2026 OHL In The System: Florida Panthers

This 32-part series will spotlight OHL players who are either signed to an NHL or AHL contract or are recently drafted, and are 25 years old or younger with 50 or fewer NHL games played. 

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The Panthers’ prospect pipeline is sharpening its claws. Today, we’re spotlighting the young talent ready to pounce.

 

Ryder Cali (C) – North Bay Battalion (2024-26)

Selected: 2nd Round, 48th Overall (2026)

OHL Career Stats: 135 GP, 46G, 49A, 95 PTS, -9

Age: 17

With the 48th overall pick, the Florida Panthers selected forward Ryder Cali of the North Bay Battalion. A hard-nosed, physical winger, Cali recorded 36 points (16-20–36) in 47 regular-season games during his first full OHL season with the Battalion. He is committed to Providence College for the 2026-27 season. 

 

Cole Zurawski (RW) – Flint Firebirds (2024-25), Owen Sound Attack (2024-26)

Selected: 6th Round, 181st Overall (2026)

OHL Career Stats: 124 GP, 40G, 37A, 77 PTS, -16

Age: 18

With back-to-back OHL selections, the Florida Panthers took Cole Zurawski from the Owen Sound Attack with the 181st overall pick. The 6-foot-1 winger recorded 46 points (24-22–46) in 63 regular-season games. He is committed to the University of Notre Dame for the 2027-28 season. 

 

Shamar Moses (LW) – Barrie Colts (2023-25), North Bay Battalion (2024-26)

Selected: 5th Round, 129th Overall (2025)

OHL Career Stats: 180 GP, 25G, 66A, 91 PTS, -57

Age: 19

In his second season with the Battalion, Shamar Moses appeared in 48 regular-season contests and tallied 18 points (8-10–18) and 60 penalty minutes. 

 

Emil Pieniniemi (D) – Kingston Frontenacs (2024-25)

Acquired: Jun. 13, 2026 

OHL Career Stats: 60 GP, 10G, 50A, 60 PTS, +6

Age: 21

Recently acquired by the Panthers, Emil Pieniniemi skated in 9 games with the American Hockey League (AHL) Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins during the 2025-26 campaign, registering 3 points (1-2-3). He also amassed 11 points (6-5-11) over 26 games with the ECHL Wheeling Nailers. He paced all Wheeling defensemen in points (1-7-8) throughout 15 Kelly Cup playoff games. The 6-foot-2, 176-pound native of Kuopio, Finland, was originally selected by the Penguins in the third round (91st overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft.

 

Sandis Vilmanis (LW) – Sarnia Sting (2022-24), North Bay Battalion (2023-24)

Selected: 5th Round, 157th Overall (2022)

Signed: Jul. 1, 2026 

OHL Career Stats: 122 GP, 58G, 54A, 112 PTS, +7

Age: 22

Sandis Vilmanis made his NHL debut this past season, skating in 19 games with Florida in 2025-26, producing five points (3-2-5). He also appeared in 48 contests with the Charlotte Checkers, ranking third on the team with 38 points (17-21-38) while pacing the club’s forwards with a plus-17 rating. In Charlotte’s run to the 2025 Calder Cup Final, the 6-foot-2 winger logged seven points (3-4-7) over 11 postseason contests.

 

Kai Schwindt (LW) – Mississauga Steelheads (2021-23), Sarnia Sting (2023-24)

Signed: September 30, 2022

OHL Career Stats: 168 GP, 37G, 28A, 65 PTS, -2

Age: 22

Signed as a free agent by Florida in 2022, Kai Schwindt spent the 2025-26 season with the Checkers. The winger recorded seven points (2-5–7) over 33 appearances. 

 

Tomorrow on OHL In The System: We’ll take a look at the OHL talent inside the Nashville Predators organization.