All 20 teams are in town for the two-day draft that starts on Friday.
This event has been a long time coming, over 25 years!
The Ontario Hockey League is hosting its first live player draft since the year 2000 this Friday and Saturday.
Team officials, league executives, prospects and their families, along with hockey fans from all around Ontario, have gathered in Kingston to be part of this historic moment.
Josh Sweetland, the Director of Communications with the OHL, mentions that both the league and teams have been busy in town throughout the week.
The draft will take place at Slush Puppie Place, home of the Kingston Frontenacs. The first round kicks off on Friday night at 7 pm.
In past drafts that were held virtually, the team with the top pick would announce their choice a day early and hold a press conference at their home venue to introduce that player.
Sweetland states that this won’t happen this time around.
The Oshawa Generals have secured the first overall pick in the draft while the Frontenacs will select 10th in the opening round.
You might notice there won’t be any trades happening during the draft. Teams had until Thursday to make deals for players or picks and won’t be able to do so again until after everything wraps up.
Sweetland explains that this is meant to keep things straightforward.
The OHL hopes that having a live draft will bring some excitement and atmosphere similar to what you see in professional sports leagues.
Sweetland adds it’s especially thrilling for eligible 15-year-olds who’ll be waiting anxiously to hear their names called out.
Rounds two through fifteen of the draft will take place on Saturday starting at 9 am also at Slush Puppie Place.
Story by Ken Hashizume
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