Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) today announced that London Knights captain Denver Barkey is this year’s recipient of the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy, presented annually to the OHL Humanitarian of the Year.
Through his Barkey’s Buds program in partnership with the London Knights Fan Club, the Philadelphia Flyers prospect led a cause that resulted in the donation of more than 1,500 pieces of hockey equipment to children with learning, emotional and social disabilities through the George Bray Sports Association. More than 500 tickets were provided through the Barkey’s Buds initiative so that London-area children and their families could come and watch a Knights game. Through equipment donations, 10 children were able to register in an organized hockey program for the first time.
“It’s such an honour to receive this award,” said Barkey. ” Ever since I came to London as a 16-year-old the support and passion from the fans was something I noticed right away. Now being in my last year, to be able to start Barkey’s Buds and give back to the community that has treated me and my teammates so well was the least I could do. It’s really special for me, my family and the fan club to see so many kids and their families get a chance to play and watch the game we love.”
In addition to his work with Barkey’s Buds, the fourth-year Knights forward participated in monthly visits to Children’s Hospital in London and took part in several school visits to speak with students about the importance of teamwork, healthy living and commitment to their studies. He also attended practices with local minor hockey teams, providing a mentorship presence on the ice.
“It’s a proud moment for Denver and his family and for the London Knights organization,” said Knights Vice President and General Manager Mark Hunter. “Denver is a high character young man and for him to take on this community service is something that we take pride in, giving back to the London area. Denver along with Knights Fan Club President Sav Neth and our fans have done a tremendous job this season.”
Barkey finished his fourth OHL season with the Knights registering 25 goals, 57 assists and 82 points over 50 games with a plus/minus rating of plus-46. The 20-year-old from Newmarket, Ont. has compiled 258 points (89-169–258) over 228 career regular season games since being London’s first round (16th overall) pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection. Barkey helped the Knights hoist the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL champions last spring, producing 27 points (6-21–27) over 18 games. He was Philadelphia’s third round (95th overall) pick in the 2023 NHL Draft and signed with the Flyers on March 3, 2024.
“The impact that Denver and the London Knights organization have made in our community goes far beyond the rink,” said Sav Neth, President of the London Knights Fan Club. “Their unwavering support and generosity have opened doors for countless young people, giving them not just the chance to watch a game, but to dream, belong, and grow through the sport of hockey. For many kids, this is more than just a game — it’s a source of confidence, connection, and purpose. By investing in our youth, Denver and the Knights are shaping stronger individuals and a more united community, leaving a legacy that will inspire generations to come.”
Each year the OHL awards a player that has demonstrated outstanding qualities as a positive role model in the community with the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy. The Ontario Hockey League Board of Governors announced in 2004 that the OHL Humanitarian of the Year award would be named in recognition of the former Owen Sound Platers captain, who was twice named his team’s Humanitarian of the Year in recognition of his tremendous efforts in supporting community activities.
Barkey follows Jason Metcalfe (1998) as the second player in London Knights history to win the award. Other recent OHL recipients include Mason Vaccari of the Kingston Frontenacs (2023-24), Dalyn Wakely of the North Bay Battalion (2022-23) and Mark Woolley of the Owen Sound Attack (2021-22).
Barkey finished as this year’s award recipient followed by finalists Carson Woodall of the Windsor Spitfires and Nic Sima of the Saginaw Spirit.
Barkey will be formally presented with the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy at the 2025 OHL Awards Ceremony this June at The Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
For a full history of OHL award winners, click here.
The CHL was the only development hockey league in the world to feature one player on eight of the 10 participating countries at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship
FRISCO, TX — Tonight, 25 Canadian Hockey League (CHL) players proudly won gold as Canada topped the podium at the 2025 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship by defeating Sweden 7-0 in Saturday’s final in Frisco, Texas. The victory gave Canada consecutive gold medals at the IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship for the first time in their program’s history.
Having not allowed a goal over the last 144 minutes and 53 seconds of action he saw, Jack Ivankovic (Brampton Steelheads / OHL) recorded his second shutout of the tournament by stopping all 28 shots he faced in Saturday’s final. Brady Martin (Soo Greyhounds / OHL) led all skaters in the gold medal game with two goals, while Jackson Smith (Tri-City Americans / WHL), Xavier Villeneuve (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada / QMJHL), Ethan Czata (Niagara IceDogs / OHL), Braeden Cootes (Seattle Thunderbirds / WHL), and Jack Nesbitt (Windsor Spitfires / OHL) also lit the lamp for Canada.
Named the Top Goalie of the tournament, Ivankovic led all netminders in goals-against average (1.05), save percentage (.960), and shutouts (2) during the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship. In front of Ivankovic, Canada’s blueline contributed 12 goals at the U18s, led by Villeneuve (4G-4A in 7 GP) and Smith (4G-1A in 7 GP), who both recorded four goals in seven games, the most of any defencemen in the tournament. Canadian captain Cootes (6G-6A in 7 GP) led the team in scoring with 12 points through Canada’s undefeated run to a second straight gold medal. Following the gold-medal game, Ivankovic and Martin (3G-8A in 7 GP) were named to the tournament’s Media All-Star Team.
Although his country fell short against Canada in Saturday’s final, Swedish forward Filip Ekberg (Ottawa 67’s / OHL) put together an impressive performance in Texas as he was identified as the MVP and the Top Forward of the 2025 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship. Leading the tournament with 18 points (10G-8A) in seven games, Ekberg established a new single-tournament record for points by a Swede at the U18 World Championship by besting the previous mark of 16. In addition to being one of three CHL players to be selected to the tournament’s Media All-Star Team, Ekberg’s 10 goals were the most of any player at the tournament and now stand as the most-ever by a Swede at this event.
Earlier during the day, Blake Fiddler (Edmonton Oil Kings / WHL) and the United States earned bronze by defeating Slovakia 4-3 in overtime. Playing in his hometown of Frisco, Texas, Fiddler registered a pair of goals and added an assist over his seven games at the tournament.
