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Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Sam McCue has announced his commitment to play in the NCAA for Bowling Green State University upon completion of his OHL career. The Brantford Bulldogs forward is in his last year of OHL eligibility. The expectation is that he will head over to Bowling Green for the start of the 2026-27 season. 

4 ⭐️ '05 Sam McCue has committed to Bowling Green! The Brantford Bulldogs forward is a Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick and has 4 points in 7 games to kick off the season. pic.twitter.com/bVw4Ggr6gn

— Puck Preps (@PuckPreps) October 15, 2025

McCue was selected 216th overall in the seventh round of the 2024 NHL Draft by the Maple Leafs. As part of Toronto’s new scouting philosophy under GM Brad Treliving and Director of Amateur Scouting Mark Leach, McCue’s physical abrasiveness, north-south playstyle, and goal-scoring touch made him appealing to the Leafs brass. 

The Sudbury, Ontario, native is entering his fourth season in the OHL. He’s also on his fourth OHL team, having been traded three times in his junior career. McCue had a career year last season, recording 36 goals and 55 points in 55 games, split between Owen Sound and Flint. 

Through seven games this season with the Bulldogs, McCue has recorded four points (2 goals, 2 assists) in seven games. He started the season playing in Brantford’s top six, but has recently been pushed down to the third line, playing alongside Luca Testa and Layne Gallacher. 

Despite announcing his NCAA commitment, there is still the possibility that he signs an NHL contract with Toronto and heads to the AHL to play for the Toronto Marlies instead of the 2026-27 season. 

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Make sure you bookmark THN's OHL site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.

Latest OHL News:

Potential 2027 #1 Pick Jaakko Wycisk Highlights OHL's U17 World Hockey Challenge RosterPotential 2027 #1 Pick Jaakko Wycisk Highlights OHL's U17 World Hockey Challenge RosterToronto Maple Leafs Prospect Suspended Pending Review For Late Blindside Hit The <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs">Toronto Maple Leafs</a> took a flyer on Kitchener Rangers’ enforcer forward <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/fight-breaks-out-at-maple-leafs-development-camp-between-matthew-hlacar-and-rhett-parsons">Matthew Hlacar</a> when they selected him 217th overall in the seventh round of the 2025 NHL Draft. A new philosophy has been adopted in the way Toronto drafts under Brad Treliving compared to former GM Kyle Dubas, and the selection of Hlacar further exemplifies that.&nbsp; Heartwarming Support: Former OHL Teammates Celebrated Maple Leafs Prospect's Debut on the Big StageThe <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs">Toronto Maple Leafs</a> may have lost their Thanksgiving Monday matinee game against the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings">Detroit Red Wings</a>, but one former OHL MVP, a two-time OHL champion, and a Memorial Cup champion experienced a special moment after spending the first two games of the season in the press box.

The annual U17 World Hockey Challenge (WHC) is just a little over two weeks away. The event will take place in Truro, Nova Scotia, from November 2-8. Five nations take part in this tournament: USA, Finland, Sweden, Czechia, and Canada, which brings two teams (Canada White & Canada Red). 

The U17 WHC serves as an important event for NHL scouts, providing them with an initial opportunity to evaluate the promising young talent that will be competing for selection in the NHL draft in a couple of years.

Hockey Canada announced its rosters for their two squads. Out of the 44 CHL players picked, 17 come from the OHL, with the WHL having narrowly beaten them out with 19 representatives. Additionally, seven OHL members in a hockey operations role have been named to the event. 

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Below are the OHL representatives who will be at the upcoming event. 

Team Canada White

F, Kaden McGregor - Peterborough Petes
F, Jaakko Wycisk - Guelph Storm
F, Brock Chitaroni - Ottawa 67’s
F, Brenner Lammens - Sarnia Sting
F, Aleks Kulemin - Kingston Frontenacs
F, Sam Roberts - Oshawa Generals
F, Ryan Hanrahan - Saginaw Spirit
D, Matthew Henderson - Kingston Frontenacs
D, Alexander Forrest - Kitchener Rangers
D, Kaden Aucoin - Sarnia Sting
D, Cooper McAslan - London Knights

Hockey Operations

Dylan Seca - Director of Operations (Sarnia Sting)
Scott Barney - Head Coach (Sudbury Wolves)
Andrew Mercer - Goalie Consultant (Ottawa 67’s)
Alex Darling - Video Coach (Peterborough Petes)
J.R. Grant - Equipment Manager (Windsor Spitfires)

5 Rookies Who Could Dominate The OHL Rookie Of The Year RaceOwen Sound Attack forward <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/players/owen-sound-attacks-rookie-sensation-has-truly-stepped-up-his-game-positioning-himself-as-a-strong-contender-for-rookie-of-the-year">Pierce Mbuyi</a> was awarded the Emms Family Award as <a href="https://chl.ca/ohl/video/attacks-pierce-mbuyi-earns-emms-family-award-as-ohl-rookie-of-the-year/">OHL Rookie of the Year</a> last season after recording an incredible 29 goals and 52 points in 63 games. He set a new single-season points record by a 16-year-old Owen Sound rookie.&nbsp;

