1983 NHL entry draft
The 1983 NHL Entry Draft was an annual player selection meeting held by the National Hockey League (NHL) on June 8, 1983, at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.[1] Consisting of 12 rounds and 242 total selections, it was notable as the first draft in which the St. Louis Blues boycotted due to ongoing ownership disputes; they were slotted for the 6th overall pick but had already traded away their first- and second-round picks, forfeiting all remaining selections, resulting in their slots being skipped and the overall numbering adjusted accordingly.[2][3] The event marked a significant step in the NHL's efforts to scout and select international talent, including several high-profile Soviet players, while producing multiple future Hockey Hall of Famers and long-term franchise cornerstones. The draft's first overall pick was center Brian Lawton, selected by the Minnesota North Stars, followed by Sylvain Turgeon (2nd, Hartford Whalers) and Pat LaFontaine (3rd, New York Islanders).[4] Among the most celebrated selections were center Steve Yzerman (4th overall, Detroit Red Wings), who went on to play 1,514 NHL games and amass 1,755 points; goaltender Tom Barrasso (5th, Buffalo Sabres), a two-time Stanley Cup winner; and right winger Cam Neely (9th, Vancouver Canucks), known for his physical power-forward style and induction into the Hall of Fame.[2] Late-round steals included Czech goaltender Dominik Hašek (199th, Chicago Blackhawks), who later won two Hart Trophies and six Vezina Trophies, as well as Soviet stars such as goaltender Vladislav Tretiak (138th, Montreal Canadiens), defenseman Viacheslav Fetisov (145th, New Jersey Devils), and right winger Sergei Makarov (231st, Calgary Flames), selections that foreshadowed the eventual influx of Eastern European talent into the league.[2] Overall, the draft yielded 113 players who appeared in at least one NHL game (46.7% of selections), with 21 going on to win the Stanley Cup—for example, Uwe Krupp (214th overall by the Buffalo Sabres)[5], who scored the Cup-winning goal in triple overtime for the Colorado Avalanche in 1996[6]—highlighting its depth and long-term impact on the league.[7] Yzerman emerged as the class of the draft in terms of career longevity and production, leading all draftees with 1,755 points, while LaFontaine topped the list for goals with 468.[7] The event underscored the evolving global nature of professional hockey, bridging North American prospects with international pioneers amid the Cold War era.Background and Context
League Situation Leading to the Draft
By 1983, the National Hockey League (NHL) consisted of 21 teams, a structure established following the 1979 merger with the rival World Hockey Association (WHA).[8] The merger incorporated four WHA franchises—the Edmonton Oilers, Hartford Whalers (formerly the New England Whalers), Quebec Nordiques, and Winnipeg Jets—expanding the league from 17 to 21 teams and introducing high-profile talents such as Wayne Gretzky to the NHL.[8] This configuration persisted through the early 1980s, with teams divided into four divisions and 16 qualifying for the playoffs each season, providing a stable yet competitive framework amid the league's growth.[8] The league faced significant economic pressures in the early 1980s, exacerbated by the financial strains of the merger and inconsistent revenue streams.[9] NHL President John Ziegler described the organization as "insolvent," with debts surpassing assets and several expansion teams struggling to pay annual dues or franchise fee promissory notes.[9] U.S.-based franchises, in particular, grappled with low attendance and mounting losses; for instance, the Washington Capitals reported $21 million in cumulative deficits over their first eight seasons by 1982, prompting an ownership overhaul and desperate measures to boost ticket sales.[10] These challenges positioned the entry draft as a critical mechanism for injecting affordable young talent into rosters, helping franchises rebuild without substantial financial outlay amid broader instability, including ownership disputes like those surrounding the St. Louis Blues.[9] Draft trends in the early 1980s reflected a growing internationalization of talent pools, with increased selections of American and European players signaling shifts in scouting and player development.[11] The 1980 "Miracle on Ice" at the Olympics had accelerated interest in U.S. prospects, leading to 35 American players drafted that year—a marked rise from prior decades.[12] By 1983, this momentum culminated in the first American-born player, Brian Lawton, selected first overall by the Minnesota North Stars, alongside two more Americans (Pat LaFontaine and Tom Barrasso) in the top five picks—the only time three U.S. players achieved that distinction in a single draft.[11] European scouting was also expanding, though still nascent compared to North American focus. Pre-draft evaluations heavily emphasized the Canadian major junior hockey leagues—the Western Hockey League (WHL, successor to the WCHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)—which served as primary pipelines for elite prospects.[4] These leagues, part of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) structure, dominated talent identification due to their competitive level and exposure, producing the majority of draftees.[4] U.S. college programs and high school ranks gained traction for American talent, offering alternative development paths that complemented junior scouting efforts.[11]Eligibility Rules and Selection Process
