OHL This Week: January 23 to 26, 2025
We’ve got new records, fresh draft rankings and playoff races heating up as the schedule enters late January. Here’s a look across the OHL.
Friday Night Face Off – Spirit at Frontenacs:
Familiar faces are reunited on this week’s OHL Friday Night Faceoff in Kingston as the Saginaw Spirit visit Slush Puppie Place in their lone trip of the season. Details
OHL talent headlines Bob McKenzie’s mid-season NHL Draft Rankings:
Twenty-three Ontario Hockey League players are featured in Bob McKenzie’s Mid-Season Draft Rankings, with six skaters in the top 16 and nine in the top 32. Details
Bid on Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game: Jerseys and Equipment today:
The online live auction is now available! Purchase Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects jerseys and equipment before it ends. Details
Frontenacs’ Uronen named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week:
Vegas Golden Knights prospect Tuomas Uronen of the Kingston Frontenacs is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, registering two goals, four assists and six points in a pair of wins last week. Details
Greyhounds’ Lalonde named OHL Goaltender of the Week:
Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Nolan Lalonde of the Soo Greyhounds is the OHL Goaltender of the Week, earning two shutouts along with a 0.00 goals-against average and 1.000 save percentage. Details
Greyhounds’ Reid named OHL Rookie of the Week:
Soo Greyhounds defenceman Chase Reid is the OHL Rookie of the Week, recording six assists over three games played. Details
OHL Plays of the Week:
Check out some outstanding offence in the latest delivery of OHL Plays of the Week, featuring the London duo of Jesse Nurmi and Kasper Halttunen, Brantford’s Tomas Hamara, Kingston’s Matthew Soto, Flint’s Matthew Mania and Brampton’s Lucas Karmiris. 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 Owen Sound’s Matthew Koprowski, Flint’s Nathan Day, Brampton’s Jack Ivankovic, Saginaw’s Andrew Oke and Brantford’s Ryerson Leenders. Watch
OHL Milestone Moments:
Winding back the tape on five first career OHL markers from across the league last week, presented by Syngenta Canada and Grain Farmers of Ontario. Watch
Knights, Rangers, Spitfires, Generals included in Week 15 edition of CHL Top 10 Rankings:
The London Knights (1), Kitchener Rangers (5), Windsor Spitfires (6) and Oshawa Generals (9) have been included in the Week 15 edition of the CHL Top 10 Rankings. Details
Bulldogs rise in Week 17 OHL Power Rankings:
The Brantford Bulldogs are making moves, climbing five spots to second place in the Week 17 edition of the OHL Power Rankings. Details
CHL reveals Real Canadian Superstore and Real Atlantic Superstore Jersey Design Contest freeview schedule on CHL TV:
With all 31 winners of the Jersey Design contest having been identified this past November, fans from across Canada are now invited to join along as the winning design for each participating club is revealed during their dedicated game night, which can be streamed live for free on CHL TV. Full schedule
Latest Moves:
Spitfires’ Spellacy signs with Blackhawks:
Windsor Spitfires forward AJ Spellacy has signed a three-year entry-level NHL conract with the Chicago Blackhawks. The 18-year-old from Cleveland, Ohio has produced 25 points (11-14–25) over 40 games with the Spitfires this season and was Chicago’s third round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. Details
Wolves’ Delic commits to Miami (OH) University:
Sudbury Wolves overage forward Kocha Delic has announced his commitment to Miami University for the 2025-26 NCAA hockey season. Delic, who is in his final season of OHL eligibility with the Wolves, has collected 20 goals and 30 assists for 50 points in 40 games. Drafted by the Wolves in the second round of the 2020 OHL Priorty Selection, Delic has put up 89 goals and 212 points in 208 career OHL regular season games. Details
Firebirds’ Collins commits to Penn State:
