Firebirds’ Charlie Murata named OHL Rookie of the Week

TORONTO – The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) today announced that Flint Firebirds forward Charlie Murata is the OHL Rookie of the Week, recording three points (1-2–3) in as many games as Flint went 3-0.

Murata found the back of the net on Wednesday against Sarnia, scoring his second goal of the season with 4:55 remaining in the second period of a 7-4 win. He chipped in with a primary assist on Luka Graziano’s second of the campaign with 2:06 left in the opening frame on Friday against Saginaw as the Firebirds beat the Spirit 4-2. Murata got involved shorthanded on Saturday, providing a helper to Kevin He midway through the second period in a 3-1 win over the Kingston Frontenacs.

A 16-year-old from Scarborough, ON, Murata has 10 points (2-8–10) over 33 games in his rookie season. The 6-foot, 183Ib. right-wing was chosen by Flint with the first round (8th overall) pick of the 2025 OHL Priority Selection from the OHL Cup finalist Don Mills Flyers U16 program. He enjoyed a standout showing with Canada Red, winning World U17 Challenge gold in November with 10 points (4-6–10) over five contests. Murata is committed to Michigan State University (NCAA).

2025-26 OHL Rookie of the Week
Sept. 18-21: Thomas Vandenberg (Ottawa 67’s)
Sept. 22-28: Caleb Malhotra (Brantford Bulldogs)
Sept. 29-Oct. 5: Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit)
Oct. 6-12: Jaxon Cover (London Knights)
Oct. 13-19: Ryder Cali (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 20-26: Jaakko Wycisk (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 27-Nov. 2: Ryder Fetterolf (Ottawa 67’s)
Nov. 3-9: Easton Walos (Sarnia Sting)
Nov. 10-16: Ryder Fetterolf (Ottawa 67’s)
Nov. 17-23: Caleb Malhotra (Brantford Bulldogs)
Nov. 24-30: Levi Harper (Saginaw Spirit)
Dec. 1-7: Caleb Malhotra (Brantford Bulldogs)
Dec. 8-14: Robin Kuzma (Kingston Frontenacs
Dec. 15-21: Caleb Mitchell (London Knights)
Dec. 28-Jan. 4: Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit)
Jan. 5-11: Charlie Murata (Flint Firebirds)