OHL ANNOUNCES TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK FOR DEC. 1-7, 2025

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

TORONTO (Monday, December 8, 2025) – The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, December 7, 2025.



Storm’s Alex McLean Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

2026 NHL Draft prospect Alex McLean of the Guelph Storm is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording two goals, six assists and eight points over three games.

McLean helped the Storm defeat the Brampton Steelheads in a school day game on Wednesday, recording a goal and an assist in a 5-2 victory. He added another multi-point performance on Friday, recording a career-high four points (1-3–4) to lead the Storm over the visiting Saginaw Spirit 5-3. McLean chipped in with two assists on Sunday in a 5-4 loss to the visiting Kitchener Rangers.

A 17-year-old from Perth, ON, McLean has registered 20 points (6-14–20) through 25 games in this, his second OHL season. Guelph’s first round (9th overall) pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection comes off a 23-point (10-13–23) rookie campaign in 2024-25, a season that saw him win silver with Canada Red at the 2024 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge where he recorded three points (2-1–3) in four games. McLean was included on NHL Central Scouting’s preliminary players to watch list for the 2026 NHL Draft released in October.

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)


IceDogs’ Vladislav Yermolenko Named Mary Brown’s Chicken OHL Goaltender of the Week

2026 NHL Draft prospect Vladislav Yermolenko of the Niagara IceDogs is the Mary Brown’s Chicken OHL Goaltender of the Week, going 2-0 with a 1.48 goals-against average and .952 save percentage.

Yermolenko helped the IceDogs end a nine-game losing slide with a pair of wins over the weekend, turning aside 33 shots on Friday night in Brampton as the IceDogs overcame a 2-0 deficit with four goals in the latter half of the third period, beating the Steelheads 4-2. He was back in the crease for a second star performance on Sunday afternoon, making 26 saves as the IceDogs beat the North Bay Battalion 2-1 on a Riley Patterson overtime winner.

Turning 18 next week, Yermolenko has been steady for the IceDogs in his first OHL season, going 8-5-2-1 with a 3.24 goals-against average and .905 save percentage through 18 outings. The 6-foot-1, 176Ib. goaltender from Minsk, Belarus was chosen by Niagara in the second round (87th overall) of the 2025 CHL Import Draft out of the Team Belarus U18 program.

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)


Bulldogs’ Caleb Malhotra Named OHL Rookie of the Week

NHL Draft eligible forward Caleb Malhotra of the Brantford Bulldogs is the OHL Rookie of the Week for the third time this season, recording a goal and four assists in a pair of victories.

Malhotra put forward a first star performance on Wednesday, scoring while adding an assist as the Bulldogs defeated the Kingston Frontenacs 4-2. He provided three assists on Saturday night as Brantford defeated North Bay 7-2, giving him multi-point outputs in four of his last five games.

A 17-year-old from Toronto, Malhotra leads OHL rookie scoring with 37 points (12-25–37) over 27 games with a plus/minus rating of plus-13. The 6-foot-2, 182Ib. centreman is an A-rated prospect by NHL Central Scouting for the 2026 NHL Draft. The Bulldogs acquired Malhotra from the Kingston Frontenacs in Sept. 2024 after he was originally chosen eighth overall by the Fronts in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. He is committed to Boston University (NCAA), and recently represented the Canadian Hockey League at the 2025 CHL/USA Prospects Challenge.

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)


Rangers Prospect Ian Robinson Named GOHL Prospect of the Week

Kitchener Rangers prospect Ian Robinson of the Port Colborne Sailors is the GOHL Prospect of the Week, recording a goal and five assists over six games last week.

Robinson pitched in with two assists on Friday as the Sailors beat the visiting Welland Jr. Canadians 5-3. He found the scoresheet again on Sunday for a season-high four points (1-3–4) as Port Colborne defeated visiting Caledon 8-3.