Team Canada Red

F, Max Delisle - Owen Sound Attack
F, Charlie Murata - Flint Firebirds
F, Camryn Warren - North Bay Battalion
F, Ryerson Edgar - Niagara IceDogs
F, John McLaughlin - Windsor Spitfires
D, Peter Green - Brampton Steelheads

Hockey Operations

Dave Drinkill - Director of Operations (Saginaw Spirit)
Brendan Taylor - Assistant Coach (Soo Greyhounds)
Dave Pandolfi - Athletic Therapist (Niagara IceDogs)

Regarding just OHL players, all eyes will be on the first overall pick, Kaden McGregor. His highly anticipated debut came a little late due to an injury, and it has been a slow start for the Jack Ferguson Award winner. 

Following McGregor, scouts will eagerly watch the 2025 second-overall pick, Jaakko Wycisk, from the Guelph Storm, along with the 10th overall pick, Ryerson Edgar, from the Niagara IceDogs, who currently leads all U17 OHL players in points with nine.

Wycisk is the star of the show in my eyes. His game-breaking, star-studded capabilities make him incredibly entertaining to watch. His ability to navigate through traffic with such poise and confidence with the puck on his stick to create scoring chances is remarkable for a player at his stage of development. In my eyes, he has a real good shot at being a top five pick for the 2027 NHL Draft, potentially even being the first to hear his name called. 

Notable 2025 first-rounders who were not announced to either roster include: Noah Laus (Sault Ste. Marie, 7th overall), Brayden Bennett (Sudbury, 11th overall), Jake Murray (Erie, 12th overall), Keaton Ardagh (Brampton, 15th overall), Alexander Sementsov (Barrie, 18th overall), David Buchman (Brantford, 20th overall), and Alex Campeau (London, 23rd overall). 

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Make sure you bookmark THN's OHL site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.

Latest OHL News:

Toronto Maple Leafs Prospect Suspended Pending Review For Late Blindside Hit The <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs">Toronto Maple Leafs</a> took a flyer on Kitchener Rangers’ enforcer forward <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/fight-breaks-out-at-maple-leafs-development-camp-between-matthew-hlacar-and-rhett-parsons">Matthew Hlacar</a> when they selected him 217th overall in the seventh round of the 2025 NHL Draft. A new philosophy has been adopted in the way Toronto drafts under Brad Treliving compared to former GM Kyle Dubas, and the selection of Hlacar further exemplifies that.&nbsp; Heartwarming Support: Former OHL Teammates Celebrated Maple Leafs Prospect's Debut on the Big StageThe <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs">Toronto Maple Leafs</a> may have lost their Thanksgiving Monday matinee game against the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings">Detroit Red Wings</a>, but one former OHL MVP, a two-time OHL champion, and a Memorial Cup champion experienced a special moment after spending the first two games of the season in the press box. From OHL to NHL: A Brotherhood Unites with the Montreal CanadiensThe <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens">Montreal Canadiens</a> beat the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> 2-1 in a shootout in their pre-season opener Monday night. However, Tuesday night, the Habs faithful got to see the Xhekaj brothers, Arber and Florian, suit up in the same jersey for the first time.&nbsp;

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The Toronto Maple Leafs took a flyer on Kitchener Rangers’ enforcer forward Matthew Hlacar when they selected him 217th overall in the seventh round of the 2025 NHL Draft. A new philosophy has been adopted in the way Toronto drafts under Brad Treliving compared to former GM Kyle Dubas, and the selection of Hlacar further exemplifies that. 

Hlacar plays the game in the old-fashioned style. He is aggressive, aiming to inflict pain with his hits, and is not afraid to drop his gloves and engage in a fight. This often leads him to spend time in the penalty box multiple times during a game. At times, his actions exceed acceptable limits, prompting intervention from the OHL's player safety department.

The Maple Leafs prospect finds himself in hot water already, just four games into the season. 

On October 10, Kitchener drove into Sault Ste. Marie to face off against the Greyhounds. Early in the second frame, Hlacar took a checking from behind penalty on Greyhounds’ defenseman Hunter Solomon. He was assessed a two-minute minor penalty on the play and answered the bell, shedding the gloves with Solomon’s defense partner, Spencer Evans. 

Matthew Hlacar was given a 2 minute minor for checking from behind for the first clip and then got a 5 minute major and was ejected in the same period for the hit in the 2nd clip. I think the first one was worse but will be interesting if they use both against him in a suspension pic.twitter.com/2teEFdkFGU

— Generals Live (@GeneralsUpdates) October 11, 2025

Later in that same period, Hlacar threw a blindside hit on Jakub Winkelhofer after he distributed the puck. 

The hit by Matthew Hlacar on Jakub Winkelhofer. Hlacar received a match penalty for blindside and a game misconduct. pic.twitter.com/VYFChRxkqt

— Soo Greyhounds Updates (@HoundsInsider) October 11, 2025

The Toronto seventh-rounder was assessed a match penalty for blindsiding and kicked out of the game. Not only was the hit a clear blindside, but it also appeared to be late. Hlacar had plenty of time to let up on the hit. 

