Saginaw Spirit - Feed

Spirit sign defenseman Tyler Martyniuk to Standard Player Agreement

Dillon Clark — Fri, 22 May 2026 18:00:53 +0000

Saginaw, Mich. – The Saginaw Spirit have signed left-shot defenseman Tyler Martyniuk (MART-in-uck) to an OHL Standard Player Agreement, GM Dave Drinkill announced Friday afternoon. A late-2008 birthyear, Martyniuk stands at 6’1”, 192lbs. He was originally selected by the Spirit in the sixth round, 117th overall at the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. “Tyler is a player we really felt would be a great fit in our system going back to his days playing for Honeybaked,” said Drinkill. “We believe his game will flourish here in Saginaw, and that he is not yet close to reaching his potential as a high-end two-way defenseman. He is a very skilled, smooth skater, with offensive upside and an ability to play big minutes in all situations for us. We could not be more excited as an organization to finally have him as a part of the Spirit family and look forward to seeing him with our group at training camp in August.” From Washington Township, Mich., Martyniuk spent the last two seasons with the U.S. National Team Development Program. He saw 59 games of action in 2025-2026, with 11 points (2G-9A) and 65 PIM. This spring, he joined Team USA at the IIHF U18 World Championship in Trencin and Bratislava, Slovakia, recording three assists in four games. “I’m extremely excited and grateful to sign with the Saginaw Spirit organization,” said Martyniuk. “From the first time I met with the coaches and management, it felt like the right place for me to continue developing both as a player and person. The winning culture, great fan support, and commitment to player development really stood out to me, and I can’t wait to get started this fall with the team.” Martyniuk also competed at the CHL USA Prospects Challenge this year, the U17 World Hockey Challenge in 2025, and won a gold medal at the 2024 Youth Olympic Games with Team USA. He played his minor hockey with the Detroit Honeybaked program from 2021-2023.

Spirit begin 25th Anniversary celebration with logo reveal

Dillon Clark — Fri, 22 May 2026 16:00:20 +0000

Saginaw, Mich. – The Spirit began their celebration of 25 seasons in Saginaw on Friday afternoon by unveiling a special 25th anniversary logo. The incorporation of silver into a brand-new shield is a nod to the team’s “Silver Anniversary.” The logo will appear at center ice at the Dow Event Center in 2026-2027 and on a specialty alternate jersey to be unveiled later this offseason. Richard J. Garber and Wren Blair brought an OHL franchise to Saginaw for the 2002-2003 season, and a name-the-team competition among local elementary school students dubbed it the Spirit. Since that first season, the team has seen millions of fans through the Dow Event Center, sent more than 50 players and staff to the National Hockey League, claimed four West Division titles, and won the 2024 Memorial Cup on home ice. The 25th season of Saginaw Spirit hockey will be a celebration of the countless moments that make up the team’s history, the players who have forged legacies in Saginaw, and of the team’s fans who have supported them for more than a generation. As the offseason continues, stay tuned for more ways to celebrate 25 years of Spirit hockey.