Flint Firebirds defenceman Nolan Collins has announced his commitment to Penn State University for the 2025-26 NCAA hockey season. Collins, a 2022 sixth round pick (167th overall) of the Pittsburgh Penguins, has put up four goals, 13 assists and 17 points in 36 games with the Firebirds this season. Details
Colts’ Van Steensel commits to Clarkson:
Overage forward Owen Van Steensel announced his commitment to play at Clarkson University heading into the 2025-26 season. A 20-year-old from Ilderton, Ont. Van Steensel started the season as captain in North Bay, and has collected 13 goals, 17 assists and 30 points over 42 games in his overage season. Details
Otters sign Frazer:
The Erie Otters announced the signing of Garrett Frazer, a defenseman from the British Columbia Hockey League, playing with the Victoria Grizzlies. Frazer is an 18-year-old, right-handed shooting defenseman, from Haymarket, VA and is committed to Northeastern University for the 2025-26 season. Details
Spirit’s Forgione commits to University of Vermont:
Spirit defenceman PJ Forgione recently announced his commitment to the University of Vermont, where he will continue his hockey journey after concluding his OHL career. A Burlington, VT native, the overage blueliner will return to his home state. This season, the 20-year-old has recorded 14 points (2 goals, 12 assists) in 40 games. Details
Other News:
McGowan’s return a big boost for Frontenacs:
Quiet and unassuming off the ice, Maleek McGowan has developed a reputation for laying thunderous body checks in black and gold. Read more
Thomas makes Bulldogs history:
Washington Capitals prospect Patrick Thomas put up six points (1-5–6) in Wednesday’s 6-2 win over the visiting Niagara IceDogs, setting a new Bulldogs single game mark dating back to their entrance into the OHL in 2015.
Parekh becomes Spirit’s all-time leading point producer on the blueline:
Saturday marked a historic night in Saginaw as third-year blueliner Zayne Parekh carved out another piece of Saginaw Spirit history in a 6-2 win over the Guelph Storm. A commanding five-point performance featured the Calgary Flames prospect’s third career OHL hat-trick as he passed Patrick McNeill for first on the club’s all-time list of point producing blueliners, finishing the game with 184 (70-114–184) over 152 regular season games. Details
Explore the OHL – Sudbury Wolves:
Explore the city of Sudbury! 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 – Kingston Harris:
A centreman who takes pride in making his linemates better, Kingston Harris of the Toronto Marlboros draws high praise from his U16 AAA coach in OHL alumnus Justin Donati. Watch
2025 OHL Draft Prospect Profile – Tyler Lee:
A crafty offensive producer on a skilled Don Mills Flyers squad, centreman Tyler Lee grew up in Whitby where he saw his fair share of Oshawa Generals games. Watch
Community Corner:
Barkey’s Buds making an impact in the London Community:
London Knights captain Denver Barkey has always been a fan favourite, but his contributions off the ice are earning him just as much admiration. This season, in partnership with The London Knights Official Fan Club, the Philadelphia Flyers prospect launched Barkey’s Buds, an initiative transforming the lives of local youth by making hockey accessible to all, regardless of financial barriers. Details
Colts to host Pride night on Thursday:
The Barrie Colts are set to host their Pride night on Thursday. Visit team website for more information. Details
Frontenacs to host Women in Sports night on Friday:
This upcoming Friday, January 24th the Kingston Frontenacs will be sporting some very special jerseys to help celebrate our annual Women in Sports Night game presented by Pro Hockey Life. Paying tribute to the women that have paved the way for young girls in the city of Kingston, the Frontenacs will be wearing jerseys inspired by the ones worn by the original Kingston Red Barons; the first ever professional women’s hockey team in Kingston. Details
Otters to host Superhero game on Saturday:
It’s Superhero Night this Saturday in Erie! Superheroes will be on the concourse as the team will be wearing specialty warmup jerseys and there’s a costume contest! Join the Otters for all the fun!
