Futures Watch: Sarnia Sting’s 2026 Draft Class and New Faces
As the 2026-27 OHL season approaches, the Sarnia Sting are preparing to build on last year’s campaign. We spoke with General Manager Dylan Seca about the club’s 2026 draft class and the new faces fans should be watching heading into the upcoming season.
2026 Draft Class Revisit
Player Spotlight: Adrian Sgro
Profile: 6’0”, 185lbs, left-shot defenceman
Hometown: Tecumseh, ON
Birthdate: Mar 15, 2010
Drafted: 1st Round, 4th Overall (2026 OHL Priority Selection)
2025-26 Stats (Vaughan Kings U16 AAA): 33 GP, 10G, 21A, 31 PTS
Adrian Sgro is coming off an impressive season with the Vaughan Kings U16 AAA program, where he served as team captain. In 33 games during the 2025-26 season, he recorded 31 points (10-21–31), establishing himself as one of the premier defencemen in both the GTHL and the 2026 OHL Priority Selection class. The left-shot blueliner described himself as a “complete hockey player with high hockey I.Q.”
“Adrian is someone we believe could make an impact as early as this season. He’s the type of defenceman who can influence a game in every way. He’s competitive, plays a heavy, hard game, and combines that with elite puck skills, vision, and creativity. As captain of the Vaughan Kings, he’s also shown the leadership and winning mentality that will be very important for our hockey club.”
Player Spotlight: Evan Bannister
Profile: 6’0”, 172lbs, left-shot forward
Hometown: Georgetown, ON
Birthdate: Aug 06, 2010
Drafted: 2nd Round, 30th Overall (2026 OHL Priority Selection)
2025-26 Stats (Credit River Capitals U16 AAA): 33 GP, 38G, 26A, 64 PTS
Selected 30th overall in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection, Evan Bannister captained the Credit River Capitals U16 AAA during the 2025-26 season, recording 64 points and an OMHA-leading 38 goals in 33 regular-season games. The Georgetown native was named OMHA SCTA Player of the Year and added eight points (5-3–8) in four games at the 2026 OHL Cup.
“Evan is a very competitive, hard-nosed, in-your-face type of player who fits our identity perfectly. He’s a natural goal scorer and someone who demonstrated incredible leadership throughout the season.”
Player Spotlight: Brody Brown
Profile: 6’2”, 174lbs, right-shot forward
Hometown: Wheatley, ON
Birthdate: Jul 05, 2010
Drafted: 3rd Round, 43rd Overall (2026 OHL Priority Selection)
2025-26 Stats (Vaughan Kings U16 AAA): 33 GP, 7G, 28A, 35 PTS
Selected 43rd overall in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection, Brody Brown recorded 35 points (7-28–35) in 33 games with the Vaughan Kings U16 AAA. He suited up for one game with the Stouffville Spirit of the OJHL and is expected to play with the Leamington Flyers in the upcoming season.
“Brody is a really intriguing prospect. He brings great size, puck skills, and creativity. This is a combination that’s difficult to find in a player with his physical tools.”
Player Spotlight: Wyatt Finch
Profile: 6’1”, 174lbs, right-shot defenceman
Hometown: Arva, ON
Birthdate: Aug 17, 2010
Drafted: 5th Round, 100th Overall (2026 OHL Priority Selection)
2025-26 Stats (Huron-Perth Lakers U16 AAA): 30 GP, 1G, 20A, 21 PTS
Selected 100th overall in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection, Wyatt Finch played with the Huron-Perth Lakers U16 AAA program during the 2025-26 season and tallied 21 points (1-20–21) in 30 regular-season games from the blueline. He also suited up for six games with the London Nationals of the GOHL, where he recorded a goal and an assist and is expected to play with the Komoka Kings in the upcoming season.
“Wyatt is one of the most improved players in the province. He has excellent mobility, vision, and offensive creativity, and we’re excited to watch his development with the Komoka Kings in the GOJHL this season.”
Player Spotlight: Chase Pastor
Profile: 6’2”, 180lbs, goaltender
Hometown: Burlington, NJ
Birthdate: Jul 08, 2010
Drafted: 6th Round, 106th Overall (2026 OHL Priority Selection)
2025-26 Stats (Woodbridge Wolfpack Premier 15’s): 37 GP, 1.50 GAA, .891 SV%
Chase Pastor became the first goaltender selected by the Sarnia Sting in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection when the club chose the Burlington, NJ., native 106th overall. The 6-foot-2 netminder spent the 2025-26 season with the Woodbridge Wolfpack Premier 15’s, where he posted a 1.50 goals-against average and a .891 save percentage across 37 appearances. He was named to the THF 15U All-Tournament Team and will suit up for the Chicago Steel of the USHL in the upcoming season.
“Chase is one of the most athletic goaltenders we evaluated in this age group. We know he has interest in playing in our league, and we expect to see him in Sarnia at some point. We believe he has the ability to become a starting goaltender and someone you can win with.”
