OHL This Week: January 11 to 15, 2024
The dust has settled following the 2023-24 OHL trade deadline, with some fresh faces in new places. Here’s what the upcoming weekend has in store.
OHL passes 2023-24 trade deadline:
The 2023-24 OHL trade deadline has come and gone. Catch up on transactions from across the league. Media Notes
Knights reign supreme in OHL Power Rankings:
There’s a new number one team on the list this week as the London Knights make their return to the top in the Week 14 edition of the OHL Power Rankings. Read more
Spirit, Rangers, Knights and Greyhounds included in Week 14 edition of CHL Top 10 Rankings:
The Saginaw Spirit, Kitchener Rangers, London Knights and Soo Greyhounds are included in the Week 14 edition of the CHL Top 10 Rankings. Read more
Rosters announced for 2024 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game:
Eighteen OHL players will compete in the 2024 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game at the Avenir Centre in Moncton on January 24th. Read more
Eleven OHL players included on January edition of Craig Button’s TSN NHL Draft Rankings:
NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Rankings come out on Friday, but not before TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button released his January edition of the Top-64, a list that includes 11 OHL players. Read more
Battalion’s Romani named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week:
North Bay Battalion forward Anthony Romani is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week for the second time this season, contributing four goals and two assists while registering a plus-4 rating in three games. Read more
Generals’ Oster named OHL Goaltender of the Week:
Jacob Oster of the Oshawa Generals is the OHL Goaltender of the Week for the third time this season, playing to a 2-2 record with a 1.77 goals-against average, and .952 save percentage. Read more
Rangers’ Lam headlines OHL Plays of the Week presented by FPS Payment:
Check out some sensational passing in the latest edition of OHL Plays of the Week presented by FPS Payment! See sensational stuff from Sudbury’s Andre Anania, Ottawa’s Luca Pinelli, Barrie’s Beau Jelsma, Brantford’s Jake O’Brien and Kitchener’s Tanner Lam. Watch
Watch the finest saves across the league with Enbridge OHL Saves of the Week:
Rolling through the Enbridge OHL Saves of the Week, with stops from Sarnia’s Karsen Chartier, Mississauga’s Ryerson Leenders, Peterborough’s Easton Rye, Barrie’s Ben West, Kitchener’s Tristan Malboeuf, Guelph’s Brayden Gillespie and London’s Michael Simpson. Watch
First goals from Toms, Dirracolo in OHL Milestone Moments:
Rolling the tape on first career goals by Oshawa Generals forward Ethan Toms and Kitchener Rangers blueliner Max Dirracolo in the latest round of OHL Milestone Moments. Watch
Upper Canada Cyclones, Quinte Red Devils rise in Week 7 edition of OHL Cup Top 10 Rankings:
The Vaughan Kings remain in the top spot while the Upper Canada Cyclones and Quinte Red Devils are on the rise in the Week 7 edition of the U16 AAA rankings for the 2024 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament presented by FPS Payment and hosted by the Greater Toronto Hockey League. Read more
Jonathan Melee named Petes’ captain:
The Peterborough Petes have named forward Jonathan Melee as the 63rd Captain of the Peterborough Petes. Melee, a 2004-born forward, was originally selected by the Hamilton Bulldogs in the second round, 21st overall, of the 2020 OHL Priority Selection. Melee was acquired by the Petes on January 9, 2022 in a trade involving Anaheim Ducks forward Mason McTavish. Through 153 OHL games, Melee has scored 31 goals and added 47 assists for 77 points. Read more
Firebirds name Coulson Pitre captain:
The Flint Firebirds announced that Coulson Pitre has been named the sixth captain in franchise history. Pitre, who had been wearing an A as an alternate captain, is currently second on the team with 37 points via 17 goals and 20 assists in 36 games. He was selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the third round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. Over three seasons with the Firebirds, the Stouffville, Ontario native has 65 goals and 76 assists in 147 games. Read more
Gavin Bryant named IceDogs’ captain:
The Niagara IceDogs have named 19-year-old forward Gavin Bryant the 17th captain in club history. Bryant, from Ingersoll, Ont. has recorded 24 points (8-16–24) in 31 games with Niagara in this, his third OHL season. He was originally Owen Sound’s second round (37th overall) pick in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection, and has collected 88 points (27-61–88) over 124 OHL regular season contests.
