OHL This Week: November 2 to 5, 2023
There’s lots happening across the OHL including an exciting jersey retirement for Soo Greyhounds legend Joe Thornton on Saturday night! Read up more on that and a number of other things happening across the league.
Steelheads remain atop in Week 5 edition of OHL Power Rankings:
Throughout the season, the OHL Power Rankings will usher in a new week of action each Monday, with the top 16 teams in the Ontario Hockey League jostling for position headed into the 2024 OHL Playoffs. Read more
Rehkopf, Brzustewicz, Gillespie and George named Top Performers for October:
The OHL has announced Top Performers of the Month for October, including Kitchener Rangers forward Carson Rehkopf, Kitchener Rangers blueliner Hunter Brzustewicz, Owen Sound Attack rookie Carter George and Guelph Storm netminder Brayden Gillespie. Read more
OHL announces Academic Players of the Month for October:
The OHL named Academic Players of the Month for October including Matheas Stark of the Kitchener Rangers, Noah Bender of the Oshawa Generals, Ethan Czata of the Niagara IceDogs and Lukas Fischer of the Sarnia Sting. Read more
Colts’ Hillebrandt named OHL Goaltender of the Week:
Sam Hilebrandt of the Barrie Colts is the OHL Goaltender of the Week following a pair of wins with a 1.00 goals-against average and .971 save percentage. Read more
Greyhounds’ Kudryavtsev named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week:
Vancouver Canucks prospect Kirill Kudryavtsev of the Soo Greyhounds is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, scoring two goals and four assists while registering a plus-4 rating in three games. Read more
Rangers’ Rehkopf, Brzustewicz named to CHL Team of the Month:
Kitchener Rangers forward Carson Rehkopf and blueliner Hunter Brzustewicz have been named to the October edition of the CHL Team of the Month for the 2023-24 regular season. Read more
Knights and Steelheads included in Week 5 edition of CHL Top 10 Rankings:
The London Knights and Mississauga Steelheads are included in the Week 5 edition of the CHL Top 10 Rankings. Read more
Bulldogs’ Vanacker takes top honours in OHL Plays of the Week presented by FPS Payment:
OHL Plays of the Week presented by FPS Payment features contributions from Kitchener’s Tanner Lam, Niagara’s Gavin Bryant, Sudbury’s Dalibor Dvorsky and David Goyette, Guelph’s Jett Luchanko and Brantford’s Marek Vanacker. Watch
Sensational Saves from the past week:
This week’s edition of OHL Saves of the Week includes contributions from Windsor’s Ian Michelone, Sarnia’s Nick Surzycia, Niagara’s Owen Flores, Ottawa’s Collin MacKenzie, Peterborough’s Zach Bowen, Flint’s’ Nathan Day and Barrie’s Sam Hillebrandt. Watch
17 OHL players set to compete at 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge:
Seventeen OHL players are hitting the ice this week on Prince Edward Island for the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, competing for world supremacy in the annual event that features a total of six participating teams. Read more
OHL Milestone Moments:
Another shipment of OHL Milestone Moments has arrived! See first goals from Sault Ste. Marie’s Brodie McConnell-Barker, Niagara’s Andrew Vermeulen, Kitchener’s Cameron Reid, London’s Sawyer Boulton and Sarnia’s Sean Doherty. Watch
Knights sign Brendan Gerber:
The London Knights have signed forward Brendan Gerber. Gerber was the Knights sixth round selection, 104th overall in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection from the Waterloo Wolves U16 AAA. Gerber is currently playing his first year of junior hockey with the Elmira Sugar Kings in the GOJHL. Read more
Bulldogs sign coaches McKee, Karlsson, and Campbell to three-year extensions:
Brantford Bulldogs General Manager Matt Turek announced that the club has agreed to 3-year extensions with Bulldogs head coach Jay McKee as well as assistant coaches Andreas Karlsson & Andrew Campbell, keeping the Bulldogs 2022 Championship winning staff together long term. Read more
Knights’ Hunter becomes second-winningest coach in OHL history:
The London Knights secured Head Coach Dale Hunter’s 908th career OHL coaching win to push him ahead of the late Bert Templeton for sole possession of second place on the league’s all-time winning list on Friday night. In addition to being both an OHL graduate and NHL veteran of over 1,400 games, Hunter was the OHL’s Coach of the Year in 2004, 2005 and 2010 and has steered the Knights to OHL titles in 2005, 2012, 2013 and 2016. He hoisted the Memorial Cup in 2005 and 2016. Read more
Storm’s Poitras ‘sticking around’ with Bruins:
It looks as though Matthew Poitras is going to be a Boston Bruin for awhile longer. Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery told media on Tuesday that the 19-year-old forward is “sticking around.” Poitras has recorded five points (3-2–5) through nine games in Boston following a strong preseason. The Bruins selected Poitras in the second round (54th overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft. Read more
Schaefer, Beauchesne wearing the ‘C’ for Canada at World Under-17 Hockey Challenge:
Hockey Canada unveiled captains for its two national men’s under-17 squads on Thursday, with a pair of OHL players wearing the ‘C’ this year. Read more
Frontenacs radio voice Jim Gilchrist to call 3,000th game on Friday:
It’s a big night in Kingston on Friday as long-time Frontenacs radio play-by-play voice Jim Gilchrist will be calling his 3,000th career OHL contest when the Fronts take on the Barrie Colts. Read more
2024 OHL Draft Advanced Scouting – Braidy Wassilyn:
Markham Majors forward Braidy Wassilyn is the focus of our fourth 2024 OHL Draft Advanced Scouting feature. Watch
COMMUNITY CORNER:
Greyhounds. to retire Joe Thornton’s #19 on Saturday:
The Soo Greyhounds will be retiring Joe Thornton’s #19 to the rafters of the GFL Memorial Gardens on Saturday. This weekend’s ceremony comes fresh off the announcement by Joe of his official retirement from the National Hockey League after 24 seasons split between the Boston Bruins, San Jose Sharks, Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Florida Panthers. Before his decorated professional career Thornton was originally selected in the first round (2nd overall) of the 1995 OHL Priority Selection by the Greyhounds from the St. Thomas Stars Jr. B Hockey Club. Read more
Battalion’s Nelson partners with Community Living North Bay for “Ty’s Troops” initiative:
North Bay Battalion blueliner Ty Nelson is raising funds for a worthy cause this season, teaming up with the Battalion and Community Living North Bay to create a meaningful initiative, “Ty’s Troops.” Read more
Firebirds to host Pucks four Paws game on Friday:
The Flint Firebirds are set to host their Pucks four Paws game on Friday night in support of the Humane Society of Genesee County. The Firebirds encourage all fans bringing their dog to the game to bring a donation of puppy/dog food, kitten/cat food, cleaning supplies, and/or dog & cat toys to receive a free dog ticket. Read more
Wolves to host Remembrance Day game on Friday:
The Sudbury Wolves are set to host their Remembrance Day game on Friday as they remember the brave men and women who served our country and continue to do so. There will be a Remembrance Day ceremony prior to puck drop to honor those who have served and sacrificed.
