2024 NHL Draft – Day 1 / 1st Round – Live Blog
Tonight, the 2024 NHL Draft from the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada gets underway with the first round.
Prior to tonight’s first-round selections, a total of 880 players from the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) have been selected in the first round of an NHL Draft since 1969 — accounting for nearly two-thirds of all first-rounders chosen over that time.
Undoubtedly, there will be more added to this list this evening, as 19 of the top-30 ranked North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s Final Rankings are from the CHL, led by Cayden Lindstrom (Medicine Hat Tigers / WHL), who sits third and is the second-highest-ranked forward on the list. In terms of defencemen, four of the six blueliners ranked in the top 30 are from the Canadian Hockey League, highlighted by Zayne Parekh (Saginaw Spirit / OHL) who ranks fifth.
Moreover, 17 of the 32 North American goalies ranked by NHL Central Scouting hail from the CHL. Carter George (Owen Sound Attack / OHL) and Lukas Matecha (Tri-City Americans / WHL) lead that group as they sit at No. 2 and No. 3 respectively. At No. 8, Zach Pelletier (Gatineau Olympiques / QMJHL) is the top-ranked goalie from the QMJHL.
Follow along as we track every CHL player selected in the 2024 NHL Draft, starting with the first round live at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT.
ROUND 1
Beckett Sennecke (Oshawa Generals / OHL, RW) – 3rd Overall – Anaheim Ducks
By being selected third overall by the Anaheim Ducks, Beckett Sennecke is the highest-drafted Oshawa Generals player since Nathan Horton was chosen third overall in 2003 by the Florida Panthers.
Sennecke put together an impressive season, highlighted by a strong campaign through the 2024 OHL Playoffs. Helping the Oshawa Generals to an OHL Championship Series, Sennecke collected a point in 13 of his 16 postseason games and posted a multi-point outing in half of those playoff contests.
He also tallied 68 points (27G-41A) to finish third on his team in scoring during the 2023-24 regular season.
After being drafted eighth overall by the Oshawa Generals in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, Sennecke went on to top the OHL in assists among rookies (35) and he finished second among first-year skaters in points (55) during the 2022-23 campaign.
Following his selection at No. 10, Sennecke marks the second straight year that a Generals player is taken in the first round (following Calum Ritchie’s selection at No. 27 by the Colorado Avalanche in 2023).
Cayden Lindstrom (Medicine Hat Tigers / WHL, C) – 4th Overall – Columbus Blue Jackets
By going fourth overall to the Columbus Blue Jackets, Cayden Lindstrom becomes the first player from the Medicine Hat Tigers to be taken in the top 10 since Cam Barker was chosen third overall in 2004 by the Chicago Blackhawks.
The 2024 CHL Top Prospect Award winner recorded 27 goals and 46 points in 32 games before an injury held him out of the lineup for the remainder of the regular season. Before his injury, Lindstrom sat tied for fourth in the WHL with 27 goals and he had found the back of the net in nearly 60% of his games (19 of 32), including eight multi-goal outings.
Averaging 1.44 points per game during the 2023-24 season, Lindstrom’s 1.44 points-per-game rate was the highest by a first-time draft-eligible skater from the Medicine Hat Tigers in 22 years (Joffrey Lupul: 1.47 P/GP in 2001-02). His 1.44 points-per-game average was also the fourth-best mark among first-time draft-eligible skaters in the CHL this season, trailing only Spokane’s Berkly Catton (1.71 points per game), Prince George’s Terik Parascak (1.54 points per game) and Saginaw’s Zayne Parekh (1.45 points per game).
Ahead of the 2023-24 campaign, the 18-year-old from Chetwynd, B.C., also helped Canada win gold at the 2023 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup (2G-1A in 5 GP). He also previously represented Canada White at the 2022 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge (2G-2A in 6 GP).
Tij Iginla (Kelowna Rockets / WHL, C) – 6th Overall – Utah Hockey Club
Having been chosen sixth overall, Tij Iginla not only becomes the first-ever selection in the Utah Hockey Club’s franchise history, but he now stands as the highest-drafted forward in the history of the Kelowna Rockets. He is also Kelowna’s highest-drafted player since defenceman Luke Schenn was taken fifth overall in 2008 by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Iginla’s 47 goals this season were the third-most by a Rockets player over the past 20 years. His team-leading 47 goals for the Kelowna Rockets this season also rank as the third-most among first-time draft-eligible skaters in the CHL (trailing only Spokane’s Berkly Catton at 54 goals & Baie-Comeau’s Justin Poirier at 51 goals).