The eligibility rules for the 1983 NHL Entry Draft applied to players who had not previously signed an NHL contract or played professional hockey in North America (with exceptions for international professionals entering via the entry draft), with North American prospects generally limited to those aged 18 to 20 years old at the time of the draft.[2] Specifically, eligible North American players were those born between January 1, 1963, and September 15, 1965, ensuring focus on junior and collegiate talents.[13][7] Exceptions applied to European players, who could be drafted regardless of age if they had not previously signed an NHL contract, allowing for the selection of professional players from international leagues.[14] The draft order was determined by the reverse finishing positions from the 1982-83 NHL regular season standings, with the five non-playoff teams selecting first in that inverse order, followed by the 16 playoff teams in reverse order of their regular-season performance, and ties broken by playoff results.[7] This system awarded priority to the lowest-performing teams to promote competitive balance across the league's 21 franchises.[2] However, the St. Louis Blues forfeited their selections due to ongoing ownership disputes, skipping all available picks except those previously traded away, which reduced active participation to effectively 20 teams for most rounds.[2] The draft consisted of 12 rounds, resulting in a total of 242 players chosen overall.[13] As an annual event, the selection process involved teams submitting names to NHL Commissioner John Ziegler in a predetermined sequence during the one-day proceedings, with announcements made publicly; trades for draft picks could occur prior to or during the proceedings.[2][15] Scouting efforts centered on amateur leagues, prioritizing players from the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) circuits such as the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Western Hockey League (WHL), alongside emerging NCAA college prospects and select European talents from national junior programs.[4] This focus reflected the era's emphasis on North American junior development pathways, with limited allowances for overage players only in exceptional cases like unsigned European amateurs to broaden the talent pool without disrupting standard age restrictions.[2]The Draft Event
Date, Location, and Proceedings
The 1983 NHL Entry Draft took place on June 8, 1983, at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.[16][7] The event unfolded as a one-day affair, commencing in the morning and extending through the afternoon as teams made selections sequentially across 12 rounds. NHL President John Ziegler presided over the proceedings, announcing picks on stage while team representatives—primarily general managers, scouts, and executives—submitted choices from their tables in the arena; in cases where teams could not attend in person, picks were relayed in advance via telephone or proxy.[7] The draft order followed the standard format of the era, with non-playoff teams selecting first in reverse order of their previous season's standings, followed by playoff teams in reverse order of finish, resulting in a total of 242 players chosen from a pool of eligible amateur prospects, predominantly from junior leagues, colleges, and European circuits.[2][7] The atmosphere at the Forum buzzed with anticipation surrounding high-profile prospects, though it was uniquely marked by the absence of St. Louis Blues representatives due to an ongoing ownership dispute, which led to their picks being forfeited after the first two rounds.[3][7] Media coverage was robust for the time, with journalists from major hockey publications and wire services on hand to report developments, though the event itself was not broadcast live on television.[17]St. Louis Blues Boycott
The St. Louis Blues' participation in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft was derailed by severe ownership instability under Ralston Purina, which had owned the franchise since 1977 but incurred substantial annual losses exceeding $1.5 million per season.[3] In early 1983, Ralston Purina agreed to sell the team for approximately $12 million to a group led by Bill Hunter, intending to relocate it to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, as Batoni-Hunter Enterprises, Ltd.[18] The NHL Board of Governors rejected the sale on May 18, 1983, by a 15-3 vote, citing concerns over the viability of the Saskatoon market and potential damage to league stability.[18] In response, Ralston Purina filed a $60 million antitrust lawsuit against the NHL, its owners, and president John Ziegler on May 24, 1983, alleging the rejection violated federal antitrust laws and prevented the company from divesting its unprofitable asset.