Toronto, Ont. – The 2021-22 OHL season is up, up and away and OHL This Week makes its return to your newsfeeds!
Opening Week saw a successful return of OHL action and now we’re gearing up for another weekend of matchups with 20 games from Thursday through Sunday.
Here’s a glance at what’s happening across the League this week.
Knights, Colts and Frontenacs make Week 2 edition of Kia CHL Top 10:
The 3-0 London Knights shot up the Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings in Week 2 while the Barrie Colts and Kingston Frontenacs remain on the national radar. READ
Wolves’ Thompson named OHL Player of the Week, earns CHL honours:
Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Jack Thompson of the Sudbury Wolves is the OHL Player of the Week after record seven points over two Opening Week victories. Thompson was also named to the premiere edition of the CHL Team of the Week. READ
OHL Plays of the Week:
It’s a Central Division special in the first edition of the OHL Plays of the Week! Check out contributions from Sudbury Wolves rookie Quentin Musty, Niagara IceDogs forward Jake Uberti, North Bay Battalion winger Brandon Coe, Sudbury Wolves forward Chase Stillman and Mississauga Steelheads attacker Luca Del Bel Belluz. WATCH
OHL Saves of the Week:
Niagara IceDogs netminder Tucker Tynan headlines the premiere edition of the OHL Saves of the Week, as netminders opened the season with sensational saves across the League. WATCH
OHL Milestone Moments:
With so many rookies, we’ve got a lot of first goals to cover! A total of 41 players scored their first career OHL goal last weekend while Flint Firebirds netminder Luke Cavallin logged his first shutout. WATCH
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
What’s new for the OHL in 2021-22?:
With the long-awaited start of the 2021-22 OHL season comes a slew of new faces, some upgrades to facilities across the League as well as the OHL’s first woman linesperson. READ
Captains named across the League:
Teams across the OHL have been naming their leadership groups in the opening weeks of the season. Click on a team name to see their leadership group details: Erie Otters (C: Daniel D’Amato, Brendan Sellan), Hamilton Bulldogs (C: Colton Kammerer), Kingston Frontenacs (C: Shane Wright), London Knights (C: Luke Evangelista), Mississauga Steelheads (C: Ethan Del Mastro), Niagara IceDogs (C: Cameron Butler), North Bay Battalion (C: Liam Arnsby), Oshawa Generals (C: Ty Tullio), Owen Sound Attack (C: Mark Woolley), Saginaw Spirit (C: Camaryn Baber), Sarnia Sting (C: Brayden Guy), Windsor Spitfires (C: Will Cuylle).
OHL Officiating Team for the 2021-22 season:
The OHL has unveiled a 105-official crew that will work games throughout the 2021-22 regular season. MORE
Sting’s Thornton signs with Coyotes:
The Arizona Coyotes have signed Sarnia Sting rookie goaltender Anson Thornton to a three-year entry-level contract. Thornton becomes the first-ever OHL Under-18 Priority Selection choice to sign an NHL contract. READ
67’s’ Matier signs with Predators:
Ottawa 67’s defenceman Jack Matier has signed a three-year entry-level NHL contract with the Nashville Predators. He was Nashville’s fourth round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft this past summer. READ
Sting add alumnus Micheal Haley to coaching staff:
The Sarnia Sting have hired alumnus and former long-time NHL forward Micheal Haley as an assistant coach. READ
Derek Smyth commits to 67’s:
The Ottawa 67’s have received a commitment from 11th round 2020 OHL Priority Selection choice Derek Smyth who joins the team’s blueline. READ
Antonino Pugliese commits to Rangers:
The Kitchener Rangers have received a commitment from 14th round 2020 OHL Priority Selection choice Antonino Pugliese who has enjoyed a hot start to his season with the GOJHL’s Fort Erie Meteors. READ
Chase MacQueen-Spence commits to Battalion:
The North Bay Battalion have received a commitment from fourth round 2021 OHL Priority Selection choice Chase MacQueen-Spence who has started the season with the affiliate Powassan Voodoos. READ
COMMUNITY CORNER:
Firebirds host Pink Out the Rink on Thursday:
The Flint Firebirds will be raising funds and breast cancer awareness on Thursday night when the Erie Otters visit at 7:00pm. The ‘Birds will be wearing specially themed pink uniforms that will be auctioned off live postgame, with proceeds benefitting breast cancer initiatives and partner the McLaren Flint Foundation. More at flintfirebirds.com
Frontenacs salute Frontline Workers on Friday:
The Kingston Frontenacs are extending a special discount to Frontline Workers on Friday night when they play host to the Sudbury Wolves. The Fronts are offering the special rate to any frontline worker and their family members. More at kingstonfrontenacs.com.
Eventful opening weekend planned in Saginaw:
The Saginaw Spirit will open their regular season at home on Saturday against the Erie Otters as fans in attendance will receive a free magnet schedule. The Spirit host the Otters again on Sunday at 5:30pm in their annual Pink Out game in support of Ascension St. Mary’s. Fans attending will receive a light up bracelet. Be sure to take part in the post-game jersey auction with proceeds benefitting breast cancer awareness initiatives.
