Caleb Malhotra of the Brantford Bull Dogs, Photo by OHL Images.
FORWARD OF THE MONTH: CALEB MALHOTRA – BRANTFORD BULLDOGS
This one was essentially a toss‑up between Malhotra and Niagara’s Ryan Roobroeck, but the final nod ultimately went to Malhotra.
Malhotra posted 8 goals and 9 assists across 10 December games for Brantford, finishing the month at plus‑6. He was held off the scoresheet only once — a 6–0 loss to the Ottawa 67’s on December 20 — and recorded multi‑point efforts in seven outings. Notably, three of his eight goals stood as game‑winners. His standout month earned him OHL Rookie of the Month honors for December.
Roobroeck recorded 8 goals and 10 assists over 11 games in December, being held off the scoresheet only once while finishing the month at plus‑10. He posted five multi‑point outings and notched two game‑winning goals during the stretch.
DEFENSEMAN OF THE MONTH: ANTHONY CRISTOFORO – WINDSOR SPITFIRES
The draft re-entry defenseman had 6 goals and 6 assists through 8 games in the month of December, including a hattrick against the Soo Greyhounds on December 18. Cristoforo had at least one point in each of his six games and was a plus-8 for the month. He was named the OHL Defenseman of the Month for December.
Also in the mix was London Knights defenseman Andoni Fimis, who posted 3 goals and 8 assists over 11 December games, as well as Soo Greyhounds’ Chase Reid, who recorded 4 goals and 3 assists in just four outings while away representing the United States at the World Junior Championship.
GOALTENDER OF THE MONTH: BEN HREBIK – BARRIE COLTS
Hrebik earns the nod for a second straight month after posting a 5‑2‑0‑0 record and turning aside 246 of 259 shots for a .950 save percentage in December. He faced at least 40 shots in four of those outings, further underscoring his impact.
Only one goaltender in the OHL has faced more shots than Hrebik this season — 977 to his 947 — and that netminder has appeared in six additional games. Hrebik continues to lead the league with a .930 save percentage. He was named the OHL Goaltender of the Month for December.
TORONTO (Thursday, January 1, 2026) – The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) today announced Top Performers of the Month for December.
Player of the Month – Riley Patterson (Niagara IceDogs) – 11 GP, 9G, 10A, 19 PTS., +7 Leading the OHL with 19 points (9-10–19) over 11 games during the month of December, Vancouver Canucks prospect Riley Patterson of the Niagara IceDogs is the OHL Player of the Month. Patterson’s month featured seven different multi-point efforts, including a pair of overtime game-winners. He started things off with three points (1-2–3) on Dec. 5th at Brampton, scored 1:31 into overtime on Dec. 7th vs. North Bay, and registered his first of two two-goal efforts on Dec. 18th at Peterborough. His second included another overtime game-winner on Dec. 20th at home to the Sarnia Sting. Patterson put together another three-point outing (1-2–3) on Dec. 29th at Brampton as the IceDogs won by a score of 4-3.
A 19-year-old from Burlington, ON, Patterson sits fifth in OHL scoring with 45 points (21-24–45) over 33 games in this, his fourth OHL season. Acquired from the Barrie Colts last summer, Patterson has produced 166 points (75-91–166) over 165 career regular season games after entering the league as Flint’s third round (57th overall) pick in 2022. He was selected by Vancouver in the fourth round (125th overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft, and signed a three-year entry-level NHL contract with Vancouver on Sept. 21, 2025. Patterson is a former OHL Cup champion, winning as a member of the GTHL’s Mississauga Senators in 2022. Patterson also holds the distinction of being a former OJHL and CJHL Rookie of the Year, producing 73 points (30-43–73) over 52 games during the 2022-23 season with the North York Rangers.
Defenceman of the Month – Anthony Cristoforo (Windsor Spitfires) – 8 GP, 6G, 6A, 12 PTS., +8 Anthony Cristoforo of the Windsor Spitfires is the OHL Defenceman of the Month, producing 12 points (6-6–12) over eight games accompanied by a plus-8 rating. The fourth-year veteran had a point in all eight of his December outings, highlighted by a four-point effort (3-1–4) on Dec. 18th vs. Sault Ste. Marie, a game he happened to see some assignments up on the Spitfires’ forward ranks. He also put together a two-goal performance on Dec. 11th at Peterborough as the Spitfires won 6-3.
