Nikita Klepov

OHL ANNOUNCES TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK FOR FEB. 9-15, 2026

Posted on February 16, 2026 by Dominic Tiano

TORONTO (Monday, February 16, 2026) – The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, February 15, 2026.

Spirit’s Egor Barabanov Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

Saginaw Spirit forward Egor Barabanov is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week after leading the League with 10 points, including four goals and six assists, in three games.

Barabanov’s standout week was highlighted by a season-high six-point performance on Friday night in Sarnia. The 19-year-old recorded a goal and five assists as the Spirit powered past the Sarnia Sting 11-3. Earlier in the week, Barabanov continued to impress NHL scouts by scoring twice in a 5-4 road victory over the Flint Firebirds on Wednesday. He concluded his productive stretch with a goal and an assist on Saturday against the Windsor Spitfires.

A 6-foot, 175-lb. centreman from Basking Ridge, NJ, Barabanov currently sits third in OHL scoring with 72 points (25-47–72) through 54 games. He joined the Spirit as a free agent last summer following a successful 2024-25 campaign with the USHL’s Madison Capitols, where he recorded 38 points.

Despite being 19-years-old, Barabanov has established himself as a top prospect for the upcoming NHL Draft, currently ranked 39th among North American skaters on NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings.

2025-26 Cogeco OHL Player of the Week
Sept. 18-21: Cole Davis (Windsor Spitfires)
Sept. 22-28: Ethan Czata (Niagara IceDogs)
Sept. 29-Oct. 5: Kashawn Aitcheson (Barrie Colts)
Oct. 6-12: Jake O’Brien (Brantford Bulldogs)
Oct. 13-19: Adam Benak (Brantford Bulldogs)
Oct. 20-26: Kieron Walton (Sudbury Wolves)
Oct. 27-Nov. 2: Harry Nansi (Owen Sound Attack)
Nov. 3-9: Alex Kostov (Flint Firebirds)
Nov. 10-16: Nathan Aspinall (Flint Firebirds)
Nov. 17-23: Marek Vanacker (Brantford Bulldogs)
Nov. 24-30: Kieron Walton (Sudbury Wolves)
Dec. 1-7: Alex McLean (Guelph Storm)
Dec. 8-14: Christopher Brown (Soo Greyhounds)
Dec. 15-21: Alex Pharand (Sudbury Wolves)
Dec. 28-Jan. 4: Egor Barabanov (Saginaw Spirit)
Jan. 5-11: Cole Beaudoin (Barrie Colts)
Jan. 12-18: Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit)
Jan. 19-25: Jake O’Brien (Brantford Bulldogs)
Jan. 26-Feb. 1: Kevin He (Flint Firebirds)
Feb. 2-8: Ben Wilmott (Barrie Colts)
Feb. 9-15: Egor Barabanov (Saginaw Spirit)

Rangers’ Christian Kirsch Named Mary Brown’s Chicken OHL Goaltender of the Week

San Jose Sharks prospect Christian Kirsch of the Kitchener Rangers is the Mary Brown’s Chicken OHL Goaltender of the Week.

Kirsch played to a perfect 2-0 record with a 1.00 goals-against average, .957 save percentage, and one shutout, backstopping the Rangers to victories over the London Knights and Ottawa 67’s.

Kirsch turned aside 21 shots on Tuesday night at The Aud, earning his 20th win of the season as the Rangers defeated the rival Knights 5-2. He followed that performance with a perfect outing on Saturday in the nation’s capital, making 24 saves to record his second shutout of the campaign in a 2-0 blanking of the Ottawa 67’s.

Selected by San Jose in the fourth round (116th overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft, Kirsch has been dominant since returning from representing Switzerland at the 2026 World Juniors, playing to a 9-1-1-0 record in the new year. The 19-year-old from Basel, Switzerland was Kitchener’s first round (44th overall) pick in the 2025 CHL Import Draft from the NAHL’s Janesville Jets. Kirsch is committed to Quinnipiac University (NCAA).

