TORONTO, ON — Today, the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) announced the Week 3 edition of its CHL Top-10 Rankings for the 2024-25 season.
Riding a four-game winning streak, the Moncton Wildcats of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) moved into the top spot for the first time this season. Right behind them are the Brampton Steelheads of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), who fell down a spot to second, while the Prince George Cougars of the Western Hockey League (WHL) remain in third.
Undefeated over the last week, the Rimouski Océanic of the QMJHL, the Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL, and the London Knights of the OHL were among this week’s biggest risers. Additionally, as all three sit atop the standings of their respective leagues, the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the QMJHL, the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL, and the Everett Silvertips of the WHL are making their Top-10 debut of the season at No. 7, No. 9, and No. 10 respectively.
The next rankings will be released the week of October 21, following the fourth week of regular season action in all three member leagues of the CHL.
CHL Top-10 Rankings – Week 3 1. Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) 2. Brampton Steelheads (OHL) 3. Prince George Cougars (WHL) 4. Rimouski Océanic (QMJHL) 5. Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) 6. London Knights (OHL) 7. Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL) 8. Niagara IceDogs (OHL) 9. Windsor Spitfires (OHL) 10. Everett Silvertips (WHL)
TORONTO, ON — The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) is proud to announce that 41 CHL players will compete with Canada Red and Canada White at the 2024 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, from November 3-9 at Progressive Auto Sales Arena in Sarnia, Ontario. Specifically, there are 19 players from the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), 15 from the Western Hockey League (WHL), and seven from the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) who will aim to help either Canada Red or Canada White win gold in Sarnia (see complete rosters for both teams below).
In all, 29 CHL clubs are represented with at least one player. The Windsor Spitfires (OHL) lead the way with three players, while the Spokane Chiefs (WHL), Guelph Storm (OHL), Erie Otters (OHL), Peterborough Petes (OHL), Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL), Vancouver Giants (WHL), Sarnia Sting (OHL), Prince Albert Raiders (WHL), London Knights (OHL), and Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) each have a pair of players represented.
Among the many CHL players selected are the first-overall pick of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection Ethan Belchetz (Windsor Spitfires / OHL), the first-overall pick of the 2024 QMJHL Draft Maddox Dagenais (Québec Remparts / QMJHL), and the first-overall pick of the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft Landon DuPont (Everett Silvertips / WHL). All three of these CHL rookies have gotten off to impressive starts to begin their careers in the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL.
Belchetz (4G-4A in 5 GP) tallied four goals during the Spitfires’ opening game of the 2024-25 season, which were the most by a Spitfires 16-year-old rookie since Taylor Hall achieved the feat on March 6, 2008. Belchetz’s six points (4G-2A) on opening night were also the most in a single game by a 16-year-old newcomer in the OHL since Matt Puempel on March 13, 2010. Meanwhile, in the QMJHL, Dagenais (6G-5A in 7 GP) is one of just four 16-year-old players (along with Angelo Esposito, Zachary L’Heureux, and Nathan MacKinnon) to have scored at least 10 points in his first seven career QMJHL games over the last 20 years.
Finally, as the ninth Exceptional Status Player in CHL history, the 15-year-old DuPont (4G-7A in 7 GP) is currently on a seven-game point streak, which is the second longest streak by an Exceptional Status Player to start their CHL career – trailing only Connor Bedard who tallied points in each of his first 12 career WHL games. Additionally, DuPont’s 11 points through his first seven career contests are the second-most of any Exceptional Status Player in CHL history behind only Bedard (5G-7A for 12 PTS over his first seven career games).
The 2024 U17 World Challenge kicks off on Nov. 3, with Canada White taking on Czechia at 3:30 p.m. ET and Canada Red facing off against Finland at 7:30 p.m. ET. Teams will play two preliminary-round games before the medal round, which concludes on Nov. 9 with the medal games, as well as the fifth-place game. The event will also feature pre-tournament games in Sarnia, Petrolia, and Forest on Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. ET.
TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast the bronze and gold medal games; check local listings for details.
Fans looking to secure their seat to watch the top under-17 players from five countries can purchase a variety of ticket options at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets, with full-event ticket packages starting as low as $140 for youth and $210 for adults (plus fees). A Group A or Group B three-game package is also available starting as low as $50 (plus fees), as well as a seven-game medal round package that starts at $130 (plus fees) and includes one ticket to both quarterfinals, both semifinals, the placement game, and the bronze and gold medal games. Pending availability, single-game tickets will be available in the coming weeks.
As a legacy of hosting the event, Sarnia will receive net proceeds from all ticket sales to support grassroots hockey within the community.
