[{"id":41875,"date":"2026-08-14T14:00:49","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T18:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/?p=41875"},"modified":"2026-08-14T11:54:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T15:54:08","slug":"erie-otters-announce-2026-27-promotional-and-giveaways-schedule","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/article\/erie-otters-announce-2026-27-promotional-and-giveaways-schedule","title":{"rendered":"Erie Otters Announce 2026\/27 Promotional and Giveaways Schedule"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Erie, Pennsylvania – <\/b>The most highly- anticipated promotional schedule in the Ontario Hockey League is finally here, as the Erie Otters look ahead to their landmark 30th season in the Flagship City.<\/div>\n
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From the return of fan-favorite promotions, to new and unique nights that promise to become popular, the 2026-27 season calendar truly has something to fit everyone\u2019s taste – from longtime fans to first-time attendees.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Marketing and Community Engagement Manager Haleigh Giebel and the Otters’ marketing & promotions team worked to craft a\u00a0schedule\u00a0reflective of the excitement and anticipation to come from the team on the ice.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur goal is to create an exciting atmosphere that gives fans plenty of opportunities to have fun while enjoying competitive hockey at Erie Insurance Arena,\u201d said Giebel<\/strong>. \u201cThis season, we\u2019re looking to take the game-night experience to another level. From new and returning promotional nights and giveaways to special guests, interactive experiences and plenty of surprises throughout the season, there will be something for everyone to look forward to. We want every trip to the arena to be more than just a hockey game \u2014 we want it to be an experience fans remember. We\u2019re excited to welcome everyone back and get things started on September 26.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n
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Mark your calendars, find your favorite promotions, and get ready for the 30th season of hockey in downtown Erie – Otters style!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

SEPTEMBER<\/b><\/p>\n

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To kick off the 30th season in team history, the Erie Otters take the ice for the Home Opener <\/b>(pres. by Rebich Investments<\/i>) at 6:00 P.M. on Saturday, September 26. Hours before doors open and the Otters take the ice, the organization will host its fifth-annual Home Opener Fan Fest.\u00a0<\/b>This year’s Fan Fest will look a bit different than years past but will still feature entertainment, food trucks, vendors and plenty for the whole family to do before we all come together into the rink to watch the Otters take on the Rangers. Details about the new-look event will be unveiled in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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When the doors officially open, the first 5000 fans in attendance will receive a free Erie Otters Rally Towel <\/b>(pres. by Rebich Investments)<\/i>, as the Otters prepare for the first battle of the season against the Kitchener Rangers. Make sure to arrive early for the season’s first giveaway!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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OCTOBER<\/b><\/p>\n

The month of October begins with the Ottawa 67’s making their lone trip to town. It all starts with the 2026\/27\u00a0Magnet Schedule\u00a0<\/strong>(pres. by iHeart Media Erie) <\/em>giveaway to the first 1000 fans through the door. The perfect way to start the first full month of the OHL season!<\/p>\n

Spend less, get more! This season, we’re continuing to start your weekend happy with 3-2-1 Fridays! <\/b>Every Friday home game – starting on Friday, October 16 – fans can enjoy $3 Labatt Blue Light, $2 hot dogs, and $1 popcorn until the start of the third period. More bang for your buck every Friday night for another year! This season will see this fan-favorite promotion kickoff on October 16 against the Soo Greyhounds.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The 30th season of Erie Otters hockey is here and this season, the organization will celebrate some of the milestones and moments that have made the Otters organization. The first of these nights bringing together past and present will take place on October 24th on ‘02 Championship Night<\/strong> (pres. by Rebich Investments) <\/em>as the Otters take on the Niagara IceDogs in game two of the OHL’s Rivalry Week. The Otters will take the ice in the uniforms worn by Brad Boyes and company as Sean Courtney scored the overtime winner to give Erie their first OHL Championship. The first 2,000 fans will take home an\u00a0Otters Viewfinder\u00a0<\/strong>(pres. by Rebich Investments)\u00a0<\/em>to commemorate the occasion. This night will feature alumni appearances and more as we turn back the clock to the beginning of the millennium.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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NOVEMBER<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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School is in session for Erie’s first home game of November as the Kitchener Rangers come to town for the annual\u00a0School Day Game<\/strong>. <\/em>Enjoy a special 11 A.M. puck drop and a terrific Midwest Division battle with the Kitchener Rangers. There is no better way to start the day than with Otters hockey!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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During Military Family Month, the Otters honor those who serve and have served in the United States and Canadian Militaries on Military Appreciation Night <\/b>(pres. by Your Central Western Toyota Dealer<\/i>). The giveaway for this night will be announced soon so make sure to keep an eye out on Otters social media. On top of our ceremonies for all the branches of the militaries, the Otters will also take the ice in warm ups in a specialty military-themed jersey. After the game, the jerseys will be auctioned off to benefit DAV and Uncommon Grit Seal Foundation. <\/i>All gave some, Some gave all.<\/p>\n

