The Ontario Hockey League has released the results of its midseason media poll, conducted among accredited writers and broadcasters across the league. The poll featured eight questions assessing team and player performance at the halfway point of the 2025–26 season.
The Brantford Bulldogs were named the top choice to win the 2026 OHL Championship, receiving 94% of the vote. One voter commented, “They’re just too deep. No weakness across the team. Not only do I see them as a favourite for the OHL Championship, I believe that they have to be the Memorial Cup favourites too.”
Windsor Spitfires were selected as the runner-up, with 6% of the vote.
When asked which team most surprised them in the first half of the season, 67% of respondents selected the Ottawa 67’s. The response accompanying the result read:
“This was a team that wasn’t even on the league’s preseason power rankings, and look at them now! First place in the entire league.”
The Flint Firebirds were runner-up in this category, receiving 28% of the vote.
The Owen Sound Attack were voted the underperforming team most likely to turn things around in the second half of the season, receiving 33% of the vote. One comment read:
“After a hot start, the Attack struggled into the Christmas break. With Carter George in goal and a high-powered offence, this team can play more disciplined, tighten things up defensively and return to the way they were to start the season.”
The Niagara IceDogs were runner-up with 17%.
The leading storyline of the season so far, according to the poll, is “the influx of NCAA-bound talent into the OHL,” which received 33% of the vote.
“All roads run through the OHL now, and it’s been a lot of fun to see players coming in from all kinds of different pathways,” one voter said.
The Brantford Bulldogs’ 23-game regulation unbeaten streak was the runner-up in this category with 22%.
Nathan Aspinall of the Flint Firebirds was the top vote-getter for the Red Tilson Trophy as the OHL’s Most Outstanding Player, with 44%.
“He’s been electric, and when he’s doing it at 6-foot-7, that’s pretty hard to overlook. He’s been the heartbeat of Flint’s impressive first half,” one comment read.
Jake O’Brien of the Brantford Bulldogs was the runner-up with 28%.
Caleb Malhotra (Brantford Bulldogs) and Chase Reid (Soo Greyhounds) each received 33% of the vote for the league’s top 2026 NHL Draft prospect.
Comment on Malhotra: “Everyone needs a reliable centre, especially one that puts points up the way Caleb has in his first OHL season.”
Comment on Reid: “Top flight right-handed defenders don’t come around often. Chase has size, skill and has produced points on a surging Greyhounds team.”
Ethan Belchetz (Windsor Spitfires) was named the runner-up.
Cole Beaudoin of the Barrie Colts received 28% of the vote as the player most NHL-ready right now.
“Cole has one of the best all-around games among any junior player in the country. He’s a workhorse who is a strong defensive player and his offensive game is really coming around with 41 points over 25 games so far.”
Jett Luchanko (Brantford Bulldogs) was the runner-up with 22%.
Ryder Fetterolf of the Ottawa 67’s was voted the OHL’s best goaltender so far this season, receiving 78% of the vote.
“Yeah, the numbers are definitely there on paper, but have you seen the highlight reel? I think there has to be strong consideration for both goaltender and rookie of the year for Ryder Fetterolf.”
Ben Hrebik of the Barrie Colts was the runner-up with 17%.
