Former OHLer Jacob Winterton passes away at 25 after cancer battle
The Ontario Hockey League announced Wednesday the death of former player Jacob Winterton after a battle with cancer.
He was 25.
The #OHL is saddened to learn of the passing of Jacob Winterton following a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 25. A member of the @FlintFirebirds and @Oshawa_Generals, the league extends its thoughts and condolences to the Winterton family, as well as Jacob’s friends Show more
“The OHL sends thoughts and condolences to the Winterton family, as well as Jacob’s friends during this difficult time,” the league wrote in a statement.
Winterton, a native of Whitby, Ont., was a 10th-round pick for the Flint Firebirds in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection Draft. He spent two seasons in the OHL with the Firebirds and Oshawa Generals and finished with 18 goals and 19 assists for 37 points in 125 regular-season games.
“Jacob was a wonderful son, brother, teammate and friend,” TSN hockey insider Darren Dreger wrote on social media. “My family has had the privilege of being a part of his life. His character and heart, immeasurable. His talent and leadership made every team he played on, at every level, better. Rest Cobs. You fought a helluva fight.”
Jacob was a wonderful son, brother, teammate and friend. My family has had the privilege of being a part of his life. His character and heart, immeasurable. His talent and leadership made every team he played on, at every level, better. Rest Cobs. You fought a helluva fight.
The #OHL is saddened to learn of the passing of Jacob Winterton following a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 25. A member of the @FlintFirebirds and @Oshawa_Generals, the league extends its thoughts and condolences to the Winterton family, as well as Jacob’s friends
After graduating from the OHL, Winterton enrolled at the University of Guelph, where he played four seasons of U SPORTS men’s hockey with the Gryphons. He scored 26 goals and recorded 41 assists for 67 points in 94 career games.
Before joining the OHL, Winterton was part of the Ajax/Pickering Raiders Under-16 and Under-18 programs. In 2017-18 with the U-18 team, he recorded 33 goals and 19 assists for 52 points in 33 games.
Jacob’s brother, Ryan Winterton, spent three seasons in the OHL with the Hamilton Bulldogs and London Knights, winning an OHL championship in 2022. He was a 2021 third-round pick for the Seattle Kraken and is currently in his first full NHL campaign.