Windsor Spitfires Welcome Fourth-Round Pick Ryan Hanutke at Orientation Camp
Forward Ryan Hanutke, a fourth-round selection by the Windsor Spitfires in this year’s OHL Draft, traveled nearly 600 miles from his hometown of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, to attend the club’s orientation camp at the WFCU Center on Saturday. The journey—over nine hours by car—highlighted the lengths prospects go to pursue opportunities in the Ontario Hockey League.
A Smart, High-Scoring Prospect
Standing just over 5-foot-10 and weighing 174 pounds, Hanutke is no ordinary fourth-round pick. The experienced centerman led Shattuck-St. Mary’s prep team and recently starred at the US Hockey National Tier I 15+ Championship, where he topped the 10-team tournament with 15 points in six games—including four points in a 5-4 win over the New York Saints in the final.
“Just a smart hockey player with a great hockey IQ,” said Spitfires General Manager Bill Bowler. “A point producer.”
Building Connections Beyond the Ice
The two-day camp wasn’t focused on talent evaluation but rather on building relationships between the organization, players, and their families. “It’s a big deal for us to see the families and we’re excited,” Bowler added. For Hanutke, the visit offered a chance to experience Windsor’s culture firsthand: “I get to see the kids here and meet the guys that were drafted and the staff and see what it’s like to be here and the culture.”
He noted similarities between Windsor and his small Wisconsin hometown, which sits on a lake and shares a tight-knit community feel. “We live on a lake, so we’re on the water a lot, and there’s a golf course on the lake,” Hanutke said. “It’s a beautiful area.”
OHL Edge Over Other Leagues
Despite also being drafted by Omaha (USHL) and Wisconsin (NAHL), Hanutke appears to favor the OHL. “I really like the league because it’s so good and because it produces so many people,” he said. After recording 38 goals and 97 points in 57 games this season, he expressed relief and excitement about being selected by Windsor: “I definitely had contact with them and I wasn’t really surprised, but I’m glad I got drafted here.”
Development Path Forward
With forwards Jack Nesbitt and Ethan Belchetz departing for the NCAA, the Spitfires are seeking high-scoring centers—making Hanutke an ideal fit. However, Bowler emphasized a patient approach: “We need to know what the best development plan is for the player. As a 16-year-old, it’s hard to play in our league… He may not be [the biggest], but he’s strong.”
Hanutke’s current plan is to return to Shattuck-St. Mary’s, though he remains open to other options. Bowler expressed confidence that Hanutke will eventually wear a Windsor uniform, with timing being the key variable.
Strong Draft Class Attendance
Of the 18 players selected by the Spitfires in the U16 and U18 drafts, only two missed the weekend camp. First-round pick Anthony Carchidi was absent due to a family vacation in Greece but is expected in August, while seventh-round selection Jack Trupiano had already committed to the U.S. National Team Development Program’s U17 squad for 2026–27.
