It’s hard to believe the 68-game 2024-25 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) season is already approaching the one-third mark. For the Windsor Spitfires, it has meant a complete shift in culture and results from a season ago.
Coming into this campaign, nobody knew what to expect from the club. Last season, after back-to-back first-seeds, they finished second last in the league. There was cautious optimism, though. While they had high picks in the 2024 OHL Draft, thanks to both the OHL Draft Lottery and trades from general manager Bill Bowler, there’s never a guarantee that the players make an immediate impact. Add in a new head coach and camp opened with many questions. However, with a 14-5-2-0 record, the team has stunned the junior hockey world. Their 21st game came on Sun., Nov. 17 on the road against the Soo Greyhounds. Here are 10 thoughts on the season so far.
Liam Greentree Deserves Invite to 2025 World Juniors
Since the start of the 2023-24 season, no Spitfires player has been more consistent and focused than forward Liam Greentree. He showed flashes of dominance in his rookie season (2022-23) and has taken control ever since. They even named him captain last season, despite just turning 18 years old.
As captain, he broke out and led the team with 36 goals and 90 points in 64 games. Not only did that help him get drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the first round in July, but now he has 10 goals and 33 points in 20 games, on pace to hit the 111-point mark. He still has room to grow, too. However, is it good enough to get an invite to Team Canada’s Selection Camp for the 2025 World Junior Hockey Championship in Ottawa in December? The simple answer should be yes.
Greentree has been among the league scoring leaders since almost opening night and has points in 15 of 20 games this season (although, no points in four of his last five games). While this season’s World Juniors roster will consist of mostly 2005-born players, and he’s a 2006, his overall play deserves a shot to show what he can do.
Surprisingly, Greentree didn’t get an invite to the Summer Showcase in July at the WFCU Centre where Team Canada played an intra-squad game, along with a game against Sweden. However, since that point, Greentree has done everything he can to show that he’s worthy of an invite in December.
The Kings’ prospect likely has a better shot…
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