Ontario Hockey League - Feed

Former Battalion GM John Winstanley named President of Hockey Operations in Barrie

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 13:00:22 +0000

The Barrie Colts have named former North Bay Battalion General Manager John Winstanley as the club's new President of Hockey Operations.

Winstanley arrives in Barrie following six seasons with the Battalion organization, where he joined as Assistant General Manager in 2020 before being promoted to General Manager ahead of the 2024-25 season. He also served as the club's Director of Player Development, helping oversee one of the OHL's most consistent organizations alongside Director of Hockey Operations Adam Dennis.

Prior to his time in North Bay, Winstanley spent a decade with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens program in the GTHL, serving as General Manager from 2013 to 2023 while also coaching at multiple age levels. Under his leadership, the Jr. Canadiens captured numerous league and provincial championships, including an OHL Cup title in 2018, establishing the organization as one of Ontario's premier development programs.

Before moving into management, Winstanley played two seasons in the OHL with the Sudbury Wolves from 2001 to 2003 after beginning his junior career with the Brampton Capitals. He recorded 37 points in 62 games with Sudbury before transitioning into coaching and hockey operations.

"I'm incredibly excited and honoured to join this organization," said Winstanley. "This is a tremendous opportunity to be part of a franchise with a proud history, passionate supporters, and a commitment to developing young athletes both on and off the ice. From my conversations with ownership and the leadership group, it was clear that we share the same vision for what this organization can become."

"Our goal is to build a championship-calibre program through strong leadership, elite player development, thorough scouting, and a culture that demands accountability, professionalism, and excellence every day."

Winstanley added that his philosophy centres around developing both players and people.

"I've always believed that successful organizations are built on people. Talent is essential, but culture, character, accountability, and relationships are what create sustained success. My commitment is to build an environment where our players are challenged every day to become the best hockey players and the best young adults they can be."

The appointment marks a return to a larger leadership role in the OHL for Winstanley, who helped guide North Bay to consecutive Eastern Conference championships as Assistant General Manager before taking over as the Battalion's General Manager for the past two seasons. He now joins a Barrie organization looking to build on its recent success after reaching the 2026 OHL Championship Series.

Wolves sign first round pick Kash Kwajah

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 01:39:41 +0000

(SUDBURY, ON) – The Sudbury Wolves officially welcomed forward Kash Kwajah to the organization on Friday afternoon during a special event at Dynamic Earth.

"We are really excited to sign Kash," said Sudbury Wolves General Manager Rob Papineau. "He is an outstanding hockey player and an even better person from an outstanding family. Kash makes the players around him better. He has a very high hockey IQ and vision, and he sees things in the game that many players just don't. We know our fans are going to love him, and we are excited to officially welcome Kash to the Sudbury Wolves."

Head Coach Scott Barney believes Kwajah's skill set will make an immediate impact. "Kash is a player that has exceptional vision and IQ of the game. He makes players around him better, and our staff is really excited to coach him."

Kwajah expressed his excitement about joining the organization and representing the City of Sudbury. "I am extremely excited to sign with the Sudbury Wolves and begin this next part of my hockey career. Seeing how much support the players and fans have shown is making me even more eager for the season ahead. I am thankful for this great chance that I have received, and I am ready to represent the city of Sudbury with honour. I promise not only to myself, but to the Sudbury community, to work hard and develop myself not only as a player, but as a young man every single day. I believe that by doing this, I'll put myself in the best position to achieve not only my goals, but especially to contribute to the team's success. I can't wait to get going this upcoming season and officially meet you guys as a Sudbury Wolf. Go Wolves Go!"

Futures Watch: Erie Otters 2026 Draft Class and New Faces

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 20:05:13 +0000

As the 2026-27 OHL season approaches, the Erie Otters are preparing to build on last year's campaign. We spoke with members of the organization about the club's 2026 draft class and the new faces fans should keep an eye on heading into the upcoming season 2026 Draft Class Revisit Player Spotlights: Colin Kennedy Profile: 5’9”, 174lbs, left-shot forward Hometown: Sault Ste. Marie, ON Birthdate: March 11, 2010 Drafted: 1st Round, 2nd Overall (2026 OHL Priority Selection) 2025-26 Stats (Det. Little Caesars U15): 20 GP, 24G, 12A, 36 PTS Selected second overall in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection, Colin Kennedy produced 36 points (24-12–36) in 20 games with the Detroit Little Caesars U15 AAA program during the 2025-26 season. The Sault Ste. Marie native added seven points (5-2–7) in five games at the 2026 OHL Cup and was recently named to Canada's National Under-17 Development Camp.

