GOJHL Alumni Prepare for the 2023 NHL Draft

Several former Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League players are on the verge of reaching the next level of their hockey dream. No less than seven alumni could be selected in the 2023 National Hockey League draft, and you can bet they will be on the edge of their seats as the event continues round by round. The event takes place in Nashville, Tennessee on June 28. The first round is Wednesday at 7 p.m. with rounds two through seven on Thursday, June 29 at 11 a.m.

Here is a list of the former GOJHL players hoping to hear their name called. They are all ranked on the NHL Central Scouting’s North American skater list:

  • Oliver Bonk (D), St. Thomas Stars (London Knights) – The defenceman suited up in 32 games for the Stars in 2021-22, earning 5 goals and 27 assists. Bonk is rated 20th.
  • Easton Cowan (C), Komoka Kings (London Knights) – Ranked 51st on the list, Cowan played 24 games with the Kings in the 2021-22 season picking up 11 goals and 34 points.
  • Connor MacPherson, Leamington Flyers – MacPherson led the Flyers to a Sutherland Cup this past season and it ranked 128th. He tallied 120 points over his two seasons.
  • Florian Xhekaj (LW), Pehlam Panthers (Hamilton Bulldogs) – He scored 17 goals and added 23 assists for the Panthers in the 2021-22 season. He is ranked 131st.
  • Ty Higgins (D), Stratford Warriors (Acadie-Bathurst) – Higgins left the Warriors part-way through the 2021-22 season but not before scoring 10 goals and adding 18 assists in 28 games. He now finds himself 147th on the North American skater list.
  • Jacob Julien (C), London Nationals (London Knights) – Julien played most of two seasons with the Nationals, compiling 84 points in just 58 games. He is ranked 161st.
  • Warren Clark (D), Chatham Maroons –  The defenceman spent one season in Chatham and is ranked 169th. He has committed to play in the NCAA at St. Cloud State this coming season.
  • Ryan MacPherson, Leamington Flyers – MacPherson joined his twin brother, Connor, on the Flyers the last two seasons earning 113 points in 97 regular season games. He is ranked 211th.

GOJHL Interim Commissioner, Tim Simmons, says these players are a testament to how the league and its teams develop talent. “We are thrilled to see these talented young men potentially move on to the highest level of hockey in the world. We wish them the best of luck at the draft and hope to hear their names called.”

The GOJHL will follow the draft and keep fans informed of how our former stars do.