The 2015 NHL Draft begins tonight in Sunrise, Florida, and incoming Gopher freshman Tommy Novak has a slight chance to be taken in the first round tonight. He probably will end up a 2nd of third round pick, but if he would be selected in the first round he would be the 20th Gopher selected in the first round of the modern draft which has taken place since 1969. Of course some of the Gophers who have gone onto the best NHL careers were not selected in the first round. People like Paul Holmgren (Philadelphia Flyers 6th round 1975), Darby Hendrickson (Toronto Maple Leafs 4th round 1990), Jordan Leopold (Anaheim Ducks 2nd round 1999), Paul Martin (2nd round New Jersey Devils (2000) and of course the best professional player to ever come out of the U , Neal Broten (Minnesota North stars, 3rd round 1979).
Ranking Gopher Hockey's First Round NHL Draft Picks 1-19
