2024 NHL entry draft
The 2024 NHL Entry Draft, the 62nd such draft, was the National Hockey League's (NHL) annual selection of amateur ice hockey players by its 32 teams, held over two days on June 28 and 29 at the Sphere arena in Paradise, Nevada.[1] A total of 225 prospects were chosen across seven rounds, with all seven rounds conducted at the venue.[2] The draft's first overall selection was center Macklin Celebrini from Boston University, taken by the San Jose Sharks; Celebrini, an 18-year-old Canadian-American forward, had just won the Hobey Baker Award as the top NCAA men's hockey player, becoming the youngest recipient in its history at age 17 during the season.[1][3] The top five picks included Celebrini (Sharks), defenseman Artyom Levshunov (Chicago Blackhawks), right winger Beckett Sennecke (Anaheim Ducks), center Cayden Lindstrom (Columbus Blue Jackets), and right winger Ivan Demidov (Montreal Canadiens).[1] These selections highlighted a strong class of forwards and defensemen, with 13 North American skaters ranked in NHL Central Scouting's final top 25.[1] Marking several milestones, the event was the first NHL Draft hosted in Las Vegas and the inaugural live televised broadcast from the Sphere, a $2.3 billion venue known for its immersive LED interior, which featured custom visuals and a pre-draft show for prospects.[4] The draft also concluded the era of all-original-six franchises holding picks in the first round, as the last such selection was made by the Toronto Maple Leafs at No. 31.[1]Eligibility and Selection Process
Player Eligibility
To be eligible for selection in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, players were required to meet specific age criteria per NHL rules: generally those who had attained the age of 18 by September 15, 2024 (born on or before September 15, 2006), with North American players eligible up to those turning 21 after September 15, 2024 (born on or after September 16, 2003 if undrafted in prior years).[5] This accounts for North American players turning 18 on or before September 15, 2024, and not yet reaching 21 by September 15, 2024, while international players could be up to age 21 or older under certain conditions if not previously eligible.[6] Eligible players also include those turning 19 between September 16 and December 31, 2024, who submitted an opt-in form. The criteria remained unchanged from prior years, with no direct adjustments to birth year cutoffs stemming from COVID-19-related league eligibility extensions, though those extensions allowed some prospects additional amateur seasons in NCAA or junior leagues, potentially delaying their draft entry.[5] Amateur status was a core requirement, meaning eligible players could not have signed a professional contract or played in professional leagues beyond limited exceptions, such as tryouts or junior development agreements.[6] Qualifying players typically came from major junior leagues under the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), including the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), Western Hockey League (WHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL); U.S. college hockey (NCAA); the United States Hockey League (USHL); or European junior and developmental leagues like Sweden's J20 Nationell or Finland's U20 Mestis.[7] International juniors from programs like the Czech Extraliga Juniors or Russian MHL were also included, provided they maintained amateur standing.[5] Exceptions to standard eligibility included overage players—those in their third or final year of draft availability, often 20-year-olds who went undrafted in prior years—and special cases under the "Late Bloomer Rule," which permits players with limited prior junior exposure (fewer than 10 games in major junior or equivalent) to enter the draft later if they demonstrate readiness.[6] For the 2024 draft, notable overage examples included Finnish defenseman Jesse Pulkkinen (born 2004, JYP U20).[8] Players from prior draft classes became exempt from the 2024 selection if they aged out beyond the maximum limit without being picked or turned professional, rendering them ineligible and free to sign as unrestricted free agents.[6] Examples include undrafted North American prospects who aged out after three years, such as forward Jake Sondreal (born 2004, formerly USHL), who aged out after the 2024 draft and pursued NCAA routes without draft rights; and European players who signed pro contracts, such as Ottawa Senators' 2021 pick Roby Jarventie (born 2002), who turned pro in Europe.[5][9]Draft Mechanics and Rules
