The Ontario Hockey League playoffs delivered thrilling action on April 4, 2025, with several teams battling it out to secure their spots in the next round. Here’s a recap of the day’s games, including the winners, series leaders, and standout goal scorers.
Windsor Spitfires vs. Soo Greyhounds
The Windsor Spitfires clinched their series against the Soo Greyhounds with an emphatic 8-4 victory, winning the best-of-seven series 4-1. Liam Greentree was the star of the night, scoring a hat trick and adding two assists. Ryan Abraham contributed two goals and an assist, while Ilya Protas and Jack Nesbitt each added a goal and multiple assists.
Kitchener Rangers vs. Flint Firebirds
The Kitchener Rangers edged out the Flint Firebirds with a 2-1 win, securing their series 4-1. Christian Humphreys scored the game-winning goal early in the second period, and Tanner Lam also found the back of the net for the Rangers. Goaltender Jackson Parsons was stellar, stopping 24 of 25 shots.
Brampton Steelheads vs. Oshawa Generals
The Brampton Steelheads kept their playoff hopes alive with a 6-3 victory over the Oshawa Generals. The Generals still lead the series 3-2. Carson Rehkopf led the Steelheads with two goals, while Luke Misa shone with four assists. Mason Zebeski, Porter Martone, and Konnor Smith also scored for Brampton.
The OHL playoffs are heating up, and fans can expect even more excitement as teams fight for the coveted championship. Stay tuned for more updates as the action unfolds!
Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the rosters and schedule for the 2025 OHL Development Combine which takes place April 5-6 at the Tribute Communities Centre in Oshawa.
The event offers 76 players (36 forwards, 24 defencemen, 16 goaltenders) the opportunity to showcase themselves both on and off the ice to OHL member team personnel. Sport testing results will be distributed to every OHL member team General Manager to assist in their evaluation for the OHL Priority Selection to be held on April 11-12.
“The OHL Combine continues to be a valuable experience for young players looking to grow,” said Brodie Barrick, OHL Director of Recruitment and Player Services. “Through skill testing, we gain insight into each player’s strengths both on and off the ice, helping guide their development. The games also serve as a key opportunity for players to display their talent ahead of the upcoming Priority Selection.”
The weekend program includes on and off-ice testing performed by Okanagan Hockey Group in addition to skills training provided by Power Edge Pro. Over the weekend players will also partake in a seminar that focuses on proper nutrition and training for elite athletes. Players will conclude the weekend competing in a series of 5-on-5 and 3-on-3 games on Sunday joined behind the bench by OHL member team personnel.
Teams will be competing for the OHL Combine Cup Championship that awards points based on individual and team performances in both on and off-ice testing, as well as Sunday’s game results.
The 2025 event marks the 16th year the OHL has hosted a skills development day for players and goaltenders in advance of the OHL Priority Selection. The OHL Development Combine is open to the general public.
Schedule:
Saturday, April 5 – Off-Ice Testing: 8:15 am to 9:15 am – Goalies 9:30 am to 10:30 am – Team Stamkos (Blue) 10:45 am to 11:45 am – Team Lindros (Red) 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm – Team Ekblad (Yellow) 1:15 pm to 2:15 pm – Team Subban (White)
Saturday, April 5 – On-Ice Testing & Skills Practice: 10:30 am to 11:45 am – Team Subban (White) 12:00 pm to 1:15 pm – Subban (White) and Stamkos (Blue) Goalies 1:30 pm to 2:45 pm – Lindros (Red) and Ekblad (Yellow) Goalies 3:00 pm to 4:15 pm – Team Lindros (Red) 4:30 pm to 5:45 pm – Team Ekblad (Yellow) 6:00 pm to 7:15 pm – Team Stamkos (Blue)
Sunday, April 6 – Game Schedule: 8:15 am to 9:15 am – Team Stamkos (Blue) vs. Team Lindros (Red) 9:30 am to 10:30 am – Team Ekblad (Yellow) vs. Team Subban (White) 12:55 pm to 2:00 pm – Team Lindros (Red) vs. Team Subban (White) 2:25 pm to 3:30 pm – Team Stamkos (Blue) vs. Team Ekblad (Yellow)
2025 OHL Development Combine Rosters:
