Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) today announced that Washington Capitals prospect Ilya Protas of the Windsor Spitfires is the 2024-25 recipient of the William Hanley Trophy presented annually to the League’s Most Sportsmanlike Player as voted by OHL General Managers.
Protas finished second in OHL scoring with a total of 124 points including 50 goals and 74 assists over 61 games, recording a plus-58 rating with eight game-winning goals along the way. The 6-foot-5, 200Ib. centreman took 34 minutes in penalties.
“I’m grateful to be recognized for demonstrating good sportsmanship as it is a reflection of my commitment to competing at the highest levels of the game,” said Protas. “I’m honoured to follow in the footsteps of fellow Windsor Spitfires Wyatt Johnston and Kyle Wellwood who won this award. It’s a special award and it is great to win in this league with a lot of very talented and high character players.”
An 18-year-old from Vitebsk, Belarus, Protas was a third round (75th overall) pick by the Washington Capitals at last summer’s NHL Draft. The Spitfires selected him third overall in the 2024 CHL Import Draft as he becomes the first Import to claim Most Sportsmanlike honours since Vitali Yachmenev of the North Bay Centennials back in 1995. Protas is the first player to score 50 goals in his first OHL season since Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters in 2014-15.
“What a great honour for Ilya,” said Spitfires GM Bill Bowler. “He plays the game the right way with an unbelievable hockey IQ. Ilya is able to compete and play at such a high level with such sportsmanship, which is a credit to his character. He is a great representative of the Windsor Spitfires and the Ontario Hockey League.”
Protas was named OHL Player of the Month for March and honoured as OHL Player of the Week on two occasions this season. His 2.03 points-per-game are the most over a full season by a Windsor Spitfires player since Jason Spezza (2.09) in 2000-01.
The William Hanley Trophy is awarded each year based on a selection by the 20 General Managers of the Ontario Hockey League. All 20 teams submit a nominee but are not permitted to vote for their own candidate. The trophy is presented by the OHL to commemorate William Hanley, former Secretary-Manager of the Ontario Hockey Association for over 25 years.
Protas finished first in this year’s voting for the award, followed by runner-up Patrick Thomas of the Brantford Bulldogs.
Protas follows recent winners in Jett Luchanko of the Guelph Storm (2023-24), Evan Vierling of the Barrie Colts (2022-23) and Spitfires forward Wyatt Johnston (2021-22). He will be formally presented with the William Hanley Trophy at the OHL’s Awards Ceremony in June at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
For a complete list of OHL award winners, click here.
Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League is proud to announce that 64 OHL players have been included on NHL Central Scouting’s Final Draft Rankings for the 2025 NHL Draft scheduled to take place June 27-28 at the Peacock Theatre is Los Angeles, California.
The OHL leads the way among the top-32 North American skaters, with 10 players listed as potential first-round selections. Erie Otters defenceman Matthew Schaefer tops the rankings at first overall, followed by Saginaw SPirit forward Michael Misa at second, Jake O’Brien of the Brantford Bulldogs at fourth, and Porter Martone of the Brampton Steelheads at sixth. In goal, Steelheads netminder Jack Ivankovic paces the OHL, ranking fourth among all North American goaltenders.
The list includes 38 OHL forwards, 19 defencemen and seven goaltenders.
All 20 OHL member teams are represented on the list, led by the Saginaw Spirit with seven players, followed by the Guelph Storm and Brampton Steelheads with five each.
2025 NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings – OHL
SKATERS
RANK
PLAYER
POS.
