Legends, Long Shots, and Lucky Breaks: The History of the NHL Draft

All the picks, all the stars, and all the players who didn’t pan out—all in one outstanding compendium about the history of the NHL Draft. With analysis of every first round since 1963 and lists of surprises, busts and breakouts, this book collects all the draft information you’ll ever need in the pages of one terrific volume. The book features brand-new interviews with some of the most fascinating draftees in NHL history, including Eric Lindros and his infamous draft day, with new insights you won’t find anywhere else. Fun, frank, and fantastic—there’s intriguing information on every single page. For more than sixty years, the NHL draft has acted as the path for new players to join NHL teams. The worst teams pick first, the best teams last, unless there’s a trade or two, of course, which there always are. Every team wants the first pick overall and hopes they’ll become the next Connor McDavid. But there are certainly surprises: All-time captain Mark Messier was selected 48th overall and became a core piece of Glen Sather’s dynastic Oilers. Hall of Famer Doug Gilmour was selected 134th overall by the St.