Guizzetti … Chapman … Muto
It is about freedom of movement. It is about choice, opportunity and pursuing a passion. Not only that, their reason or reasons for departing the oft maligned Sault Major Hockey Association to play elsewhere is their business.
Leaving the comforts of home in the Sault has also led to a measure of success thus far this ’25-26 season for a trio of 2010 birth year skaters, namely forwards Cole Guizzetti and Eli Chapman and defenseman Mateo Muto. All three are eligible for the 2026 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft.
A 5 foot 6, 155 pound speed demon with a separation stride that can be startling, Guizzetti is in his second season starring for Upper Canada College, an Ontario prep school located in Toronto.
Guizzetti has been nothing short of electrifying since leaving the ranks of the Sault Major Hockey Association prior to the ’24-25 season. In 55 games played in ’24-25, Guizzetti had 42 goals, 38 assists, 80 points for UCC. In 26 games for the UCC Blues thus far this ’25-26 season, Guizzetti is averaging close to two points per outing with 19 goals and 29 assists and is far and away the team’s leading scorer.
Meanwhile, Chapman and Muto are among the top performers for the Under 16 AAA Prep Level BioSteel Sports Academy of Windsor.
Through 39 games thus far into the ’25-26 season, the 5 foot 9, 170 pound Chapman is fourth on the BioSteel scoring chart with 25 goals, 20 assists, 45 points. And the 6 foot, 160 pound Muto leads all BioSteel defensemen with five goals, 23 assists, 28 points in 39 games.
Guizzetti, Chapman, Muto and their respective teams are all currently competing at the 31st annual Toronto Marlies Holiday Classic Tournament. And Hockey News North reached out to a trusted quartet of OHL scouts who are at the Marlies Tournament.
In short, all four scouts relayed that, in their view, Guizzetti, Chapman and Muto are currently on a path to be picked at the upcoming 2026 OHL priority selections draft.
Guizzetti seems to have the most upside from among the talented trio.
As one of the top high end performers in the 2010 birth year category in the entire province, Guizzetti will be one of 80 players spread out over four teams who will compete at the 2026 Connor McDavid OHL Under 16 Top Prospects Showcase that is slated for January 13-14 in Peterborough.
And as one OHL scout relayed to Hockey News North about Guizzetti: “He is tiny but he is a very, very good player. It will be interesting to see where he goes (in the draft.)”
THE 2026 OHL DRAFT
Notably, the OHL will hold its first in-person draft since 2000 in 2026. The 2026 OHL priority selections draft will take place on June 12 and 13 at Slush Puppie Place in Kingston, which is the home of the Frontenacs. The 2026 OHL priority selections draft week will also include the league’s annual June meetings, which will bring together governors, general managers and other personnel from all 20 member teams.
It’s a choice for the family but with a solid hockey building reputation for young players throughout the years, it is sad to see players leave due to whatever circumstances be it politics or uncertainty with player development here in the Soo. It needs to get back to finding the best player development coaches and staffing that is available for our young players, both boys and girls.
Those 3 are really helping their respective teams. There are also 3 other players of the same age group who left Sault Major that are also having massive impacts on their teams, and have a good chance of hearing their names called on draft day…Colin Kennedy with Little Caesars, Levi Inch with Lambton Jr Sting, and Noah Jylha with Sudbury Wolves.