The 2026 OHL Priority Selection is officially in the books.
In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast, Eric and Andy break down the draft from every angle from the emotions families experience during draft weekend to the realities hidden beneath rankings, draft lists, and public opinions.
Using real draft data and examples from the 2026 class, they discuss what OHL teams actually value, how players separate themselves, and why the draft often tells a very different story than people expect.
The conversation also explores the role of politics in youth hockey, the impact of league affiliation, late bloomers, player projection, and what families should really take away from the results.
At its core, this episode comes down to one simple idea:
The draft is not the end of the story. It's simply another filter in a much longer journey.
Key Moments
0:00 – Opening thoughts on the OHL Draft and how it affects families
3:30 – Reflecting on the draft now that it's over
9:30 – How politics affects youth hockey and the draft process
13:00 – What does a "good player" actually mean?
15:00 – Understanding draft lists, rankings, and ratings
17:00 – A message for parents navigating draft season
22:00 – Who is actually creating these rankings?
23:40 – Garrett Sutton's selection in the 4th Round from BioSteel Sports Academy
29:30 – Finish every interview with this question
31:40 – The difference between getting better and understanding your role
35:00 – The subtle details that separate high-quality players
36:40 – What OHL teams are actually asking and evaluating
40:00 – Don't be vanilla as a player
47:30 – 2026 OHL Draft analysis by the numbers
48:00 – U.S. players selected in the draft
49:50 – Players drafted outside the 2010 birth year
50:30 – The role of late bloomers in player development
55:00 – Average height and weight of drafted players
55:30 – Draft breakdown by position
58:40 – Total eligible players
59:00 – Draft breakdown by league (GTHL, OMHA, HEO, NOHA, Prep, Alliance, etc.)
1:06:00 – Being honest when analyzing draft results
1:07:12 – The reality: you haven't seen every player
1:09:50 – Two ways to think about the draft process
1:13:00 – A reality check from the final draft results
1:15:00 – Don't get caught up in all the noise
Key Themes
Rankings and draft lists are opinions, not outcomes
OHL teams are projecting future players, not rewarding current production
The best players separate themselves in subtle ways
Politics exist, but they don't tell the whole story
Draft position doesn't define a player's future
Development is rarely linear
Families should focus on growth, not validation
The hockey journey continues long after draft day
Stay Connected
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The Built From Steel Podcast is a division of BioSteel Sports.
Learn more at www.biosteel.com
