2025-26 CHL Top-10 Rankings presented by Delta Hotels by Marriott: Bulldogs Keep Rolling at No. 1; Spitfires Climb, Raiders Rise & Knights Return

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

TORONTO, ON – The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) today unveiled its Week 6 edition of the CHL Top-10 Rankings presented by Delta Hotels by Marriott for the 2025-26 season.

The Brantford Bulldogs continue to set the pace across the CHL, holding firm at No. 1 in the CHL Top-10 Rankings for a third straight week. The Bulldogs (11-0-1-1) remain the only OHL team without a regulation loss – and one of just two across the CHL – after extending their dominance with three more wins by a combined 10-3 margin. Led by Buffalo Sabres prospect Ryerson Leenders, the OHL Goaltender of the Week, and Seattle Kraken prospect Jake O’Brien, who leads the league with 23 points, Brantford has established itself as one of the teams to beat early in the 2025-26 season. The Windsor Spitfires (12-2-1-1) have climbed back to No. 2 – matching their season-best ranking – after earning five of six points last week and becoming the first team in both the OHL and CHL to hit 12 wins. Windsor’s success has been driven by 2026 NHL Draft prospect Ethan Belchetz, CHL defensive scoring co-leader Carson Woodall, and Los Angeles Kings prospect Liam Greentree. Rounding out the top three, the Everett Silvertips (11-1-1-0) slipped one position but remain the WHL’s top club after rebounding from their first regulation loss with a 5-2 road win in Spokane.

Further down the list, the Prince Albert Raiders (9-0-2-0) climbed to No. 8 after extending their unbeaten-in-regulation streak to 11 games with back-to-back shutouts of Swift Current. The Raiders remain the WHL’s lone team without a regulation loss, backstopped by strong goaltending from Michal Orsulak and Dimitri Fortin, and steady play from veteran Brayden Dube. Entering the Top 10 for the first time this season, the London Knights (7-2-3-0) have caught fire with a nine-game point streak (7-0-2-0). The defending Memorial Cup champions were powered over the last week by new captain and Lightning prospect Sam O’Reilly, dynamic defenceman Jared Woolley, and rookie netminder Sebastian Gatto, who earned his first OHL shutout in a 3-0 win at Sarnia.

For the 2025-26 season, fans can catch every game with FloHockey streaming the OHL and QMJHL, and Victory+ serving as the home of the WHL. FloHockey features full regular-season and playoff coverage for the OHL and QMJHL, while Victory+ offers free access to every WHL game along with playoffs and more.

CHL Top-10 Rankings – Week 6
1. Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
2. Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
3. Everett Silvertips (WHL)
4. Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
5. Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL)
6. Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL)
7. Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
8. Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
9. Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
10. London Knights (OHL)

For information and details about each club ranked in the CHL’s latest Top-10 Rankings, please visit chl.ca/video/2025-26-chl-top-10-rankings-week-6.

The next rankings will be released the week of November 3, following the seventh week of regular-season action in the CHL’s Member Leagues.

OHL ANNOUNCES TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK FOR OCTOBER 20-26, 2025

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

TORONTO (Monday, October 27, 2025) – The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, October 26th.


Wolves’ Kieron Walton Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

Winnipeg Jets prospect Kieron Walton of the Sudbury Wolves is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, leading the league with eight points (3-5–8) over two victories.

The 6-foot-6 Walton kicked-off the weekend with a goal and two assists in Friday’s 5-3 win over the visiting Barrie Colts. He extended his point streak to six games with a season-high five points (2-3–5) on Sunday, helping Sudbury defeat the Peterborough Petes 8-2 on home ice.

A 19-year-old from Toronto, Walton leads the Wolves with 15 points (7-8–15) through his first eight games of the season. He produced 38 goals, 54 assists and 92 points in 66 games during the 2024-25 campaign, and owns career figures consisting of 71 goals, 92 assists and 163 points over 185 regular season games, all with Sudbury. Walton was selected by the Winnipeg Jets with their sixth round (187th overall) pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, and signed a three-year entry-level deal with the club on Apr. 7, 2025. The Wolves originally drafted Walton in the second round (28th overall) in 2022 from the North York Rangers AAA program.

2025-26 Cogeco OHL Player of the Week
Sept. 18-21: Cole Davis (Windsor Spitfires)
Sept. 22-28: Ethan Czata (Niagara IceDogs)
Sept. 29-Oct. 5: Kashawn Aitcheson (Barrie Colts)
Oct. 6-12: Jake O’Brien (Brantford Bulldogs)
Oct. 13-19: Adam Benak (Brantford Bulldogs)
Oct. 20-26: Kieron Walton (Sudbury Wolves)




Bulldogs’ Ryerson Leenders Named Mary Brown’s Chicken OHL Goaltender of the Week

Buffalo Sabres prospect Ryerson Leenders of the Brantford Bulldogs is the Mary Brown’s Chicken OHL Goaltender of the Week, going 2-0 with a 1.00 goals-against average and .966 save percentage.

