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

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 18:45:18 +0000

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 three 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 in Owen Sound.” 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: 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: 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: 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: 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.

67’s sign forward Hannu Packalen

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 18:30:10 +0000

Colts announce contract extensions for Dylan Smoskowitz and Marty Williamson

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 13:32:19 +0000

The Barrie Colts have signed Head Coach Dylan Smoskowitz and General Manager Marty Williamson to contract extensions, keeping the pair at the helm of hockey operations as the club builds toward sustained success on and off the ice.

Canucks sign Adam Novotný to Three-Year, Entry-Level Contract

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 21:04:22 +0000

The Vancouver Canucks have announced the signing of Petes forward Adam Novotný to a three-year, entry level contract. Novotný, a forward from Kobylice, Czechia, was selected by the Canucks in the first round, 24th overall, in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, after spending the 2025-26 season with the Petes. Peterborough originally selected him in the first round, 8th overall, of the 2024 CHL Import Draft. In his first season in Peterborough, Novotný played in 58 games, scoring 34 goals and adding 31 assists for 65 points. He was also named a finalist for the William Hanley Trophy for the league's Most Sportsmanlike Player. “Congratulations to Adam on this amazing accomplishment,” said Petes General Manager and Vice President of Operations Michael Oke. “Adam has certainly put the work in to reach this point in his career, and it comes as no surprise to any of us on the staff to see him achieve this milestone. I’d also like to extend a congratulations to the Novotny family, who have supported Adam through every step of his hockey journey. We’re all incredibly proud of what he has accomplished so far in his career and are looking forward to supporting him as he continues to work towards his goal of playing in the NHL.” Before coming to Peterborough, the 2007-born forward featured in 41 games for Mountfield HK in Czechia’s top professional league, scoring one goal and adding two assists for three points. He also featured in 10 playoff games for Mountfield, scoring twice. In 2023, Novotný made his debut in the Czech Extraliga for Mountfield, scoring in his first game and becoming the youngest player to score a goal in the league at 15. “We are so happy for Adam, earning his entry-level contract with the Vancouver Canucks,” noted Petes Director of Player Personnel and Assistant Coach Patrick O’Connor. “Working with him every day, it is no surprise that he’s accomplished this. He is an elite athlete who is fully committed to developing and becoming a professional player in the NHL. This could not have happened to a nicer young man. Congratulations, Adam, you’ve earned it.” Vancouver Canucks General Manager Ryan Johnson had this to say about the signing in a media release sent out by the team: “Character, compete and a winning mentality, those are three of the things we really appreciate about Adam’s DNA. It was a small sample size, but he showed us a lot at our development camp last month in Abbotsford. Besides his strong skating, puck control, and quick release, Adam was relentless in his pursuit of the puck and battled very hard in each drill. A coachable and honest player, his leadership qualities were also noticeable, and you could tell right away how committed he is to try to do things the right way. We are very excited to have Adam sign his ELC and we look forward to working with him in the years to come.”

Firebirds sign import pick Martins Klaucans

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 18:52:22 +0000

FLINT - The Flint Firebirds announced that they have signed forward Martins Klaucans to a Standard Player Agreement. “I’m very excited for this next chapter,” Klaucans said. “I’ve heard a lot of good things about the organization. I can’t wait to meet the guys and get on the ice.” Klaucans was drafted by Flint with the 28th overall selection in the CHL Import Draft in June. He has spent the last two seasons playing in North America, most recently with the Sherbrooke Phoenix in the QMJHL last year. In 50 games with the Phoenix, Klaucans had four goals and seven assists. In 2024-25, he spent the year with the St. Cloud Norsemen of the NAHL. Klaucans is a native of Riga, Latvia, the same hometown as recent Firebirds Darels Uljanskis and Karlis Flugins. He played for his nation’s U18 national team the past three seasons and the U20 national team in the past two. SCOUTING REPORT FROM HEAD SCOUT MIKE OLIVERIO “Martins is a high-character player that plays with pace. Whether tracking opponents or gaining the offensive zone, he is always moving his feet. His compete level is what set him apart from others at the World U18’s.”

