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)

GOJHL ANNOUNCES NAME CHANGE, REBRAND, AND STRENGTHENED ALIGNMENT WITH OHL

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

OHL creates opportunities for young hockey players to succeed in the game they love, while preparing them for the next level 

LONDON (Thursday, September 25, 2025) – The Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL) is entering a new era. Beginning in the 2025–26 season, the league will start a phased transition to the Greater Ontario Hockey League (GOHL) and officially become the first development league of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Teams, digital platforms, and league events will adopt the new GOHL name and identity throughout the season.

“The GOHL has always been about player development, and now, as the official development league of the OHL, we’re raising that standard even higher,” said Craig Spada, Commissioner of the GOHL. “Our new identity reflects this partnership and shows players, fans, sponsors, and the hockey community that we are fully committed to providing the best development system in the province. It’s about creating real advantages for our athletes as they take the next step in their careers.”

The GOHL has long been one of Canada’s strongest junior hockey leagues, preparing athletes for advancement to the OHL. Alumni regularly appear in NHL Central Scouting rankings, with legends like Joe Thornton, who played for the St. Thomas Stars before winning the Hart and Art Ross Trophies in 2005–06 and entering the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2025. Earlier this year, the league honoured Thornton by renaming its Western Conference Championship Trophy after him — the Joe Thornton Trophy — recognizing both his roots in the GOHL and his impact on the game worldwide.

The league’s recent history is equally impressive. A number of today’s NHL Draft standouts, including Oliver Bonk (Philadelphia Flyers, Round 1 22nd overall, St. Thomas Stars), Easton Cowan (Toronto Maple Leafs, Round 1 28th overall, Komoka Kings), Logan Mailloux (Montreal Canadiens, Round 1 31st overall, London Nationals), Brandon Montour (Anaheim Ducks, Round 2, 55th overall, Brantford/Caledonia), and Mark Scheifele (Winnipeg Jets, Round 1 7th overall, Kitchener), all spent important years developing in the GOJHL before making their mark.

League staples such as the MacPherson Tournament and the GOHL Prospects Game provide unmatched exposure, attracting scouts from across North America. With the recent league realignment to form a professional approach and the prioritization of player welfare, with paramedic-level first responder equipment in every arena and league-wide support programs ensuring immediate care on the ice.

“Our league has always been defined by opportunity and community,” adds Spada. “From investing in a first responder program, realignment and involvement in showcase events like the MacPherson Tournament, the GOHL gives young athletes every advantage. And now honouring alumni like Joe Thornton highlights the depth of our player development.”

With 23 teams across Ontario — 12 in the Western Conference and 11 in the Eastern Conference — the GOHL operates a 50-game regular season leading into the prestigious Sutherland Cup Finals. The OHL–GOHL alignment introduces new collaboration opportunities, including showcase events tied to the Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game, while the league remains grounded in academics, character development, and community engagement.

As the GOHL takes on its new name and strengthened OHL alignment, its purpose remains the same: to create opportunities for young hockey players to succeed in the game they love.

For more information on GOHL, please visit www.gohl.ca.

About the GOHL
The Greater Ontario Hockey League (GOHL), formerly the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL), is one of Canada’s premier junior hockey leagues, dedicated to developing the next generation of talent both on and offthe ice. With 23 teams across Southern Ontario, the league provides meaningful opportunities for young athletes to grow through high-level competition, academic support, and community engagement.

Now the official development league of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), the GOHL has a long track record of preparing players for success at higher levels. Sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Association, Ontario Hockey Federation, and Hockey Canada, the GOHL continues to be a proven pathway for young athletes pursuing their hockey dreams.

First Three Players Named to Team CHL Roster for 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge

Posted on by Dominic Tiano
Tickets are now available to the public for both games of the two-game series between Team CHL and the U.S. National Under-18 Team, beginning November 25 in Calgary and concluding November 26 in Lethbridge – purchase yours today at chl.ca/prospectschallenge

TORONTO, ON – The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) and Member Leagues — the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) — are proud to announce the first three players named to Team CHL’s roster for the 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge, set for November 25 at Calgary’s Scotiabank Saddledome and November 26 at VisitLethbridge.com Arena.

