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    <title>Ontario Hockey League - Feed</title>
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	<title>Nic Sima &#8211; Ontario Hockey League</title>
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                  <title>Wolves sign 2026 second-round pick Ivan Belikov</title>
        <link>https://chl.ca/ohl/article/wolves-sign-2026-second-round-pick-ivan-belikov</link>
        <pubDate>Wed, 24 Jun 2026 15:57:43 +0000</pubDate>
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        <guid isPermaLink="false">https://chl.ca/ohl/article/wolves-sign-2026-second-round-pick-ivan-belikov</guid>
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        <content:encoded><![CDATA[<b>SUDBURY, ON –</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> The Sudbury Wolves have announced the signing of defenceman Ivan Belikov to an Ontario Hockey League Scholarship and Development Agreement following the club’s Orientation Camp this past weekend.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">A native of Parkland, FL., Belikov was selected by Sudbury in the second round (25th overall) of the 2026 OHL Priority Selection. He spent the 2025-26 season with Detroit Honeybaked 15U AAA, recording 35 points (10-25–35) in 84 regular-season games. He then capped his season off by h</span><span style="font-weight: 400">elping the club capture an OHL Cup championship.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">The 6-foot-4, right-shot blueliner becomes the first member of Sudbury’s 2026 draft class to sign with the organization.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">General Manager Rob Papineau praised Belikov’s development and potential.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">“We are excited that Ivan has committed to the hockey club and the OHL,” said Papineau. “He was a standout all season on the OHL Cup championship team. He has an exciting summer ahead with USA Hockey and a very bright future with the Wolves.”</span>

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                  <title>Nine OHL Players Named to CHL 2025-26 All-Star and All-Rookie Teams</title>
        <link>https://chl.ca/ohl/article/nine-ohl-players-named-to-chl-2025-26-all-star-and-all-rookie-teams</link>
        <pubDate>Wed, 24 Jun 2026 15:00:12 +0000</pubDate>
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        <guid isPermaLink="false">https://chl.ca/ohl/article/nine-ohl-players-named-to-chl-2025-26-all-star-and-all-rookie-teams</guid>
        <description><![CDATA[Nine OHL players earned recognition on the CHL's First, Second and Third All-Star Teams, as well as the CHL All-Rookie Team, highlighting the league's depth of talent following the 2025-26 season. Ryder Fetterolf and Nikita Klepov each received multiple honours as part of a strong showing for the OHL.]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[<span style="font-weight: 400">Six OHL players were named to the CHL's First, Second and Third All-Star Teams, while four OHL players earned CHL All-Rookie Team recognition following outstanding performances during the 2025-26 season. The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) today announced its First, Second, and Third All-Star Teams for the 2025-26 season, along with its All-Rookie Team.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">Media members who regularly cover the CHL and the Member Leagues — the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) — participated in the voting process to determine this year’s CHL All-Star and All-Rookie teams. Ballots were cast based on regular-season performances, with voters selecting the top players from across the CHL’s three leagues to recognize outstanding individual achievements.</span>
<h4><span style="text-decoration: underline"><b>CHL First All-Star Team</b></span></h4>
<a href="https://chl.ca/ohl/players/9513/"><b>Goaltender – Ryder Fetterolf (Ottawa 67’s / OHL)</b></a><span style="font-weight: 400">: </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400">29-9-2-1 record, 2.07 GAA, .923 SV% &amp; 6 SO in 41 GP during the 2025-26 season</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400">; signed by Ottawa as an undrafted free agent last summer, Fetterolf quickly emerged as one of the CHL’s top goaltenders during a historic rookie campaign with the 67’s. The 18-year-old from Sewickley, Pa., led the CHL in both goals-against average and save percentage, while his six shutouts set a new OHL record for the most by a rookie goaltender in a single season. An eligible prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft, Fetterolf is ranked No. 11 among North American goaltenders in NHL Central Scouting’s Final Rankings. Named the 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 to capture the award, joining Martin Biron of the Beauport Harfangs in 1994-95.</span>

