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Former Ontario Hockey League (OHL) player Jacob Winterton, the older brother of Seattle Kraken center Ryan Winterton, has died after his battle with cancer, the league confirmed in a statement Wednesday. He was 25.
“The OHL is saddened by the news of the passing of former Flint Firebirds and Oshawa Generals forward Jacob Winterton, taken far too soon after a battle with cancer at the age of 25,” the OHL’s 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)
“The OHL sends its thoughts and condolences to the Winterton family as well as Jacob’s friends at 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 in the 2018-19 season and with the Generals in 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 condolences go out to his family, friends and the greater hockey community,” the team said in a statement released on X.
“Jacob and his family are in our thoughts today. Condolences from the Firebirds as we lose one of our own far 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, Ont., on Dec. 15, 2019. (Chris Tanouye/Getty Images)
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Ryan Winterton, who followed his brother into the OHL before appearing in the NHL, took a temporary leave of absence to “deal with a family matter,” the team announced Monday.
On Tuesday, Ryan Winterton shared a heartbreaking farewell message to his big 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. To see you fight so hard and still have to say goodbye is a pain that will never really go 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 feel a little less heavy. Some days will be harder than others, but I will hold on to the love, lessons and 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.”
