Today marks the start of a marathon 2024-2025 season in the Ontario Hockey League, and I thought it would be great to start the season by giving a few names to keep an eye on as they look to cement or improve their ranking for the 2025 NHL Draft.
Before I dive in, I wanted to take a quick look back at this past season. At the 2024 Memorial Cup, we saw two OHL teams in the finals, with the Saginaw Spirit ultimately beating the London Knights 4-3. This is the first time that the Memorial Cup had two OHL teams since 2017. Shortly after, the 2024 NHL Draft commenced and we saw 39 OHL players drafted, the most in the CHL. Of these players, nine were drafted in the first room. Let’s look at some players projected to be drafted early in the 2025 NHL Draft.
Porter Martone, RW, Brampton Steelheads
2023/24 Stats: 60 GP, 33G-38A-71P
Porter Martone is projected to be a power forward with a high offensive upside. Martone doesn’t shy away from physicality and effectively uses his big strong 6’3″ frame to his advantage. He has solid puck-handling skills and skates well for his size. Martone will look to continue growing his game this season and while his goals are expected to jump, his playmaking skills will likely increase his assists too. Martone is expected to be drafted in the top five of the 2025 NHL Draft and will look to maintain his position in the draft rankings.
Michael Misa, C/LW, Saginaw Spirit
2023/24 Stats: 67 GP, 29G-46A-75P
Michael Misa is a skilled forward who had a successful 2023-2024 season, starting by winning a Hlinka Gretzky Cup gold medal followed by the Memorial Cup with Saginaw Spirit. Misa also won OHL Rookie of the Year in the 2022-2023 season. The Calgary Flames drafted Michael’s brother Luke in the fifth round of the 2024 NHL Draft, and Michael looks quite likely to be drafted far earlier as he’s projected to be a top 10 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.
Michael Misa is a skilled forward most known for his skating ability and speed. Misa is smooth and has elite vision which leads to impressive playmaking abilities. Misa will need to continue to get stronger to hold his own at the NHL level, but he has time to do that with a full draft year. Misa will look to continue to grow his offensive talents and continue winning puck battles along the boards.
Matthew Schaefer, D, Erie Otters
2023/24 Stats: 56 GP, 3G-14A-17P
Matthew Schaefer is a skilled 6’2″ defenseman with an impressive skating ability. The two-way defenseman uses his stick well to both prevent and create plays. Schaefer had lower offensive stats this past season with Erie but with a solid showing at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, his stock has been growing. It’s not easy to find skilled offensive defensemen who also play well defensively. Schaefer may not be ready to start the season after contracting mono, and that could hurt his draft stock, but Schaefer is poised to have an offensive breakout.
Malcolm Spence, LW, Erie Otters
2023/24 Stats: 66 GP, 19G-43A-62P
Malcolm Spence is a strong forward standing at 6’2″ and over 200 pounds. Spence can be aggressive and will look to lean into that area of his game more this upcoming season. Spence has a great shot and some untapped offensive potential that he will look to grow in this season. Spence will look to beat his 62 points from this past season as he’s projected to be drafted midway through the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft.
Jake O’Brien, C, Brantford Bulldogs
2023/24 Stats: 61 GP, 13G-51A-64P
Jake O’Brien made waves in his rookie season in the OHL with the Bulldogs highlighted by reaching over 50 assists. O’Brien’s game is highlighted by his vision and hockey IQ. His playmaking skills are quite impressive too. O’Brien didn’t look like a rookie and will look to build off his successful season in his sophomore year with the Bulldogs. O’Brien is projected to be drafted midway through the 2025 NHL Draft.
Kashawn Aitcheson, D, Barrie Colts
2023/24 Stats: 64 GP, 8G-31A-39P
Kashawn Aitcheson is a two-way defenseman who was able to stabilize the Colts’ blueline last season. Aitcheson also has a solid physical element to his game, which has helped him to defend the net well. Aitcheson will look to increase his effect on the Colts this season as he takes a more prominent role with the team offensively, defensively, and physically. Aitcheson is an interesting player to watch, so keep an eye on him this season.
Filip Ekberg, LW, Ottawa 67’s
2023/24 Stats: 33 GP, 12G-17A-29P
Filip Ekberg will be one of the most interesting players to track for the 2025 NHL Draft, as he transitions overseas and looks to adjust to his first season in North America with the Ottawa 67’s. Ekberg is a skilled forward with great passing abilities. He is projected to be near the end of the first round, but his position could change drastically based on how his first season in the OHL goes. Ekberg will look to help the 67’s offence as they look to have a successful season.
Jack Ivankovic, G, Brampton Steelheads
2023/24 Stats: 25 GP, 2.72 GAA, .915 SV%
Jack Ivankovic is one of the highest projected goalies in the 2025 NHL Draft with a possibility of being selected in the first round. Ivankovic followed his OHL season with an impressive tournament at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Many viewed Ivankovic as the Canadian team MVP as he had impressive numbers with a 0.75 GAA and .967 SV% through the four games he played. The Steelheads already have a solid team and Ivankovic should help push the team to compete for the OHL Championship as he looks to continue his rise in the draft rankings.
Thank you for taking the time to read this OHL piece, and for more content on draft-eligible players, be sure to keep an eye on the Inside the Rink website.
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