MARTIN, DAY AND EKBERG NAMED OHL TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, March 2, 2025.



Greyhounds’ Brady Martin Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

2025 NHL Draft-eligible prospect Brady Martin of the Soo Greyhounds is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, four goals, six assists and 10 points in three games played.

Martin opened the week with a career-high five-point night on Tuesday, recording a pair of goals and three assists to earn first star honours in a 6-3 win over the North Bay Battalion. He found the scoresheet again on Wednesday, registering a pair of goals and an assists to earn second star honours as the Greyhounds defeated the Sudbury Wolves 6-3. Martin closed out the week with two helpers on Friday as Soo suffered a 6-3 loss to the Brampton Steelheads.

Martin opened the week with a career-high five-point night on Tuesday, tallying two goals and three assists to earn first star honours in a 6-3 win over the North Bay Battalion. He stayed hot on Wednesday, notching two goals and an assist for second star honours as the Greyhounds defeated the Sudbury Wolves 6-3. Martin closed out the week with two assists on Friday as the Soo fell 6-3 to the Brampton Steelheads.

The soon-to-be 18-year-old from Elmira, Ont., has appeared in 50 games with the Greyhounds this season, recording 29 goals, 32 assists, and 61 points. The 6-foot, 174lb. forward was selected third overall by Sault Ste. Marie in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection and has recorded 89 points (39-50-89) in 102 regular season contests with the Greyhounds over two seasons. Martin was ranked 17th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting in the midterm rankings for the upcoming 2025 NHL Draft and recently represented the Western Conference at the inaugural Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game.

Also considered for the award this week, Calgary Flames prospect Zayne Parekh of the Saginaw Spirit posted two goals and eight assists in three games played, while Jimmy Lombardi of the Flint Firebirds tallied seven points (6-1-7) in four wins.

2024-25 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Feb. 24 – Mar. 2: Brady Martin (Soo Greyhounds)
Feb. 17 – Feb. 23: Ilya Protas (Windsor Spitfires)
Feb. 10 – Feb. 16: Cole Brown (Brantford Bulldogs)
Feb. 3 – Feb. 9: Igor Chernyshov (Saginaw Spirit)
Jan. 27 – Feb. 2: Nick Lardis (Brantford Bulldogs)
Jan. 20 – Jan. 26: Zayne Parekh (Saginaw Spirit)
Jan. 13 – Jan. 19: Tuomas Uronen (Kingston Frontenacs)
Jan. 6 – Jan. 12: Kocha Delic (Sudbury Wolves)
Dec. 30 – Jan. 5: Liam Greentree (Windsor Spitfires)
Dec. 28 – Dec. 29: Cole Davis (Windsor Spitfires)
Dec. 16 – Dec. 22: Marco Mignosa (Soo Greyhounds)
Dec. 9 – Dec. 15: Ryan Roobroeck (Niagara IceDogs)
Dec. 2 – Dec. 8: Beckett Sennecke (Oshawa Generals)
Nov. 25 – Dec. 1: Blake Montgomery (London Knights)
Nov. 18 – Nov. 24: Joey Willis (Saginaw Spirit)
Nov. 11 – Nov. 17: Joey Willis (Saginaw Spirit)
Nov. 4 – Nov. 10: Sam Dickinson (London Knights)
Oct. 28 – Nov. 3: Marco Mignosa (Soo Greyhounds)
Oct. 21 – Oct. 27: Sam Dickinson (London Knights)
Oct. 14 – Oct. 20: Liam Greentree (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 7 – Oct. 13: Calvin Crombie (Brantford Bulldogs)
Sept. 30 – Oct. 6: Kevin He (Niagara IceDogs)
Sep. 25 – Sept. 29: Michael Misa (Saginaw Spirit)



Firebirds’ Nathan Day Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Edmonton Oilers prospect Nathan Day of the Flint Firebirds is the OHL Goaltender of the Week for the third time this season, going 3-0 with a 1.95 goals-against average and .940 save percentage.

Making 94 saves last week, Day stopped 33 of 34 shots on Monday along with three in the shootout to earn first star honours as the Firebirds edged the Erie Otters 2-1. He returned to the crease Wednesday, turning aside 27 shots in a 6-2 win over the Sarnia Sting. Day closed out the week with a 36-save performance in a 5-3 victory against the Guelph Storm on Friday.

A 20-year-old from Grimsby, Ont., Day owns a record of 24-20-2-3 on the season with a 2.98 goals-against average, .895 save percentage and two shutouts. Now in his fourth season, Day has played to a career mark of 68-59-3-5, along with a 3.48 goals-against average, .880 save percentage and two shutouts. The 6-foot-4, 205Ib. netminder was Edmonton’s sixth round (184th overall) pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. Day was selected by Flint in the third round (57th overall) of the 2021 OHL Priority Selection from the Niagara North Stars U16 AAA program.

Also considered for the award this week, Saginaw Spirit Goaltender Kaleb Papineau went 2-0 along with a 2.50 goals-against average and .925 save percentage, while London Knights netminder Austin Elliott was also a standout, playing to a 2-0 record with a 1.94 goals-against average and .932 save percentage.

