One third of the way through the OHL regular season, here is the top rookie for each team thus far, and a deeper look into their early contributions.
As the month of December slowly arrives upon us, we are roughly one third of the way through the OHL season.
Here is a look at each East Division team's rookie standout thus far:
Brantford Bulldogs: Jake O'Brien
The crafty playmaking forward has been able to jump into the Bulldogs' lineup immediately, and succeed with hardly any adjustment time.
Jake O'Brien has been providing a significant amount of offence, considering he is a 2007-born skater playing in the middle-six of a weaker team. O'Brien's vision and playmaking ability is what makes him special. He almost has "eyes in the back of his head" to find his teammates and knowing where they are at all times. He is consistently able to find his teammates in grade A scoring areas and create with his passing.
The Toronto-native has 12 points and 10 assists through sixteen games this season. O'Brien has been spending the majority of his time playing alongside captain Lawson Sherk, with several wingers rotating through the other wing spot. Playing with Sherk allows him to have a sense of "safeness" on the ice, as Sherk is known as a very experienced, complete two-way centre. O'Brien has been playing on both wings, which also contributes to his sense of utility as a playmaking winger who can contribute in any position.
Kingston Frontenacs: Tyler Hopkins
The Frontenacs have an older lineup, and Tyler Hopkins has been the only rookie that has been in the lineup consistently. Kingston's fourth overall pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection has been thrown into a large role to start his OHL career.
The speedy centre hasn't had the smoothest transition to junior hockey, but a large part of it is due to his team situation. Kingston is heavily struggling, and they have been for the last few seasons. They don't have much depth in any position, and they struggle defensively.
Hopkins is a high-pace player and an explosive skater. He has the ability to drive and create offensively, and he sees the ice well.
Last season, Hopkins played for the U16 Halton Hurricanes where he helped lead his team to the OHL Cup and the OMHA semi-finals.
Hopkins has a bright future, and the potential to be a high NHL Draft pick, assuming that he will begin to adapt to Kingston's system and find his groove.
Oshawa Generals: Owen Griffin
The Generals are another older team, with not many rookies playing large minutes in the lineup. Their 2023 first round pick is playing the most minutes out of all Gens rookies.
Owen Griffin has been playing as a bottom-six centre for Oshawa, with zero points across sixteen games played.
In U16, Griffin was a quick, offensive force who was crafty around the net and able to drive play. Now, Griffin is playing a bottom-six role where he isn't able to drive or create too much.
There is still loads of potential for Griffin, and his quickness and offensive tools will make him an effective player in the OHL. An elevated role and some offensive talent surrounding him should elevate his game. Also, potentially a move over to the wing will take some pressure off of him to focus on his offensive game.
Ottawa 67's: Charlie Hilton
Charlie Hilton — the big, strong power forward — has been able to find a name for himself in the 67's lineup.
A year older than the rest of the rookies on this list (born in 2006), Hilton was drafted in the 14th round of the OHL Draft. He is a prime example of what hard work and determination can do in junior hockey. He took a rare path and played U18 AAA in Oshawa last season, absolutely dominating in the ETAHL (now OMHA East).
In training camp this fall, Hilton's determination earned him a starting roster spot. He has been able to take this opportunity and run with it.
The 6-foot-5, 201-pound winger has bounced in-and-out of the 67's lineup, but his impact is felt whenever he is on the ice. Hilton's story is an inspirational one, and his work ethic has earned himself this rookie standout.
Peterborough Petes: Carson Cameron
The Petes' first round pick in the 2023 Priority Selection was defenceman Carson Cameron, who has been able to jump in and be a significant part of his team's success thus far.
The right shot defenceman's game is reliable and projectable to the next level. He plays a solid two-way game and doesn't get out of position often. At the same time, he will jump up in the rush and create plays in transition.
Cameron also represented Canada at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge this past month.
Peterborough has found quite a bit of success as of late, and Cameron has been a consistent contributor from the back-end. This is a team that lacks a real number one defenseman, and Cameron could slowly become that guy for the Petes.