TEAM
1
Matthew Schaefer
D
Erie Otters
2
Michael Misa
C
Saginaw Spirit
4
Jake O’Brien
C
Brantford Bulldogs
6
Porter Martone
RW
Brampton Steelheads
9
Kashawn Aitcheson
D
Barrie Colts
11
Brady Martin
C
Soo Greyhounds
15
Jack Nesbitt
C
Windsor Spitfires
17
Malcolm Spence
LW
Erie Otters
19
Henry Brzustewicz
D
London Knights
23
Cameron Reid
D
Kitchener Rangers
34
Simon Wang
D
Oshawa Generals
47
Kristian Epperson
LW
Saginaw Spirit
48
Luca Romano
C
Kitchener Rangers
49
Ethan Czata
C
Niagara IceDogs
52
Tyler Hopkins
C
Kingston Frontenacs
62
David Bedkowski
D
Owen Sound Attack
70
Owen Griffin
C
Oshawa Generals
71
Kieren Dervin
C
Kingston Frontenacs
75
Quinn Beauchesne
D
Guelph Storm
84
Jimmy Lombardi
C
Flint Firebirds
87
Evan Passmore
D
Barrie Colts
104
Shamar Moses
RW
North Bay Battalion
106
Jordan Charron
RW
Soo Greyhounds
107
Carson Harmer
C
Saginaw Spirit
108
Jacob Cloutier
C
Saginaw Spirit
112
Aidan Lane
RW
Brampton Steelheads
119
Travis Hayes
RW
Soo Greyhounds
120
Lauri Sinivuori
LW
Oshawa Generals
123
Lirim Amidovski
RW
North Bay Battalion
131
Caden Taylor
LW
Peterborough Petes
137
Carson Cameron
D
Peterborough Petes
139
Jack Brauti
D
Niagara IceDogs
140
Rio Kaiser
D
Peterborough Petes
142
Lev Katzin
C
Guelph Storm
151
Lucas Karmiris
C
Brampton Steelheads
153
Noah Jenken
D
Guelph Storm
154
Daniil Skvortsov
D
Guelph Storm
157
Noah Read
C
London Knights
158
Oliver Turner
D
Erie Otters
159
Tanner Lam
RW
Kitchener Rangers
160
Gabriel Chiarot
RW
Brampton Steelheads
168
Joshua Avery
C
Brantford Bulldogs
170
Hayden Barch
D
Saginaw Spirit
171
Liam Beamish
C
Sarnia Sting
173
Jake Crawford
C
Owen Sound Attack
178
Filip Ekberg
RW
Ottawa 67’s
180
Parker Snelgrove
C
Guelph Storm
193
Evan Van Gorp
LW
London Knights
196
Shaan Kingwell
LW
Ottawa 67’s
198
Josh Glavin
D
Saginaw Spirit
200
Aiden Young
LW
Peterborough Petes
202
Xander Velliaris
D
Saginaw Spirit
211
Jonathan Kapageridis
D
North Bay Battalion
214
Ruslan Karimov
RW
Sarnia Sting
215
Grant Spada
D
Guelph Storm
219
Max Dirracolo
D
Kitchener Rangers
223
Zach Houben
LW
Ottawa 67’s
GOALTENDERS
RANK
GOALTENDER
TEAM
4
Jack Ivankovic
Brampton Steelheads
6
Aleksei Medvedev
London Knights
9
Matthew Koprowski
Owen Sound Attack
17
Trenten Bennett
Owen Sound Attack
19
Ben Hrebik
Barrie Colts
26
Michael McIvor
North Bay Battalion
29
Noah Tegelaar
Soo Greyhounds
For the full NHL Central Scouting Final Draft Rankings, visit nhl.com.
Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of playoff games ending Sunday, April 13.
Knights’ Denver Barkey Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week
Philadelphia Flyers prospect Denver Barkey of the London Knights is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, registering four goals, three assists and seven points in a pair of victories.
The Knights captain played a pivotal role in securing a 2-0 second round series lead over the Erie Otters last week. He recorded a hat trick and was named first star in Thursday’s 6-3 win, before adding a goal and three assists to earn first star honours once again in Saturday’s 7-2 victory.
Selected 16th overall by the London Knights in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection, the soon-to-be 20-year-old from Newmarket, Ont. recorded 82 points (25-57-82) in 50 regular season games, and currently ranks second in playoff scoring with 19 points (9-10-19) through six contests in the 2024-25 postseason. Now in his fourth season with the Knights, Barkey has amassed 258 points (89-169-258) over 228 career regular season games, along with 72 points (27-45-72) in 49 playoff appearances. The 5-foot-10, 171-pound forward was a key part of the Knights’ OHL championship run last season. He was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the third round (95th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft.
Also considered for this week’s award, Toronto Maple Leafs prospect and Knights forward Easton Cowan registered seven points (2-5-7) across the two victories. Vancouver Canucks prospect Riley Patterson contributed three goals and three assists to help the Barrie Colts take a 2-0 series lead, while Chicago Blackhawks prospect Nick Lardis of the Brantford Bulldogs stood out with six points (4-2-6) in a pair of wins.
