The 11 student-athletes selected is second most in ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ history, behind the 2021 season when 18 heard their names called. 73 current or former ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ student-athletes have now been selected at the QMJHL Draft since 2018.

This marks the second straight QMJHL Draft that double digit ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ student-athletes were selected. 10 of the 11 student-athletes played in the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Eastern Division, with 1 playing in the West.

Three ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ goalies were selected at this years QMJHL Draft, tying the previous seven year total.

Stanstead College (4), Bishop’s College School (2), Bourget College (1), CIH Academy (1), Edge School (1), Ontario Hockey Academy and Rothesay Netherwood School (1) all had a student-athlete selected this year. The seven ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ teams to have at least one student-athlete selected is a single draft ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ record.

23 teams will head to Saint-Roch-de-l’Achigan, bringing with them the top student-athletes in Eastern Canada in two different division. These 23 teams will compete in a total of five games in just as many days, all for the chance to be crowned ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Eastern Champions.

If last year’s Eastern Championships taught us anything, it’s that on any given day any team can win. We saw top ranked teams get the job done as expected, and we saw lower ranked teams overcome the odds and even make a finals push.

At this year’s event we expect the same. With that in mind, here are some teams and ‘Players to Watch’.

East U17 Prep Players to Watch

• Division I
  • F
    • (Bishop’s College School), (Stanstead College), (Kuper Academy), (Lower Canada College), (Selwyn House School), (Ontario Hockey Academy)
  • D
    • (Kuper Academy), (Stanstead College), (Fort Erie International Academy), (CIH Academy),
  • G
    • (Lower Canada College), (Kuper Academy)

East U17 Prep Teams to Watch

Kuper Academy – One Seed

It was a dominant season for Kuper Academy (22-0-2) as they didn’t lose a game in regulation all season, earning 67 of a possible 72 points. Kuper scored a league best 177 goals, 42 more than anyone else, while allowing a league low 41, 18 less than second closest. Their +136-goal differential was almost twice that of the next closest team. They accomplished all of that while finishing with the second fewest penalty minutes (227), best power play (23.7%), and best penalty kill (92.7%). Angelo Jr Colleti (25-49-74) led the division with 49 assists and 74 points, while Thomas Issa (35-21-56) scored a league best 35goals to finish third in league scoring. Forwards Alessio Servello (19-28-47) and Adamo Ersoni (14-23-37) join them inside the top 10 for scoring. Luca De Pastena (9-31-40) would finish seventh in league scoring, pacing all defensemen in assists and points. Michael Raposo (7-8-15), would cement himself in the top 10 among defensemen scoring, while Levi Kolesnikow (1-13-14) sat just outside at 11^th. Netminders Matteo Valluzzi (10-0-1) and James Barker (8-0-1) finished first and second in GAA with 1.52 and 1.63, being the only two goalies sub a 2.00. Valluzzi would lead the division with a .946SV% and 4 shutouts. It was a long list of achievements for Kuper this season, and adding another at the 2026 ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Eastern Championships is very much in grasp.

Lower Canada College – Three Seed

LCC (18-5-1) went 18-5-1 to finish third in the East U17 Prep division. Their 135 goals scored and +72-goal differential were both second best in the division and they come into the Championships 8-1-1 in their last 10. Their power play converted at the second highest rate in the division, but their penalty kill and discipline could be an area of concern. Only Okanagan Hockey Ontario were shorthanded more times this season than LCC, whose penalty kill ranked fourth lowest in the division at 84.3%. LCC does have a pair of netminders in the top five for save percentage as Alessandro Sforza (7-5-0) and Jona Erickson (9-0-0) have a .921 and .915 respectively. Both goalies also sit top 10 in GAA, with Erickson third with a 2.30. Offensively a trio of LCC forwards are near the top of the leaderboard with Mario Lapenna (30-35-65) second and Alex Gervasi (20-24-44) and Harry Miller (16-25-41) fifth and sixth. The d-core shapes up in a similar fashion as Joshua Simsovic (7-12-19), Frank Betucci (6-12-18) and Matthew Boroff (8-8-16) occupying the five-to-seven spots. Overall, 13 skaters have hit double digit points this season and LCC will look to rely on this depth alongside their big three, to capture their first ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Championship.

Stanstead College – Two Seed

Stanstead (14-6-1) is lead by their strong defensive game, allowing the second fewest goals against (59) this season. Eliot Faucher (6-22-28) leads his team in scoring and should be one of the first defensemen selected at the 2026 QMJHL Draft. His 28 points and 12 assists were second among defensemen and most among 2010 born dmen. Jacob Maddox (9-2-1) and Jaxon Ford (5-4-0) combined for just a .886SV% but did post 3 shutouts and a 2.65 GAA this season. Offensively, Stanstead finished fourth with 102 goals scored, although they did not have a forward inside the top 15 for scoring. Leading the charge offensively was another 2010 and highly touted QMJHL prospect in Sean Dwyer (8-16-24). Joshua Seeback (13-13-25) and Shane-Alexandre Dube (13-7-20) were the other Stanstead forwards to average more than a point-per-game, while Kristian Tlstovic (12-8-20) had double digit goals and 20 plus points. The numbers might not jump out at you like Kuper and LCC, but don’t count out the defending ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ East U17 Prep Champions.

East U18 Prep Players to Watch

• Division I
  • F
    • (King’s-Edgehill School), (Okanagan Hockey Ontario), (CIH Academy), (Stanstead College), (Bourget College), (Bishop’s College School),
  • D
    • (Ulysse Academie), (CIH Academy), (Rothesay Netherwood School), (Bishop’s College School),
  • G
    • (Bourget College), (Rothesay Netherwood School)

East U18 Prep Teams to Watch

Bishop’s College School – One Seed

Bishop’s College (16-5-2) lead the division with 121 goals scored and a +51-goal differential. One of just three teams to score more than 100 goals, Bishop’s enters the Championships 6-2-2 in their last 10, but on a two-game losing streak. Two-time Player of the Month this season, Luca Stasi (28-21-49) leads the division with 28 goals, and his 2.23 points-per-game is tops amongst all players with 15 or more games. Taitt Dobbin (15-19-34) joins him in the top five of scoring, while Gavin Rusenstrom (10-18-20) sits ninth. 14 skaters hit double digit points this season giving Bishop’s depth throughout the line-up. A trio of QMJHL prospects in defenseman Liam Boisclair (7-13-20), Nate Ostridge (3-12-15) and Bastien Michaud (3-11-14) lead the back end for Bishop’s. Defensively Bishop’s sits with the fourth fewest goals against this season though Tyler Fuicelli (5-2-0) and Timofey Williams (6-0-0) both sit top 10 in GAA and SV%. The number one seed will look to get back to their winning ways as they try and capture their first Championship in the U18 Prep division, and second overall.

