NHL Entry Draft
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The NHL Entry Draft is the mechanism in the NHL for teams to select the rights to prospective players.
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History
The first NHL Amateur Draft was held on June 5, 1963 at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Quebec. Any amateur player that was 17 years of age and older and was not already sponsored by an NHL club was eligible to be drafted.
In 1969 the rules were changed so that any amateur player under the age of 20 was eligible to be drafted. 84 players (more than four times the average in each of the first six drafts) were selected that year.
In 1979, the name of the Draft was changed from "Amateur" to "Entry" to accommodate a rule change that allowed players who had previously played professionally to be drafted. This rule change was made to facilitate the absorption of players from the now defunct World Hockey Association.
Beginning in 1980 and continuing today, any player who is 18-20 years old is eligible to be drafted. In addition, any non-North American player over the age of 20 can be selected.
Also in 1980, the Entry Draft became a public event. Prior to this year the Entry Draft was conducted in Montreal hotels or League offices and was closed to the general public. The 1980 draft was held in the Montreal Forum and there were more than 2,500 fans in attendance.
In 1985 the first draft outside of Montreal was held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario in 1985. The event was attended by 7,000 fans.
Live television coverage of the Draft began in 1984 when the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation covered the event in both English and French for Canadian audiences. SportsChannel America began covering the even in the United States in 1989.
List of Drafts
- 2005 NHL Entry Draft - Corel Centre - Ottawa, Ontario
- 2004 NHL Entry Draft - RBC Center - Raleigh, North Carolina
- 2003 NHL Entry Draft - Gaylord Entertainment Center - Nashville, Tennessee
- 2002 NHL Entry Draft - Air Canada Centre - Toronto, Ontario
- 2001 NHL Entry Draft - National Car Rental Center - Sunrise, Florida
- 2000 NHL Entry Draft - Pengrowth Saddledome - Calgary, Alberta
- 1999 NHL Entry Draft - FleetCenter - Boston, Massachusetts
- 1998 NHL Entry Draft - Marine Midland Arena - Buffalo, New York
- 1997 NHL Entry Draft - Civic Arena - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- 1996 NHL Entry Draft - Kiel Center - St. Louis, Missouri
- 1995 NHL Entry Draft - Edmonton Coliseum - Edmonton, Alberta
- 1994 NHL Entry Draft - Hartford Civic Center - Hartford, Connecticut
- 1993 NHL Entry Draft - Colisee de Quebec - Quebec City, Quebec
- 1992 NHL Entry Draft - Montreal Forum - Montreal, Quebec
- 1991 NHL Entry Draft - Memorial Auditorium - Buffalo, New York
- 1990 NHL Entry Draft - B.C. Place, Vancouver, British Columbia
- 1989 NHL Entry Draft - Metropolitan Sports Center - Bloomington, Minnesota
- 1988 NHL Entry Draft - Montreal Forum - Montreal, Quebec
- 1987 NHL Entry Draft - Joe Louis Arena - Detroit, Michigan
- 1986 NHL Entry Draft - Montreal Forum - Montreal, Quebec
- 1985 NHL Entry Draft - Metro Toronto Convention Centre - Toronto, Ontario
- 1984 NHL Entry Draft - Montreal Forum - Montreal, Quebec
- 1983 NHL Entry Draft - Montreal Forum - Montreal, Quebec
- 1982 NHL Entry Draft - Montreal Forum - Montreal, Quebec
- 1981 NHL Entry Draft - Montreal Forum - Montreal, Quebec
- 1980 NHL Entry Draft - Montreal Forum - Montreal, Quebec
- 1979 NHL Entry Draft - Queen Elizabeth Hotel - Montreal, Quebec
- 1978 NHL Amateur Draft - Queen Elizabeth Hotel - Montreal, Quebec
