OHL This Week: January 22 to 25, 2026
Goalie goals, fun at the rinks and a tribute for a League legend. That and more in the latest edition of OHL This Week.
Spitfires host Firebirds in West Division showdown on this week’s Friday Night Faceoff
The OHL Power Rankings’ third-ranked Windsor Spitfires battle the sixth-ranked Flint Firebirds in this week’s Friday Night Faceoff on FloHockey. Watch for free on FloHockey’s YouTube and social media channels
Thirteen OHL standouts appear on Craig Button’s January TSN NHL Draft List
Chase Reid of the Soo Greyhounds comes in at third on Craig Button’s latest NHL Draft rankings, followed by Caleb Malhotra (11th) and Ethan Belchetz (13th) inside the top-20. Read more
Colts, Rangers climb latest OHL Power Rankings
The Brantford Bulldogs continue to lead the OHL Power Rankings while the Ottawa 67’s, Windsor Spitfires, Barrie Colts, Kitchener Rangers and London Knights are all climbing inside the top-10. Read more
Barrie Colts make season debut on CHL Top 10 Rankings:
The latest CHL Top 10 Rankings feature the Brantford Bulldogs in third, the Ottawa 67’s in eighth and the Barrie Colts cracking the list in 10th. The Colts are currently riding a 10-game point streak and haven’t lost in regulation since Dec. 20th. Read more
Spirit’s Nikita Klepov named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week and OHL Rookie of the Week
NHL Draft eligible Saginaw Spirit forward Nikita Klepov is both the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week as well as the OHL Rookie of the Week, recording six points (2-4–6) in just two games. Read more
Generals’ Matthew Humphries named Mary Brown’s Chicken OHL Goaltender of the Week
NHL Draft eligible netminder Matthew Humphries of the Oshawa Generals is the Mary Brown’s Chicken OHL Goaltender of the Week, playing to a 1-1 record with a 2.20 goals-against average, .937 save percentage and 89 saves. Read more
Bulldogs prospect David Buchman named GOHL Prospect of the Week
Brantford Bulldogs prospect David Buchman of the Brantford Titans is the GOHL Prospect of the Week, recording three goals and three assists for six points in two games. Read more
Checking out the week’s top plays presented by Dairy Farmers of Ontario
Take a look at the top plays across the OHL this week including entries from Kingston’s Tomas Pobezal, Barrie’s Ben Wilmott, Saginaw’s Nikita Klepov and Kitchener’s Matthew Andonovski. Watch
OHL Saves of the week on display
Check out the week’s top saves, with excellent efforts from North Bay rookie Cole Vreugdenhil, Owen Sound’s Trenten Bennett, Niagara’s Charlie Robertson, Brampton’s Zach Bowen and Sault Ste. Marie’s Carter George. Watch
Upper Canada College climbing back up OHL Cup Top 10 list
Upper Canada College is back up to third on the latest OHL Cup Top 10 Rankings, back to where they were month ago. The Hill Academy and the Mississauga Senators are also climbing in Week 8. Read more
League News:
David Branch Celebration of Life to be held January 24th in Oshawa: The Ontario Hockey League community will gather to honour the life and legacy of David Branch with a public Celebration of Life on Saturday, January 24 at 1:00 PM at the Tribute Communities Centre in Oshawa. All are welcome to attend. Full details
Carter George Goalie Goal – OHL history made with second career goal: Carter George has made Ontario Hockey League history once again. The Soo Greyhounds goaltender fired the puck into the empty net late in Wednesday’s 5-2 win over the London Knights, securing his second career goalie goal in the Ontario Hockey League. With the goal, George became the first goaltender in OHL history to score two goals during his time in the league, a milestone no other netminder has reached in the OHL. George is only the second goaltender in CHL history to score two goals, joining François Brassard, who accomplished the feat in the QMJHL during the 2014-15 season. Watch
Pharand, Gardiner closing in on 300 games: We’ve seen Ethan Miedema (Guelph) and Sebastien Gervais (North Bay) and Charlie Paquette (Brantford) hit the 300-game milestone this season. Alex Pharand (Windsor, 299) and Brad Gardiner (Barrie, 298) are one pace to hit the mark this weekend.
