As the 2026-27 OHL season approaches, the Windsor Spitfires are preparing for a new campaign. We spoke with General Manager Bill Bowler about the club’s 2026 draft class and some of the new faces fans should keep an eye on heading into the upcoming season.
2026 Draft Class Revisit:
Player Spotlight: Lauchlan Whelan
Profile: 6’0”, 156lbs, left-shot forward
Hometown: Cobourg, ON
Birthdate: Aug 13, 2010
Drafted: 1st Round, 16th Overall (2026 OHL Priority Selection)
2025-26 Stats (Quinte Red Devils U16 AAA): 34 GP, 32G, 22A, 54 PTS
Selected 16th overall in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection, Lauchlan Whelan spent the past three seasons with the Quinte Red Devils program. During the 2025-26 campaign, Whelan recorded 54 points (32-22–54) in 34 games before adding another 15 points (12-3–15) across eight postseason contests. He was also invited to Canada’s National Under-17 Development Camp.
“Lauchlan is an exciting, gifted offensive player with high energy. When scouting him, his drive and pace are what jumped out. He seemed to be on the scoresheet every time we watched him play.”
Player Spotlight: Bogdan Yakushevsky
Profile: 6’0”, 180lbs, left-shot forward
Hometown: Chita, RUS
Birthdate: Jan 16, 2009
Drafted: 1st Round, 46th Overall (2026 CHL Import Draft)
2025-26 Stats (CSKA Moskva U17): 27 GP, 21G, 24A, 45 PTS
Selected 46th overall in the 2026 CHL Import Draft, Bogdan Yakushevsky split the 2025-26 season between CSKA Moskva’s U17 and U18 teams and Krasnaya Armiya Moskva of the MHL. Across the three competitions, Yakushevsky appeared in 63 games and recorded 78 points (36-42–78). He is eligible for the 2027 NHL Entry Draft.
“Bogdan is a high-energy elite prospect. He is a tenacious competitor who brings intensity every shift.”
Other members of the 2026 class include:
| PLAYER | POSITION | HOMETOWN | DOB | 2025-26 TEAM | DRAFTED |
| Jake LaMontagne | LD | New Hudson, MI | Jan 27, 2010 | Detroit HoneyBaked 15’s | 4th round, 69th overall |
| Ryan Hanutke | LW | Chippewa Falls, WI | Mar 11, 2010 | Shattuck-St. Mary’s Sabres 15’s | 4th round, 79th overall |
| Cameron Jolicoeur | LW | Sarnia, ON | Mar 9, 2010 | London Jr. Knights U16 AAA | 7th round, 126th overall |
| Jack Trupiano | C | St. Clair Shores, MI | Jun 11, 2010 | Detroit Little Caesars 15’s | 7th round, 137th overall |
| Nolan Hardy | G | Oshawa, ON | Jan 3, 2010 | Toronto Marlboros U16 AAA | 8th round, 157th overall |
| Will Johnston | LD | Chicago, IL | Mar 29, 2010 | Shattuck-St. Mary’s Sabres 15’s | 9th round, 177th overall |
| Greyson Ward | LW | Penetanguishene, ON | Jun 30, 2010 | Upper Canada College Blues U16 | 10th round, 197th overall |
| Quentin Graham | LD | Brampton, ON | July 6, 2010 | Oakville Rangers U16 AAA | 11th round, 207th overall |
| Kane Grayson | LD | Toronto, ON | May 21, 2010 | Toronto Titans U16 AAA | 11th round, 217th overall |
| Kai Duquette | LW | Belle River, ON | Jan 22, 2010 | Sun County Panthers U16 AAA | 12th round, 223rd overall |
| Nathan Croskery | G | Oakville, ON | Aug 6, 2010 | Oakville Rangers U16 AAA | 12th round, 239th overall |
| Mcallister King | RD | Rochester, NY | Jan 1, 2010 | Rochester Jr. Americans 15’s | 13th round, 257th overall |
| Kole Gahunia | C | Pickering, ON | Jul 22, 2010 | Toronto Red Wings U16 AAA | 14th round, 277th overall |
| Stefano Chiavetti | C | Hamilton, ON | Nov 26, 2010 | Guelph Gryphons U16 AAA | 15th round, 297th overall |
| Anthony Carchidi | C | Woodbridge, ON | Mar 13, 2009 | Vaughan Kings U18 AAA | 1st round, 16th overall (U18) |
| Beckett Campbell | G | Chesterville, ON | Mar 22, 2009 | Upper Canada Cyclones U18 AAA | 2nd round, 36th overall (U18) |
| Jackson Bodnar | RD | Toronto, ON | Aug 20, 2009 | Markham Waxers U18 AAA | 3rd round, 49th 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: Michal Svrcek
Profile: 5’11”, 190lbs, left-shot forward
Hometown: Zilina, SVK
Birthdate: Jan 26, 2007
Drafted: 1st Round, 53rd Overall (2025 CHL Import Draft)
2025-26 Stats (Brynas IF U20): 11 GP, 6G, 12A, 18 PTS
Selected 53rd overall in the 2025 CHL Import Draft, Michal Svrcek spent the 2025-26 season developing his game in Sweden. He recorded 18 points (6-12–18) in 11 games with Brynas IF’s J20 team and appeared in 12 SHL contests before being loaned to Västerås IK of HockeyAllsvenskan for 10 games.
