OHL This Week: Sept. 24 to 27, 2026
Opening weekend is in the books and the OHL is back at it this week! Here are the latest happenings.
Battle of the Border returns to Windsor
The OHL has announced the full schedule for the 2026 OHL Battle of the Border presented by Destination Ontario, running Oct. 16-18 at the WFCU Centre in Windsor. Twelve of the top U16/15O AAA programs from both sides of the border will play 27 games over three days in the showcase’s first edition since 2019, with an Ontario-versus-U.S. championship game set for 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 18. “Events like this are vital to the future of our league,” said OHL Commissioner Bryan Crawford. Read more
Spirit’s Zhilkin named to Team CHL for CHL USA Prospects Challenge
Saginaw Spirit captain Dima Zhilkin is one of the first four players confirmed for the 2026 CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Primaris, a two-game series against the U.S. National Under-18 Team opening Dec. 1. The Windsor, Ont., native becomes the 16th Spirit player to take part in that event or the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. Read more
Training Camp Tracker follows OHL players at NHL camps
The league’s tracker follows every returning-eligible OHL player at an NHL camp this fall, with reassignment dates added as they come. As of Thursday, 25 returning-eligible players remain in camp with their NHL clubs. Read more
IceDogs visit Spirit on Friday Night Faceoff
The Friday Night Faceoff spotlight shifts to the Dow Event Center as the Saginaw Spirit host the Niagara IceDogs, live and free on FloHockey’s YouTube channel with puck drop at 7:05 p.m. Both clubs are settling into new eras behind the bench. Read more
Knights climb to No. 1 in the OHL Power Rankings
The London Knights take over the top spot after sweeping a home-and-home with Windsor to open 2-0, while the Kingston Frontenacs and Sudbury Wolves each jumped four spots to No. 2 and No. 4. Read more
Knights, Storm and Spirit land in CHL Top 10
The London Knights climbed two spots to No. 2 in the CHL’s Week 1 rankings, with the Guelph Storm fourth and the Saginaw Spirit sixth. Read more
Zhilkin, Frasca and Smith headline opening-week honours
Saginaw’s Dima Zhilkin is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week after five points (three goals, two assists) in two games, Sudbury overager Paolo Frasca is the Mary Brown’s Chicken OHL Goaltender of the Week with a 0.50 goals-against average and .982 save percentage, and Kingston rookie Royden Smith is the Make Space OHL Rookie of the Week after going 2-0 in his first two starts. Owen Sound prospect Mitchell Nouwens of the St. Catharines Falcons is the GOHL Prospect of the Week. Read more
Debuts and firsts fill Milestone Moments
Royden Smith’s 44-save debut was the most by a Frontenacs goaltender in an OHL debut on record since 1997-98, Brantford’s Chase Petrova became the first OHL goaltender since 2021 to post a shutout in his league debut, and North Bay’s Owen Loftus became the youngest Battalion goaltender to win a game since 2014 at 16 years and 142 days old. Read more
Around the League
Knights land Vegas first-rounder Piiparinen: The Vegas Golden Knights have assigned first-round pick Juho Piiparinen to the London Knights for the 2026-27 season. London selected the defenceman in the second round of the 2026 CHL Import Draft, and he appeared in one Finnish Elite League game to start the season.
Bulldogs acquire Andrew from Greyhounds: The Brantford Bulldogs announced Thursday that they’ve acquired third-year forward Carson Andrew from the Soo Greyhounds in exchange for fourth and 14th round draft picks. The 6-foot-3 winger scored seven goals in each of his past two seasons since being Sault Ste. Marie’s fourth round pick in 2024.