Defenceman Ryan Lin (Vancouver Giants / WHL), forward Ryan Roobroeck (Niagara IceDogs / OHL), and defenceman Xavier Villeneuve (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada / QMJHL) have been selected by NHL Central Scouting as the first roster additions. All three are considered top prospects for the 2026 NHL Draft, set to be rated as ‘A’ prospects on NHL Central Scouting’s Players to Watch List for the 2026 NHL Draft (to be released October 20, 2025), and were key members of Canada’s gold medal-winning team at the 2025 IIHF Under-18 World Championship.

“Ryan Lin, Ryan Roobroeck, and Xavier Villeneuve bring the kind of skill, intensity, and excitement fans will see at this year’s CHL USA Prospects Challenge,” said Dan MacKenzie, CHL President. “They’ve already proven themselves as standouts in their leagues and on the international stage, and now they’ll set the tone for an electric showcase in Calgary and Lethbridge against their greatest rivals – the United States.”

“The first three prospects named to Team CHL – Ryan Lin (Vancouver, WHL), Ryan Roobroeck (Niagara, OHL), and Xavier Villeneuve (Blainville-Boisbriand, QMJHL) – are established impact players in their respective leagues, each capable of delivering the kind of sensational plays that influence the outcome of a game,” stated Dan Marr, Director of NHL Central Scouting. “There are many more exceptional CHL prospects who will be selected to this roster in consultation with the 32 NHL clubs, ensuring fans witness a true best-on-best showcase of elite junior talent.”

Tickets Now Available
Tickets are now on sale for both games of the 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge. Fans can lock in their seats today for this two-game showcase, which will feature the top 2026 NHL Draft-eligible prospects from the WHL, OHL & QMJHL competing against those from USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program (NTDP) Under-18 Team.

Get your tickets here:
CALGARY (Tuesday, November 25 at 6 p.m. MT)
LETHBRIDGE (Wednesday, November 26 at 6 p.m. MT)

Player Profiles

  • Ryan Lin (Vancouver Giants / WHL): The 17-year-old from Richmond, B.C., tallied 53 points in 60 games during 2024-25, ranking seventh among U17 defencemen across the CHL since 1990. He became just the second WHL rookie blueliner aged 16 or younger to surpass 50 points in a season since Kamloops Blazers alumnus Scott Niedermayer (1989-90). In Vancouver Giants history, only Gilbert Brule (60 points, 2003-04) and Cameron Schmidt (58 points, 2023-24) have recorded more points as 16-year-old rookies.
  • Ryan Roobroeck (Niagara IceDogs / OHL): The 17-year-old from London, Ont., erupted for 41 goals and 87 points in 2024-25, leading the IceDogs in both categories. His 41 goals were tied for the most among all CHL players eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft, while his 87 points made him one of just two in that class to top the 60-point mark last season. He also joined an elite group as one of only 14 CHL players since 2000 to score 40 or more goals in the season immediately preceding their first year of NHL Draft eligibility.
  • Xavier Villeneuve (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada / QMJHL): The 17-year-old from Les Cèdres, Que., captured the Émile-Bouchard Trophy as QMJHL Defenceman of the Year following the 2024-25 campaign, becoming only the third player of his age in league history to earn the honour, alongside Samuel Girard (2016) and Jean-Jacques Daigneault (1983). Villeneuve led all QMJHL blueliners with 50 assists – including 28 on the power play – while his 62 points ranked second among defencemen in 2024-25. He capped off his season by helping Canada win gold at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship, where he led all tournament defencemen with four goals.

About the CHL USA Prospects Challenge
First introduced in 2024, the CHL USA Prospects Challenge is a best-on-best, two-game series showcasing the top NHL Draft-eligible players from the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL competing against the U.S. National Under-18 Team. The 2025 edition in Calgary and Lethbridge will once again highlight many of the premier prospects projected to be selected in the early rounds of the 2026 NHL Draft.

