OHL This Week: March 6 to 9, 2025

We’re into the month of March and the action is heating up across the OHL! Here’s a look at how things are unfolding across the league.

OHL Friday Night Faceoff – Spitfires at Rangers:
The Windsor Spitfires head to Kitchener to face the Rangers in a battle between two of the Western Conference’s top teams. Both clubs have already secured a postseason spot, but with just three points separating them in the standings, this matchup could have a big impact on playoff positioning! Details

Dale Hunter chasing 1000th OHL win:
Dale Hunter can become the second coach in OHL history to win 1,000 career regular season contests on Friday when the London Knights play host to the Kingston Frontenacs at Canada Life Place. Hunter’s Knights currently lead the OHL with a record of 48-9-2-0. Hunter has coached the Knights since 2001, winning OHL championships in 2005, 2013, 2016 and 2024.

Windsor Spitfires are 2025 West Division champions:
The Windsor Spitfires are West Division champions, claiming the Bumbacco Trophy for the third time in the past four years. Details

Greyhounds’ Martin named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week:
top 2025 NHL Draft-eligible prospect Brady Martin of the Soo Greyhounds is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, four goals, six assists and 10 points in three games played. Details

Firebirds’ Day named OHL Goaltender of the Week:
Edmonton Oilers prospect Nathan Day of the Flint Firebirds is the OHL Goaltender of the Week for the third time this season, going 3-0 with a 1.95 goals-against average and .940 save percentage. Details

67’s Ekberg named OHL Rookie of the Week:
Ottawa 67’s forward Filip Ekberg is the OHL Rookie of the Week after scoring three goals in two home victories. Details

OHL Plays of the Week:
2025 NHL Draft-eligible prospect Michael Misa of the Saginaw Spirit headlines the OHL Plays of the Week, with other appearances from Kitchener’s Jack Pridham, Ottawa’s Chase Yanni, Barrie’s Anthony Romani and Guelph’s Jett Luchanko. 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 Niagara’s Matthew Virgilio, North Bay’s Charlie Larocque, Peterborough’s Easton Rye, Oshawa’s duo of Luca D’Amato and Jacob Oster, and Brampton’s Jack Ivankovic. Watch

Knights, Rangers and Bulldogs included in Week 21 CHL Top 10 Rankings presented by Delta Hotels by Marriott:
The London Knights, Kitchener Rangers and Brantford Bulldogs are included on the Week 21 edition of the CHL Top 10 Rankings. Details

Colts, Firebirds and Greyhounds on the rise in Week 23 OHL Power Rankings:
The Barrie Colts, Flint Firebirds and Soo Greyhounds are all climbing multiple spots in Week 23 of the OHL Power Rankings. Details

Other News:

Spirit’s Misa sets new franchise record as all-time leading scorer:
The Ontario Hockey League’s leading scorer and top 2025 NHL Draft prospect, Michael Misa, made history on Friday, February 28th in Sudbury, becoming the Saginaw Spirit’s all-time points leader. Details

Parekh becomes Spirit’s all-time assists leader, hits 100-point mark:
With his 147th career assist on Wednesday in Flint, Zayne Parekh moved ahead of Vincent Trocheck for first on the club’s all-time list. Parekh recorded his 100th point of the season in Thursday’s win over the Barrie Colts, becoming the ninth defenceman in OHL history to do so in a single season.

Wassilyn enters IceDogs’ record book:
Niagara IceDogs forward Braidy Wassilyn registered his 31st assist of the season on Wednesday, moving ahead of Pano Fimis for the most by a rookie in Niagara IceDogs history. The fourth overall pick of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection has 38 points through 54 games this season.

Explore the OHL – Ottawa:
Explore the nation’s capital! The League will showcase how current players and future prospects embrace their junior hockey careers within their respective cities, emphasizing the unique qualities that define each team and its community. Details

Latest Moves:

Knights’ Julien signs with Jets:
A former third round pick in the OHL U18 Priority Selection, hard work has paid off for London Knights forward Jacob Julien, who has signed a three-year entry-level NHL contract with the Winnipeg Jets. Details

Rangers’ Swick signs with Golden Knights:
The Vegas Golden Knights have signed Kitchener Rangers overager Trent Swick to a three-year entry-level contract. Swick was drafted in the sixth round (180th) overall by the Knights in the 2024 NHL Draft. Details

Frontenacs’ Willis signs with Predators:
Nashville Predators General Manager Barry Trotz announced that the team has signed Kingston Frontenacs forward Joey Willis to a three-year, entry level contract. Details

