How does nhl draft work

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Last updated: April 8, 2026

Quick Answer: The NHL Draft is an annual event where NHL teams select eligible hockey players to join their organizations. It typically occurs in late June or early July, with the 2024 draft scheduled for June 28-29 in Las Vegas. The draft order is determined by a combination of regular-season standings, playoff results, and a draft lottery for non-playoff teams, with the last-place team having the highest odds (25.5% as of 2023) to win the first overall pick. Players must be at least 18 years old by September 15 of the draft year and meet specific eligibility criteria based on their playing leagues.

Key Facts

The NHL Draft was first held in 1963, originally called the NHL Amateur Draft until 1979.
The draft consists of 7 rounds, with each of the 32 NHL teams making one selection per round for a total of 224 picks.
The 2023 draft saw Connor Bedard selected first overall by the Chicago Blackhawks.
Players from North America must be 18-20 years old, while international players can be 18-21 with different league requirements.
The draft lottery was introduced in 1995 to prevent teams from intentionally losing games to secure the top pick.

Overview

The NHL Draft is the primary mechanism through which National Hockey League teams acquire the rights to amateur players from around the world. Established in 1963 as the NHL Amateur Draft, it was renamed the NHL Entry Draft in 1979 when the league began allowing teams to draft players from both amateur and professional backgrounds. The draft has evolved significantly over the decades, with the number of rounds decreasing from 25 in the early years to the current 7-round format adopted in 2005. Historically, the draft has been instrumental in building championship teams, with legendary players like Wayne Gretzky (1979, 48th overall), Mario Lemieux (1984, 1st overall), and Sidney Crosby (2005, 1st overall) all entering the league through this process. The event has grown from a small, private affair to a major televised spectacle, with recent drafts attracting over 20,000 live attendees and millions of television viewers worldwide.

How It Works

The NHL Draft operates through a structured selection process that begins with determining the draft order. The 16 teams that miss the playoffs participate in a weighted lottery for the first 16 picks, with the worst-performing team having the highest probability (25.5% in 2023) of winning the first overall selection. The remaining picks (17-32) go to playoff teams in reverse order of their postseason performance, with the Stanley Cup champion selecting last. During the draft itself, which typically spans two days, teams take turns making selections in a snake-like order that reverses each round. Teams have five minutes to make their first-round picks and two minutes for subsequent rounds. They may trade draft picks with other teams, both during the draft and throughout the season, adding strategic complexity. Eligible players include those aged 18-20 from North American leagues (like the CHL and NCAA) and international players aged 18-21, with specific requirements based on their development leagues.

Why It Matters

The NHL Draft is crucial for maintaining competitive balance and ensuring the long-term health of the league. By giving weaker teams earlier access to top young talent, it helps prevent dynasties from forming indefinitely and keeps fan interest alive across all markets. For players, being drafted represents the culmination of years of development and provides life-changing opportunities, with first-round picks typically signing contracts worth millions of dollars. The draft also has significant economic impact, generating substantial revenue for host cities through tourism and media rights. Beyond hockey, it serves as a model for player distribution in professional sports, influencing draft systems in leagues worldwide. Most importantly, it shapes the future of the NHL, with each draft class potentially containing the next generation of superstars who will drive the sport's growth for decades to come.