https://chl.ca/ohl-spirit/category/link/ Wed, 29 Jul 2026 13:07:04 +0000 en-CA hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.2 https://chl.ca/ohl-spirit/article/brendan-taylor-named-saginaw-spirit-head-coach Wed, 29 Jul 2026 13:00:57 +0000 Dillon Clark https://chl.ca/ohl-spirit/article/brendan-taylor-named-saginaw-spirit-head-coach Saginaw, Mich. – The Saginaw Spirit have hired Brendan Taylor as the 11th head coach in team history, General Manager Dave Drinkill announced Wednesday.   “I want to start by welcoming Brendan to Saginaw,” said Drinkill. “He has earned this opportunity through his work ethic and a commitment to hockey. Brendan has worked his way up every step of the coaching ladder – nothing has been handed to him. He’s put in the time, continued to grow, and consistently proven himself by developing top-end NHL talent.”   Taylor, 37, arrives in Saginaw with ten years of coaching experience in the Ontario Hockey League. Most recently, he spent four seasons as an assistant coach with the Soo Greyhounds. Taylor helped guide the Greyhounds to three straight playoff appearances from 2024 to 2026.  He brought gold to Canada in 2025, serving as an assistant coach for Team Canada Red at the U17 World Hockey Challenge along with Drinkill, who was Team Canada Red’s director of operations.   “It was a privilege to work alongside Brendan with Hockey Canada and to win together,” said Drinkill. “That gave me a firsthand look at how he leads, prepares, and conducts himself every day. Players respect him because he’s genuine, he’s demanding, and he invests in their development. It stood out to me throughout this process how closely his vision aligns with ours when it comes to developing players and how we want to play the game.”   Prior to joining the Greyhounds, the Oakville, Ontario native was an assistant coach with the Mississauga Steelheads for five seasons (2017-2022). Taylor joined the Steelheads for the 2016-2017 season as a video coach.   In nine seasons as an assistant coach in the OHL, Taylor has aided in the development of more than 30 NHL drafted or signed players between the Steelheads and Greyhounds. In 2026 alone, the Greyhounds saw four players picked in the NHL Draft, including defenseman Chase Reid to the Seattle Kraken at seventh overall.   “On behalf of Dick Garber, we are thrilled to welcome Brendan to the Saginaw Spirit family,” said President and Managing Partner Craig Goslin. “He’s demonstrated throughout his career great coaching ability and high character, plus he’s a Spirit alumnus. His daily focus on developing elite student athletes into successful people on and off the ice makes him a great addition to the Spirit family. Brendan’s success and congruency with GM Dave Drinkill will make them a very strong leadership team for our players, all stakeholders, and overall hockey operations success.”   Taylor’s coaching career officially began in 2014 when he was announced as an assistant coach for the Jr. A Oakville Blades of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL). He spent two seasons with the Blades before breaking into the OHL with Mississauga.   "I'm very excited to take the head coaching position here in Saginaw," said Taylor. "I've enjoyed getting to know the organization throughout this process. I'm excited to get to know the city and our fan base, and to get started with a really talented group of players."   Taylor’s position in Saginaw is somewhat of a homecoming. In his playing days, he appeared in 30 games as a forward for the Spirit during the 2007-2008 season, making him the first Spirit alum to serve as the team’s head coach. Taylor’s 120-game OHL career also saw stops with the Peterborough Petes and Belleville Bulls.   An introductory press conference for Saginaw’s new head coach is scheduled for Tuesday, August 4th at 3pm at the Dow Event Center (303 Johnson St.). The press conference will be open to the public.   Brendan Taylor’s arrival in Saginaw is dependent on U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services approval.]]> https://chl.ca/ohl-spirit/article/dima-zhilkin-brady-knowling-set-to-attend-world-junior-summer-showcase-in-windsor Fri, 24 Jul 2026 17:00:22 +0000 Dillon Clark https://chl.ca/ohl-spirit/article/dima-zhilkin-brady-knowling-set-to-attend-world-junior-summer-showcase-in-windsor Windsor, Ont. – A pair of Saginaw Spirit players will join their respective countries’ World Junior Summer Showcase roster this weekend. The 2026 World Junior Summer Showcase is set for July 26-Aug 1, 2026 at the WFCU Centre. Goaltender Brady Knowling will join Team USA, while Hockey Canada announced forward Dima Zhilkin to its roster of camp participants on Friday afternoon.   