Around the OHL

Toronto, ON – Ontario Hockey League action heads into the eleventh week of the regular season schedule with 23 games beginning tonight through Sunday.

 Here’s a look at what’s going on around the league:

AT THE RINKS:

Teddy Bear Toss Weekend: Teddy Bears take flight this weekend with a total of five Teddy Bear Toss games on the schedule. The Flint Firebirds hold their inaugural Teddy Bear Toss on Friday night before London and Saginaw hold theirs on Saturday. Mississauga and Sarnia will round out the weekend with Teddy Bear Toss games on Sunday.

Toys for Tots on Friday in Mississauga: In partnership with Peel Regional Police, The Salvation Army and Canadian Tire, the Steelheads are collecting new, unwrapped toys to be distributed to underprivileged children throughout the Region of Peel this month. Additionally, fans will receive a free ticket to a Steelheads January home game when they bring a canned food donation to the Hershey Centre during any home game this month.

Storm host Books for Kids Night on Friday: Friday night marks the annual Guelph Mercury Books for Kids Night at the Sleeman Centre. The Guelph Mercury and the Guelph Storm are asking fans to bring happiness into the home of an underprivileged child in the community by donating new, unwrapped books that are suitable for children ages newborn to 18 years at all arena entrances. At last year’s Guelph Mercury Books For Kids Night, Guelph Storm fans generously donated over 750 books.

Hockey jersey night in Sudbury on Friday: Get your hockey jersey out! All youngsters aged 17-and-under who wear a hockey jerseyon Friday can see the Wolves battle the visiting Barrie Colts for the discounted price of $10!

Alex DeBrincat Bobblehead Night in Erie: The Erie Otters are holding Alex DeBrincat Bobblehead Night on Friday when they host the Owen Sound Attack. The first 500 kids age 12 and under to enter Erie Insurance Arena will receive a DeBrincat bobblehead courtesy of APeC Integration Services.

Star Wars Night in Flint: The first 2,000 fans into the Dort Federal Event Center for Star Wars Night on Saturday will receive a free light saber! The Firebirds will wear special Star Wars warm-up jerseys for charity. Fans will have the opportunity to bid on these jerseys in a silent auction on the concourse throughout the game. Saturday will also feature an exclusive Star Wars movie trailer, Lucas Film approved characters in attendance, Star Wars themed music and movie clips played throughout the game.

Win free pizza with the Bulldogs on Sunday: Fans will have a chance to win pizza for a year courtesy of Pizza Pizza when the Bulldogs host the Kingston Frontenacs on Sunday. There will also be a Pizza Pizza inflatable game for fans to participate in for a chance to win prizing. 500 vouchers will also be handed out for a free slice of Pizza courtesy of Pizza Pizza.

COMMUNITY CORNER:

Frontenacs begin Pink in the Rink jersey auction: Starting Thursday, fans can bid on a game worn Kingston Frontenacs Pink in the Rink jersey worn on October 30th against Peterborough. All proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Canadian Cancer Society. Bid Today!

Attack raise $34,500 in support of men’s health with Bears in Blue event: The Owen Sound Attack raised a grand total of $34,500 in their third annual Bears in Blue event last Saturday night at home to the London Knights. The post-game jersey auction brought in almost $16,000 while the sale of special toques and mittens, Celebrity Serve at Boston Pizza, silent auction and other donations accounted for the remaining funds. Full Story

Rangers visit Grand River Hospital: Kitchener Rangers forwards Jake Henderson, Nick Magyar and Mason Kohn paid a visit to Grand River Hospital in Kitchener on Monday, joining Santa Claus as they spread holiday cheer to children dealing with various health ailments.

IceDogs visit Wainfleet for community skate: The Niagara IceDogs travelled to Wainfleet Tuesday night for their second RBC Community Skate of the season. The open practice took place at Wainfleet Arena before players returned to the ice to meet fans and sign autographs afterward. Visit the IceDogs on Facebook to see photos from the event.

67’s hold Kids Club Holiday Party on Saturday: Join Big Joe and his friends, Sparky and Riley the Raccoon, at Midway Family Fun Parkon Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. for the 2nd Annual Kids Club Holiday Party. FREE for all Kids Club members. Santa Claus promised to pop by, along with players from the 67’s to meet the kids, sign autographs, and give away prizes! For more information please visitottawa67s.com.

