Hard-Fought Campaign Highlights Growth, Community, and Milestones
The 2025–2026 season for the Listowel Cyclones was one defined by determination, growth, and commitment both on and off the ice. Under the leadership of Head Coach Jesse Cole and assistant coaches Brendan Clayton, Nolan Hislop, and Andrew Leith, the Cyclones battled through a competitive Greater Ontario Hockey League season with resilience and pride.
Before the season began, the Cyclones welcomed back several key returning players who formed the core of the roster. Returning Cyclones included Teeghan Middleton, Trenton Harris, Jack O’Donnell, Dylan Szymanowski, Aiden Renaud, Jordan Visneskie, and Ethan Kowatch.
The team also added a number of new faces to the lineup, bringing energy and depth to the organization. The Cyclones signed Lyndon Cabral, Clark deBoer, Ryan Cranny, Ethan Fischer, Bradley Wilhelm, Jack Bree, Cameron Beisel, Trent Houghton, and Tate Berfelz.
Throughout the season, the Cyclones continued to push hard in a highly competitive league. When the regular season concluded, the team finished 16th in the GOHL standings, narrowly missing the playoffs by just two positions. The Cyclones finished the campaign with a 20-27-2-1 record, remaining in playoff contention right until the final weeks of the season.
Despite falling short of a postseason berth, the effort and determination shown by the players never wavered. Many of the team’s losses were tightly contested games, often decided by only one or two goals, reflecting how competitive the Cyclones remained throughout the entire season.
One of the most historic moments for the franchise also occurred this year, as the Listowel Cyclones reached the milestone of 500 franchise wins in the GOHL, a remarkable achievement in the proud history of Cyclones hockey.
Player Performances
Several players stood out throughout the season with exceptional performances.
Jordan Visneskie led the Cyclones offensively, finishing as the team’s top scorer. Visneskie recorded 22 goals and 27 assists for 49 points, leading the team in goals, assists, and total points.
In his first season with the Cyclones, Lyndon Cabral delivered an outstanding campaign, finishing with 24 assists and 40 points, quickly establishing himself as one of the team’s key offensive contributors.
Colton Henderson also had a strong season, contributing 23 points and playing an important role in the team’s offensive depth.
On the blue line, Hudson Wiles emerged as the Cyclones’ top defenseman. Wiles recorded 10 goals and 16 assists, finishing the season with 26 points, while providing steady play on both ends of the ice.
Aiden Renaud also had a solid season on defense, finishing with 4 goals and 13 assists.
In goal, the Cyclones were well supported by both netminders.
Jack Bree posted an impressive .921 save percentage, while Ethan Kowatsch recorded a .904 save percentage, both delivering strong performances throughout the season and providing the team with reliable goaltending night after night.
Honouring Our Graduating Cyclones
At the conclusion of the season, the organization says farewell to three graduating players who have made lasting contributions to the Cyclones.
Jack O’Donnell
Jack O’Donnell completed an outstanding four-year career with the Cyclones. After signing with the team in 2022, O’Donnell went on to play 225 games, recording 77 goals, 67 assists, and 144 points.
One of the most memorable moments of O’Donnell’s career came during the 2023–2024 season, when he scored the game-winning goal that secured the Sutherland Cup Championship for the Cyclones.
O’Donnell was also selected by the Guelph Storm in the 5th round (82nd overall) of the 2021 OHL Priority Draft, and during the 2021–2022 season he was named to the GOHL (formerly GOJHL) Future Stars Team.
Dylan Szymanowski
Dylan Szymanowski played three seasons with the Cyclones after signing with the team in 2023. Over the course of his Cyclones career, Szymanowski played 138 games, recording 33 goals, 24 assists, and 57 points.
Szymanowski was also a member of the Cyclones’ 2023–2024 Sutherland Cup Championship team, contributing to one of the most successful seasons in franchise history.
Ethan Kowatsch
Goaltender Ethan Kowatsch concluded his junior career after spending his final two seasons in the GOHL with the Cyclones. Kowatsch was selected in the 6th round (110th overall) of the 2021 OHL Priority Draft by the Mississauga Steelheads.
Over his GOHL career, Kowatsch appeared in 90 games, recording 3,063 saves and finishing with a .905 career save percentage.
The Cyclones organization would like to acknowledge all three graduating players and thank them for their dedication to the team and the community. Their hard work on and off the ice has helped shape the Cyclones organization.
