Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Month for regular season games in March 2025.
Player of the Month – Ilya Protas (Windsor Spitfires) Washington Capitals prospect Ilya Protas of the Windsor Spitfires has been named OHL Player of the Month for March. Protas recorded eight goals, 15 assists, and 23 points in just seven games, registering points in all seven outings, including six multi-point performances. He capped off the month with standout performances, notching four points (3-1-4) on March 15 against the Saginaw Spirit. He then matched his career high with a five-point game on March 20, assisting on all five goals in a 5-0 win over the Sarnia Sting. Protas also earned Player of the Week honours once in March.
An 18-year-old from Vitebsk, Belarus, Protas appeared in 61 games with the Spitfires this season, recording 50 goals, 74 assists, and 124 points, good for second-most in the OHL. Protas records the eighth 50-goal season in Spitfires history, joining such names as Matthew Maggio (2022-23), Steve Ott (2000-01) and Ernie Godden (1980-81) in that department. He was selected third overall by Windsor in the 2024 CHL Import Draft after being chosen in the third round (75th overall) by the Washington Capitals in the 2024 NHL Draft.
Also considered for March’s Player of the Month Award, Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan of the London Knights tallied 23 points (8-15-9) in nine games played, while San Jose Sharks prospect Igor Chernyshov of the Saginaw Spirit was also a standout, registering 20 points (7-13-20) in nine contests.
Defenceman of the Month – Sam Dickinson (London Knights) San Jose Sharks prospect Sam Dickinson of the London Knights has been named the OHL Defenceman of the Month for March. Earning this recognition for the second time this season, Dickinson recorded six goals, 12 assists, and 18 points, along with a plus-12 rating over 10 outings. He registered at least one point in nine of his 10 March outings, posting multi-point performances in six, including three-point games on March 11th (2-1-3) and March 21st (2-1-3).
An 18-year-old from Toronto, Ont., Dickinson led all London Knights in scoring, setting a new single season franchise mark with 91 points (29-62–91) over 55 games. His 29 goals and 91 points were the second-most by a defenceman in the OHL this season. The 6-foot-3, 210Ib. left-shot blueliner has recorded 184 points (56-128–184) over 185 career regular season contests in London after being selected fourth overall by the Niagara IceDogs in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection. He put up 13 points (4-9–13) over 18 games in last year’s playoffs as the Knights were crowned OHL champions. Dickinson was selected by the San Jose Sharks with the 11th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.
Also considered for March’s Defenceman of the Month Award, Calgary Flames prospect Zayne Parekh of the Saginaw Spirit registered 15 points (4-11-15) in seven games, while 2025 NHL Draft-eligible prospect Kashawn Aitcheson of the Barrie Colts also performed well, tallying five goals, eight assists and 13 points in nine contests.
Goaltender of the Month – Austin Elliott (London Knights) London Knights goaltender Austin Elliott has been named the OHL Goaltender of the Month for March.
Making 196 saves throughout the month, Elliott posted a perfect 7-0 record with a 1.70 goals-against average, .942 save percentage, and one shutout. Elliott earned Player of the Week honours once in March, recording three 30+ save performances and a 28-save shutout on March 5.
The 20-year-old from Strathmore, Alberta, has been dominant since joining the Knights, who acquired the overage goaltender from the Barrie Colts after he was claimed off CHL waivers in October. He led the OHL with a 2.10 goals-against average, .924 save percentage, and an impressive 32-1-0-0 record through 33 games as an overager. Elliott entered the OHL after starting his junior career with the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades.
Also considered for the award this month, Buffalo Sabres prospect Ryerson Leenders of the Brantford Bulldogs impressed with a 6-2 record, a 2.79 goals-against average, .924 save percentage, and one shutout. Meanwhile, Mike McIvor of the North Bay Battalion posted a 5-2-0-1 record with a 2.92 goals-against average, a .914 save percentage and one shutout. Draft eligible Brampton Steelheads goaltender Jack Ivankovic was also in the running with a 2.36 goals-against average, 5-2-0-1 record and a .910 save percentage.
Rookie of the Month – Filip Ekberg (Ottawa 67’s) Filip Ekberg of the Ottawa 67’s is the Rookie of the Month for March after posting four goals and 11 assists for 15 points over 10 games. Ekberg recorded points in all 10 of his March performances, including four multi-point contests. He set an OHL career high on March 22 with a three-assist game in a 7-1 win over the Erie Otters. Ekberg also earned Rookie of the Week honours to start the month.
A 17-year-old from Uppsala, Sweden, Ekberg recorded 45 points (16-29–45) in 53 games this season. Selected by Ottawa in the first round (33rd overall) of the 2024 CHL Import Draft, he was ranked 136th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting for the upcoming 2025 NHL Draft. Ekberg has also found success on the international stage, winning a bronze medal with Sweden at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Also considered for the award this month, Beckham Edwards of the Sarnia Sting registered four goals, six assists and 10 points in 10 games played, while Erie Otters blueliner Lucas Ambrosio also impressed, recording seven points (1-6-7) in 11 contests.
2024-25 OHL Performers of the Month:
Player of the Month: March – Ilya Protas (Windsor Spitfires) February – Nick Lardis (Brantford Bulldogs) January – Tuomas Uronen (Kingston Frontenacs) December – Beckett Sennecke (Oshawa Generals) November – Sam Dickinson (London Knights) October – Michael Misa (Saginaw Spirit)
Defenceman of the Month: March – Sam Dickinson (London Knights) February – Zayne Parekh (Saginaw Spirit) January – Zayne Parekh (Saginaw Spirit) December – Henry Mews (Ottawa 67’s) November – Sam Dickinson (London Knights) October – Luca Marrelli (Oshawa Generals)
Goaltender of the Month: March – Austin Elliott (London Knights) February – Ryerson Leenders (Brantford Bulldogs) January – Aleksei Medvedev (London Knights) December – Ben Hrebik (Barrie Colts) November – Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers) October – Joey Costanzo (Windsor Spitfires)
Rookie of the Month: March – Filip Ekberg (Ottawa 67’s) February – Pierce Mbuyi (Owen Sound Attack) January – Chase Reid (Soo Greyhounds) December – Lev Katzin (Guelph Storm) November – Aleksei Medvedev (London Knights) October – Ethan Belchetz (Windsor Spitfires)
TORONTO, ON — The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) announced today the February edition of the CHL Team of the Month presented by CCM for the 2024-25 regular season.
