OHL ANNOUNCES TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK FOR DEC. 15-21, 2025

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

TORONTO (Monday, December 22, 2025) – The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, December 21, 2025.


Wolves’ Alex Pharand Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

Sudbury Wolves forward Alex Pharand is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, scoring five times while adding an assist over a pair of victories.

Pharand scored a pair of first period goals in Sudbury’s 4-1 road win over the Barrie Colts on Thursday. He starred in a second straight game on Friday, scoring three times while adding an assist in a 6-2 win over the Guelph Storm on home ice. He finished with a plus-5 rating in the Wolves’ fourth straight win.

A 20-year-old from Sudbury, Pharand has eight goals, 14 assists and 22 points over 33 games in his fifth OHL season. The former first round (14th overall) pick by the Hamilton Bulldogs in 2021 has collected 66 goals, 98 assists and 164 points over 289 career regular season games spent between the Wolves and the Bulldogs. The 6-foot-3, 198Ib. right win was a fourth round (99th overall) pick by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2023, but went unsigned. Pharand’s international experience includes a bronze medal won with Canada at the 2023 IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championship.

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)
Nov. 10-16: Nathan Aspinall (Flint Firebirds)
Nov. 17-23: Marek Vanacker (Brantford Bulldogs)
Nov. 24-30: Kieron Walton (Sudbury Wolves)
Dec. 1-7: Alex McLean (Guelph Storm)
Dec. 8-14: Christopher Brown (Soo Greyhounds)
Dec. 15-21: Alex Pharand (Sudbury Wolves)


67’s’ Ryder Fetterolf Named Mary Brown’s Chicken OHL Goaltender of the Week

Ottawa 67’s netminder Ryder Fetterolf is the Mary Brown’s Chicken OHL Goaltender of the Week, going 2-0 with a 0.50 goals-against average, .979 save percentage and one shutout.

Fetterolf’s impressive first half drew to a close with wins over Peterborough and Brantford. He turned aside 27-of-28 at home on Friday, carrying a shutout into the final two minutes of the third period as the 67’s beat the Petes 4-1. He helped send the 67’s into the holiday break on a six-game winning streak on Saturday, making 19 saves for his third shutout of the season as Ottawa claimed first place in the OHL standings with a 6-0 win over Brantford.

A 17-year-old from Sewickley, Pennsylvania, Fetterolf owns a record of 17-3-1-0 with a league-low 1.93 goals-against average and .928 save percentage with three shutouts over 21 contests. His first half has included OHL Rookie of the Month honours for November, along with OHL Rookie of the Week recognition two different times. The NHL Draft eligible Fetterolf was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Gilmour Academy where he excelled in their prep hockey program last season. He is committed to Penn State 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)
Nov. 10-16: Ben Hrebik (Barrie Colts)
Nov. 17-23: Easton Rye (Peterborough Petes)
Nov. 24-30: Zach Bowen (Brampton Steelheads)
Dec. 1-7: Vladislav Yermolenko (Niagara IceDogs)
Dec. 8-14: Mason Vaccari (Flint Firebirds)
Dec. 15-21: Ryder Fetterolf (Ottawa 67’s)


Knights’ Caleb Mitchell Named OHL Rookie of the Week

London Knights defenceman Caleb Mitchell is the OHL Rookie of the Week, producing a goal and three assists over three wins to close out the first half.

Mitchell pitched in with a pair of assists on Wednesday night in Owen Sound, helping the Knights defeat the Attack 5-4 in overtime. He was back on the scoresheet Saturday night, scoring while adding an assist in a 4-0 road win over the Barrie Colts.

A 17-year-old from Omemee, ON, Mitchell has 11 points (2-9–11) over 27 games in his first OHL season. The 5-foot-11, 180Ib. left shot defenceman was chosen by the Knights in the second round (39th overall) of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection from the Peterborough Petes AAA program. Mitchell spent the 2024-25 season with the GOHL’s London Nationals, recording 28 points (9-19–28) over 34 games. He also won World Under-17 Challenge gold as a member of Team Canada White.

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)
Nov. 10-16: Ryder Fetterolf (Ottawa 67’s)
Nov. 17-23: Caleb Malhotra (Brantford Bulldogs)
Nov. 24-30: Levi Harper (Saginaw Spirit)
Dec. 1-7: Caleb Malhotra (Brantford Bulldogs)
Dec. 8-14: Robin Kuzma (Kingston Frontenacs
Dec. 15-21: Caleb Mitchell (London Knights)


Attack Prospect Alexander Lisi Named GOHL Prospect of the Week

Owen Sound Attack prospect Alexander Lisi of the Chatham Maroons is the GOHL Prospect of the Week, recording a goal and four assists, along with a shootout game-winner over a pair of victories.

