The NHL entry draft is an annual event where NHL teams select the rights to ice hockey players who meet draft eligibility criteria (North American players aged 18–20 and European/international players aged 18–21; others enter as unrestricted free agents). Importantly, it occurs within two to three months after the regular season ends. At the draft, teams take turns picking amateur players from junior or collegiate leagues and pros from the European leagues.
Notably, there have been 60 different players who have been selected first overall with the Montreal Canadiens having the most first overall draft picks (6) than any other team. However, they are closely followed by the New Jersey Devils and Florida Panthers who have had five first overall draft picks till date.
Which goalie has gone as the first overall pick?
The only Instance of a goalie going first overall was in 2003 when Marc-Andre Fleury was selected as the first overall pick by the Pittsburgh Penguins. Since then, no goalie has been taken with the first overall pick in the NHL Draft.
During his 13 seasons with the Penguins, he won the Stanley Cup Championships in 2009, 2016, and 2017, and earned the William M. Jennings Trophy and Vezina Trophy in 2021. Fleury is also one of only three goaltenders to achieve 500 NHL victories, following Patrick Roy and Martin Brodeur. Furthermore, he is also one of four goaltenders to play 1,000 NHL games, along with Roy, Brodeur, and Roberto Luongo.
Notable Goalies Taken in the First Round of the NHL Draft
Since 2000, 13 goaltenders have been chosen in the first round of the NHL Draft. Notable names include Marc-Andre Fleury, who was selected first overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2003 and played a pivotal role in three Stanley Cup victories. Other notable first-round picks include Carey Price (5th overall, 2005) of the Montreal Canadiens, Andre Vasilevskiy (19th overall, 2012) of the Tampa Bay Lightning, and Spencer Knight (13th overall, 2019) of the Florida Panthers. In 2020, Russian prospect Yaroslav Askarov of the Nashville Predators, and in 2021, Sebastian Cossa of the Detroit Red Wings joined this elite group.
FAQ's On goalie gone first overall
A. The NHL draft lottery allocates odds to non-playoff teams based on their regular-season standings, with the worst team having the highest chance to win.
A. NHL teams select players in the NHL draft based on their scouting evaluations and draft strategies.
A. The Montreal Canadiens have had the most #1 overall draft picks in NHL history, with six selections till date.
A. The NHL draft consists of seven rounds, with each team having one pick per round.
A. Teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins, Edmonton Oilers, and Montreal Canadiens are known for their successful draft picks over the years.
