Hockey community reels after young player’s tragic death

The hockey world is mourning another devastating loss.

Jacob Winterton, a former OHL and U SPORTS player and the brother of Ryan Winterton, has passed away at the age of 25 following a battle with cancer.

Originally from Whitby, Ontario, Winterton’s hockey journey took him through the Flint Firebirds and Oshawa Generals, where he played between 2018 and 2021. Over 125 regular-season games, he recorded 18 goals and 19 assists, earning respect for his dedication and work ethic on the ice.

Following his junior career, Winterton continued both his education and hockey path at the University of Guelph, where he played four seasons of U SPORTS hockey while pursuing studies in Real Estate.

He came from a strong hockey background, developing through the Ajax-Pickering Raiders program before being selected by Flint in the 10th round of the 2017 OHL Priority Selection. His younger brother Ryan followed a similar path through the OHL and has since reached the NHL with the Seattle Kraken.

The loss is felt deeply not only by the Winterton family but across the hockey community. It also marks another tragic moment connected to the Kraken organization, following the loss of Brandon Montour’s brother, Cameron Noble-Montour, who passed away in late 2025 after battling ALS.

Jacob Winterton is remembered as a dedicated teammate, a hardworking player, and a young man gone far too soon.

May he rest in peace.

And also, f**k cancer.