Windsor Spitfires’ 2025-26 Graduates Say Goodbye to OHL Careers

With their 2025-26 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) season complete following a Western Conference Championship series loss to the Kitchener Rangers, the Windsor Spitfires are preparing to move on to the next chapter. Unfortunately, part of that means saying goodbye to several graduating players.

The Spitfires were expected to make a serious run at the OHL Championship this season. They were loaded with talent, and general manager Bill Bowler added more depth at the January trade deadline. While they made it to the conference final, they ran into a very strong Rangers club who got the edge in five games. Now, they transition to summer mode, and that includes saying goodbye to several graduating players, including three overagers (20-year-olds) who became fan favourites.

Saying Goodbye to the Overagers

Each team is allowed to dress three overage players per game. This season, that was a player born in 2005. They’re expected to lead the team on and off the ice. The Spitfires started the season with forward Owen Outwater, goaltender Joey Costanzo, and defenceman Wyatt Kennedy. However, after some roster shuffling, Outwater moved on during the first half while Bowler picked up forward Alex Pharand from the Sudbury Wolves before the January trade deadline.

Costanzo Leaves Legacy

When you talk about leadership and dedication to a team, Costanzo is at the forefront here. Acquired by Bowler from the Niagara IceDogs in September 2022, he had an incredible career with the Spitfires. While there was a hiccup in 2023-24, where his numbers dropped (along with the rest of the team), he rebounded in 2024-25 and put up outstanding numbers until the end of this season.

Over 197 games, he went 107-60-9-5 (which includes a 10-23-2-1 record in 2023-24) with a 3.34 goals-against average (GAA) and .885 save percentage (SV%). This season, he finished going 32-11-4-1 with a 2.16 GAA and .908 SV%. His 107 career wins were among the most in OHL history.

He was a leader on the ice, a leader in the room, and one of the most recognized faces in the community. There were many games where you could hear fans chanting “Joey! Joey! Joey!” after a big save, and he was also the first to tell you that any win was a “team stat.” He had that “it” factor and, not only did he break former Spitfires’ great Michael DiPietro’s record for career wins, but he left a lasting impression that won’t be forgotten.

Kennedy Excels On and Off the Ice

The second overage player to move on is the 6-foot-5, 202-pound Kennedy. Acquired from the North Bay Battalion in January 2025, the veteran had playoff experience, was a force around the net, and chipped in some offensively. He wasn’t flashy, but he didn’t have to be. He let you know he was there and was one of the first to help a teammate in need, both on and off the ice. The OHL recognized that by naming him as a finalist for Teammate of the Year earlier in May.

When Bowler acquired Kennedy, the hope was that he would return for an overage season in 2025-26 because his experience would go a long way when they went for a playoff run. It worked out beautifully. They got a class act on and off the ice.

Pharand Fits In

Finally, Bowler rounded out his overage spots in January when he got Pharand, a Sudbury native, in a move with the Wolves. He also acquired forward Nathan Villeneuve, who we’ll discuss below.

Originally with the Hamilton (now Brantford) Bulldogs in 2021-22, the 6-foot-3, 198-pounder was eventually moved to the Wolves at the trade deadline (via the Peterborough Petes) and wound up playing over 200 games for his hometown. He became a significant piece of their roster, including 59 points in 64 games this season with the alternate captain’s “A.”

In January, Bowler brought him in with the expectations of playing a depth role for head coach Greg Walters. It worked out as he had 16 points in 30 games, provided some physical, two-way hockey, and was happy to play that team game people often talk about. In the playoffs, he added four points in 13 games, but one of his biggest goals came during a Spitfires’ win in Game 3 against the Rangers. It gave the team a 2-0 lead, and they held on for a 4-2 win.

Pharand wasn’t one for the spotlight, but he provided what was necessary. It was that grit, depth, and locker room leadership the team needed.

Greentree Leads 2006-Born Graduating Group

While the Spitfires have three overage players graduating, they also have several others who will likely be moving on with their careers. Next season, the 2006-born players are the overagers and, while a few may be staying (which we’ll look at in a future article), the ones we’re going to mention are most likely heading to new adventures.

Captain Liam Greentree Heads to the Big Apple

One of the biggest losses up front will be seeing captain Liam Greentree moving on with the New York Rangers. The Oshawa native was the Spitfires’ second-round pick in 2022 and quickly became Mr. Everything for the club.

After 25 goals and 45 points in 61 games in 2022-23, the 6-foot-3, 215-pounder broke out for 36 goals and 90 points in 64 games in a difficult 2023-24 season. He was named captain in January 2024 and ran with it. In 2024-25, he teamed with Washington Capitals’ prospect Ilya Protas and wound up with 49 goals and 119 points in 64 games. This season, his production dropped, but he still finished with 38 goals and 74 points in 52 games, putting him second all-time on the Spitfires with 328 career points (behind Bowler’s 467).

Greentree was everything you could want in a Spitfire – he created, he finished, he defended his teammates without hesitation, he was a leader, he was professional, and he was outstanding in the community. Whatever the team needed, he was there, and the city loved him for it.

Originally drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the first round in 2024 and signed in July 2024, the Rangers acquired his rights last February. He’ll likely be heading into their system to take the next step in his career.

Greentree was personable, always willing to talk to whoever needed it, and he became the face of the franchise. We knew that he would be gone after this season, but this becomes a huge void in the lineup entering 2026-27.

Spellacy Bound for Blackhawks

Another veteran who’s likely heading to the pros is the Westlake, OH native A.J. Spellacy. Drafted by Bowler in the third round in 2022, the former high school football star came advertised as a fast skater who could use his size and determination to put up points.