Bourget College – Two Seed

The defending ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ East U18 Champs went 14-9-1 this season while scoring 112 goals, third most in the division behind CIH Academy (114). Their 71 goals against rank fifth, though only 55 of those came in games against East Division teams. At +41, Bourget was tied for the third best goal differential in the division this season and come in 8-2-0 in their last 10. With 334 penalty minutes, Bourget was one of the most undisciplined teams this season, being shorthanded the third most times. However, they did kill off 88.8% of their penalties, second best in the league. On the flip side, with an 18.8% power play conversion rate, the unit was third best in the league. Elie Robert (14-17-31) and Keifer Pion-Robin (17-11-28) sit inside the top 10 in scoring to lead the offence. A pair of QMJHL prospects in Olivier Tetreault (3-17-20) and Antoine Grenier (5-13-18) lead the blueline as they sit second and fifth among defensemen in points. In net it’s a combo of 2010 born Zachary Botelho (5-4-1) and Saint John Sea Dogs prospect Samuel Pitcher (5-4-0) who stand firm in the crease. The winningest team in East Division history, Bourget will look to capture their fourth ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Eastern Championship this week.

Stanstead College – Three Seed

Stanstead (17-7-0) faced unfortunate loss of Aaron Chipp (Rimouski Oceanic), Charles Généreux (Rimouski Oceanic) and Clément Landry (Gatienau Olympiques) midseason as all three players made the jump to their respective QMJHL teams. This loss hit the team hard at the East West Challenge where they struggled to an 0-4 record, but they have gone 8-2-0 in their last 10 games in the East Division. Stanstead’s 95 goals were third most this season, while their 53 were third best, giving them a +42-goal differential, fourth in the division. Their power play was a league best 23.1%, including a division best 26.4% against East teams. With a 88.7% penalty kill, Stanstead ranked third in the league, though they killed off 90.8% of attempts against East teams. Andrew Shimon (8-3-0) finished the season with a .936SV%, including a league best .942SV% against East Division teams. His five shutouts led all netminders to help pace the strong defensive game of Stanstead. Cape Breton Eagles prospect Logan Foote (3-12-15) finished tied for ninth among all defensemen in points and leads a blueline that includes CHL Draft picks Max Sheppard (3-9-12), Dylan Orr (3-8-11) and Frederick Bourque (3-3-6). Emanuel Ganz (13-15-28), who was captain of last year’s Stanstead team that won the 2025 ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ East U17 Championship, and this year’s captain Brody Molloy (10-16-26) headline an offensive group that has seven forwards with double digit points this season. Stanstead may have lost some top talent to the QMJHL, but with 11 CHL Draft picks on the roster, this team has good of a chance as any to capture this years title.

The inaugural ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ East West Challenge kicks-off in Saint-Roch-de-l’Achigan, Quebec next week and will see seven U18 teams from the East take on seven U18 teams in the West. Ahead of the event, we spoke with the coaches and crunched the numbers to give you an in-depth look at each team’s strengths and keys to success.

East 1 Seed: Stanstead College – Stanstead QC

Stanstead sits first in the East with an 11-2-0 record thanks to a talented roster, which has led to an unfortunate problem for the Spartans as Aaron Chipp (Rimouski Oceanic), Charles Généreux (Rimouski Oceanic) and Clément Landry (Gatienau Olympiques) have all made the jump midseason to join their respective QMJHL teams. And while the ultimate goal of ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ teams is promoting players to the next level, it has left the East juggernauts without three key pieces. With the change Stanstead has had in their lineup with promotion and unfortunate injuries, the team is redefining their best ways to be successful. At the core of their success is establishing their ‘F1’ on the forecheck and staying within their structure. Captain Brody Molloy (7-10-17) leads Stanstead in all that they do and there is strong optimism he will back in the lineup for the East West Challenge. Stanstead still sits with seven QMJHL draft picks and could lean on a handful of highly touted QMJHL prospects in Sean Dwyer and Mathieu Généreux to join the weekend as affiliate players if needed. This season Stanstead has given up a division low 22 goals with a penalty kill that sits third at an impressive 91.7%. Their power play has been extremely effective, converting at a rate of 27%, 6.1% higher than anyone else in the East. A common theme you’ll see with most of the teams attending is the need for the special teams’ units to show up if you want to have any success in a short term competition like this.

East 2 Seed: Ulysse Academie – Saint-Roch-de-l’Achigan, QC

At 11-4-0-0 the hosts come into the event as the third ranked team in the East. The oldest team at the event with six 2007 and 14 2008 born players, Ulysse will lean on their experienced roster to find success against some of the younger western teams. With 74 goals Ulysse is the second highest scoring team in the East, and their 4.93 GF/GP trails only BWC Academy (4.96) among teams at the event. The offence is led by Maddox Guerin (9-11-20) who sits seventh in East division, scoring with 20 points. Ten skaters, including three defensemen, have all hit double digit point totals, doing so in just 15 games, providing them depth throughout the lineup. Despite their high-octane offence, Ulysse enters the East West Challenge with the third ranked power play (11.3%) among in the East Division, last among all teams at the event. Only 7 of the teams 74 goals this season have come on the man advantage. The Ulysse power play will have favorable matchups as they take on the 10th, 11th and 13th ranked penalty kills at the event, and if Head Coach Denis Chalifoux and his team can find power play success on the weekend, the team will have as good a chance as any to advance. Defensively, Ulysse gives up 3.27 GAA per game, 10th most among teams at the event. They will face the number one and five offences, meaning we could expect some high scoring affairs. Ulysse will look to outscore their problems while leaning on veteran netminders Benjamin Pilon (3.25GAA, .901SV%) and Samuel Bourgoin (3.27GAA, .896SV%) to shore up their defense. One small advantage Ulysse will have at this event is that of home field. While this may seem minor, something as simple as sleeping in your own bed, eating home cooked meals, and knowing the bounces of the boards in the rink could provide that slight edge in what will be some highly contested matchups.

