Which Team Drafted These NHL Players?

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Hearing your name called at the National Hockey League (NHL) Draft - or any professional sports draft for that matter - is the culmination of years of hard work. As fun as the life of a junior or college hockey player might appear from the outside, it requires plenty of off-ice training, daily practices, sticking to a strict meal plan, and often moving to new cities and living with billet families, not to mention keeping up with a regular course load at school. It's a big day; it's why young players get dressed up and bring their families with them while they wait to hear their name called. For some, it can be a forgettable night, especially if you're expecting to be drafted, but for those that do get drafted it's an experience unlike any other.

Players who grew up lifelong Montreal Canadiens fans can have their allegiances flipped without question if they're drafted by the rival Toronto Maple Leafs and vice versa. There's an unquestionably loyalty that comes with the thrill of being drafted. The player might anticipate and dream of playing for that same team his entire career, yet that's hardly the case. Some of the players on this list have been traded multiple times, while others have had the fortune to stay with one team. Can you correctly recall which team drafted each player?

Question 1

Lee Stempniak

A native of West Seneca, New York, Stempniak was drafted in the fifth round of the 2003 NHL Draft after spending two seasons with Dartmouth College. He was passed over in his first two seasons of draft eligibility, but posted such an impressive season in his second year at Dartmouth (49 points in 34 games) that at least one NHL team took notice. He completed his four-year college career and played 57 NHL games in his first professional season. To date, Stempniak has played 872 games for 10 different teams. In the past four seasons alone, he has played for seven teams.

Question 2

Ryan McDonagh

A veteran of 467 NHL games, Ryan McDonagh is a stable, stay-at-home defenseman who is also capable of putting points on the board. The 6-foot-1, 216-pound smooth-skating blueliner was selected 12th overall in the 2007 NHL Draft and made his professional debut four seasons later after completing a three-year stint with the University of Wisconsin. He was named captain of the New York Rangers prior to the start of the 2014-15 season after posting a career-high 43 points in 2013-14.

Question 3

Drew Doughty

The second overall pick in the 2008 NHL Draft, Drew Doughty made his professional debut the following season and looked comfortable as an 18 year old. The London, Ontario native had 27 points that season and the following year recorded a career-high 59 points. He hasn't equaled that mark since, but he has remained one of the league's best all-around blueliners. Doughty won the James Norris Trophy in 2015-16 as the league's top defenseman and has 362 points in 688 career games.

Question 4

Jaromir Jagr

Although he remains unsigned as of writing this quiz, Jaromir Jagr is still committed to returning to the NHL for his 27th season. And it's hard to imagine why a team wouldn't take a chance on the Czech veteran. He has 1,914 points in 1,711 career games, and although he may have lost a step in recent years, he still managed 112 points combined in the past two seasons. Originally a fifth overall pick in the 1990 NHL Draft, Jagr recorded 57 points in his rookie season and has been a consistent offensive force ever since.

Question 5

Jay Bouwmeester

The third overall pick in the 2002 NHL Draft, Jay Bouwmeester was a highly-touted defenseman expected to become one of the game's best. He hasn't quite reached that level, but he has been a valuable member of the Canadian National Team as well as a top-pairing defenseman for three different teams, including the St. Louis Blues, the team for which he has spent the past five seasons playing. The Edmonton, Alberta native didn't become the offensive defenseman most expected, but he has a modest 391 points in 1,071 career games.

Question 6

Martin Hanzal

A native of Czech Republic, Martin Hanzal moved to North America following his draft year to further develop his career. The 6-foot-6 center played for the Omaha Lancers of the United States Hockey League (USHL) and, the following year, starred for the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League (WHL). His offensive game hasn't quite translated to the NHL, but his size and defensive ability has helped him carve out a lengthy career in the league. The 30 year old recently signed with his third team and has 326 points in 628 games.

Question 7

Filip Forsberg

Filip Forsberg emerged as a star in last year's playoffs as the Nashville Predators reached the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in franchise history, but the truth is he was a budding star for the past three seasons. After playing 13 games during a brief stint in the league in 2013-14, the former 11th overall pick in the 2012 NHL Draft had an impressive 63 points in his first full season the following year. He followed that up with a 64-point season in 2015-16 and had 58 last year. He has posted back-to-back 30-goal seasons and shows no signs of slowing down.

