The Rangers started this one off with a goal very late into the 1st period; Tanner Lam made a quick pass to Luca Romano for a short one-timer to make it 1-0 going into the 2nd. The game was end-to-end action, but neither team could capitalize on any opportunities, and it would remain 1-0 going into the 3rd. Kitchener opened the 3rd perfectly as top 2027 NHL prospect Luca Santala fired a shot from the circle; it deflected more than once but found its way past Vermirovsky for a 2-0 lead. Brady Smith would bring the hounds within one with a beautiful one-handed tuck five-hole, and with 2 minutes remaining, Rangers goaltender Jason Schaubel would make his first mistake all game: a bad puck bounce off the boards, and he ended up dropping his stick before swatting it away, where Ryan Kaczynski would tap it in the empty net. Jakub Winklehofer would win it for the Greyhounds a minute into overtime.
The Standouts
Luca Santala – Luca had a slower start to the game, but looked great in the 2nd and 3rd. An ability of his that really stood out to me was his puck protection; he was very strong on his skates and used his body to distance the puck from defenders while keeping his head up, looking to make plays. He showed very good vision and made many slick passes, especially on the power play; he thinks ahead of the play and is able to put himself in scoring opportunities before they develop.
Trevor Daley Jr – Daley was on the best line for the hounds again; he, along with his line, were punishing on the forecheck, not only hitting but his relentless work ethic and pace; he is extremely effective along the boards as well, often won’t just crash and bang in the battles but will sneak in, lift a stick and take it with perfect timing.
Jason Schaubel – Schaubel was incredible, stopping 33/36 with one of them being an unlucky bounce off the boards; the Greyhounds had plenty of high-danger chances, and he kept the Rangers in it all night. He has extremely fast lateral movement, is very quick down low, and showed great positioning throughout the game, especially while on the penalty kill.
Entering Friday night’s matchup, the Brampton Steelheads were still searching for their first win of the season, having dropped their opening seven games and remaining the OHL’s only winless team. Standing in their way were the Kingston Frontenacs, who arrived in Brampton with a 4-4 record. With home-ice advantage and Kingston playing the second half of a back-to-back, this presented a great opportunity for Brampton to end its slump.
Adam Goljer made an immediate impression with his strength on the puck, particularly when carrying it in stride. Brampton’s defenders struggled to separate him from the puck, allowing him to dictate play in the offensive zone.
Kingston controlled much of the play through the opening 10 minutes, generating the majority of scoring opportunities. Despite the pressure, Brampton remained disciplined defensively, keeping Kingston to the perimeter and limiting high-danger chances.
Despite Kingston’s early pressure, Brampton struck first when 2027 NHL Draft-eligible forward Keaton Ardagh flew through the neutral zone, finding a gap between three Kingston defenders to create a breakaway. Ardagh made no mistake, finishing glove side to give the Steelheads a 1-0 lead.
Brampton’s lead nearly evaporated moments later when Adam Goljer found Aleks Kulemin with a dangerous cross-crease pass. Kulemin had positioned himself for a potential tap-in but was unable to corral the puck.
Kingston wasted little time finding the equalizer. On the following shift, André Mondoux sent a wrist shot from the point through traffic that found the back of the net. It was a shot Brampton goaltender Oskari Ahmajärvi likely should have stopped, tying the game at 1-1.
While Matthew Henderson didn’t have a particularly flashy first period, his steady defensive play provided Goljer with the freedom to take risks offensively. Goljer frequently joined the attack, often finding himself below the faceoff dots in the offensive zone, trusting Henderson to provide defensive coverage.
Kingston picked up right where it left off, applying immediate pressure to start the second period. Nolan Snyder delivered a perfectly placed pass from the slot onto Aleks Kulemin’s tape, creating a golden opportunity to take the lead, but Kulemin was unable to convert. Although he had yet to find the back of the net, Kulemin was consistently finding ways to get open in dangerous areas. For the second time in the game, he slipped behind Brampton’s defenders to put himself in prime scoring position.
Kulemin’s persistence paid off on the very next shift when Matthew Henderson sent a shot toward the net from the point. Kulemin got his stick on the puck, redirecting it past Ahmajärvi to give Kingston its first lead of the night, 2-1.