East 3 Seed: Bourget College – Rigaud, QC

It was a slow start for the defending ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ East Champions as Bourget College (7-7-0-0) started the season 2-6-0-0. Head Coach Martin Gascon has righted the ship as of late with his team going 5-1-0-0 in their last six, bringing them to fourth in the East division standings. Bourget is a high compete level team that relies on collective game day buy in and their depth to attack their opponents in waves. A veteran roster with nine 2008 born players, a pair of them in forwards Xavier Martin (8-9-17) and Elie Robert (9-7-16) lead the team offensively. Bourget sits fourth in the division with 64 goals scored in 14 games. 10 of those goals have come on the man advantage, giving them the fifth ranked power play (19.6%). On the other side of the rink the Bourget penalty kill has allowed just five goals and sits second in the division at 91.7%. This penalty kill will need to continue to operate at this rate, as Bourget’s 203 penalty minutes are fifth most in the division. 2026 QMJHL prospect Zachary Botelho (2.33GAA, .938SV%) and Saint John Sea Dogs prospect Samuel Pitcher (2.76 GAA, .910SV%) both sit inside the top 10 in both GAA and SV%. With games on tap against the second and fourth highest scoring offences in the west, both netminders will need to be in top form. Bourget leads the East division with a +21 goal differential when they’re the home team and sits seventh with an even rating while the away side. As the three seed, Bourget will be the home squad in two of their three games and will need to use this and ‘last change’ to their advantage, while finding a way to have success as the away side in their matchup against South Alberta Hockey Academy (17-6-0-1)

East 4 Seed: Ontario Hockey Academy – Cornwall, ON

Ontario Hockey Academy holds just a 5-7-1-0 record but sits fifth in the East and have made back-to-back appearances in the East U18 Championship finals, winning in 2024. While this version of OHA might not be as strong on paper as previous versions, especially with the mid-season losses of Owen Kelly and Vinny Potvin to Junior A, Head Coach Brent Loney has always found a way to get the most out of his teams. The forward unit is led by returning players Nathaniel Noah (10-4-14) and Mathis-Cael Aurelius (7-7-14) along with newcomer Matvei Maklakov (4-4-8). Captain Kaemon Tran (1-13-14) leads blueline, with Simon Leblanc (1-8-9) joining him inside the top five for points among OHA skaters. Last season OHA relied heavily on star netminders Oliver Kiraly and Rafael Treblay for a lot of their success. And while Kye Johnson (3.66GAA, .890SV%) and Nicolas Arcilla (4.37GAA and, .882SV%) will have a tough task to shut down the offensive fire power in the West, they will have a hard-working unit in front of them. For OHA, they will be one of the few teams in this event with some familiarity of the western teams, having attended the Delta Showcase back in October. While they went 1-2-0 with losses to BWC Academy and Delta Hockey Academy, OHA will have a better understanding of what is needed from them to come out ahead.

East 5 Seed: Rothesay Netherwood School – Rothesay, NB

Brand new to the league for the 2025/26 season, Rothesay Netherwood School (6-5-0) comes into the East West Challenge as the sixth ranked team in the Eastern Division. The strength of the RNS team lies within their defensive game as their 33 goals against is the third fewest in the east. Cesare Della Santina (2.06GAA, .928SV%) and Marty Hackenberg (3.71GAA, .905SV%) have split the work in between the pipes with Della Santina ranking third in GAA and fourth in SV% in the division. Their strong penalty kill contributes to their defensive success, having allowed just four power play goals this season while killing off 87.5% of the attempts. That penalty kill is rarely in use as they average less than three power play attempts against (32) per game, having recorded 107 penalty minutes, second fewest in the division. The majority of the RNS offence comes 5-on-5 where they have scored 35 of their 41 goals. While their 41 goals scored ranks second fewest among teams attending the event, their plus eight goal differential gives reason for optimism. Gavin Smith (0-1-1), a 2023 Charlottetown Islanders QMJHL Draft pick joined the team three games ago and looks to boast the offence alongside leading scorer Brody Dawson. A good chunk of the RNS offence comes from the blueline where QMJHL Draft picks Dylan Pelletier (5-4-9) and Jesse Dunlap (3-5-8) have teamed up with 2007 born Seth Lawless (1-7-8) to combine for 25 points. 2026 QMJHL Prospects William Cole (5-3-8) and Nash Gorman (1-1-2) will be two players to keep an eye on.

East 6 Seed: Fort Erie International Academy – Fort Erie, ON

Fort Erie finds themselves as the eighth-place team in the East this season with an 8-4-0-1 record. Head Coach Derek Bachynski praises his team’s ability to play tight defensively, which is evident with the team having given up 31 goals in 13 games, the second fewest in the division. When Fort Erie stays connected and structured, they are tough to play against, giving their opponents little breathing room. A big key for Fort Erie will be balancing being difficult to play against, while remaining disciplined. Fort Erie has 276 penalty minutes this season, second most in the division, and an average of more than 21 a game. Fort Erie has been shorthanded more than anyone else in the division this season at a whopping 88 times. And while Fort Erie has killed off a division best 92% of those power plays, they will need to stay disciplined in order to avoid the high skilled power plays of the western teams. Offensively the team will lean on a pair of Russians as George Tagirov (5-12-17) leads the team with 17 points and Yuri Baunov (12-3-15) has a team high 12 goals.