The 2024 NHL Entry Draft consisted of seven rounds, with the first round held on June 28 and rounds two through seven on June 29, at the Sphere venue in Paradise, Nevada.[10] The draft order was primarily determined by the inverse order of the previous season's regular-season standings, with non-playoff teams (picks 1-16) subject to the NHL Draft Lottery held on May 7, 2024, to randomize their selections and prevent tanking. The lottery awarded the top three picks based on weighted odds favoring the worst-performing teams, with no team able to advance more than 10 positions from its initial slot or win the No. 1 pick more than twice in a five-year period. Picks 17-32 followed the reverse standings of playoff teams. Traded picks were incorporated according to trade agreements, including a notable conditional first-round pick from the Pittsburgh Penguins to the San Jose Sharks stemming from an August 2023 trade; if it fell in the top 10, Pittsburgh could opt to retain it and send its 2025 first-rounder instead.[11] During the draft, teams selected players in predetermined order, with a team representative announcing the choice on stage amid live broadcasts. Time limits for submissions decreased by round: 20 minutes per pick in the first round, 15 minutes in the second, 10 minutes in the third, and 5 minutes for rounds four through seven, allowing for trades and deliberations without excessive delays.[6] Unique to the 2024 draft process, the NHL Scouting Combine in June permitted each of the 32 teams to conduct up to 18 interviews with eligible prospects, limited to 20 minutes per session, to assess personality and fit alongside physical testing. Unlike restrictions during the COVID-19 era in prior years, 2024 featured no bans on in-person scouting, enabling full access to games and events throughout the season. For unsigned prospects, standard rules applied: teams failing to sign a first-round selection within two years of the draft forfeited rights and received a compensatory second-round pick in the subsequent draft at the same numerical position as the original selection.[12][13][14]Pre-Draft Developments
Draft Lottery Results
The 2024 NHL Draft Lottery was held on May 7, 2024, at the NHL Network studio in Secaucus, New Jersey, to determine the order of the first 16 picks in the upcoming entry draft.[15] The event featured a weighted lottery system involving the 16 non-playoff teams from the 2023–24 season, with odds assigned inversely to regular-season performance to provide better draft positioning for the lowest-finishing clubs.[11] NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman presided over the televised draws, which used ping-pong balls in a lottery machine to select envelopes corresponding to teams, a process broadcast live on ESPN, Sportsnet, and TVA Sports.[16] Under the lottery format in effect since 2022—stemming from rule changes announced by the NHL on March 23, 2021, to discourage tanking—only the 11 worst teams were eligible to win the No. 1 overall pick, with a maximum upward movement of 10 spots from a team's pre-lottery position based on standings.[17] The odds for the No. 1 pick were distributed as follows, starting with the San Jose Sharks, who had the league's worst record and thus the highest probability:| Team | Odds for No. 1 Pick |
|---|---|
| San Jose Sharks | 18.5% |
| Chicago Blackhawks | 13.5% |
| Anaheim Ducks | 11.5% |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | 9.5% |
| Montreal Canadiens | 8.5% |
| Utah Hockey Club | 7.5% |
| Ottawa Senators | 6.5% |
| Seattle Kraken | 6.0% |
| Calgary Flames | 5.0% |
| New Jersey Devils | 3.5% |
| Buffalo Sabres | 3.0% |
| Philadelphia Flyers | 2.5% |
| Minnesota Wild | 2.0% |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | 1.5% |
| Detroit Red Wings | 0.5% |
| St. Louis Blues | 0.5% |
Top Prospect Rankings and Scouting
