The OHL Podcast

As expected, the OHL had a dominant showing at the NHL draft, with five of the first eight selections coming from the league and an overall showing that was the best the OHL has had in almost a decade. Farwell and Dan break it down and also clean a few other things out of the notebook as we head into summer, including the trade of a two-time OHL champion and a new market to emerge as a Memorial Cup bidder. Plus, just for fun in our final episode of the 2025/26 season, we make it a family affair with an...

Fans of the Ontario Hockey League won't have to wait long this weekend to hear the names of their favourite players called at the NHL draft. Farwell and Dan dive in on a couple of top defence prospects and look at a first round that could see a handful of OHL'ers picked in the Top 10. And speaking of the NHL, could the new CBA further impact the OHL and its older players? The guys have some answers. Plus, the Niagara Ice Dogs hire their new coach and we're hopeful of a new era in a market where fans deserve...

We've been wanting to do this for awhile, and this week is the week. Farwell and Dan cross over with Brandon Caputo, Reece Doumani, and Colin Ward of the Armchair GM's Sports Network for a podcast experience you won't want to miss. This episode includes an in-depth analysis of a couple of the Ontario Hockey League's most interesting markets, some background on the origins of an OHL-focused podcast, and it makes an attempt to answer the question every OHL fan wants answered: what's the deal with those London Knights?! Believe it or not, even Dale Hunter makes an appearance...

It's been famously said in Canada that if you don't like your weather out the front door, just take a look out the back door instead, where you're sure to find something more to your liking. Similar phrasing might be appropriate when discussing the NCAA rule change that has shifted the ground beneath junior hockey in Canada: if you don't like how the rule change is impacting the CHL this week, just wait a week and your feelings are likely to change. The environment has been that turbulent in this new era, which currently still resembles the wild, wild...

It's hard not to admire greatness and the London Knights put on a show for the ages this season, starting the campaign on a mission to win a Memorial Cup and becoming just the fourth team in the past 53 years to win three (joining Windsor, Cornwall, and Kamloops). London's trio of trophies have all come since 2005, while Windsor won their three in a 9-year span (discuss amongst yourselves). No matter how you slice it, it's impressive as hell and haters are gonna hate, but you have to tap your stick to the Knights, their program, and their relentless pursuit...

It's never been a secret that the London Knights were on a mission this season. And, despite some early resistance at the Memorial Cup, the mission remains on track. The guys talk about why the big prize is still in the Knights' sights. Then, it's off to Rimouski to join one of the most seasoned OHL voices. Terry Doyle has been to 24 straight Memorial Cups and he gives us the inside track on how a smaller market like Rimouski is handling its hosting duties, why this tournament matters so much and, by the time this episode is over, maybe...

Do you feel bad for Oshawa or are you in awe of London? Probably depends where you live, eh? But Farwell and Dan break down how the Knights did what they did -- again -- and analyze their chances in Rimouski. Plus, with the OHL season done for 19 teams, the guys have their eyes on a team from each conference that is likely to have an interesting off-season or season ahead. Meanwhile, the NCAA rule change continues to make waves (and those waves are getting bigger) and it might be the most shocking Performer of the Week this podcast...

First of all, you read that right. We have a conversation with the guy who visited every OHL rink and decided to rank the hot dogs. This episode contains your definitive answer, while also providing some raw insight into the impact an OHL career has on a hockey family.

On a more serious note, maybe the emotional story you'll hear in this episode is something the OHL will want to lean into when it comes to recruiting and retaining talent because that's certainly not getting any easier. Farwell and Dan discuss the latest players who are taking...

It sounds like the NCAA is getting serious about hockey programs, which means the battle to recruit and retain the best players has some increased competition. Still, Farwell and Dan think the CHL maintains a decided advantage -- for now. Complacency could change that in a hurry, though, and speaking of change, what are the chances the CHL model changes to one where players are being paid? The ice continues to shift beneath the skates of the game we love so dearly.

After going a perfect 2-for-2 in the Conference Finals, Farwell and Dan analyze the rematch...

Strange days in Brantford where new ownership makes a bold move and one that risks the goodwill that's been built with the city since the Bulldogs' return. Farwell and Dan dive into Matt Turek's departure and why it's raising some red flags. Plus, the OHL now stands alone when it comes to the playoff format and the league would do well to follow the lead of the WHL and QMJHL. And who's ready for an extra overager? Teams might be able to start adding one, in certain circumstances.

On the ice, after a couple of Game 7's...

