Futures Watch: Saginaw Spirit’s 2026 Draft Class and New Faces

As the 2026-27 OHL season approaches, the Saginaw Spirit are preparing to build on last year’s campaign. We spoke with the organization about the club’s 2026 draft class and the new faces fans should keep an eye on heading into the upcoming season.

 

2026 Draft Class Revisit

 

Player Spotlight: Drew Bate

Profile: 5’10”, 163lbs, right-shot forward

Hometown: Union, ON

Birthdate: Sept 10, 2010

Drafted: 1st Round, 6th Overall (2026 OHL Priority Selection)

2025-26 Stats (London Jr. Knights U16 AAA): 27 GP, 34G, 38A, 72 PTS

Selected sixth overall in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection, Drew Bate joins the Spirit after an impressive season with the London Jr. Knights U16 AAA program. Bate led ALLIANCE in scoring with 72 points (34-38–72) in just 27 games before adding 21 points (7-14–21) in eight playoff contests. He continued his strong postseason at the OHL Cup, recording 13 points (7-6–13) in six games. A champion at both the U15 (2025) and U16 (2026) levels with the Jr. Knights, Bate was named the 2026 ALLIANCE Player of the Year this spring and earned an invitation to Canada’s National Under-17 Development Camp.

“Drew Bate is a highly competitive and productive player who has a unique ability to create offence. His combination of speed, skill, and relentless motor allows him to consistently impact the game, especially when the pressure ramps up. He can execute and elevate his play against top competition. His pace, puck pursuit, and compete level fit extremely well with the way we want to play in Saginaw. We believe Drew has all of the tools to develop into a dominant player at the OHL level.” – Greg Hammell, Head Scout

 

Player Spotlight: Kyler Lauder

Profile: 5’10”, 156lbs, left-shot forward

Hometown: Uxbridge, ON

Birthdate: Jan 15, 2010

Drafted: 2nd Round, 24th Overall (2026 OHL Priority Selection)

2025-26 Stats (Central Ontario Wolves U16 AAA): 32 GP, 35G, 34A, 69 PTS

Selected 24th overall in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection, Kyler Lauder led the Central Ontario Wolves U16 AAA team with 69 points (35-34–69) in 32 games while serving as an alternate captain. The Uxbridge, Ont., native added another 16 points (7-9–16) in eight playoff games and was named the OMHA East Player of the Year.

“Kyler Lauder is a dynamic forward with a well-rounded skill set that makes him an exciting addition to our organization. We believe he was one of the top skaters to come out of this year’s draft, with elite acceleration, agility, and the ability to create separation from opponents. With his skill set, compete level, and continued development, we believe Kyler has the potential to become a very impactful player at the OHL level.” – Greg Hammell, Head Scout

 

Player Spotlight: Hudson Leenders

Profile: 6’0”, 180lbs, left-shot forward

Hometown: South Huron, ON

Birthdate: Feb 1, 2009

Drafted: 1st Round, 6th Overall (2026 OHL U18 Draft)

2025-26 Stats (Elgin Middlesex Canucks U18 AAA): 34 GP, 23G, 25A, 48 PTS

Selected sixth overall in the 2026 OHL U18 Draft, Hudson Leenders led the Elgin Middlesex Canucks U18 AAA in both regular-season and playoff scoring. The left-shot winger recorded 48 points (23-25–48) in 34 regular-season games before adding 19 points (5-14–19) in the postseason. Following his U18 campaign, Leenders also appeared in six games with the GOHL’s Listowel Cyclones.

“Hudson Leenders is a powerful skater with good edges and a knack for finding soft spots on the ice to get his extremely accurate shot off quickly. He also has the ability to take pucks to the net and excel in the dirty areas of the rink, driven by an exceptional work ethic and compete level. Leenders is currently signed with the Stratford Warriors of the GOHL and will look to earn a spot with our team at Main Camp.” – Jordan Selinger, Director of Player Development

 

Player Spotlight: Gordei Khotkov

Profile: 6’5”, 212lbs, left-shot defenceman

Hometown: Yaroslavl, Rus

Birthdate: Mar 10, 2010

Drafted: 1st Round, 16th Overall (2026 CHL Import Draft)

2025-26 Stats (CSKA Moskva U17): 12 GP, 3G, 6A, 9 PTS

Selected 16th overall in the 2026 CHL Import Draft, Gordei Khotkov spent the 2025-26 season competing at the U16 and U17 levels with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl and CSKA Moskva. The 6-foot-5 defenceman combined for 63 points (24-39–63) across 56 regular-season and tournament games. At the U16 Russia Cup, Khotkov led all defencemen in tournament scoring with 31 points (13-18–31) in 19 games. He also represented Russia internationally at the U16 level, recording four assists in four games.