During the 2024 WHL Playoffs, Iginla scored eight goals in the Rockets’ six-game series against the Wenatchee Wild in the first round, tying a Kelowna franchise record for most goals in a playoff series since 1996.
Iginla’s selection at No. 6 also marks the sixth time in NHL history that a father-son duo has been drafted within the top 15. Tij’s father is WHL alumnus and Hockey Hall of Fame member Jarome Iginla, who was selected 11th overall by the Stars in 1995.
Carter Yakemchuk (Calgary Hitmen / WHL, D) – 7th Overall – Ottawa Senators
With his selection at No. 7, Carter Yakemchuk marks the first CHL defenceman to come off the board in the first round, and the third player from the Western Hockey League (WHL).
This past season, the 18-year-old from Calgary, Alta., became the first draft-eligible defenceman from the WHL to score 30 goals in a season since Ian White (Swift Current Broncos) achieved the feat 22 years ago. Named to the CHL’s Second All-Star Team, Yakemchuk set a new Hitmen franchise record for goals in a single season by a blueliner with 30, breaking Jake Bean’s previous record (24) from 2015-16.
His 30 goals also were the most of any defenceman in the WHL during the 2023-24 campaign, while his 71 points in 66 games were tops amongst draft-eligible defensemen from the WHL.
Alongside Parekh (33G-63A), Yakemchuk helped mark the first time in CHL history that two draft-eligible defencemen scored 30-plus goals in the same season.
Berkly Catton (Spokane Chiefs / WHL, C) – 8th Overall – Seattle Kraken
With the 8th overall selection, the Seattle Kraken scooped up Berkly Catton from the Spokane Chiefs. He becomes the highest-drafted player from the Spokane Chiefs in 33 years (since Pat Falloon was taken second overall by the San Jose Sharks in 1991).
Catton represents the fifth CHL player taken in the top 10 of the 2024 NHL Draft, which marks the highest number of CHL players selected within the first 10 picks since six were chosen in 2020.
Catton’s 56 goals and 116 points this season were the most of any draft-eligible skater in the CHL during the 2023-24 campaign. Alongside Baie-Comeau’s Justin Poirier, Catton was one of just two first-time draft-eligible skaters from the CHL to top 50 goals this season. Named to the CHL’s Second All-Star Team, Catton is just the third draft-eligible skater from the WHL since 2000 to top 115 points (Connor Bedard – 143 points in 2022-23; Nic Petan – 120 points in 2012-13).
Catton is also just the 15th skater from the CHL since 2000 to top 115 points (4 from the QMJHL; 3 from the WHL; 8 from the OHL over that stretch). His 1.71 point-per-game average this season was also the best of any draft-eligible skater from the CHL during the 2023-24 campaign.
Zayne Parekh (Saginaw Spirit / OHL, D) – 9th Overall – Calgary Flames
2024 Memorial Cup Champion and CHL Defenceman of the Year, Zayne Parekh (Saginaw Spirit / OHL, D), becomes the highest-drafted player in Saginaw Spirit history by going ninth overall to the Calgary Flames. That marks the sixth CHL player to be selected in the top 10, matching the most since 2020.
A CHL First-Team All-Star, Parekh is just the third Saginaw Spirit player to have been selected in the top 10, following in the footsteps of Pavel Mintyukov (selected 10th overall in 2022 by the Anaheim Ducks) and Cole Perfetti (selected 10th overall in 2020 by the Winnipeg Jets).
Over his 66 games during the 2023-24 season, Parekh registered an impressive 33 goals and 63 assists for 96 points this season. Ultimately, his 96 points (33G-63A) are the most by a CHL defenceman since Ryan Ellis tallied 100 points as a member of the Windsor Spitfires in 2010-11. Alongside Ellis, Parekh is one of just two CHL blueliners over the last 20 years to top 95 points in a single season.
Parekh led all defencemen in the CHL in scoring (96) and goals (33) this season. With 33 goals, the 18-year-old from Nobleton, Ont., became just the second draft-eligible defenceman in OHL history to score 30 goals in a season, following John Slaney’s 38 with the Cornwall Royals in 1989-90. Parekh is also one of eight draft-eligible blueliners to have broken the 30-goal plateau in CHL history, ranking third behind John Slaney (38 goals in 1989-90) and Greg Hawgood (34 goals with the Kamloops Blazers in 1985-86).
