OHL This Week: March 2 to 5, 2023
March is here and so is the final stretch of the 2022-23 OHL regular season. Catch up on some NHL signings and more in the latest edition of OHL This Week.
Maggio, Clarke, MacKenzie and Krawchuk named Top Performers for February:
The OHL has announced Top Performers of the Month for February, including Windsor Spitfires forward Matthew Maggio, Barrie Colts defenceman Brandt Clarke, Ottawa 67’s goaltender Collin MacKenzie and Sudbury Wolves rookie netminder Nate Krawchuk. Read more
OHL announces Academic Players of the Month for February:
The OHL named Academic Players of the Month for February including Luca Marrelli of the Oshawa Generals, Andrew Wycisk of the Niagara IceDogs, Matthew Andonovski of the Kitchener Rangers and Easton Wainwright of the Sarnia Sting. Read more
Ottawa 67’s are 2023 East Division champions:
The Ottawa 67’s defeated the Kingston Frontenacs 5-2 on Wednesday to secure the 18th Leyden Trophy in franchise history, winning the East Division for the third time in four seasons. Read more
Storm’s Bowman named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week:
Braeden Bowman of the Guelph Storm is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording four goals, five assists and nine points in three games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-3. Read more
Petes’ Simpson named OHL Goaltender of the Week:
Michael Simpson of the Peterborough Petes is the OHL Goaltender of the Week for the third time this season, going 3-0 with a shutout, a 1.33 goals-against average and .963 save percentage. Read more
67’s, Knights and Sting make Week 21 edition of Kia CHL Top 10:
The Ottawa 67’s, London Knights and Sarnia Sting are included in the Week 21 edition of the Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings while the Barrie Colts and Peterborough Petes received honourable mentions. Watch
OHL Weekend Notebook:
The OHL Weekend Notebook recaps the weekend that was with news, information and interesting facts from both on and off the ice. Read more
Spirit’s Haight signs with Wild:
The Minnesota Wild has announced that Hunter Haight has signed a three-year, entry-level contract starting with the 2023-24 season. The 5-foot-10, 173 lb. native of Strathroy, Ont. has recorded 86 points (39-47-86) in 116 career games over two OHL seasons between the Colts and Spirit. The Wild selected Haight in the second round (47th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft. Read more
Petes’ White signs with Stars:
The Dallas Stars have announced that Gavin White has signed defenceman Gavin White to a three-year entry-level contract. White has split the 2022-23 season with the Hamilton Bulldogs and Peterborough Petes, posting 37 points in 42 regular-season contests. The 6-foot, 185Ib. blueliner helped the Bulldogs win an OHL championship last season and was selected in the fourth round (115th overall) by the Stars in the 2022 NHL Draft. Read more
Spirit’s Lennox signs with Islanders:
The New York Islanders has announced that Tristan Lennox has agreed to terms on a three-year, entry-level contract. Lennox, 20, has posted a 22-15-1-1 record and 3.28 goals against average in 40 games with the Saginaw Spirit this season. The Islanders selected Lennox in the third round (93rd overall) of the 2021 National Hockey League Draft. Read more
Storm’s Buchinger signs with Blues:
The St. Louis Blues have signed Guelph Storm defenceman Michael Buchinger to a three-year entry-level contract, doing so after he scored the overtime winner of Tuesday’s matchup against the Mississauga Steelheads. Buchinger was drafted by the Blues in the third-round (88th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft. Read more
Saginaw native Mitchell Smith named Spirit Captain:
The Spirit announced that Saginaw native Mitchell Smith would finish the season as the team’s 23rd captain. In the team’s 21 year history, Smith becomes the first Saginaw native to wear the ‘C’. Smith’s career with the Spirit began at the 2018 OHL draft, where he was a fifth round selection by the team he grew up watching. Since then, he’s skated in 181 regular season OHL games with the Spirit. Read more
Generals duo dazzles in OHL Plays of the Week:
Perfect passes and spectacular snipes feature in the latest edition of OHL Plays of the Week. Watch
Attack’s George headlines OHL Saves of the Week:
See highlight reel appearances from Owen Sound’s Carter George, London’s Brett Brochu, Sudbury’s Nate Krawchuk, Erie’s Kyle Downey, Hamilton’s Tristan Malboeuf, Ottawa’s Collin MacKenzie, Flint’s Nathan Day and Kitchener’s Marco Costantini on this week’s edition of OHL Saves of the Week. Watch
Storm recognize long time Rogers TV play-by-play host Steve Fitzsimmons:
Prior to Sunday’s game against the London Knights, the Guelph Storm recognized and thanked longtime Rogers TV broadcaster Steve Fitzsimmons. For 21 years including three OHL Championships and thousands of unforgettable moments along the way, Steve’s voice delivered energy, knowledge and excitement to Storm broadcasts and Sunday’s game marked his final call in Guelph as he embarks on a new chapter in his professional career. Read more
