2000 NHL entry draft
The 2000 NHL Entry Draft was the 38th annual selection of amateur ice hockey players by National Hockey League (NHL) franchises, held over two days on June 24 and 25 at the Canadian Airlines Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta.[1] This draft marked the first opportunity for the league's two newest expansion teams—the Atlanta Thrashers and Columbus Blue Jackets, both entering for the 2000–01 season—to build their rosters through amateur selections, resulting in a total of 293 players chosen across nine rounds by the NHL's 27 teams.[1] The New York Islanders secured the first overall pick via the draft lottery, moving up from the fifth position to select American goaltender Rick DiPietro from Boston University, a choice that highlighted the team's emphasis on future netminding despite existing depth in that position.[2][3] The first round featured a mix of high-potential forwards and defensemen, with the Thrashers selecting Canadian winger Dany Heatley second overall and the Minnesota Wild picking Slovak forward Marian Gaborik third, both of whom went on to become prolific NHL scorers, with Heatley recording 372 goals and Gaborik 407 goals in their careers.[4][5][6] Other notable early selections included Rostislav Klesla (fourth overall, Columbus Blue Jackets), a Czech defenseman who played 607 NHL games, and Anton Volchenkov (21st overall, Ottawa Senators), known for his physical play.[4] The draft's depth extended beyond the top picks, producing several late-round gems such as Swedish goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, taken 205th overall (seventh round) by the New York Rangers, who later amassed 459 regular-season wins and a .918 save percentage over 15 seasons.[4] Overall, the 2000 draft is regarded as one of the more productive classes in NHL history due to the number of long-term contributors it yielded, including All-Stars like Heatley and Gaborik, as well as reliable role players such as Justin Williams (28th overall, Flyers), who won three Stanley Cups and recorded over 900 points.[4] International talent was prominent, with players from 9 countries selected in the first round alone, reflecting the league's growing global scouting efforts at the turn of the millennium.[4] The event also underscored the expansion era's challenges, as the new franchises prioritized building competitive cores amid a diluted talent pool.[7]Background
Eligibility and Preparation
Eligibility for the 2000 NHL Entry Draft was limited to amateur players who were at least 18 years old by September 15, 2000, and no older than 20 by December 31, 2000, corresponding to birth dates from January 1, 1980, to September 15, 1982, for North American players (international eligibility follows similar age guidelines but may include additional criteria based on league participation), provided they had not been previously drafted or signed an entry-level contract with an NHL club. Exceptions allowed for overage junior players (those over 20 playing in major junior leagues) and college or university players who had exhausted their amateur eligibility or met specific professional play criteria, enabling a broader pool that included more mature talents from various leagues. This structure ensured the draft captured emerging talents while accommodating developmental paths in different hockey systems.[8][9] Pre-draft scouting for the 2000 entry class emphasized performances in key developmental leagues, including the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) with its three major junior circuits (OHL, QMJHL, WHL), the United States Hockey League (USHL), European professional and junior leagues such as those in Sweden, Finland, and the Czech Republic, and NCAA Division I college programs. Scouts evaluated players on skills like skating, puck-handling, hockey sense, and physicality, often attending tournaments such as the World Junior Championships and IIHF under-18 events to assess international competition. The NHL Central Scouting Bureau released its final rankings in April 2000, providing teams with a comprehensive evaluation of the prospect pool separated by North American and international skaters, goaltenders, and positional strengths; prospects like Marián Gáborík were highly regarded for his explosive speed and scoring ability.[10][11] A pivotal preparation event was the NHL Scouting Combine, held in early May 2000 in Toronto, Ontario, where top prospects participated in physical fitness tests, medical screenings, and formal interviews with all 27 NHL teams. These assessments allowed teams to gauge players' conditioning, injury history, and personality fit beyond on-ice footage. For instance, the New York Islanders, entering the draft with the first overall pick via the lottery, prioritized a long-term solution at goaltender and used the combine to evaluate candidates like Rick DiPietro, whose performance reinforced their strategy to select a potential franchise netminder.[12][13]Draft Lottery
