The Toronto Maple Leafs selected London Knights forward Mitch Marner with the fourth overall pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Friday afternoon in Sunrise, Florida.

Marner becomes the first draft pick in what is set to be a new era in Maple Leafs history. Club President Brendan Shanahan went public in January, claiming the Leafs under-go a rebuilding process.

Now, the Leafs will look to build a core of young players for the future. Marner joins 2014-first round pick William Nylander and defenceman Morgan Rielly amongst the building blocks in the current Leafs side.

Prior to the draft, Marner already had connections with the Maple Leafs organization. Current co-interim general manager of the Leafs Mark Hunter knows the player from his days coaching the him in London and thinks highly of the 18-year-old.

“The one thing about him is his compete level,” Hunter, who ran the draft table for the Maple Leafs, explained. “I know what he’s all about, his character. But when you see his skill, his skating ability and his hockey sense, to me it’s exceptional.”

The young Canadian is an offensive force to be reckoned with after producing 44 goals and 126 points in 63 games played in the 2014-15 season for the Knights. Scouts and analysts alike believe he will be the best point producer after top picks Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel.

One thing Marner will already have on his side is new head coach Mike Babcock. Babcock has become renowned for his love of players that have great offensive skill after coaching the likes of Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk in Detroit for so many years.

What remains to be seen, however, is whether Marner will be a centre or a winger for the Leafs. He spent parts of the last year in both positions for the Knights, and will be a welcome addition as a versatile player.

The five-foot-11 and 160 pounds player believes he can crack the Leafs roster in his first try this fall, but understands he will need to prove himself first.

“That’s the goal for me,” said Marner. “And if I don’t, I’m coming back to a good (London Knights) organization. It’s all up to them.”