O to Pro: OHL Alumni Spotlight presented by Carlsberg

Brought to you by Carlsberg Canada, the OHL Alumni Spotlight brings you up to speed on accomplishments by graduates in the pro ranks from the past week’s action.

OTHMANN SECURES THE WIN AND MAKES THE TEDDY BEARS FLY
Hartford Wolf Pack forward Brennan Othmann made the teddy bears fly on Dec. 2, scoring the first goal of the game in the New York Rangers AHL affiliate’s annual Teddy Bear Toss. Othmann would go on to be the game hero, scoring the overtime winner as Hartford defeated the Lehigh Valley Phantoms 5-4. Selected 16th overall by the Rangers in the 2021 NHL Draft, the Scarborough, Ont. native has registered 17 points (8-9–17) over 20 games played so far this season. Othmann spent three seasons in the OHL between the Flint Firebirds and Peterborough Petes, tallying 197 points (96-101–197) over 177 regular season games. The former second overall 2019 OHL Priority Selection pick won an OHL Championship with the Petes last season.

It's teddy bear time! Brennan Othmann makes 'em fly 🧸@WolfPackAHL | #LVvsHFD pic.twitter.com/pBF6JxlmpA

— American Hockey League (@TheAHL) December 3, 2023

DUCHENE PLAYS 1,000TH NHL CONTEST
Former Brampton Battalion star Matt Duchene is the newest member of the NHL’s 1,000-game club. The 32-year-old from Haliburton, Ont. hit the milestone in Thursday’s 5-4 win over the Washington Capitals. Duchene picked up an assist in the win, giving him 20 points (6-14–20) over 24 games in this, his 15th NHL season. Duchene was originally selected by the Colorado Avalanche with the third overall pick of the 2009 NHL Draft. He had an outstanding career in Brampton, guiding the Battalion to an Eastern Conference title in 2009. He recorded 129 points (61-68–129) over 121 regular season games during his time in green under then-head coach Stan Butler.

Picture perfect 📸 pic.twitter.com/iK73DCNyWm

— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) December 8, 2023

STROME’S 100TH NHL GOAL ALSO OVECHKIN’S 1,500TH CAREER POINT
Dylan Strome lit the lamp for the 100th time in his NHL regular season career on Thursday night in Dallas. The goal coincided with Alexander Ovechkin’s 1,500th career NHL point as #8 picked up a helper on Strome’s milestone tally in a 5-4 loss to the Stars. Strome, who is now 26, has 13 points (10-3–13) over 23 games in Washington this season. He’s played in parts of eight NHL seasons and has 100 goals, 148 assists and 248 points over 377 games played. Strome was originally selected by the Arizona Coyotes with the third overall pick of the 2015 NHL Draft. He remains the all-time leading scorer in Erie Otters history, recording 354 points (114-240–354) over just 219 regular season games from 2013-17, leading the Otters to an OHL championship in his final season.

Stromer on Ovi’s 1,500th career point coming via an assist on his 100th career goal:

“I think he’ll get the puck for that one … He’s a living legend, it’s an honor to play with him.”#ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/HkTWVPoi2W

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 8, 2023

BURNS EARNS 600TH NHL CAREER ASSIST
Carolina Hurricanes blueliner Brent Burns recorded his 600th NHL career assist on Thursday night as the Hurricanes fell to the New York Islanders 5-4 in overtime. Originally selected 20th overall by the Minnesota Wild in the 2003 NHL Draft, the Barrie, Ont. native has registered 250 goals, 600 assists, and 850 points between the Wild, San Jose Sharks, and Hurricanes. Burns played one season in the OHL after being selected by the Brampton Battalion in the third round (52nd overall) of the 2001 OHL Priority Selection, tallying 40 points (15-25-40) over 68 regular season games.

That's assist No. 600 for Brent Burns (@Burnzie88)! 🌪️ pic.twitter.com/r6WO7Nuug5

— NHL (@NHL) December 3, 2023

MINTYUKOV LEADS ALL ROOKIES IN NHL ASSISTS THIS SEASON
Anaheim Ducks blueliner Pavel Mintyukov continues to have a strong start to the season in California, leading all rookies in assists this season. The 20-year-old defenceman has recorded 12 assists along with a goal (1-12–13) for 13 points in 25 games played this season. Selected 10th overall by the Ducks in the 2022 NHL Draft, Mintyukov spent two seasons in the OHL, registering 41 goals, 109 assists, and 150 points over 136 regular season appearances between the Saginaw Spirit and the Ottawa 67’s. Mintyukov’s outstanding sophomore campaign (24-64–88) earned him OHL Defenceman of the Year honours last season.

Your @NHL leader in assists by a rookie:

Minty! pic.twitter.com/8U14GA5x06

— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) December 3, 2023

PANWAR SCORES FIRST ECHL CAREER HAT TRICK
Hamilton Bulldogs alumnus Sahil Panwar scored his first ever ECHL career hat trick on Dec. 1 as the Cincinatti Cyclones defeated the Iowa Heartlanders 6-2. Making 14 appearances with the Cyclones this season, Panwar has recorded six goals, five assists, and 11 points in his rookie campaign. Originally selected by the London Knights in the second round (23rd overall) of the 2018 OHL Priority Selection, the Mississauga, Ont. native played four seasons in the OHL, tallying 124 points (54-70–124) over 199 regular season appearances between the Knights, Flint Firebirds, Peterborough Petes, and the Bulldogs.

SAHIL PANWAR'S FIRST HAT TRICK 🧢 pic.twitter.com/TZVESbUds2

— Cincinnati Cyclones (@CincyCyclones) December 2, 2023