The Ontario Hockey League has always been the proving ground for crucial development for young hockey talent in Canada. Among its arsenal of 20 teams, the Sarnia Sting stands out as a team that often caches elite-level talent. The team has helped dozens of young talents to leap to the highest level of professional hockey. This has brought the team relative success and paved the way for some of the best players’ careers.
The Developmental Pipeline Of The Sarnia Sting
The Sarnia Sting recently wrapped up their 2024–25 OHL season, finishing just outside of playoff contention. Their final game took place on March 23, 2025, in a 5–2 loss to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Several bookmakers had them to finish where they finished, with odds stacked against them in most of the games.
Platforms like Stake.com, which offer OHL markets throughout the season, often reflected this outlook, frequently listing the Sting as underdogs, particularly in matchups against top-ranked teams. For those following the odds and looking ahead to the latter stages of the playoffs, you can find here information about the Stake.com bonus, which can be used when registering for a new account.
The Sarnia Sting has consistently been a slingshot for NHL talent. There are many factors that play into this, mainly the talented coaching staff and developmental programs integrated into the core of the team. Thanks to these systems and Sarnia’s commitment to player growth, the team has produced some of the best players in the NHL. So, even though the team has never won an OHL championship, its success is measured in the players it has produced.
However, hope is rising, as recent draft prospects are heading towards Sting’s way. This development looks to make the team more than just part of the OHL-NHL talent pipeline. This is looking to set the team up for success in the following season.
So, let’s take a look at the best and most famous NHL players who got their start with the Sarnia Sting. Many of whom went on to achieve success in the world’s premier hockey league, which has placed the Sarnia Sting in a unique place in the developmental pipeline of the NHL.
Steven Stamkos
Steven Stamkos is possibly the most popular Sarnia Sting alumni and an undisputed headliner. He was drafted first overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning back in 2008, where he immediately made a name for himself in the league. During this period, his leadership qualities were also showcased alongside his ability to score goals. Stamkos stands out as one of the most influential players for match-day odds. Once he made it to the Sting, Stamkos reached up to 197 points in 123 games, showcasing his offensive talent.
In the NHL, Stamkos quickly became one of the most respected and decorated players in his generation. As a two-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner and the NHL’s top goal scorer at the time, he was unrivaled. This landed him the position of captain in Sanria, which won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021. With this accolade, he cemented his legacy and proved that his career is worthy of the Hall of Fame.
Pavel Zacha
Pavel Zacha is a Czech-born forward who was selected sixth overall in the 2015 NHL Draft by the New Jersey Devils. He was another high-profile draft pick to come out of Sanria and spent two seasons with the Sting. During this short period, Zacha impressed scouts with his size, speed, and game IQ.
This market a high point in his career, which was followed by many ups and downs. Eventually, Zacha found a new chance to shine with the Boston Bruins, a team that made him a dependable two-way forward. His newfound versatility with an offensive touch made him an important asset in the NHL. Thus proving his worth and role as one of the best players to come out of Sarnia.
Jordan Kyrou
Jordan Kyrou is one of the youngest forwards in the NHL today and has his roots deep in the Sarnia Sting. He was drafted in the second round by the St.Louis Blues in 2016, where he developed a dynamic play style. Kyrou shines thanks to his dynamic and offensive movement which makes him a challenging player to face. Thanks to this, he has had an amazing four years in Sarnia, boasting 109 points in his final OHL season.
Jordan Kyrou stands out as one of the top players from Sarnia because of his explosive speed and playmaking ability. He is an accomplished athlete with an impressive run in the Blues during the post-Stanley Cup era. Additionally, the young star has also represented Canada internationally, where he showcased his skills. As such, he is considered an integral player for St. Louis going forward.
Travis Konecny
Another high-energy forward and very offensive player is Travis Konecny. A player who spent two seasons with the Sarnia Sting before being traded to the Ottawa 67’s. He was drafted 24th overall in 2015 by the Philadelphia Flyers and played an integral role in all the teams he played with since entering the NHL. Hailed for his feisty play and ability to score, he is one of the best players in the recent half-decade.
During his stay in Sarnia, he honed his skills and refined his game sense, which put him on the radar of NHL scouts. Over time, he evolved into a top-six forward and led the team to the top across multiple seasons.
Conclusion
Sarnia Stings had a lot of up and downs in recent years, starting from selling the team to Derian Hatcher and David Legwand. The sale helped to bring a lot of expertise from the NHL to continue developing the team. Being so close this year, hopes are that next season they can go one better and qualify for the play-offs while continuing to develop key players.