OHL 20 in 20: Windsor Spitfires
The Windsor Spitfires have endured a wild ride post-Covid, reaching Game 7 of the OHL Championship Final in 2022, bulldozing their way through the 2022-23 season only to be bounced in the first round to come back and finish at the bottom of the league in 2023-24. The trajectory for the Spitfires is an upward one heading into 2024-25 under a new head coach in Greg Walters, and they’ll have the coveted Ethan Belchetz leading the way into the future for them up front.
| NOTABLE DEPARTURES | KEY ADDITIONS |
| G Max Donoso (U. Windsor) | F Ethan Belchetz (1st Ov. ’24) |
| F Colton Smith | F Max Brocklehurst (3rd Rd. ’24) |
| F Ryan Struthers (StFX) | F Ethan Garden (9th Rd. ’24) |
| D Djibril Toure (OTT) | F Nathan Gaymes (15th Rd. ’22) |
| D Connor Toms (Carleton U.) | D Carter Hicks (2nd Rd. ’24) |
| F Valentin Zhugin (Russia) | F J.C. Lemieux (2nd Rd. ’24) |
| D Tnias Mathurin (Trade NB) | |
| G Michael Newlove (1st Ov. ’24 U18) | |
| F Ilya Protas (3rd Ov. ’24 Import) | |
| G Jake Windbiel (7th Rd. ’24) |
Five Questions Heading into 2024-25:
1. What new life will Walters bring to Windsor?
A coach not lacking in energy, intensity or enthusiasm, Greg Walters steps behind the bench after missing most of the 2023-24 season. Can he ignite this young Windsor team? The Spits ended 2023-24 on a 13-game losing slide, so there’s nowhere for Walters to take this team but up.
2. How big of an impact will Belchetz have in his rookie season?
It’s a question everyone asks of the first overall pick. At 15, Belchetz more than matches his peers physically, but how quickly does he develop into a big in-game presence for the Spitfires? No question, they could use his offence, but others such as AJ Spellacy, Cole Davis, Jack Nesbitt and a healthy Owen Outwater will be looked to more prominently to provide an extra layer of scoring in the early going.
3. What is Greentree’s ceiling for offensive production in year three?
There’s no secret here anymore. Liam Greentree will be one of the best forwards in the OHL this coming season – the only question is, just how good is he? One would expect him to eclipse the 100-point mark, but how far beyond that can the LA Kings first round pick go? The Spits adding another capable body up front in Washington Capitals prospect Ilya Protas should help take a bit of a load off the shoulders of Greentree.
4. Can the defence tighten up?
The Spitfires allowed 360 goals last season, by far the most in the OHL. Big shutdown blueliner Tnias Mathurin could prove to be a very important add for Windsor in this department, paired with former first round pick Anthony Cristoforo entering his third OHL season. The back end still lacks experience, but maybe it’s something you bookmark to revisit come December to see how names like Conor Walton and Carson Woodall have progressed in their second full season.
5. Will Costanzo be a rock in his 19-year-old season?
Joey Costanzo was the first goaltender selected in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection, going 23rd overall to Niagara. Joining the Spits ahead of the 2022-23 season looked like a good move for him as he went on to go 26-6-0-2 over 40 games in his sophomore season. Like a lot of other names in Windsor, 2023-24 was forgettable for Costanzo. One would presume it’ll be his crease to cover out of the gate as he enters his 19-year-old campaign in the league in a goaltending group that also includes Carter Froggett, recently signed U.S. product Jake Windbiel and first overall OHL U18 Draft pick Michael Newlove.
Related Content:
– Futures Watch: Windsor Spitfires
