CHICAGO – Forty-nine Americans were selected in last weekend’s 2017 NHL Draft at United Center, home of the Chicago Blackhawks.
Six Americans were taken in Friday night’s opening round, with forward Casey Mittelstadt (Eden Prairie, Minn.) being the first U.S. player off the board when the Buffalo Sabres drafted him 8th overall. The Tampa Bay Lightning selected defenseman Callan Foote (Englewood, Colo.) with the 14th pick in the draft before forward Josh Norris (Oxford, Mich.) was drafted 19th overall by the San Jose Sharks. Forward Kailer Yamamoto (Spokane, Wash.) was picked by the Edmonton Oilers with the 22nd overall pick. A pair of Lakeville, Minnesota, natives, forward Ryan Poehling and goaltender Jake Oettinger, were taken back-to-back with the 25th and 26th picks by the Montreal Canadiens and Dallas Stars, respectively.
Four more Americans were taken in the second round, nine in the third, six in the fourth and fifth, eight in the sixth and 10 in the seventh round.
NOTES: USA Hockey’s junior ranks had another strong showing at this year’s NHL Entry Draft … In total, 48 players with USHL ties were selected, including a league record 40 that played in the USHL this past season. Of those 48 USHL players, 38 were Americans … Nineteen players who have played for USA Hockey’s National Team Development program were selected this weekend … Two Americans who have skated in the North American Hockey League were drafted … Four players who have previously played in a USA Hockey Tier III junior league were also selected … Of the 60 players drafted with college ties, 40 are Americans … Twelve players who skated in high school or prep school in 2016-17 were drafted … Overall, 15 players drafted this weekend have represented the U.S. in International Ice Hockey Federation world-championship play, including one at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship (gold), 11 at the 2017 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship (gold), four at the 2016 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship (bronze) and one at the 2015 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship (gold) … Eleven players have played on a U.S. Under-18 Select Team, eight players have played on a U.S. Under-17 Select Team and four players have played on a U.S. Junior Select Team … Twenty-five of the drafted players participated in last September’s All-American Prospects Game in Philadelphia … The players drafted represent 19 different states, including Alaska (2), California (3), Colorado (1), Connecticut (1), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Massachusetts (4), Michigan (5), Minnesota (18), Missouri (1), New Hampshire (1), New Jersey (2), New York (2), North Carolina (1), Ohio (1), Pennsylvania (1), Texas (1), Washington (1) and Wisconsin (2)…For a complete list of Americans drafted go to USAHockey.com.