East 7 Seed: Okanagan Hockey Ontario – Whitby, ON

OHO (4-7-1-0) comes into the East West Challenge with the fewest wins among all 14 teams, placing them ninth in the East division. Three of those four wins have come against the bottom two ranked teams in Mount Academy (0-10-1-0) and King Heights Academy (1-6-1-0), with the other coming over eighth ranked Fort Erie (8-4-0-1). OHO has the third fewest goals scored (32) and third most goals (62) this season. However, one potential bright spot is they are only -4 as the away team, compared to -26 when they are the home side. Whether that’s pure coincidence or they manage to play better as the road side, OHO will be the visitors in all three games at the East West Challenge. While OHO has struggled to score this season, their power play accounts for 43.8% of their goals this season and operates at 20.9%, second best in the division. Kenton Wong (5-5-10) and Anthony-James Bailey (4-1-5) each have three power play goals while Tom Boudet (2-11-13) leads the teams with seven power play points. Boudet leads the entire division with 2.17 points-per-game and teammate Adam Clark (10-8-18) is fresh off being named the Eastern U18 Prep Player of the Month for December after tallying six points. OHO has shown great team discipline this season, averaging the second fewest penalty minutes (9.5) per game, having been shorthanded 51 times through 12 games. That discipline will need to be on full display, as their 76.5% penalty kill goes against some lethal western power plays.

West 1 Seed: Edge School – Calgary, AB

With a 12-9-1-2 record Edge School has won just as many games as they have lost this season but sit third in the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ MYHockey Rankings, having the second hardest strength of schedule in the division. Edge is a well-rounded team that takes a committee approach to their game. Offensively, they are led by a pair of Swift Current Broncos prospects in Ashton McCann (15-22-37), who sits seventh in league scoring, and Luke Huska (8-21-29). 2025 WHL U.S. Priority Draft fifth overall pick Drew Wilkinson (6-15-21) and Antonio Cazac (7-13-20) both sit on the plus side of 20 points. On the back end, Saskatoon Blades prospect Julian Revel (4-16-20) leads the unit in points while Kelowna Rockets prospect Remy Koch (2-14-16) is their key guy. Head Coach Adam Stuart sees Wenatchee Wild prospect Carsten Leyerzapf (1.91GAA, .935SV%) as the best netminder in the league, and with the most shutouts (3), second best GAA, and fourth best SV%, it’s hard to argue against this. Edge sits top five for fewest goals allowed (65) through 24 games, with Leyerzapf and Kamloops Blazers prospect Lane Bullee (3.14GAA, .882SV%) combining for a 2.53GAA, fourth best in the division. Edge ranks sixth in the west with 98 goals scored and their 26.2% power play sits fifth, having scored the second most goals with 33. The Edge penalty kill sits mid-pack at 82.4%. Discipline has been the one low spot for Edge this season as they have been shorthanded 125 times, third most in the west and most of any team attending the event. While Edge may not have any numbers that jump out to you as an overall strength, there are few if any weaknesses with this well-rounded group.

West 2 Seed: South Alberta Hockey Academy – Dunmore, AB

SAHA (17-6-0-1) comes into the event trending in the wrong direction in the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ MYHockey Rankings, sitting fifth after being as high as second two weeks ago. This is still a very strong roster that consists of an event high 11 players currently on WHL Protected Lists, and Head Coach Brayden Desjardins has plenty of experience in short term competitions, taking SAHA to back-to-back Circle K Classic wins in 2021 and 2022. SAHA is a fast team with a heavy forecheck, resulting in an offence that sits fourth in the west with 105 goals scored this season. That offence is led by Calgary Hitmen prospect Kutcher Aquila (19-20-39), an undrafted forward who sits third in the west with 19 goals, and fifth with 39 points. Forward Damen Vanderberg (11-20-31) is SAHA’s most complete player and sits second in team scoring. SAHA’s power play ranks sixth at 22.5%, but has taken off lately, capitalizing 16 times in 9 games and operating at a 28% rate since the beginning of December. An area for concern for SAHA has been their lack of discipline, which has seen them shorthanded 124 times this season, third most in the division and first most of west teams attending the event. However, their penalty kill ranks fourth (83.1%) in the division having given up 21 goals, and their 9 shorthanded goals rank second in the division, making them a real threat while a man down. Ty Wasyluk (7-8-15) has three of those shorthanded markers and Braden Hordichuk, the first overall pick by the Regina Pats at the 2024 WHL U.S. Priority Draft, is tied for the team lead with three shorthanded points. Medicine Hat Tigers 2024 fourth round WHL pick Cash Chrisite (2.30GAA, .925SV%) sits inside the top 10 in GAA, SV% and wins and will be the backbone to SAHA’s success at the event.

West 3 Seed: BWC Academy – Burnaby, BC

At 18-5-0-0 BWC Academy comes into the East West Challenge as the fourth ranked team in the West U18 Prep Division. Head Coach Mike Santorelli says his BWC Academy squad is at their best when they play as a cohesive five-man unit with consistency throughout the lineup, play fast and with pace both with and without the puck, and commit to a full 200-foot game. Their success depends on contributions from their entire line-up, which is evident by the fact that they lead the league with 114 goals scored but do not have a forward inside the top 12 among point leaders. Instead, the offence is driven by Everett Silvertips prospect Logan Lepinski (6-32-38), arguably the best player at the event. A smooth skating offensive defenseman, Lepinski leads all defensemen in assists and points, tallying 9 and 11 more than any other defender. Having recently made his WHL debut with the Silvertips, his 32 assists rank second among all skaters, while his 38 points rank fifth. Kadyn O’Brien (15-17-32) and Dominic Seminoff (11-21-32) both sit on the plus-side of 30, and just outside the top 10. A trio of 2010 born WHL Draft picks in forward Justin Moon (7-19-26), defenseman Elias Papadatos (3-11-14) and Regina Pats first rounder Logan Henry (8-5-13) provide BWC Academy with some high end, freshman talent. While BWC Academy has no issues putting the puck in the net 5-on-5, their power play ranks seventh but is 8-13% lower than the top 5 teams, while their penalty kill ranks bottom eight at 79.2%. If Josh Wu (3.15GAA, .910SV%) and James Fitzpatrick (3.28GAA, .901SV%) can lift the penalty kill into the 85-90% range for the week, BWC Academy will have a real chance to do damage at the event.

