Those who forget their past are doomed to repeat it. Over at Hockey Wilderness, Jennifer Conway takes a look at the last time Minnesota hosted the NHL Draft...all the way back to the year 1989.
Of importance:
- The first overall pick was Mats Sundin, the first European-born ever chosen first overall.
- Olaf Kolzig, drafted 19th overall by the Capitals, was the first South African-born player ever chosen in the draft.
- Dan Bylsma (109) was drafted four spots ahead of Pavel Bure (113).
- Twelve future NHL All-Stars were drafted: Mats Sundin, Bill Guerin, Bobby Holik, Mike Sillinger, Olaf Kolzig, Adam Foote, Nik Lidstrom, Sergei Fedorov, Pavel Bure, Donald Audette, Arturs Irbe, and Vladimir Konstantinov.
- Of all the Red Wing picks that day, Mike Sillinger was their first, ahead of Federov and Lidstrom. This was due to draft rules in force at the time, limiting the availablity of 18 year old players to the first three rounds.
- Kris Draper was the only player drafted from the Canadian National Team. The Jets would later trade his rights to the Red Wings for $1.
- Despite being drafted 57th overall by the Boston Bruins, Wes Walz didn't become a full-fledged NHLer until he signed with the Minnesota Wild.
- This was the first draft to be televised in the U.S. and was carried by Sportsnet America.
For more NHL Draft coverage, be sure to check out Hockey Wilderness.