Historic Day for Brampton Steelheads at NHL Draft: Five Players Selected

Brampton ON – The Brampton Steelheads experienced a momentous day at the 2024 NHL Draft in Las Vegas, with five players being selected on the second day of the event. This remarkable achievement included one forward, three defensemen, and a goaltender, marking the second-highest number of Steelheads players ever chosen in a single draft year. The only instance with more selections was in 2016 when six players were drafted.

Calgary Flames Select Luke Misa

The Calgary Flames used their 5th round, 150th overall pick to draft centreman Luke Misa. Misa, who led the Steelheads in scoring with 81 points (26 goals and a club record 55 assists), has accumulated 150 points (43 goals, 107 assists) over his OHL career. The Oakville native is the first Steelhead to be drafted by the Flames and joins former Steelheads forward Cole Schwindt in Calgary’s prospect pool.

Thank you Las Vegas! 🌐

An #NHLDraft-leading 39 #OHL players selected and memories that will last a lifetime ✨ pic.twitter.com/TRjZJg50cE

— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) June 30, 2024

Minnesota Wild Pick Stevie Leskovar

In the 6th round, the Minnesota Wild selected Stevie Leskovar, a 6’3” left-shot defenseman, with the 174th overall pick. Leskovar played 61 games for the Steelheads, recording 12 points (2 goals, 10 assists) and a +11 rating. Acquired from the Peterborough Petes in the 2022-23 season, Leskovar is the first Steelheads prospect to be drafted by the Wild.

Seattle Kraken Draft Jakob Fibigr

The Seattle Kraken chose Jakob Fibigr, a defenseman from Unicov, Czechia, with the 202nd overall pick in the 7th round. Fibigr notched 43 points (7 goals, 36 assists) in 61 games, with his 36 assists ranking third on the Steelheads for the 2023-24 season. The 17-year-old also represented Czechia at the U18 World Championship and has been invited to the U20 National Team’s training camp. Fibigr is the first Steelhead to be drafted by the Kraken.

Buffalo Sabres Select Ryerson Leenders

Goaltender Ryerson Leenders was picked by the Buffalo Sabres with the 219th overall pick in the 7th round. Leenders led the league in save percentage (.909), ranked seventh in GAA (3.12), and tied for fourth in shutouts (3) in the 2023-24 season. The Nanticoke native has represented Canada at the U17 and U18 levels, including winning a gold medal at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup. Leenders becomes the third goalie in franchise history to be drafted, joining Spencer Martin and Jacob Ingham. The Sabres have now selected three Steelheads players, including Leenders, Alexander Nylander, and Austin Osmanski.

Pittsburgh Penguins Pick Finn Harding

With the 223rd overall pick in the 7th round, the Pittsburgh Penguins selected defenseman Finn Harding. The 19-year-old Toronto native has played 131 OHL games, registering 44 points (12 goals, 32 assists) and setting a single-season franchise record with a +39 rating this past year. Harding is the first Steelheads player to be drafted by the Penguins.

This historic draft performance underscores the talent and development within the Brampton Steelheads organization, promising a bright future for the team and its players.