Dylan Delgado, Kade O'Rourke headline standouts from 2026 Oakville Winter Classic
OAKVILLE, Ontario – The 2026 Oakville Winter Classic featured some promising talent and some very entertaining games.
The standout team of the tournament would have to go to the team that won it all in the Detroit Honeybaked. They had a goal differential of +17 and lost only once, 4-1 to the Toronto Jr. Canadiens in their final round robin game.
Honeybaked faced The Hill Academy in the semifinals, who deserved just as much praise for going undefeated and playing a very steady game in every showing. It was a tough squad that included players such Shayden Hintenberger and Rory Shaughnessy, as well as one of the top projected picks in the OHL Draft in Tanner Adams.
Honeybaked emerged in a 5-4 shootout win, marking a dramatic ending to The Hill’s run. Honeybaked didn't look back, delivering a strong 3-0 win over the Mississauga Senators to capture their second major tournament victory in Ontario this season.
Our scouts on site at the tournament came away impressed with a good chunk of the talent. It helped solidify our projections for some players, but also allowed us to see other talents emerge and make greater cases for our board.
Here are seven players that stood out at the Oakville Winter Classic.
Dylan Delgado, LW, Honeybaked 15U (MAHA 15U)
To call Dylan Delgado dominant at this tournament would be putting it lightly. Game after game, he separated himself as one of the most dangerous players on the ice, consistently driving offence through creativity and elite puck handling. Delgado looked like a player operating with an advanced understanding for the game, in the way he routinely took on defenders one-on-one and forced defensive players into awkward situations as he put his will on the game. Whether it was a highlight-reel finish or a subtle manipulation play that opened space for a teammate, he played with a confidence and imagination for the game that few in this world have, and he was my personal MVP of the tournament.
What makes Delgado so difficult to contain is how he generates offence. He prefers to operate in front of defenders, building momentum with his skating in the neutral zone, before handling his way into high danger areas for a chance on net. His hands are truly elite, allowing him to manipulate with his stick and feet. He opens his hips, drops his shoulder, and commits little head fakes to freeze players and even the goaltenders, often extending plays to create high danger chances for his team. His one-on-one ability was borderline unstoppable, producing multiple sequences where he dismantled defenders in tight and created chaos as defenders were scrambling to hang on to him. Several of his points in this tournament came off quality touches with the puck, making deceptive finishes that stood out making some of the best goals in the tournament.
As the event progressed and players learned the threat of Delgado’s skill level, he was still able to find a way to adapt. When his dangling wasn't as dominant in the later games, his playmaking still rose to the challenge. He would consistently find passes through traffic, cross-seams, and transition passes that showed his advanced passing ability as well. Expect Delgado to be a riser when we make our final board, as he impressed anyone who was at the tournament.
MJ Campbell, RW, Mount St. Charles Acad. 15U AAA (USHS-Prep)
MJ Campbell was a driving force at this tournament, anchoring a high-end top line alongside Zaac Charbonneau and Thomas Boisvert that consistently dedicated play. While each member of the trio brought distinct elements, Campbell often acted as an orchestrator. Combining pace and playmaking instincts to create offensive sequences, his drive in this tournament was evident, as he routinely put himself in possession to dictate play and tilt the ice in his team’s favour.
Campbell was most effective when he used his speed to attack through the neutral zone, frequently collecting pucks in stride and charging into the offensive end. His ability to manipulate defenders with his skating was a common trait, as he would hit the brakes to draw coverage, slipping pucks into tight seams, and opening up passing lanes. He showed composure to hold onto pucks under pressure, taking routes around the net and driving hard inside when lanes opened, creating multiple ways to attack for his line. His vision consistently stood out, particularly when attacking the middle of the ice, where he created space for Boisvert and Charbonneau by luring defenders towards him and distributing a pass to start the first touch of a play that would end up on net.