Skate with the Wolves on Saturday: The Sudbury Wolves will host their annual Skate with the Wolves on Saturday from noon until1:00pm at the Sudbury Arena. The Wolves ask that the general public make a donation to the Telethon to attend the free skate. Kids 17 and under who attend the skate and make a donation will receive a free ticket to Sunday’s game against the Oshawa Generals.

KNIGHTS’ CHRISTIAN DVORAK RECEIVES WEEKLY HONOURS:

Arizona Coyotes prospect Christian Dvorak of the London Knights is the Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week for the week ending November 29 after scoring six goals and three assists for nine points in three games with a plus-minus rating of plus-3.  Dvorak had a pair of four-point performances helping the Knights win all three of their games extending the club’s winning-streak to four games and improving their third-place record to 18-4-1-1.

13 OHL PLAYERS INVITED TO CANADA’S NATIONAL JUNIOR TEAM SELECTION CAMP:

Returning Canadian World Junior gold medalist Lawson Crouse of the Kingston Frontenacs headlines a group of 13 OHL players that have been invited to Canada’s National Junior Team Selection Camp that begins on December 10th in Toronto.  Other forwards invited include Michael Dal Colle (Oshawa Generals), Brendan Perlini (Niagara IceDogs), Mitchell Stephens (Saginaw Spirit), Travis Konecny (Ottawa 67’s), Mitch Marner (London Knights), Dylan Strome (Erie Otters) and Spencer Watson (Kingston Frontenacs).  Defencemen invited include Vince Dunn (Niagara IceDogs), Roland McKeown (Kingston Frontenacs) and Jakob Chychrun (Sarnia Sting) while goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood (Barrie Colts) was one of two netminders invited to the camp. Full Story

SPITFIRES AND KNIGHTS SQUARE OFF ON SPORTSNET FRIDAY NIGHT HOCKEY:

Two Western Conference rivals clash this week on Sportsnet Friday Night Hockey as the Windsor Spitfires visit the London Knights at7:30pm ET live on Sportsnet East, Ontario and Pacific.

SPORTSNET #WHATTOWIN RETURNS:

Mitch Marner toe drags to win. What do you do to win?  Sportsnet #WhatToWin is back! See what the OHL’s best and brightest young stars do to fuel success!

WOLVES’ LEVIN FEATURED ON SPORTSNET’S ‘THE NEXT ONES’:

Sudbury Wolves rookie sensation David Levin’s eventful journey from Israel to Sudbury is documented in the first episode of Sportsnet’s brand new magazine show “The Next Ones” with host Jeff Marek. See this episode and top plays from around the CHL onSportsnet’s The Next Ones.

TIP TOP TAILORS OHL PLAYS OF THE WEEK – WEEK 11:

Oshawa Generals rookie Domenic Commisso comes out of the penalty box to steal the show in the 11th edition of the Tip Top Tailors OHL Plays of the Week!

GETTING ON THE BOARD: FIRST OHL GOALS IN 2015-16:

Check out the players who have scored their first OHL goal in the past week! 104 different players have accomplished the milestone this season! Click on a player’s name below to watch his first OHL goal!

Sam Miletic, Markus Niemelainen, Kyle Potts, Connor Walters

ALUMNI NOTES:

Sparks earns shutout in NHL debut: Guelph Storm graduate Garret Sparks became the first goaltender in Toronto Maple Leafs franchise history to record a shutout in his NHL debut on Monday. The Elmhurst, Illinois native made 24 saves to lead the Leafs past the Edmonton Oilers 3-0 on home ice. Sparks, who is the AHL’s Goaltender of the Month for November, has had a great start to his season with the Toronto Marlies, recording an 8-2-1 record with a 1.90 goals-against average and a .938 save percentage in 11 games. Sparks played for the Storm from 2010-13, going 71-48-1-8 with a 2.97 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage in 138 career OHL games. His 36 wins and seven shutouts as a 19 year-old in 2012-13 remain a Storm franchise record.  Sparks became the 16th OHL grad to debut in the NHL this season. FULL STORY.

Ritchie records first NHL point: Nick Ritchie’s first career NHL point helped the Anaheim Ducks defeat Vancouver 4-0 on Monday. Ritchie registered an assist on a third period marker by Jakob Silfverberg. The 6’2″, 232Ib. Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds graduate was playing in his eighth career NHL game. Ritchie played four OHL seasons from 2011-15, appearing in 212 games between Peterborough and Sault Ste. Marie, scoring 102 goals while adding 108 assists for 210 regular season points. Ritchie had an additional 18 goals, 18 assists and 36 points in 25 career playoff games.

