The OHL Podcast

With Brantford coming back to the OHL, we turn this week to a former Alexander. But not just any former Alexander. No, we're turning to the guy whose billet brother was Bob Probert, the guy who jumped from Brantford to the NHL as a 19-year old, and the guy who insists Harold Ballard is mostly a misunderstood character and, really, a nice guy! Anyone who cut their teeth watching NHL hockey in the 1...

We preview the first round of the playoffs. What, you need more?? Fine, we also talk about a remarkable comeback/collapse, the practice of "resting players," our Prospects of the Week, and the significance of the number 900 (and one). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

From Oshawa to the Soo to a pro career that included stops in Nashville, Dallas, and Toronto. And, really, that's only the beginning. If you were to Google Nathan Perrott's name today, he'd be described as "a Canadian professional boxer." While it's true that Perrott punched his way through junior and the pros, there was more to the player than his penalty minutes. What he's really doing today is...

Yup, we talk about fighting. And neither of us is convinced that what we'll hear from the Q this summer will really be a "ban" in the strictest sense of the word. In spirit, though? Well, that's a different story, and you can listen to hear the entire thing. We also highlight the player who may well be too good for this league right now, the team that looks the most dangerous as the playoffs appro...

The Attack weren't always the Attack. The team originally relocated to Grey County as the Platers but when the nickname changed, the player who led that first Attack team in scoring was Shawn Snider. He came from the Soo Greyhounds and would finish his career in Sudbury before going on to win a national championship with St. FX. From there, it was off to the pros -- where Cory Pecker's name kept p...

It's all about discipline and the consistency with which it is applied. We discuss the possibility of reducing the workload of the disciplinarians and broadening our perspectives when it comes to handing out suspensions. Plus, defining the slew foot, assessing The Misfits, updating arenas, and our Prospects of the Week. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information...

He was a first overall pick into the Ontario Hockey League and his junior career took him to Toronto, Guelph, and London. But that was just the beginning. Drafted by Washington, he didn't sign and was drafted a second time by Colorado where he joined an Avalanche team that featured the likes of Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg. After bouncing around the AHL, it was off to Europe for several years. And...

The surging Guelph Storm make for a crowded Western Conference, everything you needed to know about instant replay in the OHL, the Erie Otters go the distance during an 8-game road trip, we answer your emails (to address noise in arenas and a new home for the Sudbury Wolves), and our Prospects of the Week. The OHL Podcast is presented by Matt Smith Goaltending . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz co...

He holds the Ottawa 67's rookie record for goals in a season with 44. In his last junior season, he won the OHL scoring title with 166 points ... in just 52 games. He's regarded as one of the Top 50 Ottawa 67's in franchise history. And that's just the beginning for Jim Fox, who was drafted 10th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in 1980, played almost 600 NHL games, and then moved into the broadcas...

Questionable hits leave no question about a lack of respect, milestones in Barrie, supporting Indigenous hockey, a small pet peeve about peeing-on-demand after a game, getting more bums into more seats, a listener's vision for a realigned league (hint: it's pretty damn good), and our Prospects of the Week. There's a lot to cover as we enter the final four weeks of the regular season. Hosted by Sim...

He racked up more than 300 penalty minutes over a four-year OHL career, while playing for three different teams. And then he made one of the most abrupt U-turns you can imagine. Cameron Lizotte, OHL champion (Erie) and Toronto Maple Leafs training camp attendee, is now an award-winning fashion designer. Oh, and he makes all of his own clothes. And if you think that's the only story, you haven't he...

The incredible Zayne Parekh, how Hardie will top them all in Mississauga, Butler's perfect script in Erie, the impact of playing without Misa and Wright, our Prospects of the Week...and is the OHL's model franchise the one you'd least expect to be the OHL's model franchise? Here's looking at you, Soo, as we inch closer to the playoffs. The OHL Podcast is presented by Matt Smith Goaltending . Hoste...

He's one of only a handful of players who suited up for each of the Canadians, Raiders, and Frontenacs teams in Kingston. And with a maverick owner in his first year, Geoff Schneider saw his share of strange things as he tried to adapt to the OHL. Not only did he stick around, he thrived, eventually earning the 'C' in Kingston, establishing a franchise record for the fastest two goals scored, and...