We’re celebrating all things Erie on Friday November 20, on 814 Night<\/strong>. The Otters will bring to light some of the local businesses thriving in the Erie area with a small business fair on the concourse. Join us for the season’s first home match-up with the Saginaw Spirit, and take a look around the concourse at the Small Business Fair, with local businesses showing off what they do best! It’s also another\u00a03-2-1 Friday\u00a0<\/strong>with plenty of specials to kick-off the weekend.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The Otters and Highmark Caring Place <\/i>(Erie) combine forces once more for the fifth-annual Children’s Grief Awareness Night <\/b>(pres. by Highmark Caring Place<\/i>) on Saturday, November 21. This one-of-a-kind theme night in sports has grown every year, and this year is no different. The 2026 edition of CGAN with HCP will bring back some of the staples of one of the more emotional nights of the season. The first 2000 fans into the building will receive an Otters Pop-It <\/strong>(pres. by Highmark Caring Place<\/i>). It’s okay to not be okay.<\/p>\n

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An all-new tradition is underway in Erie, PA – on Wednesday, November 25 it’s a celebration of Bears & Beers <\/b>(pres. by Rebich Investments<\/i>). This pre-Thanksgiving night of fun will be headlined by happy hour drink specials leading into the 18th Annual Teddy Bear Toss <\/b>after the Otters’ first goal of the game with the rival London Knights in town. To make the night even more memorable, the first 2000 fans will receive an Otters Salt and Pepper Shaker Set <\/b>(pres. by Rebich Investments<\/i>), just in time to cook turkey dinner on Thursday. This is sure to be your family’s favorite way to celebrate the holiday season; bring your bears and have fun.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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After the Turkey has been devoured and the shopping has been done, join us at the EIA for November’s final game as the Otters take on the Windsor Spitfires. The first 2000 fans through the doors will receive a\u00a0Connor McDavid Lunchbox\u00a0<\/strong>thanks to Preece Heating and Cooling. A terrific giveaway to wrap-up the month.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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DECEMBER<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The Force is strong with these fans! The always-popular Star Wars Night <\/b>(pres. by the Millcreek Mall<\/i>) strikes back to begin the month on Sunday, December 13 \u2013 as the London \u2018Knights of Ren\u2019 come to town. This is episode six of Erie and London playing on Star Wars Night in the last six seasons. The first 2000 fans in attendance will receive a free LED Foam Finger <\/b>(pres. by the Millcreek<\/i> Mall). All around the concourse, fan favorite characters from the Star Wars saga will be in attendance for photo opportunities, and in-game, plenty of intergalactic fun will be had.<\/p>\n

