{"time":1781317391832,"blocks":[{"id":"VWKX2DvBgr","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The first round of the 2026 OHL draft has now come and gone, with the event going back to in-person with Kingston being the host."}},{"id":"BGHpzcjI8A","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The first pick for every team has now been made, with the opening 20 picks being made."}},{"id":"PcS1f6tY5W","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Here's how everything shaped out on Friday night."}},{"id":"ELZbcROY79","type":"header","data":{"text":"Pick 1 - Oshawa: Kane Cloutier","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"zO47by0Wsr","type":"image","data":{"caption":"Kane Cloutier of the Vaughan Kings went first overall in the 2026 OHL draft. (Photo: Dan Hickling/OHL Images)","withBorder":false,"withBackground":false,"size":"full","alignment":"center","linkUrl":"","file":{"url":"https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/7901d52f-4bc8-4f56-a5df-bd88b5cae7d3.jpeg","width":4182,"height":3345}}},{"id":"mNb02PFfM7","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The first pick, as rumoured, was Kane Cloutier of the Vaughan Kings. "}},{"id":"dRvW2viUkK","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The son of Dan Cloutier put up 58 (32+26) points in 33 games at the U16 AAA level, and should be an instant impact player in Oshawa's lineup."}},{"id":"12i0cvb0IL","type":"header","data":{"text":"Pick 2 - Erie: Colin Kennedy","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"HX0o0KtLZO","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The second pick is another centre, Colin Kennedy, out of the Little Caesers program. "}},{"id":"6rFhD81xpQ","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The Sault Ste. Marie native was dominant at the U16 AAA level, posting 24 goals and 12 assists in 20 games."}},{"id":"4Vhkd6DGEp","type":"header","data":{"text":"Pick 3 - Brampton: Tanner Adams","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"1LZAvOcyXV","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"This pick is where the controversy really starts. "}},{"id":"NJRecQs7C1","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Adams has an argument to be the top prospect eligible in this draft, but he reportedly will only report to play with the Sudbury Wolves. "}},{"id":"1nAw0svyaZ","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The Steelheads decided it was worth it to take a crack at it, and either convince the player to play for them or figure out a trade and gain some assets that way."}},{"id":"NvAPUPqU35","type":"header","data":{"text":"Pick 4 - Sarnia: Adrian Sgro","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"ompc3KYafJ","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The first blueliner off the board goes to Sarnia, with Vaughan Kings defenseman Adrian Sgro going off the board with pick four."}},{"id":"3urkcx106-","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The Alliston native put up 31 points and 100 PIMs in 33 games as the captain as the Kings U16 AAA team in his draft year."}},{"id":"RtJNo1jRpO","type":"header","data":{"text":"Pick 5 - Sudbury: Kash Kwajah","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"i1m9oQ4uVa","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"With Adams off the board, the Wolves have pivoted to Kash Kwajah, the dynamic offensive talent out of the Toronto Jr. Canadiens program."}},{"id":"S8wHBzWSvT","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"He put up 28 goals and 35 assists in 31 U16 AAA games during his draft year."}},{"id":"CdbLRa2fz-","type":"header","data":{"text":"Pick 6 - Saginaw: Drew Bate","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"LeMtJfTyo8","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"It's another high-octane offensive centre off the board, with the Spirit taking Drew Bate from the London Jr. Knights."}},{"id":"TN8ylp01rw","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The Union native scored 72 (34+38) points in 27 games in his draft year."}},{"id":"Lvo5xQXpqP","type":"header","data":{"text":"Pick 7 - Guelph: Declan McNally","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"2OT-Fzk6rr","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The next defender off the board is big Declan McNally, with the 6-foot-5 LaSalle native heading to the 2027 Memorial Cup host Guelph Storm."}},{"id":"l0OF5knclG","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"He played his draft year with the Don Mills Flyers U16 group, scoring seven goals and 26 assists in 59 games."}},{"id":"qXRaur8sMC","type":"header","data":{"text":"Pick 8 - Owen Sound: Max Fransen","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"qhjOtiPUuu","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The Attack take Max Fransen off the board with the eighth pick, with the Upper Canada College blueliner adding to the Owen Sound defence."}},{"id":"4Efs8ud8VW","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The Toronto native will add some puck-moving ability to a back end that can always use some more."}},{"id":"lbMydNijjZ","type":"header","data":{"text":"Pick 9 - Niagara: Max Lappan","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"V7mHhbFQvE","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The streak of defensemen continues, with Lappan becoming the first American to be taken off the board."}},{"id":"dXBZmzdtyn","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The 6-foot-2 right shot captained the stacked Honeybaked program this past season, and will look to be an all-around beast of a blueliner in the OHL."}},{"id":"hkq--JFqCI","type":"header","data":{"text":"Pick 10 - Kingston: Logan Prud'homme","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"GJLb0IkF6Y","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"It was, in no exaggeration, a MASSIVE pick for the host Frontenacs. Prud'homme is a 6-foot-7 centre, that if he develops right, could be an unbelievably tough player to handle in junior."}},{"id":"HU38s_tTR1","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The Ottawa native played for Upper Canada College in his draft season, and adds some nice skill to his massive frame."}},{"id":"Lk9VaSx-xv","type":"header","data":{"text":"Pick 11 - North Bay: Owen Loftus","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"-whMN5AyZf","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The first goalie off the board is Owen Loftus, a Toronto native that played his draft year with the Don Mills Flyers."}},{"id":"8_oyhZv6dU","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"A technically solid goalie, Loftus projects to be a good starter at this level."