His actions have prompted the OHL’s department of player safety to suspend him indefinitely pending review. Through four games this season, Hlacar has already totaled 24 penalty minutes.

#OHL Disciplinary Action:

Kitchener's Matthew Hlacar has been suspended pending review as a result of actions (Match, Blindsiding) on Oct. 10th at Sault Ste. Marie.

— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) October 11, 2025

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Make sure you bookmark THN's OHL site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.

Latest OHL News:

Heartwarming Support: Former OHL Teammates Celebrated Maple Leafs Prospect's Debut on the Big StageThe <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs">Toronto Maple Leafs</a> may have lost their Thanksgiving Monday matinee game against the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings">Detroit Red Wings</a>, but one former OHL MVP, a two-time OHL champion, and a Memorial Cup champion experienced a special moment after spending the first two games of the season in the press box. Former London Knight Impressing Maple Leafs Organization & FanbaseThe majority of NHL teams have kicked off their pre-season this past weekend, including the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs">Toronto Maple Leafs</a>. Training camp and pre-season are opportunities for younger players in the system to impress coaches and management and make a name for themselves.&nbsp; 5 Rookies Who Could Dominate The OHL Rookie Of The Year RaceOwen Sound Attack forward <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/players/owen-sound-attacks-rookie-sensation-has-truly-stepped-up-his-game-positioning-himself-as-a-strong-contender-for-rookie-of-the-year">Pierce Mbuyi</a> was awarded the Emms Family Award as <a href="https://chl.ca/ohl/video/attacks-pierce-mbuyi-earns-emms-family-award-as-ohl-rookie-of-the-year/">OHL Rookie of the Year</a> last season after recording an incredible 29 goals and 52 points in 63 games. He set a new single-season points record by a 16-year-old Owen Sound rookie.&nbsp;

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The Toronto Maple Leafs may have lost their Thanksgiving Monday matinee game against the Detroit Red Wings, but one former OHL MVP, a two-time OHL champion, and a Memorial Cup champion experienced a special moment after spending the first two games of the season in the press box.

Easton Cowan made his NHL debut Monday afternoon in front of a packed Scotiabank Arena, which featured some familiar OHL faces. 

Players from the London Knights showed up to the game in support of their former OHL teammate, which the official X account of the Knights tweeted out. The group picture features: Aleksei Medvedev, Jared Woolley, Sam O’Reilly, Andoni Fimis, Henry Brzustewicz, Noah Read, Rene Van Bommel, Evan Van Gorp peaking in the back, and former London Knight — and current Toronto Marlie — Landon Sim. 

There’s no denying that there is a special bond that forms and never dies when you are part of a championship team. All nine players in the picture were members of the 2025 OHL Championship-winning team and continued the celebration with a redemption victory at the Memorial Cup. 

Easton Cowan made the Maple Leafs roster after an impressive training camp; however, head coach Craig Berube waited until Game 3 of the season to showcase Toronto’s top prospect. Instead of easing Cowan into the lineup and playing him in the bottom six, Berube situated him right beside Toronto’s superstar captain, Auston Matthews, for his debut. 

The Leafs dominated their game against Detroit, mounting a comeback from down 2-0 in the third period. Unfortunately, Red Wings forward Mason Appleton stunned the home crowd, scoring the game-winning goal with 45 seconds left on the clock. 

Looking at the silver lining of things, not only did Cowan have a strong debut, but he looked like he belonged inside Toronto’s top six. 

Cowan finished the game with 14:05 TOI, one shot, and three hits. Additionally, the Maple Leafs outshot Detroit 12-1 while he was on the ice. He was noticeably engaged and unafraid of contact. Most importantly, he displayed his offensive skills and hands to make plays to his captain, setting him up for a few scoring chances. 

Toronto is back in action Tuesday night, as they host the Nashville Predators. Will this be the game Cowan scores his first NHL goal?

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Make sure you bookmark THN's OHL site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.

Latest OHL News:

Former London Knight Impressing Maple Leafs Organization & FanbaseThe majority of NHL teams have kicked off their pre-season this past weekend, including the Toronto Maple Leafs. Training camp and pre-season are opportunities for younger players in the system to impress coaches and management and make a name for themselves.  Sarnia Sting Strengthen Between The Pipes With Addition Of Maple Leafs Camp NetminderThe North Bay Battalion had three OHL-caliber goaltenders on their roster to start the season: starter Mike McIvor, Charlie Larocque, and Jack Lisson. It’s also worth mentioning that the organization’s 2025 5th-rounder 6-foot-3 netminder Cole Vreugdenhil has also made a strong first impression with the organization.  5 Rookies Who Could Dominate The OHL Rookie Of The Year RaceOwen Sound Attack forward Pierce Mbuyi was awarded the Emms Family Award as OHL Rookie of the Year last season after recording an incredible 29 goals and 52 points in 63 games. He set a new single-season points record by a 16-year-old Owen Sound rookie.