Knights’ MacKinnon stepping away from hockey:
The London Knights announced Monday that London-born and raised defenceman Ethan MacKinnon has announced that he is taking time away from hockey with his health and well-being for the future as the top priority. Ethan will remain with the team as a Player Development coach for the remainder of the season. He will help guide and mentor the team as the Knights look ahead to the 2024 playoffs. Read more
Former captain Josh Bloom returns to Spirit:
The Saginaw Spirit have signed Vancouver Canucks prospect and former Spirit captain Josh Bloom to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. The 6’2”, left-shot overager was reassigned to the OHL by Vancouver on Friday. Selected by the Spirit 30th overall in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection, Bloom already has 140 games played in Saginaw. On September 30th, 2022, he was named the 22nd captain in team history. Read more
Knights add Van Gorp, Woolley on full-time basis:
The London Knights have recalled forward Evan Van Gorp and defenceman Jared Woolley from the remainder of the 2023-24 season. Van Gorp was signed as a free agent by the Knights following a strong training camp and was assigned to the GOJHL’s Strathroy Rockets in October, recording 14 points in 17 games. He has five (2-3–5) points in 18 games with the Knights this season. Woolley was the Knights’ sixth round pick, 105th overall in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection and started the season with the St. Thomas Stars of the GOJHL where he had 21 points in 19 games. Woolley is the tallest Knights defenceman (6’4) on the roster at just seventeen years old and has recorded four points (3-1–4) in 15 games with the Knights. Read more
OHL talent captures World Junior gold with United States:
Three OHL players will return from Sweden with gold medals as the United States defeated the host team in Friday’s Gold Medal Game by a score of 6-2. Forwards Gavin Hayes (Flint Firebirds) and Carey Terrance (Erie Otters) join goaltender Sam Hillebrandt (Barrie Colts) as World Junior champions, helping the Americans claim their sixth gold medal and first since 2021. Read more
Five OHL players win World Junior bronze with Czechia:
Brantford Bulldogs defenceman Tomas Hamara scored the deciding goal with 1:41 remaining, putting Czechia ahead of Finland 6-5 in an eventual 8-5 bronze medal victory in Gothenburg, Sweden on Friday. Hamara finished with three points (1-2–3) in the win while Eduard Sale (Barrie Colts) recorded an assist. Jakub Vondras (Sudbury Wolves) earned the win in goal, stopping 17-of-20 shots in relief of starter Michael Hrabal. Read more
OHL mourns the loss of Paul Theriault:
The Ontario Hockey League is mourning the loss of former Soo Greyhounds, Oshawa Generals and Erie Otters head coach Paul Theriault, who has passed away at the age of 73. Theriault remains the longest-serving and winningest coach in the storied history of the Oshawa Generals, spending nine seasons behind their bench from 1979-89, winning two OHL championships while collecting 350 of his 476 career victories. During his time in Oshawa, the Generals produced such names as Dave Andreychuk, Tony Tanti and Jeff Hackett. Theriault’s Generals hoisted the J. Ross Robertson Cup in 1983 and 1987, finishing as runner-up at the Memorial Cup on both occasions. Theriault, who also had two separate head coaching stints with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, and also spent one season behind the bench with the Erie Otters in 1998-99, is the 10th-winningest coach in OHL history, recording 476-368-8 record with 37 ties over 889 regular season games. Read more
COMMUNITY CORNER:
Frontenacs’ Vaccari making a difference with every save:
Among the OHL’s goaltending leaders in both saves and minutes played this season, Mason Vaccari continues to serve as the backbone of the Kingston Frontenacs’ defensive line, as well as a pivotal figure for Kingston within the community. Through his fundraising initiative “Mason’s Miracles”, Vaccari is personally donating 50 cents for every save that he makes during the 2023-24 OHL season to the paediatric wing and Kingston Health & Sciences Centre at Kingston General Hospital. Read more
OHL Lesson Plan Contest:
Now through February 15, 2024, create lesson plans incorporating OHL hockey and mathematics in junior grades 4-6 classrooms to win cash! We want to equip teachers with ideas and lesson plans that engage students in math learning using OHL real-world applications. First prize takes home the GOLD prize pack consisting of a $250 (CDN) VISA gift card along with OHL merchandise! Submit your lesson plan by February 15, 2024! Read more
Otters to host Youth Sports night on Saturday:
The Erie Otters are set to host their Youth Sports Night on Saturday. Erie recognizes that today’s children are tomorrow’s stars and wish to shed some light on the future athletes of Erie and beyond! It’s also a big time giveaway night as the first 1500 fans to enter the arena receive a Matthew Schaefer bobblehead!
Steelheads to host New School Night game on Sunday:
The Mississauga Steelheads are set to host their New School Night game on Sunday. Join the Steelheads as they come together in supporting mental health awareness at the New School Night game this Sunday presented by Bell in support of Bell Let’s Talk. The first 500 fans to enter the building receive a specialty Bell Let’s Talk toque.
Otters to host third annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day game:
The Erie Otters are set to their annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day game on Monday for the third-straight season – remembering the life and legacy of an American Civil Rights hero. With the day being a day off of school and work for many, the Otters are offering fans special incentive to spend their off day with the team, with $5 tickets for anyone 17 and under.
