London Nationals OHL picks
The owner of the London Nationals recently told Hockey News Windsor that the primary reason he and his wife bought the Greater Ontario Hockey League team in 2025 was a desire to play a role in player development.
“When my wife Brenda and I were in the market to buy a team in the GOHL we made a pact that player development would be a priority over a win-loss record,” southwestern Ontario businessman Dean Pomerleau relayed to Hockey News Windsor. “Don’t get me wrong, we want the Nationals to be competitive — and we are — but player development comes first and it always will as long as we own the team.”
And to be sure, the Nationals are a landing spot for players who are Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft picks.
A total of five players on the Nationals roster were taken by teams at either the 2025 or 2026 OHL priority selections draft. The list includes the following OHL prospects.
— Nationals leading scorer Jack Samek (in photo above), a plum prospect of a forward with a 2010 birth date who the London Knights took in the second round of the 2026 OHL Draft.
— High scoring 2010 birth year defenseman Konstantinos Housseas, who the London Knights took in the fourth round of the 2026 OHL Draft.
— 2009 birth year forward Elijah Hayes (in photo at left), who the Soo Greyhounds took in the 12th round of the 2025 OHL Draft.
— 2009 birth year goalie Alex Kerr, who the Oshawa Generals took in the 12th round of the 2025 OHL Draft.
— 2009 birth year forward Brandt Rooyakkers, who the Peterborough Petes took in the 13th round of the 2025 OHL Draft.
Taking Action. It is worth noting that aforementioned Nationals owner Dean Pomerleau is serious when he says that player development is a top priority. Pomerleau has already made coaching changes to the London staff when he felt that lack of player development was an issue, despite the Nationals having had a winning record at the time.