2024-25 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Playoffs: Apr. 7 – Apr. 13: Denver Barkey (London Knights) Mar. 31 – Apr. 6: Owen Griffin (Oshawa Generals) Mar. 24 – Mar. 30: Pano Fimis (Erie Otters)
Colts’ Sam Hillebrandt Named OHL Goaltender of the Week
Sam Hillebrandt of the Barrie Colts is the OHL Goaltender of the Week, following a pair of wins with a 3.00 goals-against average and .928 save percentage.
Stopping a total of 77 shots last week, Hillebrandt backstopped the Colts to a 2-0 series lead over the Kingston Frontenacs. He turned aside 38 of 40 shots on Thursday, earning first star honours in Barrie’s 6-2 win. The 6-foot-1, 170lb. netminder returned to the crease on Saturday with a 39-save performance as the Colts skated to a 7-4 victory.
A 20-year-old from Riverview, Florida, Hillebrandt posted a 21-13-0-2 record during the regular season, along with a 3.16 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage. He’s appeared in five playoff contests so far in 2024-25, maintaining an undefeated 5-0 record with a 3.20 goals-against average and .905 save percentage. Originally from Michigan, Hillebrandt played in the Detroit Little Caesars AAA program before relocating to Florida. He captured gold with the U.S. National Junior Team at both the 2024 and 2025 World Juniors. The Colts signed Hillebrandt as a free agent ahead of the 2022-23 season following his time with the Florida Alliance North 16U program in 2021-22. Across 76 career regular season OHL appearances, he holds a 38-29-2-2 record with one shutout, a 3.41 goals-against average, and a .900 save percentage.
Also considered for the award this week, Joey Costanzo of the Windsor Spitfires played to a 2-0 record along with a 1.00 goals-against average and .947 save percentage, while Austin Elliott of the London Knights was also a standout, going 2-0 with a 2.50 goals-against average and .902 save percentage.
2024-25 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Playoffs: Apr. 7 – Apr. 13: Sam Hillebrandt (Barrie Colts) Mar. 31 – Apr. 6: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers) Mar. 24 – Mar. 30: Ryerson Leenders (Brantford Bulldogs)
2024-25 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season: Mar. 17 – Mar. 23: Mike McIvor (North Bay Battalion) Mar. 10 – Mar. 16: Ryerson Leenders (Brantford Bulldogs) Mar. 3 – Mar. 9: Austin Elliott (London Knights) Feb. 14 – Mar. 2: Nathan Day (Flint Firebirds) Feb. 17 – Feb. 23: Mike McIvor (North Bay Battalion) Feb. 10 – Feb. 16: Collin MacKenzie (Ottawa 67’s) Feb. 3 – Feb. 9: Ryerson Leenders (Brantford Bulldogs) Jan. 27 – Feb. 2: Carter George (Owen Sound Attack) Jan. 20 – Jan. 26: Austin Elliott (London Knights) Jan. 13 – Jan. 19: Nolan Lalonde (Soo Greyhounds) Jan. 6 – Jan. 12: Easton Rye (Peterborough Petes) Dec. 30 – Jan. 5: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers) Dec. 28 – Dec. 29: Ben Hrebik (Barrie Colts) Dec. 16 – Dec. 22: Nathan Day (Flint Firebirds) Dec. 9 – Dec. 15: Ryerson Leenders (Brantford Bulldogs) Dec. 2 – Dec. 8: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers) Nov. 25 – Dec. 1: Aleksei Medvedev (London Knights) Nov. 18 – Nov. 24: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers) Nov. 11 – Nov. 17: Carter George (Owen Sound Attack) Nov. 4 – Nov. 10: Andrew Oke (Saginaw Spirit) Oct. 28 – Nov. 3: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers) Oct. 21 – Oct. 27: Nathan Day (Flint Firebirds) Oct. 14 – Oct. 20: Joey Costanzo (Windsor Spitfires) Oct. 7 – Oct. 13: Finn Marshall (Sudbury Wolves) Sept. 30 – Oct. 6: Joey Costanzo (Windsor Spitfires) Sept. 25 – Sept. 29: Jack Ivankovic (Brampton Steelheads)
Spitfires’ Andrew Robinson Named OHL Rookie of the Week
Andrew Robinson of the Windsor Spitfires is the OHL Rookie of the Week, registered a goal in a pair of victories last week.
