Futures Watch: Owen Sound Attack’s 2026 Draft Class and New Faces

As the 2026-27 OHL season approaches, the Owen Sound Attack are preparing for a new campaign under new management and leadership. We spoke with General Manager Tyler Nother about the club’s 2026 draft class and the new faces fans should keep an eye on heading into the season.

 

2026 Draft Class Revisit

“I think the thing that all of these players share is that they’re team-first guys and they want to win. When we went through the interview process with them, they had mentioned that they would be excited to be in Owen Sound. All of them are ecstatic to be here.”

 

Player Spotlight: Max Fransen

Profile: 6’0”, 190lbs, left-shot defenceman

Hometown: La Salle, ON

Birthdate: Sept 28, 2010

Drafted: 1st Round, 8th Overall (2026 OHL Priority Selection)

2025-26 Stats (Upper Canada College Blues U16): 69 GP, 29G, 60A, 89 PTS

Selected eighth overall in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection, Fransen joins the Attack following a strong season with the Upper Canada College Blues U16 program, recording 69 points (29-60–89) in 69 games. He also added seven points (2-5–7) in six games at the 2026 OHL Cup and was ranked ninth on the OHL’s Consensus Ontario Top-100 Rankings heading into the Priority Selection. Serving as captain of Upper Canada College, Fransen established himself as one of the premier defencemen in his age group through his ability to drive play, contribute offensively and excel in all situations.

“We see Max Fransen as the best puck-moving defenceman in the 2010 birth class. We just love the way that he can play on both sides of the puck. Obviously, he was the leader for that Upper Canada College team, just by the way that he was able to work on their power play and play in all situations. He has a really good understanding of what he’s able to do for himself on the ice with his own skill set. He really sets up his teammates to have success. So I think those are things that really stood out to us. We fully expect that Max is going to make a great transition to the OHL. He’s got the ability to process the game at a high level, and it’s going to be our responsibility to assist in his development.”

 

Player Spotlight: Matthew Zilinski

Profile: 5’10”, 159lbs, right-shot forward

Hometown: Cambridge, ON

Birthdate: Feb 21, 2010

Drafted: 2nd Round, 21st Overall (2026 OHL Priority Selection)

2025-26 Stats (Mississauga Senators U16 AAA): 25 GP, 14G, 21A, 35 PTS

Selected by the Attack in the second round (21st overall) of the 2026 OHL Priority Selection, Matthew Zilinski joins the organization as one of the club’s top prospects. Known for his combination of skill, hockey IQ and competitiveness, the Cambridge, Ont., native recorded 35 points (14-21–35) in just 25 regular-season games with the Mississauga Senators U16 AAA during the 2025-26 campaign.

“Matthew Zilinski is extremely competitive. I think that’s something that always stood out to myself and our scouting staff with him. He’s got really excellent feet and [we like] the way that he can get around the ice. He’s another player that can really play connected hockey as well and set his teammates up. He drives the play, he drives offensively. Those are things that are exciting for us and for our group. We think that as Matty continues to develop, he’s going to be a pretty darn good player in the OHL.”

 

Player Spotlight: Jace Voortman

Profile: 6’0”, 162lbs, left-shot forward

Hometown: Thunder Bay, ON

Birthdate: Aug 12, 2010

Drafted: 3rd Round, 46th Overall (2026 OHL Priority Selection)

2025-26 Stats (Toronto Jr. Canadiens U16 AAA): 21 GP, 12G, 9A, 21 PTS

Selected 46th overall in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection, Jace Voortman spent the 2025-26 season with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens U16 AAA, recording 21 points (12-9–21) in 21 regular-season games before adding four points at the OHL Cup.

“Jace is extremely responsible, which is something that we really liked about his game. He’s just a player that understands what’s needed at certain times of the game. You look at him at the Under-17s, and he scores some timely goals, and he’s out there taking faceoffs near the end of the game and being able to shut down the opposition’s top line. He just plays the game like a pro.”

