2026 OJLL Playoff Preview
We are on the eve of the 2026 OJLL Playoffs getting underway, and following an action-packed regular season, the eight remaining teams will now vye for the Iroquois Trophy and the opportunity to represent Ontario at the 2026 Minto Cup in Calgary, Alberta.
With the new changes to the league’s rules in 2026, every round of the playoffs will now be a best-of-seven format. Previously, the first round of the playoffs was a best-of-five, with the following two rounds being seven games apiece.
Who will be hoisting the trophy as champions of Ontario in a month’s time? Let’s look at every matchup and how the teams stack up against one another.
St. Catharines (1) vs Burlington (8)
Series Schedule
Game 1 - July 12, 7:00 pm ET, Canada Games Park
Game 2 - July 14, 8:00 pm ET, Central Arena
Game 3 - July 15, 8:00 pm ET, Canada Games Park
Game 4 - July 17, 8:00 pm ET, Central Arena
Game 5* - July 19, 7:00 pm ET, Canada Games Park
Game 6* - July 20, 8:00 pm ET, Central Arena
Game 7* - July 21, 8:00 pm ET, Canada Games Park
*If Necessary
Tale of the Tape
After coming off hosting the Minto Cup last summer and graduating 18 players, it was safe to assume that this could have been a re-tooling year for the Athletics. But they flipped the script and finished the regular season as the first seed league-wide, going 15-3.
St. Catharines heads into the postseason winning seven of their final eight games, and they’ll look to carry that success into the first round and beyond.
On the other side, Burlington finished their regular season at 6-12, and following an early finish last Saturday, they had to sit and scoreboard watch to see if they’d be in the playoff mix. They captured the eighth seed and are looking to play spoiler in this series.
Having a week in between games will allow the Blaze to be a rested squad heading into Game One. But the rest versus rust debate will be prevalent, as St. Catharines played a pair of games in the final week of the year. We’ll see how much of a factor it plays on Sunday night.
Head-to-Head
The two teams opened their season series in Burlington, with the Athletics taking a 12-7 victory on the road. The second matchup was much more of a defensive battle that can be expected in the postseason, as the teams combined for seven goals.
St. Catharines came out on the winning end of that game as well, taking the sweep of the season series with a 5-2 win at Canada Games Park.
Players to Watch
St. Catharines
Jameson Bucktooth (LF)
Bucktooth came off a rookie campaign with Colorado in the NLL this summer and immediately lit the OJLL ablaze, lighting up the stat sheet on a nightly basis.
He potted a league-best 56 goals this year, which was 13 more than the next closest forward. Bucktooth can take over a game with his scoring touch, and with that added attention defensively, it frees up every other forward to sting them on the scoreboard.
Zack Toll (RF)
Not to be outdone by Bucktooth, Toll has been outstanding this year in his own regard. While his running mate has the knack for finding twine, Toll has been adept at setting up his teammates to score, posting 55 assists this year — the fourth-best total in the OJLL.
But don’t be mistaken, he’s also got an elite first step and can get underneath and cause havoc with his strong finishing ability on the crease, or come over the top and sting the ball from the outside.
Ari Steenhuis (LT)
Another player coming off a rookie campaign in the NLL, Steenhuis looked like a man amongst boys out on the floor this summer. The 6-foot-4, 195-pounder is physically strong and lightning quick, allowing him to cause turnovers in the defensive zone and quickly turn that into a dangerous chance at the other end.
The top defender for the Athletics will be crucial if the team hopes to make another run at a Minto.
Ty Wilson (G)
With the past experience over the previous year, Wilson came into this season and became one of the best shot-stoppers in the country.
With a 7.82 goals-against average and an .851 save percentage, he’s a goaltender who could steal some games for his team.
Burlington
Adam Ponting (RF)
A big body at 6-foot-3, Ponting was a key acquisition for the Blaze last year at the trade deadline, as they received the righty from St. Catharines in exchange for Chuck Rawson.