2024-25 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Feb. 14 – Mar. 2: Nathan Day (Flint Firebirds)
Feb. 17 – Feb. 23: Mike McIvor (North Bay Battalion)
Feb. 10 – Feb. 16: Collin MacKenzie (Ottawa 67’s)
Feb. 3 – Feb. 9: Ryerson Leenders (Brantford Bulldogs)
Jan. 27 – Feb. 2: Carter George (Owen Sound Attack)
Jan. 20 – Jan. 26: Austin Elliott (London Knights)
Jan. 13 – Jan. 19: Nolan Lalonde (Soo Greyhounds)
Jan. 6 – Jan. 12: Easton Rye (Peterborough Petes)
Dec. 30 – Jan. 5: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers)
Dec. 28 – Dec. 29: Ben Hrebik (Barrie Colts)
Dec. 16 – Dec. 22: Nathan Day (Flint Firebirds)
Dec. 9 – Dec. 15: Ryerson Leenders (Brantford Bulldogs)
Dec. 2 – Dec. 8: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers)
Nov. 25 – Dec. 1: Aleksei Medvedev (London Knights)
Nov. 18 – Nov. 24: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers)
Nov. 11 – Nov. 17: Carter George (Owen Sound Attack)
Nov. 4 – Nov. 10: Andrew Oke (Saginaw Spirit)
Oct. 28 – Nov. 3: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers)
Oct. 21 – Oct. 27: Nathan Day (Flint Firebirds)
Oct. 14 – Oct. 20: Joey Costanzo (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 7 – Oct. 13: Finn Marshall (Sudbury Wolves)
Sept. 30 – Oct. 6: Joey Costanzo (Windsor Spitfires)
Sept. 25 – Sept. 29: Jack Ivankovic (Brampton Steelheads)


67’s’ Filip Ekberg Named OHL Rookie of the Week

NHL Draft eligible Ottawa 67’s forward Filip Ekberg is the OHL Rookie of the Week after scoring three goals in two home victories.

Ekberg opened the week with a pair of goals on Friday, earning first star honours in the 67’s’ 5-2 win over the North Bay Battalion. He followed up with another goal on Sunday in a 5-4 victory against the Windsor Spitfires.

A 17-year-old from Uppsala, Sweden, Ekberg has recorded 31 points (13-18–31) in 44 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 week, Saginaw Spirit forward Carson Harmer registered four points (2-2-4) in three games played.

2024-25 OHL Rookies of the Week – Regular Season:
Feb. 24 – March. 2: Filip Ekberg (Ottawa 67’s)
Feb. 17 – Feb. 23: Cole Zurawski (Owen Sound Attack)
Feb. 10 – Feb. 16: Pierce Mbuyi (Owen Sound Attack)
Feb. 3 – Feb. 9: Pierce Mbuyi (Owen Sound Attack)
Jan. 27 – Feb. 2: Jacob Cloutier (Saginaw Spirit)
Jan. 20 – Jan. 26: Dimian Zhilkin (Saginaw Spirit)
Jan. 13 – Jan. 19: Chase Reid (Soo Greyhounds)
Jan. 6 – Jan. 12: Lev Katzin (Guelph Storm)
Dec. 30 – Jan. 5: Ethan Belchetz (Windsor Spitfires)
Dec. 28 – Dec. 29: Carson Harmer (Saginaw Spirit)
Dec. 16 – Dec. 22: Logan Hawery (London Knights)
Dec. 9 – Dec. 15: Liam Beamish (Sarnia Sting)
Dec. 2 – Dec. 8: Lev Katzin (Guelph Storm)
Nov. 25 – Dec. 1: Aleksei Medvedev (London Knights)
Nov. 18 – Nov. 24: Gavin Betts (Kingston Frontenacs)
Nov. 11 – Nov. 17: Beckham Edwards (Sarnia Sting)
Nov. 4 – Nov. 10: Carter Stevens (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 28 – Nov. 3: Aleksei Medvedev (London Knights)
Oct. 21 – Oct. 27: Cole Zurawski (Flint Firebirds)
Oct. 14 – Oct. 20: Alessandro Di Iorio (Sarnia Sting)
Oct. 7 – Oct. 13: Pierce Mbuyi (Owen Sound Attack)
Sept. 30 – Oct. 6: Beckham Edwards (Sarnia Sting)
Sept. 25 – Sept. 29: Ethan Belchetz (Windsor Spitfires)

LARDIS, GEORGE AND CLOUTIER NAMED OHL TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

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.

Lardis opened the week with a goal on Thursday in a 3-2 win over the North Bay Battalion. He followed up with a two-goal, one-assist performance in 6-4 victory over the Soo Greyhounds on Friday. The 5-foot-11, 185lb. right-winger closed out the week with a career-high five-point performance on Sunday, registering four goals and an assist to earn first star honours in a 9-3 win against the Sudbury Wolves.

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.

2024-25 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Jan. 27 – Feb. 2: Nick Lardis (Brantford Bulldogs)
Jan. 20 – Jan. 26: Zayne Parekh (Saginaw Spirit)
Jan. 13 – Jan. 19: Tuomas Uronen (Kingston Frontenacs)
Jan. 6 – Jan. 12: Kocha Delic (Sudbury Wolves)
Dec. 30 – Jan. 5: Liam Greentree (Windsor Spitfires)
Dec. 28 – Dec. 29: Cole Davis (Windsor Spitfires)
Dec. 16 – Dec. 22: Marco Mignosa (Soo Greyhounds)
Dec. 9 – Dec. 15: Ryan Roobroeck (Niagara IceDogs)
Dec. 2 – Dec. 8: Beckett Sennecke (Oshawa Generals)
Nov. 25 – Dec. 1: Blake Montgomery (London Knights)
Nov. 18 – Nov. 24: Joey Willis (Saginaw Spirit)
Nov. 11 – Nov. 17: Joey Willis (Saginaw Spirit)
Nov. 4 – Nov. 10: Sam Dickinson (London Knights)
Oct. 28 – Nov. 3: Marco Mignosa (Soo Greyhounds)
Oct. 21 – Oct. 27: Sam Dickinson (London Knights)
Oct. 14 – Oct. 20: Liam Greentree (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 7 – Oct. 13: Calvin Crombie (Brantford Bulldogs)
Sept. 30 – Oct. 6: Kevin He (Niagara IceDogs)
Sep. 25 – Sept. 29: Michael Misa (Saginaw Spirit)



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.