The pre-draft evaluation for the 2024 NHL Entry Draft emphasized a deep and talented class, particularly at center, with scouts focusing on players' performance in junior, college, and international leagues through rankings, combines, and tournaments. NHL Central Scouting released its final rankings on April 16, 2024, with Macklin Celebrini topping the North American skaters list as the consensus top prospect after a standout freshman season at Boston University, where he recorded 64 points in 38 games and won the Hobey Baker Award.[20] The midseason rankings in January 2024 similarly placed Celebrini at No. 1 among North American skaters, reflecting his consistent dominance. For international skaters, Anton Silayev of Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod in the KHL ranked No. 1, praised for his 6-foot-7 frame, mobility, and 11 points in 63 regular-season games, while Artyom Levshunov, a Belarusian defenseman playing for Michigan State University, slotted second overall in combined rankings due to his physicality and offensive upside from 42 points in 62 USHL games with Green Bay.[21][22] Other prominent rankings reinforced Celebrini's status as the top pick. International Scouting Services (ISS) listed him No. 1 in its final top-32 combined rankings, followed closely by Russian winger Ivan Demidov of SKA St. Petersburg, who tallied 60 points (23 goals, 37 assists) in 30 MHL regular-season games.[23] TSN's Bob McKenzie final rankings, based on scout input, also had Celebrini at No. 1, with Demidov at No. 2 and Silayev at No. 3, projecting a strong top-end talent pool. EliteProspects' final top-10 similarly crowned Celebrini, highlighting centers' depth with Cayden Lindstrom of the Medicine Hat Tigers at No. 3 after 66 points in 57 WHL games. Consensus mock drafts across outlets like The Athletic and NHL.com unanimously predicted Celebrini going first overall to the San Jose Sharks, underscoring his two-way play, elite skating, and leadership as a generational talent.[24][25][26]| Ranking Source | Top 5 Prospects |
|---|---|
| NHL Central Scouting (Combined) | 1. Macklin Celebrini (C) 2. Artyom Levshunov (D) 3. Anton Silayev (D) 4. Cayden Lindstrom (C) 5. Sam Dickinson (D)[27] |
| ISS Hockey (Final Top 32) | 1. Macklin Celebrini (C) 2. Ivan Demidov (F) 3. Artyom Levshunov (D) 4. Anton Silayev (D) 5. Cayden Lindstrom (F)[24] |
| TSN/Bob McKenzie (Final) | 1. Macklin Celebrini (C) 2. Ivan Demidov (F) 3. Anton Silayev (D) 4. Artyom Levshunov (D) 5. Cayden Lindstrom (C)[25] |
| EliteProspects (Final Top 10) | 1. Macklin Celebrini (C) 2. Ivan Demidov (F) 3. Cayden Lindstrom (C) 4. Artyom Levshunov (D) 5. Zayne Parekh (D)[28] |
Draft Proceedings
First Round Selections
The first round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft took place on June 28, 2024, at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada, where the San Jose Sharks selected center Macklin Celebrini with the first overall pick. Celebrini, a Hobey Baker Award winner from Boston University, was widely regarded as the top prospect due to his elite skill set, hockey IQ, and two-way play, drawing comparisons to players like Jonathan Toews and Sidney Crosby.[1] The round featured a mix of high-end forwards and defensemen, with teams prioritizing size, skill, and immediate projectability amid a draft class noted for its depth at forward.[1] Positional trends in the top 10 picks highlighted a balance between offensive firepower and defensive stability, with six forwards (four centers and two wingers) and four defensemen selected, reflecting teams' needs to build around young cores like Chicago's Connor Bedard.[1] Overall, the first round saw 22 forwards and 10 defensemen chosen, continuing a trend of forward-heavy drafts while addressing blue-line depth for several franchises.[34] Notable surprises included the Anaheim Ducks' selection of right winger Beckett Sennecke third overall, a player ranked in the 10-15 range pre-draft but valued for his skating, shot, and upside as a top-six winger.[1] Other reaches featured the Minnesota Wild trading up for defenseman Zeev Buium at 12th, a mature NCAA champion seen as a safe, top-pairing project despite some viewing it as aggressive for his ranking.[1]| Pick | Team | Player | Position | Nationality | Prior Team/League |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose Sharks | Macklin Celebrini | C | Canada | Boston University (NCAA) |
| 2 | Chicago Blackhawks | Artyom Levshunov | D | Belarus | Michigan State University (NCAA) |
| 3 | Anaheim Ducks | Beckett Sennecke | RW | Canada | Oshawa Generals (OHL) |
| 4 | Columbus Blue Jackets | Cayden Lindstrom | C | Canada | Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) |
| 5 | Montreal Canadiens | Ivan Demidov | RW | Russia | SKA St. Petersburg (KHL) |
| 6 | Utah Hockey Club | Tij Iginla | C | Canada | Kelowna Rockets (WHL) |
| 7 | Ottawa Senators | Carter Yakemchuk | D | Canada | Calgary Hitmen (WHL) |
| 8 | Seattle Kraken | Berkly Catton | C | Canada | Spokane Chiefs (WHL) |
| 9 | Calgary Flames | Zayne Parekh | D | Canada | Saginaw Spirit (OHL) |
