With the new Ontario Junior A Season in full swing there are some notable rookies turning some heads all over the league. We have prepared for you a list of the top 5 as it stands today. Before we get started, it is important to note that by definition in this article, a rookie is a player in his first year on a Junior A team full time, that is also in his 1st or 2nd year of junior eligibility overall.

Here is the list: 

5) Matthew Wright – Burlington Chiefs

Speed in transition. Wright is a very athletic defender who is lightening in transition and will certainly help an already fast and athletic Burlington Squad. Through 2 games this season he has posted a goal, and 4 PIM’s, the goal coming on what we can only assume will be his first of many breakaways in 2018.

4) Devyn Orpana – Kitchener-Waterloo Braves

Joining the Braves out of Guelph Minor Lacrosse, Orpana is off to a fast start. Through 5 Games, the rookie has 8 goals and 3 assists to go along with 18PIM’s. More impressively for Orpana and the Braves, is that of those 11 total points, only one came on the Power Play. The upstart Braves are scoring some goals this season, sitting 4th overall in that department, thanks in part to the youngsters success early on.

3) Jonathan Peshko – Mimico Mountaineers

This big right hander stands 6ft. 4 inches tall and is 1 of 3 rookies leading their respective teams in points in this young season. Through 5 games, the Etobicoke native has shown both a veteran poise, and great vision in the offensive zone. Of his 17points, 13 are assists. This is valuable production for a Mimico squad with their sights set on contention in 2018.

2) Cameron McDonald – Orangeville Northmen

McDonald is a 6ft. 4 lefty that early on has been doing it all for his team. In the second year of his Junior Eligibility, McDonald is coming off a Founders Cup victory under current head coach Bruce Codd and the Junior B Northmenin 2017. Making the jump to Junior A, he certainly brought his production with him. Through 5 games he has a very balanced 9 goals and 7 assists, with a whopping 8 power play points which is tied for the league lead in that category. He also leads the league in Shorthanded goals with 1.

1) Jakob Power – Barrie Lakeshores

The Barrie Lakeshores have a homegrown talent that has started this season as if shot out of a cannon. Though 6 games, the lefty sniper has 13 goals and 5 assists. Those 18 point not only put him 1st on the lakeshores, but 9th in overall league scoring. His 6 power play points are also in the top 5 in Junior A thus far. Barrie is very young, and has a talented and homegrown core, Power is at the forefront.