- 1977 NHL Amateur Draft - Mount Royal Hotel - Montreal, Quebec
- 1976 NHL Amateur Draft - NHL Office - Montreal, Quebec
- 1975 NHL Amateur Draft - NHL Office - Montreal, Quebec
- 1974 NHL Amateur Draft - NHL Office - Montreal, Quebec
- 1973 NHL Amateur Draft - Mount Royal Hotel - Montreal, Quebec
- 1972 NHL Amateur Draft - Queen Elizabeth Hotel - Montreal, Quebec
- 1971 NHL Amateur Draft - Queen Elizabeth Hotel - Montreal, Quebec
- 1970 NHL Amateur Draft - Queen Elizabeth Hotel - Montreal, Quebec
- 1969 NHL Amateur Draft - Queen Elizabeth Hotel - Montreal, Quebec
- 1968 NHL Amateur Draft - Queen Elizabeth Hotel - Montreal, Quebec
- 1967 NHL Amateur Draft - Queen Elizabeth Hotel - Montreal, Quebec
- 1966 NHL Amateur Draft - Mount Royal Hotel - Montreal, Quebec
- 1965 NHL Amateur Draft - Queen Elizabeth Hotel - Montreal, Quebec
- 1964 NHL Amateur Draft - Queen Elizabeth Hotel - Montreal, Quebec
- 1963 NHL Amateur Draft - Queen Elizabeth Hotel - Montreal, Quebec
First Overall Selections
Below is a listing of all of the first overall selections.
- 2004-Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, LW, Dynamo Moscow, (Russia)
- 2003-Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh Penguins, G, Cape Breton (QMJHL)
- 2002-Rick Nash, Columbus Blue Jackets, LW, London (OHL)
- 2001-Ilya Kovalchuk, Atlanta Thrashers, C, Spartak (Russia)
- 2000-Rick DiPietro, New York Islanders, G, Boston University (NCAA)
- 1999-Patrik Stefan, Atlanta, C, Long Beach (IHL)
- 1998-Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay Lightning, C, Rimouski (QMJHL)
- 1997-Joe Thornton, Boston Bruins, C, Sault Ste Marie (OHL)
- 1996-Chris Phillips, Ottawa Senators, D, Prince Albert (WHL)
- 1995-Bryan Berard, Ottawa, D, Detroit (OHL)
- 1994-Ed Jovanovski, Florida Panthers, D, Windsor (OHL)
- 1993-Alexandre Daigle, Ottawa, C, Victoriaville (QMJHL)
- 1992-Roman Hamrlik, Tampa Bay, D, ZPS Zin (Czech)
- 1991-Eric Lindros, Quebec Nordiques, C, Oshawa (OHL)
- 1990-Owen Nolan, Quebec, RW, Cornwall (OHL)
- 1989-Mats Sundin, Quebec, RW, Nacka (Sweden)
- 1988-Mike Modano, Minnesota North Stars, C, Prince Albert (WHL)
- 1987-Pierre Turgeon, Buffalo Sabres, C, Granby (QMJHL)
- 1986-Joe Murphy, Detroit Red Wings, C, Michigan State
- 1985-Wendel Clark, Toronto Maple Leafs, LW-D, Saskatoon (WHL)
- 1984-Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh, C, Laval (QMJHL)
- 1983-Brian Lawton, Minnesota, C, Mount St Charles HS
- 1982-Gord Kluzak, Boston, D, Billings (WHL)
- 1981-Dale Hawerchuk, Winnipeg Jets, C, Cornwall (QMJHL)
- 1980-Doug Wickenheiser, Montreal Canadiens, C, Regina (WHL)
- 1979-Rob Ramage, Colorado Rockies, D, London (OHL)
- 1978-Bobby Smith, Minnesota, C, Ottawa (OHL)
- 1977-Dale McCourt, Detroit, C, St Catharines (OHL)
- 1976-Rick Green, Washington, D, London (OHL)
- 1975-Mel Bridgman, Philadelphia Flyers, C, Victoria (WHL)
- 1974-Greg Joly, Washington, D, Regina (WHL)
- 1973-Denis Potvin, NY Islanders, D, Ottawa (OHL)
- 1972-Bill Harris, NY Islanders, RW, Toronto (OHL)
- 1971-Guy Lafleur, Montreal, RW, Quebec (QMJHL)
- 1970-Gilbert Perreault, Buffalo, C, Montreal (OHL)
- 1969-Rejean Houle, Montreal, LW, Montreal (OHL)
Player Numbers By League Summary
Below is a chart showing where players have been drafted from by year. The leagues represented are the Ontario Hockey League, Western Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, United States Colleges, United States High Schools, International players. Those player listed under Other do not fit any of the other listed categories. International players who were playing for teams in North American leagues are listed in the chart as being drafted from their respective league rather than being listed at international.
