OHL Post-Secondary Weekly Round-Up – Oct. 7th, 2026
Across U SPORTS and NCAA programs, 310 OHL alumni are competing this year. Each week, we’ll spotlight three standout stories from both leagues. Here’s what’s been happening during the first week of action.
Feature Stories of the Week (U-SPORTS)
* Season begins Wednesday, October 7th.
Division 1 men’s university hockey to return to Quebec in 2027-28
Division 1 men’s university hockey will return to Quebec beginning with the 2027-28 season, with six programs set to compete in a new RSEQ league. Concordia, ÉTS, McGill, UQAC, UQTR and Université de Sherbrooke will make up the league, bringing together three established programs currently competing in the OUA and three new additions. The league will provide student-athletes with a competitive university hockey pathway in Quebec while continuing their academic studies.
Feature Stories of the Week (NCAA)
Jack Lisson earns AHA Goaltender of the Week
Jack Lisson (North Bay) posted a 23-save shutout in his collegiate debut Friday night for the Canisius Golden Griffins before coming on in relief Saturday and stopping all eight shots he faced in the third period and overtime. Lisson’s efforts helped Canisius erase a 5-3 deficit to earn a tie before he backstopped the Golden Griffins to a 2-1 shootout victory. Lisson was the only goaltender in the nation to make multiple appearances over the weekend without allowing a goal.
He also became the first freshman goaltender to start a season opener for Canisius since 2005-06 and the first Golden Griffin netminder to post a shutout in his program debut during its Division I era (since 1998-99).
Oliver Peer named CCHA Preseason Player of the Year
Bemidji State senior captain Oliver Peer (Windsor, Flint) was named the CCHA Preseason Player of the Year by both the coaches and media ahead of the 2026-27 season. Peer recorded 36 points (20-16–36) last season, earning All-CCHA First Team honours while being named a finalist for Forward of the Year.
Cooper Foster named CCHA Co-Preseason Rookie of the Year
Lake Superior State rookie Cooper Foster (Ottawa) was named the CCHA Co-Preseason Rookie of the Year by the conference’s coaching staff ahead of the 2026-27 season. Foster spent his entire junior career with the Ottawa 67’s and enjoyed a breakout overage campaign, recording a career-high 66 points (29-37–66) in 66 regular-season games before adding 10 points (3-7–10) in nine playoff contests. His strong season also earned him recognition as a finalist for the Leo Lalonde Trophy as the OHL’s Overage Player of the Year.
Denver stays ranked No. 1
Kristian Epperson (Saginaw), Jack Pridham (Kitchener) and the University of Denver hockey team remained the No. 1-ranked team in both the USCHO.com and USA Hockey media polls released Monday. The reigning Frozen Four champions began the 2026-27 season with a road sweep of Alaska Anchorage, winning 6-2 on Friday and 4-1 on Saturday. Dating back to last season, the Pioneers are unbeaten in 19 straight contests. Epperson currently sits second on the team with three assists.
2026-27 NCAA Men’s Hockey Top-10 Rankings
Including games completed on or before Oct. 4, 2026
#1. Denver (–)
#2. Michigan (–)
#3. Michigan State (–)
#4. North Dakota (–)
#5. Minnesota Duluth (–)
#6. Quinnipiac (+1)
#7. Wisconsin (-1)
#8. Western Michigan (–)
#9. Providence (–)
#10. Dartmouth (+1)
Additional Alumni Notes:
| Player | Former OHL Team(s) | Current Team | Points/Milestone |
| Jack Ivankovic (G) | Brampton Steelheads | Michigan Wolverines (NCAA) | Named to the Preseason All-Big Ten First Team |
| Carson Campbell (D) | Kitchener Rangers | Bowling Green Falcons (NCAA) | Leads the CCHA with two assists through two games, including one against No. 2-ranked Michigan |
| Christian Kirsch (G) | Kitchener Rangers | Quinnipiac Bobcats (NCAA) | Leads the ECAC in GAA (2.00) and SV% (.913) after helping Quinnipiac to a 10-2 win Friday |
| Charlie Schenkel (G) | Soo Greyhounds, Kingston Frontenacs | Robert Morris Colonials (NCAA) | Stopped a regular-season career-high 42 shots and finished the opening series with a .938 SV% |
🔗 [View the full list of 310 OHL graduates on U SPORTS & NCAA rosters here.]
