Jovanovic Makes History as First Woman Selected in OHL Under-18 Priority Selection

History was made Monday night as goaltender Sophie Jovanovic became the first woman ever selected in the OHL Under-18 Priority Selection.

The Brantford Bulldogs used the 40th overall pick to select the Toronto Nationals netminder, making her just the second female player ever drafted by an Ontario Hockey League club. Jovanovic follows Taya Currie, who was selected by the Sarnia Sting in the fifth round of the 2021 OHL Priority Selection from the Elgin-Middlesex U16 AAA program.

While Currie made history as the first female player drafted by an OHL team, she never appeared in a game for the Sting, leaving the door open for Jovanovic to potentially become the first woman to play in an OHL game.

“It’s amazing. I don’t even know how to feel right now. It’s awesome,” said Jovanovic following her selection.

The 2009-born goaltender has spent her minor hockey career competing at the AAA level with the Toronto Marlboros organization and suited up for the Toronto Nationals U18 AAA program this past season.

In 2024-25, Jovanovic appeared in 17 games, posting a 10-1-3 record along with a 1.71 goals-against average. She also represented the Marlboros at the 2025 OHL Cup.

Bulldogs General Manager Spencer Hyman said the organization had been following Jovanovic’s development for years and viewed her as one of the top goaltenders available in the draft.

“We have seen her play all the way up, and we really liked her style,” said Hyman. “She is one of the best goalies in the age group, and really, the draft. We’re thrilled that we were able to get her.”

The historic selection carried extra significance as Bulldogs Director of Player Development and assistant coach Laura Fortino personally called Jovanovic to deliver the news. Fortino made history herself in August 2022 when she became the first female assistant coach in OHL history after joining the franchise while it was based in Hamilton. In addition to her coaching duties, the Olympic gold medalist has played a key role in developing the organization’s prospects, continuing that work following the club’s relocation to Brantford.

“My God, it was, I don’t even know how to say it,” Jovanovic said when asked about receiving the call from Fortino. “It was just a very surreal moment. I’m just very grateful for the opportunity to get a call from her.”

For Hyman, having Fortino deliver the news made the moment even more meaningful.

“Laura Fortino made the call and let Sophie know that we were drafting her,” he said. “From one Olympian who trains our players daily to one we believe will be a future Olympian, it was a pretty special moment. I know they had a really emotional call, which is pretty special, and I’m glad that they both got to share that moment.”

Jovanovic’s future in the game is already bright. She is committed to the University of Wisconsin beginning in 2027, joining one of the premier programs in women’s college hockey. The Badgers are the reigning back-to-back NCAA Division I national champions and have established themselves as the standard in the women’s game.

Hockey runs in the Jovanovic family as well. Sophie’s older brother, Matthew Jovanovic, was selected by the Saginaw Spirit in the second round of the 2020 OHL Priority Selection. 

As women’s hockey continues to grow across North America, highlighted by the rapid rise of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), Hyman believes Jovanovic’s selection represents another important step forward.

“You see the PWHL growth all over North America right now, and it’s fantastic,” said Hyman. “Women’s hockey is amazing, and for us to bring Sophie, who has been unbelievable in her minor hockey career, is really special, and I think it sets the tone for the entire week.”

For Jovanovic, the opportunity is still sinking in. But as the first woman ever selected in the OHL Under-18 Priority Selection and only the second female player drafted by an OHL club, her name is already etched into the league record books. 

More importantly, she is helping inspire the next generation of young athletes, proving that dreams really can come true.