All posts by Randy Russon
Flashback: ’76-77 Spitfires
Fans of the Spitfires did not have to wait long for Windsor’s first playoff spot as fledgling members of the Ontario Hockey League. While, for example, it took the Soo Greyhounds four years after their ’72-73 OHL debut to make it to the playoffs, the Spitfires did it in just their second season.
Two from Soo at BioSteel
A pair of plum recruits from Sault Ste. Marie are among the top performers for the Under 16 AAA Prep Level BioSteel Sports Academy of Windsor. They are forward Eli Chapman and defenseman Mateo Muto. …[read more]
Kostov is fired up in Flint
Alex Kostov is clicking at the most productive rate of his Ontario Hockey League career. The fourth year forward, who has a 2006 birth date, recently scored no less than seven goals in two games to power the Flint Firebirds to successive wins over the North Bay Battalion and Guelph Storm. …[read more]
Tecumseh title triumph
PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania — Four games. Four wins. Total team attainment. Steely resolve. It all computed to a hard earned championship for the Under 15 Rep Tecumseh Shoreline Eagles at this past weekend’s Pittsburgh Veterans Cup Hockey Tournament. …[read more]
St. John signs in LaSalle
From affiliate player to a full time spot on the roster. Homegrown defenseman Luke St. John, a 2025 Ontario Hockey League draft pick of the Windsor Spitfires, has officially signed with the LaSalle Vipers of the Greater Ontario Hockey League. …[read more]
15 wins for OHL Spitfires
J.C. Lemieux hit for the hat trick, captain Liam Greentree tallied twice, Jack Nesbitt notched a goal and four assists and the Spitfires doubled up the visiting Brampton Steelheads 6-3 on Saturday. …[read more]
U16 Spits are ascending
Home ice has been nice for the Windsor Under 16 Jr. Spitfires over the past three games. The U16 Jr. Spitfires improved their record to 3-5-2 in the Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario standings on Friday with a 7-4 victory over the Elgin-Middlesex Canucks. …[read more]
Third shutout for Costanzo
Windsor Spitfires elevated their record to 14-3-2 atop the Western Conference of the Ontario Hockey League on Thursday with a 3-0 whitewash of the visiting Kingston Frontenacs. …[read more]
Tecumseh off to Pittsburgh
Tecumseh Eagles of the Under 15 Rep Bluewater Hockey League will hit the highway for the Pittsburgh Veterans Cup Tournament which begins on Friday of this week and concludes on Sunday. …[read more]
Of Bulldogs and Spitfires
They are the best of the Ontario Hockey League as of now. Brantford Bulldogs and Windsor Spitfires are 1-2 in the overall standings of the 20-team OHL. …[read more]
U16 Spits, U15 Eagles win
Windsor Under 16 Jr. Spitfires of the Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario and the Tecumseh Under 15 Eagles of the Bluewater Hockey League both scored home ice victories today. …[read more]
Blockbuster in Brantford
Brantford Bulldogs general manager Spencer Hyman has popped the cork on the splashiest trade of the ’25-26 Ontario Hockey League season to date. The fresh faced GM showed he has the balls of a Bulldog by dealing three players and nine draft picks — including three seconds and three thirds — to the Oshawa Generals for ace defensemen Ben Danford and Zackary Sandhu. …[read more]
St. John putting up points
Homegrown defenseman Luke St. John, a 2025 Ontario Hockey League draft pick of the Windsor Spitfires, has gone on the offensive for both the Under 18 Jr. Spitfires of the Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario and the LaSalle Vipers of the Greater Ontario Hockey League thus far into the ’25-26 regular season. …[read more]
The legend of Billy Bowler
Nowadays, he is employed by the Windsor Spitfires as their widely respected, no nonsense, vice president and general manager. But it was back at the 1991 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft that the legend of Billy (The Kid) Bowler was born en route to the lad becoming the leading scorer in the history of the OHL Spitfires. …[read more]
U16 Spits battle hard but …
Windsor Under 16 Jr. Spitfires head coach Matt Zuccato is stressing more of a compete level from his team on the defensive side of the puck as the ’25-26 season progresses in the Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario. …[read more]
Cool kid Mason Courville
Two days shy of his 16th birth day — and as the youngest goalie in the Ontario Hockey League — Mason Courville had a pair of firsts. …[read more]
Davis delivers for Spitfires
Veteran forward Cole Davis scored late in the third period — his seventh of the season — to force overtime and then tallied the only goal in the shootout as the Spitfires rallied for a 4-3 overtime win over the visiting Owen Sound Attack on Friday.
