OHL This Week: March 21 to 24, 2024

It’s the final weekend of the 2023-24 regular season! The playoffs are fast approaching, but not without settling some closely contested races in the standings. Here’s what’s happening across the league.

2024 OHL Playoff Tracker:
The OHL playoff tracker provides an up-to-date look at the road to the 2024 postseason. The race for the Hamilton Spectator Trophy, East Division, Central Division and West Division titles spills into the final weekend of the season! Read more

Romani, Goyette neck-and-neck for OHL scoring title:
A pair of northern rivals in North Bay Battalion forward Anthony Romani and Sudbury Wolves centreman David Goyette are separated by one point in the OHL scoring race entering the season’s final weekend. Romani, who has two games remaining, sits with 106 points while Goyette, with three games left to play, has 105 points. In the goal-scoring department, Romani has a one-goal edge on Kitchener’s Carson Rehkopf, who has 52 goals with two games left to play on Kitchener’s schedule. OHL Statistics

OHL to announce results of 2024 OHL Priority Selection Draft Lottery on Wednesday, March 27:
The results of the OHL Priority Selection Draft Lottery will be formally announced next Wednesday, March 27th at 7:00pm, streaming live for free on OHL Live. The Draft Lottery will determine the order of selection for the first four picks of the first round of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection as well as the 2024 OHL U-18 Priority Selection (held Wednesday, April 17th at 7:00pm) along with the 2024 CHL Import Draft. Read more

2024 OHL Cup Wild Card play-in matchups determined:
The Ontario Hockey League in association with the Greater Toronto Hockey League has announced the three Wild Card play-in matchups which will determine the final three entries for the 2024 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament presented by FPS Payment. The Toronto Jr. Canadiens, Niagara North Stars and Cambridge Hawks earned their spots by way of qualification. The Halton Hurricanes, Upper Canada Cyclones and York-Simcoe Express were granted opportunities by way of an OHL Cup Selection Committee based on their performance throughout the 2023-24 season. Read more 

Knights’ Gazizov named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week:
Ruslan Gazizov of the London Knights is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week for the second time this season, recording six goals, three assists, and nine points over three contests as the Knights earned six points last week. Read more

IceDogs’ Robertson named OHL Goaltender of the Week:
Charlie Robertson of the Niagara IceDogs is the OHL Goaltender of the Week, playing to a 1-1 record including a shutout, along with a 1.51 goals-against average and .959 save percentage. Read more

Generals climb to the top in this week’s OHL Power Rankings presented by Power Staffing Solutions:
Entering the final week of regular season action, the Oshawa Generals are peaking at the right time, with a 10-game winning streak carrying them to the top of the OHL Power Rankings presented by Power Staffing Solutions! Read more

Knights, Spirit and Generals included in Week 24 edition of CHL Top 10 Rankings:
The second-ranked London Knights, fifth-ranked Saginaw Spirit, and 10th-ranked Oshawa Generals are included in the Week 24 edition of the CHL Top 10 Rankings. Read more

Generals’ Kumpulainen signs with Wild:
The Oshawa Generals in partnership with the Minnesota Wild are proud to announce the Wild have signed centreman Rasmus Kumpulainen to a three-year entry-level contract. The contract will begin in the 2024-25 season.  Kumpulainen was selected in the first round, 13th overall by the Generals at the 2023 CHL Import Draft in July. Kumpulainen has been an offensive force for the Generals this season, registering 27 goals and 26 assists in 55 games played. He was then taken 53rd overall by the Minnesota Wild in the second round of the 2023 NHL Draft. Read more

Firebirds’ Bertucci signs with Stars:
Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill has announced that the club has signed Flint Firebirds defenceman Tristan Bertucci to a three-year entry-level contract. The contract will begin in the 2024-25 season. Bertucci has registered 41 points (9-32—41) in 56 regular-season games for the Flint Firebirds this season. A native of Woodbridge, Ont., Bertucci was selected by Dallas in the second round (61st overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft. Read more

Outstanding displays of offence in the latest OHL Plays of the Week presented by FPS Payment:
Check out some sensational plays in this week’s OHL Plays presented by FPS Payment! See fine displays from North Bay’s Anthony Romani, Flint’s Jimmy Lombardi and Alex Kostov, Oshawa’s Beckett Sennecke, Sudbury’s Quentin Musty, and Kingston’s Paul Ludwinski. Watch