[18][19] Amid escalating tensions, Ralston Purina executives announced on June 7, 1983—one day before the draft—that the company would boycott the proceedings entirely, forfeiting their remaining 10 draft selections across rounds 3 through 12.[7] The Blues' first- and second-round picks had already been traded away—to the New Jersey Devils and Montreal Canadiens, respectively—but the remaining slots, starting from the third round (overall pick No. 48), were simply skipped during the draft at the Montreal Forum, with the selection order adjusting accordingly to the next eligible team.[3] No Blues representatives attended, leaving an empty table amid the proceedings and underscoring the franchise's operational collapse, as most front-office staff had been dismissed and the arena locked by Ralston Purina.[20] On June 3, prior to the announcement, Ralston Purina had tendered the franchise back to the NHL for disposal, but the league rejected the move and urged participation to preserve team assets.[19] The boycott's immediate fallout included the NHL filing a $78 million countersuit against Ralston Purina on June 9, 1983, accusing the company of willfully damaging the franchise through its actions.[3] On June 13, 1983, the NHL Board of Governors formally terminated Ralston Purina's ownership, placing the Blues under league control to avert contraction or relocation. The NHL assumed control of the franchise, with no draft compensation awarded to the Blues for the forfeited picks.[18] The episode exposed vulnerabilities in NHL governance, particularly regarding franchise relocations and owner disputes, as the league navigated antitrust risks without clear mechanisms for such crises.[20] The boycott represented a significant missed opportunity for the Blues, who could have targeted promising talents available in their slots, such as forward Rick Tocchet (selected 121st overall by Philadelphia in the sixth round) or goaltender Dominik Hasek (selected 199th overall by Chicago in the 10th round), both of whom went on to stellar NHL careers.[3] Post-draft, the franchise stabilized when a group led by Harry Ornest purchased it from the NHL on July 27, 1983, for $12 million ($3 million cash and $9 million in notes). The deal also included the Checkerdome arena.[18] The lawsuits were eventually settled out of court in 1985, with claims reduced and resolved without further relocation threats.[18]Draft Selections
First Round Picks
The first round of the 1983 NHL Entry Draft featured 21 selections, reduced from the typical 22 due to the St. Louis Blues' boycott stemming from ownership disputes with Ralston Purina, which led to the forfeiture of all their picks.[2] This round highlighted a strong contingent of North American prospects, particularly from major junior leagues like the QMJHL, OHL, and WHL, as well as U.S. high school and college programs. The selections emphasized forwards and defensemen with perceived offensive upside and physical play, reflecting teams' needs for immediate junior-to-pro transitions.
No major trades occurred during the first round itself, but the No. 1 overall selection of Brian Lawton by Minnesota had been acquired earlier from Pittsburgh in exchange for forward Ron Meighan, defenseman Anders Hakansson, and future considerations.[15] Several picks carried high expectations for rapid development; for instance, Tom Barrasso, the first American goaltender ever selected in the first round, signed with Buffalo immediately after the draft and debuted in the NHL during the 1983-84 season. The round showcased an emerging American presence, with five U.S.-born players chosen, signaling growing scouting interest in domestic high school and college talent over traditional Canadian junior dominance.[11]
Mid-Round Selections (Rounds 2-7)
In rounds 2 through 7 of the 1983 NHL Entry Draft, a total of 126 players were selected across 21 teams, providing opportunities to build organizational depth with prospects offering a mix of skill, physicality, and potential.[4] These mid-round choices often targeted players who could develop into role players or contributors, with teams like the Detroit Red Wings emphasizing rebuilding by selecting multiple forwards to complement their first-round acquisition of Steve Yzerman.[13] Key selections included Claude Lemieux, taken 26th overall in the second round by the Montreal Canadiens from the QMJHL's Laval Voisins, who later emerged as a clutch playoff performer with four Stanley Cup wins. In the third round, the Detroit Red Wings chose Bob Probert 46th overall from the OHL's Brantford Alexanders, a physical forward who amassed 3,300 penalty minutes over 935 NHL games as a premier enforcer. The Edmonton Oilers selected Esa Tikkanen 80th overall in the fourth round from Finland's SM-liiga, a gritty winger who contributed to five Stanley Cups with his forechecking and penalty-killing prowess. Detroit added speed and scoring with Petr Klima, picked 86th in the fifth round from Czechoslovakia's top league, who tallied 152 goals in 610 NHL games and scored a memorable overtime winner in the 1990 playoffs.[21] Rounding out highlights, the Philadelphia Flyers drafted Rick Tocchet 121st overall in the sixth round from the OHL's Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds after his 32-goal junior season, a selection that yielded a durable power forward with 440 NHL goals.[22] In the seventh round, the Montreal Canadiens selected Soviet goaltender Vladislav Tretiak 138th overall from CSKA Moscow, a pioneering pick of international talent.[2]| Round | Notable Pick (Overall) | Team | Player | Position | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | #26 | Montreal Canadiens | Claude Lemieux | F | Four-time Stanley Cup champion; 1995 Conn Smythe winner |