While Kingston continued to generate offense, Brampton defenseman Peter Green stood out for his ability to stretch the ice with long, tape-to-tape passes. Whenever the puck found its way onto his stick, Green demonstrated an ability to facilitate clean zone exits and quickly transition play up ice.
Continuing an impressive night for both Kingston players, Kulemin led a two-on-one rush, finding Goljer with a pass that the defenseman converted to extend the Frontenacs’ lead to 3-1.
Brampton cut the deficit to one thanks to an impressive individual effort from Nathan Amidovski. Battling multiple Kingston defenders in the high slot, Amidovski managed to maintain possession before firing a shot glove-side to make it a 3-2 game. Throughout the night, Amidovski had been Brampton’s best offensive facilitator, creating opportunities with a number of creative and dangerous passes. His goal was a well-deserved reward for his efforts.
In the dying seconds of the second period, Ardagh once again showcased his high-end speed, squeezing between a Kingston defender and the boards to create open ice ahead of him. He followed up with a pass to a teammate in a scoring position, but the teammate was unable to convert.
Kingston came out strong to start the third period, with Landon Wright generating two scoring opportunities in quick succession. After his first attempt was blocked, Wright made the most of his second chance, beating Ahmajärvi high to restore Kingston’s two-goal advantage at 4-2.
Wright’s goal appeared to spark a response from Brampton, as the Steelheads spent the next several shifts hemming Kingston in its own zone and applying sustained offensive pressure.
With approximately 10 minutes remaining, a frightening moment unfolded when Brampton’s Stepan Kuryachenkov delivered a hit from behind on Matthew Henderson, leaving the Kingston defenseman down on the ice for an extended period. Kuryachenkov was assessed a five-minute major, leaving the Steelheads facing a lengthy penalty kill while trailing by two goals. Fortunately, Henderson was able to return to the game.
Despite being shorthanded, Brampton nearly found a way back into the game when Kingston’s Landon Wright tripped in the offensive zone, creating a two-on-one rush in the opposite direction. The Steelheads were unable to capitalize on the opportunity, leaving the score at 4-2.
Brampton successfully killed off the entire five-minute major, keeping its hopes of a late comeback alive. With two minutes remaining, the Steelheads pulled Ahmajärvi for an extra attacker in a final attempt to erase the deficit. Despite sustaining offensive pressure with the empty net, Brampton was unable to find the back of the net, falling 4-2 to Kingston and suffering its eighth consecutive loss to open the season.
Another week of hockey is in the books, and that means a new set of draft-eligible three stars. This edition features an undersized Czech defender trying to follow in the footsteps of some other highly drafted diminutive offensive producers, an Ontario Hockey League centre with NHL bloodlines, and, finally, a Western Hockey League pivot trying to prove his production at a summer showcase wasn’t a fluke.
Here are the 2027 NHL Draft eligible three stars for the week of September 28 to October 5:
Czech defender Lukas Kachlir has started his draft year with a bang offensively. He has six points in 10 games. Those points include three goals and three assists across Czechia’s pro league and the U20 level. After getting a taste of pro hockey last season in 13 appearances, Kachlir has already gotten into eight pro games in 2026.
This week the 5-foot-8, 150-pound defender opened with a trio of assists in a 5-3 loss for his team in U20. He joined the pro squad for three games and, despite low ice time, was able to make an impact.
The offensive dynamo got his team on the board against HC Litvinov. With the game tied at one midway through the first, Kachlir walked in from the point to find a loose puck. He then wired a wrist shot up and over the goalie’s blocker side shoulder.
Kachlir played just over 12 minutes in his second pro game of the week. He registered two shots in a 2-0 win.
The Czechia native added another goal in his last game of the week. After taking a pass from his partner at the point, he walked into some open ice. Using the opposing defender as a screen, Kachlir fired a hard wrist shot into the top corner.
Aleks Kulemin | C | Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
Kingston Frontenacs centre Aleks Kulemin is getting off to a great start in his draft year. With nine points (three goals, six assists) in seven games, he is tied for second in points in the Ontario Hockey League among draft-eligible players.
The son of former Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Islanders winger Nikolai Kulemin is paving his way to his own NHL future. In two games this week, the 6-foot-2 pivot had four points in two contests.
