New series logo unveiled as showcase returns for the OJHL’s young prospects
MISSISSAUGA,ON – OCT 13, 2026 – The Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) is pleased to announce the return of the Zach Hyman OJHL Prospects Series for 2026, featuring seven games that will showcase current 16- and 17-year-old players competing in the OJHL.
The league, along with its rebrand, is also unveiling a new official logo for the Zach Hyman OJHL Prospects Series, reflecting the identity and continued growth of an event dedicated to the OJHL’s emerging talent.
The series gives young players a high-level platform to demonstrate their abilities in a competitive environment, gain valuable exposure and continue their development toward the next level of hockey.
Its return brings one of the OJHL’s six league standards, “We Earn the Next Level,” to life. Last year’s Zach Hyman OJHL Prospects Series featured 90 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) draft picks, and numerous participants have since advanced to the OHL this season, demonstrating the value of creating meaningful opportunities for young athletes to compete, develop and advance. Among those who competed in last year’s series and are now playing in the OHL are Lincoln Edwards (North Bay Battalion), Landon Pickersgill (Sarnia Sting), Lucas DeMiglio (Brampton Steelheads), Joey Banas (Niagara IceDogs), Brayden Lappalainen (Brantford Bulldogs), Tyler Hinde (Oshawa Generals), Royden Smith (Kingston Frontenacs), Connor Haffner (Niagara IceDogs) and Maksim Corovic (Owen Sound Attack).
“As we enter the second year of the OJHL Zach Hyman Prospects Series, I want to extend a sincere thank you to Zach for his continued dedication in supporting the next generation of hockey talent. This series was created to provide our league’s young prospects with a premier, in-season competitive stage to showcase their skills in front of scouts and fans alike. We also want to offer a special thank you to the Brantford Bulldogs for hosting our championship game once again this year; their partnership and venue provide an unforgettable experience for our players, families, and fans. Building on the tremendous success of our inaugural year, we are thrilled to see this event continue to grow and serve as an incredible platform for our players’ development and future aspirations.” – Marty Savoy, OJHL Commissioner
New this year, two additional series games will be hosted at OHL venues: the CAA Centre in Brampton on November 2 and the Tribute Communities Centre in Oshawa on November 10. The championship game will return to Brantford on January 5, 2027, at the TD Civic Centre, home of the Brantford Bulldogs.
The 2026 series will feature three teams from each of the OJHL’s East and West Conferences. Each team will play twice, producing six games across Brampton, Oakville, Oshawa and Cobourg.
2026 ZACH HYMAN PROSPECTS SERIES SCHEDULE
WEST CONFERENCE
Monday, November 2, 2026
Team West 1 vs. Team West 2
CAA Centre | Brampton, ON
12:30 p.m. puck drop
Monday, November 23, 2026
Team West 1 vs. Team West 3
Sixteen Mile Sports Complex | Oakville, ON
12:30 p.m. puck drop
Monday, December 14, 2026
Team West 2 vs. Team West 3
Sixteen Mile Sports Complex | Oakville, ON
12:30 p.m. puck drop
EAST CONFERENCE
Tuesday, November 10, 2026
Team East 1 vs. Team East 2
Tribute Communities Centre | Oshawa, ON
12 p.m. puck drop
Tuesday, December 1, 2026
Team East 1 vs. Team East 3
Cobourg Community Centre | Cobourg, ON
12:30 p.m. puck drop
Tuesday, December 22, 2026
Team East 2 vs. Team East 3
Cobourg Community Centre | Cobourg, ON
7:30 p.m. puck drop
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Tuesday, January 5, 2027
Championship Game
TD Civic Centre | Brantford, ON
Puck drop TBD
Additional roster and event information will be announced by the OJHL ahead of each game.
About the OJHL – “Made for More”
In this league, we don’t just talk about the next level – we prepare for it every day. The OJHL is a Junior A hockey league built around one shared standard: developing players who are ready for what comes next, in hockey and in life. We push each other toward NCAA, OHL, U SPORTS (CIS), and ultimately professional hockey across North America and Europe – and we take pride in knowing 38 of our alumni are currently in the NHL, more than any other CJHL league. But the expectation here goes beyond the ice. We show up for each other through the OJHL Foundation and our 1st and 2nd Assist programs, because development doesn’t stop when practice ends. This is a player-first environment, not as a slogan, but as how we operate. Inside this room, we understand what it means to carry the standard forward – and to make sure the group behind us is even stronger than the one before it.
For more information:
Noah Vandervinne
Director, Marketing & Events
Ontario Junior Hockey League
905-706-8987
nvandervinne@theojhl.ca
