marc-André Fleury, Jean-Marc Richard and Jacques Tanguay have officially been inducted into the QMJHL Hall of Fame, presented by Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton, during an evening held at Théâtre Le Capitole in Québec City. Beauregard was the first inductee of the evening. His former head coach, Lucien Deblois, took the stage to pay tribute to him, after which his former teammate Éric Landry honoured him in a video message. Despite losing an eye in 1994, Beauregard enjoyed an exceptional junior career and went on to play more than 1,000 professional games in several leagues. Jean-Marc Richard was then honoured with tributes from Marc Fortier and Rénald Nepton. Humble as always, he notably thanked his father for convincing him to accept an invitation to attend the Chicoutimi Saguenéens’ training camp. A junior career of more than 300 points followed... as a defenceman! Patrice Brisebois delivered a touching tribute to his great friend Donald Audette, whose son, Daniel, also honoured him through a video message. Audette is one of just 18 players in QMJHL history to record 300 points in the QMJHL and 500 in the NHL. And he accomplished it at just 5-foot-8, at a time when smaller players were a rarity. Jacques Tanguay was the owner or president of the Québec Remparts for nearly 30 years. “He has done so much for junior hockey and for young people,” said his longtime partner in Québec, Nicole Bouchard. Patrick Roy also shared a heartfelt tribute expressing his great admiration for Tanguay. Marc-André Fleury got a good laugh during Maxime Talbot’s speech... a poem that only Talbot could come up with! Sidney Crosby also took the time to send his regards from Pittsburgh. “When I was drafted by Cape Breton, I didn’t even know where it was,” admitted the former goaltender, who undoubtedly helped put Cape Breton on the hockey map. He was then a first overall pick in the NHL and went on to win three Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The QMJHL would like to congratulate the five inductees on this special evening. Thank you for your contribution to the development of the league and for making it shine. _ Pictured (Vincent Ethier): Jean-Marc Richard, Marc-André Fleury, Jacques Tanguay, David-Alexandre Beauregard & Donald Audette

61 teams begin quest to the 2027 Memorial Cup

Matt Tidcombe — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 14:43:39 +0000

The quest to the 107th Memorial Cup presented by Kubota Canada begins tonight. Sixty-one CHL clubs have the same aspiration as the CHL kicks off its 51st season – win a league championship and then hoist the Memorial Cup. The OHL’s Kitchener Rangers sit atop the CHL world after they claimed their first title Memorial Cup in 23 years and their third in franchise history. But, that was last year - all 61 teams begin tonight on equal footing. The Memorial Cup, one of the most prestigious and coveted trophies in North American sport, has a rich tradition that has shaped the way junior hockey is played in North America. The trophy was originally known as the OHA Memorial Cup and was donated by the Ontario Hockey Association in March 1919 in remembrance of the many soldiers who paid the supreme sacrifice for Canada in the First World War. In 2010, the Memorial Cup was rededicated to the memory of all fallen Canadian Military Personnel. Initially, the Cup was awarded to the national junior hockey champions of Canada. Later on, it came to signify junior “A” hockey supremacy when, in 1934, junior hockey in Canada was divided into “A” and “B” classes. In 1971, when junior “A” hockey was divided into major junior and Tier II junior A, the Memorial Cup was awarded to the higher category and was given to the major junior hockey champions of Canada. In 1972, a round-robin tournament format replaced the old play-down system to determine the champions. Since then, the champions of the Western Hockey League (WHL), the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) and the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) have met each spring in a round-robin series with the two top teams meeting in a sudden-death game to determine the champion. Since the tournament adopted its current round-robin format in 1972, OHL clubs have claimed the title 20 times. WHL sides have 19 wins while QMJHL clubs have raised the Cup 14 times. The OHL has claimed three straight titles after Kitchener (2026), London (2025) and Saginaw (2024) were crowned champions while before that, QMJHL clubs won four straight championships after Quebec (2023), Saint John (2022), Rouyn-Noranda (2019) and Acadie-Bathurst (2018) hoisted the Memorial Cup. Edmonton (2014) was the most recent WHL winner. The 2027 event will take place at the Sleeman Centre, home of the OHL’s Guelph Storm. The Storm previously hosted the tournament in 2002 and have made six appearances at the tournament where they have previously made the final on two occasions (1998/2014). But who joins them come May? We’ll find out over the next nine months. For more information on the 2027 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota Canada, click here. Catch all of the action in 2026-27 on Flo Sports and YouTube. All regular season and postseason games from the OHL and QMJHL are available on Flo Sports while the WHL lives on YouTube

2026-27 CHL Top-10 Rankings: Preseason Edition

Matt Tidcombe — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 16:28:49 +0000

