Special Sub-Topic: NHL Draft 1980s Click Here To Play: NHL Draft 1980s

He was the first pick of the 1980 draft?

Doug Wickenheiser. Doug Wickenheiser was chosen no. 1 by the Montreal Canadiens. He played for a few other teams in his career, but never really lived up to his no. 1 billing. Sadly, Wickenheiser is no longer with us, as he passed away with cancer. His career stats were 276 points in 556 games, in 10 seasons.

Who was the number 4 pick in the 1981 draft, and is probably one of the most underated players of all time?

Ron Francis. Ron Francis was picked number 4 by the Hartford Whalers, and has played 21 seasons. In 2003, he ranked number 2 in assists, only behind Gretzky. He had over 500 goals and 1700 points after the 2002-03 season. A quiet and modest player, but year in year out he has put up big numbers and had 2 Stanley Cup rings. A true class act.

Who was the 18th overall pick in the 1982 draft, and he played out of Seattle in junior hockey?

Ken Daneyko. Ken Daneyko was chosen number 18 by the New Jersey Devils. A steady reliable defenceman, won the Bill Masteron Trophy in 2000. This was sort of a trick question as Scott Stevens was chosen no. 4 in the same draft.

Who was the fifth overall player chosen in the 1983 draft, and came right out of high school?

Tom Barrasso. Tom Barrasso was chosen fifth by the Buffalo Sabres from Acton-Boxboro High School. A bit of a shock in the draft to choose someone right out of high school, and a goalie at that. But, Tom proved everyone wrong as he went onto win the Vezina and Calder that year in 1983. He also would win 2 Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Who was selected number one in the 1984 draft?

Mario Lemieux. Mario was picked number one by Pittsburgh, and he was the prince riding on the white horse into town. Once Mario came to Pittsburgh, so did the fans. He holds virtually every offensive record in club history and many NHL records too. Won 2 cups and 2 Conn Smythe Trophies, and countless others. One of the best players ever to play the game, and also was the owner of the team in 2003.

Who came out of Cornell University, started his career out west, and was the 27th player chosen in the 1985 draft?

Joe Nieuwendyk. Joe Nieuwendyk started his career with great scoring prowess, by 2 back to back 50 goal seasons. Close to 500 goals in his career, and won the Calder trophy in 1985, and the King Clancy Trophy in 1988. Has won 2 Cups, one with Calgary and one with Dallas, where he won the Conn Smythe Trophy. In 2003, he played with New Jersey.

Who was drafted ninth overall in the 1986 draft, and came out of Avon Old Farms High School?

Brian Leetch. Brian Leetch was drafted by the New York Rangers, one of the best American born players to ever play. He has won 2 Norris Trophies,the Calder, and the Stanely Cup, and the first American born player to ever win the Conn Smythe Trophy.

Who was chosen as the 15th pick overall in the 1987 draft, and played out of Swift Current in the WHL?

Joe Sakic. Joe Sakic was chosen by the Quebec Nordiques, who later became the Colorado Avalanche. Joe Sakic had been consistently been one the of the best players in the league, year in and year out. He had won 2 Cups including the Conn Smyth Trophy, the Lester B. Pearson, the Bud-Light award, the Lady Byng, and the Hart Trophy.

Who was the number one pick in the 1988 draft?

Mike Modano. Mike Modano was chosen no. 1 by the Minnesota North Stars, who became the Dallas Stars. He had become one of the best 2 way players in the game, with great offensive skills and great speed. He won the Stanley Cup in 1999, and the World Cup in 1996 with USA.

Who was chosen number 2 overall in the 1989 draft by the Islanders?

Dave Chyzowski. Dave Chyzowski who had much promise when he was drafted so high, never really made any impact at all. He played 6 seasons on and off, 126 games and only 15 goals and 31 points. Instead, the Islanders could have drafted Bill Guerin, Bobby Holik, or Olaf Kolzig.

Of the 10 drafts in the 1980s, how many American born players went number one overall?

2. In 1983, Brian Lawton was picked by the Minnesota North Stars, and then again in 1988. Mike Modano was also picked by the Minnesota North Stars.

In 1985, Wendel Clark went number 1 overall, listed as a defencman, but he actually ended up playing forward. Who was the only other player who went no. 1 as a defenceman in the 80s?

Gord Kluzak. Gord Kluzak went number one in 1982 by the Boston Bruins. Sadly, he never was able to play much because of too many knee injuries.

Other than Mats Sundin who was the first European to go number one overall, who was the next highest selected European in the 1980s?

Ulf Dahlen. Ulf Dahlen was selected 7th overall by the New York Rangers in the 1985 draft. In the 1980s, not many Europeans went high in the draft as most teams didnt know if they would be available to play, because of the communist control in Russia and Czechslovakia. That all changed in the 90s.

The Toronto Maple Leafs had 3 first round picks in the 1989 draft at no 3, 12 and 21. All 3 picks came from what junior team?

Belleville. Scott Thornton, Rob Pearson, and Steve Bancroft all played for Belleville, only Scott Thornton really panned out and in 2003, played for the San Jose Sharks.

Which of these players, who were all drafted in the 1980s, never played for Toronto?

Adam Graves. Even though Adam Graves was born in the Toronto area, he never played for the Leafs. He has played for Edmonton, New York Rangers and the San Jose Sharks.