OHL This Week: December 7 to 10, 2023
December’s here which means teddy bear tosses, World Juniors and the holiday break fast approaching! Here’s a look across the OHL.
Episode 3 of Sprit Rising streaming now on OHL Live:
Episode 3 of Spirit Rising: the Saginaw Spirit’s quest for the Memorial Cup presented by Go Great Lakes Bay is streaming now on OHL Live! Watch
Spirit hold first in Week 10 edition of OHL Power Rankings:
The Saginaw Spirit remain in the top spot in the Week 10 edition of OHL Power Rankings, remaining the hottest team in the OHL this week. Read more
Rangers, Spirit, and Greyhounds included in Week 10 edition of CHL Top 10 Rankings:
The Kitchener Rangers, Saginaw Spirit and Soo Greyhounds are included in the Week 10 edition of the CHL Top 10 Rankings. Read more
Otters’ Fimis named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week:
Pano Fimis of the Erie Otters is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording four goals, three assists, and seven points over three contests. Read more
IceDogs’ Vandenberg named OHL Goaltender of the Week:
Marcus Vandenberg of the Niagara IceDogs is the OHL Goaltender of the Week following a pair of wins where he posted a 1.96 goals-against average and .951 save percentage. Read more
OHL announces Top Performers of the Month for November:
The Ontario Hockey League announced top performers for the month of November including Kitchener Rangers teammates Filip Mesar and Jackson Parsons, Saginaw Spirit blueliner Zayne Parekh and Windsor Spitfires forward Cole Davis. Read more
OHL unveils Academic Players of the Month presented by Hockley Valley Resort:
The OHL rolled-out Academic Players of the Month for November including Sault Ste. Marie’s Tate Vader, London’s Henry Brzustewicz, Sudbury’s Chase Coughlan and Ottawa’s Charlie Hilton. Read more
Battalion’s Van Steensel headlines OHL Plays of the Week presented by FPS Payment:
We’ve got great plays coming your way on the latest edition of OHL Plays of the Week, with North Bay Battalion forward Owen Van Steensel leading the way with some quick hands from in-tight. Watch
Watch the finest saves across the league with OHL Saves of the Week:
We’ve got a fresh round of OHL Saves of the Week, with appearances from Sault Ste. Marie’s Landon Miller, Peterborough’s Liam Sztuska, Mississauga’s Jack Ivankovic, Kitchener’s Jackson Parsons, Guelph’s Brayden Gillespie, Niagara’s Marcus Vandenberg and Sudbury’s Jakub Vondras. Watch
Five first goals in OHL Milestone Moments presented by Syngenta Canada and Grain Farmers of Ontario:
It’s time for some firsts presented by Syngenta Canada and Grain Farmers of Ontario! Check out milestone markers from Guelph’s Wil McFadden, Niagara’s Rafek Dianov, North Bay’s Dylan Richter, Niagara’s Urban Podrekar and London’s Jared Woolley. Watch
Eleven OHL players invited to Team Canada’s National Junior Team Selection Camp:
With less than a month to go before the puck drops on the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship, Hockey Canada has announced the 30 players invited to Canada’s National Junior Team selection camp, Dec. 10-13 in Oakville, Ont. A total of 11 players from the Ontario Hockey League have received invitations to selection camp. Read more
Six OHL players named to Slovakia’s preliminary roster for 2024 World Juniors:
A total of six OHL players have been named to Slovakia’s preliminary roster for the 2024 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship that takes place from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 in Gothenburg, Sweden. Read more
Hayes, Terrance and Hillebrandt named to U.S. preliminary roster for 2024 World Juniors:
USA Hockey announced its 29-player preliminary roster for the 2024 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship to be held from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 in Gothenburg, Sweden. Three OHL players will attend their World Junior Camp being held from Dec. 14-16 in Plymouth, Mich. Read more
Dionicio preparing to represent Switzerland for a third time at World Juniors:
Saginaw Spirit defenceman Rodwin Dionicio is preparing to represent Switzerland at the World Juniors for a third time. The Anaheim Ducks prospect suited up for his home country in both 2022 and 2023, and will take part in the Swiss Selection Camp before the tournament gets underway on Boxing Day. Dionicio has put up 28 points (10-18–28) in 24 games between Saginaw and Windsor this season. Read more
Storm’s Slavik to represent Slovakia at World Junior A Challenge:
First-year Guelph Storm netminder Damian Slavik has been named to Slovakia’s roster for the upcoming World Junior A Challenge that takes place starting December 10th in Truro, Nova Scotia. The 18-year-old Slavik is 4-2 on the season with a 2.09 goals-against average and .928 save percentage through seven games. The Nove Zamky, Slovakia native is eligible for the 2024 NHL Draft.