The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) today unveiled the preseason edition of the CHL Top-10 Rankings for 2026-27, led by the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). The Cape Breton Eagles of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) and Victoria Royals of the Western Hockey League (WHL) complete the top three. Compiled with input from NHL Central Scouting, the rankings arrive ahead of tomorrow’s season opener and a campaign expected to feature more than 125 NHL-drafted prospects across the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL. The OHL opens tomorrow when the Peterborough Petes host the Kingston Frontenacs at 7:05 p.m. ET / 4:05 p.m. PT (on FloHockey). Friday’s 21-game slate is highlighted by two championship banner ceremonies. The defending CHL champion Kitchener Rangers will raise their Memorial Cup and J. Ross Robertson Cup banners before hosting the Owen Sound Attack at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT, while the Chicoutimi Saguenéens will unveil their Gilles-Courteau Trophy banner before facing the Shawinigan Cataractes at the same time. Guelph opens at home against the Erie Otters at 7:07 p.m. ET / 4:07 p.m. PT. In the WHL, the No. 10-ranked Brandon Wheat Kings host the Saskatoon Blades at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT before the No. 6-ranked Medicine Hat Tigers visit the Lethbridge Hurricanes at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. FloHockey will stream OHL and QMJHL games throughout 2026-27, while WHL regular-season games will stream free on YouTube. The season will culminate in Guelph during the city’s bicentennial year, when the Storm host the 107th Memorial Cup presented by Kubota from May 20–30, 2027. It will be the first Memorial Cup in Guelph since 2002, when the Kootenay Ice defeated the Victoriaville Tigres in the final. CHL Top-10 Rankings – Preseason 1. Guelph Storm (OHL): The 2027 Memorial Cup hosts did not stand pat this offseason, adding high-end forwards Owen Griffin (25G-42A in 66 GP in 2025-26) and Ethan Czata (25G-28A in 63 GP), goaltender Ben Hrebik—who posted a .920 save percentage in each of the past two seasons—New York Islanders fifth-rounder Vladimir Dravecky (9G-19A in 58 GP) and Czech forward Adrien Bartovič. They join a core led by Toronto Maple Leafs third-rounder Tyler Hopkins (25G-25A in 56 GP) and Chicago Blackhawks second-rounder Ryan Roobroeck (30G-28A in 49 GP). St. Louis Blues prospect Carter Stevens (20G-16A in 53 GP), 2026 CHL Import Draft fourth-overall pick Timothy Kazda and 2027 NHL Draft prospect Jaakko Wycisk (17G-26A in 60 GP) deepen the attack. Anaheim Ducks fifth-rounder Eric Frossard (5G-9A in 51 GP), Tampa Bay Lightning seventh-rounder Grant Spada (6G-15A in 61 GP) and Seattle Kraken seventh-rounder Rylan Singh (4G-19A in 52 GP) headline the blue line. The offseason overhaul gives Guelph 10 NHL prospects in all, underscoring the depth of a roster built to contend immediately. General manager George Burnett and head coach Cory Stillman will now look to guide the reshaped roster to Guelph’s first J. Ross Robertson Cup since 2019 and the franchise’s first Memorial Cup title. Games this week: vs. Erie (Sept. 18), @ Brantford (Sept. 19) 2. Cape Breton Eagles (QMJHL): Cape Breton has assembled a legitimate contender, although a deep Eastern Conference featuring Québec, Saint John, Halifax and Moncton will offer little margin for error. An aggressive offseason brought in Ottawa Senators prospect Lucas Beckman (2.60 GAA & .917 SV% in 38 GP between Baie-Comeau and Chicoutimi in 2025-26), Los Angeles Kings second-rounder Liam Lefebvre (32G-27A in 59 GP), Washington Capitals third-rounder Maxim Schäfer (21G-28A in 53 GP) and fellow German forward Elias Schneider (23G-30A in 53 GP). They join 2024 fourth-overall QMJHL pick Romain L’Italien (17G-30A in 52 GP), his older brother Eliot L’Italien (16G-18A in 49 GP), Reece Peitzsche (26G-21A in 64 GP) and Boston Bruins prospect Cole Chandler (20G-32A in 62 GP), formerly of Shawinigan, in a deep forward group. On defense, newcomer Alonso Gosselin (7G-21A in 64 GP) adds offense alongside Detroit Red Wings sixth-rounder Will Murphy (4G-4A in 38 GP) and overager Noah Jettelson (4G-22A in 64 GP), who added seven points in six playoff games. With Beckman behind that group, the Eagles have strength at every position. Games this week: vs. Halifax (Sept. 18), vs. Charlottetown (Sept. 20) 3. Victoria Royals (WHL): After finishing two points short of qualifying for a playoff tiebreaker last season, Victoria enters 2026-27 with a win-now roster. The blockbuster addition of Dallas Stars prospect Cameron Schmidt—who tied for the CHL lead with 51 goals and finished with 100 points in 72 games—transforms the attack. The Royals offered an early glimpse of their upside by scoring 10 goals while splitting two preseason games against London. Returning standouts Nolan Stewart (16G-34A in 65 GP) and Hayden Moore (18G-30A in 62 GP) are joined by former Tri-City scoring leader Savin Virk (27G-38A in 66 GP). Captain Miles Cooper (10G-27A in 50 GP), Caleb Matthews (15G-21A in 65 GP), Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Filip Novak and 2026 first-round CHL Import Draft pick Marek Peroutka add further scoring options. On defense, offseason acquisition Nate Yellowaga (7G-20A in 67 GP) joins 2027 NHL Draft prospect Odin Vauhkonen (3G-20A in 65 GP). Victoria has moved quickly from narrowly missing the postseason to looking capable of a deep run in 2026-27. Games this week: @ Kamloops (Sept. 19) 4. London Knights (OHL): After winning consecutive J. Ross Robertson Cups, London’s bid for a third straight title ended with a first-round loss to the Soo Greyhounds. The Knights nevertheless return as contenders in 2026-27, led up front by Ottawa Senators first-rounder Jaxon Cover (20G-32A in 67 GP) and Dallas Stars fifth-rounder Ryan Brown (22G-41A in 67 GP). Anaheim Ducks first-rounder Marcus Nordmark, top 2027 NHL Draft prospect Luca Santala, newcomers Kane Barch and Carson Harmer (18G-26A in 66 GP), overager Thomas Zocco and veterans Evan Van Gorp (12G-27A in 66 GP) and Cohen Bidgood (14G-25A in 51 GP) give London its depth. The 6-foot-8 Maksim Sokolovskii, selected in the first round by Philadelphia, anchors a defense that also includes Caleb Mitchell (5G-23A in 57 GP) and 6-foot-6 Boston Bruins fifth-rounder Jacob Vandeven. A return by Los Angeles Kings first-rounder Henry Brzustewicz would make that group even stronger. Vancouver Canucks second-rounder Aleksei Medvedev is in line for the lead role in goal after sharing the crease with Sebastian Gatto last season. Young players such as Ryan Beaulieu, Cooper McAslan and Alex Campeau give an already-deep lineup additional upside. Games this week: vs. Windsor (Sept. 18), @ Windsor (Sept. 19) 5. Saginaw Spirit (OHL): Saginaw hopes a blend of NHL-drafted talent and emerging players can produce its second Memorial Cup title in four seasons. First-year head coach Brendan Taylor inherits a dynamic forward in Dima Zhilkin (36G-39A in 59 GP), a potential top-10 pick in the 2027 NHL Draft. Winnipeg Jets prospect Jacob Cloutier (22G-25A in 64 GP) and Toronto Maple Leafs sixth-rounder Brody Pepoy (16G-13A in 67 GP) also return, while the acquisition of Braidy Wassilyn (19G-27A in 62 GP) gives the young group another proven scorer. Recent first-round OHL picks Ryan Hanrahan (4G-8A in 46 GP) and Drew Bate provide further upside. On defense, 2027 NHL Draft prospect Levi Harper (12G-45A in 68 GP) leads a group that includes Russian blueliner Gordei Khotkov and draft-eligibles Drew Roscoe (2G-1A in 30 GP), Tyler Martyniuk and Kade Meyer. San Jose Sharks fourth-rounder Brady Knowling and Tampa Bay Lightning sixth-rounder Stepan Shurygin give Saginaw two NHL-drafted goaltenders. The biggest swing factor is reigning OHL scoring champion Nikita Klepov (37G-60A in 67 GP): a return from the Anaheim Ducks would materially raise Saginaw’s ceiling. Games this week: @ Sault Ste. Marie (Sept. 18), vs. Flint (Sept. 19) 6. Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL): After reaching the 2025 Memorial Cup final, Medicine Hat followed with another deep playoff run last season and remains built to contend. Pittsburgh Penguins prospects Liam Ruck (45G-59A in 68 GP) and Markus Ruck (21G-87A in 68 GP) drive one of the CHL’s most dangerous attacks. Potential 2027 NHL Draft first-rounders Noah Davidson (30G-22A in 67 GP) and Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll (12G-25A in 41 GP) add more high-end talent, while Luke Cozens (25G-36A in 69 GP), Yaroslav Bryzgalov (13G-42A in 64 GP) and Kadon McCann (21G-22A in 68 GP) supply proven depth. Offseason addition Josh Evaschesen (33G-40A in 67 GP) and 2026 CHL Import Draft pick Arvid Drott, a Florida Panthers sixth-rounder, make the forward group even deeper. On defense, overager Dayton Reschny (11G-16A in 54 GP), Calgary Flames third-rounder Mace’o Phillips and 6-foot-7 Russian Denis Pasler bring size and experience. The Tigers’ youth creates some questions going into 2026-27, but few teams can match their scoring ceiling. Games this week: @ Lethbridge (Sept. 18), vs. Lethbridge (Sept. 19) 7. Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL): Saint John’s playoff-series drought dates back to its 2017 QMJHL championship run, though the club captured the Memorial Cup as host in 2022. With an experienced core and a busy offseason, the Sea Dogs appear poised not only to end that drought, but to challenge for their first QMJHL title in a decade. Top 2027 NHL Draft prospect Alexis Joseph (24G-36A in 54 GP) leads an attack reinforced by former U.S. National Team Development Program forward Jamie Glance and CHL Import Draft picks Matyas Cancik and Oliver Ozogany. The club’s top-three scorers from last season—Joseph, Alexander Donovan (25G-28A in 63 GP) and Olivier Groulx (20G-46A in 64 GP)—all return, while former eighth-overall QMJHL pick Dylan Rozzi (20G-25A in 64 GP) is another breakout candidate. The Sea Dogs rebuilt their defense by adding former fourth-overall pick Thomas Charbonneau (2G-9A in 48 GP), Brandon Delarosbil (8G-14A in 60 GP) and veteran Julien Lanthier (3G-12A in 43 GP) to a group led by Olivier Duhamel (5G-21A in 58 GP). Buffalo Sabres fourth-rounder Samuel Meloche gives that revamped blue line an established goaltender behind it. Games this week: @ Newfoundland (Sept. 18), @ Newfoundland (Sept. 19) 8. Québec Remparts (QMJHL): Four seasons after winning both the Gilles-Courteau Trophy and Memorial Cup, Québec again has the high-end talent to contend. St. Louis Blues first-rounder Maddox Dagenais (30G-32A in 62 GP), Philadelphia Flyers prospect and returning scoring leader Nathan Quinn (34G-39A in 58 GP) and top 2027 NHL Draft prospect Carter Meyer give the Remparts a formidable top line. The supporting cast includes 2025 first-round import pick Nikita Ovcharov (17G-27A in 64 GP), 2026 first-round import pick Samuel Sramaty and 2025 ninth-overall QMJHL pick James Scantlebury, with Sramaty and Scantlebury set to make their league debuts. On defense, Winnipeg Jets fifth-rounder Alexandre Taillefer (2G-15A in 28 GP) and offseason acquisition Maddox Labre (1G-19A in 59 GP) will be counted on to stabilize the group in front of draft-eligible goaltender Patrick Déniger. The ceiling is high; the question is whether Québec’s depth can hold up in a strong Eastern Conference. Games this week: @ Sherbrooke (Sept. 18), @ Chicoutimi (Sept. 20) 9. Ottawa 67’s (OHL): Ottawa followed a 100-point regular season with a playoff loss to Barrie, who later fell to Kitchener in the OHL Championship Series. Although several veterans have departed, the 67’s return 2027 NHL Draft prospect Kohyn Eshkawkogan and three of their top five postseason scorers as they pursue their first OHL title since 2001. Carolina Hurricanes seventh-rounder Filip Ekberg (24G-22A in 59 GP), New York Rangers fourth-rounder Spencer Bowes (23G-19A in 67 GP) and Nic Whitehead (25G-38A in 64 GP) are the top returning regular-season scorers. 2027 NHL Draft prospect Brock Chitaroni (10G-14A in 60 GP) will look to build on a productive rookie season. On defense, Eshkawkogan, 6-foot-6 Buffalo Sabres third-rounder David Bedkowski (5G-24A in 68 GP) and Colorado Avalanche seventh-rounder Ondrej Ruml (10G-18A in 66 GP) bring both puck movement and size. Jaeden Nelson—who posted a 2.33 goals-against average and .915 save percentage in 29 games—returns as half of Ottawa’s 2026 Dave Pinkney Trophy-winning tandem. Games this week: @ Kingston (Sept. 20) 10. Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL): Brandon lost five of its top seven scorers from an 82-point season, but the returning core has enough firepower to keep the Wheat Kings in the early contender conversation. Brandon native and top 2027 NHL Draft prospect Jaxon Jacobson (25G-60A in 63 GP) and 40-goal scorer Joby Baumuller lead the attack. Anaheim Ducks seventh-rounder Brady Turko (18G-18A in 66 GP) provides experience, while draft-eligible forwards Chase Surkan (20G-18A in 45 GP) and Prabh Bhathal (8G-23A in 63 GP) are candidates for larger roles. First-round CHL Draft Import pick Kris Muissu and 2025 WHL U.S. Prospects Draft first-overall pick Levi Ellingsen (0G-1A in 5 GP) could add needed depth. With Giorgos Pantelas and Grayson Burzynski gone, the defense will have a new look. Cameron Allard (7G-12A in 62 GP) is the top returning scorer on the blue line, while 2027 NHL Draft prospect Nigel Boehm (2G-14A in 63 GP) and 2025 first-round WHL pick Cruz Jim (0G-1A in 4 GP) should receive larger opportunities. Minnesota Wild fifth-rounder Filip Ruzicka (.906 SV% in 42 GP; .936 in four playoff games) gives the young defense stability behind it. Games this week: vs. Saskatoon (Sept. 18)

