WAY To Early AJHL Predictions
First let me say that this is all speculation. I don't have any inside information on who will leave, who will stay. That said, as broadcasters it is fun to make bold predictions and every once in a while a blind squirrel finds a nut. This upcoming season could be one of the most wide open years in recent memory for the AJHL. It will be the first full season since the NCAA rule change, no team will be hosting the Centennial Cup in Alberta (that we know of, the 2026 edition has yet to be announced), and there could be an influx of young players coming to the league whose WHL teams feel like aren't quite ready for major junior. So let's take a look and do some waaaaaaaay too early 2025-26 AJHL predictions.
2. Grande Prairie Storm
Key Returnees: Will Harris, Brandon de Haas, Max Algajer, Zachary Wilson, Cash Ganske
Graduates: Tomis Marinkovic, Logan Cunningham, Kaiden Bugera, Nicholas Jones, Justin Vandermeer, Kailus Green, Carter Streek
Possible Departures: Colin Doherty, Alec Hall, Chayse Laurie, Cade Kozak, Max Leduc
Who all returns to northwest Alberta? That could determine the type of season the Storm will have in 2025/26. The AJHL representatives at the Centennial Cup will miss the likes of Tomis Marinkovic, captain Logan Cunningham, team MVP Kaiden Bugera and goaltender Nicholas Jones. If they get back all their key players, they could be a contender. That's a big if. Colin Doherty can be a game breaker, but he's already left the team once before. Alec Hall and Chayse Laurie had terrific rookie seasons, but American players are usually heavily targeted by BCHL teams. Cade Kozak also falls in that category. Can local kid, Keagin Kelln be the answer in goal? Grande Prairie has a good core. Will Harris had a breakout season, Brandon de Haas and Max Algajer were impressive in their rookie seasons, while Cash Ganske, Matthew Gillard and Ryan Seeley provide an excellent base on defence. If everyone comes back, the Storm could be the class of the North.
3. Devon Xtreme
Key Returnees: Xander Schulte, Jason Huang, Austin Wentz, Jaxen Smyth, Michael Gallant, Kaiden Schaupmeyer
Graduates: Jaxson Martin
Possible Departures: Owen Mastroianni, Levy Kozma
Maybe the first surprise of the predictions, but the Xtreme are an intriguing team. Last season, Kelly Buchberger elected to go young and build for this season. The results, a team that returns the majority of their players who now knows what the AJHL is all about. Veterans Xander Schulte and Kaiden Schaupmeyer will captain this squad. Jason Huang, Jaxen Smyth and Austin Wentz provide a nice core on offence. Lucas Knorr, Jake Sokoloski and Ashton Lee also provide an intriguing layer to Devon's offence which could be deep this season. Meanwhile, Preston Lewis will be among the league's best goalies should he return. What will really help the Xtreme? If Levy Kozma and Owen Mastroianni return. As an American who had a solid season, Kozma could get plucked by a BCHL or NAHL team, while Mastroianni could make the jump to the WHL with the Edmonton Oil Kings. Either way, playoffs are very much in reach for the AJHL's newest team.
4. Lloydminster Bobcats
Key Returnees: Cooper Moore, Kade Fendelet, Ben Costantino, Jack Birch, Jaxan Hopko, Lucas Magowan
Graduates: Jamie Weller, Kaiden Kirkwood, Connor Graham, Luke Fritz, Kaiden Wiltsie, Kai Billey, Ishan Mittoo, Caden Steinke
Possible Departures: Dylan Deets, Gus El-Tahhan, Alessio Nardelli
Success this season will come via the defence for the Bobcats. Lloydminster hopes that a return to the postseason and some bite from their team will see fans flock to their new arena, slated to open this season. Kade Fendelet seems to be in line to captain his hometown team. The veteran embodies everything that head coach Jeff Woywitka wants in his team. Rookie of the Year nominee Cooper Moore would give the Bobcats a threat offensively night in and night out, along with converted defenceman Ben Costantino. The defensive core looks set with local product Jaxan Hopko, Lucas Magowan, Jack Birch and Noah Smith. If Dylan Deets doesn't jump to the WHL, scoring against the Bobcats will be difficult. Like many teams this season, goaltending will be a major question mark. Lloydminster graduates not one, but two goalies and will be starting from scratch. That could set the team back, however, this is a squad that should compete in the postseason.
