TORONTO, ON — When the puck drops tonight for Game 1 of the 2026 OHL Championship Series between the Barrie Colts and the Kitchener Rangers at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium, the battle for the J. Ross Robertson Cup will feature some of the premier talent in major junior hockey. But for those analyzing the architecture of a championship roster, tonight’s matchup is a masterclass in development.
From the crease to the front office, both the Colts and Rangers have heavily leveraged the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) to build their contenders. As these two powerhouses prepare to clash, the spotlight turns to the Junior A alumni who are making their mark on the biggest stage.
Building from the Back End: The Barrie Colts
For the Barrie Colts, the OJHL footprint is woven into the very fabric of their hockey operations and on-ice execution.
The most glaring example of a meticulously executed development plan lives in the Barrie crease. Goaltender Ben Hrebik is riding a massive wave of momentum following his 40-save shutout in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final, but his foundation was solidified during a crucial 12-game stint with the Burlington Cougars. That time in the OJHL allowed Hrebik to log high-quality reps, manage traffic, and refine his technical details in a highly competitive environment before taking the reins in the OHL. It is a textbook example of how proper crease development and a strategic Junior A pipeline can produce a championship-caliber netminder.
In front of him, defensemen Cole Emerton brings the poise of a player who truly earned his stripes. Emerton logged a full 50-game season with the Toronto Patriots, an experience that thoroughly prepared him for the heavy, grinding minutes required in a deep playoff run. The reps he gained in the OJHL fast-tracked his understanding of gap control, puck retrieval, and managing the physical toll of junior hockey.
Behind the bench, the OJHL connection continues with Head Coach Dylan Smoskowitz. A former Mississauga Charger (2009-10) who later cut his teeth coaching with the Toronto Patriots (2020-22), Smoskowitz brings a nuanced understanding of player transition to the Colts’ staff.
Overseeing it all is General Manager Marty Williamson, a man whose hockey roots are deeply entrenched in the Junior A circuit. As the former Head Coach in Milton (1996-00) and HC/GM in Aurora (2001-04) where he helped the Tigers win the 2004 RBC Cup; Williamson understands the value of the OJHL better than anyone. His roster construction consistently reflects an eye for the kind of character and high-performance habits that are forged in the Junior A ranks.
The Kitchener Blueprint: Drafting and Developing
On the other side of the ice, the Kitchener Rangers arrive at the finals with a roster bolstered by players who utilized the OJHL to bridge the gap between minor hockey and the major junior level.
Forward Cameron Arquette spent a vital 45 games with the Leamington Flyers, a stint that allowed him to adapt his offensive instincts to the speed and physicality of junior-aged opponents. Rather than sitting on an OHL fourth line, those high-leverage minutes in Leamington accelerated his 200-foot game, making him a reliable asset for Kitchener’s championship push.
Similarly, Haeden Ellis logged 43 games with the Buffalo Jr. Sabres. That near-full season of Junior A experience provided the runway needed to physically mature and develop the tactical awareness that the Rangers’ coaching staff relies upon heavily in tight, playoff-style hockey.
At the helm of Kitchener’s front office is General Manager Mike McKenzie. Having played in the OPJHL from 2002 to 2006, McKenzie has a firsthand appreciation for the league’s developmental curve. His ability to identify talent that has marinated in the OJHL has been instrumental in assembling this Western Conference powerhouse.
The AP Pipeline: Current OJHLers Stepping Up
The synergy between the OHL and the OJHL isn’t just about past alumni; it’s an active, real-time pipeline. Throughout the gruelling 2025-2026 regular season, both the Colts and Rangers relied on current OJHL players to step up as Affiliate Players (AP’s) to fill gaps and inject youthful energy into their lineups.
For Barrie, Alex Semenstov (Newmarket) appeared in 5 games, while defensemen Jack Pollock (Collingwood) and Noah Barton (Newmarket) each logged 3 games. Goaltender Hagan Bach (Collingwood) also stepped in for a game when called upon.
Kitchener also utilized the Junior A ranks to reinforce their roster this season, calling up Man Hin Kut (Aurora/Toronto) for 3 games and Cole Crawford (Aurora) for 1 game. This seamless integration of APs underscores the “League of Choice” as a reliable proving ground that OHL clubs trust when they need reinforcements.
The League of Choice Delivers
As the Colts and Rangers battle it out starting tonight, the fingerprints of the OJHL will be all over the ice. The heavy representation across both rosters stands as a profound validation of modern Junior A recruitment models and the tireless development work happening across the province. Whether it’s a goaltender finding his elite form, a defensemen learning to log heavy minutes, or general managers leaning on their scouting networks to find the missing piece, this series is a testament to the strength of the OJHL ecosystem.
Below is the complete tale of the tape showcasing the OJHL alumni competing in the 2026 OHL Finals.
Tale of the Tape: OJHL Alumni & Active APs in the OHL Finals
Barrie Colts
G) Ben Hrebik – Burlington Cougars
D) Cole Emerton – Toronto Patriots
F) Mason Zebeski – Oakville Blades
F) Carter Lowe – St. Michaels Buzzers *AP
F) Jaiden Newton – Toronto Patriots *AP
D) Kashawn Aitcheson – Georgetown Raiders *AP
D) Evan Passmore – Georgetown Raiders *AP
F) Justin Handsor – Stouffville Spirit *AP
GM) Marty Williamson – Milton / Aurora
HC) Dylan Smoskowitz – Toronto & Played with Mississauga Chargers
AC) Connor Cadaret – Collingwood, Cobourg, Stouffville
Kitchener Rangers
F) Cameron Arquette – Leamington Flyers
F) Lucas Ellinas – North York Rangers
F) Haeden Ellis – Buffalo Jr Sabres
F) Andrew Vermeulen – Brantford 99er’s
D) Maxim Dirracolo – Toronto Patriots
F) Dylan Edwards – Toronto Patriots
D) Carson Campbell – Cobourg Cougars *AP
F) Luca Romano – Stouffville Spirit *AP
GM) Mike McKenzie – Played for Oshawa, Bowmanville, St Michaels OPJHL
AC) Jeff Kyrzakos – St. Michaels Buzzers
