The Family Day long weekend is upon us! Get ready for a jam-packed schedule with the latest edition of OHL This Week.
Spirit’s Parekh makes OHL history with 20th goal:
Saginaw Spirit defenceman Zayne Parekh made OHL history on Wednesday, scoring his 19th and 20th goals of the season to set a new mark by a 16-year-old rookie blueliner. Parekh accomplished the feat on his 17th birthday as the Spirit defeated the host Soo Greyhounds by a score of 6-2. His 20 goals surpass the prior mark of 19 set by Rick Corriveau with the London Knights in 1987-88.
Knights, Sting square-off in 402 battle on TSN Friday night:
The CHL on TSN comes to London Friday night as the host Knights put a nine-game winning streak on the line against the surging Sarnia Sting, who enter action off a 9-1 win over the Guelph Storm on Wednesday. Catch Friday’s action at 7:00pm on TSN 4 as a pair of Western Conference rivals go head-to-head in a battle of contending teams.
Firebirds visit Spitfires in tonight’s CHL TV Game of the Week freeview:
The red-hot Windsor Spitfires (35-12-4) will host the Flint Firebirds (24-25-4) in an OHL West Division tilt tonight. Watch for FREE at ohllive.com! Read more
67’s, Knights and Spitfires included in Week 19 edition of Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings:
The Ottawa 67’s, London Knights and Windsor Spitfires are included in the Week 19 edition of the Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings while the North Bay Battalion received an honourable mention. Read more
Knights’ Sean McGurn named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week:
Sean McGurn is the OHL Player of the Week, leading all players with 13 points including five goals and eight assists in four games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-8. Read more
Knights’ Zach Bowen named OHL Goaltender of the Week:
London Knights rookie netminder Zach Bowen is the OHL Goaltender of the Week, playing to a 3-0 record with a 2.70 goals-against average and .920 save percentage. Read more
67’s’ Morrison headlines OHL Plays of the Week:
End-to-end rushes and slick dangles headline this edition of #OHLPlays! Catch highlight reel efforts from Hamilton’s Nick Lardis, London’s Isaiah George, Erie’s Carey Terrance, Sault Ste. Marie’s Kalvyn Watson and Ottawa’s Logan Morrison. Watch
Otters’ Lalonde leads OHL Saves of the Week:
Rolling the latest edition of OHL Saves of the Week, with appearances from Erie’s Nolan Lalonde, Owen Sound’s Carter George, Niagara’s Josh Rosenzweig, Kingston’s Ivan Zhigalov and Peterborough’s Liam Sztuska. Watch
OHL Weekend Notebook:
Ryan Abraham made his return to the Windsor Spitfires lineup, helping them stretch their current winning streak to seven games last week. Details on that and more in the OHL Weekend Notebook. Read more
First career goals in OHL Milestone Moments:
Take another look at first career OHL goals from Sault Ste. Marie’s Caleb Van De Ven, Oshawa’s Tyler Graham, Niagara’s Ryan Vannetten, and Saginaw’s Bode Stewart in the latest round of OHL Milestone Moments. Watch
OHL This Week Podcast – Ep. 20:
This is a special one for Seattle Kraken fans. The OHL has a lot of Seattle prospects! We chat with one of them on this episode as former first overall OHL Priority Selection choice Ty Nelson of the North Bay Battalion joins the show after Kraken Director of Player Development Jeff Tambellini discusses his club’s prospects developing in the OHL. Listen
Bertucci developing into key piece for Firebirds:
With 24 points in 22 games post-Christmas, NHL Draft prospect Tristan Bertucci of the Flint Firebirds is coming into his own. Hear from Bertucci on his successful sophomore season, with additional comments for Firebirds head coach and general manager Ted Dent. Read more
Marlboros continue to lead OHL Cup U16 AAA Top 10 Rankings:
Ontario’s U16 AAA circuit will largely be going on hiatus for a period as the Canada Winter Games get underway on Prince Edward Island. Heading into that break, there’s one shuffle in the 11th edition of the OHL Cup Top 10 Rankings as the Mississauga Rebels climb one spot to eighth on the list while the Vaughan Kings drop one slot to ninth. The ALLIANCE Huron-Perth Lakers have also ascended into the honourable mentions for the second time this season, owning a 20-5-4 record for second place in their league standings. Read more