5. Fort McMurray Oil Barons
Key Returnees: Ryan Arnold, Cade Petersen, Leo Adams, Spencer Kunz, Patani Mutambo, Cody Nordstrom
Graduates: Carter Schmidt, Danny Akkouche, Vincent Filion, Alexis Beaulac, Mason Finley, Shawn Eliav, Charles-Olivier Villeneuve, Tristan Taylor
Possible Departures: Justin Dumais, Louis-Charles Cunningham
No team faces more questions marks than the Oil Barons. It's been a turbulent off-season in Fort McMurray, which cost them their coach, general manager, and saw the resignation of most of the board of directors. At first glance, this is a team that has no direction. That said, they could have a solid core that puts them in the playoff conversation. Ryan Arnold and Drew Freer will be the leaders up front. Cade Petersen, Leo Adams and Nolan Eastwood have the potential to being stars in this league. The defence will be anchored by Spencer Kunz, Patani Mutambo and Cody Nordstrom. The biggest questions for the Oil Barons will be goaltending and depth. If Justin Dumais and Dustin Good come back, this team can be dangerous. Throw in Evan Benoit, a player who could be the Oil Barons first rookie of the year since Bobby Stewart did it in 1993, and there is a bit of light at the end of the tunnel. If Fort McMurray dictates a direction and returns their core, they could contend for a division title. If not, they will bottom out.
6. Bonnyville Pontiacs
Key Returnees: Dayton Reschny, Slade Firkus, Jordan Schanbacher, Dylan Hebert, Maxim Shushkov
Graduates: Myles Gauld, Kyle Kalamaras, Lynden Hanvold, Brady Estabrook
Possible Departures: Porter Byrd-Leitner, Mathieu Lajoie, Rockston Ror-Chow, Cody Butikis, Luke Minard
At first glance, it appears the cupboard is fairly bare for the Pontiacs. However, to move forward, they are looking to the past. Bonnyville made their third coaching change in as many seasons, this time bringing in Chad Mercier, who coached the team from 2006-2013 boasting a 221-156-14 record with six ties. Bonnyville could see an exodus of players too. Porter Byrd-Leitner will head to the Salmon Arm Silverbacks of the BCHL. Mathieu Lajoie appears to be joining Moose Jaw. Rockston Ror-Chow and Luke Minard could be joining Lajoie and play in the WHL. Team MVP Cody Butikis may not return as well. However, it isn't all bleak. Getting back a healthy Dayton Reschny will be massive for the Yaks. Reschny was on pace to being in the rookie of the year conversation, before an upper body injury derailed his season in early January. Slade Firkus could be a 60 point player this season. Christophe Lussier, Brayden Gourley and Deegan Kinniburgh provide a solid core of forwards. Captain Jordan Schanbacher could return on defence along with Maxim Shushkov and Alex Coventry. If a couple of the WHL players return and everyone takes a step forward, the Pontiacs could claw their way to a playoff spot.
South Division
1. Drumheller Dragons
Key Returnees: Bradley Gallo, Ellis Mieyette, Kai Matthew, Lauchlin Kozicky, Tristan Payne, Sean Cootes
Graduates: Tate Yule, Ayden Peters, Tristan Serrao
Possible Departures: Easton Daneault, Will McLaughlin, Matthew Kondro
With several impact returnees, the Dragons will be good. If the whole band comes back, the Dragons will be the class of the AJHL. Gallo, Mieyette, Matthew, Kozicky, they will be the top end talent. Logan Peskett, Allen Sherpa, Luca Dufour, Jase Johnstone and Brec Christenson, they will be the depth for an offensively gifted Drumheller squad. The Badlands Bunch will also have one of the league's best goalies in Sean Cootes and if Matthew Kondro doesn't make Red Deer in the WHL, they will have the best goaltending tandem. The only question might be their defence, but with Tristan Payne, Nathan Hawkins and Cameron Johnsen all looking to return, Kevin Hasselberg will be looking at making minor additions to an otherwise loaded team.
