With the season underway in all leagues but the GTHL, and 2 tournaments in the books in U16 AAA hockey in Ontario. We have gotten a chance to get a look at many of the top teams and players in Ontario, as we look forward to a great year of hockey as the 2006 age group approaches the 2022 OHL Draft. The Wendy Dufton Memorial tournament in London was back this year after the pandemic put a pause on last year’s tournament, and ultimately saw the Quinte Red Devils take the championship in a close 1-0 final where they would avenge their loss in their first game of the tournament to the Elgin Middlesex Chiefs
While we got our first look at many GTHL teams who took part in the inaugural Sylvia Jacobs Fall Memorial Tournament in Markham. Several of the top teams in Ontario took part, including the much-anticipated Mississauga Senators and Toronto Jr. Canadiens. The Sens and JRC displayed why any game where these 2 play against each other is a must watch game, as they battled it out in a close final which saw the JRC take it 6-4 (EN Goal).
Both tournaments and the start of the season, has displayed the talent that exists in the 2022 OHL Draft prospects. However, it has also given us a unique and early look at several high-end, impactful 2007 born players who are playing up with their respective teams: Michael Misa and William Moore (Mississauga Senators), Ryan Roobroeck and Ethan Weir (London Jr. Knights), and Brady Martin (Waterloo Wolves).
Minor hockey is never a certain thing, especially when it comes to U16 AAA hockey. One game you can win a tight contest against a team pegged at the top of the standing, and the next lose a blowout game to a team you feel should have beat. There’s still lot’s of hockey to be played, so this list surely won’t stay the same, but with that being said here is my list of the top 10 teams currently in Ontario, along with a few honourable mentions.
- Mississauga Senators (GTHL)
Despite losing in the final of the first tournament of the year, at the Sylvia Jacobs Memorial Tournament in Markham, the Sens remain a force to be reckoned with in U16 AAA. They went undefeated through the round robin potting 32 goals while only allowing 3 goals, which came against the North York Rangers. Having dominated much of the 2006 age group since they started playing AAA hockey in Minor Atom. This season they consist of a group of players, where all but 3 players have been together for 3 or more years. Although they lost 3 players since Minor Bantam (U14) including a top prospect in Carter Lowe, they added another top prospect in Riley Patterson from the Don Mills Flyers who will be a difference maker game in and game out. Led up front by potential top pick for the 2022 OHL Draft Malcolm Spence, the Sens boast a deep forward group with players like Bode Stewart, Gabe Frasca, Williams Eggleton and Quinten Lisle, while mobile defenceman Brayden Turley and offensive defenceman Justin Huynh are a part of a backend that can shut the opposition down and efficiently move the puck ice to their forwards. Oh, and I haven’t even mentioned the fact that the Sens have a couple 2007 born players in Michael Misa and William Moore, 2 players who have been with the Sens since they could play AAA, and despite being different type of players they both impact the game immensely. They play a fast paced, up tempo, energetic game, everyone is constantly moving with a purpose. The Sens can beat you with their skill but don’t shy away from the physicality.
Notable Players: F – Malcolm Spence, F – Bode Stewart, F – Gabriel Frasca, D – Brayden Turley, D – Justin Huynh
2. Toronto Jr. Canadiens (GTHL)
2019/20 saw the JRC crowned GTHL champions with top draft picks like Ty Nelson, Pano Fimis, and Aidan Castle. While the 2021 OHL Draft saw Carson Rehkopf, Nicholas Sima, and Luca Pinelli taken early. It appears this year the JRC will have another year with high expectations. After making several key additions, including adding Henry Mews one of the top defencemen in the draft, and a player who isn’t expected to last long on draft day. They have a defence group that works well together and aren’t afraid to activate on offence but are a key part of the team’s transition from their own zone to the offence. While they have a deep, hard working and skilled forward group, that has several players who will be impactful players this year, in Michael Hage, Porter Martone, Jack Van Volsen, Antonio Tersigni, and more. The JRC will kick their GTHL season off on November 4th against the Mississauga Rebels, but in their first tournament of the year in Markham, we saw them continue to gain confidence and chemistry as the tournament progressed, and ultimately saw them take a tough game in the final against the Mississauga Sens by a score of 6-4 to win the tournament. The Jr. Canadiens are a close knit, hard-working group, and showcased in the first tournament of the year why they will be in the conversation for top team not only in the G but in Ontario.
