Ontario Hockey League - Feed https://chl.ca/ohl Official Website of the OHL Mon, 13 Jul 2026 21:02:12 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://media.chl.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/07/03123951/SiteIcon-150x150.png Adam Boqvist – Ontario Hockey League https://chl.ca/ohl 32 32 Five present and future OHL players invited to U.S. Hlinka Gretzky Cup Selection Camp https://chl.ca/ohl/article/five-present-and-future-ohl-players-invited-to-u-s-hlinka-gretzky-cup-selection-camp Mon, 13 Jul 2026 20:00:20 +0000 https://chl.ca/ohl/article/five-present-and-future-ohl-players-invited-to-u-s-hlinka-gretzky-cup-selection-camp 2026 OHL In The System: New Jersey Devils https://chl.ca/ohl/article/2026-ohl-in-the-system-new-jersey-devils Mon, 13 Jul 2026 16:45:13 +0000 https://chl.ca/ohl/article/2026-ohl-in-the-system-new-jersey-devils This 32-part series will spotlight OHL players who are either signed to an NHL or AHL contract or are recently drafted, and are 25 years old or younger with 50 or fewer NHL games played.  Join us for OHL in the System! Today, let’s dive into the New Jersey Devils’ rising stars with OHL roots.   Quinn McKenzie (C) – Soo Greyhounds (2025-26) Selected: 7th Round, 222nd Overall (2026) OHL Career Stats: 65 GP, 21G, 30A, 51 PTS, +12 Age: 18 Selected in the seventh round of the 2026 NHL Draft, Quinn McKenzie emerged as the Soo Greyhounds' third-leading scorer after joining the club as a free agent in September 2025. The Cranberry Township, Pa., native recorded 51 points (21-30–51) in 65 regular-season games.   Trenten Bennett (G) – Owen Sound Attack (2024-26) Selected: 4th Round, 99th Overall (2025) OHL Career Stats: 33 GP, 3.69 GAA, .901 SV%, 10-14-1-1 Age: 20 6-foot-8, 207-pound goaltender Trenten Bennett spent parts of the past two seasons with the Owen Sound Attack, appearing in 33 regular-season games. During the 2025-26 campaign, the 2006-born netminder posted a 9-15-1 record with a 3.93 goals-against average and a .896 save percentage in 27 games before being acquired by the Flint Firebirds in June.   Cole Brown (LW) – Hamilton/Brantford Bulldogs (2021-25) Selected: 6th Round, 164th Overall (2023) OHL Career Stats: 241 GP, 75G, 97A, 172 PTS, -10 Age: 20 After finishing his OHL career with a career-best 33 goals and 70 points in 67 games for the Brantford Bulldogs, Cole Brown moved on to the University of Notre Dame, where he recorded 21 points (6-15–21) and 94 penalty minutes in 35 regular-season games as a freshman.   Amadeus Lombardi (C/LW) – Flint Firebirds (2020-23) Signed: Jul. 3, 2026  OHL Career Stats: 134 GP, 63G, 98A, 161 PTS, +32 Age: 23 Recently acquired from the Detroit Red Wings, Amadeus Lombardi spent the past three seasons with the Grand Rapids Griffins, recording a career-high 42 points (16-26–42) in 47 regular-season games in 2025-26. He is expected to make his Utica Comets debut this fall.   Tomorrow on OHL In The System: We'll take a look at the OHL talent inside the L.A, Kings organization.]]> Spitfires sign defenceman Sam Wathier https://chl.ca/ohl/article/spitfires-sign-defenceman-sam-wathier Mon, 13 Jul 2026 16:31:43 +0000 https://chl.ca/ohl/article/spitfires-sign-defenceman-sam-wathier WINDSOR, ON - The Windsor Spitfires are proud to announce the signing of defenceman Sam Wathier (Wat-te-eh) to the Red, White and Navy! The Spitfires selected Wathier with the 96th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. A dual Canadian-American citizen from Casselman, Ontario, and Des Moines, Iowa, Wathier stands 6’4” and weighs 207 pounds. Wathier played his minor hockey in Canada with the Eastern Ontario Wild of Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO). During his 2023–24 draft season, he recorded 3 goals and 11 assists for 14 points in 30 games. Following his selection by Windsor, Wathier joined the United States National Team Development Program (NTDP). He appeared in 90 games across both the NTDP and the USHL’s NTDP Juniors program, recording 13 assists. Internationally, Wathier represented Team USA at the 2024-25 U17 World Hockey Challenge, appearing in five games. In 2025-26, Wathier continued his development with the NTDP, playing for both the U17 and U18 teams, as well as the USHL’s NTDP Juniors squad. He played 42 games and recorded 3 points before his season was cut short by injury. “It feels great to be a Spitfire” Wathier said. “It is an honour to represent this historic franchise, and I am excited for the opportunity. I can’t wait to play in front of the amazing fans!” Bill Bowler spoke on Wathier putting pen to paper. “Sam is a big body that covers a lot of ice” GM Bill Bowler said. “He defends with a purpose and has untapped offensive upside. We welcome Sam and his family to Windsor.”    ]]> Bulldogs hire Luke Joseph as video coach https://chl.ca/ohl/article/bulldogs-hire-luke-joseph-as-video-coach Mon, 13 Jul 2026 15:30:24 +0000 https://chl.ca/ohl/article/bulldogs-hire-luke-joseph-as-video-coach BRANTFORD, ONTARIO - The Brantford Bulldogs have announced the hiring of Luke Joseph as the club's video coach ahead of the 2026-27 OHL season. Joseph joins the Bulldogs for his first role at the major junior level after playing his minor hockey with the York-Simcoe Express program before junior stops with the OJHL's Aurora Tigers and Newmarket Hurricanes. The Keswick, Ont. native also spent time with the PJHL's Napanee Raiders, helping the club capture the Clarence Schmalz Cup before moving to The Hill Academy, where he was named the CSSHL's Top Defenceman. Joseph joins a Bulldogs coaching staff led by head coach Michael Babcock. "Luke has earned this opportunity through his relentless work ethic, passion for the game, and commitment to continuous improvement," said Bulldogs President of Hockey Operations Spencer Hyman. "He has a tremendous eye for detail and understands how impactful video can be in today's game, both from a development and preparation standpoint." Joseph is the son of former NHL goaltender Curtis Joseph, who appeared in 943 regular season games over a 19-year NHL career.]]> Knights sign goaltender Brian Cooke https://chl.ca/ohl/article/knights-sign-goaltender-brian-cooke Mon, 13 Jul 2026 15:27:12 +0000 https://chl.ca/ohl/article/knights-sign-goaltender-brian-cooke LONDON, ON - The London Knights have announced the signing of Goaltender Brian Cooke to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. Cooke was selected by the Knights in the third round, 61st overall, of the 2026 OHL Priority Selection. The 6-foot-2 goaltender spent last season with the Minot Minotauros and joins the Knights organization after continuing his development in the crease during the 2025-26 season. A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Cooke brings size and depth to the Knights’ goaltending group as he takes the next step in his development. Cooke becomes the latest member of London’s 2026 draft class to sign with the club, joining the organization ahead of the upcoming season.]]> Four OHL players named to Slovakia’s National Junior Team summer camp roster https://chl.ca/ohl/article/four-ohl-players-named-to-slovakias-national-junior-team-summer-camp-roster Mon, 13 Jul 2026 12:45:19 +0000 https://chl.ca/ohl/article/four-ohl-players-named-to-slovakias-national-junior-team-summer-camp-roster Sting sign NHL-Drafted goaltender Ivan Tkach-Tkachenko https://chl.ca/ohl/article/sting-sign-nhl-drafted-goaltender-ivan-tkach-tkachenko Mon, 13 Jul 2026 01:00:50 +0000 https://chl.ca/ohl/article/sting-sign-nhl-drafted-goaltender-ivan-tkach-tkachenko Steeleads sign goaltender Oskari Ahmajarvi https://chl.ca/ohl/article/steeleads-sign-goaltender-oskari-ahmajarvi Sun, 12 Jul 2026 18:15:17 +0000 https://chl.ca/ohl/article/steeleads-sign-goaltender-oskari-ahmajarvi BRAMPTON, ON – The Brampton Steelheads announced the signing of their 7th overall pick in this year’s 2026 CHL Import Draft, goaltender Oskari Ahmajarvi, to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. Ahmajarvi, a native of Nurmijärvi, Finland, became the first goaltender selected by the Brampton Steelheads in the 2026 CHL Import Draft when the club chose him 7th overall in the first round. The 6-foot, 181-pound netminder was the first goaltender taken in the draft after an impressive season with Keikko-Espoo in the U20 SM-Sarja league, where he posted a 2.34 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage in 29 appearances. Ahmajärvi has also represented Finland on the international stage on multiple occasions at the U16, U17 and U18 levels. Director of Goaltending, David Shantz, had this to say about Oskari, “Oskari is a highly competitive, athletic goaltender with a strong track record of results. His Finnish U20 SM-Sarja championship in Keikko-Espoo last season, coupled with his international body of work provides a solid foundation for him to transition and earn success at the OHL level. Oskari will provide our team with a strong presence heading into next season as we seek to take a meaningful step forward as a group.”
