Windsor Spitfires Announce 2026-2027 Leadership Group
The Windsor Spitfires have announced their leadership group for the 2026-27 season with Ethan Garden being named the team’s new captain.
Garden, entering his third season with the Spitfires, has appeared in 124 regular season games with Windsor since being selected by the club in the 9th round of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. The forward recorded 14 points in 55 games during his rookie season before registering a career-high 41 points in 65 games this past season.
“Very competitive, high-end hockey sense, unbelievable teammate” are just a few words head coach Greg Walters used to describe Garden. “He does everything right on and off the ice every single day”.
“Ethan is a true Spitfire in the way he represents this organization on the ice and in the community” said GM Bill Bowler.
Garden will be joined by 4 alternate captains, with Anthony Cristoforo and Conor Walton serving as full-time assistants. Johnny McLaughlin will wear an A at home, while Andrew Robinson will wear one on the road.
Cristoforo was selected by the Spitfires in the first round of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection. Going into his 5th and final season with the team, he recorded a career-high 62 points in 62 games last season.
Walton joined the Spitfires 4 seasons ago after being drafted to the Sudbury Wolves. The veteran defencemen quickly established himself as a physical presence on the blue line.
McLaughlin, Windsor’s first-round selection in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection, became the only 2009-born player in the Spitfires’ lineup last season. In his first postseason, he recorded 8 points in 13 playoff games.
Robinson is entering his second full season with the Spitfires after being drafted by Edmonton Oilers in the 5th round this past summer. Last season, the defencemen recorded 24 points in 63 games.