Steelheads’ Harding signs with Penguins:
The Pittsburgh Penguins announced that they have signed defenseman Finn Harding to a three- year entry-level contract. Harding was drafted as a 19-year old in the seventh round (223rd overall) by the Penguins in the 2024 NHL Draft. Details

Knights sign free agent forward Brody Cook:
The London Knights have announced the signing of 17-year-old free agent forward Brody Cook to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. A product of Birmingham, Michigan, Cook is enjoying a productive season with the OJHL’s Leamington Flyers, recording 47 points (16-31–47) over 55 games. Details

Knights sign forward Eddie Hickson:
The London Knights have announced the signing of seventh-round 2024 OHL Priority Selection choice Eddie Hickson to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. The 16-year-old from Essex, Ont. has spent the 2024-25 season with the GOJHL affiliate London Nationals. Details

Knights sign fourth-round pick Jaxon Cover:
The London Knights announced Thursday the signing of fourth-round (64th overall) 2024 OHL Priority Selection choice Jaxon Cover, who is currently playing at St. Andrew’s College. Details

Community Corner:

International Women’s Day across the OHL:
The OHL celebrates International Women’s Day as Sudbury, Erie and Kitchener host specialty games on Friday! Visit team websites for more information.

Otters to host Kids Takeover on Saturday:
On Saturday the Erie Otters and the expERIEnce Children’s Museum are hosting the 4th annual Kids Takeover game – a game all about the kids! From the logo on the video board to the voice in the arena, it’s all customized by YOUR kids! There will be a new look and voice in the locker room, in the press box, and on the ice as the Otters welcome talented young sports stars! Details

Spirit to host Hockey for the Homeless game on Saturday:
The Saginaw Spirit are gearing up to host their annual Hockey for the Homeless game on Saturday. Visit team website for more information.

Battalion to host Diversity and Inclusion game on Sunday:
The North Bay Battalion are set to host their Diversity and Inclusion game on Sunday, promoting DEI in the community and creating opportunities for youth and families.

Alumni News:

Blues’ Thomas riding 11-game point streak:
Former Hamilton Bulldogs and London Knights forward Robert Thomas is on a hot streak with the St. Louis Blues, compiling 15 points (5-10–15) over an 11-game run. The 25-year-old is producing at a point-per-game pace with St. Louis, recording 51 points (17-34–51) in his seventh NHL season. The former Memorial Cup champion and OHL champion won a Stanley Cup as a rookie in St. Louis in 2019. He was chosen by the Blues 20th overall in the 2017 NHL Draft.

Bunting dealt to Nashville:
Former Soo Greyhounds forward Michael Bunting is on the move to the Nashville Predators. The 29-year-old was involved in a trade that saw defenceman Luke Schenn and forwad Tommy Novak go back to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Bunting has produced 29 points (14-15–29) over 58 games with Pittsburgh this season. He played two seasons in Sault Ste. Marie from 2013-15, making the Greyhounds as a ninth round pick selected two years after his original OHL Draft year.

Golden Knights sign Bowman:
The Vegas Golden Knights have signed forward Braeden Bowman to a two-year entry-level contract. Bowman spent four seasons with the Guelph Storm of the OHL and served as captain in his final year. He is currently in his first season playing in the AHL with the Henderson Silver Knights. Details

Appleby leading AHL in goals-against-average:
A former Memorial Cup champion with the Oshawa Generals, Ken Appleby is currently the AHL’s goals-against average leader with a G.A.A. of just 2.00 through 20 games this season. The 29-year-old from North Bay, Ont. is playing for the Charlotte Checkers and owns a record of 12-7-1 on the season with a .907 save percentage. Appleby has played in 139 career AHL regular season games dating back to 2015 after he graduated from a three-year tenure in Oshawa that culminated in both OHL and Memorial Cup titles.

Upcoming Schedule:

Friday, March 7th
Brantford at Flint, 7:00pm
North Bay at Brampton, 7:00pm
Owen Sound at Erie, 7:00pm
Windsor at Kitchener, 7:00pm (Friday Night Faceoff)
Kingston at London, 7:00pm
Oshawa at Sudbury, 7:05pm
Barrie at Soo, 7:05pm
Sarnia at Guelph, 7:07pm

Saturday, March 8th
Peterborough at Ottawa, 3:00pm
Sarnia at Flint, 7:00pm
Owen Sound at Erie, 7:00pm
Brantford at Saginaw, 7:05pm
Oshawa at Soo, 7:07pm

Sunday, March 9th
Ottawa at North Bay, 2:00pm
Kingston at Niagara, 2:00pm
Guelph at Kitchener, 2:00pm
Barrie at Sudbury, 2:05pm
London at Sarnia, 2:05pm