The Ultimate 2026 OHL Cup Preview: The Teams + The Stars + The Storylines
Nash Division
Vaughan Kings
Goals (GF-GA): 306-117
U16 Ontario Rank: 2nd (54-13-4)
GTHL Regular Season Rank: 2nd (26-4-2)
Record vs. OHL Cup Teams: 25-12-3
Keep An Eye On: Adrian Sgro, Kane Cloutier, Landon Roulston, Brody Brown, Nixon McCaig, Sebastien Fortin, Evan Fitzgerald
Between the Pipes: Liam Cochrane / Demetri Stokes
The Vaughan Kings have been a mainstay in our Power Rankings top five all season and head into the OHL Cup as one of the tournament’s premier contenders. They headline the Nash Division, recently claimed the GTHL championship, and posted elite numbers across the board, including a 54-13-4 overall record and a 306-117 goal differential. For much of the season, the question was not whether Vaughan had the talent, but whether they could get over the semifinal hump in major events. With that breakthrough now behind them, they arrive at the OHL Cup as a team built to make a deep run.
Quinte Red Devils
Goals (GF-GA): 275-155
U16 Ontario Rank: 11th (46-18-3)
OMHA Regular Season Rank: 3rd (26-5-1-2)
Record vs. OHL Cup Teams: 14-13-2
Keep An Eye On: Lauchlan Whelan, Andrew Laurin, Austin Ottenhof, Jax Martin, Trent Clow, Jack Sutton, Austin Pettey, Lawson Liborion-Minifie
Between the Pipes: Landen White / Nathan Ferriss
The Quinte Red Devils earned their way to the OHL Cup by reaching the OMHA Championship semifinals after a strong season across the board. They finished 46-18-3 overall, ranked 11th in Canada, and went 26-5-1-2 in OMHA regular season play. Quinte also led OMHA East Pool A with a 7-1-0-0 mark, reinforcing just how steady they were all year. They enter this tournament as a proven team that has already handled plenty of high-level games.
Brantford 99ers
Goals (GF-GA): 262-172
U16 Ontario Rank: 13th (38-21-7)
ALLIANCE Regular Season Rank: 3rd (20-7-3)
Record vs. OHL Cup Teams: 8-17-4
Keep An Eye On: Roman Vanacker, Emry Lowe, Carson Vukelich, Calum Morgan, Gavin Martin, Ethan Zivanovich, Charlie Brenn
Between the Pipes: Ryder Kowtaluk / Ryan Slama
The Brantford 99ers arrive at the OHL Cup having already shown they can push through high-pressure games, reaching the ALLIANCE final before losing to London. A third-place regular season finish, 38-21-7 overall record, and 262-172 goal differential point to a team with enough substance to compete. Their results against OHL Cup teams have been less convincing, which makes this a key test of how their game holds up against the best teams. Brantford enters with something to prove.
Upper Canada College Blues
Goals (GF-GA): 246-179
U16 Ontario Rank: N/A (42-21-1)
Record vs. OHL Cup Teams: 21-15-0
Keep An Eye On: Max Fransen, Cole Guizzetti, Logan Prud’homme, Christian Del Buono, Damian Norris, Greyson Ward, Jay Nimchonok, Turner Stephenson
Between the Pipes: Joseph Grixti / Tyler Yam
The Upper Canada College Blues have done plenty to show they belong at the OHL Cup. Chosen as the first Hockey Canada Accredited School to compete in the showcase, UCC backed it up with a 42-21-1 record, a Prep title over Hill Academy, and a Silver Stick finals appearance. They have also been a fixture in our U16 Power Rankings all season, most recently ranked sixth. With a 21-15-0 record against OHL Cup teams, the Blues enter this event with a résumé that demands real attention.
Team NOHA
Path to OHL Cup: OHL Cup NOHA Representative Team
Keep An Eye On: Seth Verbiwski, Felix Sapay, Jackson Mead, Trey Bigelow, Nicholas Christakos, Malik Jakubo, Alex Proulx
Between the Pipes: Phoenix Bell / Noah Jylha
Much like Total Package Hockey, Team NOHA is built by bringing together some of the best young talent from across Northern Ontario, including players from North Bay, the Soo Greyhounds, and Sudbury. They may not carry the same overall strength or depth as a team like TPH, but there is still enough ability here to make them worth watching. As with any group assembled for an event like this, chemistry becomes a key question since these players have not spent the full season together. If they can come together quickly, they could still be competitive.
