OHL Erie Otters

Erie Otters Awarded Second Overall Pick in 2022 Priority Selection

Published on April 20, 2022 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


Erie, Pennsylvania - Following the Ontario Hockey League's inaugural Lottery Process to determine the top four picks in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection Draft, the Otters will officially have the 2nd Overall Pick in the Draft for just the third time in team history.

Erie finished 17th in the Ontario Hockey League at the conclusion of the regular season, missing the post-season by just a lone point. In a standard-style Draft, the Otters would have been slated to pick 4th overall. The team had a 25 percent chance at the #1 overall pick with the lottery process, and were able to 'jump' two draft spots higher.

General Manager Dave Brown expressed his excitement to move to a top-two pick for the first time since 2013, ahead of a very talented draft class.

"We're excited to be able to draft a really good player that will add to the players we've already had in our historic success." said Brown, "We're super excited to have this honor."

The 2nd Overall Pick represents the team's highest draft pick since the 2019 OHL Priority Selection, where they selected Forward Connor Lockhart third overall.

The 2022 OHL Priority Selection Draft will be the team's 27th Draft, and just its third time picking at 2nd Overall. In its previous two times with the second overall pick, the Otters have made the most of them, selecting Otter-superstars and future-NHLers Gregg McKegg (2008) and Dylan Strome (2013).

Erie Otters All-Time 2nd Overall Picks

2008 Priority Selection - Gregg McKegg (Elgin Middlesex Chiefs U16 AAA)

Erie Otters / OHL Career

262 GP (ER, LDN) - 270 points (125G+145A)

Drafted Round 3, #62 to Toronto Maple Leafs in 2010 NHL Entry Draft

NHL Career to-date:

231 GP (TOR, FLA, TBL, PIT, CAR, NYR, BOS, NYR) - 39 points (21G+18A)

2013 Priority Selection - Dylan Strome (Toronto Marlboros U16 AAA)

Erie Otters / OHL Career

219 GP - 354 points (114G+240A)

2017 OHL Champion

Drafted Round 1, #3 to Arizona Coyotes in NHL Entry Draft

257 GP (ARI, CHI) - 168 points (66G+102A)

2022 Priority Selection - To Be Determined

"We're excited to see what a new player does for the organization, and the legacy that he provides for us. At the same time, we have a great support system in place where we can continue to nurture and develop young players, and help them obtain their goals." said Brown, "We've got great alumni in the NHL right now, and we're really proud of it."

The OHL Priority Selection Lottery was developed in consideration of the expanded unbalanced schedule that was utilized during the 2021-22 season. The League will re-visit this format in advance of the 2023 OHL Priority Selection.

Erie has drafted exceptionally-well in the first round of the last five Priority Selection Drafts:

2021 - Carey Terrance (10th)

Named to 2021 U.S. Under-17 Men's Select Team for Five Nations Tournament

Named to Team Canada White for Hockey Canada's U17 2021 Capital City Challenge

2020 - Spencer Sova (8th)

#39 North American Skating Prospect - 2022 NHL Central Scouting Midterm Rankings

Named to Canada's National Men's Under-18 Team for 2022 IIHF U18 World Championship

2019 - Connor Lockhart (3rd)

Drafted by Vancouver Round 6, 178 in 2021 NHL Entry Draft

Named to Team Canada for 2019 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge

2018 - Jamie Drysdale (4th)

Drafted 6th Overall to Anaheim in 2020 NHL Entry Draft

Over 100 NHL games played

2017 - Emmett Sproule (21st)

All eyes will now turn toward Friday, April 29 at 7 P.M. for day one the 2022 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection Draft - with the first three rounds taking place. Day two of the Priority Selection Draft will take place at 9 A.M. on Saturday, April 30 with rounds four through 15.

Erie currently has 15 picks in the 2022 Priority Selection Draft, with two on day one (1st Round 2nd Overall, 2nd Round [SOO]), and 13 on day two (4th [NIAG conditional], 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, three in 13th [FLNT, NIAG], 14th, 15th). Draft Picks are subject to change leading up to the day of the Draft.

Keep up with all the Otters picks and results on OttersHockey.com or across the Otters' social media. For all results of the 2022 Priority Selection, please head to OntarioHockeyLeague.com.

Check out the Erie Otters Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from April 20, 2022


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