ERIE OTTERS DRAFT CLASS OF ’22 NOTEBOOK
Erie, Pennsylvania – With the 2023 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection Draft approaching in four days, preparations begin to welcome in the “Class of ’23” for the Erie Otters. As it stands currently, Erie will select 14 players among the 15 Rounds of the Priority Selection, with each having aspirations to make the cut for Opening Night – and beyond. These 14 will represent a new Draft Class, and the future of the Otters.
For the third time in team-history, the Erie Otters will open the OHL Priority Selection Draft – winning claims to the #1 overall pick thanks to the Lottery Process on Wednesday, March 29.
As the team prepares to welcome 14 new prospective players to the organization, a new chapter begins, and turns what were the ‘new kids’ from the Class of ’22 into players with a prospect season under their belt.
Before the new Class commences in the Flagship City, it’s time to review the 16 players who Erie drafted in the 2021 Priority Selection, and their progress since hearing their names called.
Malcolm Spence – 1st Round, #2 Overall (F)
What can be said about Malcolm Spence that hasn’t already been said?
A consensus first-overall pick in his OHL Draft-eligible season (until the awarding of exceptional status to best friend and OHL Cup teammate Michael Misa), #2 overall pick Malcolm Spence was regarded as a pro-style, immediate impact player leading into and after the Draft.
In his rookie season in the OHL, Malcolm Spence would play in 64 games for the Erie Otters. The first-career point for Spence would be scored via an assist in his OHL debut, and he’d score his first-career goal in his third game at Ottawa. From there, Spence would have a tremendous rookie campaign – 42 total points (16G+26A), tied among all rookies with four game-winning goals, and scoring goals five-on-five, five-on-four, and shorthanded. Spence’s final game of his first season would be a perfect representation of his continue growth – a two point night (1G+1A) with a +2.
Sam Alfano with the soccer assist ⛸️⚽️
The @ErieOtters winger loses his stick but manages to kick it to Terrance, who feeds Malcolm Spence for the game-winning goal! 🎥 pic.twitter.com/wShO3jZrnE
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) March 26, 2023
A further testament to the prowess of Spence, the rookie would be rostered on Team Canada Black roster for the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge by Hockey Canada.
With a full season under his belt already, and noticeable growth in his skill and ability from start to finish, the future is bright from #17.
Jacob Gibbons – 2nd Round, #38 Overall (G)
The future of the goaltending room for the Erie Otters, Jacob Gibbons was the second pick and only goaltender selected by Erie during the 2022 OHL Priority Selection.
After suiting up in five preseason games for Erie, Gibbons would earn the call-up opportunity early into the 2022-23 season – making his debut in relief on October 14 on home ice. After stopping 12/13 in his relief debut, Gibbons was given the green light as the starting goaltender on October 15 against the Saginaw Spirit. In the contest, Gibbons would stop 16/19 for an Otters’ overtime victory – earning his first career win in his first career start.
Congratulations to Gibbons on his first @OHLHockey win last night! pic.twitter.com/6WbzpCrfHB
— Erie Otters 🦦 (@ErieOtters) October 16, 2022
After the magical Saturday night for Gibbons, he would spend the majority of the season in the North York Rangers organization, splitting time between the U18 club and the Ontario Junior Hockey League team. When the Rangers’ season came to an end, Gibbons was called back up to Erie to help close the 2022-23 season – making another three appearances.
At 6’4″, 181 lbs., the left-gloved goaltender already has the frame of an OHL netminder. With a highly competitive goaltender battle expected in the 2023-24 preseason, look for Gibbons to throw his name in the ring to be a staple of Erie’s backend.
Logan Sawyer – 2nd Round, #41 Overall (F)
The final pick of the first day of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, Logan Sawyer was taken by Erie from the GTHL’s Vaughan Kings U16 AAA.
A 6’1″, 165 lbs. left-handed forward, Sawyer’s 2022-23 season was spent with Stanstead College, where he played in 62 games. A dominant offensive season saw the left-winger score 97 points (53G+44A) in the span.
Sawyer did not participate in 2022 Training Camp with the Erie Otters, and is currently committed to Providence College (NCAA) starting in the 2025-26 season.
Nicholas Holomego – 5th Round, #85 Overall (D)
Nicholas Holomego was the first pick of day two of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection Draft for the Erie Otters, being selected in the fifth round.
Holomego’s first season as a prospect of Erie saw him serve as an Affiliate Player for the team. After playing in all six preseason games with a +4 rating, the 6’3″, 190 lbs. left-handed defenseman’s OHL debut came in Owen Sound during the team’s weekend trip to the bayshore. Holomego would suit up in four total games for Erie – including the team’s upset win over regular season champion Ottawa in his home debut.
The Thunder Bay, ON native would spend the rest of his 2022-23 season in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League, suiting up in 29 games for the Fort Erie Meteors. Holomego would earn 10 points (3G+7A) and be named to the GOJHL’s Future Stars Game for Team White. In the playoffs, Holomego would score a goal in 10 games played.
