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2007 NHL Entry Draft One to Remember for Americans
Kane, vanRiemsdyk Go 1-2; 62 American Players Selected Overall (This Press Release Courtesy USA Hockey Media Dept.)
JUNE 25, 2007 -- COLUMBUS, Ohio -– Hockey has come a long way in the United States and nowhere was that more evident than in Columbus, Ohio, at this past weekend’s National Hockey League Entry Draft.
A record 29.4 percent of the players drafted were American – 62 out of the 211 players chosen. For the first time, Americans were chosen with the top two picks in the NHL Entry Draft in Patrick Kane (Buffalo, N.Y./Chicago Blackhawks) and James vanRiemsdyk (Middletown, N.J./Philadelphia Flyers).
History was also made with Americans being taken with the top pick in the Draft in back-to-back years – Kane this year and defenseman Erik Johnson (Bloomington, Minn./St. Louis Blues) in 2006.
“It was a very exciting weekend,” said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey. “Our sport continues to make great strides because of the efforts of many, notably the thousands of volunteers across the country at the grassroots level.”
All total, players from 14 different states were drafted by NHL teams, including Jonathon Blum (Long Beach, Calif./Nashville Predators), the first-ever California native to be chosen in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft.
Said Jim Johannson, a two-time Olympian who is USA Hockey’s senior director of hockey operations, “It was a great weekend for USA Hockey and a testament to the fine programs and player development that goes on every day. Players being drafted from 14 different states is a tribute to the coaches and programs across the United States.”
“While only a very small percentage of players have the honor of being drafted, the increased number of American players chosen is truly a positive reflection of what’s going on at all levels of hockey in our country,” said Ron DeGregorio, president of USA Hockey. “We need to continue to work hard as we move forward, but we can feel awfully good about how far we’ve come.”
NOTES: A total of 10 Americans were selected in the first round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft – tying the record set in 2006 … A record 21 Americans were selected in the first two rounds of the Draft … The United States Hockey League had 26 current or former players selected in the Draft, while two players from the North American Hockey League were chosen … Sixteen players were selected who have skated with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program … Players from 14 different states were represented in the NHL Entry Draft, including California, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin.
Reactions From American First-Round Selections
Patrick Kane, 1st overall, Chicago Blackhawks – "It's an unbelievable feeling to go number one. The National Team Development Program has been doing a great job developing players. I'm glad that James (vanRiemsdyk) was selected so we could make history with the top two picks. It's great to see so many Americans making an impact."
James VanRiemsdyk, 2nd overall, Philadelphia Flyers – “I think this is probably one of the most special things I’ve ever been a part of, especially if you think of all the great American players that have been drafted. I think it speaks volumes to how far USA Hockey has come and the strides it has taken."
Ryan McDonagh, 12th overall, Montreal Canadiens – “I was a little shocked (to be chosen so high). I was ranked somewhat high by Central Scouting, so I really didn’t know what to think. You hear rumors every single day of where you’re going to go or where you might be, so when the Montreal Canadiens said my name it was a thrill and a relief.”
Kevin Shattenkirk, 14th overall, Colorado Avalanche – “I think that as a country we’re starting to do better and make a name for ourselves. The National Team Development Program is a great place to be. They do a great job of developing players, and it really shows.”
Ian Cole, 18th overall, St. Louis Blues – “I was trying to relax a little bit after they called my name. I didn’t want to get too hyped up about it. The Draft is great, but the development is what it’s about. A lot of the things that I’ve learned over the past two years at the National Team Development Program really clicked during the second half of the season.”
Max Pacioretty, 22nd overall, Montreal Canadiens – “It just seems like such a great draft for the American-born players. I’m happy to be a part of it. I knew that there were going to be a bunch of Americans in this draft, and it’s a great feeling to be involved in that.”
Jonathon Blum, 23rd overall, Nashville Predators – “It’s an exciting time for American-born players. Hopefully this will bring more people to the game, especially down in California. USA Hockey has had some really great success internationally and that helps as well.”
Patrick White, 25th overall, Vancouver Canucks – “I was hoping in the back of my mind to be drafted in the first round, but I certainly didn’t expect it. It’s overwhelming for me and I can’t believe my name was called off. I was sitting there watching so many guys I know, certainly expecting that tomorrow was going to be my day. The fact that today was my day is really exciting.
Nicholas Petrecki, 28th overall, San Jose Sharks – “I’m very honored to be drafted by such a great program. I’m not going to lie to you, I was a little nervous there. But I’m very excited, very proud and very fortunate to be here.”
Complete List of Players From the NTDP Selected In 2007 NHL Entry Draft
Rd Pick Name Team 2006-07 Team (League) 1 1 Patrick Kane Chicago Blackhawks
London (OHL) 1 2 James vanRiemsdyk Philadelphia Flyers U.S. Nat'l U-18 Team 1 14
Kevin Shattenkirk Colorado Avalanche U.S. Nat'l Under-18 Team 1 18 Ian Cole St.
Louis Blues U.S. Nat'l Under-18 Team 1 29 James O'Brien Ottawa Senators Univ. of
Minnesota (WCHA) 2 38 Bill Sweatt Chicago Blackhawks Colorado College (WCHA) 2
45 Colby Cohen Colorado Avalanche Lincoln (USHL) 2 46 Ted Ruth Washington
Capitals U.S. Nat'l Under-18 Team 2 57 Mike Hoeffel New Jersey Devils U.S. Nat'l
Under-18 Team 3 86 Josh Unice Chicago Blackhawks U.S. Nat'l Under-18 Team 4 92
Justin Vaive Anaheim Ducks U.S. Nat'l Under-18 Team 4 96 Cade Fairchild St.