The NHL Draft Lottery for the 2000 Entry Draft was conducted on June 1, 2000, in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, using a weighted drawing of ping-pong balls to determine the top selection among non-playoff teams.[14] Under the system in place since 1995, only the five teams with the worst regular-season records participated in the lottery for the first overall pick, with chances allocated inversely to their points totals to discourage intentional poor performance.[15] The participating teams were the Atlanta Thrashers (39 points), New York Islanders (53 points), Chicago Blackhawks (64 points), New York Rangers (68 points), and [Los Angeles Kings](/page/Los Angeles_Kings) (70 points), giving the Thrashers a 25% probability of securing the top spot while the Islanders, slotted fifth in the inverse order, held an 8% chance.[14][16] The drawing resulted in the New York Islanders winning the first overall selection, elevating them from their projected fifth position and marking one of the system's notable upsets given their low odds.[3][14] The Atlanta Thrashers retained the second pick in the ensuing order, followed by the Minnesota Wild (third) and Columbus Blue Jackets (fourth), with the remainder of the top 14 non-playoff slots filled by reverse standings after the lottery adjustment.[3] This outcome exemplified the 1995-introduced modifications, which limited upward movement to four spots and randomized the top pick to promote competitive balance among struggling franchises.[15] The Islanders' lottery success held added significance as it came amid their ongoing postseason absence, which had stretched since the 1993–94 season—the longest such streak in franchise history at that point—and provided a rare boost to a team enduring prolonged rebuilding.Draft Event
Location and Schedule
The 2000 NHL Entry Draft took place at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, selected as the host venue for the event.[1] The arena, home to the Calgary Flames, offered a capacity of 19,289 for hockey configurations, providing an energetic atmosphere filled with fans, scouts, and league officials during the public portions of the draft.[17] The draft spanned two days, with Rounds 1 through 3 held on June 24, 2000, and Rounds 4 through 9 conducted the following day, June 25, 2000.[1] While the initial rounds were open to the public, the later rounds were closed to spectators and completed in a private setting, with selections announced afterward. In total, 293 players were selected across the nine rounds by representatives from the league's 30 teams, marking the first entry draft following the addition of the Atlanta Thrashers, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Minnesota Wild.[18] The event featured live coverage of the first three rounds on ESPN2 in the United States, with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman presiding over the proceedings from the stage.[19] This marked the first time since the 1996 draft in Montreal that the event was hosted outside the United States, returning to a Canadian site after three consecutive years in American cities.[1]Proceedings and Trades
The 2000 NHL Entry Draft unfolded over two days, June 24 and 25, at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, with Commissioner Gary Bettman presiding over the proceedings from the stage, announcing each selection and facilitating trade discussions among general managers. The event began with the New York Islanders holding the first overall pick, a result of the draft lottery, and their choice of Boston University goaltender Rick DiPietro marked a historic moment as the first goalie selected No. 1 overall in the modern entry draft era, ending a 32-year drought since Michel Plasse went first to the Montreal Canadiens in 1968.[20] This decision by general manager Mike Milbury surprised many observers, who anticipated a forward like Pavel Brendl or Scott Gomez would be taken first, given the rarity of top goalies in recent drafts.[21] The Atlanta Thrashers, one of three expansion teams entering the league that year—the Atlanta Thrashers, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Minnesota Wild—followed with the second overall selection of University of Wisconsin left winger Dany Heatley, a highly touted Canadian prospect expected to anchor their inaugural roster.[22] The Minnesota Wild then chose Slovak right winger Marian Gaborik third overall, adding offensive firepower to their expansion lineup. These early picks set a tone of high expectations for the new franchises, with the Saddledome crowd reacting enthusiastically to the selections of emerging stars amid the novelty of three expansion teams drafting in the top seven.[23] Trade activity was brisk throughout the first round, with teams maneuvering for better positions and established players to bolster immediate needs. The Islanders were particularly aggressive, first acquiring the fifth overall pick from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for goaltender Kevin Weekes, defenseman Kristian Kudroc, and a 2001 second-round pick, allowing them to select left winger Raffi Torres while sending their original fourth- and seventh-round picks to Tampa Bay.[24] Immediately after, Milbury orchestrated a blockbuster deal with the Florida Panthers, trading away promising goaltender Roberto Luongo and center Olli Jokinen for center Mark Parrish and left winger Oleg Kvasha, signaling a shift toward short-term contention.[21] Later in the round, the Islanders further reshaped their defense by sending forward Josh Green, defenseman Eric Brewer, and their second-round pick to the Edmonton Oilers for veteran defenseman Roman Hamrlik.[24] Other significant intra-draft swaps included the Colorado Avalanche acquiring the 14th overall pick from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh and the 32nd pick, with Carolina receiving forward Nolan Pratt plus the Avalanche's 47th and 63rd picks; Colorado used the 14th selection on Czech center Vaclav Nedorost.[24] Pre-draft maneuvers also influenced the board, such as the Chicago Blackhawks exercising an option from a prior deal with the Vancouver Canucks to secure their 11th overall pick, which they used on forward Pavel Vorobiev, stemming from a 1999 transaction involving defenseman Bryan McCabe.[25] In total, more than a dozen pick swaps and player transactions reshaped the first three rounds, reflecting the competitive wheeling and dealing typical of draft weekend as teams balanced youth infusion with veteran acquisitions.[2]Selections
