<p>The inaugural Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game in Brantford on Wednesday had three fights –&nbsp;and another two were inches away from breaking out.</p>



<p>Everyone expected Barrie Colts defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson to be part of at least one of them. He’s a tough-as-nails defender, tracking to eclipse 100 penalty minutes. He has fought five times since the start of the OHL pre-season, according to <a href="https://www.hockeyfights.com/players/n37307">HockeyFights.com</a>, and he’s credited with 18 over the course of his OHL career.</p>



<p>“I like to make big hits, and you know you’re probably gonna have to answer the bell sometimes,” Aitcheson said.</p>



<p>And when he landed a massive hit on Michael Misa just minutes into the all-star showcase, Aitcheson looked around, expecting someone to jump him. Except, it didn’t happen –&nbsp;nobody approached him. He instead went back on his merry way, and just seconds later, his Eastern Conference team evened the score at 1-1.</p><div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="149"></div>



<p>“Opponents are just too afraid of him,” one scout said shortly after the hit. “Nobody wants to tempt fate because they know they won’t win.”</p>



<p>In the end, Aitcheson never dropped the gloves during the game. After getting involved in just about every single altercation during the two-game CHL USA Prospects Challenge in late November, Aitcheson found a way to be physical without needing to throw punches.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="youtube-embed" data-video_id="otK9BVt-hzs"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Kashawn Aitcheson vs Chase Coughlan Nov 29, 2024" width="696" height="392" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/otK9BVt-hzs?start=29&amp;feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
</div></figure>



<p>Aitcheson has quickly become one of the most difficult players to go up against in the OHL. The third-year Barrie Colt had an outstanding Draft-1 year, registering 39 points and a whopping 126 penalty minutes. He capped the year off by playing a crucial defensive role at the U-18 World Championship in May, winning gold with Canada.</p>



<p>Scouts saw him as a potential mid-first-rounder in 2025 but wanted to see improvements with the puck. Suddenly, we’re talking about a defender who could potentially go in the top 10. He’s on pace for 20 goals and nearly 50 points, with scouts appreciating his decision-making as a passer and improved shot accuracy.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="177"></div>



<p>Ka$h, as he is known, isn’t flashy. But his biggest focus is making himself as difficult as possible to play against. As a defenseman, that’s the goal. He won’t look to just crush you physically, but he’s quite strong in his own zone –&nbsp;perhaps one of the best pure defensemen in this draft class.</p>



<p>“I think I can take on every team’s top line and do a good job with it,” Aitcheson said. “So I just just focus on that every game and being hard to play against.”</p>



<p>Going back to the CHL/USA series, Aitcheson was one of the top players as he looked to make a notable impact every time he hit the ice. Whether it was a big hit, a smart pass or a quick rush down the ice, Aitcheson never wanted to be a passenger. And it showed in how he played in front of all 32 NHL teams over those two days –&nbsp;all gas, no brakes. </p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="2" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="161"></div>



<p>“He can hit, but he’s so much more than that,” one said. “He’s no slouch offensively, either. He needs to fire his shot more because he’s got a weapon of a release – it feels like he’s only scratching the surface.</p>



<p>It’s one thing to bully teenagers, and it’s another to do it at the next level. Aitcheson isn’t huge at 6-foot-1, but he’s built like a tank. That’s why many think he won’t have much to worry about when he adjusts to the pro game. He’s absolutely fearless and has little regard for his safety at times – and that’s just the physical adjustment. Up top, scouts think he has above-average hockey sense, and he’s getting better at managing the game under pressure.</p>



<p>Aitcheson said he likes to watch players like Charlie McAvoy, Miro Heiskanen and Mikhail Sergachev closely.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="3" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="140"></div>



<p>“I think they’re sound, two-way players,” Aitcheson said. “McAvoy and Sergachev are more on the physical side and defensive side. So I try and model my game after them.”</p>



<p>Aitcheson is the 15th-ranked North American-based skater in the latest NHL Central Scouting rankings, with <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2025-nhl-draft-rankings-mid-season-top-64-matthew-schaefer-porter-martone-james-hagens-michael-misa">Daily Faceoff placing him seventh overall</a>. The allure of having a young, moldable defenseman whom teammates and coaches alike are fond of is alluring. When you put the complete package together, there are few prospects in this draft like Kashawn Aitcheson.</p>



<p>“If I was chasing after the puck along the boards and saw him there, I’d skate away,” one scout said. “I don’t want to die out there – and there’s no chance I’d be coming out alive against him. He’s a menace in every way possible, and teams will love him.”</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="4" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="136"></div>



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