The Kingston Frontenacs make their lone visit to town on Friday, December 18th for the final\u00a03-2-1 Friday\u00a0<\/strong>of 2026. Great pre-holiday concession deals allow you to get the best bang for your buck right before we break for the holidays.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Get ready to Jingle Bell Rock! Our final game before the holiday break is Saturday December 19th for Winter Wonderland Night. <\/b>We’re bringing the holiday season indoors with holiday season vibes and appearances from Santa Claus. Come ring in the holiday season with this special send off to the holiday break. Happy Holidays are here!<\/div>\n
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There’s no better way to go into the new year than with our annual New Year’s Rockin’ Eve Night <\/b>(pres. by Printing Concepts<\/i>)! This special Wednesday night game will have a 6:00 P.M. puck drop in our first home game of the season against Brantford, with the first 2000 fans getting a 2027 Team Calendar <\/b>(pres. by Printing Concepts). Before the ball drops, grab your skates and join our players on the ice for a memorable Post-Game Skate.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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JANUARY<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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You asked for it, you got it, the Red Jerseys are back for ONE NIGHT ONLY. It’s\u00a0We Brought Back the Red Jersey Night<\/strong> (pres. by Stairways Behavioral Health<\/em>). The Otters will bring back the Red Alternate Jersey worn in the mid-2000’s by fan-favorites like Ryan O’Reilly. The first 2000 fans through the door will receive Erie Otters Trading Pins\u00a0<\/strong>(pres. by Stairways Behavioral Health<\/em>). Rock your red for what is sure to be an unforgettable night.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

January rolls on with another home weekend kicking off on the 15th for another\u00a03-2-1 Friday\u00a0<\/strong>as the Flint Firebirds make their way to town. A great way to begin a winter’s weekend!<\/div>\n
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The stars of tomorrow are the highlight of today! On Saturday, January 16 it’s a celebration of a growing favorite promotion, Youth Sports Night <\/b>(pres. by FWRD Brighter Future Foundation Sports Division)<\/i>. Adorned in their team jerseys, this night is sure to be full of future sports stars from the Erie region and beyond. The first 2000 fans in the arena will receive a free Otters Water Bottle<\/b>\u00a0(pres. by FWRD Brighter Future Foundation Sports Division<\/i>). Get your team together for a celebratory night.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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The first month of 2027 comes to a close with the Memorial Cup host Guelph Storm making their first visit to town. The first 2000 fans through the doors will receive an\u00a0Otters Pennant\u00a0<\/strong>(pres. by Senior Helpers<\/em>). A great battle on the ice and a terrific giveaway to conclude the month!<\/div>\n
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FEBRUARY<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The month of February brings with it another championship celebration as we come together for\u00a02017 Championship Weekend\u00a0<\/strong>as the Otters battle their opponents from the 2017 Conference Finals, the Owen Sound Attack on Saturday February 6th and Sunday February 7th. This weekend is set to feature the Otters rocking their famous Gold Script uniforms worn when Anthony Cirelli scored the winner to give Erie their second J. Ross Robertson Cup. Details are coming soon on what will be an unforgettable weekend in the Flagship City and one fans will not want to miss.<\/p>\n

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It’s a night full of meaning on Friday, February 12th for\u00a0Hockey Gives Blood Night<\/strong>. The Otters will team-up with Community Blood Bank to host a blood drive at the rink for the third season in-a-row. The first 2000 fans through the doors will receive an Erie Otters Beanie\u00a0<\/strong>(pres. by Community Blood Bank<\/em>). It’s also another\u00a03-2-1 Friday\u00a0<\/strong>with great concession savings to start the weekend.<\/div>\n
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It’s time to birthday bash! On Saturday, February 13th Otto\u2019s birthday celebration gets underway in the fan-favorite Mascot Mania<\/b>\u00a0(pres. by Chick-fil-A<\/i>). How better to celebrate the birthday otter than with his favorite friends from all around the Tri-States will be out for photos, games on the ice, and general wackiness around the arena. This night of hilarity will be a delight for the whole family!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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It\u2019s a youth revolution! One of the most popular promotions of the last five seasons is back \u2013 it\u2019s the Kids Takeover Game\u00a0<\/b>(pres. by UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation<\/i>) on Saturday, February 20. The kids of Erie and surrounding counties will once again take over the jobs of game night \u2013 from Junior Public Address Announcer to our Kids\u2019 Coaching Staff, and all the mayhem in between. The first 2000 fans through the doors will receive an Otto Plush<\/strong>\u00a0(pres. by UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation) <\/i>The Otters logo and player headshots will be designed entirely by local students for the night. The Otters are partnering with UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation to design special warmup jerseys to be worn and auctioned off after the game to benefit the foundation.<\/div>\n
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The month of February comes to an end on Saturday February 27th with the Sarnia Sting in town. The first 2000 fans in the building will take home the 2026\/27\u00a0Otters Team Card Set\u00a0<\/strong>(pres. by Turn 2 Sports Cards and Collectables<\/em>). A great way to end the penultimate month of the season.<\/div>\n
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MARCH<\/b><\/p>\n

