OHL stars in NHL first round
Wow! The Ontario Hockey League issued its own statement of strength in the opening round of the 2025 National Hockey League Draft. To be sure, it was a plum performance by the OHL as no less than nine players were snapped up, including the first and second overall selections.
• Coveted defenseman Matthew Schaefer of the Erie Otters was the first OHL player to come off the board, as he was snagged first overall by the New York Islanders. In a season shortened by illness and injury, the 6 foot 2 franchise type defenceman from Stoney Creek, Ont., produced 22 points (7-15-22) in just 17 regular season games for Erie. He became the second Otter to be selected first overall, following Connor McDavid — now a superstar forward with the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers in 2015.
• Michael Misa of the Saginaw Spirit provided the OHL with the second straight pick to begin the pro lottery when he was chosen by the San Jose Sharks. The 6 foot 1 centre from Oakville, Ont., captured both the OHL and Canadian Hockey League leading scoring titles after leading the CHL with 134 points (62-72-134) in 65 regular season games. Misa’s spectacular season also had the slick pivot win the Bobby Smith Trophy as the OHL’s Top Academic Player and the Red Tilson Trophy as the OHL’s Most Outstanding Player.
• Farm boy Brady Martin of the Soo Greyhounds was the fifth overall pick by the Nashville Predators. A powerful two way centre who hit for 72 points (33-39-72) in 57 regular season games this season, the 6 foot centre from Elmira, Ont., combines high end compete, physicality, and offensive instincts in bringing homegrown family farm grit and skill to the Predators’ front end. (More on Martin on Page B5.)
• Brampton Steelheads captain Porter Martone was selected sixth overall by the Philadelphia Flyers. The 6 foot 3 winger is already a powerful, playmaking forward with elite hands and high hockey IQ, who led the Steelheads with 98 points (37-61-98) in 57 regular season games. The Peterborough, Ont., native represented Team Canada this year at the IIHF World Junior Championships. (More on Martone on Page B5.)
• Jake O’Brien of the Brantford Bulldogs was selected eighth overall by the Seattle Kraken. Coming off a standout sophomore season after being named the OHL’s Rookie of the Year in ’23-24, the 6 foot 2 centre tallied 98 points (32-66-98) in 66 regular season games and continued to impress with his elite vision and offensive instincts. O’Brien is poised to bring high end skill and playmaking to the Seattle forward group.
• Jack Nesbitt of the Windsor Spitfires was selected 12th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers, who traded up to take the towering forward. A 6 foot 5 centre, Nesbitt posted 64 points (25-39-64) in his second OHL season in Windsor — and was named the OHL Western Conference’s Most Improved Player, as voted on by league coaches. Nesbitt brings size, so-called “spatial awareness” and an upward trajectory to the Philly prospect pool.
• With their second pick of the opening round, the New York Islanders selected their second OHL defenceman, taking Kashawn Aitcheson of the Barrie Colts 17th overall. The 6 foot 1 defender is a mobile, hard nosed hombre with offensive upside — he recorded 59 points (23-36-59) in 64 regular season games. Aitcheson set a new Barrie franchise record for goals by a defenceman and finished third among OHL defenders in scoring.
• Nashville nabbed Kitchener Rangers defenceman Cameron Reid with the 21st overall pick. The 6 foot, 174 pound blue liner is a poised, two way presence who excels in transition and defends with precision. Reid posted 54 points (14-40-54) over 67 regular games in ’24-25, nearly doubling his production from a year ago.
• With the final OHL selection of the first round, the Los Angeles Kings landed London Knights defenceman Henry Brzustewicz with the 31st overall pick. The physically imposing back end talent brings a blend of size, strength, and mobility to his game. The American born Brzustewicz tallied 42 points (10-32-42) in ’24-25 and played a key role in the Knights’ Memorial Cup championship victory. Notably, he became London’s 200th player of all time to be taken at in the NHL Draft. Of further exclamation, London has now had at least one player chosen at the NHL Draft in what is a CHL recored 56 years in succession.
The nine first round picks from the OHL in the opening round of the NHL Draft matches the league’s total from 2024. Before 2024, the last time the OHL had nine players go in the first round was back in 2016.