The NHL Entry Draft has witnessed its fair share of captivating trivia over the years. One particular standout comes from the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Stanley Cup victory in 2016. Led by captain Sidney Crosby, who was the first overall pick in the 2005 draft, the team celebrated an unexpected hero in Patric Hornqvist. Remarkably, Hornqvist was drafted dead last at 230th overall in the same year.
Fast forward to 2023, and the spotlight shines on Connor Bedard, selected first overall by the Chicago Blackhawks, generating well-deserved excitement. Yet, amidst the anticipation, Tyler Peddle emerges as an intriguing figure, drafted 224th—once again dead last—by the Columbus Blue Jackets. Peddle holds hope for a future where the first-and-last combination becomes a reality once more. Such is the unpredictability of the draft, where the mysteries remain.
Over the course of two days and 224 players, the 32 NHL teams have determined the new wave of prospects. These talented individuals hail from 16 countries across North America and Europe. Canada leads the pack with 86 selections (38.4%), closely followed by the United States with 50 picks (22.3%), mirroring last year’s figures. However, Europe continues to make its mark, with 88 selections—maintaining the same number as the past two years.
Sweden leads the European charge with 24 selections, slightly down from their 25 picks the previous year. Russia follows closely behind with 19 selections, compared to their 25 in 2022. Finland, despite lacking a first-rounder, secures 15 selections, a slight increase from their 14 in 2022. Slovakia and Czechia maintain their consistency with seven picks each, mirroring the previous year.
Surprisingly, Belarus, absent from IIHF competition in recent years, sees five of its players chosen—the highest number in the nation’s history. Germany claims four players, while Austria, Denmark, Italy, France, Kazakhstan, and Switzerland each secure one player in the draft.
Out of the 224 players selected, only 26 are goaltenders. Among them, Damian Clara stands out as the most intriguing name. Drafted in the second round at 60th overall by the Anaheim Ducks, Clara not only boasts an impressive 6’6″ stature but also holds the distinction of being the first Italian-born goalie ever drafted into the NHL. Notably, Jason Muzzatti, who represented Italy later in his career, was born in Toronto and was Calgary’s 21st overall pick in 1988. The Muzzatti family’s connection to the 2023 draft extends further, as Sutter Muzzatti was selected 143rd overall by the Nashville Predators.
Incredibly, Clara isn’t even the tallest goalie of the draft. That honor belongs to Czechia’s Michael Hrabal, towering at 6’7″. If Hrabal reaches the NHL, he would rank among the tallest goaltenders in league history. Hrabal, who played for the Omaha Lancers in the USHL last season, was drafted 38th overall by the Arizona Coyotes. Additionally, he served as Czechia’s top goalie in the 2023 U18 competition.
The Anaheim Ducks lead the draft with 12 selections, while the Toronto Maple Leafs had the fewest with only three picks.