First Round
The first round of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft featured 30 selections, emphasizing a class rich in forward talent with 24 offensive players chosen, though it opened with a highly regarded goaltender as the top pick.[4] The New York Islanders, holding the first selection after winning the draft lottery, opted for Rick DiPietro, a standout from Boston University in Hockey East, who was ranked the top North American goalie by NHL Central Scouting and viewed as one of the draft's premier prospects due to his strong performance at the World Juniors (.935 save percentage).[23] This choice surprised some observers expecting a forward, as pre-draft buzz centered on dynamic wingers like Dany Heatley and Marián Gáborík, but it aligned with the Islanders' need for long-term goaltending stability.[26] The Atlanta Thrashers, making their debut as an expansion team, prioritized offensive firepower by selecting Heatley second overall from the University of Wisconsin in the WCHA, where he had posted 26 goals and 57 points in 38 games, signaling their strategy to construct a scoring-oriented lineup around young talent.[27] The Minnesota Wild followed with Gáborík at third, a speedy right winger from HK Dukla Trenčín in the Slovak Extraliga, adding international flair to their inaugural draft haul.[27] Other teams varied in approach, with the Columbus Blue Jackets addressing defensive needs by taking Rostislav Klesla fourth from the OHL's Brampton Battalion, while the draft's forward depth allowed clubs like the Chicago Blackhawks to stockpile wingers and centers early.[27] The complete first-round selections are as follows:| Pick | Team | Player | Position | Amateur League |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York Islanders | Rick DiPietro | G | H-East |
| 2 | Atlanta Thrashers | Dany Heatley | LW | WCHA |
| 3 | Minnesota Wild | Marián Gáborík | RW | Slovak |
| 4 | Columbus Blue Jackets | Rostislav Klesla | D | OHL |
| 5 | New York Islanders | Raffi Torres | LW | OHL |
| 6 | Nashville Predators | Scott Hartnell | LW | WHL |
| 7 | Boston Bruins | Lars Jönsson | D | SEL |
| 8 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Nikita Alexeev | RW | OHL |
| 9 | Calgary Flames | Brent Krahn | G | WHL |
| 10 | Chicago Blackhawks | Mikhail Yakubov | C | Russia |
| 11 | Chicago Blackhawks | Pavel Vorobiev | RW | Russia |
| 12 | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim | Alexei Smirnov | LW | Russia |
| 13 | Montréal Canadiens | Ron Hainsey | D | H-East |
| 14 | Colorado Avalanche | Václav Nedorost | C | Czech |
| 15 | Buffalo Sabres | Artem Kryukov | C | Russia |
| 16 | Montréal Canadiens | Marcel Hossa | LW | WHL |
| 17 | Edmonton Oilers | Alexei Mikhnov | LW | Russia |
| 18 | Pittsburgh Penguins | Brooks Orpik | D | H-East |
| 19 | Phoenix Coyotes | Krys Kolanos | C | H-East |
| 20 | Los Angeles Kings | Alexander Frolov | LW | Russia |
| 21 | Ottawa Senators | Anton Volchenkov | D | Russia |
| 22 | New Jersey Devils | David Hale | D | USHL |
| 23 | Vancouver Canucks | Nathan Smith | C | WHL |
| 24 | Toronto Maple Leafs | Brad Boyes | RW | OHL |
| 25 | Dallas Stars | Steve Ott | C | OHL |
| 26 | Washington Capitals | Brian Sutherby | C | WHL |
| 27 | Boston Bruins | Martin Samuelsson | RW | SEL |
| 28 | Philadelphia Flyers | Justin Williams | RW | OHL |
| 29 | Detroit Red Wings | Niklas Kronwall | D | SEL |
| 30 | St. Louis Blues | Jeff Taffe | C | WCHA |
Second Round
The second round of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft consisted of picks 31 through 60, where teams prioritized depth selections, particularly defensemen to support rebuilding efforts in expansion and struggling franchises. This round showcased a marked increase in European players selected, with 18 out of 30 picks hailing from European leagues or junior programs, underscoring the NHL's expanding international scouting network during the late 1990s and early 2000s.[4][18]| Overall | Team | Player | Position | Amateur Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | Atlanta Thrashers | Ilja Nikulin | D | THK Tver (Russia-2) |
| 32 | Carolina Hurricanes | Tomas Kurka | LW | Plymouth Whalers (OHL) |
| 33 | Minnesota Wild | Nick Schultz | D | Prince Albert Raiders (WHL) |
| 34 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Ruslan Zainullin | RW | Ak-Bars Kazan (Russia) |
| 35 | Edmonton Oilers | Brad Winchester | C/LW | Wisconsin (WCHA) |
| 36 | Nashville Predators | Daniel Widing | RW | Leksands IF Jr. (Sweden Jr.) |
| 37 | Boston Bruins | Andy Hilbert | C/LW | Michigan (CCHA) |
| 38 | Detroit Red Wings | Tomas Kopecky | C | HK Dukla Trencin (Slovakia) |
