OHL ANNOUNCES TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK FOR FEB. 9-15, 2026

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

TORONTO (Monday, February 16, 2026) – The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, February 15, 2026.

Spirit’s Egor Barabanov Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

Saginaw Spirit forward Egor Barabanov is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week after leading the League with 10 points, including four goals and six assists, in three games.

Barabanov’s standout week was highlighted by a season-high six-point performance on Friday night in Sarnia. The 19-year-old recorded a goal and five assists as the Spirit powered past the Sarnia Sting 11-3. Earlier in the week, Barabanov continued to impress NHL scouts by scoring twice in a 5-4 road victory over the Flint Firebirds on Wednesday. He concluded his productive stretch with a goal and an assist on Saturday against the Windsor Spitfires.

A 6-foot, 175-lb. centreman from Basking Ridge, NJ, Barabanov currently sits third in OHL scoring with 72 points (25-47–72) through 54 games. He joined the Spirit as a free agent last summer following a successful 2024-25 campaign with the USHL’s Madison Capitols, where he recorded 38 points.

Despite being 19-years-old, Barabanov has established himself as a top prospect for the upcoming NHL Draft, currently ranked 39th among North American skaters on NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings.

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)
Dec. 28-Jan. 4: Egor Barabanov (Saginaw Spirit)
Jan. 5-11: Cole Beaudoin (Barrie Colts)
Jan. 12-18: Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit)
Jan. 19-25: Jake O’Brien (Brantford Bulldogs)
Jan. 26-Feb. 1: Kevin He (Flint Firebirds)
Feb. 2-8: Ben Wilmott (Barrie Colts)
Feb. 9-15: Egor Barabanov (Saginaw Spirit)

Rangers’ Christian Kirsch Named Mary Brown’s Chicken OHL Goaltender of the Week

San Jose Sharks prospect Christian Kirsch of the Kitchener Rangers is the Mary Brown’s Chicken OHL Goaltender of the Week.

Kirsch played to a perfect 2-0 record with a 1.00 goals-against average, .957 save percentage, and one shutout, backstopping the Rangers to victories over the London Knights and Ottawa 67’s.

Kirsch turned aside 21 shots on Tuesday night at The Aud, earning his 20th win of the season as the Rangers defeated the rival Knights 5-2. He followed that performance with a perfect outing on Saturday in the nation’s capital, making 24 saves to record his second shutout of the campaign in a 2-0 blanking of the Ottawa 67’s.

Selected by San Jose in the fourth round (116th overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft, Kirsch has been dominant since returning from representing Switzerland at the 2026 World Juniors, playing to a 9-1-1-0 record in the new year. The 19-year-old from Basel, Switzerland was Kitchener’s first round (44th overall) pick in the 2025 CHL Import Draft from the NAHL’s Janesville Jets. Kirsch is committed to Quinnipiac 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)
Dec. 28-Jan. 4: Easton Rye (Peterborough Petes)
Jan. 5-11: Zachary Jovanovski (Guelph Storm)
Jan. 12-18: Matthew Humphries (Oshawa Generals)
Jan. 19-25: Carter George (Soo Greyhounds)
Jan. 26-Feb. 1: Zach Bowen (Brampton Steelheads)
Feb. 2-8: Easton Rye (Peterborough Petes)
Feb. 9-15: Christian Kirsch (Kitchener Rangers)


Spirit’s Nikita Klepov Named OHL Rookie of the Week

2026 NHL Draft prospect Nikita Klepov of the Saginaw Spirit is the OHL Rookie of the Week, claiming the honour for the fourth time this season after recording two goals, seven assists, and nine points in three games.

Klepov helped power the Spirit to a pair of victories, beginning with a four-point performance on Wednesday. He registered a goal and three assists in a 5-4 win over the rival Flint Firebirds, with his 30th goal of the season standing as the game-winner. He matched that output on Friday, tallying another goal and three assists as the Spirit defeated the Sarnia Sting in a decisive 11-3 victory. Klepov made history on Saturday against the Windsor Spitfires. Despite a 4-2 loss, Klepov recorded an assist to register his 75th point of the campaign, setting a new Saginaw Spirit franchise record for points by a rookie in a single season, eclipsing the prior mark held by Cole Perfetti (2018-19).