Mic’d up madness with the Twins: Denver Barkey and Easton Cowan
Enjoy the London Knights’ dynamic duo of Denver Barkey and Easton Cowan mic’d up during warmups! Watch
Draft eligible prospects lead Team Ontario to gold medal finish at Canada Winter Games:
In front of a sold-out crowd at the Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, the future of the Ontario Hockey League was on full display on Saturday night as Team Ontario took home the gold medal. Read more
OHL This Week Podcast: Episode 21
Take a listen as the latest edition of the OHL This Week Podcast features NHL prospect analyst Will Scouch from scouching.ca for a discussion around a few prominent Anaheim Ducks prospects that have come through the OHL in recent years including Jamie Drysdale, Mason McTavish, Pavel Mintyukov and Sasha Pastujov. Listen
OHL to host 2nd Annual Officiating Prospect Development Combine
The OHL will host its 2nd Annual Officiating Prospect Development Combine that will take place from June 8-10 at the Quinte Sports & Wellness Centre in Belleville, Ont. Last year, 72 officials were in attendance, 17 of whom earned the opportunity to officiate in the OHL for the 2022-23 season. Read more
Battalion’s Bloom dealt to Vancouver
North Bay Battalion forward Josh Bloom had his rights acquired by the Vancouver Canucks this past week, part of the NHL’s ongoing lead-up to the trade deadline on Friday afternoon. Buffalo’s third round pick in 2021, Bloom was dealt by the Sabres to the Canucks in exchange for former OHL blueliner and league champion Riley Stillman. Bloom has 26 goals and 32 assists in 59 games between North Bay and Saginaw this season. He signed an entry-level NHL contract with Buffalo in April 2022.
COMMUNITY CORNER:
Black Heritage Month Reflections with Rico Phillips:
OHL Director of Cultural Diversity and Inclusion Rico Phillips touches on the progress he’s seen take place across the Ontario Hockey League to close out Black Heritage Month. Watch
Rangers give back at Zehrs Markets on Saturday:
All of the Kitchener Rangers visited three Zehrs Markets this past Saturday to give back to the community. Rangers’ players bagged groceries, handed out shopping carts and loaded cars at the Zehrs Beechwood, Laurentian, and Stanley Park locations. Watch at kitchenerrangers.com
Attack’s Hockey for Hospice Night raises $60,000:
The Attack in partnership with Grey Bruce Hospice Inc. have been able to raise a combined $60,000.00 through initiatives, donations, and game night fundraising at the February 18th ‘Hockey for Hospice’ Charity game night. The Attack and Grey Bruce Hospice had several money raising events surrounding the game including a game-worn jersey auction, a successful celebrity serve at East Side Mario’s in Owen Sound, and a replica jersey pre-order. Read more
Battalion host Humane Society Night on Thursday:
The North Bay Battalion will host their 2nd Annual North Bay and District Humane Society Night on Thursday at 7:00pm when the Sudbury Wolves visit the Gardens. Battalion fans are encouraged to send in pictures of their pets wearing Battalion swag. Pictures will be featured on the jumbotron.
Petes to host Your Team Your Jersey Night on Thursday:
The Peterborough Petes are set to host their Your Team Your Jersey night on Thursday. The Petes will be wearing special jerseys designed by Lillian Randall-Jackman that won the #YourTeamYourJersey Contest from earlier this season. The jerseys worn by the Petes are currently available for auction right now. All proceeds from the jersey auction are in support of the President’s Choice Children’s Charity. Read more
Frontenacs to host Billet Appreciation Night on Friday:
The Kingston Frontenacs are set to host their Billet Appreciation night on Friday. The Fronts will be honouring their 2022-23 billet families before the puck drops.
Otters to host Throwback Night on Saturday:
The Erie Otters are set to host their Throwback Night on Saturday where the Erie Insurance Arena will feel reminiscent of the Erie County Fieldhouse as black-and-orange will litter the ice. The beloved bedrock of Erie’s hockey past, the Erie Blades, return to the ice. The first 1000 fans through the doors on Saturday will receive a free Erie Blades Replica Mini Locker, proudly displaying the Blades jersey and stalls from the 70s/80s. Read more
ALUMNI NOTES:
McDavid named NHL’s First Star of the Month for February:
Producing 23 points (9-14–23) in 11 February contests, Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid is the NHL’s First Star of the Month. McDavid recently hit 50 goals for the first time in his NHL career and leads the league with 118 points, a 28-point margin ahead of the NHL’s next highest-scorer. McDavid played three seasons for the Erie Otters from 2012-15, being named both OHL and CHL Player of the year in 2014-15.
