Austin Hall, Kade O'Rourke lead 44 standout performers from the 2026 OHL Cup
There may be no better way to sum up the 2026 OHL Cup than how tournament MVP Austin Hall put it: “It’s history.”
The Detroit Honeybaked, in their OHL Cup debut, became the first American team to win Ontario’s most prestigious U16 minor hockey tournament. They steamrolled through the round robin and dispatched the Markham Majors, ALLIANCE champions London Jr. Knights, and the GTHL finalists Toronto Jr. Canadiens in the playoff round to capture the title.
Even more impressive about their dominant OHL Cup run? With the largest number of teams the tournament has ever fielded, Honeybaked went undefeated without their biggest stars. Having left Henry Buttweiler, Dylan Delgado, and Joey Cullen at home after US Nationals, Honeybaked dressed only seven regular forwards and a last-minute addition in the Florida Alliance’s Liam Voit.
The OHL Cup victory cemented Honeybaked’s status as one of the most dominant teams to ever grace the stage at the U16/15U level. They captured the Michigan state title last month, and won almost every major tournament they played in Ontario this season. While they exited in the quarter-finals of the Wendy Dufton Memorial Tournament, they emerged victorious at the Whitby Silver Stick and Oakville Rangers Winter Classic.
While Honeybaked’s players will rightfully draw significant attention for their performances last week and all season, dozens of OHL Draft-eligible talents made lasting impacts on scouts in their final opportunity to showcase their games to OHL teams this season.
Elite Prospects had seven scouts on site at this year’s tournament. Over a hundred scouting reports are now published to various pages, with many more to come. Here’s a closer look at the more-than-40 players who impressed us last week, broken down by each division and the playoff round.
Lindros Division
Teams: Credit River Capitals U16 AAA, Detroit Little Caesars 15U AAA, Markham Majors U16 AAA, Ottawa Jr. 67s U16 AAA, Upper Canada Cyclones U16 AAA
Jack Hair, D, Little Caesars 15U AAA (USA)
After standing out at the Whitby Silver Stick, Jack Hair entered this tournament with expectations, and he delivered. His dynamic offensive creation was on display throughout, as he consistently drove play with the puck on his stick. Despite a smaller frame, Hair proved to be a constant threat, using quick weight shifts and deception to manipulate defenders and extend possession, particularly through activations and cycles to add to his offensive impact. His transition game was equally impressive, as upon regaining possession, he moved the puck quickly and efficiently, showcasing that threat as a play driver even more.
Colin Kennedy, C, Little Caesars 15U AAA (USA)
When you think of Colin Kennedy’s game, you think of speed. As stated in a report on Kennedy’s game against the Credit River Capitals, “Kennedy might be the best skater in the entire 2010 age group. Perhaps that's hyperbolic, but the technical foundation is elite. The power and explosiveness he generates out of his crossovers already far exceed the outputs of many of his peers, and he's able to make plays at such high paces.” What stands out most is how he applies that speed with constant intensity. Kennedy is a threat in all three zones, driving transition, creating offensively, and disrupting plays on the backcheck. With his skating as a foundation, he projects as a potential top-line player as he continues towards the OHL path next season.
Ben Slavick, LW, Little Caesars 15U AAA (USA)
In Little Caesars’ opening game of the tournament, Ben Slavick made an early statement with a high-end play in the corner, flipping the puck on his backhand through two defenders in tight. It was an advanced read and execution that few would even attempt, a smaller sequence which set the tone of his profile as a player who blends skill with physical detail. Slavick combines puckhandling with the ability to play through contact, pointing toward a high-upside power forward. His offensive production backed up this projection as well, reaching double-digit points and doing so in five games or fewer, something only two others in the tournament were able to accomplish as well.
Ryder Nobes, C, Markham Majors U16 AAA (GTHL)
Ryder Nobes had a week to remember. He led his team in goals with six, and finished second behind Jack Samek in points with eight across the Majors’ five games played. When Nobes is at his best, he is flying through the neutral zone off the rush, backing defenders into their own zone, and then using his offensive creativity to attack downhill, or stop up and look back door or for a trailer man. As the opponents became tougher, Nobes’ time and space became more and more limited. He should look to add some strength this summer, but has shown a skill level and compete level that is hard to look past. He should hear his name called in June and will have the opportunity to be an impactful OHL player in the coming years.
