OHL Trade Deadline sees plenty of moves across the league to begin 2026

Joel Vanderlaan
Jan 11
9 min read

It was a busy 2026 trade deadline across the Ontario Hockey League, with every team making at least one move. Colin Ward, co-host of OHL in 60, provided his analysis on each club.

Barrie Colts

Deadline Summary: After reaching the Eastern Conference final last season and currently leading the Central Division, the Barrie Colts added veteran defenceman Parker Von Richter and forward Mason Zebeski from the Brampton Steelheads, then acquired forward Ben Wilmott from the London Knights.

With five NHL-drafted prospects on the roster, including Kashawn Aitcheson and Cole Beaudoin, general manager Marty Williamson decided to buy in pursuit of another deep playoff run.

Barrie also moved Bode Stewart to Saginaw for a fifth-round draft pick and waived overager Alex Assadourian.

Analysis: The big question for Barrie is whether they can continue to win consistently. After a tough start to the season, the Colts have settled into the top half of the OHL standings with a steady winning percentage. The question now is whether it’s enough to get past Brantford and Ottawa in the Eastern Conference.

Brampton Steelheads

Deadline Summary: Sitting ninth in the Eastern Conference the Steelheads traded out Joshua Avery, Gabriel Chiarot, Jakub Fibigr, Parker Von Richter and Mason Zebeski. Brampton stocked up on youth and picks, adding Nathan Amidovski, Sam Black, Carter Hicks, Mason Roy, and Jaxson Williams.

The Steelheads lost star goaltender Jack Ivankovic, forward Aidan Lee, and Flyers top prospect Porter Martone to NCAA programs this offseason, leading the club to sell at the trade deadline.

Analysis: Brampton added so much youth and picks this deadline season. I’m very excited to see Carter Hicks in the James Richmond system. Playing on the third pair in Windsor look for him to play top minutes on the back end. The Steelheads also picked up forward Nathan Amidovski from the Ottawa 67’s who will play a massive role upfront for the Steelheads. Jaxson Williams (son of Former NHLer Justin Williams) is going to get more opportunities.

Brantford Bulldogs

Deadline Summary: No team bought more aggressively than the Brantford Bulldogs this season, with general manager Stuart Hyman setting his sights on an OHL championship and a Memorial Cup run in his first-year at the helm.

Brantford added veteran forwards Gabriel Frasca, Charlie Paquette, and Jett Luchanko, along with defencemen Ben Danford and Zack Sandhu. The Bulldogs roster features 11 NHL-drafted players. While the Eastern Conference leaders have scored the most goals in the league and own the top-ranked power play.

Brantford also acquired the rights to USNTDP defenceman Abe Barnett. He's expected to join the club next season.

Analysis: The Bulldogs definitely loaded up with their additions. The Bulldogs’ only needs entering the deadline were at the forward position and adding character players. They’ve done both. The Bulldogs have also added four former captains this season from other teams. That’s the character the Bulldogs front office wanted to address.

Erie Otters

Deadline Summary: Erie was busy at the deadline, trading top forwards Dylan Edwards, Gabriel Frasca, and Alex Misiak. In their biggest deal the Otters moved assistant captains Brett Hammond and Garrett Frazer to Peterborough for 17-year-old blueliner Blake Gowan and three draft picks.

The Otters acquired 2024 first-round pick Evan Headrick from Kitchener, added overage forward Andrew Kuzma off waivers from Kingston, and traded for goaltender Noah Tegelaar from the Soo Greyhounds.

Analysis: The Erie Otters were in the seller's market of this year’s deadline. No question they filled their draft pick shelf this week. Tegelaar gives them a chance to have stability in the net next season as an overage candidate.

Flint Firebirds

Deadline Summary: After trading Chase Hull to the Niagara IceDogs for Winnipeg Jets prospect Kevin He and depth defenceman Darcy Dewatcher, the Firebirds added more scoring and leadership by acquiring Kingston Frontenacs captain Jacob Battaglia. Flint also moved overage forward Matthew Wang to Oshawa.

Analysis: No question, Flint is Michigan’s contender this year. The Firebirds made two big acquisitions in Jacob Battaglia and Kevin He, both of whom fit the Flint system perfectly. The Firebirds have their sights set on the Western Conference championship. Is it enough to beat Windsor? I think it is. Let’s not forget Flint also has, quite frankly, the most underrated player in the OHL, Nathan Aspinall, who has 56 points in 38 games.

Guelph Storm

Deadline Summary: Guelph added Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Tyler Hopkins and forward Josh Avery to help for next season’s Memorial Cup run. The Storm also signed defenceman Braeden Van Gelder from the Caledon Admirals. Captain Charlie Paquette was traded to Brantford for draft picks.

