November is here and the 2022-23 season is just starting to heat up! Here’s a look across the League.
Misa, Mintyukov, Othmann and Simpson named Top Performers for October:
The OHL has announced Top Performers of the Month for October, including Player of the Month Brennan Othmann of the Flint Firebirds, Defenceman of the Month Pavel Mintyukov of the Saginaw Spirit, Rookie of the Month Michael Misa of the Saginaw Spirit and Goaltender of the Month Michael Simpson of the Peterborough Petes. READ
OHL announces Academic Players of the Month for October:
The OHL named Academic Players of the Month for October including Denver Barkey of the London Knights, Kieron Walton of the Sudbury Wolves, Brad Gardiner of the Ottawa 67’s and Alex Kostov of the Soo Greyhounds. READ
Spirit’s Mintyukov named to CHL Team of the Month:
Anaheim Ducks prospect Pavel Mintyukov of the Saginaw Spirit has been named to the CHL Team of the Month, recording 18 points including six goals and 12 assists coming in 13 games. READ
27 OHL players representing Canada at 2022 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Langley, BC:
Players and staff from across the OHL are in Langley, BC representing Canada at the 2022 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge that gets underway on Thursday. Read more
Spitfires and 67’s make Week 4 edition of Kia CHL Top 10:
After Week 5 action, the Windsor Spitfires and Ottawa 67’s find themselves in the Week 5 edition of the Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings. WATCH
Attack’s Goure named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week:
Deni Goure of the Owen Sound Attack is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording four goals, four assists and eight points in three games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-6. READ
Attack’s George named OHL Goaltender of the Week:
Carter George of the Owen Sound Attack is the OHL Goaltender of the Week with two victories, a 0.63 goals-against average and a .976 save percentage. READ
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
Papais turns heads in OHL Plays of the Week:
Roaring into November with another edition of OHL Plays of the Week, with impressive showings from Peterborough’s Tucker Robertson, Flint’s Tyler Deline, Saginaw’s Matyas Sapovaliv and Owen Sound teammates Julian Fantino and Matthew Papais. WATCH
Colts’ Thornton headlines OHL Saves of the Week:
The latest instalment of OHL Saves of the Week features a pair of big stops from Barrie’s Anson Thornton in addition to other appearances from Mississauga’s Alessio Beglieri, Sarnia’s Ben Gaudreau, Sudbury’s Joe Ranger and Hamilton’s Matteo Drobac. WATCH
Wolves relieve Head Coach Craig Duncanson:
The Sudbury Wolves announced that they have made a coaching change and have relieved Craig Duncanson from his coaching duties. Assistant GM Ken Mackenzie will step in on interim basis. READ
Petes finalize leadership group for 2022-23:
Overage defenceman Shawn Spearing will serve as Peterborough Petes captain for the second straight season, being joined by J.R. Avon, Tucker Robertson, Chase Stillman and Connor Lockhart wearing letters. Read more
Blair Scott commits to Rangers:
The Kitchener Rangers announced the signing of of 17-year-old defenceman Blair Scott to an OHL Standard Player’s Agreement. Scott was acquired from the Soo Greyhounds for a conditional ninth-round pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection. READ
Spirit welcomes Dillon Clark as Director of Communications and Broadcasting:
The Saginaw Spirit welcomed Dillon Clark as the club’s new Director or Communications and Broadcasting. Clark joins the Saginaw Spirit Hockey Club from the Carolina Thunderbirds of the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL), where he spent the past year as the Vice President of Media Relations and Play-by-Play Broadcaster READ
Celebrity coaches and ticket information announced for 2023 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game:
The 2023 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game will be held at the Langley Events Centre in Langley, BC on January 25, 2023, and there’ll be quite the Vancouver Canucks presence on hand for the event. Canucks legends Daniel and Henrik Sedin will be behind the bench alongside franchise great Stan Smyl. Vancouver Giants head coach Michael Dyck and Giants player development coach Brent Seabrook, a long-time NHL blueliner, will serve as head coaches. Read more
COMMUNITY CORNER:
Wolves partner with Stober Foundation:
The Sudbury Wolves have partnered with Keith Brewster and the Stober Foundation in support of Canada Blood Services. The Wolves and Keith partnered together to present a $45,000 donation to Canada Blood Services with the primary focus of the donation to be used locally in Northern Ontario. Read more
Otters collect over 2200 pairs of socks for Erie City Mission:
For the second season in a row, the Erie Otters and its fans combined their efforts on Saturday during their newly-annual Charity Sock Toss to assure that those in need in the Erie community would be able to put socks on their feet like everyone else during the winter season. The Otters encouraged fans to bring new, packaged socks to throw on the ice during the first intermission of the game, where they were collected, counted, and donated to the Erie City Mission. Read more
Battalion ready for Country Night at the Gardens on Thursday:
The North Bay Battalion play host to the Niagara IceDogs Thursday on Country Night at the Memorial Gardens. Fans are invited to come dressed in their best western wear as North Bay’s own country music star Cory Marks will be on hand at the game.