Notable Players: F – Michael Hage, F/D – Henry Mews, F – Porter Martone, F – Jack Van Volsen, D – Anthony Cristoforo
3. Quinte Red Devils (ETA)
Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but the Quinte Red Devils are set to be a top the ETA once again in U16. Don’t be surprised if you see the Red Devils playing on Sundays of tournaments or see them back at the OMHA Championship. Quinte is off to a hot start, after taking the championship at the Wendy Dufton tournament in London, they remain undefeated in the ETA. Starting in the crease with strong goaltending with one of the top goalies in Michael McIvor, then at the back end with players like Ben Danford and Braedyn Rogers. Quinte plays strong team defence, and their defence moves the puck up ice efficiently to get the breakout going, while also being able to help create extended offensive zone time with their ability to hold the line. Up front Ethan Toms had a big-time performance at the Dufton while Brody Partridge is off to a hot start to the ETA season, and as a whole they are able to create sustained pressure offensively through the cycle, while also being strong defensively as well. The Red Devils play fast, work hard, play as a team and are definitely not afraid to wear you down with their physical play as well.
Notable Players: F – Ethan Toms, F – Jared Langdon, D – Braedyn Rogers, D – Ben Danford, G – Michael McIvor
4. Markham Majors (GTHL)
Despite losing top prospect Tyron Fevry after he transferred to the Toronto Red Wings, the Majors made some key additions to their team, specifically on the backend. One name I’m sure anyone who tuned into the 2021 OHL Draft might recognize is Zayne Parekh, a smooth skating, mobile offensive defenceman who played up a year with the 2005 Toronto Jr. Canadiens, he even managed to get picked in the later rounds of the draft, fortunately for Markham Parekh has to wait for this year’s draft to officially be picked. Along with Parekh, Markham added a couple other defence in Lex Terrence and Dylan Woulds, giving Markham a backend that can transition from defence to offence quickly, join the rush, and hold the offensive line effectively. While at forward they have a dynamic group, with Jack Dean and his goal scoring ability with his shot, they work together, compete hard and bring a high work ethic night in and night out. Watching the Majors, it is clear that they consistently bring energy to the rink, and with most of their team attending Everest Academy, they have a chemistry on the ice that will help lead them to their success.
Notable Players: F – Jack Dean, F – Liam Greentree, D – Zayne Parekh, D – Lex Terrence
5. North York Rangers (GTHL)
The Rangers are an interesting team, with a blend of players who played on different teams in the 2019/20 U14 season. North York could quite possibly be a top 3 team, however despite the high-end talent of Kieron Walton leading the way, top prospect Kevin He will be out for some time with an injury losing some high-end speed and scoring ability. Walton with his size, skill, skating and shot make him dangerous whenever he’s on the ice, and the Rangers will need him at his best night in and night out. On the backend North York is led by physical shutdown defenceman Rowan Topp, while also having left shot defenceman Kashawn Aitcheson a mobile defenceman who can move the puck up ice himself with his feet or activate in the offensive zone from the point. A key player for the Rangers, who will especially be important while Kevin He is out, is goaltender Karsen Chartier from Sudbury. He stood on his head in the Sylvia Jacobs Tournament in Markham, stealing a win in the quarterfinal for his team, I wouldn’t be surprised if he shows up with some more big games between the pipes as the GTHL season gets going.
Notable Players: F – Kieron Walton, F – Luke Ellinas, D – Rowan Topp, D – Kashawn Aitcheson, G – Karsen Chartier.
Note: Top Prospect Kevin He out with an injury.
6. Toronto Marlboros (GTHL)
Right off the bat when watching the Marlboros this year, is they got some big boys on their team starting with 2 of their top players in defenceman Sam Dickinson and forward Carter Lowe. Dickinson, a 6’2, 195-pound physical and reliable shutdown defenceman who can quarterback the offence from the backend as well. While Lowe comes over from the Mississauga Sens bringing his 6’3, 185-pound frame to go with his power forward style of game as well as his leadership capabilities. The Marlboros play a physical and hard-working game, but also mesh it nicely with some finesse and finishing ability with players like forwards Beckett Sennecke and Justin Bottineau. They lost a close game to the JRC in the round robin and fell in a shootout to North York in their first tournament in Markham, but overall, they showed why they will likely be hanging around near the top of the GTHL standings.