The 2007-born forward posted career-best numbers in his first full year in the OJLL, with 25 goals and 63 points. He’s a facilitator for the team and will have to continue his strong play in this series against one of the stingiest defences in the league.
Ted Rawson (LF)
Speaking of Chuck Rawson, his younger brother is no slouch when it comes to filling the net. With 22 goals and 62 points of his own, Ted has been a steady force for his hometown squad this summer.
It’ll be a joint effort if Burlington wants to topple the first seed, they’ll need to rely on Rawson’s shooting and feeding abilities.
Nate Watson (LF)
Working alongside Rawson on the lefty side, the graduating Watson sits third in scoring on the Blaze after leading the team in scoring a year ago.
The Quispamsis, New Brunswick native has posted identical 50-point years, and with his quick twitch and scoring ability, he’ll be a focal point for the opposing defence.
Sawyer English (RT)
The youngest of the English brothers, Sawyer is another transition ace who will soon be making his mark in the pros. But for now, he’s lighting it up with the Blaze.
In just 13 games in the regular season, his eight goals and 25 assists were among the tops for defenders in the league this summer. English is likely to be up for hardware this summer with his two-way efforts, but he’ll need to counter Steenhuis and help produce in transition to flip the script in this series.
Six Nations (2) vs Orangeville (7)
Series Schedule
Game 1 - July 12, 7:00 pm ET, Iroquois Lacrosse Arena
Game 2 - July 13, 8:00 pm ET, Tony Rose Arena
Game 3 - July 15, 8:00 pm ET, Iroquois Lacrosse Arena
Game 4 - July 16, 8:00 pm ET, Tony Rose Arena
Game 5* - July 18, 7:00 pm ET, Iroquois Lacrosse Arena
Game 6* - July 19, 7:00 pm ET, Tony Rose Arena
Game 7* - July 20, 8:00 pm ET, Iroquois Lacrosse Arena
*If Necessary
Tale of the Tape
A 6-3 opening to the year for Six Nations put them into the top end of the standings at the halfway point of the regular season. Down the stretch, the Arrows went on an absolute heater, winning seven of their final eight games, cementing themselves as a top threat in the league. That end to the year earned them home floor in the first round, where they’ll face off against a familiar rival.
It has been a down year for the Northmen by their standards. This is the first time since 2022 that Orangeville won’t have home floor in the first round of the playoffs. The back-to-back Ontario champions are still a dangerous squad, but down the stretch of this season, they’ve gone 4-5. The playoffs are a different animal, and this team has been forged by long runs in the postseason.
A matchup between two of the most storied franchises in Ontario, this will be an incredible series between two teams who play a physical brand of lacrosse.
Head-to-Head
The inter-divisional rivals only saw each other once during the regular season. That game came at Iroquois Lacrosse Arena on Jun 4. On the day, it was the Northmen pulling out the road victory. Max Kruger led the way offensively for his team, scoring a pair and adding four assists. Hunter Thompson had one of his best outings of the year with two goals and five points as well. Dylan Sanderson also added two goals and five points. Cole Downey had 42 saves in the victory.
Ryder Johnson made 49 saves on the other side, but was saddled with the loss. Winter Rivera posted two goals and Kaidyn Lickers had a goal and three points. Daylin John-Hill had three assists on the night as well.
Players to Watch
Six Nations
Winter Rivera (RF)
After spending last year in Junior B, Rivera has returned to Six Nations this year and been the team’s top scorer.
The righty is a smaller body, but he’s incredibly shifty and hard to contain as a defender. He’s deceptive and can fire the ball from anywhere at any angle, making him one of the toughest forwards to get a read on. Add to that his creativity with the ball, and Rivera is a star up front.
Daylin John-Hill (LF)
The Arrows’ top scorer from a year ago, John-Hill can do it all. Whether it’s scoring goals or distributing the wealth to the other forwards, he’ll do whatever is asked of him.
