#1 A’s

For the second consecutive season, the A’s find themselves sitting atop the CDHL Preseason Power Rankings.

Last season, they entered the Spring campaign as the favourites, only to fall just short after finishing second and watching the West Island Jawz skate away with the championship. This summer, captain Iano returns with something to prove.

Joined once again by his trusted admin, Spen, Iano attacked the draft with one clear philosophy: Don’t build the flashiest team. Build the deepest one. Mission accomplished.

While the A’s may not have the single biggest superstar in the league, they may very well have the most complete roster from top to bottom. There are very few weaknesses, and even fewer players who look out of place.

With the 3rd overall pick, the A’s selected veteran sniper TJ Ward. A pick that came as no surprise to anyone. Ward is one of the league’s purest goal scorers. Give him a clean look and there’s a good chance the red light is coming on. Whether it’s off the rush, one-timers, or finding soft ice in the offensive zone, TJ simply has a knack for putting the puck in the back of the net.

The A’s followed that up by selecting arguably the best defenceman available in Ryan Gore. Smooth, poised and incredibly reliable, Gore is the type of player every championship team wants anchoring its blue line. He won’t always end up on the scoresheet, but he’ll quietly control games with his skating and decision-making.

The A’s continued adding size and skill by selecting Kristian Gingras, a powerful forward capable of dominating below the goal line, before adding the ever-reliable Ryan “Meat” Lemay, whose combination of grit, compete level and versatility gives Iano another player he can trust in every situation.

From there, the depth just kept coming. Will Takla brings creativity and offensive flair. FX Cyr is one of the more underrated two-way players in the league. Matt Ianovale adds another dependable veteran presence.

Harley Belfer continues to quietly do all the little things that help teams win hockey games.As evidenced by his game tying goal in the Spring season finals.

Then came Carlo Marroni, another player capable of playing important minutes wherever he’s needed.

When the time came to address the crease, the A’s selected Chris O’Brien, giving themselves one of the steadier goaltenders in the CDHL. O’Brien has already shown he’s capable of stealing games when called upon, and having that reliability in net only strengthens what already looks like one of the league’s most balanced rosters.

The draft finished with more quality additions in Danny, Pat Mallette, Matthew Donato, KR, and Rob Guttman.

None of those picks are flashy. Every single one makes sense. That’s what separates this roster from the rest of the league. There isn’t a glaring weakness. They have scoring. They have defence. They have goaltending. They have depth. They have experience. They have size. They have chemistry.

And perhaps most importantly… They don’t rely on one player to carry them. If TJ Ward has an off night, someone else can step up. If Gore gets matched against another team’s top line, there are still plenty of players capable of creating offense elsewhere. It’s a luxury very few teams possess.

When asked about once again being ranked first heading into the season, captain Iano wasn’t interested in talking about paper champions. “Power rankings don’t win hockey games.”

Simple. Direct. And probably the right mindset after last season.

The Jawz proved in the spring that the best roster doesn’t always win the championship. The A’s know that better than anyone. But if we’re judging teams based solely on what happened at the draft table… Nobody had a better night.

Biggest Strength: The deepest and most complete roster in the CDHL.

Biggest Concern: Can they finally turn preseason hype into a championship?

X-Factor: Eric Spensieri. If he produces the way many believe he’s capable of, the A’s offense becomes nearly impossible to contain.

Prediction: The team to beat. Anything less than a trip to the Summer Finals would be viewed as an underachievement, and they’re our favourites to lift the CDHL Summer Championship.

#2 Spartans

One word. Firepower. If there were a trophy awarded for offensive potential before the season even began, the Spartans might already have it sitting in their locker room.

After finishing last during the Spring Season, captain Yiani returns looking to take the next step. This time, alongside a new face as his admin, Joey Dunne-Fox, younger brother of his previous admin Paddy. The duo attacked this draft with one thing in mind: Score more goals than everybody else.

