History:
The “Fergie” is presented annually to the player selected first overall in the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection. The award recognizes the dedication and contributions made by Jack Ferguson during his 25-year association with the Ontario Hockey League, first as a scout with the Ottawa 67’s and followed by his appointment as head of the OHL’s Central Scouting Bureau in 1981 as its Director of Central Scouting.
2025:
On Friday, April 11th, the Peterborough Petes Hockey Club announced that 16-year-old forward Kaden McGregor of the U16 AAA Ottawa Valley Titans will be the first overall pick in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection, presented by Real Canadian Superstore.
This year’s event was conducted entirely online, with the broadcast streaming live from CoGeco headquarters, where OHL Commissioner Bryan Crawford announced the first overall pick. McGregor was in attendance at the headquarters and addressed the media for the first time in a Peterborough Petes jersey.
“I’m speechless,” said McGregor. “This has been a dream of mine since I was a kid, and to finally hear my name get called – it’s such a surreal moment for me and my family.”
McGregor becomes the first player in Peterborough Petes history to receive the Jack Ferguson Award, which has been presented to the first overall pick of the OHL Priority Selection since 1981.
“It’s definitely crazy, but in this 2009 age group, there are so many guys who could’ve gone first overall. I’m humbled and honoured to accept the Fergie Award. I just want to thank the Peterborough Petes for putting their faith in me.” McGregor added.
“As for the fans, they can expect a tenacious forward – someone who plays both ends of the game and prioritizes compete level. Every shift I go out there, I compete as hard as I can. I have a high hockey IQ and like to use my size and speed to create plays in the offensive zone and make my teammates around me better.”
Peterborough Petes General Manager Mike Oke praised McGregor’s all-around game.
“Kaden checked all of the boxes,” said Oke. “He’s strong and hard on the puck, has a great shot, moves well, and doesn’t shy away from physical battles. He just plays a complete 200-foot game.”
Oke also credited the OHL Cup showcase as a key evaluation point:
“We were able to use the OHL cup to identify the little details players bring to their teams. Each game we watched Kaden play in the tournament – and through additional video analysis – it became clear that he was the best match for the Peterborough Petes with our first overall pick.”
A 5-foot-11, 168-pound, centerman from Braeside, Ont., McGregor recorded 38 goals, 44 assists and 82 points over 29 regular season games before adding 24 points (11-13–24) over nine playoff contests.
He was named to the OHL Cup All-Star Team after posting 11 points (3G, 8A) in five games and was honoured as the 2024-25 HEO U16 AAA Player of the Year, leading the Ottawa Valley Titans to an HEO Championship.
“Kaden is a complete two-way centre that isn’t easy to play against because he is always moving his feet and he competes hard each and every shift he has.” said Darrell Woodley, Director of OHL Central Scouting. “He is a powerful skater that can get up to top speed quickly and has another gear that many players don’t have. He has a very good skill set that allows him to generate offense for himself well. He is a dog on a bone when it comes to forechecking and how hard he competes, he rarely takes a shift off and you notice all the time. Physically he looks mature and his game will translate well to the next level.”
WATCH: 2025 OHL Priority Selection Prospect Profile – Kaden McGregor
Former winners of the Jack Ferguson Award Include:
1981 Dan Quinn, Belleville Bulls
1982 Kirk Muller, Guelph Platers
1983 Trevor Stienburg, Guelph Platers
1984 Dave Moylan, Sudbury Wolves
1985 Bryan Fogarty, Kingston Canadians
1986 Troy Mallette, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
1987 John Uniac, Sudbury Wolves
1988 Drake Berehowsky, Kingston Raiders
1989 Eric Lindros, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
1990 Pat Peake, Detroit Ambassadors
1991 Todd Harvey, Detroit Ambassadors
1992 Jeff O’Neill, Guelph Storm
1993 Alyn McCauley, Ottawa 67’s
1994 Jeff Brown, Sarnia Sting
1995 Daniel Tkaczuk, Barrie Colts
1996 Rico Fata, London Knights
1997 Charlie Stephens, Toronto St. Michael’s Majors
1998 Jay Harrison, Brampton Battalion
1999 Jason Spezza, Mississauga IceDogs
2000 Patrick Jarrett, Mississauga IceDogs
2001 Patrick O’Sullivan, Mississauga IceDogs
2002 Robbie Schremp, Mississauga IceDogs
2003 Patrick McNeill, Saginaw Spirit
2004 John Hughes, Belleville Bulls
2005 John Tavares, Oshawa Generals
2006 Steven Stamkos, Sarnia Sting
2007 Ryan O’Reilly, Erie Otters
2008 John McFarland, Sudbury Wolves
2009 Daniel Catenacci, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
2010 Alex Galchenyuk, Sarnia Sting
2011 Aaron Ekblad, Barrie Colts
2012 Connor McDavid, Erie Otters
2013 Travis Konecny, Ottawa 67’s
2014 Jakob Chychrun, Sarnia Sting
2015 David Levin, Sudbury Wolves
2016 Ryan Merkley, Guelph Storm
2017 Ryan Suzuki, Barrie Colts
2018 Quinton Byfield, Sudbury Wolves
2019 Shane Wright, Kingston Frontenacs
2020 Ty Nelson, North Bay Battalion
2021 Quentin Musty, Sudbury Wolves
2022 Michael Misa, Saginaw Spirit
2023 Matthew Schaefer, Erie Otters
2024 Ethan Belchetz, Windsor Spitfires
2025 Kaden McGregor, Peterborough Petes