OMHA Playoff Preview
EAST POOL A
Quinte Red Devils
OMHA East Rank: 1st | U16 Ontario Rank: 12th | Regular Season Record: 26-5-1-2 | GF-GA: 152-82 | Total Record vs. Pool: 11-3-0
The OMHA East regular season champion Quinte Red Devils enter the postseason looking every bit like a team built for a deep run, and they didn’t just take the top seed, they took it from Barrie directly. Sitting 1st in the East and 12th in Ontario, Quinte closed the year on an absolute heater, going 9-0-1 in their final 10 games to lock up the East title. Their profile is complete: a 26-5-1-2 record, a 152–82 goal differential, and an impressive 11-3-0 mark against teams in their playoff pool throughout tournament and regular season play. Offensively, they’re led by high-end forwards like Lauchlan Whelan, Andrew Laurin, and Austin Ottenhof, but what separates Quinte is how dangerous they are beyond their top 3 forwards; with nine players over 20 points, their depth is among the best in the OMHA. Add in steady goaltending from Nathan Ferriss and Landen White, plus one of the league’s most reliable defensive groups, and you’ve got a team that can win games in multiple styles. Much like Barrie, Quinte is built on structure, balance, and legitimate top-end talent, and now, after beating the Colts in the final game of the season to swing the race, they’ve earned the right to prove it when the pressure turns up.
Barrie Colts
OMHA East Rank: 2nd | U16 Ontario Rank: 11th | Regular Season Record: 26-5-0-3 | GF-GA: 157-83 | Total Record vs. Pool: 11-2-0
The Barrie Colts enter the OMHA playoffs as the 2nd seed in the East pool, but make no mistake, this is still one of the most complete teams in the province, and they’re built to make the top seed earn everything. Ranked 11th in Ontario with a 26-5-0-3 record and a 157–83 goal differential, Barrie spent the majority of the season leading the East before the race tightened late. It ultimately came down to the final stretch, where the Colts dropped their last two games, including a season-ending matchup against Quinte; allowing the Red Devils to win the tiebreaker and claim the East title despite both clubs finishing tied in points. That finish doesn’t weaken Barrie’s profile; it sharpens their motivation. With standout defenseman Lucas Matheson anchoring the back end and a deep, well-rounded forward group featuring Jack Lee, Dylan Biga-Wadstein, and Joey Seguin, the Colts are a force when they’re on their game. Their scoring comes in waves, with 11 players over 20 points, and their goaltending tandem of Senay and Rinaldi is as steady as it gets in the OMHA. In a pool where the margins are razor-thin, Barrie has the talent to dominate. With that final-game loss to Quinte still fresh in their minds, they’ll enter postseason play with a clear target and a reason to chase payback.
Greater Kingston Jr. Gaels
OMHA East Rank: 9th | U16 Ontario Rank: 44th | Regular Season Record: 9-24-1-0 | GF-GA: 78-160 | Total Record vs. Pool: 5-8-1
Kingston enters the OMHA East playoff picture as an underdog, finishing 9th in the East and 44th in Ontario after a challenging regular season that saw them post a 9-24-1-0 record with a 78–160 goal differential. It won’t be easy to close the gap on the likes of Barrie and Quinte, but Kingston’s season wasn’t without signs of real competitiveness, especially against teams in their tier. The Gaels have shown they can match up with the likes of North Shore and North Central, and when they play with structure and urgency, they’ve proven they can punch above their weight. The best example? A statement 4–3 win over East champion Quinte, a reminder that this group is capable of rallying together and forcing uncomfortable games against more talented opponents. Their 5-8-1 record against the pool looks far more respectable when you factor in that they had to face Barrie and Quinte a combined six times, often drawing the toughest matchups on the schedule. Offensively, Kingston leans heavily on a trio of consistent producers; Derien Smith (29 PTS), Lucas Godin (25 PTS), and Jadon McNamee (24 PTS), while Simon Godin has given them stability in net and the kind of goaltending that can keep a team hanging around longer than expected. If the Gaels can stay disciplined, keep games tight early, and let their top players drive momentum, they’re the type of underdog that can quietly build belief over the course of a three-week playoff grind.