2025-26 Mary Brown’s Chicken OHL Goaltender of the Week
Sept. 18-21: Jason Schaubel (Kitchener Rangers)
Sept. 22-28: Joey Costanzo (Windsor Spitfires)
Sept. 29-Oct. 5: Gavin Betts (Kingston Frontenacs)
Oct. 6-12: Mason Vaccari (Flint Firebirds)
Oct. 13-19: Patrick Quinlan (Sarnia Sting)
Oct. 20-26: Ryerson Leenders (Brantford Bulldogs)
Oct. 27-Nov. 2: Aleksei Medvedev (London Knights)
Nov. 3-9: Matthew Minchak (Kingston Frontenacs)
Nov. 10-16: Ben Hrebik (Barrie Colts)
Nov. 17-23: Easton Rye (Peterborough Petes)
Nov. 24-30: Zach Bowen (Brampton Steelheads)
Dec. 1-7: Vladislav Yermolenko (Niagara IceDogs)
Dec. 8-14: Mason Vaccari (Flint Firebirds)
Dec. 15-21: Ryder Fetterolf (Ottawa 67’s)
Dec. 28-Jan. 4: Easton Rye (Peterborough Petes)
Jan. 5-11: Zachary Jovanovski (Guelph Storm)
Jan. 12-18: Matthew Humphries (Oshawa Generals)
Jan. 19-25: Carter George (Soo Greyhounds)
Jan. 26-Feb. 1: Zach Bowen (Brampton Steelheads)
Feb. 2-8: Easton Rye (Peterborough Petes)
Feb. 9-15: Christian Kirsch (Kitchener Rangers)

Spirit’s Nikita Klepov Named OHL Rookie of the Week

2026 NHL Draft prospect Nikita Klepov of the Saginaw Spirit is the OHL Rookie of the Week, claiming the honour for the fourth time this season after recording two goals, seven assists, and nine points in three games.

Klepov helped power the Spirit to a pair of victories, beginning with a four-point performance on Wednesday. He registered a goal and three assists in a 5-4 win over the rival Flint Firebirds, with his 30th goal of the season standing as the game-winner. He matched that output on Friday, tallying another goal and three assists as the Spirit defeated the Sarnia Sting in a decisive 11-3 victory. Klepov made history on Saturday against the Windsor Spitfires. Despite a 4-2 loss, Klepov recorded an assist to register his 75th point of the campaign, setting a new Saginaw Spirit franchise record for points by a rookie in a single season, eclipsing the prior mark held by Cole Perfetti (2018-19).

A 17-year-old from Deerfield Beach, Florida, Klepov’s 75 points (31-44–75) in 53 games currently place him just one point back of the OHL scoring lead. The standout rookie continues an impressive second half of the season, having recently been named the OHL Rookie of the Month for January and claiming MVP honours at the Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game. He was Saginaw’s first round (35th overall) pick in the 2025 CHL Import Draft. Klepov, who is committed to Michigan State University (NCAA), is the 16th ranked North American skater on NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings.

2025-26 OHL Rookie of the Week
Sept. 18-21: Thomas Vandenberg (Ottawa 67’s)
Sept. 22-28: Caleb Malhotra (Brantford Bulldogs)
Sept. 29-Oct. 5: Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit)
Oct. 6-12: Jaxon Cover (London Knights)
Oct. 13-19: Ryder Cali (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 20-26: Jaakko Wycisk (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 27-Nov. 2: Ryder Fetterolf (Ottawa 67’s)
Nov. 3-9: Easton Walos (Sarnia Sting)
Nov. 10-16: Ryder Fetterolf (Ottawa 67’s)
Nov. 17-23: Caleb Malhotra (Brantford Bulldogs)
Nov. 24-30: Levi Harper (Saginaw Spirit)
Dec. 1-7: Caleb Malhotra (Brantford Bulldogs)
Dec. 8-14: Robin Kuzma (Kingston Frontenacs
Dec. 15-21: Caleb Mitchell (London Knights)
Dec. 28-Jan. 4: Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit)
Jan. 5-11: Charlie Murata (Flint Firebirds)
Jan. 12-18: Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit)
Jan. 19-25: Ryerson Edgar (Niagara IceDogs)
Jan. 26-Feb. 1: Keaton Ardagh (Brampton Steelheads)
Feb. 2-8: Kale Osipenko (Sarnia Sting)
Feb. 9-15: Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit)

Bulldogs’ David Buchman Named GOHL Prospect of the Week

Brantford Bulldogs prospect David Buchman has been named the GOHL Prospect of the Week for the second time this season.

Buchman, a 16-year-old defenceman for the Brantford Titans, recorded a goal and six assists for seven points in a pair of victories last week. The 2025 first-round selection played the hero on Thursday, scoring the overtime winner to lift the Titans to a 3-2 victory over the Caledonia Corvairs. He followed that performance with a dynamic playmaking display on Saturday, registering six assists in a lopsided win over the Caledon Bombers.

Buchman has been a standout in his first season of junior hockey, recording 23 points (6-17–23) over 21 games. The Stittsville, ON native was selected by the Bulldogs in the first round (20th overall) of the 2025 OHL Priority Selection from the HEO champion Ottawa Valley Titans AAA program.