A 17-year-old from Deerfield Beach, Florida, Klepov’s 75 points (31-44–75) in 53 games currently place him just one point back of the OHL scoring lead. The standout rookie continues an impressive second half of the season, having recently been named the OHL Rookie of the Month for January and claiming MVP honours at the Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game. He was Saginaw’s first round (35th overall) pick in the 2025 CHL Import Draft. Klepov, who is committed to Michigan State University (NCAA), is the 16th ranked North American skater on NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings.

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)
Dec. 28-Jan. 4: Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit)
Jan. 5-11: Charlie Murata (Flint Firebirds)
Jan. 12-18: Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit)
Jan. 19-25: Ryerson Edgar (Niagara IceDogs)
Jan. 26-Feb. 1: Keaton Ardagh (Brampton Steelheads)
Feb. 2-8: Kale Osipenko (Sarnia Sting)
Feb. 9-15: Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit)


Bulldogs’ David Buchman Named GOHL Prospect of the Week

Brantford Bulldogs prospect David Buchman has been named the GOHL Prospect of the Week for the second time this season.

Buchman, a 16-year-old defenceman for the Brantford Titans, recorded a goal and six assists for seven points in a pair of victories last week. The 2025 first-round selection played the hero on Thursday, scoring the overtime winner to lift the Titans to a 3-2 victory over the Caledonia Corvairs. He followed that performance with a dynamic playmaking display on Saturday, registering six assists in a lopsided win over the Caledon Bombers.

Buchman has been a standout in his first season of junior hockey, recording 23 points (6-17–23) over 21 games. The Stittsville, ON native was selected by the Bulldogs in the first round (20th overall) of the 2025 OHL Priority Selection from the HEO champion Ottawa Valley Titans AAA program.

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)
Dec. 29- Jan. 4: James Elliott (St. Catharines Falcons/Soo Greyhounds)
Jan. 5-11: Vaughn Barr (St. Marys Lincolns/Erie Otters)
Jan. 12-18: David Buchman (Brantford Titans/Brantford Bulldogs)
Jan. 19-25: Myles Dunn (St. Thomas Stars/Sarnia Sting)
Jan. 26-Feb. 1: Sammy DiBlasi (Chatham Maroons/Saginaw Spirit)
Feb. 2-8: Jake Windbiel (LaSalle Vipers/Windsor Spitfires)
Feb. 9-15: David Buchman (Brantford Titans/Brantford Bulldogs)

OHL ANNOUNCES TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK FOR DEC. 28, 2025 – JAN. 4, 2026

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

TORONTO (Monday, January 5, 2026) – The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games spanning Sunday, December 28, 2025 through Sunday, January 4, 2026.


Spirit’s Egor Barabanov Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

Saginaw Spirit forward Egor Barabanov is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording two goals, seven assists and nine points over five games dating back to Dec. 28th.

Barabanov has helped the Spirit turn things around of late with wins in five of their last six outings. He chalked up a goal and two assists coming out of the break on Dec. 28th in Sault Ste. Marie as the Spirit beat the Greyhounds 5-1. Barabanov started the new year off the right way with three primary assists in a 5-3 home win against the same Greyhounds on Jan. 3rd. He helped spearhead Saginaw’s 4-3 win over the Brampton Steelheads on Sunday with a goal and an assist, giving him a club-leading 49 points (17-32–49) over 38 games this season. He has points in 10 of his last 12 games.

A 19-year-old from Basking Ridge, New Jersey, Barabanov is playing a frontline role in his first OHL season after being signed by the Spirit as a free agent over the summer. The 6-foot, 175Ib. centre spent 2024-25 with the USHL’s Madison Capitols, producing 39 points (15-24–39) over 53 games. Despite being passed over for the NHL Draft in each of the past two years, Barabanov is a B-rated prospect by NHL Central Scouting for the 2026 NHL Draft.

