The National Hockey League’s 2024 Entry Draft is coming up on Friday, June 28th at the Sphere in Paradise, Nevada.
NHL Central Scouting’s Final Rankings list for North American skaters was released in April and it included 17 Albertans.
The highest ranked player from that group is defenceman Carter Yakemchuk from Calgary and the Western Hockey League’s Calgary Hitmen, followed closely at number 15 by right winger Terik Parascak from Lethbridge and the WHL’s Prince George Cougars.
Blueliner Rhys Pederson from Stettler and the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings slotted in at number 146, while left winger Caleb Hadland from Sylvan Lake and the Brandon Wheat Kings landed at number 212.
Left winger Landen Ward from Lloydminster and the WHL’s Lethbridge Hurricanes cracked the list at number 224.
The San Jose Sharks have the first overall selection in the 62nd annual NHL Draft.
The Calgary Flames are slated to pick 9th and 28th in the opening round.
The Edmonton Oilers do not currently have a first round pick after trading it to the Anaheim Ducks during the 2023-2024 season to acquire forwards Adam Henrique and Sam Carrick.
Meanwhile, the Oilers agreed on Thursday, June 27th to mutually part ways with General Manager Ken Holland when his current contract expires on July 1st of this year. He had served as Edmonton’s GM and President of Hockey Operations since May of 2019.
Jeff Jackson, the CEO of Hockey Operations for Oilers, told the media this week that their draft will be run by Rick Pracey, Edmonton’s Director of Amateur Scouting.