Brampton Steelheads blue line strengthened by Green brothers: A look at brothers David and Peter Green, united in Brampton Steelheads blue for the 2025-26 season. Read more
Steve McLean’s CHL Journey – 1,000 games and counting: Guelph Storm fan Steve McLean still remembers his first game. October 2001 at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga, about a month before his 13th birthday. Back then, he couldn’t have imagined where that single game would lead – to 1,000 CHL games attended, 60/61 league arenas visited, and a passion for junior hockey that has become one of the biggest constants in his life. Read more
Spitfires Athletic Therapist Jennifer Love wins silver with Team Canada at U18 Women’s Worlds: Windsor Spitfires athletic therapist Jennifer Love captured a silver medal with Team Canada at the U18 Women’s World Championship on Sunday in Sydney, Nova Scotia, following a 2-0 loss to the United States in the gold medal game. Read more
Justin Herrington to work final game Saturday in Barrie: A twelve-year OHL officiating veteran, Justin Herrington will skate in his final game on Saturday when the Barrie Colts host the Brampton Steelheads. From Holland Landing, ON, Herrington, who wears #58, has been working in the OHL since 2013.
Transactions:
Petes add hometown product Ben Radley: The Peterborough Petes will have a new addition to the lineup on Thursday night at home against the Saginaw Spirit. Ben Radley, who starred for the OMHA champion Peterborough AAA Petes U16 squad in 2022-23 has inked with the maroon and white as part of a well-travelled 2025-26 season. Radley, who spent two years in the Brantford Bulldogs organization, has seen action with the OJHL’s Stouffville Spirit, the QMJHL’s Shawinigan Cataractes and the OHL’s Sudbury Wolves earlier this season.
At the Rinks:
Soiree Carnaval in North Bay on Thursday: The weather’s about to get a lot colder outside heading into the weekend. Embrace it with Soiree Carnaval at the Boart Longyear Memorial Gardens on Thursday. Bonhomme Carnaval will accompany Sarge around the rink Thursday night when the Troops play host to the Brantford Bulldogs.
Storm host Talk Today Night on Friday: The Guelph Storm have partnered with the Canadian Mental Health Association, Waterloo Wellington branch, for a mental health awareness game on January 23rd at 7:07pm when the Guelph Storm take on the Erie Otters at the Sleeman Centre. This mental health awareness game is part of the Guelph Storm’s ongoing partnership with CMHA WW and its Talk Today program. Read more
Spitfires bring out tombstone jerseys for Retro Night on Friday: The Windsor Spitfires are bringing back a classic look for Friday’s tilt with the Flint Firebirds. The 90’s era tombstone-style jerseys worn by the likes of Bill Bowler, Ed Jovanovski and Steve Ott will be front and centre for the OHL Friday Night Faceoff game on FloHockey with West Division implications!
Rangers host 90’s Night at the Aud: Break out your scrunchies, windbreakers, and flannel — the Kitchener Rangers are throwing it back to the raddest decade ever! Join the Rangers for 90’s Night, where nostalgia meets non-stop hockey action. From iconic 90’s tunes blasting through The Aud to retro-themed giveaways, photo ops, and classic game night fun, the Rangers are rewinding the clock for one unforgettable night. Expect neon lights, vintage vibes, and a few surprises that’ll have you saying, “As if!”
Kids Takeover in Erie on Saturday: Get ready for the kids to take over at Erie Insurance Arena on Saturday as the Otters host their annual Kids Takeover Game when they play host to the Kitchener Rangers.
Sting host Battle of the Badges Game on Saturday: The Sting are set to host a night of pride, friendly rivalry, and community impact on Friday with the first annual Battle of the Badges set to take place at 4:00pm in support of a good cause. Police Officers will take on Firefighters, with $5 from every ticket sold being donated to Huron House Boys Home, helping support local youth mental health programming and making a meaningful difference in the local community. A ticket to the Battle of the Badges also includes admission to the Sarnia Sting game vs. the Peterborough Petes, with puck drop scheduled for 7:05pm. Read more
Firebirds transition to Coneydogs Saturday night: For one night only, the Flint Firebirds will play as the Flint Coneydogs when they take on the Windsor Spitfires at the Dort Financial Center. It’s a full-on flavor makeover for the Firebirds, who recently unveiled the specially themed brand on their social media accounts here.
