Record Six Hockey East Players Selected in First Round of NHL Draft
Six players either currently playing for Hockey East squads or committed to play in the Hockey East were selected in the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft on Wednesday.
When the New York Rangers selected Gabriel Perrault with the 23rd overall selection in the 2023 NHL Draft on Wednesday night in Nashville, it made for five Hockey East representatives that had been taken in the First Round, matching the five that were taken in 2016 for the most in league history.
When Carolina stepped up at pick No. 30 and took Maine-commit Bradley Nadeau of the Penticton Vees (BCHL), it gave the Hockey East it’s most-ever first round selections in a single amateur draft.
The San Jose Sharks took BC-commit Will Smith at No. 4, before another BC commitment, Ryan Leonard, was selected by the Washington Capitals at No. 8. This marked the first time in program history that two Eagles were selected in the Top 10.
Let’s park some time on these two for a second. First, being selected at No. 4, Smith became the highest-ever draft pick in BC history, and the third top-five pick since 2015 (Cutter Gauther, 2022 and Noah Hanifan, 2015). Smith, Leonard and the above-mentioned Perrault were all teammates AND linemates at the United States National Training Development Program, and could potentially reunite in Chestnut Hill this fall. The trio combined for 107 points last season, just for your information. Take notice, Hockey East.
But, there is one potential curveball that could ruin the reunion. Because of the way he plays, and his NHL-ready frame, Leonard has a shot at making the pros in camp this summer. He would then have a difficult decision to make. Join Smith and Perrault at BC, or likely head to Calder Cup-champion Hershey for the start of the 2023-24 campaign.
The Vancouver Canucks landed a stallion at No. 11 in Tom Willander, who is committed to play for Jay Pandolfo at Boston University this fall. Willander is six-foot-one and 180 pounds, can move the puck and will be a great compliment to Lane Hutson, the reigning Hockey East Rookie of the Year and Hobey-Baker finalist.
The next selection was the only current Hockey East player taken in the first round, UConn forward Matthew Wood. Wood, the Hockey East’s youngest player in 2022-23, was taken by Nashville at No. 15. Mike Kavanaugh will be playing Wood at center this year, as the Predators hope that he develops enough to replace the recently shipped out Ryan Johansen. They are similar players. Big frames, great hands.
Perrault, son of legendary NHLer Yanic Perrault, was taken No. 23 by the New York Rangers, and with one maybe two years of college hockey under his belt, could step into the Broadway Blueshirts and play right away. Imagine if Perrault was able to lineup with the likes of Kappo Kakko and Alexis Lafreniere in their prime. Or even better, a wily veteran and former Eagle, Chris Kreider. Perrault compiled 72 points including 29 goals in two seasons with the USNTDP.
Lastly, at No. 30, the Caroline Hurricanes took Bradly Nadeau, who is committed to the University of Maine for the 2023-24 season. Bradly, who will be heading to Orono with his brother Joshua, totaled 113 points playing for Penticton Vees of the British Columbia Hockey League and has tons of offensive upside. I was hopeful that Nadeau would be taken by the Blues, as I was cheering for the Brett Hull poetic justice (Hull also put up over 100 points for Penticton). Much like Hull, Nadeau plays the opposite wing from his shot. He is a right-handed shot that plays left wing. Hull was a left-handed shot playing right wing, something he specialized in with the Blues where he played 744 pro games.
Rounds 2-7
Thursday brought the Hockey East plenty of action at the NHL Draft, as there were 14 commitments, or currently rostered players selected. Let’s take a look.
Round 2, Pick 38 - Michael Hrabal (UMass Amherst) - Arizona Coyotes
Round 3, Pick 69 - Jacob Fowler (Boston College) - Montreal Canadiens
Round 3, Pick 71 - Brandon Svoboda (Boston University) - San Jose Sharks
Round 3, Pick 80 - Aydar Suniev (UMass Amherst) - Calgary Flames
Round 3, Pick 86 - Gavin McCarthy (Boston University) - Buffalo Sabres
Round 3, Pick 90 - Drew Fortescue (Boston College) - New York Rangers
Round 4, Pick 117 - Larry Keenan* (UMass Amherst) - Detroit Red Wings
Round 4, Pick 125 - Aram Minnetian (Boston College) - Dallas Stars
Round 5, Pick 153 - Hudson Malinoski (Providence) - Toronto Maple Leafs
Round 6, Pick 171 - Aiden Celebrini (Boston University) - Vancouver Canucks
Round 6, Pick 172 - Ryan MacPherson (New Hampshire) - Philadelphia Flyers
Round 6, Pick 182 - Ryan Conmy (New Hampshire) - Los Angeles Kings
Round 7, Pick 193 - Jack Harvey (Boston University) - Tampa Bay Lightning
Round 7, Pick 215 - Nicholas Vantassell (UMass Amherst) - Ottawa Senators
Round 7, Pick 216 - Matt Copponi (Merrimack) - Edmonton Oilers
Round 7, Pick 221 - Sebastian Bradshaw** (New Hampshire) - Dallas Stars
* denotes committed for 2024-25
**denotes committed for 2025-26
The 2023 NHL Draft was a special one for Hockey East, with 20 active and incoming players that were selected by NHL organizations, including 18 rookies. Overall, 67 NCAA or NCAA-bound players were selected in this year’s NHL Draft, the most since 2019.