Overview
- The London Knights used their first pick of the 2026 OHL Priority Selection to choose defenceman Ryan Beaulieu 14th overall, a choice announced by GM Mark Hunter at the in-person draft.
- Beaulieu is the son of former Knight Josh Beaulieu, and both father and son expressed gratitude and excitement about Ryan following his father’s path to the same organization.
- Ryan comes to the OHL after a season with the U16 AAA London Jr. Knights, earning All OHL Cup team honours and helping his program reach the U16 tournament final four.
- He is a back-to-back Alliance champion who says he models his game after NHL defenceman Drew Doughty, signaling a puck-moving, two-way defensive style the Knights value.
- The pick ties into the Hunters’ long-running development strategy for London and means Beaulieu will enter the club’s player pathway where he will train, develop and compete within the Knights’ program.