Having registered 13 goals and 34 points through 13 games in February, Seattle Kraken prospect Berkly Catton of the No. 5-ranked Spokane Chiefs (WHL) is making his first appearance of the 2024-25 season in the CHL Team of the Month. Held off the scoresheet on just one occasion last month, the 19-year-old from Saskatoon, Sask., registered 10 multi-point outings, including seven games with three points or more. Catton’s 34 points were one shy of the WHL and CHL leader for February, while his 13 goals last month ranked tied for first in the WHL. Between January 11 to February 23, the Chiefs captain tallied a point in 18 straight games (20G-32A over that stretch), which ranks as the fourth-longest point streak in the WHL this season. Since returning from the 2025 World Juniors on January 10, Catton has amassed 54 points (22G-32A) in 22 games, good for third in the CHL behind only his Chiefs teammate Andrew Cristall (56 points) and Saginaw Spirit defenceman Zayne Parekh (56 points) over that stretch. Thanks in part to Catton’s strong play, the Spokane Chiefs have also climbed up both the CHL Top-10 Rankings and the WHL standings. Over the last month, having registered a 10-1-1-1 record, the Chiefs placed themselves among the Top-5 clubs in the CHL for the first time this season, while also moving into third place in the WHL’s overall standings. Meanwhile, powered by a strong month of February, Catton is up to 101 points (36G-65A) this season, which ranks third in WHL scoring for the 2024-25 campaign. By breaking the 100-point plateau, Catton has also achieved that feat for the second consecutive season. Named to the CHL’s Second All-Star Team in 2023-24, Catton was one of just three players in the CHL to register 50+ goals and 60+ assists last season. By going eighth overall to the Seattle Kraken during the 2024 NHL Draft, Catton became the highest-drafted player from the Spokane Chiefs in 33 years. Internationally, the 5-foot-10, 175-pound centreman has represented Canada at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship where he recorded one assist in four games. Before that, Catton helped his country to gold at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he led all skaters with eight goals and two assists in five tournament games. He’s also previously won a bronze medal at the 2023 IIHF World U18 Championship and silver at the 2022 World U-17 Hockey Challenge. Playing in his third full season in the WHL, Catton was selected by the Spokane Chiefs with the first overall pick in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft.
With an OHL-best 34 points over the last month, just one point shy of the CHL scoring leader for February, 2025 NHL Draft prospect Michael Misa of the Saginaw Spirit (OHL) has earned a spot on the CHL Team of the Month for the second time during the 2024-25 campaign. In 14 games in February, the 18-year-old from Oakville, Ont., was never held off the scoresheet as he posted 12 multi-point outings, including five games with three points or more. The latter included the 2024 Memorial Cup champion registering a career-high five points (2G-3A) on February 8 against the Guelph Storm. Misa also lit the lamp in 10 contests over the last month, the latter of which included tallying his third hat-trick of the season on February 15 against the Sudbury Wolves. Having strung together 14 straight games with a point through February, Misa managed to extend his active point streak, which currently stands at 27 consecutive contests – making it the third-longest point streak in the CHL this season (behind Gavin McKenna of the Medicine Hat Tigers – 35 games & Easton Cowan of the London Knights – 29 games). With 122 points (58G-64A) in 58 games, Misa leads both the OHL and CHL in scoring so far through the 2024-25 campaign. If Misa were to win the CHL Top Scorer Award this season, he would become the fifth first-year draft-eligible in the CHL to achieve the feat over the last 20 years, joining a group of alumni that includes Connor Bedard (2022-23), Marco Rossi (2019-20), Patrick Kane (2006-07), and Sidney Crosby (2004-05). Meanwhile, the 2025 NHL Draft prospect is also one of just two skaters in the CHL to have broken the 50-goal plateau in 2024-25, alongside Brantford Bulldogs forward Nick Lardis (66 goals). Drafted with the first overall pick of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, Misa is one of nine players in CHL history to have been granted exceptional player status by Hockey Canada. Over his career, Misa has helped Canada win gold at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and he also earned a silver medal at the 2022 World U17 Hockey Challenge playing for Canada Red. Earlier this season, the 18-year-old was one of 13 CHL forwards to help Team CHL defeat the U.S. National Under-18 Team last November in the inaugural 2024 CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Kubota Canada. Identified by NHL Central Scouting as the third-ranked skater in North America ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft, Misa was one of 17 CHL players ranked by NHL Central Scouting among the top 20 North American skaters in their Midterm Rankings. A little less than a year ago, Misa also played a part in helping the Saginaw Spirit capture their first-ever Memorial Cup in 2024, as they became just the third American franchise to win the CHL’s championship title.
With a CHL-leading 21 goals in 11 games during February, Chicago Blackhawks prospect Nick Lardis of the No.9-ranked Brantford Bulldogs (OHL) is making his first appearance in the CHL Team of the Month for the 2024-25 season. The 19-year-old from Oakville, Ont., failed to find twine in only one game last month, having recorded six multi-goal contests and four hat-tricks in February (on Feb. 2 @ Sudbury, Feb. 14 vs. Niagara, Feb. 20 @ Peterborough, & Feb. 23 @ Ottawa). One of those four hat-tricks saw Lardis register a single-game career-high of four goals against the Sudbury Wolves at the beginning of the month. Having scored a goal in 20 of his last 22 contests, Lardis put together an 18-game goal streak from January 8 to February 20, the longest streak of its kind in the CHL this season. Over the last month, Lardis’ play has helped lift the Bulldogs, as they went 9-1-1-0 in February and entered the CHL Top-10 Rankings for the first time since October 1. Thanks to his big month, Lardis leads the CHL with 66 goals in 2024-25 – eight more than the next closest skater (Michael Misa of the Saginaw Spirit – 58 goals). The 5-foot-11, 185-pound right-winger is the only player in the CHL to have broken the 60-goal plateau this season, and just the ninth CHL skater to have reached 65 goals over the last 20 years. If he were to hit 70, the Blackhawks prospect would become only the second OHL player to have achieved the feat since 1992 and the first since Oshawa Generals alumnus John Tavares scored 72 during the 2006-07 campaign. Originally selected by the Peterborough Petes sixth overall in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection, Lardis was acquired by the Bulldogs during the 2022-23 campaign in exchange for two-time OHL champions Gavin White and Avery Hayes. Over the course of this season, Lardis has become the Brantford Bulldogs’ franchise record holder for goals (66) and points (108) – both marks he is likely to build on over the Bulldogs’ remaining seven games. At the 2023 NHL Draft, Lardis was taken in the third round (67th overall) by the Chicago Blackhawks and he signed his entry-level contract with the club in April 2024.