“Adding a player of Colin Kennedy’s calibre to our organization is extremely exciting. Colin’s combination of speed, offensive ability, relentlessness, and commitment to a 200-foot game will be a welcome addition to our lineup. He fits the identity of our organization, and we believe he will be an exciting player to watch this upcoming season and for years to come”

Tanner Gibson Profile: 6’1”, 154lbs, goaltender Hometown: Oshawa, ON Birthdate: June 15, 2010 Drafted: 3rd Round, 50th Overall (2026 OHL Priority Selection) 2025-26 Stats (Ajax-Pickering U16 AAA): 15 GP, 2.22 GAA, 1 SO, 7-4-0 The only goaltender selected by the Otters in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection, Tanner Gibson appeared in 15 games with the Ajax-Pickering Raiders U16 AAA during the 2025-26 season, posting a 2.22 goals-against average and one shutout. He also started three games at the 2026 OHL Cup, recording a 2.29 GAA and .923 save percentage, and was recently named to Canada's National Under-17 Development Camp. “Throughout the season, we were impressed with Tanner Gibson’s consistency and ability to always give his team a chance to win. He continued to improve as the season progressed, and this development curve is exciting to us. Tanner's energy and attitude off the ice are infectious, and we believe that Tanner is a massive addition to our depth at the goaltending position.” Zack Forwell Profile: 5’6”, 163lbs, left-shot forward Hometown: Elmira, ON Birthdate: March 23, 2009 Drafted: 1st Round, 2nd Overall (2026 OHL U18 Selection) 2025-26 Stats (Waterloo Wolves U18 AAA): 33 GP, 27G, 38A, 65 PTS Selected second overall in the 2026 OHL Under-18 Priority Selection, Zack Forwell recorded 65 points (27-38–65) in 33 games with the Waterloo Wolves U18 AAA during the 2025-26 season. He added six points (2-4–6) in five games at the TELUS Cup before making his junior debut with the Elmira Sugar Kings, where he scored his first GOHL goal. He has since signed with the Fort Erie Meteors. “Zack Forwell was extremely productive this past season. Not only was he relied on offensively, but he brought a ton of energy to his team and was a clear leader of a group that made it to the Telus Cup. He brings a very high compete level every shift.” Paul Schuster Profile: 5’10”, 176lbs, right-shot forward Hometown: Wien, AUT Birthdate: Jul 26, 2009 Drafted: 1st Round, 19th Overall (2026 CHL Import Selection) 2025-26 Stats (EC RD 20 EB): 16 GP, 9G, 12A, 21 PTS Paul Schuster became the first Austrian-born player selected by the Erie Otters in the CHL Import Draft. Last season, he split time between EC Salzburg U20 and the RB Hockey Juniors of the Alps Hockey League, recording 34 points (14-20–34) in 42 games. Schuster has also represented Austria internationally, appearing in 18 games between the U18 and U20 national teams while serving as an alternate captain with the U18 squad. “Paul is highly skilled and loves to shoot the puck. He has the ability to be an offensive threat with his quickness and desire to attack open ice. He has pro and international experience at 16 years old, and we believe this will help his transition to the OHL.” Luka Arkko Profile: 6’3”, 212lbs, left-shot forward Hometown: Lahti, FIN Birthdate: Jan 14, 2008 Drafted: 2nd Round, 65th Overall (2026 CHL Import Selection) 2025-26 Stats (Pelicans U20): 42 GP, 11G, 14A, 25 PTS Luka Arkko arrives in Erie with experience at both the professional and junior levels in Finland after being selected by the Detroit Red Wings in the sixth round (175th overall) of the 2026 NHL Draft. The Lahti native split last season between Pelicans U18 and U20, recording 33 points (17-16–33) in 46 combined games. He also represented Finland's U18 National Team, producing 11 points (6-5–11) in 14 games. “Luka Arkko is a player we targeted early on in the process. His size, willingness to go to hard areas, and relentlessness around the puck add another element to our forward group.” Other members of the 2026 class include:

PLAYER	POSITION	HOMETOWN	DOB	2025-26 TEAM	DRAFTED
Jake Prunty	RD	Jefferson, NJ	Mar 4, 2009	Sioux Falls Stampede	2nd round, 22nd overall
Christian Del Buono	C	Richmond Hill, ON	Mar 10, 2010	Upper Canada College Blues U16	4th round, 63rd overall
Joshua D'Addario	C	Vaughan, ON	Jan 7, 2010	Mississauga Reps U16 AAA	5th round, 90th overall
Colton Cribari	RD	Markham, ON	Apr 4, 2010	Markham Majors U16 AAA	6th round, 103rd overall
Milan Kutsevich	C	Naperville, IL	Feb 2, 2010	North Jersey Avalanche 15's	8th round, 143rd overall
Thomas Visser	LW	Greely, ON	Oct 16, 2010	Upper Canada Cyclones U16 AAA	9th round, 163rd overall
Gianni Livolsi	RW	Woodbridge, ON	Jul 4, 2010	Toronto Marlboros U16 AAA	10th round, 186th overall
Maksym McCabe	LW	Wilmington, NC	Sept 17, 2010	Windy City Storm 15s	11th round, 261st overall
Cole Sipotz	LD	Saline, MI	Feb 5, 2010	Detroit Little Caesars 15's	13th round, 23rd overall
Gavin Springer	C	Buffalo, NY	Feb 18, 2010	Buffalo Jr. Sabres 15's	14th round, 263rd overall
Cash Harper	RD	Bowmanville, ON	Feb 22, 2010	Peterborough Petes U16 AAA	15th round, 283th overall
Liam Karbowski	G	Brampton, ON	Nov 2, 2009	Toronto Nationals U18 AAA	2nd round, 22nd overall (U18)
Ethan Levkov	LW	Vaughan, ON	Mar 16, 2009	Mississauga Senators U18 AAA	3rd round, 41st overall (U18)

