Three GOHL defencemen are on the NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings of North American skaters in advance of the 2026 amateur draft being held at KeyBank Center in Buffalo on June 26-27.
#190 (Round 6) Jacob Vandeven (D – Komoka Kings)
Jacob was third in team scoring for his hometown team with 32 points in 47 games played during the 2025-26 season. His 13 goals were tied for third most among all GOHL defencemen. He was selected in the 5th round (89th overall) by the Owen Sound Attack in the 2024 OHL Priority Draft. After his OHL rights were traded to London in January, Jacob appeared in 8 regular season and four playoff games for the Knights.
#212 (Round 7) Grady Spicer (D – LaSalle Vipers)
Grady led all Vipers defencemen with 12 goals and 33 points in 45 games played during the 2025-26 season, and scored 2-2-4 points in 6 playoff games. The Brockville native participated in the 2026 GOHL Top Prospects Game at the OHL’s Connor McDavid Top Prospects event held in January. He was selected in the 4th round (71st overall) by Windsor in the 2024 OHL Priority Draft, and appeared in three games for the Spitfires in 2025-26.
#219 (Round 7) Cody Wood (D – London Nationals)
The Uxbridge native led all Nationals defencemen in scoring with 11-29-40 points, including a team-leading 20 power play points. He was the recipient of the Cory Stoyko Memorial Award as Western Conference Defenceman of the Year, was selected as a Western Conference All-Star, and participated in the GOHL Top Prospects Game at the OHL’s Connor McDavid Top Prospects event held in January. He was selected in the 8th round (162nd overall) by London in the 2024 OHL Priority Draft and appeared in four games for the Knights in 2025-26.
“These rankings are a tremendous accomplishment for these young players and their organizations,” said Craig Spada, Commissioner of the GOHL. “When players in our league are recognized by NHL Central Scouting, it reinforces what we strongly believe — the GOHL provides an outstanding development environment for players working to advance to the next level of the game.”
“We are very proud of the role our league plays within the development structure of the Ontario Hockey League. As the OHL’s development league, the pathway from the GOHL to the OHL continues to grow stronger and seeing our players recognized by NHL Central Scouting is a clear reflection that this development model is working.”
Spada noted that “the recognition also reflects the continued strength of the GOHL pathway and the exposure players receive through high-level competition and strong scouting presence throughout the league.”
GOHL alumni in the final rankings:
#143 Cohen Bidgood (St. Marys Lincolns, 2023-25)
#196 Weston Cameron (Cambridge Redhawks, 2024-25)
