After three and a half hours of waiting, the Tampa Bay Lightning finally revealed their first selection of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. With the 96th overall pick the Lightning selected 18-year old defenceman Roman Schmidt from the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL.
The American defenceman from Michigan spent the past two seasons in the U.S. National Development program, scoring 7 points (2 goals, 5 assists) in 22 games in the USHL last season. He also played in five games at U18 World Championship, but didn’t record any points. He originally committed to Boston University next season, but eventually opted out to play for the Kitchener Rangers, who selected him as the 36th overall pick in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection.