OHL In The System: Pittsburgh Penguins

This 32-part series will spotlight OHL players who are either signed to an NHL or AHL contract or are recently drafted, and are 25 years old or younger with 50 or fewer NHL games played.

Join us for OHL In the System!

Today, we will take a closer look at the Pittsburgh Penguins’ growing prospect pool.

 

Travis Hayes (RW) – Soo Greyhounds (2023-25)
Selected: 4th Round, 105th Overall (2025)
OHL Career Stats: 123 GP, 35 G, 51 A, 86 PTS, +17
Age: 17

The Penguins made Soo Greyhounds forward Travis Hayes their first OHL selection in the 2025 NHL Draft. The Westland, Mich. native tallied 51 points (21-30–51) over 65 regular-season games, finishing fifth in team scoring. Travis now joins his brother, Avery Hayes, in the Penguins organization, bringing a familial connection to Pittsburgh’s prospect pipeline.

 

Quinn Beauchesne (D) – Guelph Storm (2023-25)
Selected: 5th Round, 148th Overall (2025)
OHL Career Stats: 82 GP, 8 G, 23 A, 31 PTS, -10
Age: 18

A smooth-skating two-way defender, Quinn Beauchesne was selected by Pittsburgh in the fifth round of the 2025 NHL Draft. He notched 24 points (6-18–24) across 49 games with the Storm and represented Team Canada as an assistant captain at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship, registering four points (1-3–4) in seven games. His mobility and transitional play make him a compelling addition to the Penguins’ blue line depth.

 

Jordan Charron (RW) – Soo Greyhounds (2024-25)
Selected: 5th Round, 154th Overall (2025)
OHL Career Stats: 48 GP, 10 G, 11 A, 21 PTS., -19
Age: 18

Joining the Greyhounds from his hometown Ayr Centennials of the GOJHL, Jordan Charron stepped in and scored 10 goals over his first 48 games in the OHL, bringing a tenacious presence on the forecheck. The former sixth-rounder by Sault Ste. Marie in 2023 is committed to St. Lawrence University.

 

Finn Harding (D) – Mississauga/Brampton Steelheads (2022-25)
Selected: 7th Round, 223rd Overall (2024)
OHL Career Stats: 198 GP, 19 G, 82 A, 101 PTS, +93
Age: 20

Harding served as an alternate captain for the Brampton Steelheads in 2024-25, producing a career-best 57 points (7-50–57) in 59 games. His 50 assists set a franchise single-season record for a defenseman. After signing a three-year entry-level contract in March, Harding appeared in eight games with the ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers and is expected to debut with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the AHL this fall. 

 

Thomas Budnick (D) – Kingston Frontenacs (2021-24), Guelph Storm (2023-25), Brantford Bulldogs (2024-25)
Signed (AHL): April 27, 2025
OHL Career Stats: 233 GP, 15 G, 69 A, 84 PTS, +26
Age: 21

Budnick split his overage season between the Guelph Storm and Brantford Bulldogs, recording career highs in goals (7), assists (20), and points (27) over 46 games. Off the ice, he earned the Roger Neilson Memorial Award as the OHL’s top post-secondary student. He’ll make his pro debut with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in 2025-26 after signing a one-year AHL contract.

 

Avery Hayes (RW) – Hamilton Bulldogs (2018-23), Peterborough Petes (2022-23)
Signed: March 13, 2025
OHL Career Stats: 237 GP, 106 G, 97 A, 203 PTS, +41
Age: 22

A two-time OHL champion, Avery Hayes completed a strong sophomore campaign in 2024–25 with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, posting a career-high 42 points (23-19–42) in 60 regular-season games. He ranked second on the team in scoring, fifth in overall points, and second in plus/minus. Hayes recently signed a two-year entry-level contract with Pittsburgh.

 

Jack Beck (LW) – Ottawa 67’s (2019-23), Soo Greyhounds (2023-24)
Signed (AHL): June 3, 2024
OHL Career Stats: 204 GP, 68 G, 133 A, 201 PTS, +55
Age: 22

Originally selected in the sixth round of the 2021 NHL Draft by the Calgary Flames, Jack Beck signed a two-year AHL deal with the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins in June of 2024 after finishing his tenure in the OHL. The winger spent the majority of the 2024-25 season in the ECHL with the Nailers where he posted 36 points (8-28–36) in as many games, and added three points (1-2–3) in four AHL appearances. 

 

Chase Stillman (RW) – Sudbury Wolves (2019-2021), Peterborough Petes (2021-23)
Acquired: March 07, 2025
OHL Career Stats: 176 GP, 51 G, 80 A, 131 PTS, -31
Age: 22

A former OHL champion with the Peterborough Petes, Chase Stillman was acquired from the New Jersey Devils in a recent trade, having spent two seasons with the Utica Comets in the AHL. After arriving in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, the former first-round pick suited up for 19 games and collected three points (1-2–3).

 

Tomorrow on In The System, we’ll take a look at the OHL Talent inside the New York Islanders organization!