The 2008-born Zhilkin is entering his third season with the Spirit. A native of Windsor, Zhilkin was named the 27th captain in team history last year. He posted career-highs across the board with 36G-39A—75P in 59 games played during the 2025-2026 season, in addition to three goals and an assist in four playoff games.   Zhilkin joined Canada for the 2026 U18 World Championships this spring, where he registered five goals and two assists in just five games to lead his team in goals and points. He first represented his country at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, with three goals in five games enroute to a bronze medal. Zhilkin is considered a top prospect for the 2027 NHL Draft.   The Spirit signed dual-citizen goaltender Brady Knowling earlier this summer after he spent two seasons with the U.S. National Team Development Program. Knowling was originally drafted by Saginaw in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection (3rd round, 60th overall). He posted a 15-13-3-1 record in 2025-26 with a 3.51 GAA and .883 SV% with the NTDP’s U18 team in 2025-26.   Knowling led Team USA to a Hlinka Gretzky Cup gold medal in 2025 with four wins, a 2.35 GAA and .914 SV%. He was also a part of Team USA’s IIHF World Junior Championship team in January of 2026.   Team USA begins its World Junior Summer Showcase schedule with a split-squad set of games on July 26. Team USA White plays Finland at 12:00pm, while Team USA Blue plays Sweden at 4:00pm.   Team Canada will practice July 27 and 28 before taking on Sweden on July 29, Finland on July 30 and the United States on Aug. 1.   Tickets for the 2026 World Junior Summer Showcase are on sale now starting at $18 plus applicable fees. Full event packages and team-specific ticket packages can also be purchased. Visit HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets for more information.]]> https://chl.ca/ohl-spirit/article/spirit-hire-tera-szeliga-as-director-of-sales-and-public-relations Fri, 24 Jul 2026 14:00:24 +0000 Dillon Clark https://chl.ca/ohl-spirit/article/spirit-hire-tera-szeliga-as-director-of-sales-and-public-relations Saginaw, Mich. – The Saginaw Spirit Hockey Club is pleased to announce the hiring of Tera Szeliga as its director of sales and public relations. Szeliga brings more than 20 years of experience in marketing, communications, community engagement, and partnership development across the Great Lakes Bay Region.   “It is an absolute honor to welcome Tera Szeliga into the Saginaw Spirit Family as our director of sales and public relations,” said Team President and Managing Partner Craig Goslin. “Tera’s background in building up the Great Lakes Bay Region’s community makes her a perfect fit for the Spirit. Her family values alongside husband Martin and kids exemplify our “why,” and add to the focus on high-energy family entertainment for which this team has become synonymous. Tera’s role will focused on selling tickets, suites, and sponsorships, along with expanding on the Sprit’s public relations and community outreach.”   Szeliga comes to the Spirit after seven years at the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance, serving most recently as its director of marketing and communications. Much of her work has been in building connections among businesses, schools, nonprofits, and civic organizations, while creating impactful programs and community-focused initiatives.   Prior to her time with the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance, Szeliga served in leadership roles with United Way of Bay County and General Motors. She is a graduate of Saginaw Valley State University and an active volunteer and community advocate.   Szeliga resides in Pinconning with her husband, Martin, and their three children, Raven, Max, and Josie.  ]]> https://chl.ca/ohl-spirit/article/spirit-head-coach-chris-lazary-departs-to-pursue-further-opportunities Wed, 22 Jul 2026 19:00:50 +0000 Dillon Clark https://chl.ca/ohl-spirit/article/spirit-head-coach-chris-lazary-departs-to-pursue-further-opportunities Saginaw, Mich. – Spirit GM Dave Drinkill announced Wednesday afternoon that Head Coach Chris Lazary will be departing the organization for another coaching opportunity.   “First off, I want to thank Chris for putting everything he had into our organization since his hiring in 2016,” said Drinkill. “He has done an outstanding job developing young talent, creating a culture of winning, and helping to build this organization into one of the premier programs in junior hockey. I look forward to watching Chris start the next chapter of his coaching career and wish him nothing but the best. He will be missed tremendously here in Saginaw, but we will continue to build on our success from the last eight years.”   