Mar 16, 2026 | Ontario Minor Hockey Association | 5 views
RECAP: Capitals, Waxers win #RedHats at 2026 OMHA Championships
U16 and U18 AAA Winners Crowned
U16 AAA
The Credit River Capitals secured the first ever #RedHats in Association history, defeating the York-Simcoe Express 4-2 in the U16 AAA final at OMHA Championships presented by Egg Farmers of Ontario.
The Express jumped out to a 2-0 before the Capitals stormed back with four unanswered goals, including the game winner by captain Evan Bannister halfway through the third period.
“The emotion was high because we were down so low going into the third period. When I scored that goal, I think everyone’s energy just boosted,” said Bannister.
“To win the OMHAs was one of the biggest goals set for the year, so I think it’s just unreal. I can’t even express the words.”
“The core group has been together for five, six years. They deserve this, they’ve worked really, really hard and committed and competed,” said head coach Randy Smith.
Credit River beat the Express 3-0 in the round robin. Earlier in the day in the semifinals, the Express defeated the Niagara North Stars while the Capitals beat the Quinte Red Devils in overtime.
Cameron Gout (Credit River) led all round robin scorers with five points (four goals, one assist) in three games.
U18 AAA
The Markham Waxers and North Shore Whitecaps needed overtime to determine who would win #RedHats at the OMHA U18 AAA Championships presented by Egg Farmers Ontario, with the Waxers earning the gold medal in a 3-2 victory.
Gavin Whitson scored the overtime winner less than a minute into the extra frame and Lucas Carpino backstopped the Waxers to victory.
“I put the puck towards the net, saw it hit the back of the net, and just started throwing my gloves and helmet. It was unreal,” said Whitson.
This marks a three-peat of #RedHats for the U18 AAA Waxers, and a rematch of last year’s finals. It is the first three-peat at the U18 AAA level in 15 years.
The Waxers jumped out to an early 1-0 lead before the Whitecaps answered with two goals of their own. Justin Anselmo tied the game in the third period.
Netminder Lucas Carpino, one of a handful of Waxers who won #RedHats last season on the U18 AAA team, says last year’s game helped calm him down.
“The atmosphere, playing in the big crowd, it was nice to get that experience before,” he said.
Markham finished with a 1-1-1 record in pool play, while North Shore finished 2-0-1.
In the semis, the Whitecaps beat Ajax-Pickering and the Waxers defeated Burlington.
“Resiliency is the word you want to look at,” said head coach Dan Daoust. “This team here has been a good third period team. I’m proud for the boys.”
Five players tied for the scoring lead over three round robin games with four points apiece.
This was the first of four weekends of OMHA Championships presented by Egg Farmers of Ontario. The next three weeks will see 42 more Champions crowned at events in Newmarket, Oakville, Whitby, Kingston and Halton Hills across the U10 to U21 age groups and AAA to Tier 3 divisions.