OHL This Week: Sept. 25 to 29, 2024
It’s #OHLOpeningWeek! The thrill is back as a brand-new OHL season begins tonight. Keep an eye out for talent-filled rosters, weekly rankings, and all the latest updates from across the League. The quest for the J. Ross Robertson Cup starts now!
Purchase OHL Live on CHL TV packages for the 2024-25 season:
The OHL, in collaboration with the CHL, is excited to announce that OHL Live on CHL TV packages for the 2024-25 season are now available for purchase online at watch.chl.ca.
OHL Commissioner Bryan Crawford takes charge ahead of first season:
Following the remarkable 45-season tenure of former OHL Commissioner David Branch, Bryan Crawford has taken over, embarking on a transformative new era for the Ontario Hockey League. Commissioner Crawford was on the 32 Thoughts Podcast with Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas this week. You can check out that episode here
Spirit to celebrate Memorial Cup victory on Opening Night, Knights to raise OHL Championship banner on Friday:
The Saginaw Spirit will celebrate their 2024 Memorial Cup victory on Wednesday night as they open the OHL season against the Windsor Spitfires. On Friday, the London Knights will mark their 2024 OHL Championship with a banner-raising ceremony, ahead of their season opener.
London, Oshawa to host inaugural CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Kubota Canada:
An exciting new event is coming to London and Oshawa. The first-ever CHL USA Prospects Challenge hits the ice on Tuesday, November 26th in London before moving to Oshawa for Wednesday, November 27th. The event features the top first-year NHL Draft-eligible prospects from the CHL’s Member Leagues – Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) – face-off against those from the U.S. National Under-18 Team in a two-game series. Read more
OHL 20 in 20 – Team season previews:
Get caught up on all 20 OHL teams, including veteran rosters and exciting new faces ahead of the 2024-25 regular season. Details
Annual preseason Media Poll reveals picks and predictions:
With the launch of OHL Opening Week, a poll of various media who cover the League in broadcast booths and press boxes provides opinions and analysis on some of the players and teams to watch in 2024-25. Details
OHL Power Rankings – Preseason Edition:
Each Monday throughout the season, the OHL Power Rankings will highlight the top 16 teams as they compete for position leading into the 2025 OHL Playoffs. In the first rankings of the year, the 2024 OHL champion London Knights reclaimed the top spot. Details
Steelheads, Knights, Generals, Bulldogs included in preseason edition of CHL Top 10 Rankings:
The CHL has announced that they Brampton Steelheads (2), London Knights (3), Oshawa Generals (8) and Brantford Bulldogs (9) have been included in the preseason edition of the CHL Top-10 Rankings for the 2024-25 season. Details
OHL players attending NHL Training Camps:
A look at which returning-eligible OHL players remain with NHL clubs as the 2024-25 OHL season gets underway. Details
Five OHL players included on TSN’s Preseason Rankings for the 2025 NHL Draft:
A pair of Erie Otters teammates made the list, with defenceman Matthew Schaefer leading OHL players at #2 followed by Malcolm Spence coming in at #8. Brampton Steelheads winger Porter Martone came in fourth on the list, followed by other forwards in Saginaw’s Michael Misa (#7) and reigning OHL Rookie of the Year Jake O’Brien of the Brantford Bulldogs (#14). Details
Latest Moves:
Colts acquire rights to Senators prospect Gabriel Eliasson in trade with IceDogs:
The Barrie Colts have acquired the rights to Ottawa Senators second round NHL Draft pick Gabriel Eliasson in a trade with the Niagara IceDogs. Details
Sting acquire forward Kaeden Johnston from London:
The Sarnia Sting added a veteran name to their forward group, one who comes off a very good preseason. The Sting dealt a fourth round pick (Erie’s) in 2027 to the London Knights in exchange for 19-year-old winger Kaeden Johnston. Details
IceDogs sign blueliner Joey Wassilyn:
The Niagara IceDogs have signed defenceman Joey Wassilyn to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. Joey was originally drafted by the Guelph Storm in the 2022 OHL Draft, and was acquired by the IceDogs on September 17th. Details
Attack sign first round U18 Draft choice Trent Gates:
The Owen Sound Attack have signed 2024 18 OHL Priority Selection pick Trent Gates to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. Hailing from Burlington, Ontario, Gates is a 5-foot-8, 164 pound winger who spent last season with the Halton Hurricanes U18 AAA team. Details
Attack sign CHL Import selection Rafik Varosyan:
The Owen Sound Attack have signed 2024 CHL Import Draft selection Rafik Varosyan to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. Hailing from Chuguyevka, Russia, Varosyan is a six-foot, 179 pound winger who split last season between the Admiral Vladivostok Under-17, under-18 programs and the Taiwan Primorsky Krai of the MHL. Details
Otters name former Olympian and pro netminder Ryan Zapolski as Goaltending Coach:
Born-and-raised Erie native and former professional goaltender Ryan Zapolskihas been named the Erie Otters Goaltending Coach ahead of the start of the 2024-25 season. Details
Other News:
Intermission lengths amended:
One item of note with ramifications for media members and their intermission coverage comes in the form of updated intermission lengths across the league. The Barrie Colts, Brantford Bulldogs, North Bay Battalion and Ottawa 67’s will all continue with 17-minute intermissions in 2024-25 while the OHL’s other 16 clubs will move to 18-minute intermissions.
