HAMMOND, FLETCHER, DION TAKEN BY OTTERS IN 2023 U18 DRAFT
Erie, Pennsylvania – Priority Selection Draft week would come to a close on Wednesday night, as the Erie Otters would participate in the 2023 Ontario Hockey League Under-18 Priority Selection Draft.
The final OHL-only Draft of the year, the Under 18 Priority Selection arrives days after the Priority Selection Draft, which saw the Otters select 16 new prospects aged 15 to 17 over 15 rounds. Much like the name implies, the U18 Draft – which started in 2017 – gives teams the opportunity to select any draft-eligible player under the age of 18 – giving players a second-chance at catching scouts’ eyes.
In the 2022-23 season, two players selected during U18 draft hit the ice for the Otters: goaltender Marshall Nicholls (#28 overall, 2020) and forward Bruce McDonald (#41 overall, 2022).
The seventh-annual U18 Draft would see the Otters come in with three picks, including the number one overall pick for the first time in team-history. Looking to build upon the success from the weekend’s Priority Selection Draft, Erie would pick 1st overall (first time in team-history), 22nd overall, and 42nd overall picks.
Round 1, 1st Overall – Brett Hammond:
The first-ever 1st overall pick for the Erie Otters in the U18 Draft, forward Brett Hammond played the 2022-23 season with the Nepean Raiders U18 AAA of Hockey Eastern Ontario Under 18.
In 37 regular season games played with the Raiders U18 program, Hammond was offensively productive – contributing 55 points (29G+26A). In seven post-season games, Hammond would add an additional five points (1G+4A). The 6’2″, 176 lbs. forward would also earn a call up to the Central Canada Hockey League’s Nepean Raiders where he would suit up in a game.
General Manager Dave Brown spoke highly of the 16-year-old first-overall pick upon his selection.
“Brett is a 200-foot player who plays a heavy game, a big Power Forward that creates offense through a north-south game.” said Brown, “We are thrilled to be adding a player like Brett and are excited to see him grow as a player.”
The big-bodied offensive forward will have a chance to earn his spot in Training Camp come the fall.
Round 2, 22nd Overall – Maverick Fletcher:
With the second pick of the second round of the U18 Priority Selection, the Erie Otters would select goaltender Maverick Fletcher of the Soo Greyhounds U18 AAA program of the Great North Midget Hockey League.
Comparable in size to the player selected prior to him, Fletcher joins the Otters’ prospect class as a 6’1″, 172 lbs. left-handed tender. Playing in 16 regular season games for the Greyhounds, the Sudbury native would post a 1.60 GAA enroute to an impressive four shutouts. He would add another four games to his season in the playoffs, with a 3.03 GAA. The 16-year-old’s play would earn him recognition as the league’s Goals Against Average leader for the 2022-23 season.
Fletcher would earn a junior call-up in the season, playing for the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Soo Thunderbirds. In his one game, Fletcher would post a terrific 1.93 GAA alongside a .926 SV% and a win.
Director of Hockey Operations Scott Grieve would commend Maverick Fletcher on a statistically solid season.
“Maverick is an athletic goaltender who posted great numbers with the Soo Greyhounds U18 AAA program.” said Grieve, “We are excited to be adding Maverick and continuing to build up our goaltending depth.”
With a mix of youth and experience in the goaltending room come the fall, Training Camp will be rife with competition for the opening night roster.
Round 3, 42nd Overall – Michael Dion:
With the final pick of the OHL U18 Priority Selection Draft, the Otters would add depth to their blueline in the selection of left-handed defenseman Michael Dion from the North York Rangers U18 AAA program out of the Greater Toronto Hockey League.
Suiting up in six games for the GTHL squad, Dion would contribute two assists for the club. Dion would earn a call-up to the Rangers’ Ontario Junior Hockey League club, where he would play seven regular season games and one post-season game. The Barrie, ON native measures in at 6’0″, 157 lbs., and ends Priority Selection Draft season for the Otters in the same position the team started in.
“Michael is a steady defender who takes great pride in his defensive game.” said Brown, “His attention to detail and continued development over this past season make him a very intriguing defender who we are thrilled to be adding to our organization.”
As the Otters look to create their defensive corps. for the 2023-24 season, the North York Rangers defenseman will have a chance at making the cut come Fall’s camp.
| RD | OV | Team | Player Name | Pos | Height | Weight | DOB | Last Team | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Erie | Brett Hammond | C | 6.02 | 175 | 09/08/2006 | Nepean Raiders U18 AAA | HEO Midget |
| 2 | 22 | Erie | Maverick Fletcher | G | 6.01 | 172 | 11/17/2006 | Soo Jr. Greyhounds U18 AAA | NOHA |
| 3 | 42 | Erie | Michael Dion | LD | 6.00 | 157 | 05/30/2006 | North York Rangers U18 AAA | GTHL |
The Erie Otters come into the 2023-24 season as an experienced, youth-lead team with open opportunity for players ready to make an impact – especially with head coach Stan Butler heading into his first full season for Erie. With the addition of these three players from the U18 Draft, Erie has selected 19 total players via Drafts this offseason.
