https://chl.ca/ohl-spirit/tag/rescheduled-games/ Wed, 22 Jul 2026 19:16:19 +0000 en-CA hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.2 https://chl.ca/ohl-spirit/article/spirit-head-coach-chris-lazary-departs-to-pursue-further-opportunities Wed, 22 Jul 2026 19:00:50 +0000 Joey Battaino 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 Joey Battaino 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 Joey Battaino 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 Joey Battaino 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 Joey Battaino 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 Joey Battaino 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 Joey Battaino 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.]]> https://chl.ca/ohl-spirit/article/trip-to-newfoundland-headlines-2026-saginaw-spirit-preseason-schedule Tue, 07 Jul 2026 18:00:25 +0000 Joey Battaino https://chl.ca/ohl-spirit/article/trip-to-newfoundland-headlines-2026-saginaw-spirit-preseason-schedule Saginaw, MI – As the Ontario Hockey League announced its 2026 preseason schedule on Tuesday afternoon, the Saginaw Spirit prepare for a unique slate of games in brand-new territory. In addition to four preseason games against OHL opponents, they will head to three cities in Newfoundland, Canada for a trio of games against the Newfoundland Regiment of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).   2026 Saginaw Spirit Preseason Schedule (7 games) Aug. 28 – at Newfoundland (QMJHL), 7:00pm NDT/5:30pm ET (Steele Community Centre, Gander, N.L.) Aug. 29 – at Newfoundland (QMJHL), 4:00pm NDT/2:30pm ET (Windsor Stadium, Grand Falls-Windsor, N.L.) Aug. 31 – at Newfoundland (QMJHL), 7:00pm NDT/5:30pm ET (Corner Brook Civic Centre, Corner Brook, N.L.) Sept. 5 – vs. Erie, 4:00pm ET (Kitchener Memorial Auditorium) Sept. 6 – vs. Oshawa, 6:00pm ET (Kitchener Memorial Auditorium) Sept. 7 – at Kitchener, 2:00pm ET (Elmira Community Centre) Sept. 13 – at Soo, 2:07pm ET (GFL Memorial Gardens)   “Our organization is thrilled to bring our team to Newfoundland,” said Dave Drinkill, General Manager of the Saginaw Spirit. “This is a storied province with a deep passion for hockey, and the opportunity for our players and staff to experience it firsthand while getting quality preseason competition is something special. We’re grateful to the Regiment and to the host communities for the invitation and we’re looking forward to a tremendous series.” “On behalf of the entire Regiment organization, I want to thank the Ontario Hockey League and the Saginaw Spirit for making the trip to Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Glenn Stanford, President of the Newfoundland Regiment Hockey Club. “This series is a cross-island celebration of junior hockey, and we could not be more excited to welcome the Spirit to our province. Fans in Gander, Grand Falls-Windsor, and Corner Brook will have the chance to see Canadian Hockey League games in their own backyard and we know they’ll show our guests the warmest welcome.” This will be Saginaw’s first run-in with a team from the QMJHL since meeting the Drummondville Voltigeurs in the 2024 Memorial Cup. The Spirit also met the Moncton Wildcats in 2018 preseason action at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium. The Spirit are the first OHL club to travel to Newfoundland and Labrador for preseason action. Additional information on how to follow the Spirit through their preseason visit with the Newfoundland Regiment will be announced closer to the beginning of preseason play. The 2026-2027 regular season will begin for the Saginaw Spirit on Friday, September 18th with a visit to the Soo Greyhounds at 7:07pm. They host the Flint Firebirds on Saturday, September 19th at 7:05pm for their home opener.]]> https://chl.ca/ohl-spirit/article/defenseman-gordei-khotkov-signs-scholarship-and-development-agreement-in-saginaw Tue, 07 Jul 2026 15:00:13 +0000 Joey Battaino https://chl.ca/ohl-spirit/article/defenseman-gordei-khotkov-signs-scholarship-and-development-agreement-in-saginaw Saginaw, MI – The Saginaw Spirit have signed Russian defenseman Gordei Khotkov (GOR-dee KAWT-kawv) to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement, General Manager Dave Drinkill announced Tuesday morning. Khotkov was Saginaw’s first selection in the 2026 CHL Import Draft at 16th overall. “Khotkov is a player that came up on our radar a year ago,” said Drinkill. “We watched a lot of video on him and he was a big-time player of interest for us moving into the import draft. When the rules changed