Only two defencemen in the Ontario Hockey League scored more goals in 2024-25 than Kashawn Aitcheson with 26: Zayne Parekh (33) and Sam Dickinson (29), who were drafted ninth and 11th, respectively, in the 2024 NHL Draft. Only six fellow OHL members of his 2025 draft class eclipsed that total as well. Considering he scored eight the previous season, it was a big leap in his production.
Date of Birth: September 21, 2006
Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 198 lbs.
Position: Defence
Shoots: Left
Team: Barrie Colts (OHL)
All the while he was posting his 59 points in 64 games, he was racking up 88 minutes in penalties, which was about 50% lower than his total the previous season. There’s a fiery physical player behind all of the offence that Aitcheson produced in his draft year.
Strengths
One reason why he posted offensive totals closer to what you would expect from a forward is that he plays like one on offence. The moment it’s clear that the puck is going to be in his team’s possession, he’s not just heading up the ice, but often going deep into the zone to help the attack. On the power play, he even plays in the Leon Draisaitl spot below the right faceoff dot.
He’s accurate enough to find success from that sharp angle, but the most impressive attribute of his offensive game is how effortlessly he can elevate the puck. Nearly every one of his 26 goals were sent to the top corner, and that should help him carry his exceptional finishing skills to the professional ranks.
He can play the role of playmaker as well and attract a defender to himself before making a quick deke to open a lane and sending the puck to his teammate. Because he’s often deep in the zone, he finds those teammates in great scoring positions. Not only did his 26 goals lead the Barrie Col