<a href="https://chl.ca/ohl/players/8803/"><b>Defenceman – Kashawn Aitcheson (Barrie Colts / OHL)</b></a><span style="font-weight: 400">: </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400">28G-42A, 70 PTS, +46 in 56 GP during the 2025-26 season</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400">; Aitcheson put together a record-setting season in Barrie, leading all OHL defencemen with 70 points while establishing a new Colts franchise record for goals by a defenceman with 28. The New York Islanders prospect and Toronto, Ont., native also finished among the OHL leaders with a +46 rating and six game-winning goals, while his 15 power-play goals led all OHL blueliners. Named the OHL’s Defenceman of the Year, Aitcheson closed out his Colts career as the franchise’s all-time leader in both goals (63) and points (171) by a defenceman.</span>

<a href="https://chl.ca/ohl/players/8712/"><b>Forward – Sam O’Reilly (Kitchener Rangers / OHL)</b></a><span style="font-weight: 400">: </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400">29G-42A, 71 PTS, +20 in 56 GP during the 2025-26 season</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400">; the Tampa Bay Lightning prospect was named the OHL’s Most Outstanding Player after making an immediate impact with the Kitchener Rangers following a mid-season move from the London Knights. The 20-year-old from Toronto recorded 43 points and a +31 rating in 28 games with Kitchener, helping the Rangers finish atop the Western Conference standings for the first time since 2008. O’Reilly also won 58 per cent of his faceoffs and was recognized in the OHL Coaches Poll as the Western Conference’s smartest player, best faceoff man, and best defensive forward. He carried that form into the spring, earning both OHL Playoff MVP and Memorial Cup MVP honours while leading Kitchener to a Memorial Cup title. With that sweep, he became just the fourth player in CHL history to win regular-season, playoff, and Memorial Cup MVP honours in the same season, joining Brad Richards, Corey Perry, and Mitch Marner. The championship also marked his second straight Memorial Cup title after winning with London a year earlier, placing him among a rare group of players to win back-to-back Memorial Cups with different teams.</span>
<h4><span style="text-decoration: underline"><b>CHL Second All-Star Team</b></span></h4>
<a href="https://chl.ca/ohl/players/9299/"><b>Defenceman – Chase Reid (Soo Greyhounds / OHL)</b></a><span style="font-weight: 400">: </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400">18G-30A, 48 PTS, +27 in 45 GP during the 2025-26 season</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400">; ranked No. 2 among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft, Reid established himself as the highest-ranked current CHL skater in this year’s draft class. The 18-year-old from Chesterfield, Mich., averaged better than a point per game with the Soo Greyhounds and was one of just six first-year draft-eligible defencemen across the CHL to do so. A finalist for the OHL’s Defenceman of the Year Award, Reid was recognized in four categories in the OHL Coaches Poll, including as the Western Conference’s Best Offensive Defenceman. He was also named the CHL’s Top Draft Prospect for 2025-26, becoming the eighth defenceman to claim the award since it was first presented in 1991. Reid also marked the second straight OHL blueliner to receive the honour, following Erie Otters defenceman Matthew Schaefer, who won the award a year ago before capturing this year’s Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s Rookie of the Year.</span>

<a href="https://chl.ca/ohl/players/9385/"><b>Forward – Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit / OHL)</b></a><span style="font-weight: 400">: </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400">37G-60A, 97 PTS, +9 in 67 GP during the 2025-26 season</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400">; ranked No. 8 among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting in its Final Rankings ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft, Klepov captured the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy as the OHL’s leading scorer and the Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy as the league’s top-scoring right winger after finishing with 97 points in 67 games. The 17-year-old from Deerfield Beach, Fla., became the first rookie in his first two years of OHL eligibility to lead the league in scoring since Jack Valiquette in 1973-74 and the first rookie to lead any CHL Member League in scoring since Patrick Kane in 2006-07. Klepov’s 37 goals tied Cole Perfetti’s Saginaw Spirit rookie record, while his 60 assists and 97 points established new franchise rookie benchmarks.</span>
<h4><span style="text-decoration: underline"><b>CHL Third All-Star Team</b></span></h4>
<a href="https://chl.ca/ohl/players/8761/"><b>Forward – Cole Beaudoin (Barrie Colts / OHL)</b></a><span style="font-weight: 400">: </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400">33G-56A, 89 PTS, +40 in 54 GP during the 2025-26 season</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400">; the Barrie Colts co-captain was named the CHL Sportsman Player of the Year after delivering one of the OHL’s most complete seasons. The Utah Mammoth prospect led Barrie with 89 points in just 54 games while taking only 29 penalty minutes, and his 1.65 points-per-game average ranked second in the OHL. Beaudoin also finished tied for the OHL lead with 10 game-winning goals and won 55 per cent of his faceoffs. In the OHL Coaches Poll, the 20-year-old from Kanata, Ont., led all Eastern Conference players with four first-place finishes — hardest worker, best defensive forward, best on faceoffs, and best penalty killer.</span>