“Gordei Khotkov is a player who came onto our radar a year ago, and we were very excited to add him through the Import Draft to an already impressive group. He is a mobile, skilled, and smooth-skating defenseman who can contribute at both ends of the ice. We believe Gordei has the abilities, mindset, and physical maturity to be successful in our system and has the potential to become a star in this league and beyond.” – Dave Drinkill, General Manager

 

Player Spotlight: Dmitri Savin

Profile: 6’2”, 190lbs, left-shot forward

Hometown: Novosibirsk, Rus

Birthdate: Apr 14, 2009

Drafted: 1st Round, 31st Overall (2026 CHL Import Draft)

2025-26 Stats (CSKA Moskva U17): 32 GP, 29G, 30A, 59 PTS

Selected 31st overall in the 2026 CHL Import Draft, Dmitri Savin spent the 2025-26 season with CSKA Moskva’s U17 and U18 programs. The Novosibirsk, Russia native led the U17 team with 29 goals and 59 points in 32 games before producing 43 points (24-19–43) in just 19 games at the U18 level. Savin also appeared in both the U17 and U18 Finals series with CSKA, recording 12 points in each, and added 10 points (3-7–10) with Gold Star Hockey U18S at the Andrews International Showcase.

“Dmitri is a very talented two-way center who brings a high level of skill and attention to detail in all aspects of his game. He’ll fit in extremely well with the rest of our skilled young players, and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to add him to our organization.” – Dave Drinkill, General Manager

 

Other members of the 2026 class include: 

PLAYER	POSITION	HOMETOWN	DOB	2025-26 TEAM	DRAFTED
Egor Sokolov	G	Thornhill, ON	Mar 16, 2010	Toronto Marlboros U16 AAA	3rd round, 45th overall
Brayden Barkic	LD	Toronto, ON	Jul 24, 2010	Don Mills Flyers U16 AAA	3rd round, 58th overall
Griffin Carver	RD	Flat Rock, MI	Jul 07, 2010	Detroit Little Caesars 15’s	4th round, 71st overall
Jacob Curic	LW	Etobicoke, ON	Apr 15, 2010	Toronto Nationals U16 AAA	6th round, 121st overall
Jonathan Tait	LD	Burlington, ON	Apr 08, 2010	Mississauga Senators U16 AAA	7th round, 127th overall
Mason Martin	G	Byron, MI	Feb 10, 2010	Fox Motors HC 15’s	8th round, 147th overall
Cole Connolly	C	Tonawanda, NY	Sep 30, 2009	Nichols School Prep B 16U	8th round, 155th overall
A.J. Foyt	LD	Carmel, IN	Sep 18, 2010	Mount St. Charles Academy 15’s	9th round, 167th overall
Gryson Gill	RD	Brooklin, ON	May 31, 2010	York-Simcoe Express U16 AAA	10th round, 187th overall
Luke McLean	C	London, ON	Jun 05, 2010	Huron-Perth Lakers U16 AAA	13th round, 247th overall
Hayden Ferra	C	Pittsburgh, PA	Feb 10, 2009	Pittsburgh Predators 15’s	14th round, 267th overall
Daniel Vasko	C	Fell Township, PA	Jul 09, 2010	Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Jr. Knights Premier 15’s	15th round, 287th overall
Damon Stodola	LD	Etobicoke, ON	Jan 08, 2009	Mississauga Rebels U18 AAA	2nd round, 26th overall (U18)

 

2026 New Faces:

*Note: Player additions are current as of publication. Team signings remain ongoing, and this section will be updated throughout the offseason as additional players are signed and trades are completed.

 

Player Spotlight: Alexander Milojevic

Profile: 6’0”, 185lbs, left-shot forward

Hometown: Chicago, IL

Birthdate: Sept 5, 2009

Drafted: 4th Round, 73rd Overall (2025 OHL Priority Selection) 

2025-26 Stats (U.S. National U17 Team): 47 GP, 8G, 7A, 15 PTS

Selected 73rd overall in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection, Alexander Milojevic spent the majority of last season with the U.S. National Team Development Program’s U17 team, recording 15 points (8-7–15) in 47 games while also appearing once with the U18 team. Prior to joining the NTDP, the Chicago native starred with the Chicago Mission 15U AAA program, recording 101 points (61-40–101) in 2024-25 – the most in a single season by a Mission 15U player.

