NHL Draft

Top College Draft Picks No. 1 Overall Erik Johnson, Minnesota (2006) Rick DiPietro, Boston University (2000) Joe Murphy, Michigan State (1986) No. 2 Overall James van Riemsdyk, New Hampshire (2007) Dany Heatley, Wisconsin (2000) Craig Simpson, Michigan State (1985) No. 3 Overall Kyle Turris, Wisconsin (2007) Jonathan Toews, North Dakota (2006) Jack Johnson, Michigan (2005) No. 4 Overall Paul Kariya, Maine (1993) No. 5 Overall Phil Kessel, Minnesota (2006) Blake Wheeler, Minnesota (2004) Thomas Vanek, Minnesota (2003) Ryan Whitney, Boston University (2002) Aaron Ward, Michigan (1991) Bill Guerin, Boston College (1989)

The NHL Draft annually highlights some of the best young college players and incoming freshmen. More than 60 college or college-bound players have been selected each year of the draft since the 2004-05 NHL lockout.

202 NHL Draft Picks Are Playing College Hockey

In those seven years since the lockout, 30% of all first- and second-round draft picks have been college players, including top-five picks such as Jonathan Toews, Phil Kessel, Erik Johnson and James van Riemsdyk.

Sixty-one current and future college players were selected in the 2011 NHL Draft in St. Paul, Minn. Twenty-seven of the 30 NHL teams took at least one college player in the draft. Twenty-four colleges were represented among the selections, with three players yet to decide on a school.

This past year's Central Scouting final rankings featured 94 players from college or leagues like the USHL, BCHL and USA Hockey National Team Development Program that produce college-bound players (see rankings for skaters and goalies).