67’s top-four OHL Priority Selection history
For the first time since the 2013-14 season, the Ottawa 67’s have fallen short of their playoff aspirations, and are instead relegated to the OHL Priority Selection Lottery, where the first-overall pick in this spring’s draft is up for grabs.
The 67’s are ensured to pick somewhere in the top four for only the ninth time in franchise history, so now is a good time to take a look back at the past and see who they’ve selected over the years.
First overall
1993 – Alyn McCauley
Though the first time the 67’s held the first-overall pick was in 1968 following their 15-point inaugural season, Lorne Stamler never suited up for the club, meaning forward Alyn McCauley was the first player to come to Ottawa after being the first off the board.
It’s safe to say that the Barber Poles nailed the selection, too. McCauley played 208 games across four OHL seasons, scoring 119 goals and 284 points, eventually becoming the club’s captain in the 1996-97 season. That year, he was the assistant captain at the World Juniors in Massachusetts, where Canada won gold.
In 1995, McCauley was selected in the third round of the NHL Draft by the New Jersey Devils, but never played for them. Instead, he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs as part of a package to acquire Doug Gilmore and Dave Ellett. In the later stages of his career, he suited up for both the San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings.
In his OHL career, McCauley was twice named to the first All-Star Team, and in 1996-97, he scored the most goals (56) and was named the CHL Player of the Year.
When all said and done, he played 488 NHL games before 2007, scoring 69 goals and 166 points. Today, he continues working his way up in the hockey world, serving as the Assistant General Manager of the Philidelphia Flyers.
2013 – Travis Konecny
The last Ottawa 67 to win the Jack Ferguson Award as the first-overall pick in the OHL Priority Selection was forward Travis Konecny in 2013. The Clachan, Ontario native played 183 OHL games across four seasons, 152 of which came with the Barber Poles. He scored 85 goals and 239 points, and is 55th in franchise history in points per game.
After the 2014-15 season, Konencny was selected 24th overall by the Philidelphia Flyers in the NHL Entry Draft, where he has become a marquee player for the franchise. The Flyers’ alternate captain has now played 636 NHL games, where he has 468 points.
Konecny’s 67’s tenure came to a close at the trade deadline in the 2015-16 season, following a stint at the World Juniors where he helped Canada capture silver. He was subsequently traded to the Sarnia Sting for a package that included Sasha Chmelevski, Chase Campbell, and a flurry of draft picks.
Second overall
1986 – Jeff Ballantyne
The Barber Poles have only selected second overall one time before, picking defenceman Jeff Ballantyne in the 1986 OHL Priority Selection. The Elmira, Ontario native spent parts of four seasons with the 67’s, before playing the last 43 games of his OHL career in Owen Sound with the Platers in 1989-90.
In exactly 200 games in the league, Ballantyne registered 11 goals and 63 points, setting a career-high in 1988-89 with 24. He spent two seasons playing for the University of Waterloo Warriors following his OHL career.
Third overall
1969 – Wayne Merrick
The oldest of all players on this list, Wayne Merrick has a legacy with the 67’s that shouldn’t be forgotten. He played three seasons with the Barber Poles, seeing action in 175 games, and scoring 198 points in the process.
In 1972, he was rewarded for his efforts by becoming the ninth overall pick in the NHL Draft, picked by the St. Louis Blues. Eventually, he worked his way to the New York Islanders, where he was a part of their iconic dynasty, winning four Stanley Cups in a row, and scoring the series-clinching goal in 1981.
Merrick played 774 NHL games, finishing his career with 456 points and a well-decorated hand.
1995 – Nick Boynton
Third-overall pick Nick Boynton is unquestionably one of the most impactful draft choices the 67’s have ever made in any context, let alone the top four. He was a key piece in the Barber Poles’ 1999 Memorial Cup championship, earning the tournament’s Most Valuable Player Award, scoring seven points in five games.
His entire 218-game OHL career was spent with the 67’s, scoring 185 points, and adding another 45 in 51 playoff games. Boynton was the 21st overall pick in the 1999 NHL Draft, taken by the Boston Bruins. He played 605 games across 11 seasons in the league, suiting up for a multitude of teams, winning a Stanley Cup in 2010 with the Chicago Blackhawks.
2014 – Travis Barron
For four seasons, Travis Barron was an integral piece to the 67’s puzzle after becoming the club’s third-overall selection in 2014. He played 250 games with the club, scoring 149 points, and playing another 20 in the postseason.
In 2016, Barron was named the captain of the 67’s, a role which he held for two seasons. He was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in the seventh round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. He currently plays for the Tuscon Roadrunners, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Utah Hockey Club.
Fourth overall
1985 – Dan Hie
After becoming the only player in franchise history to be selected fourth overall, Dan Hie suited up in 59 games, but moved around the league. He played parts of seasons with the Hamilton Steelhawks, Sudbury Wolves, and London Knights, playing 133 games across three seasons.
Hie scored 10 goals with the 67’s, and 78 points in his OHL career.
May the odds be ever in your favour
The odds for the first overall pick in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection are as follows:
Peterborough Petes (18-41-4-5) – 40%
Guelph Storm (21-38-5-4) – 30%
Sarnia Sting (22-33-6-7) – 20%
OTTAWA 67’S (24-34-4-6) – 10%
The OHL Priority Selection Lottery takes place on Wednesday, March 26 at 7:00 p.m. The Lottery will be streamed for free on OHL Live Freeview, as well as on YouTube, Facebook, and X.