| 3 | #46 | Detroit Red Wings | Bob Probert | F | NHL leader in penalty minutes (3,300); 16-year career |
| 4 | #80 | Edmonton Oilers | Esa Tikkanen | F | Five Stanley Cups; key role in Oilers dynasty |
| 5 | #86 | Detroit Red Wings | Petr Klima | F | 152 NHL goals; iconic 1990 playoff OT winner |
| 6 | #108 | Los Angeles Kings | Kevin Stevens | F | Two-time All-Star; 329 goals in 874 games |
| 6 | #121 | Philadelphia Flyers | Rick Tocchet | RW | 440 goals; led league in goals (1988-89) |
Late-Round and International Picks (Rounds 8-12)
The late rounds of the 1983 NHL Entry Draft, encompassing rounds 8 through 12, resulted in approximately 100 selections by the 20 participating teams, as the St. Louis Blues forfeited all their picks due to ownership disputes. These choices were inherently speculative, targeting players with untapped potential amid limited scouting resources and high uncertainty, particularly for international prospects whose availability was constrained by national team obligations and international relations. The focus shifted toward global talent, with teams venturing beyond North American juniors to select Europeans, marking an early expansion of the NHL's international footprint.[2] A notable trend in these rounds was the increased drafting of Soviet players, reflecting bold, long-term investments despite the improbability of their defection or release from state-controlled leagues. The New Jersey Devils led this effort with multiple selections, including defenseman Viacheslav Fetisov at 145th overall in the eighth round from CSKA Moskva, forward Alexander Chernykh at 185th in the 10th round from Khimik Voskresensk, and defenseman Alexei Kasatonov at 225th in the 12th round from CSKA Moskva. The Calgary Flames added forward Sergei Makarov at 231st overall in the 12th round, also from CSKA Moskva. These picks highlighted the speculative allure of Soviet hockey's elite, though geopolitical barriers made immediate contributions unlikely.[4][2] Selections from other European nations further illustrated the pioneering international scope. Sweden produced several late-round picks, such as defenseman Tommy Albelin (152nd overall, eighth round, Quebec Nordiques, from Djurgårdens IF) and center Pelle Eklund (161st, eighth round, Philadelphia Flyers, from AIK). Additional Swedish talents included defenseman Thomas Åhlén (187th, 10th round, Los Angeles Kings, from Skellefteå AIK), forward Reine Landgren (193rd, 10th round, Hartford Whalers, from Modo Hockey), and forward Thomas Rundqvist (198th, 10th round, Montreal Canadiens, from Djurgårdens IF). Finland contributed defenseman Harri Laurila (182nd, ninth round, Boston Bruins, from Kiekko-Reipas), while Czechoslovakia yielded forward Milos Riha (196th, 10th round, Minnesota North Stars, from TJ Pardubice) and goaltender Dominik Hašek (199th, 10th round, Chicago Black Hawks, from TJ Pardubice). These choices underscored the low-probability nature of late-round scouting, with success rates historically minimal, yet they carried symbolic weight for the eventual opening of international borders in professional hockey.[4][2] The table below summarizes the international selections (non-North American players) from rounds 8-12, grouped by round and noting nationalities and pre-draft clubs for context.| Round | Overall Pick | Team | Player | Position | Nationality | Pre-Draft Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 145 | New Jersey Devils | Viacheslav Fetisov | D | Soviet Union | CSKA Moskva (Soviet) |
| 8 | 152 | Quebec Nordiques | Tommy Albelin | D | Sweden | Djurgårdens IF (Sweden) |
| 8 | 161 | Philadelphia Flyers | Pelle Eklund | C | Sweden | AIK (Sweden) |
| 9 | 182 | Boston Bruins | Harri Laurila | D | Finland | Kiekko-Reipas (Finland) |
| 10 | 185 | New Jersey Devils | Alexander Chernykh | C | Soviet Union | Khimik Voskresensk (Soviet) |
| 10 | 187 | Los Angeles Kings | Thomas Åhlén | D | Sweden | Skellefteå AIK (Sweden) |
| 10 | 193 | Hartford Whalers | Reine Landgren | F | Sweden | Modo Hockey (Sweden) |
| 10 | 196 | Minnesota North Stars | Milos Riha | F | Czechoslovakia | TJ Pardubice (Czech) |
| 10 | 198 | Montreal Canadiens | Thomas Rundqvist | F | Sweden | Djurgårdens IF (Sweden) |
| 10 | 199 | Chicago Black Hawks | Dominik Hašek | G | Czechoslovakia | TJ Pardubice (Czech) |
| 12 | 225 | New Jersey Devils | Alexei Kasatonov | D | Soviet Union | CSKA Moskva (Soviet) |
| 12 | 231 | Calgary Flames | Sergei Makarov | F | Soviet Union | CSKA Moskva (Soviet) |