Bloodlines of Colin Kennedy
He is poised to become a first or second round pick at this year’s 2026 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft. And while Sault Ste. Marie product Colin Kennedy — a 2010 birth year forward who is in his second season as a productive two points per game skater with the famed Little Caesars program of Detroit — is a rising star in his own right, he also holds the bonus of having high end hockey bloodlines.
Colin’s dad, Craig Kennedy, went on to personify consistency and captaincy after the Windsor Spitfires took him in the second round, 28th overall, of the 1999 OHL priority selections draft. A balanced, hard working right winger, Kennedy played five full seasons in Windsor, totalling 113 goals along the way, playoffs included.
Known for his smarts and leadership qualities, Kennedy quietly rose to become an assistant captain and then captain for the Spitfires before playing at the University of Western Ontario and later returning home to Sault Ste. Marie to become a school teacher.
Then there is Colin’s grand father on his mother’s side, who is none other than the renowned Craig Hartsburg. Hartsburg’s association with hockey has been both lengthy and noteworthy.
As a player, Hartsburg had a world class career as an all-star defenseman with both the Soo Greyhounds of the OHL and the erstwhile Minnesota North Stars of the National Hockey League. Hartsburg also holds the distinction of being both a first round OHL pick (third overall) to the Greyhounds in 1975 and a first round NHL pick (sixth overall) to Minnesota in 1979.
As for as leadership qualities, Hartsburg was the captain of the Greyhounds for two of his three OHL seasons and was captain of the North Stars for seven of his 10 NHL seasons before a series of knee injuries ended his spectacular playing career.
Want more? Hartsburg then went on to become a career coach. His eventful 27 year coaching career included 19 seasons in the NHL as a head coach and associate coach and successful stints as a bench boss in both the OHL (with the Greyhounds and the Guelph Storm) and in the Western Hockey League.
As for the aforementioned Colin Kennedy — son of Craig Kennedy and grand son of Craig Hartsburg — OHL scouts who I know rave about his skill, smarts and leadership qualities ahead of this June’s OHL draft.
With so many Ontario born and American players of comparable ability, it remains to be seen if young Kennedy is taken in the first or second round at this year’s OHL draft. To be sure, he has a lot going for him. He has the skill, the determination and the hockey sense.
And then there are those bloodlines.