Kosta Housseas, D, Markham Majors U16 AAA (GTHL)
After a very solid first half of the year, it felt like Kosta Housseas’ play dropped off a bit, so we were curious to see which version of him showed up at the OHL Cup. He did not disappoint. He was back to his assertive, physical self when defending entries and giving attacking players no time and space to enter the offensive zone cleanly. In front of his own net, you always get a hard effort, with him clearing sticks and bodies to give his goaltender the best chance to track the puck. In transition, he was back to moving the puck quickly and cleanly. He could get into trouble hanging on to pucks while trying to find the perfect play, but he factored in offensively with four points in the Majors’ five games, and finished the tournament as a plus-4.
Lucas Cranney, D, Markham Majors U16 AAA (GTHL)
It has been a very successful latter half of the season for Lucas Cranney, who continued his rock-solid play at this past week's OHL Cup. The detailed left-shot defenceman brings many winning characteristics to games that I think teams will be excited about adding to their fold. Cranney is a prototypical modern-day shutdown defender that has the frame and desire to disrupt every entry on his side and steer attackers to the walls. As he advances to the next levels, finishing those attackers on the wall will become paramount to completing his game.
Evan Bannister, C, Credit River Capitals U16 AAA (OMHA)
Recently named OMHA West Player of the Year, Evan Bannister showed exactly why he earned that honour with a standout performance in this tournament. His versatile game, driven by strong reads and growing maturity, allowed him to impact play in all situations. Bannister elevated his play as the week grew on, finishing with five goals and three assists across his final two games. Known primarily for his reliable support game, he proved once again that he can be a difference maker offensively as well, highlighted by a hat-trick against the Upper Canada Cyclones in a 9-2 win for his Credit River side. Bannister continues to cement himself as a day-one draft candidate.
Alexandre Saulnier, C, Ottawa Jr. 67’s U16 AAA (HEO)
Alexandre Saulnier was a scoring machine in the round robin stage for Ottawa, tallying six markers in the four games his team played this week. As the year has gone along, his skating has quietly improved, and this has allowed him to get to more scoring areas and diversify his finishing. To start the year, Saulnier was a player reliant on playing that heavy power forward brand and dominating the faceoff circles, but he has now become all of that plus a lethal scorer. There is a very intriguing prospect in there that, if given the runway to continue developing in all areas, could be a highly impactful OHL player.
McDavid Division
Teams: Barrie Colts U16 AAA, Don Mills Flyers U16 AAA, London Jr. Knights U16 AAA, TPH Academy 15U AAA, Thunder Bay Kings U16 AAA
Ryan Beaulieu, D, London Jr. Knights U16 AAA (ALLIANCE)
Ryan Beaulieu’s growth this season has been something to behold. Ever the steady, two-way defender, he found his dynamism in the second half and carried that impressive play into the OHL Cup. Constant rush activations saw him deceive and manipulate defenders as he carried pucks up ice, and he leveraged his high-end mobility to get stops regularly on the rush as well. With textbook habits and details defensively and play-driving ability from the backend, he was a huge reason why London was able to go undefeated and finish atop the McDavid Division.
Declan McNally, D, Don Mills Flyers U16 AAA (GTHL)
Declan McNally continues to excite scouts with his package of size, physicality, and skating ability. The hulking 6-foot-5 defender is a beast in his own end. As the season has gone along, the perception has shifted from a strong two-way defender to an elite shutdown defender. Regardless of opponent, he plays a tight, smothering gap that forces opponents to turn the puck over. If they’re lucky, they’ll gain the offensive zone and be angled to the wall and finished before getting stripped and seeing the Flyers’ off in transition. McNally was a massive reason the Flyers were able to beat London in the group stage and advance to quarter-final Thursday.
Drew Hulbert, D, Don Mills Flyers U16 AAA (GTHL)
After a mid-season injury held Drew Hulbert out for a few months, he returned better than ever. The rangy left-shot defenceman impacts the game in so many different areas. He wears the “C” and is a big communicator on the ice and on the bench. On the ice, he brings a sturdy presence to his play defensively, using his size to lean on attackers and push them off pucks or out of high-danger lanes. In transition, he is a darling. He makes a great first pass up the ice, and countless times this tournament sprang odd-man rushes that led to high-quality scoring chances for the Flyers. Where his game took the biggest step this weekend was in the offensive zone. He activated to keep cycle plays alive that spilled up the wall, and his shot was a threat from up top all week long.
