Where Are They Now? Windsor Spitfires 2022 OHL West Champs – Hockey Writers – OHL

While the Windsor Spitfires missed out on the 2023-24 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Playoffs, it was just two seasons ago that they made an unlikely trip to the Western Conference finals. With this season's conference finals underway, it makes you wonder – what's going on with those Spitfires from 2021-22?

Coming into the 2021-22 season, the Spitfires had a huge task ahead of them. They hadn't made the second round of the playoffs in over a decade (despite winning the 2017 MasterCard Memorial Cup) but, thanks to general manager Bill Bowler, they had a roster that made some noise that season. After going all in on the January 2022 deadline, the club, led by then-coach Marc Savard, continued to roar in the second half en route to the first seed in the Western Conference. From there, they pushed aside the Sarnia Sting, Kitchener Rangers, and Flint Firebirds to become OHL Western Conference Champions. When they finally lost the OHL championship to the Hamilton Bulldogs on the road in Game 7, it was a season no one will ever forget. We're just wondering – what happened to some of those players after the season ended? Let's find out!

Defender Michael Renwick

While the Spitfires have stars like forwards Will Cuylle (New York Rangers), Wyatt Johnston (Dallas Stars), and Matthew Maggio (New York Islanders), defenseman Michael Renwick has quietly slipped under the radar as a powerful defense. The 6-foot, 185-pound native of Mississauga was acquired by Bowler in June 2020 with three options. The idea was to give him more playing time and he ran with it.

Renwick has been everything a club could ask for. He was responsible on defense, stood up for his teammates, added 29 points in 67 games, and was a leader in the room. His grandfather is Dave Prpich of the former Spitfires, which shows that good character runs in the family.

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In the playoffs, Renwick added 14 points in 25 games including the overtime winner in Game 1 of the OHL Championship against the Bulldogs. It was the first time the Bulldogs had lost in the finals.

What happened to this fan favorite after that season? He continued for one season, scoring 35 points in 65 games. Unfortunately, the team was eliminated in the first round, ending his young career. After that, he headed to the ECHL and played three games with the Orlando Solar Bears. In 2023-24, he went to his second education by signing with Queen's University (Ontario University Athletics – OUA) where he had six points in 14 games.

Defender Louka Henault

Another veteran who was strong without the spotlight was defender Louka Henault. At 6 feet, 180 pounds, he could control the game on either end of the rink.

Drafted by the Spitfires in the fifth round in 2017, Henault became an integral part of the defense, saving his best career for his senior season in 2021-22. After returning from Anaheim Ducks camp in August 2021, he posted 65 points in 63 regular season games and another 16 points in 25 games. That ended his career and he was one of the biggest losses the club suffered that summer. The question is – what happened to him after graduation?

Henault soon left for the ECHL where he has been ever since. In 2022-23, he joined the Jacksonville Icemen where he had 13 points in 41 games. This past season, he split time between the Solar Bears and the Iowa Heartlanders where he tallied 17 points in 59 games.

Defender Andrew Perrott

One of Bowler's biggest acquisitions at the January 2022 trade deadline was acquiring 5-foot-10, 216-pound defenseman Andrew Perrott from the Owen Sound Attack. The five-season veteran brought with him a reputation for being solid offensively, loyal to his position, and tough as nails when needed. He lived through all that.

Perrott put up 26 points in 39 regular season games for the club following the move and showed leadership on and off the ice. He was exactly what the team needed. In the playoffs, he had 14 points in 25 games including the overtime winner in Game 6 against the Firebirds. That sent it to Game 7, which the Spitfires won at home.

Unfortunately, he was a pure recruit from Bowler and, once they lost to the Bulldogs, his OHL career was over. So, what happened to this impressive defender? He joined the Chicago Blackhawks program and has split time between the Indy Fuel (ECHL) and the Rockford IceHogs (American Hockey League – AHL).

Forward Daniel D'Amico

One of the best depth pieces for the Spitfires up front was 5-foot-10, 190-pound forward Daniel D'Amico. The Etobicoke native was a vital combination of speed, grit, and offense. He got under your skin in many ways and became one of the best clutch players at the club.

D'Amico was the team's sixth-round pick in 2017 and, after being a 20-goal, 50-point player from 2018-2020, he saved his best for his final season. In 67 games, he had a career high of 32 goals and 58 points, adding 21 points in 25 playoff games. His hat-trick in Game 7 against the Firebirds was a defining performance and won't be forgotten anytime soon.

After the season ended, D'Amico graduated and moved on to the next chapter of his life. What happened to him? In September 2022, he signed with the ECHL's Kalamazoo Wings. He appeared in eight games, recording four points, before transferring to the Toronto Metropolitan University Bold (OUA). There, he saw action in nine regular season games (five points) and three playoff games (two points). Unfortunately, he is not on their 2023-24 roster and his current whereabouts are unknown.

This Spitfires roster was expected to make playoff noise but no one predicted they would make a run at the OHL Championship. While few players have received the same recognition, these four players have been an integral part of the season and run. Good to see them succeed after leaving the OHL.