Futures Watch: Ottawa 67’s 2026 Draft Class and New Faces
As the 2026-27 OHL season approaches, the Ottawa 67’s are preparing for a new campaign. We spoke with General Manager Jan Egert about the club’s 2026 draft class and some of the new faces fans should keep an eye on heading into the upcoming season.
2026 Draft Class Revisit:
Player Spotlight: Andrew Laurin
Profile: 6’1”, 176lbs, right-shot forward
Hometown: Belleville, ON
Birthdate: Apr 9, 2010
Drafted: 1st Round, 18th Overall (2026 OHL Priority Selection)
2025-26 Stats (Quinte Red Devils U16 AAA): 34 GP, 26G, 25A, 51 PTS
Selected 18th overall in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection, Andrew Laurin spent the past three seasons with the Quinte Red Devils program. During the 2025-26 campaign, he recorded 51 points (26-25–51) in 34 games before adding another 12 points (6-6–12) across eight postseason contests.
“Our scouting staff highlighted Andrew as a priority player of interest quite early in the evaluation season. He is a multi-dimensional winger who can play with pace and physicality, and competes for his ice. He can score in various ways. His mentality and passion match the 67’s DNA; we look forward to seeing him don the Barberpoles jersey.”
Player Spotlight: Henri Packalen
Profile: 5’11”, 170lbs, right-shot forward
Hometown: Kingston, ON
Birthdate: Feb 15, 2010
Drafted: 2nd Round, 26th Overall (2026 OHL Priority Selection)
2025-26 Stats (Peterborough Petes U16 AAA): 32 GP, 13G, 30A, 43 PTS
Selected 26th overall in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection, Henri Packalen spent the 2025-26 season with the Peterborough Petes U16 AAA program, registering 43 points (13-30–43) in 32 games. He also appeared in six games with Peterborough’s U18 team, recording five points, before adding another five points in five games at the Telus Cup.
“Henri is a highly intelligent player and person who sets very high standards for himself. Those standards were reflected in his hockey throughout the season and personal academic success to date. His responsible playmaking, IQ and competitive spirit give him a strong platform to transition into the 67’s chapter of his hockey career.”
Player Spotlight: Brayden Jaravata
Profile: 5’11”, 168lbs, left-shot defenceman
Hometown: Vaughan, ON
Birthdate: Mar 24, 2010
Drafted: 2nd Round, 36th Overall (2026 OHL Priority Selection)
2025-26 Stats (Hill Academy U16): 60 GP, 12G, 26A, 38 PTS
Selected 36th overall in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection, Brayden Jaravata spent the 2025-26 season with The Hill Academy U16 program, recording 38 points (12-26–38) in 60 games. He also represented The Hill Academy at the OHL Cup, adding three points in four games. The left-shot defenceman is expected to continue his development with St. Andrew’s College during the 2026-27 season.
“Brayden is a lightning rod for activity. He is an athletic defenseman who is physically competitive, engages in battles, and makes a smart outlet pass. There is a natural energy and intensity to him as a person, which he is comfortable displaying in competition. We look forward to supporting Brayden’s development at St. Andrew’s College before he transitions to the 67’s as a full-time member of our club.”
Player Spotlight: Brayden Grima
Profile: 5’11”, 188lbs, left-shot forward
Hometown: Toronto, ON
Birthdate: Mar 16, 2010
Drafted: 3rd Round, 55th Overall (2026 OHL Priority Selection)
2025-26 Stats (Toronto Jr. Canadiens U16 AAA): 30 GP, 21G, 23A, 44 PTS
Selected 55th overall in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection, Brayden Grima registered 44 points (21-23–44) in 30 games with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens U16 AAA program during the 2025-26 season. The left winger carried that production into the OHL Cup, recording 13 points (5-8–13) in seven games on his way to earning OHL Cup All-Star Team honours.
“Brayden is a player who is comfortable playing all three forward positions and displays flexibility in his approach to the game. He can play with intensity and tenacity on the boards, or use his puck skill & intelligence to produce offensively in space. A team-leading 13 points in seven OHL Cup games doesn’t happen by luck, which he was recognized for with his OHL Cup All-Star team nod. That is a reflection of Brayden’s ability to elevate his performance in a championship-setting.”