}},{"id":"RG6jJ_md09","type":"header","data":{"text":"Pick 12 - Soo: Jaden Licastro","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"XUec3O7pKi","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The trend of defensemen keeps coming, with Jaden Licastro heading out to the Greyhounds."}},{"id":"WlOcCiP3iu","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The 6-foot-2 Toronto Marlboros captain will add some good two-way play to the Soo back end."}},{"id":"ORhDsP9dXR","type":"header","data":{"text":"Pick 13 - Peterborough: Landon Roulston","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"vcB-ZMB7Ks","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"A third Vaughan King is off the board, with Roulston being selcted by Peterborough."}},{"id":"RvEu3YoZlL","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The Oakville-born centre put up 18 goals and 20 assists in 33 games at the U16 AAA level this past season."}},{"id":"Iuoc25JPgO","type":"header","data":{"text":"Pick 14 - London: Ryan Beaulieu","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"MEsI-QG-JO","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Another blueliner comes off the board, with the Knights taking Ryan Beaulieu, who played his draft year in London with the Jr. Knights program."}},{"id":"SiNCP68ifQ","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Clearly, this is a player London knows well, and were happy to pick in the first round."}},{"id":"gPZnF37PLu","type":"header","data":{"text":"Pick 15 - Flint: Chase Schulberger","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"wZvSDrUNZV","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"It's another blueliner off the board, and another interesting pick. American Chase Schulberger was seemingly going to play for the USNTDP next year, but considering this is a first-round pick, it seems as though the Firebirds are convinced he'll play for them."}},{"id":"jxRSaDObEP","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The Quakertown, PA, native played last season with the Woodbridge Wolfpack program in the U.S., putting up 11 points in 15 games."}},{"id":"6Ilfo8Aqqh","type":"header","data":{"text":"Pick 16 - Windsor: Lauchlan Whelan","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"dgVZBYgQ1_","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The Spits choose to go the route of a centre, which makes sense considering some of their impending departures up front."}},{"id":"uG3LuAfPNQ","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"In Whelan, they get a two-way forward who can also score, one who scored 32 goals in 34 games with the Quinte Red Devils U16 AAA program."}},{"id":"88JTzU9lYo","type":"header","data":{"text":"Pick 17 - Barrie: Lucas Matheson","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"xjUqgMmr9V","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"It's another blueliner off the board, and a hometown pick for the Colts. Matheson is a kid from Barrie, who developed in and captained the Colts U16 program, and is now a first-round pick of the OHL squad."}},{"id":"vG_c8RMWv6","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"That's as storybook a junior career as you can get, and the hometown kid will provide some puck moving and offensive flair to the back end."}},{"id":"cmjC5tHa7w","type":"header","data":{"text":"Pick 18 - Ottawa: Andrew Laurin","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"sE_0dbJMAj","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"In Laurin, the 67's get a big power forward winger, with the 6-foot-2 Kingston native adding some size and skill to Ottawa's forward group."}},{"id":"zOhDCnHTfC","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"He played his draft year with the Quinte Red Devils, scoring 51 (26+25) points in 34 games."}},{"id":"ZrG2P-hZDv","type":"header","data":{"text":"Pick 19 - Kitchener: Braden Reilly","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"_ykDNfsrx-","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The Memorial Cup champion Kitchener Rangers take another winger, with Braden Reilly joining the team."}},{"id":"JH7f8sd6jv","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The Milton native put up 18 goals and 15 assists with the Toronto Marlboros last season at the U16 AAA level."}},{"id":"UBKZgIb-JV","type":"header","data":{"text":"Pick 20 - Bratnford: Aiden Kelly","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"y99halaCYg","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The final pick of the first round is another Little Caesers product, with Aiden Kelly heading out to the Bulldogs."}},{"id":"TBJ2R6psDk","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"He'll fit in pretty well next year with a roster that seems to be very American-heavy from the outside."}},{"id":"9sZK6_t6fw","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Never want to miss out on any OHL news? Make sure to bookmark THN's OHL site."}},{"id":"egXzjfUu6Z","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Also follow @roryyarthur on X/Twitter for more updates."}},{"id":"YoFWKBIXpr","type":"header","data":{"text":"Read more ","level":1,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"m9FxHcOauN","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"OHL Transactions Recap: June 6"}},{"id":"BrallYGS7x","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Sarnia Inks Pair Of 2009-Born Forwards"}},{"id":"YUdAgtTtct","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"OHL Trade Recap: June 1-3"}},{"id":"oOhAlyKdEv","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Knights Add Anthony Thomas-Maroon, Son Of Pat, For 2026-27 Season"}},{"id":"XBl61s5fNa","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Sting Sign Top Import Pick Simon Katolicky"}}],"version":"2.31.6"}

Rory Arthur

roryarthur@THNN

Spirit Sign Top American Goaltender, 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Brady Knowling

Storm Continue To Load Up Ahead Of 2027 Memorial Cup, Adding Ryan Roobroeck From IceDogs

Knights Sign Top USHL Forward Thomas Zocco As Overager

Rangers Captain, Nashville Predators Top Prospect Announces NCAA Commitment

Otters Add Free Agent American Forward Anton Gesink

Draft Profile: Vladimir Dravecky

Sting Acquire Blueliner Cole Emerton From Colts For Up To Six Draft Picks

OHL Winners At 2026 CHL Awards

OHL June Trade Window Recap: Who Is Heading Where?

2026 OHL Draft First Round Recap: Who Went Where?

Draft Profile: Thomas Vandenberg

Draft Profile: Adam Novotny

OHL Transactions Recap: June 6

Draft Profile: Ryder Cali

Sarnia Inks Pair Of 2009-Born Forwards

OHL Trade Recap: June 1-3

Draft Profile: Caleb Malhotra

Kitchener Rangers Win 2026 Memorial Cup

Knights Add Anthony Thomas-Maroon, Son Of Pat, For 2026-27 Season

Sting Sign Top Import Pick Simon Katolicky