OHL Media Poll: Picks and predictions for 2026-27
Accredited media members from across the OHL put together some of their predictions ahead of puckdrop for the 2026-27 season.
Here’s a look at this year’s OHL Preseason Media Poll that features 14 different submissions from across the league, along with some brief analysis for each category.
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Which team will win the Midwest Division?
Guelph Storm (71%)
“The Memorial Cup hosts loaded up, while the rest of the division (minus London) feel like they’re a year or two away from contending. It is Guelph’s division to lose.”
Honourable Mention: London Knights (21%)
Which team will win the West Division?
Saginaw Spirit (79%)
“New coach, same ol’ high-powered offence, especially because signing an ELC upped the likelihood that Klepov would be back in Michigan this season.”
Honourable Mention: Sarnia Sting (14%)
Which team will win the East Division?
Ottawa 67’s (50%)
“The 67’s will live and die with Ekberg and Whitehead, so if they have great seasons then the 67’s should win the East.”
Honourable Mention: Kingston Frontenacs (29%)
Which team will win the Central Division?
Sudbury Wolves (50%)
“I think it’s a tough call between Sudbury and North Bay, but Adams could be a high-impact addition to the Wolves despite being just 16-years-old.”
Honourable Mention: North Bay Battalion (43%)
Which team will be the most surprising?
Sarnia Sting (29%)
“Mathieu Turcotte has a full season in front him, and I think the Sting can start to turn things around with notable additions like Katolicky and Tkach-Tkachenko factoring into that success.”
Honourable Mention: Owen Sound Attack (21%)
Which player will lead the league in scoring?
Dima Zhilkin, Saginaw Spirit (36%)
“Loves to score, and when you have a lethal release like he does, you can see why.”
Honourable Mention: Nikita Klepov, Saginaw Spirit (14%)
Who will be the league’s best goaltender?
Ben Hrebik, Guelph Storm (57%)
“He was great all season in Barrie, and turned it up to another level in the playoffs, carrying the Colts to an Eastern Conference title. This might go down as the single biggest addition any team made this past summer, and it came at a relatively low cost.”
Honourable Mention: Ryerson Leenders, Owen Sound Attack; Jaeden Nelson, Ottawa 67’s (14% each)
Who will be the league’s best defenceman?
Levi Harper, Saginaw Spirit (43%)
“I expect Harper to score a ridiculous amount of points this year, especially on the power play. The Max Kaminsky should be a wide-open race with the league-wide turnover, but I do believe Harper should be considered the preseason favourite.”
Honourable Mention: Henry Brzustewicz, London Knights; Kohyn Eshkawkogan, Ottawa 67’s; Linus Funck, Oshawa Generals (14% each)
Who will be the league’s top rookie?
Tanner Adams, Sudbury Wolves (21%)
“I’m going to believe the hype. The Wolves paid 15 draft picks for a player who many consider the top 2010-born player out there. He’d be following in the footsteps of Quinton Byfield to win this award.”
Kane Cloutier, Oshawa Generals (21%)
“With the state of the Oshawa Generals, there is no reason not to throw Cloutier right into the fire. I know you should proceed with caution with 16-year-olds, but he should be playing top-six minutes by Christmas.”
Adrian Sgro, Sarnia Sting (21%)
“So many rookies looked outstanding in the preseason. Sgro looks poised to be an immediate impact player on what should be a strong Sarnia team. It’s been four years since a defender won this award, but I think Sgro could do it.”
Who will win Coach of the Year honours?
Troy Mann, Kingston Frontenacs (29%)
“Mann’s tenure in Kingston has seen moderate success to this point, but with good goaltending and the roster coming back a year older, there’s potential for the Fronts to hit their stride in 2026-27.”
Honourable Mention: Ryan Oulahen, North Bay Battalion (21%)
Who will be the league’s top prospect for the 2027 NHL Draft?
Jaakko Wycisk, Guelph Storm (46%)
“Dima Zhilkin will get all the early attention, but with a guaranteed ticket to the Memorial Cup, Wycisk has a chance to open some eyes. He already has garnered some looks after his performance with Team Canada this summer.”
Honourable Mention: Dima Zhilkin, Saginaw Spirit (38%)
Who will be the league’s most outstanding player of the year?
Dima Zhilkin, Saginaw Spirit (23%)
“If he’s leading the league in scoring and the Spirit are above the middle of the pack, he’s likely the Red Tilson winner.”
Ryan Roobroeck, Guelph Storm (23%)
“Missed a large chunk of games last season and will be determined to show he’s one of the league’s best when the puck is on his stick.”
Honourable Mention: Tyler Hopkins, Guelph Storm; Nikita Klepov, Saginaw Spirit (15% each)
Who will win the Wayne Gretzky Trophy as Western Conference champion?
Guelph Storm (85%)
“How can you argue with the talent they’ve acquired in the offseason? The West is Guelph’s to lose at this point.”
Who will win the Bobby Orr Trophy as Eastern Conference champion?
Ottawa 67’s (38%)
“We saw what a hot goalie could do for a team last season with Ben Hrebik. I think Jaeden Nelson has that potential to lead the 67’s to its first OHL final since 2019.”
Peterborough Petes (38%)
“I think Mike Oke addresses the goaltending position, maybe adds a big-name defenceman to accompany Peterborough’s high-octane offence centred around Novotny and Dennis on the flanks.”
Honourable Mention: Kingston Frontenacs (15%)
Who will win the Robertson Cup as OHL champion?
Guelph Storm (85%)
“The host of the Memorial Cup has not entered the front door by winning their respective league title since Kitchener did it in 2008. I think that streak ends this year when the Guelph Storm take home the OHL crown.”
