RESULTS; 2026 OHL Under-18 Priority Selection
The 2026 OHL Under-18 Priority Selection was completed on Monday, June 8th.
The event saw players born in 2008 and 2009 from Under-18 AAA programs from across the province eligible to be chosen by members of the Ontario Hockey League.
With their 1st pick of the draft (12th overall), the Greyhounds selected defenceman Finn Gilbert from Ridley College that competes in CAHS (Canadian Sport School Hockey League) – which encompass the top-tier prep school and academy hockey programs across Canada
In 53 regular season games played the 6.04, 179 defender recorded 3 goals and 20 assists, good for 23 points.
In the 2nd Round (32nd overall), the Hounds selected rearguard Josh Pinchak from the Burlington Eagles U18 AAA program.
In 31 games played, the 6.01, 170lb rearguard recorded 6 goals and 21 assists, good for 27 points.
He later appeared in 5 post-season games for the Eagles (1 assist) while making appearances with the Burling Cougars (OJHL) and Fort Erie Meteors (GOJHL) as well.
2026 OHL U18 Priority Selection, SOO RESULTS
| RD | OV | PLAYER’S NAME | POS | HT | WT | LAST TEAM |
| 1 | 12 | Finn Gilbert | LD | 6.04 | 179 | Ridley College |
| 2 | 32 | Josh Pinchak | LD | 6.01 | 170 | Burlington Eagles U18AAA |
To view previous U18 Priority Selection history of the Greyhounds click here.
Original story courtesy of the Ontario Hockey League
TORONTO – The 2026 OHL Under-18 Priority Selection is set to commence at 7:00pm on Monday, June 8th where no fewer than 40 players born in 2008 and 2009 will be chosen from Under-18 AAA programs from across the province.
The Under-18 Priority Selection will be held entirely online. Follow along with pick-by-pick results here at ontariohockeyleague.com.
Just as they will at this coming Friday night’s 2026 OHL Priority Selection in Kingston, the Oshawa Generals hold the first overall pick, followed by the Erie Otters who select second and the Brampton Steelheads who will be picking third. A complete order of selection can be found here.
Here’s everything you need to know about the OHL Under-18 Priority Selection:
History:
The concept for the OHL Under-18 Priority Selection was developed in 2017 with full support from Hockey Canada’s three Ontario Branches including the Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF), Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO), and Hockey Northwestern Ontario (HNO), to assist in the growth of U18 AAA hockey and provide further opportunities for players at different stages of their hockey development.
Recent Selections to Play in the OHL:
A number of former U18 selections spent the 2025-26 season in the OHL including Peterborough Petes teammates Brennan Faulkner and Brett Hammond, Sudbury Wolves forward Rowan Henderson, Kingston Frontenacs forward Riley Clark, Erie Otters netminder Noah Tegelaar, Brampton Steelheads forward Julian Demiglio, Barrie Colts forward Luc Gauvreau, Windsor Spitfires goaltender Michael Newlove, North Bay Battalion blueliner Jonathan Kapageridis, Flint Firebirds forward Josh Bonnyman as well as Kitchener Rangers forward Jack LaBrash.
Players Eligible for Selection:
All U18 players not currently on a CHL Member Team Protected List who were carded with an Ontario-based U18 AAA Hockey Club or an accredited Hockey Canada sport school within the OHF, HNO or HEO in the 2025-26 playing season are eligible for the U18 Priority Selection.
Selection Procedure:
The Under-18 Priority Selection Process is two rounds with each OHL Member Team required to select two players. Teams that select a goaltender in one of the first two rounds are permitted to select an additional skater in a third round of selections.
