Signing top OHL picks
Windsor Spitfires and Flint Firebirds — Western Conference rivals — have both come through with early signings of several of their top choices from the 2024 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft.
Flint has now signed its top four picks — all forwards — who were scooped up by the Firebirds within the top three rounds of the ’24 OHL priority selections process.
They are first rounder Cole Zurawski, second rounders Xavier Tessier and Ryland Cunningham and third round pick Gage Brandon.
“The draft was about finding players who fit our coaching style and play the game that we want to play,” relayed Firebirds head scout Mike Oliverio. “These players will have an easier transition to the OHL and to Flint because they are already playing our style. Our staff did a great job finding players to fill spots where they will push some of our veterans for jobs. We like to create the competition for ice time and an atmosphere where nothing is a given.”
Meanwhile, as previously reported by Hockey News Windsor, the Spitfires have signed six players from the ’24 OHL priority selections draft.
They are first rounder Ethan Belchetz, second rounders J.C. Lemieux and Carter Hicks, third rounder Max Brocklehurst, seventh rounderJake Windbiel and ninth rounder Ethan Garden.
Belchetz, Lemieux, Brocklehurst and Garden are all forwards, Hicks is a defenseman and Windbiel is a goalie.