Louis Blues U.S. Nat'l Under-18 Team 4 101 Matt Rust Florida Panthers U.S. Nat'l
Under-18 Team 5 126 Joseph Lavin Chicago Blackhawks U.S. Nat'l Under-18 Team 6
175 John Albert Atlanta Thrashers U.S. Nat's Under-18 Team 7 182 Brad Phillips
Philadelphia Flyers U.S. Nat'l Under-18 Team 7 186 C.J. Severyn Calgary Flames
U.S. Nat'l Under-18 Team
Complete List of Players From the NTDP Selected In 2007 NHL
Entry Draft
Rd Pick Name Team 2006-07 Team (League)
1 1 Patrick Kane Chicago Blackhawks London (OHL)
1 2 James vanRiemsdyk Philadelphia Flyers U.S. Nat'l U-18 Team
1 14 Kevin Shattenkirk Colorado Avalanche U.S. Nat'l Under-18 Team
1 18 Ian Cole St. Louis Blues U.S. Nat'l Under-18 Team
1 29 James O'Brien Ottawa Senators Univ. of Minnesota (WCHA)
2 38 Bill Sweatt Chicago Blackhawks Colorado College (WCHA)
2 45 Colby Cohen Colorado Avalanche Lincoln (USHL)
2 46 Ted Ruth Washington Capitals U.S. Nat'l Under-18 Team
2 57 Mike Hoeffel New Jersey Devils U.S. Nat'l Under-18 Team
3 86 Josh Unice Chicago Blackhawks U.S. Nat'l Under-18 Team
4 92 Justin Vaive Anaheim Ducks U.S. Nat'l Under-18 Team
4 96 Cade Fairchild St. Louis Blues U.S. Nat'l Under-18 Team
4 101 Matt Rust Florida Panthers U.S. Nat'l Under-18 Team
5 126 Joseph Lavin Chicago Blackhawks U.S. Nat'l Under-18 Team
6 175 John Albert Atlanta Thrashers U.S. Nat's Under-18 Team
7 182 Brad Phillips Philadelphia Flyers U.S. Nat'l Under-18 Team
7 186 C.J. Severyn Calgary Flames U.S. Nat'l Under-18 Team
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2008 Western Hockey Network
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USA HOCKEY
See Also: National
Development Program Team News
17 NTDP Alumni Selected in 2007 NHL Entry
Draft Kane, vanRiemsdyk Make USA Hockey History Going One-Two
JUNE 30, 2007 -- ANN ARBOR, Mich. - USA Hockey's National Team
Development Program played a major role in the recently concluded National
Hockey League Entry Draft, with 17 players that have ties to the program among
the record 62 Americans selected.
NTDP products Patrick Kane (Buffalo, N.Y./2004-06) and James
vanRiemsdyk (Middletown, N.J./2005-07) became the first Americans to be selected
with the first two picks of the Draft.
"It's an unbelievable feeling to go number one," said Kane. "I'm
glad that James (vanRiemsdyk) was selected so we could make history with the top
two picks. It's great to see so many Americans making an impact."
Kane was the sixth American-born player to be selected with the
first pick, joining Erik Johnson (2006/St. Louis Blues), Rick DiPietro (2000/New
York Islanders), Brian Berard (1995/Ottawa Senators), Mike Modano
(1988/Minnesota North Stars) and Brian Lawton (1983/Minnesota North Stars).
DiPietro and Johnson both played at the NTDP.
Three other NTDP alumni were selected in the first round,
including 2007 U.S. National Under-18 Team captain Kevin Shattenkirk (New
Rochelle, N.Y./2005-07), who was chosen by the Colorado Avalanche with the 14th
pick; defenseman Ian Cole (Ann Arbor, Mich./2005-07), who was selected by the
St. Louis Blues with the 18th pick; and University of Minnesota forward James
O'Brien (Maplewood, Minn./2004-06), who Ottawa selected with the 29th pick.
"Our goal when we established the National Team Development
Program was to have a major impact in developing elite-level players that could
be successful at the highest levels of hockey, including in international
competition and at the professional level," said Ron DeGregorio, president of
USA Hockey. "I think it's fair to say that our efforts are paying off."
NOTES: In the nine years in which its athletes have been
eligible for the NHL Draft, the NTDP has had 141 alumni drafted … The Colorado
Avalanche have selected 41 NTDP alumni - the most of any NHL franchise … A total
of 10 Americans were selected in the first round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft -
tying the record set in 2006 … A record 21 Americans were selected in the first
two rounds of the Draft.
They Said It Reactions from NHL
Dale Tallon, Chicago Blackhawks General Manager "It's
outstanding what the U.S. [National Team] Development Program has done over the
last decade, just fabulous. You see the American players that have risen up the
ranks here over the last few years. Two No. 1 picks in a row says a lot."
Brian Burke, General Manager of Stanley Cup Winning Anaheim
Ducks "The U.S. [National Team] Development Program deserves a ton of credit for
bringing the kids to the next level and they have done a terrific job doing that
as you can see at the draft."
(SEE CHART TO
LEFT FOR NTDP PLAYERS SELECTED IN 2007)
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