Lazary had been with the organization since the 2016-17 season, when he joined as an associate coach. He spent eight seasons as the tenth head coach in franchise history after being promoted in November of 2018. Three of Saginaw’s West Division titles (2019, 2020, 2024) came under Lazary’s tenure, as well as two trips to the Western Conference Final and the team’s 2024 Memorial Cup Championship. A 50-win, 102-point regular season in 2023-2024 (50-16-1-1) was the team’s best to date.   “On behalf of Dick Garber and the Saginaw Spirit staff, we are forever grateful to Chris Lazary for his eight seasons as our head coach,” said President and Managing Partner Craig Goslin. “His commitment to excellence, resilience, and work ethic are the values that have made him an exceptional coach.  We wish Chris, his wife Jackie, and their children all the best in their new home.  Chris and the entire Lazary family will always be a major ingredient to the fabric of the 2024 Memorial Cup Championship and the Spirit Family.”   In his time behind the Spirit bench, Lazary established a new franchise record for coaching wins at 249. He guided the Spirit through 507 regular season, playoff, and Memorial Cup games, and is the organization’s longest-tenured head coach. Lazary concludes his time in Saginaw with a regular season record of 249-171-16-12.   The Spirit won five playoff series during Lazary’s time in Saginaw and had a postseason record of 26-28. Their tournament record during their 2024 Memorial Cup Championship was 4-1, including round robin, semi-final, and championship games.   “The past ten years with the Saginaw Spirit have been the most rewarding of my coaching career,” said Lazary. “I want to thank Dick Garber, Craig Goslin, Brandon Bordeaux, Dave Drinkill, Brian Prout, our players, staff, billets, and the incredible fans for believing in me and supporting our vision. Together, we built something I’m incredibly proud of, culminating in a Memorial Cup Championship and the development of so many outstanding young men. Accepting this new opportunity was an incredibly difficult decision because of what Saginaw means to me and my family. It is a unique opportunity for continued growth, but Saginaw will hold a special place in my heart. I will always be grateful to have been a part of this remarkable organization.”   Since his first season as head coach in 2018-19, 18 players have gone on to be selected in the NHL Draft from Lazary’s Spirit teams. Five of those players, including Nikita Klepov in 2026 (15th overall, Anaheim), were top-15 picks. Under the guidance of Lazary, this gives Saginaw the most players selected in that range from any CHL team since 2020.   The organization will begin the search for Saginaw’s next head coach immediately.]]> https://chl.ca/ohl-spirit/article/forward-alexander-milojevic-signs-scholarship-and-development-agreement-with-saginaw-spirit Thu, 16 Jul 2026 15:00:23 +0000 Dillon Clark https://chl.ca/ohl-spirit/article/forward-alexander-milojevic-signs-scholarship-and-development-agreement-with-saginaw-spirit Saginaw, Mich. – Spirit GM Dave Drinkill announced Thursday morning that the team has signed left-shot forward Alexander Milojevic (MY-lo-JEV-ik) to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. Milojevic stands at 6’, 185lbs and was originally drafted by the Spirit in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection (4th round, 73rd overall). “We are extremely excited to be able to add another elite young player to our strong group here in Saginaw,” said Drinkill. “Alexander can change the game very quickly, using game-breaking speed and skill to dictate the outcomes he wants in the offensive zone. During his draft year, he was widely regarded as one of the top U.S. players in his age group, and we can’t wait to build on his already strong foundation. Alexander is a high-end young hockey player, and I want to thank the Milojevic family for putting their trust in us when it comes to developing him during his next chapter.” The 16-year-old Milojevic spent almost all of last season with the U.S. National Team Development Program’s U17 team, recording 15 points (8G-7A) in 47 games. Milojevic also suited up for one game with the NTDP’s U18 team. From Chicago, Illinois, Milojevic spent his minor hockey with the Chicago Mission 15U AAA team. His 101 points (61A-40A) in 2024-2025 were the most in a single by