2025-26 GOHL Prospect of the Week
Sept. 10-21: Brendan Gerber (Elmira Sugar Kings/London Knights)
Sept. 22-28: Alex Forrest (Cambridge RedHawks/Kitchener Rangers)
Sept. 29-Oct. 5: Liam Edgcumbe (Pelham Panthers/Flint Firebirds)
Oct. 6-12: Caden Bell (St. Catharines Falcons/Niagara IceDogs)
Oct. 13-19: Reed Straus (Elmira Sugar Kings/Oshawa Generals)
Oct. 20-26: Gensen Geldart (Chatham Maroons/Saginaw Spirit)
Oct. 27-Nov. 2: Lyndon Cabral (Listowel Cyclones/Erie Otters)
Nov. 2-9: Jake Ritson (Strathroy Rockets/London Knights)
Nov. 10-16: Ulysses Lombardi (Waterloo Siskins/Flint Firebirds)
Nov. 17-23: Alex Campeau (London Nationals/London Knights)
Nov. 24-30: William Camputaro (St. Thomas Stars/Soo Greyhounds)
Dec. 1-7: Ian Robinson (Port Colborne Sailors/Kitchener Rangers)
Dec. 8-14: Kalyn McQueen (Cambridge RedHawks/Soo Greyhounds)
Dec. 15-21: Alexander Lisi (Chatham Maroons/Owen Sound Attack)
Dec. 29- Jan. 4: James Elliott (St. Catharines Falcons/Soo Greyhounds)
Jan. 5-11: Vaughn Barr (St. Marys Lincolns/Erie Otters)
Jan. 12-18: David Buchman (Brantford Titans/Brantford Bulldogs)
Jan. 19-25: Myles Dunn (St. Thomas Stars/Sarnia Sting)
Jan. 26-Feb. 1: Sammy DiBlasi (Chatham Maroons/Saginaw Spirit)
Feb. 2-8: Jake Windbiel (LaSalle Vipers/Windsor Spitfires)
Feb. 9-15: David Buchman (Brantford Titans/Brantford Bulldogs)

OHL ANNOUNCES TOP PERFORMERS OF THE MONTH FOR JANUARY

Posted on February 2, 2026 by Dominic Tiano

TORONTO (Monday, February 2, 2026) – The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) today announced Top Performers of the Month for January.

Player of the Month – Jack Pridham (Kitchener Rangers) – 11 GP, 8G, 12A, 20 PTS., +14
Leading the OHL in scoring during the month of January, Chicago Blackhawks prospect Jack Pridham of the Kitchener Rangers has been named OHL Player of the Month after recording 20 points (8-12–20) over 11 games. Pridham recorded at least one point in 10 of his 11 January outings, highlighted by six multi-point performances as the Rangers surged to the top of the Western Conference standings.

Pridham’s most notable effort came on Jan. 15th when he recorded a hat-trick and an assist in a Rangers victory over the Saginaw Spirit. He now leads Kitchener in scoring this season with 62 points (31-31–62) over 46 games.

A 20-year-old overage forward from Stouffville, ON, Pridham was selected in the third round of the 2024 NHL Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks. He is in his fourth OHL season and has played a key role in Kitchener finishing January as the number one seed in the Western Conference. Selected by the Rangers in the ninth round (177th overall) of the 2021 OHL Priority Selection, Pridham has 116 points (58-58–116) over 94 regular season games with Kitchener.

Defenceman of the Month – Kashawn Aitcheson (Barrie Colts) –-11 GP, 3G, 11A, 14 PTS., +13
New York Islanders prospect Kashawn Aitcheson of the Barrie Colts has been named OHL Defenceman of the Month after producing 14 points (3-11–14) over 11 games in January while posting a plus-13 rating. He recorded four multi-point performances during the month and continues to rank among the league’s most productive blueliners.

Through 38 games this season, Aitcheson ranks third among OHL defencemen in scoring with 46 points (22-24–46), while his 22 goals lead all defenders across the league. His plus-32 rating stands as the OHL’s second-best, while he is also tied for third in team scoring for the Colts.

A 19-year-old from Toronto, ON, Aitcheson was selected 17th overall by the New York Islanders in the first round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles. His 57 career goals are the most by a blueliner in Barrie Colts franchise history. His 147 points (57-90–147) are 11 shy of Brandt Clarke, who holds the Colts franchise mark for career points by a defenceman. Aitcheson won a bronze medal with Team Canada at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship.

Goaltender of the Month – Carter George (Soo Greyhounds) – 7 GP, 5-1-0-1, 1.71 GAA, .925 SV%, 2 SO, 147 SV
Los Angeles Kings prospect Carter George of the Soo Greyhounds has been named OHL Goaltender of the Month after posting a 5-1-0-1 record in January, accompanied by a league-best 1.71 goals-against average and .925 save percentage over more than 400 minutes of action. He was the only OHL goaltender to record two shutouts during the month and the only netminder to play over 400 minutes with a save percentage above .925.

