Ontario Hockey League - Feed

Alumnus Jeff Twohey inducted into Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 22:15:20 +0000

Earlier this month, Peterborough Petes, Oshawa Generals and Kingston Frontenacs alumnus Jeff Twohey was officially inducted into the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame. Born in Lindsay, Ont., Twohey has called Peterborough home for more than 40 years. He joined the Petes organization in 1980 as a part-time scout before transitioning into a trainer/scout role in 1983. Over the years, he worked his way through numerous positions, including marketing, Assistant General Manager and ultimately General Manager. During his time with the Petes, Twohey also served as a part-time scout with the Dallas Stars from 1979 to 1999, helping the organization capture the Stanley Cup in 1999. In Peterborough, he was part of OHL Championship-winning teams in 1989 and 1993 as Assistant General Manager, and again in 1996 and 2006 as General Manager. The Petes also made four Memorial Cup appearances during his tenure. As General Manager, Twohey guided the Petes to more than 600 victories. During that time, 54 players were selected in the NHL Draft, including nine first-round picks. He also contributed to the league through service on numerous OHL committees, including Priority Selection, Competition, Officiating, CHL Import Draft, Protected List, NCAA Issues, All-Star Selection and the CHL Canada-Russia Series Selection Committee. He additionally served as an OHA representative evaluating Canada's U18 and U20 national team prospects. Twohey's contributions to the game have been widely recognized. He received the Bill Long Award for Distinguished Service in 2006 and the OHL Milestone Award for 25 years of distinguished service in 2008. That same year, he was inducted into the Lindsay and District Sports Hall of Fame. After departing the Petes in 2010, Twohey spent two seasons with the NHL's Arizona Coyotes before returning to the OHL as General Manager of the Oshawa Generals. From 2012 to 2018, he served as Assistant Director of Amateur Scouting for the Coyotes, scouting more than 250 live games. In 2020, Twohey joined the Kingston Frontenacs as a senior advisor before moving into a scouting role with the Florida Panthers in 2021. He added two more Stanley Cup championships to his resume as a member of the Panthers organization in 2024 and 2025.

Spirit sign forward Kyler Lauder

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 22:00:44 +0000

Saginaw, MI – Spirit GM Dave Drinkill has announced the signing of forward Kyler Lauder to a Scholarship and Development Agreement. The Spirit took Lauder (LAW-durr) with their first selection of day two at the OHL Priority Selection. Lauder led the Central Ontario Wolves U16 AAA team with 69 points (35-34–69) in 32 games and played as an alternate captain. He is a left-shot forward standing at 5’9.75”, 156lbs, and was named the OMHA East’s Player of the Year. In the playoffs, Lauder added 16 points (7-9–16) in eight games. “I was a little nervous because the first day of the draft didn’t go my way, but things ended up okay, and I got to go to a great organization,” said Lauder. “It’s been a great ride so far, and I’m grateful to my parents for getting me to this point.” Bate signed alongside fellow draft pick Drew Bate, and Drinkill was enthusiastic about adding both players to the organization. “To have them here in Saginaw for the start of development camp and get them integrated with our returning players is huge,” he said. “I didn't think we'd be able to land both of them in the draft, so I'm really excited to have them here today, signing with us. These are players we truly believe can develop into professionals and achieve their dream of playing in the NHL.”

Spirit sign 2026 first-round selection Drew Bate

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 21:42:44 +0000

Saginaw, MI – Spirit GM Dave Drinkill has announced the signing of forward Drew Bate to a Scholarship and Development Agreement. From Union, Ont., Bate joins the Spirit from the London Jr. Knights U16 AAA program. Bate led his Jr. Knights team in ALLIANCE scoring with an impressive 72 points (34-38–72) in 27 games. He is a right-shot center standing at 5’10.25, 163lbs. He led London in postseason scoring as well, with 7-14–21 in just eight ALLIANCE playoff games, and 7-6–13 in six games at the OHL Cup. With the Jr. Knights, Bate was a champion at both the U15 (2025) and U16 (2026) levels. He was named the 2026 ALLIANCE Player of the Year this spring. “It’s great being here with my parents, I’m really looking forward to some great games and a lot of success in Saginaw,” said Bate. “I’m a very competitive guy, I like winning, we had a great year [with the London Jr. Knights], but I know the work starts now.” Bate signed alongside fellow draft pick Kyler Lauder, and Drinkill was enthusiastic about adding both players to the organization. “To have them here in Saginaw for the start of development camp and get them integrated with our returning players is huge,” he said. “I didn't think we'd be able to land both of them in the draft, so I'm really excited to have them here today signing with us. These are players we truly believe can develop into professionals and achieve their dream of playing in the NHL.”

