Parker McMillan, Jace Magner headline 2011 Division standouts at Toronto Exposure Cup
BRAMPTON, Ontario – The Toronto Exposure Cup saw many of North America’s top 2011-born players come together for an exciting showcase of talent. Twenty select teams flocked to the Greater Toronto Area for four days’ worth of action, and it was spring hockey at its best: chaotic with some insane displays of skill.
And if those four days were any indication, the 2011 age group looks like a force to be reckoned with.
Three top teams quickly emerged early on in the tournament: First Class, the East Coast Kings, and the Minnesota Blades. All three advanced far, and the Kings triumphed in an exciting championship game over the Blades, which saw them almost blow a 5-1 lead and hold on for a 5-4 victory.
Jackson Liao was named the game’s best forward, thanks to his hat-trick heroics, and Brody Dickinson earned top goaltender honours, shutting the door in critical moments for the Kings. The Blades’ Aiden Wamboldt was named the game’s top defenceman. And just yesterday, the tournament announced its All-Tournament Team.
As Ontario-based scouts, we are more accustomed to watching the U16 age group for the upcoming OHL Priority Selection. This event allowed us to get a head start on seeing some of the players who will make up next year’s OHL and QMJHL draft classes, while also getting our first viewings of top 2026 WHL draft-eligible talents from Western Canada, Minnesota, and Texas (among the most notable regions represented at the tournament). A number of players who played in the tournament were drafted into the WHL this year, and many of them are featured in this article (with their WHL rights indicated in parentheses).
Scouting reports from the Toronto Exposure Cup are already available on many of the players now, with more to come. Without further ado, here’s a look at the standout performers of the tournament, plus a healthy list of honourable mentions.
First Class
It was impossible to single out any of the First Class players – we could have named a dozen of them on this list alone, and we decided that every player deserved recognition for their efforts. Though they exited the tournament in the semifinals after a heartbreaking overtime loss to the East Coast Kings (in a game that truly could have gone either way), First Class was the most loaded team, top to bottom, scoring the most goals (45) of all 20 teams.
The top line of Parker McMillan (Wenatchee Wild), Artello Forestal (Lethbridge Hurricanes), and Brayden Jugnauth (Vancouver Giants) dominated opponents in round robin play. McMillan led the tournament in points with 18 in six games, and Forestal and Jugnauth had 16 and 15 points, respectively. Their play-driving abilities, dynamic puck skills, versatile toolkits, and impressive chemistry proved to be too overwhelming for many teams.
Far from a one-line team, though, First Class was bolstered by their “depth”. But depth is perhaps a misnomer for how effective they were. Liam Bordt (Penticton Vees), Ronan Gow (Lethbridge), Kenzo Gibson (Tri-City Americans), Steven Leavitt (Tri-City), Noah Carignan (Prince Albert Raiders) and William Thompson (Prince George Cougars) racked up a healthy amount of points themselves.
The second and third lines added to the waves of attack, pushing pace, driving play, creating high-end scoring chances on shifts, and punishing opponents physically, establishing themselves as talented forwards in their own right. No matter what line combinations First Class rolled, chemistry was evident on every single line that took to the ice – a testament to every forward’s adaptability, vision, and processing abilities.
The blue line was equally as potent. Diminutive defender Jacson Bradbeer (Swift Current Broncos) led all rearguards in scoring, and the extremely active pair of Eli Vickers (Vancouver) and Aidan Potash (Portland Winterhawks) destroyed defensive zone structures with their dynamic, sometimes jaw-dropping activations while also getting stops themselves.
Stay-at-home defenders Nathan Roberts (Swift Current) and Tyson Wolanski (Regina Pats) provided stability to their more active counterparts, helping to kill plays on the rush and cycle, while also starting breakouts. And when high danger chances were conceded (normal for a team so offensively inclined), goaltenders Gavin Craig (Moose Jaw Warriors) and Max Davis (Swift Current), who played three games each, were more than up to the task.
After a handful of WHL team scouts were spotted in attendance in Brampton, all 16 First Class players were drafted in the Top 100 of the WHL Prospects Draft just days after the tournament ended. Expect many of these players to become household names in Western Canada and top talents for the 2029 and 2030 NHL Drafts down the road.
Jace Magner, F, Minnesota Blades (Seattle Thunderbirds)
Jace Magner finished the tournament as one of its best players and was electric every time he stepped on the ice. Through the Blades’ seven games, Magner tallied nine goals and seven assists for 16 points, including 3 game-winning goals. Magner can facilitate offence from anywhere on the ice, making him a constant threat.
While this tournament didn’t showcase Magner as a dominant physical threat, his speed and intelligence were what made him so dangerous. From the start of every shift, he used his speed to create, whether that be off the rush, or exploding out of turns down low and working to the middle. Despite showing no hesitation to get inside the dots, he showed that he can score from anywhere on the ice, including the goal line, with two sharp-angle snipes that had the fans in awe.