Player Spotlight: Ivan Tkach-Tkachenko
Profile: 6’3”, 181lbs, goaltender
Hometown: Burlington, NJ
Birthdate: May 30, 2007
Drafted: 1st Round, 10th Overall (2026 CHL Import Draft)
2025-26 Stats (Ufa Tolpar): 27 GP, 2.80 GAA, .894 SV%
Selected 10th overall in the first round of the 2026 CHL Import Draft, Ivan Tkach-Tkachenko is a native of Chernolesovsky, Russia, who spent the 2025-26 season with Ufa Tolpar of the MHL, posting a 2.80 goals-against average and a .894 save percentage in 27 games. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound left-catching goaltender was also selected by the Utah Mammoth in the fifth round (142nd overall) of the 2025 NHL Draft.
“Ivan, a Utah draft pick, brings outstanding size and athleticism. We expect him to be a very important part of our team this season, and we’re excited to welcome him to Sarnia.”
Other members of the 2026 class include:
| PLAYER | POSITION | HOMETOWN | DOB | 2025-26 TEAM | DRAFTED |
| Charles Mineman | LD | O’Fallon, IL | Jan 28, 2009 | St. Louis Blues AAA 16U | 7th round, 125th overall |
| Caiven Walos | C | Hartland, WI | Jul 05, 2010 | Madison Capitols 15’s | 8th round, 160th overall |
| Theo Gravelle | RD | Navan, ON | Mar 04, 2010 | Eastern Ontario Wild U16 AAA | 8th round, 161st overall |
| Oliver Iemma | LW | Ajax, ON | Jan 16, 2010 | Mississauga Senators U16 AAA | 7th round, 125th overall |
| Michael Campbell | RW | Frankfort, IL | Apr 03, 2010 | Mount St. Charles Academy 15’s | 11th round, 205th overall |
| Shayne Keefe | RW | Park Ridge, IL | May 06, 2010 | BioSteel Sports Academy U16 AAA | 12th round, 225th overall |
| Noah Crombeen | LW | Toronto, ON | Apr 13, 2010 | Upper Canada College Blues U16 | 13th round, 245th overall |
| Tyler Miele | C | Burlington, ON | Mar 07, 2010 | Toronto Red Wings U16 AAA | 7th round, 125th overall |
| Sully Kipfer | RD | Milverton, ON | Mar 05, 2010 | Huron-Perth Lakers U16 AAA | 7th round, 125th overall |
| Dean Sheridan | RD | Uxbridge, ON | May 29, 2009 | North Shore Whitecaps U18 AAA | 1st round,
4th overall (U18) |
| Padraic Landry | G | Georgetown, ON | Dec 23, 2009 | Halton Hurricanes U18 AAA | 2nd round, 24th overall (U18) |
| Jayden O’Neill | RW | Mississauga, ON | Jan 24, 2009 | Toronto Titans U18 AAA | 3rd round, 42nd overall (U18) |
| Jonas Frostestad Gulbrandsen | C | Stavanger, NOR | Oct 14, 2008 | Stavanger Oilers | 2nd round, 71st 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: Chase Sewell
Profile: 6’5”, 201lbs, left-shot defenceman
Hometown: Aylmer, ON
Birthdate: Sept 9, 2009
Drafted: 3rd Round, 54th Overall (2025 OHL Priority Selection)
2025-26 Stats (Strathroy Rockets): 43 GP, 2G, 5A, 7 PTS, 109 PIM
Chase Sewell is a 6-foot-5, 201-pound left-shot defenceman from Aylmer, ON, who spent the 2025-26 season with the Strathroy Rockets of the GOHL, recording seven points (2-5–7) in 43 regular-season games. He appeared in seven games with the Sting last year, making his OHL debut in January.
“Chase developed really well with the Strathroy Rockets and brings size, mobility, and toughness to our blue line. We believe he’ll add an important physical element to our defensive group.”
Player Spotlight: Myles Dunn
Profile: 5’10”, 176lbs, right-shot forward
Hometown: London, ON
Birthdate: June 18, 2009
Drafted: 8th Round, 157th Overall (2025 OHL Priority Selection)
2025-26 Stats (St. Thomas Stars): 47 GP, 25G, 32A, 57 PTS
Selected in the eighth round (157th overall) of the 2025 OHL Priority Selection, Myles Dunn put together an impressive 2025-26 season with the St. Thomas Stars of the GOHL, recording 57 points (25-32–57) in 47 games. His strong play earned him a call-up to the Sting, where he appeared in three games and registered an assist in his OHL debut against the Kitchener Rangers. Dunn’s performance throughout the season also earned league-wide recognition. In late January, he was named OHL Prospect of the Week after scoring five goals and adding two assists for seven points in just two games with the St. Thomas Stars. Earlier that month, he represented the St. Thomas Stars at the 2026 GOHL Top Prospects Game.
“Since selecting him in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection, we’ve been impressed with the way he has developed and challenged himself. His success in St. Thomas, combined with the maturity he showed during his time with our team last season, made it clear that he was ready for this next step. We’re excited to see what he can add to our forward group.”