Five to Watch for the 2023 OHL Priority Selection:
In this week’s edition, we take a look at our third batch of players that have had excelled among their peers this season. This week features our first goaltender introduced in this draft class, along with the first player to be revealed from the HEO U18 AAA division. Read more
Rangers honour long-time former Chief Operating Officer Steve Bienkowski:
The Kitchener Rangers honoured former long-time Chief Operating Officer Steve Bienkowski prior to puck-drop at The Aud on Friday. A former OHL netminder, Bienkowski spent 28 years with the Rangers and was on hand to see a tribute video that included the likes of OHL Commissioner David Branch, former Kitchener coaches Peter DeBoer and Steve Spott among others. Bienkowski was honoured with the OHL’s Bill Long Award in August 2022. Watch
Nearly 14,000 fans take in 2023 PWHPA OHL Showcase:
The 2023 PWHPA OHL Showcase was a tremendous success, putting the top women’s hockey talent in the world on display in OHL venues. Nearly 14,000 fans took in the weekend’s action, with viewers also tuning in across the province on both YourTV and Rogers tv broadcasts carried on the Rogers Super Sports Pak. Read more
Black Heritage Month Conversations Ep. 2 – Kitchener Rangers graduate Mark Fraser:
Former NHL defenceman and Kitchener Rangers graduate Mark Fraser now serves as Manager of Culture and Inclusion for the Toronto Maple Leafs. OHL Director of Cultural Diversity and Inclusion Rico Phillips caught up with Fraser, who played two years in Kitchener from 2004-06 before skating 219 games in the NHL between New Jersey, Toronto and Edmonton. Watch
IceDogs hire OHL graduate Evan McGrath in Player Development role:
The Niagara IceDogs have hired OHL graduate and long-time pro Evan McGrath in a player development role. Read more
COMMUNITY CORNER:
February is Talk Today Month in the OHL:
Throughout February, the OHL’s 17 Ontario-based member teams will host mental health awareness games in collaboration with their local CMHA branch. Originally launched by CMHA Ontario in partnership with the OHL in 2014, Talk Today provides an important opportunity to address the mental health needs of athletes across Canada. The North Bay Battalion host their CMHA Talk Today game on Thursday night. Read more
Frontenacs host Diversity in Hockey Night on Friday:
The Kingston Frontenacs are partnering with Hockey Diversity Alliance present Diversity in Hockey Night on Friday at the Leon’s Centre. The HDA aims to ensure every child can play the game of hockey regardless of socioeconomic background, gender, and race. Through their programs, the HDA provides opportunities to underrepresented communities in the hopes of diversifying the game. Read more at kingstonfrontenacs.com
Bilingual Night in Sudbury on Friday:
Fans are invited to experience a classic Wolves game in both of Canada’s official languages as the Wolves take on the Erie Otters in English et en Français. Go Wolves Go! Allez les Wolves Allez! Read more at sudburywolves.com
Hockey for Hospice Night in Owen Sound on Saturday:
The Owen Sound Attack are raising funds for Grey Bruce Hospice Inc. on Saturday when they play host to the Saginaw Spirit. The Bears will be decked out in special uniforms that are being auctioned off at DASH auctions. The auction runs through Sunday, February 19th at 6:00pm. To learn more about all of Saturday’s fundraising efforts, visit attackhockey.com.
Healthcare Heroes Night in Flint on Saturday:
The Firebirds return from a three-game road trip to the friendly confines of the Dort Financial Center this Saturday against the Kitchener Rangers. It will be Healthcare Heroes Night as the Birds will give healthcare workers and medical professionals a FREE ticket to the game with proof of employment or a valid work ID. For more on Saturday’s events, visit flintfirebirds.com.