| 39 | New Jersey Devils | Teemu Laine | RW | Jokerit (Finland) |
| 40 | Calgary Flames | Kurtis Foster | D | Peterborough Petes (OHL) |
| 41 | San Jose Sharks | Tero Maatta | D | Jokerit Jr. (Finland Jr.) |
| 42 | Atlanta Thrashers | Libor Ustrnul | D | Plymouth Whalers (OHL) |
| 43 | Washington Capitals | Matt Pettinger | LW | Calgary Hitmen (WHL) |
| 44 | Anaheim Ducks | Ilya Bryzgalov | G | Lada Togliatti (Russia) |
| 45 | Ottawa Senators | Mathieu Chouinard | G | Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL) |
| 46 | Calgary Flames | Jarret Stoll | C | Kootenay Ice (WHL) |
| 47 | Colorado Avalanche | Jared Aulin | C/RW | Kamloops Blazers (WHL) |
| 48 | Buffalo Sabres | Gerard Dicaire | D | Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) |
| 49 | Chicago Blackhawks | Jonas Nordqvist | C | Leksands IF Jr. (Sweden Jr.) |
| 50 | Colorado Avalanche | Sergei Soin | C/LW | Krylia Sovetov Moskva (Russia-2) |
| 51 | Toronto Maple Leafs | Kris Vernarsky | C | Plymouth Whalers (OHL) |
| 52 | Pittsburgh Penguins | Shane Endicott | C | Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) |
| 53 | Phoenix Coyotes | Alexander Tatarinov | RW | Torpedo Yaroslavl 2 (Russia-3) |
| 54 | Los Angeles Kings | Andreas Lilja | D | MIF (Sweden) |
| 55 | Ottawa Senators | Antoine Vermette | C | Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL) |
| 56 | New Jersey Devils | Alexander Suglobov | RW | Torpedo Yaroslavl 2 (Russia-3) |
| 57 | New Jersey Devils | Matt DeMarchi | D | Minnesota (WCHA) |
| 58 | Florida Panthers | Vladimir Sapozhnikov | D | Kristall Saratov (Russia-2) |
| 59 | Boston Bruins | Ivan Huml | LW | Langley (BCHL) |
| 60 | Dallas Stars | Dan Ellis | G | Omaha Lancers (USHL) |
Third Round
The third round of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft encompassed picks 61 through 90, where teams targeted a mix of emerging talents from major junior leagues, European development systems, and limited college programs, emphasizing long-term developmental prospects over immediate contributors. This round highlighted defensive depth and versatile forwards, with selections drawn predominantly from North American junior circuits such as the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).[4] Notable in this round was the selection of several overage players, including Alexander Kharitonov, a 24-year-old left winger from Dynamo Moskva in Russia, taken 81st overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning, as teams sought more seasoned individuals whose amateur eligibility was expiring. Other picks at age 20, such as goaltender Mikael Tellqvist (70th overall, Toronto Maple Leafs) from Djurgardens IF in Sweden and center Justin Papineau (75th overall, St. Louis Blues) from the Belleville Bulls (OHL), underscored a trend toward acquiring players on the cusp of professional transitions.[4] The Ottawa Senators exemplified teams building forward depth with their 87th overall selection of center Jan Bohac from HC Slavia Praha in the Czech Republic, while the Boston Bruins added multiple pieces, including left winger Ivan Huml (59th overall, second round) and center Sergei Zinovjev (73rd overall) from Metallurg Novokuznetsk in Russia. Overall, the round featured 30 picks across various positions, with a strong representation from Canadian junior leagues and international sources.[4]| Overall | Team | Player | Position | Age | Amateur Team (League) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 61 | Washington Capitals | Jakub Cutta | D | 18 | Swift Current Broncos (WHL) |
| 62 | New Jersey Devils | Paul Martin | D | 19 | Elk River HS (USHS-MN) |
| 63 | Colorado Avalanche | Agris Saviels | D | Owen Sound Attack (OHL) | |
| 64 | New York Rangers | Filip Novak | D | 18 | Regina Pats (WHL) |
| 65 | St. Louis Blues | Dave Morisset | RW | 19 | Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) |
| 66 | Boston Bruins | Tuukka Makela | D | HIFK Jr. (Finland Jr.) | |
| 67 | New Jersey Devils | Max Birbraer | RW | Newmarket Hurricanes (OPJHL) | |
| 68 | Dallas Stars | Joel Lundqvist | C | 18 | Vastra Frolunda HC Jr. (Sweden Jr.) |
| 69 | Columbus Blue Jackets | Ben Knopp | RW | Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL) | |
| 70 | Toronto Maple Leafs | Mikael Tellqvist | G | 20 | Djurgardens IF (Sweden) |
| 71 | Vancouver Canucks | Thatcher Bell | C | Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL) | |
| 72 | Nashville Predators | Mattias Nilsson | D | MoDo Hockey Jr. (Sweden Jr.) | |
| 73 | Boston Bruins | Sergei Zinovjev | C/LW | 20 | Metallurg Novokuznetsk (Russia) |
| 74 | Chicago Blackhawks | Igor Radulov | LW | 18 | Torpedo Yaroslavl 2 (Russia-3) |
| 75 | St. Louis Blues | Justin Papineau | C | 20 | Belleville Bulls (OHL) |
| 76 | New Jersey Devils | Mike Rupp | C | 20 | Erie Otters (OHL) |
| 77 | Florida Panthers | Robert Fried | RW | Deerfield Academy (USHS-MA) | |
| 78 | Montreal Canadiens | Jozef Balej | RW | 18 | Portland Winter Hawks (WHL) |
| 79 | Montreal Canadiens | Tyler Hanchuck | D | Brampton Battalion (OHL) | |
| 80 | Carolina Hurricanes | Ryan Bayda | LW | 19 | North Dakota (WCHA) |
| 81 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Alexander Kharitonov | LW | 24 | Dynamo Moskva (Russia) |
| 82 | Florida Panthers | Sean O'Connor | RW | Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL) | |
| 83 | Edmonton Oilers | Alexander Lyubimov | D | CSK VVS Samara (Russia) | |