In total, 27 players from the CHL proudly took home medals at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship (see complete list below), including 13 from the Western Hockey League (WHL), 10 players from the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and four from the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).
A total of 37 CHL players participated in the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship (see complete list below), which was the most of any development hockey league in the world. The CHL was the only development hockey league in the world to feature one player on eight of the 10 participating countries at the tournament, showcasing the league’s global impact and commitment to developing elite talent.
Among the 37 CHL players who participated in the event, 25 of them were listed in NHL Central Scouting’s Final Rankings ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft, including Czech defenceman Radim Mrtka (Seattle Thunderbirds / WHL), Slovakian forward Andreas Straka (Québec Remparts / QMJHL), and German captain Carlos Händel (Halifax Mooseheads / QMJHL). There were also nine CHL skaters eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft who competed in the tournament, including seven members of Team Canada (Carels, Villeneuve, Di Iorio, Lin, Roobroeck, Rudolph, Verhoeff).
Following Canada’s gold medal victory on Saturday, Ethan Czata (Niagara IceDogs / OHL), Tyler Hopkins (Kingston Frontenacs / OHL), Alex Huang (Chicoutimi Saguenéens / QMJHL), and Cameron Schmidt (Vancouver Giants / WHL) joined Ivankovic, Erie Otters (OHL) defenceman Matthew Schaefer, and Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) forward Caleb Desnoyers as the only players to ever win gold for Team Canada at the U17s, U18s, and Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Team Canada was led by two-time Stanley Cup champion and Guelph Storm head coach Cory Stillman (Guelph Storm / OHL), who served as the squad’s bench boss. He was joined by associate coach Travis Crickard (Saint John Sea Dogs / QMJHL), assistant coach Mathieu Turcotte (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada / QMJHL), and goaltending consultant Dan De Palma (Kamloops Blazers / WHL).
Since 2002, Canada has now won six gold medals at the IIHF U18 World Championship (2003, 2008, 2013, 2021, 2024, 2025), in addition to one silver (2005) and four bronze (2012, 2014, 2015, 2023).
37 CHL PLAYERS COMPETED AT THE 2025 IIHF U18 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
TORONTO, ON — The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) announced today the February edition of the CHL Team of the Month presented by CCM for the 2024-25 regular season.
Having registered 13 goals and 34 points through 13 games in February, Seattle Kraken prospect Berkly Catton of the No. 5-ranked Spokane Chiefs (WHL) is making his first appearance of the 2024-25 season in the CHL Team of the Month. Held off the scoresheet on just one occasion last month, the 19-year-old from Saskatoon, Sask., registered 10 multi-point outings, including seven games with three points or more. Catton’s 34 points were one shy of the WHL and CHL leader for February, while his 13 goals last month ranked tied for first in the WHL. Between January 11 to February 23, the Chiefs captain tallied a point in 18 straight games (20G-32A over that stretch), which ranks as the fourth-longest point streak in the WHL this season. Since returning from the 2025 World Juniors on January 10, Catton has amassed 54 points (22G-32A) in 22 games, good for third in the CHL behind only his Chiefs teammate Andrew Cristall (56 points) and Saginaw Spirit defenceman Zayne Parekh (56 points) over that stretch. Thanks in part to Catton’s strong play, the Spokane Chiefs have also climbed up both the CHL Top-10 Rankings and the WHL standings. Over the last month, having registered a 10-1-1-1 record, the Chiefs placed themselves among the Top-5 clubs in the CHL for the first time this season, while also moving into third place in the WHL’s overall standings. Meanwhile, powered by a strong month of February, Catton is up to 101 points (36G-65A) this season, which ranks third in WHL scoring for the 2024-25 campaign. By breaking the 100-point plateau, Catton has also achieved that feat for the second consecutive season. Named to the CHL’s Second All-Star Team in 2023-24, Catton was one of just three players in the CHL to register 50+ goals and 60+ assists last season. By going eighth overall to the Seattle Kraken during the 2024 NHL Draft, Catton became the highest-drafted player from the Spokane Chiefs in 33 years. Internationally, the 5-foot-10, 175-pound centreman has represented Canada at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship where he recorded one assist in four games. Before that, Catton helped his country to gold at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he led all skaters with eight goals and two assists in five tournament games. He’s also previously won a bronze medal at the 2023 IIHF World U18 Championship and silver at the 2022 World U-17 Hockey Challenge. Playing in his third full season in the WHL, Catton was selected by the Spokane Chiefs with the first overall pick in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft.
With an OHL-best 34 points over the last month, just one point shy of the CHL scoring leader for February, 2025 NHL Draft prospect Michael Misa of the Saginaw Spirit (OHL) has earned a spot on the CHL Team of the Month for the second time during the 2024-25 campaign. In 14 games in February, the 18-year-old from Oakville, Ont., was never held off the scoresheet as he posted 12 multi-point outings, including five games with three points or more. The latter included the 2024 Memorial Cup champion registering a career-high five points (2G-3A) on February 8 against the Guelph Storm. Misa also lit the lamp in 10 contests over the last month, the latter of which included tallying his third hat-trick of the season on February 15 against the Sudbury Wolves. Having strung together 14 straight games with a point through February, Misa managed to extend his active point streak, which currently stands at 27 consecutive contests – making it the third-longest point streak in the CHL this season (behind Gavin McKenna of the Medicine Hat Tigers – 35 games & Easton Cowan of the London Knights – 29 games). With 122 points (58G-64A) in 58 games, Misa leads both the OHL and CHL in scoring so far through the 2024-25 campaign. If Misa were to win the CHL Top Scorer Award this season, he would become the fifth first-year draft-eligible in the CHL to achieve the feat over the last 20 years, joining a group of alumni that includes Connor Bedard (2022-23), Marco Rossi (2019-20), Patrick Kane (2006-07), and Sidney Crosby (2004-05). Meanwhile, the 2025 NHL Draft prospect is also one of just two skaters in the CHL to have broken the 50-goal plateau in 2024-25, alongside Brantford Bulldogs forward Nick Lardis (66 goals). Drafted with the first overall pick of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, Misa is one of nine players in CHL history to have been granted exceptional player status by Hockey Canada. Over his career, Misa has helped Canada win gold at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and he also earned a silver medal at the 2022 World U17 Hockey Challenge playing for Canada Red. Earlier this season, the 18-year-old was one of 13 CHL forwards to help Team CHL defeat the U.S. National Under-18 Team last November in the inaugural 2024 CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Kubota Canada. Identified by NHL Central Scouting as the third-ranked skater in North America ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft, Misa was one of 17 CHL players ranked by NHL Central Scouting among the top 20 North American skaters in their Midterm Rankings. A little less than a year ago, Misa also played a part in helping the Saginaw Spirit capture their first-ever Memorial Cup in 2024, as they became just the third American franchise to win the CHL’s championship title.
