OHL Notebook: Feb. 24th, 2026
Here’s a look at some of the top storylines from a busy weekend across the league:
Petes Clinch Playoff Berth
Peterborough punched its ticket to the 2025-26 postseason, marking the franchise’s first playoff appearance since its 2023 championship run.
Aitcheson Sets Franchise Record
Kashawn Aitcheson recorded four points (2-2–4) on Saturday. His first goal of the night marked his 159th career OHL point, moving him past former captain Brandt Clarke for the most career points by a Colts defenceman. Barrie earned a 7-4 victory to secure its 10th straight win and become the first team to reach 40 wins this season. Head Coach Dylan Smoskowitz also hit the 40-win mark in his first season behind the bench, joining a short list of first-year coaches to achieve the milestone.
Kashawn Aitcheson buries the record-breaker to become the all-time franchise points leader among defencemen in Colts history – passing Brandt Clarke.#Isles | #OHL pic.twitter.com/bPAZmdeqkB
— Barrie Colts (@OHLBarrieColts) February 22, 2026
Rangers Stay Hot
Kitchener blanked rival Windsor 3-0 on Friday, extending its home winning streak to nine games and earning goaltender Christian Kirsch his second shutout in seven days. The Rangers followed up with a 3-1 win over Erie, stretching their point streak to six games and maintaining top spot in the Western Conference.
Kirsch kept EVERYTHING out🚫
The @OHLRangers claimed top spot in the West last night on the back of Christian Kirsch's third #OHL shutout!#TheFutureIsTeal pic.twitter.com/ur7pvJmWbM
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) February 21, 2026
Mignosa Sets Franchise Shorthanded Goals Mark
Soo Greyhounds forward Marco Mignosa scored his first hat trick of the season on Friday, with his 14th career shorthanded goal setting a new franchise record.
MARCO MIGNOSA IS THE FRANCHISE RECORD HOLDER FOR MOST SHORT-HANDED GOALS🚨🚨 pic.twitter.com/DYlNA1kOyI
— X – Soo Greyhounds (@OHLHoundPower) February 21, 2026
Manza Records Hat Trick
Sarnia Sting forward Matthew Manza registered a career-high five points on Sunday, highlighted by his first OHL hat trick.
He was a Manza on a mission🐝
Matthew Manza put up a career-high five points for the @StingHockey including his first #OHL hat-trick! pic.twitter.com/gSqAHJPs1I
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) February 22, 2026
Oshawa Snaps 11-Game Road Drought
The Generals returned to the win column with a 4-3 victory over Erie, snapping an 11-game road skid and earning their first road win since Dec. 7.
Moorzy ➡️ Posty
Luke Posthumus takes Lucas Moore's net-front feed & puts tips it through the 5-hole to call game! #OSHvsER pic.twitter.com/hWPGqnLgEk
— Oshawa Generals (@Oshawa_Generals) February 21, 2026
48 Seconds to Remember
On Sunday, Brennan Faulkner tied the game at three for Peterborough with 48 seconds remaining in regulation. Adam Novotny then scored his second of the afternoon, netting the overtime winner with 48 seconds left in the extra frame. Goaltender Easton Rye collected his league-leading 32nd win and earned CHL Protector of the Week.
Novotny calls game ✅
Adam Novotny seals it for the @PetesOHLhockey with an absolute SNIPE on the power play!#NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/FuuGgM8ChW
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) February 22, 2026
Storm Heating Up
The 2027 Memorial Cup hosts went 4-0 this week, collecting eight standings points. Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Quinn Beauchesne was named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week after posting eight points (2-6–8) across the four victories. Goaltender Zachary Jovanovski recorded his first shutout of the season, while Tyler Hopkins delivered a career-high five-point performance (4-1–5).
It's a Hoppy hatty 🐇🎩
Tyler Hopkins has provided half of the @Storm_City offence tonight, thanks to his first hat-trick of the season!#LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/kiLUHoHxkY
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) February 23, 2026
Vanacker Scores 40
League-leading goal scorer Marek Vanacker netted his 40th goal of the season on Sunday, becoming the first player this year to reach the milestone.
The first to 40!#Blackhawks prospect Marek Vanacker bangs one home on the @BulldogsOHL power play to be come the first player to hit the 40 goal mark in the #OHL this season. pic.twitter.com/eDoc4iOY6C
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) February 22, 2026
Salandra Named Rookie of the Week
NHL Draft-eligible Barrie Colts forward Joe Salandra earned OHL Rookie of the Week honours after recording five points (3-2–5) across four wins. The newly turned 18-year-old now has 33 points (11-22–33) in 54 games in his rookie season.
Salandra is finding his groove!
The @OHLBarrieColts forward tallied five points (3-2–5) in four games, helping drive the win streak and earning his first #OHLROTW honour.
DETAILS 🗞️: https://t.co/6AZr2vPdKs#NHLDraft | @FloHockey pic.twitter.com/GVp56jrU8j
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) February 23, 2026
Attack Goaltenders Stand Tall
Owen Sound’s netminders turned in impressive performances this past week, combining for a 1-1-1 record. Trenten Bennett made a career-high 57 saves to earn a crucial point for the Attack, while Matthew Koprowski stopped all 27 shots he faced to record his first career OHL shutout.
Not to brag, but we're gonna brag about these two. Trenten Bennett and Matthew Koprowski are our #Attackplayeroftheweek 🐻#AlwaysAttack | #OwenSoundAttack pic.twitter.com/kOorFQ6LkR
— Owen Sound Attack (@AttackOHL) February 23, 2026
Betts Named Goaltender of the Week
2026 NHL Draft prospect Gavin Betts of the Kingston Frontenacs was named Mary Brown’s Chicken OHL Goaltender of the Week for the second time this season. He posted a 2-1 record with a 2.01 goals-against average, .941 save percentage and 96 saves. His first win of the week helped snap Kingston’s three-game skid.
You Betts believe he was getting it 🍗
Gavin Betts made 96 saves and added two wins for the @KingstonFronts, earning him the @MaryBrowns #OHLGOTW honours.
DETAILS 🗞️: https://t.co/AkYqTB42SN#NHLDraft | @FloHockey pic.twitter.com/QX9k4j55bM
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) February 23, 2026
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