Leenders backstopped the Bulldogs to victory in Sarnia on Friday, turning aside 38-of-39 shots as Brantford won 3-1 despite being outshot 39-23. Leenders followed-up his first star effort with 18 more saves on Sunday night in Oshawa as the Bulldogs beat the Generals 4-1.

A 19-year-old from Nanticoke, ON, Leenders is 5-0-0-1 with a 2.31 goals-against average and .918 save percentage through six games this season. The fourth-year veteran owns a career mark of 72-46-10-1 with a 3.17 goals-against average and .903 save percentage with four shutouts over 135 regular season games between Brantford and Mississauga. Leenders was Buffalo’s seventh round (219th overall) pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. The 6-foot-1, 179Ib. netminder was originally chosen by the Mississauga Steelheads in the second round (32nd overall) of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection. Internationally, Leenders has won gold with Canada at both the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup as well as the IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championship.

2025-26 Mary Brown’s Chicken OHL Goaltender of the Week
Sept. 18-21: Jason Schaubel (Kitchener Rangers)
Sept. 22-28: Joey Costanzo (Windsor Spitfires)
Sept. 29-Oct. 5: Gavin Betts (Kingston Frontenacs)
Oct. 6-12: Mason Vaccari (Flint Firebirds)
Oct. 13-19: Patrick Quinlan (Sarnia Sting)
Oct. 20-26: Ryerson Leenders (Brantford Bulldogs)


Storm’s Jaakko Wycisk Named OHL Rookie of the Week

Guelph Storm forward Jaakko Wycisk is the OHL Rookie of the Week, scoring while recording three assists for four points over a pair of victories.

Wycisk turned in a first star performance on Friday night, scoring while adding two assists on goals by linemate Carter Stevens as the Storm defeated the Kingston Frontenacs 6-3 on home ice. He was back on the scoresheet on Sunday afternoon, seeing ice with the game on the line to record an assist on Noah Jenken’s third period game-winner as Guelph defeated the Ottawa 67’s 4-3.

A product of Tecumseh, ON, the 16-year-old Wycisk leads 2009-born OHL skaters with 13 points (6-7–13) through his first 13 games of the season. Selected by the Storm with the second overall pick of the 2025 OHL Priority Selection, Wycisk was last year’s ALLIANCE U16 Player of the Year, guiding the Sun County Panthers to a second straight league title with 61 points (32-29–61) through 30 games during the regular season and a further 13 points (6-7–13) over 10 playoff outings. Wycisk also saw six games of action with the OJHL’s Leamington Flyers in 2024-25. A prospect eligible for the 2027 NHL Draft, Wycisk has been selected to represent Canada White at the 2025 U17 World Hockey Challenge set to take place in Truro, Nova Scotia from November 2-8.

2025-26 OHL Rookie of the Week
Sept. 18-21: Thomas Vandenberg (Ottawa 67’s)
Sept. 22-28: Caleb Malhotra (Brantford Bulldogs)
Sept. 29-Oct. 5: Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit)
Oct. 6-12: Jaxon Cover (London Knights)
Oct. 13-19: Ryder Cali (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 20-26: Jaakko Wycisk (Guelph Storm)


Spirit Prospect Gensen Geldart Named GOHL Prospect of the Week

Saginaw Spirit prospect Gensen Geldart of the Chatham Maroons is the GOHL Prospect of the Week, recording three goals, one assist and four points over a pair of victories.

Geldart lit the lamp for a hat-trick in Thursday’s 6-2 Maroons road win over the Sarnia Legionnaires, finding the back of the net in the first, second and third periods. He was back on the scoresheet with an assist on Sunday, helping Chatham defeat the visiting LaSalle Vipers 6-3.

A 16-year-old from Toronto, Geldart spent last season with the GTHL’s Vaughan Kings, recording seven points (1-6–7) over four games at the 2025 OHL Cup. The 6-foot-1, 173Ib. forward  has 10 points (4-6–10) through 14 games with Chatham and was chosen by the Spirit with their fourth round (75th overall) pick last spring. He won an OHL Cup silver medal as an underage player with Vaughan in 2024.

2025-26 GOHL Prospect of the Week
Sept. 10-21: Brendan Gerber (Elmira Sugar Kings/London Knights)
Sept. 22-28: Alex Forrest (Cambridge RedHawks/Kitchener Rangers)
Sept. 29-Oct. 5: Liam Edgcumbe (Pelham Panthers/Flint Firebirds)
Oct. 6-12: Caden Bell (St. Catharines Falcons/Niagara IceDogs)
Oct. 13-19: Reed Straus (Elmira Sugar Kings/Oshawa Generals)
Oct. 20-26: Gensen Geldart (Chatham Maroons/Saginaw Spirit)

CHL Top-10 Rankings presented by Delta Hotels by Marriott: Bulldogs Stay on Top, Silvertips Surge, Armada Follow Close Behind – and Cougars Roar Into the CHL Top-10

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

TORONTO, ON – The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) today unveiled its Week 5 edition of the CHL Top-10 Rankings presented by Delta Hotels by Marriott for the 2025-26 season.

