Over the past 50 years, the CHL’s first overall picks have helped shape NHL history
By Will MacLaren
What does it take to be number one? When it comes to the NHL Entry Draft, it’s a question that can’t be satisfied with just one answer. Mesmerizing skill, tenacious competitiveness, a winning pedigree; all of these factors have played a part when the first team steps up to the podium to make its annual claim to history. And more often than not, those skills and characteristics were developed in the CHL.
The modern NHL Draft has been held 56 times. On 42 of those occasions, the first player off the board honed his abilities in either the QMJHL, OHL or WHL.
And, if winning pedigree is a benchmark, it all started off with a bang. The first three first overall selections, Rejean Houle and Gilbert Perrault (Montreal Junior Canadiens/OHA) as well as Guy Lafleur (Quebec Remparts/QMJHL) were fresh off Memorial Cup victories. It would be repeated four additional times, in 1974 (Greg Joly, Regina Pats/WHL), 1981 (Dale Hawerchuk, Cornwall Royals/QMJHL), 2010 (Taylor Hall, Windsor Spitfires/OHL) and 2013 (Nathan MacKinnon, Halifax Mooseheads/QMJHL). Of these certified winners, three of them, Houle, Lafleur and MacKinnon, would go on to claim Stanley Cups as professionals.
Perreault, Lafleur and Hawerchuk also belong to another distinct group; first overall selections from the CHL who gained immortality through induction to the Hockey Hall of Fame. They aren’t alone. All told, nine alum who went on hear their name called first on draft day eventually saw their named etched on a plaque in the Great Hall. Joining the above-mentioned trio of greats is Denis Potvin (Ottawa 67’s/OHA), Mario Lemieux (Laval Voisins/QMJHL), Pierre Turgeon (Grandy Bisons/QMJHL), Mike Modano (Prince Albert Raiders/WHL), Eric Lindros (Oshawa Generals/OHL) and Joe Thornton (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds/OHL). This is a number that’s primed to explode upward I the years to come, with recently retired Marc-Andre Fleury and legendary veterans such as Sidney Crosby, Patrick Kane, Steven Stamkos, John Tavares, Nathan MacKinnon and Connor McDavid on the fast track for induction as well.
Not only has the CHL proven a valuable resource for generations of NHL talent, the stars they’ve produced have proven among the most valuable to their teams long after their junior days have concluded. As of 2025, first overall selection from the CHL have laid claim to 14 Hart Trophies as NHL MVP, seven Conn Smythe Trophies as playoff MVP, three Norris Trophies as top defenceman and 18 scoring titles. Even the lone CHL netminder to claim first overall honours, Marc-Andre Fleury (Cape Breton Eagles/QMJHL) has a Vezina Trophy as top NHL goaltender in his well-stocked case.
Then there’s leadership. Not only has the CHL been looked to for top talent over the decades, it’s been a gold mine for players that have earned the right to wear the ‘C’ on their sweaters. To date, exactly half of all CHL alumni that have been chosen first overall, 21 in all, have gone on to be named full-time captain of an NHL club. Out of that lucky number, four – Denis Potvin (Ottawa 67’s/OHA), Mario Lemieux, Sidney Crosby (Rimouski Oceanic/QMJHL) and Steven Stamkos (Sarnia Sting/OHL) have earned one of the game’s highest honours; standing at center ice and accepting the Stanley Cup as captain of the NHL Champions.
Though the frequency by which CHL players hear their name first on draft day isn’t as robust as it was in the old days – a player from the OHL, WHL or QMJHL was taken in the top spot in each of the first 14 modern drafts – make no mistake; whether it’s top tier talent, leadership or a penchant for winning, the CHL is still first in the minds of many.