Alongside Calgary’s Carter Yakemchuk, Parekh helped mark the first time in CHL history that two draft-eligible defencemen scored 30-plus goals in the same season (Parekh – 33, Calgary’s Carter Yakemchuk – 30).
Sam Dickinson (London Knights / OHL, D) – 11th Overall – San Jose Sharks
The third OHL skater (and second straight defenceman from the OHL) to come off the board is Sam Dickinson, whose selection extends the London Knights’ CHL-record streak to 55 consecutive years of having a player taken in the NHL Draft. Dickinson also stands as the 7th CHL skater to be taken among the first 11 picks of the 2024 NHL Draft.
In addition to helping the Knights to an OHL Championship and a runner-up finish at the 2024 Memorial Cup, Dickinson recorded 70 points (18G-52A) which stands as the third-most by any draft-eligible defenseman in Knights’ franchise history, trailing only Evan Bouchard (87 in 2017-18) and Rob Ramage (73 in 1976-77).
Dickinson finished the 2023-24 regular season with a +56 plus/minus rating, which ranked as the second-highest mark by an OHL blueliner. The 18-year-old also tallied four goals and nine assists in 18 games during the 2024 OHL Playoffs.
By being taken at No. 11, Dickinson is the highest-drafted London Knights player since defenceman Evan Bouchard went 10th overall to the Edmonton Oilers in 2018.
Jett Luchanko (Guelph Storm / OHL, C) – 13th Overall – Philadelphia Flyers
By being taken by the Philadelphia Flyers with the 13th selection of the 2024 NHL Draft, Guelph Storm centreman Jett Luchanko comes in as the eighth CHL player chosen thus far and the fourth from the OHL.
This past season, Luchanko led the Guelph Storm in assists (54) and points (74), the latter of which was a 60-point improvement from his rookie campaign. He also ranked tied for second in the OHL in power-play assists (30) alongside Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan (London Knights), trailing only the Soo Greyhounds’ Jack Beck (32).
At the 2024 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Moncton N.B, Luchanko finished among the top five in six of 10 on-ice testing categories, which allowed players the opportunity to showcase their strengths while gauging their fitness and skill levels among their peers for NHL management and scouts. Specifically, Luchanko placed first in reaction with the puck, and second in transition ability with the puck.
Most recently, the 17-year-old from London, Ont., helped Canada to a gold medal at the 2024 U18 World Championship after averaging a point per game (2G-5A in 7 GP).
Terik Parascak (Prince George Cougars / WHL, RW) – 17th Overall – Washington Capitals
Taken 17th overall by the Washington Capitals, Terik Parascak is the ninth CHL player to come off the board and the fifth from the WHL.
Parascak’s 43 goals and 105 points (43G-62A) led all CHL rookies during the 2023-24 season. His 105 points are the most by a rookie in the CHL since Patrick Kane of the London Knights tallied 145 points in 2006-07 along with Sam Gagner of the London Knights who posted 118 points that same season.
Parascak’s 105 points are also the most by a WHL rookie since Pavel Brendl of the Calgary Hitmen tallied 134 points in the 1998-99 season. Additionally, they rank as the seventh-most of any rookie in the CHL over the last 25 years. Specifically, since 1999, there have only been 12 rookies (including Parascak) across the CHL to top 100 points.
During the 2024 WHL Playoffs, the 18-year-old from Lethbridge, Alta., finished the postseason with the second-most points by a WHL rookie after averaging over a point per game (6G-8A—14 PTS in 12 GP) in Prince George’s run to the WHL’s Western Conference Final.
Selected to the CHL’s All-Rookie Team in 2024, Parascak is the first Prince George Cougar taken in the first round since Brett Connolly was chosen 6th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2010.
Cole Beaudoin (Barrie Colts / OHL, C) – 24th Overall – Utah Hockey Club
Chosen 24th overall by the Utah Hockey Club, Cole Beaudoin is the 10th CHL player to be taken in the 2024 NHL Draft. With Beaudoin’s selection, the CHL has now seen 10 or more of its players selected in the first round of every NHL Draft since 1969 – a streak that runs at 56 consecutive drafts.
The 18-year-old from Kanata, Ont., finished the 2023-24 campaign tied for second in scoring (62 points) on the Barrie Colts. He also led his team with 12 power-play goals and three short-handed goals this season.