2024-25 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Jan. 27 – Feb. 2: Carter George (Owen Sound Attack)
Jan. 20 – Jan. 26: Austin Elliott (London Knights)
Jan. 13 – Jan. 19: Nolan Lalonde (Soo Greyhounds)
Jan. 6 – Jan. 12: Easton Rye (Peterborough Petes)
Dec. 30 – Jan. 5: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers)
Dec. 28 – Dec. 29: Ben Hrebik (Barrie Colts)
Dec. 16 – Dec. 22: Nathan Day (Flint Firebirds)
Dec. 9 – Dec. 15: Ryerson Leenders (Brantford Bulldogs)
Dec. 2 – Dec. 8: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers)
Nov. 25 – Dec. 1: Aleksei Medvedev (London Knights)
Nov. 18 – Nov. 24: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers)
Nov. 11 – Nov. 17: Carter George (Owen Sound Attack)
Nov. 4 – Nov. 10: Andrew Oke (Saginaw Spirit)
Oct. 28 – Nov. 3: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers)
Oct. 21 – Oct. 27: Nathan Day (Flint Firebirds)
Oct. 14 – Oct. 20: Joey Costanzo (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 7 – Oct. 13: Finn Marshall (Sudbury Wolves)
Sept. 30 – Oct. 6: Joey Costanzo (Windsor Spitfires)
Sept. 25 – Sept. 29: Jack Ivankovic (Brampton Steelheads)



Spirit’s Jacob Cloutier Named OHL Rookie of the Week

Saginaw Spirit forward Jacob Cloutier is the OHL Rookie of the Week, recording three goals in three games played.

Cloutier opened the week with a goal on Thursday in a 9-5 loss to the Saginaw Spirit. After a 5-4 win over the Kitchener Rangers on Saturday, the 5-foot-10, 170lb. right-winger registered a pair of goals on Sunday, helping the Spirit skate past the Soo Greyhounds 5-2.

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.

2024-25 OHL Rookies of the Week – Regular Season:
Jan. 27 – Feb. 2: Jacob Cloutier (Saginaw Spirit)
Jan. 20 – Jan. 26: Dimian Zhilkin (Saginaw Spirit)
Jan. 13 – Jan. 19: Chase Reid (Soo Greyhounds)
Jan. 6 – Jan. 12: Lev Katzin (Guelph Storm)
Dec. 30 – Jan. 5: Ethan Belchetz (Windsor Spitfires)
Dec. 28 – Dec. 29: Carson Harmer (Saginaw Spirit)
Dec. 16 – Dec. 22: Logan Hawery (London Knights)
Dec. 9 – Dec. 15: Liam Beamish (Sarnia Sting)
Dec. 2 – Dec. 8: Lev Katzin (Guelph Storm)
Nov. 25 – Dec. 1: Aleksei Medvedev (London Knights)
Nov. 18 – Nov. 24: Gavin Betts (Kingston Frontenacs)
Nov. 11 – Nov. 17: Beckham Edwards (Sarnia Sting)
Nov. 4 – Nov. 10: Carter Stevens (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 28 – Nov. 3: Aleksei Medvedev (London Knights)
Oct. 21 – Oct. 27: Cole Zurawski (Flint Firebirds)
Oct. 14 – Oct. 20: Alessandro Di Iorio (Sarnia Sting)
Oct. 7 – Oct. 13: Pierce Mbuyi (Owen Sound Attack)
Sept. 30 – Oct. 6: Beckham Edwards (Sarnia Sting)
Sept. 25 – Sept. 29: Ethan Belchetz (Windsor Spitfires)

ROOBROECK, LEENDERS AND BEAMISH NAMED OHL TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, December 15, 2024.



IceDogs’ Ryan Roobroeck Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

Ryan Roobroeck of the Niagara IceDogs is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, registering four goals, five assists and nine points over three road wins.

Roobroeck helped the IceDogs go a perfect 3-0 in northern Ontario, starting off the week with a career-high five-point performance, recording a hat trick and two assists in a 7-3 win over the North Bay Battalion to earn first star honours on Thursday. Roobroeck’s natural hat-trick scored in a span of 5:12 established a new IceDogs franchise mark for the fastest three goals by one player. He contributed again on Friday, adding an assist in an 8-4 victory over the Soo Greyhounds. Roobroeck capped off the weekend with a goal and two assists on Sunday to earn third star honours, helping secure a 6-3 win against the Sudbury Wolves.

A 17-year-old from London, Ont., Roobroeck has tallied a club-leading 47 points (24-23-47) in 31 games this season. Selected second overall by Niagara in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection, the 6-foot-4, 190lb. left-winger has recorded 98 points (52-46–98) in 94 career regular season games. Roobroeck was named to the 2023-24 OHL First All-Rookie team after recording 51 points (28-23-51) in 63 games played with the IceDogs last season. He will be eligible for the NHL Draft in 2026.

Also given consideration for the award this week, IceDogs teammate Ethan Czata also registered nine points (5-4-9) in the three victories, while Winnipeg Jets prospect Kieron Walton of the Sudbury Wolves recorded two goals, six assists and eight points in three games played.

2024-25 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Dec. 9 – Dec. 15: Ryan Roobroeck (Niagara IceDogs)
Dec. 2 – Dec. 8: Beckett Sennecke (Oshawa Generals)
Nov. 25 – Dec. 1: Blake Montgomery (London Knights)
Nov. 18 – Nov. 24: Joey Willis (Saginaw Spirit)
Nov. 11 – Nov. 17: Joey Willis (Saginaw Spirit)
Nov. 4 – Nov. 10: Sam Dickinson (London Knights)
Oct. 28 – Nov. 3: Marco Mignosa (Soo Greyhounds)
Oct. 21 – Oct. 27: Sam Dickinson (London Knights)
Oct. 14 – Oct. 20: Liam Greentree (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 7 – Oct. 13: Calvin Crombie (Brantford Bulldogs)
Sept. 30 – Oct. 6: Kevin He (Niagara IceDogs)
Sep. 25 – Sept. 29: Michael Misa (Saginaw Spirit)



Bulldogs’ Ryerson Leenders Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Buffalo Sabres prospect Ryerson Leenders of the Brantford Bulldogs is the OHL Goaltender of the Week, going 3-0-0-0 along with a 2.27 goals-against average, and a .931 save percentage.