With the results of the 2023 Under 18 Priority Selection Draft finalized, Erie has officially selected 21 players all-time in the U18 draft.
| Year | RD | OV | Team | Player Name | Pos | Height | Weight | DOB | Last Team | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 1 | Erie | Brett Hammond | LW | 6.02 | 176 | 09/08/2006 | Nepean Raiders U18 AAA | HEO Midget |
| 2022 | 1 | 2 | Erie | Vlad Visan | G | 6.02 | 225 | 10/02/2005 | Burlington Eagles U18 AAA | SCTA |
| 2019 | 1 | 3 | Erie | Connor Olson | LD | 6.01 | 169 | 03/28/2002 | Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs MAAA | MHAO |
| 2018 | 1 | 4 | Erie | Daniel D’Amato | RW | 5.11.25 | 146 | 04/08/2001 | Vaughan Kings MAAA | GTHL |
| 2020 | 1 | 8 | Erie | Ethan Broderick | RD | 5.07.75 | 157 | 07/07/2003 | Guelph Gryphons MAAA | SCTA |
| 2021 | 1 | 16 | Erie | Anthony Piccininno | LW | 5.07 | 144 | 04/01/2004 | Don Mills Flyers U18 AAA | GTHL |
| 2017 | 1 | 20 | Erie | Matthew Giannini | RW | 5.07.5 | 144 | 08/25/2000 | Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs Midget AAA | SCTA |
| 2022 | 2 | 22 | Erie | Zachary Benayon | LW | 6.00 | 172 | 1/25/2005 | Toronto Red Wings U18 AAA | GTHL |
| 2023 | 2 | 22 | Erie | Maverick Fletcher | G | 6.01 | 172 | 11/17/2006 | Soo Greyhounds U18 AAA | GNML |
| 2019 | 1 | 23 | Erie | Bryce Walcarius | G | 6.01 | 150 | 03/01/2002 | Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs MAAA | MHAO |
| 2018 | 2 | 24 | Erie | Darius Vitug | RW | 5.08.5 | 174 | 04/01/2002 | Toronto Jr. Canadiens MAAA | GTHL |
| 2021 | 2 | 25 | Erie | MacGregor Armstrong | LD | 6.03 | 185 | 02/04/2003 | Niagara North Stars U18 AAA | SCTA |
| 2020 | 2 | 28 | Erie | Marshall Nicholls | G | 5.10.5 | 155 | 06/18/2003 | Waterloo Wolves MAAA | MHAO |
| 2017 | 2 | 40 | Erie | Anthony Carraretto | LW | 5.08.5 | 147 | 10/05/2000 | Toronto Nationals Midget AAA | GTHL |
| 2022 | 3 | 41 | Erie | Bruce McDonald | C | 6.00 | 172 | 12/18/2004 | Renfrew Wolves U18 AAA | HEO Midget |
| 2023 | 3 | 42 | Erie | Michael Dion | LD | 6.00 | 157 | 05/30/2006 | North York Rangers U18 AAA | GTHL |
| 2019 | 3 | 43 | Erie | Zachary Power | RW | 5.06.25 | 132 | 08/20/2002 | Rockland Nationals MAAA | HEO Midget |
| 2020 | 3 | 47 | Erie | Blake Yetman | RW | 5.09.25 | 128 | 10/02/2002 | Whitby Wildcats MAAA | ETA |
| 2017 | 3 | 60 | Erie | William Anderson | G | 6.01 | 186 | 04/01/2000 | Kemptville 73s Midget AAA | OEMHL |
| 2017 | 4 | 80 | Erie | Jayden Vaughan | LW | 5.10 | 152 | 06/01/2000 | Toronto Jr. Canadiens Midget AAA | GTHL |
| 2017 | 5 | 96 | Erie | Evan Miller | C | 5.06.75 | 127 | 03/07/2000 | Niagara North Stars Midget AAA | SCTA |
One final draft remains on the horizon for all member teams of the Canadian Hockey League; the CHL Import Draft later on this summer.
The Erie Otters are thrilled to welcome Brett, Maverick, and Michael to the Flagship City, and see what they can bring to Erie in the Fall at Training Camp.
Keep up with all three of the Otters picks and results on OttersHockey.com or across the Otters’ social media. For all results of the 2023 U18 Priority Selection, please head to OntarioHockeyLeague.com.
For the latest Otters news, visit OttersHockey.com, or follow the team on Facebook (Facebook.com/erieottershockey), Twitter (@ErieOtters), and Instagram (@ErieOtters).
For further information on the Erie Otters and for media inquiries, please contact Shawn Bednard at shawn.bednard@ottershockey.com.
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