Notebook: OHL announces start date

The OHL is planning on starting its 2021-22 regular season on Thursday, Oct. 7.

The league was the only CHL circuit not to play in 2020-21 but it's the first to announce a start date for this coming season. Both the WHL and QMJHL have previously said they are aiming at beginning regular season games the first week of October, which is a week or two later than usual.

The OHL also announced that its regular season will end on Sunday, April 3, 2022. The playoffs will begin on Thursday, April 7 and run no later than Monday, May 30.

The league also announced that the 2022 Memorial Cup will take place June 2-12. The tournament, which has been cancelled the past two seasons, is expected to be hosted by a QMJHL club.

We're still in COVID times - which means things can change quickly - but here's what several hockey leagues have announced (or have been reported) as regular season start dates this fall.

OHL: Oct. 7

QMJHL: First week of October

WHL: First week of October

NHL: Oct. 12

AHL: Oct. 15

ECHL: Oct. 21

QMJHL PLAYOFFS
The President Cup semifinals are set.

With the Victoriaville Tigres eliminating the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada on Saturday, the final four teams remaining in the QMJHL playoffs are now confirmed. Here's what the matchups will be.

Charlottetown (1) vs Victoriaville (6)

Val-d'Or (2) vs Chicoutimi (3)

The semifinals begin Monday. All games will be played at Quebec City's Videotron Centre.

Val-d'Or's Maxim Cajkovic is the only remaining former Sea Dog in this year's playoffs.

RISING NHL CANDIDATES
Sea Dogs president and general manager Trevor Georgie was listed in ESPN's list of "the top rising candidates for NHL coach, GM jobs."

"When Georgie joined the Sea Dogs in 2016, he was 28, the youngest club president in the CHL," writes Emily Kaplan. "He also holds the title of general manager, and in the CHL, it's rare to have someone oversee both the business and hockey operations side. But Georgie has previous experience in agency work, taking the job after a stint with Wasserman as a senior manager of consulting out of their Toronto office. Though he's still young, Georgie is polished -- and someone to keep an eye on."

The list included a number of other names QMJHL followers will be familiar with.

MHL PLAYOFFS DELAYED

The conclusion of the Maritime Junior Hockey League "playoffs" have been delayed to later this week due to an increase in COVID-19 cases in the Fredericton area. The series was originally planned to start this past Saturday. 

From the MHL:

The Canadian Tire Cup Eastlink North Division Final between the Fredericton Red Wings and the Miramichi Timberwolves will begin Tuesday night at Grant Harvey Centre. After discussions with both teams, it was agreed that the series will be contested as a best-of-three due to time constraints.

Game 1 – Tuesday, May 18th, 7 p.m. – Miramichi at Fredericton

Game 2 – Wednesday, May 19th, 7 p.m. – Fredericton at Miramichi

Game 3 – Friday, May 21st, 7 p.m. – Miramichi at Fredericton (if necessary)

The MHL's North Division is the only division trying to complete its playoffs. The rest of the MHL stopped play due to COVID-19 case increases and travel restrictions.

Miramichi features former Sea Dogs Jeremie Jacob and Jordan Spadafore. Goaltender Daniel Moody, who took part in Sea Dogs training camp this year, is also on the squad.

Fredericton features Kobe Burt who played in one game with Saint John this season.

GALLANT SETS RECORD

Former Sea Dog Brett Gallant has set a very Brett Gallant-like record.

There's a new Sheriff in town. 🤠

3. Bordeleau
2. Maggio
1. GALLANT pic.twitter.com/N7qlV6hrf3

— Cleveland Monsters (@monstershockey) May 15, 2021

According to Elite Prospects, Gallant is second in penalty minutes in Sea Dogs franchise history behind Mike Thomas. Gallant played in 157 fewer games than Thomas, though.