ALUMNI NOTES:
198 OHL grads named to NHL Opening Night rosters:
A total of 198 OHL graduates started the 2021-22 regular season on NHL rosters. The Toronto Maple Leafs lead the way with 13 to open the season and the London Knights produced a league-leading 32 graduates starting the season in ‘the show.’ READ
McTavish scores in NHL debut:
Peterborough Petes star and third overall 2021 NHL Draft selection Mason McTavish lit the lamp in his NHL debut with the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday. The Carp, Ont. product helped the Ducks defeat the visiting Winnipeg Jets 4-1 in their home opener, recording a goal and an assist on the night. McTavish finished second among OHL rookies with 29 goals in 2019-20 and helped steer Canada’s National Under-18 team to a gold medal this past spring.
Perfetti makes NHL debut with Jets:
Saginaw Spirit graduate and 10th overall 2020 NHL Draft choice Cole Perfetti skated in his first career NHL contest on Thursday night in Anaheim. The 19-year-old Winnipeg Jets forward cracked Winnipeg’s opening night roster following a strong AHL showing with the Manitoba Moose in 2020-21, posting 26 points (9-17–26) over 32 games. The Whitby, Ont. was the CHL’s Scholastic Player of the Year in 2020 and holds Saginaw’s single season record for goals by a rookie with his 37 in 2018-19.
Henrique records 400th NHL point:
Former back-to-back Memorial Cup champion Adam Henrique hit a career milestone on Wednesday, recording his 400th career point as his Anaheim Ducks were victorious over the Winnipeg Jets 4-1. Henrique, of Burford, Ont., played in 45 games with the Ducks last season, recording 21 points (12-9–21). The 31-year-old was an integral part of two Windsor Spitfires Memorial Cup championships in 2009 and 2010. He played four seasons with the Spits from 2006-10 and has been in the NHL since 2011-12, spending time between New Jersey and Anaheim.
Nolan joins Kings front office as Community Relations Consultant:
Soo Greyhounds graduate and two-time Stanley Cup champion Jordan Nolan is returning to the Los Angeles Kings as a Community Relations Consultant and Ambassador. A member of the First Nations community, Nolan will play a critical role in the Kings’ We Are All Kings initiative, which is special programming that reflects values which the LA Kings holds to its core, inclusivity while ensuring every hockey player and fan feels welcome in the LA Kings family. The son of former OHL and NHL player and head coach Ted Nolan, Jordan played five OHL seasons from 2005-10, spending time with the Greyhounds, Windsor Spitfires and Erie Otters. He’s a veteran of 375 career NHL contests.
KEY MATCHUPS:
Soo Greyhounds at Barrie Colts
Thursday, October 14, 7:30pm
Los Angeles Kings prospect Brandt Clarke makes his season debut on the Barrie Colts blue line as his team seeks its first victory. Colts fans got a taste of Swedish newcomer Oskar Olausson can do as the Colorado Avalanche first round pick scored twice last weekend. The opposing Soo Greyhounds hit the road with stops in Barrie, Guelph and Owen Sound for a three-in-three. They’ve certainly got depth up front with veterans Rory Kerins, Cole MacKay, Tanner Dickinson, Joe Carroll and Tye Kartye all able to put points on the scoresheet. The Hounds will miss captain Ryan O’Rourke on Thursday as he finishes serving a two-game suspension.
Peterborough Petes at Oshawa Generals
Sunday, October 17th, 6:05pm
As is often their custom, the Oshawa Generals close out the weekend at home on Sunday evening, facing the long-time rival Peterborough Petes in the first of 12 encounters this season. The Generals are still in search of their first win, most recently falling to the Ottawa 67’s 7-3 in the nation’s capital on Monday. Second overall 2021 OHL Priority Selection choice Calum Ritchie looks like the real deal, recording three goals and an assist through his first three games after leading the pre-season in scoring. The visiting Peterborough Petes also enter the weekend looking for their first win. A younger group in 2021-22, the Petes will lean on newly-signed Philadelphia Flyers prospect J.R. Avon for offensive contributions along with recent overage additions Emmett Sproule and Joe Carroll.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
Thursday October 14th
Erie at Flint – 7:00pm
Sudbury at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Sault Ste. Marie at Barrie – 7:30pm
Friday October 15th
Niagara at Hamilton – 7:00pm
Sudbury at Kingston – 7:00pm
Mississauga at North Bay – 7:00pm
Oshawa at Ottawa – 7:00pm
Sault Ste. Marie at Guelph – 7:30pm
Sarnia at Kitchener – 7:30pm
Windsor at London – 7:30pm
Saturday October 16th
Hamilton at Niagara – 7:00pm
Kingston at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Erie at Saginaw – 7:05pm
London at Sarnia – 7:05pm
Mississauga at Barrie – 7:30pm
Sault Ste. Marie at Owen Sound – 7:30pm
Sunday October 17th
Barrie at North Bay – 2:00pm
Sudbury at Ottawa – 2:00pm
Erie at Saginaw – 5:30pm
Peterborough at Oshawa – 6:05pm
OHL Writers 