Spirit defenseman Levi Harper wins 2026 Bobby Smith Trophy

Dillon Clark — Wed, 20 May 2026 18:00:19 +0000

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League announced Wednesday afternoon that Spirit defenseman Levi Harper is the 2026 Bobby Smith Trophy winner as the league’s Scholastic Player of the Year. He follows Spirit alumni Michael Misa (San Jose Sharks) and Cole Perfetti (Winnipeg Jets) as the third player in team history to win the award. “We’re so proud of the work that Levi put into his first season,” said Spirit GM Dave Drinkill. “To perform at such a high level on the ice while giving the same amount of attention to his schooling shows incredible maturity. He’s impressed us all year and is a great example to the guys in our dressing room.” Harper’s on-ice performance was more than enough to draw attention from across the league in his rookie season. Saginaw’s third-round pick in 2025, Harper debuted in the team’s season opener at the Soo with a goal and an assist. He would secure points in five of his first six OHL games (2G-4A—6P) and was an immediate fixture on the Spirit blueline. Harper rode a seven-game scoring streak into November and was named the OHL’s Rookie of the Week after U.S. Thanksgiving. An assist against the Sarnia Sting on January 30th gave him 38 points on the season, breaking the Spirit rookie defenseman record of 37, set back in 2022-23 by Zayne Parekh (Calgary Flames). His rookie season ended with 57 points (12G-45A) in 68 games, leading OHL rookie defensemen and placing him third among all first-year players. “The OHL is filled with exceptional young athletes, and Levi has distinguished himself in a way that is truly impressive by excelling at the very highest level on the ice while also setting an exceptional standard in the classroom,” said Spirit academic advisor Pam Moretuzzo. “I have had the opportunity to work with many dedicated student-athletes, but Levi’s approach to education stands apart. He does not just fit in schoolwork around hockey, he prioritizes it with the same focus and professionalism he brings to the rink.” Harper graduated a full year early, completing his high school requirements by the end of 11th Grade. His academic schedule through the University of Nebraska High School was entirely college-preparatory coursework, including two university-level classes. Harper maintained a 3.856 GPA and was on the school’s Honor Roll throughout his enrollment. “I’m incredibly grateful to receive the Bobby Smith Trophy and humbled to join such a remarkable group of recipients,” said Harper. “To be mentioned alongside high-end players who also prioritize setting a standard off the ice is truly an honor. Many thanks go to Pam Moretuzzo for her support and dedication as well. She was always very willing to help, and I am very grateful for her.” Harper has also represented the United States in international play. Before his OHL career, he captured gold at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Czechia and Slovakia. He finished the tournament with 4G-1A—5P in five games and the most goals of any defenseman. Harper also joined Team USA for the 2026 IIHF Men’s World Championship earlier this month in Slovakia. The Bobby Smith Trophy is awarded annually to the OHL Scholastic Player of the Year who best combines high standards of play and academic excellence. The trophy is in honor of Bobby Smith, former Ottawa 67’s star who exhibited the standard of excellence required by the award. Each team’s nominee for the award becomes a member of the OHL Scholastic Team of the Year. The Saginaw Spirit Hockey Club has provided family-friendly entertainment to the Great Lakes Bay Region for nearly a quarter century. Since 2002, the team has helped to develop hundreds of major junior hockey players on the ice, in the classroom, and in the community. More than 50 Spirit players, coaches, and staff have gone on to careers in the National Hockey League (NHL). Visit saginawspirit.com for more information.

Forward Brody George signs Standard Player Agreement in Saginaw

Dillon Clark — Sat, 16 May 2026 14:00:00 +0000

Saginaw, Mich. – The Saginaw Spirit have signed forward Brody George, GM Dave Drinkill reported Saturday morning. George was Saginaw’s 15th round pick (295th) at the 2025 OHL Priority Selection. “We are excited to add Brody to our organization. We drafted him last year as re-entry player hoping he would come play in Saginaw once his time at the USNTDP was over, and here we are today,” said Drinkill. “Brody is an extremely competitive, hardworking, skilled forward who plays the game at a high pace. His experience in the USHL and international play over the last two years will allow him to adjust easily into the OHL. We are looking forward to next season with the George family here in Saginaw.” From Johnstown, Penn., George is a left-shot forward standing in at 5’9”, 170lbs. His 2025-2026 season was spent with the U.S. National U18 Team. George had 1G-6A—7P in 30 games with the NTDP, including an appearance at the CHL USA Prospects Challenge in Calgary and Lethbridge, AB. “I’m very excited for this opportunity and am looking forward to the next chapter,” said George. George spent the 2024-2025 season with the USNTDP’s U17 squad, with nine points (5G-4A) in 49 games. His minor hockey years were spent with the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite program.

