We get ready to turn the calendar from January to February, which means the action is about to head up across the OHL!

Colts visit Generals in Eastern Conference showdown on upcoming Friday Night Faceoff:
The Oshawa Generals and Barrie Colts will battle it out for first place in the Eastern Conference on this week’s Friday Night Faceoff instalment. Details

YourTV Hockey Day in the OHL set for Sunday:
Get ready for a full day of OHL action across the province on YourTV this Sunday with a tripleheader beginning at 1:00pm! Check out a trio of great matchups and see features from across the league as host Terry Doyle and the crew at YourTV bring back-to-back-to-back action. Details

Rangers on top in Week 18 OHL Power Rankings:
The Kitchener Rangers have taken over the top spot, climbing four spots to first place in the Week 18 edition of the OHL Power Rankings. Details

Knights, Rangers, Spitfires included in Week 16 edition of CHL Top 10 Rankings:
The London Knights (1), Kitchener Rangers (3) and Windsor Spitfires (6) have been included in the Week 16 edition of the CHL Top 10 Rankings. Details

Spirit’s Parekh named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week:
Calgary Flames prospect Zayne Parekh of the Saginaw Spirit is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, registering five goals, three assists and eight points over three contests. Details

Knights’ Elliott improves to 20-0, named OHL Goaltender of the Week:
Austin Elliott of the London Knights is the OHL Goaltender of the Week, playing to a 2-0 record along with a 2.00 goals-against average and .933 save percentage. Elliott is off to an undefeated 20-0 start to his OHL career. Details

Spirit’s Zhilkin named OHL Rookie of the Week:
Saginaw Spirit forward Dimian Zhilkin is the OHL Rookie of the Week, recording a goal and five assists over three games played. Details

OHL Plays of the Week:
Bringing you another edition of OHL Plays of the Week, featuring Barrie’s duo of Riley Patterson and Beau Jelsma, Peterborough’s Colin Fitzgerald and Aiden Young, Windsor’s Ilya Protas, and Sault Ste. Marie’s Nolan Lalonde. Watch

OHL Saves of the Week presented by Enbridge Gas:
Taking a look at the latest edition of OHL Saves of the Week! This week features standout moments from Erie’s Charlie Burns, Sudbury’s Nate Krawchuk, Sarnia’s Evan Maillet, North Bay’s Jack Lisson and Peterborough’s Zach Bowen. Watch

OHL Milestone Moments:
Looking back on four first career OHL goals from across the league last week, presented by Syngenta Canada and Grain Farmers of Ontario. Watch

Registration underway for OHL Performance Development Program:
The OHL Performance Development Program takes place in seven cities across Ontario every Sunday starting April 27th through June 22nd and stands as Ontario’s leading off-season hockey training initiative, specifically designed for minor hockey players seeking to elevate their game. Details

2025 OHL Draft Prospect Profile – Brayden Bennett:
A high-level skater who is effective on the forecheck, plays the game with energy and opens up lanes for his teammates, Brayden Bennett is a key part of a competitive Toronto Titans team. Watch

Latest Moves:

Bulldogs sign forward Layne Gallacher:
The Brantford Bulldogs have signed fourth round 2024 OHL Priority Selection choice Layne Gallacher to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. The Brooklin, Ont. product leads all skaters in the OMHA U18 AAA circuit with 44 points (13-31–44) over 25 games for the Ajax-Pickering Raiders. Details

Storm sign goaltender Kayden Newton:
The Guelph Storm have signed 11th round 2023 OHL Priority Selection choice Kayden Newton to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. The 6-foot-3 product of Waterdown, Ont. has been very good for the GOJHL affiliate Ayr Centennials, going 19-3 with a 2.65 goals-against average and .919 save percentage. Details

Colts sign defenceman Ethan Armstrong:
The Barrie Colts are happy to announce the signing of 2023 6th-round selection of Ethan Armstrong to an OHL Education and Scholarship Agreement. Armstrong started this season with the Langley Rivermen in the BCHL, where he recorded three assists in 21 games before recently joining the Colts. Details

Sting’s Filak commits to University of Vermont:
Sarnia Sting forward Zach Filak recently announced his commitment to the University of Vermont, where he will continue his hockey journey after concluding his OHL career. Details

