Standout players and insights from the 2025 OHL Cup
The OHL Cup, the annual showcase of the top Under-16 AAA teams from Ontario and the United States, represents the biggest stage for minor midget players – and their last chance to impress OHL scouts before the upcoming OHL Priority Selection.
And this year, scouts and fans alike were treated to an unforgettable tournament that ended with a David vs. Goliath showdown in the championship game.
Luckily, this OHL scout was there to witness every moment.
The Don Mills Flyers entered the week as the team to beat. After all, they had won every major tournament this season: the Toronto Titans Prospects Tournament in September, the Toronto Marlboros Holiday Classic in December, and the Oakville Rangers Winter Classic in January. They capped off a memorable season with a GTHL championship, overcoming a 2-0 series deficit to beat the Titans in dramatic fashion.
Meanwhile, the plucky, resilient Toronto Jr. Canadiens needed a wild-card berth and victory just to advance to the tournament. But they steadily built momentum all week, dispatching top team after top team until they reached minor midget’s summit, thanks to a dramatic championship-clinching goal from defenceman Fischer Ishwaran late in the third period.
With the Peterborough Petes winning the 2025 OHL Draft Lottery, rumours swirled all week about the several directions they could go in for the first overall pick. And one thing was clear among the scouts last week – there was no consensus top prospect in this group of Ontario 2009-born players.
There is no 6-foot-4, insanely skilled power forward like Ethan Belchetz, or a dynamic exceptional status prospect like Michael Misa. Instead, much like the 2025 NHL Draft, there was a group of four to eight players in contention for first overall. With each passing game, that group thinned out, leaving the Petes with what is likely four top prospects to choose from when the Priority Selection is held on April 11th.
And as luck would have it, all four of those players are included in this piece. Several more players could have earned recognition for their OHL Cup performances, but here are 14 players who were tournament standouts and likely improved their draft stocks in front of OHL scouts.
Camryn Warren, C, Toronto Jr. Canadiens (GTHL)
The Jr. Canadiens do not win the OHL Cup without Camryn Warren, who scored overtime winners in the final round robin game and semifinal. He also set up the championship-winning goal to earn MVP honours and become the OHL Cup’s all-time leading scorer.
The dynamic 5-foot-9 centre is the most innately skilled talent in the draft. Warren’s pace is unmatched by any prospect in this class, and the speed and frequency at which he can execute elite level plays is staggering. Despite the size disadvantage against most opponents, his physical skills are a strength. He plays through and absorbs a significant amount of contact and knocks opponents off balance as he charges through the offensive zone.
He’s already a dual-threat scorer, with high-end passing vision and an elite shot at his disposal. He regularly deceives opponents, has a variety of passes in his arsenal, and understands how to expose vulnerable defenders.
“Warren stepped onto minor midget's biggest stage this week and proved that he is every bit deserving to go first overall in this year's draft, deservedly named MVP for his efforts all tournament. Though the elite skill plays were significantly more difficult to come by in this game, if you concede an inch to him, he will take a mile -- and make you pay for it… Even if he doesn't end up being selected first overall, it's evident that he's an incredibly special talent who will shine brightly in the OHL on whichever team selects him.” - March 28th, 2025
Warren has franchise-altering potential in the OHL – whichever team selects him will not regret their choice.
Charlie Murata, RW, Don Mills Flyers (GTHL)
The dynamically deceptive playmaker who helped drive a deep Don Mills team this season, Charlie Murata got better – and more dangerous – in every game that he played.
Murata’s natural agility and handling skill allows him to be a playmaking threat on every shift. He regularly manipulates defenders, weaves through coverage while handling in motion, and constantly changes pace in his attacks. It’s rare for a prospect to be this refined a manipulator at this age.
An intelligent off-puck player who also displayed an on-ice maturity beyond his years, Murata’s physical skills shone all week long. He regularly defended rushes in place of his defencemen, casually shrugged off forechecking pressure on retrievals, and started the breakout quickly.
“[Murata's] hockey sense is elite. He sees better plays before anyone else on the ice, and as such a shifty handler under pressure, he's able to deceive defenders by never showing his true intentions. He changes pace, dekes around pressure in open ice, cycles the puck and evades pressure as he looks for the highest-quality play… His off-puck rush routes are also deceptive, as he drifts into space and evades detection. A deserving first overall talent who could become a future OHL star.” - March 28th, 2025
Murata’s skillset, dual-threat scoring ability and mature style make him one of the most well-rounded prospects in this class, and an easy bet to be able to have immediate success in the OHL next season.