WHL 2026-27: Faces in different places

Matt Tidcombe — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 15:52:11 +0000

After the Everett Silvertips broke through for their first ever Ed Chynoweth title a season ago, it’s been a summer of movement across the WHL. Champions in 2024, the Medicine Hat Tigers continued to add to an already impressive roster while arguably the biggest move of the summer belonged to the Victoria Royals. Cameron Schmidt (Vancouver → Victoria) The biggest name on the move this summer in the WHL, and arguably in the CHL, Cameron Schmidt’s (DAL) trade to Victoria puts the Royals firmly in contender category as they chase a first WHL championship. Last season, between Seattle and Vancouver, Schmidt hit the 50-goal, 100-point plateau, the only player in the WHL to do so. The two previous seasons with the Giants, he tallied a combined 71 goals. In all, Schmidt has 123 goals and 237 points across three WHL seasons. The 94th overall pick by the Stars in the 2025 NHL Draft, he has also tasted international success with gold medals at the 2023 World U17 Hockey Challenge, 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and 2025 U18 World Championships. The Royals also added Savin Virk – who led Tri-City in scoring last year – while a pair of European NHL prospects are off to Vancouver Island in forward Filip Novak (CBJ) and goaltender Vladimir Proskurin (STL). https://twitter.com/TheWHL/status/2096121890230448587 Josh Evaschesen (Kamloops → Medicine Hat) Already loaded with offensive talent, the Medicine Hat Tigers felt more would be better as they added 20-year-old Josh Evaschesen from Kamloops. In his first season with the Blazers last year, he had 33 goals and 73 points as he made an immediate impact in the WHL. Now Evaschesen joins an offence that already includes the dymanic Ruck twins – who each passed 100 points last season before being drafted by Pittsburgh – NHL prospect Yaroslav Bryzgalov (VAN) as well as 2027 NHL Draft prospects Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll and Noah Davidson. The club also added Arvid Drott (FLA) in the CHL Import Draft. On the back end, the Tigers got a commitment from Mace’o Phillips (CGY) after a three-year USHL career to help offset the departures of Bryce Pickford (MTL) and Jonas Woo (CBJ). Giorgos Pantelas (Brandon → Penticton) After a debut WHL season that exceeded expectations, the Penticton Vees shored up its d-line with the addition of Giorgos Pantelas (LA). Pantelas’ second full WHL season saw him record a career high 37 points (six goals) as he finished second among Brandon blueliners in scoring a season ago. The 18-year-old will be part of a blue line that includes a returning Callum Stone as well as the fifth overall pick in the 2025 WHL Draft in Thor Liffiton. The club also signed Jackson Schneider after he spent last season in the USHL with Waterloo. Parker Trottier (USNTDP → Regina) The Regina Pats already had a pair of offensive stars in 2028 NHL Draft prospects Maddox Schultz and Liam Pue to build around. They then added Parker Trottier (MTL) for good measure. The Montreal Canadiens prospect heads to the WHL after two seasons in the USNTDP that concluded with him being the 189th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. The Edina, MN., native is the latest addition in a summer that saw the Pats invest heavily through the CHL Import Draft with the arrivals of Finnish d-man Ossi Tukio, Czechia blueliner Tomas Cermak and Slovak forward Samuel Karsay. Alongside NHL prospect Zachary Lansard (CAR), new head coach David Bell has ample of talent as his disposal in his first season behind the Regina bench. Carter Sanderson (Muskegon → Calgary) In a summer that saw a number of players jump from the USHL to the CHL, Carter Sanderson (PIT) is one of the more notable signings. A native of Pierre, SD, Sanderson joins the Hitmen after a 34-point campaign with Muskegon where he was also the team's captain. The year prior, he was crowned a Clark Cup champion as a rookie. He also heads into his maiden WHL season with a buzz – he was one of the star’s of the 2026 World Juniors Summer Showcase where he had eight goals and 14 points. In Calgary, he’ll help pace an attack that also includes the returning Andrei Molgachev and Blake Vanek (OTT) alongside newly acquired Russian Import Artem Katsuro. On the blue line, another Import was added in Swedish NHL prospect Jakob Leander (CGY).