| 10 | New Jersey Devils | Anton Silayev | D | Russia | Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL) |
| 11 | San Jose Sharks (from Buffalo) | Sam Dickinson | D | Canada | London Knights (OHL) |
| 12 | Minnesota Wild (from Philadelphia) | Zeev Buium | D | United States | University of Denver (NCAA) |
| 13 | Philadelphia Flyers (from Minnesota) | Jett Luchanko | C | Canada | Guelph Storm (OHL) |
| 14 | Buffalo Sabres (from Pittsburgh via San Jose) | Konsta Helenius | C | Finland | Jukurit (Liiga) |
| 15 | Detroit Red Wings | Michael Brandsegg-Nygård | RW | Norway | Mora IK (Allsvenskan) |
| 16 | St. Louis Blues | Adam Jiříček | D | Czech Republic | HC Plzeň (Czech Extraliga) |
| 17 | Washington Capitals | Terik Parascak | RW | Canada | Prince George Cougars (WHL) |
| 18 | Chicago Blackhawks (from NY Islanders) | Sacha Boisvert | C | Canada | Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) |
| 19 | Vegas Golden Knights | Trevor Connelly | LW | United States | Tri-City Storm (USHL) |
| 20 | New York Islanders (from Tampa Bay via Chicago) | Cole Eiserman | LW | United States | U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP) |
| 21 | Montreal Canadiens (from Los Angeles) | Michael Hage | C | United States | University of Michigan (NCAA) |
| 22 | Nashville Predators | Yegor Surin | C | Russia | Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (MHL) |
| 23 | Anaheim Ducks (from Toronto) | Stian Solberg | D | Norway | Vålerenga (Norway Eliteserien) |
| 24 | Utah Hockey Club (from Colorado) | Cole Beaudoin | C | Canada | Barrie Colts (OHL) |
| 25 | Boston Bruins (from Ottawa via Detroit) | Dean Letourneau | C | Canada | St. Andrew's College (OHL Prep) |
| 26 | Los Angeles Kings (from Winnipeg via Montreal) | Liam Greentree | RW | Canada | Windsor Spitfires (OHL) |
| 27 | Chicago Blackhawks (from Carolina) | Marek Vanacker | LW | Canada | Brantford Bulldogs (OHL) |
| 28 | Calgary Flames (from Vancouver) | Matvei Gridin | RW | Russia | Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) |
| 29 | Dallas Stars | Emil Hemming | RW | Finland | TPS Turku (Liiga) |
| 30 | New York Rangers | EJ Emery | D | United States | U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP) |
| 31 | Toronto Maple Leafs (from Anaheim via Edmonton) | Ben Danford | D | Canada | Oshawa Generals (OHL) |
| 32 | Edmonton Oilers (from Philadelphia via Florida) | Sam O'Reilly | RW | Canada | London Knights (OHL) |
Rounds Two Through Seven Selections
The 2024 NHL Entry Draft featured 225 total selections across seven rounds, with rounds two through seven comprising 193 picks distributed among the 32 teams (including a compensatory pick at No. 51 to the Philadelphia Flyers for failing to sign 2020 first-rounder Jay O'Brien).[2][36] No picks were forfeited during these rounds, though several trades reshuffled selections, including the Anaheim Ducks acquiring the No. 57 pick from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for their own second- and seventh-round picks.[37] Overall, these rounds emphasized depth in defensive talent and international prospects, with teams prioritizing size, skating, and two-way potential over pure offensive flash seen in the first round. Positional distribution in rounds two through seven highlighted a balanced approach but with a notable lean toward defensemen, reflecting teams' needs for blue-line depth.[2]| Position | Number Selected |
|---|---|
| Forwards | 93 |
| Defensemen | 76 |
| Goalies | 24 |
Draft Demographics
Draftees by Nationality
The 2024 NHL Entry Draft showcased a diverse international composition, with players from 13 nationalities selected across the 225 picks. North American talent dominated, accounting for approximately 58% of the class, led by Canada with 89 draftees and the United States with 40. European prospects filled much of the remainder, highlighting the global reach of the sport, though smaller nations like Slovenia and Austria each contributed just one player.[34][41] Despite geopolitical challenges, including restrictions on Russian players participating in international competitions, 26 Russian-born prospects were drafted, an increase from 19 in 2023 and marking one of the stronger classes from the country in recent years. Notable among them was forward Ivan Demidov, selected fifth overall by the Montréal Canadiens, whose offensive skill set drew comparisons to elite NHL talents despite limited North American exposure. European depth was evident in traditional hockey nations, with Sweden contributing 22 players and Finland 18, reflecting robust development systems in the SHL and Liiga leagues.