Matthew Schaefer, Long Island-bound. (Photo: Bruce Bennett, Getty Images)

When the New York Islanders selected Erie Otters defenceman Matthew Schaefer with the first pick in the 2025 NHL Entry draft, he became the first OHL player taken first overall in a decade. The last player? Connor McDavid.  

Here are some of the OHL-related numbers from the draft (via the OHL):  

41 – Number of OHL players selected.  

56 – Consecutive draft years in which a member of the London Knights has been selected. 

23 – Consecutive years in which someone from the Ottawa 67’s has heard an NHL executive call their name to the podium.  

9 – Number of OHL players selected in the first round. (Matthew Schaefer, Michael Misa, Brady Martin, Porter Martone, Jake O’Brien, Jack Nesbitt, Kashawn Aitcheson, Cameron Reid, Henry Brzustewicz) 

4 – Number of OHL players selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs, which means they should totally each work out well.  

- In London, our Ryan Pyette explores the team’s history of draft success. You can read that story right here.  

- In Sudbury, our Ben Leeson looks at Brady Martin, the hard-working forward on his way to the Nashville Predators. You can read that story right here.  

- In Windsor, our Jim Parker focuses on Windsor Spitfires centre Jack Nesbitt, who went No. 12 overall to the Philadelphia Flyers. You can read that story right here.  

- In Brantford, our Brian Smiley reports forward Jake O’Brien became the highest draft pick in Brantford Bulldogs history. He went eighth overall to Seattle, and you can read the full story right here.  

- Speaking of history, our Mark Malone writes how forward Jacob Cloutier earned a piece of history as an alumnus of the Chatham Maroons. You can read the whole story right here.  

- Michael Misa was selected second overall, by the San Jose Sharks. The Saginaw Spirit star was asked about his plans for next season. "My thought process is I want to make San Jose next year," he told reporters. "That's where my head is at." You can read the whole story right here.  

- What does it feel like when your name is called? “You almost blank out at that moment but it’s pretty special to be selected by such a great organization," Brampton Steelheads captain Porter Martone told Mike Davies, at The Peterborough Examiner. You can read the full story right here.  

- The NHL has posted the full draft results right here.

How we look from the U.S. side of Niagara Falls. (Photo: Postmedia files)

In January, the mayor of Niagara Falls, N.Y., caught the attention of the OHL world when he told a reporter commissioner Bryan Crawford had suggested he could facilitate “the delivery of a conditional franchise” to the market if it could build a suitable arena.

That facility – projected to cost $200 million – is only in the proposal stage of development, but the mayor is still pushing for a team. In a recent news conference, Robert Restaino said the OHL commissioner said “there were two groups competing” for the rights to a team in his city.  

“Regarding potential ownership, it’s a little premature, but we do maintain an ongoing list of potential ownership groups who are interested in owning an OHL team, whether existing or an expansion team,” Crawford told the Niagara Gazette. “We have had conversations with some groups that have local ties in Niagara.” 

Throughout his first year on the job, Crawford was open about his desire to add expansion teams. He has made specific mention about the Greater Toronto Area, and was reportedly also close to adding more teams in the U.S.  

To read more about the explorations at the Falls, you can go right here.

New Leafs prospect Tyler Hopkins. (Photo: Matt Winkelmeyer, Getty Images)

There has been plenty of discussion this month about a player who wanted to escape from the glare of Toronto, where the spotlight on the Maple Leafs is searing and unrelenting. For Tyler Hopkins, though, it is best-case scenario.  

The 18-year-old Kingston Frontenacs centre was taken in the third round of the NHL Entry Draft over the weekend, going as pick No. 86 to the Leafs.  

“I had my eye on where Toronto’s pick was while I was waiting with my family,” Hopkins tells the Kingston Whig-Standard. “It still felt like an eternity waiting, but it was a dream come true when they called my name.” 

You can read the full story right here.  

(Photo: Bruce Bennett, Getty Images)

Who was the fourth overall pick in the NHL Entry Draft? 

We'll never know. 

Matthew Schaefer (No. 1, N.Y. Islanders), stands between Michael Misa (No. 2, San Jose Sharks) and Anton Frondell (No. 3, Chicago Blackhawks) under the lights at the NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles.

Forward Caleb Desnoyers went No. 4, to Utah. And there is no shame in going No. 4. 

You know who else went No. 4 in their draft? Sam Bennett, the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion and reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner as playoff MVP.