Erie Otters Class of ’24 Notebook

Erie Otters Class of ’24 Notebook

Erie, Pennsylvania – With the 2025 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection Draft approaching in four days, preparations begin to welcome in the “Class of ’25” for the Erie Otters. Erie will select 15 prospects among the 15 Rounds of the Priority Selection, with each having aspirations to make the cut for Opening Night – and beyond. These 15 players will represent a new Draft Class, and the future of the Otters.

As the team prepares to welcome 15 new prospective players to the organization, a new chapter begins, and turns what were the ‘new kids’ from the Class of ’24 into players with a prospect season under their belt.

Before the new Class commences in the Flagship City, it’s time to review the 12 players who Erie drafted in the 2024 Priority Selection, the six who made their OHL debut, and their progress since hearing their names called.

Tyler Challenger – 1^st Round, #10 Overall (F)

Up for the Challenger? Tyler certainly was. Selected #10 overall by the Erie Otters in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection Draft, Challenger would continue Erie’s legacy of success in drafting players out of the Mississauga region. After putting up 83 points (38G+45A) in 68 games during the 2023-24 season with the North York Rangers U16 AAA program, Erie knew Challenger was the next first rounder they wanted to add to their roster.

So often with first round selections, the expectation is for this prospect to come in and immediately be a star. For the Erie Otters, they were very intentional in not forcing Challenger to have to be a star in his rookie year – instead, focusing on the development and skills growth of the power forward style player. This measured approach to player wellness and success has paid off, with Challenger’s 2025 portion of the season showing off the player’s confidence and abilities to be a star at the OHL level. His prowess and ability would earn him a selection to the IIHF Under-17 World Hockey Challenge for Hockey Canada White, where he would put up two points (2A) in five games enroute to a gold medal.

Challenger would skate in 63 regular season games for the Otters, grabbing 10 points (6G+4A) during the campaign. Playing serious minutes with different combinations of linemates, Challenger has been a player ready to play under the pressure of the post-season, finding a point via an assist in the five games against the Saginaw Spirit. If Challenger continues his current development trajectory, don’t be surprised to see him score in this year’s playoff.

Otters fans have many reasons to be excited about the future of this organization, and the growth and maturity of Tyler Challenger should be near the top of the list why.

Lucas Ambrosio – 2^nd Round, #25 Overall (D)

Erie knew it wanted to bolster its blueline early in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection, and it had its man ready at the wings when the second round rolled around. A solid defender for the Toronto Jr. Canadiens U16 AAA program, Lucas Ambrosio of Mississauga would be taken #25 overall by Erie as its first defenseman of the draft.

Affectionately called “Ambro” by his teammates, Ambrosio would have a solid rookie campaign in Erie, skating in 52 regular season games to the tune of 13 points (4G+9A) – after missing a middle season stretch due to injury. A solid puck-moving defenseman with great size and an even better shot, Ambrosio early on became a reliable blueliner that Erie could play in serious situations without risk of mistake. This was noticed by Hockey Canada too, who named the then-16-year-old to its Hockey Canada Red roster for the IIHF Under-17 World Hockey Challenge; winning a silver medal.

Now in his first post-season run with the Otters, Ambrosio has played in all five games to-date for Erie with a +1 and an assist to his credit. Expectations of continued growth in becoming a premier defenseman in the OHL’s Midwest Division are certainly in place thanks to this solid rookie season, and the confidence and calmness of the player is exactly what coach Ken Peroff wants in his d-men.

Michael D’Alessio – 4^th Round, #72 Overall (D)

Erie’s first selection on day two of the Priority Selection Draft, Michael D’Alessio would come into the draft with an impressive number of games played and points scored for the GTHL’s Vaughn Kings U16 AAA program.

In the post-draft 2024-25 season, D’Alessio would spend the whole year in Jr. A with the Ontario Junior Hockey League’s St. Michael’s Buzzers – skating in 62 total games, and amassing 20 points (8G+12A).

D’Alessio’s play and prospect status would earn him a seven-game call-up to the Otters, with his OHL debut coming on November 27, 2024, and being part of the team’s season finale on March 23, 2025.

D’Alessio will have a solid opportunity to fit into the Erie blueline for the 2025-26 season.

Colton Radford – 6^th Round, #112 Overall (F)

The first forward selected by Erie on day two of the Draft, Colton Radford would be selected out of the Huron Perth Lakers U16 AAA program with a point-plus per-game season.

In the 2024-25 season, Radford would play plenty of games in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League against fellow 2024 Otters draft class members Hudson Wozney (PCS) and Andrew Willis (PCS), as he would skate in 47 games and eight playoff games for the Fort Erie Meteors. During this half-century number of games, Radford would find 28 points (13G+15A) while staying relatively out of the box.

Radford and his fellow GOJHL classmates will look to go from opponents to teammates in 2025-26.

Hudson Wozney – 7^th Round, #132 Overall (F)

A crafty scorer coming out of the Guelph Jr. Gryphons U16 AAA program, Hudson Wozney would be selected early on day two of the Priority Selection draft.

