TORONTO, ON – The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) today unveiled its Week 2 edition of the CHL Top-10 Rankings presented by Delta Hotels by Marriott for the 2025-26 season.
The Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (4-0-0-0) of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) holds No. 1 for a second straight week after extending their perfect start, led by NHL prospects Jakub Milota and Arseni Radkov in goal and a CHL-best eight assists from Vincent Desjardins. Right behind, the Windsor Spitfires (5-0-0-0) of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) remain unbeaten with the CHL’s top goal differential (+19), while the Brantford Bulldogs (2-0-1-0) climb to No. 3 on the strength of Caleb Malhotra’s five-point performance in a 7-2 win over Sudbury.
Further down, the 2026 Memorial Cup hosts, the Kelowna Rockets (2-1-0-0) of the Western Hockey League (WHL), rose two spots to No. 8 after sweeping Penticton, powered by 2025 CHL Import Draft first-overall pick Tomas Poletin’s three goals and four points in his debut weekend. At No. 10, the Owen Sound Attack (4-0-0-0) of the OHL entered the rankings after extending their undefeated streak to four games, backstopped by the stellar tandem of Carter George and Trenten Bennett, including a 5-2 win over No. 6 Kitchener.
For the 2025-26 season, fans can catch every game with FloHockey streaming the OHL and QMJHL, and Victory+ serving as the home of the WHL. FloHockey features full regular-season and playoff coverage for the OHL and QMJHL, while Victory+ offers free access to every WHL game along with playoffs and more.
TORONTO (Monday, September 29, 2025) – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for regular season games from Thursday, September 25 and Sunday, September 28, 2025.
IceDogs’ Ethan Czata named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week
Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Ethan Czata of the Niagara IceDogs is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording five points over a pair of road wins.
Czata returned from Lightning training camp to help the IceDogs defeat the Saginaw Spirit 5-4 in a shootout on Friday night, recording an assist before scoring twice in a span of 2:29 to close-out the second period. He’d convert in the shootout to help Niagara pick-up two points before factoring into another win on Saturday, registering a goal and an assist as the IceDogs blanked the Flint Firebirds 4-0.
An 18-year-old from Brampton, Czata returns for his third season in Niagara coming-off 21 goals, 34 assists and 55 points over 68 games in 2024-25. Internationally, he’s helped Canada win gold at both the World U18 Hockey Championship and Hlinka-Gretzky Cup as well as the World U17 Hockey Challenge. Czata was chosen by Tampa Bay in the second round (56th overall) this past summer and signed an entry-level deal with the Lightning on July 22nd. He was originally Niagara’s first round (fifth overall) pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection.
Also considered for the award this week, Soo Greyhounds forward Jordan Charron recorded six points (4-2–6) over three games as the Hounds won a pair of games on the road.
2025-26 Cogeco OHL Player of the Week Sept. 18-21: Cole Davis (Windsor Spitfires) Sept. 22-28: Ethan Czata (Niagara IceDogs)
Spitfires’ Joey Costanzo named Mary Brown’s Chicken OHL Goaltender of the Week
Joey Costanzo of the Windsor Spitfires is the Mary Brown’s Chicken OHL Goaltender of the Week, going 2-0 with a 0.50 goals-against average, a .980 save percentage and one shutout.
Costanzo turned in a 17-save shutout on Thursday as the Spitfires defeated the Sudbury Wolves 4-0 at the WFCU Centre. He was back in the crease on Saturday night in Barrie, earning second star honours with 31 saves as the Spitfires defeated the Colts 3-1. Barrie outshot Windsor 20-3 in the third period, with Costanzo turning aside 19 of those attempts.
A 20-year-old from Toronto, Costanzo is embarking on this fifth OHL season, coming off a 2024-25 campaign that saw him go 34-10-3-1 with a 2.94 goals-against average and .892 save percentage over 51 games. His 73 career wins as a Spitfire are the third-most in franchise history behind Michael DiPietro and Andrew Engelage. Costanzo recently attended Philadelphia Flyers training camp. He was Niagara’s second round (23rd overall) pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection.
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)
Bulldogs’ Caleb Malhotra named OHL Rookie of the Week
NHL Draft eligible Brantford Bulldogs forward Caleb Malhotra is the OHL Rookie of the Week, recording five points in Saturday’s 7-2 win over the Sudbury Wolves.