Kaden McGregor, C, Ottawa Valley Titans (HEO)
What Kaden McGregor has done all season for Ottawa Valley has been remarkable, and he carried that impressive play into the OHL Cup. His 11 points in five games led the entire tournament in points-per-game and he was the only player who did not play in the championship game to be named to the Tournament All-Star team.
McGregor is an intense, skilled forward who pushes the pace of play. He’s one of the best shooters in class and is aware of every single option he has on the ice. A strong skater who attacks defenders at angles, McGregor flashes manipulation in his handles and passes.
“McGregor does it all for Ottawa Valley. He provides rush support, wins puck battles, cycles high, and then shoots -- from everywhere. And it's no wonder, because the release is simply lethal. He creates shorthanded scoring chances, he manipulates defenders, drags pucks through skates, freezes goaltenders by selling shot before passing to an option on the open flank, and when there are no other high-end options left, he blows by defenders down the wall and tries to stuff the puck into the net himself… His draft stock will continue to climb with more performances like today's this week -- in a wide-open draft class, he is a worthy first overall candidate.” - March 24th, 2025
Should the Petes call McGregor’s name when they select first next week, which seems to be the growing consensus throughout the league, he would become the highest-drafted player out of Ottawa in a long time. It would certainly be a well-deserved reward for an outstanding season.
Jaakko Wycisk, C, Sun County Panthers (ALLIANCE)
Far and away the best passer in the class, Jaakko Wycisk led Sun County all the way to the quarter-finals, where they fell to the Titans in overtime. He has just about every pass in his wheelhouse, the ability to manipulate defenders, and deliver pucks to teammates everywhere on the ice.
However, the hulking centre’s skillset is quite diverse, and what will likely entice many OHL teams at the draft. He’s a physical player with an OHL-calibre shot that will only become more powerful as he gets stronger over the next few seasons.
While Wycisk had a slightly quieter tournament compared to some of the other projected top-five picks, he still led the Panthers in scoring and consistently drove play. He proved to be more than just an elite passer and playmaker, and shouldn’t be overlooked on draft day.
The Toronto Titans’ Top Line
Sometimes, you just have to give an entire line credit where it’s due: the Toronto Titans’ first line of Max Delisle, Jeremy Freeman, and Michael Tang were one of the best trios on the ice all tournament.
Delisle, one of the four players in conversations to go first overall, is a well-rounded, skilled forward with play-driving ability. With a shot in his arsenal that could rival some NHL prospects, he’s also a deft playmaker, able to spot teammates through seams and feather passes to their sticks.
“Delisle is a highly intelligent, play-driving centre who should be able to bring his game to the OHL. He builds speed in transition, beats defenders down the walls, cuts back in corners to escape pressure, and sends slot passes to open targets. He can change his pace, too, delaying and passing off before crashing the net -- he was robbed twice on the doorstep early… He has the ability and tools to complement more dynamic linemates, and his willingness to engage physically will allow him to develop more of a power forward style.” - March 24th, 2025
Meanwhile, Freeman and Tang are creative, fast-paced and physical players who complement Delisle well. The trio consistently linked up for intricate passing plays in transition and on the cycle. Freeman led the Titans in scoring with 10 points in 6 games, and Tang was right behind him with 9 points.
Expect all three players to be high picks in the draft, especially if the American-born Tang decides to head to the OHL instead of playing for the U.S. National Team Development Program.
Caden Bell & Charlie Sullivan, D, Don Mills Flyers (GTHL)
Without captain and No. 1 defenceman Peter Green last week, the Flyers needed multiple players to step up on their blueline to fill his skates. And several of them did just that, including Caden Bell and Charlie Sullivan, both named to the tournament’s All-Star team.
Bell led all defenders in tournament scoring, with four goals and eight points in seven games. An offensive defenceman with excellent skating mechanics and vision, he controlled the game from the backend.
“Bell has been one of the best defenders all tournament, and this game was no exception… An extremely talented defender with high-end tools, offensive instincts, and play-killing ability -- all the makings of a top-pair defender in the OHL.” - March 28th, 2025
Meanwhile, the hard-hitting Sullivan blends a unique combination of mobility and physicality. His defensive reads and rush defence instincts were excellent, and though his production wasn’t as lofty as Bell’s, he had a knack for activations in the offensive zone as well.