Nick Holomego's first GOJHL goal! ⬇️#FEMvsPEL | #DefendTheFort🏰 pic.twitter.com/5f4tzj0oBv
— Fort Erie Meteors (@FEMeteors) December 18, 2022
With key defensive pieces moving on for Erie at the conclusion of the 2022-23 season, opportunity to move up to the big club will be present for Holomego in 2023-24.
Ty Henry – 6th Round, #109 Overall (D)
Ty Henry was the highest pick to play for the Erie Otters in the 2022-23 season. The 6’2″, 183 lbs. left-handed defenseman played in all six preseason games for Erie, and earned his OHL debut on home ice during a three-game call-up to close out the month of November.
The rest of Henry’s post-Draft season was spent in the Central Canada Hockey League, playing 41 games with the Brockville Braves where he found 11 points (2G+9A). In the post-season Henry recorded an assist in seven games.
TY HENRY ON POINT 👌
2006 born Toronto, ON native Ty Henry takes the pass of his skate before sniping his 2nd of the season. pic.twitter.com/ogfmoZMCiD
— Central Canada Hockey League (@TheCCHL) January 11, 2023
With his first taste of the OHL in 2022-23, there will be opportunity to make more regular roster appearances in 2023-24 for the 16-year-old.
Landon Watson – 6th Round, #114 Overall (D)
A Pennsylvanian himself, Landon Watson was drafted by his home state team on day two of the OHL Draft.
A 6’3″, 176 lbs. defenseman, the 2022-23 season for Watson was spent with the Cleveland Barons 16U AAA program. Suiting up in 71 games, Watson scored 30 points (5G+25A), and added another five (1G+4A) in five post-season games.
Watson was part of Prospects’ Team Navy in the 2022 Training Camp.
Jack Good – 7th Round, #125 Overall (F)
A Markham Waxers U16 AAA product on draft day 2022, Jack Good was Erie’s first forward taken on the second day of the Priority Selection.
A 5’8″, 157 lbs. center, the southpawed Good played his 2022-23 season at St. Andrew’s College. A productive year for the forward saw Good score 55 points (22G+33A) in 52 games.
Good did not participate in 2022 Training Camp with the Erie Otters.
Payton Stowe – 9th Round, #165 Overall (F)
A native of Florida, Payton Stowe was drafted by Erie out of the highly-regarded Michigan-based Belle Tire 15U AAA program in the 9th Round.
A left-handed forward standing at 6’3″, 161 lbs., Stowe wore a couple different jerseys in the 2022-23 season – playing 10 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 16U program and 21 games with Victory Honda 16U AAA, scoring 13 points (9G+4A). In four playoff games for Victory Honda, Stowe would strike for one goal in four games.
Stowe was on Prospects’ Team Gold during Otters Training Camp.
Georgy Toroptsev – 10th Round, #185 Overall (F)
A Russian-born, Ontario-raised player, Georgy Toroptsev was taken in the 10th Round by Erie.
Measuring in at 6’0″, 176 lbs., Toroptsev is a left-shot right wing forward. Playing in the North York Rangers U18 AAA program, Toroptsev suited up in three games this season with two points (1G+1A).
Prospects’ Team White was where Toroptsev was rostered for the Erie Otters Training Camp.
Brayden Stumpf – 11th Round, #205 Overall (F)
Brayden Stumpf became an Erie Otters prospect after being the first 200+ pick for the organization in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection.
A 5’11”, 159 lbs. center, Stumpf spent the entirety of the 2022-23 season in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League with the Stratford Warriors. Suiting up in 49 games, Stumpf was responsible for 23 points (10G+13A). Stratford would sweep the opening two rounds of the GOJHL playoffs, and make it to the Sutherland Cup Round-Robin round. In the 16 games played thus far, Stumpf has found five points (0G+5A) in 16 points.
Stumpf suited up for Prospects’ Team Navy in the Otters Training Camp.
Cole Bartnick – 12th Round, #225 Overall (D)
The final American player taken in the Draft by Erie, Cole Bartnick was drafted from Michigan’s Compurware 15U AAA program.
6’0″ and 170 lbs., the left-handed Bartnick spent his 2022-23 season with Honeybaked 16U AAA, where he had four points (2G+2A) in 11 games. He also played in three playoff games for the team.
Bartnick did not participate in 2022 Training Camp with the Erie Otters.
Thomas Kuipers – 13th Round, #245 Overall (F)
The first of three 13th Round picks for Erie in 2022, Thomas Kuipers was a point-plus-per-game scorer in his OHL Draft eligible U16 season.
A 5’10”, 159 lbs. forward, Kuipers spent the majority of his post-Draft season in the ETAHL with the Quinte Red Devils U18 AAA team. With 26 points (12G+14A) in 36 games, Kuipers would add six points (4G+2A) to his season total in seven playoff games. The Carrying Place, ON native would also earn a call-up to the Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Trenton Golden Hawks, scoring one goal in four games.
