Jets Take Flight: Canton-Akron 18U Team Claims State Title, Heads to Nationals
With a deep roster built from across Northeast Ohio, the Canton-Akron Jets end a decade-long state title drought and take their shot on the national stage.
It took five games in three days and a relentless 35-win season, but the Canton-Akron Jets 18U team did what no Northeast Ohio club has done in a decade: they brought home a USA Hockey State Championship.
A hard-fought 4-3 overtime win on March 2 at the Buckeye Cup in Columbus secured the state championship and punched the team’s ticket to the National Championships in Irvine, California, where they’ll take on top-tier programs from hockey hotbeds across the country.
“With this team being deep, we have good odds to make it to the semifinals,” said head coach Sean Houston. “We’re blessed at every position, and that’s why we are where we are.”
Road to the Cup
The title didn’t come easy. The Jets played five games from February 28 through March 2, grinding their way past Newark Generals, Hilliard, Team Ohio, perennial powerhouse Dayton Stealth (Gold), and the Miami Jr. Redhawks.
Dayton and Hilliard had split the last five state championships. But in 2024–25, the Jets ended that cycle.
“Hockey is a game of mistakes,” Houston said. “The team with the most mistakes loses. My goal for the players is to keep it very simple and work as a team in numbers.”
That mindset defined their run.
Deep Roster, Deeper Production
The Jets’ identity isn’t built around one or two superstars. Instead, it’s a team where every line can contribute, every shift matters, and every role is valued.
Take senior Owen Everhart from North Canton.
His 46 goals and 27 assists in 50 games (1.46 PPG) made him the team’s leading scorer. Right behind him was Tyson Hunka of Green, who delivered 23 goals and 22 assists in just 33 games (1.364 PPG)—the kind of efficient production that makes a line dangerous every time it hits the ice. Hunka also provided the goal in OT to secure the Buckeye Cup win.
Juniors Lukas Black (43 points, West Branch HS), Tyler Benson (24 points, Jackson), Ethan Bell (25 points, Jackson), Jack Barbieri (25 points, Jackson), and Jackson senior Ben Sanders (13 points) gave the Jets their depth—and their edge. Whether it was transition offense, special teams, or holding possession, Jackson’s core was everywhere.
Gage Weaver (Strasburg), another junior forward, added 34 points to the mix. His speed and offensive IQ helped space the ice and create opportunities across multiple lines.
What makes that production even more valuable? Penalty discipline. Bell, Benson, and Barbieri combined for just 13 total penalty minutes on the year.
Defensively, junior Robert Haneberg from Green, sophomore Rossi Nicely from North Canton, and senior Connor Sepe held things down in the back end. Nicely, just a sophomore, chipped in 14 points and played heavy minutes during the Jets' championship stretch. Angel Nikolov (Dover) and Brennan Hostler (Firestone HS), two seniors, brought stability and physicality throughout the postseason.
Nikolov is from the Czech Republic. His dad is currently in the United States with a work Visa, and he joined the team in December of 2023. His dad was drafted to the NHL in 1994 by San Jose.
In goal, Connor Mould, a Poland Seminary junior, was the backbone. Appearing in all 50 games, Mould posted a presence behind the blue line and kept the team in games even when shots piled up.
Where are the kids from?
The Jets don’t pull players from one school or town. Their roster is built from across Northeast Ohio: Dover, Wooster, Canton, Akron, Youngstown, and even the Cleveland metro. It’s a club team that starts shaping its identity long before the first puck drops.
“We start the team-building process in March and pick players by the end of May,” Houston said. “Season after season, it depends on the talent pool. But if you treat players well and run a good program, you can build something consistent.”
They’ve done more than that this season.
What now?
The Jets entered the USA Hockey National Championships with optimism. But the opening game—against the Screaming Eagles from Colorado—was a wake-up call. After a tight first period, the Jets were outscored 5–1 in the second, eventually falling 10–3 in their opener at Anaheim ICE.
They were outshot 32–17, a stat that shows the difference in pace and puck possession—and reminded the team that national play requires another level.
“We have the skill and balance, but at Nationals it’s about execution shift to shift,” Houston said. “We’ll adjust.”
They’ll play the Long Beach High School Bulldogs (NY) today at 3:15PM PT (6:15PM ET). Tomorrow, they’ll take on the San Diego Central Cathedral Jets at 11:15AM PT (2:15PM ET)
This article will be updated as their play continues with scores.
Fans can follow the team’s run at the USA Hockey Nationals by streaming games on USAHockeyTV or joining the conversation online using #USAHNationals.
By Aiden Brueck, The Letter Media Network
Contact: brueckaiden@gmail.com
March 27, 2025