Futures Watch: Guelph Storm’s 2026 Draft Class and New Faces

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 18:12:04 +0000

As the 2026-27 OHL season approaches, the Guelph Storm are preparing for a highly anticipated campaign that will culminate with the club hosting the 2027 Memorial Cup. We spoke with the organization about its 2026 draft class and the new faces fans should keep an eye on heading into the upcoming season. 2026 Draft Class Revisit Player Spotlight: Declan McNally Profile: 6’6”, 180lbs, left-shot defenceman Hometown: La Salle, ON Birthdate: Sept 28, 2010 Drafted: 1st Round, 7th Overall (2026 OHL Priority Selection) 2025-26 Stats (Don Mills Flyers U16 AAA): 59 GP, 7G, 26A, 33 PTS Selected seventh overall in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection, Declan McNally put together a strong season on the blue line with the Don Mills Flyers U16 AAA program, registering 33 points (7-26–33) through 59 games in the regular season. The 6-foot-6 defenceman also added four points in five games at the 2026 OHL Cup and earned an invitation to Canada’s National U17 Development Camp. “Looking ahead, our club’s goal was to improve our size, skill, and physicality through the OHL Priority Selection, and we believe defenseman Declan McNally addresses these needs,” – General Manager, George Burnett Player Spotlight: Finley Butler Profile: 6’6”, 216lbs, right-shot forward Hometown: London, ON Birthdate: Mar 22, 2010 Drafted: 2nd Round, 29th Overall (2026 OHL Priority Selection) 2025-26 Stats (London Jr. Knights U16 AAA): 30 GP, 23G, 37A, 60 PTS Selected 29th overall in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection, Finley Butler put together an impressive 2025-26 campaign with the London Junior Knights U16 AAA squad. The 2010-born forward ranked second on his team in scoring with 60 points (23-37–60) in 30 regular-season games. Butler added four goals and three assists in six OHL Cup contests and also suited up in three junior hockey games with the GOHL’s Komoka Kings. “Butler is a big, powerful forward who combines size, skill, and physicality, making him difficult to contain in the offensive zone. He has soft hands, a strong touch around the net, plays with an edge, and is a high-character kid with big upside.” – Wade Branch, Head Scout Player Spotlight: Timothy Kazda Profile: 6’1”, 189lbs, right-shot forward Hometown: Ilava, SVK Birthdate: Oct 4, 2008 Drafted: 1st Round, 4th Overall (2026 OHL Priority Selection) 2025-26 Stats (Chicago Steel): 59 GP, 22G, 19A, 41 PTS Selected fourth overall in the 2026 CHL Import Draft, Timothy Kazda was the Storm’s lone selection in this year’s import draft. Last season, the Ilava, Slovakia native recorded 41 points (22-19–41) in 59 games with the USHL’s Chicago Steel and was named to the league’s All-Academic Team. Prior to joining the Steel, Kazda spent three seasons with Seacoast Performance Academy from the 14U to 16U levels, amassing 228 points (136-92–228) in 146 games. “Timo Kazda - our first round selection in the CHL Import Draft - had an impressive U18 World Championships where he led the tournament in scoring and was awarded MVP honours. We expect Timo to complement our scoring, pace, and physicality as he enters his NHL draft year.”– General Manager, George Burnett Other members of the 2026 class include:

PLAYER	POSITION	HOMETOWN	DOB	2025-26 TEAM	DRAFTED
Kellen Paetsch	RD	Spencerport, NY	Dec 11, 2010	Bishop Kearney Selects 15's	4th round, 68th overall
Joseph Fenwick	LW	Markham, ON	Jan 6, 2010	Markham Majors U16 AAA	5th round, 82nd overall
Ayden Dark	G	Ottawa, ON	Mar 5, 2010	Hill Academy U16	6th round, 114th overall
Alexander Moore	LW	Northville, MI	Aug 2, 2010	Detroit Little Caesars 15's	8th round, 148th overall
Chace Minard	LW	Owen Sound, ON	Jan 4, 2010	Grey-Bruce Highlanders U16 AAA	9th round, 168th overall
Colton Van Geffen	RD	Strathroy, ON	Feb 19, 2010	Huron-Perth Lakers U16 AAA	10th round, 188th overall
Jaxson Menary	C	Whitby, ON	Jun 1, 2010	Vaughan Kings U16 AAA	11th round, 208th overall
Jacob Tysick	C	Perth, ON	Feb 14, 2010	Ottawa Valley Titans U16 AAA	12th round, 228th overall
James Ware	LW	Greenwich, CT	Jun 3, 2010	Mid Fairfield Jr. Rangers 15's	13th round, 248th overall
Landon Girardi	LW	Niagara Falls, ON	Mar 8, 2010	Southern Tier Admirals U16 AAA	14th round, 268th overall
Joshua Pagani	LW	Toronto, ON	May 1, 2010	Vaughan Kings U16 AAA	15th round, 288th overall
Landyn Quirk	G	Cambridge, ON	Dec 30, 2009	Kitchener Jr. Rangers U18 AAA	1st round, 7th overall (U18)
Maddyx Chaput	LW	Oakville, ON	Jun 16, 2009	Huron-Perth Lakers U18 AAA	2nd round, 27th overall
Francesco Porporino	LD	Woodbridge, ON	Jul 6, 2008	Toronto Red Wings U18 AAA	3rd round, 44th overall

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. “Our club has made significant additions over the past number of months to complement our returning group of players for the 2026-27 season. Acquiring Ethan Czata, Ryan Roobroeck, Owen Griffin, and Adrien Bartovic provides us with depth up front in overall experience, skill, and leadership. Vlad Dravecky - a proven puck-moving defenseman who can play in all situations – is a welcome addition to our back end. Finally, bringing in goaltender Ben Hrebik gives our team a very capable and dependable tandem in goal.” – General Manager, George Burnett Player Spotlight: Ethan Czata Profile: 6’1”, 178lbs, left-shot centreman Hometown: Brampton, ON Birthdate: May 29, 2007 Acquired: June 2, 2026 2025-26 Stats (Niagara IceDogs): 63 GP, 25G, 28A, 53 PTS Acquired in a major offseason trade, Ethan Czata arrives in Guelph following three seasons with the Niagara IceDogs. Originally selected fifth overall in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection, the Brampton, Ont. native has recorded 125 points (53-72–125) in 193 career regular-season games. Czata served as Niagara’s captain during the 2025-26 season and was selected 56th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2025 NHL Draft. He also recently represented Canada at the World Junior Summer Showcase. Player Spotlight: Ryan Roobroeck Profile: 6’4”, 215lbs, left-shot winger Hometown: London, ON Birthdate: September 25, 2007 Acquired: June 19, 2026 2025-26 Stats (Niagara IceDogs): 49 GP, 30G, 28A, 58 PTS Acquired in another major offseason trade, Ryan Roobroeck joins the Storm following three standout seasons with Niagara. Originally selected second overall by the IceDogs in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection, the London, Ont. native recorded 196 points (99-97–196) in 176 career regular-season games, averaging better than a point per game in each of his three OHL seasons. His 99 career goals are the most among all 2007-born OHL players over the past three seasons. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound forward was selected 35th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2026 NHL Draft. Player Spotlight: Owen Griffin Profile: 5’11”, 165lbs, right-shot centreman Hometown: Markham, ON Birthdate: April 8, 2007 Acquired: June 10, 2026 2025-26 Stats (Niagara IceDogs): 66 GP, 25G, 42A, 67 PTS Acquired in an offseason trade, Owen Griffin joins the Storm following three seasons with the Oshawa Generals. Originally selected sixth overall in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection, the Columbus Blue Jackets prospect recorded 124 points (48-76–124) in 189 regular-season games with the Generals. Griffin was also a key contributor during Oshawa’s back-to-back appearances in the OHL Championship Series, producing 34 points in 42 playoff games, including 17 goals. He led all OHL players with 17 goals during the 2025 postseason. Selected by Columbus in the fifth round of the 2025 NHL Draft, Griffin also represented Canada at the 2023 U17 World Hockey Challenge, winning gold alongside several current Storm players. Player Spotlight: Adrien Bartovic Profile: 6’0”, 185lbs, left-shot forward Hometown: Pardubice, CZE Birthdate: Mar 9, 2007 Signed: July 23, 2026 2025-26 Stats (Bili Tygri Liberec U20): 29 GP, 20G, 25A, 45 PTS Originally selected in the first round (42nd overall) by the Brantford Bulldogs in the 2025 CHL Import Draft, Adrien Bartovic had his OHL rights acquired by the Storm earlier this offseason. Last season, the Pardubice, Czechia native recorded 45 points (20-25–45) in 29 games with Bili Tygri Liberec U20, finishing second on the team in scoring. The 2007-born forward also suited up in 17 games in Slovakia’s top professional league, recording three goals and an assist. Player Spotlight: Vladimir Dravecky Profile: 6’0”, 189lbs, right-shot defenceman Hometown: Trinec, CZE Birthdate: Dec 19, 2007 Signed: June 9, 2026 2025-26 Stats (Brantford Bulldogs): 58 GP, 9G, 19A, 28 PTS Acquired in an offseason trade, Vladimir Dravecky joins the Storm after establishing himself as one of the OHL’s top rookie defencemen with the Brantford Bulldogs. Selected 50th overall by Brantford in the 2025 CHL Import Draft, the Trinec, Czechia native recorded 28 points (9-19–28) and a plus-24 rating in 58 regular-season games. He added three assists in 11 playoff contests as the Bulldogs advanced to the Eastern Conference Championship Series. Dravecky also represented Czechia at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, helping his country earn silver, before being selected 141st overall by the New York Islanders in the 2026 NHL Draft. Player Spotlight: Ben Hrebik Profile: 6’3”, 204lbs, goaltender Hometown: Milton, ON Birthdate: April 4, 2006 Acquired: Aug 4, 2026 2025-26 Stats (Barrie Colts): 43 GP, 2.81 GAA, .920 SV% Acquired in one of the first trades following the reopening of the OHL trade window, Ben Hrebik joins the Storm after establishing himself as one of the league’s top netminders over the past two seasons. The Milton, Ont. native posted a .920 save percentage in each of his past two regular seasons and has compiled 47 victories across 77 career appearances. Last season, Hrebik helped backstop Barrie to the OHL Championship Series, posting a 12-6-2 playoff record with a 2.66 goals-against average and .922 save percentage in 20 postseason appearances. Originally selected by Barrie in the ninth round (173rd overall) of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, Hrebik elected to continue his junior career in the OHL after deciding not to attend his committed NCAA program. Additional new faces include:

PLAYER	POSITION	HOMETOWN	DOB	2025-26 TEAM	DRAFTED/ACQUIRED
Charlie Sullivan	LD	Toronto, ON	Mar 21, 2009	St. Andrew's College	3rd round, 47th overall (2025)
Hayden Martin	RD	Barrie, ON	Feb 27, 2009	Collingwood Blues + Guelph (2 GP)	4th round, 65th overall (2025)
Robert Matson	C	Binghamton, NY	Mar 10, 2009	Bishop Kearney Selects 16U AAA + Guelph (1 GP)	15th round, 285th overall (2025)

With the 2027 Memorial Cup on the horizon, the Storm have added a significant mix of size, skill, experience and leadership to complement their returning group. Between an intriguing 2026 draft class and several established OHL veterans joining the roster, there will be plenty of new faces to watch in Guelph as the club prepares for training camp and a highly anticipated season. ____________________________________________________________________________________ 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.

