OHL This Week: November 23 to 26, 2023
Teddy bear tosses, Pink in the Rink, Pucks and Paws and lots of charity initiatives! Who said November was boring? Here’s what’s happening across the league.
Petes big risers in Week 8 edition of OHL Power Rankings:
The Peterborough Petes got a big boost in the Week 8 edition of OHL Power Rankings while the Kitchener Rangers hold steady in the number one spot. Read more
Petes’ McCoy named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week:
Blueliner Donovan McCoy of the Peterborough Petes is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording two goals, five assists, and seven points over three contests as the Petes climbed to the top of the Eastern Conference standings. Read more
Attack’s George named OHL Goaltender of the Week:
Draft eligible Owen Sound Attack netminder Carter George is the OHL Goaltender of the Week, playing to a a 2-0 record with a 1.00 goals-against average, .966 save percentage and one shutout. Read more
Rangers and Petes included in Week 8 edition of CHL Top 10 Rankings:
The Kitchener Rangers and Peterborough Petes are included in the Week 8 edition of the CHL Top 10 Rankings. Read more
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
2024 OHL Cup presented by FPS Payment to be held March 25-30 in Toronto:
The OHL, along with the GTHL and new presenting sponsor FPS Payment announced today that the 2024 OHL Cup Showcase is set to take place from Monday, March 25 through Saturday, March 30. The showcase will feature 20 of the top Under-16 AAA programs from across Ontario and the United States pursuing the annual championship. Read more
Barrie Colts U16 AAA lead first edition of OHL Cup Top 10 Rankings:
The OMHA’s Barrie Colts lead-off the first edition of the weekly U16 AAA Top 10 Rankings for the 2024 OHL Cup presented by FPS Payment. Read more
Sensational Saves from the past week:
Making appearances this week are London’s Michael Simpson, Kingston’s Mason Vaccari, Kitchener’s Tristan Malboeuf, Saginaw’s Andrew Oke, Niagara’s Marcus Vandenberg, Peterborough’s Liam Sztuska, Windsor’s Carter Froggett and Owen Sound’s Carter George. Watch
OHL Plays of the Week presented by FPS Payment:
Making appearances are Peterborough’s Jonathan Melee, the Sarnia Sting duo of Zach Filak and Tyson Doucette, Brantford’s Florian Xhekaj, Windsor’s Liam Greentree and Peterborough’s Donovan McCoy. Watch
Spitfires relieve Head Coach Jerrod Smith, appoint Casey Torres as Interim Head Coach:
The Windsor Spitfires announced Monday evening that the club has relieved Head Coach Jerrod Smith of his duties, effective immediately. Smith had been with the Spitfires organization since 2011, previously serving as both Video Coach and Assistant/Associate Coach before being promoted to Head Coach this past summer. Torres joined the Spitfires in an assistant coaching capacity this past summer and has since taken over as Interim Head Coach upon Smith’s departure. Read more
NHL alumnus, local product Dustin Jeffrey hired as Sting Assistant Coach:
The Sarnia Sting announced a new addition to the Club’s Hockey Operations Department as local NHL alumnus Dustin Jeffrey will be joining the bench as assistant coach. A native of Corunna, Ont., Jeffrey was drafted into the OHL by the Mississauga IceDogs in 2004. The former forward played in over 200 OHL games with the Mississauga IceDogs and Soo Greyhounds. Read more
Generals hire Michael Farrugia as Assistant Coach:
The Oshawa Generals have hired Brampton, Ont. native Michael Farrugia as an assistant coach. He joins the Generals after spending the beginning of this season as the head coach of the U15 Prep Team with Okanagan Hockey Ontario. Read more
Local goaltender Jaeden Nelson commits to 67’s:
The Ottawa 67’s have signed fourth-round 2023 OHL Priority Selection choice Jaeden Nelson to an OHL scholarship and development agreement. The Ottawa native has started his season with the Navan Grads of the CCHL. Read more
Wolves’ Ethan Larmand to join QMJHL’s Halifax Mooseheads:
The Sudbury Wolves announced Thursday that overage forward Ethan Larmand will finish the season with the QMJHL’s Halifax Mooseheads, bringing them down to three overage players on their roster. Read more
Franchise great Bernie Nicholls honoured in Kingston:
The Kingston Frontenacs honoured one of the most prolific scorers in franchise history, raising Bernie Nicholls’ #16 to the heights of the Leon’s Centre on Saturday. Nicholls remains Kingston’s franchise record in single season goals (63) and points (152), both records set during the 1980-81 season. Watch
COMMUNITY CORNER:
Teddy Bear Toss games in Erie, Flint, Oshawa this week:
It’s Teddy Bear Toss season in the OHL! Don’t miss the Teddy Bear Toss in your city as teams collect stuffed toys to be distributed to charitable organizations in their communities. Here’s a look at when teams across the league will host their respective Teddy Bear Toss games in November and December. Read more
The Kitchener Rangers and Rangers Reach donate $100,000 to the KidsAbility Foundation:
The Kitchener Rangers, in partnership with Rangers Reach, proudly announce a significant contribution of $100,000 to the KidsAbility Foundation. This collaborative effort will fund a new therapy room at KidsAbility’s new site in Kitchener. This will help ensure that children and youth with disabilities in this community are provided with a welcoming and accessible environment in which they will receive essential and exceptional pediatric health care, therapy services, and programs. Read more
Attack and Cancer Society raise $64,000 for Hockey Fights Cancer night:
The Owen Sound Attack and the Canadian Cancer Society are excited to share the total money raised from the Hockey Fights Cancer fundraising campaign on October 28th. Together with the help of generous contributions from Bruce Power ($25,000), Baywest Nissan Kidz Foundation ($10,000), as well as through support from countless other businesses and individual donations, the campaign was able to raise $64,000 and counting. Read more
Otters’ third-annual Sock Toss collects over 4200 pairs of socks for Community Shelter Services:
For the third-consecutive season, the Erie Otters Hockey Club and its fans combined their efforts on Saturday, November 18 to assure that those in need in the Erie community would be able to put socks on their feet like everyone else during the harsh winter season. After collecting 1,591 pairs of socks in the inaugural season, and 2,281 pairs of socks last season, the 2023 edition of the sock toss saw 2768 socks tossed during the game night. Read more
Storm to host annual Books for Kids game on Friday:
The Guelph Storm are set to host their annual Books for Kids game on Friday night. The Storm are asking fans attending the game to bring happiness into the homes of many families in their community by giving the gift of reading. When fans enter the rink, volunteers will be on hand to collect donations of new, unwrapped books that are suitable for ages newborn to 18 years. For every book that fans donate, volunteers will provide a raffle ticket. Read more
Steelheads to host Toys for Tots game on Friday:
The Mississauga Steelheads are set to host their Toys for Tots game on Friday. The hockey club is once again proud to work alongside the Peel Regional Police and the Salvation Army to help make a difference for families in need over the holidays. The Steelheads, Peel Regional Police and the Salvation Army encourage all fans attending the game to support the toy drive by bringing an unwrapped gift or giving a cash donation to the kiosk located at the main gates. Read more
Storm to host Pink the Rink game on Saturday:
The Guelph Storm are set to host their annual Pink the Rink game on Saturday. The Storm encourages fans in attendance to wear pink in support of cancer research and awareness. Fans will have the opportunity to bid on the game-worn Pink the Rink jerseys starting on Saturday, November 25th at 10:00am. In addition to the jersey auction, there will be a limited number of Pink the Rink t-shirts available to purchase with all proceeds benefiting the Canadian Cancer Society of Waterloo Wellington. Read more
Steelheads to host Pucks and Paws game on Saturday:
The Mississauga Steelheads are set to host their first Pucks and Paws game of the season on Saturday, where fans will be able to bring their four-legged friends to the game! The game is in partnership with Global News and in support of the Toronto Humane Society. Fans are encouraged to bring their pups and can also enjoy a variety of vendors including doggy treats, rescues, humane societies, photo booths and more thanks to the support of Doggos. Read more
Firebirds to host Princesses and Superheroes game on Saturday:
The Flint Firebirds are set to host their Princesses and Superheroes game on Saturday. The Firebirds encourage all fans in attendance to dress like their favorite princess or superheroes. Read more
ALUMNI NOTES:
Clutterbuck plays 1,000th NHL game:
New York Islanders forward Cal Clutterbuck reached a monumental milestone on Wednesday night as the Welland, Ont. native skated in his 1000th NHL game. Selected in the third round by the Minnesota Wild in the 2006 Draft, Clutterbuck has played 17 seasons in the NHL, registering 280 points between the Wild and the Islanders. The former first round 2003 OHL Priority Selection pick played four seasons in the OHL between the Toronto St. Michael’s Majors and the Oshawa Generals, tallying 93 goals, 109 assists, and 202 points over 256 regular season appearances.
