The PDA Newsletter | Regional Rundown Ep. 3
This is your province-wide pulse on U16AAA hockey in Ontario.
It’s been a while since the last Regional Rundown — long enough for the noise across Ontario’s U16 AAA leagues to fade and for real patterns to emerge.
Episode 3 arrives as standings across the province begin to lock in, scoring races start to reflet who controls each league, and depth throughout lineups quietly decide who’s separating and who’s slipping from the playoff race.
This isn’t a routine update…
It’s a look at what’s been forming over the past couple months — and what the next chapter is about to test.
Let’s take a look at where each league truly stands as we enter the New Year…
OMHA
Standings Snapshot (as of Dec 23, 2025)
Credit River Capitals — 42 PTS (21-3-0-0) | GF: 129 | GA: 44
Barrie Jr. Colts — 40 PTS (19-2-0-2) | GF: 114 | GA: 53
Niagara North Stars — 39 PTS (17-2-2-3) | GF: 93 | GA: 53
Ajax-Pickering Raiders — 37 PTS (18-4-1-0) | GF: 95 | GA: 46
Quinte Red Devils — 36 PTS (17-5-0-2) | GF: 109 | GA: 69
Oakville Rangers — 36 PTS (17-5-1-1) | GF: 81 | GA: 48
York-Simcoe Express — 32 PTS (16-7-0-0) | GF: 90 | GA: 46
Burlington Eagles — 32 PTS (15-8-2-0) | GF: 69 | GA: 52
Central Ontario Wolves — 27 PTS (11-6-0-5) | GF: 107 | GA: 89
Markham Waxers — 24 PTS (11-10-1-1) | GF: 87 | GA: 79
Hamilton Steel — 21 PTS (9-9-1-2) | GF: 55 | GA: 62
Peterborough Petes — 19 PTS (9-12-0-1) | GF: 51 | GA: 73
Whitby Wildcats — 18 PTS (8-13-2-0) | GF: 59 | GA: 79
Southern Tier Admirals — 17 PTS (8-14-0-1) | GF: 45 | GA: 77
Guelph Gryphons — 14 PTS (6-16-0-2) | GF: 56 | GA: 92
Grey-Bruce Highlanders — 12 PTS (5-16-0-2) | GF: 58 | GA: 101
Halton Hurricanes — 11 PTS (4-17-1-2) | GF: 61 | GA: 112
Greater Kingston Jr. Gaels — 10 PTS (5-17-0-0) | GF: 43 | GA: 105
North Shore Whitecaps — 9 PTS (4-16-1-0) | GF: 59 | GA: 118
North Central Predators — 7 PTS (2-15-3-0) | GF: 32 | GA: 95
Top 10 OMHA Scoring Leaders
E. Bannister — Credit River Capitals — 53 PTS
M. Taylor — Ajax-Pickering Raiders — 45 PTS
S. Huinink — Ajax-Pickering Raiders — 44 PTS
L. Whelan — Quinte Red Devils — 43 PTS
K. Lauder — Central Ontario Wolves — 41 PTS
D. Biga-Wadstein — Barrie Jr. Colts — 41 PTS
J. Lee — Barrie Jr. Colts — 37 PTS
K. Kelly — Markham Waxers — 37 PTS
L. Bellchamber — Credit River Capitals — 37 PTS
J. Tagliarino — Credit River Capitals — 36 PTS
OMHA: What’s Changed Since the Last Regional Rundown
What began from our last update in November, early season separation has materialized into an OMHA hierarchy…
Credit River has turned the dominance that opened their season into full control of the OMHA, pairing a league-leading 21 wins with a +85 goal differential and three Top-10 scorers in Bannister (53 PTS), Bellchamber (37), and Tagliarino (36). They are also the highest-ranked OMHA team in Ontario at 8th, with eight players surpassing the 20-point mark, underscoring just how layered their offense has become. This isn’t about who they’ve played — it’s how they play, applying sustained pressure with depth throughout the lineup and top-end goaltending behind it to sustain results. Credit River is a cut above the competition.
