Futures Watch: Erie Otters 2026 Draft Class and New Faces
As the 2026-27 OHL season approaches, the Erie Otters are preparing to build on last year’s campaign. We spoke with members of the organization about the club’s 2026 draft class and the new faces fans should keep an eye on heading into the upcoming season
2026 Draft Class Revisit
Player Spotlight: Colin Kennedy
Profile: 5’9”, 174lbs, left-shot forward
Hometown: Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Birthdate: March 11, 2010
Drafted: 1st Round, 2nd Overall (2026 OHL Priority Selection)
2025-26 Stats (Det. Little Caesars U15): 20 GP, 24G, 12A, 36 PTS
Selected second overall in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection, Colin Kennedy produced 36 points (24-12–36) in 20 games with the Detroit Little Caesars U15 AAA program during the 2025-26 season. The Sault Ste. Marie native added seven points (5-2–7) in five games at the 2026 OHL Cup and was recently named to Canada’s National Under-17 Development Camp.
“Adding a player of Colin Kennedy’s calibre to our organization is extremely exciting. Colin’s combination of speed, offensive ability, relentlessness, and commitment to a 200-foot game will be a welcome addition to our lineup. He fits the identity of our organization, and we believe he will be an exciting player to watch this upcoming season and for years to come”
Player Spotlight: Tanner Gibson
Profile: 6’1”, 154lbs, goaltender
Hometown: Oshawa, ON
Birthdate: June 15, 2010
Drafted: 3rd Round, 50th Overall (2026 OHL Priority Selection)
2025-26 Stats (Ajax-Pickering U16 AAA): 15 GP, 2.22 GAA, 1 SO, 7-4-0
The only goaltender selected by the Otters in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection, Tanner Gibson appeared in 15 games with the Ajax-Pickering Raiders U16 AAA during the 2025-26 season, posting a 2.22 goals-against average and one shutout. He also started three games at the 2026 OHL Cup, recording a 2.29 GAA and .923 save percentage, and was recently named to Canada’s National Under-17 Development Camp.
“Throughout the season, we were impressed with Tanner Gibson’s consistency and ability to always give his team a chance to win. He continued to improve as the season progressed, and this development curve is exciting to us. Tanner’s energy and attitude off the ice are infectious, and we believe that Tanner is a massive addition to our depth at the goaltending position.”
Player Spotlight: Zack Forwell
Profile: 5’6”, 163lbs, left-shot forward
Hometown: Elmira, ON
Birthdate: March 23, 2009
Drafted: 1st Round, 2nd Overall (2026 OHL U18 Selection)
2025-26 Stats (Waterloo Wolves U18 AAA): 33 GP, 27G, 38A, 65 PTS
Selected second overall in the 2026 OHL Under-18 Priority Selection, Zack Forwell recorded 65 points (27-38–65) in 33 games with the Waterloo Wolves U18 AAA during the 2025-26 season. He added six points (2-4–6) in five games at the TELUS Cup before making his junior debut with the Elmira Sugar Kings, where he scored his first GOHL goal. He has since signed with the Fort Erie Meteors.
“Zack Forwell was extremely productive this past season. Not only was he relied on offensively, but he brought a ton of energy to his team and was a clear leader of a group that made it to the Telus Cup. He brings a very high compete level every shift.”
Player Spotlight: Paul Schuster
Profile: 5’10”, 176lbs, right-shot forward
Hometown: Wien, AUT
Birthdate: Jul 26, 2009
Drafted: 1st Round, 19th Overall (2026 CHL Import Selection)
2025-26 Stats (EC RD 20 EB): 16 GP, 9G, 12A, 21 PTS
Paul Schuster became the first Austrian-born player selected by the Erie Otters in the CHL Import Draft. Last season, he split time between EC Salzburg U20 and the RB Hockey Juniors of the Alps Hockey League, recording 34 points (14-20–34) in 42 games. Schuster has also represented Austria internationally, appearing in 18 games between the U18 and U20 national teams while serving as an alternate captain with the U18 squad.
“Paul is highly skilled and loves to shoot the puck. He has the ability to be an offensive threat with his quickness and desire to attack open ice. He has pro and international experience at 16 years old, and we believe this will help his transition to the OHL.”
Player Spotlight: Luka Arkko
Profile: 6’3”, 212lbs, left-shot forward
Hometown: Lahti, FIN
Birthdate: Jan 14, 2008
Drafted: 2nd Round, 65th Overall (2026 CHL Import Selection)
2025-26 Stats (Pelicans U20): 42 GP, 11G, 14A, 25 PTS
Luka Arkko arrives in Erie with experience at both the professional and junior levels in Finland after being selected by the Detroit Red Wings in the sixth round (175th overall) of the 2026 NHL Draft. The Lahti native split last season between Pelicans U18 and U20, recording 33 points (17-16–33) in 46 combined games. He also represented Finland’s U18 National Team, producing 11 points (6-5–11) in 14 games.
“Luka Arkko is a player we targeted early on in the process. His size, willingness to go to hard areas, and relentlessness around the puck add another element to our forward group.”
