Futures Watch: Soo Greyhounds’ 2026 Draft Class and New Faces

As the 2026-27 OHL season approaches, the Soo Greyhounds are preparing for a new campaign. We spoke with General Manager Kyle Raftis 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: Jaden Licastro

Profile: 6’2”, 186lbs, left-shot defenceman

Hometown: Vaughan, ON

Birthdate: Mar 2, 2010

Drafted: 1st Round, 12th Overall (2026 OHL Priority Selection)

2025-26 Stats (Toronto Marlboros U16 AAA): 32 GP, 11G, 19A, 30 PTS

Selected 12th overall in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection, Jaden Licastro captained the Toronto Marlboros U16 AAA program this past season, recording 30 points (11-19–30) in 32 regular-season games to lead all Marlboros defencemen in scoring. 

“Jaden is a guy we were really excited to get at 12. He has great size already, a powerful, quick stride, plays with an edge and can defend. He was put in a lot of situations last year with the Marlboros – power play, penalty kill, big minutes – and you could see him continue to get better as the year went on. For us, when you’re trying to build your back end for the future, those are the types of players you want to bring in. He can skate, he can move the puck, he competes, and there’s still a lot of room for him to grow. We’re really excited to see what he can do at this level.”

 

Player Spotlight: Alec Walker

Profile: 6’4”, 174lbs, left-shot forward

Hometown: Lithia, FL

Birthdate: Apr 8, 2010

Drafted: 4th Round, 62nd Overall (2026 OHL Priority Selection)

2025-26 Stats (Florida Alliance 15’s): 55 GP, 34G, 34A, 68 PTS

Selected 62nd overall in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection, Alec Walker recorded 68 points (34-34–68) in 55 games with the Florida Alliance 15’s program. The Florida native also represented Team Kelly at the USA Hockey Select 16 Player Development Camp, where he collected seven points (2-5–7) in four games. Walker was also ranked 13th on Elite Prospects’ final ranking of 2010-born American skaters.

“Alec was a guy we really liked. When we got to our pick at 62, we didn’t want to pass him up. He’s got size, he can skate, he’s got skill and the ability to get to the middle of the ice, all while making it look very smooth. When you can add a player with that skill set at that point in the draft, that’s something you feel pretty good about being able to work with in the coming years. As Alec’s strength and power continue to develop, he is a player we’re excited to get into our program and see how quickly he can make that jump.”

 

Player Spotlight: Nixon McCaig

Profile: 6’2”, 168lbs, left-shot defenceman

Hometown: Oakville, ON

Birthdate: May 4, 2010

Drafted: 4th Round, 72nd Overall (2026 OHL Priority Selection)

2025-26 Stats (Vaughan Kings U16 AAA): 33 GP, 5G, 7A, 12 PTS

Selected 72nd overall in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection, Nixon McCaig recorded 12 points (5-7–12) in 33 games from the blueline with the Vaughan Kings U16 AAA program, helping the club capture the GTHL title. He also suited up for two games with the Ayr Centennials, scoring twice.

“Nixon is a really smart defender. He’s probably a guy people will look at and say he’s more of a defensive defenceman, but there’s more to his game than that. He can really move the puck, skate, and play hard. He’s got good length, he competes, and he’s reliable. For us, that’s a really good foundation for a young defenceman. He’s a guy who can defend, but can also help you get out of your end and move the puck up the ice. We’re excited about having him in the group and watching him develop.”

 

Player Spotlight: Jake Hall

Profile: 6’1”, 161lbs, left-shot defenceman

Hometown: Whitesboro, NY

Birthdate: Mar 11, 2010

Drafted: 5th Round, 93rd Overall (2026 OHL Priority Selection)

2025-26 Stats (Notre Dame HA 15U AAA): 33 GP, 5G, 7A, 12 PTS

Selected 93rd overall in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection, Jake Hall recorded 35 points (6-29–35) in 46 games from the blueline with Notre Dame’s 15U program. He also competed with TPH Academy at this year’s OHL Cup, where he scored twice, before representing Team Orange at the USA Hockey Select 16 Player Development Camp and recording three assists in four games.

“Jake is another big defender who we think has a lot of upside. He’s got good size, he moves well, and there’s some offensive ability there as well. He put up good numbers with Notre Dame, so there’s already some confidence in his game with the puck. For us, when you get a young defenceman with that kind of size and offensive ability, you want to give him time and see where he can take it. We’re excited about Jake and what he can become.”

 

Player Spotlight: David Vermirovsky

Profile: 6’5”, 181lbs, goaltender

Hometown: Pardubice, CZE

Birthdate: Jul 25, 2008

Drafted: 1st Round, 34th Overall (2026 CHL Import Draft)

2025-26 Stats (Dynamo Pardubice Jr.): 27 GP, 3.23 GAA, .904 SV%

Selected with the Greyhounds’ first pick in the 2026 CHL Import Draft, David Vermirovsky joins the club from HC Dynamo Pardubice of the Czech U20 league. In 27 regular-season games, the 6-foot-5 netminder posted a 13-14 record alongside a 3.23 goals-against average and .904 save percentage. He followed that up with a strong postseason, recording a 2.72 goals-against average and .913 save percentage across 12 playoff appearances.

“At 6 foot 5, he’s obviously got the size, but what we liked was that he can move and he’s competitive. He’s got the ability to make some big saves with his athleticism. He’s played against older players in Czechia and has international experience as well, so he’s seen some pretty good hockey already. With his size and athleticism, he’s a guy we’re really looking forward to getting into our program and watching develop. After being passed over in the most recent NHL Draft, there’s a chip on his shoulder to prove he can step into the OHL and show what he’s capable of.”