A 19-year-old from Woodbridge, ON, Cristoforo has produced at over a point-per-game in 2025-26, recording 33 points (10-23–33) over 30 contests with a plus-14 rating. The 6-foot, 180Ib. right-shot blueliner sits fifth in all-time points by a Spitfires defenceman with 172 (35-137–172) over 224 career regular season contests. Cristoforo was a first round (22nd overall) pick by Windsor in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection.
Goaltender of the Month – Ben Hrebik (Barrie Colts) – 7 GP, 5-2-0-0, 1.86 GAA, .950 SV%, 246 SV Kept busy during the month of December, Ben Hrebik of the Barrie Colts is the OHL Goaltender of the Month for a second straight month, going 5-2 with a 1.86 goals-against average and .950 save percentage while making 246 saves. Hrebik faced 40 or more shots four different times in December, winning in three of those four instances. He turned aside 39-of-40 shots on Dec. 6th in a 2-1 win at Kingston, made 42 saves on Dec. 13th as the Colts defeated the visiting Niagara IceDogs 2-1, and made an additional 45 saves on Dec. 28th as Barrie beat the North Bay Battalion 3-1 on the road.
A 19-year-old from Milton, ON, Hrebik has been the OHL’s busiest goaltender, making a league-leading 881 saves, resulting in an impressive .930 save percentage to go with a 2.61 goals-against average and 14-7-1-3 record over 25 games. The 6-foot-3, 204Ib. goaltender is in his second full OHL season after going 21-9-2-0 with a 2.87 goals-against average and .920 save percentage over 34 games in 2024-25. The Colts selected Hrebik in the ninth round (173rd overall) of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection.
Rookie of the Month – Caleb Malhotra (Brantford Bulldogs) – 10 GP, 7G, 9A, 16 PTS., +6 Brantford Bulldogs centreman Caleb Malhotra is the OHL Rookie of the Month, producing 16 points (7-9–16) over 10 games accompanied by a plus/minus rating of plus-6. With the absence of teammates Jett Luchanko (Canada) and Adam Benak (Czechia) at the World Juniors, Malhotra was thrust into an elevated role and excelled, helping Brantford continue its strong first half, playing to a record of 25-6-4-1. The 6-foot-2, 182Ib. pivot recorded points in nine of his 10 December outings, headlined by three points (1-2–3) on Dec. 6th in a 7-2 win vs. North Bay. Malhotra scored twice on Dec. 19th in Kingston, netting the game-winner in a 4-2 triumph over the Frontenacs. He earned first star honours in Wednesday’s 5-2 win over the Erie Otters, recording a goal and an assist.
A 17-year-old from Toronto, Malhotra leads OHL rookies with 48 points (18-30–48) over 35 games. The son of former OHL and NHL forward Manny Malhotra was originally selected by the Kingston Frontenacs in the first round (8th overall) of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection, and was acquired by the Bulldogs on Sept. 12, 2024. He captained Team CHL in this year’s CHL/USA Prospects Challenge, and will represent the Western Conference in the 2026 Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game on Jan. 14th. Malhotra is an A-rated prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft. He is committed to Boston University (NCAA).
2025-26 OHL Performers of the Month:
Player of the Month: December – Riley Patterson (Niagara IceDogs) November – Nathan Aspinall (Flint Firebirds) October – Jake O’Brien (Brantford Bulldogs)
Defenceman of the Month: December – Anthony Cristoforo (Windsor Spitfires) November – Adam Jiricek (Brantford Bulldogs) October – Carson Woodall (Windsor Spitfires)
Goaltender of the Month: December – Ben Hrebik (Barrie Colts) November – Ben Hrebik (Barrie Colts) October – Joey Costanzo (Windsor Spitfires)
Rookie of the Month: December – Caleb Malhotra (Brantford Bulldogs) November – Ryder Fetterolf (Ottawa 67’s) October – Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit)
Michael Misa of the Saginaw Spirit. Photo by Natalie Shaver/OHL Images
Forward of the Month – Michael Misa – Saginaw Spirit
We may as well start calling this the Misa Award. The top prospect for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft appeared in 14 games in February and scored 17 goals and added 17 assists. He registered at least one point in all 14 games, had 6 multi goal games, 6 multi assist games and 12 multi point games, 5 game winning goals and 9 powerplay goals and is currently riding a 25-game point streak starting back on December 29.
