OHL leads the way with nine players chosen in first round of 2024 NHL DraftLas Vegas, NV – The Ontario Hockey League is proud to recognize an event-leading nine OHL players chosen in Friday’s first round of the 2024 NHL Draft at the Sphere in Las Vegas.
Beckett Sennecke of the Oshawa Generals was the first OHL player to come off the board, being chosen third overall by the Anaheim Ducks. Helping his team reach the OHL Championship Series as Eastern Conference champions, the 6-foot-3 winger from Toronto, Ont. produced 68 points (27-41–68) in 63 regular season games for Oshawa, becoming the second General to be selected in the first round in consecutive years, following Calum Ritchie in 2023. He becomes the highest-selected General at the NHL Draft since 2003 when Nathan Horton went third overall to the Florida Panthers.
OHL and CHL Defenceman of the Year Zayne Parekh of the Saginaw Spirit would be the next OHL player selected, hearing his name called by the Calgary Flames with the ninth overall pick. The 18-year-old Nobleton, Ontario native led all CHL defencemen in scoring with 96 points and 33 goals during the 2023-24 season. He capped off the year by winning the Memorial Cup as tournament champions. Parekh is one of only two CHL blueliners in the past 20 years to surpass 95 points in a single season. He becomes the highest-selected Saginaw Spirit player to ever be chosen in the NHL Draft.
OHL champion Sam Dickinson of the London Knights was the second OHL defenceman chosen, selected by the San Jose Sharks with the 11th overall pick. Dickinson’s selection extended the London Knights’ CHL record run of 56 straight years of a player chosen at the NHL Draft. Registering 18 goals, 52 assists and 70 points in 68 games played, the Toronto, Ont. native ranked fourth among all blueliners in scoring during regular season action.
The OHL finished the first round strong with six more selections, beginning with Jett Luchanko of the Guelph Storm. Selected 13th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers, Luchanko led all Storm point-getters with 74 (20-54-74) in 68 games played this season. The forward from London, Ont. has proven himself dependable, emerging as Guelph’s top prospect in this year’s NHL Draft.
A 6-foot-2, 206lb. powerhouse, Utah selected Cole Beaudoin 24th overall. The former 10th overall OHL Priority Selection choice by the Colts had a successful sophomore campaign, tallying 62 points (28-34-62) in 67 games played. His father, Eric Beaudoin is an OHL graduate who played in the NHL for the Florida Panthers from 2001-04.
The OHL selections continued as Windsor Spitfires captain Liam Greentree was selected by the Los Angeles Kings at 26th overall. Hailing from Oshawa, Ont., the left-winger finished his sophomore season with 90 points (36-54–90) over 64 games, leading all Spitfires in goal-scoring and assists.
The Chicago Blackhawks selected Marek Vanacker 27th overall, adding to the OHL’s success in the first round. Emerging as a key performer for the Brantford Bulldogs this season, Vanacker put up 82 points (36-46–82) in 68 regular season contests, leading all Bulldogs in scoring. He becomes the first player in Bulldogs history to be chosen in the opening round of the NHL Draft.
Ben Danford would be the second Oshawa General to be selected in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft behind Beckett Sennecke, being chosen 31st overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs. Crowned an Eastern Conference champion, the 6-foot-2 hard-hitting blueliner registered 10 points (4-6-10) in 21 playoff games for the Generals.
With the final selection of the First Round, the Edmonton Oilers selected London Knights forward Sam O’Reilly 32nd overall. The second Knights player to be selected in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft, O’Reilly helped guide London to an OHL Championship, tallying 12 points in 16 playoff contests. In addition, the Toronto, Ont. native had an outstanding rookie year, recording 56 points in 68 regular season contests to be named to the OHL’s second all-rookie team.
Friday’s nine first-round picks are the most by the Ontario Hockey League in the first round of the NHL Draft since nine were selected in 2016.
The 2024 NHL Draft continues on Thursday with Rounds 2-7 commencing at 11:00am ET. Follow the OHL on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, as well as at ontariohockeyleague.com for further coverage.
OHL Players Selected in the First Round of the 2024 NHL Draft:3. Beckett Sennecke (Oshawa Generals) – Anaheim Ducks9. Zayne Parekh (Saginaw Spirit) – Calgary Flames11. Sam Dickinson (London Knights) – San Jose Sharks13. Jett Luchanko (Guelph Storm) – Philadelphia Flyers24. Cole Beaudoin (Barrie Colts) – Utah Hockey Club26. Liam Greentree (Windsor Spitfires) – Los Angeles Kings27. Marek Vanacker (Brantford Bulldogs) – Chicago Blackhawks31. Ben Danford (Oshawa Generals) – Toronto Maple Leafs32. Sam O’Reilly (London Knights) – Edmonton Oilers
For more information on the 2024 NHL Draft including full results, visit nhl.com.