Dropping the mitts to fight for a cause! In collaboration with UPMC, Hockey Fights Cancer<\/b> weekend begins at 6:00 P.M. on Saturday, March 6. The Otters will be adorned in Cancer Awareness specialty jerseys. Around the concourse will be balloon & light displays from Rubber Ducky Balloon Designs. <\/i>The first 2,000 fans into the rink will receive an LED Glow Stick<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Hockey Fights Cancer Weekend all comes to a close on Sunday, March 7 as the weekend comes to an end with the Otters taking on the Sudbury Wolves for the one and only time in Erie this season.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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There\u2019s no bigger party in Erie than that of a St. Patrick\u2019s Day Celebration <\/b>(pres. by Erie County Community College<\/i>), and while the Otters may not play at home on the day of the holiday, the team will still celebrate in style on Saturday, March 13. The first 2000 fans in the arena will receive a free Clear Cross Body Bag <\/b>(pres. by EC3<\/i>). Wear your green garb and get ready for a night of fun downtown \u2013 before<\/i>\u00a0your night of fun downtown!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The St. Patty’s Weekend celebration concludes on Sunday, March 14 with the final game of the season against the Memorial Cup host Guelph Storm. It’s the final Sunday of the season bringing with it the final 4:00 P.M. start time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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All good things must come to an end, and on Saturday, March 20 the final regular season home game occurs for Fan Appreciation Night <\/b>(pres. by Plyler Entry Systems<\/em>). The first 2000 fans in attendance will receive a free <\/b>2025-26 Erie Otters team poster (pres. by Plyler Entry Systems).<\/em> We say thank you to the best fans in hockey by welcoming in the Brantford Bulldogs to close out the home schedule \u2013 and hopefully begin to rev up for the 2027 OHL Playoffs!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Giveaways, specialty nights, and appearances all season long – the year of the Otter is ahead! Don\u2019t miss a single moment of the new year of Otters Hockey; 2026-27 Full Season Tickets<\/a>\u00a0are on sale now for as low as $13\/game.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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About the Erie Otters:<\/i><\/b><\/div>\n
The Erie Otters are an Ontario Hockey League (OHL) team based in Erie, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1996, the Otters have a rich history of excellence both on and off the ice. The team is committed to creating memorable experiences for its fans and contributing to the growth and well-being of the Erie community.<\/i><\/div>\n
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For further information on the Erie Otters and for media inquiries, please contact Trevor Kubeja at trevorkubeja@ottershockey.com<\/a>.<\/i><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Stay Informed:<\/i><\/b><\/div>\n
Keep up-to-date with the latest Erie Otters news by visiting OttersHockey.com, or follow along on social media with the Otters Facebook<\/a>, Twitter<\/a>, or Instagram<\/a>.<\/i><\/div>\n
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[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””] Erie, Pennsylvania – The most highly- anticipated promotional schedule in the Ontario Hockey League is finally here, as the Erie Otters look ahead to their landmark 30th season in the Flagship City. From the return of fan-favorite promotions, to new and unique nights that promise to become popular, the 2026-27 season calendar truly…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":569,"featured_media":41920,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"article","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[367],"tags":false,"class_list":["post-41875","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-article","category-367","description-off"],"acf":[],"featured_image":["https:\/\/media.chl.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2026\/08\/14115347\/Promo-Schedule-FB-%E2%80%94-THE-FULL-SLATE-1920%C3%971080.png",1920,1080,false],"hide_from_app_feed":false,"video":false,"gallery":null,"ht_game_id":0,"target_video":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41875","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/569"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41875"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41875\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":41921,"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41875\/revisions\/41921"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/41920"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41875"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41875"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41875"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":41868,"date":"2026-08-11T10:00:42","date_gmt":"2026-08-11T14:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/?p=41868"},"modified":"2026-08-11T09:07:50","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T13:07:50","slug":"release-erie-otters-sign-first-round-import-selection-paul-schuster","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/article\/release-erie-otters-sign-first-round-import-selection-paul-schuster","title":{"rendered":"RELEASE: Erie Otters Sign First Round Import Selection Paul Schuster"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]Erie, Pennsylvania —\u00a0<\/strong>With the summer months drawing ever-closer to their conclusion, the Otters continue to add to their club as they prepare to open training camp in just over a week.<\/p>\n

