Taylor Hall Selected First Overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft

Los Angeles, CA – The Canadian Hockey League is excited today to announce that Taylor Hall of the Windsor Spitfires was selected first overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft by the Edmonton Oilers.

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With the selection, the OHL produces a record fourth straight number one pick with Hall following John Tavares of the London Knights who was selected first overall by the New York Islanders in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Steven Stamkos of the Sarnia Sting who was selected first overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2008, and Patrick Kane of the London Knights picked first overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2007. 

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“I was shaking in my seat when they called my name,” Hall said.  “I am so happy, my whole family is so happy, it means so much to us.  I owe a lot to the Windsor Spitfires and that organization, hopefully they really appreciate me going number one.”

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This season Hall tied Tyler Seguin of the Plymouth Whalers for the OHL-lead in scoring with 106 points scoring 40 goals and 66 assists in 57 games for the Spitfires.  Hall continued to lead offensively in the OHL playoffs for the second straight year with a league-high 35 points in 19 games helping the Spitfires earn their second straight Robertson Cup title before leading the MasterCard Memorial Cup in scoring and becoming the first player to win tournament MVP honours twice as the Spitfires became just the eighth team in CHL history to win back-to-back national titles. 

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“On behalf of the Canadian Hockey League I would like to congratulate Taylor Hall on becoming the fourth straight CHL player to be chosen with the first overall pick in the NHL Entry Draft,” said CHL President David Branch.  “This accomplishment is a testament to Taylor’s hard work and dedication throughout the past three years in our league, and a tribute to the Windsor Spitfires for developing such a world class player.”

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After being selected by the Windsor Spitfires second overall in the 2007 OHL Priority Selection, the 18-year-old from Kingston, ON, claimed OHL and CHL Rookie of the Year honours. 

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“I feel honoured to be the player selected first overall,” added Hall.  “I can’t imagine just three years ago being that 15-year-old kid just hoping to play in the OHL and now trying to make the National Hockey League.  I owe a lot to the OHL, they have done a lot helping me become a better player and a better person.”   

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The first round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft continues Friday night June 25 with rounds two through seven taking place on Saturday June 26 at the Staples Centre. 

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Photo by Aaron Bell/CHL Images