Since taking over as General Manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2010, Steve Yzerman has shown a fondness for drafting players out of the Ontario Hockey League – especially with his early picks. In the seven drafts under Yzerman, the Bolts have selected 16 OHLers, including 11 in the first three rounds of the draft. Not only are they selecting OHLers early, but they’re being successful while doing so.
2010 - 3rd round - Brock Beukeboom - Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
2011 – 1st round Vladislav Namestnikov - London Knights
2012 – 1st round Slater Koekkoek - Peterborough Petes
2012 – 2nd round Dylan Blujus - Brampton Battalion
2012 – 3rd round Tanner Richard - Guelph Storm
2014 – 1st round Anthony DeAngelo - Sarnia Sting
2015 - 2nd round - Mitchell Stephens - Saginaw Spirit
2015 – 2nd round - Matthew Spencer - Peterborough Petes
2015 – 3rd round - Anthony Cirelli - Oshawa Generals
2016 – 2nd round - Boris Katchouk - Sault Ste.