a Mission 15U player. He scored a pair of goals for the Mission in four games at US 15U Nationals and 4G-1A—5P in four games at USA Hockey’s Boys National 15 Player Development Camp that summer. “I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity and the chance to play for such an amazing coaching staff and organization,” said Milojevic. “It was truly an honor to hear my name called by Saginaw in last year’s draft, and I’m thankful for the belief they’ve shown me from the very beginning. I can’t wait to get to work, continue growing as a player and person, and become part of the Saginaw community. I’m excited to represent this organization and give everything I have each time I step on the ice.” Milojevic will wear uniform number 93 with the Spirit in 2026-2027.]]> https://chl.ca/ohl-spirit/article/spirit-sign-import-forward-dmitry-savin-to-standard-player-agreement Wed, 15 Jul 2026 15:00:39 +0000 Dillon Clark https://chl.ca/ohl-spirit/article/spirit-sign-import-forward-dmitry-savin-to-standard-player-agreement Saginaw, Mich. – Spirit GM Dave Drinkill announced Wednesday that the team has signed forward Dmitry Savin (SAVV-in), selected 31st overall in the 2026 CHL Import Draft, to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. “Dmitry is a very talented two-way center,” said Drinkill. “We admire the attention to detail in all aspects of his game, especially given how young he is. He’ll fit right in with the rest of our skilled young players and we’re so happy to be able to sign him.” From Novosibirsk, Russia, Savin spent the 2025-2026 season with CSKA Moskva. The 17-year-old split his season between the U17 and U18 teams, dominating at both levels. Most of Savin’s season was played with the U17’s, where he recorded 59 points (29G-30A) in 32 regular season games. He was tied for the team lead in goals and points, while finishing second in assists. Savin joined defenseman Gordei Khotkov on the CSKA Moskva U17 team as his fellow would-be Spirit import draftee. With CSKA Moscow’s U18’s, Savin finished third in team scoring with 43 points (24G-19A) in just 19 games. His points per game average improved from 1.84 with his age group to 2.26 when he began to play up a year. He also appeared in one game with Krasnaya Armiya Moskva of the MHL (Junior Hockey League). Savin saw action in the Russian Finals with both the U17 and U18 teams. He had 12 points (7G-5A) in seven games with the U17’s, and 12 points (6G-6A) in eight games with the U18’s. Savin also recorded 3G-7A—10P in four games with Gold Star Hockey at the Andrews International U18 Showcase. Dmitry Savin’s arrival in Saginaw is dependent on U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services approval.]]> https://chl.ca/ohl-spirit/article/saginaws-drew-bate-kyler-lauder-named-to-canadas-national-under-17-development-camp Tue, 14 Jul 2026 17:00:39 +0000 Dillon Clark https://chl.ca/ohl-spirit/article/saginaws-drew-bate-kyler-lauder-named-to-canadas-national-under-17-development-camp Calgary, AB – Hockey Canada announced Tuesday its roster for their national under-17 development camp, taking place in Oakville, Ont. from July 17-21. The 2026 U17 World Challenge will be held in Oakville from Nov. 1-7. Incoming Spirit rookie forwards Drew Bate and Kyler Lauder were each named to Canada’s development camp roster. Drew Bate was Saginaw’s first pick of the 2026 OHL Priority Selection at 6th overall. He led the ALLIANCE U16 AAA circuit in scoring with 72 points (34G-38A) in just 27 games with the London Jr. Knights before being named the 2026 ALLIANCE Player of the Year. Bate added 7G-14A—21P in eight playoff games with the Knights and helped them to an OHL Cup semi-final appearance. He had the second-most points at the 2026 OHL Cup with 13 (7G-6A), and was tied for the tournament goal-scoring lead. Kyler Lauder was a second-round selection by the Spirit (24th overall) in 2026 after leading the OMHA in scoring. He was named the OMHA East U16 AAA Player of the Year after a 69-point season (35G-34A) through 32 games with the Central Ontario Wolves. Lauder added 7G-9A—16P in ten playoff games with Central Ontario. Bate and Lauder will join Spirit General Manager Dave Drinkill in Oakville, who is serving as a director of operations for Team Canada Red.]]