]]> 2026 OHL In The System: San Jose Sharks https://chl.ca/ohl/article/2026-ohl-in-the-system-san-jose-sharks Sun, 12 Jul 2026 16:30:18 +0000 https://chl.ca/ohl/article/2026-ohl-in-the-system-san-jose-sharks This 32-part series will spotlight OHL players who are either signed to an NHL or AHL contract or are recently drafted, and are 25 years old or younger with 50 or fewer NHL games played.  Join us for OHL in the System! Today, we take a look at the San Jose Sharks' OHL prospect pool.   Brady Knowling (G) – Saginaw Spirit (2026-27) Selected: 4th Round, 127th Overall (2026) 2025-26 Stats (U.S. National U18 Team): 33 GP, 3.56 GAA, .880 SV%, 15-12-0 Age: 18 Saginaw Spirit recruit Brady Knowling was selected by the San Jose Sharks in the fourth round of the 2026 NHL Draft. Ranked as NHL Central Scouting's top North American goaltender, the 6-foot-5 netminder spent the past two seasons with the U.S. National Team Development Program. The Toronto-born dual citizen was selected by Saginaw in the third round of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection.   Alexander Karmanov (D) – North Bay Battalion (2025-26) Selected: 7th Round, 201st Overall (2026) OHL Career Stats: 20 GP, 0G, 2A, 2 PTS, +6 Age: 18 Selected in the seventh round by San Jose, Alexander Karmanov joined the North Bay Battalion midway through the season after signing in late November. The 7-foot-1, 280-pound defenceman from Moldova recorded two assists and 29 penalty minutes in 20 regular-season games.   Michael Misa (C) – Saginaw Spirit (2022-25) Selected: 1st Round, 2nd Overall (2025) Signed: Sept. 10, 2025  OHL Career Stats: 177 GP, 113G, 152A, 265 PTS., +55 Age: 19 The OHL’s Most Outstanding Player in 2024-25, Michael Misa, spent the majority of last season with the Sharks, recording 21 points (9-12–21) in 45 regular-season games. Internationally, the former CHL Player of the Year represented Team Canada at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, helping the team win bronze.   Haoxi Wang (D) – Oshawa Generals (2024-26), Niagara IceDogs (2025-26) Selected: 2nd Round, 33rd Overall (2025) OHL Career Stats: 89 GP, 6G, 22A, 28 PTS., -36 Age: 19 Haoxi Wang appeared in 57 games this past season between the Oshawa Generals and Niagara IceDogs, recording 26 points (6-20–26) from the blueline. He was also selected in the second round (33rd overall) by the San Jose Sharks in last summer’s NHL Draft, becoming the highest-drafted Chinese-born player in NHL history. He is set to join Boston University in the NCAA next season.   Igor Chernyshov (LW) – Saginaw Spirit (2024-25) Selected: 2nd Round, 33rd Overall (2024) Signed: Aug. 1, 2024  OHL Career Stats: 23 GP, 19G, 36A, 55 PTS., +10 Age: 20 Splitting his rookie professional season between the Barracuda and Sharks, Igor Chernyshov recorded 33 points (13-20–33) and a plus-36 in 41 AHL games before earning his first NHL recall in January. He went on to register 19 points (9-10–19) in 28 games with San Jose.   Christian Kirsch (G) – Kitchener Rangers (2025-26) Selected: 4th Round, 116th Overall (2024) OHL Career Stats: 41 GP, 2.42 GAA, .899 SV%, 27-10-2-1 Age: 20 Christian Kirsch enjoyed a standout first season in the OHL, helping backstop Kitchener to both OHL and Memorial Cup championships. In the Memorial Cup, he posted a tournament-leading 1.50 goals-against average and a .952 save percentage, earning him the CHL Memorial Cup Most Outstanding Goaltender and a spot on the CHL Memorial Cup All-Star Team. The 6-foot-4 netminder also represented Switzerland at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship and is committed to Quinnipiac University for the 2026-27 season.   