Ten players from New York and New Jersey were selected in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection that took place over the weekend.
This year’s draft was for the ‘03s, but there were also a few ‘02s taken in the proceedings. There was no drama when it came to the first overall pick as ’04 Shane Wright of Don Mills Flyers was taken by the Kingston Frontenacs. That organization had announced ahead of the draft it would select Wright, who was granted exceptional status by Hockey Canada.
Players from New York and New Jersey are eligible to play in the Ontario Hockey League, as are players from several other states in the United States, including Michigan and Illinois. Most of the players in the league are from the province of Ontario.
By choosing to play in the OHL, players give up their collegiate eligibility. For those unfamiliar with the OHL landscape, notable alumni with New York and New Jersey ties include Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane, Ottawa Senators right wing Bobby Ryan and New York Rangers defenseman Anthony DeAngelo.