The inaugural event, held last November in London and Oshawa, proved to be a resounding success. Of the 22 participants on Team CHL, 16 were selected in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft:

  • Matthew Schaefer (Erie Otters / OHL) – 1st overall, New York Islanders
  • Michael Misa (Saginaw Spirit / OHL) – 2nd overall, San Jose Sharks
  • Caleb Desnoyers (Moncton Wildcats / QMJHL) – 4th overall, Utah Mammoth
  • Brady Martin (Soo Greyhounds / OHL) – 5th overall, Nashville Predators
  • Porter Martone (Brampton Steelheads / OHL) – 6th overall, Philadelphia Flyers
  • Jake O’Brien (Brantford Bulldogs / OHL) – 8th overall, Seattle Kraken
  • Ben Kindel (Calgary Hitmen / WHL) – 11th overall, Pittsburgh Penguins
  • Carter Bear (Everett Silvertips / WHL) – 13th overall, Detroit Red Wings
  • Jackson Smith (Tri-City Americans / WHL) – 14th overall, Columbus Blue Jackets
  • Braeden Cootes (Seattle Thunderbirds / WHL) – 15th overall, Vancouver Canucks
  • Kashawn Aitcheson (Barrie Colts / OHL) – 17th overall, New York Islanders
  • Cole Reschny (Victoria Royals / WHL) – 18th overall, Calgary Flames
  • Justin Carbonneau (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada / QMJHL) – 19th overall, St. Louis Blues
  • Cameron Reid (Kitchener Rangers / OHL) – 21st overall, Nashville Predators
  • Lynden Lakovic (Moose Jaw Warriors / WHL) – 27th overall, Washington Capitals
  • Joshua Ravensbergen (Prince George Cougars / WHL) – 30th overall, San Jose Sharks

For more information on the 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge, visit chl.ca/prospectschallenge.

OHL ANNOUNCES TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK FOR SEPT. 18-21, 2025

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

TORONTO (Monday, September 22, 2025) – The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) today announced Top Performers of the Week for regular season games from Thursday, September 18 through Sunday, September 21.


Spitfires’ Cole Davis named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

Windsor Spitfires forward Cole Davis is the inaugural 2025-26 recipient of Cogeco OHL Player of the Week honours, recording four goals, two assists and six points over a pair of victories.

Three of Davis’ four goals came shorthanded, putting home a pair on Friday night in Sarnia as he posted a career-high five points (3-2—5) in an 8-1 win over the Sting. His two shorthanded markers tied a Spitfires single game franchise mark, joining such names as Matthew Maggio and Eric Locke in the record book. Davis scored another shorthanded marker in Saturday’s 4-1 win over the visiting London Knights.

A 19-year-old from Sutton, ON, Davis is into his third full OHL season after collecting 45 points (21-24—45) over 57 games in 2024-25. The 5-foot-10, 184Ib. winger saw full-time duty at centre in his first two games of this season. Formerly a fourth round (65th overall) pick by the Spitfires in 2022, Davis has collected 94 points (46-48—94) over his 127 career regular season games.


Rangers’ Jason Schaubel named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Kitchener Rangers netminder Jason Schaubel is the Mary Brown’s Chicken OHL Goaltender of the Week, going 2-0 with a 1.99 goals-against average and .938 save percentage.

Schaubel helped the Rangers rebound from a 3-0 deficit against the Brantford Bulldogs in their home opener, providing 32 saves as Kitchener rallied for four unanswered in a 4-3 overtime win. He returned to the crease Saturday night, making 29 saves as Kitchener beat the Erie Otters 3-1 despite being outshot 30-18. Schaubel earned second star recognition in the win.

A 17-year-old from Barrie, ON, Schaubel is embarking on his second OHL season after going 10-3-1-2 with a 3.40 goals-against average and .878 save percentage in 2024-25. The 6-foot, 185Ib. NHL Draft eligible netminder was Kitchener’s fifth round (97th overall) pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection from the Barrie Colts U16 AAA program. Schaubel represented Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup this past summer, earning a bronze medal.


67’s’ Thomas Vandenberg named OHL Rookie of the Week

Ottawa 67’s forward Thomas Vandenberg is the OHL Rookie of the Week, producing three goals and an assist in his OHL debut Friday night in Kingston.

Vandenberg turned in an unforgettable OHL debut, earning first star honours with a hat-trick and one assist as the 67’s beat the Kingston Frontenacs 6-2. Vandenberg opened the scoring 2:17 into action, scored an unassisted second period goal and capped-off the hat-trick 5:10 into the third frame.