Petes to host First Responders night on Thursday:
The Peterborough Petes will be hosting their First Responders night on Thursday, where local first responders will be honoured in a special pre-game ceremony and throughout the game. Read more
Wolves to celebrate 50 years on Friday:
The Sudbury Wolves will be celebrating their 50th anniversary on Friday, as the players will be sporting the franchise’s special 50th anniversary jersey. The special edition jerseys will be available for auction will all proceeds going to the Ten Rainbows Children’s Foundation. As part of Friday’s 50th anniversary celebration, the Wolves organization will honour a number of staff and long-time members of the organization who have left their impact on both the organization and the community. Read more
Firebirds to host Pucks Four Paws on Friday:
The Flint Firebirds will be hosting their 3rd Pucks Four Paws game on Friday, benefiting the Genesee County Humane Society. Fans attending the game will be able to bring their dogs with them to watch the Firebirds take on the Kingston Frontenacs. The Firebirds encourage all fans bringing their dog to the game to bring a donation of dog food, cat food, cleaning supplies, and/or toys to receive a free dog ticket. Read more
Firebirds to host Autism Awareness night on Saturday:
The Flint Firebirds will be hosting their Autism Awareness night on Saturday, where all fans are welcome to cheer on the Firebirds in a sensory-friendly game. Read more
Steelheads to host Pucks N’ Paws game on Saturday:
The Mississauga Steelheads will be hosting their first Pucks N’ Paws game of the season on Saturday, where fans will be able to bring their dogs with them to the game. Several pet-friendly vendors will be onsite, including Mississauga Animal Services!
Otters to host Military night on Saturday:
The Erie Otters will be hosting their Military night on Saturday, where the players’ specialty warmup jerseys will be up for auction following the game. All proceeds from the auction will be donated to DAV, a free transportation service for veterans in need.
ALUMNI NOTES:
OHL mourns the loss of Brent Pope:
The Ontario Hockey League is saddened by news of the loss of the loss of an alumnus and sports broadcaster. Brent Pope played four OHL seasons between the Peterborough Petes, Hamilton Dukes, Guelph Storm and Ottawa 67’s from 1989-93. READ
Gainey, Hatcher inducted into Dallas Stars Hall of Fame:
Ontario Hockey League graduates Bob Gainey and Derian Hatcher were included in the inaugural induction class to the Dallas Stars Hall of Fame this past week. Both were on hand in Dallas to drop the ceremonial face-off as the Stars took on the New York Rangers Saturday night. Hatcher, who remains owner and is the winningest coach in the history of the Sarnia Sting, patrolled the blue line for the North Bay Centennials from 1989-91 and played 16 season in the NHL, 10 of those with Dallas. Gainey, who remains a senior advisor with his hometown Peterborough Petes, was a standout in Peterborough prior to a 16-year NHL career with the Montreal Canadiens. Gainey was the general manager of the 1999 Dallas Stars team that won the Stanley Cup.
