CDHL set to begin the first of two 7 game series’ for the winter.
All eyes were on captain Heise entering this draft, back at the helm of the Spartans after an extremely lackluster first outing as a GM. That initial draft left his squad battered and dismantled last series, but with one full draft under his belt, Heise came in determined to prove he learned from his mistakes.
Across the table stood the league’s biggest wildcard: Kyle, the newly appointed captain of the Los Banditos. Widely regarded as the best pure player in the league, this marked Kyle’s first ever draft as a captain—an experiment the entire CDHL has been waiting to observe.
The draft opened exactly as expected. Battery went 1st overall, with little debate or drama. But at 2nd overall, the tone of the night shifted. In his first-ever selection as captain, Kyle sent shockwaves through the league by drafting his longtime friend Strumy. Chemistry over consensus—an early sign that this Banditos roster would be built on familiarity as much as firepower.
Heise answered immediately by selecting Joey, the third defenceman taken in as many picks. Sources around the league are split on how Joey and Battery will coexist on the same blue line for the first time. Two elite talents. Two massive egos. This pairing could either anchor the Spartans into dominance or combust spectacularly under pressure.
From there, Kyle focused on stability—rounding out his core with savvy, experienced veterans Monty, Savoie, and Rhys. Heise mirrored the strategy, countering with proven winners of his own in Spen, Paddy, and Dumas, clearly prioritizing playoff pedigree.
Then came the moment of the draft.
Kyle dipped back into controversy, selecting Boulos just 45 minutes after a heated on-ice confrontation between the two that required separation and nearly cleared the benches. League sources confirm the commissioner warned that a repeat incident could result in suspending the league entirely. Boulos remains one of the most polarizing figures in the CDHL—capable of winning you a series single-handedly, or making you regret your life choices as a GM. Which version shows up may define the Banditos’ season.
Heise responded by drafting the league’s resident DAWG, Iano—injecting grit, presence, and an unmistakable edge into the Spartans lineup.
Kyle continued leaning into chemistry, stacking familiar faces in Cattapan, Ty, and newly joined prospect Al Lemay, who enters the league carrying significant expectations. Post-eval, Lemay raised eyebrows with his confidence:
“I joined the league thinking I’d be one of the worst ones here. But man, I’m kinda nasty.”
He then pivoted to a surprisingly political take, saying he felt Justin Trudeau never really got a fair chance, and that as a society we’re far too quick to jump down each other’s throats. Lemay even referenced the earlier Kyle–Boulos incident:
“Did you see Kyle sucker punch Boulos? Like why was he so mad? Give the guy a chance.”
He closed by saying he hopes to bring “a bit of unity and friendship” to the Banditos—an ambitious goal for a rookie joining one of the most volatile locker rooms the CDHL has seen in years.
As the draft wound down, Heise locked in Eric D’aNacho between the pipes, a move widely viewed as the final piece needed to support a championship run. Just when it seemed the chaos had settled, Kyle dropped his final bomb—stealing MAC right from under Heise’s nose. Rumour has it MAC was left extremely angered by the move and has since refused to make Heise pork sliders at family gatherings. A rivalry deepened.
Early Verdict
Initial reports have the Spartans as significant favourites, citing a roster with no obvious weaknesses and near-flawless construction by Heise. The Banditos, meanwhile, boast explosive firepower—but cohesion remains the looming question. Will the Kyle/Boulos saga overshadow the room, or can Unc’s years of wisdom—and lengthy discussions about his son’s future school plans—keep the group unified?
One thing is certain: this season will not be quiet.
Game 1: Monday, January 12th at 6:15 PM. Stay tuned.