After leading all CHL defencemen with seven goals and 31 points in February, Calgary Flames prospect Zayne Parekh of the Saginaw Spirit (OHL) has earned a spot in the CHL Team of the Month for a second straight month. In 14 games throughout February, the 19-year-old from Nobleton, Ont., registered a point in 13 of those contests. The latter saw Parekh record a total of 10 multi-point games, including a pair of four-point nights to both start and end the month (Feb. 1 vs. Kitchener & Feb. 28 @ Sudbury). Over the course of February, Parekh had 24 assists, which rank tied for first among all players in the CHL. Entering Thursday, the 6-foot, 185-pound defenceman leads all CHL defencemen with 31 goals and 99 points this season. Currently on a nine-game point streak, Parekh recently became just the second defenceman in the CHL to have registered multiple 30-goal seasons in the 21st century, doing so after Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL) alumnus Jonathan Gauthier scored 30-plus goals over consecutive campaigns in 1999-00 and 2000-01. Additionally, by hitting 30 goals in 2024-25, Parekh also became just the second defenceman in OHL/OHA history with multiple 30-goal seasons, following in the footsteps of Oshawa Generals alumnus Bobby Orr who achieved the feat in 1966 (34 goals in 1964-65 & 38 goals in 1965-66). Now sitting just one point shy of 100 points, Parekh will look to become just the fifth CHL rearguard to break the 100-point plateau since 2000 over the final weeks of the 2024-25 campaign. Since January 10, Parekh shares the CHL scoring lead with Spokane Chiefs forward Andrew Cristall having amassed 56 points (19G-37A) in 23 games over that stretch. Last season, in addition to helping the Saginaw Spirit to their first-ever Memorial Cup title, Parekh became the first Spirit player to ever be named the CHL Defenceman of the Year and he was chosen to the CHL’s First All-Star Team after amassing 96 points in 66 games. By going ninth overall to the Calgary Flames at the 2024 NHL Draft, Parekh became the highest-drafted player in Saginaw Spirit history. The 19-year-old was originally taken by Saginaw with the 19th overall pick of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection. He has previously helped Canada to gold at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and he competed for Team Red at the 2024 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Moncton, N.B.
After registering four goals and 11 assists over 11 games in February, Utah Hockey Club prospect Justin Kipkie of the Victoria Royals (WHL) is making his first appearance of the 2024-25 campaign in the CHL Team of the Month. Over the last month, the 19-year-old from Calgary, Alta., registered a point in eight of 11 contests, the latter of which included a trifecta of three-point nights (Feb. 4 vs. Kelowna, Feb. 7 @ Tri-City & Feb. 8 @ Spokane). Each of those three-point contests matched Kipkie’s single-game career-high in the WHL, a feat that he has now accomplished six times throughout the current season. Over the course of February, Kipkie’s solid performances also coincided with a strong month for the Victoria Royals, who won nine of 11 games (9-1-0-1) as they sit in first place in the WHL’s B.C. Division heading into Thursday. With 54 points in 56 games, the Royals captain has already set a new career-high this season, besting his previous mark of 54 that he set in 2023-24. At the beginning of the 2024-25 campaign, Kipkie was named the ninth captain in team history. Named a WHL B.C. Division First-Team following the 2023-24 season, the 6-foot-3, 208-pound defenceman was previously drafted 160th overall in the fifth round of the 2023 NHL Draft by the Arizona Coyotes (Utah Hockey Club). Now competing in what is his third full season in the WHL, Kipkie was originally drafted by the Victoria Royals in the sixth round (126th overall) of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft.
Holding a perfect 7-0-0-0 record in February, Detroit Red Wings prospect Rudy Guimond of the No. 1-ranked Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) is making his first-ever appearance in the CHL Team of the Month. Over his seven starts, the 19-year-old from Montreal, Que., allowed one goal or fewer on five occasions during the last month. The latter included a pair of shutouts: the first of which saw Guimond stop all 29 shots he faced against the Cape Breton Eagles on February 1, before he later registered a 20-save shutout against those same Cape Breton Eagles on February 21. The 6-foot-4, 175-pound netminder also made a career-high 42 saves in a big 4-1 victory over the Drummondville Voltigeurs on the last day of the month. In total, Guimond registered four performances with 25-plus saves in February. Over the last month, Guimond posted the CHL’s best goals-against average (1.26) and save percentage (.956) for any goalie with a minimum of five games played. Having been acquired by the Moncton Wildcats this past November after spending two seasons with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of the USHL, Guimond has provided his new QMJHL club with a big boost in net. The Red Wings prospect has won 13 consecutive games to kick start his QMJHL career, having registered a 1.59 goals-against average, .946 save percentage, and two shutouts over those 13 starts. Of any netminder in the CHL who has played a minimum of 10 games this season, Guimond’s 1.59 GAA and .946 save percentage rank first among that group. He’s also the only goalie within that cohort to have not suffered a loss during the 2024-25 campaign. Drafted in the sixth round (169th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft by the Detroit Red Wings, Guimond is committed to play NCAA Division 1 hockey for Yale University next season in 2025-26.
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.
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.
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.
TORONTO, ON — The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) announced today the January edition of the CHL Team of the Month presented by CCM for the 2024-25 regular season.