George also made history on Jan. 21st, scoring his second career goal in the Ontario Hockey League. With the tally, he became the first goaltender in OHL history to score two goals, and just the second goaltender in CHL history to accomplish the feat, joining François Brassard of the QMJHL. The goal also marked the second by a goaltender in Soo Greyhounds franchise history.

Acquired from the Owen Sound Attack on Jan. 7th, George began his Greyhounds tenure with five straight wins, two shutouts, and a goal in his first five games with the club. A 19-year-old from Thunder Bay, ON, George is 15-10-0-4 on the season with a 2.72 goals-against average and .906 save percentage through 30 games. Now in his fourth OHL season, George owns a career record of 62-56-9-10 with a 3.14 goals-against average and .909 save percentage with seven shutouts over 143 regular season contests. He was selected in the second round of the 2024 NHL Draft by the Los Angeles Kings. Internationally, George has represented Canada at the World Juniors in back-to-back years, winning a bronze medal in early January in Minnesota.

Rookie of the Month – Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit) – 12 GP, 8G, 11A, 19 PTS., +3
NHL Draft eligible Saginaw Spirit forward Nikita Klepov has been named OHL Rookie of the Month for January after leading all rookies with 19 points (8-11–19) over 12 games. Klepov finished the month six points clear of the next closest rookie scorer, recording five multi-point performances and points in nine of his 12 outings.

The 17-year-old posted two four-point games during the month, doing so on Jan. 4th and again on Jan. 17th as the Spirit continued to gain traction in the Western Conference. He was also a standout at the Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game on Jan. 14th in Peterborough, earning Connor McDavid 97 Award MVP honours with his goal and two assists for the victorious Western Conference.

A native of Deerfield Beach, FL, Klepov is playing his first OHL season after being selected by Saginaw in the first round (35th overall) of the 2025 CHL Import Draft. He is a top prospect eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo and earns Rookie of the Month honours for the second time this season, having also received the award in October. Klepov, who won gold with the United States at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, is currently the 16th ranked North American skater on NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings.

2025-26 OHL Performers of the Month

Player of the Month:
January – Jack Pridham (Kitchener Rangers)
December – Riley Patterson (Niagara IceDogs)
November – Nathan Aspinall (Flint Firebirds)
October – Jake O’Brien (Brantford Bulldogs)

Defenceman of the Month:
January – Kashawn Aitcheson (Barrie Colts)
December – Anthony Cristoforo (Windsor Spitfires)
November – Adam Jiricek (Brantford Bulldogs)
October – Carson Woodall (Windsor Spitfires)

Goaltender of the Month:
January – Carter George (Soo Greyhounds)
December – Ben Hrebik (Barrie Colts)
November – Ben Hrebik (Barrie Colts)
October – Joey Costanzo (Windsor Spitfires)

Rookie of the Month:
January – Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit)
December – Caleb Malhotra (Brantford Bulldogs)
November – Ryder Fetterolf (Ottawa 67’s)
October – Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit)

OHL Writers’ Draft Eligible Players of the Month: January

Posted on February 1, 2026 by Dominic Tiano

FORWARD OF THE MONTH: NIKITA KLEPOV – SAGINAW SPIRIT

Nikita Klepov earned the honor on the strength of a dominant January, posting 8 goals and 11 assists across 12 games. All but one of his goals came at five‑on‑five, and he was held off the scoresheet only three times during the month. He delivered five multi‑point performances, and in every game in which he scored — save for one — he also added at least one assist, underscoring just how impactful he was shift after shift.

Also considered was Ben Wilmott of the Barrie Colts who had 7 goals and 8 assists through 13 games. Cooper Dennis of the Brantford Bulldogs also drew attention with 7 goals and 7 assists though 11 games.

DEFENSEMAN OF THE MONTH: CHASE REID – SOO GREYHOUNDS

With 4 goals and 8 assists across 9 January games, Chase Reid earns the nod this month. Three of his four tallies came on the power play, and one stood up as a game‑winner. He delivered a multi‑goal performance on January 25 against North Bay and added a single multi‑assist outing, underscoring his steady, game‑to‑game impact.

Also considered was Parker von Richter of the Barrie Colts who posted 3 goals and 9 assists through 13 games in January.

GOALTENDER OF THE MONTH: EASTON RYE – PETERBOROUGH PETES

Easton Rye posted a 7-3-0-0 record in January to lead the Petes. In total, he faced 292 shots, stopping 272 of them for an impressive .932 save percentage.

