The Soo Greyhounds and Saginaw Spirit opened their seasons on Friday. The Hounds took an early 3-1 lead in the 1st. All 3 Soo goals were scored by 2025 OHL 7th Overall Pick Noah Laus. The second went scoreless, but the Spirit mounted a comeback and tied it at 3. Not long after the Hounds would respond with their 4th.
With under 2 minutes left in regulation, Saginaw tied it again on Captain Dima Zhilkin’s 2nd of the game. That would force play beyond 60. Following an early Spirit slashing call, the Greyhounds’ new addition and son of former Soo Captain Trevor Daley Jr would rifle a shot short-side over Sokolov’s blocker for the overtime winner.
Throughout the game, several players caught our eye.
Trevor Daley Jr – Daley got better each period; he struggled early with the speed of the game, including the quick decisions and play, but Junior adapted fast and improved every shift. Later in the night, he started to really showcase his abilities, showing speed, hands in tight spaces, to cap off his night with the overtime winner as his first career OHL goal.
Noah Laus – The second-year Hound was in the right spot at all times, always putting himself in a scoring position. He is a very cerebral and high hockey IQ player. That was not just evident with his natural Hat Trick in the first, but what he did to make them happen. Laus will be an underrated name to watch for this year’s draft.
Dima Zhilkin – The Spirit Captain was quiet for a majority of the first half, however, after the slow start, he was able to showcase his elite skating ability and edgework, using his speed in all ends of the ice, disrupting multiple plays in his own end, which led to breakouts. Along with his two goals, it made for a solid night for the 2027 draftee.
Levi Harper – Harper had an absolute roller coaster of a game, made multiple defensive errors, struggled to complete passes, and mishandled the puck, but was able to find ways to contribute offensively, a patient short pass to Wassilyn for the first goal, a quick pass to Zhilkin for a goal on the power play, and a long stretch pass to a wide-open Wassilyn, which created another Zhilkin goal to tie the game in the 3rd. Even with a 3-point night, this was not a game to remember on his part. If he can limit some of those lapses, the offense is there no doubt.
Gordei Khotkov – Definitely a player to keep an eye on for the 2028 draft. Khotkov showed a ton of skill, even with his large 6’6 frame, scored a very nice goal and showed he can utilize his size well for his shot. If he improves his skating ability and agility, he may be a very sneaky prospect to watch over the years.
Quinn McKenzie – McKenzie was a notable player that really stood out. The New Jersey Devils prospect, showing his speed and pace, are on a different level than most, if not everyone on the ice, and has outstanding puck control, especially at his 5’9, 175lb frame. He will be a leader for the Greyhounds and one of the main offensive contributors.