The second half of the season is right around the corner and team's are still battling for position in the standings. Here is the third edition of the OMHA U16 and U18 AAA Rankings and Players to Watch presented by Hudl.
U16 AAA Rankings
Players to Watch
Nate Croskery (Oakville Rangers): A major reason for Oakville’s early season success, Croskery has solidified himself as one of the premier goaltenders in the OMHA this season.
The younger sibling of Callum, an OHL Cup champion with the Rangers in 2024, Nate is a technically-sound netminder that is extremely athletic between the pipes and can make all the saves necessary for his team to be successful. The Oakville native currently leads the OMHA with 15 wins, and is second in the league with an impressive 1.39 GAA.
Lucas Matheson (Barrie Jr. Colts): Considered as the one of the best skaters to come out of the OMHA in recent memory, Jr. Colts captain Lucas Matheson has been a big part of Barrie’s success in the OMHA regular season, as the Colts are currently in a battle for top spot in the standings.
A smooth skating defenceman that is responsible on both ends of the ice, Matheson has tremendous vision, making crisp passes on breakouts, as well as when he’s quarterbacking on the power-play. Matheson currently leads OMHA defencemen in points, with 23 (7G, 16A) in 20 regular season games.
U18 AAA Rankings
Players to Watch
Cooper Oikawa (Barrie Jr. Colts): Recently joining the Jr. Colts following a quick stint with the St. Catharines Falcons in the GOHL, Oikawa has made a seamless transition with Barrie, collecting 14 points in 10 OMHA regular season games.
Oikawa is a draft pick of the Erie Otters, and brings a complete skillset to the table. An extremely competitive player that is tenacious on the forecheck, Oikawa is also very skilled offensively with slick hands and carries a very accurate shot.
Dylan Di Cio (Credit River Captials): The current goal scoring leader in the OMHA, Capitals forward Dylan Di Cio has been on a tear in his first season of playing AAA hockey, after playing last season in AA. Di Cio has a lethal release, with an impressive 18 goals and 27 points in 22 games this season.
Di Cio is an intelligent player that can play both on the wing and up the middle, and also plays in every situation for Credit River.