Spirit's Dima Zhilkin Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week for September 17-20, 2026
OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit's Dima Zhilkin Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week for September 17-20, 2026

Published on September 21, 2026 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


TORONTO - The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) today announced top performers of the week for the opening week of regular season games spanning September 17-20, 2026.

Saginaw Spirit forward Dima Zhilkin is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, opening the season with three goals, two assists and five points over two games.

Zhilkin scored twice on Friday night in Sault Ste. Marie as the Spirit fell 5-4 in overtime to the Soo Greyhounds. He scored and added two assists in Saturday's home opener, a 5-4 loss to the Flint Firebirds. Zhilkin's five points and 13 shots on goal both have him tied for the league lead.

A 17-year-old from Windsor, Ont., Zhilkin is a top prospect for the 2027 NHL draft. He is coming off a sophomore season that featured 36 goals, 39 assists, 75 points and 100 penalty minutes over 59 games. The 5-foot-11, 195-lb. left-wing was Saginaw's first-round pick (19th overall) in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. Zhilkin represented Canada at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, claiming bronze as he produced three goals across five games. He was also a member of Canada's National Under-18 World Championship team, recording seven points (5-2--7) over five games.

Also considered for the award this week, London Knights overager Evan Van Gorp scored recorded five points (2-3--5) as London skated to back-to-back victories over Windsor. Draft eligible Soo Greyhounds forward Ryan Kaczynski registered four goals over two games, including his first OHL hat trick.

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