General Manager\u00a0Dave Brown\u00a0<\/strong>and Director of Hockey Operations\u00a0Scott Grieve\u00a0<\/strong>announced that Erie has signed their first-round pick in the CHL Import Draft\u00a0Paul Schuster\u00a0<\/strong>to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement.<\/p>\n

The Austrian-born forward was selected by Erie with the #19 overall pick in the import draft and becomes the second and final Otter taken in this draft to sign with the team.<\/p>\n

Schuster, a native of Wien, Austria was the first ever Austrian-born player to be selected by Erie in the CHL Import Draft.<\/p>\n

In his native country a season ago, Schuster would suit-up in 42 games between the EC Salzburg U20 program and the RB Hockey Juniors program in the Alps Hockey League. In those games, he would tally a total of 34 points (14G+20A).<\/p>\n

The 5’10, 2009-born right-shot winger was one of two regular 16-year-old players on his RB Juniors team last season and stood out in his time there.<\/p>\n

Schuster is also no-stranger to the Austria National Team program, having played 18 games wearing his country’s colors between both the U18 and U20 teams. During his stint with the U18 program, he wore an ‘A’ as Alternate Captain.<\/p>\n

Grieve spoke about the addition of Schuster and what he will bring to the club this season and beyond.<\/p>\n

“We are excited that Paul and his family have chosen to continue his development in Erie,”\u00a0Grieve\u00a0<\/strong>said. “We believe Paul fits in well with our group of forwards. We envision his professional and international experience being a valuable addition to our team as we head into next season and beyond. The organization looks forward to seeing Paul in an Otters uniform this upcoming season.”
\nSchuster is expected to be seen in Otters colors for the first time during main camp in just over a week’s time.<\/p>\n

The Erie Otters are thrilled to welcome Paul Schuster to the Flagship City and look forward to seeing what he will bring to the team in the fall.<\/p>\n

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<\/div>\n
About the Erie Otters:<\/i><\/b><\/div>\n
The Erie Otters are an Ontario Hockey League (OHL) team based in Erie, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1996, the Otters have a rich history of excellence both on and off the ice. The team is committed to creating memorable experiences for its fans and contributing to the growth and well-being of the Erie community.<\/i><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
For further information on the Erie Otters and for media inquiries, please contact Trevor Kubeja at\u00a0<\/i>trevorkubeja@ottershockey.com<\/i><\/a>.<\/i><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Stay Informed:<\/i><\/b><\/div>\n
Keep up-to-date with the latest Erie Otters news by visiting OttersHockey.com, or follow along on social media with the Otters\u00a0<\/i>Facebook<\/i><\/a>,\u00a0<\/i>Twitter<\/i><\/a>, or\u00a0<\/i>Instagram<\/i><\/a>.<\/i><\/div>\n
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[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]Erie, Pennsylvania —\u00a0With the summer months drawing ever-closer to their conclusion, the Otters continue to add to their club as they prepare to open training camp in just over a week. General Manager\u00a0Dave Brown\u00a0and Director of Hockey Operations\u00a0Scott Grieve\u00a0announced that Erie has signed their first-round pick in the CHL Import Draft\u00a0Paul Schuster\u00a0to an OHL…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":569,"featured_media":41872,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"article","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[367],"tags":false,"class_list":["post-41868","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-article","category-367","description-off"],"acf":[],"featured_image":["https:\/\/media.chl.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2026\/08\/10132737\/Artboard-1-44.png",1080,1920,false],"hide_from_app_feed":false,"video":false,"gallery":null,"ht_game_id":0,"target_video":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41868","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/569"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41868"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41868\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":41873,"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41868\/revisions\/41873"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/41872"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41868"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41868"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41868"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":41757,"date":"2026-07-20T13:00:43","date_gmt":"2026-07-20T17:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/?p=41757"},"modified":"2026-07-20T11:43:12","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T15:43:12","slug":"release-otters-general-manager-dave-brown-named-assistant-general-manager-for-hockey-canadas-national-junior-team","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/article\/release-otters-general-manager-dave-brown-named-assistant-general-manager-for-hockey-canadas-national-junior-team","title":{"rendered":"RELEASE: Otters General Manager Dave Brown Named Assistant General Manager for Hockey Canada’s National Junior Team"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]Erie, Pennsylvania —\u00a0<\/strong>As we move further into the summer months the focus within the major junior hockey world shifts to the various international competitions taking place both over the summer and into the start of fall.<\/p>\n

