MORE INFORMATION
The OHL Priority Selection returns to an in-person experience for the first time in 25 years, taking place June 12–13, 2026 at Slush Puppie Place in Kingston, home of the Kingston Frontenacs.
In partnership with Tourism Kingston, this highly anticipated event brings together fans, media, and teams from across the League for a key moment on the OHL calendar. Over two days, teams will shape their future by selecting top prospects from across Canada and parts of the United States.
Draft week will also feature the League’s annual June meetings, with OHL Governors, General Managers, and business operations staff from all 20 member teams coming together in Kingston.
About the OHL Priority Selection
The OHL Priority Selection has long served as a key milestone in the development of future hockey stars. Recent first overall picks rising to prominence include Matthew Schaefer, selected by the Erie Otters in 2023, who is enjoying a breakout rookie campaign in the NHL after being selected first overall by the New York Islanders. Some of the game’s greats such as Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers (1st Overall, Erie 2012) and back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Aaron Ekblad of the Florida Panthers (1st Overall, Barrie 2011) have also ascended to greatness after being first overall choices in both the OHL and NHL Drafts.
The last time the event host Kingston Frontenacs held the first overall selection was in 2019 when they chose Shane Wright, who followed the aforementioned McDavid and Ekblad as an exceptional status player. Wright went on to captain the Frontenacs and now stars with the NHL’s Seattle Kraken.