Lisi tallied a season-high five points (1-4–5) in Friday’s 8-4 road win over the Waterloo Siskins. He emerged as the shootout hero in the back half of the home-and-home on Sunday, scoring a beautiful shootout winner as the Maroons beat the Siskins 2-1, sending them into the holidays atop the Western Conference with a 24-5-1-2 record.

A 16-year-old from Tecumseh, ON, Lisi has 12 goals, 18 assists and 30 points over 32 games in his first GOHL season. The 6-foot, 183Ib. forward was Owen Sound’s seventh round (128th overall) pick in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection from the ALLIANCE champion Sun County Panthers. He’ll represent Team Scheifele in the 2026 GOHL Top Prospects Game presented by Milk on Tuesday, January 13th in Peterborough.

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)
Nov. 10-16: Ulysses Lombardi (Waterloo Siskins/Flint Firebirds)
Nov. 17-23: Alex Campeau (London Nationals/London Knights)
Nov. 24-30: William Camputaro (St. Thomas Stars/Soo Greyhounds)
Dec. 1-7: Ian Robinson (Port Colborne Sailors/Kitchener Rangers)
Dec. 8-14: Kalyn McQueen (Cambridge RedHawks/Soo Greyhounds)
Dec. 15-21: Alexander Lisi (Chatham Maroons/Owen Sound Attack)

Alex Pharand – Sudbury Wolves – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano
Alex Pharand of the Sudbury Wolves. Photo by Natalie Shaver/OHL Images
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6’3”1981-5-05C/RWR14th 202154 N ACANADA
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2021-2022OHLHamilton Bulldogs23134
2021-2022OHLSudbury Wolves335510
2022-2023WJC U-18Canada7011
2022-2023OHLSudbury Wolves67182139

A big body who has deceptive speed for his size and knows how to use both is the best way to describe Sudbury Wolves winger/center Alex Pharand. He drives the net, uses his size extremely well to take away the goaltender’s vision, plays a straight north-south game, gets in on the forecheck and disrupts plays effectively and is near impossible to knock off the puck when in the cycle.

Those assets alone will get Pharand a lengthy look at the draft and those assets translate to the next level. He will score some at the next level as well, but they’ll mostly come from cleaning up the loose pucks in front. He doesn’t really possess an overwhelming shot that he can beat goaltenders with, nor do I believe he has the puck skills or the playmaking skills to be a driver on a line.

Pharand put up decent numbers but consistency was an issue. His second half of the season was not great with just 3 of his 18 goals coming in the second half. And for the most part, he looked overwhelmed at the WJC U-18 often trying to do too much rather than play a simple game.

His skill set will allow him to play a fourth line role in the NHL, provide some energy and create offensive zone time, but for him to become a third liner, he will have to find consistency in the goal scoring department and work on his shot.

WOLVES’ ALEX PHARAND ADDED TO 2023 KUBOTA CHL/NHL TOP PROSPECTS GAME

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Canadian Hockey League announced today that Sudbury Wolves forward Alex Pharand has been added to the 2023 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game set to take place on Wednesday, January 25 in Langley, BC.

Pharand will replace injured Wolves teammate Quentin Musty in the game, suiting up for Team Red.

An 18-year-old from Sudbury, Pharand has 27 points (16-11–27) in 38 games this season for his hometown Wolves. The 6-foot-3, 198Ib. right-winger has also spent time down the middle this season. Pharand recorded 14 points (6-8–14) in 56 games between the Wolves and Hamilton Bulldogs last season. He was selected by Hamilton with the 14th overall pick of the 2021 OHL Priority Selection. NHL Central Scouting listed Pharand as the 54th-ranked skater in North America on their midseason list last week.

Additionally, the CHL announced that Soo Greyhounds defenceman Andrew Gibson will not compete in the game due to injury. He has been replaced on Team White by Halifax Mooseheads defenceman Dylan MacKinnon.

For more information on the 2023 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, visit chl.ca.


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.

