Erie Otters Draft Class of ’23 Notebook
Erie, Pennsylvania – With the 2024 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection Draft approaching in four days, preparations begin to welcome in the “Class of ’24” for the Erie Otters. As it stands currently, Erie will select 11 players among the 15 Rounds of the Priority Selection, with each having aspirations to make the cut for Opening Night – and beyond. These 11 will represent a new Draft Class, and the future of the Otters.
As the team prepares to welcome 11 new prospective players to the organization, a new chapter begins, and turns what were the ‘new kids’ from the Class of ’23 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 2023 Priority Selection, and their progress since hearing their names called.
Matthew Schaefer – 1st Round, #1 Overall (D)
Heavy lies the crown of expectation, but weightless for those willing to wear it.
For only the third-time in team-history, the Erie Otters would claim the top pick in the Priority Selection Draft – and they would use it to write more history, selecting Matthew Schaefer as their first-ever #1 overall defenseman drafted.
Schaefer would utilize his rookie season to quickly establish himself as a premier defenseman in the Western Conference. Skating in 56 games, Schaefer would develop over the course of the season from a raw-but-talented speedy d-man, to a shifty south-to-north breakout defenseman who could start the rush or shutdown from the other end. Schaefer would echo elements of Erie’s top defenseman in Spencer Sova in quarterbacking the power play and ripping his wicked shot, and Owain Johnston in his shot-blocking and general toughness. During the rookie campaign, Schaefer would score 17 points (3G+14) – including his first-career goal in the building where his brother Jonathan Schaefer scored his first OHL goal.
Matthew Schaefer, the first overall pick in the 2023 #OHLDraft, scored his first goal for the @ErieOtters Thursday night! 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/Id45Td1Lty
— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) October 13, 2023
Helping to lift Erie to its first playoff appearance in seven years, Schaefer’s numbers would continue to impress for a 16-year-old. Skating in all six games with serious minutes, Schaefer would record three points (0G+3A) and have a plus/minus of +4 while taking just a single penalty.
Outside of his play at the OHL level, Schaefer would also be selected to captain Team Canada White in the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge – leading his squad to a gold medal.
While well over a year away, scouts around the NHL are already high on Schaefer in the 2025 Entry Draft. With a dynamic rookie season and a whole summer to develop into a star blueliner, the future is very bright from Erie’s backend.
Wesley Royston – 2nd Round, #24 Overall (F)
There was a notable buzz from the scouting department in seeing Wesley Royston was still available at #24 – prompting the Erie Otters to waste no time in making the announcement.
The first forward selected by Erie in the 2023 Priority Selection, Royston came highly regarded from the perennial powers of the York-Simcoe Express. Noted as an aggressive power forward with a fearlessness, the rookie season of Royston certainly showed the promise that lies ahead for the Oro-Medonte native.
Skating in 45 games for Erie in his rookie season, the 6’3″, 174 lbs. forward would collect five points (4G+1A) playing in a depth role – with all of Royston’s points coming in the span of two months between Dec. 30 and Feb. 29.
A great way to score your first 👏
Wesley Royston netted a milestone marker on Saturday, helping the @ErieOtters pick-up two points on home ice 🎥 pic.twitter.com/M862EpKssP
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) December 31, 2023
Aggressive was certainly a title earned by Royston, as the second round pick would drop the gloves four times during his first year in the OHL.
Outside of the OHL, Royston would be part of Team Canada White’s gold medal run in the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
With a full year under his belt, and even more muscle to put on, Wesley Royston is going to be a true offensive threat for the future of the Erie Otters, and his sophomore season will be an exciting one to await.
Vital Dinis – 4th Round, #64 Overall (F)
The oldest drafted player by the Otters in the 2023 Priority Selection, Vital Dinis was Erie’s first selection on day two of the draft.
His second go-around in the OHL Priority Selection, Dinis was selected after a strong rookie season in junior hockey with the CCHL’s Pembroke Lumber Kings. He would spend most of his post-draft season in Pembroke in 2023-24, where he would put up nearly a point-per-game with 31 points (10G+21A) in 35 games played. The 18-year-old forward would finish out the season out west in the BCHL for the Prince George Spruce Kings, skating in 16 games (14 regular season, two playoff).
Dinis participated in training camp with the Erie Otters in 2023.