| 84 | Pittsburgh Penguins | Peter Hamerlik | G | 18 | HK 36 Skalica (Slovakia) |
| 85 | Phoenix Coyotes | Ramzi Abid | LW | 20 | Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) |
| 86 | Los Angeles Kings | Yanick Lehoux | C | 18 | Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL) |
| 87 | Ottawa Senators | Jan Bohac | C | HC Slavia Praha (Czech) | |
| 88 | Colorado Avalanche | Kurt Sauer | D | 19 | Spokane Chiefs (WHL) |
| 89 | Nashville Predators | Libor Pivko | LW | 20 | HC Havirov (Czech) |
| 90 | Toronto Maple Leafs | Jean-Francois Racine | G | Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL) |
Fourth Round
The fourth round of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft encompassed picks 91 through 120, a phase where teams increasingly targeted speculative prospects with upside potential, offering lottery-like value as lower selections occasionally yielded long-term NHL contributors despite the inherent risks.[4] This round highlighted occasional steals, particularly through the selection of undrafted players from prior draft-eligible years who brought immediate professional experience, such as European veterans overlooked in earlier cycles.[18] Among the standout picks, the New York Rangers selected center Dominic Moore 95th overall from Harvard University; Moore developed into a reliable NHL player, appearing in 950 games across 16 seasons with multiple teams. Similarly, the Carolina Hurricanes chose defenseman Niclas Wallin 97th overall at age 25 after he had gone undrafted previously while playing in Sweden's top league; Wallin logged 257 NHL games, including a key role on the 2006 Stanley Cup-winning Hurricanes squad.[28] The Anaheim Ducks followed by drafting right winger Jonas Rönnqvist 98th overall at age 27, another late-bloomer from Luleå HF in Sweden, who played 51 NHL games during the 2000-01 season.[29] The Los Angeles Kings selected Lubomír Višňovský 118th overall from HC Slovan Bratislava in Slovakia. The complete list of fourth-round selections is as follows:| Overall | Team | Player | Nat. | Pos | Age | Amateur Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 91 | Dallas Stars | Alexei Tereschenko | RU | C | Dynamo Moskva (Russia) | |
| 92 | Colorado Avalanche | Sergei Klyazmin | RU | LW | THK Tver (Russia-2) | |
| 93 | Vancouver Canucks | Tim Branham | US | D | Barrie Colts (OHL) | |
| 94 | Philadelphia Flyers | Alexander Drozdetsky | RU | RW | SKA St. Petersburg (Russia) | |
| 95 | New York Rangers | Dominic Moore | CA | C | 20 | Harvard (ECAC) |
| 96 | St. Louis Blues | Antoine Bergeron | CA | D | Val-d'Or Foreurs (QMJHL) | |
| 97 | Carolina Hurricanes | Niclas Wallin | SE | D | 25 | Brynas IF (Sweden) |
| 98 | Anaheim Ducks | Jonas Ronnqvist | SE | RW | 27 | Lulea HF (Sweden) |
| 99 | Minnesota Wild | Marc Cavosie | US | C | RPI (ECAC) | |
| 100 | Toronto Maple Leafs | Miguel Delisle | CA | RW | Ottawa 67's (OHL) | |
| 101 | New York Islanders | Arto Tukio | FI | D | Ilves (Finland) | |
| 102 | Detroit Red Wings | Stefan Liv | SE | G | HV71 (Sweden) | |
| 103 | Boston Bruins | Brett Nowak | US | C | Harvard (ECAC) | |
| 104 | San Jose Sharks | Jon DiSalvatore | US | RW | 19 | Providence (H-East) |
| 105 | New York Islanders | Vladimir Gorbunov | RU | RW | HK CSKA Moskva (Russia-2) | |
| 106 | Chicago Blackhawks | Scott Balan | CA | D | Regina Pats (WHL) | |
| 107 | Atlanta Thrashers | Carl Mallette | CA | C | Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL) | |
| 108 | Atlanta Thrashers | Blake Robson | CA | C | Portland Winter Hawks (WHL) | |
| 109 | Montreal Canadiens | Johan Eneqvist | SE | LW | Leksands IF Jr. (Sweden Jr.) | |
| 110 | Carolina Hurricanes | Jared Newman | US | D | Plymouth Whalers (OHL) | |
| 111 | Buffalo Sabres | Ghyslain Rousseau | CA | G | Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL) | |
| 112 | New York Rangers | Premysl Duben | CZ | D | HC Dukla Jihlava (Czech-2) | |
| 113 | Edmonton Oilers | Lou Dickenson | CA | C | Mississagua IceDogs (OHL) | |
| 114 | Montreal Canadiens | Christian Larrivee | CA | C | Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL) | |
| 115 | Florida Panthers | Chris Eade | CA | D | North Bay Centennials (OHL) | |
| 116 | Calgary Flames | Levente Szuper | HU | G | Ottawa 67's (OHL) | |
| 117 | Chicago Blackhawks | Olli Malmivaara | FI | D | 18 | Jokerit Jr. (Finland Jr.) |
| 118 | Los Angeles Kings | Lubomír Višňovský | SK | D | 24 | HC Slovan Bratislava (Slovakia) |
| 119 | Colorado Avalanche | Brian Fahey | US | D | 19 | Wisconsin (WCHA) |
| 120 | Florida Panthers | Davis Parley | CA | G | Kamloops Blazers (WHL) |
Fifth Round
The fifth round of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, encompassing picks 121 through 150, featured selections primarily from junior leagues in North America and professional teams in Europe, reflecting the increasing emphasis on depth scouting for overlooked talents amid the expansion to 30 teams that year.[4] With one pick per team adjusted for trades, this round yielded 30 selections, allowing scouts to target a diverse pool of prospects including lesser-known Europeans and junior players who had slipped through earlier rounds.[4] The Detroit Red Wings, renowned for their late-round discoveries in previous drafts such as Kris Draper and Kirk Maltby, continued this tradition by using three fifth-round picks on Russian prospects Dmitri Semenov, Alexander Seluyanov, and Canadian junior Aaron Van Leusen, underscoring their strategy of mining international and junior circuits for value.[4] International diversity was evident, with players hailing from Sweden, Czech Republic, Finland, Slovakia, Russia, Hungary, and beyond, alongside North American juniors from the OHL, QMJHL, WHL, and USHL.[4]| Overall | Team | Player | Pos | Age | Nat | Amateur Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 121 | Washington Capitals | Ryan Vanbuskirk | D | CA | Sarnia Sting (OHL) | |