Question 8

Patrick Eaves

A former 29th overall pick, Patrick Eaves didn't appear to be destined to have such a great career in the league, yet the 33 year old has now played 624 games and is now playing the best hockey of his career. In fact, of his 241 career points, 95 have come in the past three seasons, including a career-high 51 points this past season. Eaves has battled injuries and fought for playing time for much of his career, but played a career-high 79 games last season. He recently re-signed with the Anaheim Ducks, which acquired him at last year's trade deadline.

Question 9

Calle Jarnkrok

Because the Nashville Predators aren't one of the league's most prominent teams when it comes to national television coverage, several of its players were unknown by many as the team coasted to the Stanley Cup Final. That changed for most, including 25 year old Swede Calle Jarnkrok, who recorded a career-high 31 points this past season and registered seven points in 21 playoff games. The speedy center was one of the Predators' most impressive bottom-six players in terms of his complete skill set.

Question 10

Marian Gaborik

The third overall pick in the 2000 NHL Draft, Marian Gaborik was arguably the best Slovakian-born player of his era. After a modest 36-point rookie season, the speedy winger recorded 67 points in his sophomore season and followed that up with consistent production for the better part of decade, including three 40-goal seasons. He has played for four teams, including the Los Angeles Kings, for which he won a Stanley Cup with in 2014. He's far from the player he once was as he had only a combined 43 points in the previous two seasons.

Question 11

Marian Hossa

As good as Marian Gaborik was, he wasn't even the best Marian in the league during his prime. That title belonged to his countryman Marian Hossa, who was selected 12th overall in the 1997 NHL Draft and recorded 1,134 points through 1,309 games. Hossa has played in five Stanley Cup Finals and has won the championship three times. He has eight 30-goal seasons and reached the 500 goal mark this past season. Unfortunately, the 38 year old might be facing retirement after announcing he suffers from a rare skin disorder.

Question 12

Thomas Vanek

Although he's the best player to ever hail from Austria, Thomas Vanek has left a lot to be desired throughout his career. A once-prolific sniper, he scored at least 25 goals in each of his first seven seasons in the league, but has only done so once in the past five seasons. He had a promising start to the year last season with the Detroit Red Wings, but faded as the year went on. Many question his work ethic and commitment to the game, nonetheless he still has 697 points in 885 career games.

Question 13

P.K. Subban

A native of Toronto, Ontario, P.K. Subban is one of the league's best personalities as he's always willing to say what's on his mind and put on a show for the cameras. It has caused him some problems at times due to hockey's uptight culture, whereas he would be celebrated in other leagues such as the NBA or NFL. But he's more than just a colorful personality; the former second-round draft pick controls the game with his speed and pace of play and is an adept power-play quarterback. He has recorded at least 40 points in each of the past four seasons and has 318 points in 500 career games.

Question 14

Devan Dubnyk

A former goaltender for the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL, Devan Dubnyk was drafted 14th overall because of his strong play, but mostly because of his 6-foot-6 frame. Scouts projected a goalie that tall with his athleticism could become a star in the NHL and they were right, although it took a little longer than anticipated. Dubnyk was cast away from three teams before he found a home in Minnesota, where he has become one of the league's best goaltenders. He posted a career-high 40 wins last season to go along with an impressive 2.25 goals against average and a .923 save percentage.

Question 15

Roberto Luongo

A native of Montreal, Roberto Luongo was the fourth overall pick in the 1997 NHL Draft, but spent the following two years in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, where he developed his game, despite posting a goals against average above 3.00. He struggled in his first NHL season and spent half of the year in the AHL. A trade the following year really helped him find his game, however, as he became a capable starting goaltender. Within a few years, he was one of the league's best. Through 967 games, the 38 year old has a 453-365-117 record to go along with a 2.50 goals against average and a .919 save percentage.

Question 16

Dustin Byfuglien

If the NHL Draft had been seven rounds back in 2003 as it is today, Dustin Byfuglien would not have been drafted; instead, he was selected in the eighth round after a 45-point season. A 6-foot-5 defenseman, Byfuglien was moved to forward early in his career and had success at the position, scoring 19 goals in his first full season and later recording 16 points in 22 playoff games en route to winning a Stanley Cup. He has since moved back to defense and has been equally as, if not more, effective.

