The Ontario Hockey League will hold its annual online draft today, but the top pick was unveiled ahead of time, as is tradition.
The North Bay Battalion announced Friday that they will select Toronto Junior Canadiens defenceman Ty Nelson as the first-overall pick in the OHL Priority Selection.
"We can't wait to show Ty around our city and introduce him to our fans, but we are fortunate to have him via video link," said Charles Abbott, director of scouting for the North Bay Battalion.
Abbott says Nelson has all the tools a team would want in a top selection.
"The way he skates, the way he shoots the puck, the way he processes the game — he can play in all situations but what kind of really attracted us what his X-factors; his leadership qualities and we really loved the way he played the game," said Abbott.
Nelson describes himself as a solid, two-way defender.
"I love playing in the offensive zone and can really strap down into the defensive zone when needed," he said. "I love to push and control the pace of the game, I love making a good outlet first passes and I love quarterbacking the power play and playing penalty kill."
The 2020 OHL Priority Selection gets underway today at 9 a.m. Live results can be found at ontariohockeyleague.com.
The Barrie Colts hold the ninth-overall pick, as well as a pair of third-rounders, including Nos. 48 and 55.
The Colts have held the first-overall pick in the OHL draft three times in franchise history, including Daniel Tkaczuk in 1995, Aaron Ekblad in 2011, and Ryan Suzuki in 2017.
— With files from Chris Dawson, BayToday