Oliver Turner – 4th Round, #77 Overall (D)
A player with a great hockey acclaim and many discussions about his future, Oliver Turner was the first defenseman selected by Erie on day two of the Priority Selection.
In his post-draft season, Turner would play for the esteemed St. Andrew’s College program in the Prep Hockey Conference – playing other preparatory powerhouses like Shattuck St. Mary’s and Northwood School. In 73 games played for St. Andrew’s College, the Toronto native would find 21 points (2G+19A). Turner is currently committed to play for Colgate University (NCAA) starting in the 2026-27 school year.
Chase Furlong – 5th Round, #84 Overall (G)
The first goaltender selected by the Erie Otters in the 2023 Priority Selection Draft, Chase Furlong would compile impressive numbers in his draft eligible year, and continue them in his post-draft season.
Playing for the RINK Hockey Academy Winnipeg U18 program in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League, Furlong would play in 16 games and compile a .906 SV% alongside a 3.67 GAA. He would also suit up in a pair of playoff games, winning one of them. Furlong would be called up to the Manitoba Junior Hockey League to support the Steinbach Pistons, but not appear in a game.
With an open goaltending battle expected at Training Camp, expect Furlong to come back for his second camp with Erie to vie for a roster spot.
Jordan Visneskie – 6th Round, #110 Overall (F)
A big-bodied forward taken in the middle rounds of the 2023 Priority Selection, Jordan Visneskie would become an Erie Otters prospect with pick #110.
Standing at 6’2″, 176 lbs. as a 16-year-old, Visneskie would have a solid post-draft season in the ALLIANCE’s U18 league with the Waterloo Wolves. Skating in 35 games for the Wolves, Visneski would find 31 points (17G+14A) alongside just six PIMs. The Mitchell, ON native would also earn a call-up to the GOJHL’s Listowel Cyclones, skating in five games.
Big-bodied power forwards have proven to thrive under Stan Butler – we will wait to see if Jordan Visneskie will skate in his second Training Camp for Erie.
Keagan Knight – 7th Round, #124 Overall (D)
The latest selected member of the 2023 Priority Selection Draft class for the Otters to suit up for the team, Keagan Knight put together quite a post-draft season in 2023-24.
Skating in 41 games for the GOJHL’s Pelham Panthers, Knight would record 18 points (5G+13A) in 41 games – while also picking up 140 PIMs. Knight’s toughness and ability would also see him selected to the GOJHL’s Future Stars Game.
Knight would get a call-up to Jr. A, playing a game for the Toronto Jr. Patriots of the OJHL – where Erie’s Dylan Edwards developed during the first-half of the season.
Short bodies due to illness and injury come the playoffs, Knight would earn his opportunity to be part of the post-season roster for the Erie Otters, skating in the team’s game two victory at Kitchener.
Congratulations to @Panthers_Pelham Keagan Knight getting the Call-Up for a pivotal game 2 on the @OHLHockey !https://t.co/uXmdY6c8Dc
— GOJHL (@GOJHL) April 2, 2024
With junior experience and a rostered spot on the Erie Otters in his post-draft season, expect for Keagan Knight to compete for a spot in the defensive corps. in the 2024-25 season.
Matthew Lansing – 8th Round, #144 Overall (F)
The only American-born player selected by Erie in the 2023 Priority Selection, Matthew Lansing would join Kaleb Smith as western New York natives in the Erie Otters organization.
A native of Tonawanda, Lansing would spend his post-draft season in both Hockey Canada and USA Hockey’s junior development systems, skating in a pair of games for the OJHL’s Buffalo Jr. Sabres, and in 10 games for the USHL’s Waterloo Black Hawks.
Lansing was not a participant at the Erie Otters 2023 Training Camp.
Cayden Smith – 9th Round, #164 Overall (F)
The second player selected by Erie from the York-Simcoe Express in the 2023 Priority Selection, Cayden Smith would participate on Team White during the 2023 Training Camp.
In his post-draft season, Smith would play Jr. A with the OJHL’s Georgetown Raiders, finding a pair of points (1G+1A) in 15 games played. After the Raiders season ended, Smith would play in eight playoff games with the Halton Hurricanes U18 AAA program, finding nine points (1G+8A) in the post-season.
