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OHL Erie Otters

Erie Otters 2024 OHL Priority Selection Draft Primer

April 11, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


Erie, Pennsylvania - For the 29th time in team-history, the Erie Otters will participate in the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection Draft. After a revitalized season that saw Erie make the playoffs for the first time since 2017, Erie will now look to add to its cupboard as it looks to compete for a top-spot in the OHL's Western Conference in 2024-25.

Erie finished the 2023-24 season at fifth in the OHL's Western Conference, and 11th in the league - a massive single-season turnaround after finishing 19th in the league (10th WC) at the conclusion of 2022-23. As a result of their top-five finish in their conference, the Erie Otters will hold the 10th overall pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection for the fifth-time in team-history, and first time since selecting Carey Terrance in 2021.

General Manager Dave Brown expressed his excitement for the organization ahead of a very talented draft class.

"We're looking to add to the already exciting young group that we have." said Brown, "We think there's exciting times ahead in Erie, and this class will definitely be adding to this unique group."

In this edition of the Draft, the Otters are currently eligible to select 11 players from the 15 round process, with a 'Linear Draft' being executed, ensuring Erie and all OHL member teams the same draft order in all eligible rounds (barring any traded picks). Erie's 2023-24 roster consisted of 15 players taken by the Otters in the OHL Priority Selection Drafts between 2019 and 2023. The picks (subject to change by week's end) are as follows for Erie:

Round 1, #10 pick

Earned by finishing #11 in the OHL at the conclusion of the 2023-24 regular season.

Round 2, #25 pick (SAR)

Erie traded its 2024 2nd round pick to Oshawa in

January 2017 in exchange for Anthony Cirelli

Acquired from Sarnia in

December 2022 in the Christian Kyrou trade

No Picks in Round 3

Erie traded its 2024 3rd round pick to Peterborough in

April 2022 as part of a multi-team, multi-pick deal

Erie traded Mississauga's 2024 3rd round pick to London in

September 2022 in exchange for Liam Gilmartin

Erie traded Windsor's 2024 3rd round pick to Niagara in

January 2023 in exchange for Pano Fimis

Round 4, #72 pick

No Picks in Round 5

Erie traded its 2024 5th round pick to London in

April 2022 as part of a multi-team, multi-pick deal

Round 6, #112 pick

Round 7, #132 pick

Round 8, #152 pick

Round 9, #175 pick (MISS)

Erie traded its 2024 9th round pick to North Bay in

August 2021 for Ryan Thompson

No Picks in Round 10

Erie traded its 2024 10th round pick to Oshawa in

January 2019 for Cole Ceci

Round 11, #212 pick

Round 12, #232 pick

Round 13, #252 pick

Round 14, #272 pick

No Picks in Round 15

Erie traded its 15th round pick to London in

June 2021 in exchange for a 15th round pick in 2021

Erie has been very particular on the style and skillset of player drafted in the last few years, building a team focused on skill, work ethic, and attitude above all else. With six new players cracking the roster during the 2023-24 season, a glimpse of the bright future of Erie was able to be seen by fans.

2024 OHL Priority Selection Rounds that Erie will pick in alongside Round-draftees on the Otters roster in 2023-24:

1st Round Selections:

2023: Matthew Schaefer (#1)

Scored 17 points (3G+14A) in 56 games in rookie season

Three points (0G+3A) scored in six playoff games

Captained Team Canada White at 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge

Named OHL's Midwest Division Academic Player of the Month in January

2022: Malcolm Spence (#2)

Served as alternate captain during 2023-24 season

Scored 62 points (19G+43A) in 66 games in second season

Second in team-scoring for Erie Otters

Four shorthanded goals

2021: Carey Terrance (#10)

Drafted in 2nd Round of 2023 NHL Entry Draft by Anaheim Ducks

Scored 52 points in third-season in the OHL

Leading goal-scorer among 2023-24 Erie Otters

Led team with five shorthanded goals

Named to Team USA for 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship

2020: Pano Fimis (#2, NIA)

Named alternate captain for 2023-24 season

Scored 76 points (25G+51A) in second season with Erie

Led team in regular season scoring, assists

Scored 11 points (4G+7A) during six OHL playoff games to lead team

Nominated for Red Tilson Trophy as OHL's Most Outstanding Player

2020: Spencer Sova (#8)