Helping the Spitfires take a 2-0 series lead over the Kitchener Rangers, the 6-foot, 185lb. defenceman scored his first career OHL goal on Thursday and earned second star honours in a 5-1 win.
Selected by Windsor in the third round (58th overall) of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection from the Vaughan Kings U16 AAA program, the 17-year-old from Oakville, Ont. native appeared in four regular season games with the Spitfires this season. He spent the majority of 2024-25 with the OJHL’s Georgetown Raiders, tallying three goals, 31 assists and 34 points in 53 games played.
About the Ontario Hockey League The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) 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.
Tyler Hopkins of the Kingston Frontenacs. Photo by OHL Images.
Tyler Hopkins, a name steadily gaining recognition in the hockey world, is a young talent from Campbellville, Ontario. Born on January 23, 2007, Hopkins has showcased his skills and determination on the ice, earning him a spot among the prospects for the 2025 NHL Draft.
Early Career and Development
Hopkins began his hockey journey with the Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs, where he honed his skills and demonstrated his potential as a two-way center. His leadership qualities shone through when he captained the Halton Hurricanes U16 AAA team during the 2022-23 season. In that season, he amassed an impressive 69 points (37 goals, 32 assists) in 31 regular-season games and contributed significantly in the playoffs.
Following his success with the Hurricanes, Hopkins joined the Hamilton Kilty B’s of the GOJHL for a brief stint, further showcasing his ability to adapt and perform under pressure. His talent was recognized in the 2023 OHL Draft, where he was selected fourth overall by the Kingston Frontenacs.
OHL Journey and International Representation
Hopkins’ first season with the Kingston Frontenacs was a learning curve, as he recorded 13 points in 59 regular-season games. However, his performance in the playoffs and his participation in the U17 World Hockey Challenge with Team Canada White highlighted his potential. He continued to grow in his second OHL season, significantly improving his stats with 34 points in 43 games.
Internationally, Hopkins represented Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, contributing to his team’s gold medal victory. He also participated in the inaugural Connor McDavid Top OHL Prospects Game, further solidifying his status as a player to watch.
Scouting Report
Hopkins is a 6-foot-1, 180-pound center/winger known for his high-end skating ability and offensive awareness. His speed and agility make him a formidable presence on the forecheck, often forcing opponents into mistakes. Defensively, he has become increasingly reliable, excelling in faceoffs and penalty kills. He is a volume shooter.
According to scouts, Hopkins’ puck skills, hockey sense, and offensive awareness stand out. His ability to pressure opponents and create scoring opportunities makes him a valuable asset on the ice. However, he will need to improve on his consistency from game to game.
NHL Draft Outlook
Ranked No. 68 among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings, Hopkins is projected as a potential fourth- or fifth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. While he may not be the flashiest player, his performance and dedication to improvement make him a prospect worth considering.
The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) delivered an action-packed night of playoff hockey on April 12, 2025. Fans were treated to thrilling matchups as teams battled for crucial wins to take the edge in their respective series. The London Knights, Windsor Spitfires, and Barrie Colts emerged victorious, each putting on impressive displays that set the tone for the remainder of the playoffs.
London Knights vs. Erie Otters: Dominating Performance
The London Knights showcased their might with a commanding 7-2 victory over the Erie Otters at Canada Life Place. This win gave the Knights a 2-0 lead in the series and sent a strong message to their opponents about their championship ambitions. The game was marked by stellar offensive plays and an unyielding defensive approach.
Denver Barkey’s Standout Game
Denver Barkey, the captain of the London Knights, delivered one of the most unforgettable performances of his career. Barkey tallied one goal and three assists, playing a pivotal role in the team’s victory. His playmaking ability and leadership on the ice galvanized his teammates, creating opportunities that Erie couldn’t recover from.
Turning Points in the Game
Key moments defined the game. The Knights’ relentless attack in the second period put the Otters on the backfoot, with Easton Cowan netting two critical goals to widen the gap. The Knights outshot the Otters 42-24, dominating possession and capitalizing on turnovers. The Otters managed two power-play goals, but their efforts weren’t enough to quell London’s offensive barrage.