Tecumseh is back on track
A three game losing streak came to a halt tonight for the Tecumseh Eagles of the Under 15 Bluewater Hockey League. …[read more]
Spitfires slam door on ’67’s
Homegrown defenseman Carson Woodall scored the only two goals of the game and rookie goalie Michael Newlove notched his first career Ontario Hockey League shutout as the Spitfires blanked the Ottawa 67’s 2-0 on Thursday before close to 4,600 fans at the WFCU Center. …[read more]
U16 Alliance Showcase
Windsor Jr. Spitfires and the other 10 members of the Under 16 level of the Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario will converge in the London area town of Komoka this weekend. …[read more]
Outwater out of Windsor
The Spitfires have room for a third overage player, should they choose to add one. Hockey News Windsor has confirmed that overage forward Owen Outwater has cleared Ontario Hockey League waivers. …[read more]
Spitfires … Vipers … et al
Here and there in Windsor and Essex County with various teams in the Ontario Hockey League, Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario, Bluewater Hockey League and the Greater Ontario Hockey League.
‘Mr. Goalie’ at the WIFF
A nationally recognized, industry leading, cultural event, the renowned Windsor International Film Festival is back for another year. Among the featured WIFF presentations is Mr. Goalie, which deals with legendary National Hockey League goalie Glenn Hall, who turned 94 years of age earlier this month.
Tecumseh falls to Lake Erie
HARROW — An undisguised exhibit of partisan officiating stood out as a clear cut difference maker in a 5-2 loss by the Tecumseh Eagles to the host Lake Erie North Stars in an Under 15 rep level Bluewater Hockey League match on Friday night at the Harrow and Colchester South Community Centre.
Brantford adds draft picks
As they stand atop the Eastern Conference of the Ontario Hockey League the Brantford Bulldogs have stock piled more future draft capital by trading defenseman Patrick Babin to the Guelph Storm.
Eagles heading to Harrow
Tecumseh Eagles will take a record of 2-0 out to the county in Harrow on Friday. The Eagles will face off against the Lake Erie North Stars in an 8:40 p.m. start at the Harrow and Colchester South Community Centre
Seventeen for Canada U17
Seventeen players from the Ontario Hockey League are among the 44 from across the Canadian Hockey League who will represent two Team Canada squads at the upcoming 2025 Under 17 World Challenge. The event will take place in Truro, Nova Scotia from November 2-8.
Spits salvage single point
A loss is easier to accept when it at least results in something. As in a point. The Spitfires overcame a 3-1 third period deficit to score a pair of power play goals to force overtime before falling to the visiting Oshawa Generals 4-3 in the extra frame.
Spitfires on the defensive
It was a night for the Windsor defense up in Sault Ste. Marie. Ace defender Anthony Cristoforo tallied twice, Carter Hicks scored once and fellow blue liner Carson Woodall dished out two more assists as the Spitfires skated to a 4-1 Saturday night win over the Soo Greyhounds.
Vaccari is a mint for Flint
A fresh start in Flint is providing a net gain for overage goalie Mason Vaccari. Acquired by the Firebirds from the Kington Frontenacs for a few excess draft picks in an off season Ontario Hockey League trade, Vaccari has found new life in Flint.
U16 Jr. Spitfires go 1-2-1
Windsor Jr. Spitfires of the Under 16 level of the Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario are back home from a four game stint at the prestigious Wendy Dufton Memorial Tournament in London. The U16 Jr. Spitfires came away with a record of 1-2-1 through the four rather evenly matched contests.
3rd period lifts Tecumseh
Tecumseh Eagles won their second successive game to start the ’25-26 regular season in the Under 15 level Bluewater Hockey League.
U16 Jr. Spitfires are 1-1
A 3-1 loss to the Burlington Eagles and a 3-1 win over the Sudbury Jr. Wolves is how it stands for Windsor Jr. Spitfires of the Under 16 level of the Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario two games into the Wendy Dufton Memorial Tournament in London.
Spitfires survive the Storm
Ethan Belchetz scored in overtime to propel the Spitfires to a 3-2 overtime win over the Guelph Storm tonight before close to 5,600 fans at the WFCU Centre.