John Kanyo, D, Barrie Colts U16 AAA (OMHA)
John Kanyo was asked to step up in a big way for this Barrie Jr. Colts team, and he answered the bell at every turn. Barrie had to get through the wildcard round after falling short during the OMHA Championship weekend, and the task got even tougher without star blueliner Lucas Matheson. Kanyo logged a ton of minutes in their wildcard win and continued to do the same through the round robin stage, where his play never wavered. The rugged right-shot defender is physical defending the rush, using swift angling techniques to guide opponents to the wall, where he uses his size and reach to force turnovers and kickstart the Colts in transition.
Christopher Pinko, C, TPH Academy 15U AAA (USA)
The TPH squad returned to the OHL Cup once again, bringing a fresh group largely unfamiliar to the Ontario scouting circuit. Among them, Christopher Pinko stood out the most. A top player for the North Jersey Avalanche 15U AAA team, Pinko showcased high-end puckhandling, creativity, and an impressive ability to play through contact despite his smaller frame. He consistently drove his team’s offence, making his three-point performance against a strong Don Mills side no surprise. Perhaps the most fun fact of the tournament was his tournament-leading plus-11 rating, emphasizing his overall underlying impact.
Nash Division
Teams: Brantford 99ers U16 AAA, Quinte Red Devils U16 AAA, Team NOHA, Upper Canada College Blues U16 AAA, Vaughan Kings U16 AAA
Logan Prud’homme, C, Upper Canada College U16 AAA (ON-Prep)
It was yet another successful showcase for Logan Prud’homme, who brings a nice blend of massive size, quick hands, and a desire to take on defenders. Prud’homme picked up points in every game but the semifinal, and led the way for his Blues squad with five goals and eight points in their six games played. In the round robin against Vaughan, Prud’homme was the hero in overtime, picking up the puck and weaving through two guys before darting hard to the cage and burying in tight. For many, it must have brought back flashbacks to the last time these two teams met in the quarter-finals of the Whitby Silver Stick, when Prud’homme ended that game deep into overtime, too.
Max Fransen, D, Upper Canada College U16 AAA (ON-Prep)
Max Fransen’s game has really taken off in the second half of the season, as he has started to control the tempo of the game from the backend with every shift. The two-way transition defender has always been elite at pulling pucks off the dasher and getting the puck going north, but I have felt like his added propensity to rush the puck up ice has added some uncertainty for pressuring forwards, and led to coverage confusion in the neutral zone. As a result, Fransen is now carrying more pucks into the offensive third of the ice and contributing more on the scoresheet as a result. He finished his OHL Cup tournament with two goals and seven points across UCC’s six games.
Bohdan Gorenstein, RW, Upper Canada College U16 AAA (ON-Prep)
After joining the Blues for their prep-school playoff series against The Hill Academy last month and not just fitting in but dominating play, Bohdan Gorenstein picked up right where he left off at the OHL Cup. As a 2011-born player, Gorenstein plays with remarkable details in his game. He takes care of his own end first, closes out D-side at the point, and never over-adjusts, taking away passing lanes. On top of that, he was second on his team in scoring, tallying five goals and seven points in UCC’s six games, with the first of his goals being an overtime winner to open their tournament against Brantford. While not eligible until the 2027 OHL Draft, we got a glimpse of what Gorenstein could be as a player, and he left our team truly excited about his potential heading into next season.
Kane Cloutier, C, Vaughan Kings U16 AAA (GTHL)
In the second half of the season, Kane Cloutier has cemented himself as one of, if not the most, prolific prospects in the 2010-born Ontario class. His blend of skill, pace, and knack for scoring makes him an immediate threat every time he hops over the boards. Although only playing in the four round robin games, Cloutier finished sixth in scoring for the tournament with a whopping 11 points in those contests. This placed him third in points-per-game all-time at the OHL Cup, trailing just Sam Gagner (3.40) and Michael Misa (2.86). Cloutier’s ability to see the ice and anticipate plays unfolding makes him the most potent offensive producer in this class, and he should not have to wait long at all to hear his name called in June.
