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Ontario Hockey League

95 CHL Players Selected in the 2014 NHL Draft

June 28, 2014 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL) News Release


Philadelphia, PA - The Canadian Hockey League today announced that 95 CHL players were selected in the seven rounds of the 2014 NHL Draft held this weekend in Philadelphia representing 45% of the 210 players picked by all 30 NHL clubs.

The 95 CHL players includes 20 selected in the first round led by defenceman Aaron Ekblad of the Barrie Colts who became the eighth straight player from the CHL to be selected first overall when he was chosen by the Florida Panthers. The first round total marks the league's third highest in over 30 years matching 2008, 1998, and 1987, behind only the 2011 NHL Draft where 21 CHL players were chosen and last season when a record 22 CHL players were picked in the draft's opening round.

The second round of the 2014 NHL Draft featured 15 CHL players bringing the league's two-round total to 35 representing over 58% of the top-60 selections. 19 of the first 60 players selected were from the Ontario Hockey League matching a league record in modern draft history set at the 2011 NHL Draft.

Of the 95 CHL players selected, the OHL led the way with 41 players, followed by the Western Hockey League with 37 players equaling their second highest league total in modern draft history also set in 2007 and behind only the 2010 and 2005 drafts where 43 WHL players were selected. The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League had 17 players selected this season.

"NHL Draft day is all about the players and their opportunity to celebrate with their family, friends, billets, and teams," said CHL President David Branch. "On behalf of the CHL I would like to congratulate all of our players and their families on this special day, as well as our teams and coaches who help ensure the success of the CHL's development model for student athletes as the number one supplier of talent to the NHL."

Of the 210 players selected, 124 were forwards (62 CHL), with 65 defenceman chosen (28 CHL), and 21 goaltenders (5 CHL). The top player at each position was selected from the CHL including Ekblad who became the first defenceman since 2006 to be chosen first overall. Sam Reinhart of the Kootenay Ice was the first forward selected second overall by the Buffalo Sabres, and Mason McDonald of the Charlottetown Islanders was the first goaltender selected 34th overall by the Calgary Flames.

44 different CHL teams developed NHL Draft picks in 2014 including the MasterCard Memorial Cup champion Edmonton Oil Kings who set a franchise record with five players selected. The Calgary Hitmen and Plymouth Whalers also had five players chosen, while four different clubs had four players selected including the Portland Winterhawks and the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, along with the Kootenay Ice and the Niagara IceDogs who both set franchise records this season. The Cape Breton Screaming Eagles led the QMJHL with three players selected matching 2004 and 1998 as their best draft in franchise history. Former first overall pick in the QMJHL Entry Draft, Daniel Audette, also became the first NHL Draft pick in the two-year history of the Sherbrooke Phoenix when he was selected in the fifth round by the Montreal Canadiens.

27 of the NHL's 30 teams selected at least one CHL player with the exception of the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, and the Washington Capitals. The Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings led the way with seven CHL players selected with all seven from the OHL. The Dallas Stars and the San Jose Sharks each had six CHL players selected, while the Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, Philadelphia Flyers, St. Louis Blues, and Tampa Bay Lightning each had five CHL players selected. The Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks led all Canadian NHL teams with four CHL players selected, followed by the Montreal Canadiens and Winnipeg Jets with three each, the Edmonton Oilers with two, and both the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs with one.

Following the 2014 NHL Draft, a total of 10,388 CHL players have been selected since 1969 representing just under 50% of all players.

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