1992 NHL Draft – Round 2 and Beyond

Several Players Still Enjoying NHL Careers

Jun 16, 2009 Heather Engel

Nearly 300 players were selected when Montreal last hosted the draft. Some notable names were included in that class, several of whom are still active to this day.

The last time prior to 2009 the NHL Draft was held in Montreal, the Pittsburgh Penguins had captured the Stanley Cup, the Lightning owned the top pick and the Islanders chose fifth. John Tavares, Victor Hedman and Co. were still in diapers and learning to walk. Seventeen years later, the Cup champs were the same, the Isles and Bolts went go 1-2, and Tavares and Hedman didn’t need any assistance heading to the podium.

Nearly 40 well-known names stand out among the 1992 class and of those, 15 were still in the NHL and for the most part play key roles on their respective clubs in 2009.

This year’s crop is expected to produce some franchise cornerstones and potential impact players, so here’s a look back at the last time NHL clubs worked their magic in Montreal.

Second Round Selections and Beyond

Valeri Bure (33rd, Montreal): Any hockey player will tell you that injuries are a part of the game. Unfortunately for Bure, they became a way of life over the course of his NHL career; Pavel’s younger brother suited up for at least 60 games just five times in 13 seasons. Signed by Los Angeles upon hockey’s return in 2005, Bure would never pull a Kings jersey over his head, undergoing back surgery prior to the campaign.

Sergei Brylin (42nd, New Jersey): Brylin spent his entire NHL career with the Devils and from 2003-04 right through to his last season in 2007-08, appeared in all 82 games. A reliable defensive forward, Brylin could be counted on to chip in offensively on occasion, hitting the double digits in goals and as high as 52 points in 2000-01.

Kirk Maltby (65th, Edmonton): A member of the Red Wings for 13 seasons, it’s easy to forget Maltby’s early days with the Oilers. He spent three years in the Alberta capital before heading to Hockeytown in a trade that sent Dan McGillis the other way. Rarely a point producer, Maltby has been an effective checker throughout his career and is one of several members of Detroit’s roster to have won four Stanley Cups with the club in the last 12 years.

Craig Rivet (68th, Montreal): When his name was called out that day, many Habs fans were excited at the idea of another French-Canadian joining the fold…except, that the defenseman hailed from North Bay, Ontario. Nevertheless, Rivet would spend 12 seasons in Montreal before being traded to the Sharks in 2007 and then the Sabres in 2008, where he currently dons the captain’s “C”.

Jere Lehtinen (88th, Minnesota): A name synonymous with the Stars, Lehtinen made his NHL debut in 1995-96. Approaching his 36th birthday (June 24), the Finnish winger was limited to 48 games in each of the last two seasons; he currently has 817 regular season appearances under his belt and remains three away from the 500-point plateau.

Adrian Aucoin (117th, Vancouver): Excluding his two-year stint in Chicago, Aucoin has been a key point producer on the back end wherever he’s played. Thanks to his blasting shot that tied Sheldon Souray’s at the 2004 All-Star Game, the Ottawa native has amasses nearly 200 of his 336 career points on the power-play.

Ian Laperrière (158th, St. Louis): Offense is far from the name of his game yet Laperrière has been extremely effective in his role as an agitator, carving out a 15-year NHL career that’s seen him suit up for 1,001 games thus far. The grizzled and gritty veteran has spent his entire post-lockout career with the Avalanche but could have a new home in 2009-10.

Nikolai Khabibulin (204th, Winnipeg): He may be 36, but in 2008-09 Khabibulin proved he was far from done. The veteran goaltender posted his best regular season numbers since his 2004 Stanley Cup campaign with the Lightning and helped the Blackhawks reach the Western Conference Final for the first time since 1995.

Other Notable 1992 Draft Picks

Michael Peca: Drafted by the Vancouver Canucks. Most recent NHL team: Columbus Blue Jackets (2009).

Darren McCarty: Drafted by the Detroit Red Wings. Most recent NHL team: Detroit Red Wings (2009).

Mattias Norstrom: Drafted by the New York Rangers. Last NHL team: Dallas Stars (2008).

Manny Fernandez: Drafted by the Quebec Nordiques. Last NHL team: Boston Bruins (2009).

Matthew Barnaby: Drafted by the Buffalo Sabres. Last NHL team: Dallas Stars (2007).

Derek Armstrong: Drafted by the New York Islanders. Current NHL team: Los Angeles Kings.

Stephane Yelle: Drafted by the New Jersey Devils. Most recent NHL team: Carolina Hurricanes (2009).

Anson Carter: Drafted by the Quebec Nordiques. Last NHL team: Carolina Hurricanes (2007).

1992 First Round Draft Picks

See what players were selected in the first round of the last draft held in Montreal.

The copyright of the article 1992 NHL Draft – Round 2 and Beyond in Ice Hockey is owned by Heather Engel. Permission to republish 1992 NHL Draft – Round 2 and Beyond in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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