With the 2021 NHL Entry Draft set to take place on July 23-24, we look back at UMD's impact on the yearly event. In total, 115 Bulldogs have been selected in the draft since 1970.
Most recently, during the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, current Bulldogs
Wyatt Kaiser and
Blake Biondi were selected. Kaiser, a 6'0 left-handed shot defenseman, was taken in the third round by the Chicago Blackhawks with the 81st overall pick. During his freshman season at UMD, Kaiser posted ten points and a +1 rating in 28 games for the Bulldogs. Biondi, a 6'0 right-handed forward, was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the fourth round, 109th overall. During his first season with UMD, Biondi recorded two goals and five points in 26 games for the Bulldogs.
Including Kaiser and Biondi, the Bulldogs roster currently includes five players who been selected by an NHL team. Senior forward
Noah Cates was taken in the fifth round (137th overall) by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. During his UMD career, Cates has suited up in 102 games while notching 28 goals and 47 assists for 75 points. During the 2018 NHL Draft, Sophomore forward
Luke Loheit was a seventh-round selection (194th overall) of the Ottawa Senators. To this point, Loheit has appeared in 61 games for UMD while posting eight goals and 11 points. Lastly, the Boston Bruins snagged sophomore forward
Quinn Olson in the third round (92nd overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft. In two seasons with UMD, Olson has played in 59 games while tallying ten goals and 26 points.
During UMD's history, four players have been selected in the first round. This list includes Riley Tufte (25th overall by the Dallas Stars in 2016), Dylan Olsen (28th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2009), Matt Niskanen (28th overall by the Dallas Stars in 2005), and Larry Wright (8th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in 1971).
To date, 63 Bulldog alum have played in the National Hockey League. Most recently during the 2020-21 season, Justin Richards and
Jackson Cates both saw NHL action. After signing as a free agent this past spring, Richards notched an assist in one game with the New York Rangers. He also added 11 points in 20 games with the Rangers AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack. Like Richards, Cates signed an NHL contract with the Philadelphia Flyers this past spring. He recorded an assist during four games with the Flyers this season.
Given the impact of COVID-19, the 2021 NHL Entry Draft will be held virtually.