TEAM STAMKOS (BLUE)
Defencemen 3. Alexander Forrest (Oakville Rangers) 4. Cole Willard (Toronto Marlboros) 5. Pierson Clute (Quinte Red Devils) 6. Christian Toma (Toronto Titans) 7. Colton D’Amico (Halton Hurricanes) 8. Zachary White (Ottawa Valley Titans)
Forwards 10. Kingston Harris (Toronto Marlboros) 11. Keaton Ardagh (Toronto Jr. Canadiens) 12. Carter Lewandowski (Vaughan Kings) 13. Alexander Lisi (Sun County Panthers) 14. Cole Crawford (York-Simcoe Express) 15. Aidan Witkowski (Toronto Marlboros) 16. Marcus Magri (Oakville Rangers) 17. Carter L’Heureux (Lambton Sting) 97. Nash Willsie (Guelph Gryphons)
Goaltenders 82. Owen Leonard (Toronto Titans) 83. Connor Haffner (Upper Canada Cyclones) 84. Gavin Zepp (St. Andrews College U18) 85. Max Psarras (Ottawa Valley Titans)
TEAM LINDROS (RED)
Defencemen 33. Blake Munnings (Quinte Red Devils) 34. Lucas Quain (Toronto Jr. Canadiens) 35. Cade Campbell (Toronto Red Wings) 36. Jonathan Varela (Toronto Marlboros) 37. Justin Balcar (London Jr. Knights) 38. Eric Wood (Sun County Panthers) 39. Benjamin Maharaj (Toronto Jr. Canadiens)
Forwards 40. Karsten Barbeau (Ottawa Myers Automotive) 41. Maclean Chisholm (Quinte Red Devils) 42. Will Mullins (Ottawa Myers Automotive) 43. Jaden Switzer (Ottawa Valley Titans) 44. Tyler Bruce (Toronto Jr. Canadiens) 45. Camilio Milani (Toronto Marlboros) 46. Jax Pereira (Toronto Jr. Canadiens) 47. Sam Roberts (Toronto Jr. Canadiens)
Goaltenders 70. Charlie Weiss (Oakville Rangers) 71. David Healy (Vaughan Kings) 72. Liam Karbowski (Toronto Jr. Canadiens) 73. Ewan Findlater (Wilkes-Barr Scranton Knights)
TEAM EKBLAD (YELLOW)
Defencemen 48. Cooper John (Ohio Blue Jackets) 49. AJ Gladman (Vaughan Kings) 50. Dante D’Andrea (Huron-Perth Lakers) 51. Zack Naish (North Shore Whitecaps) 52. Oskar Konobelj (Ottawa 67’s) 53. Ethan Stewart (Toronto Marlboros)
Forwards 54. Gensen Geldart (Vaughan Kings) 55. Ben Lamb (North York Rangers) 56. Alexander Sementsov (Halton Hurricanes) 57. Reid Hayes (Windsor Spitfires) 58. Jack Malandra (Ottawa Myers Automotive) 59. Xavier Rowe (Toronto Titans) 60. Brayden Blyth (York-Simcoe Express) 61. Quinn Patton (Barrie Colts) 62. Luke Bouchard (Ajax-Pickering Raiders)
Defencemen 18. Jack Johnson (Toronto Marlboros) 19. Hayden Martin (Barrie Colts) 20. Jesse Debruyn (Huron-Perth Lakers) 21. Emmett Mather (Windsor Spitfires) 22. George Raymond (Toronto Jr. Canadiens) 23. Caleb Gauthier (Eastern Ontario Wild)
Forwards 24. Ian Inskip (Reps Hockey Club) 26. Brenner Lammens (Toronto Red Wings) 27. Lachlan Larmand (Barrie Colts) 28. Eloan Le Gallic (Vaughan Kings) 29. Myles Dunn (Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs) 31. Owen Miehm (Don Mills Flyers) 32. David Heath (London Jr. Knights) 91. Caiden Clair (Toronto Red Wings) 92. Dylan Nobili (Vaughan Kings)
Goaltenders 78. Brian Rathwell (Ottawa Valley Titans) 79. Hudson Cicchelli (Toronto Jr. Canadiens) 80. Malcolm Rose (Toronto Titans) 81. Ayden Mullen (Quinte Red Devils)
Follow along throughout the weekend for continuing coverage of the 2025 OHL Development Combine at ontariohockeyleague.com.
The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) playoffs are heating up, and April 3 brought thrilling action across the league. Here’s a recap of the scores, standout performances, series leaders, and a look ahead to upcoming games.
Scores and Goal Scorers
London Knights 8, Owen Sound Attack 4: Noah Read led the Knights with a hat trick and an assist, while Denver Barkey added a goal and an assist. Masen Wray scored three goals for Owen Sound.
Kingston Frontenacs 3, Sudbury Wolves 2: Jacob Battaglia scored the game-winning goal for Kingston, advancing them to the second round.
Erie Otters 7, Saginaw Spirit 3: Pano Fimis shone with two goals and two assists, pushing Erie to a commanding 3-1 series lead.
North Bay Battalion 6, Brantford Bulldogs 3: Jacob Therrien scored twice for North Bay, keeping their playoff hopes alive.
Barrie Colts 6, Niagara IceDogs 3: Dalyn Wakely contributed a goal and three assists for Barrie, who now lead the series 3-1.
Kitchener Rangers 5, Flint Firebirds 1: Trent Swick had a goal and two assists as Kitchener took a 3-1 series lead.