Kane, Duchene named NHL Stars for November: OHL graduates Patrick Kane and Matt Duchene have been named NHL Stars of the Month for November. A London Knights graduate, Patrick Kane is the NHL’s first star of the month and is currently in the midst of a 20-game pointstreak, recently setting the benchmark for the longest point streak by an American-born player in NHL history. Now Kane has his sights set on Bobby Hull’s Blackhawks franchise record of 21. The Buffalo, NY, native currently leads the NHL in scoring with 15 goals, 23 assists and 38 points in 25 games. A graduate of the Brampton Battalion, Duchene, the NHL’s third star of the month, had a tremendous month of November, recording 11 goals, nine assists and 20 points in 14 contests. Duchene is currently second in Avalanche team scoring with 13 goals 10 assists and 23 points on the season.

D’Agostini named CIS Male Athlete of the Week: Peterborough Petes graduate Andrew D’Agostini of the University of Guelph Gryphons has been named the CIS Male Athlete of the Week. D’Agostini was unbeatable this past weekend, turning aside all 76 shots he faced to help the Gryphons (9-6) defeat nationally eighth-ranked Carleton 2-0 and RMC 3-0. The Scarborough, ON, native opened the two-game set with a 33-save performance against the Ravens last Friday night in Ottawa, and followed up with a 43-save effort versus RMC Saturday in Kingston. D’Agostini currently ranks second in the country in save percentage (.936) and third in goals against average (2.07). A former five-year veteran of the Peterborough Petes, D’Agostini recorded a career OHL record of 71-85-2-9 with a 3.75 goals-against average and an .895 save percentage in 190 regular season games.

Altshuller named ECHL Goaltender of the Month: Oshawa Generals graduate Daniel Altshuller has been named the ECHL’s Goaltender of the Month for November. The 21 year-old went 5-0-0 with three shutouts, a 0.80 goals-against average and a .968 save percentage with the Florida Everblades, the ECHL affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes. Altshuller allowed two goals or less in all five of his November starts and is coming off shutouts in each of his last two games. The Nepean, ON, native spent three seasons with Oshawa from 2011-14, going 78-47-3-5 with a 2.80 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage and five shutouts in 140 regular season games.

6 OHL graduates to represent CIS against National Junior Team: Six OHL grads will represent the CIS against Canadian National Junior Team hopefuls in Toronto on December 12th and 13th. Kevin Bailie (Queen’s/London Knights), Spencer Abraham (Queen’s/Erie Otters), Tim Campbell (Lethbridge/Guelph Storm), Colin Behenna (Waterloo/Barrie Colts), Liam Heelis (McGill/Owen Sound Attack) and Eric Locke (StFX/Saginaw Spirit) will all represent the CIS squad coached by former Guelph Storm and Sarnia Sting head coach Shawn Camp. Full CIS Roster

KEY WEEKEND MATCHUPS:

Kingston Frontenacs (16-8-1-1) vs. Peterborough Petes (14-9-2-2)
Thursday December 3 at Peterborough, Friday December 4 at Kingston

The Kingston Frontenacs and Peterborough Petes have emerged as a pair of competitive East Division clubs, ones who will clash for the fourth time this season on Thursday in Peterborough.  The Petes enter action on a six game winning streak, trailing first place Kingston by just two points in the standings. They’ll try and narrow the gap, looking to goaltenders Matt Mancina and Dylan Wells for continued strong play in the crease while Eric Cornel, Greg Betzold and Hunter Garlent lead the attack.  The Frontenacs have won their last two contests and feature Canadian World Junior Selection Camp invitees Lawson Crouse, Spencer Watson and Roland McKeown all contributing of late.

