The first three rounds of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection were held on Friday, April 12. Rounds 4 through 15 were played on Saturday, April 13. The online selecting process was done by the Ontario Hockey League and was broadcast live for fans to watch.Â
OHL Draft 2024Â
The Real Canadian Superstore-sponsored 2024 OHL Priority Selection for North American players mostly born in 2008 was wrapped up on April 13 by the Ontario Hockey League.
Over the course of two days, the annual Priority Selection was streamed live online. YourTV, Rogers TV, Eastlink community stations, and OHL Action Pak provided broadcasts on Days 1 and 2. The full annual event was televised for free on OHL Live for both days.Â
A total of 302 athletes from 78 various initiatives were chosen in a 15-round process. Thirty goalies, 102 defenders, and 170 forwards were among the players chosen. Two of the athletes selected were born in 2007, two in 2006, and 298 in total were born in 2008.
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Notable picks in the 2024 OHL Draft
The OHL 2024 draft was filled with talent, and it will be exciting to see how these young athletes develop in the OHL. A few prominent individuals from the draft include The Windsor Spitfires drafted Ethan Belchetz first overall.
Sarnia and Peterborough, respectively, selected Alessandro Di Iorio and Colin Fitzgerald, who competed for Team Canada in the 2024 Youth Olympics and placed fourth.Â
Luca Blonda was the first defenseman selected by the Sudbury Wolves, who selected him 12th overall. Three players were chosen by each of the Barrie Jr. Colts and the North York Rangers in the first round.
Braidy Wassilyn was selected fourth overall by the Niagara IceDogs. The Barrie Colts chose Parker Vaughan, a right winger from the Elgin-Middlesex Canucks, as the fifth overall pick.Â
Zachary Nyman, a defenseman, was another top-ten pick, known for his consistent performance throughout the season 3.
Adam Valentini, a forward from the Toronto Marlboros, was also among the top-ranked players leading up to the draft4.
The Windsor Spitfires were particularly active, with five picks in the first three rounds, including the first overall pick, and seven selections in the top 100, showing their commitment to building a strong future team.Â
Eligibility Criteria for OHL 2024 Draft
The requirements for eligibility for 2024 OHL Priority Selection is very important to know. Players born in 2008 in North America can be chosen in 15 rounds of OHL Priority Selection.
Players who are underage and who haven’t yet registered with an U16 AAA team from Ontario that is situated in a protected OHL territory are also qualified.
Eighteen of the players chosen in the first round will be able to enter the 2026 NHL Draft. Teams who are members of the OHL are allowed to sign a maximum of four 16-year-old players who were chosen through OHL Priority Selection.Â
The remaining sixteen-year-old individuals selected may be called up as “affiliated players” or “floating affiliate individuals” for up to ten games, or they can play any OHL regular season or championship game in which their team has been removed from the running for that particular season.Â
OHL 2024 TeamsÂ
Teams that participate in OHL Draft 2024 are as follows:
- Barrie
- Erie
- Flint
- Brantford
- GuelphÂ
- LondonÂ
- SarniaÂ
- PeterboroughÂ
- Owen soundÂ
- KingstonÂ
- KitchenerÂ
- Wimdsor
- Soo
- North Bay
- MississaugaÂ
- NiagaraÂ
- Sudbury
- SaginawÂ
- Ottawa
- OshawaÂ
What the Director of OHL Central Scouting said about the OHL Draft 2024?Â
Director of OHL Central Scouting Darrell Woodley said, “Congrats to the incredible 302 players selected in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection, an indication of your unwavering loyalty and devotion.”Â
Being chosen is an amazing accomplishment that you should celebrate with your loved ones, friends, mentors, and coaches who have supported you on your path so far.Â
As you get ready to fulfill your abilities throughout your junior careers, this is just the beginning. Your draft position is less important than your character, perseverance, and on-ice skill development. Those who possess the correct mindset and perseverance can succeed beyond today’s selection.Â
All players, drafted or not, have limitless opportunities to pursue hockey and academic greatness. You may even be selected for the Under-18 Priority Selection the following year. I wish every player the best of luck as they pursue their on- and off-ice objectives.Â