Kashawn Aitcheson

Kashawn Aitcheson (born September 21, 2006) is a Canadian junior ice hockey player who is a defenceman for the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He was drafted 17th overall by the New York Islanders in the 2025 NHL entry draft.

Early life Aitcheson was raised on the east side of Scarborough, Ontario, spending much of his childhood living near Ted Reeve Community Arena where he played minor hockey. His parents divorced when he was eight years old, and he helped raise his younger brother. Aitcheson credits his family, especially his grandparents and his uncle who played Junior A and NCAA Division III hockey, for supporting his hockey career.

Playing career On August 31, 2022, Aitcheson signed with the Barrie Colts of the OHL. During the 2022–23 season, he recorded one goal and two assists in 23 games. During the 2023–24 season, he recorded eight goals and 31 assists in 64 regular season games. During the playoffs he recorded one goal and three assists in six games. On January 18, 2024, after he legally body-checked a Sudbury Wolves player, Aitcheson fought with another Wolves player. Following the game, members of the Wolves' team group chat wrote about rewarding a bounty to the player who injured Aitcheson in the next Barrie–Sudbury match. An OHL investigation resulted in the suspensions of two Wolves players for 10 and 15 games, and the Colts chose not to play Aitcheson against the Wolves for the remainder of the season. On March 15, 2025, he scored his 24th goal of the season, setting a single-season franchise record for goals by a defenceman, and surpassing the previous record held jointly by Andrew Marshall, Aaron Ekblad and Brandt Clarke. In recognition of his play, Aitcheson was named to the OHL's Second All-Star Team.

On March 17, 2026, Aitcheson signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the New York Islanders.

International play

On April 16, 2024, Aitcheson was selected to represent the Canada under-18 team at the 2024 World U18 Championships. During the tournament he recorded one goal and two assists in seven games and won a gold medal.

In December 2025, he was selected to represent the junior team at the 2026 World Junior Championships. During the tournament he recorded one goal and three assists in seven games and won a bronze medal.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs Bold indicates led league Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2022–23 Barrie Colts OHL 23 1 2 3 35 4 0 0 0 7 2023–24 Barrie Colts OHL 64 8 31 39 126 6 1 3 4 17 2024–25 Barrie Colts OHL 64 26 33 59 88 16 6 6 12 28 2025–26 Barrie Colts OHL 56 28 42 70 97 19 8 19 27 25OHL totals 207 63 108 171 346 45 15 28 43 77

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2024 Canada U18 7 1 2 3 2 2026 Canada WJC 7 1 3 4 0Junior totals 20 9 11 20 41

Awards and honours Award Year RefOHL Second All-Star Team 2025