Erie Otters 2025 OHL Priority Selection Draft Primer

Erie Otters 2025 OHL Priority Selection Draft Primer

Erie, Pennsylvania – For the 30^th time in team-history, the Erie Otters will participate in the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection Draft. While still in the thick of the OHL Playoffs – preparing for the start of a second round match-up with the Hamilton Spectator Trophy winning London Knights – 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 2025-26.

Erie finished the 2025-25 season at fifth in the OHL’s Western Conference, and 10^th in the league. As a result of their top-five finish in their conference, the Erie Otters will hold the 12^th overall pick in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection for the third-time in team-history, having previously selected Brad Boyes (1998) and Stephen Harper (2011) with this pick.

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 15 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 2024-25 roster consisted of 17 players taken by the Otters in the OHL Priority Selection Drafts between 2020 and 2024. The picks (subject to change by week’s end) are as follows for Erie:

1. Round 1, #12 pick
   1. Earned by finishing #10 in the OHL at the conclusion of the 2024-25 regular season.
2. Round 2, #34 pick
   1. Erie originally sent its 2025 2^nd round pick to Peterborough in April 2022 in a multi-team, multi-pick deal
   2. Erie had also acquired Oshawa’s 2^nd round pick from Sarnia in December 2022 in exchange for Christian Kyrou, before sending it to Niagara in January 2023 in exchange for Pano Fimis
   3. Erie received its 2025 2^nd round pick back from Brampton in August 2024 in exchange for Spencer Sova
3. No Picks in Round 3
   1. Erie had acquired Brantford (then Hamilton)’s 3^rd round pick from Peterborough in August 2022 in exchange for Connor Lockhart, before sending it to Niagara in January 2023 in exchange for Pano Fimis
   2. Erie traded its 2025 3^rd round pick to London in September 2022 in exchange for Liam Gilmartin
4. Round 4, #74 pick
5. Round 4, #81 pick (WSR)
   1. Acquired from Brampton in August 2024 in exchange for Jacob Gibbons
6. Round 5, #94 pick
7. Round 5, #99 pick (BAR)
   1. Acquired as conditional 15^th from Barrie in August 2022 in exchange for Ben West
8. No Picks in Round 6
   1. Erie traded its 2025 6^th round pick to Windsor in October 2022 in exchange for Kyle Downey
9. Round 7, #134 pick
10. Round 8, #154 pick
11. Round 9, #174 pick
12. Round 10, #194 pick
13. Round 11, #214 pick
14. Round 12, #234 pick
15. Round 13, #254 pick
16. Round 14, #274 pick
17. Round 15, #294 pick

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 2024-25 season, a glimpse of the bright future of Erie was able to be seen by fans.