Other members of the 2026 class include:
| PLAYER | POSITION | HOMETOWN | DOB | 2025-26 TEAM | DRAFTED |
| Ben Slavick | LW | Westland, MI | Feb 26, 2010 | Detroit Little Caesars 15’s | 5th round, 99th overall |
| Ethan Zivanovich | RD | Stoney Creek, ON | Feb 18, 2010 | Brantford 99ers U16 AAA | 6th round, 116th overall |
| Jake Readings | C | London, ON | Feb 2, 2010 | London Jr. Knights U16 AAA | 7th round, 139th overall |
| Marcus Smolcic | G | Ottawa, ON | May 21, 2010 | Ottawa Valley Titans U16 AAA | 8th round, 159th overall |
| Ethan Mears | RD | Arnold, MO | Feb 11, 2010 | St. Louis Blues AAA 15’s | 9th round, 179th overall |
| Jack Lee | RW | Innisfil, ON | Mar 28, 2010 | Barrie Jr. Colts U16 AAA | 10th round, 199th overall |
| Cameron Sheppard | LW | Stittsville, ON | Sep 4, 2009 | Arnprior Packers Jr. B | 11th round, 219th overall |
| Isaac Charbonneau | RW | Cornwall, ON | Mar 12, 2010 | Eastern Ontario Wild U16 AAA | 13th round, 259th overall |
| Connor Reed | G | Lancaster, NY | Mar 11, 2010 | Buffalo Jr. Sabres 15’s | 14th round, 279th overall |
| Kaleb Peplinskie | C | Pembroke, ON | Apr 30, 2010 | Ottawa Valley Titans U16 AAA | 15th round, 299th overall |
| Eli Humphrey | C | Cambridge, ON | Apr 14, 2009 | Waterloo Wolves U18 AAA | 1st round, 18th overall (U18) |
| Andy Huang | LW | King City, ON | Oct 8, 2009 | St. Andrew’s College Varsity | 2nd round, 38th overall (U18) |
| Vilho Vanhatalo | RW | Tampere, FIN | Jan 18, 2008 | Tappara Tampere U20 | 1st round, 52nd overall (Import) |
2026 New Faces:
*Note: Player additions are current as of publication. Team signings remain ongoing, and this section will be updated throughout the offseason as additional players are signed and trades are completed.
Player Spotlight: Jack Johnson
Profile: 6’3”, 192lbs, right-shot defenceman
Hometown: Stouffville, ON
Birthdate: Apr 21, 2009
Drafted: 2nd Round, 32nd Overall (2025 OHL Priority Selection)
2025-26 Stats (Navan Grads): 44 GP, 4G, 26A, 30 PTS
Originally selected 32nd overall in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection, Jack Johnson spent the majority of the 2025-26 season with the Navan Grads of the CCHL, recording 30 points (4-26–30) in 44 games. The blueliner also gained his first taste of OHL action with the 67’s, appearing in 10 regular-season games and recording two assists before joining the club during its playoff run.
“Jack is set to join the 67’s in a full-time role this season, after experiencing the OHL across various opportunities during the 2025-26 season. Jack played a key role for the Navan Grads in the CCHL last season and meticulously focused on his development. He earned the chance to be exposed to OHL playoff intensity in the second round against the Barrie Colts and now possesses a good foundation to transition into the OHL.”
Player Spotlight: Jaiden Newton
Profile: 5’11”, 180lbs, left-shot forward
Hometown: Whitby, ON
Birthdate: Oct 13, 2007
Acquired: June 24, 2026
2025-26 Stats (Barrie Colts): 67 GP, 7G, 12A, 19 PTS
Originally selected by the Barrie Colts in the second round (26th overall) of the 2023 OHL Priority Selection, Jaiden Newton brings three seasons of OHL experience to the Nation’s Capital. The Whitby, ON., native appeared in 174 regular-season games with Barrie and recorded 19 points (7-12–19) across 67 games during the 2025-26 campaign.
“Jaiden brings over lots of OHL experience with him to Ottawa, including multiple Eastern Conference Championship appearances with the Barrie Colts over the past three seasons. Our scouting staff had the opportunity to get to know Jaiden in his OHL draft year with the Whitby Wildcats, and the energy, passion, and competitive spirit he displayed then still hold true now. We are looking forward to Jaiden joining us in the Nation’s Capital, elevating our club, and reaching our mutual ambitions.”
Additional new faces include:
| PLAYER | POSITION | HOMETOWN | DOB | 2025-26 TEAM | DRAFTED/ACQUIRED |
| Cade Campbell | D | Toronto, ON | Mar 14, 2009 | Kemptville 73’s (CCHL) + Ottawa (3 GP) | 3rd round, 48th overall (2025) |
| Reid Hayes | RW | La Salle, ON | July 16, 2009 | Leamington Flyers (OJHL) + Ottawa (4 GP) | 3rd round, 53rd overall (2025) |
| Noah La Gambina | G | Richmond Hill, ON | July 18, 2009 | St. Andrew’s College | 5th round, 98th overall (2025) |
| Colby Coombe | LW | Troy, MI | Dec 15, 2009 | Chicago Reapers 16U AAA | 11th round, 207th overall (2025) |
With a mix of high-end skill from the 2026 draft class and several players ready to take on larger roles, the 67’s have added plenty of youth and depth heading into the new season. Alongside newcomers with previous OHL experience, Ottawa’s developing prospects will look to make their mark as the Barberpoles prepare for the 2026-27 campaign.
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