You can add a major OHL award to an already impressive list of accomplishments over the last year for Kashawn Aitcheson.
On Monday afternoon, the league announced the Barrie Colts co-captain is this year’s winner of the Max Kaminsky Trophy, presented annually to the OHL Defenceman of the Year.
The 19-year-old Toronto native, who was a 17th overall selection of the New York Islanders in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft last June, led all OHL blueliners this season with 28 goals and 42 assists for 70 points in 56 games.
Voted on the OHL’s General Managers, Aitcheson is the third Colts defender in franchise history to win the top defenceman honours, following in the footsteps of Aaron Ekblad (2013-14) and Erik Reitz (2001-02).
Frankie Marrelli of the Ottawa 67’s, Chase Reid of the Soo Greyhounds, and Carson Woodall of the Windsor Spitfires were the other finalists named.
“This group of guys has made it so special from the coaching staff right on down,” said Aitcheson of the award recognition. “It’s been a great year of learning, getting better, and all the laughs and fun that have come with it as well.”
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Aitcheson’s numbers were impressive.
Despite missing significant time while away helping Canada win a bronze medal at the World Junior Hockey Championships, Aitcheson led all OHL blueliners with 70 points, in goals with 28, and power-play goals with 15.
He was third overall in plus/minus with a plus 46, fourth in assists with 42, and sixth in penalty minutes with 96.
Aitcheson, who recently signed a three-year, NHL entry-level contract with the Islanders, holds the Colts’ franchise record for points by a defenceman with 171, passing the previous record of 158 career points set by Los Angeles Kings blueliner Brandt Clarke.
The Barrie defender also holds the franchise record for overall goals with 63 and broke his own single-season mark this season with 28.
His 70 points this season were the most in a single season by a Barrie defenceman, breaking Luch Nasato’s record of 69 points in 1997-98. His 12 playoff goals this season passed the previous mark of 11 set by Ekblad.
“I still remember him walking in four years ago, and he hasn’t changed,” said Colts Vice-President and General Manager Marty Williamson, who drafted Aitcheson in the third round (50th overall) of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection. “He comes to the ice with a big smile on his face. He’s a great teammate, and he’s just got better and better.
“You really consider the good defencemen we’ve had in our organization with Ekblad and Clarke, and I don’t think we ever thought we would put him in that category, and we absolutely do. He’s been phenomenal for us.”
The rugged six-foot-two, 203-pound defender, who recently signed a three-year, NHL entry-level contract with the Islanders, was also recognized in the annual OHL Coaches Poll, leading the way among Eastern Conference nominees with first-place finishes in four different categories.
Aitcheson received the most points for the Best Shot, Hardest Shot, Best Bodychecker, and Best Offensive Defenceman.
“You couldn’t root for a guy more. That’s just what I’m so happy for,” Williamson said of Aitcheson, who was used by head coach Dylan Smoskowitz in many different situations on the ice. “For him to get drafted (by the Islanders) and see the smile on his face, him to win this award and see the happiness, he’s just one of those guys that you root for.
“You’re always in his corner. He’s a really strong, great young man.”
The Max Kaminsky Trophy is awarded each year to the Most Outstanding Defenceman. All 20 club GMs submitted a nominee for the award, but were not permitted to vote for their own player. The trophy honours Max Kaminsky, who enjoyed a 10-year professional playing career that included four years in the NHL with Ottawa, Boston, and Montreal.
After retiring from playing, Kaminsky enjoyed a 15-year coaching career that was capped by winning the Memorial Cup with the St. Catharines Teepees in 1960.
Aitcheson will be formally recognized as the OHL Defenceman of the Year at the OHL Awards Ceremony to be held at The Hockey Hall of Fame in June.
