Welcome to 2024! The fun continues across the OHL with a full slate of games on the schedule.
Spirit head into 2024 sitting atop OHL Power Rankings:
The Saginaw Spirit enter the new year as the top-ranked team in the weekly OHL Power Rankings. Saginaw comes-off a big win over the Soo Greyhounds to close-out 2023. The Spirit return to action on Thursday night in Kitchener for a big matchup against the Rangers. Read more
Watch episode 4 of Spirit Rising, streaming now on OHL Live:
The Saginaw Spirit look to bust out of a slump in Episode 4 of Spirit Rising, streaming now on OHL Live. Watch
Rangers, Spirit and Greyhounds included in Week 13 edition of CHL Top 10 Rankings:
The Kitchener Rangers, Saginaw Spirit and Soo Greyhounds are included in the Week 13 edition of the CHL Top 10 Rankings. Read more
OHL announces Top Performers of the Month for December:
The Ontario Hockey League announced top performers for the month of December including Sudbury Wolves teammates Marcus Vandenberg and Nick DeAngelis, London Knights forward Ruslan Gazizov and Brantford Bulldogs forward Jake O’Brien. Read more
OHL announces Academic Players of the Month for December presented by Hockley Valley Resort:
The OHL rolled-out Academic Players of the Month for December including Windsor’s Cole Davis, Owen Sound’s Carter George, Mississauga’s Parker Von Richter, and Peterborough’s Carson Cameron. Read more
Knights’ Dickinson named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week:
2024 NHL Draft prospect Sam Dickinson of the London Knights is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording three goals, five assists and eight points over three games as the Knights went a perfect 3-0. Read more
Storm’s Gillespie named OHL Goaltender of the Week:
Guelph Storm netminder Brayden Gillespie has been named the OHL Goaltender of the Week for the second time this season after he went 2-0 with a 1.50 goals-against average and .947 save percentage in a pair of starts last week. Read more
Frontenacs’ Miedema headlines OHL Plays of the Week presented by FPS Payment:
Check out some sensational passing in the latest edition of OHL Plays of the Week presented by FPS Payment! We’ve got contributions from a Flint Firebirds trio, Windsor’s Liam Greentree, Kingston’s Jacob Battaglia, Sudbury’s Alex Pharand and Kingston’s Ethan Miedema. Watch
Watch the finest saves across the league with Enbridge OHL Saves of the Week:
Ringing in the new year with the Enbridge OHL Saves of the Week, featuring appearances from Mississauga’s Ryerson Leenders, Kitchener’s Jackson Parsons, Niagara’s Owen Flores, Flint’s Jacob Brown, Windsor’s Joey Costanzo, Peterborough’s Liam Sztuska and Oshawa’s Jacob Oster. Watch
Six first goals featured in latest edition of OHL Milestone Moments:
We’ve got six first career OHL goals in the latest edition of OHL Milestone Moments presented by Syngenta Canada and Grain Farmers of Ontario. Watch as Windsor’s Conor Walton, London’s Evan Van Gorp, Erie’s Brett Hammond, Ottawa’s Kimi Korbler, Kitchener’s Cameron Arquette and Erie’s Wesley Royston all made memories last week. Watch
World Juniors Daily:
Stay up to date as OHL players compete in the 2024 World Juniors taking place from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 in Gothenburg, Sweden. Read more
Barrie AAA Colts climb in Week 6 edition of OHL Cup Top 10 Rankings:
The Toronto Marlboros Holiday Tournament champion Barrie AAA Colts are on the rise in the Week 6 edition of the U16 AAA rankings for the 2024 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament presented by FPS Payment and hosted by the Greater Toronto Hockey League. Read more
2024 OHL Draft Advanced Scouting – Kent Greer (Barrie Jr. Colts):
Barrie Jr. Colts blueliner Kent Greer is the focus of our fifth 2024 #OHLDraft Advanced Scouting feature. Watch
OHL mourns the loss of Ken Miller:
The Ontario Hockey League is mourning the passing of Ken Miller, the League’s Director of Security whose involvement with the OHL in various capacities spans more than 40 years. Miller passed away on New Year’s Day at the age of 75. Miller joined the OHL as a referee in 1982-83, officiating games for the next eight seasons prior to his retirement in 1989-90. He then joined the OHL’s supervisory staff as an Officiating Manager and has been active in that role for the past 33 years. Miller was appointed as the League’s Enforcement Officer / Director of Security in February 2010, a role that saw him ensure compliance of policies established by the League around player recruitment, player benefits, player environment and assisting in the coordination and support of security of League special events. Read more
COMMUNITY CORNER:
Community-driven Battalion continues to succeed on and off the ice:
A team known for it’s loyal and community-driven fanbase, the North Bay Battalion continues to develop strong leaders on and off the ice. Ty Nelson and Dalyn Wakely are taking meaningful steps this season, spearheading initiatives to support their surrounding communities, a testament to their commitment to giving back to those who continue to show them unwavering support. Read more
Firebirds to host Firebirds Fight Hunger games on Friday and Saturday:
The Flint Firebirds are set to host their Firebirds Fight Hunger game on Friday and Saturday night. The Firebirds encourage fans to bring a minimum of 5 non-perishable food items and receive a free ticket to the game, courtesy of Dort Financial Credit Union.