Petes’ Bryant commits to Sacred Heart:
Peterborough Petes overage forward Gavin Bryant has announced his commitment to Sacred Heart University for the 2025-26 NCAA hockey season. Details

Petes’ Melee commits to Sacred Heart:
Peterborough Petes overage forward Jonathan Melee has announced his commitment to Sacred Heart University for the 2025-26 NCAA hockey season. Details

Other News:

Frontenacs’ Jacob Battaglia becomes first official Talk Today spokesperson:
Kingston Frontenacs forward and Calgary Flames prospect Jacob Battaglia has been announced as the first official spokesperson of the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Talk Today program. The CMHA Talk Today program is a mental health awareness and suicide prevention program that has helped nearly 13,000 individuals receive mental health and suicide prevention training since 2014. Details

Boart Longyear Memorial Gardens announced in North Bay:
Boart Longyear announced Monday that it has acquired the naming rights to the North Bay sports arena, which will be known as Boart Longyear Memorial Gardens. The agreement was officially approved by the North Bay city council. The facility is home to the North Bay Battalion of the Ontario Hockey League, which will share naming proceeds of $485,000 over the five-year term equally with the city. The agreement ends June 30, 2030. Details

Otters announce coaching change:
The Erie Otters announced Monday that Stan Butler has been relieved from his position as head coach of the organization. Butler, who was in the midst of his 26th OHL season, led active OHL coaches with 1,716 games coached and owns a career regular season mark of 794-724-133 with 65 ties between Erie, North Bay, Brampton and Oshawa dating back to 1994. Details

Explore the OHL – Saginaw Spirit:
Explore the city of Saginaw! The Ontario Hockey League is home to 20 teams—17 in Canada and three in the United States. Shifting the focus beyond hockey operations, the OHL aims to highlight the distinctiveness of each member club. Details

2025 OHL Draft Prospect Profile – Brayden Bennett:
A high-level skater who is effective on the forecheck, plays the game with energy and opens up lanes for his teammates, Brayden Bennett is a key part of a competitive Toronto Titans team. Watch

Community Corner:

Spitfires’ Belchetz and True Hockey donate $25,000 worth of hockey equipment to Knobby’s Kids:
The Windsor Spitfires, True Hockey and Spitfire forward Ethan Belchetz are proud to announce an incredible $25,000 donation of hockey equipment to the Knobby’s Kids Program. Knobby’s Kids was established in 2006 by Robert “Knobby” Knudsen, Jerry Slavic, and Frank Spry. The program addressed the need for a free hockey and skating program for children who face financial barriers to participating in organized hockey leagues or learning how to skate. This initiative gives the youth that opportunity in a supportive and inclusive environment. Details

Wolves partner with SKHC and Ngo Dwe Waanzizjik for third annual Indigenous Game on Friday:
The Sudbury Wolves are proud to announce their partnership with Ngo Dwe Waanzizjik (Urban Indigenous Sacred Circle) and Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre (SKHC) for the third annual Indigenous Game, taking place this Friday when the Wolves host the North Bay Battalion. This year’s stunning Indigenous jersey has been designed by Michael Cywink, a talented artist from Whitefish River First Nation (Birch Island), with additional design support from Melanie Laquerre, SKHC’s Creative Director. Details

Storm to host First Responders Night on Friday:
The fifth annual First Responders Night is Friday, January 31st as the Storm host the Sarnia Sting. The Storm will recognize and honour all First Responders with the Chief of Police Gord Cobey, Guelph Fire Chief Brian Arnold, and the EMS Chief Stephen Dewar participating in the ceremonial puck drop. Representatives from Guelph Police, Guelph Fire, and Guelph EMS will be on hand on the concourse with community tables, along with representatives from their charity of choice, Victim Services Wellington. Details

Petes to host annual Pink in the Rink game on Saturday:
Support The Peterborough Petes as they host their 16^th Annual Pink the Rink game on Saturday. Funds raised from the Pink in the Rink campaign will support the Pedal for Hope tour, a part of Cops for Cancer at the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS). This year’s jerseys were designed by Kyle McDonald of Pioneer Inc. The jerseys feature two special shoulder patches. The left side shoulder bears the Canadian Cancer Society logo, while the right side shoulder shows Pedal for Hope. Details

