Wiikwemkoong teen starring for Windsor Spitfires and impressing NHL scouts
By Sam Laskaris
WINDSOR – Jack Nesbitt’s sophomore season in the Ontario Hockey League is going considerably better than his rookie campaign.
As a result, it’s not surprising that Nesbitt, a member of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, is generating plenty of buzz and is considered to be an early-round pick in this year’s National Hockey League Entry Draft.
Nesbitt, a towering 6-foot-5, 185-pound centre is currently starring with the Windsor Spitfires, members of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).
He’s averaging almost a point per game, having collected 45 points (17 goals and 28 assists) through his first 48 contests.
Nesbitt, who is 18, has more than doubled the 18-point rookie season he had with the Spitfires.
“It’s been a lot better,” he said. “(There’s) new coaching, new players and everything. And I’m just way more comfortable and way more confident with the puck and everything. So, I think it’s a way different year. It’s much better this year. And I’m very happy about that.”
Nesbitt joined the Spitfires organization after he served as the captain of the Lambton Jr. Sting Under 16 AAA squad during the 2022-23 season.
“It definitely took a bit to get used to the league and make my presence,” he said. “But I think later on in the year, near the end I started generating more points and playing way better.”
Nesbitt, who grew up in and still calls Sarnia his hometown, then spent a good chunk of his off-season training at JunXion Performance in Oakville.
Nesbitt trained alongside several other OHLers as well as NHL players including Sam Bennett, Ryan O’Reilly and Andrew Mangiapane.
“That helped a lot,” Nesbitt said of his training sessions. “And that transferred into this year. That was a big part of it.”
No doubt it’s a bonus for Nesbitt that he is performing well in this, his NHL draft season. In the latest NHL draft rankings, Nesbitt is listed as the 16th best North American skater available.
That could very well translate into him being a first-round selection in the draft, which will be held June 27-28 in Los Angeles.
“I haven’t thought too much about the draft,” Nesbitt said. “I went into this year thinking just play my own game and all of that stuff will settle by itself. I feel like I’ve done a good job keeping the draft out of my head, just not thinking about it too much and just going out there playing my game and working my hardest.
“And I think I’ve done a really good job at that. Hopefully I can keep it going until the end of the season.”
Nesbitt is aware of the fact his draft stock is going up because of his stellar play this season.
“It’s awesome but I haven’t looked too much,” he said. “I don’t want to look too much and mess with my head a little bit. But it’s awesome to see that. I’m happy about that.”
No doubt Nesbitt would love to go as high as possible in the draft. But he said he’s not establishing a goal to be a first-rounder.
“That would be awesome,” he said. “I’m not expecting to go in the first round. I’m expecting to go in the second round or even lower just to make sure I’m not too mad about where I go.”
Plus, he realizes whatever happens on draft day will not necessarily make or break his future in the sport.
“It’s not about the position you go really,” he said. “It’s about what you do when you get there. So, I think that’s a big part of it as well, working your hardest when you go to camp and just being you.”