The NHL Draft lottery drawing will take place Wednesday, June 2, from NHL Network’s studios in Secaucus, N.J. On Friday, July 23, the NHL Draft will begin with the first round, followed by Rounds 2-7 on Saturday, July 24. As in 2020, the 2021 draft will be virtual.
But for this year, seventeen-year-old Conner Roulette of the Misipawistik Cree Nation, is touted as an elite NHL prospect.
Roulette was recently one of 23 players named to the under 18 Canadian men’s team as one of the best players in the country at his age. The team competed in Frisco, Texas as part of the IIHF U-18 World Championship.
Roulette had two goals and three assists for five points in seven games.
Roulette is rated as an A level prospect by NHL Central Scouting which indicates he could potentially be a first round pick, while other draft rankings have him as a potential second round pick.
In his rookie season last year, Roulette had 39 points in 54 games, good for third on the team and eighth overall in the Western Hockey League. This season, Roulette had 12 points in 11 games for Seattle before leaving the team for the U-18 Team Canada training camp.
Roulette not only represented Canada, but Indigenous Peoples across Indian Country as a youth athlete and role model.
Roulette and Team Canada travelled to Texas where they quarantined for four days before they had a mini training camp as the tournament was set to begin April, 26 and run until May, 6.