Having led all skaters in the Western Hockey League (WHL) and CHL in scoring over the last month with 28 points (8G-20A), 2025 NHL Draft prospect Ben Kindel of the No. 9-ranked Calgary Hitmen (WHL) is making his first appearance of the 2024-25 season in the CHL Team of the Month. Held off the scoresheet on just two occasions through January, the 17-year-old from Coquitlam, B.C., recorded eight multi-point outings, including a career-high five points (2G-3A) against the Moose Jaw Warriors on January 22. Between November 8 to January 12, Kindel recorded a point in 23 straight games, setting a new franchise record for the longest point streak by a Calgary Hitmen player – besting the previous mark of 20 consecutive games set by Pavel Brendl in 1999. Kindel’s strong play in January was no doubt also important to his team’s success. Since New Year’s Day, Calgary has won 12 of 15 games (12-2-0-1) and they moved into the CHL Top-10 Rankings for the first time this season in January. Kindel’s offensive outburst has helped him climb up to fourth in CHL scoring in 2024-25. His 81 points rank as the second-most by a 2025 NHL Draft prospect in the CHL, as he sits behind Saginaw Spirit forward Michael Misa (88 points) among that group. Kindel also ranks third in the WHL in scoring, trailing only Spokane Chiefs forward Andrew Cristall (89 points) and Medicine Hat Tigers forward Gavin McKenna (88 points). Identified by NHL Central Scouting as the 20th-ranked skater in North America ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft, Kindel was one of 17 CHL players ranked by NHL Central Scouting among the top 20 North American skaters in their Midterm Rankings. Earlier this season, the 5-foot-10, 175-pound forward was one of 13 CHL forwards to help Team CHL defeat the U.S. National Under-18 Team last November in the inaugural 2024 CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Kubota Canada. Selected 43rd overall (2nd Round) by the Calgary Hitmen at the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft, Kindel won a gold medal playing for Team Canada at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup last summer.
Fresh off his experience at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship with Team Canada, 2026 NHL Draft prospect Gavin McKenna of the No.7-ranked Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) is making his third appearance of the 2024-25 campaign in the CHL Team of the Month. Not only is he the lone player in the CHL to be featured on the CHL Team of the Month for a third time this season, McKenna is also the only one to have made more than one appearance in 2024-25. In January, averaging 2.36 points per game, McKenna tallied seven goals and 19 assists for 26 points in 11 contests. His 26 points ranked second in both CHL and WHL scoring for January, trailing only Calgary Hitmen forward Ben Kindel (28 points). Over the last month, McKenna recorded nine games with two points or more, which included tallying his fourth career WHL hat-trick in a 7-3 Tigers’ victory over the No.4-ranked Everett Silvertips on January 29. The 17-year-old from Whitehorse, Yukon, is currently in the midst of a 26-game point streak, having registered 59 points (18G-41A) in 26 straight WHL contests dating back to November 4. McKenna’s current 26-game point streak is the second longest in the CHL this season, behind only London Knights forward Easton Cowan (29 straight games). McKenna also hit a major milestone on January 31 against the Portland Winterhawks when he reached 200 career points in his 118th career regular season game. The latter made him the third-fastest skater in the WHL to hit the mark since 1996, trailing only reigning NHL Rookie of the Year and Regina Pats alumnus Connor Bedard (107 games) and Calgary Hitmen alum Pavel Brendl (96 games). McKenna’s performances have played a big part in the Tigers’ current 13-game point streak (12-0-0-1), which saw the team string together 12 victories in a row and climb to second in the WHL’s overall standings. Last month, Medicine Hat also made its return to the CHL Top-10 Rankings for the first time since October 22. As of February 5, with 87 points in 42 games, McKenna sits tied for second in scoring in the CHL, just one point shy of the leader Spokane Chiefs forward Andrew Cristall. Taken first overall in the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft, the reigning WHL and CHL Rookie of the Year captured gold for Team Canada at both the 2024 IIHF World U18 Championship and the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Most recently, at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, McKenna became the eighth youngest player to ever suit up for Team Canada at a World Juniors. Following the 2023-24 season, McKenna was named a member of both the CHL’s Third All-Star and All-Rookie Teams after he registered 97 points in 61 games as a 16-year-old.
Having led both the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) and the CHL with 14 goals during January, Rémi Gélinas of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL) is making his first career appearance in the CHL Team of the Month. The 19-year-old from St-Eustache, Que., didn’t fail to register a point in all 12 of his contests last month. Specifically, Gélinas lit the lamp in 10 games in January and he also registered four multi-goal outings during that time. By tallying a point in his dozen appearances last month, Gélinas has now scored a point in all 14 games he has played in since coming back from the holiday break on December 29. His current 14-game point streak is the longest active point streak in the QMJHL. Over the month of January, Gélinas also recorded six multi-point games, including a pair of consecutive three-point contests against the Sherbrooke Phoenix and the No.2-ranked Moncton Wildcats on January 9 and 11 respectively. Gélinas has only played 16 career games in the QMJHL. He made his way to the QMJHL from the Hawkesbury Hawks of the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL) and made his debut with the Huskies on December 13. After failing to register a point in his first two career games in the QMJHL, Gélinas has since found the scoresheet in each of his last 14 appearances. Currently averaging 1.63 points per game, Gélinas ranks as the second-most productive player in the QMJHL behind only that league’s scoring leader Jonathan Fauchon of the Rimouski Océanic (1.64 points per game). Looking ahead to his future Gélinas has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey for Clarkson University and join that program for the start of the 2026-27 hockey and academic year.
Having led all CHL and OHL defencemen with 11 goals and 21 points in January, Calgary Flames prospect Zayne Parekh of the Saginaw Spirit (OHL) is making his first appearance of the 2024-25 season in the CHL Team of the Month. In 10 games in January, the 2024 Memorial Cup Champion produced a point in all but one contest, which included matching a career-best five points (3G-2A) against the Guelph Storm on January 18. Impressively, over the last month, the 18-year-old from Nobleton, Ont., also scored a goal in six different contests and registered a pair of hat tricks. Thanks to his offensive output in January, let alone his current nine-game point streak, Parekh leads all CHL defencemen with 24 goals and 67 points this season. If Parekh were to reach 30 goals in 2024-25, he would become only the sixth defenceman in CHL history to have repeated as a 30-goal scorer (QMJHL: David Ezard & Jonathan Gauthier; OHL: Bobby Orr; WHL: Greg Hawgood & Paul Buczkowski). Additionally, in January, Parekh officially became the Spirit’s all-time leading scorer among defencemen, as he now has recorded 78 goals and 122 assists for 200 career points in 158 OHL regular-season games. Last season, in addition to helping the Saginaw Spirit to their first-ever Memorial Cup title, Parekh became the first Spirit player to ever be named the CHL Defenceman of the Year. Having been chosen to the CHL’s First All-Star Team after amassing 96 points in 66 games in 2023-24, Parekh is one just two CHL blueliners over the last 20 years to have topped 95 points in a single season. By going ninth overall to the Calgary Flames at the 2024 NHL Draft, Parekh became the highest-drafted player in Saginaw Spirit history. The 18-year-old was originally taken by Saginaw with the 19th overall pick of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection. He has previously helped Canada to gold at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and he competed for Team Red at the 2024 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Moncton, N.B.