With a CHL-leading 21 goals in 11 games during February, Chicago Blackhawks prospect Nick Lardis of the No.9-ranked Brantford Bulldogs (OHL) is making his first appearance in the CHL Team of the Month for the 2024-25 season. The 19-year-old from Oakville, Ont., failed to find twine in only one game last month, having recorded six multi-goal contests and four hat-tricks in February (on Feb. 2 @ Sudbury, Feb. 14 vs. Niagara, Feb. 20 @ Peterborough, & Feb. 23 @ Ottawa). One of those four hat-tricks saw Lardis register a single-game career-high of four goals against the Sudbury Wolves at the beginning of the month. Having scored a goal in 20 of his last 22 contests, Lardis put together an 18-game goal streak from January 8 to February 20, the longest streak of its kind in the CHL this season. Over the last month, Lardis’ play has helped lift the Bulldogs, as they went 9-1-1-0 in February and entered the CHL Top-10 Rankings for the first time since October 1. Thanks to his big month, Lardis leads the CHL with 66 goals in 2024-25 – eight more than the next closest skater (Michael Misa of the Saginaw Spirit – 58 goals). The 5-foot-11, 185-pound right-winger is the only player in the CHL to have broken the 60-goal plateau this season, and just the ninth CHL skater to have reached 65 goals over the last 20 years. If he were to hit 70, the Blackhawks prospect would become only the second OHL player to have achieved the feat since 1992 and the first since Oshawa Generals alumnus John Tavares scored 72 during the 2006-07 campaign. Originally selected by the Peterborough Petes sixth overall in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection, Lardis was acquired by the Bulldogs during the 2022-23 campaign in exchange for two-time OHL champions Gavin White and Avery Hayes. Over the course of this season, Lardis has become the Brantford Bulldogs’ franchise record holder for goals (66) and points (108) – both marks he is likely to build on over the Bulldogs’ remaining seven games. At the 2023 NHL Draft, Lardis was taken in the third round (67th overall) by the Chicago Blackhawks and he signed his entry-level contract with the club in April 2024.
After leading all CHL defencemen with seven goals and 31 points in February, Calgary Flames prospect Zayne Parekh of the Saginaw Spirit (OHL) has earned a spot in the CHL Team of the Month for a second straight month. In 14 games throughout February, the 19-year-old from Nobleton, Ont., registered a point in 13 of those contests. The latter saw Parekh record a total of 10 multi-point games, including a pair of four-point nights to both start and end the month (Feb. 1 vs. Kitchener & Feb. 28 @ Sudbury). Over the course of February, Parekh had 24 assists, which rank tied for first among all players in the CHL. Entering Thursday, the 6-foot, 185-pound defenceman leads all CHL defencemen with 31 goals and 99 points this season. Currently on a nine-game point streak, Parekh recently became just the second defenceman in the CHL to have registered multiple 30-goal seasons in the 21st century, doing so after Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL) alumnus Jonathan Gauthier scored 30-plus goals over consecutive campaigns in 1999-00 and 2000-01. Additionally, by hitting 30 goals in 2024-25, Parekh also became just the second defenceman in OHL/OHA history with multiple 30-goal seasons, following in the footsteps of Oshawa Generals alumnus Bobby Orr who achieved the feat in 1966 (34 goals in 1964-65 & 38 goals in 1965-66). Now sitting just one point shy of 100 points, Parekh will look to become just the fifth CHL rearguard to break the 100-point plateau since 2000 over the final weeks of the 2024-25 campaign. Since January 10, Parekh shares the CHL scoring lead with Spokane Chiefs forward Andrew Cristall having amassed 56 points (19G-37A) in 23 games over that stretch. Last season, in addition to helping the Saginaw Spirit to their first-ever Memorial Cup title, Parekh became the first Spirit player to ever be named the CHL Defenceman of the Year and he was chosen to the CHL’s First All-Star Team after amassing 96 points in 66 games. By going ninth overall to the Calgary Flames at the 2024 NHL Draft, Parekh became the highest-drafted player in Saginaw Spirit history. The 19-year-old was originally taken by Saginaw with the 19th overall pick of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection. He has previously helped Canada to gold at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and he competed for Team Red at the 2024 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Moncton, N.B.
After registering four goals and 11 assists over 11 games in February, Utah Hockey Club prospect Justin Kipkie of the Victoria Royals (WHL) is making his first appearance of the 2024-25 campaign in the CHL Team of the Month. Over the last month, the 19-year-old from Calgary, Alta., registered a point in eight of 11 contests, the latter of which included a trifecta of three-point nights (Feb. 4 vs. Kelowna, Feb. 7 @ Tri-City & Feb. 8 @ Spokane). Each of those three-point contests matched Kipkie’s single-game career-high in the WHL, a feat that he has now accomplished six times throughout the current season. Over the course of February, Kipkie’s solid performances also coincided with a strong month for the Victoria Royals, who won nine of 11 games (9-1-0-1) as they sit in first place in the WHL’s B.C. Division heading into Thursday. With 54 points in 56 games, the Royals captain has already set a new career-high this season, besting his previous mark of 54 that he set in 2023-24. At the beginning of the 2024-25 campaign, Kipkie was named the ninth captain in team history. Named a WHL B.C. Division First-Team following the 2023-24 season, the 6-foot-3, 208-pound defenceman was previously drafted 160th overall in the fifth round of the 2023 NHL Draft by the Arizona Coyotes (Utah Hockey Club). Now competing in what is his third full season in the WHL, Kipkie was originally drafted by the Victoria Royals in the sixth round (126th overall) of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft.