West 4 Seed: Okanagan Hockey Academy – Penticton, BC

At 10-7-1-2, OHA Penticton is at their best when they are defensively responsible and out skating their opponents. Both netminders in Charlie Peppinck (3.00GAA, .909SV) and Kelowna Rockets prospect Linden Sobocan (2.86GAA, .922SV%) give their team a chance to win every night, having given up the fourth fewest goals (64) on the season. OHA Penticton’s top line consists of the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s second all-time career goal scorer in Maxx Parfitt (18-15-33), Kamloops Blazers first round WHL pick Eli Tverdovsky (13-17-30) and veteran center Landon Nagle (7-24-31). When that trio is clicking, the rest of the team follows suit. A key to OHA Penticton’s success this season has been their power play, which is clicking at a rate of 28.2%, third best in the division, and averaging one power play goal per game. On the other side of the rink, the OHA Penticton penalty kill sits just under 80% and near the bottom of the division, meaning their continued discipline of second fewest penalty minutes (245) will be needed to limit their opponents power play opportunities. In short term competition like this, special teams often play a key role and could be the difference between upsetting a team like Stanstead or heading home at the end of the round robin.

West 5 Seed: Delta Hockey Academy – Delta, BC

Delta (17-5-1-0) underperformed in the regular season last year, entering the 2025 West Championships as the 16th and final seed but made it all the way to the finals, before falling just short to RHA Kelowna. This year, former Florida Panthers draft pick and Head Coach Steven Hodges has the team firing on all cylinders. Delta is physical on the forecheck and utilizes the combination of skill and work ethic to drive their offensive play. They excel at in-tight puck movement, and their breakout connectivity allows them to play fast and simplified, creating scoring opportunities off the rush thanks to their execution of a triple drive structure. Their 95 goals rank seventh in the division, with Kelowna Rockets prospect Jack Morgan (12-19-31) and Wenatchee Wild prospect Kishan Saggu (11-20-31) leading the way offensively. A high commitment to blocking shots and sacrificing for the team allows them to have a strong defensive zone and penalty kill. Delta ranks third in the division, and first among west teams attending the event, with a 2.39GAA, thanks in large part to Matthew Wong (2.05, .939SV%) and Vancouver Giants prospect Oliver Bryks (2.83GAA, .918SV%). Their combined .930SV% sits second behind RHA Kelowna (.931SV%), with Wong leading the entire division. Strong goaltending has led to the second-best penalty kill (89%) in the division, and best among west teams attending the event. However, the penalty kill is rarely needed as Delta’s 248 penalty minutes in 23 games gives them the second fewest (10.8) per game in the division.

West 6 Seed: Pacific Coast Hockey Academy – Victoria, BC

Pacific Coast (13-9-0-1) comes into the East West Challenge as the number six seed and ninth ranked team in a highly contested West division. Head Coach Mark Kosick noted this team has already exceeded expectations this season, and they certainly have the potential to do that again at this event. After starting the season with three straight losses, PCHA has shown tremendous development and improvement, playing tight games against all the top teams in the division including wins over the top three seeds in the west. There’s no question where the strength of this team lies as their 108 goals trail only the 114 by BWC Academy. Elliot Hill (22-27-49), Roman Lavery (23-25-48), Seattle Thunderbirds prospect Kane Nicholas (8-36-44) and Parson Shahi (18-22-40) occupy the top four spots in the entire ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ scoring race. With 15 power play goals, Lavery leads the league’s best power play which clicks at 33.3%, scoring 42 goals, 9 more than anyone else in the west. However, on the other end of the spectrum is a penalty kill that sits third last at 75%, having given up the second most power play goals with 28. In net, Parker Parrish (2.97GAA, .922SV%) and Prince George Cougars Prospect Kole Anderosov (4.10GAA, .915SV%) have combined for a very respectable .919SV%, but a 3.46 GAA, second highest among west teams attending the event. With games against two of the highest scoring teams in the East, expect the offence to be firing on all cylinders in PCHA’s round robin games.

West 7 Seed: Pilot Mound Hockey Academy – Pilot Mound, MB

Pilot Mound (6-11-3-1) might come into the event as the 7 seed and 16th ranked team in the west but wins against second ranked Northern Alberta Xtreme (17-6-0-1) and third ranked Edge School (12-9-1-2) prove that they can compete with anyone. Those upsets have taken team unity with all 18 players on the same page, competing, and staying disciplined both within system and structure, as well as in the eyes of the refs. Adam Courchesne (3.75GAA, .913SV%) has been the key in many of the Pilot Mound upsets and tight contests, stopping 53 shots against Edge, 57 against Calgary International Hockey Academy (14-8-1-0), and 40 against NAX. Courchesne will be vital to any Pilot Mound success as offensively the team ranks second last with 59 goals scored on the season. Knox Burton (17-13-30), who was recently a key piece in a trade sending him to the Seattle Thunderbirds, has been involved in more than 50% of his team’s goals this season. Edmonton Oil Kings 2025 WHL Draft second round pick Cole Landreville (8-10-18), 2025 ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ U17 Prep Tier II Championships MVP Collin Friedrich (12-6-18), Dutch forward Hector Kapitonov (6-12-18) and German forward Max Schütz (4-14-18) all sit tied for second in team scoring, giving Pilot Mound consistent scoring at the top of the lineup. Head Coach Anthony Florentino highlighted the importance of team discipline, something Pilot Mound has excelled at this season, sitting with the fourth fewest penalty minutes in the division. With a penalty kill that sits mid-pack at 80.0%, staying out of the box in matchups against high end teams such as Stanstead will be the key to survival.

Recap

With this being the first time East and West teams will play each other in a ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ event, it’s a great opportunity for each side of the country to see how they stack up against one another There are plenty of examples this season and in the past, that on any given day, anyone in the U18 division has a chance to win if they bring their ‘A’ game. Short-term competitions, like this event, only need you to dial it in for a few days, leaving the smallest room for error. Something as simple as jet leg for the west teams, a long bus trip for an east team, or hydration and preparation could be the difference. Needing to play five games in just four days to win the event, Championship Sunday will come down to health and discipline, with the margins for victory very narrow. Whichever team best executes their strengths and covers their weaknesses will come out on top. Regardless of who that might be, we should be in for an exciting four days of hockey, with some of the best U18 talent in North America on display.