2. Camrose Kodiaks
Key Returnees: Spencer Masters, Garrett Thom, Bowen Grycan, Junshi Hideshima, Nicholas Larkin, Carter Capton
Graduates: Sam Lozinski, Owen Lansing, Avery Trotter, Dylan Bidyk, Wilson Maxfield
Possible Departures: Jackson Schneider, Will Jamieson, AJ Schaaf, Cole Barrett
Camrose is another team that has a lot of returning players. Where they fall behind the Drumheller Dragons is the unknown of who their head coach is. Take that away, the core is impressive. Spencer Masters and Garrett Thom had breakout sophomore seasons and look to take another step forward. There are young pieces in Christian Stephanson, Adrien Fox, Luka Taylor and Tyson Murray that add depth. If AJ Schaaf, Cole Barrett and Will Jamieson all return, the Kodiaks could have one of the deeper offences in the league. The defence takes a hit with the graduations of Dylan Bidyk and Avery Trotter, as well as the likely departure of Jackson Schneider to the USHL. However, the return of Nicholas Larkin, Keegan Beagle and Logan Anderson will provide a solid anchor to a unit that could use at least one more veteran presence. Goaltender Carter Capton is an intriguing piece for the Kodiaks. At times, the Lethbridge product looked like the best goalie in the AJHL, but he was inconsistent. If Capton can even out his play, the Kodiaks will be a contender for their first AJHL title since 2008.
3. Calgary Canucks
Key Returnees: Nolan DuPont, Kenny Sutton, Wade Wallace, Riley Bracko, Cruz Chase
Graduates: Bowden Singleton, Gavin Schmidt, Jayden Joly, Rhett Melnyk, Adam Leitch, Alexey Trischuk, Lukas Renaud
Possible Departures: Jack Plandowski, Nathan Maloney, Hayden Fechner, Rhys Jamieson, Matthew Keller, David Byrne
The national champions will have a hard time running it back, but they will still be a solid team. Guys who brought home the team's second Centennial Cup like Bowden Singleton, Gavin Schmidt and Lukas Renaud are gone, but there is a solid core returning. Centennial Cup hero Hayden Fechner looked poised to tear up the AJHL. The veteran appears to be the front runner to become the league MVP. However, it sounds like Fechner will be joining the Nanaimo Clippers of the BCHL. Nolan DuPont will also return to build off an impressive rookie season. What could make or break the Canucks are the potential departures of Jack Plandowski and Rhys Jamieson. Plandowski led the league in points last year and saw himself getting drafted by Sioux Falls in the USHL. Jamieson bounced between Everett and Calgary. His play should earn him a spot in the WHL. Kenny Sutton, Landon Pappas and Wade Wallace will anchor a new wave of defenders in cow town, and that could receive a boost if Matthew Keller and David Byrne stay instead of going to the WHL. Cruz Chase appears to have the inside track as the starting goaltender. He will be joined by veteran Noah Nelson, barring Chase making the Regina Pats' roster in the WHL.