QMJHL 2026-27: Faces in different places

Matt Tidcombe — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 14:17:35 +0000

Photo credit: JaimeLee Gouthro After a 32-year wait, the Chicoutimi Sagueneens finally broke through again in 2026 as they claimed the Gilles-Courteau Trophy. And while the Cape Breton Eagles were the biggest beneficiaries of that this offseason, a number of other Atlantic Canada squads have been fine-tuning their roster ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. Lucas Beckman / Liam Lefebvre / Maxim Schafer (Chicoutimi → Cape Breton The trio of Lucas Beckman (OTT), Liam Lefebvre (LA) and Maxim Schafer (WSH) are all going to have a legitimate chance at a back-to-back QMJHL title. Through a number of moves, the trio wound up in Cape Breton where they will look to lead the Eagles to a first Q title. After he began the season in Rouyn-Noranda – where he won 31 games in 2024-25 – Beckman was sensational for Chicoutimi January onwards. He won 13 of his 15 starts, owned a .940 save percentage and a 1.52 GAA. In the postseason, he backstopped the Sags to a title with a .918 save percentage and 1.98 GAA. Beckman is also a two-time gold medallist with Canada having won the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and 2025 U18 World Championships. Another trade deadline acquisition, Lefebvre had 30 points (17 goals) in 25 regular season contests and added 12 postseason points en route to a QMJHL title. His rookie season began in Rimouski where he 29 points in 34 games. Schafer’s rookie season saw him record 21 goals and 49 points in Chicoutimi although injury limited him to eight postseason appearances. Schafer has also twice represented Germany at the World Juniors. The trio - who helped the Sags to a semi-final berth at the 2026 Memorial Cup - are part of an Eagles roster that has set high expectations and includes other NHL Drafted talent in Cole Chandler (BOS) and Will Murphy (DET). Mateo Nobert (Blainville-Boisbriand → Halifax) After three seasons with the Armada, it’s a fresh start for Mateo Nobert (VGK) in 2026-27. His 171 career points are the 10th most in Armada franchise history, as are his 70 goals. He joins the Mooseheads on the heels of his best season where he set career highs in goals (30), assists (48) and points (78). In Halifax, he’ll join an offence that includes NHL prospects Shawn Carrier (COL) and Oleg Kulebiakin (TB) alongside Paul Sintschni, the second overall pick in the 2026 CHL Import Draft. Samuel Meloche (Rouyn-Noranda → Saint John) After winning a combined 66 games over the past two seasons, Samuel Meloche (BUF) will have a fresh start in Saint John this season. A year ago he made 50 appearances for the Huskies, won 33 games and recorded a 2.75 GAA. He then backstopped the side to the third round of the QMJHL playoffs. Meloche was one of many offseason additions in Saint John alongside Jamie Glance and Olivier Lemieux as well as CHL Import Draft selections Matyas Cancík and Oliver Ozogany. Of course, the club’s offence will run through 2027 NHL Draft prospect Alexis Joseph. Carter Meyer / James Scantlebury (USNTDP → Quebec) The additions of both 2027 NHL Draft prospects Carter Meyer and James Scantebury were massive coups for the Remparts. Meyer is a consensus Top 10 selection in preseason rankings thus far where last season he had 37 points in 42 games for the USNTDP. As for Scantlebury, he put up 39 points as a rookie in the USHL with the Chicago Steel. They will join an offence that is led by Maddox Dagenais (STL) and Nathan Quinn (PHI) alongside the club’s other NHL prospect in Alexandre Taillefer (WPG).

Moovair named Exclusive Heating and Cooling Partner of the CHL

Matt Tidcombe — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 17:27:26 +0000

Moovair also becomes an Official Partner of the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL, with fan-focused activations planned throughout the regular season, on national broadcasts, and at marquee CHL events

