OHL Writers’ Draft Eligible Player of the Month: November

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

FORWARD OF THE MONTH: ALEX KOSTOV – FLINT FIREBIRDS

Draft re-entry candidate for 2026, Kostov delivered a statement month in November, piling up 9 goals and 9 assists across 10 games while recording at least one point in every outing. His signature performance came on November 7, when he lit up the North Bay Battalion with four goals. Remarkably, he followed that effort the very next night with a three-goal showing against the Guelph Storm, cementing one of the most memorable back-to-back performances of the season.

Beyond the scoring touch, Kostov was reliable in the faceoff circle, winning 77 of 145 draws for a 53.1% success rate. His efficiency stood out as well—he generated 36 shots on goal and converted at a sharp 25.0% clip.

Other standouts in November included Owen Sound’s Pierce Mbuyi, who posted 6 goals and 11 assists in 13 games, and Ottawa’s Jasper Kuhta, who chipped in 5 goals and 10 assists over 12 contests.

DEFENSEMAN OF THE MONTH: CHASE REID – SOO GREYHOUNDS

Reid continues to generate buzz in draft circles, and November only strengthened his case. The dynamic defenseman produced 7 goals and 5 assists in just 10 games, showcasing his ability to drive offense from the back end. His impact was felt in key moments—two of his tallies came on the power play, while another stood as the game-winner.

Reid’s shot volume was equally impressive, firing 44 pucks on net throughout the month. His most dominant outing came on November 7 against the Guelph Storm, where he peppered the opposition with 8 shots.

Also in the mix was Windsor’s Carson Woodall, our reigning Defenseman of the Month for September and October. Woodall remained steady with 5 goals and 7 assists across 12 games for the Spitfires.

Chase Reid of the Soo Greyhounds. Photo by OHL Images.

GOALTENDER OF THE MONTH: BEN HREBIK – BARRIE COLTS

The OHL Goaltender of the Week (Nov. 10–16) was a clear choice for us here. Hrebik delivered a dominant stretch, going 6-0-1-1 in eight appearances while turning aside 282 of 298 shots for a stellar .946 save percentage. He rose to the occasion under heavy fire, facing 40-plus shots three times and posting a 2-0-0-1 record in those outings. On two other nights, he stopped 39 shots en route to a perfect 2-0-0-0 mark. His consistency was underscored by a sharp 1.96 goals-against average across the month.

Also in the conversation was Peterborough’s Easton Rye, who put together an impressive run of his own. Rye went 8-2-0-0 in 10 games, stopping 326 of 351 shots for a .929 save percentage.

Previous Months

Forward

Caleb Malhotra – Brantford Bulldogs – September

Tristan Delisle – Owen Sound Attack – October

Defenseman

Carson Woodall – Windsor Spitfires – September

Carson Woodall – Windsor Spitfires – October

Chase Reid – Soo Greyhounds – November

Goaltender

Michael Newlove – Windsor Spitfires – September

Vladislav Yermolenko – Niagara IceDogs – October

Ben Hrebik – Barrie Colts – November

OHL ANNOUNCES TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK FOR NOV. 3-9, 2025

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

TORONTO (Monday, November 10, 2025) – The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) today announced Top Performers of the Week for regular season games ending Sunday, November 9, 2025.


Firebirds’ Alex Kostov Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

Flint Firebirds forward Alex Kostov is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, scoring seven goals while adding two assists for nine points with a plus/minus rating of plus-6 over three victories

Kostov opened the week with an assist in Flint’s 3-2 road win over the Soo Greyhounds on Wednesday before exploding for a four-goal performance on Friday as the Firebirds beat the North Bay Battalion 9-3 on home ice. He produced the first instance of back-to-back hat-tricks in Flint Firebirds history on Saturday, scoring three more while adding an assist in a 6-3 victory over the visiting Guelph Storm.

A 19-year-old from Mississauga, ON, Kostov’s 14 goals are good for third-most in the OHL in this, his fourth OHL season. The 6-foot-4, 208Ib. forward has seen time at centre of late, and sits atop Flint scoring with 23 points (14-9–23) over 16 games. Originally Sault Ste. Marie’s third round (58th overall) pick in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, Kostov has gone on to record 107 points (46-61–107) over 202 regular season games between the Greyhounds and Firebirds. He attended training camp with the Nashville Predators this past September.

