2003 NHL entry draft
The 2003 NHL Entry Draft was the 41st annual selection of amateur ice hockey players by National Hockey League (NHL) franchises, held over two days, June 21 and 22, 2003, at the Gaylord Entertainment Center (now Bridgestone Arena) in Nashville, Tennessee.[1] The draft featured nine rounds and a total of 292 picks, with selections drawn primarily from major junior leagues such as the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), Western Hockey League (WHL), and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), as well as NCAA programs, European leagues, and U.S. high schools.[2] It is widely regarded as one of the deepest drafts in NHL history due to the exceptional talent pool that produced numerous long-term stars, Stanley Cup champions, and Hall of Fame-caliber players across multiple rounds.[3] As of late 2025, only a handful of players from this draft class remain active in the NHL, including Ryan Suter, Brent Burns, and Corey Perry, underscoring the class's exceptional longevity.[4] The first round highlighted a strong class of forwards and goaltenders, beginning with the Pittsburgh Penguins selecting goaltender Marc-André Fleury first overall, who later became a three-time Stanley Cup winner and one of the league's premier netminders.[2] The Carolina Hurricanes followed with center [Eric Staal](/page/Eric Staal) at second overall, a prolific scorer who amassed over 1,000 NHL points and captained the team to a Cup in 2006.[2] Subsequent top picks included right winger Nathan Horton (third, Florida Panthers), who contributed to Boston's 2011 championship; winger Nikolai Zherdev (fourth, Columbus Blue Jackets); and left winger Thomas Vanek (fifth, Buffalo Sabres), known for his elite goal-scoring ability with 373 career goals.[2] Other first-round standouts encompassed defenseman Ryan Suter (seventh, Nashville Predators), a two-time Norris Trophy finalist, and center Drew Stafford (thirteenth, Buffalo Sabres), underscoring the draft's forward and defensive balance.[2] Beyond the early selections, the draft's depth was evident in later rounds, where several overlooked prospects emerged as elite performers. The Anaheim Ducks found franchise cornerstones in right winger Corey Perry (twenty-eighth overall), a Hart Trophy winner and Stanley Cup champion, and center Ryan Getzlaf (nineteenth overall), a longtime captain with over 1,000 points.[2] Goaltender Cam Ward (thirtieth, Carolina Hurricanes) became the Conn Smythe Trophy winner in 2006, leading his team to victory.[2] Notably, center Patrice Bergeron (forty-fifth overall, Boston Bruins) developed into a six-time Selke Trophy recipient and key figure in three Stanley Cups, exemplifying the draft's hidden gems.[3] Defenseman Brent Seabrook (fourteenth, Chicago Blackhawks) also anchored multiple championship defenses.[2] In total, at least 16 players from this class reached 1,000 NHL games, contributing to its legacy as a talent-rich event that influenced the league for nearly two decades.[3]Background
League Context
The 2002–03 NHL season, the league's 86th year of operation, featured intense competition across its 30 teams, with the regular season culminating in a tight race for playoff spots. Eight teams finished with 100 or more points, led by the Ottawa Senators' league-best 113 points in the Northeast Division, followed closely by the Dallas Stars (111 points) in the Pacific Division and the Detroit Red Wings (110 points) in the Central Division. The season was also notable for the Columbus Blue Jackets posting a poor record at 22–48–7–5 for 56 points, while other struggling teams like the Carolina Hurricanes (61 points) and Pittsburgh Penguins (65 points) faced performance challenges. The New Jersey Devils claimed the Stanley Cup, defeating the Anaheim Ducks in a seven-game Final series, highlighting the depth of talent in the Eastern Conference.[5][6] Amid this backdrop, the Pittsburgh Penguins endured one of their most difficult seasons, finishing fifth in the Atlantic Division with a 27–44–6–5 record and 65 points, the second-worst mark in the league behind Carolina. The team's woes were exacerbated by ongoing ownership instability and the retirement of captain Mario Lemieux earlier in the year, underscoring the need for high-impact draft selections to rebuild. The season's outcomes directly shaped the entry draft order, with non-playoff teams slotted in reverse order of points percentage, subject to the league's lottery system designed to discourage intentional poor performance.[7] The 2003 NHL Entry Draft lottery, conducted on April 7, 2003, at the league's New York headquarters, used a weighted drawing involving 14 balls in a machine to assign the first overall pick among the five lowest-finishing non-playoff teams: Carolina Hurricanes (25% odds), Pittsburgh Penguins (18.8%), Columbus Blue Jackets (14.2%), Florida Panthers (10.7%), and Buffalo Sabres (8.5%). The Florida Panthers won the draw, vaulting them from fourth-worst to the No. 1 position; this shifted Carolina to No. 2, Pittsburgh to No. 3, Columbus to No. 4, and Buffalo to No. 5, with the remaining order adjusted accordingly. Despite not securing the top spot directly, the Penguins ultimately obtained the first overall selection through a draft-day trade with Florida, acquiring what became the rights to goaltender Marc-André Fleury while sending their No. 3 pick and additional assets in return. This lottery outcome exemplified the system's role in injecting parity, as Pittsburgh leaped ahead despite their mid-tier odds among lottery participants.[8][9] League-wide, the 2002–03 season amplified growing labor tensions, as the NHL reported aggregate operating losses of $224 million across its franchises, driven by escalating player salaries that had risen 196% since 1993–94 while revenues grew only 96%. Owners, led by Commissioner Gary Bettman, intensified calls for a hard salary cap in upcoming collective bargaining agreement talks set to expire after the 2003–04 season, viewing it as essential for financial sustainability amid uneven market sizes. These discussions influenced draft strategies, with cash-strapped teams like Pittsburgh emphasizing cost-controlled young talent over high-salary free agents, foreshadowing the acrimonious negotiations that resulted in the complete cancellation of the 2004–05 season due to a lockout.[10][11]Eligibility and Process
