OHL ANNOUNCES ACADEMIC PLAYERS OF THE MONTH FOR OCTOBER

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

TORONTO (Friday, October 31, 2025) – The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) today announced Academic Players of the Month for October, recognizing dedication to excellence in the classroom in the opening month of the season.

East Division – Aiden O’Donnell (Oshawa Generals)
Newly acquired Oshawa Generals forward Aiden O’Donnell is the OHL East Division Academic Player of the Month for October, achieving a 95% grade in his Grade 12 University-level Advanced Functions program, in addition to an 86% average in Grade 12 University-level English.

“Aiden has proven to be an outstanding student,” said Maureen Alfano, who served as O’Donnell’s Academic Advisor over the past two seasons in Brantford. “He manages his academic responsibilities with quiet confidence, consistently excelling in all of his courses. Calm and focused, he stays on top of his assignments, meets deadlines, and demonstrates a strong commitment to his education. We are incredibly proud of his academic efforts and accomplishments.”

O’Donnell was acquired by the Generals in a trade announced Thursday. The 17-year-old from Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia has eight points (4-4–8) through his first 14 games of the season after recording 17 points (7-10–17) over 58 games as a rookie in 2024-25. The Bulldogs selected O’Donnell with the 14th overall pick of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. He was included as a B-rated prospect by NHL Central Scouting on their preliminary players to watch list released on Oct. 20th.

Central Division – Cole Emerton (Barrie Colts)
Barrie Colts defenceman Cole Emerton is the OHL Central Division Academic Player of the Month for October, registering an average above 90% in four Grade 12 University-level courses including Data, Functions, Biology and High Performance.

“Cole is a very diligent student who takes his education very seriously,” said Colts Academic Advisor Brent Preston. “His teachers say he’s an exemplary student who works extremely hard.”

An 18-year-old defenceman from Oro-Medonte, just outside of Barrie, Emerton is off to a strong start in his first OHL season, recording nine assists over 15 games. The 5-foot-11, 183Ib. blueliner was the Colts’ third round (50th overall) pick in 2024 from the GTHL champion Vaughan Kings AAA program. He recorded 25 points (10-15–25) over 50 games with the OJHL’s Toronto Patriots in 2024-25.

Midwest Division – Lucas Ambrosio (Erie Otters)
Erie Otters defenceman Lucas Ambrosio is the OHL Midwest Division Academic Player of the Month for October, posting a 92.6% average in Grade 12 Sports Analytics, as well as an 81.5% mark in World Religions. He’s also produced strong results in a Math Data Management course.

“Lucas has shown tremendous initiative throughout the month, getting off to a fantastic start academically,” said Otters Assistant General Manager and Director of Hockey Operations Scott Grieve. “He has put in a lot of work on his courses since the beginning of the season. We are very proud of Lucas’ continued accomplishments in the classroom, in the community and on the ice.”

A 6-foot-4, 194Ib. left-shot defenceman from Oakville, ON, the 17-year-old Ambrosio has three assists through his first 16 games of the season. He started his OHL career with 13 points (4-9–13) over 52 games in 2024-25 after being selected by Erie in the second round (25th overall) of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. Ambrosio was listed as a B-rated prospect on NHL Central Scouting’s preliminary players to watch list released earlier this month.

West Division – Mason Vaccari (Flint Firebirds)
Flint Firebirds goaltender Mason Vaccari is the OHL West Division Academic Player of the Month for October, achieving a 95% in a University Microeconomics course through Nipissing University.

“Mason is a hard-working student athlete with excellent time management skills, a positive attitude, and a goal-oriented growth mindset,” said Firebirds Academic Advisor Michelle Horning. “We are extremely proud of his accomplishments so far this season, both on and off the ice.”

Vaccari is off to a successful start to his overage season, going 7-2-1-0 with a 2.66 goals-against average, .923 save percentage and two shutouts through 10 games. The 20-year-old from Mississauga, ON was acquired by Flint over the summer following three seasons in Kingston. He’s compiled a career record of 56-47-5-3 with a 3.38 goals-against average and .890 save percentage with three shutouts over 123 regular season contests. Originally Kingston’s fourth round (61st overall) pick in 2021, Vaccari earned OHL and CHL Humanitarian of the Year honours in 2024 through his work with Mason’s Miracles benefitting the Kingston Health Sciences Centre pediatric wing. He attended rookie camp with the Columbus Blue Jackets this past September, representing them at the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo, NY.

OHL ANNOUNCES TOP PERFORMERS OF THE MONTH FOR MARCH

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Month for regular season games in March 2025.


Player of the Month – Ilya Protas (Windsor Spitfires)
Washington Capitals prospect Ilya Protas of the Windsor Spitfires has been named OHL Player of the Month for March. Protas recorded eight goals, 15 assists, and 23 points in just seven games, registering points in all seven outings, including six multi-point performances. He capped off the month with standout performances, notching four points (3-1-4) on March 15 against the Saginaw Spirit. He then matched his career high with a five-point game on March 20, assisting on all five goals in a 5-0 win over the Sarnia Sting. Protas also earned Player of the Week honours once in March.

