With rookies comprising more than one-third of their 2025-26 opening day lineup — including five 17-year-olds — the future of the Mitchell Hawks look promising.

How things shake down once the 42-game Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL) regular season concludes next February, though, remains to be seen.

“On paper and in exhibition, we look really good, but the regular season will tell the tale,” Hawks’ head coach Daryl O’Connell said.

The Hawks, sixth-place finishers in an eight-team Pollock division last year, which is down to seven this year with a leave of absence given to Goderich, should improve their standing in 2025-26, but the division has some behemoths in their midst, including the 2024-25 Schmalz Cup winners from Hanover.

Mount Forest, Fergus and Kincardine again look to b

See Full Page