Nathan Aspinall finishes monster OHL season as Rangers' next big thing

When the OHL season began, Nathan Aspinall was a fifth round project with a massive frame and a lot to prove. By the time he hit the 50-point plateau in just 32 games, becoming the first player in the league to do so this year, it was clear the New York Rangers had something special. Now that the regular season has officially concluded, the Blueshirts' latest diamond in the rough has finished his polishing, posting a career best 94 points in 65 games for the Flint Firebirds.

Aspinall nearly captured the OHL's scoring title, but that honor goes to Nikita Klepov who had 37 goals and 97 points in 67 games. In third place was Jake O'Brien with 93 points in 53 games, and it certainly appears the crown would have been his had he played in more games for Brantford. In any case, it is still an impressive honor for Aspinall, and now's a great time to look back on his excellence.

A model of season long consistency

Aspinall’s production was impressive from opening night until the final whistle. After a solid 14-point October, he enjoyed a massive 24-point breakout in November that put the rest of the league on notice. However, it was his ability to maintain that level of play through the winter months that truly impressed.

In January, Aspinall evolved into a primary playmaker, racking up 14 assists in a single month. Even as defenses began to key in on him as the league's top threat, his production never wavered. Aspinall posted 14 points in both December and February, before closing out the year with 12 points in March to secure his spot among the OHL elite. This level of consistency, never dipping below 12 points in a month. is exactly what scouts look for when determining if a player's scoring touch will translate to the professional game.

Leading the way to finish regular season in Flint

The Firebirds chose him to serve as captain before the season, and Aspinall’s leadership was the primary driver for a Firebirds team that remained a powerhouse in the Western Conference all year. Being one of only five NHL affiliated players on the roster, the burden of production fell squarely on his shoulders.

He responded by nearly tripling his points-per-game average from his draft year, jumping from a 0.52 points per game pace to a staggering 1.45 points per game (33-61-94). This level of exponential growth is almost unheard of so late in a prospect’s junior career and highlights a player who has completely reinvented his offensive ceiling. His 61 assists also prove he isn't just a big body parked in front of the net, but an intelligent distributor who can control the pace of play.

What's next for Aspinall?

The season for Aspinall now shifts to the postseason, where Flint enters as the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. They are set to face the Owen Sound Attack in a best of seven series starting this Thursday, March 26. While Aspinall is focused on leading the Firebirds to a deep run, Rangers fans should keep a close eye on the series results. Aspinall turns 20 on March 30, and with his entry-level contract already signed, he is eligible to join the Hartford Wolf Pack the moment his OHL season ends.

If Flint were to be eliminated early, a return to Hartford would be immediately in the cards. The Rangers have shown a preference for players with massive physical tools, players like Matt Rempe, Adam Edstrom, and Dylan Roobroeck come to mind, and Aspinall is now the most productive of that bunch.

While his five-game stint with the Wolf Pack on an amateur tryout last spring resulted in zero points, a return to the professional ranks this time would be completely different. Aspinall is now a much more consistent player, and he's got the confidence that he can be something more than just a big guy who plays physical. The perception of him as a prospect has changed given his massive breakout, and whether it's after a long playoff run or an early exit, Aspinall's next chapter will soon be ready to be written.