Oshawa Generals 4, Brampton Steelheads 1: Beckett Sennecke scored twice for Oshawa, putting them one win away from advancing.
Series Leaders
Several teams are dominating their respective series:
London Knights swept the Owen Sound Attack 4-0, showcasing their offensive firepower.
Kingston Frontenacs also completed a sweep against the Sudbury Wolves.
Erie Otters lead the Saginaw Spirit 3-1, with standout performances from Pano Fimis.
Barrie Colts and Kitchener Rangers are both up 3-1 in their series.
Upcoming Games
The playoffs continue with pivotal matchups:
April 5: Brantford Bulldogs vs. North Bay Battalion (Game 5, if necessary).
April 7: Erie Otters vs. Saginaw Spirit (Game 6, if necessary).
The intensity of the OHL playoffs is unmatched, and fans can expect more thrilling moments as teams battle for the coveted J. Ross Robertson Cup. Stay tuned for more updates!
Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the results of its annual coaches poll that provides member club coaches with the opportunity to recognize the top three players in 20 different skill categories within their own conference.
In the Eastern Conference, the Brampton Steelheads and Brantford Bulldogs led the way with six players recognized respectively. Bulldogs forward Nick Lardis had the East’s most impressive individual showing with three different first place finishes (Best Shot, Hardest Shot, Most Dangerous in Goal Area) along with a second-place honour (Best Skater). Barrie Colts centreman Cole Beaudoin also had three different first place finishes (Hardest Worker, Best Defensive Forward, Best Penalty Killer). Brampton’s Porter Martone led Eastern Conference players in the widest number of categories represented as he was featured in five, finishing as the Best Shootout Shooter. The Oshawa Generals excelled on the blueline, with Ben Danford placing first in two different categories (Best Shot Blocker, Best Defensive Defenceman) while Luca Marrelli was voted the East’s best Offensive Defenceman. Generals forward Calum Ritchie placed first in two categories including Best Stickhandler and Best Playmaker.
The Western Conference saw the London Knights lead all OHL clubs with seven different players represented. Captain Denver Barkey was featured in three different categories while forward Kasper Halttunen had a pair of first place finishes (Best Shot, Hardest Shot). Windsor Spitfires forward Ilya Protas enjoyed the best individual performance in the Western Conference, being voted Best Playmaker and Best Stickhandler while finishing second in a pair of other categories (Smartest Player, Best Shootout Shooter). Spitfires teammate Noah Morneau placed atop two categories including Best Penalty Killer and Most Underrated. The Saginaw Spirit were also well-represented as top 2025 NHL Draft eligible Michael Misa appeared in three categories, being voted the West’s Smartest Player. Teammate Zayne Parekh was featured in four categories including being voted the West’s Best Offensive Defenceman. Not to be overlooked, rising Erie Otters star Matthew Schaefer also fared well, being voted the West’s Best Skater while placing third in both Best Offensive Defenceman and Best Defensive Defenceman. Kitchener Rangers captain Matthew Andonovski also finished prominently, being voted Best Defensive Defenceman while finishing second in both Best Bodychecker and Best Penalty Killer.
The Coaches Poll is tabulated when each team submits one nominee per category, and coaches then vote for the top three players for each category within their conference. Players receive five points for a first place vote, three points for a second place vote, and one point for a third place vote. Clubs are not permitted to vote for players from their own team allowing for a maximum of 45 possible points for each winner.
All 20 categories are listed below with Eastern Conference and Western Conference winners including their final point totals in brackets.
Most Underrated Player:
Eastern Conference: Ben Hrebik, Barrie Colts (25) Maleek McGowan, Kingston Frontenacs (20) Finn Harding, Brampton Steelheads (14)
Western Conference: Noah Morneau, Windsor Spitfires (30) Marco Mignosa, Soo Greyhounds (23) Luke Ellinas, Kitchener Rangers (12)
Most Improved Player:
Eastern Conference: Lirim Amidovski, North Bay Battalion (24) Cole Brown, Brantford Bulldogs (24) Ben Hrebik, Barrie Colts (14)
Western Conference: Jack Nesbitt, Windsor Spitfires (30) Charlie Paquette, Guelph Storm (27) Landen Hookey, Owen Sound Attack (17)
The Ontario Hockey League playoffs delivered thrilling action on April 2, 2025, with pivotal games shaping the first-round series. Here’s a breakdown of the highlights, key performances, and what lies ahead.
Saginaw Spirit vs. Erie Otters The Saginaw Spirit kept their playoff hopes alive with a dramatic 3-2 overtime victory against the Erie Otters. Zayne Parekh emerged as the hero, scoring the game-winning goal in overtime. Earlier, Calem Mangone and Parekh had netted goals in the second period to give Saginaw a lead, while Malcolm Spence’s last-minute goal for Erie forced overtime. The Otters still lead the series 2-1, with Game 4 set for April 3 at Erie Insurance Arena.