Subban Division
Toronto Jr. Canadiens
Goals (GF-GA): 281-97
U16 Ontario Rank: 1st (51-10-3)
GTHL Regular Season Rank: 1st (28-3-2)
Record vs. OHL Cup Teams: 21-9-3
Keep An Eye On: Kash Kwajah, Brayden Grima, Kade O’Rourke, Jace Voortman, Jackson Zinkie, Rico Champagne, Cooper Ross, Anthony Peragine
Between the Pipes: Marko Mesich / Zidane Jasey
The Toronto Jr. Canadiens have spent the season carrying the profile of a top-tier contender. First in Canada, first in the GTHL regular season, and owners of a 281-97 goal differential, they have checked nearly every box over the course of the year. The GTHL final loss to Vaughan may have stalled some momentum, but it also sharpens the edge around a team that has been central to the OHL Cup conversation all season. They still enter this tournament as one of the field’s strongest bets to go deep.
Niagara North Stars
Goals (GF-GA): 236-137
U16 Ontario Rank: 18th (45-16-3)
OMHA Regular Season Rank: 2nd (25-2-3-4)
Record vs. OHL Cup Teams: 7-10-0
Keep An Eye On: Nathan Hewitt, Kohen Chrastina, Spencer Tomczuk, Kaelen Rudyk, Caden Petrovsky, Jacob Greene, Elijah Handrahan
Between the Pipes: Michael Matakovic / Sam Teutenberg
Niagara was one of the top OMHA teams all season and carried that form straight into the playoffs. The North Stars finished second in the OMHA regular season, went 45-16-3 overall, and secured their OHL Cup berth by reaching the OMHA semifinals, where their run ended against York Simcoe. Their strong playoff showing only reinforced the quality they had shown over the course of the year. Niagara enters the tournament as a team that built real momentum at the right time.
Sun County Panthers
Goals (GF-GA): 190-219
U16 Ontario Rank: 31st (22-31-4)
ALLIANCE Regular Season Rank: 4th (14-13-3)
Record vs. OHL Cup Teams: 0-20-2
Keep An Eye On: Kai Duquette, Ryder Cheswick, Liam MacDonald, Alexander Hawkeswood, Taylor Van De Ven, Quinn Monminie
Between the Pipes: Brendan Bullock / Ethan Townsend
Sun County secured its OHL Cup berth by reaching the ALLIANCE semifinals and enters the tournament having found form at the right time. The Panthers finished fourth in the ALLIANCE regular season, but a strong playoff push extended their year and gave them late momentum to build on. Their overall profile remains an uneven one on paper, especially against OHL Cup-level opposition, but their recent play has changed the feel around the group. In the Subban Division, they arrive as a team playing with more belief than earlier in the season.
Eastern Ontario Wild
Goals (GF-GA): 202-162
U16 Ontario Rank: 19th (33-17-12)
HEO Regular Season Rank: 2nd (16-10-6)
Record vs. OHL Cup Teams: 16-16-9
Keep An Eye On: Gavin Heroux, Tristan Gendron-Steele, Leo Hendriks, Isaac Charbonneau, Brock Lamarche, Evan Allenby, Theo Gravelle
Between the Pipes: Josh Groulx / Griffin Amey
There is something dangerous about a team arriving fresh off a title run. Eastern Ontario enters the OHL Cup as HEO playoff champions, having turned a strong regular season into a postseason breakthrough at exactly the right time. The Wild have spent much of the year in close, competitive games, and that kind of mileage can matter in a tournament setting. Eastern Ontario enters the Subban Division as a group that found its best form late.