The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) today announced a new partnership with Moovair that spans the CHL and its Member Leagues — the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Under the agreement, the Canadian home-comfort brand becomes the Exclusive Heating and Cooling Partner of the CHL and an Official Partner of the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL. Built around a shared belief in bringing comfort to moments that matter, the partnership will connect Moovair with fans and families across all Member Leagues through engaging in-arena promotions, digital and broadcast exposure, and activations at the CHL’s two marquee events. Whether fans are enjoying time together at home or cheering on their favourite team at the rink, Moovair will help make those experiences more comfortable. “Moovair and the CHL are a natural fit. We share a passion for performance, a commitment to excellence and deep roots in the communities we serve. CHL communities are our communities, and we’re proud to be part of them,” stated Keith Strachan, President of The Master Group—the organization behind the exclusive private-label Moovair brand. “Moovair’s focus on bringing comfort to moments that matter makes it an ideal partner for the CHL and our Member Leagues, as the excitement of our game brings families and communities together,” said Ryan Hudecki, Vice-President of Partnerships for the CHL. “From rewarding fans in arenas throughout the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL to supporting our signature CHL events, this partnership will create memorable experiences for fans while strengthening Moovair’s ties with hockey communities across Canada.” During the regular season, Moovair will activate across the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL through the “Moovair Moov of the Game,” an in-arena seat upgrade for two fans. The activation will take place at 75 regular-season games in 15 markets across the CHL’s Member Leagues. Participating markets will include Brandon, Calgary, Lethbridge, Penticton, and Swift Current in the WHL; Barrie, Kingston, Kitchener, Niagara, and Oshawa in the OHL; and Blainville-Boisbriand, Charlottetown, Moncton, Newfoundland, and Sherbrooke in the QMJHL. Moovair will also engage fans through in-venue activations at five games in Edmonton. Moovair’s presence will also extend across the digital platforms of the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL through web advertising and inclusion in e-newsletters. Each CHL national broadcast will also feature Moovair rinkboard exposure and a dedicated branded feature. The partnership builds on Moovair’s role as a partner of the 2026 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota in Kelowna, British Columbia. As the Exclusive Heating and Cooling Partner of the CHL, Moovair will continue to connect comfort with memorable hockey experiences through a range of fan engagement initiatives at the 2026 CHL USA Prospects Challenge on Dec. 1 in Chicoutimi and Dec. 2 in Québec City, Québec, and at the 2027 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota from May 20–30 in Guelph, Ontario, including the “Moovair Moov of the Game” seat upgrade at both events. Together, Moovair, the CHL, and its Member Leagues will continue creating fan experiences that connect the comfort of home with the excitement of live hockey at CHL events and throughout the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL. About the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) is the world’s largest development hockey league, featuring 52 Canadian and nine American teams across the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League (NHL) than any other league and supports student-athletes through significant investment in education and scholarship programs. Each year, nearly 1,000 CHL graduates receive support through WHL, OHL, and QMJHL scholarship programs, with CHL clubs investing nearly $10 million annually in player education and scholarship support. During the 2025-26 NHL season, more than 475 CHL alumni were among the 1,033-plus players to appear in at least one game. At the 2026 NHL Draft, 106 CHL-developed players were selected — the most of any development league worldwide and the CHL’s highest total since 2010 — including 16 first-round picks. For more information, please visit chl.ca. About Moovair Built for Canada. Proven across the country. Moovair designs heat pump systems specifically for Canadian homes and climates. With over 200,000 units installed nationwide, Moovair has become one of the most trusted names in heat pump comfort, known for reliability, durability, and consistent performance year after year. From ductless, ducted, and add-on systems, Moovair offers a complete range of energy-efficient solutions from accessible entry-level models to advanced, high-performance units. Every system is engineered with the latest technology and meets the highest industry standards, delivering dependable comfort in every season. Backed by Master. Moovair is supported coast to coast by The Master Group, a leading HVAC-R distributor founded in Québec in 1952, with almost 100 branches across North America and 2,000 employees dedicated to service and support. Master has been recognized as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies every year since 2011, reinforcing the strength, stability, and long-term commitment behind the Moovair brand.

OHL 2026-27: Faces in different places

Matt Tidcombe — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 15:03:02 +0000

With the defending Memorial Cup champion Kitchener Rangers hailing from the OHL, there’s no doubt an extra layer of motivation for clubs to make upgrades to keep the trophy in the league. That has been led by 2027 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota hosts Guelph who have made a plethora of moves to bolster their side ahead of next May. But - as you will see below - they aren’t alone: Ryan Roobroeck / Ethan Czata (Niagara → Guelph) The additions of both Ryan Roobroeck (CHI) and Ethan Czata (TB) will pay immediate dividends for Corey Stillman’s roster. Roobroeck’s three years in Niagara saw him amass 196 points – the eighth most in franchise history – while he found the back of the net 99 times. A gold medallist with Canada at the 2025 U18 World Championships, Roobroeck hit the 30-goal mark for the second straight time a year ago before he became the 35th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft by Chicago. For Czata, his reliability as a two-way centre can’t be ignored but he brings plenty of offence to the foray too. He had a career best 25 goals last season while he recorded back-to-back 50-plus point seasons with the IceDogs. The 56th overall pick by Tampa Bay in the 2025 NHL Draft, the 19-year-old has dominated at the international level where he has won gold with Canada at the 2023 World U17 Hockey Challenge, 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and 2025 U18 World Championships. The Storm also picked up Owen Griffin (CBJ) from Oshawa who is fresh off of a career-best 2025-26 campaign with 25 goals and 67 points and who led the OHL Playoffs in goals in 2025 with 16. Alongside existing Storm stars like Jaakko Wycisk and Tyler Hopkins (TOR) – and the addition of Timothy Kazda in the CHL Import Draft – the Storm will have no shortage of offensive threats this year. https://twitter.com/OHLHockey/status/2095513438583656771 Ryerson Leenders (Brantford → Owen Sound) Over the past three seasons, not many OHL goaltenders have been better than Ryerson Leenders (BUF). During that span, he has won 82 games during stints in Mississauga and Brantford. Last season for the Bulldogs, Leenders’ 27 wins were tied fifth most in the OHL while his 2.69 GAA placed ninth. Now, the 20-year-old will play his final season in Owen Sound where he will hope to backstop the Attack past the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 2018. He also has the opportunity to become just the ninth goaltender in OHL history to win 100 games if he can be victorious on 18 occasions. Adam Goljer (Trencin Dukla → Kingston) An exciting defensive product will enter the OHL for the first time this season in Adam Goljer (LA) when he hits the ice in Kingston. The 117th selection in the 2025 CHL Import Draft, Fronts’ general manager Kory Cooper has managed to sign the newest LA Kings prospect after he was the 49th overall pick at the 2026 NHL Draft The Slovak native will bring pro experience to the backend having played 51 games – 43 of which came last season – with Trencin Dukla. Marcus Nordmark (Djurgardens IF → London) One of Sweden’s finest talents will take on the OHL this season as Marcus Nordmark (ANA) joins the London Knights. Last season, Nordmark played eight games in the SHL – Sweden’s top pro league – but dominated in their junior league as he led Djurgardens to a title after he had 38 points in 25 regular season games and then 23 in just 11 postseason contests. At the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, he led the tournament in goals (7) and points (12) as Sweden won silver. The 28th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft by the Anaheim Ducks, Nordmark will join a Knights offence that already features Jaxon Cover (OTT) and Ryan Brown (DAL) as well as Finnish newcomer Luca Santala. For a full list of offseason OHL transactions, click here

Dozen CHL players feauted in TSN’s preseason 2027 NHL Draft ranking

Matt Tidcombe — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 16:56:15 +0000

A dozen CHL players are featured in TSN's 2027 NHL Draft preseason rankings. As is the consensus heading into the season, the group is led by Everett Silvertips defenceman Landon DuPont. Earlier this summer DuPont captained Canada to gold at the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and helped the Silvertips to its first WHL title last season. “DuPont is destined to be a franchise player in the NHL, period," said TSN's Director of Scouting Craig Button. Incoming Quebec Remparts forward Carter Meyer is ranked no. 3 while fellow QMJHLer Alexis Joseph of Saint John is ranked no. 5. Saginaw's Dima Zhilkin (no. 8) and Seattle's Brock England (no. 10) round out the Top 10 while 12 of the 20 players listed play in the CHL. The 2027 NHL Draft will take place June 25-26 in a yet to be determined location.

