Female goalie Sophie Jovanovic makes history in OHL draft

The Brantford Bulldogs made OHL history by selecting Sophie Jovanovic, the first female ever, in the league's U18 draft.

The Brantford Bulldogs have made history with a big draft pick.

The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) team selected 17-year-old Sophie Jovanovic, a goalie from the Toronto Nationals U18 AAA team, as the 40th overall pick during the OHL U18 Priority Selection draft.

“Our U18 scout was really, really high on her. And when she was available at 40, we took her,” Mike Galati, the Bulldog’s director of hockey operations and scouting, said.

Jovanovic is the first female player to be chosen at the U18 draft and follows in the footsteps of Taya Currie, who was drafted by the Sarnia Sting in 2021.

However, if Jovanovic hits the ice for the Bulldogs next season, she will be the first female player to appear in an OHL game as Currie never made it to the ice.

“She’s got the same chance as everyone else. She’s been in contact with our goalie coach, Franky Palazzese, and they’ve had some great chats. I’m sure he’ll get a chance to work with her through the summer,” Galati said. “She’ll attend camp and have the same shot everyone else we draft in our system has, and we have spots available. So, she’s got a shot for sure.”

For Jovanovic, it’s a dream come true.

“Do what you want to do, dream big, and most importantly, just have fun,” she said, while reflecting on the big moment. “You’re at your best when you’re having fun. Enjoy every moment.”

The Bulldog’s assistant coach, an OHL trailblazer herself, delivered the news.

“I was so excited, I’m just so grateful for everyone that’s helped me get to where I am today,” Jovanovic said in an interview with CTV News on Tuesday. “My coaches, my teammates, my family. I remember getting the call from Laura Fortino, she’s the assistant coach of the Brantford Bulldogs, and I was so shocked I didn’t know how to feel. It was just such an honour to be able to share that moment with her.”

Jovanovic, who is originally from Toronto, will head to orientation camp in Brantford next week.

“We look forward to seeing her and meeting her at our orientation and watching her grow and get better and watching her compete for a spot for the Brantford Bulldogs,” Galati said.

The news of Jovanovic’s draft comes just days after the Bulldogs announced they had hired Michael Babock, son of former NHL coach Mike Babock, as the team’s new bench boss.

Hockey history

Jovanovic said she first started playing hockey on a small backyard rink with her brother, Matthew Jovanovic, who was also previously drafted to the OHL. He was chosen by the Saginaw Spirit in 2020.

“I started playing hockey because of my brother. He’s been such a role model for me, and I want to play hockey because of him. I want to be just like my brother,” she told CTV News.

From there, she found her place between the pipes.

“I just tried it for the first time, fell in love with it and knew that’s what I wanted to be. I wanted to be a goalie.”

Jovanovic previously played for the Toronto Marlboros U16 AAA team and posted a 10-1-3 record.

In all, she has been suiting up alongside the boys for approximately 12 years now, including her time with the Toronto Nationals last season.

“My teammates, all throughout the years have been so amazing, so supportive and I’m just so grateful,” she said.

Hopes are high for how she will perform in Brantford.

“She’s got an over .900 save percentage. She’s done well, and she plays for a real good coach who we’ve had success in the past drafting from. We liked that she played there. And her numbers are stellar,” Galati said.

Jovanovic has also committed to the University of Wisconsin.

“With the new landscape in the OHL and the NCAA, we’ve got kids coming in and out, and We’re used to that. So, she’ll have an opportunity to make our team. And when she’s ready to leave for college, she’ll go and she’ll be successful there as well,” Galati said.

She said, no matter what happens personally, she is excited to see how the role of women evolves in the game.

“I think it’s so exciting to know that your hockey career doesn’t have to be over because you’re done school. You can continue to play and continue growing as an athlete and as a person in the [Professional Women’s Hockey League] now. I think it’s an amazing thing for the growth of women’s hockey.”