With the beginning of international play not too far away, Hockey Canada announced today the leadership in charge of selecting their Junior National Team to compete at the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championships taking place this winter in Edmonton and Red Deer Alberta.<\/p>\n

Among those to be announced, Otters General Manager\u00a0Dave Brown\u00a0<\/strong>will be amongst the staff selecting who will compete for Canada at one of junior hockey’s most prestigious tournaments as he will serve as the Assistant General Manager for Hockey Canada.<\/p>\n

This is not the Niagara-On-The-Lake, ON native’s first rodeo with Hockey Canada as he was a key part in leading\u00a0Canada to a gold medal at the 2024 IIHF U18 Men\u2019s World Championship in Finland and gold at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He also helped Canada White to gold at the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.<\/p>\n

Alongside Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations\u00a0Scott Salmond,\u00a0<\/strong>General Manager\u00a0Alan Millar\u00a0<\/strong>and Director of Hockey Operations\u00a0Benoit Roy<\/strong>, Brown will look to help lead Hockey Canada to its 21st gold medal when they take the ice in December.<\/p>\n

Brown is set to enter his 11th season as General Manager with Erie with his time in the Flagship City being marked by Erie’s record four-straight 50-win seasons under his direction.<\/p>\n

With plenty of young stars at their disposal, Brown looks to lead Erie to a strong season for their 30th in the OHL.<\/p>\n

Brown spoke on his excitement level at the opportunity with Hockey Canada and what he looks to bring as they prepare to make their selections as the season unfolds.<\/p>\n

“Working with Hockey Canada is a true honor,”\u00a0Brown\u00a0<\/strong>said. “I am both energized and humbled by the chance to team up with remarkable people to accomplish our goal of earning a gold medal. This is something I am ready and excited to begin.”<\/p>\n

The Erie Otters are thrilled to see Brown recognized with this opportunity and look forward to seeing what he and Hockey Canada are able to accomplish in this winter’s tournament.<\/p>\n