Player Spotlight: Simon Katolicky
Profile: 6’4”, 198lbs, left-shot forward
Hometown: Havlickuv Brod, CZE
Birthdate: Jul 24, 2008
Drafted: 1st Round, 11th Overall (2025 CHL Import Draft)
2025-26 Stats (Tappara U20): 29 GP, 6G, 11A, 17 PTS
Selected by the Sting in the first round (11th overall) of the 2025 CHL Import Draft, Simon Katolicky spent the 2025-26 season with Tappara U20 in Finland, recording 17 points (6-11–17) in 29 games. Internationally, he has represented Czechia on multiple occasions, including helping his country capture a bronze medal at the 2026 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship. The 6-foot-4, 198-pound forward was also selected in the fifth round by the Calgary Flames in the 2026 NHL Draft.
“Simon is a very exciting prospect and a Calgary Flames draft pick. He has a rare combination of size, skill, and power, and we believe he’ll thrive here in Sarnia and in the OHL. We expect him to make an immediate impact and quickly become a fan favourite.”
Player Spotlight: Parker Holmes
Profile: 6’4”, 228lbs, left-shot forward
Hometown: South Mountain, ON
Birthdate: Mar 8, 2007
Acquired: Jun 2, 2026
2025-26 Stats (Barrie Colts): 49 GP, 6G, 11A, 17 PTS
Parker Holmes was originally selected by the Bulldogs in the seventh round (129th overall) of the 2023 OHL Priority Selection and has spent parts of two seasons in Brantford, appearing in 70 regular-season games, recording six goals and 11 assists. Following his rookie OHL season, Holmes was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the fourth round, 107th overall, of the 2025 NHL Draft.
“Parker, a Chicago Blackhawks draft pick, brings the physical presence we want our team to play with. He’s heavy, hard to play against, a proven leader, and we believe he has tremendous untapped potential. We expect him to play a very important role for us this season.”
Player Spotlight: Braydon Sisco
Profile: 5’9”, 161lbs, right-shot forward
Hometown: Kinnelon, NJ
Birthdate: Jan 15, 2009
Signed (FA): Jun 5, 2026
2025-26 Stats (North Jersey Avalanche 16U AAA): 26 GP, 23G, 31A, 54 PTS
Braydon Sisco joins the Sting after an impressive season with the North Jersey Avalanche 16U AAA program. In 26 games during the 2025-26 season, the 5-foot-9, 161-pound forward recorded 23 goals and 31 assists for 54 points, earning AYHL 16U All-American Forward honours after leading the league in both assists and points. He also suited up for three games with the Tri-City Storm of the USHL, where he recorded a goal and an assist.
“Braydon is a skilled forward we followed closely throughout the winter. His hockey sense and stick skills are difficult to find, and he’s put in a tremendous amount of work this offseason. We expect him to step in and become an important player for our team right away.”
Player Spotlight: Cole Emerton
Profile: 5’11”, 185lbs, right-shot defenceman
Hometown: Oro-Medonte, ON
Birthdate: Mar 4, 2008
Acquired: Jun 15, 2026
2025-26 Stats (Barrie Colts): 66 GP, 4G, 27A, 31 PTS
Acquired in an early offseason trade with the Barrie Colts, Cole Emerton was one of the OHL’s top rookie blueliners in 2025-26, appearing in all 66 regular season games for the Colts, recording four goals and 27 assists for 31 points. His standout debut campaign earned him a place on the OHL First All-Rookie Team. The right-shot defenceman continued to play a major role during Barrie’s run to the OHL Championship Series, contributing eight assists in 20 playoff games while logging significant minutes in all situations. A strong-skating puck mover, Emerton drew praise throughout his draft year for his offensive instincts and ability to lead the rush from the back end.
“Cole was a player we targeted from the start of the offseason. We knew acquiring someone of his calibre would come at a cost, but we believe he’ll make a significant impact in every aspect of our hockey club. He’s not only a gifted offensive defenceman, but he also defends well and brings outstanding leadership.”
Additional new faces include:
| PLAYER | POSITION | HOMETOWN | DOB | 2025-26 TEAM | DRAFTED/ACQUIRED |
| Sarvir Jaworski | LW | Pella, IA | Feb 24, 2009 | Sarnia Legionnaires | 2nd round, 42nd overall (2025) |
| Olivier Romain | RD | Toronto, ON | May 11, 2007 | Sarnia Legionnaires + Sarnia Sting (7 GP) | 1st round,
4th overall (U18 2025) |
| Carter Chadwick | LW | Cobourg, ON | Aug 18, 2007 | Chatham Maroons | FA (2026) |
| Wyatt Herres | RD | Neenah, WI | Jan 27, 2007 | Chicago Steel | FA (2026) |
While the Sarnia Sting look to return to the postseason for the first time in three years, the organization’s newest additions and promising young prospects will play an important role in shaping the club’s future. With a strong 2026 draft class and several impactful newcomers joining the roster, Sarnia has added a blend of size, skill and competitiveness as it prepares for the 2026-27 campaign.
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