Malhotra teamed-up with fellow newcomer Cooper Dennis at the TD Civic Centre, scoring twice while adding three assists as the Bulldogs beat Sudbury to improve to 2-0-1-0 on the season. The 6-foot-2, 182Ib. centreman scored the deciding goal on the power play with 2:55 remaining in the second period and would later set up Adam Benak’s first OHL goal on the penalty kill late in the third.
Malhotra, from Toronto, is Brantford’s early-season scoring leader with eight points (3-5–8) through his first three games. The Bulldogs acquired Malhotra from the Kingston Frontenacs in a trade on Sept. 12, 2024 after he was originally selected eighth overall by Kingston in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. Malhotra spent 2024-25 with the BCHL’s Chilliwack Chiefs, producing 26 points (8-18–26) over 44 games. The Vaughan Kings AAA graduate is committed to Boston University (NCAA).
2025-26 OHL Rookie of the Week Sept. 18-21: Thomas Vandenberg (Ottawa 67’s) Sept. 22-28: Caleb Malhotra (Brantford Bulldogs)
Rangers prospect Alex Forrest named GOHL Prospect of the Week
Kitchener Rangers defence prospect Alex Forrest of the Cambridge RedHawks is the GOHL Prospect of the Week, recording five points over his first two games in the GOHL.
The 16-year-old defenceman found the back of the net in his GOHL debut on Thursday, helping the RedHawks defeat the host Ayr Centennials 7-3. He helped Cambridge hang-up a crooked number at home against the Welland Jr. Canadians on Saturday, posting four assists in a 15-2 triumph as the RedHawks improved to a perfect 6-0 to start the year.
A native of Grimsby, ON, Forrest was chosen by the Rangers with the second round (24th overall) pick of the 2025 OHL Priority Selection. The 5-foot-11, 157Ib. left-shot blueliner recorded one assist over five preseason games with Kitchener and appeared in the club’s first two games of the regular season. He registered 39 points (10-29–39) over 34 games with the OMHA’s Oakville Rangers U16 AAA team last season, before joining the GOHL’s St. Catharines Falcons to post four points (1-3–4) over 13 games during their playoff run last spring.
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)
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.
TORONTO, ON – The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) today unveiled its Week 1 edition of the CHL Top-10 Rankings presented by Delta Hotels by Marriott for the 2025-26 season.
Leading the list are the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL), Windsor Spitfires (OHL), and Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL), each off to dominant 2-0-0-0 starts. The Armada retained their spot at No. 1 with back-to-back road wins highlighted by a record-setting performance from Matt Gosselin, while Windsor impressed with an offensive surge led by Cole Davis that included a statement win over the defending Memorial Cup champion London Knights. Edmonton also looked strong, sweeping Red Deer behind standout performances from Luke Powell and Dylan Dean while holding a commanding edge in shots.
Adding to the week’s storylines, the QMJHL’s newest franchise, the Newfoundland Regiment, debuted in the rankings at No. 8 after sweeping Moncton in their first-ever weekend, and the Everett Silvertips entered at No. 9 following a thrilling comeback victory over Wenatchee.
For the 2025-26 season, fans can catch every game with FloHockey streaming the OHL and QMJHL, and Victory+ serving as the home of the WHL. FloHockey features full regular-season and playoff coverage for the OHL and QMJHL, while Victory+ offers free access to every WHL game along with playoffs and more.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The puck has dropped on the 2025 Ontario Hockey League preseason, signaling that the return of hockey is fast approaching. And right behind it? Our deep dive into the 2026 NHL Entry Draft is gearing up as well. Get ready—it’s going to be a thrilling season on and off the ice.
Today, we’re spotlighting every player attending OHL training camps who’s eligible for the upcoming NHL Draft in June. While many won’t crack their team’s opening night lineup, they’re still part of the conversation. This comprehensive list features not only first-time draft-eligible prospects but also those previously passed over in earlier drafts. The “draft year” simply marks the year each player first became eligible.
Players born between January 1, 2006, and September 15, 2026, who haven’t been drafted previously remain eligible for selection. Those with birthdays from September 16, 2025, to September 15, 2026, are entering their first year of draft eligibility.
OHL Writers 