In the East, Barrie has established itself as the clearest challenger beyond Credit River to this point in the season. Just two regulation losses in 23 games, a +61 goal differential, and a 9–1–0 run over their last 10 underline a team built on consistency rather than streaks. Offensively, Dylan Biga-Wadstein (41 PTS) and Jack Lee (37 PTS) set the tone, while Lucas Matheson (29 PTS) has been a standout on the back end, leading all OMHA defensemen in scoring. Strong goaltending from Senay and Rinaldi has stabilized the group, positioning Barrie as the league’s most reliable contender beneath the Capitals and 14th overall in Ontario.
Ajax-Pickering has evolved. Once defined by defense-first numbers, the Raiders now pair their established structure with real scoring punch, led by Matthew Taylor (45 PTS) and Shea Huinink (44 PTS), supported by a top six that continues to trend upward. Five players have cleared the 23-point mark, reinforcing the depth behind the surge. Strong results in goal — with Howatt and Gibson both ranking inside the OMHA’s Top 10 in GAA — have anchored that growth, while an 8–1–1 record over their last 10 highlights the momentum. That added layer has raised Ajax-Pickering’s ceiling from safe contender to legitimate disruptor within OMHA circles, positioning them 13th overall in Ontario.
Niagara and Quinte continue to trend upward and remain firmly in the upper-tier mix. Niagara has built consistency through balanced scoring and reliable two-way play, reflected in an 8–0–2 stretch over their last 10 and an eight-game win streak. Jacob Greene (34 PTS) and Nathan Hewitt (31 PTS) sit just outside the league’s Top 10, while Michael Matakovic’s 1.86 GAA places him inside the OMHA’s Top 10 goaltenders, anchoring a group currently 19th in Ontario.
Quinte continues to apply offensive pressure, led by Lauchlan Whelan, with Andrew Laurin (32 PTS) and Austin Ottenhof (30 PTS) also just outside the Top 10. With seven players over 20 points, the offensive depth is clear, but a 5–4–1 stretch over their last 10 — including dropped games against weaker opponents — has slowed momentum, keeping the Red Devils from fully capitalizing on their position despite sitting 10th overall in Ontario.
The upper-middle tier has taken shape. Oakville, York-Simcoe, Burlington, and Central Ontario remain competitive, but in clearly different ways. Oakville’s identity is rooted in defensive structure and elite goaltending, allowing them to stay within striking distance most nights. Central Ontario brings real scoring punch — five players above 28 points and 107 goals for — but a volatile 107/89 GF/GA profile has kept them positioned in the upper-middle rather than pushing into the top tier.
Markham sits at the edge of the Top 10 — competitive, but capped in terms of upside. Their .522 win percentage and modest +8 goal differential reflect a team that can trade results, but limited offensive production after Kayden Kelly (37 PTS) has narrowed their margin for error to remain in the Top 10 for the rest of the season.
The real drop-off begins after Hamilton. From there down, goal differentials and records fall off sharply, pointing to structural gaps and inconsistencies rather than recent variance. The league’s “any given night” feel is fading as separation continues to grow from the top down.
