The Kraft Cup champs have been crowned, but it’s now up to the top eight teams in the Minor Midget AAA division to prove themselves in the Scotiabank GTHL Playoffs.

The Toronto Young Nationals walked away as Kraft Cup champions after going 27-7-3 on the regular season. In an intense finish that came down to one final game, the Nats were able to record one more point than the second place Mississauga Reps.

Despite their success, the Nats will have defy history if they want to be successful in the playoffs. In the past three seasons, the Kraft Cup champions in the Minor Midget AAA division have not won the Scotiabank GTHL Playoffs title. The last team to win both the Scotiabank GTHL playoffs and the Kraft Cup were the Jr. Canadiens in 2013-14 – a team highlighted by current Arizona Coyotes rookie Jakob Chychrun, and 2016 NHL Draft Picks Victor Mete and Travis Barron.

The Minor Midget AAA division is the first to finish the season due to the timing of the OHL Cup in mid-March. The first team to make it to eight points in each match-up will move onto the next round.

Toronto Young Nationals (1) vs. Jr. Canadiens (8)

The Jr. Canadiens have come up short in all three of their match-ups with Toronto Young Nationals this season – usually by only one or two goals. If the Jr. Canadiens can find a way to produce quality offensive chances, it may mean the difference between a series win or loss against the strong Nats squad.

Regular season record: Toronto Young Nationals 3-0-0

GTHL Top Prospects (Jr. Canadiens): Matthew Hill (D), Cody Morgan (F)

GTHL Top Prospects (Toronto Young Nationals): Zachary Roy (G), Rober Calisti (D), Brandon Coe (F), Ethan Keppen (F), Mason Primeau (F)

Series Schedule

Mississauga Reps (2) vs. Vaughan Kings (7)

Missing the Kraft Cup by merely one win, the Mississauga Reps have proven to be one of the more offensively gifted teams in the Minor Midget AAA loop. If the Kings can find a way to shut down Jamieson Rees and his linemates, they could very well have the key to the series.

Regular season record: Mississauga Reps: 3-0-0

GTHL Top Prospects (Vaughan Kings): Christian Sbaraglia (G), Thomas Harley (D), Kosta Manikis (F), Eric Ciccolini (F), Nicholas Porco (F), Nathan Staios (F),

GTHL Top Prospects (Mississauga Reps): Ryan Dugas (G), Igor Chibrikov (D), Liam Ross (D), Jamieson Rees (F), Lucas Rowe (F), Dennis Golovatchev (F)

Series Schedule

Mississauga Senators (4) vs. Mississauga Rebels (5)

Can the Rebels repeat as Scotiabank GTHL Playoff champions? The battle of Mississauga is expected to be a nail-biter, with a mere three points separating the two teams in the standings. The two teams met last year in the final, with the Rebels sweeping the series. Goaltending could make or break either of the offensively gifted squads.

Regular season record: 1-1-1

GTHL Top Prospects (Mississauga Rebels): Duncan Penman (D), Anthony Aguanno (D), Michael Vukojevic (D), Evan Brand (D), Dylan Jackson (F), Ty Jackson (F), Philip Tomasino (F)

GTHL Top Prospects (Mississauga Senators): Anthony Tabak (F), Nicholas Wong (F)

Series Schedule

Toronto Marlboros (3) vs. Toronto Titans (6)

While both teams have had a successful January, the Titans defensive core needs to be able to shut down the Marlboros red hot offensive if they want to come out on top. The Marlboros extensive playoff experience may also give them an edge in the series.

Regular season record: 1-1-1

GTHL Top Prospects (Toronto Titans): Connor LePage (F), Alex Dominique (F)

GTHL Top Prospects (Toronto Marlboros): Graeme Clarke (F), Kyle Harris (F), Daniel D’Amico (F), Jack Hughes (F), Nicholas Zabaneh (F), Billy Constantinou (D), Louka Henault (D), Erik Yelle (D)

Series Schedule