Hockey dreams took a major stride forward on Saturday as OMHA players were chosen in the Ontario Hockey League’s Priority Selection (draft), including six in the first round.

As the OHL Priority Selection was broadcast online, OMHA families were glued to their computers watching the live stream webcast and going over the results being posted. The full draft results are available here.

Blake Murray started things off for the OMHA; the Whitby Wildcats forward was drafted seventh overall by the Sudbury Wolves. The 6'1", 177 lbs. centre has a great combination of skating, high-end skill and the ability to score goals.

Ajax-Pickering Raiders forward Connor McMichael went 11th overall to the Hamilton Bulldogs. He is equipped with a full-arsenal of tools including elite-level skill, excellent hockey sense, good skating ability and a first-rate compete level. McMichael has the rare ability to change the complexion of a game with a big play anytime he is on the ice.

Defenceman Mitchell Brewer of the Halton Hurricanes was selected 15th overall by the Oshawa Generals. Brewer plays a solid and steady two-way game. He keeps puck-moving decisions simple and effectively makes quick decisions under pressure to get pucks up the ice with pace to his forwards springing the offensive attack. Brewer has a good physical game and a strong work ethic.

Kingston Jr. Frontenacs forward Hayden Fowler was scooped up 19th overall by the Soo Greyhounds. A natural goal scorer, Fowler generates a lot of offence and his motor is always running. He has an excellent shot and will let it go anywhere close and in scoring areas. He plays the game with a lot of edge is not an easy player to play against.

The next pick in the draft was used by the Owen Sound Attack on forward Mitchell Russell of the Barrie Jr. Colts. Russell is one of those players that jumps out very quickly. He wants to make a difference every time he is on the ice. Russell was as valuable to his team as any player in the OMHA was. He scored nearly a quarter of his team’s goals this season.

Rounding out the first round with the 21st overall pick in the draft was Grey-Bruce Highlanders forward Emmett Sproule, chosen by the Erie Otters. Sproule was arguably the best playoff performer in the OMHA. He is only going to get better as he continues to grow.

“Congratulations to all 300 players chosen in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection, their family, friends, and minor hockey coaches and organizations who have all provided support and encouragement, while assisting with the development of these student athletes,” said Darrell Woodley, Director of OHL Central Scouting. “Being selected by an OHL team is a great accomplishment but it’s also just the beginning of your road to the next level.  Opportunities for success are available for players with the right attitude and work ethic, including players not selected today, who may find success through next year’s Under-18 Priority Selection.  Best of luck to all players in pursuit of your hockey and academic goals.”

The Ontario Minor Hockey Association led the way with 83 players from 22 teams, including 48 who compete among 12 ETA teams, and 35 from 10 different SCTA teams. The Quinte Red Devils had 10 players selected while the Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs, Brampton 45's and OMHA Minor Midget AAA Champion Whitby Wildcats each had eight players drafted. See a full list of all the OMHA players chosen at the bottom of the page.

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 from Steven Stamkos to Chris Tierney to Taylor Hall.

Here are comments from the OMHA’s first-round picks:

"Getting selected seventh overall feels great. I am very excited. I am just very honoured to be selected by the Sudbury Wolves and can’t wait to get up there and meet everyone in the organization and just get going. I am going to spend the off-season in the gym and on the ice and just working on getting bigger and stronger, working on my foot speed and getting ready to play at the OHL level."

"I am just going through a mix of emotions right now and just happy it's finally happened. I didn’t get a lot of sleep last night but I am just super honoured to be drafted by the Bulldogs and really I am just in shock right now. I just have to thank my coaches, teammates and parents for the amazing season I had and really has lead me to where I am today."

"It’s just really hard to explain right now. I am just really excited and happy and just looking forward to get ready for the camp. I am just looking to get out to Oshawa tomorrow to meet some of the people in the organization and have a look around the arena. I am going to work on my overall game and really work on my speed and shot. I really have to thank my parents, coaches and teammates who have supported me along the way and have helped me throughout my minor hockey career."

"It is honestly just crazy right now. It comes at you so quickly and all I can say right now is 'wow'. Sault Ste. Marie is such a great organization and I truly believe it is going to be a perfect fit for me. I am going to take the off-season to just train a lot and continue to get faster on the ice and improve my skills. I just have to thank my parents, getting me to and from the rink all these years, from early mornings to late nights, they have always been there for me."

"It is just so exciting. The Attack are an awesome organization to be a part of and I can’t wait to just get started. They are definitely a team I could see myself with and I am just really happy today. I am going to head down there and meet some of the coaching staff and get some pictures down in the Owen Sound Attack jersey. I really just want to thank my parents, they have been there since I have been little and I really appreciate all my brother has done for me as well."

"I am so excited, it’s unreal and honestly words just can’t explain it. The (Erie) Otters are such a great organization and I can’t wait to get down there and get started. I am going to be on ice and working out at a local gym and just working as hard as I can to get ready for the start of the OHL season. At the start of the season I would never have thought I would have this dream come true. It's just crazy and so amazing that I am following in the footsteps of a guy like Connor Roberts and helping put the Grey-Bruce Highlanders on the map."