Holding a perfect 7-0-0-0 record in February, Detroit Red Wings prospect Rudy Guimond of the No. 1-ranked Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) is making his first-ever appearance in the CHL Team of the Month. Over his seven starts, the 19-year-old from Montreal, Que., allowed one goal or fewer on five occasions during the last month. The latter included a pair of shutouts: the first of which saw Guimond stop all 29 shots he faced against the Cape Breton Eagles on February 1, before he later registered a 20-save shutout against those same Cape Breton Eagles on February 21. The 6-foot-4, 175-pound netminder also made a career-high 42 saves in a big 4-1 victory over the Drummondville Voltigeurs on the last day of the month. In total, Guimond registered four performances with 25-plus saves in February. Over the last month, Guimond posted the CHL’s best goals-against average (1.26) and save percentage (.956) for any goalie with a minimum of five games played. Having been acquired by the Moncton Wildcats this past November after spending two seasons with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of the USHL, Guimond has provided his new QMJHL club with a big boost in net. The Red Wings prospect has won 13 consecutive games to kick start his QMJHL career, having registered a 1.59 goals-against average, .946 save percentage, and two shutouts over those 13 starts. Of any netminder in the CHL who has played a minimum of 10 games this season, Guimond’s 1.59 GAA and .946 save percentage rank first among that group. He’s also the only goalie within that cohort to have not suffered a loss during the 2024-25 campaign. Drafted in the sixth round (169th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft by the Detroit Red Wings, Guimond is committed to play NCAA Division 1 hockey for Yale University next season in 2025-26.
The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) is the only development league in the world to feature at least two alumni on all four countries participating in the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off
TORONTO, ON — As the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off gets set to begin tonight at 8 p.m. ET between Canada and Sweden, a total of 29 CHL alumni (see complete list of players below) will represent their home countries during this new event being held by the NHL and the NHLPA. The 29 CHL graduates represent nearly 30% of all the players competing at the 4 Nations Face-Off – the most of any development hockey league in the world.
Canada leads all participating nations with 20 CHL alumni, followed by Finland (4), the United States (3), and Sweden (2). The CHL is the only development league in the world to feature at least two alumni on each country participating in the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off. In total, there are 14 graduates hailing from the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), 11 from the Western Hockey League (WHL), and four from the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) participating in the event.
With a tournament-high 20 CHL graduates, Canada will aim to win a seventh championship title at what will be their ninth appearance at an NHL International Tournament. Among the CHL alumni competing at this event for Team Canada are Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (Erie Otters / OHL), Pittsburgh Penguins forward Sidney Crosby (Rimouski Océanic / QMJHL), and Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon (Halifax Mooseheads / QMJHL) – who have all three previously won the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s MVP.
On the Swedish roster, Pittsburgh Penguins forward Rickard Rakell (Plymouth Whalers / OHL) is one of two CHL graduates featured on the team. Rakell has previously helped his country to gold-medal showings at the 2012 World Junior Championship as well as the 2018 World Championship, where he led Sweden with 14 points (6G-8A) en route to being named to the tournament’s All-Star Team.
On Team Finland, there are a total of four CHL alumni, including Utah Hockey Club defenceman Olli Määttä (London Knights / OHL). As one of just eight Finnish defensemen in NHL history to play at least 700 games, Määttä is a two-time Stanley Cup champion (2016 & 2017) and a two-time OHL champion (2012 & 2013).
Finally, among the three CHL alumni on Team USA is Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk (London Knights / OHL). Tkachuk last represented the United States at the 2016 World Junior Championship when he helped his country secure a bronze medal, the same season in which he won both the OHL championship and Memorial Cup while skating alongside 4 Nations foe and Team Canada forward Mitch Marner (London Knights / OHL).
During the current 2024-25 NHL season, of the more than 925 players who played a game in the NHL, over 400 have developed in the CHL, showcasing once again why the CHL continues to be the number one supplier of talent to the NHL.
Stats & Facts
All 13 forwards and three goaltenders on Team Canada developed through the CHL, including the NHL’s current scoring leader Nathan MacKinnon (Halifax Mooseheads / QMJHL) of the Colorado Avalanche.
Nearly half of Finland’s blueline is comprised of CHL graduates: Henri Jokiharju (Portland Winterhawks / WHL), Olli Määttä (London Knights / OHL) & Juuso Välimäki (Tri-City Americans / WHL).
10 CHL graduates at the 4 Nations Face-Off have previously won a WHL, OHL, or QMJHL title, including Sam Reinhart (Kootenay ICE / WHL), Olli Määttä (London Knights / OHL) & Sidney Crosby (Rimouski Océanic / QMJHL).
Six CHL alumni competing at the 4 Nations Face-Off have previously earned a CHL Award, including Sidney Crosby (Rimouski Océanic / QMJHL), Connor McDavid (Erie Otters / OHL), & Mitch Marner (London Knights / OHL), who are previous recipients of the David Branch Player of the Year Award as the CHL’s Most Outstanding Player.
A total of 14 CHL alumni representing their country at the 4 Nations Face-Off have previously helped their NHL club hoist a Stanley Cup, a list that includes Vegas Golden Knights defenceman Shea Theodore (Seattle Thunderbirds / WHL), St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington (Owen Sound Attack / OHL), & Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand (Moncton Wildcats / QMJHL).
