OHL Writers Draft Eligible Player of the Month: March

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Forward of the Month – Malcolm Spence – Erie Otters

Spence had a very good month of March to close out the regular season, scoring 9 goals and adding 9 assists in 11 games. He had 3-multi goal games, 4-multi assist games and 5-multi point games. All 9 of his goals came on 5-on-5 hockey. He also had a whopping 43 shots on goal in those 9 games.

Also considered was Michael Misa of the Saginaw Spirit. He posted 6 goals and 10 assists in 9 games while Filip Ekberg of the Ottawa 67’s, who was named Rookie of the Month by the OHL, had 4 goals and 11 assists in 10 games.

Defenceman of the Month – Kashawn Aitcheson – Barrie Colts

Aitcheson has had a very good regular season and March was no different as he posted 5 goals and 8 assists in 9 games during the month of March. He was held off the scoresheet just once on March 9 against the Sudbury Wolves. He did not produce a multi-goal game but had 3-multi assist games. He was also runner up as the OHL Defenseman of the Month.

Also considered were Parker Von Richter of the Brampton Steelheads who had 1 goal and 9 assists in 10 games as well as James Petrovski of the Owen Sound Attack who had 1 goal and 8 assists in 9 games.

Goaltender of the Month – Mike McIvor – North Bay Battalion

McIvor posted a 5-2-0-1 record in March where he stopped 235 of 257 shots for a save percentage of .914 and a goals-against-average of 2.92. McIvor is a draft re-entry and is ranked sixth among OHL goaltenders by NHL Central Scouting. While others have put up better numbers, there is no arguing the effort.

Also considered was Jack Ivankovic of the Brampton Steelheads with also put up a 5-2-0-1 record with a 2.36 goals-against-average and .910 save percentage.

Previous choices

Forward of the Month

October: Michael Misa – Saginaw Spirit

November: Michael Misa – Saginaw Spirit

December: Ethan Czata – Niagara IceDogs

January: Michael Misa – Saginaw Spirit

February: Michael Misa – Saginaw Spirit

March: Malcolm Spence – Erie Otters

Defenceman of the Month

October: Cameron Reid – Kitchener Rangers

November: Matthew Schaefer – Erie Otters

December: Martin Matejicek – Peterborough Petes

January: Anthony Cristoforo – Windsor Spitfires

February: Anthony Cristoforo – Windsor Spitfires

March: Kashawn Aitcheson – Barrie Colts

Goaltender of the Month

October: Joey Costanzo – Windsor Spitfires

November: Aleksei Medvedev – London Knights

December: Ben Hrebik – Barrie Colts

January: Aleksei Medvedev – London Knights

February: Jack Ivankovic – Brampton Steelheads

March: Mike McIvor – North Bay Battalion

Malcolm Spence – Erie Otters – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano
Malcolm Spence of the Erie Otters. Photo by OHL Images.
HTWTDOBPOSSOHL DRAFTNHLCSNAT
6’2”201Aug 22, 2006LWL2nd 202214th NACAN
SEASONLEAGUETEAMGPGAPTS
2022-2023OHLErie Otters64162642
2023-2024OHLErie Otters66194362
2024-2025OHLErie Otters47213152

In the world of hockey, only a handful names have generated more buzz for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft as Malcolm Spence. This young forward, currently playing for the Erie Otters in the OHL, has been on the radar of scouts and fans alike for his impressive performances and potential to become a top-tier player in the NHL for some time now.

Scouting Report

Skating: Malcolm Spence’s skating ability is a crucial aspect of his game. While not his strongest asset, his skating is solid and not hold him back as he progresses to higher levels of hockey. He generates good power and speed in his first steps and can find separation gear. His strong edges and shiftiness allow him to maneuver around defenders with ease. He’s not shy about challenging defenders one-on-one.

Work ethic: Spence’s motor just doesn’t stop as seen with his relentless attack on puck carriers. He is constantly constantly pressuring the opposition and creating turnovers with his forechecking. But he can also play patiently and wait for the opportunity to pounce so as to not give any advantage going the other way.  His high motor and compete level in all zones are as good as anyone’s in this draft class.

