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Gophers See Two Selected in NHL Entry Draft Friday
7/8/2022 2:00:00 PM | Men's Hockey
MONTREAL - The Golden Gophers men's hockey team saw two newcomers selected at the 2022 Upper Deck NHL Entry Draft Friday. Ryan Chesley (Round 2, No. 37 - Washington Capitals) and Connor Kurth (Round 6, No. 192 - Tampa Bay Lightning) were both chosen during the final day of the draft inside the Bell Centre from Montreal.
Minnesota has had the most all-time NHL Entry Draft selections (227) by any NCAA men's hockey program after adding four in 2022. The signed prospects are now set to begin their collegiate careers for the Maroon & Gold this year.
Chesley led all NTDP defensemen with 12 goals a year ago on his way to being the fifth player taken on day two of the draft. A Mahtomedi, Minn., product, he added 17 assists for 29 points in 59 games played. He is regarded as one of the top defensive players in the draft class thanks to his great hockey sense in 5-on-5 situations as well as on special teams. The right-handed blueliner was an alternate captain for Team USA at the most recent U18 World Championships where he tallied five points on the way to a silver medal.
The group of 2022 draft picks are joined by fellow incoming freshman Brody Lamb (Byron, Minn.) and Cal Thomas (Maple Grove, Minn.), who were selected in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft making it one of the best recruiting classes in program history. Lamb was a fourth-round pick (No. 104) of the New York Rangers, while Thomas was taken in the sixth round (No. 171) by the Arizona Coyotes.
For the first time since 2019, the draft is being held in person with fans in the arena. The 2020 and 2021 NHL Drafts each were held virtually due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus.
Minnesota Draft Notes
*This year's draft marks the 33rd year in which at least four Minnesota hockey players had their names called in a single draft class.
*Chesley is the highest-selected Gopher by the Washington Capitals at No. 37 overall, as the 10th all-time pick by the NHL organization, and the first since Travis Boyd in 2011.
*Chesley also becomes the 32nd second-round pick for Minnesota in the history of the draft, which is the most of any round.
*Kurth is only the fifth Gopher to be chosen by the Tampa Bay Lightning, all of which have come in the fifth round or later, after Sammy Walker was picked in the seventh round of the 2017 draft.
*At least one Gopher has been drafted in 48 of the last 49 NHL Entry Drafts dating back to 1974 with 2001 being the only exception. Minnesota's 27-consecutive drafts with a selection between 1974-2000 are tied for an NCAA record.
*The two first-round picks in 2022 marks the fifth time where more than one Gopher was selected in the first round joining 2009, 2007, 2006 and 2004.
*Cooley is the earliest chosen player from the Pittsburgh area in draft history (J.T. Miller, No. 15 in 2011).
*Erik Johnson remains the highest draft pick in Minnesota history, going No. 1 overall in 2006.
*The Arizona Coyotes now have chosen 12 Gophers all-time, the fourth-most of any NHL team, and Cooley is the first to go in the first round since Blake Wheeler at No. 5 in 2004. The Coyotes have picked Minnesota-bound players in back-to-back years in Cooley and fellow incoming freshman Cal Thomas, a 2021 sixth-round selection.
*Snuggerud is the third Minnesota player ever selected in the first round by St. Louis (Erik Johnson-2006, Jeff Taffe-2000) and the 11th taken by the Blues in team history.
*Snuggerud and his father, Dave, an All-American for Minnesota in 1989 after being a draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres in 1987, become the sixth father/son duo in program history that were both drafted. They join Jack/Mike Ramsey, Rem and Rhett/Lance Pitlick, Tyler/Marty Nanne, Mike/Mike Reilly and Jake/Grant Bischoff. Additionally, Blake McLaughlin is the stepson of Grant Bischoff.
*Per NCAA rules, the Gopher men's hockey program cannot comment on unsigned prospects.
Click here for more information about Minnesota's eligible prospects:
2022 Gopher Hockey NHL Entry Draft Guide
Minnesota has had the most all-time NHL Entry Draft selections (227) by any NCAA men's hockey program after adding four in 2022. The signed prospects are now set to begin their collegiate careers for the Maroon & Gold this year.
