#CHLStats: CHL eyes No. 1 again as Islanders hold top pick at the 2025 NHL Draft

With the first overall pick, the New York Islanders may add to their CHL legacy at the 2025 NHL Draft as Schaefer and Misa lead a deep draft class from the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL

When the 2025 NHL Draft begins Friday night at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT – live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on ESPN, SN, and TVAS – all eyes will be on the New York Islanders, who hold the coveted first overall pick in this year’s 224-player draft.

Throughout franchise history, the Islanders have held the No. 1 pick four times, selecting standout Canadian Hockey League (CHL) talent who went on to become NHL stars – including John Tavares (London Knights / OHL – 2009), Denis Potvin (Ottawa 67’s / OHL/OHA – 1973), and Billy Harris (Toronto Marlboros / OHL/OHA – 1972).

Now, as the Islanders prepare to make the opening selection once again, they appear poised to add another CHL standout to their legacy – potentially setting the stage for yet another milestone moment in NHL Draft history for the CHL.

Ranked No. 1 and No. 2 among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s Final Rankings ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft,  Erie Otters (OHL) defenceman Matthew Schaefer and Saginaw Spirit (OHL) forward Michael Misa are strong contenders to become the 42nd CHL player selected first overall since 1969 (see full list below) – and the first from the OHL since Connor McDavid (Erie Otters) in 2015.

For Schaefer, it’s a chance to follow directly in McDavid’s footsteps as only the second player in Erie Otters history to be taken with the No. 1 pick. For Misa, being selected by the New York Islanders would carry extra significance, as he would become their first top pick since fellow Oakville native John Tavares (London Knights / OHL) was chosen 16 years ago.

Both Schaefer and Misa are coming off standout seasons, each earning recognition at the CHL Awards less than two weeks ago at the Delta Hotels Toronto.

Recognized as the CHL’s Top Prospect, Matthew Schaefer made the most of his limited playing time during the 2024–25 season. Despite being sidelined by injury and appearing in just 17 games, the 17-year-old defenceman from Stoney Creek, Ont., impressed with 22 points (7G–15A) and a +21 rating. On the international stage, Schaefer captained Canada to gold at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, leading all defencemen with six points in five games. He was also a standout for Team CHL in their victory at the inaugural CHL USA Prospects Challenge. In December, he earned a spot on Canada’s 2025 World Junior roster, becoming the third-youngest defenceman ever to represent the nation at the tournament.

In contrast, 18-year-old Michael Misa enjoyed a standout campaign as captain of the Saginaw Spirit in 2024–25, leading the CHL with an impressive 134 points (62G-72A) across 65 games. He became the first player in Spirit history to claim the CHL scoring title. His 134 points rank tied for eighth in single-season CHL scoring since 2005, alongside notable names like Tavares (Oshawa Generals, 2006–07) and Brendan Shinnimin (Tri-City Americans, 2011–12). Misa’s 62 goals mark the highest total by an OHL player in their draft year since Patrick Kane tallied the same with the London Knights in 2006–07. Over the past 25 years, only Connor Bedard (71 goals in 2022–23 with the Regina Pats) and Sidney Crosby (66 goals in 2004–05 with Rimouski Océanic) have posted higher draft-year goal totals across the CHL than the 2024 Memorial Cup champion.

Heading into the 2025 NHL Draft, 41 players from the CHL’s Member Leagues — the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) — have been selected first overall across the 56 drafts held since 1969, accounting for nearly 75% of all No. 1 picks during that time.

Breaking it down, the OHL leads the way with 21 first-overall selections, followed by 11 from the QMJHL and nine from the WHL — a clear reflection of the CHL’s longstanding impact at the very top of the NHL Draft.

Among CHL clubs, no franchise has produced more first-overall NHL Draft picks than the London Knights (OHL), who count five alumni selected No. 1: John Tavares (2009), Patrick Kane (2007), Rick Nash (2002), Rob Ramage (1979), and Rick Green (1976).

Tied for second are the Rimouski Océanic (QMJHL) — home to Vincent Lecavalier (1998), Sidney Crosby (2005), and Alexis Lafrenière (2020) — and the Regina Pats (WHL), who saw Greg Joly (1974), Doug Wickenheiser (1980), and Connor Bedard (2023) go first overall.

If Matthew Schaefer is selected No. 1 by the New York Islanders, the Erie Otters would become just the 11th franchise — and one of only nine active CHL clubs — to have at least two players drafted first overall (see full list below). On the other hand, if Michael Misa goes first, the Saginaw Spirit would become the 27th different CHL franchise (past or present) to see one of its players selected with the top pick in an NHL Draft.

Over the past 55 years, the CHL has seen at least 10 of its players selected in the first round of every NHL Draft dating back to 1969 – an unmatched streak that now spans 56 consecutive drafts. Following the selection of 14 CHL players in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft in Las Vegas, the total number of CHL alumni chosen in the opening round since 1969 has reached 901, accounting for nearly two-thirds of all first-round picks during that span.

The CHL continues to lead the way in developing NHL talent — of the 1,000+ players who appeared in an NHL game during the 2024-25 season, more than 415 came through the CHL, the highest total of any development league in the world.

