COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -Oh, Canada! For the first time, Americans were taken with the top two picks in the NHL Draft. First, the Chicago Blackhawks, trying to rebuild a once-proud franchise after four consecutive losing seasons, selected Buffalo, N.Y., native Patrick Kane with the No. 1 pick Friday night. Then the Philadelphia Flyers picked left …
This Day In Hockey History-June 22, 2012-Nail Yakupov taken by Oilers No. 1
PITTSBURGH — Nail Yakupov grew up idolizing Pavel Bure. The 18-year-old Yakupov is already one up on the Russian Rocket. The Edmonton Oilers selected the dynamic forward with the No. 1 pick in the NHL draft Friday night, hoping Yakupov is the next piece of a core that includes center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and winger Taylor …
Read the full post →“This Day In Hockey History-June 22, 2012-Nail Yakupov taken by Oilers No. 1”
This Day In Hockey History-June 21, 2003-Penguins trade for top pick, select Marc Andre Fleury
NASHVILLE, Tenn. | The Pittsburgh Penguins can only hope they have half the success with their latest No. 1 pick as they did with their last. The Penguins so wanted goalie Marc-Andre Fleury to rebuild their franchise around that they traded up two spots Saturday in the NHL Draft to make sure that they got …
This Day In Hockey History-June 21, 1997-Bruins Draft Joe Thornton, Sergei Samsonov
PITTSBURGH — The Boston Bruins don’t envision Joe Thornton as another Wayne Gretzky, even if the 17-year-old threatened some of the Great One’s junior scoring records. They’ll be perfectly satisfied if the first player chosen in Saturday’s NHL draft is another Eric Lindros, a physical presence with a deft scoring touch who revives a floundering …
This Day In Hockey History-June 16, 1977-WHA clubs perform annual draft ritual
TORONTO (CP) – The World Hockey Association may or may not operate as an independent league next season, but if it does it will be ready to do battle with the National Hockey League for some of the best graduates of amateur ranks. The nine WHA teams still in existence after the demise of Phoenix …
Read the full post →“This Day In Hockey History-June 16, 1977-WHA clubs perform annual draft ritual”
This Day In Hockey History-June 15, 1985-Maple Leafs Choose Wendel Clark #1 Overall in 1985 NHL Draft
Toronto makes 4th-ranked defenseman Clark No. 1 draft pick TORONTO – Wendel Clark, a rugged defenseman from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, reacted “with shock” when the Toronto Maple Leafs made him the No. 1 pick in Saturday’s National Hockey League draft. Clark, 18, also plays left wing and said he will gladly “play anywhere and everywhere” for …
This Day In Hockey History-June 14, 2013-Seth Jones hopes to make his famous father proud in the NHL draft
By chance, Ronald “Popeye” Jones bumped into Joe Sakic in the weight room of the arena in Denver way back when. It shouldn’t have been a big deal. After all, Jones’ Denver Nuggets and Sakic’s Colorado Avalanche shared the Pepsi Center. Jones, a 6-foot-8 power forward, had more than casual conversation in mind for their …
This Day In Hockey History-June 14, 1977-Dale McCourt Taken First Overall by Red Wings in 1977 NHL Draft
MONTREAL (AP) -Highscoring center, Dale McCourt of the St. Catharines Flncups, selected as Canada’s top player in the Ontario Hockey Association Major Junior League, was selected Tuesday by the Detroit Red Wings as No. 1 in the National Hockey League’s amateur draft. It took 5 3/4 hours for the 18 teams to wade through 17 …
This Day In Hockey History-June 13, 1987-Nordiques Deal Clint Malarchuk, Draft Joe Sakic
DETROIT (AP) – Clint Malarchuk, one of the All-Star goaltenders in the NHL’s Rendez Vous 87 series with the Soviets this season, was acquired by the Washington Capitals in a four-player deal with the Quebec Nordiques at the NHL draft Saturday. The Nordiques sent Malarchuk to the Capitals along with wing Dale Hunter for center …
This Day In Hockey History-June 13, 1987-Bruins Beef Up D, Select Glen Wesley, Stephane Quintal
BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Bruins beefed up their defense corps Saturday in the National Hockey League entry draft for 18-year-olds, and General Manager Harry Sinden characterized it as a look ahead. “Our future on defense should be excellent,” Sinden said in a telephone call from Detroit where the draft was held. “If things go …