\n
<\/div>\n
About the Erie Otters:<\/i><\/b><\/div>\n
The Erie Otters are an Ontario Hockey League (OHL) team based in Erie, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1996, the Otters have a rich history of excellence both on and off the ice. The team is committed to creating memorable experiences for its fans and contributing to the growth and well-being of the Erie community.<\/i><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
For further information on the Erie Otters and for media inquiries, please contact Trevor Kubeja at\u00a0<\/i>trevorkubeja@ottershockey.com<\/i><\/a>.<\/i><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Stay Informed:<\/i><\/b><\/div>\n
Keep up-to-date with the latest Erie Otters news by visiting OttersHockey.com, or follow along on social media with the Otters\u00a0<\/i>Facebook<\/i><\/a>,\u00a0<\/i>Twitter<\/i><\/a>, or\u00a0<\/i>Instagram<\/i><\/a>.<\/i><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/i><\/div>\n
###<\/div>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]Erie, Pennsylvania —\u00a0As we move further into the summer months the focus within the major junior hockey world shifts to the various international competitions taking place both over the summer and into the start of fall. With the beginning of international play not too far away, Hockey Canada announced today the leadership in charge…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":569,"featured_media":41759,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"article","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[367],"tags":false,"class_list":["post-41757","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-article","category-367","description-off"],"acf":[],"featured_image":["https:\/\/media.chl.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2026\/07\/20113921\/BROWN_WJC.png",1920,1080,false],"hide_from_app_feed":false,"video":false,"gallery":null,"ht_game_id":0,"target_video":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41757","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/569"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41757"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41757\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":41761,"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41757\/revisions\/41761"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/41759"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41757"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41757"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41757"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":41752,"date":"2026-07-16T13:30:57","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T17:30:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/?p=41752"},"modified":"2026-07-16T13:11:07","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T17:11:07","slug":"release-erie-otters-sign-second-round-import-pick-luka-arkko","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/article\/release-erie-otters-sign-second-round-import-pick-luka-arkko","title":{"rendered":"RELEASE: Erie Otters Sign Second Round Import Pick Luka Arkko"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]Erie, Pennsylvania —\u00a0<\/strong>The Otters forward core just got a little bit bigger as they’ve inked the first of their two selections from the 2026 CHL Import Draft.<\/p>\n

General Manager\u00a0Dave Brown\u00a0<\/strong>and Director of Hockey Operations\u00a0Scott Grieve\u00a0<\/strong>announced today that the #65 overall pick in the 2026 CHL Import Draft\u00a0Luka Arkko\u00a0<\/strong>has been signed to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement.<\/p>\n

Arkko comes to the Otters with both professional and junior experience in his home country of Finland and was selected by the Detroit Red Wings in the sixth round, #175 overall in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, making him the second Otter alongside\u00a0Lucas Ambrosio\u00a0<\/strong>to represent an NHL organization heading into the 2026-27 season.<\/p>\n

The native of Lahti, Finland spent last season split between the Pelicans U18 and U20 program, the bulk of his time coming with the latter. In a combined 46 games between the two programs, Arkko collected 33 points (17G+16A).<\/span><\/p>\n

The 6’3 2008-born forward also spent time with the Finnish National Team, where with their U18 program in 14 games he picked up 11 points (6G+5A).<\/p>\n

Otters’ Director of Hockey Operations\u00a0Scott Grieve\u00a0<\/strong>spoke on the addition of Arkko and what he will bring to the table in 2026-27.<\/p>\n

“We are very excited to officially sign Luka to a Standard Player Agreement,”\u00a0Grieve\u00a0<\/strong>said. “We believe Luka will fit very well into our forward group with his size and ability to make others around him better. The Otters look forward to working with Luka on his development both on and off the ice.”<\/p>\n

Arkko is expected to join the Otters for Main Camp in late-August. The Erie Otters are thrilled to officially welcome Luka Arkko to the Flagship City and look forward seeing what he can bring to the organization in the fall.<\/p>\n