What separated Campbell from his linemates was how quickly he processed the game. He rarely held onto the puck longer than necessary, playing a quick style that kept defenders chasing him. Whether off the rush or in sustained offensive zone pressure, the puck was on and off his stick in a heart beat. He constantly generated high quality looks, which he was rewarded for in his game against Markham with a hat trick to cement his status as a top player in this tournament. He was a player who gave our OHL draft team more to think about, and he could potentially be ranked our final board.
Austin Hall, LW, Honeybaked 15U AAA (15U AAA)
Austin Hall put together an impressive tournament showing, consistently impacting games through his intelligence, vision and puck skill. While his frame is on the smaller side, it rarely entered the conversation when watching him operate, as his ability to process the game and create offence allowed him to consistently get to scoring areas. He made quick, smart and timely plays that directly contributed to his team’s success and was a main offensive force for this Honeybaked team.
Hall’s vision stood out as his defining trait throughout the event. He repeatedly identified cross-seam options at both five-on-five and on the power play, delivering passes through traffic to create high-danger looks. His ability to read plays as they developed allowed him to stay one step ahead, whether it was finding a trailing teammate of the rush, getting pucks to the slot or creeping into soft areas away from coverage to finish chances himself. Several of his points came from this, capitalizing on defenders who lost sight of him or finding feeds to teammates in opportune spots. With the puck, he shows a blend skill along with his mind for the game, with quick moments of strong handling ability, able to place the puck under players' sticks and maneouvere his way effectively around opponents.
As the tournament progressed, it was clear that Hall is a highly intelligent, creative playmaker. He looked like a player who thinks and sees the game only few would at this level. Showing that poise and vision once again reinforced his profile as a very intriguing junior prospect.
Kade O’Rourke, D, Toronto Jr. Canadiens U16 AAA (GTHL)
Kade O’Rourke entered the Oakville Winter Classic with plenty of buzz surrounding his potential, as a player who could receive exceptional status in the OHL. His first game not only added to that momentum but reinforced how special of a talent he already is at 14-years-old.
Playing against older competition, he looked more than comfortable playing his game, separating himself through his skating ability and manipulating players in all three zones. His feet are clearly an advantage to him as it allows him to control the space and dictate plays. Defensively, O’Rourke was great with his gap control, using it to close in quickly on attackers and strip them of the puck by taking away their time and space. Then, he proceeded to turn these defensive plays into transitions up the ice. He possessed excellent vision to find outlets and passing lanes, and executed clean exits and entries through his transition passing game. This composure and efficiency would be impressive for any player at this level, but even more so as an underager.
Offensively, O’Rourke consistently activated into rushes, showing an awareness of when he was able to provide support in the offensive end. He had two goals that really stood out in this tournament, one where he was able to beat a defender wide and attack the net before flipping a forehand shot in, and the other off a great activation down the left side into space with a quick burst of speed, before burying the puck. He also shines quarterbacking the power play, showing off great puck moving ability, passing between flanks forcing defenders to adjust to his quickness, and he appeared to process the game a step ahead.
Overall, O’Rourke’s performance reinforced just how advanced his foundation is for a 14-year-old. It makes his potential far and away the some of the highest out there. With his skating, poise, and two-way impact, it was easy to see why he is a player up for exceptional status consideration.
Thomas Boisvert, C, Mount St. Charles Acad. 15U AAA (USHS-Prep)
Boisvert once again highlighted how his pace and motor make him impactful in a variety of ways through this tournament. Whenever he was on the ice, the tempo noticeably shifted, as his speed allowed him to separate from coverage, pressure opponents, and consistently make plays from this ability. His offensive production was a direct reflection of his movement, as he repeatedly capitalized on opportunities where he was able to burst into space. Linemates were able to locate him in stride and Boisvert paid them well, rewarding them with points to add to their totals.