Question 17

Jeff Skinner

A 5-foot-11 winger, Jeff Skinner has put on considerable muscle since breaking into the league as a scrawny rookie in 2010-11. Despite being undersized that year, he recorded 63 points, a mark he didn't equal until this past season, his seventh in the league. The former Kitchener Ranger has topped 30 goals in three seasons and reached a career-high 37 last year. Still in his prime at 25 years old, it's easy to imagine Skinner building upon last year's totals. He has 330 points in 497 games.

Question 18

Jakob Silfverberg

A native of Gavle, Sweden, Jakob Silfverberg had a breakthrough campaign last season with the Anaheim Ducks. The former second-round pick recorded a career-high 49 points in the regular season and was one of the team's best players in the postseason with 14 points in 17 games. He was equally as good two years ago as he had 18 points in 16 playoff games. The 26 year old should see increased ice time and production next season with the Ducks.

Question 19

Derick Brassard

Selected sixth overall in the 2006 NHL Draft, Derick Brassard may not have reached expectations based on his draft position, but he has become an extremely dependable second-line center. He had 116 points in his draft year with the Drummondville Voltiguers of the QMJHL, but didn't top 50 points in the NHL until his ninth season as a member of the New York Rangers. His production dropped this past season with 39 points in 81 games; to date, Brassard has 318 points in 644 career games.

Question 20

Ryan O'Reilly

A native of Clinton, Ontario, Ryan O'Reilly was one of the rare non-first-round draft picks to make the NHL out of his first training camp. The 6-foot-1 center only had 66 points in 68 games with the OHL's Erie Otters the year prior, but he was mature beyond his years, especially when it came to defensive responsibilities. As such, he emerged as a valuable two-way threat in his first two seasons in the league before recording 55 points in his third season. He now has 361 points in 570 career games and is regarded as one of the league's best defensive forwards.

Question 21

Dougie Hamilton

A top-10 pick in the 2011 NHL Draft, Dougie Hamilton is a smooth-skating 6-foot-6 blueliner who recorded a career-high 50 points this past season. He played his junior hockey for the Niagara IceDogs of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and recorded 72 points in 50 games following his draft year. He has double digit goal totals in each of his past three seasons and has accumulated 176 points in 341 career games as well as 11 points in 23 playoff games.

Question 22

Taylor Hall

Prior to the 2010 NHL Draft, it was all about Taylor (Hall) or Tyler (Seguin) - who was going to be the No. 1 overall pick? It ended up being Hall, but you could make the argument that Seguin become the better player. That said, Hall, who had 106 points in 57 games during his draft year, is still one of the top left wingers in the game. He has scored at least 20 goals in five seasons, despite often struggling with injuries and, in 2013-14, posted a career-high 80 points. He has 381 points through 453 career games.

Question 23

Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Perhaps the league's most underrated defenseman, Oliver Ekman-Larsson was selected sixth overall in the 2009 NHL Draft and has posted at least 39 points in each of the past four seasons. Yet, he's relatively unknown given the market in which he plays. The 6-foot-2, 26 year old Swede is in the prime of his career and is due for Norris Trophy consideration, especially since he has only cracked the top-10 in voting twice in his career. He was ninth in 2015-16, despite finishing seventh in scoring, while posting the second most goals among all blueliners.

Question 24

Antoine Vermette

A second-round pick in the 2000 NHL Draft, Antoine Vermette played his junior hockey with the Victoriaville Tigres and recorded a 119-point season following his draft year. He turned pro in 2002, but spent the entire year in the AHL and recorded 62 points. He made an NHL roster the following season, but was back in the AHL the next year. Vermette finally became a full-time NHLer in 2005-06 and he hasn't looked back. The Quebec native has 499 points in 982 career games and is one of the league's best face-off specialists.

Question 25

Brent Burns

Despite having the appearance of a mountain man, Brent Burns is one of the league's best defensemen and he now has the hardware to prove it. Burns won the James Norris Trophy in 2016-17 after posting career-highs in goals (29) and points (76). It was his second consecutive 70-point season. Burns had always been a decent defenseman, but he took his game to another level in the past few years and, despite now being 32 years old, seems to be in the prime of his career. The former 20th overall pick has 499 points in 879 career games.

