Every player selected in the OHL U18 Priority Selection has the hopes of following in the footsteps of Dallas Stars prospect Gavin White. These three players all have the potential to not only be impactful players in the OHL this season, but to become NHL Draft picks.
The U18 Priority Selection is always a draft of chance. These are players who were passed on in their OHL Draft year, but are still playing minor hockey at the U18 level.
The Under-18 Priority Selection is limited to just three rounds, and the amount of players that actually go on to play games in the OHL is low. U18 success stories are rare, but they give those late-bloomers one last crack at playing in the OHL.
Recent success stories include defenceman Gavin White, who was drafted by the Bulldogs in the 2019 U18 draft, and went on to be drafted by the Dallas Stars in 2022.
These are some of the top players selected in the 2022 and 2023 U18 OHL Draft who will make an impact on their respective teams this season.
Brennan Faulkner, Left Wing/Centre, Peterborough Petes
Selected 6th overall by Peterborough in the 2022 U18 Draft, Brennan Faulkner dominated the GOJHL (Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League) last season. He put up 57 points in 48 games with the Strathroy Rockets, which earned him a call up to join the Petes this season.
Faulkner has been getting lots of opportunities early on, playing a couple games in the top six. He has the ability to drive the puck offensively and possesses loads of confidence when the puck is on his stick.
He currently has zero points through 8 games with the Petes, but he is bound to produce at some point with the opportunities he is getting. Being a late 2005 born player, Faulkner has the chance to put himself on some draft boards if he is able to drive and create at the OHL level.
Lincoln Moore, Right Wing, Saginaw Spirit
Moore was selected 1st overall in the 2022 U18 Priority Selection by the Spirit, and is heading into his second OHL season.
Last season, Moore spent the majority of his time in the Spirit’s bottom six, getting into 43 games. He is getting some more opportunity this season being one year older, and playing on a strong Spirit team as they prepare to host the Memorial Cup next spring.
He has gotten into just 5 games thus far, but has 3 points in those games. As the season continues, and as injuries occur, Moore should get into the lineup more often.
Moore is also a late birthday — by 10 days — and is eligible for the 2024 NHL Draft.
Daniel Chen, Defence, Brantford Bulldogs
Daniel Chen is the only player on this list who was drafted in the 2023 Priority Selection, as he was taken 7th by Brantford.
The 6-foot-4, 185-pound defender was arguably the best defenceman in all of U18 last season with the Mississauga Rebels. His play style translates to the OHL quite well, as a rare combination of size and skating ability. He plays a very calm and poised game, and is beginning to solidify his bottom pair spot on the Bulldogs.
Chen may not play every game with Brantford this year, but he will certainly get his opportunities. With the Bulldogs' lack of depth on the blue line, Chen has gotten into six games so far, putting up 4 assists.
He is also affiliated with the Collingwood Blues (OJHL), where he will play when he is not up with the Bulldogs.
