OHL This Week: Oct. 3 to 6, 2024

Following an action-packed Opening Week, OHL teams are set to start October strong as Week 2 gets underway!

Purchase OHL Live on CHL TV packages for the 2024-25 season:
The OHL, in collaboration with the CHL, is excited to announce that OHL Live on CHL TV packages for the 2024-25 season are now available for purchase online at watch.chl.ca.

London, Oshawa to host inaugural CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Kubota Canada:
An exciting new event is coming to London and Oshawa. The first-ever CHL USA Prospects Challenge hits the ice on Tuesday, November 26th in London before moving to Oshawa for Wednesday, November 27th. The event features the top first-year NHL Draft-eligible prospects from the CHL’s Member Leagues – Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) – face-off against those from the U.S. National Under-18 Team in a two-game series. Read more

Spirit’s Misa named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week:
Michael Misa of the Saginaw Spirit is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording seven goals along with an assist for eight points over three games played. Read more

Steelheads’ Ivankovic named OHL Goaltender of the Week:
Jack Ivankovic of the Brampton Steelheads is the OHL Goaltender of the Week, going 2-0 with a shutout, along with a 1.00 goals-against average and .964 save percentage. Details

Spitfires’ Belchetz named OHL Rookie of the Week:
Ethan Belchetz of the Windsor Spitfires is the OHL Rookie of the Week following an outstanding debut weekend, recording four goals, four assists, and eight points in three games played. Details

OHL Power Rankings – Week 1 Edition:
Each Monday throughout the season, the OHL Power Rankings will highlight the top 16 teams as they compete for position leading into the 2025 OHL Playoffs. In the first rankings of the regular season, the Brampton Steelheads claim the top spot following a two-win weekend. Details

Steelheads, Knights, Bulldogs and Generals included in Week 1 edition of CHL Top 10 Rankings:
The CHL has announced that the Brampton Steelheads (1), London Knights (3), Oshawa Generals (8) and Brantford Bulldogs (9) have been included in the Week 1 edition of the CHL Top-10 Rankings for the 2024-25 season. Details

OHL Weekend Notebook:
Take a look at a few lead stories from across the league after a busy week of OHL Opening Week action. Details

Mic’d up with Steelheads captain Porter Martone:
Newly minted Brampton Steelheads captain Porter Martone went mic’d up ahead of the home opener at the CAA Centre. Watch

Enbridge OHL Saves of the Week:
The first edition of Enbridge OHL Saves of the Week features Sault Ste. Marie’s Charlie Schenkel, Niagara’s Owen Flores, Peterborough’s Zach Bowen, Windsor’s Carter Froggett and Ottawa’s Jaeden Nelson. Watch

OHL Plays of the Week:
Opening up the season with the first edition of OHL Plays of the Week starring Brampton’s Spencer Sova, Ottawa’s Filip Ekberg, Niagara’s Kevin He, Saginaw’s Michael Misa and Kristian Epperson and Kingston’s Tyler Hopkins. Watch

20 first goals in Opening Week edition of Milestone Moments:
Syngenta Canada and Dairy Farmers of Ontario present OHL Milestone Moments, where we highlight first goals and shutouts throughout the season! This week’s edition features a total of 20 first goals from across the league. Watch

Bonk, Cowan, Luchanko among OHL players remaining with NHL clubs:
A total of 11 players born in 2004 or younger remain with NHL clubs through Thursday as the 2024-25 NHL regular season approaches. Training Camp Tracker

Battalion’s Oulahen named Assistant Coach for 2024 CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Kubota Canada:
North Bay Battalion Head Coach Ryan Oulahen has been named an Assistant Coach for the 2024 CHL USA Prospects Challenge. Oulahenis in his sixth season as head coach of the North Bay Battalion. Before that, he spent three seasons as Head Coach of the Flint Firebirds and six seasons as an assistant coach with the Battalion (2010-16). Details

OHL mourns the loss of Jason Cirone:
The Ontario Hockey League is saddened by the loss of former Cornwall Royals captain Jason Cirone, who has passed away following a battle with cancer at the age of 53. In Memoriam

Latest Moves:

Generals land Colby Barlow in trade with Owen Sound:
The Generals announced the acquisition of Owen Sound Attack captain Colby Barlow, bringing in the 19-year-old fresh off his return from NHL preseason action with the Winnipeg Jets, who selected him 18th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft. Owen Sound didn’t come away empty-handed, acquiring draft eligible 6-foot-5 defenceman David Bedkowski, sophomore winger Tristan Delisle and six draft picks including a pair of seconds and thirds. Details

Rangers acquire Chris Grisolia from Barrie:
The Kitchener Rangers added a 19-year-old forward on Thursday, picking up Chris Grisolia from the Barrie Colts in exchange for a conditional 15th round pick in 2027. Grisolia, from Vaughan, Ont., has played in 177 career regular season games with Barrie since being selected in the second round of the 2021 OHL Priority Selection, producing 19 goals, 26 assists and 45 points.