Question 26

Joe Pavelski

A seventh-round pick in the 2003 NHL Draft, Joe Pavelski played two seasons at the University of Wisconsin before becoming a dependable player at the NHL level. In his rookie season, Pavelski recorded 28 points in 46 games and continued to steadily progress in each of the next few seasons. He had a breakthrough season in 2013-14 as he finished the year with a career-high 41 goals and 79 points. He was named captain of the San Jose Sharks prior to the 2015-16 season.

Question 27

Kyle Turris

A native of New Westminster, British Columbia, Kyle Turris was drafted third overall in the 2007 NHL Draft after posting a 121-point season with the Burnaby Express of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). He spent the following season with the University of Wisconsin and turned pro at the end of the year, playing his first three games in the NHL and picking up his first assist. In his first full season, Turris had just 20 points in 63 games. His development was slow, but he has become a capable top-six center in the league.

Question 28

Wade Redden

The pride of Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, Wade Redden is a veteran of 1,023 NHL regular season games and 106 playoff games. Selected second overall in the 1995 NHL Draft, Redden returned to junior to play for the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL before turning pro in 1996. He recorded 30 points as a rookie and, after back-to-back seasons with fewer than 30 points, began a string of eight consecutive seasons in which he topped the 30-point mark. He retired following the 2012-13 season with 457 points.

Question 29

Claude Giroux

It's hard to imagine now as he's one of the league's best centers, but when Claude Giroux was selected 22nd overall in the 2006 NHL Draft, the general manager of the team which drafted him actually forgot his name and had to consult staff members on stage. Since that moment, Giroux has developed into a premier playmaker with incredible vision and skating ability. He recorded a career-high 93 points in 2011-12 and, although his point totals have declined in each of the past three seasons, he's still a valuable asset at just 29 years old.

Question 30

Joe Thornton

"Jumbo" Joe Thornton, as he is affectionately referred, was selected first overall in the 1997 NHL Draft and is still a dynamic player. Despite his lack of speed, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound center has an amazing ability to slow the game down and find open teammates - even at 38 years old this past season, he managed 50 points in 79 games for the San Jose Sharks. He had a career-best season in 2005-06 as he won the Art Ross and Hart Memorial Trophy with 125 points in 81 games.

Question 31

Dion Phaneuf

The ninth overall pick in the 2003 NHL Draft, Dion Phaneuf has played for three teams through his 12-year career and, despite being the target of criticism for much of his career, is actually an extremely capable defender. The problem with Phaneuf is he has been overpaid and played above his defined role for much of his career; he's best suited as a second-pairing defenseman capable of playing on the power-play and penalty kill. Through 902 career games, Phaneuf has 462 points.

Question 32

Sam Gagner

A native of London, Ontario, Sam Gagner played for his hometown team in junior hockey. The diminutive center recorded 118 points in his draft year with the OHL's London Knights and was selected sixth overall. He recorded at least 40 points in each of his first five seasons, but wasn't able to break the 50-point threshold until this past season during a breakthrough campaign with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Gagner, who has 402 points in 696 games, recently signed with the Vancouver Canucks.

Question 33

Ron Francis

Ron Francis was far from the most prolific scorer at the junior level, but he proved himself an immediate impact player in the NHL. The fourth overall pick in the 1981 NHL Draft recorded 68 points in just 59 games during his rookie season in 1981-82 and went on to record at least 70 points in each of the next nine seasons, including a 101-point season in 1989-90. A three-time Lady Byng winner, Francis recorded 1,798 points through 1,731 career games.

Question 34

Eric Lindros

"Big E" Eric Lindros changed the definition of a power forward in the NHL. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound center was one of the game's most dominant players when he was healthy as his combination of size, physicality, and offensive skills feared defenders and goaltenders alike. The first overall pick in the 1991 NHL Draft, Lindros recorded 75 points as a rookie and, three seasons later, recorded a career-high 115 points. His career was greatly impacted by concussions, but he managed to record 865 points in 760 career games. He was recently inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Question 35

Jarome Iginla

Jarome Iginla was part of arguably the best junior hockey team before being drafted 11th overall in 1995. The future Hall of Famer recorded 71 points with the Kamloops Blazers, a team that also featured Darcy Tucker, Shane Doan, Tyson Nash, Nolan Baumgartner, and Jason Strudwick. Iginla has easily had the best career of the bunch as he now has 1,300 points through 1,554 career games. The two-time Rocket Richard trophy winner is without a team as of yet for 2017-18 as he continues his chase for a Stanley Cup.

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