The Saginaw Spirit successfully concluded their first in-person draft during the 2026 OHL Priority Selection, selecting a total of 14 players across various positions. They took center Drew Bate first overall and ended the draft with a balanced roster of seven forwards, five defensemen, and two goalies, primarily sourcing talent from Ontario, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. General Manager Dave Drinkill expressed satisfaction with the targeted selections, highlighting the importance of development for these young players as they transition to junior hockey. The Spirit's new prospects, including notable talents like Kyler Lauder and Egor Sokolov, are geared up for a development camp later this month.

By the Numbers
  • 14 total players drafted by Saginaw.
  • 7 forwards, 5 defensemen, and 2 goalies were selected.
State of Play
  • The draft included talent from across North America, with eight players from Ontario and others from Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and New York.
  • A development camp for the new prospects is scheduled for June 20th and 21st in Saginaw and Bay City.
What's Next

The Spirit will focus on integrating these new players into their system during the upcoming development camp, with attention to fostering their growth and readiness for future competition in the OHL.

Bottom Line

With a strong draft and an emphasis on player development, the Saginaw Spirit are positioning themselves for a promising future in junior hockey, aiming to transform their draft picks into impactful contributors on the ice.