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.
Indeed, of the 29 players who are still with the Spitfires ahead of slate of four exhibition matches, no less than 23 of them — including all four goalies — have at least one game of prior OHL experience.
“This is a deep team,” Spitfires’ general manager Billy Bowler said in an understatement.
GOALIES: The four include overage Joey Costanzo, last season’s backup Carter Froggett, along with Michael Newlove and Jake Windbiel, who both played briefly with the Spitfires in ’24-25.
DEFENSE: A group of nine defenders includes overage Wyatt Kennedy along with Anthony Cristoforo, Carson Woodall, Conor Walton, Carter Hicks, Andrew Robinson, Grady Spicer, Michael Lavigne and newcomer Jonathan Brown. All have OHL experience with the exception of Brown.
FORWARDS: Up front, there are 16 forwards still in camp including overage Owen Outwater, captain Liam Greentree, A.J. Spellacy, Cole Davis, Jack Nesbitt, Nathan Gaymes, Ethan Belchetz, J.C. Lemieux, Ethan Garden, Max Brocklehurst, Shawn Costello as well as incoming rookies Johnny McLaughlin, Ian Inskip, Caden Harvey, Beksultan Makysh and Loan Burkhalter.
EXHIBITION SCHEDULE
Four games — including a pair of home matches in nearby towns — are on the exhibition schedule for the Spitfires ahead of the ’25-26 regular season.
Windsor will play at Iceland Arena in Flint on September 5 to begin the pre season. Then, on September 7 , the Spitfires and Saginaw Spirit will meet in Chatham.
On September 13, the Spitfires will play host to the Kitchener Rangers at the Atlas Tube Centre in nearby Lakeshore, which is the home of the Canadiens of the Provincial Jr. C Hockey League. Lakeshore is the Spitfires’ PJHL affiliate.
On September 14, the Spitfires will play host to Flint at the Vollmer Complex in nearby LaSalle,, which is the home of the Vipers of the Greater Ontario Jr. Hockey League. LaSalle is the Spitfires’ GOJHL affiliate.