Latest news with #BillBowler
CTV News
09-07-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Windsor Spitfires sign first-round pick
The Windsor Spitfires have signed their first-round draft pick. Forward John McLaughlin was drafted 21st overall by the Spitfires in the 2025 OHL Draft back in April. The Spitfires announced Wednesday that McLaughlin, 15, has signed the scholarship and development agreement to join the Windsor club. McLaughlin hails from Corunna, Ont. and stands at 5 feet 10 inches and weighs 165 pounds. McLaughlin played for his hometown Lambton Jr Sting Team for the past three seasons. In the 2023-24 season, McLaughlin played a year up and scored 16 goals and had 17 assists for 33 points in 24 games. In the playoffs, McLaughlin had one goal and two assists for three points in four games. In the 2024-25 season, McLaughlin's season was cut short after an injury, he played in two games and scored two goals for the Sting. McLaughlin was called up by the Strathroy Rockets (GOJHL) and played in one game and had a goal and an assist. 'It feels incredible (to sign),' McLaughlin said. 'This is something I have worked toward for a long time and to sign with a team like Windsor is a huge honour. I am proud to be part of such a great organization and I am really excited to get started and put in the work,' he added. 'Johnny is a well-rounded player with an elite compete level,' said Spitfires general manager Bill Bowler. 'His work ethic and dedication on and off the ice will benefit both Johnny and our hockey club. We were thrilled to get him so late in the first round.' - Written by Dustin Coffman/AM800 News.
Ottawa Citizen
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
‘Man, I want to play here,' Brown says after joining Spitfires
Article content Defenceman Jonathan Brown quickly fell in love with the Windsor Spitfires. Article content A Scarsdale, N.Y. native, Brown is verbally committed to Yale University, but started exploring his options before university when the NCAA relaxed rules on accepting players from junior hockey. Article content 'I never really considered the OHL,' the 18-year-old Brown said. 'I always wanted to play college hockey. I didn't put any effort into trying to play in OHL. Once they changed that rule, it became intriguing.' Article content Brown played last season for the powerhouse Shattuck-St. Mary's prep program in Minnesota and one of his first junior stops was Windsor when general manager Bill Bowler invited to attend a game. Article content Article content 'It was a great atmosphere,' the six-foot-two, 201-pound Brown said. 'Honestly, the rink, the atmosphere and the fans. I think it was against Kingston (a 7-1 win on March 6) and the rink was packed. There was a fight and everyone was into it and it was like, 'Man, I want to play here.'' Article content On Friday, Brown officially signed on with the Spitfires. Article content 'We think this is a great signing for our club,' Spitfires' general manager Bill Bowler said. 'He's a steady defender, a real good skater and I think there's some offence that's untapped. Article content 'He's headed to the Ivy League, so you know he has a brain, and it's kids like this that you want to be part of your program. We're fortunate he chose the Windsor Spitfires.' Article content Article content Brown's father is an American, his mother is from France and the couple met in London, England, which is where he was born. The family moved to the U.S. when he was six. Article content Article content 'Definitely not just the same path as every other player,' Brown said. 'My dad's actually form Detroit. That's another reason for Windsor is that there's a ton of family close.' Article content Brown had plenty of junior hockey options before choosing Windsor. He was drafted in 2024 by Youngstown in the United States Hockey League and in 2023 by Connecticut in the National Collegiate Development Conference. Article content 'I could have played in the USHL, but I started thinking about my options,' said Brown, who appeared in two games for Youngstown this past season. 'The OHL is an unbelievable league with great players and produces the most players to the NHL.' Article content Brown helped Shattuck-St. Mary's win the USA Hockey Youth Tier I 18U National Championship in April. Brown scored a goal in the final that saw Shattuck-St. Mary's beat the Boston Jr. Eagles 8-1.
