OHL In The System: Montreal Canadiens

This 32-part series will spotlight OHL players who are either signed to an NHL or AHL contract or are recently drafted, and are 25 years old or younger with 50 or fewer NHL games played.

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Today, we take a closer look at the Montreal Canadiens prospect pool with ties to the OHL.

 

Andrew MacNiel (D) – Kitchener Rangers (2023-25)
Selected: 6th Round, 189th Overall (2025)
OHL Career Stats: 38 GP, 0 G, 3 A, 3 PTS, +6
Age: 18

With their final selection in the 2025 NHL Draft, the Canadiens picked Kitchener Rangers defenceman Andrew MacNiel at 189th overall. The 6-foot blueliner was recognized as the Midwest Division’s Academic Player of the Month in November and recorded three assists over 33 regular-season games.

 

Owen Protz (D) – Sudbury Wolves (2023-24), Brantford Bulldogs (2023-25)
Selected: 4th Round, 102nd Overall (2024)
OHL Career Stats: 134 GP, 8 G, 43 A, 51 PTS, +15
Age: 19

In his sophomore campaign with the Brantford Bulldogs, Owen Protz tripled his offensive output, registering 32 points (5-27–32) in 67 games. He added six more points in 11 playoff contests before earning a call-up to the Laval Rocket of the AHL. 

 

Vinzenz Rohrer (C) – Ottawa 67’s (2021-23)
Selected: 3rd Round, 75th Overall (2022)
OHL Career Stats: 118 GP, 44 G, 53 A, 97 PTS, +13
Age: 20

Playing in his second season with the Zurich Lions in the Swiss National League, Vinzenz Rohrer appeared in 52 games and registered 25 points (15-10–25). The Austrian native played a key role in helping the Lions capture their second consecutive National League championship with seven points (1-6–7) in 16 playoff contests. He also represented Austria at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, where he collected six points (4-2–6) in eight games.

 

Florian Xhekaj (LW) – Brantford Bulldogs (2022-24)
Selected: 4th Round, 101st Overall (2023)
OHL Career Stats: 131 GP, 47 G, 43 A, 90 PTS, 0
Age: 21

Younger brother to Canadiens defenceman Arber Xhekaj, Florian Xhekaj completed his first full AHL season with Laval, finishing second on the team in goals (24) and totalling 35 points in 69 games. Following in his brother’s footsteps, he accumulated 175 penalty minutes in the regular season and 59 more in 13 playoff appearances – both team highs.

 

Owen Beck (C) – Mississauga Steelheads (2021-23), Peterborough Petes (2022-2024), Saginaw Spirit (2023-24)
Selected: 2nd Round, 33rd Overall (2022)
OHL Career Stats: 185 GP, 79 G, 119 A, 198 PTS, +51
Age: 21

Owen Beck wrapped up his OHL career as Memorial Cup MVP with the champion Saginaw Spirit before transitioning to Laval, where he notched 44 points (15-29–44) in 64 games. He also made his NHL debut with Montreal, registering his first point on February 27 and playing 12 games before returning to Laval for the Calder Cup playoffs.

 

Filip Mesar (C) – Kitchener Rangers (2022-24)
Selected: 1st Round, 26th Overall (2022)
OHL Career Stats: 97 GP, 36 G, 67 A, 103 PTS, -2
Age: 21 

After a promising couple years in the OHL, Filip Mesar was unfortunately sidelined for most of his AHL rookie season with injuries. He managed 18 points (4-14–18) in 42 regular-season games and appeared in just one playoff game for Laval.

 

Ben Gaudreau (G) – Sarnia Sting (2019-24), Erie Otters (2023-24)
Signed: July 9, 2025  
OHL Career Stats: 151 GP, 3.53 GAA, .890 SV%, 74-54-10-5
Age: 22 

Recently signing a one-year, two-way AHL contract with the Rocket, Ben Gaudreau joins the Canadiens organization after playing 43 games last season with the Indy Fuel of the ECHL where he went 21-16-6 with a 2.46 GAA, a .902 SV%, and three shutouts. Originally, Gaudreau was selected by the San Jose Sharks in the third round (81st overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft. 

 

Daniil Sobolev (D) – Windsor Spitfires (2021-23), Niagara IceDogs (2023-24), Brantford Bulldogs (2023-24)
Selected: 5th Round, 142nd Overall (2021)
OHL Career Stats: 174 GP, 10 G, 41 A, 51 PTS, +43
Age: 22

After a few seasons in the OHL, Daniil Sobolev has returned to Russia to play in the VHL. Last year, he played for the Khimik Voskresensk where he posted 13 points (3-10–13) in 55 regular-season games. He is expected to remain in the VHL for the upcoming season.

 

Ryan O’Rourke (D) – Soo Greyhounds (2018-22)
Signed: July 2, 2025 
OHL Career Stats: 167 GP, 25 G, 80 A, 105 PTS, +31
Age: 23

Recently signing a one-year, one-way AHL contract with the Rocket, Ryan O’Rourke recorded 12 points (2-10–12) in 59 games last season with the Iowa Wild. The former Soo Greyhounds captain was originally selected in the second round (39th) in the 2020 NHL Draft by the Minnesota Wild. 

 

Hunter Jones (G) – Peterborough Petes (2017-20)
Signed: July 5, 2025 
OHL Career Stats: 121 GP, 3.31 GAA, .901 SV%, 62-47-4-3
Age: 24

One half of the goalie tandem that helped the Trois-Rivières Lions in the ECHL capture the Kelly Cup this year, Hunter Jones recently signed a one-year, one-way AHL contract with the Rocket. This past season, Jones posted a 2.87 GAA and .905 SV% in 28 appearances. 

 

Tomorrow on In The System, we’ll take a look at the OHL Talent inside the New Jersey Devils organization!