Philadelphia traded a pair of late first round picks to move up to 12th overall to select a 6-5 center who registered 64 points in 65 games for the Windsor Spitfires in the OHL. Nesbitt is a rangy, high-IQ center which helps him on both sides of the puck. He is expected to return to Windsor for his third OHL season in 2025-26.

Selected 12th overall, Jack Nesbitt is now a member of the Philadelphia Flyers after a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins for the 22nd overall and 31st overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.

Nesbitt is a big 6-4 center with the maturity and faceoff ability to stick at center. Nesbitt has enough of a toolkit to be a reliable two-way center at the NHL. Solid playmaker with good overall skating who works hard on defense, but a lack of a standout trait makes it questionable how high his upside is. Nesbitt looks safe to play NHL games at the very least, but it may take a year or two to see if the projection can grow, as many bigger players like him can take a bit longer to hit, Nesbitt very well may be one of those guys as he gets older and stronger. Austin Kelly

Weekly 2026 Draft Eligible Three Stars

Belchetz opened the scoring for the Spitfires on Thursday night against the Soo Greyhounds. Finding some open ice in the slot, the gargantuan winger walked in uncovered and wired a wrist shot over the Greyhounds keeper’s blocker-side shoulder. Belchetz found the back of the net less than two minutes into the second period for the daily double. After gaining the zone, Belchetz dropped the puck off for Philadelphia Flyers prospect Jack Nesbitt and settled into some open ice in the left-side faceoff circle. As he drifted towards the Soo cage, Nesbitt fed him the puck. Despite not being able to get a clean shot off, the puck rattled around and found its way in.

DRAFTPRO – OHL 2025 TOP PROSPECTS GAME REVIEW

#71 F, Jack Nesbitt

Team: OHL West (Windsor Spitfires, OHL)

Height/Weight 6’4”, 183Ibs

Shoots: Left

DOB: January 12th, 2007

Overview:

Jack Nesbitt is a promising power forward who excels in all three zones, showcasing the tools to be an effective second-line centerman. Standing at 6’4”, Nesbitt combines his size with a versatile skill set. His skating shows good acceleration and sturdy edges, making him difficult to knock off the puck. However, his lateral movement needs improvement, particularly during breakouts, as quickness in tight spaces can sometimes pose a challenge. Offensively, Nesbitt displays excellent awareness, consistently reading plays and positioning himself effectively. His smooth hands enhance his ability to execute dekes, but he would benefit from slowing the game down at times to improve precision and puck control. Nesbitt’s passing is a standout feature, with feather-light touches and crisp backhand saucers that consistently find their target. His shooting, while showing promise, requires better timing and a focus on getting pucks on net from further out to maximize scoring opportunities. Physically, Nesbitt effectively uses his size to gain leverage in puck battles and create space in front of the net, though he could increase his physicality by throwing more intentional hits. Defensively, he is sound in his positioning and excels at intercepting passes, but greater involvement in blocking shots and engaging in defensive plays would round out his game. With his size, skill, and versatility, Nesbitt has the potential to develop into a reliable second-line center and key contributor at both ends of the ice. By refining his lateral movement, shooting, and physicality, he could become an indispensable part of any NHL team’s lineup playing on the 2nd line.

Final Rankings – Jack Nesbitt has fallen under the radar while playing down the lineup on a very strong Windsor team. Despite this, Nesbitt produced near a point per game in the regular season. Defensively, he’s detail-oriented, with an active stick, good positioning, and a commitment to tracking through the middle. Offensively, he shows a feel for playmaking with good patience and vision. The fluidity in his handling ability is still an area he needs to improve. Coaches will love his compete level, opponents will dread his consistency. A complete, work-horse type forward with undeniable upside.—