Top-3 NHL draft picks of 2019 from left to right: Kirby Dach (3rd, Chicago Blackhawks), Jack Hughes (1st, New Jersey Devils) and Kaapo Kakko (2nd, New York Rangers).
photo: Dave Sandford / NHLI via Getty Images
Jack Hughes isn’t short on ambition, and the electrifying American centre fulfilled another dream on Friday when the New Jersey Devils chose him first overall in the 2019 NHL Draft in Vancouver.
“I’m pumped up about going first overall,” said the Orlando-born 18-year-old, who played minor hockey in the Toronto area before joining the U.S. National Team Development Program. “The Devils, as an organization, are a great team, with a lot of good players. Pretty rich history too, so it’s a spot that really wanted me. I knew that from the get-go. I’m just excited to be a part of the organization.”
Martin Brodeur, New Jersey’s legendary three-time Stanley Cup champion goalie who won Olympic gold with Canada in 2002 and 2010, announced the selection for the Devils.
This was the anticipated scenario, even though Hughes had seen a challenge to his primacy due to the impressive rise of Finnish winger Kaapo Kakko (TPS Turku) this season.
Kakko, who scored the late winner versus the U.S. in the 2019 World Junior gold medal game in Vancouver and tore up the Worlds in Slovakia with six goals en route to another championship, went second overall to the New York Rangers.
The Liiga rookie of the year, with a record-setting 22 goals for TPS, also won gold at last year’s U18 Worlds. That makes the 18-year-old the youngest player ever to earn titles at all three of the aforementioned IIHF tournaments, breaking Connor McDavid’s record (19). Kakko has won gold each time he has faced Hughes in IIHF competition.
“It was my dream to be number one, but of course, the second one is also good,” said Kakko. “I’m happy. I hope I can play in the NHL next season. I think I need to be stronger and a better skater. I think I have lots of work in the summer.”
Fans of both the Devils and Rangers should be excited. With New Jersey, Hughes will join a roster that features fellow #1 overall picks Taylor Hall (2010) and Nico Hischier (2017), under GM Ray Shero, who was once Hughes’ father’s agent. He’s the eighth American ever drafted first overall.
Hughes set the all-time USNTDP points record with 228 points in 110 games. His achievements were on a global scale. The speedy, crafty forward earned a silver medal at the World Juniors, and added bronze at the U18 World Championship in Ornskoldsvik and Umea, where he finished with 32 all-time U18 points to beat Alexander Ovechkin’s record (31). Along with his brother Quinn, who plays defence for the Vancouver Canucks, Hughes suited up for the seventh-place U.S. team at the Worlds in Bratislava and Kosice.
Asked about continuing the head-to-head rivalry with Kakko in Manhattan and Hughes in Newark, Hughes replied: “You saw [Alexander] Ovechkin and [Sidney] Crosby do it all these years. I am not saying we’re going to be Ovechkin and Crosby, but it’s going to be pretty cool to be linked like that.”
“I’m pumped up about going first overall,” said the Orlando-born 18-year-old, who played minor hockey in the Toronto area before joining the U.S. National Team Development Program. “The Devils, as an organization, are a great team, with a lot of good players. Pretty rich history too, so it’s a spot that really wanted me. I knew that from the get-go. I’m just excited to be a part of the organization.”
Martin Brodeur, New Jersey’s legendary three-time Stanley Cup champion goalie who won Olympic gold with Canada in 2002 and 2010, announced the selection for the Devils.
This was the anticipated scenario, even though Hughes had seen a challenge to his primacy due to the impressive rise of Finnish winger Kaapo Kakko (TPS Turku) this season.
Kakko, who scored the late winner versus the U.S. in the 2019 World Junior gold medal game in Vancouver and tore up the Worlds in Slovakia with six goals en route to another championship, went second overall to the New York Rangers.
The Liiga rookie of the year, with a record-setting 22 goals for TPS, also won gold at last year’s U18 Worlds. That makes the 18-year-old the youngest player ever to earn titles at all three of the aforementioned IIHF tournaments, breaking Connor McDavid’s record (19). Kakko has won gold each time he has faced Hughes in IIHF competition.
“It was my dream to be number one, but of course, the second one is also good,” said Kakko. “I’m happy. I hope I can play in the NHL next season. I think I need to be stronger and a better skater. I think I have lots of work in the summer.”
