The Windsor Spitfires are bringing together old friends as they announced the signing of defenceman Drake Gram on Tuesday. The 18-year-old, who was selected by the Spitfires in the eighth round of the 2024 OHL Draft, has signed a standard OHL scholarship and development agreement. Gram spent last season playing for Omaha in the USHL after starting the year with Danbury in the North American Hockey League.
Reunion with Ethan Garden
Gram will be reunited with Ethan Garden, his former teammate with the Little Caesars program. Garden was drafted by the Spitfires in the ninth round of the same draft and has been a regular in the lineup since his rookie season. The two have been friends since they were 10 years old, and Gram expressed excitement about joining Garden in Windsor.
“We’ve grown up playing together since we were 10-year-olds and not much has changed,” Gram said. “He said he loves it here and it’s a great spot.”
Garden, who has witnessed Gram’s development firsthand, believes his friend will be a valuable addition to the Spitfires’ blue line.
“The Spits are getting a competitive, two-way defenceman,” Garden said. “He plays the right way and can be used in any situation. I’m excited to be back on the same team as him.”
Development and Readiness
While Garden jumped directly into the OHL, Gram took a longer path. The Spitfires’ depth on defence in recent seasons meant Gram needed additional development time. He stayed with Little Caesars in 2024-25 before moving to the NAHL and then the USHL, where he gained valuable experience against older, more physical competition.
“I think it just helped me develop a lot,” said the six-foot, 182-pound Gram. “Being in the USHL, it’s a more physical league and it prepared me to play older guys.”
Spitfires general manager Bill Bowler is confident that Gram is ready to make the jump to the OHL.
“Drake was a high-profile kid when he played with Garden,” Bowler said. “When we’re drafting, especially in that draft, we drafted guys we thought could play in the OHL and Drake continued to get better. He can play any style of game and he doesn’t mind the physical part of the game. Physically, he’s older, stronger and ready to play in the league.”
Future Plans
Gram, who hails from Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan, attended Windsor’s prospects camp in 2024 and is now eager to cross the border on a full-time basis. Although he has a verbal commitment to Lindenwood University in Missouri, Gram plans to play two seasons with the Spitfires before deciding on his NCAA future.
“Once I had that USHL experience, I knew making the jump to the OHL would be easier,” Gram said. “I love being a battle guy. Being in the defensive zone and winning your battle and making that first pass. I like to make a good first pass and jumping into the rush or being in that second wave.”
Season Opener Against London Knights
The OHL also released each team’s home-opening game on Tuesday, and for the second consecutive year, the Spitfires will face the London Knights in their home opener. Windsor will host London on Sept. 19 at 7:05 p.m. for the club’s first regular-season game of the 2026-27 season. The contest will cap a home-and-home set, with the Spitfires visiting London on Sept. 18 for the Knights’ home opener at 7 p.m.