The event will see 14 ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ U18 Prep teams, with 7 from the East and 7 from the West, compete for ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ supremacy with 1 champion being crowned on February 8. 

All 14 teams were seeded 1-7 within their East and West regions, based on their official ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ MYHockey Rankings position back in December of 2025.

With that in mind, here are the 14 teams that will compete at the inaugural ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ East West Challenge:

East 1 Seed: Stanstead College – Stanstead QC

• Head Coach: Matthew Thompson
• Current ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ MYHockey Ranking: 1st
• Current Record: 11-2-0-0
• First Year in ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ: 2024/25
• ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Championships: 1
  • East U17 Prep – 2025

East 2 Seed: Ulysse Academie – Saint-Roch-de-l’Achigan, QC

• Head Coach: Denis Chalifoux
• Current ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ MYHockey Ranking: 4th
• Current Record: 10-4-0-0
• First Year in ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ: 2023/24
• ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Championships: 0

East 3 Seed: Bourget College – Rigaud, QC

• Head Coach: Martin Gascon
• Current ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ MYHockey Ranking: 3rd
• Current Record: 7-7-0-0
• First Year in ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ: 2019/20
• ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Championships: 3
  • East U17 Prep – 2022
  • East U18 Prep – 2023 & 2025

East 4 Seed: Ontario Hockey Academy – Cornwall, ON

• Head Coach: Brent Loney
• Current ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ MYHockey Ranking: 5th
• Current Record: 5-7-1-0
• First Year in ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ: 2019/20
• ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Championships: 2
  • East U17 Prep – 2023
  • East U18 Prep – 2024

East 5 Seed: Rothesay Netherwood School – Rothesay, NB

• Head Coach: Jeff Lewis
• Current ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ MYHockey Ranking: 6th
• Current Record: 6-5-0-0
• First Year in ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ: 2025/26
• ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Championships: 0

East 6 Seed: Fort Erie International Academy – Fort Erie, ON

• Head Coach: Derek Bachynski
• Current ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ MYHockey Ranking: 8th
• Current Record: 8-4-0-1
• First Year in ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ: 2024/25
• ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Championships: 0

East 7 Seed: Okanagan Hockey Ontario – Whitby, ON

• Head Coach: Justin Caruana
• Current ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ MYHockey Ranking: 10th
• Current Record: 4-7-1-0
• First Year in ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ: 2019/20
• ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Championships: 0

West 1 Seed: Edge School – Calgary, AB

• Head Coach: Adam Stuart
• Current ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ MYHockey Ranking: 3rd
• Current Record: 11-8-1-2
• First Year in ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ: 2009/10
• ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Championships: 11
  • U18 Prep – 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2023 & 2024
  • U17 Prep – 2012
  • U15 – 2022 & 2025
  • Female U18 Prep – 2020

West 2 Seed: South Alberta Hockey Academy – Dunmore, AB

• Head Coach: Brayden Desjardins
• Current ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ MYHockey Ranking: 2nd
• Current Record: 17-6-0-0
• First Year in ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ: 2020/21
• ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Championships: 0

West 3 Seed: BWC Academy – Burnaby, BC

• Head Coach: Mike Santorelli
• Current ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ MYHockey Ranking: 6th
• Current Record: 16-5-0-0
• First Year in ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ: 2013/14
• ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Championships: 3
  • U18 Prep – 2022
  • U17 Prep Tier III – 2024
  • U16 Prep – 2017

West 4 Seed: Okanagan Hockey Academy – Penticton, BC

• Head Coach: Robert Dirk
• Current ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ MYHockey Ranking: 5th
• Current Record: 10-6-1-2
• First Year in ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ: 2009/10
• ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Championships: 10
  • U18 Prep – 2014 & 2015
  • U17 Prep – 2010, 2013 & 2014
  • U17 – 2025
  • U15 Prep – 2015
  • U15 Prep Division II – 2025
  • Female U18 Prep – 2017
  • Female U18 Prep Division II – 2018

West 5 Seed: Delta Hockey Academy – Delta, BC

• Head Coach: Steven Hodges
• Current ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ MYHockey Ranking: 9th
• Current Record: 15-5-1-0
• First Year in ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ: 2013/14
• ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Championships: 10
  • U18 Prep – 2016
  • U17 Prep – 2022
  • U17 Division II – 2025
  • U15 Prep – 2022 & 2025
  • U15 – 2015, 2016 & 2017
  • Female U18 Prep Division II – 2017 & 2019

West 6 Seed: Pacific Coast Hockey Academy – Victoria, BC

• Head Coach: Mark Kosick
• Current ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ MYHockey Ranking: 8th
• Current Record: 12-9-0-1
• First Year in ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ: 2014/15
• ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Championships: 0

West 7 Seed: Pilot Mound Hockey Academy – Pilot Mound, MB

• Head Coach: Anthony Florentino
• Current ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ MYHockey Ranking: 16th
• Current Record: 6-10-3-1
• First Year in ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ: 2016/17
• ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Championships: 2
  • U17 Prep – 2020
  • U17 Prep Division II – 2025

The 22 players representing Canada East were selected from the CJHL’s five eastern leagues – the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL), Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL), Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL), Ligue de hockey junior AAA du Québec (LHJAAAQ) and Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL).

The 22 players representing Canada West come from the CJHL’s four western leagues – the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL), Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) and Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL).

11 of the 44 players selected previously played in the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ:

• Samuel Frechette – Bourget College, Valleyfield (LHJAAAQ)
• Ben Deacon – Northern Alberta Xtreme, Devon (AJHL)
• Jaxen Gauchier – Northern Alberta Xtreme, Fort McMurray (AJHL)
• Brody Green – RHA Winnipeg, Steinbach (MJHL)
• *Remy Hlady – RHA Winnipeg, Selkirk (MJHL)
• Sullivan Humeniuk – Pacific Coast Hockey Academy, Drumheller (AJHL)
• Taynton Lavender – Pacific Coast Hockey Academy, Drayton Valley (AJHL)
• Luke McKechnie – Prairie Hockey Academy, Whitecourt (AJHL)
• Grant Reid – Yale Hockey Academy, Calgary (AJHL)
• Brayden Ryan-MacKay – South Alberta Hockey Academy/Yale Hockey Academy, Drumheller (AJHL)
• Wyatt Stinton – RHA Winnipeg, Flin Flon (MJHL)

*Injured and unable to participate 

The 2025 Junior A World Challenge gets underway at Colisée Vidéotron on Dec. 7 when Canada East opens the tournament against the United States at 3 p.m. ET, followed by 2024 bronze medallist Canada West taking on Sweden at 7 p.m. ET. The tournament concludes with the medal games on Dec. 13.