Eligibility for the 2003 NHL Entry Draft was limited to amateur players who had not reached their 20th birthday by December 31, 2003, and who had not been previously selected in an NHL draft or signed an entry-level contract with an NHL team.[12] This criterion encompassed a wide range of prospects, including those playing in junior leagues such as the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), collegiate athletes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and players from European professional and junior circuits who met the age and amateur status requirements. North American skaters and goaltenders typically fell within the 18- to 19-year-old range, while international players could be up to 21 years old under league rules allowing exceptions for non-North Americans entering the NHL for the first time.[13] The draft process followed the NHL's established format for the event, which was held over two days and structured into nine rounds to accommodate the perceived depth of the prospect pool. Each of the league's 30 teams was allotted one selection per round, arranged in reverse order of their finishing positions in the 2002–03 regular season standings, with non-playoff teams picking first (positions 1–14) followed by playoff teams in reverse order of finish (positions 15–30). This ordering aimed to provide struggling teams with priority access to top talent, and picks could be traded among teams prior to or during the event. The expansion to nine rounds from the previous standard of seven reflected the league's assessment of available talent, allowing for 292 total selections across all rounds.[14] Compensatory picks were awarded under rules designed to balance the loss of unrestricted free agents during the preceding offseason, granting the original team an extra selection in the subsequent draft based on the departed player's average annual salary. Higher salaries correlated with earlier compensatory positions, often inserting additional picks into rounds two through nine and increasing the total number of selections in those rounds—for instance, the second round featured 38 picks due to multiple compensations. As relatively new franchises, the Minnesota Wild and Columbus Blue Jackets, which joined the league in 2000, received such extra selections when applicable to their lost players, aiding their roster-building efforts in a system that persisted until modifications in the 2005 collective bargaining agreement.[15]Event Details
Location and Schedule
The 2003 NHL Entry Draft took place on June 21 and 22 at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, Tennessee.[1][16] This was the home arena of the Nashville Predators.[17] The schedule spanned two days, with the first three rounds conducted on Saturday, June 21, beginning at 1 p.m. ET, and the remaining rounds 4 through 9 held on Sunday, June 22, starting at 10 a.m. ET.[17][16] Earlier in the week, related events included a prospect luncheon on Friday, June 20.[18] The Stanley Cup was on public display at the Gaylord Entertainment Center on Saturday, June 21, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., allowing fans to view it amid draft festivities.[19] The event attracted thousands of fans, including enthusiastic crowds from Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky, and Alabama, who lined up for hours to see the Stanley Cup and participate in draft activities.[19] Over 13,000 spectators filled the arena, creating a vibrant atmosphere that highlighted Nashville's growing embrace of hockey.[20]Broadcast and Media Coverage
The 2003 NHL Entry Draft was broadcast in the United States on ESPN2, covering the first three rounds live on Saturday, June 21, starting at 1 p.m. ET from Nashville's Gaylord Entertainment Center.[17] The later rounds aired on Sunday, June 22, beginning at 10 a.m. ET.[17] In Canada, TSN served as the primary broadcaster, featuring play-by-play announcer Gord Miller alongside analysts Bob McKenzie and Pierre McGuire for on-site commentary and interviews.[21] McKenzie, a prominent TSN insider, contributed pre-draft mock drafts and prospect rankings that heightened anticipation for top talents like goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury.[21] Media coverage emphasized the draft's depth, with ESPN highlighting the Hockey News Hot 100 prospects list and detailed bios of leading candidates, fueling nationwide hype around potential franchise-changers.[17] Pre-draft buzz also included extensive reporting on the April 2003 draft lottery results, which determined the top selection order and spotlighted emerging stars amid the league's post-lockout recovery.[22] International audiences accessed limited feeds through NHL-affiliated networks, though primary dissemination remained North America-focused.[17]Pre-Draft Analysis
Central Scouting Rankings for Skaters
The NHL Central Scouting Bureau, established to evaluate draft-eligible prospects, released its final pre-draft rankings for skaters in spring 2003, separating North American and international (primarily European) players to reflect regional differences in competition levels. Scouts from the bureau attended hundreds of games across junior, college, and European leagues, rating prospects on a standardized scale that emphasized core attributes including skating speed and agility, shooting accuracy and power, puck control and passing, defensive awareness, and overall hockey sense or decision-making under pressure. These evaluations were aggregated during final meetings to produce consensus rankings, providing NHL teams with a benchmark for talent identification ahead of the draft. Mid-term rankings were released in January 2003, offering an early snapshot of prospect development.[23] The 2003 class featured exceptional depth among forwards and defensemen, with North American prospects dominating the top spots due to the strength of major junior leagues like the OHL and WHL. Eric Staal, a 6-foot-4 center with the Peterborough Petes (OHL), topped the North American list for his combination of size, skill, and two-way play, earning praise as the "safe pick" of the draft. Internationally, Nikolay Zherdev, a dynamic right winger from CSKA Moscow (Russia), led the rankings for his elite offensive talent, speed, and creativity, though concerns about his consistency were noted by scouts. Defenseman Shea Weber of the Kelowna Rockets (WHL) was valued for his physical presence and booming shot despite being overlooked in early evaluations.Top 10 North American Skaters
| Rank | Player | Position | Team/League |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eric Staal | C | Peterborough Petes (OHL) |
| 2 | Dustin Brown | RW | Guelph Storm (OHL) |
| 3 | Thomas Vanek | LW | University of Minnesota (WCHA) |
| 4 | Nathan Horton | RW | Oshawa Generals (OHL) |
| 5 | Ryan Getzlaf | C | Calgary Hitmen (WHL) |
| 6 | Braydon Coburn | D | Portland Winterhawks (WHL) |
| 7 | Ryan Suter | D | U.S. National U18 Team (USHL) |
| 8 | Dion Phaneuf | D | Calgary Hitmen (WHL) |
| 9 | Zach Parise | LW | University of North Dakota (WCHA) |
| 10 | Mike Richards | C | London Knights (OHL) |
Top 5 International Skaters
| Rank | Player | Position | Team/League |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nikolay Zherdev | RW | CSKA Moscow (Russia)[25] |
| 2 | Milan Michálek | RW | HC České Budějovice (Czech Extraliga)[25][26] |
| 3 | Andrei Kostitsyn | LW | CSKA Moscow (Russia)[25] |
| 4 | Dmitri Chernykh | LW | Lada Togliatti (Russia)[25] |
| 5 | Konstantin Glazachev | LW | Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (Russia)[25][27] |
Central Scouting Rankings for Goaltenders
