From the O to the Pros: OHL Alumni Weekly Round-Up (Feb. 6, 2026)
The Ontario Hockey League continues to produce standouts at the professional level, with alumni making headlines across the NHL and AHL. From milestone moments to first career goals, OHL grads continue to shape the hockey landscape every week. Here’s a look at the top alumni stories from the past seven days as the players get ready for the Olympic Break.
Feature Stories of the Week (NHL)
Patrick Kane (London Knights)
Last Thursday night, Kane set an NHL record for the most points by a U.S.-born skater, recording his 1,375th career point with an assist.
WHAT A MOMENT FOR SHOWTIME 🤩
The moment Patrick Kane became the all-time NHL points leader by a US-born player 🙌 pic.twitter.com/yp2hWUqlIY
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 30, 2026
Avery Hayes (Hamilton Bulldogs/Peterborough Petes)
After being recalled earlier in the day, Hayes scored twice in the opening period for the Pittsburgh Penguins, becoming the sixth player since 2013-14 to record multiple goals in their NHL debut.
AVERY HAYES HAS TWO IN THE FIRST PERIOD OF HIS NHL DEBUT!!! 🤩
And how about that pass by Anthony Mantha?! pic.twitter.com/nDzcbY5b34
— NHL (@NHL) February 6, 2026
Jared McCann (Soo Greyhounds)
McCann was named the NHL’s First Star of the Week ending Feb. 1 after recording seven points (4-3–7) in three games, highlighted by his second career four-point outing. He followed that performance by skating in his 700th career NHL game on Feb. 4.
EVERYONE’S A JARED McFANN! 🤩
With 7 pts. (4G-3A) in 3 games, Canner is the @NHL's 1st Star of the Week! → https://t.co/FYPttxlBhQ pic.twitter.com/uA9laYhuKl
— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) February 2, 2026
Matthew Schaefer (Erie Otters)
Schaefer scored his 16th career NHL goal with the New York Islanders, moving within one of Phil Housley (17) for the most goals by an 18-year-old defenseman in league history. He also ranks second for most goals in a season by an Islanders rookie defenseman.
MATTHEW SCHAEFER WITH FOUR SECONDS LEFT IN THE FIRST! 😮💨
📺: @NHL_On_TNT & @StreamOnMax ➡️ https://t.co/4TuyIATi3T pic.twitter.com/fUTm448Sta
— NHL (@NHL) February 4, 2026
Feature Stories of the Week (AHL)
Michael Dipietro (Windsor Spitfires/Ottawa 67’s)
DiPietro of the Providence Bruins was named AHL Goaltender of the Month for January after going 8-1-0 in nine starts, allowing just 12 goals on 228 shots for a 1.33 goals-against average and a .947 save percentage. He recorded his first shutout of the season on Jan. 17, earned his 100th career AHL win on Jan. 23, and was later named AHL Second Star of the Night on Feb. 4 following a 36-save performance. DiPietro is now 19-5-0 in 26 appearances this season and sits tied for the league lead in wins while leading the AHL in goals-against average (1.65) and save percentage (.942).
AHL: Michael DiPietro Goalie Named Goalie of the Month for January #AHLBruins #ITR #AHLhttps://t.co/jGzbFfA7Y4
— Inside The Rink (@inside_the_rink) February 3, 2026
Luca Trifecta
In Tuesday’s game against the Toronto Marlies, Luca Del Belluz (Mississauga Steelheads / Sarnia Sting) scored a power-play goal for the Cleveland Monsters, assisted by Luca Pinelli (Ottawa 67’s) and Luca Marrelli (Oshawa Generals), creating a rare all-Luca, all-OHL alumni scoring play.
hey @TheAHL, may need a stat check on this one, but we are pretty sure this is the first time 3 guys with the same name made the scoresheet on a single goal 🤔 #Luca³
🚨: Luca Del Bel Belluz
🍎: Luca Pinelli & Luca Marrelli pic.twitter.com/FFpI6ZPsnO— Cleveland Monsters (@monstershockey) February 4, 2026
Ben Jones (Niagara IceDogs)
Jones was named AHL Third Star of the Night on Jan. 30 after recording three points (1-2–3).