Mission accomplished. The Spartans opened the draft with arguably the biggest prize available: Spencer Gallant. Already regarded as one of the league’s elite offensive talents, Gallant possesses the speed, vision and confidence to take over a game every time he steps on the ice. The self picks of Captain Yiani and admin Joey followed, as expected.

John Bountounis came next, bringing another highly skilled offensive presence before Mike Knopp slid to the Spartans in the fifth round. Quietly, that may end up being one of the best value picks of the draft. Mike is the type of player every contender wants. He sees the ice exceptionally well, distributes the puck with ease, and never seems rushed with it on his stick.

From there, the Spartans continued adding talent. And more siblings. Paddy Dunne-Fox (brother of Joey). Billy Bountounis (brother of Johnny). Alex Cattapan (half-brother of Yiani). TMann and Jack Hazan (identical twins). The bloodlines run very strong throughout the Spartans lineup, and will surely be a strong suit of theirs.

The Spartans also snagged Eric D’Amour as the first goalie of the draft. Widely expected to steady the ship from the back.

Spartans also selected A’s captain Iano’s best friend: SK. When asked about being selected by Yiani, SK said: “not thrilled tbh. But it is what it is. Just had my first kid a couple months ago and now I gotta baby sit Catty and Yiani every Monday… sick… could be worse though. I could be with battery. Hate that guy”

There isn’t much star power drop-off throughout this lineup. It’s wave after wave of players capable of producing offense. But as dangerous as this roster is… There’s one glaring concern. Who exactly is defending?

The Spartans may possess the league’s most explosive forward group, but compared to the teams ahead of them, their defensive depth leaves a little more to be desired.

One league executive laughed when asked about the Spartans’ strategy. “They’re either winning games 8-6… or losing them 8-6.” Honestly… He’s probably right.

Fortunately for Yiani, his roster isn’t short on leadership. Veterans like Mike Knopp, Jack Hazan and Alex Cattapan bring experience, while younger stars should ensure this team never struggles to generate offense.

The chemistry also appears to be outstanding. Most of this group either knows one another well or has played together before, something that should help them hit the ground running when the season opens.

The old saying goes: Defense wins championships. The Spartans seem determined to test that theory. If they can get just enough saves and buy into defending as a five-man unit, this team has every bit as much talent as anyone in the league. If not… Expect plenty of highlight-reel goals. Just don’t expect all of them to be scored by the Spartans.

Biggest Strength: Easily the most explosive offensive lineup in the CDHL.

Biggest Concern: Defensive depth and whether the forwards buy into backchecking.

X-Factor: Joey Dunne-Fox. If he elevates into one of the league’s elite two-way forwards, the Spartans become terrifying.

Prediction: A lock for the playoffs and a legitimate championship contender. They’ll score with anyone in the league—but whether they can keep the puck out of their own net will determine if they’re lifting the trophy at season’s end.

#3 Los Banditos

After finishing 3rd in the Spring Season, the Los Banditos return this summer with something to prove.

Led once again by captain Battery Jr. and his trusted admin Tyler Watt, the Banditos enter the season with what many believe could be the highest ceiling in the entire CDHL. Their draft was methodical, balanced, and loaded with skill from top to bottom.

So why are they only ranked third? Because this team comes with two massive question marks that could either propel them to a championship… or keep them stuck in the middle of the pack.

The draft opened with Battery Jr forced to take himself once again in the first round. His second pick may have been the steal of the first round.

Anthony Kyriopoulos somehow slipped to fifth overall after an outstanding Spring Season. When Kyrio is on the ice, there’s a legitimate argument to be made that he’s the best player in the league. His speed, hands and ability to completely take over a game are second to none.

There’s just one problem. He has to actually show up. After playing just four total games during the Spring Season, availability has become the biggest storyline surrounding one of the league’s biggest stars. If Kyrio commits to playing consistently, the Banditos instantly become legitimate championship favourites.

If not… Battery may once again find himself searching for offense.

The Banditos continued adding youth and grit with Liam Bettan (who finished the spring season 1st in points) before selecting league veteran David Montgomery—a player every captain loves to have. He’ll block shots, finish every hit, and make sure opponents know exactly where he is every shift.

