When you think of some of the Windsor Spitfires’ great goaltenders, names like Michael DiPietro, Andrew Engelage, and Michael Leighton immediately come to mind. However, there were dozens more that ...

The start of September has traditionally meant OHL teams preparing for the regular season. This year is far from traditional, though, as the COVID-19 pandemic put everything upside down. When junior hockey returns, though, the Windsor Spitfires could have an impressive leadership group. At the start of August, the OHL announced its return to play […]

When you think of NHL veteran Jason Spezza, teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs, Dallas Stars, and Ottawa Senators immediately come to mind. However, before his journey through the NHL, the long-time producer was involved in one of the most high-profile trades in Windsor Spitfires’ history. After nearly 20 seasons in the NHL, it’s easy […]

When you take over a role that one person had for 15 years, creating your own path can be a challenge. As Windsor Spitfires’ general manager Bill Bowler quietly crosses the one-year mark in the hot seat, his job has been full of patience and long-term vision. It’s a unique way to start his own […]

For over 20 years, there has been one constant in the CHL, the summer’s Import Draft. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to hit the globe, the annual draft was held online on Tuesday morning as scheduled. The Windsor Spitfires used the draft, plus a trade immediately afterwards, to add much-needed depth. Related: Maple Leafs’ Draft […]

While the heat and humidity take over Ontario, it’s a good time to cool off, take a break, and look at the upcoming 2020-21 OHL season. For the Windsor Spitfires, it’s a chance at unfinished business, and part of that starts with their overage group. Going into 2019-20, the Spitfires were eager to finally break […]

With the COVID-19 pandemic turning life upside down, everything from family to work to social lives are a complete unknown. Sometimes you need that glimmer of normalcy to calm the waves a touch. Fortunately, the Windsor Spitfires and the CHL have been able to do that with key signings and an annual draft right around […]

When you think of Windsor Spitfires’ hockey, nearly 50 years of incredible memories come flooding in. Rich in history, the organization has seen hundreds of hopeful talents lace up the skates, aiming to not only impress the pros but the local fans, too. It makes you wonder who had the biggest impacts on the team […]

With COVID-19 controlling everything in life right now, it might be fun to look at hockey history. Over their 40-plus seasons, the Windsor Spitfires have had dozens of must-see talent walk through the hallowed hallways. Given all of that talent, it makes you wonder which players you’d start if everything was on the line. In […]

This wasn’t the way it was supposed to end for anybody. Here we are, though, saying goodbye to a 2019-20 season stopped early thanks to an invisible global force. With April in full swing, it’s time to look back at the Windsor Spitfires’ rollercoaster season and prepare for the future. Coming into March, the Spitfires […]

Going into your first draft as a general manager (GM) can be a daunting task. It begins the mould for your era. At the 2020 OHL Priority Selection on Saturday, Windsor Spitfires’ GM Bill Bowler began his legacy by focusing on multiple areas of need. From 2014-19, former GM Warren Rychel always had a target, […]

With the 2019-20 season in the rearview mirror, the focus in the OHL shifts to the offseason, starting with the OHL Priority Selection on Saturday. For the Windsor Spitfires, this draft will go a long way to shaping their future identity. Every draft presents new challenges and new opportunities for both teams and players. For […]

Ruben Rafkin 2019-20 Team: Windsor Spitfires (#88)Date of Birth: Jan. 8, 2002Place of Birth: Turku, FinlandHt: 6-foot Wt: 190-pounds Position: DShoots: RNHL Draft Eligibility: 2020 first-year eligible. Rankings: Future Considerations: 52nd NHL Central Scouting: 72nd (mid-term rankings) Craig Button: 83rd (January) Andrew Forbes: 93rd (March) Larry Fisher: 94th (March) The Spitfires drafted Rafkin in the […]

Will Cuylle 2019-20 Team: Windsor Spitfires (#13)Date of Birth: Feb. 5, 2002Place of Birth: Toronto, ONHt: 6-foot-3 Wt: 204-pounds Position: LWShoots: L NHL Draft Eligibility: 2020 first-year eligible. Rankings: Future Considerations: 45thNHL Central Scouting: 21st (North American Skaters)Bob McKenzie: 43rdCraig Button: 66thAndrew Forbes: 60th Larry Fisher: 78th Drafted third overall by the Peterborough Petes in […]

Jean-Luc Foudy 2019-20 Team: Windsor Spitfires (#93)Date of Birth: May 13, 2002Place of Birth: Scarborough, ONHt: 5-foot-11 Wt: 168-pounds Position: CShoots: RNHL Draft Eligibility: 2020 first-year eligible Rankings: Future Considerations: 31stEliteProspects: 32nd NHL Central Scouting: 20th (North American skaters – mid-term ranking)Bob McKenzie: 37th Craig Button: 49th Andrew Forbes: 37th Larry Fisher: 52nd From the […]

Coming into a new league can be a challenge for any player. When you add in youth, a new culture, and your NHL Draft approaching, it’s a big change. For Windsor Spitfires’ defenceman Ruben Rafkin, the road to the OHL has been interesting but he’s taking it all in stride. Rafkin, who hails from Turku, […]

If you’re going to find your stride, a few weeks before the playoffs start is not bad timing. The Windsor Spitfires took matters into their own hands last weekend, taking care of business at home while ensuring their season won’t end after 68 games. To say it’s been a rocky road since Christmas would be […]

With March poking its head around the corner, the Windsor Spitfires are going to find out if they’re running full steam into a lion or a lamb. After a grueling stretch of seven games in 10 days, they are ready for a weekend of home cooking. Is that where they want to be, though? Related: […]

It feels like just last week that 2019-20 OHL camps were opening up. The season has quickly flown by and, with a month to go, the Windsor Spitfires find themselves in the middle of a battle for home ice in the Western Conference. Entering the final stretch, several stories are worth keeping our eyes on. […]

The long-awaited busy schedule for the Windsor Spitfires is finally here. With one month to go in the regular season and just a few points separating five teams in the OHL’s Western Conference, it’s a pretty big deal. From a big Eastern trip to honouring a former captain — another road trip to some very […]