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)
Oct. 6-12: Jake O’Brien (Brantford Bulldogs)
Oct. 13-19: Adam Benak (Brantford Bulldogs)
Oct. 20-26: Kieron Walton (Sudbury Wolves)
Oct. 27-Nov. 2: Harry Nansi (Owen Sound Attack)
Nov. 3-9: Alex Kostov (Flint Firebirds)


Frontenacs’ Matthew Minchak Named Mary Brown’s Chicken OHL Goaltender of the Week

Kingston Frontenacs netminder Matthew Minchak is the Mary Brown’s Chicken OHL Goaltender of the Week, going 1-1 with a 2.03 goals-against average and .942 save percentage in a pair of road starts.

Minchak got the nod on Friday night in London, earning third star recognition as he kept the Frontenacs in the game with 34 saves in a 2-1 loss. He was back in the crease on Sunday afternoon in Kitchener, turning aside 31 shots in a first star performance as the Frontenacs defeated the Rangers 3-2.

An 18-year-old from Cranford, New Jersey, Minchak is 4-3 with a 2.01 goals-against average and .935 save percentage over eight games this season. Signed as a free agent by the Frontenacs, Minchak is a graduate of the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite U18 club by way of the New Jersey Rockets AAA program. The 6-foot-5 netminder is committed to Colgate University (NCAA).

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)
Oct. 6-12: Mason Vaccari (Flint Firebirds)
Oct. 13-19: Patrick Quinlan (Sarnia Sting)
Oct. 20-26: Ryerson Leenders (Brantford Bulldogs)
Oct. 27-Nov. 2: Aleksei Medvedev (London Knights)
Nov. 3-9: Matthew Minchak (Kingston Frontenacs)


Sting’s Easton Walos Named OHL Rookie of the Week

Sarnia Sting forward Easton Walos is the OHL Rookie of the Week, producing four goals, three assists and seven points over three home games.

Walos started the week with a season-high four points, scoring twice while adding two assists in Sarnia’s 6-4 school day victory over the Owen Sound Attack on Wednesday. He built-off this first star performance on Friday, opening the scoring in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Brampton Steelheads. Walos was back in the multi-point category on Sunday, scoring his eighth goal of the season before adding an assist as the Sting defeated the North Bay Battalion 6-5 in overtime.

A 16-year-old from Hartland, Wisconsin, Walos sits second in Sting scoring with 15 points (8-7–15) over 18 games, good for fourth among OHL rookies. The 5-foot-11, 192Ib. centre was Sarnia’s 11th round (203rd overall) pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection from Mount St. Charles Academy. He spent 2024-25 with the BCHL’s Salmon Arm Silverbacks, recording 18 points (7-11–18) over 48 games. Walos is a prospect for the 2027 NHL Draft.

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)
Oct. 6-12: Jaxon Cover (London Knights)
Oct. 13-19: Ryder Cali (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 20-26: Jaakko Wycisk (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 27-Nov. 2: Ryder Fetterolf (Ottawa 67’s)
Nov. 3-9: Easton Walos (Sarnia Sting)


Knights Prospect Jake Ritson Named GOHL Prospect of the Week

London Knights prospect Jake Ritson of the Strathroy Rockets is the GOHL Prospect of the Week, recording three goals, two assists and five points in a pair of games.

Ritson found the back of the net twice and added an assist on Friday as the Rockets fell by a score of 6-4 in St. Thomas. He put together another multi-point performance at home on Saturday, scoring while adding an assist as Strathroy defeated the Sarnia Legionnaires 8-1.

A 16-year-old from Thunder Bay, ON, Ritson leads Strathroy with 26 points (7-19–26) over 18 games, good for third amongst GOHL rookies. The 6-foot-1, 150Ib. forward was London’s fifth round (88th overall) pick out of Rink Hockey Academy in Winnipeg in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection. Ritson becomes the second Knights prospect to claim the honour this season.

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)
Oct. 6-12: Caden Bell (St. Catharines Falcons/Niagara IceDogs)
Oct. 13-19: Reed Straus (Elmira Sugar Kings/Oshawa Generals)
Oct. 20-26: Gensen Geldart (Chatham Maroons/Saginaw Spirit)
Oct. 27-Nov. 2: Lyndon Cabral (Listowel Cyclones/Erie Otters)
Nov. 2-9: Jake Ritson (Strathroy Rockets/London Knights)

OHL ANNOUNCES ACADEMIC PLAYERS OF THE MONTH FOR OCTOBER

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Denver Barkey of the London Knights, Kieron Walton of the Sudbury Wolves, Brad Gardiner of the Ottawa 67’s and Alex Kostov of the Soo Greyhounds have been named Academic Players of the Month for October.