Wolves partner with SKHC for 2nd annual Indigenous designed jersey:
The Sudbury Wolves are excited to partner with the Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre (SKHC) to unveil their second annual Indigenous designed theme jersey ahead of this Saturday’s game against the Kitchener Rangers in support of Indigenous Youth in Sport and Mental Wellness. Read more
Otters to host Nickelodeon night on Saturday:
The Erie Otters are set to host their Nickelodeon night on Saturday where nostalgic nautical nonsense of Bikini Bottom will be brought to the Erie Insurance Arena! The Otters will also take the ice in specialty made Nickelodeon-themed game jerseys, which will be auctioned off post-game to benefit Erie Homes for Children and Adults.
IceDogs to host Next Gen game on Sunday:
The Niagara IceDogs are set to host their first-ever Next Gen game on Sunday. Children will be taking control of the production for the game, so expect a family friendly atmosphere at the Meridian Centre!
Troops collect 1,178 bears, raise funds for community initiatives:
The numbers are in, and the North Bay Battalion collected a total of 1,178 bears through their annual Teddy Bear Toss on December 3rd. The Battalion’s generous fans donated $4,200 to the Children’s Miracle Network, in addition to $3,160 to the North Bay Santa Fund. This year’s goal was scored by 16-year-old call-up Reyth Smith, the club’s fifth-round pick last spring who sent the bears flying in his first career OHL contest.
ALUMNI NOTES:
McDavid earns 900th NHL point:
Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid recorded his 900th NHL point on Monday, scoring a goal along with four assists to help lead the Oilers to a 5-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Recording 14 goals and 39 assists so far this season (14-39-53), The Newmarket, Ont. native has now registered 317 goals and 586 assists (317-586-903) in just 602 NHL career games with the Oilers. Playing in his ninth NHL season, the three-time Hart Trophy recipient as the NHL’s Most Valuable Player was originally selected first overall by Edmonton in the 2015 NHL Draft. One of eight CHL players to ever be granted exceptional status, the Erie Otters’ former first overall pick in the 2012 OHL Priority Selection spent three seasons in the OHL, registering 285 points (97-188-285) in 166 regular season contests.
Stamkos sets new Lightning all-time games played record:
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Steven Stamkos reached a monumental milestone Sunday night, skating in his 1,038th NHL game to become the new leader in games played for the Lightning franchise. Surpassing the former record held by Vincent Lecavalier, Stamkos has recorded 1,094 points (531-563-1094) in his 1,038 contests. Playing in his 16th season with the Lightning, the Unionville, Ont. native was originally selected first overall by the franchise in the 2008 NHL Draft. Stamkos has had the honour of being crowned a two-time Maurice Richard Trophy recipient for most goals scored in a season, along with hoisting the Stanley Cup as champion in 2019-20 and 2020-21. Selected first overall by Sarnia in the 2006 OHL Priority Selection, Stamkos spent two seasons with the Sting registering 100 goals, 97 assists, and 197 points over 124 games played.