WHL, OHL, & QMJHL NO. 1 PICKS (1969 – PRESENT)

2023 – Forward – Connor Bedard (Regina Pats / WHL) – Chicago Blackhawks 
2020 – Forward – Alexis Lafrenière (Rimouski Océanic / QMJHL) – New York Rangers
2017 – Forward – Nico Hischier (Halifax Mooseheads / QMJHL) – New Jersey Devils
2015 – Forward – Connor McDavid (Erie Otters / OHL) – Edmonton Oilers
2014 – Defenceman – Aaron Ekblad (Barrie Colts / OHL) – Florida Panthers
2013 – Forward – Nathan MacKinnon (Halifax Mooseheads / QMJHL) – Colorado Avalanche
2012 – Forward – Nail Yakupov (Sarnia Sting / OHL) – Edmonton Oilers
2011 – Forward – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (Red Deer Rebels / WHL) – Edmonton Oilers
2010 – Forward – Taylor Hall (Windsor Spitfires / OHL) – Edmonton Oilers
2009 – Forward – John Tavares  (London Knights / OHL) – New York Islanders
2008 – Forward – Steven Stamkos (Sarnia Sting / OHL) – Tampa Bay Lightning
2007 – Forward – Patrick Kane (London Knights / OHL) – Chicago Blackhawks
2005 – Forward – Sidney Crosby (Rimouski Océanic / QMJHL) – Pittsburgh Penguins
2003 – Goaltender – Marc-André Fleury (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles / QMJHL) – Pittsburgh Penguins
2002 – Forward – Rick Nash (London Knights / OHL) – Columbus Blue Jackets
1998 – Forward – Vincent Lecavalier (Rimouski Océanic / QMJHL) – Tampa Bay Lightning
1997 – Forward – Joe Thornton (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds / OHL) – Boston Bruins
1996 – Defenceman – Chris Phillips (Prince Albert Raiders / WHL) – Ottawa Senators
1995 – Defenceman – Bryan Berard (Detroit Junior Red Wings / OHL) – Ottawa Senators
1994 – Defenceman – Ed Jovanowski (Windsor Spitfires / OHL) – Florida Panthers
1993 – Forward – Alexandre Daigle (Victoriaville Tigres / QMJHL) – Ottawa Senators
1991 – Forward – Eric Lindros (Oshawa Generals / OHL) – Québec Nordiques
1990 – Forward – Owen Nolan (Cornwall Royals / OHL) – Québec Nordiques
1988 – Forward – Mike Modano (Prince Albert Raiders / WHL) – Minnesota North Stars
1987 – Forward – Pierre Turgeon (Granby Bisons / QMJHL) – Buffalo Sabres
1985 – Defenceman – Wendel Clark (Saskatoon Blades / WHL) – Toronto Maple Leafs
1984 – Forward – Mario Lemieux (Laval Voisins / QMJHL) – Pittsburgh Penguins
1982 – Defenceman – Gord Kluzak (Billings Bighorns / WHL) – Boston Bruins
1981 – Forward – Dale Hawerchuk (Cornwall Royals / QMJHL) – Winnipeg Jets
1980 – Forward – Doug Wickenheiser (Regina Pats / WHL) – Montreal Canadiens
1979 – Defenceman – Rob Ramage (London Knights / OHL/OHA) – Colorado Rockies
1978 – Forward – Bobby Smith (Ottawa 67’s / OHL/OHA) – Minnesota North Stars
1977 – Forward – Dale McCourt (St. Catharines Fincups / OHL/OHA) – Detroit Red Wings
1976 – Defenceman – Rick Green (London Knights / OHL/OHA) – Washington Capitals 
1975 – Forward – Mel Bridgman (Victoria Cougars / WHL) – Philadelphia Flyers
1974 – Defenceman – Greg Joly (Regina Pats / WHL) – Washington Capitals
1973 – Defenceman – Denis Potvin (Ottawa 67’s / OHL/OHA) – New York Islanders
1972 – Forward – Billy Harris (Toronto Marlboros / OHL/OHA) – New York Islanders
1971 – Forward – Guy Lafleur (Québec Remparts / QMJHL) – Montreal Canadiens
1970 – Forward – Gilbert Perreault (Montreal Junior Canadiens / OHL/OHA) – Buffalo Sabres
1969 – Forward – Rejean Houle (Montreal Junior Canadiens / OHL/OHA) – Montreal Canadiens

CHL CLUBS TO HAVE 2+ PLAYERS SELECTED NO.1 AT AN NHL DRAFT
1. London Knights / OHL/OHA – 5 NHL First-Overall Picks –  John Tavares (2009), Patrick Kane (2007), Rick Nash (2002), Rob Ramage (1979), & Rick Green (1976).
T2. Rimouski Océanic / QMJHL – 3 NHL First-Overall Picks – Vincent Lecavalier (1998), Sidney Crosby (2005), & Alexis Lafrenière (2020)
T2. Regina Pats / WHL – 3 NHL First-Overall Picks – Greg Joly (1974), Doug Wickenheiser (1980), & Connor Bedard (2023) 
T4. Montreal Junior Canadiens / OHL/OHA – 2 NHL First-Overall Picks – Rejean Houle (1969) & Gilbert Perreault (1970) 
T4. Halifax Mooseheads / QMJHL – 2 NHL First-Overall Picks – Nathan MacKinnon (2013) & Nico Hischier (2017)
T4. Sarnia Sting / OHL – 2 NHL First-Overall Picks – Steven Stamkos (2008) & Nail Yakupov (2012)
T4. Windsor Spitfires / OHL – 2 NHL First-Overall Picks – Ed Jovanowski (1994) & Taylor Hall (2010)
T4. Prince Albert Raiders / WHL – 2 NHL First-Overall Picks – Mike Modano (1988) & Chris Phillips (1996)
T4. Cornwall Royals / OHL/QMJHL – 2 NHL First-Overall Picks – Dale Hawerchuk (1981 – QMJHL) & Owen Nolan (1990 – OHL)
T4. Ottawa 67’s / OHL/OHA – 2 NHL First-Overall Picks – Denis Potvin (1973) & Bobby Smith (1978)