Top 10 NHL field players low selected at the draft

Hello friends, today we’re going to talk about hockey players who were picked outside the top 100 at the draft and became true NHL stars, proving general managers wrong in their selections. These players, despite being overlooked initially, demonstrated exceptional skill, determination, and resilience, earning their place among the hockey elite. Their stories are a testament to the unpredictable nature of talent and the importance of perseverance in professional sports. Often, these athletes had to overcome significant obstacles, including doubts about their physical attributes, skill levels, or potential for growth. However, their achievements highlight that hard work and dedication can defy initial expectations and lead to outstanding success in the NHL. Just as these players found success against the odds, you too can find unexpected opportunities in the world of online casinos. For instance, you can take advantage of the Stay casino no deposit bonus, which offers a great way to start your online gaming experience without any initial investment.

10. Brett Hull

Canadian-born American hockey player, son of the famous hockey player – Bobby Hull. I think that played a small part in the selection of this player. In 1984 he was selected in the 6th round at number 117 overall by the Calgary Flames. He has played in the NHL since 1986 and is tied for 4th in regular season goals, ahead of only Wayne Gretzky, Gordie Howe and Jaromir Jagr. In “Calgary Flames” things were not very good, scored 26 goals, and the relationship with the coach did not go well, that’s why he was traded to the “St. Louis Blues”, in this club Hull Jr. opened up and began to score. In the 1989/90 season, Hull scored 72 goals and became the best sniper of the championship. The following season was a record-breaking season for Brett, scoring 86 pucks and 131 points. Hull also became the fifth player in history to repeat Maurice Richard’s famous achievement of scoring 50 pucks in 50 games.

9. Douglas Gilmore

Former Canadian hockey player, spent 20 seasons in the NHL, ranks 19th in points and 14th in assists for his career, winner of the 1989 Stanley Cup with the Calgary Flames, but in 1982 was selected in the 7th round at No. 134 overall by the St. Louis Blues, but strangely enough, he averaged 50 points in his first three seasons and scored 105 points in the 1986/87 season. In the Toronto Maple Leafs he scored over a hundred points per season (1992/93 and 1993/94). In the NHL, Gilmore played 1474 games and scored 1414 (450+964) points.

8. Theo Fleury

Canadian ice hockey player, selected in the 8th round in 1987 at No. 166 overall by the Calgary Flames. In my opinion, selected so low mostly because of his height (165 cm) and NHL experts were sceptical about him for a long time, which he himself said :

“If I was 15 centimetres taller and 8 kilograms heavier, I would have been selected number one by any team, but it was from the category of fantasy, and therefore I was not needed by anyone”.

But Fleury wasn’t what he was thought to be, he played a power play that often led to conflicts with players and coaches. Fleury scored more than 1,000 points in the NHL and in 1989 with the Calgary Flames and won the Stanley Cup.

7. Luke Robitaille

A former Canadian ice hockey player, he spent 19 seasons in the NHL and won the Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in the 2001/02 season. He is best known for playing for the NHL club Los Angeles Kings, where he spent 14 seasons and was team captain. In 1984, he was selected No. 171 overall by the Los Angeles Kings. Holder of very many records with the Los Angeles Kings in the regular season and playoffs. In the NHL he played 1431 games and scored 1394 (668+726) points. This is currently 20th in NHL history, among all players and absolutely the best for left forwards.

6. Pavel Datsyuk

Russian ice hockey player, two-time Stanley Cup winner (2002, 2008), Olympic champion (2018), four-time winner of the Lady Byng Trophy. Pavel Datsyuk, listed among the 100 greatest hockey players in NHL history, was also selected low in the 1998 NHL Draft, in the 6th round at No. 171 overall by the Detroit Red Wings, but is among the highest scoring Russian hockey players in the NHL, ranks 6th in regular season points, 4th in assists, 5th in playoff points. On 29 January 2013, scored his 1000th career point and 820th NHL point. Played a total of 953 games and scored 918 (314+604) points.

5. Joe Pavelski

Polish-born American ice hockey player who plays for the Dallas Stars, an NHL club. In 2003, he was selected with the 205th overall pick by the San Jose Sharks club. Pawelski, taken very low, eventually developed into an elite NHL player. He is one of the brightest examples for Americans who were picked extremely late in the draft, but managed to prove themselves. True, Joe has yet to win the Stanley Cup, the closest the San Jose Sharks club came was in 2016 when they lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the final.

4. Peter Bondra

Slovakian ice hockey player, selected in the 8th round at No. 156 overall at the 1990 NHL Draft by the Washington Capitals, where he spent most of his career from 1990 to 2004, becoming one of the most successful snipers of that time. He set Washington Capitals records for goals (472), points (825), game-winning goals (73), shorthanded goals (32) and hat tricks (19). Has played over 1,000-plus games in the NHL and scored over 500 pucks.

3. Daniel Alfredsson

Swedish hockey player, at the 1994 NHL Draft selected in the 6th round at No. 133 overall by the Ottawa Senators, played for the club from 1995 to 2013, and was its captain from 1999. In the 2006/07 season, he reached the Stanley Cup Final with the team and became the top scorer and sniper of the playoffs. At the end of the 2009/10 season, he played his 1,000th game for the club, and the following season he earned his 1,000th point in the goal+pass system. Calder Trophy winner (1996), participant of the NHL All-Star Game (6 times), included in the second NHL All-Star Team (2006).

2. Henrik Zetterberg

Former Swedish hockey player and captain of the Detroit Red Wings NHL club, selected in the 7th round in 1999 with the number 210 overall by the Detroit Red Wings NHL club, winner of the Stanley Cup (2008), by the way, he had his best playoffs then, helped the team take the Cup and took the Conn Smythe Trophy, three-time winner of the Viking Avord Trophy, King Clancy Trophy. He is a member of the Triple Gold Club. Has played a total of 1,082 games in the NHL, while scoring 960 (337+623) points.

1. Pavol Demitra

Slovak hockey player, in 1993 was selected with number 227 by NHL club “Ottawa Senators”, for three years he floundered between the farm club and the main team of Ottawa, but after moving to the “St. Louis Blues”, where everyone really got to know Demitra’s talent, was an iconic person for the team, one of the symbols of the Slovak national team of those years, Pavol managed to leave a mark in the NHL, but unfortunately died with the KHL team “Lokomotiv” on 7 September 2011….

Conclusion

The journey of these ten players from being low draft picks to becoming NHL stars is truly inspiring. Each of them faced significant challenges and doubts, yet their dedication and hard work allowed them to excel at the highest level of hockey. They have not only achieved personal success but have also left a lasting impact on the teams they played for and the sport itself. Their careers serve as a reminder that talent can be found in unexpected places and that determination and perseverance can lead to greatness, regardless of where one starts. These players have set an example for future generations, proving that the draft position does not determine one’s career trajectory. Their stories encourage young athletes to keep pushing forward, no matter how steep the path may seem, and to always believe in their potential to achieve greatness.