Windsor Spitfires vs. Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds Windsor Spitfires took a commanding 3-1 series lead with a 4-1 win over the Greyhounds. Noah Morneau and Ilya Protas each scored twice, with Protas also adding an empty-net goal. Joey Costanzo’s 23 saves secured the victory for Windsor. The Spitfires will look to close out the series in Game 5 on April 5.
London Knights vs. Owen Sound Attack The London Knights continued their dominance, defeating the Owen Sound Attack 7-4 to take a 3-0 series lead. Sam O’Reilly and Easton Cowan each scored twice, including shorthanded goals, showcasing the Knights’ depth and resilience.
Flint Firebirds vs. Kitchener Rangers Flint Firebirds bounced back with a 2-0 shutout victory over the Kitchener Rangers, narrowing the series deficit to 2-1. Goalie Nathan Day was the star, stopping all 38 shots he faced.
Series Leaders
London Knights lead Owen Sound Attack 3-0.
Windsor Spitfires lead Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 3-1.
Erie Otters lead Saginaw Spirit 2-1.
Kitchener Rangers lead Flint Firebirds 2-1.
Upcoming Schedule
April 3, 2025:
Saginaw Spirit at Erie Otters (Game 4)
Owen Sound Attack at London Knights (Game 4)
Sudbury Wolves at Kingston Frontenacs (Game 4)
April 5, 2025:
Windsor Spitfires at Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (Game 5, if necessary)
Erie Otters at Saginaw Spirit (Game 5, if necessary)
The playoffs are heating up, and every game is a must-watch as teams battle for the coveted J. Ross Robertson Cup. Stay tuned for more updates as the action unfolds!
TORONTO, ON — The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) announced today the March edition of the CHL Team of the Month presented by CCM for the 2024-25 regular season (only regular-season games from March were considered).
For a fourth time this season, the most of any player in the CHL during the 2024-25 campaign, 2026 NHL Draft prospect Gavin McKenna of the No.3-ranked Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) has been named to the CHL Team of the Month. Despite playing in just five regular-season games in March, the 17-year-old from Whitehorse, Yukon, co-led the CHL in scoring with 23 points, having averaged a CHL-best 4.6 points per game during the month. During the Tigers’ 7-3 victory over the Red Deer Rebels on March 15, McKenna established a new single-game career-high by tallying seven points (3G-4A), along with scoring his third hat-trick of 2024-25. McKenna ultimately capped off the 2024-25 regular season by riding a 40-game point streak, which ranks as the second-longest point streak in a single season in the CHL since 2000. The reigning CHL and WHL Rookie of the Year also finished the regular season with nine consecutive games with two or more points, having amassed 32 multi-point outings over his final 40 regular-season contests in 2024-25. Over the year, McKenna registered a CHL-best 88 assists this season, while his 129 points ranked third among all scorers across the Canadian Hockey League. In recognition of his stellar season, McKenna was named a 2024-25 WHL First Team All-Star from the Eastern Conference on Tuesday. Entering Wednesday, through three postseason games in 2025, McKenna leads all skaters in both the WHL and CHL with 11 points (1G-10A), having extended his active point streak to 43 straight games. Taken first overall in the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft, the reigning WHL and CHL Rookie of the Year captured gold for Team Canada at both the 2024 IIHF World U18 Championship and the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Earlier this season, at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, McKenna became the eighth youngest player to ever suit up for Team Canada at a World Juniors. Last season, following the 2023-24 campaign, McKenna was named a member of both the CHL’s Third All-Star and All-Rookie Teams after he registered 97 points in 61 games as a 16-year-old.
Having shared the CHL scoring lead with 23 points in seven regular-season games last month, Washington Capitals prospect Ilya Protas of the No.10-ranked Windsor Spitfires (OHL) has been selected to the CHL Team of the Month for the first time in his career. Having registered a point in all seven of his appearances in March, the 18-year-old from Vitebsk, Belarus, recorded six multi-point outings, including matching a single-game career-high with five points (0G-5A) against the Sarnia Sting in what was Protas’ final contest of the 2024-25 regular season on March 20. In 61 regular-season games with the Spitfires, Protas amassed 124 points (50G-74A) this season, which ranked second in the OHL and was the fourth most in the CHL in 2024-25. By scoring 50 goals this season, Protas registered the eighth 50-goal season in Spitfires history, joining such names as Matthew Maggio (2022-23), Steve Ott (2000-01), and Ernie Godden (1980-81). The 18-year-old also became the highest goal-scoring import player in the Spitfires’ franchise history. Since February 17, including postseason games, Protas has been one of the hottest skaters in the CHL – recording 13 multi-point games over his last 16 appearances and tallying a CHL-best 48 points (14G-34A) over that stretch. As of Wednesday, through three playoff games in 2025, Protas leads the OHL with eight assists and ranks tied for second among postseason scorers in the OHL with eight points (0G-8A). Drafted third overall by Windsor in the 2024 CHL Import Draft, Protas was chosen in the third round (75th overall) by the Washington Capitals in the 2024 NHL Draft last summer.