Kulemin helped the Frontenacs to open the scoring in his first game of the week against the Peterborough Petes. Using his big frame down low, Kulemin picked up the puck down below the opposing goal line. He fed Landon Wright, who found draft-eligible defender Matt Henderson wide open at the point. Henderson wired a wrist high and over the goalie to give Kulemin a secondary helper. The Woodbridge, ON native added another helper later in the first period. He won an offensive zone face-off straight to winger Robin Kuzma. Subsequently, the winger sent it to New York Rangers draft pick Andre Mondoux, who wired a wrist shot home.
In a wild 8-6 defeat at the hands of the Erie Otters, Kulemin tickled twine twice. Midway through the first period Kulemin made his way to the front of the net. Following a shot from the point, the power forward tipped the puck past the Otters’ keeper for a 2-0 Kingston lead. In the second period with the game knotted at 4, Kulemin doubled up. Sneaking in behind the defense, he found a rebound in front of the net. He tapped the puck off his backhand to his forehand and chipped it over the goalie.
Kayden Stroeder | C | Edmonton Oil Kings
Kayden Stroeder’s impressive showing at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in August with nine points (four goals, five assists) set the stage for him to have a big draft year. Despite starting slowly with just one goal and one assist for the Oil Kings through his first four games, the Saskatoon, SK, native broke out against the Regina Pats.
The 2024 Western Hockey League fifth overall pick posted a hat trick in his team’s lone game of the weekend. The 6-foot, 165-pound centre got himself a breakaway in the second period. The Regina goalie was able to make the initial save and his backhand, but with a second effort, the Oil Kings forward slipped the puck in. Later in the frame with Edmonton on the power play, Stroeder went for a skate around the top of the offensive zone before whipping a wrist shot that went off the inside of the crossbar and out. About halfway through the third period with the Oil Kings on the power play, Stroeder brought down the hats at Rogers Place. Following up on a rebound from a point shot, the Hlinka Gretzky gold medallist in 2026 chipped the puck over the goalie’s glove.
This matchup between the high-octane offense of the Saginaw Spirit and the winless Brampton Steelheads had the potential to be quite lopsided. However, Saginaw entered the game without a pair of draft-eligible defensemen: leading point scorer on the back end Levi Harper and 6-foot-7 shutdown defenseman Drew Roscoe.
From the moment the puck dropped, Dima Zhilkin was all over Brampton, whether it was dancing around a defender in the offensive zone or running someone over with a massive hit in the neutral zone. Brampton was having a hard time getting set up at even strength, but then Saginaw took a penalty. On the ensuing power play, Keaton Ardagh slapped home a one-timer off a pass from Nathan Amidovski down low at the goal line, beating the goaltender far side to give Brampton the lead.
The second period was much of the same, with Saginaw controlling possession. Halfway through the period, Zhilkin and Braidy Wassilyn got a 2-on-1 rush and, as the duo has done so well to start the season, made no mistake. They threaded passes back and forth before Wassilyn finished the play to tie the game.
The Saginaw dynamic duo was not done there. Shortly after, on the power play, Wassilyn sent a pass through the slot to Zhilkin, who scored with a perfectly placed one-timer to give Saginaw the lead.
With the clock winding down in the third period, Brampton pulled its goaltender. With a minute remaining in the game, Geno Carcone corralled a rebound and tied it, sending the game to overtime.
Zhilkin continued creating scoring chance after scoring chance and eventually, with 30 seconds left in overtime, he scored. Once again, the goal came off a pass from Wassilyn, giving both players three points on the night. On the highlight-reel overtime winner, Zhilkin received the puck at the left faceoff dot, skated high into open ice, froze the defender with a head fake and scored from the high slot.
The first line of the Saginaw Spirit completely dominated the game. The chemistry between Dima Zhilkin and Braidy Wassilyn has been incredible to watch early in the season, and that continued against Brampton.
Zhilkin had a great game, affecting play in all three zones. Apart from scoring, he was very aggressive on the forecheck and relentless with his stick lifts, giving Brampton players all kinds of trouble. He also landed three or four massive hits in the neutral zone. His motor is one of the first things you notice when watching him. He is never standing still and is always attacking.
In this game in particular, his edges stood out. Multiple times, Zhilkin would be against the boards with a defender on him, and the next thing you knew, he would spin off, leave the defender behind and have open ice in front of him as he barreled toward the opposing net looking to score.
