Sophie Javanovic Becomes First Female Selected in OHL U18 Draft

Phil Osinski/Toronto Marlboros

History has been made once again this time in the OHL as the Brantford Bulldogs drafted the first female player in the U18 draft selecting goaltender Sophie Javanovic with the 40th overall pick. The Bulldogs previously played in Hamilton, now the home of PWHL Hamilton. This the second time a female goaltender has been drafted to the OHL with Taya Currie being drafted in the fourteenth round in 2021. Currie never played in an OHL game, presenting an exciting possibility for Sophie Javanovic to become the first female player to dress for an OHL team.

Javanovic is the currently the only female player in the GTHL playing for the Toronto Marlboros. Last season her U16 team was 10-1-3 where she found an incredible 1.71 goals against average. The Toronto native has committed to the University of Wisconsin, currently the top program in Division 1 Hockey after winning back-to-back National Titles. Javanovic is set to join the Badgers in 2027 and will mark a major transition for the young goalie as she moves from the men’s game to the women’s.