Windsor Spitfires Aim for Character at 2025 OHL Draft

They selected center John McLaughlin of the Lambton Jr. Sting U16 AAA. The 5-foot-9, 163-pound Corunna native captained the club and had two goals in two games this season, along with a goal and an assist in one game with the Strathroy Rockets of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (Jr. B). However, his season was cut short due to a knee injury. Last season, he had 16 goals, 17 assists, and 33 points in 24 games for the Jr. Sting.

On Saturday, McLaughlin and his family visited the WFCU Centre prior to the Spitfires’ game against the Kitchener Rangers (Game 2 of their OHL second-round series). He said hearing his name called was amazing.

“Just excitement,” McLaughlin said. “All my work paying off. It was great.”

With his family being from near Sarnia, they knew a bit about the Spitfires’ organization. What can the fans expect from him? He said he models his game after “a left-handed shot Nathan MacKinnon.“

“I’m a highly competitive player who is a 200-foot guy who plays all three zones,” McLaughlin said. “The type of player you’d want in the playoffs.”

Bowler was impressed with the youngster. He said that the knee injury may have kept some teams away from McLaughlin but that didn’t stop the Spitfires.

“I think some teams might have stayed clear from Johnny because of the injury,” he said. “But, again, he played up a year and he’s a top-10 pick if he’s healthy. He’s healthy today, we’ve seen him, all the reports are great, and we can’t say enough about the young man’s character.”

Spitfires Get Inskip Second

The Spitfires love their big forwards who can produce. Their captain Liam Greentree (Los Angeles Kings), who was their second-round pick in 2022, is 6-foot-3, 216 pounds. Last season’s first-overall pick, Belchetz, is 6-foot-5 226 pounds. That’s just the tip of their iceberg.

With their second pick, 30th overall, the Spitfires kept on that path, taking 6-foot-2, 171-pound forward Ian Inskip. He had 17 goals and 28 points in 33 games this season with Mississauga Reps Hockey Club U16 AAA. A power forward with great hands and loads of offensive potential, he was one of two team captains this season. He said he loves to be vocal and step up in those big moments. Bowler said leadership traits were a target.

“Any time you are looking to add people to your organization, you want to make sure you bring in quality people,” he said.

Inskip was all smiles as his family toured the WFCU Center after McLaughlin. He said hearing his name called was a moment he’s dreamed about.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment my entire life,” Inskip said. “It’s finally happened. I wouldn’t have been happier anywhere else. Windsor is where I wanted to play; it’s a great place to play. They play big, strong, physical hockey; that’s what I like.”

Inskip’s family is from L’Original, ON, which is a village between Ottawa and Montreal. He said he’s known about the Spitfires from a connection with one of their scouts.

“I’m pretty close with one of the scouts here,” Inskip said. “He’s been selling me on Windsor. I’ve played here a couple of games and I love the arena. (It’s a) great town, it’s exciting.”

Who does he model his game after? He said he appreciates the style of former Detroit Red Wings’ great Pavel Datsyuk, who could create and defend with purpose.

“(He’s) great offensively, can generate offence out of pretty much nothing,” Inskip said. “He’s also really good in the defensive zone and that’s something I prioritize.”

Bergeron Leads Remainder of Draft Picks

Finally on Friday, with the 45th pick, Bowler went stateside for forward Ty Bergeron out of the Detroit Honeybaked 15’s. At 6-foot-1, 176 pounds, he’s a power forward who had 45 goals and 59 assists for 104 points in 67 games this season. He also captained their team this season.

However, on Thursday, April 10, he signed a tender agreement with the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the United States Hockey League. While Bowler has had recent success recruiting American kids, namely forward Ethan Garden and goaltender Jake Windbiel from the 2024 OHL Draft, there’s no guarantee that Bergeron will join them. It’s a risky pick but could be a steal if he signs.

On Saturday morning, in the fourth round, the Spitfires chose defenceman Jesse Debruyn, a 6-foot, 183-pounder out of the Perth-Huron Lakers U16 AAA. This season, he had seven goals and 15 points in 30 games. In the fifth round, they went to Pittsburgh, PA to get center Caden Harvey from the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 16U. The 5-foot-11, 169-pounder had 47 goals and 48 assists in 48 games. He’s a year older (2008-born in a draft primarily for 2009-born players) but could step right in and contribute if Bowler’s able to sign him.

In the sixth round, they had a pair of picks. First was 6-foot, 184-pound defenceman Kaden Rolling out of the Barrie Jr. Colts U16 AAA. This season, he had three goals and nine points in 25 games. Then, they took forward Braden Horton from Shattuck-St. Mary’s Sabres 15s. He’s 6-foot-1, 178 pounds, had 35 goals and 108 points in 53 games this season, and is the son of former OHL and NHL great Nathan Horton. All together, Bowler had 15 picks through 15 rounds. You can see all of the picks on the OHL website.