Wildcard Play-In Game
Ajax-Pickering Raiders
Goals (GF-GA): 267-150
U16 Ontario Rank: 10th (49-17-5)
OMHA Regular Season Rank: 6th (26-7-1-0)
Record vs. OHL Cup Teams: 17-16-1
Keep An Eye On: Matthew Taylor, Shea Huinink, William Knight, Caden Cousineau, Maks Meyer, Jean-Luc Moreau-Hernandez
Between the Pipes: Alexander Howatt / Tanner Gibson
Ajax-Pickering did enough this season to stay in the OHL Cup conversation, but not enough at OMHAs to remove the pressure of one final hurdle. Failing to reach the semifinals left the Raiders on the wildcard path, where a single game against Mississauga now stands between them and the potential end of their season. A 49-17-5 record, top-10 provincial ranking, and 267-150 goal differential all suggest this is a capable team. Their body of work throughout the season gave them this chance, now they have to finish the job to get in.
Mississauga Senators
Goals (GF-GA): 241-145
U16 Ontario Rank: 4th (40-21-6)
GTHL Regular Season Rank: 6th (19-10-4)
Record vs. OHL Cup Teams: 13-18-3
Keep An Eye On: Arjun Nanubhai, Jakub Kuklinski, Matthew Zilinski, Robbie Knight, Jonathan Tait, Liam Fortune, Nolan Gao-Gray
Between the Pipes: Thijs van Haeren / Massimo Tomassi
The Mississauga Senators enter the play-in with both pressure and possibility in front of them. A first-round playoff loss to the Toronto Marlboros forced them onto the wildcard path, where a best-of-one against Ajax-Pickering now stands between them and the OHL Cup. Even with that setback, Mississauga still carries the profile of a quality team, ranked fourth in Canada with a 40-21-6 record and a 241-145 goal differential. The résumé says they are capable. The question is whether they can prove it in a single game.
Shanahan Division
Toronto Marlboros
Goals (GF-GA): 237-171
U16 Ontario Rank: 5th (43-20-2)
GTHL Regular Season Rank: 3rd (19-10-4)
Record vs. OHL Cup Teams: 18-17-0
Keep An Eye On: Jaden Licastro, Braden Reilly, Michael Warner, Shane Roche, Miles Reilly, Mason Quinn, Michael Pacek, Aaron Petrov, Max Mavrou
Between the Pipes: Egor Sokolov / Nolan Hardy
The Toronto Marlboros have already shown they can win the kind of games that matter most. They clinched their OHL Cup berth by beating Mississauga in round one and then pushed Vaughan to the edge in the semifinals, reinforcing the strength of a team that finished fifth in Canada. With a 43-20-2 record and a deep list of proven contributors, Toronto enters the Shanahan Division with enough substance to make noise. They may not be the headline team, but they are built to be a problem.
York-Simcoe Express
Goals (GF-GA): 273-139
U16 Ontario Rank: 9th (56-17-3)
OMHA Regular Season Rank: 6th (25-8-1-0)
Record vs. OHL Cup Teams: 20-13-1
Keep An Eye On: Cole Cartan, Gage Kirk, Cooper Niquet, Everest McClellan, Stuart DeMunnik, Justin Watkins, Gryson Gill
Between the Pipes: Lukas Butler / Ty Imbeau
There is a clear formula behind York Simcoe’s success, and it starts with how difficult they are to break down. The Express leaned on a strong defensive identity and reliable goaltending throughout the year, carrying that approach to the OMHA semifinals, which was enough to lock in their OHL Cup berth, and then on to the championship game. A 56-17-3 record and 20 wins against OHL Cup teams show that this has been more than just a tidy profile on paper. In a demanding Shanahan Division, York Simcoe feels built for tight games.
Huron-Perth Lakers
Goals (GF-GA): 219-137
U16 Ontario Rank: 12th (40-15-4)
ALLIANCE Regular Season Rank: 2nd (25-2-3)
Record vs. OHL Cup Teams: 7-15-1
Keep An Eye On: Declan McCotter, Ethan Bridges, Callum Brooks, Colton Van Geffen, Evan Miller, Sully Kipfer, Evan Fisher
Between the Pipes: Rylan Da Costa / Tyler Wilkinson
Huron-Perth heads to the OHL Cup after a strong season that included a second-place finish in the ALLIANCE regular season and a trip to the league semifinals. The Lakers went 40-15-4 overall and outscored opponents 219-137 on the year. Their 7-15-1 record against OHL Cup teams suggests the next challenge will be a tougher one. Even so, they have done enough this season to show they belong in the mix.
