The Best Of The Best

Rosters Announced For GTHL Top Prospects Game

It is one of the most prestigious youth hockey showcase games, and it’s back for 2022.

After not taking place last season, the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) has announced that the 2022 GTHL Top Prospects Game will take place on Jan. 13 at Scotiabank Pond in Downsview Park.

Forty of the best Under-16 AAA players from the league have been selected for the 12th edition of the annual event to showcase their skills. They will be split into Team Black and Team White, with each roster featuring 12 forwards, six defensemen and two goalies.

Celebrity coaches will be announced at a later date, as well.

“The GTHL is excited and grateful for the return of this event,” said Scott Oakman, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the GTHL. “Many current NHL players have competed in this event and we always take pride in getting the chance to give our players the opportunity to showcase their skills. The League appreciates the continued support from Under Armour, providing fans and our players with the best possible experience.”

The game serves as an annual ‘names you should get to know’ showcase for the hockey world. Past participants include Connor McDavid, Mitch Marner, Darnell Nurse, and last year’s No. 1 overall NHL Draft pick Owen Power.

The Mississauga Senators — ranked No. 3 in the latest World Hockey Hub rankings for the 2006 birth year — led the way with nine players listed on the initial roster. Two of their brightest stars, however, are a year younger than most of their peers. Michael Misa, projected as the top Canadian player in the 2007 birth year by Puck Preps, will be one of the headliners of the Top Prospects Game. His teammate and fellow ’07 forward William Moore has been selected to skate in the TPG, as well; Moore is listed as the No. 3 player in Canada in his birth year by Puck Preps.

The two lit up the Silver Stick tournament in Whitby, Ontario to close out November; Moore registered a tournament-best 13 points, while Misa was one behind with 12 in seven games. Malcolm Spence, the top-ranked ’06 on the Senators roster at No. 4 in all of Canada, had 11 points, and he’ll be suiting up for the TPG, too.

Their Sens squad didn’t leave Whitby with the acclaimed Silver Stick, however. That honor went to the Toronto Jr. Canadiens, which sees seven of its players appearing on the TPG Team White roster. Jack Van Volson and Porter Martone led the way for the Jr. Canadiens in their Silver Stick-winning weekend; the forwards both racked up 10 points apiece. Henry Mews may be the top defenseman to participate in the TPG; the Jr. Canadiens blue liner is listed as the No. 9 player in Canada for his birth-year per Puck Preps.

The Jr. Canadiens are ranked No. 1 in the World Hockey Hub rankings; it’s easy to see why.

The two Silver Stick finalists aren’t the only ones sending a bunch of players to the GTHL all-star event, however. The Toronto Marlboros are represented with seven players, as are the North York Rangers. Kieron Walton of the Rangers is ranked the No. 6 player in Canada for the 2006 class, while Beckett Sennecke is certainly one to watch from the Marlboros.

As always, we tip our caps to the goaltenders who will do their best in an all-star game. On Team Black, Ryerson Leenders of the Toronto Young Nationals and Landon Miller of the Vaughan Kings will do battle between the pipes. For Team White, it will be Karsen Chartier of the North York Rangers and Andrew Gaulton of the Markham Majors. Gaulton’s a big reason why his Majors are in third place in the GTHL Under 16 league standings at the moment.

It also helps that the Majors have Zayne Parekh helping in front of Gaulton; Parekh will get to show the fans in attendance at the TPG why he’s one of the best defensemen the GTHL has this season.

World Hockey Hub will have continued coverage of the GTHL Top Prospects Game next month. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and TikTok for the latest news, updates and more.