The Saginaw Spirit have secured the services of Brady Knowling, a 6‑foot‑5 left‑hand catching goaltender who has been identified as the top‑ranked North American prospect for the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft. The dual‑citizen netminder, originally from Toronto, Ontario, brings a blend of size, poise and international experience that the franchise hopes will translate into a strong OHL campaign.
Knowling’s résumé includes two seasons with the U.S. National Team Development Program, where he posted a 15‑13‑3‑1 record, a 3.51 goals‑against average and a .883 save percentage at the U‑18 level, along with a 2.01 GAA and .946 save percentage in a single appearance for the U‑17 squad.
Draft Selection Highlights
Drafted with the Spirit’s third‑round pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection, he joins a team that has been eager to bolster its defensive backbone ahead of the upcoming season. The selection marked the culmination of a scouting process that placed Knowling at the apex of Central Scouting’s North American goalie rankings, a testament to his consistent performance across multiple competitive platforms.
His size and catching style are relatively rare in the OHL, offering the Spirit a unique defensive option that could shift the balance in tight games.
International Pedigree
Knowling’s international résumé is equally impressive. He backstopped Team USA’s U‑18 side to a gold medal at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, posting a 2.35 GAA and .914 save percentage across four victories.
Earlier this month he earned player‑of‑the‑game honors after a 42‑save performance in the opening night of the CHL USA Prospects Challenge in Calgary, Alberta, a 4‑2 win that underscored his clutch capabilities.
The goaltender also contributed to the North York Rangers’ run to the OHL Cup semi‑finals, compiling a 3‑1‑0 record that highlighted his ability to perform under pressure in high‑stakes environments.
Speaking about the new addition, Spirit management expressed confidence that Knowling’s blend of size, skill and international success will help the club contend for a deep playoff run. Knowling himself said he is excited to join a historic organization and believes the team has the potential to achieve great things this season.