OHL Fan Guide to 2021 NHL Draft
The National Hockey League heads to the draft table this weekend for the 2021 NHL Draft to be held virtually at NHL.com and across television broadcast networks. First round proceedings begin Friday night at 8:00pm on Sportsnet before Rounds 2-7 commence on Saturday morning at 11:00am on NHL Network.
The OHL will provide complete coverage of players being selected this weekend, and fans can track the League’s top prospects as they take the next step in their development toward fulfilling a lifelong dream.
Here’s a breakdown of all 20 OHL clubs featuring draft history, milestone years, top picks, and players to watch from NHL Central Scouting’s final draft rankings.
*– indicates player committed to OHL team
^ – indicates European listing
” – indicates goaltender
Barrie Colts:
All-time players selected: 45 (since 1996)
Most picks in single NHL Draft: 6 (1999)
Top Selection: Aaron Ekblad (1st, 2014)
2021 Rankings: Brandt Clarke (7), Jacob Frasca (120), Connor Punnett (148), Ethan Cardwell (159)
Erie Otters:
All-time players selected: 41 (since 1997)
Most picks in single NHL Draft: 5 (2007)
Top Selection: Connor McDavid (1st, 2015)
2021 Rankings: Connor Lockhart (104), Colby Saganiuk (193)*, Artyom Kulyakov (64)*^, Alexei Kolosov (2)*^”
Flint Firebirds:
All-time players selected: 8 (since 2016)
Most picks in single NHL Draft: 2 (2016, 2018 & 2019)
Top Selection: Ty Dellandrea (13th, 2018)
2021 Rankings: Brennan Othmann (8), Braeden Kressler (103), Dmitry Kuzmin (72)*^
Guelph Storm:
All-time players selected: 74 (since 1992)
Most picks in single NHL Draft: 7 (1994)
Top Selection: Drew Doughty (2nd, 2008)
2021 Rankings: Jacob Maillet (221), Daniil Chayka (5)^
Hamilton Bulldogs:
All-time players selected: 8 (since 2016)
Most picks in single NHL Draft: 4 (2017)
Top Selection: Arthur Kaliyev (33rd, 2019)
2021 Rankings: Ryan Winterton (33), Avery Hayes (127), Lawson Sherk (153), Chandler Romeo (169)*, Artyom Grushnikov (24)*^
Kingston Frontenacs:
All-time players selected: 115 (since 1974)
Most picks in single NHL Draft: 5 (1993)
Top Selection: Erik Gudbranson (3rd, 2009), Chris Gratton (3rd, 1993)
2021 Rankings: Francesco Arcuri (122), Braden Haché (181)
Kitchener Rangers:
All-time players selected: 164 (since 1969)
Most picks in single NHL Draft: 5 (1998)
Top Selection: Gabriel Landeskog (2nd, 2011), Brian Bellows (2nd, 1982)
2021 Rankings: Francesco Pinelli (15), Simon Motew (129), Matthew Sop (174), Ville Ottavainen (90)^, Pavel Cajan (11)*^”
London Knights:
All-time players selected: 184 (since 1969)
Most picks in single NHL Draft: 8 (1998)
Top Selection: John Tavares (1st, 2009), Patrick Kane (1st, 2007), Rick Nash (1st, 2002), Rick Green (1st, 1976)
2021 Rankings: Ben Roger (74), Max McCue (114), Bryce Montgomery (146), Stuart Rolofs (172), Brett Brochu (11)”, Kirill Steklov (74)^
Mississauga Steelheads:
All-time players selected: 14 (since 2013)
Most picks in single NHL Draft: 5 (2016)
Top Selection: Alexander Nylander (8th, 2016)
2021 Rankings: Ethan Del Mastro (57), James Hardie (154), Kasper Larsen (117)*^
Niagara IceDogs:
All-time players selected: 20 (since 2008)
Most picks in single NHL Draft: 4 (2014)
Top Selection: Alex Pietrangelo (4th, 2008)
2021 Rankings: Isaac Enright (131)
North Bay Battalion:
All-time players selected: 45 (since 1998)
Most picks in single NHL Draft: 6 (1999)
Top Selection: Matt Duchene (2nd, 2009)
2021 Rankings: Kyle Jackson (158), Joe Vrbetic (6)”, Matvei Petrov (35)*^
Oshawa Generals:
All-time players selected: 176 (since 1969)
Most picks in single NHL Draft: 10 (1995)
Top Selection: Eric Lindros (1st, 1991)
2021 Rankings: Brett Harrison (50), Daniel Michaud (171), Oliver Suni (115)^
Ottawa 67’s:
All-time players selected: 159 (since 1969)
Most picks in single NHL Draft: 6 (1999 & 1992)
Top Selection: Bobby Smith (1st, 1978), Denis Potvin (1st, 1973)
2021 Rankings: Jack Matier (79), Jack Beck (82), Brendan Sirizzotti (143), Ranvir Gill-Shane (163), Vsevolod Gaidamak (83)*^
Owen Sound Attack:
All-time players selected: 59 (since 1990)
Most picks in single NHL Draft: 6 (2017)
Top Selection: Bobby Ryan (2nd, 2005)
2021 Rankings: Deni Goure (83), Ethan Burroughs (138), Kaleb Lawrence (215)
Peterborough Petes:
All-time players selected: 185 (since 1969)
Most picks in single NHL Draft: 5 (2004, 2003, 1997, 1995)
Top Selection: Jordan Staal (2nd, 2006), Eric Staal (2nd, 2003), Chris Pronger (2nd, 1993)
2021 Rankings: Mason McTavish (2), Artem Guryev (99), Tucker Robertson (183), J.R. Avon (200), Brian Zanetti (149)*^
Saginaw Spirit:
All-time players selected: 38 (since 2003)
Most picks in single NHL Draft: 4 (2011)
Top Selection: Cole Perfetti (10th, 2020)
2021 Rankings: Josh Bloom (113), Tristan Lennox (3)”
Sarnia Sting:
All-time players selected: 50 (since 1995)
Most picks in single NHL Draft: 7 (1996)
Top Selection: Nail Yakupov (1st, 2012), Steven Stamkos (1st, 2008)
2021 Rankings: Ryan Mast (89), Ty Voit (107), Nolan Dann (2013), Ben Gaudreau (2)”
Soo Greyhounds:
All-time players selected: 142 (since 1973)
Most picks in single NHL Draft: 7 (1992)
Top Selection: Joe Thornton (1st, 1997)
2021 Rankings: Jacob Holmes (70), Robert Calisti (156), Marc Boudreau (206), Nick Malik (10)^”
Sudbury Wolves:
All-time players selected: 126 (since 1973)
Most picks in single NHL Draft: 10 (1993)
Top Selection: Quinton Byfield (2nd, 2020)
2021 Rankings: Chase Stillman (35), Nick DeGrazia (85), Landon McCallum (182), Payton Robinson (222)*
Windsor Spitfires:
All-time players selected: 110 (since 1976)
Most picks in single NHL Draft: 5 (2009 & 1997)
Top Selection: Taylor Hall (1st, 2010), Ed Jovanovski (1st, 1994)
2021 Rankings: Wyatt Johnston (16), Pasquale Zito (135), Matthew Maggio (175), Daniil Sobolev (32)*^, Ruben Rafkin (70)^
