Toronto, Ont. – For the first time since 1976, the Windsor Spitfires will select First Overall in the OHL Priority Selection on Friday, April 12th, coming away winners of the 2024 OHL Draft Lottery held Wednesday evening, with results streamed on OHL Live.
Each of the four non-playoff teams participating in the Priority Selection Lottery, the 20th place Niagara IceDogs (40 percent chance), 19th place Windsor Spitfires (30 percent chance), 18th place Peterborough Petes (20 percent chance) and 17th place Sarnia Sting (10 percent chance), had adjusted proportionate odds of drawing the first overall selection. The final results were determined by a computerized random number generator, with the process overseen and certified by Mr. Robert Bayne, partner with the law firm Filion Wakely Thorup Angeletti LLP.
The coveted first overall selection came down to a big reveal between the Spitfires and their West Division rival the Sarnia Sting, who will be selecting second overall.
Windsor’s only other first overall draft pick was Jim Fox, selected from the North Bay Trappers back in 1976. Fox would never play for Windsor, instead going on to become one of the League’s most prolific scorers as a member of the Ottawa 67’s before embarking on an NHL career.
The Spitfires played to a mark of 18-42-5-3 this past season following back-to-back West Division titles. They were crowned Western Conference champions in 2022, coming within one win of the J. Ross Robertson Cup.
The OHL Priority Selection will once again be held over the course of two days, with Rounds 1-3 taking place beginning at 7:00pm on Friday, April 12th. The proceedings continue on Saturday, April 13th starting at 9:00am with Rounds 4-15. The Priority Selection will be produced by YourTV, and streamed for free in its entirety on OHL Live.
2024 OHL Priority Selection First Round Order of Selection:
- Windsor Spitfires
- Sarnia Sting
- Peterborough Petes
- Niagara IceDogs
- Barrie Colts
- Flint Firebirds
- Owen Sound Attack
- Kingston Frontenacs
- Guelph Storm
- Erie Otters
- Ottawa 67’s
- Sudbury Wolves
- Mississauga Steelheads
- Brantford Bulldogs
- Kitchener Rangers
- North Bay Battalion
- Oshawa Generals
- Soo Greyhounds
- Saginaw Spirit
- London Knights
- Ottawa 67’s*
*indicates compensatory pick
The 2024 OHL Priority Selection presented by Real Canadian Superstore will see the top players born in 2008 within OHL jurisdiction eligible to be selected on April 12-13.
In addition to live streaming on OHL Live, the Priority Selection will also be covered extensively on the OHL’s Twitter, Instagram and Facebook accounts, as well as on the web at ontariohockeyleague.com.
OHL Writers 