Through five weeks of the 2025-26 season, the Brantford Bulldogs of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League (WHL), and Blainville-Boisbriand Armada of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) have emerged as the top three teams in the CHL, each continuing to set the standard across their respective leagues. The Bulldogs (8-0-1-1) retain the No. 1 spot for a second straight week, remaining unbeaten in regulation behind a CHL-best 6.10 goals per game and dominant performances from standouts like Adam Benak, Jake O’Brien, and Marek Vanacker. Just behind them, the Everett Silvertips (9-0-1-0) climb to a season-best No. 2 ranking, extending their 10-game point streak while boasting one of the league’s most balanced rosters led by Julius Miettinen, Matias Vanhanen, and Carter Bear. The Armada (9-1-2-0) rounds out the top three, leading all CHL clubs with a +37 goal differential and powered by elite play from Xavier Villeneuve and Justin Carbonneau, whose offensive consistency has kept Blainville-Boisbriand among the nation’s top-tier teams since opening night.

Beyond the top three, several clubs continue to impress and climb the CHL ladder. The Charlottetown Islanders (9-1-1-2) rose to sixth in this week’s rankings on the strength of a six-game point streak and a pair of hat tricks from Will Shields, who now shares the CHL goal-scoring lead. The Chicoutimi Saguenéens (7-2-0-1) also moved up, reclaiming seventh place thanks to exceptional defensive play – allowing just 1.57 goals per game over their last seven contests – and the continued dominance of Raphaël Précourt in goal and Émile Guité up front. Meanwhile, the Prince George Cougars (7-2-0-0) make their 2025-26 debut in the CHL Top-10 Rankings, entering at No. 10 after a scorching start that included a pair of blowout wins and standout performances from Kooper Gizowski and Joshua Ravensbergen.

For the 2025-26 season, fans can catch every game with FloHockey streaming the OHL and QMJHL, and Victory+ serving as the home of the WHL. FloHockey features full regular-season and playoff coverage for the OHL and QMJHL, while Victory+ offers free access to every WHL game along with playoffs and more.

CHL Top-10 Rankings – Week 5
1. Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
2. Everett Silvertips (WHL)
3. Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
4. Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
5. Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
6. Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL)
7. Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL)
8. Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
9. Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
10. Prince George Cougars (WHL)

For information and details about each club ranked in the CHL’s latest Top-10 Rankings, please visit chl.ca/video/2025-26-chl-top-10-rankings-week-5.

The next rankings will be released the week of October 27, following the sixth week of regular-season action in the CHL’s Member Leagues.

OHL ANNOUNCES TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK FOR OCT. 13-19, 2025

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

TORONTO (Monday, October 25, 2025) – The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, October 19, 2025.

Bulldogs’ Adam Benak Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

Minnesota Wild prospect Adam Benak of the Brantford Bulldogs is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording six points over a pair of wins against the Brampton Steelheads while also becoming the OHL’s leading scorer.

Benak recorded a goal and two assists, earning third star recognition as the Bulldogs beat the Steelheads 7-3 on Friday. He tacked on three assists Saturday afternoon, helping to power the Bulldogs past Brampton by a score of 9-3.

An 18-year-old from Plzen, Czechia, Benak leads the OHL with 19 points (5-14–19) over eight games. The 5-foot-8, 163Ib. centre has produced multi-point outputs in six of his eight games this season. Minnesota’s fourth round (102nd overall) pick in 2025, Benak was selected second overall by the Bulldogs in the 2025 CHL Import Draft after he produced 59 points (17-42–59) in 56 games with the USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms. Benak has enjoyed success internationally, winning back-to-back silver medals for Czechia at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup held annually in August.

2025-26 Cogeco OHL Player of the Week
Sept. 18-21: Cole Davis (Windsor Spitfires)
Sept. 22-28: Ethan Czata (Niagara IceDogs)
Sept. 29-Oct. 5: Kashawn Aitcheson (Barrie Colts)
Oct. 6-12: Jake O’Brien (Brantford Bulldogs)
Oct. 13-19: Adam Benak (Brantford Bulldogs)


Sting’s Patrick Quinlan Named Mary Brown’s Chicken OHL Goaltender of the Week

Sarnia Sting netminder Patrick Quinlan is the OHL Goaltender of the Week, going 1-0-1-0 with a 2.93 goals-against average and .920 save percentage as the Sting collected three of a possible four points against the first place Windsor Spitfires.

Quinlan earned first star honours on Friday night at home, making 27 saves as Sarnia fell 3-2 in overtime to Windsor. He backstopped the Sting to victory on Saturday in Windsor, making 42 saves in a 5-3 win as Sarnia was outshot 45-15.

An 18-year-old from Plymouth, Michigan, Quinlan is 2-1-2-0 with a 3.16 goals-against average and .901 save percentage through his first seven games of the season. The 6-foot, 188Ib. netminder spent 2024-25 with the U.S. National Development Program and also won bronze with the United States at the IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championship. Quinlan was Sarnia’s eighth round (157th overall) pick in 2023 and is committed to the University of Notre Dame (NCAA).

Also considered for the award this week, Easton Rye of the Peterborough Petes went 2-0 with a 2.00 goals-against average and .925 save percentage in wins over Oshawa and Ottawa.