Detroit Honeybaked
Goals (GF-GA): 414-147
USA Tier 1 Rank: 3rd (66-12-0)
MAHA Regular Season Rank: 3rd (17-4-0-0)
Record vs. OHL Cup Teams: 17-7-0
Keep An Eye On: Dylan Delgado, Austin Hall, Henry Buttweilier, Max Lappan, Easton Dozark, Blake Stephens, Ivan Belikov, Derek Moon, Max Mitchell, Cash McElmurry, Liam Weaver
Between the Pipes: Carter Nash / Nolan Jardine
Big stages have brought out the best in Detroit Honeybaked all year long. They dominated tournament play, won the Silver Stick and Oakville Winter Classic, then added a Michigan state championship to cap off one of the strongest résumés in the field. A 66-12-0 record and 414-147 goal differential underline just how dangerous this team has been. In the Shanahan Division, Honeybaked looks fully capable of making another deep run.
Wildcard Play-In Game
Hill Academy
Goals (GF-GA): 235-194
U16 Ontario Rank: N/A (35-25-1)
Record vs. OHL Cup Teams: 16-14-1
Keep An Eye On: Tanner Adams, Brayden Jaravata, Finley Merrill, Xavier Carroll, Rory Shaughnessy, Shayden Hintenberger, Gabriel Barakat
Between the Pipes: Ayden Dark / Matteo Orlando
Hill Academy enters their showdown with BioSteel knowing one more win would put them on the biggest stage of the season. They have been one of the more talented and competitive groups all year, spending the season as a fixture in our Power Rankings while building a 2-1 edge over BioSteel in the head-to-head series. Their overall profile suggests a team comfortable against quality competition. If The Hill can bring their best, they have more than enough ability to punch through.
BioSteel Sports Academy
Goals (GF-GA): 229-140
U16 Ontario Rank: N/A (35-17-6)
Record vs. OHL Cup Teams: 11-10-1
Keep An Eye On: Beckham Hunter, Shayne Keefe, Cole Darocy, Eli Champman, Mateo Muto, Preston Medeiros, Kayden Cook
Between the Pipes: Noah Spiteri / Parker Lee
BioSteel is one win away from the OHL Cup. They bring a 35-17-6 record, a strong goal differential, and enough proven results against quality teams into a wildcard game with Hill Academy. This group has shown it can compete, now they have to come through in their biggest game of the season.
Lindros Division
Markham Majors
Goals (GF-GA): 204-152
U16 Ontario Rank: 6th (33-24-4)
GTHL Regular Season Rank: 5th (19-10-4)
Record vs. OHL Cup Teams: 13-19-2
Keep An Eye On: Ronan Quinn, Jack Samek, Ryder Nobes, Kosta Housseas, Joseph Fenwick, Dacey Dupuis, Colton Cribari
Between the Pipes: Dylan Sack / Cohen O’Neil
Battle-tested by one of the toughest schedules in the province, Markham earned its OHL Cup berth with a first-round series win over Don Mills before pushing the Toronto Jr. Canadiens to the limit in the semifinals. Ranked sixth in Canada, the Majors finished 33-24-4 with a 204-152 goal differential, numbers that come with more context than they may initially suggest. Their path has demanded consistency, pushback, and the ability to survive tight games. That kind of season can prepare a team well for this stage.
Credit River Capitals
Goals (GF-GA): 284-112
U16 Ontario Rank: 8th (49-11-4)
OMHA Regular Season Rank: 1st (29-4-1-0)
Record vs. OHL Cup Teams: 9-8-1
Keep An Eye On: Evan Bannister, Landon Bellchamber, Gavin Henry, Owen Galvin, Ben Legros, Nathan D’Onofrio, Cameron Gout, Liam Card, Noah Janerio
Between the Pipes: Joaquin Roberto / Aaron Archer
Fresh off an OMHA championship, Credit River enters the OHL Cup with real momentum behind them. The Capitals have been the most frequent OMHA presence in our Power Rankings this season, and they validated that status by winning the Red Hats after a strong championship run. A 49-11-4 overall record and 284-112 goal differential underline just how strong their season has been from start to finish. Credit River enters the tournament looking like a team peaking at the right time.
