4 Spitfires Named to NHL Central Scouting Final 2026 Draft Rankings – The Hockey Writers – OHL

While the Windsor Spitfires continue to push forward in the 2025-26 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Playoffs, they got some recognition off the ice on Thursday.

NHL Central Scouting released its final rankings for the 2026 NHL Draft, which is held at the end of June at the KeyBank Centre in Buffalo, NY. As expected, the Spitfires are well represented. Let’s take a look at who got recognition.

Belchetz Stays in Top 10

The first player the Spitfires expect to hear called to the podium will be forward Ethan Belchetz, who comes in ranked ninth among North American skaters.

In 2024, general manager Bill Bowler selected the 6-foot-5, 228-pound Belchetz first overall at the OHL Draft. The Oakville native came advertised as an offensive unicorn who could score, throw his weight around, and lead. It was a bit of a silver lining after a tough 2023-24 season that saw the club finish second last in the OHL.

In his rookie season, Belchetz put up 17 goals and 38 points in 56 games. Unfortunately, the season ended short after he suffered a lower-body injury in his final home game. This season, he came in with a purpose. He was immediately among the top prospects for the 2026 NHL Draft, including being given an “A” rating in the preliminary “Players to Watch” list. That meant a possible first-round pick this June.

From there, he continued to impress. He was ranked ninth among North American skaters in the mid-term rankings and was shooting for a 40-goal season. Unfortunately, after getting 34 goals and 59 points in 57 games, he suffered another injury. This time, it was a broken collarbone, and he’s been out indefinitely.

It hasn’t hurt his stock, though. He’s still ranked ninth among North American skaters, and the scouts still love his potential. He skates well for a big man, has a pro shot, uses his size very well, and has become a leader in the Spitfire’s dressing room. He has a long career ahead of him.

Harvey, Robinson, and Spicer Getting Attention

While Belchetz has been getting much of the attention this season, three other players are getting recognition from the NHL, too. Forward Caden Harvey, along with defencemen Andrew Robinson and Grady Spicer, were all ranked among North American skaters.

Coming in next, ranked 188th, Harvey has been steadily improving all season. He was ranked 178th at the mid-term but watching his game, you can see the confidence and ability continuously growing.

The 6-foot-1, 185-pounder was the Spitfires’ fifth-round pick in the 2025 OHL Draft. He’s eligible for the NHL Draft this season because he was born in February 2008, a year earlier than most of the other 2025 OHL Draft prospects. Bowler took a gamble, and it’s paid off. The Beaver, PA native had 11 goals and 34 points in 68 games, along with four points in eight playoff games. He’s been a workhorse who the club is counting on for next season.

Robinson comes in next, ranked 205th, after being unranked at mid-term. He was the Spitfires’ third-round pick in 2024 and, after getting a late-season call-up in 2024-25, he’s been a constant on defence this season. With nine goals and 24 points in 63 games, he’s become a steady force at both ends that the team loves.

Finally, coming in at 212th is defenceman Grady Spicer. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound Brockville native was the club’s fourth-round pick in the 2024 OHL Draft and has been playing with the LaSalle Vipers (Greater Ontario Hockey League – Junior B) for most of the season. This season, he had 33 points and 108 penalty minutes in 45 games. He was one of the last cuts in the Spitfires’ camp this season, so it would be a shock if he’s not with the team in 2026-27.

It should be noted that former Spitfires’ forward Jean-Cristoph Lemieux was ranked 103rd among North American skaters. He was traded to the Sudbury Wolves at the January trade deadline in a deal for Nathan Villeneuve (Seattle Kraken) and Alex Pharand (Chicago Blackhawks).

Penn State University forward Gavin McKenna is the top-ranked player among North American skaters. The 2026 NHL Draft runs on Fri., June 26 and Sat., June 27 from the KeyBank Centre in Buffalo, NY.