“What makes Jace so deadly offensively is his ability to anticipate plays and capitalize on others' mistakes. He retains more than the average player on scans and has elite finishing capabilities, being able to put the puck in the net from anywhere on the ice.” – Chase Windsor
His scoring may have been a standout, but Magner’s playmaking was just as elite. He was able to manipulate the defensive line at a shocking rate, dragging defenders with him everywhere he went and opening up lanes along the way. His pass completions were crisp and executed with proficiency. Expect Magner to drive offence wherever he plays at the next level.
Cameron Pelle, D, East Coast Kings
Cameron Pelle wowed us with his play-driving ability and refined defensive details. And it didn’t take long for him to impress, either. From puck drop of the opening game, he looked like one of the tournament’s top defenders and was a huge part of East Coast’s run to a championship.
A great combination of size and mobility, Pelle frequently led breakouts, powering past opponents on his way to gain the blue line. He was an activation machine, both in transition and off the cycle, hunting space, manipulating defenders with delays and across-the-grain passes, and creating high-danger looks.
But just as impressive, Pelle was equally as impactful in his own end. Already showing flashes of play-killing potential, he regularly got stops early defending rushes, closing off puck carriers by gapping up well and taking space away with his stick, before driving them into the boards.
From a report on East Coast’s first game of the tournament:
“Pelle plays with such poise and refinement that it’s hard to believe he’s just 15-years-old… He looks like a legitimate, dynamic play-driver from the back end, and with his defensive prowess, one of the top defence prospects in this 2011 age group.” – Lauren Kelly
Chase Thulin, D, East Coast Kings
An exciting combination of dynamism, activations, and physicality, Chase Thulin consistently leveraged his 5-foot-9 frame to outplay and outwork opponents much larger. It’s a rarity for players to be able to manipulate at this age, let alone for a defender, and he already has that skill locked down.
Confident on breakouts and as the puck carrier, Thulin won’t be rushed or forced into a poor pass. He delays and baits defenders into biting, can sell shots before passing off, and has the contact skills to play through checks. Though he finished with just four assists through seven games, his most impressive activations didn’t result in goals, and his offensive game already looks projectable to junior hockey.
The defensive details and habits are already rock solid for his age. He mirrors footwork, closes space on the rush, and battles heavily, engaging opponents frequently. He also delivered one of the hardest and most memorable hits at this tournament, blowing up the aforementioned McMillan, who is 6-foot-3, in open ice.
Continued (literal) growth will be important for Thulin to translate his offensive skillset to the next level, and he’s still a year out from junior league drafts, but based on what he showed at this tournament, he looked like a top-end defensive prospect with play-driving potential.
Colton Nash, F, Minnesota Blades (Tri-City Americans)
The second Blades forward on this list, Colton Nash, was truly a monster in every game. Finishing the tournament fifth in scoring with 14 points (eight goals, six assists) in seven games showed why he was one of the most highly touted American-born players ahead of the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft. He constantly had the puck on his stick and seemed to create offence out of nowhere at a shocking rate.
Nash plays a mature game, absorbing contact in the corners and finishing checks whenever he can. He always wants to have the puck on his stick and the physical edge, combined with immense speed and skating abilities, allows him to accomplish this. Nash’s strides produce more power than they should at his age, as he can accelerate up ice off the rush or out of the corners after winning a battle. His edges, on the other hand, are just as impressive, allowing him to stop on a dime, even at top speed, and he frequently does so to change attack angles and manipulate his opponents.
“Nash also makes a lot of subtle plays that do not look like much on first glance, but do well to assure puck possession. An example of this was when he had a backchecker hard on his tail and changed his attack angle ever so slightly, ensuring the attacker remained off his back hip and wasn't able to attack from the side. “ - Chase Windsor
No matter where Nash decides to play next season, expect him to keep scoring at a high rate. With continued growth, he could be a dangerous junior player for years to come.
Carter Watson, F, East Coast Kings
Every time Carter Watson stepped on the ice, it felt like he was one of, if not the fastest, players on the ice. In a strong showing, Watson recorded 10 points (four goals, six assists) in seven games while helping lead the East Coast Kings to a championship. What stood out most was how much he was able to create when his feet were moving.
“He can spot an opening and explode for a breakaway, get on his horse to win a puck race on the forecheck, or use his speed to track back and get above the puck. Watson is already able to generate so much power in his long strides at a young age that, as he continues to grow and add more muscle, his skating could become scary. This, coupled with Carter’s vision of plays unfolding, allows him to anticipate where the puck will end up and get a head start in his acceleration to arrive there first.” – Chase Windsor
In addition to the pace at which Watson plays, the other big standout was how much the Kings’ head coach relied on him. There was never a faceoff that he wasn’t trusted with, and he saw significant ice time in overtime during their semifinal match against First Class. This likely stemmed from Watson’s combination of work ethic, off-puck knowledge, and an ability to protect the puck well along the boards. After an overall strong tournament, it will be fun to watch Watson over the course of this coming year and see if he can continue to translate the offensive production he saw at this tournament to his league scoring.
