Dozens of draft picks and more than a dozen players changed hands as the OHL trade window opened. Among the interesting stories are Brantford's attempts at a quick turnaround and the curse of being a captain in Niagara. Dan and Farwell break it down while trying to answer a modern OHL team's question -- how do you make up for players lost to the NCAA? Maybe it's time for compensatory OHL draft picks to make up for those losses. Or not...

What part of Ethan Belchetz's NCAA deal, Barrie's new buyer, or contract extensions in Sudbury did a prominent OHL reporter want to recall? Farwell and Dan have ideas, plus a look into the Inbox, a discussion of USHL expansion, and some news from the OHL combine that Attack fans will love to hear and Sting fans will frown at. And finally, if the OHL wants to prove it's all grown up, it should act that way by hosting a splashy live draft. Period.

Lots to cover this week including, of course, a wrap from the Memorial Cup in Kelowna where the OHL won its third straight tournament title. And could anyone really touch the Kitchener Rangers this year? Plus, next year's tournament hosts -- the Guelph Storm -- get some bad news as defenseman Quinn Beauchesne bolts for the NCAA. If a guy is turning down a guaranteed opportunity to play in the Memorial Cup, what does this tell us about the CHL versus the NCAA? The winds of change also continue to blow through Niagara and Owen Sound, the Soo are planning some upgrades, the Brantford Bulldogs are looking for their next head coach, and Farwell and Dan have some thoughts about proposed changes to the Memorial Cup format. If league executives are listening, there's one proposed change that should be dismissed immediately.

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We're enjoying some time this week at the Memorial Cup and even as the tournament begins, we're hearing questions. The two most interesting stories involve where the tournament is being played and whether or not it needs a new format. Farwell and Dan dive into both discussions, along with a look at a new coach in Owen Sound and some chatter about how OHL teams will rebuild in the future. Is it really going to be a rebuild, or will teams just reload with players from other leagues? Engage in the conversation with us anytime by sending email to ohplodcast(at)rogers(dot)com.

The mere mention of the name Don Cherry is sure to conjure an image in your mind. While that image may be different from one person to the next, there's no disputing Cherry's stature and status in the game of hockey. Before she passed, Don's daughter, Cindy, wrote a book about her dad. There was so much material, though, that it had to be released in two parts. The second part has just been released (you can buy The Don Cherry Story Part II here).

Cindy's brother (and Don's son) Tim joins us this week on the show to talk about family life with a famous dad, scouting for the Ontario Hockey League and, of course, "Poppygate." Would Don Cherry still get cancelled today for his "milk and honey" rant? Enjoy the conversation, as we hope you're enjoying the Memorial Cup!

A lot of people thought the Kitchener Rangers had the team to win the Ontario Hockey League this season, but did anyone really expect a Finals sweep? The Rangers brought their brooms to Barrie and finished the playoffs with a tidy record of 16-2. Dan and Farwell have thoughts on the series itself and the playoffs that were, before moving into other issues including the defection of Ethan Belchetz to the NCAA and the arrival of private equity funding in the OHL (via Owen Sound). While the mood is decidedly 'woe is Windsor' with the looming loss of Belchetz and Nesbitt to U.S. college programs, fans are upbeat at the Bayshore as the new ownership group strikes all the right notes. Farwell and Dan might not be dancing to the music, though. Finally, though it's been said many times, many ways, we'd really like to see better behaviour in the arena. Yes, we're looking at you, OHL fans.

The most bizarre postgame press conference in OHL history was followed up by one of the most sincere apologies we've ever heard. Not buying it? Farwell and Dan are all in on Barrie Colts head coach Dylan Smoskowitz and the ice water in the veins of Kashawn Aitcheson. The question is, can it possibly be enough for a battered Barrie team who may have won their championship in a comeback win over Brantford. Let's talk emotional capital. Meantime, the sale in Owen Sound is a done deal, there's another sale of an OHL team looming, and changes to the Import Draft promise to bring more talent into the league we love. The guys have it all, plus trade winds from Sarnia, reaction to your emails, and your weekly Performer of the Week.

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For the fourth time in five years, the Kitchener Rangers and Windsor Spitfires renewed their playoff rivalry. And for the third straight year, the ending was the same. The guys break down a West final that was as close as five games could get, but one in which Windsor just couldn't get over the top. Again. Meantime, over in the East, we finally got a Game 7! But nobody expected that when Brantford was up 3-1 in the series, did they??

Off the ice, there are big rumours in the OHL's smallest market as the Owen Sound Attack are about to be sold. At least part of them. We think. The rumour mill continues to grind in the OHL and it turns out the Attack may not be the only team on the market. Plus, Kade O'Rourke will not be granted exceptional status and the guys have some news about the upcoming OHL and Import drafts. You're in the right place to get it all.

The Brantford Bulldogs have been the darlings of OHL pundits since the season began, so it would be sacrilege to suggest they're lucky to be leading their Eastern Conference Final with Barrie, right? Well, leave it to the dummies on this podcast to commit heresy. Meantime, in the West, a couple of one-goal games started the series between Kitchener and Windsor, but it was the overtime winner in Game One that got people buzzing. Farwell and Dan do a deep dive into both series' so far before taking a look at the General Manager of the Year award and the list of Red Tilson finalists. Who's your pick for Most Outstanding Player this past season? Feel free to email us (ohlpodcast-at-rogers.com) because the guys are responding to your emails this week too, talking about trading first round draft picks and finding more nice things to say about Niagara.

If you were hoping that the best part of the OHL season would drag out for a little bit, you're out of luck. These playoffs are running at barely above the minimum number of games so far, but there's hope for the first Game 7s of 2026 in the Conference Finals. Farwell and Dan pick their winners to advance to the OHL final. Plus, the Nightmare in Niagara continues (and his initials are DD) as the IceDogs meddle with management again. That's six coaches and three GMs in five years for those of you keeping score at home.

Now that the OHL has handed out some hardware, the guys have a look at the league's top rookie, top goalie, and top coach. Also, with NHL Central Scouting releasing its final rankings before the NHL draft in June, Dan and Farwell have some highlights of the list. And no episode would be complete without answering your emails and sharing our Performer of the Week.

The OHL's second round is sure to deliver more drama than the first round, right? Right?? Farwell and Dan have some analysis of Round Two so far, as well as a conversation about this season's OHL Coach of the Year. The guys think they know who will win, but was there also a snub? Plus, the draft lottery is complete, so what players from the U16 crop really stand out this year? Also, what do the Sarnia Sting and Sudbury Wolves have in common? We will tease your brains this week with some random trivia, while also giving you insight into a new -- and narrow -- eligibility window for NCAA athletes. And we also have Three Nice Things to Say - yes, THREE -- about the Brampton Steelheads and Niagara IceDogs. We may have been dared to do it...

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