David Levin has made history today, as the first Israel born and raised player to go in the OHL Draft. Not only that, the 15-year-old forward who developed his skills rollerblading in Israel, before coming to Ontario at the age of 12, was the first overall pick of the Sudbury Wolves and is expected to be the cornerstone of the team’s rebuild.
The following is a press release from the team.
Wolves Select David Levin #1 Overall
The Sudbury Wolves are pleased to announce that forward DAVID LEVIN is the first player selected in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection, sponsored by State Farm. Levin, 15, played for the Don Mills Flyers this past season and led the Flyers in scoring with 80 points in 55 games including 39 goals. The left-shot forward can play all forward positions, but excels the most on the right side. Levin now stands 5’11” and weighs 170 lbs. Levin is the winner of the OHL’s Jack Ferguson Award for being selected first-overall.
“The Sudbury Wolves organization is extremely proud to select David Levin” notes Wolves’ President and General Manager Blaine Smith. “David is an outstanding hockey player and is the dynamic forward that the Sudbury Wolves need to build a winning team around. David’s skills and offensive talent will be appreciated by his coaches, his teammates and hockey fans here in Sudbury.”
Levin was born and raised in Israel and moved to Canada at 12 years of age to live with relatives in the Toronto area. Levin has only played organized hockey in Canada for three years. His stick-handling skills were developed by playing in-line hockey in Israel at an early age. Levin has transferred his puck-handling skills to ice hockey with resounding success.
“David’s biggest asset is his ability to control the puck” notes his coach Lindsay Hofford. “David is as good with the puck as any young player that I have coached and that includes Mike Cammalleri, Corey Perry and Rick Nash. The other thing about David is his character. Here is a young man that came over here at 12 years of age, doesn’t speak the language and pursues a new sport. To be able to play the game at the level that he has achieved, in such a short period of time, is very impressive.”
Wolves’ Head Scout Andrew Shaw agrees. “David has improved in leaps and bounds in each of his three short years that he has been playing hockey here in Canada. If David’s development continues to improve at the same rate, his potential as an OHL player is off the charts. David was obviously born with a special gift and he has simply developed into an incredible hockey player.”
Levin’s birthdate is September 16th, 1999 which means that the skilled forward will not be eligible for the NHL draft until June of 2018. His birthdate will allow him to benefit from three full years of development with the Sudbury Wolves.
Here is the OHL Central Scouting’s report on David Levin (as featured on the OHL’s website):
“David is one of the most purely gifted offensive talents in this year’s draft. He has the ability to make an opposing player look very silly and he does it with such ease and what looks like lack of effort. Things come very easy for him especially considering he has only been playing hockey for three seasons. He is very hard to knock-off the puck as he has a strong core and low center of gravity. David is a very compact skater and has very good agility and quickness. He can change gears in mid-stride and is not afraid to challenge anyone at anytime. He is a smart player and never seems to put himself in a bad position; the puck follows him around the ice. He has a very good shot with a quick release. Overall David has the potential to be a great producer at the OHL level and the sky’s the limit for him as he continues to learn and develop as a player. OHL Comparable: Mitchell Marner (London Knights)
“I am extremely proud and excited to be drafted by the Sudbury Wolves” notes David Levin. “The Burgess family, team management and everyone involved with the organization have been so welcoming and supportive and I am truly grateful to become a member of the Sudbury Wolves. I know that the team is building for the future and I look forward to doing my very best to help the organization achieve their goal of winning a championship.”
Levin joins a number of highly-skilled forwards to be selected first-overall in the OHL Priority Selection since the Wolves selected John McFarland first-overall in 2008. McFarland was subsequently drafted by the NHL’s Florida Panthers in the 2nd round of the 2010 NHL Draft.
2014 – Jacob Chychrun Sarnia Sting
2013 – Travis Konecny Ottawa 67’s
2012 – Connor McDavid Erie Otters
2011 – Aaron EkbladBarrie Colts
2010 – Alexander Galchenyuk Sarnia Sting
2009 – Daniel CatenacciSoo Greyhounds
Wolves’ fans will get their first look at the newest Sudbury Wolves’ forward on April 25th and 26th when the Wolves host their annual Rookie Orientation Camp at the Countryside Arena. Scrimmage times TBA.
