The latest edition of OHL This Week brings you up to speed on what’s happening across the League.
Spitfires, Knights and 67’s all clinch playoff spots:
The Windsor Spitfires, London Knights and Ottawa 67’s are the first three teams solidified in the 2023 OHL Playoff picture, clinching spots during last weekend’s play.
Steelheads and 67’s streaming free on CHL TV this Saturday:
This week’s CHL TV Game of the Week free view features the Mississauga Steelheads (27-22-5-0 in Ottawa to take on the 67’s (39-11-2-2) on Saturday at 7:00pm. Visit ohllive.com and create an account to see the game for free!
OHL appoints Brodie Barrick as Director of Player Recruitment and Player Support Services:
The Ontario Hockey League has announced the appointment of Brodie Barrick as its Director of Player Recruitment and Player Support Services. Read more
67’s, Knights and Spitfires make Week 20 edition of Kia CHL Top 10:
The Ottawa 67’s, London Knights and Windsor Spitfires are included in the Week 20 edition of the Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings while the North Bay Battalion and Sarnia Sting received honourable mentions. Watch
Sting’s Burke named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week:
Nashville Predators prospect Nolan Burke of the Sarnia Sting is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, scoring five goals and adding three assists for eight points as the Sting collected five of a possible six points last week. Read More
Spirit’s Lennox named OHL Goaltender of the Week:
New York Islanders prospect Tristan Lennox of the Saginaw Spirit is the OHL Goaltender of the Week for the second time this season, going 3-0 with a 2.00 goals-against average and .926 save percentage. Read more
OHL Weekend Notebook:
The OHL Weekend Notebook recaps the weekend that was with news, information and interesting facts from both on and off the ice. Read more
Generals’ Oster headlines OHL Saves of the Week:
Check out big stops by Oshawa’s Jacob Oster, Kingston’s Mason Vaccari, Kitchener’s Marcus Vandenberg, Sudbury’s Kevyn Brassard, Flint’s Nathan Day, London’s Brett Brochu and Saginaw’s Tristan Lennox. Watch
Sting’s Pastujov dazzles in OHL Plays of the Week:
A pair of end-to-end goals from the Sting and some pretty passing plays headline this week’s edition of OHL Plays of the Week! Watch
Four first goals and a shutout in latest OHL Milestone Moments:
The latest round of OHL Milestone Moments features first career goals by Sault Ste. Marie’s Daylen Moses, Sudbury’s Nicholas Yearwood, Erie’s Alex Messier and a first shutout by Barrie Colts netminder Ben West. OHL Milestone Moments is presented by Syngenta Canada and Grain Farmers of Ontario. Watch
Wolves honour Athletic Therapist and Equipment Manager Dan Buckland:
Buckland, who goes by Bucky to the players and staff, serves as both Athletic Therapist and Equipment Manager for the Sudbury Wolves. While Buckland prefers to work behind the scenes, the spotlight was on him Monday as he appeared in his 1,000th career game. Read more
Four years later, Spits’ Holmes, Battalion’s Arnsby reflect on Canada Winter Games experience:
Jacob Holmes and Liam Arnsby have seen first-hand how fast time can fly in the Ontario Hockey League. As the top ’07-born players from across the province compete in the Canada Winter Games this week in Prince Edward Island, the memories began to flood in from the experience of representing Ontario themselves in 2019. Read more
Carson Woodall commits to Spitfires:
The Windsor Spitfires have announced the signing of defenceman Carson Woodall to an OHL Standard Player Agreement. Woodall is a native of Belle River, Ont. and played his U16 AAA year with the Toronto Marlboros before being drafted by the Spitfires in the 10th round of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection. Since being drafted, Woodall has been playing with the Spitfires affiliate, LaSalle Vipers in the GOJHL. Read more
Black Heritage Month Conversations Ep. 3: OHL graduate Jaden Lindo:
Former Owen Sound Attack and Sarnia Sting forward Jaden Lindo now serves as Head of Community Hockey Programs for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He joins OHL Director of Diversity and Inclusion Rico Phillips for the latest instalment of Black Heritage Month Conversations as he discusses his role in the film Soul on Ice written by Damon Kwame Mason. Watch
COMMUNITY CORNER:
February is Talk Today Month in the OHL:
February is here, signalling the start of CMHA Talk Today Month across the Ontario Hockey League. 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 Peterborough Petes, Ottawa 67’s and Oshawa Generals will hold CMHA Talk Today games this weekend. Read more
Generals to host Pride night on Friday:
The Oshawa Generals will host their third annual Pride night on Friday. From start to finish, Pride Night 2023 will provide an opportunity for all of Gens Nation to expand their knowledge on Pride in the community through special concourse booths around the Tribute Communities Centre. Fans can also celebrate their Pride through a number of initiatives to make the night that much more special. Read more
Rangers to host You Can Play game on Friday:
The Kitchener Rangers are preparing to host their second annual You Can Play game on Friday. The You Can Play Project was founded to advocate for inclusion, acceptance, and respect of LGBTQ+ athletes in sports. There will be many events and giveaways taking place throughout the night. Read more
Frontenacs to host Military Appreciation night on Friday:
The Kingston Frontenacs are set to host their 13th annual Military Appreciation night on Friday. The game is a salute to military families and to all the brave men and women who serve or have served our country. Read more
Storm to host Hand Up For Healing game with Anishnabeg Outreach on Friday:
The Guelph Storm will host a Hand Up For Healing game with Anishnabeg Outreach on Friday. Hand Up for Healing is about offering a hand-up, not a hand-out. Anishnabeg Outreach has patterned with local agencies, organizations, and businesses across Ontario to develop and pilot the Essential Lifeskills programs and self-directed Virtual Mental Health Training system to support Indigenous communities in their journey to healing. Read more
Firebirds to host 80s night on Saturday:
The Flint Firebirds are set to host their 80s themed night on Saturday. The first 1,000 fans will receive a free glow bracelet and 80s candy will be available for purchase on the concourse. Dress in your best 80’s attire and be automatically eligible to win special prizes.
Otters to host Kids Takeover night on Saturday:
The Erie Otters are set to host their Kids Takeover game on Saturday. Their second annual Kids Takeover Game features Kids running the show from the Press Box to the Bench and everywhere in between. The first 1000 fans in the arena will receive a free Otters Goal Coin Bank and a specially kid-designed Otters jersey.
Firebirds to host Princess & Superhero Family Funday on Sunday:
The Flint Firebirds are set to host their Princess & Superhero Family Funday on Sunday. Everyone’s favorite princess and superhero characters will be in attendance and kids are encouraged to dress up as their favorite characters as well. There will also be a costume parade held at the first intermission.
Storm to host Timbits Minor Hockey Day on Sunday:
The Guelph Storm are set to host their Timbits Minor Hockey Day on Sunday. Local Tim Hortons Restaurant owners are celebrating another fun season of Timbits hockey in the region. Nearly 500 local Timbits hockey players from Arthur Minor Hockey Association, Centre Wellington Minor Hockey Association, Grand Valley & District MHA, Guelph MHA, Minto Minor Hockey, Mount Forest Minor Hockey, Orangeville Minor Hockey, Shelburne Minor Hockey, Stanley Stick Hockey Association, Drayton Minor Hockey Association and Town of Minto – Grassroots Hockey will be in attendance. Read more
ALUMNI NOTES:
Chris Neil’s No. 25 retired by Senators:
The Ottawa Senators honoured former forward Chris Neil on Friday night, retiring his No. 25 jersey. The former North Bay Centennials forward became one of just three players in Senators history to play in 1,000 games for the club and joins Ken Daneyko as just the second player in NHL history to compile over 1,000 games and 2,500 penalty minutes while playing the entirety of his career with a single franchise. A product of Flesherton, Ont., Neil played in the OHL from 1996-99. He retired following the 2016-17 season.
McDavid records 800th NHL point:
Former Erie Otters forward Connor McDavid recorded his 800th NHL career point on Monday. The 26-year-old became the fifth fastest player to reach the 800-point milestone, recording 800 points (283-519-800) in 545 games played. This season, McDavid has registered 44 goals and 61 assists for 105 points in just 58 games. Becoming the third player to ever be granted exceptional status into the OHL, the Newmarket, Ont native spent three seasons with the Otters from 2012-2015, recording 285 points (97-188-285) over 166 games played.
Scheifele plays 700th NHL game:
Former Barrie Colts forward Mark Scheifele skated in his 700th NHL game on Wednesday. The 29-year-old has recorded 629 points (264-365-629) through his 700 games played with the Winnipeg Jets. The Kitchener, Ont. native spent three seasons with the Colts, recording 217 points (84-133-217) over 158 OHL career games.
Golod named ECHL Player of the Week:
Former Erie Otters forward Max Golod has been named the ECHL Player of the Week. Golod scored five goals and added two assists for seven points in two games for the Tulsa Oilers last week. Under a National Hockey League contract with Anaheim, Golod has 36 points (9-27-36) in 38 games with the Oilers this season while also skating in one game with San Diego of the American Hockey League. The Concord, Ont. native spent three seasons in the OHL, posting 146 points (54-92-154) in 178 career games with the Otters.
Hawel, Lajeunesse headline AUS Awards and All-Stars:
Several OHL graduates are being recognized for outstanding seasons in Atlantic University Sport men’s hockey. Headlining the group is back-to-back Most Valuable Player Liam Hawel, along with Most Sportsmanlike Player Troy Lajeunesse. Learn more about their success, in addition to a number of former OHL players named to both all-star and all-rookie teams. Read more
U SPORTS Report – OHL grads sign AHL and ECHL contracts
The U SPORTS Report keeps tabs on former OHL names doing great things in the OUA, AUS and Canada West ranks on the road to the 2023 U SPORTS University Cup. In this week’s edition, OHL grads Daniel Walker and Franco Sproviero signed professional contracts at the next level. Read more
Cicarelli, Sim and Letowski named to inaugural class of Sarnia Sting Hall of Fame:
The Sarnia Sting have named the inaugural class for the newly unveiled Sarnia Sting Hall of Fame, including founder Larry Ciccarelli along with alumni Jon Sim and Trevor Letowski. Read more
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
– All games streaming on OHL Live
– Radio and TV broadcast information
Thursday February 23rd
Sault Ste. Marie at Niagara – 7:00pm
Windsor at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Erie at Barrie – 7:30pm
Friday February 24th
Mississauga at Kingston – 7:00pm
Windsor at Ottawa – 7:00pm
Sudbury at Niagara – 7:00pm
Sarnia at London – 7:00pm
North Bay at Saginaw – 7:05pm
Sault Ste. Marie at Guelph – 7:30pm
Owen Sound at Kitchener – 7:30pm
Peterborough at Oshawa – 7:35pm
Saturday February 25th
Kingston at Hamilton – 4:00pm
Mississauga at Ottawa – 7:00pm (CHL TV Game of the Week Free View)
North Bay at Flint – 7:00pm
Sudbury at Erie – 7:00pm
Sarnia at Saginaw – 7:05pm
Oshawa at Barrie – 7:30pm
London at Owen Sound – 7:30pm
Sunday February 26th
Sudbury at Hamilton – 2:00pm
Windsor at Kingston – 2:00pm
Barrie at Niagara – 2:00pm
London at Guelph – 2:00pm
Sault Ste. Marie at Kitchener – 2:00pm
North Bay at Sarnia – 2:05pm
Saginaw at Flint – 4:00pm
Ottawa at Oshawa – 6:05pm