A 17-year-old from Newmarket, ON, Robinson leads Port Colborne with 24 points (13-11–24) over 24 games, and is tied for second among GOHL rookie goal-scorers with 13. The 6-foot-4, 206Ib. forward was selected by the Rangers in the third round (51st overall) of the 2025 OHL U18 Priority Selection from the York-Simcoe Express U18 AAA program. He produced 19 points (13-6–19) over 28 games in 2024-25.

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)

OHL ANNOUNCES TOP PERFORMERS OF THE MONTH FOR NOVEMBER

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

TORONTO (Tuesday, December 2, 2025)- The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) today announced Top Performers of the Month for November 2025.

Player of the Month – Nathan Aspinall (Flint Firebirds) – 14 GP, 11G, 13A, 24 PTS., +5
New York Rangers prospect Nathan Aspinall of the Flint Firebirds is the OHL Player of the Month for November, leading the League with 24 points (11-13–24) as the Firebirds played to an impressive record of 11-2-0-1. Flint’s captain, Aspinall put together five separate performances of three points or more, scoring twice four different times. He set up linemate Jimmy Lombardi for the overtime winner on Nov. 14th at Brantford, capping-off a three-point performance in a 3-2 victory. Aspinall enters the month of December on an eight-game point streak as the Firebirds sit one point back of first place Windsor in the West Division.

A 6-foot-7, 207Ib. 19-year-old left wing from Markham, ON, Aspinall leads the Firebirds with 38 points (17-21–38) with a plus-10 rating over 24 games in this, his fourth OHL season. Selected by the Rangers in the fifth round (159th overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft, Aspinall signed an NHL contract with the Blueshirts on Oct. 23rd, 2025. He was originally Flint’s second round (33rd overall) pick from the Markham Waxers U16 AAA program in 2022.

Also considered for the award this month, Utah Mammoth prospect Cole Beaudoin of the Barrie Colts posted 19 points (6-13–19) over 11 games while Firebirds teammate Jimmy Lombardi, a prospect of the Los Angeles Kings, led the OHL with 13 goals along with 19 points over 13 November contests.

Defenceman of the Month – Adam Jiricek (Brantford Bulldogs) – 12 GP, 5G, 11A, 16 PTS., +3
St. Louis Blues prospect Adam Jiricek of the Brantford Bulldogs is the OHL Defenceman of the Month for November, leading OHL rearguards with 16 points (5-11–16) over 12 contests as the league-leading Bulldogs played to a mark of 8-2-2-0. Jiricek recorded a point in all but one of Brantford’s November matchups, carrying a 13-game point streak from Oct. 26th through Nov. 29th. His November performance was headlined by a three-point effort (2-1–3) on Nov. 15th in a 5-4 win over the Brampton Steelheads, a game in which Jiricek scored the winning goal. He scored three game-winning goals in the month of November.

A 19-year-old right-shot defenceman from Plzen, Czechia, Jiricek fourth in scoring among OHL defencemen with 26 points (9-17–26) over 23 games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-15. The 6-foot-3, 185Ib. blueliner recorded 12 points (4-8–12) over 27 games with the Bulldogs after joining the team midway through last season. He was St. Louis’ first round (16th overall) pick in the 2024 NHL Draft and signed with the Blues on July 2, 2024. Jiricek was Brantford’s first round (19th overall) pick in the 2023 CHL Import Draft. He has represented Czechia at each of the past two World Junior tournaments, winning bronze both times.

Also considered for the award this month, New York Islanders prospect Kashawn Aitcheson of the Barrie Colts scored nine goals in as many games, adding six assists for a total of 15 points. NHL Draft prospect Chase Reid of the Soo Greyhounds recorded 12 points (7-5–12) over 10 games.