A 17-year-old from Nepean, ON, Vandenberg comes to the OHL having spent last season with the USHL’s Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, producing 18 points (9-9—18) over 55 games. The former fifth round (93rd overall) pick by Ottawa in 2024 is committed to Providence College (NCAA). The NHL Draft eligible Vandenberg is a product of the Ottawa Myers Automotive AAA program where he won an HEO U16 AAA championship in 2024.


Knights prospect Brendan Gerber named inaugural GOJHL Prospect of the Week

London Knights prospect Brendan Gerber of the Elmira Sugar Kings is the inaugural recipient of GOJHL Prospect of the Week honours, producing 11 points (3-8—11) over his first four games of the season.

As part of a new development partnership between the two leagues, the OHL will recognize a top performing prospect from across the GOJHL each week.

Gerber has strung together four straight multi-point outings, helping the Sugar Kings get off to a 3-1 start to the season. He opened the campaign with three assists in a 6-0 road win over the Listowel Cyclones on Sept. 12th, followed-up by two goals in Elmira’s home opener, a 4-1 win over Listowel on Sept. 14th. Gerber comes off a productive weekend that saw him collect three assists in a 6-5 loss to the Komoka Kings on Saturday followed by a goal and two helpers in Sunday’s 9-0 home win over the Strathroy Rockets.

An 18-year-old from New Hamburg, ON, Gerber played in six games with the London Knights last season, scoring his first OHL goal on March 12th in Guelph. The 5-foot-9, 185Ib. forward was selected by the Knights in the sixth round (104th overall) of the 2023 OHL Priority Selection from the Waterloo Wolves U16 AAA program. Gerber has played in 93 career GOJHL contests between the Sugar Kings and Strathroy Rockets, collecting 115 points (58-57—115) along the way.

CHL Top-10 Rankings presented by Delta Hotels by Marriott: Blainville-Boisbriand, Brantford, and Spokane headline CHL’s Preseason Top-10 ahead of 2025-26 campaign

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

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

Leading the list to open the campaign are the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), followed by the Brantford Bulldogs of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League (WHL), who round out the top three.

The rankings, set with input from NHL Central Scouting, come just days before the puck drops on the new season this Thursday, September 18. At 5:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. PT (on FloHockey), the QMJHL’s newest franchise, the Newfoundland Regiment, will make history with its inaugural game, hosting the defending champion Moncton Wildcats at Mary Brown’s Centre. Later that Thursday evening, the OHL kicks off with two matchups, highlighted by the Oshawa Generals — finalists in each of the past two seasons — visiting the North Bay Battalion at 7:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. PT (on FloHockey). The action continues Friday with a packed slate of 25 games across the CHL, including eight in the WHL to launch its campaign. Among them is a milestone debut for the league’s newest franchise, the Penticton Vees, who face the Victoria Royals at 10:05 p.m. ET / 7:05 p.m. PT (on Victory+) in their first-ever WHL contest.

For the 2025-26 season, fans won’t miss a moment of CHL action with FloHockey serving as the home of the OHL and QMJHL, while Victory+ will be the streaming destination of the WHL. FloHockey’s coverage will include more than 680 OHL games and all 576 QMJHL regular-season matchups, plus the playoffs and marquee events such as the OHL Top Prospects Game and the QMJHL Prospects Game. Meanwhile, Victory+ will provide free access to over 700 WHL regular-season games, the WHL Playoffs, classic matchups from the archives, and more.

This season, the road to junior hockey’s ultimate prize – the Memorial Cup – will end in Kelowna, B.C., where the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets will host the 106th edition of the tournament from May 21–31, 2026. It will be the first time the event returns to Kelowna since 2004, when the Rockets lifted the CHL championship trophy on home ice.

CHL Top-10 Rankings – Preseason
1. Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
2. Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
3. Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
4. Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL)
5. Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
6. Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
7. Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
8. Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
9. Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
10. Niagara IceDogs (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-preseason-edition.

The next rankings will be released the week of September 23, following the first weekend of regular season action in all three member leagues of the CHL.

OHL WELCOMES GOJHL AS OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE TO BEGIN 2025-26 SEASON

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

TORONTO (Tuesday, September 9, 2025) – The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) today announced an exciting new partnership, one that prioritizes the development and growth of young players, better supporting their progress on the pathway to the OHL and beyond.