By the end of the game, Zhilkin had 12 points in six games, while Wassilyn had a staggering 13 points in six games. While the pair has received plenty of attention for their incredible start to the season, the third member of Saginaw’s top line, Dmitry Savin, deserves some recognition as well.
Savin is an underrated part of Saginaw’s top line. He is always firing shots on net through traffic to create rebounds and has the vision to find the high-end players he plays with in stride. It might seem easy to play with such dynamic players, but Savin has been a stabilizing force on the line. If his season keeps going this way, he should hear his name called in the 2027 NHL Draft.
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 | VAN2025 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.
Welcome to Michael’s Monthly—a monthly report that goes over all the prospects and games I’ll cover in a given month.
Sudbury at Kingston (Pre-Season)
First game of the year was a neutral site pre-season game in Newmarket, ON. Here are the players I felt had an impact.
Genc Ula, D (Sudbury Wolves):
Ula had a rough start to his game, taking two bad penalties in the 2nd period and instigating Pobezal for the duration of the game. Fortunately, his antics eventually resulted in a power play for Sudbury. The power play ended with a shorthanded goal before Ula scored a rocket from the point, finishing the game with 1 goal and 1 assist. He is a violent defender with a strong slap shot and a temper that often lands him in the penalty box. His play style reminds me of Radko Gudas.
Kingston Harris, C (Sudbury Wolves):
Before this game my knowledge of Harris was limited, but his skill tonight really put him on my radar. He is a fast skater and hits everything that moves. From the moment the puck dropped Harris was dialed in. He ended up scoring Sudbury’s first goal on the power play. He even had a bit of penalty-kill time, which was Sudbury’s bread and butter as they killed off all five of Kingston’s power plays. He currently reminds me of Seth Jarvis, but only time will tell if he has similar potential.
Aleks Kulemin, C (Kingston Frontenacs):
Despite not getting on the score sheet much at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, Kulemin impressed me with his 200-foot game. After getting to watch him in person, he has some good offensive skills, scoring on a breakaway quickly into the game. He reminds me a lot of his father, Nikolai Kulemin, who I grew up watching.
Matthew Henderson, D (Kingston Frontenacs):
Henderson got to work right, away putting up 2 assists on Kingston’s first two goals of the game. His speed, good breakout passes, and ability to step up to stop the rush are all factors that contributed to why he was my player of the game. It is clear why Frontenacs fans are excited to see him play this year.
Windsor at London (Home Opener)
Attending London’s home opener was incredible. Especially knowing that it is one of the OHL’s most historic franchises. The home opener was a mad house. There was not a single empty seat and the fans were as loud as ever. This game was a slow boil, but by the end of the third, the tea pot was screaming. London had a failed challenge on Windsor’s controversial and late tying goal, resulting in Windsor receiving almost a full power play for overtime. In the end the Knights found a way to make everyone go home happy after a wonderful night of hockey. Let’s go over the standouts.
Cooper McAslan, D (London Knights):
McAslan had a bumpy start to the game and looked nervous in the 1st period. As the time passed you could see his confidence grow with every shift. A big block on the penalty kill, a good pivot out of danger, and a great stick lift to stop a high danger shot. In the 3rd his offense came to life. A good rush up the ice, and a shot on goal. He made some mistakes reaching for pucks off the rush, but he improved thus far. In overtime he made a huge block that could have gone in and scored the game winner off a tip from Barch. If he can learn to settle his nerves and be more patient he could be a 1st round talent in this year’s NHL Draft. So far he reminds me of Brian Campbell.
Kane Barch, F (London Knights):
Barch immediately caught my eye with his defensive reads and offensive skill set. He was already where he needed to be both offensively and defensively. Always succeeding at the little things; Slot passes, puck battle wins, holding the puck when no lane was available, hitting his teammate full speed with a crisp pass. He was on his game, and was rewarded with assisting on the OT winner. Number 10 in London has caught my eye, and I’m sure others will begin to watch him very closely.
Ty Bergeron, C (Windsor Spitfires):
Despite being held off the score sheet, Bergeron had a nice game. He made several good offensive plays including driving the net, good forecheck, and a nice reverse hit to keep the cycle going. I was impressed by him at Hlinka and I believe he will adapt to the OHL very quickly. However, for right now I have him sitting in the late 2nd round.