More than 2,000 NHL draft picks have suited up since the inception of the U17 World Challenge (previously known as the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and Quebec Esso Cup) in 1986, including 10 CHL alumni since 2001 who were later drafted first overall to the NHL (Rick Nash, 2002; Marc-André Fleury, 2003; Patrick Kane, 2007; John Tavares, 2009; Taylor Hall, 2010, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, 2011; Nathan MacKinnon, 2013; Aaron Ekblad, 2014; Connor McDavid, 2015; Alexis Lafrenière, 2020).
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, October 6, 2024.
IceDogs’ Kevin He Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week
Winnipeg Jets prospect Kevin He of the Niagara IceDogs is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording three goals along with four assist for seven points over two games played.
He registered an assist on Friday night, contributing to the IceDogs’ 5-3 triumph over the Oshawa Generals. On Sunday, the 6-foot, 180lb. forward delivered a career-best performance, racking up three goals and three assists for an impressive six-point night. The six points tie a Niagara IceDogs single game franchise record. Securing a perfect weekend for the IceDogs, He’s standout showing earned him first-star honours in a 7-3 victory over the Brampton Steelheads.
An 18-year-old from Nobleton, Ont., He ranks fourth among OHL point-producers so far this season, tallying six goals, five assists and 11 points in four games played. Selected in the fourth round (109th overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft by the Winnipeg Jets, He has recorded 98 points (58-40–98) in 134 career OHL regular season games with the IceDogs after being chosen in the second round, 25th overall by the club in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection.
Also considered for the award this week, 2025 NHL Draft-eligible prospect Porter Martone of the Brampton Steelheads found the scoresheet, totaling seven points (4-3-7) in three games played. Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Luca Pinelli was a standout for the Ottawa 67’s, registering four goals, an assist and five points in a pair of victories.
2024-25 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season: Sept. 30 – Oct. 6: Kevin He (Niagara IceDogs) Sep. 25 – Sept. 29: Michael Misa (Saginaw Spirit)
Spitfires’ Joey Costanzo Named OHL Goaltender of the Week
Joey Costanzo of the Windsor Spitfires is the OHL Goaltender of the Week, going 2-0 with a shutout, along with a 0.50 goals-against average and .981 save percentage.
Stopping 53 of the 54 shots he faced last week, Costanzo turned aside all 27 shots that came his way to earn second star honours in a 5-0 victory over the Soo Greyhounds on Thursday night. The 6-foot-1, 174lb. netminder was back in the crease on Saturday, stopping 26 of the 27 shots he faced as the Spitfires closed out a perfect weekend with a 5-1 road win over the Brantford Bulldogs.
A 19-year-old from Toronto, Ont., Costanzo currently leads all OHL goaltenders with a league-best .943 save percentage this season across four games played. Originally drafted by the Niagara IceDogs in the second round (23rd overall) of the 2021 OHL Priority Selection, Costanzo has played to a 45-39-2-3 record including two shutouts over 100 regular season games split between the IceDogs and the Spitfires, with a career save percentage of .880 and a 4.09 goals-against average.
Also considered or the award this week, Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Nolan Lalonde of the Kingston Frontenacs went 1-0-0-1, including a shutout. Edmonton Oilers prospect Nathan Day of the Flint Firebirds was also a standout, making 55 saves in a two-win weekend.
2024-25 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season: Sept. 30 – Oct. 6: Joey Costanzo (Windsor Spitfires) Sept. 25 – Sept. 29: Jack Ivankovic (Brampton Steelheads)
Sting’s Beckham Edwards Named OHL Rookie of the Week
Beckham Edwards of the Sarnia Sting is the OHL Rookie of the Week, registering three goals, an assist, and four points in three games played.
Selected in the third round (46th overall) by the Sting in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection from the Detroit Little Caesars U15 AAA program, Edwards ranks second among all OHL rookies in points this season, registering five (4-1-5) points in as many games played.
Also considered for the award this week, a pair of Niagara IceDogs teammates in Braidy Wassilyn (2-2-4) and Max Crete (2-1-3) were productive on the ice, contributing to a two-win weekend for the club.
About the Ontario Hockey League The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) has long been regarded as the number one development league in the world, continuing to serve as a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League. The OHL consists of 20 teams, with 17 located in Ontario, two in the state of Michigan and one in the state of Pennsylvania. A proud member of the Canadian Hockey League, the OHL is also a leading provider of hockey scholarships, with over 330 graduates receiving OHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice in 2023-24, resulting in a collective investment of over $3.9 million by OHL member teams.
With representation from the CHL’s three Member Leagues in its coaching staff, Kris Mallette (Kelowna Rockets / WHL) will lead Team CHL as its head coach, while Gordie Dwyer (Acadie-Bathurst Titan / QMJHL) and Ryan Oulahen (North Bay Battalion / OHL) will join him on the bench as assistant coaches. All three recently helped Team Canada to a third consecutive gold medal at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup this past August, and they will reprise the roles they served in Edmonton but this time for the CHL at its newest event.