Windsor Spitfires vs. Kitchener Rangers: A Solid Victory
At the WFCU Centre, the Windsor Spitfires powered past the Kitchener Rangers with a decisive 5-1 win. This victory not only put Windsor up 2-0 in the series but also showcased Windsor’s depth and balanced gameplay.
Windsor’s Key Players Shine
The Spitfires thrived thanks to a collective effort from their roster. Liam Greentree, a standout forward, consistently pressured the Rangers’ defense. On the power play, Windsor converted two out of eight opportunities, adding to their commanding lead. The goaltending was equally solid, keeping Kitchener to just one goal despite their offensive attempts.
Playoff Implications for Windsor and Kitchener
For Windsor, this win reignited their confidence and reestablished their presence in the series. They’ll look to carry the momentum into Game 3, knowing a victory will give them a firm foothold in the playoffs. Meanwhile, Kitchener faces an almost must-win situation in their next outing to avoid falling to 0-3.
Barrie Colts vs. Kingston Frontenacs: A High-Scoring Affair
The most explosive game of the night took place at Sadlon Arena, where the Barrie Colts outgunned the Kingston Frontenacs 7-4. Both teams pushed the pace relentlessly, delivering an offensive showcase that left fans on the edge of their seats.
Offensive Drives from Both Teams
The game was a masterclass in offense, with both the Colts and Frontenacs trading goals in a high-octane contest. While Barrie’s forward lines proved too much for Kingston’s defense, the Frontenacs put up a valiant effort, keeping the game competitive until the third period. Power plays played a smaller role, with Barrie scoring one goal on three opportunities. Kingston’s strategy revolved around their aggressive forechecking but couldn’t match Barrie’s scoring depth.
What Barrie’s Win Means for the Series
Barrie’s victory gave them a crucial 2-0 series edge, putting the Frontenacs in a precarious position. Kingston now has its back against the wall, needing to win the next game to avoid the threat of elimination. For Barrie, this win bolsters their confidence and puts them closer to punching their ticket to the next round.
Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today concluded the 2025 OHL Priority Selection presented by Real Canadian Superstore for North American players born predominantly in 2009.
The annual Priority Selection was held online over a span of two days, with Day 1 and 2 coverage produced by YourTV, airing across the province on YourTV, Rogers tv and Eastlink community stations as well as on the OHL Action Pak. Both days of the annual event were streamed for free in their entirety on OHL Live.
A total of 303 players were selected in the 15-round process from 88 different programs. The selected players included 169 forwards, 107 defencemen, and 27 goaltenders. A total of 283 of the players chosen were 2009-born athletes while 14 were born in 2008 and six were born in 2007.
“Congratulations to the 303 players selected in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection,” said Darrell Woodley, Director of OHL Central Scouting. “This achievement reflects the discipline and perseverance each of you has demonstrated throughout your development. Being drafted marks an important step in your hockey journey, one made possible through the support of family, coaches, and mentors. It is, however, just the beginning. Continued growth, resilience, and integrity will define your path forward, regardless of where or whether your name was called today. Opportunities remain, including next year’s Under-18 Priority Selection, for those committed to striving for both athletic and academic success in the Ontario Hockey League.”
The Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) led the way with 87 selections. The Toronto Titans topped the list with 15 players selected. The GTHL champion Don Mills Flyers followed with 14 while the Toronto Marlboros trailed with 11 picks, while the OHL Cup champion Toronto Jr. Canadiens, Toronto Red Wings, and Vaughan Kings each had 10 selections. The Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) followed with 61 selections. The York-Simcoe Express led the OMHA with eight picks, followed by the Barrie Jr. Colts and Oakville Rangers with seven each. The Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario had 37 players selected, with the Alliance champion Huron-Perth Lakers leading the way with 10 picks, followed by the Sun County Panthers with seven. Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO) saw 26 players chosen in the OHL Draft. The Ottawa Valley Titans led the way with 10 selections, trailed by Ottawa Myers Automotive with six. The Northern Ontario Hockey Association (NOHA) had five players selected, with the Eastern Ontario Wild leading the league with four. An additional four prospects were selected from Ontario-based junior teams, along with one player from an out-of-province team and one from a Canadian prep school.