The middle rounds continued to showcase Battery’s balanced approach. Dimitri Tsitouras brings the dawg. Anything you need, Dim brings. Grit, speed, power, good looks, squidward, … a true captains dream.

Ben Godfrey is now another season removed from his Achilles injury and should finally be approaching full strength. He certainly showed to be back to normal as last season progressed.

Rhys McRae adds speed and unpredictability. Rayan Khalfi brings offensive flair.

Then came the biggest surprise of the entire draft. Tasso.

Widely regarded by players around the league as a Top-15 talent, Tasso somehow free-fell all the way to 36th overall. Talent has never been the concern. Attitude has. League insiders suggest several teams simply didn’t want to deal with the potential headaches that can come with one of the league’s most emotional competitors.

Which brings us to the Banditos’ second major question mark. Can Battery Jr. keep Tasso engaged, focused, and pulling in the same direction as the rest of the room? Or will emotions boil over before the playoffs even arrive?

If Battery finds the right buttons to push, this pick could go down as one of the biggest steals of the entire draft. If not… Well… there’s probably going to be some entertaining group chat screenshots.

The Banditos rounded out the roster with Zach Pelletier, Isaac Jenne, Ryan Castiel, Battery Sr, Ray Kingsley and Marcelo Lisi—adding experience, depth and plenty of locker room personalities.

And yes… we can confirm… Zik is back. We reached out to Zik’s representatives for comment, but they informed us he was unavailable, citing “ongoing networking obligations” and a “high-priority LinkedIn announcement.”

The Banditos are one of the deepest teams in the league. They have responsible veterans, young skill, balanced scoring and excellent leadership. But no team has a wider range of outcomes. If Kyrio shows up every week and Battery successfully keeps Tasso dialed in, this roster has everything needed to finish #1 and compete for a Summer Championship.

If those two question marks go the other way… Third place may end up looking optimistic.

Biggest Strength: Elite balance and offensive threat throughout the lineup.

Biggest Concern: Availability from Kyrio and managing Tasso’s personality.

X-Factor: Anthony Kyriopoulos. If he plays a full season, the Banditos become the team nobody wants to face.

Prediction: The highest ceiling in the league outside of the A’s. Don’t be surprised if this team ends the season sitting atop the standings.

#4 WI Jawz

It’s never easy being the defending champions.

After shocking the league by capturing the inaugural CDHL Spring Championship, the West Island Jawz enter the Summer Season with a target firmly planted on their backs. Captain Jonathan Heise and admin Kevin Dumas have gone from being the hunters… to the hunted.

So why are the reigning champs only ranked fourth? Simple. This isn’t the same roster that hoisted the trophy just a few weeks ago.

While the championship pedigree deserves respect, much of the core that powered that playoff run has moved on, leaving Heise and Dumas with the challenge of building a contender all over again. It’s a talented group, but one that’s filled with far more uncertainty than last season’s title-winning squad.

Unlike the spring draft, the Jawz decided to build around themselves. Using the second overall pick on captain Heise wasn’t exactly surprising, but it certainly got people talking. One anonymous GM told us,

“I don’t hate the pick… I just didn’t realize self-confidence counted toward the salary cap.”

The Jawz followed that up with Adam “Gummy Bear” Guillemette, arguably one of the best value selections of the draft. A smooth-skating utility player capable of playing both forward and defence, Guillemette brings high-end hockey IQ and should log big minutes whenever he’s available.

Then came Jay D’Amour—a player capable of taking over games offensively when he’s in the lineup. The issue, however, isn’t talent. It’s attendance.

The same can be said for several pieces on this roster, making availability one of the biggest storylines surrounding the defending champs.

George Tsagarosipos adds another dangerous offensive weapon and should fit nicely alongside Dumas and Heise, while Dumas himself falling to 18th overall may quietly end up being one of the steals of the entire draft.

One league scout summed it up best: “You know exactly what you’re getting with Dumas. He’ll score goals, chirp somebody’s mother, and somehow still leave the rink with everybody laughing.”

