The Ontario Hockey Federation announced on Friday that 15-year-old forward Shane Wright of the Minor Midget AAA Don Mills Flyers has been granted 'exceptional player' status to enter the Ontario Hockey League Draft a year early.
Wright becomes the fifth player to be granted 'exceptional player' status in the OHL, following John Tavares, Aaron Ekblad, Connor McDavid and Sean Day. Tavares, Ekblad, and McDavid were all chosen first overall in the OHL Priority Selection and ended up getting selected first overall in the NHL Draft.
"Having administered this process since 2005 with John Tavares, Aaron Ekblad, Connor McDavid and Sean Day, I am continuously amazed by the well-rounded nature of those granted exceptional status," said OHF Executive Director Phillip McKee in a statement.
"His constant success both in the classroom and on the ice has demonstrated that Shane Wright is well deserving to be among those who have been granted status in the past."
In a total of 72 games with Don Mills in the GTHL, Wright has tallied 66 goals and a 150 points. The 15-year-old forward also captained Team Ontario to a silver medal at the 2019 Canada Winter Games, putting up six goals and 12 points in six contests.
He could be the NHL's next superstar... We better keep an eye on this guy.
