Toronto,
ON - The Ontario Hockey League
in association with the Erie
Otters Hockey Club
announced Friday that
15-year-old Connor McDavid of
the Toronto Marlboros will be
the first overall pick in the
2012 OHL Priority Selection,
presented by State Farm®.
The announcement
was made during the Otters’
Priority Selection Party held at
the Bayfront Convention Center
in Erie, PA.
Born
January 13, 1997, McDavid became
just the third player to be
granted “Exceptional Player”
status by Hockey Canada making
him eligible for the OHL
Priority Selection as a
15-year-old following in the
footsteps of 2005 first overall
pick John Tavares, and 2011
first overall pick Aaron Ekblad.
McDavid is also the second
player to be chosen first
overall by the Otters, joining
current Colorado Avalanche
forward Ryan O’Reilly who was
selected first overall in 2007.
“It’s unbelievable to be drafted
first overall,” McDavid said.
“It’s a dream come true. I am
very excited to be starting my
Ontario Hockey League career in
Erie.”
As a 15-year-old
with the minor midget Marlboros,
McDavid dominated the opposition
as he averaged over two points a
game. In 33 games during the
regular season, McDavid
collected 33 goals and 39
assists to earn GTHL Player of
the Year honours. McDavid also
led the 2012 OHL Cup Showcase
Tournament in scoring with 11
goals and eight assists for 19
points in seven games and was
the recipient of the Tim Adams
Memorial Trophy as tournament
MVP, recording the most points
in an OHL Cup since Sam Gagner’s
17 points in five games for the
Marlboros in 2005.
OHL Central
Scouting describes McDavid as
having “all the skill and tools
to be very exciting and dominate
at the next level. He controls
the puck as if it were on a
string and has the ability to
make everyone around him a
better player. He is also a
fierce competitor and does
whatever it takes to win a
game.”
“This is a proud
moment for the Erie Otters
organization and the city of
Erie to select Connor McDavid,”
Otters general manager Sherry
Bassin said. “He has such
exceptional ability and it’s a
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
for a franchise. The hockey
world thinks he’s exceptional
because of the ability he has
displayed. We know he’s
exceptional because of his
ability and high character. It
is a credit to his parents,
Brian and Kelly, that they have
raised a son with such
exceptional character.”
McDavid will also
be the 2012 recipient of the
Jack Ferguson Award. The "Fergie"
is presented annually to the
player selected first overall in
the Ontario Hockey League
Priority Selection. The award
recognizes the dedication and
contributions made by Jack
Ferguson during his 25 year
association with the Ontario
Hockey League, first as a scout
with the Ottawa 67's and
followed by his appointment as
head of the OHL's Central
Scouting Bureau in 1981 as its
Director of Central Scouting.
OHL Priority
Selection presented by State
Farm® Takes Place Saturday April
7, 2012, at 9:00 am at
www.ontariohockeyleague.com