Welsh…Geleynse…Vaccari
Windsor Spitfires have promoted from within to hire their new video coach. The Spitfires have also added a new equipment manager. Meanwhile, a veteran goalie has his first Ontario Hockey League shutout in three years.
U16 Jr. Spits leader group
Windsor Jr. Spitfires of the Under 16 level of the Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario have named their captain and assistant captains ahead of a major tournament in London.
Early season impressions
Three or so weeks into the ’25-26 Ontario Hockey League regular season have led to a writer’s collection of noteworthy scribbles.
Spitfires nip the Bulldogs
Presumptive favourites to potentially face off for the Ontario Hockey League championship next spring, the Windsor Spitfires and Brantford Bulldogs met up today in the Telephone City.
Bowler has depth to deal
He has set his team up rather well, in so many ways. As sharp and smart as they come, Spitfires general manager Billy Bowler has put Windsor in a position of not only strength but depth.
Tecumseh upends LaSalle
They took five of the six games they played in the pre season including a perfect 4-0 record in tournament action. And the Under 15 rep Tecumseh Eagles began the ’25-26 regular season schedule in the Bluewater Hockey League tonight with a wild 8-5 win over the cross town LaSalle Sabres.
Six straight for Spitfires
And the wins just keep on coming. Windsor Spitfires made it six successive triumphs to begin the ’25-26 Ontario Hockey League season tonight with a 6-0 drubbing of the Niagara IceDogs.
Four from Sault in Windsor
Windsor’s minor hockey scene in the 2010 and 2011 birth year groups has a solid connection to Sault Ste. Marie that includes a coach and three players.
OHL Spitfires are five alive
They have been minus a trio of seasoned forwards away at National Hockey League training camps for the first five games of the ’25-26 Ontario Hockey League regular season. Still, the Spitfires of Windsor have a perfect 5-0-0 record minus Liam Greentree (first round, Los Angeles Kings), Jack Nesbitt (first round, Philadelphia Flyers) and A.J. Spellacy (third round, Chicago Blackhawks.)
U16 Spitfires in high flight
Head coach Matt Zuccato and the Windsor Jr. Spitfires exited this weekend’s Under 16 level Toronto Titans Early Bird Hockey Tournament with an ultra impressive record of 3-1-1 in five games.
Sweet 16 for U16 Spitfires
The number of Under 16 level teams at the prestigious Toronto Titans Early Bird Hockey Tournament has been reduced from 48 to 16 following round robin play.
Tecumseh tunes up Talbot
A pre season of winning continued for head coach Jeff Smith and the Tecumseh Eagles of the Under 15 level Bluewater Hockey League tonight.
Spits whitewash Sudbury
The soaring Spitfires gained more altitude on Thursday. Windsor won its third straight game to begin the ’25-26 Ontario Hockey League season, a 4-0 blanking of the visiting Sudbury Wolves before close to 4,200 fans at the WFCU Center.
Titans await U16 Spitfires
It is an eight division, 48 team event for players from the 2010 age group. And the Windsor Jr. Spitfires will be one of the four dozen under 16 level AAA teams that will take part at the prestigious Toronto Titans Early Bird Hockey Tournament that is slated for this weekend.
Eyes on Caleb Malhotra
Caleb Malhotra has the National Hockey League scouts standing up and taking notice even though he is just beginning his Ontario Hockey League playing career with the Brantford Bulldogs.
Oh ya, Flint is all fired up
At times, a win can be just a win. But when the win comes against a team’s arch rival — and on the road in their barn, in front of more than 4.900 fans — then the win has extra meaning. Take the Flint Firebirds, for example.
U15 Eagles a perfect 4-0
Tecumseh Eagles won all four of their games — three in decisive fashion — in the 2011 age group of the Belle River District Minor Hockey Association’s pre season challenge tournament that was held this weekend.
Trudell sparks U16 Spits
Forward Carter Trudell pulled the trigger on a hat trick and the Windsor Jr. Spitfires scored an Under 16 level Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario exhibition game victory today.
What a Knight for Spitfires
It is only two games. But the Windsor Spitfires are off to a 2-0 start to an Ontario Hockey League season for the first time since 2019. Before a Saturday night home audience of more than 6,400, the Spitfires skated past the reigning Memorial Cup champion London Knights by a 4-1 score.
