The Flint Firebirds are in need of help in each position, and it is safe to say that they got that with their selections in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection.
The Flint Firebirds were swept by the London Knights in the first round of the OHL Playoffs, and they are in need of some major changes in their lineup. Coulson Pitre and Tristan Bertucci still remain the team's two major cornerstones, but the Firebirds will need some more help to be a competitive team again this season.
Flint kicked it off by selecting sixth overall, where they selected sharpshooter Cole Zurawski.
1st Round, 6th Overall: Cole Zurawski, Mississauga Rebels
Cole Zurawski knows how to be "the guy" on his team, and he makes big plays in big moments. Zurawski scored a lot of goals with the Mississauga Rebels in his U16 season, but a lot of them were big-time goals with a win on the line.
Zurawski's shot is among the best in the draft class, and he has the potential to be a 30+ goal scorer at the OHL level. He has the complete package offensively from his deceptiveness and shiftiness, to his hands, to his shot.
The Firebirds are looking for a go-to guy up front? Cole Zurawski is that guy.
2nd Round, 33rd Overall: Xavier Tessier, Ottawa Myers
With their second round pick, the Firebirds continued to pad their forward group by selecting Xavier Tessier. Tessier played up north in Ottawa with the Ottawa Myers program, and put up 36 points in 30 games with the club.
Tessier was a core part of this Ottawa team, which was one of the better teams in all of U16 this season. This is another all-round skilled forward who doesn't really lack in any area of the ice. He can create offensively, but he also supports effectively in his own zone.
2nd Round, 41st Overall: Ryland Cunningham, Peterborough Petes
The Firebirds selected another forward with their last of two second round picks, with Ryland Cunningham. Cunningham was a big part of that strong Petes U16 team this season, and he drove a lot of their offence.
Cunningham is very strong on the puck, and he's able to get into the middle of the ice frequently. His strength and puck control allows him to gain the zone quite consistently, and drive offence for his line.
3rd Round, 48th Overall: Gage Brandon, Vaughan Kings
Their third round selection has the potential to be one of their best. Gage Brandon is a strong, offensively well-rounded centre with a mature frame and mature habits. Brandon was injured for the entirety of the OHL Cup, and this likely hurt his draft stock and ability to boost it ahead of the draft.
It is easy to see Brandon as a middle-six centre in the OHL, and the Firebirds got a junior-ready player with their third round selection.
Here are Flint's remaining draft selections:
Round 4, Pick #63: Cristian Colosimo, Mississauga Rebels
Round 4, Pick #75: Tucker Lyndaker, Nichols School 16U
Round 5, Pick #95: Bryson Morgan, York Simcoe Express
Round 6, Pick #120: Cameron Tully, Mississauga Rebels
Round 8, Pick #148: Liam Edgecumbe, Niagara North Stars
Round 9, Pick #168: Samuel Mirda, Halton Hurricanes
Round 10, Pick #184: Declan Ready, Peterborough Petes
Round 10, Pick #188: Ulysses Lombardi, North York Rangers
Round 11, Pick #214: Carter Kucher, Toronto Titans
Round 12, Pick #228: Grandon Echols, Detroit Honeybaked
Round 13, Pick #248: Tyler Clark, Vaughan Kings
Round 15, Pick #288: Brody Dunbar, Ottawa Myers