An 18-year-old from Vitebsk, Belarus, Protas appeared in 61 games with the Spitfires this season, recording 50 goals, 74 assists, and 124 points, good for second-most in the OHL. Protas records the eighth 50-goal season in Spitfires history, joining such names as Matthew Maggio (2022-23), Steve Ott (2000-01) and Ernie Godden (1980-81) in that department. He was selected third overall by Windsor in the 2024 CHL Import Draft after being chosen in the third round (75th overall) by the Washington Capitals in the 2024 NHL Draft.

Also considered for March’s Player of the Month Award, Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan of the London Knights tallied 23 points (8-15-9) in nine games played, while San Jose Sharks prospect Igor Chernyshov of the Saginaw Spirit was also a standout, registering 20 points (7-13-20) in nine contests.


Defenceman of the Month – Sam Dickinson (London Knights)
San Jose Sharks prospect Sam Dickinson of the London Knights has been named the OHL Defenceman of the Month for March. Earning this recognition for the second time this season, Dickinson recorded six goals, 12 assists, and 18 points, along with a plus-12 rating over 10 outings. He registered at least one point in nine of his 10 March outings, posting multi-point performances in six, including three-point games on March 11th (2-1-3) and March 21st (2-1-3).

An 18-year-old from Toronto, Ont., Dickinson led all London Knights in scoring, setting a new single season franchise mark with 91 points (29-62–91) over 55 games. His 29 goals and 91 points were the second-most by a defenceman in the OHL this season. The 6-foot-3, 210Ib. left-shot blueliner has recorded 184 points (56-128–184) over 185 career regular season contests in London after being selected fourth overall by the Niagara IceDogs in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection. He put up 13 points (4-9–13) over 18 games in last year’s playoffs as the Knights were crowned OHL champions. Dickinson was selected by the San Jose Sharks with the 11th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.

Also considered for March’s Defenceman of the Month Award, Calgary Flames prospect Zayne Parekh of the Saginaw Spirit registered 15 points (4-11-15) in seven games, while 2025 NHL Draft-eligible prospect Kashawn Aitcheson of the Barrie Colts also performed well, tallying five goals, eight assists and 13 points in nine contests.


Goaltender of the Month – Austin Elliott (London Knights)
London Knights goaltender Austin Elliott has been named the OHL Goaltender of the Month for March.

Making 196 saves throughout the month, Elliott posted a perfect 7-0 record with a 1.70 goals-against average, .942 save percentage, and one shutout. Elliott earned Player of the Week honours once in March, recording three 30+ save performances and a 28-save shutout on March 5.

The 20-year-old from Strathmore, Alberta, has been dominant since joining the Knights, who acquired the overage goaltender from the Barrie Colts after he was claimed off CHL waivers in October. He led the OHL with a 2.10 goals-against average, .924 save percentage, and an impressive 32-1-0-0 record through 33 games as an overager. Elliott entered the OHL after starting his junior career with the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades.

Also considered for the award this month, Buffalo Sabres prospect Ryerson Leenders of the Brantford Bulldogs impressed with a 6-2 record, a 2.79 goals-against average, .924 save percentage, and one shutout. Meanwhile, Mike McIvor of the North Bay Battalion posted a 5-2-0-1 record with a 2.92 goals-against average, a .914 save percentage and one shutout. Draft eligible Brampton Steelheads goaltender Jack Ivankovic was also in the running with a 2.36 goals-against average, 5-2-0-1 record and a .910 save percentage.


Rookie of the Month – Filip Ekberg (Ottawa 67’s)
Filip Ekberg of the Ottawa 67’s is the Rookie of the Month for March after posting four goals and 11 assists for 15 points over 10 games. Ekberg recorded points in all 10 of his March performances, including four multi-point contests. He set an OHL career high on March 22 with a three-assist game in a 7-1 win over the Erie Otters. Ekberg also earned Rookie of the Week honours to start the month.

A  17-year-old from Uppsala, Sweden, Ekberg recorded 45 points (16-29–45) in 53 games this season. Selected by Ottawa in the first round (33rd overall) of the 2024 CHL Import Draft, he was ranked 136th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting for the upcoming 2025 NHL Draft. Ekberg has also found success on the international stage, winning a bronze medal with Sweden at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

Also considered for the award this month, Beckham Edwards of the Sarnia Sting registered four goals, six assists and 10 points in 10 games played, while Erie Otters blueliner Lucas Ambrosio also impressed, recording seven points (1-6-7) in 11 contests.

2024-25 OHL Performers of the Month:

Player of the Month:
March – Ilya Protas (Windsor Spitfires)
February – Nick Lardis (Brantford Bulldogs)
January – Tuomas Uronen (Kingston Frontenacs)
December – Beckett Sennecke (Oshawa Generals)
November – Sam Dickinson (London Knights)
October – Michael Misa (Saginaw Spirit)

Defenceman of the Month:
March – Sam Dickinson (London Knights)
February – Zayne Parekh (Saginaw Spirit)
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:
March – Austin Elliott (London Knights)
February – Ryerson Leenders (Brantford Bulldogs)
January – Aleksei Medvedev (London Knights)
December – Ben Hrebik (Barrie Colts)
November – Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers)
October – Joey Costanzo (Windsor Spitfires)

Rookie of the Month:
March – Filip Ekberg (Ottawa 67’s)
February – Pierce Mbuyi (Owen Sound Attack)
January – Chase Reid (Soo Greyhounds)
December – Lev Katzin (Guelph Storm)
November – Aleksei Medvedev (London Knights)
October – Ethan Belchetz (Windsor Spitfires)