Around the OHL

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 — On Sunday, 23 CHL alumni helped the No.8-seeded University of Ottawa to a historic first national title, as the Gee-Gees defeated the No.3-seeded University of Concordia Stingers 3-2 to take home the 2025 U SPORTS University Cup at TD Place in Ottawa. CHL alumni Vincent Labelle (Moncton Wildcats/QMJHL), Bradley Chenier (North Bay Battalion/Sudbury Wolves/OHL), and Luka Verreault (Rimouski Océanic/QMJHL) tallied the goals for the Gee-Gees during Sunday’s final, while CHL graduate Francesco Lapenna (Val-d’Or Foreurs / Drummondville Voltigeurs / Charlottetown Islanders / Gatineau Olympiques / QMJHL) was named the Player of the Game after making 31 saves to clinch the upset victory for Ottawa.

Gee-Gees goaltender Lapenna, who capped off his QMJHL career playing across the Ottawa River for the Gatineau Olympiques, was named the 2025 U SPORTS Men’s Hockey Championship MVP. Lapenna registered 30-plus saves in all three of his appearances at the 2025 U CUP, holding a 2.14 goals-against average and a tournament-best .936 save percentage. As the tournament MVP, Lapenna was one of six CHL alumni to be selected to the tournament all-star team, joining forwards Dawson Holt (Vancouver Giants /Regina Pats/WHL), Mathieu Bizier (Rimouski Océanic/Gatineau Olympiques/QMJHL), Marc-Antoine Séguin (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies/Chicoutimi Saguenéens/Baie-Comeau Drakkar/QMJHL), along with defencemen Simon Lavigne (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada/QMJHL) and Joseph Ianniello (Saint John Sea Dogs/QMJHL).

By winning the national title on Sunday, the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees became the first eighth-seed to ever win the David Johnston University Cup. In addition to Lapenna’s stellar play, the Gee-Gees were led up front by Labelle (Moncton Wildcats/QMJHL) and Mitch Martin (Kitchener Rangers/OHL), who both led the team in scoring with five points (2G-3A) during the 2025 U SPORTS University Cup. In addition to their roster of 23 CHL alumni, the Gee-Gees were guided by head coach Patrick Grandmaître, who played five seasons in the QMJHL from 1995-2000 with the Victoriaville Tigres and the Québec Remparts – serving as a captain for both clubs.

Meanwhile, before the championship game, the No.2-seeded University of Saskatchewan Huskies won their fifth bronze medal in school history thanks to a 4-1 victory over the No.4-seeded Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold in the bronze medal game. WHL alumnus and Huskies forward Vince Loschiavo (Kootenay ICE/Moose Jaw Warriors/Edmonton Oil Kings/WHL) scored twice, while WHL graduate Landon Kosior (Prince Albert Raiders/WHL) was credited with the game-winner and added an assist to help provide the University of Saskatchewan with its first national medal since 2018.

Among the 87 players rostered on the three universities who earned a medal on Sunday, 70 of them were CHL graduates, including 24 on the Concordia University roster.

Out of the 223 players listed on the eight participating teams competing at the 2025 U SPORTS Men’s Hockey Championship, there were 176 CHL alumni who accounted for close to 80% of the players partaking in the tournament. Among the alumni from the CHL participating in the event, there were 80 graduates from the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), 49 from the Western Hockey League (WHL), and 47 who hail from the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).

The CHL and its Member Leagues (WHL, OHL & QMJHL) are committed to the academic development of its athletes, investing roughly $10 million annually on the education of current and former players, a group that includes the 176 CHL alumni who competed at the 2025 University Cup. The CHL also remains the number one supplier of talent to U SPORTS. Just last season, over 950 CHL graduates were enrolled in post-secondary institutions across North America, including many who continued their playing careers in U SPORTS programs in Canada.

Complete list of 70 CHL Alumni who won a medal at the 2025 U SPORTS University Cup in Ottawa
Players are listed alongside the CHL club they’ve played the most games with

GOLD – University of Ottawa Gee Gees (23)

Francesco Lapenna (Gatineau/QMJHL), Jean-Philippe Tourigny (Rouyn-Noranda/QMJHL), Brendon Clavelle (Charlottetown/QMJHL), Cam Gauvreau (Peterborough/OHL), David Lafrance (Halifax/QMJHL), Jacob LeGuerrier (Soo/OHL), Vincent Maisonneuve (Gatineau/QMJHL), Anson McMaster (Winnipeg/WHL), Peter Stratis (Sudbury/OHL), Andrew Belchamber (Baie-Comeau/QMJHL), Alexis Bonefon (Shawinigan/QMJHL), Tommy Bouchard (Blainville-Boisbriand/QMJHL), Bradley Chenier (North Bay/OHL), Mathieu Desgagnés (Acadie-Bathurst/QMJHL), Zacharie Giroux (Flint/OHL), Max Grondin (Saginaw/OHL), Nicolas Kingsbury-Fournier (Acadie-Bathurst/QMJHL), Vincent Labelle (Moncton/QMJHL), Mitchell Martin (Kitchener/OHL), Anthony Poulin (Blainville-Boisbriand/QMJHL), Charles-Antoine Roy (Gatineau/QMJHL), Marc-Antoine Séguin (Chicoutimi/QMJHL), Luka Verreault (Rimouski/QMJHL)

