As the 2026-27 OHL season approaches, the North Bay Battalion are preparing for a new campaign. We spoke with General Manager Adam Dennis 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: Owen Loftus
Profile: 6’1”, 163lbs, goaltender
Hometown: Toronto, ON
Birthdate: Apr 29, 2010
Drafted: 1st Round, 11th Overall (2026 OHL Priority Selection)
2025-26 Stats (Don Mills Flyers U16 AAA): 50 GP, 2.00 GAA, 9 SO
Selected 11th overall in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection, Owen Loftus was the first goaltender off the board. In 50 games with the Don Mills Flyers U16 AAA program last season, the Toronto, ON., native posted a 25-15-10 record, a 2.00 goals-against average and nine shutouts. Away from the rink, Loftus is also an accomplished pianist, having performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City at the age of 13.
“Owen was a difference maker for his team all season; he possesses a high hockey IQ and exceptional athleticism that gives them the opportunity to have a chance at every puck regardless of the situation.”
Player Spotlight: Alexandre Saulnier
Profile: 6’2”, 192lbs, left-shot forward
Hometown: Ottawa, ON
Birthdate: Apr 16, 2010
Drafted: 2nd Round, 35th Overall (2026 OHL Priority Selection)
2025-26 Stats (Ottawa Jr. 67’s U16 AAA): 17 GP, 5G, 19A, 24 PTS
Selected 35th overall in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection, Alexandre Saulnier recorded 24 points (5-19–24) in 17 regular-season games with the Ottawa Jr. 67’s U16 AAA program. The 6-foot-2, 192-pound forward added another 10 points (6-4–10) across 12 playoff contests.
“Alex flew under the radar a bit this season as he had a few injuries that cut into his game time. Despite that, he helped lead his team to the OHL Cup, where he was a key contributor. He brings a mix of size, strength and skill.”
Player Spotlight: Austin Ottenhof
Profile: 5’11”, 161lbs, right-shot forward
Hometown: Odessa, ON
Birthdate: June 7, 2010
Drafted: 3rd Round, 48th Overall (2026 OHL Priority Selection)
2025-26 Stats (Quinte Red Devils U16 AAA): 31 GP, 14G, 21A, 35 PTS
Selected 48th overall in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection, Austin Ottenhof recorded 35 points (14-21–35) in 31 games with the Quinte Red Devils U16 AAA program during the 2025-26 season.
“Austin plays the game the right way; he competes every shift and is the type of player that helps win big games down the stretch.”
Player Spotlight: Drew Hulbert
Profile: 5’11”, 191lbs, left-shot defenceman
Hometown: Toronto, ON
Birthdate: May 4, 2010
Drafted: 3rd Round, 60th Overall (2026 OHL Priority Selection)
2025-26 Stats (Don Mills Flyers U16 AAA): 16 GP, 4G, 7A, 11 PTS
Selected 60th overall in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection, Drew Hulbert joins Don Mills Flyers teammate Owen Loftus in North Bay’s 2026 draft class. The 5-foot-11, 191-pound defenceman recorded 11 points (4-7–11) in 16 games during the 2025-26 season while serving as captain of the Flyers.
“The captain of a very strong Don Mills back end brings consistency and maturity to a position that requires it. He helped lead his team to tournament wins and an OHL Cup birth.”
Player Spotlight: Grady Dale
Profile: 5’10”, 173lbs, left-shot forward
Hometown: Sudbury, ON
Birthdate: Aug 30, 2009
Drafted: 1st Round, 11th Overall (2026 OHL U18 Priority Selection)
2025-26 Stats (BioSteel Sports Academy U18 AAA): 50 GP, 28G, 45A, 73 PTS
Selected 11th overall in the 2026 OHL U18 Priority Selection, Grady Dale put together a productive 2025-26 campaign while serving as an assistant captain with BioSteel Sports Academy U18 AAA. The Sudbury, ON., native also suited up for one game with the Leamington Flyers of the OJHL, finding the back of the net in his lone appearance.
“Grady was a player we were familiar with in his U16 year with the Trappers. He had a great year at the BioSteel Academy and was very deserving of his selection this year.”
