Four London Knights, Londoner selected in NHL Draft
![SAM DICKINSON DRAFTED Sam Dickinson, centre, poses after being selected by the San Jose Sharks during the first round of the NHL hockey draft Friday, June 28, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Associated Press)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2024/6/29/sam-dickinson-drafted-1-6946283-1719670987724.jpg)
It was a special night for a pair of London Knights, and one London-born player at the NHL Draft in Las Vegas, NV.
Sam Dickinson was the first player with local ties to hear his name called when the San Jose Sharks grabbed him with the 11th overall pick Friday night.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling to continue the legacy of the London Knights,” said Dickinson, a Toronto Native who spent the past two seasons in London.
That legacy includes having a player drafted in every NHL draft since 1969.
Dickinson praised the Knights organization, saying, “I have so much respect for them and how much they have given to me.”
He also felt having a number of teammates go through this process made it easier to get through draft night.
“To have so many guys that have gone through this before from last year to even the year before that I was on the team, so many guys that have gone in situations like myself and been in these spots,” said Dickinson, who joked he’s never been to the west coast of the United States before. “I'm so lucky to have them and to be able to lean upon them.”
Knights power forward Sam O’Reilly had to wait until the last pick of the first round to hear his name called. The Edmonton Oilers made a trade with the Anaheim Ducks to move into the 32nd pick, and grabbed O’Reilly, who had a breakout season in the OHL.
O’Reilly said he had a “feeling” when the Oilers made the trade, he’d be picked after some good conversations with the Oilers leading into the draft.
He also credited the Knights who moved him from right wing in Jr. B to centre this past year.
“They're big reason why I'm here and they do this for they've been doing this for years and years,” said O’Reilly.
“Dale and Mark [Hunters] and all our coaching staff, they know what they're doing and just [have to] take in all the advice that they gave you and kind of put it in your game and hopefully it goes from there.”
At pick number 13, the Philadelphia Flyers selected Jett Luchanko, a former London Jr. Knight who plays for the Guelph Storm.
“I wouldn’t want to be selected anywhere else,” said Luchanko, whose name was called by legendary ring announcer Michael Buffer. “Had my family beside me, and to have Michael Buffer do that, I’ll never forget that.”
Right before picking Luchanko, the Flyers traded the 12th pick to Minnesota for number 13, and a future third-round pick.
They knew they would still get their man.
“Jett was our guy we wanted,” said Daniel Briere, Flyers general manager. “We were very careful to not move too far back because we really wanted Jett.”
Another southwestern Ontario native went off the board late in the first round when Marek Vanacker of Delhi was picked 27th by the Chicago Blackhawks.
On day two of the draft, London Knights defenceman Jared Woolley of Port Hope, Ont. was selected in the sixth round, 164th overall by the LA Kings.
Finally, in the seventh round and 196th overall, London Knight William Nicholl is heading to the Edmonton Oilers.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.5346613.1719853464!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
If you qualify for this tax credit, you can expect a payment in your bank account this week
The next quarterly GST/HST tax credit payment is expected to go out this week, according to the Canada Revenue Agency.
U.S. Supreme Court rules Trump has immunity for official, not private acts
The U.S. Supreme Court found on Monday that Donald Trump cannot be prosecuted for any actions that were within his constitutional powers as president, but can for private acts, in a landmark ruling recognizing for the first time any form of presidential immunity from prosecution.
Woman faces charge of trying to smuggle turtles across Vermont lake to Canada by kayak
A woman from China has been arrested at a Vermont lake bordering Quebec for trying to smuggle 29 eastern box turtles, a protected species, into Canada by kayak, according to Border Patrol agents.
These ultraprocessed foods may shorten your life, study says
Eating higher levels of ultraprocessed food may shorten lifespans by more than 10 per cent, according to a new, unpublished study of over 500,000 people whom researchers followed for nearly three decades.
On July 1, 1916, a generation of Newfoundlanders died in one brief battle
Millions are celebrating Canada’s 157th birthday this year -- as they do every year -- with fireworks, food and family. In Newfoundland, it is a day of mourning for one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War.
You might live to be 100 years old. But will you be able to afford it?
Retirement has historically lasted about two decades, but for some Canadians it is now extending to twice that amount of time as more live well into their 90s and beyond. That's making some rethink their investments, savings, expenses and when to retire.
Canada Day festivities attract hundreds at ceremonies, parties across the country
The Maple Leaf is flying on lampposts, flagpoles and patios across the country as cities from coast to coast welcome thousands of revellers for Canada Day.
Scientists wary of bird flu pandemic 'unfolding in slow motion'
Scientists tracking the spread of bird flu are increasingly concerned that gaps in surveillance may keep them several steps behind a new pandemic, according to Reuters interviews with more than a dozen leading disease experts.
Eight 'tow truck-related' shootings in Toronto, no injuries reported: police
Toronto police are looking for a stolen vehicle in connection with at least eight separate shootings in the city over the weekend.