Turning aside 94 shots last week, Leenders made 30 of those stops in a 6-5 overtime win against the Brampton Steelheads on Wednesday. He returned to the crease on Friday, making 31 saves in a 2-1 overtime victory against the Barrie Colts, earning first-star honours. Leenders wrapped up the week in dominant fashion on Sunday, turning aside 33 of 34 shots in a commanding 10-1 win over the Kingston Frontenacs.

An 18-year-old from Nanticoke, Ont., Leenders is 8-8-1-0 on the season, with a 3.47 goals-against average and .900 save percentage in 17 games played. The former second-round (32nd overall) pick by Mississauga in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection is now in his third OHL season, owning a career mark of 44-40-8-0 with a 3.31 goals-against average, .898 save percentage and three shutouts over 98 regular season games. Leenders was selected in the seventh round (202nd overall) by Buffalo at the 2024 NHL Draft this past summer.

Also considered for the award this week, London Knights netminder Austin Elliott went 2-0-0-0 with a 2.00 goals-against average and .929 save percentage to improve to 13-0 on the season, while Edmonton Oilers prospect Nathan Day of the Flint Firebirds was also a standout in the crease, going 2-0-0-0 including a shutout, along with a 1.95 goals-against average and .920 save percentage.

2024-25 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Dec. 9 – Dec. 15: Ryerson Leenders (Brantford Bulldogs)
Dec. 2 – Dec. 8: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers)
Nov. 25 – Dec. 1: Aleksei Medvedev (London Knights)
Nov. 18 – Nov. 24: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers)
Nov. 11 – Nov. 17: Carter George (Owen Sound Attack)
Nov. 4 – Nov. 10: Andrew Oke (Saginaw Spirit)
Oct. 28 – Nov. 3: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers)
Oct. 21 – Oct. 27: Nathan Day (Flint Firebirds)
Oct. 14 – Oct. 20: Joey Costanzo (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 7 – Oct. 13: Finn Marshall (Sudbury Wolves)
Sept. 30 – Oct. 6: Joey Costanzo (Windsor Spitfires)
Sept. 25 – Sept. 29: Jack Ivankovic (Brampton Steelheads)



Sting’s Liam Beamish Named OHL Rookie of the Week

Sarnia Sting forward Liam Beamish is the OHL Rookie of the Week, recording four goals, three assists and seven points over three contests.

Beamish earned first star recognition in three straight contests. He started the week with two goals on Wednesday, helping the Sting earn a point in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Flint Firebirds. On Friday, he tallied a goal and an assist in a 5-2 victory over the Owen Sound Attack. Beamish wrapped up the weekend scoring a goal and adding two assists in a 6-3 win against the Soo Greyhounds on Sunday.

A 17-year-old forward from Beamsville, Ont., Beamish joined the Sting in late November after starting off the season with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks of the BCHL where he recorded eighth points (4-4-8) in 20 games played. The 5-foot-11, 179lb. centreman spent last season in the GOJHL playing for the Fort Erie Meteors and was also named GOJHL (Golden Horseshoe) Rookie of the Year. Beamish was selected by the Sting in the eighth round (151st overall) of the 2023 OHL Priority Selection.

Also considered for the award this week, Lev Katzin of the Guelph Storm contributed three goals and four assists in three contests, while goaltender Jaeden Nelson of the Ottawa 67’s played to a 2-0-0-0 record along with a 2.49 goals-against average and .926 save percentage.

2024-25 OHL Rookies of the Week – Regular Season:
Dec. 9 – Dec. 15: Liam Beamish (Sarnia Sting)
Dec. 2 – Dec. 8: Lev Katzin (Guelph Storm)
Nov. 25 – Dec. 1: Aleksei Medvedev (London Knights)
Nov. 18 – Nov. 24: Gavin Betts (Kingston Frontenacs)
Nov. 11 – Nov. 17: Beckham Edwards (Sarnia Sting)
Nov. 4 – Nov. 10: Carter Stevens (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 28 – Nov. 3: Aleksei Medvedev (London Knights)
Oct. 21 – Oct. 27: Cole Zurawski (Flint Firebirds)
Oct. 14 – Oct. 20: Alessandro Di Iorio (Sarnia Sting)
Oct. 7 – Oct. 13: Pierce Mbuyi (Owen Sound Attack)
Sept. 30 – Oct. 6: Beckham Edwards (Sarnia Sting)
Sept. 25 – Sept. 29: Ethan Belchetz (Windsor Spitfires)

DICKINSON, DAY AND ZURAWSKI NAMED OHL TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, October 27, 2024.



Knights’ Sam Dickinson Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

London Knights defenceman Sam Dickinson is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording seven points including two goals and five assists as the Knights strung together three straight wins.

Dickinson, who was selected by the San Jose Sharks with the 11th overall pick of the 2024 NHL Draft, started the week off with an overtime winner along with an assist in Friday’s 4-3 win over the Brantford Bulldogs. Dickinson followed Friday’s first star performance with another on Saturday in Saginaw, scoring and tacking on a helper as the Knights defeated the host Spirit 4-1. He rounded-out the weekend with three assists as London defeated the Sarnia Sting 5-2 on the road.

An 18-year-old from Toronto, Dickinson leads the Knights in scoring, and is second in points among OHL blueliners with 15 (7-8–15) over 10 games. The 6-foot-3, 200Ib. left-shot blueliner leads OHL defencemen with 55 shots on goal in this, his third OHL season. Formerly a fourth overall pick by the Niagara IceDogs in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, Dickinson has recorded 108 points (34-74–108) over 140 career regular season contests in London. He put up 13 points (4-9–13) over 18 games in last year’s playoffs as the Knights were crowned OHL champions.