Storm’s Alriksson signs with Canucks:
The Vancouver Canucks has agreed to terms with forward Vilmer Alriksson on a three-year, entry-level contract. Alriksson recently completed his first OHL season with the Guelph Storm, recording 33 points in 67 games. He  was originally selected by Vancouver in the fourth round at the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. Details

Wolves sign 2023 selection Grant Booth:
The Sudbury Wolves have signed forward Grant Booth to the team for the upcoming 2024-25 season. A Sudbury native, Booth selected in the 8th round of the 2023 OHL Priority Selection. During the 2023-24 season, he played with the Espanola Paper Kings. Details

Wolves sign ninth round pick Mason Walker:
The Sudbury Wolves have signed forward Mason Walker to the team for the upcoming 2024-25 season. Walker was selected in the ninth round of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection from the Sudbury Wolves U16 AAA program. Details

Knights sign free agent forward Noah Aboflan:
The London Knights have signed 2005-born free agent forward Noah Aboflan to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. Aboflan spent time with the Elliott Lake Vikings of the NOJHL and the Pelham Panthers of the GOJHL last season. Details

Knights’ Gazizov signs with AHL’s San Diego Gulls:
The San Diego Gulls announced that the AHL club has signed London Knights forward Ruslan Gazizov to a one-year standard player contract through the 2024-25 AHL season. Details

Other News:

Generals name Maple Leafs prospect Ben Danford captain:
The Oshawa Generals have announced their leadership team for the 2024/25 season including Ben Danford as the 72nd captain in Oshawa Generals history, and assistant captains Calum Ritchie, Luke Torrance, Matthew Buckley, and Luca Marrelli. Details

Wolves name Donovan McCoy captain:
The Sudbury Wolves announced Donovan McCoy as the 54th captain in franchise history. Donovan will be accompanied by Kocha Delic, Alex Pharand, Nick DeAngelis, and Quentin Musty as part of the leadership group for the 2024-2025 season. Details

Sting name leadership group, Fischer appointed captain:
The Sarnia Sting announced their leadership group ahead of the 2024-25 season, with St. Louis Blues prospect Lukas Fischer being appointed captain. Joining Fischer as assistants are veteran forwards Easton Wainwright and Zach Filak, second-year attacker Ryan Brown and sophomore blueliner Hughston Hurt. Details

Connor Clattenburg named Firebirds captain:
Connor Clattenburg has been named the seventh captain in Flint Firebirds franchise history, with Blake Smith and Nolan Collins each set to wear an A as an alternate captain for the 2024-25 OHL season. Details

Battalion name Owen van Steensel captain:
Owen Van Steensel has been appointed captain of the North Bay Battalion. Van Steensel becomes the ninth captain in the Battalion’s North Bay era, which dates to the 2013-14 season, following Barclay Goodrow, Marcus McIvor, Mike Amadio, Riley Bruce, Justin Brazeau, Brad Chenier, Luke Moncada and Liam Arnsby, who wore the ‘C’ for three seasons. Details

Greyhounds name leadership group, Carlisle appointed captain:
The Soo Greyhounds have named Caeden Carlisle captain for the 2024-25 season. Joining Carlisle as Alternates are Justin Cloutier, Andrew Gibson, Marco Mignosa and  Brady Martin. Details

Otters name Carey Terrance captain:
The Erie Otters have named fourth-year forward Carey Terrance as team captain. Alongside Terrance, leadership duties will once again be bestowed upon Pano Fimis and Malcolm Spence as alternate captains, as well as Matthew Schaefer for the first time in his OHL career. Details

Steelheads name leadership group, Martone appointed captain:
The Brampton Steelheads name Porter Martone as Captain and Angus MacDonell, Spencer Sova, Mason Zebeski, Finn Harding, Stevie Leskovar, and Carson Rehkopf as alternate captains. Details