With a high lacrosse IQ, he’s a threat every time he touches the ball. It’ll be on John-Hill and Rivera to lead the way for the Arrows in this series.
Wyatt Wiggins (LD)
The Arrows did a lot of work at the deadline to make a run at a championship. One of the biggest acquisitions was Wiggins. The graduating defender is a physical force, with intelligence and talent to match.
Strong, athletic, and a mean streak is a tough combination to go up against, and Wiggins has all of that in his bag. He’ll be a crucial matchup defender for Six Nations in these playoffs.
Tyden Redlick (G)
Another player with crucial experience in the OJLL Playoffs, Redlick spent last year with Whitby, where he backstopped them to an appearance in the Ontario Finals before returning to Alberta. While he started this year with Burlington, Six Nations acquired him to shore up their crease.
The St. Albert, Alberta product has two years under his belt in the NLL with San Diego, and he’ll have to be on the top of his game going up against some of the best shooters in the league.
Orangeville
Max Kruger (RF)
Kruger exploded last year in his rookie campaign in the OJLL, going for nearly 160 points between regular season and playoffs. While his point totals in this regular season weren’t as gaudy, Orangeville also had a lot of turnover from their graduating class, leaving Kruger with more attention than he’s faced before.
He’s become a leader for the Hornheads, being trusted as an offensive facilitator. While he’s not the only player on this team who can fill the net, he’ll be the catalyst for the team if they hope to defeat the higher-seeded Arrows.
Dylan Sanderson (RF)
Another player who has come into his own with additional touches this year, Sanderson plays much bigger than his 5-foot-7 frame. He competes hard for every loose ball, sets solid picks for his teammates, and is an energizer bunny offensively. All of that to say, the righty is still an incredibly talented goal scorer and passer.
With Kruger and Sanderson, the Northmen have a deadly one-two punch on the righty side.
Ayden Matthews (LF)
Matthews is the top lefty on this squad, and after putting up 25 goals and 64 points between regular season and playoffs a year ago, he’s already bettered that total, hitting 31 goals and 71 points in 17 regular-season outings.
A deadly shooter from the outside, Matthews has also gotten more confidence and tucking the ball and going to the rack. With some strong players alongside him in Hunter Thompson and Guerin Jennings, who operate well in the two-man game, Matthews is going to be leaned on to distribute along with finishing the ball.
Cole Downey (G)
Downey is a first-year starter in the OJLL, but you wouldn’t know it from how he plays between the pipes. The 2008-born goaltender owns an 8.00 goals-against average and an .841 save percentage.
Orangeville’s history of producing star goaltenders is storied, and Downey is going to be the next in that lineage. He’ll be a star for years to come.
Kitchener (3) vs Oakville (6)
Series Schedule
Game 1 - July 12, 7:00 pm ET, Kinsmen Arena
Game 2 - July 13, 8:00 pm ET, Toronto Rock Athletic Centre
Game 3 - July 15, 7:30 pm ET, Kinsmen Arena
Game 4 - July 16, 8:00 pm ET, Toronto Rock Athletic Centre
Game 5* - July 18, 7:00 pm ET, Kinsmen Arena
Game 6* - July 19, 7:00 pm ET, Toronto Rock Athletic Centre
Game 7* - July 21,
*If Necessary
Tale of the Tape
Kitchener came into the regular season as one of the favourites to take the Iroquois Trophy. The team loaded up through trades to make a push for a championship. But heading into the deadline, they were looking for answers. An up-and-down campaign before they loaded up through more trades that shored up all three spots on their roster. Some added firepower up front, some added defensive and transition help, and a new shot-stopper between the pipes. They ended the season winners of seven in a row, looking to be one of the top squads in the league.