| 122 | Ottawa Senators | Derrick Byfuglien | D | US | Fargo-Moorhead Ice Sharks (USHL) | |
| 123 | Dallas Stars | Vadim Khomitski | D | RU | HK CSKA Moskva (Russia-2) | |
| 124 | Pittsburgh Penguins | Michel Ouellet | RW | 18 | CA | Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL) |
| 125 | New Jersey Devils | Phil Cole | D | CA | Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL) | |
| 126 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Johan Hagglund | C | SE | MoDo Hockey Jr. (Sweden Jr.) | |
| 127 | Detroit Red Wings | Dmitri Semenov | RW | RU | THK Tver (Russia-2) | |
| 128 | Detroit Red Wings | Alexander Seluyanov | D | RU | Salavat Yulaev Ufa (Russia) | |
| 129 | St. Louis Blues | Troy Riddle | C | US | Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL) | |
| 130 | Detroit Red Wings | Aaron Van Leusen | C | CA | Brampton Battalion (OHL) | |
| 131 | Nashville Predators | Matt Hendricks | C | 19 | US | Blaine HS (High-MN) |
| 132 | Minnesota Wild | Maxim Sushinsky | RW | 26 | RU | Avangard Omsk (Russia) |
| 133 | Columbus Blue Jackets | Petteri Nummelin | D | 27 | FI | HC Davos (Swiss) |
| 134 | Anaheim Ducks | Peter Podhradsky | D | SK | HC Slovan Bratislava (Slovakia) | |
| 135 | New Jersey Devils | Mike Danton | C | 19 | CA | Barrie Colts (OHL) |
| 136 | New York Islanders | Dmitri Upper | C | RU | Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (Russia) | |
| 137 | Nashville Predators | Mike Stuart | D | 20 | US | Colorado College (WCHA) |
| 138 | Columbus Blue Jackets | Scott Heffernan | D | CA | Sarnia Sting (OHL) | |
| 139 | Dallas Stars | Ruslan Bernikov | RW | RU | Amur Khabarovsk (Russia) | |
| 140 | New York Rangers | Nathan Martz | C | CA | Chilliwack (BCHL) | |
| 141 | Calgary Flames | Wade Davis | D | CA | Calgary Hitmen (WHL) | |
| 142 | San Jose Sharks | Michal Pinc | LW | CZ | Hull Olympiques (QMJHL) | |
| 143 | New York Rangers | Brandon Snee | G | US | Union (ECAC) | |
| 144 | Vancouver Canucks | Pavel Duma | C | CZ | Neftekhimik Nishnekamsk (Russia) | |
| 145 | Montreal Canadiens | Ryan Glenn | D | CA | Walpole (EJHL) | |
| 146 | Pittsburgh Penguins | David Koci | LW | 19 | CZ | HC Slavia Praha Jr. (Czech Jr.) |
| 147 | Atlanta Thrashers | Matt McRae | C | US | Cornell (ECAC) | |
| 148 | New York Islanders | Kristofer Ottosson | RW | SE | Djurgardens IF (Sweden) | |
| 149 | Buffalo Sabres | Denis Denisov | LW | RU | HK CSKA Moskva (Russia-2) | |
| 150 | Columbus Blue Jackets | Tyler Kolarik | C | US | Deerfield Academy (High-MA) |
Sixth Round
The sixth round of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft featured picks numbered 151 through 180, comprising selections of prospects often regarded as high-risk, high-reward gambles due to their relative inexperience or late developmental stages in junior, college, or European leagues.[27] Teams targeted players with untapped potential, including several from the United States Hockey League (USHL), such as goaltender Mike Ayers from the Dubuque Fighting Saints and defenseman J.D. Forrest from the U.S. National Under-18 Team, viewed as potential sleepers for their athleticism and upside despite limited exposure.[27][18] This round emphasized bolstering goaltending and defensive depth, with four goalies and eleven defensemen chosen to offset the forward-heavy selections in prior rounds; notable examples include Czech goaltender Roman Cechmánek (Philadelphia Flyers, pick 171) and Finnish defenseman Jarno Kultanen (Boston Bruins, pick 174).[27]| Overall | Team | Player | Position | Drafted From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 151 | Chicago Blackhawks | Alexander Barkunov | D | Torpedo Yaroslavl 2 (Russia-3) |
| 152 | Edmonton Oilers | Paul Flache | D | Brampton Battalion (OHL) |
| 153 | Anaheim Ducks | Bill Cass | D | Boston College (H-East) |
| 154 | Nashville Predators | Matt Koalska | C | Twin City Vulcans (USHL) |
| 155 | Calgary Flames | Travis Moen | LW | Kelowna Rockets (WHL) |
| 156 | Ottawa Senators | Greg Zanon | D | Nebraska-Omaha (CCHA) |
| 157 | Ottawa Senators | Grant Potulny | C | Lincoln Stars (USHL) |
| 158 | Ottawa Senators | Sean Connolly | D | Northern Michigan (CCHA) |
| 159 | Colorado Avalanche | Martin Grenier | LW | Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL) |
| 160 | Buffalo Sabres | Doug Janik | D | U. of Michigan (CCHA) |
| 161 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Nick Anderson | D | Holy Angels (USHS-MN) |
| 162 | Atlanta Thrashers | Ben Clymer | RW | U. of Minnesota (WCHA) |
| 163 | Montreal Canadiens | Jason Doyle | C | Summerside (MJrA) |
| 164 | San Jose Sharks | Chad Wiseman | LW | Mississauga IceDogs (OHL) |
| 165 | Edmonton Oilers | Jason Platt | D | Omaha Lancers (USHL) |
| 166 | Pittsburgh Penguins | Steven Crampton | LW | Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL) |
| 167 | Phoenix Coyotes | Sami Venalainen | RW | Tappara Jrs. (Finland) |
