04/02/2026
β¨π The Milton Jr. Menace U16 BB Gold team became OMHA Champions this past weekend in Oakville. Led by head coach Chris Baptista, the team delivered an outstanding performance, finishing the tournament undefeated.
During the round robin, the Milton Jr. Menace defeated the Hamilton Huskies (4β2), Barrie Colts (3β1), and Whitby Wildcats (7β1). They continued their strong play in the semifinals with a decisive 4β0 victory over Whitby.
The championship game was a true test of both skill and stamina. The Menace trailed by two goals in the second period but battled back to tie the game in the third. They then pushed through three intense overtime periods before ultimately defeating the Barrie Colts in a grueling triple-overtime victory.
With this win, the team once again secured the Red Hatsβan achievement they also earned in the 2024β25 season.
Baptista is an exceptional coach who brings out the best in his players while keeping the game fun. In the inaugural year of open borders, he selected 17 Milton-based players, emphasizing both skill development and team cohesion. He challenged the team to work hard on and off the ice, incorporating additional practices, off-ice training at Ignite Fitness, weekly running sessions and regular video review. His focus on preparation and discipline helped shape the team into a dominant third-period competitor.
Beyond the rink, Baptista fostered a strong team culture. From themed home games to a memorable team retreat at the start of the season, he helped build a close-knit group of players and families.
Many minor hockey teams aspire to reach the OMHAs, but Baptista has now led his teams to back-to-back championships. In the 2024β25 season, he guided the Milton Winterhawks U15 BB White team to an OMHA championship title.Β
Winning back-to-back OMHA championships is a remarkable accomplishment. The team also enjoyed a strong tournament season, capturing gold at the Newmarket Early Bird Tournament, the Applewood Coyote A Cup Challenge, and the prestigious U16 BB International Silver Stick tournament.
This was truly a season to remember. The team played a total of 75 games, finishing with an impressive record of 56β15β4.