2025-26 Mary Brown’s Chicken OHL Goaltender of the Week
Sept. 18-21: Jason Schaubel (Kitchener Rangers)
Sept. 22-28: Joey Costanzo (Windsor Spitfires)
Sept. 29-Oct. 5: Gavin Betts (Kingston Frontenacs)
Oct. 6-12: Mason Vaccari (Flint Firebirds)
Oct. 13-19: Patrick Quinlan (Sarnia Sting)


Battalion’s Ryder Cali Named OHL Rookie of the Week

NHL Draft eligible North Bay Battalion forward Ryder Cali is the OHL Rookie of the Week, scoring three times while adding an assist over three contests.

Cali found the back of the net on Thanksgiving Monday in North Bay’s 6-4 loss to visiting Owen Sound. He contributed to a winning cause on Saturday in Barrie, recording the game-tying goal along with an assist as the Battalion beat the Colts 4-3. Cali was back in the goal column on Sunday at home, netting his seventh goal of the season before earning first star honours in a 3-2 shootout win over Barrie.

An 17-year-old from Penetanguishene, ON, Cali has seven goals, two assists and nine points through 11 games this season after appearing in five for the Troops in 2024-25. Originally Sault Ste. Marie’s first round (18th overall) pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection, the 6-foot-2, 209Ib. left-wing recorded 54 points (24-30–54) over 51 games with the OJHL’s Milton Menace in 2024-25. Cali was assigned a B rating by NHL Central Scouting in the preliminary players to watch list for the 2026 NHL Draft circulated on Monday.

2025-26 OHL Rookie of the Week
Sept. 18-21: Thomas Vandenberg (Ottawa 67’s)
Sept. 22-28: Caleb Malhotra (Brantford Bulldogs)
Sept. 29-Oct. 5: Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit)
Oct. 6-12: Jaxon Cover (London Knights)
Oct. 13-19: Ryder Cali (North Bay Battalion)


Generals Prospect Reed Straus Named GOHL Prospect of the Week

Oshawa Generals prospect Reed Straus of the Elmira Sugar Kings is the GOHL Prospect of the Week, going 2-0 with a 1.00 goals-against average and .962 save percentage.

Straus stopped 30 of the 31 shots he faced on Saturday in London, backstopping the Sugar Kings past the Nationals by a score of 2-1. He returned to the crease at home on Saturday, making 20 saves as Elmira defeated the Komoka Kings 2-1.

An 18-year-old from St. Clements, ON, Straus is 4-1 in his second season with Elmira, recording a 2.16 goals-against average and .913 save percentage through five appearances. The 5-foot-11, 180Ib. netminder went 8-7-0-1 with a 2.69 goals-against average and .900 save percentage in 19 games with the Sugar Kings in 2024-25. Straus was Oshawa’s second round (37th overall) pick in the 2024 OHL U18 Priority Selection from the Waterloo Wolves AAA program.

2025-26 GOHL Prospect of the Week
Sept. 10-21: Brendan Gerber (Elmira Sugar Kings/London Knights)
Sept. 22-28: Alex Forrest (Cambridge RedHawks/Kitchener Rangers)
Sept. 29-Oct. 5: Liam Edgcumbe (Pelham Panthers/Flint Firebirds)
Oct. 6-12: Caden Bell (St. Catharines Falcons/Niagara IceDogs)
Oct. 13-19: Reed Straus (Elmira Sugar Kings/Oshawa Generals)

CHL Top-10 Rankings presented by Delta Hotels by Marriott: Brantford tops rankings as Everett, Charlottetown rise and Prince Albert cracks Top 10

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

TORONTO, ON – The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) today unveiled its Week 4 edition of the CHL Top-10 Rankings presented by Delta Hotels by Marriott for the 2025-26 season.

The Brantford Bulldogs (OHL) have climbed to the top of the mountain for the first time this season, claiming the No. 1 spot in the CHL Top-10 Rankings after a dominant 3-0-0-0 week. Brantford becomes the first OHL club to reach No. 1 in 2025-26, vaulting past the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL) and Windsor Spitfires (OHL), who round out the top three. The Bulldogs’ high-powered offence — averaging 5.63 goals per game — fueled wins over Niagara, Sudbury, and Ottawa, making them the only OHL team still unbeaten in regulation. Despite slipping to No. 2, the Armada remain the CHL’s top-scoring team (5.78 GPG) and lead the circuit with a +30 goal differential, while the Spitfires stay among the elite after earning five of six possible points last week to extend their run of Top-3 rankings to four straight weeks.

Elsewhere, a pair of clubs made notable climbs in the rankings, with the Everett Silvertips (WHL) jumping three spots to a season-best No. 4 after a perfect weekend sweep on Vancouver Island, while the Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL) rose three places to No. 7 following another strong showing that earned them five of a possible six points. Rounding out this week’s Top 10, the Prince Albert Raiders (WHL) made their 2025-26 debut at No. 10, remaining unbeaten in regulation after back-to-back home victories over Vancouver and Kamloops.