2026 New Faces *Note: Player additions are current as of publication. Team signings remain ongoing, and the OHL offseason trade window reopens on Tuesday, August 4 at 9:00 a.m. ET. Player Spotlights: Broden McArthur Profile: 6’0”, 185lbs, right-shot defenceman Hometown: San Antonio, TX Birthdate: Feb 24, 2009 Drafted: 5th Round, 99th Overall (2025 OHL Priority Selection) 2025-26 Stats (U.S. National U17 Team): 55 GP, 3G, 10A, 13 PTS Drafted in the fifth round (99th overall) of the 2025 OHL Priority Selection, Broden McArthur spent last season with USA Hockey's National Team Development Program. He recorded 13 points (3-10–13) in 55 games with the U17 squad while adding nine points (2-7–9) in 37 USHL contests. The 6-foot defenceman is committed to the University of Minnesota for the 2028-29 season. “When we got word that Broden chose to continue his development in Erie, we were over the moon. We were very impressed by Broden in his OHL draft year, and he is clearly one of the premier defencemen in America for his age group. Broden's two-way game and skating ability will fit in well with our defence group next season.” David Egorov Profile: 6’2”, 195lbs, goaltender Hometown: Ottawa, ON Birthdate: May 18, 2006 Acquired: Jun 2, 2026 2025-26 Stats (Brantford Bulldogs): 29 GP, 2.49 GAA, .920 SV%, 4 SO, 21-4-3-0 Acquired in an early offseason trade, David Egorov arrives in Erie after four successful seasons in Brantford. Originally selected in the fourth round (64th overall) of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, the Ottawa native established himself as one of the league's top goaltenders, compiling a 44-16-7 record with a 3.04 goals-against average and .901 save percentage over 77 career games. Off the ice, he was named a finalist for the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy in recognition of his work advocating for mental health alongside the Canadian Mental Health Association Brant-Haldimand-Norfolk. “David is not only a well-established goaltender in our league who will bring us stability, but he is also a fantastic person, highlighted by being a finalist for the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy. Otter fans should be excited to see David both in the crease at the EIA and in the community.” Liam Beamish Profile: 5’11”, 190lbs, left-shot forward Hometown: Beamsville, ON Birthdate: Jan 4, 2007 Acquired: Jun 2, 2026 2025-26 Stats (Sarnia Sting): 66 GP, 11G, 22A, 33 PTS Liam Beamish recorded 33 points (11-22–33) in 66 games with the Sarnia Sting during the 2025-26 season, his second in the OHL. Originally selected in the eighth round (151st overall) of the 2023 OHL Priority Selection, Beamish developed with the Fort Erie Meteors of the GOHL, earning Golden Horseshoe Conference Rookie of the Year honours before making the jump to major junior. “Liam is a player whom we have coveted for some time. He is great in the faceoff circle, has a strong 2-way game, and we believe there is another level of offence to his game. As we look to strengthen our forward group for next season, we feel Liam will fit in well on both sides of the ice.” Additional new faces include:

PLAYER	POSITION	HOMETOWN	DOB	2025-26 TEAM	DRAFTED/ACQUIRED
AJ Gladman	RD	Thornhill, ON	Jan 19, 2009	St. Michael's Buzzers	4th Round (2025)
Lyndon Cabral	RW	Hanover, ON	Aug 15, 2009	Listowel Cyclones	4th Round (2025)
Anton Gesink	C	Wilmette, IL	May 9, 2009	Ridley College	FA (2026)

With an impressive 2026 draft class, highlighted by second overall selection Collin Kennedy, several high-profile additions, and returning talent already in place, the Otters have laid the foundation for an exciting new year. As training camp approaches, fans will get their first look at the next generation of players looking to make their mark in the Flagship City. ____________________________________________________________________________ FloHockey remains the exclusive streaming home of the Ontario Hockey League, delivering more than 680 regular-season games throughout the year, plus complete coverage of the OHL playoffs. Subscribers can stream games live or watch on demand from anywhere, ensuring they never miss a goal, save, or highlight during the 2026-27 season. Whether you’re following your hometown team or tracking prospects across the league, FloHockey provides comprehensive coverage of every OHL club all season long.

Storm acquire Hrebik from Colts

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 17:30:38 +0000

The Guelph Storm have acquired overage goaltender Ben Hrebik from the Barrie Colts in exchange for a conditional 15th-round pick in the 2028 OHL Priority Selection. After two seasons with the Colts, Hrebik established himself as one of the league's top netminders. The Milton, ON native posted a .920 save percentage in each of the past two regular seasons, appearing in 77 career games while compiling 47 victories. Last season, Hrebik helped backstop Barrie to the OHL Championship Series, posting a 12-6-2 playoff record with a 2.66 goals-against average and .922 save percentage in 20 postseason appearances. "Ben was a part of one of the top goaltending tandems in the league last season and helped lead his team to the OHL Championship Final," said Storm General Manager George Burnett. "His experience and leadership will be a welcome addition to our club and we are excited to have Ben and his family join our organization."

