The hockey world lost one of its own this year. Jacob Winterton, a former Ontario Hockey League forward and University of Guelph Gryphon, passed away at 25 after a difficult battle with cancer. His death sent ripples through junior hockey circles, U SPORTS programs, and even the NHL, where his younger brother Ryan Winterton plays for the Seattle Kraken.
This article lays out what actually happened to Jacob Winterton, his hockey career, his age at the time of his passing, and the tributes that followed all pulled together in one place for fans searching for accurate, complete answers.
Who Was Jacob Winterton?
Jacob Winterton grew up in Whitby, Ontario, and built his hockey career the way many Canadian kids do: through minor hockey, junior leagues, and eventually university sport. He came from a hockey family, with his younger brother Ryan following a nearly identical path a few years later, one that eventually led him to the NHL.
Jacob Winterton played for the Flint Firebirds during the 2018-19 OHL season and then joined the Oshawa Generals for the 2019-20 campaign. Before that, he developed his game with the Ajax-Pickering Raiders at the U16 AAA and U18 AAA levels, and Flint selected him in the 10th round, 189th overall, of the 2017 OHL Priority Selection.
Jacob Winterton’s OHL and University Career
Across two OHL seasons, he recorded 18 goals and 19 assists in 125 regular-season games. After his junior career wrapped up, he didn’t step away from the sport. He went on to play four seasons at the University of Guelph while studying in the school’s Real Estate program.
Here’s a quick breakdown of his on-ice numbers across both levels:
| League/Team | Seasons | Games | Goals | Assists | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flint Firebirds & Oshawa Generals (OHL) | 2018-19, 2019-20 | 125 | 18 | 19 | 37 |
| University of Guelph Gryphons (U SPORTS) | Four seasons | 94 | 26 | 41 | 67 |
In his four years with the Gryphons, Jacob appeared in 94 games, scoring 26 goals and adding 41 assists for 67 points. Teammates and coaches consistently described him as a steady, hardworking player whose value went well beyond the scoresheet.
Jacob Winterton Age: How Old Was He?
Fans searching “Jacob Winterton age” want a clear, confirmed answer, and the record is well documented. He was born on January 9, 2001, in Whitby, Ontario, and was 25 years old at the time of his death. He had celebrated a birthday just two months before he passed away, in January.
Jacob Winterton What Happened: His Cancer Diagnosis
This is the question most people are really asking, and it deserves a straightforward answer. Winterton’s last season with the Gryphons came in 2024-25, and he scored in his final OUA appearance on February 13, 2025. Roughly two months after that final game, he was diagnosed with stage 4 bone cancer.
According to a fundraiser page connected to Gryphons Hockey Fights Cancer, Jacob first noticed something was wrong after feeling pain in his shoulder, and the cancer later spread to his lungs. He fought the disease for close to a year before passing away.
The OHL confirmed his passing publicly, noting his death came after a courageous battle with cancer, and calling it a significant loss for teams, players, and fans across the league.
Jacob Winterton Obituary Highlights
While a full family obituary wasn’t the focus of most sports coverage, the tributes from his hockey community serve as a meaningful record of his life and character:
- Guelph Gryphons head coach Josh Dixon called him a tremendous hockey player and an even better person, adding that he fought cancer with an unwavering positive attitude that inspired everyone in the program.
- TSN’s Darren Dreger, whose family knew Jacob personally, described his character and heart as immeasurable, and said his talent and leadership made every team he played on better.
- The Oshawa Generals posted that they were deeply saddened by the news and extended condolences to his family, friends, and the greater hockey community.
- The Flint Firebirds shared that Jacob and his family were in their thoughts, adding that the team had lost one of its own far too young.
Perhaps the most personal tribute came from his younger brother. Ryan Winterton, the 22-year-old Seattle Kraken centre, wrote that he would miss Jacob’s voice, his advice, and the way he made everything feel a little less heavy.
The Winterton Hockey Family
Jacob wasn’t the only hockey player in his family, and that connection is a big reason his story reached national headlines rather than staying within junior hockey circles. His younger brother Ryan followed him into the OHL, playing for the Hamilton Bulldogs and London Knights before turning pro with the NHL’s Seattle Kraken.
The brothers shared a close bond built through the sport, growing up training and competing in overlapping hockey circles even as their careers took slightly different turns one toward the NHL, the other toward a standout U SPORTS run at Guelph.
Why Jacob Winterton’s Story Resonated Beyond Hockey
Part of what made Jacob’s death hit so hard across the hockey world is timing. He had just wrapped up a full U SPORTS season, scored in his final collegiate game, and appeared to be moving toward whatever came next in life and career. A stage 4 diagnosis just two months later, followed by his passing less than a year afterward, is the kind of turn that reminds people how quickly life can change.
His story also highlights something junior and university hockey communities rarely get widespread recognition for: the tight-knit support systems built around teammates, coaches, and alumni. The response from Flint, Oshawa, Guelph, and the OHL league office wasn’t a formality it reflected years of relationships built through the sport.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old was Jacob Winterton when he died? He was 25, having been born on January 9, 2001.
What team did Jacob Winterton play for? He played for the Flint Firebirds and Oshawa Generals in the OHL, then for the University of Guelph Gryphons in U SPORTS.
What happened to Jacob Winterton? He was diagnosed with stage 4 bone cancer roughly two months after his final university hockey game and passed away after a battle that lasted close to a year.
Is Jacob Winterton related to an NHL player? Yes. His younger brother, Ryan Winterton, plays centre for the Seattle Kraken.
Final Thoughts
Jacob Winterton’s hockey career may not have reached the NHL, but his impact on everyone who played with him, coached him, or watched him grow up in the game was clearly significant. From Whitby minor hockey to the OHL and finally to Guelph, he built a reputation as a reliable, hardworking teammate and he carried that same strength into his fight with cancer.
If Jacob’s story moved you, consider supporting cancer research or a local hockey fights cancer initiative in his memory. His family, friends, and the wider hockey community continue to honour him, and that support means more than any headline ever could.
