For the longest time, the CHL has been regarded as the go-to option for junior hockey players who want the best development before heading off to the professional ranks, and one day playing with, or against, their idols.
Among the WHL, QMJHL, and OHL, the ladder has been known as the greatest development league in hockey for many years. While that still holds to this day, the NCAA rule change has drastically altered the terrain.
The OHL has already seen numerous star players, including Luke Misa, Henry Mews, and Malcolm Spence, announce commitments to NCAA schools, preparing to leave the league and play Division 1 hockey in 2025-26. And two more star players are reportedly keeping their options open.
Cam Robinson with EliteProspects reported on Sunday night that Brampton Steelheads captain Porter Martone and Barrie Colts blueliner Kashawn Aitcheson are keeping all their options open as to where they will play for the upcoming season.
Martone led the Steelheads in points with 98 in 57 games and had the league’s sixth-highest points-per-game (1.72). He was selected in the top ten, sixth overall, by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2025 NHL draft.
It’s not a crazy thought to think that Martone could crack the Flyers’ opening lineup. The team’s top nine forward grouping isn’t set in stone. He turns 19 in late October and has the physical maturity and skill to play at a higher level.
Brampton has already lost Luke Misa, who will be playing at Penn State University next year, potentially beside projected 2026 first-overall pick, Gavin McKenna. Losing their captain and the heart and soul of their team would be a massive blow. All the organization can hope for is that Martone signs his entry-level contract with Philadelphia, making him ineligible to play in the NCAA.
The Steelheads’ divisional rivals, the Barrie Colts, also find themselves in a predicament with one of their star players.
Their rugged, hitting-machine defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson could opt to play in the NCAA as well. Barrie will hate to see him leave, but I’m quite positive almost every OHL player, apart from his teammates, will be happy to see him go.
Aitcheson was drafted 17th overall by the New York Islanders recently, joining first-overall pick Matthew Schaefer in Long Island.
The 6-foot-1 left-shot blueliner scored the most goals (26) and tied Vancouver Canucks prospect Riley Patterson for the most points with 59 on the Colts. He took massive strides offensively in his development this past year. Maybe he wants to see if he can do the same at the college level.
If Aitcheson decides to head down the NCAA route, the Colts will lose their three best defensemen from last season – Tristan Bertucci and Beau Akey are headed to the professional ranks.