The four teams who will compete in the OHL Draft lottery have been confirmed: Niagara IceDogs, Windsor Spitfires, Peterborough Petes, & Sarnia Sting.
Now that sixteen teams have officially made the 2024 OHL Playoffs, now it is time to look at who will be competing in the draft lottery.
The OHL's draft lottery is very different than the NHL's. The main difference? There are only four teams. The odds to win the prize of 1st overall are much higher for these four bottom feeder teams, and each wants to hear their name called as the winner.
If the lottery were to be drawn today, here are the chances each team has of winning 1st overall:
Niagara IceDogs: 40%
Windsor Spitfires: 30%
Peterborough Petes: 20%
Sarnia Sting: 10%
It will not be a repeating team getting the first overall pick this year, as Erie won it last season and chose Matthew Schaefer. The Niagara IceDogs picked 2nd overall last year, and are right in the mix once again. They have the opportunity to take a player at first overall to join their second overall pick Ryan Roobroeck next season.
Also in the mix are the Windsor Spitfires, who have been in a "selling" and rebuilding phase since "going for it" last season. They are last in the Western Conference, and will also have a large chance of winning the first overall choice. They are a team who needs to add in every position, and winning the draft lottery would be vital for them
Lower down the line are the Peterborough Petes and the Sarnia Sting. Both teams have some good, young, and promising talent, but first overall would add to their projection for the seasons ahead.
The results of the OHL Draft lottery will be revealed on Wednesday, March 27th.