Okay puck fans. I know it’s only been two years but I was looking through that draft just now and made an interesting discovery. So let’s get to our 2005 Draft Fact of the Night:

The second round has featured as many players (3) making it to the NHL as the first round so far.

1st Round- Sidney Crosby (1st, Pit), Gilbert Brule (6th, Cbj), Anze Kopitar (11th, LA)

2nd Round- Marc-Edouard Vlasic (35th, SJ), Paul Stastny (44th, Col), Guillaume Latendresse (45th, Mtl)

If you’re wondering about how the locals fared, here’s a synopsis of each team’s picks and their current status:

NYR

Player Overall Current Status
Marc Staal 12th Sudbury
Michael Sauer 40th Portland
Marc-Andre Cliche 56th Lewiston (traded to LA in Sean Avery deal)
Brodie Dupont 66th Calgary
Dalyn Flatt 77th Brampton
Tom Pyatt 107th Saginaw
Trevor Koverko 147th Oshawa
Greg Beller 178th Yale
Ryan Russell 211th Kootenay

Notes: Keep an eye on Pyatt. He was an integral part of Canada’s gold 3-peat at the WJC and should turn pro next year and at least be in Hartford. He could turn out to be a steal. Staal should also be there with him.

NJ

Player Overall Current Status
Nicklas Bergfors 23rd Lowell
Jeff Frazee 38th Minnesota
Mark Fraser 84th Lowell
Patrick Davis 99th Lowell
Mark Fayne 155th Noble & Greenough
Sean Zimmermann 170th Spokane
Alexander Sundstrom 218th IF Bjorkloven

Notes: Frazee helped backstop Canada to the WJC Gold. He came on strong in relief and looks to be the heir apparent to Brodeur if that ever happens. Fraser has played briefly in 4 games with the Devils. The jury is still out on the talented Bergfors.

NYI

Player Overall Current Status
Ryan O’Marra 15th Erie
Dustin Kohn 46th Bridgeport
Shea Guthrie 76th Clarkson
Masi Marjamaki 144th Bridgeport
Tyrell Mason 180th Clarkson
Nicholas Tuzzolino 196th Sarnia
Luciano Aquino 210th Pensacola

Notes: The key to this draft is the American O’Marra. He’s expected to be a big talent and someone Fishstick fans should be extremely excited about. Give it another year.