Petes announce leadership group:
Petes forward Jonathan Melee returns as Captain after being named the 63rd Captain in Petes history in January of 2024. Melee will wear be the 10th Captain of the Petes to wear the ‘C’ for multiple seasons. Melee is joined by Braydon McCallum, Carson Cameron, Chase Lefebvre, and Ryder McIntyre who join the leadership group as Assistant Captains. Details

Frontenacs announce leadership group:
Kingston Frontenacs defenseman Quinton Burns has been named team captain for the 2024-25 season. Supporting Burns will be assistant captains Gage Heyes, Cal Uens, Jacob Battaglia, and Cedrick Guindon. Two players will wear a letter at home, with the other two doing so on the road. Details

Don Mills Flyers kick-off U16 AAA season as Titan Early Bird Tournament champions:
The Don Mills Flyers are off to a winning start, coming out on top in the annual Toronto Titans Early Bird Tournament’s U16 AAA division over the weekend. The season-opening showcase featured top 2009-born prospects eligible for the 2025 OHL Priority Selection. Details

2025 #OHLDraft Prospect Profile – Brock Chitaroni:
After playing at the U16 AAA level and winning an OMHA championship as an underage player last season, Barrie Jr. Colts forward Brock Chitaroni is back to take his team to new heights. Watch

Alumni News:

Petes alumnus and two-time Stanley Cup champion Jamie Langenbrunner to be honoured October 24:
The Peterborough Petes announced today that on Thursday, October 24, 2024, two-time Stanley Cup Champion and Petes alumnus Jamie Langenbrunner will be honoured with a pre-game banner raising ceremony at the Peterborough Memorial Centre. Details

194 OHL Alumni on U SPORTS men’s hockey rosters to being 2024-25 season:
A total of 194 OHL Alumni are included on U SPORTS men’s hockey rosters with seasons getting underway across the country this week. The list includes a total of 29 players who played in the OHL during the 2023-24 season. Details

OHL trio inks with ECHL’s Bloomington Bison:
Three OHL graduates have signed with the ECHL’s Bloomington Bison is recent days. Former Kingston Frontenacs forward Linus Hemstrom was followed by Barrie Colts graduate Thomas Stewart and former Flint Firebirds winger Jake Durham in signing ECHL deals. Hemstrom and Stewart both played in the OHL last season while Durham played U SPORTS men’s hockey at the University of Windsor in 2023-24.

Community Corner:

Petes to wear pride themed jerseys for Pride night on Thursday:
The Peterborough Petes will wear Pride themed jerseys to be auctioned off during their annual Pride Night on Thursday evening. All proceeds will be donated in support of Sport A Rainbow. Details

Colts and Spitfires to host First Responders Night on Thursday:
The Barrie Colts and Windsor Spitfires are set to host their First Responders games on Thursday night. Visit team websites for more information!

Celebrate Oktoberfest with the Rangers on Friday:
The Kitchener Rangers take on the Flint Firebirds this Friday for Oktoberfest Night. The Rangers will be joined by Onkel Hans, Tante Frieda and the Oktoberfest team for a ceremonial puck drop. The Oktoberfest party will continue throughout the game with themed activations, games, and prizes. Details

Wolves to host Pumpkin Spice Night on Friday:
The Sudbury Wolves are set to host Pumpkin Spice Night on Friday. Join the Wolves this Friday to celebrate everything fall, including everyone’s favourite treat… pumpkin spice lattes!

Spirit host Oktoberfest on Saturday:
The Saginaw Spirit are gearing up to host Oktoberfest of Saturday, where there will be plenty of Oktoberfest themed activities, performances and activations! Details

Attack and Colts to host Country Night on Saturday:
The Barrie Colts and Owen Sound Attack are set to host their Country themed games on Saturday night. Visit team websites for more information!

Rangers to host Fire Night on Sunday:
Join the Kitchener Rangers on Sunday as they partner with the Kitchener Fire Department to kick off Fire Prevention Week at The Aud. The evening will be filled with exciting events, including a ceremonial puck drop featuring the Honour Guard and a cheque presentation to Clarky’s Kids. Details

Petes GM and VP of Business Operations Mike Oke named 2024 Naresh James Champion of Mental Health Award winner:
Peterborough Petes General Manager and Vice President of Operations Michael Oke has been awarded with the 2024 Naresh James Champion of Mental Health Award. The award was presented at the CMHA HKPR Annual General Meeting. Details

Upcoming Schedule:

– All games streaming on OHL Live
– Radio and TV broadcast information