 

Other members of the 2026 class include: 

PLAYER	POSITION	HOMETOWN	DOB	2025-26 TEAM	DRAFTED
Evan Miller	RW	London, ON	Mar 10, 2010	Huron-Perth Lakers U16 AAA	6th round, 113th overall
Jax Martin	LW	Foxboro, ON	Sep 29, 2010	Quinte Red Devils U16 AAA	7th round, 123rd overall
Joshua Jodoin	LW	Mississauga, ON	Apr 17, 2010	Mississauga Reps U16 AAA	7th round, 133rd overall
Matthew Taylor	C	Belle River, ON	Apr 19, 2010	Ajax-Pickering Raiders U16 AAA	9th round, 173rd overall
Owen Stevens	RD	Casselman, ON	Feb 27, 2010	Eastern Ontario Wild U16 AAA	10th round, 193rd overall
Leo Parini	RW	West Seneca, NY	Jul 2, 2010	Buffalo Jr. Sabres 15’s	11th round, 213th overall
Calder Anderson	LW	Ohsweken, ON	Oct 13, 2010	Brantford 99ers U16 AAA	12th round, 233rd overall
Kaiden Harper	G	London, ON	May 14, 2010	Elgin-Middlesex Canucks U16 AAA	13th round, 253rd overall
Landon Keefe	LW	Oakville, ON	Aug 20, 2010	Vaughan Kings U16 AAA	14th round, 273rd overall
Landon Bellchamber	RW	Georgetown, ON	Jan 30, 2010	Credit River Capitals U16 AAA	15th round, 289th overall
Finn Gilbert	LD	Severn, ON	Jul 10, 2009	Ridley College Tigers	1st round, 12th overall (U18)
Josh Pinchak	LD	Mississauga, ON	May 06, 2009	Burlington Eagles U18 AAA	2nd round, 32nd overall (U18)
Melichar Kovar	RW	Pardubice, CZE	Apr 7, 2009	Pardubice Jr. B	2nd round, 95th 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: Trevor Daley Jr.

Profile: 5’9”, 185lbs, left-shot forward

Hometown: Dallas, TX

Birthdate: Jul 11, 2009

Drafted: 3rd Round, 51st Overall (2025 OHL Priority Selection)

2025-26 Stats (U.S. National U17 Team): 4 GP, 0G, 1A, 1 PTS

Originally selected in the third round (51st overall) of the 2025 OHL Priority Selection, Trevor Daley Jr. appeared in four games with the U.S. National U17 Team during the 2025-26 season. In his draft year, the Dallas, Texas native recorded 87 points (32-55–87) in 47 games with the Florida Alliance 15O AAA program.

“Trevor is a really talented offensive player. He’s got elite speed; he can make plays, and he has the ability to create something every time he gets the puck. He’s a player that can pull you out of your seat with his creativity, vision and explosive speed. Obviously, there’s a lot of attention that comes with his last name, but for us it’s about Trevor and the player he is. With his skill package and being a constant student of the game, now it’s about getting him into our environment, letting him continue to develop and helping him round out his game.”

 

Player Spotlight: Doman Szongoth

Profile: 6’1”, 194lbs, left-shot forward

Hometown: Budapest, HUN

Birthdate: June 8, 2008

Drafted: 1st Round, 20th Overall (2025 CHL Import Draft)

2025-26 Stats (KooKoo U20): 44 GP, 10G, 18A, 28 PTS

Originally selected by the Greyhounds in the first round of the 2025 CHL Import Draft, Doman Szongoth joins the club after spending the 2025-26 season with KooKoo U20 in Finland, where he recorded 28 points (10-18–28) in 44 regular-season games. He was later selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the fifth round of the 2026 NHL Draft, becoming just the fifth Hungarian-born player selected in NHL Draft history.

The 6-foot-1 forward has represented Hungary on the international stage for four consecutive seasons. His recent appearances include the IIHF World Junior Championship Division I, Group B, where he recorded seven points (3-4–7) in five games; the U18 World Championship Division I, Group A, where he led Hungary with five goals in five games; and the IIHF World Championship, where he scored once in seven games. At just 16 years old, Szongoth also debuted for Hungary’s senior national team during the 2024 Olympic Qualifying tournament.

“Doman is an interesting player for us because he’s already played a lot of hockey with pro-calibre players. He’s played internationally at the World Championships, U18S, and other events where he’s consistently played against older players, and he’s shown what he can do at that level. There’s going to be an adjustment coming over and playing in the OHL, like there is for any European player, but he’s a competitive player with a skill set that should translate really well to how we want to play. We think there’s a lot there to work with, with the combination of his shooting ability, his ability to transport pucks and how efficient he is down low.”

 

Additional new faces include:  

PLAYER	POSITION	HOMETOWN	DOB	2025-26 TEAM	DRAFTED/ACQUIRED
Christopher Weiss	D	Washington Township, MI	Jan 17, 2009	Oakland Jr. Grizzlies 16U AAA (USHL)	6th round, 123rd overall (2025)
Cam Anderson	RW	Lake Villa, IL	June 16, 2009	Chicago Reapers 16U AAA (USHL)	9th round, 170th overall (2025)
William Camputaro	G	North York, ON	May 23, 2008	St. Thomas Stars (GOHL)	4th round, 80th overall (2024)
Isaiah Allen	D	Milton, ON	Nov 23, 2008	Kirkland Lake Gold Miners (NOJHL)	10th round, 200th overall (2024)

 

With an established veteran core already in place, the Greyhounds have used the offseason to continue building around that group while adding depth for the future. A particular emphasis has been placed on the back end, with several defencemen selected throughout the 2026 draft class and additional depth added between the pipes. With a mix of experience and young talent taking shape, the Greyhounds will look to balance the present with the future as they prepare for the 2026-27 season.

 

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