OHL Notebook: Sept. 23, 2025
The 2025–26 season is underway! Here’s a look at some of the top storylines from an action-packed opening weekend across the league.
The Rangers start their season off with a dramatic comeback victory
After reaching the 100-point plateau last season, the Kitchener Rangers opened their new campaign a little slow, trailing the Brantford Bulldogs 3–0 through two periods on Friday night. But the third period was a different story. Cameron Arquette sparked the comeback with a pair of quick goals to get Kitchener on the board, before Tanner Lam – recently overlooked in the NHL Draft – stole the spotlight. Lam tied the game late in regulation with a between-the-legs backhand finish, then sealed the comeback just 43 seconds into overtime with his second of the night, securing the Rangers’ first win of the season. Kitchener carried that momentum into Saturday, heading south to Erie, where they picked up another victory over the Otters to open the season with a perfect 2–0 record. All of the success came without the services of injured veterans Luke Ellinas, Andrew Vermeulen and Carson Campbell, who are sidelined with injuries to start the season.
TANNER LAM THROUGH THE LEGS‼️‼️
Forces the game into Overtime⚒️#RTown | #BattleBuilt pic.twitter.com/vGxt4hHevp
— Kitchener Rangers (@OHLRangers) September 20, 2025
Young talent giving Spirit a competitive edge
After topping the preseason scoring charts, Dimian Zhilkin, Egor Barabanov, Levi Harper, and Nikita Klepov have carried their offensive momentum into the regular season. All four have recorded multi-point games, with Barabanov, Harper, and Klepov also picking up their first OHL points. The Spirit split their weekend set, defeating the Soo Greyhounds before falling in overtime to state rivals, the Flint Firebirds. Rookie Russian netminder Stepan Shurygin got the call in both games, going 1–1 with a 4.50 GAA and .857 SV%.
Thomas Vandenberg busts into the OHL scene with a four-point debut
Ottawa 67’s rookie forward Thomas Vandenburg recorded a hattrick and an assist, good for four points, in his OHL debut on Friday against Kingston. A former fifth round (93rd overall) pick of the 67’s in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection, he comes to the league after playing last year in the USHL. His performance earned him ‘OHL Rookie of the Week’ honours.
A four-point debut earns him this week’s #OHLROTW honours ⭐️
Thomas Vandenberg of the @Ottawa67sHockey wasted no time making an impact Friday night in Kingston!
DETAILS 🗞️: https://t.co/gia3dtpaEV#NHLDraft | @HEOhockey pic.twitter.com/DMMMSWj5tg
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) September 22, 2025
Teams have been without key players while they are away at NHL Training Camps
The OHL season has opened without several stars as NHL teams have held preseason and prospect events. With camp rosters beginning to trim down, many key players have been reassigned back to their clubs. For the whole training camp tracker, click here.
The Battalion open the 2025-26 scoring
North Bay kicked off their season with a home-opening win in a rematch of the 2024 Eastern Conference Final. Rookie fourth-rounder Jax Pereira scored his first career goal to open both the Battalion’s and the OHL’s scoring for the new season. The Battalion kept rolling with an overtime win against Sudbury the following night, starting the season 2–0.
JAX PEREIRA FIRST CAREER #OHL GOAL! pic.twitter.com/tO6HZUaSi7
— North Bay Battalion (@OHLBattalion) September 19, 2025
Cole Davis records six points over a pair of victories
Windsor Spitfires forward Cole Davis was named the inaugural Cogeco OHL Player of the Week after recording six points (4G, 2A) over two games. Three of his goals came shorthanded, including two on Friday in Sarnia as part of a career-high five-point night (3G, 2A). His pair tied a Spitfires single-game franchise record. Davis added another shorty on Saturday in a 4–1 win.
Davis Loves the Penalty Kill😄
Cole Davis scores his third shorthanded goal in two games for the @deltabingo_ Play of the Night!@SpitsHockey | #OHLOpeningWeek pic.twitter.com/Cl1XdzuZMY
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) September 21, 2025
Owen Leonard makes OHL history
On Friday, Sudbury Wolves’ rookie netminder Owen Leonard became the first 16-year-old goaltender to start a club’s season opener since Matt Murray with the Soo Greyhounds in 2010. Leonard stopped 28 shots to earn second-star honours and help Sudbury earn a point against North Bay.
Ryerson Edgar has a home opener to remember
First-round 2025 OHL Draft pick Ryerson Edgar had a debut to remember, scoring his first career goal on Sunday before setting a new franchise record with another tally just six seconds into the third period. Edgar completed the hat trick midway through the frame and added an assist for a four-point night (3G, 1A).
It's raining hats at the Meridian Centre 🎩
Ryerson Edgar is having a home opener to remember for @OHLIceDogs, finding the back of the net three times.#OHLOpeningWeek | @FloHockey pic.twitter.com/taiBUG3erM
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) September 21, 2025
The Spitfires exploded for twelve goals in the opening weekend
Coming off last spring’s dramatic playoff exit, the Windsor Spitfires opened their season with 12 goals over two games, while allowing just two against. Five players tallied at least three points, while both goaltenders – Joey Costanzo and Michael Newlove – earned wins to help Windsor to a perfect 2–0 start.
Second and Third overall picks in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection recorded their first OHL points
Second overall pick Jaakko Wycisk and third overall pick Brock Chitaroni each recorded their first OHL points on opening weekend. Chitaroni scored his first career goal on Friday, while Wycisk picked up an assist that night before scoring the next game. First overall pick Kaden McGregor has yet to make his debut.
Vladislav Yermolenko nearly earns a shutout in his first OHL start
Belarusian goaltender Vladislav Yermolenko made his first OHL start for the Niagara IceDogs on Sunday, coming within two minutes of a shutout. He stopped 31 shots to earn second-star honours. Yermolenko had already seen action on opening night, entering in relief of Matthew Humphries and allowing two goals. With questions surrounding Niagara’s crease following the departure of veteran Owen Flores, Yermolenko has quickly shown he’s ready to step into a bigger role.
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