Ottawa Jr. 67’s
Goals (GF-GA): 201-156
U16 Ontario Rank: 14th (28-21-18)
HEO Regular Season Rank: 4th (12-12-8)
Record vs. OHL Cup Teams: 14-20-13
Keep An Eye On: Innis Robinson, Alex Saulnier, Marco Nichele, William Boyko, Nate Cesario, Kyson McMillan
Between the Pipes: Athan Stone / Keenan McArthur
Don’t expect Ottawa to be overwhelmed by this stage. The Jr. 67’s reached the HEO final after a regular season that was more uncertain than dominant, showing they were capable of finding another gear when the games mattered most. Their overall profile has clear imperfections, but they have also been tested often and pushed through enough adversity to get here. In the Lindros Division, that kind of battle-earned experience can matter.
Detroit Little Caesars
Goals (GF-GA): 422-104
USA Tier 1 Rank: 1st (52-7-0)
MAHA Regular Season Rank: 1st (19-1-0-1)
Record vs. OHL Cup Teams: 11-2-0
Keep An Eye On: Jack Trupiano, Griffin Carver, Colin Kennedy, Ben Slavick, Aiden Kelly, Jack Hair, Aiden Ali, John Montanino, Cole Sipotz, Ryker Kesler, Gabriel Belanger, AJ Moore
Between the Pipes: Troy Falbo / Chase Miller
Detroit Little Caesars has been our No. 1 team all season, and the numbers back it up. A 52-7-0 record, a first-place MAHA regular season finish, and a 422-104 goal differential make this one of the most dominant teams in the tournament. Falling short at States and Nationals only gives them more reason to come in hungry. This is a team that will be expected to make noise.
Wildcard Play-In Game
Ottawa Valley Titans
Goals (GF-GA): 183-153
U16 Ontario Rank: 16th
HEO Regular Season Rank: 3rd (15-10-7)
Record vs. OHL Cup Teams: 14-14-8
Keep An Eye On: Cole Krottner, Jacob Tysick, William Gray, Ben Schori, Kaleb Peplinskie, Miller Zavitske
Between the Pipes: Marcus Smolcic / Darcy O’Hare
Familiarity will not be in short supply when Ottawa Valley meets Upper Canada in the Lindros Division play-in. The Titans and Cyclones have already faced each other eight times this season, with Upper Canada holding only a slight edge going 3-2-3, a reflection of how tight this matchup has been throughout the year. Ottawa Valley finished third in the HEO regular season and brings a 14-14-8 record against OHL Cup teams into a game that should feel anything but foreign. In the Lindros Division, this is a matchup that could come down to whichever side handles the moment better.
Upper Canada Cyclones
Goals (GF-GA): 191-139
U16 Ontario Rank: 17th (28-17-13)
HEO Regular Season Rank: 1st (15-8-9)
Record vs. OHL Cup Teams: 11-13-12
Keep An Eye On: Isaya Papineau, Cameron Kealey, Quinn Creally, Thomas Visser, Ty Bryan, Julian Melo
Between the Pipes: Kellen McKeown / Finn Halpenny
Upper Canada’s season now narrows to a game it has already been rehearsing for months. A first-place finish in the HEO regular season gave the Cyclones a strong foundation, but their path still runs through Ottawa Valley in a matchup shaped by repetition and thin margins. With just 139 goals against all season, they have built an identity that keeps games within reach. That style should fit the tension of a play-in like this.
McDavid Division
Total Package Hockey
Path to OHL Cup: OHL Cup USA Representative Team
Keep An Eye On: Ethan Mears, Alexander Filatov, Christopher Pinko, Quinn Kaiser, Mason Drouin
Between the Pipes: Cooper Nordaune / Nate Muehl
Total Package Hockey brings together some of the top talent from across the United States, giving this group one of the more intriguing profiles in the field. Unlike most teams in the tournament, though, this roster has not spent the entire season building chemistry together, which naturally creates a different challenge. Even so, last year’s team turned heads and proved it could be highly competitive on this stage. There is enough talent here to believe this group can overcome that same obstacle and do more of the same.
