Wayne Gretzky, Connor McDavid Among Top NHL Players That Began In The OHL
Wayne Gretzky, Connor McDavid Among Top NHL Players That Began In The OHL
The OHL has stood as a powerhouse for young talent to find their way to the NHL, and some of the greatest of all time have shined because of it.
The Ontario Hockey League, or OHL, stands as one of the three major pipelines from junior Canadian hockey to the NHL. 41 OHL graduates inked their name with a professional team at the 2025 NHL Draft back in June, including first overall pick Matthew Schaefer from the Erie Otters.
- Subscribe to FloHockey to watch elite junior, college and pro hockey all season long
- FloHockey, Ontario Hockey League Announce Multiyear Partnership
- FloHockey's 2025 NHL Draft Coverage
One of the most prominent and current names to come out of the OHL is Connor McDavid, who was selected first by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2015 NHL Draft and currently resides as the team’s captain.
It’s fair to say the OHL has seen its share of stardom in the NHL, especially with the development of the league’s best players, four-time Stanley Cup champion Wayne Gretzky and three-timer Steve Yzerman, and there’s still plenty of young talent churning out.
This season, the OHL joins the QMJHL, USHL and many more leagues on FloHockey as the premier destination for watching hockey below the NHL. Subscribe today to watch live.
Here’s the top four NHL players to come out of the OHL.
1. Wayne Gretzky
Known as one of the greatest NHL players of all time, Wayne Gretzky needs no introduction to hockey fans. The league’s leading career point scorer and assist producer got his humble beginnings in the OHL with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds midway during the 1976-77 season.
During his first full season with the Greyhounds from 1977-78, he set a rookie record with 70 goals and 112 assists, earning him the Emms Family Award as Rookie of the Year. He additionally earned the William Hanley Trophy for most gentlemanly player.
Gretzky was so influential in the OHL that the league created the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award to recognize the OHL playoff MVP.
He went on to join the Edmonton Oilers and became the youngest player to score 50 goals in a single season in his rookie debut. Through his 21-season career in the NHL, Gretzky scored 100 points in 11 of them.
2. Steve Yzerman
Olympic gold medalist and simultaneous Stanley cup winner Steve Yzerman got his start with the Peterborough Petes of the OHL as a centre from 1981-83. Yzerman scored 63 goals and 92 assists through 114 games for the Petes, and although he didn’t earn any fancy awards during his time with the OHL, his impressive NHL career would make up for it.
Selected fourth overall by the Detroit Red Wings in 1983, Yzerman led the Wings to three Stanley Cup championships and five first-place regular season finishes. He earned the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1998, awarded to the most valuable player in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
He retired in 2006 as the team’s longest-serving captain and one of the league’s top scorers with 692 goals and a total of 1,755 points before moving onto management.
3. Connor McDavid
If anyone is giving the greats a run for their money in this day in age, it’s Connor McDavid. The Edmonton Oilers centre and captain had a brilliant kickstart to his professional career thanks to the OHL, where he was selected first by the Erie Otters in the 2012 draft.
McDavid won the Rookie of the Year award in his first season with the Otters after scoring 66 points through 63 games, following it up with an even better second season with 99 points in 56 games.
His breakout season with the Otters became his last from 2014-2015 when he recorded 120 points and received a handful of accolades, such as the Red Tilson Trophy, Wayne Gretzky 99 Award, and CHL Player of the Year.
McDavid was eventually selected first in the 2015 NHL Draft by the Edmonton Oilers, who he still resides with today. He helped the Oilers to a 2024 Stanley Cup Final appearance, and was named the Playoffs MVP.
4. Steven Stamkos
The NHL’s current leading goal-scorer, Steven Stamkos was highly successful in the OHL before hitting the big leagues in 2008 as the first overall NHL Draft pick. Stamkos played two seasons with the Sarnia Sting after being selected the first overall pick in 2006.
He made an immediate impact in his rookie season, scoring 42 goals and 50 assists for 92 points in 63 games. He was appropriately named the Emms Family Award recipient and the OHL’s Rookie of the Year. His second year saw even more production with 58 goals and 47 assists for 105 points through 61 games, and it was enough to secure his spot as a top contender in the 2008 NHL Draft.
Stamkos was originally taken by the Tampa Bay Lightning but recently made the switch to the Nashville Predators for the 2024-25 season. He has scored 582 goals and 1,190 total points throughout his career.
Other NHL Players That Started In The OHL
- John Tavares
- Jason Robertson
- Nick Suzuki
- Matthew Tkachuk
- Logan Couture
- Rob Schremp
- Austin Watson
- Danny Bois
NHL Prospect Coverage On FloHockey
The best, and most complete, coverage of the NHL minor league hockey and NHL Draft is found on FloHockey. Don't miss the latest new prospect guides, rankings and more from Chris Peters and the FloHockey staff.
Watch the AHL, ECHL, OHL, And More On FloHockey
FloHockey is the streaming home to some of the best hockey leagues in North America, including the OHL and more. Check out the broadcast schedule to watch more hockey.
Join The Hockey Conversation On FloHockey Social
- Follow us on Twitter @FloHockey
- Follow us on Instagram @flohockey
- Follow us on TikTok @flohockeytv
- Watch us on YouTube
- Like us on Facebook