With a QMJHL-leading 19 points over 10 regular-season games in March, New Jersey Devils prospect Cam Squires of the Cape Breton Eagles (QMJHL) is making his first appearance in the CHL Team of the Month. Over the last month, in his 10 regular-season contests, Squires was held off the scoresheet on just one occasion, registering six multi-point outings, including his second hat-trick of the season on March 22 against the Saint John Sea Dogs. With 13 assists in March, the 19-year-old from Charlottetown, P.E.I., led all QMJHL skaters in that department, and he closed out his 2024-25 regular season by scoring a goal in three straight games. By doing the latter, Squires reached the 100-goal plateau in his QMJHL career. He now sits at 103 goals, 142 assists, and 245 points in 255 career appearances in the regular season over his four-year career in the QMJHL. March has been a particularly good month historically for Squires, who has recorded 70 points in 46 career games during the month. As he closed out 2024-25, the Eagles forward also posted new single-season career highs in assists (51) and points (75) as he led his team in scoring for the second consecutive season. Entering Wednesday, Squires has tallied a pair of assists through three postseason games in the 2025 QMJL Playoffs. Drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the fourth round (122nd overall) of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, Squires signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Devils back in July 2024. The 19-year-old was Cape Breton’s second-round pick, 22nd overall, in the 2021 QMJHL Entry Draft. He was named QMJHL Humanitarian of the Year for the 2022-23 season.
Following a month where he led all defencemen in the CHL with 18 points in 10 regular-season games, San Jose Sharks prospect Sam Dickinson of the No.2-ranked London Knights (OHL) has been named to the CHL Team of the Month for the second time during the 2024-25 season. Having registered a point in nine of his 10 appearances to close out the regular season, the 18-year-old from Toronto, Ont., collected six multi-point outings, including a trio of three-point contests on March 5 (1G-2A @ Brantford), March 11 (2G-1A @ Guelph), and March 21 (2G-1A vs. Windsor). Following his strong month, Dickinson wrapped up the 2024-25 campaign with 91 points in 55 games, which sits only behind Saginaw Spirit blueliner Zayne Parekh (107 points) for scoring by a defenceman in the CHL this season. Dickinson’s 91 points in 2024-25 rank as the 10th highest point total by a defenceman in a single season since 2000. The San Jose Sharks prospect also set a new London Knights single-season record for the most points (91) by a blueliner, surpassing the previous mark (87) that was held by Edmonton Oilers rearguard Evan Bouchard (2017-18) and Rick Corriveau (1990-91). Entering Wednesday, Dickinson ranked second among CHL defencemen with seven points (3G-4A) in three playoff games in 2025 – just one point shy of current leader Tyson Jugnauth (9 points) of the Portland Winterhawks. Acquired by the London Knights from the Niagara IceDogs after he was the fourth overall pick of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, Dickinson has gone on to be named to the OHL’s first all-rookie team in 2022-23 and a second team all-star in 2023-24 while winning an OHL championship. He was selected by the San Jose Sharks with the 11th overall pick of the 2024 NHL Draft and he captained Team Red at the 2024 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Moncton, N.B. Earlier this season, Dickinson was one of three London Knights who represented Canada at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship. Dickinson previously earned gold for his country at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and he captained Canada Black at the 2022 World U17 Hockey Challenge, where he was voted to the World U17 All-Star Team.
Having shared the scoring lead among WHL defencemen through nine regular-season contests in March, Vancouver Canucks prospect Sawyer Mynio of the No.9-ranked Calgary Hitmen (WHL) is making his first appearance in the CHL Team of the Month in 2024-25. The 19-year-old from Kamloops, B.C., was held off the scoresheet just once over his nine contests to close out the 2024-25 season, as he strung together an eight-game point streak to start the month. With nine assists over those nine games, Mynio led all WHL blueliners in that category during that stretch of time. Over the last five weeks, it seems Mynio has really caught his stride, becoming one of the Hitmen’s most consistent scorers offensively. Specifically, in 15 games (including playoffs) since February 22, Mynio has tallied 17 points (4G-13A) and ranks tied for second on the team in scoring over that stretch. Entering Wednesday, the 19-year-old has three assists in three postseason appearances during the 2025 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien. Mynio finished the 2024-25 regular season with 14 goals and 31 assists over the 49 games he played with both the Seattle Thunderbirds and Calgary Hitmen. At the beginning of January, Mynio was acquired by the Hitmen from the Thunderbirds in a trade. Earlier this season, the Vancouver Canucks prospect also represented his country for the first-time at a IIHF event as he suited up for Canada at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship in Ottawa. Drafted by the Seattle Thunderbirds in the third round (63rd overall) of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft, Mynio has piled up 39 goals and 101 assists for 140 points and a +63 rating in 227 career regular games in the WHL. The Hitmen rearguard has also played in more than 40 playoff games during his WHL career, having previously won an Ed Chynoweth Cup and participated in the 2023 Memorial Cup with the Seattle Thunderbirds during the 2022-23 campaign.