| 168 | Atlanta Thrashers | Zdenek Smid | G | Karlovy Vary HC [Czech] |
| 169 | Columbus Blue Jackets | Shane Bendera | G | Red Deer Rebels [WHL] |
| 170 | Minnesota Wild | Eric Reitz | D | Barrie Colts [OHL] |
| 171 | Philadelphia Flyers | Roman Cechmanek | G | Vsetin HC [Czech] |
| 172 | Montreal Canadiens | Scott Selig | C | Thayer Academy (Mass.) |
| 173 | Nashville Predators | Tomas Harant | D | Zilina Jr. (Slovakia) |
| 174 | Boston Bruins | Jarno Kultanen | D | HIFK Helsinki [SM-liiga] |
| 175 | New York Rangers | Sven Helfenstein | F | Kloten Jr. (Switzerland) |
| 176 | Calgary Flames | Jukka Hentunen | R | HPK Hameenlinna [SM-liiga] |
| 177 | Chicago Blackhawks | Mike Ayers | G | Dubuque Fighting Saints [USHL] |
| 178 | Atlanta Thrashers | Jeff Dwyer | D | Choate Rosemary Hall (Conn.) |
| 179 | Toronto Maple Leafs | Vadim Sozinov | L | Novokuznetsk-2 |
| 180 | Atlanta Thrashers | Darcy Hordichuk | L | Saskatoon Blades [WHL] |
Seventh Round
The seventh round of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft comprised 30 selections, spanning overall picks 181 through 210, as the 30 participating teams exhausted their scouting lists with a strategy focused on overlooked prospects and local talents from various leagues.[4] This round emphasized wrapping up selections from North American junior circuits, including the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), Western Hockey League (WHL), and United States Hockey League (USHL), alongside international options.[4] Several players selected in this round never reported to their drafting organizations, highlighting the speculative nature of tail-end picks in filling organizational depth.[31] The following table lists all seventh-round selections:| Overall | Team | Player | Pos | Amateur Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 181 | Carolina Hurricanes | J.D. Forrest | D | U.S. National Under-18 Team [USHL] |
| 182 | Montreal Canadiens | Petr Chvojka | D | Plzen HC [Czech] |
| 183 | San Jose Sharks | Michal Macho | R | Martin Jr. (Slovakia) |
| 184 | Edmonton Oilers | Shaun Norrie | R | Calgary Hitmen [WHL] |
| 185 | Pittsburgh Penguins | Patrick Foley | F | U. of New Hampshire [H-East] |
| 186 | Phoenix Coyotes | Brent Gauvreau | C | Oshawa Generals [OHL] |
| 187 | Detroit Red Wings | Par Backer | C | Grums IK [Swe-1] |
| 188 | Ottawa Senators | Jason Maleyko | D | Brampton Battalion [OHL] |
| 189 | Colorado Avalanche | Chris Bahen | D | Clarkson University [ECAC] |
| 190 | Florida Panthers | Josh Olson | L | Omaha Lancers [USHL] |
| 191 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Aaron Gionet | D | Kamloops Blazers [WHL] |
| 192 | Dallas Stars | Ladislav Vlcek | F | Kladno [Czech] |
| 193 | Chicago Blackhawks | Joey Martin | D | Omaha Lancers [USHL] |
| 194 | New Jersey Devils | Deryk Engelland | D | Moose Jaw Warriors [WHL] |
| 195 | New York Islanders | Jeremy Symington | LW | Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) |
| 196 | New York Rangers | Sean Sullivan | D | Avon Old Farms (USHS-CT) |
| 197 | Vancouver Canucks | Colton Fretter | LW | Omaha Lancers (USHL) |
| 198 | New Jersey Devils | Ken Magowan | LW | Vernon (BCHL) |
| 199 | Minnesota Wild | Brian Passmore | C | Oshawa Generals (OHL) |
| 200 | Columbus Blue Jackets | Janne Jokila | LW | TPS Jr. (Finland Jr.) |
| 201 | Los Angeles Kings | Yevgeny Fedorov | C | Molot Prikamie Perm (Russia) |
| 202 | New York Islanders | Ryan Caldwell | D | Thunder Bay Flyers (USHL) |
| 203 | Nashville Predators | Jure Penko | G | Green Bay Gamblers (USHL) |
| 204 | Boston Bruins | Chris Berti | C | Sarnia Sting (OHL) |
| 205 | New York Rangers | Henrik Lundqvist | G | Vastra Frolunda HC Jr. (Sweden Jr.) |
| 206 | Los Angeles Kings | Tim Eriksson | C | Vastra Frolunda HC Jr. (Sweden Jr.) |
| 207 | Chicago Blackhawks | Cliff Loya | D | Maine (H-East) |
| 208 | Vancouver Canucks | Brandon Reid | C | Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) |
| 209 | Toronto Maple Leafs | Markus Seikola | D | TPS Jr. (Finland Jr.) |
| 210 | Philadelphia Flyers | John Eichelberger | C | Green Bay Gamblers (USHL) |
Eighth Round
The eighth round of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft featured 30 selections, numbered 211 through 240 overall, as teams utilized traded picks and expansion allotments to continue building their prospect depth despite the diminishing pool of high-profile talents from earlier rounds.[27] This round exemplified the draft's exhaustive nature, with selections drawing heavily from international leagues, junior hockey in North America and Europe, and collegiate programs, often targeting developmental projects or undiscovered potential rather than immediate contributors.[27] No major compensatory or special picks were awarded in this round.[27] The following table lists all eighth-round selections:| Overall Pick | Team | Player Name | Position | Previous Team/League |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 211 | Edmonton Oilers | Joe Cullen | C | Colorado College (WCHA) |
| 212 | Carolina Hurricanes | Magnus Kahnberg | LW | Vastra Frolunda HC Jr. (Sweden Jr.) |
| 213 | Buffalo Sabres | Vasily Bizyayev | RW | HK CSKA Moskva 2 (Russia-3) |
| 214 | Minnesota Wild | Peter Bartos | LW | HC Ceske Budejovice (Czech) |
| 215 | Edmonton Oilers | Matthew Lombardi | C | Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL) |
| 216 | Pittsburgh Penguins | Jim Abbott | LW | New Hampshire (H-East) |
