Hockey East is the best college conference in the United States, and that was evident during the 2014 NHL draft.
More than 20 players who have already played for or are committed to a Hockey East school were selected in this year’s entry draft in Philadelphia. Boston College and Boston University led the way with five players each.
Several players from Massachusetts high schools also were drafted on Saturday, continuing the state’s tradition of developing premier talent.
Here’s a roundup of the Hockey East and Massachusetts high school players selected in the 2014 draft.
Round 1
16 — Columbus Blue Jackets — Sonny Milano (Forward) — Boston College
18 — Minnesota Wild — Alex Tuch (Forward) — Boston College
Round 2
36 — Vancouver Canucks — Thatcher Demko (Goalie) — Boston College
52 — St. Louis Blues — Maxim Letunov (Forward) — Boston University
55 — Anaheim Ducks — Brandon Montour (Defenseman) — UMass
57 — Tampa Bay Lightning — Jonathan MacLeod (Defenseman) — Boston University
Round 3
64 — Calgary Flames — Brandon Hickey (Defenseman) — Boston University
67 — Carolina Hurricanes — Warren Foegele (Forward) — New Hampshire
70 — Ottawa Senators — Miles Gendron (Defenseman) — UConn
82 — St. Louis Blues — Jake Walman (Defenseman) — Providence
Round 4
92 — Florida Panthers — Joseph Wegwerth (Forward) — Notre Dame
100 — Ottawa Senators — Shane Eiserman (Forward) — New Hampshire
103 — Toronto Maple Leafs — J.J. Piccinich (Forward) — Boston University
Round 5
130 — Edmonton Oilers — Liam Coughlin (Forward) — Boston University
146 — Boston Bruins — Anders Bjork (Forward) — Notre Dame
Round 6
151 — Buffalo Sabres — Christopher Brown (Forward) — Boston College
152 — New Jersey Devils — Joey Dudek (Forward) — Boston College
158 — Toronto Maple Leafs — Nolan Vesey (Forward) — Maine
177 — Montreal Canadiens — Hayden Hawkey (Goalie) — Providence
178 — Chicago Blackhawks — Dylan Sikura (Forward) — Northeastern
Round 7
185 — Tampa Bay Lightning — Cameron Darcy (Forward) — Northeastern
207 — Montreal Canadiens — Jake Evans (Forward) — Notre Dame
Massachusetts High School Players Drafted
Round 2
56 — Boston Bruins — Ryan Donato (Forward) — Dexter School (click here for a scouting report)
Round 3
70 — Ottawa Senators — Miles Gendron (Defenseman) — Rivers Academy
Round 4
113 — Pittsburgh Penguins — Sam Lafferty (Forward) — Deerfield
Round 5
121 — Buffalo Sabres — Maxwell Willman (Forward) — Williston-Northampton