Among the 29 CHL alumni participating in the 4 Nations Face-Off, 23 CHL graduates have previously helped their country win a gold medal at an international event.
United States (3) (F) J.T. Miller (Plymouth Whalers / OHL), New York Rangers (F) Matthew Tkachuk (London Knights / OHL), Florida Panthers (F) Vincent Trocheck (Saginaw Spirit / OHL), New York Rangers
Jake O’Brien of the Brantford Bulldogs. Photo by OHL Images
HT
WT
DOB
POS
SH
OHL DRAFT
NHLCS
NAT
6’2”
170
June 16, 2007
C
R
8th 2023
8th NA
CAN
SEASON
LEAGUE
TEAM
GP
G
A
PTS
2023-2024
OHL
Brantford Bulldogs
61
13
51
64
2024-2025
OHL
Brantford Bulldogs
52
26
46
72
As the 2025 NHL Draft approaches, one name that has been generating significant buzz is Jake O’Brien. This young center from Brantford has been turning heads with his impressive performances and has firmly established himself as a top prospect. We’ll take a closer look at O’Brien’s journey, his strengths, and what makes him a standout player in this year’s draft class.
Early Years and Development
O’Brien’s journey to the NHL Draft began in his hometown of Brantford, Ontario. From a young age, it was clear that he had a natural talent for hockey. His dedication to the sport and relentless work ethic set him apart from his peers. As he progressed through the ranks, O’Brien’s skills continued to develop, and he quickly became a key player for the Bulldogs.
Scouting Report
Hockey IQ and Playmaking: O’Brien’s ability to read the game and make smart, quick and decisive decisions with the puck is one of his standout qualities. He processes the game at an elite level, often creating opportunities out of seemingly thin air. His vision and passing abilities allow him to set up Grade “A” scoring chances for his teammates.
Puck Skills and Scoring Ability: He has a quick, deceptive release and a “shoot-to-score” mentality, and is a constant threat in the offensive zone. He handles the puck well in tight spaces and uses his quick hands to generate scoring chances. His ability to control the tempo of the game with calm decision-making and poise under pressure makes him a valuable asset. He is also a beast in puck protection.
Two-Way Play and Defensive Reliability: O’Brien is highly responsible defensively, staying on top of opponents during puck battles and showing the quickness to cover for teammates. He excels in puck possession, forechecking, and creating offensive opportunities from defensive plays. His defensive game is complemented by his ability to block shots, win puck battles, and make quick outlets to transition from defense to offense.
Work Ethic and Compete Level: One of O’Brien’s most admirable traits is his relentless work ethic. He consistently puts in second and third efforts on loose pucks and battles hard in all zones. His team-first mentality and willingness to play physical elevate the performance of his teammates. O’Brien’s leadership qualities make him a player that coaches can rely on in crucial moments. There will be a letter on his jersey one day in the NHL.
Areas for Improvement: There aren’t many but, there are areas where he can continue to develop. Improving his faceoff efficiency and skating mechanics will be critical to his transition to the NHL. Additionally, gaining physical strength will help him handle tougher matchups and be a more reliable option in important moments of the game.
Conclusion
Jake O’Brien’s combination of skill, hockey IQ, and work ethic make him a top prospect for the 2025 NHL Draft. As he continues to develop and refine his game, there’s no doubt that he has the potential to become a standout player in the NHL. Keep an eye on this rising star as he takes the next step in his hockey journey.
Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the Week 11 edition of the weekly U16 AAA rankings for the 2025 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament hosted by the Greater Toronto Hockey League.
The 2025 OHL Cup will feature 20 teams consisting of talent eligible for the 2025 OHL Priority Selection. Starting with three Wild Card Play-In matchups on Monday, March 24, all games will be played at the Scotiabank Pond in Toronto until the Championship Final moves to the Mattamy Athletic Centre on Friday, March 28.
The Huron-Perth Lakers and Ottawa Valley Titans are both climb this week’s list while the Vaughan Kings are also up to number nine in Week 11.
The weekly rankings are determined by a panel of OHL Central Scouting staff and represent the top teams that are competing to play in the annual year-end championship tournament.
TORONTO, ON — The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) announced today the January edition of the CHL Team of the Month presented by CCM for the 2024-25 regular season.
Having led all skaters in the Western Hockey League (WHL) and CHL in scoring over the last month with 28 points (8G-20A), 2025 NHL Draft prospect Ben Kindel of the No. 9-ranked Calgary Hitmen (WHL) is making his first appearance of the 2024-25 season in the CHL Team of the Month. Held off the scoresheet on just two occasions through January, the 17-year-old from Coquitlam, B.C., recorded eight multi-point outings, including a career-high five points (2G-3A) against the Moose Jaw Warriors on January 22. Between November 8 to January 12, Kindel recorded a point in 23 straight games, setting a new franchise record for the longest point streak by a Calgary Hitmen player – besting the previous mark of 20 consecutive games set by Pavel Brendl in 1999. Kindel’s strong play in January was no doubt also important to his team’s success. Since New Year’s Day, Calgary has won 12 of 15 games (12-2-0-1) and they moved into the CHL Top-10 Rankings for the first time this season in January. Kindel’s offensive outburst has helped him climb up to fourth in CHL scoring in 2024-25. His 81 points rank as the second-most by a 2025 NHL Draft prospect in the CHL, as he sits behind Saginaw Spirit forward Michael Misa (88 points) among that group. Kindel also ranks third in the WHL in scoring, trailing only Spokane Chiefs forward Andrew Cristall (89 points) and Medicine Hat Tigers forward Gavin McKenna (88 points). Identified by NHL Central Scouting as the 20th-ranked skater in North America ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft, Kindel was one of 17 CHL players ranked by NHL Central Scouting among the top 20 North American skaters in their Midterm Rankings. Earlier this season, the 5-foot-10, 175-pound forward was one of 13 CHL forwards to help Team CHL defeat the U.S. National Under-18 Team last November in the inaugural 2024 CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Kubota Canada. Selected 43rd overall (2nd Round) by the Calgary Hitmen at the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft, Kindel won a gold medal playing for Team Canada at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup last summer.
