OHL This Week: Sep. 28 to Oct. 1, 2023

A fresh season means polls, predictions, new captains and the standings all reset to zero. Dive in with us as we explore what’s happening across the OHL with Opening Week upon us!

OHL Commissioner David Branch embarks on 45th and final season:
David Branch has sat in the Commissioner’s chair for a long time, since 1979 to be exact. Commissioner Branch embarks on his final season as head of the Ontario Hockey League in 2023-24.

Petes to celebrate OHL Championship on Opening Night, Colts take on Battalion in Barrie:
The Peterborough Petes will treat their home fans to a banner raising prior to puck drop on Thursday as the OHL season opens at the Memorial Centre where the Petes take on the Kingston Frontenacs. In Barrie, the Colts will open their season at home to the North Bay Battalion.

OHL 20 in 20 – Team season previews:
Get caught up on all 20 OHL teams ahead of the 2023-24 regular season as the OHL’s Joelle Wood catches up with head coaches from across the League. Watch

OHL Power Rankings – Preseason Edition:
Throughout the season, the OHL Power Rankings will usher in a new week of action each Monday, with the top 16 teams in the Ontario Hockey League jostling for position headed into the 2024 OHL Playoffs. The London Knights were on top of the first edition, with the 2024 Memorial Cup host Saginaw Spirit trailing close behind. Read more

Annual preseason Media Poll reveals picks and predictions:
With the launch of OHL Opening Week, a poll of various media who cover the League in broadcast booths and press boxes provides opinions and analysis on some of the players and teams to watch in 2023-24. Read more

OHL players attending NHL Training Camps:
A look at which returning-eligible OHL players remain with NHL clubs as the 2023-24 OHL season gets underway. Read more

Defending champion Petes going back to their roots in 2023-24:
The Peterborough Petes are bringing back an old look on the heels of their championship last spring, unveiling new maroon uniforms for the 2023-24 season. Read more

Attack’s Barlow signs with Jets:
Owen Sound Attack captain Colby Barlow has signed a three-year entry-level NHL contract with the Winnipeg Jets. Read more

Wolves’ Toure signs with Senators:
Sudbury Wolves defenceman Djibril Toure has signed a three-year entry-level NHL contract with the Ottawa Senators. Read more

Several OHL teams name new captains to begin season:
With a new season comes new leadership and several new teams have named new captains to begin 2023-24 including the Barrie Colts (Connor Punnett), Erie Otters (Spencer Sova), Flint Firebirds (Zacharie Giroux), Guelph Storm (Braeden Bowman), Oshawa Generals (Stuart Rolofs) and Ottawa 67’s (Luca Pinelli).

Spirit sign Drinkill and Lazary to three-year contract extensions:
The Saginaw Spirit has announced contract extensions for both General Manager Dave Drinkill and Head Coach Chris Lazary. Taking effect next season, the extensions run through the 2026-2027 season. Read more

Greyhounds’ Allard healthy and ready to contribute to start new season:
A seventh-round pick of the Soo Greyhounds in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection, Owen Allard has displayed an undeniable work ethic, and shown signs of blossoming into a regular contributor for the Soo Greyhounds as he returns this season in full health. Read more

OHL announces 2023-24 Officiating Team:
Consisting of 41 referees and 60 linespeople, this year’s roster of officials includes a total of 11 first-year staff including four referees and seven linespeople. Three former linesmen have transitioned into refereeing roles. Read more

CHL on TSN play by play announcer Victor Findlay joins Habs on TSN 690:
A familiar name to fans across the Ontario Hockey League, TSN 690 has added seasoned sports broadcaster Victor Findlay to its lineup as play-by-play announcer for Montreal Canadiens game broadcasts this season. Read more

CHL welcomes Dow as the presenting sponsor of the 2024 Memorial Cup:
The CHL, in collaboration with the WHL, OHL, and the QMJHL, has announced that Dow will serve as the presenting sponsor of the 104th Memorial Cup, which will take place next spring in Saginaw, Michigan, from May 23 to June 2, 2024. Read more

 

COMMUNITY CORNER:

OHL players volunteer as Hockey Gives Blood ambassadors:
Seeking to do more in the community, players across the Ontario Hockey League have teamed up with Hockey Gives Blood as volunteer player ambassadors ahead of the 2023-24 season. Hockey Gives Blood is a non-profit society that has partnered with the Canadian Blood Services in an effort to engage and educate the hockey community about the importance of blood, plasma, stem cells, and organ & tissue donation. Read more

IceDogs donate $2,000 to SPCA Niagara and the Lions Foundation Dog Guides of Canada:
The Niagara IceDogs have donated $2,000 to two local charitable foundations, SPCA Niagara and the Lions Foundation Dog Guides of Canada, with each charity receiving $1,000. Prior to the start of the pre-season, IceDogs Owner, Darren DeDobbelaer, announced that a portion of all ticket sales for the teams’ two home preseason games would be donated to respective charities. Read more

Greyhounds set to host Indigenous Heritage Night in support of National Truth & Reconciliation Day on Saturday:
The Soo Greyhounds Hockey Club will be hosting their Indigenous Heritage Night on Saturday September 30. As part of the game night, the Greyhounds will wear Indigenous inspired jerseys created by Ojibway Woodland artist Thomas Sinclair. The game worn Indigenous Heritage jerseys will be auctioned off after the game with the funds raised being donated to the Indigenous Friendship Centre’s Mental Health and Addiction Services programs. In addition to the jersey auction, fans can also support the cause by purchasing a limited-edition Indigenous Heritage t-shirt. Details

Talk Today – OHL alumnus Danny Zhilkin and his vision for mental health:
The Canadian Mental Health Association had the opportunity to catch up with OHL alumnus Danny Zhilkin on their latest episode of the Talk Today Podcast, discussing mental health, and resources in the hockey community. Read more

 

UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

– All games streaming on OHL Live
– Radio and TV broadcast information

Thursday, September 28th
North Bay at Barrie – 7:00pm
Kingston at Peterborough – 7:05pm

Friday, September 29th
Oshawa at Kingston – 7:00pm
Peterborough at Ottawa – 7:00pm
Erie at Mississauga – 7:00pm
Barrie at North Bay – 7:00pm
Niagara at London – 7:00pm
Saginaw at Kitchener – 7:00pm
Brantford at Sudbury – 7:05pm
Windsor at Sarnia – 7:05pm
Flint at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07pm
Owen Sound at Guelph – 7:30pm

Saturday, September 30th
London at Niagara – 7:00pm
Kitchener at Flint – 7:00pm
Mississauga at Erie – 7:00pm
Barrie at Owen Sound – 7:00pm
Guelph at Windsor – 7:05pm
Sarnia at Saginaw – 7:05pm
Brantford at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07pm

Sunday, October 1st
North Bay at Sudbury – 2:05pm
Kingston at Oshawa – 6:05pm