The Jawz continued adding depth with Nico Daly, Ryan Handfield, David Tavares and Lukas Scullion before selecting goaltender Carl Gazarian-Page. Carl has already shown he can steal games all by himself.

Unfortunately…he’s also shown he can occasionally make the impossible save look routine and the routine save look impossible.

The final rounds saw Heise prioritize locker room chemistry once again, bringing in Kyle Carrier, Corey Friedman, Alex Simpson, Blake Neubart and the legendary MAC.

One thing is guaranteed: this team will enjoy coming to the rink. Whether they’ll enjoy looking up at the standings is another question entirely.

The Jawz deserve the respect that comes with being defending champions. You don’t win a title by accident. But this summer roster simply has more unanswered questions than the three teams ahead of them.

Never count out a team led by Heise and Dumas—but repeating is a whole different challenge.

Biggest Strength: Championship experience and elite locker room chemistry.

Biggest Concern: Attendance and replacing the production lost from the championship roster.

X-Factor: Adam “Gummy Bear” Guillemette. If he’s available consistently, he changes the complexion of this team.

Prediction: They’ll battle every night, but repeating as champions will require another magical playoff run.

Midseason Notes from the Insiderrrr

After running the gauntlet once, the first half of the CDHL Spring 2026 season is officially complete. Every team has now played each other once… well, sort of. The lone exception came in Week 3, when the WI Jawz forfeited their matchup against the A’s in favour of watching the Montreal Canadiens playoff game. A decision that may genuinely become a legendary CDHL moment.

With the first round of matchups complete, the standings currently look like this:

1st — A’s (3-0-0) — 6 pts
2nd — Los Banditos (1-1-1) — 3 pts
3rd — Spartans (0-1-2) — 2 pts
4th — WI Jawz (0-2-1) — 0 pts

1st Place — A’s (3-0-0)

The A’s have looked exactly how everyone expected them to look after draft night: dominant.

Still undefeated at 3-0, the A’s continue to prove why they were ranked as preseason favourites. The chemistry is there, the depth is there, and most importantly, the stars are producing exactly the way you’d expect franchise players to.

Spencer Gallant and Kristian Gingras have completely carried the offensive load so far, which honestly shouldn’t surprise anybody considering they were the A’s first two picks of the draft. Gallant has already piled up 4 points in just 2 games, while Gingras has matched that total himself. Both have been dangerous every single shift, constantly finding soft spots in coverage and punishing teams in transition.

Captain Iano deserves major credit as well. After last season’s criticism, he came into this draft with something to prove, and so far he’s silenced everybody. The A’s don’t just win games — they control them.

“My squad’s commited. We don’t forfeit games. We earn wins. Blue collar style.”

Defensively, they’ve been nearly impossible to break down consistently. Chad Bourdages has stabilized the back end with calm defensive play along with his towering giant d partner, Lew.

The scary part for the rest of the league? This team still feels like it hasn’t fully peaked yet.

2nd Place — Los Banditos (1-1-1)

If the A’s own the standings, Los Banditos currently own the score sheet.

The Banditos offence has absolutely exploded through the first half of the season, and it all starts with what has quickly become the most productive line in the CDHL: Liam Bettan, Thomas John Ward, and Tyler Watt.

The trio has been responsible for the majority of the Banditos offence so far, which explains why all three currently sit inside the league’s top scorers. Bettan leads the entire CDHL with 7 points, TJ Ward sits right behind him with 6, and Ty Watt rounds out the top three with 5 points of his own.

Every shift they touch the ice feels dangerous. Bettan has been lethal finishing chances, Ward has been an absolute playmaking machine, and Watt’s ability to drive possession and create space has tied the entire line together perfectly.

Meanwhile, captain Battery Jr. has quietly been dominating from the blue line. Not only has he anchored the Banditos defensively, but he currently leads all CDHL defencemen in points —something he aims to take advantage of as his fiercest rivals Joey Dunne-Fox and Brandon Boulos are both currently on LTIR.

