#1 A’s

A name with history. A brand with pedigree. And now—finally—a team ready to make noise in the CDHL.

Once known for their legacy in ball hockey and baseball, the A’s have officially expanded into the CDHL, and they’ve done so in a big way. Leading the charge is a familiar figure in captain Iano, who enters this season looking to redeem himself after what many considered a disastrous showing in his previous stint behind the draft table. Alongside him is admin Spen—arguably the most elite cherry-picker the league has ever seen—bringing both offensive instinct and an undeniable edge to the leadership group.

Together, they may have just built the team to beat.

Holding the first overall pick, the A’s made no mistake, selecting Spencer Gallant—a highly touted newcomer widely regarded as the best player in the league. Currently playing semi-pro in Ontario as a defenceman, Gallant has already indicated his intention to suit up at forward this season. It’s a bold transition, but one that few are questioning. With his size, strength, skill, and elite hockey IQ, expectations are sky-high.

And the A’s didn’t stop there.

They doubled down on chemistry and firepower by selecting Gallant’s close friend, Kristian Gingras, in the second round. Standing at 6’2”, 190 lbs, Gingras brings a true power-forward presence, complete with a heavy, dangerous shot. Together, Gallant and Gingras instantly form one of the most intimidating duos in the league.

From there, the A’s continued to stack value. Mike Knopp, a natural playmaker, and Johnny B, a proven finisher, were added to an already loaded forward group—giving this team not just star power, but depth.

On the back end, the A’s addressed their needs with precision. Their first defensive selection, Chad from Chad, is a stay-at-home presence who thrives in the dirty areas and isn’t afraid to make life miserable in front of the net. It’s a pick that adds grit to an otherwise skill-heavy roster.

The middle rounds brought one of the least surprising moments of the entire draft: Iano selecting SK. As one league source put it,
“Not surprising whatsoever. Those two are inseparable. It’s honestly impressive—just a great friendship. You knew it was happening.”

Continuing to reinforce the blue line, the A’s selected Lew—a versatile, two-way player and one of several new fathers in the league. His ability to contribute in all situations adds another layer of reliability to the roster.

They followed that up with the additions of FX Cyr and returning CDHL player Danny A—two steady, dependable pieces expected to round out a quietly solid defensive core.

In goal, the A’s turned heads by selecting Carl Gazarian-Page as just the second goalie taken in the entire draft. Despite limited scouting exposure, Iano didn’t hesitate when asked about the decision:
“Dawg.”

Sometimes, that’s all you need.

One of the more heartwarming moments of the draft came shortly after, as the A’s selected twin brothers Colby and Blake Neubart, reuniting the duo on the same roster. When asked what they’re expecting from their CDHL experience, the responses were… wholesome:

Blake: “Umm… fun hockey. With my friends. On a Monday night. Yeah.”
Colby: “I think we’ll have fun. Our captain looks really cool. He keeps talking about some place called ‘Source du Sexe’? Says they’ve got great wings. I guess Blake and I will have to check it out.”

A team bonding night may already be in the works.

Late in the draft, the A’s may have found a gem in KR—a player many believe slipped far lower than he should have. Admin Spen was quick to defend the pick:
“KR hasn’t played ice in 5+ years. Give the guy a break. Couple games, and he’ll be earning his ham in no time.”

They closed things out with another strong locker room addition in John Papa—a CDHL returnee, new father, and respected voice with a high hockey IQ.

From top to bottom, the A’s have it all: elite talent, size, depth, chemistry, and personality. There are few glaring weaknesses, and even fewer excuses.

The pressure? It’s squarely on them.

Anything less than a championship, and this season may feel like a missed opportunity. But if everything clicks, the A’s aren’t just contenders—they’re the standard.

The team to beat.

And heading into the inaugural CDHL Spring season, that’s exactly where they belong.