US High School and College Firsts

1967 – First U.S. College Player Drafted

Michigan Tech center Al Karlander was selected 17th overall by the Detroit Red Wings.

1979 – First U.S. College First- Round Selection

Minnesota-born defenseman Mike Ramsey (currently an assistant coach with the Minnesota Wild) was selected 11th overall by the Buffalo Sabres.

1980 – First U.S. High School Player Drafted

Center Jay North of Bloomington- Jefferson H.S. was taken 62nd overall by the Buffalo Sabres in 1980.

1981 – First U.S. High School First- Round Selection

Center Bob Carpenter of St. John’s prep school was selected third overall by Washington in 1981.

1983 – First U.S. High School Player Drafted First Overall

Minnesota North Stars selected left winger Brian Lawton from Mount St. Charles H.S. first overall in 1983.

1986 – First U.S. College Player Drafted First Overall

Detroit selected right winger Joe Murphy from Michigan State first overall in 1986.

2003 – Most U.S. College Players Selected in the First Round

The 2003 draft saw seven U.S. college players selected in the first round, the most in Entry Draft history. Six were selected in the first round in 2000 and four in 2001 and 2002. In addition, many players drafted in the first round from the USA U-18 and U-17 teams, high school and prep school programs, U.S. junior and Tier-2 Canadian junior go on to play college hockey.

European Draft Firsts

1969 – First European (and Finn)