 

Player Spotlight: Turner Stephenson

Profile: 6’3”, 176lbs, left-shot defenceman

Hometown: Innerkip, ON

Birthdate: Jun 24, 2010

Drafted: 3rd Round, 53rd Overall (2026 OHL Priority Selection)

2025-26 Stats (Upper Canada College Blues U16): 64 GP, 3G, 15A, 18 PTS

Selected 53rd overall in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection, Turner Stephenson spent the 2025-26 season patrolling the blue line for the Upper Canada College Blues U16, recording 18 points (3-15–18) in 64 games.

“Turner is six-foot-three, and I just think the way that he defends at that size, the way that he can read the game – he surfs really well and closes time and space in the neutral zone. He’s competitive. He wants to play hard. He’s willing to block shots. He’s just that defenceman that coaches like to put out there on the penalty kill and, when you’re up by a goal, make it hard on the opposition. I think that’s something that Turner will turn into very nicely.”

 

Player Spotlight: Mitchell Nouwens

Profile: 6’2”, 179lbs, goaltender

Hometown: Burlington, ON

Birthdate: Feb 09, 2010

Drafted: 5th Round, 85th Overall (2026 OHL Priority Selection)

Selected 85th overall in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection, Mitchell Nouwens was the first goaltender taken by the Attack in the 2026 draft. The 6-foot-2 Burlington, Ont., native joins the organization from the Toronto Red Wings U16 AAA program.

“Mitchell’s a guy that our staff was really high on. We really liked his compete level when he played for the Toronto Red Wings program. He’s obviously got good size at six-foot-two. Our guys were very high on him as we went through [the draft], and we were happy to get him where we got him in the draft.”

 

Player Spotlight: Roderik Cernak

Profile: 6’3”, 187lbs, right-shot defenceman

Hometown: Bratislava, SVK

Birthdate: Mar 19, 2008

Drafted: 1st Round, 22nd Overall (2026 CHL Import Draft)

2025-26 Stats (HC Slovan Bratislava U20): 25 GP, 4G, 10A, 14 PTS

Selected in the first round (22nd overall) of the 2026 CHL Import Draft, the 6-foot-3 Slovakian defenceman joins the Attack after spending the majority of last season with HC Slovan Bratislava U20. The right-shot blueliner recorded 14 points (4-10–14) in 25 regular-season games while posting a plus-10 rating.

“Obviously, he’s a big, right-handed shot defenceman that I think is going to be really good for us. He’s a great teammate. We did lots of background work on him to understand the individual that we were bringing in. He plays that hard-nosed game, is willing to block shots on the penalty kill and really understands who he is as a player. I think those are positives for us when you get a player that knows exactly how they need to play now to be successful.”

 

Other members of the 2026 class include: 

PLAYER	POSITION	HOMETOWN	DOB	2025-26 TEAM	DRAFTED
Colin MacCormack	RD	Philadelphia, PA	Feb 4, 2010	Woodbridge Wolfpack Premier 15’s	6th round, 104th overall
Innis Robinson	RW	Ottawa, ON	Aug 6, 2010	Ottawa Jr. 67’s U16 AAA	6th round, 109th overall
Dawson O’Connor	LD	Toronto, ON	Aug 25, 2010	Mississauga Reps U16 AAA	7th round, 122nd overall
Gavin Murphy	C	Markham, ON	May 05, 2010	Don Mills Flyers U16 AAA	8th round, 149th overall
Jack Riehl	RW	Mars, PA	Jan 20, 2010	Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 15’s	9th round, 169th overall
Lucas Tout	RW	Kincardine, ON	Mar 16, 2010	Grey-Bruce Highlanders U16 AAA	10th round, 191st overall
Austin Hall	LW	Livonia, MI	Jul 27, 2010	Detroit HoneyBaked 15’s	11th round, 209th overall
Jacob Ambrosio	LW	Oakville, ON	Jan 29, 2010	Toronto Red Wings U16 AAA	12th round, 229th overall
Cole Cartan	LW	Aurora, ON	Jan 09, 2010	York-Simcoe Express U16 AAA	12th round, 229th overall
Massimo Tomassi	G	Vaughan, ON	Jan 29, 2010	Mississauga Senators U16 AAA	14th round, 269th overall
Shea Huinink	RW	Whitby, ON	Mar 30, 2010	Ajax-Pickering Raiders U16 AAA	15th round, 293rd overall
Brechyn Aird	RD	Cobourg, ON	Sep 5, 2010	Ajax-Pickering Raiders U16 AAA	15th round, 296th overall
Sheamus Gunn	RW	Barrie, ON	Oct 3, 2008	North Central Predators U18 AAA	1st round, 8th overall (U18)
Jacob Kirstein	G	Redbridge, ON	Sep 22, 2009	CIH Academy Voyageurs Prep U18	2nd round, 28th overall (U18)
Finley Schroeter	RW	Mississauga, ON	May 18, 2008	Mississauga Rebels U18 AAA	3rd round, 45th overall (U18)
Mikhail Melikov	LW	Moscow, Rus	Feb 7, 2007	MHC Dynamo Moscow Jr.	2nd round, 83rd 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: Lucas Prud’Homme