“A tremendous final minor midget game for Sullivan, whose physical skills once again allowed him to kill plays with impressive regularity… He joined the play offensively as well… His draft stock has continued to rise this week -- he looks like a potential top-four defenceman with shutdown ability in the OHL.” - March 28th, 2025
Though they didn’t play on the same pair last week, both made valuable contributions to a Flyers team that fell just short of one last championship. Both should be top-three round picks in the draft.
Ryerson Edgar, C, York Simcoe Express (OMHA)
York Simcoe didn’t advance to the playoff round, but Ryerson Edgar was instrumental in both of their round robin victories. He ended the tournament with eight points in four games, one of just five players to click at two points-per-game or higher.
Edgar overwhelmed opposing defenders with his speed, accelerating quickly with crossovers as he handled in motion. He attacks in short bursts, changing pace while flashing manipulation as the puck carrier, with a variety of playmaking options at his disposal.
As a clear top-ten talent in this draft class, Edgar will be able to take his well-rounded offensive game and thrive in a team’s top six.
Lucas Nutting, D, Elgin Middlesex Canucks (OMHA)
Even though Elgin Middlesex finished at the bottom of their division, Lucas Nutting separated himself from other defencemen in this draft class with his impressive play.
A two-way blueliner with high-end skating and offensive vision, Nutting drove play from the backend. He’s a poised puck carrier, particularly in transition, but also an effective off-puck rusher who spots open lanes up the ice and enters space without hesitation.
Nutting also showed promising rush defence instincts, getting stops early along the walls with a tight gap and quick stick. With above-average tools and well-rounded puck skills, he will likely be one of the first defenders taken on draft day.
Matthew Henderson, D, Huron-Perth Lakers (ALLIANCE)
Another defenceman who impressed scouts with his two-way play, Matthew Henderson will likely be another blueliner taken early in the OHL Draft. The smooth-skating, confident puck-carrier was a transition force all week for Huron-Perth.
"A fantastic game from Henderson, who was essentially a puck-moving machine in this game. He leveraged his high-end skating to escape pressure on retrievals and move pucks up quickly, joining the rush himself… Also a strong defensive skater, he gapped up tightly and angled before sweeping his stick to knock pucks away. He has the skating, offensive mindset and defensive instincts to become a top-four defender in the OHL. - March 25th, 2025
Henderson doesn't overcommit when defending the rush and mitigates risk well. As a well-rounded defender with a strong foundation of tools, he will have success in the OHL.
Eloan Le Gallic, F, Vaughan Kings (GTHL)
Already a smart, detailed, 200-foot player with great tools, Eloan Le Gallic showed more high-end offensive skills at the OHL Cup. He picked up at least one point in every game, including two three-point outings, to tie for the lead in team scoring.
“Le Gallic was one of the most impressive players on the ice… He's an excellent shooter who understands how to find and leverage the space he's given, but he isn't reliant on his shot to create offence. He consistently takes pucks to the middle of the ice, but he can delay, draw defenders to him, and then drop passes back to teammates. He has the ability to handle around traffic in small areas while under pressure, spinning around contact.” - March 24th, 2025
Le Gallic has the ability to create both off the rush and on the cycle, with physical skills that allow him to create space for both himself and his linemates. As both a dangerous puck carrier and off-puck player with an OHL-calibre shot and playmaking flashes, he has dual-threat scoring potential.
Gavin Christie, D, Niagara North Stars (OMHA)
A defenceman who isn’t necessarily known for producing dynamic offence, Gavin Christie can sometimes fly under the radar.
But Christie is a highly effective rush defender with four-way mobility. He mirrors footwork and closes gaps quickly on the rush to kill zone entries. He gets sticks into passing lanes, throws reverse hits along the boards and steps up on puck carriers on open ice, and steps fearlessly into shooting lanes to block shots. Christie then leverages that skating to escape pressure on retrievals, execute quick breakouts, and join the play up the ice.
Christie's play in Niagara’s wildcard game was one of the best shutdown performances I saw from a defenceman all week, and he has all of the tools and habits to develop into one of the OHL's top shutdown blueliners.
Honourable Mentions: Noah Laus (JRC), Jax Pereira (JRC), Keaton Ardagh (JRC), Tyler Bruce (JRC), Alexander Lisi (SCP), Brock Burch (DLC), Cannon Thibodeau (TMAR), Aleksandr Sementsov (HAL), Colton D’Amico (HAL), David Buchman (OVT), Tyler Lee (DMF), Cade Campbell (TRW), Noah La Gambina (DMF)