Also considered for the award this week, Anaheim Ducks prospect Beckett Sennecke produced seven points (5-2–7) in three games for the Oshawa Generals, Peterborough Petes sophomore Aiden Young (5-2–7) had a similar stat line and Calgary Flames prospect Luke Misa of the Brampton Steelheads had seven points (4-3–7) in two outings, getting in on Sunday’s 10-1 win over the Guelph Storm.

2024-25 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Oct. 21 – Oct. 27: Sam Dickinson (London Knights)
Oct. 14 – Oct. 20: Liam Greentree (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 7 – Oct. 13: Calvin Crombie (Brantford Bulldogs)
Sept. 30 – Oct. 6: Kevin He (Niagara IceDogs)
Sep. 25 – Sept. 29: Michael Misa (Saginaw Spirit)
 



Firebirds’ Nathan Day Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Edmonton Oilers prospect Nathan Day of the Flint Firebirds is the OHL Goaltender of the Week, going 2-0-0-1 with a 0.97 goals-against average, .969 save percentage and one shutout.

Day turned aside 94 shots last week, helping the Firebirds collect five of a possible six points. He made 22 saves in Wednesday morning’s 2-1 shootout loss in Sarnia before rebounding on Friday in Guelph, turning aside 35 shots as Flint beat the Storm 7-2. Day was at his best on Saturday back at home, making 37 saves in his first career OHL shutout as the Firebirds beat Owen Sound 3-0.

A 19-year-old from Grimsby, Ont., Day is 6-4-0-1 on the season with a 2.26 goals-against average and .918 save percentage over 11 games. Day was Edmonton’s sixth-round (184th overall) pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. The former third round (57th overall) pick by Flint in 2021 is now in his fourth OHL season, owning a career mark of 50-43-1-3 with a 3.60 goals-against average, .876 save percentage and one shutout over 105 regular season games.

Also considered for the award this week, Kitchener Rangers netminder Jackson Parsons went 2-0 with a 2.49 goals-against average and .919 save percentage while Sam Hillebrandt of the Barrie Colts was also sharp, going 1-1-0-0 with a 1.51 goals-against average and .949 save percentage.

2024-25 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Oct. 21 – Oct. 27: Nathan Day (Flint Firebirds)
Oct. 14 – Oct. 20: Joey Costanzo (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 7 – Oct. 13: Finn Marshall (Sudbury Wolves)
Sept. 30 – Oct. 6: Joey Costanzo (Windsor Spitfires)
Sept. 25 – Sept. 29: Jack Ivankovic (Brampton Steelheads)
 



Firebirds’ Cole Zurawski Named OHL Rookie of the Week

Flint Firebirds forward Cole Zurawski is the OHL Rookie of the Week, recording two goals and two assists over three contests.

Zurawski recorded his first career multi-goal effort on Friday in Guelph, scoring twice while adding an assist as the Firebirds beat the Guelph Storm 7-2. Zurawski followed-up the second star performance with an assist as the Firebirds defeated the Owen Sound Attack at home on Saturday.

A 16-year-old from Barrie, Ont., Zurawski has recorded nine points (4-5–9) through his first 12 games of the season. The 6-foot, 181Ib. right-winger was selected by Flint with the sixth overall pick of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. Zurawski will represent Canada White at the 2024 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge that begins on Nov. 3rd in Sarnia.

Also considered for the award this week, Owen Sound Attack forward Pierce Mbuyi recorded four points (1-3–4) in three games while Barrie Colts forward Parker Vaughan produced three (2-1–3) in as many games.

2024-25 OHL Rookies of the Week – Regular Season:
Oct. 21 – Oct. 27: Cole Zurawski (Flint Firebirds)
Oct. 14 – Oct. 20: Alessandro Di Iorio (Sarnia Sting)
Oct. 7 – Oct. 13: Pierce Mbuyi (Owen Sound Attack)
Sept. 30 – Oct. 6: Beckham Edwards (Sarnia Sting)
Sept. 25 – Sept. 29: Ethan Belchetz (Windsor Spitfires)

HE, COSTANZO AND EDWARDS NAMED OHL TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, October 6, 2024.



IceDogs’ Kevin He Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

Winnipeg Jets prospect Kevin He of the Niagara IceDogs is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording three goals along with four assist for seven points over two games played.

He registered an assist on Friday night, contributing to the IceDogs’ 5-3 triumph over the Oshawa Generals. On Sunday, the 6-foot, 180lb. forward delivered a career-best performance, racking up three goals and three assists for an impressive six-point night. The six points tie a Niagara IceDogs single game franchise record. Securing a perfect weekend for the IceDogs, He’s standout showing earned him first-star honours in a 7-3 victory over the Brampton Steelheads.

An 18-year-old from Nobleton, Ont., He ranks fourth among OHL point-producers so far this season, tallying six goals, five assists and 11 points in four games played. Selected in the fourth round (109th overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft by the Winnipeg Jets, He has recorded 98 points (58-40–98) in 134 career OHL regular season games with the IceDogs after being chosen in the second round, 25th overall by the club in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection.

Also considered for the award this week, 2025 NHL Draft-eligible prospect Porter Martone of the Brampton Steelheads found the scoresheet, totaling seven points (4-3-7) in three games played. Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Luca Pinelli was a standout for the Ottawa 67’s, registering four goals, an assist and five points in a pair of victories.

2024-25 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Sept. 30 – Oct. 6: Kevin He (Niagara IceDogs)
Sep. 25 – Sept. 29: Michael Misa (Saginaw Spirit)



Spitfires’ Joey Costanzo Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Joey Costanzo of the Windsor Spitfires is the OHL Goaltender of the Week, going 2-0 with a shutout, along with a 0.50 goals-against average and .981 save percentage.