The NHL Central Scouting Bureau's final pre-draft rankings for the 2003 entry draft evaluated goaltender prospects based on key attributes observed in their respective leagues, including save percentages, rebound control, and positioning during high-pressure situations in junior, college, and international play. These criteria emphasized a prospect's technical proficiency, mental resilience, and ability to handle rebounds effectively, drawing from performances in competitive environments like the QMJHL, NCAA, OHL, and European junior leagues. The rankings separated North American and European prospects, with a total of approximately 30 goaltenders assessed across both lists, reflecting a relatively thin but high-upside class led by elite talents. Among North American goaltenders, Marc-André Fleury topped the rankings as the consensus No. 1 prospect, noted for his exceptional athleticism, quick lateral movement, and poise under pressure during his standout season with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in the QMJHL. Fleury posted a 3.36 goals-against average (GAA) and .910 save percentage (SV%) over 51 games, including strong international showings that solidified his status. Ranked second was Jimmy Howard of the University of Maine (NCAA), praised for his composure, consistency, and solid rebound control in college play. Howard recorded a 2.45 GAA and .916 SV% in 21 games, earning Hockey East Rookie of the Year honors. Rounding out the top three was Ryan Munce of the Sarnia Sting (OHL), valued for his size (6'2") and reliable positioning, though he faced a heavier workload on a struggling team. Munce achieved a 2.64 GAA and .916 SV% across 27 appearances. European rankings featured Konstantin Barulin as the No. 1 prospect, highlighted for his technical soundness and calm demeanor in Russia's lower tiers, where he demonstrated excellent rebound management. Playing for Rubin Tyumen, Barulin maintained a 1.69 GAA in 28 games during the 2002-03 season. Teemu Lassila ranked second, with scouts noting his agility and strong glove hand in Finland's junior leagues for TPS-Turku. Patrick Ehelechner placed third, recognized for his steady positioning in Germany's junior circuit with the Hannover Scorpions. The following table summarizes the top three ranked goaltenders in each category, including prior-season key stats for context: North American Goaltenders| Rank | Player | Team/League | Height/Weight | 2002-03 GAA | 2002-03 SV% | Games Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marc-André Fleury | Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (QMJHL) | 6'2" / 180 lbs | 3.36 | .910 | 51 |
| 2 | Jimmy Howard | University of Maine (NCAA) | 6'1" / 195 lbs | 2.45 | .916 | 21 |
| 3 | Ryan Munce | Sarnia Sting (OHL) | 6'2" / 180 lbs | 2.64 | .916 | 27 |
| Rank | Player | Team/League | Height/Weight | 2002-03 GAA | 2002-03 SV% | Games Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Konstantin Barulin | Rubin Tyumen (Russia) | 6'2" / 200 lbs | 1.69 | N/A | 28 |
| 2 | Teemu Lassila | TPS-Turku (Finland) | 6'0" / 202 lbs | 1.92 | .929 | 21 |
| 3 | Patrick Ehelechner | Hannover Scorpions (Germany) | 6'1" / 185 lbs | 5.90 | .810 | 4 |
Draft Proceedings
Draft Day Trades
During the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, held June 21–22 in Nashville, Tennessee, multiple teams executed trades to reposition in the draft order, acquire additional selections, or obtain players and prospects, often driven by the desire to secure high-value talent like goaltender Marc-André Fleury. The draft included compensatory picks awarded to teams that lost unrestricted free agents in the 2002–03 season, resulting in variable numbers of selections per round (e.g., 38 in Round 2, 33 in Round 3).[34][9]June 21 Trades (First Round and Early Rounds)
The draft's opening day featured several high-profile exchanges, starting with the blockbuster deal that reshaped the top of the first round. The Florida Panthers, who had won the draft lottery for the first overall pick, traded it along with their third-round pick (73rd overall) to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for forward Mikael Samuelsson, the Penguins' third overall pick, and a second-round compensatory pick (55th overall). This allowed Pittsburgh to select Fleury first overall, positioning the young goaltender as a cornerstone for the franchise amid its post-Jagr rebuilding efforts, while Florida moved down to draft forward Nathan Horton at third overall and gained Samuelsson's scoring potential (24 points in 80 games the prior season).[35][34][9] Subsequently, the Boston Bruins traded their 16th overall first-round pick to the San Jose Sharks for the 21st overall pick, a second-round pick (66th overall), and a fourth-round pick (107th overall), enabling Boston to acquire more mid-round assets while San Jose moved up to select forward Steve Bernier at 16th.[34][36] The Edmonton Oilers then traded their 17th overall pick to the New Jersey Devils for the 22nd overall pick and a second-round selection (68th overall), allowing New Jersey to draft forward Zach Parise at 17th as part of their strategy to bolster forward depth.[34] Later, the Tampa Bay Lightning traded their 25th overall pick to the Florida Panthers for a second-round pick (36th overall), a third-round pick (41st overall), and a seventh-round pick (192nd overall), helping Florida consolidate picks after their earlier deal while Tampa gained volume for later rounds.[34] The Dallas Stars traded their 28th overall pick to the Anaheim Ducks for second-round picks at 36th and 54th overall (the 36th pick originally acquired from Tampa Bay), permitting Anaheim to select defenseman Ryan Shannon at 28th to address defensive needs.[34][36] Additional player-for-pick trades included the Colorado Avalanche sending forward Scott Parker to the San Jose Sharks for a fifth-round pick (163rd overall); the St. Louis Blues trading forward Cory Stillman to the Tampa Bay Lightning for a second-round pick (62nd overall); the Blues also dealing forward Tyson Nash to the Phoenix Coyotes for either a fifth-round pick (148th overall) or one of two fourth-round picks (106th or 114th overall); the Chicago Blackhawks trading defenseman Andrei Nikolishin to the Colorado Avalanche for future considerations; and the Florida Panthers sending defenseman Ivan Majesky to the Atlanta Thrashers for a second-round pick (38th overall). These moves primarily aimed to clear roster space or gain draft capital for rebuilding efforts.[34] Further pick swaps involved the Calgary Flames trading their second-round compensatory pick (47th overall) to the San Jose Sharks for third-round (97th), fifth-round (143rd), and sixth-round (173rd) picks; the New York Rangers trading their second-round pick (43rd overall) to the San Jose Sharks for second-round (50th) and third-round (75th) picks; the Toronto Maple Leafs trading a third-round pick (78th overall) to the Minnesota Wild for third-round (91st) and fourth-round (125th) picks; the St. Louis Blues trading their third-round pick (93rd overall) to the New Jersey Devils for forward Mike Danton and a third-round pick (101st overall); and the Colorado Avalanche trading forward Sergei Soin to the Nashville Predators for forward Tomas Slovak. These transactions focused on optimizing pick distribution for depth scouting.[34]June 22 Trades (Later Rounds)