We can continue the debate about whether this was the best OHL second round in a decade, but we can do it after we enjoy two Game 7's. That's right, half of the OHL's second round series' are going the distance and, in the case of Windsor-Kitchener, one team is trying to come back from 0-3 down. It's going to be a great day for the league and its fans. London, which still hasn't dropped a game in these playoffs, awaits the West winner while the Oshawa Generals will watch Barrie and Kingston to see where they play next...

As the OHL's second round of the playoffs gets underway, there's a lot going on behind-the-scenes, including some league "housekeeping" as it prepares for what appears to be an all-out recruiting war to come. Meantime, the league shows what's possible with its coverage of the draft, some construction in Cornwall has Farwell calling (again) for the return of the Royals, and the NHL sends signals that it wants to support amateur hockey ... especially if it's in the United States.

As for the second round, Barrie and Windsor offer a mild surprise, while home ice advantage appears to...

Two wrongs don't make a right in Niagara and the league's decision to punish the IceDogs by making them sit players during a playoff game is an insult to paying customers. In order to restore its own integrity and save an excellent junior market, the OHL has only one option now in Niagara. And there's no time to waste. This might be the perfect time to deal with it because all eyes will be on a second round of the playoffs that offers four entertaining match-ups. The annual Coaches Poll is also out and the guys have made their...

It's the most wonderful time of the OHL year -- the playoffs! Farwell and Dan break down the early returns with an emphasis on Erie. Or is that Saginaw? Either way, that series is surprising. Plus, the Petes will pick first in the draft for the first time in franchise history, which will only add to an already deep roster of first rounders from the past two drafts. But the guys have some ideas for improvement when it comes to the OHL draft, including taking a lead from the WHL. And with the playoffs underway and the games meaning...

We can't let the last episode of the regular season go by without sticking our necks out. Like, way out. So, along with the playoff predictions you'd expect as the post-season begins, the guys are also handing out the hardware for OHL Coach of the Year and the league's Most Outstanding Player. Plus, there's the small matter of the NHL's new CBA and how that will impact the CHL. While the OHL's expansion plans appear to be on the backburner until 2026, another league decided to not wait for the NHL's guidance and has already added a team (with another...

The OHL has launched another third-party investigation into the culture around the Niagara IceDogs and that's leading to questions. Lots of questions. The big one is whether current owner Darren DeDobbelaer should be forced to sell. Whatever the outcome of the investigation, the league is left in a tight spot. Meantime, in Oshawa, the Gens show how serious they are about winning this year as they bring in a new coach with a championship pedigree. But it's more than the late-season nature of the coaching addition that's caught the attention of Farwell and Dan. Plus, the guys have your...

The OHL head office has been busy, setting the bar for an impaired driving offense while also ruling on the Rumble at the EIA. Plus, Dale Hunter reaches 1000 wins, Nick Lardis notches Number 70, and your weekly Wraparound finds some teams that Dan and Farwell wouldn't want to face in the first round.

The OHL Podcast is supported by Draft Kings Sportsbook.

As OHL expansion seems inevitable, Farwell and Dan break down a listener's proposal for a future junior hockey model. It's hard to say exactly what this league will look like in a decade, but we know for sure that the NCAA rule change has made waves and there's little doubt the OHL will look different in the years ahead. Are you ready for some change?

Plus, the weekly Wraparound recognizes a night to remember for a Niagara netminder and some big points in Windsor and Saginaw. And thanks to the Otters and Petes, we picked the perfect...

Just when you thought there couldn't be another twist in the OHL's expansion plans, the NHL enters the picture with reports of preliminary talks between the two leagues that could create "a new approach to North American junior hockey," including guiding the growth and future expansion of a bigger league. Plus, the story of two teams headed in opposite directions as the playoffs approach and while one might be headed for an early post-season exit, the other gives us hope for a tantalizing match-up in the second round. Farwell and Dan also have your weekly Wraparound, and they definitely...

This is THE OHL Podcast, so it might seem odd that we're talking about the WHL. But it makes sense when you consider both leagues are under the CHL umbrella, right? And this news from The Dub is REALLY interesting, with too many parallels to OHL expansion for the guys to ignore. Plus, why the story of Cam Allen being charged with impaired driving has implications well beyond junior hockey. And for some reason, Dan and Farwell want more overtime. Sit back, relax, and enjoy all that while also getting your weekly Wraparound and some news from Erie that...

