Now that the holiday break has concluded, the OHL resumes tonight. January is a busy month, and here is everything you need to know heading into the new year in the OHL.
Now that the holiday break has concluded, the OHL resumes tonight. January is a busy month, and here is everything you need to know heading into the new year in the OHL.
With the eleven day Christmas/Holiday break coming to an end, the OHL resumes on Thursday with nine games on the slate.
Several teams are playing three games this weekend, and sixteen teams will play on New Years Eve. Owen Sound & Barrie will touch the ice last before the new year begins.
Important January Dates
January 1st: The First Game of the New Year
In the first game of 2024, the Kitchener Rangers will take on the Oshawa Generals. Lots of talent on both teams, and the opportunity to start the new year on a high note.
Carson Rehkopf (KIT) & Rasmus Kumpulainen (OSH) will still be away in Sweden for the World Juniors.
January 10th @ 12:00pm EST: OHL Trade Deadline
The OHL Trade Deadline is on January 10th, and looking at recent trade deadlines, this is going to be a busy few days. In the past few seasons, we've seen Pavel Mintyukov, Mason McTavish, Logan Morrison, and Luca Del Bel Belluz all traded at the deadline.
As teams begin to stock up — or tear down — in preparation for the postseason, teams will look to bolster their teams for the short term.
The Saginaw Spirit, Soo Greyhounds, Mississauga Steelheads, and Kitchener Rangers are all teams we can expect to make some moves ahead of the deadline.
January 24th: CHL Top Prospects Game
The CHL Top Prospects Game will be played in Moncton, N.B. as several OHLers will take the ice. Sam Dickinson, Zayne Parekh, Liam Greentree, and more will be playing in the game, totalling 18 OHLers.
It is the best opportunity that we get to see all of the CHL's best prospects eligible for the 2024 NHL Draft, at the same time. It is a gold mine for scouts to see how the prospects perform alongside their fellow draft eligibles, and how they compare with one another.
January 30th: A Potential Western Conference Final Matchup
Kitchener plays London at the Aud on January 30th, a very likely matchup for the Western Conference Finals in the spring. This marquee matchup has a lot of NHL-affiliated talent, and prospects eligible for the next two NHL Drafts.
Easton Cowan & Denver Barkey vs. Carson Rehkopf & Hunter Brzustewicz.
A matchup definitely worth watching.