to allow us to draft 2010-born players, we were very excited at the chance to add him to our already impressive group. Gordei is a mobile, skilled, and smooth-skating defenseman who can contribute at both ends of the ice.” Khotkov is a left-shot defenseman from Yaroslavl, Russia standing at 6’5”, 210lbs. At 16 years old, he spent the 2025-2026 season playing at the U16 and U17 levels for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl and CSKA Moskva. In 56 regular season and tournament games at both levels, Khotkov finished the season with 63 points (24G-39A). “We believe Gordei has the abilities and the mindset to be successful in our system. He is physically mature for his age as well, which will allow for an easier transition into matchups against older players. I believe that under Chris Lazary and our staff, Gordei has the potential to be a star in this league and beyond. We are extremely happy to sign Gordei today and look forward to working with him in August.” The young defenseman’s finest performance of the season came at the U16 Russia Cup with CSKA Moskva. He tallied 31 points (13G-18A) in 19 games and led all defenseman in tournament scoring. Khotkov also appeared internationally at the U16 level, with four assists in four games while representing Russia. Khotkov’s arrival in Saginaw is dependent on U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services approval.]]> https://chl.ca/ohl-spirit/article/spirit-select-gordei-khotkov-dmitri-savin-in-2026-chl-import-draft Tue, 30 Jun 2026 15:54:35 +0000 Joey Battaino https://chl.ca/ohl-spirit/article/spirit-select-gordei-khotkov-dmitri-savin-in-2026-chl-import-draft Saginaw, MI – The Saginaw Spirit completed the 2026 CHL Import Draft on Tuesday, selecting defenseman Gordei Khotkov and forward Dmitri Savin from Russia.   Round 1 | 16th overall | (D) Gordei Khotkov Khotkov (KAWT-kawv) is a left-shot defenseman standing at 6’5” 210lbs. The 16-year-old is from Yaroslavl, Russia, and spent the 2025-2026 season with the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl and CSKA Moskva programs, playing at both the U16 and U17 level. His longest stretch of regular season games came with CSKA Moskva’s U17 team, with nine points (3G-6A) over a 12-game span and 27 PIM. Khotkov also dominated at the U16 Russia Cup with CSKA Moskva, registering 31 points (13G-18A) in 19 games as the tournament’s highest-scoring defenseman. He represented Russia internationally at the U16 level, recording four assists in four games. Across all levels and tournaments, Khotkov appeared in 56 games in 2025-2026, scoring 24G-39A—63P.   Round 1 | 31st overall | (F) Dmitri Savin Savin (SAVV-in) is a left-shot forward from Novosibirsk, Russia. He stands at 6’2” 190lbs and played with CSKA Moskva’s U17 and U18 teams in the 2025-2026 regular season. Savin also played a game with Kransnaya Armiya Moskva of the Russian junior league. With CSKA’s U17 program, the 2009-born Savin led the team with 29 goals and 59 points across 32 games. His 30 assists were good for second on the team. His points-per-game increased with the U18’s as he posted 24G-19A—43P in just 19 games. Savin participated in both the U17 (7G-5A—12P, 7GP) and U18 (6G-6A—12P, 8GP) Finals series with CSKA. He was tied for third in team scoring with the Gold Star Hockey U18s at the Andrews International Showcase (3G-7A—10P).   Two of Saginaw’s picks from last summer’s 2025 CHL Import Draft just heard their names called in the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft. Forward Nikita Klepov was drafted 15th overall by the Anaheim Ducks after a record-setting rookie season with the Spirit. Goaltender Stepan Shurygin was a 6th round pick by the Tampa Bay Lightning after a season with the most games played of any OHL goaltender. For the second straight year, the CHL Import Draft consisted of three rounds as the CHL enters its second season with three import player spots available on each club’s roster. As a reminder, new rules are in effect for this year’s draft: 20-year-old import players are eligible to be selected in any round, while 16-year-old import players may only be selected in the first round. CHL clubs may carry a maximum of one 16-year-old import player per season. That player cannot be traded or replaced by another import player during his 16-year-old season. If a 16-year-old import player is released to another level of hockey during the regular season or deleted from a club’s roster, that club will be limited to two import players for the remainder of the regular season and playoffs.]]>