Also considered was Sebastian Gatto of the London Knights who went 5-1-0-0 and a .931 save percentage. Arvin Jaswal of the Barrie Colts went 5-0-0-0 with a .932 save percentage.

Previous Months

Forward

Caleb Malhotra – Brantford Bulldogs – September

Tristan Delisle – Owen Sound Attack – October

Alex Kostov – Flint Firebirds – November

Caleb Malhotra – Brantford Bulldogs – December

Nikita Klepov – Saginaw Spirit – January

Defenseman

Carson Woodall – Windsor Spitfires – September

Carson Woodall – Windsor Spitfires – October

Chase Reid – Soo Greyhounds – November

Anthony Cristoforo – Windsor Spitfires – December

Chase Reid – Soo Greyhounds – January

Goaltender

Michael Newlove – Windsor Spitfires – September

Vladislav Yermolenko – Niagara IceDogs – October

Ben Hrebik – Barrie Colts – November

Ben Hrebik – Barrie Colts – December

Easton Rye – Peterborough Petes – January

OHL Announces Top Performers of the Week for Jan. 12-18, 2026

Posted on January 19, 2026 by Dominic Tiano

TORONTO (Monday, January 19, 2026) -The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, January 18, 2026.

Spirit’s Nikita Klepov Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week

NHL Draft eligible Saginaw Spirit forward Nikita Klepov is both the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week as well as the OHL Rookie of the Week, recording six points (2-4–6) in just two games.

Klepov entered the week fresh off a standout performance in Peterborough on Wednesday, where he earned Player of the Game honours for Team West, claiming the Connor McDavid 97 Award at the 2026 Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game.

He returned to the Spirit lineup on Friday in Kitchener, recording a goal and an assist in a 7-4 loss to the Rangers. Klepov saved his best for last on Saturday night, factoring in on four of Saginaw’s six goals with a marker and three helpers as the Spirit defeated the Erie Otters 6-1 on the road.

A 17-year-old from Deerfield Beach, FL, Klepov leads the Spirit in scoring with 56 points (25-31–56) over 42 games this season. His 25 goals are the most amongst OHL rookies and his 56 points are second. The 6-foot, 180lb. left-winger was Saginaw’s first round (35th overall) pick in the 2025 CHL Import Draft. He was recently listed as the 16th ranked North American skater on NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings for the 2026 NHL Draft. Klepov is committed to Michigan State University (NCAA).

Klepov has now won OHL Rookie of the Week honours three different times.

2025-26 OHL Rookie of the Week
Sept. 18-21: Thomas Vandenberg (Ottawa 67’s)
Sept. 22-28: Caleb Malhotra (Brantford Bulldogs)
Sept. 29-Oct. 5: Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit)
Oct. 6-12: Jaxon Cover (London Knights)
Oct. 13-19: Ryder Cali (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 20-26: Jaakko Wycisk (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 27-Nov. 2: Ryder Fetterolf (Ottawa 67’s)
Nov. 3-9: Easton Walos (Sarnia Sting)
Nov. 10-16: Ryder Fetterolf (Ottawa 67’s)
Nov. 17-23: Caleb Malhotra (Brantford Bulldogs)
Nov. 24-30: Levi Harper (Saginaw Spirit)
Dec. 1-7: Caleb Malhotra (Brantford Bulldogs)
Dec. 8-14: Robin Kuzma (Kingston Frontenacs
Dec. 15-21: Caleb Mitchell (London Knights)
Dec. 28-Jan. 4: Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit)
Jan. 5-11: Charlie Murata (Flint Firebirds)
Jan. 12-18: Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit)

Generals’ Matthew Humphries Named Mary Brown’s Chicken OHL Goaltender of the Week

NHL Draft eligible netminder Matthew Humphries of the Oshawa Generals is the Mary Brown’s Chicken OHL Goaltender of the Week, playing to a 1-1 record with a 2.20 goals-against average, .937 save percentage and 89 saves.

Humphries played in three games last week, headlined by his first career OHL victory in his 23rd career appearance on Sunday as he turned aside 30 shots in a 4-1 triumph over the Brampton Steelheads. His body of work also included stopping 18-of-19 in a relief appearance in Friday’s 5-2 loss to the North Bay Battalion. He also turned aside 41 shots on Saturday night in Barrie as the Generals lost 4-2 to the Colts.

