Normalcy.
It has been terrific to see a return to it this year, as the best and brightest players in minor hockey have returned to their second homes — the rink. After missing all of the 2020-21 season due to the ongoing pandemic, players with aspirations of one day playing in the N.H.L. have returned to the ice, and with them parents, family, fans and scouts to the seats to watch. And to say that the 2021-22 minor hockey season to date as failed to disappoint would be a massive understatement. Games are being played with a renewed sense of purpose and passion, a reality which has made this campaign to date and incredibly exciting one to watch.
One other factor which has contributed to the excitement we have all witnessed on the ice this year is the immense quality of competition which we are fortunate to witness. This year’s draft class, those born in 2006 and eligible for the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, are as talented and unique as they are in position and region. There are a breadth of incredibly skilled players set to hear their names called in the 2022 OHL Draft, so much so that this — our initial ranking of the season — was woefully difficult to assemble. For example, the likes of Nathan Villeneuve, Michael Hage, Benjamin Cormier, Henry Mews and Malcolm Spence all stand atop this year’s crop… good luck determining which of those players is superior to the others!
Moreover, there are a handful of prospects who hold first-round talent who we have ranked outside of the top-20 for the time being. This class is simply that deeply skilled. With this all being said, jump into our first 2022 OHL Draft ranking of the 2021-22 season. Due to the depth of this year’s class, we’ve also included 25 honourable mentions. These 25 youngsters just missed cracking the top-50 overall, and should be watched closely in the weeks and months ahead as their respective games continue to develop.
Keep in mind that this ranking, coming relatively close to halfway point the season, is still a very early one. We expect this ranking to change dramatically and for new players to be added in the near future.
Have a happy and healthy holidays, everyone!
The Top-50 Prospects
| Rank: | Player: | Team: | Position: |
| 1 | Nathan Villeneuve | Navan Grads (HEO) | C |
| 2 | Michael Hage | Toronto Jr. Canadiens (GTHL) | C |
| 3 | Benjamin Cormier | Navan Grads (HEO) | C |
| 4 | Henry Mews | Toronto Jr. Canadiens (GTHL) | D |
| 5 | Malcolm Spence | Mississauga Senators (GTHL) | C |
| 6 | Jack Van Volsen | Toronto Jr. Canadiens (GTHL) | LW |
| 7 | Beckett Sennecke | Toronto Marlboros (GTHL) | C |
| 8 | Luca Testa | Niagara North Stars (SCTA) | W |
| 9 | Cole Beaudoin | Nepean Raiders (HEO) | C |
| 10 | Bode Stewart | Mississauga Senators (GTHL) | W |
| 11 | Liam Greentree | Markham Majors (GTHL) | C |
| 12 | Riley Patterson | Mississauga Senators (GTHL) | RW |
| 13 | Leo Serlin | Toronto Marlboros (GTHL) | F |
| 14 | Ethan Procyszyn | North Central Predators (ETA) | C |
| 15 | Caden Kelly | Mississauga Senators (GTHL) | RW |
| 16 | Justin Huynh | Mississauga Senators (GTHL) | D |
| 17 | Lucas Karmiris | Brantford 99ers (Alliance) | C |
| 18 | Parker Forlin | Niagara North Stars (SCTA) | F |
| 19 | Frankie Marrelli | Markham Waxers (ETA) | D |