Offensive Skills: Spence’s offensive game consists of high-level playmaking skills and superb vision. He has the necessary skills to deliver precise passes through bodies and sticks. Add in his aggressive puck pursuit and motor and you have a constant threat on. He also finds success on the powerplay.

Defensive Skills: Spence is no slouch defensively. His ability to read and react as well as support his defensemen down low. He brings his aggressive attack on the penalty kill as well and does not put himself out of position when doing so.

Intangibles: Spence’s leadership qualities are exceptional. He has worn an “A” for the Otters and has been a staple on the Canadian National Team, winning gold at both the World Junior U-18’s and the Hlinka Gretzky Cup Tournament.

In conclusion, Malcolm Spence is a highly skilled and versatile forward with the potential to become a significant asset to any NHL team. His relentless drive, offensive and defensive capabilities, and leadership qualities make him a player to watch in the upcoming 2025 NHL Draft.

13 OHL PLAYERS SELECTED TO REPRESENT CANADA AT 2023 HLINKA GRETZKY CUP

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League is pleased to congratulate 13 OHL players on being selected to represent Canada at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup to be held from July 31st through August 5th in Trencin, Slovakia and Breclav, Czechia.

The 13 OHL players are part of a Canadian roster consisting of 24 names that was assembled by Alan Millar (Tottenham, Ont.), director of player personnel, and Cam Russell (Halifax Mooseheads), the U18 lead for the Program of Excellence management group, with support from Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), senior vice-president of hockey operations, Benoit Roy (Sudbury, Ont.), senior manager of hockey operations, and Byron Bonora (Brooks, Alta.), manager of hockey operations and U17 head scout. Head coach Alan Letang (Sarnia Sting) and assistant coaches Kris Mallette (Kelowna Rockets) and Sylvain Favreau (Drummondville Voltigeurs) also provided input.

OHL Rookie of the Year Michael Misa headlines the 13 OHL players named to the roster, being joined by Saginaw Spirit teammate Zayne Parekh on the blue line. Misa and Parekh are accompanied by fellow OHL first all-rookie team members Sam Dickinson of the London Knights and Liam Greentree of the Windsor Spitfires while second team voting recipient Anthony Cristoforo of the Windsor Spitfires is also included.

The Ottawa 67’s feature a pair of teammates on the blueline in Henry Mews and Frankie Marrelli while the Mississauga Steelheads joined the 67’s, Saginaw Spirit and Windsor Spitfires in also producing two players named to the squad in forward Porter Martone and goaltender Ryerson Leenders.

OHL Players Named to Canada’s National Summer Under-18 Team:

Goaltender:
Carter George (Owen Sound Attack)
Ryerson Leenders (Mississauga Steelheads)

Defencemen:
Anthony Cristoforo (Windsor Spitfires)
Ben Danford (Oshawa Generals)
Sam Dickinson (London Knights)
Frankie Marrelli (Ottawa 67’s)
Henry Mews (Ottawa 67’s)
Zayne Parekh (Saginaw Spirit)

Forwards:
Cole Beaudoin (Barrie Colts)
Liam Greentree (Windsor Spitfires)
Porter Martone (Mississauga Steelheads)
Michael Misa (Saginaw Spirit)
Malcolm Spence (Erie Otters)

Prior to the start of the tournament, the team will practice at the Ice Palace in Budapest, Hungary from July 23-27, and will face off against Hungary’s national under-20 team on July 27 at 12:30 p.m. ET/9:30 a.m. PT. It will also take on Czechia on July 29 at 12:30 p.m. ET/9:30 a.m. PT at Fosfa Arena in Breclav as a part of its pre-tournament schedule.

Canada will open the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup against Finland on July 31 at 9:30 a.m. ET/6:30 a.m. PT. It will also face co-host Slovakia and Switzerland in the preliminary round before the tournament concludes with the medal games on Aug. 5.

TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast all Team Canada games and select elimination and medal games; please check local listings for more details.

Canada has won 23 gold medals in 31 years of summer under-18 competition, along with three silver medals and one bronze.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca.


About the Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the world’s largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American states. In addition to the OHL, the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League and U SPORTS than any other league.