| Year | OHL | WHL | QMJHL | US Colleges | USHS | Int'l | Other |
| 2003 | 44 | 41 | 38 | 23 | 10 | 93 | 43 |
| 2002 | 35 | 43 | 23 | 41 | 6 | 110 | 32 |
| 2001 | 41 | 45 | 26 | 24 | 8 | 119 | 26 |
| 2000 | 39 | 41 | 21 | 35 | 7 | 123 | 27 |
| 1999 | 52 | 40 | 20 | 36 | 9 | 94 | 21 |
| 1998 | 50 | 44 | 41 | 27 | 7 | 75 | 14 |
| 1997 | 52 | 63 | 19 | 26 | 4 | 63 | 19 |
| 1996 | 51 | 54 | 31 | 25 | 6 | 58 | 16 |
| 1995 | 54 | 55 | 35 | 5 | 2 | 69 | 14 |
| 1994 | 45 | 66 | 28 | 6 | 28 | 80 | 33 |
| 1993 | 60 | 44 | 23 | 17 | 33 | 78 | 31 |
| 1992 | 57 | 45 | 22 | 9 | 25 | 84 | 22 |
| 1991 | 43 | 40 | 25 | 43 | 37 | 55 | 21 |
| 1990 | 39 | 33 | 14 | 38 | 57 | 53 | 16 |
| 1989 | 39 | 44 | 16 | 48 | 47 | 38 | 20 |
| 1988 | 32 | 30 | 22 | 48 | 56 | 39 | 25 |
| 1987 | 32 | 36 | 17 | 40 | 69 | 38 | 20 |
| 1986 | 66 | 32 | 22 | 22 | 40 | 28 | 42 |
| 1985 | 59 | 47 | 15 | 20 | 48 | 31 | 31 |
| 1984 | 55 | 37 | 16 | 22 | 44 | 40 | 36 |
| 1983 | 57 | 41 | 24 | 14 | 35 | 34 | 37 |
| 1982 | 60 | 55 | 17 | 20 | 47 | 35 | 18 |
| 1981 | 59 | 37 | 28 | 21 | 17 | 32 | 17 |
| 1980 | 73 | 41 | 24 | 42 | 7 | 13 | 10 |
| 1979 | 48 | 37 | 19 | 15 | - | 6 | 1 |
| 1978 | 59 | 48 | 22 | 73 | - | 16 | 16 |
| 1977 | 42 | 44 | 40 | 49 | - | 5 | 5 |
| 1976 | 47 | 33 | 18 | 26 | - | 8 | 3 |
| 1975 | 55 | 57 | 28 | 59 | - | 6 | 12 |
| 1974 | 69 | 66 | 40 | 41 | - | 6 | 25 |
| 1973 | 56 | 49 | 24 | 25 | - | - | 14 |
| 1972 | 46 | 44 | 30 | 21 | - | - | 11 |
| 1971 | 41 | 28 | 13 | 22 | - | - | 13 |
| 1970 | 51 | 22 | 13 | 16 | - | - | 13 |
| 1969 | 36 | 20 | 11 | 7 | - | 1 | 9 |
| Total | 1744 | 1503 | 825 | 1006 | 649 | 1530 | 713 |
| Total Players Drafted (1969-2003): | 7,970 | ||||||
Player Numbers By Team
This is a ranking of the minor teams who have provided the most players to the NHL as of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.
