We’ve got another jam-packed weekend of OHL action headed your way. Let’s take a look at what’s happening across the league.

Ontario Hockey League launches search for next Commissioner:
The Ontario Hockey League announced Tuesday that it has officially launched its search for the next Commissioner of the OHL. As indicated in August, Commissioner David Branch will be retiring following the 2023-24 season after a remarkable 45-year tenure as commissioner. Interested candidates will find additional information on the position and the process at the following link: https://careers.odgersberndtson.com/en-ca/job/28794/

67’s rise to the top in Week 3 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

Rangers’ Rehkopf named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week:
Seattle Kraken prospect Carson Rehkopf of the Kitchener Rangers is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording five goals, three assists, and eight points over two contests as the Rangers collected four points over the weekend. Read more

67’s MacKenzie named OHL Goaltender of the Week:
Ottawa 67’s goaltender Collin MacKenzie is the OHL Goaltender of the Week. He played to a 2-0 record with a 1.50 goals-against average, and .948 save percentage as the 67’s played their way to the top of the OHL Power Rankings. Read more

Knights, Spirit, Steelheads and 67’s included in Week 3 edition of CHL Top 10 Rankings:
The London Knights, Saginaw Spirit, Mississauga Steelheads, and Ottawa 67’s are included in the Week 3 edition of the CHL Top 10 Rankings. Read more

IceDogs’ He headlines FPS Payment OHL Plays of the Week:
This week’s edition of OHL Plays of the Week presented by FPS Payment features highlight reel contributions from Oshawa’s Rasmus Kumpulainen, Sudbury’s David Goyette and Quentin Musty, Peterborough’s Jax Dubois, Kitchener’s Matthew Sop and Niagara’s Kevin He. Watch

Sensational Saves from the past week:
Reviewing the best saves from across the OHL last week! See big stops from Mississauga’s Jack Ivankovic, Kingston’s Mason Vaccari, Sudbury’s Nate Krawchuk, Erie’s Ben Gaudreau, Oshawa’s Noah Bender, Niagara’s Owen Flores, Kingston’s JJ Salajko and Mississauga’s Ryerson Leenders. Watch

Sting’s Alan Letang named Head Coach of Canada’s National Junior Team:
With less than three months until the puck drops on the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship, Hockey Canada has named the staff that will lead Canada’s National Junior Team in its gold medal defence in Gothenburg, Sweden. After helping Canada win gold at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship as an assistant coach, Sarnia Sting Head Coach Alan Letang returns to take the reins as head coach.  Read more

Knights’ Hunter ties Bert Templeton for second-most coaching victories in OHL history:
With a London Knights road win over the Brantford Bulldogs on Wednesday, Dale Hunter pulled into a tie for second all-time with the late Bert Templeton, having won his 907th career OHL contest. Hunter, who has coached in London since 2001, can claim sole possession of second place with a Knights win over the visiting Erie Otters on Friday night at Budweiser Gardens. Ottawa 67’s coaching legend Brian Kilrea is the current record-holder with his 1,194 victories.

Blues first round pick Dalibor Dvorsky commits to Wolves:
The Sudbury Wolves have signed Slovak forward Dalibor Dvorsky to an OHL scholarship and development agreement. Dvorsky was selected by the St. Louis Blues with the 10th overall pick of the 2023 NHL Draft. Read more

Attack part ways with Head Coach Greg Walters, Darren Rumble named Interim Head Coach:
The Owen Sound Attack announced that Head Coach Greg Walters has been relieved of his duties. Assistant coach and OHL alumnus Darren Rumble has been promoted as the club’s Interim Head Coach. Read more

No shortage of brother combinations in the OHL this season:
The Ontario Hockey League has seen its fair share of sibling rivalries hit the ice over the years. With some even having the opportunity to play alongside one another, the family affairs continue as 15 brother duos line OHL rosters this season. Read more

 

COMMUNITY CORNER:

67’s Mews raises funds for the University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation:
Ottawa 67’s defenceman Henry Mews is raising funds for a worthy cause, as the hometown product teams up to support the University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation this season. In partnership with 67’s Colour Analyst and Foundation Board Member, Colin Zappia, Henry Mews along with his family and Agent, Randy Robitaille, are raising money for the University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation. Read more

Generals to host Country Night on Friday:
The Oshawa Generals are set to host their Country night on Friday night. The first 3000 fans in the building will receive a free Oshawa generals cowboy hat upon entry!

Storm to host Hockey Gives Blood Night on Friday:
The Guelph Storm is set to host their Hockey Gives Blood Night on Friday. In partnership with Canadian Blood Services, Hockey Gives Blood works to promote blood donation as an integral component of hockey programs social and community responsibility. Hockey Gives Blood includes Player Ambassadors from various leagues who demonstrate a commitment and dedication to the community. The Guelph Storm are proud to support Braeden Bowman and Cam Allen as Player Ambassadors. Details

Frontenacs to host Country Night on Friday:
The Kingston Frontenacs are set to host their Country night on Friday night. The night will be filled with country music and three lucky fans will have a chance to win $9,900 in a special shoot-to-win contest during the first intermission!

Spitfires to host Swiftie Night on Saturday:
The Windsor Spitfires are set to host their Taylor Swift themed night on Saturday. The Spitfires are giving away Taylor Swift tickets to lucky fans in attendance at the game! Taylor Swift music all night long, the Spitfires encourage fans to come in their best swiftie outfits!

Steelheads to host 10th Annual Pink at the Rink game on Saturday:
The Mississauga Steelheads are set to host their Tiki Night on Saturday. The game is in support of cancer and breast cancer research, and the Trout will be sporting special Pink Jerseys! This year’s speciality jerseys will be auctioned online, with proceeds going to the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation in support of Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer. Steelheads fans are encouraged to wear their brightest pink outfits to show their support. Details

Otters to host Tiki Luau Night on Saturday:
The Erie Otters are set to host their Tiki Luau on Saturday. The first 1,000 people through the doors on Saturday for the Tiki Luau will receive a free lei. There will be luau fun for all with live parrots on the concourse from Buzz n’ B’s!

Spirit to host Pink at the Rink game on Sunday:
The Saginaw Spirit are set to host their Pink at the Rink game on Sunday in support of Ascension St. Mary’s.

 

ALUMNI NOTES:

NHL Debut – Pavel Mintyukov suits up for Ducks:
Reigning OHL Defenceman of the Year Pavel Mintyukov made his NHL debut in Vegas on Saturday night, suiting up for the Anaheim Ducks at the age of 19. Read more

Landeskog reminisces on favourite OHL memories:
Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog recently took some time to reminisce on his favourite memories during his time in the OHL as a member of the Kitchener Rangers. Landeskog was a Stanley Cup champion with the Avs in 2022. Watch

Martin plays 900th NHL contest:
Sarnia Sting alumnus Matt Martin suited up in his 900th career NHL contest on Tuesday, helping the New York Islanders shut out the Arizona Coyotes 1-0. The 34-year-old Martin has recorded 77 goals, 91 assists and 168 points in his NHL career spent between the Isles and Toronto Maple Leafs. Martin played in Sarnia from 2006-09, scoring 35 goals in his final season.

150 OHL graduates on AHL rosters to open 2023-24 season:
The 2023-24 American Hockey League season got underway this past weekend, with 150 OHL alumni included on rosters to open the schedule. Read more

OHL x U SPORTS – Acadia Axemen:
Established in 1838, the Acadia University turns 185 this year, and features one of Atlantic University Sport’s longest-standing men’s hockey programs. Several OHL graduates have made their way east to play at Acadia in recent years, utilizing their OHL scholarship to pursue an education. A total of eight OHL alumni are included on this year’s Axemen roster. Read more

U SPORTS Report – Duhart named U SPORTS Player of the Week:
Saginaw Spirit graduate took this week’s national honours as the Queen’s Gaels forward was named U SPORTS male hockey player of the week. Read more on that and other headlines from across the U SPORTS ranks as OHL players compete across the country. Read more

 

UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

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

Thursday, October 19th
Sault Ste. Marie at Peterborough – 11:05am
Flint at Barrie – 7:00pm
Mississauga at North Bay – 7:00pm (CHL Game of the Week on TSN+)

Friday, October 20th
Sault Ste. Marie at Kingston – 7:00pm
Peterborough at Ottawa – 7:00pm
Sarnia at Niagara – 7:00pm
Owen Sound at Kitchener – 7:00pm
Erie at London – 7:00pm
Flint at Sudbury – 7:05pm
Barrie at Guelph – 7:30pm
Brantford at Oshawa – 7:35pm

Saturday, October 21st
Kitchener at Mississauga – 4:00pm
Sarnia at Erie – 7:00pm
Kingston at Guelph – 7:00pm
Brantford at Owen Sound – 7:00pm
Oshawa at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Saginaw at Windsor – 7:05pm
Sudbury at Barrie – 7:30pm

Sunday, October 22nd
Sault Ste. Marie at Ottawa – 2:00pm
Flint at North Bay – 2:00pm
Kingston at Owen Sound – 2:00pm
Niagara at Erie – 4:00pm
London at Saginaw – 5:30pm
Guelph at Oshawa – 6:05pm