Windsor Struggle: 4 Breakthrough Candidates in 2025-26 – Hockey Writer – OHL

2024 – 25 Windsor Spitfires’ success surprised much of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). As the club prepares for the bigger 2025-26 season, four players are looking for their own impact.

After a frustrating club in the 2023-24 season, the club ranked second in the OHL, and they reached the top of the Western Conference rankings last season, but didn’t look back. General Manager (GM) Bill Bowler, along with head coach Greg Walters and his staff formed a team that not only dominated the ice, but also a cohesive family. Led by Captain Liam Greentree (Los Angeles Kings), they are a team that wants to show off last season. Fortunately, while they have many older talents to help, they also have younger players who are eager to learn. Now, those young people are preparing to improve their game. These are four breakthrough candidates to enter the club in 2025-26.

Carter Hicks (Defender)

In 2023-24, Bowler “redecorated deck” back to back. Part of it includes sending two veterans along with the blockbuster action of Memorial Cup host Saginaw Spirit while bringing veterans and picks back to the fierce. One of them is Peterborough Petes’ second round player in 2024 (24th overall). In the 2024 OHL Draft (born in 2008), Bowler used the draft pick to select defensive player Carter Hicks.

The 6-foot-1-foot-weight 166-pound London native was advertised as a two-way defender, and he was quick to walk, strong at his end, and kept in good shape with the hockey. He also has great leadership potential. Fortunately, everything is fine. The young man saw a lot of ice time early on and scored 3 goals in 52 games and scored 14 points. Perhaps more importantly, he adapted to the OHL speed and had a veteran in the playoffs. There, he added 4 points in 12 games and showed some average streak, which is appreciated.

Related: Windsor Spitfires’s rookie will prepare early in the future

Hicks enters 2025-26 and hopes to be the top four defensive players. He has the tools and confidence he wants on both ends of the ice and by transitioning smoothly to the OHL, he could be what budding star Bowler and his staff expect. The club chose to keep him in the main squad last season and worked out perfectly. Now, when they hope to win the OHL championship again, the youngster may be at the forefront of the experience.

Jean-Christoph Lemieux (Forward)

Although Hicks got a lot of attention in the 2008-born group, Jean-Christoph Lemieux has a radar season. The Quebec also picked the 5-foot-11-inch, 176-pound Gatineau in the second round of 2024, and was advertised as a hard-working, hard-working striker who could raise points under opponents’ skin. He completed the game with nine goals and 19 points in 46 games for most of the season. He also added assists in six playoff games.

However, despite positive results, Lemix was injured, including missing half of the games in the playoffs. There are frustrating times because it’s hard for him to find his own match consistency when his injury pops up. That’s why 2025-26 may be his “I’m here!” moment.

In 34 games, he scored 24 goals and 60 points in 34 games in the OHL draft season. Talent is there consistently produced and incited. He just needs ice time and health. If everything is in place, Lemieux can showcase Spitfires, their fans and why the league is the second round pick.

Ethan Garden (Forward)

He has never shyed away from a bold move since Bowler took over as the long-time Spitfires GM Warren Rychel in July 2019. One of them was in the 2024 draft when he advanced to Ethan Garden in the ninth round.

The young man grew up in Michigan and had an NCAA wish while playing with the Little Caesars 15U AAA program. But when the OHL called, he attended Spitfires’ welcome camp and began to divert his attention. Not long after, he signed and became a potential steal in the draft.

Although only 5 feet 9 feet and weighs 165 pounds, he never stops moving and hits anything in the opposite color. Last season, he entered 55 games with six goals and 14 points, adding another five points in 12 playoff games. He offers zero fears about body games or entering dirty areas, no matter what coach is needed.

With one of his seasons, the 2025-26 season is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for young people. The club lost the graduations of forwards Noah Morneau and Ryan Abraham and both played in a similar style to the garden. He may not replace their production immediately, but he may increase ice time and be more confident that it will only benefit everyone.

Ethan Belchetz (forward)

It’s hard to have this list, excluding the 2024 first-time forward Ethan Belchetz. The 6-foot-5-foot-tall Oakville native weighs 226 pounds is probably the monster Spitfires envisioned when he was drafting him.

Last season, he scored 17 goals and 38 points in 56 games. He promotes his body with professional figures, body shooting, and promotion of his figures, defensive awareness and leadership ability. However, getting injured and missing the playoffs in the final home game frustrated everyone.

After recovering from injury, Belchetz may want to use 2025-26, not only showing his true abilities, but also improving stocks for the 2026 NHL entry draft next summer. His first round is written on him, and if he puts all of that together next season, maybe even the top ten or higher. Walters may give him all the ice he can handle to surpass his (still impressive) 38-point season. With the right captivity and health, this can be a fun season to watch young people bloom and become the power everyone knows they can be.

The 2024-25 season was an interesting season for Spitfires and their fans. Part of that is because of their rookie success, they will transition and expect as much as possible. Entering 2025-26, we may be looking at multiple breakout seasons, which makes the club more successful in the future.

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