“Nolan has continued to work hard and remained focused on achieving his goal of playing in the OHL.” said General Manager, Kory Cooper. “His commitment to the game and his work ethic has allowed him to improve year after year in Rockland.”

“During his time in Kingston this season, Nolan was an outstanding teammate.” continued Cooper. “He was willing to do whatever was asked of him to help contribute to the team. It was noticed by his teammates and the coaching staff. Nolan has earned this opportunity, and we are proud to offer it to him.”

Leading the charge offensively is Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars, who enters the postseason in top form after a dominant regular season that saw him lead the club with 96 points and 45 goals . A dynamic scoring threat and one of the league’s elite forwards, Robertson will once again be leaned on as Dallas looks to make another deep run.

Out west, Max Jones is part of an experienced Edmonton Oilers group aiming to contend in a competitive Pacific Division bracket, while behind the bench, Frontenacs ties run deep. Hall of Famer Paul Coffey and assistant coach Paul McFarland are both assistants on Edmonton’s coaching staff, bringing a wealth of experience and leadership into the playoffs.

The Ottawa Senators feature a pair of Frontenacs alumni in Leevi Merilainen and Warren Foegele. Foegele joined Ottawa late in the season following a trade with the LA Kings and adds depth and energy to their lineup.

Another former Frontenac making his mark is Lawson Crouse of the Utah Mammoth, a physical presence helping his club embrace its first ever postseason birth.

Behind the bench in the East, Jay Varady is part of the coaching staff with the Philadelphia Flyers, continuing the Frontenacs’ influence beyond the ice.

From high-impact scorers to trusted role players and influential coaches, the Frontenacs’ footprint is once again felt across the Stanley Cup Playoffs; an enduring testament to the organization’s ability to develop talent that thrives at the highest level.

Originally a 5th round pick of the Frontenacs in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection, Dervin signed with the Frontenacs in the middle of the 2024-25 season.

Dervin was a 3rd round selection of the Vancouver Canucks in the 2025 NHL Draft before returning to Kingston this past season to feature in a key role, developing into a reliable presence up front and an important contributor to the club’s lineup. His progression both on and off the ice has earned him the opportunity to head to the NCAA level. 

The Frontenacs thank Kieren for his contributions to the organization and wish him the best of luck at Michigan and in his future.

McGowan’s signing is the culmination of a journey defined by hard work and perseverance. Originally selected in the 10th round of the 2021 OHL Priority Selection, McGowan worked his way up through the Frontenacs organization, earning himself Team MVP honours after his overage season with the black and gold. McGowan became an undeniable presence on the ice, earning the attention of professional scouts around the hockey world. 

Over his OHL career, McGowan established himself as a reliable presence on the blue line, showcasing strong defensive instincts, intense physical play, the ability to contribute in all areas of the ice, and continued growth year after year in the OHL.

“We’re extremely proud of Maleek and everything he’s accomplished during his time with our organization,” said Frontenacs General Manager Kory Cooper. “Seeing him grow into the player he is today has been special. Maleek is one of one, and he's going to continue to do great things at the next level. No question that he has earned this opportunity.”

The entire Frontenacs organization congratulates Maleek on this achievement and wishes him continued success as he begins his professional career.

To read the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton press release, click here.

The young goaltender has been a favourite for Hockey Canada, having won a Gold Medal at the 2024 U17 Challenge along with a Bronze Medal at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

The preliminary camp will bring together the top U18 players from across the country as they compete for a spot on Team Canada’s final roster. The 2026 IIHF U18 World Championship is set to take place in Slovakia later this month.

The Kingston Frontenacs organization congratulates Gavin on this well deserved honour and wishes him the best as he takes the next step on the international stage.

When the dust settled on the trade deadline and the team had moved on from Jacob Battaglia, Tyler Hopkins and Andrew Kuzma; the general consensus around the league was that Kingston had thrown in the towel and committed to getting a high draft pick this season. The moves saw younger players get elevated into bigger roles and the team consistently got better as the season went on, finishing sixth in the Eastern Conference.

The Frontenacs earned their place in the postseason through consistency, good habits and a strong work ethic; finishing much higher than most anticipated. When the playoffs arrived, they were met with a structured and experienced Ottawa squad that executed in key moments.

Despite being swept, Kingston was far from overmatched. Each contest was competitive, with the Frontenacs showing resilience, pushing pace, and refusing to back down; fighting back in multiple games to tie the game up and push back against the 67's. It was a series that demanded near perfect hockey, and that's something the Frontenacs just were not ready for. Junior hockey is a cyclical sport and this wasn't Kingston's time, not yet.

For Kingston, the value of this experience cannot be overstated. Playoff hockey introduces a different standard; one where details are magnified, time and space disappear, and every mistake carries weight. That lesson was felt in real time by a core of young players who were thrust into meaningful roles over the course of the season.

Alex McLean was acquired in a trade with the Guelph Storm around the trade deadline and ended up leading the team in points. Rookies Aleks Kulemin, Nolan Snyder and Robin Kuzma formed 'The Kid Line' and were relied upon heavily down the stretch and rose to the occasion many times. Matthew Henderson showed maturity beyond his years as a first-year defenseman and played big minutes in the playoffs. Gavin Betts won multiple OHL Goaltender of the week honours this season and looks poised to have a breakout season next year, taking that next step. Many players took important steps forward, gaining first hand exposure to the intensity and discipline required to win in the postseason.

There were flashes throughout the series that offered a glimpse of what this group can become. Offensive pressure came in waves at times, defensive structure tightened as games wore on, and the belief within the lineup never wavered. Even when trailing, the Frontenacs pushed back and clawed their way back into games, a sign of a team that is building not just skill, but identity.

That identity will be the foundation moving forward. With a young core returning and a season’s worth of growth behind them, Kingston now has something more tangible than potential, they have experience. The kind that can’t be taught in practice or replicated in the regular season. The kind that comes from battling through a playoff series and understanding exactly how thin the line is between extending a season and watching it end.

As the page turns to the 2026-27 season, the Frontenacs will carry both the disappointment of an early exit and the motivation that comes with it. The standard has been set. The path is clearer. For a group that has already shown its willingness to compete, the next step is turning those lessons into results.

The season may be over, but the pursuit is just beginning for this young, talented Frontenacs core.

"The level of care taken to preserve the history of the Royals at the Civic Complex is truly remarkable," added Crawford. "Seeing the artifacts and historical visuals so proudly displayed throughout the venue speaks volumes about the deep, enduring passion for hockey that still exists in Cornwall."

• Friday, October 16, 2026: Free Public Open Skate – 4:00pm to 5:00pm
• Friday, October 16, 2026: Brampton Steelheads vs. Ottawa 67’s, 7:00pm
• Saturday, October 17, 2026: Seaway Hockey Day (Benson Centre)
• Saturday, October 17, 2026: Brampton Steelheads vs. Kingston Frontenacs, 7:00pm

“The Seaway Shootout will see the return of regular season OHL games in Cornwall for the first time in decades,” said Cornwall Mayor Justin Towndale. “Over the years, the City of Cornwall has continued to make meaningful investments and upgrades in the Civic Complex, and this event is a testament to those investments. We are excited about this partnership with the OHL and look forward to continuing this renewed relationship well into the future.”