| 217 | Phoenix Coyotes | Igor Samoilov | D | Torpedo Yaroslavl 2 (Russia-3) |
| 218 | Los Angeles Kings | Craig Olynick | D | Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) |
| 219 | Dallas Stars | Marco Tuokko | C | TPS (Finland) |
| 220 | Buffalo Sabres | Paul Gaustad | C | Portland Winter Hawks (WHL) |
| 221 | Colorado Avalanche | Aaron Molnar | G | London Knights (OHL) |
| 222 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Marek Priechodsky | D | HC Slovan Bratislava (Slovakia) |
| 223 | Toronto Maple Leafs | Lubos Velebny | D | HKM Zvolen Jr. (Slovakia Jr.) |
| 224 | Dallas Stars | Antti Miettinen | RW | HPK (Finland) |
| 225 | Chicago Blackhawks | Vladislav Luchkin | C | Severstal Cherepovets 2 (Russia-3) |
| 226 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Brian Eklund | G | Brown (ECAC) |
| 227 | Philadelphia Flyers | Guillaume Lefebvre | LW | Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL) |
| 228 | Detroit Red Wings | Jimmie Svensson | C | Vasteras IK Jr. (Sweden Jr.) |
| 229 | St. Louis Blues | Brett Lutes | LW | Montreal Rocket (QMJHL) |
| 230 | Atlanta Thrashers | Samu Isosalo | C | North Bay Centennials (OHL) |
| 231 | Columbus Blue Jackets | Peter Zingoni | C | New England Jr. Coyotes (EJHL) |
| 232 | Minnesota Wild | Lubomir Sekeras | D | Trinec Ocelari HC (Czech) |
| 233 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Alexander Polukeyev | G | St. Petersburg Jrs. (Russia) |
| 234 | Florida Panthers | Janis Sprukts | D | Lukko Rauma (SM-liiga) |
| 235 | Carolina Hurricanes | Craig Kowalski | G | Compuware Ambassadors (NAHL) |
| 236 | Nashville Predators | Mats Christeen | D | Sodertalje SK Jr. (Swe-Jr) |
| 237 | Boston Bruins | Zdenek Kutlak | D | Ceske Budejovice HC (Czech) |
| 238 | New York Rangers | Danny Eberly | D | R.P.I. (ECAC) |
| 239 | Calgary Flames | David Hajek | D | Chomutov (Czech Rep.) |
| 240 | Chicago Blackhawks | Adam Berkhoel | G | Twin City Vulcans (USHL) |
Ninth Round
The ninth round of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, held on June 25, 2000, at the Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, featured the final 53 selections, spanning picks 241 through 293. These late-round choices were highly speculative, targeting prospects with long-shot potential, as evidenced by the fact that only a handful of players from this round ever appeared in an NHL game, while several notable undrafted eligible players signed free agent deals with teams immediately after the draft.[27][32] The selections emphasized depth across positions, with a mix of forwards, defensemen, and goaltenders from various junior leagues and international circuits. The round concluded with the St. Louis Blues selecting Finnish defenseman Lauri Kinos at pick 293.[18][4]| Pick | Team | Player | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 241 | Vancouver Canucks | Nathan Barrett | C |
| 242 | Atlanta Thrashers | Evan Nielsen | D |
| 243 | Montreal Canadiens | Joni Puurula | G |
| 244 | Atlanta Thrashers | Eric Bowen | R |
| 245 | Los Angeles Kings | Dan Welch | W |
| 246 | San Jose Sharks | Chad Wiseman | L |
| 247 | Edmonton Oilers | Jason Platt | D |
| 248 | Pittsburgh Penguins | Steven Crampton | L |
| 249 | Phoenix Coyotes | Sami Venalainen | R |
| 250 | Los Angeles Kings | Flavien Conne | F |
| 251 | Detroit Red Wings | Todd Jackson | L |
| 252 | Colorado Avalanche | Darryl Bootland | R |
| 253 | Florida Panthers | Matt Sommerfeld | L |
| 254 | Toronto Maple Leafs | Alexander Shinkar | R |
| 255 | Minnesota Wild | Eric Johansson | C |
| 256 | San Jose Sharks | Pasi Saarinen | D |
| 257 | New Jersey Devils | Warren McCutcheon | C |
| 258 | Buffalo Sabres | Sean McMorrow | R |
| 259 | Philadelphia Flyers | Regan Kelly | D |
| 260 | Detroit Red Wings | Evgeni Bumagin | F |
| 261 | St. Louis Blues | Reinhard Divis | G |
| 262 | Chicago Blackhawks | Peter Flache | F |
| 263 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Thomas Ziegler | F |
| 264 | New York Islanders | Dmitry Altaryov | F |
| 265 | Toronto Maple Leafs | Jean-Philippe Côté | D |
| 266 | Colorado Avalanche | Sean Kotary | F |
| 267 | New York Islanders | Tomi Pettinen | D |
| 268 | Boston Bruins | Pavel Kolarik | D |
| 269 | New York Rangers | Martin Richter | D |
| 270 | Calgary Flames | Micki DuPont | D |
| 271 | Chicago Blackhawks | Reto von Arx | F |
| 272 | Vancouver Canucks | Tim Smith | F |
| 273 | Pittsburgh Penguins | Roman Simicek | F |
| 274 | Edmonton Oilers | Yevgeni Muratov | F |
| 275 | Montréal Canadiens | Jonathan Gauthier | D |
| 276 | Carolina Hurricanes | Troy Ferguson | F |
| 277 | Buffalo Sabres | Ryan Courtney | F |
| 278 | Columbus Blue Jackets | Martin Paroulek | F |
| 279 | Boston Bruins | Andreas Lindström | F |
| 280 | Pittsburgh Penguins | Nick Boucher | G |
| 281 | Phoenix Coyotes | Peter Fabus | F |
| 282 | Los Angeles Kings | Carl Grahn | G |
| 283 | Ottawa Senators | James DeMone | D |
| 284 | Nashville Predators | Martin Höhener | D |
| 285 | Colorado Avalanche | Blake Ward | G |
| 286 | Columbus Blue Jackets | Andrej Nedorost | F |
| 287 | Philadelphia Flyers | Milan Kopecký | F |
| 288 | Atlanta Thrashers | Mark McRae | D |
| 289 | Washington Capitals | Björn Nord | D |
| 290 | Atlanta Thrashers | Simon Gamache | F |
| 291 | Chicago Blackhawks | Arne Ramholt | D |
| 292 | Columbus Blue Jackets | Louis Mandeville | D |
| 293 | St. Louis Blues | Lauri Kinos | D |