Latest news with #WindsorSpitfires
Ottawa Citizen
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
'Dynamic' Kazakhstan forward Makysh signs on with Spitfires
While the status of the first-round pick is still unclear, the second-round pick is in. Article content The Windsor Spitfires announced on Thursday that Kazakhstan forward Bexultan Makysh, who was a second-round pick by the club in the Canadian Hockey League Import Draft, has signed on with the team. Article content 'It feels amazing,' the 17-year-old Makysh said. 'I'm really happy to be part of the team and can't wait to get started. Article content Article content Article content One of the toughest transitions for an import player is making the adjustments to playing in North America. Article content 'It's getting used to the size of rink and the English language,' Spitfires' general manager Bill Bowler said. Article content Makysh got an early jump on that when he joined the Boston Hockey Academy prior to the 2023-24 season. Article content 'I've been wanting to play in North America for a long time and our team from Kazakhstan participated in the WSI (World Selects Invitational) Tournament in Nashville and then I was noticed by the Boston Hockey Academy,' Makysh said. 'After that, my parents and I decided that it was worth trying my luck there. Article content 'The smaller rinks were a big change for me. Everything happens quicker and there's less space. You have to make faster plays and be more physical.' Article content Article content Article content Despite a more than 9,000km move from his home in Astana to Boston, Makysh quickly found his game in North America. Article content 'He's a dynamic offensive player,' Bowler said. 'There'll be some transition (to the OHL). How long it takes is up to him, but we're confident he'll get results at this level. He's got offensive instincts that are better than most and his creativity is something special.' Article content Playing for the U15 team in 2023-24, Makysh posted 66 goals and 115 points in 55 games. He followed it up this past season with 64 goals and 121 points in 57 games with the U16 team. Article content 'Boston was a great place for me to get better on and off the ice,' Makysh said. 'The hockey there was fast and skilled and it pushed me to improve every day. It helped me become a more complete player and showed me what it takes to play at the next level.' Article content Makysh was also tied for second in team scoring with two goals and four points in five games in helping Kazakhstan to a bronze-medal finish at the World Under-18 Division 1A Hockey Championships in April.
CTV News
09-07-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Windsor Spitfires sign first-round pick
The Windsor Spitfires have signed their first-round draft pick. Forward John McLaughlin was drafted 21st overall by the Spitfires in the 2025 OHL Draft back in April. The Spitfires announced Wednesday that McLaughlin, 15, has signed the scholarship and development agreement to join the Windsor club. McLaughlin hails from Corunna, Ont. and stands at 5 feet 10 inches and weighs 165 pounds. McLaughlin played for his hometown Lambton Jr Sting Team for the past three seasons. In the 2023-24 season, McLaughlin played a year up and scored 16 goals and had 17 assists for 33 points in 24 games. In the playoffs, McLaughlin had one goal and two assists for three points in four games. In the 2024-25 season, McLaughlin's season was cut short after an injury, he played in two games and scored two goals for the Sting. McLaughlin was called up by the Strathroy Rockets (GOJHL) and played in one game and had a goal and an assist. 'It feels incredible (to sign),' McLaughlin said. 'This is something I have worked toward for a long time and to sign with a team like Windsor is a huge honour. I am proud to be part of such a great organization and I am really excited to get started and put in the work,' he added. 'Johnny is a well-rounded player with an elite compete level,' said Spitfires general manager Bill Bowler. 'His work ethic and dedication on and off the ice will benefit both Johnny and our hockey club. We were thrilled to get him so late in the first round.' - Written by Dustin Coffman/AM800 News.
Ottawa Citizen
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Drafted or not, several Spitfires continue to chase the NHL dream
With the NHL Draft past, it's time to turn the page. Article content That's what several members of the Windsor Spitfires are doing as four players have accepted free-agent invitations to attend prospect camps with NHL teams. Article content Article content 'Going into the draft, I didn't have that high of expectations,' Spitfires' defenceman Jonathan Brown said. 'I knew if I got picked, it would be in the sixth or seventh round. So, I wasn't too disappointed.' Article content Article content The 18-year-old Brown, who played prep hockey at Shattuck-St. Mary's in Minnesota last season, was rated as the 177th prospect among North American skaters, but went unselected. Article content Article content However, Brown quickly accepted an invitation to attend prospects camp with the New York Islanders and was on the ice on Monday. Article content 'I'm really happy I got invited to Islanders' camp,' the six-foot-two, 201-pound Brown said. 'Just an amazing experience to learn from such a great organization. Article content 'I'm trying to learn a lot and soak in all the knowledge that comes with being around great players and coaches.' Jack Nesbitt was one of the big surprises at this year's NHL Draft. The Philadelphia Flyers traded a pair of first-round picks – at No. 22 and No. 31 – to the Pittsburgh Penguins to move up and snag Nesbitt at No. 12 overall. Article content 'It means a lot to me for them to trade two first-round picks to get me early,' the 18-year-old Nesbitt said. 'I was very shocked, but very honoured to have this opportunity and I'm going to do nothing, but good things with it.' Article content Article content Rated as a second-or third-round NHL prospect at the start of the season, the six-foot-five, 186-pound Nesbitt kept climbing the chart. He was considered the No. 15 prospect in North America, but had a hunch he might hear his name called when the Flyers made the trade. Article content 'I met with them at the (NHL Draft) Combine and talked to them a little bit throughout the year as well,' Nesbitt said. 'To be honest, I had a little feeling that it was going to happen, but didn't think that feeling was going to be real and I am very happy it did.' Article content The Flyers will open prospects camp on Wednesday. Former Los Angeles Kings first-round pick Liam Greentree, Washington Capitals prospect Ilya Protas and Chicago Blackhawks prospect A.J. Spellacy, who were all drafted a year ago, will also be taking part in prospects camp, but a trio of other Windsor players have joined Brown in accepting free-agent invites.
CTV News
28-06-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Windsor Spitfires' Jack Nesbitt drafted 12th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers
Windsor Spitfires' Jack Nesbitt drafted 12th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers . Jun. 27, 2025. (Source: Windsor Spitfires) Jack Nesbitt is headed to Philadelphia. The Windsor Spitfires' centre was drafted 12th overall in the NHL Draft Friday night by the Philadelphia Flyers. The 18-year-old Nesbitt posted 64 points (25-39-64) in his second season, and was named the OHL Western Conference's Most Improved Player, as voted on by league coaches. Nesbitt becomes the highest drafted Spitfires player since Mikhail Sergachev in 2016, who went ninth overall. -Dustin Coffman, AM800 News
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Flyers Trade Up, Select Jack Nesbitt At No. 12
The Philadelphia Flyers have traded up to get the 12th overall from the Pittsburgh Penguins, giving Pittsburgh their 22nd and 31st picks. Nesbitt, who plays for the Windsor Spitfires in the OHL, is a 6'5" center that brings high hockey IQ, incredible positional awareness, and skillful puck-handling to the table. For his size, he's also considered to have some pretty impressive skating ability. Advertisement The center position has been one where the Flyers have needed more depth, and after taking right winger Porter Martone with their No. 6 pick, it's clear that GM Danny Briere was high enough on Nesbitt to hand over their other two first-round picks to their Keystone State rivals. Nesbitt has shown significant improvement over this past season, and his ceiling is believed to be a high one. Although it might take him a little while to be NHL ready, there is plenty of room to grow and develop into a solid anchor for the Flyers' offense.