Fans of both the Devils and Rangers should be excited. With New Jersey, Hughes will join a roster that features fellow #1 overall picks Taylor Hall (2010) and Nico Hischier (2017), under GM Ray Shero, who was once Hughes’ father’s agent. He’s the eighth American ever drafted first overall.
Hughes set the all-time USNTDP points record with 228 points in 110 games. His achievements were on a global scale. The speedy, crafty forward earned a silver medal at the World Juniors, and added bronze at the U18 World Championship in Ornskoldsvik and Umea, where he finished with 32 all-time U18 points to beat Alexander Ovechkin’s record (31). Along with his brother Quinn, who plays defence for the Vancouver Canucks, Hughes suited up for the seventh-place U.S. team at the Worlds in Bratislava and Kosice.
Asked about continuing the head-to-head rivalry with Kakko in Manhattan and Hughes in Newark, Hughes replied: “You saw [Alexander] Ovechkin and [Sidney] Crosby do it all these years. I am not saying we’re going to be Ovechkin and Crosby, but it’s going to be pretty cool to be linked like that.”
Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko met at several IIHF events, most recently at the 2019 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Slovakia.
photo: Chris Tanouye / HHOF-IIHF Images
Hughes was the tip of the iceberg during a record-setting draft night for the USNTDP. In total, eight freshly minted graduates of the program – centralized in Plymouth, Michigan under coach John Wroblewski – were taken in the first round, including seven of the top 15 picks.
No important trades occurred, but unpredictability was a recurring theme for the rest of the first round. Next came a pair of talented Canadian WHLers. Kirby Dach (Saskatoon Blades) was chosen third overall by Chicago after a 73-point campaign, and power-play quarterback Bowen Byram (Vancouver Giants) went fourth to Colorado. The talented if injury-prone American centre Alex Turcotte (USNTDP) fell to Los Angeles as the fifth pick. He is the son of former NHL journeyman Alfie Turcotte.
Eyebrows were raised when Detroit grabbed towering German blueliner Moritz Seider (Adler Mannheim) at #6. Most experts figured that Seider, who scored twice in his first Worlds this year, was mid-first-round material. For the rebuilding Wings, it’s a bold move by Hockey Hall of Famer Steve Yzerman, Detroit’s new general manager.
Seider is the second-highest drafted German ever, after Leon Draisaitl (#3 overall to Edmonton, 2014) and the highest player drafted from a DEL club. He raved about the opportunity to go to Motown. “I think it’s just a great atmosphere. So many legends played there. I’m excited and nervous to go into that arena!”
No important trades occurred, but unpredictability was a recurring theme for the rest of the first round. Next came a pair of talented Canadian WHLers. Kirby Dach (Saskatoon Blades) was chosen third overall by Chicago after a 73-point campaign, and power-play quarterback Bowen Byram (Vancouver Giants) went fourth to Colorado. The talented if injury-prone American centre Alex Turcotte (USNTDP) fell to Los Angeles as the fifth pick. He is the son of former NHL journeyman Alfie Turcotte.
Eyebrows were raised when Detroit grabbed towering German blueliner Moritz Seider (Adler Mannheim) at #6. Most experts figured that Seider, who scored twice in his first Worlds this year, was mid-first-round material. For the rebuilding Wings, it’s a bold move by Hockey Hall of Famer Steve Yzerman, Detroit’s new general manager.
Seider is the second-highest drafted German ever, after Leon Draisaitl (#3 overall to Edmonton, 2014) and the highest player drafted from a DEL club. He raved about the opportunity to go to Motown. “I think it’s just a great atmosphere. So many legends played there. I’m excited and nervous to go into that arena!”
Canada’s Dylan Cozens (Lethbridge Hurricanes), the first Yukon-born first-rounder ever, went seventh to Buffalo. Swedish defenceman Philip Broberg, a tournament all-star with the gold-medal U18 team, was the eighth pick, with Edmonton fans hoping he can emulate his idol, 2018 Norris Trophy winner Victor Hedman.
Anaheim got a potential steal with elite U.S. playmaker Trevor Zegras (USNTDP) at #9. Then the host club caused a big stir. Vancouver picked power forward Vasili Podkolzin (SKA St. Petersburg), who captained Russia to U18 silver this year.
