Toronto, ON – The pick is in and the Peterborough Petes have made Ottawa Valley Titans forward Kaden McGregor the first overall pick of the 2025 OHL Priority Selection presented by Real Canadian Superstore.
The Petes secured the first overall pick in the OHL Priority Selection for the first time ever by way of a lottery process on March 26. They select McGregor, the 2024-25 HEO U16 AAA Player of the Year with the historic pick after he led his Ottawa Valley Titans to an HEO championship this past season.
A 16-year-old from Braeside, Ont., McGregor is a 5-foot-11, 168Ib. centreman who put up 38 goals, 44 assists and 82 points over 29 regular season games before adding 24 points (11-13–24) over nine playoff contests. McGregor had an impressive showing at the OHL Cup showcase, being named to the tournament all-star team with 11 points (3-8–11) over five games.
McGregor claims the Jack Ferguson Award as the first overall pick in the OHL Priority Selection, becoming the first player chosen first overall out of the Ottawa area since the Ottawa 67’s selected Alyn McCauley of Brockville, Ont. in 1993.
OHL Central Scouting says: Kaden is a complete two-way centre that isn’t easy to play against because he is always moving his feet and he competes hard each and every shift he has. He is a powerful skater that can get up to top speed quickly and has another gear that many players don’t have. He has a very good skill set that allows him to generate offense for himself well. He is a dog on a bone when it comes to forechecking and how hard he competes, he rarely takes a shift off and you notice all the time. Physically he looks mature and his game will translate well to the next level.
Follow along with the 2025 OHL Priority Selection presented by Real Canadian Superstore at ontariohockeyleague.com.
Toronto, ON – With the 2025 OHL Cup Championship Final underway, the Ontario Hockey League has announced the seven recipients of 2025 U16 AAA Player of the Year Awards for players representing the four Ontario Hockey Federation Member Partners including the ALLIANCE, Greater Toronto Hockey League, Northern Ontario Hockey Association, and both the Ontario Minor Hockey Association’s East and West regions, along with Hockey Eastern Ontario and Hockey Northwestern Ontario.
“A big congratulations goes out to the recipients of this year’s awards. Thank you to the families, coaches, and teammates for their tremendous support of these remarkable players over the course of the season and throughout their minor hockey careers,” said Brodie Barrick, the OHL’s Director of Recruitment and Player Services.
“The OHL is proud to recognize all the hard work, dedication, and extraordinary accomplishments from across Ontario. We thank all players for another great season and wish them the very best of luck in their hockey and academic careers.”
The awards are presented annually to honour the U16 AAA players who best exemplify outstanding ability and the qualities of sportsmanship and leadership as selected by OHL Central Scouting and a panel of Ontario Hockey League general managers.
ALLIANCE U16 AAA Player of the Year – Jaakko Wycisk (Sun County Panthers) Jaakko Wycisk led the ALLIANCE U16 circuit in both goals (32) and points (61), leading his team to a league championship with an additional 13 points (6-7–13) in the playoffs. He’s the first Sun County player to earn the award since eventual Red Tilson Trophy winner Matthew Maggio last did so in 2018.
Past Winners: 2024 – Parker Vaughan, Elgin-Middlesex Canucks 2023 – Ryan Roobroeck, London Jr. Knights 2022 – Lucas Karmiris, Brantford 99ers 2020 – Bryce McConnell-Barker, London Jr. Knights 2019 – Deni Goure, Chatham-Kent Cyclones 2018 – Matthew Maggio, Sun County Panthers 2017 – Ryan Suzuki, London Jr. Knights 2016 – Owen Lalonde, Windsor Jr. Spitfires 2015 – Nick Suzuki, London Jr. Knights 2014 – Anthony Salinitri, Windsor Jr. Spitfires 2013 – Travis Konecny, Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs 2012 – Jared McCann, London Jr. Knights Gold 2011 – Bo Horvat, Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs
GTHL U16 AAA Player of the Year – Camryn Warren (Toronto Jr. Canadiens) Toronto Jr. Canadiens forward Camryn Warren was a force throughout the regular season and into the OHL Cup, where he potted a pair of OT winners in round robin play to help his team reach the OHL Cup Championship Final. Warren earns GTHL U16 AAA Player of the Year honours in his second season playing at the U16 level.
Past Winners: 2024 – Adam Valentini, Toronto Marlboros 2023 – William Moore, Toronto Marlboros 2022 – Malcolm Spence, Mississauga Senators 2020 – Pano Fimis, Toronto Jr. Canadiens 2019 – Shane Wright, Don Mills Flyers 2018 – Jamie Drysdale, Toronto Marlboros 2017 – Nick Porco, Vaughan Kings 2016 – Ryan Merkley, Toronto Jr. Canadiens 2015 – Ryan McLeod, Toronto Marlboros 2014 – Adam Mascherin, Vaughan Kings 2013 – Dylan Strome, Toronto Marlboros 2012 – Connor McDavid, Toronto Marlboros 2011 – Nick Ritchie, Toronto Marlboros
HEO U16 AAA Player of the Year – Kaden McGregor (Ottawa Valley Titans) Kaden McGregor led the HEO U16 AAA loop in scoring with 38 goals and 82 points over just 29 games, captaining the Ottawa Valley Titans to a league championship. The HEO U16 AAA Player of the Year continued his strong play at the OHL Cup, recording 11 points (3-8–11) in five games. McGregor is the first Titans player to ever receive the honour.
