The race for a Northern Ontario U18 championship begins Wednesday, March 11th as the 2026 GNU18HL Playdowns get underway in New Liskeard.
Five teams will compete for the league title and the opportunity to represent the Great North U18 Hockey League at the U18 OHF Championships 2026, scheduled for April 17–19 at the Angus Glen Community Centre.
Opening the tournament are the regular-season champion North Bay U18 Trappers, the second-place Soo U18 Greyhounds, the third-place Sudbury U16 Wolves, the fourth-place Sudbury U18 Wolves on day one.
Games will run from March 11 through March 15, with the winner earning a spot at the provincial championship later this spring.
Escasa Headlines League Scoring Race
Offensive firepower will be on full display throughout the tournament, led by Espen Escasa of the Soo U18 Greyhounds, who captured the league scoring title during the 2025–26 regular season.
In 34 games, Escasa posted a remarkable 44 goals and 48 assists for 92 points, while also contributing 10 power-play goals, seven game-winning goals, and only 10 penalty minutes.
His dominant season makes him one of the key players to watch as the Greyhounds look to challenge for the championship.
Soo U18 Greyhounds
Alongside Escasa, the Greyhounds boast a dangerous offensive trio.
Nico Bossio finished the regular season with 26 goals and 24 assists for 50 points in 33 games, while Makks Demidovich added 20 goals and 25 assists for 45 points in 34 contests.
In goal, the tandem of Sebastien Brassard and Gavin Zuccato has been steady all season.
The Soo U18 Greyhounds have relied heavily on the strong goaltending tandem of Sebastien Brassard and Gavin Zuccato throughout the 2025–26 season. Brassard has been dominant between the pipes, posting an outstanding 17–0–1 record while allowing just 32 goals in 22 games, good for a 1.73 goals-against average along with four shutouts. Zuccato has also provided steady support in net, recording a 12–3 record in 16 appearances while allowing 38 goals and finishing the season with a 2.65 goals-against average, giving the Greyhounds one of the league’s most dependable goaltending duos heading into the playdowns.
Together, the duo posted a 2.16 combined goals-against average, giving the Greyhounds one of the league’s most reliable defensive backstops.
North Bay U18 Trappers
The regular-season champion North Bay U18 Trappers enter the playdowns with one of the most balanced lineups in the league.
Francis Popkie led the offense with 41 goals and 28 assists for 69 points in 36 games. Playmaker Liam Starcevic recorded 54 assists and 68 points, while William Fournier contributed 27 goals and 36 assists for 63 points.
Between the pipes, Carson Ruddy and Logan Coates formed another elite goaltending tandem.
The North Bay U18 Trappers have been backed all season by an exceptional goaltending duo in Carson Ruddy and Logan Coates. Ruddy delivered a nearly flawless campaign, posting a perfect 18–0 record in 22 games, allowing 37 goals while registering an impressive 1.96 goals-against average and five shutouts. Coates also turned in a strong season of his own, finishing with a 17–1 record across 18 appearances, surrendering 44 goals and recording a 2.56 goals-against average. Together, the pair has given North Bay tremendous stability in net heading into the playdowns.
Their combined 2.27 goals-against average helped anchor North Bay’s first-place finish.
New Liskeard Cubs
The host New Liskeard Cubs will look to use home ice to their advantage.
Kyle Cloutier led the Cubs offensively with 31 points (15 goals, 16 assists), including six power-play goals. Keiran McCoy scored 19 goals and 29 points, while Emerik Bray chipped in 24 points.
Goaltender Morgan Hyndman carried the bulk of the workload with 13 wins, four shutouts, and a 2.39 goals-against average in 28 games. Backup Cooper Peever appeared in 11 games. Together they combined for a 3.23 GAA.
Sudbury U16 Wolves
The Sudbury U16 Wolves bring a strong mix of scoring and physical play into the tournament.
Nicholas Christakos led the club with 47 points in 32 games. Alex Proulx paced the team in goals with 26, finishing with 41 points, while Jackson Mead added 33 points.
In net, Noah Jylha posted a 2.60 GAA with nine wins, while Nicholas Rocca earned 10 wins in 17 appearances. The duo combined for a 3.29 goals-against average during the season.
Sudbury U18 Wolves Advance Through Play-In
The Sudbury U18 Wolves secured the final spot in the playdowns after winning the 2026 GNU18HL Play-In Tournament, held March 6–8 in Sudbury.
The Wolves defeated the Timmins Majors and Thunder Bay Kings to advance.
Offensively, Denver Mulligan led the team with 29 goals and 61 points in 33 games. Brett Moxam followed with 41 points, while Gillis O’Daiskey recorded 39 points.
Goaltenders Owen Lamothe and Jayden Claveau handled the workload in net, combining for a 3.89 goals-against average.
Championship Berth on the Line
With five teams, several elite scorers, and strong goaltending across the board, the 2026 playdowns promise a competitive battle.
By the end of the week in New Liskeard, one team will lift the GNU18HL title and earn the right to represent Northern Ontario at the U18 OHF Championships 2026 in Markham this April.
2026 GNu18HL Playdown Schedule
March 11 Sudbury U16 Wolves vs North Bay U18 Trappers (5:30 pm)
March 11 Sudbury U18 Wolves vs Soo U18 Greyhounds (8:00 pm)
March 12 North Bay U18 Trappers vs New Liskeard Cubs (9:30 am)
March 12 Sudbury U16 Wolves vs Soo U18 Greyhounds (12:00 pm)
March 12 New Liskeard Cubs vs Sudbury U18 Wolves (5:30 pm)
March 12 Soo U18 Greyhounds vs North Bay U18 Trappers (8:00 pm)
March 13 Sudbury U18 vs Sudbury U16 Wolves (9:30 am)
March 13 Soo U18 Greyhounds vs New Liskeard Cubs (12:00 pm)
March 13 North Bay U18 Trappers vs Sudbury U18 Wolves (5:30 pm)
March 13 New Liskeard Cubs vs Sudbury U16 Wolves (8:00 pm)
March 14 GNU18HL Semi-Final #1 (11:00 am)
March 14 GNU18HL Semi-Final #2 (2:00 pm)
March 15 GNU18HL Championship (11:00 am)