Also considered was the Soo Greyhounds Marco Mignosa. He appeared in 13 games in February and scored 13 goals and assisted on 14. He had 4 multi-goal games and 6 multi-assist games with 9 multi-point games during the month. He was held off the score sheet just once on February 9 in Oshawa.
Defenceman of the Month – Anthony Cristoforo – Windsor Spitfires
A great month of February saw Cristoforo climb to the top of the scoring race among draft eligible defencemen. Appearing in 12 games during the month, Cristoforo scored once and added 16 assists. He was held off the scoresheet just once on February 5 against Saginaw. He had 5 multi point games and his lone goal came on the powerplay. He only managed 15 shots on goal with 5 of them coming on February 22 in Flint.
Also considered was Alexis Daviault of the Erie Otters. He appeared in 12 games in February and scored once while adding 10 assists but his production came in bunches with 3-three assist games.
Goaltender of the Month – Jack Ivankovic – Brampton Steelheads
This wasn’t the easiest choice because of the discrepancy in games played, but we ultimately decided on Ivankovic here. He posted a 5-1-0-0 record while stopping 165 of 176 shots for a .938 save percentage.
Also considered was his partner Brayden Gillespie who went 4-1-0-0 and stopped 165 of 176 shots for a .926 save percentage. Mike McIvor of the North Bay Battalion went 5-3-0-0 and stopped 226 of 248 shots for a .911 save percentage.
Forward of the Month – Michael Misa – Saginaw Spirit
Misa continues to charge towards his goal-a-game and assist-a-game pace and January was no different as he notched 9 goals and 13 helpers in just 10 games. Misa was held without a goal in just 3 of those 10 games and without an assist in just 1 game. He now has 39 goals and 45 assists in 42 games played on the season.
Also considered was Misa’s teammate Kristian Epperson. He posted 5 goals and 9 assists in just 7 games. Jake O’Brien of the Brantford Bulldogs had 5 goals and 11 assists in 13 games in January.
Michael Misa of the Saginaw Spirit. Photo by Natalie Shaver/OHL Images
Defenceman of the Month – Anthony Cristoforo – Windsor Spitfires
Cristoforo appeared in 11 games for the Spitfires in January and scored 5 goals while adding 5 assists in what was his best offensive output on the season. On January 16 at home to Sudbury, he put up 7 shots on goal for a season high and still managed a 27.7 shooting percentage in the month.
Also considered was Guelph Storm defenceman Quinn Beauchesne. He scored once and added 9 assists in 11 games during the month of January which was also easily the best offensive production of the season for him.
Anthony Cristoforo of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Natalie Shaver/OHL Images
Goaltender of the Month – Aleksei Medvedev – London Knights
Medvedev is our selection for goaltender of the month for the second time this season. The London Knights netminder appeared in 6 games and boasted a 4-1-1-0 record. He had a 32 save shutout on January 17 against the Guelph Storm. For the month, he stopped 177 of 189 shots he faced for a save percentage of .937 and a goals-against-average of 2.00. Medvedev was listed as the top goaltender available for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft from the OHL and 2nd among North American netminders by NHL Central Scouting.
Also considered was Barrie Colts netminder Sam Hillebrandt. He went 3-3-0-0 in six games in January and stopped 184 of 199 shots faced for a .925 save percentage and 2.50 goals-against-average.
Alexei Medvedev of the London Knights. Photo by Luke Durda/OHL Images
Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Month for October, including a small number of games played in September to begin the 2024-25 regular season.
Player of the Month – Michael Misa (Saginaw Spirit) Top 2025 NHL Draft prospect Michael Misa of the Saginaw Spirit is the OHL Player of the Month for October, leading the league with 17 goals over 13 games with a plus/minus rating of plus-8. Misa, who added nine assists to his stat line for a total of 26 points, has been held without a goal just twice so far this season, and has recorded at least one point in all 13 of his outings. Misa’s start to the season was headlined by a hat-trick as part of a four-point effort on Sept. 27th against the Soo Greyhounds. He enters November having scored in five consecutive games. Misa is the first Spirit player to earn OHL Player of the Month honours since Eric Locke in February 2013.
