Building for Tomorrow: Inside the OHL’s 2026–27 Preparation

OHL gears up for 2026–27 with draft success, camp invites and a busy preseason

The Ontario Hockey League is already deep into its preparations for the 2026–27 season, riding the momentum of a strong NHL Draft, a major presence at Hockey Canada’s under‑17 development camp, and a wide‑ranging preseason schedule that will take OHL hockey into communities across Canada.

At the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, the OHL led all Canadian Hockey League circuits with 47 players selected by NHL clubs. That total represented just over one‑fifth of all draft picks and marked the league’s highest share of selections in a decade. Several OHL players came off the board in the first round, reinforcing the league’s reputation as a key pipeline of talent for the professional game. Draft coverage throughout the weekend tracked each OHL player as they were chosen, highlighting the breadth of representation across National Hockey League organizations.

Development at the younger age groups is also a major theme this summer. The Canadian Hockey League recently announced that 80 CHL‑drafted players have been invited to Hockey Canada’s 2026 Under‑17 World Hockey Challenge Development Camp at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville, Ontario. Of those 80 invitees, 31 were drafted by OHL teams, giving the OHL the largest contingent among the three CHL member leagues. The group includes players at every position, from goaltenders to defencemen and forwards, and features high‑profile names such as Kane Cloutier, the 2026 first‑overall pick in the OHL Priority Selection from the Oshawa Generals.

On July 6, the league unveiled its 2026 preseason schedule, a 53‑game slate running from August 28 through September 13. All 20 OHL clubs will take part, tuning up with a mix of traditional exhibition matchups and special events at non‑OHL venues. The schedule includes cross‑league games, such as the London Knights facing the Victoria Royals of the Western Hockey League in a two‑game set in Victoria, British Columbia, and the Saginaw Spirit travelling to Newfoundland for a three‑game series against the Newfoundland Regiment of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League. Neutral‑site contests are also planned in communities like Timmins, Cornwall, LaSalle, Elmira and Stouffville, giving fans in smaller centres a chance to see OHL‑level talent before the regular season begins.

Individual teams have been busy reshaping their rosters. In Windsor, local coverage has highlighted a series of signings by the Spitfires, including forward Lauchlan Whelan and defenceman Jake LaMontagne from the 2026 OHL Priority Selections draft. Whelan arrives following an impressive minor‑hockey season in which he scored more than a goal per game, while LaMontagne adds size and mobility to the Windsor blue line. Similar signing activity is underway across the league, with clubs locking in their first‑round picks, later selections and import players to ensure they are ready for training camp.

Taken together, the OHL’s draft results, strong representation at the national under‑17 camp, ambitious preseason schedule and steady stream of summer signings point to a league that is not standing still. As the 2026–27 season approaches, teams are clearly focused on both competing for championships and developing the next wave of talent for Canadian and international hockey.