"I'm really excited to be joining Guelph and playing so close to home this year," said Hrebik. "It's a great opportunity to be playing for a team that is hosting the Memorial Cup and I am looking forward to getting going!"

Originally selected by Barrie in the ninth round (173rd overall) of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, Hrebik recently elected to continue his junior career in the OHL after deciding not to attend his committed NCAA program. "Ben has been a great teammate and a hard worker for us, and we're grateful for everything he brought to this room," said Colts General Manager Marty Williamson. "Guelph is a great fit for him, and knowing what he's capable of, we think he's going to make some noise in that Memorial Cup race. We wish him nothing but the best." The Colts receive Guelph's conditional 15th-round selection in the 2028 OHL Priority Selection in return.

Battalion acquire Van Bommel from Knights

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 17:00:11 +0000

The North Bay Battalion have acquired overage forward Rene Van Bommel from the London Knights in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2027 OHL Priority Selection. Van Bommel heads to North Bay after spending the first three seasons of his OHL career with the Knights. The Strathroy, ON native recorded 10 goals, 11 assists and 21 points in 66 games during the 2025-26 season, finishing his London career with 17 goals and 40 points in 148 regular season contests. Originally selected by the Knights in the 11th round (216th overall) of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, Van Bommel was a member of London's back-to-back OHL championship teams and helped the club capture the 2025 Memorial Cup. He is committed to Lake Superior State University for the 2027-28 season. "Rene is a young man with high-end character and a winning pedigree that we feel can really benefit our group," said Battalion Director of Hockey Operations Adam Dennis. "We look forward to welcoming Rene and his family to North Bay." The Knights receive a fifth-round selection in the 2027 OHL Priority Selection, originally belonging to the Niagara IceDogs, in return. Van Bommel becomes the second player acquired by North Bay from London this offseason, joining forward Max Crete, who was obtained in a trade completed in June.

Petes acquire Dennis from Bulldogs, Brantford lands McGregor

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 16:00:36 +0000

The Peterborough Petes have acquired forward Cooper Dennis from the Brantford Bulldogs in exchange for forward Kaden McGregor. Dennis heads to Peterborough after an impressive rookie campaign in which he recorded 34 goals, 40 assists and 74 points in 68 games, finishing second in team scoring while leading the OHL with a plus-48 rating. The Ithaca, NY native also added seven points in 15 playoff games as the Bulldogs reached the Eastern Conference Championship Series. Originally selected by Brantford in the sixth round (109th overall) of the 2023 OHL Priority Selection, Dennis is committed to the University of Michigan. "We're very excited to add a player of Cooper's caliber to our roster," said Petes General Manager and Vice President of Operations Michael Oke. "Heading into the summer, we identified him as our number one target to acquire during the offseason. Analytics show that he's one of, if not the top forward returning to the OHL this season. We believe Cooper is an excellent fit for our lineup and will complement our returning core well." Brantford acquires McGregor, the first overall selection in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection and recipient of the Jack Ferguson Award. The Braeside, ON native recorded seven goals and 20 points in 39 games during his rookie season with Peterborough before an injury cut his campaign short. McGregor also represented Team Canada White at the 2025 U17 World Challenge, helping the team capture a silver medal while producing five points in five games. "Kaden McGregor is an incredible addition to our organization," said Bulldogs President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Spencer Hyman. "He is an elite talent in every sense of the word. Elite skill, elite hockey IQ, elite competitiveness and, most importantly, elite character and leadership. Kaden is the kind of player you build around, and we're incredibly excited to welcome him and his family to Brantford." Oke also acknowledged the departure of McGregor, saying, "We had to make the difficult decision to move Kaden to complete this deal. It's never easy to trade a young, talented player like Kaden, but we want to thank him for his contributions to our organization and wish him nothing but the best as he continues his OHL career in Brantford." Hyman thanked Dennis for his contributions to the Bulldogs following his breakout first season in the league. "Cooper was an important part of a special season in Brantford, and we're grateful for everything he brought to our organization," Hyman said. "His professionalism, work ethic and commitment helped our team every day. We thank Cooper for all of his contributions and wish him nothing but success as he begins this next chapter with Peterborough."

2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup HQ

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:57:42 +0000

Throughout the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, this daily recap thread will track the performances of current and future OHL players from across the tournament. Check back each day for game recaps, standout performances and updated statistics from Edmonton.

