2025-26 Season Preview: Windsor Spitfires

The Windsor Spitfires (45–17–4–2) led the West Division during the regular season and reached the Western Conference Semifinal before a wave of injuries and a stunning reverse sweep at the hands of the Kitchener Rangers brought their playoff run to a halt. One of the club’s biggest question marks entering 2025–26 is the status of power forward Ilya Protas, who will attend Washington Capitals training camp after finishing second in OHL scoring last season. Regardless, the Spitfires will continue to lean on captain Liam Greentree and emerging star Ethan Belchetz to drive the offence, with overage goaltender Joey Costanzo tasked with providing stability in net. Add in promising young talent like first-rounder John McLaughlin, and Windsor once again looks primed to contend in the West.

 

Futures Watch – a list of some of the new faces fans should be keeping an eye on as the team prepares for the upcoming campaign.

 

Five Questions Heading Into 2025-26

After leading the West Division and making it to the Western Conference Semifinal last spring, the Windsor Spitfires enter 2025–26 with high expectations and a few key questions still to be answered. To get a sense of what’s ahead, we asked four media members who cover the team closely to weigh in on the biggest storylines for the upcoming season.

 

1. Who is your breakout candidate?

Manny Paiva (Colour commentator, AM 800 CKLW): Ethan Belchetz – He is poised to be the next breakout star in the Ontario Hockey League. The 2024 first‐overall OHL pick posted a solid rookie campaign with 17 goals and 38 points in 56 games before missing the playoffs with an injury. Not only is he a physical specimen at 6-foot-5, 226 lbs, but his mix of scoring ability, skating, physicality, and defensive awareness suggests he’s primed to elevate his game in 2025-26.

 

Steve Bell (Play-by-play, AM 800 CKLW): AJ Spellacy – Several Spits, including Jack Nesbitt, Cole Davis, and Carter Hick, could be candidates for a breakout season, but I look for A.J. Spellacy to make big strides. After seasons with 21 and 18 goals, the 6’3″ speedster from Cleveland could double those totals this year. He’ll get another good look by the Blackhawks, but the 19-year-old should really excel as a top-tier forward.

 

Chris McLeod (Play-by-play, YourTV): Jean-Christoph Lemieux – Everyone will say Belchetz, and that is expected. But I’ll go with JC Lemieux. Showed well in his rookie season, but dealt with some injuries. U17 Gold, Hlinka Gretzky Cup, I think he takes a big step this season. 

 

Jim Parker (Reporter, The Windsor Star): Ethan Belchetz – Former first-overall pick Ethan Belchetz is an obvious choice, but keep an eye on fellow second-year forward J.C. Lemieux, who was taken with the first pick of the second round of the 2024 OHL Draft. Spunky forward can play wing or centre and earned a spot on Canada’s Summer U18 team. He should play a bigger offensive role in 2025-26.

 

2. What’s the Spitfires’ biggest question mark entering 2025-26?

Pavia: Does Protas return? If Washington Capitals prospect Ilya Protas does not return to Windsor, how will the Spitfires replace his offence? It’s big skates to fill after the 6-foot-5, 200 lb Protas finished second in OHL scoring with 50 goals and 124 points. The Spits also graduated Noah Morneau and Ryan Abraham, who were third and fourth, respectively, in team scoring. Sure, Windsor still has Captain Liam Greentree and his 49 goals and 119 points. The answer may come in the form of Philadelphia Flyers prospect Jack Nesbitt, Chicago Blackhawks prospect A.J. Spellacy, and Cole Davis. Can second-year players Jean-Christoph Lemieux and Ethan Garden also make a big contribution?

 

Bell: Goaltending – The biggest question mark, other than the slim chance of star Ilya Protas returning, is goaltending. Joey Costanzo has something to prove, and if he can put inconsistencies behind him, he should carry the load, with three capable tenders fighting for the backup spot. A Jackson Parsons-like overage season would be ideal.