SILVER – Concordia University Stingers (24)

Nikolas Hurtubise (Victoriaville/QMJHL), Brady James (Halifax/QMJHL), Félix Allard (Rouyn-Noranda/QMJHL), Édouard Carrier (Victoriaville/ QMJHL), Vincent Frédette (Chicoutimi/QMJHL), Kyle Havlena (Cape Breton/QMJHL), Christopher Inniss (Rimouski/QMJHL), Sean Larochelle (Victoriaville/QMJHL), Simon Lavigne (Blainville-Boisbriand/QMJHL), Nathan Lavoie (Blainville-Boisbriand/QMJHL), Daniel Agostino (Québec/QMJHL), Julien Anctil (Sherbrooke/QMJHL), Mathieu Bizier (Gatineau/QMJHL), Isiah Campbell (Cape Breton/QMJHL), Édouard Charron (Drummondville/QMJHL), Loïck Daigle (Victoriaville/QMJHL), Émile Gadoury (Gatineau/QMJHL), Alexander Gaudio (Rimouski/QMJHL), Nicholas Girouard (Drummondville/QMJHL), Mikael Huchette (Québec/QMJHL), Alexandre Nadeau (Victoriaville/QMJHL), Gabriel Proulx (Cape Breton/QMJHL), Blake Richardson (Blainville-Boisbriand/QMJHL), Charles Savoie (Québec/QMJHL)

BRONZE – University of Saskatchewan Huskies (23)

Ethan Chadwick (Saskatoon/WHL), Jordan Kooy (London/OHL), Roddy Ross (Seattle/WHL), Logan Bairos (Kamloops/WHL), Parker Gavlas (Edmonton/WHL), Mac Gross (Spokane/WHL), Cole Jordan (Moose Jaw/WHL), Landon Kosior (Prince Albert/WHL), Ty Prefontaine (Lethbridge/WHL), Ethan Regnier (Swift Current/WHL), Rhett Rhinehart (Prince George/WHL), Chase Bertholet (Spokane/WHL), Ashton Ferster (Kamloops/WHL), Cade Hayes (Spokane/WHL), Dawson Holt (Vancouver/WHL), Liam Keeler (Edmonton/WHL), Vince Loschiavo (Kootenay/WHL), Raphael Pelletier (Swift Current/WHL), Josh Pillar (Kamloops/WHL), Cohner Saleski (Swift Current/WHL), Keaton Sorensen (Prince Albert/WHL), Carter Stebbings (Swift Current/WHL), Trevor Wong (Saskatoon/WHL)

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the Week 17 and final edition of the U16 AAA rankings for the 2025 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament hosted by the Greater Toronto Hockey League.

The 2025 OHL Cup will feature 20 teams consisting of talent eligible for the 2025 OHL Priority Selection. Starting with three Wild Card Play-In matchups on Monday, March 24, all games will be played at the Scotiabank Pond in Toronto until the Championship Final moves to the Mattamy Athletic Centre on Friday, March 28.

The final edition of the Top-10 features the GTHL champion Don Mills Flyers leading the way into the annual showcase in top spot followed by the Detroit Little Caesars and GTHL finalist Toronto Titans. Other regional champions inside the top-10 include the fourth-ranked Ottawa Valley Titans (HEO), fifth-ranked Sun County Panthers (ALLIANCE) and sixth-ranked Halton Hurricanes (OMHA).

The weekly rankings are determined by a panel of OHL Central Scouting staff and represent the top teams that are competing to play in the annual year-end championship tournament.

U16 AAA Rankings for the 2025 OHL Cup – Week 17

*- clinched spot in 2025 OHL Cup

Jack Ivankovic is a name that has drawn interest for some time now, and for good reason. Born on May 22, 2007, in Mississauga, Ontario, this young goaltender has already carved out an impressive path in his hockey journey. Currently playing for the Brampton Steelheads in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), Ivankovic is a top prospect for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.

A Rising Star in the Hockey World

Ivankovic’s journey began with the Port Credit Minor Hockey Association, where his talent between the pipes quickly became evident. Drafted 7th overall by the Mississauga Steelheads in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection, he has since transitioned to the Brampton Steelheads, where he continues to showcase his skills.