CHL PLAYERS SELECTED NO. 1 OVERALL AT THE NHL DRAFT (SINCE 1969)
2025 – Defenceman – Matthew Schaefer (Erie Otters / OHL) – New York Islanders
2023 – Forward – Connor Bedard (Regina Pats / WHL) – Chicago Blackhawks
2020 – Forward – Alexis Lafrenière (Rimouski Océanic / QMJHL) – New York Rangers
2017 – Forward – Nico Hischier (Halifax Mooseheads / QMJHL) – New Jersey Devils
2015 – Forward – Connor McDavid (Erie Otters / OHL) – Edmonton Oilers
2014 – Defenceman – Aaron Ekblad (Barrie Colts / OHL) – Florida Panthers
2013 – Forward – Nathan MacKinnon (Halifax Mooseheads / QMJHL) – Colorado Avalanche
2012 – Forward – Nail Yakupov (Sarnia Sting / OHL) – Edmonton Oilers
2011 – Forward – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (Red Deer Rebels / WHL) – Edmonton Oilers
2010 – Forward – Taylor Hall (Windsor Spitfires / OHL) – Edmonton Oilers
2009 – Forward – John Tavares (London Knights / OHL) – New York Islanders
2008 – Forward – Steven Stamkos (Sarnia Sting / OHL) – Tampa Bay Lightning
2007 – Forward – Patrick Kane (London Knights / OHL) – Chicago Blackhawks
2005 – Forward – Sidney Crosby (Rimouski Océanic / QMJHL) – Pittsburgh Penguins
2003 – Goaltender – Marc-André Fleury (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles / QMJHL) – Pittsburgh Penguins
2002 – Forward – Rick Nash (London Knights / OHL) – Columbus Blue Jackets
1998 – Forward – Vincent Lecavalier (Rimouski Océanic / QMJHL) – Tampa Bay Lightning
1997 – Forward – Joe Thornton (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds / OHL) – Boston Bruins
1996 – Defenceman – Chris Phillips (Prince Albert Raiders / WHL) – Ottawa Senators
1995 – Defenceman – Bryan Berard (Detroit Junior Red Wings / OHL) – Ottawa Senators
1994 – Defenceman – Ed Jovanowski (Windsor Spitfires / OHL) – Florida Panthers
1993 – Forward – Alexandre Daigle (Victoriaville Tigres / QMJHL) – Ottawa Senators
1991 – Forward – Eric Lindros (Oshawa Generals / OHL) – Québec Nordiques
1990 – Forward – Owen Nolan (Cornwall Royals / OHL) – Québec Nordiques
1988 – Forward – Mike Modano (Prince Albert Raiders / WHL) – Minnesota North Stars
1987 – Forward – Pierre Turgeon (Granby Bisons / QMJHL) – Buffalo Sabres
1985 – Defenceman – Wendel Clark (Saskatoon Blades / WHL) – Toronto Maple Leafs
1984 – Forward – Mario Lemieux (Laval Voisins / QMJHL) – Pittsburgh Penguins
1982 – Defenceman – Gord Kluzak (Billings Bighorns / WHL) – Boston Bruins
1981 – Forward – Dale Hawerchuk (Cornwall Royals / QMJHL) – Winnipeg Jets
1980 – Forward – Doug Wickenheiser (Regina Pats / WHL) – Montreal Canadiens
1979 – Defenceman – Rob Ramage (London Knights / OHL/OHA) – Colorado Rockies
1978 – Forward – Bobby Smith (Ottawa 67’s / OHL/OHA) – Minnesota North Stars
1977 – Forward – Dale McCourt (St. Catharines Fincups / OHL/OHA) – Detroit Red Wings
1976 – Defenceman – Rick Green (London Knights / OHL/OHA) – Washington Capitals
1975 – Forward – Mel Bridgman (Victoria Cougars / WHL) – Philadelphia Flyers
1974 – Defenceman – Greg Joly (Regina Pats / WHL) – Washington Capitals
1973 – Defenceman – Denis Potvin (Ottawa 67’s / OHL/OHA) – New York Islanders
1972 – Forward – Billy Harris (Toronto Marlboros / OHL/OHA) – New York Islanders
1971 – Forward – Guy Lafleur (Québec Remparts / QMJHL) – Montreal Canadiens
1970 – Forward – Gilbert Perreault (Montreal Junior Canadiens / OHL/OHA) – Buffalo Sabres
1969 – Forward – Rejean Houle (Montreal Junior Canadiens / OHL/OHA) – Montreal Canadiens
