Flashback to the 1992 NHL Draft – Round 1

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 that 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.

First Round Picks

Roman Hamrlik (1st overall, Tampa Bay): The three-time All-Star and sturdy veteran defenseman – he was one of just two Canadiens to appear in a team-high 81 games in 2008-09 – was brought in as a free agent in the summer of 2007 to help solidify the Habs’ back end and help mentor the club’s young blue-liners, as he had done in Calgary.

Alexei Yashin (2nd overall, Ottawa): In his prime and when on his game, Yashin was a star. His contractual demands, however, tarnished his on-ice reputation. He held out twice in a four-year span, including the entire 1999-2000 campaign. In 2001, Yashin was traded to the New York Islanders, where he signed an incredible 10-year, $87.5 million contract. After less than impressive statistics in the two years following the lockout, the Isles cut their ties with the veteran, buying out the rest of his monster deal; the club will endure the resulting cap hit until the 2014-15 season.

Cory Stillman (6th overall, Calgary): A well-traveled veteran of late, Stillman has often been brought in to provide offensive depth, as well as leadership. He hoisted the Stanley Cup in consecutive seasons with Tampa Bay (2004) and Carolina (2006). Now 35, he’s been slowed by injuries the last three years but has been some help on the scoresheet. Suiting up for the Florida Panthers in 2008-09, Stillman notched 17 goals and 49 points.

Sergei Gonchar (14th, Washington): A mainstay on the Capitals’ blue line for 10 seasons before a 15-game regular season stint in Boston, Gonchar has been filling the same capacity in Pittsburgh since 2005. His value to the newest Stanley Cup champs was never more evident than it was this year; he missed 57 games while recovering from a shoulder injury and was sidelined for a pair of games in the semifinal series against the Washington Capitals.

Other Notable First Round Selections

Mike Rathje: Drafted by the San Jose Sharks. Last NHL team: Philadelphia Flyers (currently on Long-Term Injury Reserve).

Darius Kasparitis: Drafted by the New York Islanders. Last NHL team: New York Rangers (2007).

Jason Smith: Drafted by the New Jersey Devils. Last NHL team: Ottawa Senators (2009; retired).

Martin Straka: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins. Last NHL team: New York Rangers (2008).

Second Round and Later Draft Picks

Wondering about notable names after the first round? See who stands out from the second round and beyond.

The copyright of the article Flashback to the 1992 NHL Draft – Round 1 in Ice Hockey is owned by Heather Engel. Permission to republish Flashback to the 1992 NHL Draft – Round 1 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Roman Hamrlik on draft day, 1992

Sergei Gonchar Plays a Key Role with the Penguins