Florchuk Selected in NHL Entry Draft by Washington
June 23, 2018 - Western Hockey League (WHL) - Saskatoon Blades News Release
Eric Florchuk will be in good company after being selected 217th overall by the Stanley Cup Champion Washington Capitals on Saturday during the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.
It was a case of better late than never for Florchuk who was the final selection in the draft. The nerves were increasing but Florchuk took a positive spin on it and hopes to take full advantage of the opportunity.
"Rasmus Dahlin opened the draft and I closed it," chuckled Florchuk from his home in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. "I'm very proud to be selected by the Stanley Cup Champion Washington Capitals. And I'm very excited to prove to the Caps they made a great choice in taking me!"
Florchuk becomes the first Saskatoon Blade drafted since defensemen Libor Hájek went in the second round to Tampa Bay in 2016. He's the first forward to be drafted from the Blades since Nikita Scherbak went to Montreal in the first round in 2014, and the first Saskatoon Blade drafted by the Washington Capitals since Braden Holtby in 2008.
Florchuk was acquired by the Saskatoon Blades midway through the 2017-18 WHL season from the Victoria Royals. He settled in nicely on a line with childhood friend Kirby Dach, and tallied 22 points in 28 games down the stretch with Saskatoon. Florchuk finished the season with 50 points and had a strong performance at the CHL Top Prospects Game in January as a member of the winning Team Cherry.
Eric was also one of the top performers at the NHL Combine at the end of May, averaging the best fitness scores among all WHL players in attendance.
The Alberta native will look to take another big step next season but first will be Washington Capitals Summer Development Camp.
From the entire Saskatoon Blades organization, congratulations Eric & family on this special day!
• Discuss this story on the Western Hockey League message board...
Western Hockey League Stories from June 23, 2018
- Florchuk Selected in NHL Entry Draft by Washington - Saskatoon Blades
- 78 CHL Players Selected in 2018 NHL Draft - WHL
- Oil Kings Fix-Wolansky Selected in 2018 NHL Draft - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Two Hitmen Selected in 2018 NHL Draft - Calgary Hitmen
- Philadelphia Flyers Select Silvertips Defenseman and Everett Native Wyatte Wylie in the Fifth Round of the 2018 NHL Draft - Everett Silvertips
- Stanley Cup Champion Washington Capitals Select Silvertips Forward Riley Sutter in the Third Round of the 2018 NHL Draft - Everett Silvertips
- Minnesota Wild Select Silvertips Forward Connor Dewar in the Third Round of the 2018 NHL Draft - Everett Silvertips
- Giants Defenceman Alex Kannok Leipert Selected by the Washington Capitals in Round 6 - Vancouver Giants
- David Tendeck Selected by the Arizona Coyotes in Round 6 - Vancouver Giants
- Hofer Selected by St. Louis Blues at 2018 NHL Draft - Swift Current Broncos
- Filip Kral Drafted in Fifth Round by Toronto Maple Leafs - Spokane Chiefs
- Fonstad Drafted by Montreal Canadiens - Prince Albert Raiders
- Milos Roman Selected by the Calgary Flames in Round 4 - Vancouver Giants
- Two WHL Players Selected in First Round of 2018 NHL Draft - WHL
- Addison Selected 53rd Overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Woo Selected by Canucks - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Rebels D-Man Alexeyev Selected by Stanley Cup Champion Capitals - Red Deer Rebels
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Saskatoon Blades Stories
- Blades Drop Back-Half of Home-And-Home vs Warriors
- Blades Come Alive in Third Period, Defeat Warriors 6-3
- Blades Claim 11th East Division Championship in Franchise History
- Storybook Finish as Blades Beat Oil Kings in Overtime on Frank Banham Night
- Wong Reaches Impressive Milestones as Blades Down Tigers 3-1