The opening round of the 2022 NHL Draft was a great one for the U.S. National Team Development program, and in translation a very good one for college hockey.
Seven players with college ties, all incoming freshmen, were selected in Thursday’s first round. Six of them played last season for the USNTDP.
Center Logan Cooley from the USNTDP, who will matriculate at Minnesota next season, was the top collegiate player selected, taken third overall by the Arizona Coyotes.
AGATE: List of college players selected/ranked for NHL Draft
Cooley was selected ahead of Shane Wright from Kingston of the Ontario Hockey League, who many believed would be the first overall selection. Juraj Slafkovsky and Simon Nemac, two Slovakian-born players, were selected first and second overall by draft host Montreal and New Jersey, respectively.
“It’s great. Arizona is a team I wanted to go to,” Cooley told ESPN after being selected. “I had great connection with [the Coyotes]. I couldn’t be happier to be part of their organization].”
Boston College incoming freshman Cutter Gauthier, a left wing on the USNTDP who was originally born in Sweden, was taken fifth overall by Philadelphia, higher than many expected.
Frank Nazar, a third USNTDP program player, was the 13th overall selection by Chicago. Headed to Michigan in the fall, Nazar is 5-foot-10, 180 lbs., and was acquired in a pick through a trade that moved Alex DeBrincat to Ottawa.
“This is unreal,” said Nazar. “It’s like you’re in a dream and you’re not going to wake up. I’ve been to Chicago a lot of times through hockey. I’m so excited to go through this organization.”
Another player headed to Michigan, Rutger McGroarty, a right wing this past season for the USNTDP, went one pick after Nazar to Winnipeg. He was the seventh Nebraska-born played selected in the Draft.
Another future Gopher and USNTDP player, Jimmy Snuggerud, earned his first-round placement at the 23rd spot, a St. Louis Blues selection.
“I’m here to compete and help the team win,” said Snuggerud. “I’m super pumped to come play for [St. Louis].”
The first college-bound player not associated with the USNTDP selected was Chaska high school’s Sam Rinzel. The 6-foot-4 defenseman is headed to Minnesota in the fall of 2023, now the property of Chicago.
“I was hoping one team would give their trust to me,” said Rinzel. “Thankfully that happened.”
Isaac Howard, who will head to Minnesota Duluth in the fall, was selected 31st by Tampa Bay. The Lightning will evaluate the 5-foot-10, 180 lbs., winger as he skates in the NCHC this season.