Luca Santala, C (Kitchener Rangers):
I’m glad I was able to see Luca live in London before he was traded. He had a solid game making good moves to enter the zone, and good passes to teammates. Everything except a point. I’m not too worried as he’s already on the score sheet with Kitchener. His play reminds me of James Neal.
Sarnia at Peterborough (Novotný’s Return)
Man did the Petes come to play in this one. Led by their returning superstar, Adam Novotný, who put up 2 goals and 2 assists for 4 points. Although Sarnia scored first, the Petes quickly took over the game. Sarnia only scored again during the power play.
Matthew Perreault, D (Peterborough Petes):
Even though he did not end up on the score sheet, he impressed me with a +3 and 5 shots on goal. He quarterbacked the power play well and was a key part in getting the puck out of the defensive zone and into the offensive zone. A late birthday for this year’s draft, Perreault still has lots of room to grow, but I’m excited to see him develop. Overall, I really enjoyed his performance.
Easton Walos, F (Sarnia Sting):
Easton was one of the four Sarnia players that I had my eye on, and he did not disappoint. He continued his hot start to the season by getting two power play goals. However, he will need to show off more than just his powerful shot if he wants to climb the draft ladder.
Adrian Sgro, D (Sarnia Sting):
Sgro isn’t eligible for this year’s draft but it is no surprise why he was taken #4 at the OHL draft this summer. He moves well, has an active stick and doesn’t shy away from being physical. He made two terrible mistakes, but he was still impressive. Adrian Sgro might be a name to remember when the U18s come later around later in the season.
Brantford at Oshawa (Battle for the East)
The top two teams in the East Division competed on Sunday. Unsurprisingly, it was an excellent game of hockey. Oshawa has had a hot start going 3-1, and Brantford one of few remaining undefeated teams (4-0). The game however, really opened up in the 2nd period and Brantford scored 4 straight goals. Oshawa tried to fight back but couldn’t make up for it, losing 5-3.
Kaden McGregor, C (Brantford Bulldogs) :
The former OHL 1st overall pick has shined so far with Brantford this season. Back to back goals in this game, one on the power play and one 5-on-5. Playing 2nd line with Němec gives him a speedy option on his wing, helping him get off to a hot start with 6 points in 5 games. I would like him to support the defense a bit more but there is no denying his skill and IQ. A late 1st or early 2nd rounder for me personally at the moment. You can read more about him in Stuart’s weekly three stars article here.
Adam Němec, LW (Brantford Bulldogs):
Němec really caught my eye at Hlinka. His speed and shot are a deadly combo. He has struggled to score in the OHL but with 4 assists in 5 games he is still putting up points. Once he gets one I am sure the goals will start flooding in, but for now he is still doing his part both 5-on-5 and on the power play. He will need to do more to cement himself as a projected 1st rounder.
David Buchman, D (Brantford Bulldogs):
Buchman had a very solid game, I can see why he is playing first pair minutes for Brantford. He has good speed, good hockey IQ and strong playmaking abilities. While he only had 1 assists on the power play, he leads all Draft Eligible defenseman in the OHL with 6 points in 5 games. He also did a good job taking the puck away and tying up players in front. Just like McGregor, a late 1st or early 2nd rounder for me right now.
Tyler Hinde, LW (Oshawa Generals):
Due to Hinde receiving a fighting major and an instigating misconduct, he was out for majority of the game. I may not have seen much of him but sticking up for your teammate is a great first impression. Excited to see more of him this year.
Sam Roberts, D (Oshawa Generals):
The youngest Roberts brother did not disappoint. He shot out of a cannon right out the gate with a nice shot and a good hit. He did take a delay of game penalty which resulted in the games first goal, however, he got an assist after some hard work in the offensive zone later on in the 2nd period. If Sam can find the scoresheet more he might be hearing his name come draft day in June.
Outside the OHL
Players outside the OHL that have caught my eye this month.
Max Calce, C (Alder Mannheim, DEL):
Calce is by far the largest jump in my rankings. He’s had an incredibly hot start. With good skating, IQ and tenacity, Calce doesn’t quit when he steps on the ice. He steals pucks on the forecheck and creates scoring chances out of thin air. His early highlight pack speaks for itself as does his production. He has entered my top 10 but will need to be consistent to get in the top 5 by June.