Analysis: As the 2027 Memorial Cup host, the Guelph Storm have done an excellent job preparing for both the remainder of this season and next year’s tournament. They did everything necessary for a team hosting the Memorial Cup and will likely move most, if not all, of their high-end picks this offseason.

Kingston Frontenacs

Deadline Summary: After trading captain Jacob Battaglia to Flint and Tyler Hopkins to Guelph, Kingston restocked its draft capital, now holding four second-round picks in 2029. The Frontenacs added skilled forward Alex Misiak from Erie in exchange for a pair of third-round picks.

Kingston also claimed overage forward Jack Dever off waivers from Ottawa. Alex McLean, the ninth overall pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection was acquired in the Hopkins deal.

Analysis: The Fronts were busy in the sellers market but did acquire forward Alex Misiak from Erie. I like that deal. The Fronts got that draft pick board back this deadline Kingston currently has 4 seconds in 2029 which gives them an excellent opportunity to be buyers in the coming seasons when they are ready.

Kitchener Rangers

Deadline Summary: The Rangers went all-in as buyers at the deadline, acquiring overage forward Dylan Edwards from Erie and Vancouver Canucks prospect Gabe Chiarot in a deal with Brampton.

Kitchener also added Canadian World Junior Sam O’Reilly and towering defenceman Jared Woolley from London. In return, the Rangers sent 11 draft picks, defenceman Jacob Xu and last year’s first-round pick Kane Barch to the Knights.

Captain Matthew Andonovski was also re-assigned to the Rangers from the Belleville Senators. To address their OA situation, Kitchener traded Jakub Chromiak to Niagara in exchange for two draft picks.

Analysis: The Rangers have their sites on the Western Conference Championship in that wild Western Conference. I like that they went out and said we’re winning the Mid West and it’s ours to lose. I just think they gave up a lot in the deals and possibly overpaid in their two deals. But hey if you win.

London Knights

Deadline Summary: After winning back-to-back OHL championships, the London Knights decided to sell and recoup draft picks by trading captain Sam O’Reilly, Jared Woolley to Kitchener, Julian Brown and Ben Wilmott to Owen Sound and Barrie.

London added Harvard commit Jacob Xu and Kane Barch the son of IceDogs head coach and former London Knight Krys Barch. The Knights now have four seconds over the next four drafts.

Analysis: The Knights gave their Championship rings to their team from last year’s accomplishment on deadline day. What a run that was the last 3 years for them! But with that you have to recoup picks and they did that. London made the tough decision of selling in a year they had too. Props to Mark Hunter and staff for that.

Niagara IceDogs

Deadline Summary: Niagara traded captain Kevin He along with Darcy Dewatcher to Flint for Chase Hull and seven draft picks while acquiring top veteran defenders Haoxi Wang and Jakub Chromiak.

The IceDogs sit in sixth place in the Eastern Conference and with more help on the backend are hoping to return to the playoffs after winning their first playoff game in six years last spring. Niagara is loaded up front with leading scorer Riley Patterson and projected NHL first rounder Ryan Roobroeck.

Analysis: I’ve been on the fence with the IceDogs deadline my one big thought about this is why trade Kevin He to the Flint Firebirds for picks and Chase Hull if your going to acquire Haoxi Wang and Jacob Chromiak and give yourselves a fighting chance at winning a round plus.

I think the IceDogs are going to sell a mid team to an elite fan base. Really wish they picked a lane this deadline. They only have three seconds and one third rounder in the next four drafts. Tough when you see what teams like Sudbury, Brampton and North Bay did in that division.

North Bay Battalion

Deadline Summary: North Bay added overage forward Sebastien Gervais and defenceman Hayden Barch from Saginaw in exchange for five draft picks. The Battalion also added Tampa Bay Lighting prospect Kaden Pitre earlier this season.

Analysis: I really liked North Bays adds. That’s how you buy when you’re in fifth in the Eastern conference. It gives on paper when healthy a fighters chance to win a playoff round. They gave themselves a legit chance to win a playoff round this season and not break the bank.

Oshawa Generals

Deadline Summary: Earlier this season, Oshawa traded top defenceman Ben Danford and Zackary Sandhu to Brantford. At the deadline they moved another star blueliner in Jose Sharks prospect Haoxi Wang. They sent the Boston University commit to the IceDogs for Artem Frolov and three draft picks. The Generals also acquired overage forward Matthew Wang from Flint.

After back to back final appearances, Oshawa sits in last place in the Eastern Conference.