There was a bit of a blip to end the year, with the Buzz, as they lost five straight — including one to these Kodiaks. But a four-game winning streak with a few dominant displays has flipped the script for Oakville. In their final game of the season, they held St. Catharines to just a single goal in a 6-1 victory on the road, which showed that they can not only fill the net, they can grind out victories with their defensive and goaltending efforts as well.
This is also a matchup of two of the highest-scoring teams in Ontario going head-to-head. Kitchener has scored 36 goals in their previous two outings, and has scored 15-plus goals in three of their final four games of the year. On the other side, Oakville scored 37 combined in two games ahead of their season finale.
Head to Head
The Kodiaks and Buzz met in each team’s season opener. It was Kitchener drawing first blood, winning 14-10 at the TRAC. The following matchup took place at the tail end of June, as the teams went back and forth, with a winner needing to be decided in the extra frame. In the end, it was the Kodiaks again coming out victorious, as Julien Belair found the goal that ended the game in overtime.
Players to Watch
Kitchener
Max Frattaroli (LF)
Frattaroli posted career-best numbers this season with the Kodiaks, potting 37 goals and 93 points — more than 20 points better than his previous high in points.
The lefty can hammer the ball from the outside, but he’s equally dangerous as a feeder and facilitator in the two-man game.
Chris Rathwell (RF)
The Kodiaks’ captain has led by example and as an emotional force for his squad. Another player who has posted career-best numbers this season, he led Kitchener in goals (38) while finishing second in points (83).
Another do-it-all player for this team, and the top scoring righty in the regular-season, Rathwell is going to have to be big again for his squad to pull out an opening round win.
Julien Belair (RF)
One of the off-season’s biggest acquisitions, Belair had 59 points in the regular season to finish third in scoring on the team. But the Kodiaks acquired the Ottawa native for his playoff performance.
Belair was a man possessed in the postseason last year with Whitby, being one of the team’s offensive drivers en route to a trip to the Ontario Finals. Kitchener will be hoping for the same this summer out of the talented righty.
Mathias Houlahan (G)
The Kodiaks went out and addressed their goaltending at the deadline this year, acquiring Houlahan from the Beaches. The 6-foot-5 goaltender is a presence in the crease, and the Saskatchewan Rush goaltender will get his first taste of starting in the OJLL playoffs for a team with Minto aspirations.
Oakville
Justin Tavares (LF)
The biggest acquisition at the 2026 trade deadline, Tavares’ rise from a transition ace two years ago into one of the league’s biggest offensive threats has been a treat to watch. Like his father, the lefty is an animal no matter where you deploy him on the floor.
With 106 points in the regular season, Tavares led the OJLL in scoring, and he’ll be looking to help Oakville make a run at the Iroquois Trophy this year. Having already played in an Ontario final previously with Mimico, he knows what it takes to win in the playoffs.
Charlie Boon (RF)
While Tavares takes up a lot of attention on the left side of the floor, it’s Boon who has paced the righties for the Buzz this season.
The 2006-born forward had a career-high 39 goals and 49 assists for 88 points this summer. He’s got a great shot from distance, while also being one of the best setup men in the league.
Jameson Steele (LF)
Steele is a massive body at 6-foot-5, 185 pounds, and the lefty has the skill to go along with his frame. Finishing this summer with 41 goals and 47 assists for 88 points.
Running alongside Tavares on the lefty side, the pair form a two-man game that will cause headaches for defences. Teams will have to focus on the league’s top scorer, but if they sag off of Steele, he’s going to make them pay.
Thomas Bagnall (LT)
Bagnall missed a majority of the regular season, returning in July to get game action in before the postseason. The 2006-born defender remains one of the best matchup defenders in the league, and against a high-powered Kitchener attack, Troy Cordingley is going to rely on his top dog to be a shutdown option for him if Oakville wants to move on to the next round.
