OHL This Week: October 5 to 9, 2023
October is here and the 2023-24 OHL season is rolling along! Here’s a look at what’s happening across the league as we enter the Thanksgiving long weekend.
Spirit Rising: Go Great Lakes Bay’s Look at the Quest for the Memorial Cup now streaming on OHL Live:
The Ontario Hockey League, along with the Go Great Lakes Bay present Spirit Rising: Go Great Lakes Bay’s Exclusive Look at the Quest for the Memorial Cup. The nine-part series is available to stream for free on OHL Live. Watch
Storm, Colts on the rise in Week 1 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
Knights, Spirit and Wolves included in Week 1 edition of CHL Top 10 Rankings:
The London Knights, Saginaw Spirit, and Sudbury Wolves are included in the Week 1 edition of the CHL Top 10 Rankings. Read more
Spirit, Firebirds, Battalion and Wolves included on CHL TV Game of the Week schedule for October:
The Canadian Hockey League released its first batch of CHL TV Game of the Week freeviews on Wednesday, with a pair of OHL games on the slate for October. The Mississauga Steelheads and North Bay Battalion will air on TSN+, free for subscribers on October 19th. Read more
Petes’ Dubois named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week:
Jax Dubois of the Peterborough Petes is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording two goals, five assists and seven points in two games played. Read More
Steelheads’ Leenders named OHL Goaltender of the Week:
Ryerson Leenders of the Mississauga Steelheads is the OHL Goaltender of the Week, going 2-0 with a shutout, a 1.50 goals-against average and .957 save percentage. 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
Spirit rookie Jacob Cloutier takes top honours in OHL Plays of the Week presented by FPS Payment:
The first edition of OHL Plays of the Week presented by FPS Payment features highlight reel contributions from North Bay’s Iggy Pazii, Kingston’s Ethan Miedema, Oshawa’s Dylan Roobroeck, Sudbury’s Kocha Delic and Saginaw’s Jacob Cloutier.
Sting’s Surzycia headlines first edition of OHL Saves of the Week:
The first edition of OHL Saves of the Week features highlight reel stops from Sarnia’s Nick Suryzicia, Barrie’s Ben West, Flint’s Nathan Day, Mississauga’s Ryerson Leenders, Kitchener’s Jackson Parsons and Brantford’s Matteo Drobac.. Watch
Wolves’ Quentin Musty signs with Sharks:
Sudbury Wolves forward Quentin Musty has signed a three-year, entry-level NHL contract with the San Jose Sharks. A former first overall OHL Priority Selection choice, Musty was selected by San Jose with the 26th overall pick of the 2023 NHL Draft. Read more
67’s forward Brady Stonehouse signs with Oilers:
The Edmonton Oilers have signed Ottawa 67’s forward Brady Stonehouse as a free agent, inking him to a three-year entry-level NHL contract. Stonehouse recently attended Oilers training camp and comes off a 37-goal, 57-point season in 2022-23. Read more
Spirit’s T-Bone Codd signs AHL contract with San Diego:
Saginaw Spirit forward T-Bone Codd has signed a one-year AHL contract with the San Diego Gulls. Codd tallied 11 points (2-9–11) in 20 games with the Spirit last season, battling injuries along the way. The Brighton, Michigan native attended Anaheim’s training camp last week. Read more
Storm’s Poitras excelling in preseason with Bruins:
While most of the 160 OHL players originally invited to NHL camps have returned to the league, 19-year-old Guelph Storm centreman Matthew Poitras remains in Boston, doing big things with the Bruins. The second-round NHL Draft pick scored a highlight reel goal for the Bruins on Tuesday. Poitras’ play even drew comparisons to Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner from Bruins teammate Brad Marchand. Read more on his success at boston.com
Long-time official Kevin Hastings to work final OHL contest on Saturday:
Kevin Hastings has been an OHL official for 23 seasons and on Saturday, the linesman works his final assignment, a game between the Guelph Storm and host London Knights. Hastings became just the third official in OHL history to work his 1,000th game in January 2022. Hastings will be honoured in a pre-game ceremony at Budweiser Gardens.