North Shore Whitecaps
OMHA East Rank: 10th | U16 Ontario Rank: 46th | Regular Season Record: 6-27-1-0 | GF-GA: 86-187 | Total Record vs. Pool: 5-10-0
North Shore enters the OMHA East playoffs carrying the weight of a long season, finishing 10th in the East and 46th in Ontario after a difficult regular season that saw them go 6-27-1-0 with an 86–187 goal differential. It’s not the season they hoped for, but the postseason gives teams like North Shore a clean slate, and their style of play makes them more competitive than their record suggests. The Whitecaps play with spirit, compete hard, and when they bring their A-game they can drag opponents into uncomfortable, scrappy games where momentum swings fast. Beating Barrie or Quinte won’t be easy, but North Shore has enough individual talent to catch teams sleeping if they’re given an inch. Offensively, everything starts with Brody Latimer, who scored 25 goals; not only leading the team, but standing as the only Whitecap to reach double digits in goals, with the next-highest total sitting at nine. Latimer’s 25 ranked him 8th in the entire OMHA, which is a massive accomplishment on a team that struggled to generate consistent offense. On the back end, Marcus Benedict gives them a steady, poised two-way presence and will be leaned on heavily to take the hardest matchups against top lines and scoring threats. North Shore doesn’t have the depth of the top seeds, but they have enough edge and compete to make this pool uncomfortable for anyone who takes a shift off.
North Central Predators
OMHA East Rank: 11th | U16 Ontario Rank: 48th | Regular Season Record: 4-25-5-0 | GF-GA: 70-166 | Total Record vs. Pool: 2-11-1
The North Central Predators enter the OMHA East playoff grind in the toughest position of anyone in the group, finishing 11th in the East, 48th in Ontario, and last in the overall OMHA standings after a challenging 4-25-5-0 season with a 70–166 goal differential. That finish sets up a brutal reality: a schedule that includes multiple matchups against the top two seeds, Quinte and Barrie, leaving very little margin for error. Still, the Predators’ path isn’t completely closed. With several games against North Shore and Kingston, North Central will have chances to play spoiler, steal points, and force this pool to stay messy deeper into the three-week stretch. Offensively, they lean heavily on a small core, with four players over 20 points; Francis, Greenwood, Higgs, and Fahey, but much of the goal-scoring burden falls on the top two. Francis (13 goals) and Greenwood (16 goals) combined for 41% of North Central’s total goals, a clear indicator of where their offense comes from and where opponents will focus defensively. For the Predators, the formula is simple but demanding: they’ll need to play above their weight every night, keep games tight early, and squeeze everything they can out of the matchups against the teams around them. It won’t be smooth sailing, but if North Central can stay competitive and turn a few of those swing games into wins, they have a chance to make the race far more uncomfortable than the regular season standings suggest.
EAST POOL B
Ajax-Pickering Raiders
OMHA East Rank: 3rd | U16 Ontario Rank: 10th | Regular Season Record: 26-7-1-0 | GF-GA: 138-71 | Total Record vs. Pool: 14-3-0
Pool B starts with Ajax-Pickering, the highest seed in the group and one of the most complete teams in the province, ranked 3rd in the East and 10th in Ontario after a 26-7-1-0 regular season. They were right there in the East title race, finishing just two points behind Quinte and Barrie, a narrow miss that ultimately drops them into the more competitive Pool B instead of the softer road in Pool A. That said, the Raiders have looked battle-tested all year, and their numbers back it up: a 138–71 goal differential, a dominant 14-3-0 record against their pool, and a defensive profile built to travel in the playoffs with 71 goals against, the 4th-lowest mark in the OMHA. Offensively, they’re powered by elite production at the top, with Matthew Taylor, Shea Huninik, and Caden Cousineau all sitting inside the OMHA’s top five scorers, giving Ajax a level of firepower that can match anyone in the OMHA. Behind them, the goaltending tandem of Alexander Howatt (22 GP) and Tanner Gibson (15 GP) is as strong as it gets in the league. Ajax may not have landed the “easy” pool, but they’ve built the kind of balanced and talented roster that doesn’t need one. For the Raiders, the expectation is clear: control Pool B and punch a ticket to the OMHA Championship.
