Windsor Spitfires 2024 - 25 Season Thread, Part V

[Cherrydon]

I see that a few OHL teams are announcing the signing of draft picks. I hope the Spits will announce a player or two has signed shortly. Perhaps they are waiting until the Import draft has finished.

Might be a case of a few potential flyers/FA'S considering signing and Bowler might want to test those waters before handing out the contract offers. .

 

[OHL4Life]

the standard contact has changed and agents are working with the league to get changes (not sure if it will happen), thats why most players have not signed yet, most agents want to see if the changes happen before they sign

 

[ohloutsider]

On the ice dogs thread there is speculation that Frank Viola is leaving Windsor to be the new GM in Niagara Tough blow to Windsor if true.

 

[OHLTG]

If Frank is gone, that's a blow for sure. He's done a solid job for the Spitfires and I've always enjoyed our conversations.

 

[LeProspector]

Big news in the WHL as one of the top prospects in the 2026 draft in Keaton Verhoeff is going NCAA next year.

any chance we lose Belchetz this season, or in 26/27?

 

[Cherrydon]

Big news in the WHL as one of the top prospects in the 2026 draft in Keaton Verhoeff is going NCAA next year.

any chance we lose Belchetz this season, or in 26/27?

Not likely. His quickest path to the NHL is the OHL. Next year he will be drafted high but unless the player is super skilled center, big men usually play 3 or 4 years before moving up. Recent examples Cuylee and Greentree.

 

[LeProspector]

Not likely. His quickest path to the NHL is the OHL. Next year he will be drafted high but unless the player is super skilled center, big men usually play 3 or 4 years before moving up. Recent examples Cuylee and Greentree.

bigger question was how likely are we going to lose him to the NCAA for his 18/19 year old seasons?
For top prospects like him that might not make the NHL as an 18/19 year old, the NCAA is probably the better bet for their development, plus the college experience is something that all these young men will want to experience.

 

[Cherrydon]

bigger question was how likely are we going to lose him to the NCAA for his 18/19 year old seasons?
For top prospects like him that might not make the NHL as an 18/19 year old, the NCAA is probably the better bet for their development, plus the college experience is something that all these young men will want to experience.

I politely disagree. The NCAA is there as a last chance. All players have aspirations of a pro career whether NHL/AHL/EUROPE players develop quicker and are accustomed to the pro grind in the CHL. Length of schedule and road travel. If anything I think the new rules will improve the CHL with young NCAA players coming to play a couple of years and see where it takes them. The NCAA is always there for those who eventually decide or realize hockey won't pay their bills as adults.

 

[ohloutsider]

I politely disagree. The NCAA is there as a last chance. All players have aspirations of a pro career whether NHL/AHL/EUROPE players develop quicker and are accustomed to the pro grind in the CHL. Length of schedule and road travel. If anything I think the new rules will improve the CHL with young NCAA players coming to play a couple of years and see where it takes them. The NCAA is always there for those who eventually decide or realize hockey won't pay their bills as adults.

Belchetz will likely sign long before he has a chance to go to NCAA.

 

[LeProspector]

I politely disagree. The NCAA is there as a last chance. All players have aspirations of a pro career whether NHL/AHL/EUROPE players develop quicker and are accustomed to the pro grind in the CHL. Length of schedule and road travel. If anything I think the new rules will improve the CHL with young NCAA players coming to play a couple of years and see where it takes them. The NCAA is always there for those who eventually decide or realize hockey won't pay their bills as adults.

Keaton Verhoeff (potential top-5 pick in 2026) and Cole Reschny (potential first round pick this year) are just the start of high end CHL prospects foregoing their 18/19 year old seasons to jump to a harder, more competitive league.

We have already seen Malcom Spence (potential first round pick) leave Erie.

We’re going to see Jack Ivankovic (one of the best goalies in OHL), and Porter Martone (potential top-10 pick this year) leave Brampton

Gavin McKenna (2026 first round pick) is going to leave the WHL.

And that’s just the start, don’t at all be surprised to see a ton jump to the NCAA after the draft, too.

Times have changed in junior hockey, the best route seems to be play CHL for your 16/17 year old seasons then jump to the NCAA in your 18+ year old seasons.

I think it’s a genuine possibility Windsor loses some of their top prospects in coming years to the NCAA. Maybe not the lower end prospects like Ethan Garden, but for the potential first round picks like Belchetz and maybe Nesbitt, we could see them leave the OHL early for NCAA.

 

[RayzorIsDull]

Keaton Verhoeff (potential top-5 pick in 2026) and Cole Reschny (potential first round pick this year) are just the start of high end CHL prospects foregoing their 18/19 year old seasons to jump to a harder, more competitive league.

We have already seen Malcom Spence (potential first round pick) leave Erie.

We’re going to see Jack Ivankovic (one of the best goalies in OHL), and Porter Martone (potential top-10 pick this year) leave Brampton

Gavin McKenna (2026 first round pick) is going to leave the WHL.

And that’s just the start, don’t at all be surprised to see a ton jump to the NCAA after the draft, too.

Times have changed in junior hockey, the best route seems to be play CHL for your 16/17 year old seasons then jump to the NCAA in your 18+ year old seasons.

I think it’s a genuine possibility Windsor loses some of their top prospects in coming years to the NCAA. Maybe not the lower end prospects like Ethan Garden, but for the potential first round picks like Belchetz and maybe Nesbitt, we could see them leave the OHL early for NCAA.