Effective to begin the 2025-26 season, The Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL) is becoming the first official development league of the OHL. The 23-team, southern Ontario based circuit has contributed to the development of countless eventual OHL players through the years, providing tremendous opportunities to young players seeking to maximize their potential.

This new initiative is designed to create a cohesive framework that:

  • Supports the growth and development of OHL prospects
  • Provides a unified approach to training, competition and mentorship
  • Elevates the overall standard of development for players
  • Ensures long-term success for athletes while strengthening the GOJHL

“From the outset, our goal has been to establish clearer pathways and abundant development opportunities for OHL prospects following their draft year,” said OHL Commissioner Bryan Crawford. “This new partnership creates a deeper, stronger pipeline for talent both entering the OHL and pursuing their goals beyond our league in an ecosystem where players have a world of possibilities in front of them.”

The GOJHL becomes the first official development league of the OHL. Conversations remain ongoing towards future collaboration with Junior A leagues across Ontario including the OJHL, CCHL, NOJHL and SIJHL moving into the 2025-26 season.

Success stories of prospects developing in the GOJHL on their path to OHL stardom are plentiful as fans need look no further than the 2025 Memorial Cup champion London Knights for examples in Easton Cowan (Komoka Kings, 2021-22) and Oliver Bonk (St. Thomas Stars, 2021-22) among several others. The GOJHL has been a development destination for eventual OHL stars dating back to the 1990’s and early 2000’s as such names as Soo Greyhounds legends Joe Thornton (St. Thomas Stars, 1994-95) and Jeff Carter (Strathroy Rockets, 2000-01) took their game to the next level in many of these communities.

Immediate goals of the partnership for the 2025-26 season include the development of a showcase event to be integrated into festivities surrounding the Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game set to take place in Peterborough on January 14, 2026. The OHL will also place a greater emphasis on prospect coverage from across the GOJHL this coming season, with the integration of a new Prospect of the Week feature alongside other collaborative marketing, communications and branding efforts.

Long-term goals include the development of elevated standard operating procedures for all GOJHL teams. The partnership would also seek to work with Hockey Canada to further refine and advance roster rules and regulations while also striving to standardize OHL playing rules across the league.

“The GOJHL has long been a proven pathway for players advancing to the OHL, with consistent success year after year,” said GOJHL Commissioner Craig Spada. “The numbers speak for themselves – more than 15 players from this past season’s Memorial Cup-winning London Knights began their development in our league. With this new OHL Development League partnership, we’re excited to further enhance the player experience and provide even greater opportunities for young athletes to flourish.

“This partnership strengthens the connection between our league and the OHL, creating a development framework that benefits players, teams, and communities across Ontario,” added Spada. “We thank the OHL for their collaboration and commitment, as together we continue to reinforce a system where the growth of the player – on and off the ice – remains the top priority.”

Follow the OHL on X, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates on prospects developing across the GOJHL throughout the 2025-26 season.

The GOJHL quest for the prestigious Sutherland Cup begins Wednesday, September 10th as the London Nationals visit the LaSalle Vipers to open the 2025-26 regular season.

NHL rookie camps and prospect tournaments are getting underway this week and the OHL preseason schedule continues on Friday night. Opening Night in the OHL is set for Thursday, September 18th.

Guelph Storm & Kitchener Rangers named finalists to host the 2027 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota Canada

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

TORONTO, ON – The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) is proud to announce that the Guelph Storm and Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) have been selected as the two finalist clubs in the bid to host the 2027 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota Canada. The finalists were determined by the 2027 Memorial Cup Site Selection Committee, an independent panel of five individuals with extensive experience across the sports landscape. This committee will also be responsible for selecting the winning bid.

After reviewing submissions from OHL clubs that declared their intent to bid, the committee identified Guelph and Kitchener as the two finalists. In the coming weeks, both organizations will be invited to submit formal written bids, which will be evaluated across four categories: Business Operations, Community Engagement & Atmosphere, Event Logistics, and Hockey Operations. The winning host will then be determined through a comprehensive process that also includes formal presentations and site visits, with a final decision expected between late November and early December 2025.