A 17-year-old from Oakville, Ont., Misa was selected by the Spirit as an exceptional status player with the first overall pick of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection. The 6-foot-1, 185Ib. centreman has accumulated 68 goals, 89 assists and 157 points over 125 season games with the Spirit, tacking on an additional 19 points (7-12–19) over 28 playoff contests. Misa, who hoisted the Memorial Cup with Saginaw this past June, was included as an A-rated prospect on NHL Central Scouting’s Preliminary Players to Watch List. He’ll compete as a member of Team CHL in the upcoming CHL/USA Prospects Challenge slated to take place on Nov. 26th and 27th in London and Oshawa.
Also considered for the award this month, Los Angeles Kings prospect Liam Greentree of the Windsor Spitfires put up 27 points (7-20–27) over 12 contests. NHL Draft prospect Porter Martone of the Brampton Steelheads was also a standout, registering 25 points (12-13–25) over 11 games to begin the campaign.
Defenceman of the Month – Luca Marrelli (Oshawa Generals) Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Luca Marrelli of the Oshawa Generals is the OHL Defenceman of the Month for October, leading blueliners with 17 points including eight goals and nine assists over 14 games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-13. Marrelli’s eight goals, just one of which has come on the power play while two have been game-winners, lead OHL blueliners. Marrelli has been held off the scoresheet just three times and he enters November with multi-point outputs in three consecutive games. Marrelli is the first Generals defender to earn OHL Defenceman of the Month recognition since Michael Del Zotto in December 2008.
A 19-year-old from Toronto, Ont., Marrelli has recorded 114 points (19-95–114) over 201 OHL regular season games since being selected by the Generals with their fifth-round (81st overall) pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection. The 6-foot-2, 184Ib. defender helped Oshawa win an Eastern Conference title last spring, producing 13 points (2-11–13) over 21 playoff games. Marrelli was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the third-round (86th overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft.
Also considered for the award this month, London Knights defenceman Sam Dickinson returned from the San Jose Sharks to produce 15 points (7-8–15) over his first 10 games of the season. Windsor Spitfires blueliner Anthony Cristoforo was also excellent, leading the OHL with a plus/minus rating of plus-20 while recording 12 points (2-10–12) over 13 games.
Goaltender of the Month – Joey Costanzo (Windsor Spitfires) Windsor Spitfires netminder Joey Costanzo is the OHL Goaltender of the Month for October, playing to a 9-1-0-0 record with a 1.90 goals-against average, .934 save percentage and one shutout. Costanzo has surrendered more than two goals in a game just twice so far in 2024-25, steering the Spitfires to the top of the West Division standings. The fourth-year veteran came out of the gate with nine consecutive wins to start the season, making 30+ saves on four different occasions. Costanzo becomes the first Spitfire to get the nod as OHL Goaltender of the Month since Michael DiPietro in December 2016.
A 19-year-old from Toronto, Ont., Costanzo owns a career mark of 50-40-2-3 with a 3.96 goals-against average, .882 save percentage and two shutouts over 106 career regular season matchups between Windsor and Niagara. The 6-foot-1, 174Ib. Costanzo was the first goaltender chosen in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection, going in the second-round (23rd overall) to the Niagara IceDogs from the Toronto Marlboros U16 AAA program.
Also considered for the award this month, Owen Flores of the Niagara IceDogs was impressive, playing to a 7-1-0-0 record with a 2.26 goals-against average and .935 save percentage. Edmonton Oilers prospect Nathan Day of the Flint Firebirds turned aside 280 shots, going 6-4-0-1 with a 2.26 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage.
Rookie of the Month – Ethan Belchetz (Windsor Spitfires) First overall 2024 OHL Priority Selection choice Ethan Belchetz is off to a great start, being named October’s OHL Rookie of the Month with 12 points including four goals and eight assists over 12 games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-6. Belchetz led OHL rookies in points (12) and shots on goal (41) to begin the campaign, with two of his four markers coming shorthanded. His six-points effort (4-2–6) on Sept, 28th vs. Kitchener was the most productive single game performance by a 16-year-old rookie in the OHL since March 2010. Belchetz enters November with points in each of his last two outings and joins teammates Cole Davis (November 2023) and Liam Greentree (March 2023) in earning Rookie of the Month honours.
A 6-foot-5, 226Ib. 16-year-old from Oakville, Ont., Belchetz was chosen by the Spitfires with the first overall pick of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. Last year’s OHL Cup MVP was instrumental in leading the Oakville Rangers to a championship title in the annual showcase. Belchetz is set to represent Canada White in the 2024 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge taking place in Sarnia beginning on Sunday.