Fresh off his experience at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship with Team Canada, 2026 NHL Draft prospect Gavin McKenna of the No.7-ranked Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) is making his third appearance of the 2024-25 campaign in the CHL Team of the Month. Not only is he the lone player in the CHL to be featured on the CHL Team of the Month for a third time this season, McKenna is also the only one to have made more than one appearance in 2024-25. In January, averaging 2.36 points per game, McKenna tallied seven goals and 19 assists for 26 points in 11 contests. His 26 points ranked second in both CHL and WHL scoring for January, trailing only Calgary Hitmen forward Ben Kindel (28 points). Over the last month, McKenna recorded nine games with two points or more, which included tallying his fourth career WHL hat-trick in a 7-3 Tigers’ victory over the No.4-ranked Everett Silvertips on January 29. The 17-year-old from Whitehorse, Yukon, is currently in the midst of a 26-game point streak, having registered 59 points (18G-41A) in 26 straight WHL contests dating back to November 4. McKenna’s current 26-game point streak is the second longest in the CHL this season, behind only London Knights forward Easton Cowan (29 straight games). McKenna also hit a major milestone on January 31 against the Portland Winterhawks when he reached 200 career points in his 118th career regular season game. The latter made him the third-fastest skater in the WHL to hit the mark since 1996, trailing only reigning NHL Rookie of the Year and Regina Pats alumnus Connor Bedard (107 games) and Calgary Hitmen alum Pavel Brendl (96 games). McKenna’s performances have played a big part in the Tigers’ current 13-game point streak (12-0-0-1), which saw the team string together 12 victories in a row and climb to second in the WHL’s overall standings. Last month, Medicine Hat also made its return to the CHL Top-10 Rankings for the first time since October 22. As of February 5, with 87 points in 42 games, McKenna sits tied for second in scoring in the CHL, just one point shy of the leader Spokane Chiefs forward Andrew Cristall. Taken first overall in the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft, the reigning WHL and CHL Rookie of the Year captured gold for Team Canada at both the 2024 IIHF World U18 Championship and the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Most recently, at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, McKenna became the eighth youngest player to ever suit up for Team Canada at a World Juniors. Following the 2023-24 season, McKenna was named a member of both the CHL’s Third All-Star and All-Rookie Teams after he registered 97 points in 61 games as a 16-year-old.
Having led both the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) and the CHL with 14 goals during January, Rémi Gélinas of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL) is making his first career appearance in the CHL Team of the Month. The 19-year-old from St-Eustache, Que., didn’t fail to register a point in all 12 of his contests last month. Specifically, Gélinas lit the lamp in 10 games in January and he also registered four multi-goal outings during that time. By tallying a point in his dozen appearances last month, Gélinas has now scored a point in all 14 games he has played in since coming back from the holiday break on December 29. His current 14-game point streak is the longest active point streak in the QMJHL. Over the month of January, Gélinas also recorded six multi-point games, including a pair of consecutive three-point contests against the Sherbrooke Phoenix and the No.2-ranked Moncton Wildcats on January 9 and 11 respectively. Gélinas has only played 16 career games in the QMJHL. He made his way to the QMJHL from the Hawkesbury Hawks of the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL) and made his debut with the Huskies on December 13. After failing to register a point in his first two career games in the QMJHL, Gélinas has since found the scoresheet in each of his last 14 appearances. Currently averaging 1.63 points per game, Gélinas ranks as the second-most productive player in the QMJHL behind only that league’s scoring leader Jonathan Fauchon of the Rimouski Océanic (1.64 points per game). Looking ahead to his future Gélinas has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey for Clarkson University and join that program for the start of the 2026-27 hockey and academic year.
Having led all CHL and OHL defencemen with 11 goals and 21 points in January, Calgary Flames prospect Zayne Parekh of the Saginaw Spirit (OHL) is making his first appearance of the 2024-25 season in the CHL Team of the Month. In 10 games in January, the 2024 Memorial Cup Champion produced a point in all but one contest, which included matching a career-best five points (3G-2A) against the Guelph Storm on January 18. Impressively, over the last month, the 18-year-old from Nobleton, Ont., also scored a goal in six different contests and registered a pair of hat tricks. Thanks to his offensive output in January, let alone his current nine-game point streak, Parekh leads all CHL defencemen with 24 goals and 67 points this season. If Parekh were to reach 30 goals in 2024-25, he would become only the sixth defenceman in CHL history to have repeated as a 30-goal scorer (QMJHL: David Ezard & Jonathan Gauthier; OHL: Bobby Orr; WHL: Greg Hawgood & Paul Buczkowski). Additionally, in January, Parekh officially became the Spirit’s all-time leading scorer among defencemen, as he now has recorded 78 goals and 122 assists for 200 career points in 158 OHL regular-season games. Last season, in addition to helping the Saginaw Spirit to their first-ever Memorial Cup title, Parekh became the first Spirit player to ever be named the CHL Defenceman of the Year. Having been chosen to the CHL’s First All-Star Team after amassing 96 points in 66 games in 2023-24, Parekh is one just two CHL blueliners over the last 20 years to have topped 95 points in a single season. By going ninth overall to the Calgary Flames at the 2024 NHL Draft, Parekh became the highest-drafted player in Saginaw Spirit history. The 18-year-old was originally taken by Saginaw with the 19th overall pick of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection. He has previously helped Canada to gold at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and he competed for Team Red at the 2024 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Moncton, N.B.
