2026 Eligible – Nikita Klepov, F (Saginaw Spirit)
OHL: 59GP – 34G, 51A, 85PTS
Height: 6-0
Weight: 180 lbs
Klepov leads the OHL scoring race with 85 points in 59 games – some impressive stats for a 2026 NHL draft-eligible prospect. His dominant February, highlighted by 23 points in 12 games, earned him OHL Rookie of the Month honours for the third time this season. With multiple three-point performances and a key role in driving Saginaw’s playoff push, Klepov has surged into projected first-round consideration for the upcoming NHL draft. He is committed to continuing his development at Michigan State next season.
Klepov is a highly skilled forward with a natural ability to score in a variety of ways. Whether he’s slipping into soft ice to find open space, setting up for a one-timer on his off-wing, or weaving through the offensive zone before firing a shot, he consistently finds a way to put the puck in the net. But he’s far more than just a goal scorer. Klepov pairs his finishing touch with excellent vision, routinely spotting and setting up open teammates – and his numbers back it up. He ranks sixth in the OHL in goals and fifth in assists, a testament to his balanced offensive impact. Watching his dual-threat ability has been a treat all season, and it’s no surprise he sits atop the league’s scoring race. I have no doubt he’ll be a first-round pick in the upcoming NHL draft, and whoever drafts him is going to be very pleased with this player. He has top-six written all over him.
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NYI – Kashawn Aitcheson, D (Barrie Colts)
OHL: 48GP – 26G, 37A, 63PTS
17th overall, 2025
Height: 6-2
Weight: 200 lbs
For the second straight month, Aitcheson was named the OHL’s top defenseman – and for good reason. He tallied 17 points in 10 games while also becoming the Barrie Colts’ all-time leading scorer among defensemen, recording 164 points in 199 regular-season career games. He currently leads all OHL defensemen with 63 points in 48 games, already surpassing last season’s total despite playing 16 fewer games. While his offensive production continues to climb, Aitcheson also excels defensively at even strength, proudly leading the league with a plus-42 rating at five-on-five play.
While Aitcheson’s numbers are impressive, his impact goes far beyond the scoresheet. He’s a physical presence on the ice, never hesitating to deliver hard, open-ice hits. He clears the crease in front of the net, battles fiercely along the boards to win puck battles, and consistently works to separate opponents from the puck. His strength, tenacity, and willingness to engage in all areas of the ice make him a complete, game-changing defenseman. Developing from a third-round OHL draft pick into a first-round NHL prospect, Aitcheson has shown steady growth, and I’m excited to watch him take the next step with the Islanders.
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WPG – Kevin He, LW (Flint Firebirds)
OHL: 52GP – 34G, 33A, 67PTS
4th round pick, 2024
Height: 6-0
Weight: 180 lbs
I was surprised not to see Kevin He included among February’s Player of the Month honourees. Since being traded from Niagara to Flint on December 28th, he has scored 20 goals in 24 games – the most in the league over that span – even after going without a goal in his last three outings. His February production, in particular, was outstanding. He was held off the scoresheet just once all month and failed to score in only three games across the stretch of a dozen. With Flint sitting in fifth place in the OHL’s most recent Power Rankings, He will no doubt be a key driver in the team’s push for the Robertson Cup.
Since arriving in Flint, He has elevated his game to another level, producing 36 points in 24 games. His impact starts with his motor – he’s relentless on the forecheck, applies constant pressure, and rarely takes a shift off. That work ethic drives much of his success. He plays with pace, attacking defenders wide and forcing them onto their heels to create space for himself. Once he finds a lane, he can cut through traffic with control and finish plays with a deceptive, quick release that catches goaltenders off guard. That combination of speed, tenacity, and skill has made him a constant offensive threat. Currently seventh in the OHL goal-scoring race, He’s a player to watch as he continues developing toward his NHL debut.
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‘Til next time,
Emmanuel Alforque