Past Winners: 2024 – Max Crete, Upper Canada Cyclones 2023 – Quinn Beauchesne, Nepean Raiders 2022 – Cole Beaudoin, Nepean Raiders 2020 – Cedrick Guindon, Rockland Nationals 2019 – Mason McTavish, Pembroke Lumber Kings 2018 – Josh Barnes, Cornwall Colts 2017 – Alexandre Hogue, Cumberland Grads 2016 – Paul Larabie, Nepean Raiders 2015 – Gabriel Vilardi, CIH Academy 2014 – William Bitten, Ottawa Jr. 67’s 2013 – Andrew Peski, Ottawa Jr. 67’s 2012 – Andrew Abou-Assaly, Ottawa Jr. 67’s 2011 – Nicholas Baptiste, Ottawa Senators
HNO U16 AAA Player of the Year – Eleazar Andrusco (Thunder Bay Kings) Thunder Bay Kings goaltender Eleazer Andrusco earns this year’s HNO U16 AAA Player of the Year honour. The 6-foot-4 product of Fort Frances, Ont. is the second straight Kings netminder to win the award.
Past Winners: 2024 – Brady Cates, Thunder Bay Kings 2023 – Carter Poddubny, Thunder Bay Kings 2020 – Brodie McLeod, Thunder Bay Kings 2019 – Jack Michaelis, Thunder Bay Kings 2018 – Michael Stubbs, Thunder Bay Kings 2017 – Christian Cicigoi, Thunder Bay Kings 2016 – Quintin Loon-Stewardson, Thunder Bay Kings 2015 – Kyle Auger, Thunder Bay Kings 2014 – Brad Belisle, Thunder Bay Kings 2013 – Zach Grzelewski, Thunder Bay Kings 2012 – Bryce Martyn, Thunder Bay Kings 2011 – Nolan Nicholas, Thunder Bay Kings
NOHA U16 AAA Player of the Year – Adam Pseniczny (Soo Jr. Greyhounds U16) Soo Jr. Greyhounds forward Adam Pseniczny is the NOHA U16 AAA Player of the Year. He led Great North Midget League rookies in scoring with 64 points (29-35–64) over 30 games and also represented Team NOHA at the 2025 OHL Cup.
Past Winners: 2024 – Mason Walker, Sudbury Jr. Wolves 2023 – Hudson Chitaroni, Soo Jr. Greyhounds 2022 – Nolan Newton, Sudbury Nickel Capitals 2020 – Connor Toms, Soo Jr. Greyhounds 2019 – Chase Stillman, Sudbury Minor Midget Wolves 2018 – Pacey Schlueting, North Bay Trappers 2017 – Camaryn Baber, Soo Midget Greyhounds 2016 – Damien Giroux, Sudbury Minor Midget Wolves 2015 – Cayse Ton, New Liskeard Cubs 2014 – Zach Dorval, Soo Thunder 2013 – Blake Speers, Soo Thunder 2012 – Michael Amadio, Sault Ste. Marie North Stars 2011 – Ryan Kujawinski, Sudbury Minor Midget Wolves
OMHA East U16 AAA Player of the Year – Brock Chitaroni (Barrie Jr. Colts) Barrie Jr. Colts forward Brock Chitaroni is the OMHA East U16 AAA Player of the Year with 29 goals and 59 points over 31 regular season games. Chitaroni played his second season with the Colts U16 AAA program, making his second straight appearance in the OHL Cup.
Past Winners: 2024 – Maddox Dagenais, Quinte Red Devils 2023 – Owen Griffin, York-Simcoe Express 2022 – Ethan Procyszyn, North Central Predators 2020 – Donovan McCoy, Quinte Red Devils 2019 – Brenden Sirizzotti, Whitby Wildcats 2018 – Quinton Byfield, York Simcoe Express 2017 – Alex Newhook, York Simcoe Express 2016 – Aidan Dudas, North Central Predators 2015 – Brady Gilmour, Quinte Red Devils 2014 – Chris Paquette, Greater Kingston Jr Frontenacs
OMHA West U16 AAA Player of the Year – Aleksandr Sementsov (Halton Hurricanes) Aleksandr Sementsov led the OMHA with 76 points (21-55–76) over 34 games and led his Halton Hurricanes to an OMHA title, also being named OMHA West U16 AAA Player of the Year.
Past Winners: 2024 – Ethan Belchetz, Oakville Rangers 2023 – Matthew Schaefer, Halton Hurricanes 2022 – Luca Testa, Niagara North Stars 2020 – Sam Alfano, Southern Tier Admirals 2019 – Lawson Sherk, Halton Hurricanes 2018 – Cameron Tolnai, Oakville Rangers 2017 – Matthew Dunsmoor, Guelph Jr. Gryphons 2016 – Adam McMaster, Niagara North Stars 2015 – Liam Stevens, Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs 2014 – Rylee St Onge, Niagara North Stars
*prior to 2014 there was a single OMHA Player of the Year award recipient
Past OMHA Players of the Year: 2013 – Matt Spencer, Oakville Rangers* 2012 – Nik Coric, York Simcoe Express* 2011 – Alex Yuill, Quinte Red Devils*
OHL Writers 