ALLIANCE
Standings Snapshot
1. London Jr. Knights — 18-2-0 (36 PTS) | GF: 135 | GA: 45
2. Huron-Perth Lakers — 16-1-2 (34 PTS) | GF: 86 | GA: 39
3. Brantford 99ers — 12-4-2 (26 PTS) | GF: 83 | GA: 48
4. Windsor Jr. Spitfires — 9-7-4 (22 PTS) | GF: 69 | GA: 63
5. Sun County Panthers — 9-6-3 (21 PTS) | GF: 76 | GA: 62
6. Elgin-Middlesex Canucks — 8-10-3 (19 PTS) | GF: 56 | GA: 64
7. Sarnia-Lambton Jr. Sting — 8-10-2 (18 PTS) | GF: 59 | GA: 63
8. Waterloo Wolves — 6-11-2 (14 PTS) | GF: 46 | GA: 60
9. Kitchener Jr. Rangers — 5-10-2 (12 PTS) | GF: 44 | GA: 71
10. Cambridge Hawks — 2-17-1 (5 PTS) | GF: 31 | GA: 108
11. Chatham-Kent Cyclones — 1-16-1 (3 PTS) | GF: 24 | GA: 86
Top 10 Alliance Scoring Leaders
D. Bate — London Jr. Knights — 50 PTS
D. McCotter — Huron-Perth Lakers — 42 PTS
R. Vanacker — Brantford 99ers — 37 PTS
R. Shtefan — Windsor Jr. Spitfires — 37 PTS
C. Brooks — Huron-Perth Lakers — 35 PTS
F. Butler — London Jr. Knights — 35 PTS
R. Salmoni — London Jr. Knights — 34 PTS
Q. Roberts — London Jr. Knights — 34 PTS
G. Littlejohn — London Jr. Knights — 34 PTS
R. Beaulieu — London Jr. Knights — 32 PTS
ALLIANCE: What’s Changed Since the Last Regional Rundown
In our last update, the ALLIANCE was tightly packed at the top, with Huron-Perth leading in points, London driving play through their league-leading goal differential, and Brantford was unbeaten in league action. Since then, those early signals have held up — but the order has changed quite a bit…
London has moved beyond being dangerous out of the gate — they’re now dictating terms and are in a league of their own. At 18–2–0 with a +90 goal differential and 135 goals for, they stand alone as the ALLIANCE’s most complete offensive group. The defining factor isn’t just Drew Bate’s league-leading 50 points, but the layers beneath him — six players inside the Top 10 and 11 skaters over 20 points. That depth has translated beyond league play, with London now sitting as the highest-ranked ALLIANCE-based team in Ontario at 3rd overall, trailing only Vaughan and JRC.
Huron-Perth continues to validate its early-season form. Their success remains rooted in structure on both ends on the ice and strong goaltending, with Rylan Da Costa’s 1.50 GAA setting the standard across the ALLIANCE. McCotter (42 PTS) and Brooks (35 PTS) provide high-end production, and the Lakers remain one of the league’s most efficient teams night to night, currently ranked 11th overall in Ontario.
Brantford has settled into a highly-competitive and well-defined role. At 12–4–2, they’ve separated themselves from the group below while remaining on par with the league’s best. They’ve shown the ability to win big games, including handing London a rare loss, and have sustained their level to this point in the season. Vanacker (37 PTS) continues to set the offensive tone for the 99ers, who are now ranked 12th in Ontario.
From fourth through seventh, movement has slowed, but overall form has improved. Windsor and Sun County are trending in the right direction, driven by recent results rather than a fundamental shift. Windsor’s 6–2–2 stretch has been fueled offensively by Roman Shtefan (37 PTS), with Carter Trudell (27 PTS) providing secondary support just outside the league’s Top 10 scorers. Sun County’s 7–1–2 run reflects similar momentum, led by captain Kai Duquette (31 PTS), whose production has helped keep the Panthers pushing upward without overstating structural change.
Elgin-Middlesex and Sarnia-Lambton remain relatively competitive on a nightly basis, but continue to operate in a range where gains are incremental rather than accelerating. For Sarnia, Levi Inch’s 1.62 GAA has been a stabilizing force, consistently keeping the Sting in games even as broader progress remains limited.
The bottom portion of the table is increasingly defined. Waterloo and Kitchener continue to concede goals at rates that limit traction, while Cambridge and Chatham-Kent remain isolated at the bottom.
London’s dominance atop the leaderboard mirrors their depth advantage, while production across the league increasingly reinforces team identity rather than compensating for gaps.
HEO
Standings Snapshot
1. Ottawa Valley Titans — 10-7-5 (25 PTS) | GF: 65 | GA: 56
2. Upper Canada Cyclones — 8-5-7 (23 PTS) | GF: 54 | GA: 46
3. Eastern Ontario Wild — 8-7-4 (20 PTS) | GF: 54 | GA: 47
4. Ottawa Jr. 67s — 7-7-6 (20 PTS) | GF: 49 | GA: 49
5. Ottawa Myers Automotive — 5-12-4 (14 PTS) | GF: 46 | GA: 70
Top 10 HEO Scoring Leaders
C. Krottner — Ottawa Valley Titans — 32 PTS
J. Tysick — Ottawa Valley Titans — 25 PTS
B. Schori — Ottawa Valley Titans — 21 PTS
I. Papineau — Upper Canada Cyclones — 20 PTS
C. Kealey — Upper Canada Cyclones — 18 PTS
T. Gendron-Steele — Eastern Ontario Wild — 18 PTS
G. Heroux — Eastern Ontario Wild — 17 PTS
W. Gray — Ottawa Valley Titans — 16 PTS
J. Melo — Upper Canada Cyclones — 15 PTS
T. Gregoire — Ottawa Myers Automotive — 14 PTS
HEO: What’s Changed Since the Last Regional Rundown
Ottawa Valley has surged from the pack to the front — not by locking games down, but by breaking them open.
