As #OHLOpeningWeek kicks off, a group of media insiders from press boxes and broadcast booths share their insights and analysis on the players and teams to keep an eye on for the 2024-25 OHL season.
The following is a breakdown of the most popular responses, featuring select media commentary backing their choices.
Which team will win the Midwest Division?
London Knights (87.5%)
“All eyes on whether or not the five-time defending Midwest Division champions will have Red Tilson Award winning forward Easton Cowan back or if he’ll stick in the NHL with the Maple Leafs. Either way, the Knights have scoring depth and enough of their OHL winning roster back for another run.”
Honourable Mentions: Guelph Storm (6.25%), and Erie Otters (6.25%)
Which team will win the West Division?
Saginaw Spirit (62.5%)
“With Michael Misa in his draft year and Zayne Parekh returning from his first NHL camp, there’s no reason why Saginaw can’t be back at the top of the division. It’s always interesting to see how teams perform after a Memorial Cup championship, but I believe the Spirit are a franchise that could potentially compete for another title.”
Honourable Mention: Soo Greyhounds (12.5%), Flint Firebirds (12.5%), Windsor Spitfires (12.5%)
Which team will win the East Division?
Oshawa Generals (75%)
“While they’re a bit banged up entering the season, I really like the makeup of this team. Their experience from last year’s playoff run will help them offset those early injuries.”
Honourable Mention: Brantford Bulldogs (25%)
Which team will win the Central Division?
Brampton Steelheads (87.5%)
“Strong goaltending, positional depth, and significant offseason additions like Carson Rehkopf up front and Spencer Sova on the back end will elevate the Steelheads in what is shaping up to be the OHL’s toughest division this season.”
Honourable Mentions: Barrie Colts (6.25%), and North Bay Battalion (6.25%)
Which team will be the most surprising?
Erie Otters (25%)
“The Otters made their return to the postseason for the first time since 2017 last season and are poised to take a step forward in 2024-25. They boast what could be one of the most dynamic groups of forwards in the conference, featuring top 2025 NHL Draft prospects Malcolm Spence and Matthew Schaefer.”
Honourable Mentions: Windsor Spitfires (18.75%), Niagara IceDogs (18.75%)
Which player will lead the League in scoring?
Anthony Romani, North Bay Battalion (18.75%) / Michael Misa, Saginaw Spirit (18.75%) / Quentin Musty, Sudbury Wolves (18.75%)
Honourable Mention: Carson Rehkopf, Brampton Steelheads (12.5%)
Who will be the League’s best goaltender?
Jack Ivankovic, Brampton Steelheads (43.75%)
“The best goaltender in the league on perhaps the best team in the league—sounds like a recipe for both personal and team success.”
Honourable Mention: Jacob Oster, Oshawa Generals (25%)
Who will be the League’s best defenceman?
Zayne Parekh, Saginaw Spirit (87.5%)
“This guy is incredibly talented. He can defend, shoot, and make plays. He seems to be on a completely different level.”
Honourable Mention: Sam Dickinson, London Knights and Matthew Andonovski, Kitchener Rangers (6.25%)
Who will be the League’s top rookie?
Ethan Belchetz, Windsor Spitfires (68.75%)
“While preseason performance doesn’t always translate, it’s hard not to be impressed by how quickly he seems to have adapted to the League. The Spitfires are poised to be much more competitive in the Western Conference this year, and I believe he’ll surpass a point per game.”
Who will win Coach of the Year honours?
James Richmond, Brampton Steelheads (56.25%)
“James Richmond—Brampton is set to be a very strong team, and James always finds a way to get his players to buy into his system early in the season. They are well-structured, and I believe they will experience consistent success this year.”
Honourable mention: Dale Hunter, London Knights (12.5%)
Who will be the League’s top prospect for the 2025 NHL Draft?
Matthew Schaefer, Erie Otters (50%)
“You can almost guarantee that Matthew will be a first-round pick, likely ending up as a top 10 or even top 5 selection when the draft occurs. Erie is in a much better position going into the season, and Schaefer is one of their key players this year.”
Honourable Mention: Porter Martone, Brampton Steelheads (37.5)
Who will be the League’s most outstanding player of the year?
Zayne Parekh, Saginaw Spirit (31.25%)
“If the Spirit win the division and Parekh breaks the 100-point barrier, I like his chances of becoming the first defender to win the Red Tilson Trophy since Ryan Ellis over a decade ago.”
Honourable Mention: Easton Cowan, London Knights (18.75%)
Who will win the Wayne Gretzky Trophy as Western Conference champion?
London Knights (93.75%)
“Building on their 2024 OHL Championship, London has most of their key players returning that all share a winning momentum.”
Honourable Mention: Saginaw Spirit (6.25%)
Who will win the Bobby Orr Trophy as Eastern Conference champion?
Brampton Steelheads (43.75%)
“They have the strongest roster in the Eastern Conference at this point.”
Honourable Mention: Oshawa Generals (37.5%)
Who will win the Robertson Cup as OHL champion?
London Knights (50%)
“With Sam Dickinson and Oliver Bonk on the blue line, alongside Easton Cowan, Denver Barkey, and a deep, talented supporting group, the Knights are clear favourites to become back-to-back Robertson Cup champions.”
Honourable Mention: Brampton Steelheads (25%)
• Fourteen OHL players named to Canada’s National Junior Team
• OHL mourns the loss of Erie Otters Owner & Governor Jim Waters
• Colts sign 2023 pick Peter Legostaev
• Generals’ Marrelli signs with Blue Jackets
• Colts sign fourth round pick Christian Armstrong
• Huron-Perth Lakers continue to lead OHL Cup Top 10 Rankings in Week 3
• 2025 OHL Draft Prospect Profile: Jake Murray
• Wolves, IceDogs, Battalion climb Week 11 edition of OHL Power Rankings
• Rosters unveiled for inaugural Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game presented by Enbridge Gas
Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game
January 15 at Brantford (Tickets)


Which of the following players is most likely to finish with the league lead in points?

View Results
• Fourteen OHL players named to Canada’s National Junior Team
• OHL mourns the loss of Erie Otters Owner & Governor Jim Waters
• Colts sign 2023 pick Peter Legostaev
• Generals’ Marrelli signs with Blue Jackets
• Colts sign fourth round pick Christian Armstrong
• Huron-Perth Lakers continue to lead OHL Cup Top 10 Rankings in Week 3
• 2025 OHL Draft Prospect Profile: Jake Murray
• Wolves, IceDogs, Battalion climb Week 11 edition of OHL Power Rankings
• Rosters unveiled for inaugural Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game presented by Enbridge Gas
Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game
January 15 at Brantford (Tickets)


Which of the following players is most likely to finish with the league lead in points?

View Results
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