East Division: Ottawa 67’s forward Brad Gardiner is the OHL East Division Academic Player of the Month for October.

Gardiner, who was also named East Division Academic Player of the Month in February 2022, is achieving an 89.5 percent average in grade 12 university-level Advanced Functions, Business Management and Elite Athlete at Blyth Academy The Glebe. He is on track to graduate a semester early due to his conscientious work ethic and perseverance at carrying both spring and summer courses.

“The 67’s organization continues to be impressed by Brad’s ability to balance his on and off ice responsibilities”, said 67’s General Manager James Boyd. “Brad is a diligent student who continues to impress with his development on and off of the ice.”

The 17-year-old from Aurora, Ont. has played 11 games this season, recording six goals and three assists for a total of nine points. The son of former NHL forward Bruce Gardiner, Gardiner put up seven points (3-4–7) in his rookie season with the 67’s. He was Ottawa’s third round (40th overall) pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection.

Central Division: Sudbury Wolves rookie forward Kieron Walton is the OHL Central Division Academic Player of the Month for October.

Walton is currently achieving high grades in Entrepreneurship, World History, Co-op, and World Religions at St. Charles College. Walton’s teachers have described him as a student that shows positive initiative and is a cooperative team member in the classroom.

“Kieron is an excellent student, a great young player and an outstanding person”, said Wolves academic advisor Gord Ewin.

The 16-year-old from Toronto, Ont. has played 11 games this season, recording three goals and one assist for a total of four points. The 6-foot-6, 203Ib. left-winger was selected in the second round (28th overall) by the Wolves in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection.

Midwest Division: London Knights draft-eligible forward Denver Barkey is the OHL Midwest Division Academic Player of the Month for October.

Barkey is currently achieving an 87 percent average in English, a 95 percent average in Recreation Leadership, an 80 percent average in World History, and a 95 percent average in Elite Athlete at Catholic Central High School.

“Denver is an exemplary student-athlete,” said Knights academic advisor Wendy Glover. “He understands the demands of the classroom, and not only meets them but also exceeds them. He exemplifies the academic and learning skills that Ontario students are encouraged to demonstrate such as: responsibility, initiative, collaboration, self-regulation and independent work. He demonstrates the behavior that the London Knights and OHL would be proud of.”

“Not only does Denver model appropriate behavior in the classroom, he also made a commitment to support the local and school community,” said Knights General Manager Mark Hunter. “He attends various other school sports or community events/fundraisers. In doing so, he clearly demonstrates a commitment to the concept that he values the contributions and lives of other students and community members, as well as his teammates.”

The Newmarket, Ont. native has played 11 games this season, recording three goals and eight assists for the Knights. His rookie season in 2021-22 included 15 points (7-8–15) over 53 contests. London selected Barkey in the first round (16th overall) of the 2021 OHL Priority Selection.

West Division: Soo Greyhounds rookie forward Alex Kostov is the OHL West Division Academic Player of the Month for October.

Kostov has earned an overall average of 91 percent to date, including marks of 100 percent in Advanced Biology, a 95 percent average in Leadership, an 82-percentage average in Functions, and a 90 percent average in Culinary Arts at Superior Heights Secondary School.

“Alex is highly respected by his classmates, teachers and school staff,” said Greyhounds academic advisors Jerry Bumbacco and Mary Lynne Lukenda. “We are looking forward to following Alex’s academics and on-ice achievements as he progresses as a valuable member of the Soo Greyhounds.”

The rookie from Mississauga, Ont. has appeared in eight games this season, recording two assists. Kostov was selected in the third round (58th overall) by the Hounds in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection.
 

The OHL continues to produce student-athletes that move on to both professional and U SPORTS men’s hockey endeavours.

A total of 349 graduates utilized their OHL Scholarship at post-secondary institutions across North America during the 2021-22 academic year, with a total contribution by teams of over $3.5 million. Over the past 10 seasons, OHL Scholarship payments have totalled more than $25 million.

A total of 217 OHL Alumni were included on U SPORTS men’s hockey rosters to open the 2022-23 season.

Click here for more information about ‘OHL Players First’ programs.


About the Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the world’s largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American states. In addition to the OHL, the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League and U SPORTS than any other league.