Five Local Players Selected in OHL Priority Selection

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard

NORTH DURHAM/KAWARTHA LAKES: A handful of young hockey players, from North Durham and Kawartha Lakes, took a major step toward their junior hockey dreams, over the weekend, as the Ontario Hockey League held its 2026 Priority Selection, in Kingston.

While no local players were selected, during Friday night's opening round, several area standouts heard their names called, throughout rounds two through 15. This highlighted the strength of local hockey development programs, particularly the Central Ontario Wolves U16 AAA organization.

The first local player off the board was Uxbridge's Kyler Lauder, who was selected 24th overall, by the Saginaw Spirit, with the fourth pick of the second round.

Mr. Lauder, a 5-foot-9.75, 156-pound centre, enjoyed a dominant season, with the Central Ontario Wolves U16 AAA team, recording 35 goals and 34 assists, for 69 points, in just 32 games, while serving as an alternate captain. He was named the OMHA East Player of the Year and added another 16 points in eight playoff games.

“Kyler is a complete player,” said, Saginaw Head Scout, Greg Hammell. “You look at the skating ability, the skill, the motor, we were really happy with the pick. He was a player we didn’t think would be available for us, at pick 24, so we were ecstatic when we could draft him.

“He’ll play up your lineup, contribute on both sides of the puck, and has shown he can produce consistently.””

Just seven selections later, Mr. Lauder's Wolves teammate, Finn Ellery of Bobcaygeon, was selected 31st overall, by the Brantford Bulldogs.

The six-foot-three, 175-pound centre put together an impressive campaign, scoring 20 goals and adding 25 assists, in 31 games. Known for his physical presence and two-way play, Mr. Ellery also accumulated 79 penalty minutes, while establishing himself as one of the league's most difficult forwards to play against.

Little Britain's, Mason Quinn was the next local player selected, going 59th overall, to the Peterborough Petes, in the third round.

The right winger, who stands just under six feet tall, began his minor hockey career in Mariposa, before moving into the Central Ontario Wolves system. Last season, Quinn played with the prestigious Toronto Marlboros organization, in the Greater Toronto Hockey League.

The Petes returned to the area talent pool later in the draft, selecting Port Perry's Ty Civello with the 154th overall pick. The six-foot left winger spent the 2025-26 season skating with the Don Mills Flyers U16 AAA program, in the GTHL, and now joins one of the province's most storied franchises.

Following the draft, Peterborough Petes General Manager and Vice President of Operations, Michael Oke praised the organization's draft class.

“We’re very pleased with the players who we selected, on Friday and Saturday,” said Mr. Oke. “Throughout the past season, these players demonstrated the skill, character, and competitiveness needed to earn an opportunity with the Petes.

“We’re excited to welcome them to Development Camp and see them take the next step on the ice.”

Nestleton defenceman, Ethan Davidson rounded out the local selections, when he was chosen by the North Bay Battalion, with the 192nd overall pick in the 10th round.

The six-foot-one, 189-pound blueliner came through the North Durham minor hockey system, before graduating to the Central Ontario Wolves AAA program. Mr. Davidson recorded four goals and 16 assists, for 20 points in 33 games, last season, while earning a reputation as a reliable, right-shot defender.

North Bay Battalion president and director of hockey operations, Adam Dennis was pleased with the organization's overall draft performance.

“As far as the Priority Selection goes for the Battalion, we walked away feeling very pleased about how the two days turned out,” said Mr. Dennis. “We knew coming in it was a deep draft, and we were able to fill a lot of our needs, while adding some top-end players at each of their individual positions.

“We look forward to building relationships with each one of them and taking part in their development.”

With five local players selected and several coming from the same Central Ontario Wolves program, the weekend served as another reminder of the high level of hockey talent being developed across North Durham and Kawartha Lakes. For these young men, the selections mark the beginning of the next chapter in their hockey journeys, as they work toward earning future opportunities in the Ontario Hockey League.