Storm sign forward Finley Butler

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:19:36 +0000

Guelph, ON – Guelph Storm General Manager George Burnett announced that 2026 second-round pick Finley Butler has signed an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with the hockey club.

The 6’5, 215 lbs forward from London, Ontario was selected 29th overall in this summer’s OHL Priority Selection in Kingston.

“Finley has a unique combination of high skill and physicality along with his tremendous size,” said General Manager George Burnett. “He has worked extremely hard this summer to improve his game and we are excited to welcome Fin and his family to the Storm organization.”

The right winger had an excellent 2025-2026 season with the London Junior Knights U16 AAA squad. The 2010-born forward ranked second on his team in scoring, recording 23 goals and 37 assists for 60 points in 30 regular season games. Butler culminated his U16 campaign with four goals and three assists in six OHL Cup games and suited up in three junior hockey games for the GOHL’s Komoka Kings.

“I’m honoured and excited to be a part of such an amazing organization,” said Butler. “I can’t wait to get started, meet the guys, and have a great season.”

Spirit announce additions, returning members of hockey operations staff

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:00:20 +0000

The Saginaw Spirit have announced a series of additions and returning members of their hockey operations staff ahead of the 2026-27 Ontario Hockey League season. Saverio Posa returns for his second season with the Spirit as an assistant coach, taking on an expanded role that will see him oversee Saginaw's penalty kill and work primarily with the club's defencemen. "I'm extremely grateful and excited to return to this organization," said Posa. "I want to thank our ownership group, Dave Drinkill, and Brendan Taylor for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to continue pursuing my dream of working in the best development league in the world. I'm looking forward to working alongside Brendan and the rest of our staff to create an environment where our players can develop, compete, and reach their full potential." A native of Grand Blanc, MI, Posa spent two seasons as an assistant and skill development coach with the Flint Firebirds before joining Saginaw for the 2025-26 campaign. He entered the OHL coaching ranks as Flint's video coach in 2022-23 after previously serving as head coach of the Little Caesars 19U women's team. Posa also brings OHL playing experience to the Spirit bench, having appeared in 232 regular-season games between the Windsor Spitfires and Guelph Storm. He captained Windsor during the 2012-13 season and was a member of the Spitfires' 2010 Memorial Cup championship team. Joining Posa on incoming head coach Brendan Taylor's staff is Aron Augustitus, who comes to Saginaw following five seasons with the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets. Augustitus served as Columbus' video coach in 2025-26 after spending the previous four seasons as an assistant video coach. "I'm really excited for the opportunity to work for such a well-respected and storied franchise like Saginaw," said Augustitus. "I want to thank Brendan, Dave, and all of management and ownership for bringing me on to the team. Between the players, staff, and the fan base as a whole, I'm really looking forward to the success we are going to have on and off the ice." Augustitus will primarily work with the Spirit's forwards while bringing his extensive video background to Taylor's coaching staff. "I am really excited to announce our bench staff for the upcoming season," said Taylor. "Saverio Posa had all positive reviews from both players and staff and has earned an elevated role where he'll be responsible for the overall development of the defensemen. Aron Augustitus will assist in working with the forwards and has extensive video experience that will help all players and coaches. I'm looking forward to both of them taking the next steps in their coaching careers." The Spirit have also added Josh Romano to their scouting staff, where he will be responsible for the Eastern United States. Romano spent last season scouting with the Niagara IceDogs after previously working with OHL Central Scouting. Several members of Saginaw's hockey operations staff will return for the upcoming season. Kevin Delamarter enters his third season as goaltending coach, while Austin Sadler returns for a fifth season as Director of Strength & Conditioning. Athletic Therapist Andrew Plate returns for his eighth season with the Spirit after joining the organization in 2019-20, while Saginaw native Aden Gohm enters his second season as Head Equipment Manager. Posa and Augustitus will join Taylor behind the Spirit bench as Saginaw opens its 2026-27 regular season on September 18 against the Soo Greyhounds.