Windsor Spitfires (16-8-3-0) vs. London Knights (18-4-1-1)
Friday December 4 at London (Sportsnet Friday Night Hockey)

The Spitfires and Knights will battle on a big stage Friday night, taking their feud to Sportsnet’s Friday Night Hockey for a fifth meeting this season.  The Knights come off a 5-3 win over Windsor on Sunday as reigning Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week Christian Dvorak had two goals and two assists. The Knights enter the weekend as the sixth ranked team in the BMO CHL Top 10 Rankings having won their past four games. Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Mitch Marner enters play on a 16-game point streak.  The Spitfires lead the West Division with a 16-8-3-0 record. Leading scorer Christian Fischer comes off a solid month of November that included 12 points (8-4–12) in 11 games while 18 year-old Aaron Luchuk registered points in 10 of his 11 contests.  Both the Knights and Spitfires have acquired former overaged WHL goaltenders in past weeks, with the London bringing in Brendan Burke from the Calgary Hitmen while the Spitfires obtained Garret Hughson, formerly of the Spokane Chiefs.

WEEKEND SCHEDULE: 

Thursday, December 3
Mississauga at Niagara – 7:00pm
Kingston at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Flint at Windsor – 7:05pm

Friday, December 4
Owen Sound at Erie – 7:00pm
Peterborough at Kingston – 7:00pm
Barrie at Sudbury – 7:00pm
North Bay at Sarnia – 7:05pm
Saginaw at Flint – 7:30pm
Hamilton at Guelph – 7:30pm
Ottawa at Kitchener – 7:30pm
Windsor at London – 7:30pm (Sportsnet Friday Night Hockey)
Niagara at Mississauga – 7:30pm

Saturday, December 5
Owen Sound at Erie – 7:00pm
Ottawa at London – 7:00pm
North Bay at Saginaw – 7:05pm
Oshawa at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07pm
Sarnia at Flint – 7:30pm

Sunday, December 6
London at Guelph – 2:00pm
Barrie at Mississauga – 2:00pm
Oshawa at Sudbury – 2:00pm
Ottawa at Sarnia – 2:05pm
North Bay at Sault Ste. Marie – 2:07pm
Kingston at Hamilton – 3:00pm

CATCH ALL OF THE ACTION ON OHL LIVE

Toronto, ON – Ontario Hockey League action heads into the tenth week of the regular season schedule with 27 games beginning tonight through Sunday.

 

Here’s a look at what’s going on around the league:

AT THE RINKS:

$5 student tickets, Special Olympics Night in Peterborough on Thursday: Peterborough and area elementary, high school, college, and university students can purchase tickets for just $5 to see the Petes battle the Sarnia Sting on Thursday. Thursday’s game is also the annual Special Olympics fundraiser. Before the game, Peterborough Deputy Police Chief Tim Farquharson will take part in the ceremonial puck drop along with Special Olympics athlete Jessey Campbell. There will be various activities throughout the game in support of local Special Olympics initiatives.

Battalion supports Special Olympics on Thursday: The Troops host their annual Big Ticket Night in support of Special Olympics on Thursday against Hamilton. There will be three signed NHL jerseys available for auction at the game including uniforms from Kris Letang, Scott Hartnell and a blank Nashville Predators jersey signed by James Neal. Special Olympic athletes and law enforcement officials will be in attendance, including some local athletes who will be competing in the upcoming Special Olympics Ontario Winter Games. A bucket pass will occur during the second period and the Troops hope the 7th man will donate generously to this great cause. All proceeds from the game will go to Special Olympics Ontario.

IceDogs host Teddy Bear Toss on Friday: The Niagara IceDogs host their ninth annual Teddy Bear Toss on Friday night at home to the North Bay Battalion. Stuffed animals collected will be donated to Victim Services Niagara, an organization that assists children and families involved in traumatic or tragic circumstances. Additionally, some teddy bears will be donated to Niagara Regional Police Service Sergeant Neal Orlando’s bear and a book program, where a toy is paired with a new book and given to children as a Christmas present. For more information please visit niagaraicedogs.net.

Spitfires collecting cans for a cause: The Windsor Spitfires are teaming up with AM 800 CKLW in their Cans For A Cause campaign in advance of the holiday season. Spits fans can bring canned food items to the game on Friday night as the Spitfires host the Saginaw Spirit. Donations will go towards AM 800’s 12th annual Cans For A Cause campaign.

Bears take flight in Kingston on Friday: The Kingston Frontenacs host their annual Teddy Bear Toss on Friday night at home to the Guelph Storm.

Teddy Bear Toss in Erie on Saturday: Bring your bears! When the Otters score their first goal let ’em fly! All teddy bears collected on Saturday will be donated to the Salvation Army.

