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Former Ontario Hockey League (OHL) player Jacob Winterton, the older brother of Seattle Kraken center Ryan Winterton, has died following his battle with cancer, the league confirmed in a statement Wednesday. He was 25 years old.
“The OHL is saddened by the news of the passing of former Flint Firebirds and Oshawa Generals forward Jacob Winterton, who passed away too soon following a battle with cancer at the age of 25,” read the OHL press release.
Jacob Winterton of the Oshawa Generals skates against the Mississauga Steelheads during a game at the Paramount Fine Foods Center in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada on October 25, 2019. (Graig Abel/Getty Images)
“The OHL extends its thoughts and condolences to the Winterton family, as well as Jacob’s friends during this difficult time.”
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Winterton, who celebrated his birthday in January, played two seasons in the OHL, including with the Firebirds in the 2018-19 season and the Generals in the 2019-20 season. He recorded 18 goals, 19 assists and 37 points in 125 games before playing four seasons at the University of Guelph.
“The Oshawa Generals are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former General Jacob Winterton. Our condolences go out to his family, friends and the greater hockey community,” the team said in a statement released to X.
“Jacob and his family are in our thoughts today. Condolences from the Firebirds as we lose one of our own much too young,” the team said in another message.
Jacob Winterton of the Oshawa Generals skates with the puck during an OHL game against the Guelph Storm at the Tribute Communities Center in Oshawa, Ontario on December 15, 2019. (Chris Tanouye/Getty Images)
Wild managing director BILL GUERIN calls writer Jessi Pierce a “ray of sunshine” after a heartbreaking death involving her children.
Ryan Winterton, who followed his brother to the OHL before making his appearance in the NHL, has taken a temporary leave of absence to “take care of a family matter,” the team announced Monday.
On Tuesday, Ryan Winterton shared a heartbreaking goodbye message to his older brother.
“Today I lost my best friend. You weren’t just someone I loved, you were someone I looked up to, someone who guided me, who believed in me, and who helped shape the person I am today. Seeing you fight so hard and still having to say goodbye is a pain that never truly goes away.
Ryan Winterton of the Seattle Kraken skates during warmups before the game against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ on January 14, 2026. (Rich Graessle/NHLI/Getty Images)
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“I will miss your voice, your advice, and the way you made everything a little less heavy. Some days will be harder than others, but I will hold on to the love, the lessons, and the memories you left me. You will always be a part of me, in everything I do. Forever loved, forever missed. Until we meet again Cobs.”