Ranking	Name	CHL club
No. 1	Landon DuPont	Everett Silvertips (WHL)
No. 3	Carter Meyer	Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
No. 5	Alexis Joseph	Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
No. 8	Dima Zhilkin	Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
No. 10	Brock England	Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
No. 11	Brock Cripps	Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
No. 13	Jaxon Jacobson	Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
No. 15	Jaakko Wycisk	Guelph Storm (OHL)
No. 16	Timothy Kazda	Guelph Storm (OHL)
No. 17	Malik L'Italien	Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
No. 18	Noah Davidson	Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
No. 19	Luca Santala	London Knights (OHL)

From Banner Nights to Guelph: 12 Events and Storylines to Circle on the 2026–27 Calendar

Matt Tidcombe — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 17:14:33 +0000

Three reigning champions will open the season in celebration. A new generation will take the spotlight. And after more than 2,000 regular-season games across the WHL, OHL and QMJHL, three playoff roads will converge in Guelph for the 107th Memorial Cup presented by Kubota.

The countdown is nearly over. One week from today, the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) will open the 2026–27 season on Thursday, Sept. 17, before the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) and Western Hockey League (WHL) get underway Friday, Sept. 18. Opening weekend will quickly turn attention to the rafters as the Kitchener Rangers, Chicoutimi Saguenéens and Everett Silvertips raise championship banners. Eight months later, the season will culminate in Guelph, where one team from the WHL, OHL or QMJHL will capture the 107th Memorial Cup presented by Kubota and stand atop major junior hockey. The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) enters the season after developing 106 of the 224 players selected in the 2026 NHL Draft—a 47.3-per-cent share and its highest total since 2010. Sixteen went in the first round, including six of the top 10. More than 125 NHL-drafted prospects are expected to supply star power across the three leagues, including Pittsburgh Penguins first-rounder Liam Ruck of the Medicine Hat Tigers, Ottawa Senators first-rounder Jaxon Cover of the London Knights and St. Louis Blues first-rounder Maddox Dagenais of the Québec Remparts. Behind them, the next wave will make its case through league showcases and the 2026 CHL USA Prospects Challenge in December. In between are nine anniversary seasons, one final campaign at the Scotiabank Saddledome, major junior hockey’s return to Cornwall and a two-city race to host the 2028 Memorial Cup. With puck drop nearly at hand, here are 12 dates and storylines to circle on the 2026–27 calendar.

1. Sept. 17–19: The season opens beneath championship banners

The OHL opens Sept. 17, when the Peterborough Petes host the Kingston Frontenacs at 7:05 p.m. ET on FloHockey. Vancouver Canucks first-rounder Adam Novotny leads the Petes against a Frontenacs side featuring 2027 NHL Draft prospects Aleks Kulemin and Matt Henderson. https://twitter.com/OHLHockey/status/2064394042385776812?s=20 Championship banners rise the next night. Kitchener will unveil its J. Ross Robertson Cup and Memorial Cup banners before hosting the Owen Sound Attack at 7 p.m. ET on FloHockey. The ceremony follows a dominant title run—16-2 in the OHL playoffs and 4-0 at the Memorial Cup—that delivered the Rangers’ third CHL championship and first since 2003. Toronto Maple Leafs second-rounder Alexander Bilecki returns for Kitchener, while Pittsburgh Penguins third-rounder Pierce Mbuyi leads Owen Sound. The QMJHL opens its 2026–27 campaign with eight games on Sept. 18, including Chicoutimi’s banner-raising date against the Shawinigan Cataractes at 7 p.m. ET on FloHockey. The championship ended a 32-year wait for the Saguenéens’ third QMJHL title. The QMJHL schedule brings a Championship Final rematch Jan. 28 in Moncton, where Anaheim Ducks third-rounder Rian Chudzinski and the Moncton Wildcats will try to turn the tables. https://twitter.com/WHLsilvertips/status/2088009966695375337?s=20 The WHL opens its 2026–27 season with five games on Sept. 18. New this season, the league will stream regular-season games free on YouTube on an interim basis. Everett caps the CHL’s championship-banner weekend the following night, hosting the Portland Winterhawks at 6:05 p.m. PT. The Silvertips’ first Ed Chynoweth Cup capped a historic 57-win, 117-point season. Philadelphia Flyers second-rounder Brek Liske returns for Everett, while Vegas Golden Knights fifth-rounder Will McLaughlin leads Portland. The home-opening celebration in Everett will include a championship mini-banner giveaway, giving Silvertips fans a keepsake as the first WHL championship banner in franchise history is raised to the rafters.

2. Throughout 2026–27: History takes centre stage in 11 markets

A calendar measures one season. Anniversaries reveal the generations that built it.

The Soo Greyhounds and Sudbury Wolves celebrate 55 years, while the Victoriaville Tigres, Lethbridge Hurricanes and Swift Current Broncos each mark a four-decade milestone. The Red Deer Rebels celebrate 35 years, and the Erie Otters, Baie-Comeau Drakkar and Cape Breton Eagles reach 30. Québec celebrates the 30th season of the modern Remparts era, while the Saginaw Spirit commemorate 25 years in the OHL. https://twitter.com/WHLHurricanes/status/2061477876172537937?s=20 History will return through alumni gatherings, commemorative jerseys and archival tributes. Lethbridge opens Sept. 18 against Medicine Hat, the Hurricanes’ first opponent in 24 of their 40 seasons. Baie-Comeau, meanwhile, invited fans this summer to contribute photos to a 30th-anniversary archive that will help tell the club’s story throughout the season. Erie’s anniversary calendar brings back its 2002 OHL championship uniform, mid-2000s red alternate and 2017 title-era gold script. On Nov. 28, the club will celebrate Connor McDavid—arguably its most famous alumnus—with McDavid lunchboxes for the first 2,000 fans attending its game against the Windsor Spitfires. https://twitter.com/TigresVicto/status/2090476456690549157?s=20 The season’s most enduring tribute comes Feb. 5, when Victoriaville retires Yanni Gourde’s No. 23. Undrafted, Gourde led the QMJHL with 124 points in 2011–12, recorded 221 points in 199 regular-season games as a Tigre and later won consecutive Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning. His night in Victoriaville will turn a franchise milestone into a tribute to persistence.

3. Sept. 18–March 26: The Calgary Hitmen take one last ride at the Saddledome

For the Calgary Hitmen, all 34 home dates will form one long goodbye. The Hitmen have called the Scotiabank Saddledome home since their inaugural 1995–96 season. The building has been home ice for franchise icon Brad Moran, Stanley Cup champions Ryan Getzlaf and Andrew Ladd, and longtime NHL goaltender Martin Jones. https://twitter.com/WHLHitmen/status/2060076474288558547?s=20 The farewell campaign opens Sept. 18 against Red Deer and ends March 26 against the Edmonton Oil Kings. Its centrepiece arrives Dec. 6 against the Prince George Cougars with the final Saddledome Teddy Bear Toss, a Calgary tradition since 1995. The 26,828 toys collected in 2025 went to more than 60 local agencies, pushing the 30-year total to 508,300 bears. Calgary will also honour its two WHL championship teams: the 1999 club on Dec. 27 against Lethbridge, followed by the 2010 champions Feb. 5 against Edmonton. Legacy Night against the Oil Kings on March 26 will give alumni and fans one final regular-season evening in the building that has housed every era of Hitmen hockey.