Watch the finest saves across the league with Enbridge OHL Saves of the Week:
Rolling through the Enbridge OHL Saves of the Week, featuring appearances from Flint’s Nathan Day, Peterborough’s Zach Bowen, Ottawa’s Collin MacKenzie, Guelph’s Brayden Gillespie, Oshawa’s Jacob Oster, Sudbury’s Nate Krawchuk, Kitchener’s Jackson Parsons, and Sarnia’s Karsen Chartier. Watch

First goals for Griffin, Beauchesne, milestone shutout for Fraser in latest round of OHL Milestone Moments:
Take in the latest OHL milestones presented by Syngenta Canada and Grain Farmers of Ontario with first goals coming from Guelph’s Quinn Beauchesne and Oshawa’s Owen Griffin, while Erie’s Ethan Fraser earned his first OHL career shutout. Watch

Cowan’s 34-game point streak a new benchmark for Knights:
Easton Cowan collected a pair of assists in Sunday’s 7-4 road win over the Windsor Spitfires as London hit the 100-point mark and the Maple Leafs first round pick set a new Knights franchise record. With points in 34 consecutive games dating back to Nov. 25th, Cowan set a new Knights benchmark, surpassing a 1993-94 record of 33 set by Dave Gilmore. Cowan’s run of consistency has featured 23 goals, 41 assists and 64 points as London has played to a mark of 26-5-1-2 over the course of the streak. Read more

Barrie Jr. Colts win OMHA, four teams clinch OHL Cup spots:
The OMHA Championship belongs to the Barrie Jr. Colts in 2023-24. Barrie went 3-0 in Brampton to capture U16 AAA supremacy, this after spending most of the season in the #2 slot on the weekly OHL Cup Top 10 Rankings. The Oakville Rangers, Peterborough Minor Petes and Oshawa Generals join the Colts at the OHL Cup commencing. Monday, March 25th. Read more

Five to Watch for the 2024 OHL Priority Selection:
With the OHL Cup less than a week away, OHL Central Scouting takes a look at some of the top 2008-born prospects eligible for the 2024 Priority Selection, breaking down what stands out about their skill set on the ice. This week includes Noah Barton (Oshawa Generals), Colin Fitzgerald (Peterborough Petes), Alexander Hage (Vaughan Kings), Brady Knowling (North York Rangers), and Alex McLean (Barrie Colts). Read more

Peterborough Petes join the ranks in Week 17 edition of OHL Cup Top 10 Rankings:
The Vaughan Kings remain on top while the Peterborough Petes find their way onto the board for the first time this season in the Week 17 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

Round-robin single-game tickets now available for 2024 Memorial Cup presented by Dow:
The Canadian Hockey League today announced that single-game tickets for all round-robin games of the 2024 Memorial Cup presented by Dow are now available for purchase online. Single-game tickets range from $50-60 USD and are available now by clicking here. Fans that wish to purchase tickets for the semi-final and final can do so through a full tournament package that start at $385 USD plus applicable fees or through a two-game pack that start at $129 USD plus applicable fees. They are available by clicking here.

 

COMMUNITY CORNER:

Windsor’s Woodall launches “Woody’s Hoodies” in support of cancer research:
Windsor Spitfires’ #24 Carson Woodall continues to honor his family’s legacy by creating a clothing initiative “Woody’s Hoodies” in support of local cancer research. In honor of his grandmothers, Nana O’Brien and Nana Woodall, the 17-year-old defenceman from Belle River, Ont. has launched Woody’s Hoodies. With every hoodie purchase, 24% of the proceeds are directed towards local cancer research programs in the Windsor-Essex area. These efforts are made possible through partnerships with Play For a Cure Pro-Am and the Windsor Spitfires organization. Read more

Frontenacs’ Vaccari nears $10,000 with fundraising efforts:
Kingston Frontenacs goaltender Mason Vaccari set out to make a difference this season. Through his Mason’s Miracles initiative, Vaccari is nearing the $10,000 benchmark, having made 1,623 saves across 58 games this season. Funds raised through Vaccari’s work will be donated to the Kingston Health Sciences Centre. Read more about Mason’s Miracles at kingstonfrontenacs.com

Fan Appreciation Night across the League:
The OHL’s member teams are celebrating their fans in the final weekend of regular season action as Windsor, Guelph, Peterborough, Mississauga, Kitchener, Erie and Flint host their Fan Appreciation Nights filled with prizes, activities, and special end of season tributes. Visit team websites for more information.