Goaltender of the Month – Ben Hrebik (Barrie Colts) – 6-0-1-1, 1.97 GAA, .946 SV%, 282 SV
Ben Hrebik of the Barrie Colts is the OHL Goaltender of the Month for November, earning six wins along with a 1.97 goals-against average and .946 save percentage over eight contests. Hrebik kept busy, helping the Colts earn at least a point all eight times he was in the crease. He stopped fewer than 30 shots just twice with back-to-back 43-save efforts in wins over Peterborough and Sudbury on Nov. 13th and 15th. He rides a four-game winning streak into the month of December.

A 6-foot-3, 204Ib. 19-year-old goaltender from Milton, ON, Hrebik owns a record of 9-5-1-3 with a 2.90 goals-against average and .923 save percentage over 18 games this season. The former ninth round (173rd overall) pick by the Colts in 2022 had an impressive first full season in the OHL in 2024-25, going 21-9-2-0 with a 2.87 goals-against average and .920 save percentage over 34 regular season games before seeing seven games of playoff action. He attended NHL prospects camp with the Boston Bruins this past September.

Also considered for the award this month, Easton Rye of the Peterborough Petes played to an 8-2 mark with a 2.49 goals-against average and .929 save percentage, making 326 saves in November.

Rookie of the Month – Ryder Fetterolf (Ottawa 67’s) – 8-0-0-0, 1.98 GAA, .925 SV%, 1 SO, 197 SV
Ottawa 67’s netminder Ryder Fetterolf is the OHL Rookie of the Month for November, posting an undefeated 8-0 record along with a 1.98 goals-against average and .925 save percentage with one shutout. Fetterolf continued his impressive play into November, starting the month with a shutout of the Oshawa Generals on Nov. 2nd. He’s helped the 67’s climb the standings to within three points of first place Brantford in the East Division. Fetterolf carries a nine-game winning streak into the month of December that dates back to Oct. 29th.

A 17-year-old from Sewickley, Pennsylvania, Fetterolf owns the league’s second-lowest goals-against average of 2.04 while going 13-2-1-0 with a .922 save percentage and two shutouts through 16 games this season. He’s also a perfect 4-for-4 in shootout scenarios. The 67’s signed Fetterolf as an undrafted free agent over the offseason after he spent 2024-25 at Gilmour Academy located in Gates Mills, Ohio. He is eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft and committed to Penn State University (NCAA).

Also considered for the award this month, NHL Draft prospect Caleb Malhotra of the Brantford Bulldogs recorded 13 points (5-8–13) over 11 games.
 

2025-26 OHL Performers of the Month:

Player of the Month:
November – Nathan Aspinall (Flint Firebirds)
October – Jake O’Brien (Brantford Bulldogs)

Defenceman of the Month:
November – Adam Jiricek (Brantford Bulldogs)
October – Carson Woodall (Windsor Spitfires)

Goaltender of the Month:
November – Ben Hrebik (Barrie Colts)
October – Joey Costanzo (Windsor Spitfires)

Rookie of the Month:
November – Ryder Fetterolf (Ottawa 67’s)
October – Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit)

OHL ANNOUNCES TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK FOR NOV. 17-23, 2025

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

TORONTO (Monday, November 24, 2025) -The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, November 23, 2025.


Bulldogs’ Marek Vanacker Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

Chicago Blackhawks prospect Marek Vanacker of the Brantford Bulldogs is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, producing three goals, three assists and six points in a pair of victories last week.

Vanacker had the Bulldogs firing on all cylinders Thursday night in Niagara, scoring three goals while adding an assist as Brantford prevailed by a score of 5-0. Vanacker followed-up his third four-point performance of the season with a pair of primary assists at home against Sarnia on Friday as the Bulldogs won by a score of 7-2, improving to 18-0-4-1.

