Zach Hyman OJHL Prospects Series begins in Trenton on Nov. 4
October 24, 2025, Mississauga, ON – The Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) is proud to announce the names of the head coaches and support staff who will lead the six teams during the inaugural Zach Hyman OJHL Prospects Series.
The Zach Hyman OJHL Prospects Series, which opens in Trenton on Nov. 4, will put the spotlight on the top 2008- and 2009-born players from across the region.
The six-game series will take place in five communities — Milton, Mississauga, Trenton, Cobourg — with the championship game hosted at the TD Civic Centre in Brantford.
The East’s head coaches include Derek Smith, coach of the defending OJHL champion Trenton Golden Hawks, Jacob Panetta (Wellington Dukes) and Jordan Bailey (Haliburton County Huskies).
The West’s head coaches are Mark Jooris (Burlington Cougars), Chris Taylor (Georgetown Raiders) and Joe Washkurak (Caledon Admirals).
Athletic trainers selected for the Prospects Series include Caitlan McQuaig (Wellington), Tatum Shantz (Stouffville Spirit), Ryan Topping (Newmarket Hurricanes) and Jenn Vaciunas (Aurora Tigers).
Equipment managers working the Prospect Series are Bill McConnell (Pickering Panthers), Clayton McConnell (Aurora), Kyle Nicholson (Burlington Cougars) and Joey O’Callaghan (Stouffville).
The Zach Hyman OJHL Prospect Series schedule:
Nov. 4 Prospects Series East Duncan McDonald Memorial Community Gardens, Trenton, ON 7:30
Nov. 11 Prospect Series East – Cobourg Community Centre. Cobourg, ON 12:30
Nov. 17 Prospects Series West – Milton Memorial Arena, Milton, ON 12:30
Dec. 2 Prospects Series East – Cobourg Community Centre, Cobourg, ON 7:00
Dec. 15 Prospects Series West – Milton Memorial Arena, Milton, ON 12:30
Dec. 29 Prospects Series West – Port Credit Memorial Arena, Mississauga, ON 6:30
Jan. 6 Prospect Series Championship – TD Civic Centre, Brantford, ON 7:30
The Prospects Series will feature six teams competing in a round-robin format followed by a championship game. Selected players will be named to three teams representing OJHL East and three teams representing OJHL West. Following the round robin, the top two teams will advance to the championship game at the TD Civic Centre, hosted by the OHL’s Brantford Bulldogs.
The six rosters from both East and West teams will be announced next week. A preliminary list of participating prospects includes more than 90 players who have been drafted by Ontario Hockey League teams and players with NCAA Division I commitments, underscoring the depth of talent taking part in the Zach Hyman Prospects Series.
About the OJHL – “League of Choice”
The Ontario Junior Hockey League is the largest Junior ‘A’ league operating under the auspices of the Canadian Junior Hockey League with 24 member clubs. A proud member of the CJHL and Ontario Hockey Association, the OJHL was originally named the Ontario Provincial Junior ‘A’ Hockey League and it was formed out of the Central Junior ‘B’ Hockey League in 1993-94. With a long and storied history of developing players for the next level, including U SPORTS, the NCAA, CHL, minor pro ranks and the NHL, the OJHL had more than 135 commitments in 2024-25, including 54 to NCAA Division 1 and 29 to the Ontario Hockey League. In addition, the OJHL had 39 OHL Affiliate Players who played 152 OHL games. Thirty-five OJHL alumni played in the NHL in 2025.