Steelheads sign forward Arjun Nanubhai

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 20:16:58 +0000

BRAMPTON, ON – The Brampton Steelheads announced the signing of their first second-round pick in this year’s 2026 OHL Priority Selection, Arjun Nanubhai, to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. Selected 28th overall, the 5-foot-10, 163-pound centreman is a product of the Mississauga Senators. The Oakville native starred with the Mississauga Senators U16 AAA program during the 2025-26 season, recording 22 goals and 25 assists for 47 points in 32 regular-season games. A dynamic centreman known for his explosive skating and offensive creativity, Nanubhai was regarded as one of the top prospects in the 2026 OHL Draft class. Nanubhai spoke after being drafted by the team. “It’s an honour to go to the Steelheads. I’m ready to get to work. It’s been a goal of mine since I was a kid and it’s special to celebrate this with my family.” Head Coach and General Manager James Richmond commented after drafting Nanubhai. “Arjun plays the game fast with skill. One of the quickest players in this draft class. He can score and he can find his teammates with great passes. He’s going to look really good in a Steelheads jersey. Welcome to Arjun and his family.”

2026 OHL Development Camps

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 18:21:36 +0000

The 2026 OHL Priority Selection may be in the books, but the next step in the journey is just beginning. OHL clubs are quickly shifting their focus to Development Camps, giving fans their first look at the league's newest prospects. Here's a roundup of camp information as it becomes available: Kingston Frontenacs: The Kingston Frontenacs will hold development camp at INVISTA Centre from Saturday, June 20, through Sunday, June 21. Both the skills portion and scrimmage will be free to attend. Camp Details | Development Camp Roster | Frontenacs 2026 Draft Recap Kitchener Rangers: The 2026 Memorial Cup champions will hold development camp at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium and Activa Sportsplex from Friday, June 19th, through Sunday, June 21st. All on-ice sessions are free and open to the public. Camp Details | Development Camp Roster | Rangers 2026 Draft Recap London Knights: The London Knights will hold development camp from Saturday, June 20, through Sunday, June 21. Development Camp Roster Oshawa Generals: The Oshawa Generals will hold development camp at the Tribute Communities Centre from Saturday, June 20, through Sunday, June 21. All scrimmages will take place on Rink Two and are free to attend. Rosters will be available upon entry. Generals 2026 Draft Recap Peterborough Petes: The Peterborough Petes will hold development camp at the Miskin Law Community Complex from Saturday, June 20, through Sunday, June 21. The camp will feature three on-ice sessions that are open to the public. Camp Details & Roster | Petes 2026 Draft Recap Saginaw Spirit: The Saginaw Spirit will hold development camp at the Bay County Civic Arena from Saturday, June 20, through Sunday, June 21. All on-ice sessions are free and open to the public. Camp Details | Development Camp Roster | Spirit 2026 Draft Recap Sarnia Sting: The Sarnia Sting will hold development camp at Clearwater Arena from Friday, June 19, through Saturday, June 20. All on-ice sessions are free and open to the public. Camp Details | Sting 2026 Draft Recap Sudbury Wolves: The Sudbury Wolves will hold development camp at McClelland Arena from Saturday, June 20, through Sunday, June 21. All on-ice sessions are free and open to the public. Camp Details | Wolves 2026 Draft Recap Windsor Spitfires: The Windsor Spitfires will hold development camp at WFCU Centre from Saturday, June 20, through Sunday, June 21. All on-ice sessions are free and open to the public. Camp Details | Development Camp Roster | Spitfires 2026 Draft Recap

Attack sign first-round defenceman Max Fransen

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 17:22:40 +0000

OWEN SOUND, ON – The Owen Sound Attack are pleased to announce that 2026 first-round OHL Priority Selection pick Max Fransen has signed an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with the Hockey Club.