“Alexander has the ability to change the game very quickly, using his game-breaking speed and skill to dictate play and create offence. During his draft year, he was widely regarded as one of the top U.S. players in his age group, and we can’t wait to continue building on his already strong foundation here with the Spirit.” – Dave Drinkill, General Manager

 

Player Spotlight: Brody George

Profile: 5’9”, 170lbs, left-shot forward

Hometown: Johnstown, PA

Birthdate: Jan 25, 2008

Drafted: 15th Round, 295th Overall (2025 OHL Priority Selection) 

2025-26 Stats (U.S. National U18 Team): 30 GP, 1G, 6A, 7 PTS 

Selected 295th overall in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection, Brody George spent the 2025-26 season with the U.S. National Team Development Program’s U18 team, recording seven points (1-6–7) in 30 games. The left-shot forward also represented the NTDP at the CHL USA Prospects Challenge in Calgary and Lethbridge, AB., in November 2025.

“Brody George is a tenacious, competitive player with a relentless motor who really impressed our staff throughout the evaluation process. Brody’s experience with the USNTDP over the past two years will help him transition smoothly into the OHL and adjust quickly to the demands of our league.” – Greg Hammell, Head Scout

 

Player Spotlight: Brady Knowling

Profile: 6’5”, 205lbs, goaltender

Hometown: Toronto, ON

Birthdate: Mar 9, 2008

Drafted: 3rd Round, 60th Overall (2024 OHL Priority Selection)

2025-26 Stats (U.S. National U18 Team): 33 GP, 3.56 GAA, .880 SV%

Selected 60th overall in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection, Brady Knowling joins the Spirit following two seasons with the U.S. National Team Development Program. The 6-foot-5 Toronto native posted a 15-13-3-1 record with a 3.51 goals-against average and .883 save percentage with the U18 team last season.

Knowling has also built an extensive international résumé with Team USA. He helped the Americans capture gold at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, posting four wins alongside a 2.35 goals-against average and .914 save percentage, and was later part of the U.S. roster at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship.

At the 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge, Knowling made 42 saves to backstop Team USA to a 4-2 victory in the opening game and earned Player of the Game honours. Ranked as the No. 1 North American goaltender by NHL Central Scouting, Knowling was selected by the San Jose Sharks in the fourth round, 127th overall, of the 2026 NHL Draft.

“Brady brings a very strong pedigree as a goaltender to our team and will strengthen our crease. He brings great size, athleticism, and overall skill, and we’re excited to help him continue building on his abilities and development here in Saginaw.” – Kevin Delemarter, Goaltending Coach

 

Player Spotlight: Tyler Martyniuk

Profile: 6’1”, 192lbs, left-shot defenceman

Hometown: Washington Township, MI

Birthdate: Dec 31, 2008

Drafted: 6th Round, 117th Overall (2024 OHL Priority Selection) 

2025-26 Stats (U.S. National U18 Team): 58 GP, 2G, 9A, 11 PTS

Selected 117th overall in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection, Tyler Martyniuk spent the past two seasons with the U.S. National Team Development Program. The Washington Township native recorded 11 points (2-9–11) during the 2025-26 campaign before representing Team USA at the IIHF U18 World Championship, where he collected three assists in four games.

“Tyler is a player we really felt would be a great fit in our system dating back to his days with Honeybaked. We believe his game will flourish here in Saginaw, and that he is still just scratching the surface of his potential as a high-end two-way defenseman. We could not be more excited as an organization to have Tyler as part of the Spirit family and look forward to seeing him with our group at training camp in August.” – Dave Drinkill, General Manager

 

Player Spotlight: Kade Meyer

Profile: 5’9”, 181lbs, left-shot defenceman

Hometown: Minocqua, WI

Birthdate: Nov 5, 2008

Signed (FA): May 15, 2026 

2025-26 Stats (Waterloo Black Hawks): 22 GP, 1G, 4A, 5 PTS

Signed by the Spirit as a free agent in May, Kade Meyer split the 2025-26 season between the NAHL’s Janesville Jets and USHL’s Waterloo Black Hawks, recording five points with each club. The Minocqua native also brings international experience to Saginaw, having helped Team USA capture gold at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup alongside Spirit players Levi Harper and Nikita Klepov.

“Kade caught our eye last summer while playing for Team USA at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He is a very strong, competitive player who plays the game hard with a compete level that you can’t teach. Kade skates extremely well, is highly mobile, and has the ability to transport pucks up the ice with confidence. We’re excited that the Meyer family chose Saginaw out of all their options for next season, and we can’t wait to see Kade on the ice.” – Dave Drinkill, General Manager

 

With a 2026 draft class highlighted by high-end skill, international additions and depth across multiple positions, the Spirit have continued to add to their prospect pipeline ahead of the new season. Combined with a group of incoming players bringing experience and international competition, Saginaw will have plenty of new faces looking to make an impact when training camp gets underway.

 

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