Sergei Skvortsov, LW (Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, KHL):
Skvortsov has been the talk of the town thanks to his elite skating. Many others have him in the top 3 of their rankings. It’s hard to disagree after watching him in the KHL. There is some concern with his defensive play but with limited viewings, it’s hard to say exactly where he is this early in the season. That being said, he reminds me of a young Leon Draisaitl.
Paul Sintschnig, F (Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL):
Sintschnig has had my eye for a while now, going all the way back to last year. I’m glad to report he has adjusted to the QMJHL very well. He continues to develop his game of getting the puck and passing it to teammates in the slot or just driving the net with it himself.
Michal Hartl, LW (HC Kometa Brno, Czechia):
I really like Hartl at Hlinka and I’m pleased to say he has been doing well to start the year. He forechecks well and wins puck battles with his use of an active stick. He is a good skater and competes well. I would like for him to hit more on the forecheck but a good start none the less.
Andrei Pustovoy, RW (Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, KHL):
Pustovoy has been making quite the noise in the KHL thanks to his high IQ and compete level, he’s making quite the noise in the KHL. Despite being pointless in 9 games, he is doing all the little things very well. If he can find a way to start scoring, he might be an underrated candidate for the top 10. He reminds of Andrew Ladd.
Game Report – Soo Greyhounds 5 vs North Bay Battalion 4 – September 26th, 2026
Plenty of action in this game, North Bay started this one off with a goal midway through the 1st, with Ryan Kaczynski tying the game minutes later. Max Crete slapped a loose puck in to retake the lead for North Bay, the Greyhounds answered with two goals of their own, Cam Anderson’s first Career OHL goal, and Quinn McKenzie with a one timer from Laus to take the lead. The Battalion would tie it at 3, but the Soo would once again score back-to-back to make it a 5-3 game, with Brady Smith’s shorthanded goal being the dagger.
Ryan Kaczynski – He has continued his incredible start to this season with yet another standout performance, scoring his 6th goal in 4 games, which currently leads the entire OHL. Aside from his scoring ability, his speed and agility have been extremely noticeable throughout the first four games, he has been able to blow wide on defenders, evade pressure in tight, and has not just found open lanes but created them.
Noah Laus – Laus continues his hot streak, proving his electric start was no fluke. He, along with his line-mates, was dominant and very successful in all areas tonight. He has developed an outstanding shot this season, his ability to fire it from anywhere and pick his spots has been eye-opening. Tonight’s goal was from just above the slot, where he used a defender as a partial screen, and ripped It low glove. He was also relentless on the forecheck and caused a ton of problems for the Battalion. Laus, along with Kaczynski, are two names that could be flying up the Draft rankings very soon.
Cam Warren – more of a quiet but effective night for Warren, did his job all game, was a dog on a bone on the forecheck and forced a few misplays, as well as being the instigator for a few scrums, his game picked up immensely in the 3rd, and all of his tools were on display. He is relentless on the puck, extremely twitchy and combines his skating and hands very well to throw off defenders; I saw multiple examples of that on the power play tonight.
Alexander Karmanov – As expected, Karmanov had a very unique game, although I do think his skating is slowly improving. It is still a glaring weak part of his game, and it caused him some problems tonight.
Lukas Moore – thought I should give Moore some praise in this one. I have noticed him in every game, but he really stood out to me tonight. He is a very intelligent hockey player. I am yet to see him out of position throughout the first 4 games, he doesn’t force anything, doesn’t overthink the game, just makes the play that’s needed. Moore disrupted multiple plays, closed gaps very quickly, and read plays before they even developed.
The 2027 season is underway for prospects in Europe and across North American junior hockey. The American college season is starting up soon. That means NHL teams and fans can start to get a read on prospects to keep an eye on as the season progresses. This weekly column will highlight three of the top performers eligible for the 2027 NHL Draft. The first edition of the 2027 Three Stars features two projected top ten picks getting a hot start to their draft years and a first overall pick in the OHL establishing himself on a new team.
Here are the first draft eligible three stars for the 2027 season:
Dima Zhilkin | RW | Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
After posting 75 points (36 goals, 39 assists) in 59 games in his pre-draft season, slick winger Dima Zhilkin established himself as an early player to watch for the 2027 class. The Toronto, ON native hasn’t wasted any time getting to work, two weekends into the OHL season. Zhilkin has eight points (four goals, four assists) in four games to start the campaign.