Also considered for the award this month, Sarnia Sting forward Beckham Edwards had 11 points (6-5–11) in his first 14 OHL games. Draft eligible forward Filip Ekberg of the Ottawa 67’s put up 10 points (5-5–10) over 12 contests.
Anthony Cristoforo of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Luke Durda/OHL Images
HT
WT
DOB
POS
SH
OHL DRAFT
NHLCS
NAT
5’11”
180
Feb 23, 2006
D
R
22nd, 2022
194th, N.A.
CAN
SEASON
LEAGUE
TEAM
GP
G
A
PTS
2021-2022
GTHL U 16
Toronto Jr Canadiens
65
15
63
78
2022-2023
OHL
Windsor Spitfires
63
6
35
41
2022-2023
WHC U17
Canada Red
7
0
4
4
2023-2024
OHL
Windsor Spitfires
67
7
31
38
At the start of the season, Cristoforo was classified as a B prospect by NHL Central Scouting on their Players to Watch List, suggesting a selection in the second or third round. However, in the final rankings, he placed 194th among North American skaters, implying he may not be chosen in the draft when considering goaltenders and European players.
Scouts are now questioning the extent to which the decline was a result of a poor team in Windsor versus Cristoforo’s own performance.
Cristoforo excels as a playmaker in the defensive position. He possesses exceptional vision and playmaking abilities. He is a potent threat when in control in the offensive zone, showcasing his danger. While his skating ability is slightly better than average, an improvement in speed would be beneficial. No significant concerns arise in the offensive zone.
Cristoforo needs to enhance his performance in the defensive zone by increasing his physicality and strength to win more battles in front of the net and along the walls. He struggled in 50-50 battles, which requires improvement. Being caught out of position has been an issue as well.
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League is pleased to congratulate 13 OHL players on being selected to represent Canada at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup to be held from July 31st through August 5th in Trencin, Slovakia and Breclav, Czechia.
The 13 OHL players are part of a Canadian roster consisting of 24 names that was assembled by Alan Millar (Tottenham, Ont.), director of player personnel, and Cam Russell (Halifax Mooseheads), the U18 lead for the Program of Excellence management group, with support from Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), senior vice-president of hockey operations, Benoit Roy (Sudbury, Ont.), senior manager of hockey operations, and Byron Bonora (Brooks, Alta.), manager of hockey operations and U17 head scout. Head coach Alan Letang (Sarnia Sting) and assistant coaches Kris Mallette (Kelowna Rockets) and Sylvain Favreau (Drummondville Voltigeurs) also provided input.
OHL Rookie of the Year Michael Misa headlines the 13 OHL players named to the roster, being joined by Saginaw Spirit teammate Zayne Parekh on the blue line. Misa and Parekh are accompanied by fellow OHL first all-rookie team members Sam Dickinson of the London Knights and Liam Greentree of the Windsor Spitfires while second team voting recipient Anthony Cristoforo of the Windsor Spitfires is also included.
The Ottawa 67’s feature a pair of teammates on the blueline in Henry Mews and Frankie Marrelli while the Mississauga Steelheads joined the 67’s, Saginaw Spirit and Windsor Spitfires in also producing two players named to the squad in forward Porter Martone and goaltender Ryerson Leenders.
OHL Players Named to Canada’s National Summer Under-18 Team:
Prior to the start of the tournament, the team will practice at the Ice Palace in Budapest, Hungary from July 23-27, and will face off against Hungary’s national under-20 team on July 27 at 12:30 p.m. ET/9:30 a.m. PT. It will also take on Czechia on July 29 at 12:30 p.m. ET/9:30 a.m. PT at Fosfa Arena in Breclav as a part of its pre-tournament schedule.
Canada will open the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup against Finland on July 31 at 9:30 a.m. ET/6:30 a.m. PT. It will also face co-host Slovakia and Switzerland in the preliminary round before the tournament concludes with the medal games on Aug. 5.
TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast all Team Canada games and select elimination and medal games; please check local listings for more details.
Canada has won 23 gold medals in 31 years of summer under-18 competition, along with three silver medals and one bronze.
For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team, please visit HockeyCanada.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.
OHL Writers 