Windsor Spitfires’ GM Bill Bowler is always measured with prospects.

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Windsor Spitfires’ general manager Bill Bowler is always very measured when talking about prospects.

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Bowler is a firm believer that every player has a different timetable for development and OHL Draft day is not a time to declare someone a star.

That being said, Bowler admitted he was pleased with what the club was able accomplish with the team’s 15 picks in the 15-round draft, which wrapped up two days of selections on Saturday.

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“You can make your lists, but time will tell,” Bowler said. “However, after watching (these prospects perform this past season), I will say we’re really happy.”

Following is a brief look at each of Windsor’s selections with vital stats from last season with team, position, height, weight, games, goals, assists, points and penalty minutes and a comment from either Bowler or Frank Evola, who is the Spitfires’ director of scouting and hockey operations.

Round 1 (21st overall) – John McLaughlin, Lambton Jr. Sting U16, left centre, six-foot, 175 pounds. 2-2-0-2-0.

“Johnny, probably without his injury, would have been a top 10 pick, so we don’t see that as a late first-round pick,” Evola said in regards to McLaughlin’s season-ending knee injury in October. “We’re looking at that as the steal of the draft. He knows how to play the game the right way.” 

Round 2 (30th overall) – Ian Inskip, Mississauga Reps U16, left centre, six-foot-two, 172 pounds, 33-17-11-28-30

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“Big, left shot centre,” Bowler said. “Power forward that can use his strength and skill and has tremendous upside.”

Round 3 (45th overall) – Ty Bergeron, Detroit Honeybaked 15’s, left centre, six-foot-one, 180 pounds, 67-45-59-104-NA

“Grit, can do everything, big body and has a bite to his game,” Bowler said of Bergeron, who has signed a tender to play in the USHL with Muskegon next season. “Point getter as well. You just see how that body matures and develops, the potential can be special.”

Round 4 (76th overall) – Jesse Debruyn, Huron-Perth Lakers U16, left defenceman, six-foot, 183 pounds, 30-7-8-15-2

“Underrated player,” Bowler said. “We think this is a steal. Makes a great first pass, doesn’t complicate the game, brings everything and has a calmness and physicality to his game.”

Round 5 (102nd overall) – Caden Harvey, Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 16U, five-foot-11, 169 pounds, s48-47-48-95-26

“He’s an add on (older player first eligible last year), a 2008 birth and had almost 100 points in his U16 year,” Evola said. “He brings offence, right-hand shot and we don’t have too many right shots in our lineup. He could step into our lineup next year and contribute.”

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Round 6 (113th overall) – Kaden Rolling, right defenceman, Barrie Jr. Colts U16, six-foot, 184 pounds, 25-3-6-9-2

“Puck moving defenceman that’s a real smooth skater,” Evola said. “Plays bigger than his size and contributes a little on offence. Really can play the game the way the game is going, which is fast and with speed. We like what he brings.”

Round 6 (114th overall) – Braden Horton, right wing, Shattuck-St. Mary’s Sabres 15’s, six-foot-one, 178 pounds, 53-35-78-108-25

“Made the USDP (a two-year commitment) and has a little Tommy Wilson in him,” Evola said. “A right shot with some scoring touchdown and grit.”

Round 7 (141st overall) – Andrew Enright, left defenceman, Ottawa Valley Titans U16, six-foot-one, 167 pounds, 27-1-10-11-37

“I think he’s got similar qualities to Thomas Stevenson,” Evola said in reference to the former Spitfire defenceman that played in Windsor from 2017-20. “A stay-at-home defenceman, good feet, good stick and we see something there.”

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Round 8 (152nd overall) – Gunner Wolfe, goaltender, North Central Predators U16, six-foot-three, 180 pounds, 20 games and 1.82 goals-against average.

“Big goalie that played really well and was one of the elite performers playing on a not top-tier team,” Bowler said. “Big body and lots of potential.”

Round 9 ( 181st overall) – Davis Devonish, right defenceman, Vaughan Kings U16, six-foot, 158 pounds, 33-0-5-5-18

“Raw, right-hand shot defenceman that needs time to grow and develop, but tons of characteristics to be a solid OHLer and with the right attitude,” Bowler said.

Round 11 (221st overall) – Hudson Cicchelli, goaltender, Toronto Jr. Canadiens U16, five-foot-11, 156 pounds, stats not available.

“Continued to get better and better and is a gamer,” Evola said. “Took the reins of that JRC team that won OHL Cup and was a go-to guy. Showed up in big moments and ice in his veins.” 

Round 13 (249th overall) – Luke St. John, left defenceman, Windsor Jr. Spitfires U16, five-foot-10, 156 pounds, 30-11-11-22-48

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“He has a lot of offensive ability,” Evola said. “He’s tall, lanky and there are things we like. He can really zip the puck and kind of a power-play guy. If he can work on other parts of his game, the door’s open for him.”

Round 14 (278th overall) – Ty Dubreuil, right wing, North Bay Trappers U16, five-foot-10, 161 pounds, 32-17-17-34-24

“Northern kid that plays hard and has some offensive flair,” Evola said. “We see some of those northern kids have that work ethic that can play a good role on our team at some point, if everything comes to fruition.”

Round 15 (289th overall) – Jordan Maine, right defenceman, Sun County Panthers U16, five-foot-eight, 172 pounds, 27-1-17-18-48

“One of the go-to guys on that team,” Evola said. “Maybe got overlooked. A little injured during the season, but fought through it and has a lot of potential, but still hasn’t reached his ceiling yet.”

Round 15 (298th overall) – Jordan Street, right defenceman, Ajax-Pickering Raiders U16, five-foot-10, 141 pounds, 32-10-10-18

“We see some ability and grittiness to him that we kind of like to bring here to Windsor,” Evola said.

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