The 2017 NHL Entry Draft was the 55th annual meeting of National Hockey League (NHL) teams to select newly eligible players. The draft took place on June 23–24, 2017, at the U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States.
Key details
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | June 23–24, 2017 |
| Location | U.S. Bank Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA |
| Number of rounds | 7 |
| Total selections | 217 (including compensatory picks) |
| First overall pick | Nico Hischier – Forward, selected by the New Jersey Devils |
| Notable first‑round selections | • 2nd: Nolan Patrick (Buffalo Sabres) • 3rd: Elias Pettersson (Vancouver Canucks) • 4th: Casey Mittelstadt (Buffalo Sabres) • 5th: Michael Rasmussen (Detroit Red Wings) |
| Top European players selected in the first round | • Nico Hischier (Switzerland) – 1st overall • Mathew Barzal (Canada) – 16th overall (though Canadian, notable for later NHL impact) |
| Notable later‑round players who have become NHL regulars | • Henrik Borgström (7th round, 199th overall, Florida Panthers) – later played for the New Jersey Devils • Jakob Chychrun (4th round, 120th overall, Arizona Coyotes) – established defenseman |
Draft process
- Eligible players included those who turned 18 by September 15, 2017, and were not previously drafted.
- The draft order was determined by the reverse order of the 2016–17 season standings, with the top three picks decided by a lottery among the teams finishing with the worst records. The New Jersey Devils won the lottery, moving from the fourth to the first overall selection.
- Five compensatory picks were awarded to teams that lost unrestricted free agents in the preceding off‑season.
Impact and legacy
- Nico Hischier, the first overall pick, signed an entry‑level contract with the Devils shortly after the draft and has become a regular forward in the NHL.
- Elias Pettersson, selected 14th overall, has emerged as a top‑line forward for the Vancouver Canucks, earning a Calder Trophy nomination in his rookie season.
- Several players selected in later rounds, such as Jakob Chychrun and Mathew Barzal (though Barzal was a first‑round pick, his rapid ascent was notable), have contributed significantly to their respective clubs.
References
- National Hockey League. “2017 NHL Draft.” NHL.com. Accessed July 5 2026.
- “2017 NHL Entry Draft – Overview.” Hockey Reference. Accessed July 5 2026.
- “NHL Draft History.” The Hockey News. Accessed July 5 2026.