For the 2025-26 season, fans can catch every game with FloHockey streaming the OHL and QMJHL, and Victory+ serving as the home of the WHL. FloHockey features full regular-season and playoff coverage for the OHL and QMJHL, while Victory+ offers free access to every WHL game along with playoffs and more.

CHL Top-10 Rankings – Week 4
1. Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
2. Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
3. Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
4. Everett Silvertips (WHL)
5. Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
6. Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
7. Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL)
8. Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL)
9. Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
10. Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

For information and details about each club ranked in the CHL’s latest Top-10 Rankings, please visit chl.ca/video/2025-26-chl-top-10-rankings-week-4.

The next rankings will be released the week of October 20, following the fifth week of regular-season action in the CHL’s Member Leagues.

SEVENTEEN OHL PLAYERS SELECTED TO REPRESENT CANADA AT 2025 U17 WORLD CHALLENGE

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

TORONTO (Wednesday, October 15, 2025) – The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) is proud to congratulate 17 OHL players on being selected to represent Canada at the 2025 U17 World Challenge set to take place in Truro, Nova Scotia from November 2-8. A total of 44 players from across the Canadian Hockey League were included.

The rosters were selected by head scout Byron Bonora (Brooks, AB), Program of Excellence general manager Alan Millar (Tottenham, ON) and Mike Johnston (Darmouth, NS/Portland, WHL), U17 lead with the POE management group.

Benoit Roy (Sudbury, ON), director of hockey operations, and Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations, also provided input, along with regional scouts Pierre Cholette (Quebec), Scott Grieve (Ontario/Erie, OHL), Jared Power (West), Rob Simpson (Ontario/London, OHL) and Darren Sutherland (Atlantic).

U17 directors of operations Dave Drinkill (Elmvale, ON/Saginaw, OHL) and Dylan Seca (Sundridge, ON/Sarnia, OHL) provided additional support.

Seventeen OHL Players and Support Staff Selected to Represent Canada at 2025 U17 World Challenge

Canada Red: Max Delisle (F, Owen Sound Attack), Ryerson Edgar (F, Niagara IceDogs), Peter Green (D, Brampton Steelheads), John McLaughlin (F, Windsor Spitfires), Charlie Murata (F, Flint Firebirds), Camryn Warren (F, North Bay Battalion), Dave Drinkill (Director of Operations, Saginaw Spirit), Brendan Taylor (Assistant Coach, Soo Greyhounds), David Pandolfi (Athletic Therapist, Niagara IceDogs)

Canada White: Kaden Aucoin (D, Sarnia Sting), Brock Chitaroni (F, Ottawa 67’s), Alexander Forrest (D, Kitchener Rangers/Cambridge RedHawks, GOHL), Ryan Hanrahan (F, Saginaw Spirit), Matthew Henderson (D, Kingston Frontenacs), Aleks Kulemin (F, Kingston Frontenacs), Brenner Lammens (F, Sarnia Sting), Cooper McAslan (D, London Knights/London Nationals, GOHL), Kaden McGregor (F, Peterborough Petes), Sam Roberts (F, Oshawa Generals), Jaakko Wycisk (F, Guelph Storm), Dylan Seca (Director of Operations, Sarnia Sting), Scott Barney (Head Coach, Sudbury Wolves), Andrew Mercer (Goaltending Consultant, Ottawa 67’s), Alex Darling (Video Coach, Peterborough Petes), J.R. Grant (Equipment Manager, Windsor Spitfires)

The 2025 U17 World Challenge kicks off on Nov. 2, with Canada Red taking on Finland at 3:30pm AT and Canada White facing off against Sweden at 7:30pm AT. Teams will play two preliminary-round games before the medal round, which concludes on Nov. 8 with the medal games. The event will also feature pre-tournament games in Truro, Amherst and Wolfville on Oct. 31 at 7:30pm AT.

TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast the 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 including full-event packages, weekend packages, family packages and single-game tickets at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets.

For more information on Hockey Canada and the U17 World Challenge, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

OHL ANNOUNCES TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK FOR OCT. 6-12, 2025

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

TORONTO (Monday, October 13, 2025) – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, October 12, 2025.



Bulldogs’ Jake O’Brien Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

Seattle Kraken prospect Jake O’Brien of the Brantford Bulldogs is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, scoring four times while adding four assists as the Bulldogs went 3-0.

After being held off the scoresheet in Brantford’s 7-4 road win over the Niagara IceDogs on Thursday, O’Brien came up with a goal and two assists in the Bulldogs’ 6-0 blanking of the visiting Sudbury Wolves on Friday. Sunday saw O’Brien match a career high with five points including a hat-trick as the Bulldogs handed the Ottawa 67’s their first loss of the season in an 8-5 outcome. O’Brien earned first star honours in the win, finishing with a plus-4 rating.

An 18-year-old from Toronto, O’Brien sits second in OHL scoring with 13 points (5-8–13) through six games to go with a plus/minus rating of plus-11. The 6-foot-2, 177Ib. centre was selected by the Seattle Kraken with the eighth overall pick of the 2025 NHL Draft after posting 98 points (32-66–98) over 66 games in 2024-25. A former OHL Rookie of the Year Award recipient in 2023-24, O’Brien was originally the Bulldogs’ eighth overall pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection after he was named OHL Cup MVP for the victorious Toronto Jr. Canadiens. Internationally, O’Brien helped Canada win gold at the 2024 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup.

2025-26 Cogeco OHL Player of the Week
Sept. 18-21: Cole Davis (Windsor Spitfires)
Sept. 22-28: Ethan Czata (Niagara IceDogs)
Sept. 29-Oct. 5: Kashawn Aitcheson (Barrie Colts)
Oct. 6-12: Jake O’Brien (Brantford Bulldogs)



Firebirds’ Mason Vaccari Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Mason Vaccari of the Flint Firebirds is the Mary Brown’s Chicken OHL Goaltender of the Week, posting back-to-back shutouts in victories over Kitchener and Oshawa.

Vaccari stopped all 46 shots sent his direction, making 20 of those saves on Wednesday as the Firebirds blanked the Kitchener Rangers by a score of 3-0. The overage netminder turned aside 26 more on Saturday, earning first star recognition in a second straight game as the Firebirds froze the Oshawa Generals in a 3-0 final.

A 20-year-old from Mississauga, Vaccari is 3-1-1-0 with a 2.75 goals-against average and .914 percentage through five gams to begin his fourth OHL season. The former CHL and OHL Humanitarian of the Year Award recipient in 2024 is a career 52-46-5-3 with a 3.42 goals-against average and .888 save percentage. Vaccari represented the Columbus Blue Jackets in this year’s Prospects Challenge held in Buffalo, NY. He was originally Kingston’s fourth round (61st overall) pick in 2021.

2025-26 Mary Brown’s Chicken OHL Goaltender of the Week
Sept. 18-21: Jason Schaubel (Kitchener Rangers)
Sept. 22-28: Joey Costanzo (Windsor Spitfires)
Sept. 29-Oct. 5: Gavin Betts (Kingston Frontenacs)
Oct. 6-12: Mason Vaccari (Flint Firebirds)



Knights’ Jaxon Cover Named OHL Rookie of the Week

NHL Draft eligible London Knights forward Jaxon Cover is the OHL Rookie of the Week, producing a goal and three assists over a pair of victories.

Cover recorded a goal and an assist in London’s 6-1 win over the Erie Otters on Friday night, returning a night later to chip in with two assists as the Knights beat the Sarnia Sting 5-4 in overtime.

An 17-year-old from Grand Cayman, Cover has five points (3-2–5) through his first seven games of the season. The 6-foot-1, 185Ib. left-wing appeared in three games with London in 2024-25, recording a pair of assists while spending most of the season at St. Andrew’s College where he produced 40 points (21-19–40) over 55 games. The Knights selected Cover in the fourth round (64th overall) of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection.

2025-26 OHL Rookie of the Week
Sept. 18-21: Thomas Vandenberg (Ottawa 67’s)
Sept. 22-28: Caleb Malhotra (Brantford Bulldogs)
Sept. 29-Oct. 5: Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit)
Oct. 6-12: Jaxon Cover (London Knights)

IceDogs Prospect Caden Bell Named GOHL Prospect of the Week

Niagara IceDogs prospect Caden Bell of the St. Catharines Falcons is the GOHL Prospect of the Week, recording three goals, two assists and five points across three victories.

Bell chipped in an assist in St. Catharines’ 6-1 win over the Caledon Bombers on Tuesday before putting together his best GOHL performance to date on Friday, scoring a pair of power play goals while adding an assist in a 5-3 win over the Port Colborne Sailors. Bell rounded-out the week by extending his point streak to five games on Sunday, scoring in St. Catharines’ 6-2 win over the Welland Jr. Canadians.

Niagara’s third round (49th overall) pick in 2025, Bell sits second among GOHL rookie defencemen with 11 points (5-6–11) in as many games. The 5-foot-11, 165Ib. right-shot defender was an OHL Cup finalist as a member of the Don Mills Flyers AAA program in 2024-25, being named to the tournament all-star team with eight points (4-4–8) in the seven game showcase. Bell produced 20 points (10-19–29) over 32 games in his U16 AAA season.

2025-26 GOHL Prospect of the Week
Sept. 10-21: Brendan Gerber (Elmira Sugar Kings/London Knights)
Sept. 22-28: Alex Forrest (Cambridge RedHawks/Kitchener Rangers)
Sept. 29-Oct. 5: Liam Edgcumbe (Pelham Panthers/Flint Firebirds)
Oct. 6-12: Caden Bell (St. Catharines Falcons/Niagara IceDogs)

CHL Top-10 Rankings presented by Delta Hotels by Marriott: Armada still No. 1 as Silvertips climb, Islanders join Top 10

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

TORONTO, ON – The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) today unveiled its Week 3 edition of the CHL Top-10 Rankings presented by Delta Hotels by Marriott for the 2025-26 season.

The Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (5-0-1-0) of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) remain at No. 1 in the CHL Top-10 Rankings for a third consecutive week following a strong showing that included an 8-0 win over the No. 10-ranked Charlottetown Islanders. Justin Carbonneau, Xavier Villeneuve, and CHL goal leader Matt Gosselin continued to contribute offensively as the Armada extended their unbeaten streak in regulation. The Windsor Spitfires (7-1-0-0) of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) stay second after winning two of three games and matching their best season start in nearly four decades, with goaltender Joey Costanzo and captain Liam Greentree leading the way. The Brantford Bulldogs (3-0-1-1) of the OHL hold third, remaining without a regulation loss after earning three of four possible points last week.

In the WHL, the Everett Silvertips (5-0-1-0) of the Western Hockey League (WHL) rise three spots to No. 6, following a productive offensive stretch highlighted by Finnish forwards Matias Vanhanen and Julius Miettinen. The Charlottetown Islanders (6-1-0-1) of the QMJHL make their season debut in the Top 10 at No. 10 after a successful four-game road trip, bolstered by Marcus Kearsey’s standout performance and goaltender Donald Hickey’s perfect record.

For the 2025-26 season, fans can catch every game with FloHockey streaming the OHL and QMJHL, and Victory+ serving as the home of the WHL. FloHockey features full regular-season and playoff coverage for the OHL and QMJHL, while Victory+ offers free access to every WHL game along with playoffs and more.

CHL Top-10 Rankings – Week 3
1. Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
2. Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
3. Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
4. Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
5. Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
6. Everett Silvertips (WHL)
7. Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL)
8. Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
9. Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
10. Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL)

For information and details about each club ranked in the CHL’s latest Top-10 Rankings, please visit chl.ca/video/2025-26-chl-top-10-rankings-week-3.

The next rankings will be released the week of October 13, following the fourth week of regular-season action in all three member leagues of the CHL.

OHL ANNOUNCES TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK FOR OCT. 2-5, 2025

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

TORONTO (Monday, October 6, 2025 – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for regular season games from Thursday, October 2 and Sunday, October 5, 2025.


Colts’ Kashawn Aitcheson named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

New York Islanders prospect Kashawn Aitcheson of the Barrie Colts is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, scoring five goals and adding an assist for six points over three contests.

Aitcheson began the week with his first goal of the season in Thursday’s 5-4 shootout loss to the visiting Soo Greyhounds. He enjoyed his most productive showing of the season thus far on Saturday, scoring twice while adding an assist as the Colts beat the Oshawa Generals 5-3 on home ice. Aitcheson closed-out the weekend with a second-straight two-goal performance on Sunday, helping Barrie overcome a 5-1 third period deficit with a pair of tallies in a 6-5 shootout win in Niagara.

A 6-foot-1, 198Ib., 19-year-old defenceman from Toronto, Aitcheson has eight points (5-3–8) through his first six games to begin 2025-26 after recording 59 points (26-33–59) over 64 games last season. His 26 goals set a new Barrie Colts single season record by a defenceman. Originally Barrie’s third round (50th overall) pick in 2022, Aitcheson has collected 109 points (40-69–109) over 157 career regular season games with Barrie, adding 16 points (7-9–16) in 26 career playoff contests. He was a first round (17th overall) pick by the New York Islanders at the 2025 NHL Draft. Internationally, Aitcheson is a former World Under-18 Hockey Challenge gold medalist as a member of Team Canada in 2024.

2025-26 Cogeco OHL Player of the Week
Sept. 18-21: Cole Davis (Windsor Spitfires)
Sept. 22-28: Ethan Czata (Niagara IceDogs)
Sept. 29-Oct. 5: Kashawn Aitcheson (Barrie Colts)


Frontenacs’ Gavin Betts named Mary Brown’s Chicken OHL Goaltender of the Week

2026 NHL Draft prospect Gavin Betts of the Kingston Frontenacs is the Mary Brown’s Chicken OHL Goaltender of the Week, going 2-0 with a 1.00 goals-against average, a .960 save percentage and one shutout.

Betts turned aside 21-of-23 shots in Friday’s 5-2 win over the visiting Oshawa Generals before recording his first career OHL shutout on Sunday afternoon, making 27 saves as the Fronts blanked the Erie Otters 1-0 behind Kieren Dervin’s third period goal. Betts earned first star honours in the win, helping the Frontenacs improve to 4-1-0-1.

A 17-year-old from Toronto, Betts is 3-1-0-1 with a 2.75 goals-against average and .903 save percentage through five games to begin the 2025-26 season. He appeared in nine contests for Kingston in 2024-25, going 5-4 with a 3.44 goals-against average and .876 save percentage, spending the rest of his 16-year-old campaign with the OJHL’s Pickering Panthers where he was 7-7-2 with a 3.07 goals-against average and .920 save percentage over 18 appearances. Kingston’s second round (37th overall) pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection, Betts won World Under-17 Hockey Challenge gold with Team Canada White last fall. He claimed bronze with Canada at August’s Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, posting a 1.68 goals-against average, .933 save percentage and two shutouts over five games.