“The Memorial Cup is the toughest trophy to win in amateur sport, and few markets reflect the history and passion for junior hockey more than Guelph and Kitchener,” said Dan MacKenzie, President of the CHL. “Both communities are defined by devoted fan bases and a deep-rooted tradition in our game, and each has played an important role in shaping junior hockey’s history. The Memorial Cup continues to be a celebration of hockey excellence, community spirit, and national pride, and we are confident that either city would provide a fitting and exceptional stage for the 2027 tournament.”

“We’re thrilled to be one of the final two teams in the running to host the 2027 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota Canada,” shared Matt Newby, Vice President of Business Operations for the Guelph Storm. “The opportunity to welcome hockey fans from across North America to Guelph, with the Memorial Cup as the centerpiece of a celebration of hockey and our city’s bicentennial, would be an incredible honour for our community.”

“We could not be more thrilled to be announced as a finalist to host the 2027 Memorial Cup – we believe that Kitchener is the perfect host city,” stated Joe Birch, Chief Operating Officer of the Kitchener Rangers. “Our city has a rich hockey history, outstanding facilities, and a dedicated fan base that would make the 2027 Memorial Cup an unforgettable experience for all participants and visitors. We look forward to completing the next steps in the selection process.”

The Kitchener Rangers and Guelph Storm each boast deep connections to the Memorial Cup. Kitchener has twice been crowned CHL champion, lifting the trophy in 1982 and 2003, and has appeared in the tournament six times (1981, 1982, 1984, 1990, 2003, 2008), advancing to the final on every occasion. The Rangers’ home, the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium, has also hosted the tournament four times (1962, 1975, 1984, 2008), making it one of the event’s most frequent venues. Guelph, meanwhile, has competed in six Memorial Cups (1996, 1998, 2002, 2004, 2014, 2019) and proudly served as host in 2002, marking the franchise’s first time staging the tournament. While the Storm have only hosted once, the city of Guelph also played a role as a co-host of the 1962 Memorial Cup alongside Kitchener and Hamilton. And although the Storm have yet to capture the trophy, the Royal City has still celebrated Memorial Cup triumphs thanks to the Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters in 1952 and the Guelph Platers in 1986.

The most recent Memorial Cup was held last spring in Rimouski, Québec, where the London Knights defeated the Medicine Hat Tigers 4-1 in the final to capture the franchise’s third CHL championship. With the victory, London joined the Cornwall Royals, Kamloops Blazers, and Windsor Spitfires as the only clubs to win three Memorial Cup titles since 1972. The Knights previously lifted the trophy in 2005 and 2016.

Looking ahead, the 2026 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota Canada will be hosted by the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League (WHL) and staged in Kelowna, B.C., from May 21 to 31, 2026. The 106th edition of the tournament will mark the championship’s return to Kelowna, which last hosted in 2004.

The Memorial Cup brings together the playoff champions of the WHL, OHL, and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), along with a host club, in a four-team round-robin tournament to crown the CHL champion. First awarded in 1919, the Memorial Cup has become one of hockey’s most prestigious trophies, with a legacy that has helped define junior hockey in North America. Originally donated by the Ontario Hockey Association to honour Canadian soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the First World War, the trophy was rededicated in 2010 to commemorate all fallen members of the Canadian Armed Forces, further cementing its role as a symbol of remembrance, sacrifice, and national pride.

FLOSPORTS AND ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE ENTER LANDMARK SEVEN-YEAR MEDIA PARTNERSHIP

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

FloHockey to Serve As Global Home for More Than 680 OHL Games and the Most Live Hockey on the Planet

Austin, TX and Toronto, ON – (August 26, 2025) – FloSports has entered into a landmark seven-year media partnership with the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), one of North America’s most storied and competitive junior hockey leagues beginning with the 2025–26 season. The new agreement establishes FloHockey as the global home for live and on-demand streaming coverage of the OHL’s full regular season, postseason, and marquee league events and an essential destination for Canadian hockey. 

The addition of the OHL will bring more than 680 OHL games, including regular season matchups, playoff rounds, Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game, and the OHL Championship Series for the J. Ross Robertson Cup. In addition, FloHockey will produce original content and invest in a broad social media strategy to further elevate the league and its athletes.