Holding a perfect 5-0-0-0 record in his five regular-season contests in March, goaltender Mathis Rousseau of the No.1-ranked Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) is making his first appearance in the CHL Team of the Month this season. Over his five starts to cap off the 2024-25 campaign, Rousseau registered a .933 save percentage and a 1.58 goals-against average, the latter of which ranked first among all goalies in the QMJHL (minimum of 75 minutes played). By turning aside 18-of-21 shots on March 1 in a 4-3 victory against the Blainville-Boisbriand, Rousseau secured his 100th career victory in the QMJHL – becoming one of just 18 netminders in the history of the QMJHL to have reached this plateau. Wrapping up the 2024-25 campaign with 104 career wins over his career, Rousseau ranks in a tie for 11th on the all-time wins list in QMJHL history. Including his two playoff starts to date in 2025, the 20-year-old from Boisbriand, Québec, has won eight in a row for the Wildcats, and he has only suffered one loss since the beginning of February. Rousseau completed the 2024-25 season with a 20-20-5-0 record, 2.88 goals-against average, .905 save percentage & two shutouts in 45 games played between both the Halifax Mooseheads and the Moncton Wildcats. Acquired by Moncton from Halifax at the beginning of January, the 20-year-old has posted some impressive numbers with his new club – registering an 11-4-0-0 record, a 2.33 goals-against average, and a pair of shutouts in 15 games with the Wildcats. Just last season, during the 2023-24 campaign, Rousseau was a finalist for the Patrick-Roy Trophy as the QMJHL’s Top Goaltender after he led the league with a save percentage of .925 as a member of the Halifax Mooseheads. Drafted by Halifax in the fourth round (61st overall) of the 2020 QMJHL Entry Draft, Rousseau holds a 2.70 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage in 170 appearances in the regular season over his four-year QMJHL career. In addition to his success with the Mooseheads in 2023-24, Rousseau also represented Canada at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden.
The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) playoffs delivered another thrilling night of hockey on April 1, 2025. Here’s a recap of the games, the standout goal scorers, and a look at the series standings and upcoming matchups.
Brantford Bulldogs vs. North Bay Battalion The Bulldogs continued their dominance with a 4-3 overtime victory, thanks to Marek Vanacker’s two-goal performance, including the game-winner. Brantford now leads the series 3-0
Kingston Frontenacs vs. Sudbury Wolves Cedrick Guindon shone for Kingston, contributing a goal and an assist in their 4-2 win. The Frontenacs hold a commanding 3-0 series lead.
London Knights vs. Owen Sound Attack Easton Cowan and Sam O’Reilly were unstoppable, each scoring twice and adding two assists in London’s 7-4 triumph. The Knights are up 3-0 in the series.
Niagara IceDogs vs. Barrie Colts Alex Assadourian and Kevin He each netted two goals, leading the IceDogs to a 6-4 victory. Barrie still leads the series 2-1.
Flint Firebirds vs. Kitchener Rangers Matthew Wang and Kaden Pitre scored crucial third-period goals, while Nathan Day made 38 saves to secure Flint’s 2-0 shutout win. Kitchener leads the series 2-1.
Oshawa Generals vs. Brampton Steelheads Owen Griffin’s hat trick and assist powered Oshawa to a 7-5 victory. The Generals now lead the series 2-1.
Saginaw Spirit vs. Erie Otters Zayne Parekh scored twice, including the overtime winner, as Saginaw edged Erie 3-2. Erie leads the series 2-1.
Series Leaders
Brantford Bulldogs, Kingston Frontenacs, and London Knights are on the brink of advancing, each leading their series 3-0.
Other series remain tightly contested, with Barrie, Kitchener, Oshawa, and Erie holding slim leads.
Upcoming Games
The playoff excitement continues on April 3, with pivotal Game 4 matchups:
Brantford vs. North Bay
Kingston vs. Sudbury
London vs. Owen Sound
Niagara vs. Barrie
Flint vs. Kitchener
Oshawa vs. Brampton
Saginaw vs. Erie
The intensity is building as teams fight to keep their championship dreams alive. Stay tuned for more unforgettable moments in the OHL playoffs!
The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) playoffs are heating up, and March 31 delivered some electrifying action on the ice. Here’s a breakdown of the scores, standout performances, and what’s next in the playoff schedule.
