Incoming Freshman Norris Goes to San Jose in NHL Draft First Round
6/23/2017 9:44:00 PM | Ice Hockey
CHICAGO, Ill. -- University of Michigan ice hockey incoming freshman Josh Norris was selected by the San Jose Sharks in the first round (19th overall pick) in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft on Friday evening (June 23). Norris becomes the 21st first-round selection in program history, joining Zach Werenski and Kyle Connor, who most recently were taken in the first round in 2015.
A native of Oxford, Michigan, Norris is coming off his final season playing for the United States National Development Team Program in Plymouth, Michigan and will join the Wolverines this fall. Norris led the USNTDP U-18 team in points with 61 (27 goals, 34 assists) over 61 games. He also helped lead Team USA to a gold medal in the 2017 IIHF U-18 World Junior Championship, notching seven points (three goals, four assists) while serving as an assistant captain. In the 2017 Under-18 Five Nations Tournament, Norris scored three goals and had four assists in four games to help lead Team USA to a first-place finish.
Norris was No. 34 in the final NHL Scouting Service Ranking while ranking first in five categories at the 2017 NHL Scouting Combine. Norris' father, Dwayne, played 15 years of professional hockey after a collegiate career at Wolverines rival Michigan State. His brother, Coale, has committed to play for Ferris State University for the upcoming season.
Michigan has now had 66 players taken in the NHL Draft in program history. U-M has had a selection in the draft every year since 1995 and in every draft except for five since its inception in 1969 (1970, '71, '72, '81 and '95).
The NHL Entry Draft will continue tomorrow (June 24) with the remaining six rounds starting at 11 a.m.
