Originally posted Oct 7,2020.
The festivities at the Bell Centre in Montreal came to an end late Wednesday afternoon.
Well actually, the virtual version came to and end, cementing the 2020 National Hockey League Draft as perhaps the most unique edition ever.
Delayed due to COVID-19 concerns and protocols, the event was originally set for June in Montreal.
Following a modified draft lottery process and the bubble-wrapped version of the Stanley Cup playoffs, draft day finally arrived for a most patient crop of youngsters and their families.
Match Game
The total of 28 players selected matches the 28 chosen last season. The seven players chosen in the first round is also the same as 2019.
In 2006, only 24 WHL players were chosen. The lowest total since then is 20 at the 2018 NHL Draft.
NHL teams have combined to choose an average of 31 WHL players over the course of the last 15 NHL Drafts.
Three’s A Crowd?
While these current day adventures made the 2020 NHL Draft rather unique, it also marked the third time in the past six years a team had three first-round picks. In fact, this time around, two teams had three first round picks.
The Ottawa Senators chose in the #3, #5 and #28 spots, selecting one WHL player.
The New Jersey Devils chose in the #7, #18 and #20 spots and did not choose a WHLer.
In 2017, the Vegas Golden Knights had three picks, compiled in a somewhat unique fashion as part of the NHL’s expansion to 31 teams. Cody Glass (#8 overall) remains with the Golden Knights, while Nick Suzuki (#13) and Erik Brannstrom (#15) are both in playing in the NHL, with Montreal and Ottawa respectively.
In 2015, the Boston Bruins had consecutive picks; #13, #14 and #15. In order, the Bruins went cross-country choosing Jakub Zaboril (QMJHL), Jake DeBrusk (WHL) and Zachary Senyshyn (OHL). The trio has combined to play 247 NHL games with DeBrusk accounting for 239 of those.
Here’s a quick look at the 2020 numbers.
Total WHL Players selected at NHL Draft
2020: 28 (1st Rd: 7)
Previous Drafts (2006-2019)
2019: 28. (1st Rd: 7)
2018: 20. (1st Rd: 2)
2017: 33. (1st Rd: 7)
2016: 34. (1st Rd: 4)
2015: 35. (1st Rd: 5)
2014: 37. (1st Rd: 9)
2013: 33. (1st Rd: 8)
2012: 32. (1st Rd: 6)
2011: 33. (1st Rd: 6)
2010: 33. (1st Rd: 5)
2009: 31. (1st Rd: 5)
2008: 37. (1st Rd: 9)
2007: 37. (1st Rd: 9)
2006: 24. (1st Rd: 4)
WHL Selections by Round (2020)
1: 7
2: 4
3: 3
4: 2
5: 5
6: 5
7: 2
WHL Selections by Position (2020)
2 – Goaltender
8 – Defense
9 – Centre
5 – Left Wing
4 – Right Wing
WHL Selections by Western Hockey League Team (2020)
4 – Brandon
3 – Everett, Portland
2 – Kamloops, Medicine Hat, Prince Albert, Seattle, Spokane
1 – Calgary, Edmonton, Kelowna, Lethbridge, Moose Jaw, Saskatoon, Vancouver, Winnipeg
0 – Victoria, Swift Current, Regina, Red Deer, Tri City, Prince George
WHL Selections by NHL Team (2020)
1 – Arizona, Calgary, Montreal, Nashville, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Winnipeg
2 – Carolina, Detroit, Florida, Minnesota, Ottawa, San Jose, Washington
3 – NY Rangers, Tampa Bay
0 – NY Islanders, Buffalo, Anaheim, Vancouver, Los Angeles, Vegas, Toronto, Edmonton, Dallas, New Jersey, Columbus, Boston, Chicago, Colorado
The Players:
Round 1
#13 – Seth Jarvis (C): Carolina; Portland Wintehawks
#16 – Kaiden Guhle (D): Montreal; Prince Albert Raiders
#19 – Braden Schneider (D): New York Rangers; Brandon Wheat Kings
#24 – Connor Zary (C): Calgary; Kamloops Blazers
#26 – Jake Neighbours (LW): St. Louis; Edmonton Oil Kings
#28 – Ridly Greig (C): Ottawa; Brandon
#31 – Ozzie Wiesblatt (RW): San Jose; Prince Albert
Round 2
#55 – Cross Hanas (LW): Detroit; Portland
#56 – Tristen Robins (RW): San Jose; Saskatoon Blades
#57 – Jack Finley (C): Tampa Bay; Spokane Chiefs
#62 – Gage Goncalves (C): Tampa Bay; Everett Silvertips
Round 3
#65 – Daemon Hunt (D): Minnesota Wild; Moose Jaw Warriors
#73 – Luke Prokop (D): Nashville Predators; Calgary Hitmen
#87 – Justin Sourdif (RW): Florida Panthers; Vancouver Giants
Round 4
#103 – Dylan Garand (G): NY Rangers; Kamloops
#108 – Lukas Svejkovsky (C) Pittsburgh Penguins; Medicine Hat Tigers
Round 5
#132 – Alex Cotton (D): Detroit; Lethbridge Hurricanes
#146 – Pavel Novak (RW): Minnesota; Kelowna Rockets
#147 – Jaydon Dureau (L): Tampa Bay; Portland
#148 – Bear Hughes (C): Washington Capitals; Spokane
#153 – Kasper Puutio (D): Florida; Everett
Round 6
#164 – Tyrel Bauer (D): Winnipeg Jets; Seattle Thunderbirds
#165 – Matthew Rempe (RW): NY Rangers; Seattle
#178 – Connor McClennon (R): Philadelphia Flyers; Winnipeg Ice
#179 – Garin Bjorklund (G): Washington; Medicine Hat
#181 – Cole Reinhardt (LW): Ottawa; Brandon
Round 7
#204 – Ben McCartney (LW): Arizona Coyotes; Brandon
#208 – Ronan Seeley (D): Carolina; Everett