Once a Cyclone, always a Cyclone.
We wish Jack, Dylan, and Ethan nothing but success in their future endeavors.
GOHL Prospect Game Recognition
The Cyclones were also well represented at the GOHL Prospect Games this season.
Forward Lyndon Cabral and Assistant Equipment Manager Nathan Thompson travelled to Peterborough in January to participate in the GOHL Prospect Showcase Game.
Additionally, the GOHL Senior Prospects Game was held in London, Ontario, where defenseman Aiden Renaudand Mark Kennedy were invited to participate in the showcase event.
These selections reflect the strong talent and dedication present within the Cyclones organization.
Commitment to Community
While the Cyclones battled hard on the ice, the team’s commitment to the Listowel community remained just as strong.
This season, the team organized a number of initiatives to support those in need.
The Cyclones partnered with Ethan Kowatsch to collect hockey equipment donations for players in need, ensuring that more young athletes have the opportunity to play the game.
The team also hosted a food drive, collecting donations that were matched by Oak Tree Financial, helping support families in the community.
Players proudly wore orange ribbon helmet stickers throughout the season in support of Kenzie Beisel, the sister of Cyclones player Cameron Beisel, who was diagnosed with AML leukemia in 2024. The Cyclones organization continues to stand in support of Kenzie and the entire Beisel family.
Cyclones players also spent time at the North Perth Public Library, where they met with local children, played hockey with them, and read books together.
The team also helped raise money for the Salvation Army, further demonstrating the organization’s commitment to giving back.
One of the season’s most exciting community moments came during the annual Teddy Bear Toss game. With fans eagerly waiting to throw their bears onto the ice, Jordan Visneskie scored the goal that triggered the toss, resulting in over 400 teddy bears collected for children in need.
Cyclones players also spent time with fans from Listowel Community Living, creating unforgettable memories and bringing smiles to everyone involved.
For the Cyclones organization, success is not measured only by what happens on the ice, but also by the positive impact the team has within the community that supports it.
Honouring Tradition and Community Legacy
The 2025–2026 season also brought new traditions and meaningful moments that celebrated the history and spirit of hockey in Listowel.
This season marked the debut of the Listowel Cyclones’ new team mascot, bringing additional energy and excitement to game nights at the Steve Kerr Memorial Complex. The mascot quickly became a favourite among young fans, helping create a fun and welcoming atmosphere for families and adding another element of entertainment to the Cyclones game-day experience.
In addition to celebrating the future, the Cyclones organization also took time this season to honour an important and solemn chapter in the history of Listowel hockey.
On February 28, 1959, tragedy struck the community during a peewee hockey practice at the former Listowel Arena. At approximately 9:27 a.m., the roof and walls of the rink suddenly collapsed.
Seven young players and one adult lost their lives that morning, while thirteen others were injured.
More than six decades later, the events of that day remain deeply woven into the history of hockey in Listowel. The Cyclones organization recognizes and honours the memory of those who were lost, while remembering the strength and unity the community showed in the aftermath of the tragedy.
The legacy of February 28, 1959 stands as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the Listowel community, the importance of coming together in difficult times, and the unbreakable bond that hockey continues to create in this town.
Thank You to Our Broadcast Partners
The Cyclones would also like to extend a sincere thank you to CKNX Radio and Steve Sabourin.
For more than 20 years, CKNX has covered local hockey and broadcast Cyclones games on AM 920, helping bring the excitement of junior hockey to fans across the region.
Alongside his co-host Johnny K, Steve Sabourin was on the call when the Cyclones captured the Cherry Cup championships in 2017, 2018, and 2023, as well as the Sutherland Cup championships in 2018 and 2023.
We thank Steve and the entire CKNX team for their dedication and for keeping fans connected to Cyclones hockey, especially for those who could not attend games at the rink.
Thank You Cyclones Fans
Finally, the Cyclones organization would like to thank our sponsors, our fans, and the entire community of Listowelfor their incredible support throughout the season.
As a community-owned team, the Cyclones rely on the passion and dedication of the people who support junior hockey in Listowel. Without that support, the success and tradition of Cyclones hockey would not be possible.
While the team may not have achieved the playoff result it hoped for this season, the organization is proud of the effort, commitment, and spirit shown by the players, staff, and fans.
The Cyclones are already looking forward to the future.
We will see you in the 2026–2027 season.
— Listowel Cyclones Hockey Club