Wozney would spend his post-draft season on assignment from the Otters at their GOJHL affiliate, the Port Colborne Sailors. Wozney would impress with 19 points (7G+12A) in the first 48 games of his Jr. B career. With opportunity presenting itself, Wozney would get the call-up to the big club on March 7, 2025, and skate in four games at the OHL level.

With a taste of major junior after a solid rookie campaign in Jr. B, Wozney will look to see if he can fit into Erie for his second junior season.

Andrew Willis – 8^th Round, #152 Overall (D)

A trailblazer in some senses, Andrew Willis would be drafted in the middle rounds of the 2024 Priority Selection.

The first player called up from Erie’s affiliation agreement with Port Colborne, Willis would make his OHL debut on December 12 at Windsor. He would skate in five games for the Otters during his rookie season, finding an assist. This would come after 45 games played for the Sailors, finding 13 points (2G+11A) on the north shore of Lake Erie.

Willis will look to battle for a spot on the Erie blueline during the 2025-26 season, and spend more time at the parent club.

Michael Tamburro – 9^th Round, #175 Overall (G)

The first of two netminders selected by the Otters in the Priority Selection Draft, Michael Tamburro‘s 6’2″, 174lbs. frame would certainly have him in the right size pool for a young netminder.

Spending his draft-eligible season with the Mississauga Reps U16 AAA program, Tamburro would spend the 2024-25 season with the U18 AAA program in Mississauga. His play would impress enough to move him up for a pair of starts at the Jr. A level with the OJHL’s Mississauga Chargers.

Kayden Edwards – 11^th Round, #212 Overall (F)

Wait, isn’t there already an Edwards from Toronto on the Erie Otters?

This is getting out of hand – now there’s two of them!

Selected by the Otters in round 11, Kayden Edwards would indeed be the younger brother of 2024 playoff hero and skilled-shooter Dylan Edwards. With impressive offensive numbers of his own in his draft-eligible season for the Toronto Marlboros U16 AAA program, the chance to continue the dynamic Edwards’ lineage for Erie was not passed up by the Otters.

After a full season with the Toronto National U18 AAA program, K. Edwards would be called up to the Otters on March 15, 2025 against the Niagara IceDogs. Suiting up in five regular season games, the season-finale against the London Knights would see Edwards score his first-career point by way of his first-career goal. Even more exciting for the younger Edwards, he has suited up in all five of the team’s playoff games thus far.

The future is bright for young Kayden Edwards, who will fight to be a full-time Otter in his older brother’s overage season in 2025-26.

Thomas Hamilton – 12^th Round, #232 Overall (D)

The final defenseman drafted by Erie in the 2024 Priority Selection, Thomas Hamilton would have solid numbers between the Ottawa Myers Automotive U16 AAA and U18 AAA programs in his draft season.

Following the draft selection by Erie, Hamilton would spend the 2024-25 season full-time with the U18 AAA program, playing 43 games between regular season and playoffs in the HEO U18 division – scoring 17 points (1G+16A) in the season. He would also earn a one-game call-up to the Eastern Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Smiths Falls Jr. Bears.

Jameson Fabbro – 13^th Round, #252 Overall (F)

From the northern reaches of the OHL, Sudbury native Jameson Fabbro would be a late round selection by the Erie Otters after a solid U16 AAA season with the Sudbury Wolves.

After being selected by the Otters, Fabbro would propel himself from the Sudbury Wolves U18 AAA program – with 47 points (20G+27A) in 32 games – all the way up to Jr. A with the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Greater Sudbury Cubs. With eight games at Jr. A under his belt, Fabbro collected an assist.

Fabbro’s cousin is Michigan State Spartans captain Red Savage, who just completed a great year in the NCAA’s Big 10 conference. Fabbro hopes he can continue his elevation up the hockey ladder the same.

Owen Papp – 14^th Round, #268 Overall (G)

The last goaltender selected by the Otters, and the penultimate selection for the team in the 2024 draft, Owen Papp would bolster the Otters netminding prospect pool.

A native of Hamilton, Ontario who was selected out of the Hamilton Steel U16 AAA program, the post-draft season for Owen Papp would be an impressive one. The 16-year-old would spend the full year in Jr. C with the Dundas Blues of the Provincial Junior Hockey League, where he would obtain a 19-2 record in the regular season with a 2.33 GAA, a .926 SV%, and a shutout to his name. Even more impressive, Papp would find a 4-1-1 record in six post-season games with a 1.64 GAA, .951 SV%, and two shutouts – helping Dundas advance to the PJHL Division Finals.

Papp will look to move from Jr. C to major junior in the future – and impressive numbers could help.

Jacob Johnston – 14^th Round, #272 Overall (F)

Sometimes a door needs to close for a window to open.

While Erie freshly, and bittersweetly, celebrated the end of the OHL career of defenseman and alternate captain Owain Johnston, little did fans know that the younger brother of the hard-nosed d-man would be waiting for his name to be called in the same year.

Jacob Johnston was the last player selected by Erie in the 2024 edition of the Priority Selection Draft, coming out of a successful season with the Mississauga Reps U16 AAA program. The forward from Toronto skated in the 2024-25 season with the Vaughan Kings U18 AAA program, and was part of the team’s run to their second-straight GTHL U18 championship run.

Johnston will look to be the second younger brother from the 2024 draft class to wear the navy and gold in the future.

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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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