An OHL Priority Selection record total of 81 players were chosen from American-based teams, led by Detroit Little Caesars with eight selections. Chicago Mission, Shattuck-St. Mary’s School, Chicago Reapers, Pittsburgh Penguins Elite, and Mount St. Charles Academy each had six players selected. An additional two players were chosen from U.S. prep schools, while two were selected from the U.S. National Development Program.
This season marked the 25th straight year the Priority Selection was conducted by way of the internet, carried out in partnership with RinkNet.
Cory Stillman (Guelph Storm / OHL) has been named Team Canada’s head coach and will work alongside associate coach Travis Crickard (Saint John Sea Dogs / QMJHL) & assistant coach Mathieu Turcotte (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada / QMJHL) at the tournament
TORONTO, ON — With less than two weeks until the puck drops at the 2025 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship, the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) is pleased to announce the first 18 CHL players (see complete list below) who have been invited to attend Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team pre-tournament camp, set for April 12-15 in Oakville, Ontario.
Three goaltenders, six defencemen, and nine forwards from the CHL were selected by the team’s General Manager Scott Walker (Guelph Storm / OHL) and head scout Byron Bonora, with support from Kyle Turris, Benoit Roy, and goaltending consultant Dan DePalma (Kamloops Blazers / WHL). Among the 18 players chosen, there are 11 players from the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), five players from the Western Hockey League (WHL), and two from the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).
Within the U18 camp roster, there are a total of eight players eligible for this summer’s 2025 NHL Draft, including five (Ivankovic, Beauchesne, Smith, Cootes, Martin) who helped Team CHL defeat the U.S. National Under-18 Team last November at the inaugural 2024 CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Kubota Canada.
In terms of international experience, there is one player who won a gold medal at the 2024 U18 Men’s Worlds (Ivankovic) and six who have won gold at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup (Beauchesne, Cootes, Czata, Ivankovic, Martin, Smith). The roster also includes 17 players who have represented Canada at the U17 World Challenge (Beauchesne, Carels, Chartrand, Cootes, Czata, Di Iorio, Edwards, Ellsworth, Ivankovic, Katzin, Lin, Martin, Mbuyi, Roobroeck, Smith, Villeneuve, Wassilyn) and six who played for Canada at the 2023 Youth Olympic Winter Games (Chartrand, Di Iorio, Edwards, Ellsworth, Lin, Wassilyn).
“We are excited to unveil the 18 players who will attend camp in Oakville ahead of U18 Men’s Worlds, as we believe this is a talented group that brings important international experience and success on the international stage,” Walker said. “We believe we have a great staff in place to help our players be successful, and while we continue to follow the Canadian Hockey League playoffs, we are excited to begin our journey to defend gold in Texas later this month.”
Roster additions will be announced in the coming weeks following the conclusion of the second round of the playoffs across the CHL, while the final roster for the 2025 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship will be announced before the start of the tournament.
On top of the announcement of the camp roster, two-time Stanley Cup champion Cory Stillman (Guelph Storm / OHL) has been named the team’s head coach, and will work alongside associate coach Travis Crickard (Saint John Sea Dogs / QMJHL), assistant coach Mathieu Turcotte(Blainville-Boisbriand Armada / QMJHL), and goaltending consultant Dan De Palma (Kamloops Blazers / WHL).
Stillman recently finished his first season as head coach of the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) after spending four seasons (2020-24) as an assistant coach with the Arizona Coyotes. He was also the head coach of the OHL’s Sudbury Wolves for three seasons (2017-20), was the director of player development with the Carolina Hurricanes (2012-13), and was a player development coach with the Florida Panthers (2011-12). As a player, he played in 1,025 NHL games, winning the Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning (2004) and Carolina (2006), and represented Canada at the 1999 IIHF World Championship.
Crickard recently completed his third season as head coach of the QMJHL’s Saint John Sea Dogs, following one season as an assistant. This past November, he won a silver medal as head coach of Canada Red at the 2024 U17 World Challenge. Crickard has previously won a gold medal as an assistant coach with Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship and as a video coach at the same tournament in 2021. Crickard was an assistant coach for Canada’s men’s hockey team at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games, finishing fourth, and was a video coach (2016) and an assistant coach (2017) with Canada Black at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, winning a silver medal in 2016. Crickard won a Memorial Cup as an assistant coach with the Sea Dogs in 2022. He also previously worked as an assistant coach with the Ottawa 67s of the OHL and the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL. In 2015, he won the Ed Chynoweth Cup with the Rockets, who were Memorial Cup finalists that same year.
