OHL ANNOUNCES TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK FOR FEB. 16-22, 2026

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

TORONTO (Monday, February 23, 2026) – The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, February 22, 2026.

Storm’s Quinn Beauchesne Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Quinn Beauchesne is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording two goals, six assists and eight points over four straight wins for the Guelph Storm.

Beauchesne had a productive outing on Family Day, posting four assists in Guelph’s 5-1 win over visiting Erie. He followed-up that first star performance with an assist along with the overtime-winner on Wednesday night in Sarnia as the Storm defeated the Sting 3-2. Beauchesne wrapped-up the week with a goal and an assist in Sunday’s 8-5 road win over the Saginaw Spirit, one that pushed the Storm seven points ahead of the Spirit for sixth place in the Western Conference standings. Beauchesne becomes just the second defenceman to earn OHL Player of the Week recognition this season.

An 18-year-old from Ottawa, Beauchesne has 29 points (7-22–29) through 47 games in his third season with the Storm after being the club’s first round (14th overall) pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection. Selected by Pittsburgh in the fifth round (148th overall) of the 2025 NHL Draft, Beauchesne has 60 points (15-45–60) over 129 career regular season games with Guelph. He’s enjoyed international success with Canada, winning gold medals at both the World Under-18 Hockey Championship and the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

Also considered for the award this week, Soo Greyhounds forward Marco Mignosa carried his team offensively with nine points (4-5–9) over three outings as the Hounds dropped two-of-three, including a 1-0 loss to Guelph at home on Friday.

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)
Feb. 16-22: Quinn Beauchesne (Guelph Storm)


Frontenacs’ Gavin Betts Named Mary Brown’s Chicken OHL Goaltender of the Week

2026 NHL Draft prospect Gavin Betts of the Kingston Frontenacs is the Mary Brown’s Chicken OHL Goaltender of the Week for the second time this season, going 2-1 with a 2.01 goals-against average, .941 save percentage and 96 saves.

Betts was in the crease on Family Day, making 37 saves as the Fronts fell 3-2 to the Brantford Bulldogs. He rebounded this past weekend with back-to-back wins, making 33 saves at home on Friday as Kingston defeated North Bay 5-1. He made 26 more saves on Sunday night in Oshawa, backstopping the Frontenacs to a 7-2 win over the Generals.

A 17-year-old from Toronto, Betts is 16-15-1-1 with a 2.99 goals-against average and .903 save percentage with one shutout over 35 games this season. Kingston’s second round (37th overall) pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection is the 26th-ranked North American goaltender eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft by NHL Central Scouting. Betts backstopped Canada to bronze at last summer’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup, posting a 1.68 goals-against average and .933 save percentage over five contests.

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)
Feb. 16-22: Gavin Betts (Kingston Frontenacs)


Colts’ Joe Salandra Named OHL Rookie of the Week

NHL Draft eligible Barrie Colts forward Joe Salandra is the OHL Rookie of the Week, recording five points (3-2–5) over four victories last week.

Salandra helped the Colts win a clash of Eastern Conference contenders on Family Day, recording a pair of assists in an 8-5 road win over the Ottawa 67’s. He opened the scoring back at home on Thursday night as the Colts defeated the Owen Sound Attack 4-3 in a shootout. Salandra doubled-up on Friday night in London, putting things out of reach with a pair of third period goals as the Colts defeated the Knights 5-1 for their ninth consecutive win.

A freshly-turned 18-year-old from Pleasantville, NY, Salandra has 33 points (11-22–33) over 54 games in his first OHL season. The 5-foot-10, 198Ib. right-wing as chosen by the Colts in the third round (50th overall) of the 2025 OHL Priority Selection from Brunswick School. Ranked 160th on NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings for the 2026 NHL Draft, Salandra competed in this year’s Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game in Peterborough, and won a Hlinka Gretzky Cup gold medal with the United States last summer. He’s committed to Harvard University (NCAA).

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)
Feb. 16-22: Joe Salandra (Barrie Colts)


Storm Prospect Carter Lewandowski Named GOHL Prospect of the Week

Guelph Storm prospect Carter Lewandowski of the Ayr Centennials is the GOHL Prospect of the Week, recording two goals, five assists and seven points over three contests.

Lewandowski posted a season-high five points on Family Day, scoring while adding four helpers as Ayr defeated the Caledon Bombers 9-2 on home ice. He extended his goal-scoring streak to four games on Thursday, tallying a goal and an assist in a 3-2 overtime loss to the visiting Brantford Titans.

A 6-foot-3, 186Ib. native of Maple, ON, Lewandowski leads the Centennials with 42 points (15-27–42) over 41 games in his first GOHL season. The Vaughan Kings U16 AAA graduate was Guelph’s second round (36th overall) pick in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection. Lewandowski’s 2024-25 campaign featured 32 points (18-14–32) over 33 games along with six points (3-3–6) over four games in the 2025 OHL Cup Showcase.

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)
Feb. 16-22: Carter Lewandowski (Ayr Centennials/Guelph Storm)

OHL ANNOUNCES ACADEMIC PLAYERS OF THE MONTH FOR NOVEMBER

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

TORONTO (Friday, November 28, 2025) – The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) today announced Academic Players of the Month for November, recognizing dedication to excellence in the classroom.

East Division – Gavin Betts (Kingston Frontenacs)
Kingston Frontenacs goaltender Gavin Betts is the East Division Academic Player of the Month for November, achieving a 93% average across three Grade 12 University-level courses at Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School. Betts has studied Church and Culture, Economics and Chemistry, excelling in the classroom while seeing regular time in the crease.

“Gavin is a strong, determined and exceptionally mature and organized young man,” said Frontenacs Academic Advisor Kristi LeSarge. “He’s not only a top academic Frontenac, but among the strongest of our academic class, and we’re lucky to have him at Holy Cross.”

A second round pick by the Frontenacs in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection, Betts is off to a 5-6-1-1 start in his NHL Draft eligible season. The 5-foot-11, 174Ib. goaltender owns a 3.25 goals-against average, .894 save percentage and one shutout through 14 games after seeing nine games of action as a 16-year-old in 2024-25. Betts, who is 17 years-old and from Toronto, was included on NHL Central Scouting’s players to watch list for the 2026 NHL Draft released in October.

Central Division – Ryder Cali (North Bay Battalion)
North Bay Battalion forward Ryder Cali is the Central Division Academic Player of the Month for November, achieving an 86% average in three Grade 12 University-level courses at Chippewa Secondary School. Cali has studied Families in Canada, Kinesiology and English in the current semester.

“Ryder is an active participant in class discussions and he’s able to have more in-depth conversations with his team trainers as a result of what he has learned in Kinesiology this year,” said Shawn Plamondon, who teaches the Kinesiology course at Chippewa. “He works hard in school and is a very deserving candidate of this honour.”

“Ryder’s work ethic, commitment and competitive drive make him a standout player, but it’s his character that truly sets him apart,” said Battalion GM John Winstanley. “He treats teammates, coaches and opponents with respect and he consistently represents the North Bay Battalion with professionalism.”

Listed as a B-rated skater by NHL Central Scouting in their October players to watch list for the 2026 NHL Draft, Cali has 11 points (7-4–11) through 13 games this season, and has missed action due to injury since Oct. 25th. The 6-foot-2, 209Ib. left wing from Penetanguishene, ON was selected by the Soo Greyhounds with the 18th overall pick of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection before being acquired by North Bay in September 2024. He had an impressive season with the OJHL’s Milton Menace in 2024-25, recording 54 points (24-30–54) over 51 games.

Midwest Division – Eric Frossard (Guelph Storm)
Guelph Storm defenceman Eric Frossard is the Midwest Division Academic Player of the Month for November, producing a 97% average across four Grade 12 courses through the University of Nebraska High School. Frossard is studying Economics, which he has earned a 100% grade in, along with American History, English and Physics.

“Eric demonstrates a strong work ethic and continues to excel in all of his courses,” said Storm Academic Advisor Coleen Driscoll. “He is a highly motivated and conscientious student who approaches his studies with a very positive attitude. We are very proud of his ongoing academic efforts and accomplishments.”

A 6-foot-4, 195Ib. defenceman from London, ON, Frossard was recently listed as a C-rated prospect on NHL Central Scouting’s players to watch list for the 2026 NHL Draft released in October. The 17-year-old has a pair of assists over 16 games after recording two assists over 30 games with the Storm in 2024-25. Guelph’s third round (43rd overall) pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection, Frossard played 21 games with the USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms to begin the 2024-25 season. He is committed to the University of Notre Dame (NCAA).

West Division – Dimian Zhilkin (Saginaw Spirit)
Saginaw Spirit forward Dimian Zhilkin is the West Division Academic Player of the Month for November, achieving a 94% average across four Grade 12 courses at Heritage High School. Zhilkin is studying Finite Mathematics, English, Economics and a Work-Based Learning Co-op.

“Dima is a hard-working student who consistently demonstrates his commitment to academics,” said Spirit Academic Advisor Pamela Moretuzzo. “He’s intelligent, diligent in his studies, engaged in his learning and prepared daily for his classes. He works well in a group or individual setting and adds value to class discussions He serves as a role model for his younger teammates and peers.

“Dima’s leadership extends beyond the classroom and the rink,” she added. “He is actively involved in community service events through the Spirit organization, regularly volunteering his time at youth hockey clinics, school outreach programs, and local charitable initiatives His willingness to give back to the community – despite his demanding schedule – speaks volumes about his character, humility and commitment to being a positive influence.”

Zhilkin has been a leader for the Spirit on the ice, recording a club-leading 15 goals along with 11 assists for 26 points over 20 games. The 17-year-old from Windsor, ON, comes-off an impressive rookie season in Saginaw that included 43 points (16-27–43) over 54 games, seeing him named to the league’s first all-rookie team. The 5-foot-10, 185Ib. left wing is eligible for the 2027 NHL Draft.

2025-26 OHL Academic Players of the Month

East Division
November – Gavin Betts (Kingston Frontenacs)
October – Aiden O’Donnell (Oshawa Generals/Brantford Bulldogs)

Central Division
November – Ryder Cali (North Bay Battalion)
October – Cole Emerton (Barrie Colts)

Midwest Division
November – Eric Frossard (Guelph Storm)
October – Lucas Ambrosio (Erie Otters)

West Division
November – Dimian Zhilkin (Saginaw Spirit)
October – Mason Vaccari (Flint Firebirds)

OHL ANNOUNCES TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK FOR OCT. 2-5, 2025

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

TORONTO (Monday, October 6, 2025 – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for regular season games from Thursday, October 2 and Sunday, October 5, 2025.


Colts’ Kashawn Aitcheson named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

New York Islanders prospect Kashawn Aitcheson of the Barrie Colts is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, scoring five goals and adding an assist for six points over three contests.

Aitcheson began the week with his first goal of the season in Thursday’s 5-4 shootout loss to the visiting Soo Greyhounds. He enjoyed his most productive showing of the season thus far on Saturday, scoring twice while adding an assist as the Colts beat the Oshawa Generals 5-3 on home ice. Aitcheson closed-out the weekend with a second-straight two-goal performance on Sunday, helping Barrie overcome a 5-1 third period deficit with a pair of tallies in a 6-5 shootout win in Niagara.

A 6-foot-1, 198Ib., 19-year-old defenceman from Toronto, Aitcheson has eight points (5-3–8) through his first six games to begin 2025-26 after recording 59 points (26-33–59) over 64 games last season. His 26 goals set a new Barrie Colts single season record by a defenceman. Originally Barrie’s third round (50th overall) pick in 2022, Aitcheson has collected 109 points (40-69–109) over 157 career regular season games with Barrie, adding 16 points (7-9–16) in 26 career playoff contests. He was a first round (17th overall) pick by the New York Islanders at the 2025 NHL Draft. Internationally, Aitcheson is a former World Under-18 Hockey Challenge gold medalist as a member of Team Canada in 2024.

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)


Frontenacs’ Gavin Betts named Mary Brown’s Chicken OHL Goaltender of the Week

2026 NHL Draft prospect Gavin Betts of the Kingston Frontenacs is the Mary Brown’s Chicken OHL Goaltender of the Week, going 2-0 with a 1.00 goals-against average, a .960 save percentage and one shutout.

Betts turned aside 21-of-23 shots in Friday’s 5-2 win over the visiting Oshawa Generals before recording his first career OHL shutout on Sunday afternoon, making 27 saves as the Fronts blanked the Erie Otters 1-0 behind Kieren Dervin’s third period goal. Betts earned first star honours in the win, helping the Frontenacs improve to 4-1-0-1.

A 17-year-old from Toronto, Betts is 3-1-0-1 with a 2.75 goals-against average and .903 save percentage through five games to begin the 2025-26 season. He appeared in nine contests for Kingston in 2024-25, going 5-4 with a 3.44 goals-against average and .876 save percentage, spending the rest of his 16-year-old campaign with the OJHL’s Pickering Panthers where he was 7-7-2 with a 3.07 goals-against average and .920 save percentage over 18 appearances. Kingston’s second round (37th overall) pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection, Betts won World Under-17 Hockey Challenge gold with Team Canada White last fall. He claimed bronze with Canada at August’s Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, posting a 1.68 goals-against average, .933 save percentage and two shutouts over five 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)


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, recording five points over three road games.

Klepov started the week with a shorthanded goal on Friday night in Guelph as the Spirit fell 3-2 in overtime. He had the most productive performance of his young OHL career on Saturday in Owen Sound, scoring twice while adding two assists as the Spirit defeated the Attack 7-5.

A 17-year-old from Deerfield Beach, Florida, Klepov leads OHL rookies with 11 points (7-4–11) over seven games since coming over from the USHL’s Sioux City Musketeers where he produced 31 points (12-19–21) over 59 games in 2024-25. The Spirit selected Klepov 35th overall in the 2025 CHL Import Draft. The 6-foot, 180Ib. left-shot winger won Hlinka Gretzky Cup gold with the United States in August, recording six points (1-5–6) in five games. Klepov is committed to Michigan State University (NCAA).

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


Firebirds prospect Liam Edgcumbe named GOHL Prospect of the Week

Flint Firebirds prospect Liam Edgcumbe of the Pelham Panthers is the GOHL Prospect of the Week, stopping all 67 shots sent his direction in back-to-back shutouts.

After winning his GOHL debut on September 19th, Edgcumbe was flawless in Thursday’s 2-0 road win over the Hamilton Kilty B’s, making 44 saves at Dave Andreychuk Mountain Arena. He was back in the crease on Friday at home, denying 23 Welland Jr. Canadians shots in a 3-0 victory.

A 6-foot-4, 175Ib. 17-year-old from Grimsby, ON, Edgcumbe was selected by Flint in the eighth round of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection from the Niagara North Stars AAA program. In 13 games with the PJHL’s Niagara Riverhawks last season, Edgcumbe played to a mark of 9-2-2 with a 2.39 goals-against average and .935 save percentage.

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)