Overagers for 2026-2027

[HockeyPops]

I think Tate Vader can be removed. He only played two games last year back in September and was at some point removed from the roster. Played ojhl in collingwood starting in october.

 

[the dog]

North bay Kaden Pitre off to Penn state

 

[Duke16]

Looks like it will be the first year where it may officially not even be worth tracking OA's as potential Pro signings at season's end - the list of compelling options might be able to be counted on one hand and I'm sure a few take the NCAA route as well anyways.

That was always a fun thing to track in the past IMO, but already went down hill this year compared to 2024-25 (Leafs got Sim and Smith that year for example and no one this year to date). There were solid OA's this year but almost all of them went to the NCAA - Maleek McGowan was the only AHL deal so far IIRC and I think James Petrovski will be one announced eventually.

Now it looks like the actual quality of OA's projected for next year will fall off a cliff though.

 

[NewfieBlueStar]

Looks like it will be the first year where it may officially not even be worth tracking OA's as potential Pro signings at season's end - the list of compelling options might be able to be counted on one hand and I'm sure a few take the NCAA route as well anyways.

That was always a fun thing to track in the past IMO, but already went down hill this year compared to 2024-25 (Leafs got Sim and Smith that year for example and no one this year to date). There were solid OA's this year but almost all of them went to the NCAA - Maleek McGowan was the only AHL deal so far IIRC and I think James Petrovski will be one announced eventually.

Now it looks like the actual quality of OA's projected for next year will fall off a cliff though.

CHL needs to figure it out. Won’t see any true talent return after their draft year. OA’s getting an education and some hockey continuity is great, but beyond that this is very bad.

 

[dirty12]

CHL needs to figure it out. Won’t see any true talent return after their draft year. OA’s getting an education and some hockey continuity is great, but beyond that this is very bad.

Right now there are OAs that don’t seem to belong. Last season it was Pridham. This season I think Gonchar will be one. Perhaps Kostov will be another.

I think the NCAA will reach near saturation eventually. There are a lot of ‘08s in the OHL, and a lot of ‘08s still trying to crack OHL line ups. There might not be a real shortage of OA options 2028-29.

 

[the dog]

Kingston rw Landon Wright..univ of Maine
Kitchener d Carson Campbell..bowling Green state univ
Peterborough d Garrett Fraser northeastern univ
Branford lw Tommy Karmiris Toronto patriots ojhl

 

[NewfieBlueStar]

Right now there are OAs that don’t seem to belong. Last season it was Pridham. This season I think Gonchar will be one. Perhaps Kostov will be another.

I think the NCAA will reach near saturation eventually. There are a lot of ‘08s in the OHL, and a lot of ‘08s still trying to crack OHL line ups. There might not be a real shortage of OA options 2028-29.

Good take. Hope you’re right

 

[OMG67]

Right now there are OAs that don’t seem to belong. Last season it was Pridham. This season I think Gonchar will be one. Perhaps Kostov will be another.

I think the NCAA will reach near saturation eventually. There are a lot of ‘08s in the OHL, and a lot of ‘08s still trying to crack OHL line ups. There might not be a real shortage of OA options 2028-29.

We are all awaiting where the saturation lies. It really depends a lot on how long players intend to play NCAA. We could end up with a bunch of players in and out after one year. If that happens, saturation will not happen in any meaningful way.

Will Canadian players do four years in the ISA over 4 years in Canada? How relevant is the US based education? Will there be players that focus only on education and not play hockey?

Some variables that we don’t really know.

 

[dirty12]

We are all awaiting where the saturation lies. It really depends a lot on how long players intend to play NCAA. We could end up with a bunch of players in and out after one year. If that happens, saturation will not happen in any meaningful way.

Will Canadian players do four years in the ISA over 4 years in Canada? How relevant is the US based education? Will there be players that focus only on education and not play hockey?

Some variables that we don’t really know.

I believe a large majority of potential OAs leave a year of OHL eligibility on the table with the intention of pursuing a degree while extending their high level hockey days. Though not all will complete that at one school or even US schools only.

 

[OMG67]

I believe a large majority of potential OAs leave a year of OHL eligibility on the table with the intention of pursuing a degree while extending their high level hockey days. Though not all will complete that at one school or even US schools only.

That saturation point you refer to will have a lot to do with it.

We also need to consider that shorter stints in the OHL means faster player churn and more players holding scholarships. That could increase annual spend on scholarships if 30% more players have scholarships. How many players actually use the full four year scholarship when they go to school. Half don’t do more than 2 years before dropping out.

A lot of uncertainty.

 

[dirty12]

That saturation point you refer to will have a lot to do with it.

We also need to consider that shorter stints in the OHL means faster player churn and more players holding scholarships. That could increase annual spend on scholarships if 30% more players have scholarships. How many players actually use the full four year scholarship when they go to school. Half don’t do more than 2 years before dropping out.

A lot of uncertainty.

I’d like to give these kids some benefit of the doubt. I think these OHL players are mostly pretty motivated kids with a better view of school and its’ importance than my generation, at least. A lot of us did not see a path to a career, so we played hockey at a school for an allowance and keep parents off our backs.

 

[OMG67]

I’d like to give these kids some benefit of the doubt. I think these OHL players are mostly pretty motivated kids with a better view of school and its’ importance than my generation, at least. A lot of us did not see a path to a career, so we played hockey at a school for an allowance and keep parents off our backs.

Generally speaking only 30% of students graduate. It is not like hockey players are any different than the average. They have an advantage financially but other than that, they still fall prey to all the other reasons why students choose to quit school/

 

[Wonder Years]

Kingston rw Landon Wright..univ of Maine
Kitchener d Carson Campbell..bowling Green state univ
Peterborough d Garrett Fraser northeastern univ
Branford lw Tommy Karmiris Toronto patriots ojhl

Frazer is returning to Peterborough now.