This season it’s Milton first and foremost,’ says hometown kid who saw OHL action last season
Ontario Junior Hockey League resident writer Ron Valentine is profiling the 2025-26 team captains across The OJ.
BY RON VALENTINE
GRAEME MACAULEY returned as captain of the Milton Menace for the 2025-26 season.
MacAuley’s Menace (14-4-2-1), 2-1 winners in Leamington last night, are at No. 5 in this week’s OJHL Power Rankings.
An injury has limited MacAuley to playing in only nine games this season. The Milton resident has recorded eight points (two goals/six assists).
The blueliner played two games as a callup for the Burlington Cougars in the 2021-22 season before spending the next campaign with the Wellington Dukes. Graeme joined the Milton Menace in 2023-24 and was made captain last season.
“Getting to the Buckland final was a good feeling but going out in Game 6 at home in overtime, two men short, three-on-five, was a bitter pill to swallow.”
The offensive defenceman has put up 117 regular season and playoff points in a Milton uniform. He has also appeared in eight games for the OHL’s Brampton Steelheads. Graeme has also been named to OJHL Top Prospect team in 2022-23 teams at the Eastern Canada Cup and Battle of Ontario in the following two seasons.
It was an excellent 2024-25 campaign for the Menace as they parlayed a 77-point fourth-place finish in the Western Conference into playoff victories over Burlington (4-0), Collingwood (4-1), Leamington (4-1) before a heartbreaking 4-2 loss to Trenton in the Buckland Cup final.
“We had a great season. I was happy with the way we played and we really came into our own in the playoffs,” he told the OJHL. “For the most part we played disciplined hockey, stuck to our system and we got the results we wanted. Getting to the Buckland final was a good feeling but going out in Game 6 at home in overtime, two men short, three-on-five, was a bitter pill to swallow. We panicked a little bit and you know what happened. Having said that, it has made us more determined to take that extra step this season.”
On the Ontario Hockey League.
“I had a taste of the OHL last season with Brampton and it was a good experience but this season it’s Milton first and foremost,” he said. “We have been lucky to have almost all of our eligible guys returning, and we have Gabriel Ciarrello back with us from the Jr. Canadiens to give us even more scoring punch. In my second year as captain it’s important that I make sure no complacency sets in although it’s not something I’m too worried about because all of the guys know that each game is a battle and any team can win on any given day. Playing Dan del Monte (head coach) hockey every game will keep us successful.”
“Tristan Tremble, Ivan Fabjan and Ashtyn Pacheco are assistant captains and they, like me, are all in their final junior hockey season. Tremble plays tough in all zones, Fabjan is a great scorer and Pacheco, in his first year as an assistant captain, holds everyone accountable and sets the example. A great leadership group but there are also many players on this team who are leaders and everyone gets a slice of the pie, contributes and plays their roles.”
“In the ‘players to keep an eye on’ category you have to look at Easton Lynds, he has a great scoring touch and before coming to us he had a big season with the Port Colborne Sailors in the GOJHL.”
The Menace acquired forward Matthew Babiy, who was leading all North York Rangers players with 16 points in 17 games, on Nov. 6.
The future.
“I have my eyes on a Division 1 scholarship after this season and being on a successful team really helps,” MacAuley said. “If that does not work out I want to be playing hockey and getting an education. I don’t really have any personal goals for the season except perhaps putting up a few more points and becoming a more well-rounded hockey player who can always be trusted on the ice.”
“Last season we relied on four or five guys to get it done, which is fine. This season I think we have a more balanced lineup, one that can go all the way to the Centennial Cup.”
The Menace play in Oakville Saturday before hosting Niagara Falls Sunday.
Follow Ron Valentine on X @ronandlynda