<a href="https://chl.ca/ohl/players/8705"><b>Forward – Nathan Aspinall (Flint Firebirds / OHL)</b></a><span style="font-weight: 400">: </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400">33G-61A, 94 PTS, +21 in 65 GP during the 2025-26 season</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400">; the Flint Firebirds captain helped lead his club to the best season in its 10-year history while setting a new franchise record with 61 assists. The 6-foot-7 winger from Markham, Ont., finished with 94 points, a 47-point improvement from the previous season, and placed fifth in the OHL with 250 shots on goal. A fifth-round pick of the New York Rangers in the 2024 NHL Draft, Aspinall also tied for the OHL lead with eight first goals and converted on four of six shootout attempts. His breakout campaign earned him OHL Player of the Month honours in November and recognition in both the hardest shot and best playmaker categories in the Western Conference portion of the OHL Coaches Poll.</span>
<h4><span style="text-decoration: underline"><b>CHL All-Rookie Team</b></span></h4>
<a href="https://chl.ca/ohl/players/9513/"><b>Goaltender – Ryder Fetterolf (Ottawa 67’s / OHL)</b></a><span style="font-weight: 400">:</span><i><span style="font-weight: 400"> 29-9-2-1 record, 2.07 GAA, .923 SV% &amp; 6 SO in 41 GP during the 2025-26 season</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400">; Fetterolf’s first CHL season produced one of the top rookie goaltending campaigns in recent CHL and OHL history. The 18-year-old from Sewickley, Pa., set an Ottawa 67’s franchise record with a 2.07 goals-against average, while his six shutouts established a new OHL rookie record. Fetterolf also shared the Dave Pinkney Trophy with Jaeden Nelson as the OHL’s lowest goals-against tandem and received the F.W. “Dinty” Moore Trophy as the rookie goaltender with the league’s lowest goals-against average. An eligible prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft, Fetterolf is ranked No. 11 among North American goaltenders in NHL Central Scouting’s Final Rankings.</span>

<a href="https://chl.ca/ohl/players/9383/"><b>Defenceman – Levi Harper (Saginaw Spirit / OHL)</b></a><span style="font-weight: 400">: </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400">12G-45A, 57 PTS, -3 in 68 GP during the 2025-26 season</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400">; Harper made an immediate impact with Saginaw, setting a new Spirit record for points by a rookie defenceman. The 17-year-old from Tampa, Fla., recorded 57 points in 68 games while seeing significant minutes on the Spirit blue line. A 2027 NHL Draft prospect, Harper joined Saginaw after winning gold with the United States at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and later represented his country at the 2026 IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championship. He also earned the OHL’s Bobby Smith Trophy as Scholastic Player of the Year after posting a 93.2 per cent academic average and graduating a full year early.</span>

<a href="https://chl.ca/ohl/players/9474/"><b>Forward – Caleb Malhotra (Brantford Bulldogs / OHL)</b></a><span style="font-weight: 400">: </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400">29G-55A, 84 PTS, +33 in 67 GP during the 2025-26 season</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400">; Malhotra emerged as one of the OHL’s most productive rookies in his first season with the Brantford Bulldogs. The 6-foot-2 centre recorded 84 points in 67 games, setting a new franchise record for points by a Bulldogs rookie. Ranked sixth among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft, Malhotra also scored eight game-winning goals, produced 30 power-play points, and was a finalist among the Eastern Conference’s top stickhandlers in the OHL Coaches Poll. His strong start included points in 11 of his first 12 games, highlighted by a five-point performance against Sudbury on September 27.</span>

