2023 OHL Priority Selection Draft Recap

NIAGARA, ON – The 2023 OHL Priority Selection Draft presented by Real Canadian Superstore has concluded with the IceDogs taking 16 players over 2 days and 15 rounds. This included 8 forwards, 7 defenceman and 1 goaltender.

The full draft list is as follows:

Round       Pick#                    Name                                  Position     

1                       2              Ryan Roobroeck                        Centre

1                       5                   Ethan Czata                   Centre/Left Wing

2                     28                 Artem Frolov                      Defenceman

3                    50                   Hayden Reid                  Centre/Left Wing

4                    68                 Ivan Galiyanov                      Left Wing

7                    123              Douglas Mitchell              Centre/Left Wing

8                   143              Maasilan Etchart                 Defenceman

8                   145                       Eric He                                Forward 

9                   163              Darcy Dewatcher                 Defenceman 

10                 183                Finn Moffett                              Goalie

11                 203                   Ben Arnold                        Defenceman

12                 228                Caden Okovita                      Right Wing

13                 243                  Rafek Dianov                           Centre

14                 263                  Jack Ferras                         Defenceman 

15                 283              Gavin Ramkissoon               Defenceman 

15                 292                    Johnny Li                           Defenceman

The IceDogs started day 1, Friday April 21st, by selecting London Jr. Knights forward Ryan Roobroeck with the 2nd overall pick. Followed by Ethan Czata at 5th overall, Artem Frolov with the 28th pick and Hayden Reid at 50th overall.

Czata skated in 35 games and recorded 37 points as a member of the Mississauga Rebels of the GTHL. The left hand shot centre weighs in at 141 pounds and stands at 5’10.

Frolov is a big body defenceman with Russian origins who played for the Vaughan Kings in the GTHL. He is a left hand d-man standing at 6’0 and 185 pounds.

Reid is a 2006 born forward who currently plays for the Leamington Flyers in the GOJHL. Reid has been an instrumental part for the Flyers this season as they currently sit one win away from the competing for the Sutherland Cup. He has posted an impressive 40 points in 46 games as a rookie in the GOJHL.

The second day featured a total of 12 picks selected by IceDogs management. The first pick of the day was Ivan Galiyanov with the 68th overall pick. Galiyanov played this past season with 2nd round pick Artem Frolov with the Vaughan Kings as they helped propel their team to a OHL Cup final appearance.

A popular pick amongst the fans was the Icedogs 145th overall pick Eric He who played with the Toronto Red Wings this past season. He is the brother of current IceDog and second round pick from last year, Kevin He. This provided a great moment for the He family, with Kevin He saying he is excited for the opportunity to potentially play with his brother in the future.

The day concluded with two 15 round picks, Gavin Ramkissoon and Johnny Li.