Niagara IceDogs forward Ryan Roobroeck is one of the first three members named to Team CHL’s roster for the 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge. 

Roobroeck is projected to be a top ten pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, with many outlets ranking him in the top five of their preliminary rankings. The Hockey News’ Ryan Kennedy had him as high as the second-best prospect, right behind the projected unanimous first-overall pick Gavin McKenna. 

The Niagara star forward is one of the most exciting prospects coming up, due to his combination of size, high-end offensive skills, and an elite goal-scorer’s release, which forecasts him as someone who could tuck home 30 goals year-round in the NHL. He exploded for 87 points (41 goals, 46 assists) in 64 games last regular season, and was a major factor in Canada’s gold medal victory at the 2025 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship (9 points in 7 games). 

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Roobroeck was drafted second overall in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection by the IceDogs. When he was drafted, he was listed at 6-foot-2 and 193 pounds. He has bulked up and grown over the last couple of years, currently standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 215 pounds. Every scout at a Niagara game this year will be watching the London, Ontario native. 

Offensively, he has impressed at the junior level already. Continuing to be that dominate threat this year in the OHL is of course important, but scouts are more focused on the development of his all-around game and play without the puck, which can be lackluster at times. 

The showcase between the top draft-eligible CHL prospects and the U.S. National U18 Team is set to take place on Nov. 25 and 26 in Calgary and Lethbridge. The inaugural event was held last November in London and Oshawa and was a resounding success. Of that 2024 team, five OHL players went on to get selected in the top ten of the 2025 NHL Draft: Matthew Schaefer, Michael Misa, Brady Martin, Porter Martone, and Jake O’Brien. 

Defensemen Ryan Lin of the Vancouver Giants in the WHL and Xavier Villeneuve of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada in the QMJHL were the other two players named to Team CHL’s roster. 

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Vancouver Canucks Sign Two Star OHL Players A couple of OHL players returned to their respective club teams after attending the Vancouver Canucks training camp, but they are both coming back with NHL contracts.  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.  Reversal Trade? OHL's Flint & Niagara Swap Players 13 Months Later Here’s a trade you don’t see too often. The Niagara IceDogs have reacquired defenseman Artem Frolov and forward Hayden Reid from the Flint Firebirds, two players who were traded from Niagara to Flint 13 months ago in a massive three-team deal involving those two teams and the Barrie Colts. 

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A couple of OHL players returned to their respective club teams after attending the Vancouver Canucks training camp, but they are both coming back with NHL contracts. 

On Sunday evening, the Vancouver Canucks made a round of cuts, assigning Gabriel Chiarot back to the Brampton Steelheads and Riley Patterson to his new OHL team, the Niagara IceDogs. 

However, on Monday, the organization announced that the club had signed both forwards Patterson and Chiarot to three-year, entry-level contracts. 

General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that the #Canucks have agreed to terms with forwards Riley Patterson and Gabriel Chiarot on three-year, entry-level contracts.

DETAILS | https://t.co/eDEQw2zmzhpic.twitter.com/VH7Y4ojM9J

— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) September 22, 2025

Patterson, 19, was drafted 125th overall in the fourth round of the 2024 NHL draft by the Canucks. Through two seasons with the Barrie Colts in the OHL, he’s put together back-to-back 25+ goal seasons (25,29), and has recorded 121 points (54 goals, 67 assists) in 132 regular season games. 

The Colts had one of the deepest rosters in the OHL last season. Patterson recorded three fewer points than he did the previous year, but interestingly, he tied with the New York Islanders’ 2025 first-round pick, Kashawn Aitcheson, for the most points on the team, both finishing the season with 59 points.

Patterson didn’t report to Barrie’s training camp when it opened, as he had requested a trade, wanting a fresh start with a new OHL team. Barrie traded him to the Niagara IceDogs in exchange for five draft picks in late August. 

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Chiarot, 19, had the opportunity to celebrate his birthday on the 17th at Vancouver’s training camp, and what better way to celebrate than by signing your first NHL contract. 

The Hamilton, Ontario, native was selected 175th overall in the sixth round of the 2025 NHL Draft by Vancouver. Chiarot recorded 35 goals (21 goals, 14 assists) in 66 regular season games last year with the Brampton Steelheads. 

