OHL Holding New Major Midget Draft Tonight

The Ontario Hockey League will host their first ever Under-18 Priority Selection Draft for Midget AAA hockey players in Ontario tonight.

The draft is scheduled to begin at 7pm with picks submitted online by OHL member clubs. The draft will be live on OntarioHockeyLeague.com.

According to OHL Commissioner David Branch, the new draft aims to encourage players to stay in Midget AAA for an extra year of development before moving to Junior loops.

“Midget hockey in Ontario features hundreds of talented players who continue to develop their game. Working with our Minor Hockey partners, the OHL Under-18 Priority Selection will serve to assist in the continued growth of Midget hockey and provide further opportunities for players at different stages of their overall hockey development,” said Branch in an OHL news release regarding the draft.

Chatham-Kent does not have a Major Midget ‘AAA’ program, but in recent seasons has seen players move to Windsor and Lambton to continue playing ‘AAA’.

This season, Thomas Michaud of Charing Cross is the top local player available in the OHL Draft, as he put up solid numbers for the Windsor Jr. Spitfires team, which were Alliance Champions and OHF runners up.

Andrew Thoms of Belle River, who played last season with the Chatham-Kent Cyclones also skated for the Windsor Jr. Spitfires, and will be considered for the draft.

“The Ontario Hockey League has long been a leader in the advancement of young athletes and the new Under-18 Priority Selection is a continuation of that development,” OHF President Tony Foresi said in the OHL release on the draft. “We believe this second draft will offer players a chance to develop at their own pace while still working toward their hockey goals.”

Oshawa Generals draft pick Grant Spence spent this season in Major Midget ‘AAA’, also suiting up for the Spitfires.