Othmann called-up by Rangers, to make debut Thursday:
Brennan Othmann’s time has come with the New York Rangers. The Blueshirts recalled the former OHL champion from the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack on Wednesday as he’s slated to make his NHL debut for the Rangers at home against the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday. Othmann, 20, has put up 23 points (9-14–23) over 28 games with Hartford this season after helping the Peterborough Petes hoist the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL champions last spring. The Pickering, Ont. native was New York’s first round (16th overall) pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, and comes off an OHL career that yielded 197 points (96-101–197) over 177 career regular season games.
Graeme Clarke called up by Devils:
Ottawa 67’s graduate Graeme Clarke is looking to make his NHL debut this week, being called-up by the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday. The 22-year-old from Nepean, Ont. has produced 21 points (11-10–21) through 27 games in his fourth AHL season, patrolling the wing for the Utica Devils. Clarke was a third-round pick by New Jersey in the 2019 NHL Draft. The former sixth overall OHL Priority Selection choice played three seasons in Ottawa, recording 76 points (46-30–76) over 134 career OHL contests.
Nedeljkovic enjoying resurgence in Pittsburgh:
Former OHL Goaltender of the Year Alex Nedeljkovic is back in the NHL and playing very well. The 27-year-old from Parma, Ohio was demoted to the AHL amidst struggles with the Detroit Red Wings in 2022-23, but has been a nice addition to the Pittsburgh Penguins this season, going 6-3-2 with a 2.42 goals-against average, 924 save percentage and a shutout through 12 games. Nedeljkovic played four seasons in the OHL from 2012-16, going 89-77-8-12 with a 2.88 goals-against average and .918 save percentage along with 10 shutouts. He was the OHL’s Goaltender of the Year in 2014 and backstopped the United States to gold at the World Under-18 Hockey Championship that same year. He’d go on to win World Junior bronze and backstop the Niagara IceDogs to an Eastern Conference title in 2016 prior to embarking on his pro career. The Carolina Hurricanes took Nedeljkovic in the second round of the 2014 NHL Draft and he’s played in 115 games over parts of seven NHL seasons.
Clarke earns AHL Rookie of the Month honours, recalled by Kings:
Former Barrie Colts blueliner Brandt Clarke was awarded AHL Rookie of the Month honours for the month of December, producing two goals, 12 assists, and 14 points in 12 games. The Los Angeles Kings summoned Clarke to the NHL roster on Wednesday. After a November that featured a nine-game scoring streak, Clarke registered three consecutive multiple-point games to begin December, tallying two assists each on Dec. 2 and Dec. 6, followed by another two on Dec. 8. He notched a goal and an assist on Dec. 28, and recorded a goal, two assists and a plus-4 rating on Dec. 30 – his second such performance of the season. Clarke is tied for third in the entire AHL in scoring as a 20-year-old defenseman, collecting 32 points (7-25-32) in 30 games for the Ontario Reign this season. Selected with the eighth overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, Clarke made his pro debut in 2022-23. Barrie’s former fourth overall pick in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection, Clarke played three seasons in the OHL, registering 158 points (40-118-158) in 143 regular season appearances.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
– All games streaming on OHL Live
– Radio and TV broadcast information
Thursday, January 4th
Sarnia at Barrie – 7:00pm
Owen Sound at Erie – 7:00pm
Saginaw at Kitchener – 7:00pm
Brantford at North Bay – 7:00pm
Friday, January 5th
Mississauga at Kingston – 7:00pm
North Bay at Ottawa – 7:00pm
Owen Sound at Niagara – 7:00pm
Peterborough at Flint – 7:00pm
Barrie at London – 7:00pm
Brantford at Sudbury – 7:05pm
Sault Ste. Marie at Guelph – 7:30pm
Saturday, January 6th
Kingston at Ottawa – 3:00pm
London at Mississauga – 4:00pm
Oshawa at Flint – 7:00pm
Windsor at Erie – 7:00pm
Guelph at Owen Sound – 7:00pm
Kitchener at Sudbury – 7:05pm
Peterborough at Saginaw – 7:05pm
Sault Ste. Marie at Barrie – 7:30pm
Sunday, January 7th
Mississauga at Brantford – 2:00pm
Kitchener at North Bay – 2:00pm
Windsor at Niagara – 2:00pm
Sarnia at Guelph – 4:00pm
Oshawa at Saginaw – 5:30pm
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