Last season, one of the OHL’s [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl] top performers came from the 2024 CHL Import Draft. Ilya Protas [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/players/ilya-protas-with-the-help-of-older-brother-aliaksei-ready-to-show-the-capitals-what-he-can-do] was selected third overall by the Windsor Spitfires [https://chl.ca/ohl-spitfires/]. He formed an unstoppable duo with Liam Greentree [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/players/the-ohls-deadliest-duo-ilya-protas-and-liam-greentree], scoring 50 goals and 124 points in the regular season. Protas was a massive reason why Windsor went from one of the worst teams in the league to one of the best in just one year. The Peterborough Petes [https://chl.ca/ohl-petes/] are hoping their 2024 import draft pick provides a similar impact next season. The Petes announced that the organization has signed Czech winger Adam Novotny [https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/876572/adam-novotny]. He was selected ninth overall in last year’s CHL import draft and spent last season playing the majority of the season in the Czech Extraliga as a 16/17-year-old. Former Petes defenseman, Martin Matejicek [https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/621080/martin-matejicek], spent the last season and a half playing for the organization and helped recruit Novotny overseas. “I immediately contacted (after he was drafted by Peterborough) Martin Matejicek, who had only positive things to say about the club,” said Novotny [https://chl.ca/ohl/article/petes-sign-import-forward-adam-novotny/]. On top of playing against men last season in his home country, Novotny represented Czechia at numerous international tournaments. He took home a silver medal at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, putting up five points in five games. Then played as an underager at the 2025 World Juniors, where he scored one goal in seven games en route to a bronze medal. Lastly, he played at this past spring’s U18 World Championship, racking up six points in five games. The newly signed Petes forward is preparing himself for a big season. “As for my personal goals, I want to help the team as much as possible and be a valuable player both on and off the ice. I realize that this season is important for me, so I want to do my best to help not only Peterborough but also the Czech U20 national team.” Novotny is eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft (late 2007 birthdate), and scouts have been eyeing him for the last two years. He is considered one of the most exciting offensive players to emerge from Czechia in recent years. He plays an entertaining, high-tempo style of hockey and possesses the offensive skills necessary to take on a top-six role in the OHL starting next season. Steven Ellis [https://x.com/SEllisHockey], with DailyFaceoff, had him ranked No. 13 in his early 2026 draft rankings [https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2026-nhl-draft-rankings-extremely-early-top-32-mckenna-verhoeff-stenberg-roobroeck-bjorck], mentioning that he’s a two-way forward with a ton of muscle and can handle the physical side of the game. Although playing against men in the Czech Extraliga is still a good pathway for his development, it’s way harder to put up points and be a consistent offensive contributor at his age. Coming over to the OHL allows Novotny to further showcase his offensive tools. Dale Hunter Named Canada World Juniors Head Coach [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/743a74ca-ef2b-43f3-8e42-ce619eb16618.webp] Dale Hunter Named Canada World Juniors Head Coach After two consecutive disappointing fifth-place finishes at the World Junior Championships, where they lost to Czechia in the quarterfinals in 2024 and 2025, Hockey Canada needs to regain its dominance at the junior stage. [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/dale-hunter-named-canada-world-juniors-head-coach] Where Will Porter Martone & Kashawn Aitcheson Play In 2025-26? Latest Update [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/ea1f2160-6323-44ad-b4b6-f0fe11e5219d.webp] Where Will Porter Martone & Kashawn Aitcheson Play In 2025-26? Latest Update For the longest time, the CHL has been regarded as the go-to option for junior hockey players who want the best development before heading off to the professional ranks, and one day playing with, or against, their idols. [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/where-will-porter-martone-kashawn-aitcheson-play-in-2025-26-latest-update]