Game Highlights:
Barrie Colts vs. Niagara IceDogs The Barrie Colts secured a thrilling 7-5 victory over the Niagara IceDogs, taking a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven series. Anthony Romani was the star of the night, netting a hat trick for the Colts. Beau Jelsma added two goals, while Grayson Tiller and Emil Hemming contributed singles. For the IceDogs, Ivan Galiyanov scored twice, with Mathieu Paris and Andrei Loshko also finding the back of the net.
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds vs. Windsor Spitfires Caeden Carlisle emerged as the hero for the Greyhounds, scoring the overtime winner in a nail-biting 3-2 victory over the Windsor Spitfires. Justin Cloutier and Travis Hayes scored in regulation for the Greyhounds, while Carson Woodall and Liam Greentree kept the Spitfires in the game. The series now stands at 2-1 in favor of Windsor.
Upcoming Games:
Barrie Colts vs. Niagara IceDogs: Game 3 is set for April 1 in St. Catharines, Ontario.
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds vs. Windsor Spitfires: Game 4 will take place on April 2 in Sault Ste. Marie.
Goal Scorers to Watch:
Anthony Romani (Barrie Colts): With five goals in the postseason, Romani is proving to be a key player for the Colts.
Caeden Carlisle (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds): His clutch overtime goal has reignited the Greyhounds’ hopes in the series.
The OHL playoffs are showcasing the grit and determination of young hockey talent, and the excitement is far from over. Stay tuned for more thrilling matchups as teams battle for the coveted J. Ross Robertson Cup!
The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) playoffs are in full swing, and Sunday, March 30, 2025, delivered a series of electrifying games that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the action-packed night:
Kingston Frontenacs vs. Sudbury Wolves In a double-overtime thriller, the Kingston Frontenacs emerged victorious with a 4-3 win over the Sudbury Wolves. Gage Heyes scored the game-winning goal at 2:50 of the second overtime period, capping off an intense battle. Cedrick Guindon was a standout for Kingston, netting two goals in regulation, while Nathan Villeneuve shone for Sudbury with two goals and an assist. The Frontenacs now lead the series 2-0 as they head to Sudbury for Game 3.
Brampton Steelheads vs. Oshawa Generals The Brampton Steelheads tied their series against the Oshawa Generals with a hard-fought 3-1 victory. Despite being heavily outshot 47-24, Brampton’s goaltender Jack Ivankovic delivered a stellar performance with 46 saves. Luke Misa contributed a goal and an assist, helping the Steelheads bounce back after losing the series opener.
London Knights vs. Owen Sound Attack The London Knights continued their dominant playoff run, defeating the Owen Sound Attack 6-3 to take a commanding 2-0 series lead. Denver Barkey was the star of the night, scoring twice and adding three assists. The Knights’ offensive depth proved too much for the Attack, who will need to regroup before Game 3.
Kitchener Rangers vs. Flint Firebirds The Kitchener Rangers cruised to a 6-1 victory over the Flint Firebirds, extending their series lead to 2-0. Jack Pridham led the charge with two goals and two assists, while the Rangers’ defense stifled the Firebirds’ offense. Flint will need to find answers quickly as the series shifts to their home ice.
Brantford Bulldogs vs. North Bay Battalion The Brantford Bulldogs blanked the North Bay Battalion 3-0, thanks to a stellar performance by goaltender Ryerson Leenders, who made 21 saves. Nick Lardis scored twice in the third period, solidifying the Bulldogs’ 2-0 series lead. The Battalion will look to turn things around in Game 3 on their home turf.
As the playoffs progress, the intensity and stakes continue to rise. With each team fighting for the coveted J. Ross Robertson Cup, fans can expect more unforgettable moments in the coming games. Which team are you rooting for in this year’s playoffs? Let me know!
Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of playoff games ending Sunday, March 30, 2025.
Otters’ Pano Fimis Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week
Pano Fimis of the Erie Otters is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, registering five goals, three assists and eight points in two victories.
Helping the Otters take a 2-0 series lead over the Saginaw Spirit in Round 1 of the OHL Playoffs, Fimis scored twice on Thursday night to earn first-star honours in an 8-5 victory. He found the scoresheet again on Saturday, recording a club playoff record six points including a hat trick and three assists to once again earn first-star honours as Erie secured a 9-5 road win.
The 20-year-old overage centreman recorded 32 goals, 54 assists, and 86 points in 68 games played in Erie this season, also leading the league in the faceoff circle with a 63.2 percent success rate. Originally selected second overall by the Niagara IceDogs in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection, the Richmond Hill, Ont. native has appeared in 245 regular season contests between the IceDogs and the Otters, tallying 87 goals, 166 assists and 253 points.
