OHL This Week: March 7 to 10, 2024

Signings, a surge towards the playoffs and the OHL Cup is right around the corner. That and more in the latest edition of OHL This Week!

Cowan’s point streak hits 30:
London Knights forward Easton Cowan’s season-long point streak reached 30 games on Wednesday in Guelph, making him just the sixth OHL player in the past 30 years to accomplish the feat. The Toronto Maple Leafs first round pick is three games back of Dave Gilmore (1993-94) for the Knights’ franchise record. Cowan is back in action on Friday when the Knights play host to the Sarnia Sting at Budweiser Gardens.

OHL celebrates International Women’s Day on Friday:
March 8, 2024, is International Women’s Day, a global day in which the world celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women across the world. Join the Ontario Hockey League as it recognizes the incredible contributions of women from across various teams and departments. 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.

2024 OHL Playoff Tracker:
The OHL playoff tracker provides an up-to-date look at the road to the 2024 postseason. Read more

67’s Maillet named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week:
Jacob Maillet of the Ottawa 67’s is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording nine assists over three contests to help the 67’s earn four points last week. Read more

Petes’ Sztuska named OHL Goaltender of the Week:
Liam Sztuska of the Peterborough Petes is the OHL Goaltender of the Week with a 1.00 goals-against average and .978 save percentage in a win last week. Read more

Spirit, Rangers, Generals jump to the top spots in this week’s OHL Power Rankings presented by Power Staffing Solutions:
The Saginaw Spirit are back on top, while the Kitchener Rangers and Oshawa Generals jump back into top spots on the latest edition of OHL Power Rankings presented by Power Staffing Solutions. Read more

2024 OHL Officiating Development Combine to be held from June 6-8:
The OHL is pleased to announce that it will be hosting the 3rd Annual Officiating Prospect Development Combine (OPDC) to be held from June 6-8 at the Quinte Sports & Wellness Centre in Belleville, Ont. The OHL receives over 200 applications each year to participate in the Annual OPDC and in the past selected approximately 72 officials to participate.  38 participants from last year’s OPDC were selected to then attend an OHL Officiating Training Camp and out of those, 26 participants were given the opportunity to officiate in the OHL during the 2023-24 season. Read more

Spirit and Knights included in Week 22 edition of CHL Top 10 Rankings:
The third-ranked Saginaw Spirit and fourth-ranked London Knights are included in the Week 22 edition of the CHL Top 10 Rankings. Read more

Spirit’s Haight headlines OHL Plays of the Week presented by FPS Payment:
More great plays coming your way in this week’s OHL Plays presented by FPS Payment! See fine displays from Mississauga’s Jakub Fibigr, Peterborough’s Caden Taylor, London’s Easton Cowan, Erie’s Brett Bressette and Saginaw’s Hunter Haight. 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 Erie’s Ethan Fraser, Saginaw’s Nolan Lalonde, London’s Michael Simpson, Peterborough’s Zach Bowen, Oshawa’s Jacob Oster, Sudbury’s Marcus Vandenberg, Ottawa’s Ian Michelone and Kingston’s JJ Salajko. Watch

Firsts for McDowell, Gaymes featured in OHL Milestone Moments:
See first career goals from North Bay’s Trevor McDowell and Windsor’s Nathan Gaymes in the latest edition of OHL Milestone Moments presented by Syngenta Canada and Grain Farmers of Ontario.

Ten teams clinch tournament spots in Week 15 edition of OHL Cup Top 10 Rankings:
A total of 10 teams have clinched tournament spots heading into the Week 15 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

ALLIANCE spots secured for OHL Cup:
Four ALLIANCE teams including the London Jr. Knights, Elgin Middlesex Canucks, Sun County Panthers and Huron-Perth Lakers have advanced to their playoff semi-finals, securing spots at the 2024 OHL Cup presented by FPS Payment that begins on Monday, March 25th in Toronto. Read more

Four GTHL teams clinch spots at 2024 OHL Cup:
The Vaughan Kings, Mississauga Rebels, North York Rangers, and Toronto Marlboros advance to their playoff semi-finals, clinching their spots at the 2024 OHL Cup presented by FPS Payment. Read more

Myers Automotive, Ottawa Valley Titans clinch spots at 2024 OHL Cup:
The HEO field has been set for the 2024 OHL Cup presented by FPS Payment that takes place from Monday, March 25 through Saturday, March 30 in Toronto, with the Myers Automotive and Ottawa Valley Titans returning to the tournament. Read more

