NHL- How about those that don't get drafted on Draft Day?

Question

From the Hockey News' Top 100 Prospects issue, a few were not drafted at all.

Any info why? And anyone know any stories of these guys that go to the draft expecting to get drafted only to sit and rot? This year it was (to name a few):

Kruise Reddick (projected at #56)

Mike Cichy (79)

Jared Festler (81)

Answer 1

Reddick was at the combine a couple of weeks ago and he fared poorly on a couple of the tests (reportedly due to feeling 'less than 100%')

Answer 2

There are a lot of factors that go into what they can do. Part depends on which league they play in currently, for example a college kid with eligiblity left can return to school and re-enter the draft after their junior year (this enables them to play their senior year and sign after the season but before the next draft). Basically this allows them one more season of development without costing the NHL team. If they have junior eligibility left they return to their minor club and wait until next draft. If they are of age and dont attend college they can sign a free agent deal. There are a ton of different scenarios depending on age, current hockey club status, etc.. Most involve returning to your current club and waiting until next draft, unless you are a top prospect really not that big a deal, most kids get returned to their junior team if eligible anyways (for example, Tomas Kopecky was a Wings pick in 2000, they retained his rights but kept him playing on his Czech. junior team until bringing him here in 2005/06). Not being picked for the guys you mentioned really wont hurt any of their chances, in fact if they use not getting picked as motivation and play harder (often it is a character issue at this age with their talent) they can move up on the draft boards next year.

Answer 3

It happens a lot to some players. I feel for them. All they can do is go back to their team and work harder and try again next year. There isn't much at all that can be done. As long as they don't give up and really commit themselves they can take another shot at it next year and will most likely get picked

Answer 4

A lot of players have slid through undrafted, went back to junior and were drafted the following year. Those that slide through once or twice are occassionally picked up as free agents. The odd one will make it to the NHL, but not a lot.

Answer 5

It happened to John Madden.  He was never drafted (he was ranked pretty high).  Then the Devils got him out of college, and now he's a very successful player!  Nominated for the Selke a few times.

Rafalski was undrafted too, and the Devils got him out of Finland.  Now he's pretty good too.

Just because they're not drafted, doesn't mean they won't make it.  They just have to be patient, and wait.

Answer 6

Supplemental draft, unless they've gone away with that. (I know .. showing my age well gotta get to bed ya'll it's 12:15am and I gotta be up at 6) later! au revoir! adios!

Answer 7

i didn't expect anyone from st. mikes to get drafted (even though i'm always praying for some of them to get in the draft every year), so i'm pretty glad that cameron gaunce, chris carrozzi, zac rinaldo and tim billingsley, nick d'agostino, and brandon burlon all got picked.

it's back to junior/school for some of the rest and they may just come back next year.