The London Knights extended their perfect start to the young OHL season on Friday night, securing a 4-1 victory over the North Bay Battalion.
Marcus Nordmark opened the scoring for London, firing one home from the slot to notch his first-ever OHL goal. North Bay quickly responded when Evgeny Dubrovtsev tapped one home off a great set-up feed from Kam Hodgson.
The Knights looked to be a different team in the third, seemingly finding their game after being pushed around for much of the opening 40 minutes. Thomas Zocco and Jaxon Cover both found the back of the net early in the frame before Cohen Bidgood eventually sealed it with an empty-net goal.
The Knights improved to 4-0 on the young season and will take on the Flint Firebirds at home on Sunday afternoon.
Standouts:
Cooper McAslan (London Knights | 2027 NHL Draft Eligible)
One of the most complete performances of the day, McAslan was a factor in all three zones and a constant disruption for the Battalion. He consistently clogged passing lanes, using his active stick and body positioning to kill plays before they could develop. Willing to push the pace, McAslan utilized his fluid skating to actively join the rush and seamlessly pivot along the offensive blue line to carve out space. Keeping his head up to survey options, his vision was rewarded when he picked up the secondary assist on the game’s opening goal.
Camryn Warren (North Bay Battalion | 2027 NHL Draft Eligible)
Arguably the best player on the ice tonight, Warren put on a dominant display. Having tracked him at the U17s and the Hlinka, his offensive upside was already clear, but what stood out most tonight was his poise under pressure. He never panicked, consistently taking that extra half-second to let a seam open up, using his hands and edges to navigate into high-danger areas, and anticipating plays before they materialized. While his frame still leaves a bit to be desired, Warren delivered a stellar performance that leaves plenty of reason to be excited for his development this season.
Aleksei Medvedev (London Knights | VAN 2025 47th OVR )
Stepping up in a major way, Medvedev was the backbone of London’s victory tonight, helping the Knights extend their win streak to four games. He turned aside 38 of 39 shots, weathering a barrage that featured numerous high-danger opportunities and a plethora of breakaways. The 2025 47th overall pick put his high-end lateral movement and lightning-fast reflexes on full display. For a London squad with Memorial Cup hopes, Medvedev will be a vital piece of the puzzle, and if this performance is any indication, the Knights are in good hands.
Oskar Konobelj (North Bay Battalion | 2027 NHL Draft Eligible)
While not the flashiest player on the ice, Konobelj did an exceptional job of disrupting London’s rhythm, most notably through his physical presence. Standing 6-foot-4, he uses his frame effectively, but what truly elevates his projection is his surprising mobility and edge work for a player of his size. This tracks with his reliable, albeit quiet, showing at the U18 Division IA tournament for a fifth-place Slovenia squad. While his offensive upside remains limited, his defensive utility and physical foundation could be enough to hear his name called in June.
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