2026 Graduating Class: Flint Firebirds
After setting a new franchise record with 95 points and advancing to the Western Conference semifinals, the Flint Firebirds put together one of the most successful seasons in team history during the 2025-26 campaign. A veteran-heavy lineup played a major role in the club’s success throughout both the regular season and playoffs, helping establish Flint as one of the Ontario Hockey League’s top teams.
Now, the Firebirds prepare to say goodbye to key members of their graduating class as Christopher Thibodeau, Urban Podrekar and Mason Vaccari move on from the OHL.
Christopher Thibodeau (Flint Firebirds, Kingston Frontenacs – 2021-26)
After spending his second full season with the Flint Firebirds, Christopher Thibodeau recorded 38 points (16-22–38) in 52 games before adding nine points (4-5–9) in eight playoff appearances during his overage campaign. Prior to arriving in Flint, he spent time with the Kingston Frontenacs, where he produced a career-high 60-point season in 2023-24.
The Charleston, S.C. native wraps up his OHL career with 196 points (80-116–196) across 294 regular-season games. Originally selected by the Frontenacs in the fourth round (75th overall) of the 2021 OHL Priority Selection, Thibodeau is committed to Lindenwood University for next season.
The Birds answer again 🔥
Christopher Thibodeau gets the @FlintFirebirds back within one heading into the first intermission with a well placed shot.#WSRvsFLNT | #OHLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/MPeTv7MMlO
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) April 12, 2026
Urban Podrekar (Flint Firebirds, Niagara IceDogs – 2023-26)
Also in his second full season with the Flint Firebirds, Urban Podrekar recorded a career-high 50 points (11-39–50) along with a plus-16 rating. He added four assists in eight postseason games during his overage campaign. Prior to arriving in Flint, Podrekar spent his first North American season with the Niagara IceDogs.
The Slovenian defenceman concludes his three-year OHL career with 99 points (24-75–99) across 194 regular-season games. Originally selected fourth overall by the IceDogs in the 2023 CHL Import Draft, Podrekar is committed to Ferris State University for next season.
🚨Urban Podrekar
🍏Charlie Murata
🍏Ihnat Pazzi pic.twitter.com/tGfMg6U65h— Flint Firebirds (@FlintFirebirds) February 14, 2026
Mason Vaccari (Flint Firebirds, Kingston Frontenacs – 2022-26)
After being acquired from the Kingston Frontenacs in the offseason, Mason Vaccari proved to be one of the OHL’s most impactful additions of the summer. A former OHL and CHL Humanitarian of the Year, Vaccari posted career-best numbers during his overage season, setting a Firebirds franchise record with a 2.70 goals-against average while tying the club mark with 36 wins. He also established career highs with a .907 save percentage and four shutouts.
Vaccari played a major role in helping the Firebirds reach a franchise-record 95 points in the standings and was named a finalist for the Jim Rutherford Trophy as OHL Goaltender of the Year. The Mississauga, Ont. native finished the season with a 36-9-3-2 record and is committed to Stonehill College for next season.
Vaccari the puck vacuum🧱
The @FlintFirebirds moved one win away from a series sweep as veteran Mason Vaccari made 32 saves in his first career #OHLPlayoffs shutout last night! pic.twitter.com/XhXAD6f9Ns
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) March 31, 2026
2006-born players:
* denotes players who are committed to the NCAA for next season
Currently, the Flint Firebirds boast eight 2006-born players in captain Nathan Aspinall (New York Rangers), Kevin He (Winnipeg Jets), Jacob Battaglia (New York Rangers), Darels Uljanskis (Anaheim Ducks)*, Josh Colosimo, Darian Anderson, Alex Kostov, and Ihnat Pazii*.
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