List of first overall NHL draft picks

List of first overall NHL draft picks

Aaron Ekblad, the first player taken in the 2014 NHL entry draft.

The NHL entry draft, originally known as the NHL amateur draft, is a collective meeting in which the franchises of the National Hockey League (NHL) systematically select the exclusive rights to available amateur players who meet the eligibility requirements to play professional hockey in the NHL. First held in 1963, the draft prior to 1969 was a shorter affair. Any amateur player who was aged 17 years and older and was not already sponsored by an NHL club was eligible to be drafted. In 1969 the rules were changed so that any amateur player between the ages of 17 and 20 was eligible to be drafted. The draft has grown, and in (/wiki/2021NHLEntryDraft), 223 players were selected over seven rounds.

A total of 61 different players have been selected first. Of those, 44 have been Canadian, eight American, three Russian, two Czech, two Swedish, one Slovak and one Swiss. Every first overall pick taken between (/wiki/1968NHLAmateurDraft) and (/wiki/2016NHLEntryDraft) has played in at least 299 NHL games. Three players retired without having played an NHL game.

The Montreal Canadiens have had the most first overall picks of any other team, selecting six players first overall since 1963. The Anaheim Ducks, Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, Seattle Kraken, Vancouver Canucks and Vegas Golden Knights have never selected first overall. Five players have come from the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League, more than any other team. Twelve players have won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's rookie of the year: Gilbert Perreault, Denis Potvin, Bobby Smith, Dale Hawerchuk, Mario Lemieux, Bryan Berard, Alexander Ovechkin, Patrick Kane, Nathan MacKinnon, Aaron Ekblad, Auston Matthews and Connor Bedard . Nine have been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame: Perreault, Potvin, Guy Lafleur, Eric Lindros, Hawerchuk, Lemieux, Pierre Turgeon, Mats Sundin and Mike Modano.

First overall picks

List of first overall NHL draft picks

• Billy Harris, drafted by the New York Islanders in (/wiki/1972NHLentrydraft). • Mario Lemieux, drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in (/wiki/1984NHLentrydraft). • Mats Sundin, drafted by the Quebec Nordiques in (/wiki/1989NHLentrydraft), the first European player to be picked first overall. • Alexander Ovechkin, drafted by the Washington Capitals in (/wiki/2004NHLentrydraft). • Sidney Crosby, drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in (/wiki/2005NHLentrydraft). • Steven Stamkos, drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in (/wiki/2008NHLentrydraft). • Connor McDavid, drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in (/wiki/2015NHLentrydraft). • Connor Bedard, drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in (/wiki/2023NHLentrydraft).

bold	Active in the NHL
‡	Expansion team
^	Calder Memorial Trophy winner
	Member of the Hockey Hall of Fame
#	Calder Memorial Trophy winner and member of the Hockey Hall of Fame
¤	No games played in the NHL