This agreement significantly expands FloHockey’s footprint in Canadian junior hockey – a proving ground for the NHL stars of tomorrow –  which scored nine first-round picks in last year’s NHL draft including the number one pick overall by the New York Islanders, Matthew Schaefer. With existing partnerships across seven of the nine CJHL leagues and now two of the three major CHL circuits – the QMJHL and the OHL – FloHockey cements its position as the essential destination for hockey fans with the most live hockey available on the planet featuring more than 20,000 games scheduled this season. 

As part of the deal, the OHL will continue its use of LeagueStat, FloSports’ industry-leading stats and data platform. Fans will enjoy real-time integration across live streams, team websites, and mobile apps—ensuring seamless access to in-game stats and updates no matter where they watch.

The partnership includes an official sponsorship designation for FloHockey with the OHL, aligning both brands in a deeper marketing collaboration and elevating hockey content across platforms. Exclusive storytelling will highlight emerging stars, NHL prospects, and the OHL’s rich legacy of player development.

“The OHL has long been a pillar of junior hockey in North America, and this partnership is a milestone for our coverage,” said Josh Siskin, GM of FloHockey. “Adding the OHL alongside the QMJHL offers fans the most complete junior hockey streaming experience available anywhere. We’re proud to invest in growing the game and supporting the next generation of elite talent.”

“We’re excited about this new partnership and making FloHockey the streaming home of the Ontario Hockey League,” said OHL Commissioner Bryan Crawford. “Providing our fans with a first-rate streaming experience across several different platforms is a top priority. Working with Flo and their creative team also presents tremendous content opportunities across our social and digital channels and we’re looking forward to telling the league’s story together.”

FloHockey streams tens of thousands of games annually from the AHL, ECHL, USHL, SPHL, Swedish Hockey League, and top college and junior leagues. Last season, it reached more than 6 million total viewers and over 21 million video views on social media. 

FloHockey is available via web, mobile apps (iOS and Android), and streaming platforms including Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV. The FloSports app will be pre-installed on most top-selling Smart TVs in the U.S. and Canada this year, with launches on Samsung, Vizio and LG, making it easier than ever for fans to watch. OHL Season ticket holders will receive a FloHockey subscription discount – more information about the program will be provided in the coming days. 

About FloSports
FloSports is a global sports media company committed to spotlighting the sports and athletes traditional media leaves behind. Founded in 2006, the company has become the digital home for die-hard communities in sports — delivering live and on-demand coverage, award-winning original programming, and advanced data solutions to passionate fans worldwide.

Flo’s portfolio spans more than 25 sports and includes the leading destinations for devoted audiences, including motorsports, hockey, wrestling, cycling, Jiu-Jitsu , track & field, cheer, a range of NCAA sports, and more.

Through strategic partnerships with NASCAR, USA Wrestling, Varsity Spirit, High Limit Racing, the American Hockey League (AHL), Tour de France, Wanda Diamond League, and 18 NCAA conferences, FloSports streams over 50,000 events annually to a global subscriber base. For more information, please visit: flosports.tv.

About the Ontario Hockey League
The  Ontario Hockey League  has long been regarded as the number one development league in the world, continuing to serve as a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League. The OHL consists of 20 teams, with 17 located in Ontario, two in the state of Michigan and one in the state of Pennsylvania. A proud member of the Canadian Hockey League, the OHL is also a leading provider of hockey scholarships, with over 329 graduates receiving OHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice in 2024-25, resulting in a collective investment of over $42 million by OHL member teams over the past 15 years.

OHL CONCLUDES ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

MUSKOKA LAKES (Friday, August 15, 2025) – The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) on Thursday concluded its Annual General Meeting of the Board of Governors at the JW Marriott Resort, with several adopted notices of motion as the league moves into the 2025-26 season.

In the area of league governance, current Chairman of the Board Tim Lukenda, who serves as President and Governor of the Soo Greyhounds, was elected to another two-year term as Chair. He is joined on the League’s Executive Council by representatives Craig Goslin (Saginaw Spirit), Joe Birch (Kitchener Rangers), Dr. Bob Neville (Peterborough Petes) and Dario Zulich (Sudbury Wolves).

