For many hockey families coming to Kingston this June, the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection is the next stop on a journey that has been marked by early mornings, long road trips and weekend tournaments. But this time they won’t be slogging it to another game or training camp. They will be watching their child step onto a stage, and take one step closer to their dream, as they are drafted into the OHL.
Quick guide to OHL Draft weekend in downtown Kingston:
Make life easier with a downtown hotel room so you can walk to Slush Puppie Place, just steps away many of Kingston’s best accommodations
Discover historic sites like the Kingston Penitentiary or take a boat tour through the Thousand Islands
Celebrate with the whole family with shared plates at Tango, or classic farm-to-table offerings at the Everly.
Calm your nerves with a spa day at the Belvedere Hotel Bathhouse.
Go to the Visitor Information Center (209 Ontario Street) for Tragically Hip and Kingston merchandise
The return of in-person draft
On June 12 and 13, the OHL comes to Slush Puppie Place in Kingston to select their next wave of players. The OHL is considered a Major Junior A league, meaning it is the top tier development league just below professional hockey. Current NHL superstars like Connor McDavid, Mitch Marner and Nick Suzuki, to name only a few, were developed in the OHL. For the next generation of young athletes, age 16 – 20-year-olds, “the O” represents the clearest path to the pros.
This year’s draft returns to an in-person format for the first time since 2000. For context, the fourth overall pick that year was superstar Rick Nash, who retired from the NHL in 2019. Moving away from screen-based experiences, the event in Kingston will bring the league, families, players and friends together for a celebration, sure to be full of emotion, photos and memories. With fans and activations around Slush Puppie Place, it will be a moment these families will never forget.
On Friday, June 12, there will be a street celebration outside the arena with a fan fest and activations, followed by a media event, meet-and-greets, and finally the teams will call the first two rounds of selections to the stage. On Saturday, the draft continues as an additional 13 rounds of selections will be made. In total, 303 players will be drafted as their families watch with pride.
A hockey city that knows how to host
For many, this weekend will be a family reunion and a great chance to spend time together. The city of Kingston is the perfect location to enjoy that time and create some new memories.
Kingston’s hockey roots run deep — as far back as 1886 when the first organized hockey game in Ontario was played between Queen’s University and the Royal Military College on the frozen harbour in front of City Hall on Lake Ontario. That same location will be the backdrop to the draft as Slush Puppie Place sits only steps from the waterfront. The city’s walkable downtown means families can eat at great restaurants or cafés, see historic sites, and check out the OHL activations outside the arena, all within steps of their downtown hotel.
Your guide to a family getaway in Kingston
An extra night stay turns the weekend into a getaway. Here’s a quick guide for a great 2-day visit:
The Thousand Islands boat cruise picks up passengers at the downtown port and offers a relaxed and scenic voyage through the converging waterways.
Take a Trolley tour through historic Kingston.
Learn about Canada’s military history at Fort Henry.
Or take a tour of one of Canada’s most notorious correctional institutions at the Kingston Penitentiary.
Anticipation got you a little tense? Go for a spa day at the Belvedere Hotel Bathhouse.
Looking for more things to do? Read our monthly guide to the 25 best events and attractions in the city. Read more online.
Experience Kingston’s vibrant culinary scene
No matter what you’re craving, Kingston has some of the best restaurants within walking distance of downtown hotels:
Tango offers globally inspired tapas perfect for sharing with the whole family.
The Everly creates classic dishes made with exceptional local ingredients.
Enjoy AquaTerra’s waterfront view while indulging in community-sourced ingredients.
Still looking for food options? Check out Fresh Magazine which features the city’s best spots.
A weekend to remember
With many athletes and families arriving at the draft with hope and anticipation, Kingston offers a place that is known for both celebration and calmness. Down the road, when athletes look back on the day that their path took a new direction, Kingston will be in the background of all those memories. Not only the moment their name was called, but all the moments they spent with their loved ones.