<table><thead><tr><th>Draft</th><th>Selected by</th><th>Player</th><th>Nationality</th><th>Position</th><th>Amateur/junior/former club</th><th>League</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1963</td><td>Montreal Canadiens</td><td>Garry Monahan</td><td>Canada</td><td>Forward</td><td>St. Michael's Buzzers</td><td>CJBHL</td></tr><tr><td>1964</td><td>Detroit Red Wings</td><td>Claude Gauthier ¤</td><td>Canada</td><td>Forward</td><td>Comité des jeunes (Rosemont)</td><td>QC Midget</td></tr><tr><td>1965</td><td>New York Rangers</td><td>Andre Veilleux ¤</td><td>Canada</td><td>Forward</td><td>Montreal Rangers Jr. B</td><td>QC Jr. B</td></tr><tr><td>1966</td><td>Boston Bruins</td><td>Barry Gibbs</td><td>Canada</td><td>Defenceman</td><td>Estevan Bruins</td><td>SJHL</td></tr><tr><td>1967</td><td>Los Angeles Kings‡</td><td>Rick Pagnutti ¤</td><td>Canada</td><td>Defenceman</td><td>Garson Native Sons</td><td>NOHA</td></tr><tr><td>1968</td><td>Montreal Canadiens</td><td>Michel Plasse</td><td>Canada</td><td>Goaltender</td><td>Drummondville Rangers</td><td>QMJHL</td></tr><tr><td>1969</td><td>Montreal Canadiens</td><td>Rejean Houle</td><td>Canada</td><td>Forward</td><td>Montreal Junior Canadiens</td><td>OHA</td></tr><tr><td>1970</td><td>Buffalo Sabres‡</td><td>Gilbert Perreault #</td><td>Canada</td><td>Forward</td><td>Montreal Junior Canadiens</td><td>OHA</td></tr><tr><td>1971</td><td>Montreal Canadiens</td><td>Guy Lafleur </td><td>Canada</td><td>Forward</td><td>Quebec Remparts</td><td>QMJHL</td></tr><tr><td>1972</td><td>New York Islanders‡</td><td>Billy Harris</td><td>Canada</td><td>Forward</td><td>Peterborough Petes</td><td>OHA</td></tr><tr><td>1973</td><td>New York Islanders</td><td>Denis Potvin #</td><td>Canada</td><td>Defenceman</td><td>Ottawa 67's</td><td>OHA</td></tr><tr><td>1974</td><td>Washington Capitals</td><td>Greg Joly</td><td>Canada</td><td>Defenceman</td><td>Regina Pats</td><td>WCHL</td></tr><tr><td>1975</td><td>Philadelphia Flyers</td><td>Mel Bridgman</td><td>Canada</td><td>Forward</td><td>Victoria Cougars</td><td>WCHL</td></tr><tr><td>1976</td><td>Washington Capitals</td><td>Rick Green</td><td>Canada</td><td>Defenceman</td><td>London Knights</td><td>OHA</td></tr><tr><td>1977</td><td>Detroit Red Wings</td><td>Dale McCourt</td><td>Canada</td><td>Forward</td><td>Hamilton Fincups</td><td>OHA</td></tr><tr><td>1978</td><td>Minnesota North Stars</td><td>Bobby Smith ^</td><td>Canada</td><td>Forward</td><td>Ottawa 67's</td><td>OHA</td></tr><tr><td>1979</td><td>Colorado Rockies</td><td>Rob Ramage</td><td>Canada</td><td>Defenceman</td><td>London Knights</td><td>OHA</td></tr><tr><td>1980</td><td>Montreal Canadiens</td><td>Doug Wickenheiser</td><td>Canada</td><td>Forward</td><td>Regina Pats</td><td>WHL</td></tr><tr><td>1981</td><td>Winnipeg Jets</td><td>Dale Hawerchuk #</td><td>Canada</td><td>Forward</td><td>Cornwall Royals</td><td>QMJHL</td></tr><tr><td>1982</td><td>Boston Bruins</td><td>Gord Kluzak</td><td>Canada</td><td>Defenceman</td><td>Billings Bighorns</td><td>WHL</td></tr><tr><td>1983</td><td>Minnesota North Stars</td><td>Brian Lawton</td><td>United States</td><td>Forward</td><td>Mount Saint Charles Mounties</td><td>USHS-RI</td></tr><tr><td>1984</td><td>Pittsburgh Penguins</td><td>Mario Lemieux #</td><td>Canada</td><td>Forward</td><td>Laval Voisins</td><td>QMJHL</td></tr><tr><td>1985</td><td>Toronto Maple Leafs</td><td>Wendel Clark</td><td>Canada</td><td>Defenceman1</td><td>Saskatoon Blades</td><td>WHL</td></tr><tr><td>1986</td><td>Detroit Red Wings</td><td>Joe Murphy</td><td>Canada</td><td>Forward</td><td>Michigan State Spartans</td><td>CCHA</td></tr><tr><td>1987</td><td>Buffalo Sabres</td><td>Pierre Turgeon </td><td>Canada</td><td>Forward</td><td>Granby Bisons</td><td>QMJHL</td></tr><tr><td>1988</td><td>Minnesota North Stars</td><td>Mike Modano </td><td>United States</td><td>Forward</td><td>Prince Albert Raiders</td><td>WHL</td></tr><tr><td>1989</td><td>Quebec Nordiques</td><td>Mats Sundin </td><td>Sweden</td><td>Forward</td><td>Nacka HK</td><td>Swe-2</td></tr><tr><td>1990</td><td>Quebec Nordiques</td><td>Owen Nolan</td><td>Canada</td><td>Forward</td><td>Cornwall Royals</td><td>OHL</td></tr><tr><td>1991</td><td>Quebec Nordiques</td><td>Eric Lindros </td><td>Canada</td><td>Forward</td><td>Oshawa Generals</td><td>OHL</td></tr><tr><td>1992</td><td>Tampa Bay Lightning‡</td><td>Roman Hamrlik</td><td>Czechoslovakia</td><td>Defenceman</td><td>HC Zlin</td><td>CS-1HL</td></tr><tr><td>1993</td><td>Ottawa Senators</td><td>Alexandre Daigle</td><td>Canada</td><td>Forward</td><td>Victoriaville Tigres</td><td>QMJHL</td></tr><tr><td>1994</td><td>Florida