Ethen Fines – 10th Round, #184 Overall (F)
After a solid U16 AAA season with over a point-per-game, Ethen Fines would officially become an Erie Otters prospect late on day two of the Priority Selection.
Since being drafted, Fines was one of two 2023 Otters draftees to play for the Ajax/Pickering Raiders U18 AAA program. Fines put together a solid season with 28 points (11G+17A) in 31 games, and added another four points (2G+2A) in the post-season. Fines would get his junior hockey debut this season as well, scoring a goal in his lone game with the OJHL’s Aurora Tigers.
Fines skated with Team Navy at 2023 Training Camp.
Dryden Riley – 11th Round, #204 Overall (G)
The last goaltender taken by Erie in the 2023 Priority Selection draft, Dryden Riley certainly put up impressive numbers in his post-draft season.
Spending the entire year in Jr. A hockey in the NOJHL for the Timmins Rock, Riley played in 28 games, went 21-4-1 with two shutouts behind a 2.55 GAA and .913 SV%. Playing in three post-season games for the Rock, Riley put together an even more impressive 1.97 GAA, .927 SV%, and a shutout alongside a 2-0-1 record.
At just 5’11 and 143 lbs., Riley has some growing to do to become an OHL sized goaltender, but his numbers at Jr. A certainly speak to the quality of competitor that he is.
Dryden Riley skated for Team Navy in Training Camp 2023.
Max Campbell – 12th Round, #224 Overall (F)
The first of two forwards selected by Erie in the 12th Round, Max Campbell fits the mold of a hard-working northern Ontario kid. His post-draft season proves that mentality – his first year in the OMHA with the Ajax/Pickering Raiders U18 AAA program, Campbell put up just under a point-per-game in both the regular season and post-season, finding 33 points (13G+20A) in 34 regular season games, and nine points (4G+5A) in 10 post-season games.
While a smaller build than a prototypical OHLer at 5’8″ and 148 lbs., fans could argue that Dylan Edwards size certainly didn’t work against him as a lethal scorer and hard-working forward. The two played opposite of each other at 2023 Training Camp, when Campbell suited up for the Navy team.
Tanner Ducharme – 12th Round, #230 Overall (F)
A native of London, Ontario and drafted from the London Jr. Knights, Tanner Ducharme’s background isn’t the typical one of a future Erie Otter. However, the tall forward became a prospect of the organization at the end of round 12 in 2023 when his name was called by Erie.
The 6’2″. 168 lbs. southpaw would spend his post-draft season between the London Jr. Knights U18 AAA program with not only 14 points (5G+9A) in 32 games, but an astounding 100 PIMs – and another 24 PIMs in four playoff games. Ducharme would spend four games in junior hockey with the GOJHL’s London Nationals.
Ducharme wore the navy colors at 2023 Training Camp, and will see if he can earn his spot into the navy and gold in 2024.
Dustin Lariviere – 13th Round, #244 Overall (D)
A big-body D-man from the Niagara region, Dustin Lariviere would be selected as Erie’s last defenseman in the 2023 Priority Selection. Standing at 6’4″, 207 lbs. as a 16-year-old, Lariviere would spend the 2023-24 season in the GOJHL with the Welland Jr. Canadians. While in Welland, the native of the city would play in 50 games and find 10 points (3G+7A); he would also suit up in another seven playoff games.
Lariviere suited up for Team Navy at Otters’ Training Camp 2023, and will look to transition his junior hockey experience to the major junior level.
Luca Morano – 14th Round, #264 Overall (F)
Erie’s penultimate pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection Draft, Luca Morano would spend the 2023-24 season with the Toronto Nationals U18 AAA program. This would come for Morano after participating in Training Camp for Erie on Team White.
Outside of his time in the GTHL, Morano would also earn a call-up to the OJHL’s Caledon Admirals for a game.
Emerson Taylor – 15th Round, #284 Overall (F)
Emerson Taylor was the final pick of the 2023 OHL Priority Selection Draft for the Erie Otters, and would attend Training Camp with the team as part of Prospects’ Team Navy.
Spending his post-draft season with the OMHA’s Peterborough Petes U18 AAA, Taylor would record 16 points (6G+10A) in 34 games, and find another two points (0G+2A) in seven playoff games.
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 11 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, 14th). 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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