\n
<\/div>\n
About the Erie Otters:<\/i><\/b><\/div>\n
The Erie Otters are an Ontario Hockey League (OHL) team based in Erie, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1996, the Otters have a rich history of excellence both on and off the ice. The team is committed to creating memorable experiences for its fans and contributing to the growth and well-being of the Erie community.<\/i><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
For further information on the Erie Otters and for media inquiries, please contact Trevor Kubeja at\u00a0<\/i>trevorkubeja@ottershockey.com<\/i><\/a>.<\/i><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Stay Informed:<\/i><\/b><\/div>\n
Keep up-to-date with the latest Erie Otters news by visiting OttersHockey.com, or follow along on social media with the Otters\u00a0<\/i>Facebook<\/i><\/a>,\u00a0<\/i>Twitter<\/i><\/a>, or\u00a0<\/i>Instagram<\/i><\/a>.<\/i><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/i><\/div>\n
###<\/div>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]Erie, Pennsylvania —\u00a0The Otters forward core just got a little bit bigger as they’ve inked the first of their two selections from the 2026 CHL Import Draft. General Manager\u00a0Dave Brown\u00a0and Director of Hockey Operations\u00a0Scott Grieve\u00a0announced today that the #65 overall pick in the 2026 CHL Import Draft\u00a0Luka Arkko\u00a0has been signed to an OHL Scholarship…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":569,"featured_media":41755,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"article","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[367],"tags":false,"class_list":["post-41752","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-article","category-367","description-off"],"acf":[],"featured_image":["https:\/\/media.chl.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2026\/07\/16131027\/ARKKO_1920x1080.png",1920,1080,false],"hide_from_app_feed":false,"video":false,"gallery":null,"ht_game_id":0,"target_video":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41752","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/569"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41752"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41752\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":41756,"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41752\/revisions\/41756"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/41755"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41752"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41752"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41752"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":41746,"date":"2026-07-07T14:00:23","date_gmt":"2026-07-07T18:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/?p=41746"},"modified":"2026-07-07T11:14:22","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T15:14:22","slug":"release-erie-otters-to-play-five-exhibition-games-ahead-of-2026-27-ontario-hockey-league-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/ohl-otters\/article\/release-erie-otters-to-play-five-exhibition-games-ahead-of-2026-27-ontario-hockey-league-season","title":{"rendered":"RELEASE: Erie Otters to Play Five Exhibition Games Ahead of 2026-27 Ontario Hockey League Season"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

Erie, Pennsylvania –\u00a0<\/b>Competitive hockey is just over two months away for the Erie Otters, as the Ontario Hockey League announced preseason scheduling for all 20 member teams today. Preseason games mark the formal start of the 2026-27 season across the OHL.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The Erie Otters will play five preseason games spanning the month of September. Erie will kick off their preseason campaign on the final weekend of August in London, ON. as they will open the schedule with back-to-back games against the\u00a0London Knights on Fri<\/strong>day, August 28 <\/b>at 7:00 P.M,\u00a0<\/b>and\u00a0Saturday, August 29 <\/b>at 4:00 P.M. Game one taking place at Canada Life Place and game two to be played at a neutral site, East Lambton Community Centre in Watford, ON. This pair of games serves as the first competitive meetings between the two Midwest Division rivals before their three trips to the Erie Insurance Arena in the first half of the 26\/27 regular season. This also marks the first of two games this preseason to be held at a neutral site.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The following weekend, the Otters will head to Kitchener for a weekend showcase featuring a clash of American foes as Erie take on the Saginaw Spirit on\u00a0Saturday September 5\u00a0<\/strong>at 4:00 P.M. at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium, serving as the first battle between Erie and Saginaw.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
On Sunday, September 6 <\/b>at 2:00 P.M., the Otters will conclude the showcase with a battle at the Aud with their division rival Kitchener Rangers, the first meeting between these two foes before they will meet in the second week of the regular season with a home-and-home concluding with Erie’s Home Opener on September 26.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
One week ahead of the start of the 2026-27 regular season, the Otters will play their final preseason game of 2026 with a neutral-site game in Fort Erie, ON. at the Fort Erie Recreation Complex, the home of Erie’s GOHL affiliate Fort Erie Meteors with a battle with their geographic rivals, the Niagara IceDogs\u00a0on Friday, September 11<\/b> at 7:00 P.M. This will serve as the final tune-up for the Otters ahead of the 2026-27 OHL regular season.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
General Manager\u00a0Dave Brown\u00a0<\/b>spoke with excitement about the closely-approaching return of hockey, headlined by the month of September’s\u00a0preseason\u00a0excitement.<\/div>\n
“Exhibition games play a significant role in a very important phase of your organization’s season,” said\u00a0Brown<\/b>. “It’s an excellent opportunity to get young players in unique positions to see how they will react to situations at the Junior level where returning players can get important reps in new roles.”<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
2026 ERIE OTTERS PRESEASON SCHEDULE<\/b><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/b><\/div>\n
Designated “home” team is listed in\u00a0bold<\/b>. Game location is listed in\u00a0italics<\/i>.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n