Windsor Spitfires Add Depth with Signing & 2026 OHL Under-18 Draft

For the last two seasons, the Windsor Spitfires have been proud of their organizational depth. On Monday, they added more as they get ready for the 2026-27 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) season.

When injuries and illnesses have piled up, the club knew that it could rely on that depth. It wasn’t always pretty, but it was effective. Now, with several veteran graduations this summer, including captain Liam Greentree (New York Rangers), forward A.J. Spellacy (Chicago Blackhawks), defenceman Carson Woodall and goaltender Joey Costanzo, general manager Bill Bowler continues to add bodies to the organization. Just days after signing forward Ty Bergeron (2025 OHL Draft third-round) and defenceman Jesse DeBruyn (2025 OHL Draft fourth-round), Bowler added three more hopefuls and a new signee on Monday.

Carchidi, Campbell, & Bodnar Hear Names Called

On Monday evening, the OHL held its annual Under-18 Draft. It’s for eligible players who weren’t originally drafted into the league and were not protected by an OHL club but were playing with a registered Ontario-based Under-18 AAA club last season. With every position losing talent, Bowler didn’t aim for any one specific area, instead casting a wide net to get help wherever it’s needed.

With the 16th overall pick, he chose center Anthony Carchidi from the Vaughan Kings U18 AAA. The 5-foot-11, 161-pound Woodbridge native had just five points in 33 games for their U16 club in 2024-25 but impressed with 10 goals and 21 points in 31 games last season for U18.

In the second round, 36th overall, the Spitfires selected goaltender Beckett Campbell out of the Upper Canada Cyclones U18 AAA. In 18 games, the 6-foot-1, 180-pounder had a 2.49 goals-against average (GAA) with an 11-4-2 record, including two shutouts. He also played in four games for the Smith Falls Jr. Bears (Junior B) out of the Eastern Ontario Junior Hockey League, sporting a 0.75 GAA and a .978 save percentage.

Bowler’s final pick, 56th overall, was defenceman Jackson Bodnar. Born in Montreal, PQ, the 6-foot-2, 194-pounder played last season with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens U16 AAA where he had four points in 30 games. However, last season with the Markham Waxers U18 AAA, he improved to five goals and 14 points in 31 games.

Bowler Signs Havusic

In addition to Carchidi, Campbell, and Bodnar, Bowler made another move on Monday by signing 2025 OHL Under-18 Draft first-round pick forward Hamza Havusic to an OHL scholarship and development agreement.

The 6-foot-4, 190-pound Mississauga native had six goals and 18 points in 34 games for the Stouffville Spirit of the Ontario Junior Hockey League last season. He also had 11 goals and 23 points in 35 games for the Kings before Bowler selected him last spring. In a statement, Havusic expressed his excitement to be joining the Spitfires while Bowler said the youngster’s size and potential are intriguing.

“(He) has a big frame with the ability to skate well,” Bowler said. “We see potential in this young man with his size and strength.”

✈️ SIGNING ANNOUNCEMENT ✈️

The Windsor Spitfires are proud to welcome 2025 first-round U18 selection Hamza Havusic, who has officially signed an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement!

Welcome to Windsor, Hamza!

Details: https://t.co/ZFTavknuyJ #WindsorSpitfires @TheKeg pic.twitter.com/RojORMJr70

— Windsor Spitfires (@SpitsHockey) June 8, 2026

The four new additions to the organization, on top of Bergeron and Debruyn, help create options for Bowler. The club has plenty of openings as the club heads into 2026-27, so it’s up to these four to stand out enough that they can earn a spot. If not, the team will find them a home for the season, whether that’s the LaSalle Vipers Junior B (Spitfires’ affiliate) or another club at that level.

While Under-18 picks don’t usually become stars in the league, they can be effective. Last season’s backup goaltender, Michael Newlove, was the club’s first overall pick in the 2024 OHL Under-18 Draft. Their 2023 first-round pick, defenceman Evan Hjelholt, has played in eight games for injury replacements. They’ve also had earlier picks, forwards Jackson McIlwain and Alec Stewart, see over 20 games each.

With the Under-18 Draft complete, the Spitfires now get ready for the OHL Draft which goes Fri., June 12 and Sat., June 13 at the Slush Puppy Place in Kingston. The first round is on Friday while the remainder of the draft (Rounds 2 through 15) are held on Saturday.