Movember Night in Saginaw on Saturday: The Saginaw Spirit celebrate Movember on Saturday night at home to the Windsor Spitfires. Don’t miss out on the post-game autograph session that features a team poster giveaway!

Attack host annual Bears in Blue Night on Saturday: The Owen Sound Attack take the fight to men’s cancers on Saturday at home to the London Knights. The Attack will suit up in specially themed blue jerseys that will be auctioned off to raise funds for the fight against men’s cancers. The Attack are also selling other merchandise including toques and mitts!

Bulldogs host Country Night on Saturday: The Hamilton Bulldogs are hosting their Country Night this Saturday against the Mississauga Steelheads. Fans are encouraged to dress up and wear their country gear! There will be lots of great prizing and giveaways including a chance to win a Molson mini beer fridge. KX 94.7 will also be giving away three pairs of suite tickets to an upcoming concert at the FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton.

Wolves collecting food and toys on Saturday: The Sudbury Wolves are holding a non-perishable food donation and will also be collecting toys in front of the building when they host the Flint Firebirds on Saturday. Lucky fans who donate will have the chance to win great prizes!

Skate with the Frontenacs on Sunday: The Kingston Frontenacs will be holding a post-game skate for season ticket holders on Sundayfollowing their matchup with the Sarnia Sting. Fans will have the opportunity to meet their favourite Frontenacs! Sunday is also Girl Guides Day in Kingston.

Sparky’s Toy Drive in Windsor on Sunday: The Windsor Spitfires are collecting new, un-opened toys to be donated to Sparky’s Toy Drive on Sunday afternoon when they host the London Knights. They’re especially in search of toys for children 8-14 years old and gifts for girls 11-17 years old. For more information please visit windsorspitfires.com.

COMMUNITY CORNER:

Jeff O’Neill warmup jersey auction underway: Warmup jerseys worn by Storm players prior to recognizing Jeff O’Neill as one of the franchise’s all-time greats on Saturday are now up for auction. The vintage O’Neill warmup jerseys are all signed by Jeff and the Storm player who wore them, with proceeds from the sale all being donated to Special Olympics Canada. The jersey auction will run throughMonday November 30th at 6:00pm. For more information please visit guelphstorm.com.

Steelheads partner with Enersource to deliver educational programs: Enersource and the Mississauga Steelheads are pleased to announce the launch of a new educational program, designed for elementary school children. The ‘Enersource More than Energy Tour’ has been created to help educate children on important issues that face today’s youth. Program organizers will work with school staff to create presentations that meet curriculum needs, while educating children on behavioural and social matters. The presentations will then be delivered by hockey players from the Mississauga Steelheads roster, who will speak to students on a variety of topics, including: teamwork; inclusiveness; responsibility; nutrition; and the importance of academic/athletic balance. For more information please visit mississaugasteelheads.com.

Spirit busy in the community: On Monday November 23rd Spirit Players David Ovsjanniov, Will Petschenig, Michael Holmes, and Evan Cormier joined volunteers from the Great Lakes Bay Region to pack over 900 care packages to send to the brave men and women who are currently fighting overseas during the holidays. On Tuesday November 24th Spirit Players Mike Davies, Kris Bennett, and Dylan Sadowy paid a visit to Arthur Eddy Elementary School in Saginaw. During the visit players read stories to kindergarten classrooms, demonstrated how to put on hockey equipment and shared the importance of working hard in school to accomplish your goals.

Rangers’ Henderson and Franzen put on Captain’s Clinic: Kitchener Rangers forwards Jake Henderson and Gustaf Franzen paid a visit to Our Lady of Fatimah School on Tuesday as part of the Rangers’ Captain’s Clinics Program. These clinics focus on the importance of health and physical activity while teaching fundamental hockey skills. Students were able to practice their newly learned skills and utilize them in a short game with Jake and Gustaf before a Q&A session with the two Rangers.

Petes fans can support Canadian Cancer Society until Friday: Donations for the Peterborough Petes Pink in the Rink fundraising campaign are being accepted through Friday November 27. For a donation of $20 to the Canadian Cancer Society, the Petes will print the name of someone who has or continues to battle cancer, or who lost a fight to cancer on each commemorative jersey to be worn by the Petes on Saturday February 6, 2016 in their Pink In the Rink Night against the Ottawa 67’s. For more information please visitgopetesgo.com.

