OHL This Week: January 25 to 28, 2024
Getting geared up for another busy week in the Ontario Hockey League! Here’s your latest edition of OHL This Week.
Danford scores, goaltending shines as Team Red wins 2024 Kubota NHL/CHL Top Prospects Game:
Generals defenceman Ben Danford scored and Steelheads netminder Ryerson Leenders turned aside 19 shots as Team Red beat Team White 3-1 in the 2024 Kubota CHL / NHL Top Prospects Game in Moncton, N.B.. Read more
Sting’s Fischer follows in father’s footsteps at 2024 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game:
Sarnia Sting blueliner Lukas Fischer has had the ultimate role model his entire life, and this week in Moncton he enjoyed another experience in the footsteps of his father as he competed in the 2024 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. Lukas is the son of former NHL defenceman Jiri Fischer, who was awarded the 1999 QMJHL Defenceman of the Year Award and later secured a Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in 2002. Jiri Fischer participated in 1998 CHL Top Prospects Game at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto before being drafted 25th overall by the Red Wings at the season’s conclusion. Read more
Generals feature CHL-leading three players competing in Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game:
Playing to a 22-16-3-1 record, good for second in the East Division this season, the Oshawa Generals are in peak form with wins in seven of their last eight games. A big reason for that success, draft eligibles Ben Danford, Beckett Sennecke, and Luca Marrelli made their mark at the 2024 NHL/CHL Top Prospects Game on Wednesday in Moncton, NB. Read more
Knights remain atop OHL Power Rankings:
The London Knights remain in the top spot for a third consecutive week, leading the Week 16 edition of the OHL Power Rankings. Read more
Wolves’ Musty named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week:
San Jose Sharks prospect Quentin Musty of the Sudbury Wolves is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, contributing two goals, eight assists and 10 points while registering a plus-5 rating in three games. Read more
Drobac sets Bulldogs wins record, named OHL Goaltender of the Week:
Matteo Drobac of the Brantford Bulldogs is the OHL Goaltender of the Week, playing to a 3-0 record including a shutout, along with a 1.00 goals-against average and .957 save percentage to help the Bulldogs move atop the Eastern Conference standings. Read more
67’s Gerrior headlines OHL Plays of the Week presented by FPS Payment:
Forwards show off their skills in this week’s OHL Plays presented by FPS Payment! See fine displays from Sudbury’s Quentin Musty, Guelph’s Max Namestnikov, North Bay’s Ethan Procyszyn, Sarnia’s Carter Kostuch and Ottawa’s Will Gerrior. Watch
Watch the finest saves across the league with the Enbridge OHL Saves of the Week:
There’s lots to like about the latest round of Enbridge OHL Saves of the Week, with appearances from Niagara’s Charlie Robertson, Peterborough’s Liam Sztuska, Flint’s Nathan Day, Ottawa’s Collin MacKenzie, Saginaw’s Andrew Oke, Mississauga’s Ryerson Leenders, Kitchener’s Tristan Malboeuf, London’s Michael Simpson and Sarnia’s Karsen Chartier. Watch
Storm’s Buchinger to miss 6-8 weeks:
The Guelph Storm announced that 19-year-old defenceman Michael Buchinger will be out of the lineup for approximately 6-8 weeks as he undergoes surgery to repair a torn tendon. A third-year veteran from Markham, Ont., Buchinger leads Storm defencemen with 39 points (9-30–39) over 40 games this season. Read more
OHL announces new partnership with Power Staffing Solutions:
The OHL is pleased to announce a new partnership with Power Staffing Solutions. As the Official Staffing Solutions partner of the league, they will be the presenting sponsor of the OHL Weekly Power Rankings and partner of the OHL Playoffs. Read more
2024 OHL Draft Advanced Scouting – Colin Fitzgerald:
Peterborough Petes forward Colin Fitzgerald is featured in the seventh edition of OHL Advanced Scouting for the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. Watch
COMMUNITY CORNER:
Battalion to host second annual Equality, Diversity and Inclusion night on Thursday:
The North Bay Battalion are set to host their second annual Equality, Diversity and Inclusion night on Thursday. Presented by Deacon Wealth Management, there will be an intermission Chuck-A-Puck in support of OUTLoud North Bay. OUTLoud fills the gaps in services for youth in the community, providing food, shelter, therapy, and more. There will also be Battalion signed t-shirts for fans to bid on, as well as the chance to win 2024-25 season tickets! Read more
Otters to host Star Wars night on Saturday:
The Erie Otters are set to host their Star Wars night on Saturday! The game brings galactic photo opportunities and beloved characters for fans to enjoy. The first 2500 fans in attendance will receive their very own Let’s Go Otters / Star Wars poster. Read more
Attack to host OHL ONSIDE night on Saturday:
The Owen Sound Attack are set to host their OHL ONSIDE night on Saturday. OHL ONSIDE is a mandatory program that works in conjunction with the OHL’s other league programs in areas such as mental health awareness, drug awareness, health and safety education, and is an important piece of the league’s ‘Players First’ guide.
