Erie Otters 2024 OHL Priority Selection Draft Primer
Erie, Pennsylvania – For the 29th time in team-history, the Erie Otters will participate in the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection Draft. After a revitalized season that saw Erie make the playoffs for the first time since 2017, Erie will now look to add to its cupboard as it looks to compete for a top-spot in the OHL’s Western Conference in 2024-25.
Erie finished the 2023-24 season at fifth in the OHL’s Western Conference, and 11th in the league – a massive single-season turnaround after finishing 19th in the league (10th WC) at the conclusion of 2022-23. As a result of their top-five finish in their conference, the Erie Otters will hold the 10th overall pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection for the fifth-time in team-history, and first time since selecting Carey Terrance in 2021.
General Manager Dave Brown expressed his excitement for the organization ahead of a very talented draft class.
“We’re looking to add to the already exciting young group that we have.” said Brown, “We think there’s exciting times ahead in Erie, and this class will definitely be adding to this unique group.”
In this edition of the Draft, the Otters are currently eligible to select 12 players from the 15 round process, with a ‘Linear Draft’ being executed, ensuring Erie and all OHL member teams the same draft order in all eligible rounds (barring any traded picks). Erie’s 2023-24 roster consisted of 15 players taken by the Otters in the OHL Priority Selection Drafts between 2019 and 2023. The picks (subject to change by week’s end) are as follows for Erie:
- Round 1, #10 pick
- Earned by finishing #11 in the OHL at the conclusion of the 2023-24 regular season.
- Round 2, #25 pick (SAR)
- Erie traded its 2024 2nd round pick to Oshawa in January 2017 in exchange for Anthony Cirelli
- Acquired from Sarnia in December 2022 in the Christian Kyrou trade
- No Picks in Round 3
- Erie traded its 2024 3rd round pick to Peterborough in April 2022 as part of a multi-team, multi-pick deal
- Erie traded Mississauga’s 2024 3rd round pick to London in September 2022 in exchange for Liam Gilmartin
- Erie traded Windsor’s 2024 3rd round pick to Niagara in January 2023 in exchange for Pano Fimis
- Round 4, #72 pick
- No Picks in Round 5
- Erie traded its 2024 5th round pick to London in April 2022 as part of a multi-team, multi-pick deal
- Round 6, #112 pick
- Round 7, #132 pick
- Round 8, #152 pick
- Round 9, #175 pick (MISS)
- Erie traded its 2024 9th round pick to North Bay in August 2021 for Ryan Thompson
- No Picks in Round 10
- Erie traded its 2024 10th round pick to Oshawa in January 2019 for Cole Ceci
- Round 11, #212 pick
- Round 12, #232 pick
- Round 13, #252 pick
- Round 14
- #268 pick (FLNT)
- Acquired from Niagara in April 2024 in swap of picks
- #272 pick
- #268 pick (FLNT)
- No Picks in Round 15
- Erie traded its 15th round pick to London in June 2021 in exchange for a 15th round pick in 2021
Erie has been very particular on the style and skillset of player drafted in the last few years, building a team focused on skill, work ethic, and attitude above all else. With six new players cracking the roster during the 2023-24 season, a glimpse of the bright future of Erie was able to be seen by fans.
2024 OHL Priority Selection Rounds that Erie will pick in alongside Round-draftees on the Otters roster in 2023-24:
- 1st Round Selections:
- 2023: Matthew Schaefer (#1)
- Scored 17 points (3G+14A) in 56 games in rookie season
- Three points (0G+3A) scored in six playoff games
- Captained Team Canada White at 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge
- Named OHL’s Midwest Division Academic Player of the Month in January
- Scored 17 points (3G+14A) in 56 games in rookie season
- 2022: Malcolm Spence (#2)
- Served as alternate captain during 2023-24 season
- Scored 62 points (19G+43A) in 66 games in second season
- Second in team-scoring for Erie Otters
- Four shorthanded goals
- 2021: Carey Terrance (#10)
- Drafted in 2nd Round of 2023 NHL Entry Draft by Anaheim Ducks
- Scored 52 points in third-season in the OHL
- Leading goal-scorer among 2023-24 Erie Otters
- Led team with five shorthanded goals
- Named to Team USA for 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship
- 2020: Pano Fimis (#2, NIA)
- Named alternate captain for 2023-24 season
- Scored 76 points (25G+51A) in second season with Erie
- Led team in regular season scoring, assists
- Scored 11 points (4G+7A) during six OHL playoff games to lead team
- Nominated for Red Tilson Trophy as OHL’s Most Outstanding Player
- 2020: Spencer Sova (#8)
- Named captain for the 2023-24 season
- Scored 31 points (14G+17A) in 58 games
- Six power play goals, two game-winners
- 2019: Ben Gaudreau (#7)
- Acquired by Erie early in 2023 portion of season
- Played in 35 regular season games for a 3.31 GAA and .889 SV% with a 21-11-2 record
- Helped lead Erie from net to first playoff appearance in seven seasons
- 2023: Matthew Schaefer (#1)
- 2nd Round Selections:
- 2023: Wesley Royston (#24)
- Scored five points (4G+1A) in 45 games in rookie season
- All points scored in span of two months later in the season with a 5-7-1 record