Whitby (4) vs Brampton (5)
Series Schedule
Game 1 - July 12, 7:00 pm ET, Iroquois Park
Game 2 - July 14, 8:00 pm ET, Brampton Memorial Arena
Game 3 - July 15, 8:00 pm ET, Brampton Memorial Arena
Game 4 - July 17, 7:30 pm ET, Iroquois Park
Game 5* - July 18, 7:00 pm ET, Iroquois Park
Game 6* - July 20, 8:00 pm ET, Brampton Memorial Arena
Game 7* - July 21, 7:30 pm ET, Iroquois Park
*If Necessary
Tale of the Tape
Whitby was a team that was expected to take some steps back after graduating a chunk of 2004s last summer. But instead, they continued to be one of the top teams in the league. A solid start to the year led to the Warriors buying at the deadline. Down the final stretch of the regular season, they won five straight games, concluding with a one-goal win over Six Nations and a dominant 10-2 victory over the Beaches.
Brampton was one of the pleasant surprises of the 2026 OJLL season. After finishing in last in the league a year ago, the Excelsiors loaded up at the 2026 Draft, helping to speed up their rebuild. It paid dividends in the regular season, as the youngest roster in the league didn’t play like a squad lacking in Junior A experience, as they ended the year with an 11-5 record.
The 4-5 matchup is always a tightly-contested affair. Expect no different, as these two East foes have played each other tight in both of their matchups this season.
Head to Head
Both of the games this year between the two teams have concluded in one-goal wins. In the early days of the regular season, Whitby was able to pull out an 8-7 victory at home. In the return game in Brampton, the teams went goal for goal, ending up in overtime where, once again, it was the Warriors finding the winner to sweep the season series.
Players to Watch
Whitby
Max Wetherup (RF)
After being a menace in transition a year ago for the Warriors, Wetherup has slid up front and become one of the best forwards in the OJLL, finishing the regular season with 41 goals and 90 points.
Matt Ford (LF)
A strong trade deadline pickup last year by the Warriors, Ford is the top threat on the lefty side. The 2007-born forward is quick, bouncy, and creative with the ball in his stick. His first step is dangerous and when he’s around the crease, the ball is more than likely finding twine. With 37 goals and 68 points this season, Ford is going to be an offensive driver these playoffs for Whitby.
Matt Souter (RF)
The former second overall pick in the OJLL Draft, Souter is a crafty offensive threat who will only continue to get better as his career goes on. With a strong outside shot and the smarts to know when to tuck and get underneath, he’s not a player opposing defences can afford to forget about with the other names up front.
Owen Lee (RD)
The Whitby captain is an eraser, and the team’s best matchup defender. His blend of athleticism, footwork, and overwhelming strength makes him a nightmare for opposing forwards. He was tasked with going up against the likes of Firth, Matthews, and Deere a year ago, and it’ll be on Lee again to anchor this Warriors defence in what they’ll hope will be another deep playoff run.
Brampton
Jacob Janke (RF)
The Brampton captain does it all for his team. Along with taking regular shifts out the front door, he can also play in transition and has previously been a penalty killer for the Excelsiors. A true Swiss Army Knife, Janke is going to have to make his mark on this series to give his team the best chance to win.
Vincent Ward (RF)
The first overall selection in the 2026 OJLL Draft has lived up to early expectations, finishing 11th in scoring around the league with 78 points — 52 of those being assists.
A staple of the Excelsiors’ offence in the present and the future, Ward is a force that’ll be lighting up the OJ for a long time. He’ll be hoping to make a statement in his first taste of playoff action in Junior A.
Brodie Haynes (LF)
Not to be outdone by his rookie running mate, Haynes has been a shot in the arm for Brampton as a first-year forward.
The lefty leads the team in goals with 38 this summer, and his electric style and energy will be paramount in this series.
Anthony Cedilotte (G)
While he has worked in a timeshare this summer, Cedilotte took the reins down the stretch in net for the Excelsiors, and he finished as one of the best shot-stoppers league-wide in the regular season. Facing off against a high-powered Whitby defence on the other side, it’s going to take a solid effort from the Montreal product.
