Werenski, Incoming Freshman Connor Selected in 2015 NHL Draft
6/26/2015 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
June 26, 2015
• NHL Draft Central | Michigan NHL Draft History
SUNRISE, Fla. -- University of Michigan ice hockey sophomore defenseman Zach Werenski and incoming freshman Kyle Connor became the 19th and 20th players in program history selected in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft. Werenski was selected eighth overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Connor was taken 17th overall by the Winnipeg Jets on Friday (June 26) at BB&T Center, home of the Florida Panthers. For just the third time in program history (2005, 2006, 2015), Michigan has placed two players in the first round of the NHL Draft.
Werenski led all Big Ten defensemen with nine goals and finished tops among U-M blueliners and second among Big Ten defensemen with 25 points (9G, 16A) this season. An All-Big Ten first team and All-Rookie Team selection, Werenski had the most points and goals by a freshman defenseman at Michigan since Jacob Trouba (13G, 16A) in 2012-13. Werenski led the team (along with Kevin Lohan) with 59 blocked shots this season. He earned the Vic Heyliger Award as U-M's most outstanding defensemen.
Werenski is the first Michigan defenseman to be selected in the first round of the NHL Draft since Winnipeg selected Jacob Trouba with the ninth overall pick in 2012. He is the highest Michigan draft selection since Jack Johnson was selected third overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2005. Werenski is the second U-M player or commit to be selected by the Blue Jackets, joining Kevin Lynch (2nd round, 2009).
Connor finished a prolific third season with the Youngstown Phantoms of the United States Hockey League (USHL), leading the league in scoring with 80 points (34g, 46a) over 56 regular-season games, breaking a record for points in a season by a Phantoms player that he set in 2013-14 (74). Connor led the USHL with nine game-winning goals. For his efforts, Connor was named both the 2014-15 USHL Player of the Year and 2014-15 USHL Forward of the Year. Connor played in the Belle Tire Midget Minor program, where he was teammates with Werenski and former Wolverine Dylan Larkin in 2011-12. Connor is the 10th U-M player or commit to be selected by the Winnipeg Jets and the fourth U-M pick by Winnipeg in the last five years.
The 2015 NHL Entry Draft will continue on Saturday (June 27) with rounds two through seven, beginning at 10 a.m. All six remaining rounds will air live on the NHL Network.
Columbus Blue Jackets Selections
Year -- Name, Round, Overall Pick No.
2009 -- Kevin Lynch*, 2nd, 56
2015 -- Zach Werenski, 1st, 8
Winnipeg Jets Selections
Year -- Name, Round, Overall Pick No.
1980 -- Murray Eaves, 3rd, 44
1984 -- Gary Lorden*, 6th, 114
1984 -- Brad Jones, 8th, 156
1988 -- Mike Helber*, 9th, 178
1989 -- Doug Evans, 7th, 131
1991 -- Aaron Ward, 1st, 5
2011 -- Brennan Serville*, 3rd, 79
2012 -- Jacob Trouba*, 1st, 9
2013 -- Andrew Copp, 4th, 104
2015 -- Kyle Connor*, 1st, 17
Michigan First-Round NHL Draft Selections
Year -- Name, Team (Overall Pick No.)
1976 -- David Shand, ATL (8th)
1987 -- Bryan Deasley, CGY (19th)
1991 -- Aaron Ward, WIN (5th)
1992 -- Ryan Sittler*, PHI (7th)
1994 -- Jason Botterill, DAL (20th)
1998 -- Mike Van Ryn, NJ (26th)
1999 -- Jeff Jillson, SJ (14th)
2001 -- Mike Komisarek, MTL (7th)
2002 -- Eric Nystrom, CGY (10th)
2003 -- Jeff Tambellini, LA (27th)
2004 -- Al Montoya, NYR (6th)
2005 -- Jack Johnson*, CAR (3rd)
2005 -- Andrew Cogliano*, EDM (25th)
2006 -- Mark Mitera, ANA (19th)
2006 -- Chris Summers*, PHO (29th)
2007 -- Max Pacioretty*, MTL (22nd)
2012 -- Jacob Trouba*, WPG (9th)
2014 -- Dylan Larkin, DET (15th)
2015 -- Zach Werenski, CBJ (8th)
2015 -- Kyle Connor*, WPG (17th)
* Drafted before starting freshman year at Michigan
Communications Contact: Jeffrey Weinstein (734) 763-4423
