Saginaw Spirit 1st Round Pick Dima Zhilkin Becomes First 2024 OHL Draft Pick to Sign with OHL Club

Dima Zhilkin has officially signed his OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with the Saginaw Spirit, who drafted him 19th overall.

Dima Zhilkin was selected 19th overall in the OHL Draft on Friday night by the Saginaw Spirit. Today, he became the first player of the 2008-born draft class to sign his OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement.

Zhilkin played with the U16 Toronto Jr. Canadiens this season, and next season he will be suiting up in a Spirit jersey.

His game revolves around quickness and creativity. Zhilkin creates offence in droves, and his explosiveness and evasiveness allow him to deceive defenders and open lanes for himself.

Dima — the younger brother of Danny Zhilkin — plays a very electric, exciting style of game. He always seems to wear a smile on his face. 

Zhilkin's high-paced game will translate to the major junior level, the only concerns in his game revolve around his size. He is on the smaller and slighter side, but his evasiveness allows him to dodge pressure quite well. 

With the Jr. Canadiens, Zhilkin was the go-to player offensively and almost all of their offence went through his hands. This is what Saginaw is getting with Zhilkin as a player — he has the ability to run and drive an offence.

The Spirit loaded up at this season's trade deadline, which means several of their top players will be leaving next season. Zhilkin should be able to come in and play a middle-six role upon his arrival.

His electric playmaking will bring a lot of fans in to see the Spirit next season, and Saginaw fans should be thrilled with this draft selection.