Several NHL prospects taken in later rounds in recent drafts have found early-season success with their OHL teams. These include center Owen Griffin (5th round in 2025, 160th overall), whose 13 points (6G 7A) in 9 games with Oshawa have come without the help of Anaheim prospect Beckett Sennecke, who remains with the Ducks. Also, LA D-man prospect Jared Wooley of London (6th round in 2024, 164th overall) fits this bill. Wooley’s physical stature (6’5″, 207 pounds) and shutdown abilities have helped him fill the gap after Knight alumni Oliver Bonk & Sam Dickinson graduated to professional hockey.
Like Griffin, another 2025 5th rounder is Pittsburgh forward prospect Jordan Charron (154th overall) of Sault Ste. Marie, whose goal-per-game pace has landed him in the top 10 for OHL scoring. Sticking with the theme of scoring forwards, Toronto prospect Harry Nansi (5th round in 2025, 153rd overall) of Owen Sound was taken one spot ahead of Charron in this year’s draft, and sits just one point behind him (12 points on 4 goals & 8 assists) in the OHL scoring race.
Last but not least is Vancouver prospect and Niagara center Riley Patterson, whose strong two-way game and point per game start to the season (2 goals & 5 assists in 7 games) justify his receiving an entry-level deal prior to the start of the OHL campaign.