The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) is regarded one of the top player development Leagues in the world, and continues to be a leading supplier of talent to both the National Hockey League and Canada’s National teams at all levels as well as U SPORTS (Canadian University) hockey.
The OHL consists of 20 member teams, including 17 in the province of Ontario as well as three in the United States, with two in the state of Michigan and one in the state of Pennsylvania. OHL member teams compete for the J. Ross Robertson Cup, a trophy dedicated to the legacy of former OHA president, Canadian newspaper publisher, politician and philanthropist John Ross Robertson that was first awarded in 1934.
The OHL is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) which is the world’s largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American states. In addition to the OHL, the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) and the Western Hockey League (WHL). At the conclusion of each League’s playoffs, the CHL hosts the Memorial Cup presented by Kia, a National Championship tournament involving each of the three League’s champions and the tournament host. The winner is awarded Canadian junior hockey’s most prestigious prize, the Memorial Cup, which was first awarded in 1919.
The OHL strives to develop players both on and off the ice as they pursue their professional and academic goals. The OHL Scholarship provides players graduating from the League with the opportunity to attend the post-secondary institution or career-enhancing program of their choice with a minimum of one year’s tuition, books and compulsory feeds for each season played. The OHL Centrally Administered Scholarship Program facilitated scholarships for 334 OHL graduates attending post-secondary institutions across North American for the 2019-20 academic year, with a total contribution by teams of over $3 million.
In addition to dedicated academic advisors supporting players on each of the League’s 20 member teams, the OHL player experience also includes comprehensive support programs such as the Talk Today program in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association as well as the OHL ONSIDE program in partnership with the Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres (OCRCC). The League also recently appointed 2019 Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award recipient Rico Phillips as its Director of Cultural Diversity and Inclusion.
The OHL is committed to remaining a world leader in the development of players, coaches and officials for the NHL, U SPORTS and Hockey Canada while continuing to offer the finest player experience and academic opportunities. The OHL also continues to be recognized for a high standard of competition, fair play and integrity while playing an active role in communities, minor hockey programs and local charitable initiatives.
The “midget draft” has its roots dating back to the late 1960’s when it was held under the auspices of the OHA Junior “A” series as part of the Ontario Hockey Association’s annual meetings at the Royal York Hotel.
Through the years, the OHL Priority Selection was held at various locations in Toronto until 1981 when it found a home for 10 years at North York Centennial Arena. Its first time outside of Toronto was in 1991 when the Kitchener Rangers were the host.
The draft order is typically based on reverse order of the overall regular season standings beginning with non-playoff teams.
In 2022, a total of 303 players were selected in the 15-round process from 82 different teams across Ontario and parts of the United States. The selected players included 171 forwards, 93 defencemen, and a Priority Selection record 39 goaltenders. While 299 of the players chosen were 2006-born athletes, an additional three were born in 2005.
The Saginaw Spirit made the first overall pick after winning the 2022 OHL Priority Selection Draft Lottery held on April 20. The Spirit selected 2007-born forward Michael Misa of the OHL Cup champion Mississauga Senators to open the proceedings, making him the fifth exceptional status player to be taken first overall in Priority Selection history.
The Greater Toronto Hockey League led the way with a record 110 players selected from 13 different teams, with the OHL Cup champion Mississauga Senators joining the North York Rangers and Toronto Jr. Canadiens each with 15 chosen. The Markham Majors and Toronto Marlboros trailed close behind with 14 players selected from their respective rosters. The Ontario Minor Hockey Association produced 68 selections from 16 different teams with the Quinte Red Devils developing a club record 12 of those. The Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario produced 39 selections from nine different teams with the London Jr. Knights on top of the list with seven players selected. Hockey Eastern Ontario saw 24 players find their way onto OHL draft boards from 10 different teams with the Nepean Raiders and Ottawa Senators each producing five. The Northern Ontario Hockey Association had 11 players selected from across three teams as the North Bay Trappers developed five of those. An additional four players were selected from Ontario-based junior teams while one was drafted from an Ontario varsity program. A total of 46 players were chosen from across 25 different American-based teams led by the Detroit Little Caesars 15’s with seven players chosen.
League Directory
Ontario Hockey League
305 Milner Ave., Suite 200, Scarborough, ON M1B 3V4
Phone: 416/299-8700
Fax: 416/299-8787
Website: www.ontariohockeyleague.com
Commissioner – David E. Branch
Vice President, Business Operations – Cole Butterworth
Vice President, Hockey Operations – Barclay Branch
Director of Finance – Matt Brown
Director of Administration – Herb Morell
Director of Officiating – Conrad Hache
Director of Player Recruitment and Player Services – Brodie Barrick
Director of Business Operations – Matt Gergely
Director of Communications – Josh Sweetland
Director of Cultural Diversity and Inclusion – Rico Phillips
Director of Education Services – Julie Kuiken
Director of Central Scouting – Darrell Woodley
Sr. Manager of Video and Digital Content – Jordan Henry
Manager of Communications – Joelle Wood
Coordinator, Business Operations – Abby Perfetti
Coordinator, Video & Digital Content – Raine Hernandez
Coordinator, Video & Digital Content – Kyle Watson
Manager of Development and Events – Wade Branch
Manager of Hockey Operations – Darryl Hollowell
Administration – Terry Legenza
Team Directory
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