Exeter defenceman Jesse Debruyn signs with Windsor Spitfires

Exeter native Jesse Debruyn will play in the OHL for the Windsor Spitfires for the 2026-2027 season.

By Dan Rolph

When a 5-year-old Jesse Debruyn first stepped on the ice, the idea of playing in the Ontario Hockey League was little more than a distant dream.

But now, that dream has become reality with Debruyn signing with the Windsor Spitfires to an OHL scholarship and development agreement.

Debruyn, a 17-year-old student at South Huron District high school who grew up in Exeter attending Precious Blood Catholic school, will play his first full season with the Spitfires starting this September.

“It’s really cool, knowing all the hard work has paid off and that your dream’s come true, and you get to play in the OHL,” said Debruyn.

Though his career on the ice may be sending him to some of Ontario’s biggest arenas this coming season, the defenceman got his start on local rinks with the South Huron Sabres. He later made the shift to play AAA with the Huron Perth Lakers.

When Debruyn was selected by the Spitfires in the 2025 OHL draft in the 4th round, he signed with the Komoka Kings in the GOHL, where he played out a full season.

“Jesse is an all-around defenceman that can play in all situations” said Windsor Spitfires general manager Bill Bowler. “We expect him to continue to grow into a prominent role.”

In March 2026, Debruyn got called up by the Spitfires as they wrapped up their regular season, putting him on the ice for the first time in the OHL.

“I was a little nervous, but it wasn’t too bad,” he said. “It was really exciting.

“It was coming down to the end of the regular season. They had to get a couple of wins to win the division, so they were really important games.”

Debruyn played six games for the Spitfires as they took the West Division title. Windsor then went on to the Western Conference finals, where they fell to the Kitchener Rangers.

For Debruyn, that experience provided a taste of life as a Spitfire, getting to meet his teammates and begin learning how they play and practice.

Now, the Spitfires are looking at the 2026-2027 season with a chunk of their roster leaving, and Debruyn noted it will feel like a fresh start for much of the roster next season.

“They’re losing a lot of guys next year,” he said. “It was good meeting them, but next year’s going to be a lot of new people to meet. It’s going to be back to square one for most guys.”

Looking ahead, Debruyn said he has his sights locked on two priorities for the coming season — playing well and playing consistently.

“That’s the main goal,” he said.

To make sure he’s ready, Debruyn said he’ll be on the ice and in the gym in the off season as he prepares for his first full season as a Spitfire.

Having gone from local minor hockey to signing with an OHL team, Debruyn said he hopes younger players will take away one simple lesson from his journey.

“Anything’s possible,” he said. “Keep working hard. All that hard work will pay off. Never give up, no matter what. You never know what’s going to happen. Just keep going.”