 

McLeod: Will Protas be back? The team will be good without him, but outstanding with him. He’ll get every opportunity to make the Caps, if that doesn’t work, does he get ice in the AHL, or make a push for a championship in Windsor?

 

Parker: Will Protas be back? Centre Ilya Protas was second in league scoring and won the William Hanley Trophy in his first season in the OHL in 2024-25. The 19-year-old is eligible to return for another season. Still, the Washington Capitals could opt to play him in the American Hockey League this season even if he doesn’t make the main roster.

 

3. Who will the Spitfires’ top NHL Draft prospect be by the end of the season?

Pavia: Ethan Belchetz – As much as I don’t like repeating myself, the answer is Ethan Belchetz. The first-overall selection in the 2024 OHL Draft will garner plenty of scouts’ attention because of his size, physical tools and an increasing offensive ceiling. Belchetz already looks the part of a star. He tied for the Team Canada lead in goals (4) and points (7) while securing a bronze medal at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Belchetz has also looked outstanding at the Spitfires training camp.

 

Bell: Ethan Belchetz – The Spitfires’ top prospect is undoubtedly Ethan Belchetz. The former first overall selection should climb the scout’s ladder as the season unfolds. At 6’5″ and 230 pounds, size isn’t an issue. With a really good year here in Windsor, he shouldn’t have to wait long to hear his name on draft day.

 

McLeod: Ethan Belchetz – Easy one, Ethan Belchetz. Fluke injury shut him down early. Looking forward to seeing his progression.

 

Parker: Ethan Belchetz – At six-foot-five and 229 pounds, Ethan Belchetz will only become a more formidable force as the 17-year-old forward grows into his body and learns to use his size and strength to full advantage.

 

4. Which new addition are you most excited to see?

Pavia: John McLaughlin – He is the team’s 2025 first-round OHL Priority Selection pick and has been flying high at Spitfires training camp. The 6’0, 165 lb forward has been showing off his speed, physical play and scoring touch. McLaughlin has primarily played left wing with Jack Nesbitt, who also hails from the Sarnia area, and the two have turned heads with their chemistry on the ice.

 

Bell: John McLaughlin – Although several newcomers have looked good in camp, I’m excited to see first-rounder Johnny McLaughlin play. He should have knee issues behind him, and he’ll improve as he adapts to this level. Be patient, as the Corunna Kid, just turned 16.

 

McLeod: Caden Harvey – Fresh off a Hlinka Gretzky Gold, kid has some nice mitts.

 

Parker: Jonathan Brown – Free-agent addition Jonathan Brown is a Yale University commit for 2027-28, but the six-foot-two, 203-pound defenceman from New York is already showing a poise and grit that should make him an immediate impact player this season.

 

5. Who will the Spitfires’ MVP be in 2025-26?

Pavia: Liam Greentree – Captain Liam Greentree will make it a three-peat. The LA Kings prospect has been Windsor’s team MVP for the last two seasons. The 6-foot-3, 216 lb forward finished with 49 goals and 119 points last season and added an astonishing 24 points in 11 playoff games. He can play any way you want – physical, offensive and defensive. His complete level is outstanding, and he already possesses an NHL shot. His work ethic and character are just as strong as his play on the ice. As Greentree goes, so do the Windsor Spitfires. 

 

Bell: Liam Greentree – When all is said and done, the Spits’ MVP this season could also be the League’s MVP Captain Liam Greentree, who had 49 regular season goals and 119 points, is a complete player, and future NHL’er. He leads by example and plays the game the right way.

 

McLeod: The Captain – Liam Greentree. Some meat left on the bone after the reverse sweep in round 2 last season. Always working on his game. LA’s got a good one.

Parker: Liam Greentree – The team’s fortunes rise and fall with captain Liam Greentree, who was named the Mickey Renaud Captain’s Trophy winner in 2024-25. The Los Angeles Kings’ first-round pick was third in league scoring last season, and the six-foot-three, 210-pound forward will be looking to go out with a bang in his final season of junior hockey.