Roobroeck establishes new IceDogs rookie goal-scoring mark:
The overall result didn’t favour the Niagara IceDogs on Sunday in North Bay, but there was a silver lining as 16-year-old forward Ryan Roobroeck set a new club record. The second overall pick of the 2023 OHL Priority Selection, Roobroeck scored his 24th goal of the season, pushing ahead of Chris DeSousa (2007-08) to become the top goal-scoring rookie in club history. Roobroeck’s 24 goals sit second among OHL rookies, and first among players from the 2023 OHL Priority Selection class. Read more

Generals’ Punnett signs with Stars:
The Dallas Stars have signed Oshawa Generals overage blueliner Connor Punnett to a three-year entry-level NHL contract that begins in 2024-25. The 20-year-old has registered 50 points (9-41–50) in 59 regular season contests between Oshawa and the Barrie Colts this season. Over four seasons in the league, Punnett, from Powassan, Ont., has registered 115 points (30-85–115) over 240 contests. Read more

Knights’ Barkey signs with Flyers:
The Philadelphia Flyers announced the signing of London Knights forward Denver Barkey to a three-year entry-level contract beginning with the 2024-25 season. Barkey was selected by Philadelphia in the third round (95th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft. He owns 161 points (60-101-161) in 170 career games with the Knights. The 5-foot-9, 154lb. native of Newmarket, Ont., leads his team in goals, assists and points this season (31-56-87). Read more

Knights’ McCue signs with Blue Jackets:
The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed London Knights center Max McCue to a three-year entry level contract beginning with the 2024-25 season. McCue, 21, has registered 48 goals and 82 assists for 130 points with 234 penalty minutes, a cumulative +40 plus/minus rating and 261 shots on goal in 208 career games over five seasons with the London Knights in the Ontario Hockey League from 2019-24. The Sudbury, Ontario native was selected by the San Jose Sharks in the fifth round, 156th overall, at the 2021 NHL Draft. Read more

Battalion’s Vilmanis signs with Panthers:
The Florida Panthers have agreed to terms with North Bay Battalion forward Sandis Vilmanis on a three-year, entry-level contract commencing in 2024-25. Vilmanis, 20, has produced 28 goals and 53 points (28-25-53) over 50 OHL games between the Sarnia Sting and Battalion this season, logging 25 points (18-7-25) over 20 games since being acquired by North Bay on Jan. 6. Vilmanis was originally selected by Florida in the fifth round (157th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft. Read more

Spirit’s Parekh becomes second draft eligible blueliner in OHL history to score 30 goals:
The coveted 2024 NHL Draft prospect scored goals 29 and 30 on the season on Friday night in Brantford, tying the score at three with 5:15 to spare before netting the winner 28 seconds into the extra frame. Parekh, an 18-year-old from Nobleton, Ont., is just the second draft eligible defenceman in OHL history to score 30 goals in a season, joining John Slaney of the Cornwall Royals who did so in 1989-90. Read more

Spitfires’ Equipment Manager J.R. Grant works 1,000th OHL game:
The Windsor Spitfires celebrated Equipment Manager J.R. Grant prior to puck drop last week at the WFCU Centre. The long-time member of the Spits organization worked his 1,000th career OHL game. Grant has been with the Spitfires organization since 2008, the same year the Spitfires moved into the WFCU Centre from the old Windsor Arena. Throughout his time in Windsor, Grant has been a part of three Memorial Cup championship-winning teams, hoisting the Canadian Hockey League’s coveted prize in 2009, 2010 and 2017. Read more

 

COMMUNITY CORNER:

Battalion’s Hockey Fights Cancer Night raises over $10,000:
The North Bay Battalion raised over $10,000 through their first-ever Hockey Fights Cancer Night held last week. The proceeds go towards the volunteer-led Wheels of Hope Program, which provides residents in the North Bay area with free transportation to and from their cancer appointments.

Rangers to host International Women’s Day:
The Kitchener Rangers are set to host International Women’s Day on Friday, celebrating and honouring the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women across the world.

Otters to host Kids Takeover Game on Saturday:
The Erie Otters are set to let the Kids Takeover on Saturday, with young Otters fans taking on crucial roles throughout the game!

Colts to host Country Night on Saturday:
The Barrie Colts are set to host their Country Night on Saturday. The Colts encourage all fans to wear their best country-themed outfits, grab your plaid shirts and cowboy hats!