- Scored five points (4G+1A) in 45 games in rookie season
- 2022: Jacob Gibbons (#38)
- Appeared in 20 games during 2023-24 season
- 2020: Sam Alfano (#23, PBO)
- Scored 60 points (27G+33A) in 66 games in second season in Erie
- Became one of the premier scorers on the team during the run up to the 2024 OHL Playoffs
- Scored nine points (5G+4A) in six playoff games for a team-leading +9
- Scored 60 points (27G+33A) in 66 games in second season in Erie
- 2023: Wesley Royston (#24)
- 4th Round Selections:
- 2019: Brett Bressette (#65)
- Named an alternate captain at start of 2023-24 season
- Scored 44 points (17G+27A) in 67 games after missing half of 2022-23 season
- Four power play goals, 14 PPAs
- Added a playoff goal during post-season
- 2019: Brett Bressette (#65)
- 6th Round Selections:
- 2022: Ty Henry (#109)
- Scored seven points (0G+7A) in 54 games during 2023-24 season
- Became one of Erie’s premier defensemen during second half of the season
- 2020: Kaleb Smith (#106)
- Scored 24 points (10G+14A) in full 68 game season
- Finished regular season with goals in four-straight games
- Recorded a pair of playoff goals during first OHL post-season
- Scored 24 points (10G+14A) in full 68 game season
- 2022: Ty Henry (#109)
- 7th Round Selections:
- 2023: Keagan Knight (#124)
- Called up for Erie’s playoff run as an extra defensemen during injuries and illness
- Skated in Erie’s game two win at Kitchener
- 2023: Keagan Knight (#124)
- 8th Round Selections:
- 2021: Dylan Edwards (#150)
- After being sent down to the OJHL to start 2023-24 season, became one of the best stories in the OHL in second half
- Scored 34 points (22G+12A) in 38 games from New Year’s Weekend onward
- Team’s leading goal-scorer during 2024 post-season with nine total points (6G+3A) in six games
- 2021: Dylan Edwards (#150)
- 11th Round Selections:
- 2019: Owain Johnston (#206)
- Named alternate captain at start of 2023-24 season
- A premier defensemen who played all 68 games for the Erie Otters in 2023-24
- Scored 29 points (5G+24A) during OA season
- 2019: Owain Johnston (#206)
With an experienced, young, and deep Otters team taking the ice in 2024-25 after a six game stretch in the post-season, players selected in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection will have the chance to make their mark and earn their spot in Training Camp.
The 2024 OHL Priority Selection Draft will be free-to-watch on OHL Live on CHL TV all weekend long, with the Pre-Show beginning at 6:30 P.M. on Friday, April 12 and Draft Rounds 1-3 starting at 7:00 P.M., and on Saturday, April 13 with Draft Rounds 4-15 starting at 9:00 A.M.
Draft picks and draft beers combine forces once more as the Erie Otters and Voodoo Brewing Company continue their partnership venture between the two downtown Erie organizations. In the second season of collaboration, Voodoo Brewing Company will be the presenting sponsor of the Erie Otters 2023 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection Draft (pres. by Real Canadian Superstore) coverage. Fans are invited to attend a special Draft Night party at Voodoo Brewing Company – Erie Pub starting at 7:00 P.M. on Friday, April 12. 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.
Voodoo Brewing Company Chief Executive Officer Matteo Rachocki – an Erie-native – spoke about the excitement in working with the Otters for the second-year in presenting the OHL Draft.
“It means everything to be involved with the Otters, we’re so happy about the partnership. Going to games, it’s the thing that you grow up doing here. Having such a great team just a few blocks away and being able to support one another really cements that community aspect.” said Rachocki, “High tide rises all ships and it’s a great opportunity for both [organizations].”
2024 OHL Priority Selection First Round Order of Selection:
- Windsor Spitfires
- Sarnia Sting
- Peterborough Petes
- Niagara IceDogs
- Barrie Colts
- Flint Firebirds
- Owen Sound Attack
- Kingston Frontenacs
- Guelph Storm
- Erie Otters
- Ottawa 67’s
- Sudbury Wolves
- Mississauga Steelheads
- Brantford Bulldogs
- Kitchener Rangers
- North Bay Battalion
- Oshawa Generals
- Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
- Saginaw Spirit
- London Knights
- Ottawa 67’s*
*- indicates compensatory pick
All eyes will be on day one of the 2024 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection Draft on Friday, April 12 at 7:00 P.M. – 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 13 with rounds four through 15. Erie currently has 12 picks in the 2024 Priority Selection Draft, with two on day one (1st Round, 2nd Round [SAR)), and nine on day two (4th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th [MISS], 11th, 12th, 13th, two in round 14 [FLNT]). 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 7:00 P.M. on Friday, April 12. 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.
Player Eligibility
North American players born in 2008 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 2024 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 2024 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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