They now feature the league’s top three scorers in Krottner (32 PTS), Tysick (25), and Schori (21), with William Gray also sitting inside the Top 10 at 16 points. In a league built on low-event, one-goal margins, that kind of layered offense has become a separator, quietly tipping tight games their way while keeping the race at the top firmly contested.
Upper Canada continues to lean on their structure and goaltending. Kellen McKeown leads the league with a 1.80 GAA, anchoring an identity built on control, while their offense is supported by three Top-10 scorers: 2011-born Isaya Papineau (20 PTS) and Cam Kealey (18 PTS), both inside the top five, alongside Julian Melo (15 PTS). Their profile remains effective, but tie-heavy outcomes and concentrated scoring have limited separation from the teams below.
The middle tier remains crowded — and stylistically similar. Eastern Ontario continues to rely on their responsible, systematic brand of hockey, supported by two Top-10 scorers in Tristan Gendron-Steele (18 PTS) and Gavin Heroux (17 PTS), but limited secondary offense has kept upward pressure modest.
Ottawa Jr. 67s may not feature a Top-10 scorer, but they remain one of the HEO’s most complete and dangerous groups, with the depth and upside to legitimately challenge Ottawa Valley for the top seed. Offense is spread throughout the lineup rather than centralized, led by Kyson McMillan (14 PTS), Innis Robinson (13), and Alexandre Saulnier (13 PTS in 9 GP). In goal, Athan Stone’s 2.22 GAA through nine starts has stabilized results and kept margins tight. Sitting 15th overall in the Ontario rankings — the highest of any HEO club — the 67’s profile reinforces how narrow the gap at the top truly is and how little separation currently exists in the race.
Across the league, tight contests and low scoring persists, reinforcing how difficult it is to create meaningful separation without depth scoring.
Ottawa Myers has slipped further from the group. With Theo Gregoire leading the team at 14 points, scoring support has been harder to find, and rising goals against have widened the gap between Myers and the rest of the league.
The standings are still tight, but no longer unclear. In a league built on defensive structure and low-scoring games, Ottawa Valley’s ability to generate offense from multiple sources has given them an edge. The race still remains wide open, but the teams best equipped to break tight games are beginning to show.
GTHL
Standings Snapshot
1. Toronto Jr. Canadiens — 20-2-1 (41 PTS) | GFA: 4.39
2. Vaughan Kings — 18-2-3 (39 PTS) | GFA: 5.00
3. Toronto Marlboros — 16-5-2 (34 PTS) | GFA: 3.57
4. Don Mills Flyers — 14-8-3 (31 PTS) | GFA: 2.92
5. Mississauga Senators — 13-7-2 (28 PTS) | GFA: 3.95
6. Markham Majors — 11-7-3 (25 PTS) | GFA: 3.33
7. Toronto Red Wings — 6-11-6 (18 PTS) | GFA: 1.87
8. Mississauga Rebels — 7-12-4 (18 PTS) | GFA: 1.74
9. Reps Hockey Club — 6-13-4 (16 PTS) | GFA: 2.09
10. Toronto Young Nationals — 5-16-2 (12 PTS) | GFA: 1.65
11. Toronto Titans — 3-18-2 (8 PTS) | GFA: 1.35
12. North York Rangers — 1-19-2 (4 PTS) | GFA: 1.14
Top 10 GTHL Scoring Leaders
K. Cloutier — Vaughan Kings — 42 PTS
K. Kwajah — Toronto Jr. Canadiens — 36 PTS
J. Kuklinski — Mississauga Senators — 36 PTS
L. Roulston — Vaughan Kings — 34 PTS
B. Brown — Vaughan Kings — 32 PTS
M. Zilinski — Mississauga Senators — 30 PTS
A. Nanubhai — Mississauga Senators — 29 PTS
B. Reilly — Toronto Marlboros — 28 PTS
R. Nobes — Markham Majors — 27 PTS
D. Dupuis — Markham Majors — 26 PTS
The GTHL is not just strong at the top — it’s dense throughout. With six of Ontario’s Top 10 teams competing inside one league, results are shaped less by matchup advantage and more by execution, depth, and discipline. There are few nights off, few soft points, and even fewer teams that can rely on talent alone.