<a href="https://chl.ca/ohl/players/9385/"><b>Forward – Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit / OHL)</b></a><span style="font-weight: 400">: </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400">37G-60A, 97 PTS, +9 in 67 GP during the 2025-26 season</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400">; Klepov became just the third player in OHL history to win both the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy and the Emms Family Award as Rookie of the Year in the same season, joining Jack Valiquette and Patrick Kane. The 17-year-old Saginaw Spirit forward led the OHL with 97 points and became the first rookie to lead any CHL Member League in scoring since Kane did so with London in 2006-07. Ranked No. 8 among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting in its Final Rankings ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft, Klepov recorded at least three points in a game 13 times and earned OHL Rookie of the Month honours in October, January, and February.</span>

In total, nine OHL representatives earned recognition across the CHL's First, Second and Third All-Star Teams and All-Rookie Team, highlighting the league's continued strength among the top junior hockey talent in Canada.

For complete CHL All-Star Team and All-Rookie Team selections, including players from all three CHL member leagues, <a href="https://chl.ca/article/chl-unveils-2025-26-all-star-and-all-rookie-teams"><strong>click here to view the full release.</strong></a>]]></content:encoded>
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                  <title>Attack sign Import forward Lucian Bernat</title>
        <link>https://chl.ca/ohl/article/attack-sign-2025-chl-import-draft-pick-lucian-bernat-to-ohl-scholarship-and-development-agreement</link>
        <pubDate>Tue, 23 Jun 2026 17:22:18 +0000</pubDate>
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        <guid isPermaLink="false">https://chl.ca/ohl/article/attack-sign-2025-chl-import-draft-pick-lucian-bernat-to-ohl-scholarship-and-development-agreement</guid>
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        <content:encoded><![CDATA[<span style="font-weight: 400"><strong>OWEN SOUND, ON –</strong> The Owen Sound Attack have announced the </span><span style="font-weight: 400">signing of 2025 CHL Import Draft selection Lucian Bernat to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">Selected by the Attack in the second round (75th overall) of the 2025 CHL Import Draft, the 6-foot-4, 201-pound winger arrives in Owen Sound following a strong 2025-26 season that saw Bernat register 31 points (15-16–31) </span><span style="font-weight: 400">with Tappara Tampere U20 in Finland.  The native of Bratislava, Slovakia, also represented his country at the 2026 IIHF World Under-18 Championship, registering one goal and three assists in seven games at the tournament.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">Bernat could hear his name called at this year's NHL draft having been ranked 39th among international skaters by NHL Central Scouting earlier this spring.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">"I’m honoured to officially sign with the Owen Sound Attack and can’t wait for the season to get underway,” said Bernat. “The OHL provides an incredible opportunity to continue developing my game while competing in one of the premier junior hockey leagues in the world. I’m excited for the opportunity to take this next step in my career and contribute to the team’s success.”</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">Attack Head Coach Keenan Reynolds believes Bernat's combination of size, skill, and offensive instincts will make him a valuable addition to the club.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">“Lucian is a skilled power forward that is going to bring a rare blend of physicality, competitiveness, and playmaking to our team next season” said Reynolds.  “He has many elite qualities to his game, but his pace and overall work ethic will fit the way we want to play seamlessly.”</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">Attack President and General Manager Tyler Nother noted the significance of adding Bernat to the organization's future plans.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">“We are thrilled to welcome Lucian and his family to the Owen Sound Attack” said Nother.  “Lucian is a player we feel can make an impact in our league right away, and one Attack fans will appreciate watching at the Bayshore, due to his combination of skill and size”</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">Bernat becomes the first European player to join the Attack since the 2024-25 season and will wear the number 90 for the Bears. </span>]]></content:encoded>
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                  <title>Steelheads sign goaltender Neilan Johnson</title>
        <link>https://chl.ca/ohl/article/steelheads-sign-goaltender-neilan-johnson</link>
        <pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2026 19:08:46 +0000</pubDate>
        <dc:creator></dc:creator>
        <guid isPermaLink="false">https://chl.ca/ohl/article/steelheads-sign-goaltender-neilan-johnson</guid>
        <description><![CDATA[]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="font-weight: 400"><strong>BRAMPTON, ON –</strong> The Brampton Steelheads have announced the signing of their third-round pick in this year’s 2026 OHL Priority Selection, Neilan Johnson, to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement.</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400">Johnson, a native of Severna Park, Maryland, became the first goaltender selected by the Brampton Steelheads in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection when the club chose him 51st overall in the third round. The 6-foot-3, 181-pound netminder was the fifth goaltender taken in the draft after an impressive season with Hotchkiss School in the USHS-Prep league, where he posted a 1.63 goals-against average and a .944 save percentage in 26 appearances.</p>
He is also ranked 21st by Central Scouting among North American goalies for the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft.
<p style="font-weight: 400">Director of Goaltending, David Shantz, had this to say about Johnson, “Neilan is a big, athletic goalie who has the ability to be a difference maker for our organization. His maturity and leadership, coupled with his existing technical foundation, will serve him well as he transitions to the OHL. As an organization, we are excited to have Neilan as part of our team.”</p>]]></content:encoded>
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                  <title>Bulldogs sign defenceman Jet Kwajah</title>
        <link>https://chl.ca/ohl/article/bulldogs-sign-defenceman-jet-kwajah</link>
        <pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2026 17:13:46 +0000</pubDate>
        <dc:creator></dc:creator>
        <guid isPermaLink="false">https://chl.ca/ohl/article/bulldogs-sign-defenceman-jet-kwajah</guid>
        <description><![CDATA[]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[<strong>BRANTFORD, ONTARIO - </strong>Brantford Bulldogs General Manager Spencer Hyman announced the signing of recently acquired defenceman Jet Kwajah, from the Madison Capitols of the USHL, to an OHL Scholarship &amp; Development Agreement.