York Simcoe Express
OMHA East Rank: 4th | U16 Ontario Rank: 9th | Regular Season Record: 25-8-1-0 | GF-GA: 143-68 | Total Record vs. Pool: 15-3-0
York Simcoe enters Pool B with one of the strongest defensive identities in the OMHA, ranked 4th in the East and 9th in Ontario after a 25-8-1-0 season. They finished just two points behind Ajax-Pickering for the top spot in the pool, and they’ve consistently shown they can go toe-to-toe with this group, not just in league play, but in tournament matchups as well. The Express identity starts with defense and goaltending, and it’s elite by OMHA standards: their 68 goals against is the 2nd-lowest total in the league, trailing only Credit River. In net, the tandem of Ty Imbeau (16 GP, 1.71 GAA) and Lukas Butler (18 GP, 1.81 GAA) gives York Simcoe a rare advantage, with both goalies sitting inside the league’s top 10 in GAA and both well under the 2.00 threshold. They’re also trending at the perfect time, going 8-1-1 in their last 10 heading into playoffs, the kind of finish that reinforces exactly who they are: disciplined, hard to break, and comfortable living in tight games. They aren’t lacking offense either, with a strong scoring punch led by Gage Kirk, Everest McClellan, Cooper Niquet, and Cole Cartan, while Gryson Gill and Stuart DeMunnik anchor the blueline and will be leaned on heavily in top-matchup minutes. In a pool loaded with strong competition, York Simcoe looks like a team that’s built for playoff hockey; which makes them a legitimate threat to win Pool B.
Central Ontario Wolves
OMHA East Rank: 5th | U16 Ontario Rank: 22nd | Regular Season Record: 19-8-0-7 | GF-GA: 166-126 | Total Record vs. Pool: 9-9-0
Central Ontario arrives in Pool B with one of the most fascinating and volatile profiles in the OMHA, ranked 5th in the East and 22nd in Ontario with a 19-8-0-7 record. The Wolves have lived in high-event hockey all season, leaning into a high-octane attack while occasionally leaking chances the other way. The numbers tell the story: their 166 goals for ranks 2nd league-wide, but their 126 goals against is tied for the 6th-most in the OMHA, creating a team that can overwhelm opponents one night and get dragged into chaos the next. That push-and-pull shows up in their pool results too, sitting 9-9-0 against this group across league and tournament play, a perfectly even record that raises the central question heading into the three-week grind: can they adjust when games tighten and goals become harder to come by? Offensively, they have as much punch as anyone, led by OMHA’s league-leading point producer Kyler Lauder and supported by a dangerous cast in Liam Williams, Finn Ellery, and Owen Prentice, with five players over 40 points and eight over 20. If the Wolves can find just a little more stability away from the puck, they have the talent to beat anyone in Pool B. If they stay locked into track-meet hockey, this group has enough talent to make them pay for it.
Markham Waxers
OMHA East Rank: 6th | U16 Ontario Rank: 24th | Regular Season Record: 15-15-2-2 | GF-GA: 119-118 | Total Record vs. Pool: 7-12-0
Markham enters OMHA East Pool B as one of the pool’s most difficult teams to pin down, ranked 6th in the East and 24th in Ontario. The Waxers finished 15-15-2-2 with an almost perfectly even goal profile (119–118), which mirrors what they’ve been all season: capable on both sides of the puck, but rarely able to string their best hockey together for long stretches. Their 7-12-0 record against this pool shows how unforgiving the group is, and the timing isn’t ideal either. Markham closed the regular season 3-5-2 in their last 10, a finish they’ll want to erase quickly if they’re going to stay afloat in Pool B. Offensively, they have real depth, with seven players over 20 points, and their forward group is driven by Kayden Kelly, whose 46 points ranks 13th in OMHA scoring. On the back end, Kole Ahmad and Roman Campanelli give them a legitimate top pairing when used together, but the biggest variable has been in the crease, where inconsistent goaltending has made it hard for Markham to settle into a rhythm. If the Waxers can stabilize defensively and find momentum early, they have enough talent to make noise. In this pool, “almost” won’t be enough.