Los Banditos star duo/brothers Al and Ryan Lemay were asked post game, how they like their team; “love this squad. Our presence is felt every shift. On the ice. In the stands. On LinkedIn. You name it. We’re there.”

The Banditos remain the definition of controlled chaos. Some games look like a highlight reel, others look like complete panic defensively, but one thing is undeniable: nobody in the league can match their offensive firepower right now.

3rd Place — Spartans (0-1-2)

The Spartans continue to live up to their identity perfectly: impossible to beat cleanly, impossible to enjoy playing against.

Despite still searching for their first win, the Spartans sit third thanks to two overtime losses, and honestly, they’ve looked far more dangerous than their record suggests.

Pistol Pete, Andreas “Tasso” Tassopoulos, and captain Yiani Dafniotis all currently sit inside the league’s top 10 in scoring, giving the Spartans one of the sneakiest productive cores in the league.

Tasso in particular has become one of the league’s most entertaining personalities already. When asked about playing alongside Kyle Carrier and Pistol Pete, he didn’t hold back.

“Playing with Pete and Kyle is unbelievable. Pete sees the game like he’s in the Matrix and Kyle just skates around like he drank four Monsters before warmups. I just stand there and collect points.”

Tasso also somehow found time to take a shot at Canadiens goalie Jakub Dobes during his postgame availability.

“I can’t watch that guy. Every whistle he’s falling over like somebody sniped him from the upper bowl. It’s unbelievable.”

Meanwhile, David Tavares has quietly emerged as one of the biggest surprises in the entire league. The Spartans defenceman has already started generating serious “steal of the draft” buzz thanks to his steady defensive play and unexpected offensive production. Every week he seems more confident, and the Spartans look significantly better when he’s on the ice.

Captain Yiani was asked about the Spartans obvious cherry picking strategy;

“Yea I mean we’re young. We’re fast. We’re skilled. So we can afford to cheat. Haters gonna hate but we gotta do what we gotta do to rack up the dubz ya feel me?”

Spartans currently have 0 dubz, 2 ties and 1 loss.

As always, the Spartans remain brutally difficult to play against. They block everything, slow games down, frustrate opponents with their cherry picking and somehow drag every matchup into overtime chaos.

4th Place — WI Jawz (0-2-1)

The WI Jawz may sit at the bottom of the standings, but they’ve easily been one of the funniest storylines of the season so far.

Unfortunately for captain Heise, the on-ice production hasn’t quite matched the entertainment value yet. Through his first two games, Heise has been surprisingly quiet offensively, recording just 1 point so far.

Still, he managed to deliver the quote of the season regarding the team’s Week 3 forfeit.

“Look… sometimes the boys need a culture night. The Habs needed us. I regret nothing. Plots being built already. Don’t worry about us.”

To their credit, the Jawz didn’t completely waste the evening. Sources say Heise and last-round pick MAC hopped on the free ice afterward to continue working on their game while the rest of the league roasted them in the group chat.

The Jawz have shown flashes offensively, but consistency continues to be the issue. The team has struggled putting together full 50-minute efforts.

Still, there’s a feeling around the league that the Jawz are better than their record. They play fast, they create chaos, and if things ever fully click, they could become a nightmare matchup late in the season.

Jawz 14th overall pick, Dim was quoted saying;
“Είμαστε μια παρέα πολύ σέξι άντρες και δεν έχουμε καν κάνει ντους μαζί ακόμα. Κανένας πανικός από μέρους μας.”

Midseason Scoring Race

At the halfway mark, the scoring race belongs almost entirely to Los Banditos.

Liam Bettan leads the CDHL with 7 points, followed closely by Thomas John Ward with 6 and Tyler Watt with 5. Captain Andrew Anagnostopoulos also sits near the top with 5 points and a league-leading 4 assists.

Behind the Banditos stars sits a strong mix of A’s and Spartans talent, including Spencer Gallant, Kristian Gingras, Tasso, Pistol Pete, Yiani Dafniotis, and David Tavares.

And perhaps the biggest surprise of all?

