Hockey dreams took a major stride forward on the weekend as Ontario Minor Hockey Association players were chosen in the Ontario Hockey League’s Priority Selection, including five in the first round.

Matthew Schaefer, a defenceman from the Halton Hurricanes, was chosen with the first overall pick by the Erie Otters.

The OMHA led the way with 87 players selected from 20 teams. The U16 AAA Champion Peterborough Minor Petes saw 13 players chosen, followed by the semi-finalists in the Halton Hurricanes (12) and York-Simcoe Express (11). Every OHL team selected at least one OMHA player.

The draft was completed over two days, with the first three rounds on Friday evening and rounds four to fifteen taking place on Saturday morning.

Player development is a key component of the OMHA experience. The OMHA conducts a wide range of clinics for players, coaches and other volunteers to improve their skills and enhance their overall experience and enjoyment of the sport. OMHA boasts a long list of grads who earned their place in the NHL including up and coming names like Quinton Byfield, Robert Thomas and Cole Perfetti.

Brings a great mixture of speed, skill and compete to the ice. He puts himself in great areas to get the puck in stride and will attack the defenders wide or read what is given and attack inside. Without the puck, Hopkins is fearless and will drive hard to the net or get in on the forecheck and create turnovers. This is why he sustains a lot of offensive zone time and will be a fixture on the scoresheet.

The puck is glued to his stick. This is because Griffin possesses high hockey IQ and has excellent puck control. He can weave through the opposing team allowing him to have a lot of zone entries and exits and control the game. With his high lQ he can see the ice very well and knows where his teammates are. He finds them in prime scoring areas and he creates a lot of offence doing so.

Cameron the ability to control a game from the backend with his skating ability, puck skills and hockey sense. He can beat a forecheck with his skating and is not afraid to join or lead a rush when the opportunity is there. He plays a very heads up style of game as he makes very good decisions with the puck. He has very good composure on the offensive blueline, rarely panics, and does not just throw the puck away. A very good defender that uses his foot work to take away time and space. He is one of the top defencemen in this age group.

A dog-on-a-bone type of player as Brown is always moving and is putting relentless pressure on the opposition. He is a very good skater with excellent quickness that allows him to get in on the forecheck and create havoc. He has good skills that allow him to make most plays and will score the majority of his goals by driving the net and going to the dirty areas for pucks. Has been a very good complementary player on a very good team this season and his production has continued to increase as the year has progressed.