Sting to host Hall of Fame game on Saturday:
The Sarnia Sting Hockey Club is proud to continue the annual tradition of adding to the Sarnia Sting Hall of Fame Honoured Membership with the election of three individuals to the class of 2025. This year’s inductees will be recognized alongside their families for their contributions in building the success of the Sting in Sarnia-Lambton during an on-ice ceremony when the Sting host the Erie Otters on Saturday for Hall of Fame Night. Details

Storm to Talk Today game on Sunday:
The Guelph Storm will host their Talk Today game on Sunday to support Talk Today Month, highlight mental health, and raise awareness of CMHA programs in the community. Visit team website for more information.

Alumni Notes:

OHL mourns the loss of Shawn Simpson:
The OHL is saddened by news of the passing of former Soo Greyhounds and Oshawa Generals goaltender Shawn Simpson, who went on to have a highly successful broadcasting career at TSN in Ottawa. Simpson, who was 56 and originally from Gloucester, Ont., played with the Greyhounds and Generals from 1985-89 before a three-year pro career with the AHL’s Baltimore Skipjacks after he was drafted by the NHL’s Washington Capitals. Simpson eventually transitioned into management where he worked as director of hockey operations of the Washington Capitals and was general manager of the AHL affiliate Portland Pirates. He joined the Toronto Maple Leafs in the mid-2000s as a scout, and also served in an executive role in the KHL before joining TSN 1200 radio in Ottawa in 2012. He will be missed by his family, friends and countless people across the sports media landscape.

CHL Alumni Spotlight – Taylor Hall:
In the fifth OHL edition of the CHL Alumni Spotlight presented by Carlsberg Canada, former Windsor Spitfires forward Taylor Hall reflects on his OHL journey (2007-10) and his development during three seasons in Windsor before advancing to a successful professional career in the National Hockey League. Hall was selected first overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2010 NHL Draft. Watch

Ten OHL graduates named to 2025 AHL All-Star Classic:
A total of 10 former OHL players will compete in the upcoming 2025 AHL All-Star Classic from February 2-3 in Palm Desert, California. The rosters include 2024 OHL grads in Dalibor Dvorsky (Sudbury Wolves) and Owen Beck (Saginaw Spirit) along with other recent names in Logan Mailloux (London Knights) and Rory Kerins (Soo Greyhounds). Details

Six OHL alumni win Gold with Team Canada at 2025 FISU Winter World University Games:
After a challenging preliminary round, Team Canada built chemistry, found its game, and silenced any doubters, culminating in a thrilling 3-1 victory over Slovakia to claim gold at the 2025 FISU Winter World University Games in Torino, Italy last week. Six OHL graduates proudly represented the red and white. Details

Greyhounds Goaltending Coach Mark Visentin reflects on OHL journey:
Mark Visentin’s journey in hockey has come full circle, from playing in the OHL as a goaltender to shaping the stars of tomorrow as a coach. Today, he continues to make an impact in the community through his hockey school, and as the Goaltending Coach of the Soo Greyhounds. During his time in the OHL, Visentin earned recognition as the OHL Goaltender of the Year in 2011 and recorded the League’s best goals-against average that season (1.99). A two-time OHL All-Star, he also became the seventh goalie in OHL history to score a goal, achieving that milestone in 2012. Details

Upcoming Schedule:

Thursday, January 30th
Ottawa at Barrie– 7:00pm
Brantford at North Bay – 7:00pm
Brampton at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Flint at Windsor – 7:05pm

Friday, January 31st
Kitchener at Flint– 7:00pm
Peterborough at Brampton – 7:00pm
Erie at London – 7:00pm
Barrie at Oshawa – 7:05pm (Friday Night Faceoff)
North Bay at Sudbury – 7:05pm
Brantford at Soo – 7:07pm
Sarnia at Guelph – 7:07pm

Saturday, February 1st
Ottawa at Owen Sound – 4:00pm
Kingston at Flint – 7:00pm
Oshawa at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Erie at Sarnia – 7:05pm
Kitchener at Saginaw – 7:05pm
Niagara at Barrie – 7:30pm