Firebirds to host Flint Tropics game on Saturday:
The Flint Firebirds are set to host their Flint Tropics game on Saturday as the Firebirds will be wearing specialty “Flint Tropics” themed jerseys during the game. Jerseys will be auctioned off following the game with proceeds to benefit the Flint Firebirds Foundation.
Spitfires to host Bombers Birthday on Sunday:
Celebrate everyone’s favourite mascot at Bombers Birthday Party! Local mascots will be on hand to party with their best friend Bomber. Enjoy birthday activities and get your picture taken with one of the many Mascots who will be partying with the Bomber. Details
Alumni Notes:
Foligno suits up in 1,200th NHL contest:
Sudbury Wolves alumnus Nick Foligno played in his 1,200th NHL contest on Saturday, a 5-3 Chicago Blackhawks win over the Vegas Golden Knights. The 37-year-old is in the midst of his 18th NHL season, a career springboarded by a three-year tenure in Sudbury where he won an Eastern Conference title with the Wolves in 2007. The son of long-time NHL forward and former Wolves head coach Mike Foligno, Nick has 11 goals, nine assists and 20 points through 46 games as he wears the ‘C’ for the Blackhawks. He was originally the 28th overall pick by the Ottawa Senators in the 2006 NHL Draft.
Colts to honour Kyle Clifford with jersey retirement:
The Barrie Colts are proud to announce that on February 27th that they will honour Kyle Clifford with a #13 jersey retirement. Clifford, who spent three seasons with the Colts from 2007-2010, appeared in 184 games. In his professional career, he would go on to play in 753 NHL games (660 LA Kings, 41 Toronto Maple Leafs, 52 St. Louis Blues). In his second season with the Kings, he captured hockey’s greatest trophy, the Stanley Cup. Two seasons later, Clifford would capture his second Stanley Cup with the LA Kings, playing in 24 playoff games while adding seven points. Details
Rangers graduate Sebrango makes NHL debut:
Donovan Sebrango‘s NHL dream came true last Thursday night, and he got to do it in his hometown with his hometown NHL team. The 23-year-old former Kitchener Rangers defenceman suited up for the Senators in their 1-0 overtime loss to the Washington Capitals at the Canadian Tire Centre, seeing 11:38 on the ice. Details
U SPORTS Report:
A total of 195 OHL alumni are playing in the U SPORTS men’s hockey ranks this season. Throughout the year the U SPORTS Report will keep tabs on former OHL names doing great things in the OUA, AUS and Canada West ranks on the road to the 2025 U SPORTS University Cup to be held from March 20-23 in Ottawa, Ont. Details
OHL graduate Alex Nedeljkovic makes history with goalie goal for Penguins:
Former Plymouth, Flint and Niagara goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic scored the 20th goal in NHL history Friday night. With his Penguins leading the Sabres 4-2, Nedeljkovic collected Peyton Krebs’ dump in and immediately shot the puck down the ice into the back of the net. In the process, he became the first goaltender in history to have scored a goal at the NHL, AHL and ECHL level. Earlier in the night, Nedeljkovic collected an assist to be the first goalie in NHL history to score a goal and have an assist in the same game. Details
Upcoming Schedule:
Thursday, January 23rd
London at North Bay– 7:00pm
Brampton at Barrie – 7:00pm
Saginaw at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Friday, January 24th
Saginaw at Kingston– 7:00pm (Friday Night Faceoff)
Owen Sound at Kitchener – 7:00pm
Niagara at Erie – 7:00pm
Peterborough at Oshawa – 7:05pm
London at Sudbury – 7:05pm
Windsor at Sarnia – 7:05pm
Flint at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07pm
Brantford at Guelph – 7:07pm
Saturday, January 25th
Kingston at Ottawa – 3:00pm
Brampton at Flint – 7:00pm
Kitchener at Erie – 7:00pm
Sarnia at Owen Sound – 7:00pm
Brantford at Barrie – 7:30pm