Artyom Barashkin:

Ian Burnett: 

• 2024/25 ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Eastern U18 Champion

Kristian Coombs: 

• 2022 ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Eastern U17 Champion
• 2022/23 ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Eastern U18 Top Goaltender
• 2023 ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Eastern U18 Champion
• 2023/24 SJHL Champion
• 2024/25 SJHL Champion

Alexis Gauthier: 

• 2024/25 ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Eastern U18 Champion

Albert Genest: 

• 2024/25 ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Eastern U18 Champion
• 2024/25 ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Eastern U18 First Team All-Star
• 2024/25 ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Eastern U18 Most Points by a Defensemen (22)

Dawson Labre: 

• 2021/22 ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Eastern U18 Best SV% (.942)
• 2023/24 CCHL Best GAA (2.16)
• 2023/24 World Junior A Challenge Best SV% (.911)
• 2023/24 World Junior A Challenge Silver Medal

Justin Larose: 

• 2021 QMJHL Draft – 2nd Round, 38th overall by the Victoriaville Tigres

Maxim Lavoie: 

• 2024/25 ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Eastern U18 Champion

Alexandro Montoya:

• 2025 ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Eastern U18 Champion

William Sasseville: 

• 2024/25 ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Eastern U18 Champion
• 2024/25 ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Eastern U18 Championships MVP

Matteo Viglino: 

For the 2024/25 season the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ is proud to introduce the Coach of the Month Award for the three different ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ divisions: Eastern, West Female, and West Male.

This award is aimed at recognizing the incredible coaches within the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ and acknowledges their hard work, dedication, commitment, leadership and impact on the game both on and off the ice.

We would like to congratulate these three coaches, who were all nominated by their programs, for their hard work in the month of March.

East Division: Martin Gascon, FX Girard, & JP Brais – Bourget College

“The Bourget College coaching staff led their team to five wins in five days to win the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ East U18 Championship. They navigated the team through different points of the year, allowing crucial teaching moments to apply to a rigours ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Championships. The team of coaches are extremly dedicated to the development of student-athletes.”

West Female Division: Jordan Mackenzie – Delta Hockey Academy Black

“Delta nominated Jordan after an incredible playoff run that showcased preparation, passion, and leadership. Taking the youngest team in the league from a 13th place finish into the Division II finals was no small feat. From thoughtful details like playoff shirts and green playoff laces to high-intensity practices and countless hours of video prep, every detail was meticulously planned. Coach Jordan instilled belief in a group that had been labeled underdogs and helped them rise to the occasion. The team went 1-0-1 in round robin play, including the final round robin game this team battled through three consecutive overtime games—winning two of them in thrilling fashion to reach the finals. In the final, facing a significantly older and more experienced opponent, the team showed incredible heart, rallying from a 3-0 deficit to bring the game within one. The resilience Jordan and Paris’s team displayed was a direct reflection of the growth, mindset, and grit developed all season under Coach Jordan’s guidance.”

West Male Division: Dennis McKinnon – Okanagan Hockey Academy

“OHA is honoured to nominate Dennis in recognition of his exceptional leadership as the OHA U17 Head Coach. Under his guidance, the team concluded the season with an impressive 25 wins, securing second place in the division, before capping off their remarkable performance by winning the U17 Division I Championship.

However, Dennis’s impact goes far beyond wins and losses. His focus on building both skilled players and strong character has proven to be his true “X-Factor.” By fostering a positive, cohesive, and disciplined team culture, he has created an environment where players thrive not only as athletes but as individuals.

Throughout the season, Dennis has been committed to strengthening team bonds and promoting personal growth. He hosted team breakfasts and arranged various team-building activities, creating an atmosphere of unity and mutual respect. Additionally, he arranged for his players to volunteer with the Salvation Army Kettle Bells initiative over the holiday season. This community involvement gave the team a chance to give back while learning invaluable lessons in teamwork, humility, and the importance of service to others. Dennis’s dedication to these experiences underscores his belief that growth happens both on and off the ice.

Dennis’s meticulous attention to detail—whether in his coaching strategies or his commitment to his players’ overall development—demonstrates his unwavering focus on upholding the program’s core values. He ensures his players are not only prepared for the game but also equipped for success in life.

Dennis’s leadership has also had a profound impact on his coaching staff. His assistant coach has flourished in their role, thanks to the mentorship, guidance, and support Dennis provides. By empowering both players and staff, Dennis creates opportunities for growth at every level of the program.

In all aspects of his leadership, Dennis McKinnon exemplifies discipline, dedication, and the spirit of mentorship, making him a deserving winner for Coach of the Month.”

The 40 ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ alumni are currently playing in the QMJHL, NCAA and WHL. Of the 67 WHL players who find their names on the list, 57% (38/67) are ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ alumni. 98% of the 40 ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ alumni are currently playing in the CHL (OHL, QMJHL, WHL).

Jackson Smith is the highest ranked ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ skater coming in at 13th. Lynden Lakovic, Braeden Cootes, Benjamin Kindel, Cole Reschny, and Blake Fiddler all find themselves ranked inside the Top 32.

The 40 ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ alumni represent 15 different member programs, with Edge School and RHA Winnipeg leading the way with eight:

• Edge School – 8
• RHA Winnipeg – 8
• Yale Hockey Academy – 6
• Northern Alberta Xtreme – 6
• RHA Kelowna – 4
• North Shore Warriors – 3
• BWC Academy – 2
• Delta Hockey Academy – 2
• Notre Dame Hounds – 2
• Okanagan Hockey Academy – 2
• South Alberta Hockey Academy – 2
• Bourget College – 1
• Calgary International Hockey Academy – 1
• Mount Academy – 1
• Pacific Coast Hockey Academy – 1

Among the 225 ranked North American skaters include 36 ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ alumni:

Among the 32 ranked North American skaters include 4 ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ alumni:

Eastern U17: Liam Armit, Stanstead College

The Gatineau, QC forward led his team with four goals and seven points in five games as Stanstead won the 2025 ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Eastern U17 Championships. During the regular season Armit, a top prospect for the 2025 QMJHL Draft, recorded 29 points in 16 games.

