FOUR KNIGHTS SELECTED IN 2024 NHL Draft
The London Knights extended their record streak of having at least one player selected in the NHL Draft to 55 years after four Knights heard their name called this weekend in Las Vegas.
Sam Dickinson led the way for the Knights when his name was called 11th overall by the San Jose Sharks. Dickinson became the highest drafted Knight since the Edmonton Oilers selected now superstar defenceman Evan Bouchard at 11th overall in 2018. Dickinson’s talent was recognized after his 70 point season became the most points recorded by a 17 year old defenceman in franchise history. The Knights will be well represented in the Sharks camp as joining Dickinson is 2023 second round pick and current Knightt Kasper Halttunen.
Sam O’Reilly capped off the night one when the Edmonton Oilers traded into the first round to select the Toronto, ON product. The Oiler’s kept an eye on O’Reilly after he spent his first year of junior’s with the GOJHL’s London Nationals before his rookie season with the Knights saw him record 56 points in 68 games and was a standout in the Memorial Cup. O’Reilly’s first round selection follow’s in the path of Easton Cowan and Oliver Bonk who were both drafted in round one of the 2023 NHL Draft, who both spent their first season’s in the GOJHL.
The Los Angeles Kings traded up in the sixth round to take 6’5″, 207 lbs defenceman Jared Woolley. The big defenceman began the year with the St. Thomas Stars before being recalled to the Knights in January. Woolley became a dependable defenceman for the Knights enroute to an OHL Championship and now joins Knights alumni Kaleb Lawrence in Los Angeles.
The seventh round saw Knights forward Will Nicholl accompany Sam O’Reilly to the Edmonton Oilers when he was selected with the 196th overall. Nicholl was the Knights third round selection in 2022 and also spent his first season with the GOJHL’s St. Thomas Stars where he was named the Western Conference Rookie of the Year. Nicholl’s high energy and intensity was big for the Knights down the stretch, stepping into key roles and playing important minutes when the Knights dealt with injuries and suspensions.
Not only did the Knights extend their record streak to 55 years but they raised the all-time number of draftees to 199, the most from any program in hockey. The newest NHL Draft picks will now look ahead to NHL rookie camps throughout the month of July before returning to London for the 2024/25 season in August.
Stay tuned to the London Knights social media for updates on tickets, team news, and upcoming events. The Knights will kick off their 2024-25 season at Budweiser Gardens against the Flint Firebirds on September 27th at 7:00pm.