Levi Harper#4 -Saginaw Spirit (OHL) – American – RD – 5’11 174lbs Many 2027 Draft-eligible players have had slower starts to this season. This could not be further from the case for the Saginaw Spirit Defenseman Levi Harper. He is currently on pace for two points per game, which, over Harper’s projected 62-game season, would equal a staggering 124 points. Even after only having played 5 games, that is wildly impressive. What has worked for Harper so far? He is very dynamic in the offensive zone, making sharp, on-the-dot passes. He is a swift straight-line skater, having the ability to roam the blueline with that speed. Yet, another one of his skills is his proficiency in moving the puck once facing opponents’ pressure. Conversely, this leads right into his biggest weakness. Harper’s below-average stature leaves him very vulnerable to any physical contact. He gets knocked over frequently, losing too manyboard battles. His reach also limits him from having a productive stick in his own end. As a prospect, his next season will be much more telling. He will be joining the current favourites to win this year’s National Championship, the Michigan Wolverines. The OHL is a skill-filled league; Harper’s play and progression in an older, physically mature league like the NCAA is much more essential. How effectively his offensive skills translate, but more importantly, how much he is able to adapt to a more similar NHL-style game at the college level. His draft stock is all over the place, ranging from a mid-second-round pick to a lottery pick. He’s leaning towards the lottery side of that argument.
Levi Harper | RHD | Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
American defenseman Levi Harper is one of the older players in the 2027 Draft class. The Tampa, Florida, native’s October 3, 2008, birthday meant he missed the cut-off for being a 2026 draft pick by 18 days. The second-year OHL defender is looking to build off a strong rookie campaign where he pitched 57 points (12 goals, 45 assists) in 68 games.
The former Shattuck St. Mary’s standout has 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in five games this season. Currently ranked number 27 on the Draft Prospect Hockey 2027 NHL Draft Rankings, more weeks like this past one could see Harper’s stock rising drastically.
The 6-foot, 185-pound rearguard posted six points (two goals, four assists) in three games. The 2025-26 CHL All-Rookie Team defender had a pair of secondary assists in Saginaw’s 9-2 rout of the Sarnia Sting.
He exploded for four points (two goals, two assists) in the next night’s rematch with the Sting. Harper picked up secondary assists on two first-period goals as the Spirit jumped out to an early lead. Following a Sting rally back to tie the game at three, Harper got the Sting back on top. Teammate Tyler Martyniuk found the defender alone at the point with some space. The 2027 University of Michigan commit took a few strides in before lifting a wrist shot over the goalie’s blocker to restore the Spirit lead. The Sting responded again, and so did Harper. With 59 seconds left in the third period, the 18-year-old stepped into a slap shot from the point that went off the goalie’s trapper and in.
Following the two goal-filled affairs with the Sting, the Spirit had a much tighter contest against the Owen Sound Attack. Harper had three shots on goal but only made the scoresheet with a roughing penalty in the first period.
This matchup between the high-octane offense of the Saginaw Spirit and the winless Brampton Steelheads had the potential to be quite lopsided. However, Saginaw entered the game without a pair of draft-eligible defensemen: leading point scorer on the back end Levi Harper and 6-foot-7 shutdown defenseman Drew Roscoe.
Zhilkin’s first goal of the night came on the power play off a pass from fellow highly touted 2027 NHL Draft-eligible prospect Levi Harper. After receiving the puck near the faceoff dot, Zhilkin walked in and fired a wrist shot far side, beating the goaltender.
Levi Harper – Harper had an absolute roller coaster of a game, made multiple defensive errors, struggled to complete passes, and mishandled the puck, but was able to find ways to contribute offensively, a patient short pass to Wassilyn for the first goal, a quick pass to Zhilkin for a goal on the power play, and a long stretch pass to a wide-open Wassilyn, which created another Zhilkin goal to tie the game in the 3rd. Even with a 3-point night, this was not a game to remember on his part. If he can limit some of those lapses, the offense is there no doubt.
15 – Levi Harper One of my favorite players to watch in this draft, he is and will more than likely remain underrated all year. Harper is an incredible skater, can effortlessly walk the blue line and creates space for himself with ease, he has a very unpredictable and accurate shot from the point, and will wait for the most unexpected time before firing on net, which leads to goals, redirections or a broken play that creates a scoring chance.
#4 D, Levi HarperTeam: Saginaw Spirit, OHLHeight/Weight: 5’11”, 174 lbsShoots: RightDOB: October 3rd, 2008 Overview: Levi Harper is a dynamic, puck-moving defenseman who thrives with the puck and plays a confident, possession-focused game. Despite a smaller frame, he’s very much an offensively involved blueliner, excelling in transition with soft hands, deceptive fakes, and quick reads that create scoring chances. His smooth skating and excellent lateral mobility, especially showcasing 10-to-2 crossovers, allowing him to walk the blue line and sustain pressure. Offensively, he brings a dual threat, threading passes through seams or firing accurate point shots. Defensively, his limitations show: he struggles in board battles, can be pushed off pucks, and his short reach hinders disruption. While his positioning is solid, he needs to not only keep his feet moving when defending the rush. Also, he must become more assertive in physical engagements and shot blocking.
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