#2 Spartans

If upside alone decided championships, the Spartans might already have one foot on the podium.

Led by young captain Yiani—undefeated at 1-0 in his captaincy career—and backed by his fiery, detail-driven admin Paddy, better known as PDF, the Spartans enter the spring season as one of the most fascinating builds in the CDHL. It’s a partnership that, on paper, makes perfect sense: where Yiani brings energy and youth, PDF supplies structure and composure. Together, they’ve assembled what many around the league believe is the most electrifying offensive unit coming out of the draft.

And they didn’t waste time proving it.

With their first selection, the Spartans locked in last season’s breakout star, Kyrio—a dynamic forward whose blend of speed, skill, and creativity makes him one of the most dangerous players in the league. Already, Kyrio is being mentioned as an early favourite for the Hart Trophy, and it’s easy to see why.

They doubled down immediately after, selecting George, another high-end offensive talent. At that point, it became clear: the Spartans weren’t just building a team—they were building a track meet.

Looking to anchor things on the back end, the Spartans then selected Adam “Gummy Bear” Guillemette, a versatile newcomer capable of playing both forward and defence at a high level. Widely considered one of the more underrated players in the draft, Guillemette brings a strong hockey IQ and reliable two-way presence.

When asked about joining the Spartans, he offered this:
“We’re definitely super young—that’ll be a lot of fun to play with. For some reason, Yiani’s decided to call me ‘Gummy Bear,’ which I’m not too fond of. But he’s my captain—I’ll run through a wall for him.”

High praise—and perhaps a nickname that’s here to stay.

The only concern? Availability. Guillemette is reportedly expected to miss up to 40% of the season, leaving a potential gap in what is otherwise a thin defensive core.

Back up front, the Spartans kept their foot on the gas, selecting Tasso—yet another offensively gifted forward. Rumours have circulated that Tasso once cracked the top 10 globally in NHL 26 rankings, though, as of now, that claim remains firmly in the realm of locker-room lore.

Still, the talent is undeniable.

With so much firepower assembled, the question becomes less about scoring—and more about responsibility. Can this group commit to the defensive side of the puck? Or will they rely on simply outscoring opponents night after night?

Through the middle rounds, the Spartans focused on depth and energy, adding Rhyser, Billy B, Zach “The Peloton” Pelletier, and David “John” Tavares. The latter, however, comes with a storyline of his own.

Sources indicate Tavares was less than thrilled on draft night, having hoped to land alongside his brother-in-law, Ryan Gore, with the West Island Jawz. Witnesses reported seeing Tavares storm out of 4 Glaces shortly after his selection.

PDF addressed the situation with optimism:
“I get the frustration—we all want to play with friends or family. But hopefully he’ll come around and see what we’re building here. We’ve got a great core, unbelievable locker room chemistry, and some awesome team activities planned. I’ve already mapped it out: afternoon nap time, then I’ll read Caillou to the boys, and if they behave, they get some Sour Patch Kids. It’s going to be a great time.”

A bold strategy—time will tell if it works.

The Spartans rounded out their roster with a strong emphasis on locker room presence, bringing in newcomer Kyle Carrier—widely known for his positive energy—alongside CDHL veterans Simmer, Pat Mal, Ray, and UNC.

And that’s where the final piece of the puzzle lies.

UNC, a notoriously streaky goaltender, may ultimately determine how far this team goes. On his best nights, he can steal games outright with highlight-reel performances. On others… cracks can show at the worst possible times.

Which version shows up this season could define the Spartans’ fate.

There’s no denying the potential. This is a team built for excitement, built for scoring, and built to entertain. But whether they can find the balance needed to turn highlight-reel hockey into consistent wins remains the defining question.

One thing is certain: when the Spartans are on the ice, you won’t want to look away.