Panthers</td><td>Ed Jovanovski</td><td>Canada</td><td>Defenceman</td><td>Windsor Spitfires</td><td>OHL</td></tr><tr><td>1995</td><td>Ottawa Senators</td><td>Bryan Berard ^</td><td>United States</td><td>Defenceman</td><td>Detroit Junior Red Wings</td><td>OHL</td></tr><tr><td>1996</td><td>Ottawa Senators</td><td>Chris Phillips</td><td>Canada</td><td>Defenceman</td><td>Prince Albert Raiders</td><td>WHL</td></tr><tr><td>1997</td><td>Boston Bruins</td><td>Joe Thornton </td><td>Canada</td><td>Forward</td><td>Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds</td><td>OHL</td></tr><tr><td>1998</td><td>Tampa Bay Lightning</td><td>Vincent Lecavalier</td><td>Canada</td><td>Forward</td><td>Rimouski Oceanic</td><td>QMJHL</td></tr><tr><td>1999</td><td>Atlanta Thrashers‡</td><td>Patrik Stefan</td><td>Czech Republic</td><td>Forward</td><td>Long Beach Ice Dogs</td><td>IHL</td></tr><tr><td>2000</td><td>New York Islanders</td><td>Rick DiPietro</td><td>United States</td><td>Goaltender</td><td>Boston University Terriers</td><td>HEA</td></tr><tr><td>2001</td><td>Atlanta Thrashers</td><td>Ilya Kovalchuk</td><td>Russia</td><td>Forward</td><td>Spartak Moscow</td><td>RUS-2</td></tr><tr><td>2002</td><td>Columbus Blue Jackets</td><td>Rick Nash</td><td>Canada</td><td>Forward</td><td>London Knights</td><td>OHL</td></tr><tr><td>2003</td><td>Pittsburgh Penguins</td><td>Marc-Andre Fleury</td><td>Canada</td><td>Goaltender</td><td>Cape Breton Screaming Eagles</td><td>QMJHL</td></tr><tr><td>2004</td><td>Washington Capitals</td><td>Alexander Ovechkin ^</td><td>Russia</td><td>Forward</td><td>Dynamo Moscow</td><td>RSL</td></tr><tr><td>2005</td><td>Pittsburgh Penguins</td><td>Sidney Crosby</td><td>Canada</td><td>Forward</td><td>Rimouski Océanic</td><td>QMJHL</td></tr><tr><td>2006</td><td>St. Louis Blues</td><td>Erik Johnson</td><td>United States</td><td>Defenceman</td><td>U.S. NTDP</td><td>NAHL</td></tr><tr><td>2007</td><td>Chicago Blackhawks</td><td>Patrick Kane ^</td><td>United States</td><td>Forward</td><td>London Knights</td><td>OHL</td></tr><tr><td>2008</td><td>Tampa Bay Lightning</td><td>Steven Stamkos</td><td>Canada</td><td>Forward</td><td>Sarnia Sting</td><td>OHL</td></tr><tr><td>2009</td><td>New York Islanders</td><td>John Tavares</td><td>Canada</td><td>Forward</td><td>London Knights</td><td>OHL</td></tr><tr><td>2010</td><td>Edmonton Oilers</td><td>Taylor Hall</td><td>Canada</td><td>Forward</td><td>Windsor Spitfires</td><td>OHL</td></tr><tr><td>2011</td><td>Edmonton Oilers</td><td>Ryan Nugent-Hopkins</td><td>Canada</td><td>Forward</td><td>Red Deer Rebels</td><td>WHL</td></tr><tr><td>2012</td><td>Edmonton Oilers</td><td>Nail Yakupov</td><td>Russia</td><td>Forward</td><td>Sarnia Sting</td><td>OHL</td></tr><tr><td>2013</td><td>Colorado Avalanche</td><td>Nathan MacKinnon ^</td><td>Canada</td><td>Forward</td><td>Halifax Mooseheads</td><td>QMJHL</td></tr><tr><td>2014</td><td>Florida Panthers</td><td>Aaron Ekblad ^</td><td>Canada</td><td>Defenceman</td><td>Barrie Colts</td><td>OHL</td></tr><tr><td>2015</td><td>Edmonton Oilers</td><td>Connor McDavid</td><td>Canada</td><td>Forward</td><td>Erie Otters</td><td>OHL</td></tr><tr><td>2016</td><td>Toronto Maple Leafs</td><td>Auston Matthews ^</td><td>United States</td><td>Forward</td><td>ZSC Lions</td><td>NLA</td></tr><tr><td>2017</td><td>New Jersey Devils</td><td>Nico Hischier</td><td> Switzerland</td><td>Forward</td><td>Halifax Mooseheads</td><td>QMJHL</td></tr><tr><td>2018</td><td>Buffalo Sabres</td><td>Rasmus Dahlin</td><td>Sweden</td><td>Defenceman</td><td>Frolunda HC</td><td>SHL</td></tr><tr><td>2019</td><td>New Jersey Devils</td><td>Jack Hughes</td><td>United States</td><td>Forward</td><td>U.S. NTDP</td><td>USHL</td></tr><tr><td>2020</td><td>New York Rangers</td><td>Alexis Lafreniere</td><td>Canada</td><td>Forward</td><td>Rimouski Océanic</td><td>QMJHL</td></tr><tr><td>2021</td><td>Buffalo Sabres</td><td>Owen Power</td><td>Canada</td><td>Defenceman</td><td>Michigan Wolverines</td><td>Big Ten</td></tr><tr><td>2022</td><td>Montreal Canadiens</td><td>Juraj Slafkovsky</td><td>Slovakia</td><td>Forward</td><td>TPS</td><td>Liiga</td></tr><tr><td>2023</td><td>Chicago Blackhawks</td><td>Connor Bedard ^</td><td>Canada</td><td>Forward</td><td>Regina Pats</td><td>WHL</td></tr><tr><td>2024</td><td>San Jose Sharks</td><td>Macklin Celebrini</td><td>Canada</td><td>Forward</td><td>Boston University Terriers</td><td>Hockey East</td></tr><tr><td>2025</td><td>New York Islanders</td><td>Matthew Schaefer</td><td>Canada</td><td>Defenceman</td><td>Erie Otters</td><td>OHL</td></tr></tbody></table>

