Alumni of the World Junior A Challenge were front and centre at the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, with a record-setting six hearing their names called during the
first round June 26 at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Fla.
Denis Guryanov, who earned a spot on the tournament all-star team after scoring three goals and adding an assist in five games at the 2014 tournament in
Kindersley, Sask., was the first alumnus selected, chosen 12th overall by the Dallas Stars, starting a run of six alumni in 12 picks.
Jakub Zboril, who represented the Czech Republic in 2013 in Yarmouth, N.S., went immediately after Guryanov, to the Boston Bruins at No. 13, and two-time
WJAC gold medallist Kyle Connor, who captained the United States to the 2014 title, was the Winnipeg Jets’ first pick at 17th.
Evgeny Svechnikov, a silver medallist with Russia in 2013, was the 19th overall selection by the Detroit Red Wings, fellow Russian Ilya Samsonov, who
backstopped his team to bronze in 2014, was taken 22nd by the Washington Capitals, and 2014 gold medallist Brock Boeser finished the record run when the
Vancouver Canucks used their first-round choice on the American at No. 23.
Four Canadian alumni were chosen: Chase Pearson (Canada East, 2013) went 140th overall to the Red Wings, Connor Hobbs (Canada West, 2014) was the 143rd
pick by the Capitals, Cameron Hughes (Canada West, 2013) was selected 165th by the Bruins, and Marcus Vela (Canada West, 2014) was pick No. 190 by the San
Jose Sharks.
In total, 22 alumni were selected in the draft, including six members of the gold medal-winning United States entry from the 2014 World Junior A Challenge.
(Boeser, Connor, Gaudette, Novak, Wolanin, Zuhlsdorf), and three members of the 2014 all-star team (Guryanov, Novak, Wolanin).
Since the first World Junior A Challenge in Yorkton and Humboldt, Sask., in 2006, 232 drafted players have taken part in the tournament, either prior to
their selection or during the seasons following.
1ST ROUND
Denis Guryanov | 12th overall, Dallas | 2014 – Russia
Jakub Zboril | 13th overall, Boston | 2013 – Czech Republic
Kyle Connor | 17th overall, Winnipeg | 2013 & 2014 – United States
Evgeny Svechnikov | 19th overall, Detroit | 2013 – Russia
Ilya Samsonov | 22nd overall, Washington | 2014 – Russia
Brock Boeser | 23rd overall, Vancouver | 2014 – United States
3RD ROUND
Thomas Novak | 85th overall, Nashville | 2014 – United States
4TH ROUND
Mikhail Vorobyev | 104th overall, Philadelphia | 2014 – Russia
Christian Wolanin | 107th overall, Ottawa | 2014 – United States
Joren Van Pottelberghe | 110th overall, Detroit | 2014 – Switzerland
Dmitry Zhukenov | 114th overall, Vancouver | 2014 – Russia
5TH ROUND
Kirill Kaprizov | 135th overall, Minnesota | 2014 – Russia
Dominik Simon | 137th overall, Pittsburgh | 2011 – Czech Republic
Chase Pearson | 140h overall, Detroit | 2013 – Canada East
Connor Hobbs | 143rd overall, Washington | 2014 – Canada West
Karel Vejmelka | 145th overall, Nashville | 2013 – Czech Republic
Adam Gaudette | 149th overall, Vancouver | 2014 – United States
Ryan Zuhlsdorf | 150th overall, Tampa Bay | 2014 – United States
6TH ROUND
Vladislav Gavrikov | 159th overall, Columbus | 2012 – Russia
Cameron Hughes | 165th overall, Boston | 2013 – Canada West
7TH ROUND
Marcus Vela | 190th overall, San Jose | 2014 – Canada West
Ziyat Paigin | 209th overall, Edmonton | 2012 - Russia