At just 17 years old, Ivankovic has already made history. He became the first Canadian goaltender since 1987 to start a World Juniors game for Team Canada as a draft-eligible player. This milestone occurred during the 2025 World Junior Championships, where he represented his country on one of hockey’s biggest stages.

Scouting Report: Skills and Potential

Jack Ivankovic is a goaltender who combines technical precision with athleticism, making him a formidable presence in the crease. Here’s a detailed breakdown of his abilities:

Positioning and Technique: Ivankovic excels in maintaining his angles and staying square to the shooter. His ability to read plays and anticipate shots is a standout feature of his game.

Athleticism: Despite being 5’11” and 179 pounds, Ivankovic’s quick reflexes and lateral movement allow him to make saves that leave spectators in awe. His agility is particularly evident during high-pressure situations.

Mental Toughness: One of Ivankovic’s most impressive traits is his composure under pressure. Whether it’s a breakaway or a penalty kill, he remains calm and focused, a quality that sets him apart from his peers.

Performance Metrics: In the 2024-2025 OHL season, Ivankovic has played 38 games, posting a 3.23 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage. While these numbers may not jump off the page, they reflect his ability to perform consistently in a competitive league.

The Road Ahead

As the 2025 NHL Draft approaches, Ivankovic is ranked among the top North American goaltenders. His performances in the OHL and on the international stage have solidified his status as a player to watch.

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the Week 16 edition of the weekly U16 AAA rankings for the 2025 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament hosted by the Greater Toronto Hockey League.

The 2025 OHL Cup will feature 20 teams consisting of talent eligible for the 2025 OHL Priority Selection. Starting with three Wild Card Play-In matchups on Monday, March 24, all games will be played at the Scotiabank Pond in Toronto until the Championship Final moves to the Mattamy Athletic Centre on Friday, March 28.

The Don Mills Flyers continue to lead the way in the Top-10 as they face the Toronto Titans in the GTHL Championship. The Ottawa Valley Titans lead the Upper Canada Cyclones 4-2 in points in their HEO Championship Series. In the ALLIANCE ranks, the Huron-Perth Lakers and Sun County Panthers meet in a series that begins Saturday. Lastly, the OMHA Championships are set for this coming weekend in Clarington, with the Halton Hurricanes, York-Simcoe Express, Oakville Rangers, Barrie Jr. Colts and Ajax-Pickering Raiders vying for spots in the OHL Cup.

The weekly rankings are determined by a panel of OHL Central Scouting staff and represent the top teams that are competing to play in the annual year-end championship tournament.

U16 AAA Rankings for the 2025 OHL Cup – Week 16

*- clinched spot in 2025 OHL Cup

Dale Hunter: A Milestone for the Ages

Dale Hunter, a name synonymous with junior hockey excellence, has reached a monumental milestone in his coaching career. On March 7, 2025, the legendary head coach of the London Knights secured his 1,000th career regular-season win in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Kingston Frontenacs. This achievement places Hunter in elite company, as he joins Brian Kilrea of the Ottawa 67’s as the only coaches in OHL history to reach this remarkable mark2.

A Storied Career

Hunter’s journey behind the bench began in 2001 when he took over as head coach of the London Knights. Despite having no prior coaching experience, Hunter brought with him a wealth of knowledge from his 19-year NHL playing career. Over the years, he has transformed the Knights into one of the most successful and respected franchises in junior hockey. Under his leadership, the team has captured multiple OHL championships and a Memorial Cup, solidifying their place as a powerhouse in the league.

What sets Hunter apart is his ability to adapt and evolve. Known for his meticulous preparation and deep understanding of the game, he has consistently found ways to maximize the potential of his players. Whether it’s developing future NHL stars or guiding his team through challenging playoff runs, Hunter’s impact on the Knights and the OHL as a whole is immeasurable.

The Historic Win

The 1,000th win came in classic Hunter fashion—a hard-fought, team-first effort. The Knights were led by standout performances from Sam O’Reilly, who notched a goal and two assists, and Landon Sim, who recorded a Gordie Howe hat trick with a goal, an assist, and a fight. The game was a testament to the grit and determination that have become hallmarks of Hunter-coached teams4.

As the final buzzer sounded, the Knights celebrated their coach’s achievement with a mix of joy and reverence. Hunter, ever humble, was quick to credit his players and staff, emphasizing the collective effort that has defined his career.

A Legacy Cemented

At 64 years old, Hunter shows no signs of slowing down. His milestone win is not just a testament to his longevity but also to his unwavering commitment to excellence. As he continues to guide the Knights, his influence on the game and the players he mentors will undoubtedly leave a lasting legacy.

Dale Hunter’s 1,000th win is more than just a number; it’s a celebration of a career dedicated to the sport he loves. For fans of the London Knights and junior hockey as a whole, it’s a moment to reflect on the incredible journey of one of the game’s true icons. Here’s to many more wins and memories in the years to come!