On the draft's second day, trades were smaller in scope, emphasizing late-round adjustments. The Montreal Canadiens traded a fourth-round pick (109th overall) to the Washington Capitals for fourth-round (123rd) and seventh-round (217th) picks.[34] The Carolina Hurricanes traded fifth-round (138th) and sixth-round (168th) picks to the Columbus Blue Jackets for New Jersey's 2004 fourth-round pick.[34] The Nashville Predators traded the Chicago Blackhawks' fourth-round pick (119th overall) to the Anaheim Ducks for 2004 fourth- and fifth-round picks.[34] The Los Angeles Kings traded a ninth-round pick (283rd overall) to the Columbus Blue Jackets for a 2004 ninth-round pick.[34] Nashville traded a sixth-round pick (174th overall) to the Los Angeles Kings for seventh-round picks (210th and 213rd overall).[34] The Ottawa Senators traded the Washington Capitals' ninth-round pick (279th overall) back to Washington for future considerations.[34] The Philadelphia Flyers traded the Atlanta Thrashers' sixth-round pick (205th overall) to the San Jose Sharks for a 2004 sixth-round pick, and also dealt center Marty Murray to the Carolina Hurricanes for a 2004 sixth-round pick.[34] Philadelphia further traded a seventh-round pick (223rd overall) to the Florida Panthers for a 2004 sixth-round pick, and an eighth-round pick (255th overall) to the Tampa Bay Lightning for a 2004 seventh-round pick.[34] The Dallas Stars traded a ninth-round pick (290th overall) to the Phoenix Coyotes for a 2004 eighth-round pick.[34] The Chicago Blackhawks traded the New York Islanders' ninth-round pick (276th overall) to the San Jose Sharks for a 2004 eighth-round pick.[34] Finally, Philadelphia traded a ninth-round pick (286th overall) to the Tampa Bay Lightning for a 2004 ninth-round pick, and the Florida Panthers traded the New York Islanders' ninth-round pick (276th overall) to the Chicago Blackhawks for defenseman Dmitri Tolkunov. These late trades facilitated minor roster tweaks and future asset accumulation without significantly altering the immediate draft selections.[34] Overall, these transactions notably impacted the first-round order, with teams like Pittsburgh and San Jose moving up for premier prospects, while others like Boston and Edmonton traded down for greater quantity in subsequent rounds.[34][36]Round 1 Selections
The first round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft featured 30 selections, held on June 21, 2003, in Nashville, Tennessee.[14] These picks represented the premium talent available, with teams prioritizing goaltending, skilled forwards, and mobile defensemen to address roster needs. Several trades influenced the order, including Pittsburgh acquiring the first overall pick from Florida.[37]| Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | Drafting Team | Amateur Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marc-André Fleury | G | Canada | Pittsburgh Penguins | Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (QMJHL) |
| 2 | Eric Staal | F | Canada | Carolina Hurricanes | Peterborough Petes (OHL) |
| 3 | Nathan Horton | F | Canada | Florida Panthers | Oshawa Generals (OHL) |
| 4 | Nikolai Zherdev | F | Russia | Columbus Blue Jackets | CSKA Moscow (Russia) |
| 5 | Thomas Vanek | F | Austria | Buffalo Sabres | University of Minnesota (NCAA) |
| 6 | Milan Michálek | F | Czech Republic | San Jose Sharks | HC České Budějovice (Czech) |
| 7 | Ryan Suter | D | United States | Nashville Predators | USA U-18 (NTDP) |
| 8 | Braydon Coburn | D | Canada | Atlanta Thrashers | Portland Winterhawks (WHL) |
| 9 | Dion Phaneuf | D | Canada | Calgary Flames | Red Deer Rebels (WHL) |
| 10 | Andrei Kostitsyn | F | Belarus | Montreal Canadiens | CSK VVS Samara (Russia) |
| 11 | Jeff Carter | F | Canada | Philadelphia Flyers | Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) |
| 12 | Hugh Jessiman | F | United States | New York Rangers | Dartmouth College (NCAA) |
| 13 | Dustin Brown | F | United States | Los Angeles Kings | Guelph Storm (OHL) |
| 14 | Brent Seabrook | D | Canada | Chicago Blackhawks | Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL) |
| 15 | Robert Nilsson | F | Sweden | New York Islanders | Leksands IF (Sweden) |
| 16 | Steve Bernier | F | Canada | San Jose Sharks | Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) |
| 17 | Zach Parise | F | United States | New Jersey Devils | University of North Dakota (NCAA) |
| 18 | Eric Fehr | F | Canada | Washington Capitals | Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) |
| 19 | Ryan Getzlaf | F | Canada | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim | Calgary Hitmen (WHL) |
| 20 | Brent Burns | D | Canada | Minnesota Wild | Brampton Battalion (OHL) |
| 21 | Mark Stuart | D | United States | Boston Bruins | Colorado College (NCAA) |
| 22 | Marc-Antoine Pouliot | F | Canada | Edmonton Oilers | Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL) |
| 23 | Ryan Kesler | F | United States | Vancouver Canucks | Ohio State University (NCAA) |
| 24 | Mike Richards | F | Canada | Philadelphia Flyers | Kitchener Rangers (OHL) |
| 25 | Anthony Stewart | F | Canada | Florida Panthers | Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) |
| 26 | Brian Boyle | F | United States | Los Angeles Kings | St. Sebastian’s School (USHS-MA) |
| 27 | Jeff Tambellini | F | Canada | Los Angeles Kings | University of Michigan (NCAA) |
| 28 | Ryan Shannon | D | United States | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim | University of Maine (Hockey East) |
| 29 | Patrick Eaves | F | United States | Ottawa Senators | Boston College (NCAA) |
| 30 | Shawn Belle | D | Canada | St. Louis Blues | Tri-City Americans (WHL) |
Round 2 Selections
The second round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft featured 38 selections, spanning picks 31 through 68 overall, expanded by compensatory picks awarded to teams like the Boston Bruins, New Jersey Devils, and Chicago Blackhawks for losing unrestricted free agents the prior offseason.[2] This round yielded several standout value picks that developed into NHL mainstays, such as Patrice Bergeron (45th overall, Boston Bruins), who signed an entry-level contract shortly after the draft and debuted in the 2003–04 season, and Shea Weber (49th overall, Nashville Predators), recognized for his immediate promise as a two-way defenseman.[3] Other notable selections included goaltenders Corey Crawford (52nd, Chicago Blackhawks) and Jimmy Howard (64th, Detroit Red Wings), both of whom later won Stanley Cups, highlighting the draft's depth beyond the first round.[38]| Overall | Drafting Team | Player | Position | Nationality | Prior Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | Carolina Hurricanes | Danny Richmond | D | United States | Michigan Wolverines (CCHA) |
| 32 | Pittsburgh Penguins | Ryan Stone | C | Canada | Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) |
| 33 | Dallas Stars | Loui Eriksson | LW | Sweden | Västra Frölunda HC Jr. (Sweden Jr.) |
| 34 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Mike Egener | D | United States | Calgary Hitmen (WHL) |
| 35 | Nashville Predators | Konstantin Glazachev | LW | Russia | Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (Russia) |
| 36 | Dallas Stars | Vojtech Polak | LW | Czech Republic | HC Energie Karlovy Vary (Czech) |
| 37 | Nashville Predators | Kevin Klein | D | Canada | Toronto St. Michael's Majors (OHL) |
| 38 | Florida Panthers | Kamil Kreps | C | Czech Republic | Brampton Battalion (OHL) |
| 39 | Calgary Flames | Tim Ramholt | D | Switzerland | ZSC Lions (Swiss) |
| 40 | Montreal Canadiens | Cory Urquhart | C | Canada | Montreal Rocket (AHL) |
| 41 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Matt Smaby | D | United States | Shattuck-St. Mary's (USHS-MN) |
| 42 | New Jersey Devils | Petr Vrana | C | Czech Republic | Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) |