Rk - Team - Plays
- Peterborough Petes, OHL - 153
- Oshawa Generals, OHL - 141
- Kitchener Rangers, OHL - 130
- London Knights, OHL - 128
- Ottawa 67's, OHL - 126
- Regina Pats, WHL - 103
- Sudbury Wolves, OHL - 101
- Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, OHL - 100
- Portland Winter Hawks, WHL - 98
- Kamloops Blazers, WHL - 97
- Saskatoon Blades, WHL - 97
- Toronto Marlboros, OHL - 97 (defunct)
- Medicine Hat Tigers, WHL - 96
- Brandon Wheat Kings, WHL - 94
- Kingston Frontenacs, OHL - 91
- Seattle Thunderbirds, WHL - 85
- Lethbridge Hurricanes, WHL - 83
- Prince Albert Raiders, WHL - 74
- Niagara Falls Thunder, OHL - 72 (defunct)
- Victoria Cougars, WHL - 70 (defunct)
- Windsor Spitfires, OHL - 69
- Shawinigan Cataractes, QMJHL - 69
- Gatineau Olympiques, QMJHL - 66
- Calgary Wranglers, WHL - 66 (defunct)
- University of Minnesota, NCAA - 65
- Sherbrooke Castors, QMJHL - 63 (defunct)
- Guelph Storm, OHL - 62
- Hamilton Steelhawks, OHL - 62 (defunct)
- New Westminster Bruins, WHL - 62 (defunct)
- University of Michigan, NCAA - 60
- CSKA Moscow, Russia - 56
- North Bay Centennials, OHL - 56 (defunct)
- Laval Titan, QMJHL - 54 (defunct)
- Swift Current Broncos - 53
- Belleville Bulls, OHL - 53
- St. Catharines Fincups, OHA - 52 (defunct)
- Moose Jaw Warriors, WHL - 51
- Spokane Chiefs, WHL - 51
- Drummondville Voltigeurs, QMJHL - 49
- Boston University, NCAA - 49
- Chicoutimi Saguenéens, QMJHL - 47
- Quebec Remparts, QMJHL - 47 (defunct)
- Trois-Rivières Draveurs, QMJHL - 47 (defunct)
- Michigan Tech, NCAA - 46
- Plymouth Whalers, OHL - 45
- Michigan State, NCAA - 45
- Tri-City Americans, WHL - 45
- Cornwall Royals, QMJHL - 45 (defunct)
- Dynamo Moscow, Russia - 44
- University of Wisconsin, NCAA - 41
- University of Denver, NCAA - 40
- Flin Flon Bombers, WCHL - 39 (defunct)
- Red Deer Rebels, WHL - 38
- Edmonton Oil Kings, WHL - 38 (defunct)
- University of North Dakota, NCAA - 37
- Cornwall Royals, OHL - 37 (defunct)
- Boston College, NCAA - 34
- Providence College, NCAA - 34
- Djurgårdens IF, Sweden - 34
- MODO Hockey, Sweden - 34
- Winnipeg Warriors, WHL - 34 (defunct)
- TPS Turku, Finland - 33
- Jokerit, Finland - 33
- Harvard University, NCAA - 33
- HIFK Helsinki, Finland - 32
- Färjestads BK, Sweden - 32
- Clarkson University, NCAA - 32
- Montreal Jr. Canadiens, QMJHL - 32 (defunct)
- University of Colorado, NCAA - 31
- Cornell University, NCAA - 31
- HC Chemopetrol, Czech Extraliga - 31
- Victoriaville Tigres, QMJHL - 30
- University of New Hampshire, NCAA - 30
- Granby Prédateurs, QMJHL - 30 (defunct)
Note: Totals for Canadian Hockey League teams include all teams from that city, regardless of franchise moves except for Toronto, Quebec City, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouverde:Entry draft