Thunder Bay Kings
Goals (GF-GA): 84-108
U16 Ontario Rank: 52nd (15-17-5)
Record vs. OHL Cup Teams: 0-0-0
Path to OHL Cup: HNO Automatic Wildcard Entry
Keep An Eye On: Walker Holowanky, Wyatt Pradal, Ben Krys, Michael Pucci, Charlie Crane
Between the Pipes: Matthew Bourget / Carter Johnson
As the HNO representative, Thunder Bay arrives at the OHL Cup with an automatic entry and a real chance to measure themselves against the strongest competition they’ll see all season. The profile on paper suggests a difficult road ahead, and the lack of games against OHL Cup opponents only adds more uncertainty to what this group may look like in this setting. Still, a tournament like this offers a different kind of opportunity for a team stepping into unfamiliar waters. For the Kings, the challenge will be rising to a stage that inevitably demand more from them.
London Jr. Knights
Goals (GF-GA): 394-130
U16 Ontario Rank: 2nd (58-8-1)
ALLIANCE Regular Season Rank: 1st (28-2-0)
Record vs. OHL Cup Teams: 23-7-1
Keep An Eye On: Ryan Beaulieu, Drew Bate, Finley Butler, Quinn Roberts, Cameron Jolicoeur, Jace Luchanko, Graham Littlejohn, Lucas Enrwright
Between the Pipes: Valentino Gonzalez / Nate Fernandes
Few teams have looked more imposing this season than the London Jr. Knights. They dominated the ALLIANCE from wire to wire, finishing first in the regular season, rolling through the playoffs, and securing the title with authority. A 58-8-1 record, a 394-130 goal differential, and a 23-7-1 mark against OHL Cup teams all point to a group that has consistently imposed itself on strong competition. London enters the tournament with the profile of a team built for a deep run.
Don Mills Flyers
Goals (GF-GA): 188-126
U16 Ontario Rank: 7th (38-16-11)
GTHL Regular Season Rank: 4th (18-8-7)
Record vs. OHL Cup Teams: 16-15-4
Keep An Eye On: Brady Nash, Declan McNally, Gavin Godick, Brayden Barkic, Drew Hulbert, Ayden Huismen, Cole Coristine
Between the Pipes: Owen Loftus / Jacob Li Gayle
Built around one of the strongest defensive profiles in the province, Don Mills did more than enough throughout the season to earn their place at the OHL Cup. The Flyers finished fourth in the GTHL, ranked seventh in Canada, captured the Wendy Dufton title, and allowed just 126 goals across a 38-16-11 campaign. Even with a first-round playoff exit to Markham, their overall body of work remained one of substance. In the McDavid Division, they enter as a team capable of making life difficult on anyone.
Wildcard Play-In Game
Barrie Colts
Goals (GF-GA): 284-206
U16 Ontario Rank: 15th (45-22-2)
OMHA Regular Season Rank: 4th (26-5-0-3)
Record vs. OHL Cup Teams: 12-21-1
Keep An Eye On: Lucas Matheson, John Kanyo, Jack Lee, Corey Coe, Luca Dragojevic, Cameron Hogg, Joey Seguin, Dylan Biga-Wadstein
Between the Pipes: Matteo Rinaldi / Logan Senay
A disappointing OMHA Championship weekend left Barrie with no margin for error. The Colts now have to earn their way in through a play-in against Central Ontario, though winning two of the three head-to-head meetings this season gives them reason to believe. Their 45-22-2 record and 284 goals show this is still a team with real attacking ability. One game now decides whether that firepower gets a bigger stage.
Central Ontario Wolves
Goals (GF-GA): 273-231
U16 Ontario Rank: 22nd (34-28-2)
OMHA Regular Season Rank: 8th (19-8-0-7)
Record vs. OHL Cup Teams: 5-20-1
Keep An Eye On: Kyler Lauder, Finn Ellery, Ethan Davidson, Liam Williams, Owen Prentice, Kai Milne-Ross, Karter Brideau
Between the Pipes: Matthew Colling / Stephen Hutchinson
Central Ontario heads into the McDavid Division play-in against Barrie with a profile that is easy to define. The Wolves can generate offence in a hurry, finishing the season with 273 goals, but their defensive inconsistencies have made them more difficult to project. That contrast has shaped much of their season and helps explain why this group now finds itself in a win-and-in scenario. If they can tighten things up just enough, they have the talent to make this game very interesting.
