The Markham Royals Jr. A Hockey Club are pleased to announce our 2025/26 rookie class. Similar to last season, our initial class consists of eleven signings from across Canada and the United States.
Two members of our rookie class are familiar faces, playing briefly for the Royals as affiliate players in the 2024/25 season:
- Crosby Dacosta, goaltender – The 2007-born Dacosta made one start for the Royals in 2024/25, and occasionally filled in as a backup goaltender. His full season was spent with the U18 Vaughan Kings of the GTHL, with whom he won a league championship, along with several tournament wins along the way as their starting goaltender. Dacosta was selected by the Brantford Bulldogs in the second round of the 2025 OHL U18 Draft.
- Dimitri Papadopoulous, defence – The 2007-born Papadopoulous made two appearances on the Royals blue line in 2024/25. The two-way defenceman spent his year with the U18 Don Mills Flyers, his second with the club.
Along with Dacosta, this year’s rookie class consists of a total of seven players drafted by Ontario Hockey League (OHL) teams:
- Kayden Brand, forward – The 2008-born Brand will be a familiar face to many Markham hockey fans, as his offensive skillset was a driving force of the OMHA champion U18 Markham Waxers. Brand co-led the Waxers with 35 points in 29 games, and finished second on the team in playoff scoring with 13 points in 10 games. Brand was selected by the Brantford Bulldogs in the first round of the 2025 OHL U18 draft.
- Cruz Doner, forward – The 2008-born Doner brings substantial size to the Royals’ forward group, coming in at a towering 6’4. Doner had a productive season with the U18 Barrie Colts of the OMHA, scoring 24 points in 22 games, among the team’s best on a per-game basis. Doner also got his first taste of junior hockey with Innisfil of the PJCHL last season, scoring five points in four regular season and playoff games. Doner was selected by the Brantford Bulldogs in the fourteenth round of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection.
- Alex Kontos, forward – The 2008-born Kontos brings a hard-working demeanour over from the U18 Toronto Red Wings of the GTHL, with whom he appeared in 34 games last season. Kontos was selected by the North Bay Battalion in the third round of the 2025 OHL U18 Draft.
- Charlie Moskowitz, defence – The 2007-born Moskowitz was an alternate captain for the U18 Don Mills Flyers of the GTHL last season, using his size and defensive ability to his advantage throughout the season. Moskowitz made his OJHL debut in two AP appearances with the North York Rangers in 2024/25. Moskowitz was selected by the Windsor Spitfires in the second round of the 2025 OHL U18 Draft.
- Andrew Pacheco, forward – The 2009-born Pacheco was among the GTHL’s most exciting U16 players last year, scoring 32 points in 33 games with the North York Rangers. As hard-working as he is creative, Pacheco was selected by the Brantford Bulldogs in the eleventh round of the 2025 OHL Priority Selection.
- AJ Underhill, defence – The 2009-born Underhill comes in at a hulking 6’4 at just sixteen years old, but also contributes a two-way game that exceeds his frame. Underhill spent last season with the U16 Halton Hurricanes of the OMHA. Underhill was selected by the Brantford Bulldogs in the sixth round of the 2025 OHL Priority Selection.
Finally, the Royals have signed three other players who will make their Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) debuts in 2025/26:
- Andrew Brees, defence – The 2007-born Brees adds a right-handed puck-moving presence to the Markham blue line. Coming in from Michigan, Brees notched 27 points in 47 games with the Little Caesars 18U program.
- Denis Portnoy, forward – The 2008-born Portnoy quickly developed a reputation as one of the GTHL’s hardest-working U18 players, making his mark with the Mississauga Reps.
- Leo Zhou, defence – The 2007-born Zhou makes his return to Canada after two years playing for Avon Old Farms School in the United States. Zhou was also a member of the Chinese U18 teams, representing them at the Division 2A World Championships in 2024/25. Zhou’s most recent local hockey experience saw him play 35 games for the U16 Don Mills Flyers of the GTHL in 2022/23, where he finished second among his team’s blue line in points.
Stay tuned for more news as the Royals put the finishing touches on their roster. Markham begins their season on Friday, September 5th, against the North York Rangers at Markham Centennial Arena. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m.
