5 Spitfires Story Watched in the First 20 Games in 2025-26 – Hockey Writer – OHL

Hockey fell in the 2025-26 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) season. There is still a lot of hope for Windsor Spitfires, but also pay attention to it in the early stages.

Last season, Spitfires won the third Western Division title in four seasons. Despite losing to the Kitchener Rangers in overtime in Game 7 of the second round of the series, they entered the season with new energy. They know what they have and have a purpose. They have two games and two wins – they have confidence, but they also know there is still a long way to go. As they enter the first 20 games of the season, there are five stories to focus on.

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Spitfires may return a few high-end veterans this season (we’ll do more below), but one of the biggest things going forward early on is the development of the first season players.

Last season, the club’s 2024 OHL Draft class was one of the best players in history for General Manager Bill Bowler (the 2022 class was hard to beat, including Captain Liam Greentree). They have as many as eight players in the game this season, including forward forward Ethan Belchetz. Now, the new generation group is seeking its mark.

The class includes the 2025 OHL draft pick, first round player John McLaughlin, fifth round forward Caden Harvey (he is one year older), and free agent defensive player Jonathan Brown, 18 and 2025 Canadian Canadian Hockey League (CHL) import second round draft pick Bex Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax Bax

McLaughlin has already received his first assist, while Harvey has joined three more. However, this is Makysh’s performance, and fans raised their eyebrows. Not only did he score two goals in his OHL debut Friday, September 19, but he added another goal to the opener 24 hours later.

Windsor #spitfires‘The second round 2025 #chl Imported draft pick B Beksultan Makysh (Kazakhstan through Boston Hockey Academy) scored in Saturday’s home opener at the WFCU Center. So far, he has 3G in his 2GP and he looks pretty good. #ohl pic.twitter.com/kikkkjns4z

– Dave Jewell (@DaveJewellohl) September 21, 2025

Kazakh natives have played for Boston Hockey Academy in Astana for the past two seasons. After Saturday’s game, he told the media that he learned about the OHL during his time there. After some viewing, he knew this was his place.

“My consultant helped me,” he said. “When I first came to the U.S., I didn’t know much about the OHL. I was like ‘What’s it?’ Then, I started watching it and wanted to go there… It was a more creative and offensive league.”

No one expected Makysh, McLaughlin, or any other season one player to dominate from start to finish. That’s why it’s worth a look. The strong start is good, but how do they transition in the first 20 games? It was fun to watch the exhibition.

NHL prospective customers’ returns

While season one players transition to the league, Spitfires will watch which players return from NHL camps.

So far, defensemen Carson Woodall, Conor Walton, Wyatt Kennedy and Anthony Cristoforo have all returned from their respective NHL teams, forward Cole Davis and goalkeeper Joey Costanzo. Bowler, head coach Greg Walters and other crew members are still waiting for Grinterry (Los Angeles Kings), Jack Nesbitt (Philadelphia Flying Man) and AJ Spellacy (Chicago Blackhawks).

Related: Jack Nesbitt’s high floor brings hope to flyers, but his high ceilings will make them contenders

In the 2024 NHL Draft, their NHL clubs chose Greentree and Spellacy, so they may grow long and may make it into the regular season. Nesbitt is the first-round pick for the Flyer, 12th in June, so he can also stick to it until October. The club has a recent history of players that have early become professionals, including forwards Wyatt Johnston (Dallas Stars) and Jean-Luc Foudy (Avalanche in Colorado), so nothing is there.

The rewards can also affect deep-wrenching players such as forwards Max Brocklehurst (2024 OHL Draft), Nathan Gaymes, Shawn Costello and Cole Dubowsky. Cristoforo and Kennedy returned to have provided the club with eight OHL ready defensemen. Add to the depth forward, and the bowlers will make some decisions.

Can Costanzo keep creases?

During the preseason, we discussed how the Spitfires crease would be a battle between four goalkeepers – experienced starter Joey Costanzo, veteran Carter Froggett, 20, Carter Froggett, 19, plus Rookies Michael Newlove, 18, Rookies Michael Newlove, 18, and Jake Windbiel, 17.

When Costanzo went to flyer camp, the other three fought for the backup role. The wind energy performed well, but needed more seasoning, so he was sent to LaSalle Vipers Junior B. Newlove and Froggett in the preseason with the toe show, and both could be argued. Just before the season opener, the club announced that Newlove is about to begin. At Bowler’s Spitfires address on the club’s YouTube channel, Froggett is said to have been put on a waiver before the home opener. It was a tough ending, but at least one crease question answered.

Paired with Newlove and Costanzo, now we’re waiting to find out when Costanzo can keep the crease. He was outstanding in the first half of 2024-25, jumping into most OHL goalkeeper categories with Kitchener Rangers veteran Jackson Parsons. He dusted himself as he slid down after Christmas and saved the percentage in the playoffs with a goal average of 2.11 and .911. He may be considered the club’s most valuable player in the playoffs.

It’s great to see Costanzo return to playoff format and keep the creases as long as possible. He saw the highs and lows of the organization, and it deserved that opportunity. But if something happens, they know Newlove is ready and able to take over.

Can Spitfires stay healthy?

We mentioned how important Costanzo is to Spitfires last season. One of the biggest reasons is the lack of healthy players in the club.

At some point in the first round, they had at least eight regulars due to injuries. When someone is healthy, someone is injured or sick, it is almost never ending. This is above the multiple injuries and illnesses they have dealt with this season.

Are these part of the game? Absolutely. Will they consider it because of the game? It is undeniable. The club must find a way to stay healthy early in the season. Injury and disease will happen, whether it is a flu insect accident, a sudden flu insect attack on the team or something else. If they can minimize these, it would be a good speed change and would really help them get into the standings.

Is the early hype reasonable?

In early September, the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) released its first top ten of the season. It makes everyone understand the top teams across Canada.

Spitfires were up to a third last season, but also left the ranking later this season. Sometimes it’s a game of guessing, but it also shows the trend of the team. This season, CHL put the club in fifth place on Tuesday, September 16, and they rose to second place on Tuesday, September 23. Initial rankings last week, Walter said they had to remain modest and focused.

“Some people didn’t get us into the playoffs (last season),” he said. “It’s great and worthy of praise. We have a great team back. We can’t fall in love with ourselves. We have to make sure our work ethics and attention to detail is the same as last season.”

The ranking is great, but you still need to play the game the right way. So far, the club has beaten Sarnia Sting and London Knights 8-1 and 4-1, respectively, showing that they can handle the pressure. But, it’s still early. Can they keep moving forward? No one expects them to win 4-1 or 8-1 every night, or even win every game. However, expectations are higher and they want to justify the hype. It’s a tricky balance, but a team seems ready to try it out.