Chiarot’s appeal is that he’s a 200-foot, diligent winger who has the drive to play at the professional level. He’s a dirty-area player. He battles well in the corners, wins puck battles, has a presence on the forecheck, and is fearless in attacking the front of the net. He’s a responsible player who makes contributions on both sides of the puck, despite showcasing a minimal playmaking skill set. 

Now, Chiarot didn’t rack up the points last season in his draft year, but he looked very impressive in three OHL pre-season games, recording three goals and four assists. 

The Steelheads are going to be a much weaker team this year compared to last year. Canucks prospect Chiarot will be expected to lead the way offensively on a nightly basis for his club. 

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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.  Reversal Trade? OHL's Flint & Niagara Swap Players 13 Months Later Here’s a trade you don’t see too often. The Niagara IceDogs have reacquired defenseman Artem Frolov and forward Hayden Reid from the Flint Firebirds, two players who were traded from Niagara to Flint 13 months ago in a massive three-team deal involving those two teams and the Barrie Colts.  Colorado Avalanche Prospect Christian Humphreys Confidence Rekindled After Leaving The NCAA For OHL's Kitchener RangersShould OHL players leave for opportunities to play collegiate-level hockey in the NCAA? That is a conversation that is constantly being had since we are seeing more and more high-end players from the CHL leave their junior teams to play in the NCAA. 

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The 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. 

We could say that is exactly what former London Knights forward Landon Sim is doing in Toronto. 

The Toronto Marlies signed the agitating forward to a one-year AHL contract in early May, briefly after the Knights swept the Kitchener Rangers in the Western Conference Finals to advance to their third consecutive OHL Finals. He factored in massively in that series, scoring four goals in that four-game series. 

Additionally, Sim was a goal-scoring threat all throughout the 2025 playoffs for the Knights, scoring 12 goals in 17 games, 10 of which were at even strength, and three were game-winners. He can be described as a nasty player who loves to get under his opponent’s skin, as evidenced by his 33 penalty minutes, which were the third-most in the 2025 playoffs. 

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This isn’t Sim’s first opportunity to attend an NHL training camp. The New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, native was drafted 184th overall in the sixth round of the 2022 NHL Draft by the St. Louis Blues. 

St. Louis never extended an entry-level contract offer his way, although the organization appreciated his game and had him attend their training camp last year as a free agent invite. 

A year goes by, and after scoring a combined 43 goals in 76 games across the OHL regular season, playoffs, and Memorial Cup tournament, the Maple Leafs organization snatched him up via their farm team, and Sim’s physical presence, chippiness, and competitiveness have started to raise eyes in Leafs nation. 

Landon Sim is no stranger to dropping the gloves. In fact, I think it’s something he really enjoys doing. He recorded 18 fighting majors in his OHL career, with a career high of eight last regular season. So, it was no surprise when Sim dropped the gloves in Toronto’s first game of their rookie tournament showcase against Ottawa Senators’ prospect, Matthew Andonovski, who was the Kitchener Rangers captain last season.

Landon Sim drops the gloves early in the game, trying to make an impression. 👀👊#leafsforeverpic.twitter.com/k2T32L4ViF

— Leafslatest (@Leafslatest) September 13, 2025

Fighting one Kitchener Ranger wasn’t enough for Sim. Toronto’s next game was against the Montreal Canadiens, and guess who was playing: Rangers defenseman Andrew MacNeil. It was a spirited bout between the two. 

Landon Sim and Andrew MacNiel go at it.

Two fights in less than five minutes between the Maple Leafs and the Canadiens' prospects. pic.twitter.com/dOwzFkvz2N

— Nick Barden (@nickbarden) September 14, 2025

Now, MacNeill and Sim have a previous history. The two fought each other in the OHL last season on Mar. 18, where MacNeill was sending some heavy blows to Sim. 

Sim was in Toronto’s lineup for their first pre-season game against the Ottawa Senators on Sunday. The Hockey News Toronto Maple Leafs reporter David Alter jokingly tweeted out at the start of the game that his prediction for the game was that Sim would get into a fight. 

