OHL Weekend Notebook: Sept. 28, 2026
The 2026-27 OHL season is underway! Here’s a look at some of the top storylines from an action-packed weekend across the league.
Novotny hits the ground running in Peterborough
Adam Novotny returned from Canucks training camp to make an immediate impact in his season debut on Thursday, scoring twice and adding a pair of assists in a 7-4 win over the Sarnia Sting. He followed with a goal and an assist on Saturday as the Petes fell 6-3 at home to the Ottawa 67’s. All three of Novotny’s assists were primary, and his 18 shots on goal led all OHL players last week.
NHL camp returnees help Storm roll through the weekend
With 10 players returning from NHL training camps, the Guelph Storm flexed their depth with a pair of convincing wins as the team opened the weekend with a 6-0 victory over Oshawa, with Ryan Roobroeck opening the scoring with the 100th goal of his OHL career. The Storm followed it up with a 5-1 win over Owen Sound to get back to .500 on the season.
Lam delivers back-to-back game-winners
Tanner Lam came through in the clutch twice for the Kitchener Rangers over the weekend. Lam completed Saturday’s comeback against Erie with the overtime winner before scoring shorthanded on Sunday for what stood as the game-winning tally, giving him game-winners on consecutive days. With five goals through his first five games, Lam currently sits tied for second in the OHL goal-scoring race.
Wolves off to their best start since 1994-95
The Sudbury Wolves kept their perfect start alive over the weekend, improving to 4-0 on the season and marking the club’s best start to a campaign in over three decades. Rowan Henderson has helped lead the charge offensively with a team-high three goals and five points, while reigning OHL Goaltender of the Week Paolo Frasca has been lights out between the pipes. Starting all four games, Frasca owns a 1.25 goals-against average, .955 save percentage and one shutout.
Haffner turns aside 41 shots for first OHL win
Connor Haffner made the most of his opportunity in the Niagara crease, stopping 41 of 43 shots to earn his first OHL victory in a 5-2 win over Flint. The Firebirds outshot Niagara 43-19, but Haffner stood tall to secure the win. Coming off a strong season with the OJHL’s Burlington Cougars, Haffner could be called upon for an increased role with netminder Vladislav Yermolenko unavailable.
Bulldogs make franchise history with 5-0 start
The Brantford Bulldogs continued their perfect start, setting a new club record by opening the season 5-0. Brantford scored 20 goals across three weekend wins while allowing just nine, with strong performances at both ends of the ice earning a pair of weekly honours. Vilmer Salen Forsberg was named OHL Goaltender of the Week after going 2-0 with a 2.50 goals-against average and .925 save percentage, while 20th overall pick Aiden Kelly earned Make Space OHL Rookie of the Week honours after collecting a goal and four assists in three games.
Generals strike three times in 55 seconds
The Oshawa Generals flipped the script in dramatic fashion against Barrie, scoring three times in just 55 seconds during the final two minutes of the third period to turn a late deficit into a 4-2 victory. Harrison Franseen, Leo Laschon and Linus Funck supplied the rapid-fire goals to complete the comeback.
Dec delivers six-point weekend for Erie
Michael Dec was tough to keep off the scoresheet against Kitchener, racking up six points in just two games. The Erie Otters forward finished the home-and-home with a goal and five assists, helping Erie earn a split against the Rangers.
Sting score 10 in the nation’s capital
The Sarnia Sting broke out offensively in a 10-3 win over the Ottawa 67’s, marking their first victory in the nation’s capital since Nov. 18, 2007. Sarnia erupted for six goals in the third period, while captain and recent Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Alessandro Di Iorio led the way with two goals and two assists. The four-point outing capped a six-point weekend for Di Iorio, who finished with two goals and four assists.
Greyhounds’ young trio leading the way
Soo Greyhounds forward Ryan Kaczynski’s hot start continued over the weekend, bringing him to seven points through four games. Kaczynski has found the back of the net in every game so far and currently leads the OHL in goals. Alongside Trevor Daley Jr. (2-4–6) and Noah Laus (5-2–7), the trio of 2009-born forwards has combined for 20 points to start the season, helping drive the Soo offence through its opening stretch.
Knights stay perfect and add another first-rounder
The London Knights have quietly taken care of business to start the season, improving to 3-0 while adding another major piece to their lineup. London completed the signing of 2026 CHL Import Draft selection Juho Piiparinen, who was selected 29th overall by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2026 NHL Draft. The Finnish defenceman joins Maksim Sokolovskii (27th), Marcus Nordmark (28th) and Jaxon Cover (32nd), giving London four 2026 NHL first-round picks on its roster.
Dynamic duos lead the OHL scoring race
It’s a two-team takeover at the top of the early OHL scoring race. Spirit forwards Dima Zhilkin and Braidy Wassilyn have each recorded eight points, while first-year Bulldogs teammates Jason Musa and Aiden Kelly have matched them with eight points apiece.