Turcotte just wrapped up his second season as head coach of the QMJHL’s Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. Prior to joining the Armada, he served as head coach of the Blizzard du Séminaire Saint-François of the Ligue de hockey M18 AAA du Québec, winning gold at the 2023 Men’s U18 National Club Championship. He also spent three seasons as an assistant coach with the QMJHL’s Drummondville Voltigeurs (2019-22), six seasons with the LHM18AAAQ’s Chevaliers de Lévis as assistant coach (2008-10) and GM/Head Coach (2015-19), and stints as an assistant coach with the QMJHL’s Val-d’Or Foreurs (2010-12) and Chicoutimi Saguenéens (2012-14). Internationally, Turcotte won a gold medal as head coach of Canada White at the 2024 U17 World Challenge.
In addition to Walker and the coaching staff, there are several support staff from across the CHL that will work with Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team at the 2025 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship, including:
Video coach Matthew Smith (Acadie-Bathurst Titan / QMJHL)
Athletic therapists Andy Brown (Owen Sound Attack / OHL) and Terence Robertson (Red Deer Rebels / WHL)
Team physician Dr. Nolan Rau (Kelowna Rockets / WHL)
Strength and conditioning coach Sean Young (Ottawa 67’s / OHL)
Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team will gather at the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville before travelling to Texas. It will take on Germany on April 19 at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT and Sweden on April 21 at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT in pre-tournament action at the Children’s Health StarCenter in Farmers Branch, Texas.
The 2025 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship kicks off on April 23, with Canada taking on Slovakia, Latvia, Finland, and Norway in the preliminary round before the tournament concludes with the medal games on May 3. TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast 16 tournament games, including all Team Canada preliminary-round games, as well as the quarterfinals, semifinals, and medal games.
For more information on the 2025 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship, please visit the official tournament website at IIHF.com.
For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow along via social media on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
18 CHL PLAYERS NAMED TO CANADA’S NATIONAL MEN’S U18 TEAM TRAINING CAMP
Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League completed the opening three rounds of the 2025 OHL Priority Selection presented by Real Canadian Superstore on Friday, with a total of 63 players hearing their names called to begin the proceedings that continue on Saturday morning, with Rounds 4-15 commencing at 9:00am.
Saturday’s continued coverage of the OHL Priority Selection is being streamed live for free on OHL Live, the league’s YouTube, Facebook and X channels, and can also be viewed on YourTV and Eastlink community stations.
Twenty-three players from across 14 different organizations were chosen in the first round of Friday’s first round.
The Peterborough Petes opened the proceedings by selecting Kaden McGregor of the Ottawa Valley Titans with the first overall pick, marking the first time in franchise history they’ve held the top selection. Following McGregor, forwards Jaakko Wycisk of the Sun County Panthers (2nd overall, Guelph) and Brock Chitaroni of the Barrie Jr. Colts (3rd overall, Ottawa) were chosen, while Brenner Lammens of the Toronto Red Wings rounded out the top four as Sarnia’s first-round pick.
The Brampton Steelheads claimed the first defenceman of this year’s Priority Selection, selecting Don Mills Flyers captain Peter Green 14th overall, while Matthew Henderson of the Huron-Perth Lakers quickly followed at 17th to the Kingston Frontenacs. The Steelheads also grabbed the first goaltender of the Draft, selecting Lucas Johnson of the Chicago Reapers 15’s in the second round at 39th overall.
The first round featured 11 players from the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL), five from the ALLIANCE, three from the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA), three from Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO), and one from a U.S.-based program.
Of the 23 players selected in the first round, 22 will be eligible for the 2027 NHL Draft, while Ryan Hanrahan (13th overall, Saginaw) won’t be NHL Draft eligible until 2028.
The OHL Cup champion Toronto Jr. Canadiens led the way with four players selected in the opening round, while the GTHL champion Don Mills Flyers and ALLIANCE champion Huron-Perth Lakers each had three players chosen.
Don Mills led all teams through Friday’s opening three rounds, with a total of six players selected, followed by the Toronto Red Wings, Toronto Jr. Canadiens and Toronto Titans with four each.
