2025 OHL Priority Selection Preview

The annual OHL Priority Selection presented by Real Canadian Superstore returns this weekend, but this time, it has a different feeling for Petes fans. For the first time in the history of the historic franchise, the Petes will be selecting first overall. This historic news was confirmed after the Petes won the OHL Draft Lottery on March 26, beating out Guelph, Ottawa, and Sarnia for the coveted first pick. 

 

With all eyes on who the Petes will select first on Friday night, fans of the Maroon and White have a lot more to look forward to on day one. For the first time since the 2020 OHL Priority Selection, the Petes own more than two picks on the first night of the draft (rounds 1-3). Currently, Peterborough holds four picks in the first three rounds, the first overall selection, No. 27 in round two, No. 31 in round two, and No. 61 in round three. 

 

Below is a rundown of all of the picks that the Petes hold for the 2025 OHL Priority Selection: 

 

• 1 (1)
• 2 (27) from OTT
• 2 (31) from FLNT
• 3 (61) from WSR
• 6 (104)
• 7 (124)
• 8 (144)
• 9 (164)
• 10 (184)
• 11 (204)
• 12 (224)
• 13 (244)
• 14 (264)
• 15 (284)
• 15 (301)

 

Want to learn more about some of the top prospects for this year’s draft? Check out the OHL’s prospect profiles.

 

Draft History

 

Below is a recap of the Petes past seven first round picks:

 

• 2019 (5) – Mason McTavish (F)
  • 35 goals in 62 games as a Pete
  • Selected third overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2021 NHL Draft
  • Captained Canada to World Junior Gold in 2021
  • 138 points in 224 NHL games with the Ducks

 

• 2019 (11) – J.R. Avon (F)
  • 139 points in 179 games as a Pete
  • Signed by the Philadelphia Flyers in 2021 as an UDFA
  • Won a Championship with his hometown Petes in 2023
  • Currently playing in the AHL with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms

 

• 2020 (15) – Donovan McCoy (D)
  • Played parts of three seasons with the Petes, winning a Championship in 2023
  • Named Captain of the Petes in 2023
  • Traded to the Sudbury Wolves in exchange for Caden Taylor and a draft pick
  • Named Captain of the Wolves in 2024
  • Committed to Providence College for the 2025-26 season

 

• 2021 (6) – Nick Lardis (F)
  • Spent parts of two seasons with Peterborough, scoring 30 goals in 99 games
  • Traded to the Hamilton Bulldogs in a deal involving Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Avery Hayes and Dallas Stars prospect Gavin White
  • Selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the third round of the 2023 NHL Draft
  • Led the OHL in scoring this season with 71 goals in 65 games 

 

• 2022 (6) – Jack Van Volsen (F)
  • Registered 11 points in 27 games as a Pete
  • Traded to the Mississauga Steelheads in a deal involving Montreal Canadiens prospect Owen Beck
  • Has spent the last 2.5 seasons with the Steelheads, where he still plays today

 

• 2023 (13) – Carson Cameron (D)
  • Played in 122 games as a Pete, picking up 49 points
  • Won a gold medal with Canada White at the 2023 World U17 Hockey Challenge
  • Named Assistant Captain of the Petes in 2024
  • Currently ranked 87th (NA Skaters) by NHL Central Scouting for the 2025 NHL Draft

 

• 2024 (3) – Colin Fitzgerald (F)
  • Had a strong rookie season in 2024-25, picking up 28 points in 48 games (6th on the Petes)
  • Won a silver medal with Canada Red at the 2024 World U17 Hockey Challenge

 

Last six first overall picks

 

• 2019 – Shane Wright (F, KGN) – Currently playing for the Seattle Kraken (NHL)
• 2020 – Ty Nelson (D, NB) – Drafted and signed by the Seattle Kraken, playing in the AHL
• 2021 – Quentin Musty (F, SBY) – Drafted in the first round by the San Jose Sharks
• 2022 – Michael Misa (F, SAG) – Led the OHL in points this season (134)
• 2023 – Matthew Schaefer (D, ER) – Projected first overall pick in this year’s NHL draft
• 2024 – Ethan Belchetz (F, WSR) – 38 points in 56 games as a rookie this season

 

How to watch:

 

Fans, friends and family can tune in from around the globe as numerous locations will carry the coverage being produced by YourTV, with the Priority Selection being carried for free across the OHL’s YouTube, X and Facebook channels in addition to OHL Live on CHL TV. Follow the proceedings on local community YourTV, Rogers tv and Eastlink channels (check local listings) as well as the Rogers Super Sports Pack on Friday night, before YourTV and Eastlink continue to carry the Priority Selection province-wide throughout Saturday.