Stopping 53 of the 54 shots he faced last week, Costanzo turned aside all 27 shots that came his way to earn second star honours in a 5-0 victory over the Soo Greyhounds on Thursday night. The 6-foot-1, 174lb. netminder was back in the crease on Saturday, stopping 26 of the 27 shots he faced as the Spitfires closed out a perfect weekend with a 5-1 road win over the Brantford Bulldogs.

A 19-year-old from Toronto, Ont., Costanzo currently leads all OHL goaltenders with a league-best .943 save percentage this season across four games played. Originally drafted by the Niagara IceDogs in the second round (23rd overall) of the 2021 OHL Priority Selection, Costanzo has played to a 45-39-2-3 record including two shutouts over 100 regular season games split between the IceDogs and the Spitfires, with a career save percentage of .880 and a 4.09 goals-against average.

Also considered or the award this week, Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Nolan Lalonde of the Kingston Frontenacs went 1-0-0-1, including a shutout. Edmonton Oilers prospect Nathan Day of the Flint Firebirds was also a standout, making 55 saves in a two-win weekend.

2024-25 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Sept. 30 – Oct. 6: Joey Costanzo (Windsor Spitfires)
Sept. 25 – Sept. 29: Jack Ivankovic (Brampton Steelheads)



Sting’s Beckham Edwards Named OHL Rookie of the Week

Beckham Edwards of the Sarnia Sting is the OHL Rookie of the Week, registering three goals, an assist, and four points in three games played.

Edwards opened the week with a goal on Friday night as the Sting came up short in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Saginaw Spirit. The 6-foot-1, 170lb. centreman earned second star honours on Saturday, tallying a pair of goals in a 3-2 overtime loss against the Flint Firebirds. Edwards closed out the weekend with an assist on Sunday as the Sting earned two points in a 2-1 win over the Soo Greyhounds.

Selected in the third round (46th overall) by the Sting in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection from the Detroit Little Caesars U15 AAA program, Edwards ranks second among all OHL rookies in points this season, registering five (4-1-5) points in as many games played.

Also considered for the award this week, a pair of Niagara IceDogs teammates in Braidy Wassilyn (2-2-4) and Max Crete (2-1-3) were productive on the ice, contributing to a two-win weekend for the club.

2024-25 OHL Rookies of the Week – Regular Season:
Sept. 30 – Oct. 6: Beckham Edwards (Sarnia Sting)
Sept. 25 – Sept. 29: Ethan Belchetz (Windsor Spitfires)


About the Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) has long been regarded as the number one development league in the world, continuing to serve as a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League. The OHL consists of 20 teams, with 17 located in Ontario, two in the state of Michigan and one in the state of Pennsylvania. A proud member of the Canadian Hockey League, the OHL is also a leading provider of hockey scholarships, with over 330 graduates receiving OHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice in 2023-24, resulting in a collective investment of over $3.9 million by OHL member teams.

GREENTREE AND HILLEBRANDT NAMED OHL TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, January 28, 2024.



Spitfires’ Liam Greentree Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

2024 NHL Draft-eligible forward Liam Greentree of the Windsor Spitfires is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, contributing three goals, four assists and seven points while registering a plus-6 rating in two games.

Greentree recorded a career-high six-point night with three goals and three assists on Saturday, being named the game’s first star as the Spitfires defeated the Peterborough Petes 8-2. He found the scoresheet again on Sunday, registering an assist in a 5-2 loss to the Saginaw Spirit.

A recently turned 18-year-old from Oshawa, Ont., the 6-foot-2, 198lb. forward ranks eighth among all OHL point-getters, recording 64 (27-37–64) through 41 outings as the Spitfires own a record of 14-27-3-1 on the season. Selected in the second-round (34th overall) by Windsor in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, Greentree has put up 52 goals, 57 assists and 109 points in 102 regular season contests. Rated 12th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting ahead of the 2024 NHL Draft, Greentree recently represented Team White at the Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game held in Moncton, NB last week, registering the team’s sole marker.

Also considered for the award this week, Winnipeg Jets prospect Colby Barlow of the Owen Sound Attack recorded seven points (4-3–7) in three games. Dalyn Wakely of the North Bay Battalion also had a standout week, registering two goals and five assists in three games.

2023-24 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Jan. 22 – Jan. 28: Liam Greentree (Windsor Spitfires)
Jan. 15 – Jan. 21: Quentin Musty (Sudbury Wolves)
Jan. 8 – Jan. 14: Oliver Bonk (London Knights)
Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Anthony Romani (North Bay Battalion)
Dec. 28 – Dec. 31: Sam Dickinson (London Knights)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 18: Ruslan Gazizov (London Knights)
Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Nick Lardis (Brantford Bulldogs)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Pano Fimis (Erie Otters)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Matyas Sapovaliv (Saginaw Spirit)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Donovan McCoy (Peterborough Petes)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Denver Barkey (London Knights)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Braeden Kressler (Flint Firebirds)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Kirill Kudryavtsev (Soo Greyhounds)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Anthony Romani (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Carson Rehkopf (Kitchener Rangers)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Jordan D’Intino (Soo Greyhounds)
Sep. 28 – Oct. 1: Jax Dubois (Peterborough Petes)
 



Colts’ Sam Hillebrandt Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Sam Hillebrandt of the Barrie Colts is the OHL Goaltender of the Week for the second time this season following a pair of wins with a 2.40 goals-against average and .940 save percentage.

Stopping a total of 78 shots last week, Hillebrandt turned aside 38 of the 41 attempts he faced on Thursday as Barrie defeated the Owen Sound Attack 7-3. The 6-foot-1, 166lb. netminder was back in the crease with a 40-save performance on Saturday, stopping all four shootout attempts that came his way to earn first star honours in a 3-2 shootout win over the Oshawa Generals as the Colts improved to 18-24-1-0 on the season.