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)
Dec. 28-Jan. 4: Egor Barabanov (Saginaw Spirit)

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

Easton Rye of the Peterborough Petes is the Mary Brown’s Chicken OHL Goaltender of the Week for the second time this season, going 3-0 with a 1.33 goals-against average, .962 save percentage, one shutout and 102 saves.

One of the OHL’s busiest netminders, Rye turned in his first career OHL shutout coming out of the break, making 25 saves in a 2-0 win over the Oshawa Generals on Dec. 28th. He was back in the crease on New Year’s Day, stopping 36-of-37 as the Petes beat the Kingston Frontenacs 3-1. Rye backstopped the Petes to victory in Owen Sound on Saturday, making 41 saves as Peterborough prevailed 5-3 despite being outshot 44-29.

An 19-year-old local product from Peterborough, Rye is 20-8-1-1 on the season with a 2.86 goals-against average and .916 save percentage over 30 games. His 922 saves are the third-most in the league this season. A former fifth round (89th overall) pick by the Petes in 2022, Rye has played to a career mark of 31-26-3-2 with a 3.52 goals-against average and .902 save percentage through 68 games.

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)
Dec. 28-Jan. 4: Easton Rye (Peterborough Petes)

Spirit’s Nikita Klepov Named OHL Rookie of the Week

2026 NHL Draft prospect Nikita Klepov of the Saginaw Spirit is the OHL Rookie of the Week for the second time this season, producing seven points (3-4–7) over five games dating back to Dec. 28th.

Klepov picked up a pair of assists as the Spirit beat the Soo Greyhounds 5-1 on the road coming out of the holiday break. He found the back of the net for his 20th goal of the season on Dec. 30th as Saginaw topped the Sarnia Sting 5-1. Klepov pumped out four points on Sunday, scoring his second goal of the afternoon with just 53 seconds left in the third period as Saginaw defeated the Brampton Steelheads 4-3. Both of his assists were primary as Klepov earned first star recognition in Sunday’s win, helping the Spirit win their fifth in the last six games.

A 17-year-old from Deerfield Beach, Florida, Klepov leads OHL rookies with 22 goals and 151 shots on goal. His 47 points (22-25–47) over 37 games are the second-most in the league. The 6-foot, 180Ib. left wing was selected by the Spirit in the first round (35th overall) of the 2025 CHL Import Draft after spending last season with the USHL’s Sioux City Musketeers where he registered 31 points (12-19–31) over 59 games. Klepov is slated to suit up for the Western Conference in the 2026 Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game on Jan. 14th in Peterborough. He’s an A-rated prospect by NHL Central Scouting for the 2026 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)
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)
Dec. 28-Jan. 4: Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit)


Greyhounds Prospect James Elliott Named GOHL Prospect of the Week

Soo Greyhounds prospect James Elliott of the St. Catharines Falcons is the GOHL Prospect of the Week, recording a goal and four assists over a pair of victories.

Elliott played an instrumental role in the Falcons stunning the first place Cambridge RedHawks on the road Friday night, scoring while adding three assists in a 4-3 victory. St. Catharines handed Cambridge just its third loss in the process. Elliott was back on the scoresheet on Saturday night in Pelham, providing an assist as the Falcons beat the Panthers 5-4 to improve to 27-2-2, six points back of first place Cambridge in the Eastern Conference.

A 17-year-old from Sault Ste. Marie, ON, Elliott has 30 points (12-18–30) through 31 games in his first GOHL season. He’s posted four points on three different occasions, scoring three game-winning goals on the season. Elliott was Sault Ste. Marie’s seventh round (137th overall) pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection from the Barrie Colts AAA program. He spent last season with the NOJHL’s Soo Thunderbirds, recoding 31 points (14-17–31) over 47 games. Elliott is committed to Lake Superior State University (NCAA).

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)
Dec. 29- Jan. 4: James Elliott (St. Catharines Falcons/Soo Greyhounds)

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.