That was indeed NASTY. #WildTerritory pic.twitter.com/F6z7gQvUeO
— Iowa Wild (@IAWild) January 31, 2026
Jeremy Smith (Plymouth Whalers/Niagara IceDogs)
Recorded his first AHL shutout since the 2018-19 season in his first game back in North America after spending six years in the KHL.
“I hope I can help these guys prepare and build on what they’re creating. They’re hungry for playoff hockey.”
Seven years later, Jeremy Smith is back — and his first AHL win since returning was a shutout.https://t.co/CW5bFOEbIP
— Bridgeport Islanders (@AHLIslanders) February 5, 2026
Additional Alumni Notes:
- John Tavares (London Knights) – Became the fifth active player with 16 20-goal seasons.
- Darren Raddysh (Erie Otters) – Became the sixth defenseman in the past 25 years to record a five-game goal streak.
- Jakob Chychrun (Sarnia Sting) – Registered consecutive 20-goal seasons, becoming the second defenseman in franchise history to do so.
- Sam Bennett (Kingston Frontenacs) – Selected to replace the injured Anthony Cirelli (Oshawa Generals / Erie Otters) on Team Canada’s Olympic roster.
- Steven Stamkos (Sarnia Sting) – Scored his 609th career goal to surpass Dino Ciccarelli (608) for 20th on the NHL all-time goals list.
- Travis Konecny (Ottawa 67’s/Sarnia Sting) – Named the NHL third star for the week ending Feb. 1st after he led the NHL in goals and factored on seven of Philadelphia’s eight total tallies in four games.
- Beckett Sennecke (Oshawa Generals) – Recorded his 44th career point and moved into a tie with Cutter Gauthier for the fourth most by a Ducks rookie in a season.
- Jason Robertson (Kingston Frontenacs/Niagara IceDogs) – Notched his 200th career goal and became the 12th player in Dallas Stars history to reach the milestone.
- Connor McDavid (Erie Otters) – Leads the NHL in scoring (96) going into the Olympic Break
- Matthew Poitras (Guelph Storm) – Became the youngest player (21 years, 328 days) to score in an outdoor game.
- Evan Bouchard (London Knights) – Named the NHL third star for the month of January after he topped defenseman and ranked fourth among all skaters with 23 points (8-15–23) in 15 games.
- Brent Burns (Brampton Battalion) – Buried his 51st career game-opening goal to pass Larry Murphy (50) for fourth place on the NHL’s all-time list among defensemen.
- John Gibson (Kitchener Rangers) – Recorded his 28th career shutout.
- Wyatt Johnston (Windsor Spitfires) – Tied the record for most power play goals in a single season (18) in Dallas Stars team history.
- Mackenzie Blackwood (Barrie Colts) – Recorded his 17th career shutout.
- Sandis Vilmanis (Sarnia Sting/North Bay Battalion) – Scored his first NHL goal.
- Zayne Parekh (Saginaw Spirit) – Returned to the Flames’ lineup for the first time since Nov. 7.
- Christian Kyrou (Erie Otters/Sarnia Sting) – Added to the AHL All-Star roster.
- Arthur Kaliyev (Belleville Senators) – Currently sits tied for first in AHL goals with 28 in just 44 games.
OHL Alumni Milestones & Notes
| Player | Former OHL Team(s) | Current Team | Notable Stat / Milestone |
| Patrick Kane | London Knights | Detroit Red Wings (NHL) | Most points by a U.S.-born skater |
| Avery Hayes | Hamilton Bulldogs/
Peterborough Petes |
Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL) | Scored twice in NHL debut |
| Jared McCann | Soo Greyhounds | Seattle Kraken (NHL) | Named NHL first star of the week (Feb. 1) |
| Matthew Schaefer | Erie Otters | New York Islanders (NHL) | Scored his 16th career goal |
| Michael Dipietro | Windsor Spitfires/
Ottawa 67’s |
Providence Bruins (AHL) | AHL Goaltender of the Month |
| Ben Jones | Niagara IceDogs | Iowa Wild (AHL) | Named AHL Third Star of the Night (Jan. 30) |
| Jeremy Smith | Plymouth Whalers/
Niagara IceDogs |
Bridgeport Islanders (AHL) | Earned his first shutout since 2019 |
🔗 View the full list of OHL alumni currently playing in the NHL and AHL here.
🔗 Follow OHL alumni milestones throughout the season at OHL.ca/alumni
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