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2009 NHL Entry Draft – First-Round Summary

Written by: Jesse Michael on 27th June 2009

PHOTO BY SCOTT VANKOUGHNETT

John Tavares was drafted first overall by the New York Islanders. Sucking the drama out of the first round | read this item

Montreal, QC — Thanks to all who followed Scott on Twitter and through the blog on the website….

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After an eventful 24 hours, the NHL draft has come and gone, with the highly touted John Tavares being selected number one overall by the New York Islanders.

There were many players who moved up and down from their originally scouted draft positions, as well as a few trades that took place.

Running down the first round draft order with the top 30 picks and standout quotes from the top ten…

#1) New York Islanders – John Tavares (London Knights)

“It was a great moment for me and a special feeling, and just all the hard work and things I’ve gone through in my life and all of the support I’ve had from my family is just a great moment for everybody to be sharing it with, with my family and my parents and my sister.”

“I couldn’t be more happy right now and excited about my opportunity to play for Long Island and the Islanders.”

#2) Tampa Bay Lightning – Victor Hedman (Modo)

“My goal is to play with the Tampa Bay Lightning next season, so my main goal is that, and I’m going to work hard this summer to make the team next year. I’m looking forward to help the team, they struggled a bit this year, so I look forward to turning things around with that team.”

#3) Colorado Avalanche – Matt Duchene (Brampton Battalion)

“Every kid dreams of playing for his boyhood team. It has not sunk in yet. I keep looking down at the logo going are you kidding me, I used to draw this every day at school. This is unbelievable.”

#4) Atlanta Thrashers – Evander Kane (Vancouver Giants)

“It feels unbelievable. I’ve been looking forward to this day and happy to be part of the Atlanta Thrasher organization.”

#5) Los Angeles Kings – Brayden Schenn (Brandon Wheat Kings)

“It was a long day for me and no better feeling, got my name called and it happened to be L.A. I’m happy to be a part of the organization, and they are going in the right direction, so I’m really excited.”

#6) Phoenix Coyotes – Oliver Ekman-Larsson (Swedish Elite League: Leksand)

“I had the biggest day in my life, and it feels good, and I like Phoenix. I’m a puck mover, defender and with good skating and good hands and I see the ice really good I think.”

#7) Toronto Maple Leafs – Nazem Kadri (London Knights)

“I know a fair bit about the Leafs, and it’s also two hours from my house, so it makes it a lot easier on my family members. I just can’t wait to get it started.”

“I was a diehard Montreal fan when I was growing up, but today I found a new favourite team.”

#8) Dallas Stars – Scott Glennie (Brandon Wheat Kings)

“I hardly met with Dallas at all. But I couldn’t be happier that they picked me. Right now it’s just a tremendous feeling and it’s an honour to be drafted by the Dallas Stars.”

#9) Ottawa Senators – Jared Cowen (Spokane Chiefs)

“I’m very impressed with Ottawa. They have always been one of my favourite teams so, to actually go there is…you could say a dream come true so I’m very excited about it.”

#10) Edmonton Oilers – Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson (Swedish Elite League – Timra)

“I just got shaky and started hugging all the people I knew after it was announced, and that was a very proud moment for me and all my family. I just can’t thank all my family for all they have done and all of the people and all of the trainers and all that.”

“Now I’m coming to a club who has a lot of hockey history with Messier and Gretzky and I’m proud to be a part of that organization. I’m pretty shaky right now.”

#11) Nashville Predators – Ryan Ellis (Windsor Spitfires)

#12) New York Islanders (from MIN) – Calvin De Haan (Oshawa Generals)

#13) Buffalo Sabres – Zack Kassian (Peterborough Petes)

#14) Florida Panthers – Dmitry Kulikov (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

#15) Anaheim Ducks – Peter Holland (Guelph Storm)

#16) Minnesota Wild (from NYI & CLB) – Nick Leddy (Eden Prairie)

#17) St. Louis Blues – David Rundblad (Swedish Elite League: Skelleftea)

#18) Montreal Canadiens – Louis Leblanc (USJHL: Omaha)

#19) New York Rangers – Chris Kreider (Andover)

#20) New Jersey Devils (from CGY) – Jacob Josefson ( Djurgarden)

#21) Columbus Blue Jackets (from ANA – PHI) – John Moore (USJHL: Chicago)

#22) Vancouver Canucks – Jordan Schroeder (Minnesota)

#23) Calgary Flames (from NJ) – Tim Erixon (Swedish Elite League: Skelleftea)

#24) Washington Capitals – Marcus Johansson (Farjestad)

#25) Boston Bruins – Jordan Caron (Rimouski Oceanic)

#26) Anaheim Ducks (from CLB – NYI) – Kyle Palmieri (USA-18)

#27) Carolina Hurricans – Philippe Paradis (Shawinigan Cataractes)

#28) Chicago Blackhawks – Dylan Olsen (Camrose)

#29) Tampa Bay Lightning (from DET) – Carter Ashton (Lethbridge Hurricanes)

#30) Pittsburgh Penguins – Simon Despres (Saint John Sea Dogs)

Trades

Anaheim traded D Chris Pronger and C Ryan Dingle to Philadelphia for RW Joffrey Lupul, D Luca Sbisa, Philadelphia’s 1st-round pick in the 2009 Entry Draft (pick #21), 1st-round pick in 2010 and a conditional pick in the 2010 or 2011 Entry Draft.

Florida traded D Jay Bouwmeester to Calgary for D Jordan Leopold and pick #67 in the 2009 Entry Draft

Calgary traded D Jim Vandermeer to Phoenix for C Brandon Prust.

Los Angeles traded C Brian Boyle to NY Rangers for a 3rd-round pick in the 2010 Entry Draft.

*For a full list of Rounds 2-7, check out www.tsn.ca*

Topics: 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Montreal, NHL Draft

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