Travis Konecny Chosen First in 2013 OHL Priority Selection

Travis Konecny OHL Draft

With the first pick in the 2013 OHL Priority Selection, the Ottawa 67’s added center Travis Konecny to their organization. The 16-year-old from Mt. Brydges, Ontario, has seen great success at the Midget AAA level playing for the Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs. In 54 games played in 2012-13, Konecny racked up 53 goals and 61 assists for 114 total points.

Being listed as just under 5′ 10″, and only 162 pounds, Konecny has his fair share of challenges ahead of him. Being part of the 67’s organization in the OHL will certainly help though. Off-season training to put on size and strength will be important, but we’re excited to see what he can do to help Ottawa throughout his time in the OHL.

Chosen second overall, by the Erie Otters, was Dylan Strome. A natural center, Strome has agreed to play on the wing next season with Erie in order to skate alongside 2012-13 OHL Rookie of the Year Connor McDavid.

Strome is also 16, but is a bigger player at 6′ 2″ and 170 pounds. As he continues to add sized in the OHL level, he may become a more dominant player, especially skating alongside McDavid. That one-two punch should be strong for Erie in the next couple seasons, and help them become a better team.

If the name Strome sounds familiar, its because his brother, Ryan, just recently finished up a four-season OHL career. The elder Strome has been dominant at the OHL level, and now plays for the the Bridgeport Sound Tigers as an Islanders prospect. With a bit of a larger frame, Dylan should quickly develop into a top player in the OHL.

Chosen third overall, by the Peterborough Petes, was defenseman Matthew Spencer. Spencer played Midget AAA hockey with the Oakville Rangers and posted 56 points in 71 games played. He’s a bigger defenseman, measuring in at 6′ 1″ and 192 pounds, but will still add additional muscle at the OHL level.

Spencer was considered a surprising choice by some at third overall. Many considered Sean Day, the Michigan native, to be the top defenseman in the selection. Sean Day, as you may recall, was the latest player to be granted exceptional status and allowed to enter the draft a year early.

But taken fourth overall, by the Mississauga Steelheads, was Sean Day. As a fifteen year old, Day skated for Compuware U16 and put up 11 goals and 24 assists for 35 points in 63 games. He also posted a plus 47 rating during his midget play this season with Compuware. Day was one of only two American players to be drafted in the first round.

The rest of the first round of the 2013 OHL Priority Selection rounded out as follows:

5. Kingston – Lawson Crouse – Left Wing
6. Niagara – Hayden McCool – Center
7. Sudbury – Kyle Capobianco – Left Defense
8. Saginaw – Mitchell Stephens – Center
9. Sarnia – Nikita Korostelev – Right Wing
10. North Bay – Brett McKenzie – Center
11. S.S. Marie – Blake Speers – Center
12. Guelph – Garrett McFadden – Left Defense
13. Kitchener – Mike Davies – Left Wing
14. Oshawa – Mitchell Vande Sompel – Left Defense
15. Barrie – Matthew Kreis – Center
16. Plymouth – Jordan Greenway – Left Wing
17. Owen Sound – Ethan Szypula – Center
18. Belleville – Justin Lemcke – Right Defense
19. London – Mitchell Marner – Center

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