After registering one goal and 18 assists in 12 games in January, 2026 NHL Draft prospect Chase Reid of the Soo Greyhounds is making his first-ever appearance on the CHL Team of the Month. Playing in his first full month in the OHL, the 17-year-old from Chesterfield, Michigan, led all CHL rearguards with 18 assists in January, and he trailed only Saginaw Spirit blueliner Zayne Parekh (21 points) in terms of scoring by a defenceman. No rookie defenceman in the CHL, let alone any first-year skater in the OHL, had more points in January than Chase Reid. In total, the Greyhounds blueliner recorded six multi-point outings, including a trio of three-point efforts (vs. PBO on Jan. 3; @ PBO on Jan. 16; vs. KIT on Jan. 29). Thanks to his strong play in January, Reid is currently averaging 1.20 points per game during the 2024-25 campaign, which ranks first among CHL rookie blueliners and sixth among all defencemen in the OHL. For his efforts over the last month, Reid was recognized as the OHL’s Rookie of the Month for January – making him the first defenceman to earn this award since Zayne Parekh achieved the feat in December 2022. Reid joined the Greyhounds from the Bismarck Bobcats of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) in December. Since making his debut on December 11, the 17-year-old has collected 24 points (2G-22A) over 20 games in his first season in the OHL. The former seventh-round (125th overall) pick by the Greyhounds in 2023 is a December 30, 2007 birthday, and he won’t be eligible for the NHL Draft until 2026.
Having led the CHL with a .946 save percentage and two shutouts in January, goaltender Alexis Cournoyer of the Cape Breton Eagles (QMJHL) is making his first career appearance in the CHL Team of the Month. Over his eight starts, the 20-year-old from Trois-Rivières, Que., allowed one goal or fewer on six occasions during the last month. The latter included a pair of shutouts: the first of which saw Cournoyer turn aside all 28 shots he faced against the Acadie-Bathurst Titan on January 3, before he later registered a 21-save shutout against the Chicoutimi Saguenéens on January 26. Cournoyer also made a career-high 34 saves in an important 5-1 victory over the Acadie-Bathurst Titan on January 4. Over the last month, Cournoyer also recorded a 1.61 goals-against average, which ranked third among goalies in the CHL in January. His performance last month no doubt was a big part of the Eagles’ 7-2-1-1 record in January, as Cape Breton seeks to climb the QMJHL standings ahead of the playoffs. Having only joined the Eagles in December, Cournoyer has had an immediate impact. His 1.62 goals-against average and .946 save percentage are the best of any QMJHL goaltender in 2024-25 who has played more than 500 minutes this season. Before his time in Cape Breton, the 20-year-old had previously only played in two career QMJHL regular-season games with the Shawinigan Cataractes. Specifically, Cournoyer was acquired from the Baie-Comeau Drakkar in exchange for a 9th-round draft pick in 2026 on December 19 to help support in the absence of Nashville Predators prospect Jakub Milota who spent his holidays representing Czechia at the 2025 World Juniors. Prior to joining the Eagles this season, Cournoyer was playing with the Truro Bearcats of the Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL), where he had a .927 save percentage and a 2.83 goals-against average in 21 starts in 2024-25.
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, January 26, 2025.
Spirit’s Zayne Parekh Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week
Calgary Flames prospect Zayne Parekh of the Saginaw Spirit is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, registering five goals, three assists and eight points over three contests.
Parekh opened the week with an assist on Thursday in an 8-6 loss to the Peterborough Petes. He followed up with a two-goal, one-assist performance in a 7-6 shootout loss to the Kingston Frontenacs on Friday, earning third star honours. On Sunday, Parekh delivered a dominant outing, scoring his second hat trick of the season and adding an assist for a four-point afternoon, leading the Spirit to a 7-2 win over the Ottawa 67’s and earning first star honours. With 15 points in his last five games, Parekh crossed the 20-goal plateau for a third straight season.
The 18-year-old from Nobleton, Ont. ranks second among OHL blueliners in points this season with 59 (21-38–59) in 39 games. Selected ninth overall by the Calgary Flames in the 2024 NHL Draft, the 6-foot, 185lb. defenceman has amassed a club record among blueliners of 192 points (75-117-192) in 155 regular season games for Saginaw since being drafted 19th overall in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection. Parekh has also recorded 20 points (8-12-20) in 24 playoff games, highlighted by being crowned a 2024 Memorial Cup champion as part of the host team. Additionally, he earned both OHL and CHL Defenceman of the Year honours in 2024.
Also considered for the award this week, Spirit teammate and top 2025 NHL Draft-eligible prospect Michael Misa posted two goals and six assists. Vegas Golden Knights prospect Tuomas Uronen of the Kingston Frontenacs was also a standout, recording nine points (3-6-9) in three games played.
Knights’ Austin Elliott Named OHL Goaltender of the Week
Austin Elliott of the London Knights is the OHL Goaltender of the Week, playing to a 2-0 record along with a 2.00 goals-against average and 9.33 save percentage.
Making a total of 56 saves last week, Elliott turned aside 31 of 32 shots on Thursday as the Knights defeated the North Bay Battalion 4-1. The 6-foot-1, 180lb. netminder returned to the crease on Sunday, stopping 25 of 28 shots in a 7-3 road win over the Soo Greyhounds for his 20th consecutive win.
A 20-year-old from Strathmore, AB, Elliott has been dominant this season, remaining undefeated with a perfect 20-0 record, including two shutouts, a 2.27 goals-against average, and a .916 save percentage. His 20 consecutive wins are four shy of a record held by Ray LeBlanc of the 1983-84 Kitchener Rangers, who earned 24 consecutive victories. The Knights acquired the overage goaltender from the Barrie Colts, who had claimed him off CHL waivers in early October. Elliott transitioned to the OHL after starting his career with the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades.
Also considered for the award this week, Jackson Parsons of the Kitchener Rangers was excellent, going 2-0 with a 2.50 goals-against average and .922 save percentage, while Ben Hrebik of the Barrie Colts also played to a 2-0 record, along with a 2.50 goals-against average and .918 save percentage.
Selected 19th overall by Saginaw in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection from the Toronto Jr. Canadiens U16 AAA program, the Toronto native is excelling in his rookie campaign, tallying 23 points (7-16–23) in 30 games this season.