IceDogs’ Podrekar to suit up for Slovenia at U20 World Championship:
Fresh-off scoring his first OHL goal last week, Niagara IceDogs defenceman Urban Podrekar will represent Slovenia at the 2023 IIHF U20 World Championship Division 1, Group B Tournament beginning December 11th in Bled, Slovenia. The 18-year-old blueliner was selected by the IceDogs with the 4th overall pick of the 2023 CHL Import Draft. Read more
Vaughan Kings headline week 3 edition of OHL Cup Top 10 Rankings:
The Vaughan Kings remain in the top spot in the Week 3 edition of the weekly U16 AAA rankings for the 2024 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament presented by FPS Payment and hosted by the Greater Toronto Hockey League. Read more
Sting sign goaltender Evan Maillet:
The Sarnia Sting have signed former OHL Cup champion Evan Maillet, who is currently playing for the OJHL’s Toronto Patriots, to an OHL scholarship and development agreement. Read more
COMMUNITY CORNER:
Teddy Bear Toss continues in Peterborough, Barrie, Mississauga and Windsor:
It’s Teddy Bear Toss season in the OHL! Don’t miss the Teddy Bear Toss in your city as teams collect stuffed toys to be distributed to charitable organizations in their communities. Here’s a look at when teams across the league will host their respective Teddy Bear Toss games in November and December. Read more
Battalion suit-up in Centurion uniforms, support North Bay Food Bank on Thursday:
The North Bay Battalion are helping out a couple of local groups on Thursday when they play host to the Kingston Frontenacs, doing so decked out in their Centurion-themed third uniforms. Fans are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for the North Bay Food Bank. They can also bring a business gift card for the needy and hang it on their Christmas tree in the main lobby. Fans are also encouraged to visit the minor hockey table in the main lobby and buy a raffle ticket to win a framed and signed Mike McIvor game-worn sweater. All proceeds will be donated to the Trojan Sports Club minor hockey team.
Storm to host Zehrs Toy Drive on Friday:
The Guelph Storm are set to host their Zehrs Toy Drive on Friday in support of the Salvation Army. Over the last six seasons, over 2,000Ibs. of toys have generously been donated by Storm fans, including 450Ibs. of toys donated last season alone. Read more at guelphstorm.com
Otters to host Native Heritage night on Saturday:
The Erie Otters are set to host Native Heritage night on Saturday. This game of celebration and honor will recognize the contributions of indigenous peoples in the United States and Canada both on and off the ice, and will serve as vehicle for awareness and support. The Otters will take the ice in specialty orange Truth & Reconciliation jerseys designed by indigenous artist Kory Parkin(Paints by Parkin). After the game, these jerseys will be auctioned off to benefit Hockey Indigenous. The first 1500 fans will receive a Carey Terrance Bobblehead.
Attack to host Toys for Tots game on Saturday:
The Owen Sound Attack are set to host their Toys for Tots game on Saturday. The Owen Sound Fire Department will be on-site collecting new unwrapped toys from fans as they enter the Bayshore for the game. The Fire Department will also be accepting cash donations. Fans can further support the event by buying some pucks for the annual chuck-a-puck. Fans will have a chance to win one of three prize that includes a television, fully personalized Owen Sound Attack Jersey and a $100 Attack gift card. The chuck-a-puck will take place during the second intermission.
Firebirds to host toy drive on Saturday:
The Flint Firebirds are set to host their Old Newsboys Toy Drive on Saturday night. Donate a toy with a recommended minimum value of $10 and get a free ticket to the game, courtesy of Dort Financial Credit Union. The Firebirds will be wearing a specialty “Christmas-inspired” jersey during gameplay, with a live jersey auction following the game benefitting the Old Newsboys of Flint.
ALUMNI NOTES:
Burns earns 600th NHL 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.
Mintyukov leading NHL rookies in assists:
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.
Othmann launches teddy bears, tacks-on OT winner:
Hartford Wolfpack 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.
Panwar scores first pro hat-trick in ECHL:
Hamilton Bulldogs alumnus Sahil Panwar scored his first ever ECHL career hat trick on Dec. 1 as the Cincinnati 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.
OHL x U SPORTS – TMU Bold:
Hosting the 2024 U SPORTS University Cup from March 14-17, the TMU Bold men’s hockey program features 19 OHL graduates on the roster this season, playing out of the prestigious Mattamy Athletic Centre, formerly Maple Leaf Gardens. Read more
U SPORTS Report:
Emmett Sproule (Peterborough Petes) and the UNB Reds are off to their best start in the program’s history while Shane Bulitka (North Bay Battalion) and the Western Mustangs ride a four-game winning streak. Read more
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
– All games streaming on OHL Live
– Radio and TV broadcast information
Thursday, December 7th
Kingston at North Bay – 7:00pm
Erie at Niagara – 7:00pm
Brantford at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Barrie at Windsor – 7:05pm
Friday, December 8th
Peterborough at Ottawa – 7:00pm
North Bay at Mississauga – 7:00pm
Brantford at Kitchener – 7:00pm
Saginaw at London – 7:00pm
Niagara at Sudbury – 7:05pm
Kingston at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07pm
Owen Sound at Guelph – 7:30pm
Saturday, December 9th
Kitchener at Brantford – 7:00pm
Saginaw at Flint – 7:00pm
Guelph at Erie – 7:00pm
Sarnia at Owen Sound – 7:00pm
Oshawa at Windsor – 7:05pm
Mississauga at Barrie – 7:30pm
Sunday, December 10th
Ottawa at Peterborough – 2:05pm
Kingston at Sudbury – 2:05pm
Oshawa at Sarnia – 2:05pm
London at Sault Ste. Marie – 2:07pm
Niagara at Mississauga – 4:00pm
Kitchener at Guelph – 4:00pm
Flint at Windsor – 4:05pm