STING’S PAVEL ZACHA RECEIVES WEEKLY HONOURS:

New Jersey Devils prospect Pavel Zacha of the Sarnia Sting is the Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week for the week ending November 22 after scoring three goals and three assists for six points in two games with a plus-minus rating of plus-2.  Zacha helped the Sting win both games last week extending the club’s winning-streak to three and improving their record to 13-7-2-0 where they stand second place in the West Division standings with 28 points.  His week was highlighted by a career-high five-point performanceon Saturday night scoring his first career hat-trick and adding two assists as first star of a 6-2 win over the Niagara IceDogs.

TIP TOP TAILORS OHL PLAYS OF THE WEEK – WEEK 9:

The Ottawa 67’s headline the ninth edition of the Tip Top Tailors OHL Plays of the Week with magic at both ends of the ice!

GETTING ON THE BOARD: FIRST OHL GOALS IN 2015-16:

Check out the players who have scored their first OHL goal in the past week! 100 different players have accomplished the milestone this season! Click on a player’s name below to watch his first OHL goal!

Nick Deakin-Poot, Jakob Mayenschein, Ryan McLeod, Joseph Mizzi, Jacob Paquette

62 OHL PLAYERS ON NHL DRAFT RADAR:

62 players from the Ontario Hockey League were listed among NHL Central Scouting’s November ‘Players to Watch’ list for the 2016 NHL Draft which takes place June 24–25 in Buffalo, New York.

11 OHL skaters received an ‘A rating’ indicating a first round candidate with a group that includes 2014 OHL Priority Selection first overall pick Jakob Chychrun of the Sarnia Sting, OHL and CHL Rookie of the Year Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters, the London Knights’ trio of Max Jones, Olli Juolevi, and Matthew Tkachuk, and the Mississauga Steelheads threesome of Michael McLeod, Alexander Nylander and Nathan Bastian. Full Rankings

OHL GAME SUMMARIES FEATURE NEW LOOK:

Ontario Hockey League game summaries have a new look this weekend with the addition of faceoff statistics joining the recent implementation of individual shots on goal tracking.  Game Summary

ALUMNI NOTES:

Kane enjoying career-high 16-game point streak: London Knights graduate Patrick Kane continues to lead the NHL in scoring and is in the midst of a career-high 17-game point streak. Kane has amassed 10 goals, 18 assists and 28 points throughout his run and becomes the first player in Blackhawks franchise history to record points in 17 straight games since Denis Savard in 1987-88. He is currently tied with Dallas’ Jamie Benn for the NHL scoring lead. Kane spent the 2006-07 season in London, earning CHL Rookie of the Year honours with 62 goals, 83 assists and 145 points in 58 games before being selected first overall by Chicago in the 2007 NHL Draft.

Shane Prince scores first NHL goal: Ottawa 67’s graduate Shane Prince scored his first two NHL goals in Wednesday’s 5-3 Ottawa Senators victory over the Colorado Avalanche. Prince scored the first two goals of the game in his 15th career NHL contest, giving him two goals, four assists and six points in 13 games this season. Prince was a second round pick of the Senators in the 2011 NHL Draft. He played in 244 career OHL games from 2008-12 between Kitchener and Ottawa, amassing 86 goals, 134 assists and 220 points.

Canucks recall Andrey Pedan: Guelph Storm graduate Andrey Pedan has been called up by the Vancouver Canucks. The 22 year-old Russian rearguard has appeared in 15 games with the AHL’s Utica Comets this season, recording a goal, six assists and seven points. Pedan was traded to Vancouver last November after spending two full seasons in the New York Islanders system. Pedan played three seasons in Guelph from 2010-2013, appearing in 174 games while recording 26 goals, 70 assists and 96 points.

Ducks recall John Gibson: While it’s not his first NHL call-up, John Gibson has been recalled by the Anaheim Ducks after spending the first portion of the season with the AHL’s San Diego Gulls. The Kitchener Rangers graduate was Anaheim’s second round pick in 2011 and has appeared in 27 career NHL games since 2013. The Pittsburgh, PA, native spent two seasons in Kitchener from 2011-13, going 38-19-0-1 with a 2.60 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage.