Also considered for the award this week, Spirit teammate Jacob Cloutier recorded five points (3-2–5), while Owen Sound Attack forward Pierce Mbuyi stood out with four goals in three games.
Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Month for November 2024.
Player and Defenceman of the Month – Sam Dickinson (London Knights) San Jose Sharks prospect Sam Dickinson of the London Knights has been named the OHL Player and Defenceman of the Month for November. He registered six goals, 19 assists, and 25 points, along with a plus/minus rating of plus-12 in 13 games played. Dickinson ranks first among OHL defencemen and third overall in OHL points this season, with 15 goals, 30 assists, and 45 points in 24 games. He recorded at least one point in 12 of his 13 November outings, including a career-high six-point performance on November 23 with a goal and five assists in a 6-5 win over the Saginaw Spirit. Dickinson also netted his second hat trick of the season on November 8 in a 6-2 victory over the North Bay Battalion, earning Player of the Week honours.
An 18-year-old from Toronto, Ont., Dickinson was formerly selected fourth overall by the Niagara IceDogs in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection. The 6-foot-3, 210Ib. left-shot blueliner has recorded 138 points (42-96–138) over 154 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. Dickinson was selected by the San Jose Sharks with the 11th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.
Also considered for November’s Player of the Month Award, 2025 NHL Draft-eligible prospect Michael Misa of the Saginaw Spirit registered 22 points (7-15-22) in 11 games, Chicago Blackhawks prospect Nick Lardis of the Brantford Bulldogs tallied 13 goals and 13 assists (13-13-26) in 14 games, while recent University of Vermont commit Cedrick Guindon of the Kingston Frontenacs was also a standout, recording 23 points (10-13-23) in 13 contests.
Also considered for November’s Defenceman of the Month Award, Calgary Flames prospect Zayne Parekh of the Saginaw Spirit registered 17 points (5-12-17) in 10 games, while 2025 NHL Draft-eligible prospect Matthew Schaefer of the Erie Otters also performed, tallying five goals, 10 assists and 15 points with a plus/minus rating of plus-16 in 11 contests.
Goaltender of the Month – Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers) Kitchener Rangers goaltender Jackson Parsons has been named the OHL Goaltender of the Month for November. Making 230 saves throughout the month, Parsons posted a 5-3-0-0 record, a 1.26 goals-against average, .958 save percentage, and three shutouts. He currently leads the OHL with a 2.12 goals-against average, a .926 save percentage, and a 14-5-1-0 record through 20 games this season. The fourth-year veteran was a standout in November, making 30+ saves in four outings and earning shutouts on November 8, 17, and 23. Parsons was also named OHL Goaltender of the Week twice during the month. He became the first OHL player to commit to an NCAA DI hockey program this season, heading to Clarkson University for 2025-26.
A 20-year-old native of Embrun, Ont., Parsons boasts a career record of 51-37-5-0 with a 3.07 goals-against average, a .900 save percentage, and seven shutouts in 98 regular season appearances with the Rangers. Standing at 6-foot-2 and 202lb., Parsons was selected by Kitchener in the third round (53rd overall) of the 2020 OHL Priority Selection from the Cornwall Colts U18 AAA program.
Also considered for the award this month, Aleksei Medvedev of the London Knights was impressive, compiling a perfect 6-0-0-0 record with a 1.98 goals-against average, a .935 save percentage, and one shutout.
Rookie of the Month – Aleksei Medvedev (London Knights) London Knights goaltender Aleksei Medvedev has been named the OHL Rookie of the Month for November after an outstanding performance. The first-year netminder posted a perfect 6-0-0-0 record, including his first OHL shutout on November 28 with 31 saves. He finished the month with a 1.98 goals-against average, a .935 save percentage, and five 30+ save performances, contributing to the Knights’ ongoing 18-game win streak. This season, Medvedev holds an 11-2-0-0 record, a 2.64 goals-against average, and a .918 save percentage, ranking fourth in save percentage and fifth in GAA among OHL goaltenders. Medvedev earned multiple accolades in November, being named OHL Goaltender of the Week once and OHL Rookie of the Week on two occasions.
The 17-year-old from St. Petersburg, Russia was selected by London in the second round (38th overall) of the 2023 OHL Priority Selection. The 6-foot-3, 180Ib. netminder was recently listed as a C-rated prospect on NHL Central Scouting’s Preliminary Players to Watch list for the 2025 NHL Draft.
Also considered for the award this month, Saginaw Spirit forward Dimian Zhilkin had nine points (5-4–9) in 12 games played. Ottawa 67’s goaltender Jaeden Nelson was also a standout, playing to a 3-0-0-2 record along with a 2.29 goals-against average and .917 save percentage.
2024-25 OHL Performers of the Month:
Player of the Month: November – Sam Dickinson (London Knights) October – Michael Misa (Saginaw Spirit)
Defenceman of the Month: November – Sam Dickinson (London Knights) October – Luca Marrelli (Oshawa Generals)
Goaltender of the Month: November – Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers) October – Joey Costanzo (Windsor Spitfires)
Rookie of the Month: November – Aleksei Medvedev (London Knights) October – Ethan Belchetz (Windsor Spitfires)
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that draft eligible Saginaw Spirit defenceman Zayne Parekh is the 2023-24 recipient of the Max Kaminsky Trophy awarded to the League’s Defenceman of the Year as voted by OHL General Managers.
Parekh led OHL blueliners with 33 goals and 96 points, both Spirit single season franchise records at the position. He follows John Slaney (Cornwall, 1989-90) as just the second defenceman in OHL history to score more than 30 goals in his first season of NHL Draft eligibility. Parekh is the first Saginaw Spirit player to ever win the OHL Defenceman of the Year Award.
“I am very honoured to be recognized for this award, there’s so much talent in this league and I’m extremely grateful to be selected,” said Parekh.
“I’d like to thank my family, agent and the people within my support group that have helped me so much this year. I especially want to thank the Saginaw Spirit organization, the fans, ownership, staff, and especially the players. Without the group around me, I wouldn’t have had the same success I had throughout the year.
“I’d like to extend a big thank you to my Head Coach Chris Lazary and my General Manager Dave Drinkill for helping develop me into the player I’ve become and for always having belief and trust in me.”
Parekh was named OHL Defenceman of the Month for both November and March. His six game-winning goals paced OHL blueliners. He also scored a pair of hat-tricks during the regular season, with the first coming on Nov. 8th in a 6-2 win over Flint and another as part of a five-point effort in an 11-3 win over Windsor on Jan. 10th.