Despite previously featuring superstars like Pavel Bure and Alexander Mogilny, Podkolzin is the first Russian ever chosen by Vancouver in the first round.
The 185-cm, 89-kg prospect was, at one point, considered a rival to Hughes and Kakko for the #1 overall pick. Yet his stock dropped after spotty production in World Junior and U18 competition, as well as in Russian league play. Podkolzin appeared in three KHL games in 2018/19, and is under contract for two more years. He admitted he has work to do.
“Everybody knows that I'm not a great, great skater,” said Podkolzin. “But I know myself that I have to work on that. During these two years, I’ll work on my skating and all the aspects of the game.”
After another blue-chip Swedish defenceman, Victor Soderstrom (Brynas IF), went to the Arizona Coyotes at #11, a run of four straight USNTDP talents ensued. The two most intriguing selections were Spencer Knight going to Florida at #13 and Cole Caufield to Montreal at #15.
Knight was the lone goalie drafted in the first round, and Panthers GM Dale Tallon may be preparing for life after Roberto Luongo. The 40-year-old two-time Olympic gold medallist, whose 489 career wins are third-most in NHL history, posted career-worst numbers during an injury-ridden season.
Meanwhile, some observers had Caufield going much higher, like The Athletic, which ranked him fifth overall. Hughes’ winger surpassed Phil Kessel for the all-time NTDP goals record (126), and was named the 2019 U18 tournament MVP after tying Ovechkin’s single-tournament goals record (14). Caufield’s size – he stands just 170 cm and 74 kg – may have been a factor on Friday, but it seems fitting that this gifted sniper will play for the club of the legendary namesake of the Rocket Richard Trophy.
Caufield asserted that he wasn’t just a product of Hughes: “He wouldn’t have the amount of assists if it wasn't for me too. So I’m confident in myself in that way. I know he’s such a great player he can make anyone better, but the way we work so well together is because our brains are so smart and we do things at such a high pace. I can play with anyone and I can make anyone look better.”
Canadian sniper Alex Newhook (Victoria Grizzlies), chosen 16th overall by Colorado, was the lone BCHL product taken in the first round. And there were plenty of other noteworthy selections.
For Finland, this year wasn’t on par with 2017, when six Finns went in the first round, but a pair of Suomi blueliners who have won IIHF gold medals were taken back-to-back: Lassi Thomson (Kelowna Rockets) went to Ottawa at #19 and Ville Heinola (Lukko Rauma) to Winnipeg at #20. Swedish blueliner Tobias Bjornfot (Djurgarden Stockholm), who captained the golden U18 team, went to Los Angeles at #22.
Out of the five 2019 first-rounders whose fathers played in the NHL, defenceman Nolan Foote (Kelowna Rockets) brought the most impressive pedigree. His father Adam won two Stanley Cups with the Colorado Avalanche (1996, 2001) and Olympic gold with Canada (2002). Tampa Bay chose the younger Foote 27th overall.
In total, 13 Canadians, nine Americans, four Swedes, three Finns, one German and one Russian were selected in the first round. After the USNTP, the WHL produced the most first-rounders (seven).
The excitement at Rogers Arena went beyond the draft picks. Former Vancouver Canucks super stars Daniel and Henrik Sedin appeared on stage to kick off the proceedings. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced the twins’ jerseys will be retired in February 2020 as part of a week-long celebration during the Canucks’ 50th-anniversary. “As good as they were players, they’re even better people,” Bettman said.
Also, Seattle’s unnamed NHL expansion team, which debuts in 2021/22, staged a press conference with president and CEO Tod Leiweke and owner Jerry Bruckheimer. Seattle is currently building a state-of-the-art new arena.
Asked if the West Coast city would apply to host a future World Juniors, Leiweke said: “Absolutely. As we see hockey grow in the state of Washington, it's a big objective of ours. That’s why we’re building that three-sheet facility, because we want to see the game grow. So the idea of the World Juniors...we’re going to have a lot of dreams around the game of hockey.”
More dreams will be fulfilled on Saturday when the NHL Draft continues with Rounds 2 to 7.