Pajama Party in Niagara on Sunday: Don’t bother dressing up at the Meridian Centre on Sunday – it’s an IceDogs Pajama Party when they take on the Brampton Steelheads at 2:00pm. Wear your PJ’s to the game!
Generals host Retro Night on Sunday: It’s Retro Night at the Tribute Communities Centre as the Generals play host to the Kingston Frontenacs. Experience the excitement of hockey as the Gennies celebrate the team’s rich history while enjoying nostalgic games and entertainment. Don your favourite retro gear and cheer on the Generals as they take the ice for an unforgettable night of fun and community.
Alumni News:
Carlson notches 600th NHL assist: London Knights graduate John Carlson continues to climb the NHL’s leaderboard for career assists by an American blueliner, with his 600 putting him behind only Phil Housley (894), Brian Leetch (781), Chris Chelios (763) and Gary Suter (641). The Washington Capitals blueliner from Natick, MA, played in London for the 2009-10 campaign, finishing with 76 points (16-60–76) over 59 games. He has 40 points (9-31–40) over 47 games in his 17th season with the Capitals.
Parekh getting back up to speed with AHL’s Wranglers: The Calgary Flames have sent prized first round NHL Draft pick and former OHL Defenceman of the Year Zayne Parekh to the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers on a conditioning loan. Parekh, who recently represented Canada at the World Juniors, has one point over 11 games with the NHL’s Flames so far this season. He comes off back-to-back 33-goal seasons with the Saginaw Spirit, winning a Memorial Cup title in 2024. Read more at theahl.com
Kaliyev leads AHL in scoring: Former OHL champion and Hamilton Bulldogs graduate Arthur Kaliyev is the AHL’s leading scorer, producing a league-high 26 goals along with 20 assists for 46 points over 40 games. Kaliyev has seen 204 career games of NHL action between the LA Kings and New York Rangers. He played three OHL seasons in Hamilton from 2017-20, scoring more than 30 goals in all three campaigns.
OHL Post-Secondary Alumni Round-Up: Matt Onuska is a U SPORTS Top 8 Academic All-Canadian, Reid Valade leads U SPORTS scoring, Porter Martone and Ben Roger are both finalists for the 2026 Hobey Baker Award, the most prestigious honour in NCAA men’s hockey. Those notes and more in this week’s round-up. Read more
Four OHL graduates named to Italy’s Olympic Winter Games roster: Four OHL graduates will compete for Italy in the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milano Cortina, Italy. Tommy Purdeller, Cristiano DiGiacinto, Dylan Di Perna and Greg DiTomaso will be Olympians come February. Read more
Upcoming Schedule:
Thursday January 22nd
Barrie at Niagara, 7:00pm
Brantford at North Bay, 7:00pm
Saginaw at Peterborough, 7:05pm
Friday January 23rd
Sarnia at London, 7:00pm
Owen Sound at Kitchener, 7:00pm
Brantford at Sudbury, 7:05pm
Flint at Windsor, 7:05pm (Friday Night Faceoff on FloHockey)
Erie at Guelph, 7:07pm
Saturday January 24th
Oshawa at Ottawa, 3:00pm
Kitchener at Erie, 7:00pm
Windsor at Flint, 7:00pm
Niagara at Owen Sound, 7:00pm
Peterborough at Sarnia, 7:05pm
North Bay at Sault Ste. Marie, 7:07pm
Brampton at Barrie, 7:30pm
Sunday January 25th
Barrie at Brantford, 2:00pm
Peterborough at London, 2:00pm
Brampton at Niagara, 2:00pm
North Bay at Sault Ste. Marie, 2:07pm
Saginaw at Ottawa, 3:00pm
Sudbury at Rouyn-Noranda, 4:00pm
Kingston at Oshawa, 6:05pm
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