Tecumseh 5, Southeast 1
Tecumseh U15 Eagles are now a perfect 3-0 in the 2011 age group of the Belle River District Minor Hockey Association’s pre season challenge tournament. …[read more]
Spits sling Sting to start
Missing six regulars away at National Hockey League training camps did not stop the Windsor Spitfires from overpowering the Sarnia Sting by an 8-1 margin to begin the ’25-26 Ontario Hockey League regular season.
U16 Spitfires ready to roll
Head coach Matt Zuccato likes what he is seeing from his Under 16 Windsor Jr. Spitfires ahead of the ’25-26 season as members of the Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario.
Tecumseh 7, Tri Centre 2
Make it two for two. Tecumseh U15 Eagles have soared to a second successive triumph in the 2011 age group of the Belle River District Minor Hockey Association’s pre season challenge tournament that began today.
Tecumseh 4, West Coast 3
Tecumseh U15 Eagles skated to an opening game victory in the 2011 age group of the Belle River District Minor Hockey Association’s pre season challenge tournament that began this morning.
So, here we go in the ‘O’
For those who have any sort of play or say or way or pay or hey relative to the 20 teams of the Ontario Hockey League, the OHL is seemingly set up for a ’25-26 season of hope and nope.
U15 Eagles in tournament
Tecumseh U15 Eagles will be among 14 teams in the 2011 age group at a pre season challenge tournament that is being hosted by the Belle River District Minor Hockey Association this weekend.
Western world of the OHL
A year ago, the top four teams — leading to home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs — among the 10 members of the Western Conference of the Ontario Hockey League were the London Knights, Kitchener Rangers, Windsor Spitfires and Saginaw Spirit. London, Kitchener and Windsor are all expected to retain their upper floor status in ’25-26 — and it says here that the Soo Greyhounds will move up to edge out Saginaw et al as the fourth seed.
Brantford’s red hot rookie
If the exhibition slate is any indication then Brantford Bulldogs forward Jeremy Freeman might be in line to have an impact as an Ontario Hockey League rookie in ’25-26.
HNW & Tecumseh Eagles
Hockey News Windsor is on board as a full team jersey sponsor for the Under 15 Tecumseh Eagles for the ’25-26 season. And as was reported earlier, we have the finalized roster for the U15 Eagles ahead of the ’25-26 rep level hockey season, which begins with a tournament that starts on Friday, September 19.
U16 Jr. Spitfires update
An upcoming under 16 level exhibition game between the Windsor Jr. Spitfires of the Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario and Michigan based Victory Honda that was slated for this Sunday has been cancelled, Hockey News Windsor has confirmed.
Spits deal for Dubowsky
Seeking some grit and grind at the forward position, the Windsor Spitfires have secured northern Ontario product Cole Dubowsky from the Barrie Colts for a future 11th round draft pick.
Spits ship trio to LaSalle
They are worthy of playing in the Ontario Hockey League. But given that the Windsor Spitfires are an OHL team deep in talent, goalie Jake Windbiel, defenseman Grady Spicer and forward Ian Inskip have been shipped to the LaSalle Vipers of the Greater Ontario Jr. Hockey League to begin the ’25-26 season.
Three in the Spitfires net
Windsor Spitfires currently have two signed goalies vying for the backup spot behind holdover overage Joey Costanzo half way through their four-game Ontario Hockey League exhibition schedule ahead of the ’25-26 regular season.
U16 Jr. Spitfires setting up
Practice sessions for the AAA Under 16 Windsor Jr. Spitfires of the Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario are ongoing ahead of the ’25-26 season with an upcoming exhibition game on the chart.
Big goalie in Mount Brydges
Mount Brydges Bulldogs of the Provincial Jr. C Hockey League have signed sizeable puck stopper Joshua Purtill ahead of the looming ’25-26 season.
GWG for Spitfires draft pick
Spitfires draft pick Ty Dubreuil made a decisive impression in his first ever Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League game as a 2009 birth year forward.
Depth defines the Spitfires
Windsor Spitfires have serious depth at the goalie, defense and forward positions as they prepare for another run at contention ahead of the ’25-26 Ontario Hockey League season.
Spitfires late round lookers
The Spitfires staged a recent three day training camp at Windsor’s WFCU Centre. And among the youngsters who stood out to this observer were a pair of late round picks from the 2025 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft.
Brantford boosts its depth
Rookie general manager Spencer Hyman has added another building block to the Brantford Bulldogs. Hyman has acquired 2008 birth year forward Ryan Chamberlain from the Sarnia Sting for an eighth round draft pick.