Whitby Wildcats
OMHA East Rank: 7th | U16 Ontario Rank: 34th | Regular Season Record: 12-18-3-1 | GF-GA: 89-108 | Total Record vs. Pool: 4-14-1
Whitby enters OMHA East Pool B with a steep hill to climb, ranked 7th in the East and 34th in Ontario after a 12-18-3-1 season. Their record isn’t the worst in the group, but their results against Pool B opponents paints a tougher picture. The Wildcats managed just four wins against teams in this pool, with three of those coming against Peterborough, the only team ranked below them. That’s the challenge heading into a three-week grind loaded with heavy contenders: Whitby has to prove they can take points from the middle and top of the pool, not just the bottom. Offensively, they’re not short on contributors, with six players over 20 points and a clear leader in Blake Brioux (27 points), plus four players reaching double digits in goals. The path forward is similar to Markham’s, but even more urgent. They’ll need to find their best hockey away from the puck, stay connected defensively, and keep games tight against the top seeds. If Whitby can drag opponents into low-event hockey and let their scoring depth do just enough, they have a chance to make this pool uncomfortable, but the margin for error is razor thin.
Peterborough Petes
OMHA East Rank: 8th | U16 Ontario Rank: 36th | Regular Season Record: 12-20-1-1 | GF-GA: 84-119 | Total Record vs. Pool: 4-12-1
Peterborough enters OMHA East Pool B with the longest road in the group, ranked 8th in the East and 36th in Ontario after a 12-20-1-1 season. Their record against Pool B opponents doesn’t look promising at first glance, but the Petes were rarely a free win. Many of those games stayed tight, and they showed flashes of real upset potential by beating Markham twice, plus single wins over York Simcoe and Central Ontario. Offensively, everything runs through Hannu Packalen, whose 43 points rank 19th league-wide and make him the clear engine of their attack. The challenge is what comes after him. Beyond Packalen, only two players cleared the 20-point mark: Taytem Adams (24 points) and defenseman Noah Kennedy (20 points), leaving Peterborough with limited scoring depth in a pool where goals are hard to come by. If the Petes are going to make noise, it’ll have to look like their best nights from the regular season. Disciplined, stubborn hockey, opportunistic scoring, and a willingness to play above their weight for three straight weeks.
WEST POOL A
Credit River Capitals
OMHA West Rank: 1st | U16 Ontario Rank: 8th | Record: 29-4-1-0 | GF-GA: 172-59 | Total Record vs. Pool: 11-1-0
Credit River enters the OMHA playoffs as the clear standard in the AAA West, locking up 1st in the OMHA West and sitting 8th in Ontario behind a dominant 29-4-1-0 regular season and a league-best defensive profile (172–59). Their control of West Group A has been undeniable, going 11-1-0 against their group while carrying strong momentum into the postseason at 8-1-1 in their last 10. This is a roster built to overwhelm teams in every phase of the postseason. They play with detail and pace, creating offense relentlessly while keeping opponents’ chances to a minimum. The engine is Evan Bannister, who has been one of the most productive players in the province with 38 goals (OMHA leader) and 36 assists for 64 points in 33 games. Around him, Credit River’s depth stays dangerous through Landon Bellchamber (tied 9th in points), Jonah Tagliarino, Noah Janeiro, Benjamin Legros, Cam Gout, and defenseman Gavin Henry, who sits 2nd among OMHA defensemen in scoring. Add in the goaltending tandem of Aaron Archer and Joaquin Roberto, and you’re looking at a team with very few soft spots. Credit River doesn’t just look like a group-stage favourite, they look like a legitimate OMHA Championship front-runner, with the expectation to control West Group A from the opening puck drop.
Niagara North Stars
OMHA West Rank: 2nd | U16 Ontario Rank: 19th | Record: 25-2-3-4 | GF-GA: 130-75 | Total Record vs. Pool: 9-3-0
Niagara opens the OMHA AAA West playoffs as the No. 2 seed, ranked 2nd in the West and 19th in Ontario, with a season profile built on consistency, structure, and timely momentum. Their regular season results speak to a team that’s been steady all year, posting a 25-2-3-4 record with a strong 130–75 goal differential, then proving they can handle the grind of their group with a 9-3-0 mark against West Group A opponents. They’re also trending at the right time, rolling into postseason play at 8-1-1 in their last 10, the kind of finish that matters when the schedule tightens and every point feels heavier. Offensively, Niagara is driven by Jacob Greene, who led the team with 19 goals and 33 assists for 52 points in 30 games, and his ability to create offense will be central to how far the North Stars can push. Around him, Niagara has the type of balanced depth that makes them difficult to match up against, with key contributors like Nathan Hewitt, Caden Petrovsky, Kohen Chrastina, and Spencer Tomczuk, plus a reliable goaltending tandem in Michael Matakovic and Sam Teutenberg. Credit River may be the benchmark in this group, but Niagara has the profile of a team capable of challenging them for the Pool lead and making West Group A a legitimate race from the start.