 

ALUMNI NOTES:

Foudy scores first NHL goal:
Windsor Spitfires graduate Jean-Luc Foudy scored his first career NHL goal on Wednesday, helping the Colorado Avalanche defeat the Detroit Red Wings 7-2. The 21-year-old from Scarborough lit the lamp in his first game of the season with the Avs, having recorded six points (2-4–6) through an injury-shortened 12 game season with the AHL’s Colorado Eagles thus far. Colorado’s third round pick in 2020, Foudy appeared in nine games with the Avalanche in 2022-23 while recording 36 points (11-25–36) in 46 AHL games. He played two seasons with the Spitfires from 2018-20, recording 23 goals, 69 assists and 92 points over 122 regular season games.

Suzuki records 100th NHL goal:
Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki registered his 100th NHL goal on Tuesday in a 4-3 overtime win against the Nashville Predators. A former first round (13th overall) pick of the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL Draft, the London, Ont. native has registered 100 goals, 170 assists, and 270 points over 353 games played over five seasons with the Canadiens. Selected in the first round (14th overall) by the Owen Sound Attack in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection, Suzuki played four seasons in the OHL spent between the Attack and the Guelph Storm, recording 328 points (141-187-328) over 251 regular season contests. Winning an OHL Championship with the Storm in 2019, Suzuki was named a three-time OHL Most Sportsman-Like Player, CHL Sportsman of the Year, CHL Memorial Cup Most Sportsman-like Player and OHL Playoff MVP.

Scheifele records 700th NHL point:
Winnipeg Jets forward Mark Scheifele recorded his 700th NHL point on Tuesday, tallying an assist in a 4-3 loss to the Seattle Kraken. A former seventh overall pick of the Jets in the 2011 NHL Draft, the Kitchener, Ont. native has registered 290 goals, 410 assists, and 700 points over 13 seasons. Selected in the seventh round (134th overall) by the Saginaw Spirit in the 2009 OHL Priority Selection, Scheifele played three seasons in the OHL with the Barrie Colts, recording 217 points (84-133-217) over 158 regular season contests.

Ekblad becomes Panthers’ all-time assists leader among defencemen:
Florida Panthers blueliner Aaron Ekblad registered his 230th NHL assist on Tuesday in a 5-3 win over the New Jersey Devils, becoming the Panthers’ franchise leader in assists by a defenceman. A former first overall pick of the Panthers in the 2014 NHL Draft, the Windsor, Ont. native has registered 115 goals, 230 assists, and 345 points over 10 seasons. One of six OHL players to ever be granted exceptional status as a 15-year-old entering the League, Ekblad was selected first overall by the Barrie Colts in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection. Ekblad played three seasons in the OHL, recording 116 points (40-76-116) over 175 regular season contests. A highly-decorated player, Ekblad has earned OHL Rookie of the Year, OHL Most Outstanding Defenceman, and NHL Rookie of the Year honours throughout his career.

Maggio building confidence in AHL:
Last year’s Red Tilson Trophy winner, Matthew Maggio is making strides with the AHL’s Bridgeport Islanders. The Windsor Spitfires graduate has 20 points (12-8–20) over 44 games in his first pro season after being selected by the New York Islanders in the fifth round of the 2022 NHL Draft. Maggio, who put up 111 points (54-57–111) in Windsor as an overager last season, speaks to theahl.com’s Joe Flionis on his progression. Read more at theahl.com

U SPORTS Report:
The U SPORTS University Cup landscape is coming together as OHL Alumni were crowned men’s hockey champions with both the UNB Reds and UBC Thunderbirds this past week. Read more

 

UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

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

Thursday, March 7th
Mississauga at Barrie – 7:00pm
Windsor at North Bay – 7:00pm
Ottawa at Peterborough – 7:05pm

Friday, March 8th
Oshawa at Brantford – 7:00pm
Niagara at Ottawa – 7:00pm
Flint at Kitchener – 7:00pm
Sarnia at London – 7:00pm
Windsor at Sudbury – 7:05pm
Kingston at Saginaw – 7:05pm
Guelph at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07pm

Saturday, March 9th
Kitchener at London – 4:00pm (RCSS Design A Jersey Contest CHL TV Freeview)
Kingston at Flint – 7:00pm
Owen Sound at Erie – 7:00pm
Niagara at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Guelph at Saginaw – 7:05pm
Windsor at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07pm
North Bay at Barrie – 7:30pm

Sunday, March 10th
Mississauga at Ottawa – 2:00pm (RCSS Design A Jersey Contest CHL TV Freeview)
Sudbury at North Bay – 2:00pm
Kingston at Sarnia – 2:05pm
Peterborough at Brantford – 4:00pm (RCSS Design A Jersey Contest CHL TV Freeview)
Owen Sound at Erie – 4:00pm
Barrie at Oshawa – 6:05pm