A 17-year-old from Newmarket, ON, Humphries has appeared in nine games with Oshawa since being acquired from the Niagara IceDogs on Nov. 10th, going 1-6-1-0 with a 2.30 goals-against average and .933 save percentage. The 6-foot-2, 196lb. netminder was originally Niagara’s third round (44th overall) pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. He has also seen time with the OJHL’s Aurora Tigers this season, going 7-10-2 with a 3.55 goals-against average and .911 save percentage over 19 contests.

Bulldogs Prospect David Buchman Named GOHL Prospect of the Week

Brantford Bulldogs prospect David Buchman of the Brantford Titans is the GOHL Prospect of the Week, recording three goals and three assists for six points in two games.

Buchman helped the Titans to a lopsided win on Friday night, collecting a season-high four points (2-2–4) in a 10-4 victory over the Caledon Bombers. He was back on the scoresheet Sunday, registering a goal and an assist as the Titans came up short, falling 5-3 to the Pelham Panthers.

A 16-year-old defenceman from Stittsville, ON, Buchman was Brantford’s first round (20th overall) pick in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection. The 5-foot-11, 182lb. blueliner represented Team Scheifele in the GOHL Top Prospects Game presented by Milk last week in Peterborough. He’s appeared in 15 OHL games with Brantford this season, recording two assists. Buchman won an HEO U16 AAA championship last season as a member of the Ottawa Valley Titans.

OHL ANNOUNCES TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK FOR DEC. 28, 2025 – JAN. 4, 2026

Posted on January 5, 2026 by Dominic Tiano

TORONTO (Monday, January 5, 2026) – The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games spanning Sunday, December 28, 2025 through Sunday, January 4, 2026.

Spirit’s Egor Barabanov Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

Saginaw Spirit forward Egor Barabanov is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording two goals, seven assists and nine points over five games dating back to Dec. 28th.

Barabanov has helped the Spirit turn things around of late with wins in five of their last six outings. He chalked up a goal and two assists coming out of the break on Dec. 28th in Sault Ste. Marie as the Spirit beat the Greyhounds 5-1. Barabanov started the new year off the right way with three primary assists in a 5-3 home win against the same Greyhounds on Jan. 3rd. He helped spearhead Saginaw’s 4-3 win over the Brampton Steelheads on Sunday with a goal and an assist, giving him a club-leading 49 points (17-32–49) over 38 games this season. He has points in 10 of his last 12 games.

A 19-year-old from Basking Ridge, New Jersey, Barabanov is playing a frontline role in his first OHL season after being signed by the Spirit as a free agent over the summer. The 6-foot, 175Ib. centre spent 2024-25 with the USHL’s Madison Capitols, producing 39 points (15-24–39) over 53 games. Despite being passed over for the NHL Draft in each of the past two years, Barabanov is a B-rated prospect by NHL Central Scouting for the 2026 NHL Draft.

Petes’ Easton Rye Named Mary Brown’s Chicken OHL Goaltender of the Week

Easton Rye of the Peterborough Petes is the Mary Brown’s Chicken OHL Goaltender of the Week for the second time this season, going 3-0 with a 1.33 goals-against average, .962 save percentage, one shutout and 102 saves.

One of the OHL’s busiest netminders, Rye turned in his first career OHL shutout coming out of the break, making 25 saves in a 2-0 win over the Oshawa Generals on Dec. 28th. He was back in the crease on New Year’s Day, stopping 36-of-37 as the Petes beat the Kingston Frontenacs 3-1. Rye backstopped the Petes to victory in Owen Sound on Saturday, making 41 saves as Peterborough prevailed 5-3 despite being outshot 44-29.

An 19-year-old local product from Peterborough, Rye is 20-8-1-1 on the season with a 2.86 goals-against average and .916 save percentage over 30 games. His 922 saves are the third-most in the league this season. A former fifth round (89th overall) pick by the Petes in 2022, Rye has played to a career mark of 31-26-3-2 with a 3.52 goals-against average and .902 save percentage through 68 games.

Spirit’s Nikita Klepov Named OHL Rookie of the Week

2026 NHL Draft prospect Nikita Klepov of the Saginaw Spirit is the OHL Rookie of the Week for the second time this season, producing seven points (3-4–7) over five games dating back to Dec. 28th.

Klepov picked up a pair of assists as the Spirit beat the Soo Greyhounds 5-1 on the road coming out of the holiday break. He found the back of the net for his 20th goal of the season on Dec. 30th as Saginaw topped the Sarnia Sting 5-1. Klepov pumped out four points on Sunday, scoring his second goal of the afternoon with just 53 seconds left in the third period as Saginaw defeated the Brampton Steelheads 4-3. Both of his assists were primary as Klepov earned first star recognition in Sunday’s win, helping the Spirit win their fifth in the last six games.