1. Toronto Jr. Canadiens — The league’s highest floor
There’s been no real changes at the top since we last checked in, and the data continues to reinforce why.
JRC owns the league’s best team GAA (1.26) while sitting first overall without needing to chase offense. Their advantage is how they control games: elite puck management, five-on-five defending, and an efficient transition game. Games rarely drift away for the red and blue.
Offensively, Kash Kwajah (36 PTS) drives play, while 2011-born Kade O’Rourke (22 PTS) adds point-per-game impact from the back end. Marko Mesich provides stability in the crease with a 1.27 GAA.
With multiple forwards operating near that same production rate, JRC’s profile is clear: elite structure, high-end depth, and one of the most reliable baselines in Ontario U16 hockey.
2. Vaughan Kings — The league’s highest ceiling
Vaughan’s talent has never been in question. What’s changed is how well it’s now supported defensively. Led by captain Adrian Sgro, VK’s 5.00 goals-for average paired with a 1.57 team GAA confirms this isn’t a team trading chances in barnburner hockey, it’s a talented team applying pressure from a position of control.
Eight players are producing near a point-per-game pace, led by Kane Cloutier (42 PTS), Landon Roulston (34), and Brody Brown (32). Vaughan can score in waves without sacrificing defensive structure, which keeps them firmly alongside JRC at the top and gives them the league’s most explosive offensive ceiling. Both of Vaughan’s goalies are featured in the Top 10 in GAA with Liam Cochrane ranked 2nd in Ontario (1.24 GAA) and Demetri Stokes 10th with a 1.57 GAA.
3. Toronto Marlboros — Stable, deep, and hard to move
The Marlboros continue to sit just behind the top two — and the numbers explain why.
A 2.22 team GAA and balanced results on both sides of the puck reflect a team that doesn’t overwhelm opponents, but also doesn’t give games away.
Braden Reilly (28 PTS) remains the engine of the attack, supported by depth across the lineup with seven players near a point-per-game pace.
On the blueline, Jaden Licastro (19 PTS) anchors their transitional play. The Marlies are a dependable playoff-caliber team in a league where reliability alone still earns real points.
4. Don Mills Flyers — Defensive leverage in a deep league
Don Mills owns one of the strongest defensive profiles in Ontario, posting a 2.20 team GAA and relying on defensive layers, structure, and discipline to suffocate quality looks. Their forwards and defense buy-in to the system which means breakdowns are rare, and games usually stay tight.
For the Flyers, their constraint isn’t lack of defense, it’s their offensive ceiling.
Brady Nash (22 PTS) leads the attack, while Owen Loftus (1.86 GAA) has been excellent in the crease. In order for the Flyers to truly challenge the three teams above, they’ll have to find a way to give their offensive metrics a bump. DMF’s 2.92 team GFA is the lowest in the GTHL’s top 6.
In most leagues, this profile would push higher in the standings. But in the GTHL, it keeps Don Mills competitive every night but living within narrow margins game-by-game.
5. Mississauga Senators — Talent-rich, still relatively volatile
Mississauga’s position reflects the challenge of converting high-end skill into separation in the deepest league in Ontario.
A 1.86 team GAA and steady goaltending from Thijs Van Haeren (1.53 GAA) have provided enough of a safety net to support their offense.
Up front, Jakub Kuklinski (36 PTS), Arjun Nanubhai (29), and Matthew Zilinski (28) give the Senators real scoring punch.