Steelheads add Carcone from London: The Brampton Steelheads acquired overage forward Geno Carcone from the London Knights for a fourth-round pick in the 2030 OHL Priority Selection. The 19-year-old from Woodstock, Ga., had 52 points (13 goals, 39 assists) in 58 games with the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers last season and picked up his first OHL point in Brampton’s second game. Read more
Generals acquire Marthaler: The Oshawa Generals acquired defenceman Jackson Marthaler from the London Knights in exchange for Barrie’s fourth-round pick in the 2030 OHL Priority Selection. The 2008-born blueliner from Superior, Wis., spent last season with the U.S. National Team Development Program. Read more
Sting bring hometown product Najim home: The Sarnia Sting acquired 18-year-old forward Brody Najim, a Sarnia native, from the Saginaw Spirit for a conditional 13th-round pick in the 2030 OHL Priority Selection. “Brody is a player that we see strong potential in,” said Sting general manager Dylan Seca, who added that the centre will be reassigned to continue his development. Read more
Firebirds lock in hockey operations staff: The Flint Firebirds promoted Scott MacDonald to assistant coach and head scout Mike Oliverio to assistant general manager, and signed head coach Paul Flache, general manager Dave McParlan and several others to multi-year extensions through 2028-29. Assistant coach Reijo Ruotsalainen stepped away after three seasons to return home to Finland to spend more time with his family. Read more
Clubs name captains and leadership groups: Leadership groups were announced across the league ahead of opening weekend, with Evan Passmore named the 28th captain in Barrie Colts history and Nolan Laird taking the C in North Bay. The Brampton Steelheads, Brantford Bulldogs, Kingston Frontenacs, Kitchener Rangers, Sarnia Sting and Sudbury Wolves also unveiled their groups. Read more
Beyond the Rink catches up with Welychka: Former London Knights and Belleville Bulls forward Brett Welychka, a two-time OHL champion with the Knights, reflects on his pro career in the AHL, ECHL and Europe and his move into player development and video coaching. Read more
At the Rinks
Clubs mark Truth and Reconciliation: The Peterborough Petes host Sarnia tonight at 7:05 p.m. for Indigenous Heritage Night presented by Crowe’s Gas, with a ceremonial puck drop featuring representatives from Alderville First Nation, Curve Lake First Nation and Hiawatha First Nation, the anthem performed in Anishinaabemowin by Curve Lake School, and a special logo by Kory Parkin built around the name Nogojiwanong. The Ottawa 67’s mark Truth and Reconciliation on Sunday at 3 p.m. against Sarnia. Read more
Battalion collect for the food bank: The North Bay Battalion partner with the North Bay Food Bank when they host Brampton tonight. Food donations can be dropped off at the labelled bins at each entry gate or in the main concourse bin, and magnet schedules will be available to fans at each exit following the game.
Country nights sweep the league: The Brantford Bulldogs run a Country Weekend across both ends of a back-to-back, hosting Peterborough on Friday and Kingston on Saturday. The Sudbury Wolves hold Country Night presented by Pure Country on Friday against Barrie, which doubles as a student night, while the Barrie Colts counter with their own Country Night against Oshawa on Saturday and the Owen Sound Attack host Guelph on Country 93 Night presented by Bayshore Broadcasting.
Otters open at home with Fan Fest: The Erie Otters welcome Kitchener on Saturday at 6 p.m. for their home opener and Fan Fest, with 5,000 rally towels going out to fans.
Firebirds host home opener: The Flint Firebirds open their home schedule Saturday against the Niagara IceDogs.
Greyhounds turn back the clock: The Soo Greyhounds host Brampton on Friday for ’80s Night.
Spitfires press start on Video Game Night: The Windsor Spitfires host Flint on Friday for Video Game Night.
Spirit celebrate Women’s Hockey Day: The Saginaw Spirit host Windsor on Saturday for Women’s Hockey Day presented by SPACE.
Giveaways and a junior Sunday: The Kingston Frontenacs hand out magnet schedules as fans leave Friday’s game against Sarnia, the Petes give away thundersticks Saturday against Ottawa, and the Wolves close the week with Launch Junior Sunday against Brampton.
Upcoming Schedule
Thursday, Sept. 24
Brampton at North Bay, 7 p.m.
Sarnia at Peterborough, 7:05 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 25
Peterborough at Brantford, 7 p.m.
Erie at Kitchener, 7 p.m.
Owen Sound at London, 7 p.m.
Sarnia at Kingston, 7:05 p.m.
Niagara at Saginaw, 7:05 p.m. (Friday Night Faceoff on FloHockey)
Barrie at Sudbury, 7:05 p.m.
Flint at Windsor, 7:05 p.m.
Oshawa at Guelph, 7:07 p.m.
Brampton at Sault Ste. Marie, 7:07 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 26
Kitchener at Erie, 6 p.m.
Kingston at Brantford, 7 p.m.
Niagara at Flint, 7 p.m.
Guelph at Owen Sound, 7 p.m.
Ottawa at Peterborough, 7:05 p.m.
Windsor at Saginaw, 7:05 p.m.
North Bay at Sault Ste. Marie, 7:07 p.m.
Oshawa at Barrie, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 27
Brampton at Sudbury, 2:05 p.m.
Sarnia at Ottawa, 3 p.m.
Kingston at Kitchener, 6 p.m.
Brantford at Oshawa, 6:05 p.m.