Other members of the 2026 class include:
| PLAYER | POSITION | HOMETOWN | DOB | 2025-26 TEAM | DRAFTED |
| Jake Prunty | RD | Jefferson, NJ | Mar 4, 2009 | Sioux Falls Stampede | 2nd round, 22nd overall |
| Christian Del Buono | C | Richmond Hill, ON | Mar 10, 2010 | Upper Canada College Blues U16 | 4th round, 63rd overall |
| Joshua D’Addario | C | Vaughan, ON | Jan 7, 2010 | Mississauga Reps U16 AAA | 5th round, 90th overall |
| Colton Cribari | RD | Markham, ON | Apr 4, 2010 | Markham Majors U16 AAA | 6th round, 103rd overall |
| Milan Kutsevich | C | Naperville, IL | Feb 2, 2010 | North Jersey Avalanche 15’s | 8th round, 143rd overall |
| Thomas Visser | LW | Greely, ON | Oct 16, 2010 | Upper Canada Cyclones U16 AAA | 9th round, 163rd overall |
| Gianni Livolsi | RW | Woodbridge, ON | Jul 4, 2010 | Toronto Marlboros U16 AAA | 10th round, 186th overall |
| Maksym McCabe | LW | Wilmington, NC | Sept 17, 2010 | Windy City Storm 15’s | 11th round, 261st overall |
| Cole Sipotz | LD | Saline, MI | Feb 5, 2010 | Detroit Little Caesars 15’s | 13th round, 23rd overall |
| Gavin Springer | C | Buffalo, NY | Feb 18, 2010 | Buffalo Jr. Sabres 15’s | 14th round, 263rd overall |
| Cash Harper | RD | Bowmanville, ON | Feb 22, 2010 | Peterborough Petes U16 AAA | 15th round, 283th overall |
| Liam Karbowski | G | Brampton, ON | Nov 2, 2009 | Toronto Nationals U18 AAA | 2nd round, 22nd overall (U18) |
| Ethan Levkov | LW | Vaughan, ON | Mar 16, 2009 | Mississauga Senators U18 AAA | 3rd round, 41st overall (U18) |
2026 New Faces
*Note: Player additions are current as of publication. Team signings remain ongoing, and the OHL offseason trade window reopens on Tuesday, August 4 at 9:00 a.m. ET.
Player Spotlight: Broden McArthur
Profile: 6’0”, 185lbs, right-shot defenceman
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Birthdate: Feb 24, 2009
Drafted: 5th Round, 99th Overall (2025 OHL Priority Selection)
2025-26 Stats (U.S. National U17 Team): 55 GP, 3G, 10A, 13 PTS
Drafted in the fifth round (99th overall) of the 2025 OHL Priority Selection, Broden McArthur spent last season with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program. He recorded 13 points (3-10–13) in 55 games with the U17 squad while adding nine points (2-7–9) in 37 USHL contests. The 6-foot defenceman is committed to the University of Minnesota for the 2028-29 season.
“When we got word that Broden chose to continue his development in Erie, we were over the moon. We were very impressed by Broden in his OHL draft year, and he is clearly one of the premier defencemen in America for his age group. Broden’s two-way game and skating ability will fit in well with our defence group next season.”
Player Spotlight: David Egorov
Profile: 6’2”, 195lbs, goaltender
Hometown: Ottawa, ON
Birthdate: May 18, 2006
Acquired: Jun 2, 2026
2025-26 Stats (Brantford Bulldogs): 29 GP, 2.49 GAA, .920 SV%, 4 SO, 21-4-3-0
Acquired in an early offseason trade, David Egorov arrives in Erie after four successful seasons in Brantford. Originally selected in the fourth round (64th overall) of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, the Ottawa native established himself as one of the league’s top goaltenders, compiling a 44-16-7 record with a 3.04 goals-against average and .901 save percentage over 77 career games. Off the ice, he was named a finalist for the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy in recognition of his work advocating for mental health alongside the Canadian Mental Health Association Brant-Haldimand-Norfolk.
“David is not only a well-established goaltender in our league who will bring us stability, but he is also a fantastic person, highlighted by being a finalist for the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy. Otter fans should be excited to see David both in the crease at the EIA and in the community.”
Player Spotlight: Liam Beamish
Profile: 5’11”, 190lbs, left-shot forward
Hometown: Beamsville, ON
Birthdate: Jan 4, 2007
Acquired: Jun 2, 2026
2025-26 Stats (Sarnia Sting): 66 GP, 11G, 22A, 33 PTS
Liam Beamish recorded 33 points (11-22–33) in 66 games with the Sarnia Sting during the 2025-26 season, his second in the OHL. Originally selected in the eighth round (151st overall) of the 2023 OHL Priority Selection, Beamish developed with the Fort Erie Meteors of the GOHL, earning Golden Horseshoe Conference Rookie of the Year honours before making the jump to major junior.
“Liam is a player whom we have coveted for some time. He is great in the faceoff circle, has a strong 2-way game, and we believe there is another level of offence to his game. As we look to strengthen our forward group for next season, we feel Liam will fit in well on both sides of the ice.”
Additional new faces include:
| PLAYER | POSITION | HOMETOWN | DOB | 2025-26 TEAM | DRAFTED/ACQUIRED |
| AJ Gladman | RD | Thornhill, ON | Jan 19, 2009 | St. Michael’s Buzzers | 4th Round (2025) |
| Lyndon Cabral | RW | Hanover, ON | Aug 15, 2009 | Listowel Cyclones | 4th Round (2025) |
| Anton Gesink | C | Wilmette, IL | May 9, 2009 | Ridley College | FA (2026) |
With an impressive 2026 draft class, highlighted by second overall selection Collin Kennedy, several high-profile additions, and returning talent already in place, the Otters have laid the foundation for an exciting new year. As training camp approaches, fans will get their first look at the next generation of players looking to make their mark in the Flagship City.
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