[42][1] The United States saw representation with 40 selections, down from 49 the previous year, bolstered by the USA Hockey National Team Development Program's output of 13 draftees, including several first-round picks. This trend underscores the growing pipeline of American talent through programs like the NTDP and USHL. In contrast, countries like Germany had no selections, while Norway's four picks included two first-rounders, tying a national record for high-end talent.[41][43]| Country | Number of Draftees | Top Pick |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | 89 | Macklin Celebrini (No. 1, San Jose Sharks)[1] |
| United States | 40 | Zeev Buium (No. 12, Minnesota Wild)[1] |
| Russia | 26 | Ivan Demidov (No. 5, Montréal Canadiens)[1] |
| Sweden | 22 | Leo Sahlin Wallenius (No. 27, New York Rangers)[1] |
| Finland | 18 | Konsta Helenius (No. 14, Buffalo Sabres)[1] |
| Czechia | 13 | Adam Jiricek (No. 16, St. Louis Blues)[1] |
North American Draftees by Region
Of the 225 players selected in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, North American draftees totaled 129, with Canadians comprising 89 and Americans 40.[44][41] Canadian provinces dominated the regional distribution, reflecting the strength of major junior hockey leagues like the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and Western Hockey League (WHL). Ontario led with 37 selections, underscoring its role as a primary pipeline through CHL programs such as the OHL, where many prospects develop elite skills.[44] Quebec followed with 16 draftees, bolstered by the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), while Alberta and British Columbia contributed 14 and 7 players, respectively, often via the WHL. Other provinces such as Saskatchewan (2), Nova Scotia (2), and New Brunswick (3) accounted for the remainder. Notable top picks from these regions included Macklin Celebrini, the first overall selection by the San Jose Sharks, born in North Vancouver, British Columbia, and Cayden Lindstrom from Vancouver, British Columbia, chosen ninth by the Columbus Blue Jackets.[1][1] In the United States, 40 players represented 17 states, highlighting the growing influence of USA Hockey's development pathways, including high school programs, junior leagues, and the U.S. National Team Development Program (NTDP) based in Plymouth, Michigan.[41] Minnesota topped the list with 11 selections, driven by powerhouse programs like Shattuck-St. Mary's School, which has produced NHL talents and contributed multiple draftees such as Max Plante and Adam Kleber.[41] Michigan and Illinois followed with 5 each, with Michigan's count amplified by the NTDP's role in developing players from various states, including Zeev Buium (Colorado) and EJ Emery (Connecticut) who trained there.[41] California and Massachusetts each had 4 and 3, respectively, featuring prospects like Trevor Connelly from California and Cole Eiserman from Massachusetts, many of whom committed to NCAA programs.[41] Regional trends in the 2024 draft emphasized Ontario's continued CHL dominance, accounting for over 40% of Canadian selections, while U.S. draftees showed a rise in NCAA commitments, with more than 20 Americans heading to college hockey, signaling a shift toward diversified development paths beyond junior leagues.[44][41] The NTDP's impact was evident across multiple states, funneling talents like those from Minnesota and Michigan into the draft pool.[41]| Region | Count | Notable Programs/Pipelines | Example Draftees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian Provinces | |||
| Ontario | 37 | OHL, CHL major junior | Beckett Sennecke (2nd overall) |
| Quebec | 16 | QMJHL | Sacha Boisvert (18th overall) |
| Alberta | 14 | WHL, Alberta Junior Hockey League | Tij Iginla (12th overall) |
| British Columbia | 7 | WHL, BC Hockey programs | Macklin Celebrini (1st overall) |
| Manitoba | 7 | WHL, Manitoba AAA | Porter Martone |
| U.S. States | |||
| Minnesota | 11 | Shattuck-St. Mary's, Minnesota high school | Max Plante, Adam Kleber |
| Michigan | 5 | NTDP, USA Hockey NTDP | Lukas Fischer, Luke Osburn |
| Illinois | 5 | Chicago Mission, Illinois junior leagues | Cole Hutson, Kamil Bednarik |
| California | 4 | California high school, SoCal Hockey | Zeev Buium (12th overall) |
| Massachusetts | 3 | New England prep schools, USA Hockey | Cole Eiserman (20th overall) |