Anaheim got a potential steal with elite U.S. playmaker Trevor Zegras (USNTDP) at #9. Then the host club caused a big stir. Vancouver picked power forward Vasili Podkolzin (SKA St. Petersburg), who captained Russia to U18 silver this year.
Despite previously featuring superstars like Pavel Bure and Alexander Mogilny, Podkolzin is the first Russian ever chosen by Vancouver in the first round.
The 185-cm, 89-kg prospect was, at one point, considered a rival to Hughes and Kakko for the #1 overall pick. Yet his stock dropped after spotty production in World Junior and U18 competition, as well as in Russian league play. Podkolzin appeared in three KHL games in 2018/19, and is under contract for two more years. He admitted he has work to do.
“Everybody knows that I'm not a great, great skater,” said Podkolzin. “But I know myself that I have to work on that. During these two years, I’ll work on my skating and all the aspects of the game.”
After another blue-chip Swedish defenceman, Victor Soderstrom (Brynas IF), went to the Arizona Coyotes at #11, a run of four straight USNTDP talents ensued. The two most intriguing selections were Spencer Knight going to Florida at #13 and Cole Caufield to Montreal at #15.
Knight was the lone goalie drafted in the first round, and Panthers GM Dale Tallon may be preparing for life after Roberto Luongo. The 40-year-old two-time Olympic gold medallist, whose 489 career wins are third-most in NHL history, posted career-worst numbers during an injury-ridden season.
Meanwhile, some observers had Caufield going much higher, like The Athletic, which ranked him fifth overall. Hughes’ winger surpassed Phil Kessel for the all-time NTDP goals record (126), and was named the 2019 U18 tournament MVP after tying Ovechkin’s single-tournament goals record (14). Caufield’s size – he stands just 170 cm and 74 kg – may have been a factor on Friday, but it seems fitting that this gifted sniper will play for the club of the legendary namesake of the Rocket Richard Trophy.
Caufield asserted that he wasn’t just a product of Hughes: “He wouldn’t have the amount of assists if it wasn't for me too. So I’m confident in myself in that way. I know he’s such a great player he can make anyone better, but the way we work so well together is because our brains are so smart and we do things at such a high pace. I can play with anyone and I can make anyone look better.”
Canadian sniper Alex Newhook (Victoria Grizzlies), chosen 16th overall by Colorado, was the lone BCHL product taken in the first round. And there were plenty of other noteworthy selections.
For Finland, this year wasn’t on par with 2017, when six Finns went in the first round, but a pair of Suomi blueliners who have won IIHF gold medals were taken back-to-back: Lassi Thomson (Kelowna Rockets) went to Ottawa at #19 and Ville Heinola (Lukko Rauma) to Winnipeg at #20. Swedish blueliner Tobias Bjornfot (Djurgarden Stockholm), who captained the golden U18 team, went to Los Angeles at #22.
Out of the five 2019 first-rounders whose fathers played in the NHL, defenceman Nolan Foote (Kelowna Rockets) brought the most impressive pedigree. His father Adam won two Stanley Cups with the Colorado Avalanche (1996, 2001) and Olympic gold with Canada (2002). Tampa Bay chose the younger Foote 27th overall.
In total, 13 Canadians, nine Americans, four Swedes, three Finns, one German and one Russian were selected in the first round. After the USNTP, the WHL produced the most first-rounders (seven).
The excitement at Rogers Arena went beyond the draft picks. Former Vancouver Canucks super stars Daniel and Henrik Sedin appeared on stage to kick off the proceedings. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced the twins’ jerseys will be retired in February 2020 as part of a week-long celebration during the Canucks’ 50th-anniversary. “As good as they were players, they’re even better people,” Bettman said.
Also, Seattle’s unnamed NHL expansion team, which debuts in 2021/22, staged a press conference with president and CEO Tod Leiweke and owner Jerry Bruckheimer. Seattle is currently building a state-of-the-art new arena.
Asked if the West Coast city would apply to host a future World Juniors, Leiweke said: “Absolutely. As we see hockey grow in the state of Washington, it's a big objective of ours. That’s why we’re building that three-sheet facility, because we want to see the game grow. So the idea of the World Juniors...we’re going to have a lot of dreams around the game of hockey.”
More dreams will be fulfilled on Saturday when the NHL Draft continues with Rounds 2 to 7.