2026 OHL In The System: Pittsburgh Penguins

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. 

Join us for OHL in the System!

Today, we take a closer look at the Pittsburgh Penguins’ prospect pool.

 

Pierce Mbuyi (LW) – Owen Sound Attack (2024-26)

Selected: 3rd Round, 86th Overall (2026)

OHL Career Stats: 131 GP, 61G, 66A, 127 PTS, +10

Age: 18

The Pittsburgh Penguins selected former OHL Rookie of the Year Pierce Mbuyi in the third round of the 2026 NHL Draft. The shifty winger is coming off a 32-goal sophomore season with the Owen Sound Attack, serving as the club’s captain while leading the OHL with 19 power-play goals. He is committed to Penn State University for the 2026-27 season.

 

Parker von Richter (D) – Mississauga/Brampton Steelheads (2022-26), Barrie Colts (2025-26)

Selected: 4th Round, 111th Overall (2026)

OHL Career Stats: 259 GP, 25G, 94A, 119 PTS, +36

Age: 20

Acquired by Barrie at the trade deadline, Parker von Richter recorded a career-high 49 points (12-37–49) in 67 regular-season games during his fourth OHL season. The 2006-born blueliner is committed to the University of New Hampshire for 2026-27.

 

Travis Hayes (RW) – Soo Greyhounds (2023-26)

Selected: 4th Round, 105th Overall (2025)

Signed (ATO): Apr. 23, 2026 

OHL Career Stats: 186 GP, 51G, 75A, 126 PTS, +44

Age: 18

Travis Hayes, the younger brother of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins leading goal-scorer Avery Hayes, recorded 40 points (16-24–40) while tying for the Soo Greyhounds’ lead with a +27 rating. The Greyhounds assistant captain was named to the OHL First All-Rookie Team in 2023-24 and recently signed an ATO agreement with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

 

Quinn Beauchesne (D) – Guelph Storm (2023-26)

Selected: 5th Round, 148th Overall (2025)

Signed (ATO): Apr. 26, 2026 

OHL Career Stats: 138 GP, 15G, 51A, 66 PTS, -24

Age: 19 

Quinn Beauchesne wrapped up his third season with the Guelph Storm, notching new career-highs with seven goals, 28 assists and 35 points in 56 contests. The 148th overall selection in 2025 led all Guelph defenders in those areas. He recently signed an ATO agreement with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and is committed to Boston College for the 2026-27 season. 

 

Jordan Charron (RW) – Soo Greyhounds (2024-26)

Selected: 5th Round, 154th Overall (2025)

Signed (ATO): Apr. 23, 2026 

OHL Career Stats: 114 GP, 35G, 33A, 68 PTS., -10

Age: 19

Jordan Charron enjoyed a breakout 2025-26 season with career highs across the board. The 19-year-old recorded 45 points (25-22–45), with his 25 goals ranking third on the team. He recently signed an ATO agreement with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and is committed to the University of Massachusetts for the 2026-27 season. 

 

Finn Harding (D) – Mississauga/Brampton Steelheads (2022-25)

Selected: 7th Round, 223rd Overall (2024)

Signed: Mar. 3, 2025 

OHL Career Stats: 198 GP, 19G, 82A, 101 PTS, +93

Age: 21

Spending the majority of the season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Finn Harding led Wilkes-Barre/Scranton rookie defencemen with 22 points (4-18–22) while posting a team-best +32 in 54 regular-season games. He also suited up for seven games with the ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers, where he tallied four assists.

 

Avery Hayes (RW) – Hamilton Bulldogs (2018-23), Peterborough Petes (2022-23)

Signed: March 13, 2025

OHL Career Stats: 237 GP, 106G, 97A, 203 PTS, +41

Age: 23

In his third year with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Avery Hayes produced 39 points and a team-leading 24 goals in 42 regular-season games. He made his NHL debut just before the Olympic break and became just the third player in Penguins history to score multiple goals in his debut, as well as only the seventh player in NHL history to score twice in the first period of his first NHL game. A two-time OHL champion, Hayes went undrafted at the NHL level before signing as a free agent with Pittsburgh in 2025. 

 

Maleek McGowan (D) – Kingston Frontenacs (2021-26)

Signed (ATO): Apr. 26, 2026 

OHL Career Stats: 208 GP, 24G, 62A, 86 PTS, +6

Age: 21

Spending his entire OHL career with the Kingston Frontenacs, Maleek McGowan saved his best season for last, recording career highs with 36 points (14-22–36) in 62 games during his overage campaign. He was named a finalist for the Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy as the OHL’s Overager of the Year and earned Kingston’s Team MVP honours. After going undrafted in the NHL, the physical defenceman recently signed an ATO with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

 

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