Selected eighth overall in the first round of the 2026 OHL Priority Selection, the 6-foot, 190-pound defenceman joins the Attack following an outstanding season with the Upper Canada College Blues U16 program. Fransen recorded 27 goals and 53 assists for a total of 80 points in 60 games during the 2025-26 season and added seven points (2 goals, 5 assists) in six games at the 2026 OHL Cup. He was ranked ninth on the OHL's Consensus Ontario Top-100 rankings heading into the Priority Selection.

"We are thrilled to officially welcome Max and his family to the Owen Sound Attack organization," said Attack President and General Manager Tyler Nother. "Max’s intelligence, leadership, and competitiveness are exactly what we look for in an Attack player, and we believe he has the potential to become a cornerstone defenceman for our hockey club.”

Fransen served as captain of the Upper Canada College Blues and established himself as one of the premier defencemen in his age group through his ability to drive play, contribute offensively, and excel in all situations.

"I am very excited to officially join the Owen Sound Attack. Being drafted by the organization was a special moment for me and my family and signing today is another important step in my hockey journey" said Fransen. "Owen Sound is a program that has done a very good job developing great players on and off the ice and I'm hoping to be one of those guys. The City of Owen Sound is an unreal place and I'm looking forward to getting to work with my teammates, learning from the coaches and staff, and contributing in any way I can."

Attack Head Coach Keenan Reynolds believes Fransen's skill set and character will make an immediate impact within the organization.

“Max is not only a talented hockey player and proven winner, but a high-character young man that we expect to be a leader and driver of the Attack’s culture for the foreseeable future” said Reynolds. “He possesses an elite hockey-IQ and an innate competitive drive that he uses to control games from the backend, and is most comfortable with the puck on his stick making plays to help his team win games.”

Fransen is the first member of the Attack's 2026 Priority Selection class to commit to the organization and will attend the club's upcoming development and training camps in preparation for the 2026-27 Ontario Hockey League season and will wear the number 43.

Fans are reminded that season tickets are on sale now through July 31^st for the 2026-27 season. Tickets can be purchased online at tickets.attackhockey.com, in person at the MacVicar & McComb Sutton Realty Attack Box Office or over the phone at 519-371-7452.

Storm acquire NHL Draft prospect Ryan Roobroeck from IceDogs

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 17:00:49 +0000

The Guelph Storm have acquired forward Ryan Roobroeck from the Niagara IceDogs in exchange for forwards Wil McFadden and Layne Gallacher, along with a fifth-round pick in 2027, a third-round pick in 2029 and a fourth-round pick in 2030. One of the premier players available during the OHL trade window, Roobroeck heads to Guelph after three standout seasons in Niagara. The London, Ont. native was originally selected second overall by the IceDogs in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection and quickly established himself as one of the league's top young forwards. Roobroeck recorded 196 points (99 goals, 97 assists) in 176 career regular season games with Niagara, averaging better than a point per game in each of his three OHL seasons. His 99 career goals are the most among all 2007-born players over the past three years. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound forward is widely projected as a top prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft. Internationally, he represented Canada at both the 2023 World U17 Hockey Challenge and the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship, helping Canada capture gold while recording nine points (4-5-9) in seven tournament games. The move is the latest significant addition for a Guelph club building toward its role as host of the 2027 Memorial Cup. Roobroeck joins a growing list of offseason acquisitions that includes Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Owen Griffin, former Niagara IceDogs forward Ethan Czata, and Czech defenceman Vladimir Dravecky. Together, the additions provide the Storm with a considerable injection of experience, skill, and NHL-calibre talent as they prepare for a season that will see the organization pursue both an OHL championship and a Memorial Cup on home ice. "Ryan is amongst the elite players in his age group," said Storm General Manager George Burnett. "His combination of size, skill, power, and scoring ability fills a very important role for our club and makes him a great fit for our program." The acquisition provides a major boost to a Guelph club preparing to host the 2027 Memorial Cup. Roobroeck joins a talented young core that already includes several players eligible for the upcoming NHL Draft. Heading to Niagara are forwards Wil McFadden and Layne Gallacher, along with three OHL Priority Selection picks. McFadden, 19, is coming off a career-best season that saw him record 41 points with the Storm. Gallacher split last season between Brantford and Guelph, finishing with 30 points during his rookie OHL campaign. "Wil is an offensive threat at even strength and on the power play," said IceDogs General Manager Dale DeGray. "He's a proven leader and someone we expect to be a go-to player for our hockey club this season." DeGray also praised Gallacher's development. "Layne had a very solid rookie season. He's a fast, hard-working, engaged player who checks a lot of boxes and plays a reliable 200-foot game." The move represents one of the most significant transactions completed during the OHL trade window, with both clubs addressing key organizational priorities heading into the 2026-27 season. With the OHL trade window reopening on June 15, clubs once again have the opportunity to make roster moves ahead of the summer. The trade window remains open until June 26 at 3:00 p.m. All confirmed trades can be found on our OHL Trade Window Tracker.

