OHL talent displayed on NHL stage at 2025 Rookie Camps
The NHL Rookie Camps and Preseason Showcases are often the first taste of professional hockey for many of the game’s brightest young stars. Each September, various NHL organizations gather to showcase their top draft picks and invitees in a competitive environment that mirrors the speed and intensity of the league itself. For current and former OHL players, the tournament-style hub offers not only a chance to measure themselves against the best but also a reminder of how far their development path has taken them.
For Soo Greyhounds forward Travis Hayes, the experience was nothing short of surreal. “It’s a really surreal feeling, putting on this NHL jersey for the first time. It’s something you dream about as a little kid,” said Hayes, who added that the OHL has provided him with the tools to seize this moment. “I think the OHL has really prepared me for this moment; it’s the best development league in the world.”
Goaltender Ryerson Leenders entered the tournament with the poise of a veteran, now heading into his fourth OHL season and second with the Brantford Bulldogs. “The nerves aren’t really there anymore. It’s more that I just gotta do my thing and play my game,” said Leenders, crediting the OHL for sharpening his skills along the way. “The development I’ve gotten through the OHL has been unreal, specifically with the goalie coaches I’ve had at both organizations; they’ve helped me so much throughout my OHL career so far.”
Meanwhile, Owen Sound Attack defenceman David Bedkowski carried the same passion and intensity he’s known for in the OHL into the Prospects Challenge. “Ever since I got to Owen Sound, the community has just embraced me right away. It’s super motivating and really easy to go to the rink every day in such an amazing atmosphere and play for my teammates and our fans,” he shared. He also pointed to the level of competition in the league as a crucial factor in his development. “It doesn’t get any better than playing with and against the top picks of the NHL every night. That helps you become more comfortable playing against them and just gain overall confidence.”
For Hayes, Leenders, and Bedkowski, the common thread is clear: the Ontario Hockey League remains a premier development league. The chance to step into an NHL sweater, even in a preseason tournament, is validation of the growth achieved through the OHL’s combination of elite competition, coaching, and community support.
As both the Rookie Camps and Prospect Challenges wrap up, some players remain in NHL camps battling for roster spots, while others return to their OHL clubs to prepare for season openers this week. Either way, the showcase stands as yet another reminder of the OHL’s unmatched impact in shaping the future stars of the game.
For a complete list of OHL players and alumni who competed and participated in the 2025 NHL Rookie Camps and Prospect Challenges, click here.
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The Ontario Hockey League’s 2025-26 season gets underway Sept. 18th, marking the first time fans around the world can watch OHL hockey live on FloHockey! Every regular season and playoff game will be streamed live and on demand, giving fans an easy way to follow their team from anywhere. Fans looking for an OHL live stream can find every game at FloHockey.tv or download the FloSports app, available on iOS and Android devices, as well as streaming hardware like Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV.
