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OHL Erie Otters

Luck of the Draw - Erie Otters Awarded First Overall Pick in 2023 Priority Selection

March 29, 2023 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


Erie, Pennsylvania - History has been made for the Erie Otters.

Following the Ontario Hockey League's Lottery process to determine the top four picks in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection Draft, the Otters will officially have the #1 overall pick in the Draft for just the third time in team history.

Picking 1st Overall comes as an honor for the Otters, General Manager Dave Brown expressed after the announcement from the league.

"It's an honor to be able to select first in the Draft. 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."

Erie finished 19th in the Ontario Hockey League at the conclusion of the 2022-23 regular season, which would've earned them a #2 overall pick in a standard-style Draft. The team had a 30 percent chance at the #1 overall pick thanks to the weighted Lottery process, and luck proved to be on Erie's side tonight.

The 2023 OHL Priority Selection Draft will be the team's 28th Draft, and just its third time picking at 1st Overall - its first #1 since 2012. In its previous two times with the top pick, the Otters have made the most of them, selecting eventual NHL stars Ryan O'Reilly (2007) and Connor McDavid (2012).

Erie Otters All-Time 1st Overall Picks

2007 Priority Selection - Ryan O'Reilly (Toronto Jr. Canadiens U16 AAA)

Erie Otters / OHL Career

129 GP - 118 points (35G+83A)

Drafted Round 2, #33 to Colorado Avalanche in 2009 NHL Entry Draft

NHL Career to-date:

933 GP (COL, BUF, STL) - 655 points (236G+429A)

2018-19 Stanley Cup Champion (STL), Conn Smythe Trophy & Frank J. Selke Trophy recipient

2012 Priority Selection - Connor McDavid (Toronto Marlboros U16 AAA)

Erie Otters / OHL Career

Granted Exceptional Status in 2012

166 GP - 285 points (188G+285A)

Drafted Round 1, #1 to Edmonton Oilers in 2015 NHL Entry Draft

NHL Career to-date:

482 GP (EDM) - 684 points (237G+447A)

Art Ross Trophy (2016-17, 2017-18, 2020-21), Ted Lindsay Award (2016-17, 2017-18, 2020-21), Hart Memorial Trophy (2016-17, 2020-21)

2023 Priority Selection - To Be Determined

"We're looking to add somebody who can fit in with the already exciting young group that we have. Somebody who can skate, who has dynamic skills, and who is a good person first-and-foremost." said Brown, "We think there's exciting times ahead in Erie, and this person will definitely be adding to this unique group."

The 1st Overall Pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection represents the team's highest draft pick since the 2022 Draft (also a Lottery for the top-four picks), where they selected forward Malcolm Spence second overall.

"We're just excited to be part of the process." said Brown, "It's an honor to be selecting first."

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

2022 - Malcolm Spence (2nd)

Scored 42 points (16G+26A) in rookie season

Named to World Under-17 Hockey Challenge by Hockey Canada

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

Named to 2023 CHL / NHL Top Prospects Game

Ranked #50 overall North American Skater in 2023 NHL Central Scouting Midterm Rankings

2020 - Spencer Sova (8th)

#39 North American Skating Prospect - 2022 NHL Central Scouting Midterm Rankings | #136 North American Skating Prospect - 2023 NHL Central Scouting Midterm Rankings

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

Top 10 goal-scoring defenseman in OHL, top 30 total-scoring defenseman in OHL in 2022-23 season

2019 - Connor Lockhart (3rd)

2018 - Jamie Drysdale (4th)

Drafted 6th Overall to Anaheim in 2020 NHL Entry Draft

Over 100 NHL games played

This is the third consecutive Lottery Process implemented by the Ontario Hockey League. A league-wide lottery was first implemented for use ahead of the 2021 Priority Selection Draft following the cancellation of the 2020-21 season; Erie received the 10th overall pick (Carey Terrance). Ahead of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection Draft, the four non-playoff teams were all given an equal (25 percent) chance at the #1 overall pick. Despite a 17th place finish in the 2021-22 season standings, the Lottery gave Erie the 2nd overall pick (Malcolm Spence).

All eyes will be on the Otters on Friday, April 21 at 7:00 P.M. for day one the 2023 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection Draft - with the first three rounds taking place. Day two of the Priority Selection Draft will take place at 9:00 A.M. on Saturday, April 22 with rounds four through 15. Erie currently has 14 picks in the 2023 Priority Selection Draft, with two on day one (1st Round, 2nd Round), and 12 on day two (two in 4th [SAR], 5th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th). Draft Picks are subject to change leading up to the day of the Draft.

Check out the Erie Otters Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 29, 2023


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