> https://chl.ca/ohl-spirit/article/sawyer-schmidt-to-attend-usa-hockeys-hlinka-gretzky-cup-selection-camp Tue, 14 Jul 2026 15:28:49 +0000 Dillon Clark https://chl.ca/ohl-spirit/article/sawyer-schmidt-to-attend-usa-hockeys-hlinka-gretzky-cup-selection-camp Colorado Springs, Colo. – USA Hockey announced this week the roster for its Hlinka Gretzky Cup Selection Camp, scheduled for July 23-27 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Spirit forward Sawyer Schmidt was one of 36 players vying for a spot on the team’s 23-man roster. The Buffalo, N.Y. native Schmidt made his OHL debut this season with the Saginaw Spirit, notching a goal and an assist in 29 regular season and playoff games. He scored his first OHL goal on February 13th in a road victory against the Sarnia Sting. Before coming to the OHL, Schmidt spent 33 games with the Buffalo Jr. Sabres of the OJHL, recording 7G-20A—27P. His first stint with Team USA came through five games with the U.S. National Team Development Program’s U17 squad earlier in the 2025-26 season. Team USA will take the final 23-man roster of its Under-18 Men’s Select Team to Edmonton, Alberta from Aug. 3-8 for the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. For more information on the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, click here.]]> https://chl.ca/ohl-spirit/article/spirit-gm-dave-drinkill-named-director-of-operations-for-canada-red-at-u17-world-challenge Thu, 09 Jul 2026 17:00:39 +0000 Dillon Clark https://chl.ca/ohl-spirit/article/spirit-gm-dave-drinkill-named-director-of-operations-for-canada-red-at-u17-world-challenge Calgary, AB – Hockey Canada announced Thursday afternoon its coaching and support staffs for Canada’s national under-17 teams at the 2026 U17 World Challenge in Oakville, Ontario. Spirit General Manager Dave Drinkill will reprise his role of Director of Operations with Team Canada Red for a third consecutive year. “It’s very humbling to be able to join this group for a third season,” said Drinkill. “I’ve enjoyed seeing players get to pull on our country’s colors for the first time and grow together as a group. Winning gold last season was such a great experience and I’m honored to have the opportunity to do it again this year.” From Elmvale, Ontario, Drinkill has secured a medal in each of his previous appearances with Team Canada. He debuted with a silver in 2024 and captured gold last fall with a 6-3 victory over Canada White in Truro, Nova Scotia. Drinkill is set to begin his 12th season as general manager of the Saginaw Spirit. His tenure in Saginaw has led to three West Division titles (2019, 2020, 2024), two Western Conference Finals appearances (2019, 2024), and a Memorial Cup Championship in 2024. With four players selected directly from the Spirit roster at the 2026 NHL Draft (Nikita Klepov, Egor Barabanov, Brody Pepoy, Stepan Shurygin), Drinkill’s teams have now produced 28 NHL-drafted players. This includes five top-15 picks (Klepov, Michael Misa, Zayne Parekh, Pavel Mintyukov, Cole Perfetti) since 2020, the most by a Canadian Hockey League team in that span. Canada’s national under-17 development camp will take place July 17-21 at the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville and will include practices and six games. Players will continue to be evaluated during the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) season ahead of the 2026 U17 World Challenge. The U17 World Challenge will be held Nov. 1-7 in Oakville.]]> https://chl.ca/ohl-spirit/article/former-spirit-captain-camaryn-baber-signs-with-echls-orlando-solar-bears Thu, 09 Jul 2026 16:00:50 +0000 Dillon Clark https://chl.ca/ohl-spirit/article/former-spirit-captain-camaryn-baber-signs-with-echls-orlando-solar-bears Orlando, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears, ECHL affiliate to the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning, announced Thursday that they have signed Saginaw Spirit alum Camaryn Baber to an ECHL Standard Player Contract for the 2026-27 season. Baber spent parts of five seasons with the Spirit, from 2017-18 to 2021-22. He recorded 26G-43A—69P in 145 regular season games and was named the team’s 21st captain on October 14th, 2021. Baber was originally selected by the Spirit in the 3rd round of the 2017 OHL Priority Selection. After his graduation from the OHL, Baber enrolled at the University of New Brunswick where he skated in 116 USPORTS games with 24G-28A—52P. He and the Reds would go on to three USports (AUS) Championships (2023, 2024, 2025) and two University Cup Championships (2023, 2024). Baber, fellow Spirit alum Brady Gilmour, and the 2023-2024 Reds put together a historic season, with a combined exhibition, regular and postseason record of 43-0. Their 2024 University Cup championship was the first instance in tournament history where a team did not allow a single goal, outscoring opponents 15-0. Baber’s signing with the Orlando Solar Bears is his first professional contract.]]>