Ottawa 67's take RW Andrew Laurin 18th, C Henri Packalen 26th, in OHL Priority Selection

Right winger Andrew Laurin was selected by the Ottawa 67's in the OHL Priority Selection draft. Photo by Ontario Hockey League

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The Ottawa 67’s put off addressing a position of need on Friday.

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They made right-winger Andrew Laurin their first pick in the OHL Priority Selection.

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Now, GM Jan Egert did say he would take “the best player available” when it came time for him to choose 18th overall in the opening round of the draft of 15- and 16-year-olds, which was held at Kingston’s Slush Puppie Place.

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And the 6-foot-1, 175-pound Belleville product could ultimately line up in the middle for the Barber Poles.

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But earlier in the week, centre Thomas Vandenberg confirmed he will honour a commitment to attend Providence College and play for the NCAA Division 1 Friars next season.

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His decision marks a significant loss for the 67’s.

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Vandenberg, a Nepean product, had 25 goals and 25 assists in 2025-26, his rookie season with the 67’s.

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He was also ranked 35th by the NHL’s Central Scouting department on the list of North American skaters eligible for this month’s Entry Draft.

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Laurin scored 26 goals and added 25 assists, along with 44 penalty minutes, in 34 games for the Quinte Red Devils U16 AAA’s last season.

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He also had three goals and two assists in four games at the OHL Cup Showcase.

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Laurin was ranked 19th overall on the OHL’s Consensus Ontario Top 100 list heading into the weekend.

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Six of the first seven players selected in the first round were centres, including the top three picks, with the Oshawa Generals taking Kane Cloutier first overall, the Erie Otters selecting Colin Kennedy second, Tanner Adams going third to the Brampton Steelheads, and defenceman Adrian Sgro going fourth to the Sarnia Sting.

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Logan Prud’homme, a 6-foot-7 centre from Nepean, was taken 10th by the Kingston Frontenacs.

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The 67’s did pick centre Henri Packalen, a 5-foot-10, 170-pounder from Kingston, with the 26th overall selection when the draft resumed Saturday morning.

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Packalen had 13 goals and 43 points with the Peterborough Petes U16 AAA team last season.

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