Like other years, the hope is that players selected in the Ontario Hockey League’s annual U18 draft would attend training camp and push for roster spots.
With the change in rules allowing players committed to NCAA teams to play in the Canadian Hockey League, Soo Greyhounds general manager Kyle Raftis said it could also change the look of the U18 draft in some ways as well.
“With the rule change, guys like this that had to make or break it at training camp, now maybe they start the year at the Jr. B or Jr. A level and see how it goes,” Raftis said. “Maybe they play some games and step in the next year. That’s what’s going to be interesting with some of this change. There was always that spot of, if you don’t make it at 17 or 18 then you better start looking at different avenues. The way things have trended with this rule change, guys where it’s best for their development are going to be able to get those reps somewhere else and get off to a great start.”
On Wednesday evening, the Greyhounds selected a pair of players in the annual draft, which permits teams to select two players — three if one of the players selected in the opening two rounds is a goaltender.
In the opening round, holding the seventh overall pick, the Greyhounds selected winger Finn Dineen from the Toronto Marlboros U18 AAA team.
Dineen had 14 goals and 24 points in 36 games with the Marlies.
“He’s one of those late developers,” Raftis said. “He’s got a big body and can skate. He’s got some good touch with the puck. When you’re looking at guys in this draft, those are the guys that can stand out in a lot of ways.”
“When you look at the package and how far he’s come in a short amount of time, those are the guys that are always going to stand out,” Raftis added.
The Greyhounds then used their second round pick to draft Gavin Killoran, a winger with the Soo Jr. Greyhounds U18 AAA team.
Killoran scored 18 times and had 50 points in 32 fames with the Jr. Greyhounds during the 2024-25 Great North U18 League season.
“He’s a smart player. He makes a lot of plays at the U18 level,” Raftis said. “He’s got good speed.”
Raftis added that the opportunity for Killoran to get into a pair of Jr. A games with the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Soo Thunderbirds was helpful for the young forward.
With the main draft as well as Wednesday’s U18 draft complete, the Greyhounds plan to host a development camp on the weekend of May 3 and 4 at the Northern Community Centre.