A mix of new faces and serious returning prospects see the Spirit sit as a potential real contender in the West.
The 2025-26 edition of the Saginaw Spirit were fun, if not particularly good.
The team had a fantastic power play and some real high-level scorers, but did not defend well at all, ending the season with the most goals against in the OHL.
This year, they'll look to graduate into being good. A lot of their key pieces are returning, there are some new faces that should help clean up the defensive problems, and it doesn't seem like that high-powered offence will be going anywhere.
The Saginaw Spirit will look to take a step into being a contender atop the West division in 2026-27. (Photo: Natalie Shaver/OHL Images)Of course, one of the biggest questions will be around the status of top scorer Nikita Klepov. The Anaheim Ducks first-rounder was supposed to leave the Spirit to head to the NCAA this fall, but surprisingly signed an NHL entry-level contract, and will now likely play in either the NHL or OHL this season.
The Ducks seem poised to give him every chance to make the big club out of camp, so it could still be possible Klepov does not return to Saginaw this year, but the chances are higher than they seemed at the conclusion of 2025-26.
Even if Klepov does not return, there's still a ton of talent on this team. Dima Zhilkin could be one of the best forwards in the league this year, while fellow NHL draft-eligible Levi Harper will provide a ton of offence from the blue line.
Other forwards in Brody Pepoy, Bode Stewart and Jacob Cloutier should step up as well. On defence, Tyler Martyniuk and Kade Meyer join to try and patch things up in a position group that needed a boost.
Brady Knowling and Stepan Shurygin give Saginaw two NHL drafted prospects in goal, as well, which should help the goals against tally.
In full, this Saginaw team is more balanced than last year, and if they do get Klepov back, they could be a real force.
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