Internationally, Svrcek has represented Slovakia at both the U18 World Championship and the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, recording a goal and an assist in five games at the latter. He was selected by the Detroit Red Wings in the fourth round, 119th overall, of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
“Svrcek is a National Team player, NHL pick and high-octane player who is expected to make an immediate impact. He creates off the rush, manages the puck well and understands what is expected of him in all three zones.”
Player Spotlight: Ty Bergeron
Profile: 6’2”, 185lbs, left-shot forward
Hometown: Flat Rock, MI
Birthdate: May 26, 2009
Drafted: 3rd Round, 45th Overall (2025 OHL Priority Selection)
2025-26 Stats (Muskegon Lumberjacks): 55 GP, 6G, 14A, 20 PTS
Selected 45th overall in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection, Ty Bergeron spent the 2025-26 season with the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the United States Hockey League (USHL), recording 20 points (6-14–20) in 55 games. The Flat Rock, MI., native also appeared in nine games with the U.S. National Team Development Program, recording a goal and an assist. Internationally, Bergeron represented the United States at the U17 World Hockey Challenge, where he added a goal and an assist in four games.
“Competed for USA at the Hlinka Gretzky Tournament; he’s a versatile forward with a big frame, and we’re expecting him to have a big season at both ends of the ice. He can play any style of game, and his hockey IQ presents a challenge to the opposition as he’s hard to defend.”
Player Spotlight: Max Brocklehurst
Profile: 5’9”, 166lbs, right-shot forward
Hometown: Sackville, NS
Birthdate: Dec 30, 2008
Drafted: 3rd Round, 57th Overall (2024 OHL Priority Selection)
2025-26 Stats (Windsor Spitfires): 27 GP, 2G, 3A, 5 PTS
After making his OHL debut during the 2024-25 season, Max Brocklehurst split last year between the Spitfires and the LaSalle Vipers of the GOHL. Brocklehurst recorded five points (2-3–5) in 27 regular-season games with Windsor before joining LaSalle, where he produced 16 points (7-9–16) in 12 regular-season contests.
“Max has matured nicely over the last few seasons; we expect Max to contribute offensively and play with an edge. His instincts make him aware of everyone on the ice, which allows him to create scoring chances.”
Player Spotlight: Sam Wathier
Profile: 6’4”, 207lbs, left-shot defenceman
Hometown: Des Moines, IA
Birthdate: May 17, 2008
Drafted: 5th Round, 96th Overall (2024 OHL Priority Selection)
2025-26 Stats (U.S. National U18 Team): 32 GP, 1G, 2A, 3 PTS
Selected 96th overall in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection, Sam Wathier continued his development with the U.S. National Team Development Program last season, seeing time with both the U17 and U18 teams as well as the USHL’s NTDP Juniors squad. Across the three teams, Wathier appeared in 42 games and recorded a goal and two assists before his season was cut short due to injury.
“Played for USNTDP last season; he’s a big body with a big frame. He defensively closes in on players and takes time and space away effectively. He should garner lots of attention from NHL scouts.”
Additional new faces include:
| PLAYER | POSITION | HOMETOWN | DOB | 2025-26 TEAM | DRAFTED/ACQUIRED |
| Ian Inskip | LW | L’Original, ON | Feb 5, 2009 | LaSalle Vipers (GOHL) + Windsor (5 GP) | 2nd round, 30th overall (2025) |
| Jesse Debruyn | D | Exeter, ON | Feb 3, 2009 | Komoka Kings (GOHL) + Windsor (6 GP) | 4th round, 76th overall (2025) |
| Hamza Havusic | C | Etobicoke, ON | July 3, 2008 | Stouffville Spirit (OJHL) | 1st round, 18th overall (2025 U18) |
| Grady Spicer | D | Brockville, ON | July 17, 2008 | LaSalle Vipers (GOHL) + Windsor (3 GP) | 4th round, 71st overall (2024) |
| Jake Windbiel | G | Elk Grove Village, IL | Feb 11, 2008 | LaSalle Vipers (GOHL) | 7th round, 124th overall (2024) |
| Drake Gram | D | Grosse Pointe Park, MI | Jan 16, 2008 | Omaha Lancers (USHL) | 8th round, 144th overall (2024) |
| Jack O’Dell | D | Chicago, IL | July 30, 2009 | Phillips Academy Andover (USHS-Prep) | Aug 5, 2026 (FA) |
With a combination of high-end skill, size and depth joining the organization, Windsor has added several intriguing pieces ahead of the 2026-27 season. Alongside a returning group looking to take another step, the club’s incoming talent gives the Spitfires added depth throughout the lineup as they look to build on last season and remain among the contenders in the Western Conference.
____________________________________________________________________________________
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.