First overall picks by team

List of first overall NHL draft picks

  Has never been awarded a first overall pick   Franchise is defunct

Team	Last #1 overall pick	Total picks awarded/made	Trades/Notes
Montreal Canadiens	2022	4(6)	Acquired pick from Devils (Rockies) in 1980 Acquired pick from the Golden Seals in 1971
New Jersey Devils (formerly Kansas City Scouts/Colorado Rockies)	2019	5(3)	Traded pick to Bruins in 1982 Traded pick to Canadiens in 1980
Florida Panthers	2014	5(2)	Traded pick to Blue Jackets in 2002 Traded pick to Penguins in 2003 Traded pick to Lightning in 1998
Washington Capitals	2004	4(3)	Traded pick to Flyers in 1975
Tampa Bay Lightning	2008	4(3)	Traded pick to Jets (Thrashers) in 1999
Pittsburgh Penguins	2005	3(3)	Acquired pick from Panthers in 2003 Traded pick to Stars (North Stars) in 1983
Boston Bruins	1997	2(3)	Acquired pick from Devils (Rockies) in 1982
Winnipeg Jets (formerly Atlanta Thrashers)	2001	1(2)	Acquired pick from Lightning in 1999
California Golden Seals/Cleveland Barons (defunct)	1971	1(0)	Traded pick to Canadiens in 1971
Columbus Blue Jackets	2002	0(1)	Acquired pick from Panthers in 2002
Philadelphia Flyers	1975	0(1)	Acquired pick from Capitals in 1975
Colorado Avalanche (formerly Quebec Nordiques)	2013	4
New York Islanders	2025	5
Edmonton Oilers	2015	4	4 picks were awarded between the years 2010 and 2015; 3 of them awarded in consecutive years (2010, 2011, 2012)
Buffalo Sabres	2021	4
Detroit Red Wings	1986	3
Ottawa Senators	1996	3
Dallas Stars (formerly Minnesota North Stars)	1988	2(3)	Acquired pick from Penguins in 1983
Toronto Maple Leafs	2016	2
New York Rangers	2020	2	Held first overall pick in the 2020 draft despite taking part in the playoffs, whose format was changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chicago Blackhawks	2023	2
St. Louis Blues	2006	1
Arizona Coyotes (inactive) (formerly Winnipeg Jets)	1981	1
Los Angeles Kings	1967	1
San Jose Sharks	2024	1
Vancouver Canucks	N/A	0
Anaheim Ducks	N/A	0
Calgary Flames (formerly Atlanta Flames)	N/A	0
Vegas Golden Knights	N/A	0
Carolina Hurricanes	N/A	0
Seattle Kraken	N/A	0
Nashville Predators	N/A	0
Minnesota Wild	N/A	0
Utah Mammoth	N/A	0