OHL Priority Selection History

The “midget draft” has its roots dating back to the late 1960’s when it was held under the auspices of the OHA Junior “A” series as part of the Ontario Hockey Association’s annual meetings at the Royal York Hotel.

Through the years, the OHL Priority Selection was held at various locations in Toronto until 1981 when it found a home for 10 years at North York Centennial Arena. Its first time outside of Toronto was in 1991 when the Kitchener Rangers were the host.

The draft order is typically based on reverse order of the overall regular season standings beginning with non-playoff teams.

In 2023, a total of 302 players were selected in the 15-round process from 87 different teams across Ontario and parts of the United States. The selected players included 163 forwards, 105 defencemen, and 34 goaltenders. While 298 of the players chosen were 2007-born athletes, an additional three were born in 2006 and one was born in 2005.

The Erie Otters made the first overall pick after winning the 2023 OHL Priority Selection Draft Lottery held on March 29. The Otters selected 2007-born defenceman Matthew Schaefer of the Halton Hurricanes to open the proceedings.

The Ontario Minor Hockey Association led the way with 87 selections from 20 different teams with the OMHA champion Peterborough Petes leading with 13 picks, while the Halton Hurricanes developed 12 and the York-Simcoe Express produced 11. The Greater Toronto Hockey League had 86 players selected from 13 different teams, with the OHL Cup champion Toronto Jr. Canadiens joining the league champion Toronto Marlboros in the lead each with 15 chosen. The Mississauga Senators trailed close behind with 10 selected players. The Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario produced 43 selections from 12 different teams with the London Jr. Knights on top of the list with seven players selected. Hockey Eastern Ontario saw 21 players find their way onto OHL Draft boards from 10 different teams with the Renfrew Wolves leading with four. The Northern Ontario Hockey Association had 11 players selected from across three teams as the Soo Jr. Greyhounds developed seven of those. An additional three players were selected from Ontario-based junior teams. Two players out of other Canadian prep or varsity programs were selected, while two out of province players were also picked. A total of 49 players were chosen from across 20 different American-based teams led by Detroit Little Caesars with nine players chosen, followed closely by Bishop Kearney Selects with seven.

Pre-1998 OHL Priority Selection Historical Results:
Results from 1998 to present can be found here.

1997 OHL Priority Selection Results

1996 OHL Priority Selection Results

1995 OHL Priority Selection Results

1994 OHL Priority Selection Results

1993 OHL Priority Selection Results

1992 OHL Priority Selection Results

1991 OHL Priority Selection Results

Historical Draft Media Guides:

2023 OHL Priority Selection Preview and Media Guide

2022 OHL Priority Selection Preview and Media Guide

2020 OHL Priority Selection Preview and Media Guide