A coaching change in Kitchener, the "Battle of the Ottawa River" leaves too many teams on the shore, simplifying the 3 Stars, and our Prospects of the Week. Tune in for the best takes about what's going on around the league, and let us know what you think by sending us an email: ohlpodcast@rogers.com. The OHL Podcast is presented by Matt Smith Goaltending . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company...

If you look at the 1981 NHL entry draft, you'll see only one name selected ahead of this week's guest. Dale Hawerchuk went first overall to Winnipeg, and then Doug Smith was selected by the Los Angeles Kings. That fact alone speaks to the whirlwind that was Smitty's career, from being one of the highest scorers with the Ottawa 67's, to being an impact player in the NHL. He even set up the game-win...

Brantford welcomes the Bulldogs, refs have bad nights, too, and Niagara draws a crowd ... just not in the Media Room. The Inbox is open after you hear this rant! The OHL Podcast is presented by Matt Smith Goaltending (http://www.mattsmithgoaltending.com/). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's hard to describe exactly who Scott Clark is because his career is just so varied. A prairie boy who interned with the Regina Pats, then attended Durham College in Oshawa, and then embarked on a front office career with the Gens, Greyounds, Gens (again), Hockey Canada, and so much more. Today, Clark is in the collectibles game! But if it's one thing we're sure of, it's that Clark can spin a ya...

Butler is back. The OHL's stars shine at the Top Prospects Game. A couple of teams forgot what they did at the trade deadline. And our Prospects of the Week (weirdly, we go to the same team...just not the same player). The OHL Podcast is presented by Matt Smith Goaltending (http://www.mattsmithgoaltending.com/) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our...

He followed in his father's footsteps not only in name but in hockey, emerging as a talented player in Windsor before really blooming in Plymouth. But that was where head coach Pete DeBoer delivered the message Smith wasn't yet ready to hear, the trade to Kitchener, and the downward spiral. Smith also followed in his father's footsteps of addiction, and ruined his chances of making it to the NHL....

Are today's athletes coddled? How do coaches extract maximum discipline and adherence to a system or culture if bag skates are frowned upon? We discuss these questions while also diving into a discussion about treating coaches as people, teams who found value at the trade deadline, responses to your emails, and our Prospects of the Week. The OHL Podcast is presented by Matt Smith Goaltending (www....

He went from southern Ontario to Sault Ste. Marie, where he fell in love with the OHL's northernmost market. But like so many others, he went to school down East and hasn't looked back since. When you listen to Jason Denomme, the Maritime accent is so distinct you'll have to remind yourself that he's actually from Kitchener. Even though he's a back-to-back OHL champion, Denomme might best be remem...

If I had a nickel for every fan that shouted, "Fire the coach!" ... well, I'd have a lot of nickels. So, sure, if you shout it that often, every now and again the team will do what you're shouting at the team to do. But that doesn't make every fan right, every time they yell for a coach to be fired, does it? This is a long way of saying that I have a lot to say about the temperature right now arou...

From a championship Petes team to the Knights, Wolves, Quebec Nordiques and, yes, even the Wheeling Nailers. Suffice to say, John Tanner got around. But he could also stop the puck. And over a career that covered that much geography, you know "Tans" has got some stories to share about the coaches he played for and the characters he played with (though, listening to this, you might come to the conc...

The deals are done, but the analysis is just beginning. And let's face it...nobody can decide "winners" and "losers" in the hours after the deadline passes. Hell, that would take months to determine, if not a full season. Still, Mike and Dan don't shy away from telling you who they think is now best-positioned for a deep run, and they run some numbers to tell the stories of some other teams. Becau...

Oshawa-Peterborough is probably the most storied rivalry in OHL hockey and not many players can say they competed on both sides of it. But that's just the beginning of Brian Drumm's story. Drumm holds a record that many believed to belong to Wayne Gretzky or Bobby Orr. And even though he was born in and then played in Oshawa, it was with the Petes that Drumm had his greatest success, including an...