| 43 | San Jose Sharks | Josh Hennessy | C | United States | Quebec Remparts (QMJHL) |
| 44 | Los Angeles Kings | Konstantin Pushkarev | RW | Kazakhstan | Torpedo Ust-Kamenogorsk 2 (Russia-3) |
| 45 | Boston Bruins | Patrice Bergeron | C | Canada | Acadie–Bathurst Titan (QMJHL) |
| 46 | Columbus Blue Jackets | Dan Fritsche | C | United States | Sarnia Sting (OHL) |
| 47 | San Jose Sharks | Matt Carle | D | United States | River City Lancers (USHL) |
| 48 | New York Islanders | Dmitri Chernykh | RW | Russia | Khimik Voskresensk (Russia-2) |
| 49 | Nashville Predators | Shea Weber | D | Canada | Kelowna Rockets (WHL) |
| 50 | New York Rangers | Ivan Baranka | D | Slovakia | HK Dubnica Jr. (Slovakia Jr.) |
| 51 | Edmonton Oilers | Colin McDonald | RW | United States | New England Jr. Coyotes (EJHL) |
| 52 | Chicago Blackhawks | Corey Crawford | G | Canada | Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) |
| 53 | New York Islanders | Evgeny Tunik | C | Russia | Elemash Elektrostal (Russia-3) |
| 54 | Dallas Stars | B.J. Crombeen | RW | United States | Barrie Colts (OHL) |
| 55 | Florida Panthers | Stefan Meyer | LW | Canada | Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) |
| 56 | Minnesota Wild | Patrick O'Sullivan | C | United States | Mississauga IceDogs (OHL) |
| 57 | Toronto Maple Leafs | John Doherty | D | United States | Phillips Andover Academy (USHS-MA) |
| 58 | New York Islanders | Jeremy Colliton | C | Canada | Prince Albert Raiders (WHL) |
| 59 | Chicago Blackhawks | Michal Barinka | D | Czech Republic | HC České Budějovice (Czech) |
| 60 | Vancouver Canucks | Marc-André Bernier | RW | Canada | Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) |
| 61 | Montreal Canadiens | Maxim Lapierre | C | Canada | Montreal Rocket (QMJHL) |
| 62 | St. Louis Blues | David Backes | C | United States | Lincoln Stars (USHL) |
| 63 | Colorado Avalanche | David Liffiton | D | Canada | Plymouth Whalers (OHL) |
| 64 | Detroit Red Wings | Jimmy Howard | G | United States | University of Maine (Hockey East) |
| 65 | Buffalo Sabres | Branislav Fabry | LW | Slovakia | HC Slovan Bratislava Jr. (Slovakia Jr.) |
| 66 | Boston Bruins | Masi Marjamäki | RW | Finland | Red Deer Rebels (WHL) |
| 67 | Ottawa Senators | Igor Mirnov | LW | Russia | Dynamo Moscow (Russia) |
| 68 | Edmonton Oilers | Jean-François Jacques | LW | Canada | Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL) |
Round 3 Selections
The third round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, spanning picks 69 through 101, emphasized prospects with high developmental upside, as teams sought to balance immediate skill with long-term potential in a class rich in depth beyond the early rounds. Selections drew heavily from North American junior circuits, but scouts also valued emerging European talents for their technical prowess and physical maturity. One notable transaction influenced this round: the Pittsburgh Penguins acquired Florida Panthers' third-round pick (No. 73) as part of a larger deal that also netted them the No. 1 overall selection, in exchange for their No. 3 pick, No. 55 pick, and forward Mikael Samuelsson.[39]| Overall | Team | Player | Pos | Nat | Amateur Team/League |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 69 | Philadelphia Flyers | Colin Fraser | C | CAN | Red Deer Rebels (WHL) |
| 70 | Pittsburgh Penguins | Jonathan Filewich | RW | CAN | Prince George Cougars (WHL) |
| 71 | Columbus Blue Jackets | Dmitry Kosmachev | D | RUS | CSKA Moskva (RUS) |
| 72 | Edmonton Oilers | Mikhail Zhukov | LW | RUS | IKF Arboga (SWE-2) |
| 73 | Pittsburgh Penguins (from Florida Panthers) | Daniel Carcillo | LW | CAN | Sarnia Sting (OHL) |
| 74 | Buffalo Sabres | Clarke MacArthur | LW | CAN | Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) |
| 75 | New York Rangers | Ken Roche | C | USA | St. Sebastian's School (High-MA) |
| 76 | Nashville Predators | Richard Stehlik | D | SVK | Sherbrooke Castors (QMJHL) |
| 77 | Phoenix Coyotes | Tyler Redenbach | C | CAN | Swift Current Broncos (WHL) |
| 78 | Minnesota Wild | Danny Irmen | C | USA | Lincoln Stars (USHL) |
| 79 | Montreal Canadiens | Ryan O'Byrne | D | CAN | Nanaimo Clippers (BCHL) |
| 80 | Phoenix Coyotes | Dmitri Pestunov | C | RUS | Metallurg Magnitogorsk (RUS) |
| 81 | Philadelphia Flyers | Stefan Ruzicka | RW | SVK | HKm Nitra (SVK-2) |
| 82 | Los Angeles Kings | Ryan Munce | G | CAN | Sarnia Sting (OHL) |
| 83 | Washington Capitals | Steve Werner | RW | USA | University of Massachusetts (H-East) |
| 84 | St. Louis Blues | Konstantin Barulin | G | RUS | Gazovik Tyumen (RUS-2) |
| 85 | Philadelphia Flyers | Alexandre Picard | D | CAN | Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) |
| 86 | Anaheim Mighty Ducks | Shane Hynes | RW | CAN | Cornell University (ECAC) |
| 87 | Philadelphia Flyers | Ryan Potulny | C | USA | Lincoln Stars (USHL) |
| 88 | St. Louis Blues | Zack Fitzgerald | D | USA | Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) |
| 89 | Nashville Predators | Paul Brown | RW | CAN | Kamloops Blazers (WHL) |
| 90 | Anaheim Mighty Ducks | Juha Alen | D | FIN | Northern Michigan (CCHA) |
| 91 | Toronto Maple Leafs | Martin Sagat | LW | SVK | HK Dukla Trencin (Slovakia) |
| 92 | Nashville Predators | Alexander Sulzer | D | GER | Hamburg (Germany) |
| 93 | New Jersey Devils | Ivan Khomutov | C | RUS | Elemash Elektrostal (Russia-2) |
| 94 | Edmonton Oilers | Zack Stortini | RW | CAN | Sudbury Wolves (OHL) |
| 95 | Philadelphia Flyers | Rick Kozak | RW | CAN | Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) |
| 96 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Jonathan Boutin | G | CAN | Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) |
| 97 | Calgary Flames | Ryan Donally | LW | CAN | Windsor Spitfires (OHL) |
| 98 | Nashville Predators | Grigory Shafigulin | C | RUS | Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (Russia) |
| 99 | Dallas Stars | Matt Nickerson | D | USA | Texas Tornado (NAHL) |
| 100 | Ottawa Senators | Philippe Seydoux | D | SUI | Kloten (Swiss) |
| 101 | St. Louis Blues | Konstantin Zakharov | LW | BLR | Yunost Minsk (Belarus) |
Round 4 Selections
The fourth round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, comprising picks 102 through 136 due to the allocation of compensatory selections in prior rounds, represented a stage where scouting evaluations became more speculative as teams mined deeper into global talent pools for potential late-bloomers and undervalued prospects. With the talent depth of the 2003 class allowing for discoveries beyond the early rounds, this phase emphasized players from diverse backgrounds, including North American junior leagues, European professional circuits, and junior programs, where physical maturity and skill refinement often separated future contributors from those who faded. Teams like the Columbus Blue Jackets and Buffalo Sabres, holding multiple selections, exemplified the strategy of stockpiling depth to uncover hidden gems amid the draft's renowned overall strength.[2] Notable in this round were selections like Czech defenseman Jan Hejda, taken 106th overall by the Buffalo Sabres from HC Slavia Praha, whose professional experience in Europe hinted at immediate organizational potential, and Canadian center Corey Locke, selected 113th by the Montreal Canadiens from the Ottawa 67's of the OHL, whose offensive prowess in junior hockey marked him as a scoring prospect in a pool increasingly focused on specialized roles. The round's structure, influenced by free-agent compensation rules that extended previous rounds beyond 30 picks, created opportunities for traded assets and supplemental choices, such as Philadelphia's 108th pick awarded for losing unrestricted free agent Luke Richardson. This deepening talent pool underscored the draft's legacy of producing NHL contributors from unexpected slots, though projections carried greater risk compared to earlier rounds.[2][40]| Overall | Team | Player | Pos | Nat | Amateur Team/League |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 102 | Carolina Hurricanes | Aaron Dawson | D | USA | Peterborough Petes (OHL) |