Kuipers time in Erie was spent as part of Prospects’ Team Gold in Training Camp.
MacKenzie Curd – 13th Round, #247 Overall (D)
The middle pick of Round 13 of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection Draft, Mackenzie Curd jumped out to many Otters fans for his tremendous size.
Standing at 6’6″, 205 lbs. as a 16-year-old, the left-handed Curd played in 23 games with the Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs U18 AAA team of the SCTA – scoring nine points (2G+7A). In the post-season, Curd found an assist for one point in the team’s four playoff games.
Curd attended Otters Training Camp as a rostered member of Prospects’ Team Gold.
Jonathan Morello – 13th Round, #260 Overall (F)
The final of the 13th Round selections for the Erie Otters, Jonathan Morello would have his name called by Erie after a solid 2021-22 season in the GTHL.
A 6’1″, 168 lbs. southpaw-shooting forward, Morello’s 2022-23 season was spent in the Ontario Junior Hockey League with the St. Michael’s Buzzers. In 51 games, Morello scored 40 points (16G+24A), before finding six points (2G+4A) in five playoff games.
A participant in Otters Training Camp, Morello would be on the roster for Prospects’ Team White.
Morello is currently committed to Clarkson University (NCAA) starting in the 2025-26 season.
Brody Coe – 14th Round, #265 Overall (F)
The penultimate pick of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection Draft for Erie, Brody Coe would be the final forward taken by the team. Coe’s time with the Otters in the 2022-23 season would come as an attendee of Training Camp, part of the Prospects’ Team Gold.
A 6’3″, 174 lbs. right-shot forward, Coe would spend most of the season with the North Central Predators U18 AAA of the ETAHL. During his 22 games with the Predators, Coe would record seven points (3G+4A) in the regular season, and be a point-per-game scorer in the playoffs with five points (2G+3A) in five games. Coe would also earn a call-up to the Penetang Kings of the Provincial Junior Hockey League, scoring two points (0G+2A) in two games.
Marcus Tryfon – 15th Round, #285 Overall (D)
Marcus Tryfon was the final pick of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection Draft for the Erie Otters, and would attend Training Camp with the team as part of Prospects’ Team White.
A 5’11”, 163 lbs. left-handed defenseman, Tryfon spent most of the 2022-23 season as part of the Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs U18 AAA, alongside fellow Otters draftee Mackenzie Curd. Tryfon would find 19 points (9G+10A) in 24 games, three points (0G+3A) in six playoff games, and spend just six minutes in the box all season. The defensemen would also spend four games in the Ontario Junior Hockey League with the Milton Menace.
All eyes will be on Erie on Friday, April 21 at 7:00 P.M. for day one the 2023 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection Draft – with the first three rounds taking place. Day two of the Priority Selection Draft will take place at 9:00 A.M. on Saturday, April 22 with rounds four through 15. Erie currently has 14 picks in the 2023 Priority Selection Draft, with two on day one (1st Round, 2nd Round), and 12 on day two (two in 4th [SAR], 5th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th). Draft Picks are subject to change leading up to the day of the Draft.
Voodoo Brewing Draft Party
Fans are invited to attend a special Draft Night party at Voodoo Brewing Company – Erie Pub starting at 6:00 P.M. on Friday, April 21. Locally-made craft beer and specialty crafted food will be available during this family-friendly event. Inside of Voodoo’s spacious taproom, attendees will be able to watch the Draft unfold live while also seeing Otters staff. After the team’s final pick, head coach Stan Butler will partake in an exclusive town hall to talk about the players selected thus far and a State of the Otters.
Player Eligibility
North American players born in 2007 and non-overage players that were not registered with an Ontario based U16 AAA team from protected OHL territories are eligible for selection in the 15 rounds of the 2023 OHL Priority Selection.
Selected Players in the OHL
OHL Member Teams are permitted to register a maximum of four 16-year-old players selected in the OHL Priority Selection. Those 16 year old players that are allowed to be signed are the first two 16-year-old players selected and a maximum of two additional 16-year-old wild carded players in any round of the OHL Priority Selection.
All other 16-year-old players selected are eligible to be called up as an “affiliated player” or “floating affiliate player” for a maximum of 10 games or for any OHL regular season or playoff games when such player’s team has been eliminated from competition for that season.
Keep up with all the Otters picks and results on OttersHockey.com or across the Otters’ social media. For all results of the 2023 Priority Selection, please head to OntarioHockeyLeague.com.
For the latest Otters news, visit OttersHockey.com, or follow the team on Facebook (Facebook.com/erieottershockey), Twitter (@ErieOtters), and Instagram (@ErieOtters).
For further information on the Erie Otters and for media inquiries, please contact Shawn Bednard at [email protected].
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