ALUMNI NOTES:
Verhaeghe skates in 300th NHL game:
Florida Panthers forward Carter Verhaeghe skated in his 300th NHL game on Monday, recording a goal and an assist in a 4-1 win over the Nashville Predators. The Waterdown, Ont. native has now registered 117 goals and 109 assists (117-109-226) over 301 regular season games spent between the Panthers, and Tampa Bay Lightning. Playing in his fifth NHL season, Verhaeghe was originally selected in the third round (82nd overall) by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2013 NHL Draft. The Niagara IceDogs’ second round (38th overall) pick in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection, Verhaeghe played four seasons in the OHL, tallying 83 goals, 141 assists, and 224 points over 262 regular season contests.
Griffith becomes Condors franchise point-leader:
Former Boston Bruins fifth round 2012 NHL Draft pick Seth Griffith is now the all-time leading scorer for the Bakersfield Condors of the American Hockey League, recording 58 goals, 134 assists, and 189 points over 222 appearances with the team. Playing in his 11th AHL season, Griffith took sole possession of the top spot in their record book Saturday with a season-high four points including two goals and two assists in a 7-3 win over the Calgary Wranglers. The former fourth round pick by the London Knights in the 2009 OHL Priority Selection played 80 games in the NHL games with Boston, Toronto, Florida, Buffalo and Edmonton. A back-to-back OHL Champion with the Knights in 2012 and 2013, Griffith spent four seasons in the OHL, registering 231 points (102-129-231) over 209 regular season contests.
Del Mastro a big part of Blackhawks’ future plans:
The AHL’s Patrick Williams shines a light on OHL graduate Ethan Del Mastro this week. The Chicago Blackhawks prospect ranks fifth among AHL rookie defenders with 18 points (4-14–18) in 35 games this season. In 52 games between the Sarnia Sting and Mississauga Steelheads last season, Del Mastro recorded 59 points (7-52–59). Del Mastro cites his OHL career as being extremely influential upon his development. Read more at theahl.com
U SPORTS Report:
Austen Keating helped the UNB Reds continue their undefeated run to 24-0 on the season while Liam Van Loon and Saint Mary’s Huskies picked up a pair of wins of their own over the weekend. Read more
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
– All games streaming on OHL Live
– Radio and TV broadcast information
Thursday, January 25th
Owen Sound at Barrie – 7:00pm
Sudbury at North Bay – 7:00pm
Brantford at Niagara – 7:00pm
Ottawa at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Saginaw at Windsor – 7:05pm
Friday, January 26th
Peterborough at London – 7:00pm
Niagara at Kingston – 7:00pm
Flint at Mississauga – 7:00pm
North Bay at Sudbury – 7:05pm
Kitchener at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07pm
Sarnia at Guelph – 7:30pm
Erie at Oshawa – 7:35pm
Saturday, January 27th
Niagara at Ottawa – 3:00pm
Kingston at Brantford – 4:00pm
London at Erie – 7:00pm
Flint at Owen Sound – 7:00pm
Peterborough at Windsor – 7:05pm
Kitchener at Saginaw – 7:05pm
Oshawa at Barrie – 7:30pm
Sunday, January 28th
Mississauga at Brantford – 2:00pm
Barrie at North Bay – 2:00pm
Windsor at Saginaw – 2:00pm
Guelph at Owen Sound – 2:00pm
Sarnia at Sault Ste. Marie – 2:07pm
Ottawa at Oshawa – 6:05pm
