Former Toronto Jr. Canadiens teammates Chase Yanni & Wyatt Jinman both made their OHL debuts on different teams, but on the same night.
With the return of the OHL on Thursday from the holiday break, two OHL rookies made their major junior debuts.
Chase Yanni played his first ever OHL game with the Ottawa 67's, and Wyatt Jinman played his first with the Mississauga Steelheads.
Yanni and Jinman are two different prospects on two different teams, but their one similarity is playing for the same team in U16 — the Toronto Jr. Canadiens.
The two former teammates both go their chance to shine on the major junior stage, in their first game of many.
Chase Yanni — the 67's 3rd round pick in 2023 — played his first in the barber pole stripes against North Bay. Ottawa is in desperate need of forwards, as they were short heading into the holiday break. Yanni's debut gives them another option up front.
Yanni is a quick, shifty, creator in the offensive zone. He is currently playing for the Ottawa Jr. Senators in the CCHL (Junior A), where the 67's have been able to keep a close eye on their prospect.
He was the first forward that Ottawa selected in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection, and he is finally getting the opportunity to earn his spot in the lineup.
Wyatt Jinman — the Steelheads' 14th round pick in 2023 — fills in for Mississauga, who is also missing forwards up front. With Marc Boudreau suspended, MacDonnell hurt, and Adam Zidlicky at the World Juniors, the Steelheads were running out of options.
Giving local prospect Wyatt Jinman a chance gives the Steelheads another easy option when in situations like this.
Jinman has begun this season playing U18 AAA with the Toronto Nationals, getting in another season of minor hockey where he can dominate.
Yanni and Jinman shared the ice last season with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens, and now they have both officially graduated to the major junior level — less than a year later.