An 18-year-old from Riverview, Florida., Hillebrandt owns a season mark of 11-11-0-0, posting a 3.29 goals-against average and .907 save percentage. Originally hailing from Michigan, Hillebrandt played in the Detroit Little Caesars AAA program before moving to Florida. He won a gold medal with the United States National Junior Team at the 2024 World Juniors in Sweden. The Colts signed Hillebrandt as a free agent ahead of the 2022-23 season after he spent the  2021-22 season with the Florida Alliance North 16U organization.

Also in the running for the award this week, Nathan Day of the Flint Firebirds played to a 2-0 record, with a 2.36 goals-against average, and .917 save percentage. Charlie Schenkel of the Soo Greyhounds was solid in the crease, playing to a 2-0 mark with a 2.00 goals-against average and .923 save percentage.

2023-24 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Jan. 22 – Jan. 28: Sam Hillebrandt (Barrie Colts)
Jan. 15 – Jan. 21: Matteo Drobac (Brantford Bulldogs)
Jan. 8 – Jan. 14: Michael Simpson (London Knights)
Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)
Dec. 28 – Dec. 31: Brayden Gillespie (Guelph Storm)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 18: Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)
Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Max Donoso (Ottawa 67’s)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Marcus Vandenberg (Niagara IceDogs)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Jack Ivankovic (Mississauga Steelheads)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Carter George (Owen Sound Attack)
Nov. 8 – Nov. 12: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 7: Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Sam Hillebrandt (Barrie Colts)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Brayden Gillespie (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Collin MacKenzie (Ottawa 67’s)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Ryerson Leenders (Mississauga Steelheads)
Sep. 28 – Oct. 1: Ryerson Leenders (Mississauga Steelheads)

FIMIS AND VANDENBERG NAMED OHL TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, December 3, 2023.



Otters’ Pano Fimis Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

Pano Fimis of the Erie Otters is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording four goals, three assists, and seven points over three contests.

Fimis started the week with a goal on Wednesday as the Otters earned a point in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Kitchener Rangers. He found the scoresheet again on Saturday, recording a pair of goals along with an assist as the Otters fell to the Owen Sound Attack 7-4. Bouncing back on Sunday, the 5-foot-11, 183lb. centreman closed out the weekend with a penalty shot goal and two helpers as the Otters defeated the Attack 8-5 at the Bayshore. Currently leading the OHL with a 64.5% success rate in the faceoff circle, Fimis was 52.8% at the dot last week.

A 19-year-old from Richmond Hill, Ont., Fimis has recorded 10 goals, 19 assists, and 29 points over 26 games played so far this season. Originally selected second overall by the Niagara IceDogs in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection, Fimis has registered 120 points (40-80–120) over 135 regular season games between the IceDogs and Otters. Fimis attended rookie camp with the Pittsburgh Penguins this past September.

Also considered for the award this week, Seattle Kraken prospect David Goyette of the Sudbury Wolves scored three times and added five assists to help Sudbury earn three of a possible six points. Draft-eligible blueliner Zayne Parekh of the Saginaw Spirit was also productive, contributing a total of two goals and six helpers to a two-win weekend.

2023-24 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Pano Fimis (Erie Otters)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Matyas Sapovaliv (Saginaw Spirit)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Donovan McCoy (Peterborough Petes)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Denver Barkey (London Knights)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Braeden Kressler (Flint Firebirds)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Kirill Kudryavtsev (Soo Greyhounds)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Anthony Romani (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Carson Rehkopf (Kitchener Rangers)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Jordan D’Intino (Soo Greyhounds)
Sep. 28 – Oct. 1: Jax Dubois (Peterborough Petes)
 



IceDogs’ Marcus Vandenberg Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Marcus Vandenberg of the Niagara IceDogs is the OHL Goaltender of the Week following a pair of wins where he posted a 1.96 goals-against average and .951 save percentage.

Stopping a total of 77 shots last week, Vandenberg stopped 44 of the 47 that came his way against his former club on Friday, earning first star honours as the IceDogs defeated the first place Kitchener Rangers 4-3 in overtime. He returned to the crease at home on Sunday, turning aside 33 of the 34 shots he faced in another first star performance as the IceDogs defeated the Peterborough Petes 2-1.

Vandenberg has appeared in 12 games for the IceDogs this season, playing to a 3-6-2-0 record while logging a 3.95 goals-against-average and .891 save percentage. The 5-foot-11, 172lb. Dorchester, Ont. native was originally selected in the ninth round (177th overall) by the Kitchener Rangers in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection from the Elgin-Middlesex U16 program. Defending the crease in his third OHL season, the 19-year-old has played to a career record of 12-18-4-0, posting a 3.79 goals-against-average and .890 save percentage.

Also considered for the award this week, Edmonton Oilers prospect Nathan Day of the Flint Firebirds went 2-0 with a 1.93 goals-against average, and .932 save percentage in wins over Peterborough and Ottawa.

2023-24 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Marcus Vandenberg (Niagara IceDogs)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Jack Ivankovic (Mississauga Steelheads)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Carter George (Owen Sound Attack)
Nov. 8 – Nov. 12: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 7: Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Sam Hillebrandt (Barrie Colts)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Brayden Gillespie (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Collin MacKenzie (Ottawa 67’s)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Ryerson Leenders (Mississauga Steelheads)
Sep. 28 – Oct. 1: Ryerson Leenders (Mississauga Steelheads)


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.

OHL Draft Eligible Goaltenders

Posted on by Dominic Tiano
Nathan Day of the Flint Firebirds. Photo by Natalie Shaver/OHL Images

If you are an NHL team looking to draft a goaltender with relative success from the Ontario Hockey League then your chances of success are relatively diminished. While there have been some mildly successful picks, the odds are stacked against you.