Other members of the 2026 class include:
| PLAYER | POSITION | HOMETOWN | DOB | 2025-26 TEAM | DRAFTED |
| Sebastien Fortin | RD | Woodstock, ON | June 14, 2010 | Vaughan Kings U16 AAA | 5th round, 92nd overall |
| Spencer Greenhalgh | LW | Ottawa, ON | Mar 25, 2010 | Florida Alliance 15’s | 6th round, 112th overall |
| Ethan Bridges | LW | Stratford, ON | Apr 1, 2010 | Huron-Perth Lakers U16 AAA | 6th round, 117th overall |
| Gavin Henry | RD | Georgetown, ON | Aug 3, 2010 | Credit River Capitals U16 AAA | 7th round, 132nd overall |
| Colten Wilkinson | LD | Holland Landing, ON | Aug 17, 2010 | Toronto Nationals U16 AAA | 8th round, 152nd overall |
| Ryder Nobes | C | Brooklin, ON | Aug 11, 2010 | Markham Majors U16 AAA | 9th round, 172nd overall |
| Ethan Davidson | RD | Nestleton, ON | Feb 22, 2010 | Central Ontario Wolves U16 AAA | 10th round, 192nd overall |
| Tayden Smith | RD | Sudbury, ON | Jan 3, 2010 | Sudbury Wolves U16 AAA | 11th round, 212th overall |
| Carter Trudell | RW | Belle River, ON | Jan 13, 2010 | Windsor Jr. Spitfires U16 AAA | 12th round, 227th overall |
| Dylan Dawe | C | Inglewood, ON | Sep 8, 2010 | Halton Hurricanes U16 AAA | 12th round, 232nd overall |
| Simon Godin | G | Kingston, ON | July 9, 2010 | Greater Kingston Jr. Gaels U16 AAA | 13th round, 252nd overall |
| Lucas Wellenreiter | LW | Waterdown, ON | Mar 5, 2010 | Don Mills Flyers U16 AAA | 14th round, 272nd overall |
| Aidan Duchesne | C | North Bay, ON | Feb 18, 2010 | North Bay Trappers U16 AAA | 15th round, 292nd overall |
| Wyatt Marks | RW | Waterloo, ON | Feb 22, 2009 | Waterloo Wolves U18 AAA | 2nd round, 31st overall (U18) |
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: Kameron Hodgson
Profile: 5’11”, 168lbs, right-shot forward
Hometown: Barrie, ON
Birthdate: Apr 2, 2008
Drafted: 6th Round, 118th Overall (2024 OHL Priority Selection)
2025-26 Stats (Culver Military Academy Prep): 58 GP, 36G, 27A, 63 PTS
Selected in the sixth round of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection, Kameron Hodgson recorded 63 points (36-27–63) in 58 games with Culver Military Academy Prep during the 2025-26 season. Over the previous two seasons with Culver’s 16U program, Hodgson amassed 115 points (64-51–115) across 90 games. He also appeared in one preseason game with the Battalion last August.
Player Spotlight: Austin Brekelmans
Profile: 6’0”, 188lbs, left-shot forward
Hometown: Strathroy, ON
Birthdate: Mar 8, 2008
Drafted: 7th Round, 138th Overall (2024 OHL Priority Selection)
2025-26 Stats (Culver Military Academy Prep): 53 GP, 38G, 40A, 78 PTS
Selected in the seventh round of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection, Austin Brekelmans tallied 78 points (38-40–78) in 53 games with Culver Military Academy Prep during the 2025-26 season. Like Hodgson, Brekelmans also appeared in one preseason game with the Battalion last August.
“Both Kam and Austin have been developing at Culver Academy and should be able to step in and make an immediate impact.”
Player Spotlight: Max Crete
Profile: 5’9”, 182lbs, left-shot forward
Hometown: Ottawa, ON
Birthdate: Apr 24, 2008
Acquired: June 18, 2026
2025-26 Stats (London Knights): 54 GP, 5G, 8A, 13 PTS
Originally selected by the Niagara IceDogs in the second round of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection, Max Crete heads to North Bay after spending the 2025-26 season with the London Knights. The Ottawa, ON., native appeared in 54 games, recording five goals and eight assists for 13 points.
Player Spotlight: Rene Van Bommel
Profile: 5’11”, 185lbs, left-shot forward
Hometown: Strathroy, ON
Birthdate: May 14, 2006
Acquired: Aug 4, 2026
2025-26 Stats (London Knights): 66 GP, 10G, 11A, 21 PTS
Rene Van Bommel heads to North Bay after spending the first three seasons of his OHL career with the London Knights. The Strathroy, ON., native recorded 21 points (10-11–21) in 66 games during the 2025-26 season. Originally selected by London in the 11th round (216th overall) of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, Van Bommel was a member of the Knights’ back-to-back OHL championship teams and helped the club capture the 2025 Memorial Cup. He is committed to Lake Superior State University for the 2027-28 season.
Player Spotlight: Nikolas Rossetto
Profile: 5’9”, 156lbs, right-shot forward
Hometown: Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Birthdate: Aug 2, 2006
Acquired: Aug 6, 2026
2025-26 Stats (London Knights): 49 GP, 6G, 3A, 9 PTS
Originally selected by the Brantford Bulldogs in the third round (53rd overall) of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection, Nikolas Rossetto appeared in 49 games during the 2025-26 season after returning from injury, recording nine points (6-3–9). The Sault Ste. Marie, ON., native also suited up for four playoff contests.
“All three trade acquisitions come with winning pedigrees from programs that have played deep in the playoffs (Rene winning the Memorial Cup). Both Max and Nik were top-rated prospects for the 2024 draft and join our strong group of players from that class.”
Additional new faces include:
| PLAYER | POSITION | HOMETOWN | DOB | 2025-26 TEAM | DRAFTED/ACQUIRED |
| Cole Vreugdenhil | G | Hannon, ON | Nov. 3, 2009 | Powassan VooDoos + North Bay (6 GP) | 5th round, 87th overall (2025) |
| Lincoln Edwards | LW | Don Mills, ON | Sept. 12, 2009 | King Rebellion/Cobourg Cougars + North Bay (7 GP) | 5th round, 89th overall (2025) |
| Devran Brown | D | Nepean, ON | Apr. 23, 2008 | Powassan VooDoos + North Bay (2 GP) | 6th round, 121st overall (2024) |
| Easton Poe | D | White Lake, MI | Mar. 6, 2008 | Haliburton County Huskies + North Bay (1 GP) | Free Agent (2025) |
With a mix of promising young talent and experienced additions joining the organization, the Battalion will enter the 2026-27 season with several new faces looking to make an impact in North Bay. Following an offseason that saw the club add depth through the draft, internal development and the trade market, the Troops will look to blend their incoming talent with the returning core as they prepare for a new campaign.
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