Guelph Gryphons
OMHA West Rank: 8th | U16 Ontario Rank: 42nd | Record: 9-21-1-3 | GF-GA: 84-126 | Total Record vs. Pool: 3-9-0
Guelph enters the OMHA AAA West playoffs embracing the underdog role, coming in as the 8th seed and ranked 42nd in Ontario after a difficult regular season that saw them finish 9-21-1-3 with an 84–126 goal differential. The record shows the uphill battle, but the Gryphons have continued to compete and show growth even while facing some of the province’s toughest matchups. Their results against this group reflect the challenge ahead, sitting 3-9-0 versus West Group A opponents, meaning they’ll need to find a new level quickly if they want to disrupt the standings over the three-week grind. Offensively, the load has been carried by Patrick Speers, Stefano Chiavetti, and Kaden Andrade, with Speers leading the team with 31 points in 34 games. For Guelph to exceed expectations, it starts with their top players creating consistent offense, but it won’t be enough on its own. They’ll need their best defensive structure of the season, steady goaltending, and a willingness to play tight, disciplined hockey that keeps games within reach long enough for their skill to matter.
Halton Hurricanes
OMHA West Rank: 9th | U16 Ontario Rank: 47th | Record: 6-25-1-2 | GF-GA: 86-156 | Total Record vs. Pool: 1-11-0
Halton begins the OMHA AAA West playoffs as the 9th seed, ranked 47th in Ontario, facing one of the toughest paths in West Group A after a 6-25-1-2 season with an 86–156 goal differential. The postseason gives every team a reset, but Halton’s challenge is clear. Their results against this group were rough, posting a 1-11-0 record in those matchups, meaning they’ll need to find their best hockey quickly just to stay within striking distance. Offensively, the Hurricanes do have legitimate drivers in Reid Graham and Gavin Dilley, who carried the bulk of the production with 33 points in 32 games and 30 points in 34 games, respectively. They’ve also gotten an important offensive spark from David Beacock, who produced 19 points in 18 games, including 11 goals, giving Halton another threat that can change a game. If the Hurricanes are going to outperform expectations, it starts with those top contributors creating consistent offense and dragging the game into competitive territory. The bigger key will be whether Halton can stay connected away from the puck, defend with urgency, and compete shift-to-shift against the top of the pool. In a group this top-heavy, their path is narrow, but pride, effort, and structure can still make the three-week grind uncomfortable for teams that overlook them.
WEST POOL B
Oakville Rangers
OMHA West Rank: 3rd | U16 Ontario Rank: 28th | Record: 20-9-4-1 | GF-GA: 108-79 | Total Record vs. Pool: 10-5-2
Oakville opens the OMHA playoffs as the top seed in West Group B, ranked 3rd in the West and 28th in Ontario, with the profile of a team built to win tight, structured games. They finished the regular season 20-9-4-1 with a steady 108–79 goal differential, then backed it up with a strong 10-5-2 record against their playoff group. Oakville’s strength is balance. They don’t rely on one line or one look to generate offense, and that shows through consistent production from forwards like Vido Peric (34 points in 30 games) and Weston Smith (33 points in 33 games), two players who can create offense even when games tighten. The real backbone, though, is in net. Nathan Croskery has been a difference-maker all season, posting a 1.72 GAA with six shutouts, giving the Rangers the kind of steady goaltending that can swing a pool. Oakville has already proven they can handle this group over a long sample, and if their scoring stays spread out and Croskery continues to set the tone, they have the pieces to control West Group B and push deep when the pressure ramps up.
