Hockey dreams take center ice: Meet the 2026 CAA Sens Skills Junior Draft

The stage is set, the skates are sharpened, and excitement is rising for the next generation of hockey stars for the 2026 CAA Sens Skills Junior Draft, presented by CAA North & East Ontario. 

On February 22, 2026, four young local players will have a once-in-lifetime experience when they lace up alongside the Ottawa Senators and four Ottawa Charge players at Canadian Tire Centre for Sens Skills. Chosen for their excellent character and hockey skills, the kids will also feature in a special moment on the Bell Screen before the event, introducing them to the audience in the same way NHL players are announced at the start of every season.

Filming for the CAA Junior Draft video takes place weeks before the actual event, but the excitement was already palpable amongst the players and their families. 

Introducing the 2026 Sens Skills Junior Draft

"I am super excited," says Aiden McCoy, a defender with the U14AA Ottawa Valley Silver Seven. Aidan wears number 85 just like his hockey hero, Jake Sanderson, and has been playing since he was seven. Being on the Sens Skills team is a big opportunity to grow as a player and to make new friends through hockey, he says.

While his hero is off to the 2026 Olympics, Aidan has reflected on Jake Sanderson's hockey IQ and skill. "I love watching him play, and I try to model my game after him,” he adds. 

Equally thrilled with the opportunity is Emily Harrison, from the U15A Ottawa Ice. After being selected to the 2026 Junior Draft, she says a chance to play with fellow forward (and her hockey hero) Rebecca Leslie is a memory in the making.

"I am very excited and happy that I get to have this opportunity," Emily says. 

CAANEO has also selected Reagan Keck, defender for the U13AA Kanata Rangers. Reagan sports number 14, and her hockey hero is also Rebecca Leslie. Reagan has had the chance to do some hockey camps alongside Rebecca and is looking forward to taking the ice with her again at Sens Skills. 

"I am a little nervous," Reagan shared, but she is also very excited. 

"I think she doesn't totally know what to expect," piped up Reagan's mom, Lindsay. "But I am so proud of her and excited she has this opportunity." 

The final draft pick for this year's Sens Skills Junior Draft is Tucker Scheuneman. Tucker is a forward and wears number 16 for the U14AA Ottawa Valley Aces. His hero is Claude Giroux, and Tucker is looking forward to the chance to learn from him and the Sens this February. 

"I am excited, but a bit nervous," Tucker says.

For Tucker's mom, April, this is an exciting opportunity for her son. "He's excited, and that is all it's about!" 

Junior Draft alumni’s experience 

Last year, twins Gracie and Jacob Vaive took to the ice as members of the Sens Skills Junior Draft, skating alongside their hockey heroes Danielle Serdachny and Tim Stützle. As a part of our 2025 Sens Skills, Gracie and Jacob got the chance to flex their hockey IQs and learn from the pros. For Gracie, Sens Skills was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that she will never forget. 

"Scoring on an NHL goalie in front of a huge crowd felt great," says Gracie. "The Sens players were all so nice and encouraging."

But for Gracie, it was the Ottawa Charge players who really made the day. "It was exciting to be on the ice with my hockey hero," she shared. "Getting to meet Danielle Serdachny and Emily Clark was a highlight of the day.”

For Jacob, it was all about seeing the Sens up close. "My highlight was watching the shoot-out," Jacob shared. “The players were only giving 75 per cent, and they were still going so fast." 

Being part of the CAA Junior Draft is all about learning new things from the players. "I am just used to watching them on TV, so being with them on the ice was amazing," Jacob recalls. "All the players were so humble and very nice." 

The twins' parents, Jeff and Bridgit Vaive, shared in the excitement of their kids after last year's Sens Skills. "It is a really neat opportunity to see your kids on the ice with the pros," Bridgit says. "The whole experience was very special and something we will look back on for years to come."

See the CAA Junior Draft firsthand

Don't miss out. Get your tickets for Sens Skills presented by CAA North & East Ontario, to see this year's Junior Draftees take to the ice alongside the Ottawa Senators and the Ottawa Charge.