2026-27 Season Preview: Oshawa Generals

Coming off back-to-back Eastern Conference titles, the Oshawa Generals hit the reset button in 2025-26, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2010.

It was a season focused largely on the future, with General Manager Roger Hunt and his staff getting an extended look at the younger pieces that could help shape the next era in Oshawa. The Generals also landed the first overall pick through the OHL Draft Lottery, using it to select Vaughan Kings standout Kane Cloutier, who offered an early glimpse of what he can bring with two goals in his preseason debut.

Mario Pouliot’s group remains young entering 2026-27, and there will naturally be some growing pains along the way. But with another year of experience across the roster and several players ready for bigger opportunities, the Generals will look to turn last season’s development into progress in the standings.

 

Starting Six

* The Starting Six does not represent a projected lineup, but instead highlights six key players to watch entering the 2026-27 season.

FORWARD | Brooks Rogowski

2025-26: 46 GP, 15G, 27A, 42 PTS

Brooks Rogowski took a significant step offensively in his second OHL season, establishing career highs across the board with 15 goals, 27 assists and 42 points in 46 games. At 6-foot-7, the towering forward brings a unique combination of size and skill to Oshawa’s lineup and has continued to develop into one of the club’s top offensive weapons.

That progression helped Rogowski hear his name called by the Vancouver Canucks early in the second round of the 2026 NHL Draft. He was also named to the United States roster for the 2026 World Junior Summer Showcase and now enters his third OHL season as an important piece of a young Generals group.

 

FORWARD | Sam Roberts

2025-26: 55 GP, 4G, 5A, 9 PTS

Sam Roberts gained plenty of experience during his rookie season, appearing in 55 games after being selected 16th overall by Oshawa in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection. He finished the year with four goals and nine points while getting his first extended taste of the OHL.

With that rookie season behind him, Roberts will have the chance to show how much his game has grown entering year two. As Oshawa looks for more offence throughout its lineup, an increase in production from the former first-round pick could provide an important boost.

 

FORWARD | Mark Pape

2025-26: 46 GP, 3G, 4A, 7 PTS

Mark Pape made an impression both on and off the ice during his first OHL season. The 25th overall selection in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection appeared in 46 games, recording three goals and seven points while adjusting to the league as a rookie.

His work away from the rink also earned league-wide recognition, as Pape received the Ivan Tennant Memorial Award as the OHL’s Top Academic High School Student. With a full season of experience under his belt, the 17-year-old will look to make further strides in Oshawa’s forward group.

 

DEFENCEMAN | Anthony Timmerman

2025-26: 52 GP, 2G, 5A, 7 PTS

Anthony Timmerman became a regular on Oshawa’s blue line during his rookie season, appearing in 52 games and contributing seven points. His first year provided an opportunity to learn the position at the OHL level while taking on more responsibility as the season progressed.

The young defenceman enters 2026-27 with the potential to add another dimension to his game offensively. Timmerman continues to develop as a power-play quarterback and could become a bigger factor with the puck as Oshawa’s young defence gains experience.

 

DEFENCEMAN | Brady Murnane

2025-26: 55 GP, 1G, 6A, 7 PTS

Brady Murnane was another member of Oshawa’s young blue line who received valuable experience last season, dressing in 55 games during his first full OHL campaign. He recorded his first OHL goal and added six assists while learning the demands of the position at the major junior level.

Entering his second season, Murnane will look to build on that foundation as part of a defence corps that remains relatively young. His development will be worth following as the Generals look for their returning players to provide greater stability on the back end.

 

GOALTENDER | Matthew Humphries

2025-26: 24 GP, 3.73 GAA, .888 SV%

Matthew Humphries arrived in Oshawa in November following a trade with the Niagara IceDogs and settled into a larger role as the season progressed. His 4-15-3 record did not always reflect his quality of play, particularly during a second half in which he provided the Generals with some encouraging performances between the pipes.

Now with additional familiarity with the organization and the opportunity to establish himself further, Humphries gives Oshawa an experienced option in goal. For a young team looking to take a step forward, consistency in the crease could go a long way.

 

Breakout Watch

Tyler Hinde – F

2025-26: 14 GP, 1G, 1A, 2 PTS

Hinde made the most of his time outside the OHL last season, putting together a dominant campaign with the Mississauga Chargers. He recorded 27 goals, 49 assists and 76 points and was named the OJHL’s Rookie of the Year, while also appearing in 14 games with Oshawa and scoring his first OHL goal.

He carried that production into the exhibition schedule, leading the Generals with seven points in five preseason games. With an opportunity to make the jump into a larger role this season, Hinde’s combination of size, versatility and offensive ability makes him one of Oshawa’s most intriguing breakout candidates.

“Tyler’s combination of size, speed and skill makes him a tough matchup for any defenseman to handle one-on-one. He can play up and down the lineup, center or the wing, PP or PK. His versatility is a real asset for us”  – General Manager Roger Hunt

 

Futures Watch

Get to know the next wave of Generals’ talent by revisiting Oshawa’s 2026 draft class and new additions in our Futures Watch feature.

 

The Outlook

For Oshawa, this season is less about returning immediately to the heights of its back-to-back Eastern Conference championship runs and more about finding out how quickly a young roster can begin moving in that direction.

The biggest question may simply be how quickly it all comes together. Oshawa spent much of last season evaluating its future; 2026-27 offers the first chance to see some of that future take shape. If the Generals’ young core can turn another year of experience into greater consistency, a return to the playoff conversation may not be far away.

 

Opening Night

Friday, September 18th

Oshawa Generals at Brampton Steelheads | 7:00 p.m.

 

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