Brayden Pearsall, F, Summit Hockey
One of the five Pittsburgh Penguins Elite players on Summit, Brayden Pearsall, stood out as an underaged player. In an event showcasing 2011-born players, he was one of just four 2012s to participate, and the only one to record more than a point. He finished the tournament with four goals and seven points in six games, including Summit’s lone goal in their 2-1 semifinal overtime loss to the Blades.
High-end flashes of playmaking vision, shooting skill, and net-front finishing ability made Pearsall quite the versatile creator at this tournament, showing some great chemistry with Easton Anders. It’s no wonder that he racked up a ton of points as an underaged player in 14U last season. But his game is much more well-rounded than the production suggests. From a May 1st game report:
“Pearsall was one of Summit’s main offensive creators in this game. He picked up two points, including a great sequence on the first goal: backchecking heavily, he lifted the stick to strip a puck carrier from behind, before following the rush up ice and getting open behind the defence, receiving the pass and easily finishing in tight to score.” – Lauren Kelly
Pearsall plays a mature game well beyond his years. He’s a defensive and off-puck factor, engaging threats, lifting sticks, and supporting the play effectively. His game is already well-rounded enough to project to the junior level. It will be exciting to see how many more layers of skill he can add to his game over the next two seasons before he becomes eligible for major junior drafts.
Charlie Fox, F, Western Alliance (Calgary Hitmen)
Western Alliance’s leading scorer, Charlie Fox, finished top-10 in tournament scoring with 11 points in five games, and top-five in points-per-game at 2.20. The crafty, dynamic playmaker was a constant scoring threat on every shift, able to create just as effectively off the rush as on the cycle. From a game report on April 30th:
“He plays between checks, is comfortable under pressure, and always seeks the highest value play, often opting for the trickier pass than the easier shot… He should be able to fill a top-six scoring role at the junior level.” – Lauren Kelly
Though the Western Alliance fell to the Minnesota Blades in the quarter-finals, Fox was one of their most consistently dangerous players, showing off his versatile skillset and dual-threat potential. Whether he reports to the Calgary Hitmen down the road or not, expect Fox to keep racking up points wherever he goes.
Joey Stewart, F, Minnesota Blades (Calgary Hitmen)
Underhandle, underhandle, underhandle. Those were the words I felt like writing down — and often did — every time Joey Stewart touched the puck. The final Blades player on our list, it always felt like Stewart knew exactly where the puck needed to go next before it was on his stick, and he often delivered on this with precision. Whether that be a smooth slip pass off the dot-line bump-out, or a quick centring pass from the goal line to the slot, Stewart’s ability to underhandle pucks rivalled anyone in this tournament. That pairing, with high-end playmaking vision, had the puck being threatened through seams that only he knew were there.
“Every time he had the puck on his stick, Joey displayed an elite knowledge of where the puck should go next, and often had the puck where it needed to go within milliseconds of obtaining it. He made several precise one-touch passes over the course of the weekend, showing off how good a playmaker he can be.” – Chase Windsor
Though the playmaking stood out, Stewart also showed he could put the puck in the net, scoring five goals in seven games and finishing the tournament with 11 points. Much like his playmaking prowess, Stewart didn’t need any time to find the back of the net and displayed a strong level of finishing on his goals. Drafted 155th overall by the Hitmen in the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft, it will be fun to watch Stewart continue to develop this year and see which hockey pathway he chooses.
Hudson Bryan, F, HKY IQ
Co-leading HKY IQ in scoring with eight points through five games, Hudson Bryan helped carry his team to a quarter-final berth, where they fell to Summit Hockey. An intelligent, well-rounded creator, Bryan pushed pace, impacted all three zones, and helped drive HKY IQ’s offence. From a May 1st game report:
“He was one of his team’s most consistent creators, delivering cross-seam feeds, trying to split the defence and drive the net, and making difficult saucer passes in transition. He flashed some power elements and played a physical game, hitting on the forecheck, engaging opponents on the backcheck to break up plays, and winning battles along the walls before recovering possession.” – Lauren Kelly
Bryan played with many of his Hamilton Steel U15 teammates on HKY IQ, and that familiarity served him well in games. Given his combination of size, tools, and work rate, and that the Steel were one of the best teams in this Ontario 2011 age group last season, he’ll be a top prospect to watch in the Ontario U16 circuit next season.
Honourable Mentions
Easton Anders, F, Summit Hockey
Jack Arnold, F, Western Alliance (Spokane Chiefs)
Tate Bergeson, F, Minnesota Blades (Penticton Vees)
Jack Cross, F, East Coast Kings
Brody Dickinson, G, East Coast Kings
Weston Egan, F, SDP Elite
Jace Giles, G, HKY IQ
Jackson Liao, F, East Coast Kings
Owen Moulton, F, Minnesota Blades (Spokane Chiefs)
Max Prudovsky, F, East Coast Kings
Owen Ryan, G, Minnesota Blades (Calgary Hitmen)
Blake Schmitt, F, Minnesota Blades (Red Deer Rebels)
William Stinson, F, SDP Elite (Everett Silvertips)
Matthew Tranby, D, Minnesota Lakers (Spokane Chiefs)
Ethan Zhang, F, Western Alliance (Tri-City Americans)
