The Barrie Colts held the 5th overall pick in the 2024 OHL Draft, here is a review on their draft prospects including their 5th overall selection Parker Vaughan.
The Barrie Colts held the 5th overall pick in the 2024 OHL Draft, here is a review on their draft prospects including their 5th overall selection Parker Vaughan.
The Barrie Colts had 15 picks in this year's OHL Priority Selection, including two in the second round. They selected a very strong group of players. Particularly, their first, second, and third round picks all have the potential to be OHL players as soon as next season.
One common theme throughout their picks: maturity
1st Round, 5th Overall: Parker Vaughan, Elgin Middlesex Canucks
Right winger Parker Vaughan was taken off the board at 5th overall by the Colts, and this is most definitely a player that is ready to step into the OHL. He's a very mature player who can play on both sides of the puck, but also shoot the puck at a high level.
Vaughan's shot is a lethal weapon that scored him 23 goals in 30 games this season with his U16 team. His shot power is what stands out the most.
That being said, he has a solid two-hundred-foot game and he's a mature decision maker. It is rare to see him turn over the puck, and he drives offence in waves.
2nd Round, 27th Overall: Ben Bowen, Vaughan Kings
Speaking of mature players, the Colts got another one with Ben Bowen from the Vaughan Kings. Bowen is another winger with a mature frame and solid offensive tools.
Bowen is a power/playmaking winger who can use his strength to drive the puck through the middle of the ice, or use his vision to find teammates. He's a player that we could see beginning in a bottom-six role, and steadily elevating throughout the course of his rookie season in the OHL.
2nd Round, 28th Overall: Noah Gaudet-Barton, Oshawa Generals
Noah Barton is a defenceman with the tools and foundations to be a high-end major junior two-way blue liner. The question for Barton will be whether he is able to bring it all together.
He is a highly-effective skater for a mature body, he has the ability to jump up and dictate offence, and he can throw the body. His decision making and timing will need work at the next level, but he has a high ceiling in this league.
If the Colts are able to intertwine Barton into their system in a way that minimizes his risk and exploits his strengths, he could be a steal at this draft position.
3rd Round, 50th Overall: Cole Emerton, Vaughan Kings
As the Colts selected their second Vaughan King off of the board, Cole Emerton will be joining his current teammate Ben Bowen in a Colts sweater. Emerton is an offensive defenceman —there is no way around that.
He has the ability to get shots through from the point at a high rate, and he loves to be creative with the puck. Emerton can be that number one power play quarterback and be a terrific asset to goal-scoring forwards — just as he did in Vaughan. He's a superb skater, and his stride mechanics are flawless.
Emerton is another Barrie pick with high upside at the major junior level.
Here are Barrie's remaining eleven picks:
Round 4, Pick #66: Jonah McCormick, Kingston Jr. Gaels
Round 4, Pick #67: Christian Armstrong, Oakville Rangers
Round 5, Pick #92: Kale Mace, Peterborough Petes
Round 6, Pick #114: Arvin Jaswal, Whitby Wildcats
Round 8, Pick #147: Jackson Kimelman, North York Rangers
Round 9, Pick #167: Stephen King, Detroit HoneyBaked
Round 10, Pick #187: Teddy Low, Oakville Rangers
Round 11, Pick #207: Kane Styres, Hamilton Steel
Round 13, Pick #247: John Mustard, Waterloo Black Hawks
Round 14, Pick #267: Ashton Pitawanakwat, Sudbury Wolves
Round 15, Pick #286: Gavin Wang, Halton Hurricanes