His rookie season saw him get 17 points in 47 games before an injury sidelined him for the rest of the season. After getting healthy, he blossomed in 2023-24 with 21 goals and 38 points in 67 games. That point total was about his plateau in the OHL as he put up 69 points in his remaining 113 games.

However, what he lacked in dynamic production, he made up for in speed, physicality, and an ability to kill penalties as well as anyone in the league. He was calculated, intelligent, and knew when to strike on the penalty kill. He finished with eight shorthanded goals in 227 games and was named one of the best penalty killers in the Western Conference in the 2025-26 OHL Coaches Poll.

In the room, he was a leader who, while not overly vocal, led by example and was a big part of the 2006 core. The veteran was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the third round in 2023 and saw preseason action in late September 2025. Next season, he’ll likely get every opportunity to make their American Hockey League club. The Spitfires are really going to miss his physicality, speed, and locker room presence.

Villeneuve Turning Pro

During the deadline, the Spitfires brought in Villeneuve with Pharand. The issue was that, while Pharand was an overager, Villeneuve was essentially a rental, too.

The 20-year-old Villeneuve was the Seattle Kraken’s second-round pick in 2024 and came to the Spitfires looking for his first OHL Championship. He was supposed to bring three key elements – grit, offensive production, and leadership. After all, he had 44 points in 28 games with the Wolves this season. Unfortunately, that never got going with the Spitfires as he had just five goals and 19 points in 23 regular season games, and another four points in 13 playoff games. The frustration was evident from everyone.

Fortunately, the rest of his game was gold. He was physical, involved, and a leader in the room. He went to bat for any teammate and didn’t think twice. You need that in the playoffs and, despite the higher price (17-year-old forward Jean-Christoph Lemieux and eight picks), Bowler likely makes that move every time.

While he would be a nice piece to have for a rebuild, the veteran is signed by the Kraken, so he will likely head to their farm system for further seasoning.

Davis, Fibigr, and Woodall Going to School

Finally, the last three 2006-born players that are confirmed to be moving on are all college-bound – forward Cole Davis and defencemen Carson Woodall and Jakub Fibigr (Kraken).

Davis was the Spitfires’ fourth-round pick in 2022, and the 5-foot-11, 187-pound speedster became a fan favourite. The Sutton native was a great agitator on the ice, consistently zipping around, throwing his weight, and adding about 40 points a season. While he never reached the 50-point plateau, you knew what you were getting from him – speed to burn, physical play, creative offence, and an outstanding penalty killer.

Off the ice, he was a leader and a pick-me-up for the team. If they needed something light-hearted, he was there. He was also a staple in the community, and fans loved him. While he would have been an ideal overage candidate next season, he has committed to the University of Connecticut.

Joining Davis in the NCAA will be the Belle River native, Woodall. The 6-foot, 185-pounder was the Spitfires’ 10th-round pick in 2022. After a season with the LaSalle Vipers Junior B, he joined the Spitfires in 2023-24 and has become a force on and off the ice. This season, he was a finalist for the OHL Defenceman of the Year after 12 goals and 63 points in 68 games, all career highs.

Off the ice, he’s the founder of Woody’s Hoodies, a grassroots initiative in Windsor-and-Essex County that raises money for local cancer awareness and research. It won him the OHL Humanitarian of the Year Award in April. In February, Woodall committed to Boston College to join the Eagles for 2026-27.

Finally, we likely say goodbye to the 20-year-old Fibigr. After 24 points in 27 games with the Brampton Steelheads, he had just two goals and 16 points in 29 games with Walters’ club. However, once the playoffs hit, everything changed. He hit his stride at the perfect time, recording 12 points in 13 games, showed a strong defensive presence, and was the two-way defenceman the club had been targeting at the deadline. In February, he committed to Ohio State University. The Kraken have until June 1 to sign him, or else he becomes a free agent.

In Costanzo and Greentree’s Own Words

Saying goodbye to the fans and reminiscing about the past isn’t easy when you didn’t expect to be in this position. Fortunately, we had the chance to talk to Costanzo and Greentree on Sunday about what they’re most proud of, what they’ll miss, and their message to the Spitfires’ fans.

What They’re Most Proud Of

Costanzo – “A hundred different things come to mind. I’m proud of the culture we’ve built here. This core here has been together a long time. Some of these guys have become brothers to me. Being an overager with this team, growing and learning with this group, I like to think I’ve become an older brother to some of these guys. It’s been four of the best years of my life, and I wouldn’t trade this for the world.”

Greentree – “Being able to be a Spitfire for the last four seasons, wearing the jersey every single day. It’s the best four years of my life.”

What They’ll Miss the Most

Costanzo – “Just coming to the rink every day. Being with the boys. Being best friends with these guys. I’m going to miss my billets. I’m going to miss having fun on the ice with the guys. All the team meals. All the road trips. The list goes on.”

Greentree – “Just the boys. The guys made it really great for the last four seasons. Everyone I’ve met here are brothers to me for life. A bunch of great guys that I’ll definitely be missing going forward.”

Their Message to the Fans

Costanzo – “Just thank you for everything. Every time you chant my name, every time you booed when they scored. Just thank you for this crazy ride and sticking with us through it all.”

Greentree – “I just want to say thank you. The fans have been great for four straight seasons. My first time playing here, it was unreal to experience everyone in the stands. My first playoff game, having all the fans in the stands, it was such an experience that I’ll never forget. They were so supportive of, not just me, but the team and what we were able to do for the last four seasons. I just want to say thank you.”

These players meant a lot to the Spitfires’ organization. Whether they were here for a few months or a few seasons, they all made some kind of impact. Junior hockey tends to be cyclical, and you see players come and go. It doesn’t make saying goodbye to them any easier. They left a mark on the organization, and we just hope that they succeed wherever their careers and lives take them. Thank you to all the graduates for all you’ve done.