A 19-year-old from Delhi, ON, Vanacker leads the OHL with 21 goals along with 11 assists and 32 points over 21 games. His plus-20 plus/minus rating is tied for second-best in the League. Chosen by the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round (27th overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft, Vanacker owns a career OHL stat-line that includes 85 goals, 87 assists and 172 points over 189 regular season games. The Bulldogs selected him with their first round (23rd overall) pick in 2022. Internationally, Vanacker won gold with Canada at the 2024 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)


Petes’ Easton Rye Named Mary Brown’s Chicken OHL Goaltender of the Week

Peterborough Petes netminder Easton Rye is the Mary Brown’s Chicken OHL Goaltender of the Week, going 2-0 with a 1.50 goals-against average and .952 save percentage.

Rye turned aside 34-of-35 shots on Thursday night as the Petes were 7-1 winners over the Brampton Steelheads. He stopped 26 more shots on Saturday as Peterborough prevailed over visiting Kingston 6-2, improving to 14-8-1-1 for fourth in the Eastern Conference.

A 19-year-old hometown product from Peterborough, Rye sits tied for the OHL lead with 13 wins, owning a 2.77 goals-against average and .914 save percentage over 19 games. The 6-foot, 196Ib. goaltender owns a career mark of 24-22-3-2 with a 3.63 goals-against average and .898 save percentage through 57 career regular season games since the Petes selected him in the fifth round (89th overall) of the 2022 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)
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)


Bulldogs’ Caleb Malhotra Named OHL Rookie of the Week

2026 NHL Draft prospect Caleb Malhotra of the Brantford Bulldogs is the OHL Rookie of the Week, registering two goals and two assists over a pair of wins last week.

Malhotra put together a four-point performance in Friday’s 7-2 win over the Sarnia Sting, scoring twice while adding two assists as Brantford improved to 18-0-4-1 atop the OHL standings. It marks his second 4+ point performance of the season following a five-point (2-3–5) showing on Sept. 27th vs. Sudbury.

A 17-year-old from Toronto, Malhotra sits second in OHL rookie scoring with 29 points (10-19–29) over 23 games with a plus/minus rating of plus-8. The 6-foot-2, 182Ib. centreman is an A-rated prospect by NHL Central Scouting for the 2026 NHL Draft. The Bulldogs acquired Malhotra from the Kingston Frontenacs in Sept. 2024 after he was originally chosen eighth overall by the Fronts in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. This marks the second time this season that Malhotra, who is committed to Boston University (NCAA), has earned OHL Rookie of the Week honours.

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)


Knights Prospect Alex Campeau Named GOHL Prospect of the Week

London Knights prospect Alex Campeau of the London Nationals is the GOHL Prospect of the Week, recording two goals and two assists for four points over a pair of games.

Campeau chipped in an assist in Wednesday’s 4-2 loss to the Strathroy Rockets before connecting for two goals and an assist on Saturday as the Nationals defeated the visiting LaSalle Vipers 6-1.

A 6-foot-4, 172Ib. forward from Cornwall, ON, Campeau has recorded seven goals, 14 assists and 21 points over 19 games with the Nationals this season. The 16-year-old was selected by the Knights with their first round (23rd overall) pick from the Eastern Ontario Wild U16 AAA program last spring.

Campeau follows Jake Ritson and Brendan Gerber to become the third Knights prospect to claim GOHL Prospect of the Week honours 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)
Nov. 10-16: Ulysses Lombardi (Waterloo Siskins/Flint Firebirds)
Nov. 17-23: Alex Campeau (London Nationals/London Knights)

OHL ANNOUNCES TOP PERFORMERS OF THE MONTH FOR OCTOBER

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

TORONTO (Saturday, November 1, 2025) – The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) today announced Top Performers of the Month for October, with additional totals from September’s opening weeks of the regular season also recognized.

Player of the Month – Jake O’Brien (Brantford Bulldogs) – 12 GP, 7G, 19A, 26 PTS., +15
Seattle Kraken prospect Jake O’Brien of the Brantford Bulldogs is the OHL Player of the Month for October, starting his season with a league-leading 26 points (7-19–26) through just 12 games. O’Brien’s start featured seven different multi-point outings highlighted by five points (3-2–5) on Oct. 12th in an 8-5 win over the Ottawa 67’s. He tallied four points (1-3–4) in a game on Oct. 26th as the Bulldogs defeated the host Oshawa Generals 4-1. Behind O’Brien’s leadership, Brantford remains the lone OHL team that is undefeated in regulation (11-0-2-1) entering the month of November.

