All posts by Randy Russon
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.
Spitfires Blue-White game
Windsor Spitfires will put a cap on their three day Ontario Hockey League training camp today with the annual Blue White game. The intra squad match is slated for 4 p.m.
Spitfires’ camp schedule
Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League have finalized their looming training camp schedule, which is slated for Thursday to Saturday of this week at the WFCU Centre.
Hartsburg has Erie feeling
Chris Hartsburg is back in the Ontario Hockey League after a four year hiatus — and with the Erie Otters, no less. The 45 year old Hartsburg, who manages the local arena and the minor hockey association in Erie, has been hired by the OHL Otters as a part time skills development coach.
Rose lands in Port Stanley
Bryan Rose is returning to the Provincial Jr. C Hockey League as a head coach after an absence of five years. Rose has been hired to take command of the deck duties with the Port Stanley Sailors.
NHL eyes on Spitfire guys
Windsor Spitfires’ top three picks from last year’s 2024 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft are most likely up there on the watch list of most National Hockey League scouts ahead of next year’s 2026 NHL draft.
Back with Mount Brydges
A goalie, a defenseman and a forward are among the veterans who have confirmed a return to the Mount Brydges Bulldogs ahead of the ’25-26 Provincial Jr. C Hockey League season.
Hounds v. Spitfires rivalry
Both teams have their share of intense rivalries within the Ontario Hockey League. Foes of fibrous friction of both the Soo Greyhounds and Windsor Spitfires include the London Knights, Saginaw Spirit, Flint Firebirds and Sarnia Sting. But the rivalry between the Greyhounds and Spitfires has its own snarky side to it.
Brantford eyeing Oshawa
It was the Oshawa Generals — arch rivals no less — who put a halt on the Ontario Hockey League playoff run of the Brantford Bulldogs last spring. And it is Oshawa that Brantford will be out to unseat as Eastern Conference playoff champions this season.
Mount Brydges deals for DD
Dylan Dundas has been acquired by the Mount Brydges Bulldogs from the Dorchester Dolphins for Nolan Burnside in an exchange of 2004 birth year forwards between the two Provincial Jr. C Hockey League teams.
Want to assist in Mount B?
Mount Brydges Bulldogs of the Provincial Jr. C Hockey League are looking to fill a number of positions within the organization.
Brantford bumps up Burnell
Brantford Bulldogs of the Ontario Hockey League have boosted 27 year old Owen Burnell from his sole role as video coach to assistant coach on the staff of veteran bench boss Jay McKee.
Mount B has schedule start
Mount Brydges Bulldogs of the Provincial Jr. C Hockey League have confirmed both their 2025 exhibition schedule and their ’25-26 regular season home opener.
Former 3rd rounder to Flint
Better late than never. Flint Firebirds of the Ontario Hockey League have confirmed the signing of 2007 birth year defenseman — and future Harvard University commit — Luka Graziano to a standard player agreement.
This may be the Spitfires ‘D’
They are eight deep at the defense position. Just over six weeks from the start of the ’25-26 Ontario Hockey League regular season, the Windsor Spitfires are set up rather nicely on the back end.
Mount Brydges adds d-man
Point producing defenseman Logan Vandierendonck has been acquired by the Mount Brydges Bulldogs from the Lucan Irish in a three player Provincial Jr. C Hockey League transaction.
Young blood of the Bulldogs
They have star power on the frozen stage with a sweet seven side of National Hockey League draft picks who are all poised to play prominent roles in ’25-26. And the Brantford Bulldogs also have some fledgling Ontario Hockey League talent that is braced to bloom.
Espanola via U18 Spitfires
Matthew Spencer is heading north to play junior hockey. The 2008 birth year forward, who played at the Under 18 level with the Windsor Jr. Spitfires of the Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario in ’24-25, has signed with the Espanola Paper Kings of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League ahead of the ’25-26 season.
Spitfires pick to the NOJHL
He is smart and skilled with blazing speed and prime potential. And Ty Dubreuil will be one of the youngest players in the Northern Jr. Hockey League come the looming ’25-26 season. Dubreuil, who was a 14th round pick by the Windsor Spitfires at the 2025 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft, has signed with the reigning NOJHL champion Sudbury Cubs, Hockey News Windsor has confirmed.
Gage Evans back in LaSalle
Sault Ste. Marie product Gage Evans has been reacquired by the LaSalle Vipers of the Greater Ontario Jr. Hockey League from the Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
Love the athletic therapist
Jennifer Love is returning home to Windsor as the Spitfires new athletic therapist. Part of Love’s experience in the fitness and human performance industry includes a similar Ontario Hockey League role with the Sarnia Sting.
Plum players in Brantford
A flock of frenzied fans who follow the Brantford Bulldogs of the Ontario Hockey League figure to focus on a freight full of National Hockey League draft picks come the ’25-26 season.
Spitfires pre-season slate
Four games — including a pair of home matches in nearby towns — are on the exhibition schedule for the Spitfires ahead of the ’25-26 Ontario Hockey League regular season.