Kwajah, a Hamilton, ON product, was originally selected in the 6<sup>th</sup> round, 104<sup>th</sup> overall in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection Draft after being signed to a 1<sup>st</sup> round tender in the USHL by the Madison Capitols. The offensively minded Kwajah entered the junior level from the Toronto Jr. Canadiens U16 AAA program where he posted 3 goals &amp; 20 assists for 23 points in 30 GTHL games in his draft season. The 6’0”/177 right-shot rearguard moved to the USHL for the 2024-25 season collecting 6 goals &amp; 10 assists for 16 ponts in 41 games while skating to a plus-4 rating earning recognition on the USHL All-Rookie Team. Kwajah nearly doubled his output in the 2026-27 season collecting a team leading 7 goals from the blueline with 20 assists for 27 points over 55 games lead to Kwajah being on both the NHL Central Scouting Mid-Term and Final rankings ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft.

Kwajah currently holds a commitment to Penn State University which he shares in common with fellow Bulldogs newcomers Xavier Lieb &amp; Owen DeGraff. Kwajah’s playing rights were acquired by the Bulldogs in a June 2<sup>nd</sup> trade from the Owen Sound Attack.

&nbsp;

On his acquisition, Brantford Bulldogs General Manager Spencer Hyman was quoted;

"We are thrilled to welcome Jet Kwajah to the Bulldogs organization. We believe Jet has the ability to be one of the premier offensive defencemen in the OHL immediately.” said Brantford Bulldogs General Manager Spencer Hyman. “He is an elite skater, an exceptional puck mover, and possesses a high-end shot that makes him a threat every time he touches the puck. What separates Jet is his offensive instincts and hockey sense, but he also has the ability to defend and impact the game in all three zones. Beyond his talent, he is a first-class person and one of the highest-character young men you will meet.”.]]></content:encoded>
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                  <title>Drew Bannister returns as Head Coach of Greyhounds</title>
        <link>https://chl.ca/ohl/article/drew-bannister-returns-to-lead-the-greyhounds</link>
        <pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2026 16:59:15 +0000</pubDate>
        <dc:creator></dc:creator>
        <guid isPermaLink="false">https://chl.ca/ohl/article/drew-bannister-returns-to-lead-the-greyhounds</guid>
        <description><![CDATA[“His connection to this organization runs deep. He helped bring a Memorial Cup championship to our city as a player and later returned to build one of the most successful teams in franchise history as our head coach.”]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[<strong>SAULT STE. MARIE, ON - </strong>The Soo Greyhounds Hockey Club announced today that Drew Bannister has been named the club’s Head Coach effective July 1, 2026.

Bannister returns to the Greyhounds on a three-year agreement, bringing with him one of the most accomplished resumes in franchise history as both a player and coach.

For more than three decades, Bannister’s hockey journey has been intertwined with the Soo Greyhounds organization.

