Toronto, Ont. – On April 17, the Ontario Hockey League conducted the eighth annual OHL Under-18 Priority Selection for U18 ‘AAA’ players in Ontario.
Eligibility for the 2024 OHL Under-18 Priority Selection included all U18 players (2006 and 2007 birth years) not currently on an OHL Member Team Protected List who were carded with an Ontario based U18 ‘AAA’ Hockey Club or an accredited Hockey Canada sport school within the Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF), Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO), or Hockey Northwestern Ontario (HNO) in the current season.
Of the total 55 players selected from 31 different teams, the Greater Toronto Hockey League had 13 players have their name called. Jonathan Kapageridis (Don Mills Flyers) led the way as the second overall pick to the Sarnia Sting, followed by Liam Conway (Reps Hockey Club) at 11th overall, Alexander Armellin (Toronto Young Nationals) at 13th overall, and Lucas Lagoutte (Reps Hockey Club) at 18th overall.
In total, the U18 OHL Priority Selection included 27 forwards, 13 defencemen, and 15 goaltenders. The 13 GTHL players selected included three forwards, five defencemen, and five goaltenders.
Four of the GTHL selections – Conway, A. Armellin, Van Gelder, and Lagoutte – were named to the League’s 2024 U18 ‘AAA’ All-Stars Game powered by Gatorade.
A total of nine GTHL clubs were represented in U18 OHL Priority Selection as the Don Mills Flyers, Mississauga Senators, Reps Hockey Club, and Vaughan Kings all had two players selected, while the Mississauga Rebels, North York Rangers, Toronto Red Wings, Toronto Titans, and Toronto Young Nationals were all had one player picked.
“Congratulations to all 55 players selected tonight,” said OHL Director of Player Recruitment and Player Services Brodie Barrick. “The Under-18 Priority Selection has provided the OHL with a number of quality players since its inception in 2017, and it presents another opportunity for prospects to further their development and showcase themselves in an effort to become the best player they can be. Enjoy celebrating with your families and the people who have helped you achieve this great accomplishment.”
The OHL Under-18 Priority Selection was conducted in partnership with RinkNet as picks were submitted online by OHL member clubs and displayed in real time at ontariohockeyleague.com. The selections were also streamed live on OHL Live.
Announced in January 2017, the concept of the OHL Under-18 Priority Selection was developed with full support from Hockey Canada’s three Ontario Branches including the OHF, HEO, and HNO.
ROUND |
PICK | PLAYER | GTHL TEAM |
OHL TEAM |
1 |
2 |
Jonathan Kapageridis |
Don Mills Flyers |
Sarnia Sting |
1 |
11 |
Liam Conway |
Reps Hockey Club |
Ottawa 67’s |
1 |
13 |
Alexander Armellin |
Toronto Young Nationals |
Mississauga Steelheads |
1 |
18 |
Lucas Lagoutte |
Reps Hockey Club |
Soo Greyhounds |
2 |
25 |
William Belitski |
Vaughan Kings |
Barrie Colts |
2 |
30 |
Jonathan Frattaroli |
Mississauga Senators |
Erie Otters |
2 |
34 |
Noah Kraus |
Toronto Titans |
Brantford Bulldogs |
2 |
36 |
Michael Piao |
Don Mills Flyers |
North Bay Battalion |
3 |
41 |
Vladyslav Drahun |
Toronto Red Wings |
Niagara IceDogs |
3 |
45 |
Braeden Van Gelder |
Mississauga Rebels |
Owen Sound Attack |
3 |
50 |
Tyler Braund |
Vaughan Kings |
Mississauga Steelheads |
3 |
52 |
Joshua Giordano |
North York Rangers |
Kitchener Rangers |
3 |
54 |
Adam Culmone |
Mississauga Senators |
North Bay Battalion |
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