Kashawn Aitcheso
Photo courtesy of the Barrie Colts
For those hockey fans out there who miss the old-school game, fear not: Kashawn Aitcheson is here to finish every check and make opponents think twice before they get within two time zones of his goaltender.
The Barrie Colts defenseman is a 2025 NHL draft prospect who looks like an easy first-rounder thanks to his combination of physicality, mobility and a two-way game that so far this season has included seven points through 10 games.
“I’ve felt good,” Aitcheson said about this season. “We have a great team here, the guys are gelling really well and it’s just fun to come to the rink every day and play beside each and every one of them.”
Aitcheson can play in all situations (two of his three goals so far have come on the power play), and at 6-foot-1, 198 pounds, he has a sturdy, NHL-style frame to keep building on. The upside he’s shown also earned him a roster spot for the upcoming CHL-NTDP series, where an all-star slate of draft-eligibles from major junior will take on their peers from the NTDP’s under-18 squad.
“It’s super-exciting,” Aitcheson said. “It’s going to be an unreal experience, and I’m honestly just honored to be invited.”
The series, which will take place in London and Oshawa in late November, is a fascinating concept, and it will be interesting to see how it plays out. On paper, the CHL has a lot more high-end talent (potentially three of the draft’s top 10 picks in Porter Martone, Matthew Schaefer and Michael Misa), but the NTDP kids have played together since the beginning of last season, so their chemistry could be a factor. And how physical will the game be? The old CHL Top Prospects Game pretty much always featured at least one fight, but the NTDP kids wear full cages.
“I just know what I’m going to bring: Physicality, meanness, toughness and a good two-way game,” Aitcheson said. “I’m not thinking too much about them, I’m going there to focus in, and do what I do.”
Related: 2025 NHL Draft: Biggest Standouts In Central Scouting’s Watch List
The last time Aitcheson faced an all-American team was at the 2024 World Under-18s, when he and the Canadians snatched the gold medal from Team USA in a thrilling 6-4 comeback championship game.
“Bringing home the gold was unbelievable,” he said. “Everyone wants to be a winner and when you do things like that, you build a lot of character. You learn a lot of lessons and it was huge for me.”
A big fan of Boston Bruins blueliner Charlie McAvoy, Aitcheson wants to play a similar two-way game. He prides himself on his shutdown abilities while still working to improve on them, and he’s also continuing to hone his puck skills on the offensive side of things.
One thing Aitcheson is known for already is his fighting acumen. He has a running war with Brampton’s Martone, and last year, Aitcheson fought 6-foot-7 New York Rangers prospect Dylan Roobroeck during a playoff series against Oshawa. Playing in Barrie, Aitcheson gave the crowd a ‘title belt’ motion after the tilt, much to the delight of Colts fans.
“I don’t think I’m really intimidated by anyone,” he said. “I have a chip on my shoulder, and I feel I have something to prove every night. I’m not going to shy away from anything, no matter how big or small. I’m going to go at you head-on.”
That attitude helps explain why NHL scouts are lining up to watch Aitcheson this year.
Related: 2025 NHL Draft Rankings: Will There Be A Race For First Overall?
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