Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today conducted the 2016 OHL Priority Selection for players born between January 1, 1997, and December 31, 2000.
“Congratulations to all 301 players chosen in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection, their family, friends, and minor hockey coaches and organizations who have helped support and develop these tremendous student athletes,” said Darrell Woodley, Director of OHL Central Scouting. “Being selected by an OHL team is a great accomplishment but it’s also just the beginning of your road to the next level. Whether you have been selected or not, opportunities for success are available for players with the right attitude and work ethic. Best of luck to all players in pursuit of your hockey and academic goals.”
The Ontario Minor Hockey Association led the way with 86 players from 19 teams including 53 who compete among 11 ETA teams, and 33 from eight different SCTA teams. The OHL Cup Champion York Simcoe Express led the OMHA with 12 players selected, followed by the Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs with 10 players chosen. The Greater Toronto Hockey League was represented by 82 players from 13 different teams led by the league champion Mississauga Rebels with 15 players, followed by both the Toronto Marlboros and Toronto Red Wings each with 12 players chosen. The ALLIANCE had a total of 36 players selected from 12 different teams led by the league champion Waterloo Wolves with nine players selected. Hockey Eastern Ontario was represented by 22 players on 11 different Midget AAA teams including five players from the Cumberland Grads. The Northern Ontario Hockey Association had 12 players chosen from four different teams including seven players from the Sudbury Minor Midget Wolves, while one player was selected from Hockey Northwestern Ontario competing for the Thunder Bay Kings. An additional four players were chosen from various Canadian junior and prep school programs with the remaining 58 players representing 27 different teams from the United States led by seven players from Detroit Honeybaked.
This season marked the 16th straight year the Priority Selection was conducted by way of the internet, and ninth straight year with a live draft show of the first three rounds.