Day 1 Recaps

The 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup got underway on Monday with an exciting opening day of round-robin action, featuring comeback victories, high-scoring affairs and strong performances from several current and future OHL players. Here's a look at all of the Day 1 action: Canada vs. Switzerland Final: 7 (CAN) – 3 (SUI) Canada opened its 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup campaign with a convincing 7-3 victory over Switzerland on Monday in Edmonton, AB. The opening period featured seven combined goals, with Canada striking just over a minute into the game. Switzerland responded with two quick goals to take its first – and only – lead of the contest before the Canadians answered with four straight goals to close out the frame. Camryn Warren (North Bay Battalion) and Ryerson Edgar (Niagara IceDogs) each found the back of the net while Cooper McAslan (London Knights) recording an assist. Canada added two more goals in the second period, with Jaakko Wycisk (Guelph Storm) and Charlie Murata (Flint Firebirds) each picking up helpers. Switzerland scored its third and final goal later in the game as Canada secured the 7-3 victory to improve to 1-0. The Canadians return to action on Tuesday against Slovakia (0-1) at 5:00 p.m. MST. OHL Player Game Stats: Canada

Ryerson Edgar (Niagara IceDogs) – 1G, 1A
Camryn Warren (North Bay Battalion) – 1G
- Post-Game Availability
Cooper McAslan (London Knights) – 1A
Jaakko Wycisk (Guelph Storm) – 1A
Charlie Murata (Flint Firebirds) – 1A

United States vs. Czechia Final: 6 (USA) - 4 (CZE) Defending gold medallists USA opened tournament play with a 6-4 victory over Czechia on Monday afternoon. The Americans jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the opening period, with Nolan Snyder (Kingston Frontenacs) recording an assist on the second goal. Czechia cut the deficit to one late in the frame with a five-on-three power-play marker. Looking to capitalize on the carryover power play to begin the second period, Czechia instead watched the Americans score shorthanded. USA added another goal just minutes later, with Gerry DiCunzolo (Peterborough Petes) collecting his first assist of the game, before extending their lead to 5-1. OHL commit Jiri Gombar (Kitchener Rangers) responded to bring Czechia back within three, but the Americans restored their four-goal advantage before the intermission, with DiCunzolo picking up his second assist of the contest. Czechia made things interesting midway through the third period with two quick goals, including one from OHL commit Adam Nemec (Brantford Bulldogs), but the Americans held on for the 6-4 win to improve to 1-0. USA will face Finland (1-0) on Tuesday evening in its next round-robin matchup. OHL Player Game Stats: United States

Gerry DiCunzolo (Peterborough Petes) – 2A
Nolan Snyder (Kingston Frontenacs) – 1A

Czechia

Jiri Gombar (Kitchener Rangers) – 1G
Adam Nemec (Brantford Bulldogs) – 1G

Finland vs. Germany Final: 5 (FIN) - 2 (GER) Finland earned its first win of the tournament with a 5-2 comeback victory over Germany on Monday evening. Trailing 2-0 after the opening period, the Finns responded with five unanswered goals to secure the victory. OHL commit Luca Santala (London Knights) recorded his first point of the tournament with an assist on Finland's empty-net goal. Finland returns to the ice on Tuesday against the United States (1-0) at 7:00 p.m. MST. OHL Player Game Stats: Finland

Luca Santala (London Knights) – 1A

Sweden vs. Slovakia Final: 4 (SWE) - 3 (SVK) – OT In the final game of the opening day, Sweden defeated Slovakia 4-3 in overtime. Slovakia opened the scoring with a shorthanded goal in the first period before Sweden tied the game late in the second. The teams traded two goals apiece in the third period before Sweden found the overtime winner just under three minutes into the extra frame. OHL commit Vilmer Salen Forsberg (Brantford Bulldogs) made 35 saves in the win. Sweden will face Switzerland (0-1) on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. MST in its next round-robin matchup. OHL Player Game Stats: Sweden

Vilmer Salen Forsberg (Brantford Bulldogs) – .921 SV%

__________________________________________________________________ TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast select tournament games, including all Canada games. For the full tournament schedule, including stats and standings, click here.

Colts acquire Tsherna from Bulldogs

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 14:20:03 +0000

The Barrie Colts have acquired forward Dylan Tsherna from the Brantford Bulldogs in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2028 OHL Priority Selection. Originally selected by the Bulldogs in the second round (34th overall) of the 2023 OHL Priority Selection, Tsherna appeared in 112 career regular season games with Brantford, recording nine goals, 14 assists and 23 points over three seasons. The Maple, ON native also suited up in 22 playoff games, producing six points (2-4-6) while bringing a physical style of play to the Bulldogs' lineup. He was part of Brantford's "TNC" line alongside Noah Nelson and Calvin Crombie during the club's 2025 playoff run. "Dylan is a veteran player who plays the game with a high level of aggression and jam that was evident through last year's playoffs," said Colts head coach Dylan Smoskowitz. "He fits the mold of a Barrie Colt perfectly, and will be relied upon to provide leadership and guidance to our younger players." Brantford receives Barrie's sixth-round selection in the 2028 OHL Priority Selection in return. "We want to thank Dylan Tsherna for everything he gave to the Brantford Bulldogs organization," said Bulldogs President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Spencer Hyman. "Dylan represented our team with professionalism, worked hard every day, and was a valued part of our program. While it's never easy to see good people move on, this trade provides Dylan with a great opportunity to earn a larger role and continue his development. We wish him nothing but success in Barrie and thank him for everything he did while wearing the Bulldogs jersey." Tsherna joins a Barrie club looking to add experience and physicality to its forward group ahead of the 2026-27 season. Brantford receives Barrie's sixth-round selection in the 2028 OHL Priority Selection in return.