Quentin Musty (LW) – Sudbury Wolves (2021-25) Selected: 1st Round, 26th Overall (2023) Signed: ​Oct. 4, 2023  OHL Career Stats: 189 GP, 111G, 159A, 270 PTS, +15 Age: 21 In his first full season with the San Jose Barracuda, Quentin Musty recorded an impressive 45 points (21-24–45) in 61 regular-season games, leading all team rookies. Musty will look to crack the Sharks’ lineup in the fall.   Ethan Cardwell (C) – Saginaw Spirit (2018-20), Barrie Colts (2020-23) Selected: 4th Round, 121st Overall (2021) Signed: Jun. 25, 2026  OHL Career Stats: 189 GP, 94G, 106A, 200 PTS., +38 Age: 23 Ethan Cardwell spent most of the season with the Barracuda, recording 15 points (7-8–15) in 24 games during his third year with the club. He also appeared in seven games with the Sharks after earning his first recall of the season on Nov. 2, scoring his first NHL goal a few days later.   Brendan Hoffmann (C/RW) – Erie Otters (2018-22) Signed: May. 27, 2026   OHL Career Stats: 189 GP, 94G, 106A, 200 PTS., +38 Age: 24 Brendan Hoffmann joined the San Jose Barracuda on a professional tryout on Feb. 13 before earning a contract after recording 12 points (5-7–12) in 23 games, including a three-game goal streak from March 15-21. It marked the first AHL stint of his four-year professional career. An ECHL Midseason All-Star and All-ECHL Second Team selection with the Idaho Steelheads in 2025-26, the 6-foot-4 forward finished tied for third in the league with 32 goals.   Tomorrow on OHL In The System: We'll take a look at the OHL talent inside the New Jersey Devils organization.]]> Frontenacs sign defenceman Gavin Godick https://chl.ca/ohl/article/frontenacs-sign-defenceman-gavin-godick Sun, 12 Jul 2026 12:30:34 +0000 https://chl.ca/ohl/article/frontenacs-sign-defenceman-gavin-godick Kingston, ON - The Kingston Frontenacs and General Manager Kory Cooper are happy to announce that defenceman Gavin Godick has signed his OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with the club. Godick was selected by the Frontenacs with the 47th overall pick in the third round of the 2026 OHL Priority Selection. Godick comes from the Don Mills Flyers U16 AAA program where he notched 2 goals and 11 assists for 13 points in 28 games. The 6-foot, 182 lbs. right-shot defenceman from Thunder Bay, ON starred in five OHL Cup games for Don Mills collecting 2 goals and 2 assists. 
"Gavin is a right defenceman that has a really good feel with the puck," said Frontenacs General Manager Kory Cooper. "He is very shifty and moves well laterally in the offensive zone and can open up a lot of shooting and passing lanes. On the defensive side of the puck, he defends hard and is tough to beat in one-on-one situations, with his mobility. We're happy to welcome Gavin and his family to the hockey club, and continue his development”.
Godick joins three other members of the Frontenacs' 2026 draft class in signing their OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement; joining first round pick Logan Prud'homme and second rounder choices Roman Vanacker and Shane Roche. Gavin will wear number 72 when he puts the Frontenacs jersey on this fall.
"I'm incredibly excited and grateful to officially sign with the Kingston Frontenacs," said Godick. "It's an amazing organization with a great reputation, and I'm thankful for the opportunity. I can't wait to get started and do whatever I can to help the team succeed." 
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