Eastern U18: William Sasseville, Bourget College

Sasseville got off to a slow start at the 2025 ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Eastern Championships, going pointless in the round robin. But he would come alive when it meant the most, scoring twice in the quarter-finals, once in the semi’s and once again in the finals. His lone assist of the playoffs would be a crucial one, as he set-up Albert Genest on a two-on-one for the overtime game winner, giving Bourget their second ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Eastern U18 Championship in three seasons. During the regular season the Prevost, QC forward tallied 23 points in 24 games.

Female U18 Prep Prep Division I: Alida Korte, RHA Kelowna

Korte finished second among all skaters with 6 goals and 11 points in 5 playoff games. She would cap-off her playoffs by scoring a highlight reel goal in the finals as RHA Kelowna captured their fourth straight ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Female U18 Prep Western Championship. The Saskatoon, SK forward finished second among all skaters with 63 points in 29 games during the regular season.

Female U18 Prep Division II: Makenna Williment, Balmoral Hall School

The Balmoral captain paced the Female U18 Prep Division II Western Championships with 6 goals and 10 points in just 4 games to lead her team to a ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Championship in their first season in the league. In a 3-2 win over Delta Hockey Academy Black, she would score the opening goal while assisting on the game winner. During the regular season the Syracuse University commit had 39 points in 30 games.

U15 Division I: Brody Antignani, Edge School

After leading the U15 division with 50 goals, 49 assists and 99 points during the regular season the Calgary, AB forward paced the 2025 Western Championships with 10 goals, 7 assists and 17 points. His 17 points were 7 more than the next closest skater as Edge captured the 2025 ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ U15 Division I Western Championship.

U15 Division II: Jack Arseniuk, RHA Winnipeg

The Winnipeg, MB product led all U15 Division II defensemen with three goals and five points in five games to help his team capture the 2025 ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ U15 Division II Western Championship. Arseniuk saved his best for last, scoring once and adding an assist on the game winner in the finals. During the regular season he tallied 6 goals and 13 assists in 36 games.

U15 Prep Division I: Ryker Doka, Delta Hockey Academy

The Regina, SK defensemen finished with one goal and five assists, including scoring 29 seconds into the finals, as Delta captured the 2025 ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ U15 Prep Division I Western Championship. Doka recorded 14 goals and 20 assists in just 21 regular season games for Delta.

U15 Prep Division II: Gage Mark, Okanagan Hockey Academy

OHA captured the 2025 ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ U15 Prep Division II Western Championship with Mark pacing the way with a playoff best 6 goals and 11 points in 4 games. The Kelowna, BC forward had a goal and two assists in the finals, setting up the game winner late in the third period. Mark had 21 goals and 14 assists in 36 regular season games with OHA.

U17 Division I: Tyson Kuiack, Okanagan Hockey Academy

Kuiack played four of the five games for OHA during the Championships, going 4-0-0 with a 1.25 GAA, and .946 SV%. His GAA ranked second among netminders while his SV% was third. In a 3-2 win over RHA Kelowna in the finals the Kelowna, BC netminder stopped 28 of 30 shots as OHA captured the 2025 ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ U17 Division I Western Championship. During the regular season he went 14-3-2 with a 2.46 GAA, .901 SV% and 2 shutouts.

U17 Division II: Lynden Mercier, Delta Hockey Academy

A netminder from Victoria, BC, Mercier went 3-0-0 with a 1.99 GAA and .934 SV% during the Championships. He would stop 29 of 31 shots as Delta beat BWC Academy 3-2 in overtime to win the 2025 ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ U17 Division II Western Championships. Mercier went 8-7-2 with a 3.22 GAA, .903 SV% and 1shutout during the regular season.

U17 Prep Division I: Drake Mooney, Prairie Hockey Academy

Prairie came into the Championships as the 12th and final seed but made it to the finals, thanks in large part to the play of Mooney. The Blackfalds, AB netminder went 3-1-0 with a 2.16 GAA and playoff best .948 SV%. A fourth round pick by the Regina Pats at the 2024 WHL Draft, Mooney stopped 45 shots through 60 minutes of regulation and 10 minutes of overtime, before stopping both OHA Edmonton shooters in the shootout to send his team to the finals. Mooney would stop 46 of 49 in the finals, but Prairie ultimately fell 4-1. Mooney went 6-10-12 with a 3.56 GAA, .897 SV% and 1 shutout during the regular season.

U17 Prep Division II: Collin Friedrich, Pilot Mound Hockey Academy

Friedrich went pointless in his first game of the Championships before producing six goals and three assists in his final four games to finish third in playoff scoring with nine points. In the semi-finals the Tampa Bay, FL forward would have a flurry of chances in overtime, before finally burying the game winner with just two seconds left. In the finals Pilot Mound would dismantle the North Shore Warriors 7-0, with Friedrich tallying a game high three points to lead his team to a 2025 ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ U17 Prep Division II Western Championship. During the regular season he recorded 23 goals and 20 assists in 36 games.

U18 Prep: Benjamin Bowtell, RHA Kelowna

The Saskatoon Blades prospect led the playoffs with 7 goals and 12 points as 11th seed RHA Kelowna took home the 2025 ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ U18 Prep Western Championship. The Lake Country, BC forward recorded at least a point in all five playoff games, recording three points on three separate occasions including in the semi-finals and finals. Bowtell had 19 goals and 22 assists in 35 regular season games.

U18 Prep Division II: Aleksandr Skuratov, Coeur d’Alene Hockey Academy

Skuratov tied for the playoff lead with 4 goals, while his 12 points trailed only teammate Sokratis Markarian, who had 13. The Czechia forward recorded at least a point in all five playoff games, recording three points on three separate occasions including the finals where he assisted on all three CDA goals in a 3-1 win over Pilot Mound. During the regular season Skuratov had 19 goals and 24 assists in 36 games.