Five players from the 2025-26 Komoka Kings have played in the OHL this season
While the Komoka Kings were not successful in their attempt to qualify for the 2026 Sutherland Cup playoffs, there is no denying their success in providing young talent to the OHL.
When Jesse Debruyn suited up for the Windsor Spitfires in their game against the Soo Greyhounds on Thursday March 12, he became the fourth player from the 2025-26 Komoka Kings to make his OHL debut this season.
Komoka native Jacob Vandeven (Owen Sound Attack, 5th round, 2024) — whose rights were acquired by London from the Attack at the trade deadline in January — has played four games for the Knights, having made his OHL debut on January 31.
Tyson Ackerman (Saginaw Spirit, 12th round, 2024) made his OHL debut with Saginaw on February 22 and has 1 assist in four games for the Spirit. On March 7, Owen Miniotas (London Knights, 3rd round, 2025) earned an assist in his only game for the Knights in their 3-1 win over Owen Sound.
Brody Najim (Saginaw Spirit, 6th round, 2024) played 48 games with the Spirit last season and started 2025-26 with the Chatham Maroons. He was acquired by Komoka via a trade with Chatham in December. After scoring 4 goals in three games as a King, he was acquired by the Spirit in January. Brody has two points in 19 OHL games this season.
OHL-GOHL Partnership paying instant dividends
At the start of the 2025-26 season, an official partnership with the OHL was announced, making the GOHL the first recognized development league of the OHL. The players mentioned above demonstrate the effectiveness of this collaboration in advancing player development.
There were roughly 100 OHL-drafted players on GOHL rosters in 2025-26. And while approximately 40 of those have appeared in OHL games this season, no single GOHL team has had as many players make their respective OHL debuts.
According to GOHL Commissioner Craig Spada, “the Komoka Kings should be very proud to see four of their players make their OHL debuts this season. That’s a tremendous accomplishment for the organization and a strong example of the development pathway created through the GOHL–OHL Development League partnership.”
Kings President & General Manager Roop Chanderdat expressed his pride on behalf of the club. “Having a fifth player from our program reach the OHL this season is a tremendous accomplishment for both the players and the Komoka Kings organization. We’re very proud to continue being a destination where players can truly develop their games and prepare for the next level.”
Chanderdat also praised the efforts of the players. “These opportunities are earned through a lot of hard work and dedication, and it’s exciting for our staff and community to see our players take that next step and find success in the OHL.”