ALUMNI NOTES:
NHL Debut – Graeme Clarke:
Ottawa 67’s graduate Graeme Clarke made the jump to the NHL on Jan. 6, skating in 9:32 of action as the New Jersey Devils lost to the Vancouver Canucks by a score of 6-4. The 22-year-old Clarke was a plus-1 in the contest, and wore #95. The right-winger entered the OHL as the sixth overall pick of the 2017 OHL Priority Selection by the 67’s. He’d amass 46 goals, 30 assists and 76 points over 134 regular season games, and helped Ottawa capture an Eastern Conference title in the 2019 OHL Playoffs, recording 14 points (7-7–14) over 18 games. Read more
NHL Debut – Jack Thompson:
Former Sudbury Wolves captain and Soo Greyhounds defenceman Jack Thompson saw his first NHL action on Jan. 6 as the Tampa Bay Lightning fell to the Bruins by a score of 7-3 in Boston. The 21-year-old Thompson skated in 11:39 minutes of action, recording one shot on goal along with two hits. Thompson played three seasons in the OHL from 2018-22, entering the league as a second-round (30th overall) pick by the Wolves in 2018 to play in 180 regular season contests, recording 40 goals, 65 assists and 105 points. He finished his career in Sault Ste. Marie, with an outstanding performance in the 2022 OHL Playoffs with 14 points (6-8–14) over nine games. Read more
NHL Debut – Brennan Othmann:
Former Peterborough Petes and Flint Firebirds forward Brennan Othmann suited up in his first career NHL game on the eve on his 21st birthday last Thursday night at Madison Square Garden as the New York Rangers skated to a 4-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. The Pickering, Ont. native skated in 12 minutes of action, registering five shots on goal. Othmann had tremendous success throughout his OHL career, hoisting the J. Ross Robertson Cup as a 2023 OHL champion with Peterborough last season. He was a franchise cornerstone in Flint, registering 50 goals and 97 points in his sophomore campaign to lead the Firebirds to the 2022 Western Conference Championship Series. Read more
Henrique earns 500th NHL point:
Anaheim Ducks forward Adam Henrique recorded his 500th NHL point on Tuesday, registering an assist to help lead the Ducks to a 5-3 win over the Nashville Predators. The Burford, Ont. native has now registered 249 goals and 251 assists (249-251-500) over 869 regular season games spent between the Ducks and the New Jersey Devils. Playing in his 14th NHL season, Henrique was originally selected in the third round (82nd overall) by the Devils in the 2008 NHL Draft. Selected in the second round (24th overall) by the Windsor Spitfires in the 2006 OHL Priority Selection, Henrique played four seasons in the OHL from 2006-10, tallying 111 goals, 117 assists, and 228 points over 238 regular season contests. Henrique also found huge success in the playoffs, winning the OHL Championship and hoisting the Memorial Cup with the Spitfires in back-to-back seasons (2009/2010).
Tkachuk records first hat trick of the season:
Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk recorded his first hat trick of the season on Wednesday, registering three goals and an assist to help lead the Panthers to a 5-1 win over the St. Louis Blues. The St. Louis, MO. native has now registered 11 goals and 28 assists (11-28-39) over 40 regular season games played this season. Playing in his eighth NHL season, Tkachuk was originally selected sixth overall by the Calgary Flames in the 2016 NHL Draft. Selected in the fourth round (64th overall) by the London Knights in the 2013 OHL Priority Selection, Tkachuk played 57 games in the OHL, tallying 30 goals, 77 assists, and 107 points (30-77-107). Tkachuk was also a solid contributor for Knights in the playoffs, recording 40 points (20-20-40) in 18 games played to be crowned 2016 OHL and Memorial Cup.
Scheifele reaches 400 franchise assists milestone:
Winnipeg Jets forward Mark Scheifele has collected eight assists through the course of the Jets’ 12-game point streak, becoming just the second player in franchise history to register at least 400 assists with the team. Selected seventh overall by the Jets in the 2011 NHL Draft, Scheifele has registered 286 goals and 400 assists over 763 games played in Winnipeg. Saginaw’s seventh round (134th overall) pick in the 2009 OHL Priority Selection, the Kitchener, Ont. native spent three seasons in the OHL with the Barrie Colts, tallying 217 points (84-133-217) in 158 regular season games.
U SPORTS report:
Brad Chenier and the Ottawa Gee-Gees, along with Billy Moskal and the U of T Varsity Blues both skated to a pair of victories last week. Read more
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
– All games streaming on OHL Live
– Radio and TV broadcast information
Thursday, January 11th
Barrie at Niagara – 7:00pm
Mississauga at North Bay – 7:00pm
Kingston at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Friday, January 12th
Ottawa at Brantford – 7:00pm
Oshawa at Kingston – 7:00pm
Flint at Niagara – 7:00pm
Erie at Kitchener – 7:00pm
Saginaw at London – 7:00pm
Sudbury at Sarnia – 7:05pm
Guelph at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07pm
Saturday, January 13th
Ottawa at Owen Sound – 4:00pm
Flint at Erie – 7:00pm
Oshawa at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Sudbury at Windsor – 7:05pm
Guelph at Saginaw – 7:05pm
North Bay at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07pm
Brantford at Barrie – 7:30pm
Sunday, January 14th
Sarnia at Mississauga – 2:00pm
Ottawa at Kitchener – 2:00pm
Owen Sound at London – 2:00pm
Kingston at Oshawa – 6:05pm
Monday, January 15th
Sarnia at Erie – 2:00pm