The 2027-28 University of Michigan picked up three points (one goal, two assists) in a pair of games to continue his dominant start on the score sheet. In game one, Zhilkin parked himself near the front of the Niagara Ice Dogs and stripped the puck away from a defender. He proceeded to flip the puck over the outstretched goalkeeper for his fourth goal of the season.
After showing off his slick stick work in the first game, it was his vision and play-making that stood out against the Windsor Spitfires. With the game tied at one early in the second period, Zhilkin fed the puck down low and picked up a secondary assist after the rebound was shovelled in.
The projected 10th overall pick on Draft Prospect Hockey’s 2027 Draft preview added another helper later in the game. Subsequently, after a pass in the face-off circle, Zhilkin waited for a lane and fed the puck to the front for a tap-in.
Carter Meyer | C | Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
American centre Carter Meyer could’ve stayed with the United States National Development Program for his draft season, but the 2009-born pivot opted to take his talents to Quebec. The 17-year-old joined his older brother Freddy, a member of the 2025-26 Remparts, in the Quebec capital. The early returns suggest it was a smart move. The Winchester, MA, native has seven points (one goal, six assists) in four games.
Meyer opened his weekend with a big outing against Shawinigan. Breaking in on an odd-man rush with St. Louis Blues prospect Maddox Dagenais, Meyer slipped it over to the 2026 first-round pick for a tap-in goal.
The former Three Rivers School prep star helped facilitate great puck movement on the power play to pick up a secondary assist as the Remparts took a 3-0 lead. Just four minutes later, Meyer completed the assist hat trick. He fed Dagenais for a one-timer that bounced out for teammate Nathan Quinn. The 2025 Philadelphia Flyers sixth-round pick sent it back to Dagenais, who wired it to the top shelf.
Meyer was held off the score sheet in Quebec’s 5-4 overtime win but still found ways to contribute. The projected seventh overall pick on Draft Prospect Hockey’s 2027 Draft Preview finished second in ice-time among forwards for the Remparts in the contest. He won seven of nine face-offs, had three hits, and had a pair of takeaways.
Kaden McGregor | C | Brantford Bulldogs
Kaden McGregor had a solid first year in the Ontario Hockey League after being the first overall pick by the Peterborough Petes in 2025. The Braeside, ON native had 20 points (seven goals, 13 assists) in 39 games in his rookie campaign. An off-season trade sent Cooper Dennis to the Lift-lock City in exchange for the former Ottawa Valley Titans star.
McGregor has quickly acclimated himself with the rebuilt Bulldogs. The January 2009-born centre has six points (three goals, three assists) in five games for the undefeated squad.
Opening the week against his former team, McGregor helped seal the deal with a marker in the third period. With teammate Adam Nemec in on the fore-check, McGregor settled into some open ice in the slot. The loose puck squirted right to him, and he wired a quick snap shot past the unsuspecting Peterborough goalie.
Despite an offensive domination by the Bulldogs of the Kingston Frontenacs by a score of 10-4, McGregor was held pointless. He still managed to fire three shots on goal and had six takeaways.
The 2025 Ontario high school silver medallist had his biggest showing of the weekend on Sunday with three points (two goals, one assist) in a 5-3 win over the Oshawa Generals. McGregor picked up a secondary assist in the second period for his first point of the evening. Later in the frame, he scored the first of his two markers. On the power play, McGregor took a pass at the point before walking a few steps in. He then wired a wrist shot up and over the goalie’s glove. Shortly afterwards, McGregor doubled up. After finding some open ice in front of the Generals’ goal, he waited patiently for a pass and then quickly redirected the feed over the goalie.