Saginaw Spirit Charitable Foundation raised over $668,000 in 2025-2026 season

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 14:28:48 +0000

Saginaw, Mich. – Through its various jersey auctions, fundraising tickets, 50/50 sales and other endeavors, the Saginaw Spirit Charitable Foundation raised $668,192 benefiting nonprofit organizations of the Great Lakes Bay Region during the 2025-2026 season. “For 25 seasons, the Saginaw Spirit Charitable Foundation has been a pillar of hope for many of our region’s charities,” said President and Managing Partner Craig Goslin. “Partnering with the community is part of our mission statement. I’m very proud of our staff, players, fans and ownership as they all work together to create amazing positive results in making Saginaw and the Great Lakes Bay Region better tomorrow than we are today.” Leading the way was the 14th annual Hockey for the Homeless Night with the Rescue Ministries of Mid-Michigan. Through donations from fans, the pregame broomball tournament, and specialty jersey auction, the event raised $113,090. The event’s total impact dating all the way back its inception has now surpassed $780,000, equating to approximately 26,000 nights of shelter. The 18th annual Shocks and Saves charity game, in conjunction with Central Michigan University and the Pulse3 Endowment, raised $52,730 in the promotion of heart health awareness and the implementation of automated external defibrillators (AED’s) in the surrounding communities. From 50/50 drawings during the team’s 36 regular season and playoff home games, the Saginaw Spirit Charitable Foundation sent $204,830 to local charitable institutions, and an additional $28,650 from cash donations. The Spirit also awarded $15,000 in scholarships through the Charitable Foundation via their Huntington Youth Hockey Scholarship and Memorial Cup Legacy Scholarship programs. Additional funds were raised through specialty nights such as Go Gus Go, raising awareness for children with Angelman syndrome, First Responders Night, and Superhero Night with the CAN (Child Abuse and Neglect) Council. Saginaw’s 2026 preseason begins Friday, August 28th as they embark on a trip to play the Newfoundland Regiment of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). The Spirit being their 25th regular season on Friday, September 18th in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. against the Soo Greyhounds. The team’s 2026 home opener comes on Saturday, September 19th when they host the Flint Firebirds at 7:05pm at the Dow Event Center. Single game tickets go on sale Monday, August 17th at 9:00am.

Firebirds sign goaltender Liam Edgcumbe

Mon, 10 Aug 2026 20:24:55 +0000

FLINT - The Flint Firebirds announced that they have signed goaltender Liam Edgcumbe to a Standard Player Agreement. “I’m super excited to be signing with the Firebirds,” Edgcumbe said. “This has been a dream of mine since draft day in 2024.” Edgcumbe was selected by Flint in the eighth round of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection Draft. He made the GOHL Eastern Conference All-Rookie team last season, playing in 20 games for the Pelham Panthers. Edgcumbe posted a 13-6-0 record, with a 2.53 goals-against average and .926 save percentage. Edgcumbe, from Grimsby, Ontario, was named the GOHL Prospect of the Week on Oct. 6, 2025, after delivering back-to-back shutouts for the Panthers early in the season. “Flint is a historic hockey town,” Edgcumbe said. “I can’t wait to get in front of the fans and play with the same grit and passion that this city brings to the rink every night.” SCOUTING REPORT FROM DIRECTOR OF GOALTENDING DEVELOPMENT LUC LOBSINGER “Liam has really good size for the position and plays with a ton of confidence in his game. He has exceptional range in his lower half and seals off the bottom part of the net from the ice up. Liam’s strongest attributes are his hockey IQ and ability to read the play.”