2025 OHL Priority Selection Rounds that Erie will pick in alongside Round-draftees on the Otters roster in 2024-25:

• 1^st Round Selections
  • 2024: Tyler Challenger (#10)
    • Skated in 63 games during the 2024-25 season with 10 points (6G+4A) including one power play goal and two game-winning goals
      • Recorded one assist in five games played so far in 2025 OHL Playoffs
  • 2023: Matthew Schaefer (#1)
    • Named an alternate captain in September 2024
    • Skated in 17 games during the 2024-25 season with 22 points (7G+15A) including two power play goals and two game-winning goals
    • Named to 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup roster for Hockey Canada, and served as Captain
      • Recorded six points (2G+4A) in five games
    • Named to Team CHL for CHL / USA Top Prospects Challenge, served as alternate captain
      • Recorded two points (1G+1A) in two games
    • Named to Hockey Canada for 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship
      • Recorded two points (1G+1A) in two games played
  • 2022: Malcolm Spence (#2)
    • Named an alternate captain in September 2024 for second-straight season
    • Skated in 65 games during 2024-25 season, recording 73 points (32G+41A) including five power play goals, five short-handed goals, and seven game-winning goals
      • Seven multi-goal games, 20 multi-point games during regular season
      • Scored first-career hat trick in blowout victory at Niagara on November 7, 2024
      • Seven points (3G+4A) in five games during 2025 OHL playoffs thus far
    • Named to Team CHL for CHL / USA Top Prospects Challenge
      • Recorded three points (1G+2A) in two games played
  • 2022: Gabriel Frasca (#17, KGN)
    • Acquired by Erie in August 2024 from Kingston in exchange for picks
    • Skated in 65 games during 2024-25 season with 38 points (15G+23A) including three power play goals
      • Point-per-game player thus far in 2025 OHL Playoffs with five points (2G+3A) and a +5 in five games
  • 2021: Carey Terrance (#10)
    • Named Captain of Erie Otters in September 2024
    • Skated in 45 games during 2024-25 season, recording 39 points (20G+19A) including two power play goals, three short-handed goals, and a game-winning goal
      • Game-winning goal in Erie’s season opener at Kitchener
      • Career-high four-goal night occurred in November 15 win at Saginaw
    • Named to Team USA for 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship
      • Second-straight year as part of Team USA WJC, and second-straight year winning Gold
    • Drafted in 2^nd Round of 2023 NHL Entry Draft by Anaheim Ducks
• 2^nd Round Selections
  • 2024: Lucas Ambrosio (#25)
    • Skated in 52 games during the 2024-25 season with 13 points (4G+9A)
      • Recorded one assist thus far in 2025 OHL Playoffs
    • Named to silver medal winning Team Canada White for IIHF Under-17 World Hockey Challenge
  • 2023: Wesley Royston (#24)
    • Skated in 63 games during the 2024-25 season with 27 points (14G+13A), including two power play goals and two game-winning goals
      • Season-high three point (1G+2A) and +4 in November 15 win at Saginaw
      • Played in his 100th OHL game on March 7, 2025
      • Recorded four assists thus far in 2025 OHL Playoffs
• 4th Round Selections
  • 2024: Michael D’Alessio (#72)
    • Joined team as affiliated player in November 2024, and skated in seven games during the 2024-25 season
  • 2023: Oliver Turner (#77)
    • Joined team as affiliated player in December 2024, and skated in two games during the 2024-25 season
• 5th Round Selections
  • 2022: Nicholas Holomego (#85)
    • Skated in 47 games during the 2024-25 season, recording seven points (0G+7A)
• 7th Round Selections
  • 2024: Hudson Wozney (#132)
    • Called up from Port Colborne (GOJHL) in March 2024, and skated in four games with Erie
• 8th Round Selections
  • 2024: Andrew Willis (#152)
    • Called up from Port Colborne (GOJHL) in December 2024, and skated in five games with Erie
    • Recorded first-career Ontario Hockey League point in home win against Saginaw on December 14
  • 2021: Dylan Edwards (#150)
    • Skated in 66 games during the 2024-25 season, recording 56 points (20G+36A), including eight power play goals and three game-winning goals
      • Three multi-goal games and 14 multi-point games during regular season, including three point (2G+1A) night with the game-winning goal in season debut at London on October 4
      • Recorded 11 points (5G+6A) in five playoff games thus far with two power play goals and a +7
        • Scored a goal in all but one game during playoffs
    • Spent preseason at NHL Development Camp with Detroit Red Wings
• 9th Round Selections
  • 2022: Charlie Burns (#167, NIA)
    • Appeared in 21 games during the 2024-25 season
• 11th Round Selections
  • 2024: Kayden Edwards (#212)
    • Joined team as affiliated player in March 2025, and skated in team’s final five regular season games as well as first five playoff games
    • Recorded first-career Ontario Hockey League goal in season finale win against London on March 23, 2025

With an experienced and deep Otters team taking the ice in 2025-26 following a post-season run this Spring, players selected in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection will have the chance to make their mark and earn their spot in Training Camp.

The 2025 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 11 and Draft Rounds 1-3 starting at 7:00 P.M., and on Saturday, April 12 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 third season of collaboration, Voodoo Brewing Company will once again be the presenting sponsor of the Erie Otters 2025 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 11. 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.

Voodoo Brewing Company founder Matteo Rachocki – an Erie-native – spoke about the excitement in working with the Otters for the third-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].”

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2025 OHL Priority Selection First Round Order of Selection:

1. Peterborough Petes
2. Guelph Storm
3. Ottawa 67’s
4. Sarnia Sting
5. Owen Sound Attack
6. North Bay Battalion
7. Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
8. Flint Firebirds
9. Kingston Frontenacs*
10. Niagara IceDogs
11. Sudbury Wolves
12. Erie Otters
13. Saginaw Spirit
14. Brampton Steelheads
15. Brampton Steelheads*
16. Oshawa Generals
17. Kingston Frontenacs
18. Barrie Colts
19. Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds*
20. Brantford Bulldogs
21. Windsor Spitfires
22. Kitchener Rangers
23. London Knights

*- indicates compensatory pick

All eyes will be on day one of the 2025 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection Draft on Friday, April 11 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 12 with rounds four through 15. Erie currently has 15 picks in the 2025 Priority Selection Draft, with two on day one (1^st, 2^nd), and 13 on day two (4^th, 4^th [from WSR], 5^th, 5^th [from BAR], 7^th, 8^th, 9^th, 10^th, 11^th, 12^th, 13^th, 14^th, 15^th). Draft Picks are subject to change leading up to the day of the Draft.

Keep up with all the Otters picks and results on OttersHockey.com or across the Otters’ social media. For all results of the 2025 Priority Selection, please head to OntarioHockeyLeague.com. 

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 11. 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 2009 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 2025 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. 

About the Erie Otters:

The Erie Otters are an Ontario Hockey League (OHL) team based in Erie, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1996, the Otters have a rich history of excellence both on and off the ice. The team is committed to creating memorable experiences for its fans and contributing to the growth and well-being of the Erie community.

For further information on the Erie Otters and for media inquiries, please contact Shawn Bednard at [email protected] or Trevor Kubeja at [email protected].

Stay Informed:

Keep up-to-date with the latest Erie Otters news by visiting OttersHockey.com, or follow along on social media with the Otters Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

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