Spitfires, Rangers, Spirit, Knights to honour overagers:
Windsor, Kitchener, Saginaw and London will be hosting special tributes to their overage players this weekend, as they honour those concluding their junior hockey careers and their contributions to the team in pre-game ceremonies. Visit team websites for more information.

 

ALUMNI NOTES:

OHL mourns the loss of Chris Simon:
The Ontario Hockey League is saddened by the loss of former Ottawa 67’s and Soo Greyhounds forward Chris Simon, who has passed away at the age of 52. An imposing 6-foot-3, 225Ib. winger from Wawa, Ont., Simon played four seasons in the OHL from 1988-92, winning an OHL Championship with Sault Ste. Marie in 1992. The big flank was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round of the 1990 NHL Draft and went on to play parts of 15 seasons in the NHL, winning a Stanley Cup with Colorado in 1996. Read more

OHL graduate Wayne Simmonds announces retirement:
Former Owen Sound Attack and Soo Greyhounds forward Wayne Simmonds has officially announced his retirement following 1,037 games spread across parts of 15 seasons in the NHL. The 35-year-old from Scarborough, Ont. was a sixth round pick by Owen Sound in 2006, going on to record 124 points (56-68–124) in 126 OHL regular season games, being selected by the LA Kings in the second round of the 2007 NHL Draft. Simmonds won World Junior gold with Canada in 2008 before being later named an OHL third team all-star. Simmonds was an NHL All-Star in 2017, and earned the NHL’s Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2019.

OHL alumnus Aliu signs AHL contract with San Jose:
While Cody Hodgson has been having considerable success in his comeback to the game with the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals, another OHL graduate is returning to the pro game following a lengthy hiatus. Former Windsor Spitfires, Sudbury Wolves and London Knights forward Akim Aliu has signed an AHL contract with the San Jose Barracuda, returning to the game on the blue line. Aliu last played professionally in 2020, competing with Litvinov in the Czech Elite League. The 34-year-old has played in seven career NHL contests in a career largely spent in the minor pro ranks. Aliu put up 167 points (76-91–167) over 205 OHL regular season games between 2005-09, winning an Eastern Conference title with Sudbury in 2007.

Wright on track maturing game with AHL Firebirds:
Former exceptional status first overall OHL Priority Selection choice Shane Wright has been a household hockey name for years. Now, 20 years-old, Wright is looking to take the next step in his development journey with the Seattle Kraken’s AHL affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds. The former fourth overall NHL Draft pick in 2022 has 40 points (19-21–40) over 51 games in the AHL this season after graduating as a member of the Windsor Spitfires last spring. The former OHL Rookie of the Year with the Kingston Frontenacs in 2020 is making strides, and the AHL’s Patrick Williams tells us more at theahl.com.

14 OHL graduates win 2024 U SPORTS University Cup with undefeated UNB:
On Sunday, 14 OHL alumni, part of a larger group of 25 CHL grads, helped the No.1-seeded University of New Brunswick Reds to a record 10th national title, as UNB defeated the No.2-seeded UQTR Patriotes 4-0 to take home the 2024 U SPORTS University Cup. The Reds went a perfect 38-0 by winning every game they played during the regular season, AUS playoffs, and the 2024 U SPORTS University Cup. Brady Gilmour (Saginaw Spirit) was named the 2024 U SPORTS Men’s Hockey Championship MVP after he finished in a tie for first among all U CUP scorers with seven points (1G-6A). Read more

 

UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

– All games streaming on OHL Live
– Radio and TV broadcast information

Thursday, March 21st
Mississauga at Niagara – 7:00pm
Owen Sound at Guelph – 7:00pm
Ottawa at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Erie at Windsor – 7:05pm

Friday, March 22nd
Ottawa at Kingston – 7:00pm
North Bay at Mississauga – 7:00pm
Oshawa at Kitchener – 7:00pm
Windsor at London – 7:00pm
Barrie at Sudbury – 7:05pm
Saginaw at Sarnia – 7:05pm
Flint at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07pm

Saturday, March 23rd
Guelph at Owen Sound – 4:00pm
Brantford at Kingston – 7:00pm
Sudbury at Niagara – 7:00pm
Sarnia at Flint – 7:00pm
Kitchener at Erie – 7:00pm
Windsor at Saginaw – 7:05pm
Peterborough at Barrie – 7:30pm

Sunday, March 24th
Brantford at Ottawa – 2:00pm
Peterborough at North Bay – 2:00pm
Saginaw at Sault Ste. Marie – 2:07pm
Guelph at London – 4:00pm
Sudbury at Oshawa – 6:05pm