At the 2024 NHL Scouting Combine presented by adidas, Beaudoin recorded the longest duration during VO2 Max testing (13:25) and also scored the highest in the bench press.
On the international stage, Beaudoin has been a force for Canada, having won gold at the 2024 U18 World Championship (2G-2A in 7 GP) and the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he was one of five players on Team Canada to score at least three goals en route to a gold medal.
Liam Greentree (Windsor Spitfires, RW / OHL) – 26th Overall – Los Angeles Kings
Windsor Spitfires forward and captain Liam Greentree is off to the Los Angeles Kings, having been selected by the club with the 26th overall pick. Greentree now makes it six OHL players (and 11 players from the CHL) chosen through 26 picks of the first round.
For the 2023-24 campaign, Greentree led the Spitfires in goals (36), assists (54) & points (90). His 90 points (36G-54A) were the second-most of any first-time draft-eligible skater in the OHL this season, trailing only Saginaw’s Zayne Parekh. Additionally, his 90 points were also the most by a draft-eligible skater from the Windsor Spitfires since Josh Bailey recorded 96 points during the 2007-08 campaign.
In 2022-23, Greentree led the OHL in goals by a rookie in 2022-23 (25) and finished fourth in points (45). He was the first Spitfires player to earn OHL Rookie of the Month honours since Logan Brown was recognized in February 2015.
He was part of Canada’s gold-medal-winning squads at the 2024 U18 World Championship (2G-2A in 7 GP) and the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup (0G-1A in 3 GP).
Marek Vanacker (Brantford Bulldogs, LW / OHL) – 27th Overall – Chicago Blackhawks
Marek Vanacker is the seventh OHL player and the 12th from the CHL to be selected in the draft after his name was called by the Chicago Blackhawks. The 12 first-round picks represent the most from the CHL on the first night of an NHL Draft since 2021, when 15 CHL alumni were chosen.
Vanacker led the Bulldogs in goals (36) and scoring (82 points) this season, the latter of which marked a 66-point increase over his rookie campaign. His 36 goals were also tied for the most of any first-time draft-eligible skater in the OHL alongside Windsor’s Liam Greentree (36G-54A).
In 2022-23, Vanacker recorded four goals and 12 assists in 55 games after being drafted 23rd overall in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection by the Bulldogs.
Recently, he won gold at the 2024 Under-18 World Championship (1-0—1 in 6 GP) and previously he played for Team Canada Black at the 2022 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge (0G-3A in 7 GP).
Ben Danford (Oshawa Generals, D / OHL)* – 31st Overall – Toronto Maple Leafs
Taken with the 31st overall pick, Ben Danford stands as the fourth CHL defenceman taken and the 13th player from the Canadian Hockey League this evening.
Danford is also the second Oshawa Generals player to be selected in the 2024 NHL Draft, following Beckett Sennecke who went third overall to the Anaheim Ducks.
Danford was an assistant captain with the Generals while finishing eighth in scoring among all OHL U18 defensemen with 33 points (1G-32A in 64 GP). He ultimately helped lead the Generals to the 2024 OHL Championship series having recorded four goals and six assists in 21 postseason games.
The 18-year-old from Madoc, Ont., also represented Canada at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup where he won a gold medal.
Sam O’Reilly (London Knights / OHL, C)* – 32nd Overall – Edmonton Oilers
To close out the first round, Sam O’Reilly of the London Knights comes in at No. 32 having been drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers. He marks the second Knights skater to be selected in the first round after Sam Dickinson went No. 11 to the San Jose Sharks.
Both the Knights and Generals led all CHL clubs in the first round with two selections each, while the OHL led the CHL’s three-member leagues with nine draft picks in the first round – representing the most by the OHL since 2016 when nine of their alumni were taken.
In total, 14 CHL players were selected in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 14 selections represented nearly half of the NHL’s first-round picks on Friday night and stood as the most of any other development league in the world.
During the 2023-24 season, O’Reilly finished third among rookies in the OHL with 20 goals and 56 points (20G-36A) in 68 games with the London Knights. The 18-year-old from Toronto, Ont., helped the Knights earn a Memorial Cup appearance and the 2024 OHL Championship, finishing the playoffs with 12 points (5G-7A) in 16 games, which was the most by an OHL rookie this postseason.
Before his time with the Knights, O’Reilly was named to the GOJHL Rookie All-Star Team during the 2022-23 campaign, after ranking second on his team in scoring with 63 points (26G-37A in 35 GP).