Spirit sign defenseman Kade Meyer to OHL Standard Player Agreement

Dillon Clark — Fri, 15 May 2026 14:00:03 +0000

Saginaw, Mich.- Spirit GM Dave Drinkill announced Friday morning that the team has signed free agent defenseman Kade Meyer to a Standard Player Agreement. “Kade caught our eye last summer while playing for Team USA at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup,” said Drinkill. “He is very strong and plays the game hard with a competitiveness that you can’t teach. Kade skates very well, is extremely mobile, and is a great transporter of pucks up ice. We’re excited that the Meyer family picked Saginaw out of all their options for next season and can’t wait to see Kade on the ice.” A left-shot defenseman from Minocqua, WI, Meyer clocks in at 5’9”, 181lbs. His 2025-2026 season was split between the NAHL’s Janesville Jets (1G-4A—5P, 20GP) and USHL’s Waterloo Black Hawks (1G-4A—5P, 22GP). Last summer, Meyer joined Saginaw’s Levi Harper and Nikita Klepov for Team USA’s gold medal victory at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Brno, Czechia and Trencin, Slovakia. “I’m incredibly excited and grateful for the opportunity to join the Saginaw Spirit organization,” said Meyer. “From the culture to the fan support, it’s a place that feels built for winning and development. I’m ready to come in, work hard every day, compete at a high level, and do whatever it takes to help the team succeed. I believe I can bring energy, consistency, and a team-first mentality both on and off the ice, and I can’t wait to get started in Saginaw.” The 2008-born Meyer spent his 16U season with the Detroit Little Caesars program, scoring 13G-31A—44P in 60 games during 2024-2025. That year, he would also see time with the U.S. National Team Development Program.

Get your tickets for the 2026 OHL Priority Selection!

Dillon Clark — Wed, 13 May 2026 18:20:29 +0000

The future of the Ontario Hockey League will be decided right in front of your eyes. The 2026 OHL Priority Selection presented by Real Canadian Superstore is officially returning to an in-person model, and tickets are on sale now!

Join us on June 12th and 13th at Slush Puppie Place in the heart of Kingston. This isn't just a draft; it’s a homecoming for the OHL community as we celebrate the next generation of talent taking the next step toward their hockey dreams.

Choose Your Draft Experience

Whether you're a local scout at heart or a family looking for a weekend of elite hockey atmosphere, we have an option for you:

Single Day Tickets: Catch the opening rounds on Friday or the depth-building picks on Saturday. Perfect for fans who want to witness history in person.
Two-Day Weekend Pass (Savings $): The ultimate option for the dedicated fan. Be there for every single pick and soak up the full atmosphere across Friday and Saturday.
Group Rates: Bring the whole minor hockey team or a group of friends! Special pricing is available for those looking to experience the draft as a pack. (Applies to groups of 10 or more)
The VIP "Super Fan" Experience: Get as close to the action as possible. This elevated ticket offers an exclusive Draft Day experience, putting you right in the middle of the OHL’s most electric environment.

Be There for the "Where Were You?" Moments

From the first overall pick to the late-round gems, every selection marks the start of a new chapter for these young players and their families. Don’t miss the chance to welcome them to the OHL family in person for the first time since 2000.

Secure Your Seats for Kingston Here

Josh Glavin announced as Ted Baker Teammate of the Year Award Finalist

Dillon Clark — Mon, 04 May 2026 19:32:14 +0000

The OHL has announced finalists for the Ted Baker Teammate of the Year Award.

OHL names Saginaw’s Klepov as finalist for Red Tilson Trophy

Dillon Clark — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 19:31:49 +0000

