NHL Draft Eligibility

The 2024 NHL Entry Draft, the 62nd in its history, is set to occur on June 28–29, 2024, at the Sphere in Las Vegas. Notably, the San Jose Sharks will hold the first overall pick for the first time ever in franchise history.

Moreover, the new Utah Hockey Club hold 13 drafts picks, which stand as the highest among all teams heading into the 2024 NHL Draft. They are closely followed by the Montreal Canadiens who hold 12 picks. Notable players that will be eligible to be drafted includes Celebrini Macklin, Zayne Parekh, Zeev Buium, Cayden Lindstrom, Sam Dickinson, Emil Hemming, Eemil Vinni, Konsta Helenius, and Anton Silayev.

Whis is the eligibility criteria for the NHL draft?

To be eligible for selection in the NHL Draft, a player must meet specific criteria established by the National Hockey League. They are given as follows:

1. Age Requirement: Players are typically eligible in the calendar year they turn 18 years old. For the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, eligible players must be born between January 1, 2004, and September 15, 2006. This ensures players are usually 18 or 19 years old during their draft year.

2. Non-North American Players: Players from outside North America born in 2003 are also eligible for the 2024 draft if they have not been drafted in an earlier NHL Draft.

3. Undrafted Players: Players who were eligible for previous drafts but were not selected and remain unsigned by any NHL team can re-enter the draft. This includes players from the 2022 NHL Entry Draft who were not signed by an NHL team and were born after June 30, 2004.

These eligibility rules ensure a structured and fair process for all young hockey players aspiring to join the NHL, giving them multiple opportunities to be selected as they develop their skills.

Who is the youngest NHL draft pick?

The youngest player ever drafted in NHL history is Armand "Bep" Guidolin. He began his NHL career at the remarkably young age of 16.

Born on December 9, 1925, Guidolin debuted with the Boston Bruins during the 1942-1943 season. His entry into the league was largely due to the need for players during World War II when many athletes left to serve in the military. Guidolin’s early start in the NHL is a record that stands out and is unlikely to be broken in the modern era due to changes in draft eligibility rules and the physical demands of professional hockey.

Some of the other youngest players in NHL history include Don Raleigh, who debuted at 17 with the New York Rangers in 1943. Moreover, he earned the nickname "Bones" due to his slender build but proved durable, playing over 500 regular-season games and setting records with four goals in a game and back-to-back overtime winners in the Stanley Cup Finals. Another player who was drafted at the age of 17 was Ross Johnstone. Notably, he joined the Toronto Maple Leafs and contributed to their 1945 Stanley Cup win before pursuing a lengthy minor league career.