Adrian Sgro, D, Vaughan Kings U16 AAA (GTHL)
Adrian Sgro had yet another dominant weekend, showcasing why he should be the first defenceman taken in the draft this June. Sgro was a hungry activator at every turn, ensuring to lend a hand whenever possible in the offensive zone. It felt like Sgro attacked middle ice downhill in the slot and had a ton of chances to uncork his bomb of a shot in every game. In transition, he can beat you with his vision and his passing, or with his evasive puck carrying. Sgro finished the tournament with just three points in the Kings’ four games, but showed how much he can impact the game in every area. He should have no problem translating his game to the OHL level and being a force on a top pair sooner rather than later.
Landon Roulston, C, Vaughan Kings U16 AAA (GTHL)
In what has been an up-and-down season due to injury and consistency, Landon Roulston brought his A-game to the OHL Cup and made one last statement to scouts and evaluators about what his game is all about. When at his best, Roulston is a fiery checker who gets under defenceman and hounds pucks. When given space off the rush, he never backs down and attacks the cage downhill. All tournament long, he was drawing penalties and creating chances in tight. If this profile and style continue to develop, Roulston could very easily become one of the more dominant OHL players to come from this class.
Andrew Laurin, RW, Quinte Red Devils U16 AAA (OMHA)
Andrew Laurin picked up points in every game to lead the Quinte Red Devils in scoring through the round robin. He was instrumental in victories over Vaughan and NOHA, was his team’s best player in their loss to Brantford, and helped the Red Devils secure a second-place finish in the group. Although Quinte didn’t end up advancing to the playoff round, Laurin’s consistent two-way play, inside-driven mentality, and high pace allowed him to be an impact contributor and demonstrate his power forward potential on every shift.
Tayden Smith, D, Team NOHA (GNU18L)
Team NOHA is always an interesting team to follow at this tournament, as many of their players have not played together at all during the season. It can make the start of the tournament pretty tough and take them a few games to settle in. Tayden Smith was a rare exception to that, seemingly bringing his A-game right from the first drop of the puck. While he isn’t flashy in any particular area, Smith’s puck-moving ability is a real asset. His ability to read neutral zone coverages and use his hips and edges to create passing lanes around and through clogged lanes makes his transition play high-end. When set up in the offensive zone, Smith seemingly always finds ways to get shots through and create ensuing havoc in the crease or net-mouth area.
Roman Vanacker, C, Brantford 99ers U16 AAA (ALLIANCE)
Despite Brantford finishing at the bottom of a ridiculously deep group, Roman Vanacker led the 99ers in scoring with six points in four games. With an impressive work rate, consistent inside attacks, and some rather insane displays of playmaking vision, Vanacker carves through and destroys defensive zone structure even without a skating advantage, building and creating plays for himself and his linemates. If this tournament has been any indication, he is going to be a problem for many OHL teams in a short time.
Emry Lowe, C, Brantford 99ers U16 AAA (ALLIANCE)
Emry Lowe’s goal-scoring ability proved to be the perfect complement to Vanacker’s passing prowess last week. Capable of playing through checks and beating defenders to space, he was a lethal shooter from both short and mid-range, leveraging his mechanical and technical gifts to their full abilities. He’s had a bit of an inconsistent year overall, but saved his best efforts and skills for the perfect time, thriving on the season’s biggest stage.
Subban Division
Teams: Ajax/Pickering Raiders U16 AAA, Eastern Ontario Wild U16 AAA, Niagara North Stars U16 AAA, Sun County Panthers U16 AAA, Toronto Jr. Canadiens U16 AAA
Kash Kwajah, C, Toronto Jr. Canadiens U16 AAA (GTHL)
You need your top players to perform at their best in short tournaments, and that’s just what Kash Kwajah did up front for the Toronto Jr. Canadiens. The crafty, dual-threat scorer was an offensive machine, setting up chance after chance. He was the only player to finish with double digits in assists, and picked up points in every game except the championship – and he had several scoring chances in that game, too. The dynamic creator was a threat to strike on every shift, and he likely cemented his status as a top-10 pick with his performances.
Brayden Grima, C, Toronto Jr. Canadiens U16 AAA (GTHL)
It was a productive week for Brayden Grima, leading the Jr. Canadiens in goalscoring with five tallies and finishing tied with Kwajah for the team points lead. Opposing players had tremendous difficulty knocking the tanky forward off stride and forcing him off pucks. Smart off-puck rush routes saw him support the play effectively and get open, and he was a clinical finisher from the slot and around the net. His physical game is so developed already that he should have no issue becoming an impact OHLer.
