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Over the weekend of April 18–20, the Soo U18AA Greyhounds proudly represented Northern Ontario at the 2025 OHF U18AA Championships in Milton, Ontario. Facing off against the province’s top teams, including the Oakville Rangers, Waterloo Wolves, Mississauga North Stars, and host Milton Menace, the Greyhounds battled through four games of high-level competition.
In game on Friday, April 18th at 10:00 a.m, the Greyhounds opened the tournament Friday morning against the host team, Milton Menace. After a scoreless first period, Milton’s Benjamin Allen broke the deadlock at 7:03 of the second with assists from Justin Dermit and Rowyn McGill. Jacob O’Donnell doubled the lead just over three minutes later, with Ryan Aversa and Madden McWhirter-McCaig providing the helpers.
In the third period, with Milton on the power play, Elliot Smulders extended the Menace’s lead to 3–0 at 4:27, assisted by McGill and Hayden Villaverde. The Soo finally broke through at 3:23 when Lucas Diberardino scored the team’s lone goal, assisted by Jackson Burrows. Despite the pushback, the Greyhounds fell 3–1 in their tournament opener. Luca Mule earned the win in net for Milton, while Peter Gartshore tended goal for the Soo.
The Greyhounds returned to action Friday at 2:30 p.m against a strong Oakville Rangers squad. Ryle Carter gave the Soo an early lead just 1:34 into the game on the power play, assisted by Curtis Johnston and Diberardino.
However, Oakville responded quickly and aggressively. Dylan Woolstencroft tied the game at 1–1 at 1:21 with a helper from David Andrews. With five seconds left in the first, Max Newton gave Oakville a 2–1 lead on the power play. Andrews, Woolstencroft, and A.J. Wilson each added goals through the second and third periods, with Oakville piling on to secure an 8–1 victory. Aaron Juma was in net for the Soo, while Dean Akikakos recorded the win for Oakville.
in game three on Saturday, April 19th at 9:00 a.m, the Greyhounds take on the Waterloo Wolves. After a tight opening frame, Benjamin Morton opened the scoring for Waterloo at 10:43 of the second. Moments later, Owen Miloje made it 2–0 on the power play, followed by a goal from Reed Rozema before the period’s end.
Rozema added his second of the game in the third period, sealing a 4–0 shutout for the Wolves. Ciaran Guitton-Quayle earned the clean sheet for Waterloo, while Gartshore returned in net for the Soo.
In their final game of the tournament on Saturday, April 19th at 4:15 p.m, the Greyhounds faced off against the Mississauga North Stars. Travis Jones scored the game’s lone goal at 11:22 of the first period, assisted by Brody Charkiw. Despite several chances from the Soo, they couldn’t find the equalizer. North Stars goaltender Ben Rigas earned the shutout, while Gartshore once again stood tall in net for the Greyhounds.
Representing the North with pride while the results didn’t go their way, the Soo U18AA Greyhounds demonstrated resilience and heart as they faced off against some of Ontario’s best teams. Representing Northern Ontario on the provincial stage is no small feat, and the Greyhounds carried their colours with pride.
The 2025 U18AA OHF Championships roster for the Soo Greyhounds included: Charlie Williams, Beau Primeau, Jaxson Zelonko, Avery Fowler, Gavin Darlow, Tucker Bennett, Connor Bishop, Ryle Carter, Chase Socchia, Luukas Keranen, Jackson Burrows, Hunter Goral-Jackson, Curtis Johnston, Owen Sanderson, Aaron Juma, Peter Gartshore, Carter Neabel, Kyle Crack, Jaden Cranston, Matt Corriveau, Lucas Diberardino, and Kyston Stevens.
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