Building off of one of hockey’s greatest rivalries between Canada and the United States, the CHL USA Prospects Challenge will see the top prospects from the CHL’s Member Leagues – Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) – compete against those from the U.S. National Under-18 Team.
Fans interested in buying tickets for either game can do so online (Game 1 – London; Game 2 – Oshawa). The first game will take place on Tuesday, November 26 at Budweiser Gardens in London, Ont., while the second contest will be held the following night on Wednesday, November 27 at the Tribute Communities Centre in Oshawa, Ont.
“We are excited to be bringing on board three coaches with the level of experience Kris, Gordie, and Ryan have to lead our Team CHL at this first-ever CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Kubota Canada,” said Dan MacKenzie, President of the CHL. “All three have extensive experience coaching in the CHL and internationally. Having recently worked with a number of our 2025 NHL Draft prospects at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where they captured gold as part of that team’s coaching staff, Kris, Gordie, and Ryan will be excellent coaches to lead the talented group of players from the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL who will represent the CHL at this new event.”
“I feel very fortunate and honoured to be given the opportunity to represent the CHL. It’s obviously somewhere that I’ve been for coming up into my eleventh season as a coach and then my time as a player too,” said Kris Mallette, head coach of the Kelowna Rockets and Team CHL. “Having a relationship with some of these players in a high-pressure environment I think will help because it’s built some trust between myself and those players. This event will be a great showcase for the players within the WHL and players across the CHL. We as a staff have the opportunity to be the first to try and have some success at this event so I’m looking forward to the opportunity.”
Players for the CHL team will be provided by NHL Central Scouting as selected by the NHL’s 32 clubs with the CHL’s coaching staff playing a role in identifying the final 13 forwards, seven defensemen, and two goaltenders who will be chosen to compete for Team CHL at the 2024 CHL USA Prospects Challenge. The roster for Team CHL is expected to be announced by the end of October.
Mallette is currently in his fifth season (2020-24) as the head coach of the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League (WHL), having previously served as an assistant coach with the club for six seasons (2014-20). During his time as an assistant coach with the Rockets, Mallette won a WHL championship and helped the Rockets reach the Memorial Cup final in 2015. Internationally, he’s won three gold medals with Team Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, two as an assistant (2022 & 2023), and his most recent one as the team’s head coach in 2024. He also earned a silver medal as the head coach of Canada Red at the 2021 Capital City Challenge. Before his time behind the bench, Mallette was a defenceman for four seasons in the WHL with the Kelowna Rockets and Moose Jaw Warriors. As a player, he was also selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the third round of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft and enjoyed a nine-year career playing professional hockey.
Since 2022, Dwyer has served as the head coach and general manager of the Acadie-Bathurst Titan of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Now in his third season with the Titan, Dwyer previously spent time as the head coach of the Saint John Sea Dogs, Shawinigan Cataractes, Charlottetown Islanders, and Prince Edward Island Rocket. This past summer, Dwyer won gold with Team Canada at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton. He also earned gold as an assistant coach with Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team at the 2021 IIHF U18 World Championship and won a bronze medal a pair of times – once as Canada’s head coach at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games and the other as an assistant coach at the 2012 IIHF U18 World Championship. Prior to becoming a coach, Dwyer played four seasons as a forward in the QMJHL with the Québec Remparts, Drummondville Voltigeurs, Beauport Harfangs, Laval Titan Collège Français, and Hull Olympiques, where he won a Gilles-Courteau Trophy in 1995. He also played professionally for 11 years, including games over five seasons in the NHL with the Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Rangers, and Montreal Canadiens.
Oulahen is in his sixth season as head coach of the North Bay Battalion of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Before that, he spent three seasons as head coach of the Flint Firebirds and six seasons as an assistant coach with the Battalion (2010-16). Alongside Mallette and Dwyer, Oulahen helped Canada to a third straight gold medal at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton. Additionally, on the international stage, Oulahen was also behind the bench at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in 2014 (assistant coach, Canada Red), 2015 (assistant coach, Canada Black), and 2017 (head coach, Canada White). He also served as an assistant at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, winning gold. A former captain during his playing days in the OHL with the Battalion, Oulahen played three seasons as a forward for the franchise he now coaches. He was later drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the fifth round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft and played four seasons with their AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins.
Set to be a part of the calendar over the next three seasons, the CHL USA Prospects Challenge will see players from the CHL and NTDP’s U18 team compete before hundreds of NHL scouts and thousands of fans in an effort to improve their draft stock ahead of the upcoming NHL Draft. Much like other national events in the CHL, the hosting duties of the CHL USA Prospects Challenge will rotate between the CHL’s Member League markets each year.
