Spitfires signing plum picks
A summer breeze of signings continues to strengthen and supplement the Spitfires ahead of the ’26-27 Ontario Hockey League season. The latest inclusions are a dandy duo of 2010 birth year youngsters from the 2026 OHL priority selections draft — forward Lauchlan Whelan and defenseman Jake LaMontagne.
The 6 foot, 160 pound Whelan was selected by Windsor in the first round, 16th overall from the Quinte Red Devils. Meanwhile, the 6 foot 5, 195 pound LaMontagne was taken by the Spitfires in the fourth round, 69th overall from the Detroit HoneyBaked program.
Lauchlan Whelan. Hailing from Cobourg, Ontario, Whelan is coming off of a ’25-26 season for Quinite is which he skated in 42 games and produced 44 goals, 25 assists, 69 points. Spitfires general manager Billy Bowler refers to Whelan as “a dynamic and talented forward with an exciting style of play.”
Jake LaMontagne. From the small town of New Hudson, Michigan — which is about 35 miles northwest of downtown Detroit — LaMontagne was a tower of size and strength on the OHL Cup champion HoneyBaked blue line in ’25-26. He is considered by more than one reputable Hockey News Windsor source to be “an absolute steal” of a fourth round draft pick by the Spitfires. Windsor GM Billy Bowler relays that LaMontagne “brings excellent size, strength and a physical presence to our blue line … and he competes hard every shift.”
Summer Spree Of Signings. Before inking Whelan and LaMontagne, the Spitfires signed a cargo of newcomers from previous drafts ahead of the upcoming season. The list includes forwards Ty Bergeron (third round pick from 2025 priority selections draft), Michal Svrcek (first round pick from 2025 import draft), Hamza Havusic (first round pick from 2025 supplemental draft), defensemen Jesse Dubryn (fourth round pick from 2025 priority selections draft), Sam Wathier (fifth round pick from 2024 priority selections draft) and Drake Gram(eighth round pick from 2024 priority selections draft.) Look for Bergeron, a good size, former standout with Detroit HoneyBaked and Svrcek, a National Hockey League draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings, to both make immediate impacts with the Spitfires as OHL rookies in ’26-27. Of note, both LaMontagne and Bergeron are clients of well known and well connected Windsor native — and former NHL goalie — Eddie Mio.
Young Blood. Winners of four of the last five OHL West Division titles, the Spitfires may not be as strong in ’26-27 as top performers such as NHL first round draft pick forwards Liam Greentree, Jack Nesbitt and Ethan Belchetz are among those who have moved on. But in addition to all of the above mentioned incoming rookie talent, the Spitfires have no shortage of high end returning players — especially at the forward position — that includes 2008 birth year skaters Ethan Garden, Caden Harvey, Beksultan Makysh and Max Brocklehurst and 2009 birth year stalwart Johnny McLaughlin.
