History:
The “Fergie” is presented annually to the player selected first overall in the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection. The award recognizes the dedication and contributions made by Jack Ferguson during his 25-year association with the Ontario Hockey League, first as a scout with the Ottawa 67’s and followed by his appointment as head of the OHL’s Central Scouting Bureau in 1981 as its Director of Central Scouting.
2026:
On Friday, June 12th, the Oshawa Generals selected forward Kane Cloutier with the first overall pick of the 2026 OHL Priority Selection presented by Real Canadian Superstore at Slush Puppie Place in Kingston, ON.
Generals legend John Tavares announced the selection from the podium as the OHL returned to an in-person draft model for the first time since 2000. Tavares was Oshawa’s most recent first overall pick, joining the club as an exceptional status underage talent in 2005.
“It’s something I’ve worked very hard toward my whole minor hockey career and this is a dream that it’s happened,” said Cloutier following the announcement. “The City of Kingston did a great job here and I’d like to thank the OHL for putting on such a great event. It’s truly an honour to go first overall, but going to such a great organization is even better.”
The son of former OHL goaltender, Memorial Cup champion and long-time pro Dan Cloutier, Kane Cloutier arrives in Oshawa as one of the most decorated prospects in this year’s class.
The Oakville, ON product spent the 2025-26 season with the GTHL’s Vaughan Kings U16 AAA program, producing 58 points (32-26—58) over 33 games. After leading Vaughan to a GTHL championship, Cloutier added 11 points (6-5—11) over four games at the 2026 OHL Cup.
Cloutier sees his name etched Jack Ferguson Award as a First Overall Pick in the OHL Priority Selection and follows Tavares and Tom McCarthy (1977) to become the third first overall pick in Generals franchise history. He is also the first GTHL-produced first overall selection since the Saginaw Spirit chose Michael Misa of the Mississauga Senators in 2022.
WATCH: 2025 OHL Priority Selection Prospect Profile – Kaden McGregor
Former winners of the Jack Ferguson Award Include:
1981 Dan Quinn, Belleville Bulls
1982 Kirk Muller, Guelph Platers
1983 Trevor Stienburg, Guelph Platers
1984 Dave Moylan, Sudbury Wolves
1985 Bryan Fogarty, Kingston Canadians
1986 Troy Mallette, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
1987 John Uniac, Sudbury Wolves
1988 Drake Berehowsky, Kingston Raiders
1989 Eric Lindros, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
1990 Pat Peake, Detroit Ambassadors
1991 Todd Harvey, Detroit Ambassadors
1992 Jeff O’Neill, Guelph Storm
1993 Alyn McCauley, Ottawa 67’s
1994 Jeff Brown, Sarnia Sting
1995 Daniel Tkaczuk, Barrie Colts
1996 Rico Fata, London Knights
1997 Charlie Stephens, Toronto St. Michael’s Majors
1998 Jay Harrison, Brampton Battalion
1999 Jason Spezza, Mississauga IceDogs
2000 Patrick Jarrett, Mississauga IceDogs
2001 Patrick O’Sullivan, Mississauga IceDogs
2002 Robbie Schremp, Mississauga IceDogs
2003 Patrick McNeill, Saginaw Spirit
2004 John Hughes, Belleville Bulls
2005 John Tavares, Oshawa Generals
2006 Steven Stamkos, Sarnia Sting
2007 Ryan O’Reilly, Erie Otters
2008 John McFarland, Sudbury Wolves
2009 Daniel Catenacci, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
2010 Alex Galchenyuk, Sarnia Sting
2011 Aaron Ekblad, Barrie Colts
2012 Connor McDavid, Erie Otters
2013 Travis Konecny, Ottawa 67’s
2014 Jakob Chychrun, Sarnia Sting
2015 David Levin, Sudbury Wolves
2016 Ryan Merkley, Guelph Storm
2017 Ryan Suzuki, Barrie Colts
2018 Quinton Byfield, Sudbury Wolves
2019 Shane Wright, Kingston Frontenacs
2020 Ty Nelson, North Bay Battalion
2021 Quentin Musty, Sudbury Wolves
2022 Michael Misa, Saginaw Spirit
2023 Matthew Schaefer, Erie Otters
2024 Ethan Belchetz, Windsor Spitfires
2025 Kaden McGregor, Peterborough Petes
2026 Kane Cloutier, Oshawa Generals