As a player from 1990 to 1994, Bannister established himself as one of the club’s cornerstone defencemen during one of the most successful eras in franchise history. He helped lead the Greyhounds to consecutive Ontario Hockey League championships in 1991 and 1992 before capturing the Memorial Cup in 1993. Over 222 regular-season games in a Greyhound uniform, Bannister recorded 118 points while earning a reputation as a dependable leader on and off the ice.

Following a successful 17-year professional playing career, Bannister returned to Sault Ste. Marie in 2015 as head coach and quickly re-established the Greyhounds among the Ontario Hockey League’s elite programs.

Over three seasons behind the Greyhound bench, Bannister compiled an outstanding record of 136-50-13-5 while developing numerous players who would advance to professional hockey. His tenure culminated in a historic 2017-18 campaign when the Greyhounds posted a franchise-record 55-7-3-3 regular-season record, one of the finest seasons in OHL history.

The remarkable season earned Bannister both the Matt Leyden Trophy as Ontario Hockey League Coach of the Year and the Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award as the top coach in the Canadian Hockey League.

“Drew Bannister embodies what it means to be a Soo Greyhound,” said Tim Lukenda, President and Governor of the Soo Greyhounds Hockey Club. “His connection to this organization runs deep. He helped bring a Memorial Cup championship to our city as a player and later returned to build one of the most successful teams in franchise history as our head coach.”

Kyle Raftis, General Manager of the Soo Greyhounds, added, “Beyond his accomplishments, Drew is an exceptional leader, teacher and developer of young talent. His experience at every level of the game, including the National Hockey League and internationally, will be invaluable to our players and our organization. We are thrilled to welcome Drew and his family back to Sault Ste. Marie.”

Since leaving the Greyhounds in 2018, Bannister has continued to build an impressive coaching résumé in professional hockey. He advanced through the American Hockey League before earning the opportunity to serve as head coach of the National Hockey League’s St. Louis Blues.

Most recently, Hockey Canada selected Bannister to lead Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team at the 2026 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship, further recognizing his standing as one of the country’s premier coaches and developers of young players.

“Returning to the Soo Greyhounds is a tremendous honour,” said Bannister. “This organization has played an important role in my life from my days as a player through my first opportunity as a head coach. The Greyhounds have a proud tradition built on hard work, character and excellence, and I am excited to be back and help lead the next generation of players.”

“The support of this community is unlike anywhere else in hockey. I look forward to reconnecting with our fans and working with our players as we pursue success on the ice and continue building young men who will be successful in hockey and in life.”

The Greyhounds will formally introduce Bannister at a media availability to be announced at a later date.

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                  <title>67&#8217;s sign forward Colby Coombe</title>
        <link>https://chl.ca/ohl/article/67s-sign-forward-colby-coombe</link>
        <pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2026 16:41:35 +0000</pubDate>
        <dc:creator></dc:creator>
        <guid isPermaLink="false">https://chl.ca/ohl/article/67s-sign-forward-colby-coombe</guid>
        <description><![CDATA[]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: left"><strong>OTTAWA -</strong> The Ottawa 67’s announced today that forward Colby Coombe has signed an Ontario Hockey League Scholarship and Development Agreement with the team.</p>
<p style="text-align: left">“Colby led the Chicago Reapers with 35 goals last season, contributing to his team's success as they advanced to the USA Hockey U16 Nationals tournament,” says 67’s General Manager Jan Egert. “He is a competitive winger that can score off the rush, is strong on the puck and comfortable on the walls. We are happy that Colby chose to continue his development journey with the 67's."</p>
<p style="text-align: left">A product of Shelby Township, MI, <strong>Coombe</strong> was selected 207th overall by Ottawa in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection. In the 2025-26 season, he starred with the Chicago Reapers 16U AAA, where he recorded 35 goals and 33 assists for 68 points in 57 games. He also played in the US 16U Nationals, where he scored two goals and one assist for a total of three points in four games.</p>
<p style="text-align: left">“I’m honoured and excited to sign with the Ottawa 67’s,” says Coombe. “I’m thankful to everyone who has helped me reach this point, and I look forward to getting started with the organization.”</p>
&nbsp;
<p style="text-align: left"><strong>HEIGHT:</strong> 6’3  | <strong>WEIGHT: </strong>205 lbs  | <strong>DOB: </strong>2009-12-15 | <strong>HOMETOWN: </strong>Shelby Township, MI | <strong>PREVIOUS TEAM:</strong> Chicago Reapers 16U AAA | <strong>SHOOTS:</strong> L</p>]]></content:encoded>
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                  <title>Spirit sign top goaltender Brady Knowling</title>
        <link>https://chl.ca/ohl/article/spirit-sign-goaltender-brady-knowling</link>
        <pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2026 15:41:41 +0000</pubDate>
        <dc:creator></dc:creator>
        <guid isPermaLink="false">https://chl.ca/ohl/article/spirit-sign-goaltender-brady-knowling</guid>
        <description><![CDATA[]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[<strong>Saginaw, MI. – </strong>Spirit GM Dave Drinkill announced this past weekend that the organization has signed goaltender Brady Knowling (NO-ling) to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement.

