[ad_1]The Ontario Hockey League kicks off its 2026-27 season this week. LFP sportswriter Ryan Pyette, who's been covering the OHL for 25 years, offers detailed previews for all 20 teams.Guelph StormLast year: 28 wins, 61 points. Seventh. Lost to Windsor in the first round. New: Lots of changes, but keep an eye on Londoner Ryan Roobroeck (Blackhawks) for potentially scoring 50 goals. The former Ice Dog has skills reminiscent of Auston Matthews. Good stuff: Sophomore forward Jaakko Wycisk is expected to be one of the NHL’s top prospects in the upcoming draft... Former Frontenac Tyler Hopkins (Maple Leafs) is set to be a powerful presence up front... Over-age goalie Ben Hrebik was crucial in Barrie's run to the OHL final last spring. Big question: Can they clinch it all while playing at home? Outlook: At the top of their game.Saginaw SpiritSaginaw Spirit player Nikita Klepov finds himself caught between two Windsor Spitfires opponents during their OHL game in Windsor on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (Dan Janisse/Postmedia Network) Last year: 26 wins, 60 points. Eighth. Lost to Kitchener in the first round. New: Coach Brendan Taylor steps up from Chris Lazary, who won the Memorial Cup in 2024 and is now with the University of Michigan as an assistant. Good stuff: NHL draft prospect Dima Zhilkin scored 36 goals and accumulated 100 penalty minutes last season. Expect even more from him this time around... Nikita Klepov (Ducks) could make history by becoming a repeat scoring champion for the first time since Ottawa’s Corey Locke (2002-04)... Levi Harper is likely to exceed a point per game from his defensive position. Big question: Can they tighten things up defensively? Outlook: They’ll outscore some challenges.London KnightsLast year: 40 wins, 85 points. Fourth. Lost to Sault Ste. Marie in the first round. New: Swedish scorer Marcus Nordmark (Ducks) adds high-end talent as they look for a major offensive boost. Good stuff: London features three NHL first-round picks including nimble Cayman Islander Jaxon Cover (Senators), towering defenseman Maksim Sokolovskii (Flyers), and Nordmark himself... Second-generation Knight Kane Barch along with Finnish forward Luca Santala and defender Cooper Mc Aslan are all potential high NHL selections in 2027. Big question: Will Aleksei Medvedev finally claim the number one goalie spot? Outlook: Competing closely with Guelph for supremacy.Owen Sound AttackLast year: 27 wins, 63 points. Sixth. Lost to Flint in the first round. New: Almost everything's new except their arena. President/GM Tyler Nother and head coach Keenan Reynolds are both just starting out at age 28. Good stuff: Harry Nansi (Maple Leafs) looks set for a significant offensive increase this season... Pierce Mbuyi (Penguins) is capable of hitting that elusive mark of scoring over 40 goals while Cole Zurawski (Panthers) led OHL preseason scoring with an impressive tally of 15 points across six games. Former Brantford goalie Ryerson Leenders (Sabres) is closing in on reaching his milestone of achieving over a hundred OHL wins (currently at 94 after playing168 games). Big question: Have they moved past last spring’s playoff disappointment? Outlook: The Bears should show significant improvement.Sarnia StingSarnia Sting player Easton Walos (11) attempts to steal the puck from Saginaw Spirit player Carson Harmer (13) during their OHL match at Progressive Auto Sales Arena in Sarnia on Sunday, March 15, 2026. (Mark Malone/Postmedia Network) Last year: 21 wins, 51 points. Ninth place overall; missed playoffs. New ownership group led by Ryan Finch invested over $2.5 million into upgrading city-owned Progressive Auto Sales Arena for better fan experiences. Good stuff: Captain Alessandro Di Iorio (Blue Jackets) needs to step it up this season.. How will Easton Walos follow up his impressive rookie campaign where he netted25 goals?.. Brenner Lammens is expected to have a standout sophomore season while accumulating over100 penalty minutes. Big question : Can Ivan Tkach-Tkachenko provide stability between the pipes? Outlook : The team looks poised for improvement.Flint FirebirdsLast year :44 wins ,95 points. Finished third. Lost against Windsor during second round. New : Defenseman Nick Bogas(Blues), who came from U. S. national team development program , will bolster their roster after acquiring rights from Sarnia. Good Stuff : Newly appointed captain Jimmy Lombardi(Kings)is expectedto score around40 goals.. Goalie Mason Courville achieved shutout against Erie before turning16 years oldand continues developing.. They outscored Owen Sound35-3 making headlines during oneof mostone-sided playoff seriesin junior hockey historylast spring. Big Question : Can they capitalize on last year's success? Outlook : Finding replacementsfor elite talent will be key moving forward.Kitchener RangersLast year :47 wins ,101points. First place overall; Won OHL title & Memorial Cup. New Coach Jeff Kyrzakos transitions into middle bench role takingover impactfultasks after Jussi Ahokas joined AHL Colorado Eagles. Good Stuff : Luca Romano(Islanders )and Tanner Lamare veteran scorers providingexperience.. Alexander Bileki(Maple Leafs )is slatedto see significant ice-timefollowing breakoutplayoffs(two goals ,11pointsin18games).. Blueshirtaimingforthird-yeargoalie Jason Schaubelto shineinthiscampaign. Big Question Was tradingfor London Knight Sam O’Reillythebest moveinfranchisehistory? Outlook Not downlong-term.Erie OttersLastyear=18wins ,45points. Tenth. Missed playoffs. New =Second-overall pick Colin Kennedycomesfroman impressivefamily backgroundwith dad Craig having playedinthe OHandgrandfather Craig Hartsburgbeingajuniorlegend. Goodstuff =Goalkeeper David Egorovbringsvaluableexperienceafterhis stintwith Brantford…Defenseman Ty Henry(Blackhawks )wantsmakeanimpactaftermissingentireseasondueinkneeinjuries…Michael Decledtheoffensewith25goalsand53pointsin46gamesaftertradefrom Owen Sound. Big Question =Willtheybeabletoscore enoughthisyear? Outlook Needmoretime.Evan Van Gorpofthe London Knightschecks Harris Pangretitschofthe Soo Greyhoundsduringan Ontario Hockey Leagueplayoffgameat Canada Life Placein Londonon Friday March27, 2026.(Mike Hensen/The) Lastyear: 39wins, 84points. Fifth. Lostto Kitchenerinthesecondround. New: Drew Bannister, tiedtoso muchgreat Hounds history, takesoverascoachfrom John Dean. Goodstuff: Captain Brady Martinisgone, but Jeremy Martin(29goalslastyear)isstillaround…. Therearesignificanthopesforrookieforward Trevor Daley, Jr., whose NHLfatherplayedforthe Greyhoundsand Czechgoalie David Vermirovskyyieldedpromisingpreseasonperformances. Bigquestion Howbigwillthelossbeonthedue Chase Reid(Kraken)takingoffto Michigan State? Outlookevenwhile dog days canbetough, thisteamlooksdeterminedthisseason.Ryan Pyettejoined The2001andhasspentmostofhiscareercoveringlocalsports. Heisanaward-winningjournalistwhoservedattendingmultiple Olympics, Memorial Cups, andinternationaleventsrelatedtosportingcompetitions.rpyette@postmedia. comSource link