Named captain for the 2023-24 season

Scored 31 points (14G+17A) in 58 games

Six power play goals, two game-winners

2019: Ben Gaudreau (#7)

Acquired by Erie early in 2023 portion of season

Played in 35 regular season games for a 3.31 GAA and .889 SV% with a 21-11-2 record

Helped lead Erie from net to first playoff appearance in seven seasons

2nd Round Selections:

2023: Wesley Royston (#24)

Scored five points (4G+1A) in 45 games in rookie season

All points scored in span of two months later in the season with a 5-7-1 record

2022: Jacob Gibbons (#38)

Appeared in 20 games during 2023-24 season

2020: Sam Alfano (#23, PBO)

Scored 60 points (27G+33A) in 66 games in second season in Erie

Became one of the premier scorers on the team during the run up to the 2024 OHL Playoffs

Scored nine points (5G+4A) in six playoff games for a team-leading +9

4th Round Selections:

2019: Brett Bressette (#65)

Named an alternate captain at start of 2023-24 season

Scored 44 points (17G+27A) in 67 games after missing half of 2022-23 season

Four power play goals, 14 PPAs

Added a playoff goal during post-season

6th Round Selections:

2022: Ty Henry (#109)

Scored seven points (0G+7A) in 54 games during 2023-24 season

Became one of Erie's premier defensemen during second half of the season

2020: Kaleb Smith (#106)

Scored 24 points (10G+14A) in full 68 game season

Finished regular season with goals in four-straight games

Recorded a pair of playoff goals during first OHL post-season

7th Round Selections:

2023: Keagan Knight (#124)

Called up for Erie's playoff run as an extra defensemen during injuries and illness

Skated in Erie's game two win at Kitchener

8th Round Selections:

2021: Dylan Edwards (#150)

After being sent down to the OJHL to start 2023-24 season, became one of the best stories in the OHL in second half

Scored 34 points (22G+12A) in 38 games from New Year's Weekend onward

Team's leading goal-scorer during 2024 post-season with nine total points (6G+3A) in six games

11th Round Selections:

2019: Owain Johnston (#206)

Named alternate captain at start of 2023-24 season

A premier defensemen who played all 68 games for the Erie Otters in 2023-24

Scored 29 points (5G+24A) during OA season

With an experienced, young, and deep Otters team taking the ice in 2024-25 after a six game stretch in the post-season, players selected in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection will have the chance to make their mark and earn their spot in Training Camp.

The 2024 OHL Priority Selection Draft will be free-to-watch on

OHL Live on CHL TV all weekend long, with the Pre-Show beginning at 6:30 P.M. on Friday, April 12 and Draft Rounds 1-3 starting at 7:00 P.M., and on Saturday, April 13 with Draft Rounds 4-15 starting at 9:00 A.M.

Draft picks and draft beers combine forces once more as the Erie Otters and Voodoo Brewing Company continue their partnership venture between the two downtown Erie organizations. In the second season of collaboration, Voodoo Brewing Company will be the presenting sponsor of the Erie Otters 2023 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection Draft (pres. by Real Canadian Superstore) coverage. Fans are invited to attend a special Draft Night party at Voodoo Brewing Company - Erie Pub starting at 7:00 P.M. on Friday, April 12. Locally made craft beer and specialty crafted food will be available during this family-friendly event. Inside of Voodoo's spacious taproom, attendees will be able to watch the Draft unfold live while also seeing Otters staff.

Voodoo Brewing Company Chief Executive Officer Matteo Rachocki - an Erie-native - spoke about the excitement in working with the Otters for the second-year in presenting the OHL Draft.

"It means everything to be involved with the Otters, we're so happy about the partnership. Going to games, it's the thing that you grow up doing here. Having such a great team just a few blocks away and being able to support one another really cements that community aspect." said Rachocki, "High tide rises all ships and it's a great opportunity for both [organizations]."

2024 OHL Priority Selection First Round Order of Selection:

Windsor Spitfires

Sarnia Sting

Peterborough Petes

Niagara IceDogs

Barrie Colts

Flint Firebirds

Owen Sound Attack

Kingston Frontenacs

Guelph Storm

Erie Otters

Ottawa 67's

Sudbury Wolves

Mississauga Steelheads

Brantford Bulldogs

Kitchener Rangers

North Bay Battalion

Oshawa Generals

Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

Saginaw Spirit

London Knights

Ottawa 67's*

Check out the Erie Otters Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from April 11, 2024


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