Futures Watch: Oshawa Generals 2026 Draft Class and New Faces

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 20:00:56 +0000

As the 2026-27 OHL season approaches, the Oshawa Generals are preparing to build on last year's campaign. We spoke with members of the organization about the club's 2026 draft class and the new faces fans should keep an eye on heading into the upcoming season 2026 Draft Class Revisit “We're extremely excited about this 2026 draft class. We feel we've added several high-impact players while laying the foundation for a future championship-calibre core.” Player Spotlights: Kane Cloutier (C) Selected: 1st Round, 1st Overall (2026 OHL Priority Selection) 2025-26 Stats: 33 GP, 32G, 26A, 58 PTS Age: 16 Earning the Jack Ferguson Award as the first overall selection in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection, Kane Cloutier spent the 2025-26 season with the GTHL’s Vaughan Kings U16 AAA program, producing 58 points (32-26–58) over 33 games. After leading Vaughan to a GTHL championship, Cloutier added 11 points (6-5–11) over four games at the 2026 OHL Cup. The son of former OHL goaltender, Memorial Cup champion and long-time pro Dan Cloutier, Kane Cloutier arrives in Oshawa as one of the most decorated prospects in this year’s class. “We’re obviously ecstatic to snag the top player on our board. Cloutier is a high-end offensive player and explosive skater who is reliable in all three zones. He should be a future star in our league.” Jakub Kuklinski (LW) Selected: 2nd Round, 38th Overall (2026 OHL Priority Selection) 2025-26 Stats: 32 GP, 35G, 24A, 59 PTS Age: 16 The second selection for Oshawa in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection, Jakub Kuklinski was taken in the second round (38th overall) from the Mississauga Senators U16 AAA program. The winger from Caledon, ON recorded a GTHL-leading 35 goals in 32 regular-season games. “We were pleasantly surprised we were able to land Kuklinski in the second round after he led the GTHL in goals in the regular season. He has terrific hands and an explosive shot and is someone who should be a perfect complement to Cloutier eventually.” Deverin Warner (C) Selected: 4th Round, 70th Overall (2026 OHL Priority Selection) 2025-26 Stats: 32 GP, 35G, 24A, 59 PTS Age: 16 The third selection for Oshawa in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection, Deverin Warner was chosen in the fourth round (70th overall) from the Woodbridge Wolfpack Premier 15's program. The Roselle Park, N.J. native recorded 10 points (6-4–10) in 15 games before adding three points (2-1–3) at the USA Hockey 15O National Championships. The 5-foot-9 centreman is expected to suit up for the U.S. National Under-17 Team in 2026-27. “A high-skilled and dynamic playmaker with a great motor. He should come in and make an immediate impact as soon as 2027.” Matyas Michalek (D) Selected: 1st Round, 1st Overall (2026 CHL Import Draft) 2025-26 Stats: 30 GP, 13G, 26A, 39 PTS Age: 16 Marking the highest CHL Import Draft selection in franchise history, Matyas Michalek was selected first overall after a rule change made 2010-born players eligible to be selected in the first round. The 6-foot-3, 187-pound left-shot defenceman from Prague, Czechia, produced 39 points (13-26–39) in 30 games with Sparta Prague's U17 team last season before adding eight points (3-5–8) in 12 playoff games to help the club capture the Czech U17 championship. He also appeared in 18 games at the U20 level, recording eight points (1-7–8). Internationally, Michalek represented Czechia at both the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and the IIHF U18 World Championship, helping his country earn a bronze medal. “Easily our top-ranked player for the Import Draft. He has tremendous poise and skating ability and has the NHL tools as a 16-year-old. The sky is the limit for him.” Ethan Cava (C) Selected: 1st Round, 1st Overall (2026 U18 Priority Selection) 2025-26 Stats: 42 GP, 14G, 26A, 40 PTS Age: 17 Taken first overall in the 2026 OHL Under-18 Priority Selection, Ethan Cava was one of just two players selected by Oshawa in the draft. The 6-foot-5 centreman comes from Thunder Bay's Seventh Fire Secondary School Prep Hockey Program and is the son of former Soo Greyhounds captain and Sarnia Sting forward Peter Cava. The 17-year-old recorded 40 points (14-26–40) in 42 games last season while also appearing in one game with the SIJHL champion Thunder Bay North Stars. “A big 6-foot-5 centreman that has soft hands and good vision. Real heady player who’s not afraid to go to the dirty areas of the ice.” Other members of the 2026 Draft Class:

PLAYER	POSITION	HOMETOWN	DOB	2025-26 TEAM	DRAFTED
Colten Sixsmith	LD	Burlington, ON	Jun 17, 2010	Burlington Eagles U16 AAA	6th round, 102nd overall
Liam Weaver	LD	Pinckney, MI	Mar 10, 2010	Detroit HoneyBaked 15's	6th round, 115th overall
Porter Matchett	LW	New York, NY	Dec 31, 2010	Woodbridge Wolfpack Premier 15's	7th round, 129th overall
Benjamin Legros	LW	Burlington, ON	Aug 14, 2010	Credit River Capitals U16 AAA	7th round, 140th overall
Ratmir Shalapayev	RW	Berkeley Heights, NJ	Oct 17, 2010	Team Illinois 15's	8th round, 142nd overall
Liam Nelson	RD	Oakville, ON	Feb 26, 2010	Vaughan Kings U16 AAA	9th round, 162nd overall
William LoSauro	C	Ridgewood, NJ	Jul 14, 2010	North Jersey Avalanche 16U	10th round, 195th overall
Braydon Cornacchia	C	Whitby, ON	May 9, 2010	Whitby Wildcats U16 AAA	11th round, 202nd overall
Lucas Mowat	RD	Dunnville, ON	Mar 24, 2010	Niagara North Stars U16 AAA	12th round, 222nd overall
Stephan Knight	RD	Troy, MI	Aug 14, 2010	Detroit Little Caesars 15's	14th round, 262nd overall
Noah Spiteri	G	Windsor, ON	Mar 25, 2010	BioSteel Sports Academy U16 AAA	15th round, 282nd overall
Nikolay Andreychenkov	LW	Richmond Hill, ON	Dec 19, 2009	Mississauga Reps U18 AAA	2nd round, 21st overall (U18)

2026 New Faces: *Note: Player additions are current as of publication. Team signings remain ongoing, and the OHL offseason trade window reopens on Tuesday, August 4 at 9:00 a.m. ET. This article will be updated accordingly as additional signings and roster moves are announced. “We have several new faces this year that all bring a little something different to our team. We expect an increase in offensive production while also being a much tougher team to play against in 2026.” Player Spotlights: Tyler Hinde (LW) Selected: 3rd Round, 46th Overall (2025 OHL Priority Selection) 2025-26 Stats: 47 GP, 27G, 49A, 76 PTS Age: 17 Drafted in the third round (46th overall) of the 2025 OHL Priority Selection, Tyler Hinde spent the 2025-26 season with the Mississauga Chargers, recording 76 points (27-49-76) in 47 games to earn OJHL Rookie of the Year honours. The Vaughan, Ont. native finished among the league's top 10 scorers while leading all 2009-born players in points, with the next closest player in his age group recording 48. Hinde made his OHL debut in January before scoring his first career goal the following month, appearing in 14 games with the Generals. “Played in 14 games last year, but won ‘Rookie of the Year’ in the OJHL after registering 27 goals, 49 assists, 76 points and 42 PIMs for the Mississauga Chargers. He has a tantalizing combination of size, speed and skill with a big upside.” Cole Mazzoni (LW) Selected: 9th Round, 177th Overall (2025 OHL Priority Selection) 2025-26 Stats: 61 GP, 46G, 33A, 79 PTS Age: 17 Drafted in the ninth round (177th overall) in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection, Cole Mazzoni spent the majority of the 2025-26 season playing for the Oakland Jr. Grizzlies 16U AAA, where he collected 79 points (46-33–79) in 61 games. The six-foot-two forward from Livonia, Michigan, also spent time with the US National Development team, suiting up three times in the USHL. “Versatile forward with great size, physicality and athleticism. A true power forward who has a quick release and is very adept on the power play.” Cody Costello (RD) Selected: 11th Round, 217th Overall (2025 OHL Priority Selection) 2025-26 Stats: 75 GP, 14G, 32A, 46 PTS Age: 17 Drafted in the eleventh round (217th overall) in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection, Cody Costello spent the 2025-26 season playing for the Woodbridge Wolfpack 16U AAA program. The 6-foot-2 defenceman recorded 46 points (14-32–46) in 75 games and is committed to the University of New Hampshire for the 2028-29 season. “Love his size, mobility and defensive prowess. He is a late-round gem with a great stick and high hockey IQ.” Ryan Hedley (C) Selected: 8th Round, 147th Overall (2023 OHL Priority Selection) 2025-26 Stats: 52 GP, 15G, 36A, 51 PTS Age: 18 Drafted in the eighth round (147th overall) in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection, Ryan Hedley spent the 2025-26 season playing for the Powell River Kings in the BCHL. The Raleigh, NC native collected 51 points (15-36–51) in 52 regular-season games. “Smart, reliable two-way forward who’s hard on pucks, has a great motor and can play anywhere in the lineup.” Grant Yingst (RW) Signed: Jul 7, 2026 2025-26 Stats: 64 GP, 51G, 63A, 114 PTS Age: 17 Signed by Oshawa as a free agent in July, Grant Yingst spent the 2025-26 season at Shady Side Academy Prep in the USHS, recording 114 points (51-63-114) in 64 games before adding 16 points (7-9-16) in just five games at the EP Cup Series 18U. The Pittsburgh, Pa. native stands 6-foot-2. “North-south type of player who plays a heavy, responsible game and wears down opponents. He has sneaky good skill and can play in all situations.” Mark Pape (LW) Acquired: Jun 10, 2026 2025-26 Stats: 46 GP, 3G, 4A, 7 PTS Age: 17 Acquired in an early offseason trade that sent veteran Owen Griffin to the Guelph Storm, Mark Pape completed his rookie OHL season after being selected 25th overall in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection. He recorded seven points (3-4-7) in 46 games and was named the recipient of the Ivan Tennant Memorial Award as the OHL's Top Academic High School Student. Pape finished Grade 10 with a 98.8 percent average, including perfect marks in Pre-Calculus/Trigonometry, U.S. History, Fitness and Sport Management. “Mark is dynamic, skilled, aggressive and hard-working. He plays the game the right way, has a high ceiling and epitomizes what we are all about in Oshawa.” Cruz Reznik (G) Acquired: Jun 10, 2026 2025-26 Stats: 30 GP, 3.44 GAA, .894 SV%, 13-13-0-2-1 Age: 17 Also acquired in the early offseason trade that sent veteran Owen Griffin to the Guelph Storm, Cruz Reznik spent the 2025-26 season with the Ayr Centennials of the GOHL. The 6-foot-3 netminder appeared in 30 games, posting a 3.44 goals-against average, a .894 save percentage and one shutout. He made his OHL debut in December with the Storm and was selected as an alternate for the 2026 GOHL Top Prospects Game at OHL's Connor McDavid Top Prospects event. “Big, athletic goaltender with tremendous upside. He gained valuable experience starting in the GOHL last season.” Headlined by first overall selections Kane Cloutier, Ethan Cava and Matyas Michalek, along with experienced additions Tyler Hinde, Mark Pape and Cruz Reznik, the Generals have strengthened their roster through the draft, free agency and the trade market. As training camp approaches, the organization will get its first look at a group expected to play an important role in Oshawa's future. _____________________________________________________________________________________ FloHockey remains the exclusive streaming home of the Ontario Hockey League, delivering more than 680 regular-season games throughout the year, plus complete coverage of the OHL playoffs. Subscribers can stream games live or watch on demand from anywhere, ensuring they never miss a goal, save, or highlight during the 2026-27. Whether you’re following your hometown team or tracking prospects across the league, FloHockey provides comprehensive coverage of every OHL club all season long.

