The Windsor Spitfires have finally secured the commitment of defenceman Sam Wathier, their fifth-round pick from the 2024 OHL Draft, after a two-year wait. The 18-year-old, who spent the past two seasons with the United States National Team Development Program (U.S. NTDP), has signed on to play for Windsor in the 2026-27 season.
Long-Awaited Signing
“I’m so excited,” said the six-foot-four, 218-pound Wathier. “It’s been a long time that I’ve been waiting to get this signed and done.” Wathier, a Boston College commit, decided to delay his NCAA career to play junior hockey with the Spitfires. “I’ve been tuning in with the Spits for the last year because I kind of knew after Christmas that I wanted to take a year here. I can’t wait to play in front of the amazing fans they have.”
Born in Des Moines, Iowa, Wathier spent only two weeks there before his family moved. His father, Francis Wathier, played 10 seasons for the Dallas Stars. Wathier grew up in Casselman, Ontario, about 55 kilometres southwest of Ottawa, and played minor hockey with the Eastern Ontario Wild program. His U.S. birth allowed him to join the NTDP.
Impact for the Spitfires
Spitfires general manager Bill Bowler called the signing a major boost. “This is a big signing for our team. With where he has played the last two years, for him to come and join us, it couldn’t have come at a better time. He’s a huge body that can cover a lot of ice, defend extremely well and I think there’s some untapped offensive ability.”
Wathier’s 2025-26 season with the U.S. under-18 team was cut short by a shoulder injury requiring surgery, which influenced his decision to join Windsor. “This year, I personally made the choice to play another year of junior and Boston College respected that decision. I could have (gone to the NCAA), but I took the position that another year of junior would be good for me. I’m just excited for a new opp. I’m glad Windsor took a chance on me. My goal is to play professionally one day. I think this choice will prepare me for my future. This season, it’s going to be a big year for me. I’ll get lots of reps and game touches and just be able to add more tools to my toolbox.”
Leadership and Development
The Spitfires were planning to break in up to three first-year defencemen in 2026-27: Grady Spicer, Jesse Debruyn, and Drake Gram. Wathier’s arrival adds a steady, mature presence. “I want to come in and try to be a leader,” said Wathier, who may explore a second season with Windsor after 2026-27. “I know they have some young guys on the team and I’ve had some great experiences playing in some big international tournaments and in some big moments the last two years. I want to come in and try to be a leader and a role model for the younger guys.”
Wathier is headed to Buffalo for this weekend’s NHL Draft, where he is expected to be selected. “It’ll be a fun day. I’m excited, but I’m going with no expectations,” he said. Bowler noted, “We anticipated him being an NHL pick when we drafted him. We’re ready to work with Sam and hopefully hear his name called this weekend.”
