"They gave me everything" - Liam Greentree on the Windsor Spitfires

Natalie Shaver/OHL Images

There is little that Liam Greentree hasn't accomplished with the Windsor Spitfires.

He trails only Spitfires general manager Bill Bowler in all-time franchise scoring, ranking third in goals and assists with 148 goals, 180 assists, and 328 points in 241 games.

With all that to his credit, the right winger would've liked nothing more than to close out his OHL career with a league championship.

Although the Windsor Spitfires delivered their best campaign since reaching the league finals in 2022, that wouldn't happen.

Greentree, who is expected to play professionally next season with the New York Rangers organization, contributed significantly to the Spitfires' success.

"It's been a long four years, but you know, my first year felt like it was yesterday, " Greentree said. "It's been the best four years of my life and being a part of such a historic organization like Windsor is such an honour."

"To put on that jersey every game and play for them is just an experience that I'll never forget. I loved Windsor so much and it's treated me nothing but good and it was just unreal."

Spitfires head coach Greg Walters had strong praise for Greentree’s leadership.

"I was here for two years with him, and right from day one we had a great relationship. He was amazing with the young players, made them feel comfortable."

Greentree, who won the Mickey Renaud Captain’s Trophy last season, was part of the return for the New York Rangers in the trade that sent star Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings.

The Spitfires added top forwards Alex Pharand and Nathan Villeneuve, along with all-star defenceman Jakub Fibigr, at the trade deadline to make a push for the J. Ross Robertson Cup.

Carson Woodall and Anthony Cristoforo finished second and third in league scoring among blueliners, while Philadelphia Flyers first-rounder Jack Nesbitt and Ethan Belchetz were both over a point per game this season.

Windsor swept its first two rounds after going 44-15-6-3 in the regular season to win the West Division, before losing in the Western Conference finals to the Kitchener Rangers.

"It's obviously sad. You go to war with these players every single day," Walters said. "You have your ups, your downs. But they gave everything."