Talk of Ryder Ritchie leaving Kelowna as well NHL 2nd round pick. Father Byron is also the advisor for McKenna. The idea of any fan of any team believing they will be immune to defections isn't paying attention closely.

 

[Cherrydon]

I agree there will be players that will leave but we also will gain players. This is the first year and the push is hard by the big NCAA powerhouses to grab some talent. Spence played 3 full years with Erie. McKenna wouldn't be returned after he's drafted anyway. Don't forget with NHL salary cap increasing quite a bit, some clubs will have room and won't want a players contract and get more years out of player before they reach UFA status

 

[windsor7]

London in the finals again.
Should be a great final. 2 very strong teams.

 

[Cherrydon]

London in the finals again.
Should be a great final. 2 very strong teams.

Yes. Congrats to the Knights. At the end of the day, I am a OHL fan over the other 2 leagues for the final. Should be a terrific battle.

 

[frontsfan67]

We have already seen Malcom Spence (potential first round pick) leave Erie.

To be fair Spence fell a lot this year and rumour was that he wanted out after Stan Butler got let go

We’re going to see Jack Ivankovic (one of the best goalies in OHL), and Porter Martone (potential top-10 pick this year) leave Brampton

Nothing confirmed lots of smoke.

Gavin McKenna (2026 first round pick) is going to leave the WHL.

Nothing confirmed.

 

[nelli27]

On the ice dogs thread there is speculation that Frank Viola is leaving Windsor to be the new GM in Niagara Tough blow to Windsor if true.

I'm guessing that's not the same Frank Viola who pitched for the Minnesota Twins years ago???

 

[ohloutsider]

Talk of Ryder Ritchie leaving Kelowna as well NHL 2nd round pick. Father Byron is also the advisor for McKenna. The idea of any fan of any team believing they will be immune to defections isn't paying attention closely.

Don't believe too many fans on HF boards are nieve enough to think their team is exempt from any rule, new or otherwise.

Speaking of rules , again this year OA goalies are not exempt from the 3 OA's to a team rule. I wonder how much this will effect Costanzo? With 3 goalies in the wings I don't see them keeping him as an OA? Having said that none of the other 3 are proven OHL caliber goalies ? Maybe they move Costanzo and Frogget and keep Windbiel and Newlove as backups to a possible trade?

 

[OHLTG]

Don't believe too many fans on HF boards are nieve enough to think their team is exempt from any rule, new or otherwise.

The NCAA rule change makes me seriously wonder about Kennedy, McNamara, even guys like Nesbitt, Cole Davis, Cristoforo down the road. Next season has the potential to be the major "all-in" season. I can see the 06 or even 07 group looking at NCAA if the club rebuilds in 2026-27.

Speaking of rules , again this year OA goalies are not exempt from the 3 OA's to a team rule. I wonder how much this will effect Costanzo? With 3 goalies in the wings I don't see them keeping him as an OA? Having said that none of the other 3 are proven OHL caliber goalies ? Maybe they move Costanzo and Frogget and keep Windbiel and Newlove as backups to a possible trade?

I can see them keeping Costanzo, at least to start, along with Windbiel and Newlove. Froggett needs playing time and I'm not sure he'll get that in the contending season. Do they bring in a bigger fish like Carter George? Depends on the price.

 

[ohloutsider]

The NCAA rule change makes me seriously wonder about Kennedy, McNamara, even guys like Nesbitt, Cole Davis, Cristoforo down the road. Next season has the potential to be the major "all-in" season. I can see the 06 or even 07 group looking at NCAA if the club rebuilds in 2026-27.



I can see them keeping Costanzo, at least to start, along with Windbiel and Newlove. Froggett needs playing time and I'm not sure he'll get that in the contending season. Do they bring in a bigger fish like Carter George? Depends on the price.

Well 1 of Froggett or Costanzo needs to move to make room for 1 of the other 2. Costanzo being the OA makes sense and I think holds more value.
I've heard enough rumblings since spring that they are shopping for a top tier goalie so somewhere between Monday and Jan 10th the blue paint will likely have some new tenants.

 

[RayzorIsDull]

Well 1 of Froggett or Costanzo needs to move to make room for 1 of the other 2. Costanzo being the OA makes sense and I think holds more value.
I've heard enough rumblings since spring that they are shopping for a top tier goalie so somewhere between Monday and Jan 10th the blue paint will likely have some new tenants.

I can understand why the Spits might have interest in a top goalie. I don't necessarily think it should be at the expense of Costanzo though. You're giving up big assets to get a top guy. You may recoup a couple assets if you moved Costanzo. You're not sure on Protas etc... You may need to figure out your forwards.

 

[DCruickshank]

The NCAA rule change makes me seriously wonder about Kennedy, McNamara, even guys like Nesbitt, Cole Davis, Cristoforo down the road. Next season has the potential to be the major "all-in" season. I can see the 06 or even 07 group looking at NCAA if the club rebuilds in 2026-27.



I can see them keeping Costanzo, at least to start, along with Windbiel and Newlove. Froggett needs playing time and I'm not sure he'll get that in the contending season. Do they bring in a bigger fish like Carter George? Depends on the price.

Very good chance Carter George will be traded this coming season...but, never to Windsor no matter the return

 

[OHLTG]

I've heard enough rumblings since spring that they are shopping for a top tier goalie so somewhere between Monday and Jan 10th the blue paint will likely have some new tenants.

I know the talk late in the season was "who's next?" I'm not surprised it's started up again. George was one that was discussed but I don't know how likely he is. The question is - who else might be available?