How do players get into the NHL entry draft?

Question

I've always wondered how this works.

Answer 1

With the new CBA, all players who are 18 as of September 15 in the year of that Entry Draft are automatically eligible to be considered. Prior to the new CBA, those players had to "opt-in" and teams couldn't draft players who didn't do so; now, there's no "opt-in" process.

Also prior to the new CBA, players who were in Europe could be drafted even if they were overage; Petr Cajanek was 26 when the Blues drafted him in 2002. Now, players 22 and older cannot be drafted at all, nor can a player 21 and older who was not previously drafted and played at least one season in North America.

There is no restriction on what rounds a player can be selected in.

Answer 2

Anyone over 18 years old is eligible. Players are scouted by the teams themselves and Central Scouting.

There's one catch to the age limit. Canadian junior players, I believe, can only be taken at 18 in the first three rounds. After that, players have to wait until they are 20 to be drafted. The idea is to allow players who are good enough for a possible shot at the pros to be drafted. If they aren't going in the top three rounds, chances are that they need more time to develop and their careers aren't being held back by the wait.

Answer 3

Everyone makes the draft but most people arent picked up because they arent good enough

Answer 4

I think you have to do a little something for Mr. Bettman. You know what I mean.