Analysis: Oshawa was busy throughout the season so far in the sellers market. They did everything you have to do after going all in. Roger Hunt is one of those General Manager’s who actually knows the value of his team.

Ottawa 67’s

Deadline Summary: The Ottawa 67’s were active this deadline, acquiring Buffalo Sabres prospect David Bedkowski, Sam McCue, Nic Sima, and signing Teddy Spitznagel out of the NCAA, adding size both up front and on the back end. They also moved Nathan Amidovski, Abe Barnett, and Jaxson Williams to recoup draft picks.

Analysis: The 67’s who have been a great surprise for most this season got a lot heavier on the forecheck this deadline. They also got some stability on the back end. They’ve bought and addressed all their team needs going into the second half of the OHL season. They’re gonna be tough to play against in the transition game.

Owen Sound Attack

Deadline Summary: The Attack shipped out all-star goaltender Carter George to the Soo Greyhounds and traded captain and shutdown defenceman David Bedkowski to Ottawa. Owen Sound added to their blueline trading prospect Jacob Vandeven and picks to London for Julian Brown.

Analysis: Every year with the Attack it feels as if you come into the deadline with a plan and come out with it saying the opposite of what they said coming into it. Owen Sound will be able to give Brown a bigger opportunity in their lineup.

Peterborough Petes

Deadline Summary: Peterborough entered the deadline as buyers, adding Brett Hammond and Garrett Frazer from the Otters before landing Winnipeg Jets prospect Kieron Walton from Sudbury. Walton sits second in OHL scoring and gives the Petes a premier power forward heading into the stretch drive.

Peterborough sent defenceman Blake Gowan and three draft choices to Erie, while also dealing blueliner Genc Ula and additional picks to Sudbury.

The Petes currently sits fourth in the Eastern Conference, but with their additions are a legitimate playoff contender.

Analysis: Mike Oke decided to buy this deadline and that’s fine just can’t help but ask the question why? They could have boughten a lot lower than what they did. I realistically don’t think they win two rounds this year in the postseason and think they must avoid a matchup with North Bay in the first round to have a chance at round two. Very confused on this deadline.

Saginaw Spirit

Deadline Summary: Saginaw traded Hayden Barch, Sebastien Gervais and Nic Sima, for draft picks. The Spirit also reacquired forward Bode Stewart for a fifth-round draft pick.

Analysis: Saginaw still recouping picks from the Memorial cup season two years ago. Saginaw has been the team in Michigan this year in the winning column but this year they’re the seller in the state of Hockey Town. The Spirit have loaded up their draft board. Just look at all those top end draft picks! Unbelievable job at the deadline for the Spirit. They now have 12 third round picks over the next four drafts plus six second rounders over the next four drafts.

Sarnia Sting

Deadline Summary: Sarnia made only one trade, moving St Louis Blue prospect Lukas Fischer for Hunter Solomon and picks.

Analysis: When you are in 10th place in your conference and 19th in the league you sell players with no term. I HIGHLY disagree with this deadline for the Sting. Next OHL in 60 podcast will be fun.

Soo Greyhounds

Deadline Summary: The Greyhounds acquired the top goalie on the market in LA Kings prospect Carter George, added a top defenceman in Lukas Fischer from Sarnia, and traded Noah Tegelaar to Erie.

Overage forward Justin Cloutier also rejoined the club after beginning the season in the NCAA with Arizona State.

Analysis: I know Carter George is going to be huge for them and is a great get but I think they needed a centre more. Even though goaltending is their biggest weakness. There going have to win the low scoring games against high flyers in Flint, Kitchener and Windsor come playoff time.

Sudbury Wolves

Deadline Summary: The Wolves were in the sellers market at the deadline and restocked their draft capital. Sudbury acquired forward JC Lemieux in a deal that sent Alex Pharand and Nathan Villeneuve to Windsor. They also shipped Winnipeg Jets prospect Kieron Walton to Peterborough in exchange for defenceman Genc Ula.

Analysis: Sudbury did what they should have done last season. The Wolves gave themselves a shot at next year. Ula and Lemieux are two big adds for them who are going to play a big part of the Wolves future.

Windsor Spitfires

Deadline Summary: Battling for the top spot in the Western Conference, Windsor added veteran forwards Alex Pharand and Nathan Villeneuve, along with defenceman Jakub Fibigr, while moving top 17-year-olds J.C Lemieux and Carter Hicks.

The Spitfires have allowed the fewest goals against in the OHL.

Analysis: The Spits were busy this year. I'm a big fan of what Windsor did. They let the market come to them and in my opinion got fair market value in their deals. Wow this Western Conference is going to be a bloodbath.