This year’s Annual General Meeting saw the Board approve several changes to OHL playing rules, bringing those more in line with the standard of play in the National Hockey League. These rule changes will be outlined in more detail following the OHL’s Leadership Meeting of the General Managers being held next week.

A few notable league updates emerging from this week’s meetings include:

Hockey Operations – Enhanced Video Review Technology:

The OHL has partnered with Spiideo, an easy-to-use, accessible and cloud-based video recording and analysis solution to enhance its video review process in all 20 venues leaguewide. The benefits of this new partnership include:

  • Enhanced video review with seven consistent angles in all buildings
  • Faster incident analysis and decision-making
  • Improved official coaching and development through objective visual feedback
  • Enhanced supplemental discipline process

Phase 1 of the Spiideo integration is near completion as installation continues across the league leading into the upcoming season.

Hockey Operations – Overage Player Registration Eligibility:

Under previous parameters, OHL clubs could only sign and register an overage player if they had spent the previous season on a Hockey Canada or USA Hockey player’s registration certificate. The Board of Governors has amended this ruling to give OHL member teams the ability to also register an overage player who spent the previous 19-year-old season in either the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) or British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL).

Hockey Operations – Player Safety, Cut-Resistant Material:

The Board of Governors has approved the institution of a policy where cut-resistant materials worn on the throat, groin, wrist and ankle be at the category of A-5 or greater, with the exception of BNQ certified throat protectors.

The OHL Board of Governors also adopted new initiatives in Player Experience and Officiating Development, with more updates in those areas to be rolled out in the weeks to come.

The 2025 OHL Alumni Charity Golf Classic takes place next week at Hockley Valley Resort in Mono, ON, to be followed by the annual OHL Leadership Meetings that involve General Managers from across the league prior to training camps getting underway later this month.

GREYHOUNDS PRESIDENT AND GOVERNOR TIM LUKENDA RECOGNIZED WITH INAUGURAL DAVID BRANCH LEADER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

MUSKOKA LAKES (Friday, August 15, 2025) – The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) today announced that Soo Greyhounds President and Governor Tim Lukenda is the inaugural recipient of the David Branch Leader of the Year Award, presented at the OHL’s Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors held at the JW Marriott Resort.

The first representative in Greyhounds history to serve as Chairman of the OHL Board of Governors, Lukenda has been a member of the board since 2017, and has served on the League’s Executive Council since first being elected as Secretary Treasurer in 2019.

“Tim has done a tremendous amount of work and contributed a great deal of his time to not only the Soo Greyhounds, but the Ontario Hockey League as a whole this past year,” said OHL Commissioner Bryan Crawford. “As Chairman of the Board of Governors, he’s been a valuable resource in the transition from David Branch’s leadership throughout my first full season in the role of Commissioner. It is only fitting that he receive this award, named in recognition of David, with the tremendous leadership he has demonstrated.”

The David Branch Leader of the Year Award has been established in recognition of the 45 years of service and dedication to the OHL by former Commissioner David Branch, who retired last summer after first being named to the position back in 1979. The award is a continuation of what was formerly known as the OHL Executive of the Year Award that was last presented to Mike Vellucci of the Plymouth Whalers back in 2012-13. The honour is presented annually to an OHL executive who displays the leadership qualities, hard work, commitment and dedication that David demonstrated in his role, making countless contributions to the OHL, the sport of hockey and to the athletes that make it so special.

“It is a real honour to receive an award named after a person for which I have such great respect and admiration,” said Lukenda. “The Soo Greyhounds are a proud member of the Ontario Hockey League and its an honour for me to be able to represent the Greyhounds on the OHL Board and contribute in any way I can to the bright future of our league.”

Lukenda, whose father Dr. Lou Lukenda acquired majority ownership of the Greyhounds in 2001 and secured the club’s long-term future in Sault Ste. Marie, himself grew up watching the Greyhounds at the old Memorial Gardens. This instilled a lifelong love for both the Hounds and the OHL that continues to result in tremendous contributions to the League today.

Lukenda becomes the second Greyhounds representative to win the OHL’s top executive honour following Sherry Bassin of the 1990-91 Greyhounds who was the second-ever recipient of the award that was established in 1989.

For a complete list of OHL award winners, click here.