Shea Huinink, RW, Ajax/Pickering Raiders U16 AAA (OMHA)
The Ajax/Pickering Raiders edged out the Mississauga Senators in triple overtime of their wildcard game to advance to the OHL Cup, and crafty dual-threat scorer Shea Huinink tied for the team lead in scoring through the round robin. Goals and wins were difficult to come by for the Raiders, but Huinink helped them end their tournament on a high note in their final game, recording a goal and an assist in their 4-2 win against Sun County. His ability to make plays at pace and process the game quickly allowed him to showcase his playmaking vision and make a consistent impact.
Jacob Greene, LW, Niagara North Stars U16 AAA (OMHA)
The OMHA West faced its share of challenges in inter-regional competition this season, and that trend continued in this tournament. However, Jacob Greene was a clear bright spot, raising his stock through consistent play against unfamiliar opponents. Finishing second in OMHA West scoring, Greene has been a key offensive driver for his Niagara squad. What separated him in tougher matchups was his work rate, as he competed hard, embraced contact and played a heavier game than his size suggests. When paired with his strong playmaking ability, that added edge made Greene one of the most notable performers from his region.
Isaac Charbonneau, RW, Eastern Ontario Wild U16 AAA (HEO)
Isaac Charbonneau has really turned heads in the second half of the year. The crafty, skilled forward has added some size and is starting to be able to attack defenders and play through contact rather than settling for stop-ups on the perimeter and relying on his playmaking to create offence. Charbonneau factored in on both special teams units and brings a sneaky release that can fool goaltenders. After a solid HEO playoffs that saw Charbonneau help the Wild win their region, he carried his strong play into the OHL Cup week, where he finished with a point-per-game in the team’s four games.
Colton Branovacki, C, Sun County Panthers U16 AAA (ALLIANCE)
Colton Branovacki became the second 13-year-old to play at the OHL Cup in as many years. And where Callum Brooks only dressed in two games for Huron-Perth, Branovacki played all four round-robin games for Sun County. His mature-beyond-his-years playstyle and above-average toolkit allowed him to quietly make an impact on shifts and support the play diligently. As the round robin wore on, he looked more comfortable with each passing game, and it culminated in two points in the Panthers’ final game, including a confident end-to-end rush and slot pass before taking a hit for an assist. His OHL draft year may still be a couple of years out, but his development over the next few seasons will be exciting to follow.
Shanahan Division
Teams: Detroit Honeybaked 15U AAA, Huron-Perth Lakers U16 AAA, The Hill Academy U16 AAA, Toronto Marlboros U16 AAA, York-Simcoe Express U16 AAA
Liam Voit, C, Honeybaked 15U AAA (USA)
The addition of Liam Voit from the Florida Alliance proved to be pivotal in offsetting key losses for Honeybaked, as he fit seamlessly into the group. On a team committed to playing a complete two-way game, his strengths were amplified. Voit’s skating allowed him to impact play all over the ice, pushing the pace offensively, particularly in the later stages of the tournament, where he recorded five points across three playoff games. While the production stood out, it was his energy and defensive commitment that left the strongest impression, elevating his overall impact and making him a clear standout in our books.
Braden Reilly, RW, Toronto Marlboros U16 AAA (GTHL)
Braden Reilly has scored his fair share of highlight reel goals this season, but he may have even set a new personal best at the OHL Cup. In what ended up being the toughest group to advance out of in the tournament, the Marlies still went a very respectable 3-1 in group play. Unfortunately, with many close games, the Marlies' goal differential wasn’t enough for them to move on to the quarters. In any event, Reilly was his engaged, physical, and determined self in each game the Marlies played, displaying his high-end finishing ability, as well as his compete and desire to win back lost pucks.
Shane Roche, D, Toronto Marlboros U16 AAA (GTHL)
Shane Roche has been one of the steadiest risers among any player eligible this year for the 2026 OHL Draft. His blend of size, skill and hockey sense makes him such an intriguing player, and the fact that he has so much of that frame still to fill out makes you wonder if he may just be scratching the surface with what he’s able to do on the ice. His calling card is his effortless ability to defend the rush and erase players, and pairing that with elite puck-moving ability and the ability to jump up and join the rush. His shot was a threat in this OHL Cup tournament, and will continue to unlock more passing options as he gets stronger and draws more attention with his release.