Also considered for the award this week, Los Angeles Kings prospect Liam Greentree of the Windsor Spitfires registered seven points (3-4-7) in two wins, while Philadelphia Flyers prospect Denver Barkey of the London Knights tallied three goals and four assists in a pair of victories.
2024-25 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Playoffs: Mar. 24 – Mar. 30: Pano Fimis (Erie Otters)
Bulldogs’ Ryerson Leenders Named OHL Goaltender of the Week
Buffalo Sabres prospect Ryerson Leenders of the Brantford Bulldogs is the OHL Goaltender of the Week for the fourth time this season, going 2-0 including a shutout, along with a 1.50 goals-against average, and a .944 save percentage.
Helping Brantford take a 2-0 series lead over North Bay in Round 1 of the OHL Playoffs, Leenders made 51 saves last week. He stopped 30 of 33 shots on Friday as the Bulldogs defeated the Battalion 6-3. On Sunday, he earned first-star honours with his first career OHL playoff shutout, making 21 saves in a 3-0 victory.
An 18-year-old from Nanticoke, Ont., Leenders played to a 31-14-3-0 regular season record, with a 3.11 goals-against average and .910 save percentage in 48 games played. The former second-round (32nd overall) pick by Mississauga in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection is now in his third OHL season, owning a career mark of 67-46-10-0 with a 3.21 goals-against average, .903 save percentage and four shutouts over 129 regular season games. Leenders was selected in the seventh round (202nd overall) by Buffalo in the 2024 NHL Draft last summer.
Also considered for the award this week, Joey Costanzo of the Windsor Spitfires went 2-0 with a 1.50 goals-against average and .927 save percentage, while Charlie Schenkel of the Kingston Frontenacs was also a standout in the crease, going 2-0 along with a 1.68 goals-against average and .929 save percentage.
2024-25 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Playoffs: Mar. 24 – Mar. 30: Ryerson Leenders (Brantford Bulldogs)
2024-25 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season: Mar. 17 – Mar. 23: Mike McIvor (North Bay Battalion) Mar. 10 – Mar. 16: Ryerson Leenders (Brantford Bulldogs) Mar. 3 – Mar. 9: Austin Elliott (London Knights) Feb. 14 – Mar. 2: Nathan Day (Flint Firebirds) Feb. 17 – Feb. 23: Mike McIvor (North Bay Battalion) Feb. 10 – Feb. 16: Collin MacKenzie (Ottawa 67’s) Feb. 3 – Feb. 9: Ryerson Leenders (Brantford Bulldogs) Jan. 27 – Feb. 2: Carter George (Owen Sound Attack) Jan. 20 – Jan. 26: Austin Elliott (London Knights) Jan. 13 – Jan. 19: Nolan Lalonde (Soo Greyhounds) Jan. 6 – Jan. 12: Easton Rye (Peterborough Petes) Dec. 30 – Jan. 5: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers) Dec. 28 – Dec. 29: Ben Hrebik (Barrie Colts) Dec. 16 – Dec. 22: Nathan Day (Flint Firebirds) Dec. 9 – Dec. 15: Ryerson Leenders (Brantford Bulldogs) Dec. 2 – Dec. 8: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers) Nov. 25 – Dec. 1: Aleksei Medvedev (London Knights) Nov. 18 – Nov. 24: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers) Nov. 11 – Nov. 17: Carter George (Owen Sound Attack) Nov. 4 – Nov. 10: Andrew Oke (Saginaw Spirit) Oct. 28 – Nov. 3: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers) Oct. 21 – Oct. 27: Nathan Day (Flint Firebirds) Oct. 14 – Oct. 20: Joey Costanzo (Windsor Spitfires) Oct. 7 – Oct. 13: Finn Marshall (Sudbury Wolves) Sept. 30 – Oct. 6: Joey Costanzo (Windsor Spitfires) Sept. 25 – Sept. 29: Jack Ivankovic (Brampton Steelheads)
Spitfires’ Ethan Garden Named OHL Rookie of the Week
Windsor Spitfires forward Ethan Garden is the OHL Rookie of the Week, registering a goal, two assists and three points in two games played.
Helping Windsor take a 2-0 series lead over the Soo Greyhounds in Round 1 of the 2025 OHL Playoffs, Garden recorded an assist in Thursday’s 7-2 home win. The Belleville, MI native found the scoresheet again on Saturday, adding a goal and an assist to earn third-star honours in a 7-1 victory.
Selected by the Spitfires in the ninth round (164th overall) of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection from the Detroit Little Caesars U15 AAA program, the 5-foot-8, 166lb. forward registered six goals, eight assists, and 14 points in 55 regular season contests.
Also considered for the award this week, Graydon Jones of the Saginaw Spirit recorded three assists in two games played.
2024-25 OHL Rookies of the Week – Playoffs: March. 24 – March. 30: Ethan Garden (Windsor Spitfires)
OHL Writers 