To much of everyone’s surprise, Sim did not get into a fight, however he did finish the game tied for the most hits on the team with four, despite logging the lowest ice time at 9:56. The two-time OHL champion played on a line with Jacob Quillan and Matthew Barbolini, two players he’ll have an opportunity to develop some chemistry with on the Marlies this season. 

Lastly, a clip of Sim during Maple Leafs practice went viral over the past week, as he had a spirited battle with his former London teammate Easton Cowan. 

Easton Cowan and Landon Sim with a nice, friendly battle during Group 2’s practice. 👀

— @markhmasters#LeafsForeverpic.twitter.com/1EXicBjTvn

— Leafslatest (@Leafslatest) September 18, 2025

It seems that Landon Sim is doing everything possible to make a strong impression not only on the Maple Leafs organization but also on the fanbase, who greatly appreciate that blue-collar, hard-nosed style of play.

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Reversal Trade? OHL's Flint & Niagara Swap Players 13 Months Later Here’s a trade you don’t see too often. The Niagara IceDogs have reacquired defenseman Artem Frolov and forward Hayden Reid from the Flint Firebirds, two players who were traded from Niagara to Flint 13 months ago in a massive three-team deal involving those two teams and the Barrie Colts.  OHL Opening Night; A Night Of FirstsThe OHL opened up the 2025-26 season with two games on the docket. It was the night of firsts, as it will be all weekend, with many new players entering the league in the new landscape.  Ottawa 67’s 2024 Fifth-Round Pick Excited To Debut For Hometown Team Following NCAA Eligibility ChangeThe NCAA ruling on CHL-player eligibility last November turned the junior hockey landscape upside down. Prior to the November ruling, any player who joined a CHL team became ineligible to play NCAA hockey. The change created an environment where the CHL is now a viable destination for elite young players who want to preserve the option to secure an education while they develop as hockey players in the NCAA. 

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Article written by Rowan McCarthy

The NCAA ruling on CHL-player eligibility last November turned the junior hockey landscape upside down. Prior to the November ruling, any player who joined a CHL team became ineligible to play NCAA hockey. The change created an environment where the CHL is now a viable destination for elite young players who want to preserve the option to secure an education while they develop as hockey players in the NCAA. 

Ottawa native Thomas Vandenberg is one of the players profiting from the change as he no longer needs to decide between his educational interests and playing hockey at an elite level for his hometown team. 

Ottawa 67’s GM James Boyd described taking Vandenberg in the fifth round of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection as a strategic choice. 

“[Vandenberg] was a key player on his Myers team when we drafted him … He really would have been a much higher pick in the OHL if he was committed to the league at the time,” said Boyd. “He went down to Cedar Rapids, and we had a chance to watch him a few times. What really stood out is his skating and poise with the puck.” 

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As mentioned by Boyd, the 2008-born center decided to take his talents to the Cedar Rapids Roughriders in the USHL in order to protect a potential future in the NCAA. Like the majority of young hockey talents, Vandenberg wanted to play at the highest level possible; however, he and his family also placed a premium on education. 

“I wanted to go to college,” said Vandenberg when discussing his decision. “Economics is big for me, that’s the main thing I wanted to go for. Going to the USHL allowed that, as well as being a great league with great development, so it all piled together into one, and it ended up being a good decision.”

In 55 games with Cedar Rapids, the speedy forward scored nine goals and nine assists, finishing tenth on the team in scoring. 

While assessing options at the end of last season, he had 67’s goaltender Jaeden Nelson attempting to sway him towards returning to Ottawa. 

“I don’t take all the credit, there are people who get paid a lot of money to do that,” said Nelson, who is also an Ottawa native. “His draft year, we were in high school math class together, so I was in his ear the whole time wanting him to come play for us … After the rule change, I got right back on him again trying to get him here.” 

Coming home to Ottawa comes with benefits beyond hockey. In going to the USHL, Vandenberg had no choice but to move away from his family. At the age of 15, the idea of moving to the United State alone must have been daunting. Thomas’ father, Pat Vandenberg, mentioned that while his son faced challenges in moving away from home at such a young age, he and his wife Carolin hope that he’s grown from the experience. This year, he will be able to play hockey while enjoying the comforts of his home and family.

