427 CHL Grads Named to NHL Opening Day Rosters

Toronto, ON - The Canadian Hockey League proudly announced today that 427 CHL graduates were listed on National Hockey League opening day rosters representing over 55% of all players in the league to start the 2014-15 season.

Of the 427 players, 10 finished the 2014-15 season in the CHL and are returning-eligible as 18 and 19-year-old players including 2014 NHL Draft first overall pick Aaron Ekblad of the Barrie Colts who will suit up for the Florida Panthers when they open their season Thursday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The 427 CHL graduates on NHL rosters includes 197 players from the Ontario Hockey League, 154 from the Western Hockey League, and 76 from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

In addition, a total of 369 returning eligible CHL players attended NHL Training Camps this season including 161 from the OHL, 131 from the WHL, and 77 from the QMJHL.

CHL players on active Opening Day NHL rosters:

2014 NHL Draft (96-born):

Aaron Ekblad (Barrie Colts) selected 1st overall by the Florida Panthers

Sam Reinhart (Kootenay Ice) selected 2nd overall by the Buffalo Sabres

Leon Draisaitl (Prince Albert Raiders) selected 3rd overall by the Edmonton Oilers

2013 NHL Draft (95-born):

Jonathan Drouin (Halifax Mooseheads) selected 3rd overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning

Darnell Nurse (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) selected 7th overall by the Edmonton Oilers

Nikita Zadorov (London Knights) selected 16th overall by the Buffalo Sabres

Curtis Lazar (Edmonton Oil Kings) selected 17th overall by the Ottawa Senators

Mirco Mueller (Everett Silvertips) selected 18th overall by the San Jose Sharks

Andre Burakovsky (Erie Otters) selected 23rd overall by the Washington Capitals

Anthony Duclair (Quebec Remparts) selected 80th overall by the New York Rangers

In addition to the players above, several 18 and 19-year-old CHL players are currently injured but are listed on NHL rosters including Nick Baptiste (Sudbury/Buffalo), Sam Bennett (Kingston/Calgary), Bo Horvat (London/Vancouver), Michael McCarron, (London/Montreal), Sonny Milano (Plymouth/Columbus), and Shea Theodore (Seattle/Anaheim).

The CHL continues to be the number one supplier of talent to the NHL.