“As an organization, we couldn’t be prouder of Zayne for winning such a prestigious award,” said Spirit General Manager Dave Drinkill. “Since coming into our league last year as a young 16-year-old, he has worked extremely hard in all aspects of his game, on and off the ice. It is very rewarding to know that the rest of the league recognized this as well, and supported him to receive this award after a tremendous season here in Saginaw.”
“What Zayne accomplished this season as a second-year defenceman was simply remarkable,” Drinkill added. “Each game he found a way to make an impact, helping our team achieve new club records, while setting team and league individual records for a defenceman along the way.”
An 18-year-old from Nobleton, Ont., Parekh joined the Spirit as a first round (19th overall) pick in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection from the Markham Majors U16 program. After setting a new OHL record with 21 goals as a 16-year-old defenceman in 2022-23, he closed out his 2023-24 campaign with career totals that include 54 goals, 79 assists and 133 points over 116 regular season games, registering a plus/minus of plus-42. He enters the 2024 NHL Draft this summer as the highest-ranked OHL skater on Central Scouting’s Final Rankings, coming in at fifth in North America.
The Max Kaminsky Trophy is awarded each year to the Most Outstanding Defenceman as selected by OHL General Managers. All 20 clubs submitted a nominee but were not permitted to vote for their own player.
The award is named in recognition of Max Kaminsky, who enjoyed a 10-year professional playing career that included four years in the NHL with Ottawa, Boston and Montreal. After he retired from playing, Kaminsky enjoyed a 15-year coaching career that was capped by winning the Memorial Cup with the St. Catharines Teepees in 1960.
Parekh led the way in this year’s award voting process, followed by Calgary Flames prospect Hunter Brzustewicz of the Kitchener Rangers as runner-up.
Parekh follows a former Spirit rearguard in Pavel Mintyukov of the Ottawa 67’s who was last year’s recipient. Other prominent names to have won the OHL Defenceman of the Year Award include Dougie Hamilton (Niagara 2012), two-time recipients Ryan Ellis (Windsor 2009 & 2011) and Bryan Berard (Detroit 1995 & 1996), Drew Doughty (Guelph 2008) as well as Chris Pronger (Peterborough 1993).
Parekh will be the OHL’s nominee for the Canadian Hockey League Defenceman of the Year Award, presented at the CHL Awards Ceremony that will be held that the 2024 Memorial Cup presented by Dow from May 24th to June 2nd in Saginaw, Michigan. He’ll be formally presented with the Max Kaminsky Trophy at the OHL’s Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, June 12th at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
For a complete history of OHL award winners, click here.
Zayne Parekh of the Saginaw Spirit. Photo by Natalie Shaver/OHL Images
The 2023-2024 Ontario Hockey League regular season has concluded, and the opening round of the playoffs is underway. However, we still have unfinished business from the regular season to address before the NHL Entry Draft.
As the Entry Draft scheduled for June 28-29 at the Sphere in Las Vegas approaches, we reflect on players eligible for the draft and review stats from the regular season across various categories.
A trio of North Bay Battalion players dominates the leaderboard: Dalyn Wakely and Owen Van Steensel, both in their third and final year of draft eligibility and Anthony Romani, entering the draft for the second time. With this being the likely final chance for Wakely and Van Steensel to impress scouts, and Romani looking to improve on his previous draft year, it’s reasonable to expect increased production from these veterans.
As expected, defenseman Zayne Parekh had a strong offensive season and finished among the league leaders in points. With 26 more points than Sam Dickinson, Parekh may have done enough to surpass Dickinson as the top defenseman prospect for the upcoming draft in June, but that question remains unsettled. Or does it?
In the crease, two of NHL Central Scouting’s top North American goaltenders solidified their places in the draft. The only question that remains “Is Carter George or Ryerson Leenders first off the board?” Only time will tell.
Here’s a look at the leaders in several different categories. While we put great effort into compiling stats, please refer to the OHL website for official stats.
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Month for regular season games played in March 2024.
Player of the Month – Quentin Musty (Sudbury Wolves)
San Jose Sharks prospect Quentin Musty of the Sudbury Wolves is the OHL Player of the Month, tallying an impressive 30 points including 15 goals and 15 assists over 11 games played in March. Registering multi-point showings in seven outings, Musty opened the month with a five-point performance on Mar. 1, recording a hat trick and a pair of helpers in a 10-3 win over Sarnia. Musty continued his scoring ways, registering a pair of season-high six-point performances on Mar. 8, (4-2-6) and Mar. 22 (2-4-6). Helping the Wolves play to a 38-23-4-3 record, he’s the second Wolves player to earn OHL Player of the Month honours this season.
An 18-year-old from Hamburg, NY., Musty ranked fourth among all OHL point-getters with 102 points (43-59-102) through 53 games played this season. Musty finished fifth in goal-scoring, registering a plus/minus rating of plus-19. A 6-foot-2, 202Ib. left-winger, Musty is in his third season with the Wolves, having recorded 81 goals, 130 assists and 211 points over just 156 career regular season games since being selected by Sudbury with the first overall pick of the 2021 OHL Priority Selection. Musty was drafted by the San Jose Sharks with their first round (26th overall) pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, signing a three-year entry-level contract with the club on Oct. 4, 2023.
Defenceman of the Month – Zayne Parekh (Saginaw Spirit)
2024 NHL Draft eligible defenceman Zayne Parekh of the Saginaw Spirit is the OHL Defenceman of the Month for the second time this season, registering five goals, 10 assists, and 15 points over 11 March outings, including 11 points in his last seven games. Helping Saginaw win nine of a possible 11 games in March, Parekh closed out the regular season atop all defensive point-getters, recording a Spirit franchise record 96 points (33-63-96) by a blueliner over 66 games played. Tallying four multi-point showings last month, he opened the month with a three-point performance on Mar. 1., registering two goals and an assist, including the overtime winner. He registered three assists on Mar. 23, helping the Spirit best the Windsor Spitfires 8-5. Parekh closed out the month with a goal and an assist on Mar. 24, as the Spirit concluded regular season action with a 50-16-1-1 record, good for second in the Western Conference standings.