Altshuller leads ECHL goaltenders: Oshawa Generals graduate Daniel Altshuller leads all ECHL goaltenders with a 1.50 goals-against average through eight games this season. Altshuller is currently playing with the Florida Everblades, the ECHL affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes. His sparkling goals-against average is accompanied by a 7-1-0-0 record, a .942 save percentage and two shutouts. Altshuller played with the Oshawa Generals from 2011-2014, appearing in 140 games while recording a 2.80 goals-against average, a .910 save percentage and a record of 78-47-3-5.

Camp, Gibson named coaches of CIS Selects squad: Former OHL head coach Shawn Camp and OHL graduate Brett Gibson have been named to the coaching staff of the CIS Selects squad that will square off with Canadian World Junior hopefuls on December 12th and 13th at the MasterCard Centre in Toronto. Camp is currently in his ninth season behind the bench at the University of Guelph following almost a decade of CHL coaching experience in Hull and Guelph. Camp led the Guelph Storm to an OHL title in 2004. Brett Gibson is currently in his 10th season behind the bench at Queen’s University, having been named the OUA East and CIS coach of the year in 2014. Gibson played four seasons in the OHL from 1996-2000 with Erie, North Bay and London.

Brace, Locke tied for AUS scoring lead: OHL graduates Cameron Brace and Eric Locke are currently tied for the AUS lead in scoring. The two 22 year-olds both have 22 points in 13 games on the season with Brace (11-11–22) suiting up for UNB and Locke (10-12–22) representing St. Fx. Brace spent five seasons in the OHL from 2009-14, recording 106 goals, 100 assists and 206 points in 265 games between Owen Sound and Belleville. The Markham, ON, native won an OHL title with Owen Sound in 2011. Locke was a seventh round pick of the Buffalo Sabres in 2013 who appeared in 223 games over five seasons with Windsor, Barrie and Saginaw. Locke recorded 116 goals, 135 assists and 251 career points.

KEY WEEKEND MATCHUPS:

Kitchener Rangers (18-2-3-0) vs. Erie Otters (19-3-1-0)
Thursday November 26 at Erie

The Kitchener Rangers will be out to settle the score with the Erie on Thursday after dropping a 5-2 loss to the Otters on home ice last week. The top two teams in the CHL this have both won eight of their last 10 contests. They’ll square off in a big matchup to kick-off a busy weekend around the league.

Peterborough Petes (11-9-2-2) vs. Oshawa Generals (10-12-2-1)
Friday November 27 at Oshawa / Saturday November 28 at Peterborough

The Peterborough Petes have turned heads of late with a balanced attack and strong goaltending. They’ll face their age old rival, the Oshawa Generals in a home-and-home set this weekend. The Generals sit three points behind Peterborough in the East Division and will try and close that gap with a pair of wins this weekend.

London Knights (15-4-1-1) vs. Windsor Spitfires (15-6-3-0)
Sunday November 29 at Windsor

The Knights and Spitfires lock horns for the fourth time this season, with Windsor having taken two out of the three past encounters. The two sides swapped 6-3 verdicts in late October and prepare to meet twice in two weeks with a follow-up meeting on Friday December 4th in London.

WEEKEND SCHEDULE: 

Thursday, November 26
Kitchener at Erie – 7:00pm
Sault Ste. Marie at Niagara – 7:00pm
Hamilton at North Bay – 7:00pm
Sarnia at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Owen Sound at Barrie – 7:30pm

Friday, November 27
Guelph at Kingston – 7:00pm
North Bay at Niagara – 7:00pm
Sarnia at Ottawa – 7:00pm
Hamilton at Sudbury – 7:00pm
Saginaw at Windsor – 7:05pm
Barrie at Kitchener – 7:30pm
Owen Sound at London – 7:30pm
Erie at Mississauga – 7:30pm
Peterborough at Oshawa – 7:35pm

Saturday, November 28
Guelph at Ottawa – 1:00pm
Sault Ste. Marie at Erie – 7:00pm
Mississauga at Hamilton – 7:00pm
Flint at Sudbury – 7:00pm
Oshawa at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Windsor at Saginaw – 7:05pm
Niagara at Barrie – 7:30pm
London at Owen Sound – 7:30pm

Sunday, November 29
Sarnia at Kingston – 2:00pm
Sault Ste. Marie at Kitchener – 2:00pm
Flint at North Bay – 2:00pm
Mississauga at Oshawa – 2:05pm
London at Windsor – 2:05pm

CATCH ALL OF THE ACTION ON OHL LIVE