There are many reasons. For parents, it is cost prohibitive to provide equipment for their kids when they are outgrowing that equipment every other year. Many European hockey federations are investing more money and time in developing goaltenders from a young age than Canada does. The CHL even banned drafting import goalies from 2014 to 2018 and all that did was dilute the product on the ice.

Even the NHL salary cap plays a role. Skaters earn more money than goaltenders so the better athletes chose not to tend the net. I admit, that thought process enters the parent’s mind long before it enters the player’s mind. 

The last OHL goaltender chosen in the first round of the NHL draft was Malcolm Subban back in 2012. Since then, there have been 7 goaltenders drafted in the first round – three Russians, two Americans, one Swede and one from the Western Hockey League.

We also know that NHL teams don’t like to use first round picks on goaltenders. From 2000-2021 the majority of goaltenders were picked in the sixth round and followed closely by the fifth round. There is a drop off to the next two busiest rounds for goaltenders which are the third round and seventh round.

Here’s a look at the goaltenders ranked by NHL Central Scouting with their mid-term rank and their final rank:

GoalieTeamHeightWeightMidFinal
Nathan DayFlint6’3”1811412
Charlie RobertsonNorth Bay6’3”1671213
Zach BowenLondon6’2”1762915
Charlie SchenkelSoo6’6”1972325
Owen FloresNiagara6’2”178NR27
Andrew OkeSaginaw6’2”194NR29
Corbin VotaryOwen Sound6’2”198NR32

Here’s a look at their regular season stats:

GoalieTeamGPMinShotsSavesGASOGAASAV%
Nathan DayFlint32165985674810803.91.874
Charlie RobertsonNorth Bay2111555635026133.17.892
Zach BowenLondon2613737016307113.10.899
Charlie SchenkelSoo31175395885610223.49.894
Owen FloresNiagara4222091557138816904.59.891
Andrew OkeSaginaw2412696756027303.45.892
Corbin VotaryOwen Sound30162886276110103.72.883

Obviously, we shouldn’t put too much stock into the stats because everyone is in a different situation. Flores was on a bad team in Niagara and no one played as much or faced as much rubber as he did, yet he managed to allow a goal per game+ less then his partners in Niagara. On the flip side, Day, Robertson and Bowen played for three very good defensive teams. Flores averaged ten+ shots more against per game than that trio yet his save percentage was comparable to Robertson and Bowen.

Here are some thoughts:

Nathan Day

Day got off to a slow start this season, but because of his willingness to work hard and the support of his long-time goaltending coach, he turned things around by the mid way point of the season. Day has good size, is very athletic and has an explosiveness in his lateral movement from post to post. He tracks pucks well, gets up from the butterfly and resets quickly and is very sound positionally. In tight he takes away the lower portion of the net when there are battles in front of him. What I like best about Day is that he is willing to put in all the hard work to become the best he can be.

Charlie Robertson

Robertson didn’t get to take the net a lot as the backup in North Bay but he was given the opportunity at the CHL/NHL Top Prospects game as the lone OHL goaltender to showcase himself. He has good size but doesn’t have the athleticism Day possesses. He can be aggressive in the crease challenging players, but he is not overly aggressive to the point it costs him. His lateral movement is a work in progress as is his recovery from a save. He tracks the puck extremely well, but he needs to get quicker.

Zach Bowen

It’s hard to get any traction and playing time when you are the backup to one of the best goalies the OHL has ever had. But injuries to Brett Brochu, including in the playoffs afforded Bowen the opportunity. Bowen is one very calm goaltender. He rarely gets rattled in the crease and if he gives up a soft goal it is quickly behind him and onto the next save. He is athletic and has very good lateral movement. His glove and blocker are extremely quick. He tracks extremely well and knows where everyone is on the ice and anticipates very well. He needs to work on his rebound control and using his stick.

Charlie Schenkel

It was a tough situation for Schenkel with the Soo Greyhounds. But this kid battles and only Flores faced more shots per game than he did. He’s a huge goaltender who uses his size to take away the net extremely well. He remains tall when down on his knees and battles taking place in front of him. He moves extremely well for a big goaltender, challenges well and is technically sound. Schenkel is a draft re-entry who caught the attention of some scouts last season (Central Scouting ranked him 17th), but a lack of ice time left more questions than answers. Are those questions answered after this season? Only time will tell, but it’s not a great OHL goaltending class, or CHL for that matter so someone might take a shot here.

Owen Flores

I spoke a bit about Flores earlier and it appears he opened some eyes going from not being ranked on NHL Central Scouting’s mid-term rankings to 27th among North American goalies on their final list. I don’t know that it is enough to hear his name called out at the draft. Interesting enough, Flores attended the Detroit Red Wings Development Camp last summer after going undrafted, so he’s gotten some attention. He has good size with good mobility. He is technically sound, has vastly improved his rebound control and he is adept at killing plays. What is most impressive is that he never gives up on a play. Niagara was terrible this season. It is hard to imagine how much worse off they would have been without Flores.

Andrew Oke

Oke is a draft re-entry (ranked 9th by Central Scouting in 2022) and you can read what I had to say about him last season here. Not much has changed. I mentioned some things that Oke needed to improve on and he has put in the necessary work, but still has some work to put in. Personally, I had him ranked as the third goaltender from the OHL in 2022 based on potential alone, but I wanted to see more of an improvement this season.

Corbin Votary

Votary came to the OHL with a lot of promise as a big goaltender with good athleticism, technically strong goaltender with excellent positioning who controlled rebounds like a seasoned veteran and knew how to take away much of the net with his size. I just did not see enough from Votary this season to garner a lot of attention. He is also a draft re-entry that did not make Central Scouting’s rankings a year ago, nor was he on mine. He will be on my list in a couple of weeks, but as I said earlier, it’s not a great draft class.