Scouting Sault boys in Windsor
Forward Eli Chapman and defenseman Mateo Muto from Sault Ste. Marie are part of a host of players performing at the AAA Under 16 level in Windsor who have the attention of general managers and scouts ahead of the 2026 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft.
Notably, Windsor and Essex County are well sketched by three U16 level AAA hockey teams. And to be sure, there are a good selection of 2010 birth year players from among the troika of U16 area teams — BioSteel Sports Academy, Windsor Jr.Spitfires and Sun County Panthers — who have subdividing opportunities to have their names called at the 2026 OHL priority selections draft, which will be held on June 12-13 in Kingston.
The annual OHL priority selections draft is 15 rounds in length. For the first time since 2020, the draft will be staged in person rather than via the Internet. And after being held during the OHL playoffs in April in previous years, the priority selections draft is going back to its June roots of the in person days.
At any rate, following is a three tier list of players from the three Windsor teams — including the aforementioned Eli Chapman and Mateo Muto — who range from probable to potential to outside chance picks at the 2026 OHL Draft. The projected list is compiled by Hockey News North via feedback from a cross section of five anonymous OHL scouts and general managers.
HIGHLY PROBABLE PICKS
— Kai Duquette, forward, Sun County, rounds three to six.
— Roman Shtefan, forward, Windsor, rounds four to seven.
— Shayne Keefe, forward, BioSteel, rounds five to 10.
— Carter Trudell, forward, Windsor, rounds five to 10.
— Noah Spiteri, goalie, BioSteel, rounds five to 10.
— Ryder Cheswick, forward, Sun County, rounds seven to 10.
— Logan Disher, defenseman, Windsor, rounds seven to 10.
LATER ROUND POTENTIAL
— Mateo Muto, defenseman, BioSteel.
— Garrett Sutton, defenseman, BioSteel.
— Eli Chapman, forward, BioSteel.
— Cooper Disher, forward, Windsor.
— Dylan Naes, forward, Sun County.
— Quinn Sheehan, forward, BioSteel.
— Cole Darocy, forward, BioSteel.
AN OUTSIDE CHANCE
— Ethan Dool, goalie, Windsor.
— John Fountaine, defenseman, Windsor.
— Alexander Hawkeswood, defenseman, Sun County
— Max Hahn, defenseman, BioSteel.
— Kayden Cook, defenseman, BioSteel
— Preston Medeiros, forward, BioSteel.
CHAPMAN AND MUTO
— A five foot 10, 170 pound forward, Eli Chapman ranks fourth on the BioSteel Sports Academy scoring chart with 40 goals, 27 assists, 67 points in 61 games. The upside on Chapman includes his natural ability and a pro style shot that compliments his strong skating.
— A 6 foot, 165 pound defenseman with a right hand shot, Mateo Muto has shown striking offensive ability from his blue line spot. Muto leads all BioSteel Sports Academy defensemen in scoring — and is sixth overall on the team — with impressive totals of seven goals, 40 assists, 47 points in 61 games. One OHL scout who has seen a lot of Muto relayed that the youngster is the most improved player on the BioSteel roster since the start of the season. And in addition to his offensive skills from his blue line post, Muto has shown to be cool, calm and collected under pressure as someone who moves the puck well and has a work ethic that stands out.