Espanola works to recruit
Espanola Paper Kings are a small market team in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League. But despite a northern location — Espanola is about 40 miles northwest of Sudbury — the Paper Kings have been able to recruit multiple players from other parts of Ontario and into New York ahead of the ’25-26 season.
Four OHL teams to regard
Okay, it is summer time and the living is easy. But for those with any sort of relationship with the Ontario Hockey League, we remind you that the restless hands of time are ticking towards the start of another season. So whether your OHL connect is up north in Sault Ste. Marie, into the southwestern Ontario region of Windsor, in the mid Michigan area of Flint, or where the Bulldogs bark in Brantford, we have words of (some) wisdom to write ahead of the ’25-26 season on four teams to watch.
Spitfires ink Ian Insksip
Windsor Spitfires have signed their second round pick from the 2025 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft.
Johnny be good for Spits
The Spitfires have officially signed their first round pick from the 2025 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft to a standard scholarship and development agreement. Forward Johnny McLaughlin, who missed most of the ’24-25 season with a knee injury, is fully recovered from surgery.
Spits crease competition
As it currently stands, the Spitfires will have four signed goalies vying for roster spots when training camp opens ahead of the ’25-26 Ontario Hockey League season.
Santos to Windsor BioSteel
He is fresh from a championship season as the head coach of the Chatham Maroons of the Greater Ontario Jr. Hockey League. And now, Richard Santos is returning home to Windsor as the new head coach of the Under 16 boys prep team at BioSteel Sports Academy.
Flint increases its net worth
Flint Firebirds of the Ontario Hockey League have added a pair of proven puck stoppers to their pool of goalies. The recent additions to the Flint net are OHL veteran Mason Vaccari and 2025 National Hockey League draft pick Evgeny Prokhorov.
Import draft: 3 OHL teams
The three round, 2025 Canadian Hockey League import draft is in the books. And following is a Hockey News Windsor focus on three Ontario Hockey League teams — alphabetically, the Brantford Bulldogs, Flint Firebirds and Windsor Spitfires — and what they were able to come away with from the recent CHL import draft.
Brantford Bulldogs have bite
Woof. Woof. There is fresh Ontario Hockey League ownership in Brantford led by Stuart Hyman and his sons Zach Hyman (of National Hockey League fame, in photo at left) and Spencer Hyman. All star head coach Jay McKee has a new three year contract. Not only that, the cast of players — old and young — has the Bulldogs set up rather well.
Summer breeze blows in Flint
Prevailing winds of seasonal change have been shifting through the Michigan based Ontario Hockey League town of Flint. In addition to multiple player signings of top 2025 draft picks and high end free agents and the acquisition of a veteran goalie, the Flint Firebirds have upgraded their coaching staff.
Windsor’s Makaric has Spirit
Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League has brought aboard the well prepared Kyle Makaric as a new assistant coach. A Windsor product, the 36-year old Makaric has an extensive coaching background.
NHL pick bolsters Brantford
First year general manager Spencer Hyman continues to build up the Brantford Bulldogs ahead of the ’25-26 Ontario Hockey League season. Already projected to be a contender, the Bulldogs have been further bolstered via multiple off season acquisitions by Hyman, the latest being the signing of free agent defenseman Edison Engle, who was picked by the Winnipeg Jets in the sixth round of the recent National Hockey League draft.
OHL stars in NHL first round
Wow! The Ontario Hockey League issued its own statement of strength in the opening round of the 2025 National Hockey League Draft. To be sure, it was a plum performance by the OHL as no less than nine players were snapped up, including the first and second overall selections.
Ryder Boulton to Brantford
He is one of the toughest players in the Ontario Hockey League. And he is on his way to the Brantford Bulldogs via the London Knights.
Spits snag seasoned scout
Mark Seidel has been scouting hockey players since he was 20 years old. And the veteran bird dog — he will turn 55 years of age on August 25 — is bringing his scouting savvy and well known work ethic to the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League.
Essex juniors via BioSteel
Area products Ethan O’Neil and Tomas Kniaziew will be staying within Essex County to continue their hockey development paths — and again as teammates — come the ’25-26 season.
St. John signs with U18 Spits
Barring a move up to an area junior B or junior C team local product Luke St. John is poised to play the ’25-26 season with the Windsor Jr. Spitfires of the Under 18 level of the Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario.
Aaron Snow hockey camps
Windsor product and former Ontario Hockey League forward Aaron Snow will be holding a series of camps throughout July and August at the Vollmer Centre in LaSalle.
’08 lads of the OHL Spitfires
It already has the distinct makings of being an epic draft haul for the Windsor Spitfires. For starters, the Spitfires were the only team among the 20 members of the Ontario Hockey League to dress the maximum-per- game-allowed four 2008 birth year rookies from the 2024 priority selections draft for all 68 matches of the ’24-25 regular season.
Reyth Smith goes to the Dogs
Windsor product Reyth Smith is on the move in an off season Ontario Hockey League trade. The 6 foot 2, 175 pound forward with a 2007 birth date has been dealt by the North Bay Battalion to the Niagara IceDogs for a pair of future draft picks.