As the 2022-23 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) season comes to a close, it’s never too early to start thinking about the future. The Windsor Spitfires, like all OHL teams, must consider which players will be eligible for overage status in the 2023-24 season.
For those unfamiliar with the term, an overage player is one who is turning 21 years old prior to the end of the season and has already played three full seasons in the league. Each team is allowed to carry a maximum of three overage players on their roster.
Based on the current roster and the potential development of younger players, there are a number of players who could be candidates for overage status in 2023-24. Let’s take a closer look at some potential candidates for the Windsor Spitfires.
One player who could be a strong overage candidate is forward Tyler Angle. The 19-year-old has been a consistent contributor for the Spitfires in his first two seasons in the league, putting up 31 points in 58 games as a rookie and following that up with 25 points in 29 games in the 2021-22 season. If he continues to develop at his current pace, he could be a top producer for the Spitfires in 2023-24.
Another potential overage candidate is forward Wyatt Johnston. The 17-year-old, who just completed his rookie season, was selected fifth overall in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection Draft. He had an impressive debut season, posting 24 points in 50 games and earning a spot on the OHL First All-Rookie Team. If he continues to progress, he could be a key player for the Spitfires in 2023-24 and beyond.
Defenseman Dylan Robinson is another player to watch as a potential overage candidate. The 19-year-old has been a mainstay on the Spitfires’ blue line for the past two seasons and has shown steady improvement during that time. He put up 16 points in 58 games in 2020-21 and followed that up with 21 points in 52 games in 2021-22. If he continues on this trajectory, he could be a valuable veteran presence for the Spitfires in 2023-24.
Of course, predicting which players will be eligible for overage status in two seasons is far from an exact science. There may be players who emerge as unexpected candidates and others who don’t develop as expected. However, based on the current roster and the potential for growth and development, Tyler Angle, Wyatt Johnston, and Dylan Robinson could all be strong overage candidates for the Windsor Spitfires in 2023-24.