1978 NHL Amateur Draft

1978 NHL Amateur Draft was the 16th annual selection process conducted by the National Hockey League to assign exclusive negotiating rights to amateur players. Held on June 15, 1978, at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, the draft consisted of six rounds and saw 234 players selected by the league's 18 member clubs. It is notable for being the final draft designated as an "Amateur" draft before the event was renamed the NHL Entry Draft the following year, reflecting a shift toward selecting both amateur and previously drafted professional players.

Overview

The draft order was determined by the final standings of the 1977–78 NHL season, with the Minnesota North Stars holding the first overall selection after finishing with the league's worst record. The event was conducted under the existing rules where teams held exclusive rights to draft players from their designated territorial regions before the universal selection process began, a system that was soon to be abolished. Key figures in attendance included general managers like Harry Sinden of the Boston Bruins and Cliff Fletcher of the Atlanta Flames, overseeing selections that would shape their franchises' futures. The draft was also one of the last to heavily feature players from the major junior Canadian leagues and NCAA programs before European talent became a more prominent factor.

Draft selections

With the first overall pick, the Minnesota North Stars selected center Bobby Smith from the Ottawa 67's of the Ontario Hockey League, who would immediately become a top-line player and win the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year. The Washington Capitals, picking second, chose forward Ryan Walter from the Kamloops Chiefs of the Western Hockey League, while the St. Louis Blues used the third selection on right winger Wayne Babych from the Portland Winter Hawks. Other significant early choices included defenseman Behn Wilson by the Philadelphia Flyers at sixth overall and goaltender Mike Liut by the St. Louis Blues in the fourth round. Later rounds saw the selection of future Hall of Famer Mike Gartner by the Washington Capitals at fourth overall and steady defenseman Brad Marsh by the Atlanta Flames at 11th overall.

Notable players

Beyond the high-profile first round, the draft yielded considerable depth of talent that would enjoy lengthy and impactful NHL careers. Selected 19th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers, forward Ken Linseman became known for his aggressive play and pivotal role with the Edmonton Oilers during their early Stanley Cup championships. The Boston Bruins found a future captain and stalwart defenseman in Ray Bourque, chosen eighth overall, who would go on to win multiple Norris Trophies. Goaltender Al Jensen, picked by the Washington Capitals in the eighth round, would later share the William M. Jennings Trophy. Other notable selections included forward Tony McKegney by the Buffalo Sabres, who became a consistent scorer, and defenseman Dave Babych, brother of Wayne, who was selected second overall by the Winnipeg Jets in the parallel WHA secret draft.

Legacy and impact

This draft is historically significant for marking the end of an era in NHL procurement, being the last held under the "Amateur" moniker before the introduction of the NHL Entry Draft in 1979, which opened the process to a wider pool of players. The class produced several franchise cornerstones, including Ray Bourque and Bobby Smith, who would lead their teams to Stanley Cup Finals appearances and accumulate numerous individual awards. Furthermore, the success of later-round finds like Mike Liut demonstrated the value of thorough scouting in an era before comprehensive draft analysis. The 1978 draft selections collectively contributed thousands of NHL games and played key roles in the competitive landscape of the 1980s, influencing the strategies of teams like the Edmonton Oilers and New York Islanders dynasties.

Category:1978 in ice hockey Category:NHL Entry Draft by year