Windsor Spitfires’ captain Liam Greentree (David Jewell / The Hockey Writers)

5 Windsor Spitfires Named in 2024-25 OHL Coaches Poll

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By Dave Jewell | Last updated Apr 4, 2025 1:33 PM ET

While the Windsor Spitfires are dealing with the Soo Greyhounds in the 2025 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Playoffs on the ice, they got some recognition off of it. The annual OHL Coaches Poll came out on Thursday, and multiple players are sharing the spotlight.

This season has been nothing short of remarkable for the Spitfires. After finishing last in the Western Conference last season, they shot up the standings almost immediately last fall and haven’t looked back. For much of the season, they battled the London Knights, Saginaw Spirit, and Kitchener Rangers for the top spot in the conference. While they didn’t win the conference, they finished tops in the West Division over the Spirit, taking the second seed in the conference behind the Knights. It’s been a climb for the organization, but the accolades are starting to come in. Let’s take a look at who got recognized this season.

Spitfires’ Trio Lead Way with Multiple Mentions

The Spitfires’ top line of forwards Ilya Protas (Washington Capitals), Liam Greentree (Los Angeles Kings), and veteran Noah Morneau have been dynamic all season. Head coach Greg Walters put them together around Christmas and they’ve managed to find a way to produce on a consistent basis, regardless of the situation they’re put in.

Protas, 18, was the Spitfires’ pick (sixth overall) in the 2024 Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Import Draft. He finished second in the OHL in points with 50 goals and 124 points in 61 games. Their captain, Greentree, 19, ended with 49 goals and 119 points in 64 games, while Morneau, 20, had a career-high 32 goals and 73 points in 68 games.

In the poll, players are given five points for a first-place vote, three points for second place, and one point for third place. Coaches can’t vote for their own players, which gives each player a maximum of 45 points. Here are the results:

Protas:

Greentree:

Morneau:

Nesbitt and Spellacy Round Out the Poll

While the trio had outstanding results in the poll, they were joined by two teammates who also got mentions. Forwards Jack Nesbitt, who’s a top prospect for the 2025 NHL Draft in June, along with A.J. Spellacy (Chicago Blackhawks), share some of the spotlight.

Windsor Spitfires’ forward Jack Nesbitt. (David Jewell / The Hockey Writers)

Nesbitt had a breakout season with 25 goals and 39 assists in 65 games, catching the eye of fans and scouts alike. It’s no surprise that the 6-foot-4, 182-pounder is getting noticed by the coaches, too. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Spellacy had 37 points in 62 games. He has shown incredible speed and physicality along with an impressive 200-foot game. Here are the categories they were recognized in:

Nesbitt:

Spellacy:

Both Nesbitt and Spellacy have given the Spitfires some incredible depth in their top six this season. They deserve recognition as much as the Protas, Morneau, and Greentree group.

The Spitfires are up 3-1 in their first-round OHL playoff series with the Greyhounds. Game 5 is set for Friday night at the WFCU Centre in Windsor. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.