London Knights Budweiser Gardens (Credit: Dan McCracken)
There are several London Knights players who are eligible to be drafted into the NHL tonight, and there are two Knights expected to go in the first couple rounds. As most Londoners know, the Knights continuously develop NHL quality players every single year. Some of the most well known Knights players who have been drafted into the NHL are Mitch Marner, Matthew Tkachuk, Evan Bouchard, John Tavares, Corey Perry, Patrick Kane, Brendan Shanahan, Bo Horvat, Max Domi, Robert Thomas, and Rick Nash. Some of the most recent selections include Easton Cowan, Denver Barkey, Oliver Bonk, Connor McMichael, and Luke Evangelista. Let’s look at which Knights players we should keep an eye on tonight, as well as a few other notable players.
Sam Dickinson – Defenceman
Dickinson is from Toronto, Ontario and was an integral part of the London Knights OHL Championship and Memorial Cup run. Dickinson had a solid rookie season in 2022-23, scoring 9 goals and 14 assists and helping the Knights make it to the OHL championship series. Dickinson took a big step during this past season as the Knights #1 defenceman and logging big minutes against the opposing team’s top players every game. He scored 18 goals and 52 assists and finished 2nd among OHL defenceman with a +56 during the regular season. Dickinson has been considered a top prospect by NHL scouts throughout the entire season and is ranked #7 on the draft board heading into tonight.
“Sam Dickinson has a command of the game. An assuredness in his play and a significant presence when he’s on the ice. You’re looking at smarts, you’re looking at skill… You’re looking at a top pair defenceman in the National Hockey League.” – Craig Button (hockey analyst for TSN and former NHL executive)
Sam O’Reilly – Center
O’Reilly is from Toronto, Ontario and played for the London Nationals of the GOJHL. He registered 63 points in just 35 games during the 2022-23 season. O’Reilly got the call up to the Knights and played every single game during the 2023-24 season, scoring 20 goals and 36 points. He was a versatile player for the Knights as he contributed 5 on 5, on the powerplay, and on the penalty kill. During the playoffs, Sam scored 5 goals and 7 assists in 16 games, as well as 4 points in 4 games during the Memorial Cup tournament. O’Reilly played in the CHL Top Prospects game in January and finished the season ranked 24th by NHL Central Scouting
“He was a second line center and key player on a team in the Memorial Cup. That’s a hard thing to do at 17 years old.” – Dale Hunter
William Nicholl – Center
Nicholl was born in Manotick, Ontario and played his first full season with the Knights this past year. He scored 6 goals and 14 assists during the regular season. He may not produce eye-popping numbers like some other players, but his physical style of play and ability to win puck battles in front of the net and along the boards could make him a quality depth player in the NHL.
Ruslan Gazizov – Right Wing
Gazizov was born in Russia and was drafted by the Knights during the CHL Import draft 12th overall in 2021. Gazizov is one of the more intriguing Knights prospects to keep an eye on going into the NHL draft. He is one of the older players in the draft at 20 years old and his goal scoring abilities have been improving every year. He scored 10 goals his first year with the Knights, 23 goals his second year, and this past season he was the Knights leading goal scorer with 36 goals with 10 coming on the powerplay. He was an important player during the OHL playoffs, scoring 7 goals and 7 assists in 15 games, and 2 goals and 3 assists during 4 Memorial Cup games. Gazizov would be an interesting late round draft pick for an NHL team to take a flyer on and try to continue his development over the next couple of seasons.
Jared Woolley – Defenceman
Woolley was one of the more underrated OHL defenceman this past season. He is a towering figure, standing at 6’4 weighing 207lbs which made him one of the biggest players in the OHL. Woolley was born in Port Hope, Ontario and played 37 games for the Knights this season, scoring 3 goals and 2 assists. Jared is a menacing figure for opposing players coming across the blue line as Woolley is known for making devastating open ice hits and is someone you don’t want to battle with in front of the Knights net.
Other notable players to watch in the NHL draft:
Macklin Celebrini – Center
Canadians might remember Celebrini from the most recent World Junior tournament. Celebrini dominated as a 17-year-old, leading team Canada in points with 4 goals and 4 assists in 5 games. Celebrini was born in Vancouver, BC and is the consensus 1st overall pick heading into the NHL draft. In 2022-23, he played for the Chicago Steel in the USHL and scored 46 goals and 40 assists in 50 games, and this past season he played for Boston College in the NCAA scoring 32 goals and 32 assists in 38 games. “He’s the obvious best player in this draft and he’s complete,” says Craig Button. Celebrini is a complete two-way player with elite speed and hands that can keep up with how fast he moves. He has quick puck skills that allow him to shake off defenders in tight spaces.
Tij Iginla – Left Wing
Almost every hockey fan may recognize this name, as Tij Iginla is the son of the former Calgary Flames Captain and Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla. Tij was born in Lake Country, BC and played for the Seattle Thunderbirds for his first two seasons in the WHL, and the Kelowna Rockets this past season. Tij finished 7th in WHL goal leaders with 47 on the season. He seems to be following in his father’s footsteps with his goal scoring ability and relentless work ethic on and off the ice. “I think Tij Iginla, he is a difference-maker like his father, he plays hard when it matters, the ‘on’ switch is always on,” says Craig Button. Tij will be another interesting player to keep an eye on, as some NHL scouts believe he might be picked as high as 5th overall, while other scouts think he might fall to later in the first round.
The NHL draft is tonight at 7pm. It is the first time that the draft will be hosted from the Sphere in Las Vegas.
