U18 Priority Selection: A Different Path, The Same Dream

When the Ontario Hockey League introduced the Under-18 Priority Selection, it carved out a new pathway for players whose hockey journeys didn’t follow a conventional route.

For some, it offered a second chance for their name to be called after being passed over in the OHL Priority Selection. For others, it swung open the door to the league following different development paths.

As OHL clubs gear up for tonight’s U18 Priority Selection, recent history stands as a reminder that impact players can come from anywhere.

Over the past several years, U18 selections have gone on to become Memorial Cup champions, NHL signees, and key contributors at both the junior and professional levels.

Perhaps no player better captures the value of the draft than former Saginaw Spirit forward Calem Mangone. Selected second overall in the 2021 U18 Priority Selection, Mangone developed into the most productive U18 draft pick in league history. Over four seasons with the Spirit, he amassed 227 points (86-141–227) in 241 regular-season games and played a key role in helping Saginaw capture the 2024 Memorial Cup on home ice.

London Knights forward Jacob Julien followed a similar path. Chosen 41st overall in the 2021 U18 Priority Selection, Julien developed into a reliable two-way forward and a vital piece of London’s 2025 Memorial Cup championship team. His progression earned him an NHL contract with the Winnipeg Jets, and he is now launching his professional career in the American Hockey League with the Manitoba Moose.

Defenceman Gavin White also converted a U18 selection into a professional hockey career. Chosen 47th overall by the Hamilton Bulldogs in 2019, White appeared in back-to-back Memorial Cup tournaments with Hamilton in 2022 and Peterborough in 2023. His strong junior resume led to an NHL contract with the Calgary Flames organization, and he currently suits up for the Calgary Wranglers of the AHL.

Another Peterborough success story arrived in defenceman Samuel Mayer. Selected 15th overall in 2020, Mayer helped the Petes reach the 2023 Memorial Cup and has since pushed forward in the professional ranks, logging time with the Tahoe Knight Monsters of the ECHL and the Henderson Silver Knights of the AHL.

Current U18 draftees are making their presence felt in the OHL as well. Peterborough forward Brennan Faulkner, selected sixth overall in 2022, broke out during his overage season in 2025-26, posting career highs across the board, including six shorthanded goals, while anchoring the Petes’ veteran core.

Goaltender Michael Newlove went first overall in the 2024 U18 Priority Selection when the Windsor Spitfires made him their pick. After spending time as a backup to overager Joey Costanzo, Newlove heads into 2026-27 positioned to compete for a larger role between the pipes following career-best numbers across 23 appearances last season.

Kitchener Rangers forward Jack LaBrash, taken 35th overall in 2024, was part of the Rangers’ run to both the OHL championship and Memorial Cup this past season, adding yet another title to the growing list of U18 selection success stories.

For every player whose name is called, the U18 Priority Selection represents another opportunity to prove themselves, keep developing, and chase their OHL dreams.

 

U18 Priority Selection: Past and Present OHL Players

Players are listed alongside the club that selected them in the OHL Priority Selection. All players have appeared in at least one OHL game.

 

Present:

* denotes overager last season

• Olivier Romain (Sarnia Sting – 4th overall 2025)
• Ian Robinson (Kitchener Rangers – 51st overall 2025)
• Jonathan Kapageridis (Sarnia Sting – 2nd overall 2024)
• Luc Gauvreau (Barrie Colts, 5th overall 2024)
• Jack LaBrash (Kitchener Rangers – 35th overall 2024)
• Rowan Henderson (Sudbury Wolves –12th overall 2024)
• Josh Bonnyman (Flint Firebirds – 26th overall 2024)
• Vladyslav Drahun (Niagara IceDogs – 41st overall 2024)
• Braeden Van Gelder (Owen Sound Attack – 45th overall 2024)
• Theo Avila (Ottawa 67’s – 48th overall 2024)
• Joshua Giordano (Kitchener Rangers – 52nd overall 2024)
• Brett Hammond (Peterborough Petes –1st overall 2023)
• Riley Clark (Kingston Frontenacs – 4th overall 2023)
• Noah Tegelaar (Soo Greyhounds – 23rd overall, 2023)
• Joey Brehmer (Sudbury Wolves – 28th overall 2023)
• Julian Demiglio (Brampton Steelheads – 45th overall, 2023)
• Cole Cooksey (Sarnia Sting – 5th overall 2022)*
• Brennan Faulkner (Peterborough Petes – 6th overall 2022)*