| 103 | Columbus Blue Jackets | Kevin Jarman | LW | CAN | Stouffville (OPJHL) |
| 104 | Columbus Blue Jackets | Philippe Dupuis | C | CAN | Hull Olympiques (QMJHL) |
| 105 | Florida Panthers | Martin Lojek | D | CZE | Brampton Battalion (OHL) |
| 106 | Buffalo Sabres | Jan Hejda | D | CZE | HC Slavia Praha (Czech) |
| 107 | Boston Bruins | Byron Bitz | RW | CAN | Nanaimo (BCHL) |
| 108 | Philadelphia Flyers | Kevin Romy | C | SUI | Geneve-Servette HC (Swiss) |
| 109 | Washington Capitals | Andreas Valdix | LW | SWE | Malmo IF (Sweden) |
| 110 | Atlanta Thrashers | Jim Sharrow | D | USA | Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) |
| 111 | Vancouver Canucks | Brandon Nolan | C | CAN | Oshawa Generals (OHL) |
| 112 | Calgary Flames | Jamie Tardif | RW | CAN | Peterborough Petes (OHL) |
| 113 | Montreal Canadiens | Corey Locke | C | CAN | Ottawa 67's (OHL) |
| 114 | Buffalo Sabres | Denis Ezhov | D | RUS | CSK VVS Samara (Russia-2) |
| 115 | Phoenix Coyotes | Liam Lindstrom | C | CAN | Mora IK (Sweden-2) |
| 116 | Atlanta Thrashers | Guillaume Desbiens | RW | CAN | Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL) |
| 117 | Nashville Predators | Teemu Lassila | G | FIN | TPS (Finland) |
| 118 | Boston Bruins | Frank Rediker | D | USA | Windsor Spitfires (OHL) |
| 119 | Anaheim Ducks | Nathan Saunders | D | CAN | Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) |
| 120 | New York Islanders | Stefan Blaho | RW | SVK | HK Dukla Trencin Jr. (Slovakia Jr.) |
| 121 | Pittsburgh Penguins | Paul Bissonnette | LW | CAN | Saginaw Spirit (OHL) |
| 122 | New York Rangers | Corey Potter | D | USA | Michigan State (CCHA) |
| 123 | Montreal Canadiens | Danny Stewart | LW | CAN | Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL) |
| 124 | Florida Panthers | James Pemberton | D | USA | Providence (H-East) |
| 125 | Toronto Maple Leafs | Konstantin Volkov | RW | RUS | Dynamo Moskva 2 (Russia-3) |
| 126 | Carolina Hurricanes | Kevin Nastiuk | G | CAN | Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) |
| 127 | St. Louis Blues | Alexandre Bolduc | C | CAN | Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL) |
| 128 | Vancouver Canucks | Ty Morris | LW | CAN | St. Albert (AJHL) |
| 129 | Boston Bruins | Patrik Valcak | C | CZE | HC Ostrava Jr. (Czech Jr.) |
| 130 | Carolina Hurricanes | Matej Trojovsky | RW | CZE | Regina Pats (WHL) |
| 131 | Colorado Avalanche | David Svagrovsky | RW | CZE | Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) |
| 132 | Detroit Red Wings | Kyle Quincey | D | CAN | London Knights (OHL) |
| 133 | Nashville Predators | Rustam Sidikov | G | RUS | CKSA Moskva 2 (Russia-3) |
| 134 | Dallas Stars | Alexander Naurov | RW | RUS | Lokomotiv Yaroslavl 2 (Russia-3) |
| 135 | Ottawa Senators | Mattias Karlsson | D | SWE | Brynas IF Jr. (Sweden Jr.) |
| 136 | Atlanta Thrashers | Michael Vannelli | D | USA | Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL) |
Round 5 Selections
The fifth round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, encompassing picks 137 through 167, reflected teams' strategy of investing in long-term development projects, with many selections drawn from junior leagues in North America and Europe, where prospects could mature over several seasons before professional transitions.[2] This approach underscored the draft's depth beyond early rounds, prioritizing raw potential in forwards, defensemen, and goaltenders over polished talents.[2] Key examples from this round include Kyle Quincey, a defenseman selected by the Detroit Red Wings at 132nd overall from the London Knights of the OHL, and Lee Stempniak, a right winger taken by the St. Louis Blues at 148th overall from Dartmouth College in the ECAC.[2] Other noteworthy picks highlighted international scouting, such as Swedish defenseman Mattias Karlsson (135th, Ottawa Senators) and Finnish goaltender Eero Kilpeläinen (144th, Dallas Stars).[2]| Overall | Team | Player | Pos | Nat | Amateur Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 137 | Carolina Hurricanes | Tyson Strachan | D | CAN | Vernon (BCHL) |
| 138 | Columbus Blue Jackets | Arsi Piispanen | RW | FIN | Jokerit Jr. (Finland Jr.) |
| 139 | San Jose Sharks | Patrick Ehelechner | G | GER | Hannover (Germany) |
| 140 | Philadelphia Flyers | David Tremblay | G | CAN | Hull Olympiques (QMJHL) |
| 141 | Florida Panthers | Dan Travis | RW | USA | Deerfield Academy (High-MA) |
| 142 | Ottawa Senators | Tim Cook | D | USA | River City Lancers (USHL) |
| 143 | Calgary Flames | Greg Moore | RW | USA | Maine (H-East) |
| 144 | Dallas Stars | Eero Kilpeläinen | G | FIN | KalPa Jr. (Finland Jr.) |
| 145 | Atlanta Thrashers | Brett Sterling | LW | USA | Colorado College (WCHA) |
| 146 | Colorado Avalanche | Mark McCutcheon | C | USA | New England Jr. Coyotes (EJHL) |
| 147 | Edmonton Oilers | Kalle Olsson | RW | SWE | Vastra Frolunda HC Jr. (Sweden Jr.) |
| 148 | St. Louis Blues | Lee Stempniak | RW | USA | Dartmouth (ECAC) |
| 149 | New York Rangers | Nigel Dawes | LW | CAN | Kootenay Ice (WHL) |
| 150 | Buffalo Sabres | Thomas Morrow | D | USA | Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL) |
| 151 | Chicago Blackhawks | Lasse Kukkonen | D | FIN | Karpat (Finland) |
| 152 | Los Angeles Kings | Brady Murray | C | CAN | Salmon Arm (BCHL) |
| 153 | Boston Bruins | Mike Brown | G | USA | Saginaw Spirit (OHL) |
| 154 | Edmonton Oilers | David Rohlfs | RW | USA | Compuware Ambassadors (NAHL) |
| 155 | Washington Capitals | Josh Robertson | C | USA | Proctor Academy (High-NH) |
| 156 | Chicago Blackhawks | Alexei Ivanov | C | RUS | Lokomotiv Yaroslavl 2 (Russia-3) |
| 157 | Minnesota Wild | Marcin Kolusz | RW | POL | Podhale Nowy Targ (Poland) |
| 158 | Toronto Maple Leafs | John Mitchell | C | CAN | Plymouth Whalers (OHL) |
| 159 | St. Louis Blues | Chris Beckford-Tseu | G | CAN | Oshawa Generals (OHL) |
| 160 | Vancouver Canucks | Nicklas Danielsson | RW | SWE | Brynas IF (Sweden) |
| 161 | Pittsburgh Penguins | Evgeni Isakov | RW | RUS | Severstal Cherepovets (Russia) |
| 162 | Florida Panthers | Martin Tuma | D | CZE | HC Litvinov Jr. (Czech) |
| 163 | Colorado Avalanche | Brad Richardson | C | CAN | Owen Sound Attack (OHL) |
| 164 | Detroit Red Wings | Ryan Oulahen | C | CAN | Brampton Battalion (OHL) |
| 165 | Dallas Stars | Gino Guyer | C | USA | Minnesota (WCHA) |
| 166 | Ottawa Senators | Sergei Gimayev | D | RUS | Severstal Cherepovets (Russia) |
| 167 | New Jersey Devils | Zach Tarkir | D | USA | Chilliwack (BCHL) |