Tanner Adams, C, The Hill Academy U16 AAA (ON-Prep)
It was noted in our USHL American Cup standouts piece, but it bears repeating: “at this point, it feels routine to see Tanner Adams in standout lists”. His dominance this season has been undeniable. Adams checks every box: high-end skating, playmaking, hockey sense and puckhandling, while also bringing an elite shot and physical edge. He made his presence felt in every game of this tournament, finding both the scoresheet and the penalty box in each game. Even though discipline was a bit of an issue, as he led the tournament in penalty minutes, it was an indicator that he is a fit for any type of hockey that comes his way. Adams plays with a level of competitiveness that suggests he could step into the OHL immediately and impose himself.
Rory Shaughnessy, D, The Hill Academy U16 AAA (ON-Prep)
There hasn’t been a more consistent defensive presence on The Hill Academy blue line than Rory Shaughnessy. Also a standout at the Oakville Winter Classic, he has continued to reinforce his reputation as a reliable shutdown option. He excels at cutting off passing lanes in both the defensive zone and neutral zone, while maintaining strong gap control against the rush. Shaughnessy also brings a physical edge, delivering some heavy hits throughout the tournament. What adds further to intrigue is his growing offensive confidence, as he has begun to activate more and attack lanes as a distributor, complementing an already solid foundation as a breakout distributor.
Brayden Jaravata, D, The Hill Academy U16 AAA (ON-Prep)
Brayden Jaravata may have had the most skip-a-heartbeat moments in the tournament, most notably his play that helped tie the game and force overtime against the Toronto Marlboros. With the net empty, he executed a one-touch move around a defender at the blue line that would’ve otherwise allowed a free breakaway and likely goal the other way if the play had turned out differently. What makes Jaravata such a fun prospect is the consistent energy he brings to the table. While he is a player who pushes his limits offensively, he rarely sacrifices defensive reliability, using his strong athletic base to recover and make key stops when needed. Add in a physical edge, and it’s a profile that points to a promising upside.
Mateo Zamora, C, York-Simcoe Express U16 AAA (OMHA)
Mateo Zamora was everywhere for York-Simcoe in this tournament. Whenever the Express had numbers up ice off the rush, it felt like Zamora was leading the charge. Despite his smaller frame, he attacked defenders without hesitation and used his sweet set of hands to work in and out of pressure, at times leaving defenders in the dust. In what turned out to be a very difficult group, Zamora scored a goal in three of the four games they played, and tallied two helpers in the one game he didn’t score. He ended up finishing the tournament with an even three goals and three assists across the four games.
Playoff Round
Austin Hall, LW, Honeybaked 15U AAA (USA)
Austin Hall joined the likes of Camryn Warren, Ethan Belchetz, and Michael Misa as the most recent OHL Cup MVPs, and his performances made it clear why. Recording at least a point in every game, he finished the tournament with a leading 14 points, consistently driving the offence. Hall’s game is defined by his elite reads, identifying and executing the right play with a dual-threat ability as both a scorer and playmaker. What elevated him further was his compete level, playing with pace, embracing contact, and never taking a shift off. A defining moment for a few of our scouts came in the dying seconds against London in the semifinals, when he sacrificed his body to block a shot while protecting a two-goal lead, underscoring his character and commitment to what would’ve been a meaningless block, as the score was out of reach. Add his game-winning goal and the insurance empty-netter in the final to secure Honeybaked’s victory, Hall cemented his status as one of the most unforgettable performers in the history of this tournament.
Max Lappan, D, Honeybaked 15U AAA (USA)
Being the captain of the winning team always looks strong on a player’s resume, and Max Lappan wore the “C” on their great run. One of only three defencemen to record double-digit points in the tournament, Lappan’s impact was felt across the ice. Primarily known for his defensive play, he excels at defending the rush, steering players to the boards and neutralizing attacks while maintaining range and angles. Beyond these stops, he can make precise first passes and occasionally lead the rush himself. His reliability from the backend was a key factor in Honeybaked’s dominant season run.