Despite their offensive flashes, not a single WI Jawz player currently sits near the very top of the league scoring race.

At the midpoint of the season, the A’s may still own first place — but Los Banditos officially own the spotlight.

#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.

#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.

#3 Los Banditos

If there’s one team walking the line between calculated structure and pure chaos, it’s Los Banditos. Led by veteran captain Battery Jr., alongside trusted lieutenant Ty Watt, this is a group many around the league are already labeling as the most balanced roster to come out of the draft. But balance doesn’t always win games—and the big question looming over this squad is simple: where does the scoring consistently come from?

Battery Jr. wasted no time making a splash, selecting highly regarded sniper TJ Ward with his first pick. A newcomer with a reputation for finishing, Ward brings immediate offensive credibility. But the real story came moments later, when Ryan “Meat” Lemay—widely projected as a top pick—shockingly fell right into Battery’s lap.

League sources say Battery had been deadlocked on the decision between Ward and Lemay for days leading up to the draft—reportedly even taking time out of his notoriously busy texting schedule to scout both players live at Bob Birnie Arena during the now-infamous P tournament. In the end, he didn’t have to choose.

Landing both Ward and Lemay gives the Banditos a legitimate 1-2 punch down the middle that could very well be the deepest center core in the CDHL.

After that, however, things get a little less certain.

The Banditos turned to familiarity and upside, selecting league returnee Ben Godfrey, who is working his way back from a torn Achilles suffered over a year ago. While the talent is undeniable, questions remain about how quickly he can return to form.

Battery then doubled down on youth, drafting unproven newcomers Liam Bettan and William Takla—two picks that raised eyebrows across the league. When pressed on their offensive potential, Battery didn’t hesitate:

“Yeah I mean, I used to coach Bettan. Kid’s got the sandpaper—and he can find the net when needed. I’ve got some high hopes for him. As for Takla… did you see his through-the-legs bardown in the eval game? Buddy had Unc looking for spare parts. That’s all I needed to see, man.”

Confidence isn’t in short supply.

The Banditos became the first team to trigger the goalie run, selecting Lukas Reindl at 34th overall—a netminder many believe could be the best in the league. There’s just one catch: Reindl is already confirmed to miss the finals on June 22nd. For some, that brings back uneasy memories of past “can’t-miss” goalies who… well, missed. (Cough Lisbona.)

And then came the moment that truly shook the room.

With the 42nd pick, the Banditos selected THE CAT—just one spot before Spartans captain Yiani was expected to take his longtime friend. According to multiple sources, there had been a pre-draft “gentlemen’s agreement” in place. Clearly, that agreement didn’t survive draft night.

Ty Watt didn’t hold back when asked about the fallout:
“Yiani’s such a baby, man. Kid literally started crying when we took Cattapan. Full meltdown—death stares, yelling, the whole thing. Thank god his admin Paddy stepped in, gave him a Raspberry/Blueberry Ring Pop and a Brisk iced tea to calm him down. I don’t think I could’ve handled much more of that.”

A veteran intervention from Paddy, no doubt.

From there, the Banditos leaned heavily into character, rounding out their roster with Jack “Baby Hutson” Hazan, Al “1-5” Lemay, Battery Sr., and Rob “Gutter” Guttman—a group that guarantees personality in the room, if nothing else.

But the biggest wildcard—arguably in the entire league—comes in the form of Isaac Jenne.

In a move that many once thought impossible, the Banditos actually drafted him. And while he’s officially signed, paid, and rostered… he has yet to be seen anywhere near a CDHL facility. So for now, his debut remains more myth than reality.

We did reach out to Jenne’s PR team for comment, but were told he is currently unavailable, as he’s in the middle of crafting a “serious and carefully thought-out LinkedIn post.”

Classic.

The verdict? Los Banditos might be the most well-rounded team on paper. But between unanswered questions about scoring depth, availability concerns, and a few… bold personality dynamics, this is a team that could just as easily finish first as they could unravel completely.

Either way, they’ll be must-watch hockey.