Named Bulldogs captain to start the season, the 18-year-old O’Brien leads the OHL with 26 points in his third OHL season. The former OHL Rookie of the Year in 2023-24 has 188 career points (52-136–188) over 139 regular season games as a Bulldog. Brantford selected O’Brien with the eighth overall pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection. He was Seattle’s first round (8th overall) pick last summer, signing an entry-level NHL contract with the Kraken on July 3, 2025.

Also considered for the award this month, Owen Sound Attack forward Tristan Delisle rides a 16-game point streak, producing 24 points (9-15–24) in that span. Bulldogs teammate Adam Benak, a Minnesota Wild prospect, was also productive with 24 points (7-17–24) over 12 games.

Defenceman of the Month – Carson Woodall (Windsor Spitfires) – 16 GP, 2G, 20A, 22 PTS., +4
Windsor Spitfires blueliner Carson Woodall is the OHL Defenceman of the Month for October, leading OHL rearguards with 22 points (2-20–22) over 16 contests. The third year veteran has recorded a point in all but two of his outings this season, scoring his two goals in a 2-0 win over the Ottawa 67’s on Oct. 23rd. Woodall’s offensive productivity has helped the Spitfires put together the league’s third-ranked power play at 32.8 percent, with him leading all OHL players in power play points with 14 (1-13–14).

A 19-year-old from nearby Belle River, ON, Woodall is a former 10th round (202nd overall) pick by the Spitfires in 2022 who has developed into a reliable contributor on the blueline. The 5-foot-11, 183Ib. defenceman has accrued 89 points (11-78–89) over his 142 career regular season games with the Spitfires.

Also considered for the award this month, New York Islanders prospect Kashawn Aitcheson of the Barrie Colts leads OHL defencemen with nine goals, including a pair of recent overtime winners. The 18-year-old Aitcheson has 15 points (9-6–15) in as many games.

Goaltender of the Month – Joey Costanzo (Windsor Spitfires) – 11 GP, 9-1-0-0, 1.66 GAA, .923 SV%, 2 SO
Joey Costanzo of the Windsor Spitfires is the OHL Goaltender of the Month for October, compiling an impressive record of 9-1 with a 1.66 goals-against average and .923 save percentage over 11 contests. Costanzo’s success featured a pair of shutouts, with the first in a 4-0 win over the Sudbury Wolves on Sept. 25th followed by another in a 6-0 triumph over the Niagara IceDogs on Oct. 2nd.

A 20-year-old from Toronto, Costanzo owns a career OHL record of 84-50-5-4 with a 3.61 goals-against average and .884 save percentage with seven shutouts over 158 regular season games between Windsor and Niagara. He was originally. Niagara’s second round (23rd overall) pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection.

Also considered for the award this week, Mason Vaccari of the Flint Firebirds was very good in October, going 7-2-1-0 with a 2.66 goals-against average and .923 save percentage and two shutouts over 10 games. Niagara IceDogs newcomer Vladislav Yermolenko also made a strong impression, going 6-1-0-1 with a 2.63 goals-against average, a .925 save percentage and one shutout over nine games. Additionally, San Jose Sharks prospect Christian Kirsch of the Kitchener Rangers played to an 8-2-0-0 mark with a 1.99 goals-against average, .920 save percentage and one shutout.