Ethan Hay named 25th captain in Spirit history:
Fresh off returning from Tampa Bay Lightning training camp, Ethan Hay has been named the 25th captain in Saginaw Spirit history. He joins a leadership group consisting of Joey Willis, Michael Misa, Nic Sima and Sebastien Gervais.
Colts reveal 30th anniversary jerseys:
Ahead of the 2024-25 season, the Barrie Colts have revealed their special jerseys to commemorate this season being the 30th anniversary since joining the Ontario Hockey League. Details
Five WHL clubs submit their bid to host the 2026 Memorial Cup:
The CHL has announced that five WHL clubs – the Brandon Wheat Kings, Kelowna Rockets, Lethbridge Hurricanes, Medicine Hat Tigers, and Spokane Chiefs – have officially submitted their formal written bids in an effort to secure the hosting rights for the 2026 Memorial Cup. Details
Community Corner:
IceDogs captain Bryant launches “Gav’s Corner”:
Gavin Bryant, captain of the Niagara IceDogs, proudly announced the launch of ‘Gav’s Corner,’ a new initiative aimed at uniting and supporting individuals impacted by Type 1 Diabetes. Inspired by his sister’s diagnosis in 2021 and witnessing his former teammate and roommate Mark Woolley, who is also a Type 1 Diabetic, create Woolley’s Warriors, Bryant felt compelled to find his own way to contribute to the cause. Details
Greyhounds to host Indigenous Heritage Night on Saturday:
The Soo Greyhounds have unveiled special “Ode’min” jerseys designed by Anishinaabe and Irish Woodland artist Lucia Laford. These uniforms will be worn on Saturday when the Hounds host the Sudbury Wolves at GFL Memorial Gardens.The jerseys will be auctioned off after the game, with proceeds benefiting Indigenous programs and initiatives at the Algoma District School Board and Huron Superior Catholic District School Board. In addition to the jerseys, limited-edition Ode’min locker plates and mini-sticks will also be up for auction as part of the fundraising campaign. For more details, visit soogreyhounds.com
Alumni Notes:
Rick Nash named Blue Jackets’ Director of Hockey Operations:
Former London Knights forward Rick Nash is moving up the ladder in the hockey world. A one-time Columbus Blue Jackets franchise cornerstone, Nash is now the club’s Director of Hockey Operations after being appointed to the role last week. Nash, who played in London from 2000-02, went on to a lengthy NHL career that included 1,060 games, 437 goals, 368 assists and 805 points prior to his retirement in 2018.
Morrison keeps proving detractors wrong:
Shawn Roarke of NHL.com recently covered the upward trajectory of Ottawa 67’s graduate and former OHL champion Logan Morrison in the Seattle Kraken organization. Originally undrafted, Morrison was signed as a free agent by Seattle and rewarded them with a solid first pro season in the AHL, registering 41 points (16-25–41) over 64 games while also appearing in four NHL contests. The Guelph, Ont. native was MVP of the OHL Playoffs in 2022, helping the Hamilton Bulldogs reign supreme as league champions. Read more at nhl.com
Generals graduate Lockhart signs with ECHL’s Bloomington Bison:
Oshawa Generals graduate Connor Lockhart has signed with the ECHL’s Bloomington Bison for the 2024-25 season. Lockhart scored 59 points in 52 OHL games last season between the Peterborough Petes and the Oshawa Generals. In addition, he totaled 18 points in 21 postseason games with the Generals to reach the OHL Championship Series. During the 2022-23 season, Lockhart posted 16 points in 23 postseason games to be crowned an OHL champion with the Petes. Details
Upcoming Schedule:
– All games streaming on OHL Live
– Radio and TV broadcast information
Wednesday, September 25th
Windsor at Saginaw – 7:05pm
Thursday, September 26th
Kingston at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Friday, September 27th
Oshawa at Kingston – 7:00pm
Niagara at Ottawa – 7:00pm
Brantford at Brampton – 7:00pm
Peterborough at North Bay – 7:00pm
Erie at Kitchener – 7:00pm
Flint at London – 7:00pm
Barrie at Sudbury – 7:05pm
Windsor at Sarnia – 7:05pm
Saginaw at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07pm
Owen Sound at Guelph – 7:07pm
Saturday, September 28th
Oshawa at Brantford – 7:00pm
London at Flint – 7:00pm
Brampton at Erie – 7:00pm
Guelph at Owen Sound – 7:00pm
Kitchener at Windsor – 7:05pm
Sarnia at Saginaw – 7:05pm
Sudbury at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07pm
North Bay at Barrie – 7:30pm
Sunday, September 29th
Niagara at Kingston – 2:00pm
Ottawa at Oshawa – 6:05pm