Boisvert’s speed wasn’t limited to offensive situations either. Defensively, he was relentless, showing a strong commitment away from the puck by disrupting opponents through quick pressure. His work on the penalty kill stood out in particular. As he consistently would challenge zone entries, having his skating be some of the best in this tournament, closing quickly to eliminate what time and space the opponent thought they had, forcing rushed decisions that were made into turnovers. On the penalty kill, one play in particular stood out, as Boisvert was able to read and intercept a pass going from the power play quarterback to the left flank. Boisvert's acceleration and quick burst of speed allowed him to separate from O'Rourke, who is a very strong skater himself, before scoring a breakaway goal.
Boisvert’s motor rarely dipped, as he was often applying pressure, and causing turnovers. Offensively, he didn’t just show creating through his speed, but also through patience and a playmaking game. As he delivered smart passes to the middle and identified teammates for support, he was able to make many high danger players with Charbonneau and Campbell in this tournament.
Boisvert is a prospect to watch for years to come. A high-tempo, pace-pushing forward who can impact in all zones will be a profile that many teams will value, and he was a standout at the tournament.
Rory Shaughnessy, D, The Hill Academy U16 AAA (On-Prep)
Shaughnessy may not have drawn attention with highlight-reel plays, but his reliability and hockey sense were on full display throughout the tournament. A standout on the penalty kill, he consistently read plays, disrupted passing lanes and pressured puck carriers into vulnerable positions. His timing, mobility, and ability to anticipate opponents’ actions allowed him to neutralize dangerous opportunities and keep pace with some of the best, like we saw in the game against Honeybaked.
He excelled in all three zones as well, as he stopped up in the neutral zone to cut off entries, steered attackers toward the boards, and leveraged his stick and body positioning to create turnovers. His awareness and reads translated seamlessly into transition opportunities, as he showed the ability to carry the puck up himself or quickly find a teammate to move the puck north, turning defensive stops into offensive chances. These plays paired well with his mobility and size, making him very difficult to play against in this tournament.
While primarily noted for his defensive contributions, Shaughnessy also flashed offensive upside, particularly on the power play. He sees cross-seam options, maintains control under pressure to beat opponents, and uses his shot as an asset from the quarterback position. His confidence was evident on his activations, moving off the blue line in one sequence.
Shaughnessy proved to be a dependable and smart presence on the ice, capable of impacting plays all over the ice. This type of profile will be intriguing for any junior team, as he showed a maturity few have at this age, combining that with flashes of trying more high end skill plays. A promising young player here.
Tanner Adams, C, The Hill Academy U16 AAA (ON-Prep)
Adams continues to emerge as one of the most complete and dangerous players in this age group. From the opening puck drop, he impacted the game in every zone, blending physicality, hockey sense, and high-end skills. Offensively, Adams reads plays well, consistently finding soft areas to receive pucks in stride while using his frame to protect it on possession sequences. His release is a standout weapon as well, capable of beating goalies from distance with sheer power and accuracy, which he displayed multiple times through the tournament.
To bring light to his physicality as well, Adams combines it with the rest of his skills, making him a force. Whether driving the middle for a shot, threading passes through seams, or distributing down low, he thrives in traffic, using his size to absorb contact and then create space for himself or teammates. With his timing of plays also improving, his ability to process the game at such a high level makes some plays almost seem effortless. Even without the puck, his motor and relentless pursuit puts opponents on their heels, with punishing hits and constant pressure. That carries over to the defensive side of the puck as well, as he shone on the penalty kill just as much as he did on the power play, further demonstrating how he can control a game in all aspects.
Adams is a physically imposing, versatile player whose combination of skills and work ethic separates him from his peers. As he continues to push for first overall on our board, he looks more and more like a player that any OHL team should be eager to have.
Honourable Mentions: Shayden Hintenberger (THA), Brayden Grima (JRC), Jakub Kuklinski (MISS), Brayden Jaravata (THA), Arjun Nanubhai (MISS), Finley Merrill (THA), Kash Kwajah (JRC)
