You have to go all the way back to 1978-80 to find the last OHL team to win three consecutive league titles — the Peterborough Petes achieved the three-peat under coaches Gary Green and Mike Keenan, and with players like Keith Acton, Steve Larmer and Larry Murphy.
The London Knights hope to join the exclusive three-in-a-row club this season. Considering their history under head coach Dale Hunter and GM Mark Hunter, you can’t dismiss their chances.
The Knights won their third Memorial Cup and sixth OHL title under the Hunter brothers last season. This season could be very special for Dale and Mark, who will be steering the ship for Canada at the world junior championship in Minnesota over Christmas and the early new year before returning to London for another run at a title.
While the Knights lost several key pieces from the last two championship teams — including Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan — London simply does not have full rebuilds under the Hunters.
Aleksei Medvedev is a very capable replacement for star goaltender Austin Elliott. Up front, Edmonton Oilers first-round pick Sam O’Reilly is poised for a big year after being traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Isaac Howard swap. And on defence, the Knights have another first-round pick in Henry Brzustewicz (Los Angeles Kings).
Sure, some star power is missing, but expect the Knights to be contenders, albeit not favourites.
The Windsor Spitfires are the top Western Conference club in the first OHL power rankings of the season, coming in at No. 2. They’re led by 49-goal man Liam Greentree, a first-round Kings pick. The Kitchener Rangers are No. 3 overall, followed by London at No. 4.
The Knights will raise Memorial Cup and OHL championship banners Friday night prior to their home game against the Owen Sound Attack.
With the OHL season starting Thursday, here is a look at some storylines to watch around the league.
Beast of the East
On paper, the Brantford Bulldogs look as strong as any club in the country. It’s no surprise they have the top spot in the OHL power rankings.
With a new arena coming and Edmonton Oilers forward Zach Hyman and family buying the club last season, the hockey vibes are high in Wayne Gretzky’s birthplace.
The Bulldogs have a pair of first-round NHL picks at forward in Jake O’Brien (Seattle Kraken) and Marek Vanacker (Chicago Blackhawks), a top goalie in Buffalo Sabres prospect Ryerson Leenders and a proven winner at coach in Jay McKee.
Memorial Cup watch
The league named the Rangers and Guelph Storm finalists to host the Memorial Cup in 2027 earlier this month.
The winning bid is expected to be chosen in November or December.
With the strength of the on-ice product being a key component, the Rangers have to be considered a favourite against their closest geographic rival.
The Rangers, a perennial powerhouse, made the Western Conference final last season under OHL coach of the year Jussi Ahokas, while the Storm missed the playoffs.
Plenty of prospects
While CHL teams have suffered some tough losses to the NCAA following the big rule change, there should be no shortage of NHL scouts at OHL rinks this season.
Niagara IceDogs centre Ryan Roobroeck, Peterborough Petes winger Adam Novotny, Soo Greyhounds defenceman Chase Reid and Windsor Spitfires centre Ethan Belchetz are all expected to be first-round picks.
The six-foot-five Belchetz and six-foot-four Roobroeck bring size to the table, so their development is sure to be compared as they play for a couple of expected contenders (Niagara is fifth in the power rankings).
Novotny should play for Czechia at the world juniors, while Reid, a native of Chesterfield, Mich., is committed to Michigan State for 2027-28.
Notable names
The East Division rivalry between the Oshawa Generals and Kingston Frontenacs has a new subplot this season.
The Generals picked Sam Roberts (son of Gary) in the first round (16th overall) of the 2025 OHL Draft, while the Frontenacs snapped up Aleks Kulemin (son of Nikolay) ninth overall. Their dads, of course, both played for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The teams square off Sunday night in Oshawa, Ont.
Eye on the NHL
The Generals, after two Eastern Conference titles in a row, could fetch big returns for Toronto Maple Leafs first-rounder Ben Danford and Anaheim Ducks first-rounder Beckett Senneke if they return to junior and Oshawa is not a contender.
Having said that, Danford and Senneke could be key parts of another title shot, so it will be a situation worth monitoring in a few months.
The Owen Sound Attack also have a top goalie in Los Angeles Kings second-rounder Carter George on a powerful netminder depth chart.
The Storm will also wait and see on Flyers first-rounder Jett Luchanko.
Meanwhile, it seems likely Zayne Parekh (Calgary Flames) and Michael Misa (San Jose Sharks) will stay in the NHL, but the Saginaw Spirit own their junior rights and those players could become huge assets.
Special events
The league hosts its first Rivalry Week Oct. 16-19, featuring home-and-home series between natural foes. Some of the top grudges are Soo versus Sudbury, Kitchener versus London and Peterborough versus Oshawa.
The Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game, featuring 2026 NHL Draft-eligible players, is Jan. 14 in Peterborough, Ont.
The league will also have nine School Day games with morning faceoffs.
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