The Stouffville Spirit have acquired veteran goaltender Hayden Sabourin from the Mississauga Chargers for a Player Development Fee, in an Ontario Junior Hockey League transaction.
Sabourin, 20, arrives in Stouffville to backstop a veteran Spirit squad this season.
“Hayden is someone we’ve tried to acquire for a couple of years,” said Spirit General Manager Kenny Burrows. “When he became available, we jumped at the opportunity.
“Hayden had a number of opportunities and he chose Stouffville. He’s won before and he wants to win now. Every coach I talked to who has coached him had great things to say about him.”
Sabourin was an affiliate player with the Spirit during his U18 season (2021-22) with his hometown Guelph Gryphons U18 team. He didn’t see game action but attended some practices that season.
In 2002-23, Sabourin made the Jr. B GOHL All-Rookie team after leading the league with best goals against average – 1.71.
Last season with Mississauga, he scored a goalie goal during a game in Buffalo during J
“I’m really excited for the season,” Sabourin said. “I’m looking forward to a fresh start. It’s exciting to join a new group of guys. It looks like an older group from last year, too, and that makes it even more exciting. Hopefully we can go pretty deep.”
The Spirit is coming off its best season in 10 years, going 33-19-0-4 and finishing in fourth place in the 12-team OJHL East with a 0.625 win percentage.
In the playoffs, the Spirit swept the Wellington Dukes in the first round before being eliminated by the eventual OJHL champion Trenton Golden Hawks.
Head Coach TJ Hill – the 2025 OJHL Coach of the Year – returns this season with his entire coaching staff: assistants Rob Ascenzi, Tom Plommer and Bobby Berkenbilt and strength and conditioning coach Randy Smith.
The Spirit opens its 2025 training camp Aug. 13 with fitness testing at its home gym, BodySmith Sports Performance Training in Gormley.
On-ice sessions begin Aug. 14 at the home of the Spirit, the Stouffville Arena.
A Red vs White intrasquad game is scheduled for Aug. 16.
The Spirit has four preseason games on its schedule:
- Aug. 20 at Toronto Patriots
- Aug. 23 home to the Patriots
- Aug. 28 home to the St. Michael’s Buzzers
- Aug. 29 at St. Michael’s
The OJHL regular season will begin in early September.