Profile: 6’3”, 207lbs, left-shot forward

Hometown: Ottawa, ON

Birthdate: April 10, 2007

Drafted: 5th round, 91st overall (2023 OHL Priority Selection)

2025-26 Stats (Madison Capitols): 49 GP, 5G, 5A, 10 PTS

Originally selected by the Attack in the fifth round (91st overall) of the 2023 OHL Priority Selection, Prud’homme officially joins the Bears Den after spending the 2025-26 season with the Madison Capitols of the USHL. The 6-foot-3 Ottawa, Ont., native recorded 10 points (5-5–10) in 49 games while adding 184 penalty minutes and finishing with a plus-4 rating. Known for his physical presence and tenacity, Prud’homme brings a hard-nosed element to Owen Sound’s forward group.

“Extremely excited. I think Lucas is a player that can play any way you want to play. I think he has the ability to provide some secondary offence and some timely offence just with the way that he wants to play. He plays a playoff style of hockey. He’s in your face, he’s competitive, he hits hard, he hunts pucks, and he defends well. I think he’s somebody that the fans at our rink are going to appreciate the way that he plays. From everything that I’ve been able to see of him play, and even from recommendations from coaches in the past, this guy is all heart. He’ll do anything to help his team win. When we look to build out our program, being able to add a player like Lucas who has those intangibles is something for us. We were really excited to be able to get him, identify him within the prospect pool, get him to sign and have him excited to come to Owen Sound.”

 

Player Spotlight: Lucian Bernat

Profile: 6’4”, 201lbs, right-shot forward

Hometown: Bratislava, SVK

Birthdate: June 8, 2008

Drafted: 2nd round, 75th overall (2025 CHL Import Draft)

2025-26 Stats (Tappara U20): 37 GP, 15G, 16A, 31 PTS

Selected by the Attack in the second round (75th overall) of the 2025 CHL Import Draft, the 6-foot-4 winger arrives in Owen Sound following a strong 2025-26 season that saw him record 31 points (15-16–31) in 37 games with Tappara U20 in Finland. The Bratislava, Slovakia, native also represented his country at the 2026 IIHF World Under-18 Championship, registering four points (1-3–4) in seven games. Bernat was selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the sixth round (176th overall) of the 2026 NHL Draft

“Big forward, knows how to play the game the right way. He’s got a really good shot. I saw him score one the other week – pretty impressive player. I think the thing with Lucian is he wants to be a pro. He has those habits and the way that he works and what he’s willing to do to take that next step. He’s got really good skill. He wants to play the game direct, and I think that’s something that we can continue to help him with this year with our style of play that we have with the Owen Sound Attack. I think he’ll fit in well. We’ve got some skilled pieces that are going to be fun for Lucian to play with, but also returning guys to introduce a player like Lucian and have him work with those guys this year. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun for the fans at the Bayshore to watch.”

