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Former Ontario Hockey League (OHL) player Jacob Winterton, 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 after a battle with cancer at the age of 25,” the OHL statement read.
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)
“OHL sends its thoughts and condolences to the Winterton family as well as Jacob’s friends during this difficult time.”
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Winterton, who had celebrated his birthday in January, played two seasons in the OHL, including time with the Firebirds during the 2018-19 season and with the Generals during the 2019-20 season. He recorded 18 goals, 19 assists and 37 points in 125 games before going on to play four seasons at the University of Guelph.
“The Oshawa Generals are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former General Jacob Winterton. Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends and the hockey community at large,” the team said in a statement posted to X.
“Jacob and his family are in our thoughts today. Condolences from the Firebirds as we lose one of our own too young,” the team said in a separate post.
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)
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Ryan Winterton, who followed his brother into the OHL before making an appearance in the NHL, has taken a temporary leave of absence to “tend to a family matter,” the team announced Monday.
On Tuesday, Ryan Winterton shared a heartbreaking goodbye message for 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, believed in me, and helped shape the person I am today. Watching you fight so hard and still have to say goodbye is a pain that never fades.
Ryan Winterton of the Seattle Kraken skates during warmups before the game against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, 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 feel 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. Always loved, always missed. Until we meet again Cobs.”
