Kashawn Aitcheson

June 2025 – Selected at seventeenth overall, Kashawn Aitcheson is now a member of the New York Islanders. Alex Wyatt

Final Rankings – Though this is far below where he will inevitably go on Draft Day, this is closer to the higher-end of the range that the Dobber Prospects Draft Team feels comfortable taking Aitcheson. The question isn’t what he’s done in the OHL this season (which is obviously appealing), but how this will translate.

He’s a physically punishing enforcer, but at 6-1, his size is only average among NHLers (not to mention that he’s among the draft’s oldest, most physically mature players). He scored over 20 goals as a defenceman, but so many of them come from abandoning his post and driving the net, leaving you to question his scoring upside in a more structured environment.

Overall, his tools are solid, though his implementation will need to drastically change to avoid driving NHL coaches crazy.—Luke Sweeney

January 2025- Kashawn Aitcheson is a throwback defenceman that plays with a ton of snarl and bite. He has formidable details in his approach to the game and stands at 6’1” 200 lbs, already an NHL body. He’s impacting games offensively with Barrie, but is unlikely to be a producer at the NHL level. However, his hockey sense and technical abilities will be sufficient enough to let his other tools do the work. He remains a bit raw, but has the jam and tenacity to endear himself to any fanbase. Truly, a guy you love to have on your team, and hate to play against. Fantasy wise, expect Aitcheson to be a true old school punisher- accumulating tons of hits and penalty minutes. Whittaker Heart