Knowling is the #1-ranked North American goalie on NHL Central Scouting’s list for the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft.

“We’re extremely excited to welcome Brady and his family to the Saginaw Spirit,” said Drinkill. “Brady is an elite goaltender who has consistently proven himself at the highest levels of his position, especially in international play with high stakes. His talent, work ethic, and competitive nature make him a tremendous addition to our team. He is an equally impressive young man off the ice as well – a team-first player that is driven to do anything to help his teammates succeed. We are beyond thrilled to bring him into our organization today and look forward to seeing the impact Brady will have both on and off the ice.”

Knowling, a dual US-Canadian citizen originally from Toronto, Ont., is a 6’5” left-hand catching goaltender. The Spirit selected Knowling with their third-round pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection.

“Ever since I first toured Saginaw, I loved the place and the staff,” said Knowling. “I’m happy it worked out and that I’m able to be here for what will be a fantastic year. I believe we are going to do something special this season and we have the team to do it – from goalies to skaters and staff.”

Knowling has spent the last two seasons with the U.S. National Team Development Program. Last season, he posted a 15-13-3-1 record, 3.51 GAA and .883 SV% with the NTDP’s U-18 team. He also appeared in a game with the U-17 squad, with a 2.01 GAA and .946 SV%.

“Brady brings a very strong pedigree as a goaltender to our team and strengthens our crease,” said goaltending coach Kevin Delamarter. “He brings great size, athleticism, and overall skill. I’m excited to help him continue to build on his abilities and overall development here in Saginaw.”

Last summer, Knowling led Team USA’s U-18 team to a Hlinka Gretzky Cup gold medal with four wins, a 2.35 GAA and .914 SV%. He joined the Americans for the IIHF World Junior Championship in January of 2026 as well.

Knowling won the inaugural game of this season’s CHL USA Prospects Challenge in Calgary, AB back on November 25th. His 42 saves backstopped Team USA to a 4-2 victory on the event’s opening night and he was named player of the game.

At the 2024 OHL Cup, Knowling led the North York Rangers to an OHL Cup semi-final appearance with a 3-1-0 record.

Knowling joins Dima Zhilkin (19th overall), Blake Barnes (107th overall), Brody Najim (110th overall), Tyler Martyniuk (117th overall), Liam Campbell (141st overall), Trevor Theuer (201st overall), and Kaden Sienko (261st overall) as the eighth player from the 2024 OHL Priority Selection to sign a Scholarship and Development Agreement with the team.]]></content:encoded>
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                  <title>Sting Sign top pick Adrian Sgro</title>
        <link>https://chl.ca/ohl/article/sting-sign-top-pick-adrian-sgro</link>
        <pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2026 15:28:12 +0000</pubDate>
        <dc:creator></dc:creator>
        <guid isPermaLink="false">https://chl.ca/ohl/article/sting-sign-top-pick-adrian-sgro</guid>
        <description><![CDATA[]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[The Sarnia Sting are pleased to announce the signing of defenceman Adrian Sgro to a Standard Player Agreement.

&nbsp;

Selected fourth overall in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection just last week, Sgro was widely regarded as one of the top defencemen available in this year's draft class. The young left-shot defenceman stands six feet tall and weighs 185 pounds.

A native of Alliston, Ontario, Sgro is coming off an impressive season with the Vaughan Kings U16 AAA program, where he served as team captain. In 33 games during the 2025-26 season, he recorded 10 goals and 21 assists while establishing himself as one of the premier defencemen in the Greater Toronto Hockey League.