IceDogs to team up with Akil Thomas’ Zale Apparel for Black History Month Game on Sunday:
Former Niagara IceDogs captain Akil Thomas had a part in designing the Niagara IceDogs’ Black History Month jerseys to be worn on Sunday afternoon. Thomas’ apparel company, Zale, was tasked with creating the design. The Dogs will don the special uniforms when they play host to the Sudbury Wolves.
ALUMNI NOTES:
McDavid with third straight 100-point season in his sights:
Erie Otters graduate and former OHL MVP Connor McDavid is one point shy of 100 on the season. The Edmonton Oilers captain leads the NHL in scoring and is set to register his sixth career 100-point campaign. The Newmarket, Ont. native has amassed 796 points over his 542 career regular season games, earning four Art Ross Trophies as the NHL’s leading scorer along the way. The 26-year-old McDavid played three seasons in Erie from 2012-15, helping the Otters win a Western Conference title in his final season.
Silovs makes NHL debut with Canucks:
Barrie Colts graduate Arturs Silovs got his first taste of the NHL on Wednesday, getting the start for the Vancouver Canucks’ 6-4 home ice loss to the New York Rangers. The Riga, Latvia native made his NHL debut at the age of 21 as he made 22 saves, getting the call-up and start with Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko out with an injury. Read more
Guzda a trusted presence in Checkers’ crease:
Former Barrie Colts and Owen Sound Attack netminder Mack Guzda made an early transition to life in the OHL and now he’s doing the same in the AHL. The Florida Panthers prospect has played to a 12-5-2 record with a 2.62 goals-against average and .909 save percentage in 20 games this season. TheAHL.com’s Nick Niedzielski dives into Guzda’s rookie season in the AHL, documenting his smooth transition. Read more at theahl.com
Pelech sets ECHL all-time games played record:
OHL graduate Michael Pelech made history on Tuesday night, setting a new all-time games played record in the ECHL. The Atlanta Gladiators forward played in career regular season game 860 on Tuesday as the Gladiators fell to the visiting South Carolina Stingrays by a score of 5-3. Read more
Hawel wins AUS scoring title:
Former Soo Greyhounds, Guelph Storm and Kitchener Rangers forward Liam Hawel finished atop the AUS regular season scoring race, recording 39 points (16-23–39) in 26 games for the StFX X-Men. A former fourth round pick of the Dallas Stars in 2017, Hawel follows up a 37-point rookie season at StFX in 2021-22. The Arnprior, Ont. native played five seasons in the OHL from 2015-20, winning an OHL championship with Guelph in 2019.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
– All games streaming on OHL Live
– Radio and TV broadcast information
Thursday February 16th
Erie at North Bay – 7:00pm (Free for TSN Subscribers on TSN+)
Ottawa at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Flint at Windsor – 7:05pm (CHL TV Game of the Week – Free View)
Friday February 17th
Barrie at Hamilton – 7:00pm
Peterborough at Kingston – 7:00pm
Sarnia at London – 7:00pm (CHL on TSN – Live on TSN 4)
Niagara at Mississauga – 7:00pm
Oshawa at Ottawa – 7:00pm
Erie at Sudbury – 7:05pm
Kitchener at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07pm
Saginaw at Guelph – 7:30pm
Saturday February 18th
Kitchener at Flint – 7:00pm
Guelph at Oshawa – 7:05pm
London at Sarnia – 7:05pm
Mississauga at Windsor – 7:05pm
Erie at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07pm
North Bay at Barrie – 7:30pm
Saginaw at Owen Sound – 7:30pm
Sunday February 19th
Kingston at Hamilton – 2:00pm
Sudbury at Niagara – 2:00pm
Monday February 20th
Owen Sound at Guelph – 2:00pm
Kitchener at Hamilton – 2:00pm
Barrie at Kingston – 2:00pm
Windsor at London – 2:00pm
North Bay at Ottawa – 2:00pm
Saginaw at Mississauga – 2:05pm
Niagara at Oshawa – 2:05pm
Sudbury at Peterborough – 2:05pm
Flint at Sarnia – 2:05pm