The 1-1 Hounds faced the 0-3 Brampton Steelheads, hoping for their first win of the 2026-2027 season. The Greyhounds opened the scoring when Brampton’s Peter Green missed the puck behind the net, and McKenzie picked it up and centered it to Travis Hayes. They fired off goals 2, 3, and 4 in quick succession. Goal number 2 was a beauty with Ryan Kazcynski batting it in on a backdoor sauce pass. Then a shot from the slot by Jeremy Martin off a Hounds cycle. Then another very nice shot on the fourth goal with Laus sniping one far side off the rush. After the first intermission, the Steelheads made a goalie change, and the Hounds would completely shut down offensively. Evident by the Soo outshooting Brampton 12-5 in the first but getting outshot the next two. The teams would trade goals in the second, Amidovski and Daley respectively. Troy Patton would score early in the third to bring the game to 5-2. Travis Hayes would then restore the four-goal lead, and that would remain until the final 20 seconds when Brampton would pot one in while everyone else, but Peter Green, had lost sight of it. The Greyhounds would improve to above .500 with a final score of 6-3.
Travis Hayes – Earlier on Friday morning, the Greyhounds had named the Pittsburgh Penguins 2025 Draftee and 4th-year Hound Captain. Just looking at the box score, he had an excellent first game as captain, but watching the game told a slightly different story. The Soo top line of himself, Quinn McKenzie, and Noah Laus did combine for 6 points, but both of those goals were errors the young and inexperienced Steelheads made rather than what those 3 Hounds did themselves. Good on them for capitalizing, but the line of Daley, Charron, and Kazcynski was much more disruptive.
Callum Croskery – In his return to the Greyhounds from the Columbus Blue Jackets Training Camp after going undrafted in the 2026 draft. As a more mobile, offensive minded Croskery has already taken over the power-play quarterback role for the Soo. The Greyhounds first unit was held off the board. While he did showcase some mobility. For 2 thirds of this one, the Hounds played sound defensive hockey, not allowing Croskery to stand out.
Landon Miller – The 5th-year Hound made his second start of the season following a 5- 4 overtime win where he had made 25 saves. The first period was rather quiet for Miller, only seeing 5 shots. The latter 40 was much busier for the Greyhounds netminder. The Soo skaters slowed down and limited their offensive pressure, which meant that, with much of the play being in his own end, Miller had to come up big, and he delivered. He made several desperation saves as well as breakaway and in tight stops. Other than two fluky goals, one was a high flip that landed over Miller and in the net. The other was a puck Miller thought he had but ended up on a Brampton stick. He had a solid night. If the Greyhounds can continue to get this type of goaltending, they should have a shot at winning most games.
The Greyhounds hosted the Sting for the second game of their 4-game homestand. As Sarnia opened up their season, 7 of their players played in their first OHL games.
The Greyhounds started off the scoring again in this one. Ryan Kaczynski would get his 2nd and 3rd goals of the season just a minute apart, midway through the first. Sarnia would answer back with one from Simon Katolicky to register his first OHL goal. The Hounds capitalized on another Sting penalty. Scoring their second power-play goal with Kaczynski getting his 3rd goal to complete the hat trick. Following the Hounds’ goal to make it 3-1, the game would be turned on its head. The Greyhounds would get themselves in penalty trouble, and the Sting would take full advantage. Though after 6 straight Soo penalties and 3 Sarnia power-play goals, the boos and chants would rain down against the officials. In the final few minutes, the Greyhounds were pushing, but their comeback efforts would fail. Inscribing a 4-3 Sarnia Sting win.
Ryan Kaczynski – The Hat Trick is obviously the talking point about Kaczynski’s game, but what really impressed me was the variety of all 3. His first was a deflection off the goalie’s stick, then a breakaway after capitalizing on a mistake and tapping it in where he was in the perfect spot for a Trevor Daley Pass. He already has an NHL frame, and if he can continue developing, he will be in consideration for the top few rounds of this year’s NHL Draft.
Jaden Licastro – It was not easy getting a read on many Soo players with all the penalties, but another player that did stand out specifically in the first part of the game was Hounds first-rounder Jaden Licastro. He is able to evade pressure with ease and use his skating to get him out of tough situations. His powerful and quick strides were very evident. Having such a good stride at his young age is special.
Adrian Sgro – The most recent 2026 OHL fourth overall pick made his debut vs the Hounds Saturday. Like many rookies, Sgro struggled in the first period of this one. He caused a couple of turnovers and was still getting used to the speed, however, when he got through his first couple shifts, the game seemed to slow way down. He was able to make the simple low-risk plays with little issue; he didn’t force any Hail Mary plays. He is a very high IQ player; he just needs more time to showcase his skating, which is another one of his strengths.