Rookie of the Month – Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit) – 15 GP, 10G, 13A, 23 PTS., +2
First-year Saginaw Spirit forward Nikita Klepov is the OHL Rookie of the Month for October, pacing OHL newcomers with 23 points (10-13–23) over 15 games. Klepov’s introduction to the OHL has been headlined by a five-point effort (2-3–5) on Oct. 4th as the Spirit skated to a 7-5 road win over the Owen Sound Attack. He’s proceeded to post a goal and an assist on Oct. 18th at Flint and Oct. 24th vs. Erie. Klepov currently leads all OHL skaters with 71 shots on goal.

A 17-year-old from Deerfield Beach, Florida, Klepov comes to the OHL from the USHL’s Sioux City Musketeers where he posted 31 points (12-19–31) over 59 games in 2024-25. Selected 35th overall by the Spirit in the 2025 CHL Import Draft, Klepov is an A-rated skater on NHL Central Scouting’s preliminary players to watch list, indicating a potential first round NHL Draft pick. The 6-foot, 180Ib. right-wing won gold with the United States at this past summer’s Hlinka-Gretzky Cup. Klepov is committed to Michigan State (NCAA).

Also considered for the award this week, fellow NHL Draft prospect Caleb Malhotra of the Brantford Bulldogs piled up 19 points (6-13–19) over 14 games. Spirit teammate Levi Harper was a productive force on the blueline, recording 15 points (5-10–15) over 15 contests. In the crease, Ryder Fetterolf of the Ottawa 67’s went 5-2-1-0 with a 2.10 goals-against average and .919 save percentage.

OHL Writers’ Draft Eligible Player of the Month: September

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

With the opening month of the 2025–26 Ontario Hockey League season now behind us, OHL Writers are set to unveil their picks for the top forward, defenseman, and goaltender eligible for the 2026 NHL Entry Draft for the month of September.

FORWARD OF THE MONTH: Caleb Malhotra, Brantford Bulldogs

It was quite the September for Malhotra as he scored 3 goals and added 5 assists and was a plus-8 in just three games. He had points in each of his games and had a 5-point night on 2 goals and 3 assists on September 27 in a 7-2 win over the Sudbury Wolves. Two of his goals were game winning goals.

Egor Barabanov of the Saginaw Spirit also earned consideration. Over four games, he tallied three goals and six assists with a plus-1 rating. Each outing was a multi-point effort, with his lone goalless performance coming on September 26 against the Niagara IceDogs. Barabanov is a draft re-entry.

DEFENSEMAN OF THE MONTH: Carson Woodall, Windsor Spitfires

Woodall is a draft re-entry defenseman now in his third full season with the Spitfires. He appeared in 5 games and had 7 assists – going without a point just once on September 29 against the Barrie Colts. On September 19 he had three assists in an 8-1 win over the Sarnia Sting and followed that up with two assists against the London Knights the next night in a 4-1 win.

Also considered was Kingston Frontenacs defenseman Vann Williamson, also a draft re-entry. Williamson posted 5 assists in 4 games that including 2 assists on opening night against the Ottawa 67’s.

GOALTENDER OF THE MONTH: Michael Newlove, Windsor Spitfires

Newlove was flawless in his two September starts, earning wins in both outings while boasting a stingy 1.00 goals-against average and an outstanding .966 save percentage. He kicked off the month on September 19 by turning aside 21 of 22 shots in a commanding 8–1 win over Sarnia, then backed it up with a 35-save performance on September 28, guiding his team to a 4–1 victory against the Oshawa Generals.

Newlove enters the 2026 draft as a re-entry after going undrafted in 2025. He saw limited action last season with the Spitfires, appearing in three games and posting a 2-0-0-0 record, along with a 2.89 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage.

Also considered was another draft re-entry candidate, Ben Hrebik of the Barrie Colts. Hrebik went 0-1-0-1 and had 1.95 goals against average and a .950 save percentage. He stopped 50 of 51 shots he faced on September 25 yet lost 2-1 in a shootout. Two nights later he stopped 26 of 29 shots in a 3-1 loss to Windsor.

OHL ANNOUNCES TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK FOR SEPT. 25-28, 2025

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

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)