Windsor Spitfires Prepare for Major Roster Transition in 2026-27 Season
The Windsor Spitfires are gearing up for a significant roster overhaul as the 2026-27 Ontario Hockey League season approaches. With a focus on maintaining competitiveness, the team faces the departure of numerous key players due to graduation and NHL opportunities, prompting a strategic look at emerging prospects.
Graduation and NHL Prospects Impact Roster Dynamics
In a bid to pursue a championship run this season, the Spitfires made strategic trades at the OHL deadline, parting with young talents like J.C. Lemieux and Carter Hicks, along with draft assets. This move, while aimed at immediate success, accelerates the club's graduation class for the 2025-26 season. General Manager Bill Bowler emphasized the delicate balance required in such decisions, stating, "It's a balancing act. You have to live in the present and give up assets, but it's not dire like a couple of years ago."
Up to a dozen players could conclude their junior hockey careers after this season, including overage players such as goalie Joey Costanzo, defenceman Wyatt Kennedy, and forward Alex Pharand. Additionally, captain Liam Greentree, A.J. Spellacy, and Nathan Villeneuve, all signed NHL prospects, are unlikely to return for overage seasons. Defenceman Jakub Fibigr, an NHL pick by Seattle, also seeks a contract, potentially depleting the roster further.
Potential Returnees and Pipeline Prospects
Forwards Cole Davis and Nathan Gaymes, along with defencemen Carson Woodall, Conor Walton, and Anthony Cristoforo, may return as overage players, but Bowler notes uncertainties due to NCAA opportunities. He remarked, "Some of those could be overagers, but even that's changing now with players having opportunities in the NCAA. It's kind of a wait-and-see."
Despite trading away assets, Bowler has been accumulating draft prospects in recent years, which could play a crucial role in sustaining team performance. Here's a closer look at some prospects expected to integrate into the Spitfires' future plans:
- Forward Max Brocklehurst: A third-round pick in the 2024 OHL Draft, Brocklehurst has split time between the Spitfires and the LaSalle Vipers over the past two seasons. In 26 games this season, he recorded two goals and five points. Bowler praised his development, saying, "Max has done everything we've asked him to do. He's a late birthday and undersized, but as he matures, he should make an impact. We think he's a point guy in our league."
- Forward Shawn Costello: Acquired from Oshawa in 2025, Costello is anticipated to bring size and experience to the roster next season, bolstering the team's depth and defensive capabilities.
As the Spitfires navigate this transitional period, the integration of these and other prospects will be vital for maintaining a competitive edge in the OHL. Fans can expect a dynamic lineup in 2026-27, shaped by strategic planning and emerging talent.