2025-26 Mary Brown’s Chicken OHL Goaltender of the Week
Sept. 18-21: Jason Schaubel (Kitchener Rangers)
Sept. 22-28: Joey Costanzo (Windsor Spitfires)
Sept. 29-Oct. 5: Gavin Betts (Kingston Frontenacs)


Spirit’s Nikita Klepov named OHL Rookie of the Week

2026 NHL Draft prospect Nikita Klepov of the Saginaw Spirit is the OHL Rookie of the Week, recording five points over three road games.

Klepov started the week with a shorthanded goal on Friday night in Guelph as the Spirit fell 3-2 in overtime. He had the most productive performance of his young OHL career on Saturday in Owen Sound, scoring twice while adding two assists as the Spirit defeated the Attack 7-5.

A 17-year-old from Deerfield Beach, Florida, Klepov leads OHL rookies with 11 points (7-4–11) over seven games since coming over from the USHL’s Sioux City Musketeers where he produced 31 points (12-19–21) over 59 games in 2024-25. The Spirit selected Klepov 35th overall in the 2025 CHL Import Draft. The 6-foot, 180Ib. left-shot winger won Hlinka Gretzky Cup gold with the United States in August, recording six points (1-5–6) in five games. Klepov is committed to Michigan State University (NCAA).

2025-26 OHL Rookie of the Week
Sept. 18-21: Thomas Vandenberg (Ottawa 67’s)
Sept. 22-28: Caleb Malhotra (Brantford Bulldogs)
Sept. 29-Oct. 5: Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit


Firebirds prospect Liam Edgcumbe named GOHL Prospect of the Week

Flint Firebirds prospect Liam Edgcumbe of the Pelham Panthers is the GOHL Prospect of the Week, stopping all 67 shots sent his direction in back-to-back shutouts.

After winning his GOHL debut on September 19th, Edgcumbe was flawless in Thursday’s 2-0 road win over the Hamilton Kilty B’s, making 44 saves at Dave Andreychuk Mountain Arena. He was back in the crease on Friday at home, denying 23 Welland Jr. Canadians shots in a 3-0 victory.

A 6-foot-4, 175Ib. 17-year-old from Grimsby, ON, Edgcumbe was selected by Flint in the eighth round of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection from the Niagara North Stars AAA program. In 13 games with the PJHL’s Niagara Riverhawks last season, Edgcumbe played to a mark of 9-2-2 with a 2.39 goals-against average and .935 save percentage.

2025-26 GOHL Prospect of the Week
Sept. 10-21: Brendan Gerber (Elmira Sugar Kings/London Knights)
Sept. 22-28: Alex Forrest (Cambridge RedHawks/Kitchener Rangers)
Sept. 29-Oct. 5: Liam Edgcumbe (Pelham Panthers/Flint Firebirds)

OHL Writers’ Draft Eligible Player of the Month: September

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

With the opening month of the 2025–26 Ontario Hockey League season now behind us, OHL Writers are set to unveil their picks for the top forward, defenseman, and goaltender eligible for the 2026 NHL Entry Draft for the month of September.

FORWARD OF THE MONTH: Caleb Malhotra, Brantford Bulldogs

It was quite the September for Malhotra as he scored 3 goals and added 5 assists and was a plus-8 in just three games. He had points in each of his games and had a 5-point night on 2 goals and 3 assists on September 27 in a 7-2 win over the Sudbury Wolves. Two of his goals were game winning goals.

Egor Barabanov of the Saginaw Spirit also earned consideration. Over four games, he tallied three goals and six assists with a plus-1 rating. Each outing was a multi-point effort, with his lone goalless performance coming on September 26 against the Niagara IceDogs. Barabanov is a draft re-entry.

DEFENSEMAN OF THE MONTH: Carson Woodall, Windsor Spitfires

Woodall is a draft re-entry defenseman now in his third full season with the Spitfires. He appeared in 5 games and had 7 assists – going without a point just once on September 29 against the Barrie Colts. On September 19 he had three assists in an 8-1 win over the Sarnia Sting and followed that up with two assists against the London Knights the next night in a 4-1 win.

Also considered was Kingston Frontenacs defenseman Vann Williamson, also a draft re-entry. Williamson posted 5 assists in 4 games that including 2 assists on opening night against the Ottawa 67’s.

GOALTENDER OF THE MONTH: Michael Newlove, Windsor Spitfires

Newlove was flawless in his two September starts, earning wins in both outings while boasting a stingy 1.00 goals-against average and an outstanding .966 save percentage. He kicked off the month on September 19 by turning aside 21 of 22 shots in a commanding 8–1 win over Sarnia, then backed it up with a 35-save performance on September 28, guiding his team to a 4–1 victory against the Oshawa Generals.

Newlove enters the 2026 draft as a re-entry after going undrafted in 2025. He saw limited action last season with the Spitfires, appearing in three games and posting a 2-0-0-0 record, along with a 2.89 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage.

Also considered was another draft re-entry candidate, Ben Hrebik of the Barrie Colts. Hrebik went 0-1-0-1 and had 1.95 goals against average and a .950 save percentage. He stopped 50 of 51 shots he faced on September 25 yet lost 2-1 in a shootout. Two nights later he stopped 26 of 29 shots in a 3-1 loss to Windsor.