Sport Preview: Saginaw Spirit at Soo Greyhounds – WNEM

SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. (WNEM) – The Saginaw Spirit (0-0-0-0) go to the Soo Greyhounds (0-0-0-0) on Friday, September nineteenth at GFL Memorial Gardens to open their twenty fourth season of competitors within the Ontario Hockey League.
Tonight’s Sport:
Puck drop is at 7:07 PM.
Broadcast:
Radio: 100.5 FM WSGW, WSGW.com
TV: FloHockey
Final Sport:
Saginaw and the Soo met final week to shut the preseason, the place the Spirit dominated the Greyhounds 8-5. Within the offensive showcase for the Saginaw, Nikita Klepov and Liam Storch each had multi-goal video games, whereas Dima Zhilkin obtained his league-leading eighth aim of the preseason. Greyhounds rookie Quinn McKenzie scored his fourth aim and sixth level in simply two video games for the Soo.
This Season:
This would be the first of eight conferences between the Greyhounds and Spirit in 2025-2026 as they open the season collectively. They cut up final yr’s eight-game collection down the center at 4 video games apiece. All time, the Spirit are 78-73-12-6 towards the Soo.
Gamers to Watch:
Dima Zhilkin had a ferocious begin within the preseason, main the group with 8G-3A—11P in simply 5 preseason matchups. Zhilkin is getting into his sophomore season with Saginaw after being named to the OHL’s First All-Rookie group in 2025. The Spirit additionally noticed robust performances from 2026 NHL Draft eligible Nikita Klepov, with 2G-8A—10P in 5 preseason video games. Klepov is anticipated to make his OHL debut on Friday evening after being chosen by the Spirit on this summer season’s CHL Import Draft.
The Spirit have had 9 gamers attend NHL rookie camps this month: Zayne Parekh (CGY), Nic Sima (CBJ), Hayden Barch (NSH), Michael Misa (SJ), Carson Harmer (UTA), Stepan Shurygin (UTA), Xander Velliaris (VAN), Miroslav Devil (WSH), Jacob Cloutier (WPG).
Greyhounds rookie defenseman Callum Croskery has impressed early in his OHL tenure after arriving from the USHL. Croskery had 2G-2A-4P in 3 preseason video games with the Greyhounds, and beforehand represented Crew Canada on the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup with Spirit ahead Dima Zhilkin. Together with Croskery on the Soo blueline might be 2026 NHL Draft eligible Chase Reid, who begins his second season of OHL motion. He produced 40 factors (7G-33A) in 39 video games final season after his arrival in Sault Ste. Marie and is a projected first-round decide at this yr’s NHL Draft.
The Greyhounds have had 5 gamers attend NHL rookie camps this month: Landon Miller (DET), Brady Martin (NSH), Jordan Charron (PIT), Travis Hayes (PIT), Marco Mignosa (TB).
Saginaw’s NHL Drafted Gamers:
Jacob Cloutier (WPG)
Miroslav Devil (WSH)
The Soo’s NHL Drafted Gamers:
Travis Hayes (PIT)
Marco Mignosa (TB)
Jordan Charon (PIT)
Brady Martin (NSH)
Landon Miller (DET)
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