Monday, June 28, 2010
U.S. College Hockey Shows Off at the NHL Draft
US collegians had an impressive showing at the 2010 NHL Draft held in Los Angeles this weekend. Led by Jaden Schwartz (Colorado College and St. Louis Blues) and Derek Forbot (University of North Dakota and Los Angeles Kings), nine college or college-bound skaters graced the podium as NHL 1st round selections. After Schwartz and Forbot, NHL teams selected Nick Bjugstad (University of Minnesota and Florida Panthers), Beau Bennett (University of Denver and Pittsburgh Penguins), Riley Sheahan (University of Notre Dame and Detroit Red Wings), Jarred Tinordi (University of Notre Dame and Montreal Canadians), Kevin Hayes (Boston College and Chicago Blackhawks), Charlie Coyle (Boston University and San Jose Sharks) and Brock Nelson (University of North Dakota and New York Islanders) in the first round.
The second round paid high dividends as well with another seven college bound players selected. Justin Faulk (University of Minnesota ? Duluth and Carolina Hurricanes), Jonathan Merrill (University of Michigan and New Jersey Devils), Connor Brickley (University of Vermont and Florida Panthers), Mark Alt (University of Minnesota and Carolina Panthers), Stephen Holl (University of Minnesota and Chicago Blackhawks), Jason Zucker (University of Denver and Minnesota Wild) and Stephen Johns (University of Notre Dame and Chicago Blackhawks) will all be developing their games on college campuses before moving onto the NHL in the coming years.
In total, nearly one-third of the Draft was made up of NCAA players or those coming out of the feeder programs to the NCAA including: the USHL, EJHL, BCHL, CCHL, AJHL, and US High School /Prep School programs. Producing players like Jonathan Toews, Zach Parise, and Ryan Miller, every NHL General Manager cited the competitiveness, intensity and talent produced across the NCAA and the increasing number of NHL-ready players coming out of NCAA Division One programs.