Five OHL Players Selected in First Round of 2023 NHL Draft
June 28, 2023 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL) News Release
Nashville, Tenn. - The Ontario Hockey League is proud to recognize five OHL players who were chosen in Wednesday's first round of the 2023 NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, home of the NHL's Predators.
OHL and CHL Scholastic Player of the Year Colby Barlow of the Owen Sound Attack was the first OHL player to come off the board, being chosen 18th overall by the Winnipeg Jets. The youngest captain in Attack franchise history, Barlow racked up 46 goals for the Bears this past season following his franchise record-setting 30-goal campaign as a 16-year-old in 2021-22. The Orillia, Ont. product was a first team all-star for the Attack this season, and becomes the first Owen Sound player chosen in the first round of the NHL Draft since Nick Suzuki in 2017.
Second generation talent Oliver Bonk would be the next OHL player selected, hearing his name called by the Philadelphia Flyers with the 22nd overall pick. Bonk's selection extended the London Knights' CHL record run of 55 straight years of a player chosen at the NHL Draft. The son of former third overall NHL Draft pick Radek Bonk, Oliver took huge strides in his first full OHL season, recording 40 points (10-30--40) in 67 games for the Western Conference champions.
The OHL finished the first round strong with three straight selections from 26-28, beginning with Sudbury Wolves winger Quentin Musty. The former first overall OHL Priority Selection choice was chosen 26th overall by the San Jose Sharks, giving the Wolves three first round NHL Draft picks in the past four years. Musty, who hails from Hamburg, NY, finished his sophomore season with 78 points (26-52--78) over 53 games in Sudbury.
Former second overall OHL Priority Selection choice Calum Ritchie of the Oshawa Generals was chosen 27th overall by the Colorado Avalanche. The 6-foot-2 centreman from Oakville, Ont. produced 59 points (24-35--59) in as many games for Oshawa, becoming the Generals' first player chosen in the opening round of the NHL Draft since Michael Dal Colle in 2014.
London Knights winger Easton Cowan completed the run of OHL selections, being selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs at 28th overall. Cowan, who emerged as a key performer for the Western Conference champion Knights in the OHL Playoffs, put up 21 points (9-12--21) in 20 postseason contests. The Mt. Brydges, Ont. native joins teammate Oliver Bonk to give the Knights multiple first round picks at the NHL Draft for the first time since 2018 (Evan Bouchard, Liam Foudy).
The 2023 NHL Draft continues on Thursday with Rounds 2-7 commencing at 11:00am ET. Follow the OHL on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, as well as at ontariohockeyleague.com for further coverage.
OHL Players Selected in the First Round of the 2023 NHL Draft:
18. Colby Barlow (Owen Sound Attack) - Winnipeg Jets
22. Oliver Bonk (London Knights) - Philadelphia Flyers
26. Quentin Musty (Sudbury Wolves) - San Jose Sharks
27. Calum Ritchie (Oshawa Generals) - Colorado Avalanche
28. Easton Cowan (London Knights) - Toronto Maple Leafs
For more information on the 2023 NHL Draft including full results, visit nhl.com.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from June 28, 2023
- Five OHL Players Selected in First Round of 2023 NHL Draft - OHL
- Five Firebirds Looking to Hear Their Named Called at the 2023 NHL Draft - Flint Firebirds
- Sting Announce Extensions for Hockey Operations Staff Heading into 2023-24 Season - Sarnia Sting
- Spirit Prospects Prepare for 2023 NHL Draft in Nashville - Saginaw Spirit
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
