Top 2025, 2026 NHL Draft talent on display at OHL Cup

Credit: Ryan Roobroeck (Photo by Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)

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It’s that time of year again.

The OHL Cup might not be on every fan’s radar, but it’s an event scouts absolutely adore. For the next week, 20 teams will battle it out for the prestigious championship in front of representatives from OHL, Jr. A and NCAA teams looking to find their next top star.

What makes it so important? The OHL is one of the strongest pipelines to the NHL, and it’s an opportunity to see some of the best talent before they head to the major junior route. Last year, Michael Misa – one of the top 2025 NHL Draft prospects – scored 20 points in seven games to beat Connor McDavid for the tournament scoring record. After earning exceptional status, he went first overall to Saginaw at the OHL Draft a few weeks later.

Among other tournament standouts, we’ve seen Shane Wright, Tyler Seguin, Cole Perfetti, Corey Perry, Sean Monahan, Wyatt Johnston, Jeff Skinner, Jack Hughes, Steven Stamkos, Travis Konecny, Taylor Hall and many others put on performances for the ages. It’s a week long tournament, starting with wild-card play-in games on Tuesday night in Toronto before a standard round-robin the rest of the week. The championship game will take place April 3 this year at the Mattamy Athletic Centre, previously known as Maple Leaf Gardens.

In short, if you want to see some of Canada’s top prospects all in one place, the OHL Cup is the place to be.

The 2023 OHL Draft doesn’t have a super prospect like in 2019 (Wright) or 2022 (Misa), but Ryan Roobroeck and William Moore both applied for exceptional status last year and were denied. Since then, they’ve cemented themselves as two of the best prospects from the 2007 age group, one with decent depth throughout.

Here’s a look at 10 players to watch as the action kicks off Tuesday at Scotiabank Pond:

Ryan Roobroeck, C (London Jr. Knights, 2026)

It’s not every day a player from the Alliance ends up being the top prospect, but Ryan Roobroeck isn’t your typical player. Already 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, Roobroeck applied for exceptional status into the OHL last year but was denied. So, Roobroeck answered back by leading the Alliance with 50 goals and 78 points in just 30 games for the best output in over a decade – even more than Nick Suzuki or Travis Konecny. He also won the Canada Winter Games with Ontario and skated in some Junior B games with the London Nationals. The Knights only lost twice during the regular season and will be a force to be reckoned with thanks to the scoring prowess of Roobroeck and his trusty teammate Ethan Weir.

William Moore, C (Toronto Marlboros, 2025)

Another player that looked towards the exceptional status route last year, Moore has the rare chance to win back-to-back OHL Cup titles after helping the Mississauga Senators go the distance last year. But, this time, the stakes might be even more interesting. The dynamic scoring winger with a 6-foot-3 frame is smart, offensively driven and strong defensively. A dual-citizen, Moore was invited to USA’s national team development program camp earlier this month and is believed to have been offered a roster spot. We’ll see what happens, but, regardless, Moore is one of the must-see players.

Matthew Schaefer, D (Halton Hurricanes, 2026)

The Halton Hurricanes were an absolute unit this year, with many players blowing past the point-per-game mark quite easily. Schaefer, a 6-foot-1 defender, is one most scouts believe is the best in the class. An incredible skater, Schaefer is always actively engaged at both ends of the ice. Offensively, Schaefer has real potential, but he’s also positionally sound and aggressive in his own zone. Some scouts consider him to be as well-rounded as they’ve come in recent OHL Drafts.

Brady Martin, F (Waterloo Wolves, 2025)

After dominating with Waterloo’s U-16 team the past two years, it’s time for Martin to put a bow on what’s been a tremendous minor hockey career. Moore is strong, smart and able to win most 1-on-1 scoring rushes due to the way he moves and outthinks his opponents. One of Martin’s biggest strengths is his patience, but he also has a quick and accurate wrister that already looks ready for the next level.

Owen Griffin, F (York-Simcoe Express, 2025)

One of the top players out of the ETA, Griffin is a high-octane speedster with an unbelievable nose for the net. There’s always a pure goal-scorer that goes outside of the top three that turns heads, and Griffin – who was excellent with Markham at last year’s OHL Cup – fits that mold. He’s a highlight-reel machine that scouts said got more calculated with his decision-making as the season went on. Griffin is going to get a ton of points in the OHL, so get excited.

Jack Ivankovic, G (Mississauga Senators, 2025)

Jack Ivankovic (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)

It’s rare for a goaltender to go in the first round of the NHL Draft. They play just half the games, and it’s sometimes tough to justify using an early pick to nab someone who might not even be a starter for a couple years. But those fears aren’t an issue for Ivankovic, an athletic goaltender that many consider to be the best to come through the OHL Draft in quite some time. His numbers have been excellent everywhere, and he did a lot of the heavy lifting for the Mississauga Senators this year. Ivankovic looks like a future NHL starter, and if Mississauga is going to go far at the OHL Cup, he’ll show glimpses as to why.

Tyler Hopkins, C (Halton Hurricanes, 2025)

Hopkins had a nice 37 goals and 69 points in 31 games for the Halton Hurricanes, making his mark as one of the best shooters in the draft class. A high-speed forward, it doesn’t take Hopkins long to hit his top speed thanks to his tremendous acceleration. Scouts think Hopkins should have no issue adjusting to the OHL due to the way he thinks the game and sees the ice.

Luca Romano, C (Toronto Jr. Canadiens, 2025)

Aside from his valuable input offensively, Romano is a stout two-way center that understands his assignments and can play just about any role. A player coaches love to have, he’s one of the best two-way forwards in the class, and one that is always looking to find teammates and generate something meaningful. The Toronto Jr. Canadiens are one of the strongest teams in the tournament, and Romano will need to be on his game to make it all work out.

Ethan Weir, RW (London Jr. Knights, 2025)

There’s a lot to love about Weir, one of the driving forces of London’s attack. Smart, explosive and confident are the terms that come to mind when thinking about his game. Weir plays like he always knows what he wants to do and has the skill to make it happen. He’s willing to try risky or unusual moves to make a play, and that’s always fun to watch at this level.

Jack Nesbitt, C (Lambton Jr. Sting, 2025)

The Sting still have to play their way into the OHL Cup via the wild-card round, and Nesbitt will need to be excellent. at 6-foot-4, he’s one of the biggest forwards in the draft class, and one that uses that physicality to his advantage. He’s not afraid to hit anyone, and that includes older competition in a brief stint with the U-16 team as a 14-year-old. The offense followed this year with just under two points per game, and now he’ll need to keep the momentum rolling with scouts in attendance.

Other notables: Hudson Chitaroni, F (NOHA), Jake O’Brien, F (Toronto Jr. Canadiens), Matheas Stark, F (Toronto Marlboros), Tanner Lam, F (Halton Hurricanes), Luke Dragusica, D (Toronto Marlboros), Lev Katzin, F (Toronto Marlboros), Shamar Moses, F (Don Mills Flyers).