The 2014 NHL Entry Draft is in the books. In this article we will discuss some unique insights on what happened, what players went where, and how it will shake up the recruiting scene.The #1 overall selection was Aaron Ekblad of the Barrie Colts (OHL) and it was a smart choice for the Florida Panthers. Ekblad is the best player in the draft, he will have an immediate impact and he will probably have the best overall professional career of any player taken.
Here’s where the 1st Rounders came from.
1) OHL – 10
2) WHL – 9
3) NCAA – 4 (NCAA/USHL)
4) Sweden – 4
5) Finland – 1
That data is based on geographic location of where the players spent the 13′-14′ season, for example Julius Honka is from Finland, but he played in the WHL in 13′-14′ so he was put in the WHL column.
Goalies – Thatcher Demko was rated #1 goaltender, but Mason McDonald was taken earlier than any at #34. Demko was taken with the 36th pick. The next pick was Alex Nedeljkovic. There are no surprises there, but it is interesting how once a goaltender was taken, 2 of the next 3 were goaltenders too.
Prep Stars –
5th round (121) – Maxwell Willman – Williston Northhampton
5th round (123) – Matthew Berkovitz – Ashwaubenon (WI)
5th round (137) – Tyler Bird – Kimball Union (NE PREP)
5th round (142) – Tyler Nanne – Edina HS (MN)
5th round (143) – Miguel Fidler – Edina HS (MN)
6th round (151st) – Chris Brown – Cranbrook – Kingswood (MI)
6th round (152nd) – Joey Dudek – Kimball Union (NE PREP)
6th round (158th) – Nolan Vesey – South Shore (USPHL)
6th round (159th) – Steven Spinnet – Eden Prairie (MN)
6th round (164th) – Luc Snuggerud – Eden Prairie (MN)
Jr. A Players
(3) Brandon Hickey – Spruce Grove (AJHL) –
(3) Warren Foegele – St. Andrew’s Prep
(3) Jake Walman – Toronto JC’s (OJHL)
(4) Michael Prapavessi – Toronto Lakeshore (OJHL) – RPI Commit.
(5) Alec Dillon – Victoria (BCHL) – RPI Commit.
(5) Nikolas Koberstein – Olds (AJHL) –
(5) Liam Coughlin – Vernon (BCHL) – (American)
(6) Dylan Sikura – Aurora (OJHL) –
(7) Kelly Summers – Carleton Place (OJHL) – Clarkson Commit.
(7) Matt Ustaski – Langely (BCHL) –
(7) Jack Ramsey – Penticton (BCHL) – (American)
(7) Jake Evans – St. Michael’s (OJHL) –
Noteable Selections
4th Round – (G) Zach Nagelvoort – Michigan – Edmonton Oilers –
6th Round – (F) Kevin LaBanc – Barrie (OHL) –
7th Round – (D) Jeff Taylor – Union – Pittsburgh Penguins –
7th Round – (F) Cam Darcy – Cape Brenton (QMJHL) – Tampa Bay Lightning –
7th Round – (F) Spencer Watson – Kingston (OHL) –
Americans
(2) Brendan Lemieux – 31st – Buffalo
(2) Thatcher Demko – 36th – Vancouver
(2) Alex Nedeljkovic – 37th – Carolina
(2) Joshua Jacobs – 41st – New Jersey
(2) Ryan MacInnis – 43rd – Arizona
(2) Jack Dougherty – 51st – Nashville
(2) Ryan Donat0 – 56th – Boston
(2) Johnathan Macleod – 57th – Tampa Bay
(2) Christian Dvorak – 58th – Arizona
(2) Brandon Halverson – 59th – New York Rangers
(3) Jack Glover – 69th – Winnepeg
(3) Miles Gendron – 70th – Ottawa
(3) Connor Chatham – 71st – New Jersey
(3) Alex Schoenborn – 72nd – San Jose
(3) Blake Siebenaler – 77th – Columbus
(3) Louis Belpido – 80th – Minnesota
(3) Matheson Iacopello – 83rd – Chicago
(3) Keegan Iverson – 85th – New York Rangers
(3) Beau Starrett – 88th – Chicago