&nbsp;

Sgro has been a member of the Vaughan Kings organization since the 2023-24 season. Known for his leadership, hockey sense, and all-around game, Sgro describes himself as a “complete hockey player with high hockey I.Q.,” qualities that align with the values emphasized by Sting scouting and hockey operations staff.
<blockquote>"When we selected Adrian fourth overall, we knew he was a player who would look incredible in Sting colours," said General Manager Dylan Seca. "He's a talented young defenceman with a high hockey IQ, strong leadership qualities, and a bright future ahead of him. Having Adrian signed is an exciting moment for our organization, and we're thrilled to officially welcome him to the Sting family."</blockquote>
&nbsp;

Sgro becomes the first member of the Sting's 2026 Priority Selection class to commit to the organization as the club continues to build for the future.]]></content:encoded>
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                  <title>OHL alumni crowned 2026 Calder Cup Champions with Toronto Marlies</title>
        <link>https://chl.ca/ohl/article/eight-ohl-alumni-crowned-2026-calder-cup-champions-with-toronto-marlies</link>
        <pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2026 17:19:49 +0000</pubDate>
        <dc:creator></dc:creator>
        <guid isPermaLink="false">https://chl.ca/ohl/article/eight-ohl-alumni-crowned-2026-calder-cup-champions-with-toronto-marlies</guid>
        <description><![CDATA[The Marlies captured the American Hockey League title on Friday night, defeating the Chicago Wolves 4-3 in Game 5 of the Calder Cup Finals on home ice in Toronto.]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[<span style="font-weight: 400">For the second time in franchise history, the Toronto Marlies are Calder Cup champions.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">The Marlies captured the American Hockey League title on Friday night, defeating the Chicago Wolves 4-3 in Game 5 of the Calder Cup Finals on home ice in Toronto.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">Trailing 2-0 late in the first period, Toronto responded with four consecutive goals to take control of the contest. London Knights alumnus Landon Sim ignited the comeback with the Marlies' opening goal, while fellow Knights graduate Easton Cowan played a pivotal role, recording three assists during the middle frame.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">The championship marks the second straight year a Canadian club has claimed the Calder Cup, following the Abbotsford Canucks in 2025.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">For Cowan and Sim, the victory represents a third consecutive championship season. The pair previously helped London capture back-to-back J. Ross Robertson Cup championships in 2024 and 2025, as well as the 2025 Memorial Cup, before making the jump to the professional ranks.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">Toronto entered the postseason as the fourth seed in the North Division after posting a 36-26-5-5 regular-season record. The Marlies advanced through the Rochester Americans, division champion Laval Rocket, Cleveland Monsters and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins before defeating the Chicago Wolves in the Finals.</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="text-decoration: underline"><b>OHL alumni crowned champions with the Marlies:</b></span>

<b>Forwards:</b>

<span style="font-weight: 400">Easton Cowan (London Knights)</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">Alex Nylander (Mississauga Steelheads)</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">Landon Sim (London Knights)</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">Michael Pezzetta (Sudbury Wolves, Sarnia Sting)</span>

&nbsp;

<b>Defenceman:</b>

<span style="font-weight: 400">Ben Danford (Oshawa Generals, Brantford Bulldogs)</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">Dakota Mermis (London Knights, Oshawa Generals)</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">Chas Sharpe (Mississauga Steelheads)</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">Blake Smith (Oshawa Generals, Flint Firebirds)</span>

&nbsp;

<strong>Goaltenders</strong>

Ken Appleby (Oshawa Generals)

&nbsp;

<b>Hockey Operations:</b>

<span style="font-size: 8pt"><i><span style="font-weight: 400">* denotes OHL club as a player</span></i></span>

John Gruden – Head Coach (Hamilton Bulldogs)

<span style="font-weight: 400">Mark Giordano – Assistant Coach (Owen Sound Attack*)</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">Brie Donelson – Assistant Athletic Therapist (Guelph Storm)</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">Nick Hornby – Assistant Equipment Manager (Niagara IceDogs)</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">Nick Biamonte – Video Coach (Guelph Storm)</span>

&nbsp;]]></content:encoded>
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