Headlining the OHL’s Central Division is a trio of potential first-rounders for the 2025 draft and intriguing late-round options that can move up the board throughout the season. Although Brampton and Barrie hold most of the top-end talent in this division, it’s important to highlight each team to spotlight a handful of players that may not get much attention without a strong push in the coming months.
Kashawn Aitcheson
DOB: September 21, 2006
Height: 6-1
Weight: 198 lbs
Position: LHD
Team: Barrie Colts
Most consider Kashawn Aitcheson the second-best OHL defender in this year’s draft class behind Erie’s Matthew Schaefer. Aitcheson is a dog on the ice. He is oozing with grit and jam, hardly losing a battle along the boards or a scrum in front of the net. He does not possess any high-end tools, but you can expect him to make simple plays while being mobile and reliable defensively. Aitcheson’s lack of offensive IQ is what holds him back. He is not a play driver on the ice; he can give pucks away in the offensive zone, and overall, he does not get enough puck touches going at the opposition to make his mark on the scoresheet.
Even with issues in his offensive game, Aitcheson’s skill set projects as that of your prototypical #4 shut-down, two-way blueliner at the NHL level. Keep an eye on his offensive progression throughout the season, which could impact his ranking one way or the other.
Porter Martone
DOB: October 26, 2006
Height: 6-3
Weight: 196 lbs
Position: RW
Team: Brampton Steelheads
It will be challenging to knock Porter Martone out of the top three on the 2025 Draft board from now until June. Martone is a deceptive playmaker with arguably the best set of hands in the draft class. His skill set allows him to be a dual-threat offensive weapon, either acting as the setup man for his teammates or as the finisher on his line. When Martone is on his game, it is hard to stop him. However, the amount of time he is on his game is the issue.
Martone can face criticism for consistency in his overall pace of play. At times, he can check out of a game; at other times, he is the best player on the ice. He even lacks physically, which is disappointing given his 6-3 frame. If Martone can nail down his consistency, playing up to the level he is capable of for a full 60 minutes, there is no reason he wouldn’t have his name called first come draft day.
Ethan Czata
DOB: May 29, 2007
Height: 6-1
Weight: 172lbs
Position: C
Team: Niagara Ice Dogs
Ethan Czata is a name that I am looking forward to tracking throughout the season. A former top-five OHL draft selection, he is yet to boom on the scoresheet, even into the early days of his draft year. He has shown flashes of promise, especially as a two-way pivot, but overall, he has struggled to impact the game as I think the IceDogs would’ve expected. Czata supports the puck well and has the tools to be a player who can be effective on both special teams; it is just the offensive play-driving needs to take a jump in the coming months. His hockey IQ is evident and well-regarded enough to make Canada’s roster at the Hlinka this past summer, but the next step is all on him.
Shamar Moses
DOB: May 6, 2007
Height: 6-1
Weight: 203 lbs
Position: RW
Team: North Bay Battalion
The newest member of the Battalion, Shamar Moses is an intriguing player. A former first-round selection by the Barrie Colts, Moses was traded early this season to North Bay. Moses has gone right into North Bay’s top six since the acquisition. The tools are there to be an effective power-forward with a heavy shot, but his engagement throughout the game needs to improve. In his first game with North Bay, although he was still adjusting to a new system, he looked slow and could not make many effective plays. However, his production continues to pick up, and Moses has scored three goals and 10 points in nine games since he was acquired. Currently viewed as a middle-round pick, there is much room for growth in Moses’ draft ranking.
Finn Marshall
DOB: January 13, 2006
Height: 6-1
Weight: 170 lbs
Position: G
Team: Sudbury Wolves
Finn Marshall is not a goalie a ton of people will have eyes on this season compared to the prominent CHL goalies that are high on the draft boards, but the 2006-born netminder has been off to a strong start with Sudbury. Marshall holds a 5-1-0 record, a 2.85 goals against average, and a .900 save percentage, which are solid statistics for his first taste of OHL action. He has a ton of athleticism in his game, especially up and down. He also tracks the puck reasonably well, whether on an odd-man rush against or screened point shots.
However, Marshall needs to work on his rebound control and glove hand. He gives up far too many rebounds into poor areas, which hasn’t come back to hurt him a ton yet but has the potential to catch up to him quite quickly. Look for Marshall as a late-round flyer or even an undrafted free agent pick-up by a team needing goalie depth.
Overall, the OHL’s Central Division has a good mix of both elite prospects and late-round options to keep an eye on. Check back here at RecruitScouting.com for more coverage of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, the OHL, and beyond as the year progresses.