4. Oct. 16–17: The Seaway Shootout reconnects Cornwall to major junior hockey

For two nights in October, regular-season OHL hockey returns to a city with a permanent place in Memorial Cup history. The Seaway Shootout brings the Brampton Steelheads to Ed Lumley Arena to face the Ottawa 67’s on Oct. 16 and Kingston the following night. Both games begin at 7 p.m. ET on FloHockey, putting OHL points—not exhibition results—on the line in Cornwall for the first time since 1991–92. Beyond the games, the weekend includes a free public skate and Seaway Hockey Day at the Benson Centre. https://twitter.com/OHLHockey/status/2039781043452960937?s=20 The Cornwall Royals competed in the QMJHL from 1969 until joining the OHL for the 1981–82 season. They won Memorial Cups in 1972, 1980 and 1981 and developed Dale Hawerchuk and Doug Gilmour, both later named among the CHL’s Top 50 Players of the Last 50 Years. Gilmour bridged the leagues, going from a QMJHL and Memorial Cup champion in 1981 to OHL MVP in 1982–83. Cornwall’s final OHL playoff game was a 7-3 loss to Ottawa on March 22, 1992. After the season, the franchise relocated to Newmarket and ultimately settled in Sarnia, where it remains today. More than 34 years later, OHL regular-season hockey returns to one of the CHL’s most decorated former markets.

5. Oct. 21–25: Rivalry Week turns up the early-season heat

By late October, the OHL standings will still be young. The emotions will not be. The league’s second Rivalry Week puts all 20 clubs into 10 home-and-home matchups over five days: London–Sarnia Sting, Owen Sound–Barrie Colts, Sudbury Wolves–North Bay Battalion, Oshawa Generals–Peterborough, Windsor–Soo Greyhounds, Brantford Bulldogs–Brampton, Erie–Niagara IceDogs, Guelph Storm–Kitchener, Ottawa–Kingston and Flint Firebirds–Saginaw. https://twitter.com/OHLHockey/status/2064755525703676157?s=20 The format is simple and effective. Every team sees the same opponent twice—once in each building—with no long pause to cool off or forget a big hit, a late goal or a goaltending performance that stole the opener. Several pairings arrive with added context. Guelph-Kitchener matches the 2027 Memorial Cup host against the defending CHL champion. Flint-Saginaw lands inside the Spirit’s 25th-anniversary season. Ottawa-Kingston renews one of the Eastern Conference’s most familiar battles, while Oshawa-Peterborough brings another long-running rivalry to a week designed around local stakes. Across 10 series and 20 games, Rivalry Week should provide the season’s first real temperature check.

6. Oct. 28, Jan. 20 and Feb. 17: League showcases put the 2027 NHL Draft class centre stage

From Gatineau to Owen Sound to Brandon, each league will gather its leading draft-eligible talent for a best-on-best test before fans and NHL scouts. https://twitter.com/QMJHL/status/2095173352444870854?s=20 The QMJHL opens the sequence Oct. 28 at Centre Slush Puppie with the second QMJHL Prospects Game presented by BFL Canada, and tickets are now on sale. Selected by NHL Central Scouting, the 40-player roster will feature the league’s leading 2027 NHL Draft prospects. Saint John Sea Dogs forward Alexis Joseph headlines the class after leading all QMJHL 16-year-old rookies with 60 points in 2025–26 and helping Canada win the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Québec’s Carter Meyer and Patrick Déniger, Halifax Mooseheads defenceman Malik L’Italien and Saint John forward Jamie Glance deepen a potentially first-round-rich group. The inaugural 2025 game attracted more than 100 NHL general managers and scouts, with Team Lafleur edging Team Crosby 6–5 in a shootout. On Jan. 20, the 2027 Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game presented by Enbridge Gas comes to Owen Sound. Nearly 200 NHL scouts attended the 2025 debut in Brantford; last season’s sold-out 2026 game in Peterborough ended 4-3 for Team West as eventual first-rounders Nikita Klepov and Adam Novotny earned player-of-the-game honours. Saginaw’s Dima Zhilkin, Guelph forwards Timothy Kazda and Jaakko Wycisk, Niagara’s Ryerson Edgar, London’s Luca Santala and Ottawa’s Kohyn Eshkawkogan lead the next wave. https://twitter.com/TheWHL/status/2035465377682202700?s=20 The WHL completes the sequence Feb. 17 at the Brandon Wheat Kings’ Keystone Centre with the 2027 WHL Prospects Game. The inaugural 2026 event brought 44 prospects to Langley, where Team East won 5-4 in overtime. The sequel comes to Wheat Kings star Jaxon Jacobson’s home rink, with Seattle Thunderbirds forward Brock England, Prince Albert Raiders defenceman Brock Cripps and Medicine Hat forwards Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll and Noah Davidson also among the names to watch.

7. By the end of October: Moncton or Québec City earns the 2028 Memorial Cup

Before October ends, the CHL expects to know which city will follow Guelph as Memorial Cup host. The Moncton Wildcats and Québec Remparts are the two finalists. An independent five-person committee will evaluate their bids, presentations, and site visits across business operations, community engagement and events, logistics, and hockey operations. https://twitter.com/CHLHockey/status/2074165365857222894?s=20 Both pair major-event infrastructure with recent success. Moncton reached consecutive QMJHL Championship Finals, winning in 2025 before finishing runner-up in 2026. Québec won both the QMJHL title and Memorial Cup in 2023, making the Remparts the league’s most recent CHL champion. Moncton’s downtown Avenir Centre seats more than 8,500 and hosted the 2024 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game; Québec’s 18,000-plus-seat Vidéotron Centre offers an NHL-scale stage and will host the 2026 CHL USA Prospects Challenge this December. Moncton last hosted in 2006, when the Wildcats reached the final before falling to Québec. Québec has staged the tournament four times—1971, 1991, 2003 and 2015—and Remparts teams have won it in 1971, 2006 and 2023. Now, two decades after Moncton and Québec met in the Memorial Cup final, the cities are competing for the right to stage it. And by the end of October, one is expected to be named the 2028 host.

8. Nov. 1–Feb. 21: OHL–QMJHL interleague play doubles its footprint

After returning with four games in 2025–26, OHL–QMJHL interleague play doubles to eight across four home-and-home series. The Val-d’Or Foreurs visit North Bay, and the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies visit Sudbury on Nov. 1. The Ottawa 67’s and Gatineau Olympiques meet Nov. 20 and 22; the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada and Kingston play Nov. 22 and Jan. 17; North Bay travels to Val-d’Or on Jan. 22; and Sudbury closes the slate at Rouyn-Noranda on Feb. 21. https://twitter.com/OHLBattalion/status/2064824100015526116?s=20 Three pairings have history. The inaugural 1999–2000 interlock featured Val-d’Or–North Bay and Sudbury–Rouyn-Noranda. The Wolves and Huskies renewed their regular-season matchup in 2025-26 after nearly 26 years, though they have met in recent years for preseason games in Timmins. Kingston–Blainville-Boisbriand is the lone first-time series. No crossover has deeper roots than Ottawa–Gatineau. The 67’s and Hull Olympiques played 32 times between 1975 and 2002, twice drawing more than 10,000 fans in Ottawa. Revived in 2009, the rivalry later included Alexandra Cup games and a 2017 outdoor meeting at TD Place. https://twitter.com/OlympiquesGAT/status/2064760468644696413?s=20 With every game counting in the standings, the expanded schedule gives both leagues a rare measuring stick months before their champions meet at the Memorial Cup.