Notable Players: F – Carter Lowe, F – Beckett Sennecke, F – Justin Bottineau, D – Sam Dickinson
7. London Jr. Knights (Alliance)
Kind of like the OHL’s London Knights the Jr. Knights squad is off to a hot start to the Alliance season, undefeated out of the gate, with big wins over Waterloo and Windsor. A player that has caught my eye of the 2006 born players, Jett Luchanko through summer league, then DraftDay and into the Alliance season, brings energy and high work ethic whenever he hits the ice. While one name that might sound familiar is McConnell-Barker, that would Broden the younger brother of Bryce McConnell-Barker the 3rd pick in the 2020 OHL Draft. Unlike his brother, Broden has the ability to play both forward and defence, but similar to his brother, he has the speed and quickness which opens the ice up for him no matter the position he plays. The crazy thing to think about with this London team is they have 2007 born Ryan Roobroeck, a highly skilled forward who is leading them in scoring and is a difference maker whenever he hits the ice for the Knights. Despite the Jr. Knights suffering a tough loss to the Toronto Titans in the quarterfinal of the Wendy Dufton Tournament, their play and success thus far earns them the 7 spot.
Notable Players: F – Jett Luchanko, F/D – Broden McConnell-Barker, F – Ryan Roobroeck (2007), F – Ethan Weir (2007)
8. Niagara North Stars (SCTA)
Niagara has gotten off to an interesting start to the season so far, with a couple close losses in exhibition games to 2 top teams in the Mississauga Sens and North York, then suffering 2 tough losses to the JRC and Marlboros to start the Sylvia Jacobs tournament, but they bounced back, topping the Vaughan Kings and Toronto Young Nats to make it to the quarterfinal in their first tournament in Markham. With high-end centre Luca Testa up front with his scoring ability, and standout centre Andrew Vermeulen, the North Stars have a 1-2 punch down the middle. While they are led on defence by Lucas Tuin, a smooth skating defender, who is effective in his own end, and can shut down the opposition with his physicality as well. They have shown they can compete with the some of the best teams in the 2006 age group, so expectations for Niagara should be high in the SCTA, and it shouldn’t come as a surprise if you see them playing in March at the OMHA Championships.
Notable Players: F – Luca Testa, F – Andrew Vermeulen, F – Parker Forlin, F – Dominic DiFrancesco, D – Luke Tuin
9. Vaughan Kings (GTHL)
Our last memory of a Vaughan Kings U16 team playing GTHL games was the 2004 born group taking the talented Jr. Canadiens to Game 5 of the GTHL Final. No matter the birth year whether they have a Mitch Marner, or a Cole Perfetti up front, whenever you play Vaughan, opposing teams know it is not going to be an easy game. A play driver for Vaughan will be Sam O’Rielly a fast and aggressive forward who can play a good 2-way game. While in the crease Vaughan has another strong goalie tandem with Logan Kennedy and Landon Miller between the pipes. The Kings have a tough couple of games to start the GTHL season with games against Markham and the Marlboros, but after playing the JRC tough in a close 4-3 preseason loss, and making it to the quarterfinal at the Sylvia Jacobs, they showed that they are a team that works together well, understands their roles, has a high work ethic, and are not to be underestimated this year.
Notable Players: F – Sam O’Rielly, F – Logan Sawyer, F- Justin Tavares, D – Marcus Tryfo
10. Brantford 99ers (Alliance)
Brantford has probably had one of the toughest starts to the season, specifically in terms of who they have faced. They lost a close game in their 1st game of the Alliance season to Waterloo, however since that time they have won 3 straight in Alliance play. Despite not making it out of the round robin at the Sylvia Jacobs Tournament in Markham, watching Brantford play against 3 of the top teams in Ontario, in the JRC, Marlboros and Vaughan Kings., the 99ers were a couple bounces going their way from winning these games. They are driven by their forwards up front with Marek Vanacker and Braydon McCallum, along with Lucas Karmiris, who is joining the 2006 group after spending the 2019/20 season with 2005 Brantford team. They play a high work ethic game, where they mesh physicality on a strong forecheck with finesse in around the net.
Notable Players: F – Lucas Karmiris, F – Marek Vanacker, F – Braydon McCallum, F – Tommy Karmiris
Honourable Mentions:
- Huron-Perth Lakers (Alliance)
- Waterloo Wolves (Alliance)
- Windsor Jr Spitfires (Alliance)