A 17-year-old from Deerfield Beach, Florida, Klepov leads OHL rookies with 22 goals and 151 shots on goal. His 47 points (22-25–47) over 37 games are the second-most in the league. The 6-foot, 180Ib. left wing was selected by the Spirit in the first round (35th overall) of the 2025 CHL Import Draft after spending last season with the USHL’s Sioux City Musketeers where he registered 31 points (12-19–31) over 59 games. Klepov is slated to suit up for the Western Conference in the 2026 Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game on Jan. 14th in Peterborough. He’s an A-rated prospect by NHL Central Scouting for the 2026 NHL Draft.

2025-26 OHL Rookie of the Week
Sept. 18-21: Thomas Vandenberg (Ottawa 67’s)
Sept. 22-28: Caleb Malhotra (Brantford Bulldogs)
Sept. 29-Oct. 5: Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit)
Oct. 6-12: Jaxon Cover (London Knights)
Oct. 13-19: Ryder Cali (North Bay Battalion)
Oct. 20-26: Jaakko Wycisk (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 27-Nov. 2: Ryder Fetterolf (Ottawa 67’s)
Nov. 3-9: Easton Walos (Sarnia Sting)
Nov. 10-16: Ryder Fetterolf (Ottawa 67’s)
Nov. 17-23: Caleb Malhotra (Brantford Bulldogs)
Nov. 24-30: Levi Harper (Saginaw Spirit)
Dec. 1-7: Caleb Malhotra (Brantford Bulldogs)
Dec. 8-14: Robin Kuzma (Kingston Frontenacs
Dec. 15-21: Caleb Mitchell (London Knights)
Dec. 28-Jan. 4: Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit)

Greyhounds Prospect James Elliott Named GOHL Prospect of the Week

Soo Greyhounds prospect James Elliott of the St. Catharines Falcons is the GOHL Prospect of the Week, recording a goal and four assists over a pair of victories.

Elliott played an instrumental role in the Falcons stunning the first place Cambridge RedHawks on the road Friday night, scoring while adding three assists in a 4-3 victory. St. Catharines handed Cambridge just its third loss in the process. Elliott was back on the scoresheet on Saturday night in Pelham, providing an assist as the Falcons beat the Panthers 5-4 to improve to 27-2-2, six points back of first place Cambridge in the Eastern Conference.

A 17-year-old from Sault Ste. Marie, ON, Elliott has 30 points (12-18–30) through 31 games in his first GOHL season. He’s posted four points on three different occasions, scoring three game-winning goals on the season. Elliott was Sault Ste. Marie’s seventh round (137th overall) pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection from the Barrie Colts AAA program. He spent last season with the NOJHL’s Soo Thunderbirds, recoding 31 points (14-17–31) over 47 games. Elliott is committed to Lake Superior State University (NCAA).

OHL ANNOUNCES TOP PERFORMERS OF THE MONTH FOR OCTOBER

Posted on November 1, 2025 by Dominic Tiano

TORONTO (Saturday, November 1, 2025) – The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) today announced Top Performers of the Month for October, with additional totals from September’s opening weeks of the regular season also recognized.

Player of the Month – Jake O’Brien (Brantford Bulldogs) – 12 GP, 7G, 19A, 26 PTS., +15
Seattle Kraken prospect Jake O’Brien of the Brantford Bulldogs is the OHL Player of the Month for October, starting his season with a league-leading 26 points (7-19–26) through just 12 games. O’Brien’s start featured seven different multi-point outings highlighted by five points (3-2–5) on Oct. 12th in an 8-5 win over the Ottawa 67’s. He tallied four points (1-3–4) in a game on Oct. 26th as the Bulldogs defeated the host Oshawa Generals 4-1. Behind O’Brien’s leadership, Brantford remains the lone OHL team that is undefeated in regulation (11-0-2-1) entering the month of November.

Named Bulldogs captain to start the season, the 18-year-old O’Brien leads the OHL with 26 points in his third OHL season. The former OHL Rookie of the Year in 2023-24 has 188 career points (52-136–188) over 139 regular season games as a Bulldog. Brantford selected O’Brien with the eighth overall pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection. He was Seattle’s first round (8th overall) pick last summer, signing an entry-level NHL contract with the Kraken on July 3, 2025.

Also considered for the award this month, Owen Sound Attack forward Tristan Delisle rides a 16-game point streak, producing 24 points (9-15–24) in that span. Bulldogs teammate Adam Benak, a Minnesota Wild prospect, was also productive with 24 points (7-17–24) over 12 games.