9. Nov. 1–May 2: Three international stages showcase the CHL pipeline

The international calendar offers a three-stage view of the CHL development path: the U17 World Challenge, World Juniors and IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship. First comes the 2026 U17 World Challenge, Nov. 1–7 in Oakville, Ont. All 80 players invited to Canada’s under-17 development camp this summer had been selected by CHL clubs—31 from the OHL, 29 from the WHL and 20 from the QMJHL. That depth strongly suggests Canada Red and Canada White—led respectively by Saskatoon’s Dan DaSilva and Barrie’s Dylan Smoskowitz—will be built almost entirely from CHL players and prospects. At the 2025 tournament, all 44 Canadian players from the CHL earned medals as Canada Red defeated Canada White for gold. Oakville will host the 2026 event for the first time. https://twitter.com/CHLHockey/status/2080713876845302022?s=20 The spotlight grows when Edmonton and Red Deer co-host the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship, Dec. 26–Jan. 5. At the 2026 World Junior Summer Showcase, 31 of Canada’s 32 players were CHL-developed. Former OHL coach and executive Misha Donskov leads Canada, with current CHL head coaches Brad Lauer (Spokane/WHL), Drew Bannister (Sault Ste. Marie/OHL) and Jim Hulton (Saint John/QMJHL) serving as assistants alongside WHL alumnus Ryan Getzlaf. At the 2026 tournament, 41 past and present CHL players medalled, while Gavin McKenna’s 14 points and Zayne Parekh’s 13 for Canada showed how often the event’s biggest moments run through CHL-developed talent. The sequence ends April 21–May 2 in Duluth, Minn., with the 2027 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship. At the 2026 tournament, the CHL led all development leagues with 36 CHL-developed players from 26 clubs and six countries. Eight medalled, including Slovakia silver medallist Filip Kovalcik of the Drummondville Voltigeurs and seven Czechia bronze medallists. https://twitter.com/CHLHockey/status/2046947117277536290?s=20 From early tests to the World Junior spotlight, CHL talent will take centre stage throughout the international calendar.

10. Dec. 1–2: The CHL USA Prospects Challenge returns in Chicoutimi and Québec City

If the league showcases spotlight each circuit’s best, the CHL USA Prospects Challenge brings all three together under one crest. The two-game series will pit the top 2027 NHL Draft-eligible players from the WHL, OHL and QMJHL against USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program Under-18 Team. Game 1 is set for Dec. 1 at Centre Georges-Vézina in Chicoutimi, followed by Game 2 on Dec. 2 at Centre Vidéotron in Québec City. https://twitter.com/CHLHockey/status/2026688751271829520?s=20 The event enters its third edition with a striking draft record. Sixteen of 22 players on the inaugural 2024 Team CHL roster became first-round picks in 2025, while 11 of the CHL’s 16 first-rounders in 2026 had played in the 2025 series. Together, those rosters produced 27 of the 37 CHL-developed first-round picks across the two drafts—73 per cent—including Matthew Schaefer, Michael Misa, Caleb Desnoyers, Ben Kindel, Caleb Malhotra, Daxon Rudolph and Maddox Dagenais. Seattle’s Brock England, Prince Albert’s Brock Cripps, Saginaw’s Dima Zhilkin, Guelph’s Timothy Kazda, Saint John’s Alexis Joseph and Québec’s Carter Meyer are among the many candidates vying for a spot on Team CHL. Those selected will set aside their club allegiances for two nights, unite under one crest and perform in one of the season’s most concentrated scouting environments—offering a clear early window into the first round of the 2027 NHL Draft.

11. March 20–mid-May: Three playoff roads lead to Guelph

The regular seasons end on different dates, and the championship races follow distinct paths, but all roads lead to Guelph. The QMJHL closes March 20 with all 18 clubs in action. The OHL follows March 21, while the WHL’s 782-game schedule—extended by one week—runs through March 28. From there, teams chase the Gilles-Courteau Trophy in the QMJHL, the J. Ross Robertson Cup in the OHL and the Ed Chynoweth Cup in the WHL. https://twitter.com/TheWHL/status/2072034078392795239?s=20 The WHL playoffs begin March 31 with an opening round shortened from best-of-seven to best-of-five to accommodate the longer season; the eighth-seed tiebreaker game has also been eliminated. Its championship series is expected May 7–17, while dates for OHL and QMJHL Championship Series remain to be announced. Every series carries national stakes. The WHL, OHL and QMJHL champions will qualify for the Memorial Cup, set for May 20–30, with the host Guelph Storm already assured of a berth. Should the Storm capture the OHL title, the OHL Championship Series runner-up will complete the four-team field. By the time the tournament opens, a season that began in 61 markets across the CHL will have narrowed to four teams and one trophy.

12. May 21–30: The Memorial Cup meets Guelph’s bicentennial

The road ends in the Royal City, at a moment when the city will already be looking back across two centuries. The 2027 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota coincides with the city’s bicentennial, bringing together three league champions and the host Storm for major junior hockey’s national championship. https://twitter.com/Storm_City/status/2082546437217264015?s=20 Guelph co-hosted in 1962 and welcomed the tournament in 2002. The Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters won in 1952 and the Guelph Platers in 1986. The Storm have earned four OHL titles and appeared in six Memorial Cups—1996, 1998, 2002, 2004, 2014 and 2019—but still seek their first CHL championship. That unfinished pursuit gives the host season its edge. With their berth secured, the Storm have 68 games to become a contender rather than simply a participant. Newcomers Ethan Czata and Ryan Roobroeck—both second-round NHL picks—veteran goaltender Ben Hrebik and 2026 U18 tournament MVP Timothy Kazda join Jaakko Wycisk, Tyler Hopkins, Zachary Jovanovski and Eric Frossard. How quickly they come together could determine whether Guelph merely welcomes the tournament or threatens to win it. Every league will have history at stake in Guelph. With the host Storm already in the field—and still capable of arriving as OHL champions—the OHL will chase a fourth straight Memorial Cup after victories by Saginaw in 2024, London in 2025 and Kitchener in 2026. Another OHL triumph would match the QMJHL’s modern-era record of four consecutive titles, capped by Québec in 2023. The WHL, meanwhile, seeks its first Memorial Cup since the Edmonton Oil Kings won in 2014, while the QMJHL chases its first since completing that record run. https://twitter.com/CHLHockey/status/1000778428021260288?s=20 Those pursuits will converge around a trophy whose meaning extends far beyond the ice. First awarded in 1919 in memory of those who served and died in the First World War, the Memorial Cup was rededicated in 2010 to honour all fallen Canadian military personnel. In Guelph’s bicentennial year, the 107th Memorial Cup will bring team ambition, league history, civic pride and national remembrance together over 10 days. The season will begin with championship banners rising in Kitchener, Chicoutimi and Everett. It will end in Guelph with four teams chasing—and one earning—the banner that will begin the next season’s story.