Jack Nesbitt just rocketed three spots up the “Top 25 Under 25” list, landing at a solid No. 11, and man, that’s a statement! This dude was No. 14 just last winter, and now he’s making a massive leap to the NCAA for the 2026-27 season. He’s a 19-year-old, drafted 12th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, already showing serious flashes of what’s to come.
Windsor Domination and Key Tricks
So, how’d he pull off that jump? Nesbitt’s 2025-26 season with the Windsor Spitfires in the OHL was straight fire. This 6’5″ center put up 25 goals and 33 assists for 58 points in just 55 games. He wasn’t just piling up stats; he chipped in with 7 goals and 3 assists for 10 points in 13 playoff games for Windsor, helping them sweep their first two rounds before a tough five-game elimination by Kitchener. Nesbitt finished third on his team in goals and sixth in overall scoring for that fifth-seeded squad. Even the small details matter, like getting a neat little trick from director of player development Riley Armstrong about tying his skates more effectively. And who could forget that absolute explosion in November? A season-high five points in a dominant 6-3 win over Brampton. That’s the kind of performance that makes you sit up and take notice.
Man Advantage Monster and WJC Hopes
But let’s talk about where Nesbitt REALLY shined, because this is where things get wild: the power play. He was an absolute monster with the man advantage, racking up 14 goals. Think about that: over half of his total goals for the entire season came while his team was up a man! With Nesbitt leading the goal scoring, the Spitfires were cashing in on a ridiculous 28.4 percent of their power plays, making them the second best power play in the entire OHL. Even during a rare dry spell, going pointless in his final four playoff games, he remained a force in the faceoff circle. He took over 1,000 draws for Windsor and won a super solid 58 percent of them. That’s clutch. He might not have made Hockey Canada’s World Junior team last winter, which is a bummer, but he made the Summer Showcase roster. And guess what? Despite a bottom-of-the-lineup role and no points in two games, he snagged a “player of the game” award against the USA in their final match. That kind of grit and impact could absolutely give him an edge for the next WJC squad.
What’s Next for the Big Man?
Look, maybe it wasn’t the kind of “prolific” scoring season you might expect from a guy drafted in the top half of the first round, but Nesbitt was always projected as a slower developer. What’s awesome is he still matched his goal scoring from the previous year in ten fewer games, proving his knack for net-front scoring with that 6’5″ frame is legit. He’s still a few years away from hitting his full stride at the NHL level, absolutely, but his big move to the NCAA for the 2026-27 season is the crucial next step in his journey. Keep your eyes on this guy, because if he keeps lighting up the power play and developing that all-around game, the future looks incredibly bright!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Broad Street Hockey.
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