Chesley led all NTDP defensemen with 12 goals a year ago on his way to being the fifth player taken on day two of the draft. A Mahtomedi, Minn., product, he added 17 assists for 29 points in 59 games played. He is regarded as one of the top defensive players in the draft class thanks to his great hockey sense in 5-on-5 situations as well as on special teams. The right-handed blueliner was an alternate captain for Team USA at the most recent U18 World Championships where he tallied five points on the way to a silver medal.
Kurth was named USA Hockey's 2022 Dave Tyler Junior Hockey Player of the Year after recording a team-leading 81 points for the Dubuque Fighting Saints. The Elk River, Minn., native completed his USHL career with 50 goals and 72 assists in 114 games and was an All-USHL Second Team selection in 2021-22 following All-Rookie Team honors the previous year. He is known for creating scoring chances and finishing off plays around the net, showcased by his offensive prowess in junior hockey.Day ✌️ is off to a hot start! 🔥
— Minnesota Men's Hockey (@GopherHockey) July 8, 2022
Congratulations to @ryanchesley_ on being selected No. 37 overall to the @Capitals! #PrideOnIce | #nhldraft22 pic.twitter.com/gF0TFHSmFE
In Thursday night's first round, Gopher newcomer Logan Cooley was picked No. 3 overall by the Arizona Coyotes before his NTDP linemate Jimmy Snuggerud went No. 23 to the St. Louis Blues.The #Bolts got a steal‼️
— Minnesota Men's Hockey (@GopherHockey) July 8, 2022
Congratulations to @connor_kurth on being selected in the 6th round by the @TBLightning! #PrideOnIce | #nhldraft2022 pic.twitter.com/a9kbJHhZDd
The group of 2022 draft picks are joined by fellow incoming freshman Brody Lamb (Byron, Minn.) and Cal Thomas (Maple Grove, Minn.), who were selected in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft making it one of the best recruiting classes in program history. Lamb was a fourth-round pick (No. 104) of the New York Rangers, while Thomas was taken in the sixth round (No. 171) by the Arizona Coyotes.
For the first time since 2019, the draft is being held in person with fans in the arena. The 2020 and 2021 NHL Drafts each were held virtually due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus.
Minnesota Draft Notes
*This year's draft marks the 33rd year in which at least four Minnesota hockey players had their names called in a single draft class.
*Chesley is the highest-selected Gopher by the Washington Capitals at No. 37 overall, as the 10th all-time pick by the NHL organization, and the first since Travis Boyd in 2011.
*Chesley also becomes the 32nd second-round pick for Minnesota in the history of the draft, which is the most of any round.
*Kurth is only the fifth Gopher to be chosen by the Tampa Bay Lightning, all of which have come in the fifth round or later, after Sammy Walker was picked in the seventh round of the 2017 draft.
*At least one Gopher has been drafted in 48 of the last 49 NHL Entry Drafts dating back to 1974 with 2001 being the only exception. Minnesota's 27-consecutive drafts with a selection between 1974-2000 are tied for an NCAA record.
*The two first-round picks in 2022 marks the fifth time where more than one Gopher was selected in the first round joining 2009, 2007, 2006 and 2004.
*Cooley is the earliest chosen player from the Pittsburgh area in draft history (J.T. Miller, No. 15 in 2011).
*Erik Johnson remains the highest draft pick in Minnesota history, going No. 1 overall in 2006.
*The Arizona Coyotes now have chosen 12 Gophers all-time, the fourth-most of any NHL team, and Cooley is the first to go in the first round since Blake Wheeler at No. 5 in 2004. The Coyotes have picked Minnesota-bound players in back-to-back years in Cooley and fellow incoming freshman Cal Thomas, a 2021 sixth-round selection.
*Snuggerud is the third Minnesota player ever selected in the first round by St. Louis (Erik Johnson-2006, Jeff Taffe-2000) and the 11th taken by the Blues in team history.
*Snuggerud and his father, Dave, an All-American for Minnesota in 1989 after being a draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres in 1987, become the sixth father/son duo in program history that were both drafted. They join Jack/Mike Ramsey, Rem and Rhett/Lance Pitlick, Tyler/Marty Nanne, Mike/Mike Reilly and Jake/Grant Bischoff. Additionally, Blake McLaughlin is the stepson of Grant Bischoff.
*Per NCAA rules, the Gopher men's hockey program cannot comment on unsigned prospects.
Click here for more information about Minnesota's eligible prospects:
2022 Gopher Hockey NHL Entry Draft Guide
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