McDavid named NHL’s first star for October:
Erie Otters graduate Connor McDavid is the NHL’s first star of the month for October, recording nine goals and 18 points over nine contests. He became the sixth-fastest player in NHL history to reach the 700-point milestone, doing so in 488 games. A former OHL Rookie of the Year, Scholastic Player of the Year, Red Tilson Trophy recipient and Playoff MVP, McDavid played three seasons in Erie from 2012-15.
Bailey plays 1,000th NHL game:
Former Owen Sound Attack and Windsor Spitfires forward Josh Bailey played his 1,000th career NHL contest last Friday. The 33-year-old from Bowmanville, Ont. joins Brian Trottier and Denis Potvin as the third player to ever play 1,000 games as a member of the New York Islanders. Originally selected by the Isles with the ninth overall pick of the 2008 NHL Draft, Bailey was a standout over three seasons in the OHL from 2005-08. He’s amassed 558 points (178-380–558) in his NHL career thus far.
Duchene registers 400th assist:
Brampton Battalion grad Matt Duchene posted the 400th assist of his NHL career on Tuesday. The 31-year-old from Haliburton, Ont. has nine points (2-7–9) through his first 10 games of the season with the Nashville Predators. Duchene helped the Battalion win an Eastern Conference title in 2009 before being selected third overall by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2009 NHL Draft. He’s produced 697 points (296-401–697) over 915 career regular season games between Colorado, Ottawa, Columbus and Nashville.
Skinner scores 300th career NHL goal:
Former Kitchener Rangers star Jeff Skinner netted his 300th career NHL goal on Monday, part of a three-point performance to help the Buffalo Sabres beat the Detroit Red Wings 8-3. Skinner is off to a great start in 2022-23, recording 10 points (2-8–10) through his first 10 games following a 33-goal bounce-back season in 2021-22. The 30-year-old from Markham, Ont. scored 50 goals for the Kitchener Rangers in 2009-10, helping them reach the Western Conference Championship Series. The 5-foot-11 left-winger has recorded five different 30-goal NHL seasons.
Cormier named ECHL Goaltender of the Week:
Saginaw Spirit graduate Evan Cormier of the Kalamazoo Wings is the ECHL Goaltender of the Week, going 2-0 with a shutout, a 1.50 goals-against average and .957 save percentage las tweek. The 24-year-old is currently under contract of the Manitoba Moose of the AHL and owns a career ECHL record of 23-16-9 with three shutouts, a 3.14 goals-against average and .895 save percentage. The Bowmanville, Ont. native played parts of five OHL seasons between North Bay and Saginaw from 2013-18. He was New Jersey’s fourth round pick in the 2016 NHL Draft.
Bollers named U SPORTS Hockey player of the week:
Former Saginaw Spirit and Oshawa Generals forward Kyle Bollers of Toronto Metropolitan University has been named the U SPORTS men’s hockey player of the week. The Oshawa, Ont. native posted six points over two games as TMU took home a pair of wins over Guelph and Brock last week. Bollers is currently studing sport media at TMU. He played three seasons in the OHL between 2016-19.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
– All games streaming on OHL Live
– Radio and TV broadcast information
Thursday November 3rd
Niagara at North Bay – 7:00pm
Barrie at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Sarnia at Windsor – 7:05pm
Kingston at Saginaw – 7:05pm
Friday November 4th
North Bay at Hamilton – 7:00pm
Barrie at Ottawa – 7:00pm
Kingston at Flint – 7:00pm
Erie at London – 7:00pm
Niagara at Sudbury – 7:05pm
Guelph at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07pm
Saginaw at Kitchener – 7:30pm
Peterborough at Oshawa – 7:35pm
Saturday November 5th
Windsor at Mississauga– 4:00pm
Peterborough at Ottawa – 7:00pm
Guelph at Flint – 7:00pm
North Bay at Erie – 7:00pm
Niagara at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07pm
London at Owen Sound – 7:30pm
Sunday November 6th
Mississauga at Sudbury – 2:05pm
Flint at Sarnia – 2:05pm
Kingston at Windsor – 4:05pm
Saginaw at Oshawa – 6:05pm