Attack to host Special Olympics game on Saturday:
The Owen Sound Attack are set to host their Special Olympics game on Saturday, with Special Olympic Athletes on hand to drop the puck, sing the anthem and on the concourse to talk about the Special Olympic program. Fans can support the cause by participating in thebucket pass during the first period and by visiting the Special Olympics Ontario booth in the south concourse.
ALUMNI NOTES:
O’Reilly plays in 1,000th career NHL contest:
Former first overall OHL Priority Selection choice and Erie Otters alumnus Ryan O’Reilly played in his 1,000th career NHL regular season game on Tuesday as his Nashville Predators lost 5-2 to the Vancouver Canucks. O’Reilly is in his first season with the Preds, and has recorded seven points (4-3–7) through his first nine games. Over 1,000 regular season NHL contests, he’s put up 260 goals, 449 assists and 709 points. The Clinton, Ont. native played two seasons in Erie from 2007-09 before being selected by the Colorado Avalanche in the second round (33rd overall) of the 2009 NHL Draft. O’Reilly won a Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues in 2019.
Goodrow suits up in 500th NHL game:
North Bay Battalion graduate Barclay Goodrow played in his 500th career NHL regular season game on Saturday night as his New York Rangers beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-3 in overtime. Goodrow, from Aurora, Ont., has put together 56 goals, 101 assists and 157 points in his 501-game NHL career, winning back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 and 2021. Goodrow played five seasons with the Brampton/North Bay Battalion franchise, recording 127 goals, 102 assists and 229 points in 313 career regular season games to go down as one of the most successful players in Battalion history. Never drafted into the NHL, Goodrow is now in his 10th pro season.
Toffoli, Hartman recognized as NHL stars of the week:
Ottawa 67’s graduate Tyler Toffoli of the New Jersey Devils and former Plymouth Whalers forward Ryan Hartman of the Minnesota Wild were both recognized as stars of the week by the NHL. Toffoli was the NHL’s first star, leading the league with six goals in four games (6-1–7) to power the Devils to a 3-1 record last week. Hartman had seven points (2-5–7) in two games, highlighted by his second career hat trick against Edmonton on Oct. 24th.
Wolves alumnus Luukkonen earns first NHL career shutout:
Former Sudbury Wolves netminder Ukko-Pekka Luukonen earned his first NHL career shutout on Sunday as the Buffalo Sabres blanked the Colorado Avalanche 4-0. The 24-year-old goaltender from Espoo, FI. stopped all 23 shots he faced. Selected in the second round (54th overall) by the Sabres in the 2017 NHL Draft, Luukonen currently holds a 3.41 goals-against-average and a .915 save percentage over three games played this season. Guarding the crease in his third NHL season, the former OHL Goaltender of the Year appeared in 53 regular season games with the Wolves during the 2018-19 season, backstopping Sudbury to a 38-11-2-2 record along with a 2.50 goals-against-average and a .920 save percentage.
U SPORTS Report:
Throughout the year the U SPORTS Report will keep tabs on former OHL names doing great things in the OUA, AUS and Canada West ranks on the road to the 2024 U SPORTS University Cup to be held from March 14-17 in Toronto, Ont. Read more
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
– All games streaming on OHL Live
– Radio and TV broadcast information
Thursday, November 2nd
Oshawa at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Kitchener at Windsor – 7:05pm
Erie at Saginaw – 7:05pm
Friday, November 3rd
Barrie at Kingston – 7:00pm
Guelph at Ottawa – 7:00pm
Erie at Flint – 7:00pm
North Bay at Kitchener – 7:00pm
Brantford at London – 7:00pm
Niagara at Sudbury – 7:05pm
Owen Sound at Sarnia – 7:05pm
Mississauga at Saginaw – 7:05pm
Peterborough at Oshawa – 7:35pm
Saturday, November 4th
Guelph at Kingston – 7:00pm
North Bay at Niagara – 7:00pm
Mississauga at Flint – 7:00pm
London at Owen Sound – 7:00pm
Windsor at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07pm
Sunday, November 5th
Barrie at Ottawa – 2:00pm
Erie at Sarnia – 2:05pm
Windsor at Sault Ste. Marie – 2:07pm
Kitchener at London – 6:00pm
Brantford at Oshawa – 6:05pm
