Kingston Frontenacs Sign 2025 First-Rounder Aleks Kulemin, Son Of Former Toronto Maple Leafs Forward

The Kingston Frontenacs have officially recruited both of their first-round draft picks from the 2025 OHL Priority Selection, even though one of them took a little longer to get over the finish line. 

The Frontenacs organization announced the signing of forward Aleks Kulemin to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. 

“Aleks has the size and skill to impact the game in all situations,” said Kingston Frontenacs GM Kory Cooper. “We see him as a modern-day, two-way forward with a high ceiling. With his size and high hockey IQ, he has the framework to be a pro in the future.”

Kingston selected the towering 6-foot-3 centerman with the ninth overall pick back in April. Due to their 2024 first-rounder, Caleb Malhotra, not reporting to training camp last season (later had his rights traded to Brantford), the organization received the ninth overall pick as compensatory. Frontenacs' 17th overall pick from 2025, Matthew Henderson, signed back in late June. 

If you’re a fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs and recognize the last name Kulemin, yes, Aleks is the son of former Maple Leafs forward Nikolai Kulemin, who played six seasons in Toronto before signing with the New York Islanders in 2014. 

His son Aleks played for the Don Mills Flyers U16 AAA team in the GTHL last season. The Flyers won the U16 AAA GTHL Championship and were runner-ups in the OHL Cup to North Bay’s Camryn Warren’s Toronto Jr. Canadiens. Despite not taking the crown at the OHL Cup, Kulemin, along with his Don Mills squad, won the Toronto Titans Early Bird tournament, the Toronto Marlboros Holiday Classic, and the Oakville Rangers Winter Classic. 

With all games combined, regular season, playoffs, and tournaments, the Flyers finished with a record of 67-9-2. Kulemin recorded 67 points (24 goals, 43 assists) in 69 games last year. 

Kulemin not signing his OHL contract until now probably has to do with a similar situation the Peterborough Petes experienced with their first-overall pick, Kaden McGregor, who didn’t sign his SPA until today as well. 

2025 First Overall Pick Kaden McGregor Finally Signs With PeterboroughBetter late than never. The Peterborough Petes have finally put pen to paper with the 2025 first overall pick. 

Both McGregor and Kulemin are represented by Newport Sports Management. Newport wasn’t happy about the OHL’s modification of their standard player contracts, which we assume is why the two took so long to sign. 

Kingston’s training camp opens up next week at Slushi Puppie Place, where Kulemin will be in attendance. 

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