24 OHL PLAYERS NAMED TO HOCKEY CANADA UNDER-17 ROSTER FOR INAUGURAL CAPITAL CITY CHALLENGE

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League is pleased to congratulate 24 OHL players named by Hockey Canada to the Under-17 roster set to participate at the inaugural Capital City Challenge, a four-team tournament featuring three men’s under-17 teams and Canada’s National Women’s Team to take place November 26 to December 1 at TD Place in Ottawa.

The 66 players named to compete in the event will be divided into three teams – Team Canada Black, Team Canada Red and Team Canada White – and will compete against Canada’s National Women’s Team as part of its centralization schedule. The rosters for Team Canada Black, Team Canada Red and Team Canada White will be unveiled in the coming weeks.

The under-17 roster was selected by Scott Salmond (Creston, B.C.), senior vice-president of hockey operations, Alan Millar (Tottenham, Ont.), director of player personnel, and Byron Bonora (Brooks, Alta.), head scout for the U17 program. U17 Program of Excellence management group lead Philippe Boucher (Saint-Apollinaire, Que./Drummondville, QMJHL) and manager of hockey operations Benoit Roy (Sudbury, Ont.), as well as regional scouts Pierre Cholette (Quebec), Rob Simpson (Ontario), Darren Sutherland (Atlantic) and Darrell Woodley (Ontario), also provided input with support from Hockey Canada’s 13 Members.

“We are excited to unveil the 66 players that will suit up for our three men’s under-17 teams at the Capital City Challenge and have the unique opportunity to compete against Canada’s National Women’s Team in Ottawa,” said Salmond. “Although this has not been a traditional year for our Program of Excellence and the under-17 group, we are excited to introduce these athletes to an event that replicates short-term, international competition.”

In addition to the 24 OHL players selected, a total of nine OHL hockey operations personnel have been named to the staffs of the three Canadian squads including Team Red director of operations Kyle Raftis (Soo Greyhounds), Team White head coach Rob Wilson (Peterborough Petes), assistant Chad Wiseman (Guelph Storm) and Team Black assistant coach Jordan Smith (Soo Greyhounds).

24 OHL Players Named to 2021 Capital City Challenge:

*player committed to Ontario Hockey League club

Goaltenders (3):
Joseph Costanzo (Niagara IceDogs)
Nathaniel Day (Flint Firebirds)
Mason Vaccari (Kingston Frontenacs)*

Defencemen (6):
Beau Akey (Barrie Colts)
Cam Allen (Guelph Storm)
Tristan Bertucci (Flint Firebirds)
Oliver Bonk (London Knights)*
Alexis Daviault (Sarnia Sting)
Olivier Savard (Saginaw Spirit

Forwards (15):
Denver Barkey (London Knights)
Chris Barlas (Ottawa 67’s)
Colby Barlow (Owen Sound Attack)
Easton Cowan (London Knights)*
Nick Lardis (Peterborough Petes)
Luke McNamara (Saginaw Spirit)
Ethan Miedema (Windsor Spitfires)
Luke Misa (Mississauga Steelheads)
Owen Outwater (North Bay Battalion)
Alex Pharand (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Luca Pinelli (Ottawa 67’s)
Carson Rehkopf (Kitchener Rangers)
Calum Ritchie (Oshawa Generals)
Matthew Soto (Kingston Frontenacs)
Carey Terrance (Erie Otters)

Team Staff (Canada Black):
Assistant Coach – Jordan Smith (Soo Greyhounds)
Athletic Therapist – Marie-Pierre Néron (Ottawa 67’s)

Team Staff (Canada Red):
Director of Operations – Kyle Raftis (Soo Greyhounds)
Goaltending Coach – Franky Palazzese (Sarnia Sting)
Video Coach – Nick Biamonte (Guelph Storm)
Equipment Manager – Spencer Stehouwer (Sarnia Sting)
Team Physician – Dr. Wanda Millard (London Knights)

Team Staff (Canada White):
Head Coach – Rob Wilson (Peterborough Petes)
Assistant Coach – Chad Wiseman (Guelph Storm)

The Capital City Challenge opens on Nov. 26 at TD Place Arena, home of the Ottawa 67’s. Canada’s centralization roster will face Team Canada White in the tournament opener at 12 p.m. ET, followed by Team Canada Black taking on Team Canada Red at 7 p.m. ET.

Full-event ticket packages can be purchased for $80 (plus applicable fees) starting Monday, Nov. 8, while single-game tickets will be available starting as low as $5 at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets.

For more information on Hockey Canada and the Capital City Challenge, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and by using #OurGameIsBack.


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.