It's time for a reset. A reminder. A mission statement. Now more than three years and more than 500 episodes into this podcast, it has evolved into a place where OHL fans can engage, interact, and grow their interest in the league. In order to do that, though, we need the access to the people involved in the game. We've always had that, until we didn't. And when that access changed this week, Farwell took it personally. So, brace yourself for a no-holds-barred response to the London Knights going against league policy and barring media access to their team before...

Details are scarce but, as expected, the Erie Otters have parted ways with head coach Stan Butler. The decision comes after the team conducted an internal investigation, but both Dan and Farwell feel a little more information is required. Feel free to weigh in on the discussion at ohlpodcast@rogers.com. You'll also get your Wraparound this week with a new definition that answers the question, "what's better than a hat trick?" And in case you hadn't already noticed, there's a team in the Eastern Conference that's found its way after a brutally tough start.

The OHL...

When the guys heard that the OHL was considering expansion in Niagara Falls, they assumed Ontario with its rich history of the Thunder and Flyers franchises. But the league is looking south of the border and making good on its pledge to expand "aggressively." There's also the story of "The Streak" and video that casts doubt on whether or not it continued last week. Plus, Jon Morosi joins the pod to talk USA Hockey and the guys are watching every team with The Wraparound.

The OHL Podcast is supported by Draft Kings Sportsbook.

The OHL's best and brightest are front and centre this week as the OHL celebrates its inaugural Connor McDavid Top Prospects Game and the NHL releases its mid-season rankings. There's plenty of reason to celebrate. A warning, though! Farwell thinks that as the OHL has this moment and is showing how grown up it is, there are things that need tweaking so the league is also acting its age. Plus, Stan Butler stays home in Erie as the Otters travel East and the statement from the team may have hurt more than it helped. And the guys have eyes...

Lay the rumours to rest! Another OHL trade deadline has passed and a few names rumoured to be on the block did not get moved. Dan and Mike survey the league's new landscape and realize someone -- and probably a couple of someones -- are going to be disappointed in the Eastern Conference. Also, with the Brantford Bulldogs being sold, a lot of fans are wondering if the city is about to lose its team. The guys have the answer. Plus, the league loses a legend, a referee sets a record, Connor McDavid is remembered, and our Prospects of...

It's been clear for a while that the world has caught up to Canada in the game of hockey, but that still doesn't explain back-to-back big disappointments for Canada at the World Juniors. Dan and Mike analyze the failure and what can be done to correct it. Plus, the OHL trade deadline is just days away. Who's buying and who's selling? And it's the debate that just won't go away. Which logo is the best logo in the Ontario Hockey League?

The OHL Podcast is supported by Draft Kings Sportsbook and Game Time.

The OHL's trade deadline is rapidly approaching and some teams have already jumped into the pool head first. With the help of veteran broadcasters Manny Paiva and Mike Poirier, we take a look at which teams are likely to be the most active as the jockeying for position in the second half is officially underway. This week's Wraparound offers a Christmas gift to every team, including one for the London Knights that (almost) everyone is sure to hate. There's also a little hiccup in the OHL's aggressive expansion plans, and we have one final Prospect of the Week to...

We all know coaches are hired to be fired, but what about first place coaches? Yup, them too. Along with assistants while the head coach remains. The guys are a little perplexed, but they've got opinions and they're not afraid to share them. Also, half of Team Canada's final cuts are OHL'ers, Dan and Mike wonder if the league could get younger, and don't miss this week's Wraparound with a look at every OHL team. Finally, Farwell recalls an unforgettable first encounter with the late Jim Waters (and learns how Waters was not the kind of guy to ever...

It's not quite Christmas, but a couple of teams have caught our attention because they're not where we thought they would be. Also, in case you'd forgotten that the OHL was big business, just consider the lengths the league will go to in order to make sure a game gets played. Dan and Mike are talking about the Top Prospects Game and who's missing from Canada's World Junior roster, plus don't forget The Wraparound, which looks at every team in the league. And in a script straight out of Hollywood, good triumphed over evil in Windsor, while Farwell removed...

We're not saying it was the best time for the CHL to have the performance it had at the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge but, well, the timing probably couldn't have been better. It was a dominant Canadian triumph over two games, emboldening the league's reputation as the Number One development league in the world. And at the same time the OHL would probably like to extend its premier brand into more US markets. Funny, that. Dan and Mike talk about the most likely places for the OHL to expand, the significance of recent suspensions, and they answer all your questions...

