The first three rounds on Saturday will be carried live on ESPN2 from Noon-3:00 p.m. North American players born between Jan. 1, 1984 and Sept. 15, 1986 are among those draft eligible. The event concludes Sunday with rounds four through nine.
This year's draft may have a Western Michigan University feel to it, as a pair of incoming Bronco freshmen have landed on the radar screen. In the NHL Central Scouting Service final draft rankings, RW Jeff Kyrzakos (Ker-ZACK-us) was rated 154th and LW Mike Lesperance (Less-PER-onse) 173rd among North American skaters.
Regardless of the outcome this weekend for WMU's draft candidates, Bronco head coach Jim Culhane sees the NHL Draft as a special day for draft-eligible players.
"It's a pretty exciting day for any young player who hopes to realize his boyhood dream," says Culhane, who was drafted by NHL Hartford Whalers. "If we should have someone selected, it would be a great honor for the program."
The Bronco roster features three NHL draft picks, all chosen in 2002. RW Pat Dwyer went in the fourth round (116th overall) to the Atlanta Thrashers while C Vince Bellissimo was chosen in the fifth round (158th overall) by the Florida Panthers. Incoming junior RW Mike Erickson, who played briefly with the Minnesota Golden Golphers, was taken in the third round (72nd overall) by the Minnesota Wild.
A total of 42 Bronco players have been chosen through the years; 23 have earned the honor while attending WMU, placing the Broncos among the top-20 collegiate programs in terms of all-time selections.
The Central Collegiate Hockey Association produced 13 picks from six schools in 2003, including a pair of first-rounders.
WMU Draft Notes
Highest selection:
Mike Posma, 2nd Rd, 31st overall, 1986, St. Louis
Other high selections:
Lee Brodeur, 3rd Rd, 65th, 1984
Andy Rymsha, 4th Rd, 82nd, 1987
Joe Corvo, 4th Rd, 83rd, 1997
Jamal Mayers, 4th Rd, 89th, 1993
Most recent:
Pat Dwyer, Atlanta, 2002
Vince Bellissimo, Florida, 2002
Frequency:
From 1982-98, WMU players were chosen in 15 of 17 drafts.
All-time selections: 42
23 while at WMU
16 prior to joining WMU
3 in the supplemental draft
WMU's all-time ranking among colleges: 20th, tied (23 picks)
Most in one year: 4 (1991)
All-Time WMU selections
(includes all players chosen prior to arriving at WMU and while at WMU)
Year Player NHL Team Overall Rd.
1974 Neil Smith D N.Y. Islanders 204 11th
1976 Peter Raps F N.Y. Rangers 157 8th
Mike Brown D/F N.Y. Rangers 164 8th
1978 Jim Olson F Philadelphia 195 9th
1980 Ross Fitzpatrick F Philadelphia 147 8th
Glenn Johannesen D N.Y. Islanders 206 11th
1982 Dan Dorion F New Jersey 232 12th
1983 Ron Pesetti D Winnipeg 149 8th
Chris MacDonald D Calgary 151 8th
Rob Bryden F Montreal 158 8th
Chuck Chiatto C Detroit 226 12th
1984 Lee Brodeur F Montreal 65 3rd
Jeff Crossman F Los Angeles 191 9th
Jim Culhane D Hartford 215 11th
1986 Mike Posma D St. Louis 31 2nd
Bill Horn G Hartford 95 5th
Ron Hoover F Hartford 158 8th
1987 Andy Rymsha F/D St. Louis 82 4th
Mike Eastwood C Toronto 91 5th
Chris Clarke D Washington 204 10th
1988 Gordie Frantti F Philadelphia 119 6th
Keith Jones F Washington 141 7th
Chris Venkus F Washington 225 12th
1989 Andy Suhy D Detroit 158 8th
Byron Witkowski F Quebec 211 11th
1990 Mike Power G Edmonton 143 7th
1991 Chris Belanger D Hartford 185 9th
Brent Brekke D Quebec 188 9th
Craig Brown G Los Angeles 196 9th
Jason Jennings F Winnipeg 225 11th
1993 Jamal Mayers F St. Louis 89 4th
Misha Lapin D Toronto 279 11th
1994 Joel Irving F Montreal 148 6th
1995 Marc Magliarditi G Chicago 146 6th
1996 Daryl Andrews D New Jersey 173 7th
1997 Joe Corvo D Los Angeles 83 4th
1998 Kevin Clauson D N.Y. Islanders 155 6th
2002 Pat Dwyer RW Atlanta Thrashers 116 4th
Vince Bellissimo C Florida Panthers 158 5th
NHL Supplemental Draft:
1987 Wayne Gagne D Montreal
1988 Doug Melnyk D N.Y. Islanders
Paul Polillo C Pittsburgh