The opening three rounds of the 2025 OHL Priority Selection saw 16 American players chosen, the most on record, exceeding the previous high of 11 in 2008.
2025 OHL Priority Selection – First Round Selections:
Click on player name to watch profile video
1. Peterborough Petes – Kaden McGregor (Ottawa Valley Titans) – 5’10.5″, 168 lb, C
2. Guelph Storm – Jaakko Wycisk (Sun County Panthers) – 6’0.5″, 181 lb, C
3. Ottawa 67’s – Brock Chitaroni (Barrie Jr. Colts) – 5’11.25″, 167 lb, C
Toronto, ON – The pick is in and the Peterborough Petes have made Ottawa Valley Titans forward Kaden McGregor the first overall pick of the 2025 OHL Priority Selection presented by Real Canadian Superstore.
The Petes secured the first overall pick in the OHL Priority Selection for the first time ever by way of a lottery process on March 26. They select McGregor, the 2024-25 HEO U16 AAA Player of the Year with the historic pick after he led his Ottawa Valley Titans to an HEO championship this past season.
A 16-year-old from Braeside, Ont., McGregor is a 5-foot-11, 168Ib. centreman who put up 38 goals, 44 assists and 82 points over 29 regular season games before adding 24 points (11-13–24) over nine playoff contests. McGregor had an impressive showing at the OHL Cup showcase, being named to the tournament all-star team with 11 points (3-8–11) over five games.
McGregor claims the Jack Ferguson Award as the first overall pick in the OHL Priority Selection, becoming the first player chosen first overall out of the Ottawa area since the Ottawa 67’s selected Alyn McCauley of Brockville, Ont. in 1993.
OHL Central Scouting says: Kaden is a complete two-way centre that isn’t easy to play against because he is always moving his feet and he competes hard each and every shift he has. He is a powerful skater that can get up to top speed quickly and has another gear that many players don’t have. He has a very good skill set that allows him to generate offense for himself well. He is a dog on a bone when it comes to forechecking and how hard he competes, he rarely takes a shift off and you notice all the time. Physically he looks mature and his game will translate well to the next level.
Follow along with the 2025 OHL Priority Selection presented by Real Canadian Superstore at ontariohockeyleague.com.
Toronto, ON – The hockey landscape is changing, and the Ontario Hockey League is staying ahead of the curve, today unveiling a modernized Standard Player’s Agreement (SPA) that comes into effect for the 2025-26 season.
The newly unveiled SPA continues to provide OHL players with access to the best of both worlds, with an opportunity to play in the game’s number one development league while also pursuing professional and career options through the OHL scholarship program, which sees an increased average annual value provided to recipients under this new model. The OHL scholarship is centrally administered through the league’s head office and has provided more than $42 million in funding from OHL member teams over the past 15 years.
The modernized SPA serves to streamline the process both across the Canadian Hockey League in addition to providing consistency in the scholarship packages accessed by players throughout the OHL. Graduates, many who will go on to compete in NCAA and U SPORTS men’s hockey programs, are eligible to access funding that covers tuition and compulsory fees for eligible universities, colleges, trade schools and OHL-approved career advancing programs toward an undergraduate degree for each year played in the league. Players can also access funding for a wide range of educational expenses during their time in the OHL.
The league’s updated SPA has also been adapted to accommodate player development trajectories that include the NCAA, ensuring they maintain their eligibility to compete within that framework upon graduation from the OHL.
“We’ve seen lots of change in the past several months, and it’s a very exciting time for the OHL as the NCAA becomes another destination for our graduates to continue their development,” said Commissioner Bryan Crawford. “The league is proud to continue offering a premier scholarship opportunity to players as they develop their skills and we’re looking forward to building off this announcement in the months to come as we turn our attention to elevating and investing in the player experience league-wide.”
In addition to educational funding, the league has also increased its summer training allowance provided to players to a total of $2000 per year, up from $1000 under previous parameters.
Experience an exciting day for the next wave of young OHL stars as the league holds its annual Priority Selection presented by Real Canadian Superstore on Friday, April 11 beginning at 7:00pm and Saturday, April 12 beginning at 9:00am. Watch across the province on YourTV, Rogers tv, Eastlink and the OHL Action Pak as well as streaming live for free online on OHL Live as well as the league’s YouTube, X and Facebook channels.
OHL Writers 