2008–09 OHL season


The 2008–09 OHL season was the 29th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Twenty teams played 68 games each during the regular season schedule, which started on September 17, 2008 and concluded on March 15, 2009. The OHL inaugurated the Mickey Renaud Captain's Trophy following his death in the previous season. The Windsor Spitfires played their last game at Windsor Arena on December 4, defeating the Guelph Storm, 2–1. The Spitfires played their first game at the WFCU Centre on December 11 against the Belleville Bulls, losing the game 4–0. The playoffs began on March 18, 2009, and ended on May 8, 2009 with the Windsor Spitfires winning the J. Ross Robertson Cup, and a berth in the 2009 Memorial Cup which was held in Rimouski, Quebec. Windsor went on to win the Memorial Cup.

Regular season

Final standings

''Note: DIV = Division; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; OTL = Overtime losses; SL = Shootout losses; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; PTS = Points; x = clinched playoff berth; y = clinched division title; z = clinched conference title''

Scoring leaders

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes
PlayerTeamGPGAPtsPIM
John TavaresOshawa/London56584610454
Chris TerryPlymouth Whalers5339559475
Justin DiBenedettoSarnia Sting6245489385
Cody HodgsonBrampton Battalion5343499233
Matt CariaSault Ste. Marie/Plymouth6734589291
Taylor HallWindsor Spitfires6338529060
Ryan EllisWindsor Spitfires5722678957
Eric TangradiBelleville Bulls5538508861
Logan CoutureOttawa 67's6239488746
Chris MacKinnonLondon/Kitchener6726598556

Leading goaltenders

Note: GP = Games played; Mins = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses: OTL = Overtime losses; SL = Shootout losses; GA = Goals allowed; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average
PlayerTeamGPMinsWLOTLSLGASOSV%GAA
Mike MurphyBelleville Bulls5431694092211050.9412.08
Tom McCollumGuelph/Brampton54319234162211270.9272.11
Andrew EngelageWindsor Spitfires5430864640112150.9142.35
Trevor CannPeterborough/London52302735150113260.9192.62
Daniel SpenceSarnia Sting54315129194214620.9142.78

Playoffs

Conference quarterfinals

(2) London Knights vs. (7) Erie Otters

(3) Saginaw Spirit vs. (6) Guelph Storm
(4) Plymouth Whalers vs. (5) Sarina Sting

Conference semifinals

Western conference

(1) Windsor Spitfires vs. (4) Plymouth Whalers
(2) London Knights vs. (3) Saginaw Spirit

Eastern Conference

Western conference

(1) Windsor Spitfires vs. (2) London Knights

Playoff scoring leaders

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes
PlayerTeamGPGAPtsPIM
Taylor HallWindsor Spitfires2016203612
Andrei LoktionovWindsor Spitfires201122332
Cody HodgsonBrampton Battalion2111203118
Ryan EllisWindsor Spitfires208233120
Dale MitchellWindsor Spitfires2014152924
Matt DucheneBrampton Battalion14122621-
Evgeny GrachevBrampton Battalion191114254
John CarlsonLondon Knights147152216
John TavaresLondon Knights141011218
Eric WellwoodWindsor Spitfires2010112112

Playoff leading goaltenders

Note: GP = Games played; Mins = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses: OTL = Overtime losses; GA = Goals Allowed; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average
PlayerTeamGPMinsWLGASOSv%GAA
J. P. AndersonMississauga St. Michael's Majors11697652900.9282.50
Mike MurphyBelleville Bulls1710071074300.9162.56
Andrew LoverockSudbury Wolves6360241600.9292.67
Trevor CannLondon Knights13805943800.9122.83
Andrew EngelageWindsor Spitfires2011121435300.9082.86

All-Star teams

First team

Second team

Third team

All-Star Classic

The 2009 Subway OHL All-Star Classic was played February 4, 2009 at the WFCU Centre in Windsor, won 11–6 by the Eastern Conference. Cody Hodgson of the Brampton Battalion won the player of the game award, as he scored three goals and added two assists. The skills competition was held the previous night on February 3, with the Western Conference winning. Honorary captains for the event were former Peterborough Petes player Steve Yzerman for the Eastern Conference, while former Windsor Spitfires player Adam Graves represented the Western Conference.

2009 OHL Priority Selection

On May 2, 2009, the OHL conducted the 2009 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection. The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds held the first overall pick in the draft, and selected Daniel Catenacci from the York-Simcoe Express. Catenacci was awarded the Jack Ferguson Award, awarded to the top pick in the draft.
Below are the players who were selected in the first round of the 2009 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.
#PlayerNationalityOHL teamHometownMinor team
1Daniel Catenacci

2009 CHL Import Draft

On June 30, 2009, the Canadian Hockey League conducted the 2009 CHL Import Draft, in which teams in all three CHL leagues participate in. The Plymouth Whalers held the first pick in the draft by a team in the OHL, and selected Gabriel Landeskog from Sweden with their selection.
Below are the players who were selected in the first round by Ontario Hockey League teams in the 2009 CHL Import Draft.
#PlayerNationalityOHL teamHometownMinor team
3Gabriel Landeskog

2009 NHL Entry Draft

On June 26–27, 2009, the National Hockey League conducted the 2009 NHL Entry Draft held at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. In total, 45 players from the Ontario Hockey League were selected in the draft. John Tavares of the London Knights was the first player from the OHL to be selected, as he was taken with the first overall pick by the New York Islanders.
Below are the players selected from OHL teams at the NHL Entry Draft.
Round#PlayerNationalityNHL teamHometownOHL team
11John Tavares