Round 6 Selections
The sixth round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, encompassing overall selections 168 through 197, exemplified the draft class's remarkable depth, with multiple picks emerging as reliable NHL contributors despite their late selection.[2] Teams scouted a diverse array of prospects from North American junior leagues, European clubs, and international circuits, often prioritizing defensive stability and goaltending potential in this stage.[2]| Overall | Team | Player | Pos | Nat | Amateur Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 168 | Columbus Blue Jackets | Marc Methot | D | CAN | London Knights (OHL) |
| 169 | Pittsburgh Penguins | Lukas Bolf | D | CZE | HC Slavia Praha Jr. (Czech Jr.) |
| 170 | Detroit Red Wings | Andreas Sundin | LW | SWE | Linkoping HC (Sweden) |
| 171 | Florida Panthers | Denis Stasyuk | C | RUS | Metallurg Novokuznetsk (Russia) |
| 172 | Buffalo Sabres | Pavel Voroshnin | D | RUS | Mississauga IceDogs (OHL) |
| 173 | Calgary Flames | Tyler Johnson | C | CAN | Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL) |
| 174 | Los Angeles Kings | Esa Pirnes | C | FIN | Tappara (Finland) |
| 175 | Atlanta Thrashers | Mike Hamilton | LW | CAN | Merritt (BCHL) |
| 176 | New York Rangers | Ivan Dornic | C | SVK | HC Slovan Bratislava Jr. (Slovakia Jr.) |
| 177 | Montreal Canadiens | Chris Heino-Lindberg | G | SWE | Hammarby IF Jr. (Sweden Jr.) |
| 178 | Phoenix Coyotes | Ryan Gibbons | RW | CAN | Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) |
| 179 | New York Rangers | Philippe Furrer | D | SUI | SC Bern (Swiss) |
| 180 | New York Rangers | Chris Holt | G | CAN | USA U-18 Development Team (USDP/NAHL) |
| 181 | Chicago Blackhawks | Johan Andersson | C | SWE | IF Troja-Ljungby (Sweden-2) |
| 182 | New York Islanders | Bruno Gervais | D | CAN | Acadie-Bathurst Titan (QMJHL) |
| 183 | Boston Bruins | Nate Thompson | C | USA | Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) |
| 184 | Edmonton Oilers | Dragan Umicevic | LW | SWE | Sodertalje SK (Sweden) |
| 185 | Dallas Stars | Francis Wathier | LW | CAN | Hull Olympiques (QMJHL) |
| 186 | Anaheim Ducks | Drew Miller | LW | USA | River City Lancers (USHL) |
| 187 | Minnesota Wild | Miroslav Kopriva | G | CZE | HC Kladno (Czech-2) |
| 188 | Montreal Canadiens | Mark Flood | D | CAN | Peterborough Petes (OHL) |
| 189 | St. Louis Blues | Jonathan Lehun | C | CAN | St. Cloud State (WCHA) |
| 190 | Vancouver Canucks | Chad Brownlee | D | CAN | Vernon (BCHL) |
| 191 | Philadelphia Flyers | Rejean Beauchemin | G | CAN | Prince Albert Raiders (WHL) |
| 192 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Doug O'Brien | D | CAN | Hull Olympiques (QMJHL) |
| 193 | Philadelphia Flyers | Ville Hostikka | G | FIN | SaiPa Jr. (Finland Jr.) |
| 194 | Detroit Red Wings | Stefan Blom | D | SWE | Hammarby IF Jr. (Sweden Jr.) |
| 195 | Dallas Stars | Drew Bagnall | D | CAN | Battlefords (SJHL) |
| 196 | Dallas Stars | Elias Granath | D | SWE | Leksands IF Jr. (Sweden Jr.) |
| 197 | New Jersey Devils | Jason Smith | G | CAN | Lennoxville (QJAAAHL) |
Round 7 Selections
The seventh round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, encompassing overall selections 198 through 229, saw teams targeting a mix of junior hockey talents from North American leagues like the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL, as well as prospects from European circuits and U.S. college programs.[2] This round highlighted the draft's breadth, with picks often focusing on developmental players showing potential in defensive roles or as depth forwards.[2] Notable selections included Joe Pavelski, chosen 205th overall by the San Jose Sharks from the USHL's Waterloo Black Hawks, and Nate Thompson, selected 183rd overall by the Boston Bruins from the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds.[2]| Overall | Team | Player | Pos | Nat | Amateur Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 198 | Carolina Hurricanes | Shay Stephenson | LW | CAN | Red Deer Rebels (WHL) |
| 199 | Pittsburgh Penguins | Andy Chiodo | G | CAN | Toronto St. Michael's Majors (OHL) |
| 200 | Columbus Blue Jackets | Alexander Guskov | D | RUS | Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (Russia) |
| 201 | San Jose Sharks | Jonathan Tremblay | RW | CAN | Acadie-Bathurst Titan (QMJHL) |
| 202 | Buffalo Sabres | Nathan Paetsch | D | CAN | Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL) |
| 203 | Atlanta Thrashers | Denis Loginov | C | RUS | Ak Bars Kazan 2 (Russia-3) |
| 204 | Colorado Avalanche | Linus Videll | LW | SWE | Sodertalje SK Jr. (Sweden Jr.) |
| 205 | San Jose Sharks | Joe Pavelski | C | USA | Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL) |
| 206 | Calgary Flames | Thomas Bellemare | RW | CAN | Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL) |
| 207 | Minnesota Wild | Georgy Misharin | D | RUS | Dynamo-Energiya Yekaterinburg (Russia-2) |
| 208 | Phoenix Coyotes | Randall Gelech | C | CAN | Kelowna Rockets (WHL) |
| 209 | New York Rangers | Dylan Reese | D | USA | Pittsburgh Forge (NAHL) |
| 210 | Nashville Predators | Andrei Mukhachev | D | RUS | CSKA Moskva (Russia) |
| 211 | Chicago Blackhawks | Mike Brodeur | G | CAN | Camrose (AJHL) |
| 212 | New York Islanders | Denis Rehak | D | SVK | HK Dukla Trencin Jr. (Slovakia Jr.) |
| 213 | Nashville Predators | Miroslav Hanuljak | G | CZE | HC Litvinov Jr. (Czech) |
| 214 | Edmonton Oilers | Kyle Brodziak | C | CAN | Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL) |
| 215 | Edmonton Oilers | Mathieu Roy | D | CAN | Val-d'Or Foreurs (QMJHL) |
| 216 | San Jose Sharks | Kai Hospelt | F | GER | Kolner Haie (Germany) |
| 217 | Montreal Canadiens | Oskari Korpikari | D | FIN | Karpat (Finland) |
| 218 | Anaheim Ducks | Dirk Southern | C | CAN | Northern Michigan (CCHA) |
| 219 | Minnesota Wild | Adam Courchaine | C | CAN | Vancouver Giants (WHL) |
| 220 | Toronto Maple Leafs | Jeremy Williams | RW | CAN | Swift Current Broncos (WHL) |
| 221 | St. Louis Blues | Evgeny Skachkov | LW | RUS | Kapitan-Rus Stupino (Russia-3) |
| 222 | Vancouver Canucks | Francois-Pierre Guenette | C | CAN | Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) |
| 223 | Florida Panthers | Dany Roussin | C | CAN | Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL) |
| 224 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Gerald Coleman | G | USA | London Knights (OHL) |
| 225 | Colorado Avalanche | Brett Hemingway | RW | CAN | Coquitlam Express (BCHL) |
| 226 | Detroit Red Wings | Tomas Kollar | LW | SWE | Hammarby IF (Sweden-2) |
| 227 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Jay Rosehill | LW | CAN | Olds (AJHL) |
| 228 | Ottawa Senators | Will Colbert | D | CAN | Ottawa 67's (OHL) |
| 229 | Pittsburgh Penguins | Stephen Dixon | C | CAN | Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (QMJHL) |
Round 8 Selections
The eighth round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft consisted of 32 selections across overall picks 230 to 261, reflecting the variability in pick distribution due to prior trades among the league's 30 teams. This round highlighted the draft's depth, as several late selections developed into impactful NHL contributors despite being overlooked in earlier rounds. The expansion to nine rounds that year allowed teams to scour deeper into the prospect pool for potential value.[2]| Overall | Team | Player | Pos | Nat | Amateur Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 230 | Carolina Hurricanes | Jamie Hoffmann | C | CAN | Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL) |