 

Player Spotlight: Ryerson Leenders

Profile: 6’1”, 179lbs, goaltender

Hometown: Nanticoke, ON

Birthdate: June 1, 2006

Acquired: June 2, 2026 

2025-26 Stats (Brantford Bulldogs): 39 GP, 2.69 GAA, 9.10 SV%

Ryerson Leenders appeared in 39 regular-season games with the Bulldogs during the 2025-26 campaign, posting a 27-5-4 record with a 2.69 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage. He also recorded two shutouts while handling the bulk of Brantford’s starts, helping the club capture the Hamilton Spectator Trophy as OHL regular-season champions. Originally selected by the Mississauga Steelheads in the second round (32nd overall) of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, Leenders brings plenty of experience to the Attack crease. The 6-foot-1 netminder has recorded 94 wins across 168 career regular-season games while adding another 16 victories in 30 playoff appearances.

“We feel that Ryerson Leenders can be the best goaltender in the Ontario Hockey League this year. I think with Ryerson’s pedigree that he’s had so far, he’s chasing down the most wins by a goaltender in OHL history this year. That’s a personal milestone that’s there, but I think it just speaks to the success that he’s been able to have in our league so far. He’s an overage player. He’s going to bring that element of leadership to us as well. That’s really exciting for us, to be able to add a player like Ryerson. We’re excited to see everything he’ll help our group do this year.”

 

Player Spotlight: Caden Bell

Profile: 5’11”, 165lbs, right-shot defenceman

Hometown: Scarborough, ON

Birthdate: Jan 15, 2009

Signed: Aug 1, 2026  

2025-26 Stats (St. Catharines Falcons): 46 GP, 11G, 29A, 40 PTS

Acquired by the Attack earlier this offseason in a trade with the Niagara IceDogs, Caden Bell officially joins the organization ahead of the 2026-27 season. The 17-year-old Scarborough, Ont., native enjoyed an impressive campaign with the St. Catharines Falcons of the GOHL, recording 40 points (11-29–40) in 46 regular-season games before adding 11 points in 16 playoff contests during the Falcons’ run to the Sutherland Cup Championship Series. Bell’s breakout season earned him a spot on the GOHL Eastern Conference All-Rookie Team, while he also represented the league at the MacPherson Challenge Tournament and participated in the GOHL Top Prospects Game.

“The GOHL does a fantastic job of being able to develop 16-year-old players and really serve as a launching pad to get into our league. I think Caden Bell definitely benefited from that. He had an excellent coach in Tyler Bielby, who I think is one of the top coaches in that entire league at the Tier II level. With that sort of development and the fact that he was able to play really big minutes for them and go on a little bit of a run with them in the Sutherland Cup playoffs, [you could] see the points that he produced in that amount of time. You look at that league and you look at point production for other players, Bell was elite in that league and did a really good job last year. He’s going to continue to have to work on his game as he makes the step, but I think with the solid development that he got there in St. Catharines and the GOHL, he’s going to be a great player for us this year.”

 

Player Spotlight: Cameron Merrick

Profile: 6’2”, 179lbs, left-shot defenceman

Hometown: Boston, MA

Birthdate: Nov 10, 2007

Acquired: Aug 6, 2026  

2025-26 Stats (Minnetonka High): 30 GP, 2G, 5A, 7 PTS

Acquired from the Brantford Bulldogs on August 6, Cameron Merrick joins the Attack after spending the 2025-26 season with Minnetonka High and Team The Base, where he recorded a combined 18 points (5-13–18) in 48 games.

“Cam’s a big, skating defenceman. I think that’s really exciting for us. When we looked at that deal, obviously we brought in a second-, a third- and a fourth-round pick as part of that deal along with Cam. For us, it was a situation where we were excited about Cam. We were excited about the picks we were able to generate from that deal. It’s very exciting for us.”

 

With a new-look management group, a promising 2026 draft class and several experienced additions joining the roster, the Attack will have plenty of new faces to watch as they prepare for the 2026-27 campaign. With training camp approaching, Owen Sound’s young talent will look to take the next step and help shape the club’s identity under its new leadership.

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________

FloHockey remains the exclusive streaming home of the Ontario Hockey League, delivering more than 680 regular-season games throughout the year, plus complete coverage of the OHL playoffs.

Subscribers can stream games live or watch on demand from anywhere, ensuring they never miss a goal, save, or highlight during the 2026-27 season. 

Whether you’re following your hometown team or tracking prospects across the league, FloHockey provides comprehensive coverage of every OHL club all season long.