Two American Teens Taken First And Second At NHL Draft

Posted June 22, 2007 12:00 pm.

This article is more than 5 years old.

For the first time in NHL draft history, two American teens were taken first and second.

Patrick Kane of the London Knights was chosen first by the Chicago Blackhawks and James vanRiemsdyk was scooped up next by the Philadelphia Flyers.

Both were teammates on the U.S. team that won bronze at the world junior tournament last January.

“This is just another chapter in the books,” Kane said. “I have to prove myself at the next level.”

“(We’re) not really sticking it to the Canadians but it’s nice to know we’re catching up to them,” VanRiemsdyk remarked. “They have a lot of depth in their system and we’re starting to catch up a little bit.”

Maple Leafs GM John Ferguson was busy before the draft even started, picking up netminder Vesa Toskala and forward Mark Bell from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a package of draft picks, including a first-rounder.

“It’s going to be a real good one-two punch,” Ferguson said of his new goaltending tandem.

Toskala, who is from Finland, seems ready to tackle hockey life in Canada.

“I think every player in the world wants to play in Canada at one point in their careers,” he said.

“The fans, the media, people live for hockey in that country, especially in Toronto. I’m actually very, very excited to take on that challenge.”

Players 1 through 20 selected Friday in the opening round of the National Hockey League’s entry draft (with overall selection, team, player, position, previous club with league or country in parentheses):

1. Chicago, Patrick Kane, RW, London (OHL)

2. Philadelphia, James vanRiemsdyk, LW, U.S. U-18

3. Phoenix, Kyle Turris, C, Burnaby (BCHL)

4. Los Angeles, Thomas Hickey, D, Seattle (WHL)

5. Washington, Karl Alzner, D, Calgary (WHL)

6. Edmonton, Sam Gagner, C/W, London (OHL)

7.Columbus, Jakub Voracek, RW, Halifax (QMJHL)

8. Boston, Zach Hamill, C, Everett (WHL)

9. San Jose, Logan Couture, C, Ottawa (OHL)

10. Florida, Keaton Ellerby, D, Kamloops (WHL).

11. Carolina, Brandon Sutter, C/RW, Red Deer (WHL)

12. Montreal, Ryan McDonagh, D, Cretin-Derham High School, Minnesota