Defenceman of the Month – Carson Woodall (Windsor Spitfires) – 16 GP, 2G, 20A, 22 PTS., +4
Windsor Spitfires blueliner Carson Woodall is the OHL Defenceman of the Month for October, leading OHL rearguards with 22 points (2-20–22) over 16 contests. The third year veteran has recorded a point in all but two of his outings this season, scoring his two goals in a 2-0 win over the Ottawa 67’s on Oct. 23rd. Woodall’s offensive productivity has helped the Spitfires put together the league’s third-ranked power play at 32.8 percent, with him leading all OHL players in power play points with 14 (1-13–14).

A 19-year-old from nearby Belle River, ON, Woodall is a former 10th round (202nd overall) pick by the Spitfires in 2022 who has developed into a reliable contributor on the blueline. The 5-foot-11, 183Ib. defenceman has accrued 89 points (11-78–89) over his 142 career regular season games with the Spitfires.

Also considered for the award this month, New York Islanders prospect Kashawn Aitcheson of the Barrie Colts leads OHL defencemen with nine goals, including a pair of recent overtime winners. The 18-year-old Aitcheson has 15 points (9-6–15) in as many games.

Goaltender of the Month – Joey Costanzo (Windsor Spitfires) – 11 GP, 9-1-0-0, 1.66 GAA, .923 SV%, 2 SO
Joey Costanzo of the Windsor Spitfires is the OHL Goaltender of the Month for October, compiling an impressive record of 9-1 with a 1.66 goals-against average and .923 save percentage over 11 contests. Costanzo’s success featured a pair of shutouts, with the first in a 4-0 win over the Sudbury Wolves on Sept. 25th followed by another in a 6-0 triumph over the Niagara IceDogs on Oct. 2nd.

A 20-year-old from Toronto, Costanzo owns a career OHL record of 84-50-5-4 with a 3.61 goals-against average and .884 save percentage with seven shutouts over 158 regular season games between Windsor and Niagara. He was originally. Niagara’s second round (23rd overall) pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection.

Also considered for the award this week, Mason Vaccari of the Flint Firebirds was very good in October, going 7-2-1-0 with a 2.66 goals-against average and .923 save percentage and two shutouts over 10 games. Niagara IceDogs newcomer Vladislav Yermolenko also made a strong impression, going 6-1-0-1 with a 2.63 goals-against average, a .925 save percentage and one shutout over nine games. Additionally, San Jose Sharks prospect Christian Kirsch of the Kitchener Rangers played to an 8-2-0-0 mark with a 1.99 goals-against average, .920 save percentage and one shutout.

Rookie of the Month – Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit) – 15 GP, 10G, 13A, 23 PTS., +2
First-year Saginaw Spirit forward Nikita Klepov is the OHL Rookie of the Month for October, pacing OHL newcomers with 23 points (10-13–23) over 15 games. Klepov’s introduction to the OHL has been headlined by a five-point effort (2-3–5) on Oct. 4th as the Spirit skated to a 7-5 road win over the Owen Sound Attack. He’s proceeded to post a goal and an assist on Oct. 18th at Flint and Oct. 24th vs. Erie. Klepov currently leads all OHL skaters with 71 shots on goal.

A 17-year-old from Deerfield Beach, Florida, Klepov comes to the OHL from the USHL’s Sioux City Musketeers where he posted 31 points (12-19–31) over 59 games in 2024-25. Selected 35th overall by the Spirit in the 2025 CHL Import Draft, Klepov is an A-rated skater on NHL Central Scouting’s preliminary players to watch list, indicating a potential first round NHL Draft pick. The 6-foot, 180Ib. right-wing won gold with the United States at this past summer’s Hlinka-Gretzky Cup. Klepov is committed to Michigan State (NCAA).

Also considered for the award this week, fellow NHL Draft prospect Caleb Malhotra of the Brantford Bulldogs piled up 19 points (6-13–19) over 14 games. Spirit teammate Levi Harper was a productive force on the blueline, recording 15 points (5-10–15) over 15 contests. In the crease, Ryder Fetterolf of the Ottawa 67’s went 5-2-1-0 with a 2.10 goals-against average and .919 save percentage.

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

Posted on October 6, 2025 by Dominic Tiano

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

Colts’ Kashawn Aitcheson named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

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

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

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

2025-26 Cogeco OHL Player of the Week
Sept. 18-21: Cole Davis (Windsor Spitfires)
Sept. 22-28: Ethan Czata (Niagara IceDogs)
Sept. 29-Oct. 5: Kashawn Aitcheson (Barrie Colts)

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

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

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

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

2026 NHL Draft prospect Nikita Klepov of the Saginaw Spirit is the OHL Rookie of the Week, recording five points over three road games.

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

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

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

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

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

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2025-26 OHL Performers of the Month

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