An 18-year-old from Nobleton, Ont., Parekh is in his second OHL season after registering 37 points (21-16–37) over 50 games last season, setting a new OHL record for goals by a 16-year-old blueliner with 21. Parekh’s 33 goals this season are the most by a first-time NHL Draft eligible defender in the OHL since Cornwall’s John Slaney scored 38 during the 1989-90 campaign. The 6-foot, 180Ib. right-shot defender earned a gold medal for Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup this past summer, and was recently awarded an A-rating on NHL Central Scouting’s ‘Players to Watch’ List for the 2024 NHL Draft. Parekh was Saginaw’s first round (19th overall) pick in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection from the Markham Majors U16 program.
Goaltender of the Month – Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals)
Jacob Oster of the Oshawa Generals is the OHL Goaltender of the Month for March, playing to a 9-0 record with a 2.33 goals-against average and .914 save percentage. Helping the Generals clinch first place in the Eastern Conference, Oster registered a 28-save performance on Mar. 12, defeating the Mississauga Steelheads 2-1 in overtime. He continued his consistency in the crease, recording a second 28-save performance on Mar. 17 in a 7-2 win over the Sarnia Sting. Oster closed out the regular season turning aside 26 of the 27 shots that came his way against Sudbury on Mar. 24, extending the Generals winnings to 12 consecutive games.
A 20-year-old from Ottawa, Ont., Oster ranked first among all netminders in wins this year, playing to a regular season mark of 35-16-7-1 including three shutouts, along with a 2.82 goals-against average and .905 save percentage. Selected in the fifth round (92nd overall) by the Guelph Storm in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection, the 6-foot-3, 190lb. netminder has appeared in 143 career regular season contests between Oshawa and Guelph, recording a 68-47-12-4 record, 3.29 goals-against average and .891 save percentage over three seasons.
Rookie of the Month – Jack Ivankovic (Mississauga Steelheads)
Mississauga Steelheads goaltender Jack Ivankovic is the OHL Rookie of the Month, playing to a 5-1 record, along with a 2.14 goals-against average and .927 save percentage. Making 166 saves in March, Ivankovic opened the month with a 30-save performance in a 6-1 win over the Windsor Spitfires on Mar. 3. Ivankovic recorded his second 30+ save performance of the month on Mar. 10., turning aside 33 of the 35 shots he faced. Ivankovic registered another standout performance on Mar. 17, blocking 28 of the 30 shots that came his way to lead the Steelheads to victory.
A 16-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., Ivankovic played to a regular season mark of 14-5-4-0, along with a 2.72 goals-against average, .915 save percentage and a shutout. His 2.72 G.A.A. was the lowest by an OHL rookie, earning him the F.W. “Dinty” Moore Trophy for his efforts. The 5-foot-11, 170lb. rookie was the Steelheads’ first round (seventh overall) pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection from the Mississauga Senators U16 program. Ivankovic excelled for Team Canada White at the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in November, returning from Prince Edward Island with a gold medal.
2023-24 OHL Performers of the Month:
Player of the Month: March – Quentin Musty (Sudbury Wolves) February – David Goyette (Sudbury Wolves) January – Calum Ritchie (Oshawa Generals) December – Ruslan Gazizov (London Knights) November – Filip Mesar (Kitchener Rangers) October – Carson Rehkopf (Kitchener Rangers)
Defenceman of the Month: March – Zayne Parekh (Saginaw Spirit) February – Sam Dickinson (London Knights) January – Oliver Bonk (London Knights) December – Nick DeAngelis (Sudbury Wolves) November – Zayne Parekh (Saginaw Spirit) October – Hunter Brzustewicz (Kitchener Rangers)
Goaltender of the Month: March – Jacob Oster (Oshawa Generals) February – Dom DiVincentiis (North Bay Battalion) January – Michael Simpson (London Knights) December – Marcus Vandenberg (Sudbury Wolves) November – Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers) October – Brayden Gillespie (Guelph Storm)
Rookie of the Month: March – Jack Ivankovic (Mississauga Steelheads) February – Riley Patterson (Barrie Colts) January – Riley Patterson (Barrie Colts) December – Jake O’Brien (Brantford Bulldogs) November – Cole Davis (Windsor Spitfires) October – Carter George (Owen Sound Attack)
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.
Zayne Parekh of the Saginaw Spirit. Photo by Natalie Shaver/OHL Images
The 2023-2024 Ontario Hockey League season will be remembered as one of the most competitive and unpredictable in recent memory. The fact that not a single playoff series was set until the last day of the season truly speaks volumes about the level of competition and passion in the league.
Today, we take a look at players eligible for the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and who had the most impact in March with our forward, defenceman, and goaltender of the month.
Forward of the Month – Beckett Sennecke – Oshawa Generals
March was Sennecke’s best all-around month of the season and offensively he produced 6 goals and 12 assists in 10 games. He was a plus player in each game and he was kept off the scoresheet just twice. He also had 5 multi-point games.
Also considered were: Dalyn Wakely of the North Bay Battalion with 7 goals and 12 assists in 9 games; his teammate Anthony Romani with 11 goals and 6 assists in 10 games; Ruslan Gazizov of the London Knights with 8 goals and 7 assists in 9 games; Sam Alfano of the Erie Otters with 8 goals and 8 assists in 10 games.
Defenceman of the Month – Zayne Parekh – Saginaw Spirit
For the third time in the season, Parekh is our choice here. In 11 games in March, Parekh had 5 goals and 11 assists and established himself as the top offensive blueliner in the draft. He was held pointless in just two of the games and was a minus player just twice.
Also considered were: Jakub Fibigr of the Mississauga Steelheads who had 1 goal and 12 assists in 11 games; Luca Marrelli of the Oshawa Generals who had 3 goals and 8 assists in 10 games; Henry Mews of the Ottawa 67’s had 4 goals and 6 assists in 12 games.
Goaltender of the Month – Jacob Oster – Oshawa Generals
Oster is a two-time goaltender of the month for us after we selected him in January as well. He appeared in 9 games in March and was a perfect 9-0-0-0. He stopped 223 of 244 shots he faced for a save percentage of .914. This will be Oster’s third and final year of draft eligibility.
Also considered were: Liam Sztuska of the Peterborough Petes who went 2-3-0 and had a save percentage of .915; Charlie Robertson of the Niagara IceDogs who went 1-3-0-1 with a save percentage of .913; Ryerson Leenders of the Mississauga Steelheads who went 3-0-2-0 with a save percentage of .917.
OHL Writers 