It’s always interesting to track the trajectory of players on a championship team. The 2019 OHL Cup champion Don Mills Flyers boasted some big names, but only one has laid hands on the J. Ross Robertson Cup.
Brennan Othmann, who scored the game-winning goal for Don Mills to defeat the Toronto Red Wings in the 2019 OHL Cup final, achieved championship glory once again this past month, helping the Peterborough Petes defeat the London Knights in six games to win Ontario’s top junior hockey prize for the 10th time in franchise history.
The first round NHL Draft pick of the New York Rangers led Peterborough in playoff scoring with 25 points (8-17–25) in 23 games.
OT glory for the Don Mills Flyers!
Shane Wright makes a 2-on-1 pass to Brennan Othmann who buries it to crown @GTHLHockey’s @03DMF the 2019 #OHLCup powered by @UnderArmour Champions. pic.twitter.com/tOIlvpr7eu
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) March 19, 2019
“When I was drafted in this league and I was 16 I said I was going to win a championship,” Othmann reflected after the final buzzer. “I was drafted by a different team but to bring a championship to Peterborough is really special.”
Othmann and the Petes went on to recover from a slow start at the 2023 Memorial Cup presented by Kia, rallying from an 0-2 start to reach the semi-final where they lost to the WHL champion Seattle Thunderbirds.
Othmann, who was an OHL first team all-rookie in 2019-20, first team all-star in 2021-22 and a third team all-star this past season, saw his junior hockey road come to an end two wins shy of a Memorial Cup crown. He graduates as a member of a close-knit Peterborough squad.
“When you win a championship, it doesn’t matter with what team, your bond grows,” he said after the final loss in Kamloops. “I was on two World Junior teams and I was only on those teams for a month, and I am fortunate enough to have two gold medals, and I still talk to all of those guys. If you can imagine being with a team for a full year and winning a championship, just spending every day with those guys. It’s really special.”
“When I was drafted into this league when I was 16 I said I was going to win a championship.”@NYRangers prospect Brennan Othmann and his @PetesOHLhockey teammates captured the #OHL‘s ultimate prize on Sunday night. #LDNvsPBO pic.twitter.com/lgCtJaqQe7
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) May 22, 2023
An OHL Cup championship, OHL title, two World Junior gold medals, and don’t forget a gold at the 2021 World Under-18 Hockey Championship with Canada – a pretty good haul in a span of five years with a worldwide pandemic sandwiched in-between.
Othmann’s achievements in Flint should also be noted. The former second overall pick in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection became a star for the Firebirds where he set the club’s single-season goal-scoring record with 50 as captain in 2021-22, helping the ‘Birds reach the Western Conference Championship Series for the first time in their history.
Othmann’s run to 50 was entertaining, too. Entering the final game of the season, a home date with the Soo Greyhounds, Othmann scored four times to vault himself from 46 goals to 50 as the Firebirds came out on top 6-4.
Othmann got off to a productive start in 2022-23, recording 24 points (11-13–24) over 16 games for the Firebirds, who battled consistency issues in the early going. After a trade to Peterborough on Nov. 13, 2022, the Pickering, Ont. product helped the Petes navigate an up-and-down second half of the season before they hit their stride in the playoffs. He capped a decorated junior hockey career in championship style.
“Our team did an unbelievable job,” he reflected. “So many guys could have won the playoff MVP. Hayesy (Avery Hayes), Simmer (Michael Simpson) and Tucker (Robertson) all played unbelievable. When you have guys you can lean on and rely on, it’s so important. You can say you lead the team in points and stuff like that but in the playoffs that means nothing, you have to come as a team.”
Hey @NYRangers Twitter, is this good? 👀
Brennan Othmann’s (@BOthmann78) four-goal night to hit 50 goals in the @FlintFirebirds‘ final regular-season game earns Saturday’s #BestOfOHL honours 📽️ pic.twitter.com/U71fkedXCn
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) April 17, 2022
After collecting 197 points (96-101–197) over 177 regular season OHL contests, Othmann enters the next chapter of his career, one with the New York Rangers organization. He signed an entry-level NHL contract with the Blueshirts on Aug. 12, 2021.
As to his projection at the next level? Othmann loves the game of another OHL graduate in former Memorial Cup champion Matthew Tkachuk, who has his Florida Panthers in this year’s Stanley Cup Final.
“I really like Tkachuk’s game, he’s like a role model for me,” said Othmann. “He’s super hard to play against. He’s physical. I’m 180-185, but I play like I’m a little bit heavier, which is good and not many people can say that. It’s an attribute I take from Tkachuk.
“You love him on your team, you hate playing against him. That’s the model I think of.”
The Rangers, for their part, like the sound of that.
“He’s a high-end talent and he thinks the game well,” said Jed Ortmeyer, the Rangers director of player development. “He’s got a great shot. He can score goals. He competes. We’re really excited about him.”
Othmann takes his OHL championship pedigree to the bright lights of the big apple come fall, looking to crack the Rangers’ opening night lineup.
OHL Championship: ☑️
Memorial Cup: 🎬Best of luck, Brennan + @PetesOHLhockey! pic.twitter.com/OJHF5edogU
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) May 27, 2023
