Top OHL Prospect Signs With Boston University

Kingston Frontenacs lose their 2024 OHL Draft first-rounder to the NCAA

Losing top-ranked U16 prospects in their OHL draft year is nothing new. 

However, it seems to be happening more frequently, and the OHL sees another one of their top recruits ink an NCAA Scholarship.

The Kingston Frontenacs used their seventh overall selection in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection on Vaughan Kings forward Caleb Malhotra.

Unfortunately, on Day 1 of the OHL Draft, the Chilliwack Chiefs of the BCHL announced that they had signed the 2008-born forward, increasing the speculation that Caleb and his family were choosing the NCAA development route over the OHL.

Four months later, the Frontenacs sadly were unable to change his mind, and on Tuesday evening, the news dropped that Malhotra had committed to Boston University.

Malhotra had a rocky OHL draft year in Vaughan, battling injuries for most of the season.

However, it was clear by the end of the year and through his play at the OHL Cup that he was one of the more dominant 2008-Ontario-based players.

Caleb’s dad Manny played 991 games in the NHL split between seven different organizations, with the most being a part of the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2003 to 2009.

Before making the jump to the NHL, Manny was a 17th overall draft pick by the Guelph Storm in the 1996 OHL Priority Selection and spent two seasons with the team, winning an OHL Championship with the Storm in 1998.

In that 1997-98 season, Manny won the OHL Scholastic Player of the Year, the Memorial Cup Most Sportsmanlike Player, and was named to the Memorial Cup All-Star Team.

It is somewhat surprising that Caleb has chosen not to pursue his hockey career in the OHL, despite it being the same path his father followed.

But, the NCAA development path has been gaining traction over the last five or so years, and Manny taking the head coaching job with the Abbotsford Canucks in the AHL could have helped sway Caleb towards playing in the BCHL and choosing to play college hockey down the road.

Kingston had to have known that Caleb wasn’t an absolute yes to report to them and play in the OHL. 

Using a top-10 pick on him was a confusing choice, one that doesn’t look great at the moment. 

The team holds onto his rights and never say never, he could make his way back to the Ontario province and suit up in a Kingston jersey someday. 

But that day won't be anytime soon.