Pick-by-pick review as Spitfires 'thrilled' with club's 15 OHL Draft selections

Author of the article:

Jim Parker • Windsor Star

Published Apr 13, 2024 • Last updated 1 day ago • 4 minute read

Windsor Spitfires’ third-round pick Andrew Robinson, at left, is joined by second-round picks Carter Hicks, centre, and J.C. Lemieux, at right, as the trio arrived at the WFCU Centre on Saturday after being selected in the Ontario Hockey League Draft. (WINDSOR STAR – JIM PARKER) win

The Windsor Spitfires feel it’s a draft that delivered.

The only team with five picks in the first three rounds, including the first pick overall, and seven selections in the top 100, the Spitfires had high hopes for this year’s Ontario Hockey League Draft.

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After the final 12 rounds of the 15-round draft wrapped up on Saturday, Spitfires’ general manager Bill Bowler carried a look of satisfaction.

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“When you have five picks in the top 60, it’s a big day,” Bowler said at the team’s draft headquarters at the WFCU Centre. “I’m thrilled with the way the last two days unfolded.”

Following is a brief look at each of Windsor’s 15 draft selections with vital stats from last season with team, position, height, weight, games, goals, assists, points and penalty minutes and a comment from either Bowler or Fans Evola, who is the Spitfires’ director of scouting and hockey operations and Eastern Ontario scout Mike Glover.

Windsor Spitfires’ general manager Bill Bowler, left, made Ethan Belchetz just the second player taken first overall in the club’s history and the first since 1976. Photo by Dan Janisse /Windsor Star

Round 1 (first overall) – Ethan Belchetz, Oakville Rangers minor midgets, left wing, six-foot-five, 233 pounds, 34-46-38-84-44

“It’s a slam dunk,” Bowler said. “When you get to see firsthand, you’ll understand why. For a man that size to be able to skate, have the offensive instincts, team awareness, defensive responsibility, etc., this is a very easy choice.”

Round 2 (22nd overall) – J.C. Lemieux, Quinte Red Devils minor midgets, left centre, five-foot-11, 173 pounds, 35-24-36-60-10

“Skilled player with a bit of a bite,” Bowler said. “We were happy when he was there at 22.”

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Round 2 (24th overall) – Carter Hicks, London Jr. Knights minor midgets, right defenceman, six-foot-two, 161 pounds, 30-8-17-25-20

“Mobile defenceman and captain of his hockey club,” Bowler said. “There are too many good things with this player. He was sitting there at the right time and we were lucky enough he was still there.”

Round 3 (57th overall) – Max Brocklehurst, New Hampshire Mountain King 15’s, left wing, five-foot-nine, 150 pounds, 53-67-78-145-NA

“A dynamic offensive player with a late birthday,” Bowler said. “He finishes and looks bigger than he is. I can’t wait to see his game grow.”

Round 3 (58th overall) – Andrew Robinson, Vaughan Kings minor midgets, left defenceman, five-foot-11, 167 pounds, 33-7-13-20-NA

“Character kid that played on the top-ranked team in the province,” Bowler said. “Plays in all situations.”

Round 4 (71st overall) – Grady Spicer, Upper Canada Cyclones minor midgets, left defenceman, six-foot-three, 180 pounds, 27-5-5-10-24

“He’s going to be tough and hard to play against,” Glover said. “No one is going to stand in front of the net with him there.”

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Round 5 (96th overall) – Sam Wathier, Eastern Ontario Wild minor midgets, left defenceman, six-foot-two, 143 pounds, 30-3-11-14-30

“Elite talent that made the USNTDP,” Bowler said. “He’s going to be gone for two years, but you never know. We’re hoping he turns pro and needs a place to play in two years.”

Round 7 (124th overall) – Jake Windbiel, Chicago Mission 15’s, goaltender, six-foot-four, 213 pounds, Stats unavailable.

“Highly-rated goalie out of the Chicago Mission,” Bowler said. “Huge kid that we think has pro potential and we believe he wants to come to the league.”

Defenceman Drake Gram is shown in action Detroit Little Caesars U15’s. The Windsor Spitfires selected Gram in the eighth round of Saturday’s Ontario Hockey League Draft with the 144th pick overall. (PHOTO COURTESY: DAN HICKLIING/OHL IMAGES) Dan Hickling/OHL Images

Round 8 (144th overall) – Drake Gram, Detroit Little Caesars 15’s, right defenceman, five-foot-nine, 156 pounds, 57-12-14-26-38

“Really steady defender and played the power play for an excellent Caesars team,” Bowler said.

Round 9 (164th overall) – Ethan Garden, Detroit Little Caesars 15’s, left centre, five-foot-seven, 156 pounds, 48-31-36-67-22

“High-end talent,” Bowler said. “He’s a skilled forward and could be another steal, if he shows up.”

Round 11 (204th overall) – Ryan Cranny, Grey-Bruce Highlanders minor midgets, right centre, five-foot-11, 148 pounds, 30-12-15-27-14

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“Almost a point-per-game player,” Bowler said. “He excelled and was notable every shift and made something happen every time we watched him.”

Windsor Jr. Spitfires forward Nicholas Rosati is show is shown in action this past season. The Windsor Spitfires selected Rosati in the 11th round of Saturday’s Ontario Hockey League Draft with the 210th pick overall. (PHOTO COURTESY: DAN HICKLIING/OHL IMAGES) Dan Hickling/OHL Images

Round 11 (210th overall) – Nick Rosati, Windsor Jr. Spitfires minor midgets, right wing, five-foot-five, 152 pounds, 29-8-15-23-14

“A competitive, younger kids with good compete,” Evola said. “Captain of his team and a leader that leads by his work ethic.”

Round 13 (244th overall) – Cameron Ingram, Toronto Jr. Canadiens, goaltender, five-foot-11, 193 pounds, stats not available.

“A-rated goalie (projected to go between rounds three and six) with lots of potential,” Bowler said. “Moves well, has good feet and a good glove and played on one of the top four GTHL teams.”

Round 14 (264th overall) – George Matsos, Brantford 99ers minor midgets, right centre, five-foo-eight, 137 pounds, 30-4-4-8-2

“Intelligent, smart player with very good hockey sense,” Bowler said of the son of former Spitfires’ assistant coach David Matsos. “A little undersized, but if he grows there might be an opportunity down the road.”

Round 15 (284th overall) – Aidan Ostrovski, Credit River Capitals minor midgets, right defenceman, six-foot-three, 179 pounds, 34-0-4-4-32

“Very raw, but a big stay-at-home defenceman that has to work on a few things,” Evola said.

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