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, September 29, 2024.
Spirit’s Michael Misa Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week
Michael Misa of the Saginaw Spirit is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording seven goals along with an assist for eight points over three games played.
Misa led the 2024 Memorial Cup champions to a five point weekend, launching the 2024-25 season on a high note. Misa recorded a pair of goals on Wednesday’s Opening Night in Saginaw, falling 5-4 to the Windsor Spitfires in overtime. The 6-foot-1, 185lb. forward found the scoresheet again in a 6-4 win over the Soo Greyhounds on Friday, registering a natural hat trick and an assist to earn first star honours. The hat trick by #77 was the 77th in Saginaw Spirit history. Misa was productive once again with a two-goal night on Saturday, earning first star honours in a 6-1 victory over the Sarnia Sting. His seven goals places him atop the OHL’s list of goal-scoring-leaders entering the second week of the season. He becomes the first player in Saginaw Spirit history to score seven goals over his first three games of a season.
The sixth player to ever be granted exceptional status into the OHL as a 15-year-old skater, the 17-year-old from Oakville, Ont. was selected first overall by the Spirit in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection. The 2025 NHL Draft-eligible prospect and former OHL Rookie of the Year has recorded 58 goals, 81 assists and 139 points over 115 OHL regular season career games.
Also considered for the award this week, 2024 OHL Priority Selection first overall pick Ethan Belchetz of the Windsor Spitfires made a strong impression in his weekend debut, totaling eight points (4-4-8) in three games played. Calgary Flames prospect Jacob Battaglia was a standout for the Kingston Frontenacs, registering three goals, four assists and seven points in three contests.
Steelheads’ Jack Ivankovic Named OHL Goaltender of the Week
Jack Ivankovic of the Brampton Steelheads is the OHL Goaltender of the Week, going 2-0 with a shutout, along with a 1.00 goals-against average and .964 save percentage.
Stopping 54 of the 56 shots he faced last week, Ivankovic put on a show for the CAA Centre in the Steelheads’ Friday night season opener, blocking all 21 shots that came his way to earn second star honours in a 7-0 victory over the Brantford Bulldogs. The 5-foot-11, 178lb. netminder was back in the crease on Saturday, turning aside 33 of the 35 shots he faced to earn first star honours as the Steelheads closed out Opening Week with a 5-2 road win over the Erie Otters.
A 17-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., Ivankovic was the Steelheads’ first round (seventh overall) pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection. He won a gold medal as a member of Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team this past summer at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Ivankovic, who claimed the OHL’s F.W. Dinty Moore Trophy last season with a goals-against average of 2.72, is eligible for the 2025 NHL Draft.
Also considered or the award this week, Owen Flores of the Niagara IceDogs went 2-0, stopping 83 of the 87 shots he faced. Mike McIvor of the North Bay Battalion was also a standout, turning aside all 36 shots he faced in a 4-0 win over the Peterborough Petes.
Spitfires’ Ethan Belchetz Named OHL Rookie of the Week
Ethan Belchetz of the Windsor Spitfires is the OHL Rookie of the Week following an outstanding debut weekend, recording four goals, four assists, and eight points in three games played.
Belchetz came out hot in Wednesday’s Opening Night, tallying a pair of assists in his OHL debut to help Windsor clinch a 5-4 overtime win over the 2024 Memorial Cup champion Saginaw Spirit. Following a 5-4 overtime loss to the Sarnia Sting on Friday, the 6-foot-5, 226lb. forward found the scoresheet again on Saturday, registering four goals and two assists to earn first star honours in a dominating 12-2 victory over the Kitchener Rangers. Belchetz’s four goals are the most by a Spitfires 16-year-old rookie since Taylor Hall on Mar. 6, 2008. His six points were the most in a single game by an OHL 16-year-old newcomer since Matt Puempel on Mar. 13, 2010.
Selected first overall by the Windsor Spitfires in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection from the Oakville Rangers U16 AAA program, the 2024 OHL Cup champion and MVP’s impressive eight-point weekend ties him for first among all OHL point-getters as week two action approaches.
Also considered for the award this week, Spitfires teammate Jean-Christoph Lemieux scored twice and added three assists over three games played. Carson Harmer of the Saginaw Spirit was also productive, contributing a total of four points (1-3-4) to a five-point weekend.
About the Ontario Hockey League The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) has long been regarded as the number one development league in the world, continuing to serve as a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League. The OHL consists of 20 teams, with 17 located in Ontario, two in the state of Michigan and one in the state of Pennsylvania. A proud member of the Canadian Hockey League, the OHL is also a leading provider of hockey scholarships, with over 330 graduates receiving OHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice in 2023-24, resulting in a collective investment of over $3.9 million by OHL member teams.
OHL Writers 