TORONTO - The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) today announced finalists for the Red Tilson Trophy, presented annually to the OHL's Most Outstanding Player as voted by the League's accredited writers and broadcasters. This year's Red Tilson Trophy finalists include: Cole Beaudoin (C, Barrie Colts) - 54 GP, 33 G, 56 A, 89 PTS. A workhorse down the middle for the Barrie Colts, Utah Mammoth first round draft pick Cole Beaudoin produced at a clip of 1.65 points-per-game and won 55% of his faceoffs during the season. The Kanata, ON native finished tied for the league-lead in game-winning goals with 10, and was recently named the OHL's Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year, earning the William Hanley Trophy for his disciplined approach. Beaudoin was a key part of Canada's National Junior Team and was voted the Eastern Conference's hardest worker, best on faceoffs, best defensive forward and best penalty killer on the OHL Coaches Poll. Jake O'Brien (C, Brantford Bulldogs) - 53 GP, 28 G, 65 A, 93 PTS. Brantford Bulldogs captain Jake O'Brien led the OHL with a 1.75 point-per-game production rate, fuelling a power play that, statistically, ended the season as the best in OHL history at 34.8%. O'Brien's 41 power play points paced the league while he remained a force at even strength, finishing the campaign with a plus-34 rating. The Seattle Kraken first round NHL Draft pick rounded-out his third season as the Bulldogs' career leader in points with 255 (73-182--255). The OHL Player of the Month for October, O'Brien's 65 assists led all players and energized the league's most potent offence. He was voted the Eastern Conference's smartest player and best playmaker in the OHL Coaches Poll. Nathan Aspinall (LW, Flint Firebirds) - 65 GP, 33 G, 61 A, 94 PTS. Flint Firebirds captain Nathan Aspinall turbocharged his offensive production with a 47-point improvement to lead the Flint Firebirds to their best season in the club's 10-year history. The 6-foot-7 Aspinall set a new club record with 61 assists while scoring 33 goals and placing fifth in OHL shots on goal with a total of 250. He was also a fast-starter, tying for the OHL lead in first goals with eight while also converting on four of six shootout attempts during the season. Aspinall was the OHL Player of the Month for November and appeared in hardest shot and best playmaker categories in the Western Conference portion of the OHL Coaches Poll. Sam O'Reilly (C, Kitchener Rangers) - 56 GP, 29 G, 42 A, 71 PTS. Perhaps the biggest splash of the OHL trade deadline, the Kitchener Rangers acquisition of Sam O'Reilly from the rival London Knights has paid big dividends for the Blueshirts. O'Reilly's arrival sparked the Rangers to a big second half that saw them finish atop the Western Conference standings for the first time since 2008. After posting 28 points (12-16--28) in as many games with London, O'Reilly stepped-up his production in Kitchener with 43 points (17-26--43) over 28 contests, all while finishing the season with a 58% success rate in the faceoff circle. A member of Canada's National Junior Team, the Tampa Bay Lightning prospect factored prominently into the OHL Coaches Poll, being voted the Western Conference's smartest player, best on faceoffs and best defensive forward. Nikita Klepov (RW, Saginaw Spirit) - 67 GP, 37 G, 60 A, 97 PTS. The first rookie to lead the OHL in scoring since Patrick Kane of the 2006-07 London Knights, Nikita Klepov enters the 2026 NHL Draft as the eighth-ranked North American skater on NHL Central Scouting's final rankings released last week. The shifty winger follows Michael Misa as the second-straight Spirit player to earn the Eddie Powers Trophy as the OHL's leading scorer, while also joining Misa in elite company as an OHL Rookie of the Year Award winner. The Deerfield Beach, Florida product piled up 38 points on the power play and went 4-for-6 in shootout attempts. He was recognized as the Western Conference's most dangerous player in the goal area and best shootout shooter in the OHL Coaches Poll.

Levi Harper makes final U18 World Championship roster for Team USA

Dillon Clark — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:25:22 +0000

Bratislava, Slovakia – Spirit defenseman Levi Harper has been named to Team USA’s final roster for the 2026 IIHF U18 World Championship. Harper will compete for gold beginning on Wednesday, April 22nd as the Americans open their preliminary round against Czechia. Harper has just finished a standout rookie season after the Spirit took him in the 3rd round of the 2025 OHL Priority Selection. A two-point performance in his September 19th OHL debut propelled him to a 12G-45A—57P season, appearing in all 68 games. His assist and point totals were both rookie records by a Spirit defenseman, overtaking the ones by Markus Niemelainen (26 assists) and Zayne Parekh (37 points). The Tampa, Fla. native led all rookie OHL defensemen in goals, assists, and points this season. He finished fifth in scoring (57 points) among the entire field of league blueliners and second in assists (45) to only Windsor’s 2006-born Carson Woodall. Harper had three separate point streaks of five games or longer in 2025-26. On November 30th, he was named the OHL’s Rookie of the Week thanks to a string of four assists in three games. Harper already has international hardware in his trophy case—he was a key piece of Team USA’s gold medal at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup with four goals and an assist in five games. No other defenseman had more goals in that tournament. Each of Team USA’s preliminary games can be watched live on NHL Network (Spectrum Ch. 819, DIRECTV Ch. 215). For the full schedule at the 2026 IIHF World Championship, click here. The full release from Team USA can be found here. Also of note, Spirit prospects Brady Knowling (Goaltender, 3rd round, 2024) and Tyler Martyniuk (Defenseman, 6th round, 2024) have been named to Team USA as well. Team USA’s Preliminary Round Schedule:

Wednesday, April 22nd vs Czechia (10:00am EST)
Friday, April 24th vs Denmark (10:00am EST)
Saturday, April 25th vs Sweden (10:00am EST)
Monday, April 27th vs Germany (10:00am EST)

Four Spirit players on NHL Central Scouting’s Final Rankings in 2026

Dillon Clark — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:47:03 +0000

New York – NHL Central Scouting released its final rankings ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft on Thursday morning. Four Spirit players were identified as top prospects heading to Buffalo for this June’s draft. RW Nikita Klepov (#8 North American Skater) The OHL’s leading scorer tops Saginaw’s list of draft prospects. Klepov led the league with 97 points (37G-60A) as a rookie, the first to do so since Patrick Kane of the London Knights in 2006-07. Klepov was named the Emms Family Award winner earlier this week, becoming the second player in team history to be named the OHL’s Rookie of the Year. Klepov was ranked #16 in Central Scouting’s midterm rankings. Since that ranking came out on January 12th, Klepov was the most dominant skater in the OHL. He recorded 47 points and 33 assists, both the highest marks in the league through the end of the regular season, while adding 14 goals. Klepov added a goal and four assists in Saginaw’s four playoff games. C Egor Barabanov (#43 North American Skater) Klepov’s favorite center, Egor Barabanov finished second in team scoring with 91 points (28G-63A). Nobody in Saginaw had more assists than Barabanov this season, and only Brantford’s Jake O’Brien had more league-wide. His assist total was the fifth-best in one season by a Spirit player, and he was the ninth player in team history to break the 90-point mark. Barabanov added four points (1G-3A) for the Spirit in the playoffs. RW Brody Pepoy (#124 North American Skater) Brody Pepoy began the season as an undrafted invitee to Spirit training camp. He earned a Standard Player Agreement with his preseason play, and quickly became a middle-six staple for Saginaw in his rookie season. Pepoy played in all but one game for Saginaw this season, finishing the year with 16 goals and 13 assists for 29 points. Pepoy landed 20th among OHL rookies in scoring. Along with Nikita Klepov and Levi Harper, this gave Saginaw three players in the top-20 of rookie scoring for the first time since 2023 (Michael Misa, Zayne Parekh, Joey Willis). G Stepan Shurygin (#13 North American Goaltender) Shurygin’s play since the midterm ranking lifted him up the prospect board as well. He was left off of the preliminary watch list and debuted as the #16 ranked goaltender at the midterm. His 59 appearances were the most of any OHL goalie in 2025-26, where he picked up 24 wins. Shurygin also led the league in minutes (3417), shots against (1920), and saves (1704). He finished the year with a 3.79 GAA and .888 SV%, while his 12.4 GSAx (goals saved above expected) was the third-highest of all OHL goalies. The 2026 NHL Draft is set for June 26-27 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. Click below for each of NHL Central Scouting’s full rankings:

2026 NHL CS Final Rankings - NA Skaters.pdf

2026 NHL CS Final Rankings - ITL Skaters.pdf

2026 NHL CS Final Rankings - NA Goalies.pdf

2026 NHL CS Final Rankings - ITL Goalies.pdf

2026NHLDraft_FinalRankings_041626.pdf

2026_FinalRankings_Profiles.pdf