The NHL Entry Draft is a crucial event in professional ice hockey where NHL teams select rights to young, eligible players who aspire to join the National Hockey League. The event is held annually, the draft includes North American players aged 18-20 and European/international players aged 18-21, while others become unrestricted free agents. This selection process takes place typically in June end, allowing teams to choose from amateur players in junior or collegiate leagues and professionals from European leagues. Moreover, the 2024 NHL Draft is scheduled to take place on June 28–29, 2024, at Sphere in Las Vegas. The first round will be taking place on June 28 and rounds two to seven will be taking place on June 29. Additionally, tickets for the event will be accessible via thesphere.com and Ticketmaster. The tickets can also be bought in-person at the Sphere concierge.
Are players drafted out of high school?
The NHL does draft players out of high school, but it is rare compared to selecting players from junior leagues or collegiate programs. Nonetheless, high school players are eligible for the NHL Entry Draft if they meet the age requirements (18-20 for North American players). However, these players often continue their development in junior leagues, collegiate hockey, or European leagues before joining the NHL.
When a high school player is drafted, they usually do not go directly to the NHL. Instead, they often join a junior league team in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) or the United States Hockey League (USHL), or they play college hockey in the NCAA. This additional development time helps them improve their skills and gain experience against stronger competition before debuting in the NHL.
There are many notable examples where players were selected directly at their high schools. Tom Barrasso was drafted 5th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in 1983 straight from Acton-Boxborough Regional High School in Massachusetts and Barrasso later won the Calder Trophy as the NHL's Rookie of the Year and the Vezina Trophy as the league's best goaltender in his first season Other notable names include. Mike Ramsey and Brian Lawton.
FAQs
A. The draft includes players from colleges, OHL, USHL, and other European junior leagues.
A. The draft includes North American players aged 18-20 and European/international players aged 18-21, to be drafted
A. The youngest NHL player ever is Bep Guidolin, who debuted at 16 years old for the Boston Bruins in 1942.
A. The NHL Draft picks are determined via draft lottery. Notably, the draft lottery system gives non-playoff teams a fair chance to get top picks.