#4 West Island Jawz

A brand-new franchise with undeniable personality, the Jawz are captained by standout forward Heise and backed by his right-hand man, sniper Dumas. While there’s little debate around the league that the Jawz boast the cleanest jerseys in the CDHL, questions remain about whether the roster underneath can match the aesthetic.

Heise wasted no time making a statement on draft day, selecting highly touted newcomer Ryan Gore with his first pick. The smooth-skating defenceman is widely viewed as a cornerstone piece—someone who can stabilize the back end and allow Heise and Dumas to focus on driving offense. It was a pick that drew near-universal praise.

At 12th overall, the Jawz added veteran presence with DMonty, a player known as much for his grit and relentless motor as for chipping in timely goals. Up to that point, the draft appeared methodical, even calculated. But things quickly took a turn.

With the 13th pick, Heise selected Dim—a choice that raised eyebrows across the league. While Dim brings elite conditioning and undeniable work ethic, his offensive upside has long been a question mark. Shortly after, the Jawz doubled down on uncertainty, drafting defenceman Nico Daly, who hasn’t played organized hockey in nearly a decade.

When asked about the decision, Heise remained confident:
“Yeah well he’s a fellow CCHL alum like I am. You obviously gotta be a certain level of good to lace ’em up in the C-Show like I did, you know what I mean? I’m not worried about DalDawg. Give him like a month or two and he’ll be back up to speed in no time.”

Heise was later reminded the spring season spans just seven games.

As the draft progressed, the Jawz leaned into familiarity. They added Khalfi, a known solo-skill specialist, and Belfer, a steady defenceman with a knack for jumping into the rush. From there, the gamble factor returned, with back-to-back selections of newcomers Corey Friedman and Omar Benjelloun—neither of whom participated in the evaluation skate.

Assistant captain Dumas didn’t sugarcoat it:
“Yeah, we genuinely have zero clue what we’re getting there. But based off word of mouth, they’re both great guys and they both play hockey. So that should be a big help.”

In net, the Jawz waited until late to secure their guy, selecting returning CDHL goaltender Chris O’Brien, fresh off becoming a new father. His post-draft comments were… concise:
“Yeah, I got new pads. They’re green. I like them.”

And honestly, so do we.

Heise closed out the draft by going back to what he knows best, selecting THE DON and MAC with his final two picks—moves that further reinforce the team’s emphasis on chemistry and locker room culture.

There’s no question the West Island Jawz will be one of the most entertaining teams off the ice this season. Whether that translates into wins on it, however, remains one of the league’s biggest question marks.

An Announcement from the Desk of CDHL Commissioner RH

The Caliente Draft Hockey League has always stood for more than just competition. At its core, this league represents integrity, balance, commitment, and the shared passion that each of you brings to the game. Every roster decision, every trade, and every season is built on the foundation of fairness and the belief that all teams should have a legitimate opportunity to compete.

It is with that responsibility in mind that I’ve spent considerable time evaluating the current state of the league. These decisions are never made lightly. They require thoughtful consideration, honest conversations, and a clear understanding of what is best not just for a single team—but for the league as a whole. Our goal has always been parity, engagement, and long-term sustainability.

After careful review, I have come to the difficult decision to move forward with a series of adjustments that I believe will better align us with those values. This will involve three separate player swaps, impacting a total of six players across the league. While change can be challenging, it is sometimes necessary to maintain the competitive balance that defines the Caliente Draft Hockey League. Note that the overall structure and spirit of how each team was built will be affected as little as possible.

To ensure transparency and allow each move the attention it deserves, these trades will be announced individually over the next three days. Each day at 1:00 PM, one trade will be revealed. I ask that you each tune into the CDHL group chat to witness each announcement live.

I understand that these changes may spark discussion—and that’s part of what makes this league great. I ask that everyone approach these announcements with an open mind and a shared respect for the process. Every move has been made with the intention of strengthening the league we all care about.

Thank you for your continued commitment, passion, and trust.

P.S. The series remains 2-0-1 for Los Banditos

Commissioner RH
Caliente Draft Hockey League