Their upside is clear. The challenge is consistency — in a league this deep, talent alone doesn’t buy wins.
6. Markham Majors — Built for tight games, room for growth
Markham rounds out a top six that would contend in any Ontario league. A 1.76 team GAA underlines a strong defensive foundation, supported by a reliable tandem in the crease from goalies Sack and O’Neill.
Offensively, Dacey Dupuis (28 PTS), Ryder Nobes (27 PTS), and Ronan Quinn (25 PTS) provide top-end production, with Quinn just outside the GTHL Top 10 Scorers.
Like Mississauga, the Majors have the talent to climb — especially with Jack Samek’s looming return — but sustaining pressure against the league’s elite remains the separator.
The Bottom Tier — Where depth becomes decisive
In the GTHL, once team GAAs push beyond the 3.00 range, results solidify quickly.
Not because of single weaknesses, but because defensive breakdowns compound and high-end GTHL opponents have the depth and talent to punish them.
In a league this competitive, structure erosion is costly — and difficult to recover from. The final two playoff seeds will likely come down to a tight battle between the Rebels, Reps, Nationals and Titans.
The GTHL is Ontario’s deepest U16 league, and the standings reflect it. With six of the province’s Top 10 teams operating inside one table, separation is earned through structure, depth, and execution in low-event games — not just hot-streaks.
Toronto Jr. Canadiens and Vaughan have established the strongest profiles at the top, combining control with layered offense. Positions three through six are held by elite programs capable of damaging anyone on a given night. Below that, the margin for error disappears quickly.
In this league, there are no easy points — and that’s exactly what makes it the most competitive environment in Ontario U16 hockey.
Between The Pipes
Top 20 U16 Goaltenders — Ranked by GAA (min. 10 GP, stats via InStat*)
J. Roberto (Credit River, OMHA) — 1.16 GAA
L. Cochrane (Vaughan, GTHL) — 1.24 GAA
M. Mesich (Toronto Jr. Canadiens, GTHL) — 1.27 GAA
N. Croskery (Oakville, OMHA) — 1.48 GAA
R. Da Costa (Huron-Perth, ALLIANCE) — 1.50 GAA
T. Van Haeren (Mississauga Sens, GTHL) — 1.53 GAA
A. Vaduva (Burlington, OMHA) — 1.53 GAA
A. Howatt (Ajax-Pickering, OMHA) — 1.54 GAA
L. Senay (Barrie, OMHA) — 1.56 GAA
D. Stokes (Vaughan, GTHL) — 1.57 GAA
L. Inch (Sarnia-Lambton, ALLIANCE) — 1.62 GAA
L. Butler (York-Simcoe, OMHA) — 1.66 GAA
K. McKeown (Upper Canada Cyclones, HEO) — 1.80 GAA
O. Loftus (Don Mills Flyers, GTHL) — 1.86 GAA
M. Matakovic (Niagara North, OMHA) — 1.86 GAA
A. Archer (Credit River, OMHA) — 1.87 GAA
L. Thompson (Toronto Red Wings, GTHL) — 1.89 GAA
T. Imbeau (York-Simcoe, OMHA) — 1.92 GAA
C. O’Neill (Markham Majors, GTHL) — 2.11 GAA
E. Sokolov (Toronto Marlboros, GTHL) — 2.11 GAA
What This All Means Heading Into the New Year
The picture across Ontario’s U16 landscape is becoming clearer and clearer. Teams aren’t pulling away because of one hot line, a single scorer, or a goalie on a run — they’re separating because pressure comes from everywhere in the lineup, every night.
Depth has started to matter more than short hot-streaks. Games are tighter, margins are getting thinner, and the standings are beginning to settle instead of reshuffle week to week.
As the calendar turns and the regular season moves into its final stretch, progress won’t come from effort alone. It will come from consistency — from groups that can hold their identity on quiet nights as well as big ones.
This is the point where surprises become rare, gaps become harder to close, and teams are defined by who they are, not how they feel in the moment.
Now, we’ll see how the rest of the regular season unfolds across Ontario’s U16 AAA circuits.
Talon Mills
