Windsor Spitfires Sign 2025 OHL Third-Round Pick Ty Bergeron

The Windsor Spitfires continue to prepare for the 2026-27 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) season. On Friday, they added an important piece to their future puzzle.

Coming into the off-season, general manager Bill Bowler had a lot of work to do with a rebuilding roster. With several graduations from the lineup, there were holes to fill without a lot of assets to work with. After signing 2025 OHL fourth-round pick defenceman Jesse Debruyn earlier this week, the club made another statement on Friday.

Bergeron Signs With Spitfires

The Spitfires officially announced that 2025 OHL third-round pick forward Ty Bergeron signed an OHL scholarship and development agreement.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Flat Rock, MI native played his minor hockey in the Honeybaked system in Michigan, finishing as captain of their 15U AAA team in 2024-25. There, he had 16 goals and 33 points in 21 games. Just days before the 2025 OHL Draft, he signed a tender with the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the United States Hockey League (USHL). However, Bowler still drafted him, and he attended the Spitfires’ orientation camp to see what they had to offer. That visit left a lasting impression.

After the draft, he kept his commitment to the Lumberjacks, recording 20 points in 55 games in 2025-26 and helping them get to the USHL Championship, where they lost to the Sioux Falls Stampede, 3-1. He was also a part of the bronze medal win for Team USA at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in November. However, after the season ended, he looked back on his time with the Spitfires’ orientation camp and decided that the OHL was the best option for him. In a press release, he showed his excitement.

“It feels awesome to sign with the Spitfires,” Bergeron, 17, said. “I’m just really looking forward to getting the season started!”

✈️ SIGNING ANNOUNCEMENT ✈️

The Windsor Spitfires are proud to welcome 2025 third-round selection Ty Bergeron, who has officially signed an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement!

Welcome to Windsor, Ty!

Details: https://t.co/ZFTavknuyJ #WindsorSpitfires | @McDonaldsCanada pic.twitter.com/TMEb3pcVLL

— Windsor Spitfires (@SpitsHockey) June 5, 2026

Bowler has often been about bringing in bigger, skilled forwards who can handle the grind of a long season and playoffs. In 2025-26, the Spitfires had players like captain forward Liam Greentree (6-foot-3, 216-pounds), A.J. Spellacy (6-foot-3, 204-pounds), Jack Nesbitt (6-foot-4, 189-pounds), and Ethan Belchetz (6-foot-5, 227-pounds). That was the trend again here, and Bowler said Bergeron already plays a pro-style game.

“(Bergeron) is a complete player with high energy and compete,” Bowler said. “He plays a pro-style game, and we welcome him and his family to the Spitfires.”

Bergeron keeping his commitment to the Lumberjacks is admirable. Now that he’s in the OHL, though, it’s time to see what he can do.

Young Roster Means More Opportunity

In 2025-26, it was clear from the start that the Spitfires would likely go on a run for the OHL Championship. While they lost to the eventual Memorial Cup Champion Kitchener Rangers in the Western Conference Final, they loaded up with veterans at the deadline. Unfortunately, this meant Bergeron may not have seen the playing time he wanted.

However, as we head into 2026-27, it’s a completely new landscape at the WFCU Centre. With veterans like Greentree (New York Rangers), Spellacy (Chicago Blackhawks), Nesbitt (University of Michigan), Belchetz (Michigan State University), Nathan Villeneuve (Seattle Kraken), and more leaving for the pros or NCAA, the club has plenty of openings.

This is a golden opportunity for Bergeron to step right in and, not only earn a roster spot, but possibly a top-six role. Head coach Greg Walters is known for playing anyone, regardless of age or experience, in any spot as long as they earn it.

In 2024-25, rookie forward Ethan Garden moved up the lineup quickly, as did rookie forward John McLaughlin this season. The increase in ice time will only benefit them in September. With Bergeron’s experience in the USHL, he can hit the ground running with them, and it could help shorten the so-called rebuild.

Getting Bergeron signed is a big piece for Bowler as the summer gets going. The next important items on the agenda are the OHL Under-18 Draft on Monday, June 8, and the OHL Draft on Friday, June 12, and Saturday, June 13. The Under-18 Draft is held online, while the OHL Draft will be done in person at the Slush Puppy Place in Kingston.