2026 OHL In The System: Carolina Hurricanes

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 15:45:05 +0000

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 the final edition of OHL in the System! Today, we take a closer look at the Carolina Hurricanes’ prospect pool. Ryder Fetterolf (G) – Ottawa 67’s (2025-26) Selected: 4th Round, 125th Overall (2026) OHL Career Stats: 41 GP, 2.07 GAA, .923 SV%, 29-9-2-1 Age: 18 The first OHL goaltender selected in the 2026 NHL Draft, Ryder Fetterolf signed with the Ottawa 67's as an undrafted free agent prior to the 2025-26 season and quickly emerged as one of the CHL's top netminders during a historic rookie campaign. The Sewickley, Pa., native led the CHL in both goals-against average and save percentage, while his six shutouts established a new OHL rookie record for a single season. Named CHL Goaltender of the Year, Fetterolf became the first Ottawa 67's player to receive the honour and just the second rookie or first-year CHL goaltender ever to win the award. He is committed to Penn State University for the 2026-27 season. Zachary Jovanovski (G) – Guelph Storm (2024-26) Selected: 6th Round, 165th Overall (2026) OHL Career Stats: 71 GP, 3.48 GAA, .889 SV%, 31-30-4-3 Age: 18 The second OHL goaltender selected by the Hurricanes in the 2026 NHL Draft, Zachary Jovanovski appeared in 52 games with the Guelph Storm during the 2025-26 season, posting a 25-20-4 record, a 3.39 goals-against average and a .890 save percentage. The 6-foot-3 netminder is expected to backstop the Memorial Cup host Storm in 2026-27. Filip Ekberg (LW) – Ottawa 67’s (2024-26) Selected: 7th Round, 221st Overall (2025) OHL Career Stats: 112 GP, 40G, 51A, 91 PTS, +24 Age: 19 Completing another productive season with the Ottawa 67's, Filip Ekberg recorded 46 points (24-22–46) in 59 regular-season games during the 2025-26 campaign. The Uppsala, Sweden, native was recently named to Sweden's roster for the 2026 World Junior Summer Showcase. He also starred at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship, leading the tournament with 10 goals while recording 18 points in seven games. Bryce Montgomery (D) – London Knights (2019-23) Selected: 6th Round, 170th Overall (2021) OHL Career Stats: 84 GP, 2G, 6A, 8 PTS, +5 Age: 23 Defenceman Bryce Montgomery split the 2025-26 season between the AHL's Chicago Wolves and the ECHL's Greensboro Gargoyles, recording four assists in 24 AHL games while adding five points (1-4–5) in 28 ECHL contests. Evan Vierling (C) – Flint Firebirds (2018-20), Barrie Colts (2019-23) Signed: Jul. 4, 2025 OHL Career Stats: 218 GP, 75G, 138A, 213 PTS, -15 Age: 24 During his first full professional season after signing with Carolina in 2025, Evan Vierling led Chicago's rookies with 35 points (16-19–35) in 70 regular-season games before adding six points (1-5–6) en route to the Calder Cup finals. The Aurora, Ont., native also finished as the Wolves' least penalized full-time player with just 12 penalty minutes.