“I wouldn’t say that was their coming out party, but I think it was when everyone went, ‘Aha, these guys are legit players”. It’s going to be a learning curve.
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He also led the United States of America to a bronze at the World Junior Championships and played on the U.S. national team that finished fourth at the men’s IIHF World Championships last month in Russian Federation. “You get so close”.
As expected, Matthews went first to the Toronto Maple Leafs followed by Laine (pronounced LY’-nay) to the Winnipeg Jets.
“I think when you’ve been good for as long as he’s been good you get used to the spotlight and you’re used to delivering under pressure”, Babcock said. “So that helped us in selecting him”.
Over two seasons with the Development Program, Frederic has collected 25 goals and 54 points, with 115 penalty minutes, in 116 games.
He also had nine points in 10 games while playing for a weak USA team at the world championships that lost in the bronze medal game.
“I am ready to play next year”, said Puljujarvi.
The 6-foot-4 (194 cm), 207-pound (94 kg) winger believes he can have an impact next season.
Starting with Columbus selecting Pierre-Luc Dubois at No. 3, only three Canadian-born players were taken among the top 10 picks.
“I was a little surprised”, Dubois admitted, “but it’s probably my best birthday I’ve ever had in my life, so I’m pretty happy right now”.
Jesse Puljujarvi celebrates after being selected fourth overall by the Edmonton Oilers during round …
The 18-year-old, born in California and raised in Scottsdale, sparked an international-themed parade to the podium Friday night that featured a draft-record 12 Americans selected in the first round. The son of former North Stars standout Brian Bellows, he has committed to Boston University.
Rounding out the first picks of the Canadian teams, The Ottawa Senators went with centre Logan Brown with their 11th pick. Kekalainen, who is from Finland, also noted he wouldn’t take a player based on his nationality.
It wouldn’t be until the Anaheim Ducks took the stage with the 24th pick when Max Jones heard his name called.
The weekend is about more than just one pick and one player.
Next, the Calgary Flames selected Matthew Tkachuk with the sixth pick.
It also marks the first time in history that three Finns have gone in the top five of the draft – or even the top 10.
Two trades were announced by commissioner Gary Bettman before the second pick.
Montreal traded forward Lars Eller to Washington for the Capitals’ second-round draft picks in 2017 and 2018.
The Winnipeg Jets selected Finnish winger Patrik Laine with the second overall pick of the National Hockey League draft.
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With the first overall selection in the 2016 NHL Draft, the Maple Leafs select Auston Matthews.