 

Past:

• Dylan Turcotte (Peterborough Petes – 3rd overall 2024)
• Trent Gates (Owen Sound Attack – 7th overall 2024)
• Oliver Phillips (Erie Otters – 10th overall 2024)
• Liam Conway (Ottawa 67’s – 11th overall 2024)
• Carter Nadon (North Bay Battalion – 16th overall 2024)
• Sam Ethier (Owen Sound Attack –10th overall, 2023)
• Evan Hjelholt (Windsor Spitfires –18th overall, 2023)
• Hayden Jeffery (Niagara IceDogs – 21st overall, 2023)
• Lincoln Moore (Saginaw Spirit – 1st overall, 2022)
• Nate Krawchuk (Sudbury Wolves – 3rd overall, 2022)
• Graeme MacAuley (Barrie Colts – 10th overall, 2022)
• Will Haley (Mississauga Steelheads – 13th overall, 2022)
• Dustin Good (Soo Greyhounds – 15th overall, 2022)
• Nolan Ling (Kingston Frontenacs – 16th overall, 2022)
• Matthew Jenken (Flint Firebirds – 17th overall, 2022)
• Bruce McDonald (Erie Otters – 41st overall, 2022)
• Alec Stewart (Windsor Spitfires – 51st overall, 2022)
• Abakar Kazbekov (London Knights – 1st overall, 2021)
• Calem Mangone (Saginaw Spirit – 2nd overall, 2021)
• Carter Bickle (Oshawa Generals – 18th overall, 2021)
• Jaden Reyers (Peterborough Petes – 28th overall, 2021)
• Nicholas Surzycia (Sarnia Sting – 32nd overall, 2021)
• Ian Michelone (Flint Firebirds – 36th overall, 2021)
• Charlie Fink (Saginaw Spirit – 39th overall, 2021)
• Jacob Julien (London Knights – 41st overall, 2021)
• Michael MacLean (Flint Firebirds – 43rd overall, 2021)
• Owen MacDonald (Sarnia Sting – 46th overall, 2021)
• Anson Thornton (Sarnia Sting – 3rd overall, 2020)
• Samuel Ivanov (Soo Greyhounds – 4th overall, 2020)
• Paul Hughes (Kingston Frontenacs – 5th overall, 2020)
• Andrew Whitton (Oshawa Generals – 13th overall, 2020)
• Samuel Mayer (Peterborough Petes – 15th overall, 2020)
• Marshall Nicholls (Erie Otters – 28th overall, 2020)
• Ian Phillips (Saginaw Spirit – 54th overall, 2020)
• Ryan Thompson (North Bay Battalion – 8th overall, 2019)
• Nick DeGrazia (Sudbury Wolves – 14th overall, 2019)
• Matt Tovell (Windsor Spitfires – 25th overall, 2019)
• Logan LeSage (Owen Sound Attack – 29th overall, 2019)
• Gavin White (Hamilton Bulldogs – 47th overall, 2019)
• Mitchell Weeks (Sudbury Wolves – 1st overall, 2018)
• Dustin Hutton (Kingston Frontenacs – 3rd overall, 2018)
• Daniel D’Amato (Erie Otters – 4th overall, 2018)
• Griffin Wilson (Owen Sound Attack – 15th overall, 2018)
• Dakota Betts (Niagara IceDogs – 17th overall, 2018)
• Victor Hadfield (Barrie Colts – 1st overall, 2017)
• Emmett Serensits (Sudbury Wolves – 7th overall, 2017)
• Marko Jakovljevic (Sarnia Sting – 28th overall, 2017)
• Kaleb Pearson (Owen Sound Attack – 29th overall, 2017)

 

Follow Along Tonight

The 2026 OHL Under-18 Priority Selection will begin tonight, providing another opportunity for players to take the next step in their hockey journey. All selections will be updated live on the OHL website and can be followed here.