Kashawn Aitcheson continues to reap the rewards of his hard work.
Wrapping up a franchise record-setting season with the Barrie Colts, Aitcheson ‘Kash(ed)’ in big on Tuesday afternoon when the New York Islanders announced they signed the defenceman to a three-year, NHL entry-level contract.
The 17th overall selection of the Islanders in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, who is nicknamed ‘Kash,’ signed a deal that totals $3,225,000 and includes a $102,500 signing bonus, while carrying a cap hit of $1,075,000, according to PuckPedia.
The contract, which expires at the end of the 2028-29 season, has an average annual value of $1,575,000.
The 19-year-old Colts’ co-captain, who leads all OHL blueliners in goals (28), power-play goals (15), points (70), and plus/minus rating (plus 45), through 54 games, set franchise records this season for the most goals and points by a defenceman and passed Brandt Clarke of the Los Angeles Kings to become the all-time points leaders among point men.
The six-foot-two, 200-pound Toronto native has racked up 171 points (63 goals and 108 assists) and 335 penalty minutes over 205 career games with Barrie.
Aitcheson, who helped Canada win a bronze medal at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships in early January, was also recognized in the annual OHL Coaches Poll that was released Tuesday.
Aitcheson and Colts’ teammate Cole Beaudoin led the way among Eastern Conference nominees with first-place finishes each in four different categories.
Coaches awarded points in each of the two conferences for the top 3 players in 20 skill categories.
In the Eastern Conference, Aitcheson received the most points for the Best Shot (29), Hardest Shot (41), Best Bodychecker (35), and Best Offensive Defenceman (37).
Beaudoin received the most points for Hardest Worker (43), Best on Faceoffs (39), Best Defensive Forward (tied with North Bay’s Ethan Procyszyn at 37 points), and Best Penalty Killer (31).
Beaudoin also placed second as the Smartest Player (behind Brantford’s Jake O’Brien).
Barrie’s Ben Hrebik was voted the Best Puckhandling Goaltender (17), while defenceman Evan Passmore finished second as the Best Shot Blocker (20). Emil Hemming was fourth in the Most Dangerous In Goal Area (17), and Parker von Richter was second in voting for Best Defensive Defenceman (22).
Each team submits one nominee per category, and coaches then vote for the top three players for each category within their conference.
Players receive five points for a first-place vote, three points for a second-place vote, and one point for a third-place vote. Clubs are not permitted to vote for players from their own team, allowing for a maximum of 45 possible points for each winner.