| 20 | Marek Vanacker | Brantford 99ers (Alliance) | F |
| 21 | Nathan Aspinall | Markham Waxers (ETA) | F |
| 22 | Broden McConnell-Barker | London Jr. Knights (Alliance) | D |
| 23 | Andrew Vermeulen | Niagara North Stars (SCTA) | F |
| 24 | Jay Feldberg | Toronto Marlboros (GTHL) | F |
| 25 | Braedyn Rogers | Quinte Red Devils (ETA) | D |
| 26 | Jett Luchanko | London Jr. Knights (Alliance) | F |
| 27 | William Eggleton | Mississauga Senators (GTHL) | F |
| 28 | Philip Roberto | Mississauga Senators (GTHL) | D |
| 29 | Xavier Beauchamp | Pembroke Lumber Kings (HEO) | D |
| 30 | Gabriel Frasca | Mississauga Senators (GTHL) | F |
| 31 | Christopher Soares | Halton Hurricanes (SCTA) | F |
| 32 | Beckett Ewart | Quinte Red Devils (ETA) | F |
| 33 | Antonio Tersigni | Toronto Jr. Canadiens (GTHL) | F |
| 34 | Zayne Parekh | Markham Majors (GTHL) | D |
| 35 | Porter Martone | Toronto Jr. Canadiens (GTHL) | F |
| 36 | Sam O’Reilly | Vaughan Kings (GTHL) | F |
| 37 | Anthony Cristoforo | Toronto Jr. Canadiens (GTHL) | D |
| 38 | Caton Ryan | Carlton Place Canadians (HEO) | F |
| 39 | Kieron Walton | North York Rangers (GTHL) | C |
| 40 | Antonio Cerque | Markham Majors (GTHL) | W |
| 41 | Ethan MacDonald | Ajax-Pickering Raiders (ETA) | F |
| 42 | Jacob Therrien | Clarington Toros (ETA) | F |
| 43 | Jack Good | Markham Waxers (ETA) | F |
| 44 | Tate Vader | Huron-Perth Lakers (Alliance) | F |
| 45 | Danny Thomakos | Richmond Hill Coyotes (ETA) | F |
| 46 | Hudson Gill | Burlington Eagles (SCTA) | D |
| 47 | Roarke Gilmour | Kemptville 73’s (HEO) | D |
| 48 | Tyler O’Toole | Mississauga Rebels (GTHL) | D |
| 49 | Ryserson Leenders | Toronto Young Nationals (GTHL | G |
| 50 | Justin Bottineau | Toronto Marlboros (GTHL) | F |
25 Honourable Mentions
These 25 honourable mentions are listed in alphabetical order.
| Rank: | Player: | Team: | Position: |
| HM | Nate Brentnell | Richmond Hill Coyotes (ETA) | F |
| HM | Jacob Brunton | Nichols School (16U) | F |
| HM | Karsen Chartier | North York Rangers (GTHL) | G |
| HM | Jack Dean | Markham Majors (GTHL) | F |
| HM | Nolan Donnelly | Quinte Red Devils (ETA) | F |
| HM | Hayden Duncan | Lambton Jr. Sting (Alliance) | G |
| HM | Clark Dunford | Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs (SCTA) | RW |
| HM | Lucas Ellinas | North York Rangers (GTHL) | F |
| HM | Andrew Gaulton | Markham Majors (GTHL) | G |
| HM | Anthony Giacalone | Markham Majors (GTHL) | C |
| HM | Nate Gravelle | North Bay Trappers (GNML) | F |
| HM | Carson Hall | Markham Majors (GTHL) | F |
| HM | Owen King | Brantford 99ers (Alliance) | F |
| HM | Dean Letourneau | Renfrew Wolves (HEO) | F |
| HM | Evan Maillet | Mississauga Senators (GTHL) | G |
| HM | Ethan Morris | Sudbury Nickel Capitals (GNML) | F |
| HM | Vincent Ouellet | OHA U18 (HEO | G |
| HM | Logan Sawyer | Vaughan Kings (GTHL) | F |
| HM | Nathan Schaap | North Central Predators (ETA) | D |
| HM | Aidan Scheerer | Guelph Jr. Gryphons (SCTA) | G |
| HM | Landon Simec | Barrie Colts (ETA) | G |
| HM | Justin Tavares | Vaughan Kings (GTHL) | F |
| HM | Ethan Toms | Quinte Red Devils (ETA) | F |
| HM | Luke Tuin | Niagara North Stars (SCTA) | D |
| HM | Masen Wray | North Bay Trappers (GNML) | F |
Prospect Pipeline 