After registering one goal and 18 assists in 12 games in January, 2026 NHL Draft prospect Chase Reid of the Soo Greyhounds is making his first-ever appearance on the CHL Team of the Month. Playing in his first full month in the OHL, the 17-year-old from Chesterfield, Michigan, led all CHL rearguards with 18 assists in January, and he trailed only Saginaw Spirit blueliner Zayne Parekh (21 points) in terms of scoring by a defenceman. No rookie defenceman in the CHL, let alone any first-year skater in the OHL, had more points in January than Chase Reid. In total, the Greyhounds blueliner recorded six multi-point outings, including a trio of three-point efforts (vs. PBO on Jan. 3; @ PBO on Jan. 16; vs. KIT on Jan. 29). Thanks to his strong play in January, Reid is currently averaging 1.20 points per game during the 2024-25 campaign, which ranks first among CHL rookie blueliners and sixth among all defencemen in the OHL. For his efforts over the last month, Reid was recognized as the OHL’s Rookie of the Month for January – making him the first defenceman to earn this award since Zayne Parekh achieved the feat in December 2022. Reid joined the Greyhounds from the Bismarck Bobcats of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) in December. Since making his debut on December 11, the 17-year-old has collected 24 points (2G-22A) over 20 games in his first season in the OHL. The former seventh-round (125th overall) pick by the Greyhounds in 2023 is a December 30, 2007 birthday, and he won’t be eligible for the NHL Draft until 2026.
Having led the CHL with a .946 save percentage and two shutouts in January, goaltender Alexis Cournoyer of the Cape Breton Eagles (QMJHL) is making his first career appearance in the CHL Team of the Month. Over his eight starts, the 20-year-old from Trois-Rivières, Que., allowed one goal or fewer on six occasions during the last month. The latter included a pair of shutouts: the first of which saw Cournoyer turn aside all 28 shots he faced against the Acadie-Bathurst Titan on January 3, before he later registered a 21-save shutout against the Chicoutimi Saguenéens on January 26. Cournoyer also made a career-high 34 saves in an important 5-1 victory over the Acadie-Bathurst Titan on January 4. Over the last month, Cournoyer also recorded a 1.61 goals-against average, which ranked third among goalies in the CHL in January. His performance last month no doubt was a big part of the Eagles’ 7-2-1-1 record in January, as Cape Breton seeks to climb the QMJHL standings ahead of the playoffs. Having only joined the Eagles in December, Cournoyer has had an immediate impact. His 1.62 goals-against average and .946 save percentage are the best of any QMJHL goaltender in 2024-25 who has played more than 500 minutes this season. Before his time in Cape Breton, the 20-year-old had previously only played in two career QMJHL regular-season games with the Shawinigan Cataractes. Specifically, Cournoyer was acquired from the Baie-Comeau Drakkar in exchange for a 9th-round draft pick in 2026 on December 19 to help support in the absence of Nashville Predators prospect Jakub Milota who spent his holidays representing Czechia at the 2025 World Juniors. Prior to joining the Eagles this season, Cournoyer was playing with the Truro Bearcats of the Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL), where he had a .927 save percentage and a 2.83 goals-against average in 21 starts in 2024-25.
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, October 13, 2024.
Bulldogs’ Nick Lardis Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week
Chicago Blackhawks prospect Nick Lardis of the Brantford Bulldogs is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, registering seven goals, two assists and nine points in three road wins last week.
The 19-year-old from Oakville, Ont., leads all OHL skaters in goals and ranks second in points this season with 48 goals, 33 assists, and 81 points in 47 games. Selected in the third round (67th overall) by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2023 NHL Draft, Lardis has recorded 132 goals, 101 assists, and 233 points in 216 regular season games over four seasons spent between the Bulldogs and Peterborough Petes after being drafted sixth overall by Peterborough in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection. He has also found success on the international stage, winning bronze with Team Canada at the 2023 IIHF U18 World Championship.
Also considered for the award this week, Calgary Flames prospect Zayne Parekh of the Saginaw Spirit tallied three goals and five assists over three games. Fellow Flames prospect Jacob Battaglia of the Kingston Frontenacs also impressed, notching eight points (3-5-8) in three contests.
Attack’s Carter George Named OHL Goaltender of the Week
Los Angeles Kings prospect Carter George of the Owen Sound Attack is the OHL Goaltender of the Week for the second time this season, going 2-0 with a 2.00 goals-against average and a .937 save percentage.
Turning aside 59 shots last week, George stopped 30 of the 31 shots that came his way on Saturday in a 3-1 victory against the Ottawa 67’s. The 6-foot-1, 190lb. netminder returned between the pipes on Sunday, making 29 saves on 31 shots to earn second star honours in a 5-3 win over the Brampton Steelheads.
An 18-year-old from Thunder Bay, Ont, George holds an 8-17-2-3 record this season with a 3.53 goals-against average and .902 save percentage over 31 games. Drafted in the third round (53rd overall) by Owen Sound in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, George is in his third OHL season, with a career record of 38-41-8-6, a 3.28 goals-against average, .907 save percentage, and four shutouts in 97 regular season games played. Selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the second round (57th overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft, George earned recognition as the OHL’s Top Academic High School Player and Scholastic Player of the Year in 2023-24. He was also voted to the League’s Third All-Star Team and the First All-Rookie Team. On the international stage, he claimed gold with Team Canada at both the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and the Under-18 World Championship last season.
Also considered for the award this week, Edmonton Oilers prospect Nathan Day of the Flint Firebirds was excellent, going 1-0-0-1 with a 1.44 goals-against average and .953 save percentage, while Buffalo Sabres prospect Ryerson Leenders of the Brantford Bulldogs played to a 2-0 record, along with a 2.50 goals-against average and .924 save percentage.
Selected in the second round (35th overall) by Saginaw in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection, the Ottawa, Ont., native has tallied 18 goals, 20 assists, and a league-leading 38 points among rookies in 47 games this season. Appearing in four games with the Spirit during the 2023-24 campaign, Cloutier spent the majority of last season with Saginaw’s GOJHL affiliate, the Chatham Maroons, where he recorded 31 points (11-20-31) in 29 contests.
Also considered for the award this week, Beckham Edwards of the Sarnia Sting recorded four points (2-2–4), while Niagara IceDogs netminder Matthew Humphries went 0-0-0-1 with a 2.77 goals-against average and .927 save percentage.
Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Month for January.
Player of the Month – Tuomas Uronen (Kingston Frontenacs) Vegas Golden Knights prospect Tuomas Uronen has been red hot since returning from the World Juniors, where he won a silver medal while representing Finland. The 19-year-old scored in all nine of his January matchups, finishing with 10 goals, 13 assists and 23 points along with a plus/minus rating of plus-6. Uronen had multi-point finishes in eight of his nine outings, entering the month of February on a run of eight straight as part of an active 11-game point streak dating back to December 14. He posted back-to-back four-point efforts on January 19th and 22nd as the Frontenacs defeated Erie and Ottawa on home ice.
A product of Kerava, Finland, Uronen has come back strong from an injury-shortened 2023-24 season with the Ottawa 67’s. Acquired by Kingston over the summer, Uronen has produced 62 points (26-36–62) over 40 contests with a plus/minus rating of plus-18 while collecting eight power play goals and four game winners. He was Vegas’ sixth round (192nd overall) pick in 2023 and was chosen by Ottawa 57th overall in the 2023 CHL Import Draft.
Also considered for the award this month, Frontenacs teammate and Calgary Flames prospect Jacob Battaglia recorded 23 points (9-14–23) over 11 games. Washington Capitals prospect Ilya Protas of the Windsor Spitfires was also excellent, registering 22 points (11-11–22) over nine outings.
Defenceman of the Month – Zayne Parekh (Saginaw Spirit) Nobody was matching the offensive output of Calgary Flames first round pick Zayne Parekh on the back end in January. The Saginaw Spirit rearguard finished the month with 11 goals, including a pair of hat-tricks, 10 assists and 21 points over 10 games along with a plus/minus rating of plus-14. Parekh produced points in all but one January matchup, with a five-point effort that included a hat-trick on January 18 against the Guelph Storm headlining his resume. Parekh added another hat-trick as part of a four-point effort on January 26 in Ottawa. This marks the third time in Parekh’s career that he’s received OHL Defenceman of the Month honours, following previous recognition in March 2024 and November 2023.
An 18-year-old from Nobleton, Ont., Parekh sits tied for the OHL lead in points by a defenceman with 61 (22-39–61) through 40 games in his third OHL season. The ninth overall pick of the 2024 NHL Draft by Calgary, Parekh became the Spirit’s all-time leading scorer among defencemen this past month as he enters February with career totals that include 76 goals, 118 assists and 194 points over 156 regular season games. Last year’s OHL Defenceman of the Year and Memorial Cup champion, Parekh was selected by Saginaw with the 19th overall pick of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection.
Goaltender of the Month – Aleksei Medvedev (London Knights) Draft eligible London Knights netminder Aleksei Medvedev continued his strong rookie performance in the month of January, going 4-1-1-0 with a 1.99 goals-against average and .937 save percentage with one shutout. Medvedev made 177 saves in January, helping the Knights maintain their position at the top of the OHL standings. He registered a season-high 40-save performance on January 10 as the Knights beat the visiting Windsor Spitfires 5-1 and followed-up that performance with a 32-save shutout on January 17 as the Knights blanked the Guelph Storm 6-0. Medvedev enters February on the heels of back-to-back wins, including a 27-save effort on Friday as London beat Erie 4-2. Medvedev was also the OHL’s Rookie of the Month this past November.
A 17-year-old originally from St. Petersburg, Russia, Medvedev owns a record of 17-5-1-0 with a 2.46 goals-against average, .923 save percentage and two shutouts through 25 games this season. London’s second round (38th overall) pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection, Medvedev competed for the Western Conference in last month’s Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game, and is the second-ranked North American goaltender on NHL Central Scouting’s mid-term list. Medvedev spent the 2023-24 season with the GOJHL’s St. Thomas Stars, going 11-15-0 in 28 regular season appearances.
Also considered for the award this month, Kitchener Rangers goaltender Jackson Parsons played to a mark of 7-2-0-1 with a 2.35 goals-against average and .915 save percentage while Buffalo Sabres prospect Ryerson Leenders of the Brantford Bulldogs went 7-1-0-1 with a 2.73 goals-against average and .912 save percentage.
Rookie of the Month – Chase Reid (Soo Greyhounds) Chase Reid‘s first full month in the Ontario Hockey League was nothing short of outstanding as the 17-year-old defender put up a goal and 18 assists for 19 points over 12 games. Reid’s January featured a plus/minus rating of plus-10, and was headlined by a pair of three-assist showings against the Peterborough Petes, contributing to a total of six multi-point performances. Reid is the first defenceman to earn Rookie of the Month recognition since Zayne Parekh in December 2022.
A 17-year-old from Chesterfield, Michigan, Reid joined the Greyhounds from the NAHL’s Bismarck Bobcats in December, and has collected 24 points (2-22–24) over 19 games in his first season. The former seventh round (125th overall) pick by the Greyhounds in 2023 is a December 30, 2007 birthday, and won’t be eligible for the NHL Draft until 2026.
2024-25 OHL Performers of the Month:
Player of the Month: January – Tuomas Uronen (Kingston Frontenacs) December – Beckett Sennecke (Oshawa Generals) November – Sam Dickinson (London Knights) October – Michael Misa (Saginaw Spirit)
Defenceman of the Month: January – Zayne Parekh (Saginaw Spirit) December – Henry Mews (Ottawa 67’s) November – Sam Dickinson (London Knights) October – Luca Marrelli (Oshawa Generals)
Goaltender of the Month: January – Aleksei Medvedev (London Knights) December – Ben Hrebik (Barrie Colts) November – Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers) October – Joey Costanzo (Windsor Spitfires)
Rookie of the Month: January – Chase Reid (Soo Greyhounds) December – Lev Katzin (Guelph Storm) November – Aleksei Medvedev (London Knights) October – Ethan Belchetz (Windsor Spitfires)
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
OHL Writers 