AHL San Antonio Rampage

Florida Panthers Win NHL Draft Lottery

April 15, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
San Antonio Rampage News Release


SUNRISE, Fla. - The Florida Panthers own the No. 1 overall selection at the 2014 NHL Draft after winning the NHL draft lottery on Tuesday night. In addition to selecting first overall, the Panthers own the 32nd overall selection (second round), as well as fourth, fifth and seventh round selections. The 2014 NHL Draft will take place at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on June 27 & 28.

"We are pleased to have won the No. 1 overall selection," said Vice President of Hockey Operations Travis Viola. "With the No. 1 pick, we will explore all of our team's options and make the best decision that adds to our young nucleus of talent that includes Aleksander Barkov, Nick Bjugstad, Erik Gudbranson and Jonathan Huberdeau."

This marks the fourth time in Florida's franchise history that the club has owned the first overall selection in the NHL Draft. In 1994, the Panthers selected current team captain Ed Jovanovski with the first overall pick. Florida traded the first overall pick in both 2002 (Columbus) and 2003 (Pittsburgh).

Other No. 1 picks selected in the NHL draft since 1994 include, Joe Thornton (1997), Alex Ovechkin (2004), Sidney Crosby (2005), Patrick Kane (2007), Steven Stamkos (2008) and John Tavares (2009).

After finishing in 29th place, the Panthers owned an 18.8% chance of winning the draft lottery and moved ahead of the Buffalo Sabres (25%), who had the best chance of being awarded the first overall pick.

The order of selection for the first 13 drafting positions in the first round, only, of the 2014 NHL Draft is as follows:

1. Florida Panthers

2 Buffalo Sabres

3. Edmonton Oilers

4. Calgary Flames

5. New York Islanders

6. Vancouver Canucks

7. Carolina Hurricanes

8. Toronto Maple Leafs

9. Winnipeg Jets

10. Anaheim Ducks (from Ottawa Senators)

11. Nashville Predators

12. Phoenix Coyotes

13. Washington Capitals

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