The University of North Dakota has made its way to Las Vegas for the highly anticipated 2024 NHL Draft, scheduled to take place at The Sphere. This event, which will kick off on Friday evening with the first round and continue with Rounds 2-7 on Saturday, has generated a significant amount of excitement within the hockey community. UND is expected to have multiple players selected, as they are ranked among the top prospects by the NHL Central Scouting.
The first round of the draft will be televised on ESPN, ESPN+, and Sportsnet, beginning at 6 p.m. (CT) on Friday. Subsequently, Rounds 2-7 will be broadcasted on NHL Network, ESPN+, and Sportsnet at 10:30 a.m. (CT) on Saturday. There is much anticipation surrounding UND players such as Sacha Boisvert, EJ Emery, Will Zellers, Sam Laurila, Mac Swanson, Carson Pilgrim, and Jake Livanavage, as they are all highly ranked by NHL Central Scouting.
UND takes great pride in its rich history of NHL Draft selections. With a streak of having at least one player chosen in each NHL Draft since 1999, UND currently holds the third-longest streak. Additionally, UND has produced 21 first-round picks in its history, making it the fifth most in college hockey. It is worth noting that Jake Sanderson was the most recent first-round pick for UND in 2020 when he was selected 5th overall by Ottawa. The legacy of North Dakota selections at the NHL Draft extends to a total of 194, the second most in the nation. The upcoming draft holds the potential for UND to make history by being the first team in NCHC history to have multiple first-round selections in the same draft, a milestone they aim to achieve. Furthermore, with the possibility of three players being chosen in the first two rounds, it would mark the first time since 2005 for the team.
For more comprehensive information regarding the NHL Draft and UND’s involvement, fans are encouraged to follow UNDmhockey on social media or visit FightingHawks.com.
Without a doubt, the 2024 NHL Draft is eagerly anticipated by all hockey enthusiasts, and the UND community has every reason to take pride in the achievements and talents of their players. The university has a strong legacy in the NHL and continues to produce exceptional players year after year. The excitement in the air is palpable as everyone eagerly awaits the unfolding of events in Las Vegas.