Petes sign Mike Oke to five-year contract, add VP of Operations responsibilities:
The Peterborough Petes have signed Michael Oke to a five-year contract that will keep him in Peterborough through June 2028. Along with his General Manager role, Oke will now take on the role of Vice President of Operations. Read more
Troops salute North Bay in 10th-anniversary season:
The North Bay Battalion are saluting the city they’ve called home since 2013-14 with a commemorative shoulder patch recognizing 10 years in the Gateway to the North. Read more at battalionhockey.com
Toronto Marlboros win Toronto Titans Early Bird Tournament:
The Toronto Marlboros prevailed in their first challenge of the 2023-24 U16 AAA hockey season this past weekend, winning the Toronto Titans Early Bird Tournament at Scotiabank Pond in Toronto. The Titans Tournament signals the beginning of a new season as 43 teams consisting of 2024 OHL Priority Selection prospects squared off in the annual showcase. Read more
#OHLDraft Advanced Scouting – Dima Zhilkin (Toronto Jr. Canadiens):
The OHL takes an early look at prospects eligible for the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. The first edition of OHL Advanced Scouting centres on Toronto Jr. Canadiens forward Dima Zhilkin, the younger brother of former Guelph Storm and Kitchener Rangers forward Danny Zhilkin. Watch
COMMUNITY CORNER:
Battalion’s Dalyn Wakely leading by example:
As part of the OHL’s observation of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Saturday, September 30th, the Chris Seguin of the CHL penned an informative article on the career and community advocacy work of North Bay Battalion forward Dalyn Wakely. The OHL and CHL Humanitarian of the Year from Curve Lake First Nation continues to serve the homeless and low-income communities of North Bay. Read more
Kingston’s “United Front” initiative kicks off with a $20,000 cheque presentation:
On Friday, the Kingston Frontenacs, Scotiabank, and United Way KFL&A proudly dropped the puck on their “United Front” initiative. This initiative will focus on assisting United Way KFL&A in reaching their 2023 fundraising goal. To start off the partnership with a hat trick, Scotiabank and the Kingston Frontenacs were pleased to present cheques totaling $20,000.00 to the United Way KFL&A at ice level. Read more
Generals to hoour Dave Andreychuk on Friday night:
The Oshawa Generals are set to retire Hockey Hall of Famer, Dave Andreychuk’s #9 on Friday night. Spending 23 seasons in the NHL between the Buffalo Sabres, Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils, Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, and Tampa Bay Lighting, the Generals alumnus will proudly return to Oshawa on Friday to see his name raised to the rafters.
Rangers to celebrate Oktober Fest on Friday night:
The Rangers will be joined by Onkel Hans, Allan Cayenne, (President, K-W Oktoberfest), Tracy Van Kalsbeek, (Executive Director, K-W Oktoberfest) and Samantha Hild, (Oktoberfest Ambassador) for a ceremonial puck drop, with the party continuing throughout the game with Oktoberfest themed activations, games and prizes on Friday night at the Aud. Read more
Spitfires to host Pucks and Paws game on Monday:
The Oshawa Generals are set to host their Pucks and Paws game on Monday. The Spitfires encourage fans to bring their furry friends and howl for victory on Dog Night! Catch the fast-paced hockey action while treating your four-legged companions to a tail-wagging good time with special dog-friendly activities.
ALUMNI NOTES:
216 OHL Alumni included on U SPORTS men’s hockey season-opening rosters:
A total of 216 OHL Alumni are included on U SPORTS men’s hockey rosters with seasons getting underway across the country this week. A total of 148 former OHL players are competing in Ontario University Athletics (OUA), 64 are competing in Atlantic University Sport (AUS) and an additional four are playing in the Canada West Universities Athletic Association (Canada West). Read more
Stars recall Battalion alumnus Kyle McDonald:
Former North Bay Battalion forward Kyle McDonald has been recalled to the Dallas Stars. McDonald led the Battalion in goals (34) and ranked fifth overall in points (34-18-52) in 43 regular season games during their 2022-23 campaign. Signed by Dallas to a three-year entry-level contract on March 10, McDonald was loaned to the AHL’s Texas Stars on Oct. 2. Read more
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
– All games streaming on OHL Live
– Radio and TV broadcast information
Thursday, October 5th
Mississauga at Niagara – 7:00pm
Sudbury at Peterborough – 7:05pm
North Bay at Windsor – 7:05pm
Friday, October 6th
Sudbury at Kingston – 7:00pm
Owen Sound at Kitchener – 7:00pm
North Bay at London – 7:00pm
Sault Ste. Marie at Sarnia – 7:05pm
Erie at Guelph – 7:30pm
Mississauga at Oshawa – 7:35pm
Saturday, October 7th
Sudbury at Ottawa – 3:00pm
Sarnia at Windsor – 4:05pm
Oshawa at Brantford – 7:00pm
Sault Ste. Marie at Flint – 7:00pm
Erie at Owen Sound – 7:00pm
Guelph at London – 7:00pm
Kitchener at Saginaw – 7:05pm
Niagara at Barrie – 7:30pm
Sunday, October 8th
Ottawa at Kingston – 2:00pm
Brantford at Mississauga – 2:00pm
Monday, October 9th
Owen Sound at North Bay – 2:00pm
Sault Ste. Marie at Windsor – 2:05pm