Monahan suits up for 700th NHL game:
Montreal Canadiens forward Sean Monahan skated in his 700th NHL game on Wednesday as the Canadiens defeated the Anaheim Ducks in a 4-3 road win. Selected sixth overall by the Calgary Flames in the 2013 NHL Draft, the 6-foot-2, 202lb. centreman spent nine seasons in Calgary before being traded to the Canadiens ahead of the 2022-23 season. The 29-year-old from Brampton, Ont. has registered 224 goals, 268 assists, and 492 points over his 700 games played. Monahan played three seasons in the OHL, as the Ottawa 67’s first round pick in the 2010 OHL Priority Selection recorded 203 points over 185 regular season games.
Verhaeghe scores 100th NHL goal:
Florida Panthers forward Carter Verhaeghe recorded his 100th NHL goal last Tuesday, as the OHL alumnus helped lead the Panthers to a 5-3 win over the San Jose Sharks. Selected in the third round, 82nd overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2013 NHL Draft, the Waterdown, Ont. native has registered 101 goals, 91 assists, and 192 points over 272 NHL games spent between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Panthers. Niagara’s second round (38th overall) pick in the 2013 OHL Priority Selection, Verhaeghe spent four seasons with the IceDogs, tallying 224 points over 262 games played.
Tippett earns 100th NHL point:
Philedelphia Flyers forward Owen Tippett earned his 100th NHL point last Wednesday, as the OHL alumnus registered a goal in the Flyers 3-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. Selected 10th overall by the Florida Panthers in the 2017 NHL Draft, the Peterborough, Ont. native has now recorded 52 goals and 50 assists over 210 games played between the Panthers and the Flyers. Mississauga’s first round pick in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection, Tippett spent four seasons in the OHL between the Steelheads and the Saginaw Spirit, tallying 244 points over 213 games played.
Clarke leading AHL rookie blueliners:
Ontario Reign blueliner Brandt Clarke continues to have a stellar rookie season in the American Hockey League, recording 15 points in 15 games played, including five in his last three. Recording at least a point per game in 11 showings this year, the Barrie Colts alumnus continues to lead all rookie defenceman in points this season. Selected eighth overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2021 NHL Draft, the 20-year-old Ottawa, Ont. native continues to develop after recorded 61 points (23-38-61) in 31 appearances with the Colts last season. Originally selected fourth overall in the the 2019 OHL Priority Selection, Brandt spent three seasons in Barrie, tallying 158 points over 143 regular season games.
U SPORTS Report:
Throughout the year the U SPORTS Report keeps 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. This week, Joe Ranger of the UPEI Panthers and Jonathan Yantsis of the Queen’s University Gaels powered success for their respective teams. Read more
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
– All games streaming on OHL Live
– Radio and TV broadcast information
Thursday, November 23rd
Owen Sound at Barrie – 7:00pm
London at North Bay – 7:00pm
Brantford at Niagara – 7:00pm
Sault Ste. Marie at Erie – 7:00pm
Windsor at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Friday, November 24th
Sault Ste. Marie at Brantford – 7:00pm
Windsor at Kingston – 7:00pm
Peterborough at Mississauga – 7:00pm
Owen Sound at Kitchener – 7:00pm
London at Sudbury – 7:05pm
North Bay at Guelph – 7:30pm
Ottawa at Oshawa – 7:35pm
Saturday, November 25th
Oshawa at Ottawa – 3:00pm
Kitchener at Guelph – 4:00pm
Niagara at Flint – 7:00pm
Mississauga at Erie – 7:00pm
North Bay at Owen Sound – 7:00pm
Sarnia at Saginaw – 7:05pm
London at Barrie – 7:30pm
Sunday, November 26th
Kingston at Brantford – 2:00pm
Windsor at Ottawa – 2:00pm
Guelph at Sarnia – 2:05pm
Sault Ste. Marie at Mississauga – 4:00pm
Kitchener at Flint – 4:00pm
Niagara at Saginaw – 5:30pm
Sudbury at Oshawa – 6:05pm