“The hometown opportunity for Thomas is pretty much a no-brainer because we know this is an excellent program and Thomas seems really ready for this opportunity,” said Pat. “As parents … it’s very hard for your 15/16-year-old to leave. It’s quite nice to have that opportunity for your youngest to come back home … We’re excited about that. Very much so.”

Colorado Avalanche Prospect Christian Humphreys Confidence Rekindled After Leaving The NCAA For OHL's Kitchener RangersShould OHL players leave for opportunities to play collegiate-level hockey in the NCAA? That is a conversation that is constantly being had since we are seeing more and more high-end players from the CHL leave their junior teams to play in the NCAA. 

A Retooling Team

Vandenberg, who said he models his game after Boston Bruins legend Patrice Bergeron, played extremely well at Ottawa’s training camp, showing a lot of chemistry with returning players like Nic Whitehead and Kohyn Eshkawkogan. He made full use of his poise and skating skills as he blew past defenders on two occasions to create scoring opportunities. 

While he will undoubtedly need time to adjust to the OHL, he will have plenty of opportunity to shine on what will be a younger 67’s squad. After missing the playoffs last year, Ottawa retooled during the offseason, adding young talent like 2025 third-overall pick Brock Chitaroni and second-round pick Jack Johnson. 

The CHL changed its Import Draft rules this summer allowing teams to roster three import players rather than two. As a result, Ottawa scooped up Czech defender Ondrej Ruml with the eighth-overall pick in the draft before taking Finnish forward Jasper Kuhta in the second. They will play alongside Swedish star forward Filip Ekberg, Ottawa’s third import player.

In terms of returning players, the 67’s faithful should look for Ekberg to have a big season. The second-year man was selected in the seventh round of the 2025 NHL Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes. Prior to the draft, he led the U-18 World Junior Championship with 10 goals and eight assists on the way to winning a silver medal and simultaneously breaking the Swedish record for most points scored at the tournament.

Both Kohyn Eshkawkogan and Nathan Amidovski seem to have taken a step forward. Eshkawkogan looked silky smooth during training camp, using his dazzling hands and skating ability to dance through opponents, while Amidovski consistently created opportunities using his size and puck protection skills. Amidovski has goals in both of Ottawa’s opening preseason games, a positive sign for a player who struggled at times during his rookie campaign. 

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A minor NHL trade went down on Sept. 4 between the Seattle Kraken and the Philadelphia Flyers. The two players involved in the deal have a history with each other from their time in the OHL, which includes winning an OHL Championship with the Peterborough Petes in 2023. 

It was a one-for-one swap between prospects Tucker Robertson — traded to Philadelphia — and Jon-Randall Avon — traded to Seattle. 

TRADE ALERT: We’ve acquired forward Tucker Robertson from Seattle in exchange for forward Jon-Randall Avon. https://t.co/qqLjli342H

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) September 4, 2025

Both players have gotten off to slow starts to their professional playing careers. Additionally, both are entering the last year of their entry-level contracts, and a change of scenery may be exactly what they need to break through at the AHL level and earn another contract. 

Robertson, 22, was taken 123rd overall in the fourth round of the 2022 NHL Draft by the Kraken. He played three seasons in the OHL, with the Covid-19 pandemic taking away his 2020-21 season. He played for the Petes during his entire tenure in the league, recording 189 points (65 goals, 104 assists) in 191 games. 

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During the 2022-23 season, when Peterborough were crowned champs, Robertson led the team in goals (36) and points (90) during the regular season. He finished second on the team in scoring during the playoffs with 22 (9 goals, 13 assists) in 23 games. 

Through his first two professional seasons, the Toronto, Ontario, native has 77 AHL games under his belt, registering 19 points (10 goals, 9 assists). 

Avon, 22, went through the 2022 NHL Draft without hearing his name called. However, shortly after attending Philadelphia’s rookie development camp, immediately after the draft, the Flyers signed the speedy forward to an entry-level contract. 

Avon came into the league as a top prospect. His hometown Peterborough Petes drafted him 11th overall in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection, and just like Robertson, he spent his entire tenure in the OHL with the Petes. 

Robertson had the better OHL career than his former teammate Avon, who recorded 139 points (62 goals, 77 assists) in 179 games. However, Avon has had slightly more success in the AHL, playing two full seasons with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, scoring 35 points (16 goals, 19 assists) in 125 games. 

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