David Brien
The talent within Canadian hockey was once again recognized at this past weekend’s NHL Entry Draft in Sunrise, Fla., as 79 Canadian-born prospects heard their name called by an NHL franchise for a second straight year.
The total was the most among all countries represented by the 211 players selected.
Chosen first overall by the Edmonton Oilers, Connor McDavid became the 10th Canadian taken with the highest pick in the past 14 NHL Entry Drafts.
Eleven more Canadians were taken in the first round - including three of the top four picks, as Dylan Strome was selected third overall by the Arizona Coyotes and Mitchell Marner went fourth to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Nine of Hockey Canada’s 13 branches had players selected, led by the Ontario Hockey Federation with 22.
CANADIANS SELECTED AT THE 2015 NHL ENTRY DRAFT, BY BRANCH:
Ontario Hockey Federation (22) – Jeremiah Addison, Kyle Capobianco, Anthony Cirelli, Lawson Crouse, Travis Dermott, Stephen Desrocher, Vince Dunn, Graham Knott, Travis Konecny, Steven Lorentz, Andrew Mangiapane, Mitchell Marner, Connor McDavid, Thomas Schemitsch, Matt Schmalz, Brett Seney, Blake Speers, Matthew Spencer, Mitchell Stephens, Dylan Strome, Mitchell Vande Sompel, Colton White
Hockey Quebec (21) – Jean-Christophe Beaudin, Anthony Beauvillier, Callum Booth, Simon Bourque, Guillaume Brisebois, Alexandre Carrier, Thomas Chabot, Samuel Dove-McFalls, Gabriel Gagné, Anthony-John Greer, Bokondji Imama, Mathieu Joseph, Jérémy Lauzon, Jake Massie, Nicolas Meloche, Samuel Montembeault, Carl Neill, Anthony Richard, Jérémy Roy, Nicolas Roy, Christian Wolanin
B.C. Hockey (14) – Mathew Barzal, Matthew Bradley, Glenn Gawdin, Ryan Gropp, Jansen Harkins, Adam Helewka, Noah Juulsen, Brad Morrison, Adam Musil, Chaz Reddekopp, Deven Sideroff, Devante Stephens, Marcus Vela, Parker Wotherspoon
Hockey Alberta (nine) – Jake Debrusk, Giorgio Estephan, Matteo Gennaro, Brendan Guhle, Adin Hill, Cameron Hughes, Nicholas Merkley, Andrew Nielsen, Austin Wagner
Saskatchewan Hockey Association (seven) – Ethan Bear, Jesse Gabrielle, Connor Hobbs, Tate Olson, Ryan Pilon, Sam Ruopp, Colby Williams
Hockey Eastern Ontario (three) – Riley Bruce, Chase Pearson, Zachary Senyshyn
Hockey Manitoba (one) – Keegan Kolesar
Hockey Northwestern Ontario (one) – Mackenzie Blackwood
Hockey P.E.I. (one) – Spencer Smallman
In addition, Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence was well represented, with 39 alumni hearing their names called. The Program of Excellence includes the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, U18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup summer under-18 tournament, IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship and IIHF World Junior Championship.
PROGRAM OF EXCELLENCE ALUMNI SELECTED AT THE 2015 NHL ENTRY DRAFT
2015 National Junior Team
Lawson Crouse, Connor McDavid2014 National Junior Team
Connor McDavid2015 National Men’s Under-18 Team
Mathew Barzal, Ethan Bear, Anthony Beauvillier, Guillaume Brisebois, Kyle Capobianco, Thomas Chabot, Glenn Gawdin, Graham Knott, Jérémy Roy, Nicolas Roy, Deven Sideroff, Matthew Spencer, Mitchell Stephens, Parker Wotherspoon2014 National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team
Mathew Barzal, Ethan Bear, Anthony Beauvillier, Callum Booth, Guillaume Brisebois, Lawson Crouse, Jansen Harkins, Connor Hobbs, Graham Knott, Travis Konecny, Mitchell Marner, Nicolas Meloche, Nick Merkley, Adam Musil, Jérémy Roy, Nicolas Roy, Matthew Spencer, Mitchell Stephens, Dylan Strome, Mitchell Vande Sompel
2014 National Men’s Under-18 Team
Mathew Barzal, Alexandre Carrier, Lawson Crouse, Ryan Gropp, Travis Konecny, Ryan Pilon
2013 National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team
Alexandre Carrier, Carl Neill, Ryan Pilon
2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge
ONTARIO – Kyle Capobianco, Lawson Crouse, Graham Knott, Travis Konecny, Mitchell Marner, Matthew Spencer Blake Speers, Mitchell Stephens, Dylan Strome, Mitchell Vande Sompel PACIFIC – Giorgio Estephan, Glenn Gawdin, Brendan Guhle, Noah Juulsen, Nick Merkley, Brad Morrison, Adam Musil, Chaz Reddekopp, Parker Wotherspoon QUEBEC – Anthony Beauvillier, Callum Booth, Simon Bourque, Guillaume Brisebois, Nicolas Meloche, Anthony Richard, Jérémy Roy, Nicolas Roy WEST – Ethan Bear, Jesse Gabrielle, Connor Hobbs, Keegan Kolesar
2013 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge
ONTARIO – Connor McDavid PACIFIC – Ryan Gropp QUEBEC – Alexandre Carrier, Carl Neill WEST – Ryan Pilon
2012 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge
WEST – Colby Williams