Svechnikov was selected first overall in the 2017 Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Import Draft by the Ontario Hockey League's (OHL) Barrie Colts. During his first season with the club, he recorded 40 goals and 32 assist for 72 points in 44 games. He was rewarded the Emms Family Award as rookie of the year. At the end of the season, he was the top-ranked North American skater by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau for the upcoming NHL Entry Draft.