| 231 | Los Angeles Kings | Matt Zaba | G | USA | Vernon Vipers (BCHL) |
| 232 | Pittsburgh Penguins | Joe Jensen | C | USA | St. Cloud State (WCHA) |
| 233 | Columbus Blue Jackets | Mathieu Gravel | LW | CAN | Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL) |
| 234 | Florida Panthers | Petr Kadlec | D | CZE | Slavia Praha (Czech) |
| 235 | Buffalo Sabres | Jeff Weber | G | USA | Plymouth Whalers (OHL) |
| 236 | San Jose Sharks | Alexander Hult | C | SWE | Tranas AIF (Sweden-2) |
| 237 | Toronto Maple Leafs | Shaun Landolt | RW | CAN | Calgary Hitmen (WHL) |
| 238 | New York Islanders | Cody Blanshan | D | USA | Nebraska-Omaha (CCHA) |
| 239 | Atlanta Thrashers | Tobias Enstrom | D | SWE | MODO Hockey (SEL) |
| 240 | Calgary Flames | Cam Cunning | LW | CAN | Kamloops Blazers (WHL) |
| 241 | Montreal Canadiens | Jimmy Bonneau | LW | CAN | Montreal Rocket (QMJHL) |
| 242 | Phoenix Coyotes | Eduard Lewandowski | LW | GER | Kolner Haie (DEL) |
| 243 | New York Rangers | Jan Marek | C | CZE | HC Ocelari Trinec (Czech) |
| 244 | Los Angeles Kings | Mike Sullivan | C | USA | Stouffville Spirit (OPJHL) |
| 245 | Chicago Blackhawks | Dustin Byfuglien | D | USA | Prince George Cougars (WHL) |
| 246 | New York Islanders | Igor Volkov | RW | RUS | Salavat Yulaev Ufa (Russia) |
| 247 | Boston Bruins | Benoit Mondou | C | CAN | Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL) |
| 248 | Edmonton Oilers | Josef Hrabal | D | CZE | HC Vsetin Jr. (Czech Jr.) |
| 249 | Washington Capitals | Andrew Joudrey | C | CAN | Notre Dame Hounds (SJHL) |
| 250 | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim | Shane O'Brien | D | CAN | Toronto St. Michael's Majors (OHL) |
| 251 | Minnesota Wild | Mathieu Melanson | LW | CAN | Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL) |
| 252 | Vancouver Canucks | Sergei Topol | C | RUS | Avangard Omsk Jr. (Russia Jr.) |
| 253 | St. Louis Blues | Andrei Pervyshin | D | RUS | Lokomotiv Yaroslavl 2 (Russia-3) |
| 254 | Vancouver Canucks | Nathan McIver | D | CAN | Toronto St. Michael's Majors (OHL) |
| 255 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Raimonds Danilics | F | LVA | Dinaburga Daugavpils Jr. (Latvia Jr.) |
| 256 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Brady Greco | D | USA | Chicago Steel (USHL) |
| 257 | Colorado Avalanche | Darryl Yacboski | D | CAN | Regina Pats (WHL) |
| 258 | Detroit Red Wings | Vladimir Kutny | LW | CZE | Quebec Remparts (QMJHL) |
| 259 | Dallas Stars | Niko Vainio | D | FIN | Jokerit Jr. (Finland Jr.) |
| 260 | Ottawa Senators | Ossi Louhivaara | RW | FIN | KooKoo (Finland-2) |
| 261 | New Jersey Devils | Joey Tenute | C | CAN | Sarnia Sting (OHL) |
Round 9 Selections
The ninth round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft consisted of 31 selections, spanning picks 262 through 292 and concluding the event with a total of 292 players drafted across nine rounds. This marked the deepest draft in league history at the time, as teams exercised all available picks due to an unusually strong pool of prospects perceived to offer value even in the final stages. Scouts highlighted the talent availability as a key factor, with one describing the draft's depth as its "biggest asset."[41] Among these late-round choices were several players who would later contribute at the professional level, such as goaltenders Jaroslav Halak (Montreal Canadiens, 271st overall) and Brian Elliott (Ottawa Senators, 291st overall), underscoring the class's unexpected breadth beyond the early rounds.[14]| Overall Pick | Drafting Team | Player Name | Position | Amateur Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 262 | Carolina Hurricanes | Ryan Rorabeck | C | Toronto St. Michael's Majors (OHL) |
| 263 | Pittsburgh Penguins | Matt Moulson | L | Cornell University (ECAC) |
| 264 | Florida Panthers | John Hecimovic | R | Sarnia Sting (OHL) |
| 265 | Florida Panthers | Tanner Glass | L | Nanaimo Clippers (BCHL) |
| 266 | Buffalo Sabres | Louis-Philippe Martin | R | Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL) |
| 267 | San Jose Sharks | Brian O'Hanley | D | Boston College High (Mass. HS) |
| 268 | Nashville Predators | Lauris Darzins | L | Lukko Jrs. (Finland) |
| 269 | Atlanta Thrashers | Rylan Kaip | C | Notre Dame Hounds (SJHL) |
| 270 | Calgary Flames | Kevin Harvey | W | Georgetown Raiders (OPJHL) |
| 271 | Montreal Canadiens | Jaroslav Halak | G | Bratislava Jrs. (Slovakia) |
| 272 | Phoenix Coyotes | Sean Sullivan | D | St. Sebastian's (Mass. HS) |
| 273 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Albert Vishnyakov | L | Kazan Ak-Bars (Russia) |
| 274 | Los Angeles Kings | Marty Guerin | F | Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL) |
| 275 | Chicago Blackhawks | Michael Grenzy | D | Chicago Steel (USHL) |
| 276 | San Jose Sharks | Carter Lee | F | Canterbury H.S. (Conn. HS) |
| 277 | Boston Bruins | Kevin Regan | G | St. Sebastian's (Mass. HS) |
| 278 | Edmonton Oilers | Troy Bodie | R | Kelowna Rockets (WHL) |
| 279 | Washington Capitals | Mark Olafson | R | Kelowna Rockets (WHL) |
| 280 | Anaheim Ducks | Ville Mantymaa | D | Tappara Jrs. (Finland) |
| 281 | Minnesota Wild | Jean-Michel Bolduc | D | Quebec Remparts (QMJHL) |
| 282 | Chicago Blackhawks | Chris Porter | L | Lincoln Stars (USHL) |
| 283 | Columbus Blue Jackets | Trevor Hendrikx | F | Peterborough Petes (OHL) |
| 284 | St. Louis Blues | Juhamatti Aaltonen | F | Karpat Jrs. (Finland) |
| 285 | Vancouver Canucks | Matthew Hansen | D | Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) |
| 286 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Zbynek Hrdel | R | Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL) |
| 287 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Nick Tarnasky | C | Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL) |
| 288 | Colorado Avalanche | David Jones | R | Coquitlam Express (BCHL) |
| 289 | Detroit Red Wings | Mikael Johansson | C | Arvika HC (Swe-1) |
| 290 | Phoenix Coyotes | Loic Burkhalter | F | Ambri-Piotta (Swiss-A) |
| 291 | Ottawa Senators | Brian Elliott | G | Ajax Axemen (OPJHL) |
| 292 | New Jersey Devils | Arseny Bondarev | L | Yaroslavl Jrs. (Russia) |
Post-Draft Overview
Draftees by Nationality
The 2003 NHL Entry Draft featured draftees from 15 countries, reflecting the league's broadening international scouting efforts during the early 2000s. North American players dominated the selections, but European talent accounted for a substantial portion of the class, comprising about 28% of all picks and demonstrating the growing influence of global talent pools on the NHL.[2] The distribution of draftees by nationality is summarized in the table below, based on players' country of birth:| Country | Number of Draftees |
|---|---|
| Canada | 171 |
| United States | 47 |
| Russia | 25 |
| Czech Republic | 13 |
| Sweden | 10 |
| Slovakia | 8 |
| Finland | 7 |
| Switzerland | 3 |
| Austria | 1 |
| Belarus | 1 |
| Germany | 1 |
| Kazakhstan | 1 |
| Latvia | 1 |
| Poland | 1 |
| Ukraine | 1 |
| Total | 292 |