Carter Nash, G, Honeybaked 15U AAA (USA)
The unsung hero of a ridiculously good Honeybaked team, Carter Nash was nearly unstoppable in all five of his starts. He faced the second-most shots of the entire tournament (behind Thunder Bay Kings goalie Carter Johnson), but finished the week with five wins and a sparkling .940 save percentage. His play-reading, tracking, and rebound control laid the foundation for his impressive play. He was a surprising omission from the NTDP evaluation camp, so he could be WHL-bound next season, having been selected by the Edmonton Oil Kings last year.
Kade O’Rourke, D, Toronto Jr. Canadiens U16 AAA (GTHL)
Kade O’Rourke will go down in history as the only underage defenceman to record double-digit points in this tournament, joining just five forwards to do the same. His standout came in the semi-final, scoring on an impossibly tight angle during an activation, placing the puck through the narrowest gap between the goalie’s head and the post to win the game. O’Rourke combines one of the best shots in the tournament with strong distribution, working seamlessly with teammates. What was most impressive was the final, where, even as much of the Toronto Jr. Canadiens struggled, he remained steady. As our OHL Draft lead scout Lauren Kelly noted in a game report: “I could go on and on about his mature habits and defensive details -- he engages early, disrupts with his stick, and drives players to the walls, taking the hit to get the clear.” After this tournament, it feels inevitable that O’Rourke will earn exceptional status, as his skill level as an underaged player is extraordinarily rare.
Cooper Ross, D, Toronto Jr. Canadiens U16 AAA (GTHL)
It was a choppy start to the OHL Cup final for JRC, who came out a bit flat and likely a bit nervous, but it was the defence pair of O’Rourke and Cooper Ross which kept Honeybaked’s lead to 1-0 after the first period. When that pair was out on the ice, the pace of play was slowed, and it felt like they were able to create time and space to get the puck into the hands of the forwards. What really impressed during this whole tournament, but specifically the elimination games, was how well Ross timed his arrival on pucks, and how much speed he was able to leave with. This is a testament to his feel for the game, and for different kinds of pressures, and a by-product of a really high hockey IQ. Without the offensive ceiling, Ross may be looking at hearing his name in the middle rounds, but he will nevertheless be an integral part of a winning team.
Drew Bate, C, London Jr. Knights U16 AAA (ALLIANCE)
As it turned out, the only pointless game Drew Bate played in the entire tournament came on opening day. Even though London exited in the semifinals, Bate was the dynamic, game-breaking presence he’s been all year. His four points against Caesars helped London earn an upset victory, and he added two assists against Honeybaked in the semifinal loss. The dual-threat scorer played through contact, made passes off the walls when he was pushed to the perimeters, and battled in the dirty areas to create chances. His 13 points in six games were good enough to finish tied for second in points, and his seven goals tied Hall for the tournament goal-scoring lead.
Graham Littlejohn, LW, London Jr. Knights U16 AAA (ALLIANCE)
Several other Jr. Knights could have earned recognition in this piece beyond the three we’ve mentioned. Quinn Roberts was consistently impressive, Jake Readings brought steady defensive play, and Keaton Van Spronsen was a shutdown force. But it was Graham Littlejohn who had a breakout tournament, picking up eight points in the round robin and another three points against Caesars in the quarter-finals to finish amongst the tournament’s top-10 scoring leaders. Skilled and crafty at high speeds, Littlejohn attacked defensive triangles, took pucks to the slot, and, with great timing and positioning, exposed opponents’ mistakes all tournament long.
Jack Samek, C, Markham Majors U16 AAA (GTHL)
After a tough, injury-riddled first half of the season, Jack Samek really turned it on and made a name for himself in the top few rounds of the OHL Draft. The slight, skilled centre brings an exciting package of speed and individual skill, and can turn a game on its head at any juncture. He scored a highlight-reel goal against the Upper Canada Cyclones on a great individual effort, and finished the tournament with a very respectable two goals and nine points in the Majors' five games played.
Honourable Mentions: Griffin Carver (DLC), Aiden Kelly (DLC), Samuel Nowlan (DLC), Benjamin Legros (CR), Gavin Henry (CR), Quinn Roberts (LDN), Keaton Van Spronsen (LDN), Jake Readings (LDN), Lucas Enwright (LDN), Brady Nash (DMF), Michael Pacek (TMAR), Nathan Hewitt (NIA), Quinn Kaiser (TPH), Max Mitchell (HB), Jackson Zinkie (JRC), Damian Norris (UCC)