Burlington Eagles
OMHA West Rank: 4th | U16 Ontario Rank: 23rd | Record: 21-11-2-0 | GF-GA: 96-69 | Total Record vs. Pool: 14-2-1
Burlington opens the OMHA playoffs as one of the strongest teams in West Group B, ranked 4th in the West and 23rd in Ontario with a season built on structure, efficiency, and matchup dominance. Their regular season results were strong across the board, finishing 21-11-2-0 with a stingy 96–69 goal differential, then separating themselves even further inside the group with a dominant 14-2-1 record against West Group B opponents. Burlington doesn’t win with one look. They win with balance, pace, and the ability to pressure opponents in waves, led offensively by a trio of Colten Sixsmith, Jackson Styka, and Brad Minet, all three producing at a point-per-game pace and clearing the 30-point mark. Their defensive backbone is just as impressive, with 69 goals against, the 3rd-lowest total in the OMHA, anchored by a reliable blueline that includes key minutes from defenseman Hudson Clayton. In net, Andrew Vaduva has been among the league’s elite with a 1.41 GAA, good for 2nd overall. Burlington has already proven they’re comfortable in these matchups, and with their defensive profile and balanced scoring, they have every tool required to win West Group B outright.
Hamilton Steel
OMHA West Rank: 5th | U16 Ontario Rank: 40th | Record: 14-17-1-2 | GF-GA: 84-106 | Total Record vs. Pool: 5-11-0
Hamilton begins the OMHA AAA West playoffs as the 5th seed, ranked 40th in Ontario, still searching for the consistency that never fully arrived during the regular season. They finished 14-17-1-2 with an 84–106 goal differential, and their results against West Group B opponents underline the challenge ahead, posting a 5-11-0 record in those matchups. That means the Steel will need a clear step forward in their details if they want to push higher-seeded teams out of their comfort zone. Offensively, Hamilton has a few pieces capable of driving play, led by Jaxson Black (26 points in 34 games) and supported by Jamie Frost and Kristian Perusin, both of whom cleared the 20-point mark to give the Steel some scoring depth. The question for Hamilton isn’t whether they can generate chances. It’s whether they can play consistently enough away from the puck to stay in games long enough for their offense to matter. In a group with multiple structured contenders, Hamilton’s path is narrow, but if their top players can produce early and the Steel can keep games tight, they have the ability to make this pool more uncomfortable than the standings suggest.
Southern Tier Admirals
OMHA West Rank: 6th | U16 Ontario Rank: 43rd | Record: 11-19-2-2 | GF-GA: 76-115 | Record vs. Pool: 4-12-1
Southern Tier begins the OMHA AAA West playoffs as the 6th seed, ranked 43rd in Ontario, looking at the postseason as a chance to reset and compete with real energy. The Admirals finished the year 11-19-2-2 with a 76–115 goal differential, and their road through West Group B is steep. They went 4-12-1 against teams in their playoff group during the season, with projections placing them 2-6-0 in group play and 5th in the standings. Still, Southern Tier has a few identity pieces that can make them harder to play against than their record suggests. Defenseman Brady Newson led the way offensively with 21 points in 31 games, an impressive total from the back end that ranks inside the top ten among OMHA defensemen, while also leading the entire league with 161 penalty minutes, setting a physical, hard-nosed tone every night. Up front, Cash Brown and Mason Hilton provided steady contributions, and defenseman Luke Stouffer added another layer of offense with 19 points, giving the Admirals added bite from the blue line. If Southern Tier is going to outperform expectations, it’ll take disciplined, composed physical play, a tighter defensive structure, and timely scoring from their top contributors, because in a pool this top-heavy, every moment matters.
Grey-Bruce Highlanders
OMHA West Rank: 7th | U16 Ontario Rank: 39th | Record: 10-21-0-3 | GF-GA: 95-140 | Record vs Pool: 8-9-0
Grey-Bruce begins the OMHA AAA West playoffs as the 7th seed, but their results inside West Group B suggest they’re more competitive than most teams in this spot. Ranked 39th in Ontario, the Highlanders finished the regular season 10-21-0-3 with a 95–140 goal differential, yet they consistently held their own in group matchups, posting an 8-9-0 record against their playoff group. That near .500 mark reflects how tight many of these games have been. Offensively, Grey-Bruce is driven by Lucas Tout, who led the team with 20 goals and 16 assists for 36 points in 35 games, giving them a reliable scoring threat up front. On the back end, defenseman Cal McQuillin adds legitimate production and puck-moving ability, recording 25 points in 34 games, a total that would sit tied for 6th among OMHA defensemen. That combination gives the Highlanders a path. They can generate offense from multiple areas of the lineup, and they’ve already shown they can hang around in this group over a meaningful sample. If Grey-Bruce can keep games tight early and get timely scoring from their leaders, they have the makeup to disrupt the expected order over the three-week grind.