We knew that the OHL would eventually expand, and sooner rather than later. But as soon as next season? That's soon, and maybe even impossible. Farwell and Dan talk about the most likely sites for expansion, how soon it could happen, and why the league is getting so aggressive. Then, with all the player movement between leagues of late, the guys remind us to remember the trickle down effect. We've also got a generational team steamrolling its way through the West, a league that has swung the pendulum too far the other way on fights, reviews that take too...

The OHL has reached new ground in its attempts to clean up hockey culture and make sure hockey is everyone, but Dan and Mike don't agree whether or not this latest step is a step too far. Meantime, the suddenly struggling Niagara Ice Dogs indicate they'll not only right the ship this year, but they plan to be competitive for years to come. We also dive into the mailbag to read your emails and answer your questions, we talk about the 12th NHL draft pick to join the London Knights roster, we deliver our Prospects of the Week, and...

The long overdue NCAA ruling that allows players to maintain academic eligibility even if they play a single game in the CHL will change the hockey landscape in North America? In how many ways? So many already, and some we probably haven't even figured out yet. Farwell and Dan do a deep dive into the impacts of the rule change with a look at who benefits and who might get hurt. Plus, a chance meeting with (and a lot of respect for) Eric Boulton, walking the plank (okay, the catwalk) in Oshawa, and enjoying the OHL's best fries. Oh...

It appears as though the Sudbury Wolves and Quentin Musty have mended fences, which also now means two NHL first-rounders could be on their way to new OHL teams. Farwell and Dan also look inside some ugly numbers for the Guelph Storm and gaze into a crystal ball that seems increasingly cloudy for the USHL. Plus, our Prospects of the Week and, even though we know they've got plenty to do already, we've got one more job for the on-ice officials.

The OHL Podcast is supported by Draft Kings, Game Time, and the great Black Friday/Cyber...

If the reports are true (and there's no reason to doubt them), a couple of USHL teams were in pretty serious talks to defect for the Ontario Hockey League. Farwell and Dan have similar ideas as to why the conversations were even entertained, and then they have a debate of their own about Zayne Parekh finishing a hit in the Soo. Plus, a couple of OAs find new homes, what happens when you exceed the fighting threshold as a team, and they guys see if their prospects match the list put out last week by NHL Central Scouting.

There are bad starts, and then there's whatever is happening to the Peterborough Petes this season, which is the worst start the team has ever had in its near 70-year history. Dan and Mike discuss the impacts of the moves the Petes made last year and what it will take to turn things around. Plus, another historic sexual assault allegation against a group of OHL players, a new NHL collective bargaining agreement that could see players admitted to the AHL at 19, the overage dilemmas that still exist, and how Andrew Oke might make a little history this season. The...

After three straight years of finishing dead last, the Niagara Ice Dogs have come to life. Is it a cautionary tale? Yes, but the St. Catharines canines have us believing and we'll tell you why we like them ... and why we're still worried. Still in the East, Barrie wants to make sure you know they're still in the mix as they deal for a 100+ point man from North Bay. That creates an overage crunch for the Colts, though, so a difficult decision will have to be made, just like it's been made in other markets. Dan and Mike break...

Colby Barlow has been granted his wish to get out of Owen Sound but Quentin Musty might have to wait a while to bolt Sudbury. Plus, the NCAA is holding a vote this week that will have a number of implications for Canadian hockey leagues while opening up options for players. And who let the dogs out in Niagara? The Ice Dogs are lead dogs, we've got a Joey Costanzo story you just have to hear, and our Prospects of the Week.

Follow us on X @farwell_ohl and @DanMeagher, be sure to check out our YouTube...

The first week of the regular season is in the books and Farwell is already trying to walk back his preseason predictions. Which leads the guys into a conversation about how meaningful the OHL's early season games are anyway. Plus, the league seems to have pulled back the covers on sharing important information with fans. And if this entire episode sounds like a love letter to Ethan Belchetz, that's because it is.

This episode is brought to you by Better Help. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/THPN and get on your way to being...

If you listened to last week's Eastern Conference preview, well, this episode is nothing like that. It is the Western Conference preview episode, but Dan and Mike are on different planets. In the East, the guys agreed on the Top 4 teams, just in slightly different order. They had the same teams finishing 3 through 6 in the East. But in the West? Dan sees three tiers while Mike sees two, and they've got a couple of predictions that are miles apart. It's all fun for now, right? Let the games begin this weekend! And remember to use these goofy predictions against...