4. Canmore Eagles
Key Returnees: Cohen Daoust, Will Lutic, Hudson Landmark, Aidan Tkachuk, Liam Magnuson, Alex Scheiwiller
Graduates: Rhett Dekowny, Owen Jones, Kayden Rawji, Ethan Look, Jaren Brinson, Nathan Macpherson-Ridgewell, Emanuel Hudson, Nolan Kazeil
Possible Departures: Casey Black, Hudson Sedo
While last year the Eagles had several returnees making them a contender, this season will feel like a rebuild with numerous key departures. Graduation of Rhett Dekowny, Owen Jones and Kayden Rawji will leave a large hole in the Eagles lineup. Cohen Daoust will lead the offence after a remarkable breakout season. He will be aided by Will Lutic and Hudson Landmark, who both joined Canmore midway through last season. But after that it gets thin on offence. On defence, the Eagles will look to sophomores Liam Magnuson and Christian Luke to take big steps forward. Another gear will be expected from Keston Beagle, while retaining Casey Black could be crucial for Canmore's season. If there's one strength for the Eagles, it's between the pipes. Alex Scheiwiller earned a Goalie of the Year nod last season and will look to better those numbers in his final junior season. If Hudson Sedo doesn't make it to the WHL, then Canmore will have one of the best tandems in goal in the AJHL.
5. Drayton Valley Thunder
Key Returnees: Ben Oliviero, Reid Larson, Daniel Zhou, Kohyn Pipke, Billy Hoosen, Jack Sears
Graduates: Cooper Brown, Matthias Bessey, Jace Moffat, Nicholas Cristiano, Anton Yatsyshin, Gabriel Filion, Brett Wall
Possible Departures: Tucker Tullikopf, Justin Ivanusec, Luke Marley, Connor Wolitski, Tafari Chingwaru, Hudson Perry
Remember early last season, the promise the campaign held for Drayton Valley? The team was humming along, year two of the Geoff Walker plan was taking huge strides forward. Then a disgruntled owner, a sudden firing of the coaching staff, a player revolt, the rehiring of the coaching staff and the whole season was upended. A new ownership group and the same coaching staff returns, but who ends up on the ice is anyone's guess. Geoff Walker's biggest task is retaining players. The Thunder could have an upcoming star in goal in Hudson Perry, but what if he ends up going to Brandon in the WHL? Ben Oliviero, Daniel Zhou and Jack Sears will come back up as forwards, but that offence can really take a step forward if they also return Justin Ivanusec, Luke Marley and Tucker Tullikopf. The defence will be a veteran group with the return of Reid Larson, Taynton Lavender and Billy Hooson. But it will be more rounded if they also retain Kohyn Pipke, Connor Wolitski and Tafari Chingwaru. There are so many question marks surrounding Drayton Valley, it's hard to say whether they will make the postseason for the first time since 2022 or miss out for the fourth straight season.
6. Olds Grizzlys
Key Returnees: Braeden Veldhuizen, Hunter Motley, Brayden Schwartz, Lucas Schaefer
Graduates: Ben Dardis, Aiden Knutson
Possible Departures: Jonathan Doucette, Tristan Doyle, Keeghan Dunn, Bailey Shortall, Johnny Maruna
There may finally be light at the end of the tunnel for the Olds Grizzlys. An ownership group change puts Central Alberta's franchise in an intriguing position. This season will be a year of growing pains and transition, but there are some pieces in place that new head coach Tyson Soloski can work with. Braeden Veldhuizen was an exciting rookie to watch who played with a chip on his shoulder until injury derailed his season. Hunter Motley is a veteran presence that will lead by example. Lucas Schaefer and Keil Schmalz will be staples on defence. The Grizzlys could bring back a handful of players too. Jonathan Doucette, Bailey Shortall and Keeghan Dunn will be proven jolts to the offence, provided they come back. Tristan Doyle may have an opportunity in the WHL. If he doesn't make it, he will be a physical presence on the back end. Incoming goaltender Sharky Nowek appears to have the inside track on the starting job, however, there are rumors that if Kason Kobelka doesn't make the Calgary Hitmen, he may come to Olds. Other potential impact newcomers include Sean Richards, Jake MacDonald and Calder Hutt. No matter what the record looks like, this will be a different Grizzlys than what we've seen over the past decade.
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