Knights sign free-agent forward Thomas Zocco

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 16:19:06 +0000

The London Knights have signed forward Thomas Zocco to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement.

Bringing a combination of experience, skill and offensive production, Zocco joins a strong London forward group as the Knights look to build their way back to another deep playoff run.

Zocco played a key role in the Sioux Falls Stampede's Clark Cup championship run this past season, leading the team in scoring with 70 points (22-48–70) across 60 games. He finished fourth in points during both the USHL regular season and playoffs.

He spent the 2024-25 season with the Coquitlam Express of the BCHL, where he led the club in scoring with 53 points (19-34–53) in 49 games.

Battalion acquire forward Maximus Crete from Knights

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 20:09:31 +0000

The North Bay Battalion have acquired 2008-born forward Maximus Crete from the London Knights in exchange for an eighth-round pick in the 2028 OHL Priority Selection.

The deal sees North Bay add a third-year forward with OHL experience and offensive upside, while London acquires future draft capital as they continue to shape their roster for the future.

Crete appeared in 54 games for the Knights during the 2025-26 season, recording five goals and eight assists for 13 points. The Ottawa, Ontario native joined London prior to the season after spending his rookie campaign with the Niagara IceDogs.

Originally selected by Niagara in the second round of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection, Crete recorded 11 goals and 8 assists for 19 points in 68 games during his first OHL season in 2024-25. His combination of speed, skill, and offensive instincts made him an intriguing young prospect before being acquired by the Knights in June 2025.

Still just 18 years old, Crete has already appeared in more than 130 OHL regular season games and brings valuable experience to the Battalion's forward group.

All confirmed trades can be found on our OHL Trade Window Tracker.

Otters sign free-agent forward Anton Gesink

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 18:36:44 +0000

Erie, Pennsylvania -- The offseason is in full swing and the Otters have made another move to add depth to their forward group. General Manager Dave Brown and Director of Hockey Operations Scott Grieve announced today the Otters have signed forward Anton Gesink to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. Gesink comes to Erie following an unbelievable season at Ridley College where he collected 60 points (24G+36A) in 57 games. The 6'2 native of Wilmette, IL is a right-shot forward who comes to Erie as a proven goal scorer at the prep hockey level and looks to add size and scoring to the Otters' lineup. During his time with the Chicago Reapers U14AAA Program, Gesink was teammates with current Otter Tyler Cooper, bringing a bit of familiarity to the Flagship City. Otters Director of Hockey Operations Scott Grieve spoke about the addition of Gesink and what he brings to the Otters organization. "We are very excited to be welcoming Anton to our organization," Grieve said. "We have followed Anton throughout the year and believe his development curve over the last 12 months has been steep. He possesses a blend of size, skill and pace. We look forward to working with Anton to further his development both on and off the ice." The Erie Otters are thrilled to welcome Anton Gesink to the Flagship City and look forward to seeing what the forward can bring to the club in the fall.

About the Erie Otters:

The Erie Otters are an Ontario Hockey League (OHL) team based in Erie, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1996, the Otters have a rich history of excellence both on and off the ice. The team is committed to creating memorable experiences for its fans and contributing to the growth and well-being of the Erie community.

For further information on the Erie Otters and for media inquiries, please contact Trevor Kubeja at trevorkubeja@ottershockey.com.

Stay Informed:

Keep up-to-date with the latest Erie Otters news by visiting OttersHockey.com, or follow along on social media with the Otters Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

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