Evangelista makes NHL debut:
From scoring 55 goals in the OHL last season to making his NHL debut on Tuesday night! Former London Knights captain Luke Evangelista skated 14:28 with the Nashville Predators in their 3-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, registering two shots on goal as he played his first NHL contest at the age of 21. From Oakville, Ont., Evangelista’s 55 goals led the OHL in 2021-22 as he finished with 111 points (55-56–111) in 62 games and was voted to the League’s second all-star team. Read more
Tucker scores first NHL goal:
Former Flint Firebirds and Barrie Colts defender Tyler Tucker scored his first career NHL goal last Thursday. The 23-year-old from Longlac, Ont. scored against former Colts teammate Arturs Silovs who was in goal for the Vancouver Canucks. Tucker has played in 20 games this season while also appearing in 30 games with the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds, recording 15 points (2-13–15). Tucker played four years in the OHL from 2016-20.
Silovs named AHL Goaltender of the Month:
Playing to a 5-0-0 record with a 0.90 goals-against average and .965 save percentage, Barrie Colts graduate Arturs Silovs of the Abbotsford Canucks is the AHL Goaltender of the Month for February. The 21-year-old from Riga, Latvia owns a record of 21-9-4 in 35 games with Abbotsford this season, posting a 2.48 goals-against average and .906 save percentage in the process. Vancouver’s sixth round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, Silovs spent the 2019-20 season as a member of the Barrie Colts, going 16-13-4 with a 3.87 goals-against average and .891 save percentage. He made his NHL debut with Vancouver on Feb. 15th.
Surging confidence leads to Tullio’s succcess:
Former Oshawa Generals captain Ty Tullio is making big gains in the AHL. The Edmonton Oilers prospect has 13 goals, 12 assists and 25 points in 47 games with the Bakersfield Condors and has impressed head coach Colin Chaulk with his development. Read more about Tullio’s first pro season at theahl.com.
McCourt named ECHL Plus Performer of the Month:
Former Flint Firebirds defenceman Riley McCourt has been named the ECHL Plus Performer of the Month for February after posting a league-best +16 rating in 12 games. Currently playing for the Toledo Walleye, McCourt sits tied for sixth in the ECHL, with a +25 rating to go along with 21 points (4-17-25) in 30 games this season. McCourt spend five seasons in the OHL, recording 117 points (30-87-117) in 175 games.
UNB takes on Saint Mary’s in AUS Men’s Hockey Championship Final:
The first place UNB REDS take on the second seed Saint Mary’s Huskies in an AUS men’s hockey Championship Final that gets underway on Sunday in Fredericton, NB. Several former OHL players line-up on either side of the ice in this clash of contenders. Follow along with the series at atlanticuniversitysport.com.
Windsor meets Lakehead in OUA Men’s Hockey Playoff Semi-Final:
The OUA West’s top two seeds meet this week in their men’s hockey semi-final series as the first place Lakehead Thunderwolves, coached by OHL alumnus Andrew Wilkins, take on the second-seed Windsor Lancers. Both sides feature OHL Alumni in the lineup. Ben Steiner breaks down the matchup at oua.ca.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
– All games streaming on OHL Live
– Radio and TV broadcast information
Thursday March 2nd
Sudbury at North Bay – 7:00pm
Saginaw at Peterborough – 7:05pm
London at Windsor – 7:05pm (CHL on TSN+, free for TSN subscribers)
Hamilton at Barrie – 7:30pm
Friday March 3rd
Owen Sound at Hamilton – 7:00pm
Ottawa at Kingston – 7:00pm
North Bay at Mississauga – 7:00pm
Peterborough at Niagara – 7:00pm
Windsor at Flint – 7:00pm
Oshawa at Sudbury – 7:05pm
London at Sarnia – 7:05pm
Guelph at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07pm
Erie at Kitchener – 7:30pm
Saturday March 4th
Saginaw at Ottawa – 2:00pm
Guelph at Flint – 7:00pm
Peterborough at Erie – 7:00pm
Niagara at Sudbury – 7:05pm
Sarnia at Windsor – 7:05pm
Oshawa at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07pm
Mississauga at Barrie – 7:30pm
Kitchener at Owen Sound – 7:30pm
Sunday March 5th
Erie at Hamilton – 2:00pm
Saginaw at Kingston – 2:00pm (CHL TV Game of the Week Free View)
Niagara at North Bay – 2:00pm
Barrie at Owen Sound – 2:00pm
